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Hugh Churchill is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Arkansas, College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on quantum materials and devices, particularly condensed matter physics with applications in 2D systems and quantum transport. Education: PhD in Physics from Harvard University, BA in Physics and BM in Music Performance from Oberlin College Recent research trends include studies on 2D materials like transition metal dichalcogenides and black phosphorus, investigating quantum transport phenomena, supercurrent tuning, strain engineering for exciton control, and applications of machine learning in quantum material discovery. His work also explores THz emission mechanisms and quantum noise mitigation strategies. Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers NSF CAREER Award ORAU Powe Junior Faculty Award AFOSR Young Investigator Connor Faculty Fellowship Hugh teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in quantum mechanics, modern physics, and 2D materials, including PHYS 5413 Quantum Mechanics I and PHYS 6713 Condensed Matter Physics II.

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Materials
• Quantum Devices
• +3 more

Stephen S. Hudson is an Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Occidental College. He holds a B.A. from the University of California, Davis, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Appointed in 2022, he specializes in metal music studies and R&B/Soul harmony. Education: B.A., University of California, Davis; Ph.D., Northwestern University Hudson’s research focuses on embodied experiences of rhythm, timbre, and song form in metal music, as well as harmonic complexity in R&B and Soul. His work has been featured in Music Theory Spectrum , Metal Music Studies , and Current Musicology . Recent publications include articles on Drake’s harmonic loops and Meshuggah’s groove structures. He is authoring two books: Heaviness in Metal Music (Oxford University Press) and a study of Meshuggah’s riffs (Lever Press). As Vice President of the Pacific Southwest chapter of the American Musicological Society, he advocates for inclusive music theory pedagogy that extends beyond classical traditions. His teaching emphasizes tools for songwriters and producers. Hudson maintains an active interest in classical and baroque cello performance, reflecting his engagement with both historical and contemporary music practices.

• Metal Music Studies
• Music Theory
• Rhythm and Timbre Analysis
• +3 more

Rachel Devorah Wood Rome is an Assistant Professor in the Electronic Production and Design (EPD) department at Berklee College of Music, where she teaches creative coding, live coding, and music technology. Her work bridges electronic music, improvisation, and critical theory, with a focus on sonic cyberfeminism, archival practices, and the social meanings of sound and space. Ph.D. in Music Composition and Computer Technologies, University of Virginia (2018) M.L.I.S., San José State University (2017) M.A. in Music Composition, Mills College (2013) B.Mus. in Horn Performance, CUNY Queens College (2007) Her research explores superhuman prolongation, opaque complexity, and the re-signification of archaic tools in sonic media. She values machines for their patience and memory, and her creative practice emphasizes critical agency in technology design and use. She performs under the name 'mehetabel' when using archival materials in improvised electronic music. The most recent publications and performances reflect a deep engagement with AI and music, live coding, feminist media theory, and spatialized sound. Her works often involve real-time data processing, generative systems, and collaborative improvisation, situating sound within broader social, political, and technological contexts. Ruth Anderson Installation Prize (IAWM) New Music USA Grant Fellowships from MIT OpenDocLab, Adrian Piper Foundation, Ina GRM, New Museum, and Jefferson Scholars Foundation Residencies at EMS Stockholm, STEIM Amsterdam, MassMoCA, and Cove Park Rome advises emerging artists in electronic music and creative coding, many of whom have gone on to establish their own practices. She is also active in academic service, including curriculum development, faculty governance, and labor organizing as a Councilor for the Berklee Faculty Union. She leads initiatives in DEI, sound design, and coding pedagogy within the EPD department. She has been involved in interdisciplinary collaborations with artists, technologists, and institutions worldwide, presenting work in galleries, festivals, and academic conferences across North America, Europe, and Asia. Her leadership extends to nonprofit arts organizations, where she has served as Executive Director and grantwriter.

• Electronic Music
• Creative Coding
• Live Coding
• +12 more

Eileen Luhr serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of History at California State University, Long Beach, where she specializes in 20th century United States history with particular focus on the cultural intersections of religion, politics, and popular culture. Her research examines the suburbanization of evangelicalism and the rise of Christian popular culture, especially music, from the Jesus Freaks movement of the late 1960s through Christian heavy metal and rock festivals. Dr. Luhr's scholarly work investigates how conservative religious movements engaged with youth culture and consumerism to reshape American political discourse during the Reagan-Bush era. Her major publication Witnessing Suburbia (2009) analyzes how evangelicals created a politicized youth culture that represented one of the major achievements of 'third wave' conservatism in the late twentieth century. The book explores how suburban evangelicals used consumer culture to 'witness' to America through what she terms an 'MTV approach to evangelism.' Reviews of her work highlight its thorough research and significance for understanding the evolution of mainstream evangelicals' attitudes toward popular culture over the past forty years, filling an important gap in histories of conservative Christianity and American cultural studies.

• United States History
• Cultural History
• Religious History
• +5 more

Evan Torner is Professor of German Studies and Film & Media Studies at the University of Cincinnati, where he directs the UC Game Lab. His research integrates German cinema, science fiction, and role-playing game studies, with emphasis on East German (DEFA) film, colonial representations, and participatory media. Previously an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow at Grinnell College, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2013). Education highlights: Ph.D. in German Studies (University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2013) M.E. (University of Tokyo, 2014) B.A. (Grinnell College, 2004) Research examines transnational genre cinema, especially kagome metal cultural circuits, and game-based pedagogy. Current projects analyze Cold War cinematic exchanges and larp (live-action role-playing) as pedagogical tools. Publications reflect sustained inquiry into German film history and game studies, particularly DEFA's transnational collaborations and narrative innovations in science fiction. Recent trends show increased focus on role-playing methodologies and game theory applications. Awards & Honors: Dean's Teaching Excellence Award (2017) Outstanding Essay Award in Cinema Studies (2015) DAAD Fellowships (2009-2010, 2012) Block Winter Award for interdisciplinary scholarship (2020) Leads NIH/NSF-funded projects on game-based learning and co-edits the Analog Game Studies journal. Advises students in German-film crossovers and organizes international larp events. Directs the UC Game Lab, fostering research on immersive media and game design pedagogy.

• East German cinema
• transnational genre cinema
• role-playing games
• +3 more

Juri Seo is an Associate Professor of Music at Princeton University, where she teaches composition. She is a Korean-born American composer and pianist known for her innovative approach to contemporary classical music that bridges historical forms with modern techniques. Her educational background includes a B.A. from Yonsei University in Korea and an M.M. and D.M.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied with Reynold Tharp. Her dissertation focused on Jonathan Harvey's String Quartets (2013). Seo's research interests span Contemporary Music Composition, Counterpoint, Harmony, Just Intonation, Microtonality, Piano Composition, and the intersection of Ecology with Music. Her work explores "the continuum between timbre, harmony, and noise" while maintaining a deep connection to traditional Western classical forms. She is particularly passionate about counterpoint, which she describes as "a lost art" in contemporary composition. Her compositions demonstrate a unique synthesis of historical forms (like fugue and cantus firmus) with contemporary techniques including extended just intonation and electronics. A recurring theme in her recent work is ecology, with pieces like "Birds, Bees, Electric Fish" exploring the perceptual worlds of different organisms. She has pioneered performances with blindfolded audiences to heighten auditory awareness. Guggenheim Fellowship (2016) Goddard Lieberson Fellowship from American Academy of Arts and Letters (2013) Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship (2011) Otto Eckstein Fellowship from Tanglewood (2011) Koussevitzky Commission from the Library of Congress Copland House Residency Award Seo has received commissions from prestigious organizations including the Fromm Foundation, Barlow Endowment, Tanglewood Music Center, and the University of Illinois. She has been a composition fellow at Tanglewood, Bang on a Can, and SoundSCAPE festivals. Her debut album "Mostly Piano" was released by Innova Recordings in 2017, and her recent album "Obsolete Music" was released by New Amsterdam Records in June 2025. She leads an active creative life with numerous upcoming commissions through 2026, including works for So Percussion, the Grossman Ensemble, and the University of Illinois Percussion Studio. Her work with the JACK Quartet on pieces using extended just intonation has been particularly significant in her recent output.

• Contemporary Music Composition
• Counterpoint
• Harmony
• +7 more

Zachary Wallmark is an Associate Professor of Musicology and Area Chair of Musicology and Ethnomusicology at the University of Oregon's School of Music and Dance. His interdisciplinary research bridges musicology, cognitive science, and sound studies, with a particular focus on musical timbre and its relationship to emotion, meaning, and cultural context. Wallmark maintains a joint affiliation with the Center for Translational Neuroscience at the University of Oregon, reflecting his cross-disciplinary approach. His research interests span popular music studies, timbre analysis, music cognition, and sound studies, with particular attention to how musical timbre functions in emotional response, aesthetic judgment, and music sociology. Wallmark's work explores these themes across diverse musical contexts including American popular music, free jazz, extreme heavy metal, and traditional Japanese music. Wallmark's publications reveal a consistent focus on timbre as a critical yet undertheorized dimension of musical experience. His work spans empirical studies of timbre perception, corpus analyses of timbre semantics, interdisciplinary investigations of timbre's role in meaning-making, and theoretical explorations of timbre's relationship to cultural and social contexts. Recent publications increasingly integrate cognitive neuroscience methodologies with traditional musicological approaches. GRAMMY Museum Foundation Scientific Research Grant UO Presidential Fellowship in Humanistic Study AMS Ruth A. Solie Award Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada Partnership Grant National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship Wallmark's research has received significant external funding from prestigious organizations including the NEH and the GRAMMY Museum Foundation. He is active in the Analysis, Creation, and Teaching of Orchestration (ACTOR) group, an international research partnership funded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. His work has been presented at major international conferences including the American Musicological Society (AMS), Society for Music Perception and Cognition (SMPC), Society for Music Theory (SMT), and Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM). Wallmark has also been invited to lecture at notable venues including the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. Beyond his academic work, he is a published composer, commercial musician, jazz bassist, and performer of the Japanese shakuhachi flute.

• Popular music
• Timbre
• Music cognition
• +4 more

James Maurelle is an Assistant Professor of Studio Art at Clark University, with affiliations in the Visual and Performing Arts department. He holds an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania and a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. His practice bridges sculpture, video, and sound art, emphasizing labor-creativity correlations and jazz-influenced composition processes. Key research interests include material transformation, interdisciplinary methods, and cultural narratives through industrial materials. Educational Background: M.F.A., University of Pennsylvania (Weitzman School of Design), 2015 B.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute (Film & Design), 2013 Postgraduate Apprenticeship, The Fabric Workshop (Philadelphia), 2015– Research Interests: Explores labor's intersection with creativity, using tools and materials as instruments. Jazz structures underpin his work ethic, with materials (wood, metal, blood) serving as 'staff paper' for compositions. Recent projects investigate industrial progress, cultural heritage, and material symbolism through installations and performances. Recent Exhibitions/Trends: Focused on durational performances (e.g., 24-hour installations) and site-specific works. Recent shows include POSSIBLE FUTURES (2024) and MOVEMENT at Clark University, emphasizing sound and spatial interventions. Material choices increasingly incorporate organic elements like blood, soil, and vegetation, reflecting ecological and bodily themes. Awards: 2022 Pew Fellowship 2024–2023 Higgins School Major Grants Skowhegan Fellowship (2015) Teaching & Grants: Currently teaches Studio Art at Clark University and has held lectures at Penn State and Rutgers. Recent grants fund experimental material projects and community-based installations. Active residencies include Vermont Studio Center (2024) and Windgate ITE (2022). Labs/Teams: Collaborates with institutions like the Center for Art in Wood and the Fabric Workshop. Leads interdisciplinary projects blending sculpture, sound, and performance.

• Sculpture
• Video Art
• Photography
• +5 more

Lewis Dimmick is a Lecturer at the College of Staten Island, part of The City University of New York (CUNY), specializing in first-year writing pedagogy and research on music subcultures. His work bridges academic writing with explorations of heavy metal, punk, and hardcore scenes, particularly in 1980s New York. He holds an MFA from New York University and a BA from the College of Staten Island. Dimmick’s debut book, This Music (2013), examines his coming-of-age in the NYC hardcore scene, blending personal narrative with cultural critique. He has published essays in Decibel Magazine and Village Voice , including analyses of figures like Tom Capone and the history of underground fanzines. His writing emphasizes democratic classroom practices and community outreach, such as mentoring in the Visible Ink program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dimmick’s research interests include the intersection of music subcultures with identity, urban life, and youth culture. His current projects include a book on his father’s death and explorations of tattoo art and drawing.

• Writing Pedagogy
• Cultural Studies
• Music History
• +3 more

Eon Soo Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). His primary research focuses on advanced materials engineering, biomedical microfluidics, and assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities. He has led federally funded projects including 'I-Corps: Multiplex Diagnostic Assay Using Interdigitated Nano-Sensing Technology' (NSF, 2023-2025) and 'Innovative Nano Catalysts for Automobile and Fuel Cell Applications' (NSF, 2018). Research Interests: Lee's work spans interdisciplinary areas including: Development of N-doped graphene/MOF composites for energy applications Microfluidic systems for blood plasma separation and antigen detection Design of accessible technologies for visually impaired users, including VR audio descriptions and remote sighted assistance systems Grants and Projects (select): National Science Foundation (2023): $500K for multiplex diagnostic assays National Science Foundation (2018): $300K for nano-catalysts in fuel cells Multiyear collaborations with industry partners on biosensor integration Innovation Highlights: Developed AIGuide: AR hand-guidance system for visual impairments Pioneered omnidirectional audio descriptions for VR music performances Published extensively in Carbon , Biomicrofluidics , and ACM/IEEE accessibility venues

• Microchannel Engineering
• Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
• Two-phase Flow
• +7 more

Mary Ballard is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences, where she has served continuously since 1991 after earning her Ph.D. from West Virginia University. Her academic journey progressed from Assistant Professor (1991-1997) to Associate Professor (1997-2002) and finally to full Professor in 2002. Her educational credentials include a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology (1991, West Virginia University), M.S. in Clinical Psychology (1981, Eastern Kentucky University), and B.S. in Psychology cum laude (1979, Eastern Kentucky University). She maintains licensure as a Psychological Associate and Health Service Provider in North Carolina. Dr. Ballard's research examines media effects, particularly video games and aggression, with significant work on bullying, gender dynamics, and social context. Her laboratory investigates cardiovascular and emotional responses to media stimuli, extending to adolescent risk behaviors in rural settings. Recent publications reveal evolving focus from 1990s music psychology to contemporary cyberbullying in online gaming environments, consistently applying experimental physiological measures. She has received top honors including the 2020 North Carolina Board of Governor's Excellence in Teaching Award and multiple Psi Chi mentoring/teaching awards. Her scientific recognition highlights exceptional integration of research and pedagogy. North Carolina Board of Governor's Excellence in Teaching Award (2020) Psi Chi Excellence in Mentoring Award (2013) Psi Chi Excellence in Teaching Award (2012) Psi Chi Above and Beyond Award (2007) Dr. Ballard actively mentors undergraduate researchers through grants from the Center for Academic Excellence, Office of Student Research, and College of Arts and Sciences. Notable projects include SAFE Fund awards for Megan Kornhauser (2017) and Elizabeth Watts (2012-2013), plus GRAM funding for 2018-2019 research. Her lab provides hands-on experience in experimental design and physiological measurement techniques. Her research laboratory focuses on media-aggression connections through controlled experiments, frequently collaborating with students on conference presentations. Current work explores digital aggression in gaming environments while maintaining longitudinal interest in cardiovascular correlates of media exposure.

• Aggression
• Video Games
• Bullying
• +5 more

Gavin F Hurley serves as Associate Professor of Communication & Literature and Director of the Writing Program at Ave Maria University in Fort Myers, Florida. His academic profile demonstrates a unique interdisciplinary approach that bridges classical rhetorical traditions, Catholic intellectual thought, and contemporary communication challenges. Dr. Hurley's research interests focus on Composition and Rhetoric, with specialized expertise in Catholic Horror Literature, Classical Dialectics, and the application of rhetorical theory to business communication. His scholarly work consistently explores how classical rhetorical traditions can inform modern communication practices, particularly in the contexts of writing pedagogy and business communication. His publications reveal a growing concern with the impact of generative AI on writing and education, with several recent publications addressing this critical issue from philosophical and pedagogical perspectives. His research trajectory shows a clear pattern of examining how philosophical and theological concepts intersect with rhetorical practices, particularly through the lens of horror literature (which he has established as a distinct subgenre of Catholic Horror). His work on the Chronos Principle demonstrates his interest in temporal dimensions of communication, while his publications on Augustinian composition pedagogy reveal his commitment to integrating theological insights with practical writing instruction. Major Publications: Influence with Eloquence: Classical Persuasion for Business Professionals (2025) Catholic Horror and Rhetorical Dialectics (2024) The Playbook of Persuasive Reasoning: Everyday Empowerment and Likeability (2018) Dr. Hurley's scholarly contributions demonstrate his commitment to connecting classical rhetorical wisdom with contemporary communication challenges, particularly in the realms of business communication, writing pedagogy, and the philosophical implications of emerging technologies like generative AI. His work consistently emphasizes the enduring value of dialectical thinking and contemplative approaches to communication in an increasingly fragmented cultural landscape.

• Composition and Rhetoric
• Rhetorical Dialectics
• Catholic Horror Literature
• +7 more

Peter Lucas Hulen is a Professor in the Music Department at Wabash College , where he has taught for nearly 25 years. His work bridges classical acoustic composition with experimental computer-generated electronic music, informed by his classical training and later shift toward digital techniques. Research interests include: Electronic music history Music technology pedagogy Digital synthesis methods (FM, subtractive, granular) Integration of acoustic and electronic sound Algorithmic composition Interdisciplinary applications His compositions explore: Microtonal scales using superparticular ratios Wireless performance interfaces Choral liturgy adaptation Cultural sound symbolism Speaker array design Temporal structure manipulation Recent works combine academic rigor with technical innovation: 2017: Homage and Refuge , Wobbly 2015: Organum IV 2014: Magnificat , Sitting 328b 2013: Les substances botaniques , Primitive 2012: Lamentationes Jeremiae I He developed a systematic electronic music curriculum including: History and Literature Computer Programming (Max/MSP) Performance Ensembles Theory and Composition

• Electronic Music
• Music Composition
• Music Theory
• +3 more

Laina Dawes is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Music at Case Western Reserve University’s College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University (2022), a Masters of Liberal Studies from The New School (2015), and an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Sociology from York University (Ontario, Canada). Her research focuses on how transgressive music subcultures—particularly heavy metal—challenge societal norms around race, gender, and class. She is the author of What Are You Doing Here? A Black Woman’s Life and Liberation in Heavy Metal (2012/2020) and contributes to publications like The Wire , NPR , and Metal Hammer . She serves on the editorial board for the Meta/Metal book series and is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot holder since 2016. Her work bridges academic scholarship with popular music commentary through televised documentaries and music criticism. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with music journalism networks and cultural studies initiatives.

• Ethnomusicology
• Heavy Metal Studies
• Popular Music Studies
• +4 more

Dr. Ian Reyes is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Rhode Island. His work focuses on critical, socio-cultural approaches to media, including audio recording, popular music, and video games. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh (2008), an M.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2000), and a B.A. from Hampshire College (1998). His research explores the interplay between technology, culture, and society, with notable projects on heavy metal recording aesthetics, mobile technology's temporal and visual dimensions, and conspiracy theory rhetoric. He is an Avid Certified Pro Tools Instructor and contributes to fields like Science and Technology Studies and Media Studies. Recent publications (2010–2015) analyze topics such as mobile media consumption patterns, virtual spaces in marketing, and the rhetoric of conspiracy theories. His work bridges technical practices (e.g., audio production) with broader cultural critiques.

• Media Studies
• Science and Technology Studies
• Audio Production
• +3 more