Dimitrios Skalkos serves as a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, holding the specific title of Professor of Innovation Management in Food Businesses. His office is located in building X2, room X2-206c on the Ioannina Campus (45110 Ioannina), and he leads the Food Chemistry Laboratory. He earned his Basic Degree in Chemistry from the University of Ioannina (1980-1985) followed by a Doctoral Degree from the University of Toledo, USA (1986-1989) with dissertation research on "Di- and Tetrahydroporphyrins: Syntheses and Antitumor Activities". Skalkos's research spans Food Business Management, Food Innovation, and Innovation Management, with specialized focus on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Aromatic Plants, Innovative Foods, and Strategic Marketing. His work bridges academic research with industry applications in food systems, emphasizing Greek agricultural products and pandemic-era consumer behavior. His 36 publications (2020-2024) reveal strong trends in post-pandemic food innovation, consumer perception of traditional Greek foods, functional food development (particularly olive oil, cheese, and grape by-products), and sustainable agri-food supply chains. Key thematic clusters include traceability systems, bioactive properties of novel foods, and economic impacts on food choices. He has actively supervised Master's and PhD students through departmental presentations, directed 23 research programs, and organized 15 seminars and conferences. His laboratory website ( https://foods.chem.uoi.gr ) showcases ongoing food chemistry innovations.
Dr Alvin Tan is a Lecturer in the School of Advertising, Marketing & PR at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). His research focuses on SME internationalisation, export readiness, and managerial decision-making in cross-border contexts. He holds a PhD in International Business from the University of Queensland (2012) and has over a decade of academic experience, including roles in teaching units like AMB110 Internationalisation. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (International Business), University of Queensland (2012) Bachelor of Business (Honours), Queensland University of Technology Bachelor of Commerce (International Business), University of Tasmania Research Interests: Small-medium enterprise internationalisation drivers, export decision rigidity, managerial commitment in export strategies, and inward internationalisation dynamics. His work emphasizes the pre-internationalisation phase and has contributed to frameworks like the export readiness index. Awards: QUT Vice Chancellor's Performance Award for Teaching Excellence (2008) Accredited Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Teaching and Supervision: Specializes in global business strategy, international marketing, and supervises postgraduate students on SME internationalisation topics.
Sergio Moreno Gil is a Professor in the Department of Economics and Business Management at Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain. He is affiliated with the GIR TIDES research group (Economy, Environment, Sustainability and Tourism) and the Institute of Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development. His academic work focuses on tourism economics, marketing, and sustainability within the Social and Legal Sciences branch. Dr. Moreno Gil's research interests span across multiple dimensions of contemporary tourism. His primary focus areas include sustainable tourism development, destination marketing, sharing economy platforms in tourism, and consumer behavior analysis. He has made significant contributions to understanding tourism in the Canary Islands, particularly through his work with the Canary Islands Tourism Observatory. His research integrates traditional tourism studies with emerging fields like neurotourism and biometric analysis of tourist experiences. His publication record shows a clear trend toward addressing contemporary challenges in tourism. Recent works focus on sustainability in mass tourism destinations, the impact of sharing economy platforms, gastronomic tourism marketing, and collaborative tourism networks. His research demonstrates a strong methodological diversity, employing bibliometric analysis, social network analysis, and empirical studies of tourist behavior. Dr. Moreno Gil has been actively involved in the Canary Islands Tourism Observatory, contributing to annual reports on tourism sustainability in the region. His collaborative work spans across the Ibero-American region, with numerous co-authorships reflecting international research networks in tourism studies.
Jonathan Levine is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where he has been faculty since 1991. His work focuses on transportation planning, housing and equitable development, and land use and environmental planning, with a particular emphasis on shifting from mobility-based to accessibility-based planning paradigms. Levine's educational background includes: Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley M.C.P. in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley M.S. in Engineering (Civil Engineering-Transportation focus) from the University of California, Berkeley B.S. in Political Economy of Natural Resources from the University of California, Berkeley His research centers on the potential and rationales for policy reform in transportation and land use. Levine argues that a shift in the transportation and land-use planning paradigm from a mobility to an accessibility basis is compelled by transportation theory and would be transformative to planning practices. His current work includes sponsored projects and the book "From Mobility to Accessibility: Transforming Urban Transportation and Land-Use Planning" (Cornell University Press, 2019), co-authored with Joe Grengs and Louis Merlin. He previously authored "Zoned Out: Regulation, Markets, and Choices in Transportation and Metropolitan Land Use" (Resources for the Future, 2006), which argued for policy reform based on expanding households' effective range of choices. Levine's recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward accessibility-based evaluation of transportation systems and land-use planning. His articles explore topics such as comparing bus rapid transit and light rail, project-level accessibility analysis, overcoming the last-mile problem, and the effects of automated transit systems. His work consistently challenges traditional transportation planning paradigms and advocates for approaches that prioritize access to destinations rather than mere mobility. Levine's contributions to the field have been recognized with several prestigious awards: 2010 Chester Rapkin Award for best paper in the Journal of Planning Education and Research 2011 Residential Fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation Center in Bellagio, Italy 2001 Excellence in Urban Policy Scholarship Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 1996 Best of Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Award Levine has led significant research projects including Implementation of Accessibility-Based Evaluation for Transportation and Land-Use Planning funded by NEXTRANS, Sustainable Transportation for a 3rd Century addressing the last mile problem, and Accessibility Evaluation from Laboratory to Practice. His teaching portfolio includes Transportation and Land-Use Planning, Public Economics for Urban Planning, Research Design, and the MUP Capstone studio, where he guides students through real-world planning challenges. As a thought leader in urban planning, Levine regularly contributes to public discourse on zoning policies, housing diversity, and transportation planning. He has been featured in numerous media outlets discussing how land use policies impact sustainability, affordability, and racial justice, emphasizing that "zoning is behind all of it, and is not only the cause, but exacerbates it." His insights on the historical role of single-family zoning in perpetuating racial segregation have been particularly influential in contemporary housing policy debates.
Nebiyou Tilahun is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Urban Planning and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), within the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA). He leads the Mobility Urban Systems and Equity Lab , focusing on equitable transportation solutions. His roles include teaching courses such as Transportation Planning Methods, Spatial Statistics, and Plan Making Studio. Dr. Tilahun holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota (2010), with earlier degrees in Civil Engineering (B.Sc., 2001; M.Sc., 2005). His career includes post-doctoral research at UIC’s Urban Transportation Center and the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, as well as professional experience at the Washington State Department of Transportation. Research Interests : His work bridges transportation equity, urban planning, and policy evaluation. Key areas include: Transport accessibility and equity Automated traffic enforcement (e.g., speed/red-light cameras) Social networks and travel behavior Disability and mobility challenges Intergenerational poverty and spatial mobility Recent Research Trends : His publications emphasize equity in urban systems, such as analyzing racial disparities in traffic stops, evaluating automated camera efficacy, and exploring how residential choices shape young adults’ travel patterns. He also investigates transit accessibility gaps in Chicago and the role of technology in urban informatics. Labs/Teams : Directs the Mobility Urban Systems and Equity Lab, which develops tools like the Chicago Accessibility Explorer to visualize transit equity. Collaborates on projects like Seeing Cities Through Big Data , applying data science to urban planning challenges. Grants/Advising : While specific grants are not detailed here, his lab’s work implies funding in transportation equity and technology. No advisees are listed in the provided materials.
Prof. Hans van Lint is a Professor of Traffic Simulation and Computing at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), where he holds the Anthony van Leeuwenhoek Chair since 2013. He is affiliated with the Department of Transport & Planning within the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. His research focuses on the intersection of traffic flow theory, data analytics, and traffic simulation, with applications in estimating and predicting traffic states in networks. He has supervised numerous PhD students and contributed to valorization projects translating research into practical solutions. Van Lint earned his MSc in Civil Engineering in 1997 and returned to TU Delft for his PhD, which he completed in 2004 on 'Freeway Travel Time Prediction.' He has held roles including Assistant Professor (until 2009), Associate Professor, and has served as Director of Education for the MSc Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics program from 2010–2016. His research interests include traffic simulation frameworks, data assimilation techniques, and the development of tools for traffic state estimation. He has authored influential papers on topics such as microscopic traffic modeling, congestion pattern analysis, and macroscopic fundamental diagrams. His work emphasizes bridging theoretical models with real-world applications, enhancing traffic management and infrastructure planning. Van Lint teaches courses like 'Transport & Planning' and 'Interdisciplinary Fundamentals,' reflecting his commitment to both research and education. He actively contributes to TU Delft's labs, including the Traffic Dynamics, Modelling and Control Lab, advancing interdisciplinary approaches to mobility challenges.
Bilal Farooq is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Engineering in Interdisciplinary Engineering (MEIE) at Toronto Metropolitan University, holding the Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services within the Department of Civil Engineering. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto (2011), MASc from Lahore University of Management Sciences (2004), and BSc from the University of Engineering and Technology (2001). Dr. Farooq's research pioneers disruptive transportation solutions through cyber-physical systems, AI/machine learning applications, behavioral modeling, and optimization techniques. His work specifically targets on-demand multimodal systems, sustainable urban transportation, urban air mobility, automated vehicles, and extended reality applications, addressing critical urban mobility challenges with human-centered approaches. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward quantum-enhanced computational methods, privacy-preserving federated learning frameworks, and sustainability-focused decarbonization strategies across transportation domains, with increasing emphasis on human factors and real-world implementation. Notable scientific awards include: Ontario Early Researcher Award (2018) Canada Research Chair (2017) MassMotion Academic Pedestrian Modelling Project of the Year (2016) Québec Early Researcher Award (2014) Dr. Farooq actively supervises graduate students and secures significant research funding through his Canada Research Chair position and Early Researcher Awards. He directs the Laboratory of Innovations in Transportation (LiTrans), which develops interdisciplinary solutions integrating mathematics, engineering, computer science, and economics to address emerging transportation challenges. LiTrans focuses on disruptive transportation technologies, complete streets design, cyber-physical systems, pedestrian dynamics, resilience, and climate change impacts, collaborating with industry and government partners to translate research into practical urban mobility innovations for smart cities worldwide.
Hiroyuki Iseki is Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Planning at University of Maryland's School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, and Research Affiliate with the National Center for Smart Growth. His work examines interactions between transportation, land use, equity, and environmental sustainability. Research focuses on: Transit-oriented development impacts on firm location Equity in public transit finance Climate policy implementation in urban planning Active transportation infrastructure analysis Recent publications analyze post-pandemic transit demand shifts, campus multimodal conflicts, and bicycle accessibility modeling. Methodological strengths include spatial econometrics, GIS analysis, and longitudinal data approaches. Work increasingly addresses climate adaptation in transportation planning and EV charging grid impacts. Research contributes to urban policy through WMATA collaborations and Japanese municipal climate planning studies. Current PhD program directorship advances urban planning analytics training.
George Spencer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology at NYU’s Steinhardt School. He holds a PhD and MA from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, and a BA from Northwestern University. His research focuses on college access, policy evaluation, and student pathways, with a particular emphasis on socioeconomic disparities and policy levers to improve educational outcomes. His work has been supported by grants from AERA, TIAA Institute, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Notable awards include the AERA Dissertation Fellowship (2015-2016) and Russell Sage Foundation Pipeline Grant (2021). Prior to academia, Spencer directed programs for high school students with the I Have a Dream Foundation and worked at the Consortium on Financing Higher Education. Research interests include dual enrollment policies, articulation agreements, transfer student trajectories, and the effectiveness of individualized learning plans. His scholarship appears in top journals like American Educational Research Journal and Review of Higher Education.
Professor Merje Kuus is a distinguished political geographer at the Department of Geography , Faculty of Arts , University of British Columbia . Her work bridges political geography , international relations , and sociology to examine knowledge production in policy-making contexts. PhD from Syracuse University (1999) WSET Level 3 Award in Wine holder Active in Arctic Circle's Mission Council on the GlobalArctic Research focuses on expertise in diplomatic practices , with empirical specializations in European Union and Arctic governance . She also explores geographical imaginaries in wine production , connecting policy analysis to cultural geography. Key publications include: Geopolitics and Expertise: Knowledge and Authority in European Diplomacy (Wiley Blackwell, 2014) Geopolitics Reframed: Security and Identity in Europe’s Eastern Enlargement (Palgrave Macmillan, 2007) Ashgate Research Companion to Critical Geopolitics (co-edited, 2013) Recent scientific awards include: Fulbright Fellowship Killam Fellowship SSHRC Canada grants Her supervision portfolio spans climate governance, disaster response expertise, and transnational policy networks, with completed PhD theses on topics ranging from Vancouver's climate governance to Arctic resource governance .
Anita Zehrer is a Professor at the MCI Management Center Innsbruck, serving as Head of the MCI Management Center and the MCI Family Business Center. She holds a habilitation in Business Administration from the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and a PhD in Social and Economic Sciences from the University of Innsbruck. Her academic career includes adjunct roles at institutions like the University of Notre Dame and the University of Canberra. Her research focuses on tourism management, family business dynamics, entrepreneurship, and risk management. Notable contributions include studies on family firm succession, destination competitiveness, and volunteer tourism. She has supervised numerous PhD students across topics like innovation in SMEs and female leadership in digital industries. Zehrer has been recognized with awards such as the AIEST 2021 Best Contribution Award and the Emerald Literati Award. She contributes to academic governance through editorial roles in journals like Journal of Family Business Management and TA | Tourism Analysis . Her work bridges academic research and practical application, addressing challenges in tourism destinations, family enterprise resilience, and sustainable development. Recent projects explore generational shifts, employer branding in family firms, and resilience strategies post-pandemic.
Marco Brogna is an Associate Professor of Economic Geography at the Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory, and Finance at Sapienza University of Rome. He has been serving in this capacity since March 2007, following his position as a Confirmed Researcher of Economic Geography from 2001 to 2007. His academic work is deeply rooted in the Faculty of Economics, where he has held significant administrative roles including Delegate of the Dean for Teaching and President of the Coordination Committee for Degree Programs. Professor Brogna's research interests span Tourism Development , Sustainable Tourism , Local Economic Development , Economic Geography , Territorial Planning , and Accessible Tourism . His work consistently focuses on the intersection between tourism, regional development, and sustainable practices. He has particular expertise in analyzing tourism dynamics in the Lazio region and Rome, examining how tourism impacts local economies and how territories can be developed to maximize tourism potential while maintaining sustainability. His recent publications reveal a clear trend toward analyzing post-pandemic tourism recovery, sustainable development models, and the evolving relationship between tourism and local communities. His research demonstrates a progression from traditional tourism studies toward more complex analyses of tourism's role in territorial development, with increasing focus on digital influences, accessibility, and sustainable practices. His work spans both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, often using case studies from Rome and the Lazio region to illustrate broader principles of tourism development. Professor Brogna has been actively involved in thesis supervision for undergraduate and graduate students, encouraging students to apply one semester before their expected completion date. He has led numerous research projects funded by the Lazio Region, including innovative research on tourist industry management, tourism training, and sustainable tourism development. His most significant projects include being responsible for the 2021 research on 'Innovative Management of the Tourist Industry' and the 2020 National Report on Open-Air Tourism. Professor Brogna has also been instrumental in organizing academic events, including the 'Giovedì del Turismo' conference series at Sapienza University since 2015, as well as numerous other conferences on tourism development, sustainable tourism, and territorial planning. His work extends beyond academia into practical applications through his involvement with Rome's strategic tourism planning and various governmental advisory roles.
Dr. Divya Jayakumar Nair serves as Senior Lecturer in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where she also holds the position of Associate Dean International – South Asia for UNSW Engineering. Her academic work is centered at the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (rCITI), focusing on transportation systems, network optimization, and disaster management applications. Dr. Nair's research interests span transportation engineering, disaster management, and urban mobility systems. Her work investigates complex network design problems, particularly in pre-disaster evacuation planning, transportation resilience, and food rescue logistics. She employs advanced analytical methods including traffic equilibrium modeling, network optimization techniques, and data-driven approaches to solve real-world transportation challenges with significant societal impact. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on transportation resilience during disasters, with particular attention to equity considerations in pre-event planning. Dr. Nair's research shows how transportation networks can be optimized to improve emergency response while ensuring equitable access to safety for all population segments. Her work bridges theoretical network optimization with practical applications in urban environments facing climate-related challenges. Dr. Nair collaborates extensively with leading researchers in transportation including S. Travis Waller, Vinay V. Dixit, David Rey, and Taha Rashidi. Her collaborative approach spans multiple institutions and addresses pressing challenges in urban transportation systems worldwide.
Kristina Bučar is a full Professor and head of the Department of Tourism at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia. She holds a doctorate from the University of Zagreb and completed international study visits at Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Austria) and Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Lille 2 (France). Professor Bučar teaches courses across all academic levels including Tourism Principles , Tourism Geography , and Resource Management in Sustainable Tourism . Her research focuses on sustainable tourism development with specific expertise in: Tourism environmental management and ecolabeling systems Spatial planning for tourism destinations Social responsibility frameworks in tourism operations Sports tourism development strategies Socio-economic aspects of Mediterranean tourism Her recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate strong thematic consistency in sustainable tourism, with particular emphasis on environmental certification programs, gender equality in tourism employment, waste management in tourist economies, and financing models for protected areas. Over 85% of her recent work incorporates Croatian case studies examining practical implementation of sustainability principles. Professor Bučar maintains significant academic leadership roles as: Editorial board member of International Journal of Sustainable Development Research Founding member of IRNIST (International Research Network In Sport Tourism) Regular scientific committee participant for international tourism conferences
Professor Mostafa Rasoolimanesh is a Vice-Chancellor Professorial Research Fellow and Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Edith Cowan University's School of Business and Law. With 25 years of academic and 10 years of non-academic experience in local government, he specializes in sustainable tourism, heritage tourism, and community development. His research bridges theory and practice, focusing on methodologies like PLS-SEM and fsQCA. He has authored over 150 publications in top-tier journals and serves on editorial boards for leading tourism journals. His research interests span sustainable destination governance, community participation, and tourism policy. Awards include being ranked top 2% globally in tourism sciences (2022-2023) and Taylor’s University’s Most Cited Academic Award (2023). He leads projects like the Sustainable Tourism Index for urban destinations and advises on UNESCO World Heritage Sites. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to urban sustainability and heritage management.
