Dr. Kaya de Barbaro is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin (College of Liberal Arts). She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California San Diego. Her research focuses on bridging computer science and developmental/clinical psychology, particularly maternal mental health and infant social-emotional development. She directs the Daily Activity Lab, which uses mobile/wearable sensors and machine learning to analyze real-world interactions, aiming to develop just-in-time interventions for new mothers. Key research areas include maternal-infant dynamics, physiological synchronization, and the impact of environmental chaos on development. She has pioneered methods for analyzing high-density data, such as Granger causality and machine learning algorithms to detect behaviors like crying and holding. Recent work emphasizes leveraging ecological momentary assessment surveys and 24-hour LENA audio recordings to understand proximal mechanisms of development. Dr. de Barbaro teaches Psychology 333D (Introduction to Developmental Psychology) and has developed curricula for both in-person and online formats. She is actively involved in training students through the Eureka program at UT Austin. Her lab collaborates on tools like chatbots for postpartum mental health and has published extensively on sensor-based methodologies in developmental science.
Maja J Matarić is the Chan Soon-Shiong Chaired and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering, with courtesy appointments in Neuroscience and Pediatrics. She serves as founding director of the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center, co-director of the USC Robotics Research Lab, and Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind. Previously, she held leadership roles as USC's interim Vice President of Research (2020-2021) and Vice Dean for Research (2006-2019). Her educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from MIT (1994) MS in Computer Science from MIT (1990) BS in Computer Science from University of Kansas (1987) Matarić pioneers Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) , a field her lab named, focusing on human-robot interaction that provides assistance through social rather than physical support. Her research targets critical health and wellness challenges including post-stroke rehabilitation, autism spectrum disorder therapy, cognitive exercises for Alzheimer's patients, ADHD academic support, and mental health interventions. She develops systems modeling user engagement, personality, and motivation, with extensive real-world deployments in schools, rehabilitation centers, and homes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in cognitive health robotics (2025 CHI paper on LLM-powered elder care), pediatric assistive technology (2025 IDC speech therapy review), and adaptive preference modeling (2025 HRI contrastive learning work). Her research consistently bridges machine learning with human-centered design for vulnerable populations. Major scientific recognition includes: ACM Athena Lecturer Award (2024) ACM Eugene L. Lawler Humanitarian Award (2024) ACM Fellow (2020) Presidential Mentoring Award (2011) Multiple society fellowships (AAAS, IEEE, AAAI) As a dedicated mentor, Matarić has championed underrepresented groups through CRA-W, placing numerous women in faculty positions. She leads USC Viterbi's K-12 STEM Outreach Program serving low-income Los Angeles schools and authored The Robotics Prime for student education. Her research has secured significant funding enabling real-world technology transfer, with documented impact in rehabilitation centers and homes through deployable SAR systems. Her Robotics Research Lab at USC drives innovation in embodied AI, with current projects spanning LLM-integrated elder care robots, ADHD academic companions, and autism therapy systems. The lab emphasizes co-design with end-users and rigorous real-world validation across diverse populations.
Tim Althoff is an Associate Professor at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Human-Centered Computing. His research focuses on behavioral data science, combining Data Science Natural Language Processing Social Computing Human-Centered AI Ethics & Fairness to extract insights about health and well-being. Recent publications highlight advancements in: Mental health support through AI Wearable sensor health monitoring Online community analysis Reproducibility in data science Public health interventions with notable papers in ACL, Nature Machine Intelligence, and NeurIPS. Scientific recognition includes: ACL 2023 Outstanding Paper Award WWW 2021 Best Paper Award Double ICWSM 2021 Best Paper Awards SIGKDD Dissertation Award 2019 Fulbright Scholarship German National Merit Foundation Actively mentoring postdoctoral researchers and seeking PhD students in areas like neural representation learning, NLP applications to psychology, and mobile health technologies through his Behavioral Data Science Group .
Lori Escallier, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN is a Professor and Dean at the College of Nursing, Downstate Health Sciences University. With over 36 years of experience in nursing education, she is recognized nationally for developing innovative mentorship models and educational engagement strategies that have significantly impacted underrepresented and minority nursing students. Academic Qualifications BSN from Salve Regina College (1980) MSN from SUNY Stony Brook (1988) PhD from Adelphi University (1995) Her research focuses on diversifying the nursing workforce, addressing healthcare disparities, and leveraging veteran experiences in academic settings. She pioneered the Veteran to BS Program, translating military experience into academic credit, and co-authored the award-winning RWJF/AACN Transition to Practice Toolkit. Scientific Awards RWJF Innovation Award Above and Beyond Award (2015) Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) Her publications emphasize nurse mentorship, veteran healthcare transitions, and digital tools for reducing disparities. She has secured over $9M in grants from RWJF and HRSA to support these initiatives.
Sarah Billington is the UPS Foundation Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. Her research program focuses on sustainable building design, human wellbeing, and ethical supply chain practices. Education: PhD, University of Texas at Austin, Structural Engineering (1997) MSE, University of Texas at Austin, Structural Engineering (1994) BSE, Princeton University, Civil Engineering & Operations Research (1990) Her lab employs interdisciplinary methods to study how built environments impact human physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Current projects include developing tools to quantify nature exposure in buildings, exploring affordable housing's role in wellbeing, and using AI to assess forced labor risks in material supply chains. While no longer active in this area, her group previously pioneered research on sustainable construction materials like bio-based composites and ductile cement-based composites. Her recent publications address topics such as nature integration in architecture, workplace design optimization, and health impacts of building materials. The Billington Lab at Stanford fosters collaborative team science, welcoming partnerships to advance occupant-centric engineering solutions.
Dr. Elaine T. Jurkowski serves as Professor in Social Work at Southern Illinois University's College of Health and Human Sciences, holding multiple leadership roles including Graduate Program Director (2021-present) and Program Director for Gerontology Programs (2020-present). She maintains cross-appointments as Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine's Family Practice Residency Program and Professor in the Department of Health Education, demonstrating her interdisciplinary impact. B.S.W. (Industrial Social Work), University of Manitoba, Canada M.S.W. (Policy and Administration), University of Manitoba, Canada Ph.D., Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago M.B.A., Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2022) Dr. Jurkowski's research program centers on health disparities, access to mental health services, aging, and disability issues, with particular focus on rural populations. Her work bridges public health, social work, and gerontology through innovative approaches to program evaluation, technology-enhanced teaching, and culture change in long-term care settings. She has developed expertise in international health planning and inter-professional collaboration across diverse cultural contexts. Her publication portfolio shows consistent thematic development across decades, with recent work focusing on medical tourism during the pandemic, rural-urban health disparities, and technology applications in gerontology education. These publications reflect her commitment to addressing healthcare access challenges for vulnerable populations through both scholarly inquiry and practical interventions. Great Cities Research Fellow in Health Provost Faculty Fellow (2018) Provost Assessment Fellow (2016) Student Hotspotting certification (2018-present) A.P.M. Assessment Academy certification (2016, 2017) Dr. Jurkowski has successfully secured over $1 million in research funding from agencies including Health Resources and Services Administration, The Hartford Foundation, and Administration on Aging. Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained commitment to improving services for older adults and people with disabilities, particularly in rural settings. She has served as Graduate Program Director twice (2003-2014, 2021-present), mentoring numerous social work students through their academic and professional development. Her professional activities extend beyond campus through international consulting in West Africa, Hong Kong, India, China, Russia, and Egypt, and community engagement via the "Dare to Care" radio show and board service with Caring Counseling Ministries, Supporting People in Need, and UNA/USA Southern Illinois Chapter.
Zaw Myo TUN is a Research Fellow (Adjunct) at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, and serves as Senior Manager (Research and Evaluation) at IRD Global Singapore. His academic career includes roles such as Postdoctoral Fellow (2022) and Research Associate (2013–2021) at the same school. He holds a PhD from NUS (2016–2021), an MSc in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (2011–2012), and an MBBS from the University of Medicine, Mandalay, Myanmar (2003–2008). His research focuses on epidemiology, global health, tuberculosis vaccines, and public health policy. Key interests include maternal vaccination coverage in low-resource settings, hospital-acquired infections (e.g., MRSA), antibiotic resistance, and the ethical implications of pandemic control measures. He has contributed to studies on SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics, road traffic injury patterns in Bhutan, and malaria drug policy compliance in India. His publications analyze public perceptions of health policies, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore factors influencing healthcare behaviors in diverse populations. His work bridges clinical data (e.g., electronic medical records) and population-level health surveillance to inform evidence-based interventions. While no awards are explicitly mentioned, his research has addressed critical global health challenges like tuberculosis control in Myanmar and antimicrobial stewardship in Singapore primary care settings. Zaw Myo TUN’s career emphasizes translational research, linking academic findings to real-world health system improvements. His roles span academia and non-profit sectors, reflecting a commitment to addressing public health disparities through collaborative, policy-driven solutions.
Abhijit Banerjee is the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at MIT and Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). A 2019 Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences, his research focuses on development economics, political economy, and poverty alleviation. He co-authored influential books like Poor Economics and Good Economics for Hard Times , emphasizing evidence-based policies and randomized controlled trials. Banerjee’s work addresses global challenges such as education, health, and social welfare, with notable contributions to microfinance, public health interventions, and anti-poverty programs. He holds leadership roles in global initiatives like the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel and has advised governments worldwide. His research spans topics from police resource allocation in India to the impact of information during crises like demonetization and the pandemic. Education: Bachelor’s in Statistics, Presidency College, Kolkata M.A. in Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University PhD in Economics, Harvard University Key Contributions: Co-founder of J-PAL, promoting evidence-based poverty reduction strategies. Pioneer in using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for policy evaluation. Research on microfinance, education reforms, and health interventions in developing countries. Awards: Nobel Prize in Economics (2019), Infosys Prize in Social Sciences (2009), Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2020). Grants/Advisory Roles: Collaborations with institutions like the World Bank, UN, and governments on poverty, health, and education policies. Labs/Teams: J-PAL global network, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab.
Dr. Andrew Owusu is a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP) within the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), serving as graduate program director for public health. His academic appointments include teaching Foundations in Health Education, Community and Public Health, Epidemiology, and Data Management in Public Health since joining MTSU. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance, Middle Tennessee State University (2004) M.S. in Sports Administration and Management, Wayne State College (1998) B.S. in Biology, University of Alabama (1996) Dr. Owusu's research centers on adolescent health risk behaviors including bullying, sexual risk-taking, and substance use, with specialized expertise in school health policy implementation. His 15-year leadership (2007-2020) of Ghana's Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and Global School Health Policies and Practices Survey (G-SHPPS) established critical surveillance systems for adolescent health behaviors through collaborations with WHO and CDC. His methodological innovations include classroom response systems for health education and childhood lead poisoning research. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on Ghanaian adolescent health through school-based surveillance, examining sexting, skin-lightening practices, violence victimization, and condom use barriers. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of public health surveillance, policy analysis, and behavioral science to address global adolescent health challenges. Scientific recognition includes: MTSU President Recognition (2008) for significant international research/partnership Feature in 2006-2008 MTSU President’s Biennial Report (pg.11) Dr. Owusu has secured major international collaborations as Ghana's country coordinator for WHO/CDC school health initiatives (2007-2020), directing multi-institutional teams across MTSU, Ghana Education Service, WHO, and CDC. His mentorship extends through graduate program leadership and track coaching, developing 16 NCAA All-American athletes at MTSU while serving as Ghana's Olympic track coach for three consecutive games (2012-2020). The Ghana School-based Student Health Surveillance System (GSSHSS), established under his coordination, represents a sustained partnership model integrating academic research with national public health infrastructure, producing actionable data for school health policy development across Ghanaian educational institutions.
Elena Agapie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Informatics at the Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine. Her research lies at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI), health, and behavior change, focusing on designing technologies that support individuals in adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors through human-centered approaches. She is affiliated with the Connected Learning Lab and the Institute for Future Health at UCI. Her educational background includes a PhD in Human Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington, an MS in Computer Science from Harvard University, and a BS in Computer Science from Jacobs University Bremen in Germany. She has also conducted research at Microsoft Research, FXPAL, Intel Labs, and NASA Jet Propulsion Lab. Elena's research focuses on designing tools that integrate evidence-based behavioral interventions with user needs, particularly in mental health, chronic disease management, and social support systems. She explores how technology can support therapist-client collaboration, enable tailored health interventions, and leverage crowd expertise for personalized behavior change plans. Her work often involves participatory design, qualitative studies, and prototyping of interactive systems for diverse populations, including youth, hospitalized patients, and underserved communities. Her recent publications, primarily in top-tier venues like CHI and CSCW, reflect a strong trend toward social computing in health, longitudinal behavior support, and the design of inclusive digital health tools. Key themes include goal setting, conversational agents, social sharing in health tracking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in health technology development. Best Paper Award (top 1%) at CHI 2017 Honorable Mention Best Paper Award (top 5%) at CHI 2016 Best Paper Award (top 1%) at HCOMP 2015 Honorable Mention Best Paper Award (top 5%) at CHI 2013 Elena has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and UCI internal grants. She actively mentors PhD students including Bruna Oewel, Meeshu Agnihotri, and Mehreen Masood, and is currently recruiting students interested in HCI, health, and behavior change. She previously led the outreach program in the HCDE department at the University of Washington, creating workshops that introduced K–12 students to engineering and human-centered design, reaching over 2,000 students across public schools and community events. She runs initiatives to broaden participation in computing and advises undergraduate students in outreach and curriculum development. Her lab collaborates with clinical partners and interdisciplinary teams to ensure real-world impact of her research.
Linda Morrice is a Professor of Education and Migration at the School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex. She specializes in the intersection of refugee/migration studies with education, focusing on informal learning, social integration, and exclusion. Her research spans both the Global North and South, emphasizing refugee access to higher education and policy implications. Current role: Co-Director, Centre for International Education (2021-2024) Education: BA(Hons) in Social Anthropology (University of Sussex), PgDip (Birkbeck, 2004), MA (University of Sussex, 2005), Doctorate in Education (University of Sussex, 2010) Her scientific work explores refugee education through participatory methodologies, creative/narrative methods, and life history approaches. Recent publications analyze racialized borders, digital technology’s role in refugee well-being, and sanctuary city frameworks. Supervision interests include refugee family dynamics, informal pedagogies, and gendered policy impacts. Key grants include UKRI funding for digital well-being of unaccompanied refugee children (2024-2027), ESRC projects on longitudinal qualitative studies (2023-2024), and AHRC research on refugee cultural values (2013-2014). She has led evaluations for the Home Office and Queen Rania Foundation. Professional roles: Co-Chair, Sussex University of Sanctuary group (2019-2024) Advisory member for Home Office integration frameworks and vulnerable persons resettlement schemes Labs/teams: Founding member of University of Sussex Sanctuary Group and Brighton & Hove Sanctuary on Sea. Her research emphasizes participatory practices with refugee communities and longitudinal tracking of social networks.
Jae Eun Chung is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Howard University's School of Communications. Her research focuses on new media technologies, their psychosocial impacts, and health communication, with a particular emphasis on community engagement and digital discourse. Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Southern California M.A. in Telecommunications from Indiana University at Bloomington Dr. Chung's work explores the intersection of social media and health, analyzing how digital platforms influence public health perceptions, patient-doctor interactions, and health equity. She has published extensively in journals like Journal of Communication , Computers in Human Behavior , and Health Communication , often employing community-based participatory research (CBPR) to address disparities in asthma care, maternal health, and HPV-associated cancer awareness. Recent publications highlight trends in leveraging social media for health interventions, examining misinformation dynamics during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and analyzing digital ecosystems. Her methodological approaches include network analysis, narrative studies, and assessments of digital engagement metrics. Howard University RCMI Grant: Enhancing recruitment of African-Americans and Hispanics in health research NSF HDR Grant: Collaborative research on data analytics for community enrichment PACRI Grant: Improving health outcomes for asthmatic children in public housing Bezos Earth Fund: Indoor environmental quality disparities in underserved communities Dr. Chung collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, including public health experts and data scientists, to advance health communication strategies. She has mentored students and researchers in projects analyzing social media's role in health promotion, digital privacy, and community-academic partnerships.
Emilio A. Parrado is the Dorothy Swaine Thomas Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences and Director of the Population Studies Center. His research focuses on migration dynamics, particularly Hispanic populations in the U.S., international migration patterns, and social/demographic changes in Latin America. He combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including original survey and ethnographic data. Education: Ph.D. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1997), M.A. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1994), B.A. (Sociology, University of Buenos Aires, 1988). Key research areas include: Migrant health risks and transnational mobility (e.g., HIV/STI patterns at the U.S.-Mexico border) Gendered impacts of migration on labor markets and family structures Demographic transitions and social inequality in Latin America, including post-pandemic labor market shifts in Argentina Recent work emphasizes deportation effects on mental health, regional migration trends to Buenos Aires, and the intersection of immigration policy with fertility and urban development. His Migrante Project focuses on Mexico-U.S. border health observatories. Awards: None explicitly listed. Active in grants related to migrant health and labor studies. Labs/Teams: Leads the Population Studies Center and collaborates with the Latin American and Latino Studies Program at UPenn.
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.
Dr. Louise Alexander is an Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing at Deakin University's School of Nursing & Midwifery (Faculty of Health). She holds prior academic roles including Senior Lecturer (ACU, 2018–2023) and Lecturer positions (ACU and Holmesglen Institute). Her research focuses on mental health nursing workforce sustainability, stigma reduction, simulation-based education, and curriculum development. Key interests include nurse resilience, pandemic impacts on healthcare workers, and improving student attitudes towards mental illness. Education: PhD from Deakin University; GCHE qualification Certifications: University of Melbourne's Emerging Leaders & Management Program (2021–2022) Teaching: Leads courses in forensic mental health, therapeutic communication, and health promotion Research Highlights: Recent work examines pandemic trauma among nurses, alcohol consumption trends post-COVID, and leadership's role in workforce retention. Her studies emphasize qualitative methods and integrative reviews to address systemic challenges in mental health nursing education and practice. Awards/Grants: No explicit awards listed; research supported by institutional collaborations. Active in developing transition-to-practice programs and evaluating simulation-based training efficacy. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on mental health workforce resilience and stigma reduction initiatives. Engages in national and international nursing education networks.
