Carina Mallard is Professor of Experimental Perinatal Brain Injury Research and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Gothenburg since July 2023, where she oversees research infrastructure and chairs the Research Board. She previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (2021–2023) and Head of Core Facilities (2018–2021). Her academic career began with a Physiology degree from Lund University and a PhD in Pediatrics at the University of Auckland (1995), followed by a professorship appointment in 2006. Her research focuses on perinatal brain injury , particularly in premature infants , investigating neuroinflammatory mechanisms maternal dietary interventions neurovascular unit dynamics microglia activation long-term consequences of maternal obesity . Recent publications highlight her work on neonatal rodent models , transcriptomic profiling , and anti-inflammatory therapies . Key themes include RNA degradation , mitochondrial protection , and immune-neurovascular interactions . She has supervised 20 doctoral students since 2004 and collaborates internationally with institutions like King's College London. Contact details include two institutional emails and physical addresses across Gothenburg's biomedical campuses. Her leadership roles span research strategy, doctoral education, and EU-level scientific initiatives.
Margaret Bublitz is Associate Professor at Brown University with joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior , Department of Medicine , and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology . She holds secondary appointments at the School of Public Health as Senior Investigator and Behavioral and Social Sciences faculty member. Dr. Bublitz earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology (2010) from the University of British Columbia, followed by postdoctoral training in Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine at Brown Medical School. Her research focuses on: Psychological stress pathways to adverse perinatal outcomes Maternal childhood maltreatment effects on neurobiology Mindfulness interventions for hypertension and preterm birth prevention Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate expertise in perinatal mental health , sleep-disordered breathing , HPA axis regulation , and fetal neurodevelopment , with significant collaborations in neuroendocrinology and maternal-infant health disparities . Scientific recognition includes: 2024-2025 Global Fulbright Scholarship 2022 Brown Early Career Research Achievement Award Multiple NIH and foundation grants exceeding $6 million Bublitz leads NIH-funded projects examining mechanisms of mindfulness training (R01HL157288) and serves as mentor in the MORPHE Trial for digital maternal health innovations. She is a licensed psychologist and active member of Brown's Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Institute and Mindfulness Center .
Professor Louis Schmidt is a leading academic in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University , with a research focus on developmental psychophysiology, temperament, and the long-term effects of early adversity. His work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science, emphasizing the interplay between brain function and socio-emotional development across the lifespan. Key research themes: Shyness, social anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and outcomes of extremely low birth weight. Recognized for mentoring postdoctoral fellow Kristie Poole, who was celebrated as a role model in the Child Emotion Laboratory. Scientific Awards : Royal Society of Canada recognition for contributions to research and scholarship. Research Trends from 15 recent publications include: Neurophysiological mechanisms of shyness (EEG, ERP, RSA) Impact of antenatal corticosteroids on adult brain function Intergenerational effects of maternal mental health interventions Cross-cultural comparisons of temperamental shyness Developmental consequences of preterm birth Behavioral and neural correlates of social anxiety in diverse populations Grants & Collaborations : Led the SNACS randomized controlled trial on antenatal corticosteroids, with applications in obstetrics and developmental neuroscience. Collaborates extensively on topics like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and emotion regulation. Labs & Teams : Directs the Child Emotion Laboratory at McMaster University, fostering interdisciplinary research on developmental psychopathology and neural mechanisms of temperament.
Overview Catherine O'Neill Buck is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. She is a neonatologist and clinical researcher focused on maternal metabolic health during pregnancy and its influence on infant growth, body composition, and neurodevelopment. Her work bridges clinical care and translational research, with a particular emphasis on preterm infants and obesity prevention. Education & Training MD: University of Connecticut School of Medicine BS: University of Connecticut (Molecular/Cell Biology and Spanish) Pediatric Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (2015) Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship: Brown University/Women and Infants Hospital (2019) MHS (Clinical Investigation): Yale School of Medicine (2025) Research Focus Dr. Buck's research investigates how maternal metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes) and early neonatal nutrition affect preterm and term infants' growth trajectories, adiposity, and long-term cardiometabolic health. Key areas include: Adipokine and metabolite profiling in newborns Ultrasound-based body composition assessment in preterm infants Optimizing nutritional protocols for preterm growth Impact of maternal diabetes on neonatal morbidities Clinical Trial Principal Investigator for the trial Preventing Obesity in Preterm Infants (HIC ID 2000031084), exploring strategies to mitigate obesity risks in preterm populations. Labs/Teams Leads the Yale Neonatal NOuRISH Team , focusing on nutritional and metabolic interventions for neonates.
Dr. Steven P. Miller is a Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine. He also serves as the Chief of Pediatric Medicine at BC Children's Hospital & Sunny Hill Health Centre under the Provincial Health Services Authority. Additionally, he holds the Hudson Family Hospital Chair in Pediatric Medicine and is an Investigator at BC Children's Hospital. Dr. Miller's research focuses on neonatal neurology, particularly brain development and injury in newborns. His work utilizes advanced magnetic resonance techniques and bedside brain monitoring to understand how a baby's critical care experience influences their risk of brain injury and developmental trajectory. His research areas include birth defects, concussion, preterm labor, and steroid effects on neonatal brain development. Analysis of Dr. Miller's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on understanding the relationship between neonatal pain exposure, analgesia, and brain development in preterm infants. His work also extensively examines neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with congenital heart disease, exploring how fetal hemodynamics, surgical interventions, and brain imaging findings correlate with long-term cognitive outcomes. A significant portion of his research investigates the impact of socioeconomic status on brain development and neurocognitive outcomes in preterm infants. Dr. Miller is actively involved in graduate education, supervising students in Neuroscience and Women+ and Children's Health Sciences programs at UBC. His research group, part of the Brain, Behaviour & Development Research Theme and the Neurodevelopmental and Neurological Disorders Visualizing the Brain Research Group, has published extensively in top-tier journals across neurology, pediatrics, and neuroscience.
Olof Stephansson is a senior researcher and group leader at the Clinical Epidemiology Unit (KEP) , Karolinska Institutet , focusing on reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology. His work utilizes Swedish healthcare registries and quality registers to investigate risk factors, interventions, and medical management during pregnancy and childbirth. Key research areas: maternal obesity, preeclampsia prediction, climate change impacts, neonatal neurodevelopment, IBD in pregnancy, and labor management Funded by: Swedish Research Council, NIH, FORTE, NordForsk, and Karolinska Institute Collaborates with: Stanford, Oregon Health, University of British Columbia, London School of Hygiene, University of Witwatersrand His group (2014-present) manages the Swedish Pregnancy Registry and conducts randomized trials like the Oneplus study on midwifery models. Recent publications (2024-2025) analyze maternal BMI effects on offspring sleep, labor duration risks, and vaccine safety in pregnancy.
Prof. Anna Franklin is a Professor of Visual Perception and Cognition at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. She leads the Sussex Colour Group and Sussex Baby Lab , focusing on human color perception, development, and neural representation. Her research combines cognitive psychology, developmental science, and neuroscience to explore how color perception develops, influences aesthetics, and relates to conditions like autism. Key projects include ERC-funded initiatives studying environmental impact on color perception and developing the ColourSpot diagnostic app for childhood color vision deficiency. She also serves as Deputy Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange for the School of Psychology. Education includes a BA from the University of Nottingham and a PhD from the University of Surrey, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship. Her work spans 107+ publications, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods like hyperspectral imaging and fMRI. Collaborations include industry partnerships with ETTA LOVES and COSATTO to apply infant visual preference research in product design. Research grants include European Research Council awards (Starting Grant 2012-2017, Consolidator Grant 2018-2025) and a Proof of Concept grant for ColourSpot . Her labs investigate cross-cultural color categorization, infant aesthetics, and neural correlates of color processing. Future work focuses on calibrating visual systems to environmental statistics and improving early childhood color vision screening.
Professor Roslyn Boyd serves as Scientific Director of the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre (QCPRRC) at the University of Queensland's School of Medicine. She leads a substantial multidisciplinary team of 38 researchers and provides clinical research leadership to 60 clinicians across the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service based at the Queensland Children's Hospital. As an NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Professor Boyd has established herself as an internationally recognized expert in cerebral palsy research and rehabilitation. Professor Boyd completed her primary training as a physiotherapist in Australia and London before earning her PhD in neuroscience at La Trobe University, the Brain Research Institute, and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, for which she received the Premier's Commendation from the Victorian Government. She joined the University of Queensland in 2007 as a Smart State Fellowship recipient and has since led major research initiatives including an EBrain program grant funded by the Queensland Government Department of Innovation. Her research program focuses on three critical areas: the early natural history of motor and brain development in preschool children with cerebral palsy, novel rehabilitation approaches for children with hemiplegia, and early detection and intervention for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy. These research streams, all funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, employ advanced brain imaging techniques including functional imaging, Diffusion Imaging, and Functional Connectivity to assess neuroplasticity changes resulting from therapeutic interventions. Her work bridges neuroscience, rehabilitation science, and clinical practice to develop evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Professor Boyd's extensive publication record of over 340 peer-reviewed manuscripts demonstrates a consistent focus on improving assessment methods, intervention efficacy, and early detection strategies for cerebral palsy. Her research spans from basic neuroscience investigations to large-scale clinical trials and implementation studies, creating a comprehensive evidence base that informs clinical practice worldwide. The publications reveal a growing emphasis on early intervention, neuroimaging biomarkers, and family-centered approaches to rehabilitation. Professor Boyd has received significant recognition for her contributions to the field, most notably the prestigious Gayle Arnold Award from the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, which she has received three times. This repeated honor underscores her international standing and the impact of her research on clinical practice. As an NHMRC Leadership Fellow, she represents the highest tier of Australian health and medical researchers. Through her leadership of major research programs and collaborations, Professor Boyd has secured over $40 million in research funding, enabling large-scale projects that directly impact clinical practice. Her work with multidisciplinary teams has produced evidence that informs clinical guidelines and treatment approaches used by healthcare professionals globally. She actively mentors junior researchers and clinicians, fostering the next generation of experts in pediatric rehabilitation. The Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation and Research Centre, under Professor Boyd's direction, serves as a vital hub for translational research, connecting scientific discovery with clinical application. The center's work with the Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine demonstrates interdisciplinary reach beyond traditional cerebral palsy research, exploring innovative approaches to understanding and treating neurodevelopmental conditions.
Ajay Pillarisetti is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley's School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences. His research focuses on the interplay between household energy use, air pollution exposure, health outcomes, and climate change in low- and middle-income countries. A graduate of UC Berkeley (PhD) and Emory University (MPH, BS), he has led global projects in India, Mongolia, Nepal, Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda. PhD – Environmental Health Sciences, UC Berkeley MPH – Global Environmental Health, Emory University BS – Biology, Emory College His work employs low-cost air quality sensors, longitudinal surveys, and randomized controlled trials like the HAPIN study to assess health impacts of clean fuel interventions. Key subfields include exposure assessment, implementation science, pollution's metabolic effects, and policy-driven energy transitions. He collaborates with teams across four continents and has published extensively on household air pollution's multi-scale health burdens. Recent articles (2023–2025) highlight trends in quantifying PM2.5's health effects, optimizing sensor networks, and evaluating LPG interventions for maternal/child health. His studies span Guatemala's RESPIRE cohort, Rwanda's HAPIN trial, and India's community monitoring systems, addressing gaps in exposure-response modeling, biomarker analysis, and policy advocacy.
Professor Merideth Gattis is a cognitive psychologist at Cardiff University's School of Psychology, specializing in how interactions between individuals and their environments influence cognition and communication. She leads research on parenting cognitions during pregnancy and infancy, developmental cascades, and the role of natural environments in social interaction. Her work bridges developmental psychology with environmental and cross-cultural studies. Education: B.A. (Psychology, Gordon College, 1985); Ph.D. (Cognitive Psychology, UCLA, 1995). Academic roles include Professor (2014–present), Reader (2011–2014), and Senior Lecturer (2007–2011) at Cardiff University. Honors include Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (2016) and completion of the Professorial Leadership Programme (2022). Research focuses on developmental cognition, parent-infant interactions, and environmental influences. Key projects include the Baby Care Questionnaire (BCQ) to measure parenting beliefs, studies on preterm birth effects, and collaborations with organizations like the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) to evaluate nature-based interventions. Her work emphasizes innovative methods like remote research tools and longitudinal studies. Teaching includes research design and methods at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a focus on developmental psychology and mixed methodologies. Supervises PhD students on topics like parenting knowledge, pro-environmental behavior shifts, and sensorimotor patterns in parent-child interaction. Grants and collaborations involve European Research Council (ERC) funding and partnerships with institutions globally. Active in academic service as a reviewer for major journals and committees including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Peer Review College.
Giovanni Mento is an Associate Professor at the Department of General Psychology, University of Padova. His research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, and clinical neurology, with a particular emphasis on neural mechanisms underlying cognitive control, emotional processing, and neurodevelopmental disorders. He employs advanced neuroimaging techniques like high-density EEG to investigate topics such as temporal prediction, decision-making in children, and the impact of preterm birth on brain development. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining machine learning with electrophysiological data analysis to address challenges in epilepsy forecasting and predictive brain activity. Key research areas include implicit learning, motivational contexts influencing cognition, and the application of EEG to study socio-emotional and behavioral disorders in clinical populations. Recent studies explore the effects of yoga-mindfulness interventions on cognitive control in children, dynamic brain states in preschoolers, and methodological rigor in EEG-based machine learning models. His contributions span both theoretical frameworks (e.g., re-examining top-down control models) and applied clinical research (e.g., neonatal intensive care practices). Mento’s articles highlight trends in understanding developmental trajectories, predictive neural mechanisms, and translational applications of neuroscientific findings to real-world contexts like education and healthcare.
Laura Caulfield, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is affiliated with the Center for Human Nutrition and the Center for Global Health, and her research focuses on maternal, infant, and child nutrition and health both in the United States and globally. Her research interests include nutritional epidemiology, maternal and perinatal health, child growth and development, breastfeeding and complementary feeding, and the evaluation of nutrition interventions. She is particularly interested in the early origins of adult disease and the development of nutrition surveillance systems to inform public health policy. Dr. Caulfield’s recent publications reflect a strong focus on public health nutrition, with studies on the WIC program, plant-based diets and diabetes, geospatial food environments and childhood obesity, and the intersection of nutrition and autism. Her work often employs cohort studies and systematic reviews to assess the impact of dietary patterns and public health programs. Outstanding Alumna, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University (2014) The Ruth Pike Lectureship, The Pennsylvania State University (2005) The Avanelle Kirksey Lectureship, Purdue University (2000) Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, Johns Hopkins University (1993) Dr. Caulfield has led and contributed to numerous research projects, including the MAL-ED study and evaluations of the WIC program. She has secured significant grant funding to support her work on maternal and child nutrition, program evaluation, and global health initiatives. Her research often involves community-engaged methods and collaborations across disciplines and institutions. She is actively involved in mentoring students and researchers and leads a dynamic research team focused on improving nutritional outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her lab emphasizes rigorous epidemiological methods, policy-relevant research, and the translation of findings into public health practice.
Carl T. D'Angio, M.D. is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Chief of the Division of Neonatology, and attending neonatologist at both URMC and Rochester General Hospital. With over three decades of clinical and research leadership, his work focuses on improving outcomes for at-risk newborns through clinical trials, infection/immunity research, and neonatal ethics. MD from Johns Hopkins University (1983) Pediatrics Residency at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (1985-1987) Neonatology Fellowship at University of Rochester (1991-1994) His research leadership includes principal investigator roles in the NICHD Neonatal Research Network for multi-center trials on immunizations in premature infants , lung injury prevention , and catheter-related infections . Recent work examines antibiotic effects on preterm outcomes and social determinants of care . Scientific contributions span bronchopulmonary dysplasia pathogenesis , vaccine immunogenicity in preterm infants, and hyperoxia-induced lung injury mechanisms. Awards include Best Doctors in America (multiple years) and Buswell Fellowship . Collaborative studies address neonatal ethics , developmental outcomes , and global perinatal health through publications in JAMA , JAMA Pediatrics , and Pediatrics . As a principal investigator, he bridges clinical practice with research through the Prematurity and Respiratory Outcomes Program (PROP) and AWAKEN acute kidney injury studies.
Laura R. Ment, MD, is a Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology) and Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at Yale School of Medicine . She specializes in neonatal brain injuries and neurological conditions in infants, including intraventricular hemorrhage , periventricular white matter injury , and epilepsy . Her research focuses on the adaptive mechanisms of the developing brain , utilizing advanced MRI techniques and molecular technologies to identify biomarkers for brain maturation. Education : MD, Tufts University School of Medicine (1973) Pediatrics & Pediatric Neurology Training, Massachusetts General Hospital (1974–1979) Research Interests : Dr. Ment leads studies on neonatal brain injury , neurodevelopmental sequelae of preterm birth , and genetic mechanisms in developmental disorders . She pioneered multicenter trials on prevention of preterm brain injury and neural connectivity in preterm infants . Scientific Awards : Leah Lowenstein Award (2009) Norman Siegal Award (2023) Leadership & Grants : As a former member of the NIH/NINDS Council and Chair of its Clinical Trial Subcommittee, she has driven national research priorities. She currently oversees the START Program at Yale and serves as a sub-investigator for the Genomic Basis of Neurodevelopmental and Brain Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease trial (HIC ID 2000020449).
Tara Johnson, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Neurology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine. She serves as Founding Director of the Arkansas Children’s Biomedical Innovations Program. Her research focuses on early identification of neurodevelopmental disabilities in infants, particularly cerebral palsy prediction using movement assessment tools. She specializes in translating diagnostic methods like the General Movement Assessment into clinical practice. Publications (2013-2025) concentrate on: Movement analysis and cerebral palsy prediction in high-risk infants Innovative diagnostic tools including AI-based movement quantification Neurodevelopmental outcomes in congenital heart disease patients Assistive technologies for motor impairments Clinical management of Tourette syndrome She leads implementation of novel clinical protocols for early diagnosis at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Mentors include Alan Tackett, Ph.D. and Kenneth Knecht, M.D.
