Professor Xuan-Thao Nguyen is the Pendleton Miller Chair in Law and Director of the Asian Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law. She specializes in Intellectual Property , Corporate Governance , Technology Law , and Banking , with a focus on Cryptocurrency , Law and Technology , and E-Commerce . Her work bridges legal frameworks with innovation economics. Her research explores IP Taxation as a tool for economic growth, Blockchain applications in corporate law, and Global Tech Competition between China and the U.S. She has advised on high-profile cases involving Trademark Disputes (e.g., Starbucks vs. Starbucks Workers United) and Trade Secrets (Group14 litigation). Recent publications analyze AI Copyright Class Actions (2025), Crypto Losses (2024), and Tech Bankruptcy trends. Her book Silicon Valley Bank: The Rise and Fall of a Community Bank for Tech (2024) provides a critical case study of tech finance. She actively engages in international policy discussions, including Vietnam Data Protection (2024), U.S.-Vietnam Economic Ties (2024), and Metaverse Regulation . She leads UW's Entrepreneurship and Law Speaker Series and collaborates with institutions across Southeast Asia and the U.S.
Vivienne Brand is Professor in Law at Flinders University's College of Business, Government and Law, where she leads the corporate law research program. She serves as General Editor of the Australian Journal of Corporate Law and Deputy Chair of the Law Council of Australia’s Corporations Committee, with expertise in corporate governance, whistleblowing systems, and social licence to operate frameworks. Her policy influence includes invited testimony before Federal parliamentary inquiries on whistleblowing reform and liquidator regulation. Her academic qualifications include: LLB (Honours) Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) Master of Laws (LLM) with Merit Master of Educational Studies (MEdSt) PhD Brand's research critically examines corporate ethics through empirical studies of director behavior, particularly regarding whistleblowing mechanisms and social licence to operate in Australian business contexts. She investigates how directors' duties evolve with societal expectations, regulatory changes, and emerging challenges like AI governance. Her work bridges legal theory with practical compliance frameworks, emphasizing the role of non-financial incentives in ethical corporate behavior. Recent publications (2020-2024) reveal three key trends: (1) Deepening analysis of whistleblowing regulation with focus on financial incentives and Regtech solutions; (2) Expansion into Middle East/North Africa trade law and sustainability governance; (3) Critical examination of AI's impact on director responsibilities and corporate accountability frameworks. Her scholarship consistently connects corporate law with UN Sustainable Development Goals through ethical business practices. Awarded national recognition for teaching excellence: Australian Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (awarded twice) Brand actively supervises corporate law research and secured funding as Chief Investigator for the 2023-2024 project Innovations in health and aged care: promoting Arab-Australia knowledge transfer , addressing cross-cultural healthcare challenges. Her professional engagement includes non-executive directorships and leadership in the Society of Corporate Law Academics (serving as President until February 2024). She maintains active roles in Law Council of Australia committees, including the Whistleblowing Working Party and Foreign Bribery Divisions, while contributing to global policy discussions on corporate governance standards.
Kelly K. Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Washington . Her research focuses on integrating structural biology techniques to study dynamic viral processes, particularly membrane fusion mechanisms across multiple pathogens. Specializes in structural biology with expertise in X-ray scattering, cryo-EM, and fluorescence microscopy Joint appointment in Medicinal Chemistry Active in graduate student recruitment and training Research combines solution X-ray scattering , cryo-electron tomography , and fluorescence microscopy to analyze structural hierarchies in viral systems. Recent work emphasizes pH-controlled membrane lysis and cross-neutralizing antibody responses across SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and HIV systems. Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to viral structural dynamics, including nanoparticle vaccine design and mechanistic analysis of antibody neutralization . Key collaborations span virology, immunology, and computational biology domains. Current projects include influenza hemagglutinin engineering , structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike activation , and HIV-1 envelope protein dynamics . The research program appears focused on translational applications of structural biology to infectious disease interventions.
Kathryn Johnson is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines with a joint appointment at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). She holds the Ben Fryrear Chair for Innovation and Excellence and earned her B.S. from Clarkson University (2000), and M.S./Ph.D. from University of Colorado Boulder (2002/2004). Her research spans wind energy control systems (floating offshore turbines, ultra-scale rotors, wind farm optimization) and sociotechnical engineering education (macroethics, social justice integration). Research Focus: Dr. Johnson leads pioneering work in aerodynamic control of floating offshore wind turbines, developing morphing rotor technologies for 50-MW systems, and optimizing wind-hydrogen integration. Her education research examines how sociotechnical thinking develops in engineering students, with fieldwork validated through international collaborations. Publication Trends: Recent works (2021-2023) demonstrate dual emphasis on: 1) Advanced wind turbine control (aerodynamic load mitigation, floating platform stabilization, grid integration) and 2) Engineering pedagogy (sociotechnical identity formation, ethics frameworks, justice-oriented curriculum design). Over 75% of recent publications involve experimental validation through NREL field tests. Awards & Honors: Fulbright Canada Research Chair in STEM Education (2021) Clare Boothe Luce Endowed Professorship (2005) IEEE Senior Member recognition Educational Leadership: Teaches core courses including Feedback Control Systems, Modern Control Design, and Wind Energy Systems. Developed Mines' first sociotechnical integration modules for control engineering curricula. Supervised 15+ graduate students in wind energy and education research. Facilities & Collaboration: Leads experimental work at NREL's National Wind Technology Center, directing the SUMR (Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotor) consortium. Collaborates with 10+ institutions on DOE-funded projects including USFLOWT floating turbine initiative.
Isabel Maria Dias Cabral is a Contracted Researcher at the Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T) at Universidade do Minho, Portugal. She holds a Doctorate in Textile Engineering (2018) and has academic background in Industrial Design (2004) and multiple Masters in Textile and Design fields (2009, 2011). Her research focuses on smart materials applied to textile design, particularly color change materials, shape memory textiles, and sustainable practices. Doctorate in Textile Engineering (2018) Master in Space, Product and Communication Design (2009) Licenciatura in Industrial Design (2004) Her work explores intersections between Humanities (Arts, Architectural Design) and Engineering (Materials, Textiles). Key research areas include smart textiles , interactive materials , and ecological coloration , with a focus on thermochromic , photochromic , and hydrochromic textile systems. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in natural dyes (eucalyptus, weld, madder), colorimetry in design education , and functionalization of materials for specific applications. She co-supervises PhD and MSc students in projects related to sustainable fashion , smart printed textiles , and ecological coloration . Scientific recognition includes: CEECIND award (2022) Post-Doc grant (2018) FCT PhD grant (2012) Active in project coordination (Bioeconomia Têxtil e Vestuário_BE@T), educational outreach through workshops, and international collaboration with institutions in Sweden, Spain, and Belgium. Her work bridges art , science , and technology in textile innovation.
Dr. Juli Feigon is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA's College of Letters and Science, where she has been a faculty member since 1985. Her research focuses on the structure and function of nucleic acids using multidimensional NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-EM to study telomerase, riboswitches, and RNA-protein complexes. As a member of the National Academy of Sciences and recipient of numerous prestigious awards, she has established herself as a leader in structural biology of nucleic acids. Dr. Feigon received her B.A. from Occidental College and her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego where she studied with Dr. David Kearns. Her postdoctoral work was completed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Fund Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Alex Rich. Dr. Feigon's laboratory studies nucleic acid structure and function with emphasis on telomerase structure and mechanism, H/ACA RNPs biogenesis, and riboswitch dynamics. Her group uses NMR spectroscopy as a primary tool, complemented by X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and biochemical methods to understand how RNA and RNA-protein complexes function in the cell and how mutations can lead to disease. Current research focuses on structure, function, dynamics, assembly, and folding of human telomerase, Tetrahymena telomerase, riboswitches, H/ACA RNPs, and other noncoding RNAs. Analysis of Dr. Feigon's recent publications reveals a progression from fundamental RNA structure studies to increasingly complex biological systems. Her work has evolved from isolated RNA domains to full complexes and holoenzymes, with growing integration of multiple structural biology techniques. While maintaining her core focus on telomerase structure, her research has expanded to include connections to human diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative conditions, demonstrating the broad applicability of her structural insights. Member, National Academy of Sciences (2009) Glenn T. Seaborg Medal (2024) Herbert Newby McCoy Award (2022) Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Award from Protein Society (2017) Founders Award from the Biophysical Society (2019) Presidential Young Investigator, National Science Foundation (1989-1994) Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher/Scholar Award (1990) Dr. Feigon has mentored numerous postdoctoral fellows and graduate students who have gone on to independent positions at institutions worldwide. Her laboratory has been exceptionally successful in securing postdoctoral fellowships for its members, including American Heart Association, NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein, and Life Sciences Research Foundation awards. She established the 'Juli Feigon Helping Hands Award' to support postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and graduate students who are primary caregivers for dependent children or other family members, with matching funds from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The Feigon Laboratory maintains state-of-the-art NMR facilities including an 800MHz Bruker Avance with TCI cryoprobe, 600MHz with TXI cryoprobe, and two 500MHz spectrometers. The lab collaborates extensively with UCLA's DOE shared facilities for crystallization, protein expression, and X-ray/EM structure determination, as well as the EICN EM facility featuring Titan Krios and other advanced electron microscopy equipment. Her research group continues to investigate the structure, function, dynamics, assembly, and folding of telomerase and other non-coding RNA complexes.
Fulvio Rinaudo is a Full Professor in the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) at Politecnico di Torino, Italy, specializing in geomatics and cultural heritage documentation. With decades of experience in the field, he leads research in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Historical Building Information Modeling (HBIM), photogrammetry, and the documentation of cultural heritage through advanced metric surveying techniques. His research interests span across multiple domains of cultural heritage preservation, including: Georeferenced databases (GIS) for cultural heritage management HBIM applications for architectural documentation and conservation Automatic digital photogrammetry for objects and contexts of varying scales Metric survey techniques for documenting historical buildings and urban contexts Digital documentation methodologies for cultural heritage preservation Rinaudo's recent scholarly output demonstrates a clear focus on advancing technological approaches to cultural heritage documentation, particularly through HBIM systems, environmental risk assessment for heritage sites, and innovative surveying methodologies. His work increasingly integrates emerging technologies like SLAM systems, 360° imaging, and cloud-based platforms to create more efficient and accurate documentation workflows. A significant portion of his recent research addresses the challenges of documenting and preserving heritage in Central Asia, particularly through the ERAMCA project focused on environmental risk assessment. Among his notable recognitions is the Best Poster Award at the CIPA Symposium awarded by ICOMOS CIPA-HD in France (2013). His leadership in the field is further evidenced by his current role as President of CIPA Heritage Documentation (2024-2027) and previous position as Secretary of ICOMOS Italy (2020-2022). Professor Rinaudo actively supervises PhD students across multiple institutions including Politecnico di Torino and Sapienza University of Rome. He has secured significant research funding through competitive grants including the ERAMCA project (Environmental Risk Assessment and Mitigation on Cultural Heritage assets in Central Asia), the RURITAGE project, and the GAMHER project (Geomatics data Acquisition and Management for landscape and built Heritage in an European Perspective). He serves on editorial boards for journals including VIRTUAL ARCHAEOLOGY REVIEW and APPLIED GEOMATICS, and participates in major international conferences as a scientific committee member for CIPA and ISPRS events. His external teaching engagements include positions at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) and Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent.
Marlene Ågerstrand is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Science , Stockholm University . Her research focuses on the science-policy interface in chemical risk assessment and management, emphasizing how scientific data inform decision-making, the effectiveness of regulatory strategies, and the role of experts in policy development. She actively collaborates with ecologists, toxicologists, chemists, political scientists, and environmental lawyers. Key affiliations: International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP) Board member Co-developer of the SciRAP web tool for structured chemical evaluations Member of the Baltic Sea Fellows interdisciplinary network Research Interests include improving environmental risk assessments of chemicals, science-policy interactions in chemical management, and pathways to a non-toxic circular economy. She specializes in qualitative methods like document analysis and stakeholder interviews. Recent Publications span environmental quality standards under the Water Framework Directive, essential-use concepts in REACH authorization, regulatory disparities in antimicrobial substance controls, and systematic review frameworks for endocrine disruptors.
Aleksandr Gurkov is a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki. His research focuses on the intersection of law, blockchain technology, and cooperative structures, with particular expertise in international commercial arbitration, comparative law, and competition law. Gurkov holds an LLM in International Commercial Arbitration Law from Stockholm University (2007/2008), an LLM in Theory and History of Law and State from Saint-Petersburg State University (2006-2009), and an LLB (Honors) in Law from Saint-Petersburg State University (2002-2006). Gurkov's research interests span several interconnected fields at the cutting edge of legal scholarship. He has pioneered work on the application of blockchain technology to cooperative structures and arbitration systems, exploring how decentralized autonomous organizations can align with traditional cooperative identities. His research on cooperative law examines innovative approaches to cooperative dispute resolution and the role of cooperative identity in blockchain-based public equity financing. In the realm of international commercial arbitration, Gurkov has extensively analyzed Russian case law and explored the application of blockchain to improve arbitration processes. His work on data protection focuses specifically on the Russian legal framework and its relationship with international standards. Gurkov also maintains strong expertise in competition law, particularly regarding the interaction between competition regulations and international arbitration. Gurkov's publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from traditional legal scholarship toward innovative intersections of law and technology. Early in his career, he focused on Russian case law and international arbitration, particularly examining competition law issues within the Russian legal system. Over time, his research increasingly incorporated blockchain technology and decentralized systems, with a significant emphasis on cooperatives since 2018. His recent work shows a sophisticated integration of cooperative law, blockchain governance, and regulatory frameworks, particularly examining how EU regulations interact with blockchain-based cooperative structures. The consistent thread throughout his work is a deep engagement with how legal frameworks can adapt to technological innovation while preserving core legal principles. Lecturer of the year (2014) Lecturer of the year (2015) Gurkov has been actively involved in academic community building through numerous conference participations, seminar organization, and professional associations. He has presented at over 10 conferences and delivered 10 oral presentations on topics related to blockchain, cooperatives, and arbitration. Gurkov has maintained membership in several professional organizations including the Young Arbitration Club Finland, Suomalaisen Lakimiesyhdistys (Finnish Lawyers' Association), ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, and the Research Group for Business Law Institutions in an Internationalizing and Networking Business Environment. His academic service includes serving as an arbitrator for the Helsinki Pre-Moot competition and participating in the Finnish Arbitration Association.
Jaana Norio is a Senior University Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, where she also holds the Title of Docent. Her primary research focuses on insurance law and consumer law, with extensive publications analyzing Finnish Supreme Court (KKO) decisions. She maintains active roles in legal scholarship through peer review, editorial positions, and committee memberships. Her research spans: Insurance law frameworks and liability systems Consumer protection in financial services Legal interpretation of tort and contract disputes Compensation mechanisms for personal/property damage Publications (114+ outputs) predominantly feature commentaries on KKO rulings from 2020-2025, demonstrating consistent focus on: Consumer credit regulations Traffic/liability insurance jurisprudence Occupational health compensation Product liability standards Awards include: Best Article in Lakimies journal (2007) received twice (2008 & 2015) Merit Badge from Finnish Insurance Lawyers Association (2021) She supervises doctoral candidates and contributed to projects like The Customer and Internationalizing Financial Markets (2003-2007). Professional activities include memberships in the Olga ja Kaarle Oskari Laitisen Foundation and editorial work for Acta Legis Turkuensia.
Bartosz Michalski serves as a Professor at the Institute of International Studies within the University of Wrocław , where his work focuses on international economic structures and policy frameworks. His institutional affiliation demonstrates deep integration with Central European academic networks through extensive research on regional economic dynamics. Michalski's research centers on international political economy , specifically examining economic competitiveness , regional integration processes , and technological sophistication in trade . His work frequently analyzes Visegrad Group economies, Germany-Poland trade relations, and middle-income trap dynamics through rigorous quantitative trade analysis. A distinctive feature of his scholarship involves connecting traditional trade metrics with contemporary security frameworks, particularly regarding technological dependencies and economic sovereignty. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on Central European economic integration , with particular attention to export sophistication patterns , value chain positioning , and geopolitical trade dependencies . His methodological approach combines traditional trade statistics with innovative complexity indices to assess economic development trajectories. While no formal advising relationships or research grants are documented in the provided materials, Michalski maintains active scholarly engagement through extensive publication output across international journals and edited volumes. His research demonstrates sustained contribution to understanding Central European economic integration within global frameworks.
Carolina Giaimo is an Associate Professor at the Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST) at Polytechnic University of Turin, where she serves as Degree Course Leader for Territorial, Urban, and Environmental Landscape Planning. She is also a member of the Interdepartmental Center R3C - Responsible Risk Resilience Centre. Her academic work spans urban and territorial planning with a strong focus on sustainability, resilience, and ecosystem services integration. Dr. Giaimo's research interests center on blue and green infrastructure, climate change adaptation and mitigation, ecosystem services, urban equalization, and metropolitan governance. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly in developing methods to integrate ecosystem services analysis into urban planning decision-making processes. She has pioneered approaches that demonstrate how urban planning incorporating environmental benefits assessment can significantly reduce land consumption while saving public finances through natural resource protection. Her scholarly output shows a consistent focus on innovative planning approaches that respond to contemporary urban challenges, particularly the integration of ecological considerations into traditional planning frameworks. Recent publications demonstrate growing emphasis on nature-based solutions, urban welfare systems, and the role of public space as the structural framework of contemporary cities. Her work increasingly addresses the intersection of environmental sustainability and social equity in urban contexts. Effective member of AISU International (2022-present) Executive Committee member of INU - Istituto Nazionale di Urbanistica (2019-present) Steering Committee member of INU (2016-present) Member of ESP - Ecosystem Services Partnership (2016-present) Fellow of INU Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta section (2004-present) Director of Urbanistica Informazioni journal (2021-present) As an academic advisor, Dr. Giaimo supervises multiple PhD students working on urban and regional development, with current research focusing on spatial planning and ecological transition. She leads significant research projects including METRO-CASE (2025-2029), a European-funded initiative on metropolitan collaborative strategies. Her collaborative work extends to agreements with the City of Turin for research related to General Urban Planning. Her laboratory work centers around the application of ecosystem services assessment tools like SIMULSOIL for soil management in the Metropolitan City of Turin, demonstrating practical applications of her theoretical frameworks for urban resilience and sustainable planning.
Jeffrey Erochko is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. His research and teaching focus on structural engineering, particularly seismic-resistant and self-centering systems for timber and hybrid structures, as well as innovative pedagogical techniques in engineering education. B.A.Sc. Engineering Science, University of Toronto Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Toronto Prof. Erochko’s research spans advanced seismic design for timber buildings, hybrid simulation methods, fire performance of structural systems, and nonlinear dynamic analysis of multi-hazard scenarios. His work integrates experimental testing with computational models to enhance resilience in civil infrastructure. Key trends in his publications include hybrid timber-steel/concrete systems, self-centering dampers, nonlinear modeling of seismic responses, and fire safety engineering. His pedagogical contributions emphasize technology-driven assessment tools like micro-video projects and weighted rubrics. He leads the Carleton Hybrid Simulation Research Group and collaborates with the university’s multi-hazard infrastructure protection facility, which explores integrated experimental and computational approaches to natural hazards such as earthquakes, fire, blast, and wind.
Arnt Verriest is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business and Economics at KU Leuven , affiliated with the Kulak Kortrijk Campus and the Leuven campus. He serves as campus dean and is actively involved in multiple institutional councils and committees. Research Interests focus on corporate finance, international business, and accounting. Key topics include ESG information quality, capital structure decisions, financial reporting, and institutional impacts on corporate strategy. His recent project ( The relevance, quality and trustworthiness of ESG information , 2022–2026) highlights his emphasis on sustainable finance. Scientific Contributions : Publications in journals like Journal of Corporate Finance , European Financial Management , and International Business Review , with a focus on cross-country comparative studies and financial governance. Teaching includes courses such as Bedrijfsfinanciering (Corporate Finance), Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation , and specialized finance modules in banking and economic sciences.
Dr. Asolina Braun is a Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University. She actively supervises PhD students and contributes to research in Skin Immunology Psoriasis Pathogenesis Immunopeptidomics Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells . Education : Biology, Hannover Medical School Doctoral Degree in Immunology (Hannover Medical School, Germany, 2011–2014) Postdoctoral Fellowship with Francis Carbone and Thomas Gebhardt (Germany, 2014–2018) Research Focus : Her work explores HLA-Cw6-dependent antigen presentation and TRM cell survival factors in psoriasis, aiming to develop tolerization strategies for autoinflammatory skin diseases. She also pioneered tactile science communication methods for psoriasis outreach. Key Projects : Leading Psoriasis Antigen Triggers (2023–2025) Investigating Influenza Immune Cross-Protection (2024–2027) Validating HLA-Cw6 Antigen Presentation (2020–2022) Awards & Roles : DFG Fellowship Treasurer, Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology (2018–2022) Executive Committee Member Collaborations span institutions in Australia, Germany, and Denmark, with expertise in flow cytometry , mass spectrometry , and MHC-peptide interactions .
