Karoline Strauss is a full Professor at ESSEC Business School since 2018, with prior academic roles at Warwick Business School and the University of Sheffield. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching from the University of Sheffield, and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Vienna. Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology (University of Sheffield, 2010) Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (University of Sheffield, 2013) MSc in Psychology (University of Vienna, 2006) Research Interests focus on future work selves , proactive behavior , and employee well-being , particularly how individuals mentally construct their future careers and balance organizational change with personal sustainability. Her work explores the dual-edged impact of proactivity in entrepreneurship, sustainability practices, and identity dynamics in cross-cultural contexts. Recent publications (2024–2025) analyze AI integration, cognitive costs of proactivity, and entrepreneurship's effects on employee satisfaction. These studies emphasize future-oriented identity , well-being trade-offs , and work-leisure synergy . Scientific Awards include the 2025 Journal of Management Outstanding Reviewer , 2022 Mediation and Dissemination of Scientific Culture Prize , and 2021 AOM Best Paper Award . Advising and Grants highlight her supervision of Ph.D. candidates and leadership in grants such as the ANR-funded project on proactive behavior well-being (€128,999) and the Paris Seine Excellence Initiative (€116,000). Labs and Teams include her role as Academic Director, Global BBA Dissertations and leadership in the ESSEC Sport Chair . She serves on editorial boards for Journal of Management , Journal of Applied Psychology , and British Journal of Management .
Christopher Ballmann is an Associate Professor in Human Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with secondary appointments in Physical Therapy. As a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, his research examines psychophysiological responses to exercise, focusing on music interventions and nutritional supplementation for performance enhancement. His work bridges exercise physiology, sport psychology, and nutritional science. Dr. Ballmann investigates how sensory interventions and ergogenic aids optimize human performance. His research explores music's impact on exercise output, sympathomimetic supplements like yohimbine and caffeine, and taste modulation during anaerobic efforts. He employs randomized controlled trials to study acute interventions across diverse populations from NCAA athletes to recreational exercisers. His publications demonstrate innovative approaches to performance enhancement through multi-sensory interventions. Recent work examines ammonia inhalants for repeated sprints and football helmet effects on visuomotor skills, while earlier research established protocols for beetroot juice supplementation and mood modulation with herbal extracts. This research continuum advances practical applications for athletes and clinical populations.
Dennis Dreiskämper is Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at TU Dortmund University's Faculty of Arts and Sports Sciences since August 1, 2024. Previously, he served as study program coordinator at the University of Münster's Institute of Sports Science (2017-2024), becoming a senior lecturer in higher education in 2020. His career includes research positions at Münster's Department of Sport Psychology (2011-2017) and international stays at Kingston University London (2014) and Deakin University Melbourne (2017). His academic credentials include: 2022: Habilitation with Venia Legendi for Sports Science, University of Münster 2015: PhD (Dr. phil.) in Sports Science, University of Münster (DFG Research Training Group Trust and Communication in a Digitized World) 2011: Master of Arts and first state examination in sports and Latin (third subject history), University of Münster 2009: Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Latin (third subject History), University of Münster Dreiskämper's research centers on physical self-concept development, childhood health through physical activity, psychosocial aspects of exercise, and physical activity interventions. He investigates motor and psychosocial development trajectories in children and adolescents, develops motor diagnostics tools, and creates assessment instruments for physical self-concept. His work addresses trust dynamics in sports teams and anti-doping initiatives within sports associations, with particular focus on questionnaire development and measurement validation. His extensive publication record demonstrates strong focus on team cognition in sports, anti-doping legitimacy, talent selection processes, and pandemic impacts on youth physical activity. Dreiskämper employs innovative methodologies including virtual reality assessments of shared mental models and cross-cultural comparisons between German and Australian children. His work frequently bridges traditional sports psychology with emerging esports research. Professional affiliations include: Member of the German Sports Youth (dsj) research network since 2022 Member of the NRW Children and Youth Sport Research Network since 2019 His research has practical applications for sports clubs, educational settings, and public health initiatives focused on youth development through physical activity. The 'Move for Health' project represents a significant collaborative effort generating findings on mental health and physical activity among German children and adolescents.
Professor Stuart Cormack is a Deputy Director and Performance lead at the SPRINT Research Centre at Australian Catholic University (ACU), with over 25 years of expertise in high-performance sport as both a practitioner and researcher. His career spans roles at the Australian Institute of Sport and multiple Australian Football League (AFL) clubs. He holds a PhD from Edith Cowan University and has published extensively on athlete performance, training load monitoring, fatigue, and sports science applications. His research interests focus on optimizing athlete performance through advanced monitoring techniques, fatigue management, and sports technology integration. Key areas include wearable sensor validation, mental and physical fatigue assessment, and injury prevention in elite sports. He consults for national and international sports programs and supervises PhD candidates in topics such as triaxial accelerometry in stride analysis and mental fatigue impact on strength performance. Awarded the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association Life Membership and ACU's 2016 Postgraduate Teaching Excellence Award, Professor Cormack contributes to peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research and Science and Medicine in Football . His work bridges applied science and practical sport performance, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to training and recovery.
Dr Andrew Townshend is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Discipline (Exercise Science) at the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University (ACU). He holds expertise in distance running, pacing strategies, interval training, and gait retraining. His research focuses on optimizing athletic performance through physiological and biomechanical analysis, with recent work on energy cost in runners, interval training variability, and elite adolescent athlete development. Education: Completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2006, followed by a PhD in 2010 examining hill-running pacing strategies. Professional roles include Head of Discipline since 2020 and Senior Lecturer since 2018. Research Interests: Combines field-based and laboratory studies to explore pacing strategies, gait mechanics, and training methodologies. Key areas include the impact of gait retraining on energy efficiency, individual responses to interval training, and seasonal adaptations in elite athletes. Awards: Recognized with the Australian Postgraduate Industry Award (2006), Australian Postgraduate Award (2008), and QUT’s Vice-Chancellor’s Performance Award (2011). Advising & Grants: Supervised seven postgraduate students to completion, focusing on high-performance sport topics. Active in grant applications related to sports performance research. Labs/Teams: Leads research within ACU’s Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, collaborating on projects related to athlete development and performance optimization.
Dr. Suzanna Russell is a Research Fellow at the Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, Australian Catholic University. Her work focuses on mental fatigue, cognitive performance, and athlete/staff well-being in elite sports. She holds an accredited Sports Scientist (ESSA) certification and has collaborated with organizations like the Australian Institute of Sport and Queensland Academy of Sport. She completed her PhD on 'Mental Fatigue in Elite Sport' at the University of Queensland in 2020. Education: PhD in Sport Science (University of Queensland, 2020) Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Hons I), University of Queensland (2016) Research Interests: Dr. Russell investigates mental fatigue's impact on elite athletes, recovery strategies, cognitive performance, and athlete well-being. She emphasizes evidence-based practices and collaborative partnerships for applied research impact. Awards: ESSA Medal (Highly Commended, 2021) Young Investigator Award Finalist (ESSA, 2020) University Medal (UQ, 2016) Advising & Grants: Supervisor (Provisional HDR accreditation) Lead researcher in projects funded by AIS ($244k), QAS ($152k), and ACU ($9.9k) Labs/Teams: SPRINT Research Centre, collaborating with national sports bodies (AIS, QAS) and international experts in sports science.
Michael Lechner is a Professor of Economics at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) with a focus on Applied Microeconometrics. His work integrates causal machine learning with labor, health, and sports economics. He holds affiliations with institutions such as the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) and the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). Lechner earned his academic credentials from the University of Mannheim (1990-1998). His research explores topics like policy evaluation, treatment heterogeneity, and the socioeconomic impacts of sports and health interventions. He has published extensively on causal machine learning frameworks and their applications in public policy. His editorial roles include co-editing Empirical Economics (2014-2017) and serving on editorial boards of journals like German Economic Review and Econometric Reviews . He is a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, recognizing his contributions to economic research. Lechner’s recent work emphasizes causal machine learning to analyze labor market policies, sports participation effects, and pandemic-driven market shifts. His research bridges econometric rigor with modern computational techniques to address real-world policy challenges.
Ashley Herda is an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus and Director of the Exercise and Human Performance Laboratory. She holds a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Oklahoma and a B.S. in Exercise Science from Florida Atlantic University. Her research focuses on nutritional supplements, resistance exercise, and aging-related muscle performance, with an emphasis on body composition and gender disparities in sports medicine research. Education: Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University (2006) Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, University of Oklahoma (2008) Doctorate of Philosophy in Exercise Physiology, University of Oklahoma (2011) Research interests include the effects of exercise interventions on aging populations, the role of nutrition in athletic performance, and addressing gender underrepresentation in sports medicine studies. Her publications span peer-reviewed journals like the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Journal of Aging Research and Clinical Practice . Dr. Herda is actively involved with the American College of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association, contributing to committees focused on education, research, and nutrition. She directs two laboratories dedicated to advancing exercise science and human performance. Her recent work highlights underrepresentation of female athletes in clinical trials and explores short-term resistance training benefits for older adults’ muscle quality.
Bridget Quinn, MD is an Attending Physician in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department at Boston Children's Hospital, where she serves as Company Physician for the Boston Ballet and Lead Consulting Physician for Dean College Palladino School of Dance & Performing Arts. She holds an academic appointment as Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Harvard Medical School, contributing to medical education while maintaining an active clinical practice focused on performing artist athletes. Dr. Quinn completed her undergraduate education and medical degree at the University of Vermont, followed by Emergency Medicine residency at Emory University and Sports Medicine fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital. She is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, providing a strong foundation for her specialized work with dancers and other performing artists. Her educational background reflects a progression from general medical training to highly specialized sports medicine expertise. Dr. Quinn's research and clinical practice centers on the unique medical needs of performing artists, particularly dancers. Her work addresses dance-specific injuries like hallux sesamoid injuries, the effects of intensive training on growing dancers, and the relationship between body composition and menstrual health in female dancers. She has developed specialized assessment protocols for dancers' strength, flexibility, and functional performance during intensive training periods. Her expertise bridges traditional sports medicine with the specific physiological and psychological demands of dance performance, recognizing that dancers face unique injury risks and recovery challenges. Analysis of Dr. Quinn's publication record reveals a clear evolution from early cancer research (2014-2015) to her current focus on dance and sports medicine. Her most impactful recent work examines quality of life metrics in pre-professional dancers, sport specialization effects, and dancer-specific injury patterns. She has conducted comparative studies on Crossfit-related injuries and published important findings on the relationship between BMI and menstrual patterns in dancers. Her research consistently addresses the holistic needs of performing artists, considering physical, psychological, and nutritional factors that influence performance and injury risk. While specific scientific awards are not documented in the available information, Dr. Quinn's professional recognition is evident through her leadership roles with prestigious organizations including the Boston Ballet and Dean College. Her expertise is sought after for providing medical coverage during major performances and tours, demonstrating the trust placed in her specialized knowledge by the performing arts community. Through her academic appointment at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Quinn mentors medical students, residents, and fellows interested in sports medicine and orthopedics. Her clinical work involves comprehensive care for young athletes and performing artists, with emphasis on injury prevention, safe return to performance, and long-term health maintenance. She collaborates with physical therapists, athletic trainers, nutritionists, and mental health professionals to address the multidimensional needs of her patients, recognizing that optimal performance requires attention to all aspects of health. Dr. Quinn is an integral part of Boston Children's Hospital's Performing Artist Athletes Program and The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention. These specialized programs provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care addressing the unique medical needs of dancers and other performing artists, including nutrition counseling, bone health monitoring, endocrine evaluation, psychological support, and rehabilitation tailored to performance demands. Her work in these programs has helped establish standards of care for performing artist athletes that are now recognized nationally.
Robert Mackalski is an Associate Professor at the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management , University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He specializes in marketing and branding strategies for high-growth organizations, combining academic research with practical advisory work. His Ph.D. in branding from McGill University and entrepreneurial background (co-founding Peachtree Network) inform his teaching and case-writing approach. Marketing strategy in high-growth companies Branding transitions (regional to international) Digital transformation in traditional industries Nonprofit scaling and advocacy His 15 most recent publications focus on case studies spanning sports marketing (Lincoln Ice Hockey Association), media digitalization (Ticket 93.7 FM), food industry branding (Fody Foods, Cunningham’s Pub), and nonprofit growth (Defeat Duchenne Canada). Key themes include brand ecosystem resilience , market entry challenges , and strategic scaling . Scientific recognition includes: 2023-2024 Case Centre Outstanding Case Writer nomination 2022-2023 Seacrest Teaching Fellow Multiple Ivey Publishing case award nominations Desautels DDSS Excellence in Teaching Award (McGill, 2007-2014)
Jonpaul Nevin is a Senior Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning at Buckinghamshire New University and Programme Director of the Tactical Athlete Performance Centre (TAPC). With a 15-year military background in the British Army and subsequent Paralympic coaching experience, he transitioned to academia in 2017. He holds a BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, and professional certifications from UKSCA and NSCA. His research focuses on optimizing human performance in high-stress environments, particularly for military personnel and para-athletes. Education: PhD in Competitive Recumbent Handcycling Performance (Cardiff Metropolitan University) MSc in Strength and Conditioning BSc (Hons) in Strength and Conditioning Research Focus: Applied research in military human performance optimization, tactical athlete training, handcycling biomechanics, and strength-endurance training methodologies. Key areas include load-carrying performance for soldiers, concurrent training models for para-athletes, and velocity-based resistance training. Professional Contributions: Developed the Tactical Athlete Performance Centre at BNU Authored over 14 peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations Expert in applied sport science for military and para-sports contexts Labs/Teams: Leads the Tactical Athlete Performance Centre (TAPC) and collaborates with military organizations on human performance optimization projects.
Shane Murphy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, affiliated with the College of Health Professions and the La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS). His expertise spans lower extremity biomechanics, sports medicine, and gait/posture analysis, with a focus on asymmetrical movement patterns and their clinical implications. Dr. Murphy holds a BS in Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (2014), an MS in Biomechanics from Indiana University-Bloomington (2016), and a PhD in Biomechanics from the University of Northern Colorado (2019). His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Kinesiology and Biomechanics of Movement , Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy , and Research Practicum . His research explores biomechanical factors in athletic injuries, postural control in ACL-reconstructed individuals, and the efficacy of visual disruption techniques. Notable contributions include co-authoring a 2024 study in Journal of Clinical Biomechanics and receiving the 2024 WiSys Grant Writing Academy Fellowship. Dr. Murphy advises students like Colten Brand and collaborates on grants focused on movement science. He actively engages in clinical research, emphasizing practical applications for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Martin Gibala is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, where he leads research examining the effects of exercise at molecular to whole-body levels in both healthy individuals and those with chronic diseases. His work spans basic mechanistic studies on skeletal muscle energy metabolism to applied research on physical training and nutrition for health and performance optimization. Dr. Gibala earned his Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor, followed by an M.Sc. from McMaster University and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, establishing the foundation for his expertise in exercise physiology. His primary research focuses on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and time-efficient exercise protocols, demonstrating that brief, intense exercise can produce comparable health benefits to traditional longer-duration workouts. His laboratory investigates skeletal muscle metabolism, exercise adaptations, and practical applications of time-efficient training for diverse populations. Dr. Gibala has made significant contributions to understanding how short bursts of vigorous activity ("exercise snacks") can improve cardiometabolic health, glycemic control, and overall fitness with minimal time commitment. Analysis of Dr. Gibala's recent publications reveals an evolving research trajectory with increasing emphasis on technology-enabled exercise interventions, sex-specific responses to training, and practical implementation of time-efficient protocols in real-world settings. His work bridges basic exercise science with public health applications, particularly focusing on making exercise more accessible through time-efficient approaches. Dr. Gibala is also recognized for science communication, having co-authored the popular science book "The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That's Smarter, Faster, Shorter" (Penguin Random House, 2017). His research has been widely covered in media outlets and has influenced public understanding of time-efficient exercise approaches. As an educator, Dr. Gibala teaches courses including Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Exercise Physiology, Exercise Metabolism, and Integrative Exercise Physiology. His laboratory at McMaster University conducts both basic and applied research on exercise physiology, with particular focus on skeletal muscle metabolism, high-intensity interval training, and practical applications of time-efficient exercise protocols for improving health and performance in various populations.
Peter von Bülow is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. His research bridges evolutionary computation with structural optimization, focusing on innovative architectural systems like thin-shell concrete and modular fabric structures. As a Fulbright Scholar, he worked at the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Lightweight Studies under Frei Otto. He actively contributes to the International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) and has designed notable projects such as wooden grid shells using reclaimed materials. Education: Doctorate in Engineering (Dr.-Ing.), University of Stuttgart (Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design, under Werner Sobek) Master of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Tennessee Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee Research Interests: von Bülow’s work centers on computational design methodologies for optimizing structural forms, particularly lightweight and branching column systems. His research integrates evolutionary algorithms with architectural practice, emphasizing material efficiency and geometric innovation. Recent projects explore reclaimed materials in structural design and stochastic search methods for form exploration. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholar (University of Stuttgart) NSF Regional Innovation Engines Program Semifinalist (2023) Pressing Matters Grants (2022) R+D Awards (2018)
Professor Sabina Kleitman is a renowned academic in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on metacognition, decision-making processes, and their applications in education, public health, and cognitive psychology. She leads the CODES Lab and contributes to initiatives like the Fighting Truth Decay project through the Charles Perkins Centre. Her international engagements include presenting at Yale University, Haifa University, and other institutions, with expertise cited in media outlets such as The Psychologist and Woman’s Health magazines. Kleitman has received core funding grants for studies on psychological resilience during pandemics and decision-making under pressure. Research interests span metacognitive confidence calibration, personality traits influencing behavior, and resilience in academic contexts. Notable projects include analyzing pandemic-related decision-making trends and developing simulation-based assessments for psychological resilience. Her publications emphasize empirical studies on cognitive performance under sleep deprivation, team performance dynamics, and the impact of employment on student outcomes. She collaborates across disciplines, integrating neuroscience, educational technology, and public health perspectives.
