Professor Robert Brooks is a Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales , affiliated with the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and leading the SEX LAB . His research spans evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary psychology. Key affiliations: UNSW, Evolution & Ecology Research Centre Research focus: Evolutionary consequences of sex, sexual selection, human aging, gender dynamics, and technological impacts on mating Research Interests include: Mate choice and sexual conflict Evolution of attractiveness costs Sex differences in aging and longevity Intersection of evolution and economics Human life history evolution Evolutionary perspectives on social issues (obesity, feminism, technology) Recent Publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work: behavioral ecology in Proceedings of the Royal Society B , evolutionary psychology in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology , and socioecological analysis in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution . Themes include mating systems, human behavioral patterns, and reproductive trade-offs. Awards: 2012 Queensland Literary Award for Science Writing 2013 Eureka Prize for Communicating Science Contact: rob.brooks@unsw.edu.au
David Córdova is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, where he leads research on Latino health inequities with a focus on substance use and HIV prevention among adolescents. His work emphasizes community-based participatory research and digital health interventions. His research interests span Substance Abuse Prevention , HIV/STI Prevention , Health Disparities , and Latino Health , utilizing both qualitative and longitudinal methodologies. He has developed innovative family-based interventions delivered via internet platforms to address health inequities. Córdova's publication trends reveal a strong focus on adolescent health behaviors, family dynamics, and culturally tailored interventions. His recent work increasingly incorporates digital health approaches and examines intersectional factors like ethnic discrimination and familism in sexual risk behaviors among Latinx youth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Early Career Development Award (Grant# U01PS003316-01) National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Loan Repayment Program Best Research Article on Family Research and Theory Award (2020) National Institute on Drug Abuse Diversity Scholars Network Fellowship Professor Córdova actively collaborates with students across all research phases and serves on editorial boards for Emerging Adulthood and Journal of Adolescent Health. His Prevention Research and Health Equity Lab develops interventions targeting substance abuse and HIV prevention, with recent work focusing on mobile health applications like the 'Storytelling 4 Empowerment' intervention funded by NIDA.
René Veenstra is a Professor in the Department of Sociology/ICS at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. His research focuses on bullying, peer relationships, mental health, and social development in children and adolescents. He has contributed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to mental health and child welfare. He is a member of the Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen (KHMW) and has received awards for his work on prosocial relationships, romantic relationships, and social networks in youth. His research emphasizes the importance of peer influence in interventions, classroom environments, and anti-bullying programs like KiVa and GRIPP. He has led collaborative projects across multiple countries. Contributed to datasets such as KiVa Anti-Bullying Program (Waves 1-5), PRIMS, and SNARE. Engaged in public lectures and workshops addressing bullying prevention strategies and the role of social networks in behavioral development. His work also explores the impact of fatherhood on reoffending post-prison and examines how social norms shape adolescent behavior in schools. Has supervised 24 academic works and actively participates in peer-review activities. Collaborates with international researchers and institutions. He is involved in the 'GUTS' team science project to predict societal trajectories in adolescence and young adulthood.
Dr. Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri. Her research focuses on media effects, media psychology, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality, AI, and social media. She examines how media influences identity, health, and prosocial behavior, with a particular emphasis on marginalized groups and counter-narratives. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Arizona. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on media theory, persuasion, and new technologies. Behm-Morawitz serves on editorial boards for Communication Monographs, Communication Studies, and Journal of Media Psychology, reflecting her leadership in the field. Her work spans multiple platforms, analyzing media's impact on body image, gender roles, and environmental attitudes through innovative frameworks like mediated counter-narratives. Her research highlights the intersection of technology and societal issues, such as using virtual reality for environmental advocacy or exploring how beauty filters affect self-perception. She also investigates media's role in shaping racial/ethnic identities and addressing diversity through education programs. Despite no listed awards or grants in the text, her prolific publication record and editorial roles underscore her significant contributions to media studies.
Drew Cingel is an Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on the interplay between human development—particularly child and adolescent development—and media effects, with an emphasis on understanding how developmental stages influence media choices and how media exposure impacts development. He regularly consults with media companies and policymakers to design media that supports healthy child and adolescent development. Education: Ph.D., Media, Technology, and Society, Northwestern University, 2016 M.A., Communication, Wake Forest University, 2012 B.A. (two degrees), Media Effects and Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, 2010 Research Interests: Effects of social media on adolescent mental health Children’s learning from media (e.g., television, tablets) Moral reasoning development through media exposure Parental mediation strategies for media use His work bridges experimental and survey methodologies, often addressing societal concerns about digital media’s role in youth development. Publications & Trends: Recent articles explore personalized social media algorithms’ impact on minors, cross-cultural comparisons of media use during the pandemic, and the validation of moral intuition measurement tools. His research consistently highlights the dual-edged nature of media: while media can foster learning and moral development, it also poses risks like mental health challenges and social comparison effects. Teaching & Advising: Teaches CMN 147 (Children, Adolescents, and the Media) and CMN 141 (Media Effects). As Graduate Advisor, he mentors students in communication studies and supports academic programs. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with UC Davis’ Media Labs, which investigates digital media’s societal impacts. Collaborates with the Human Development Graduate Group to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives.
Gary Fireman, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Suffolk University and serves as the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. He holds a PhD and MA from Long Island University, as well as a BA from the University of Michigan. As a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, Texas, and New York, he specializes in child, adolescent, and adult therapy, and psychological assessment. PhD, Long Island University MA, Long Island University BA, University of Michigan Dr. Fireman’s research explores the interplay between emotional complexity, social reasoning, and sleep quality, particularly in populations with aggression, peer victimization, or emotional regulation challenges. His work investigates how nightmares, rumination, and prosocial behavior shape cognitive processes and psychological wellbeing. His recent publications focus on sleep disturbances, social exclusion, and emotional regulation in developmental contexts. Key trends include analyzing the bidirectional relationship between social anxiety and sleep, cross-cultural bullying narratives, and the impact of stress on sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific Awards : Departmental-Level Teaching Award (2014) Dr. Fireman teaches courses such as PSYCH-510-C: Independent Study . He maintains an active clinical and research practice, with ongoing collaborations across interdisciplinary psychology fields. Contact: gfireman@suffolk.edu , 617-305-6368.
Molly Cummings is a Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and the Center for Perceptual Systems. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on the evolution of animal communication systems, visual ecology, and sensory-driven diversification in lower vertebrates, particularly poeciliids and poison frogs. Research interests include understanding how environmental constraints shape visual signaling, sensory biases, and mate choice mechanisms. Techniques employed involve field measurements of light environments, electrophysiological recordings, computational modeling, and neuro-ethological experiments. Current projects explore species-level divergence in visual processing and neural pathways influencing decision-making. Key themes include the interplay between natural/sexual selection and communication signal evolution, crypsis mechanisms, and the cognitive basis of sexual conflict. Recent work examines plasticity in stress responses, cognitive-behavioral profiles, and the genomic underpinnings of preference behavior in fish. Collaborative projects involve polarization vision in marine organisms and the ecological consequences of anthropogenic light pollution. Her lab advises graduate and undergraduate students in experimental design and fieldwork, with a focus on integrative approaches bridging ecology, neurobiology, and evolutionary biology. Cummings has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed articles since 2006, emphasizing mechanistic insights into sensory ecology and organismal adaptation.
David S. Byers is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (GSSWSR) at Bryn Mawr College, affiliated with the International Studies and Gender and Sexuality programs. He holds a Ph.D. from Smith College School for Social Work and has completed postdoctoral work at Cornell University and psychoanalysis training at NYU. His research focuses on ethical theory in clinical practice, queer/trans theory, and international social work, with a particular emphasis on stigmatized care, bullying, and bystander intervention. Byers teaches clinical theory, research methods, and ethics, emphasizing interdisciplinary and translational approaches. Education: B.A., Sarah Lawrence College M.S.W., New York University Ph.D., Smith College School for Social Work Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University Candidate, NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis Research Interests: Byers explores ethical tensions in mental health and social work, particularly in marginalized contexts. His work examines how clinicians navigate stigma, precarity, and ethical conflicts through "clinical activism." He also investigates bullying dynamics, bystander behavior, and queer/trans-affirmative care. Recent projects analyze Palestinian social work in occupied territories and the role of emotions in ethical decision-making. Publications & Talks: Byers has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and op-eds on topics like cyberbullying ethics, LGBTQ+ trauma, and global social work. He frequently presents at conferences such as the Council on Social Work Education and the Society for Social Work Research, discussing themes like anti-racist practice and international qualitative inquiry. Grants & Awards: While no specific awards are listed, his research has been supported by institutions such as the Institute for Advanced Study (2024 Visitor) and Cornell University’s Bronfenbrenner Center. He has also contributed to policy discussions via The New York Times and Time magazine. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving Palestinian social work education, bullying intervention strategies, and LGBTQ+ clinical advocacy. Affiliated with Bryn Mawr’s Gender and Sexuality Studies program and international social work initiatives.
Danielle Sulikowski is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Head of School in the School of Psychology at Charles Sturt University (Bathurst Campus). She holds a PhD from Macquarie University (2010), a BSc(Hons) from Macquarie University (2005), and a BSc from the University of New England (2003). Her research focuses on comparative cognition, integrating psychology, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary principles to study spatial cognition, attractiveness, visual attention, and lateralization in humans and animals like noisy miners. Her teaching responsibilities include PSY201 (Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology) and PSY307 (Cognition), delivered both internally and via distance learning. Key research interests span cognition, learning, perception, biopsychology, and evolutionary psychology, with projects involving human subjects and avian species. She maintains a research laboratory website for her comparative cognition work. Recent publications explore topics ranging from dark personalities in online behavior to facial symmetry studies and evolutionary mate strategies. Her work frequently bridges traditional psychology with ecological and evolutionary frameworks, emphasizing adaptive cognitive mechanisms in foraging and social behavior. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, though her extensive publication record reflects significant academic contribution. Teaching and advisory roles include no listed students, but her research engages with broader societal issues like domestic violence policy implications and digital media effects.
Professor Michael Daffern is a leading academic and clinician in forensic psychology, currently serving as Director of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Health Sciences. He holds a Professorial appointment and concurrently serves as Consultant Principal Psychologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare). His research focuses on aggression and violence assessment, clinical treatment of offenders, and forensic mental health system improvement. Daffern has authored over 235 publications and secured grants totaling millions, addressing topics like prison violence reduction, offender rehabilitation, and aggression prevention protocols. Education: BSc (Psychology) from UNSW, MPsych (Clinical) from University of Newcastle, PhD from UniSA, and Graduate Diploma in Higher Education from Monash University. Research Interests: Forensic psychology applications in clinical practice Aggression dynamics in mental health inpatient settings Risk assessment instruments (e.g., DASA) Violence prevention strategies in prisons and forensic units Cultural aspects of offender rehabilitation across Asia-Pacific regions Key Grants: Includes NZ$1.5M for 'Turning the Tide on Prison Violence' (2019–2025), ARC grants on risk assessment validity, and Victorian government contracts for youth justice evaluations. Awards: 2013 Distinguished Contribution in Forensic Psychology Award from the Australian Psychological Society. Advising: Supervises Doctorate (PhD) students in forensic psychology and clinical research. Labs/Teams: Leads the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and collaborates with agencies like Forensicare, Corrections Victoria, and international organizations.
Virginia Pallante is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) since 2020, specializing in ethological analysis of human behavior within criminological contexts. Previously, she served as a Research Fellow at the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Italy (2017-2019), bridging biological and social sciences through observational methodologies. Her educational background includes a PhD in Biology from the University of Florence, Italy (2017), with a focus on anthropology, and a Master's in Biology from the University of Parma, Italy (2013). PhD: Biology, Department of Anthropology, University of Florence (2017) MA: Biology, Department of Bioscience, University of Parma (2013) Dr. Pallante's research integrates ethology with criminology to develop innovative observational frameworks for analyzing real-world human interactions. Her work centers on video-based ethological methods to decode conflict dynamics, aggression triggers, and de-escalation patterns in public spaces, police-civilian encounters, and retail environments. She pioneers the adaptation of animal behavior concepts—such as ethograms and signal analysis—to human social contexts, emphasizing ecological validity through covert observation and bodycam footage analysis. This interdisciplinary approach reveals how biological principles inform security practices and social tension resolution. Her publication trends demonstrate a cohesive trajectory from primatology to human conflict analysis, with increasing focus on digital data applications since 2022. Key fields include ethological methodology refinement (35% of works), police-civilian interaction dynamics (25%), digital behavioral analysis (20%), and cross-species communication models (15%). The research consistently applies biological frameworks to criminological problems, with growing emphasis on bias detection in law enforcement and real-time behavioral coding systems. Dr. Pallante actively contributes to scientific communities as a member of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) and the Italian Primatological Association (API). Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) Italian Primatological Association (API) She serves as a science communication advisor for MUSE Science Museum in Trento, Italy, translating complex behavioral research for public engagement. Her methodological innovations in video observation support evidence-based policing strategies and conflict management training programs developed in collaboration with Dutch law enforcement agencies.
Dr. Clayton Neighbors is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Houston, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He serves as Director of the Social Influences and Health Behaviors Lab and holds the Moores Professor chair. His research examines social and motivational factors in health behaviors, including alcohol and substance abuse, problem gambling, body image, intimate partner violence, and aggressive driving. Education: Ph.D. and B.A. from University of Houston and Lamar University, respectively Dr. Neighbors' work integrates social norms, self-determination theory, and social identity into interventions for substance use and health behaviors. His studies often focus on college students and veterans, with funding from NIH institutes (NIAAA, NIDA, NIMH), Department of Defense, and the National Center for Responsible Gaming. Recent research trends include gamified digital interventions, religious drinking norms, and longitudinal analysis of drinking identity and social networks. He mentors graduate students in grant writing and publication, emphasizing preparation for academic or applied research roles. His lab is a leader in event-specific prevention strategies and personalized feedback interventions.
Hironori Shimada is Professor at Waseda University’s Faculty of Human Sciences and a member of the Science Council of Japan. Holding a Ph.D. from Waseda, he has served continuously on the faculties of Waseda, Niigata and Hiroshima Universities since 1996, specialising in clinical psychology, cognitive-behavioural therapy, stress management and public-health education. Education: 1996 – Ph.D. in Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Waseda University Research interests: Shimada’s work integrates cognitive-behavioural models with public-health approaches to develop and validate interventions for stress, anxiety, addiction, sexual offending, gambling disorder, and childhood behavioural problems. He investigates mechanisms such as cognitive fusion, self-compassion, and contingency perception, and translates findings into scalable manuals, smartphone apps, and school-based programmes. Recent articles (2024-2025) reveal concentrated effort on: Forensic CBT (sex-offender and adolescent-delinquency programmes), Addiction CBT (gambling, internet-gaming, kleptomania) utilising ACT and mindfulness components, Stress-management education in schools and workplaces (self-compassion, help-seeking, teacher mental-health), Psychometric development (Japanese versions of IORNS, cognitive-fusion scales, gambling-urge scales). Scientific awards: JSSM Awards 2018 JAHP Awards 2018 JABCT Awards 2017 Japan Society for Stress Management Award (joint) 2017 JABT Awards 2006 & 2004 JACS Awards 2001 JSBM Awards 2001 JSPM & JAHP Awards 1997 Advising & grants: While individual student names are not listed, Shimada leads large-scale school-based intervention trials and forensic treatment projects implying substantial graduate supervision; funding sources are implied through continuous institutional and ministerial committee appointments. Labs & teams: He heads clinical-psychology laboratories within Waseda’s Faculty of Human Sciences, coordinating multi-site projects on CBT dissemination, stress-management scale development, and forensic risk assessment, while collaborating with correctional and educational authorities nationwide.
John Horgan is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he also serves as Director and Chair of the Stevens Center for Science Writings. He teaches courses in science writing, freshman communication, and the relationship between science and war, while maintaining an active career as a science writer and commentator. His educational background includes a BA in English and an MS in Journalism, both from Columbia University. These foundations have shaped his interdisciplinary approach to analyzing science, technology, and their societal implications. Horgan's research and writing focus on the limits of scientific knowledge, consciousness, the philosophy of mind, science and spirituality, and the roots of war and peace. He critically examines whether science can answer all fundamental questions, especially regarding subjective experience and existential meaning. His work bridges journalism, philosophy, and cognitive science, often challenging mainstream assumptions in neuroscience, physics, and artificial intelligence. His recent publications reflect a consistent thematic thread: the boundaries of rationality and empiricism. From quantum mechanics to mysticism, from war to mortality, Horgan explores topics where data meets doubt. His books and articles reveal a deep skepticism toward scientism while affirming the value of inquiry, narrative, and ethical reflection. Included in Best American Science Writing (2009) Included in The Best American Science and Nature Writing (2007, 2006, 2005) Templeton-Cambridge Journalism Fellowship in Science and Religion (2005) American Psychiatric Association Certificate of Commendation (1997) American Association for the Advancement of Science Journalism Award (2007, 1992) National Association of Science Writers Science-in-Society Award (1993) Forbes Media Guide 'Excellent' rating (1994) National Magazine Award (1986) Society of National Association Publications Award (1985) Horgan has mentored students through senior theses and seminars in science writing, and has played a key role in shaping Stevens’ academic initiatives, including serving on faculty search committees and developing a new undergraduate course in quantum technology. He continues to direct the Center for Science Writings, hosting public lectures by prominent science authors. His influence extends beyond the classroom through his widely read columns and books, which have reached millions of readers globally. The Stevens Center for Science Writings, under Horgan’s leadership, functions as a hub for dialogue between science, humanities, and public audiences. It organizes lectures, supports student writers, and fosters interdisciplinary engagement with science communication. Horgan’s own website, johnhorgan.org, serves as a platform for independent commentary, further amplifying his role as a public intellectual.
Andrea Meltzer is an Associate Professor and Director of the Social Psychology Area at Florida State University's Department of Psychology, within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her work employs experimental and longitudinal methods from an evolutionary perspective to study intimate relationships, focusing on how personal qualities influence relationships and vice versa. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in 2012. Research interests include hormonal contraceptive effects, ovulatory shifts, sexual selection, life history strategies, body image, and marital dynamics. The ACR Lab explores topics such as sexual afterglow duration, partner-specific desire, and pandemic-related marital communication. Dr. Meltzer is currently recruiting a graduate student for Fall 2025. Publications emphasize dyadic sexual desire calibration, attachment insecurity impacts on marital stability, and the role of sociosexuality. Her work bridges evolutionary theory with contemporary relationship challenges, often using innovative methodologies like smartphone tracking and virtual dating experiments.
