Sean Foley is a Professor of Applied Finance at Macquarie University, specializing in Fintech, Cryptocurrencies, Trading, and Market Design. He leads the Decentralized Assets division at the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC), bridging academia, industry, and government. His research focuses on blockchain applications like automated market makers, DeFi protocols, and stablecoins. Education: PhD in Finance from the University of Sydney (2014), focusing on 'The Impact of Regulation on Market Quality'. Research Interests: Decentralized finance (DeFi) systems Cryptocurrency market dynamics and regulation Market microstructure and liquidity provision Energy market crises and policy Regulatory frameworks for financial markets Key Projects: Leading the DFCRC's Industrial PhD Scholarships (2021–2031), mentoring students like Arvind Rangarajan and Juuso Artturi Itkonen. Research on Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) suspension and energy policy. Awards: Best Paper Award at the Cryptocurrency Conference (2019) Philip Brown Prize for Best Australian Paper (2021) Exceptional Research Prize (2019) Advising & Grants: Supervised over 10 PhD students through DFCRC scholarships. Secured $181 million for the Digital Finance CRC. Lead applicant in the Gunns Ltd shareholder class action. Labs/Teams: Head of Decentralized Assets at DFCRC, collaborating on policy and technology. Co-researcher on 'Electricity Markets in Crisis' and cryptocurrency illicit use studies.
Sarah Woolf-King is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine. She is a licensed clinical psychologist (CA PSY28178) whose research bridges psychology and health, with a strong focus on substance use, HIV, and mental health in families affected by congenital heart defects. Her educational background includes a B.S. in Psychology from Arizona State University (2002), an M.S./Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Syracuse University (2010), an M.P.H. in Epidemiology from UC Berkeley (2011), a clinical internship in Behavioral Medicine at VA Palo Alto (2010), and a T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCSF’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (2013). Dr. Woolf-King’s research centers on two primary areas: (1) the impact of alcohol use on HIV treatment and prevention, particularly among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) and in East African populations, and (2) the mental health needs of parents of children with critical congenital heart defects (CHD). Her work employs diverse methodologies, including daily data collection, qualitative interviews, randomized trials, and biomarker validation (e.g., PEth). She aims to develop integrated behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes for individuals and families coping with chronic illness. Her recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a consistent focus on alcohol use in the context of HIV, with studies on counseling interventions, digital screening, remote biomarker collection, and behavioral mechanisms. There is also growing attention to mental health in vulnerable populations, including college students and parents of children with genetic or cardiac conditions. Her work is increasingly interdisciplinary, combining psychology, epidemiology, public health, and global health. Scientific Awards: Hellman Fellow, Hellman Fellows Fund (2015–2017) Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01), NIH/NIAAA (2013–2018) Loan Repayment Program in Clinical Research, NIH/NIAAA (2011–2016) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31), NIH/NIAAA (2008–2010) Mentored Scientist Award in HIV/AIDS, UCSF CFAR (2012–2014) Dr. Woolf-King has served as Principal Investigator on NIH-funded projects, including an R34 grant for a brief ACT intervention for HIV-positive hazardous drinkers and a K01 grant on alcohol and sexual risk behavior. She collaborates extensively with researchers at UCSF and in East Africa, particularly Uganda. While her adjunct title suggests a part-time or non-tenure-track role, she maintains an active research program with significant grant support and a robust publication record. There is no indication of retirement or former staff status.
Melanie Molina, MD, MAS is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Affiliate Faculty of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies. She serves as Co-Director of the Social Emergency Medicine and Health Equity Section and holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Clinical Informatics and Digital Transformation. Clinically, she works at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and UCSF Medical Center. National Clinician Scholars Program Fellowship (2023) MAS in Clinical Research, UCSF (2023) Residency in Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School (2021) MD in Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin (2017) BS/BA in Biology and Hispanic Studies, The University of Texas at Austin (2012) Dr. Molina’s research centers on leveraging technology to address social determinants of health in emergency settings, with a focus on vulnerable populations. Her work spans health equity, opioid use disorder interventions, microaggressions in healthcare, and clinical informatics. She pioneers EHR-enabled tools to integrate social care into emergency clinical workflows while minimizing clinician burden. Her NIH-funded projects emphasize practical solutions for racial and ethnic health disparities, particularly in vaccine delivery and social risk documentation. Her recent publications (2024-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Integration of AI and informatics for social risk screening and clinical decision support, (2) Health equity interventions targeting vaccine hesitancy and long COVID disparities, and (3) Critical analysis of DEI implementation challenges in academic emergency medicine. The work consistently bridges technical innovation with community-centered approaches to address systemic inequities. National Institutes of Health NIDA Loan Repayment Award (2024-2025) National Hispanic Medical Association Top 40 Under 40 (2024) UCSF John A. Watson Faculty Scholar (2023) National Institutes of Health NIAID Loan Repayment Award (2022-2024) Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine Outstanding Research Publication Award (2021) Harvard Medical School Presidential Scholars Public Service Initiative Award (2017) Dr. Molina actively mentors medical students, residents, and fellows in health equity research. As Principal Investigator on multiple NIH and foundation grants—including the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program grant ($825,575, 2024-2028) and an NIH/NIDA K23 award (2024-2029)—she leads projects developing EHR-integrated interventions for social risk documentation and opioid use disorder treatment. Her PROBOOSTVAXED trial addresses vaccine hesitancy through ED-based delivery across eight U.S. cities. She co-directs the Social Emergency Medicine and Health Equity Section within UCSF’s Department of Emergency Medicine, collaborating closely with the Action Research Center for Health Equity and the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies. Her team integrates clinical informatics expertise with community health workers to develop scalable solutions for social risk mitigation in safety-net emergency departments.
Professor Francisco Gomes is a Professor of Finance at the London Business School , where he has been a faculty member since 2000. His research focuses on capital markets, asset allocation, household finance, and macroeconomics , with a particular emphasis on life-cycle investing, retirement policy, and risk-sharing mechanisms. BA - Universidade Nova de Lisboa MA/PhD - Harvard University His work has been published in top-tier journals like The Journal of Finance , The Review of Financial Studies , and The American Economic Review . Recent publications analyze automation's impact on wealth dispersion, yield-chasing behavior in household investments, and optimal target-date fund strategies for retirement planning. Professor Gomes is a Research Affiliate of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) and co-founded the CEPR Network on Household Finance. His research bridges theoretical models with empirical analysis, often incorporating computational methods (e.g., Fortran/Matlab code for life-cycle models).
Iona Cheng is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she conducts groundbreaking research in cancer epidemiology. She serves as co-Investigator of the SEER Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry and is Principal Investigator of multiple NIH- and foundation-funded projects examining genetics, lifestyle factors, and neighborhood characteristics in relation to cancer risk. Dr. Cheng has developed an extensive research program focused on racial/ethnic differences in cancer risk and leads population-based cancer surveillance studies that document variations in cancer incidence and mortality patterns across diverse racial and ethnic groups. University of California, Davis, BS, 1990–1994, Physiology Yale University, MPH, 1999–2001, Chronic Disease Epidemiology University of Southern California, PhD, 2001–2005, Epidemiology University of California, San Francisco, Postdoc, 2006–2008, Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Dr. Cheng's research spans multiple disciplines within cancer epidemiology, with particular emphasis on understanding how environmental exposures, genetic factors, and social determinants interact to influence cancer risk and outcomes across different racial and ethnic populations. Her work frequently examines the impact of air pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and neighborhood characteristics on cancer development and survival. She has made significant contributions to understanding cancer disparities among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations, bringing attention to the unique cancer risks and outcomes within these understudied groups. Her research often leverages the Multiethnic Cohort Study, one of the largest prospective studies of cancer incidence and mortality across diverse racial/ethnic populations. Analysis of Dr. Cheng's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on environmental and social determinants of cancer risk across multiple organ sites. Her work demonstrates a sophisticated integration of epidemiological methods with environmental exposure assessment, genetic analysis, and health disparities research. Many of her studies examine the intersection of environmental exposures and racial/ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes, particularly regarding breast cancer, lung cancer, and other malignancies. She has published extensively on the impact of air pollution on cancer risk and survival, as well as the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like bisphenol A, parabens, and phthalates. American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-in-Training Award (2007) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Award (2007) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Renewal Award (2009) American Association for Cancer Research Faculty Scholar Award (2011) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Renewal Award (2011) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Renewal Award (2013) American Journal of Epidemiology/Society of Epidemiology Research Top 10 manuscripts (2014) Cancer Prevention Institute of California Mentoring Award (2015) American Society of Human Genetics Top poster As Principal Investigator of multiple NIH-funded projects, Dr. Cheng oversees substantial research grants focused on cancer epidemiology and health disparities. Her work often involves large interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions, including the Multiethnic Cohort Study which follows over 200,000 participants from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. She has demonstrated leadership in mentoring junior researchers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in science, as evidenced by her Cancer Prevention Institute of California Mentoring Award. Her research program integrates data from cancer registries, electronic health records, and geospatial information to provide comprehensive insights into cancer patterns and risk factors. Dr. Cheng's research is closely connected to the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and leverages collaborations with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which provides advanced technological resources for cancer research. Her work benefits from access to extensive cohort data, sophisticated exposure assessment methods, and interdisciplinary expertise in genetics, environmental science, and computational biology available through these institutional partnerships. She frequently collaborates with researchers studying the genetic and environmental determinants of cancer across multiple organ systems, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of cancer etiology and prevention strategies.
Bart De Keijzer is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at King's College London, within the Department of Informatics. He serves as Deputy Director of the Distributed AI Research Group and is the Finance Hub Champion. His research focuses on the intersection of economics and theoretical computer science, particularly algorithmic game theory, mechanism design, and financial networks. Education includes a PhD in Algorithmic Game Theory from Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and a Computer Science degree from Delft University of Technology. Prior to King's, he held roles at the University of Essex, Sapienza University of Rome, and the University of Liverpool. His research interests span financial networks, systemic risk mitigation, auction design, and multi-agent systems. Recent work explores strategies to reduce systemic risk in financial networks and the development of strategyproof mechanisms. Awards: EPSRC New Investigator Award (2024). Labs/Teams: Distributed AI Research Group, Informatics Finance Hub.
Dr. Admir Mešković is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Business and Administration, International University of Sarajevo (IUS) , where he also serves as Manager of the Center for Islamic Finance, Innovation and Sustainability (CIFIS) . His research focuses on Islamic economics and finance, risk management, and sustainable development. Ph.D. in Finance (University of Sarajevo, 2022) MBA (Durham University Business School, UK) Master’s in Islamic Banking and Banking & Insurance (UNSA) His scholarly work explores fiscal discipline in Islamic economics, green bonds, financial inclusion through Islamic instruments, and social performance of Islamic banks. He has published extensively in journals such as International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management and Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research . Dr. Mešković holds leadership roles as President of the Economics and Social Research Institute and Journal Manager of the Journal of Economics, Law, and Society (JELS) . He also serves on the editorial boards of journals including Journal of Islamic Economics Lariba , International Journal of Sustainable Business, Management and Accounting , and Indonesian Journal for Islamic Studies .
Julian Berger is a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in the Center for Adaptive Rationality , where he explores how to enhance decision-making through hybrid human-AI systems. He is also a fellow of the Joachim Herz Foundation and has received funding from the Foundation of German Business and the Danish Data Science Academy. Education: M.A. Psychology in Business and Economics, Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (2021) B.A. Politics, Administration and International Relations, Zeppelin Universität (2018) His research spans human-AI collaboration , collective intelligence , and interpretable machine learning . A recurring theme in his work is developing methods to combine human expertise with AI capabilities for accuracy in domains like medical diagnostics , credit scoring , and football analytics . He has authored publications in high-impact venues such as PNAS , Nature Human Behavior , and Science and Medicine in Football . Scientific awards and funding include: Fellowship for interdisciplinary economics, Joachim Herz Foundation (2024) PhD funding from the Foundation of German Business (Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft) Research grant from the Danish Data Science Academy His recent article trends emphasize ensembling techniques that leverage complementary human and AI errors, algorithmic fairness, and practical heuristics like Hybrid Confirmation Trees. These works demonstrate significant improvements in diagnostic accuracy and decision cost-efficiency. Beyond academia, Berger works as a consultant and ML engineer with Simply Rational , focusing on interpretable models for financial and sports analytics. His work bridges theoretical research with real-world applications, prioritizing fairness, transparency, and human accountability in AI systems.
Jessie P. Buckley, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. She serves as Director of Chemical Exposure Methodology for the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, focusing on data harmonization and pooled analyses of chemical exposures in children's health. Education: PhD in Epidemiology (UNC Chapel Hill, 2014) MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health (George Washington University, 2007) AB in Biology and English (Bowdoin College, 2002) Her research investigates environmental toxicants' health effects, particularly: Exposure assessment of environmental chemicals Methods for estimating effects of exposure mixtures Environmental influences on cardiometabolic and bone health Endocrine-disrupting chemicals Children's environmental health Recent publications analyze: PFAS exposure trends in adolescent bone health Chemical mixture effects using item response theory Perinatal exposure to melamine analogues Diet-exposure interactions in ultra-processed foods Scientific Awards: Teaching Innovation Award (UNC Gillings, 2025) NIEHS ONES Award (2019) Pediatric Loan Repayment Program Awards (2020, 2022, 2023) Dr. Buckley contributes to academic service as: Member of the PhD Admissions Committee (2024-present) Co-Chair of the North America Chapter, International Society of Environmental Epidemiology (2023-present)
Stephanie Jarvi Steele is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Smith College . She directs the Behavioral Assessment of Self-Injury Lab (BASIL) , focusing on risk factors for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-disgust. She teaches courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Research Methods, and a seminar on high-risk behaviors in psychopathology. Steele is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Suffolk University and completed a predoctoral internship at Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School. She held a postdoctoral fellowship at Boston University and served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Williams College before joining Smith. Her research interests include non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) , social contagion effects , implicit identity in self-injurious behaviors , and transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy , with a focus on treating comorbid mental health conditions. Her recent publications explore implicit associations in NSSI, teletherapy risk management, and longitudinal studies on sleep and suicide. Scientific Awards : NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP) award (2019) Grants & Collaborations : She has collaborated on large-scale clinical trials, including the efficacy of transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for comorbid alcohol use and anxiety disorders. She mentors students and co-authors research with mentees, indicated by footnotes in her publications.
Roles & Affiliations: Professor of Applied Economics and Head of the Economics Division at Stirling Business School, University of Stirling. Member of the Stirling Behavioural Science Centre. Former member of the UK Food Standards Agency’s Social Science Research Committee (6 years). Active in interdisciplinary research on consumer behavior, decision-making, and preference elicitation. PhD in Economics (University of Manchester) MSc in Resource Economics (University of Massachusetts Amherst) Research Focus: Intersection of applied microeconomics, public health, and behavioral science. Specializes in consumer choice, decision-making processes, and methodological innovations like discrete choice experiments and best-worst scaling. Key themes include food safety perceptions, risk communication, trust in institutions, and health intervention design. Methodological contributions address preference heterogeneity, attribute non-attendance, and survey design rigor. Grants & Awards: Secured NIHR CLAHRC grants (2013-14), SIRE Early Career Engagement Grant, and Stirling Management School Seed Fund. Nominated for 2025 Teacher of the Year RATE Awards. Recognized for Best PechaKucha Presentation. Advising & Engagement: Supervises PhD students and research assistants. Serves as External Examiner for PhD theses. Collaborates with policymakers via the UK Food Standards Agency and public health initiatives. Leads projects on healthcare innovation prioritization and sustainable food systems. Labs & Networks: Core member of the Stirling Behavioural Science Centre. Engaged with interdisciplinary teams in health economics and global food security research. Active in the Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
Kristian Miltersen is a Professor at the Department of Finance and Center for Financial Frictions (FRIC) at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). He holds expertise in capital structure optimization, real options valuation, commodity derivatives, and structured financial products. His research bridges theoretical finance with practical applications in corporate finance and asset pricing. After earning his PhD in 1992 on continuous-time interest rate models, Miltersen has expanded into dynamic capital structure modeling and real options. His landmark 1997 Journal of Finance paper on LIBOR Market models critiques the Black-76 formula's limitations for fixed income derivatives. His work spans commodity derivatives, foreign exchange instruments, and R&D investment dynamics, all rooted in theoretical frameworks. Recent research focuses on dynamic debt policies, second mortgages' valuation, tax-driven corporate cash holdings, and state-contingent capital budgeting. He co-authored influential papers on callable debt renegotiations and the interaction between financing and investment decisions under varying industry structures. Teaching includes elite courses on asset pricing, energy markets, and capital structure. As program director for CBS' Advanced Economics and Finance MSc, he shapes advanced academic programs. Outside academia, he serves as an expert witness and consultant for Analysis Group, advising on financial litigation and complex economic issues. His over 40 publications since 1989 reflect deep engagement with financial modeling, spanning interest rate guarantees, commodity price dynamics, and corporate debt optimization. Current research continues exploring financial frictions' impact on corporate policy and market structures.
David Córdova is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, where he leads research on Latino health inequities with a focus on substance use and HIV prevention among adolescents. His work emphasizes community-based participatory research and digital health interventions. His research interests span Substance Abuse Prevention , HIV/STI Prevention , Health Disparities , and Latino Health , utilizing both qualitative and longitudinal methodologies. He has developed innovative family-based interventions delivered via internet platforms to address health inequities. Córdova's publication trends reveal a strong focus on adolescent health behaviors, family dynamics, and culturally tailored interventions. His recent work increasingly incorporates digital health approaches and examines intersectional factors like ethnic discrimination and familism in sexual risk behaviors among Latinx youth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Early Career Development Award (Grant# U01PS003316-01) National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Loan Repayment Program Best Research Article on Family Research and Theory Award (2020) National Institute on Drug Abuse Diversity Scholars Network Fellowship Professor Córdova actively collaborates with students across all research phases and serves on editorial boards for Emerging Adulthood and Journal of Adolescent Health. His Prevention Research and Health Equity Lab develops interventions targeting substance abuse and HIV prevention, with recent work focusing on mobile health applications like the 'Storytelling 4 Empowerment' intervention funded by NIDA.
Nicolás de Roux is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. He holds a PhD in Economics from Columbia University and an MA from Universidad de los Andes. His academic work focuses on applied microeconomics with a specialization in development economics, particularly examining firm behavior, financial inclusion, agricultural economics, and labor markets in developing countries. He actively contributes to the academic community as a co-organizer of the biweekly Virtual Development Seminar (VDEV/CEPR/BREAD). De Roux's research interests center on understanding economic development challenges in the Global South, with particular emphasis on how weather shocks affect agricultural productivity, labor market power in developing economies, and the impacts of trade disruptions on firm performance. His interdisciplinary approach combines rigorous econometric methods with theoretical insights to address pressing development issues. His work demonstrates how microeconomic analysis can inform policy decisions that improve economic outcomes for vulnerable populations in developing countries. His publications span multiple high-impact journals including the Journal of Labor Economics, The Review of Financial Studies, and Journal of Public Economics. De Roux's research demonstrates consistent focus on labor markets, agricultural productivity, and financial inclusion, with recent work examining how weather risk affects small farms, the extent of employer power in developing country labor markets, and how firms adapt to trade partner collapse. His research methodology typically combines detailed administrative data with innovative econometric approaches to establish causal relationships. Featured Economist Interview, International Economic Association (IEA), July 2025 De Roux has mentored numerous students through his teaching at Universidad de los Andes, where he teaches courses including Introduction to Mediation, Econometrics 1, and Haciendo Economía 1. His research collaborations extend across multiple institutions, working with economists from around the world including Giacomo De Giorgi, Garance Genicot, Gianmarco León-Ciliotta, and Eric Verhoogen. His work on academic tracking revealed the counterintuitive finding that students perform better when they're at the top of a lower-ability group rather than at the bottom of a higher-ability group, challenging conventional wisdom about educational tracking. His research team includes collaborators working on projects examining internet access and banking competition in rural credit markets, as well as quality upgrading in the Colombian coffee sector. De Roux maintains an active presence in policy discussions through media outlets like VoxDev, World Bank blogs, and Colombian publications including Foco Económico and La República.
Prof. Dr. Jochen Hoffmann is a Professor of Private Commercial Law at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg , with a research focus on civil law, consumer protection law, commercial and corporate law, banking and insurance law, antitrust law, and European/international commercial law. He has held academic positions at the University of Leipzig and the University of Hamburg before joining FAU in 2009. Studied Law and Economics at University of Bayreuth Doctorate in Law (1998) from University of Bayreuth Habilitation in Law (2005) with Bavarian Habilitation Award His research examines legal frameworks in digital markets, consumer finance, and cross-border trade, with recent publications addressing antitrust regulation, AI applications, and EU directives. He contributes to interdisciplinary projects like FAU WiSo’s Insurance and Risk focus area and collaborates with industry partners. Hoffmann has received significant recognition, including the Bavarian Habilitation Award (2001), and maintains active affiliations with FAU’s Department of Private Commercial Law. Notable awards: Bavarian Habilitation Award (2001) Teaching and Leadership: Held Chair of Private Commercial Law at FAU since 2009 Contributor to FAU WiSo’s interdisciplinary research clusters
