Christopher Walters is a Professor at the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, University of Chicago, and previously served as an Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley (2013-2025). He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, Research Fellow at IZA, and Faculty Affiliate at MIT's School Effectiveness and Inequality Initiative (SEII). PhD in Economics, MIT (2013) B.A. in Economics and Philosophy, University of Virginia (2008) Walters specializes in Labor Economics and the Economics of Education , focusing on school choice, early childhood interventions, and program evaluation. His work combines applied econometric methods with discrete choice modeling to analyze educational investments and labor market outcomes. Walters' recent publications examine class size effects, teacher quality impacts, and school finance policies, reflecting his interest in improving educational equity through rigorous empirical analysis. Research Fellow at IZA He collaborates with institutions like J-PAL North America and MIT Blueprint Labs, contributing to evidence-based policy design in education and labor economics.
Khalid M. Mosalam is the Taisei Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has served in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering since 1997. He also chairs the Al Falah Program in Science and Engineering, facilitating academic exchange between UC Berkeley and Middle Eastern/OIC institutions. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Cornell University (1996) M.S. in Structural Engineering from Cairo University (1991) B.S. (Honors) in Civil Engineering from Cairo University (1988) Mosalam's research centers on structural health monitoring using vibration-based and vision-based techniques, with expertise in experimental methods including hybrid simulations. His work spans earthquake engineering, bridge engineering, and the assessment/rehabilitation of critical infrastructure like bridges and electrical substations. He investigates structural behavior of concrete, masonry, steel, and wood systems under extreme events (earthquakes, blasts, wind), integrating machine learning tools for predictive modeling and developing solutions for energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure resilience. Current projects include Building Efficiency and Sustainability in the Tropics (BEST) and AI applications in vision-based structural health monitoring. His scientific achievements include: ASCE Huber civil engineering research prize (2006) UC-Berkeley chancellor award for public services (2013) EERI outstanding paper award (2015) Mosalam has secured continuous research funding for 26+ years from NSF, Caltrans, FEMA, Intel, US-DOE, NRF-Singapore, and private industries, leading major initiatives like the $5.075M BRACE2 bridge research program (2025). He advises graduate students and directs multiple research entities including the STAIRlab, PEER Center, StEER Network, and SinBerBEST program. His leadership encompasses the PEER Center's large-scale structural testing facilities, the StEER Network for post-disaster response, and international collaborations through SinBerBEST, focusing on experimental validation, computational modeling, and practical implementation of resilient infrastructure systems.
Peter F. Halpin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Learning Sciences and Psychological Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education. He holds a PhD in Psychology (Theory and Methods) from Simon Fraser University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on psychometric methodology, educational measurement, and statistical approaches to analyzing collaborative learning and teacher practices. Halpin has been recognized with awards including the National Academy of Education/Spencer Fellowship and NYU's High Merit Distinction in Research. Key research areas include developing statistical models for small group collaborations, analyzing educational technology data, and improving measurement tools for early childhood development (e.g., IDELA assessments). His work bridges theoretical psychometrics with applied educational research, addressing challenges in global education measurement and program evaluation. Halpin has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and contributed to open-source software projects like the scirt and hawkes R packages. He has advised numerous graduate students and led grants totaling over $2 million, including IES-funded studies on collaboration assessment and UNESCO-linked projects measuring educational outcomes in low-resource settings. Halpin also serves on editorial boards for journals like Psychometrika and Journal of Educational Measurement , and has presented globally at venues including the Psychometric Society and NCME conferences.
Ben Halpern is a Professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management and Director of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) at UC Santa Barbara. He holds a PhD in Ecology from UCSB and a BA in Biology from Carleton College. His research focuses on marine ecology and conservation planning, with expertise in cumulative impact assessments, marine reserves, and the Ocean Health Index. He has led global projects on ocean health, biodiversity threats, and sustainable aquaculture, collaborating with institutions worldwide. Notable roles include co-founding the Conservation Aquaculture Research Team (CART) and serving as a part-time Chair in Marine Conservation at Imperial College London (2013–2018). Research interests span marine biodiversity conservation, climate change impacts on ecosystems, and the integration of ecological and social data into policy. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address environmental challenges, such as mapping wastewater impacts, evaluating aquaculture sustainability, and developing tools for marine spatial planning. Awards include the Smith Fellowship Program (sponsored by The Nature Conservancy) during his postdoctoral work. He teaches Bren School courses, mentors graduate students, and leads collaborative research teams. Current projects include analyzing climate change effects on aquaculture and advancing the Ocean Health Index framework to support global conservation efforts.
Amanda Berry is a Professor of STEM Education and Deputy Dean (Research & Innovation) in the School of Education at RMIT University, Australia. Her research focuses on science education, teacher education, and methodologies for capturing classroom practices. She leads initiatives to develop tools for representing teachers' pedagogical expertise and has contributed to frameworks like the refined consensus model of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). Her work emphasizes teacher professional development, particularly for highly accomplished educators, and explores adaptive expertise in interdisciplinary teaching. She actively supervises postgraduate research students and collaborates internationally on projects like the Sharing Knowledge Project in inquiry-based teaching. Key research themes include STEM integration, teacher educator professionalism, and the role of student voice in assessment reform. Her interdisciplinary approaches bridge theory and practice, influencing both policy and classroom strategies in science and mathematics education.
Dr Paul Henshall is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Oxford Brookes University, affiliated with the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics. His work bridges advanced thermal systems, renewable energy, and mathematical modelling, with a strong focus on sustainable technologies. His research interests include: Mathematical modelling of renewable energy systems Second-life battery energy storage Thermal management of battery packs Lithium-ion cell characterization Advanced solar thermal systems Thermochemical energy storage The analysis of his recent publications (2018–2025) reveals a consistent focus on energy storage and solar thermal technologies. His work emphasizes computational modelling, experimental validation, and sustainability assessment, particularly in second-life batteries and high-efficiency solar collectors. Key themes include battery degradation prediction, thermal stress analysis, and the integration of renewable systems in buildings and industry. Professional recognitions include: Chartered Physicist (CPhys) Member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Member of the Institute of Physics Energy Group Committee Paul supervises MEng and PhD students, including Dr. Farhad Salek, whose thesis focused on second-life battery systems. He teaches core modules in engineering mathematics, numerical methods, and computational modelling. He is involved with the Centre for Batteries, Electric Vehicles and Electronics and the Architectural Engineering Research Group, contributing to interdisciplinary research in sustainable energy systems.
Urban Johnson is a Professor at Halmstad University's School of Health and Welfare, specializing in sports psychology with a focus on sustainable participation in sports, health, and physical activity. His research examines psychological aspects of sports injury (pre- and post-injury) and healthy athletic engagement, particularly through pandemic-era studies of Swedish upper secondary sport students. Johnson's research interests center on: Psychological mechanisms in sports injury rehabilitation and prevention Adolescent athlete mental health and dropout dynamics Pandemic impacts on sport education systems Gender-specific responses to athletic challenges Longitudinal behavioral patterns in youth sports His work integrates qualitative analysis of student-athlete experiences with clinical psychology frameworks. His publication trends reveal intense focus on pandemic-related disruptions (2020-2025), with 12 of 15 recent articles examining COVID-19's impact on student-athletes, teachers, and sports systems. Key thematic clusters include: Sport injury psychology (ACL re-ruptures, prevention) Adolescent mental health during crises Fun/motivation dynamics in youth sports Cross-contextual leadership challenges Johnson actively supervises students at basic, advanced, and doctoral levels while teaching methodology courses. His collaborative projects include the Karolinska Football Injury Cohort Study and consensus statements on sport injury psychology. Current work emphasizes cocreation of injury prevention programs and psychological support services for elite handball.
Professor Ananya Choudhury serves as Chair and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology at the University of Manchester, where she is also Co-Group Leader of the Translational Radiobiology Group within the Division of Cancer Sciences. She joined The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in 2008, specializing in urology and sarcoma, and has since focused on radiotherapy-related research in prostate and bladder cancers. Professor Choudhury is clinical lead for advanced radiotherapy, including the groundbreaking MRLinac project, and plays a key role in national radiotherapy research initiatives. Professor Choudhury earned her BA (Hons) in 1993, MB. BChir (Cantab) in 1995, and MA (Cantab) in 1997 from Trinity College, Cambridge. She completed her Clinical Oncology training at the Yorkshire Deanery from 2000-2008, during which she earned her MRCP in 2000 and F.R.C.R in 2004. She completed her PhD in 2008 through the University of Leeds and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Canada, where she studied the molecular epidemiology of DNA double strand break repair in bladder cancer. Professor Choudhury's research program focuses on optimizing and personalizing radiotherapy using advanced imaging technology to deliver high doses while minimizing side effects. Her work centers on prostate and bladder cancers, with particular interest in predictive biomarkers, hypoxia, and the integration of magnetic resonance imaging to improve treatment precision. She has pioneered research in radiotherapy dose optimization, biomarker development, and the identification of patients who would benefit most from different treatment approaches. Her extensive publication record demonstrates a strong focus on radiation therapy, particularly in genitourinary cancers. Recent work explores MRI-guided radiotherapy, hypoxia biomarkers, and personalized treatment approaches across multiple cancer types. She has made significant contributions to understanding how imaging technology can improve radiotherapy precision and effectiveness while reducing side effects, with several publications appearing in top journals through 2025. Professor Choudhury has received multiple prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to the field: Cancer Research-UK/Royal College of Radiologists Clinical Training Fellowship (2005) Fellowship for the 10th ECCO-AACR-ASCO Workshop on Methods in Clinical Cancer Research (2007) Outstanding Contribution, Greater Manchester Clinical Research Awards (2017) RCR Research Fellowship (2005) Research Fellowship, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto (2004) Professor Choudhury has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students across multiple cancer types, with current students expected to complete through 2024. She is Principal Investigator on multiple research grants, including 'Measuring tumour radioresistance to improve radiotherapy outcomes' and the 'MAESTRO Programme' as part of CRUK RadNet. Her research program is supported by significant funding from NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and other major funding bodies. As Co-Group Leader of the Translational Radiobiology Group, Professor Choudhury collaborates extensively with leading researchers including Peter Hoskin, Catharine West, Corinne Faivre-Finn, and Marcel van Herk. Her team is at the forefront of integrating advanced imaging with radiotherapy to improve cancer treatment outcomes, with active projects spanning from basic radiobiology to clinical implementation of novel radiotherapy techniques.
Cesla Amarelle serves as Full Professor and Chairholder of Public Law and Migration Law at the University of Neuchâtel's Faculty of Law. Her academic leadership extends to co-directing the Swiss Center for Migration Law (CDM) and contributing to national research initiatives including the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) 'On the Move'. She concurrently holds significant public appointments as Chair of the Institute of European Law at the University of Fribourg and Federal Commissioner for Women's Issues, with recent expert designation to the Federal Round Table on signature collection integrity for 2024. Her academic foundation includes a law degree from the University of Lausanne (1996), LL.M. in European and International Economic Law from the University of Fribourg, and doctoral thesis from the University of Lausanne (2004). Her career progression at the University of Neuchâtel spans assistant professor (2009-2014), extraordinary professor (2015-2016), and full professor positions since 2016, complemented by earlier research roles at Swiss National Science Foundation and University of Fribourg. Professor Amarelle's research centers on migration law frameworks, human rights protections in asylum systems, and constitutional dimensions of European integration. Her work critically examines the intersection of migration governance with digital technologies, climate change impacts, and gender equality. Current projects analyze temporary protection regimes, non-refoulement principles in technological contexts, and the evolving relationship between Swiss migration law and European legal frameworks. Her scholarship consistently bridges theoretical legal analysis with practical policy implementation challenges. Her extensive publication record demonstrates evolving focus from foundational migration law codification toward contemporary challenges including digital discrimination, child rights in emergency contexts, and sustainable finance frameworks. Recent scholarship reflects increasing engagement with technological impacts on migration governance and the humanitarian dimensions of temporary protection systems, while maintaining rigorous analysis of constitutional and European law interfaces. Professor Amarelle actively contributes to academic and public discourse through leadership in the Swiss Center for Migration Law and participation in the NCCR 'On the Move' consortium. Her public service includes significant political roles as Vaud State Councilor for Education (2017-2022) and National Councilor (2011-2017), where she chaired key committees on political institutions and finance while representing Swiss higher education interests nationally. She maintains active engagement with professional associations including the Swiss Conference of Higher Education Institutions and Conference of Directors of Public Education.
Alicia Che is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and serves as Director of Graduate Admissions for the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. She joined the Yale Department of Psychiatry in 2021 after completing her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Natalia De Marco García at Weill Cornell Medical College and Dr. Gord Fishell at NYU. Her research is conducted through the Che Lab at Yale, where she investigates how early life experiences impact brain circuit assembly and mature function in models of psychiatric illness. Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program Center for Brain & Mind Health Division of Molecular Psychiatry Wu Tsai Institute Yale Center for the Science of Cannabis and Cannabinoids Dr. Che earned her Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Connecticut in 2014, where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph LoTurco. She received her B.S. with triple majors in Biology, Physics, and Physical Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington state in 2009. Her research focuses on understanding developmental trajectories following early life experiences to develop diagnostics and early interventions for psychiatric illnesses. Dr. Che's research examines how sensory inputs, social bonding, stress, and substance exposure impact brain development. She employs a multi-dimensional approach to assess transcriptional, circuit, neuronal activity, and behavioral changes across the entire developmental timeline. Her lab currently focuses on four specific areas: the role of oxytocin in social behavior development, circuit dysfunction in PTSD, early-life cannabinoid exposure effects, and the impact of early life stress on development and adulthood. She utilizes advanced techniques including mouse genetics, slice electrophysiology, and longitudinal in vivo 2-photon imaging on behaving animals. Her most recent publications demonstrate significant contributions to understanding neural circuit development, PTSD mechanisms, and the effects of early life experiences on brain function. Her work spans from molecular neuroscience to behavioral outcomes, with publications in top journals including Nature, Neuron, and Nature Communications. Her research has revealed important insights into how translaminar neuronal activity strengthens cortical columns, how oxytocin facilitates social touch development, and how PTSD affects brain transcriptomics. NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2020) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NINDS (2019) Dr. Che's work has significant implications for understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders, PTSD, and the consequences of early life experiences on mental health. She collaborates extensively with researchers across Yale and beyond, with frequent co-authorship with colleagues including Lin Lin, Alex Kwan, and Christopher Pittenger. Her research program bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to translate findings into potential interventions for psychiatric conditions.
Terence Lee Robinson is a Professor at Cornell AgriTech , affiliated with the School of Integrative Plant Science and Horticulture Section . His work focuses on applied fruit crop physiology to enhance global fruit production. Education : PhD in Horticulture (1984) and MS in Horticulture (1982) from Washington State University; BS in Plant Science (1978) from Brigham Young University. Research Interests center on solving practical fruit production challenges through orchard systems analysis , rootstock evaluation , and crop load management . His field-oriented studies integrate biological and economic assessments of orchard performance. Recent Publications highlight his expertise in apple rootstock testing , chemical thinning , and nutrient management , with global implications for improving fruit quality and orchard productivity under diverse conditions. Scientific Honors : Elected Fellow, American Society for Horticultural Science (2021) Wilder Medal, American Pomological Society (2021) International Fruit Tree Association Hall of Fame (2015) Extension Leadership includes fostering collaborations between Cornell, Michigan State University, and Ontario Canada extension teams, while editing the NY Fruit Quarterly to disseminate research findings.
Nicholas M. Kanaan is a Professor of Translational Neuroscience and holds the Maibach Smiley Professorship of Alzheimer's Research at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. He serves as Director of Advanced Microscopy and is faculty in both the MSU Neuroscience Program and the MSU BioMolecular Science Gateway. His research is centered at the Grand Rapids Research Center where he leads the Kanaan Laboratory. Dr. Kanaan received his B.S. in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Sociology from Central Michigan University in 2001, followed by a Ph.D. in Neurological Sciences from Rush University Medical Center in 2007. He completed postdoctoral training at Northwestern University from 2007-2010 under Dr. Lester Binder. His research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), with emphasis on tau protein pathology. The Kanaan Lab investigates mechanisms underlying degenerative diseases using a combination of in vitro and in vivo model systems. A major focus is understanding how disease-related alterations in tau cause neuronal dysfunction through disruption of axonal transport. His lab has identified a phosphatase-activating domain (PAD) in tau that inhibits anterograde fast axonal transport. Analysis of Dr. Kanaan's publication record reveals a consistent focus on tau protein biology, with recent work emphasizing iPSC models, CRISPR screening, tau proteostasis, and therapeutic interventions targeting tau phosphorylation and oligomerization. His research spans basic molecular mechanisms to translational applications, with increasing use of primate models and advanced screening technologies in recent years. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Maibach Smiley Alzheimer's Research Professor Maibach Smiley Professor of Alzheimer's Research Dr. Kanaan mentors numerous students and postdoctoral fellows in his laboratory, with research supported by multiple grants focused on understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases. His lab employs a wide range of technical expertise including recombinant protein purification, cell culture, monoclonal antibody production, various microscopy techniques, and behavioral testing in rodent models. Outside the lab, Dr. Kanaan enjoys photography, woodworking, and fishing.
Dr. Joanna Gutral-Sutherland is an Assistant Professor at SWPS University , affiliated with the Faculty of Design in Warsaw and the Department of Social Applications of New Technologies . She also contributes to the Centre for Climate Action and Social Transformations (4CAST) . Her research focuses on: Social expectations and psychological needs Personality trait development across the lifespan Climate change impact on well-being Mental health stigma and prevention Psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral therapy Self-concept and temporal comparisons Scientific recognitions include: Professor Zbigniew Pietrasiński Award (2016) Podcast of the Year 2022 for "Gutral Gada" Vivelo Top Creators 2024 She teaches statistics, psychological research methodology, and personal skills development at SWPS University, while providing individual cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and coordinating UX specialization programs.
Glenn Tiffert is a Distinguished Research Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, specializing in modern Chinese history and contemporary US-China relations. He co-chairs Hoover's program on the US, China, and the World and leads Stanford's participation in the NSF SECURE program, a $67 million initiative authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Tiffert is a historian of modern China with expertise in the political and legal history of the People's Republic of China. His research focuses on the construction of China's court system and judiciary, the drafting of the 1954 PRC Constitution, and the suppressed genealogy of the rule of law in China. He has pioneered the integration of computational methods into Chinese historical studies and is currently completing the first archival study in any language of the takeover and reconstitution of a Chinese state organ (the courts) by the Chinese Communist Party. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward analyzing China's global influence operations, research security challenges, and technological competition between the US and China. Tiffert's work increasingly addresses how authoritarian regimes exploit vulnerabilities in open knowledge ecosystems, particularly examining China's 'sharp power' projection and efforts to reshape global narratives. Co-chairs the Hoover project on China's Global Sharp Power Executive committee member of the Academic Security and Counter-Exploitation Program Participant in multiple Hoover research teams including Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region and Semiconductors security working group Testified before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Chinese malign influence operations Tiffert collaborates extensively with government and civil society partners worldwide to document and build resilience against authoritarian interference with democratic institutions. His work spans academic research, policy development, and public education on the security and integrity of knowledge ecosystems, particularly academic, corporate, and government research.
Vasily Klucharev is a Tenured Professor at the Higher School of Economics University (HSE University) since 2013, where he serves as Laboratory Head of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience and the International Laboratory of Social Neurobiology. He is also a Professor at the Graduate School of Business in the Department of Strategic and International Management, and Programme Scientific Supervisor of the Cognitive Sciences and Technologies: From Neuron to Cognition program. His educational background includes: 2003: Candidate of Sciences (PhD) in Neurobiology from St Petersburg State University with thesis titled 'Neurobiological mechanisms of emotions' 1994: Degree in Physiology from St Petersburg State University, Faculty of Biology Klucharev's research focuses on neuroeconomics, social and emotional neuroscience, and cognitive neuroscience, with particular emphasis on understanding decision-making processes, social influence, and conformity. His work integrates psychological theories with advanced neuroimaging techniques including fMRI, EEG, depth and scalp ERP, TMS, and MEG. His research has significant implications for understanding consumer behavior, persuasion, and the neural mechanisms underlying social conformity. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward investigating the neural correlates of price perception, social influence on decision-making, and the processing of disinformation and deepfakes. His work bridges multiple disciplines, combining methods from neuroscience, psychology, and economics to address fundamental questions about human behavior in social contexts. Scientific awards: Best Teacher 2023-2024 Best Teacher 2018-2020 Best Teacher 2015 Klucharev has supervised numerous doctoral students including I. Ntoumanis, M. Martinez-Saito, O. Zinchenko, and Z. Yaple. His research has been supported by significant grants from Saint Petersburg State University, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the European Commission. He has also served as an invited reviewer for prestigious journals including Psychological Science, Neuron, and Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience. As Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at HSE University, Klucharev leads a multidisciplinary team exploring the neural mechanisms of social behavior, decision-making, and cognitive processes. His laboratory has gained international recognition, with research featured in major media outlets including BBC TV, Financial Times, The Telegraph, and CNN.
