Cy Rangel is an Adjunct Professor at Purdue University, affiliated with the Construction Management department. He holds a B.S. in Construction Management (1983) and an M.S. in Construction Management (2017), both from Purdue University. With 39 years of experience, he has held roles spanning Field Engineer to Vice President across diverse sectors including healthcare, senior living, and retail construction. Currently, he serves as Project Management Lead for Purdue University Capital Asset Management. His professional experience includes managing over 4.5 million square feet of projects across multiple U.S. states and Germany. Teaching expertise covers Project Management, Construction Management, Concrete, Soils, and Senior Capstone courses. Notable projects include major healthcare facilities and complex renovation work in Chicago and beyond. Research interests focus on design-assist methodologies in construction, as evidenced by his 2017 thesis. His career highlights include leadership roles at global firms and extensive international project experience.
Jina Kang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , with an affiliate appointment at the Siebel Center for Design . Her research focuses on immersive technology-supported learning environments , collaborative problem-solving dynamics , and educational data mining for understanding multimodal engagement in science education. Recent publications examine embodied cognition in STEM through gesture-based learning simulations, joint attention dynamics in astronomy VR environments, and systematic reviews of immersive technology applications in collaborative education. Her work integrates XR platforms , Bayesian knowledge tracing , and multimodal behavioral analysis to enhance science learning outcomes. She teaches graduate courses including CI 539: Introduction to Educational Data Mining and CI 489: Educational Technology Capstone Course , where students develop technology-supported learning activities using studio-based approaches.
Greg Harrington is a Professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, College of Engineering. His work focuses on drinking water treatment and distribution systems, including pathogen removal, disinfectant decay modeling, and energy efficiency improvements. He has contributed to regulatory frameworks and industry partnerships, notably aiding Madison Water Utility in operational enhancements. PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997) MS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1987) BS, Chemical Engineering, Stanford University (1984) Research interests span waterborne pathogen removal , disinfectant decay modeling , energy use reduction , and water loss mitigation . Recent publications emphasize mathematical modeling of disinfection processes, microbial community analysis , and pedagogical innovations in environmental engineering education. 2021 AWWA Water Science Best Paper Award 2020 Harvey Spangler Award for Innovative Teaching 1999 NSF CAREER Award Multiple AWWA and university-level teaching and research recognitions Harrington has integrated professional engineers and community partners into curricula, influencing national capstone design standards. His service includes leadership roles at Madison Water Utility and the Pieper Family Foundation Endowment for Servant Leadership.
Dr. Yurie Hong is Associate Professor of Classics and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she also serves as a dedicated educator and mentor. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a B.A. from UCLA. Her interdisciplinary work bridges classical antiquity with contemporary social issues, particularly in the areas of gender, reproduction, and civic responsibility. Ph.D., University of Washington, Seattle M.A., University of Washington, Seattle B.A., University of California, Los Angeles Her research focuses on ancient Greek representations of pregnancy, childbirth, and gender roles, exploring how these themes inform both ancient and modern identities. She is particularly interested in how ancient medical and literary texts conceptualize the maternal-fetal relationship and how motherhood was experienced by women of different social statuses in classical Athens. Her teaching reflects this interdisciplinary engagement, connecting Greek literature and historiography to modern questions of trauma, identity, and justice. Dr. Hong’s scholarly work spans ancient medicine, mythology, gender studies, and pedagogy. Her recent publications examine topics such as gender violence in antiquity, the intersection of biology and classical studies, and the relevance of ancient democracy to modern civic life. She emphasizes narrative analysis and close reading, especially in original Greek texts, to foster deep student engagement. Among her notable recognitions is her role as Chair of the 2017 Nobel Conference, highlighting her leadership in academic discourse. She is also deeply committed to social justice, leading community initiatives on inclusion and democratic values. Dr. Hong advises numerous students, supervising honors theses and capstone projects. She has collaborated across disciplines, notably with Biology, through the Möbius Initiative, to integrate classical and scientific perspectives on reproduction. Her mentorship extends beyond the classroom into community activism and civic education. She is actively involved in building interdisciplinary connections across campus and in the wider community, emphasizing that ideas must take root in individuals to effect real-world change. Her work exemplifies the transformative power of the humanities in addressing contemporary challenges.
Patrick Christie is a Professor at the University of Washington's School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) with a joint appointment in the Jackson School of International Studies. His research focuses at the intersection of environmental justice, sustainability science, and marine conservation, emphasizing Indigenous leadership in environmental recovery across the Salish Sea and Great Lakes regions. His research interests center on justice-centered environmental governance, with particular focus on Indigenous-led environmental recovery , petroleum infrastructure resistance movements , and tribal rights in marine resource management . Christie employs participatory action research and digital storytelling methods, working closely with communities like the Tulalip Tribes and Puyallup Chief Leschi Schools to develop collaborative approaches that integrate local, Indigenous, and scientific knowledge systems. His work challenges technocratic approaches to conservation by centering social justice and equity. Christie's recent publications reveal a strong trend toward transdisciplinary collaboration and decolonizing conservation practices , with increasing emphasis on Indigenous knowledge systems, social justice frameworks, and participatory governance models. His work spans marine protected areas, climate adaptation, and coastal community resilience, with significant focus on the Philippines, Indonesia, and North American Indigenous communities. Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation Christie actively mentors students through SMEA capstone projects and co-teaches specialized courses like Environmental Justice and Political Ecology Field Course and Environmental Justice, Social Movements, and Collaboration in the Time of Climate Change . His research is supported by collaborations with organizations including Future Earth, Painel Mar (Brazil), and tribal governments. He has provided technical advice to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, World Bank, and USAID. Christie leads projects using participatory research methods to engage tribal communities in environmental recovery efforts, including work with the Tulalip Tribes on coastal squeeze issues and with Winona LaDuke on sustainable agriculture alternatives to petroleum-based economies. He co-hosts workshops exploring human dimensions of environmental change and is developing learning networks to foster collaborative ocean governance.
Di (Wendy) Wang serves as an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Government and the International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) program within the College of Liberal Arts. Her teaching portfolio includes international political economy, globalization, and capstone research courses, complemented by leadership of a successful study abroad program in Singapore and Vietnam. Dr. Wang earned her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, establishing her expertise in global economic-political dynamics. Her research program centers on international political economy with concentrated focus on sovereign wealth funds and foreign direct divestment politics, examining how geopolitical factors shape state investment strategies and corporate withdrawal from international markets. Recognition for her pedagogical excellence includes: Raymond Dickson Centennial Endowed Teaching Fellowship Government Department Teaching Excellence and Innovation Award Instructor Learning Community Grant Civil Discourse and Disagreement Course Development Award Provost's Teaching Fellow designation Fractalizing Pedagogy Fellowship Dr. Wang actively contributes to academic governance through university committee service and as faculty liaison to the US Department of State’s Diplomacy Lab program. Her extensive teaching record spans Globalization and Me (UGS 302), Capstone Research in IRG (IRG 378), and International Political Economy (GOV 360E) across seventeen course sections from Fall 2020 through Spring 2025, delivered in both traditional and synchronous online formats.
Syed Hashsham is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU), with an adjunct appointment in the Center for Microbial Ecology and Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences. His research focuses on microbial community dynamics, field-deployable genetic testing tools, and environmental biotechnology processes. He leads the NIEHS Superfund Research Center’s Project 4 on dioxin remediation and has pioneered innovations like the Gene-Z handheld genetic analyzer and antimicrobial resistance gene screening chips. Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (University of Illinois, 1996), M.S. in Environmental Science (IIT Bombay, 1986), B.S. in Civil Engineering (Aligarh Muslim University, 1984). Research interests include microbial community stability, bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, and development of low-cost diagnostic tools. His work bridges environmental engineering and microbiology, with applications in water safety, soil remediation, and public health. Over 150 peer-reviewed publications and numerous grants from NIH, EPA, and other agencies highlight his impact. Notable awards include the MSU Distinguished Faculty Award (2011) and the Withrow Distinguished Scholar Award (2007). He teaches courses like Biological Processes in Environmental Engineering (ENE804) and advises on capstone projects. His lab has produced pioneering technologies for real-time microbial detection and environmental monitoring. Grants and collaborations span multi-million-dollar projects with the NIEHS, USDA, and U.S. Army. His team includes postdocs, PhD students, and visiting scholars working on topics like gut microbiome-host interactions and ARG dissemination via biofilms.
Dr. Jami Fisher serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of the American Sign Language (ASL) Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Linguistics. Affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences, their work focuses on documenting Philadelphia-area ASL variation, global deaf community collaborations (especially with Italian communities), and integrating sign language studies into broader linguistic curricula. Education includes an Ed.D. in Higher Education from UPenn (2014), M.S.Ed. (2002) and B.A. in Linguistics (1997). Their pedagogical innovations emphasize Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) partnerships with local organizations like the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre. Research interests bridge sociolinguistics and community engagement, analyzing the linguistic landscape's visual representation of sign languages and exploring how signed languages reflect cultural values. They co-lead the ASL/Deaf Studies minor program, integrating interdisciplinary coursework with field-based capstone projects. Program leadership includes developing UPenn's longest-running Ivy League ASL program, offering advanced courses in Deaf History, Culture, and Linguistics. Collaborative projects emphasize mutually beneficial partnerships with Deaf communities to ensure culturally responsive research and education.
James R. Green is a Professor in the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering at Carleton University , where he has been a faculty member since 2005. He holds a PhD from Queen's University and is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and Senior Member of IEEE. His work integrates machine learning, biomedical informatics, and high-performance computing. His educational background includes: B.A.Sc. in Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo (1998) M.Sc.(Eng.), Queen's University (2000) PhD, Queen's University (2005) Dr. Green's research focuses on machine learning challenges in biomedical informatics , particularly class imbalance and rare event prediction. Key areas include protein structure, function, and interaction prediction; microRNA detection in unique species; non-contact neonatal monitoring; and accelerating scientific computing via parallel architectures like the Cell BE processor. His lab has developed several widely used bioinformatics tools such as PIPE, ProtDCal, and PCI-SUMO. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in computational biology and machine learning , with applications in proteomics, genomics, and medical diagnostics. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and secured funding from NSERC, CIHR, CFI, ORF, OCE, MITACS, and IBM. Scientific and teaching recognitions include: Three teaching awards NSERC Best Project Award (twice: 2006-2007 and 2007-2008) Multiple student projects resulting in conference papers (e.g., CMBEC) He has supervised numerous undergraduate capstone projects in areas such as assistive technologies, robotic systems, and bioinformatics. His teaching portfolio includes courses in Pattern Classification, Machine Learning, Computer Architecture, and Biomedical Engineering. He leads an active research group that bridges computer engineering and life sciences, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Lab and research team initiatives include: Development of open-access web servers for protein analysis Collaborations with biologists and clinicians Integration of hardware and software for medical applications
Wenchao Ge is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Rhode Island . Previously, he held faculty positions at Southern Illinois University (2020–2022) and was a postdoctoral researcher at institutions including Texas A&M University and the U.S. Army Research Lab. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Texas A&M University (2015) and a B.S. in Applied Physics from Xi’an Jiaotong University (2009). His research focuses on theoretical quantum optics and quantum information science , with emphasis on quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communication. His group explores fundamental limits of quantum mechanics for information processing, including protocols for multi-parameter sensing, parametric amplification in trapped-ion systems, and quantum resource theories. He leads the Ge Quantum Theory Group , which collaborates with experimentalists to advance quantum technologies. Research interests: Quantum metrology, quantum computing, trapped-ion systems, and optomechanical systems. Notable achievements: Developed protocols for Heisenberg-limited quantum sensing and quantum-enhanced entangling gates. Published in Nature Physics , Phys. Rev. Lett. , and Phys. Rev. A . Teaching: Courses on quantum entanglement and quantum information science. He has received grants from NSF (ExpandQISE and quantum sensing programs) and the SIU Open Textbook Initiative. He was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the APS New England Section (2023) and actively participates in international conferences and quantum education initiatives. His group advises graduate and undergraduate students on projects spanning theoretical and applied quantum physics, including summer internships and capstone research.
Zhongyuan (Annie) Yu is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Systems and Enterprises at Stevens Institute of Technology. She holds a PhD in Systems Engineering (2014), and two MS degrees in Operations Research (2012) and Industrial Engineering (2010), both from Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research bridges applied statistics, optimization, data visualization, and socio-economic systems analysis. Key focus areas include healthcare systems engineering, defense acquisitions, and interactive decision support systems. She leads software engineering education initiatives, including serving as Program Director for the Software Engineering Program (2022-2024). Yu has secured major grants from DoD DASD(SE) and NIH, focusing on mega-project management, digital engineering integration, and healthcare policy simulations. Her 2023-2024 research explores HIPAA compliance challenges in software engineering and patient trust in electronic health records. Her publications span health informatics, portfolio optimization networks, and systems engineering methodology. Notable works include developing policy flight simulators for healthcare interventions and semantic integration frameworks for digital engineering interoperability. Teaching responsibilities include courses like Agile Methods for Software Development, Data Analysis & Visualization, and Engineering Economics. She advises capstone projects and maintains active roles in curriculum development for systems and software engineering programs.
H.F. Machiel Van der Loos is an Associate Professor and Associate Head – External at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia. He holds a PhD from Stanford University (1992) in human-robot interaction and a Diplôme d'Ingénieur from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). As Director of the CARIS Lab, his research focuses on rehabilitation robotics, roboethics, design methodology, and human-robot interaction in industrial contexts. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and 100 conference papers, and serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Assistive Technology . His teaching includes core design courses such as the Capstone Design Project and cross-disciplinary 'Designing for People' courses spanning Computer Science, Applied Science, and Library Science. Van der Loos organized major conferences including IEEE ICORR 2013 and ICED17 at UBC. His work includes developing assistive technologies like power-assisted wheelchairs, AR interfaces for human-robot collaboration, and rehabilitation robots. The CARIS Lab emphasizes ethical considerations in corporeal robotics and user-centered design principles. Current research projects involve multimodal robot programming through AR, gesture-based interaction, and adaptive wheelchair control systems. His lab has collaborated with industry partners like JDQ Systems Inc. and Tableau to advance practical robotics solutions.
Stephen H. Lane is a Teaching Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Computer and Information Science. He serves as Director of the Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT) Master's Program and teaches courses such as Computer Animation (CIS462/562), Advanced Topics in Computer Graphics and Animation (CIS660), and Game Design and Development (CIS564). He also supervises the Game Design Practicum (CIS568) capstone course. Education: B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University (1980) M.S. in Systems Engineering from UCLA (1982) Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University (1988) Dr. Lane's research focuses on the intersection of robotics, physically-based character animation, embodied intelligent agents, and virtual reality user interfaces. His work integrates control theory, artificial intelligence, and computer animation techniques to develop advanced simulation and training systems. His publications since 1987 cover topics such as inverse kinematics, neural networks for motion control, B-spline receptive fields, robotic skill acquisition, and gesture recognition systems. His recent work (2010-2011) emphasizes sensor fusion for gesture recognition and immersive training interfaces. Scientific Awards: Co-inventor of four US patents related to robotic animation and motion control systems Contributions to hybrid controller hierarchies and neural network training methods As founder of soVoz, Inc., Dr. Lane commercializes behavioral animation technology for virtual environments. His academic-industry collaboration includes contracts with Microsoft, Disney, and the US Army. He has developed tools like ProScena™ to integrate interactive 3D simulation capabilities into gaming and training applications.
Dr. Jessica V. Rich is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Queen’s University’s Faculty of Education and a member of the Assessment and Evaluation Group (AEG). She holds a PhD in Measurement, Assessment, Policy, Leadership and Evaluation, complemented by extensive teaching qualifications in Biology, Chemistry, and Education. Her work focuses on competency-based education (CBE), programmatic assessment frameworks, and inclusive evaluation practices across postsecondary and professional education contexts. She actively contributes to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) through research on feedback mechanisms and performance improvement strategies. Dr. Rich teaches courses such as PME 896 (Capstone), PME 894 (Educational Fieldwork), and GDE 828 (Program Evaluation), emphasizing practical application of assessment methodologies. She has pioneered educational development initiatives in simulated learning environments and workplace-based assessments. Her research examines the intersection between competency frameworks and real-world application, with particular attention to healthcare and engineering education reform. Current projects include evaluating transformative change models in medical education and exploring growth-oriented assessment strategies. She has collaborated with institutions to design competency frameworks for healthcare professions and contributed to knowledge translation tools for programmatic assessment implementation. Her publications span journals like Academic Medicine , Canadian Journal of Educational Administration , and Frontiers in Medicine , reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with assessment challenges in higher education. She maintains active Twitter and LinkedIn profiles to share insights on educational development and assessment innovation.
Michael Elliott is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Health and an M.S. in Preventative Medicine from Ohio State University. His research focuses on diabetes management, air pollution's impact on diabetes, maternal and child health, and the built environment's influence on health outcomes. He employs biostatistical modeling, GIS, and public health informatics to study health behaviors, obesity prevention, vaccination uptake, and syndromic surveillance. His work is supported by major funding bodies including the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and NIDDK. The two most recent publications highlight his work on preventing inpatient hypoglycemia using real-time informatics and predictive modeling, reflecting a strong emphasis on data-driven clinical interventions and patient safety. His expertise spans statistical computing (particularly SAS), study design, and large-scale community health data analysis. Professional Affiliations: American Public Health Association (APHA) American Diabetes Association (ADA) Dr. Elliott teaches courses such as Applied Data Management, Principles of Biostatistics, Statistical Programming (SAS), Public Health Capstone, and Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness Capstone. He has extensive experience mentoring students and leading research teams, though specific advisees are not listed. He is actively involved in community research using GIS to assess how physical environments affect diabetes risk and treatment outcomes. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches across epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and behavioral science to improve population health outcomes.
