David Noyce is a Professor and Executive Director of the Traffic Operations and Safety (TOPS) Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. He also serves as Associate Director of the Safety Research Using Simulation (SaferSIM) Center, a University Transportation Center. His work focuses on transportation safety, traffic operations, and automated/connected vehicle systems. Key roles include leading over $35M in research since 2003 through the TOPS Lab and advancing technologies like V2V/V2I communication, winter maintenance strategies, and work zone safety. Education: PhD (Texas A&M, 1999), MS (Civil Engineering, UW-Madison, 1995), MBA (UW-Whitewater, 1994), BS (UW-Madison, 1984). Research interests span traffic control devices, driver behavior analysis, crash reconstruction, and multi-modal transportation systems. He pioneered the national implementation of flashing yellow arrow signals and developed the Wisconsin Connected and Automated Transportation Consortium. Current projects include C-V2X localization frameworks, automated vehicle safety testing, and winter maintenance efficiency. Recognized with 20+ awards, including ITE and ASCE Fellowships and the Dr. Arthur F. Hawnn Professorship. His labs offer full-scale driving simulators and field-testing capabilities for real-world validation of innovations.
David Williamson Shaffer is the Sears Bascom Professor of Learning Analytics and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Learning Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Educational Psychology. He is also a Data Philosopher at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. His work focuses on merging statistical and qualitative methods to model complex human collaboration. Shaffer holds an AB in History and East Asian Studies from Harvard University (1987), and MS/PhD in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT (1996/1998). Before academia, he was a teacher, curriculum developer, and game designer. His research emphasizes Quantitative Ethnography —a methodology combining big data analysis with cultural interpretation. Key contributions include Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) and over 250 publications, including influential books like How Computer Games Help Children Learn (2006) and Quantitative Ethnography (2017). Awardees of the EU Marie Curie Fellowship (2008) and Spencer Foundation Fellowship (2003), Shaffer's work has been presented globally at conferences like Learning Analytics & Knowledge and Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. His interdisciplinary approach bridges education, data science, and humanities, addressing challenges in authentic STEM experiences, collaborative learning analytics, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Dr. Carolyn Emery is a Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, with joint appointments in Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine. She holds leadership roles as Chair of the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre (an International Olympic Committee Research Centre) and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Her affiliations include the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and O’Brien Institute for Public Health. Dr. Emery’s education includes a BScPT from Queen’s University (1988), MSc in Epidemiology from the University of Calgary (1999), and PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Alberta (2004). Her research focuses on injury prevention in youth sports, concussion, and pediatric rehabilitation, aiming to reduce long-term health consequences such as osteoarthritis and post-concussion syndrome. She leads major grants including CIHR’s “SHRed Injuries” and NFL-funded concussion surveillance programs. Her research interests emphasize practical interventions for injury prevention, including neuromuscular training and policy changes. Recent work explores concussion outcomes in adolescents, biomechanical injury mechanisms, and global sport safety initiatives. She has published extensively on topics like sport-related musculoskeletal injuries, concussion management, and the epidemiology of youth sports. Dr. Emery has received over 20 awards, including the Royal Society of Canada Fellowship, Killam Professorship, and CIHR Canada Research Chair. Her work bridges clinical practice, policy, and community engagement to enhance public health outcomes in sports and youth recreation. Her lab, the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, collaborates internationally to develop evidence-based strategies for injury prevention. Current projects include evaluating the impact of tackle laws in rugby, head acceleration in wrestling, and long-term consequences of pediatric concussions.
Didier Trono is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he leads the Laboratory of Virology and Genetics (LVG) within the School of Life Sciences. Formerly, from 2004 to 2012, he served as the founding dean of EPFL's Faculty of Life Sciences, orchestrating its development and growth during this formative period. Trono received his medical education at the University of Geneva, followed by clinical training in pathology, internal medicine, and infectious diseases in Geneva and at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. His scientific career began at the Whitehead Institute of MIT, and in 1990 he was recruited by the Salk Institute of San Diego to launch an AIDS research center. After seven years in the United States, he returned to Europe and eventually joined EPFL. Dr. Trono's research has evolved significantly over his career. Initially focusing on virus-host interactions, he studied pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis B virus, creating HIV-derived genetic transfer tools that are now successfully used in gene therapy. For approximately the last fifteen years, his research has centered on epigenetics, particularly exploring the impact of retroelements and their control mechanisms on development and physiology of higher organisms, including humans. His laboratory investigates how transposable elements and KRAB zinc finger proteins regulate gene expression, with important implications for understanding cancer biology and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong focus on transposable elements, KRAB zinc finger proteins, and their roles in gene regulation and cancer. His work combines molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics approaches to understand how these ancient viral remnants have been co-opted by the host genome to regulate development and cellular functions. The research spans basic molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy, with some recent work also addressing SARS-CoV-2 and immune responses. Throughout his career, Professor Trono has mentored numerous PhD students, including Bojkowska Karolina, Brandão Sanches Vong Martins Filipe Amândio, Bulliard Yannick, Coluccio Andrea, Corsinotti Andrea, Coudray Alexandre, De Tribolet-Hardy Jonas Caspar, and Dorschel Iris Arianna. His laboratory has received significant funding to support research at the intersection of virology, genetics, and epigenetics, contributing to EPFL's reputation as a leading institution in life sciences research. The Trono Laboratory continues to be at the forefront of research on retroelements and their regulatory mechanisms, maintaining a vibrant research environment that bridges fundamental biological questions with potential medical applications, particularly in cancer research and precision medicine.
Dr. Hassan Qudrat-Ullah is a Professor at the School of Administrative Studies, York University, and Coordinator of the Certificate in Logistics Management. He holds a PhD in Decision Sciences from NUS Business School and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on dynamic decision making, system dynamics modeling, energy planning, and interactive learning environments. He teaches courses on quantitative methods, logistics, and decision analysis, informed by global industry experience across 20+ countries. Research interests include sustainability, climate change, systems thinking, and educational applications of decision sciences. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Complexity in Applied Science and Technology and is a member of IEEE, DSI, and the International System Dynamics Society. His work has been published in Energy , Decision Support Systems , and others. Key projects include studies on 'structured-debriefing in dynamic decision making' and renewable energy policies in Africa. His recent articles (2023–2025) address AI integration in energy governance, system dynamics for supply chain resilience, and education for sustainability. Hassan advocates for systems thinking in K-12 education and enjoys traveling (visited 129 countries) and bird-watching.
Maja J Matarić is the Chan Soon-Shiong Chaired and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering, with courtesy appointments in Neuroscience and Pediatrics. She serves as founding director of the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center, co-director of the USC Robotics Research Lab, and Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind. Previously, she held leadership roles as USC's interim Vice President of Research (2020-2021) and Vice Dean for Research (2006-2019). Her educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from MIT (1994) MS in Computer Science from MIT (1990) BS in Computer Science from University of Kansas (1987) Matarić pioneers Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) , a field her lab named, focusing on human-robot interaction that provides assistance through social rather than physical support. Her research targets critical health and wellness challenges including post-stroke rehabilitation, autism spectrum disorder therapy, cognitive exercises for Alzheimer's patients, ADHD academic support, and mental health interventions. She develops systems modeling user engagement, personality, and motivation, with extensive real-world deployments in schools, rehabilitation centers, and homes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in cognitive health robotics (2025 CHI paper on LLM-powered elder care), pediatric assistive technology (2025 IDC speech therapy review), and adaptive preference modeling (2025 HRI contrastive learning work). Her research consistently bridges machine learning with human-centered design for vulnerable populations. Major scientific recognition includes: ACM Athena Lecturer Award (2024) ACM Eugene L. Lawler Humanitarian Award (2024) ACM Fellow (2020) Presidential Mentoring Award (2011) Multiple society fellowships (AAAS, IEEE, AAAI) As a dedicated mentor, Matarić has championed underrepresented groups through CRA-W, placing numerous women in faculty positions. She leads USC Viterbi's K-12 STEM Outreach Program serving low-income Los Angeles schools and authored The Robotics Prime for student education. Her research has secured significant funding enabling real-world technology transfer, with documented impact in rehabilitation centers and homes through deployable SAR systems. Her Robotics Research Lab at USC drives innovation in embodied AI, with current projects spanning LLM-integrated elder care robots, ADHD academic companions, and autism therapy systems. The lab emphasizes co-design with end-users and rigorous real-world validation across diverse populations.
Teboho Moja is a Clinical Professor of Higher Education at New York University's Steinhardt School, holding concurrent roles as an Extraordinary Professor at the University of the Western Cape and a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Pretoria. She has served as an Executive Director under President Mandela's administration, leading the National Commission on Higher Education, which shaped South Africa's post-apartheid reforms. Her research focuses on higher education policy, equity in education systems, and international development in Africa. She has been honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Faculty Award and the National Research Foundation Lifetime Achiever Award, among others. Education: She holds an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of Pretoria (2020). Her academic contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed publications and keynote addresses at global conferences. She has advised governments and international bodies such as UNESCO and the Councils of Universities in South Africa. Research Interests: Dr. Moja's work emphasizes equitable access to education, international partnerships in higher education, and the role of philanthropy in African universities. She explores how global institutions influence policy reforms, particularly in transitional justice contexts and post-colonial education systems. Her recent publications analyze the relevance of university rankings in Africa and collaborative models between U.S. foundations and African institutions. Awards: Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award (2019) National Research Foundation Lifetime Achiever Award (2019) Women in International Education Award (2019) Graduate Students Star Award (2019) Honorary Doctorate in Education (University of Pretoria, 2020) Advising and Grants: She has led national policy commissions, advised education ministers, and contributed to international bodies. Her work bridges academia and policy, with a focus on systemic reforms and inclusive education models. She has designed field-based courses on South Africa's educational reforms and global perspectives in Indian higher education. Professional Networks: She has held visiting professorships at the Universities of Oslo, Tampere, and Hong Kong. She chairs multiple international advisory boards and collaborates with global scholars on projects addressing equity and development in education.
Professor Maria Craig is a distinguished academic and researcher at the University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine & Health, specializing in childhood diabetes research. She holds a prominent position as a Professor with extensive contributions to the field of pediatric endocrinology and diabetes, particularly focusing on type 1 diabetes in children. Professor Craig's educational background includes: MB BS from the University of Melbourne MMedSc(ClinEpid) from the University of Newcastle PhD from the University of Sydney FRACP (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians) Professor Craig's research primarily focuses on childhood diabetes, with special emphasis on prediction and prevention of type 1 diabetes. She has a significant interest in the association between viruses and type 1 diabetes, collaborating with the Virology Research Group at Prince of Wales Hospital (POWH). Together with Professor Bill Rawlinson, she leads the viral theme for the multicentre ENDIA study (endia.org.au). As principal investigator for the CoRD trial, she is conducting a world-first phase 1 study using autologous cord blood for prevention of type 1 diabetes in children with islet autoimmunity. Additionally, she serves as principal investigator for the Australasian Diabetes Data Network (ADDN). Her research portfolio also encompasses the epidemiology of various forms of childhood diabetes (type 1, type 2, cystic fibrosis related diabetes and monogenic diabetes) and diabetes complications, in collaboration with Professor Kim Donaghue at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. Professor Craig's extensive publication record, including over 361 journal articles, demonstrates her leadership in advancing our understanding of childhood diabetes. Her recent work shows increasing focus on early detection methods, risk prediction models, technological interventions for diabetes management, and the complex interplay between viral infections and autoimmune diabetes development. She has been instrumental in developing clinical practice guidelines through her role as co-editor of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines. Professor Craig has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to pediatric endocrinology and diabetes research: Australian Paediatric Endocrine Group Young Investigator's Award (1997) Asia Pacific Paediatric Endocrine Society Clinical Teaching Award (2008) Lifetime Honorary Member, Caring and Living as Neighbours (2013) Australian Diabetes Society Jeff Flack Diabetes Data Award (2019) Australian Paediatric Endocrine Group Norman Wettenhall Award for Research and Innovation (2019) Throughout her career, Professor Craig has demonstrated exceptional leadership in professional societies, having served as former president/treasurer of the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group (APEG) and currently as Scientific Convenor of the Asia Pacific Paediatric Endocrine Society Fellows school. Her work with the ENDIA study and Australasian Diabetes Data Network represents significant collaborative research efforts involving multiple institutions across Australia and internationally. Her principal investigator roles for major studies indicate substantial research funding support. Professor Craig leads several important research initiatives including the ENDIA study, the CoRD trial, and the Australasian Diabetes Data Network. These programs involve multidisciplinary teams of researchers, clinicians, and support staff working collaboratively to advance understanding and treatment of childhood diabetes. Her work at the intersection of virology and diabetes represents a unique and innovative approach to understanding the environmental triggers of type 1 diabetes.
Josh Seim is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Boston College, affiliated with the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. His work focuses on the sociologies of work, medicine, welfare, punishment, pedagogy, and ethnographic methods. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and has published widely in top journals including *American Sociological Review* and *Social Problems*. Education: B.A., Gonzaga University M.S., Portland State University Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley Research Interests: His research explores how institutions like healthcare systems, welfare offices, and penal institutions interact with urban poverty. Recent projects include studies on ambulance crews’ labor processes, welfare bureaucracy, and post-prison labor. His writing also emphasizes pedagogical innovation in sociology teaching and ethnographic methodological rigor. Key themes include the governance of suffering, medical labor, and carceral systems. Publications & Books: Bandage, Sort, and Hustle: Ambulance Crews on the Front Lines of Urban Suffering (UC Press, 2020) The Welfare Assembly Line: Public Servants in the Suffering City (forthcoming UC Press, 2026) Teaching: Sociology 7715: Classical Sociological Theory (graduate) Sociology 7716: Contemporary Sociological Theory (graduate)
Dr. Keith Alexander Sharkey is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He is also a Full Member of both the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and The Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Dr. Sharkey has been at the University of Calgary since his appointment as Assistant Professor in 1990, dedicating his career to understanding the neural control of the gastrointestinal tract. From 2005-2021, he held the Crohn's and Colitis Canada Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to advancing knowledge in gastrointestinal sciences. Dr. Sharkey's educational journey began with a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition from the University of London in 1981, followed by a PhD in Physiology from the University of Liverpool in 1985. After completing postdoctoral training in Hungary, the UK, and Canada, he joined the University of Calgary faculty in 1990, where he has remained throughout his distinguished academic career. Dr. Sharkey's research program centers on understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of the neural control of the gastrointestinal tract and brain-gut interactions in health and disease. His laboratory investigates two main areas: the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating GI motility and intestinal barrier function, and the physiology of the enteric nervous system in controlling motility and barrier function. His work employs state-of-the-art approaches including live cell imaging and molecular genetics. Recent publications show his expanding interest in connections between gut function and neurodegenerative conditions like ALS, with multiple 2024-2025 papers examining sexual dimorphism in disease processes and gut-brain axis mechanisms. Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (2024) Cumming School of Medicine's van de Sande Distinguished Achievement Award for Mentorship (2021) Distinguished Research Award, American Physiological Society (2021) Finkelstein Award for Excellence, Crohn's and Colitis Canada (2016) Fellow, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2015) Fellow, Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (2015) Killam Annual Professor Award, University of Calgary (2013) Dr. Sharkey has mentored numerous students throughout his career, as evidenced by his 2021 Mentorship Award. His research is supported by significant funding, including a CIHR Foundation grant exploring how enteric nerves and glia maintain intestinal homeostasis. He has also participated in university strategic initiatives focused on Brain and Mental Health (2015-2021) and Infections, Inflammations and Chronic Diseases (2015-2021), demonstrating his interdisciplinary approach. The Sharkey Lab provides a safe, inclusive, and diverse research environment that encourages open scientific exchange from diverse viewpoints. His laboratory is actively engaged in multiple collaborative projects, including investigations with UBC Okanagan on diet and probiotics targeting the gut-brain metabolic interactome, and with University of Calgary colleagues studying gut microbiota's role in ALS. Dr. Sharkey continues to advance our understanding of neural mechanisms controlling gastrointestinal function with upcoming courses scheduled for Fall 2024 and Winter 2025.
Dimitrios Skalkos serves as a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, holding the specific title of Professor of Innovation Management in Food Businesses. His office is located in building X2, room X2-206c on the Ioannina Campus (45110 Ioannina), and he leads the Food Chemistry Laboratory. He earned his Basic Degree in Chemistry from the University of Ioannina (1980-1985) followed by a Doctoral Degree from the University of Toledo, USA (1986-1989) with dissertation research on "Di- and Tetrahydroporphyrins: Syntheses and Antitumor Activities". Skalkos's research spans Food Business Management, Food Innovation, and Innovation Management, with specialized focus on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Aromatic Plants, Innovative Foods, and Strategic Marketing. His work bridges academic research with industry applications in food systems, emphasizing Greek agricultural products and pandemic-era consumer behavior. His 36 publications (2020-2024) reveal strong trends in post-pandemic food innovation, consumer perception of traditional Greek foods, functional food development (particularly olive oil, cheese, and grape by-products), and sustainable agri-food supply chains. Key thematic clusters include traceability systems, bioactive properties of novel foods, and economic impacts on food choices. He has actively supervised Master's and PhD students through departmental presentations, directed 23 research programs, and organized 15 seminars and conferences. His laboratory website ( https://foods.chem.uoi.gr ) showcases ongoing food chemistry innovations.
Mark Riedl is a Professor in the Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing and Associate Director of the Georgia Tech Machine Learning Center (ML@GT). His research focuses on human-centered artificial intelligence, emphasizing the development of AI technologies that naturally interact with humans. Key areas include story understanding/generation, computational creativity, explainable AI, and ensuring AI safety. He holds affiliations with the GVU Center, Institute for People and Technology (IPaT), and Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM). His work is supported by NSF, DARPA, ONR, and industry partners like Google and Meta. Notable awards include the DARPA Young Faculty Award and NSF CAREER Award, plus three Pulitzer Prizes (collaborative with Roko M. Bask). Riedl's recent projects include STORY2GAME (AI-driven game design) and ethical AI frameworks addressing transparency and accountability. His research bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in education, healthcare, and creative industries. Research interests span AI ethics, narrative systems, and AI's societal impact. He explores how AI can be made more transparent through explainable mechanisms while maintaining creativity and safety. Collaborations with Roko Bask on futuristic culinary trends have produced influential works. His labs and teams focus on interdisciplinary approaches, combining computer science with social sciences to shape responsible AI development. Key grants and projects include NSF-funded initiatives on AI in education and DARPA-supported work on AI safety. His contributions to explainable AI challenge traditional XAI paradigms, advocating for human-centered approaches that prioritize user understanding and ethical implications. Current efforts emphasize adapting LLMs for world modeling and enhancing RL agents with causal reasoning capabilities.
Anette Mikes is an Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and a Hertford College Fellow. She specializes in risk management, corporate governance, and sustainability, with a focus on the intersection of ethics and organizational control systems. Her research explores how risk frameworks shape corporate decision-making, particularly in climate change and decarbonization contexts. Education: PhD in Accounting from the London School of Economics (2005) Pre-doctoral work in the City of London (2006–2007) studying Chief Risk Officer roles Research Interests: Behavioral approaches to risk management Management control systems for sustainability Ethics in corporate governance Decarbonization strategies in heavy industries Her 2012 Harvard Business Review article (with Robert Kaplan) on risk frameworks remains influential, while her documentary on the Kursk submarine disaster highlights crisis management failures. Awards: 2025 Honorary Doctorate from Uppsala University 2017 ACA Prize for Risk Management Contributions 2014 Global Risk Forum Film Award Key Contributions: Co-developed Harvard’s Risk Management executive program Leads research on ‘Values at Risk’ and corporate purpose Published widely on climate risk governance and ethical leadership Her recent work emphasizes decarbonization strategies and moral accountability in business, bridging accounting practices with environmental and ethical imperatives.
Dr. Sudie E. Back is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), College of Medicine. She also serves as Director of the NIH-sponsored Drug Abuse Research Training (DART) program and is a Staff Psychologist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA's STAR program. Her expertise lies in treating substance use disorders and PTSD, particularly among veterans and civilians. She leads both behavioral and pharmacological clinical trials, as well as neuroimaging studies. Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Georgia (2004), clinical internship at Yale University School of Medicine (2002–2003), and postdoctoral training at MUSC (2004–2005). Research Interests: Co-occurring substance use and PTSD, trauma-focused therapies, veterans' mental health. Funding: NIH, Department of Defense, and VA grants, including K23, R01, K02, and a Fulbright award. Dr. Back has pioneered integrated treatment approaches, such as combining oxytocin with exposure therapy for AUD and PTSD. She also developed COPEWeb , a web-based training program for providers treating PTSD and SUD. Her trials include randomized clinical trials on cognitive processing therapy and relapse prevention. Awards: Career Development Award (K23) R01 grants Independent Scientist Award (K02) Fulbright Scholar Award (Australia) Labs/Teams: Director of DART program at MUSC and STAR program at the VA, focusing on translational research and clinical training.
Emily Hannum is a Professor of Sociology and Education at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts & Sciences, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences. She is affiliated with the Population Studies Center, Center for the Study of Contemporary China, Graduate School of Education, and Penn Development Research Initiative. Education: PhD in Sociology from University of Michigan (1998) Research Focus: Poverty and child welfare, gender and ethnic stratification, sociology of education Projects: Gansu Survey of Children and Families, climate-environment-childhood inequalities in LMICs Workshops: Co-organizer of Penn Education and Inequality Workshop Her research explores childhood poverty in China, demographic impacts on education systems, and climate risks affecting children's welfare. She investigates environmental hazards, educational disparities, and family separation effects across China, India, and low/middle-income countries. Recent publications analyze educational expansion in East Asia, climate crisis impacts on child health, and gender disparities in Latin America. She directs longitudinal studies on rural poverty and collaborates on cross-national projects related to environmental and educational equity. Scientific awards include the Stanley I. Sheerr Term Professorship in Social Sciences.
