Adebola A. Adedimeji is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She holds advanced degrees including an M.B.A., M.P.H., M.S., and Ph.D. Her research focuses on social and structural determinants of health, HIV prevention, stigma reduction, cancer education, and community-based interventions for marginalized populations. She is affiliated with the Health Behavior Research & Implementation Science division. Her work emphasizes implementation science and real-world evidence, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Key research themes include LGBTQ+ health, transgender HIV service access, substance use impacts on HIV care, and climate change linkages to sexual health. Publications span HIV stigma reduction interventions, pediatric HIV treatment strategies, cervical cancer screening barriers, and global health capacity-building initiatives. Notable collaborations include the Einstein-Rwanda program and studies in Nigeria and Uganda. She advocates for health equity and policy reforms addressing intersecting stigmas.
Dr. Karen Yeates is a Professor in the Division of Nephrology at Queen's University's School of Medicine. She holds cross-appointments in the Faculty of Health Sciences and is a member of Queen's Cancer Research Institute and Translational Institute of Medicine. Her work focuses on improving healthcare access through mHealth innovations in global settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and Indigenous communities. Education: MD (Queen's University), MPH (Harvard School of Public Health), Fellowship in Nephrology (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada). Research interests span global health equity, cardiovascular disease prevention, cervical cancer screening, and mobile health technology. Key projects include leading the PURE Study Tanzania (Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology) and the International Polypill Study for cardiovascular prevention. She pioneered smartphone-based interventions for hypertension management in rural communities and cervical cancer screening in Tanzania. Articles consistently address mHealth implementation, chronic disease epidemiology, and health systems strengthening. Recent work evaluates mobile health tools for malaria prevention and cervical precancer detection in resource-limited settings. Rising Stars in Global Health Award (2024) CIHR-Global Alliance grant for mHealth hypertension projects Principal Investigator for Grand Challenges Canada initiatives Advocates for equitable kidney care globally, contributing to ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas. Co-founded Queen’s University School of Medicine’s Office of Global Health to advance interdisciplinary global health training.
Yi-Chin Toh is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), leading the Micro Tissue Engineering Lab. She holds an ARC Future Fellowship and has held prior roles as an Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore. Her expertise lies in microfluidic tissue models for drug testing and organ-on-a-chip technologies. She earned her B.Eng. (2001) and Ph.D. (2008) in Bioengineering from National University of Singapore, followed by postdoctoral training at MIT and A*STAR. Her research focuses on advancing alternative animal-free technologies, with notable contributions to multi-organ microfluidic platforms and 3D bioprinted tissue models. She has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles, secured eight patents, and received accolades like the 2022 Lab on a Chip Pioneers in Miniaturization Award and 2019 Global 3R Award. She holds editorial roles in journals like Biomicrofluidics and contributes to conferences such as MicroTAS. Key research areas include mechanobiology modeling, hepatic-microbiome interactions, and AI-driven single-cell analysis. Her lab’s work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing translational applications in drug safety and toxicology. Current projects include modular microfluidic platforms for multi-organ interactions and FDA-regulatory compliant non-animal testing systems. Education: B.Eng in Chemical Engineering, National University of Singapore (2001) Ph.D. in Bioengineering, National University of Singapore (2008) Awards & Leadership: Lab on a Chip Lectureship (2022), Global 3R Award (2019), ARC College of Experts member, and leadership roles in MicroTAS conferences. She also leads the ARC Training Centre for Cell and Tissue Engineering Technologies.
Dirk Repsilber is a Professor of Medical Science at Örebro University, specializing in functional bioinformatics. He leads research on molecular patterns in patients to improve diagnosis and treatment. Born in Lübeck, Germany, he earned his PhD in ecological genetics from the University of Hamburg and held postdoctoral roles at institutions across Sweden and Germany. His work integrates bioinformatics, biostatistics, and clinical collaboration to address complex biological systems. Education: PhD in Ecological Genetics (University of Hamburg, 1999), postdoctoral training at Uppsala University and SLU, followed by roles at German institutions including Lübeck, Potsdam, Rostock, and Örebro. Research Interests: Molecular networks, biosignature development, systems biology approaches to genotype-phenotype mapping, and interdisciplinary collaborations in medicine, statistics, and computer science. Key Projects: BIO IBD (biomarker discovery in inflammatory bowel disease), Cell Painting for toxicity assessment, and systems-level immunomonitoring in pediatric oncology. Active in cross-disciplinary teams like the Center for Life Sciences Nutrition-Gut-Brain Interactions. Teaching & Supervision: Cross-disciplinary courses in bioinformatics, statistical counseling, and supervision of PhD students in diverse fields. Emphasizes problem-based learning and communication skills across disciplines.
Gaylyn Studlar is the David May Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. She joined the faculty in 2009 after stints at the University of Michigan (1996–2009) and Emory University. At Michigan, she held the Rudolf Arnheim Collegiate Professorship in Film Studies and directed the Program in Film and Media Studies, which evolved into the Department of Screen Arts and Cultures during her tenure. Her research spans feminist film theory, Hollywood cinema, genre studies, stardom, and Orientalism, with a focus on the intersection of film and other arts. Education: PhD in Cinema Studies, University of Southern California Master of Music in Cello Performance, University of Southern California Research Interests: Studlar’s work explores gender dynamics in film history, particularly through studies of stardom and genre. Notable projects include analyses of Marlene Dietrich, John Ford’s Westerns, and the cultural impact of Titanic . She is currently writing Erotic Labor: Sex, Class, and Stardom in Pre-Code Hollywood . Publications: Her major works include Precocious Charms (2013) and Have Gun—Will Travel (2015), which examine stardom and genre. Her scholarship has been translated into multiple languages. Awards: Excellence in Education Award (1996, University of Michigan) Provost’s Office Grant (1997) Teaching & Leadership: At WashU, she teaches courses like Film Theory, Women & Film, and Film Historiography. She has led academic programs and expanded curricula in film studies. Her work bridges cinema with music and visual arts, reflecting interdisciplinary interests.
Erin M. Warnick, PhD, serves as Director of Clinical Operations and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations at the Child Study Center within Yale School of Medicine. She holds an appointment as an Associate Research Scientist. Her academic background includes a PhD from Yale University (2006) and a BA from Lewis and Clark College (2001). Warnick’s work focuses on child mental health services research, clinical measurement tools, and psychotherapy outcomes. She leads organizational initiatives such as the YCSC open house events and community volunteering programs, fostering collaboration between the center and local providers. She has authored peer-reviewed publications addressing service delivery evaluation and youth psychotherapy challenges. Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology, Yale University (2006) BA in Psychology, Lewis and Clark College (2001) Her research emphasizes practical applications of assessment tools in clinical settings and improving retention in youth mental health treatments. Recent activities include organizing community outreach events and internal networking forums to strengthen the Child Study Center’s impact. She collaborates with faculty on translational research aimed at bridging clinical practice and scientific inquiry.
Ottmar Ette is Chair of Romance Literature at the University of Potsdam, Germany, where he has held a professorship since 1995. A leading scholar of Alexander von Humboldt and comparative literature, Ette has established himself as a major intellectual figure through his development of TransArea Studies and the conceptual framework of 'Lebenswissenschaft' (science of life). His academic career spans multiple continents with significant contributions to understanding the intersections of literature, globalization, and cross-cultural knowledge. Ette's research interests form a rich interdisciplinary tapestry exploring literary studies as life science , conviviality (living together), and the poetics of movement within TransArea Studies. His work examines how literary knowledge functions as essential repository of human experience, particularly regarding ethically relevant themes such as migration, belonging, and survival. The scholar has pioneered approaches to understanding literature beyond national boundaries, focusing on 'literatures without fixed abode' and the 'vectorial imagination' that transcends traditional dichotomies between national and world literature. His extensive publication record reveals consistent engagement with globalization processes across historical periods, with particular emphasis on the works of Alexander von Humboldt as a lens for understanding interconnected knowledge systems. Ette's scholarship demonstrates remarkable breadth, spanning from 18th century francophone literature to contemporary transareal literary phenomena, while maintaining focus on how literary texts generate knowledge for living in increasingly interconnected worlds. 2014 Research Award Escuela Nacional de Altos Estudios from UNAM 2014 Honorary Member of the Modern Language Association of America 2013 Ordinary Member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences 2012 Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques (France) 2010 Ordinary Member of the Academia Europaea 2001 Hugo Friedrich/Erich Köhler Research Award 1991 Young Scholars Award for Romance Literature 1987 Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Award Ette has directed significant research projects including the 3-year Research Project on Humboldt's American Travel Diaries (2014-2017) and the 18-year project 'Travelling Humboldt - Science on the Move' at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences. He co-founded multiple DFG-funded Research Training Groups including 'lebensformen + lebenswissen' (2006), 'Zwischen Räume' (2009), and 'Sichtbarkeit und Sichtbarmachung' (2011). His editorial work encompasses founding the electronic journal HiN - Alexander von Humboldt in the Net and serving as co-editor of Iberoamericana and Istmo. As co-founder of the ForLaBB (Research Network Latin America Berlin-Brandenburg), Ette has created important institutional frameworks for transnational scholarly exchange. His academic leadership extends through organizing numerous international conferences on topics ranging from 'Caribbean(s) on the Move' to 'Conviviality in Difference,' fostering collaborative research environments that bridge disciplinary and geographical boundaries.
Catherine Grant is an Honorary Professor at Aarhus University, Denmark, and Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the University of Reading, UK. She previously served as Professor of Digital Media and Screen Studies at Birkbeck, University of London (2017–2020), and held academic roles at institutions including the University of Sussex and University of Kent. Her research focuses on videographic criticism, essay filmmaking, Latin American cinemas, and screen studies methodologies. Grant earned a PhD in Mexican literature and feminist theory from the University of Leeds (1991) and a First Class B.A. in Modern Languages (1986). She pioneered the use of audiovisual essays in film studies, co-founding and editing the award-winning [in]Transition: Journal of Videographic Film and Moving Image Studies until 2024. Her work explores film authorship, found-footage techniques, and digital media practices. Her research interests span essay filmmaking, world cinema, and the intersection of theory and practice in film studies. Over 200 of her video essays have been showcased globally, emphasizing experimental methodologies and critical engagement with cinematic form. Grant has received the Society for Cinema and Media Studies Award of Distinction (2014–2015). She co-edited significant volumes on world cinema, Latin American cinema, and videographic criticism, and maintains influential platforms like Audiovisualcy and Film Studies For Free .
Salmaan A. Keshavjee, MD, PhD, ScM, serves as Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center for Global Health Delivery. He concurrently holds appointments as Associate Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Faculty Dean of Adams House at Harvard University. His leadership targets critical global health delivery challenges in regions including the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa through research, training, and policy engagement. Dr. Keshavjee's interdisciplinary foundation combines medical (MD), anthropological (PhD), and public health (ScM) training. This unique background informs his approach to health systems analysis and policy implementation across diverse cultural contexts. As a leading expert in drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment and the anthropology of health policy, his research examines the intersection of infectious disease control, social determinants of health, and structural barriers to care. Additional interests include mental health integration in TB programs, health economics, and digital health applications for disease screening. His fieldwork spans 16 years in Russia, Lesotho, and Pakistan, with extensive collaboration through Partners In Health. Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent focus on tuberculosis prevention and treatment optimization, with growing attention to mental health comorbidities and artificial intelligence applications. His work addresses diverse populations including prisoners and household contacts across multiple continents, emphasizing regimen feasibility, health system barriers, and economic consequences of inadequate TB control. Key initiatives include the Zero TB Cities project aiming for tuberculosis elimination. Dr. Keshavjee has held influential policy roles including chair of the WHO/Stop TB Partnership’s Green Light Committee for MDR-TB Treatment (2007-2010) and co-authorship of U.S. Institute of Medicine policy papers, though no formal scientific awards are specified in source materials. Through the Center for Global Health Delivery, he mentors fellows in programs such as the Paul Farmer Global Surgery Research Fellowship and Global Mental Health Delivery Fellowship. These initiatives support implementation research in resource-limited settings through structured training and field placements. The Center operates six core programs—Infectious Disease, Mental Health, Noncommunicable Disease, Primary Care, Public Policy, and Surgery—developing evidence-based interventions through partnerships with institutions worldwide. Current priorities include scaling depression screening in TB care, optimizing preventive therapy regimens, and strengthening health systems in the Middle East and North Africa.
Wenshe Liu is the Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Endowed Chair in Chemistry and Professor at Texas A&M University, affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and the Institute of Biosciences & Technology. His research integrates chemical biology, organic chemistry, and molecular biology to develop novel therapeutics targeting cancer and viral pathogens like SARS-CoV-2. Key techniques include genetic code expansion (via pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase systems), phage display with noncanonical peptides, and epigenetic histone modification studies. Education: B.S. (Peking University, 2000), Ph.D. (UC Davis, 2005), Postdoc (Scripps Research Institute, 2007). Awards include the Presidential Impact Fellow, Gradipore Chair in Chemistry, and ACS Chemical Biology Most Prolific Author (2017). Research focuses on: (1) SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery targeting Spike protein, 3CLpro, and PLpro; (2) genetic code expansion for ncAA incorporation (over 80 ncAAs developed); (3) epigenetic histone modification studies using site-specific acylation/methylation; (4) phage-displayed cyclic peptide libraries for drug discovery. Current projects include PROTAC development for epigenetic regulators and chemo-genetic switches for CAR T-cell therapy safety. Publications highlight high-impact work in Nature , Journal of the American Chemical Society , and Nature Communications , with over 150 articles. The lab operates across Texas A&M campuses in College Station and Houston, emphasizing translational research in immunotherapy and antiviral strategies.
Barbara van Munster is a Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Medical Sciences, affiliated with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). She holds academic positions in geriatrics and clinical geriatrics, combining research leadership with clinical practice as an Internist-Geriatrician at Martini Hospital Groningen. Her roles include Deputy Educator in Clinical Geriatrics (2019–), Chairman of the Alzheimer Center Groningen (2020–), and leadership in national and international committees focusing on multimorbidity, delirium, and geriatric medicine. Her research centers on multimorbidity, frailty, and delirium in elderly populations, with a focus on clinical decision-making, healthcare systems optimization, and translational gerontology. Recent work explores polypharmacy in Alzheimer's patients, cognitive assessment in young-onset dementia, and interdisciplinary care models for complex patients. Key contributions include studies on sarcopenia's impact on surgical outcomes and oxidative stress mechanisms in delirium. Prof. van Munster chairs national guidelines for multimorbidity (NIV) and dementia-friendly hospital initiatives, reflecting her advocacy for evidence-based practices. Her publications span geriatric surgery, cognitive science, and healthcare policy, with a focus on improving care for vulnerable elderly patients. Education: Not explicitly listed in provided texts Key affiliations: FOUR-C (Cure and Care in Community Context), CAD (Cognition, Ageing & Disease) research groups Professional roles: Board member of the European Academy of Medicine of Ageing, Secretary of the 'Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics' foundation
Associate Professor Jacquelyn Humphrey is the Discipline Convenor (Finance) at the University of Queensland's School of Business. She specializes in sustainable finance, ESG factors, and responsible investment, with interdisciplinary work in broader sustainability and funds management. Her research has influenced international entities like the UN Environment Programme and Norway's Government Pension Fund. She holds a PhD in Finance from UQ (2008) and an Honours degree in Business (2004). Her research focuses on how environmental, social, and governance considerations impact investment decisions, corporate behavior, and climate goals. Key areas include green bonds, fossil fuel extraction benchmarks, and the financial implications of corporate sustainability commitments. Her work appears in top journals like Nature Climate Change and Journal of Banking and Finance . Her 2022 study on climate skepticism's link to temperature trends and political shifts highlights her interdisciplinary impact. Recent articles analyze plastic pollution reduction strategies in the food sector and reproducibility in management science. She co-authored the open textbook Sustainable Finance (2024), addressing industry needs. Awards: Senior Fellow of Advance HE, BEL Faculty Teaching & Leadership Awards Industry Impact: Advised Queensland Treasury Corporation on social benefit bonds and DNR Capital on board performance Research Groups: Leads sustainability-focused projects with global industry partners
Dean R. Tolan is a Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Boston University. His research focuses on the biochemical and genetic mechanisms underlying sugar metabolism, particularly the glycolytic enzyme aldolase and its role in hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI). He leads a laboratory investigating aldolase structure-function relationships, moonlighting functions in cell motility, and the pathophysiology of HFI using mouse models. His work integrates structural biology (X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy), genetic analysis, and metabolomics. Key research themes include: (1) Structural basis of aldolase isoforms' catalytic differences; (2) Genetic defects causing HFI and their clinical manifestations; (3) Evolutionary adaptation of aldolase moonlighting roles. He teaches core biochemistry courses (BI108, BB421/422, MB722). Notable achievements include pioneering studies on aldolase B knockout mice mimicking human HFI, and discoveries linking fructose metabolism to metabolic syndrome, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. His lab collaborates internationally on projects funded by NIH and other agencies.
Adrian Whitty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Boston University . His research focuses on protein-protein and protein-ligand recognition, particularly in developing mechanistic understandings of growth factor receptor activation and advancing drug discovery for protein-protein interaction inhibition. Education: B.Sc. (Honors) in Chemistry from King’s College, University of London (1985); Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1991); Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Brandeis University's Biochemistry Department (1990-93). His work integrates biochemical and cell-based assays using advanced technologies like FRET, Time-Resolved Fluorescence, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (Biacore 3000). He collaborates with computational chemists, organic synthesis experts, X-ray crystallographers, and biologists to develop novel approaches for designing small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interactions. Recent publications highlight trends in machine learning applications for molecular scientists, structural analysis of enzyme mechanisms, macrocycle-based drug design, and quantitative studies of protein interaction energetics. His lab emphasizes rigorous hypothesis-driven experimental design, preparing students for careers in academia or industry. Advisory and leadership roles include membership in The Protein Society (2008-present), the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Governing Council (2007-present), and founding roles in the Council for Systems Biology in Boston (CSB2) and the Institute for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at SUNY Stony Brook. His laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for fluorescence, analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and tissue culture, supporting diverse techniques including flow cytometry and reaction pathway modeling with Mathematica and MATLAB.
Anna Sofie Kjærgaard Hansen is a Clinical Associate Professor and Department Physician at Aalborg University Hospital’s Department of Clinical Medicine, affiliated with The Faculty of Medicine. Her research focuses on child and adolescent mental health, patient referral processes, and improving mental health services. She has led projects such as 'Bedre Børne- & Ungdomspsykiatri' (2018–2020) and 'Veje ind i børne- og ungdomspsykiatrien' (2018–2020). Her work addresses challenges in mental health service delivery, comorbidities in chronic diseases, and systemic healthcare reforms. Key publications explore referral efficiency, mental health in pediatric populations, and the impact of screen time on youth mental health. She actively engages in conferences and media discussions on mental health disparities and policy implications. Education: Advanced clinical training in psychiatry, specialization in child and adolescent mental health. Her research interests span mental health service optimization, patient pathways, and translational research bridging clinical practice and policy. She has contributed to national and international studies on mental health outcomes in chronic disease cohorts and innovative assessment tools for clinical referral systems. Media engagements include discussions on prolonged wait times for youth mental health services and fatal outcomes from delayed diagnoses. Grants and collaborations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to mental health challenges.
