Find Academic Supervisors

Olga KhessinaView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolution of Organizations
• Market Emergence
• Organizational and Product Names
• +5 more

Olga Khessina is an Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Gies College of Business. She currently serves as Director of Graduate Studies and has held academic roles at Cornell University and Georgetown University. Her research focuses on organizational and industrial evolution, product naming strategies, market stigma, and regional identities in industries like craft beer, medical cannabis, and biotechnology. Khessina has been recognized with awards including the ISOI Best Paper Award (2025) and has advised on grants from the Gies College of Business. She teaches courses on organizational design, graduate research methods, and organizational behavior. Education Ph.D., Business Administration, University of California at Berkeley, 2003 M.A., Sociology, Columbia University, 1998 Specialist, Sociology, Moscow State University, 1995 Research Interests Khessina explores how organizational identities and naming strategies influence market dynamics, particularly in controversial or emerging industries. Her work examines stigma reduction in medical cannabis markets, the role of emotional branding in craft beer, and the impact of political polarization on industry legitimacy. She also investigates regional industrial clusters and their cultural embeddedness, such as the co-evolution of movie theaters and television programming industries. Awards & Grants ISOI Best Paper Award (2025) Gies Research Grant Awards (2024, 2025) Nominated for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring (2023) Advising & Service As Director of Graduate Studies, Khessina oversees doctoral training and curriculum development. She has reviewed grants and serves on editorial boards, including for Organization Science (2012–2023). Her advising focuses on balancing innovation risks and organizational survival in high-velocity markets. Labs/Teams Khessina collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like Conquering the Divide (medical marijuana destigmatization) and Roadblock on the Highway to Heaven (religious effects on controversial industry clusters).

Ava Fatah gen. SchieckView profile

Professor

• Media Architecture
• Urban Digital Interaction
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +7 more

Dr. Ava Fatah gen. Schieck is a Professor of Media Architecture and Urban Digital Interaction at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL) , where she has been affiliated since 2001. She teaches in the MSc Architectural Computation program, focusing on embodied interactions and urban digital experiences. Education: ATQ03 - Recognised by the HEA as a Fellow (UCL, 2008) Certificate in Learning and Teaching (UCL, 2007) Master of Science (UCL, 2001) Her research explores the intersection of architecture, digital media, and urban spaces. Key themes include: Mediated spatial experiences in museums and public environments Embodied interactions through dance, movement, and performative design Urban screens and community-centered digital installations Smart city critiques focusing on marginalized communities Pervasive computing's impact on social dynamics Her publication corpus (149+ outputs) predominantly addresses media architecture, HCI, museum technology, and sensory interactions , with recent work emphasizing olfactory interfaces, pandemic urbanism, and heritage digitization. Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA, 2023) Projects & Grants: As Principal Investigator for the EPSRC-funded 'Screens in the Wild' , she examines networked urban screens for community engagement. She previously led the 'SCREAM' project (UrbanBuzz program) and contributed to EPSRC's 'Urban Design and Pervasive Systems'. She reviews grants for EPSRC, UKRI, SNSF, and other international bodies. She directs research through UCL's Space Research Group and VR Centre for the Built Environment , collaborating globally. As program chair for the Media Architecture Biennale (2012-2020), she fosters interdisciplinary dialogue across architecture, HCI, and interaction design.

Robert P. AndersonView profile

Professor

• Biogeography
• Species Distribution Modeling
• Biodiversity Conservation
• +5 more

Robert P. Anderson is a Professor of Biology in the Division of Science at City College of New York (CCNY), part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. His research laboratory is located in Marshak Science Building (Room 810), with additional affiliation as a Research Associate at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Mammalogy Department. As a Highly Cited Researcher (2019-2023) and AAAS Fellow (2023), he leads an interdisciplinary biogeography research program focused on modeling species niches and distributions. Dr. Anderson's research spans biodiversity modeling, biogeography, and ecology with specialization in mammals. His lab develops ecological modeling software widely applied in conservation biology, invasive species management, zoonotic disease studies, and climate change impact assessments. Key research themes include: Characterizing spatial configuration of environmental suitability for species Developing machine learning approaches (particularly Maxent) for species distribution modeling Studying climate change effects on biodiversity Conservation applications of biogeographic models Neotropical mammal systematics and ecology His work has resulted in significant software contributions including Wallace, ENMeval, and spThin, with recent publications emphasizing methodological improvements in species distribution modeling and conservation applications. The lab maintains active projects funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation, focusing on small mammals of North and South America. Scientific recognition includes: AAAS Fellow (2023) Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (2019-2023) Blavatnik Science Scholar (New York Academy of Sciences) Most Downloaded Paper in Ecography (2023-2024) Most Cited Paper in Ecography (2023) Dr. Anderson mentors graduate students through the CUNY Graduate Center and CCNY Master's programs, with recent advisees receiving prestigious awards including the ASM Horner Award and NASA FINESST Fellowship. His lab trains students in environmental biology through interdisciplinary research combining fieldwork, morphology, climatology, remote sensing, physiology, and genetics. Current lab members include Andrew Gaier (NASA Fellow), Mariano Soley-Guardia, and Kass (lead author on highly cited Wallace v2 paper). The Anderson Lab operates from CCNY's Marshak Science Building as part of the university's biodiversity group studying ecology, evolution, and geography of life on Earth. The lab emphasizes software co-design between end-users and developers to enhance conservation utility, with recent work focusing on neighborhood approaches for range estimation and operationalizing expert knowledge in species assessments.

Zheng WangView profile

Lecturer

• Urban Governance
• Mega Urban Projects
• Community Studies
• +3 more

Dr. Zheng Wang is a Lecturer in Sustainable Cities at King's College London's Department of Geography, part of the School of Global Affairs. Previously, he held positions at the University of Sheffield (2017–2022) and was a Research Associate on the ESRC-funded project 'Governing the Future City' (2016–2017). His research focuses on urban governance, mega-urban projects, and the social impacts of urban redevelopment, particularly in China. He holds a BSc from University College London, an MSc from Cardiff University, and a PhD from UCL's Bartlett School of Planning. Key research themes include: urban governance configurations, community engagement post-resettlement, rural migrants' integration, and the socio-spatial effects of large-scale developments. His work has been funded by the British Academy and Economic and Social Research Council. He currently explores theoretical frameworks for global urban studies using China as a critical case. His recent articles analyze state-society dynamics in Shanghai, variegated urban redevelopment impacts, and global comparative urbanism. He received the 2017 Early Career Research Award from the Royal Town Planning Institute and serves as Associate Editor of Transactions in Planning and Urban Research . Teaching includes postgraduate courses on sustainable urban governance and PhD supervision in urban planning, migration, and neighborhood studies. He is affiliated with King's Urban Futures Research Group and the Centre for Integrated Research in Risk & Resilience.

• Quantum optics
• Atom-light interaction
• Slow light
• +2 more

Dr. Hamid Reza Hamedi is a Researcher at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy (ITPA) within the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University, Lithuania. His work focuses on quantum optics and atom-light interactions, with particular expertise in slow light phenomena, orbital angular momentum of light, and optical effects near plasmonic nanostructures. Dr. Hamedi's research interests span several cutting-edge areas of quantum optics and atomic physics. His work explores the intricate interactions between light and matter at the quantum level, with applications in quantum information processing, precision measurement, and novel optical technologies. He has made significant contributions to understanding how structured light, particularly light carrying orbital angular momentum, interacts with atomic systems and nanostructures. Analysis of Dr. Hamedi's recent publications reveals a strong focus on manipulating light-matter interactions using quantum coherence effects. His work frequently explores the photonic spin Hall effect, spontaneous emission control, and structured light propagation in various atomic configurations. A recurring theme is the use of optical vortices and structured light fields to achieve precise control over quantum systems, with applications ranging from quantum information to high-precision sensing. Dr. Hamedi has successfully led multiple research projects funded by prestigious organizations. Notably, he was the project leader for several European Social Fund and Lithuanian Research Council grants, including "Spatially inhomogeneous atom-light interaction" (2020-2022) and "Light-matter interaction next to plasmonic nanostructures" (2022-2024). He has also received COST action fellowships for research visits to leading institutions in Spain, Greece, and Latvia, demonstrating international recognition of his work. His research is conducted within the vibrant quantum optics community at Vilnius University's Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, which maintains strong collaborations with research groups across Europe. Dr. Hamedi's work contributes significantly to Lithuania's growing reputation in quantum technologies and advanced optical research.

• Environmental Justice
• Urban Green Space Equity
• Green Gentrification
• +4 more

Alessandro Rigolon is an Associate Professor and MCMP Program Coordinator in the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah, where he has been on the faculty since 2019. A dual-PhD scholar (Design & Planning, University of Colorado Denver; Architecture, University of Bologna), he is internationally recognized for research on environmental justice, green-space equity, and the public-health consequences of urban greening. Education: Ph.D. in Design and Planning, University of Colorado Denver (2015) Ph.D. in Architecture, University of Bologna, Italy (2012) B.Arch. & M.Arch. in Architecture and Urban Design, University of Bologna, Italy (2007) Research Interests: Rigolon’s work sits at the intersection of environmental justice, urban planning, and public health. He investigates four interconnected themes: (1) policy drivers of inequity in green-space provision; (2) the mechanisms and resistance to green gentrification; (3) green infrastructure’s role in equitable climate adaptation; and (4) health impacts of urban nature on marginalized communities. His studies span multiple scales—from census microdata in Miami-Dade County to machine-learning analyses across 263 Chinese cities—deploying mixed-methods, spatial analytics, and community-engaged research. Publications & Impact: Across 89 peer-reviewed outputs, recent work (2024-2025) reveals complex pathways by which gentrification both precedes and follows greening, quantifies disparities in park access among racial/ethnic groups, and evaluates policies aimed at achieving green-space equity. Collectively, these studies highlight the need for fine-scale spatial data, intersectional analyses, and robust procedural justice when designing equitable greening interventions. Scientific Awards & Recognition: Stanford/Elsevier Top 2 % Scientist (2024) Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2024) APA-Utah High Achievement Award (2022) Urban Studies Editor’s Featured Articles (2021) University of Utah Celebrate U Researcher Honoree (2020) Arnold O. Beckman Award (2019) Grants & Advising: Rigolon currently leads or co-leads six funded projects totaling over one million dollars from the Center for Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities, Center for Climate Smart Transportation, Prevention Institute, and University of Illinois. These grants support interdisciplinary teams examining transit-oriented green gentrification, climate adaptation for active transportation, and equitable park policy implementation. Graduate students and post-docs are active collaborators on all projects. Teaching & Community Engagement: He teaches graduate courses including Design Ecologies , Plan Making , Professional Project Studio , and Research Design . Through studio courses, students partner with local governments (South Salt Lake City, Liberty Wells Community Council) to produce actionable plans advancing environmental justice.

Juan AlcacerView profile

Professor

• International Business
• Corporate Strategy
• Global Strategic Management
• +7 more

Juan Alcacer is the James J. Hill Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. He holds a PhD in International Business and Strategy from the University of Michigan, an M.A. in Economics, an MBA in Finance, and a Computer Engineering degree. His research focuses on international strategies, location decisions, and agglomeration economies. PhD - University of Michigan (Ross School of Business) MA - Economics, University of Michigan MBA - IESA Computer Engineering - Universidad Simon Bolivar Alcacer’s work examines how firms build competitive advantage through geographic choices, supply chain dynamics, and knowledge transfer. Recent projects analyze Brexit’s impact on investment and the role of internal/external agglomeration economies. His publications span top journals like Strategic Management Journal , Management Science , and Journal of International Business . Awards include the 2024 HBS Student Association Faculty Teaching Award and the 2016 Michigan Ross Distinguished PhD Alumni Award. 2024 HBS Student Association Faculty Teaching Award 2019 Greenhill Award for Field Global Immersion program 2016 Michigan Ross Distinguished PhD Alumni Award 2013 Meritorious Service Award from Management Science At HBS, he teaches required MBA strategy courses, Executive Education programs, and PhD seminars. His consulting spans global corporations on competitive advantage and location strategy.

Morteza GhorbaniView profile

Researcher

• Environmental Engineering
• Fluid Mechanics
• Nanotechnology
• +3 more

Dr. Morteza Ghorbani is a researcher and faculty member at Sabancı University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS), specializing in fluid mechanics and environmental engineering. He leads the AquaCav project, a collaborative effort with Oxford Brookes University, focused on developing sustainable water treatment solutions using hydrodynamic and acoustic cavitation. His research addresses global challenges such as PFAS pollution and wastewater management, with applications in biomedical devices and energy-efficient technologies. Key collaborations include projects funded by the International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF), leveraging his expertise in microfluidic systems and cavitation dynamics. Dr. Ghorbani's work combines experimental and numerical methods to optimize cavitation-based processes for environmental and biomedical applications. His contributions span from fundamental fluid dynamics studies to applied technologies like flexible cystoscopes and clot-on-a-chip platforms. Scientific achievements include the ISPF Research Collaboration Grant (2024) and advancements in PFAS removal, graphene exfoliation, and microalgae cultivation. His research group at Sabancı University explores interdisciplinary solutions at the intersection of engineering, nanotechnology, and sustainability.

Amir Keyvan KhandaniView profile

Professor

• Information Theory
• Wireless Communications
• Optical Communications
• +5 more

Dr. Amir Keyvan Khandani is a Professor and Senior Ciena-NSERC Industrial Research Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He holds prestigious research chairs including Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Wireless Communications and former Senior NSERC Chairs with Blackberry and Nortel. His research focuses on information theory, wireless and optical communications, and signal processing, emphasizing foundational principles and practical applications. Dr. Khandani earned his BEng and MEng from Tehran University (1985) and PhD from McGill University (1992). He joined Waterloo in 1993, supervising over 45 PhD students, 35 master’s candidates, and numerous postdoctoral researchers. His alumni work globally in academia and industry. Research interests include Network Information Theory , Media-Based Modulation , Full-Duplex Systems , and Quantum-Safe Encryption . Recent work explores secure key generation, interference management, and next-generation wireless innovations. Notable awards include NSERC/Ciena Industrial Research Chair and multiple Canada Research Chairs. His publications span foundational and applied topics in communications, with recent focus on cybersecurity and 5G/6G technologies. Dr. Khandani actively contributes to conferences, consults for industry/government, and teaches ECE 307 - Probability Theory and Statistics . His lab develops cutting-edge solutions in wireless networks, optical systems, and secure communication protocols.

Sonit BafnaView profile

Associate Professor

• Architectural Morphology
• Space Syntax
• Behavior and Perception
• +5 more

Sonit Bafna is an Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. Program in Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Design. He holds a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech (2002), an SMArchS from MIT (1993), and a professional degree in Architecture fromCEPT University (1990). His research bridges empirical studies on space-human interaction and critical architectural theory, focusing on morphology, behavior, perception, and aesthetics. Key research areas include home layout's impact on mental health (e.g., reduced depression risk in living-area-centered apartments), workplace design's role in employee wellbeing, and the relationship between spatial configuration and cognitive abilities. His work is funded by organizations like the General Services Administration and Kaiser Permanente. Bafna supervises doctoral research in morphology, design theory, and cognitive studies. Current projects include a book on imaginative reasoning in architecture and studies on hospital corridor design and film spatial analysis. His courses cover architectural theory, design analysis, and research methods. Notable contributions include interdisciplinary studies on space syntax, the therapeutic potential of domestic environments, and the visual functioning of buildings. His research emphasizes the socio-cultural dimensions of architecture and its imaginative potential beyond functionalism.

• Building Physics
• Environmental Design
• Urban Health
• +7 more

Professor Michael Davies is Professor of Building Physics and the Environment at the UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (IEDE) within The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources at University College London. He is also a member of the UK Climate Change Committee. With over two decades of academic experience, Professor Davies leads research at the critical intersection of building physics, environmental design, and public health, focusing on how the built environment impacts human well-being. His educational background includes: Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Westminster (1994) Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of York (1990) Bachelor of Science from the University of Manchester (1986) Professor Davies has pioneered transdisciplinary research methods, particularly in modeling health impacts and applying system dynamics approaches to address urban health challenges. His work demonstrates how healthy sustainable development can be achieved through innovative stakeholder participation and methodological advancements. His research spans building physics, climate change adaptation, indoor environmental quality, and the health implications of urban design, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and environmental justice considerations. His extensive publication record (over 300 outputs) reveals a consistent evolution toward more integrated approaches that connect building science with public health and climate policy. Recent work shows growing emphasis on health equity in climate adaptation, advanced modeling of complex urban systems, and the application of system dynamics to understand interconnected challenges in housing and urban environments. His research bridges technical building performance analysis with broader policy implications, reflecting his commitment to solutions that address both environmental sustainability and social equity. Professor Davies has secured significant research funding, including the prestigious EPSRC Platform Grant funding the Complex Built Environment Systems group at UCL (awarded only to "world leading" centers) and the Wellcome Trust-funded 'CUSSH' project. In total, he has served as PI or Co-I on approximately 50 research projects, demonstrating exceptional ability to lead large-scale, transdisciplinary research initiatives addressing critical urban challenges. As an educator, Professor Davies leads the 'Energy Context' module in the Environmental Design and Engineering MSc course and supervises EngD and PhD students. His teaching emphasizes the integration of energy systems within broader environmental, social, and policy contexts, preparing students to address complex sustainability challenges in the built environment sector.

• Literary and Cultural Studies
• Science and Technology Studies
• Modernism
• +3 more

Dr. T. Hugh Crawford is an Associate Professor in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at Georgia Institute of Technology. He holds a PhD in American Literature from Duke University (1996) and specializes in the cultural studies of science and technology, with a focus on literary and cultural studies, science and technology studies, and modernism. His research intersects literature, medicine, cinema, and environmental humanities, with notable works exploring William Carlos Williams, Herman Melville, and interdisciplinary approaches to walking and nature. He has taught courses such as LCC-2100: Intro to Science, Technology & Culture, LCC-3219: Literature and Medicine, and LMC-2000: Introduction to Literature, Media, and Communication. His academic leadership includes serving as past president of the Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts and editor of Configurations: A Journal of Science, Technology, and Culture . Crawford’s recent publications (2015–2024) emphasize interdisciplinary inquiry, blending literary analysis with science studies, environmental thought, and posthumanism. His work on Thoreau, Whitehead, and Latour reflects a commitment to exploring embodied experience and the intersections of human and non-human networks. His articles, such as Apples and Grapes: Thoreau, Latour, and the Land (2024) and In the Vagueness of the Low Hum of Insects in an August Woodland (2017), highlight his engagement with ecological and philosophical themes.

• Sound and Music Computing
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Human-Centered Computing
• +6 more

Dr. Sam Ferguson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a multidisciplinary background in music performance, cognitive science, and psycho-acoustics. His research explores the intersection of sound, music, and human experience through creative coding, machine learning, and interactive systems. Key Research Areas: Sound and Music Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, Creative Coding, Cognitive Science, Installation Art, and Acoustics. Current Projects: ARC Linkage project on creative coding and multiplicitous media; industry collaborations on IoT-based audiovisual systems. Recent Publications: Focus on spatial audio complexity, gestural interaction with networked sound, music emotion recognition frameworks, and robotic performance through genre-based cultural platforms. Leadership Roles: Director of Teaching & Learning Engagement; former Deputy Head of School (Teaching and Learning); active in ACM Creativity and Cognition Steering Committee. Teaching: Courses like Digital Media Studio , Prototyping Physical Interaction , and Data Processing using R within UTS's interdisciplinary Software Development Studio.

Ziming ZhangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• +9 more

Ziming Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) , with additional affiliations in Data Science and Robotics Engineering. He previously held research roles at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) and Boston University. PhD in Computing (2013) from Oxford Brookes University , UK MS in Computing Science (2010) from Simon Fraser University , CA BS in Computer Science and Technology (2005) from Northeastern University , China Research interests span computer vision , machine learning , and their applications in point cloud processing , medical imaging , autonomous driving , and IoT . He leads the Vision, Intelligence, and System Laboratory (VISLab) at WPI. Recent publications focus on 3D reconstruction , hyperbolic learning , and robust classifiers . Awards include the R&D100 Award 2018 and NSF funding for data-efficient deep learning. PhD Students: Yecheng Lyu (co-supervised), Guojun Wu (co-supervised), Hangrui Zhang, Xuechu Yu Master's Students: Yun Yue, Yuping Shao Visiting Scholars: Fangzhou Lin His lab partners with industry and academic institutions, focusing on autonomous systems , robotics , and scientific imaging projects.

Boris BuffoniView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Calculus of Variations
• Lagrangian and Hamiltonian systems
• Optimal transportation
• +7 more

Boris Buffoni is a Senior Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Basic Sciences, Institute of Mathematics, specifically within the Chair of Partial Differential Equations. He maintains his office at MA C2 605 (MA Building), Station 8, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, and can be contacted at boris.buffoni@epfl.ch or +41 21 693 49 87. His academic role spans both teaching responsibilities across multiple mathematics programs and active research in theoretical and applied mathematics. Dr. Buffoni's research program centers on the calculus of variations applied to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian systems, with significant contributions to optimal transportation in Lagrangian dynamics and hydrodynamics. His work explores semi-global minimization methods for quasi-linear elliptic variational problems and the variational approach to capillary-gravity water waves and their energetic stability. Additional research foci include local bifurcation and center-manifold theory for elliptic PDEs, the configurations of infinite elastic cylinders under compression or traction, and the analytic theory of global bifurcation with applications to gravity waves and their secondary bifurcations. The trajectory of his recent publications reveals a deepening focus on three-dimensional water wave phenomena, particularly steady rotational flows, gravity-capillary solitary waves, and advanced mathematical techniques for analyzing these complex systems. His 2025 publications demonstrate continued innovation in applying Kato's approach to locally coercive problems and developing the theoretical foundations of global bifurcation. The consistent application of variational methods and bifurcation theory across his work represents a unifying theme in addressing challenging problems in fluid dynamics and nonlinear partial differential equations. Dr. Buffoni has received research support including an EPSRC grant (GR/L41059) for work on 'Multibump localised solutions for spatially homogeneous partial differential equations,' reflecting the significance of his contributions to the field. His teaching portfolio at EPFL includes foundational courses such as Analysis II, Functional Analysis I, and Partial Differential Equations of Evolution, where he imparts knowledge of differential and integral calculus of real functions of several variables, linear functional analysis, and fundamental techniques for solving evolution equations.