Wouter Van den Broeck is a Research Fellow at the ISI Foundation in Turin, Italy, specializing in the intersection of network science, computational social science, and epidemiology. His research focuses on: Empirical analysis of human contact networks using wearable sensor technology Computational modeling of infectious disease transmission dynamics Development of tools for epidemic forecasting and public health intervention From 2009 to 2013, Dr. Van den Broeck published 15 influential papers that established new methodologies for measuring face-to-face interactions in real-world settings (schools, hospitals, conferences) and applying this data to model pandemic influenza spread. His work during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic provided critical insights for resource allocation and intervention strategies through spatially structured epidemic models and global simulation tools like GLEaMviz. He has collaborated extensively with leading researchers including Alain Barrat, Ciro Cattuto, and Alessandro Vespignani across multiple high-impact publications in journals such as PLoS ONE, BMC Medicine, and EPJ Special Topics, demonstrating consistent contributions to understanding how network structures influence disease transmission.
Dr. Stephen J. Gleich is a distinguished physician-scientist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with dual appointments in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and the Department of Pediatrics. He serves as a Clinical Professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, where he is actively involved in teaching, research, and patient care in the specialized fields of pediatric anesthesiology and critical care medicine. Dr. Gleich's educational journey began with a BS in Aviation Technology from Purdue University, followed by an MD from Mayo Medical School. He completed rigorous training including residencies in Pediatrics and Anesthesiology, and fellowships in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Anesthesiology at prestigious institutions including Mayo Clinic and Seattle Children's Hospital. His research focuses on critical areas in pediatric anesthesia including human factors in anesthesiology , pediatric intraoperative hemodynamics , pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome , and anesthetic-related neurotoxicity . Through his work, Dr. Gleich has made significant contributions to understanding complications in pediatric cardiac surgery, respiratory management in children with infections, and quality improvement in congenital cardiac anesthesia. Dr. Gleich has received numerous accolades including being named a Top Doctor in Pediatric Anesthesiology and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine by Minnesota Top Doctors in 2022 and 2023, the Karis Award from the Mayo Clinic Values Council in 2020, and the Favorite Faculty Award from the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in 2019. His commitment to excellence is further evidenced by his leadership roles including Chair of the Quality & Safety Committee for the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society and Chair of the Pediatric Trauma Practice Improvement Committee. As an active member of multiple professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, and Society of Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Gleich contributes significantly to advancing standards in pediatric critical care. His research has resulted in numerous publications with particular focus on improving safety and outcomes in pediatric anesthesia and critical care settings.
Jane Greatorex serves as Senior Tutor, Undergraduate and Graduate Tutor, and Director of Studies in Pre-Clinical Medical and Veterinary Sciences at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge. She holds a PhD from the Open University and maintains active roles across the university's School of Clinical Medicine and Department of Veterinary Medicine. Her research spans critical virology domains including blood-borne viruses, HIV diagnostics, Ebola outbreak response, and influenza transmission dynamics. Greatorex specializes in next-generation sequencing applications for identifying resistance mutations in HIV and human herpes viruses, alongside investigating H1N1 influenza shedding and survival. Her work bridges laboratory research with real-world pandemic response, having led teams during the 2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and contributing to national policy discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong focus on viral transmission mechanisms, diagnostic innovation, and infection control. Her work spans laboratory virology, clinical epidemiology, and public health implementation, with consistent emphasis on practical applications for outbreak management and pandemic preparedness. Key trends include molecular characterization of viral resistance, environmental virus survival, and real-world transmission dynamics. Greatorex plays significant institutional roles beyond research: she oversees student admission, education, and welfare at Lucy Cavendish College; recruits Junior Research Fellows and Post-doctoral Research Associates; lectures Masters students; and supervises undergraduate projects. Her leadership extends to high-containment laboratory operations and emergency response teams, maintaining readiness for future viral outbreaks through her placement on national scientist response lists.
Matteo Parotto is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto , affiliated with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Anesthesia and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine . He works as a Staff Anesthesiologist and Intensivist at Toronto General Hospital , where he serves as director of innovation and QA in CVICU at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre . His academic leadership includes roles as co-Chair of the Research Committee and At Large Member of the Society for Airway Management (SAM) . Primary Research Focus: Airway management, ventilator induced lung injury, and critical care outcomes Key Contributions: Director of the advanced airway management fellowship program, 176+ scholarly works, and multicenter clinical trials (INTUBE, PRODIGY, LUNG SAFE) His most recent 15 publications (2022-2025) span airway management, contactless vital sign monitoring via video plethysmography, sedation safety, and critical care outcomes. Notably, his work on obesity-related intubation risks and AI-driven capnography analysis has garnered significant citations. Scientific Leadership: Principal investigator in 5 sponsored research agreements (2017-2024) Collaborations across 29 countries, 197 sites International guideline development (ERAS4OLT, enhanced recovery after liver transplantation) Dr. Parotto actively trains residents in fiber-optic intubation techniques and advocates for evidence-based airway management protocols in neurocritical care settings.
Lona Mody is a tenured Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Michigan, where she holds the Amanda Sanford Hickey Collegiate Professorship . She serves as Research Professor at the Institute of Gerontology and Associate Division Chief for Clinical and Translational Research at the Medical School. Her work focuses on antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention in long-term care facilities, and improving quality of care for older adults. Michigan Medicine VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Dr. Mody's research integrates clinical epidemiology , molecular epidemiology , and health policy to define transmission dynamics of drug-resistant pathogens in nursing homes. She has pioneered multi-modal interventions to prevent healthcare-associated infections, particularly among vulnerable patients with indwelling devices. Her recent work explores precision health initiatives for aging populations through collaborations with Israeli institutions and NIH-funded programs. Key publications highlight interventions to reduce multidrug-resistant organisms and address challenges in hospice dementia care and cannabis use in elderly . Amanda Sanford Hickey Collegiate Professor Dr. Mody actively mentors future physician-scientists and leads the division’s T32 training grant , supported by an NIA K24 award . She is affiliated with multiple centers including the Precision Health Initiative and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation .
Dr Emily Bryan is a Research Fellow at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research, affiliated with the University of Queensland's Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. Her work focuses on immunology and infectious diseases, particularly in reproductive contexts. Role: Research Fellow Institution: University of Queensland Key Affiliation: UQ Centre for Clinical Research Dr Bryan's research spans mucosal immunity, pathogen-host interactions, and fertility impacts of infections like Chlamydia and Neisseria. She investigates DNA damage, immunopathology, and vaccine efficacy against genital infections, with a focus on translational and pre-clinical models. Recent publications highlight her work on probiotics for respiratory infections, liposomal drug delivery for Chlamydia, and immune mechanisms in reproductive tract infections. Her studies often bridge immunology, microbiology, and reproductive biology. Scientific Awards: Member of Australia and New Zealand Society for Immunology, Member of Society for Reproductive Biology Dr Bryan is available for supervision and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams in clinical trials, microbiome research, and nanomedicine. She contributes to education through structured practical activities for healthcare student training.
Rebecca Grossman is a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford , affiliated with the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism and Brasenose College. She is a specialist registrar in general surgery within the Oxford Deanery, with research focuses on circadian biology , liver metabolism , and gender equality in surgical workplaces . Additionally, she serves as Associate Editor for Social Media at the British Journal of Surgery and contributes to the Royal College of Surgeons of England Women in Surgery Forum. Academic Background: Medical Degree: University of Cambridge (intercalated Zoology) and Guy's King's St Thomas School of Medicine, London Award: Legg Prize in Surgery Research Themes: Her work bridges metabolic surgery with chronobiology , exploring circadian mechanisms in liver metabolism. She also investigates social media's role in surgical research dissemination and systemic gender disparities in medical fields, particularly harassment in surgical environments. Notable Publications (2022-2010) address surgical workplace harassment, gender representation biases, SARS-CoV-2 prehabilitation protocols, and social media in medical education. Trends show interdisciplinary focus on technology-human interaction and equity in healthcare . Awards: Legg Prize in Surgery Professional Roles: Combines clinical training (MRCS, DHMSA) with academic research, advocating for safer surgical workplaces through the Royal College of Surgeons' Women in Surgery Forum. Her DPhil in circadian biology represents a deep integration of clinical practice and fundamental science.
Dr. Laura Ferris is a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Business, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, The University of Queensland, and an Affiliate of the Centre for Research in Social Psychology (CRiSP) under the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. She specializes in social psychology, mental health, and mass gathering research, with a focus on identity processes, wellbeing, and pain communication. Bachelor of Law, The University of Queensland Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland Postgraduate Diploma, The University of Queensland Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland Masters (Research), The University of Queensland Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Her research spans social identity, mental health in anaesthetists, and psychosocial dynamics at youth mass gatherings like Schoolies week. Recent work explores benign masochism, vaccine adherence, and lay heritability beliefs in cross-cultural contexts. Notable grants include NHMRC MRFF funding for queer-inclusive healthcare identities (2024-2027) and Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists support for mental wellbeing research in anaesthetists (2024-2025). She supervises PhD students in mental health and tourism risk-taking. 2024-2027 : PRIDE - Promoting queer-inclusive professional identities for diversity in primary healthcare (NHMRC MRFF) 2024-2025 : Beyond burnout in anaesthetists (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists) 2023 : Evidence-based solutions for youth mass gathering wellbeing (UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund)
Guillaume Lhermie is an Associate Professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Economics at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse (University of Toulouse) and an Adjunct Professor at Cornell University. He holds a DVM, MSc in Economics, and PhD in Pharmacology and Innovation. Education : PhD in Epidemiology, Innovation, Pharmacology (University of Nantes, 2015); MSc in Agricultural Economics and Sustainable Development (Montpellier Supagro INRA, 2010); BA in Political Science (Sciences Po Toulouse, 2010). His research integrates economics with veterinary public health to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under a One Health framework, analyzing cost-benefit trade-offs at farm and macroeconomic levels, developing simulation models for policy impact assessment, and exploring AMR as a sustainability challenge through bio-economic modeling. Recent work includes systemic approaches to health management optimization and multi-criteria decision analysis for rural veterinary practices. His publications span ecological economics, veterinary epidemiology, and public health, with a focus on AMR governance, sustainable drug use, and policy design. He has advised numerous DVM and Master’s students, including Thomas Serrand (awarded SIMV) and Maya Legras. Scientific Awards : Invited participant at University of Maryland's Living with Resistance workshop (2017); Invited to University of Maryland's Human Dimensions of AMR in Agriculture workshop (2019); Supervised SIMV award-winning theses. He teaches Animal Health Economics, Agricultural Economics, and Systems Thinking to veterinarians and executives, and has led educational modules on data analysis for cattle production. His leadership roles include coordinating the ERIAH economics group (INRA, 2015-present) and serving on the National Veterinary School of Toulouse alumni board.
Colin MacDuff is a Researcher at The Glasgow School of Art , specializing in the application of arts and humanities to infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) . His work bridges healthcare design, visual communication, and behavioral science to improve public health practices. Key Collaborations : RIPEN Project, HAIVAIRN (Healthcare Associated Infection Visualisation and Ideation Research Network) Research Themes : Visual tools for healthcare training, arts-based methodologies in medical education, hand hygiene behavioral interventions, nursing innovation in AMR mitigation His visual communication research includes developing persuasive space graphics for schools, tablet-based training tools for hospitals, and typologies of germ depictions. This work integrates design thinking , health psychology , and medical education to address complex healthcare challenges. MacDuff's academic contributions span publications in journals like Journal of Research in Nursing , Visual Communication , and Infection, Disease & Health , focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare-associated infections. He actively collaborates with nursing professionals, medical educators, and design researchers across international institutions.
Priscila M Da Silva Castanha serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health, driving research at the intersection of virology, immunology, and epidemiology with emphasis on arboviral pathogens. Academic Background: 2008: BSc in Biology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil 2011: MPH in Public Health and Epidemiology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil 2016: PhD in Virology and Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil 2018: Postdoctoral Associate in Epidemiology and Virology, University of Pernambuco, Brazil 2023: Postdoctoral Associate in Viral Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, PA Her research program investigates cutaneous immunity to arboviruses, antibody-dependent enhancement mechanisms between dengue/Zika viruses, and epidemiological dynamics in endemic Brazilian populations. Using human skin explant models, cohort studies, and molecular epitope characterization, she examines viral pathogenesis, maternal-fetal transmission, and immune cross-reactivity—critical for vaccine and diagnostic development. Analysis of her 2016-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on dengue/Zika immunopathogenesis , with recent work (2024-2025) highlighting mosquito probing's role in viral transmission, genetic ancestry effects on skin infection, and influenza antibody prophylaxis. Her Brazilian cohort studies (2016-2019) established key links between placental antibody transfer, microcephaly, and viral kinetics. Dr. Castanha teaches foundational courses including Genes, Cells, and Populations (PUBHLT 0110), Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases (IDM 2035), and First-Year Public Health Seminar, integrating her field expertise into public health education.
Emil Rosenlund Høeg is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalborg University , specifically within the Multisensory Experience Laboratory under the Department of Architecture and Media Technology . His work bridges Virtual Reality (VR) with rehabilitation engineering and educational technology, focusing on enhancing well-being through immersive experiences. Emil holds a PhD (2023) from Aalborg University, a M.Sc. in Medialogy (2017) , and a B.Sc. in Medialogy (2015) . His academic journey has been rooted in problem-based learning (PBL) and participatory design methodologies. Research interests span Virtual Reality-based rehabilitation for older adults and autistic children, exergame development , human-computer interaction , and motivation theory in health technology. Recent article trends emphasize VR hygiene protocols , social collaboration in therapeutic exergames, and extrinsic motivation frameworks for sustained rehabilitation engagement. Scientific achievements include a Best Paper Award (2019) . He serves as a journal referee for BMC Medical Informatics , ISA Transactions , and Virtual Reality , while participating in conferences like IEEE VR and ICDVRAT. Projects include the Telecyclette Initiative (Velux Foundation-funded) for elder rehabilitation, GAMESS for autism education, and Virtual Reality Hygiene Research . Media involvement covers Radio Nova commentary on META's Orion glasses and VR's societal impact.
Professor Simon Reid is a Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Queensland, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. He is a prominent researcher in One Health, systems thinking approaches to zoonotic diseases, and multisectoral governance for public health interventions. With expertise spanning veterinary medicine, epidemiology, and public health, Professor Reid has established himself as a leading academic in understanding complex disease systems at the human-animal-ecosystem interface. Education: Bachelor of Veterinary Biology, Murdoch University Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Murdoch University Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University Professor Reid is a keen advocate of One Health and the application of systems thinking approaches to understand and improve interventions for wicked zoonotic disease problems at the human-animal-ecosystem interface such as leptospirosis, brucellosis, human-bat interactions and antimicrobial resistance. His research focuses on understanding how to improve multisectoral governance, planning and implementation of responses to manage One Health problems. He delivers postgraduate courses in systems thinking, communicable disease control and One Health. Professor Reid's work spans agricultural, veterinary, biomedical, clinical, and health sciences with particular emphasis on zoonotic diseases and their prevention. Professor Reid's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of environmental factors (particularly greenspace), infectious diseases, and public health outcomes. His research spans from examining metabolic syndrome and vitamin D status in relation to urban environments, to investigating One Health approaches for leptospirosis and antimicrobial resistance. His work increasingly incorporates systems thinking and digital prediction tools for climate-sensitive infectious disease prevention, reflecting the evolving nature of public health challenges in a changing climate. Professor Reid is currently leading significant research projects including a user-friendly digital prediction tool for dengue prevention (2023-2028, Wellcome Trust) and a One Health/System Dynamics approach to reducing Clostridioides difficile infection (2022-2025, University of Western Australia). He has previously secured funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research, and Peter & Mary Ellen Stone Memorial Fund for projects related to One Health, behavior change interventions for COVID-19, and angiostrongyliasis epidemiology. Professor Reid actively supervises numerous PhD students, serving as Principal Advisor for projects on diarrheal disease in Ethiopia, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, enteric infections in Australian children, and acute watery diarrhea in Fiji. As Associate Advisor, he contributes to research on traditional African vegetables, greenspace health effects, dengue hotspot prediction, and spatiotemporal methods for infectious diseases. His completed supervision includes influential work on bat exposures, brucellosis in Jordan, infection control in veterinary practices, Q fever epidemiology, and systems approaches to child stunting.
PAM (P) Overgaauw is a Researcher at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine within the Department of Population Health Sciences and Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) . Active in zoonotic disease research, they serve as Treasurer/Secretary of ESCCAP Benelux , own Overgaauw Veterinary Advice , and collaborate with the Brabant Zoonoses Knowledge Network . Specializing in zoonotic diseases from companion animals , their work focuses on veterinary parasitology , microbiology , and One Health paradigms . Research spans environmental contamination , vector-borne diseases , and raw meat diet risks . Recent publications analyze zoonotic risks of raw meat diets , Giardia epidemiology , and tick distribution modeling . Their work integrates environmental hygiene , companion animal health , and public health policy , with a strong focus on pathogen transmission mechanisms and prevention strategies . Key collaborations include: ESCCAP Benelux leadership IRAS - One Health Microbial Agents Brabant Zoonoses Knowledge Network
Dr. Francisca Velkers is an Associate Professor in the Farm Animal Health department at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Her work focuses on poultry health and infectious disease epidemiology, with particular expertise in gut health, microbiome research, antimicrobial resistance, and avian influenza transmission dynamics. Dr. Velkers holds a Senior Qualification Research (2023), a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with specialization in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (2006), and is a diplomate of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science since 2012. She also obtained her Basic Education Qualification in 2013. Her research primarily centers on poultry gut health—including the microbiome, antimicrobial resistance, and biosecurity—as well as the introduction and transmission of infectious diseases within and between poultry farms, with a particular emphasis on avian influenza. She investigates transmission pathways of pathogens like Eimeria, Salmonella, and avian influenza viruses, examining how environmental factors, farm management practices, and host characteristics influence disease spread. Dr. Velkers frequently employs multidisciplinary approaches, integrating field epidemiology with laboratory-based microbiome analysis and mathematical modeling. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong focus on avian influenza transmission dynamics, antimicrobial resistance in poultry production systems, gut microbiome development in broilers, and novel methods for disease detection and prevention. Her work spans from fundamental microbiome research to applied surveillance studies with direct implications for farm biosecurity and disease control. Senior Qualification Research (2023) European poultry specialist diplomate (2012) Basic Education Qualification (2013) Dr. Velkers actively mentors PhD students and collaborates with partner institutes both within the Netherlands and internationally on multidisciplinary projects. Her research has been supported by various grants focused on poultry health, infectious disease transmission, and antimicrobial resistance. She is particularly engaged in projects examining the interface between wildlife and poultry production systems, especially regarding avian influenza transmission pathways. Her work contributes significantly to understanding and mitigating disease risks in poultry production through improved biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and evidence-based interventions that balance animal health, welfare, and food safety considerations.
