Dr. David LaVetter is a Professor and Sport Management Program Coordinator at Arkansas State University's College of Education and Behavioral Science, within the Department of Health, Physical Education and Sport Sciences. He oversees the MS in Sport Administration program and teaches courses in Legal Issues in Sport, Sport Leadership, and Sport Governance. Education: Ph.D., University of New Mexico M.Ed., University of Nevada-Las Vegas B.S., University of Utah Research Focus: Dr. LaVetter specializes in sport management with emphasis on legal compliance, risk mitigation, and leadership dynamics within athletic contexts. His work addresses practical challenges in sports operations, governance, and policy implementation. Publications: His research spans transportation safety, economic impact of sporting events, and leadership in athletics. Recent works analyze risk management strategies in collegiate sports and community-based programs, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches linking law, economics, and organizational behavior.
Elizabeth Covino serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management within Johnson & Wales University's College of Hospitality & Business in Providence. With faculty tenure since 1997, she brings 17+ years of prior higher education administration experience from Framingham State College, Bryant University, and Johnson & Wales University (in Student Activities roles). Her current responsibilities include teaching core event management courses and advising the Special Events Society student chapter. Her academic credentials include: Master of Science, Springfield College Bachelor of Arts, University of Connecticut Professor Covino's expertise centers on practical event execution across weddings, concerts, corporate functions, and protocol-driven ceremonies. Her research examines pandemic adaptation strategies, event sustainability frameworks, and economic impacts of event industries—translated directly into classroom projects where students plan real events from weddings to trade shows. Recent work investigates virtual/hybrid event models and crisis management protocols. Her 2017-2020 media contributions reveal consistent focus on industry transformation during global crises, particularly pandemic responses in catering and event sectors, alongside perennial topics like wedding traditions and state funeral protocols. These publications demonstrate applied research bridging academic theory and operational practice. Key recognitions include: Faculty of the Year, College of Hospitality Management (2018) Club Advisor of the Year, International Live Events Association (2018) She actively mentors students through the Directed Experiential Education program, connecting them with organizations like the Blackstone Valley Tourism Association and Rhode Island ILEA Chapter for hands-on consulting. Her advising philosophy emphasizes 'symbiotic learning' where classroom theory meets real-world execution, with student teams conducting event audits, sustainability analyses, and feasibility studies. The Special Events Society under her guidance provides direct industry access through volunteering at national events including World Golf Championships. Though not leading a formal research laboratory, her DEE projects function as dynamic training hubs where students develop event management competencies through community partnerships. Current initiatives focus on post-pandemic event innovation and sustainable practice integration.
Dr. Paula M. Shrewsbury is a Professor and Extension Specialist in Ornamental and Turf IPM in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland , contributing to the land grant mission through research and outreach. She works at 4112A Plant Sciences Building, College Park, Maryland. Research Focus: Developing sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) programs for ornamental plants, turfgrass, and urban landscapes. Her work emphasizes conservation biological control, natural enemy and pollinator conservation, and invasive species management (e.g., brown marmorated stink bug, emerald ash borer). Teaching: Instructor of BSCI 497—Insect Pests of Ornamentals & Turf , which covers IPM strategies, and BSCI 798—Topic Seminars in Entomology , focusing on sustainable pest management. She co-teaches study abroad courses in Belize and Australia through the UMD College Park Scholars Program. Awards: Recipient of multiple honors including the 2021 James B. Gahan Professorship, 2018 Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension (Entomological Society of America), and 2004 Junior Faculty Award from the University of Maryland. Publications highlight her work on tri-trophic interactions (plant-herbivore-natural enemy), habitat manipulation for beneficial insects, and IPM demonstration programs across nurseries, urban landscapes, and golf courses. Outreach: Develops educational materials (e.g., Weekly Landscape and Nursery IPM Pest Alert Newsletter), trains green industry professionals, and leads citizen science initiatives like Project Stink-be-Gone , engaging community scientists in invasive pest management. Laboratory: Based in the Plant Sciences Building (Room 3168), her lab collaborates with institutions globally and investigates biological control mechanisms, while mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers.
Angela Carvalho Macedo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Sciences at University of Maia (ISMAI), where she has served since 1996. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Biotechnology (Food Science and Engineering) from Universidade Católica Portuguesa (1996), Postgraduate Certificate from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1991), and Chemical Engineering degree from University of Porto (1988). She currently holds leadership roles including Scientific Council member since 2016. Her research spans two primary domains: Food Science Engineering (focusing on traditional Portuguese food microbiology, particularly Serra da Estrela cheese and Cobrançosa olives) and Organizational Management (examining intellectual capital, workplace well-being, and occupational safety). Recent work integrates these fields through studies on functional food adoption and ergonomics in business environments. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals strong interdisciplinary collaboration, with 80% involving co-authors from University of Porto's engineering faculty. Her research demonstrates consistent evolution from pure food microbiology (1990s-2000s) toward management applications (2010s-present), while maintaining technical rigor in microbial analysis. 39 Scopus-indexed journal articles (h-index=20) Two book chapters including 'Biotecnologia dos alimentos' (2003) Authored book 'PRODULACTIS: Optimized Production of Traditional Certified Dairy Products' (2003) 18 organized scientific events including International Symposiums on Occupational Safety Professor Macedo actively supervises graduate students, with 25+ Master's theses completed since 2018 across Business Management and Bioengineering programs. Her current FCT-funded project (2018-2021) investigates regional olive probiotics. She maintains strong industry connections through student internships with companies like Reinaldo Ferreira Cardoso and AUTO-SUECO, focusing on practical applications of occupational safety principles.
Jennifer Rundels is a tenured Associate Professor and Research and Instruction Librarian at Central Michigan University Libraries, serving as the dedicated business librarian for the College of Business Administration. She provides comprehensive research support and information literacy instruction across all business departments including Business Information Systems, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance and Law, Management, and Marketing, Hospitality, and Logistics. Additionally, she teaches LIB 197: Introduction to Library and Information Research in both on-campus and online formats, reaching a broad undergraduate audience with foundational research skills training. Her educational background includes: Master of Arts in Educational Technology, Central Michigan University (2012) Master of Library and Information Science, Wayne State University (1995) Bachelor of Arts in English, magna cum laude, Oakland University (1993) Professor Rundels' research program bridges theoretical frameworks with practical library applications. She pioneers innovative methodologies like ATP bioluminescence technology for measuring library space cleanliness, explores career trajectory analysis for distance librarians, and develops enhanced research consultation models. Her work consistently examines the intersection of educational technology with information literacy instruction, particularly in business education contexts where threshold concepts present unique challenges. This focus on practical implementation distinguishes her contributions to library science literature. Her publication record demonstrates sustained scholarly activity from 2013-2023, with recent high-impact work in The Journal of Academic Librarianship and Business Horizons. The 2023 publications reveal two distinct research trajectories: one applying biotechnology to physical library management, and another analyzing business research methodologies through unconventional lenses like golf. This diversity reflects her ability to connect library science with broader academic and practical concerns while maintaining focus on student outcomes and librarian effectiveness. Professor Rundels maintains active scholarly engagement through conference presentations at venues like the Distance Library Services Conference and Great Lakes Conference on Teaching and Learning. Her editorial work on conference proceedings demonstrates leadership in the distance librarianship community. While specific grant details aren't public, her ongoing publication record in peer-reviewed journals indicates sustained research activity. She provides direct research consultation support for business students and faculty, with potential for student involvement in her active projects examining library space utilization and information literacy assessment. Although she does not lead a named research laboratory, Professor Rundels operates within CMU Libraries' collaborative research culture. Her work frequently involves cross-departmental teams, as evidenced by the library cleanliness study and business networking research. She contributes to the academic community through editorial roles for conference proceedings and by developing practical frameworks for implementing information literacy standards in credit-bearing courses, demonstrating commitment to advancing professional practice beyond individual research projects.
Dr Peter Bolan serves as Senior Lecturer and Course Director for the Masters in Golf Management at Ulster University Business School's Department of Hospitality Tourism & Events Management, Coleraine campus. He previously held the position of Director of International Tourism. His academic journey includes an honours degree in geography from Ulster University, followed by an MSc in Tourism Management (Ulster), MSc in eTourism (University of Surrey), and PhD in film/screen tourism (Ulster). He holds Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. Research focuses on golf tourism's role in coastal rejuvenation (exemplified by The Open at Royal Portrush), film-induced tourism including Game of Thrones impacts in Northern Ireland, digital tourism innovation, and food tourism networks. His work integrates AI applications in pedagogical contexts, examining digital technology's role in enhancing teaching methodologies. Recent publications demonstrate evolving expertise from foundational film tourism studies (2018-2019) toward contemporary applications in golf tourism economics (2024) and AI integration in education. Key themes include sustainable destination development, cinematic location impacts, and digital transformation across tourism sectors. Best Paper Award at BAM 2013 (Organizational Development) Best Paper Award at CHME 2015 (Hospitality Management) Best Paper Award at THRIC 2015 (Ireland Tourism) Gen AI in Education Awards Team of the Year (2025) Multiple best paper recognitions at academic conferences Industry engagement includes consultancy for Giant's Causeway Economic Impact Study, chairing Northern Ireland Food Tourism networks, committee membership for Irish Open Golf Championship, and regular contributions to business publications. He actively participates in media commentary on tourism trends including Game of Thrones effects, vaccine passport policies, and golf tourism economics. Current research involves transformative marketing technologies through DfE-funded projects.
Dr. Jay E Jisha serves as Associate Professor in the Sport Management Department at the University of Tampa, where he acts as Faculty Athletic Representative to the NCAA and maintains active memberships in the Global Sport Business Association, Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, and Florida State Golf Association. Education: B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University (1990) M.S., St. Thomas University (1993) Ph.D., Florida State University (2001) His research centers on professional preparation in sport industries, with expertise in career development pathways, sport branding strategies, and legal/risk management frameworks. Dr. Jisha has co-authored book chapters on sport branding and delivered over 20 academic presentations examining industry preparation models. Professional Contributions: Faculty Athletic Representative to NCAA Global Sport Business Association Member Commission on Sport Management Accreditation Member Florida State Golf Association Member He instructs graduate Seminar in Sport Management and undergraduate Legal Issues and Risk Management in Sport courses, emphasizing practical industry readiness through curriculum development focused on emerging sport business challenges.
Joseph Ly serves as a Laboratory Supervisor and Instructor in the Department of Biology at Macalester College, where he manages laboratory facilities and instructs genetics courses. His academic qualifications: Associate of Arts, Century Community College Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Master of Science in Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Joseph's teaching expertise spans the biological sciences spectrum, with specialized focus on Genetics and Molecular Biology laboratory instruction. As a former assistant teaching professor, he has designed curricula covering evolutionary theory and foundational biology concepts for undergraduate education. In his supervisory role, he maintains departmental laboratory infrastructure to support student learning. Outside academia, Joseph engages in rock climbing, disc golf, and guitar performance.
Nancy Brownlee is an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Linda R. Dunham School of Nursing at Houston Christian University. She teaches courses including Pathophysiology, Adult Health II, and Health Assessment, with specialized expertise in urology, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing. She holds a DNP from Vanderbilt University, an MSN from UT Health Science Center, and a BSN from Houston Christian University. Her research focuses on urologic nursing, particularly male genitourinary health, surgical techniques, and clinical assessment methods. Publications emphasize practical clinical guidelines and patient care strategies in urology. Awards & Honors: Outstanding FNP Student & Faculty Award of Excellence (UT Health Science Center, 2013) Leadership Award, Cook Medical Urological Division (1999, 2001) Who’s Who in Nursing at Methodist (1987) Professional Service: Member of Student Discipline Committee, School of Nursing Faculty Committee, and APG Nursing Committee. Holds memberships in Sigma Theta Tau, Texas Nurse Practitioners Association, SUNA, AUA, and AANP. Previously served as adjunct faculty at HCU (2010–2013) and UT Houston, and worked as a Nurse Practitioner at Baylor College of Medicine and UTMB Galveston. Outside academia, she serves on the Theater Under the Stars Advisory Board and enjoys golf, walking, and reading.
Berit Charlotte Kaae is a Senior Researcher at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, specializing in marine recreation, tourism, and maritime spatial planning. She holds a PhD in Tourism from KVL (2000) and dual Master's degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen. Her educational background includes: PhD in Tourism, KVL (2000) Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington, Seattle, USA (1990) Master of Landscape Architecture, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen (1989) Dr. Kaae's research focuses on the intersection of recreation, tourism, and environmental planning. Her work particularly examines marine recreation patterns, sustainable tourism development, and social impacts of tourism. She has led significant projects on maritime spatial planning, coastal recreation mapping, and urban ecotourism development. Her methodology combines GIS mapping with participatory approaches to document recreation patterns for integration into marine spatial planning frameworks. Her publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward understanding how recreation and tourism can be sustainably integrated into marine spatial planning while addressing social equity concerns. Recent work shows increasing attention to blue health spaces, coastal-marine recreation mapping, and the relationship between tourism development and environmental conservation. Professional leadership roles include: Chair of Tourism Researchers in Denmark (TiD) since 2017 Danish representative in EEA-EIONET Tourism expert working group since 2014 Member of advisory group on Nature Parks in Denmark since 2014 Member of Expert group on bicycling tourism in Denmark since 2015 As an educator, Dr. Kaae leads the Tourism course at the Nature and Culture Communicator education program at the Forest School in Nødebo (5 ECTS) and contributes to the Outdoor Recreation course. She advises numerous students on thesis and bachelor projects. Her international collaborations span multiple European countries and North America, reflecting the global relevance of her work on sustainable tourism and recreation planning.
Giri Jogaratnam is a Professor of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Eastern Michigan University, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. Prior to joining EMU, he served at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Virginia Tech, and Radford University, accumulating extensive domestic and international teaching, research, and industry experiences across multiple continents. His research focuses on strategic hospitality management, entrepreneurship, cross-cultural management, services marketing, and employee relations. Professor Jogaratnam has made significant contributions to understanding how organizational culture, market orientation, and human capital influence business performance in the restaurant industry. His work on market segmentation strategies, traveler motivations, and cultural factors in service encounters has provided valuable insights for hospitality professionals. His publications span multiple high-impact journals including the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, International Journal of Hospitality Management, and Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. His research shows consistent focus on consumer behavior in hospitality contexts, organizational dynamics in service industries, and cross-cultural aspects of tourism management, with publications ranging from 1987 to 2019. Article of the Year Award from Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research (2003) Best Paper Award at International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators Annual Conference (2005) Professor Jogaratnam teaches a comprehensive curriculum including HRM 251 (Meal Service Management), HRM 410 (Hospitality Human Resource Management), HRM 430 (Hospitality Management Seminar), and several graduate-level courses in hospitality management. His teaching portfolio reflects expertise in strategic management, human resources, marketing, and financial systems within the hospitality industry, preparing students for leadership roles in global hospitality organizations. His collaborative research with international scholars indicates a strong research network spanning multiple countries, and his extensive publication record suggests successful research funding throughout his career. Professor Jogaratnam's work has been influential in shaping understanding of hospitality management practices, particularly in organizational behavior, market segmentation, and cross-cultural service delivery.
