Björn Schröder is an Associate Professor at Umeå University, affiliated with the Department of Molecular Biology and the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). His research examines how diet, gut microbiota, and mucosal barrier function interact to influence intestinal health, with a focus on Western-style diets, antimicrobial peptides, and protection against infections and inflammation. Current projects include analyzing dietary fiber's role in mucus integrity and linking specific bacteria to barrier function. Primary Affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University Secondary Affiliation: MIMS (Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden) Research interests span gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, antimicrobial peptides, and diet-related pathologies like inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndromes. His work combines microbiome analysis with physiological studies in murine models to dissect mechanisms of barrier protection. Recent publications highlight the impact of dietary fiber and probiotics on mucus health, antibiotic effects on barrier integrity, and microbial networks in diseases like colorectal cancer. Themes include diet-microbiota crosstalk, redox regulation of antimicrobial peptides, and microbiota-independent versus dependent mechanisms of mucus damage. Scientific recognition: Fernström Research Prize (2025) Grants: Persson Millions for intestinal research His lab maintains a website at www.mucubacter.org and collaborates with international teams on topics ranging from enteric pathogens to metabolic disease models.
Keith Latham is a Professor at Michigan State University affiliated with the Cell & Molecular Biology Program and Genetics & Genome Sciences Program. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms regulating early mammalian embryogenesis and disease origins from developmental disruptions. Cell & Molecular Biology Program Faculty Genetics & Genome Sciences Program Faculty Research Interests His work explores embryonic development , epigenetics , and reproductive biology , emphasizing how maternal/paternal factors influence embryo viability. Recent studies investigate FSH effects on ovarian stimulation, oocyte transcriptome regulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction transmission via oocytes. Scientific Awards Advising and Grants No student advising or grant information is provided in the text. Further details may exist in external academic records.
Pierre Vialle is a Professor in Management of Innovation at Institut Mines-Télécom Business School , affiliated with the LITEM research laboratory . He serves as Director of Studies in Innovation Management and leads the MSc in Management of Innovation in the Digital Economy program. Specializes in corporate strategies and innovation within the digital economy Expertise in design thinking and strategic management of ICT firms Active in teaching and research since 1988 at IMT-BS Contributions to international telecommunications policy and innovation frameworks Education: Master in Management (ESCP Europe, 1979) MSc in Management and Organisation (Paris 1 University, 1992) PhD in Economics (Paris Dauphine University, 2010) Accreditation to supervise PhD theses in Management Sciences (2013) His recent publications focus on telecommunications market disruption, international expansion strategies, and innovation frameworks, with a particular emphasis on co-evolutionary models in digital industries. He actively contributes to academic discourse through conference presentations at events like the International Telecommunications Society (ITS) and ISPIM Connects .
Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg serves as the William Nordhaus Professor of Economics at Yale University and is an Affiliate of the Economic Growth Center. She previously held the position of Chief Economist of the World Bank Group (2018-2020) and has held leadership roles including President of the Econometric Society and Editor-in-Chief of the American Economic Review. Her research focuses on trade policy, development economics, and gender inequality. Goldberg employs diverse methodological approaches from structural modeling to reduced-form techniques to analyze trade protectionism, intellectual property rights in developing countries, exchange rate pass-through, and discrimination against women. Her recent work examines semiconductor industrial policy, informality in trade contexts, and the Global Gender Distortions Index. The most recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on contemporary trade tensions, gendered institutional barriers, and human capital measurement. Her work increasingly integrates policy-relevant frameworks for measuring gender distortions and analyzing strategic industrial policy in critical sectors. Scientific awards include: Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship Sloan Research Fellowship Bodossaki Prize in Social Sciences Distinguished CES Fellow (2024) CEPR Distinguished Fellow Goldberg maintains extensive advisory and research affiliations including the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, NBER, IFS London, and BREAD board membership. Her policy engagement spans World Bank leadership and ongoing contributions to global economic governance through research networks.
Rolando Fuentes is a Professor in the Department of Finance and Business Economics at EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey. His expertise spans economic analysis, business economics, and innovation with a specialized focus on energy systems and policy. Previously, he held research positions at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) and academic roles at the London School of Economics. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Environmental Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science M.Sc. in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from University College London B.A. in Economics from Tecnológico de Monterrey Professor Fuentes' research centers on transformative dynamics in energy systems, particularly examining how digitalization and technological disruptions reshape electricity markets. His work investigates novel business models for decentralized energy systems, the integration of renewable resources, and policy frameworks for sustainable transitions. He specializes in the economic implications of grid modernization, critical minerals supply chains, and ESG-driven financial mechanisms, with significant regional focus on Mexico's energy landscape and Gulf Cooperation Council nations. His interdisciplinary approach bridges environmental economics, technological innovation, and strategic policy design. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward integrated energy transition frameworks. His work increasingly connects digital transformation with electricity market evolution, examines ESG factors in energy finance, and develops data-driven methodologies using social media analytics for innovation mapping. The research demonstrates consistent focus on practical policy applications, particularly regarding subsidy design, nearshoring impacts, and climate-resilient infrastructure in emerging markets. His notable scientific recognition includes: British Chevenning Scholarship Best Paper Award at the 8th Conference on the Regulation of Infrastructures (Florence School of Regulation) Professor Fuentes has supervised master's theses at LSE and contributed to energy policy development through public sector roles including Director of International Negotiations at Mexico's Secretaría de Energía (SENER) and leadership positions within the Undersecretariat of Hydrocarbons. His advisory work bridges academic research with practical policy implementation, particularly in electricity sector liberalization and climate-responsive energy frameworks. At EGADE Business School, he actively contributes to the Digital Evolution Center and FAIR Center for Financial Access, Inclusion and Research, aligning his work with institutional priorities in sustainable business innovation and financial inclusion. His current projects explore AI-driven energy strategy codification and critical minerals supply chain resilience for just energy transitions.
Benjamin Jensen is Professor of Strategic Studies at Marine Corps University School of Advanced Warfighting and holds dual roles as Director of the Futures Lab and Senior Fellow in the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). At CSIS, he leads AI/machine learning research on warfare evolution and designs scenario-based wargames. At MCU, he researches future conflict and teaches operational art. His research explores military innovation, AI integration in battle networks, cybersecurity, geopolitical competition, and gray-zone tactics. Recent work analyzes landpower evolution, China-Taiwan tensions, and Russia-Ukraine dynamics through data-driven frameworks. Jensen holds a PhD from American University and MA/BA from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He serves as a U.S. Army Reserve officer with command experience and authored five books including Information at War: Military Innovation, Battle Networks, and the Future of Artificial Intelligence (2022). Scientific Awards: Frank E. Petersen Chair for Emerging Technology (current) He directs CSIS Futures Lab pioneering AI-wargaming integration and leads MCU's future war research program. Previously served as Senior Research Director for the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
Jesse R. Dixon, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Gene Expression Laboratory of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California. His research explores 3D genome architecture, chromatin organization, and gene regulation mechanisms, with implications for cancer and developmental disorders. He employs cutting-edge genomic technologies like Hi-C and single-cell multi-omics to investigate how chromosomal rearrangements impact gene expression. Dr. Dixon's work focuses on: Topological Domains (TADs) and their role in enhancer-promoter communication Haplotype phasing using chromatin conformation data Structural variant-driven oncogene activation in cancer Single-cell mapping of chromatin and DNA methylation dynamics His publications consistently demonstrate innovations in 3D genome analysis, particularly in neurobiology and oncology contexts, with recurring themes of chromatin topology, epigenetic regulation, and computational genomics. Awards & Honors: Pew Biomedical Scholar (2024) Helmsley Salk Fellow He mentors graduate and postdoctoral researchers in genomics and computational biology, with current projects on chromatin dynamics in cancer and development. The Dixon Lab actively develops novel methodologies for studying genome architecture.
Marina Grishakova serves as Chair Professor of Literary Theory and Intermedial Studies at the Institute of Cultural Research, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu. Elected to Academia Europaea in 2016, she holds prominent leadership roles including membership on the International Comparative Literature Association (ICLA) Executive Council and supervision of the International Research Training Group Baltic Peripeties (Universities of Greifswald, Tartu, and Trondheim). Her academic trajectory shows steady progression from Lecturer (1993-2004) to Associate Professor (2008-2015) and finally to full Professor (2015-present), with significant international engagement through Fulbright, DAAD, and British Academy fellowships. Professor Grishakova's research spans narratology, literary theory, intermedial studies, and semiotics of culture, with particular focus on narrative complexity, literature-film relationships, and cognitive approaches to narrative. Her scholarly evolution demonstrates movement from early work on Nabokov's spatial models toward increasingly sophisticated interdisciplinary frameworks that bridge humanities with cognitive science. She has made substantial contributions to understanding how narrative structures shape human cognition and cultural evolution, especially during periods of crisis and transformation. Her recent publications reveal thematic concentration on narrative complexity, intermediality in digital contexts, and pandemic narratives. The 15 most recent articles show consistent exploration of how narrative forms adapt to represent complex systems and experiences, with growing emphasis on cross-media applications and the epistemological dimensions of fiction. Her work increasingly integrates insights from cognitive science, systems theory, and media studies to develop new theoretical frameworks for understanding narrative representation. Member of Academia Europaea (2016) British Academy Visiting Scholar grant (2011) Honorary badge of the University of Tartu (2011) Fulbright scholarship for senior researchers (2008) DAAD research scholarship (2007) NordForsk grant as project leader (2008) Special issue of CompLit nominated for ESCL Excellence Award (2023) Professor Grishakova has supervised 9 doctoral students and 5 postdoctoral researchers across international institutions, with projects spanning cognitive approaches to fiction, narrative ethics, and digital storytelling. She has led major international collaborations including the European Network of Comparative Literary Studies (2011-2013) and Nordic Network of Narrative Studies (2007-2011), and currently participates in COST Action INDCOR on Interactive Narrative Design and the CELSA project 'Re-Familiarizing the Body and its Umwelt.' Her extensive service includes editorial board membership for five international journals and advisory roles for prestigious book series. Directing the Narrative, Culture, Cognition research group at the University of Tartu, Professor Grishakova maintains an active international presence with over 30 recent guest lectures and plenary presentations across Europe. Her scholarly impact extends through translation of her works into French, Spanish, Czech, Bulgarian, and Chinese, demonstrating significant global influence in literary theory and narratology.
Dr April Pudsey is a Reader in Roman History and Deputy Director at Manchester Metropolitan University's interdisciplinary Manchester Centre for Youth Studies . Her work focuses on children's and women's lives in Graeco-Roman Egypt through papyrology and material culture analysis, connecting ancient childcare practices to broader demographic and environmental patterns. Key research areas: Roman Egypt, child slavery, breastfeeding practices, ancient demography Leadership roles: Founding Chair of Post92classics, Co-Chair of Women's Classical Committee Major grants: €280,000 Marie-Sklodowska Curie Fellowship (2021-23), AHRC £380,000 project co-Investigator Her Children of Oxyrhynchos book (Palgrave MacMillan, 2025) synthesizes research on youth cultures from thousands of papyri. She also served as Historical Consultant for Ladybird Books and Hachette Children's Group publications. Recent publications span topics including: 2023 : Global history of youth 2022 : Enslaved children's experiences 2021 : 3D-replicated Roman musical instruments 2017 : Disability studies in antiquity Scientific awards include: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2009-11) AHRB Studentships (2001-2006, 2003-06) External examiner roles at Exeter University and Birkbeck College
Dr. Saima Ahmad is a Senior Lecturer at RMIT University's School of Management, focusing on cultivating sustainable work environments and investigating leadership's impact on individual well-being. With a PhD in Management from Monash University, her research spans organizational behavior, workplace dynamics, and leadership ethics, addressing critical issues such as bullying, resilience, and digital disruption. She coordinates courses in the RMIT MBA program and serves on editorial boards for the European Management Journal and PLoS One . Education: PhD in Management from Monash University Her research emphasizes positive leadership styles and their influence on employee engagement and organizational sustainability. Recent work explores servant leadership in the construction industry and the role of green human resource management in fostering environmental citizenship. She has pioneered studies on workplace bullying and its mitigation through ethical leadership frameworks. Her scientific awards include the 2022 RMIT GSBL Dean’s Merit Award for HDR Leadership Excellence for her contributions as HDR Coordinator (2022-2024), where she enhanced PhD completion rates and student support systems. She actively supervises Masters and PhD research candidates, focusing on leadership and organizational behavior.
Laura den Dulk is a Full Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam's Department of Public Administration and Sociology within the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Her research focuses on cross-national work-life policies, public sector management, and the impact of organizational practices on work-life balance. She holds editorial roles for journals like Community, Work & Family and has co-edited influential books on work-family dynamics and flexible work arrangements. She earned her PhD in Social Sciences from Erasmus University in 2001, focusing on work-family arrangements in European organizations. Her work emphasizes the role of managers, public sector policies, and European welfare regimes in shaping work-life balance. She contributed to EU projects like 'Quality of Life in a Changing Europe' and 'Gender, Parenthood, and the Changing European Workplace.' Her recent research explores leadership during crises, effects of remote work, and gendered academic career trajectories. She has published over 160 articles and has been cited extensively in fields like public administration and sociology. Her studies frequently address pandemic impacts on work dynamics, flexibility equity, and institutional policies across diverse contexts. Key collaborations include analyses of Dutch, British, and Slovenian workplaces, with a focus on how national contexts influence organizational policies. Her work bridges macro-level welfare state regimes with meso-level organizational practices, offering insights into sustainable work-life integration strategies.
Dr. Barry Hayes is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Power Systems Engineering at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. He leads a research team focusing on grid integration of sustainable energy technologies and future power system operation/planning. Previously held roles include Lecturer at University of Galway (2016-2018) and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellow at IMDEA Energy (2013-2016). Holds a PhD in Electrical Power Systems Engineering from University of Edinburgh (2013). Research interests include smart grids, distribution network management, demand-side flexibility, non-intrusive load monitoring, and energy communities. Active in IEEE standards development (P2030 smart grid interoperability) and serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Energy Markets, Policy and Regulation. Has secured €1.03M SFI grant (2024-2029) for disruptive energy tech research, plus other grants including €506K from Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. Supervised PhD students in power systems and energy markets. Collaborates with Irish energy industry and international partners through MaREI Centre. Publications emphasize grid integration challenges, P2P energy trading, and smart meter applications. Notable recognition includes Elsevier's Most-Cited Article award (2022). Engages in public science communication via RTÉ and advises community-owned renewable energy projects.
Prof. Tim Gruchmann is a prominent academic specializing in supply chain management and logistics, with a focus on sustainability, technology integration, and systemic resilience. His research explores ethical dimensions in transport logistics, technology acceptance among drivers, and the application of digital twin technologies. He has conducted empirical studies on automotive, food, and pharmaceutical industries, addressing challenges like semiconductor shortages and climate adaptation strategies. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industry applications, such as dynamic capabilities for resilience and blockchain-driven supply chain innovation. He has contributed to projects supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), including the ADINA initiative on innovative logistics concepts. Research interests span sustainable supply chain governance, automation in warehousing, and logistics social responsibility. His studies analyze consumer behavior in sustainable food networks and the diffusion of labor standards through supply chains. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles since 2017, with recent work emphasizing systemic disruptions and adaptation strategies in long-term crises. Notable projects include scenario planning for transformative supply chains and the development of a sustainable logistics service quality scale for Egyptian providers. His teams investigate ergonomics in intralogistics and the role of dynamic capabilities in local food distribution. Prof. Gruchmann’s research integrates quantitative methods like simulation modeling and system dynamics with qualitative empirical analyses. He collaborates internationally and has advised on policy frameworks for climate mitigation in transport sectors.
Magnus Treiber is Professor in Social and Cultural Anthropology at LMU Munich, specializing in migration, urban anthropology, and refugee studies with regional focus on the Horn of Africa. Directs research on Eritrean/Ethiopian migration, refugee camp governance, and post-conflict societies. Publications examine refugee experiences (2025), anti-refugee mechanisms (2022), and existential dimensions of migration. Ethnographic fieldwork in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Israel, and Europe documents migration trajectories and camp environments. Recent work analyzes pandemic racism (2025), economic anthropology (2024), and peace process impacts on displacement (2019). Leads research network 'Migration and Knowledge' and contributes to European refugee studies networks.
Prof. Dr. Hanno Friedrich is an Associate Professor of Freight Transportation - Modelling and Policy at Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg, Germany. He holds a Diplom-Wirtschaftsingenieur from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and a Ph.D. in Economics from KIT (2010), focusing on logistics simulation in food retailing. Prior to academia, he worked at McKinsey & Company (2004-2010) and served as a Junior Professor at TU Darmstadt (2011). Affiliations: Kühne Logistics University, World Conference on Transport Research Society (SIG B5), European Transport Conference (Freight & Logistics Committee) Education: PhD in Economics (KIT, 2010), Diplom-Wirtschaftsingenieur (KIT, 2003), ERASMUS exchange at EM Lyon (2001-2003) Research Interests: His work focuses on freight transport demand modelling, food logistics resilience, risk management in supply chains, and intermodal transport networks. Notable projects include FoodDecide (digital food safety tools), HeGeL (German logistics hypernetworks), and SEAK (food supply chain disruptions). Recent Trends: Articles emphasize spatial analysis of organic food demand, machine learning for ETA predictions in intermodal transport, and computational methods for tracing foodborne outbreaks. Recent work explores regional food self-sufficiency and electric mobility in commercial transport. Grants/Projects: Over 15 projects funded by BMBF, BMVI, and EU, including NutriSafe (blockchain in food logistics) and SMECS (ETA forecasting for seaports). Labs/Teams: Leads research groups in food supply chain resilience, freight transport policy, and intermodal logistics innovation at KLU.
