Prof. Dr. Meryam Schouler-Ocak serves at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin as Head Senior Physician of the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic at St. Hedwig Hospital and Head of the Research Division for Intercultural Migration and Care Research. Her work bridges clinical practice, policy development, and research in transcultural psychiatry. Chair of the Section on Transcultural Psychiatry, World Psychiatric Association Board Member, European Psychiatric Association Chair of Task Force on Racism and Mental Health, EPA Research interests focus on migration-related mental health challenges , cultural competence in psychiatric care, and suicide prevention for marginalized groups. Her recent publications address refugee mental health access, police referrals in psychiatric emergencies, and cultural formulations in diagnosis. She leads initiatives tackling racism in clinical practice and develops digital mental health frameworks. Key contributions include: Coordinating intercultural psychotherapy frameworks Advancing ethical standards through WPA/EPA committees Designing health promotion strategies for vulnerable migrants
Dr. Alison Nelson is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Queensland. She specializes in Indigenous health, physical activity, and culturally responsive occupational therapy practices. Research Focus : Indigenous health disparities, chronic disease self-management, cultural responsiveness in healthcare, and physical activity among urban Indigenous youth. Key Projects : Development of the Australian Therapy Outcome Measure for Indigenous Clients (ATOMIC), evaluation of the 'Work It Out' chronic disease program, and Indigenous health workforce training initiatives. Contributions : Pioneering use of Indigenist frameworks in health promotion research, critical exploration of cultural competence in occupational therapy, and advocacy for community-driven health solutions. Her scholarly output includes 39 journal articles and 7 book chapters, emphasizing intervention frameworks and health equity. Collaborations span institutions like the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and allied health organizations.
Associate Professor Judi Parson is a pediatric-qualified Registered Nurse and Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor at Deakin University's School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health. She leads the Play Therapy discipline at the university and is recognized internationally for her work in Medical Play Therapy and the integration of digital technologies in therapeutic practice. Her career spans clinical practice, research, teaching, and leadership in the field of play therapy. Education Doctor of Philosophy, Central Queensland University Master of Health Science (Nursing), Charles Sturt University Master of Arts in Play Therapy with Distinction, Roehampton University, UK Graduate Diploma of Nursing, Australian Catholic University Graduate Certificate of Higher Education, Deakin University Bachelor of Nursing, Australian Catholic University Research Interests Professor Parson's research focuses on Play Therapy as an emerging profession to support biopsychosocial health and development for children and their families. Her work explores thematic expression of humanistic skills within play therapy and supervision sessions, pediatric (hospital, medical and procedural) play therapy techniques, and digital tele-health including therapeutic apps and virtual reality. She employs qualitative research methods such as Phenomenology and Autoethnography to investigate optimal therapeutic effects for diverse populations including war-affected children, those experiencing natural disasters, Aboriginal communities, children of incarcerated parents, and children with autism. Her research bridges theory and practice while addressing cultural responsiveness and technological innovation in play therapy. Research Output Trends Professor Parson's recent publications reveal a strong focus on expanding play therapy applications across diverse contexts and populations. Her work increasingly addresses cultural responsiveness, particularly with Aboriginal communities, and the adaptation of play therapy for crisis situations including natural disasters and war. There's a notable trend toward integrating digital technologies, with several publications on tele-play therapy, virtual reality applications, and online supervision. Her research also demonstrates growing attention to specific populations such as children of incarcerated parents and those with autism, while maintaining her foundational work in medical play therapy for pediatric healthcare settings. Scientific Awards Australian Postgraduate Award (2003-2008) for PhD research on "Integration of procedural play for children undergoing Cystic Fibrosis treatment: A nursing perspective" Highest Academic Achievement Award (1996) for Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Child and Adolescent health - Advanced paediatrics) Supervision and Grants Professor Parson actively supervises multiple doctoral and master's students across various play therapy research topics. Her current doctoral supervision includes research on psychosocial interactions in parent-child play relationships, therapeutic play for developmental trauma, and children's coping with vaccinations. She recently secured a significant grant from The Rotary Club of Sydney Inc for "Tele Play Therapy" research (2024-2026, $36,721.28), demonstrating continued funding support for her innovative work in digital play therapy applications. Professional Leadership Professor Parson is a co-founder of the Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA) and the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA), playing a key role in shaping the field globally. She serves on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Play Therapy and maintains professional registrations with multiple play therapy associations worldwide, including as a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor with APPTA. Her leadership extends to developing the Master of Child Play Therapy program at Deakin University, where she teaches multiple courses including Foundations of Play Therapy, Humanistic Play Therapy, and Systemic Play Therapy.
Dr. Jovana Trbojevic Jocic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Education at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Kragujevac . Her research focuses on Developmental Psychology, Sports Psychology, Social Psychology , and Educational Psychology , with particular emphasis on adolescent motivation , self-efficacy in sports , and teacher development . Education: Doctorate (2018) Master's (2012) Graduated (2011) Recent research trends span motivational factors in youth athletes , teachers' self-regulation , and parental influence on physical self-efficacy . Publications from 2024–2020 explore topics such as hierarchical motivation models , mental skills in handball , and psychological predictors of sports dropout .
Karina Aase is a Professor in Patient Safety at the University of Stavanger , Faculty of Health Sciences. She served as the Centre Director for SHARE – Centre for Resilience in Healthcare from 2017 to 2020, leading Norway’s largest research center focused on quality and safety in healthcare. Her research spans patient safety, resilience in healthcare systems, care transitions, and quality improvement across primary and specialized healthcare sectors. She integrates methodologies from transport and petroleum industries to enhance healthcare practices. Current affiliation: University of Stavanger (UiS) Former leadership: SHARE Research Centre (2017-2020) Key collaborations: Oslo University Hospital, NTNU Research Interests : Resilience in healthcare systems Medication safety in nursing homes Team dynamics in emergency care Adaptive capacity in clinical settings Homecare for frail elderly Context mapping for quality improvement Scientific Contributions : Her recent articles (2025-2023) focus on prehospital medication administration, family navigation in pediatric care, homecare service ecosystems, adaptive capacity in standardized hospitals, and systematic observation frameworks for elderly patients. These works emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking, and translating safety practices from industrial sectors to healthcare.
Antonello Zangrandi is a Full Professor at the University of Parma's Department of Economics and Business Sciences and serves as Director of the Master's Degree in Management of Health and Social Health Services there. He also lectures at Bocconi University's School of Business Administration in Milan and acts as Scientific Director for National Health Service Executive Training Courses. Full Professor, University of Parma Lecturer, Bocconi University Scientific Director, National Health Service Training His research focuses on healthcare management, public sector economics, crisis management, and ESG applications in nonprofit organizations. He analyzes managerial roles in public hospitals, big data integration, and pandemic response strategies. Recent publications examine healthcare leadership, social reporting frameworks, and performance measurement tools. His work emphasizes collaboration between clinicians and administrators and the impact of regional policies on healthcare systems. As Director of the Master's program, he oversees curriculum development for health services management. His teaching spans economics of public companies, business informatics, and nonprofit organizational models across various academic years and degree tracks.
Mary Beth Bruder is a Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, affiliated with the Departments of Pediatrics and Educational Psychology. She directs the University of Connecticut A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and other national programs. Education: PhD in Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood from the University of Oregon (1983). Her research focuses on early childhood intervention , developmental disabilities , and inclusive education , emphasizing family-centered services, professional development, and policy implementation. Her work also addresses autism spectrum disorders and teacher training for inclusive practices. Bruder has led numerous federally funded projects, including grants from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities . She edited the journal Infants and Young Children and chairs key organizations in the field. Scientific Awards: Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award Angel in Adoption Award She has also contributed to grants for expanding early childhood programs and improving healthcare access for children with disabilities. Her lab focuses on early intervention and developmental disability services.
Mick Sheppeck serves as Associate Professor in the Management Department at the Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas, where he has been a core faculty member since 1996 and previously held the role of Assistant Dean for Executive and Professional Development (2004-2007). His academic foundation includes a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida, an MA in General Psychology and Statistics from Western Washington University, and a BA in Psychology from Slippery Rock University. Sheppeck's research centers on strategic human resource alignment and systems thinking in organizations , exploring how customer strategies shape organizational cultures, hiring practices, and operational structures. His expertise spans human resource strategy , organizational development , psychological assessments , and competency modeling , with emphasis on bridging business strategy with people management. His 15-year publication trajectory (2000-2018) reveals consistent focus on strategic HRM-organizational performance linkages, particularly in healthcare and operational excellence contexts, demonstrating how systems thinking enhances problem-solving in complex organizational environments. Sheppeck's scholarly contributions have earned significant recognition including: Ulrich-Lake Award (2001) for best human resources paper Multiple 'best paper' awards at academic conferences As an educator, he integrates 15+ years of industry experience from Honeywell Inc. to train undergraduate students and executives in management, organizational behavior, and storytelling. His teaching philosophy emphasizes developing principled HR professionals who align people strategies with business objectives, though specific grant funding details are not documented in available sources.
Marilyn H. Oermann, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN is the Thelma M. Ingles Professor of Nursing at Duke University School of Nursing, where she leads the Nursing Education major and directs evaluation and educational research. Her scholarship focuses on teaching and evaluation in nursing, including CPR competence studies and simulation-based high-stakes testing. Education: PhD and MSN/Ed from University of Pittsburgh, BSN from Pennsylvania State University Dr. Oermann is an acclaimed author/editor of 19 award-winning books and over 160 peer-reviewed articles. She serves as editor for Nurse Educator and Journal of Nursing Care Quality , and previously edited six volumes of the Annual Review of Nursing Education . NLN Academy of Nursing Education member Member of American Academy of Nursing Her funded research includes multisite CPR competence studies with the National League for Nursing and Laerdal Medical.
Dr. C. Hendricks Brown is a Professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine with joint appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Preventive Medicine, and Medical Social Sciences. He holds adjunct positions at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a courtesy professorship at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. Education: PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago (1981) Dr. Brown's work focuses on developing innovative methodologies in implementation science and prevention research, including generalized behavioral intervention frameworks, mediational analyses, and implementation trial designs. His research spans HIV prevention, drug abuse prevention, suicide prevention, violence reduction, and addressing health disparities through scientific equity frameworks. His recent publications emphasize implementation strategies, pragmatic trial designs, and sustainability assessment of preventive interventions. He cochaired the National Academy of Sciences Forum on Children's Well-Being and serves on multiple federal advisory panels. Scientific Awards: Fellow, Society for Prevention Research (2014) Rema Lapouse Award, APHA (2004) President's Award, SPR (2002) Friend of Early Career Preventionists, SPR (2001)
Dr. Ann Marie Flores is an Associate Professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, holding dual appointments in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Medical Social Sciences (Implementation Science) . She is also the Director of Cancer Rehabilitation for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University and a certified lymphedema therapist. 2000 PhD from Ohio State University 1995 MA from The Ohio State University 1990 MS and PT from University of Miami Her research focuses on cancer-related physical and functional effects , with emphasis on health disparities , implementation science , and patient-centered interventions . She has enrolled over 1,000 cancer survivors and caregivers in NIH-funded studies, revealing significant gaps in rehabilitation service utilization among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in prehabilitation for ovarian cancer surgery, health equity frameworks for rehabilitation researchers, and implementation outcome measures in cancer care. Her work spans oncology , rehabilitation science , and health services research . American Association for Cancer Research award American Physical Therapy Association award National Cancer Institute/NIH award Sisters Network award Dr. Flores has served on editorial boards including Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal and held leadership roles in professional societies such as the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and American Physical Therapy Association. She previously founded the Rehabilitation Oncology Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Katherine Moreau is a Full Professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Education, specializing in health education. She holds a PhD and maintains active research affiliations with the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute as an affiliated researcher and with the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services as a senior researcher. Dr. Moreau's educational background includes a BA and MA in sociology, a BEd (Primary/Junior), and a graduate certificate in program evaluation, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to health professions education and program evaluation. BA in Sociology MA in Sociology BEd (Primary/Junior) Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation PhD Dr. Moreau's research program centers on three interconnected areas: the role of patients and families in the learning and assessment of medical students and residents; the involvement of patients, families, and communities in program evaluation and research; and experiential learning across all educational levels. Her work bridges health professions education, program evaluation methodology, and patient-centered care principles. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a consistent focus on competency-based medical education frameworks, particularly Competence by Design. Her research increasingly examines stakeholder engagement in educational assessment, with growing emphasis on patient and family perspectives in medical training. She has made significant contributions to understanding how social media impacts health professions education and how digital platforms can be leveraged for innovative educational approaches. Dr. Moreau has received notable recognition for her work, including: Meducation Prize for Educational Development (2022) Research Excellence Award from the University of Ottawa (2017) SSHRC funding as one of nine Faculty of Education researchers (2022) Through her affiliations with major research institutes and consistent funding from competitive sources, Dr. Moreau has established collaborative networks that extend across medical education, healthcare delivery, and community-based research. Her work demonstrates a commitment to translating research findings into practical educational innovations that improve health professions training and ultimately patient care.
Tener Goodwin Veenema, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, FAAN is a Senior Scientist in the Department of Environmental Health & Engineering and a Professor of Nursing at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her work focuses on health systems optimization and healthcare worker protection during disasters and large-scale biological events. Dr. Veenema is an international expert in disaster nursing and public health emergency management. Dr. Veenema's research program focuses on informing evidence-based policy related to health care systems and public health response for global catastrophic events such as pandemics and radiation/nuclear disasters. She has conducted national workforce analyses evaluating emergency healthcare worker readiness and health systems coordination for disaster response in Ireland, Japan and the United States. Her work spans multiple disciplines including disaster nursing, emergency preparedness, health security, and healthcare worker protection. Analysis of Dr. Veenema's recent publications reveals a strong focus on pandemic response, particularly the impact of COVID-19 on nursing workforce and healthcare systems. Her research also addresses radiation/nuclear emergency preparedness, disaster nursing competencies, and climate change-related health impacts. These publications demonstrate her commitment to evidence-based approaches to strengthening health security and disaster response capabilities. Dr. Veenema has received numerous prestigious awards including: Florence Nightingale Medal of Honor (2013, International Red Crescent) - the highest international award in Nursing Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award (2017) Lifetime achievement award from Columbia University School of Nursing (2019) 2022 McGovern Lectureship by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Multiple American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Awards As an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Veenema serves on the Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness, the Disaster Research Action Collaborative, and chairs the National Academy of Medicine Standing Committee for the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response. She is an Associate Editor of the journal Health Security and Editor of Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness, the leading textbook in the field. Dr. Veenema has also developed a digital technology application to provide decision support during disasters at the point of care.
Dr. Leslie Redmond serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences within the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on developing culturally grounded nutrition interventions for minoritized populations, with particular emphasis on Indigenous communities across Canada and Native American reservations in the United States. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Nutrition from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, an MSc in Exercise Physiology from James Madison University, and a BSc in Food Science from Clemson University. These diverse foundations inform her interdisciplinary approach to public health nutrition. Dr. Redmond's research program centers on three interconnected pillars: (1) theory-based, culturally appropriate nutrition interventions co-developed with communities; (2) prevention strategies for diet-related chronic diseases in marginalized populations; and (3) sustainable solutions to food insecurity among college students. Her work frequently addresses Indigenous food sovereignty, gestational diabetes in urban Indigenous women, and obesity prevention through community-centered frameworks. Analysis of her recent publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on Indigenous health contexts across North America, with significant contributions to understanding traditional food systems, community-based obesity interventions (notably the OPREVENT2 trial), and circumpolar food security challenges. Her methodological approach emphasizes community-based participatory research and culturally safe practices. Dr. Redmond actively supervises graduate students through the university's formal inquiry process and has led multi-institutional projects including the OPREVENT2 obesity prevention trial across six Native American communities. Her research demonstrates strong community partnerships with Indigenous organizations in Manitoba, Alaska, and reservation communities throughout the United States, translating evidence into practical health solutions for vulnerable populations.
Professor Marion Mayer is a faculty member at ASH Berlin (Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin), where she serves as Professor of Social Work with a focus on counseling. She is based in Room 414 and can be reached at T +49 30 99245-445 or via email at marion.mayer@ash-berlin.eu. Her work is situated within the College of Social Work at this institution dedicated to social, health-oriented, and educational practice. Mayer's research interests span counseling methods and qualitative counseling research in social work, with particular emphasis on psychosocial counseling methods focused on individual support. She investigates counseling in child and youth welfare, prevention of sexual violence, internet-based counseling settings, gender and intersectionality, and qualitative research methods including Grounded Theory. Her work explores the positioning of counseling within broader social and political contexts, examining how counseling practices respond to contemporary challenges including right-wing extremism and populism. Analysis of Mayer's publications reveals consistent focus on the temporal dimensions of counseling practice, the embodiment of counseling processes, and the political dimensions of social work. Her research demonstrates increasing attention to digitalization of counseling services, particularly for children and youth, while maintaining strong connections to foundational counseling theories and practices. She frequently examines counseling as situated in boundary spaces ('the between') where multiple social forces intersect. Mayer has been actively publishing from 2008 through 2021, with particular productivity in 2019-2020. Her work appears in both German and international publications, often collaborating with colleagues on interdisciplinary projects. She has contributed to edited volumes and journals focused on social work, counseling, and professional practice.
