Find Academic Supervisors

Alina Schnake-MahlView profile

Assistant Professor

• Public Health Policy
• Social Epidemiology
• Health Disparities
• +7 more

Alina Schnake-Mahl, ScD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health, jointly affiliated with the Department of Health Management and Policy and the Urban Health Collaborative. Her work focuses on social and political determinants of health inequities, particularly how neighborhood factors, policies, and governance structures influence health disparities. Education: ScD in Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health BA in Health: Science, Society and Policy & Politics, Brandeis University Research Interests: Social epidemiology and health services research Health and built environment Policy analysis of occupational and housing policies Methodological innovations in causal inference Urban health inequities Key Research Trends: Dr. Schnake-Mahl's work emphasizes policy evaluation across multiple governance levels, with a focus on paid leave policies, vaccination inequities, and redistricting impacts. Her recent studies highlight how structural policies like paid sick leave correlate with reduced health disparities in urban settings. Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the Urban Health Collaborative, focusing on applied research to inform equitable health policies.

Fiona FrenchView profile

Associate Professor

• Animal-Computer Interaction
• Animal Welfare
• Zoology
• +3 more

Dr. Fiona French is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing and Digital Media at London Metropolitan University, specializing in Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI). She is the course leader for the BSc Games Programming program and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her research focuses on designing technology-enhanced systems to improve animal welfare, particularly through cognitive and acoustic enrichment for captive species like elephants and nocturnal animals. French collaborates with zoos, conservation organizations, and interdisciplinary teams to create interactive tools that empower animals and promote ethical technology use. Her work spans projects such as 'Facial Physio,' a VR application for Parkinson's facial rehabilitation, and 'Sensory Jam,' exploring non-human sensory experiences. She has led workshops like 'Moon Jam' and 'ReptileJam,' fostering collaborative design solutions for animal welfare challenges. French’s publications address biohybrid systems, ethical AI, and multispecies aesthetics, emphasizing technology’s role in bridging human and animal needs. Key Collaborations: Twycross Zoo, Indy Zoo, and North Carolina Zoo. Grants: Supported by interdisciplinary projects focusing on animal agency and environmental enrichment. Lab/Team: Leads the ACI research group at London Met, developing prototypes like interactive audio devices and facial muscle controllers.

Andy GoetzView profile

Professor

• Transportation Geography
• Urban Planning
• Transit-Oriented Development
• +4 more

Andrew R. Goetz is Professor in the Department of Geography & the Environment at the University of Denver, with affiliate positions in the Transportation Institute and Urban Studies Program. His research examines transportation infrastructure, urban development patterns, and sustainability policy. Research areas include metropolitan transportation planning, rail transit impacts, freight system optimization, airport development, and high-speed rail feasibility. Current applied work informs Colorado transportation policy through service on CDOT's Statewide Freight Advisory Council and Denver Regional Council of Governments committees. Scientific Awards: Edward L. Ullman Award for Significant Contributions to Transportation Geography (2010) His leadership includes associate editorship at the Journal of Transport Geography and governance roles in international transportation research networks including NECTAR and IGU's Transport Commission.

Berhane DoryView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Early Childhood Education
• Child Development
• Socio-Cultural Contexts in Education
• +3 more

Berhane Dory is a Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the School of Social Sciences and Professions, London Metropolitan University. She supports Level 4 students and distance learners, drawing on extensive experience in Montessori education and outreach work with refugee communities. MA in Early Years’ Pedagogy, NK Krupskaya Pedagogical University (1983) MEd in Education, Open University (2003) PGCE in Teaching and Learning, London Metropolitan University (2009) Her research explores children’s emotional wellbeing and risk-taking within socio-cultural contexts. Current projects include co-authoring an observation book focused on child development. Berhane has published work on Montessori education (1997) and authored a children’s storybook (1991). She integrates her expertise in socio-cultural contexts into teaching and dissertation supervision. Professional experience spans 16 years at a Montessori college, outreach with refugee communities in the UK, and early years policy development with Ethiopia’s Children’s Commission. She trained preschool teachers and designed programs in Ethiopia during the 1970s-1980s.

Reginald Yin-Wang KwokView profile

Professor

• Political economy of Chinese development
• Urbanization in China
• Globalization in East Asia
• +5 more

Reginald Yin-Wang Kwok is a Professor with joint appointments in the Asian Studies Program (Center for Chinese Studies) and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawaii. His expertise spans the political economy of Chinese development, urbanization, globalization in East Asia, and urban planning across cultural contexts. Professor Kwok's educational background includes: PhD from Columbia University (1973) MS in Architecture and MS in Urban Planning from Columbia University (1969) Diploma in Tropical Studies from the Architectural Association, London (1967) Diploma in Architecture from The Polytechnic, London (1963) His research centers on Chinese development and urbanization, globalization in East Asia, and urban planning with cultural dimensions. Current work examines the South China Triangle Region (Coastal China, Taiwan, Hong Kong), focusing on Taiwan's regional restructuring, Taipei landmarks, and China's urban land market desocialization. His teaching covers courses like ASAN 484 Society and Politics in China and ASAN/PLAN 635 East Asian Development. Publications from 2000-2011 reveal consistent focus on East Asian urban dynamics, particularly Taiwan and China. Key themes include globalization's impact on spatial development, political economy of industrialization, and cultural-urban form interactions. Notable works analyze Taiwanese industrialization (2011), Taipei's metropolitan development (2011), and Pearl River Delta growth (2001), demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches bridging economics, planning, and cultural studies. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. While specific advisees and grants aren't listed, Professor Kwok maintains active professional engagement through editorial roles and consultancy. He serves on editorial boards for Built Environment (UK) and China Review International (US), and has consulted for entities including the World Bank, Hong Kong Housing Authority, Shenzhen Planning Committee, and Taipei City Council across Asia and the United States. His institutional leadership includes founding the Center of Urban Planning and Urban Studies at the University of Hong Kong, and he has held visiting professorships at Tsinghua University, Tongji University, Zhongshan University, and Wuhan Academy of Urban Construction.

Andrea BertassiView profile

Professor

• Urban Planning
• Sustainable Architecture
• Architectural Design
• +3 more

Andrea Bertassi is a Professor of Architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) since August 2019. He holds an M.Arch from the IUAV University of Venice. His academic roles include Assistant Professor of Practice (2018–2019) at the University of Arizona and Lecturer (2016–2018) at the same university. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at institutions such as Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia), School of Architecture at Taliesin (USA), and the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai (India). His research interests focus on urban equity, sustainable design, and community-driven architecture. Notable projects include the Urban (in)Equity initiative and creative community projects in Arizona. He has been recognized with awards such as the Innovative Teaching Award (2019) and the Design Thinking Award (2018). Education: M.Arch, IUAV University of Venice Professional Experience: Co-founder of XCOOP (2009–present), former architect at Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), and contributor to global projects like the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and the European Commission Headquarters. Bertassi’s work spans architectural practice, education, and advocacy, emphasizing socially responsible design and cross-cultural collaboration.

James H. PickeringView profile

Professor

• American Literature
• Historical Fiction
• Regional Studies (American West)
• +3 more

James H. Pickering is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Northwestern University, and a B.A. from Williams College. Ph.D., Northwestern University M.A., Northwestern University B.A., Williams College Dr. Pickering specializes in American literature and regional history, particularly focused on the American West and Rocky Mountain region. His work combines literary analysis with historical documentation, creating comprehensive narratives about mountain communities and their cultural development. His recent publications focus on Colorado's history, mountain exploration, and regional development. Themes include tourism evolution, settlement patterns, and biographical documentation of key figures in Western history. The keywords across his work include American Literature, Historical Geography, Mountain Ecology, Urban Studies, and Adventure Writing. Historian Laureate of Estes Park, Colorado Houston City Council commendation Texas State Senate resolution of esteem Houston Urban League Quentin Meese Award Mentor of the Year, University of Houston Mortar Board 'Top Prof' award He teaches courses in Introduction to Fiction, American Literature, and Literature of the American West. His email is jhpick@earthlink.net and office location is 234A Roy Cullen Building.

Sadia MirView profile

Associate Professor

• Creative Nonfiction
• Documentary Media
• Social Justice Education
• +3 more

Sadia Mir is an Associate Professor of English at Virginia Commonwealth University's VCUarts Qatar School of the Arts. She specializes in creative writing, documentary media, and social justice education, with a focus on storytelling's role in education and identity formation. Her work bridges narrative nonfiction, film/video, and immersive media, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Education includes an MFA in Creative Writing and Documentary Media from University of British Columbia and Toronto Metropolitan University, a BA in English from McGill University, and a CELTA certificate from Cambridge University. Research focuses on culturally relevant storytelling in education, particularly mathematics and social justice. Notable achievements include co-authoring Spring Bloom: a math adventure story (2020), which won multiple international awards, and leading projects like the Young Writers Program fostering creative writing in Qatar. Her funded research includes grants from VCUarts Qatar ($20K annually 2021-2022), the Presidential Research Quest Fund ($49,898 in 2019), and a Qatar National Research Fund project ($150K in 2014). She has presented at global forums including the International Research Society for Children’s Literature (Chile, 2021) and Mathematics Education for the Future Project (Ireland, 2019).

Colin BelbyView profile

Professor

• Geomorphology
• River Systems
• Water Resources
• +3 more

Colin Belby serves as Professor and Dean of the College of Science & Health at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse . With expertise in Geomorphology, River Systems, Water Resources, Environmental Contamination, Geospatial Field Mapping, and GIS , he leads the Geography and Environmental Science department while maintaining active research programs. Education: B.A. in Geography & Mathematics (2002) - Augustana College M.S. in Geography - Fluvial Geomorphology (2005) - University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. in Geography - Fluvial Geomorphology (2009) - University of Wisconsin-Madison His research emphasizes river systems and environmental contamination , particularly in the Driftless region of Wisconsin. Recent projects focus on sediment dynamics , channel migration , and fire history reconstruction using lake sediment cores. He frequently collaborates with students on UAV photogrammetry and geospatial analysis applications. Colin actively mentors students in field methods and geospatial technologies, with recent work spanning from the Mississippi River to the Himalayas . He has contributed to institutional development through the River Studies Center and maintains partnerships with organizations like the J.F. Brennan Company for hands-on hydrographic surveying experiences.

Andrew FiondaView profile

Professor

• Fashion Design
• Textile Design
• Fashion Business Management
• +3 more

Andrew Fionda is a Professor of Fashion at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) since 2018. He holds an M.F.A. in fashion design from the Royal College of Art and a B.A. in textiles/fashion from Trent Polytechnic. He is also a co-founder and managing director of Pearce Fionda, a successful fashion design label since 1994. Affiliations: SCAD (Savannah, GA), Ravensbourne University (London), Brighton Metropolitan University (Brighton, UK), and others. Experience: Over two decades in fashion design, teaching, and curation, including roles as a designer for Genny (Italy), Alexon International, and Just Jamie. He also owned a vintage boutique in Brighton (2006–2009) and curated the acclaimed 'Little Black Dress Exhibition' (2008). His research interests span full-spectrum fashion design practices, from conceptual design to industry management, with a focus on bridging academic and commercial fashion sectors. He emphasizes practical skills, including fabric research, budgeting, and marketing. Awards: Multiple industry recognitions include the 'New Generation Designers of the Year' (1994), nominations at the British Fashion Awards (1996–1997), and academic accolades such as the Ravensbourne Coach Trip (2017). Advising & Grants: Advised students across UK and US institutions, focusing on portfolio development and industry readiness. His work with Pearce Fionda has received grants and export awards. Labs/Teams: Leads SCAD’s Fashion Design curriculum and collaborates with global fashion houses through Pearce Fionda.

Joe William Trotter Jr.View profile

Professor

• African American History
• Urban History
• Labor History
• +4 more

Joe William Trotter Jr. is the Giant Eagle University Professor of History and Social Justice at Carnegie Mellon University, where he has been a faculty member since 1985. He previously served as Chair of the History Department and is the Founder and Director of Carnegie Mellon's Center for Africanamerican Urban Studies and the Economy (CAUSE). He is also President Elect of the Urban History Association and a distinguished member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His academic journey began with a BA from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, followed by M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota (1980). This educational foundation established his trajectory as a leading scholar in African American historical studies. Trotter's research centers on African American urban history, labor history, and working class history , with a particular focus on how economic structures intersect with racial dynamics. His scholarship spans from the colonial era to contemporary times, examining African American contributions to urban development and industrial growth. He has pioneered methodologies that connect local Pittsburgh history to national and global contexts, especially in his work on black labor movements and urban segregation patterns. His publications reveal a consistent analytical framework that challenges deficit narratives about African American communities. Rather than framing black populations as dependent 'takers,' his work demonstrates their essential role as economic 'givers' throughout American history. His recent scholarship expands this analysis globally, examining urban segregation across different historical periods and geographical locations, while maintaining Pittsburgh as a key case study. Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Giant Eagle University Professorship at Carnegie Mellon University President Elect of the Urban History Association Past President of the Labor and Working Class History Association Trotter has advised numerous graduate students who have pursued successful careers in academia and cultural institutions. His leadership extends through CAUSE, which he founded and directs, securing research funding and fostering collaborations between scholars, community organizations, and policymakers. He has served on significant academic committees including the Executive Council of the Organization of American Historians and the Program Committee of the American Historical Association. As founder of CAUSE, Trotter has cultivated a research ecosystem focused on interdisciplinary approaches to African American urban studies. The center hosts regular conferences, supports graduate research fellowships, and facilitates community-based research projects that document and preserve African American urban history in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Juan MatuteView profile

Lecturer

• Transportation Planning and Policy
• Public Transit
• Environmental Assessment
• +3 more

Juan Matute is a Lecturer in Urban Planning and Deputy Director of the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. His expertise spans transportation planning, environmental assessment, and urban sustainability. He leads strategic transit planning initiatives for California and advises on climate action plans for Southern California communities. Education: M.B.A. and M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA, B.A. in International Relations from Pomona College. Research Focus: Public transit finance, new mobility technologies, parking infrastructure, and transportation governance. Recent work includes quantifying Los Angeles County’s parking supply, assessing environmental impacts of transit systems, and evaluating cost-effectiveness of California’s High-Speed Rail. Teaching and Leadership: Teaches graduate courses on transportation policy and environmental assessment. Oversees operations, research, and student programs at the Institute of Transportation Studies. Grants and Projects: Managed UCLA’s role in two state-level transit plans and multiple climate action plans. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on transportation-finance modeling and equity-focused urban planning.

• Parasitology
• Molecular Diagnosis
• Helminth Biology
• +3 more

Nichola Calvani is a Lecturer in Parasitology at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science, affiliated with the Sydney School of Veterinary Science. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney (2016-2020) focusing on Fasciola species molecular diagnosis and distribution in Southeast Asia, involving fieldwork in Cambodia and Laos. Her research emphasizes liver fluke biology, host-parasite interactions, and gender equity in parasitology. She has secured grants including an ARC DECRA for 3D cell culture studies and established a specialized lab facility for helminth research. Her research interests span molecular diagnostics, helminth vaccine development, and zoonotic disease dynamics. Notable work includes studies on Fasciola hepatica vaccines and the Herminthology initiative promoting gender equity in parasitology. She has published widely in Trends in Parasitology and Veterinary Parasitology , with a focus on parasite immunology and diagnostic methodologies. Calvani's grants include funding for 3D cell culture models to study early helminth infections and cryopreservation techniques for in vitro studies. She actively engages in science communication through media interviews and public-facing articles about parasite research challenges and gender equity in STEM.

Saeed Najafi-TavaniView profile

Senior Lecturer

• B2B Marketing
• Buyer-Supplier Relationships
• Collaborative Networks
• +3 more

Dr. Saeed Najafi-Tavani is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and PGR Mentor at the Sheffield University Management School, University of Sheffield. Previously, he held the position of Reader in B2B Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. He holds a PhD in Supply Chain Management from the University of Liverpool, alongside an MBA and BSc. His research focuses on buyer-supplier relationships, collaborative networks, and supply chain collaboration, particularly emphasizing external stakeholder involvement in product development and innovation. He has secured over £358,000 in Management KTP projects, including grants from Innovate UK for initiatives like P&A Limited (2022: £183k) and The Insights Family (2021: £175k). Dr. Najafi-Tavani currently supervises doctoral researcher Shahab Hayeriesfehani and is open to new PhD candidates in B2B relationships and innovation. His work bridges academic research and industry collaboration, contributing to both scholarly journals and practical business solutions.

• Economics
• International Trade
• Urban Economics
• +5 more

Dr. Michiel Gerritse is an Associate Professor of Strategy Economics at the Erasmus School of Economics, part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. His research focuses on international trade, urban economics, policy analysis, and development economics. He explores topics such as industrial transfer policies in China, urban hierarchy dynamics in Italy, and the socio-economic impacts of globalization. His work often bridges macroeconomic trends with micro-level analyses of firms and workers. Notable areas include the effects of foreign acquisitions on wages, the role of federal contracts in US urban development, and the interplay between trade and institutional change in developing economies. Dr. Gerritse has published extensively on urbanization patterns, including studies on Italian urban hierarchies and pandemic-related transmission dynamics in cities. His research also addresses trade-induced specialization challenges in regions like those south of the Suez Canal. Though no specific awards are listed, his contributions to spatial economics and policy analysis are evident through his prolific output. He maintains teaching responsibilities (7 listed courses) and engages in ancillary academic activities (2 noted). Lab/team involvement is unspecified, but his work often collaborates across disciplines, reflecting his school's emphasis on economics and strategic analysis.