Dr. Carla Vilela is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro and Principal Researcher at CICECO. She coordinates the Sustainable Materials research line and leads projects on cellulose-based materials and circular economy. Her research focuses on sustainable materials from cellulose and renewable resources for applications in water remediation, food packaging, and textiles. Education includes a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Aveiro and postdoctoral work at CICECO and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (UK). Research interests include: Development of cellulose-based functional materials Nanocomposites for biomedical applications Sustainable packaging solutions Biopolymer modification and characterization Publications demonstrate strong focus on cellulose nanocomposites, bioprinting bioinks, and active packaging. Recent articles frequently involve nanocellulose modifications, drug delivery systems, and sustainable material design. Awards include being named among World's Top 2% Scientists annually since 2020. Funding includes national projects (Cell4Janus) and EU collaborations (PRIMA Im-Pack). Leads the BioPol4Fun research group and supervises 6 PhD students. Current projects explore cellulose-based microrobots, resin valorization, and marine biopolymers.
Dr. Kamran Sedig serves as a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University, where he directs the Insight Lab. His research focuses on designing interactive technologies to enhance human cognitive activities involving data and information, including decision making, problem solving, and learning across domains like healthcare, finance, and scientific discovery. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Computer Science (Human-Computer Interaction) from The University of British Columbia under Prof. Maria Klawe, with dissertation nominated for the Governor General’s Gold Medal M.Sc. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) from McGill University under Prof. Renato De Mori B.Sc. in Computer Engineering and Science from Concordia University as Valedictorian with The Most Great Distinction Sedig’s research synthesizes computer science, information science, cognition theory, and game studies to develop frameworks for interactive visual tools (IVTs). He investigates human-data interaction, visual reasoning, and interactivity design to support complex cognitive tasks like medical diagnosis, financial analysis, and scientific exploration. His human-centered approach emphasizes how computational tools and humans form coordinated cognitive systems for optimal task execution. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant trends in health informatics applications (drug safety analytics, electronic health records) and foundational work on human-information interaction frameworks. His visual analytics systems consistently bridge theoretical models with practical tools for ontology exploration, document triage, and explainable AI, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary collaboration across medical and computational domains. Key recognitions include: Governor General’s Gold Medal nomination for doctoral research Valedictorian honors at Concordia University As Insight Lab director, Sedig mentors graduate students through courses like Human-Computer Interaction, Information Visualization, and Design of Digital Cognitive Games. His teaching philosophy emphasizes how cognitive technologies mediate human thinking processes in professional and private contexts. While specific grant details aren’t provided, his lab’s sustained output in health analytics and visual interfaces indicates robust research funding. The Insight Lab operates as a collaborative hub for developing and evaluating IVTs, with current projects including VICTORIOUS for document scoping reviews and VISEMURE for multimorbidity analysis. Sedig’s team prioritizes empirical validation of how interaction design affects cognitive load and task efficiency in real-world data-intensive environments.
Giancarlo Ferrari Trecate is an Adjunct Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) , affiliated with the School of Engineering and the SCI-STI-GFT department. He is also involved in teaching and research through the STI-SGM and EDRS-ENS programs. Research Interests : Automatic control, state estimation, system identification, machine learning, distributed control, hybrid systems, microgrids, biochemical networks, voltage and frequency stabilization in AC/DC microgrids. Publications Trends : His recent work focuses on integrating Neural ODEs and Hamiltonian structures for stable control systems, regret minimization in distributed control, and robust state estimation under uncertainty. Applications include autonomous mobility-on-demand , power grid optimization , and secure microgrid control against cyber-attacks. Scientific Awards : No specific awards mentioned in the provided data. Teaching & Advising : He supervises PhD students in mechanical engineering and teaches courses on Multivariable control and Networked control systems . His lab, DECODE , specializes in Dependable Control and Decision systems.
Nathan Reading is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at North Carolina State University (NCSU). He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota (2002) and a B.S. in Physics from Stanford University (1995). His research focuses on algebraic and geometric combinatorics, particularly in Coxeter groups, cluster algebras, and lattice-theoretic approaches. He has been actively involved in organizing the Triangle Lectures in Combinatorics, a biannual research conference. His research interests include noncrossing partitions, cluster scattering diagrams, and the lattice theory of torsion classes. Recent work explores connections between Coxeter groups and combinatorial structures on surfaces. Reading has authored numerous papers on topics such as semidistributive lattices, scattering diagrams, and Cambrian frameworks. He teaches advanced combinatorics courses (e.g., MA 724: Combinatorics II) and has advised graduate students. His work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), including DMS-1500949. Reading maintains an active presence in the mathematics community through publications, conference organization, and pedagogical contributions.
Thomas Smith is an Associate Professor in Environmental Geography at the London School of Economics (LSE), specializing in wildland fires, tropical environmental change, and peatland management. He joined LSE in 2018 after lecturing at King’s College London and has held visiting fellowships at institutions including the National University of Singapore and Monash University Malaysia. His research focuses on biomass burning’s role in the Earth system, particularly greenhouse gas emissions from tropical peatlands and savannas. Smith’s expertise includes infrared spectroscopy, wildfire modeling, and land management decision support. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address fire emissions, agricultural practices, and their environmental impacts. Notable awards include being Highly Commended for Research Guidance & Support at the LSESU Teaching Excellence Awards 2019. His recent work involves field experiments (e.g., GAMBUT project) and citizen science initiatives to measure air pollution. Collaborative research spans global wildfire dynamics, climate change impacts, and policy interventions in Southeast Asia’s haze season. Smith contributes to both academic discourse and practical solutions for sustainable land use and climate resilience.
Professor Hisham Farag is a distinguished academic at the University of Birmingham , where he serves as Professor of Finance and Director of Research at the Birmingham Business School . He is also the Founding Director of the Sustainable Financial Innovation Research Centre (SFIC) , underscoring his leadership in advancing research in sustainable finance and financial innovation. His work is deeply embedded in the Department of Finance , where he contributes to both research and academic leadership. His primary research interests span a wide and impactful range of topics in modern finance, including FinTech , corporate governance , board structure and diversity , corporate social responsibility (CSR) , behavioural finance , sustainable finance , ESG , and green finance . His research investigates how governance mechanisms, board composition, and financial innovations influence firm performance, risk, and ethical outcomes, particularly in both developed and emerging markets. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on global corporate governance, alternative finance, and the social dimensions of finance. Key themes include the role of board diversity in bank stability, the impact of FinTech on entrepreneurship, and the integration of CSR in Islamic and Chinese financial institutions. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Corporate Finance , British Journal of Management , and European Journal of Finance . Professor Farag has received significant research funding from notable institutions including the Bank of England , Innovate UK (Energy Systems Catapult) , and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) . His research projects have addressed critical issues such as board effectiveness, risk in financial institutions, and investment decisions in hedge funds. He is actively involved in the academic community, serving as Associate Editor for several prestigious journals: European Journal of Finance , Research in International Business and Finance , Business Ethics European Review , and African Accounting and Finance Association . He has also co-authored a research monograph titled Balancing the Board: Directors’ Skills and Diversity , funded by ICAS. Among his accolades, he received the Best Paper Award at the Global Finance Conference in California, USA. His scholarly output includes numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and professional reports, reflecting a sustained and influential contribution to the field of finance.
Li Tang is an Associate Professor with tenure at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the Institute of Bioengineering (IBI) and the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering (IMX) within the School of Engineering (STI). She leads the Laboratory of Biomaterials for Immunoengineering, focusing on developing innovative strategies at the intersection of immunology, materials science, and cancer therapy. Her work bridges fundamental research and clinical translation, with multiple ongoing clinical trials based on CAR-T cell therapies developed in her lab. B.S. in Chemistry, Peking University (2003–2007) Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2007–2012) Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT (2013–2016) Her research lies at the forefront of immunoengineering, integrating chemical, metabolic, and mechanical approaches to modulate immune responses. Key areas include cancer immunotherapy, immune metabolism, mechano-immunology, and biomaterials. She investigates how physical and biochemical cues can reprogram T cells, overcome exhaustion, and enhance tumor targeting. Her work emphasizes multidimensional immunity-disease interactions, aiming to develop safer and more effective therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in engineering immune cells (especially CAR-T) for enhanced durability and function, using advanced biomaterials and metabolic reprogramming. There is a clear focus on overcoming challenges in solid tumors, modulating the tumor microenvironment, and translating findings into clinical applications. The use of nanoparticle delivery, single-cell analysis, and biomechanical cues are recurring themes across her work. Notable scientific awards include: Friedrich Miescher Award (2025) ERC Starting Grant (2018) MIT TR35 Innovators Under 35 (China Region, 2020) Nano Research Young Innovator Award (2018) Biomaterials Science Emerging Investigator (2019) Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator (2020) Li Tang actively mentors PhD students across multiple doctoral programs (EDBB, EDMS, EDMX) and has advised numerous graduates who have gone on to prestigious postdoctoral and faculty positions. She is involved in significant research grants, including an Innosuisse project with Novochizol SA, and her lab is supported by competitive funding. She teaches core courses such as Immunoengineering and Next-Generation Biomaterials, shaping the next generation of scientists. Her lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, with active projects in chemical, metabolic, and mechanical immunoengineering, as well as CAR-T cell development. She is the Principal Investigator of the Tang Lab, which includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and technical staff. The lab is actively recruiting and has a strong publication and clinical translation record. Tang Lab is also involved in multiple MA/BA training projects and promotes student engagement in cutting-edge research. The lab’s discoveries are being translated into clinical trials, reflecting a strong commitment to translational science.
Dr. Gabriele Schweikert is a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator with a joint appointment between the Division of Computational Biology in the School of Life Sciences at University of Dundee and Cyber Valley in Tuebingen. Her research focuses on applying machine learning techniques to understand epigenetic mechanisms and molecular processes in living cells. Dr. Schweikert completed her PhD at the Max Planck Institute Tuebingen working with Schoelkopf, Weigel, and Raetsch labs on machine learning for computational gene finding. She subsequently joined Adrian Bird's lab at the Wellcome Trust Center for Cell Biology in Edinburgh, a pioneer in epigenomic research. Prior to her current position, she held prestigious Marie Curie and EMBO Fellowships at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh. Her research interests center on using machine learning to decode epigenetic mechanisms that determine cellular identity and function. She investigates how cells with identical DNA can differentiate into specialized cell types through epigenetic regulation, with particular focus on applications in understanding tumorigenesis where epigenetic machinery malfunctions. Her work combines high-throughput epigenomic data with advanced computational approaches to address complex biological questions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on epigenomic data analysis, machine learning applications in biology, and computational approaches to understanding gene regulation. Her work spans from fundamental epigenetic mechanisms to practical applications in disease research, with growing emphasis on individual-specific epigenomic analysis and explainable AI in biomedical contexts. UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2020, £1.6 million) Marie Curie Fellowship EMBO Fellowship Dr. Schweikert actively supervises PhD students and has received significant research funding for projects including 'Machine Learning Methods to Re-Annotate Histone Modifications,' 'Unlocking The Alternative Splicing Code,' and 'GPU-Based Machine Learning System For Fundamental Biological Research.' She is involved in multiple interdisciplinary collaborations and frequently presents her work at major conferences including ELLIS Health program retreat, Epigenetics Meetings, and RECOMB workshops. She maintains active research laboratories in both Dundee and Tuebingen, fostering international collaboration between computational biologists, machine learning experts, and experimental biologists to advance our understanding of epigenetic regulation in health and disease.
Olaf Steinbach is a University Professor (Univ.-Prof.) at the Institute of Applied Mathematics at Graz University of Technology. His academic career spans over three decades with continuous research activity from 1992 to the present, including publications scheduled for 2026. He serves as a project manager for several research initiatives including the Special Research Area (SFB) F90 Computational Electric Machine Laboratory, which runs from 2022 to 2026. Professor Steinbach's research interests primarily focus on Numerical Analysis and Computational Mathematics . His work centers around developing and analyzing advanced numerical methods, particularly Finite Element Methods (FEM) and Boundary Element Methods (BEM), for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) and optimal control problems. His research spans both theoretical aspects (such as error analysis, stability, and convergence) and practical applications (including electric machines, electromagnetics, and biomechanics). He has made significant contributions to space-time finite element methods, which treat time as an additional dimension in the discretization process, leading to more robust and efficient solvers for time-dependent problems. Analysis of his recent publications (2021-2026) reveals a strong focus on optimal control problems governed by partial differential equations, with particular emphasis on elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic PDEs. His work demonstrates a consistent pattern of developing robust numerical methods with rigorous error analysis, often incorporating regularization techniques to handle challenging constraints. The applications span computational electromagnetics (particularly electric machines), fluid dynamics, and wave propagation problems. His research increasingly incorporates advanced computational techniques including parallel computing and isogeometric analysis. Professor Steinbach has supervised numerous doctoral students and has been actively involved in organizing academic events, including summer schools on Boundary Element Methods. His collaborative network extends across multiple disciplines and institutions, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work in computational mathematics. His research has been supported through multiple significant projects including DK-W1244 Doctoral Program on Partial Differential Equations, the EU CASOPT project on optimization of industrial devices, and the ongoing Special Research Area on Computational Electric Machine Laboratory. These projects demonstrate his leadership in establishing research frameworks that bridge theoretical mathematics with practical engineering applications. Professor Steinbach maintains an active research group within the Institute of Applied Mathematics, collaborating closely with researchers in computational engineering, electrical engineering, and biomechanics. His work on the Computational Electric Machine Laboratory represents a particularly strong interdisciplinary effort combining mathematical theory with electrical engineering applications.
Dr. Philippa Carter is University Assistant Professor in the History of Medicine and Health before 1800 at the University of Cambridge's Department of History and Philosophy of Science. She serves as an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of History and is a Fellow and Director of Studies at Sidney Sussex College. Additionally, she manages the MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society program. Her educational background focuses on early modern European history with specialization in medical and intellectual history. Her research spans a wide range of interests including: Early understandings of mental and physical illness Bodies and embodiment in historical contexts Mind/body relations in premodern thought Disability and visible difference Disease categorization and diagnosis across historical periods Boundaries between natural philosophy, magic, and religion Sciences of the psyche Dr. Carter's scholarly work examines premodern Aristotelian understandings of 'nature,' particularly in the processes of 'generation' and 'corruption.' Her research bridges cultural history, medical history, gender studies, and the history of science, with particular attention to how historical societies conceptualized bodily experience and mental states. She has published significant work on childbirth and madness, gender and witchcraft, and is currently completing a monograph on madness, brain disease, and the soul in early modern England. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the intersection of gender, medicine, and social history in early modern contexts. The articles reveal trends toward examining marginalized historical experiences, particularly women's health and mental states, while connecting historical medical concepts to contemporary understandings. Among her notable scholarly contributions: 'Childbirth, "Madness", and Bodies in History' (History Workshop Journal, 2021) 'Work, Gender and Witchcraft in Early Modern England' (Gender & History, 2023) "Madness Embodied" (forthcoming in The Bloomsbury Cultural History of Madness) Dr. Carter teaches on Early Science and Medicine at the Department of HPS, Part I History Tripos Outline Paper 4 ('Early Modern Britain'), and Part II, Paper 11 ('Early Medicine'). She serves as Associate Editor for the digital humanities project 'Reading Early Medicine' and is actively involved with Cambridge Reproduction research initiatives. Her work contributes significantly to interdisciplinary approaches to historical medical understanding, connecting past and present perspectives on reproductive health, mental illness, and bodily experience.
Saurabh Amin is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he also serves as the Edmund K. Turner Professor and Undergraduate Officer. He is a Principal Investigator at the Laboratory of Information and Decision Systems and holds affiliations with the Operations Research Center and the Center for Computational Science and Engineering. His educational background includes: B.Tech. 2002, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee M.S. 2004, University of Texas (UT) Austin Ph.D. 2011, University of California (UC) Berkeley Saurabh Amin's research focuses on the design and control of infrastructure systems using game theory and optimization in networks. His work spans three main areas: resilient network control, information systems and incentive design, and optimal resource allocation in large-scale infrastructure systems. By concentrating on critical infrastructure domains including highway transportation, electric power distribution, and urban water networks, his research develops innovative theory and tools to enhance system performance against both stochastic and adversarial disruptions. His approach involves modeling cyber-physical interactions in infrastructures to assess vulnerabilities, developing detection and response tools for failures at various scales, and designing economic incentive schemes that improve aggregate public good while accounting for dependencies and private information among strategic entities. Amin's work bridges mathematical systems theory with practical civil engineering applications, creating a rigorous theoretical foundation for infrastructure resilience that addresses diverse failure mechanisms from natural disasters to deliberate malicious actions. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on decarbonization of energy systems, resilient infrastructure planning under climate uncertainty, optimization methods for complex networked systems, and game-theoretic approaches to sustainable infrastructure management. His work increasingly integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques with traditional control theory to address contemporary challenges in infrastructure resilience and sustainability. The research shows a clear trajectory toward addressing climate change impacts on infrastructure systems while maintaining economic efficiency and operational reliability. Professor Amin has received numerous prestigious awards and honors: Common Ground Excellence in Teaching Award, 2025 HSCC Test-of-Time Award, 2024 MIT CEE, Distinguished Service and Leadership Award, 2023 Samuel M. Seegal Prize (SoE) – inspiring students in pursuing and achieving excellence, 2022 Earll M. Murman for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, 2022 C3.ai Digital Transformation Institute Research Award, 2020 MIT, Ole Madsen Mentoring Award, 2020 MIT, Energy Initiative Research Award, 2020 National Academy of Engineering, China-America Frontiers of Engineering Symposium speaker, 2019 MIT, Robert N. Noyce Career Development Professor, 2015-2018 Google Faculty Research Award, 2015 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2015 Siebel Energy Institute Research Award, 2015 MIT, Solomon Buchsbaum AT&T Research Fund Award, 2012 Professor Amin has been actively involved in significant research projects including the C3.ai DTI project on Causal Reasoning for Real-Time Attack Identification in Cyber-Physical Systems and another on Learning in Routing Games for Sustainable Electromobility. He serves as the chief scientist on multi-institutional NSF grants, including the $9 million Foundations of Resilient Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) project. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as 1.008 Engineering for a Sustainable World, 1.104 Sensing and Intelligent Systems, 1.020 Engineering Sustainability: Analysis and Design, and 1.208 Resilient Networks. As Undergraduate Officer, he plays a key role in shaping the educational experience for civil and environmental engineering students at MIT. Professor Amin leads the Resilient Infrastructure Networks Lab at MIT, where his team develops theoretical foundations and practical tools for infrastructure resilience. The lab focuses on the intersection of control theory, game theory, and optimization applied to cyber-physical infrastructure systems. Current research directions include pandemic-resilient urban mobility and hurricane-resilient smart grid operations, reflecting the lab's commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges through rigorous systems engineering approaches.
Brett Laursen is a Professor of Psychology at Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, with additional Docent Professor appointments in Educational Psychology at the University of Helsinki and in Social Developmental Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. His research focuses on developmental psychology, particularly adolescent development, peer relationships, and social dynamics. Dr. Laursen earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Child Psychology from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota and his B.A. in Psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He also holds an Honorary Ph.D. from Örebro University in Sweden. His research program examines influence within close relationships, with particular focus on peer relationships during childhood and adolescence. Current projects include longitudinal studies of elementary and middle school children in Florida, Lithuanian youth transitioning from middle to secondary school, and child characteristics affecting parent engagement in literacy activities. His work consistently explores how social dynamics shape development, with special attention to friendship formation, dissolution, and influence processes. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on peer relationships, social status, and developmental transitions. His research employs sophisticated longitudinal and genetically informed designs to examine how social contexts shape development across childhood and adolescence, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms through which peer influence operates. Fellow, American Psychological Association (Division 7, Developmental; Division 8, Social) Fellow and Charter Member, Association for Psychological Science Fellow, International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development Distinguished Alumnus, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota Florida Atlantic University Scholar of the Year (2023-24 and 2016-17) Dr. Laursen has mentored numerous doctoral and master's students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and research. His research has been supported by major funding sources including the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the US National Institute of Mental Health, the US National Science Foundation, Trygfonden, the Jacobs Foundation, and the European Social Fund. As Editor-in-Chief of Merrill Palmer Quarterly and Founding Editor of Cambridge Elements in Research Methods for Developmental Science, he plays a significant role in shaping the field's scholarly discourse. The Laursen Lab operates as a collaborative research team involving current students, alumni, and international collaborators including Professors Goda Kaniušonytė and Rita Žukauskienė of Mykolas Romeris University in Lithuania. The lab regularly presents research at major conferences including the Society for Research on Child Development.
Claus Thustrup Kreiner is a Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality (CEBI) at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Economics. He also serves as Area Director of Public Economics in the CESifo network and was co-editor of the Journal of Public Economics from 2014 to 2020. Kreiner has held various leadership positions including Director of the Economic Policy Research Unit (EPRU) since 2005 and Director of the Center of Excellence WEST from 2011-2013. Education: Ph.D. in Economics, University of Copenhagen, 1998 Visiting Ph.D. student, University of York, 1996 M.Sc. in Economics, University of Copenhagen, 1994 B.Sc. in Economics, University of Copenhagen, 1991 Claus Thustrup Kreiner's research primarily focuses on Public Economics , with secondary specializations in Labor Economics, Household Finance, Applied Microeconometrics, and Experimental Economics. His work examines inequality in income, wealth and health, optimal redistribution policy, and behavioral responses to public policy. Kreiner has conducted significant research using Danish administrative data to analyze tax compliance, labor supply responses, and inequality dynamics. His research often involves collaborations with institutions like Columbia University, London School of Economics, and UC Berkeley. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on inequality across multiple dimensions (income, wealth, health, life expectancy), tax policy design and compliance, labor market responses to policy changes, and the intersection of behavioral economics with public policy. Kreiner frequently employs high-frequency administrative data from Denmark to provide empirical evidence on how individuals and households respond to economic policies and shocks. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Appointed Knight of The Order of Dannebrog by Queen Margrethe II (2018) The Invisible Hand Award from the Society of Social Economics (2006, 2001) Best Teacher Award from the Study Board of Economics at University of Copenhagen (2002) Research Fellow at Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), London (2009-) Kreiner has supervised numerous students primarily in Public Economics and has received multiple research grants including from the Danish Social Science Research Council (2003, 2006, 2009), International Growth Center (2009), and Danish National Research Foundation (1998-2003). He has served on important policy bodies including as co-chair of the Danish Economic Council (2010-2014) and member of the Danish Tax Commission (2008-2009). As Director of CEBI (Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality), Kreiner leads a major research center funded by the Danish National Research Foundation. He also directs the Economic Policy Research Unit (EPRU) and has been instrumental in establishing research collaborations through networks like CESifo. His work bridges academic research and policy application, as evidenced by his practical policy experience with government commissions.
Vincent E. Price serves as President of Duke University and holds the Walter Hines Page Distinguished Professorship in Public Policy and Political Science. He is a Professor of Public Policy in the Sanford School of Public Policy and Professor of Political Science at Duke University. Dr. Price earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1987, an M.A. from Stanford in 1985, and a B.A. from Santa Clara University in 1979. His academic background forms the foundation for his leadership in higher education policy and university administration. Price's research interests center on public policy, political science, and higher education leadership. His work examines university strategic planning, innovation policy, and the role of research universities in society. As president, he has focused on developing Duke's strategic vision for its second century, emphasizing a 'people-first' approach to institutional investment that prioritizes faculty, students, and staff over physical infrastructure. His recent publications and speeches address critical issues facing higher education, including innovation policy, research funding, university governance, and the future of academic institutions. Price has been particularly active in advocating for full funding of the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen American leadership in critical technology fields. Member, American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2020) President Price has been actively involved in guiding Duke through significant challenges, including the pandemic, while advancing strategic initiatives in faculty recruitment, student financial aid, campus sustainability, and anti-racism efforts. He chairs the ACC Board of Directors and has overseen Duke's expansion of global partnerships, including Duke Kunshan University in China. His leadership emphasizes community building, strategic investment in people, and preparing Duke for its second century of impact.
Dr. Claudia Fernandez Martin is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Chemical Engineering at the University of Aberdeen, School of Engineering. She is actively involved in research and teaching, with a focus on carbon capture technologies and sustainable materials. She serves as Coordinator of Level 5 and Coordinator of the Environmental & Biodiversity Theme in the School of Engineering, and as Champion of the Circular Economy Theme at the Centre for Energy Transition. Dr. Fernandez Martin's educational background includes: PhD in "Microporous adsorbents from organic polymers. Application in precombustion CO 2 capture processes" (2011) from the University of Oviedo, Spain (Summa Cum Laude) MSc in Research in Technology, Diversification, Quality and Energy Saving (2009) from the University of Oviedo, Spain MEng in Environmental Sciences, 1st Class (2000-2005) from the University of Granada, Spain Her research interests focus on materials and gas separation processes for carbon capture, including the synthesis of advanced materials for CO 2 capture, characterization of adsorbents, enhancement of CO 2 recovery through novel regeneration technologies, and recycling of polymeric waste. She has developed expertise in microwave-assisted technologies for carbon capture intensification and plastic waste conversion into valuable materials. Dr. Fernandez Martin's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on sustainable solutions for carbon capture and waste valorization. Her work spans from developing novel adsorbents from waste materials to exploring microwave-assisted processes for more energy-efficient carbon capture. She has made significant contributions to understanding transfer hydrogenation of CO 2 and the conversion of plastic waste into functional materials for environmental applications. Her scientific achievements have been recognized through several awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) - 2020 Santander Mobility Award - 2017 ETP-PECRE Award - 2017 Santander Mobility Award - 2016 PhD Scholarship 'JAE-PreDoc' funded by the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) - 2007-2011 As an educator, Dr. Fernandez Martin teaches courses including Environmental Engineering (EA4027), Air & Water Pollution Control (EX501U), and supervises individual and group design projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She is also the General Secretary of AMPERE (Association for Microwave Power in Europe for Research and Education), highlighting her leadership in microwave research applications. She actively supervises PhD students and welcomes new PhD candidates interested in her research areas, particularly in engineering with a focus on carbon capture, sustainable materials, and waste valorization technologies.
