Virginia Tejada Medina serves as a Contracted Professor (Indefinite) within the Department of Physical Education and Sports at the Faculty of Education and Sports Sciences Melilla, University of Granada. Based in Melilla, Spain, she maintains regular tutoring hours for students across two semesters, holding sessions in Office 211 with specific weekday schedules reflecting her active teaching responsibilities in physical education and sports sciences. Her research spans interdisciplinary domains including sports psychology (with emphasis on women's football resilience, anxiety, and team dynamics), motor development in preschool children, physical activity interventions for older adults, and nutritional impacts on athletic performance. She employs systematic review methodologies to investigate psychological determinants in sports, injury rehabilitation protocols, and sociocultural factors influencing exercise participation, particularly within Melilla's multicultural context. Her work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications across diverse populations. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant patterns in systematic reviews and bibliometric studies focused on women's football evolution, psychological performance factors, and lifespan physical activity. Key themes include pandemic-related exercise resumption protocols, patriarchal barriers to senior fitness, intermittent fasting effects on athletes, and menopausal symptom management through exercise. Her research demonstrates methodological rigor in addressing real-world challenges, with strong regional relevance to Melilla's unique sociocultural environment while contributing to global sports science discourse.
Nicole Blodgett is an Associate Clinical Professor at Duke University's School of Nursing, with expertise in simulation-based education, mental health nursing, and gerontological care. She joined Duke in 2020 as an Assistant Clinical Professor and was promoted to her current role in 2025. Ph.D., University of Iowa (2014) Her research focuses on healthcare simulation innovation , including trauma-informed learning, airway fire safety training, and anti-racism education using trigger films. She leads grants from the Health Resources and Service Administration (2017-2027, 2023-2026) and has piloted global health initiatives with Duke Global Health Institute (2024-2025). Publications highlight her work in virtual simulations , faculty workload models, and pain management strategies. Key trends in her research include interprofessional collaboration , technology integration in education, and health equity improvements through simulation. She teaches courses like NURSING 748: Using Simulation in Education and mentors DNP projects.
Kaarina Mönkkönen is a Senior Lecturer and Docent in Social Work at the University of Eastern Finland's Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. Her work focuses on interprofessional collaboration, dialogical interaction, and multidisciplinary education. She leads research groups like 'Worth and worthlessness' and 'Interprofessional learning', and contributes to projects such as FITFUTURA (2024-2026) addressing child protection processes. Mönkkönen has co-authored influential books including Arvoa ja arvottomuutta (2023) on value perception and Työyhteisötaidot digiajassa (2023) exploring digital-era workplace skills. She pioneered simulation-based learning methods in social work education, emphasizing ethical dilemmas and client-centered practice. Notable collaborations include an educational video project with the University of Namibia on family violence intervention (2024). Her research spans over 40 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nordic Social Work Research and Social Work Education , addressing topics from healthcare teamwork dynamics to narrative organizational research. Docent in Social Work (Interprofessional Interaction) Recipient of 2018 UEF Teaching Award for Moniammatillinen vuorovaikutusosaaminen course Key contributor to芬兰's social services reform discussions through edited volume Uudistuva sosiaali- ja terveysala (2020) Research Interests Mönkkönen's work centers on three pillars: dialogical interaction as a foundation for professional practice, interprofessional collaboration mechanisms in complex care environments, and pedagogical innovation through simulation learning. Her recent focus on 'impactful interaction' emphasizes outcomes-oriented teamwork. She investigates how multidisciplinary teams construct shared understanding in client sessions, with particular attention to ethical decision-making frameworks. Career Highlights Developed nationally recognized simulation curricula used across UEF campuses. Authored/co-authored 12 books and book sections since 2013, including seminal works on narrative methods in organizational research and cooperative economics. Currently leads the Worth and worthlessness research stream exploring existential dimensions of social work practice.
Freddie Bryant is a Professor in the Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music, where he teaches courses in jazz, Brazilian, Latin, and African grooves, harmonic knowledge, and guitar technique. He is a renowned guitarist and composer with a global artistic footprint, leading ensembles such as Kaleidoscope and Trio del Sol. Master of Music in Classical Guitar, Yale School of Music, 1994 Bachelor of Arts in Music, Amherst College, 1987 His research and artistic interests focus on global jazz fusion, harmonic development, cross-cultural rhythm integration, and guitar performance. He emphasizes connecting with diverse grooves and strengthening the balance between pick and finger-style playing. His work bridges jazz, Brazilian, Latin, African, and blues/funk traditions, with a strong emphasis on original composition and voice leading. His recent works, including Upper West Side Love Story and Monk Restrung , reflect a trend toward thematic song cycles, reimagined jazz standards, and cross-genre collaborations. These projects highlight his expertise in narrative composition, cultural storytelling, and innovative ensemble arrangements. Honorary Doctorate from Amherst College 2019 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant for Upper West Side Love Story Bryant has advised numerous students through Berklee’s programs and has secured competitive grants for new jazz works. He has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries such as Eliane Elias, Tom Harrell, and the Mingus Orchestra, and has toured in 55 countries, collaborating with Indian classical musicians, African singers, and traditional Arab groups. His professional experience deeply informs his pedagogy. He leads multiple ensembles, including Kaleidoscope, Trio del Sol, and the Freddie Bryant Quartet, and is a member of the Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet and the Mingus Orchestra. These groups serve as laboratories for his creative and educational vision, integrating performance, composition, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Rosa M. Badia is a Research Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC), affiliated with the Faculty of Computer Science of Barcelona (FIB) and serving as leader of the Workflows and Distributed Computing group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). Her work focuses on advancing high-performance computing (HPC), parallel processing, and distributed systems, contributing significantly to the visibility of the BSC and the Euro-Par conference series. Her research spans critical areas in computational science, including workflow optimization and scalable computing paradigms, aligning with trends in distributed systems and parallel computing. She has played a pivotal role in organizing workshops, chairing sessions, and co-authoring over 17 papers at Euro-Par, highlighting her sustained impact on the field. Scientific Awards: Euro-Par Achievement Award 2019 Rosa Badia actively mentors teams and collaborates on initiatives to promote women in technical careers, emphasizing the importance of conferences like Euro-Par for fostering global research partnerships.
Maria Prosperina Vitale is a Full Professor in the Department of Political and Social Studies (DISPS) at the University of Salerno, where she teaches courses in social research methods and statistics. She is based at the Fisciano Campus and holds regular office hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, both in-person and via Microsoft Teams upon request. Her research focuses on sociological methodologies, including social network analysis, survey and case study design, and statistical analysis of categorical data in social sciences. She contributes to academic training through laboratory sessions and simulation tests for students in statistics and research methods. She is actively involved in student support through thesis supervision and academic orientation, notably coordinating the "Gabbiotto Orienta Sociology Desk" with student tutors on MS Teams. While her profile references publications, research projects, and awards, specific details are not available in the provided texts. Teaching: Theories and Methods for Social Network Analysis, Statistics Laboratory for Social Sciences, Investigation Design and Case Study Research Interests: Social network analysis, survey methodology, categorical data, social policy Dr. Vitale plays a key role in both the academic and mentoring aspects of sociology education at the University of Salerno.
Dr. Mifrah Ahmad is a Senior Lecturer at Torrens University and a Sessional Academic at Deakin University , specifically within the School of Communication and Creative Arts under the Faculty of Arts and Education . Her career spans over a decade, with teaching experience across multiple institutions since 2013 in Malaysia and ongoing roles in Australia from 2018 onwards. She specializes in Game Design and Educational Technology , focusing on Experiential Learning and Qualitative Research methodologies.
Theo Black serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Performing and Media Arts department at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. He teaches courses in acting, directing, and public speaking, with a specialized focus on practice-based eco-performance work. His educational background includes: M.F.A. from the Academy for Classical Acting B.A. in Dramatic Art from U.C. Berkeley Professor Black's research centers at the intersection of performing arts and environmental studies. His work spans Shakespeare performance studies, public speaking pedagogy, and eco-performance with particular emphasis on environmental justice. He collaborates extensively with Cornell's Environment & Sustainability program and Cornell Botanic Gardens, while maintaining partnerships with Stanford, UNR-Lake Tahoe's Sustainability Certificate program, and UC Merced. His practice-based research cultivates communication and performance skills to bridge scientific and communal understandings of environmental issues on local and global scales. Notable creative projects include "Eco-Macbeth: Nature Fights Back" and "BIOphelia: A Performance-Infused Scholarship Symposium." He participates in Earth Day programming through "Shakespeare in Yosemite," adapting Shakespeare plays with scientific and cultural specificity. As a communication coach featured on coachtheoblack.com, Black works with diverse clients from Cornell graduate students to corporate executives. His workshops for the English Ph.D. program have transformed students' presentation skills for academic interviews. Testimonials from faculty like Jenny C. Mann (Cornell Professor of English) describe his sessions as "electrifying" that transform students' "sense of their bodies, voices, and general presence." Black maintains active community partnerships with Footprints' climate action camps and Raeflower Holistics, serving as communication coach and community partner respectively, extending his performance-based approaches to environmental communication beyond the academy.
Asta Cekaite is Professor of Child Studies at Linköping University, Sweden, and current Pro-Dean for Research and Doctoral Education in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2024-2026). Located in the interdisciplinary Department of Thematic Studies – Child Studies, her scholarly work integrates detailed video-based conversation analysis and long-term ethnography to investigate how children’s social interaction, multilingual language socialisation, emotion, morality and embodied touch unfold in families, preschools and schools. Education & Career: 2006 – PhD, Tema Barn, Linköping University 2013 – appointed Professor, Tema Barn, Linköping University 2016-2017 – Head of Division, Tema Barn 2014-2016 – Deputy Head of Division, Tema Barn 2018-2023 – Member, Faculty Board, Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2024-2026 – Pro-Dean for Research & Doctoral Education, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Research Interests: Cekaite’s research centres on the micro-dynamics of children’s everyday life. She explores how bilingualism is interactionally accomplished among peers and with adults, how laughter, crying and touch function in moral socialisation, and how embodied routines such as assisted eating or play entry organise participation and learning. Comparative projects in Swedish, US and Japanese settings illuminate cultural variations in these processes. Recent Publication Trends (2022-2025): Her newest articles cluster around three themes: (1) interpersonal touch as an instructional and caring resource in preschool and medical settings; (2) emotion socialisation—especially fear and distress—in adult–child encounters such as dental visits; and (3) multilingual peer play and teacher-led guided play as sites for bilingual development and inclusion of immigrant children. Methodologically, all studies rely on fine-grained video analyses and often adopt longitudinal perspectives. Supervision & Seminars: Cekaite currently supervises doctoral researcher Effrosyni Terzoglou and post-doc Olga Anatoli. She co-convenes the cross-disciplinary Samtals- och interaktionsseminariet (Conversation & Interaction Seminar) and the Child Interaction Group Seminar , both active forums for data sessions and ongoing analytical work. Editorial & Leadership Roles: She is Vice Chair of her Faculty Board and Co-Editor of the international journal Research on Children and Social Interaction , underscoring her influential position in shaping child-interaction research infrastructures.
Dr. Ying Zou is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Queen's University's Smith Engineering faculty in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. With an extensive publication record spanning from 2018 through 2025, Dr. Zou has established herself as a leading researcher in empirical software engineering with a growing focus on AI integration. Dr. Zou's research focuses on Software Engineering , Artificial Intelligence for Software Engineering (AI4SE) , Software Evolution , Software Analytics , and Empirical Software Engineering . Her work bridges theoretical approaches with practical applications, examining developer behavior, code quality improvement, and AI techniques for software engineering tasks. Recent publications demonstrate a clear progression from traditional empirical studies toward more AI-centric approaches, particularly in code refactoring, type inference, and performance analysis. Analysis of Dr. Zou's publication trends reveals a strategic evolution in her research focus. Early work centered on empirical studies of Stack Overflow and GitHub, while recent publications increasingly integrate large language models and AI techniques for software engineering tasks. Her research spans multiple dimensions including code quality, developer productivity, open source community dynamics, and performance optimization, with consistent methodological rigor in empirical validation. Dr. Zou has served in numerous leadership roles across major software engineering conferences including ASE, ICSE, and ESEC/FSE. She has been a Program Committee member for multiple tracks and conferences, and notably served as New Faculty Mentoring Co-Chair for ESEC/FSE 2026. Her service to the community extends to organizing conference tracks, chairing sessions, and mentoring new researchers in the field.
Lina Hakim is a Senior Lecturer in Visual and Material Culture at Kingston University's School of Creative and Cultural Industries, Department of Critical and Historical Studies. She joined Kingston University in October 2015, teaching Critical and Historical Studies primarily to Graphic Design students. She also serves as a Sessional Lecturer at Imperial College London, where she teaches 'Science, Art & Design' to undergraduate STEM students and supervises an independent study module on 'Science Culture and Society'. Previously, she was an Andrew Mellon Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where she coordinated the V&A Research Institute Pilot Project exploring models of object-led inquiry and developing opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborative research. Her educational background includes: PhD in Humanities & Cultural Studies from the London Consortium, Birkbeck, University of London (2013) MRes in Humanities & Cultural Studies from the London Consortium, Birkbeck, University of London MA in Book Arts from Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London BA in Graphic Design from the American University of Beirut Lina Hakim's research focuses on the intersections between visual and material cultures of science, technology, craft, and play. Her work examines how objects facilitate thinking and understanding at multiple levels including encounter, production, use, and re-appropriation. Her doctoral project, 'Scientific Playthings: Artefacts, Affordance, History', investigated how 19th-century scientific instruments like the string surface model, Crookes radiometer, and gyroscope transitioned into toys. Her research is deeply informed by her artistic and design practice, emphasizing attentiveness to skill and craftsmanship, phenomenological experiences of objects, and the political dimensions of material assemblages. Her scholarly publications reveal a consistent methodology centered on object-oriented inquiry, with particular attention to how material encounters mediate knowledge production across historical and contemporary contexts. Her work spans historical analysis of scientific instruments, critical examinations of design activism, and theoretical explorations of material phenomenology, demonstrating a distinctive approach that bridges academic research with creative practice. Among her notable recognitions is the Andrew Mellon Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where she coordinated the V&A Research Institute Pilot Project exploring models of object-led inquiry and developing opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborative research. Hakim has taught across multiple programs including Graphic Design BA (Hons) and Illustration Animation BA (Hons) at Kingston University. At the V&A, she taught 'Key Concepts' on the V&A/RCA History of Design MA programme, examining the latest theories and methodologies in the field, and ran a 'Thinking Things' reading group for V&A staff. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning through material engagement, connecting theoretical frameworks with hands-on object analysis. Her work bridges academic research with creative practice, reflecting her background as both a scholar and an artist. Through her various roles at Kingston University, Imperial College London, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, she has developed a distinctive approach to material culture studies that connects historical analysis with contemporary concerns about the political and epistemological dimensions of objects.
Mr. Kulvinder Dhillon is a Lecturer (Practice) in Social Work at Middlesex University, affiliated with the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education and the Department of Mental Health & Social Work. His career spans over three decades in social work practice, management, and academic roles. He has held senior positions in youth offending services, safeguarding, and offender management, including leading projects on offender personality disorders and homelessness. He currently teaches six core modules of the Social Work PG Diploma (Think Ahead Programme), supervises 14 master’s students, and leads the development of a new Advanced Mental Health Practice module. His research interests focus on social work pedagogy, cultural competency in BME communities, mental health service provision, and cross-cultural approaches to addressing generational trauma and offending behaviors. He has contributed to policy discussions on research commissioning and led a mixed-methods study on youth offending service engagement. His teaching emphasizes practical skills through role-plays, vivas, and portfolio assessments, alongside specialized sessions on criminal justice and family dynamics. Notable achievements include a YJB award for communications excellence in youth justice (2008) and pioneering partnerships in offender center development. He continues to integrate innovative pedagogical approaches from his PGCert training into curriculum design and student mentorship.
Candace Makowichuk is a Sessional Instructor at MacEwan University's Department of Arts and Cultural Management. She holds a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) from Athabasca University and has over 30 years of experience in visual arts, arts education, and arts administration. Her career includes executive director roles at organizations such as Harcourt House Arts Center, Art Gallery of St. Albert, SNAP (Society of Northern Alberta Print Artists), and the Edmonton Short Film Festival. She is also a professional visual artist, focusing on historical photographic processes and non-digital techniques. Education: Bachelor of General Studies (BGS), Athabasca University Research Interests: Makowichuk's work emphasizes the transformative role of the arts in unifying communities and fostering cultural dialogue. She explores themes of generational identity, childhood, and environmental engagement through photography series like Generations III , Through the Eyes of a Child , and The Art of Play . Her artistic practice integrates alternative photographic processes such as cyanotype, bromoil, and gel transfers. Awards & Grants: Edmonton Arts Council Travel Grant (2018) Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grant (2016, 2006, 1994) Multiple grants for professional development and creative achievement Grants & Expertise: Makowichuk has extensive experience in non-profit management, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and curatorial work. Her expertise spans public art galleries, artist-run centers, printmaking, and arts festivals. She currently operates Sunprint Studio and contributes to Arts on the Ave festivals such as Deep Freeze and Kaleido. Labs/Teams: Her artistic practice is supported through collaborations with organizations like SNAP and her independent studio, Sunprint Studio.
Michelle Kisliuk is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Virginia. Her work bridges performance studies and ethnographic research, focusing on the music, dance, and cultural politics of the BaAka forest people in the Central African Republic, urban music in Bangui, and the socioesthetics of bluegrass jam sessions in the U.S. A recipient of the ASCAP Deems Taylor Special Recognition Award, she has held fellowships from the Mellon Foundation and Laura Boulton Senior Fellow in Ethnomusicology. PhD in Performance Studies, New York University (1991) Her research explores performance ethnography, environmental sustainability through expressive culture, and the intersection of music with political activism. She directs the UVA African Music and Dance Ensemble and co-chairs the Mellon Lab in Embodied Creative Practices. Key trends in her publications include decolonial methodologies in ethnomusicology, vibrational relationships between humans and nonhumans, and music's role in addressing slow violence and ecological crises. Her work often synthesizes creative nonfiction with academic theory. ASCAP Deems Taylor Special Recognition Award Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow Laura Boulton Senior Fellow in Ethnomusicology As a College Fellow at UVA, she teaches first-year students in "Cultures of Play(ing)" and mentors graduate students in field research. She co-founded the Mellon Lab in Embodied Creative Practices to explore interdisciplinary performance studies.
Dr. Matthew Hill is an Associate Professor of Finance and serves as the Associate Dean of Research and Director of the Griffin Graduate Program at Arkansas State University's Neil Griffin College of Business. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Finance) from Mississippi State University and earned both his B.S. in Corporate Finance and MBA from Arkansas State University. Dr. Hill's research centers on corporate finance, with a focus on corporate liquidity management and corporate political connections . His work has been published in leading academic journals such as Financial Management , Journal of Banking and Finance , and Real Estate Economics . He is the co-author of the academic textbook Short-Term Financial Management (6th edition), adopted by over fifty universities across North America and Europe. His practical expertise is reflected in his professional certifications—CFA, CTP, and FPAC—and his ongoing consulting with the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), where he has led training sessions for organizations like Bank of Montreal, Capital One, Johnson & Johnson, Michelin, and PNC Bank. He has also played a key editorial role in shaping professional curriculum, including the CTP and FPAC certification materials. Professional Recognitions and Contributions: Research awards and grants in corporate liquidity and political finance Co-editor, Essentials of Treasury Management , 5th edition (CTP exam body of knowledge, 2017–2020) Editor, revised 2024 FPAC curriculum Consultant and trainer for AFP since 2014 Dr. Hill advises graduate programs and leads research initiatives at the college level. His work bridges academic theory and real-world financial practice, with significant contributions to both scholarly and professional finance communities. He has not received named external prizes, but his editorial and consulting roles represent high professional impact. He is actively involved in community service, having served on the budget committee of Highland Drive Baptist Church, the board of directors for Ridgefield Christian School, and the club board at Ridgepointe Country Club.
