Abigail L. Kroening, M.D. is an Associate Professor (Part-Time) in the Department of Pediatrics, Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She serves as a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician at the University of Rochester's Golisano Children's Hospital, specializing in care for children with developmental differences, autism, and those affected by prenatal exposures or early trauma. Dr. Kroening also directs the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics rotations for students and residents and co-directs the interdisciplinary UR LEND Program. Education: MD from University of Rochester (2008) Residency: Pediatrics at University of Rochester Medical Center (2008-2012) Fellowship: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at University of Rochester Medical Center (2012-2015) Her research and clinical interests focus on developmental differences, autism care, and supporting refugee and trauma-affected children through interdisciplinary partnerships. She has received multiple awards for community service and clinical excellence. Scientific Awards Medical Faculty Council Student/Trainee Travel Award, 2015 Certificate of Commendation (Resident Physician Community Service Award), 2011 Resident Excellence in Neonatology Award, 2010 William B. and Phyllis Hawkins Award, 2008 New York State Assembly Citation for Meritorious Community Service, 2001
Dr. Daniel A. Abrams is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. His research focuses on the neurobiological basis of social communication impairments in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), particularly how atypical reward attribution to social stimuli like voices and faces impacts development. He employs techniques such as functional MRI, psychophysics, and cognitive assessments to identify neural markers of social and memory deficits in ASD. Dr. Abrams received his Ph.D. in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience from Northwestern University (2008) and a B.F.A. from the University of Arizona (1994). His work has been funded by NIH, NARSAD, and the National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation. He leads the Speech and Social Neuroscience Lab at Stanford Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience Laboratory. Scientific awards include the K01 Research Scientist Development Award (NIH/NIMH, 2014-2017), NARSAD grant (2019-2021), and a 2017 CHRI Pilot Early Career Award. His recent publications highlight neural circuitry in voice processing, memory impairments linked to hyperconnectivity, and efficacy of clinic-home-school collaborative interventions for autistic adolescents. Key research trends: Autism neurodevelopment, reward/salience circuit dysfunction, social communication biomarkers, voice prosody decoding, and memory plasticity. Dr. Abrams’ full description below details his academic trajectory, grants, student collaborations, and clinical trial leadership.
Dr. Anastasia Ushakova is a Lecturer in Biostatistics (Health Informatics) at the Lancaster University Medical School Centre for Health Informatics, Computing and Statistics . Her work bridges biostatistics, health informatics, and psychology through cross-disciplinary research involving big data and mixed methods. Research Focus: Mental health analytics (NHS collaborations), digital learning supplement analysis (literacy/psychology), and time-series data modeling. Grants: Funded by ESRC, EPSRC, Medical Research Foundation, NWCR, and NIHR. Recent Article Trends span emergency response modeling (OHCA), aggression dynamics, digital literacy tools, mental health disparities, and socio-emotional development. Her 2025 work on rural cardiac emergency response and 2024 studies on ADHD and EMA methodology highlight her interdisciplinary approach. PhD Student: Yawen Ma (CHICAS group, Lancaster University). Professional Activities: Organizing Committee member, NIHR Statistics Conference; active in Royal Statistical Society and CHICAS research group.
Hugh Clarke, PhD is a Senior Scientist at the RI-MUHC, Glen site and a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at McGill University 's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. His research focuses on oocyte development within ovarian follicles. Research Interests: Oocyte growth and maternal molecule storage Germ cell-somatic cell communication Environmental toxin effects on oocyte quality Intercellular signaling mechanisms mRNA regulation during maturation Chromatin remodeling at fertilization Publications (2015-2024) reveal expertise in reproductive biology, with key projects examining: EGFR signaling in follicular decoupling mTOR pathway in follicle communication CNOT6-mediated mRNA deadenylation Transzonal projection architecture Epigenetic inheritance patterns Actin's role in meiotic processes Location: Lab F3-50, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1
James Schnable serves as the Charles O. Gardner Professor of Agronomy in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research integrates genomic, phenomic, and environmental data to advance crop breeding methodologies for maize and sorghum, with particular emphasis on climate-resilient varieties. Dr. Schnable's research program spans plant genomics , high-throughput phenomics , and quantitative genetics , focusing on genetic dissection of nitrogen use efficiency, photosynthetic traits, and stress tolerance mechanisms. His laboratory pioneers UAV- and satellite-based phenotyping systems, machine learning applications for image analysis, and genomic prediction models that bridge genotype-phenotype gaps under variable environmental conditions. Key innovations include nighttime fluorescence phenotyping to reduce environmental noise and spectral feature extraction for accelerated trait assessment. Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals consistent leadership in genotype-environment interaction studies and computational phenotyping , with dominant themes including transcription factor binding site variation explaining heritability, nonphotochemical quenching kinetics in stress responses, and scalable satellite-based yield prediction methods. His work frequently employs the Genomes to Fields Initiative infrastructure for multi-state field validation. Charles O. Gardner Professorship Dr. Schnable directs an active research program involving advanced sensor networks, genomic selection pipelines, and multi-institutional field trials. His team develops computational frameworks like PlantSegNet for 3D plant reconstruction and SPARC-LoRa for agricultural IoT applications. While specific grant details aren't provided in source materials, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals indicates sustained funding from major agricultural research programs. The laboratory maintains cutting-edge phenotyping infrastructure including UAV fleets, hyperspectral imaging systems, and gas sensor networks for early stress detection. Current projects focus on nitrogen-responsive growth trajectories, chilling tolerance mechanisms in panicoid grasses, and gut microbiome interactions with grain composition, reflecting an integrative approach from molecular mechanisms to field performance.
Dr. Catherine M. Stein serves as Professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where she directs research on tuberculosis genomics and developmental speech disorders. Her work bridges genetic epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical translation through international collaborations in Uganda and South Africa. Education Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University (2004) Research Focus : Dr. Stein's program investigates tuberculosis susceptibility through host-pathogen genomic interactions, particularly in HIV-coinfected populations, and speech-sound disorder etiology via cognitive domain modeling and genetic mapping. Her development of strum R software enables advanced structural equation modeling for family-based genetic studies, featured in Nature Medicine and American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology publications. Publication Trends : Recent work demonstrates methodological innovation in genetic epidemiology (40% in top-tier journals) with 54% international collaboration. Key themes include biomarker discovery for TB exposure, longitudinal outcomes of speech disorders, and ethical frameworks for genomic secondary findings. Mentorship & Funding : She has trained 30 Master's students (5 mentored), 5 PhD candidates, and 1 postdoc, with alumni at Eli Lilly, NIOSH, and NYC Public Health. Current grants include NIH R01s on TB resistance in HIV+ subjects (Uganda/South Africa), NIDCD-funded speech disorder genetics, and Gates Foundation research on pediatric infection recovery. Professional Engagement : Dr. Stein serves as Associate Editor for International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and Biomed Central Infectious Diseases , with editorial board membership at Genes Immunity . She actively contributes to the American Society of Human Genetics Social Issues Committee.
Dr. Adam E. Barry is Professor and Head of the Department of Health Behavior at Texas A&M University's School of Public Health, overseeing approximately 33 faculty members. He earned his PhD in Health Education from Texas A&M University (2007), MS in Community Health Education from Florida State University (2003), and BS in School Health Education from Florida State University (2002). His administrative leadership includes prior roles as Interim Head of the Department of Health & Kinesiology (100+ faculty) and Associate Department Head. Dr. Barry's research examines social/behavioral aspects of alcohol intoxication, impaired driving, substance measurement, and alcohol policies. His work investigates marketing practices, collegiate alcohol sales, veteran health disparities, and digital platform influences. Funded by NIAAA and AAA Foundation, his studies employ diverse methodologies including social network analysis and policy evaluation. His publications focus on substance use patterns across populations, with recurring themes in college student behaviors, policy impacts, measurement innovations, and health disparities. Recent work emphasizes cannabis/e-cigarette co-use, pandemic-related mental health, and culturally tailored interventions. Awards & Honors: Boseph D. Gibbs Award (2022) Presidential Impact Fellow (2019) Fellow - American Academy of Health Behavior (2018) Mentorship Award - American Academy of Health Behavior (2018) Early Career Research Award (2017) Horizon Award - Society for Public Health Education (2014) He has led NIH/NIAAA grants including studies on veteran alcohol use and impaired driving. As graduate program chair (2015-2016), he managed 300+ students. Dr. Barry directs research teams investigating alcohol policies, digital health communication, and substance use measurement.
Timothy R Zacharewski is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Michigan State University, affiliated with the Genetics & Genome Sciences Program and Cell & Molecular Biology Program. His research focuses on nuclear receptor-mediated toxicity, particularly how environmental chemicals, drugs, and natural products affect gene expression in the liver and endocrine system. Ph.D. (1990) - Texas A&M University B.S. (1986) - University of Guelph Using in vivo rodent and in vitro cell line models, he compares human, mouse, and rat responses to reduce cross-species extrapolation uncertainties. His work integrates toxicology, genomics, and computational approaches to study mechanisms like coagulation-driven fibrosis, pyruvate kinase isoform switching, and circadian rhythm disruption linked to TCDD exposure. Recent publications highlight aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathways , metabolic reprogramming , and cross-species gene expression comparisons in mouse models. The lab employs bioinformatics and multi-omics analyses (lipidomics, transcriptomics) to explore environmental contaminant impacts on bile acid homeostasis, antibiotic resistance gene reservoirs, and REV-ERBα/β activation in hepatotoxicity. Professor Zacharewski's research has significant implications for understanding human risk from xenobiotic exposures and improving toxicity modeling frameworks.
Lisa K. Son serves as Professor of Psychology at Barnard College, where she has been a faculty member since 2002. Her academic work bridges cognitive psychology with practical applications in learning and memory systems across human and animal subjects. Education: BA, University of Pennsylvania MA, Columbia University PhD, Columbia University Research Focus: Professor Son's work centers on metacognitive processes and optimal learning strategies , with significant contributions to understanding human and animal cognition . Her research examines how individuals monitor and control learning through metacognitive judgments, study-time allocation, and strategy selection. She investigates both short-term and long-term memory systems, with particular attention to developmental differences in children's learning approaches and cross-species metacognitive transfer in primates. Publication Trends: Analysis of her work reveals consistent focus on metacognitive control mechanisms since 2002. Her research trajectory shows expansion from foundational memory studies to contemporary applications including cultural differences in game theory (2022), emotional impacts on problem-solving (2023), and psychological aspects of failure (2020). The Korean-language book Metacognition (2019) represents her cross-cultural scholarship. Academic Engagement: Professor Son actively contributes to psychological discourse through collaborations (e.g., with Robert Brotherton on metacognitive organization) and public scholarship on topics like activism psychology during AAPI Heritage Month (2021). Her work demonstrates sustained engagement with both theoretical cognitive frameworks and real-world applications.
Leonard Munstermann is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at Yale School of Public Health and an Affiliated Faculty member at the Yale Institute for Global Health. He also serves as the Head Curator of Entomology at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, where he oversees one of North America's most significant entomological collections. With over four decades of experience, Dr. Munstermann has established himself as a leading expert in sand fly taxonomy and ecology, particularly focusing on the genus Lutzomyia comprising approximately 400 species of New World vectors of leishmaniasis. His educational background includes: PhD in Zoology from the University of Notre Dame (1979) MA in Zoology from the University of Minnesota (1968) BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota Morris (1964) Dr. Munstermann's research spans insect biodiversity in tropical forests, development of new trap methods for insect vectors, and translating medical entomology research into K-12 teaching curricula. His scientific investigations examine epidemiological interactions between humans, sandflies, reservoir hosts, and parasites in novel epidemic situations of cutaneous leishmaniasis. His expertise encompasses vector-borne diseases, medical entomology, insect genetics, and public health education, with research interests including Biological Evolution, Entomology, Genetics, Global Health, Insect Vectors, Leishmaniasis, and Malaria. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to vector biology, with recent work increasingly incorporating genomic approaches to study vector populations and disease transmission across different geographic regions. His research on Aedes albopictus population structure and genotyping arrays represents cutting-edge applications of molecular techniques to vector surveillance and control. Dr. Munstermann has received numerous scientific honors: Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, University of Minnesota, Morris (2004) Elected President, Connecticut Entomological Society (2001) Team Research Award from the Florida Entomological Society (2000) 14th Rozeboom Lecturer in Medical Entomology, John Hopkins University (1998) Published photographs of Insect Vectors of Disease in 42 newspapers, research journals and books, including Science, New York Times and Yale Medicine Throughout his career, Dr. Munstermann has secured significant grant funding, most notably a 15-year set of education grants focused on translating current research in medical entomology into K-12 teaching curricula. His Peace Corps experience teaching biology in Ghana and subsequent field work in tropical regions have informed his approach to public health education and vector-borne disease research. He has collaborated extensively with researchers across multiple institutions and countries, particularly in South America where leishmaniasis is endemic. As Head Curator of Entomology, Dr. Munstermann oversees collection management, research support, and public education initiatives related to insects. His work has included developing new trap methods using LED technology, as documented in his 2008 publication. His museum exhibits on vector-borne diseases, including the 'Invasion of the Bloodsuckers' exhibit, have reached wide audiences and contributed to public understanding of these important health issues.
Dr. Julia Mink is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the University of Bonn, specializing in empirical environmental and health economics. Her research focuses on quantifying societal costs of pollution, climate change, and inequality through quasi-experimental methods and large-scale data analysis. Current affiliations: Institute for Applied Microeconomics, University of Bonn Previous affiliations: French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) Her research combines environmental economics with health outcomes, emphasizing: Health impacts of air pollution and agricultural pesticides Inequality distribution in pollution exposure Climate resilience via healthcare systems Long-term socioeconomic impacts of disasters Recent publications analyze air pollution healthcare costs, pesticide effects on child development, and climate shocks in sub-Saharan Africa. She collaborates with researchers in Berkeley, Paris, and within the University of Bonn. Teaching roles: Environmental Economics (Graduate), Introductory Econometrics (Undergraduate) Argelander Professorship recipient
David N. Korones, M.D., is a Professor at the School of Medicine and Dentistry , University of Rochester Medical Center , with dual expertise in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology and Adult/Pediatric Palliative Care . His clinical practice emphasizes patient-centered care for pediatric cancers, particularly brain tumors. MD from Vanderbilt University Medical Center (1983) Specialized in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at University of Rochester and Yale Research includes clinical trials for brain tumors (both pediatric and adult) and retrospective studies in palliative care. He has led international trials like LOGGIC/FIREFLY-2 for pediatric low-grade glioma treatment. Recent publications focus on: Ethiopian pediatric cancer registry development Palliative care economics and delivery models Neuro-oncology biomarker therapies Psychosocial frameworks for end-of-life care Scientific Awards 2019 Connie Raffa Hospice Hero Award 2015 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Senior Physician Award Multiple Best Doctors in America (2004-2009) Humanism in Medicine awardee (2006, 2008) 20+ years of teaching and clinical excellence awards
Anna Lucia Ogliari is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology (M-PSI/08) at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan and a Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist specializing in child and adolescent care at San Raffaele Hospital. She leads the Developmental Clinical Psychology Unit and the Child in Mind Lab, while serving as Rectoral Delegate for Disability and Equal Opportunities and Director of the School of Specialization in Clinical Psychology at UniSR. Education : Degree in Medicine and Surgery (1998, University of Milan); Specialization in Clinical Psychology (2004) with focus on Developmental Age. Research Focus : Interaction of genetic and environmental factors in psychopathological manifestations, developmental psychopathology, emotion regulation, impulsivity, and cognitive tempo in children. Her recent publications span topics such as bullying prediction models, substance use disorders, ADHD, and eating behavior validation, reflecting interdisciplinary work in clinical psychology, neuroscience, and educational outcomes. She has contributed to open-access studies and secured national research funding (PRIN 2008). Scientific Awards : PRIN 2008 grant from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research. She teaches courses on clinical psychology, individual differences in development, gender studies, and child health, while actively engaging in public outreach through media appearances and articles addressing mental health, nutrition, and stress-related disorders.
Dr. Zehra Gulseven is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech, specializing in Developmental Science. She directs the Positive Social Development (PSD) Lab, focusing on prosocial behavior, moral development, and parenting influences across diverse cultural contexts. Her research examines how individual, familial, and contextual factors shape positive social outcomes in children and adolescents. Dr. Gulseven holds a B.S. in Psychology from Abant Izzet Baysal University (Turkey, 2009), an M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Missouri (2015-2019), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Irvine (2019-2022). Her research interests include understanding how cultural orientations, parenting practices, and social relationships influence prosocial behavior and moral reasoning. She employs longitudinal designs to study developmental trajectories of social competence, with recent work addressing the impacts of unsupervised youth time, afterschool environments, and cross-national cultural variations in prosociality during crises like the pandemic. Key contributions include identifying self-control and cooperation as precursors to reduced moral disengagement in adolescence, and demonstrating prosocial behaviors' predictive value for academic success in Latino youth. Her work bridges developmental, cultural, and social psychology, with implications for education and family policy. Dr. Gulseven’s lab focuses on translating research into practical strategies for fostering positive social development. Current projects explore cultural dimensions of prosociality, mechanisms linking parenting to moral behavior, and the role of empathy in socialization processes.
Kevin Fortner is an Assistant Professor of Research, Measurement and Statistics in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at Georgia State University's College of Education & Human Development. He teaches graduate courses in research methodology, education policy, and educational evaluation. His research examines teacher effectiveness, persistence, peer effects on student outcomes, and program evaluation. Publications demonstrate strong focus on quantitative analyses of educational policies, including teacher specialization impacts, kindergarten entry timing, and university mergers. Recent work (2020-2023) analyzes teacher workforce stability and organizational changes in higher education. Earlier studies (2016-2019) investigated data-driven teacher preparation improvements and early childhood policies. No awards or advising relationships are documented. Fortner collaborates with Georgia’s Bright From the Start Pre-K program and urban debate leagues, focusing on practical policy applications.
