Bjørn Olav Åsvold, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine (Epidemiology) and Center leader at the HUNT Centre for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology (HUNT MCE), Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He also serves as a Consultant at the Department of Endocrinology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital. His research spans epidemiology, genetics, and clinical medicine. MD, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2001 PhD, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 2008 Specialist in internal medicine, 2014 Specialist in endocrinology, 2015 Åsvold's research focuses on thyroid dysfunction and diabetes , investigating their interplay with cardiometabolic diseases and pregnancy complications . He utilizes Mendelian randomization studies to explore causal relationships between genetic factors and health outcomes, including sleep traits , autoimmune thyroid disease , and kidney function . His work also addresses global health issues like obesity in Nepal and diabetic complications in Norway. Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding hip fracture risk prediction , cardiovascular implications of sleep patterns , and genetic determinants of trace elements . Åsvold's collaborations span multiple international institutions, including the HUNT Study and HUNT MCE in Norway.
Sehrish Akhtar serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Part-time Lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University. Her academic work centers on technology-driven solutions for social challenges in elderly care and inequality. She is embedded within the 'Living conditions, health, work and social inequality' research group, collaborating with institutional partners including the City of Oslo Nursing Home Agency (SYE) and No Isolation. Her research spans Gerontechnology, Social Connectedness in Elderly Care, and Welfare Technology implementation, with emphasis on participatory design alongside older adults. Key projects include adapting KOMP telepresence technology for nursing homes to combat loneliness ('Safe and Simple Point of Contact with Relatives') and cultural analysis of telepresence as loneliness solutions ('Virtual Presence'). She prioritizes user-centered approaches that bridge technological capabilities with social needs in vulnerable populations. Publication trends reveal a methodological shift from qualitative cultural analysis (2023) toward mixed-methods evaluation of technology efficacy in care settings (2024-2025). Her work consistently addresses social isolation through digital inclusion frameworks, examining how tools like KOMP mediate family connections while navigating institutional constraints in elderly care. Emerging research extends into interprofessional collaboration dynamics within educational systems.
Ivan Canay is a Professor of Economics and Director of the Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences Program at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (2008). His research focuses on econometric theory, particularly developing statistical methods for assessing partially identified models, including tests for moment inequalities and randomization-based inference techniques. Recent work addresses challenges in clustered data analysis, covariate-adaptive randomization, and regression discontinuity designs. Canay’s academic contributions include advancing methodologies for handling non-ignorable cluster sizes and improving the robustness of inference in settings with limited data. He serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Econometrics , Journal of Business and Economic Statistics , and Econometrics Journal . His work bridges theoretical econometrics with practical applications in policy evaluation and causal inference. Key research themes include: Partially identified models and moment inequality frameworks Bootstrap methods for clustered data Covariate-adaptive randomization in clinical trials Statistical software development (e.g., Stata modules) His publications emphasize methodological rigor while addressing real-world complexities in economic data. Current projects likely expand his work on inference under structural constraints and improving accessibility of econometric tools for applied researchers.
Dr. Joshua Jeong is an Assistant Professor in the Hubert Department of Global Health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. He serves as the principal investigator for three cluster randomized controlled trials assessing community-based parenting interventions in Tanzania and Kenya. His work focuses on father-inclusive strategies to improve early childhood development (ECD) in resource-limited settings. Dr. Jeong holds affiliate editorship at the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and collaborates with NGOs, governments, and international agencies to inform scalable ECD programs. His research integrates mixed-methods approaches for intervention development and evaluation, emphasizing gender equality and couples' relationships. Dr. Jeong earned his ScD and ScM in Global Health and Population from Harvard University (with FLAS Swahili fellowship and Harvard Center on the Developing Child award), and a BS in Human Development from Cornell University. His educational background includes advanced training in implementation science and intervention design. Research interests center on parent-child relationships , particularly father engagement in low-resource contexts. He explores how caregiver mental health, economic empowerment, and family dynamics impact ECD outcomes. Current projects address parenting program scalability through existing community networks and faith-based organizations. Findings aim to improve program fidelity, gender equity, and holistic child development support. His team's work has been recognized with awards from NIH, Society for Research in Child Development, and the Jacobs Foundation. Ongoing projects include evaluations of father-inclusive parenting programs and studies on maternal decision-making power's influence on child care-seeking behaviors. Lab activities involve graduate and undergraduate research assistants analyzing qualitative and quantitative data from fieldwork in Tanzania and Kenya. Weekly lab meetings are project-specific, with Spring 2025 sessions held at the Rollins Building. Collaborations with local implementing partners like Anglican Development Services and ChildFund Kenya drive applied research initiatives.
Professor Kim Alexander is a distinguished academic and clinician in Cancer Nursing at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), leading the School of Nursing's research initiatives. Her work spans personalized cancer care, genomics, and symptom management, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and quality of life. She holds joint appointments at St Vincent's Private Hospital and chairs key committees such as the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Research Committee. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health), QUT Master of Education (Higher Education), QUT Graduate Certificates in Business (Philanthropy), Academic Practice, and Health Science, QUT Bachelor of Nursing and Public Health, QUT Research Interests: Professor Alexander's research integrates clinical practice with innovative methodologies, including systematic reviews, RCTs, and mixed-methods approaches. Key areas include genomic applications in cancer care, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and tailoring interventions to improve survivorship. Her work emphasizes translational research and industry collaboration, such as enhancing St Vincent's Hospital's research capacity through strategic partnerships. Awards: 2015 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Learning & Teaching National/international recognition in cancer genomics and survivorship Grants & Industry: She collaborates with organizations like QLD Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Recent projects include the iPROMOS implementation study and EVEREST energy conservation trial, demonstrating her commitment to real-world healthcare impact. Labs & Teams: Active member of QUT's Centre for Healthcare Transformation and Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre , fostering interdisciplinary research networks.
Laura Balzer, PhD, MPhil is an Associate Professor of Biostatistics at the University of California, Berkeley . Her research focuses on methodological and applied work in causal inference , machine learning , and messy real-world data , particularly in the context of HIV prevention and global health in East Africa. PhD – Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley (2015) MPhil – Computational Biology, University of Cambridge (2009) BS – Applied Mathematics, University of Vermont (2008) Dr. Balzer specializes in the design and analysis of cluster randomized and pragmatic trials , addressing challenges like differential measurement , complex dependence , and missing data . Her work integrates epidemiologic methods with machine learning to enhance rigor in real-world studies. Recent publications emphasize community-based HIV interventions , dynamic choice models , and causal inference frameworks for global health applications in Kenya and Uganda. Her methodological contributions include Two-Stage TMLE for handling sub-sampling and non-independent units , while applied studies examine HIV-tuberculosis interactions , hypertension care models , and social network effects on health outcomes. Dr. Balzer’s role as a Primary Statistician for East African studies underscores her commitment to translating academic advances into public health impact .
Tracey-Lea Laba is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) within the Faculty of Health at the University of Technology Sydney. As an NHMRC Early Career (Sidney Sax) Fellow and registered pharmacist, she brings extensive clinical experience to her academic work. Her research portfolio spans health economics, pharmacoepidemiology, medication utilization, and health policy with a focus on improving health outcomes for disadvantaged populations through better use of high-value medicines for non-communicable diseases. Dr. Laba received her PhD from The University of Sydney in 2014 and was a University Medallist for her Bachelor of Pharmacy (2004). Prior to joining UTS, she held positions as a senior research fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and the Menzies Centre for Health Policy, and completed an honorary postdoctoral fellowship at The University of British Columbia. Her clinical background includes hospital and community pharmacy practice as well as pharmaceutical industry experience. Her research interests focus on health economics, drug utilization and policy, clinical trial translation, and improving medication access for non-communicable diseases. Dr. Laba has secured significant funding for projects including the Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence (2020-2025), the ORIENT study on rural access to reproductive health services (2020-2026), and research on medication utilization patterns in cancer care and cardiovascular disease management. An analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on practical healthcare implementation challenges, with particular attention to medication access, quality improvement in primary care, and health system strengthening. Her work spans both Australian healthcare contexts and global health applications, particularly in low-resource settings in South Asia. Among her notable professional recognitions, Dr. Laba is the first health economist elected to Asthma Australia's Professional Advisory Council and the first person outside the PBAC chair to serve on both the drug utilization and economics subcommittees of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Dr. Laba actively supervises Masters and PhD students and has received funding through the NHMRC Early Career Fellowship program. Her research has been supported by multiple grants from the Medical Research Future Fund and NHMRC totaling millions of dollars across various projects focused on medicines intelligence, rural healthcare access, and global health interventions.
Daniel Almirall is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research (ISR) and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Statistics. He co-directs the Data Science for Dynamic Intervention Decision-making Center (d3c), focusing on developing statistical methods for adaptive interventions in healthcare and education. With a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Michigan (2007), his career includes roles at Duke University and the Durham VA Center for Health Services Research. His research emphasizes adaptive interventions—dynamic treatment strategies optimized via Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trials (SMARTs)—to address chronic health conditions, mental health (e.g., autism, depression), and substance abuse. Key contributions include methodological frameworks for causal inference, longitudinal data analysis, and implementation science. Notable recognition includes a Top 20 Autism Article (2016) and a US Department of Education-recognized methodology publication (2020). Almirall advises students across statistics, biostatistics, and education, mentoring over a dozen PhD, master’s, and undergraduate researchers. His work bridges theory and practice, collaborating with clinicians and educators to deploy evidence-based interventions. Ongoing efforts focus on scalable strategies for schools and clinics to adopt adaptive interventions, leveraging d3c's collaborative environment.
Dr. Tanvir Huda is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Sydney's Sydney School of Public Health, within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He holds an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow position and has extensive experience in global health research, particularly in low-income settings. His work focuses on maternal and child health, nutrition, health equity, and universal health coverage. Dr. Huda has secured significant funding from agencies like NHMRC, Gates Foundation, and WHO, leading major studies such as the Shonjibon trial evaluating cash transfers and nutrition interventions in Bangladesh. Education: PhD in Public Health (University of Sydney, supported by Endeavour Postgraduate Award) MSPH from University of Alabama at Birmingham via AIDS International Training Research Fellowship (Fogarty NIH) Research Interests: Dr. Huda tests innovative solutions for health inequities, including nutrition-sensitive interventions, social safety nets, and mobile health technologies. Current projects include evaluating childhood stunting reduction in Bangladesh and exploring Lactoferrin applications for anemia. Grants & Awards: NHMRC grants totaling over $6 million Gates Foundation and MRC funding ($348k+) Teaching: Teaches in the Master of International Public Health program, emphasizing participatory learning in cluster randomized trials and health systems. Advising: Supervises research on maternal-child nutrition inequalities (e.g., Miranda HENDRY's project). Collaborates on grants like the SSEAC Ignition Grant for climate-sensitive undernutrition analysis.
Geoffrey Hunt is a Professor at the Centre for Alcohol and Drugs Research, Aarhus University, Denmark, and Director of the Institute for Scientific Analysis in San Francisco, USA. He co-edited the comprehensive Routledge Handbook of Intoxicants and Intoxication (2022), which synthesizes multidisciplinary perspectives on global intoxication practices across 34 chapters and eight thematic sections. His research spans dual domains: (1) alcohol and drug studies examining social/cultural dimensions of intoxication (evident in his editorial work on global intoxicant practices across 19+ countries), and (2) special educational needs with focus on evidence-based interventions for intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and language impairments. Key interests include ethical frameworks for European psychologists, mediation in educational disputes, and historical policy analysis since the Warnock Report. Recent publications (2020-2025) reveal strong methodological emphasis on randomized controlled trials (E-PAtS program), cost-effectiveness analysis of mediation services, and systematic reviews of inclusive education practices. The work consistently addresses UK policy contexts while maintaining international relevance through European psychology ethics frameworks and cross-cultural intoxication studies.
Prof. KyungMann Kim is a Professor of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with affiliate faculty status in the Department of Statistics and School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (College of Letters and Science). As Director of the Clinical Trials Program, they lead the Data Management, Auditing, and Coordinating Center (DMACC) for the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network (CP-CTNet). Their work spans multiple NIH-funded randomized controlled trials across disciplines including cancer immunology, cardiovascular disease, and infectious diseases. Research Focus: Specializes in statistical methods for clinical trials, including sequential design, complex time-to-event analysis, and causal inference. Applies these methods to translational research in cancer prevention, tumor immunotherapy, and clinical oncology. Active in developing methodologies for clustered data and zero-inflated count data in healthcare settings. Key Projects: Leads data coordination centers for major clinical trials. Current initiatives include the CP-CTNet, managing multi-site cancer prevention trials. Collaborates extensively with clinical researchers in hematology, oncology, and cardiovascular medicine. Professional Contributions: Serves as Principal Investigator for multiple NIH-funded data coordinating centers. Advises on statistical design and analysis for rare genetic disorder trials and other critical medical research programs.
Peter Huxley is a Professor of Mental Health Research and Chair in Mental Health Research at the School of Health Sciences, Bangor University. His work focuses on mental health, social inclusion, quality of life, and healthcare integration. He leads several research projects addressing gaps in mental health services, including collaborative care models (e.g., PARTNERS2), the digital divide among individuals with severe mental illness, and social prescribing policies. His research spans global health contexts, with studies in low- and middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. Key research interests include self-harm prevention, mental health policy, and cross-cultural measurement of social inclusion using tools like the Social & Community Opportunities Profile (SCOPE). He has led over 30 international projects, including studies on healthcare pathways (Goldberg-Huxley model), economic evaluations, and mindfulness interventions for care home staff in Wales. Projects: "In Wales, are contemporary models of front-line social care for people with recurrent mental ill health fit for purpose?" (2023–2027) "Improvement and innovation in public mental health services care delivery using a new digital platform (DIALOG+)" (2023–2024) "Is there a Covid psychosis?" (2020–2021) Collaborations: Partnerships in Hong Kong, Poland, Brazil, and Sri Lanka, focusing on mental health equity and service integration. Grants: Multiple UK and international grants supporting his work on social inclusion, healthcare policy, and digital health. Huxley’s work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing health and well-being (Goal 3) and reducing inequalities (Goal 10). His research outputs emphasize translating findings into actionable policies and service improvements.
Professor Martin Scherer is affiliated with the Institute and Polyclinic for General Medicine at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , part of the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Medicine. His work focuses on primary care innovations, multimorbidity management, mental health interventions, and digital health solutions. Primary Care Implementation Research EU-Funded Chronic Disease Projects Teledermatology Applications Vaccination Strategy Development Research trends include optimizing urgent care pathways, reducing hospital admissions through general practice interventions, and creating climate-sensitive health guidelines. His work spans observational studies, cluster-randomized trials, and guideline development projects. Key collaborations involve the German Society for General Practice and Family Medicine (DEGAM), EU health programs, and interdisciplinary teams across Germany's healthcare sector.
Lauren Brookman-Frazee, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. She serves as Co-Director of the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) in Clinical Psychology, a dual-institution training program emphasizing research and practice in clinical psychology. Her work is deeply rooted in community-partnered research to enhance mental health services for children with developmental and mental health needs. Her research focuses on implementation science and community effectiveness trials , particularly in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children’s mental health services . She develops and evaluates strategies to implement evidence-based practices in public mental health and school systems. Her work emphasizes therapist training, organizational change, and sustainability of interventions such as AIM HI and 4KEEPS. The recent articles highlight a strong trend in pragmatic, community-based implementation research. They focus on therapist fidelity, caregiver outcomes, cluster randomized trials, and sustainability of mental health interventions for youth with ASD. Collectively, these works reflect a commitment to bridging the gap between research and practice in real-world settings. Scientific Awards: SDSU/UC San Diego JDP Advancement of Student Development (Teaching) Award (2020) UC San Diego Faculty Integrity Award (2017) ABCT Transformational Contribution Award, ASD & Developmental Disabilities SIG (2016) NIMH Implementation Research Institute Fellow (2010–2011) Dr. Brookman-Frazee has secured significant grant funding from NIH/NIMH, HRSA, and the California Department of Developmental Services. As Principal Investigator or Project Director on multiple large-scale grants, she leads efforts to improve team effectiveness, scale interventions like PUENTE, and implement digital measurement-based care. She mentors junior researchers and doctoral students, particularly through K-awards and diversity supplements. Her grants consistently emphasize community partnerships and translational research. She is affiliated with several research centers and training programs, including the IN STEP program, the ACTRI, San Diego LEND, CASRC, and the 4KEEPS and TEAMS research initiatives. These teams focus on improving access, engagement, and quality of care for children with ASD and their families through interdisciplinary, systems-level approaches.
Dr. Fan Xia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She earned her PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Washington, Seattle in June 2020. Dr. Xia's research focuses on methodological developments in causal inference, particularly causal mediation analysis, and she has made significant contributions to the field with numerous publications in high-impact statistical and medical journals. PhD in Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle (June 2020) Dr. Xia's research is primarily oriented around causal mediation analysis. Her work provides comprehensive guidance for applied statisticians and epidemiologists navigating the philosophical subtleties and abundant methodology in causal inference. She develops methodologies for complex causal mediation structures, including mediation analysis with treatment-induced confounding, mediation analysis with multiple mediation pathways, and mediation analysis for longitudinal data, using rigorous statistical theories for semiparametric inference. Additionally, her research involves causal discovery and cluster randomized trials with stepped wedge designs, which are related to model-based causal inference with longitudinal data. Dr. Xia has demonstrated a steady publication record with increasing productivity since completing her PhD. Her publications span from 2017 to 2025, with a notable increase in output from 2021 onward. Her work appears in top statistical journals like Biometrika, Journal of the American Statistical Association, and Biometrics, as well as medical journals including JAMA Network Open and Clinical Infectious Diseases. The publications reflect her dual focus on methodological advancements in statistics and applications to important health issues, particularly in HIV research, clinical trials methodology, and chronic disease epidemiology. No specific awards mentioned in the provided information Dr. Xia appears to be actively involved in collaborative research across multiple domains. Her publications indicate collaborations with researchers in epidemiology, medicine, and public health. While specific grant information is not provided, her research on stepped wedge cluster randomized trials suggests involvement in methodological grant-funded research. She has served as a co-investigator on studies related to HIV, hypertension, tobacco use, and chronic kidney disease, demonstrating the breadth of her research impact. Dr. Xia appears to be part of the broader biostatistics and epidemiology research community at UCSF. Her publications indicate collaborations with researchers across different departments and institutions. While specific lab information is not provided, her work on stepped wedge designs suggests she may be part of or collaborate with teams focused on clinical trial methodology. Her research on HIV and women's health also suggests connections with relevant research groups at UCSF, contributing to the university's mission of advancing health worldwide.
