Mark T. W. Ebbert, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, where he leads the Ebbert Lab. His work focuses on developing biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), leveraging cutting-edge genomic and transcriptomic techniques. He co-leads efforts in the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's Biomarker Core, aiming to integrate neuroimaging, fluid biomarkers, and genomic data for precision medicine applications. Key research interests include analyzing genetic variants, long-read sequencing for disease resilience, and understanding inflammation's role in neurodegeneration. He has presented at high-profile venues like the Markesbery Symposium, discussing topics such as using long-read sequencing to identify AD biomarkers. His lab has produced over 55 publications, with a focus on resolving genomic 'dark regions' and improving biomarker accuracy through innovative methods like RNApysoforms visualization tools. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, Dr. Ebbert explores the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors in neurodegenerative diseases. His work bridges basic science and clinical translation, emphasizing the importance of genomic data integration for advancing AD diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Wynne Chin is a Professor of Decision & Information Sciences at the C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, MBA from the University of Michigan, and degrees from Northwestern University and UC Berkeley. His research focuses on IT adoption, structural equation modeling (SEM), and predictive analytics. He developed the PLS-Graph software, widely used in PLS-based SEM, and has contributed to cross-cultural analysis of IT sourcing and workplace assessment. Education: Ph.D. (Computers & Information Systems, U. Michigan), M.S. (Chemical Engineering, Northwestern), MBA (U. Michigan), B.S. (Biophysics, UC Berkeley). Research interests include IT decision-making, end-user satisfaction, group process measures, and methodological innovations in SEM. He has been recognized globally, ranking 3rd in first-authored articles in MISQ/ISR. Awards include the AIS Fellow, Esther Farfel Award, and AIS Technology Legacy Award. His work bridges IS and statistics, influencing both academic and applied fields. His articles emphasize technology acceptance models, causal modeling, and PLS techniques. Grants and advising contributions are significant but not explicitly detailed here. He has held visiting roles at institutions like the Australian School of Business and is a leader in the PLS research community.
Jennifer Murphy is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington, specializing in adolescent mental health service utilization and school-based interventions. Her research examines longitudinal impacts of mental health services, school social work practices, and interprofessional collaboration in educational settings. Education: PhD in Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University (2023) MS in Disaster Resilience Leadership Studies, Tulane University (2016) MSW in Social Work, Tulane University (2015) BS in Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2014) Dr. Murphy's research focuses on critical intersections of child/adolescent mental health, service utilization patterns, and school-based interventions. Her work employs mixed-methods approaches to investigate barriers to mental health access, the role of school social workers, and impacts of adverse childhood experiences. Current projects examine longitudinal service utilization trajectories, campus food insecurity, and refugee mental health. Her publication trends reveal strong emphasis on adolescent mental health service systems (60%), school-based interventions (25%), and methodological innovation in mixed-methods research (15%). Recent work increasingly incorporates cross-cultural perspectives and pandemic-related service adaptations. Scientific Awards: Hans Falk Dissertation Award Scholarship, VCU School of Social Work (2022) RAACE Fellowship, VCU School of Social Work (2020) Dr. Murphy serves as thesis committee member for four Master's students and teaches graduate courses in social policy, research methods, and school social work. She actively reviews for journals including Journal of School Health and Children & Schools , while contributing to university committees on mental health and academic policy. Her professional service extends to the School Social Work Association of America and Society for Social Work and Research.
Emmanuel Giguet is a Researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), affiliated with the GREYC Laboratory (Computer Science Department) at the University of Caen, Normandy, France. He holds an HDR (Accreditation to Supervise Research) from the University of Caen (2011) and a PhD in Computer Science (1998), both focusing on multilingual natural language processing and document analysis. Roles: Cybersecurity Researcher, Communication and Scientific Mediation Adviser (GREYC Lab), Former Computer Forensics Legal Expert (2005–2015). Expertise: Digital Forensics, Natural Language Processing, Document Structure Analysis, Open Source Intelligence, Competitive Intelligence. His research spans cybersecurity, digital forensics, and NLP applications in document analysis. He co-founded Semiotime (2012), a Competitive Intelligence startup, and has contributed to tools like the GREYC Digital Investigation Platform (G'DIP). He teaches cybersecurity modules at the University of Caen, emphasizing digital forensics and information retrieval. Key Projects: Development of open-source digital investigation tools (e.g., G'DIP). Analysis of deepfake videos and forensic video forgery detection. PDF document structure extraction for financial narrative processing (FinTOC). Affiliations: GREYC Lab (CNRS UMR 6072), University of Caen. Institute for Information Sciences, University of Caen. Communication: Advises GREYC on branding and media presence, including logo guidelines, virtual backgrounds, and scientific mediation resources.
Dr Himashi Peiris is a Research Fellow in the Department of Data Science & AI at Monash University's Faculty of Information Technology in Australia. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Monash University (2024) and a Bachelor's in Information Technology from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Her work focuses on semi-supervised learning, medical image analysis, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. She has over three years of industry experience in software engineering. Research interests include developing machine learning algorithms for medical imaging challenges, particularly in scenarios with limited labeled data. Her innovations span neural networks, transformer architectures, and uncertainty-guided segmentation techniques applied to MRI, CT scans, and biomedical datasets. Her publications in Nature Machine Intelligence and MICCAI conference highlight contributions to semi-supervised segmentation and AI-driven diagnostic tools. Notable collaborations include the development of PINGU for perivascular space identification and adversarial networks for construction waste recognition. Awards include the 2023 Victorian Biomedical Imaging Capability Early Career Award and 2023 IEEE ACS Student Writing Award. Her work has been featured in media outlets and Mendeley platforms, emphasizing AI's role in medical decision-making.
Dr. Che Colpitts is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen's University, affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME). She holds a PhD in Virology from the University of Alberta (2014), and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Strasbourg and University College London. Her research focuses on understanding how positive-sense RNA viruses, including hepatitis C virus (HCV), dengue virus, and coronaviruses, manipulate host cell biology to replicate and evade immune responses. Key research areas include: (1) roles of cyclophilin A in HCV immune evasion, (2) membrane rearrangements during viral replication, (3) TLR4 activation by viral glycoproteins, and (4) antiviral strategies targeting viral entry mechanisms. Current teaching includes MICR 451/BMED 851. The Colpitts Lab actively collaborates on projects involving ER stress responses, glycobiology, and broad-spectrum antiviral development. Notable recent publications explore SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, cyclophilin-mediated viral cloaking, and pan-coronavirus inhibitors. Her work bridges basic virology with translational medicine, aiming to identify novel antiviral approaches against emerging and untreatable viral threats.
Elizabeth C Thompson is Dean of Pembroke College and holds dual appointments as Assistant Professor of the Practice in Cognitive and Psychological Sciences and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Research) at Brown University. She is a licensed psychologist in Rhode Island, with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and postdoctoral training at Alpert Medical School and Brown University Health. Her research focuses on psychosis-spectrum disorders in adolescence, emphasizing risk factors, screening methods, and intervention strategies for mental health and safety risks. Dean, Pembroke College Assistant Professor of the Practice, Cognitive and Psychological Sciences Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Research) At Brown, Dr. Thompson operates within the Department of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences and the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. She teaches clinical psychology courses and advises students pursuing psychology careers. Her clinical work centers on early psychosis through Bradley Hospital’s Stride Clinic, offering assessment and consultation services for Rhode Island youth and families. Her research includes pilot trials on family-oriented interventions for hospitalized adolescents with psychosis-spectrum symptoms and funded projects on sleep characteristics linked to psychosis-spectrum disorders, supported by the COBRE Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms. She collaborates extensively with researchers like Jennifer Wolff, Sarah Thomas, and Anthony Spirito. Dr. Thompson’s recent publications (2024–2019) span topics such as hallucinations and suicidal imagery, cannabis vaping effects, sleep disturbances, social media’s role in mental health, and trauma’s impact on psychosis. Her work often intersects with the Adolescent Mental Health Collaborative (AMHC) and utilizes interdisciplinary approaches, including actigraphy, biomarkers (e.g., interleukin-1 beta), and qualitative methods. She has secured NIH/NIMH, AFSP, and COBRE grants for studies like the LINC and Safety Net projects, reflecting her commitment to translating research into clinical practice. K23 MH119211 (NIH/NIMH): Treatment Engagement Protocol for Post-Discharge Psychosis Care YIG-1-167-19 (AFSP): Safety Planning for High-Risk Teens COBRE Center Grant: Sleep and Psychosis in Adolescents Her lab, SPARK Lab, partners with specialized clinics and emphasizes training opportunities in mental health research. She also contributes to policy discussions around early psychosis care quality and access, advocating for psychological expertise in healthcare synthesis. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, though her grant-funded research underscores her academic influence.
Professor Vicki Friesen is a faculty member in the Department of Biology at Queen's University, part of the Faculty of Arts and Science. Her research focuses on evolutionary and conservation genetics, particularly in seabirds, aiming to understand mechanisms of biodiversity generation and conservation applications. She holds a cross-appointment in the School of Environmental Studies. Her research interests include evolutionary genetics, conservation genetics, biodiversity origins, and the impacts of climate change on seabird populations. She uses next-generation sequencing to study local adaptation and genetic diversity in species such as seabirds, passerines, and fish. Education: Though not explicitly detailed here, her academic roles suggest advanced training in biology or genetics. Labs/Teams: Leads the Friesen Lab, focusing on Arctic ecology and conservation genomics. Advising: Supervises numerous graduate and undergraduate students in topics like migratory mechanisms, conservation genomics, and immunology. Her work emphasizes the application of genetic tools to conservation challenges, such as delineating conservation units and understanding hybridization dynamics in threatened species.
Associate Professor Paul Nevill is affiliated with Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds roles including leadership in the MBioMe group (Minesite Biodiversity Monitoring with eDNA), membership in the TrEnD lab, and involvement with the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country. His research focuses on molecular approaches for species conservation, restoration genetics, and eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring. He collaborates with government agencies, industries, and academic institutions to advance ecological restoration and conservation practices. Paul's educational background includes extensive training in molecular ecology and conservation biology, reflected in his academic publications and projects. He teaches and coordinates units like ENST3000 at Curtin, and supervises HDR students, emphasizing hands-on mentorship in ecological research. His research interests span molecular ecology, restoration genetics, and the application of eDNA to monitor ecosystems. Notable projects include using spider webs and airborne particles for vertebrate detection, assessing soil microbial communities in mine restoration, and evaluating the impacts of land-use changes on root-fungal networks. His work bridges laboratory-based genomics with field ecology, addressing both theoretical and applied conservation challenges. Paul's collaborations extend to global initiatives, such as the 500 Plastome Project for plant conservation, and he actively participates in policy-relevant discussions on ethical seed sourcing and restoration targets. His contributions to ecological solutions are further highlighted through involvement in projects like microbial inoculation for mine-waste substrates and the use of miniaturized spectrometers for soil health assessment. In terms of awards, while no specific prizes are listed, his leadership roles and active membership in the Society for Ecological Restoration underscore his commitment to advancing conservation practices. His work has been published in high-impact journals like Trends in Plant Science , Biological Reviews , and Molecular Ecology , reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his research.
Dr. Andrew M. Lowy is a Professor of Surgery at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, specializing in surgical oncology with a primary focus on pancreatic, liver, and gastrointestinal cancers. As a leading expert in pancreatic cancer treatment, he has pioneered the use of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) or 'chemo bath' for advanced abdominal cancers. Dr. Lowy serves on editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Annals of Surgical Oncology, and co-chairs the National Cancer Institute's Pancreatic Cancer Task Force. His research centers on pancreatic carcinogenesis and therapy, with particular emphasis on the RON receptor tyrosine kinase and its role as a potential therapeutic target. His laboratory develops models for testing novel therapeutics, focusing on translational applications for pancreatic cancer treatment. His work spans molecular biology, cancer signaling pathways, and innovative therapeutic approaches including targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Analysis of Dr. Lowy's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on molecular mechanisms driving pancreatic cancer progression, with particular focus on tumor microenvironment interactions, metastasis mechanisms, and therapeutic resistance. His work increasingly incorporates advanced genomic and transcriptomic approaches while maintaining strong clinical relevance through participation in major cooperative group trials like SWOG. Dr. Lowy has secured significant research funding as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH grants, including several R01 awards from the National Cancer Institute, demonstrating the importance and impact of his research program. His extensive involvement in clinical trials reflects his commitment to translating laboratory findings into improved patient care. His laboratory and clinical team focus on advancing pancreatic cancer treatment through innovative surgical approaches, novel therapeutic targets, and biomarker development to guide personalized treatment strategies. The integration of basic science with clinical practice characterizes his comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.
Moharram Challenger is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Antwerp's Faculty of Sciences. Previously, he served as an assistant professor at Ege University (2017-2018) and as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Antwerp (2019-2020) working on Flanders Make projects PACo and DTDesign. His academic journey includes R&D leadership roles at UNIT IT Ltd. (2012-2016), post-doctoral research at Wageningen University (2016-2017), and tenure-track faculty positions at IAU-Shabestar University (2005-2009). His research spans Cyber-physical Systems , Multi-agent Systems , and Domain-specific Modeling Languages , with recent publications focusing on quantum machine learning, digital twinning, and IoT optimization. Key projects include ITEA ModelWriter, ITEA Assume, and Flanders Make initiatives. His work demonstrates strong integration of model-driven engineering with emerging technologies like quantum computing and reinforcement learning. Challenger actively contributes to the academic community as a member of IEEE and ACM . His publication record shows consistent output across top venues, with 2025 featuring significant work in quantum-enhanced learning and CPS security. Current research emphasizes practical applications in drone energy modeling, medical diagnostics, and industrial IoT systems. His advising activities focus on cyber-physical systems and agent-based modeling, supported by grants from TUBITAK and Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Key collaborations include European ITEA projects and partnerships with industrial entities through UNIT IT Ltd. Challenger maintains active development through GitHub repositories related to code refactoring, model-driven engineering, and legacy system modernization, reflecting his commitment to practical software engineering solutions.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Hodel is an Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities at the University of Bern, affiliated with the Walter Benjamin College. His work focuses on applying machine learning and critical algorithm studies to historical and textual analysis. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Zurich and has held roles such as Project Manager for the Königsfelden Edition Project and coordinator of the 'Ad fontes' e-learning program. Hodel’s research explores intersections between digital methods and traditional humanities, emphasizing ethical AI use in archives and historical workflows. He supervises numerous doctoral students and chairs the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAGW). His contributions span publications in journals like Historische Zeitschrift and conferences such as DHd and Digital Humanities. Education: Studied History and German Literature at the University of Zurich (2002–2010), with advanced roles in SNF-funded projects and book publications. His research interests include digital edition theory, text processing, and the epistemology of digital methods. Key research trends in his articles address historical document analysis, OCR advancements, and the ethical implications of AI in archives. He co-leads the ‘Basic Research and Digitization’ department at the Swiss Society for History and oversees programs like the MAS/CAS in Archives, Library, and Information Science. Hodel’s work bridges technical innovation with critical humanities scholarship.
Martin Dahl is an Associate Professor and Associate Senior Lecturer at Södertörn University's Department of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies (MD439). His work focuses on coastal Blue Carbon dynamics, seagrass meadows, and the impact of human activities on coastal ecosystems. He conducts research in both the Baltic Sea/Skagerrak and the Western Indian Ocean, emphasizing nutrient retention, paleo-ecology, and landscape configuration effects on carbon storage. Key projects include a Baltic Sea Foundation-funded study (2022) investigating land-use and climate impacts on nitrogen retention over 300 years, and the ClimScape initiative assessing Baltic coastal seascape carbon hotspots. His research integrates paleo-proxy analyses with modern environmental data to inform climate mitigation strategies. Publications emphasize seagrass sediment carbon dynamics, methane emissions, and the role of human-driven changes on coastal carbon sinks. While no awards are explicitly listed, his work contributes to global Blue Carbon science frameworks. Advising focuses on environmental and marine science topics, with collaboration through Södertörn University's DiVA publication platform and interdisciplinary coastal projects.
Swastik Kar is a Professor of Physics at Northeastern University, specializing in experimental nanophysics and materials science. His research focuses on the electronic, optical, and electrochemical properties of graphene and 2D quantum materials, with applications in energy storage, sensing, and quantum technologies. He holds a BS from Presidency College, MS and PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, followed by postdoctoral research at Universität Karlsruhe and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His academic journey includes roles as Assistant Professor (2010–2016) and Associate Professor (2016–2023) before becoming a full Professor in 2023. His work bridges experimental physics with advanced fabrication techniques, emphasizing scalable synthesis and characterization of atomically thin materials. Research interests span 2D heterostructures, quantum materials manufacturing, and AI-driven materials discovery. Key projects include the Laboratory for 2D Quantum Materials (2DQM) and the Experiential Quantum Advancement Laboratories (EQUAL), focusing on quantum materials and sensing technologies. Collaborative efforts with industry and academia aim to commercialize innovations like radiation detectors and color-recognition systems. Publications highlight advancements in moiré physics, defect engineering, and optoelectronic devices. His work on graphene-based sensors and nanomaterial color identification systems has been widely recognized. Grants include an NSF award for radiation detector development and TIER 1 funding for interdisciplinary quantum initiatives. Labs and affiliations include the Northeastern Center for Renewable Energy Technology and the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute (QMSI), where he serves as Deputy Director. His research integrates computational modeling, machine learning, and advanced characterization to accelerate quantum material commercialization.
Neziha Yılmaz is a Researcher affiliated with the Civil Engineering Department at Istanbul Technical University's Civil Engineering Faculty. Her work focuses on integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM), Mixed Reality technologies, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence into construction management and facility operations. Education: PhD in Structural Engineering (2020), Istanbul Technical University Master's in Building Management (2017), Istanbul Technical University Bachelor's in Civil Engineering (2012), Istanbul Technical University Research interests span Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Digital Twin applications, and data-driven decision-making in construction. She has explored topics like RFI analysis optimization, occupant feedback systems in BIM, and cross-cultural office leasing criteria using AHP methodology. Her articles emphasize practical applications of emerging technologies in construction asset management, building design, and usability evaluations of mixed reality solutions. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in available records. She currently advises no formal graduate students. Professional Experience includes roles as a BIM Engineer at Gülermak Nurol Makyol Metro Construction Partnership (2019–2020) alongside academic duties since 2020.
