Jeffrey DeSimone is a Professor of the Practice of Economics and Director of the Duke Economic Analytics Lab (DEAL) at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences since 2022. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University (1998). His research focuses on policy evaluation, particularly examining impacts of legal age restrictions on alcohol/tobacco use, gun control legislation, mental health outcomes linked to social security policies, and socioeconomic factors influencing crime and public health. Notable projects include studying suicide rate reductions tied to retirement age policies and analyzing the efficacy of child access prevention laws for reducing gun injuries. DeSimone has taught courses in econometrics, data science, and independent research at Duke, and previously held academic positions at institutions like the University of South Florida, University of Maryland, and University of Iowa. His work combines econometric rigor with real-world policy applications, addressing issues like substance abuse economics, labor market disparities after trauma, and institutional behaviors in higher education settings. His research portfolio includes over 20 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as the American Economic Review, Contemporary Economic Policy, and Journal of Health Economics. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his work demonstrates significant contributions to applied economics with direct policy relevance. The DEAL lab under his direction focuses on innovative analytical approaches to pressing social and economic questions.
R. Lorraine Collins, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior and the Associate Dean for Research at the University at Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP). Her research focuses on cognitive and behavioral approaches to addictive behaviors, particularly among emerging and young adults. She is a leading expert in drinking restraint theory and has pioneered methodologies like ecological momentary assessment using cell phones for real-time data collection. Collins holds a PhD and has been affiliated with UB’s Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) since 1998. Her work emphasizes translational research with direct community impact, aiming to inform prevention and treatment programs for substance use disorders. Key contributions include developing the Temptation and Restraint Inventory (TRI), the Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ), and the self-administered Timeline Follow-Back (S-TLFB) procedure. Collaborations span multiple disciplines, including pediatrics and biomedical sciences, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary solutions. Her NIH-funded research explores physical activity and marijuana use, leveraging expertise from diverse departments. Collins advocates for evidence-based interventions to address substance abuse across populations, emphasizing the societal relevance of her work in Western New York and beyond. Her awards and recognitions are tied to her contributions to addiction science, though specific prizes are not listed in the text. Her research has been widely cited in academic journals across psychology, public health, and behavioral medicine.
Dr. Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri. Her research focuses on media effects, media psychology, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality, AI, and social media. She examines how media influences identity, health, and prosocial behavior, with a particular emphasis on marginalized groups and counter-narratives. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Arizona. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on media theory, persuasion, and new technologies. Behm-Morawitz serves on editorial boards for Communication Monographs, Communication Studies, and Journal of Media Psychology, reflecting her leadership in the field. Her work spans multiple platforms, analyzing media's impact on body image, gender roles, and environmental attitudes through innovative frameworks like mediated counter-narratives. Her research highlights the intersection of technology and societal issues, such as using virtual reality for environmental advocacy or exploring how beauty filters affect self-perception. She also investigates media's role in shaping racial/ethnic identities and addressing diversity through education programs. Despite no listed awards or grants in the text, her prolific publication record and editorial roles underscore her significant contributions to media studies.
Dr. Laura Parfrey is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Botany and Zoology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Science. She is affiliated with the Biodiversity Research Centre, where her research focuses on microbial ecology of eukaryotic microbes (protists) and their interactions with bacteria in marine and mammalian ecosystems. Her research spans two primary areas: (1) the gut microbiome of mammals, investigating the consequences of microbial diversity loss and (2) coastal ecosystems in British Columbia, studying microbial colonization of marine hosts (e.g., invertebrates, seaweed) and their impact on host and ecosystem health. The Parfrey Lab employs experimental and descriptive approaches to understand microbial community dynamics under environmental stressors like salinity changes and anthropogenic impacts. Key research trends in her articles include microbial responses to abiotic stress, disease dynamics in kelp/seagrass, and the interplay between prenatal alcohol exposure and immune/gut microbiota changes. Her work bridges marine and terrestrial microbiology, emphasizing ecological and evolutionary processes. Dr. Parfrey’s lab actively collaborates on projects such as the AFRIBIOTA initiative, addressing gut microbiome and health outcomes in African populations. While no awards are explicitly listed, her contributions to microbial diversity research are recognized through high-profile collaborations and publications. Advising and grants: No formal student advisees are listed, but the lab participates in training programs via the Biodiversity Research Centre. Grant details are not provided in the text. Labs/teams: The Parfrey Lab is based in the Department of Botany, UBC, and contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the Biodiversity Research Centre.
Shoshanna Fine, PhD, is an Assistant Research Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Department of Mental Health. Her work focuses on mental health and psychosocial development among marginalized and culturally diverse populations globally, particularly adolescents in adversity. She leads the Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS), investigating gender socialization impacts in low-resource urban environments across five continents. Education: PhD in Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2020) MPH in Public Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2016) AB in Liberal Arts, Harvard College (2010) Research Interests: Mental health in conflict/displacement settings Violence and substance use interrelationships Culturally appropriate interventions in low-resource contexts Gender socialization's impact on adolescent health Awards: 2021 Charles E. Irwin New Investigator Award 2020 Alberta B. Szalita Award Multiple fellowships including Harvard's Center for Public Interest Careers (2010) Key Projects: GEAS, UNHCR mental health tracking, Burundian refugee adolescent interventions, and multi-country studies on emotional/behavioral problems. Active in Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya, Zambia, and Papua New Guinea.
Elizabeth Ellen Epstein, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School, with her primary appointment in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She maintains a robust research program focused specifically on women with alcohol use disorder and related behavioral health conditions. Education: BA in Psychology from Clark University, Worcester, MA MS in Psychology from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT Dr. Epstein's research focuses on gender-specific treatment approaches for alcohol use disorder, with particular emphasis on women's health, cognitive behavioral therapy adaptations, couple and family interventions, and mechanisms of change in treatment. Her work frequently examines the unique needs of women veterans and how physiological factors like menstrual cycle phase impact treatment outcomes. She has pioneered research on female-specific cognitive behavioral therapy protocols and their comparative effectiveness against standard approaches. Analyzing her recent publication history reveals a strong focus on gender-specific treatment mechanisms, with increasing attention to digital health interventions and co-occurring disorders. Her research has evolved from foundational work on classification of drinking patterns to sophisticated investigations of treatment mechanisms, with consistent emphasis on women's health across her career. Recent work shows expansion into veteran populations and integration of physiological measures with behavioral outcomes. Dr. Epstein has collaborated extensively with researchers including Bruce McCrady, Katie Hallgren, and Christine Holzhauer on numerous clinical trials examining alcohol treatment efficacy. Her work has been consistently funded through NIH mechanisms, supporting both clinical trials and methodological innovations in measuring treatment processes. She maintains active research collaborations with the Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education at the VA Boston Healthcare System, with particular focus on women veterans. Her laboratory has developed specialized protocols for gender-specific cognitive behavioral therapy and has contributed significantly to understanding how treatment mechanisms differ for women compared to men with alcohol use disorders.
Daniel Nemser is an Associate Professor of Spanish at the University of Michigan, specializing in colonial Latin American studies. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (2011). His research focuses on race, materiality, political economy, and indigenous studies/Nahuatl within the context of Spanish colonialism. Nemser is affiliated with the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and serves on the LACS Faculty and Brazil Initiative Advisory Committee. His first book, Infrastructures of Race: Concentration and Biopolitics in Colonial Mexico (2017), examines how spatial concentration techniques shaped racial categories and colonial governance. Current research explores the colonial history of logistics through road networks in 16th-century Mexico. Nemser's work bridges historical analysis with critical theories of race, capitalism, and colonial spatiality. Recent publications include contributions to Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies , History of the Present , and Colonial Latin American Review , addressing topics like the Iberian slave trade, racialization processes, and archival methodologies. His scholarship emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to colonial history.
Matthew McGue is a **Regents Professor** in the Department of Psychology at the **University of Minnesota**, with a guest professor position at the **University of Southern Denmark's Department of Epidemiology**. He specializes in **behavioral genetics**, focusing on **substance use disorders** and **aging processes**. His research leverages long-term studies like the **Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS)** and **Danish Studies on Aging**. **Educational Background**: Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota (1981). **Research Interests**: Behavioral genetics, individual differences, quantitative psychology, aging, and substance abuse. He investigates genetic contributions to substance use disorders, aging mechanisms, and the interplay between genes and environment in human traits. **Publications**: Over 150 articles on topics like cannabis use effects, personality genetics, and twin studies. Recent work examines recreational cannabis legalization impacts and genetic influences on educational achievement. **Awards/Grants**: Not explicitly listed in provided texts. **Labs/Teams**: Co-director of the **Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research**. Collaborates internationally on aging studies in Denmark.
Wilhelm Skoglund is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics, Geography, Law and Tourism at Mid Sweden University, based in Östersund. He serves as the contact person for the international master's program in Sustainable Food City Design and is affiliated with the ETOUR research center, focusing on tourism and regional development through cultural and creative industries. His research centers on sustainable food systems, rural development through cultural and creative industries, and gastronomy tourism. He investigates how local food systems drive entrepreneurship, the role of craft breweries in place development, and the integration of UNESCO Creative Cities Network in sustainable regional strategies. His work emphasizes practical applications for Northern Swedish contexts while addressing global sustainability challenges. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong interdisciplinary trends at the tourism-food-sustainability nexus, with consistent focus on Northern Swedish case studies. His work examines local food industry dynamics, public procurement for environmental sustainability, and cultural dimensions of gastronomy in rural development, often highlighting community-driven approaches and networked governance models. Skoglund leads collaborative research projects including 'Enhancing Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas through Local Food Systems' and KKN initiatives on cultural industries. These projects involve multi-institutional partnerships focused on practical regional development applications, particularly in Östersund and Sundsvall. As an active member of the ETOUR research center, he contributes to academic discourse on tourism-driven regional development while mentoring through the Sustainable Food City Design master's program, bridging theoretical research with tangible community impact.
Dr. Robin Tucker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Since 2016 she has led an interdisciplinary research program that explores how insufficient or poor-quality sleep influences nutrition-related health outcomes, sensory perception, and eating behaviors. She teaches courses such as Medical Nutrition Therapy I and Advanced Clinical Nutrition and co-directs community outreach initiatives including the SLeep Education for Everyone Program (SLEEP) with MSU Extension. Education PhD, Nutrition Science (concentration: Ingestive Behavior), Purdue University (2014) MS, Nutritional Science, California State University, Los Angeles (2005) BA, Political Science, Creighton University Research Focus Dr. Tucker’s work sits at the intersection of sleep science, sensory physiology, and behavioral nutrition. Her primary research agenda investigates: How chronic short sleep or poor sleep quality alters taste perception (sweet, salt) and subsequent dietary choices. The mediating role of sleep in the relationship between stress, financial hardship, and diet quality among college students. Development and testing of scalable, behavior-based sleep education interventions for diverse populations ranging from university students to older adults. Methodologically, her team combines controlled laboratory studies of taste function, large-scale multinational surveys, community-based intervention trials, and systematic reviews. Publications at a Glance Over the past five years Dr. Tucker has published more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Her recent work clusters into three thematic areas: (1) systematic reviews and meta-analyses linking taste function, dietary intake, and chronic disease; (2) multi-country studies examining sleep–diet interactions among higher-education students during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) translational intervention research evaluating the efficacy of sleep education programs for older adults. These studies consistently highlight how even modest sleep curtailment can modulate chemosensory function, appetite regulation, and ultimately dietary risk. Honors & Awards 2022 – Senior-authored paper featured in Wiley’s Research Headlines 2020 – Teacher-Scholar Award, MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition 2020 – Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year nominee, Michigan State University 2020 – You Belong Here Champion nominee, MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 2020 – Outstanding Dietetic Educator nominee, Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2018 – Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND) Advising & Community Outreach Dr. Tucker mentors a vibrant team of graduate and undergraduate researchers, many of whom appear as co-authors on her publications. She collaborates with MSU Extension to deliver the evidence-based SLEEP program to community groups, and her lab regularly engages campus and public stakeholders through workshops, webinars, and continuing-education events for dietitians. Facilities & Collaborations Her research leverages the MSU Sensory Evaluation Center , Experimental Foods Laboratory , and institutional partnerships with the Center for Research on Ingredient Safety and the Institute for Integrative Toxicology , enabling cutting-edge studies on taste physiology, dietary assessment, and community intervention delivery.
Roles and Affiliations: Diana R Silver is the Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs and a Professor of Public Health Policy and Management at New York University’s School of Global Health. She holds a BA in History from Bates College, an MPH in Health Education from Hunter College, and a PhD in Public Administration from NYU. Her research focuses on the implementation and impact of public health policies, particularly addressing alcohol consumption, motor vehicle crashes, tobacco use, food safety, and access to healthcare services. She has been funded by entities like the NIH and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Research Interests: Dr. Silver’s work explores policy effectiveness, including alcohol-impaired driving penalties, overdose mortality linked to fiscal policies, and firearm regulations. Her analyses often emphasize structural inequities, such as how policing expenditures correlate with overdose deaths or how social vulnerability affects healthcare access. She also investigates medication shortages and their sociodemographic impacts, as well as disparities in Medicare Advantage plan enrollment. Publications & Grants: Over 40 peer-reviewed articles highlight her contributions to public health policy, spanning journals like the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and Social Science & Medicine. Her research frequently employs innovative methods, such as fiscal analysis and latent class modeling. She has been an associate editor for the American Journal of Health Promotion since 2020. Awards & Recognition: Recipient of NYU’s Distinguished Teaching Award (2015), Steinhardt Goddard Award (2011), and others. Her work bridges academia and practice, influencing policies on overdose prevention, firearm safety, and healthcare equity.
Dr. Zoe Walter is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, with affiliations to multiple research centers including the National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, Social Identity and Groups Network (SIGN), and the Centre for Health Outcomes, Innovation and Clinical Education (CHOICE). PhD in Psychology (UQ, 2017) Bachelor (Honours) of Psychological Science (UQ, 2011) Her research focuses on substance use disorders, trauma-informed care, social identity theory, and mental health interventions for university students and homeless populations. She has developed innovative programs like Sharper Minds for student mental health and trauma-informed models for residential treatment facilities. Recent work analyzes polysubstance use patterns, pandemic impacts on student mental health, and social network interventions to reduce alcohol consumption. She explores how social identification enhances therapeutic outcomes and informs public health strategies. UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund (2023) Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (2019-2021) Commonwealth Department of Social Services (2017-2018) Dr. Walter supervises PhD candidates in topics including loneliness in rural cancer survivors, PIED use determinants, and psychosocial recovery after brain injury. She contributes to open data policy critiques and mental health demonstration projects.
Stephen John CHARTERS is a Professor in the Wine & Spirits Department at Burgundy School of Business (BSB), where he is affiliated with the School of Wine & Spirits. His academic work focuses on wine business, marketing, and cultural aspects of wine consumption, with particular expertise in terroir studies and wine tourism. His research interests span multiple dimensions of wine business and consumer behavior. Charters examines how cultural contexts shape wine consumption patterns, the role of terroir in consumer perception, and the evolving dynamics of wine markets globally. His work frequently investigates how historical traditions interact with contemporary consumer preferences, particularly across different cultural contexts. He has conducted significant research on wine tourism development, especially in lesser-known regions, and how geographical reputation impacts consumer choices and market positioning. His recent work has increasingly focused on sustainability in wine consumption and the psychological factors influencing drinking behaviors. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on cross-cultural comparisons, particularly examining how Old World and New World wine markets interact and influence each other. His research methodology often combines qualitative approaches with consumer surveys to understand the complex relationship between geographical indications, brand authenticity, and consumer preferences. There's a noticeable trend toward examining how traditional wine concepts like terroir apply beyond wine to other products like cheese, demonstrating conceptual innovation in his field. Professor Charters has been actively involved in major academic conferences including the Academy of Wine Business Research (AWBR), European Association of Wine Economists (EuAWE), and American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE), where he frequently presents his research findings and participates in academic discussions shaping the field. His academic contributions include co-authoring The Routledge Handbook of Wine and Culture (2022), which represents a significant scholarly contribution to understanding the intersection of wine and cultural studies. He has also co-authored books including Wine Business Management and Economie et management du vin, establishing himself as a leading authority in wine business education. Charters maintains an active research program with collaborators across multiple countries, as evidenced by his international co-authorship patterns. His work frequently appears in leading journals such as Journal of Wine Research, International Journal of Wine Business Research, and Wine Economics and Policy, demonstrating his standing within the academic community.
Sharon Reif is Professor at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management, with over 25 years of experience in health services research related to substance use disorder treatment systems. As Co-Director of the NIDA-funded Brandeis-Harvard SPIRE Center, she leads NIH studies on opioid addiction systems, SUD recovery measurement, and alcohol recovery pathways in Detroit's Black population. Her research examines treatment access, quality, delivery, outcomes, and recovery supports. Reif's work addresses the intersection of substance use with disabilities, pain, chronic conditions, and stigma. She serves as Deputy Director of the NIAAA doctoral training program and received the 2017 Heller Mentoring Award and 2024 AMERSA Best Abstract Runner-up. Her recent publications focus on medication access for opioid/alcohol disorders, disability-related treatment disparities, and recovery outcome measurement.
Dr. Jay I. Sinha is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University. He specializes in globalization strategies, brand management, and consumer behavior in emerging markets like India. Dr. Sinha has held leadership roles including Chairperson of the Fox Faculty Assembly (2007-2008), Faculty Development Committee, and Master’s Programs Committee. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the Ross School at the University of Michigan. His research explores intersections between global branding, cultural dynamics, and digital marketing trends. Notable works include studies on Johnnie Walker's success in India, the Indian Premier League's global branding, and Supreme's meme-like cultural impact. He has been featured in major media outlets including CNN and The Wall Street Journal. Teaching excellence is central to his career, having won multiple awards for his instruction in Consumer Behavior courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His work bridges academic rigor with real-world applications in brand strategy and market innovation.
