Dr. Catherine Verrier Piersol is Professor and Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University's Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, where she also directs Jefferson Elder Care. She holds a PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MS from Boston University, and a BS from Tufts University. Her research focuses on neurocognitive disorders (especially dementia), caregiver support interventions, aging-in-place strategies, and translating evidence-based occupational therapy into real-world settings. Key themes include person-environment-occupation fit, functional capacity appraisal, and non-pharmacological dementia care. Recent publications emphasize practical implementations of dementia care models, technology-enabled aging solutions, and pandemic-era adaptations in long-term care. Methodologies feature randomized trials, mixed-methods designs, and economic evaluations. Awards and honors include: Fellow, National Academies of Practice (2024) Fellow, American Occupational Therapy Association (2015) Stephen Heater Award for Outstanding Achievement (2013) Jeanette Blair Writer’s Award (2013) Multiple service awards from state/national OT associations (1998–2011) She leads Jefferson Elder Care, developing programs to enhance occupational therapy for older adults. Certifications include National Board OT licensure and Pennsylvania/New Jersey practice credentials.
Assoc Prof Siok Kuan Tambyah is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School and a Fellow at The College of Alice & Peter Tan, NUS. She holds a PhD in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, consumer culture theory, services marketing, and happiness/quality-of-life studies. She has authored/co-authored five books and numerous articles in leading journals such as the Journal of Consumer Research and Journal of Service Research . Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels, including courses on Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and The Pursuit of Happiness. She has supervised over 60 undergraduate research projects and advised two PhD students. Her pedagogical research emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and residential college environments, highlighted in works like Student Growth and Development in New Higher Education Learning Spaces . A/P Tambyah’s work on Singapore’s quality of life and well-being has positioned her as a leading expert. Key publications include Happiness and Wellbeing in Singapore: Beyond Economic Prosperity (2023) and Drivers of Sustainability and Consumer Well-Being (2022). Her research often bridges consumer behavior with societal issues, such as immigrant inclusion and economic hardship impacts. She is an award-winning educator, recognized for innovative teaching methods in residential colleges and executive education programs. Her contributions to interdisciplinary learning and community engagement are further detailed in her writings on reflective practices and community-based research models.
Hilda Tellioglu is an Associate Professor and Dean of Academic Affairs for Informatics at TU Wien, leading the Artifact-based Computing and User Research department. She holds a dual role as Head of Research Unit and oversees the Office of the Dean. Her work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design Thinking, and Digital Transformation, with a strong emphasis on socio-technical systems and participatory design methodologies. Research interests span software engineering, CSCW, ambient assisted living (AAL), and digital co-creation practices in urban planning. She has spearheaded projects like aspern.mobil LAB, EnviSense, and StreetForum, exploring smart mobility, environmental sensing, and citizen participation in urban development. Her work frequently integrates tangible interfaces and model-based design approaches. Key contributions include frameworks for digital transformation evaluation (EEFCET 2020), user-centered design for informal caregivers (TOPIC platform), and crisis management systems using crowdsourcing (RE-ACTA). She has led over 20+ research projects funded by FFG, EU, and national agencies, focusing on mobility innovation, healthcare technology, and sustainable urban systems. Teaching responsibilities include courses on Design Thinking, Digital Transformation, and Research Methods across bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs. She actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through initiatives like the Center for Technology & Society (CTS) and Living Lab methodologies.
Associate Professor Stephen Carter is an Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice at the University of Sydney's Sydney Pharmacy School within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He serves as the Program Director for Undergraduate Pharmacy programs and is a registered pharmacist with clinical specialisation in medication management review. Stephen holds qualifications including BPharm, MSc, PhD, and Grad Cert Edu (Higher Ed). He is a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (FPS), Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and holds other professional accreditations. His research focuses on optimizing the role of pharmacists in healthcare, particularly examining how consumers and caregivers obtain and use medicines, designing effective pharmacist services, and supporting pharmacists throughout their professional journey. His work spans areas including osteoporosis care, medication adherence, service quality in community pharmacies, and the application of advanced statistical methods like Structural Equation Modelling. Stephen's publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical pharmacy interventions, with significant work on osteoporosis management services, perinatal depression screening in pharmacies, and digital health approaches to improve medication adherence. His research employs diverse methodologies including randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, and advanced psychometric analyses. Early Career Investigator Award Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) for 2017 Lesmuller Award for Best Oral Communication - Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe Working Conference, Berlin, 2013 Recipient of the 2013 Annual Best Paper Award by Elsevier publication, Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy Best Poster Presentation Award: International Social Pharmacy Workshop, Boston, USA, 2014 Top reviewer, Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) Stephen actively supervises several graduate students including PhD candidates Fatima Rezea, Steven Tran, Veronika Seda, Kingston Leung, and Joel Hillman, as well as MPhil student Linda Krogh. He has secured significant research funding, including co-leading a $2.36 million Randomized Controlled Trial and managing four current competitive grant-funded projects totaling over $6.3 million. His work has particular emphasis on translating research into practical pharmacy services that improve patient outcomes. Stephen is actively involved in major research initiatives including the #STOP trial (Safer medicines To reduce falls and refractures for OsteoPorosis) and the TICTOC trial (Timely post-discharge medication reviews to Improve Continuity – the Transitions Of Care stewardship), both focusing on innovative pharmacist-led interventions to improve medication safety and effectiveness.
Dr. Ruth F. Lucas, PhD, RNC, CLS, is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing. Her research focuses on breastfeeding equity through biopsychosocial and molecular mechanisms, infant breastfeeding biomechanics, and pain self-management. Education: PhD in Nursing from University of Illinois at Chicago (2011) Dr. Lucas leads projects translating the PROMPT study for WIC-eligible populations and testing biomedical lactation devices for real-time intraoral pressure measurement. Her work integrates genetic factors (e.g., COMT and OXTR variants) with social determinants of health, particularly in African American communities. Her recent research trends span genomics education for nurses, maternity care deserts in the U.S., breastfeeding self-efficacy metrics, and global lactation disparities. Current efforts include competency frameworks for genomics nurse educators and meta-ethnographies on diverse breastfeeding experiences. Contact: ruth.lucas@uconn.edu
Ryan Kelly is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), digital health, and mixed reality. His research focuses on technology-enabled social connection and wellbeing, including designing communication tools for close relationships, digital health initiatives like the Music-Attuned Care via eHealth (MATCH) project, and VR applications for mental health. He collaborates with industry partners such as Google, Netflix, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and has developed technologies for older adults, including simplified video calling systems for aged care during the pandemic. His work has been featured globally in media, including Al-Jazeera's documentary All Hail the Algorithm . He actively contributes to the HCI community as a reviewer and committee member for conferences like ACM CHI and CSCW, holding roles such as Editor for CSCW 2025 and Awards Co-Chair for CSCW 2023. Ryan supervises PhD candidates exploring human-centered AI for social connection and online safety for older adults. His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health), 9 (Industry Innovation), and 11 (Sustainable Cities). Key projects include the VR mindfulness application used by over 200,000 Australians and the Painpad device for pain logging in UK hospitals. He advocates for participatory design frameworks, emphasizing ethical AI and technology’s role in fostering meaningful human experiences.
Jasmine Travers Altizer is an Assistant Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where she conducts research to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities among vulnerable older adults. Her work spans long-term care systems, aging, and health equity, with a focus on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Education: PhD, Columbia University School of Nursing MHS, Yale University MSN, Stony Brook University (Adult-Gerontological Health) BSN, Adelphi University Her research interests include gerontology, health disparities, workforce diversity, infection control, and policy in long-term care. She investigates how neighborhood disadvantage, staffing levels, and systemic inequities affect care quality in nursing homes and home-based settings. Her recent work has explored antipsychotic medication use, caregiver coping strategies, and the impact of federal programs like the Paycheck Protection Program on staffing. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trajectory in health services research, with recurring themes in equity, workforce well-being, and policy evaluation. Her studies frequently use large national datasets and mixed methods to address structural barriers in care delivery for underserved populations, particularly Black and Latino older adults. Scientific Awards and Honors: Rising Star Research Award, Eastern Nursing Research Society (2022) Health in Aging Foundation New Investigator Award (2022) NASEM Committee Member on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes (2020) Scholar, National Clinician Scholars Program, Yale (2020) Jonas Policy Scholar (2019) Douglas Holmes Emerging Scholar Paper Award (2018) Travers is actively involved in mentoring and accepting PhD students. She leads multiple federally funded research projects, including a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Career Development Award and a National Institute on Aging K76 Beeson Award. She has served on national committees and contributed to high-impact policy reports, demonstrating leadership in translating research into action. Her work is frequently covered in media outlets such as Scientific American , AARP , and Crain's New York . Laboratories and Research Teams: She is affiliated with several active research initiatives, including the NH Explanatory Trials Network and projects examining dementia care workforce experiences, health equity in nursing home quality measures, and culturally sensitive interventions for Black adults with chronic conditions.
Patrick C. Shih is an Associate Professor of Informatics in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington, where he also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies for Data Science and Co-Director of the Animal Informatics MS and PhD track. He directs the Societal Computing Lab (SoCo Lab) and is a core faculty member of the Health Informatics PhD track. Dr. Shih's research focuses on how to better support health and wellbeing, specifically that of underserved and vulnerable populations, through the design, development, and evaluation of sociotechnical systems and community-based mechanisms. His work also designs technologies to amplify human and animal capabilities in animal-assisted interventions, improve animal welfare, and cultivate empathy for others. His research spans human-computer interaction, social media, collective intelligence, crowdsourcing, and online and geographic communities, with a particular emphasis on leveraging awareness of individual and community activities embedded in social media for civic engagement platforms. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward health equity research, particularly focused on African American/Black communities, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, breast cancer survivorship, and autism spectrum disorder. His work increasingly integrates generative AI, mobile health applications, and community-based participatory design approaches to address health disparities in vulnerable populations. ACM Senior Member (2020) NSF CAREER Award recipient Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award (2018-19) IU Groups Scholars Program STEM Mentor of the Year (2018-19) Multiple best paper awards at top-tier conferences Dr. Shih has successfully secured significant funding for his research, including a $3.7 million award to investigate inequities in environmental stressors and cognitive decline in urban and rural older adults. He serves on numerous editorial boards and program committees for leading HCI and computing conferences. His teaching portfolio includes courses on usable AI, mobile and pervasive design, and social computing. He leads the Societal Computing Lab, which focuses on developing technologies that address societal challenges through community engagement and participatory design.
Steve Loughnan is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. His research focuses on dehumanization, objectification, and human-animal relations, exploring how societal and psychological factors influence moral judgments and behaviors. He teaches undergraduate courses on social psychology, experimental/applied social psychology, and social class, and supervises PhD students in related fields. Research interests include: Dehumanization of social and ethnic outgroups Psychological impacts of objectification on women and marginalized groups Moral psychology of meat consumption and animal treatment Effects of economic inequality on societal attitudes Anthropomorphism in human-AI and human-pet relationships His publications analyze topics like the psychological mechanisms behind meat consumption paradoxes, the role of dehumanization in conflict scenarios, and the ethical implications of AI romance. He has received no explicitly listed awards but has been widely cited in social psychology domains. Teaching includes year-long programs on social psychology principles, experimental research methods, and social class analysis. Office hours are held weekly to support students. His work bridges theoretical social psychology with applied issues in global inequality, environmental ethics, and veterinary mental health.
Kristin Long is an Associate Professor at Boston University and Director of the Child & Family Health Laboratory. She holds a PhD in Clinical and Biological-Health Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh (2012), completed postdoctoral training at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School, and joined BU in 2014. Her research focuses on the interplay between pediatric medical conditions, family dynamics, and cultural contexts, with emphasis on autism, cancer, intellectual disability, and asthma. Key areas include health disparities in autism care, psychosocial interventions for families, and sibling adjustment in chronic illness contexts. Education: PhD, Clinical and Biological-Health Psychology, University of Pittsburgh (2012) Clinical Internship & Postdoctoral Fellowship, Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital Research interests: Family-cultural influences on child health outcomes Health equity in autism diagnosis/treatment Development of psychosocial interventions Cultural adaptations in healthcare delivery Her work has led to over 50 publications, emphasizing qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to understanding family experiences in pediatric chronic illness. Notable contributions include frameworks for sibling psychosocial care and culturally responsive interventions. Lab & Collaborations: Directs the Child & Family Health Lab, fostering community-academic partnerships to address unmet needs in pediatric healthcare. Active in developing nationwide standards for sibling psychosocial support in oncology care.
Douglas Slobod, MD, FRCPC serves as an Investigator at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) at the Glen site, affiliated with the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program within the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE). He maintains dual roles as both a research scientist and clinical intensivist in the Critical Care Medicine Program at the McGill University Health Centre. Dr. Slobod's research program centers on cardiopulmonary interactions in critically ill patients, with particular emphasis on how mechanical ventilation impacts right ventricular function. His work spans physiological investigations of lung injury mechanisms and clinical development of personalized respiratory support strategies for patients with acute respiratory failure. This research has significant implications for optimizing mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) while minimizing cardiovascular compromise. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in critical care physiology. Recent work demonstrates growing sophistication in monitoring techniques (including electrical impedance tomography and esophageal pressure monitoring) and a shift toward personalized ventilation approaches. His publications frequently address the complex interplay between respiratory mechanics and cardiovascular function, with particular attention to right ventricular performance during different ventilation strategies. Dr. Slobod maintains an active collaborative network with researchers across North America and Europe, contributing to both clinical trials and physiological investigations that address fundamental questions in mechanical ventilation. His work appears in premier journals including the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care, and Intensive Care Medicine. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Slobod exemplifies the translational research model, directly connecting physiological insights from the laboratory to clinical practice at the bedside. His ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of how to optimize respiratory support while preserving cardiovascular function in critically ill patients.
Dr. Kathryn Lester is an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. She leads internationally recognized research on childhood anxiety, focusing on intergenerational transmission, cognitive biases, and school mental health interventions. Her work includes developing evidence-based programs for emotionally-based school avoidance and evaluating whole-school approaches to mental health. She holds leadership roles in Sussex’s senior management team, including Subject Group Lead for Developmental Psychology and Deputy Director for Postgraduate Research. She co-leads the Sussex Foundation Partnership Trust School Mental Health Research Team Clinic and has secured funding from the National Institute for Health Research, ESRC, and The National Lottery Community Fund. Her academic journey includes a D.Phil. in Psychiatry from the University of Oxford (2008) and postdoctoral research at the University of Sussex and King’s College London. Key research interests include anxiety prevention, school-based interventions, and the impact of parenting behaviors on child mental health. She has collaborated with organizations like the Sussex Wildlife Trust and provided consultancy for educational content development, such as children’s book series on emotions and ITV’s ‘Planet Child’ series. Her research spans mixed-methods approaches, including participatory methods with children and caregivers. Notable projects include NIHR-funded studies on digital mental health toolkits and Kavli Trust-funded interventions to reduce anxiety transmission from parents to children. She actively engages in knowledge exchange and mentoring early-career researchers.
Dr. Eunice Eunhee Jang is a Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. Her research focuses on synergistic learner modeling, dynamic assessment systems, and the intersection of language testing with educational measurement. PhD with specializations in language testing, educational measurement, and program evaluation Develops interactive digital assessment interfaces for struggling readers Author of "Focus on Assessment" (2014) and co-author of OECD Reviews on Evaluation and Assessment in Education Research Interests Dr. Jang's work explores prismatic assessment analytics to understand learner potential and predict learning pathways. She integrates natural language processing and machine learning to create diagnostic feedback systems that support cognitive, metacognitive, and affective growth in technology-rich classrooms. Scientific Awards Jacqueline Ross TOEFL Dissertation Award Caroline Clapham IELTS Master’s Award Tatsuoka Measurement Award Professional Contributions She has served on major advisory boards including EQAO provincial assessments and TOEFL Committees of Examiners. Currently, she is an elected board member for the International Language Testing Association and contributes to the Broader Measures of Success Advisory Committee for People for Education.
Yoshiko Matsumoto is the Yamato Ichihashi Professor in Japanese History and Civilization and Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Linguistics. She has been a faculty member at Stanford since 1992, progressing from Assistant Professor to her current distinguished position. Matsumoto also serves as coordinator of the Japanese Language Program and has held significant administrative roles including Chair of the Department of Asian Languages (2003-2005) and Interim Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (2016). Matsumoto earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of California, Berkeley (1989), following M.A. degrees in Linguistics from UC Berkeley and General and Applied Linguistics from the University of Tsukuba, an M.I.A. in American Studies from the University of Tsukuba, and a B.A. in English Language & Literature from Japan Women's University. Professor Matsumoto's research focuses on linguistic pragmatics from cross-linguistic perspectives, with particular expertise in Japanese language. Her work spans structural and sociocultural aspects of language in use, including noun-modifying clause constructions, honorifics, discourse markers, and the intersection of language with gender and aging. She has pioneered research on conversational narratives of older adults, examining how ordinary framing strategies help individuals navigate difficult experiences. Her current projects explore intergenerational communication through haiku, communicative abilities of people with dementia, and noun-modifying constructions across Eurasian languages. Matsumoto's scholarship consistently bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications for understanding human communication in diverse social contexts. Matsumoto's recent publications reveal a growing focus on practical applications of linguistic research for social benefit, particularly in intergenerational communication and dementia care. Her work increasingly integrates arts-based approaches, especially haiku poetry, to bridge generational divides and enhance communication with elderly populations. The research shows a consistent trajectory from theoretical linguistic frameworks toward applied, human-centered language studies that address real-world challenges in aging societies, with particular attention to how ordinary language practices help individuals navigate life transitions and difficult experiences. Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching, School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University (2000) Richard E. Guggenhime Faculty Scholar, Stanford University (2000-2003) Violet Andrews Whittier Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2019-2020) Faculty Research Fellow, Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research (2014-2015) Research Fellow, Japan Foundation (2002) Internal Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2005-2006) Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities, Stanford University (2009-2011) Professor Matsumoto has mentored numerous students through her teaching in Japanese language and linguistics courses, including specialized offerings on language and aging, points in Japanese grammar, and haiku-based communication. Her research has been supported by prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Japan Foundation, and Stanford's Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities. She has served on multiple editorial boards including the Journal of Pragmatics since 1992, demonstrating long-standing leadership in her field. Matsumoto has also advised students through individual studies and thesis projects in East Asian Languages and Cultures. Matsumoto leads several collaborative research initiatives including the 'Sharing Conversations' project which examines intergenerational communication through haiku, and research on communicative abilities of people with dementia. Her work often involves interdisciplinary teams spanning linguistics, gerontology, and creative arts, with fieldwork conducted in both Japan and the United States. The 'Noun-Modifying Constructions in Languages of Eurasia' project represents a major international collaboration examining linguistic structures across cultural boundaries. She also directs the 'Language, Old Age and Gender in Japan' project supported by the Stanford University/Japan Foundation, and the 'Difficult Conversations Continue: Memories of the 3.11 Disaster and Bereavement Narratives' project focused on post-disaster communication.
Bettina Sandgathe Husebø is a Professor and Head of the Center for Geriatric and Nursing Home Medicine at the Department of Global Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen (UiB). She also serves as Innovation Manager at IGS, UiB since 2019. Her extensive career spans clinical practice, research, and leadership roles in geriatric and palliative care. Dr. Husebø completed her medical education at the University of Bonn, Germany in 1988, followed by specialization in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care in 1995. Her Norwegian qualifications include Medical Specialization in Palliative Medicine (2012) and Nursing Home Medicine (2014) from UiB, along with a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry at UiB in 2008. She further enhanced her expertise with a Postgraduate Safety, Quality, Informatics and Leadership (SQIL) Program from Harvard University in 2021. Her research focuses on critical geriatric issues including pain assessment and management in dementia patients, behavioral disturbances in dementia, palliative care in nursing homes, and digital phenotyping applications for elderly care. She has pioneered work on the relationship between pain, agitation, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients, particularly through the COSMOS trial and LIVE@Home.Path study. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong emphasis on digital health solutions for dementia care, with particular focus on activity monitoring, pain assessment through technology, and community-based interventions for aging populations. Her work bridges clinical geriatrics, technology innovation, and patient-centered care models. Among her notable recognitions are the National Dementia Award by His Majesty King Harald of Norway (2022) and multiple awards for research excellence in pain management and palliative care. Her work has significantly influenced Norwegian healthcare policy regarding dementia care and end-of-life practices. As an educator, she lectures in English, German, and Norwegian on dementia, pain in dementia, innovation technologies for older adults, symptom management at end-of-life, systematic medication review, and advance care planning. She has received teaching awards including 'Teacher of the Year' from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at UiB. Dr. Husebø leads the Center for Geriatric and Nursing Home Medicine (SEFAS) and has been instrumental in establishing Norway's first palliative care ward in a nursing home. Her research group focuses on translating evidence into practice to improve quality of life for elderly patients, particularly those with dementia.
