Dr. Stan Ahalt serves as the inaugural Dean of the UNC School of Data Science and Society (SDSS) and holds a professorship in the Department of Computer Science at UNC-Chapel Hill. He previously directed the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) and currently acts as its executive advisor. Additionally, he is the associate director of informatics and data science at NC TraCS, the translational research institute at UNC. His academic journey includes a 22-year tenure as professor of electrical and computer engineering at Ohio State University and leadership roles at the Ohio Supercomputer Center. Ahalt’s research focuses on applying data science to societal challenges such as healthcare, climate, and judicial reform. Key initiatives include the National Consortium for Data Science and the iRODS project, which advanced enterprise data management systems. Ahalt has secured over $34.5M in grants to lead high-impact projects like the NHLBI BioData Catalyst (unifying biomedical data), the NCATS Translator (accelerating clinical discovery), and the NIH HEAL Initiative (ensuring FAIR data standards). He mentors students across doctoral and master’s programs, teaching data science fundamentals in courses like COMP 116: Introduction to Scientific Programming. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, evidenced by roles in RENCI, NC TraCS, and the SDSS. Ahalt’s contributions span cyberinfrastructure development, educational innovation, and translational research, positioning UNC as a national leader in data science.
Stephen Billings is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he holds the Global Real Estate Capital Markets Chair position. He serves as the faculty director of the MS in Real Estate program and research director for the CU Real Estate Center. His work spans multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate. Billings received his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado, a MS in urban planning from the University of North Carolina, and a BS in economics from Georgetown University. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2016, he was faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with appointments in both economics and public policy, where he also served as faculty director for the real estate center. His research focuses on the intersection of housing, schools, neighborhoods and crime, addressing critical policy issues including the impact of public investment in light-rail transit on neighborhoods, school segregation's influence on academic achievement and crime, neighborhood gentrification causes, lead-based paint in low-income housing, and the effects of sea level rise and natural disasters on neighborhood sorting and household finances. Billings employs sophisticated analysis of large micro-datasets with studies based on data and policies in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. His work connects urban economics with public policy, demonstrating how neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes across multiple dimensions. Billings' recent publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on neighborhood effects, school choice impacts, crime economics, and housing market dynamics. His work frequently examines the intersection of race, housing, and economic outcomes, with particular attention to policy implications. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to studying residential amenities and neighborhood spillovers, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on housing markets. His research appears in top journals including The Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review: Insights, and Journal of Urban Economics. As an educator, Billings teaches undergraduate and masters classes in real estate finance and economics, as well as doctoral and masters level courses on cost-benefit analysis and statistical methods. He has extensive consulting experience conducting economic impact studies, including assessments of North Carolina's public higher education system, affordable housing needs in Colorado communities, and the economic effects of marijuana legalization on property markets. His practical policy work complements his academic research, creating a bridge between theoretical insights and real-world applications. Billings leads significant research initiatives through the CU Real Estate Center, where he directs studies examining the impact of business improvement districts and other urban development policies. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, making substantial contributions to our understanding of how housing, education, and neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes and community development. His December 2023 memo on the HUD Officer Next Door Program exemplifies his engagement with current housing policy issues.
Dr. Euijin (Alley) Choo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Alberta, specializing in data-driven cybersecurity and big data analytics. Her research focuses on AI-based cybersecurity solutions, anomaly detection in network traffic, and adversarial attacks on federated learning systems. She holds a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and has held roles at Qatar Computing Research Institute, Korea University, and the University of Missouri-Rolla. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, North Carolina State University (2015) M.S., Computer Science & Engineering, Korea University (2008) B.S. Dual Degree in Computer Science & Mathematics, Korea University (2006) Research Interests: Security and big data analysis intersections Federated learning security and privacy Anomaly detection in network logs and enterprise systems Malware/phishing detection using graph inference AI-driven threat intelligence aggregation Recent Grants: Mitacs Accelerate Program Grant: Fraud Detection in Financial Graphs ($60,000, 2025) National CyberSecurity Consortium Grant: IntruderInsight ($2M, 2025-2027) NSERC Discovery Grant: Threat Detection Framework ($180,000, 2025-2031) Awards: Best Paper Award at DBSEC 2015 NSERC Early Career Researcher Award (2025) Provost Fellowship (NC State, 2009-2010) Labs/Teams: Leads the Data-driven Network and Cyber Security (DANS) Lab, focusing on federated learning defenses, compromised entity detection, and malicious domain analysis.
David L Jordan is the William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. His appointment consists of 50% Extension, 25% Research, and 25% Academic responsibilities. He serves as a Crop Science Extension Specialist with a focus on peanut production and weed management, working closely with the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, private consultants, industry representatives, and farmers. Dr. Jordan received his educational background from North Carolina State University and the University of Arkansas: PhD in Agronomy, University of Arkansas, 1993 MS in Crop Science, North Carolina State University, 1988 BS in Agronomy, North Carolina State University, 1985 AS, Chowan College, 1983 Dr. Jordan's research focuses primarily on peanut-based cropping systems, integrated pest management in peanut production, and the applied biology and management of weeds. His work addresses critical challenges in sustainable agriculture, including herbicide resistance management, crop rotation strategies, and aflatoxin mitigation in peanut production. He has developed significant expertise in developing risk tools to assist peanut growers and their advisors manage pests. His international work extends to Africa, where he collaborates with colleagues to develop more effective and sustainable pest management strategies for peanut (groundnut) and to improve food safety through aflatoxin mitigation. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on optimizing agricultural practices for peanut, cotton, and soybean production. Key themes include crop rotation effects on weed populations, nematode management in peanut systems, herbicide resistance evolution in agricultural weeds, and international peanut production practices. His research integrates field studies with practical extension applications to address real-world agricultural challenges across multiple continents. Dr. Jordan has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career: Fellow of multiple professional societies including the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Weed Science Society of America, and Southern Weed Science Society William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor (2015) Academy of Outstanding Faculty in Extension and Engagement, North Carolina State University (2022) Outstanding Extension and Engagement Award, North Carolina State University (2022) Dow AgroSciences Award for Excellence in Education from the American Peanut Research and Education Society (2010) Dr. Jordan has mentored numerous graduate students, serving as advisor or co-advisor for 3 MCS, 13 MS, and 12 PhD students, and has served on 40 MS, 45 PhD, and 7 MA graduate committees. His grant funding totals over $11.9 million from Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (1993-1996) and North Carolina State University (1996-present). He has led multiple USAID-funded international projects focused on peanut production and aflatoxin mitigation in countries like Ghana, Haiti, and Malawi. Dr. Jordan leads a comprehensive research and extension program focused on peanut production systems. His work involves close collaboration with multiple departments at NC State including Entomology and Plant Pathology and Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Internationally, he works with colleagues across Africa to develop sustainable pest management strategies. His program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration among many individuals, disciplines, and institutions with the common goal of improving the quality of life of people through agricultural improvements, education, and science.
Christoph F. Schmidt is the Hertha Sponer Distinguished Professor of Physics at Duke University with cross-appointments in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Biology, and Biomedical Engineering. He serves as Co-Director of the Duke Materials Initiative and leads an active research program at the intersection of physics and biology. His educational background includes a D.R. from the Technical University of Munich (Germany) in 1988. Schmidt has established himself as a leading researcher in biophysics through decades of innovative work. Professor Schmidt's research spans multiple scales of biological organization, from single molecules to whole organisms. His lab investigates cellular mechanics using advanced techniques including optical trapping, atomic force microscopy, and microrheology. A significant innovation from his group involves single-walled carbon nanotubes for high-bandwidth intracellular tracking. Current research focuses on cardiomyocyte mechanics, Drosophila tissue dynamics, and computational analysis of complex biological systems. His work on motor proteins like Eg5 and ncd has provided fundamental insights into cellular division mechanics. His recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate increasing integration of computational approaches with experimental biophysics, particularly in analyzing cardiac tissue mechanics and Drosophila sensory systems. The work shows progression from fundamental biophysical measurements toward applications in understanding disease mechanisms and biological function. Professor Schmidt teaches several courses including PHYSICS 995 (Graduate Training Internship), PHYSICS 493 (Research Independent Study), PHYSICS 415 (Biophysics II), PHYSICS 174 (Introduction to Frontiers of Biophysics), and BIOLOGY 425 (Biophysics II). He has successfully mentored numerous graduate students to completion, including recent PhD graduates Dr. Mingru Li and Dr. Xiaoxuan Jian. The Schmidt Lab, part of Duke's Physics Department and the Duke Soft Matter Center, maintains state-of-the-art equipment for optical trapping, atomic force microscopy, and advanced light microscopy. The lab participates in the Triangle Soft Matter Workshop, fostering collaborations with researchers from Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and NC State University. Current research directions include mechanical responses of suspended cells, tracking non-equilibrium cellular fluctuations, nuclear mechanics, and bacterial membrane mechanics under turgor pressure.
Prof. Yon Visell is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) with appointments in the Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Department of Mechanical Engineering. He directs the RE Touch Lab, which focuses on haptics, robotics, and interactive technologies, including sensorimotor augmentation, soft robotics, and virtual reality applications. The lab is affiliated with the Media Arts and Technology Program, Communication and Signal Processing group (ECE), Dynamic Systems and Control group (ME), California NanoSystems Institute, Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, UCSB Research Center for Virtual Environments and Behavior, and UCSB Robotics Group. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from McGill University, MA in Physics from University of Texas, Austin, and BA in Physics from Wesleyan University His research spans robotics, haptics, biomechanics, and soft electronics, aiming to advance human-computer interaction and wearable technologies. Recent work includes light-driven tactile displays, biomechanical filtering in tactile encoding, and haptic systems for VR and healthcare. The lab has received numerous awards at IEEE Haptics Symposium, World Haptics Conference, and EuroHaptics Society events. 2025 Best Demonstration Awards at IEEE World Haptics Conference 2024 Best Paper at IEEE Haptics Symposium 2023 Best Journal Paper at IEEE Transactions on Haptics Visell's group has pioneered wave-based haptic rendering, tactile holography, and soft wearable robotics. They have developed tools like SkinSource for tactile biomechanics simulation and collaborated with institutions in North America, Europe, and Japan. Current projects involve photonics-driven tactile systems, soft robotics for therapy, and next-generation haptic interfaces while mentoring students like Gregory Reardon (2024 EuroHaptics Best Dissertation), Max Linnander (IEEE Haptics awards), and Neeli Tummala (SWE Intel Scholar). Research Grants: Funded by NSF, tech, and healthcare industries Lab: RE Touch Lab at California NanoSystems Institute Collaborations: with TU Dresden, Northwestern University, NC State, UCLA, and others
Vijay Vazirani is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine , where he directs the ACO Center @ UCI . He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley and a S.B. from MIT. Vazirani is a Guggenheim Fellow , ACM Fellow , and 2022 INFORMS John von Neumann Theory Prize recipient. Research Areas: Algorithmic Game Theory, Matching Markets, Computational Complexity, Approximation Algorithms His groundbreaking work includes co-founding algorithmic game theory and solving a 30-year-old problem with an NC algorithm for perfect matching in planar graphs . Recent research focuses on matching-based market design, with a $500K NSF grant for advancing algorithms in matching and market equilibria. His 15 most recent papers explore topics like core imputations, stable matching lattices, and Nash bargaining solutions. Scientific Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship ACM Fellow 2022 INFORMS John von Neumann Theory Prize Vazirani advises numerous Ph.D. students and postdocs, including Tung Mai , Thorben Trobst , and Rohith Reddy Gangam . He contributes to major workshops and co-edited foundational texts like Algorithmic Game Theory and Online and Matching-Based Market Design .
Keith Edmisten is a Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at NC State University, serving as Extension Cotton Specialist and Director of Undergraduate Programs. He holds a BS, MS from NC State University, and a PhD in Crop Physiology from Virginia Tech (1987). His career includes faculty roles at Mississippi State University and Auburn University before joining NCSU in 1992. His research focuses on cotton and industrial hemp agronomy, germplasm evaluation, and regulatory science in agriculture. Notable awards include Extension Cotton Specialist of the Year (1997) and Cotton Physiologist of the Year (2015). He teaches courses on biotechnology, seed science, and regulatory frameworks, and advises students in the Plant and Soil Science biotechnology concentration. Edmisten's program integrates applied research with extension efforts, emphasizing sustainable input management, variety trials, and on-farm experimentation. Collaborations span departments like Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Agricultural Economics. Publications highlight fertilizer management, weed science, and crop modeling in cotton and hemp systems.
Dr. Jean Goodwin is the SAS Institute Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric & Technical Communication at NC State University's Department of Communication, part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She specializes in science communication ethics, civil argumentation, and the rhetoric of controversial scientific topics such as climate change and GMOs. Her work bridges theory and practice, including NSF-funded initiatives like Teaching Responsible Communication of Science, which develops case studies for STEM graduate students. She also leads the Leadership in Public Science cluster through NC State's Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program. Education: B.A. in Mathematics (University of Chicago, 1979), J.D. (University of Chicago, 1984), and Ph.D. in Communication/Rhetoric (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1996). Her career includes over 25 years of teaching rhetoric and mentoring students across communication subfields. Research focuses on how scientists communicate effectively with non-experts, leveraging discourse analysis and conceptual frameworks like speech act theory. Key themes include trust-building in contentious contexts, ethical advocacy roles for scientists, and historical rhetorical strategies from Cicero to modern policy debates. Her work often intersects with civic engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration, such as organizing conferences for science communication scholars and advising organizations like the AAAS. Major publications explore ethical dimensions of science communication, including climate change advocacy, disinformation detection, and pandemic messaging. Awards include the EB Knight Journal Award (2007) and her distinguished professorship. Current initiatives emphasize translating scholarly insights into practical tools for scientists and fostering dialogue between scientific and public communities through funded research partnerships.
Dr. Paul W. Mulvey is the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Human Resource Management and Director of Undergraduate Programs in Business Administration at North Carolina State University's Poole College of Management. He holds a PhD in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior from The Ohio State University and a Bachelors in Psychology from Lehigh University. His career includes teaching roles at Ohio State and the University of Connecticut before joining NC State. His research focuses on reward systems, work teams, leadership, recruitment, and retention. He has consulted with over 60 organizations and delivered executive education programs. Notable publications include works on organizational trust, compensation systems, and team dynamics. Mulvey is a recipient of multiple teaching awards, including NC State’s Outstanding Teaching Award and is a member of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers. Education: PhD (1991, Ohio State), BA (Lehigh) Expertise: Work team processes, compensation systems, organizational culture, leadership toxicity Labs/Initiatives: Faculty Director of BSBA Program, involved in the Enterprise Risk Management Initiative and Technology Commercialization Mulvey’s work has been featured in media such as NPR and USA Today. His research spans organizational behavior, leadership, and HRM, with over 30 years of academic and applied contributions.
Uzi Vishkin is a Professor at the University of Maryland's Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with additional affiliation in the Department of Computer Science. His work focuses on parallel computing, including the PRAM-On-Chip vision to bridge parallel algorithms and hardware. He holds a D.Sc. from Technion (1981), M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Mathematics from Hebrew University (1975/1974). Research interests span parallel algorithms, PRAM (Parallel Random Access Machine) architecture, machine learning applications, and pattern matching. His PRAM-On-Chip project aims to create a coherent computing stack for many-core processors. Vishkin has contributed to theoretical foundations and practical implementations, including the XMT architecture and compiler. He has been recognized with ACM Fellow (1996), Highly Cited Researcher (2003), and National Academy of Inventors Fellow (2024). Awards highlight his pioneering work in parallel algorithms and computing systems. Teaching spans courses like Parallel Algorithms and Mathematical Foundations for Computer Engineering. He emphasizes parallel algorithmic thinking in education and has developed teaching materials for high school and university levels. Key projects include the XMT architecture, simulations, and tools for parallel programming. His work integrates algorithmic theory with hardware design to address programming challenges in many-core systems.
Scott Geyer is an Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry at Wake Forest University, located in Winston-Salem, NC. He holds a B.S. (2005) from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. (2010) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Research Focus : Dr. Geyer’s research bridges chemical education and materials science. In pedagogy, he emphasizes laboratory course design to enhance student decision-making and scientific communication skills, particularly for graduate program applications. His materials research explores nanocrystal-based catalytic systems for energy applications, including water splitting, CO2 reduction, and photocatalytic processes. Key Contributions : His work includes developing trifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting, lead-free perovskite alternatives for CO2 reduction, and scalable H2O2 electrosynthesis. His studies often combine computational modeling (e.g., DFT simulations) with experimental synthesis of nanomaterials. Awards & Recognition : No specific awards listed, though his publications reflect sustained contributions to catalysis and nanomaterial research. Advising & Grants : While no advisees are listed, his teaching role likely involves mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory practices and research methodologies. His work is supported by grants focused on sustainable energy materials. Labs & Teams : Engaged with Wake Forest’s chemistry department labs, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts in nanomaterials and sustainable chemistry.
Terence Lee Robinson is a Professor at Cornell AgriTech , affiliated with the School of Integrative Plant Science and Horticulture Section . His work focuses on applied fruit crop physiology to enhance global fruit production. Education : PhD in Horticulture (1984) and MS in Horticulture (1982) from Washington State University; BS in Plant Science (1978) from Brigham Young University. Research Interests center on solving practical fruit production challenges through orchard systems analysis , rootstock evaluation , and crop load management . His field-oriented studies integrate biological and economic assessments of orchard performance. Recent Publications highlight his expertise in apple rootstock testing , chemical thinning , and nutrient management , with global implications for improving fruit quality and orchard productivity under diverse conditions. Scientific Honors : Elected Fellow, American Society for Horticultural Science (2021) Wilder Medal, American Pomological Society (2021) International Fruit Tree Association Hall of Fame (2015) Extension Leadership includes fostering collaborations between Cornell, Michigan State University, and Ontario Canada extension teams, while editing the NY Fruit Quarterly to disseminate research findings.
Laurie Williams serves as a Goodnight Distinguished University Professor in the Computer Science Department within the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University. She co-directs both the NCSU Secure Computing Institute and the NC State Science of Security Lablet, demonstrating deep institutional leadership in cybersecurity research. With over 260 refereed publications, her work establishes her as a prominent figure in software security academia. Her research spans critical areas including software security, agile development practices (particularly continuous deployment), software reliability, and software supply chain security. Williams focuses on practical security solutions addressing modern challenges like malicious dependencies in open-source ecosystems, AI-generated code vulnerabilities, and runtime protection mechanisms. Her work bridges theoretical security principles with industry-relevant applications. Recent publications reveal strong trends toward software supply chain security, with multiple 2024-2025 papers addressing vulnerability exploitability, malicious commit detection, and metrics-driven security control selection. Her research increasingly incorporates machine learning for threat detection while maintaining focus on human factors in secure development practices. IEEE Fellow (2018) National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2004) ACM SIGSOFT Influential Educator Award (2009) Multiple IBM Faculty Awards (2002-2012) NCSU Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award (2015-2016) Williams leads multiple major NSF-funded projects including the $5.7M SaTC Frontiers grant on secure software supply chains and the Science of Security Lablet with $3.6M in DoD funding. Her research emphasizes practical industry impact through collaborations with Cisco and Laboratory for Analytic Sciences. She actively mentors through the NCSU Research Leadership Academy and maintains significant educational outreach in software security. Her laboratory work centers on the Secure Computing Institute and Science of Security Lablet, where her team develops frameworks for vulnerability prediction, supply chain risk assessment, and secure development methodologies. Current projects focus on machine learning integrity, cognitive modeling for security decisions, and empirical analysis of build/deployment logs for anomaly detection.
Dr. Shawn Gomez is a Professor in the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University and in the Department of Pharmacology at UNC-Chapel Hill. He serves as the Executive Director of FastTraCS, a component of the NC TraCS Institute funded through the NIH CTSA Program, and is a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member. His educational background includes a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University (1999), an MS in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder (1993), and a BS in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the same institution (1990). He completed postdoctoral training in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the Judith P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center and Institut Pasteur in Paris. Dr. Gomez's research spans systems biology , network pharmacology , and translational AI , with a focus on understanding cell signaling architecture in human disease. His lab develops computational approaches for network pharmacology and targeted cancer therapies, along with machine learning methodologies to address clinical needs and enhance clinical decision making. The research integrates computational modeling with experimental approaches to improve diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on kinome research, particularly in pancreatic cancer and understudied kinases, with increasing integration of machine learning techniques for predicting clinical outcomes and kinase-substrate relationships. The work spans from fundamental systems biology to translational applications in cancer therapeutics and surgical outcomes prediction. Scientific Awards: Leadership Advanced Program, UNC-Chapel Hill 2017 Chancellor's Entrepreneurship Boot Camp 2015 ACCLAIM Scholar (Academic Career Leadership Academy in Medicine) 2013-2014 UNC Research Council Award 2011 Carl Storm URM Fellowship 2008 UNC Junior Faculty Development Award 2006 Florence Gould Scholar 2005 Pasteur Foundation Fellow 2002-2005 Dr. Gomez directs the Gomez Lab, which focuses on systems biology, network pharmacology, and translational AI. The lab maintains several key resources including Darkkinome.org, FAAS, and IAS servers for kinome research. His work bridges computational biology with clinical applications, particularly in cancer therapeutics and surgical outcomes prediction through machine learning approaches.
