Herbert Helm Jr. is a Professor of Psychology at Andrews University, affiliated with the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Psychology. He joined the faculty in 1992 with expertise in counseling and assessment. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi (1985) and multiple degrees from Andrews University, including an M.A.T. in Physical Education, an M.A. in Educational & Developmental Psychology, and B.A./B.S. degrees in Religion and Physical Education. Dr. Helm’s research focuses on substance abuse, clinical psychology, and the intersection of religion and mental health. His work explores topics such as alcohol/drug use trends in religious institutions, the impact of conservative religious beliefs on behavior, and forgiveness in trauma contexts. He has also contributed to studies on international public health, adolescent HIV risk behaviors, and mate selection dynamics. His publications span journals like the Journal of Psychology and Christianity and Psychological Reports , with over 30 years of presentations at conferences including the American Psychological Association and American Public Health Association. He has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects and mentored students in research, including poster presentations at national meetings. Professional activities include consultations on topics such as guilt/shame in Japan and food intake among African American girls. His academic contributions reflect a commitment to integrating empirical research with practical applications in mental health and social issues.
Dr. Tracy Smith is an Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) , affiliated with the College of Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences . She co-leads the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and leads the Team IMPACT lab, focusing on tobacco regulatory science to inform FDA policies. Her research spans nicotine reduction strategies, e-cigarettes as harm-reduction tools, and behavioral economics approaches to tobacco control. Education : B.S., College of Charleston Dr. Smith's work examines regulations to reduce combustible tobacco harms, including menthol bans and nicotine level adjustments. She has conducted large-scale clinical trials like ESCAPE (e-cigarette flavoring impact) and MINT (menthol regulation effects). Her research also explores dual-use dynamics and remote clinical trial methodologies. Recent publications analyze e-cigarette flavoring, nicotine pouch usage, and biomarker responses in low-nicotine cigarette trials. She mentors trainees from high school to postdoctoral levels and has secured funding from National Cancer Institute , NIDA , and NIH . Notable awards include the 2020 Jarvik-Russell Early Career Award for nicotine research contributions. Scientific Awards : Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Jarvik-Russell Early Career Award (2020) Dr. Smith's lab, Team IMPACT , collaborates with Dr. Matthew Carpenter on studies like ADAPT (adaptive cessation treatments) and Switch or Quit (e-cigarette vs. medication efficacy). She has mentored alumni now in academia, including Dr. Margaret Fahey (Middle Tennessee State University) and Dr. Bryan Heckman (Meharry Medical College).
Dr. Susan Main is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University (ECU), specializing in inclusive and special education, literacy intervention, and teacher professional learning. She holds a PhD in Education (2014) from ECU, alongside a Master of Education (2007) and a Bachelor of Education (1989), also from ECU. Her research focuses on instructional coaching, effective literacy pedagogy, classroom management, and technology-enhanced learning. Dr. Main is actively involved in professional associations such as the Institute of Special Educators (InSpEd) and the Australian Association of Special Education (AASE), serving as WA President and National Council Member. Her work emphasizes collaborative projects with global and local partners to improve educational practices for diverse learners. Notable grants include the AASE Research Award (2024–2026) and projects addressing literacy in regional schools and home-educated gifted students. Dr. Main’s research has been published in journals like Disability and Society and Journal of Teacher Education . Key achievements include advancing inclusive education policies, leading impactful interventions for struggling readers, and validating classroom management tools for pre-service teachers. Her grants include $178k for the Kimberley Literacy Project and $55k for multisensory storytelling initiatives. Dr. Main supervises doctoral research on topics like twice-exceptional students and autism advocacy, reflecting her commitment to equitable education. Grants: Over $500k in funded projects since 2008, including literacy interventions and inclusive practices. Awards: AASE Research Award (2024), recognition for her contributions to special education. Collaborations: Partnerships with Foodbank WA, Sensorium Theatre, and international institutions like the Seychelles Ministry of Education. Her research labs focus on bridging theory and practice through innovative pedagogical strategies, with a particular emphasis on leveraging technology and data-driven approaches to enhance learning outcomes for marginalized groups.
Dr. Ann DeSmet is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at Ghent University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. With a PhD completed in 2015 on adolescent bystander behavior in cyberbullying and serious digital games for health promotion, she has established herself as a leading researcher in digital health interventions for adolescent populations. Her research primarily focuses on cyberbullying prevention and physical activity promotion through innovative digital approaches. Dr. DeSmet specializes in developing and evaluating serious games, exergames, and mobile health applications designed to encourage healthy behaviors among youth. Her work examines user engagement, behavior change techniques, and the effectiveness of digital interventions across diverse adolescent populations. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in evaluating digital health tools, with particular emphasis on validation studies for activity trackers, systematic reviews of serious games, and cluster-randomized controlled trials of narrative-driven exergames. Her research spans multiple disciplines including public health, behavioral science, computer science, and psychology, demonstrating interdisciplinary approach to health promotion. Dr. DeSmet has supervised PhD students including Ayla Schwarz (2019) and Carmen Peuters (2022), indicating her active role in mentoring the next generation of researchers. She maintains extensive collaborations with colleagues at Ghent University, particularly with Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij (45 co-authored publications), Greet Cardon (18), and Geert Crombez (11). Her research has been supported through multiple projects including the SmartLife initiative, which combines exergames and smart textiles to promote energy-related behaviors among adolescents. She has also contributed to large-scale international studies examining adolescent health behaviors across multiple countries.
Sonia Hélie is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work (École de travail social) within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the University of Montreal, and a researcher at the Institut universitaire Jeunes en difficulté (IUJD). Her work focuses on youth protection, child maltreatment epidemiology, and placement trajectories of children in care. She has led major studies such as the Quebec Incidence Study on situations investigated by child protection services (Étude d’incidence québécoise) and the evaluation of the impact of Quebec’s Youth Protection Law. Education: Bachelor's in Psychology (1993, Université Laval) Master's in Psychology (1995, Université Laval) Ph.D. in Psychology (2005, Université du Québec à Montréal) Research Interests: Dr. Hélie’s research examines child protection system dynamics, including the epidemiology of maltreatment, placement stability in substitute care, and recurrent involvement in child protection services. Her work emphasizes evidence-based policy development and informing stakeholders through empirical data. Grants & Projects: Leading the Quebec Incidence Study (2019–2024, funded by MSSS and Public Health Agency of Canada) Study on placement stability for children in kinship care (CRSH-funded) Analysis of recurrent maltreatment cases (2019–2024) Impact evaluation of Quebec’s Youth Protection Law (MSSS-funded) Labs & Affiliations: Institut universitaire Jeunes en difficulté (IUJD) CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Centre Jeunesse de Montréal
Elizabeth Heitman, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with expertise in medical ethics, biomedical ethics, and public health ethics. She holds secondary appointments in the Department of Applied Clinical Research and the O’Donnell School of Public Health. Her primary focus is on international research ethics standards, responsible conduct of research (RCR), and ethics education. Dr. Heitman teaches RCR and research ethics at the Center for Translational Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and leads ethics education grants funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Fogarty International Center. She has been a National Associate of the U.S. National Research Council and has led multiple National Academy of Sciences programs in research integrity education across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Her work includes advising on gene drive technology ethics, healthcare disparities, and global health equity. Dr. Heitman’s career spans roles at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the University of Texas School of Public Health, and as a clinical ethicist in Houston-area hospitals. Her research emphasizes cross-cultural ethics, ethical challenges in global health, and institutional ethics governance. Recent publications address gene drive technology governance, RCR education models, and ethical issues in HIV care in low-income countries. She has pioneered frameworks for community-engaged research ethics and CV verification in academic settings.
Zhen Ye is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business. His research focuses on corporate finance, innovation/entrepreneurship, sustainability, and labor-finance intersections. He holds a PhD in Finance from the University of Maryland, MS in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and BS in Economics and Mathematics from The Ohio State University. Education: PhD in Finance, University of Maryland (2024) MS in Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2015) BS in Economics and Mathematics, The Ohio State University (2013) Research explores topics like green innovation impacts of bank divestment and how parental income volatility influences entrepreneurial choices. He has presented at conferences such as the Swedish House of Finance and Berkeley Haas. His work has been recognized with awards including the Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship (2023) and Graduate School Summer Research Fellowship (2022). Teaching includes roles at the University of Maryland, and he has extensive research experience across institutions including Uppsala University and Princeton University. His technical skills span Stata, Python, and GIS tools. He holds U.S. Census Bureau Special Sworn Status since 2023.
Evelyn Behar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Hunter College, CUNY , affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on anxiety disorders, transdiagnostic factors, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. PhD : Clinical Psychology, Penn State University Research Interests: Anxiety disorders and comorbidity Transdiagnostic processes (worry, repetitive negative thinking) Emotion regulation and cognitive control Menopause-related mental health Experimental psychopathology approaches Psychotherapy outcome and process research Recent Publication Trends: Recent work explores worry-sleep interactions, pandemic-related stress mechanisms, age beliefs in menopause, and cognitive control in anxiety disorders. She investigates transdiagnostic processes across various anxiety and depressive syndromes using daily process methodology and experimental designs. Contact: Hunter College, Psychology Department 68th Street North 734 (212) 396-6301
Eveline Crone is a Professor of Neurocognitive Developmental Psychology at Leiden University (2009–present) and holds a special appointment as Professor of Neurocognitive and Affective Adolescent Development at the University of Amsterdam (2009–present). She chairs Leiden's Department of Developmental Psychology and founded the Brain and Development Laboratory. Education: Master's (1999) and PhD (2003) from University of Amsterdam Postdoctoral: University of California, Davis (2003–2005) Her research focuses on adolescent brain development, particularly: Cognitive control and decision-making mechanisms Neurocognitive and affective development Risk-taking and social perspective-taking Functional neuroimaging of school-aged children and adolescents Publications from 2004–2012 span neuroscience, developmental psychology, and cognitive science, with sub-fields including longitudinal neuroimaging, reward sensitivity, fairness processing, and social cognition in adolescence. Scientific honors include: Membership in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2013) ERC Starting Grant (2010) National awards (Huibregtsen, Heymans, Ruigrok) Early Career Awards (2011) She has secured over €5 million in competitive grants (NWO, ERC, ESF) and authored two popular science books on adolescent brain development, including Het sociale brein van de puber (2012) and Het puberende brein (2008). Her lab combines academic research with public outreach via media appearances and lectures.
Steven Stillman is a Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Washington (2000) and previously served as a Professor at the University of Otago, New Zealand. His research focuses on empirical labor economics, public policy, and migration, examining how government policies influence individual and household behavior. Key areas include migration's impact on families, voting behavior, minimum wage effects, and healthcare policy. He teaches Advanced Quantitative Methods, Labor Economics, and Public Economics at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His work often employs quasi-experimental methods, with notable contributions on migration lotteries and policy evaluation. Research interests span labor markets, health economics, political decision-making, and development economics. Recent studies analyze refugee integration dynamics, populism drivers, and the obesity epidemic's economic roots. His articles emphasize policy relevance, using rigorous methodologies to assess real-world impacts. Though no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his extensive publication record and methodological contributions highlight academic impact. He advises students but no specific advisee list is provided. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, addressing complex issues like pandemic policy responses and socioeconomic inequality.
Ketil Lenert Hansen is a Professor at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway , affiliated with the Research Group for Child Welfare and Family Counselling under the College of Social Sciences . His work focuses on Sámi health and identity , mental health among Indigenous populations , and impacts of ethnic discrimination on psychosocial well-being. Research Leadership: Principal Investigator of the Mihá Study (Sámi Youth Mental Health) and Arctic Childhood Study (violence and health in Arctic Norway). Academic Contributions: Published extensively on Indigenous resilience , historical trauma , and cultural well-being in Sámi communities. Recent Articles (2024-2025) examine: Links between land use , cultural identity , and neuroethical frameworks in Indigenous contexts Psychosocial challenges faced by Sámi youth due to discrimination and assimilation policies Health disparities and resilience mechanisms in Arctic populations Scientific Recognition: Selected for the Fulbright Arctic Initiative Cohort 3 (2021-23) Featured speaker at the ISPCAN Congress 2024 Member of international networks: UArctic Thematic Network on Indigenous Health , InvolveMENT (mental health services for minority youth) Contact: ketil.lenert.hansen@uit.no
Prof. Ferenc Ihász is a Professor in the Department of Sport Sciences at the Institute of Sport Sciences at Szombathely, part of Eötvös Loránd University. His research focuses on functional fitness interventions for aging populations, sports performance metrics, and psychological aspects of physical activity. He serves on the Research Ethics Committee and is affiliated with the Terhelésélettani Labor (Load Physiology Lab). His work spans exercise physiology, gerontology, and sports medicine, with a particular emphasis on optimizing physical activity programs for older adults and elite athletes. Research interests include motor performance analysis in athletes like rowers, volleyball players, and motocross riders, as well as mental health correlates of exercise. He investigates the interplay between physical activity and psychological resilience, particularly in mitigating fall risks among seniors. His studies also address pandemic-era impacts on youth physical activity and the physiological effects of supplements like citrulline malate in high-intensity sports. Prof. Ihász has contributed to establishing standardized exercise testing protocols (e.g., 12-minute Cooper Test adaptations) and has explored anthropometric profiles of Hungarian athletes across various disciplines. His lab work examines spinal health in adolescents and the long-term effects of sports training on physiological and psychomotor characteristics.
Dr. Man E. Charurat is a Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine with primary appointment in the Department of Medicine and secondary appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health. He serves as the Division Director for Global Health Sciences, Global Director of the Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (Ciheb), and Division Head of both Global Health Sciences within the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and Epidemiology and Prevention at the Institute of Human Virology (IHV). Dr. Charurat earned his BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington, followed by an MHS in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and PhD in International Health from Johns Hopkins University. His academic progression at the University of Maryland includes Assistant Professor (2004-2010) and Associate Professor (2010-2016) appointments in both Medicine and Epidemiology, before becoming a tenured Professor of Medicine in 2016. Dr. Charurat's research focuses on critical areas of HIV/AIDS, including maternal-infant HIV transmission, key and vulnerable populations, implementation science, HIV surveillance, and transmission dynamics. His work extends to HIV program implementation, health systems strengthening, and the intersection of HIV with other conditions such as non-communicable diseases. As a global health leader, he has established vibrant centers of excellence across Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, and Tanzania that conduct public health implementation and clinical research in infectious diseases and cancer control. Analysis of Dr. Charurat's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on HIV prevention strategies among key populations in Africa, particularly sexual and gender minorities in Nigeria. His work spans epidemiological studies, implementation science, and health systems research, with a growing focus on the intersection of HIV with non-communicable diseases and mental health. Notably, his research increasingly addresses health disparities, stigma, and social determinants of health that impact HIV outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Charurat serves on numerous national and international committees including the NIH AIDS and Clinical and Epidemiology Review Panel, the World Bank-funded Center of Excellence in Public Health and Maternal-child Health, and the International AIDS Society. His contributions to the field have positioned him as a leading expert in HIV implementation research in resource-limited settings. As a mentor, Dr. Charurat has guided many African researchers who now hold important positions in universities and government agencies across Africa. He is Principal Investigator for over $200 million in grant funding from the U.S. NIH and CDC for research and training in sub-Saharan Africa. His current major grants include the NIH UG1HD113162 RISE Clinical Research Center, NIH U01CA275048 Botswana Smoking Abstinence Trial, and NIH D43TW012274 Integrated Networks of Scholars in Global Health Research Training. Through the Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (Ciheb) and the Institute of Human Virology, Dr. Charurat leads multidisciplinary teams conducting impactful research across Africa. His centers of excellence model has proven effective in building sustainable research capacity while addressing pressing public health challenges related to HIV, infectious diseases, and health systems strengthening.
Dr. Alfredo Palacios is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Coordinator in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of New Mexico, where he also completed his M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and B.A. in Sociology. As a practicing clinician, he specializes in person-centered existential counseling for adults and youth. His research examines social-emotional learning and mindfulness interventions for at-risk youth, while critically examining existential and humanistic theories for broader applicability across diverse populations. Current investigations focus on adapting therapeutic frameworks for multicultural contexts and ethical challenges in counseling practice. Dr. Palacios hosts the Theory of Change Podcast exploring sociological and philosophical dimensions of helping professions. His scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on existential-humanistic applications across counseling contexts, with recent work emphasizing cultural responsiveness and mindfulness-based approaches. Awards/Honors: Humanistic Educator/Supervisor Award (2020), Association for Humanistic Counseling Editorial Contributions: Guest Editor (Existentialism Special Issue), Journal of Humanistic Counseling Associate Editor (2018-Present), Journal of Humanistic Counseling
Dr. Alex Anderson is a Professor of Foods and Nutrition in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia (UGA), with a joint appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the College of Public Health. He holds a B.Sc. and MPhil from the University of Ghana, and an MPH and Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on maternal and infant nutrition, breastfeeding promotion, community health interventions, and body composition analysis in vulnerable populations. Dr. Anderson leads the Ghana Summer Service-Learning Program, providing nutrition and health education in deprived communities. He also collaborates with the Athens Pregnancy Center to support breastfeeding education for pregnant women. His teaching emphasizes applying nutritional science to real-world scenarios, fostering student engagement through case studies and service-learning. His career highlights include tenure at UGA, student mentorship, and the transformative impact of his Ghana program on students' global perspectives. Dr. Anderson’s work bridges public health, anthropology, and sociology, addressing cultural nuances in nutrition practices. He actively participates in peer review processes across multiple journals, reflecting his commitment to advancing nutritional science. Outside academia, he prioritizes family life and community service, particularly in Ghana, where he conducts health screenings and education initiatives. His interdisciplinary approach integrates quantitative research with qualitative insights to address complex health challenges in diverse settings.
