Find Academic Supervisors

Sean Cao serves as Associate Professor (with tenure) at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, where he is Director and Co-founder of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research. He also holds an affiliation as professor at Harvard Business School's D 3 Institute. His academic journey began with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Cao's research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and capital markets, with particular expertise in how machine learning transforms financial analysis, corporate disclosure practices, and investment decision-making. His work examines the evolving relationship between human analysts and AI systems, blockchain applications in financial reporting, and the strategic adaptation of corporate communications for machine readership. He has pioneered research on the "AI divide" among investor groups and developed frameworks for human-AI collaborative stock analysis. His publication portfolio spans top journals including Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Accounting Research, and Management Science. The research demonstrates consistent thematic progression toward increasingly sophisticated AI applications in finance, with recent work exploring distributed ledger technologies for auditing, machine learning for extracting private information from disclosures, and the economics of greenwashing in ESG funds. His studies frequently combine textual analysis with traditional financial metrics to uncover novel market insights. Fama-DFA Prize from Journal of Financial Economics for best paper in capital markets and asset pricing Michael J. Brennan Award from Review of Financial Studies Deloitte Initiative for AI and Learning award for developing trustworthy AI for social equity PanAgora Asset Management's Dr. Richard A. Crowell Memorial Prize Multiple best paper awards from Midwest Finance Association, Global AI Finance Conference, and Asian Finance Association Dr. Cao has delivered over 200 invited research talks at major institutions including the Central Bank of Japan, Central Bank of Thailand, and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He serves as Guest Associate Editor for Management Science and has co-chaired Review of Financial Studies conferences on FinTech and Machine Learning. His educational initiatives include a widely adopted free AI textbook for finance and accounting that has been implemented at universities worldwide including Indiana University, UT Dallas, and University of Minnesota. As Director of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research, Dr. Cao leads a multidisciplinary team exploring practical AI applications in finance. The initiative has secured significant funding including a $150,000 grant from GRF CPAs & Advisors. His research group maintains strong industry connections through partnerships with regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and technology companies, facilitating the translation of academic research into practical financial applications.

• Artificial Intelligence in Finance
• Machine Learning Applications
• Capital Market Research
• +5 more

Dr. Karin A. King is an LSE Fellow in the Department of Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her expertise spans global talent management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management. She teaches in LSE's Master's programs, focusing on organisational behaviour, negotiations, and strategic rewards. With over two decades of experience in corporate HR and consulting, Dr. King advises leaders on evidence-based talent management practices aligned with business priorities. Her research explores global talent systems, leadership succession, and diversity in organisational contexts. Dr. King has been recognized with multiple awards, including the LSE Teaching Award (2023), Top Ten Best Lecturer (2022), and repeated Teaching Excellence Awards (2015–2022). She holds professional certifications in HR, management consulting, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her work bridges academic research and practice, with publications in leading journals like BRQ Business Research Quarterly and Journal of Global Mobility . Recent research emphasizes macro-contingent talent strategies and the role of line managers in global talent initiatives.

• Global Talent Management
• Leadership Development
• Executive Development
• +4 more

Dr. Rene Ferdinands is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Health Sciences, specializing in sports biomechanics, particularly in cricket and golf. He leads research programs focused on optimizing techniques and minimizing injury risks, such as lumbar load analysis in fast bowlers and spin bowling biomechanics. His work includes developing 3D models for analyzing bowling actions and spin delivery mechanics. Education: MSc and PhD from the University of Waikato. Research Themes: Cricket biomechanics, golf swing dynamics, equine biomechanics, and injury prevention. Professional Roles: Editor of the Cricket Coaching Information service for the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, Honours Committee Member. His research interests span biomechanical analyses of sports techniques, including the development of smart cricket balls for performance assessment and injury mitigation. Key contributions include refining bowling action legality criteria and advancing understanding of lumbar kinetics in elite athletes. He actively supervises Honours and PhD students in biomechanics research across cricket, golf, and other sports. Notable grants include studies on hydration status in cricket performance (2008), lumbar injury prevention (2013), and biomechanical modeling of fast bowling (2009). His work bridges applied research with practical applications in sports technology and athlete development. Dr. Ferdinands collaborates with the Biomechanics Research Team at the University of Sydney, focusing on innovative tools like smart balls and advanced motion analysis techniques to improve sports performance and safety.

• Sports Biomechanics
• Cricket Biomechanics
• Golf Biomechanics
• +3 more

Dr. Stephanie Spahr is a Research Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin, Germany, where she leads the Organic Contaminants research group within the Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry. Previously, she served as a Junior Research Group Leader at the University of Tübingen's Center for Applied Geoscience (2019-2021) and as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2016-2019). Dr. Spahr earned her PhD in Environmental Chemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in 2016. Her doctoral research focused on the formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine during water disinfection with chloramine. She completed her MSc in Geoecology at the University of Tübingen in 2012, with thesis work on carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of benzotriazoles conducted at Eawag, and her BSc in Geoecology/Ecosystem Management at the same institution in 2010. Dr. Spahr's research focuses on trace organic contaminants in aquatic systems, with particular expertise in transformation processes of contaminants in natural and engineered systems, advanced oxidation processes for water treatment, urban blue-green infrastructure, and compound-specific isotope analysis. Her work bridges environmental chemistry, engineering, and ecology to address water quality challenges in urban and natural water systems. She employs advanced analytical techniques to track contaminant sources and transformation pathways, with a strong emphasis on practical applications for water treatment and environmental protection. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biochar-based water treatment technologies, particularly for stormwater management. She investigates how biochar amendments can remove trace organic contaminants from urban runoff, with recent work examining persulfate activation mechanisms, the role of chloride in reactive species formation, and the performance of engineered media filters under dynamic conditions. Her research also extends to understanding contaminant transport in rivers, the ecological impacts of pollutants, and developing analytical methods for environmental monitoring. The interdisciplinary nature of her work connects chemical processes with ecological outcomes. Outstanding Review Paper Award 2023 in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology Selected for the Falling Walls Female Science Talents Intensive Track 2023 Selected mentee in the Leibniz Mentoring Programme 2022-2023 Best poster award (1st prize) at the Wasser 2022 of the Water Chemistry Society Selected fellow in the Postdoc Academy for Transformational Leadership 2020-2022 (Robert Bosch Stiftung) Selected fellow in the Athene Program for early female career researchers at the University of Tübingen, 2020-2021 As a Research Group Leader, Dr. Spahr supervises multiple research projects including 'POllution in UrbaN ponds, eco-evolutionary Dynamics, and Ecosystem Resilience (POUNDER)', 'Dynamic hyporheic zone', 'NYMPHE', and the 'Incident-related special investigation programme for the environmental disaster in the Oder River'. She serves on the Executive Board of the German Water Chemistry Society and heads its Expert Committee on 'Oxidative Processes'. Her collaborative work spans numerous institutions across Germany and internationally, addressing critical water quality challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. Dr. Spahr leads the Organic Contaminants research group at IGB Berlin, which focuses on understanding the fate and treatment of organic pollutants in water systems. Her team employs advanced analytical techniques including compound-specific isotope analysis to track contaminant sources and transformation pathways. The group collaborates extensively with other departments at IGB and with international partners on projects addressing urban water challenges and ecological impacts of pollution. Current research emphasizes innovative water treatment technologies, particularly biochar-based systems for stormwater management, and investigating the complex interactions between contaminants, aquatic ecosystems, and human activities.

• Environmental Chemistry
• Water Quality
• Contaminant Hydrology
• +7 more

Sally M. Reis is a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut, holding the title of University Teaching Fellow and previously occupying the Letitia Neag Chair. With over four decades of academic leadership, she has shaped national and international practices in gifted education through her co-development of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM). Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Educational Psychology of the Gifted and Talented from the University of Connecticut (1981) B.A. in English and Psychology from Chatham College (1973) Professor Reis's research pioneers strength-based approaches for twice-exceptional learners , particularly students with autism spectrum disorder, while addressing systemic issues like the achievement gap and gender disparities in gifted identification. Her Schoolwide Enrichment Model Reading Framework (SEM-R) revolutionized literacy instruction by integrating student interests with academic rigor, as evidenced in her 250+ publications spanning curriculum compacting, enrichment clusters, and talent development for vulnerable populations. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a decisive shift toward evidence-based strategies for neurodiverse gifted learners, with 60% of 2023-2025 work focusing on autism spectrum disorder in twice-exceptional students. Her scholarship consistently bridges theory and practice, emphasizing student agency through interest-driven learning and systemic equity in talent development frameworks. Her scientific impact is recognized through: Early Leader Award (NAGC, 1985) Distinguished Service Award (NAGC, 1988) University Teaching Fellow (UConn, 1998) Distinguished Scholar Award (NAGC, 2003) Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor title Fellowship in the American Psychological Association Professor Reis secured a landmark $2.95 million IES grant for SEM-R implementation while directing nationwide professional development initiatives. As past-president of the National Association for Gifted Children and editorial board member of Gifted Child Quarterly, she has mentored generations of scholars through workshops across 48 U.S. states. Her current research examines college transition barriers for twice-exceptional students, funded through ongoing IES collaborations. Through the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development, she leads international SEM implementations including Italy's three-year national study, while pioneering the Enrichment Clusters framework for real-world student-driven learning across 12,000+ global classrooms.

• Gifted and Talented Education
• Achievement Gap
• Enrichment Programs
• +6 more

Babett Lobinger is a Researcher at the Institute of Psychology at the German Sport University Cologne, specializing in Performance Psychology and Applied Sport Psychology. She holds academic qualifications including Dipl.-Psych., MA Sportwiss, and Dr. in Sport Sciences. Her research focuses on Performance Psychology , Motor Control Disorders (e.g., Yips in Golf), Movement Safety in Aging , and Coaching Psychology . She has collaborated with organizations like the DFB (German Football Association) and clubs like Arminia Bielefeld and 1.FC Köln, providing sport psychological consulting and research. Key Projects include: DFG-funded studies on Yips in Golf Cross-cultural training needs analysis for football coaches Development of the Athlete Competency Questionnaire for Employability (ACQE) She teaches in the German Football Association’s (DFB) coaching academy and contributes to sport psychology curricula for trainers. Her work appears in journals like InMind and conferences such as FEPSAC.

• Performance Psychology
• Sport Psychology
• Motor Control Disorders
• +3 more

Armando Rungi is a Professor of Economics at IMT School for Advanced Studies in Lucca, Italy. He teaches econometrics, international economics, and macroeconomics to PhD students. In addition to his academic role, he serves as a research fellow at the Observatory on Foreign Firms in Italy and has consulted for the European Commission, OECD, and UNCTAD on international trade and investment issues. His research focuses on international economics, industrial organization, applied econometrics, and statistical learning. Recent work emphasizes the organization of multinational enterprises, global value chains, labor markets, cyber-resilience of supply chains, and the integration of econometric and machine learning tools for policy evaluation and predictive analysis. His recent publications explore topics such as the impact of trade agreements, multinational enterprises' strategies, and the application of machine learning in predicting firm behaviors and evaluating economic policies. A common theme is the analysis of supply chain resilience, corporate ownership structures, and the effects of globalization on firms' competitiveness and productivity. No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided information. No advisees or grant details are listed in the text. His professional activities include consulting roles and research collaborations. He is affiliated with the Observatory on Foreign Firms in Italy, which evaluates the impact of multinational companies and strategies to attract foreign investment in Italy.

• International Economics
• Industrial Organization
• Applied Econometrics
• +5 more

Bingzhang Chen is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Strathclyde, Faculty of Science. He previously held positions as a Chancellor’s Fellow at the same institution, a researcher at the Japan Agency of Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and was affiliated with Xiamen University and Mount Allison University. His academic journey began with a PhD from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Education: PhD in Trophic interactions within the microbial food web, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Awarded 2009) His primary research interests lie at the intersection of biological oceanography and theoretical ecology, with a strong focus on ecosystem modeling. He investigates how biodiversity, particularly of phytoplankton, influences marine ecosystem functioning such as primary production and the biological carbon pump. A central theme in his work is understanding the differential temperature sensitivity between autotrophs and heterotrophs, a question that bridges statistical analysis, metabolic theory, and Earth system science. His recent publications highlight a consistent trend in developing and applying individual-based models (e.g., PIBM 1.0), analyzing large datasets on plankton thermal responses, and studying the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities (like nutrient input) on marine microbial communities across diverse regions from the South China Sea to the North Pacific and Scottish coastal waters. His work often combines modeling with observational data to address fundamental ecological questions. Scientific Awards: David Cushing Prize (2015) from the Journal of Plankton Research New Century Excellent Talent (2012) from the Ministry of Education of China Dr. Chen is actively involved in research supervision, currently guiding five PhD students. He has been the Principal Investigator on multiple research projects funded by organizations such as the Leverhulme Trust, FILAMO, and the National Science Foundation. His expertise in programming (R, Fortran, MATLAB) underpins his methodological approach. He also contributes to the scientific community as an Associate Editor for the prestigious journal Limnology and Oceanography . His work is associated with efforts to understand and model invasive species dynamics, such as the spread of Sargassum muticum in Scottish waters, and he is involved with external advisory groups like the MASTS Marine Artificial Intelligence Forum.

• Biological oceanography
• Theoretical Ecology
• Ecosystem modeling
• +9 more

Simon Shibli is Professor of Sport Management and Head of the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. A Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA), his research examines finance and economics in sport, including elite sport performance, economic impact of major events, and sport participation analysis. He directs SIRC, a £1m business unit, and has authored textbooks on sport economics and facility management. Current projects include evaluations for Sport England, UK Sport, and international comparisons of elite sport systems. Key contributions: National Benchmarking Service for Sport England Economic impact studies for The Open Golf Championship International comparative analysis of elite sport policies (SPLISS)

• Sport Economics
• Elite Sport Performance
• Event Impact Assessment
• +2 more

Greg Haff is a Professor of Strength and Conditioning and Director of the Strength and Power Research Group at Edith Cowan University's School of Medical and Health Sciences. He holds a PhD from the United States (1999) and has extensive experience in strength and conditioning research, education, and professional practice. His work focuses on neuromuscular adaptations, training theory, velocity-based training methods, and recovery strategies. Haff has received numerous awards, including the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Impact Award (2021) and the UK Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year (2014). Affiliations: ECU School of Medical and Health Sciences, Strength and Power Research Group Education: PhD (1999), MS (1996), BS (1993) in Physical Education from the United States. Research Interests: Haff’s research explores optimal training methodologies, including periodization, eccentric loading, and velocity-based resistance training. He investigates how neuromuscular adaptations enhance athletic performance and reduce injury risk. His work spans sports science, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. Publications & Awards: Over 270 scientific papers, 9 books, and 28 book chapters. Notable awards include the William J. Kraemer Sport Scientist of the Year (2011) and the NSCA Young Investigator Award (2001). His research has been cited over 9,000 times (Scopus h-index 53). Grants & Labs: Leads the Strength and Power Research Group, focusing on applied strength training and performance optimization. Research spans athlete development, recovery strategies, and injury prevention.

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Strength and Conditioning
• +9 more

Anthony J. Gambino is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on gifted education, teacher evaluation, and multilevel modeling techniques. Ph.D. in Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation (University of Connecticut) M.A. in Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment (University of Connecticut) B.S. in Psychology (Wagner College) His work addresses critical issues in educational equity, including disparities in gifted program identification by race, poverty, and language status. He develops and evaluates statistical tools for multilevel modeling and contributes to understanding the role of teacher rating scales in educational assessments. Gambino’s publications emphasize methodological rigor in educational research, particularly in behavioral interventions like PBIS and analytical frameworks for teacher effects. He maintains active engagement in advancing evaluation curricula for graduate programs.

• Educational Psychology
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Teacher Evaluation
• +3 more

Tor Söderström is a Professor at the Department of Education at Umeå University. His research focuses on learning and development in sports, computer simulation training, and professional knowledge development in police education. He has contributed extensively to understanding talent identification in sports, particularly in Swedish football, and the efficacy of simulation-based training methodologies in law enforcement education. His research spans topics including athlete development trajectories, the impact of physiological testing on elite athlete performance, and the role of childhood athletic ability in long-term sports participation. Notable projects include a study on dropout processes in Swedish football talent systems and analyses of Swedish gym-goers' training patterns over two decades. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining sports science, sociology, and educational technology. Recent work explores children’s rights in sports through scoping reviews and examines athlete retention strategies from adolescence into adulthood. His research often emphasizes practical applications in training design and policy development for both sport and professional education sectors. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His work has involved collaborations with institutions like the Swedish Football Association and police education programs, focusing on scenario-based training methodologies and competency development in high-stakes professions.

• Sports Science
• Educational Technology
• Athlete Development
• +3 more

Oliver Linton is the Chair of the Faculty and Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Economics. He coordinates the Empirical Analysis of Financial Markets theme at the Janeway Institute and holds a position at Trinity College. His research primarily focuses on econometric theory and empirical finance , with applications in market microstructure, asset pricing, and volatility modeling. His research interests span: Development of novel econometric methods for high-dimensional and dynamic data Analysis of financial market behavior, including liquidity and trading patterns Applications in policy-relevant contexts such as quantitative easing and pandemic forecasting Linton's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on: Advanced time-series methodologies (e.g., GARCH, nonparametric regression) Financial market microstructure and high-frequency trading Economic impact analysis of major events (e.g., Brexit, COVID-19) He has received prestigious awards including: Humboldt Research Award (2015) Thousand Talents Plan recognition from Renmin University of China (2016) Linton actively advises doctoral students, with current supervisees including Xinyi Su, Zhaocheng Zhang, and Kilian Bachmair. He secured significant funding such as the European Commission FP7 grant for Nonparametric and Semiparametric Methods in Economics and Finance (2011–2014).

• Econometric Theory
• Empirical Finance
• Financial Econometrics
• +2 more

Luc Sels has served as Rector of KU Leuven since August 1, 2017, and was re-elected for a second four-year term in May 2021. He is a full professor in the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), where he joined in 1996, became full professor in 2004, and served as Dean from 2008 to 2017. He concurrently holds an honorary professorship at Cardiff University and advisory roles at Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, National University of Singapore, and Korea University. His research centers on labour market projections (employment, skill levels, regional forecasts), active labour market policies, and cooperative entrepreneurship. As Chairholder of the Randstand Chair on Employer Branding, VBO-FEB Chair on Belgian Business Champions, and CERA-Boerenbond Chair on Cooperative Entrepreneurship, he publishes in top journals including Journal of Management and Harvard Business Review. His work bridges academic research and policy impact through the Centre of Expertise in Labour Market Monitoring. Analysis of Sels' 2021-2025 publications reveals two dominant research streams: human resource management (particularly employer branding mechanics and line manager roles in training effectiveness) and cooperative enterprise dynamics (focusing on social capital in agri-food cooperatives). Methodological innovations in survival analysis for organizational research complement these themes, demonstrating interdisciplinary rigor across management, economics, and policy domains. Scientific Awards: No specific prizes, fellowships, or medals are mentioned in the source text. Sels actively supervises doctoral research, including S. Friedel's work on agri-food cooperative legitimacy, A. Billiet's study of member 'voice' mechanisms, K.G. Tamayo's analysis of line manager HRM involvement in Philippine call centers, and S. Ghielen's employer branding equity research. His current funded projects include Intercooperation (2024-2028) examining cross-cooperative legitimacy, Centre of Expertise for Labour Market Monitoring (2021-2025), and Relationships Matter (2019-2024) investigating social capital in agricultural cooperatives. He conducts research through KU Leuven's Department of Work and Organisation Studies and Leuven Economics of Education Research Centre (LEER), while directing the Centre of Expertise in Labour Market Monitoring for Flemish government policy advising. His cooperative entrepreneurship work operates through the CERA-Boerenbond Chair, integrating academic research with industry partnerships.

• Labour Market Projections
• Cooperative Entrepreneurship
• Active Labour Market Policies
• +2 more

Professor Suguru Torii is a distinguished faculty member at Waseda University's School of Sport Sciences, specializing in Sports Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. With a PhD in Sports Science, he serves as Director of the Waseda Institute of Human Growth and Development (2021-2026) and maintains affiliations with the Global Education Center. His research interests focus on the intricate relationship between growth, development, and sports injuries in children and adolescents. Torii has made significant contributions to understanding musculoskeletal development patterns , bone health in young athletes , and biomechanical factors contributing to sports injuries. His work bridges clinical practice with scientific research, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to injury prevention and treatment in pediatric populations. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on growth-related changes in musculoskeletal tissues , with particular attention to the timing of peak velocity in height, lean mass, and bone mass. His research employs advanced methodologies including DXA, ultrasound, and 3D motion analysis to investigate biomechanical and physiological adaptations during growth and sports participation. Japanese Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine Best Paper Award 2006 (awarded June 2007) 4th Japanese Society of Clinical Sports Medicine Award (awarded November 2005) Torii has led numerous significant research projects including The effectiveness of eating an appropriate breakfast in building the body of athletes (2019-2022) and Development of the appropriate evaluation of energy availability for Japanese female athletes (2016-2019). His work on energy availability, bone health in young athletes, and injury prevention has received funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He serves on the professional boards of multiple societies including the Japanese Society of Sports Psychiatry, Running Society, Japan Growth Society, and Japanese Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine. Professor Torii directs the Waseda Institute of Human Growth and Development, where his team conducts cutting-edge research on growth patterns, musculoskeletal development, and sports-related injuries in children and adolescents. The institute collaborates with clinical and research partners to translate scientific findings into practical applications for coaches, athletic trainers, and healthcare providers working with young athletes.

• Sports Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Physiology
• +5 more