Dr. Katie Allen is a Senior Research Associate (equivalent to Research Fellow) in the Department of Psychology at Lancaster University. She is affiliated with the Developmental Psychology Research Group, where she conducts studies on cognitive processes in educational contexts. Her research examines working memory mechanisms in classroom settings and children's learning processes , with particular focus on developmental disorders. She investigates how memory systems influence academic outcomes and specializes in autism-related cognitive profiles. Her work bridges cognitive psychology, educational practice, and developmental disorder research. Allen's publication trends show strong emphasis on developmental psychology and clinical psychology applications , utilizing meta-analytic methods to investigate intelligence patterns in neurodiverse populations. Her 2024 study demonstrates expertise in psychometric assessment and gender-dimorphic cognitive profiles. Research Dissemination: Public lectures on "Working memory in the classroom" Seminars about "Children's learning and their memory" Policy-influencing work on educational practices
Dr. Dimitrios Panagiotakopoulos is a Senior Lecturer in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) at Cranfield University 's School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing. With over 15 years of expertise in Aeronautical Systems Autonomous Systems Aviation Management Vehicle Engineering , his work focuses on advancing digital air traffic management through cutting-edge research. His research group explores: Machine Learning for Air Traffic Management Digital Twin Development for Airspace Simulation Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Systems 5G Connectivity for UAVs Secure Autonomous Operations Recent publications highlight his contributions to UAV traffic-density prediction, explainable AI for flight safety, and digital twin implementations for non-segregated airspace testing. Collaborations with industry leaders like Boeing, Airbus, and Thales demonstrate practical applications of his work. He actively supervises self-funded PhD candidates and contributes to national infrastructure projects including the National Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Experimental Corridor . Current technical initiatives involve holographic radar integration, GNSS performance analysis, and airspace optimization strategies.
Dr. Serap Doğan Aslan , Gaziantep University Faculty of Education Department of Special Education, Department of Education of the Mentally Disabled, holds an Assistant Professor (Yrd. Doç. Dr.) position. She earned her PhD (2016-2022) and Master's (2012-2016) in Mentally Disabled Education from Anadolu University. Current academic appointment since 2022 Research Assistant at Anadolu University (2015-2022) Her research focuses on Autism Spectrum Disorder education , including disaster risk reduction strategies for autistic populations , social skills instruction through robotics , and employment skill acquisition . She has implemented video modeling with real-time coaching for vocational training and TAGteach methodology application in special education contexts. Scientific contributions include: 11 peer-reviewed journal articles 12 book chapters 26 conference presentations Major projects include TÜBİTAK-funded initiatives on positive behavior support systems and healthcare skill training packages for autistic individuals. She received the 2023 TÜBİTAK Ulakbim Publication Incentive Award .
Liang Liang is a researcher at the University of Picardie Jules Verne, affiliated with the Doctoral School of Human and Social Sciences and the Department of Geography. Her research focuses on cultural geography, heritage studies, and memory reproduction in contemporary Chinese society, particularly in Canton and Foshan. She earned her master's degree in Culture, Heritage, and Tourism at the ITBS of the University of Angers (2010). Liang presented her work on 'World Memories' at ACHS 2016, exploring urban heritage dynamics in China. Her academic output in photovoltaic technologies spans 2010–2020, with key contributions to polymer solar cells, perovskite integration, and efficiency optimization. Articles highlight innovations in tandem architecture, solvent additives, and electro-optical cavity design, reflecting expertise in materials science and renewable energy systems despite her formal background in geography.
Lyssa de Vries serves as a Lecturer at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine within the Department of Neuroscience and the Developmental Psychiatry unit (ON5 Herestraat 49 - bus 1029, 3000 Leuven). Her academic profile centers on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research in early development, utilizing advanced methodologies including pupillometry and eye-tracking. Dr. de Vries completed her PhD thesis Illuminating Infant Development: The Autonomic Nervous System and Autism in 2023 under Professor Steyaert's supervision. Her research interests span Autism Spectrum Disorder , Child Development , Psychiatry , Neuroscience , Sensory Processing , and Language Acquisition , with emphasis on biomarker identification and developmental trajectories in infants at elevated autism likelihood. Her 10 recent publications (2022-2025) reveal cohesive research themes: neural markers for autism prediction (eye-gaze sensitivity, attention disengagement), sensory-language-social cascades, autonomic nervous system development, and parent-child dynamics. Key contributions include demonstrating that neural responses to eye gaze lack predictive value for later autism diagnosis and establishing QTc prolongation risks from antipsychotics in pediatric psychiatry. As an active member of the TIARA research consortium, she collaborates extensively with Warreyn, Roeyers, Noens, and Steyaert across longitudinal studies. Dr. de Vries teaches child and adolescent psychiatry courses (E0J39A, E06S6B, E03R7B, E0BW8A, E0CC2A, E0AN0A, E0AX6A, E0CH0A), focusing on scientific advancements and clinical problem-solving in developmental psychiatry.
Maria Manriquez is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, serving as Phoenix Branch Director of the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction and Director of the Pain and Addiction Curriculum. With 22 years of clinical experience since graduating from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson in 1998, she specializes in substance use disorders in pregnancy and parenting women while investigating innovations in prenatal care models to address maternal morbidity, mortality, and preterm delivery. Her research spans obstetrics, addiction medicine, and medical education, with recent publications (2023–2008) examining ACE scores/substance abuse in pregnancy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prevention, OB triage optimization, and residency curriculum development. Key themes include trauma-informed care, standardized patient training for human trafficking screening, and diagnostic imaging in maternal trauma. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG) Dr. Manriquez directs the Pathway Scholars Program pre-matriculation curriculum for underrepresented medical students and holds leadership roles with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as an oral examiner. Her educational initiatives include developing pain/addiction curricula for undergraduate and graduate medical education in collaboration with the Department of Health Services. She leads the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction’s clinical and educational teams, integrating clinical practice with advocacy to transform prenatal care for substance-affected pregnancies.
Dirk Saelens is a full professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he serves as department head of Building Physics and Sustainable Building. He also leads the Building Physics Subdivision and EnergyVille Building Physics Subdivision, while holding membership in the Civil Engineering Division, EnergyVille Division, and KIEM – KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society. His organizational roles extend to the Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences, POC Construction, POC Energy, and Department Council of Civil Engineering. Professor Saelens' research spans building physics, sustainable construction, and energy systems with particular expertise in energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and building simulation. His work addresses critical challenges in urban energy systems, circular economy applications in construction, and energy flexibility, with growing focus on inclusive design aspects such as neurodiverse workplace environments and the impact of indoor greenery on employee well-being. His recent projects investigate autism-friendly workspaces, circular material flows in neighborhood renovations, and data-driven control of positive energy districts. His extensive publication record demonstrates leadership in district energy modeling, solar gain quantification, HVAC fault detection, and energy flexibility research. The 15 most recent publications reveal strong emphasis on uncertainty quantification in urban energy planning, circularity assessment frameworks, and the intersection of building physics with human factors like thermal comfort and neurodiversity. His work consistently bridges theoretical modeling with practical applications through numerous funded research projects extending through 2028. As an educator, Professor Saelens teaches multiple courses including Building Simulations (Parts 1 and 2), Building Installations (focusing on cooling, air handling, electricity, sanitation, and heating systems), and architectural design courses related to building equipment. His teaching directly supports his research mission of training future engineers in sustainable building practices and advanced building physics principles.
Tine Van Damme is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences , KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and the Research Group Adapted Movement Activities and Psychomotor Rehabilitation . She is a member of the LC&Y - KU Leuven Institute for Child and Youth , as well as the Faculty Council FaBeR and Departmental Council for Rehabilitation Sciences . Research Focus: Her work centers on physiotherapy interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder , mental health , and chronic pain management . She explores the diagnostic utility of screening tools (e.g., GAD-2, PHQ-2) for anxiety and depression in physiotherapy settings. Projects: She leads initiatives like Promoting Emotional and Autonomic Control Through Guided Breathing Exercises for Young Adults with Autism (PEACE – A Study) and Co-creation of Movement as Innovative Therapy for Adolescents with Mental Disorders , with grants spanning 2019–2027. Teaching: Contributes to courses such as Psychomotor Development , Evidence-Based Clinical Reasoning , and Rehabilitation in Mental Health Care .
Jason Tourville is a Researcher at Boston University, focusing on speech motor control. He is affiliated with the Graduate Program for Neuroscience and the Center for Computational Neuroscience and Neural Technologies. His work integrates neuroimaging, computational modeling, and clinical research in speech disorders. B.A., Neuroscience, Oberlin College (1996) Ph.D., Cognitive and Neural Systems, Boston University (2008) Tourville’s research spans speech neuroscience, neuroimaging, and neuroanatomy, with emphasis on stuttering, autism spectrum disorder, and speech motor sequence learning. He utilizes fMRI, MRI, and computational models to investigate cortical mechanisms in speech production and disorders. His recent work explores functional connectivity subtypes in stuttering, neurodegenerative disease manifestations, and structural morphometry differences in speech-related brain regions. Awards include the Boston University Graduate Research Fellowship and Outstanding Teaching Fellow recognition. NIH R01 DC007683 (Investigator, 2011-2016) NIH R01 DC002852 (Investigator, 2011-2016) NIH R01 MH084029 (Consultant, 2009-2012)
Giulia Righi is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and a Lead Psychologist at Bradley Hospital. She integrates cognitive neuroscience with clinical psychology to advance understanding and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities in neurodevelopmental disorders. Education PhD, Brown University, 2009 BS, Brown University, 2004 Research Interests Righi’s work centers on overlapping themes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) , anxiety disorders , and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) . She investigates psychiatric comorbidities across the lifespan, with a particular focus on youth. Her studies span sleep physiology , emotion dysregulation , suicidality , and care delivery models that integrate evidence-based exposure therapies within hospital and telehealth settings. Methodologically, she combines actigraphy , wearable EEG , functional neuroimaging , and large-scale epidemiological cohorts (e.g., RI-CART) to translate basic science findings into clinical practice. Current clinical trials explore transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an augmentation strategy for exposure-based treatments. Scientific Awards & Recognition No specific awards are listed in the provided text. Grants, Labs & Teams Righi serves as Lead Psychologist at Bradley Hospital, directing multidisciplinary teams that deliver intensive psychiatric services to youth with ASD and comorbid conditions. She collaborates closely with investigators in Brown’s Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and affiliated centers, including the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities . Funding sources are not detailed, but her leadership role implies active grant portfolio management.
Jared Saletin is an Associate Professor at Brown University's Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior , where he serves as Associate Director of the E.P. Bradley Hospital Sleep Research Laboratory. His research program investigates sleep-dependent brain function in neurodevelopmental contexts , particularly focusing on ADHD and autism. PhD in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) from UC Berkeley Postdoctoral training in Child Mental Health at Brown University Research trajectories include: Sleep-Brain Interactions : Utilizing multi-modal neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG) and sleep physiology to study memory consolidation Developmental Disorders : ADHD neurophysiological biomarkers and sleep regulation Circadian Rhythms : Chrononutrition studies and sleep timing mechanisms Population Sleep Health : School policy impacts and digital behavior zeitgebers Key contributions appear in Nature Neuroscience , Current Biology , and Journal of Neuroscience , focusing on: Sleep spindle frequency and hippocampal memory systems Left parietal cortex correlates of directed forgetting Structural brain predictors of sleep vulnerability Awards & service: Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor (UC Berkeley, 2013) Vice-chair of Membership Committee, Sleep Research Society Teaching innovations include: Original sleep science curriculum for high school students Undergraduate apprenticeship program in sleep research Interdisciplinary sleep course design integrating neuroscience and communication
Nina Wiesehomeier is an Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain. Her academic journey spans multiple continents, having previously held positions as a Senior Lecturer at Swansea University (UK), Research Fellow at the University of Lisbon (Portugal), and Visiting Fellow at the University of Notre Dame (USA). Dr. Wiesehomeier earned her PhD in Political Science from the University of Konstanz (Germany) between 2004-2008, with a dissertation titled "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Presidents and Party Policy in Latin America." Her academic training also includes a Master in Politics and Management from the Public University of Konstanz (1996-2003) and participation in the ERASMUS European Exchange Program at Complutense University of Madrid (2000-2001). Her research centers on comparative politics, with particular focus on political parties, political institutions, women's representation, populism, and political behavior across Latin America and Europe. She argues that understanding national politics is essential for comprehending international relations, citing examples like Brexit and the international responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks of political ideology with empirical analyses of party positioning and gendered dimensions of political representation. Dr. Wiesehomeier's scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on political representation, party systems, and the rise of populism globally. Her recent publications increasingly address the cross-national diffusion of populism, the relationship between populist attitudes and democratic quality, and the gendered dimensions of political representation. Her work combines quantitative and qualitative methods, often utilizing expert surveys to measure policy positions and populist rhetoric across party systems. Among her notable recognitions: Runner-up for the Journal of Politics best paper award (2009) Gulbenkian Prize (2010) Winner of the ECPG Best Paper in Gender and Politics Award (2015) As principal investigator for multiple research projects including PREPPS (Political Representation, Executives, and Political Parties Survey), PREOPOL, and "Misinformation in Spain in the age of populism," Dr. Wiesehomeier has secured significant grant funding from institutions including the Foundation Observatorio Social de "la Caixa" and the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation. Her collaborative work spans international networks like Team Populism, connecting scholars across Europe and the Americas to study the causes and consequences of populism. Dr. Wiesehomeier leads the PREPPS project, an extensive expert survey examining parties' policy positions, ideology, linkages, and populism across the world. She also coordinates the expert survey team for Team Populism, contributing to the global understanding of populist phenomena and their implications for democratic governance.
Brandon A. Zielinski, MD, PhD, serves as the Director of Inpatient Neurology at Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC) and holds adjunct faculty appointments in Pediatrics, Neurology, and Radiology & Imaging Sciences at the University of Utah. He joined the Division of Pediatric Neurology in 2010 following subspecialty training at the University of California San Francisco. His clinical expertise focuses on pediatric neurocritical care, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and advanced neuroimaging, establishing one of the few clinical fMRI services in the western U.S. Dr. Zielinski's research integrates basic and clinical neuroscience, with emphasis on: Autism Spectrum Disorders : Sex-dependent brain networks, longitudinal development, and sensory-motor integration Pediatric TBI : Neuroimaging biomarkers, outcome prediction, and cerebellar degeneration Advanced Neuroimaging : Clinical fMRI applications, structural covariance networks, and multi-modal MRI techniques His NIH and PCMC Foundation-funded work appears in high-impact journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , Neuron , and Brain . Articles demonstrate consistent focus on neurodevelopmental disorders (75%) and TBI (20%), utilizing fMRI (60%), structural MRI (30%), and novel computational methods. Awards & Recognition: Child Neurology Society's Outstanding Junior Member Award for pioneering contributions to pediatric neuroimaging. Grants & Collaborations: Leads cross-departmental initiatives with Radiology and Psychiatry. Current funding includes NIH R01 grants for autism neuroimaging and PCMC Foundation awards for TBI biomarker discovery. Education: BS: Arizona State University PhD: Georgetown University Medical Center MD: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Residency: University of Utah/Primary Children's Medical Center Fellowship/Chief Residency: University of California San Francisco
Jesse David Troy is an Associate Professor in the Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics at Duke University School of Medicine. He actively contributes to the Duke Cancer Institute through research in cancer therapeutics and palliative care, while also serving as the Associate Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of Biostatistics program and co-director of the Clinical Research Training Program. His research spans applications of biostatistical methods to clinical oncology, palliative care, pediatric mental health, and infectious disease outcomes. Recent work focuses on real-world treatment analysis for multiple myeloma, sequential testing methodologies, and optimizing palliative care timing in cancer patients. 2025: Group sequential tests for ordinal outcomes 2024: Palliative care impact on end-of-life outcomes 2024: Workforce development strategies for quantitative scientists Troy holds a PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Pittsburgh (2012) and has taught numerous courses in statistical programming, Bayesian analysis, and applied biostatistics at Duke. His professional activities include a 2025 seed grant for educational community-building initiatives.
Hugo Posada-Quintero is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, wearable sensors, and machine learning-based interpretation of physiological signals for detecting stress, fatigue, pain, emotion, cognitive performance, oxygen toxicity, and heart failure. With over $6 million in research funding from agencies including NIH, Office of Naval Research, National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, and Military Operational Medicine Research Program, he has co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications. His academic journey includes a BS in Electronic Engineering from Universidad Distrital (2005), an MS in Electronics and Computer Engineering from Universidad de los Andes (2008), and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of Connecticut (2016). BS: Electronic Engineering, Universidad Distrital (2005) MS: Electronics and Computer Engineering, Universidad de los Andes (2008) PhD: Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut (2016) His research program centers on biomedical signal processing and wearable sensor development , utilizing machine learning to analyze physiological markers like electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate variability (HRV) . Key applications include real-time detection of stress , fatigue , pain , and oxygen toxicity in extreme environments. Recent work spans EDA signal optimization , emotion recognition algorithms , and AI-driven pain quantification . His publications address challenges in wearable sensor reliability , non-linear signal analysis , and cross-species stress monitoring (e.g., equine responses to veterans with PTSD). Research funding highlights: NIH Office of Naval Research National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology Military Operational Medicine Research Program
