Thomas Posado is a Lecturer (Maître de conférences) at the Université de Rouen Normandie, affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Research Team on Contemporary America (ERIAC). His research focuses on Latin American political crises, particularly in Venezuela, exploring themes like trade unionism, democratization, and geopolitical dynamics. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Université Paris-8 (2015) and has held postdoctoral fellowships at the Madrid Institute for Advanced Study (MIAS) and the Casa de Velázquez. Key research interests include Venezuela's political trajectory under Chávez and Maduro, the role of trade unions in crises, and democratic regression in Latin America. His work has been published in journals like Revista Internacional de Estudios del Desarrollo and Cahiers des Amériques latines , and he has authored books such as Venezuela: From Revolution to Collapse (2023). Posado has organized international conferences, including the 2022 Jornadas de los Jóvenes Americanistas, and serves on the Board of the GEIVEN (Interdisciplinary Study Group on Venezuela). He has also engaged extensively with media, providing over 200 interviews across 10 countries. Awards: PhD with highest honors (2015), MIAS postdoctoral fellowship (2022–2023), Casa de Velázquez membership (2021–2022). Teaching: Lecturer at Aix-Marseille University, Sciences Po Lyon, and other institutions since 2011.
Evelyn Odonkor is an Assistant Professor at The American University of Paris since 2016, affiliated with the Economics and Management department. She holds a BA from the University of Washington, an MBA from Seattle University, and a PhD from Université de Caen. Her research focuses on cross-cultural consumer behavior, particularly analyzing advertising strategies targeting children in Ghana, France, and the U.S., as well as mobile technology's role in self-expression in developing countries. She has also conducted groundbreaking work on Cuba's unique marketing landscape under advertising restrictions. Her academic career includes lecturing at Université Paris-Dauphine and managing international relations for a banking/finance program. Key research themes include postcolonial marketing dynamics, cultural values shaping consumer behavior, and societal roles influencing advertising content. Recent work explores Cuba's marketing magic under legal restrictions and the symbolic significance of mobile devices in societies with limited advertising channels. Her conference contributions span topics from childhood education in Ghana to liberalization effects in Cuban markets.
Dr. Denis Berenschot is an Associate Professor of Spanish at Shepherd University, affiliated with the Department of English and Modern Languages. He previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at American University, teaching translation courses. His research focuses on Contemporary Cuban literature and theater, and he coordinates the Spanish section and Spanish education program at Shepherd. Annually, he leads study abroad programs to Latin American countries or Spain. Specializing in Spanish language and literature, Dr. Berenschot integrates cultural and historical contexts into his teaching and research. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to Hispanic cultural production, particularly in theater and postcolonial studies. Though no specific awards are listed, his contributions to academic and experiential education are highlighted through his program leadership and international initiatives. No specific grants or advising records are detailed in the provided text. He maintains an active role in curriculum development and student engagement through travel programs and departmental coordination.
Carina Ray is the A.M. and H.P. Bentley Chair in African History and an Associate Professor of History at the University of Michigan's Department of History. Her research focuses on Ghana and its diasporas, with expertise in race, sexuality, colonialism, migration, and print cultures. She earned her Ph.D. in History from Cornell University in 2007. Her work explores themes such as comparative colonialisms, gendered nationalism, and the intersection of race and political power. Major publications include Crossing the Color Line: Race, Sex, and the Contested Politics of Colonialism in Ghana (2015), recognized with prestigious awards from the American Historical Association and African Studies Association. She has contributed to leading journals like American Historical Review and serves as series co-editor for New African Histories and other academic presses. Current projects include (Im)Pressing Blackness , analyzing print culture's role in shaping racial identity in Ghana, and an oral history project on Cuban-African Cold War interactions. Her research bridges transnational histories, emphasizing marginalized voices and material culture. Awards include the 2016 Wesley-Logan Book Prize and 2017 Aidoo-Snyder Book Prize. She has held editorial roles for Ghana Studies and American Historical Review . Her interdisciplinary approach integrates historical methodologies with gender and postcolonial studies.
Aleysia Whitmore serves as Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and directs Educational Programming for The Spirituals Project. She maintains additional affiliation with the Interdisciplinary Research Institute for the Study of (in)Equality. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology, Brown University (2014) M.A. in Ethnomusicology, Brown University (2010) B.M. in Ethnomusicology, University of Toronto (2008) Professor Whitmore's research centers on cultural policy frameworks within global music ecosystems, examining industry dynamics across West African and Cuban traditions through the lens of world music markets. Her seminal work World Music and the Black Atlantic (Oxford University Press, 2020) investigates production, promotion, and consumption patterns in transnational music circuits. Current projects analyze French cultural policy in southeastern regions ( Sounds of a Porte Ouverte ) and Denver-based community music initiatives through The Spirituals Project, emphasizing social justice applications. Her extensive teaching portfolio spans popular music, world music, and classical traditions at Brown University, Boston College, University of Miami, and University of Colorado Denver. Leadership in The Spirituals Project drives educational programming that utilizes African American spirituals as vehicles for community engagement and social transformation. As Director of Educational Programming, Whitmore develops community-centered initiatives preserving African American spirituals while advancing social justice objectives. Her interdisciplinary work through the Institute for the Study of (in)Equality facilitates collaborative research on structural equity and cultural representation.
Susana Castillo-Rodriguez is an Associate Professor of Spanish in the Department of Global Languages and Cultures at the State University of New York at Geneseo. She joined the Geneseo faculty in 2017 and serves as Co-Coordinator of the Black and Africana Studies program and Faculty leader of the study abroad program in Equatorial Guinea. She is currently on sabbatical for Spring 2025. Dr. Castillo-Rodriguez holds two PhDs: one in Hispanic Linguistics from The Graduate Center, CUNY (2013) and another in Social Anthropology from Complutense University, Madrid (2000). She also earned a B.A. in Sociology from Complutense University, Madrid (1992). Her research focuses on Colonial Linguistics, Language Policy and Planning, and Language Ideologies, particularly in Central-Western Africa, and most specifically in Equatorial Guinea. She has made significant contributions to understanding the linguistic landscape of Equatorial Guinea, examining how Spanish colonialism shaped language policies and practices in the region. Her work reveals how missionary activities, colonial governance, and post-colonial developments have shaped linguistic practices and ideologies, with particular attention to the multilingual context including Spanish, French, Portuguese, and various indigenous languages. Dr. Castillo-Rodriguez's scholarly contributions have been recognized through her affiliations with several professional organizations including the Association of Portuguese- and Spanish-Lexified Creoles (ACBLPE), the Asociación Española de Africanistas (AEA), the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA), the International Association of Colonial and Postcolonial Linguistics (IACPL), and the New York African Studies Association (NYASA). At SUNY Geneseo, Dr. Castillo-Rodriguez teaches courses including SPAN 101: Elementary Spanish I, an introductory communication-based language course, and SPAN 388: Exp: Talk (about) Spanglish. Her teaching reflects her expertise in Spanish linguistics and sociolinguistics. Beyond her academic work, she has interests in yoga, running, travel, and reading.
Grace Schwindt is a Reader in the Department of Art at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is an accomplished contemporary artist whose work spans film, performance, sculpture, and installation. Her practice explores social relations, historical memory, mental health, and the body's relationship to societal structures, often challenging conventional modes of communication and representation. Education: MA in Fine Art, Slade School of Fine Art, London (2006-2008) BA in Photography, University of Westminster, London (2001-2005) Schwindt's research investigates how historical events shape social relationships and how memory is constructed. She frequently begins with conversations with artists, activists, and family members, transforming these into fictional dialogues presented through interdisciplinary performances. Her work examines physical and mental fragility, proposing alternative social structures where violence and exclusion are rejected. A distinctive feature of her practice is the exploration of communication beyond language, using movement, sound, and the body as mediators for sharing traumatic experiences and memories. She has developed methodologies to translate shared movements into choreographic scores and 'movement alphabets' that can be used to write musical scores or new movement sequences. Her recent artistic output shows a consistent focus on creating spaces for sharing wounds as a possibility to imagine non-oppressive social relations. She frequently works with movement therapy techniques, translating shared experiences into artistic forms. Her sculptural work often combines materials like ceramic, bronze, and stone to explore fragility and strength, with recurring themes of historical trauma, migration, and the experience of refugees. The tension between materials—such as the fragility of ceramic against the rigidity of bronze—mirrors the tensions she explores in social relations. Awards and Recognition: Shortlisted for the 2013 Jarman Award FLAMIN Productions Award (2013 and 2011) Film and Video Umbrella Free to Air Award Boise Travel Scholarship, German Consulate Travel Award, and British Council Travel Award (all 2010) Schwindt has received significant grant funding from Arts Council England, Elephant Trust, Arts Admin Bursary, Goethe Institute Glasgow, and the Jerwood Charitable Foundation. She has held residencies at the Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow, Wiels-Contemporary Art Centre in Brussels, and the Gershwin Foundation in New York. Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions at major institutions worldwide including the Contemporary Art Gallery in Vancouver, Site Gallery in Sheffield, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, and Kunsthal Gent. Her films have been screened at international festivals including the International Short Film Festival in Oberhausen, Musicaexmachina Festival in Spain, and Brighton Film Festival. Current projects include 'Silent Archive,' which proposes a new methodology to study historical archives by focusing on what has been left unsaid, particularly regarding Holocaust testimonies, and 'A Cold Stone,' which explores sculptural histories of representing suffering through works like 'Jesus on a Cold Stone.' These projects continue her exploration of fragility, vulnerability, and alternative social structures while engaging with historical trauma and contemporary social issues.
Alejandro Rodriguez is an Associate Professor in the Music Production and Engineering (MP&E) Department at Berklee College of Music, bringing over two decades of professional experience as a recording, mixing, mastering, live sound, and post-production engineer and producer. He has collaborated with high-profile artists such as Mariah Carey, Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa, Afro-Cuban All Stars, Silvio Rodríguez, and Ricardo Arjona. Position: Associate Professor Institution: Berklee College of Music Department: Music Production and Engineering (MP&E) Email: anrodriguez@berklee.edu Phone: 617-747-3181 Rodriguez previously taught acoustics at the National School of Arts (ENA) and sound studies at the Instituto Superior de Artes (ISA) in Havana, Cuba, and also instructed at a technological institute in Monterrey, México. His career began as a staff engineer at EGREM Studios in Havana, after which he pursued freelance engineering and production work globally. His research and teaching interests center on music production, audio engineering, sound recording, mixing and mastering, live sound, post-production, acoustics, and sound for visual media. He emphasizes the musicality of technical decisions and encourages students to develop broad creative capabilities across genres and roles. There are no available publications or scientific awards listed in the provided text. Alejandro actively contributes to Berklee Online, teaching courses in mixing, microphone techniques, and critical listening, reflecting his deep engagement in music education and technological pedagogy. Bachelor of Music, National School of Arts (ENA), Cuba Bachelor of Arts in Communication (specializing in sound for film, radio, and TV), Instituto Superior de Artes (ISA), Cuba Additional studies: Telecommunication Engineering, Technical University of Havana; Recording Techniques, Supraphon Recording Facilities, Prague Rodriguez mentors students in technical and artistic aspects of music production. While specific advisees are not listed, his educational leadership is evident through course development and online instruction. He has not received any mentioned scientific awards. His professional work includes sound design and engineering for productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar (Mexican cast), Jarocho , and Hernán Cortés: Historia de una Conquista . He is associated with no specific lab or research team in the provided text but contributes extensively to Berklee’s MP&E curriculum and online programs.
Claudia Hernández Romero is an Associate Professor at Otis College of Art & Design, affiliated with the Liberal Arts and Sciences school. Her work bridges sustainability studies, environmental justice, and cultural anthropology, with a focus on Latinx communities in Boyle Heights. She holds a Ph.D. in World Arts & Cultures from UCLA, specializing in Folklore Studies. Education: Ph.D. in World Arts & Cultures (Culture & Performance, Folklore Specialization) from UCLA (2019). Her research interrogates the intersections of place, identity, and health through community-based pedagogy, Indigenous sustainability practices, and decolonial methodologies. She has published on topics like Proyecto Jardín community gardens, Latinx botánicas, and food justice, with recent trends emphasizing climate action and cultural preservation. Notable awards include the Faculty Development Grant (2025, 2023) and the DEIB Impact Award (2024). She also designed a permanent California Natives Sensory Garden at Otis College in 2023, collaborating with Otis Goes Green students. Her artistic practice integrates Afro-Cuban dance and visual installations to explore belonging, indigeneity, and immigration narratives.
Annemariet Gonzalez Comendador is an Assistant Professor at the University of Stavanger, affiliated with the Faculty of Performing Arts and the Department for Jazz, Dance, PPU and Music Production. She is based in Stavanger, Norway, where she serves as the main ballet pedagogue and program leader for the Ballettprogram and the Regional Talent Program (TaDa) at Stavanger Kulturskole. Her research and professional interests focus on dance pedagogy, particularly the Cuban ballet method and Afro-Cuban dance traditions. With extensive experience as both a performer and educator, she integrates cultural dance techniques into contemporary educational frameworks. Her work emphasizes talent development and ballet training for young dancers. While no publications or scientific awards are listed in the available text, her contributions to dance education are evident through her leadership roles and long-standing teaching practice across Cuba, Spain, and Norway. She has advised and mentored numerous students through dance programs, though specific names are not provided. Her educational journey began at the National School of Arts (Ballet) in Havana, Cuba, where she graduated in 1999 after rigorous training in classical and traditional dance forms. She is actively involved in the Regional Talent Program (TaDa), contributing to structured talent development in the Stavanger region. Her work bridges academic pedagogy and practical dance instruction, fostering excellence in performing arts education.
Graeme Watson is Professor of Theoretical Chemistry and Head of School in the School of Chemistry at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) . He leads a research group focused on computational materials science, particularly in energy-related applications such as solar cells, fuel cells, and catalysis. His research interests center on theoretical and computational chemistry , with emphasis on defect chemistry , electronic structure of materials , transparent conducting oxides , and ionic conduction in metal oxides. He employs advanced methods like density functional theory (DFT) and hybrid functionals to model complex systems. His work spans solid oxide fuel cells, photocatalysis, and novel semiconductor materials for photovoltaics. The recent publications show a strong trend in energy materials , particularly in electrochemical ammonia synthesis , solar absorbers , hydrogen production , and CO2 capture . Keywords across articles include catalysis, electronic structure, defect modeling, and computational screening, indicating a consistent focus on materials for sustainable energy . No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text. Watson has extensive collaborative research experience, co-authoring with experimental and theoretical groups across Ireland and internationally. While specific grants are not listed, his high publication output suggests active funding. He advises researchers in computational modeling and materials discovery, though named students are not provided. His group likely contributes to major projects in computational materials design and energy conversion technologies . He is involved in method development, as evidenced by contributions to software like J2suscep for magnetic calculations, and works on both nanomaterials and bulk functional ceramics . His lab integrates simulation with experimental validation in areas like photoemission spectroscopy and catalysis.
Michael W. Klein is the William L. Clayton Professor of International Economic Affairs at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, Economics at Tufts University. He has held these positions since 2000 and 2021 respectively. Previously, he served as Associate Professor at Fletcher (1991–2000). He also served as Chief Economist in the U.S. Treasury’s Office of International Affairs (2010–2011). His research focuses on international macroeconomics, including exchange rate policies, capital flows, trade impacts on labor markets, and foreign direct investment. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and founder of EconoFact, a nonpartisan economic analysis platform. His work has been supported by grants from the Upjohn Institute and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Educations: PhD in Economics, Columbia University (1987) BA, Brandeis University (1980) Research Interests: Klein’s work explores how international economic policies shape global markets and domestic economies. Key areas include the design of exchange rate regimes, the effects of capital controls, and the interplay between trade liberalization and labor markets. His studies often emphasize policy coordination mechanisms to address crises and promote sustainable growth. Recent work has analyzed the 'policy trilemma' in monetary autonomy and the role of institutions like the IMF in fostering international cooperation. Publications Trends: His articles focus on macroeconomic policy frameworks, capital mobility, and crisis management. Notable themes include the evolution of exchange rate pegs, the impact of capital controls on growth, and the challenges of policy coordination in global financial systems. His 2015 work on the policy trilemma and 2016 analysis of Cuban economic reforms highlight his engagement with both theoretical and applied policy issues. Awards and Grants: While no formal awards are listed, his roles at NBER and EconoFact reflect his influence in academic and policy circles. He has secured grants from major organizations to support research on labor markets and global development. Advising and Grants: Klein’s grants include support from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on topics like employment dynamics and international development. His advising spans academic and policy spheres, though specific advisee names are not provided in the text. Labs/Teams: He leads EconoFact, a collaborative platform providing nonpartisan economic analysis. His work often integrates interdisciplinary teams from economics, policy studies, and international relations.
Bàrbara Adrover Monserrat is a Researcher at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Departament d'Enginyeria Mecànica and the TECNOFAB research group. Her work focuses on additive manufacturing technologies, particularly in the mechanical characterization of thermoplastic materials and composites for biomedical applications. She has led multiple projects exploring 3D printing parameters, inter-layer bonding mechanisms, and material properties of polymers like PLA/PHB and TPU. Key research areas include: Material extrusion processes and their effects on mechanical properties Acoustic emission analysis for quality assessment in additive manufacturing Biomedical applications of 3D printed materials Optimization of printing parameters for thermoplastic elastomers Her recent publications (2022-2025) emphasize studies on material degradation, inter-layer bond strength, and viscoelastic behavior of polymers processed via FFF/FDM techniques. She has supervised doctoral student Walter Crupano and collaborated extensively with researchers like José Antonio Travieso-Rodríguez and Ramón Jerez-Mesa. Notable grants include projects focusing on empowering secondary education students through 3D printing workshops and training Cuban medical professionals in 3D printing for complex surgeries. Her work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Health), 9 (Industry/Innovation), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Kiley Guyton Acosta is a Continuing Lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She specializes in ethnographic research on Afro-Latinx expressive culture, focusing on intersections of feminism, social justice artivism, and African diaspora identities in Cuba, Brazil, and U.S. Caribbean diaspora communities. Her teaching includes U.S. Latino Literature and Spanish language courses for heritage speakers. Acosta holds a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico (2013). She has developed interdisciplinary courses in Black Studies and Feminist Studies and serves as a Teaching Fellow for The AfroLatinidades Institute Advanced Mentorship and Summer Research Program, partnering UCSB with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). She is an invited presenter for the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Teacher Institutes, focusing on arts integration in K-12 education. Beyond academia, she collaborates with cultural initiatives like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and serves as International Representative of Ojundegara, an award-winning Cuban Arará folkloric ensemble. Her work emphasizes antiracism through collaborations with artists, musicians, and activists across the U.S. and Latin America, including projects with Cuban journalist Pedro Pérez Sarduy’s Afro-Cuban Voices .
Maybel Mesa Morales is an Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at Lycoming College, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from Texas A&M University and a B.A. in Hispanic Language and Literature from the University of Havana. Her academic career includes prior teaching and research positions in Cuba, Greece, and the United States, and she served on the faculty at Providence College before joining Lycoming College. Her research focuses on 20th- and 21st-century Latin American literature and cultural studies, with a particular emphasis on contemporary Cuban artistic production. She integrates interdisciplinary approaches from intermediality, transmedia narratives, and memory studies to examine how digital and multimedia forms reconfigure cultural archives. Her work bridges literary analysis with digital humanities methodologies. As an educator, Morales specializes in curriculum development and the integration of instructional technology. She is committed to fostering digital literacy and multimodal awareness in language education, preparing students for success in a globalized, technology-driven world. She actively contributes to open educational resources through collaborations with the Center for Open Educational Resources & Language Learning (COERLL) and the Gynocine Project. Her professional involvement includes participation in digital humanities initiatives and open education projects, reflecting her dedication to innovative and accessible pedagogy. Morales applies interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks to explore the intersections of literature, media, memory, and technology in Latin American cultural expression. She has no listed scientific awards in the provided text. Maybel Mesa Morales advises students and contributes to curriculum development, though specific advisees are not listed. She has held research and teaching roles across multiple institutions and countries, demonstrating a strong commitment to both scholarship and pedagogy. Her work in digital humanities includes collaborative grant-supported projects, particularly in open educational resources and multimodal teaching tools. She is a member of the Gynocine Project team and has collaborated with COERLL on digital humanities and open educational resource development, indicating active participation in innovative, technology-enhanced academic initiatives.
