Jacqueline Woerner is Associate Professor in Sociology and Psychology at the University of Central Florida, where she directs the Social Theory, Relationships, and Interpersonal Violence Exposure (STRIVE) Lab. Her research examines the intersection of gender-based violence, substance use, and health risk behaviors. Education includes: PhD in Social Psychology from Wayne State University BS in Psychology from Appalachian State University Her NIH-funded research investigates how violence victimization relates to health behaviors through motivational frameworks. Current projects examine technology-facilitated sexual violence on dating apps and alcohol's role in intimate partner cyber abuse. She employs diverse methods including surveys, experiments, and daily diaries. As member of the Violence Against Women Faculty Cluster, she develops prevention strategies addressing sexual violence and health disparities. Funded projects include NIJ grants examining transitional housing models for domestic violence survivors. Honors include Rising Star Award for undergraduate mentoring and multiple teaching awards. She serves on editorial boards for Psychology of Violence and leads NIH-funded projects on dating app-facilitated violence.
Barbara A. Knuth is a Professor Emerita at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. She previously served as Dean of Cornell's Graduate School (over 10 years), Vice Provost/Senior Vice Provost (8 years), and Senior Associate Dean in CALS (3 years). Her academic career began with a PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech (1987), making her the first woman in tenure-track faculty at Cornell's Department of Natural Resources. Education: Ph.D., Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences (Virginia Tech) M.En., Environmental Science (Miami University) B. Phil. & A.B., Zoology/Environmental Studies (Miami University, Phi Beta Kappa) Research Interests: Focuses on ecosystem-based management in Great Lakes/marine systems, risk communication around chemical contaminants in fish, and environmental stewardship. Also studies equity/inclusion in graduate education. Key themes include: Social science integration in natural resource policy Health benefits/risk trade-offs in fish consumption Community-based conservation strategies Outreach: Advises state/tribal agencies on fishery management and public health. Led initiatives improving graduate education through professional development, mental health support, and faculty mentoring programs. Awards: Debra W. Stewart Award (2019) Fellow, American Fisheries Society (2015-) Council of Graduate Schools Recognition Multiple teaching/research awards (1999-2006) Grants & Funding: Supported by NSF, Sea Grant, EPA, Sloan Foundation, and others for projects on Great Lakes management, educational equity, and contaminant risk communication. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with Cornell's Center for Conservation Social Sciences. Collaborated with Ecologists Without Borders, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and National Academies Ocean Studies Board.
Dr. Jacinta C. Beehner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology & Psychology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on sexual conflict theory, reproductive strategies in primates, and the physiological and behavioral mechanisms underlying these dynamics. She directs the Core Assay Facility/Beehner Endocrine Laboratory and co-directs the Simien Mountains Gelada Research Project, Capuchins at Taboga, and the Evolution and Human Adaptations Program. Her work examines non-human primates like geladas, capuchins, and baboons in natural African and American habitats. Key themes include infanticide avoidance, hormonal responses to environmental stress, and the evolutionary implications of reproductive trade-offs. Recent studies highlight the impact of climate change on primate health, the role of social status in parasite resistance, and hormonal adaptations to high-altitude environments. Beehner has contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed articles since 2015, spanning topics from primate social networks to genomic adaptations. Her fieldwork emphasizes integrative methods combining endocrinology, genetics, and behavioral observation. She has presented at international forums like the National Geographic Explorer’s Festival and collaborates across disciplines to advance primate conservation and evolutionary biology.
Zhaoli Song is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Organisation within NUS Business School, Singapore. His research bridges behavioral genetics with organizational behavior, focusing on leadership, AI in the workplace, cross-cultural management, and work-family dynamics. PhD in Human Resources and Industrial Relations (2004), University of Minnesota Master in Statistics (2004), University of Minnesota Master in Applied Psychology (1999), Chinese Academy of Sciences Bachelor in Optics (1995), Sichuan University Dr. Song pioneered molecular genetics applications in management research, achieving media recognition in Economist and Washington Post . His work spans AI strategy formulation, pandemic scenario modeling, and team innovation across Asia. He has taught organizational behavior, HRM, and research methods at undergraduate, Master's, EMBA, and executive levels. Recent publications analyze AI adoption frameworks, emotional dynamics in leader-member exchanges, and genetic determinants of creativity. He served as Academic Director for NUS Asian Pacific EMBA (Chinese) program (2013-2017), demonstrating educational leadership alongside scholarly contributions.
J. Lotus Seeley is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Graduate Program Director at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Her academic work bridges feminist theory, economic sociology, and microsociology, with a focus on gender and organizational dynamics. Education: MA in Women’s Studies (2007) from The Ohio State University PhD in Women’s Studies and Sociology (2016) from the University of Michigan Dr. Seeley’s research examines how gender is socially constructed and organizationally structured, particularly through mundane interactions. Key areas include the reproduction of gender and social status in workplaces, slut-shaming stigma, and IT support dynamics in universities. She currently investigates women’s experiences in the gig economy and work-life balance for mothers. Her recent publications analyze hegemonic femininities, organizational queuing, help-seeking in IT, and gender performativity in male-dominated roles. These works draw on feminist theories, symbolic interactionism, and ethnomethodology. Scientific Awards: 2020 Distinguished Article Award from the American Sociological Association Sex & Gender Section for 'Hegemonic Femininities and Intersectional Domination' Dr. Seeley teaches sociological theory, qualitative methods, gender studies, and microsociology. Her pedagogical mission emphasizes connecting macro-level social forces to students' personal experiences, challenging individualistic narratives through sociological frameworks.
Steven D. Levitt is the William B. Ogden Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, where he directs the Becker Center on Chicago Price Theory. He has been affiliated with the university since 1997, following a PhD from MIT and BA from Harvard. Fields of Interest: Economics, Criminology, Education Policy, Real Estate, Political Economy, Social Policy, Game Theory Levitt's research spans empirical economic analysis across diverse domains, including crime, education, politics, and behavioral economics. His work often employs unconventional data sources and focuses on identifying causal relationships through natural experiments. Recent publications highlight intersections between incentives, social behavior, and policy outcomes. Notable awards include the John Bates Clark Medal (2004) and recognition as one of Time magazine's 100 People Who Shape Our World (2006). He is widely known for co-authoring the Freakonomics book series and blog, which popularized the application of economic principles to real-world phenomena. Contact: SLevitt@UChicago.edu
Dr. Sara McMenamin is an Associate Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego. She serves as the Associate Director of the MPH program and Interim Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education . Her research focuses on state-level policies addressing tobacco use and preventive services, particularly health insurance coverage for tobacco dependence treatment in California and nationally. She also co-chairs the California Health Benefits Review Program , evaluating proposed health insurance legislation's medical, cost, and public health impacts. Her work spans public health policy analysis , health insurance mandate evaluations, and tobacco control strategies. Key areas include analyzing the effects of tobacco tax increases (e.g., Proposition 56), tracking smoking trends among youth and adults, and investigating the interplay between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation. She has contributed to studies on fertility preservation mandates, telemedicine for substance use disorders, and health equity in insurance access. Recent research highlights include assessing declines in youth smoking despite e-cigarette surges, evaluating tobacco policy coverage changes in California, and projecting future cigarette consumption trends. Her work often bridges policy implementation and population health outcomes, emphasizing evidence-based approaches. Dr. McMenamin collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and state agencies to translate research into actionable policies. Her contributions span over 150 peer-reviewed publications, with frequent media and policy engagement (e.g., cited in 14+ news outlets for key studies).
Elin Org is a Professor of Microbiomics at the University of Tartu's Institute of Genomics, where she also serves as Head of the Estonian Genome Centre and Vice Director of the Institute. Her academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to microbiome and genomic research. Education: PhD in Genetics, University of Tartu (2006) Master's Degree in Molecular Biotechnology and Biomedicine, University of Tartu (2000) Bachelor's Degree, University of Tartu (1997) Classical Singing, Heino Eller Tartu Music School (1996) Professor Org's research primarily focuses on the intricate relationships between host and gut microbiota and their influence on metabolism and common complex diseases. Her work bridges microbiomics, genomics, and complex disease research, with particular emphasis on understanding how gut microbiome composition affects human health. She has pioneered research connecting long-term antibiotic usage with microbiota-dependent effects and has made significant contributions to understanding the role of gut microbiome in conditions such as gestational diabetes, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Her approach integrates advanced computational methods with comprehensive health data to uncover causal relationships in microbiome research. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating microbiome data with extensive digital health metrics, using machine learning approaches to identify microbial predictors of health outcomes. This work is increasingly focused on translating microbiome research into clinical applications for disease prediction and personalized medicine approaches, particularly in the context of the Estonian Biobank initiative. Major Scientific Recognition: 2025 National Science Award in medical and health sciences 2023 and 2022: Recognized among the world's top 1% most cited researchers by Clarivate Analytics 2020: Member of AcademiaNet, a portal for top female researchers 2017: EMBO Installation grant 2013: Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship Professor Org has secured substantial research funding as principal investigator for multiple significant projects, including 'DISCERN - Discovering the causes of three poorly understood cancers in Europe' (€245,466, European Commission) and 'Improving colorectal cancer screening and prediction using microbiome-based biomarkers' (€760,450, Estonian Research Council). She has served as an opponent for numerous PhD theses across European institutions, contributing to the development of emerging researchers in her field. As Head of the Estonian Genome Centre, Professor Org leads a multidisciplinary research team that plays a crucial role in Estonia's transition from biobanking to personalized medicine applications. She is actively involved in international collaborations through COST networks including INFOGUT (focused on in vitro colon models) and ML4Microbiome (statistical and machine learning techniques in human microbiome studies), positioning her at the forefront of global microbiome research initiatives.
Dr. Monica P. Colaiacovo is a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, where she leads research in the Department of Genetics within the Blavatnik Institute. Her laboratory is located in the New Research Building in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Colaiacovo's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of meiosis, chromosome dynamics, and DNA repair in the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. Her work examines how environmental toxicants impact germline function and reproductive health, with particular emphasis on chromosome segregation, recombination, and the synaptonemal complex. Her publications reveal a consistent research trajectory examining critical aspects of meiotic chromosome behavior, including double-strand break formation and repair, crossover designation, and chromosome movement during prophase I. Her laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how environmental exposures like bisphenol A and phthalates disrupt normal meiotic progression and lead to germline dysfunction. Dr. Colaiacovo's work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between basic chromosome biology, environmental health sciences, and reproductive medicine. Her research group employs advanced genetic, molecular, and imaging techniques to dissect the complex mechanisms ensuring accurate chromosome segregation during gamete formation. Her laboratory actively collaborates with researchers studying aging, DNA repair pathways, and environmental toxicology, as evidenced by publications spanning multiple high-impact journals including Nature, PLoS Genetics, and Genetics.
Giulia Giordano is a Full Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Trento, Italy, where she leads the Dynamical Networks and Systems Biology research group. She also holds a dual appointment as Visiting Professor and Delft Technology Fellow at the Delft Center for Systems and Control, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. Her career includes previous positions as Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology (2017-2019), Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Lund University, Sweden (2016-2017), and Research Fellow at the University of Udine, Italy (2016). Giulia earned her Ph.D. in Industrial and Information Engineering: Automation (Excellent) from the University of Udine with a thesis titled "Structural Analysis and Control of Dynamical Networks." She completed her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (both Summa cum laude) at the same institution. She also undertook research visits at Caltech (2012) as a SURF Fellow and at the University of Stuttgart (2015) as a DAAD Research Scholar. Her primary research focuses on the analysis and control of dynamical networks with applications in systems biology, mathematical ecology, and mathematical epidemiology. She develops mathematical frameworks that bridge control theory, network theory, and dynamical systems to address complex problems in biological systems. Her recent work spans epidemic modeling, opinion dynamics, biochemical networks, and neurological disorders, with a particular emphasis on structural analysis of networked systems. She employs both theoretical and computational approaches to understand system behavior under uncertainty. Giulia's publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary focus, spanning from theoretical control systems to practical applications in epidemiology and biology. Her recent work shows increasing emphasis on epidemic modeling (particularly related to mpox and SARS-CoV-2), network synchronization, and the application of control theory to biological phenomena like fibromyalgia pathogenesis and opinion formation. Many of her papers appear in top-tier control journals including Automatica and IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control. 2024: Outstanding Service as Associate Editor of IEEE Control Systems Letters 2021: SIAM Activity Group on Control and Systems Theory Prize 2020: Outstanding Reviewer, Annals of Internal Medicine 2017: NAHS Best Paper Prize and EECI PhD Award 2016: Outstanding TAC Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control Giulia actively mentors students and postdoctoral researchers, currently supervising five postdoctoral researchers and two Ph.D. students at the University of Trento. She has advised numerous M.Sc. and B.Sc. students on topics ranging from bio-inspired modeling to optimal control of epidemic systems. Her research is supported by competitive grants including the ERC Starting Grant INSPIRE (Integrated Structural and Probabilistic Approaches for Biological and Epidemiological Systems). She serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Control Systems Letters and Automatica, and is a Senior Member of IEEE and the Control Systems Society. Giulia leads the Dynamical Networks and Systems Biology research group at the University of Trento, which maintains strong international collaborations across Europe and North America. The group's work combines theoretical advances in control theory with practical applications to pressing problems in public health and biological systems, demonstrating the power of mathematical approaches to understanding complex phenomena in the life sciences.
Professor Amy Mullens (University of Southern Queensland) is a leading academic in public health, gender studies, and clinical psychology. Her work focuses on sexual and reproductive health, transgender health equity, and healthcare access for marginalized populations, particularly within correctional systems. Key Affiliations : School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions. Research Themes : Intersectional health disparities, HIV/STI prevention, gender-affirming healthcare, and mental health interventions. Research Trends : Recent publications emphasize digital health tools for STI/HIV risk prediction, transgender health policy, and qualitative analyses of incarceration experiences. She frequently collaborates on systematic reviews and mixed-methods studies addressing health equity. Advising : Supervises 16+ doctoral and master’s students (2021-2025) on topics spanning trauma, health literacy, and sexual health interventions.
Dr. Erica Garcia is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Science and Technology, specializing in aquatic ecology. She leads research on river, wetland, and groundwater ecosystems, focusing on food web dynamics and biodiversity in changing environments. Her current projects include citizen science initiatives for groundwater security and wetland condition assessments. Dr. Garcia holds a PhD from Michigan State University (2006) and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (1999). She teaches courses in ecology and resource management and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing water sustainability in Northern Australia. Her research spans observational, experimental, and molecular methods to understand ecosystem processes. Education: PhD in Zoology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University (2000–2006) Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley (1995–1999) Research Interests: Dr. Garcia’s work emphasizes freshwater ecosystems, including food web interactions, groundwater ecology, and the impacts of human activities on riverine systems. She employs eDNA, isotopic analysis, and remote sensing to assess ecosystem health and biodiversity. Current projects investigate groundwater resources and citizen science approaches to environmental monitoring. Grants & Projects: Co-lead on the Northern Australian Community Groundwater Security Project (citizen science) Principal Investigator for the Adelaide River Aquatic Ecosystem Mapping project (2023–2024) Collaborator on the Water Security for Northern Australia Program (2023–2026) Labs/Teams: She is affiliated with the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods at CDU and collaborates with international networks on global river ecology and climate change impacts.
Jeffrey Guasto , Associate Professor at Tufts University, holds joint appointments in the School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) and School of Arts and Sciences (Physics & Astronomy). His work bridges engineering, physics, and biology to study transport properties in complex systems. Ph.D., Engineering (2009), Brown University Sc.M., Engineering (2004), Brown University Dual B.S. in Physics and Mechanical Engineering (2003), Lehigh University Research Interests focus on: Biophysics : Flagellar mechanics, chemotaxis, cell-fluid interactions Soft Matter : Active suspensions, colloids, viscoelastic materials Microfluidics : Device design for cell motility studies and gradient generation Environmental Transport : Microbial ecology in porous systems Scientific Trends from his 77+ publications show emphasis on microscale fluid dynamics, bacterial transport mechanisms, and viscoelastic flow instabilities. His 2024 Nature Microbiology work reveals phage-infected bacteria driving marine chemotaxis, while 2023 PNAS research explores stress topology in viscoelastic flows. Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award (2016) for cell dispersal mechanisms Collaborative NSF grants (2015-2023) Advising includes mentoring 15+ students and postdocs. His grants portfolio features 9+ awards, notably NSF grants for viral-microbe interactions (2018) and flagellar mechanics (2020). Labs & Teams : Leads the Guasto Laboratory at Tufts, integrating microfluidics and high-speed imaging for studying microbial transport, while collaborating with MIT, Harvard, and international institutions.
Catherine Guastavino is a Professor at McGill University's School of Information Studies (within the Faculty of Arts) and an Associate Member at the Schulich School of Music. She also contributes to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT). Her roles include leading research projects and supervising graduate students in music technology and related fields. She holds a PhD in Psychoacoustics from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), an MSc from IRCAM (France), and a BSc in Mathematics from McGill University. Her research focuses on auditory perception, soundscape analysis, human-computer interaction, and urban acoustics. Notable projects include the 'Sounds in the City' partnership addressing urban noise policy and the development of immersive soundscape simulation tools. She leads or co-leads grants from SSHRC, NSERC, and MITACS, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to sound in urban environments. Guastavino's work bridges academic research with practical applications, such as designing sound installations for public spaces and improving acoustic environments in transportation and performance venues. She collaborates with city planners, musicians, and engineers, reflecting her commitment to making cities sound better through evidence-based strategies. Key Projects: SSHRC Partnership Grant for urban soundscape management (2018-2023) NSERC Discovery Grant on auditory localization (2019-2024) MITACS projects on Montreal festival soundscapes and noise policy Labs & Partnerships: Multimodal Interaction Laboratory (MIL) Collaborations with Ville de Montréal and Quartier des Spectacles Education: PhD: Psychoacoustics (Paris VI) MSc: Computer Science & Music Technology (IRCAM) BSc: Mathematics (McGill) Her teaching includes courses like Music Information Retrieval, integrating computational methods with artistic and scientific applications.
Nancy Kass is a Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she also holds the Phoebe R. Berman Professorship in Bioethics and Public Health. She serves as Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education at Johns Hopkins University and is the Interim Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management. Additionally, she is Deputy Director for Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and co-directs the Johns Hopkins Fogarty African Bioethics Training Program. ScD, Johns Hopkins University, 1989 BA, Stanford University Postdoctoral Fellowship, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University Dr. Kass’s research focuses on the ethical dimensions of public health policy and research, with particular expertise in bioethics, research ethics, public health ethics, informed consent, learning health systems, and global health ethics . Her work addresses ethical challenges in HIV/AIDS, obesity prevention, genetics, and international research. She has developed influential frameworks for ethical oversight in public health and clinical research. Her recent publications (2024–2025) reflect a strong focus on modernizing clinical research ethics, including optimizing informed consent, integrating clinical trials with medical practice, and enhancing data infrastructure. These works emphasize ethical governance, patient-centered decision-making, and the alignment of research with real-world healthcare delivery. Her scholarship spans high-impact journals such as JAMA and Implementation Science , demonstrating sustained scholarly leadership. GBFFR Annual Award, Global Forum on Bioethics in Research, 2016 Member, National Academy of Medicine (formerly Institute of Medicine), 2008 Fellow, Hastings Center, 2007 Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, 1996 AMTRA (Advising, Mentoring, and Teaching Award), Johns Hopkins, 1996 Dr. Kass has played a pivotal role in education and mentorship, having directed the PhD program in Bioethics and Health Policy for 15 years. She currently leads the Fogarty-funded African Bioethics Training Program, advancing global bioethics capacity. She has served on numerous national and international advisory bodies, including the National Cancer Institute’s central IRB, the National Academy of Medicine, and the WHO Ethics Review Committee. Her leadership extends to chairing the national Precision Medicine Initiative central IRB. She is actively involved in research projects such as the CDC Informed Consent Project, Bioethics of Quality Improvement, and Demonstrating Respect and Acceptable Consent Strategies in patient-centered outcomes research. These initiatives underscore her commitment to ethical innovation in public health and clinical practice.
