Samantha Beth Schon, MD, MTR is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School, specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility. She directs the Michigan Interdisciplinary Clinic for Obesity & Reproduction (MICOR), focusing on the intersection of obesity and fertility. Education: BS/MD from University of Michigan, Residency at Washington University in St. Louis, Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at University of Pennsylvania Her research explores translational studies of the human endometrium and oocyte microenvironment, biomarkers of infertility, and patient experiences in reproductive care. She is board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and Obesity Medicine. Dr. Schon’s work emphasizes improving reproductive outcomes through interdisciplinary approaches combining clinical practice, translational research, and patient-centered care. She practices at multiple locations including Briarwood and Bloomfield Hills Centers for Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Monica P. Colaiacovo is a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, where she leads research in the Department of Genetics within the Blavatnik Institute. Her laboratory is located in the New Research Building in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Colaiacovo's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of meiosis, chromosome dynamics, and DNA repair in the Caenorhabditis elegans model system. Her work examines how environmental toxicants impact germline function and reproductive health, with particular emphasis on chromosome segregation, recombination, and the synaptonemal complex. Her publications reveal a consistent research trajectory examining critical aspects of meiotic chromosome behavior, including double-strand break formation and repair, crossover designation, and chromosome movement during prophase I. Her laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how environmental exposures like bisphenol A and phthalates disrupt normal meiotic progression and lead to germline dysfunction. Dr. Colaiacovo's work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between basic chromosome biology, environmental health sciences, and reproductive medicine. Her research group employs advanced genetic, molecular, and imaging techniques to dissect the complex mechanisms ensuring accurate chromosome segregation during gamete formation. Her laboratory actively collaborates with researchers studying aging, DNA repair pathways, and environmental toxicology, as evidenced by publications spanning multiple high-impact journals including Nature, PLoS Genetics, and Genetics.
Xian Wu, Ph.D., serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine. Her research leverages human stem cell models to investigate developmental vulnerabilities to environmental contaminants in cardiovascular and neural systems, with emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms and disease modeling. Dr. Wu's academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of Georgia M.S. in Biomedicine from East China Normal University B.S. in Biotechnology from Anhui University Her postdoctoral training comprised a Fellowship at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and an ORISE Fellowship at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Research focuses on creating human stem cell-derived organoid systems to model developmental toxicology, particularly examining cardiac and neural development under chemical exposure. The laboratory employs fluorescence reporter systems and RNA-seq to identify critical vulnerability windows during early development, with recent work targeting Parkinson's disease mechanisms through dopaminergic neuron models and cardiac fibrosis via advanced organoids. Methodological innovations include high-content imaging for neurogenesis quantification and epigenetic pathway analysis. Publication trends (2016-2025) demonstrate consistent advancement in stem cell-based toxicology testing, with increasing emphasis on micro/nanoplastics risk assessment, arsenic neurotoxicity mechanisms, and doxorubicin cardiotoxicity modeling. The work bridges environmental health, epigenetics, and regenerative medicine through interdisciplinary approaches. Scientific recognition includes: 2025 SPARC Award (ECU) 2024 Top Abstract Award (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Society) 2024 NIEHS P30 Center Travel Award 2023 ECU Research and Creative Activity Award Dr. Wu actively mentors graduate researchers including Ph.D. candidate Cate Duncan and M.S. students Kamilah Muhammad and Bailey Skeen, alongside undergraduate Bryce Tilghman. Former trainees McKyrah Brown and Monica Cross completed honors theses in the laboratory. Current grants include ECU's SPARC Award funding stem cell model development for environmental contaminant testing. The BSOM 6S-11 laboratory maintains specialized capabilities in cardiac and cerebral organoid generation, fluorescence-based toxicity screening, and RNA-seq epigenetic analysis. Collaborative networks include the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and ECU's Center for Human Health and the Environment, supporting translational research on developmental vulnerability periods.
Sujatha Fernandes is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Sydney, joining in 2016. Previously, she held positions at Queens College and the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, and was a Wilson-Cotsen Fellow at Princeton University. She earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on social and labor movements, global Black cultures, migrant workers, and anti-Blackness in the Americas. She has authored six books, including The Cuban Hustle (2020) and Curated Stories (2017), and her work explores storytelling, climate justice, and marginalized communities. Dr. Fernandes has received grants such as the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Project (2021) and contributed to initiatives like the Racial Justice and the Curriculum Project at the University of Sydney. She has been featured in global media, including The New York Times , NPR , and Orion Magazine . Her writing spans academic articles, creative nonfiction, and op-eds addressing climate displacement, migrant rights, and cultural policy. Notable works include analyses of Venezuela’s urban movements, Cuba’s cultural politics, and domestic worker advocacy. She sits on the editorial board of Transition: The Magazine of Africa and the Diaspora . Her interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, anthropology, and literature, with ongoing projects in climate fiction and interlinked short stories.
Professor Amy Mullens (University of Southern Queensland) is a leading academic in public health, gender studies, and clinical psychology. Her work focuses on sexual and reproductive health, transgender health equity, and healthcare access for marginalized populations, particularly within correctional systems. Key Affiliations : School of Psychology and Wellbeing, Centre for Health Research, Institute for Resilient Regions. Research Themes : Intersectional health disparities, HIV/STI prevention, gender-affirming healthcare, and mental health interventions. Research Trends : Recent publications emphasize digital health tools for STI/HIV risk prediction, transgender health policy, and qualitative analyses of incarceration experiences. She frequently collaborates on systematic reviews and mixed-methods studies addressing health equity. Advising : Supervises 16+ doctoral and master’s students (2021-2025) on topics spanning trauma, health literacy, and sexual health interventions.
Dr. Erica Garcia is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Science and Technology, specializing in aquatic ecology. She leads research on river, wetland, and groundwater ecosystems, focusing on food web dynamics and biodiversity in changing environments. Her current projects include citizen science initiatives for groundwater security and wetland condition assessments. Dr. Garcia holds a PhD from Michigan State University (2006) and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (1999). She teaches courses in ecology and resource management and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing water sustainability in Northern Australia. Her research spans observational, experimental, and molecular methods to understand ecosystem processes. Education: PhD in Zoology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University (2000–2006) Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley (1995–1999) Research Interests: Dr. Garcia’s work emphasizes freshwater ecosystems, including food web interactions, groundwater ecology, and the impacts of human activities on riverine systems. She employs eDNA, isotopic analysis, and remote sensing to assess ecosystem health and biodiversity. Current projects investigate groundwater resources and citizen science approaches to environmental monitoring. Grants & Projects: Co-lead on the Northern Australian Community Groundwater Security Project (citizen science) Principal Investigator for the Adelaide River Aquatic Ecosystem Mapping project (2023–2024) Collaborator on the Water Security for Northern Australia Program (2023–2026) Labs/Teams: She is affiliated with the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods at CDU and collaborates with international networks on global river ecology and climate change impacts.
Dr Benjamin Hunter is a Lecturer in International Political Economy at the University of Glasgow, specializing in the political economy of development and global health financing. He holds degrees from the University of Cambridge, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and King's College London. His research focuses on development finance, private finance in global health, and the global healthcare economy. He leads the Unsettling Healthcare initiative and is affiliated with The Collective for the Political Determinants of Health and the Editorial Board of Globalization and Health . Key research themes include financialization of healthcare, market-making in social sectors, and regulatory capitalism. His work examines case studies in India, China, and the UK, exploring how private finance influences healthcare systems and global health equity. He has secured grants from the UK Economic and Social Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. Recent publications analyze private financial actors' threats to global health, NHS internationalization, and corporatization in Indian healthcare. His 2023 book Investor States: Global Health at The End of Aid critiques evolving development financing paradigms. Collaborations with WHO, the Global Fund, and Oxfam highlight his engagement with multilateral and NGO sectors. Dr Hunter advises on PhD topics related to healthcare globalization, including Singapore’s medical history and menstrual health in Delhi. His grants include a £722k ESRC project on NHS service commercialization in China/India and a Wellcome Trust study on healthcare brokerage in Delhi/London.
Tatiana Sánchez Parra is an Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at the University of Tennessee. Her research focuses on reproductive violence and justice in contexts of war and transitional justice, particularly in Colombia and Latin America. She employs feminist peacebuilding, social reproduction frameworks, and creative/arts-based methodologies in her work. Previously, she held a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh and remains a visiting researcher there. Education: Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Essex (2018) M.A. in Theory and Practice of Human Rights, University of Essex (2013) M.A. and B.A. in Social Anthropology, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia (2007/2006) Key research interests include: Gendered victimhood in transitional justice Reproductive autonomy and social reproduction in militarized contexts Creative methods for knowledge production Environmental devastation and conflict legacies Her book ‘Born of War in Colombia’ (2024) examines how children born of conflict-related sexual violence remain marginalized in Colombia’s transitional justice systems. Recent publications analyze Colombia’s Truth Commission, feminist methodologies, and reparations frameworks. Awards include the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship (2018-2020). She co-edits special journal issues on gender-based violence in Latin America and Colombia’s peacebuilding processes. Teaching includes courses on anthropology of human rights and reproduction/sexuality studies. She collaborates with Afro-Colombian communities and transitional justice actors to advance transformative justice measures for conflict-affected populations.
Philippe Christe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Faculty of Biology and Medicine. His research centers on host-parasite interactions, with a focus on bats, birds, and their ectoparasites, integrating behavioral, physiological, and genetic approaches. He leads the Christe Group, which investigates evolutionary and ecological dynamics in host-parasite systems, particularly avian malaria and bat-mite relationships. He is actively involved in conservation initiatives, including the Jorat Peri-Urban Nature Park, and collaborates with KORA on human-wildlife interactions. Bachelor's degree in biology, UNIL (1989) PhD in Zoology and Animal Ecology, UNIL (1994) Philippe Christe’s research interests lie at the intersection of parasitology, evolutionary ecology, and conservation biology. He investigates how host defenses evolve in response to parasitic pressures, examining trade-offs between immunity and life history traits such as reproduction and survival. His work often integrates field studies with experimental and molecular techniques. Key model systems include Parus major (great tit) and Culex pipiens in avian malaria, and bat species with their ectoparasitic mites. He also explores broader ecological interactions, including predator-prey dynamics and wildlife conservation in human-modified landscapes. His recent publications reflect a strong emphasis on disease ecology, wildlife conservation, and molecular methods. Articles span topics such as avian malaria transmission, lynx population dynamics, snow leopard behavior, and habitat fragmentation effects on insects. These works employ advanced techniques like DNA metabarcoding, spatial modeling, and long-term monitoring, demonstrating a trend toward interdisciplinary, data-driven ecological research with direct conservation applications. Dubois Foundation Prize for an educational CD-Rom on bats (2004) Communication Award from the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of UNIL (2017) Philippe Christe has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students, contributing significantly to training the next generation of ecologists and evolutionary biologists. His group collaborates widely with institutions such as the Museum of Zoology in Lausanne and KORA, and participates in large-scale conservation projects involving snow leopards, lynx, and bats. He has been involved in research grants related to host-parasite coevolution, wildlife monitoring, and conservation strategies. His leadership in establishing the Jorat Peri-Urban Nature Park and involvement in the UNIL Interdisciplinary Center for Mountain Research highlight his commitment to applied science and environmental stewardship. He leads the Christe Group, which conducts research on host-parasite coevolution, with a focus on bats and their ectoparasites, and birds affected by avian malaria. The group combines fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and molecular analyses, and includes post-docs, PhD students, and technical staff. Collaborations extend to researchers in Bern, Paris, and Spain, fostering an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
Professor Lars E. Eriksson is a Registered Nurse with a PhD in Nursing and an MSc in Chemistry, currently serving as a part-time Professor in Nursing at the School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, and as a full Professor in Nursing at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, where he leads the Lars E. Eriksson Research Group. His academic journey began with a UC in Nursing in 1985, followed by over a decade of clinical work in hematology, immunology, and HIV care in Stockholm, before transitioning into research and academia. His research is centered on biobehavioral and translational nursing, particularly focusing on health and quality of life among individuals with chronic conditions such as HIV, cancer, and long-term infections. Key areas include disease-related stigma, symptom research, patient-reported outcomes, and biomarker development. He is Principal Investigator for a lung cancer biomarker project funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish PI for the H2020 Magnet4Europe project on mental health in healthcare workplaces. His recent publications show a strong trend in using mixed methods to explore end-of-life communication, death literacy, sexual and reproductive health after cancer, and stigma in chronic illness. He frequently employs patient-reported outcomes, online focus groups, and web-based interventions, often in collaboration with international partners. His work bridges clinical practice, nursing science, and public health. Scientific Awards and Memberships: British HIV Association (BHIVA) National HIV Nurses Association (NHIVNA) Swedish Society of Nursing Swedish Society of Medicine Swedish Society of Medical Microbiology Lars Eriksson has advised numerous PhD and Master’s students, primarily on topics related to quality of life, stigma, and chronic illness. He teaches postgraduate modules including MSc Dissertation, Advanced Practice Dissertation, and Sexual and Reproductive Health. He is affiliated with the Centre for Health Services Research and the Centre for Public Health Research at City St George's.
Jessica Mayhew is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Central Washington University. She specializes in primate behavior, biological anthropology, and cognitive ethology, with a focus on social play, dominance hierarchies, and communication patterns in primates such as chimpanzees, macaques, lemurs, and gorillas. Her research integrates field studies, captive observations, and interdisciplinary approaches to understand primate social dynamics and conservation challenges. Her work extends to historical analysis, such as interpreting Bronze Age wall paintings depicting primates, and modern contexts like examining the impact of human caregivers on captive primates and the portrayal of nonhuman primates in digital media. She has conducted studies in diverse locations including China, Madagascar, and sanctuaries in the United States. Mayhew’s publications span topics like lateralization in lemurs, dominance behavior in Tibetan macaques, and paternal care in orangutans. She teaches courses on biological anthropology, primate origins, nonverbal communication, and primatology, reflecting her expertise in both academic instruction and applied research. Her advising and grants focus on primate behavior studies, with notable projects including camera trap deployments in China and collaborative work at sanctuaries. No specific labs or teams are listed, though her collaborative nature is evident through joint publications with institutions like Duke Lemur Center and international field collaborations.
Yan Gu is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana. He is affiliated with the School of Mechanical Engineering within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on legged locomotion, humanoid and quadrupedal robots, wearable robotics, hybrid dynamical systems, control systems, state estimation, and dynamics. He leads the TRACE Lab and has been recognized with prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2021) and multiple teaching accolades. Gu holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University (2017) and a B.S. from Zhejiang University, China (2011). His work emphasizes robust control strategies for legged robots in dynamic environments, including adaptive ankle torque control, time-varying foot-placement algorithms, and state estimation techniques for non-inertial surfaces. His recent publications explore multimodal datasets in animal-robot interaction and the stabilization of quadrupedal locomotion on accelerating platforms. His research has been supported through grants such as the NSF CAREER Award, and his contributions span both theoretical advancements in hybrid control systems and practical applications in wearable robotics and exoskeleton design. Gu’s TRACE Lab serves as a hub for innovative robotics research, addressing challenges in robot-environment interaction and dynamic stability.
Catherine Guastavino is a Professor at McGill University's School of Information Studies (within the Faculty of Arts) and an Associate Member at the Schulich School of Music. She also contributes to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT). Her roles include leading research projects and supervising graduate students in music technology and related fields. She holds a PhD in Psychoacoustics from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), an MSc from IRCAM (France), and a BSc in Mathematics from McGill University. Her research focuses on auditory perception, soundscape analysis, human-computer interaction, and urban acoustics. Notable projects include the 'Sounds in the City' partnership addressing urban noise policy and the development of immersive soundscape simulation tools. She leads or co-leads grants from SSHRC, NSERC, and MITACS, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to sound in urban environments. Guastavino's work bridges academic research with practical applications, such as designing sound installations for public spaces and improving acoustic environments in transportation and performance venues. She collaborates with city planners, musicians, and engineers, reflecting her commitment to making cities sound better through evidence-based strategies. Key Projects: SSHRC Partnership Grant for urban soundscape management (2018-2023) NSERC Discovery Grant on auditory localization (2019-2024) MITACS projects on Montreal festival soundscapes and noise policy Labs & Partnerships: Multimodal Interaction Laboratory (MIL) Collaborations with Ville de Montréal and Quartier des Spectacles Education: PhD: Psychoacoustics (Paris VI) MSc: Computer Science & Music Technology (IRCAM) BSc: Mathematics (McGill) Her teaching includes courses like Music Information Retrieval, integrating computational methods with artistic and scientific applications.
Rana Jaleel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Arts & Sciences. She holds multiple leadership roles, including Chair of the Cultural Studies Graduate Group, Chair of the Designated Emphasis in Feminist Theory and Research, Faculty Advisor for the Sexuality Studies Minor, and Co-Director of HATCH: The Feminist Arts & Sciences Initiative. She is also a 2021–2024 College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Faculty Fellow. Education: Ph.D. in American Studies, New York University J.D., Yale Law School MFA in Poetry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Rana Jaleel’s research centers on the politics of evidence, examining how harm is recognized or erased in legal, cultural, and political contexts. Her work critically engages with reproductive labor, race, gender, sexuality, property, and international law. She draws from feminist theory, critical ethnic studies, legal studies, and decolonial thought to interrogate the intersections of power, knowledge, and violence. Her interdisciplinary approach is reflected in her contributions across law, cultural studies, and creative writing. Her publications and editorial projects reveal a strong focus on racial capitalism, settler colonialism, queer/trans of color critique, and feminist legal theory. She explores how international legal frameworks for sexual violence are shaped by imperial and racial power. Her work frequently appears in journals such as Critical Ethnic Studies Journal , Cultural Studies , and Brooklyn Law Review . She has co-edited special issues on democracy, gendered citizenship, and racial capitalism, demonstrating a commitment to collective scholarly work. Scientific Awards: Author of Color First Book Award from Duke University Press for The Work of Rape Rana Jaleel is actively involved in academic service and mentorship. As Co-Director of HATCH and leader of the Write the Future! Lab, she fosters creative and critical scholarship among undergraduate students, particularly from women/queer/trans of color and transnational feminist perspectives. She serves on the Editorial Collective and Board of The Critical Ethnic Studies Journal and is a member of the American Association of University Professors’ Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure. Her leadership extends to admissions and curriculum development in interdisciplinary programs. She is co-editing a forthcoming issue of South Atlantic Quarterly on 'Queer/Trans of Color Transits and the Global Imaginaries of Racial Capitalism' and continues to develop projects that bridge creative practice, legal critique, and feminist theory.
Dr. Julieta Chaparro-Buitrago is a Wellcome Trust Early Career Fellow in the Department of Sociology at the University of Cambridge, specializing in decolonial approaches to reproductive justice across Latin America. Her work bridges anthropology, gender studies, and environmental sociology through critical examinations of colonial power structures. Her educational foundation includes a PhD from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she received the Oriol Pi-Sunyer Dissertation Prize and multiple research awards recognizing her groundbreaking work on forced sterilization in Peru. Chaparro-Buitrago's research centers on how colonial legacies and extractive industries shape reproductive experiences of indigenous and peasant women. She develops innovative frameworks like Reproductive Extractivism to analyze connections between land exploitation, environmental contamination, and bodily sovereignty, challenging Western-centric reproductive rights paradigms through decolonial feminist methodologies. Her publication trajectory reveals expanding scope from Peru-focused ethnography to transnational comparisons (US, China) and environmental dimensions, consistently centering peasant epistemologies while critiquing state violence and repro-normative hierarchies. Her scientific recognition includes: Wellcome Trust Early Career Award (2022) Oriol Pi-Sunyer Dissertation Prize (2021) Armelagos-Swedlund Graduate Research Award (2018) Richard B. Woodbury Award (2015) Pre-Dissertation Research Award (2013) Her Wellcome-funded project on reproduction in Peru's extractive zones drives interdisciplinary collaboration with Cambridge Reproduction and the Cambridge Lactation Network, generating policy interventions for environmental reproductive justice amid climate crisis. She actively shapes discourse through the Cambridge Reproduction Forum and Reading Group, fostering cross-departmental dialogue on decolonizing reproduction research while mentoring emerging scholars in critical feminist methodologies.
