Maurizio Dallocchio is a Full Professor of Corporate Finance at Bocconi University and SDA Bocconi School of Management. He served as Dean of SDA Bocconi (2003–2007) and has held leadership roles in academic and professional institutions, including Chair of the Audit Committee of the European Investment Bank (EIB). His research focuses on corporate valuation, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and sustainable finance. Dallocchio founded DGPA & Co., a corporate finance consultancy, and advises public and private entities globally. He has taught at leading institutions like London Business School and NYU Stern School of Business. Educational Background: Ph.D. in Business Administration, Bocconi University Advanced studies at London Business School and New York University Stern School of Business Research Interests: Prof. Dallocchio’s work emphasizes corporate restructuring, ESG integration in finance, and strategic valuation methodologies . Recent studies explore environmental performance in emerging markets and the resilience of conglomerates during economic crises. He advocates for sustainable investment strategies that balance financial returns with societal impact. Professional Engagements: Board member roles at Klepierre Management, General Finance, and Podravska Banka Past Director of the Master in Corporate Finance program at SDA Bocconi Labs/Teams: Leads research initiatives at Bocconi’s Corporate Finance and Real Estate Department, collaborating with global institutions on projects involving corporate governance, M&A analytics, and sustainable development.
Marya Besharov is a Professor of Organisations and Impact at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Academic Director of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. She holds a BA, MA, and PhD from Harvard University, alongside an MBA from Stanford University. Her work focuses on leadership, social impact, and hybrid organizations, advising global entities on balancing social and financial priorities. Education: PhD in Organizational Behavior, Harvard University MA in Sociology, Harvard University BA in Social Studies, Harvard University MBA, Stanford University Research Interests: Dr. Besharov’s research explores how organizations navigate competing goals, particularly in hybrid models like social enterprises. She investigates organizational identity, institutional logics, and leadership frameworks for systemic change. Her findings appear in Administrative Science Quarterly , Harvard Business Review , and Stanford Social Innovation Review . Engagement & Teaching: She leads executive education programs and workshops on leadership and systems change through the Skoll Centre. Her teaching emphasizes contingency-based frameworks for managing organizational complexity. Labs & Initiatives: Academic Director of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, a global hub for social impact education and research.
Archon Fung is the Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. His research focuses on policies and institutional designs that enhance democratic governance, particularly in areas of public participation, deliberation, and transparency. He co-directs the Transparency Policy Project and leads democratic governance programs at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. Fung has authored five books, including Full Disclosure: The Perils and Promise of Transparency and Empowered Participation: Reinventing Urban Democracy , and over fifty articles. He holds degrees from MIT: two S.B. degrees in philosophy and physics, and a Ph.D. in political science. Affiliations: Director of the Ash Center, Faculty Associate of the Ethics Center, Member of the Faculty Committee since 2009. Research Interests: Democratic innovation, participatory governance, transparency in public policy, and institutional design for equitable decision-making. His recent work explores democratic erosion, AI's impact on elections, and inclusive governance frameworks. Fung teaches courses on participation, ethics, and social innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School. He co-founded Participedia, a global platform documenting participatory governance practices. Sponsored projects include initiatives on institutional antiracism, transparent engagement, and sustainable governance reforms. His work emphasizes bridging theory and practice to strengthen democratic institutions globally.
Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business and Administration at the University of Winnipeg. She is affiliated with the Buhler Centre, located in office 3BC25. Her work focuses on areas related to business strategy and organizational management, leveraging her academic position to contribute to both teaching and administrative practices within the faculty. No specific educational background, research awards, or publication details are provided in the available text. Her professional activities likely involve curriculum development and student mentorship within the Business and Administration programs at the university.
Megan S. Ryerson holds the UPS Chair of Transportation and serves as Associate Chair of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design. Previously, she was Associate Dean for Research (2018–2023), demonstrating sustained leadership in academic administration while maintaining an active research profile focused on transportation systems integration. Her educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2010) B.Sc. in Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (2003) Ryerson's research pioneers the integration of intercity transportation into urban planning frameworks, with foundational work in aviation infrastructure planning , airline demand forecasting , and transportation resilience . She investigates airport competition dynamics across megaregions, airline disaster recovery protocols, and fuel-efficient flight planning methodologies. Her scholarship actively bridges civil engineering and urban planning disciplines to design transportation systems that are inherently safe , efficient , and resilient against disruptions. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a pronounced shift toward transportation equity since 2022, particularly examining driver education accessibility ('driver training deserts') and bikeshare infrastructure allocation. This equity focus coexists with continued aviation research, while pandemic-era studies on transportation behavior (2020–2023) demonstrate methodological adaptability through quasi-experimental designs and real-world crisis response analysis. Her scientific recognition includes: UPS Chair of Transportation (prestigious endowed professorship) Dr. Ryerson has significantly expanded urban planning pedagogy by incorporating megaregional transportation systems into core curricula. Her leadership as former Associate Dean for Research reflects active engagement with funding agencies and research administration, though specific grant details aren't documented in source materials. Current work emphasizes translating research into equitable policy frameworks, particularly for vulnerable transportation populations.
Alexey Vladimirovich Vdovin is a Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), working within the Faculty of Humanities and School of Philological Sciences. He began his tenure at HSE in 2012 and has accumulated 15 years of scientific and teaching experience. His academic journey includes a Doctor of Philology degree from HSE (2023), a PhD from the University of Tartu (2011), and his initial degree in 'Russian language and literature' from Vyatka State Humanitarian University (2007). He has held significant roles including Deputy Dean for Science at the Faculty of Humanities (2018-2020) and serves on numerous academic councils and committees. Vdovin's educational background demonstrates both depth and international perspective. After completing his undergraduate studies at Vyatka State Humanitarian University in 2007, he pursued doctoral studies at the University of Tartu, where he earned his PhD in 2011 with a dissertation on 'The concept of 'chapter of literature' in Russian criticism of the 1830-1860s.' His academic development has been enriched by numerous international experiences, including visiting researcher positions at Selwyn College, University of Cambridge (2019), Jordan Center at New York University (2017), and multiple research stays at Humboldt University in Berlin through the Aurora Erasmus Mundus program. Professor Vdovin's research focuses on Russian intellectual history, the history of ideas, the Russian Empire, Russian literature of the 19th century, and nationalism studies. His work particularly examines the formation of the Russian literary canon, representations of peasants in literature, and the relationship between literature and society. He has authored approximately 80 articles and 4 monographs on 19th-century Russian literature, culture, and criticism, with works on major figures like Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Goncharov, Belinsky, Chernyshevsky, Dobrolyubov, and Nekrasov. His recent book 'Monsters at the Threshold: Dracula, Frankenstein, Viy and Other Literary Monsters' (2024) demonstrates his expanding interest in literary archetypes and cultural phenomena. Vdovin has received numerous awards and recognitions for his scholarly work, including the Moscow Government Prize for young scientists (2017), multiple 'Best Teacher' awards (2013-2015, 2017-2024), and recognition as a winner of HSE's competition for best Russian-language scientific works (2022, 2024). He has also received various letters of gratitude from HSE administration, the Faculty of Humanities, and the School of Philology for his contributions to academic life. As an advisor, Vdovin has supervised numerous student research projects, including Smirnova T.V.'s 2014 master's thesis on 'Representation of 'Russianness' and 'Otherness' in Russian essays of the 1840s.' He has also served as a curator for HSE's Personnel Reserve Program at the School of Philological Sciences and has been actively involved in dissertation councils. His research has been supported by significant grants, including a 2024-2025 Russian Science Foundation grant 'The Genre of 'Peasant Life Story' in Russian Literature Before 1861: Poetics, Plots, Socio-Cultural Functions' (No 24-28-00184) and a 2018-2020 RFBR grant on 'State and Literary Institutions: From Peter I's Reforms to the 'Great Reforms.' Professor Vdovin is actively engaged in academic communities beyond HSE, serving as editor-in-chief of the HSE preprint series 'Literary Studies' and participating in the Big Project 'Literature and Society: An Experience of Sociocultural Description.' He is also involved in public scholarship, frequently giving public lectures through platforms like 'Arzamas,' 'Postnauka,' and 'Stradarium,' and appearing on the 'Observer' television program (Culture channel). Since 2015, he has been a mentor at Maya Kucherskaya's Creative Writing School, bridging academic scholarship with creative practice.
Michael Wara is a Senior Research Scholar at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program. He holds a JD from Stanford Law School, a PhD in Ocean Sciences from UC Santa Cruz, and a BA from Columbia University. His work bridges legal, scientific, and policy domains to address climate and energy challenges through bipartisan technical assistance and research collaboration with economists, engineers, and scientists. His research focuses on carbon pricing mechanisms, energy innovation, and regulatory solutions for climate policy. He advises policymakers on designing effective laws and regulations, with particular expertise in international environmental treaties like the ozone and climate regimes. Wara also teaches courses on energy law, wildfire policy, and carbon taxation at Stanford Law School. Key contributions include analyzing the economic impacts of EPA regulations, evaluating California’s carbon market mechanisms, and advancing strategies to decarbonize building electrification. His interdisciplinary approach emphasizes practical solutions to global environmental challenges, leveraging Stanford’s expertise in energy systems and policy. Wara’s policy practicum courses engage students in real-world projects such as evaluating carbon pollution standards and wildfire management policies. His work frequently appears in peer-reviewed journals and media outlets like The Atlantic and New York Times , addressing topics like the Supreme Court’s EPA rulings and wildfire insurance issues.
Barry Naughton is the So Kwan Lok Chair of Chinese International Affairs at the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS), University of California, San Diego, where he has been a faculty member since 1988 and was appointed to his named professorship in 1998. As a globally recognized authority on China's economic transformation, his work bridges academic rigor and policy relevance through decades of analysis of market reforms, industrial development, and international economic relations. His academic foundation includes: Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University (1986) M.A. in International Relations from Yale University (1979) B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature from the University of Washington (1975) Naughton's research centers on China's transition from planned to market economy, with emphasis on industrial restructuring, foreign trade dynamics, and regional development disparities. His scholarship uniquely connects historical analysis of reform milestones with contemporary policy challenges, particularly examining how state-market interactions shape technological advancement and global economic integration. This dual focus on institutional evolution and sectoral transformation has established him as a critical interpreter of China's development model for both academic and policy audiences. Analysis of his 2020-2024 publications reveals a decisive shift toward examining China's industrial policy architecture and state capitalism mechanisms. Key thematic clusters include the conceptualization of 'Grand Steerage' in state-economy relations, the restructuring of science-technology systems, and the sectoral implementation of industrial policies. These works collectively document China's evolving governance approach—from market liberalization to targeted state direction—while analyzing implications for global trade and innovation ecosystems. His scholarly recognition includes: Ohira Memorial Prize for 'Growing Out of the Plan: Chinese Economic Reform, 1978-1993' (1996) Administrative leadership has been integral to Naughton's career, serving as Associate Dean of GPS (1992-1995, 2001-2003) and Chair of UCSD's Chinese Studies Program (1998-2000). His policy engagement extends through the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (1998-2003) and U.S. academic committees on Chinese studies. Current research examines regional growth patterns and foreign investment linkages while completing a new edition of his seminal textbook 'The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth,' which remains the field's authoritative reference. Though not leading a formal laboratory, Naughton shapes discourse through China Leadership Monitor's quarterly economic assessments and collaborative networks like the edited volume 'State Capitalism, Institutional Adaptation and the Chinese Miracle' (2015), which mobilized leading scholars to analyze China's institutional innovation within global capitalism.
Dr. Patrick J Solar is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, within the College of Liberal Arts and Education. He serves as the Program Coordinator for the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program and teaches courses such as Police Administration, Police Community Relations, and Criminal Investigations. With a career spanning 29 years in law enforcement, including roles as a police officer, detective, and chief, he brings extensive practical experience to academia. Education: Doctorate in Philosophy, Northern Illinois University Master of Public Administration, Northern Illinois University Bachelor of Science, Northern Illinois University FBI National Academy Graduate Research & Publications: Focused on policing strategies and accountability, including his textbook Police Community Relations: A Conflict Management Approach and an upcoming work on police accountability frameworks. His writing emphasizes leadership development and risk management in law enforcement. Affiliations: Lifetime member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI National Academy Associates, and member of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association.
Volker Ahrens is a Professor of Production Management at NORDAKADEMIE since 2007. He also serves as Head of the Industrial Engineering (B.Sc.) program and the International Business & Administration (B.Eng.) program, while acting as Coordinator of the Department of Engineering. His career spans academic and industrial roles, including leadership positions in medium-sized industrial companies and editorial work on VDI standards. Education: Diplom-Ingenieur in Mechanical Engineering (1989, Universität Hannover); Doktor-Ingenieur (1997, Universität Hannover) Industrial Experience: 10 years of executive management in industry, including König Metall GmbH & Co. KG and Wilhelm Schröder GmbH His research focuses on Systems Engineering and Production Management, with emphasis on lean production, quality management, and Industry 4.0. His publications since 2025 explore systemic approaches to socio-technical systems, cardboard engineering for collaborative design, and human-technology interaction in production environments. He has contributed extensively to process modeling, simulation of production systems, and meta-process frameworks like PDCA cycles. The 15 most recent articles highlight trends in systemic production design, lean manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 applications. Key keywords include Systems Engineering, Production Management, Lean Production, and Quality Management. Subfields span socio-technical systems, simulation techniques, human-centered design, and cyber-physical system integration across industrial contexts. Volker Ahrens is actively involved in teaching, serving as a lecturer at Hochschule Karlsruhe (1998–2013) and Fachhochschule Vorarlberg (since 2017). He contributes to academic governance as a member of the NORDAKADEMIE faculty and chairs VDI committees on simulation standards for production systems. His advisory roles include peer reviewing for quality assurance agencies like FIBAA and ZEvA.
Yuhua Wang serves as the Ford Foundation Professor of Modern China Studies within Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Government. His scholarly work establishes him as a leading authority on Chinese political development, state capacity, and historical institutional analysis across imperial and contemporary contexts. His academic foundation includes: B.A. from Peking University Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Professor Wang's research program integrates comparative politics with Chinese studies through core interests in bureaucracy , institutions , judiciary and public law , political economy & development , political geography , and state-society relations . He employs a methodological triad of historical , qualitative , and quantitative approaches to analyze China's political evolution. His work uniquely bridges macro-historical patterns with contemporary governance challenges, particularly examining how historical legacies shape modern state capacity and institutional resilience in authoritarian contexts. Analysis of his publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on state development mechanisms, with increasing sophistication in comparative historical methodology. Recent work demonstrates expanded geographic scope beyond China while maintaining analytical depth in imperial political economy. His research shows growing integration of cross-national datasets with deep historical case studies, reflecting broader trends in political science toward mixed-method designs for complex institutional analysis. His distinguished recognition includes: 2023 Lubbert Best Book Award in Comparative Politics from the American Political Science Association for The Rise and Fall of Imperial China Harvard College Professor appointment (2025) Professor Wang maintains active research leadership through extensive publication in premier journals including American Political Science Review and Comparative Political Studies , with significant contributions to theoretical frameworks like State-in-Society 2.0. His work generates substantial policy-relevant insights on corruption, judicial review, and urban governance in China. As a core faculty member in Harvard's Government Department, he contributes to the university's intellectual ecosystem through cross-disciplinary collaboration and participation in research initiatives focused on Asian political development, though specific lab affiliations are not documented in available sources.
Professor Katharine Cockin is a leading scholar in Victorian theatre, women's suffrage history, and interdisciplinary literary studies at the University of Essex. She holds the Chair of English Literature in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies (LiFTS). Her research focuses on Ellen Terry and Edith Craig, pioneering figures in theatre and suffrage activism, with major publications including Edith Craig and the Theatres of Art (2017) and the Collected Letters of Ellen Terry (8 vols., 2010–). She leads the AHRC-funded Searching for Theatrical Ancestors and Ellen Terry and Edith Craig Database projects, recognized nationally for their impact on cultural heritage. Education: BA, MA, and PhD in English Literature from the University of Leicester. Her doctoral thesis examined the Pioneer Players theatre society (1911–25). She previously held professorial roles at the University of Hull, where she established interdisciplinary programs in literature and law. Research interests include archival studies, women's suffrage literature, modern literature, and the 'Literary North'. She advises on topics like science fiction and autobiography. Awards include a Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and AHRC Peer Review College membership. Administrative roles at Essex include Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Literary Studies and former Director of Research for LiFTS. Publications span over 50 articles and edited volumes, emphasizing feminist historiography and cultural preservation. Her work bridges academia and public engagement through digital archives and collaborative projects.
Pinar Keskinocak serves as the H. Milton and Carolyn J. Stewart School Chair and Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She co-founded and directs the Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems, demonstrating leadership in both academic administration and research innovation. Her career includes prior roles as College of Engineering ADVANCE Professor and interim associate dean for faculty development, alongside industry experience at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. Her educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Carnegie Mellon University and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University. This rigorous training underpins her interdisciplinary approach to complex societal challenges. Dr. Keskinocak's research pioneers operations research applications for societal impact , with dual emphases on health systems and humanitarian logistics . She develops advanced models for infectious disease dynamics (including COVID-19, malaria, and Guinea worm), vaccination strategies, disaster response, and supply chain optimization. Her work uniquely bridges engineering analytics with real-world implementation through partnerships with the CDC, American Red Cross, Carter Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals intensifying focus on eradication program modeling for polio and Guinea worm, with increasing integration of machine learning for predictive accuracy in vaccine distribution. A pronounced trend addresses health equity through targeted interventions for under-immunized populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing resource allocation under constraints and cross-border coordination challenges. Her scientific recognition includes: INFORMS Fellow (2015) NSF CAREER Award (2001) Outstanding Professional Education Award, Georgia Tech (2018) Denning Award for Global Engagement, Georgia Tech (2016) Women in Engineering Excellence Teaching Award (2005) Moving Spirit Award, INFORMS (2005) Dr. Keskinocak has secured extensive project funding through collaborations with federal agencies and NGOs, directing research on pandemic response systems, vaccine logistics, and disaster debris management. While specific advisees aren't publicly cataloged, her leadership in the Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems mentors numerous graduate researchers through interdisciplinary projects. She significantly influences national policy via National Academies committees addressing supply chain resilience and vaccine distribution infrastructure. The Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems operates as a dynamic hub where engineering rigor meets humanitarian action, coordinating multi-institutional teams to develop deployable solutions for global health crises and disaster response systems.
Jeronimo García San Martin is a researcher associated with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, focusing on Public Law and Criminal Law. He contributed to academic activity during 2013-2014. Key areas of interest include: Criminal Law Public Law Administration and Justice He obtained his PhD with a thesis on El control jurisdictional del indulto particular (2006), supervised by Dr. Rosa Rodríguez Bahamonde, and is linked to doctoral programs in Administration and Justice.
Chandra Chekuri is the Paul and Cynthia Saylor Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, situated within the Grainger College of Engineering. He has been actively contributing to theoretical computer science for over two decades, with significant leadership roles including serving as Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious SIAM Journal on Computing since May 2025. His academic journey began with a B.Tech in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras in 1993, followed by a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University in 1998. Prior to joining UIUC, he spent eight years as a Member of Technical Staff at Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies. Chekuri's research focuses on theoretical computer science with particular emphasis on the design and analysis of algorithms, discrete and combinatorial optimization, approximation algorithms, mathematical programming, and graph theory. His work explores fundamental connections between discrete structures and optimization problems, with applications spanning network design, data analysis, and computational complexity. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on hypergraph algorithms, submodular function optimization, and graph partitioning problems, showing how theoretical insights can yield practical algorithmic improvements. His approach often combines continuous relaxations with discrete rounding techniques to develop approximation algorithms for NP-hard problems. As Editor-in-Chief of SIAM Journal on Computing, Chekuri leads one of theoretical computer science's most respected publications, which covers analysis and design of algorithms, algorithmic game theory, computational complexity, and other mathematical aspects of computer science. His editorial leadership follows previous service as Associate Editor for several major journals including SIAM Journal on Computing, Mathematics of Operations Research, and Mathematical Programming. ACM Fellow (January 2024) Scott Fisher Teaching Award (for year 2022-23) from CS Department Chekuri has advised numerous PhD students to completion, including Kent Quanrud, Vivek Madan, Shalmoli Gupta, and Chao Xu, with several currently in progress such as Tanvi Bajpai, ElFarouk Harb, Rhea Jain, and Weihao Zhu. His teaching portfolio includes graduate courses on Randomized Algorithms, Approximation Algorithms, Algorithms for Big Data, and Combinatorial Optimization. He has served as Director of the Graduate Program in the Department of Computer Science from May 2014 to August 2017, demonstrating significant administrative leadership within the department.
