Thomas Pogge is the Leitner Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Political Science at Yale University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His work focuses on global justice, poverty eradication, and healthcare ethics. He leads the Yale Global Justice Program and has advised international organizations on structural reforms. Pogge's research critiques global economic systems that perpetuate inequality, advocating for institutional redesign to align with human rights principles. Key areas of expertise include Kantian ethics, pharmaceutical patent reform, and climate justice. His recent work addresses ecological impact funds, pandemic equity, and COP28 reforms. Pogge has published extensively, with major works like *Global Tax Fairness* (Oxford UP 2016) and *Freedom from Poverty as a Human Right* (Oxford UP 2007). He received the 2024 Office of Health Economics Innovation Policy Prize for his ecological impact fund proposal. Recent engagements include dialogues at the Brazilian Supreme Court on climate justice (June 2025) and a keynote at the African Union-Rising conference (2023). Pogge collaborates with global policymakers to implement the Health Impact Fund concept, promoting accessible medication through innovative financing.
Dr. Mary E. Putt is a Professor and translational scientist at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. She specializes in applying statistical methodologies to biomedical research, particularly in clinical trials. Her academic roles include directing NIH-funded cores for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center and FLASH program in Radiation Oncology, and co-directing the CFAR Biostatistics Core. She has held leadership positions, including Director of the Biostatistics Graduate Program and Associate Chair of the Epidemiology & Biostatistics program. Education: Sc.D., Harvard School of Public Health, 1998 Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1987 M.S., McMaster University, 1983 B.S., University of Manitoba, 1981 Research Focus: Dr. Putt’s work emphasizes methodological advancements in matched study designs (e.g., crossover trials, matched-pair cluster randomization) to enhance efficiency in clinical research. Her collaborations span intellectual disabilities, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and HIV/AIDS. Her recent studies address statistical challenges in trials involving surgical interventions, immunotherapies, and behavioral economics. Publications & Grants: Over 150 peer-reviewed articles highlight her contributions to statistical methodology and clinical applications. She has served on NIH review panels, editorial boards (e.g., Cancer ), and Data Safety Monitoring Boards. Her 2025 publications address topics like smoking-HIV interactions, PD-1 blockade efficacy in mesothelioma, and electroconvulsive therapy mechanisms. Training & Mentoring: Dr. Putt mentors MS/PhD students in biostatistics and has directed two PhD dissertations. She emphasizes interdisciplinary training to equip students with skills for biomedical research challenges. Labs & Teams: Active in multidisciplinary cores at CHOP/Penn and Penn’s Radiation Oncology department, focusing on biostatistics integration into translational research.
Dr. Patrick Richard is a Professor of Health Economics and Director of the Health Policy and Management (HPM) Division at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), part of the School of Medicine's Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics department. His research focuses on the economic outcomes of military patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), prescription opioid use, and healthcare policy in military and civilian contexts. Dr. Richard holds a PhD in Health Economics from Johns Hopkins University, an MA in Economics from American University, and a BBA in Finance and Economics from Baruch College. Education: Post-doctorate Research Fellow in Health Economics, University of California, Berkeley PhD in Health Economics, Johns Hopkins University MA in Economics, American University BBA in Finance and Economics, Baruch College (CUNY) His research interests span health economics , health services research , and military health policy , with a focus on TBI, opioid prescribing practices, and healthcare cost analysis. Dr. Richard has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on TBI's economic burden in the Military Health System and opioid prescribing patterns in military settings. His work integrates advanced econometric methods to assess healthcare costs and outcomes. Recent articles highlight his contributions to understanding racial disparities in healthcare access, the economic impact of HIV management, and firearm policies' role in suicide prevention. He also explores global health challenges, such as malnutrition mitigation in Kenya through improved food distribution. Dr. Richard has advised on policy reforms related to healthcare cost-efficiency and military health system improvements. His expertise bridges academic research and practical policy solutions to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
Anthony Veltri, EdD, CSHM is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Oregon State University's College of Health. His research focuses on strategic management and economic aspects of safety and environmental health within organizations, emphasizing the business case for sustainability and lean manufacturing safety integration. He currently heads the Environmental and Occupational Health Center and is affiliated with the Center for Global Health and School of Nutrition and Public Health. Key research interests include financial justification of safety programs, green building cost modeling, and the interplay between lean practices and worker safety. Veltri has contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed articles analyzing safety-strategy alignment in manufacturing sectors. He is actively involved in advising MPH students and has been featured in news discussions about corporate safety investments and business longevity. His work bridges operational efficiency with worker health, exploring how safety investments correlate with organizational survival and profitability. Recent studies highlight tensions between cost-cutting and safety compliance in supply chains and SMEs.
Titus O. Awokuse is the Red Cedar Professor and currently serves as Vice Provost and Dean of International Studies and Programs at Michigan State University (MSU). He previously held roles including Chairperson of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (2015-2021) and Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships (2021-2025). His academic journey includes prior leadership at the University of Delaware as Chairperson and Professor in the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics. Education: Ph.D. in Applied and Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University M.S., Murray State University B.S., Berea College Research Interests: International Trade and Development Economics Food and Agricultural Policy Food Security and Supply Chain Dynamics Agricultural Commercialization in Developing Economies Key Contributions: Leadership roles in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Editor of Agricultural and Resource Economics Review (2007-2010) Consulting for governments, NGOs, and international agencies like the African Development Bank Notable work on Nigerian agricultural transformation and conflict-driven land use changes Awards: Elected Fellow of the AAEA (2017 & 2018) Grants and Projects: USDA-funded projects on lima bean improvement and global agrifood value chains Research on food aid impacts and intellectual property rights in international trade Labs/Teams: Active within MSU's Food Security Group and Food and Agricultural Economics Development Economics initiatives.
Jayanta Sarkar is an Associate Professor of Economics at the School of Economics & Finance, Queensland University of Technology (QUT). His research focuses on health economics, development economics, behavioral economics, and macroeconomic modeling. He has authored/co-authored over 20 publications since 2006, with recent work addressing behavioral epidemiology frameworks for pandemics, vaccine demand drivers, and the economic implications of policies like daylight saving time. His research interests span child health programs, occupational economics, inflation dynamics, and public policy evaluation. Notable projects include analyses of child labor persistence in declining poverty contexts, parental preferences in health interventions, and Nobel laureate career longevity patterns. He collaborates frequently with institutions like QUT and co-authors such as Dipa Sarkar, Uwe Dulleck, and Benno Torgler. His publications appear in journals like PLoS ONE, Economic Modelling, and Health Economics. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his work has been cited across diverse topics including epidemiology, behavioral economics, and urban economics.
Margot Mayer-Proschel, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics and holds the Martha M. Freeman, MD Professorship in Biomedical Genetics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD). She also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Neuroscience (SMD). Her research focuses on understanding how developmental insults—including genetic mutations (e.g., Ataxia-Telangiectasia), nutritional deficiencies (e.g., iron deficiency), viral infections (e.g., HHV-6), and environmental toxicants (e.g., lead)—impact neural precursor cells and glial development in the CNS. Her work bridges basic science and translational medicine, particularly in cell-based therapies for spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Education: PhD in Virology/Microbiology from the University of Würzburg (1990) MS in Immunology from Julius Maximilian University (1986) Research Interests: Dr. Mayer-Proschel’s lab investigates: Lineage-restricted glial precursor cells for therapeutic cell replacement Effects of gestational iron deficiency on brain development and myelination Role of HHV-6 latency in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, MS) Neurotoxic effects of environmental pollutants (e.g., ultrafine particles, lead) Mechanisms of astrocyte dysfunction in Ataxia-Telangiectasia Awards & Recognition: Graduate Student Society Faculty Award (2007) Excellence in Research Incentive Program Award (2006, 2004) Trainee Academic Mentoring Award (2004) Lab Activities: Her lab collaborates with researchers across disciplines to advance cell therapies and understand developmental neurobiology. Ongoing projects include: Developing astrocyte-based therapies for spinal cord injury Modeling genetic and environmental insults in mouse and cell culture systems Assessing therapeutic potential of glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells
Jennifer Fink is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Care Administration within the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She serves as Chair of the Executive Committee and is a dedicated mentor in the Health Care Administration program, contributing significantly to academic leadership and student development. Education: PhD in Urban Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2014 MS in Organizational Leadership and Quality, Marian University, 2006 BS in Psychology with minors in Secondary Education and History, Carroll University, 1998 Dr. Fink's research is centered on advancing health and wellness through innovative health services and preventive care models. Her expertise spans Health Services Research , Behavioral Economics in employee wellness , Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion , and the Food as Medicine movement. She investigates how behavioral science and nutrition can be leveraged to improve chronic disease outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. Her work integrates patient-centered design and aims to bridge gaps between research and real-world healthcare delivery. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on hypertension control, diabetes care, weight management, and integrative oncology. These studies employ population-based cohorts, randomized trials, and qualitative assessments to evaluate interventions in real-world settings. Key trends include telehealth coaching, workplace wellness incentives, and culturally responsive care models, demonstrating a commitment to equity and practical implementation. Scientific Awards: Award for best reviewer, American Journal of Preventive Medicine American College of Health Care Executives Wisconsin Service Award, 2024 Dr. Fink has secured significant research funding, including a NIH-funded $710,468 MyHEART trial where she served as Co-PI, focusing on hypertension self-management in young adults. She also led a UWM CHS SEED grant on AI-driven patient-centered design for personalized health knowledge. She actively mentors students in the Health Care Administration program and contributes to academic governance through her role as Executive Committee Chair. Her professional service includes board membership in the Adaptive Community Approach Program (ACAP) and leadership in the Wisconsin chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Dr. Fink is affiliated with interdisciplinary research initiatives focused on urban health, chronic disease prevention, and community-based wellness programs. Her work often involves collaboration across public health, clinical medicine, and behavioral science, positioning her at the intersection of research, policy, and practice.
Marius-Nicuşor Grigore is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences , Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (2021–present). Previously, he held academic roles including Associate Professor at the Faculty of Biology , Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași (2008–2009, 2011–2013, 2018–2021) and University Lecturer (Associate) at the Faculty of Food Engineering , Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (2020–2021). His research focuses on plant morphology, anatomy, physiology , and biochemical responses to stress (salinity, gamma radiation, drought), particularly in halophytes, gypsophytes , and xerophytes . He has coordinated international research projects under COST Action FA0901 and UPV Research Incentive Program . Education: PhD in Biology (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași), Master in Education Sciences (Political and Management in Education), Bachelor in Biology Research Trends: His 15 most recent publications emphasize halophyte adaptations to salinity, antioxidant activity in stress responses, and biochemical markers for salt tolerance. He also explores the historical context of halophyte studies and agricultural applications of stress-tolerant plants. Scientific Awards: Emil Racoviță Award (2016) for 'An integrative anatomical study' Award for Didactics of Biology guide (2013) Excellence Awards for didactic research (2012) Best Student Paper at WSEAS International Conference (2008) Grants & Projects: Led national projects (TD-136), COST Action missions, and UPV Prestigious Researchers grants. Participated in bilateral collaborations with Romania–IUCN (2015–2020) and Romania–Belarus (2018–2021) .
Krzysztof Karbownik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at Emory University, with affiliations at CenEA, CESifo, IZA, and NBER. During the 2025-2026 academic year, he will serve as a visiting fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. His educational background includes a PhD in Economics from Uppsala University (Sweden, 2013), a Master's in Economics, and Bachelor's/Master's degrees in Quantitative Methods from Warsaw School of Economics (Poland). Prior to Emory, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at Northwestern University's Institute for Policy Research. Dr. Karbownik specializes in applied microeconomics at the intersection of health, family, education, crime, environmental, and labor economics, with particular emphasis on child development and human capital formation. His research leverages population-level administrative data to analyze causal relationships in education policy, health outcomes, and intergenerational transmission. Recent work examines minority integration in classrooms, birth order effects across historical periods, and labor market impacts of employment protection legislation. His publication portfolio shows consistent output in top journals including American Economic Review and Journal of Labor Economics, with recent focus shifting toward long-run historical analysis (e.g., 19th century birth order effects) while maintaining core interests in education policy and health economics. The research demonstrates methodological diversity through regression discontinuity designs, twin fixed effects models, and large-scale administrative data linkage. Dr. Karbownik's work has received significant media attention, featuring in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Washington Post, and international outlets. His research on fast food exposure effects and mental health transmission has generated particular public interest. As a faculty member, he maintains active research collaborations across institutions (evidenced by multi-institutional working papers) and participates in major data initiatives like the Global COVID-19 Student Survey. His current sabbatical planning indicates ongoing engagement with policy-relevant research at top think tanks.
Professor Johannes le Coutre is a Professor of Food & Health at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), School of Chemical Engineering, where he joined in 2019. His research focuses on developing innovative solutions for sustainable food systems through cellular agriculture, with the goal of strengthening food security while reducing the environmental burden of traditional agriculture. Professor le Coutre holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the Max-Planck-Institute for Nutritional Physiology, where he studied the reaction mechanism of the light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin using time-resolved Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. He also earned a Diploma (MSc) in Biology from the University of Regensburg, Germany, with a thesis on bacterial photosynthesis. Prior to joining UNSW, he had a distinguished career at the Nestlé Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he served as Head of Perception Physiology and later as Head of the Greater London Research Program. During his tenure at Nestlé, he also held visiting professorships at the University of Tokyo and Imperial College London. Professor le Coutre's research interests span cellular agriculture, food security, molecular taste physiology, and sustainable food systems. His work has been instrumental in identifying taste receptors expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and developing technologies that have been commercialized in key markets. He is particularly focused on cultivating meat alternatives through cellular agriculture to address global food security challenges. Professor le Coutre is the founding Field Chief Editor for FRONTIERS in Nutrition, an open-access journal that has become a leading publication in the field. His editorial leadership has helped shape the discourse around nutrition science and sustainable food systems. His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including: Elected fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales (RSNSW) (2021) PURINA Patent Incentive Award (2016) Nestlé R&D award for Innovation Partnership (2013, 2010) Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Long-Term-Fellowship (1997) Professor le Coutre has been actively involved in industry engagement, particularly through his work on cellular agriculture and sustainable food systems. He has been featured in numerous media outlets discussing the potential of cultured meat and sustainable food technologies. His research has led to the development of several patented technologies, particularly related to taste perception and food components. At UNSW, Professor le Coutre teaches within the food program and leads research initiatives focused on cellular agriculture. His laboratory is working on developing novel approaches to cultivate meat alternatives using advanced biotechnological methods.
Eli Berman is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and also affiliated with the School of Global Policy and Strategy. He serves as Research Director for International Security Studies at the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC), where he leads the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and co-director of the Economics of National Security group, as well as co-director of the Policy Design and Evaluation Lab at UCSD. Research Interests: His work spans the economics of conflict, terrorism, insurgency, labor economics, economic development in conflict zones, and the economics of religion. He employs rigorous empirical methods to analyze how incentives, governance, and institutions shape behavior in high-stakes environments. His scholarship often bridges economics and political science, with a focus on data-driven policy solutions. The most recent articles show a strong trend toward understanding strategic behavior in conflict, deterrence dynamics (especially in Gaza-Israel and great power competition), governance in fragile states, and demographic shifts linked to religion. His work consistently emphasizes empirical rigor and real-world policy relevance, particularly in counterinsurgency, development, and national security. Scientific Affiliations: Research Director, International Security Studies, IGCC Professor, Department of Economics, UCSD Professor, School of Global Policy and Strategy, UCSD Co-Director, Policy Design and Evaluation Lab, UCSD Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research Faculty Fellow, IZA Member, Association for Analytic Learning about Islam and Muslim Societies (AALIMS) Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. Berman advises graduate students and collaborates extensively, particularly with Joseph Felter, Jacob Shapiro, and David Lake. His research has been funded by the Minerva Research Initiative and the National Science Foundation. He has led major projects on counterinsurgency, proxy warfare, and development in conflict zones, often using field experiments and large-scale data analysis. His work contributes significantly to both academic understanding and practical policymaking in national and international security. He is actively involved in lab leadership and research groups, including the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project and the Policy Design and Evaluation Lab, which focus on generating evidence-based insights for security and development policy.
Sarah Wernimont, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota with dual appointments in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics and as a Physician in Maternal-Fetal Medicine . She also serves as a Preceptor in the Medical Scientist Training Program . Assistant Professor - Maternal-Fetal Medicine Faculty Member - Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics Preceptor - Medical Scientist Training Program Email: swernimo@umn.edu Research Focus : The Wernimont Lab investigates how maternal nutrient availability affects placental development and pregnancy outcomes through: Metabolomics and isotope tracing methodologies Trophic nuclear gene disruption models Mitochondrial nutrient flux analysis Epigenetic/transcriptional reprogramming studies Gestational diabetes impact assessments Obstetric care delivery optimization Recent work emphasizes metformin effects on trophoblast differentiation and mitochondrial citrate metabolism . Collaborative clinical research extends to diabetes in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes . Lab & Clinical Initiatives : • Wernimont Lab - Prenatal Metabolism Research • Cellular-Enabled Glucometer Implementations • Trophoblast Differentiation Mechanisms
Dr. Patricia Norwood is an Advanced Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen within the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, and is affiliated with the Health Economics Research Unit (HERU). Her work focuses on health behaviour, economic evaluation of public health interventions, and patient preferences in care delivery. She holds a PhD in Health Economics and contributes significantly to research and teaching in health economics at the postgraduate level. Her research interests lie at the intersection of economics and public health, particularly in understanding how individual lifestyle choices—such as diet and physical activity—affect health outcomes and inequalities. She specializes in microeconometric analysis and discrete choice experiments to evaluate health policies related to food promotion, eye care, cancer follow-up, and sustainable healthcare. Her work often informs policy, especially in Scotland and the UK. Dr. Norwood's recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in using stated preference methods to assess public and patient views on healthcare models, sustainability (e.g., Net Zero NHS), and the impact of regulatory policies on nutrition and eye care. Her work spans journals in public health, health policy, nutrition, and social sciences. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Dr. Norwood has supervised multiple Master’s students in public health and health economics and has led several research grants as principal investigator, including a £761,811.9 RESAS-funded project on public attitudes toward healthy and sustainable diets. She has also secured funding from the Scottish Government, Food Standards Scotland, and the Portuguese Ministry of Health. Her teaching includes course coordination and lecturing in health economics across MSc programs in Public Health, Global Health, and Health Data Science. She is actively involved in research through HERU, contributing to interdisciplinary teams focused on health behaviour and economic evaluation. Her projects often involve collaboration with public health agencies and policymakers to ensure real-world impact.
Larissa Calancie is an Assistant Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Her research focuses on eliminating nutrition-related health disparities across the life course, with a particular emphasis on glucose and insulin dynamics during pregnancy and the role of community coalitions in fostering healthy, sustainable communities. She employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, including systems science approaches, to address public health challenges. Dr. Calancie holds a PhD in Nutrition from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill, where she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Health Equity Research. Prior to academia, she worked in nutrition biochemistry at Columbia University and gained agricultural experience in France, Italy, and Turkey. Her research interests include: Development of personalized prenatal care models Impact of taste perception genetics on dietary interventions Systems approaches to multi-sector collaborations for child health equity Food policy councils' roles in improving food access Her recent publications examine interventions for hyperglycemia in pregnancy, food policy impacts during crises like the pandemic, and the effectiveness of community-based strategies for obesity prevention. She teaches NUTB 211 Theories of Behavior Change at Tufts Friedman School.
