Amy McMillan is a Professor and the Associate Dean for Research and Regional Transformation at the College of Business, East Carolina University. Based in the Bate Building, Greenville, NC, she focuses on diversity, organizational climate , and corporate social responsibility . Her research has been published in journals such as the Journal of Business Research , Group and Organizational Management , and International Journal of Conflict Management . Prior to academia, she worked as a Corporate Instructor at SkyTel, developing training programs and evaluating employees.
Thomas Barrie is a Professor of Architecture at North Carolina State University's College of Design, serving as Director of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Initiative and Coordinator of the Master of Advanced Architectural Studies program. An internationally recognized scholar in religious architecture and spirituality in the built environment, he is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and has received numerous accolades including the 2024 NCSU Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence. His educational background includes: Master of Philosophy in Architectural History and Theory, University of Manchester Master of Architecture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University B.A. in English, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Professor Barrie's research explores the symbolism, cultural significance, and ritual functions of architecture across religious traditions, while examining housing through the ontological roles of home. His work bridges architectural theory and practice, emphasizing architecture's social mission and spiritual dimensions. Key publications include four books addressing sacred space, world religions, and domestic environments, establishing foundational frameworks for understanding architecture's role in human experience. His scholarly output reveals consistent exploration of architecture as a mediator between sacred and secular realms, with recent works focusing on comparative religious architecture and cultural contexts of home. This trajectory demonstrates deep commitment to understanding how built environments shape communal identity and individual well-being across diverse cultural settings. His distinguished career has been recognized with numerous honors: NCSU Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence (2024) ACSA Distinguished Professor Award (2019) AIA Fellowship (2020) Three NC State Outstanding Extension Service Awards (2019, 2015, 2014) Induction into the Academy of Faculty Engaged in Extension (2015) Two AIA Honor Awards for design excellence As director of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Initiative, Professor Barrie has mentored hundreds of students through community-based design studios addressing housing challenges in the Triangle region. His leadership has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration across architecture, planning, and social sciences, resulting in award-winning student projects and tangible community impact through the Architecture, Culture and Spirituality Forum which he co-founded. Professor Barrie leads the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Initiative and co-founded the international Architecture, Culture and Spirituality Forum, creating platforms for scholarly dialogue and practical application that bridge academic research with community engagement in housing and spiritual dimensions of the built environment.
Lisa Shifflett is a Clinical Research Specialist and Child Care Health Consultant Coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health. With 27 years of experience, she focuses on enhancing early care quality in licensed child care programs through health, safety, and nutrition guidance. She serves as a primary resource for child care facilities in North Carolina, offering technical assistance, training, and health assessments. Her expertise includes emergency preparedness, medication administration in child care, infant safe sleep practices, and allergy management. She leads the NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center, promoting stable, safe environments for children through reduced staff turnover and compliance with health regulations. Shifflett is a Registered Nurse (RN) and holds a CCHC-C certification. Her work emphasizes translating regulatory standards into actionable practices for child care providers, ensuring adherence to health guidelines across early education settings.
Dr. Richard Venditti is the Elis-Signe Olsson Professor of Pulp and Paper Science and Technology at North Carolina State University's Department of Forest Biomaterials, College of Natural Resources. He specializes in sustainable bioproducts, recycling technologies, and environmental life cycle analysis (LCA). His research focuses on transforming renewable plant-based resources into eco-friendly materials, addressing challenges like microfiber pollution and decarbonization in the paper industry. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Princeton University (1994) B.S. in Pulp and Paper Technology and Chemical Engineering, NC State University (1988) Research Interests: Biodegradation of materials, fiber processing innovations, LCA of bioproducts, and upcycling waste into high-value products. Dr. Venditti leads high-impact projects, including a USDA-funded initiative to educate diverse students in bioproduct industries and a multi-organization study on microplastic fate in the environment. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and holds patents in sustainable technologies. Grants & Funding: Key projects include a $2.75M USDA program, a $2.99M NSF grant for eco-manufacturing of soft electronics, and a $1.64M DOE project on AI-driven municipal waste analysis. Awards & Recognition: TAPPI Fellow (2012), Fulbright Specialist (2009), and ACAAGS Advocacy Award (2010) for promoting diversity in graduate education. He directs the Pulp and Paper Workshop (co-sponsored by TAPPI) and teaches courses like Environmental LCA and Unit Operations. His lab explores innovations in dewatering, biomass valorization, and textile waste upcycling.
Raju Vatsavai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University, affiliated with the Center for Geospatial Analytics. He joined NC State in 2014 as part of the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program cluster hire in Geospatial Analytics. Education: PhD and MS in Computer Science from University of Minnesota Prior Roles: Lead Data Scientist at Oak Ridge National Lab, roles at University of Minnesota, IBM Research, AT&T Labs, and C-DAC (India) His research in geospatial analytics spans big data management , spatiotemporal data mining , deep learning for remote sensing , and high-performance computing , with applications in national security, climate change, and crop monitoring. Recent work includes deep learning frameworks for cloud imputation , multi-sensor satellite data harmonization , and transfer learning applications in crop classification . He has been a leading investigator on grants from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Department of Energy, and Department of Homeland Security. Labs: Associate Director of the Center for Geospatial Analytics Expertise: Spatial computing, Earth observation, nuclear proliferation detection via remote sensing
Samuel Sotillo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at North Carolina State University. He specializes in Spanish literature, second language teaching, and the integration of technology in education. He co-founded A Contracorriente Press in 2011 and leads the Spain: Language and Culture in Valencia summer program. His research spans Venezuelan literature, medieval Spanish texts, and the intersection of literature with digital technologies and politics. Education: B.S. in Information Security (East Carolina University), M.A. in Spanish Literature and Culture (NC State University). Research Interests: Sotillo’s work explores contemporary Venezuelan literature, the legacy of Jorge Luis Borges, and the application of IT tools in language education. He has published analyses of historical figures like Eric Hobsbawm and technical papers on network security protocols such as EAP and IPv6. Professional Roles: Former NCSU Faculty Senator, Director of the Valencia study abroad program, and contributor to academic presses and journals. His technical expertise includes cybersecurity, VoIP encryption, and open-source software frameworks like Zope. Recognition: While no specific awards are noted, his contributions to academic publishing (e.g., A Contracorriente Press) and pedagogical innovation highlight his impact in both humanities and technical fields.
Miguel Castillo is an Associate Professor in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at North Carolina State University (NC State), leading the Forage & Grassland Program and serving as Grassland Science Specialist. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Florida and an MBA from NC State. His work focuses on improving ecosystem services in agricultural and pasture-based livestock systems through integration of silvopasture, agroforestry, and advanced technologies like near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for management decisions. Dr. Castillo's education includes a B.S. in Plant and Animal Sciences from Zamorano University (2006), followed by M.S. and Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Florida (2009, 2013). His research spans international collaborations in tropical/sub-tropical environments, with expertise in forage crop management, bioenergy grasses, and sustainable livestock systems. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Research Interests: Forage-Livestock Systems Optimization Silvopasture Development Bioenergy Crop Production NIRS Applications in Agriculture Pasture-Based Livestock Management Climate Resilient Forage Crops Recent work emphasizes NIRS for rapid forage quality analysis, evaluating new bermudagrass cultivars, and advancing silvopasture systems in the southeastern U.S. and Peruvian Amazon. His publications address topics like poultry litter impacts, switchgrass management post-freeze, and frost-seeding clover into tall fescue pastures. Grant-supported research includes USDA-funded projects on forage conservation techniques and bioenergy crop development. He advises graduate students on forage systems and collaborates with industry partners on applied agronomic solutions. Labs/Teams: Directs the Forage & Grassland Program at NC State, collaborating with USDA and international research networks. Active in extension programs, publishing guides on forage management, hay production, and silvopasture implementation.
Regan Harrell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). She is concurrently completing her PhD in rehabilitation science while serving as a faculty member and co-coordinator of the Advanced Vestibular Physical Therapist Certificate Program at SHRS. Her research focuses on vestibular disorders in moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and technology development for diagnostic and treatment applications. Education includes a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Duquesne University. She holds certifications as a Board-Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS) and has been recognized with awards such as the Promotion for Doctoral Studies II Scholarship (2024) and Second Place at the 2023 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting for her work on TBI and BPPV laterality. Her professional affiliations include the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy and the International Neurologic Physiotherapy Association. Her research interests emphasize advancing clinical understanding of BPPV, improving rehabilitation protocols for vestibular dysfunction in TBI patients, and adapting telehealth strategies during crises like the pandemic. She has contributed to global discussions on telehealth delivery for vestibular care and published extensively on TBI-related vestibular disorders and clinical outcomes. Notable contributions include a case report on vestibular rehabilitation for cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) and a scoping review on vestibular disorder prevalence in TBI patients. She was part of the University of Pittsburgh Physical Therapy delegation to the 2024 Bárány Society Meeting, highlighting her engagement in international vestibular research networks.
Dale Sanders is the MHA Program Director and Professor in the Division of Health Systems Management and Policy at the School of Public Health , University of Memphis. Previously served as MHA Program Director and Professor of Health Administration/Business Administration at Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC. Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, MO Master of Business Administration (MBA), Northwood University, MI Doctor of Health Administration (DHA), Central Michigan University, MI Bachelor of Art, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN His research focuses on health inequities , intersections of cultural competency and diversity training in healthcare, and translating business theory into health planning and performance outcomes . Recent work examines pandemic response dynamics and occupational safety compliance. Publications highlight trends in post-pandemic healthcare policy , diversity training impacts , and business-health integration strategies . Collaborations span professional organizations like NAHSE and publications with IGI Global and North American Business Press.
Lee Ferguson is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University, with additional appointments as Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Policy. His research focuses on environmental analytical chemistry, particularly using high-resolution mass spectrometry to study per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) , microplastics , and endocrine disruptors . Ferguson Lab develops methods for contaminant detection in water systems and investigates chemical leaching from polymers. Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stony Brook University (2002) Former Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina (2003-2009) Recent work includes PFAS analysis in lithium-ion batteries, glyphosate detection in hard waters, and microplastic dye toxicity studies. Key publications explore urban watershed contamination, Sri Lankan drinking water CKDu links, and novel analytical methods for environmental pollutants. Applied Research Fellowship (2022), Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow (2011) Testified before U.S. Senate on nanotechnology risks Co-founder of NC PFAS Testing Network As an advisor, he mentors Doctoral Candidates Patrick Faught and Anna Lewis , who investigate microplastic dyes and polymer additives. Lab research spans environmental fate of nanomaterials, contaminant bioavailability, and exposomics for health outcomes.
Aziz Amoozegar is a Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at NC State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His research focuses on environmental soil physics, specifically investigating water and pollutant movement through soils, phosphorus dynamics, and soil characterization for agricultural and engineering applications. Research programs include evaluating soil-water interactions in contaminated environments, assessing fertilizer-enhanced phosphorus transport, and developing soil analysis techniques. Key areas of study involve pollutant migration through saprolite, cadmium release kinetics in amended soils, and hydraulic functioning of compacted soils. His work bridges environmental science, agricultural engineering, and soil chemistry. Recent publications cover topics such as phosphate mobility under unsaturated conditions, cadmium release in contaminated soils, and bioenergy grass residue effects on evaporation. He has contributed to methodological advancements in soil testing and remediation strategies for heavy metals like lead. Dr. Amoozegar's research emphasizes practical applications for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. No specific awards or grants are listed in the provided information, but his involvement in USDA and EPA-related programs suggests active collaborative research efforts.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Udo Fiedler is a faculty member at the Technical University of Central Hesse (THM), Department of Business Administration and Economics, where he serves as Head of the Production Engineering Laboratory and Member of the Senate. His academic work focuses on manufacturing engineering with specialization in high-speed machining, production processes, and machine tools. His research interests include: High-Speed Machining (HSC) and precision manufacturing Green machining of sintered parts in the green state Process optimization using statistical experimental design Machine tool technology and NC programming Industry 4.0 applications in manufacturing education Process monitoring and control for increased manufacturing safety Prof. Fiedler's publication record demonstrates an evolution from fundamental machining processes toward integrating AI with traditional manufacturing. His recent work shows strong emphasis on applying artificial intelligence to quality prediction, optimizing green machining processes, and implementing Industry 4.0 concepts through learning factory approaches, bridging traditional manufacturing engineering with modern digital technologies. His significant scientific contributions include: Development of methods for NC programming of complex workpieces Research on stability lobe diagrams for milling processes Studies comparing different production methods including HSC, EDM, and generative processes Work on mechatronic tool holders for process monitoring Applications in the ophthalmic industry for precision machining of spectacle lenses Prof. Fiedler teaches multiple courses at THM including Factory Planning/Ergonomics, Handling and Assembly Technology, Innovative Manufacturing Processes, and Machine Tools at the bachelor's level, and Learning Factory 1 and 2 at the master's level. He leads current research projects including Klag-Robotics (2023-2025), Loewe Project OST (2018-2021), and GrünSpan (2014-2015), demonstrating sustained research activity across multiple manufacturing domains.
Professor Amr Rizk is the Director of the Networks and Communication Systems (NCS) Lab at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where he has been serving as Professor since April 2021. Previously, he was Assistant Professor at Ulm University (2019-2021) and completed his habilitation at TU Darmstadt in 2019. His academic journey includes research positions at prestigious institutions including University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Warwick, and TU Darmstadt where he was an Athene Young Investigator. Professor Rizk's research spans multiple aspects of networking and communication systems with a particular focus on network performance analysis, stochastic modeling, and practical implementations. His work bridges theoretical foundations with real-world applications, especially in content delivery, video streaming, and network protocols. He has made significant contributions to network calculus, quality of experience optimization, and novel approaches to congestion control and caching mechanisms. His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions across top networking conferences and journals. Recent work shows a growing emphasis on programmable data planes, AI/ML applications in networking, and advanced techniques for network measurement and performance prediction. His research group at Duisburg-Essen maintains strong connections with both academic and industrial partners in the networking ecosystem. Best Paper Award at ACM MMSys Conference (2023) Distinguished TPC Member for IEEE INFOCOM (2020, 2022) Best Paper Award at ACM/USENIX Middleware Conference (2017) Athene Young Investigator Award, TU Darmstadt (2017) Professor Rizk serves as Associate Editor for Elsevier Computer Communications and has extensive experience with research funding bodies as a reviewer. His leadership extends to conference organization, including roles as PC Co-Chair for IEEE MIPR (2023) and Steering Committee member for Workshop on Network Calculus (2022). He maintains active participation in numerous top networking conferences as Technical Program Committee member, reflecting his standing within the international networking research community.
Phoebe Zerwick serves as Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of the Journalism Program at Wake Forest University. She holds an MS from Columbia University's Journalism School and a BA from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, and multimedia storytelling with particular emphasis on systemic racism within the American justice system. Her work explores the intersection of journalism, law, and social justice, examining how media coverage impacts public understanding of criminal justice issues and wrongful convictions. Zerwick's notable publication Beyond Innocence: The Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt has received significant recognition including being named a Finalist for the 2024 William Saroyan International Prize in Writing and selected for the 2024 NC Reads program. The book has garnered praise from prominent authors and legal experts for its powerful examination of the American carceral state. Finalist for the 2024 William Saroyan International Prize in Writing 2024 NC Reads Selection As Director of the Journalism Program, Zerwick teaches courses including WRI 111 Writing Justice, JOU 320 Community Journalism, JOU 322/LAW 500 Investigating Innocence: At the Intersection of Journalism, Narrative and the Law, and JOU 375/LAW 397/AAS 280 Confronting Racism in Journalism and the Law. Her professional background includes investigative reporting for the Winston-Salem Journal where she covered Darryl Hunt's case, which ultimately led to his DNA exoneration after 19 years of wrongful imprisonment.
Ayman Hawari is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University. His office is located in Burlington Laboratory 2116. He holds a prominent academic role within the university's nuclear engineering program, contributing to research and education in advanced nuclear technologies. While specific research interests are not detailed in the provided text, his department affiliation suggests expertise in areas such as nuclear reactor design, radiation safety, and computational modeling in nuclear systems. No awards, grants, or publications are explicitly mentioned in the current data. Dr. Hawari's professional activities likely involve leading research initiatives and advising students in nuclear engineering, though no specific student names or grant details are provided here. His office location indicates active involvement in laboratory-based research activities at NC State.
