Alex Blakemore is a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine , affiliated with the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction . Their research explores the impact of human genetic variation on health and disease, focusing on genomic integrity, copy number variation (CNV), and telomere biology. Blakemore's work bridges single-gene disorders (e.g., MCAD Deficiency) and population-based studies of complex diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Research Highlights: Refinement of the minimal region for Prader-Willi syndrome and discovery of mirror phenotypes (obesity/leanness) linked to 16p11.2 chromosomal regions. Development of the DS_Sequenom script for accurate genotyping in trisomic/duplicated regions. Leadership in the "Personalised Medicine for Morbid Obesity" initiative, integrating exome sequencing, CNV analysis, and metagenomics with behavioral and clinical data. Key collaborations include the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC), with recent EPSRC funding to implement smartphone technology for monitoring post-bariatric surgery outcomes. Blakemore also served as a Faculty of Medicine Ambassador for Women (2010–2013), advocating for gender equity initiatives via Athena SWAN.
Jason Jonathon Sico, MD, MHS, is a dual-board-certified neurologist and primary care internist serving as Associate Professor of Neurology and Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. He holds significant leadership roles at VA Connecticut Healthcare System as Director of Research and Clinical Care for the Headache Center of Excellence and Director of the HCoE RE3ACH research center. His clinical practice focuses on headache disorders and stroke care for veterans, while his research examines health services delivery, implementation science, and systems redesign in neurological care. Education includes: MHS, Yale University School of Medicine (2016) VA Special Fellowship in Neuroscience, VA Connecticut Healthcare System (2011) Residency in Neurology and Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital (2009) MD, Temple University School of Medicine (2003) BS, University of Scranton (1999) Dr. Sico's research spans three primary domains: 1) Optimization of headache care through innovative care models and telehealth in the Veterans Health Administration; 2) Stroke care improvements focusing on secondary prevention, hypertension control, and post-stroke sleep apnea management; and 3) Healthcare system interventions using Lean Six Sigma methodologies to enhance care coordination between primary and specialty care. His work frequently examines military exposures and neurological comorbidities in veteran populations. His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on headache epidemiology, stroke outcomes research, and healthcare delivery innovations. Work frequently incorporates implementation science frameworks and examines system-level interventions. Recent studies show particular emphasis on telehealth integration, veteran-specific health disparities, and interdisciplinary care models for complex neurological conditions. Scientific recognitions include: Board of Directors, National Headache Foundation Clinical Epidemiology Fellow, American Heart Association Young Investigator Awards from American Neurological Association and CROI International Health Scholar, Johnson & Johnson As National Director of VA's Headache Centers of Excellence, Dr. Sico oversees educational programs, telehealth initiatives, and standardized care algorithms across 70+ facilities. He co-developed VA's national telestroke program and leads implementation studies through VA HSR&D PRIME and Precision Monitoring QUERI. His policy work includes serving on committees for AAN, American Headache Society, and American College of Physicians. He maintains active involvement in the Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological Research at Yale, focusing on pragmatic trials and organizational interventions to improve neurological care delivery systems.
Professor Michael Pitt serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning at The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London (UCL) . He is also a Professor of Facilities Management and has held academic positions at Liverpool John Moores University and Heriot Watt University. With over 200 publications, his work bridges academic research and industry applications in facilities management (FM) and sustainable construction. Academic Roles: Professor of Facilities Management (UCL), Reader, Lecturer International Collaborations: Visiting Professor at University of Malaya, Malaysia; partnerships with Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) and CREAM (Malaysian Property Research Centre) Research Interests focus on facilities management, sustainability, and digital twin technology. Key areas include: Productivity and efficiency in workplace environments Sustainability strategies and performance measurement Digital twins for healthcare and infrastructure resilience Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupant concentration Medical waste management in developing countries Climate-responsive building design for elderly populations Scientific Contributions include editorial leadership as Editor of the Journal of Facilities Management since 2001 and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors since 2000. His recent publications emphasize AI-driven asset management, blockchain-integrated healthcare systems, and climate adaptation strategies. Teaching encompasses modules on Service Operations Management and Principles of Facilities and Asset Management for the MSc in Digital Innovation in Built Asset Management at UCL.
Edie Schmidt is a Professor in the Decision Sciences Department at Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship. With a career bridging academia and manufacturing logistics, she focuses on supply chain operations, ERP/PLM systems, and lean methodologies. Ph.D. in Operations Management, Purdue University M.B.A. in Decision Systems, University of Southern California B.S. in Computer Information Systems, Arizona State University Her research explores: Supply chain risk mitigation and analytics Integration of ERP/PLM software in education Lean principles for business and educational institutions Technology adoption in logistics and inventory management Globalization’s impact on domestic industrial distributors Recent publications analyze ERP simulations, lean logistics, and PLM-ERP integration, with a focus on educational and industrial applications. She has presented at international conferences in Charleston, Singapore, and Melbourne, emphasizing hands-on learning tools. Teaches courses like Operations Management , Business Analytics , and Supply Chain Operations Management Collaborates with industry partners on curriculum reforms and technology demonstrations Develops simulations and tools for warehouse management, BOM transmission, and student engagement
Dr. Lecturer Ecem Tezel is an academic at Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture. Holding a PhD in Project and Construction Management since 2017, she combines construction management with sustainability research through Building Information Modeling (BIM) and pro-environmental behavior studies. PhD: Project and Construction Management, Istanbul Technical University (2017) MS: Project Production and Management, Istanbul Technical University (2015) BSc: Architecture, Istanbul Technical University (2010-2015) Her research focuses on BIM-FM integration , pro-environmental behavior in construction , and educational frameworks for construction management. Recent work examines sustainability awareness and digital transformation in Turkey's architecture sector. Publications show strong trends in BIM adoption analysis (31% h-index), facilities management optimization , and behavioral sustainability research. Key collaborations include academics like Fatma Çakmak and Hüsnü Murat Günaydın. Sustainability and environmental research best paper award (Emerald Publishing, 2017) As principal investigator for the 2024-2025 project Mimarlık ve İnşaat Mühendisliği Lisans Programları Yapım Projeleri Yönetimi Eğitiminde Oyun Tabanlı Öğrenme Deneyimi , she explores game-based learning in construction education.
Scott R. Swenseth is an Associate Professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management & Analytics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business. He serves as Faculty Director of Business Graduate Programs and has been a faculty member since 1987. His expertise spans operations management, logistics, lean supply chain strategies, and enterprise systems, with teaching responsibilities in graduate and undergraduate courses such as Strategic Supply Chain Management, Planning and Control Systems, and Logistics. Education : Ph.D. in Operations Management and Logistics from Texas A&M University Research Focus : Implementation of supply chain strategies, cross-functional organizational impacts, and decision-making optimization Key Contributions : Advisor to Nebraska Supply Chain Club, mentor in national/global competitions
Richard Anson is a Lecturer (Education) at UCL School of Management, teaching on the MSc Entrepreneurship program. He leads the 'Customer Development & Lean Startup' and 'Retail & Consumer Entrepreneurship' modules. His expertise bridges academic instruction with practical industry experience in technology-driven consumer engagement and disruptive business models. External roles include Entrepreneur-in-Residence at True, Chairman of TBP, Non-Executive Director at Old Street Labs, and hosting the 'People Tell Richard Stuff' podcast. Combines insights from founding Reevoo (a user-generated content platform serving 300+ brands) with prior strategy consulting experience at KPMG and corporate leadership at Orange telecommunications. Holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and PhD from University of Bristol. Advises early-stage startups and corporations on innovation strategies and lean methodology implementation.
Oriana Price is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Business, University of Wollongong, Australia. Her research focuses on workplace learning practices, organizational change, and quality management within higher education contexts. She holds expertise in work-integrated learning (WIL) and its integration into academic curricula, as well as professional learning of academics and organizational adaptation during disruptive events like the pandemic. Her research interests include workplace learning, organizational change dynamics, and the interplay between work, learning, and living spaces. She has explored topics such as continuous improvement practices in public sectors, performance measurement frameworks, and the economic practices of ecovillages. Her work often bridges theory and practice, emphasizing actionable insights for educational and organizational stakeholders. Dr. Price has secured funding, including an internal grant for 'Building Participatory Entrepreneurship' (2022–2023). She actively supervises doctoral research on knowledge management, sustainable improvement in public sectors, and corporate knowledge loss mitigation. Her publications span journals like Studies in Continuing Education and Professional Development in Education , reflecting her commitment to advancing pedagogical innovation and organizational learning. Her academic contributions highlight the importance of contextualizing learning within evolving workplace environments and institutional frameworks, with a focus on practical solutions for educators and organizational leaders.
Professor Matthew Pepper is a prominent academic in the School of Business at the University of Wollongong (UoW), currently holding the rank of Professor since 2025. His research focuses on continuous improvement frameworks, lean and six sigma methodologies, and supply chain resilience. He has extensive experience in both academia and industry, including roles as an Adjunct Professor at Rajagiri Business School (India) and Fiji National University. Professor Pepper holds a PhD in Business from UoW and advanced degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Systems from the University of Greenwich. His editorial roles include Associate Editor positions at the Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management and the IIMK Society and Management Review Journal . His research has addressed critical areas such as Industry 4.0's impact on supply chains, post-pandemic resilience in the Pacific region, and sustainable performance measurement in public and private sectors. He has secured multiple internal grants, including projects on last-mile delivery technologies and local government performance frameworks. Professor Pepper actively supervises PhD students exploring topics like antifragility in supply chains, sustainability-driven tourism, and scope 3 emissions in higher education. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, emphasizing systems thinking and stakeholder collaboration in complex organizational contexts.
Dr. Jo Smith is Senior Clinical Academic at Teesside University School of Health & Life Sciences and Consultant Dietitian at Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, specializing in food insecurity, obesity in mental health, and health inequalities. Her research examines nutritional neuroscience and dietetics interventions in psychiatric contexts. Holds a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Teesside University, MSc in Evidence-Based Practice, and BSc in Dietetics from Leeds Metropolitan University. Developed 'A Weight off Your Mind' regional plan for weight management in mental health services, earning the NHS England Public Health Champion Award (2019). Research employs co-production methodologies with focus groups to investigate food insecurity prevalence in severe mental illness. Recent studies evaluate clinical pathways for nutrition screening in mental health services and physical activity interventions in inpatient settings. Publications demonstrate strong emphasis on health equity and lived experience integration. NIHR AHP Research Champion coordinating multi-agency projects on affordable healthy food access. Current £2.5m NIHR Mental Health Leader Award supports development of Lifestyle Energy Activity and Nutrition (LEAN) programme.
Grant McGeechan is a Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology at Teesside University, affiliated with the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law. He holds roles as Deputy Chair of the Psychology Department Research Ethics Committee and serves on the Academic Board. Externally, he acts as an external examiner for MSc Applied Psychology at the University of Chester and PhD candidates at Northumbria University and the University of Manchester. His research focuses on applied health psychology, particularly psycho-oncology (cancer screening attitudes and chronic illness coping) and stress management interventions. He specializes in public health evaluations, collaborating with local authorities like Durham County Council and South Tees Public Health. Grant has secured funding from NIHR, Alcohol Research UK, and others, and serves on the BPS Division of Health Psychology Accreditation Team. Teaching includes leading the MSc Health Psychology program and modules on Applications of Health Psychology Research, Qualitative Methods, and Psycho-Oncology. He supervises PhD students in Health Psychology and qualitative research methods. His recent projects include the NIHR-funded LEAN weight management intervention for severe mental illness patients and a systematic review of international student stress experiences. Grant reviews for journals like BMC Public Health and Frontiers in Oncology, and his work addresses topics such as food insecurity in mental health, cancer screening disparities, and alcohol interventions.
Dr. Paul J. Componation serves as the Associate Dean of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Affairs in the College of Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where he previously held the positions of Professor and Chair of the Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering (IMSE) Department and Executive Director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI). His distinguished career spans over three decades with significant academic appointments at Iowa State University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, complemented by research experience at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Dr. Componation earned his PhD in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University in 1995, with an MS in Management from Troy State University (1987) and BS in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University (1982). His educational background established the foundation for his expertise in systems engineering and operations management. His research portfolio demonstrates remarkable breadth across systems engineering, operations management, and engineering economics with practical applications in aerospace, healthcare, energy systems, and manufacturing. Dr. Componation has made seminal contributions to understanding how systems engineering practices influence project success, particularly in NASA and government contexts. His pioneering work on lean principles has provided frameworks for organizational transformation across multiple industries. Recent research directions include IoT integration in supply chain management, AI applications in manufacturing decision-making, and systems thinking approaches to healthcare improvement. Dr. Componation's scholarly impact is reflected in numerous prestigious recognitions including the 2025 Bernard R. Sarchet Award from the American Society for Engineering Management and his designation as a Fellow of the same organization. His research has attracted substantial funding from NASA, NSF, Department of Education, and industry partners including Foxconn Technology. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Componation has guided numerous doctoral and master's students through dissertation and thesis research on topics ranging from biofuel production systems to lean implementation assessment methodologies. His teaching focuses on decision analysis, engineering management, and engineering economy, with particular emphasis on developing innovative hybrid and online educational models for STEM disciplines that accommodate working professionals.
Francois Jacobs is the Roy & Caryl Cline Distinguished Professor in Engineering at the University of Wyoming’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Human Resource Studies (Construction Management) from Colorado State University, an IMBA from the University of Denver, a B.A. in Business Administration from California Baptist University, and an A.S. in Agriculture Production from Glen College. His research focuses on construction workforce development, business dynamics in family-owned corporations, and integrated teaching platforms in construction education. He directs initiatives including the Construction Workforce Training Program and Construction High School Training, promoting vocational-academic integration. His pedagogical innovations emphasize industry-education partnerships through models like Teaching with Industry (TWI), which utilizes videoconferencing to connect students with practitioners. Research outputs address workforce management during COVID-19, study-abroad program efficacy, and sustainability rating systems for building designs. Courses taught include Introduction to Construction Management, Construction Safety Management, Building Structures and Codes, and LEED certification preparation. He holds professional affiliations with the Higher Learning Commission, American Council for Construction Education, and Design Build Institute of America.
Dr. Sime Curkovic is a Professor of Marketing at the Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University. His academic role focuses on integrating supply chain management, risk management, and educational innovation. He holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University and a B.S. from Kettering University. Education: Ph.D. in Marketing, Michigan State University B.S. in [unspecified field], Kettering University Dr. Curkovic's research emphasizes supply chain resilience, procurement strategies, and bridging the gap between academic education and industry needs. His work explores frameworks for continuous improvement in supply chain education, indirect procurement trends, and the application of ISO standards to risk management. He advocates for experiential learning through simulations and live projects to enhance student preparedness. His publications span supply chain risk mitigation, reshoring strategies, and environmentally responsible manufacturing. While no awards are listed, his contributions to supply chain education and industry alignment are notable. He has advised numerous programs but no specific students are named in the provided texts. No specific labs or teams are mentioned, though his work often involves collaboration with industry partners to address real-world challenges.
Teppo Felin is the Douglas D. Anderson Endowed Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship at Utah State University's Huntsman School of Business. He directs the Institute for Interdisciplinary Study and holds visiting positions at emlyon business school and Cambridge University. His research spans organizational theory, entrepreneurship, innovation, cognition, and artificial intelligence. His research interests focus on how cognitive frameworks shape strategic decisions, particularly examining the interplay between human rationality and artificial intelligence. Key themes include theory formation in entrepreneurial contexts, limitations of predictive algorithms, and causal reasoning in organizational decision-making. Professor Felin's publications demonstrate consistent focus on strategic cognition and innovation processes. Recent works explore AI's role in strategic decision-making, theory formation in startups, and cognitive foundations of entrepreneurial action. His scholarship integrates evolutionary biology, philosophy, and computational theories. Awards & Recognition: Elinor Ostrom Prize (2016) SIGMOD Best Demonstration Award (2018) Senior Editor, Organization Studies He leads interdisciplinary collaborations exploring quantum cognition and complex adaptive systems. His research group examines theory formation processes across scientific entrepreneurship, strategic foresight, and organizational learning contexts.
