Dr. Sezgin Ayabakan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management Information Systems at the Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University . He holds a PhD in Management Science from the University of Texas at Dallas, with a focus on Management Information Systems (MIS), an MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University in Turkey. His research focuses on healthcare analytics , particularly exploring how health information technology (HIT) impacts healthcare costs, quality, and utilization. Key research interests include data analytics applications in healthcare and social media, the business value of information systems, and open-source production strategies. He has examined topics such as telehealth efficacy, electronic health record (EHR) adoption challenges, hospital readmission reduction programs, and the interplay between healthcare IT and clinician well-being. Dr. Ayabakan teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in information systems, including MIS 2101: Digital Systems and SBM 3586: Diamond Peer Teachers - Internship II . His work has been published in top-tier journals like MIS Quarterly and Health Services Research and Management Epidemiology , with recent studies addressing telehealth utilization, EHR strategy impacts, and the role of organizational routines in clinician satisfaction. While no formal awards are listed, his contributions to healthcare IT research demonstrate significant academic impact. His advisory and grant activities are not detailed in the provided text, but his research often intersects with practical healthcare system challenges, suggesting potential collaborations with healthcare institutions and policy organizations.
Aleksandar Jeremic is an Associate Professor in both the Electrical & Computer Engineering department and the McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, statistical signal processing, and biometrics, with applications in healthcare and biomedical systems. He holds a Dipl. Ing. from the University of Belgrade, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His expertise spans physiological signal analysis (e.g., ECG/EEG), medical imaging, and machine learning for biomedical applications. He has authored over 50 technical articles and two book chapters, and has been recognized with a teaching award from the McMaster Electrical and Computer Engineering Society (2018). He supervises graduate students in both theoretical and applied research areas. Dr. Jeremic teaches advanced courses such as Biomedical Signal Modeling and Processing and Advanced Probability and Random Processes , emphasizing practical applications of signal processing in healthcare. His work includes clinical implementations like neonatal seizure monitoring software and microwave imaging for breast cancer detection.
Allison Ross Eckard, MD is Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine, serving as Division Chief for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Director of MUSC's Ryan White Pediatric HIV Clinic and HIV Transition Clinic. She maintains an adjunct faculty position at Emory University and holds board certification in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Her primary research focuses on metabolic, cardiovascular, and nutritional complications of chronic HIV and antiretroviral therapy across age groups, with emphasis on inflammation's role in comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and bone disorders. Current investigations include NIH R01-funded research on interventions for weight gain and abdominal fat in HIV, vitamin D supplementation, and statin therapy. She has published nearly 60 peer-reviewed papers on HIV pathogenesis and treatment optimization. Dr. Eckard co-chairs the DHHS panel for Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Exposed and HIV-Infected Children and serves on the DHHS panel for Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV . Her clinical work specializes in comprehensive HIV care for children through young adults, with particular focus on adolescent/young adult transition issues and global health initiatives through Lespwa Timoun in Haiti. Recent efforts include developing COVID-19 treatment guidelines for children and school safety protocols. HIV Specialist certification (American Academy of HIV Medicine) Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America Fellow, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Fellow, HIV Medical Association Member, HIV Medical Association's 'Ending the HIV Epidemic' working group She leads MUSC's HIV education initiatives and serves as inpatient consultant for pediatric infectious diseases, with advanced training in tropical medicine. Her NIH-funded research examines targeted interventions to minimize comorbidity development in HIV, while her clinical leadership spans the Ryan White HIV program, transition clinics, and global health partnerships.
Gert Cauwenberghs is a Professor of Bioengineering at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), affiliated with the Jacobs School of Engineering. He co-directs the Institute for Neural Computation and holds a visiting professorship at MIT. His research focuses on neuromorphic engineering, energy-efficient neural interfaces, and wearable biosensors. Key contributions include silicon-based adaptive neural circuits, implantable neural recording systems, and in-ear biosensing devices. Education: M.Eng. in Applied Physics (University of Brussels, 1988), M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Caltech, 1989–1994). Prior roles include Professorships at Johns Hopkins University and Visiting Professor at MIT. Research Interests: Biomedical integrated circuits, neuromorphic computing, brain-machine interfaces, and energy-efficient neural systems. His work bridges neuroengineering and clinical applications, emphasizing adaptive intelligence and low-power designs. Recent Work: Development of femtojoule-efficient neural chips, high-density neural interfaces, and closed-loop wearable systems. Projects include neurobench benchmarking frameworks and RRAM-based neuromorphic hardware. Awards: NSF Career Award (1997), ONR Young Investigator (1999), PECASE (2000), IEEE Distinguished Lecturer (2003–2004). Grants & Labs: Active in NIH and DoD-funded projects, co-directs the UCSD Institute for Neural Computation. Collaborates with industry on neural interface technologies. Labs/Teams: Cauwenberghs Lab at UCSD focuses on integrated neuroengineering systems, including neural recording systems and neuromorphic computing architectures.
Dr. Winnie Yip is a Professor of the Practice of Global Health Policy and Economics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She serves as Faculty Director of the China Health Partnership and recently concluded her role as Acting Director at Harvard's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. Previously, she was a Professor at the University of Oxford and led the Global Health Policy Program. She holds a PhD in Economics from MIT and a BA from UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on systemic healthcare interventions, policy design, and aging populations' impact on health systems. She collaborates closely with governments and international agencies like the World Bank and WHO, advising on reforms in Asia. Her work emphasizes equitable access, health system efficiency, and innovative eldercare solutions. Dr. Yip’s academic leadership includes roles as past President of the International Health Economics Association and editorial positions at journals like Social Science & Medicine . Her grants include funding from NSF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and EU Commission. Key areas of study include telemedicine, long-term care financing, and healthcare delivery in low-income regions.
Jenna Wiens is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering. She serves as Associate Director of the Artificial Intelligence Lab and co-Director of AI & Digital Health Innovation. Leading the MLD3 research group, her work focuses on machine learning and AI applications for healthcare data. PhD from MIT (2014) under John Guttag NSF CAREER Award recipient (2016) Humboldt Foundation Carl Friedrich von Siemens Award (2024) Her research addresses four key technical thrusts: Time-series analysis for predicting clinical outcomes Robust machine learning against spurious correlations Decision-making with causal inference and offline reinforcement learning Human-AI collaboration frameworks Notable methodological contributions include the FIDDLE preprocessing pipeline for clinical time-series data, foundational work on survival analysis, and novel approaches to model selection in healthcare reinforcement learning. Her work has led to real-world AI deployments in infection prevention and patient risk stratification. Scientific honors include: Forbes 30 Under 30 (2015) MIT Tech Review 35 Innovators Under 35 (2017) Sloan Research Fellowship in Computer Science (2020) Sarah Goddard Power Award (2023) Wiens collaborates with clinicians across disciplines, emphasizing clinician-in-the-loop AI systems and ethical implementation in healthcare workflows.
Mersema Abate, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Science Education at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. She also serves as Director of Advanced Clinical Experience at Northwell Health. Her research focuses on kidney transplantation outcomes, health disparities, and post-transplant glycemic control. She has published extensively on topics such as racial inequities in kidney transplant eligibility, electrolyte abnormalities in critically ill patients, and the impact of comorbidities on transplant success. Her work has been cited over 1,000 times, with notable contributions to understanding the role of race in clinical algorithms and managing infections in immunocompromised patients. Research Interests: Optimizing post-transplant metabolic control Addressing systemic disparities in organ transplantation Multimodal approaches to kidney failure management COVID-19's impact on renal and transplant medicine Publications: Her 70+ articles span peer-reviewed journals like Clinical Transplantation and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology , focusing on clinical nephrology and transplant medicine. Recent work emphasizes implementation of continuous glucose monitoring systems and re-evaluation of race-based clinical metrics. Grants/Advising: No formal grants or student advisees are currently listed in her profile.
Jino Distasio is a Professor and Acting Dean of Science at The University of Winnipeg, Department of Geography. He teaches Urban Geography, Cultural Geography, and Social Geography, with courses like GEOG-3413 Urban Revitalization and GEOG-3430 Housing and Neighbourhood Planning . His research focuses on housing and neighborhood development, city planning, urban revitalization, homelessness, mental health, and urban transportation. Teaching Areas : Urban Geography, Cultural Geography, Social Geography Key Collaborations : Institute of Urban Studies (U. of Winnipeg), Housing First initiatives, interdisciplinary teams in public health and social policy His recent publications highlight Housing First interventions, urban policy impacts on homelessness, and social determinants of health. Scientific awards and honors were not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Christoph Keplinger serves as Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart, Germany, leading the Robotic Materials Department since 2020 and assuming overall institute leadership in 2023. He holds dual academic appointments as Honorary Professor at the University of Stuttgart and Eminent Visiting Professor of Soft Robotics at the University of Colorado Boulder, establishing him as a pivotal figure in bridging fundamental materials science with advanced robotics. His interdisciplinary approach integrates physics, chemistry, and engineering to pioneer breakthroughs in soft robotic systems. Keplinger's academic foundation includes a PhD in Soft Matter Physics from Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard University focusing on mechanics and chemistry of soft materials. This unique background enabled his transition into robotics innovation, particularly in electrohydraulic actuation systems. His research program centers on three synergistic pillars: (I) soft robotics development through novel actuator technologies like HASEL artificial muscles; (II) energy capture mechanisms using soft materials; and (III) functional polymers engineered for robotic applications. This work produces transformative hardware that mimics biological functionality, with significant implications for human-robot interaction, medical devices, and sustainable robotics systems. His group employs cutting-edge materials synthesis and characterization techniques to create lifelike robotic components. Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in wearable haptic interfaces, electrohydraulic actuation systems, and tremor-suppression technologies. The research consistently leverages HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic) technology to achieve muscle-like performance in soft actuators, with applications spanning from fingertip haptic feedback to underwater manipulation systems. This trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental material properties toward practical implementations in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation. His exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognition: 2017 Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, awarded for high-impact interdisciplinary research 2021 Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (declined to remain at MPI-IS), Germany's most valuable international research award 2013 EAPromising European Researcher Award from the European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles As principal investigator, Keplinger leads a dynamic interdisciplinary research group while securing competitive funding for frontier projects. His entrepreneurial vision materialized in 2018 through co-founding Artimus Robotics, where he serves as Chief Science Officer to commercialize HASEL technology. This dual commitment to academic research and industry translation exemplifies his dedication to real-world impact, particularly in creating biodegradable and sustainable soft robotic solutions. The Robotic Materials Department operates state-of-the-art facilities for materials fabrication, robotic integration, and haptic interface development. The team maintains strong collaborations across MPI-IS departments and external institutions including the University of Colorado Boulder, fostering innovation in sustainable robotics through initiatives like biodegradable electrohydraulic actuators. Current projects focus on wearable tremor suppression systems, electrohydraulic locomotion platforms, and energy-autonomous soft robots that address critical challenges in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation.
Jeremy K Fox is Associate Professor of Psychology at Montclair State University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, where he directs the RECAP (Research on Emotion, Coping and Anxiety in Pediatrics) laboratory. His research examines developmental pathways to childhood anxiety and depression. Education includes: PhD in Clinical Psychology, State University of New York at Albany MA in Psychology, State University of New York at Albany BA in Psychology, Johns Hopkins University Research focuses on temperament-environment interactions, emotion regulation deficits, and school-based interventions. Current work investigates parental influences on anxiety development and peer-supported treatment models for minority youth. Articles demonstrate consistent focus on improving mental health service accessibility. Leads graduate training in clinical psychology and mentors doctoral students in anxiety research. RECAP lab investigates affective mechanisms underlying adolescent distress and develops digital interventions for school settings.
Professor Shaun Larkin is a part-time academic at the School of Public Health , University of Sydney, specializing in Health Policy and Financing . He is affiliated with the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data and a member of the Charles Perkins Centre . With a career spanning executive roles at HCF and non-executive directorships in health startups, his work bridges academia and industry. Education : Harvard Business School alumnus with a HlthScD, MBA, MHSc, and BHA. His research focuses on health economics , health policy , and health services management , emphasizing: Translational research in healthcare financing Trends in private-public healthcare partnerships Price transparency in private health insurance Leadership in health systems Chronic disease management Quality use of medicines His publications reveal a trajectory from foundational work in: Psychiatric services data standardization (2000) Heart disease and diabetes management (2013-2015) Telehealth interventions (2017-2018) Private sector policy frameworks (2019-2020) Saudi Arabian health reforms (2022-present) Private equity in healthcare (2025) As an advisor, he currently supervises research students on topics including: Quality use of medicines in Saudi Arabia Sustainable financial models for private hospitals Patient-reported outcome measures in Australia He also contributes to the Leeder Centre and engages with global health startups as an investor and advisor.
Susan A. Murphy is the Mallinckrodt Professor of Statistics and of Computer Science at Harvard University, with affiliations to the Kempner Institute. She leads the Statistical Reinforcement Learning Lab, focusing on developing algorithms to inform sequential decision-making in health, particularly for Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) and micro-randomized trials (MRTs). Her work is funded by NIH institutes, including NIDA, NHLBI, and NIBIB. Dr. Murphy has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (2013) and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (2014) and the National Academy of Sciences (2016). Her research integrates statistical methods with computer science techniques to optimize mobile health interventions. She collaborates with d3Lab and mDOT on projects like HeartSteps and Sense2Stop, evaluating real-time treatment policies. Notable contributions include advancing MRT designs, sample size calculations, and reinforcement learning algorithms for personalized healthcare. Dr. Murphy advises a large team of postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates, many of whom hold academic and industry roles globally. She emphasizes engagement in digital interventions, balancing personalization with ethical considerations. Her lab’s work spans algorithm development, clinical trial design, and causal inference, aiming to improve health outcomes through adaptive interventions.
Pawan Adhikari is a Professor of Accounting at Essex Business School, University of Essex , where he serves as Director of Impact and Enterprise and Director of Essex Accounting Centre . He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management and a Executive Board Member of the Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research Network (CIGAR) . Previously, he led accounting reforms at Nepal’s Accounting and Auditing Standards Board and lectured at Nord University, Norway. PhD, Nord University Business School Fellow of the Higher Education Academy His research focuses on public sector accounting in developing countries, particularly accounting reforms , public value creation , and climate accountability . He explores how accrual accounting and participatory budgeting can enhance transparency in South Asian and African contexts. His work has influenced policy-making in Nepal and is recognized with the 2023 Best International Research Impact award by the University of Essex. Recent publications analyze wellbeing economies (2025), NGO accountability in disasters (2024), and climate budgeting (2023). He collaborates with institutions like the World Bank , European Commission , and British Academy , focusing on projects related to financial resilience , circular economy , and health sector accountability . Supervising 8 current PhD students, his advisees have produced work on topics like accrual accounting in Bangladesh and NGO accountability in Palestine . World Bank/PEFA Research Award African Accounting and Financial Association (AAFA) Award ESRC IIA Impact Fund GCRF and SeNSS Grants 2019 Best Postgraduate Supervisor (Essex)
Itsik Pe'er is a Full Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Computer Science at Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science, and holds a joint appointment as Professor of Systems Biology at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. His research focuses on computational methods in human genetics, including genetic variation analysis, disease association studies, and algorithm development for genomic data. He leads the Itsik Pe'er Lab of Computational Genomics, which develops tools like Xplorigin, Germline, and SEACells to address challenges in genomics and medical research. His work spans machine learning applications in healthcare, microbiome analysis, and cancer genomics. Notable contributions include studies on hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, bias correction in predictive models, and the development of non-Euclidean learning libraries like Manify. Pe'er has advised students including Vladimir Vacic, Anat Kreimer, and Arthi Ramachandran, and collaborates on grants addressing genetic epidemiology and computational biology. His lab's location is in the Computer Science Building at Columbia's Morningside Campus.
Aleksander Madsen is a Researcher at the University of Oslo (UiO), affiliated with the Department of Sociology and Human Geography under the Faculty of Social Sciences. His primary research interests include social stratification, immigrant assimilation in labor markets, welfare state policies, and statistical methods. He holds a PhD from Oslo Metropolitan University and an MA from UiO. Education: PhD in Sociology, Centre for the Study of Professions, Oslo Metropolitan University (2014–2018) MA in Sociology, University of Oslo (2013) His research explores labor market integration of immigrants, gender disparities in male-dominated workplaces, and the impact of education-occupation mismatch on health outcomes. He has conducted longitudinal studies on long-term sickness absence and labor market trajectories using sequence analysis. Dr. Madsen has held postdoctoral and research positions at UiO and NIFU, and was a visiting scholar at Stanford University's SCANCOR (2024) funded by the Fulbright Foundation. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, including projects on workplace diversity, ethnic stratification, and policy evaluations. Awards: U.S. - Norway Fulbright Foundation Grant (2023–2024) His research group affiliations include the Social Inequalities and Population Dynamics team and the ORGMIGRANT project, investigating work organizations and immigrant assimilation. Recent publications address residential networks among immigrants, workplace ethnic diversity, and women’s attrition from male-dominated sectors.
