Sarah Boyd, MD is an Associate Professor specializing in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery. She focuses on optimizing patient outcomes for pelvic floor disorders through surgical and non-surgical approaches. Board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2017) and Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (2021), her expertise spans pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and minimally invasive gynecologic procedures. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, Hartford Hospital (2016-2019) Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency, Christiana Care Health System (2012-2016) MD from Marshall University John C. Edwards School of Medicine (2008-2012) Her research explores adverse outcomes in pelvic reconstructive surgery, postoperative opioid consumption, catheter management, and non-surgical interventions for prolapse. She collaborates in multi-institutional research groups analyzing perioperative outcomes. Articles demonstrate trends in data-driven surgical optimization and pain management protocols. Scientific Awards: Pyrtek Research Paper Distinction Award in Clinical Research (2019)
Ryan Thibodeau is a Professor at St. John Fisher University and a New York State licensed psychologist with Apple Teacher certification. His research examines the history of psychiatry and mental illness stigma, with publications spanning PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, and autism stigma. Recent work explores continuum beliefs, social distance, and intervention efficacy. Community involvement includes the Mount Hope Cemetery unnamed deceased memorial project and sensory-friendly space development. His publication portfolio demonstrates extensive focus on mental health stigma mechanisms across military/civilian contexts, celebrity influences, and parent-associated stigma. Methodologies include laboratory experiments, correlational studies, and implicit/explicit measures spanning psychophysiology and social cognition.
Steve Loughnan is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. His research focuses on dehumanization, objectification, and human-animal relations, exploring how societal and psychological factors influence moral judgments and behaviors. He teaches undergraduate courses on social psychology, experimental/applied social psychology, and social class, and supervises PhD students in related fields. Research interests include: Dehumanization of social and ethnic outgroups Psychological impacts of objectification on women and marginalized groups Moral psychology of meat consumption and animal treatment Effects of economic inequality on societal attitudes Anthropomorphism in human-AI and human-pet relationships His publications analyze topics like the psychological mechanisms behind meat consumption paradoxes, the role of dehumanization in conflict scenarios, and the ethical implications of AI romance. He has received no explicitly listed awards but has been widely cited in social psychology domains. Teaching includes year-long programs on social psychology principles, experimental research methods, and social class analysis. Office hours are held weekly to support students. His work bridges theoretical social psychology with applied issues in global inequality, environmental ethics, and veterinary mental health.
Dr. Laura B. Balzer is an Associate Professor of Biostatistics at the University of California, Berkeley. Her work focuses on causal inference, machine learning, and addressing methodological challenges in both randomized trials and observational studies, particularly in global health contexts. She leads collaborations in East Africa, focusing on HIV elimination and community health in rural regions. Her research emphasizes translating academic findings into real-world impact. Education: PhD in Biostatistics, UC Berkeley (2015) MPhil in Computational Biology, University of Cambridge (2009) BS in Applied Mathematics, University of Vermont (2008) Research Interests: Dr. Balzer’s work addresses causal inference in complex settings, including semi-parametric methods, measurement challenges, and dependence structures. Her global health projects target HIV prevention, tuberculosis transmission, and hypertension management in sub-Saharan Africa. She designs interventions like the SEARCH Dynamic Choice model, which offers flexible HIV prevention options, and evaluates community health worker programs. Publications highlight her contributions to HIV/AIDS research, including studies on PrEP uptake, viral suppression in adolescents, and tuberculosis-HIV co-infection. Methodologically, she advances causal inference frameworks to handle missing data and clustered designs. Awards: While no specific awards are listed, her work has been funded by initiatives like the SEARCH trials, reflecting its scientific and public health significance. Advising & Grants: Balzer collaborates with multidisciplinary teams in Uganda and Kenya, focusing on translational research. Her grants support interventions linking statistical innovation to healthcare delivery improvements in resource-limited settings. Labs/Teams: Her research is embedded within global health partnerships, particularly within the SEARCH trials network, which integrates biostatistics with clinical and community-based implementation.
Veronika Settele is a historian specializing in 19th-20th century societal transformations, currently serving as a Visiting Professor and junior research group leader at the University of Bremen since 2023. Her work bridges History of Sexuality , Food History , and Animal Studies , examining intersections between economic systems, technological shifts, and cultural norms. Education : PhD in History (2015-2020), Freie Universität Berlin MSc in European Politics and Society (2011-2014), University of Innsbruck Magister in History (2007-2012), University of Innsbruck Research Focus : Her scholarship interrogates how sexuality , animal husbandry , and food systems reflect and shape societal structures. Current projects like "Hinter der Norm" analyze sexuality's secularization through religious practice lenses, while her publications explore industrial agriculture's moral and economic dimensions. Article Trends : Spanning 2012-2024, her work traces industrial agriculture (1945-1990), animal labor dynamics , and sexuality as cultural practice , with keywords spanning Capitalism , Technological History , and Environmental Ethics . Scientific Recognition : Opus Primum Preis der Volkswagen Stiftung Deutscher Studienpreis Friedrich-Meinecke-Preis Fonds Deutscher Studienpreis der Körber-Stiftung Gerald D. Feldman-Reisebeihilfen Academic Leadership : She co-organized conferences like "Beyond Norms and Categories" , serves on the editorial board of Zeithistorische Forschungen , and has taught seminars on transnational reform movements, Holocaust studies, and capitalism history at the University of Bremen and Sorbonne Université.
Rachel Hess, MD, MS is Professor of Population Health Sciences and Internal Medicine and Associate Vice President for Research-Health Sciences at the University of Utah Schools of the Health Sciences. She co-directs the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute and was founding Chief of the Division of Health System Innovation and Research (2014-2022). A board-certified General Internist and internationally recognized health-services researcher, she focuses on translating evidence into practice through health-information technology and patient-centered outcomes. Education & Training MD – University of New Mexico School of Medicine MS Clinical Research – University of Pittsburgh Fellowship – General Internal Medicine & Women’s Health, University of Pittsburgh / VA Pittsburgh Medical Center Chief Residency – Internal Medicine, Western Pennsylvania Hospital Residency – Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital BA Mathematics – Washington University in St. Louis Research Focus Dr Hess’s program is dedicated to improving patient-centered outcomes by leveraging implementation science, health-information technology, and patient-reported measures. Her work spans: Design and nationwide deployment of EHR-integrated clinical decision support for cancer genetics, lung-cancer screening, heart-failure management, and antibiotic stewardship. Large multi-site pragmatic trials (ADAPTABLE, RECOVER, BRIDGE, MAINTAIN) examining effectiveness, equity, and scalability of digital-health interventions. Women’s health across the lifespan, including studies on menopause, sexual function, and post-COVID sequelae. Advanced analytics linking patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with healthcare utilization and cost. Scientific Awards & Recognition Board Certification, American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine) Leadership of NIH RECOVER Consortium adult cohort—one of the largest studies of Long COVID worldwide Principal investigator on >$50 million in federal and foundation funding (PCORI, NHLBI, NCI, AHRQ, CDC) Leadership & Service As Associate Vice President for Research she sets strategic priorities for the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Health. She co-chairs the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute, oversees campus-wide clinical-trials infrastructure, and mentors interdisciplinary teams spanning informatics, behavioral science, epidemiology, and clinical medicine. Laboratories & Teams Dr Hess leads the Health System Innovation and Research (HSIR) group—an interdisciplinary unit of data scientists, implementation researchers, clinicians, and patient partners—dedicated to rapid-cycle testing and national scale-up of digital-health solutions.
James Meek is the Associate Director of the Yale Emerging Infections Program at the Yale School of Public Health , collaborating with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and CDC. His roles include overseeing population-based surveillance systems for tickborne, foodborne, respiratory, and other emerging infections, and implementing applied public health research to evaluate prevention strategies. Education: Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Connecticut (2000) His research spans infectious disease epidemiology , focusing on zoonoses , vector control , and healthcare-associated infections , particularly through the Connecticut Emerging Infections Program . Publications highlight work on COVID-19 hospitalization trends , C. difficile recurrence risks , and tickborne disease prevention . Recent articles emphasize surveillance methodology (Bayesian modeling), vaccine effectiveness (JYNNEOS, SARS-CoV-2), and environmental interventions (4-Poster tick control devices). Collaborations include researchers from CDC, Connecticut DPH, and Yale departments like Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Biostatistics . Meek's work trains over 300 MPH and doctoral students through internships and thesis projects, while engaging in public health practice across respiratory viruses , antimicrobial resistance , and epidemiological modeling .
Eli Rosenberg is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University at Albany School of Public Health, State University of New York. He concurrently serves as Deputy Director for Science in the Office of Public Health at the New York State Department of Health. His work bridges academia and public health policy. Education: Ph.D. in Epidemiology (Emory University) B.S. in Biometry and Statistics (Cornell University) Research Interests: Dr. Rosenberg focuses on addressing public health challenges through epidemiological methods. Key areas include HIV/AIDS prevention, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, drug-user health, emerging infectious diseases (including pandemic responses like COVID-19), and vector-borne/zoonotic diseases. He emphasizes behavior change, statistical modeling for disease surveillance, and policy-relevant research. Professional Affiliations: PRISM Health Research Group (Emory University, 2013–2021) New York State Department of Health Grants & Advising: No specific grants or advising roles listed in the provided text. Collaborations with PRISM faculty (e.g., Jodie Guest, Patrick Sullivan) suggest mentorship opportunities in public health research.
Chitra Raghavan is a tenured full professor and clinical psychologist at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. She serves as Professor of Psychology, Director of the Forensic Mental Health Counseling Program, and Coordinator of Victimology Studies in Forensic Psychology. Her expertise spans trauma and abuse, human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and forensic evaluations. She holds a Ph.D. in Community and Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois (1998) and a B.A. from Smith College (1992). Education: 2000: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine 1998: Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1995: M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1992: B.A., Smith College (Magna Cum Laude) 1990–1991: Université Paris V (Smith Junior Year Abroad) Research Interests: Coercive control, sex trafficking, trauma bonding, multicultural assessment, and integrating Eastern psychological principles into forensic practice. She has authored over 50 articles and two books on gender justice, domestic violence, and self-determination in Muslim communities. Media and Awards: Named “New York’s New Abolitionists” (2014) by the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition Featured in The New York Times , MSNBC, and podcasts like Prevention is Now and Schein On . Teaching and Outreach: Teaches courses across BA, MA, and PhD programs in forensic psychology, trauma, and gender studies. Leads study abroad programs in Bali (cultural self-study) and Morocco (gender and feminism in non-Western contexts). Collaborates with Dr. Jennifer Pipitone on pedagogy and global psychology education. Labs/Teams: Active in research partnerships and case law contributions, including shaping New York State rulings through expert testimony (e.g., 2018 case law).
Associate Professor Tim Moore serves as Deputy Director at the Australian Catholic University's Institute of Child Protection Studies, where he leads child-inclusive and child-informed research initiatives. With over two decades of experience, he is internationally recognized for his work in child protection, youth justice, residential care, and child sexual abuse prevention. His research directly informs policy and practice, having advised major inquiries including the national Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Moore's research interests span child protection systems, therapeutic residential care, youth justice, homelessness, young carers, and children's rights advocacy. His work emphasizes children's participation in research on sensitive topics and developing child-safe organizations. He has shaped numerous local, national, and international initiatives aimed at improving children's lives through evidence-based approaches that center children's voices and experiences. His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on child safety in institutions, residential care quality, and children's participation in decision-making. Recent work examines therapeutic residential care models, children's conceptualizations of safety, and the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Australia. His research increasingly addresses intersectional issues including disability, domestic violence, and youth engagement in abuse prevention. Moore has provided expert advice to multiple government inquiries and commissions, translating research into practical frameworks for organizations working with children. His work with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse significantly influenced national approaches to child safety in institutions. As Deputy Director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies, Moore leads initiatives that bridge research, policy, and practice in child protection. His team develops resources and training for organizations on child-safe practices, with particular emphasis on understanding children's perspectives and experiences within institutional settings.
Taylor McLinden, PhD is an Adjunct Research Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. He serves as the Manager of the Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN Canada) Pragmatic Trials Training Program and holds positions at ICES Western, HDRN Canada, and the London Health Sciences Centre. Previously, he worked as a Scientific Officer at the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and completed postdoctoral training at the same institution. Dr. McLinden received his PhD in Epidemiology from McGill University (2013-2017), an MSc in Epidemiology from the University of Guelph (2011-2013), and an Honours BSc in Biomedical Sciences from Brock University (2007-2011). His research focuses on epidemiology, causal inference, and administrative health data analysis, with particular expertise in HIV/AIDS research, social determinants of health, food insecurity, and pragmatic trials methodology. Dr. McLinden has made significant contributions to understanding the intersection of HIV, overdose crises, housing stability, and social determinants of health among marginalized populations in British Columbia. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on population health research using linked administrative data, with particular attention to HIV outcomes, health disparities, and methodological innovations in epidemiologic research. His work often addresses critical public health challenges including the overdose crisis, social isolation among people living with HIV, and the impact of structural factors on health outcomes. Dr. McLinden has secured significant research funding, including a CIHR Operating Grant ($480,992 over 2 years) focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug overdoses among people with and without HIV, and a CIHR Project Grant ($994,500 over 5 years) addressing engagement of marginalized populations in primary health care in Vancouver's downtown east side. As Manager of the HDRN Canada Pragmatic Trials Training Program, Dr. McLinden plays a key role in building capacity for pragmatic clinical trials across Canada. His work bridges academic research with practical health system applications, contributing to evidence-informed healthcare decision-making through rigorous epidemiologic methods.
Katarina Domijan is an Associate Professor in Statistics at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Maynooth University, Ireland. She holds a PhD in Statistics from Trinity College Dublin (2008) and has been affiliated with Maynooth University since 2008, transitioning from Lecturer/Assistant Professor to her current role in 2024. Her academic career includes editorial roles as Associate Editor for The R Journal (2021–present) and the Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics (2015–2024). Research Interests focus on Bayesian methods for high-dimensional data, particularly in classification problems. She specializes in feature selection and model visualization, with applications spanning agricultural data analysis (e.g., hyperspectral imaging for lactose prediction), medical diagnostics (e.g., sepsis and cancer detection), and space physics (e.g., Saturn Kilometric Radiation classification). Her work bridges theoretical statistics with real-world challenges, including socio-economic studies and forensic science. Key Research Areas Bayesian statistical inference Machine learning for large feature spaces Statistical computing and model interpretability Data visualization and chemometrics Scientific Contributions include leading projects like VistaMilk Phase II (2024–2030, €152,300) and Measuring Carbon Sequestration (2024–2028, €174,788.90). Her 15 most recent publications highlight advancements in ensemble modeling, spatial statistics, and medical diagnostics. Scientific Awards Associate Editor, The R Journal (2021–present) Associate Editor, Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics (2015–2024) Student Supervision includes PhD and MSc graduates such as Dr. Bruna Wundervald (2024) and Dr. Mark O’Connell (2017). She also collaborates with researchers across disciplines, including Dr. Nadim Akasheh in food hypersensitivity studies.
Gülçin Elboga is an Associate Professor at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She has been serving in this position since 2019, following her tenure as a Doctor Lecturer from 2017-2019 at the same institution. Her academic career is deeply rooted in the Department of Psychiatry within the Faculty of Medicine at Gaziantep University. Her educational background includes Medical Specialization (2010-2015) and a Medical License (2004-2009), both completed at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine. This strong foundation in medical education has supported her specialized focus in psychiatry. Dr. Elboga's research interests span across multiple critical areas in mental health, with particular emphasis on bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Her work frequently explores the biological underpinnings of psychiatric conditions, including neuroimaging studies, biomarker research, and neuroendocrine aspects of mental illnesses. She has made significant contributions to understanding the application of cognitive behavioral therapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and novel pharmacological approaches in psychiatric treatment. Her publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with a focus on clinically relevant research. Recent work shows increasing attention to pandemic-related mental health issues, neuroimaging correlates of psychiatric disorders, and the biological mechanisms underlying mood disorders. Her research often involves collaborations with colleagues across multiple institutions, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to psychiatric research. Dr. Elboga has authored numerous scientific publications including 90 articles and 7 book chapters, with a strong presence in both national and international psychiatric literature. Her work appears in reputable journals across various psychiatric subfields, demonstrating breadth and depth in her scholarly contributions. She has been actively involved in research related to the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, circadian rhythm disturbances in psychiatric disorders, and innovative treatment approaches for treatment-resistant depression. Her work bridges clinical practice with scientific investigation, contributing valuable insights to the field of psychiatry.
Kathryn Macapagal, PhD is an Associate Professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine with appointments in Medical Social Sciences (Implementation Science), Medical Social Sciences (Intervention Science), and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in health psychology and serving LGBTQ individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS. Her research focuses on translational, social-behavioral and implementation science approaches to improve the health and wellbeing of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents and young adults. She employs online, technology-based, and community-engaged research methods to understand sexual health and HIV prevention needs of SGM adolescents, developing digital behavioral health interventions to address these needs. Dr. Macapagal's work includes examining awareness and use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among SGM adolescents, exploring use of online spaces for sexual development, and developing text-message interventions to improve HIV testing access. Her research portfolio demonstrates strong trends toward implementation science, digital health interventions for HIV prevention, and addressing health disparities among marginalized youth populations through innovative technological approaches. She serves on several professional leadership roles including as Chair of the Health Equity Special Interest Group for the Society for Digital Mental Health (2023-present) and as a Member of the University of Minnesota Institute for Sex and Gender Health Annual Survey Advisory Council (2022-present). She previously served as Associate Editor for Archives of Sexual Behavior (2020-2023) and on the Medical Advisory Board for Flo Health (2019-2022). Dr. Macapagal leads active clinical trials including a text messaging program designed to increase sexual health information and behavioral skills for LGBTQ+ teens (IRB number STU00217358). She is affiliated with the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) and the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS).
Sylwia J. Piatkowska is an Associate Professor at the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice , Florida State University. Her research focuses on crime and deviance, comparative and international criminology, and advanced quantitative methods. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from SUNY Albany (2016) and a B.A./M.A. from Opole University (2006). Her work has been recognized with top honors from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences for her impactful research on criminology. Key research interests include hate crimes, fiscal criminology, immigration policy impacts, and sentencing disparities. She has authored/co-authored influential studies such as “The New Fiscal Criminology” (2022) and “Suspended Licenses, Suspended Lives” (2020). Her recent work examines temporal trends in bias-motivated violence and the intersection of mental health, race, and gender in sentencing. Recent Awards: Top Honors from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences for her book. Professional Roles: Member of the National Policing Institute’s Board of Directors and editor of leading criminology journals. Her research bridges macro-level structural factors with micro-level criminal behavior, emphasizing cross-national comparisons and policy implications. She is affiliated with Florida State University’s criminology research programs and actively contributes to academic discourse through peer-reviewed publications and institutional leadership.
