Christopher Walters is a Professor at the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, University of Chicago, and previously served as an Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley (2013-2025). He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, Research Fellow at IZA, and Faculty Affiliate at MIT's School Effectiveness and Inequality Initiative (SEII). PhD in Economics, MIT (2013) B.A. in Economics and Philosophy, University of Virginia (2008) Walters specializes in Labor Economics and the Economics of Education , focusing on school choice, early childhood interventions, and program evaluation. His work combines applied econometric methods with discrete choice modeling to analyze educational investments and labor market outcomes. Walters' recent publications examine class size effects, teacher quality impacts, and school finance policies, reflecting his interest in improving educational equity through rigorous empirical analysis. Research Fellow at IZA He collaborates with institutions like J-PAL North America and MIT Blueprint Labs, contributing to evidence-based policy design in education and labor economics.
Joseph P. Romano is a distinguished Professor of Statistics and Economics at Stanford University, where he has been on the faculty since 1986. He holds joint appointments in both the Department of Statistics and the Department of Economics, reflecting his interdisciplinary research that bridges statistical theory with economic applications. Romano has established himself as a leading scholar in mathematical statistics with significant contributions to econometrics, climate science, and multiple testing methodologies. Ph.D. in Statistics, University of California, Berkeley (1986) M.S. in Statistics, University of California, Berkeley (1983) A.B. in Statistics, Princeton University (1982), Summa Cum Laude Romano's research focuses on the theoretical foundations and practical applications of statistical methods, particularly in nonparametric statistics, bootstrap and resampling techniques, and multiple testing procedures. His work addresses the challenges of analyzing massive datasets with complex structures, such as those found in biotechnology, clinical trials, and econometrics. He has developed universal statistical tools applicable across diverse fields including climate science, genetics, finance, and education. His recent work emphasizes methods for multiple testing and multivariate inference driven by the availability of massive datasets, where he tackles issues like unknown dependence structures, heterogeneity, and high dimensionality. Analysis of Romano's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on developing robust statistical methodologies for complex data structures. His work spans theoretical advances in U-statistics with growing dimensions, practical applications in seroprevalence studies, and innovative approaches to ranking inference across various domains. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in publications spanning economics journals, statistics journals, and even behavioral science preprints, demonstrating the broad applicability of his methodological contributions. 2021 LGBTQ+ Scientist of the Year, Out to Innovate Fellow, International Association of Applied Econometrics (2020) Fellow, Institute of Mathematical Statistics Presidential Young Investigator Award, National Science Foundation The Canadian Journal of Statistics Award Romano has mentored dozens of doctoral students throughout his career at Stanford, serving as dissertation advisor, co-advisor, and committee member for numerous PhD candidates in Statistics. His research has been consistently supported by National Science Foundation grants, including recent funding for computer-intensive inference with applications to social sciences (2020-2023) and randomization inference for contemporary statistical problems (2013-2016). He has served in various administrative roles at Stanford including Associate Chairman and Chair of Committee on Faculty Affairs. Beyond his academic pursuits, Romano is actively involved in the 500 Queer Scientists visibility campaign and maintains a balanced life with passions in music (having performed at Carnegie Hall), competitive tennis (ranked nationally in his age group), cooking, and architecture.
Adria Lawrence is the Aronson Associate Professor of International Studies and Political Science at Johns Hopkins University, holding a joint appointment between the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Department of Political Science at the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on Middle Eastern and North African politics, colonialism, nationalism, and conflict dynamics. She earned her PhD from the University of Chicago and a BA from Vassar College. Her groundbreaking book, *Imperial Rule and the Politics of Nationalism: Anti-Colonial Protest in the French Empire* (2013), examines post-WWII anti-colonial movements and has received prestigious awards including the J. David Greenstone Book Prize and the L. Carl Brown Book Prize. Current research explores colonial resistance and contemporary Arab world dynamics. Teaching interests include colonial rule, state formation, and qualitative research methods. She advises on topics such as Moroccan political cleavages, autocracy, and social movements in North Africa. Office hours are held via Zoom or in-person at 270 Mergenthaler Hall. Affiliations: Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, SAIS (Program Chair for International Studies Program) Research Sites: Morocco, Tunisia, France (archival work)
Jonathan Hauenstein is the Robert and Sara Lumpkins Collegiate Professor in the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Notre Dame, serving as Department Chair. He holds a Ph.D. from Notre Dame (2009) and M.S. from Miami University (2005). His research focuses on numerical algebraic geometry and computational methods for solving nonlinear equations, implemented in the Bertini software package. Applications span engineering, ecology, sports science, and machine learning. Education: Ph.D., Applied and Computational Mathematics, University of Notre Dame (2009) M.S., Mathematics, Miami University (2005) Research Interests: Development of numerical algorithms for polynomial systems, real algebraic geometry, and scientific computing. Key areas include homotopy continuation methods, parameter space decomposition, and applications in mechanism design, ecological modeling, and sports biomechanics. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical computational tools. Awards: Sloan Research Fellowship DARPA Young Faculty Award Army Research Office Young Investigator Award Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award College of Science Research Award Advising & Grants: Advised numerous undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. Active in securing grants for computational mathematics projects, including NSF-funded initiatives. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration between mathematics and engineering. Labs/Teams: Leads computational algebraic geometry research groups at Notre Dame, focusing on software development (e.g., Bertini) and numerical methods innovation.
Joyelle McSweeney is a Professor of English at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in creative writing, poetry, and translation. She holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, an M.Phil. from the University of Oxford, and a B.A. from Harvard University. Her work spans poetry, prose, drama, and critical essays, emphasizing ecopoetics, decadence, and genre hybridization. Research focuses on intersections of ecology, media, and occult symbolism, with key works like The Necropastoral: Poetry, Media, Occults (2015) proposing a decadent approach to ecological writing. Awards include a 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship and the Shelley Memorial Prize for Toxicon and Arachne (2020). She co-founded Action Books press, amplifying global poetry and translation. Education: MFA (2001, Iowa), M.Phil (1999, Oxford), B.A. (1997, Harvard) Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship, Arts & Letters Award, Shelley Memorial Prize Key publications include Dead Youth , Salamandrine , and Death Styles Teaching excellence recognized by the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C. Award. Her creative output combines experimental form with thematic explorations of decay, prophecy, and ecological crisis.
Rahul Kapoor is a Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he also serves as the Chair of the Management Department. His research focuses on innovation management, business ecosystems, and technology strategy, with a particular emphasis on how firms navigate technological and organizational challenges in dynamic industries. University: University of Pennsylvania School: Wharton School Department: Management Department Academic Rank: Professor His research explores the interplay between organizational design, external collaboration, and innovation outcomes. Recent work includes studies on forecasting strategies, ecosystem interdependencies, and the role of setbacks in technology development. He has contributed to leading journals such as Strategic Management Journal and Research Policy , with a recurring focus on technology ecosystems and modular innovation. Kapoor’s research spans both theoretical and applied dimensions. He has examined how firms can optimize value creation in business ecosystems, the impact of organizational design on invention sourcing, and the dynamics of technology emergence. His studies often integrate historical case analyses and simulation models to uncover patterns in innovation management. Scientific Awards: Inaugural Academy of Management Emerging Scholar Award Strategic Management Journal Best Paper Prize Wharton Teaching Excellence Award (multiple years) Editorial Roles: Associate Editor, Strategic Management Journal Contributing Editor, Strategy Science Teaching: Undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and PhD courses on technology and innovation strategy Leadership in Wharton’s Executive Education programs He has advised firms on innovation initiatives and draws on over seven years of industry experience in high-tech, including roles at Texas Instruments and co-founding a startup, to inform his academic work.
Eugene F. Fama, 2013 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, is the Robert R. McCormick Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Widely regarded as the "father of modern finance," his work on the efficient markets hypothesis and risk-return relationships has profoundly influenced both academic and investment communities. Bachelor's, Tufts University (1960) MBA and PhD, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (1964) Fama's research centers on theoretical and empirical finance, focusing on asset pricing models, market efficiency, and portfolio management. His recent publications emphasize factor investing, including the development of five-factor models and the analysis of international market anomalies. Key trends in his scholarship include empirical validation of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), international factor analysis, and the distinction between luck and skill in mutual fund performance. His work remains foundational for quantitative finance and investment strategies. Scientific Awards and Fellowships Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2013) Deutsche Bank Prize in Financial Economics (2005) Morgan Stanley American Finance Association Award for Excellence in Finance (2007) Onassis Prize in Finance (2009) Chaire Francqui (1982) Nicholas Molodovsky Award from CFA Institute (2006) Fred Arditti Innovation Award (2007) Fellow of the American Finance Association (2001) Fellow of the Econometric Society Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fama serves as Advisory Editor for the Journal of Financial Economics and has mentored numerous PhD students through his academic career. His research continues to shape financial theory and practice, with ongoing analysis of market efficiency and factor-based investing.
Dr. Alastair Key serves as Director of Studies in Archaeology and Official Fellow in Archaeology at Queens' College, University of Cambridge. His research bridges Paleolithic archaeology, stone tool technology, and hominin behavioral evolution through experimental and computational approaches. Director of Studies and Official Fellow at Queens' College, Cambridge Specializes in Paleolithic stone tool analysis, Acheulean technology, and hominin adaptation Conducts experimental archaeology and computational modelling to assess tool functionality Key's research focuses on Acheulean handaxe production , lithic microwear patterns , and ergonomic constraints in prehistoric tool use . He has extensively published on topics including glacial-stage hominin occupations , Oldowan toolmakers , and machine learning applications to archaeological analysis . His recent publications (2025-2023) span diverse subfields: Acheulean chronology , hominin tool use biomechanics , experimental projectile testing , and computational morphometric methods . The work often integrates multidisciplinary datasets and open-source analytical tools to address fundamental questions about human technological evolution. Current research directions include stone tool sharpness quantification , handaxe social signaling potential , and cross-species tool use comparisons through primate studies.
Alessia Ferrari is a fixed-term researcher in the Department of Engineering and Architecture at the University of Parma, Italy. She lectures on Hydrology within the Bachelor’s degree programme in Civil and Environmental Engineering and serves as the reference teacher for the same programme across multiple academic years (2020/2021 – 2025/2026). Research Focus Ferrari’s research integrates advanced numerical modelling with real-world flood-risk management. Key themes include: High-resolution 2-D shallow-water simulations using GPU-parallel codes. Porosity-based approaches for large-scale urban flood modelling. Levee-breach hydraulics and emergency-action planning. Calibration of hydraulic models using tools such as PEST. Integration of machine-learning techniques with physics-based flood forecasting. Publication Trends Across more than 25 peer-reviewed works (2015-2025), Ferrari has concentrated on computational hydraulics applied to extreme flood events in Northern Italy (e.g., Parma 2014, Lamone 2024). Her papers consistently advance numerical schemes (ADER, HLLEM Riemann solvers) and GPU acceleration while validating models against field data, thereby bridging theoretical development and practical flood-mitigation strategies. Contact & Office E-mail: alessia.ferrari@unipr.it Office: Science and Technology Campus – Pavilion 10, Engineering Scientific Headquarters, Parco Area delle Scienze 181/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
Dr. June Cao is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton . Her research focuses on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Accounting , Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) , and Sustainability Reporting , with a particular emphasis on Greenwashing , Carbon Emission Trading , and Accounting Education . Key research areas include ESG, CSR, and sustainability frameworks. Prominent publications analyze environmental regulation, green revenues, and digital transformation in sustainability. Her recent work explores greenwashing behaviors, peer benchmarking, and labor investment dynamics. Scientific Awards : None explicitly mentioned in the data. Notable collaborations include co-authoring papers with scholars from Curtin University , Satya Wacana Christian University , and Xiamen University . Her contributions to Systematic Literature Reviews and Bibliometric Analysis highlight her methodological expertise.
Prof. Dr. Hakkı Polat Gülkan is a Professor at Başkent University's Civil Engineering Department. With a PhD (1971) and Master's (1968) from the University of Illinois in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor's (1966) from METU, his career spans over five decades in earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and disaster management. PhD: University of Illinois, Civil Engineering (1971) Master's: University of Illinois, Civil Engineering (1968) Bachelor's: Middle East Technical University, Civil Engineering (1966) His research focuses on seismic risk assessment, structural behavior under extreme loads, and disaster mitigation strategies. Key contributions include earthquake simulator development, ground motion analysis, and retrofitting techniques for masonry and reinforced concrete structures. He has published extensively on deformation limits, response spectra, and historical building preservation. Recent work includes 15+ articles from 2024-2012 analyzing Istanbul's seismic hazards, Marmara region dynamics, and post-earthquake structural integrity. Conference papers address Turkey's endemic building vulnerabilities and deformation thresholds for seismic isolation systems. Scientific Achievements: Elected to U.S. National Academy of Engineering (2023) As an active journal reviewer for 13+ publications (2023-2024), he contributes to advancing earthquake engineering discourse. His teaching portfolio includes advanced structural analysis, concrete mechanics, and seismic design courses.
Professor Victor Callan AM is Professor of Leadership and Organisational Change at the University of Queensland Business School within the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. With over 300 publications to his name, including 179 journal articles, 60 conference publications, and 17 books, he is one of Australia's most recognized researchers in organizational change, leadership performance, and employee training. His influential work has shaped public policy in workforce development, vocational education, and organizational change management. Education: Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, University of New South Wales Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University Professor Callan's research focuses on two primary areas: organizational change and leadership, with special interest in employees' and leaders' experiences with large-scale change; and employee skills, capabilities and training, examining effective responses to skills development and shortages. His work explores adaptation levels, personal capabilities, communication dynamics, and team processes during organizational transitions. He has pioneered research on maverickism in organizations, investigating how positively deviant change agents drive radical organizational transformations. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward gender equality research, Indigenous knowledge integration, and maverick leadership. These works span multiple disciplines including organizational behavior, human resource management, vocational education, and leadership studies. His research on workplace gender inequality employs wicked problems frameworks, while his work on Indigenous knowledge holders emphasizes co-creation and positioning as expert researchers. Major Awards and Recognition: Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to higher education University's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision Two UQ Excellence in Leadership Awards Professor Callan has supervised numerous PhD students across diverse topics including leadership ascension, maverickism, CEO appointments, and organizational change. He has secured substantial research funding, including his 14th Australian Research Council project in 2025 focusing on Indigenous women environmental rangers. His advisory work spans over 100 projects for government departments and international organizations across South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Indonesia, Bhutan, Brunei, New Zealand, PNG, and South Pacific countries, addressing employee skills, vocational education, industry closures, and workforce development. He actively contributes to executive education for senior managers globally and has developed strong research, consulting, and industry partnerships. His current teaching focuses on MBA programs and the Bachelor of Advanced Business Honours program at UQ.
Vincent Dufour-Décieux is a researcher at the Professorship for Energy and Process Systems Engineering at ETH Zürich , focusing on developing computational methods for material screening in separation processes and global net-zero transitions. He earned his Master's in Materials Chemistry from Ecole Polytechnique (France) and a PhD in Materials Science from Stanford University , where he pioneered statistical methods combining Kinetic Monte Carlo and random graph theory to study planetary diamond formation. Research Highlights: Application of Classical Density Functional Theory (cDFT) for 100x faster adsorption property predictions in porous materials Development of science-based definitions for "hard-to-abate" emissions to guide climate action prioritization Integration of Coulombic interactions in cDFT for CO2 adsorption accuracy Article Trends : His work spans computational materials science (cDFT, random graph theory) and climate policy analysis, with recent publications in Joule , AIChE Journal , and Physical Review E . These studies emphasize scalable solutions for carbon capture, material screening efficiency, and accurate thermodynamic modeling. Collaborations : Active in international conferences (FOA15, MolMod, Gordon Research Conference) and cross-institutional projects with teams at Stanford, ETH Zürich, and industry partners.
Rhett C. Smith is a Professor of Chemistry at Clemson University, leading a research group dedicated to sustainable materials innovation since 2006. His work focuses on transforming industrial waste streams into high-performance composites through green chemistry approaches. His academic background includes: B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Toledo Ph.D. in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at MIT Professor Smith's research pioneers waste valorization using elemental sulfur and biomass derivatives. Key areas include: Upcycling mixed plastic and food waste into structural materials Developing sulfur-based polymers for sustainable construction Creating circular economy solutions for agricultural byproducts His group's work bridges fundamental chemistry with commercial applications in South Carolina's industrial sector. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward atom-economical processes using waste sulfur and biomass. The research emphasizes scalable technologies for plastic recycling and sustainable cement alternatives, with increasing focus on food waste upcycling and flame-retardant composites. Major recognitions include: National Merit Scholar and NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship Two-time InnoVision Award Finalist (2024 Sustainability category) Fats and Proteins Research Foundation Innovate Award Fred Bisplingoff Research Innovation Award Professor Smith has mentored over a dozen Ph.D. students to successful careers in national labs and industry. His group secured seven major grants in Spring 2024 from NSF, USDA, and industry partners to advance sustainable materials for structural applications. Current projects focus on upcycling post-consumer waste streams and developing carbon-negative building materials. The Smith Research Group operates as a collaborative hub within Clemson's chemistry department, recently expanding to include four faculty co-leaders (Tennyson, Ashlyn Smith, and Sauceda). The team maintains strong industry partnerships while promoting academic accessibility through open educational resources.
Dr. Tommaso Gabrieli is an Associate Professor in Real Estate at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL), where he has been employed since September 2015. His academic career spans multiple institutions including the University of Reading, City University London, University of Warwick, and the Catholic University of Milan. His educational background includes: PhD in Economics from the University of Warwick (2009) MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2003) Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy from the University of Reading (2013) As a theoretical economist trained in the ambrosian tradition of social welfare, Gabrieli's research focuses on the economic analysis of urban policy issues. His expertise encompasses economic modeling of real estate markets, financial viability of urban projects, multi-dimensional value measurements, and value-capture mechanisms. He has developed novel interdisciplinary methods bridging urban planning and design with economics, making him one of few economists actively collaborating with urban planning scholars in the UK. His work addresses Sustainable Development Goals including No Poverty, Good Health, Decent Work, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities, and Climate Action. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on urban design governance, value capture mechanisms, and the interface between economic theory and urban planning practice. The research spans theoretical explorations of post-growth planning and practical applications in land value recovery, particularly examining implications for housing affordability, wealth distribution, and community wellbeing in both urban and rural contexts. His work often integrates behavioral economics with spatial planning considerations. Professional recognition includes: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Gabrieli has extensive experience supervising PhD and MSc dissertations across multiple institutions. His teaching portfolio includes Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation at UCL, where he leads relevant modules for both undergraduate and graduate programs. He has contributed to significant research projects including 'Street Appeal' commissioned by Transport for London and the Horizon 2020-funded 'UrbanMaestro' project worth 1 million Euros. His research impact has been formally recognized by Transport for London. Currently, he leads the 'Future Urban Growth Lab' project, funded by UCL Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Funding, in partnership with the Royal Town Planning Institute and Politecnico of Turin. This project aims to operationalize an urban growth model prototype for use by local authorities in planning future city development, bridging academic research with practical planning applications.
