Prof. Dr. Michaela Schäuble is a media anthropologist and documentary filmmaker at the University of Bern , where she serves as a professor and co-director of EMB-Ethnographic Mediaspace Bern . Her work bridges sensory ethnography, religious studies, and ecological critique through experimental methodologies. MA Comparative Literature (Tübingen University) MA Visual Anthropology (University of Manchester) PhD Social Anthropology (University of Halle-Wittenberg) with European Doctorate (Ca' Foscari Venezia) Her research examines media as belief apparatuses , focusing on sensory embodiment in religious rituals, ecological perception, and subaltern representation. Recent work explores digital surveillance through Big Data Lives (SNSF 184862) and climate change visual politics via Mediating the Ecological Imperative (SNSF 193842). Scientific awards include prestigious fellowships at Harvard, Bologna, UCL, Yale, and Vienna. She curates film programs at institutions like Grassi Museum and Zentrum Paul Klee , while co-hosting the RAI Film Festival Conference and leading the network VANEASA . As a supervisor, she has guided doctoral research on topics spanning Vodun ethnography, post-war memory, and more-than-human ecologies. Her film Tarantism Revisited (2024) premiered at DokLeipzig, reflecting her interest in trance practices and corporeal cinematography.
Vanessa M. Zayas-Colon, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Imaging Sciences at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is affiliated with UR Medicine Faculty Group and Accountable Health Partners, specializing in Musculoskeletal Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology. Education: MD from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine Certifications: Lifetime certification in Diagnostic Radiology (American Board of Radiology) Research Interests: Dr. Zayas-Colon focuses on musculoskeletal imaging, including trauma, orthopedic, and rheumatologic conditions. Her work emphasizes cost-effective imaging strategies, MRI/ultrasound applications, and early detection of chronic diseases via radiological analysis. Publication Trends: Recent articles highlight her expertise in musculoskeletal diagnostics, covering topics like rotator cuff injuries, gout, hip arthroplasty, and inflammatory myopathies. Keywords include radiology, MRI, ultrasound, and rheumatologic imaging. Scientific Awards: ASER 2023 Top Eight Case of the Day ARRS 2022 Certificate of Merit Fellow of the American College of Radiology (2021) ICARE Strong Star (2020) RSNA Certificate of Merit (2017, 2005, 2001) On-Time Doctor Award (2014) Patients' Choice Award (2014) ARRS Bronze Medal (2002) Additional Contributions: Dr. Zayas-Colon has authored anatomical charts and educational modules, contributing to medical education and radiology training programs.
Dr. Chenghui Li is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice. She specializes in applied health econometrics and economic evaluation of pharmaceutical products, leveraging her expertise in secondary database analysis for health policy research. Education: Bachelor of Science (BS), Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN Dr. Li’s research focuses on cancer prevention, treatment outcomes, and quality of care; healthcare database research; applied econometrics; economic evaluation of pharmaceuticals; tobacco cessation; and mental health/substance abuse. Her work utilizes large datasets like All-Payer Claims Database, SEER-Medicare, and cancer registries to address health disparities and policy impacts. Her publications span topics such as opioid misuse prevention, cancer survivorship disparities, healthcare utilization in Medicaid vs. commercial insurance, and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions. She has received recognition including the UAMS Medical Research Endowment Award (2008) and a Biomedical Informatics MBL/NLM Course Fellowship (2009). Scientific Awards: 2006 Post-doctoral Fellow, Rutgers University 2008 UAMS Medical Research Endowment Award Spring 2009 Biomedical Informatics MBL/NLM Course Fellow
Dr. Ana Echevarria Arsuaga is a leading scholar in Medieval History at Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid. She serves as Head of the Department of Medieval History and Paleography since 2020, following academic progression from Assistant Professor (2003-2008) to Tenured Associate Professor (2008-2020). Her international experience includes fellowships at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (2011) and University of Constance (2015). Current: Full Professor & Department Head at UNED Previous: Academic posts at U. Constance, Ruhr-Universität Education: Degree in Geography and History from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, specializing in Medieval History. PhD in Medieval History from University of Edinburgh on 'The Perception of Muslims in Fifteenth Century Spain' (supervised by Angus MacKay). Postdoctoral research at UNED under José Luis Martín Rodríguez. Research Focus: Specializing in Iberian religious minorities (Mudejars, Moriscos, Mozarabs) and queenship studies. Her work examines legal frameworks for minority communities, interfaith dynamics in medieval Mediterranean, and cross-cultural knowledge transmission. Key projects include EU-funded 'Islamic Legacy' network and Gerda Henkel-funded 'Christian Society under Muslim Rule'. Academic Leadership: Serves on editorial boards of Medieval Encounters , Al-Masaq , and Anales de la Universidad de Alicante . Organized major conferences like the Society for the Medieval Mediterranean (2022) and RELMIN-ERC Advanced Grant Project (2014). Collaborates with leading scholars across Europe and Israel on religious minorities and queenship. Scientific Awards: 2023: Principal Investigator, 'Religious Minorities and Specialized Labour' (Spanish Ministry of Science & Innovation) 2020: Gerda Henkel Stiftung Grant for Canon Collections research 2018: International Recognition for 'Religious Boundaries' publication 2008: Al-Babtain Foundation Award for al-Andalus research Academic Contributions: Supervised 4 completed PhD theses and mentored 9 researchers. Co-organized 7 major international conferences. Peer reviewer for 15+ international journals. Elected member of the Academy of Europe (2023).
Willard Sunderland is a professor of history specializing in Russian and Soviet history, with primary focus on the Russian Empire. Teaching since 1996, he covers Russia/USSR, modern Europe, and world history through courses like \"The History of Russia: From Perun to Putin\" and \"Anna Karenina's Russia\". He earned a BA in Russian Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and MA/PhD in history from Indiana University, Bloomington. His research centers on modern Russian imperial history, informed by extensive travel throughout the former Soviet Union. Current projects include a travelogue/history of John Quincy Adams' 1809 diplomatic voyage to Russia (retraced via sailboat \"Clio\" in 2023), a Peter the Great era book, and research on Russian maritime history, the Far East, Northern Pacific, and Sino-Russian relations. His award-winning \"The Baron's Cloak\" (2014) examines imperial frontiers through war and revolution. Recent publications analyze 19th-century revolutions, regional identities, and borderland dynamics, reflecting consistent engagement with imperial administration, cross-cultural encounters, and comparative frontier studies across Eurasia. Scientific recognition includes: Publication Award from Association for the Study of the Nationalities (ASN) Publication Award from Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) Publication Award from Ohio Academy of History Research funding is secured from: National Endowment for the Humanities Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Fulbright Scholar Program International Research and Exchanges Board Social Sciences Research Council National Council for Eurasian and East European Research He co-edited \"Kritika: Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History\" (2015-2022) and supervised the \"Russia's Regions in Historical Perspective\" lab at Moscow's Higher School of Economics (2018-2021), directing international collaborative research on imperial regionalism.
Syma Iqbal, MD, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. She holds leadership roles as Medical Director for Inpatient Services at Norris Cancer Hospital, Medical Director of Ambulatory Services/Infusion Center, and Associate Cancer Physician in Chief. Dr. Iqbal chairs the Norris Clinical Investigations Committee and is a national thought leader in systemic therapy for esophageal and gastric cancers, including roles as co-Chair of the Southwest Oncology Group Esophago-Gastric Committee and Chair of the National Cancer Institute’s Esophago-Gastric Task Force. Dr. Iqbal graduated from the Keck School of Medicine of USC in 1995 and completed a Hematology and Oncology Fellowship in 2001. Her research focuses on clinical trials for gastrointestinal malignancies, pharmacogenomics in colorectal cancer, and molecular markers for treatment response and survival. Key publications highlight anti-HER2 therapies, PD-1 inhibitors, and genomic profiling in oncology. Her clinical trials span phase I-III studies in gastric, esophageal, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, emphasizing drug combinations, resistance mechanisms, and biomarker-driven approaches. While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, her work has shaped national guidelines through leadership in cancer research consortia.
Professor Joanna Lewis is a historian of Africa, empire, and world history at the London School of Economics , focusing on imperialism, colonialism, and inequality from precolonial to contemporary periods. Her research combines interdisciplinary approaches, applying historical analysis to current issues like the impact of colonialism on human rights diplomacy and post-conflict reconstruction. She currently serves as Director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security and has won multiple teaching awards, including the LSE Teaching Prize and recognition as a runner-up for LSE's Most Dynamic Lecturer in 2016. Education : First-class BA in Social and Political Science with History and Philosophy from the University of Bath; Master’s in History of International Relations from University of Cambridge; PhD in Colonial Kenya from Cambridge with ESRC Doctoral Fellowship Research Interests : Colonial governance in Africa, emotional history of British Empire, resilience in post-conflict states, Somali diaspora studies, and interdisciplinary approaches to women's history and peacebuilding Publications : Author of Empire of Sentiment (2018) and Women of the Somali Diaspora (2021), with articles on topics ranging from Livingstone's legacy to Mau Mau narratives and contemporary issues in post-colonial Africa Scientific Awards : British Academy 2020 Special Research Award Grant, LSE Teaching Prize, and multiple student-nominated teaching excellence recognitions Supervision : Has supervised PhD students on diverse topics including European Scramble for Africa, African soldiers in WWII, French Algerian rap, and youth guerrilla cycles in Uganda-Congo borderlands Current Projects : 2025 PhD Writing Workshop on well-being and neuro-diversity, research on Robert Mugabe and Britain's post-colonial legacy, and community responses to Somali diaspora challenges during the pandemic
Dr. Heather Allen is an Associate Professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Mississippi, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts. Her research focuses on early modern Spanish American and Peninsular literature, with particular emphasis on Nahuatl studies, conquest historiography, and the cultural history of manuscript and print. Education: B.A. in Literature, University of Iowa (2001) M.A. in Spanish, University of Iowa (2005) Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures, University of Chicago (2011) Her work explores intersections of textual materiality, affect theory, and digital humanities. She has published extensively in journals like Colonial Latin American Review and La corónica , and co-edited Latin American Textualities: History, Materiality, and Digital Media (University of Arizona Press, 2018), nominated for the Society of Textual Scholarship’s Finneran Award. Scientific Awards: Fulbright-Hays Seminar Fellowship (2021) Newberry Library Fellow (2019-20) Outstanding Academic Title, American Library Association (2017) Dr. Allen has received multiple grants, including a Course Development Grant for Open Educational Resources (2015), a Mini-Grant from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2018), and Travel Grants from the University of Mississippi (2016-2018). She advises Spanish majors and minors and teaches courses ranging from Spanish composition to Golden Age literature.
PD Dr. Klaus B. Tenberge is a Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of Münster, Germany. His research focuses on molecular cytology of plant-pathogen interactions and cell wall biology , with a particular emphasis on Claviceps purpurea infections in rye and Botrytis cinerea interactions with tomato/bean plants. He has supervised numerous doctoral and state examination theses since 1992 and serves on the Münster State Examination Office for biology teaching positions. Education: Biology and Mathematics at University of Münster (First State Examination, Doctorate, Habilitation in Botany) Contact: Schlossplatz 7, Münster | tenberg@uni-muenster.de His research projects analyze host-pathogen dynamics using light/electron microscopy , immunogold labeling , and in situ hybridization , targeting mechanisms like cell wall degradation , active oxygen species , and scavenging enzymes . Key collaborations include work on Claviceps and Botrytis systems with DFG and EU funding. He contributes to scientific societies (German Botanical Society, German Society for Electron Microscopy) and peer-review for journals such as Molecular Plant Pathology and New Phytologist . Recent teaching includes modules on field biology , plant biodiversity , and electron microscopy .
Dr. Diya Gupta is a Senior Lecturer in Public History at City St George's, University of London , where she explores intersections between visual culture, life-writing, and literature during wartime. Educated at Jadavpur University, University of Cambridge, and King’s College London, she previously held the Past & Present Postdoctoral Fellow: Race, Ethnicity and Equality in History at the Royal Historical Society and Institute of Historical Research (2020–2022), followed by a Postdoctoral Visiting Research Fellowship at the School of Advanced Study (2019–2020). Her first monograph, India in the Second World War: An Emotional History (2023), examines undivided India's emotional responses to WWII through letters, memoirs, and colonial photographs, shortlisted for the Royal Historical Society's 2024 Gladstone Prize. Her current project investigates wartime violence targeting colonized civilians, focusing on the 1943 Bengal Famine as a lens for understanding modern food inequalities. Dr. Gupta's recent publications span literary and visual analyses of WWII-era food deprivation, colonial photography, and marginalized narratives in academic and public history. She contributes to BBC Radio 4 programs, BBC dramas, and WWII computer games, and co-convenes the Teaching Empire and War workshop series. Her scientific awards include a HEA Fellowship and Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS). She supervises AHRC-funded PhD research with the Imperial War Museums and has secured grants from HEIF and Clore Leadership.
Dr Orestis L. Katsamenis is a Lecturer in Biomedical Imaging at the University of Southampton , affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (FEPS) and the Faculty of Medicine (FoM) . He leads the 3D X-ray Histology and Biomedical Imaging Theme at the μ-VIS X-ray Imaging Centre and holds a visiting position at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in the Biomedical Imaging Unit of Cellular Pathology and Child Health. Education: BSc in Materials Science (University of Patras, 2007), MSc in Materials Science (University of Patras, 2009), PhD in Bioengineering (University of Southampton, 2012). His research focuses on 3D X-ray Histology (XRH) and Microfocus Computed Tomography (μCT) applied to biological and clinical imaging , pharmaceutical technology , and bone nanostructure . He has pioneered μCT protocols for clinical histology and developed advanced 3D imaging tools for applications in drug delivery , tissue engineering , and evolutionary biology . His work spans multidisciplinary collaborations with engineers, medical professionals, and paleontologists. Recent publications highlight his contributions to 3D imaging of bone , microneedle design , 4D-printed polypills , and paleontological studies . He has received awards including the EPSRC Doctoral Prize Award (2012) and multiple scientific presentation honors (2018) . Dr Katsamenis supervises PhD student Ayesha Mohiud Din and collaborates with research groups like the Engineering Materials and Surface Engineering Group and the Institute for Life Sciences . His Google Scholar profile lists over 20 recent articles, showing his prolific and diverse research output.
Dr. Parm von Oheimb is a Researcher in the Mollusc Collection at the Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research in Berlin, Germany, where he has worked since 2019. His research focuses on malacology, biodiversity patterns, evolutionary biology, and biogeography, with particular emphasis on land snails and freshwater mollusks across diverse ecosystems including the Tibetan Plateau, Vietnam, and urban environments. Previously, he held postdoctoral positions at The Natural History Museum in London (2015-2019) and Justus Liebig University Giessen (2013-2015). Dr. von Oheimb earned his Dr. rer. nat. in 2013 from Justus Liebig University Giessen with a dissertation titled "Phylogeography at the 'Roof of the World' – Diversity and distribution of freshwater mollusks at the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas." He completed his Diploma in Biology with distinction in 2008 from the same institution. His educational background provided the foundation for his extensive research on mollusk systematics, biogeography, and evolutionary patterns across diverse geographical regions. Dr. von Oheimb's research interests span multiple areas of malacology and biodiversity science. His work on Tibetan Plateau freshwater gastropods has contributed significantly to understanding high-altitude adaptation and historical biogeography. His research in Vietnam has focused on limestone karst ecosystems and the biodiversity of land snails, revealing cryptic species diversity and community assembly patterns. More recently, he has investigated urban biodiversity, particularly examining cemeteries as habitats for terrestrial gastropods in Berlin. His methodological approaches integrate field surveys, molecular phylogenetics, morphological analysis, and biogeographical modeling to address fundamental questions in evolutionary biology and ecology. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent research output across multiple continents and habitats, with a clear trajectory from high-altitude freshwater systems to tropical limestone karsts and urban environments. The research shows a consistent focus on molluscan biodiversity patterns while adapting methodologies to address specific ecological and evolutionary questions in each system. His work often involves large international collaborations, reflecting the global nature of biodiversity research. Dr. von Oheimb has received several scientific awards including a Research Fellowship from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2015-2017), a Travel Award from the Malacological Society of London (2016), and the J. Frances Allen Institute of Malacology Outstanding Publication Award (2013). He has also received multiple awards for poster presentations at international conferences. As a dedicated researcher, Dr. von Oheimb has served as a Subject Editor for Zoosystematics and Evolution since 2025 and is an active member of several scientific societies including The Malacological Society of London, Unitas Malacologica, and the German Malacological Society. His work contributes to multiple research programs at the Museum für Naturkunde, particularly the "Dynamics of Nature" initiative and the "Life between Graves" project examining cemetery biodiversity. Dr. von Oheimb also contributes to science communication through the "Schemenkabinett" project and has developed various popular science formats. His research leverages the extensive mollusk collections at the Museum für Naturkunde, connecting traditional taxonomy with modern molecular approaches to address contemporary questions in biodiversity science.
Dr. Darko Davitkov is a researcher at the Department of Diseases of Ruminants, Carnivores, Poultry and Game within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. His academic career spans various clinical and molecular research areas in veterinary medicine, with a focus on parasitic, infectious, and systemic diseases in domestic and wild animals. Veterinary Internal Medicine Molecular Pathology Clinical Parasitology Equine Infectious Diseases Canine Hematology Wildlife Forensic Genetics His research has produced significant publications in journals like Parasites & Vectors and Veterinary Journal , covering topics from DNA-based species identification to oxidative stress in infected animals. While no explicit awards are listed, his work includes book authorship and collaborations on complex clinical cases involving rare diseases and parasitic interactions. Dr. Davitkov's recent work emphasizes parasitology, oxidative stress, and forensic applications in veterinary contexts.
Patrick Griffin is the Madden-Hennebry Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. He is affiliated with the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Nanovic Institute of European Studies, and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, where he served as the Thomas Moore and Judith Livingston Director from 2018 to 2024. His research focuses on the intersection of colonial American, early modern Irish, and British history, emphasizing Atlantic-wide themes such as revolution, rebellion, migration, colonization, and violence. He has authored and edited multiple influential works, including The Age of Atlantic Revolution (2023) and The Townshend Moment (2017). Griffin's publications highlight transnational dynamics of the Age of Revolution (c. 1750-1850), exploring how empires transitioned into nation-states and how individuals navigated shifting concepts of sovereignty and identity. His work spans comparative analyses of conflicts like the Seven Years' War and their impact on Atlantic societies. American Council for Learned Societies Fellowship (2004-2005) Huntington Library Fellowship (2015) Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship (1997) Filson Historical Society Fellowship (2001) James A. Burns, CSC, Graduate School Award Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy (2023) Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh (2018) Griffin earned his PhD in American history from Northwestern University, an MA in political science from Columbia University, and a BA in government and history from Notre Dame. He has served as chair of Notre Dame's Department of History (2011-2017) and contributed extensively to graduate studies.
K. Maxime Vignon is an Assistant Professor of French in the Department of Modern Languages & Classics at The University of Alabama. He coordinates affairs for African and international graduate students in French while teaching theoretical and sociolinguistic topics in French courses, as well as business and geopolitics courses. PhD in French and Applied Linguistics (University of Alabama, 2020) MA in French Studies (Linguistics & Literature) (Montclair State University, 2017) MBA in Business Management (Mercure Foundation University, Brussels, 2010) Bachelor of Law (University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin, 2005) Dr. Vignon's research focuses on language contact, sociolinguistics, phonetics, and translation within French linguistics, particularly in Francophone Africa. His work explores language identity, colonization, and social justice through a geo-linguistic lens, with a long-term goal of empowering African societies via linguistic analysis. His publications span linguistics, language policy, and cultural studies. Key themes include language standardization, code-switching, trilingualism in Rwanda, and the sociocultural implications of French language evolution in Africa. He is currently finalizing a phonetics-focused monograph and translating his first book. Within the Department of Modern Languages & Classics, Dr. Vignon actively participates in doctoral dissertation committees, diversity initiatives, and faculty governance through the Non-Tenure Track Renewable Contract Committee. He also serves as a peer reviewer for Estudios Románicos .
