Claire Bowern is Professor of Linguistics at Yale University specializing in historical linguistics, language documentation, and Australian Indigenous languages. Her research employs computational phylogenetics to study language evolution and supports language revitalization through digital archives and fieldwork methodologies. Recent publications address: Phylogenetic signal in lexical evolution across language families Digital infrastructure for endangered language documentation (FLEx software analysis) Decolonizing linguistics pedagogy and research practices Her work consistently integrates linguistic, anthropological, and computational approaches to analyze language diversity and change. She contributes to global databases including Grambank and D-PLACE, examining links between linguistic, cultural, and environmental patterns.
Maja J Matarić is the Chan Soon-Shiong Chaired and Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering, with courtesy appointments in Neuroscience and Pediatrics. She serves as founding director of the USC Robotics and Autonomous Systems Center, co-director of the USC Robotics Research Lab, and Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind. Previously, she held leadership roles as USC's interim Vice President of Research (2020-2021) and Vice Dean for Research (2006-2019). Her educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from MIT (1994) MS in Computer Science from MIT (1990) BS in Computer Science from University of Kansas (1987) Matarić pioneers Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) , a field her lab named, focusing on human-robot interaction that provides assistance through social rather than physical support. Her research targets critical health and wellness challenges including post-stroke rehabilitation, autism spectrum disorder therapy, cognitive exercises for Alzheimer's patients, ADHD academic support, and mental health interventions. She develops systems modeling user engagement, personality, and motivation, with extensive real-world deployments in schools, rehabilitation centers, and homes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in cognitive health robotics (2025 CHI paper on LLM-powered elder care), pediatric assistive technology (2025 IDC speech therapy review), and adaptive preference modeling (2025 HRI contrastive learning work). Her research consistently bridges machine learning with human-centered design for vulnerable populations. Major scientific recognition includes: ACM Athena Lecturer Award (2024) ACM Eugene L. Lawler Humanitarian Award (2024) ACM Fellow (2020) Presidential Mentoring Award (2011) Multiple society fellowships (AAAS, IEEE, AAAI) As a dedicated mentor, Matarić has championed underrepresented groups through CRA-W, placing numerous women in faculty positions. She leads USC Viterbi's K-12 STEM Outreach Program serving low-income Los Angeles schools and authored The Robotics Prime for student education. Her research has secured significant funding enabling real-world technology transfer, with documented impact in rehabilitation centers and homes through deployable SAR systems. Her Robotics Research Lab at USC drives innovation in embodied AI, with current projects spanning LLM-integrated elder care robots, ADHD academic companions, and autism therapy systems. The lab emphasizes co-design with end-users and rigorous real-world validation across diverse populations.
Professor Lionel Bently is the Emmanuel College Professor of Intellectual Property Law (Herchel Smith) at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Law. He holds a B.A. in Law from Cambridge (1986) and has held academic positions at King's College London and visiting roles at institutions like Columbia University and the University of Toronto. His research focuses on intellectual property law, copyright, trademark law, and legal history, with particular emphasis on historical developments and European frameworks. He directs the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law (CIPIL) and co-founded the International Society for the History and Theory of Intellectual Property (ISHTIP). His publications include seminal works such as Intellectual Property Law (co-authored) and Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Problems Facing Freelance Creators in the UK Media Market Place . He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Cambridge Law Journal and contributes to multiple editorial boards, including the European Intellectual Property Review . Bently's work spans theoretical and practical dimensions of IP law, with a strong emphasis on historical analysis. His articles and book chapters address topics like the Berne Convention's签署, utility models in UK law, and pharmaceutical trademark limitations. He also leads initiatives such as the Primary Sources on Copyright project, digitizing historical IP materials. His professional network includes roles as Honorary Legal Advisor to the Royal Historical Society and advisory positions with UCL’s Institute of Brands and Innovation Law. Bently’s research has influenced both academic discourse and policy-making in intellectual property, reflecting his dual commitment to historical scholarship and contemporary legal challenges.
Grace Wu is an Assistant Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She holds a Ph.D. in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley, an M.S. from the same program, an M.Phil. in Zoology from the University of Cambridge, and a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College. Prior to UCSB, she was a Smith Conservation Fellow at The Nature Conservancy and a UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Davis’ John Muir Institute of the Environment. Her research focuses on sustainable land use, climate change mitigation, and renewable energy planning. She employs spatial science to analyze trade-offs between low-carbon energy development and biodiversity conservation, co-founding the MapRE initiative and developing the RE Zoning GIS tool. Her work emphasizes low-impact pathways for energy systems, particularly in Southern Africa and the U.S., while collaborating with global initiatives like the FABLE consortium to model food, energy, and land-use dynamics. Grace has been recognized as a Smith Conservation Fellow and UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research bridges policy, science, and technology, aiming to harmonize climate goals with conservation and social equity. She teaches courses such as ENV S 25 and ENV S 145 at UCSB and leads the Spatial Climate Solutions Lab.
Brendan Regan is an Associate Professor of Spanish & Linguistics at Texas Tech University, directing the Sociolinguistics & Bilingualism Research Lab. He coordinates Hispanic Linguistics programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His research focuses on sociolinguistics, sociophonetics, and language variation, employing mixed-methods approaches including experimental design, corpus analysis, and discourse analysis. Education: Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin (2017) M.A., Temple University B.A., University of Richmond Research Interests: His work addresses sociolinguistic variation, bilingualism, SLA, dialect contact, and language attitudes. Recent studies explore phonetic variation in Andalusian Spanish, language ideologies in heritage speakers, and place-name variation in Texas. Lab & Collaborations: The lab focuses on language variation in West Texas, offering research opportunities for students. Collaborative projects include corpus-based analyses of Spanish dialects and experimental studies on listener perception.
Braam Lowies is a Senior Lecturer in Property at UniSA Business, University of South Australia, based at the City West Campus. He is an active researcher and Research Degree Supervisor, focusing on the intersection of financial behaviour, mental health, and ageing in Australia. His work spans multiple disciplines including housing, public policy, gerontology, and behavioural economics. Institution: University of South Australia School: UniSA Business Department: Property Position: Senior Lecturer Email: Braam.Lowies@unisa.edu.au Dr. Lowies' research primarily explores the financial and psychological wellbeing of older Australians, particularly in the context of retirement, housing equity, and crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. His studies examine how savings, debt, hope, and mental health influence financial decisions, and how the home environment affects health outcomes across different age groups in later life. He frequently employs large-scale datasets like HILDA and applies both qualitative and quantitative methods. His recent publications highlight trends in ageing-in-place, equity release, digital banking challenges, and the socio-ecological determinants of financial stress. These works appear in high-impact journals such as Stress and Health , PLoS One , and Ageing & Society , as well as in book chapters with Edward Elgar Publishing. His research has relevance for policy development in housing, retirement planning, and mental health support systems. Dr. Lowies collaborates extensively with researchers such as Kurt Lushington, Rajabrata Banerjee, and Vandana Arya. His work has been cited in academic databases and picked up by media outlets, indicating its societal impact. Understanding the effect of financial behaviour on mental health: evidence From Australia (2025) Ageing-in-place (2024) The home environment: influences on the health of young-old and old-old adults in Australia (2024) The effect of psychological factors on financial behaviour among older Australians (2023) COVID‐19: financial well‐being of older Australians in times of crisis (2022) Dr. Lowies has no listed scientific awards in the provided materials. He is actively involved in supervising research degrees but specific student names are not mentioned. There is no information about grants, laboratories, or research teams he leads, though his collaborative work suggests strong interdisciplinary engagement.
Dr. Joseph Wang is the Distinguished Professor of Nanoengineering and the SAIC Endowed Chair at UC San Diego. He leads the NBE Lab and directs the Center of Wearable Sensors and the Center for Mobile-health Systems. With over 50 researchers in his team, his work focuses on nanomachines, wearable sensors, electrochemistry, and analytical chemistry. His global citation ranking places him #13 in Chemistry and #31 in Materials Science, with an H-index of 217 and over 180,000 citations. He has been a Highly Cited Researcher since 2014 and ranks #4 in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology in the 2025 World Top 100 Scientists list. His research has led to groundbreaking innovations, including microrobots for lung cancer treatment, multiplexed microneedle sensors, and wearable devices for real-time health monitoring. He has been honored with prestigious awards such as the 2024 ACS Award in Analytical Chemistry, IEEE Sensors Council Award, and IUPAC Medal. He holds honorary doctorates from Comenius University and Charles University, and Woxsen University named its Chemistry Department after him. Key contributions include pioneering work in biohybrid microrobots, self-healing wearable devices, and sweat-based health monitoring systems. His lab’s work has been featured in Nature, Science, and The Economist. He co-authored influential books like Analytical Electrochemistry (4th ed.) and Nanomachines , and his research spans clinical applications, environmental sensing, and personalized medicine.
Cynthia Brewer is a Professor of Geography and Information Sciences and Technology at Pennsylvania State University. She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs in the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), a position she began in August 2024. Previously, she was a faculty member in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) where she served as head of the Department of Geography from 2014 to 2021. Dr. Brewer's research focuses on cartographic communication and visualization, map design, color theory, multi-scale mapping, atlas production, and topographic maps. She is especially well known for her ColorBrewer online tool for selecting map color schemes and her work on ScaleMaster for organizing multiscale mapping. Her research falls primarily within the Geospatial Big Data Analytics and Spatial Modeling and Remote Sensing research clusters at Penn State. Her publications include more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and 60 additional publications and cartographic design resources, generating over 7,000 citations. She has authored four books, including the popular 'Designing Better Maps' with the 3rd edition published by Esri Press in 2024. Carl Mannerfelt Gold Medal from the International Cartographic Association (ICA) in 2023 O. M. Miller Cartographic Medal from the American Geographical Society (AGS) in 2019 Henry Gannett Award for Exceptional Contributions to Topographic Mapping from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2013 EMS Wilson Award for Outstanding Service in 2014 As an administrator, Dr. Brewer has extensive experience in departmental leadership, having served as head of the Department of Geography for seven years. She has also served on numerous university committees, was elected to the University Faculty Senate, and served as an Administrative Fellow shadowing the Provost. She is not currently taking on graduate advisees due to her full-time administrative role in IST.
Mark Harris is a Professor at Monash University's School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies (SOPHIS). His research focuses on historical anthropology, ethnohistory, and Latin American societies, particularly in the Amazon region. He has held academic positions in the UK, US, Brazil, and Australia, and his work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to Indigenous studies, colonialism, and decolonization. Education: PhD in Anthropology (London School of Economics and Political Science, 1998), BSc in Anthropology/Psychology (University of London). Research interests include the intersection of environment and society in Amazonian contexts, Indigenous knowledge systems, and transatlantic histories. Recent projects include studies on Brazilian Amazonian cultures and Jesuit documentary sources. He has contributed to over 30 research outputs since 1998, emphasizing riverine societies, seasonal rhythms, and Indigenous histories. Notable awards include the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship (1996), Phillip Leverhulme Prize (2004), and Warren Dean Memorial Prize (2011). His funded projects explore Indigenous experiences in Brazil and Australia, aiming to create socially responsible knowledge communities. Advising and grants focus on fostering global interdisciplinary collaboration. His work aligns with UN SDGs related to education and sustainable development, emphasizing socially responsible research practices.
Dr. Deirdre Nic Mhathúna is a Professor at Dublin City University's Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge. Her research focuses on 18th-century Irish poetry, manuscript studies, and the works of Piaras Feiritéar. She holds leadership roles in Studia Hibernica and Chumann Merriman . She earned a BA in Irish and German from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from University College Cork. Her research explores post-classical Irish manuscript culture, the poetry of Piaras Feiritéar, and the cultural heritage of Corca Dhuibhne. Recent work includes analyses of scribal transmission, accentual verse development, and the influence of place on literary expression. She has contributed to major publications like the Cambridge History of Irish Poetry and edited volumes such as Ar an Imeall i Lár an Domhain . Her articles span topics from Jacobitism to the Great Famine, Peig Sayers' life narratives, and the enduring legacy of Piaras Feiritéar. She frequently presents at international conferences, including the American Conference for Irish Studies and the Ó Thrácht go Twitter seminar series. No scientific awards are listed, but her editorial and collaborative roles highlight her contributions to Irish literary preservation and scholarly networks. Her work bridges historical and modern contexts, emphasizing cultural continuity and the interplay between oral tradition and written text. Her research often intersects with regional identity, religious thought, and transnational literary connections.
Anne-Mette Hvas is Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Denmark, where she leads academic and administrative initiatives in health sciences. Her role places her at the forefront of institutional strategy, research development, and interdisciplinary collaboration within clinical and translational medicine. Research Interests: Her work spans hematology, coagulation, platelet biology, neonatal hemostasis, and endocrinology. She investigates thrombotic and bleeding disorders in clinical contexts such as nephrotic syndrome, pregnancy, cancer surgery, and stroke. Her research integrates physiological, pharmacological, and clinical perspectives to improve patient outcomes. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on thrombin generation, platelet reactivity, endothelial dysfunction, and red blood cell behavior in acute and chronic conditions. These studies often involve multicenter collaborations and contribute to evidence-based practices in thromboprophylaxis, surgical safety, and stroke management. Scientific Contributions: Active research in hemostasis and thrombosis across diverse patient populations Leadership in clinical studies on anticoagulation, HIPEC, and neonatal platelet function Investigations into hormonal and cardiovascular aspects of Turner syndrome Advising and Grants: While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership in multiple funded research projects suggests mentorship of junior researchers and clinicians. She has led projects on platelet function in preterm neonates and coagulation in surgical oncology, indicating grant acquisition and team coordination capabilities. Labs and Teams: Though specific lab names are not mentioned, her work implies collaboration with clinical research teams in hematology, neonatology, oncology, and obstetrics at Aarhus University Hospital and affiliated centers.
Xin Wen is an Associate Professor of Premodern Chinese History and History at Princeton University, holding dual appointments in the Department of East Asian Studies and the Department of History. He serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies and is affiliated with the Humanities Council and Behrman Faculty Fellows. His research focuses on medieval China and Inner Asia, particularly the Silk Road’s diplomatic networks and urban/cultural transformations in Chang’an. He earned a B.A. from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), an M.A. in Pre-modern Chinese History (Tang dynasty) from Peking University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Inner Asian and Altaic Studies from Harvard University. Xin Wen’s work bridges historical analysis with archaeological evidence, using multilingual Dunhuang documents and excavated texts to explore trans-Eurasian connections. His first book, The King’s Road: Diplomacy and the Remaking of the Silk Road , reinterprets the Silk Road as a diplomatic rather than commercial network. His second book project examines Chang’an’s post-Tang urban decline and cultural revival, funded by the American Council of Learned Societies. Collaborations include a study of Zoumalou’s third-century administrative documents with Brian Lander and Ling Wenchao. His research interests emphasize diplomatic history, Silk Road studies, urban transformation, and the interplay between memory and place. He actively publishes in journals like T’oung Pao and Journal of Silk Road Art and Archaeology , and his Chinese articles appear in leading journals such as Lishi yanjiu and Beijing daxue xuebao . Awards include the American Historical Association Prize for his first book. Grants and Funding: ACLS fellowship for his second book project. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with international scholars on Zoumalou documents and contributes to Brill’s publication efforts.
Susan Forde is a Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of York. She holds a PhD in War and Peace from Liverpool Hope University, where she previously lectured and contributed to the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies. Her research centers on peace and conflict studies, with a focus on divided cities such as Mostar, Cape Town, and Belfast. Key interests include spatial justice, structural violence, participatory methodologies, and the role of youth in peacebuilding. She employs innovative methods like mapping and movement-based practices to explore how urban spaces shape and are shaped by conflict and reconciliation. Dr. Forde's recent publications span journals like Political Geography , Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding , and Cooperation and Conflict , with recurring themes of spatial agency, memory, and transformative peace. Her work often bridges human geography and political science, emphasizing local experiences in post-conflict environments. Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellowship She has no named students or formal advising roles mentioned. Her current research project, 'Spatial agency, and spaces of peace and conflict in Cape Town, South Africa,' is supported by the Leverhulme Trust. She has no explicitly listed grants beyond this fellowship. Dr. Forde works independently on her fellowship project but draws on interdisciplinary networks in peace studies, geography, and urban research. Her work is deeply collaborative in method, often involving community engagement and participatory design, though no formal lab or research team is mentioned.
Nidhi Rastogi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Software Engineering within the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She leads the AI4Sec Research Lab, which focuses on data-driven AI solutions for cybersecurity, emphasizing interpretability and practical applications. Her research interests span Cyber Threat Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Graph Analytics, and Healthcare Analytics. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science (2018), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute M.S. in Computer Science (2008), University of Cincinnati Bachelor of Information Technology (2003), University of Delhi Research Interests: Transdisciplinary work in cybersecurity, AI, heterogeneous networks, and graph analytics. She develops systems for threat intelligence, explainable AI, and security monitoring. Notable projects include the CyNER library for cybersecurity NER, TINKER framework for open-source CTI, and personal health knowledge graphs. Awards & Mentoring: Students advised include Le Nguyen (1st place at UPSTAT23), Tanvirul Alam (IEEE SP Travel Grant), and Dipkamal Bhusal. Recent recognitions include program committee roles for ACM CCS'24 and ACSAC'24. Labs & Collaborations: The AI4Sec Lab collaborates with federal agencies, national labs, and enterprises. Current projects address autonomous vehicle security, healthcare analytics, and systemic cyberattack detection using graph-based methods.
Dr. Lecturer Serkan Köksal is affiliated with the Department of Geography at Bingöl University, where he has held his current position since 2023. His educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Istanbul University (2007), a Master's from Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (2012), and a PhD from Balıkesir University (2019). He previously served as a Research Assistant at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (2010–2012), Bingöl University (2012–2023), and Balıkesir University (2013–2017). His research focuses on cultural geography, toponymy, and geotourism, with notable contributions analyzing place names in Kayseri and environmental issues in recreation areas. He has also explored historical shifts in place names and their cultural implications. Köksal has actively participated in academic symposiums, presenting papers on topics ranging from Carl Ritter's geographical paradigms to the marketing of place names. He teaches courses including Industrial Geography, Land Use and Planning, and Energy Resources. His English proficiency is rated at 76.25. While no formal awards are listed, his work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to geography and cultural studies.
