Dr. Ranming Niu is a Research Fellow at the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney. He is a member of The University of Sydney Nano Institute. His research focuses on advanced materials science, metallurgy, and energy storage technologies. Current research students include Yue-sheng CHEN (Next Generation Chemical Dating of Fossils) and Chao HUANG (Hydrogen Trapping and Embrittlement Behaviours in Steels). Research interests span hydrogen embrittlement mitigation in steels, nanomaterials for energy applications, additive manufacturing of metals, and ferroelectric material behavior. His work combines experimental and computational methods, with a focus on in-situ nanomechanical testing and atom probe tomography. A recent focus has been on developing high-performance materials for batteries, such as coral-shaped AlSi anodes and WOx/W2C nanocatalysts for lithium-sulfur batteries. His studies on ultrafine-grained alloys and high-entropy materials have advanced understanding of deformation mechanisms at the nanoscale. Grants include projects on hydrogen-tolerant alloys for energy infrastructure and in-situ nanomechanical testing under extreme conditions. Collaborations involve industry partners and interdisciplinary teams within the University of Sydney. Dr. Niu’s lab work emphasizes material characterization at extreme conditions, with applications in energy storage, aerospace, and infrastructure materials.
Benjamin Ofori Okai is an Assistant Professor of Photon Science at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University. His research focuses on ultrafast dynamics, terahertz spectroscopy, and materials under extreme conditions. He holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from MIT (2016), an S.M. from MIT (2013), and a B.Sc. from Yale University (2009). Research Interests: Okai explores phenomena such as warm dense matter, laser-matter interactions, and structural dynamics using advanced techniques like X-ray diffraction and ultrafast electron diffraction. His work bridges condensed matter physics and applied photon science, with applications in energy materials and planetary science. Key Contributions: Recent studies include measuring phonon hardening in gold, nanodiamond formation under shock compression, and giant terahertz birefringence in WTe2. He has pioneered single-shot THz spectroscopy methods for conductivity measurements in extreme states of matter. Awards: Honors include the Panofsky Fellowship (2021), NSF Graduate Fellowship (2011), and Howard Douglass Moore Prize (2009). Advising: Mentors postdoctoral researcher Eric Sung. Engaged in experimental setups at SLAC and the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator at Stanford PULSE Institute; collaborates with groups at SLAC, MIT, and European XFEL.
Ken Chen is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Creative Writing at Barnard College, Columbia University. His work bridges poetry, literary criticism, and cultural analysis with a focus on Asian American experiences and postcolonial discourse. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School and a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley. Chen’s research explores intersections of poetry, ethnicity, and modernism, with notable publications including Juvenilia (2009 Yale Series of Younger Poets) and essays in N+1 , The Yale Review , and The New Republic . His forthcoming book Death Star reimagines the underworld through a migrant’s lens. His awards include the Bess Hokin Prize (2019), Cullman Fellowship (2019–2020), and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships. Chen has advised on migrant justice initiatives, led the Asian American Writers’ Workshop (2008–2019), and co-founded CultureStrike and Arts & Letters Daily .
Saraliza Anzaldúa serves as Assistant Professor at the School of Consciousness and Transformation, California Institute of Integral Studies. She holds a PhD in philosophy from UCLA, a MA in literature from National Taiwan University, and a BA in sociology from the University of Texas, Dallas. Her interdisciplinary research examines monsters as tools of dehumanization, Indigenous/Chicane healing practices (curanderismo), Daoist-Buddhist metaphysics, and decolonial critiques of concepts like 'evil.' Anzaldúa's work centers on alternative epistemologies that challenge colonial frameworks. She teaches specialized courses on monstrosity, decolonial healing, Daoist ecologies, and the philosophy of martial arts, bridging theoretical analysis with practical applications of cultural wisdom traditions.
Joseph Anderson is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics at Carthage College. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Purdue University and a B.S. in Physics from Texas A&M University. His research focuses on theoretical models of metal deformation, particularly fluid-like theories of dislocation dynamics in metals. He also explores acoustic physics, statistical field theories, and the history and philosophy of science. Education Ph.D. in Materials Engineering, Purdue University B.S. in Physics, Texas A&M University Research Interests Prof. Anderson’s work centers on understanding metal deformation through fluid-like dislocation theories. He investigates how statistical properties of dislocation arrangements influence material behavior. Beyond this, he studies acoustic phenomena, complex data correlations, and the intellectual history of scientific methodologies. Advising & Grants No advising or grant information is currently available.
Scott Fung is a Professor in the Department of Accounting & Finance at California State University, East Bay. His research focuses on corporate finance, market efficiency, institutional investor behavior, and corporate governance. He has published extensively on topics including executive compensation, liquidity dynamics, and the impact of regulatory changes on financial markets. His work spans empirical studies on financial market microstructure, real estate investment trusts, and the effects of information shocks on investor decisions. Fung’s recent studies explore the role of luck in executive promotions, liquidity provision during market dislocations, and strategic regulatory arbitrage in cryptocurrency markets. Key themes in his research include analyzing how market participants (institutions vs. retail investors) process information, the efficiency of derivatives markets, and the governance mechanisms influencing firm performance. His findings have implications for corporate policy, investor strategies, and regulatory frameworks.
Dr. Chris Torockio is a Professor of English at Eastern Connecticut State University, specializing in creative writing and contemporary fiction. He holds an M.F.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Contemporary Fiction from Western Michigan University. His research focuses on fiction writing techniques and pedagogy, with a strong emphasis on narrative innovation and character development. Dr. Torockio has published four acclaimed works: the novels The Soul Hunters (2016) and Floating Holidays (2007), and short story collections The Truth at Daybreak (2008) and Presence (2000). His stories have appeared in prestigious literary journals such as Ploughshares , The Iowa Review , and The Gettysburg Review , earning four Pushcart Prize Special Mentions. His teaching philosophy prioritizes student creativity and literary immersion, often employing a 'coaching' approach to nurture emerging writers. He leads the Creative Writing Abroad program in Florence, Italy, where students explore narrative through cultural immersion. Awards include grants from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and residencies at the Vermont Studio Center.
Dr. Mark Bernhardt is a Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy at Jackson State University (JSU), part of the College of Liberal Arts. He holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley (1999), an M.A. from California State University, Sacramento (2001), and a Ph.D. in History from UC Riverside (2006). His research explores intersections of gender, race, and media in American history, with a focus on war coverage, western expansion, and popular culture. Dr. Bernhardt has taught courses on U.S. History, Media History, and Sexuality Studies since joining JSU in 2007. He served as Graduate Program Coordinator for History (post-tenure in 2013) and received the College and University Excellence Awards for Teaching and Advising (2015) and the Mississippi Humanities Council Teaching Award (2016). He was promoted to Professor in 2017. As Phi Alpha Theta advisor, he mentors students for conference presentations and organized its state conferences in 2012, 2014, and 2018-2020. His research trends emphasize media’s role in shaping societal narratives around masculinity, race, and class. Recent scholarship analyzes depictions of the American West in films like Breaking Bad and historical media coverage of wars and scandals. His 2016-2019 articles highlight recurring themes of media’s influence on cultural identity and moral discourse. Awards: College Faculty Excellence Award (2015), University Excellence Award (2015), Mississippi Humanities Council Teaching Award (2016), Teaching Assistant of the Year (2004). Grants/Advising: Secured fellowships for research in San Francisco and New York; advised Phi Alpha Theta conference preparations. Dr. Bernhardt’s work bridges historical analysis and contemporary media, with ongoing projects exploring intersectionality in Cold War sitcoms and filmic interpretations of historical events. He is a member of the American Historical Association, Western History Association, and Popular Culture Association.
Ernesto Capello is a Professor of History and Latin American Studies at Macalester College since 2008. He holds a PhD from the University of Texas (2005) and previously taught at the University of Vermont. His research focuses on transnational imaginaries, urban history, visual culture, and cartography, with a geographic emphasis on the Andes, Amazonia, and Quito. His book City at the Center of the World (2011) explores Quito's modernization through spatial narratives. Current projects include French-Ecuadorian cartographic collaboration and analysis of Nelson Rockefeller’s 1969 Latin America mission. Education: PhD in History, University of Texas (2005) Teaching emphasizes Latin American history’s intersections with global identity, racial politics, and state-art relationships. Courses include Andean history, Amazonian studies, and urban history. Research outputs include journal articles in Latin American Research Review , City , and others, analyzing transhemispheric cultural dynamics and colonial narratives.
Stefano Almi is an Associate Professor at the University of Naples Federico II. His research focuses on calculus of variations, partial differential equations, fracture mechanics, and optimal control, with applications in material science and elasticity. He has contributed to topics such as free discontinuity problems, nonlocal approximations, and geometric rigidity in multi-well systems. Almi has organized several conferences, including the upcoming 'Variational Analysis of complex systems in Materials Science, Physics and Biology' (Oct 2025) and 'Variational models in Materials Science-III' (Feb 2025). He has spoken at events like 'Recent progress in PDEs' (Feb 2025) and 'Beyond Elasticity: Advances and Research Challenges' (May 2022). His recent work explores mean-field limits, agent-based models, and fractional approaches to plasticity. He has collaborated extensively with researchers such as R. Durastanti, M. Friedrich, and F. Solombrino, producing publications in journals like Calculus of Variations and Partial Differential Equations and Mathematische Annalen .
Nicola Fusco is a Full Professor at the Department of Mathematics of the University of Naples Federico II. His research focuses on Calculus of Variations, Geometric Measure Theory, and Partial Differential Equations, with emphasis on isoperimetric inequalities, surface diffusion flows, and energy minimization problems. He has contributed to foundational work in quantitative geometric inequalities, stability estimates for geometric flows, and variational models in materials science. Recent activities include studies on surface diffusion flat flows, capillary energy inequalities, and nanowire growth models. Fusco organizes conferences in Calculus of Variations and has participated in events such as the 'Frontiers of the Calculus of Variations' (2024) and 'Nonlinear PDEs and Applications' (2022). His work bridges geometric analysis with applied mathematics, addressing both theoretical aspects (e.g., analytic stability of flows) and practical applications (e.g., epitaxial thin film mechanics).
Filippo Cagnetti is an Associate Professor at the Università di Parma. His research focuses on advanced topics in mathematical analysis, including calculus of variations, partial differential equations, and geometric measure theory. He specializes in free-discontinuity problems, homogenization, fracture mechanics, and optimal transport, with applications to material science and continuum mechanics. His work bridges theoretical rigor and practical models in cohesive zone theory and fracture evolution. Key research interests include the analysis of BV functions, rigidity phenomena in geometric inequalities, and stochastic homogenization. He has developed methods for studying free boundary problems, symmetrization techniques, and Γ-convergence in free-discontinuity contexts. Recent contributions address the stability of Steiner symmetrization and optimal regularity in cohesive zone models. He has organized several international conferences, including the 2025 Perspectives in the Calculus of Variations and the 2023 Variational Analysis of Complex Systems. His work often involves collaborations with leading figures such as G. Dal Maso, L. Scardia, and A. Chambolle.
Rubén Hernández-León is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), affiliated with the College of Letters and Science. His work focuses on Mexican migration patterns, transnational communities, and labor dynamics. He holds a Ph.D. from SUNY-Binghamton. Research interests include the structural dimensions of migration systems, social capital in immigrant communities, and the evolving role of migration brokers in cross-border labor markets. His scholarship emphasizes urban-origin migration, policy impacts, and the cultural dimensions of transnationalism. Prominent works include Metropolitan Migrants (2008) and co-edited volumes like New Destinations (2005). Recent research analyzes the H-2 visa program's labor brokerage systems and return migration trends involving children and families. His articles critically examine economic exploitation, policy frameworks, and cultural expressions in migration contexts. His studies often bridge micro-level community dynamics with macro-level policy analysis, offering insights into how migration systems are shaped by both institutional structures and grassroots actors. He has contributed to debates on temporary work visas, educational integration in southern US regions, and the evolving nature of US-Mexico migration since the 1990s.
Rémi Dingreville is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, and is based at Sandia National Laboratories. His research focuses on the mechanical behavior and aging of materials under extreme environments, including irradiation and high strain rates. He specializes in computational materials science, combining molecular dynamics, cluster dynamics, and phase-field methods to study defect mechanisms and interface engineering. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2007), M.S. in Materials Science (Université de Rennes, 2001), and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (École Nationale Supérieure des Techniques Avancées, 2001). Research emphasizes designing materials with enhanced performance through interface engineering, particularly in nanocrystalline systems and advanced alloys. Key areas include radiation damage, hydrogen effects, and materials aging under extreme conditions. Distinctions: International visiting scholar fellowships (CNRS, 2017 and 2015) Sandia SPOT Awards (2017, 2009) ASME and TMS awards for leadership and innovation Advising/Grants: Collaborates on interdisciplinary projects at Sandia, focusing on materials for energy and defense applications. Extensive grants include DOE and DOD funding (details not explicitly listed). Active in developing computational models integrated with experimental data, such as the X-LPR fracture criterion and multiscale simulations of radiation effects. Collaborates with national labs and academic institutions globally.
Jeff Ma is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. He teaches core Mechanical Engineering courses including Computer Aided Engineering, Machine Design, Materials Science, Manufacturing Processes, Principles of Mechatronics, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Theories of Plasticity, Finite Element Analysis of Composite Materials with Abaqus, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, and Finite Element Method I and II. Ph.D. in Computational Solid Mechanics, Kansas State University M.Sc. in Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, Beijing Institute of Technology B.Sc. in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing, Beijing Institute of Technology Dr. Ma's primary research focuses on computational solid mechanics (including Meshless method, Finite Element Method, and Peridynamics), multi-scale modeling of manufacturing processes, and advanced materials processing. His work spans from theoretical computational mechanics to practical applications in machining difficult-to-machine materials like titanium alloys, structural ceramics, superalloys, composites, and biomaterials. He has developed significant expertise in laser-assisted machining, laser peening, and the application of machine learning/AI in manufacturing processes. His research bridges the gap between computational modeling and experimental validation, with strong emphasis on industrial applications. Recent publications reveal a trend toward integrating computational mechanics with emerging technologies. There's a clear focus on 3D printed composites manufacturing and post-processing, vibration-assisted nano machining techniques, and the coupling of different numerical methods (particularly peridynamics with FEM). His work increasingly incorporates machine learning for quality control and process optimization, reflecting the growing trend of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing research. 2022 NAMRC Outstanding Paper Award 2019 ASME Reviewers of the Year Award Saint Louis University Parks College Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award (2014) National Science Foundation (NSF) CMMI Award (2016) President's Research Fund Award, SLU (2012) Dr. Ma serves as Faculty Advisor for the ASME SLU Student Chapter and has been actively involved in numerous research projects funded by NSF and other agencies. He has mentored students in computational mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and materials research. His service includes reviewing proposals for NSF, NASA, and the Nebraska Transportation Center, as well as manuscript reviews for top journals including Engineering Fracture Mechanics and ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering. He also serves as an associate editor for SME Journal of Manufacturing Processes. Dr. Ma directs or is associated with several research laboratories at Saint Louis University, including the Manufacturing System Laboratory with conventional and CNC machine tools, the Mechatronics Laboratory with autonomous mobile robots and PLC systems, and the Laser Peening Laboratory which operates in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. These facilities support both educational activities and research projects focused on advanced manufacturing technologies.
