Lauri Rautkari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University, Finland. His research focuses on water interactions in biomaterials, particularly wood, with an emphasis on developing advanced analytical methods for water vapor sorption, creating novel low-sorption materials, and investigating hygroscopicity and fungal decay resistance in modified wood systems. Research Highlights: Gas-phase ozone treatment for improved wettability, thermal and chemical wood modification, hyperspectral imaging for moisture prediction, bioinspired coatings for fungal protection, and interlaboratory studies on sorption data quality. Recent Publications: Key contributions to understanding lignin's role in moisture interactions, acetylation reversibility, and the impact of fungal degradation on heat-treated wood. The trend in his publications reflects a strong focus on hygroscopicity, chemical modification techniques (acetylation, melamine-formaldehyde impregnation), advanced imaging methods (hyperspectral, neutron scattering), and the development of sustainable wood-based materials for construction and acoustic applications. Collaborative interlaboratory efforts dominate his work, ensuring standardized methodologies for moisture analysis.
Dr. Andrew H. Baldwin is a Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Environmental Science and Technology at the University of Maryland, College Park. With expertise in tidal and inland wetland ecology, restoration, and plant ecology, he bridges academic research with practical wetland conservation applications. Ph.D., Botany, Louisiana State University (1996) B.S., Biology, Tufts University (1983) B.S., Engineering (Environmental Focus), Tufts University (1983) His research focuses on understanding plant regeneration dynamics, carbon and nitrogen cycling, invasive species impacts (notably Phragmites australis), and global change effects in wetland ecosystems. This work directly informs strategies to enhance wetland restoration outcomes. Recent publications highlight his contributions to tidal wetland carbon dynamics, microbial community responses to restoration, and Phragmites invasion mechanisms across global change scenarios. These studies span disciplines including wetland ecology, biogeochemistry, and climate science. Fellow, Society of Wetland Scientists (2019) President, Society of Wetland Scientists (2009-2010) Professional Wetland Scientist Certification (PWS No. 2997) Dr. Baldwin teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in wetland ecology and restoration, mentors students at all academic levels, and serves as a reviewer for over 30 journals and agencies. No specific lab or team information was provided in the available texts.
Dr. Jake Jensen is an Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Science at East Carolina University's College of Health and Human Performance. As a licensed marriage and family therapist and AAMFT-approved supervisor, his research examines biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) health indicators through the lens of relationship dynamics and psychophysiological processes. Research Focus: Relationship work between romantic partners and social networks, LGBTQ+ health, integrated care outcomes, and psychophysiological responses in couples. Service: President-Elect of North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, editorial board member for Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, and active manuscript reviewer for multiple journals. Awards: Recipient of ECU's Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching, Honored Instructors Award, and Human Development and Family Science Scholarship Award.
Emma Colamarino is a Researcher at the Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering "Antonio Ruberti" of Sapienza University of Rome. She holds an M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering (2014, cum laude) and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering (2019). Since 2015, she has been a research collaborator at the Neuroelectrical Imaging and Brain-Computer Interfaces Lab of IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia in Rome and served as a Visiting Ph.D. student at Imperial College London (2018). From 2019 to March 2023, she was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Sapienza University. Her research focuses on Advanced electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) signal processing Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) protocols for cerebral function recovery Machine learning in neurorehabilitation Hybrid BCIs integrating cortico-muscular networks Recent publications address stroke rehabilitation, BCI design, spectral graph theory, and EMG-EEG integration. Her work spans biomedical data analysis, neuroengineering, and rehabilitation technology validation. Scientific awards include multiple grants from Sapienza University and the Italian Ministry of Health, a Student Award at the 7th International BCI Meeting (2018), and recognition as a Subject Expert (2019). She has supervised/co-supervised 18 MD theses across Biomedical, Management, and Robotics Engineering disciplines.
Dr. Bei Bei is an Associate Professor at the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, and an NHMRC Emerging Leadership (EL2) Fellow. She leads the Behavioural Sleep Medicine service, research, and training at Monash University Healthy Sleep Clinic, focusing on individual differences in sleep-wake behaviors, sleep-mental health relationships, and community dissemination of evidence-based sleep interventions. Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), University of Melbourne PhD, University of Melbourne Her research spans six major areas: Sleep-wake circadian rhythm disorders Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) Psychological/behavioral aspects of sleep Sleep-mental health interactions (mood, anxiety) Adolescent sleep patterns and wellbeing Perinatal/postpartum sleep interventions for women Recent publications (2024-2025) address: Insomnia treatment mechanisms in depression comorbidity Neurodevelopmental impacts of circadian factors Pregnancy-related insomnia risk identification Adolescent sleep facilitators/barriers Integrated models for youth depression and sleep across continents She also contributes to: Antifungal drug tolerance mechanisms RNA polyadenylation dynamics Mitochondrial RNA stability in cancer 3' UTR splice variants in rare diseases Awarded the NHMRC Emerging Leadership (EL2) Fellowship and Early Career Research Grant , Dr. Bei serves on editorial boards for Sleep Medicine Reviews, Sleep, and Behavioral Sleep Medicine journals.
Prof. Ping Yu is a Professor at the University of Wollongong's School of Computing and Information Technology, where she has held leadership roles such as Director of the Centre for Digital Transformation (2013–2020). Her work focuses on digital health, health informatics, and data-driven solutions for aged care, with collaborations involving the World Health Organization (WHO), NSW Health, and over 11 aged care providers. She has pioneered projects like the WHO’s eSTEPS platform and AI-driven analytics to optimize healthcare resources. Her research integrates socio-technical perspectives to address challenges in technology adoption and healthcare system improvements. Her research interests span data engineering, data quality, ontology development, and generative AI applications in healthcare. Key areas include extracting insights from unstructured health records, improving clinical decision-making, and enhancing patient outcomes through mHealth and telemedicine innovations. She also explores the impact of green spaces on healthy aging and disparities in healthcare access across regions. Prof. Yu has secured over $4.5 million in research funding, including significant grants from the Australian Research Council. She has mentored 29 postgraduate students to completion, emphasizing interdisciplinary research and practical implementation. Her awards include the prestigious 2022 Telstra Brilliant Women in Digital Health Award and the 2008 Don Walker Award for contributions to health informatics. Her advising and grants narrative highlights her role as a mentor and her success in securing competitive funding. Her work bridges academia and industry, with projects like improving pressure injury risk management in aged care using EHRs and analyzing agitation in dementia through AI. She contributes to education policy, including co-designing academic leadership programs and enhancing clinical informatics curricula in the AI era. Prof. Yu leads multi-disciplinary teams at UOW and collaborates with global institutions, focusing on labs and initiatives like the Appendicectomy Surgical Pathway Ontology (ASPO) and the 6A framework for hypertension management via mHealth. Her research emphasizes real-world impact, from reducing hospital readmissions to optimizing surgical workflows and improving public health communication strategies during crises.
Professor Lisa Kervin is a leading academic in early childhood education at the University of Wollongong (UOW), serving as Director of Early Start Research and holding a Professorial appointment in the School of Education. Her research focuses on young children’s literate practices, play-based learning, and digital technology integration in education. She leads the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child and has secured significant funding, including a 2025 ARC Future Fellowship exploring intergenerational play. Kervin was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2024 for contributions to early childhood digital literacy research. She has supervised over 35 research students, many now in academic and leadership roles, and currently oversees seven doctoral candidates. Her work bridges theory and practice through collaborations with educators and industry partners, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to child development and policy influence globally. Education: PhD in Language and Literacy from UOW (2001–2004). Professional roles include Principal Fellow of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association and Director qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her research spans digital childhood ethics, play pedagogy, and literacy curriculum design, with outputs impacting government policies and international educational frameworks. Ongoing projects include the ‘DigIQ’ program promoting digital literacy and ‘Playgroups for All Ages’ fostering intergenerational engagement. Grants and collaborations involve partnerships across six universities and 33 global organizations. Her teaching innovations include the Early Childhood Elevate Mentoring Program to support educators’ academic progression. Kervin’s work addresses critical issues like screen time impacts, STEAM education, and culturally responsive pedagogies, positioning her as a key voice in 21st-century early childhood education.
Dr. Sudeep Hegde is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University, where he also serves as a Faculty Scholar in the Clemson University School of Health Sciences Research (CUSHR). His research focuses on proactive organizational learning, human-AI collaboration, and remote physiological monitoring, with applications in healthcare, education, and transportation. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Buffalo (2015), an M.S. from the University at Buffalo (2010), and a B.S./M.S. from Ramaiah Institute of Technology in India (2007). His professional experience includes roles at Texas A&M University, the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Harvard Medical School. Hegde’s work emphasizes resilience engineering, cognitive systems, and applied ergonomics. Notable research contributions include studies on organizational adaptive capacity during crises, healthcare workflow optimization, and leveraging AI for healthcare decision-making. He teaches courses such as Human Factors Engineering and Cognitive Systems and Resilience Engineering. Key research thrusts include: Proactive organizational learning frameworks Human-AI teaming for large-scale learning Remote physiological monitoring in high-stress environments Resilience in healthcare systems and emergency response Past grants and collaborations include studies on pandemic response strategies, ED physician workloads, and biofeedback applications for mental health. His interdisciplinary approach bridges systems engineering, human factors, and healthcare innovation.
Dr. Thalia R Goldstein is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Developmental Psychology at George Mason University (GMU). She directs the PLAY Lab and co-directs the National Endowment for the Arts Research Lab (MasonARC). Her research focuses on children’s social-emotional development through pretend play, theater, and imaginative activities. Dr. Goldstein holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Boston College (2010), with postdoctoral training at Yale University (2010–2012) and a prior faculty role at Pace University (2013–2017). Her education includes a BA from Cornell University (2002), MA (2007), and Ph.D. (2010) from Boston College. Research grants include funding from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and the John Templeton Foundation. She serves on editorial boards for journals like Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts and is an APA Division 10 Fellow. Current research explores topics such as the impact of theater education on empathy, longitudinal learning in acting, children’s understanding of fictional characters like Santa Claus, and adult engagement in pretend activities. Her book Why Theatre Education Matters (2024) synthesizes findings on arts’ cognitive and social benefits. Key awards include a 2019 poster award at the Cognitive Science Society conference. Dr. Goldstein advises students on projects involving dance, video games, and moral understanding in pretend play. She teaches courses on developmental psychology, creativity, and social-emotional learning. Her work bridges developmental science and the arts, with media features in The New York Times , NPR, and the National Endowment for the Arts podcast. Labs: PLAY Lab (playlab.gmu.edu), Mason Arts Research Center (MasonARC). Office: David J. King Hall DK3055.
Stephen E. Still is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo (UB), affiliated with the Institute for Sustainable Transportation and Logistics. His roles include teaching applied transportation planning and technology courses, advising students, and collaborating across disciplines between the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Management. Prior to academia, he served as founder and managing director of Seabury Airline Planning Group and Diio, LLC, specializing in aviation consulting and IT. With over 30 years of industry experience, he held leadership roles at US Airways and United Airlines, focusing on strategic route planning, fleet management, and alliance development. Dr. Still holds a PhD in Civil Engineering and Operations Research from Princeton University, with a focus on transportation systems and economics, and a BS in Engineering (magna cum laude) from UB with a concentration in transportation planning. He has also completed advanced coursework in demand modeling at MIT. His research interests emphasize sustainable transportation systems and logistics, integrating engineering principles with operational efficiency. While his academic contributions primarily reside in transportation engineering, his interdisciplinary work incorporates wearable technology and sensor-based solutions for health monitoring, as evidenced by his extensive publication record in smoking cessation and behavioral health research. Scientific awards and grants are not explicitly mentioned in the provided information. Dr. Still’s advising and teaching focus on fostering student engagement in transportation innovation and real-world problem-solving. His professional experience bridges academia and industry, reflecting a commitment to practical applications of engineering and logistics principles.
Vahe Permzadian is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology, where he has been employed since 2020. Prior to this position, he served as a Lecturer of Management in the School of Business and Economics at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh for one year. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University at Albany, State University of New York. Education Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from University at Albany, State University of New York M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Brooklyn College, City University of New York B.A. in Psychology from Queens College, City University of New York Research Interests Dr. Permzadian's research focuses on three key domains: adjustment and socialization of organizational newcomers, goal setting and motivation in work and achievement settings, and scholarship of teaching and learning. His work bridges industrial-organizational psychology with educational psychology, examining how psychological principles apply to both workplace and academic settings. He has conducted extensive research on assessment formats, open educational resources, and the relationship between personality traits and performance outcomes, with particular attention to motivational processes and their impact on individual achievement. Publication Trends Dr. Permzadian's recent publications show a strong methodological emphasis on meta-analyses and systematic reviews examining educational interventions and psychological processes. His work spans both organizational psychology (focusing on workplace motivation, social efficacy, and personality) and educational psychology (focusing on student learning, assessment formats, and educational resources). A notable trend is his investigation of how test formats (closed-book vs. open-book) affect learning outcomes, as well as the impact of open educational resources on student achievement, reflecting his commitment to evidence-based educational practices. Teaching Dr. Permzadian has taught a comprehensive range of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels since 2013, including Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Principles of Statistics, Psychology of Personality, Introduction to Psychology, Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Training and Development. His teaching portfolio demonstrates expertise across core psychology domains and business applications, with many courses taught repeatedly over multiple years, indicating established curriculum development and instructional expertise.
Lisa Flores is a Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri, within the College of Arts and Science. Her research focuses on career development, diversity in STEM fields, and systemic barriers faced by underrepresented groups in higher education and professional settings. Flores leads a clinical psychology lab investigating topics like invisibility in vocational contexts, retention of Latinx engineers, and structural competencies in counseling practice. Her work integrates social cognitive career theory with critical race theory and intersectionality frameworks. Notable contributions include developing assessment tools like the Career Support Scale for Women in Engineering (CSS-WE) and the Negative Outcome Expectations Scale in Engineering (NOES-E). Flores has secured grants for longitudinal studies on engineering student retention and led initiatives to improve academic-climate metrics for underrepresented minorities. Recent research emphasizes workplace diversity challenges, particularly for women and people of color in technical fields. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and serves on editorial boards for journals like Journal of Counseling Psychology and Journal of Latinx Psychology . Flores' teaching focuses on counseling psychology, career development interventions, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Dr. Eric Meyers is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Texas at Dallas. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and dual Bachelor's/Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering from the same institution. His research focuses on closed-loop neurotechnology, neuromodulation, and bioelectronic medicine to enhance recovery from nervous system injuries. Key projects include developing wearable EMG sleeves for stroke rehabilitation and closed-loop neuromodulation systems to restore motor function. Education: B.S. (2012), M.S. (2018), Electrical Engineering; Ph.D. (2017), Biomedical Engineering – all from UTD His research interests span machine learning applications in neurorehabilitation, biomarker discovery for neurological conditions, and clinical translation of bioelectronic therapies. Recent work emphasizes wearable devices for real-time motor function assessment and neuromodulation-driven recovery strategies. Publications highlight advancements in EMG-based neural interfaces, closed-loop algorithms for stroke therapy, and innovative FES systems. His lab actively collaborates on projects funded by NIH and industry partnerships, with a focus on translating technologies to clinical settings.
Mohammad Samie Tootooni is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Informatics and Data Science at Loyola University Chicago, with a secondary appointment in the Center for Health Outcomes and Informatics Research. He holds a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Binghamton University (2016) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Mayo Clinic's Department of Health Sciences Research (2016-2018). His research focuses on applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, and systems engineering principles to improve healthcare outcomes. Core areas include clinical decision support systems, predictive analytics for complex healthcare systems, and natural language processing (NLP). He also explores quality assurance, optimization, and systems thinking to address challenges in healthcare delivery and patient care. Recent work emphasizes AI-driven solutions for medication management in ICUs, ECG-based disease prediction (e.g., coronary heart disease, preeclampsia), and addressing therapeutic inertia in hypertension treatment. His methodologies combine machine learning with clinical data analysis to bridge gaps between engineering and medical practice. Teaching responsibilities include courses on health informatics ontologies and NLP applications in healthcare. His interdisciplinary collaborations span clinicians, data scientists, and engineers to tackle real-world healthcare problems.
James C. Kaufman is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. He holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Yale University (2001). His research focuses on creativity, including assessment, meaning-making, social justice applications, and interdisciplinary domains. Notable contributions include the Four-C Model of Creativity and co-founding journals like Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts . He has authored over 50 books and 300 papers, including foundational works like Cambridge Handbook of Creativity . Education: Ph.D., Cognitive Psychology, Yale University, 2001. Research Interests: Creativity Assessment, Creativity and Meaning, Creativity & Social Equity, and Cross-Domain Creativity Applications. His work bridges psychological theory with practical educational strategies. Awards: Mensa Research Award, Torrance Award (NAGC), APA Berlyne & Farnsworth Awards, and leadership in APA Division 10. Advising & Collaborations: Advised students like K. Arrington and C. Connery. Active in mentoring through co-authored research. Collaborates globally on creativity measurement tools like the K-DOCS. Labs/Teams: Leads research teams at UConn focusing on creativity’s societal impact, including pandemic-related studies on creativity and well-being during crises.
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