Maria Fitzpatrick is Professor in Cornell University's Department of Policy Analysis and Management and Director of the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. A Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, she holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia (2008) and specializes in child/family policy and education economics. Research examines early childhood education impacts, teacher compensation and retirement systems, child maltreatment reporting, and incarceration effects on families. Notable studies analyze universal pre-kindergarten programs, teacher pension reforms, and maternal incarceration's impact on birth outcomes. Current projects investigate child welfare decision-making algorithms and prison visitation policies. Fellowships include the Henry Luce Foundation/ACLS Early Career Fellowship and postdoctoral positions at Stanford's Institute for Economic Policy Research. She has advised government agencies including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Queensland Rail.
Dr. Shufang Sun is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University’s School of Public Health, and Associate Director of the Mindfulness Center. Her work focuses on understanding how stress, trauma, and systemic inequities contribute to health disparities, particularly among marginalized populations like LGBTQ+ individuals, youth, and communities affected by HIV. She develops mindfulness-based, technology-mediated interventions to promote mental health and reduce stigma, with a global focus including China, the Philippines, and Ukraine. Education: PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018). Research interests include mindfulness interventions, mHealth (mobile health), global mental health, HIV prevention, minority stress, and stigma reduction. Her work emphasizes community-engaged research and rigorous evidence synthesis through meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Current projects include interventions for displaced Ukrainians, suicide prevention in rural China, and HIV prevention among transgender women in the Philippines. Her interventions address topics like queer resilience, pandemic mental health, and health equity for vulnerable groups. Awards include the APA’s Barbara Smith Early Career Award and Brown University’s Early Career Research Achievement Award. Grants: Principal investigator on NIH-funded projects totaling over $7.5M, including a $3M R24 grant for mindfulness evidence synthesis and a $621K NIMH grant for school-based suicide prevention in China. Labs/Teams: Director of the Mindfulness for Health Equity Lab, collaborating with global researchers on stigma reduction and digital health innovations.
Klaus Hurrelmann is a Senior Professor of Public Health and Education at the Hertie School. Previously, he served as the founding dean of the first Faculty of Health Sciences in Germany at Bielefeld University and directed the SFB 227 research center for twelve years. His research emphasizes health and education policy, prevention strategies in childhood and adolescence, and the governance of healthcare systems. He has coordinated major studies such as the HBSC for the WHO and leads ongoing national studies on family and youth development. He studied at the University of Münster and the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a doctorate focusing on educational systems and society. His work spans multidisciplinary collaborations, including leadership roles in longitudinal studies like the COPSY project analyzing youth mental health during the pandemic. Research interests include health literacy, systemic crisis response in education, and the interplay between societal trends and youth development. His recent publications highlight generational shifts in responsibility, pandemic impacts on mental health, and policy reforms in healthcare governance. He advises government agencies on youth policy and health system reforms, leveraging his expertise in evidence-based strategies. His current focus includes digital health literacy and the role of schools in addressing societal polarization.
Dr. Li Shen is an Associate Professor at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development , Utrecht University since 2015. She holds the Energy & Resources group and has been active in sustainability assessment of materials and energy systems since completing her PhD in 2011. Education: BEng (Mechanical Engineering, cum laude 1999, Shanghai) MSc (Sustainable Development, track Energy and Resources 2006, Utrecht University) PhD (2011, Utrecht University, thesis: Bio-based and Recycled Polymers for Cleaner Production – an Assessment of Plastics and Fibres ) Research Interests: Dr. Shen specializes in Life Cycle Assessment and Technological Sustainability Evaluation of Bio-based Plastics , Plastics Recycling , Waste Management , and Nanomaterials . Her work bridges Environmental Science , Chemical Engineering , and Sustainable Development through rigorous system analysis. Scientific Publications: Leading expert in Circular Economy applications for plastics Developed Ex-ante LCA frameworks for emerging materials Key contributor to PEF Bio-based Bottle sustainability analysis Active in Telescope Energy Systems sustainability Published in Nature Communications , Science of the Total Environment , and Journal of Cleaner Production Teaching: Responsible instructor for Advanced Energy Analysis in the Master Energy Science program. Also teaches Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainable Resources Use in the Global Sustainability Science bachelor program. Supervises numerous master thesis projects from Energy Science (ES), Sustainable Development (SD-EM), and Science for Energy Innovation (SBI) programs.
Bart Wallet is Professor of Jewish Studies specializing in Early Modern and Modern Jewish History at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Humanities, where he is affiliated with the Department of Semitic Languages and Cultures. His academic work focuses on the intricate relationship between Jewish communities and Dutch society throughout history, with particular emphasis on the connections between the Dutch Royal House and Jewish communities. Wallet's research interests span Dutch Jewish history from the early modern period to the contemporary era, with special attention to Yiddish studies, religious history, cultural integration, and the development of Jewish identity in the Netherlands. His scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on how Jewish communities navigated their position as a religious minority within Dutch society, particularly examining the complex dynamics between Jewish citizens and the Dutch state and monarchy. His work often explores the tension between religious tradition and modernization, and how Jewish communities maintained their identity while integrating into broader Dutch society. Analysis of his recent publications shows a strong thematic concentration on Orange-Jewish relations throughout Dutch history, Jewish military service, religious education, and the material culture of Jewish communities. His scholarship demonstrates a methodological approach that combines cultural history with religious studies, often revealing how seemingly mundane aspects of daily life reflect broader societal patterns of integration and identity formation. The geographic focus remains predominantly on the Netherlands, though with comparative perspectives on Jewish communities in other European contexts. Professor Wallet has been active in public scholarship through media appearances, radio programs, and contributions to encyclopedias. His work has appeared in both academic journals and public-facing media outlets, demonstrating his commitment to making Jewish history accessible to broader audiences. He has contributed to numerous radio programs on Jewish history for Dutch Jewish radio stations and has written for newspapers including the Reformatorisch Dagblad. His academic contributions include extensive work on Dutch-Jewish relations, particularly focusing on the relationship between Jewish communities and the Dutch Royal House throughout history. He has also produced significant scholarship on Jewish integration in Dutch society, religious education, and the development of Jewish identity in the Netherlands from the early modern period to the present day. His work often examines how Jewish communities maintained religious traditions while adapting to changing social and political contexts.
Prof. Dr. Teresa Sansour is a full Professor of Pedagogy and Didactics in Cases of Intellectual Development Impairments with Special Consideration of Inclusive Educational Processes at the Institute for Special and Rehabilitation Education, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. She joined the university in April 2020 and has held leadership roles including Vice Director for Teaching at the Center for Teacher Education (since October 2021) and Deputy Institute Director (since April 2025). Her academic affiliations reflect a deep commitment to inclusive and special education. Her research focuses on educational interactions in the context of intellectual disabilities, inclusive subject didactics, the participation of people with complex disabilities, and the professionalization of educators and prospective teachers. Key research areas include inclusive literacy, art education, teacher motivation, and social integration. She leads significant funded projects such as Literary Texts in Simple Language (LiES) and Lighthouses for Participation , both aimed at enhancing inclusion for people with disabilities. The recent publications of Prof. Sansour span topics such as school absenteeism in autism, self-concept in intellectual disabilities, inclusive art education, and participation models. Her work demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary and applied focus, combining qualitative methods with pedagogical innovation. She frequently publishes in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes on special education, inclusive didactics, and disability studies. Member, German Society for Educational Research (DGFE), Section Special Education Member, Network for Complex Disabilities e.V. Chair, Advisory Board of the Georg-Leffers-Stiftung Chair, Association for the Promotion of Pedagogical Rehabilitation and Social Integration of People in Risk Situations Board Member, German Interdisciplinary Society for Research Promotion for People with Intellectual Disabilities (DIFGB) Prof. Sansour actively contributes to academic leadership and teacher training. She serves as program coordinator for the Bachelor’s in Special Education and accreditation officer for the Special Education/Social Studies cluster. Her work includes advising on inclusive curricula, fostering research collaborations, and securing external funding for inclusive initiatives. She has not received explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. She is involved in multiple collaborative research teams and projects focused on inclusion, literacy, and disability rights.
Dr. Mbita Mbao is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Salem State University, where she teaches courses including SWK 700 (Human Behavior), SWK 704/705 (Social Work Practice), and aging-focused courses like SWK 871. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning and valuing student experiences. Dr. Mbao's research focuses on behavioral health, aging populations, workforce development, and immigrant issues. She actively works to expand aging-related curriculum and services through her involvement with the Older Adults Behavioral Health Network and Salem for All Ages initiative. Her education includes a BSW from Bowling Green State University, MSW from Rhode Island College, and PhD from Simmons University. As a Licensed Clinical Independent Social Worker, she maintains a clinical practice providing in-home therapy to older adults. Honors include: 2025 North Star Collective Fellow 2019 AGESW Pre-Dissertation Fellow 2021 GSA MCDTAW Early Career Diversity Fellow
Ruth Etzioni is an Affiliate Professor in the Biostatistics Program and Public Health Sciences Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She leads the Etzioni Lab, focusing on cancer screening, early detection, and overdiagnosis analysis. Her work integrates statistical modeling, epidemiology, and clinical research to address critical questions in prostate and breast cancer control. Dr. Etzioni holds the Rosalie & Harold Rea Brown Endowed Chair and has received a $7.4M NIH Outstanding Investigator Award. Education: PhD in Statistics (Carnegie Mellon University, 1990), MS in Statistics (Carnegie Mellon, 1987), BS in Mathematics (University of Cape Town, South Africa). Research interests emphasize biomarkers, clinical trials, and epidemiological methods. She leads the Biostatistics Core for the Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPORE and participates in the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET). Her lab develops models to evaluate screening policies, quantify overdiagnosis, and inform healthcare disparities reduction strategies. Key achievements include groundbreaking work on prostate cancer screening's harm-benefit tradeoffs and contributions to multi-cancer early detection (MCED) frameworks. Recent studies address racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, metastasis trends, and the clinical utility of novel diagnostics like PSMA PET imaging. Awards include the Brown Endowed Chair (2020), NCI OIA Award (2023), and recognition for advancing cancer data science. Her lab collaborates with institutions globally and mentors students in biostatistics and translational data science.
Glenn Roisman is a Professor at the Institute of Child Development , University of Minnesota. He holds the Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Robert Holmes Beck Chair of Ideas in Education titles, reflecting his scholarly influence and teaching excellence. Education: PhD (2002), University of Minnesota Roisman’s research examines how early relationship experiences shape lifespan psychological, interpersonal, physical, and cognitive health . His work integrates longitudinal data from birth to adulthood, focusing on normative and atypical caregiving environments. Recent publications analyze the predictive validity of attachment assessments (Strange Situation, Adult Attachment Interview), genetic/environmental contributions to attachment styles, and pathways from early adversity to cardiometabolic health. His projects leverage data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development , Minnesota Longitudinal Study , and Minnesota Twin Registry . Scientific Awards : Distinguished McKnight University Professor Robert Holmes Beck Chair of Ideas in Education Roisman’s collaborations with institutions like Pennsylvania State University and grants from NHLBI , NICHD , and NIA underscore his leadership in developmental science. He is open to advising new PhD students in 2026, emphasizing multi-method and multi-informant research approaches.
Dr. Kai Liu is a University Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge, and a Fellow at Selwyn College. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Johns Hopkins University in 2011. His research focuses on labor economics, public economics, applied microeconometrics, and China's economic development, with specific investigations into wage dynamics, human capital formation, and household decision-making under uncertainty. His research interests span: Labor market dynamics including wage risk, job mobility, and gender wage gaps Public policy analysis in education, healthcare, and family support systems Household behavior under economic uncertainty and policy reforms Human capital investments across the life cycle Economic development challenges in China Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong focus on education policy impacts, health insurance effects on agricultural investments, and family environment dynamics. His work consistently applies advanced microeconometric methods to evaluate policy interventions and economic behaviors. Dr. Liu currently supervises three PhD students: Shengjuan He, Qianya Xu (researching empirical microeconomics and labor economics), and Shania Mustika (researching labor economics, education economics, and racial relations). He has secured significant research funding including: British Academy grant for 'Capital Market Imperfections, Skill Accumulation, and Inequality' (2024-2026) ESRC grant for 'Demand and Welfare Analysis using Micro-data' (2022-2026) British Academy grant for family policy research (2019-2021)
Prof. Diane DE SAINT AFFRIQUE is a full-time Professor at SKEMA Business School (France) since 2019, specializing in Business Law, Ethics, and Governance. She holds a Doctorat d'Etat en Droit (2002) from Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, with additional qualifications from ESSEC Business School and other institutions. Her academic leadership roles include Head of the Contract Law Master program (2016–present), Head of the Law Department (2003–2014), and responsible for the Master in Business Law (2006–2016). Research Focus: Her work centers on corporate governance, sustainable finance, AI ethics in healthcare and business, and legal frameworks for responsible business practices (RSE). She explores tensions between regulatory compliance and corporate autonomy, with recent emphasis on duty of vigilance legislation and AI accountability. Key Contributions: Over 30+ publications include analyses of: Legal implications of AI in medicine and business Corporate social responsibility and judicialization trends Religious freedom in French workplaces Data sovereignty and AI governance Affiliations & Impact: She chairs the French Academy of Legal Studies and Business, serves on the Board of VITAMINE T, and advises institutions like IFSI Ambroise-Paré. Her work frequently bridges legal theory with practical business challenges, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions for global governance issues.
Jonathan Santo is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where he serves as Director of the Graduate Developmental Psychology Program and as a faculty member in the Office of Latino/Latin-American Studies. His research explores peer relations, cultural differences in self-esteem, and classroom-level influences on child and adolescent development, with a focus on improving school environments and fostering positive social interactions. ORCA Faculty Fellow His research spans broad areas including Developmental Psychology , Social Support Systems , and Cross-Cultural Peer Dynamics , with specific attention to peer victimization , self-continuity , school climate , and developmental trajectories in Brazilian and Colombian youth . Recent publications analyze topics like hikikomori experiences , friendship security , and HPA axis dysregulation in adolescents. Scientific awards include the ORCA Faculty Fellow recognition. His work often involves longitudinal assessments of peer relationships cross-cultural comparisons (Brazil, Colombia, China, Nigeria, Singapore, U.S.) policy-focused blog posts on family separations and school interventions
Morgan Wait is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow Level I in the School of History at University College Dublin. She is currently working on the ERC-funded DIASPORA project, focusing on the history of drug use in late 20th-century Ireland. Her research centers on social history, with a strong emphasis on media, gender, and sexuality in modern Ireland. Education: PhD in History, Trinity College Dublin (2022) M.Phil in Modern Irish History, Trinity College Dublin BA in History, English, and Political Science, Salisbury University Her research interests lie at the intersection of media history and gender studies, particularly in the context of Irish public broadcasting. She has published extensively on women’s programming at Teilifís Éireann and institutional practices such as the marriage bar. Her work reconstructs marginalized media narratives using archival and press sources. Morgan’s recent publications show a consistent focus on Irish television history, gender representation, and cultural policy. Her articles analyze programming content, institutional discrimination, and public discourse, reflecting a deep engagement with both academic and public history. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Morgan has contributed to significant research projects and is currently working on a forthcoming monograph, Rediscovering Women in Early Irish Television , under contract with Liverpool University Press. While no formal advisees are listed, her collaborative publications indicate active participation in scholarly networks. She is affiliated with the DIASPORA research team at UCD and contributes to public scholarship through RTÉ Brainstorm and online academic blogs.
Elizabeth Widen, Ph.D., RD, serves as a Courtesy Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Women's Health at Dell Medical School, and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences within the School of Human Ecology at the College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin. She maintains dual institutional affiliations as a faculty member at the Dell Pediatric Research Institute and faculty research associate at the Population Research Center. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill As a nutritional and perinatal epidemiologist, Dr. Widen employs a life course approach intersecting nutrition, perinatal/pediatric epidemiology, behavioral nutrition, and human biology. Her methodology combines advanced analytics to elucidate early-life nutrition's impact on lifelong health outcomes with interdisciplinary intervention programs targeting pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood nutrition improvement. Her scientific recognition includes: Norman Kretchmer Award in Nutrition & Development American Society for Nutrition 2025 Mid-Career Award (Community & Public Health Nutrition Research Section) American Society for Nutrition 2023 Honors Professional society memberships reflect her research focus: American Society for Nutrition Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research The Obesity Society Through her Dell Pediatric Research Institute and Population Research Center affiliations, she contributes to integrated research frameworks addressing systemic health challenges in Central Texas with national implications for maternal-child health interventions.
Dr. Nivee Pradip Amin serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and Assistant Attending Physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, holding leadership roles as Associate Director for Consultative Cardiology and Director of the Women's Heart Program & Preventive Cardiology. Her clinical expertise spans general cardiology, preventive cardiology, and echocardiography with focus on high-risk cardiovascular prevention. Her educational credentials include: B.A., B.S. in International Studies and Business from University of Pennsylvania (2002) M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2007) M.H.S. in Clinical Investigation from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2013) Research centers on sex-based disparities in cardiovascular outcomes, women's heart health across the lifespan, and preventive strategies for coronary/valvular disease. She investigates intersections between cardiology and obstetrics/oncology, emphasizing personalized risk assessment and early intervention to improve quality of life. Analysis of her publications reveals consistent focus on women's cardiovascular biomarkers (e.g., breast arterial calcium), obstetric complications as long-term risk factors, and disparities in revascularization outcomes. Her work leverages large-scale database analysis to address gaps in preventive care for high-risk populations including cancer patients and those with cirrhosis. Dr. Amin maintains active board certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Nuclear Cardiology, and Echocardiography through the American Board of Internal Medicine, and holds professional memberships in the American College of Cardiology, American Society for Preventive Cardiology, and American Heart Association. She provides inpatient consultative care on cardiac telemetry units while leading the Women's Heart Program, which integrates preventive cardiology services with gender-specific treatment protocols. Fluent in Spanish, she emphasizes culturally competent care tailored to individual patient needs across diverse populations.
