Pietro Ortoleva is a Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University , affiliated with the Department of Economics and the School of Public and International Affairs. His research spans Decision Theory , Behavioral Economics , Experimental Economics , and Political Economy , with a focus on understanding deviations from traditional economic models. Education: PhD in Economics, New York University (2009); BA in Economics, Università degli Studi di Torino (2004). Professional Roles: Coeditor of the American Economic Review (since 2021), former Editor of the Journal of Economic Theory (2018–2020), and editorial board member for multiple journals. His work investigates stochastic choice , ambiguity aversion , and reference-dependent preferences , often through incentivized experiments. Recent studies include the role of social norms in vaccine uptake , cautious utility models , and non-Bayesian belief updating . He has secured multiple National Science Foundation grants for projects on behavioral economics and decision-making under uncertainty. His 15 most recent publications reveal trends in behavioral decision theory , with emphasis on randomization preferences , time lotteries , cognitive biases , and political behavior . These studies frequently bridge economics, psychology, and public policy.
Hernando Rojas is the Helen Firstbrook Franklin Professor of Journalism and Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His academic roles include teaching courses such as Media Effects, Public Opinion, and Global Communications. He holds courtesy research affiliations with institutions in Colombia, Chile, and Singapore. Rojas earned a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from UW-Madison (2005), an MA from the University of Minnesota, and a law degree from Universidad Externado de Colombia. His research focuses on political communication, particularly the impact of new technologies on social mobilization, audience perceptions of media, and media's role in democratic governance. His work has been recognized with awards from ICA, WAPOR, and AEJMC, and he became an ICA Fellow in 2020. His professional service includes editing the International Journal of Public Opinion Research , leadership roles in the Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program, and contributions to professional associations like ICA and AEJMC. His career also includes roles as a media publisher, UNDP consultant, and public opinion advisor. Rojas' research demonstrates a global focus, addressing issues from China's crisis communication to Latin American polarization. His publications span over 100 articles and six books, emphasizing theoretical and applied insights into media's societal impact.
Dr. Kristen Lindquist is an incoming Professor and Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Chair in Social Psychology at The Ohio State University. She holds a A.B. in Psychology and English from Boston College (2004) and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Boston College (2010). Her research focuses on the psychological and neural basis of emotions, integrating tools from social cognition, neuroscience, and big data. She previously served as an Assistant Professor (2012–2018) and Associate Professor (2018–2022) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before being promoted to Professor in 2022. Her work emphasizes how emotions emerge from interactions between bodily states, cultural learning, and neural processes across the lifespan. She leads the Affective Science Lab, exploring cultural influences on emotion perception and the role of language in shaping emotional experiences. Lindquist’s research has been featured in Science , NeuroImage , and Trends in Cognitive Sciences , among others. Education: A.B. in Psychology and English, Boston College, 2004 Ph.D. in Psychology, Boston College, 2010 Research Interests: Lindquist investigates emotion construction theory, the neurobiological underpinnings of affect, interoception, and cultural influences on emotion semantics. Her work bridges cognitive, social, and developmental psychology with neuroscience, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods. Recent studies explore how language shapes emotional understanding and the impact of aging on physiological-emotional linkages. Key Contributions: Developed the theory of constructed emotion, challenging traditional discrete emotion models. Conducted large-scale meta-analyses mapping brain networks underlying emotion. Explored cultural variation in emotion semantics using linguistic and neuroimaging data. Labs/Teams: Her Affective Science Lab at OSU will continue investigating emotion’s neural and cultural foundations, with a focus on translational applications in mental health and education.
Professor David Dupret is a Professor of Neuroscience and MRC Investigator at the University of Oxford, where he also serves as a Tutorial Fellow in Biomedical Sciences at St Edmund Hall. His work takes place within the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, part of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and he is affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. David completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Institute François Magendie (INSERM, University of Bordeaux, France), receiving the French Neuroscience Association's 2007 Ph.D. Year Prize. He joined the MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit in 2007 as a Visiting Fellow, funded by the Institute of France and the International Brain Research Organisation. In 2009, he became an MRC postdoctoral scientist and Junior Research Fellow at St Edmund Hall, progressing to MRC Programme Leader Track scientist in 2011 and tenured MRC Programme Leader in 2014. Professor Dupret's research focuses on the circuit-level mechanisms of memory-guided behavior, with particular emphasis on neural dynamics of memory circuits during active waking behavior and sleep. His laboratory employs in vivo multichannel recordings and optogenetic manipulation of neuronal ensembles to investigate how hippocampal networks organize memory processes. His work has revealed fundamental insights into how memory circuits operate during both waking behavior and sleep states, particularly regarding hippocampal ripple activity, dentate spikes, and offline reactivation processes. Analysis of Professor Dupret's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on hippocampal network dynamics and memory processes. His work spans from basic neural circuit mechanisms to applications in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. A notable trend is the integration of computational approaches with experimental neuroscience to understand how neural assemblies encode and retrieve memories. His team has made significant contributions to understanding how dentate spikes support memory flexibility and how hippocampal ripple diversity organizes neuronal reactivation during offline states. French Neuroscience Association's 2007 Ph.D. Year Prize Foundation Louis D. Research Fellowship (2007) International Brain Research Organisation Fellowship (2008) FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence Scholar (2016) Boehringer Ingelheim-FENS Research Award (2018) Elected to membership of Academia Europaea (2024) Professor Dupret has secured substantial research funding through his MRC Programme Leader position and has mentored numerous researchers who appear as co-authors on his publications. His laboratory, the Dupret Group, operates within the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, collaborating extensively with other research groups including the Sharott Group, Magill Group, and Denison Group. Current research directions include investigating how memory circuits maintain flexibility while resisting extinction, exploring the relationship between neural coactivity patterns and memory organization, and developing computational models of hippocampal function. His team is actively pursuing future work on the mechanisms underlying memory persistence and the neural basis of flexible memory recall.
Professor Rosalyn Moran is a Professor of Computational Neuroscience and Deputy Director of King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence at King's College London. She holds roles in the Department of Neuroimaging and School of Neuroscience within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Her research focuses on computational neuroscience, computational psychiatry, and neurology, particularly integrating brain connectivity with algorithmic principles like the free energy principle. She explores neurotransmitter roles in decision-making and disease modeling, with applications in artificial intelligence and neurodegenerative disorders. Moran serves as an editor for Neuroimage and collaborates with leading institutions. Key projects include global neuroimaging initiatives (UNITY) and low-field MRI advancements in low-resource settings. Her work bridges Bayesian inference, AI, and neurobiology, with recent emphasis on pediatric neuroimaging and treatment-resistant psychosis. Education & Research Interests Rosalyn Moran's research spans computational psychiatry, neuroimaging techniques, and AI applications in healthcare. Her lab investigates serotonin and dopamine signaling, brain connectivity patterns, and predictive coding frameworks. Notable contributions include modeling NMDA receptor dysfunction in encephalitis and developing super-resolution MRI methods for global health contexts. Grants & Collaborations Funded projects include MRC Human Functional Genomics (2024-2028), NIHR Maudsley BRC (2022-2027), and Gates Foundation initiatives for low-field MRI enhancement. Collaborators include Karl Friston (UCL), Read Montague (Virginia Tech), and Klaas Enno Stephan (University of Zurich). Recent events include presenting the Free Energy Principle's role in generative AI (May 2023). Labs & Teams Her lab focuses on computational psychiatry and AI-driven neuroimaging solutions, collaborating with the King’s Global Health Institute to advance medical imaging accessibility in low-income regions.
Jose Antonio Hinojos Morales is a contemporary artist and researcher affiliated with Miguel Hernández University of Elche, where he completed his PhD in 2020. His academic work focuses on contemporary painting practices within the broader context of visual arts research. His research interests center around pictorial languages and procedures in contemporary contexts , with particular emphasis on the relationship between landscape, nature, and culture. He investigates how landscapes function as cultural constructs and explores innovative methodologies in the representation of the human face through art. His work also engages with decolonial thought and aesthetics, media archaeology, and expanded painting techniques. Hinojos Morales' artistic output demonstrates significant trends in contemporary Spanish art, particularly in the exploration of spiritual, philosophical, and scientific concepts through visual media. His work often challenges conventional perceptions and hegemonic epistemological positions, creating dialogues between traditional and contemporary artistic approaches. Second place, VIII International Painting Competition 'Miradas 2018', Chicago (USA), 2018 Second Prize, XIX Pastor Calpena Painting Prize, Aspe (Alicante), 2015 First Prize, XLVI National Painting Contest Vila de Sant Joan d'Alacant, 2013 First Prize, III National Painting Competition No to Fear, La Nucía (Alicante), 2013 Third Prize, XVII National Painting Competition City of Antequera, Antequera (Málaga), 2013 As an educator and researcher, Hinojos Morales has coordinated the Altea Artistic Residency program, directing multiple landscape-focused scholarship-residencies that support emerging artists. His work bridges academic research with professional artistic practice, contributing to both scholarly discourse and the contemporary art scene in Spain.
Dr. Barbara L. Hempstead is a Professor of Neuroscience and Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, where she has held positions since 2001 and 2002 respectively. Her research focuses on neurotrophin signaling mechanisms, particularly the roles of BDNF and its receptors in neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, and neurodegenerative diseases. She has made significant contributions to understanding proBDNF/proNGF signaling pathways in neuronal apoptosis and vascular biology. Education: M.D., Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicine (1982) B.A., Tufts University (1976) Dr. Hempstead's work bridges molecular neuroscience and cardiovascular biology, with a particular interest in receptor stoichiometry (p75NTR, TrkB), neurotrophin-induced synaptic remodeling, and therapeutic applications of neurotrophin modulators in Huntington's disease and post-seizure neuronal injury. Her lab investigates how genetic variants like BDNF Val66Met influence anxiety-related behaviors, social memory, and neurodegenerative disease progression through altered neurotrophin trafficking and signaling. Her recent publications highlight neuroinflammatory mechanisms (2023), immune-neurotrophin interactions (2022), and molecular pathways involving BDNF prodomain structure (2020) and SorCS2-mediated receptor trafficking (2017-2020). While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the scraped text, her funded research (National Institute on Aging, NIMH) demonstrates sustained recognition of her work in neurotrophin biology. Dr. Hempstead's lab develops in vitro and in vivo models to study neurotrophin-receptor dynamics, including 3D culture systems for angiogenesis research and transgenic mouse models for Huntington's disease. Her interdisciplinary approach combines molecular neurobiology with vascular physiology to uncover novel therapeutic targets for neurological and cardiovascular conditions.
Dr. Jennifer Silvers is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, affiliated with the College of Life Sciences. She directs the Social Affective Neuroscience and Development (SAND) Lab, focusing on emotional and physical health in youth, particularly how social ties influence neurobiological mechanisms of emotion regulation, learning, and decision-making. Academic Affiliation: Assistant Professor, UCLA Psychology Department Research Focus: Developmental neuroscience, emotion regulation, social influences on neurobiology Key Grants: NSF CAREER Award Her research examines age-related differences in emotion regulation, early adversity impacts, and neurodevelopmental pathways to resilience. Current work explores inflammation, pubertal timing, and social support systems through neuroimaging and behavioral studies. Recent publications highlight trends in developmental affective neuroscience, emphasizing neural networks (amygdala, prefrontal cortex), social decision-making, and adaptive responses to adversity across adolescence. Collaborations span institutions like the University of Chicago and Pomona College. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award Wendell Jeffrey and Bernice Wenzel Term Chair in Developmental Neuroscience The SAND Lab, based at UCLA’s Franz Hall, fosters transparency and collaboration while prioritizing ethical science and participant welfare. Her team investigates neurodevelopmental mechanisms to improve interventions for youth with diverse backgrounds.
Kuo-Fen Lee, PhD is a Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, holding the prestigious Helen McLoraine Chair of Molecular Neurobiology. He leads the Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, where his research focuses on nerve regeneration, spinal cord injury, and molecular mechanisms underlying neural development and neurodegenerative diseases. His work bridges basic neuroscience with potential therapeutic applications for conditions like ALS, paralysis, and Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Lee received his educational training from multiple prestigious institutions: a degree in Plant Pathology from National Taiwan University; an MS in Cancer Enzymology and Cell Differentiation from National Yang-Ming Medical College, Taiwan; a PhD in Endocrinology from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston; and completed his postdoctoral training at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. His primary research interests center on understanding why humans cannot regenerate damaged nerves while many other animals can. Dr. Lee has made significant discoveries regarding the p45 protein, which promotes nerve regrowth in mice but is absent in humans (who instead have p75, which inhibits nerve growth). His laboratory also studies neuregulin signaling, neuromuscular synapse formation, and the role of various proteins like nestin in neural development and maintenance. His work often employs mouse models to investigate spinal cord injury, pain pathways, and neurodegenerative conditions. Analysis of Dr. Lee's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on molecular neurobiology with particular emphasis on neural signaling pathways, synaptic maintenance, and nerve regeneration mechanisms. His research spans from basic molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications, with increasing attention to pain pathways, Alzheimer's disease models, and the intersection of neuroscience with immunology and metabolism in recent years. As holder of the Helen McLoraine Chair of Molecular Neurobiology, Dr. Lee has received significant institutional recognition for his contributions to neuroscience. While specific awards aren't detailed in the provided text, his sustained funding and leadership position indicate substantial peer recognition in his field. Dr. Lee's research program involves extensive collaboration with other neuroscience laboratories, as evidenced by his numerous co-authored publications across various neuroscience subdisciplines. His work has been consistently funded, allowing for the maintenance of an active research laboratory focused on nerve regeneration and molecular neurobiology. The Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology serves as the primary research environment for Dr. Lee's team, where they investigate molecular mechanisms of nerve development, regeneration, and degeneration using advanced genetic, molecular, and cellular approaches. The laboratory maintains active research programs in multiple areas of neural signaling and development.
Ian Hawkins is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham , focusing on Media Psychology , Intergroup Conflict , and Collective Action . He holds a Ph.D. in Communication and Media from the University of Michigan, with prior M.S. and B.S. in Psychology from Central Michigan University. His research employs social scientific methods to analyze how media representations of marginalized groups shape societal attitudes and policy preferences. Current work explores cross-device news consumption dynamics using eye-tracking to assess attention patterns in headline processing. He publishes in New Media and Society , Journal of Communication , and Psychology of Popular Media . Teaching responsibilities include Mass Communication History and Effects and Social Media Use courses. Contact: ihawkins@uab.edu
J. Ross Wagner is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Duke University's Divinity School since 2013. He holds a Ph.D. from Duke University (1999) and previously taught at Princeton Theological Seminary for 15 years. His research focuses on Pauline epistles, Septuagint studies, and theological exegesis, emphasizing how scriptural interpretation shaped early Jewish-Christian communities. Key works include Reading the Sealed Book (2013) and Heralds of the Good News (2002). Professor Wagner's teaching spans courses like New Testament Interpretation , Old Testament in the New , and Philippians/Philemon . He has co-investigated the Wabash Center grant Fostering a Culture of Teaching (2017–2022). His work bridges biblical scholarship with missional and contextual interpretation, as seen in studies applying Romans to post-hurricane Honduras. His scholarship intersects with Karl Barth Center collaborations and includes engagements with religious education initiatives. Current research continues exploring Paul's use of scripture, intertextuality, and the theological implications of Septuagint translation practices.
Ryan Thibodeau is a Professor at St. John Fisher University and a New York State licensed psychologist with Apple Teacher certification. His research examines the history of psychiatry and mental illness stigma, with publications spanning PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, and autism stigma. Recent work explores continuum beliefs, social distance, and intervention efficacy. Community involvement includes the Mount Hope Cemetery unnamed deceased memorial project and sensory-friendly space development. His publication portfolio demonstrates extensive focus on mental health stigma mechanisms across military/civilian contexts, celebrity influences, and parent-associated stigma. Methodologies include laboratory experiments, correlational studies, and implicit/explicit measures spanning psychophysiology and social cognition.
Emily Cooper is an Associate Professor of Optometry & Vision Science at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley. She serves as the Chair of the Vision Science PhD Program and is a co-Director of the Center for Innovation in Vision & Optics. Additionally, she is a member of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute and a Visiting Faculty Researcher at Google. Dr. Cooper's research focuses on 3D vision, perceptual graphics, AR/VR, computational neuroscience, visual encoding, and display system design. Her work investigates how the visual system processes information to create our perception of the 3D world, with applications in computer graphics, virtual reality, and assistive technologies for people with low vision. Analysis of Dr. Cooper's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on the intersection of vision science and emerging technologies, particularly in augmented reality and assistive vision systems. Her work spans fundamental research on visual perception mechanisms to applied research developing practical technologies for low vision rehabilitation. A significant portion of her recent work addresses visual discomfort in XR displays, perceptual guidelines for AR/VR systems, and innovative approaches to assistive vision technologies that enhance mobility and independence for visually impaired individuals. Dr. Cooper leads an active research laboratory at UC Berkeley's 391 Minor Hall, where she mentors students and collaborators in vision science research. Her lab investigates both basic questions about how vision works and translational questions about improving visual technologies. She has developed perceptual guidelines for optimizing field of view in stereoscopic augmented reality displays and created assistive technologies such as an augmented reality sign-reading assistant for users with reduced vision. Dr. Cooper is also involved in professional activities including co-organizing the Computational Neuroscience: Vision summer course at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and working with Community Resources For Science to promote science education.
Dr. Kathryn Lester is an Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. She leads internationally recognized research on childhood anxiety, focusing on intergenerational transmission, cognitive biases, and school mental health interventions. Her work includes developing evidence-based programs for emotionally-based school avoidance and evaluating whole-school approaches to mental health. She holds leadership roles in Sussex’s senior management team, including Subject Group Lead for Developmental Psychology and Deputy Director for Postgraduate Research. She co-leads the Sussex Foundation Partnership Trust School Mental Health Research Team Clinic and has secured funding from the National Institute for Health Research, ESRC, and The National Lottery Community Fund. Her academic journey includes a D.Phil. in Psychiatry from the University of Oxford (2008) and postdoctoral research at the University of Sussex and King’s College London. Key research interests include anxiety prevention, school-based interventions, and the impact of parenting behaviors on child mental health. She has collaborated with organizations like the Sussex Wildlife Trust and provided consultancy for educational content development, such as children’s book series on emotions and ITV’s ‘Planet Child’ series. Her research spans mixed-methods approaches, including participatory methods with children and caregivers. Notable projects include NIHR-funded studies on digital mental health toolkits and Kavli Trust-funded interventions to reduce anxiety transmission from parents to children. She actively engages in knowledge exchange and mentoring early-career researchers.
Professor Myrto Tsakatika is a distinguished academic in the Department of Politics at the University of Glasgow's College of Social Sciences, where she has been employed since 2007. She holds the position of Professor in Political & International Studies and serves as Undergraduate Programme Director. Her office is located in the Adam Smith Building (R1311 Level 13), a prominent building housing the university's social sciences disciplines. Dr. Tsakatika earned her PhD from the University of Essex and previously taught at the Athens University of Economics. She has held prestigious visiting positions at the University of Trieste, the Juan March Foundation in Madrid, and the Centre Emile Durkheim at SciencesPo Bordeaux, establishing her as a scholar with significant international connections. Professor Tsakatika's research spans several interconnected domains within political science. Her primary focus lies in European Union politics and governance, particularly examining the democratic deficit, new governance modes, and evolving public attitudes toward European integration. More recently, she has developed expertise in radical left parties and populism, with special attention to Southern European cases including Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. Her work often bridges comparative politics with European studies, analyzing how domestic political developments interact with broader European integration processes. She has made significant contributions to understanding SYRIZA's rise and governance in Greece as well as similar phenomena across Southern Europe. Analysis of Professor Tsakatika's recent publications reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory focused on the intersection of European integration, radical left politics, and populism in Southern Europe. Her work demonstrates increasing specialization in comparative analysis of radical left parties, particularly examining their organizational structures, electoral strategies, and governance challenges. The geographical focus remains firmly rooted in Southern Europe while maintaining connections to broader European political dynamics. Her publications appear in high-impact journals and prestigious academic presses, indicating recognition within the political science community. Professor Tsakatika has successfully supervised numerous PhD students whose research aligns with her expertise, including projects on populism's impact on foreign policy, EU peacebuilding, and the democratic deficit in the European Union. Her grant portfolio reflects sustained research activity, including projects funded by the Carnegie Trust, Caledonian Research Foundation, Royal Society of Edinburgh, and European Commission programs such as PADEMIA (2013-2016) and EUROSUD (2018-2024). These grants have supported comparative research on Southern European politics, European integration, and radical left parties. Within the academic community, Professor Tsakatika serves as Associate Editor for South European Society and Politics and as Editor for Politics Politics and International Relations. She teaches undergraduate courses on the Politics of the European Union (POLITIC4020) and postgraduate courses on Global Social Movements (POLITIC 5111), directly connecting her research expertise to her teaching responsibilities.
