Asher Wolinsky is the Gordon Fulcher Professor of Economics at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on microeconomic theory and industrial organization, with emphasis on markets under imperfect competition and information asymmetry. He holds a PhD from Stanford University (1980). He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His work has explored auction design, strategic market behavior, and institutional mechanisms. Recent research includes studies on auctions with frictions, bidder solicitation dynamics, and search theory under adverse selection. Educational background: PhD in Economics, Stanford University, 1980. His academic service includes editorial roles with the Econometric Society Annual Reports. His research portfolio spans over 50 years, addressing foundational questions in game theory and market design.
Kerry Fang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on economic development, land use policy, and their socio-environmental consequences, with interdisciplinary methods spanning economics, statistics, geography, sociology, and computer science. She examines global contexts including the U.S., China, Australia, and Russia. Education: PhD, Urban and Regional Planning and Design, University of Maryland, College Park (2018) MA, Land Management, Zhejiang University (2013) BA, Land Management, Zhejiang University (2011) Research Interests: Corruption in economic development projects Land use programs for coastal resilience Text-mining of planning literature Her work bridges theory and practice, addressing questions like regional inequality and policy efficacy in job creation and innovation. Her recent articles explore topics such as communication networks in development projects, minority-owned business data utilization, and integrating urban data science into economic development curricula. These contributions highlight interdisciplinary approaches to urban challenges. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Teaching and Advising: Teaches courses like UP 545: Economic Development Policy and Land Use and Environmental Planning. She advises students on topics intersecting economic development and spatial policy, though specific advisee names are not listed. Labs/Teams: No specific lab or team affiliations were detailed, though her work likely involves collaborations with interdisciplinary research groups.
Prof. Nana de Graaff is a Full Professor of Global Politics and Networks at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). She leads the ReGlobe research group on globalization and decoupling and is Principal Investigator of an NWO-funded project on the Geopolitics of Europe-China Tech Decoupling. Her research focuses on China-West relations, US foreign policy, and energy geopolitics, with a particular emphasis on elite networks and transnational dynamics. Education : - PhD in Political Science (cum laude, 2013), VU Amsterdam - MSc in International Relations (2006), VU Amsterdam - Political Science studies at Free University Brussels Research Interests : - International Political Economy - China's global economic engagements - US foreign policy elites and networks - Energy industry geopolitics Recent Research Projects : - Globalization Unraveling? Europe-China Tech Decoupling (NWO VIDI, 2024-2028) - China in Europe Research Network (CHERN) (EU COST Action, 2019-2023) - Fraying Ties? Networks in the UK Oil Sector (ESRC, 2019-2022) Awards : - 2023 Nominee for Faculty Senior Research Award - 2016 Best Junior Lecturer of VU’s Faculty of Social Sciences - Multiple grants including NWO VIDI and Individual Talent Grant Advisory Roles : - Chair, China in Europe Research Network (CHERN) - Executive Council Member, Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) - Editorial Board Member, Routledge RIPE Series - International Advisory Board Member, International Affairs (Oxford)
Owen Price is an Associate Professor and Director in Bushfire Risk Management at the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS), University of Wollongong. His roles include leading research on wildfire impacts on ecosystems, human health, and infrastructure. He holds a PhD from the Australian National University (1998), an MSc from the University of Strathclyde (1986), and a BSc (hons) from the University of York (1985). Director, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfire (since 2020) Principal Fellow, SEALS (2019–2021) His research integrates fieldwork, GIS/remote sensing, and statistical modeling to address landscape-scale wildfire risks. Key interests include fire severity effects on biodiversity, smoke pollution impacts, and cost-effective fire management strategies. He supervises postgraduate students in topics like coastal wetland vulnerability and fire regime analysis. Recent grants include studies on coastal wetlands' fire resilience (2023–2026), Bayesian fire spread modeling (2023–2026), and evaluating aerial firefighting efficacy (2023). His work bridges ecological, social, and technical dimensions of wildfire risk. Notable awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed in the provided materials. His contributions to fire policy and community adaptation are highlighted through collaborative projects with government and environmental agencies.
Dr. Thomas W. Britt is a Professor of Psychology at Clemson University and Editor-in-Chief of Military Psychology. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida (1994) and has served in the U.S. Army, including active duty at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and current service in the Army Reserves at the U.S. Army War College. His research focuses on employee resilience in high-stress occupations, mental health treatment-seeking barriers, and occupational health interventions. Key areas include resilience among military personnel, healthcare workers, and first responders. Britt has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and multiple books, with funding from the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Education: Ph.D. Social Psychology, University of Florida (1994) M.A. General Psychology, Wake Forest University (1990) B.A. General Psychology, College of William and Mary (1988) Research Interests: Britt investigates factors promoting resilience in high-risk occupations, such as meaningful work, leadership support, and psychological hope. His work on healthcare workers during the pandemic examines fatigue and burnout using actigraphy. He also studies stigma-related barriers to mental health treatment in military and college student populations. A landmark 2010 DoD grant supported unit-level training to improve mental health treatment climates. Awards & Honors: 2023 Clemson University School of Health Research Fellowship 2014 APA Division 19 Fellowship 2015-2018 Trevillian Distinguished Professorship Grants & Interventions: Developed evidence-based LINKS training to reduce stigma around mental health treatment in military units. Collaborates on interventions for emergency medicine fatigue and physician well-being. His research has influenced Army return-to-duty protocols for injured soldiers. Labs & Collaborations: Part of interdisciplinary teams addressing pandemic healthcare worker strain and astronaut resilience in long-duration space missions. Active in multi-university studies on workaholism and economic resource impacts on family outcomes.
Cristina Bettinelli is a full professor in the Department of Management at the University of Bergamo. She serves as Director of the MSc Program in International Management and Marketing (IMM) and Director of the Center for Young and Family Enterprise (CYFE). Her research focuses on family business governance , entrepreneurial firm innovation , and internationalization , with publications in journals like Family Business Review , Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice , and Journal of Family Business Strategy . Member of editorial boards: Family Business Review , Journal of Family Business Strategy Professional activities: Innovative training projects, Marketing Lhab research group (since 2024) Scientific Awards: Best Contribution to Practice Paper (2024) - IFERA Best Unpublished Research Paper Award (2022, 2015) - FFI Multiple Best Paper Awards/Nominations - IFERA, EIASM, ICSB Family Business Review Best Paper Award (2012) Recent Research Trends: Analyzes family firm dynamics, pandemic response behaviors, cross-border e-commerce strategies, and B corporation ethics. Her 2024-2025 publications emphasize organizational identity , crisis management , and strategic governance .
João Albino-Pimentel is an Assistant Professor of International Business and Dean's Fellow at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. His expertise lies at the intersection of non-market strategy and global political strategy, focusing on how firms navigate global challenges like climate change and conflict. He holds a Ph.D. from HEC Paris and has prior roles at Copenhagen Business School and the University of Minnesota. João serves on editorial boards of top journals such as the Journal of International Business Studies and Strategic Management Journal. Education: Ph.D., Strategic Management, HEC Paris (2016) M.Sc., Management, University of São Paulo (2009) M.Sc., Business Economics, University of Grenoble Alpes (2008) B.Sc., Economics, University of São Paulo (2006) Research Interests: João’s work examines how non-market resources and capabilities influence firms’ global strategies. His research addresses critical issues such as multinational corporations’ roles in climate action, conflict resolution, and infrastructure development. Key themes include corporate political strategy, institutional safeguards, and the interplay between market and non-market environments. Awards: Academy of Management IM Division FIU Business Emerging Scholar (2023) Alan Rugman Young Scholar Award (2021) Finalist, Buckley & Casson Best Dissertation Award (2017) Advising & Service: João mentors students in the IBA Cohort Program and contributes to editorial roles, including Business & Society and Journal of International Business Policy. His service includes roles in academic consortia and steering committees focused on Latin America initiatives.
Birgitte Bak-Jensen is a Professor at the Department of Energy, Aalborg University, where she has worked since 1988. She specializes in intelligent control of power distribution systems, with research focusing on grid stability, power quality, and integration of dispersed generation and smart grid technologies. Her work also addresses multi-energy system interactions between electrical grids, heating, and transport sectors. Projects : Led EU H2020 projects (SERENE, SUSTENANCE) and Danish initiatives (EFFORT, SMARTCE2H) Publications : Over 250 papers on distribution grid control and smart energy systems Her research combines renewable energy integration , electric vehicle grid interaction , and energy storage optimization . Recent work includes explainable AI for wind forecasting and voltage control strategies for EV charging. 2025 Awards : Best Student Paper Award (2023), Best Paper Award (2021), CIGRE Technical Council Award (2018) Organizational Roles : Vice Head of AAU Energy Research, leadership positions in IEEE and CIGRE
Rajesh Karki is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Engineering. He holds a B.E., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in related fields. His research focuses on power system reliability, renewable energy integration, and microgrid resilience, with particular emphasis on addressing challenges posed by extreme weather, cyber threats, and decarbonization targets. Dr. Karki’s work spans theoretical modeling, probabilistic analysis, and practical implementation strategies for smart grids, energy storage systems, and distributed generation. His educational background includes advanced degrees in electrical engineering, complemented by professional engineering licensure (P.Eng.). His research has explored diverse topics such as wind energy curtailment mitigation, energy storage optimization, and demand response mechanisms in developing economies like Nepal. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on grid resilience, reliability economics, and cyber-physical system security. Key themes in his work include: (1) quantifying the reliability value of energy storage in active distribution systems, (2) modeling cyber-physical threats to microgrids, and (3) developing frameworks for extreme weather-resilient infrastructure. Despite the volume of his publications (over 50 articles), no specific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided materials. His research often intersects technical, economic, and policy dimensions of sustainable energy systems.
Dr. Paul G. O'Brien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at York University, Canada, affiliated with the Lassonde School of Engineering. His research focuses on interdisciplinary clean energy solutions, including energy storage, thermophotovoltaic systems, decarbonization of buildings, and life cycle assessments. He leads the Advanced Materials for Sustainable Energy Technologies (AM-SET-Lab) and has authored over 50 journal articles. His work spans materials science, photonic crystal engineering, and radiative cooling technologies. Research interests include optimizing thermal energy storage systems, photonic crystal-based filters for solar applications, and CO2 capture via direct air capture systems. His lab develops materials for passive cooling, solar-thermal integration, and advanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Dr. O’Brien collaborates across engineering disciplines to address global energy challenges. Recent publications highlight innovations in ellipsoidal optical cavities for thermophotovoltaics, radiative cooling materials, and techno-economic assessments of carbon capture technologies. His work bridges fundamental material science with applied engineering solutions for sustainable energy systems.
Iris D. Tommelein serves as the Roy W. Carlson Distinguished Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of California, Berkeley's College of Engineering, where she directs the Project Production Systems Laboratory (P2SL). A globally recognized pioneer in Lean Construction, she has revolutionized architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) practices through research, industry workshops, and leadership since co-founding the Lean Construction Institute in 1997. Her educational foundation spans multiple disciplines: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management), Stanford University, 1989 M.S. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), Stanford University, 1989 M.S. in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management), Stanford University, 1985 B.S. (5-year degree) in Civil Engineer-Architect, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, 1984 Professor Tommelein's research centers on transforming construction processes through Lean principles and digital innovation . Her work pioneers takt planning for workflow reliability, industrialized construction for labor and sustainability challenges, and mistakeproofing to eliminate errors. She integrates digital twins , AI , and optimization to develop practical decision-support systems for supply chains, logistics, and production management. Recent focus includes modular offsite construction and Industry 4.0 applications. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals intensifying research on takt planning maturity models and industrialized construction feasibility , with growing emphasis on mass timber automation and visual management systems. Her work consistently bridges lean theory with practical implementation across megaprojects, subcontracting networks, and heavy civil engineering. Her exceptional contributions have earned: Lean Pioneer Award (Lean Construction Institute, 2015) National Academy of Construction induction (2019) PPI Technical Achievement Award (2022) Robert B. Harris Award (University of Michigan, 2024) ASCE Construction Management Award (2024) - first woman recipient in 51 years Through the P2SL, she leads industry-collaborative research on production system design, mistakeproofing frameworks, and digital transformation. Her grant-funded projects develop assessment tools for industrialized construction adoption and takt planning methods adaptable to diverse project types. She actively mentors graduate students and drives knowledge transfer via workshops and the annual Construction Innovation Day. The Project Production Systems Laboratory (P2SL) operates as a global hub for construction innovation, partnering with owners, contractors, and suppliers to implement lean production systems. Current initiatives include developing serious games for mistakeproofing training, optimizing work density methods for heavy civil projects, and creating digital twins for real-time construction management.
Gary W. Cox is the William Bennett Munro Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. He specializes in American Politics, Comparative Politics, and Political Methodology, with a focus on electoral systems, legislative behavior, and historical political economy. His work examines how institutional frameworks shape political competition, representation, and governance across historical and comparative contexts. Education: Ph.D. in Social Science, California Institute of Technology (1982) B.S. in History, California Institute of Technology (1978) Research Interests: Cox investigates the interplay between electoral institutions and political outcomes, including the effects of proportional representation on voter mobilization, the historical evolution of legislative power, and the political economy of suffrage reform. His research combines quantitative and historical methods to analyze topics like party systems, legislative agendas, and the long-term impacts of constitutional design. Key Contributions: Cox’s seminal works include The Efficient Secret (1983), Legislative Leviathan (1999), and Marketing Sovereign Promises (2016), which have won multiple awards. His recent articles address gender representation in parliamentary systems, the role of warfare in state formation, and the strategic dynamics of electoral teams. Awards & Honors: Guggenheim Fellow Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1996) Elected to the National Academy of Sciences (2005) Recipient of major prizes including the Samuel H. Beer Dissertation Prize (1983) and the George H. Hallett Award (2003, 2007) Advising & Grants: Cox has advised numerous graduate students and has secured grants for research on electoral reform, legislative agendas, and historical political economy. His work often bridges theoretical and empirical analyses of political institutions. Labs/Teams: While no specific lab is named, Cox collaborates widely on projects analyzing legislative behavior and electoral systems through interdisciplinary teams.
Dr. Thilina Halloluwa is a Teaching Focused Lecturer in the Department of Human-Centred Computing at The University of Queensland (UQ). He holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Queensland University of Technology (2019) and a Computer Science undergraduate degree from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology. With over 15 years of academic and industry experience, his research emphasizes real-world impact in education technology, financial inclusion, smart agriculture, and HCI. Educational Background: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Queensland University of Technology (2019) Bachelor of Computer Science, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology Research Interests: Education for All: Leveraging technology to enhance collaborative learning and social experiences in education. Human Money Interaction: Designing ethical AI solutions for financial services, particularly for underserved communities. Smart Agro: Developing AI-driven tools for crop disease detection, yield optimization, and precision agriculture. Software Project Estimation: Improving effort estimation accuracy through explainable AI (Metrix project). Key Contributions: Developed UrbanAgro (tomato disease detection) and BellCrop (bell pepper disease datasets). Pioneered Dhana Labha , a financial management tool for rural Sri Lankan communities. Advanced online exam proctoring systems for low-resource settings. Previous Roles: Lecturer at University of Sydney (2023) Senior Lecturer at University of Colombo (2013–2023) Lab/Team Affiliations: Smart Agro Project: AI-driven agricultural solutions Metrix Initiative: Software project estimation frameworks
Matthew Freedman is the Dean’s Professor of Economics at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and serves as Executive Director of the California Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC) and Chair of UCI’s School of Social Sciences Executive Committee. His research focuses on urban economics, public finance, labor economics, environmental economics, and the economics of crime. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland-College Park. His work examines topics such as transportation equity, place-based policies, criminal justice system efficiency, and the long-term impacts of historical industrial interventions. Notable contributions include experimental analyses of free public transit, the effects of housing policies on urban inequality, and the evaluation of tax incentives for economic development. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles in top journals like the American Economic Journal, Journal of Urban Economics, and Review of Economics and Statistics. Freedman’s research often combines quasi-experimental and randomized controlled trial (RCT) methodologies, with a focus on policy-relevant questions. His current projects investigate rapid rental assistance programs, transportation subsidies, and the socioeconomic impacts of Opportunity Zones. He co-edits Regional Science and Urban Economics and collaborates with institutions like the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and the Russell Sage Foundation.
David Kanter is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at New York University and Chair of the International Nitrogen Initiative. His research focuses on nitrogen pollution, food security, sustainable development, and climate change, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches including Earth systems modeling, economic analysis, and legal frameworks. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Law from the University of Bristol (2009), and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy from Princeton University (2012 and 2014). Prior to NYU, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. His work bridges science and policy, addressing global nutrient governance challenges and agri-food system transitions toward Sustainable Development Goals. He teaches courses on environment-society interactions, environmental policy, and regulatory frameworks. His publications span topics like nitrogen cycling, climate mitigation strategies, and policy design for sustainable agriculture. He actively engages in international initiatives like the International Nitrogen Management System to coordinate global nitrogen policies.
