Dr. Chengmo Yang is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Delaware, with a joint appointment. She received her PhD and MSc in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego, and a BSc in Microelectronics from Peking University, China. PhD, University of California, San Diego MSc, University of California, San Diego BSc, Peking University, China Her research focuses on enhancing security, reliability, non-volatility, and energy efficiency in embedded systems, cyber-physical systems (CPS), and Internet-of-Things (IoT). She leads the Computer Architecture, Reliability, and Security (CARES) group and has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications. Recent publications emphasize neural network accelerators, non-volatile memory (NVM) optimization, and security frameworks for embedded systems. Her work explores fault tolerance, wear leveling, and side-channel attack mitigation in NVM-based FPGAs, STT-RAM, and SSDs. National Science Foundation Career Award (2013) University of Delaware Mid-Career Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award (2020) Best paper award at ICESS (2019) Three best paper nominations at DAC, DATE, and GLSVLSI (2019) Dr. Yang serves as Associate Editor for IEEE TCAD and ACM TODAES. She is the Diversity & Inclusion Representative for IEEE CEDA and has organized numerous conferences including Technical Program Chair for CODES-ISSS 2022. Her lab has hosted current and former students like Fanruo Meng (PhD candidate), Fateme Hosseini (Qualcomm), and Patrick Cronin (Intel), focusing on graduate-level research in hardware security and reliability.
Dr Kingsley Edney is an Associate Professor in International Relations of China at the University of Leeds' School of Politics and International Studies. He holds a PhD (International Relations) and MA (Political Science) from the University of Melbourne, along with a BA(Hons) in Politics and Anthropology from Victoria University of Wellington. Fluent in Chinese and with experience living in Shanghai and Beijing, his research focuses on China's non-material international security dynamics, including cultural diplomacy, propaganda, and ideological strategies to manage global information flows. His expertise includes Chinese soft power, the role of ideology in foreign policy, and the intersection of domestic political cohesion with international security objectives. He teaches undergraduate and master's courses on China's domestic and international politics. Current postgraduate researchers under his supervision are Jinru Huang, Yanyu Lu, and Hengfeng Zhao. Edney's research outputs span topics like public perceptions of China in the Anglosphere, Chinese youth nationalism, and environmental governance. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of China's evolving global engagement strategies. He maintains active academic engagement through platforms like Google Scholar and ORCID.
Avery Goldstein is the David M. Knott Professor Emeritus of Global Politics and International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania’s Political Science Department. He serves as the Inaugural Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China and Associate Director of the Christopher H. Browne Center for International Politics. His research focuses on international relations theory, strategic/security studies, and Chinese politics, with a particular emphasis on China’s grand strategy, US-China relations, and security dynamics in East Asia. Goldstein’s academic career includes seminal works such as Rising to the Challenge: China’s Grand Strategy and International Security (2005) and Deterrence and Security in the 21st Century (2000). He has authored over 30 journal articles in top-tier publications like International Security and International Organization , exploring themes ranging from nuclear deterrence to China’s geopolitical ambitions. Additionally, he is a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), amplifying his influence in policy-relevant scholarship. His research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis, addressing critical issues such as power transitions, crisis instability, and the implications of China’s rise for global order. Goldstein’s advisory roles and institutional leadership reflect his dual commitment to academic rigor and real-world policy engagement.
Nathan Nunn is a Professor at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia. He holds a Canada Research Chair in cultural economics and is affiliated with multiple prestigious research organizations including the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and BREAD. His office is located in the Iona Building 172 at UBC. Professor Nunn's primary research interests span political economy, economic history, economic development, cultural economics, and international trade. His work focuses on the historical and dynamic processes of economic development, particularly examining how institutions and cultures evolve across societies. He has published extensively on historical factors crucial for economic development, including distrust, gender norms, religiosity, conflict, immigration, state formation, and support for democracy. His contemporary research examines the effects of Fair Trade certification, CIA interventions during the Cold War, foreign aid, school construction, climate shocks, and trade policies, with particular emphasis on how local context influences development policy effectiveness. Nunn's recent publications reveal a strong focus on the relationship between culture, institutions, and economic outcomes. His work increasingly examines how zero-sum thinking affects economic behavior and political divides, the persistence of traditional religious beliefs in Africa, and the historical roots of contemporary economic phenomena. His publications frequently appear in top economics journals including the Quarterly Journal of Economics, Econometrica, American Economic Review, and Science. His scientific contributions have been recognized through fellowships and editorial positions, including serving as an editor at the Quarterly Journal of Economics. He has advised numerous PhD students who have gone on to faculty positions at leading universities worldwide. Professor Nunn actively disseminates his research through various media channels, including podcasts, online courses, and public lectures. His teaching includes courses on economic history, development economics, and political economy, with a particular focus on how historical perspectives inform contemporary economic issues.
Robert Swinney is the Senior Associate Dean for Executive MBA and Quantitative Management Programs and a Professor of Operations Management at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He specializes in strategic supply chain operations, consumer behavior dynamics, and platform management. His research explores sustainability, risk mitigation, and ethical practices within complex supply networks. Education: Bachelor of Science in Astronomy, California Institute of Technology PhD in Operations Management, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Prior Role: Associate Professor at Stanford University Graduate School of Business Research Interests: His work addresses operational implications of consumer behavior, start-up and platform operations, supply chain resilience, and ethical sourcing strategies. He emphasizes practical applications in healthcare, food delivery systems, and digital content platforms. Editorial Contributions: Currently serves as Department Editor at Manufacturing & Service Operations Management , with prior roles at Management Science and Production & Operations Management . Advising & Grants: No specific grants or advising roles explicitly listed in provided text.
Kusum L. Ailawadi is the Charles Jordan 1911 TU'12 Professor of Marketing at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She has established herself as a leading expert in marketing channel strategy, brand equity, and multi-channel distribution systems. Her research examines the strategic interaction and distribution of power between manufacturers and their distribution channel partners, with particular focus on how store brands, promotions, and brand equity affect performance. Education: PhD, University of Virginia, 1991 MBA, Indian Institute of Management, 1984 BSc (Honors), St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, 1982 Professor Ailawadi's research spans two primary streams: the first focuses on manufacturer-retailer relationships and channel strategy, examining how power dynamics affect brand performance; the second investigates how marketing actions influence consumers' health status and the nutritional quality of grocery shopping. She has pioneered research showing how warehouse club shopping affects consumer behavior, revealing that club store shoppers spend more, shop more frequently, and consume more calories than non-club shoppers. Her work on multi-channel distribution has been synthesized in her influential 2020 book Getting Multi-Channel Distribution Right , which provides practical guidance for managing brands across physical and digital channels. Her extensive publication record in top marketing journals like Journal of Marketing , Journal of Marketing Research , and Marketing Science demonstrates consistent scholarly impact. Analysis of her recent work shows a strong focus on the evolving retail landscape, with particular attention to private label brands, multi-channel strategies, and the behavioral economics of consumer shopping patterns. Her research increasingly bridges marketing theory with practical applications in retail strategy and consumer health. Notable Awards: Winner, Paul H. Root Award for Significant Contribution to the Advancement of the Practice of Marketing (2018) Distinguished Alumni Award, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (2020) Winner, John D.C. Little Best Paper Award, Marketing Science (2005) Winner, First William Davidson Award for Best Contribution to Theory and Practice in Retail Marketing (1997) Multiple finalist positions for Paul E. Green Award across various years Professor Ailawadi serves as president of the INFORMS Society for Marketing Science and has held editorial positions at major marketing journals including Journal of Marketing , Journal of Marketing Research , and Marketing Science . She teaches the highly regarded MBA elective on Multi-Channel Routes to Market and has consulted with companies across consumer goods, retailing, consulting, and financial services sectors. Her expertise has also been sought in legal cases related to distribution, brand equity, and promotions, where she has served as both consulting and testifying expert. Her research has been widely covered in media outlets including Harvard Business Review , Wall Street Journal , Forbes , and Advertising Age , demonstrating the practical relevance of her academic work. Her TEDx talk 'Outsmarting the Marketers' further illustrates her ability to translate complex marketing concepts for broader audiences.
Kimberly A. Whitler serves as the Frank M. Sands Sr. Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. With nearly 20 years of industry experience in general management, strategy, and marketing roles within CPG and retailing sectors, she brings practical expertise to her academic work. Her career includes significant positions at Procter & Gamble, Aurora Foods, David's Bridal, and PetSmart, where she helped build $1B+ brands including Tide, Bounce, Downy and Zest. Dr. Whitler's educational background includes: B.A. in psychology and business administration from Eureka College MBA from the University of Arizona, Eller School of Business M.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business Whitler is an authority on marketing strategy, brand management, and marketing performance, with particular expertise in understanding how a firm's marketing performance is affected by its C-suite and board. Her research focuses on C-level marketing management challenges, digital marketing transformation, employer branding, and the emerging field of athlete branding through NIL (Name, Image & Likeness). She has authored over 350 articles as a Forbes senior contributor and published in top journals including Harvard Business Review, Journal of Marketing, and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. Her award-winning publications demonstrate a consistent progression from traditional brand management topics toward more strategic considerations of marketing's role at the executive and board levels. Recent work examines digital transformation, brand purpose, and the evolving CMO role, reflecting her deep understanding of how marketing strategy intersects with organizational leadership. Whitler has received numerous professional accolades: Ranked as a Top Influencer of CMOs Named Favorite Professor of Top MBA Students in Poets and Quants Winner of Darden's Morton Award in 2018 and 2021 Finalist for Journal of Marketing's 2018 MSI/Paul H. Root Award Winner of 2017 Robert D. Buzzell Best Paper award Winner of 2020 Sheth Foundation Award As an active consultant and speaker, Whitler has worked with numerous C-level organizations including Coca-Cola, McDonald's, U.S. Department of Defense, and Gartner. She has been cited over 3,600 times in major media outlets including Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Bloomberg, establishing herself as a leading voice in marketing strategy. Her industry experience informs her teaching and research, creating a valuable bridge between academic theory and practical application. Whitler leads research initiatives focused on marketing leadership and brand strategy, often collaborating with industry partners to ensure practical relevance of her work. Her recent projects include examining the impact of marketers on corporate boards and developing frameworks for effective marketing technology implementation, positioning her at the forefront of strategic marketing research.
Yuri Levin is a Professor at the Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, where he holds the Stephen J.R. Smith Chair of Analytics and serves as Founding Executive Director of the Smith School of Business Analytics and AI. He also leads the Scotiabank Centre for Customer Analytics. His research focuses on Analytics & AI, with expertise in revenue management, dynamic pricing, and strategic consumer behavior. Levin holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Rutgers University and degrees in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Belarus State University. Levin’s academic contributions include co-winning the 2013 INFORMS Revenue Management and Pricing Practice Prize and the 2009 INFORMS COIN-OR Cup. He has advised companies like Scotiabank, Loblaws, and McDonald’s on pricing strategies and consumer analytics. As an Associate Editor of Operations Research , he shapes academic discourse in operations research and pricing strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Operations Research, RUTCOR, Rutgers University (2001) B.S. in Economics, Belarus State University (1998) M.S. (Honours) in Applied Mathematics, Belarus State University (1998) His research explores dynamic pricing models under social influence, strategic consumer behavior, and revenue management in hospitality and retail industries. He has pioneered methodologies for optimizing pricing strategies in networked markets and developed algorithms for cargo capacity management. Awards: 2010 Queen’s School of Business Award for Research Achievement 2003 New Researcher Achievement Award Levin’s teaching spans MBA, Master of Management Analytics (MMA), and executive education programs, covering analytical decision-making and pricing optimization. His advisory work includes roles as a Visiting Professor at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management and the University of Cambridge’s Judge School of Business.
Kiran Pedada is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, and holds the F. Ross Johnson Fellow and The Associates Fellow in Marketing and Inclusive Business. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at the Indian School of Business (ISB) and a Visiting Scholar at the University of North Carolina. He has been recognized as ISB’s Teacher of the Year (2020 and 2021) and named a top MBA professor by BusinessBecause. His research focuses on marketing strategy, digital transformation, emerging markets, and inclusive business practices. Dr. Pedada earned his Ph.D. in Marketing from Texas Tech University, where he won the Helen Devitt Jones Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. His doctoral work on international marketing alliances in emerging markets won the prestigious AMS Mary Kay Inc. Doctoral Dissertation Award. Before academia, he worked in management consulting and corporate strategy. Research Interests : Marketing strategy in digital environments Social and financial impact of marketing Global marketing expansion via digital ecosystems Emerging markets dynamics Brand competitiveness through digital orientation Key Contributions : His research has been published in top journals like Journal of Marketing Research and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. He co-authored cases on digital transformation for Harvard Business Publishing and serves on editorial boards of key marketing journals. His work has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and CNN. Awards : AMS Mary Kay Inc. Doctoral Dissertation Award (2019) F. Ross Johnson Fellowship Teacher of the Year (ISB, 2020 & 2021) He actively advises on digital readiness of SMEs and ESG integration in alliances. His current projects explore metaverse applications and rural microentrepreneurship in India.
Professor Jagmohan S. Raju serves as the Joseph J. Aresty Professor of Marketing at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where he also directs the Wharton Co-Sponsorship of the Indian School of Business. An internationally renowned pricing expert, he has taught extensively across Wharton's MBA, EMBA, and Executive Education programs and previously served as Vice Dean of Executive Education for six years. His academic credentials include a PhD in Business, MS in Operations Research, and MA in Economics from Stanford University, complemented by an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and a BTech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Raju's research focuses on pricing strategy , retailing dynamics , and competitive positioning , with significant contributions to understanding private labels, coupon economics, and strategic channel management. His work bridges theoretical rigor with practical applications, frequently addressing real-world challenges in product launches and market competition through game-theoretic and empirical approaches. Recent publications reveal evolving expertise in digital-era retail challenges, particularly showrooming behavior, omnichannel competition, and the strategic implications of network neutrality. His scholarship consistently addresses the intersection of consumer psychology and corporate strategy across diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals, entertainment, and consumer goods. Fellow, INFORMS Society for Marketing Science (2017) Multiple Excellence in Teaching Awards (2012, 2011, 2009) Miller-Sherrerd MBA Core Course Teaching Award (2006) President of INFORMS Society for Marketing Science (2004) Marketing Professor of the Year at UCLA (1992) As an educator, Raju directs flagship executive programs including the General Management Program and Owner/President/CEO Program, while consulting for industry leaders like Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, and Warner Home Video on pricing architecture and new product launches. His research grants and industry projects frequently examine category management dynamics and the strategic value of customer heterogeneity. He spearheads the Wharton-Indian School of Business partnership, fostering academic exchange and executive development initiatives that leverage his deep expertise in India's business landscape and global market dynamics.
Prasenjit Mandal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, and Decision Support at NEOMA Business School (France). He holds a PhD in Decision Sciences and Information Systems from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor of Operations Management at IIM Calcutta and worked as an Oracle ERP consultant at Tata Consultancy Services. His research focuses on supply chain finance, revenue optimization, multi-channel retail strategies, and strategic decision-making in supply chains. He has published in top journals like European Journal of Operational Research and IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. He currently serves as a reviewer for multiple academic journals. Education: PhD in Decision Science and Information Systems, IIM Bangalore, India Oracle ERP Techno-Functional Certification Research Interests: Revenue Management in Retail & E-commerce Supply Chain Finance & Platform Financing Multi-channel Distribution Strategies Empirical Modeling of Supply Chain Trade-offs Strategic Decision-Making under Competition Key Contributions: His recent work explores platform financing models, strategic supplier financing choices, and omnichannel retail challenges. His research integrates optimization models with real-world operational scenarios to address supply chain complexities. Professional Experience: Current: Associate Professor, NEOMA Business School 2016-2019: Assistant Professor, IIM Calcutta 2012-2015: Oracle ERP Consultant, Tata Consultancy Services
Ruhai Wu is a tenured Associate Professor of Marketing at McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Finance from Tsinghua University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on retail and industrial marketing strategies, including pricing, advertising, channel relationships, and platform management in digital ecosystems. He has been awarded grants from SSHRC and NSERC for projects analyzing sharing economies, mobile marketing, and social commerce. Dr. Wu's teaching portfolio includes courses on Digital Marketing, Marketing Management, and Marketing Research Methodology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. He actively supervises doctoral students and has published in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Retailing , Journal of Business Research , and Electronic Markets . His research explores platform governance, network effects, and online consumer behavior using game-theoretical models. Recent work examines live-stream shopping trends, cross-platform competition, and seller review manipulation. Dr. Wu has contributed to scholarly discussions on emerging digital marketing strategies and their societal impacts through media features and industry collaborations.
Dr. Martin Kleppmann is an Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge, specializing in local-first software and security protocols . He leads research in distributed systems, focusing on decentralized architectures, collaborative editing tools, and cryptographic methods. As a key contributor to the Automerge open-source project, he bridges academic innovation with real-world applications. Formerly a research fellow at TU Munich (2022–2023) and Cambridge (2015–2022), he has also worked as a software engineer and startup founder, including LinkedIn (acquired 2012). Research Interests span Distributed Systems Security , Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs) , Collaborative Software , and Cryptography . His work addresses challenges in decentralized social networks, privacy-preserving protocols, and efficient data synchronization. Recent projects include Kintsugi (end-to-end encrypted key recovery) and Pudding (private user discovery for anonymity networks). Publications emphasize Collaborative text editing (2025: Eg-walker, 2023: The Art of the Fugue) CRDTs for JSON and trees (2021, 2017) Privacy in decentralized systems (2024: Pudding, 2025: Emission Impossible) Scientific Awards include Gilles Muller Best Artifact Award (EuroSys 2025) Distinguished Paper & Artifact Awards (OOPSLA 2017) Best Presentation Awards (Security Protocols Workshop 2018, PaPoC 2025)
Miles Maochun Yu is a Professor of East Asia and military/naval history at the United States Naval Academy, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, and the Robert Alexander Mercer Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. His expertise spans China policy, military history, US-China relations, and geopolitical strategy, with a focus on historical precedents influencing modern conflicts. Doctorate in History, University of California, Berkeley Master’s Degree, Swarthmore College Bachelor’s Degree, Nankai University Yu’s research synthesizes military history and contemporary CCP behavior, analyzing ideological roots of Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, military technology evolution in US-China rivalry, and Cold War parallels. His work examines how historical events like the 1958 Quemoy-Matsu Crisis and 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War inform current strategic dynamics. His recent publications reveal trends in China’s strategic deception, post-CCP transition scenarios, and the role of AI in future military engagements. These works bridge historical analysis with policy recommendations, emphasizing ideological clarity in countering authoritarian regimes. Recipient of USNA Top Researcher Award US Navy Special Action Award US Navy Meritorious Service Awards As former China Policy Advisor to Secretary Mike Pompeo, Yu has shaped U.S. foreign policy discussions. He regularly consults governmental agencies, testifies before Congress, and serves as chief historian for military documentaries on the History and Discovery Channels.
Najib Ghadbian serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science within the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Arkansas, with additional affiliation to Middle East Studies. He has been a frequent political commentator for al-Jazeera Satellite TV Channel since January 2000 and contributes to US, European, and Middle Eastern media outlets. His academic credentials include: BA in Political Science from United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain MA in Political Science from Rutgers State University, Newark Campus PhD in Political Science from CUNY Graduate School & University Center (1995) Dr. Ghadbian's research centers on democratization dynamics in the Arab world, Syrian political structures, Islamic movements, and US-Mideast relations. His work examines constitutional design in Syria and international dimensions of the Syrian conflict, bridging scholarly analysis with real-world policy applications through publications in journals like Middle East Journal and al-Mustaqbal al-`Arabi . His publication timeline (1997-2016) reveals evolving scholarly focus from theoretical democratization frameworks toward urgent Syrian transition issues, with recent works analyzing GCC-Syria relations (2016) and no-fly zone proposals (2015) reflecting immediate policy engagement amid the Syrian conflict. Professional roles include board membership at the Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (2003-2005), the Day After Project for Syrian democratic transition, and service as special representative of the Syrian National Coalition to Washington and the UN (2013-2018). While holding significant policy advisory positions, no formal scientific awards are documented in available materials. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on Middle East politics, Islam and politics, and contemporary regional issues. Professional affiliations span the Middle East Studies Association (2005-2021), American Political Science Association (2005-2014), and Middle East Institute (2005-2021), though details about research grants, student advising, or laboratory teams remain unspecified.
