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David Bjerk is the Russell S. Bock Professor of Public Economics and Taxation at the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance, Pepperdine University. His expertise spans crime and criminal justice, labor economics, and public policy, with a focus on racial/gender inequality and legal systems. He holds a B.A. from Carleton College and M.A./Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Research interests include wrongful conviction rates, plea bargaining dynamics, racial sentencing disparities, and the economic foundations of redistribution. Notable work analyzes DNA exoneration data to assess racial biases in convictions and evaluates policy impacts like the Fair Sentencing Act. His studies also explore labor market discrimination, drug courier risk compensation, and youth criminal behavior correlates. Publications span journals like Journal of Law and Economics , Economic Journal , and Journal of Public Economics , consistently addressing intersections of economic theory and legal/practical policies. His work informs debates on policing funding, sentencing reform, and systemic inequality.

• Crime and Criminal Justice
• Law and Economics
• Public Policy
• +3 more

Dr. Jan E. Christopher is an Associate Professor of Economics in the Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance at the College of Business , Delaware State University. With over 25 years of experience as a staff analyst, economic analyst, and market specialist in finance, urban economics, statistics, and public policy, she has held leadership roles including Department Chair and Acting Chair. She has secured multiple federal grants and served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Ph.D. in Economics (Urban Economics), Howard University (1993) MBA in Business Administration, University of Oklahoma (1984) MA in Political Science (Public Policy), University of Rochester (1982) BA in Economics, Hampton University (1980) Dr. Christopher’s research spans Data Analytics, Financial Economics, Political Economy, Public Sector Economics, Transportation and Defense, and Urban Economics . Her work explores regional economic disparities, poverty dynamics, public health economics, and financial market mechanisms. Publications highlight trends in Medicaid healthcare access, income inequality metrics, and fiscal policy impacts, with a focus on Texas and Washington, D.C. datasets. Her scientific contributions have been recognized with the American Economic Association/Federal Reserve Dissertation Fellowship and Delaware State University Professional Development Awards . She received a U.S. Department of Homeland Security pin for service at the Coast Guard Academy and multiple Merit Compensation Pay Increases during her early academic career. Dr. Christopher has managed federal grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation-Federal Highway Administration and Ford Foundation. She directed the Delaware State University Summer Transportation Institute and served as Fixed-Income Market Specialist for the U.S. Department of Treasury. As a FINRA Arbitrator , she has mediated financial disputes, and held leadership roles in academic governance, including DSU Faculty Senate Finance Committee and AACSB Strategic Planning Committee.

• Data Analytics
• Financial Economics
• Political Economy
• +3 more

Joshua K. Leon is a Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Political Science Department at Iona University. He specializes in urban history, global cities, and international relations. His research explores urban networks across millennia, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern globalized cities. He currently holds the 2022-23 Robert David Lion Gardiner Fellowship at the New-York Historical Society, supporting his work on New York 1860: City on a Precipice , under contract with Columbia University Press. His recent book, World Cities in History (Cambridge University Press), analyzes 6,000 years of urban networks. Education: Ph.D. in Political Science from Temple University (2010), M.A. in International Affairs from California State University, Sacramento (2004). Research focuses on how urban networks shape political and social structures, global governance of urban issues, and the intersection of development with inequality. His work spans historical case studies and contemporary debates on topics like global health governance, urbanization in the Global South, and the impact of neoliberal policies on cities. His articles address themes such as global housing governance, municipal mercantilism, and the role of global cities in land grabs. He has also written extensively for popular outlets like The Progressive and Dissent , addressing pandemic responses, urban inequality, and urban planning. Awards: 2022-23 Robert David Lion Gardiner Fellowship. Grants: Fellowship support from New-York Historical Society for current book project. Teaching includes courses on global health, urban politics, and New York City studies. He has previously taught at Villanova, Temple, and Drexel Universities.

• Urban History
• International Relations
• Global Health
• +4 more

Jonathan S. Jones is an Assistant Professor of History at James Madison University, where he began teaching in 2023. His scholarly work focuses on the intersection of Civil War history, medical history, and social consequences of America's first opioid crisis. Jones holds a Ph.D. from Binghamton University (2020) and maintains active affiliations with professional organizations including the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, and Society of Civil War Historians. His research centers on the Civil War's social, cultural, and health consequences in 19th and early-20th century America, with particular emphasis on veterans' experiences, opioid addiction epidemics, and medical transformations following the war. Jones employs approaches from gender history, social history, and medical history to uncover the intimate personal costs of war that led to broader societal changes. His publications reveal consistent themes across Civil War medicine, substance use history, and public health. His work demonstrates how the Civil War era created conditions for America's first opioid epidemic among veterans, with implications for understanding modern addiction crises. Jones' scholarship bridges academic and public history through extensive media engagement. Anne C. Bailey Dissertation Award, Society of Civil War Historians, 2021 Inaugural Chancellor Distinguished PhD Graduate Dissertation Award, State University of New York, 2021 Distinguished Dissertation Award, Binghamton University, 2020 As an educator, Jones teaches courses in U.S. History, Military History, and History of Medicine and Health. His pedagogical approach emphasizes developing students' historian skill set through evidence-based arguments, diverse source analysis, and intercultural competence. He has taught in various institutional settings, including public schools prior to graduate studies, which informs his student-centered college teaching methods. He serves as Principle Investigator for the digital history project "Locating Slavery's Legacies at VMI," researched with undergraduate students from VMI and JMU. This collaborative work documents expressions of the Lost Cause at Virginia Military Institute as part of the broader "Locating Legacies of Slavery" initiative.

• Civil War Era History
• Veterans Studies
• History of Medicine
• +5 more

Connie M. Koski is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at North Dakota State University. She earned her PhD from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2013, an MS from Wayne State University, and a BS from Ferris State University. A retired police officer from Michigan, Koski brings practical experience to her academic work. Her research examines police-citizen perceptions, crime geography, formal/informal social control mechanisms, and officer wellness. Koski's interdisciplinary research spans police-community relations, historical marketplaces, disability access in archaeology, and gender barriers in leadership. Recent publications analyze millennial retention in hospitality sectors, heritage accessibility, and qualitative research challenges in developing nations. She has developed inclusive pedagogical tools like Inclusivity Knowledge Cards and led student consultancy projects with organizations including Lincoln City Football Club. At NDSU, she teaches Introduction to Policing (CJ 210) and Criminal Law and Procedure (CJ 330). Her professional background includes prior teaching positions at Longwood University and Oglala Lakota College.

• Policing
• Police-Citizen Relations
• Crime and Place
• +2 more

Robert G Hasson is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Providence College's School of Social Work. His work focuses on child welfare policy, refugee/minor migrant youth systems, and educational outcomes for vulnerable populations. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S.W. from Boston College School of Social Work (2019, 2012), and a B.A. in Psychology from Saint Michael's College (2009). Ph.D., Boston College School of Social Work (2019) M.S.W., Boston College School of Social Work (2012) B.A. in Psychology, Saint Michael's College (2009) His research critically examines immigration policies affecting unaccompanied minors, foster care transition outcomes, and gender disparities in social service access. Recent work analyzes policy patchwork impacting undocumented children and evaluates educational trajectories for refugee minors in U.S. foster care systems. Service activities include professional conference participation (2018-2021) and hosting Friar Feast Table events. Current engagement emphasizes advocacy for systemic improvements in child welfare and migrant youth support frameworks.

• Immigration Policy Analysis
• Refugee Foster Care Systems
• Child Welfare Policy
• +3 more

Kim A. Weeden is the Jan Rock Zubrow '77 Professor of the Social Sciences at Cornell University and Director of the Center for the Study of Inequality. She holds affiliations with the Department of Sociology, Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, and has previously been affiliated with the University of Chicago's Sloan Center on Parents, Children, and Work. Education: Ph.D. in Sociology (Stanford University, 1999), MA in Sociology (Stanford, 1993), BS in Psychology and BA in Sociology (Willamette University). Weeden's research focuses on inequality in advanced industrial societies, particularly income inequality, gender wage gaps, occupational closure, educational decision-making, and gender segregation in academic and labor markets. Her work employs large-scale national surveys and quantitative methods to analyze systemic disparities. Her notable publications include studies on overwork's impact on gender earnings gaps, occupational closure mechanisms, and gender segregation in doctoral programs. These works have garnered awards such as the Richard S. Scott Award, Outstanding Article Award, and Max Weber Book Award. Scientific Awards: Richard S. Scott Award (2004) Outstanding Article Award (2015) Max Weber Book Award (2005) Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow (2019) Weeden has secured grants, including a $2.7 million award to expand the Center for the Study of Inequality and Engaged Cornell grants for collaborative research. She serves as a founding co-editor of Sociological Science and has edited the American Journal of Sociology and Industrial and Labor Relations Review .

• Social Inequality
• Gender Segregation
• Income Inequality
• +6 more

Sicong (Summer) Sun is an Assistant Professor of Social Welfare at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Born in China as a first-generation immigrant and identifying as nonbinary queer, they hold a Ph.D. and MSW from Washington University in St. Louis. Previously, they served as faculty at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Their research focuses on intersections of race, poverty, and health equity, with a particular emphasis on how structural racism influences wealth disparities and health outcomes. Sun’s work bridges quantitative analysis, policy advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address systemic inequities. Education: Ph.D. in Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis Master of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis Research Interests: Racial/ethnic inequities in wealth and health Social determinants of health Financial capability and asset building Immigration and mental health Sun’s publications span journals like Annual Review of Public Health , SSM – Population Health , and Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities , emphasizing empirical and theoretical contributions to health equity. Their research highlights how wealth disparities rooted in structural racism exacerbate health inequalities across lifespans. Recent work examines racial differences in wealth-health relationships and evaluates interventions like cash transfers in global health contexts. Awards: Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award (Society for Social Work Research) Jane Aron Fellowship (National Association of Social Workers Foundation) Teaching: Courses include Foundations of Social Welfare Policy and Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE). Dr. Sun advocates for data-driven policies to combat socioeconomic and racial inequities, with ongoing projects in Uganda and Hong Kong. Their interdisciplinary approach integrates public health, social work, and economics to foster actionable solutions.

• Equity
• Financial Capability and Asset Building
• Health Disparities
• +5 more

Samuel Fishman serves as Assistant Professor of Sociology at Baylor University, joining the department in 2023 after completing a postdoctoral associate position at Duke University and two years of non-academic work in social science consulting and federal service. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2019) M.A. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2015) B.A. in Sociology and History from Hope College (2013) Dr. Fishman's research program investigates economic stratification and population health through quantitative methods, with particular focus on intergenerational determinants of educational outcomes, racial/ethnic inequities in infant health, and the education-adult health nexus. His current work examines socioeconomic dimensions of the opioid crisis, employing large-scale demographic datasets to uncover structural drivers of health disparities across the life course. His publication record reveals consistent thematic focus across top-tier journals including American Journal of Sociology and Social Science Research , with recurring emphasis on educational inequality, mortality patterns, and health disparities. Methodologically, his work demonstrates sophisticated application of quantitative techniques to complex social phenomena. Scientific recognition: No awards or fellowships are documented in available sources. Regarding academic mentorship and funding, the provided materials contain no information about doctoral advisees, grant awards, or research team composition. Similarly, no laboratory facilities or collaborative research centers are mentioned in connection with his work.

• Economic Stratification
• Population Health
• Educational Inequality
• +5 more

Dr. Leyla Pérez-Gualdrón serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco, where she maintains full-time faculty status. Her clinical background spans diverse settings including K-12 inner-city schools in Venezuela and community mental health centers in the United States, with specialized focus on immigrant and minority youth populations. Her educational foundation includes: PhD in Counseling Psychology from Boston College MA in Counseling Psychology from Boston College Licensure in Psychology from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Caracas, Venezuela Research centers on social justice frameworks , transformational resistance , and civic/educational engagement among urban youth , with significant contributions to multicultural counseling. She has developed evidence-based group interventions including CASA groups for acculturation stress in immigrant children, Tools For Tomorrow career programs for 9th graders, and Jernigan Sankofa racial identity development groups for African American and Latina girls. Her work consistently addresses sociocultural determinants of mental health and educational outcomes through community-engaged approaches. Analysis of her publication record (2006-2010) reveals sustained investigation into urban adolescents' experiences with race, ethnicity, and educational systems. Key patterns include examination of structural barriers to opportunity, development of culturally responsive interventions, and exploration of identity formation processes. The research portfolio demonstrates methodological diversity across qualitative and quantitative approaches while maintaining focus on Latino and other marginalized youth populations in educational contexts. No specific scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. Professional activities include clinical service at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School and development of school-based interventions, though details about current student advising or grant funding were not specified in available sources. No information was provided regarding dedicated research laboratories or specialized teams.

• Social Justice
• Transformational Resistance
• Civic Engagement
• +3 more

Rina Bliss is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University, specializing in sociogenomics, race and genetics, and social justice. She holds a PhD from the New School for Social Research and has held postdoctoral fellowships at Brown University’s BioMed and Cogut Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research critically examines genetic determinism, racial classifications, and the societal implications of genomic science. Bliss is the award-winning author of books including Rethinking Intelligence (2023), Race Decoded (2012), and the forthcoming What’s Real About Race? (2025). Her work challenges assumptions about genetic influences on intelligence, race, and health disparities. She serves as a consultant to institutions like the National Academies of Science and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, advocating for socially responsible science. Her research has been featured in The New York Times , NPR, and global media. Bliss’s scholarly contributions span sociological theory, biopolitics, and interdisciplinary science. She actively addresses audiences worldwide on topics like health equity, education, and technology ethics. Affiliations: Human Genome Synthesis Project, UCSF Affiliate, UC Berkeley Center for Social Medicine Grants: Andrew Mellon Foundation, National Science Foundation Awards: Oliver Cromwell Cox Book Award for Race Decoded Bliss’s work bridges academia and public policy, emphasizing the need to counteract harmful stereotypes and promote equity in science and society.

• Sociology
• Genomics
• Social Justice
• +3 more

Catherine Lee is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University, affiliated with the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (2003). Her research focuses on how race and ethnicity shape social relations and inequalities across immigration, science/medicine, and legal contexts. Key projects include examining DNA testing in family reunification cases and the evolving meaning of diversity in U.S. biomedicine. She authored *Fictive Kinship: Family Reunification and the Meaning of Race and Nation in American Immigration* (2013) and co-edited *Genetics and the Unsettled Past* (2012). Her work bridges sociology, public policy, and interdisciplinary health studies. Lee’s office is located in Davison Hall, Room 141. She actively contributes to program areas including Culture and Cognition, Gender, Sexuality and Embodiment, and Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration.

• Political Sociology
• Race and Ethnicity
• Immigration Policy
• +3 more

**Anirudh Krishna** is the Edgar T. Thompson Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy. He holds a PhD in Government from Cornell University (2000) and a Master's in Economics from Delhi University (1980). Prior to academia, he served 14 years in the Indian Administrative Service, leading rural and urban development initiatives. His research focuses on poverty dynamics, social mobility in developing countries, governance, and urban poverty. He has authored over 80 journal articles and eight books, including *The Broken Ladder: The Paradox and the Potential of India’s One-Billion* and *One Illness Away: Why People Become Poor and How they Escape Poverty*. **Education**: PhD in Government, Cornell University (2000); MA in Economics, Delhi University (1980). **Research Interests**: Structural constraints on poverty and powerlessness Social mobility pathways and barriers Urban poverty and slum dynamics Role of social capital in development Global governance and policy **Awards**: Honorary Doctorate (Uppsala University, 2012), Dudley Seers Memorial Prize (2015 and 2006), Olaf Palme Visiting Professorship (2007-08), and multiple fellowships including the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship. **Advising & Grants**: Advised over 30 students across Masters and PhD programs; convened NGOs promoting social mobility; collaborated with the World Bank and UN on development initiatives. His work bridges research and practice, emphasizing actionable policy solutions. **Key Projects**: Ladders of Opportunity initiative, investigating systems enabling talent ascension; studies on intergenerational mobility in India's districts and slums; analysis of geographic inequality in India.

• Social Mobility in Developing Countries
• Poverty Studies
• Governance and Public Policy
• +3 more

Bocar A. Ba is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Duke University and is on academic leave (2025–2026) at the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics (CSDP), Princeton University. His research integrates labor economics, public economics, and political economy to study policing, accountability, and racial disparities. Research Interests Ba’s agenda centers on the economics of crime and justice, with particular attention to: Economics of Policing: Analyzing how officer behavior, oversight mechanisms, and institutional incentives affect public safety outcomes. Racial Disparities: Documenting and explaining gaps in policing outcomes, award recognition, and media narratives. Policy Evaluation: Using quasi-experimental and experimental methods to assess interventions such as civilian oversight, peer effects, and alternative public-safety programs. Publications & Working Papers Since 2017, Ba has published or has forthcoming articles in the Quarterly Journal of Economics , Science , Journal of Labor Economics , Review of Economics and Statistics , AEJ: Policy , and other top-tier outlets. His work is characterized by creative use of administrative datasets (Chicago Police Department, award nominations, market data), rigorous causal identification, and collaboration with multidisciplinary co-authors. Scientific Awards Runner-up Best Student Paper, Urban Economics Association, 2018, for "Going the Extra Mile: The Cost of Complaint Filing, Accountability, and Law Enforcement Outcomes in Chicago". Collaborations & Grants Ba has ongoing collaborations with scholars from Princeton, UPenn, Chicago, and other institutions. He frequently partners with the J-PAL network for field experiments and policy evaluations. External funding details are not explicitly listed but his involvement with J-PAL Evaluation Summaries and large-scale randomized interventions implies active grant support. Labs & Teams While no formal lab name is provided, Ba is closely affiliated with Duke’s Department of Economics and the Duke Center for Economics of Crime and Justice Policy. During 2025–2026 he will be embedded at Princeton CSDP, expanding his network in political science and public policy.

• Economics of Policing
• Public Economics
• Labor Economics
• +4 more

Blake R. Silver is an Associate Professor at George Mason University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology. He also serves as Director of Educational Pathways & Faculty Development in the Honors College and Director of the Education & Health Research Hub within the Center for Social Science Research. PhD in Sociology, University of Virginia MA in Sociology, University of Virginia MA in Higher Education, George Washington University BA in English, George Mason University Dr. Silver's research explores culture, social stratification, and higher education, focusing on how institutions perpetuate or challenge inequality. Key projects include analyzing college students' educational pathways, senior-year transitions for second-generation immigrant students, and the role of campus art and architecture in shaping inclusion. His work has been supported by grants from the American Sociological Association, Jefferson Scholars Foundation, and NASPA Foundation. His articles emphasize educational equity, identity formation among marginalized groups, and structural barriers in higher education. Trends in his publications highlight intersections of socioeconomic status, immigration status, and gender in determining student outcomes. Scientific Awards: Jefferson Fellow Dr. Silver has advised doctoral students including LeNaya Hezel, Sara Montiel, and Chris Fiorello. His leadership roles span the Honors College and Center for Social Science Research. He also co-edited Supporting College Students of Immigrant Origin (2024) and authored The Cost of Inclusion (2020).

• Higher Education
• Social Stratification
• Culture
• +4 more