Sol Skinnarland is an Associate Professor at the Department of Welfare, Management and Organisation at Østfold University College since April 2017. Her academic background includes a doctoral thesis on interdisciplinary collaboration in construction projects and prior research roles at Fafo. She teaches in the Master’s Programme in Organisation and Leadership, focusing on work organization, project collaboration, and organizational change. Her research emphasizes construction industry challenges, including subcontractor-main contractor relationships, Lean Construction methodologies, and digital transformation (e.g., BIM adoption). She has led projects like the DiVi initiative exploring new working methods in Viken County. Key themes include workflow optimization, knowledge creation in teams, and gender dynamics in vocational sectors. Publications span construction management, organizational change, and public sector leadership. Notable works include analyses of pandemic-era educational adaptations and remote work impacts. She contributes to research groups like Complex Connections: People, Places and Organisations (CC:PPO), addressing interdisciplinary and societal challenges. Education: PhD focused on construction project collaboration (2017), prior studies in social sciences. Grants/Projects: DiVi project, BIM implementation studies, NAV leadership analysis. Labs/Teams: CC:PPO research group, affiliated with Fafo Institute for Applied Social Science.
Sonja Hänzelmann serves as Head of Data Science Support at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany. In this leadership capacity, she oversees critical data infrastructure that enables polar and marine research across the institute's diverse scientific programs. Her research expertise spans Data Science, Bioinformatics, and Artificial Intelligence, with applications across multiple scientific domains including biosciences, geosciences, and climate research. Dr. Hänzelmann specializes in developing and implementing advanced analytical methods to extract insights from complex environmental datasets generated by the institute's field research, laboratory analyses, and observational systems. As Head of Data Science Support, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring research data quality, accessibility, and interoperability across the institute's global research initiatives. Her department provides essential computational resources and expertise that support scientists working on everything from Arctic sea ice dynamics to Antarctic marine ecosystems.
Stephanie C. Hofmann is an Associate Professor in Political Science/International Relations at the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies, serving as Deputy Director of the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding. Her research focuses on European security, international organizations (particularly the EU and NATO), international norms, networks, rising powers, regional organizations, and regime complexes. She has conducted research at the WZB unit Global Governance as a visiting researcher in 2015 and 2016, where she explored topics related to her current projects. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding global governance challenges, integrating insights from international relations theory and empirical case studies. The Centre she co-leads facilitates collaborative research on conflict prevention, development, and peacebuilding mechanisms. Dr. Hofmann’s academic contributions include analyses of norm diffusion in international systems and the evolving roles of regional security architectures. Her recent research projects address how non-Western states influence global governance frameworks through regional organizations.
Ojleska Latkoska Vesna is a Researcher at the Institute of Automation and Systems Engineering within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. She holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the same university (2004). Her career includes roles such as Junior Assistant (2007–present) and Associate-Demonstrator (2005–2007) at the institute, alongside a stint as a programmer at VIGOUR spol. S r.o. in Prague, Czech Republic (2004–2005). Her research focuses on Fuzzy Logic , Machine Learning , Robotics , and Biomedical Engineering . Key areas include fuzzy logic-based algorithms for electrical load management, epilepsy detection using neuro-fuzzy systems, robotics path planning, and feature reduction techniques in biomedical signal analysis. She explores interdisciplinary applications, blending control systems with renewable energy optimization and human-machine interaction. Her publications reflect a trend toward algorithmic innovation in healthcare diagnostics, robotics, and industrial automation. Notable contributions include comparative analyses of heliostat field control algorithms and experimental studies on electrostatic discharge effects in networked systems. She is affiliated with the Institute of Automation and Systems Engineering, contributing to both theoretical research and practical implementations in automation.
Kavita Surana is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on clean energy innovation, technology policy, and sustainable development. She holds a PhD in Materials Science from Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble (France), an MS from Paul Sabatier University (France), and a BSc in Physics from Delhi University, India. Previously, she worked at Harvard Kennedy School, World Bank, and the French Alternative Energies Commission (CEA). Her work examines intersections between public policy and private sector decision-making, with emphasis on renewable energy deployment, climate technology investment, and global sustainability goals. Key areas include corporate strategies in clean energy start-ups, hydrogen economy value chains, and carbon capture technologies. Recent research highlights include analyses of wind energy manufacturing dynamics, China's renewable energy investment needs, and policy impacts on U.S. clean energy transitions. She collaborates with international organizations and governments to advance equitable climate solutions. Education: PhD (Materials Science), INP-Grenoble; MS (Materials Science), Paul Sabatier; BSc (Physics), Delhi University Key Projects: Energy Pathways initiative, U.S. Green Economy reports, Global Hydrogen Economy studies Expertise: Climate policy design, innovation systems analysis, sustainable technology adoption
Marc Brown is an academic researcher specializing in pharmaceutical science and drug delivery systems. His work focuses on translational pharmacology, particularly in areas such as immune ageing mechanisms in viral diseases, post-COVID-19 recovery pathways, and optimizing drug penetration in complex biological matrices. He has contributed to over 67 peer-reviewed publications and led/co-led 11 research projects funded by organizations like EPSRC and Unilever. Research Interests: Drug delivery innovations, infectious disease pharmacology, and translational biomedical research Key Projects: Novel thermoregulation drug delivery systems (2006-2010) and enhancing cosmetic actives efficacy (2005-2008) His recent studies include landmark analyses of immune system ageing in severe COVID-19 cases and post-hospitalization recovery patterns. Brown collaborates extensively with multidisciplinary teams across UK institutions, contributing to both basic science and clinical application research.
Wonsik Song is a Research Fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), based in the Department of Energy and Process Engineering. His research focuses on combustion dynamics, turbulent flames, and hydrogen/ammonia combustion, with a strong emphasis on computational fluid dynamics and numerical simulations. He has contributed to studies on flame propagation, heat release characteristics, and the application of high-fidelity methods like direct numerical simulations (DNS) to analyze complex reactive flows. His work spans both experimental and computational analyses of hydrogen-air and ammonia-air mixtures in various combustion regimes, including MILD (Moderately Pressurized Ignition Delayed) conditions. Key research areas include turbulent flame interactions, radical concentrations in lean flames, and the impact of turbulence on combustion efficiency. Song’s studies often address energy applications, aiming to improve combustion models for cleaner and more efficient energy systems. Publications highlight his expertise in analyzing flame structures, dissipation rates, and the integration of GPU acceleration for simulating shock waves and stiff chemistry. While no formal awards are listed, his contributions to combustion science reflect a deep engagement with both fundamental and applied research challenges. No advising roles or grant details are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His work is primarily centered on computational and analytical methods, with a focus on advancing understanding of combustion processes in turbulent and high-pressure environments.
Alvin Jackson is Sir Richard Lodge Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh, where he has held this prestigious chair since 2005. He previously served as Dean of Research and Deputy Head of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences (2014) and Head of the School of History, Classics & Archaeology (2010-2013). His academic journey includes professorships at Queen's University Belfast (1999-2004) and Boston College (1996). Professor Jackson's research focuses on union states and union movements , modern British and Irish history , and political history . His work examines the complex interplay between constitutional structures, national identities, and political movements across the British Isles, with particular attention to the historical development of unionism in Ireland and Scotland. His recent publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining the historical foundations of contemporary constitutional arrangements, with particular emphasis on comparative analyses of union states. The articles demonstrate methodological sophistication blending political, constitutional, and social history approaches, often drawing connections between historical developments and current political challenges facing the United Kingdom. Honorary Membership, Royal Irish Academy (2014) Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship (2014) British Academy Senior Research Fellowship (2008) British Academy Research Readership (2000) John Burns Visiting Professorship, Boston College (1996) British Academy Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1986) Professor Jackson has supervised numerous doctoral candidates and received significant research funding supporting his investigations into British and Irish constitutional history. His major projects include the Leverhulme-funded research that contributed to his influential book 'The Two Unions: Ireland, Scotland and the Survival of the United Kingdom, 1707-2007' (2012). He has also contributed to major reference works including editing 'The Oxford Handbook of Modern Irish History' (2014). As an active member of the historical research community, Professor Jackson participates in numerous academic networks focused on British and Irish history, regularly presenting at international conferences and contributing to public history initiatives related to constitutional development in the British Isles.
Laurent Jolivet is a Professor of Earth Sciences at Pierre and Marie Curie University (UPMC-Paris 6) since September 2017. Previously, he served as Professor at the University of Orleans (2009-2017) where he was also a Senior Member of the Institut universitaire de France (IUF), and held professorial positions at UPMC-Paris 6 (1998-2009) and University of Cergy-Pontoise (1995-1998). His academic career began as an Assistant Professor at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (1985-1995). Professor Jolivet's research focuses on structural geology, tectonics, and geodynamics, with particular expertise in Mediterranean and Asian geology. His work examines subduction processes, exhumation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks, backarc extension, and the formation of mountain ranges. He has made significant contributions to understanding the geodynamic evolution of the Mediterranean region, including the Messinian salinity crisis and the tectonic processes behind continental deformation. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Mediterranean tectonics, particularly the interactions between Africa and Eurasia. His research combines field observations with geophysical data and modeling to understand crustal deformation, subduction processes, and the formation of geological structures. He has pioneered work on the role of eclogitization in continental subduction and the mechanisms behind the exhumation of high-pressure rocks. 1994 CNRS Bronze Medal 1997 Prize Hall, Fallot-Jérémine, Jacob - Académie des Sciences 2003 Prize P. Pruvost - Société Géologique de France 2011 Stephan Mueller Medal (European Union of Geosciences) Member of Institut universitaire de France (IUF) 2012 ERC Advanced Research Grant RHEOLITH (E. Burov co-PI) Professor Jolivet has secured significant research funding, including the ANR project EGEO (2007-2010, 500 K€) and the ERC Advanced Research Grant RHEOLITH (2012-2017, 2.645 M€). He has held numerous administrative positions including Director of the Tectonics Laboratory at UPMC (1999-2006), Director of the Earth Sciences Department (2006-2007), and Director of Master STUE at the University of Orleans (2011-2014). He leads research in the Tectonics Laboratory (UPMC, UMR CNRS 7072) which focuses on structural geology, tectonics, and geodynamics, with emphasis on Mediterranean and Asian regions. The laboratory conducts field studies, petrological analyses, and geodynamic modeling to understand crustal deformation processes.
Ole Kiehn is a distinguished Professor in Integrative Neuroscience at the Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, and Professor in Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. His career spans over three decades with significant contributions to understanding the neural basis of movement. He leads the Kiehn Lab which focuses on the molecular, cellular, and network organization of locomotor circuits in mammals. Education: 2002: Docent, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden 1990: Doctor of Science from University of Copenhagen, Denmark 1985: M.D. from University of Copenhagen, Denmark Kiehn's research centers on cellular and systems neurophysiology applied to the motor system, with particular focus on elucidating the networks underlying locomotion in rodents. His work bridges the gap between neuronal circuit organization and behavior, investigating how spinal locomotor circuits are activated and controlled by descending command signals. Recent work has focused on the functional organization of key neuronal elements for limbed locomotion in mammals: rhythm generation, coordination of flexors and extensors, and left/right coordination. His research has strong translational potential for developing therapies for movement disorders caused by trauma or disease. Analysis of Kiehn's recent publications reveals consistent focus on the neural circuitry controlling locomotion. His work spans multiple levels of analysis from molecular and cellular mechanisms to systems-level organization of motor circuits. A significant theme is the modular organization of locomotor networks, with studies examining specific neuronal populations that control different aspects of movement. His research increasingly integrates advanced techniques like optogenetics, chemogenetics, and transcriptomics to dissect the complex neural circuits underlying movement. Scientific Awards: 2024: Novo Nordic Foundation's Laureate program award 2022: The Brain Prize 2021: Kirsten and Freddy Johansen's preclinical prize 2019: Lundbeck Foundation's Professorship award 2017: Novo Nordic Foundation's Laureate program award 2015: European Research Council Advanced Grant 2014: Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) 2012: Member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Kiehn has supervised over 10 PhD students and more than 25 postdocs throughout his career. His research has been supported by numerous prestigious grants including multiple European Research Council Advanced Grants, Novo Nordisk Foundation Laureate grants, and Lundbeck Foundation Professorship grants. He has served in leadership roles including as Vice Chair of Research at the Department of Neuroscience, UCPH, and as President Elect for the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS). The Kiehn Lab, located at the University of Copenhagen, is a leading center for research on locomotor circuitry. The lab employs a broad experimental repertoire including production of transgenic mouse lines, genetically driven tracing, mRNA sequencing, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, and advanced behavioral analyses. Current research focuses on understanding the molecular, cellular, and network diversification of locomotor circuitries in mammals, with applications to movement disorders and spinal cord injury.
Julie Newman is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Structural Geology and Tectonics at Texas A&M University, holding the Ray C. Fish Professorship. Her research focuses on understanding the rheology and deformation mechanisms of Earth's lithosphere through integrated field, experimental, and microstructural analyses. She investigates strain localization, fluid-rock interactions, and metamorphic processes in crustal and upper mantle rocks, utilizing techniques like optical microscopy, electron microscopy (including EBSD), and geochemical analysis. Education: She earned her Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Rochester. Awards: She was recognized as a Montague – Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar at Texas A&M University (2010). Research Trends: Her recent work emphasizes the interplay between deformation and metamorphism in ultramafic complexes, mantle lithosphere dynamics, and the development of open-source tools like the StraboSpot data system for structural geology. She collaborates extensively on projects involving subduction zone processes, shear zone mechanics, and digital field methodologies. Her publications span structural geology, tectonics, and mineral physics, with a focus on experimental deformation, microstructural evolution, and field-based rheology studies. Collaborative efforts include advancing computational frameworks for analyzing thin sections and integrating big data approaches in geological research.
Dr Benjamin Mullin is a Research Fellow at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, leading the osteoclast unit in the Molecular Endocrinology laboratory at QEII Medical Centre. He holds a PhD in genetic epidemiology of osteoporosis (Curtin University, 2011) and has extensive experience in medical genetics research. Research interests focus on genetics of complex diseases, particularly skeletal disorders and reproductive endocrinology. Key contributions include pioneering genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for osteoporosis and bone structural traits, leading international meta-analyses, and developing osteoclast-specific eQTL resources. Publications span top-tier journals like The Lancet , Nature Genetics , and Journal of Bone and Mineral Research . Awards include a Raine Medical Research Foundation Fellowship. Active in grant leadership, including NHMRC Ideas Grants, and serves as a peer reviewer for major journals. Grants: Chief Investigator on NHMRC-funded projects including 'Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of a New ‘Dual-Action’ Target for Bone and Joint Diseases' (2023–2026). Co-inventor on four provisional patents and involved in collaborative research networks globally. Labs/Teams: Leads osteoclast unit at QEII Medical Centre and collaborates with GEFOS Consortium for osteoporosis research.
Thomas Grote is a Research Fellow at the Ethics and Philosophy Lab of the University of Tübingen’s Cluster of Excellence "Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science" . Trained in philosophy, he works at the intersection of ethics and philosophy of science, focusing on interpretability, fairness, and reliability of machine-learning systems, especially in medicine and the social sciences. Research Interests: Ethics & epistemology of AI, particularly healthcare AI Interpretability, fairness, and reliability of ML models Methodology of AI ethics and cross-disciplinary integration Computational psychiatry and predictive modelling in psychopathology His recent publications analyse foundational questions such as how to ensure ML models fulfil their intended socio-technical functions and what guardrails guarantee safe deployment. Empirical domains of concern span clinical decision support, public health prediction, and computational psychiatry, unified by an overarching interest in the epistemic conditions for trustworthy AI. Grants & Conference Roles: Co-supervisor, Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung project "Certification and Foundations of Safe Machine Learning Systems in Healthcare" Former co-supervisor, Baden-Württemberg Stiftung project "AI, Trustworthiness, and Explainability (AITE)" Co-organiser, "Philosophy of Science Meets Machine Learning" conference series (with Genin, Freiesleben, Zezulka) Program Chair, 4th European Workshop on Algorithmic Fairness (EWAF 2025), Eindhoven He welcomes collaboration inquiries and enjoys coordinating workshops, joint grant applications, and interdisciplinary paper projects.
Adrian Chase is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Boston University's Department of Anthropology. His research focuses on anthropological archaeology, particularly in Mesoamerica, with expertise in urbanism, computational archaeology, and ancient governance systems. He holds a PhD from Arizona State University (2021) and has conducted extensive fieldwork at Caracol, Belize, as well as in Mexico and Turkey. His work integrates geospatial technologies like LiDAR to analyze ancient urban structures and human-environment interactions. Chase emphasizes cross-cultural comparisons between ancient and modern urban processes, including studies on household inequality, water management, and governance dynamics. He has contributed to collaborative research projects such as the Caracol Archaeological Project and the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation at the University of Chicago. Key research interests include Mesoamerican urbanism, computational archaeology (GIS and lidar), and the socio-political implications of ancient infrastructure. His work often addresses themes like environmental adaptation, resilience, and the ethical use of technology in archaeological research. Chase is actively involved in publishing edited volumes, such as Ancient Mesoamerican Population History (2024), and peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from Maya water systems to isotopic analyses of mobility and diet. His research has been supported by institutions like the National Science Foundation and the Alphawood Foundation. Chase collaborates with international teams to advance methodologies in spatial archaeology and advocates for ethical practices in data sharing and Indigenous collaboration. Current projects include isotopic studies of Maya migration patterns and cross-cultural analyses of urban scaling in ancient societies.
Marvin T. Nieman is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He also serves as Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Studies, providing strategic leadership to enhance graduate student success in research and teaching. Additionally, he is a member of the Molecular Oncology Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, reflecting his interdisciplinary research interests. Dr. Nieman holds a PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Eastern Michigan University. His research focuses on platelet signaling mechanisms, particularly the role of protease-activated receptors (PARs) in thrombosis and cancer. He explores how PARs interact with other GPCRs to mediate protease signaling, using structural biology, cell signaling analyses, and animal models. Key areas include PAR4's role in stable clot formation, PAR heterodimerization effects on thrombin signaling, and platelet interactions with immune cells like neutrophils and tumor cells. His work highlights the importance of PAR4 in antiplatelet therapy and its genetic variants influencing disease outcomes. He has been recognized for his contributions with awards such as the Sol Sherry Distinguished Lecture (2022), FAHA (2018), and AACR-AFLAC Scholar (1999). He also engages in educational leadership, having co-founded the CWRU chapter of the Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Dr. Nieman’s advising and grants focus on graduate student mentorship and collaborative projects in hemostasis and thrombosis. His lab contributes to understanding molecular mechanisms of platelet function and their implications in diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disorders. He actively participates in professional societies including the American Heart Association and American Society for Hematology.
