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Esther Duflo is the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she is affiliated with the Department of Economics within the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. She co-founded and co-directs the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and holds the position of Chaire, Pauvreté et politiques publiques at the Collège de France. Duflo also serves as President of the Paris School of Economics, demonstrating her significant international influence in economic policy and research. Her educational background includes first degrees in history and economics from Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, followed by a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT in 1999. This strong foundation has enabled her to become one of the most influential economists of her generation. Duflo's research focuses on understanding the economic lives of people living in poverty, with the explicit aim of informing effective social policy design and evaluation. Her work spans critical areas including health, education, financial inclusion, environmental sustainability, and governance. What distinguishes her approach is the rigorous application of randomized controlled trials to evaluate development interventions, bringing scientific precision to poverty alleviation efforts. Her research methodology has revolutionized how economists approach development questions, moving beyond theoretical models to evidence-based policy recommendations. Her scholarly output demonstrates remarkable breadth and impact, with publications spanning from technical academic papers to influential books for general audiences. Duflo's work consistently bridges the gap between academic research and practical policy applications, with recent publications addressing contemporary challenges including climate change adaptation, pandemic response, and economic policy for hard times. Her research trends reveal a deepening commitment to translating complex economic concepts for broader audiences while maintaining scholarly rigor. Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (2019, with Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer) Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (2015) A.SK Social Science Award (2015) Infosys Prize (2014) John Bates Clark Medal (2010) MacArthur 'Genius Grant' Fellowship (2009) Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2017) Duflo has supervised numerous graduate students and collaborated extensively with researchers worldwide through J-PAL, which has grown into a global network conducting field experiments across multiple continents. Her grant portfolio includes substantial funding from major foundations and government agencies supporting large-scale development research. Beyond traditional academic advising, Duflo has mentored a generation of development economists through J-PAL's training programs and field research opportunities. Her primary institutional home is the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), which she co-founded at MIT. J-PAL has grown into a major research center with offices worldwide, connecting academic researchers with policymakers to ensure that program evaluations inform real-world decisions. Duflo also leads research teams at the Collège de France and the Paris School of Economics, creating a transatlantic network focused on evidence-based poverty reduction strategies.

• Development Economics
• Poverty Alleviation
• Health Economics
• +4 more

Esther Duflo is the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics in the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is also co-founder and co-director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), holds the Chaire, Pauvreté et politiques publiques at the Collège de France, and serves as President of the Paris School of Economics. Her research focuses on understanding the economic lives of people living in poverty to help design and evaluate social policies. Her work spans multiple domains including: Development Economics Poverty Alleviation strategies Health interventions Educational programs Financial inclusion initiatives Environmental policy Governance improvements Duflo revolutionized developmental economics by pioneering the use of randomized controlled trials to test poverty reduction measures. Her empirical approach has challenged conventional opinions about development and has helped improve the efficient use of resources in poverty alleviation programs worldwide. She co-authored the influential books "Poor Economics" and "Good Economics for Hard Times" with Abhijit Banerjee, demonstrating through field experiments how specific interventions (like providing lentils to mothers for child immunization) can dramatically improve social outcomes. Her notable scientific achievements include: Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (2019) Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (2015) Infosys Prize (2014) John Bates Clark Medal (2010) MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship (2009) A.SK Social Science Award (2015) Duflo has established J-PAL as a global network of over a hundred affiliated professors who use scientific evidence to inform policy decisions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL has offices across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and South and Southeast Asia. Her work has demonstrated the crucial importance of information in policymaking, with numerous field experiments showing how carefully designed interventions can have significant impacts on social outcomes across multiple domains including health, education, and economic opportunity.

• Development Economics
• Poverty Alleviation
• Health
• +7 more

Dr. Corey T. Callaghan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida . Based at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center , his research focuses on global change ecology using big data from citizen science platforms like eBird and iNaturalist, combined with geospatial analyses and macroecological theory . Ph.D. (2019) from UNSW Sydney M.S. (2015) from Florida Atlantic University B.S. + B.S. (2013) from Canisius College His work examines urban ecology , including how species traits influence urban tolerance across birds, amphibians, and butterflies. He develops adaptive sampling frameworks to optimize citizen science data collection while addressing biases. Current projects analyze human-nature interactions through citizen science participation, secondary data in photographs, and machine learning for biodiversity monitoring. He actively contributes to conservation strategies for urban biodiversity and data-driven restoration efforts . Recent publications highlight his expertise in cross-taxa comparisons , continental-scale analyses , and ecosystem service quantification . He leads the Global Ecology Research Group at the University of Florida, emphasizing collaborative science and open-source methodologies .

• Urban Ecology
• Citizen Science
• Biodiversity Data Science
• +3 more

Dawn Song is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, affiliated with multiple research centers including the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) and the Berkeley Center for Responsible, Decentralized Intelligence (RDI). She holds leadership roles in AI safety, cybersecurity, and blockchain research. Her work bridges machine learning, security, and distributed systems, with notable contributions to formal verification, privacy-preserving technologies, and AI governance. Education: Ph.D. (2002) and M.S. (1999) in Computer Science from UC Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon University, respectively. She previously served as an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University before joining UC Berkeley in 2007. Research Interests: Dawn's work focuses on AI safety, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of frontier AI. She explores topics such as large language model vulnerabilities, zero-knowledge proofs, blockchain security, and policy frameworks for AI governance. Her research combines theoretical rigor with practical applications, addressing challenges in secure systems, adversarial machine learning, and privacy-preserving computation. Publications: Her recent work includes groundbreaking studies on LLM memorization, smart contract decompilation, and AI agent cybersecurity evaluation. She also leads initiatives like the Singapore Consensus and California Report on AI safety priorities, emphasizing global collaboration in risk mitigation. Notable Awards: MacArthur Fellowship (2010), ACM Fellow (2019), IEEE Fellow (2019) Advising & Grants: She advises projects on AI policy and cybersecurity, securing grants from NSF, DARPA, and industry collaborations. Her lab develops tools like CyberGym for evaluating AI agents and zkPyTorch for secure machine learning. Labs & Teams: Her research groups at UC Berkeley focus on cutting-edge projects in AI safety, blockchain, and cybersecurity, collaborating with industry leaders and policymakers to advance both technical and ethical standards.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Machine Learning
• +7 more

Adam Hollowell is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Program in Education at Duke University, where he also serves as Senior Research Associate at the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity and Director of the Inequality Studies Minor. His teaching spans ethics, inequality studies, and history across Duke’s Kenan Institute for Ethics, Sanford School of Public Policy, and Department of History. Hollowell holds a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh (2009). His research focuses on inequality, higher education, public policy, and ethics, with notable work on pandemic impacts, telemedicine in education, and reproductive health access during crises. In Inequality Studies , Hollowell emphasizes understanding policies to drive social change, as highlighted in recent media coverage. His publications explore topics like student behavior shifts during the pandemic, telemedicine adoption in universities, and James Baldwin’s ethical challenges. He is a finalist for the Judith Deckers Prize (2024). Professionally, Hollowell leads projects such as Bass Connections on college contraception access and Story+ initiatives. His work bridges academia and public engagement, addressing systemic inequities through interdisciplinary approaches.

• Inequality Studies
• Higher Education
• Public Policy
• +3 more

Janine O'Flynn is the Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University (ANU) since 2023. Previously, she held the position of Professor of Public Management at the University of Melbourne and served as a visiting professor at institutions like City University Hong Kong and Fudan University. Her research focuses on public management reform, governance relationships, and ethical policy-making. Notable contributions include work on public value creation, performance management systems, and positive public administration. She has authored over 75 publications, including Pathways to Positive Public Administration (2024) and co-edited the Research Handbook on Public Management and COVID-19 (2024). O'Flynn has received prestigious awards such as the National Academy of Public Administration Fellowship (2022) and the Best Book Award at the Academy of Management (2013). She actively advises governments globally and chairs research committees for organizations like the Centre for Public Impact. Education: PhD (Melbourne), Bachelor of Commerce (Hons., Melbourne). Key Roles: Editorial Board Member: Public Administration , Public Management Review , and others Board of Directors, Public Management Research Association Advisory Board, Victorian Public Sector Commission Research Focus: Public sector reform, governance ethics, policy complexity, and agile government frameworks.

• Public Management
• Public Sector Reform
• Governance Relationships
• +7 more

Abhijit Banerjee is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses on development economics, public health policy, and social protection programs, particularly addressing poverty and inequality in low- and middle-income countries. He has conducted large-scale experiments evaluating interventions such as conditional cash transfers, universal basic income, and healthcare policies. Key areas of interest include the design and implementation of anti-poverty programs, behavioral economics, and the long-term health impacts of infectious diseases like COVID-19. His work often integrates experimental methods to assess policy effectiveness, with contributions to global health studies and economic development strategies. Notably, his research on the RECOVERY trial evaluates treatments for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, while other studies explore financial spillover effects of electronic government transfers in Indonesia and savings behavior interventions in Chile. Banerjee has collaborated on projects analyzing post-COVID-19 health outcomes, labor market dynamics in India, and the role of trusted messengers in public health communication during crises. Despite the breadth of his contributions, specific details about his educational background, grants, or lab affiliations are not explicitly provided in the source text.

• Economics
• Development Economics
• Public Health Policy
• +3 more

Stephen Licht is an Associate Professor of Ocean Engineering and Graduate Director at the University of Rhode Island's College of Engineering, where he directs the Robotics Laboratory for Complex Underwater Environments (R-CUE). His research focuses on developing maritime robots capable of operating in dynamic and unpredictable environments through biologically inspired propulsion, distributed pressure sensing, model-based optimal control, and compliant underwater manipulation technologies. Ph.D. in Oceanographic and Mechanical Engineering from MIT/WHOI Joint Program (2008) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University (1998) Former Senior Research Scientist at iRobot and Senior Robotics Engineer at Vecna Robotics Current Research Affiliate with MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering Former Visiting Faculty at Libera Università di Bolzano (2019-2020) Dr. Licht's research spans marine robotics with emphasis on biologically inspired propulsion systems that provide high authority and bandwidth thrust, nonlinear attitude control for maneuvering in dynamic conditions, compliant underwater manipulation technologies, and unmanned aerial monitoring of coastal structures. His work bridges mechanical engineering principles with oceanographic applications to create more capable underwater robotic systems that can operate in complex marine environments. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward soft robotics applications for deep-sea exploration, with particular focus on jamming grippers and neutrally buoyant manipulation systems. The research also shows increasing integration of additive manufacturing techniques for field-deployable solutions and computational methods for autonomous systems operating in challenging marine environments. His work spans fundamental control theory, mechanical design, and practical field applications. Dr. Licht has secured significant research funding as both Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator from major organizations including the Office of Naval Research, NOAA, NSF, and various university collaborations. His grants focus on advancing unmanned underwater vehicle technology, soft robotics for deep-sea applications, and coastal monitoring systems. Active mentor to numerous graduate and undergraduate students in Ocean Engineering Successful track record of student placements at organizations including Jaia Robotics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, FORSSEA Robotics, and government research labs Collaborates with researchers at MIT, WHOI, University of Connecticut, University of Maine, and international institutions Licht leads the R-CUE lab which develops innovative solutions for underwater robotics challenges, with particular expertise in biomimetic propulsion, soft robotics for deep-sea applications, and autonomous systems for environmental monitoring. The lab maintains strong industry connections with OceanGate Inc. and FabNewport, and engages with local educational institutions through outreach programs with Roger Williams Middle School.

• Marine Robotics
• Biologically Inspired Propulsion
• Nonlinear Attitude Control
• +5 more

Arvind Parkhe is a Laura H. Carnell Professor of Strategy and International Business at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He previously taught at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business (1989–2003) and holds degrees from IIT Bombay (B.Tech.), Georgia State University (MBA), and Temple University (Ph.D.). His research focuses on strategic alliances, global supply chains, international joint ventures, and trust in cross-border partnerships. He has published in top journals like the Academy of Management Journal and Strategic Management Journal, earning awards such as the AIB Best Dissertation Award (1990) and JIBS Decade Award (2001). Teaching excellence spans all academic levels: recognized as outstanding faculty for Ph.D., MBA, and undergraduate programs. Service leadership includes Vice President of the Consortium for Undergraduate International Business Education (2014), Chair of Fox’s Strategic Management Department (2010–2020), and Managing Director of Fox MBA Programs (2005–2010). He received Temple’s Musser Outstanding Service Award (2012) and Faculty Service Excellence Award (2012). Key research contributions emphasize interorganizational networks, global competitive strategies, and trust mechanisms in alliances. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in global business operations and strategic collaboration.

• Global Supply Chains
• Strategic Alliances
• International Joint Ventures
• +6 more

Dr. Kim Jeong Won is a Senior Research Fellow at the Energy Studies Institute (ESI), National University of Singapore, where she has been since March 2019. She holds a PhD in Energy and Environmental Policy from Korea University's Green School, an MPA from Korea University, and a MPP from the Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago. Her research focuses on renewable energy and climate change policy, policy diffusion among governments, and quantitative policy evaluation methods. Dr. Kim has extensive experience in policy analysis and project management, including roles at the Korea Environment Institute (KEI), UNWTO ST-EP Foundation, and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Her work emphasizes vertical and horizontal policy diffusion mechanisms, particularly in energy and climate sectors. She specializes in analyzing policy instrument combinations and designing evaluation frameworks for development projects. Her publications explore urban climate adaptation strategies in South Korea, renewable energy investment requirements for developing countries, and comparative analyses of energy storage systems competitiveness. She has contributed to policy reports for South Korean governments and international organizations, focusing on sustainable energy transitions and green growth frameworks. Dr. Kim's research bridges academic rigor with practical policy implementation, emphasizing quantitative methodologies to assess policy effectiveness. She actively participates in international development projects and contributes to global discussions on climate finance and energy policy design.

• Renewable Energy Policy
• Climate Change Policy
• Policy Diffusion Among Governments
• +3 more

Professor Hutan Ashrafian is a clinician-scientist and surgeon at the University of Leeds Business School, holding dual roles as Professor of Research Impact and Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London. His expertise spans AI in healthcare, metabolic surgery, and ancient history. He pioneered STARD-AI and QUADAS-AI guidelines for AI diagnostics, collaborated on AI-driven breast cancer screening with Google and NHS, and led global health policy initiatives. Ashrafian’s work bridges medicine, history, and philosophy, including his contributions to understanding historical figures’ medical conditions, such as King Tutankhamun’s epilepsy. He has authored over 550 publications, 12 books, and holds a PhD in computational physiology and an MBA with distinction. Awards include the Hunterian Prize and Wellcome Trust Fellowship. His research also explores AI ethics, quantum physics paradoxes, and art-based medical diagnostics. Education: PhD in Computational Physiology (Imperial College London) MBA (Warwick Business School) MD (University College London) Bachelor of Science in Immunology (University College London) Research Interests: Ashrafian’s work spans: AI in Medicine: Diagnostic algorithms, guideline development (STARD-AI/QUADAS-AI), and ethical frameworks. Metabolic Surgery: Bariatric interventions, gut microbiome, and obesity treatments. Ancient History: Medical analyses of historical figures (e.g., Tutankhamun, Julius Caesar) and art-based pathology identification. Philosophy: AI rights (AIONAI law), temporal paradoxes, and the Simulation Argument. Awards: Royal College of Surgeons Arris and Gale Lectureship Hunterian Prize Wellcome Trust Research Fellowship Advising & Innovation: Supervised >50 PhD students, co-founded Oxford Medical Products (weight loss tech), and serves as CSO at Flagship Pioneering’s Preemptive Health division. He advises on NHS digital transformation and global health policy. Labs/Teams: Leads AI initiatives at Imperial’s Institute of Global Health Innovation and collaborates with Google, NICE, and international institutions on health tech solutions.

• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
• Metabolic Surgery
• Health Policy
• +4 more

Adrian Weller is a prominent researcher and academic at the University of Cambridge, serving as a Director of Research in Machine Learning within the Department of Engineering. He holds multiple significant leadership roles including Programme Director for Trust and Society at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI), and previously served as Programme Director for AI at The Alan Turing Institute, the UK national institute for data science and AI. His work bridges theoretical machine learning research with practical applications and societal implications of artificial intelligence. Weller's research interests span a broad spectrum of AI and machine learning topics with a particular focus on ensuring beneficial societal outcomes. His work encompasses explainability, fairness, robustness, scalability, privacy, safety, and ethics in AI systems. He has made significant contributions to trustworthy machine learning, including developing frameworks for AI governance, certification, and human-AI collaboration. His research group actively investigates neuro-symbolic approaches, privacy-preserving techniques, and methods for improving the reliability and interpretability of AI systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward addressing the practical challenges of deploying AI systems in real-world contexts, particularly focusing on certification frameworks, governance mechanisms, and human-centered approaches. His work spans theoretical advances in machine learning architectures while maintaining a strong connection to societal impact, with publications appearing in top venues across AI, machine learning, and interdisciplinary applications. Scientific Awards: MBE for services to digital innovation (2022 Queen's Birthday Honours) Turing AI Fellowship for Trustworthy Machine Learning Weller actively supervises a large group of PhD students and postdocs, with current students including Juyeon Heo, Yanzhi Chen, Katie Collins, Isaac Reid, Yichao Liang, Herbie Bradley, and Shoaib Siddiqui. His former students have gone on to positions at leading institutions including Google DeepMind, ETH Zurich, NYU, and MPI-IS Tübingen. He has served on numerous advisory boards including the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, UNESCO's expert group on AI ethics, and the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on AI. His research has been supported through his Turing AI Fellowship and various collaborative projects focused on safe and ethical AI development. Weller leads a vibrant research group focused on trustworthy machine learning, which actively organizes workshops and conferences including ICML 2024 (where he served as Program Chair), multiple workshops on responsible AI, and events through the ELLIS network. His group collaborates extensively across disciplines, working with researchers in computer science, social sciences, law, and policy to address the multifaceted challenges of developing beneficial AI systems.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Explainability
• +9 more

Lily L. Tsai is the Ford Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and founder/director of the MIT Governance Lab (MIT GOV/LAB). She previously chaired the MIT Faculty and focuses her research on governance, accountability, and political participation in developing contexts, particularly Asia and Africa. Her research explores how decentralization, democratic reforms, informal institutions, and economic development influence public goods provision. She also investigates the dual impacts of social capital and civil society on political outcomes, and analyzes political behavior in authoritarian and transitional systems through surveys, interviews, and field experiments. Recent publications span topics including collective governance, vaccine compliance in Uganda, anticorruption strategies in China, and the role of informal institutions in rural China. Tsai’s work appears in journals like American Political Science Review and World Development . Dogan Award for best book in comparative research (2007-08) She leads interdisciplinary projects such as the Compass Initiative (SHASS Education Innovation Fund) and The Science of Respect with MIT’s Brain and Cognitive Sciences department. MIT GOV/LAB, which she founded in 2014, emphasizes real-time empirical collaboration between researchers and practitioners to address governance challenges.

• Governance
• Accountability
• Political Participation
• +10 more

Manik Varma is a Distinguished Scientist and Vice President at Microsoft Research India, and an Adjunct Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. He is a Fellow of the Indian Academies of Science (IASc, INSA, NASI), the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). He has received prestigious awards such as the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize and Microsoft Gold Star Award. Education : BSc in Physics from St. Stephen's College (David Raja Ram Prize) BA in Theoretical Physics from the University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholar) DPhil in Computer Vision and Machine Learning from the University of Oxford (University Scholar) Post-doctoral Fellow at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), Berkeley Visiting Miller Professor at UC Berkeley His research focuses on Machine Learning (Extreme Classification, Resource-efficient ML, Supervised Learning), Information Retrieval (Computational Advertising, Dense Retrieval, Recommender Systems), and Computer Vision (Image Search, Object Recognition). Recent work includes graph-regularized encoders, label variance reduction, and multimodal classification frameworks. His publications span extreme classification algorithms like NGAME , SiameseXML , and DECAF , with applications in IoT, web search, and recommendation systems. He leads a research group at Microsoft Research India and advises PhD students at IIT Delhi. Scientific Awards : Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (Government of India) Microsoft Gold Star and Achievement Awards WSDM 2019 Best Paper Prize BuildSys 2019 Best Paper Runner-up Fellow of ACM, IASc, INSA, NASI, INAE He has supervised numerous PhD students, including Sonu Mehta and Suchith Prabhu, and collaborates with institutions like Microsoft Research India, IIT Delhi, and UC Berkeley. His research has led to scalable solutions for billion-label classification and resource-constrained IoT applications.

• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Information Retrieval
• +16 more

Martial Hebert serves as the Dean of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, a position he assumed in August 2019. He is the sixth dean to lead the school since its inception in 1988 and holds the title of University Professor of Robotics. Professor Hebert is an active participant in global AI discussions, with an upcoming speaking engagement at the AI and Planet session on May 30, 2024, where he will address "Generative AI and regulation: From local implementations to global standards." Professor Hebert is a leading researcher in the fields of computer vision and robotics. His work has contributed significantly to advancing these disciplines, which are critical components of modern artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. His expertise spans theoretical foundations and practical applications of vision systems and robotic technologies, positioning him as a key figure at the intersection of academic research and real-world AI implementation. As Dean of one of the world's most renowned computer science schools, Hebert oversees a diverse academic community dedicated to innovation and excellence in computing education and research. Under his leadership, the School of Computer Science continues to maintain its position at the forefront of technological advancement and academic achievement in the computing field, while also engaging with critical issues around AI governance and regulation.

• Computer Vision
• Robotics