Ashli Owen-Smith is a behavioral scientist affiliated with the School of Public Health at Georgia State University , where her research focuses on mental health disparities, suicide prevention, and integrative/complementary approaches for complex mental-physical health conditions. She works with underserved populations including refugees/immigrants, incarcerated individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities through community-based participatory research and mixed-methods frameworks. Her current projects are funded by CDC , DBHDD , and DPH . Education: Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences (Emory, 2009), S.M. in Public Health (Harvard, 2005), B.A. in Psychology (Smith College, 2001) Her research spans mental health , trauma , suicide prevention , and mindfulness-based interventions . Recent work examines telehealth adaptations for chronic pain and mental health, vaccine hesitancy in refugee communities, and social determinants of suicide . She leads studies on gender-affirming care and health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations. Key article trends include epidemiological analysis of suicide risk factors, COVID-19 impacts on mental health, ICD-10 coding for autism, and complementary medicine in trauma recovery. Subfields span telehealth , health equity , mental-physical comorbidity , and community engagement . Students she has mentored include C.A. Scarlett , T. Griner , and M.M. Sesay . Her work integrates public health policy , clinical research , and health systems analysis .
Witold J. Henisz serves as Vice Dean and Faculty Director of the Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, holding the Deloitte & Touche Professorship in Management. His research centers on political and social risk identification, ESG impact materiality, and corporate diplomacy frameworks that transform stakeholder relationships into strategic assets. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Business and Public Policy from UC Berkeley's Haas School and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Henisz has served as Departmental Editor at Journal of International Business Studies and Associate Editor at Strategic Management Journal , reflecting his scholarly influence. Research interests converge on geopolitical risk quantification, stakeholder engagement optimization, and sustainable business model innovation. His work demonstrates how political hazards materially impact firm valuation and how corporate diplomacy can mitigate conflict through strategic stakeholder alignment. Recent publications leverage massive media datasets (4+ billion articles) to model populism dynamics, indigenous land conflicts, and ESG-credit risk linkages. Award highlights include the Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020), Iron Prof recognition (2019), and Academy of International Business Fellowship. His geostrategy framework Geostrategy by Design (2024) provides executives with actionable methods for navigating geopolitical volatility. Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020) Iron Prof recognition (2019) Academy of International Business Fellow (2014-present) Multiple Wharton Excellence in Teaching Awards (2006-2021) Industry Studies Association Best Paper Award (2019) Henisz consults through PRIMA LLC for multinational firms (Rio Tinto, Shell), financial institutions (Eaton Vance, World Bank), and NGOs. His executive education programs train leaders in ESG integration and geopolitical risk management, while his KEROVKA crisis simulation develops real-time strategic response capabilities. Media frequently cites his expertise on ESG controversies, with 50+ major publications featuring his analysis since 2022 including Financial Times , Bloomberg , and Wall Street Journal .
Gail E. Joseph is a Professor in the College of Education at the University of Washington, with affiliations in Early Childhood & Family Studies and Learning Sciences & Human Development. She teaches courses, advises students, and conducts research on early care and education, focusing on child care quality, social-emotional learning, teacher education, and technology integration. Ph.D., University of Washington Her research projects include statewide surveys on early childhood workforce conditions, studies on digital professional learning tools like Circle Time Magazine, and evaluations of coaching interventions (e.g., FIND in Childcare) to improve teacher-child interactions. She co-created resources such as Teacher Time and the EarlyEdU Alliance, which aims to enhance early childhood education through accessible bachelor’s degrees. Her publications span topics like social-emotional curricula, behavioral interventions, and inclusive education frameworks. She has held leadership roles as Principal Investigator (PI) of the Head Start Center for Inclusion and Co-PI of the National Center for Quality Teaching and Learning (NCQTL). 2018 David R. Thorud Leadership Award (University of Washington) She currently serves as Executive Director of Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, advancing professional development and quality improvement initiatives nationwide.
Jennifer Leeman is a Professor at George Mason University , focusing on the sociopolitics of language, with emphasis on multilingualism, Spanish in the US, and heritage language education. Her interdisciplinary work bridges critical applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, education, Latinx studies, and linguistic anthropology. BA in Spanish, University of Pennsylvania MA in Hispanic Civilization, New York University in Madrid MAT in TESOL & Bilingual Education, Georgetown University PhD in Hispanic Linguistics, Georgetown University Her research examines: Language ideologies and racialization processes in censuses Antiracist pedagogical frameworks for Spanish teaching Multilingual policy analysis across education and governance Critical service-learning in heritage language contexts Recent publications analyze census categorization, language and immigration policies, and critical pedagogy implementation. She received a 2024-25 Fulbright Senior Scholar award for research at the University of Murcia, Spain, and a 2023-24 Residential fellowship at Mason's Center for Humanities Research. Key scientific contributions include: Pioneering the online graduate certificate in Spanish Heritage Language Education (2021) Leadership roles in AAAL, MLA, and Instituto Cervantes’ advisory committees Editorial board memberships across journals like Language Policy and Hispania Her 15 most recent articles (2018-2025) reveal trends in: Language-race-national identity intersections Census-driven ethnoracial classifications Antiracist pedagogy in language classrooms Heritage speaker identity dynamics Monolingual policy critiques Transnational demographic analysis Contact: jleeman@gmu.edu | Office: Horizon Hall 5132
Jennifer C. Dalton serves as Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders within Appalachian State University's Beaver College of Health Sciences. With over 15 years of higher education experience, she provides strategic leadership in curriculum development, program assessment, and student success initiatives across the undergraduate program. Her educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Sciences, UNC Chapel Hill (2012) M.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Appalachian State University (1999) M.B.A., Appalachian State University B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Kent State University (1997) Dr. Dalton's research bridges clinical practice and educational innovation, focusing on pediatric speech disorders while advancing scholarship in teaching methodologies. Her work examines how experiential education builds graduate competencies and how employment prospects influence student retention, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based program development. Recent publications demonstrate consistent output in higher education scholarship, with three peer-reviewed articles published between 2023-2024 addressing pandemic-era pedagogy, graduate training, and student retention analytics. These works highlight her dual expertise in clinical communication sciences and educational leadership. Her academic recognition includes: 2021 Beaver College of Health Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award 2023 UNC System Academic Affairs Faculty Fellowship Dr. Dalton actively secures program development grants that enhance student learning outcomes through innovative curriculum design. As program director, she oversees clinical education pathways while maintaining her ASHA clinical certification and Quality Matters online teaching credentials. Her leadership emphasizes inclusive education practices that prepare diverse learners for professional success in dynamic healthcare environments. Though not leading a named laboratory, Dr. Dalton is central to departmental research through her scholarship of teaching and learning, influencing clinical education standards across the discipline.
Ira Lit is a Teaching Professor at the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University. They serve as Faculty Director of the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) and are affiliated with the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment . Their work bridges teacher education, elementary education, and educational equity. Key research areas include: Equity in education systems Design of schooling models Experiences of marginalized students Family-school partnerships Recent publications analyze teacher preparation programs, voluntary desegregation, and multilingual education. Lit has supervised doctoral students like Elena Darling Hammond and Nallely Aceves , with a focus on race, identity, and policy in California schools. They hold a Ph.D. from Stanford in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education (2003) and have taught at Stanford since 1986.
Georgia Zellou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Davis, where she co-directs the Phonetics Lab and conducts award-winning research at the intersection of phonetics, speech perception, and human-AI interaction. Her work investigates how phonetic detail is cognitively represented through variations in speech production, with significant contributions to understanding speech alignment with voice assistants, face-masked speech intelligibility, and cross-linguistic perception of synthetic voices. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Colorado at Boulder (2012), an M.A. in Linguistics from Stony Brook University (2007), and a B.A. in Linguistics & Anthropology from the University of Florida (2005, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa). Ph.D., Linguistics, University of Colorado at Boulder (2012) M.A., Linguistics, Stony Brook University (2007) B.A., Linguistics & Anthropology, University of Florida (2005) Professor Zellou's research program centers on laboratory phonology approaches to real-world communication challenges, examining how acoustic-phonetic details influence speech perception across contexts. Her studies span speech alignment with voice-AI systems (e.g., Amazon Alexa), sociophonetic variation in bilingual speech, and the cognitive mechanisms underlying perceptual compensation for coarticulation. She employs experimental methods including eye-tracking, acoustic analysis, and perceptual testing to uncover how phonetic variation functions pragmatically in human communication and human-machine interaction. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) human-AI voice interaction dynamics, including prosodic alignment and social evaluation of TTS voices; (2) intelligibility optimization in challenging contexts (face masks, clear speech for diverse listeners); and (3) cross-linguistic phonetic variation in vowelless words and consonant clusters. These works consistently bridge theoretical phonology with applied speech technology, demonstrating how fine-grained phonetic detail influences communication effectiveness in both human-human and human-machine contexts. Her scientific recognition includes: Fulbright Scholar (2022) for research in France Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring (2019) Fellow of the Linguistic Society of America (2020) Amazon Faculty Research Award (2019) for Alexa-related speech studies Dean’s Fellow designation at UC Davis (2020-2023) Professor Zellou maintains an active mentoring practice recognized with the Chancellor’s Award, supervising undergraduate researchers in the Phonetics Lab while teaching core linguistics courses from introductory to advanced graduate levels. Her research program is supported by competitive grants including NSF funding, Amazon Research Awards, and UC Davis internal grants (Hellman Foundation, ISS Junior Faculty Grant), reflecting the translational value of her work for speech technology development. She has co-directed major initiatives including the 2019 LSA Linguistic Institute. The Phonetics Lab she co-leads serves as a hub for experimental phonetics research, focusing on speech production-perception relationships through projects investigating vocal accommodation to voice assistants, nasal coarticulation dynamics, and cross-linguistic prosody. Current collaborations with industry partners aim to implement human speech adaptation principles into voice assistant design to enhance naturalness and engagement.
Hadi Esmaeilzadeh is an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering . He leads the Alternative Computing Technologies (ACT) Laboratory and serves as Associate Director of the Center for Machine Integrated Computing and Security (MICS) . Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. Ph.D., Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington (2013) Research focuses on computer architecture , machine learning acceleration , and approximate computing His work has produced 15+ publications spanning IEEE Micro Top Picks , CACM Research Highlights , and ISCA . Key projects include: Tabla : Cross-stack ML acceleration framework DnnWeaver : Open-source DNN acceleration platform Major honors include: IEEE TCCA Young Computer Architect Award ISCA Hall of Fame Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship Georgia Tech PURA Award Teaching roles: CSE 141: Introduction to Computer Architecture CSE 240D: Accelerator Design for Deep Learning CSE 240A: Principles of Computer Architecture
Jonathan A. Kelner is a Professor of Applied Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a member of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). His research focuses on applying techniques from pure mathematics to solve fundamental problems in algorithms and complexity theory, with the goal of developing practical algorithms for real-world questions. Dr. Kelner received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT in 2006. Before joining the MIT faculty, he spent a year as a member of the Institute for Advanced Study. His educational background has provided a strong foundation for his interdisciplinary research spanning mathematics and computer science. His research interests include combinatorial optimization, mathematical programming, spectral graph theory, distributed computing, machine learning, computational geometry and topology, computational biology, signal processing, and random matrix theory. Kelner's work demonstrates how deep theoretical insights can lead to practical algorithmic improvements, particularly in graph algorithms and optimization problems. His approach often involves connecting seemingly disparate areas of mathematics to create novel algorithmic techniques. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on spectral graph theory, optimization algorithms, and the Sum-of-Squares method. His work frequently addresses fundamental questions in theoretical computer science with practical implications for algorithm design. A notable trend in his research is the development of nearly-linear-time algorithms for various graph problems, which represents significant improvements over previous approaches. NSF CAREER Award Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship NEC Award for Research in Computers and Communication Sprowls Doctoral Dissertation Award Best Student Paper Award at STOC 2004 Best Paper Award at STOC 2011 Kokusai Denshin Denwa Junior Faculty Chair 2008 Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award 2011 School of Science Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education 2012 Professor Kelner has been actively involved in mentoring students and has received recognition for his teaching excellence, including the School of Science Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education in 2012. His research has been supported by prestigious grants including the NSF CAREER Award. He has collaborated extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, often working with other leading figures in theoretical computer science to produce groundbreaking results in algorithm design. At MIT, Kelner is part of both the Mathematics Department and CSAIL, positioning him at the intersection of theoretical mathematics and practical computer science. This dual affiliation reflects the interdisciplinary nature of his work, which bridges pure mathematical theory with concrete algorithmic applications.
Virginia Smith is the Leonardo Associate Professor of Machine Learning at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science, with a courtesy appointment in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. She leads research addressing critical challenges in machine learning systems, particularly focusing on safety and efficiency. Her research interests span federated and collaborative learning, efficient training methods, data privacy, and AI safety. Recent work has explored topics such as model unlearning, LLM security, and resource-efficient distributed learning systems. She has made significant contributions to understanding how to make machine learning systems more robust, private, and efficient while maintaining performance. Professor Smith's publication record demonstrates a clear progression toward addressing practical challenges in deploying machine learning systems at scale. Her recent work shows strong emphasis on large language model safety, privacy-preserving techniques, and efficient distributed learning approaches. The research spans theoretical foundations to practical implementations, with numerous papers appearing in top-tier venues including NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, and MLSys. AFOSR Young Investigator Award Sloan Research Fellowship 2023 Samsung AI Researcher of the Year Best Paper Award at ICML 2025 Exploration in AI Workshop Outstanding Paper Award at MLSys 2023 As an educator, Professor Smith mentors numerous PhD students and postdocs while teaching advanced machine learning courses at CMU. She serves as Program Chair for ICML 2025 and co-organizes a semester program on Federated and Collaborative Learning at the Simons Institute. Her research group maintains strong collaborations with industry partners including Amazon, where she has received research awards.
Remko Van Hoek serves as Professor of Practice in the Department of Supply Chain Management at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas. He teaches Sourcing and Procurement courses across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. Prior to joining the University of Arkansas, Dr. Van Hoek held academic positions in Europe and served as a visiting professor at Cranfield School of Management, complemented by extensive industry experience as a supply chain and procurement executive at global corporations including Nike, PwC, and The Walt Disney Company. He currently serves on the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Board of Directors and acts as executive director of the CSCMP Supply Chain Hall of Fame hosted by the Walton College. Dr. Van Hoek's research centers on digital transformation in procurement and supply chain management, with particular focus on blockchain implementation, artificial intelligence applications, and sustainable sourcing practices. His work investigates how emerging technologies reshape procurement processes, supplier relationship management, and risk mitigation strategies. He explores innovative approaches to supplier diversity programs, ethical sourcing frameworks, and the strategic evolution of procurement from cost reduction to value creation. His research consistently bridges academic theory with industry practice through case studies from major corporations, developing actionable frameworks for practitioners facing digital disruption and sustainability challenges. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant themes in AI-driven supply chain risk prevention, blockchain implementation for transparency, and sustainable supplier engagement. His work demonstrates consistent industry collaboration, drawing from case studies at Walmart, Moet Hennessy, and Bayer to address post-pandemic resilience challenges. A significant portion examines procurement's strategic evolution beyond transactional functions, with recurring emphasis on ethical considerations in digital transformation and the practical implementation barriers for emerging technologies in global supply networks. As a Professor of Practice, Dr. Van Hoek integrates executive-level industry experience into curriculum development and student mentorship. His industry-engaged teaching model includes guest lecturer programs connecting students with supply chain practitioners, as evidenced by his co-authored work on integrating industry insights into supply chain education. While specific grant funding details are not publicly documented, his leadership in the CSCMP Supply Chain Hall of Fame demonstrates commitment to professional development and industry-academia knowledge transfer. Dr. Van Hoek directs the CSCMP Supply Chain Hall of Fame initiative, which documents transformative contributions to supply chain management through interviews with industry pioneers and historical case studies. This platform serves as both an educational resource for Walton College students and a professional development tool for supply chain practitioners globally. The Hall of Fame preserves critical industry knowledge while highlighting contemporary innovations in supply chain strategy and technology implementation.
Christina L. Garman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University, where she joined in Spring 2018. Her research focuses on practical cryptography and cryptographic automation to make secure system development accessible to non-experts through error-resistant design methodologies. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Bucknell University (2011) Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Bucknell University (2011) Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University (2013) Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University (2017) Professor Garman's work centers on real-world cryptographic system security, spanning protocol analysis (e.g., RC4 in TLS, Apple iMessage flaws), decentralized anonymous systems (Zerocash/ZCash), and cryptographic automation. She pioneered techniques for removing human error in cryptographic deployments through automated tools and frameworks. Her research bridges theoretical cryptography with practical implementation challenges in privacy-preserving technologies and secure infrastructure. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals expanding research horizons: hardware security vulnerabilities (Rowhammer, SGX), privacy network enhancements (Tor onion services), software supply chain security (SBOM tools), and advanced cryptographic protocols (zkSNARKs, MPC). This evolution demonstrates consistent focus on real-world security impact while diversifying into hardware-software cross-layer threats and formal verification methods for cryptographic implementations. Her major scientific recognitions include: NSF CAREER Award (2021) for cryptographic automation research ACM CCS Best Paper Award (2016) for iMessage security analysis IEEE Test of Time Award (2024) for foundational Zerocash work Professor Garman co-founded ZCash, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency based on her Zerocash protocol, and her NSF CAREER grant supports cryptographic automation development. Her research has received significant media coverage in The Washington Post, Wired, and The New York Times, highlighting real-world relevance. While specific student advising details aren't public, her active publication record indicates ongoing mentorship of graduate researchers in security and cryptography. Her work maintains strong industry connections through ZCash development and Tor network contributions, with recent projects like keyless CDNs demonstrating practical applications of cryptographic automation. She remains a leading voice in cryptographic research communities through conference participation and collaborative projects addressing evolving security challenges.
Dr. Ben Clarke is an Associate Professor and Department Head of Special Education and Clinical Sciences at the University of Oregon’s College of Education. His research focuses on mathematical development, assessment systems, and school-based interventions to support student achievement. He has led over 20 federally funded grants totaling ~$55 million, emphasizing early numeracy interventions and multi-tiered instructional models. Clarke’s work bridges theory and practice, with publications on mathematics instruction, assessment, and RTI frameworks. Education: PhD (2002), MA (2001) in School Psychology/Special Education from University of Oregon; BS (1997) in Psychology from Wabash College (Phi Beta Kappa). Research Interests: Mathematics intervention design and efficacy Early numeracy assessment Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) Technology in education Equity in mathematics education Publications highlight his focus on intervention fidelity, tiered models, and outcomes for students with learning difficulties. Awards include the AERA Special Education SIG Research Award and recognition for academic excellence. Grants and Advising: Principal Investigator on ~$55M in federal grants; advises graduate students in School Psychology and Special Education. His lab develops evidence-based tools like the KinderTEK iPad program and contributes to national practice guides (e.g., IES RTI for Mathematics). Labs/Teams: Leads research teams focused on early mathematics intervention and MTSS implementation, collaborating with schools and policymakers to scale effective practices.
Haryadi S. Gunawi is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago where he leads the UCARE research group (UChicago systems research on Availability, Reliability, and Efficiency). His work focuses on improving the dependability of storage and cloud computing systems, with a particular emphasis on addressing performance stability, reliability, and scalability challenges in modern computing environments. Dr. Gunawi received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2009. Following his doctoral studies, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley from 2010 to 2012 before joining the University of Chicago faculty. His research focuses on three main areas: (1) performance stability, where he builds storage and distributed systems robust to latency tails and "limping" hardware; (2) reliability and scalability, where he addresses concurrency and scalability bugs in cloud-scale distributed systems; and (3) the intersection of machine learning and systems, exploring how machine learning techniques can solve operating and storage system problems. His work often combines theoretical insights with practical system implementations that address real-world challenges in cloud and storage infrastructure. Dr. Gunawi's publication record shows a consistent focus on storage and cloud system reliability, with recent work increasingly incorporating machine learning techniques to address traditional systems challenges. His research spans the full stack from hardware interfaces to distributed system design, with a strong emphasis on practical solutions that can be deployed in production environments. His work often involves close collaboration with industry partners to ensure real-world relevance and impact. Dr. Gunawi has received numerous prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER award, NSF Computing Innovation Fellowship, Google Faculty Research Award, multiple NetApp Faculty Fellowships, and an Honorable Mention for the 2009 ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award. He has also received the Provost's Global Faculty Award and Facebook Faculty Research Award, highlighting the broad recognition of his contributions to the field. As an advisor, Dr. Gunawi has mentored several PhD students including Ruidan Li, Ray Andrew, Rani Ayu Putri, and William Nixon. His research has been supported by major grants from NSF, Google, Facebook, and NetApp, enabling his team to pursue ambitious research projects at the intersection of systems, storage, and machine learning. Dr. Gunawi leads the UCARE research group at UChicago, which focuses on improving the dependability of storage and cloud-scale distributed systems. He is also involved with the Chameleon cloud research infrastructure project and the broader Systems Group at UChicago, contributing to a vibrant research community focused on systems, programming languages, and software engineering.
Yan Huang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Indiana University Bloomington, focusing on security and cryptography. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical systems, emphasizing cryptographic protocols with strong security guarantees for generic computation. University: Indiana University Bloomington School: College of Arts and Sciences Department: Computer Science Academic Rank: Associate Professor His research combines theoretical computer science , program analysis , artificial intelligence , and software engineering to address real-world security problems. Key areas include secure computation , zero-knowledge proofs , and privacy-preserving technologies . Recent publications, such as Phecda (SP'25) and Dubhe (USENIX Security'23), highlight advancements in post-quantum cryptography , AES verification , and privacy-preserving deep packet inspection , reflecting his focus on scalable and practical cryptographic solutions. He has advised notable students including Changchang Ding (PhD, Computer Science) and Ruiyu Zhu (PhD, now at Facebook), and served on program committees for top conferences like ACM CCS and CRYPTO .
