PD Dr. Kaspar Riesen is the Head of the Pattern Recognition Group at the Institute of Computer Science, University of Bern. His research focuses on graph-based methods for pattern recognition, with applications in document analysis, environmental modeling, and healthcare. Key interests include graph matching, neural networks, and spatio-temporal modeling. His work spans structural pattern recognition, graph embeddings, and keyword spotting in historical documents. Recent projects involve river network analysis using graph regression and hypoglycemia prediction via LSTM-GNN hybrid models. Publications emphasize graph theory advancements, such as normalized graph compression and geometric similarity learning. Collaborations include developing specialized algorithms for automated error detection and improving decision-making in simulated sports. Labs/Teams: Pattern Recognition Group (PRG) at the University of Bern.
Dr. Freek van Ede is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in Cognitive Psychology. He leads the Proactive Brain Lab, focusing on how the brain prepares for upcoming behavior through attention and working memory. His research employs EEG, eye-tracking, and virtual reality to study dynamic cognitive processes. Education: PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience (Cum Laude), Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen (2014) MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience (Cum Laude), Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen (2009) BSc in Psychology, University of Utrecht (2007) Research Interests: His work investigates how attention and working memory interact with anticipation, timing, and action. Key methodologies include EEG, eye-tracking, and virtual reality. Recent projects explore stimulus-driven selective attention and how visual working memories are prepared for action. Grants & Awards: NWO Vidi Grant (2023–2028, €800,000) ERC Starting Grant (2020–2025, €1.5 million) Young Investigator Award, CNS (2023) Early Career Awards from BACN and NVP (2023, 2022) Lab & Teams: He directs the Proactive Brain Lab, emphasizing innovative experimental designs and interdisciplinary approaches. The lab welcomes motivated students at all levels.
Giorgia Cona is an Associate Professor at the Department of General Psychology, University of Padova. Her research focuses on cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and neuroimaging, with particular emphasis on prospective memory, aging-related cognitive changes, and neural mechanisms underlying temporal and spatial cognition. She investigates the effects of neurodegenerative diseases, sensory modalities, and environmental factors on cognitive processes. Her work integrates behavioral experiments with advanced neuroimaging techniques like MEG and EEG. Her research interests include the architecture of cognitive dimensions using network analysis, the impact of indirect trauma and media exposure, and the application of virtual reality in cognitive rehabilitation. She has explored the effects of transcranial stimulation (tACS/tRNS) on neural activity and cognitive performance. Her studies often address gender differences in decision-making and the interplay between emotion and cognition. Key research themes include: prospective memory mechanisms, neural correlates of temporal and spatial processing, cognitive changes in aging/Parkinson’s disease, and the role of cortical gradients in cognitive functions. She has also contributed to methodological advancements like the PECANS statement for cognitive/neuropsychological research quality. Giorgia Cona collaborates on interdisciplinary projects including Brainhack initiatives promoting open neuroscience practices. Her work frequently examines pandemic-related cognitive impacts and mental health vulnerability factors, as seen in studies on 2020 lockdown effects and 2023 Turkey earthquake trauma exposure.
Neil McRoberts is a Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis, and Director of the Western Plant Diagnostic Network. His research focuses on plant disease epidemiology, systems modeling, and bio-economic analysis of plant diseases. He investigates strategies for managing invasive pathogens, optimizing disease detection methods, and understanding the socio-economic dimensions of agricultural disease management. McRoberts has contributed extensively to studies on Huanglongbing (citrus greening), grapevine leafroll disease, and spinach downy mildew, emphasizing collective action challenges in plant health provision. His work integrates molecular diagnostics, spore trapping, and behavioral economics to address both technical and institutional barriers in disease management. His research spans multiple scales from molecular diagnostics to global crop health assessments, with a focus on translating scientific insights into actionable policies and practices. McRoberts collaborates with growers, policymakers, and international organizations to develop sustainable solutions for crop disease challenges. Notable contributions include frameworks for optimizing phytosanitary thresholds and evaluating the economic impacts of disease management strategies. His lab (QBELab) emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining epidemiology, modeling, and social science perspectives. Key Areas: Disease forecasting, collective action in agriculture, citrus disease management, spore dispersal modeling Affiliations: Western Plant Diagnostic Network, UC Davis Plant Pathology Department Methodologies: Systems modeling, economic analysis, citizen science surveillance McRoberts' recent work highlights the critical role of volunteer networks in early disease detection and the importance of aligning economic incentives with sustainable agricultural practices to combat invasive pathogens effectively.
Zhong-Lin Lu is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Social and Behavioral Science at The Ohio State University, holding concurrent appointments in Optometry and the Translational Data Analytics Institute. He directs the Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and the Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging. Previously, he held the William M. Keck Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from New York University (1992), following an M.S. (1991) and B.S. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Science and Technology of China (1989). His research bridges computational neuroscience, vision science, and cognitive psychology, focusing on visual perception, attention, perceptual learning, and functional brain imaging. Key methods include fMRI, EEG, and hierarchical Bayesian modeling. His work addresses clinical applications in amblyopia, myopia, and glaucoma, alongside foundational studies on decision-making and neural plasticity. He has developed novel techniques like the quantitative Contrast Sensitivity Function (qCSF) and quasiconformal mapping for retinotopic brain mapping. His labs emphasize translational research linking computational models to real-world applications. Awards: APS Fellow (2007), Society of Experimental Psychologists Early Investigator Award (2003) Leadership: Directed USC's Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center (2004–2011) Interdisciplinary roles: Co-Director of OSU's Humanities/Cognitive Sciences Summer Institute Current research explores visual processing across lifespan, neural mechanisms of perceptual learning, and optimizing fMRI data through advanced computational methods. His work integrates basic science with clinical and applied domains, influencing driver safety, vision correction, and neurotechnology development.
Mark Reed is a Professor of Rural Entrepreneurship and Director of the Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). He holds visiting professorships at the University of Leeds, Birmingham City University, and Newcastle University (pending). His research focuses on environmental governance, research impact, and sustainable agricultural systems. He has led over £4M in projects as Principal Investigator and contributed to £30M in collaborative research. His work emphasizes transdisciplinary approaches, particularly in peatland restoration, ecosystem markets, and UN policy engagement. Key Roles: Research Manager for IUCN UK Peatland Programme, Member of UKRI-BBSRC’s Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Panel, and UN Global Peatlands Initiative. Education: PhD completed in 2005, with extensive post-doctoral contributions across 30+ countries. Reed’s research interests span environmental decision-making frameworks, participatory technologies, and decolonizing engagement language. He has authored/co-authored over 100 journal articles, 3 books, and 60 reports, with a Google Scholar H-index of 64. His work has been cited over 20,000 times, including 4 papers with >1,000 citations. He advises international bodies like the IPCC, IPBES, and UK Government on climate policy, land use, and peatland conservation. His company, Fast Track Impact, trains researchers globally to enhance societal impact. Recent projects include the Wet Horizons initiative and Greenhouse Gas Removal via Peatlands. Awards: ESRC Michael Young Prize (2008), Royal Society Award for Changing Research Culture (2018), and multiple shortlistings for environmental accolades. Grants & Funding: Led 19 projects as PI; contributed to over 30 initiatives. Notable grants include RESAS 22-27 (Scottish Government) and Global Peatlands Research Funding. Labs & Teams: Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre, IUCN Peatland Programme, and UN Global Peatlands Initiative.
Cynthia Lin Lawell is an Associate Professor and holds the Robert Dyson Sesquicentennial Chair in Environmental, Energy and Resource Economics at Cornell University's Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. She is a prominent economist with expertise spanning environmental, energy, and resource economics, using advanced econometric methods to address critical policy questions. Dr. Lin Lawell earned her Ph.D., A.M., and A.B. from Harvard University, where she pursued a multidisciplinary major in Environmental Science and Public Policy. Her undergraduate thesis in atmospheric chemistry won the Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize and led to peer-reviewed publications. She has received numerous prestigious awards including the Harvard University Stone Fellow Award, the International Society for New Institutional Economics Award for the Best Ph.D. Dissertation, and the UC-Davis Hellman Fellowship. Her research focuses on environmental, energy, and resource economics, with particular expertise in structural econometric modeling of dynamic games, applied econometrics, and policy analysis. She has published in top journals including the Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, and Energy Journal. Her work examines strategic decision-making in resource extraction, effectiveness of environmental policies, energy efficiency, water management, and renewable energy development. Dr. Lin Lawell's research has been widely featured in major media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Guardian. Her analysis of Danish wind energy policy demonstrated that government policies, rather than technological advantages, drove Denmark's leadership in wind energy. Her work on Chinese energy policies revealed mixed effectiveness across different policy instruments. Harvard University Stone Fellow Award for Best Paper Written by a Doctoral Student in Environmental and Resource Policy International Society for New Institutional Economics Award for the Best Ph.D. Dissertation 2011 UC-Davis Hellman Fellowship for promising young faculty RePEc Top 3% Female Economists Based on Publications in Last 10 Years 2017 Cornell University Knowledge Matters Fellow Dr. Lin Lawell directs two major research initiatives at Cornell: the Dynamics, Economics, Econometrics, Policy, and Games: Rigorous Environmental, Energy, Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Development Analysis and Research (DEEP-GREEN-RADAR) and the Think-tank for Resources, Energy, and the Environment: Science and Policy-related Economic Analysis and Research (TREESPEAR). She also serves as President of the U.S. Association for Energy Economics Bay Area Chapter and has received multiple grants supporting her research on agricultural-to-energy land use conversions and sustainable resource management.
Prof. Cecilia Wong is a Professor of Spatial Planning at The University of Manchester, affiliated with the Department of Planning and Environmental Management. She holds key roles including Director of the Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab at the Manchester Urban Institute and Co-Editor of Town Planning Review . Her expertise spans urban planning, policy analysis, and sustainable development, with a focus on China-UK comparative studies. Education: BSocSc (Hons) in Sociology/Geography (Chinese University of Hong Kong), MCD in Town Planning (University of Liverpool), PhD in Town and Country Planning (University of Manchester). Research interests include quantitative indicators for policy evaluation, urban regeneration, housing markets, and spatial planning frameworks. She leads projects on eco-urbanization in China, migration patterns in urban China, and sustainable urban development. Key achievements include the 2021 University of Manchester Researcher of the Year Award and Fellowship in the UK Academy of Social Sciences. Her work contributes to UN SDGs on sustainable cities and climate action through interdisciplinary projects like the TRUUD initiative on urban health policy. Current initiatives include the Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab, Methods for Cities research, and collaborative projects with institutions like The Chinese Academy of Sciences. She advises on national spatial policies and chairs the 2021 UK REF Sub-panel for Architecture and Planning.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Danijela Markovic-Bredthauer is a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Hochschule Osnabrück - University of Applied Sciences. She holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Kassel. Her research focuses on applied statistics, climate change, conservation ecology, water resources, econometrics, and banking, with a strong emphasis on data mining techniques and statistical modeling. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering (University of Kassel). Professional Background: Previously worked as a business consultant in IT, risk management, and financial consultancy before returning to academia. Led a research group and contributed to projects like ECOPOTENTIAL and STATY. Research Interests: Biodiversity conservation, freshwater ecosystems vulnerability, climate impacts on land cover, and statistical modeling applications across environmental and economic domains. She developed the STATY web app to enhance data literacy in education and research. Funding & Projects: Key projects include SQM-funded STATY, DFG-supported climate vulnerability studies, and EU Horizon 2020's ECOPOTENTIAL, focusing on Earth observations for ecosystem management. Future Work: Continues advancing interdisciplinary research in climate change adaptation, freshwater conservation, and data-driven decision-making tools for education and industry.
Sayahnika Basu is an Assistant Professor in the Economics Department at James Madison University (JMU), affiliated with the College of Business. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Arizona State University (2021), an M.A. from Jadavpur University (2015), and a B.S. from St. Xavier's College (2013). Prior to JMU, she was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and remains an external faculty affiliate at UCSD’s 21st Century India Center. Her research focuses on environment and natural resource economics, development economics, urban economics, and applied microeconomics, with a particular emphasis on climate change impacts, environmental justice, and agricultural resilience in developing economies. Her academic contributions address critical questions such as how environmental policies influence economic outcomes, the socioeconomic effects of climate disasters like droughts, and gendered labor dynamics in resource-dependent regions. She co-organizes a virtual junior scholar seminar on the Indian Economy, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on South Asian economic challenges. Education: Ph.D., Economics, Arizona State University, 2021 M.A., Economics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, 2015 B.S., Economics, St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, India, 2013 Awards: Teaching Excellence Award, ASU Graduate & Professional Student Association (2019) Professional Activities: External Faculty Affiliate, 21st Century India Center, UC San Diego Virtual Junior Scholar Seminar Co-Organizer (Indian Economy) Her work integrates empirical methods to analyze policy interventions and their equity implications, with a focus on marginalized populations. She has contributed to understanding how environmental degradation exacerbates economic disparities and shapes household decision-making in agrarian and urban settings.
Melanie Zhang is an Assistant Professor in Real Estate at Northumbria University's School of Architecture and Built Environment. Her research focuses on real estate investment strategies, financial market networks, and urban economic impacts of flexible work patterns. She actively contributes to academic service through peer reviews and conference organization. Urban Studies PhD, University of Reading (2020) MSc in Financial Management, University of Reading (2015) BA in Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics (2014) Her research explores international real estate investment strategies, financial stability, and urban economics impacts of flexible working. Recent work examines co-working space location choices, pandemic-induced real estate changes, and cross-border investment patterns. Key research areas identified through publication topics include Investors (100%), Real Estate (93%), Markets (70%), London (50%), UK (46%), and Real Estate Market (42%). Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) IPF Research Award 2021 Melanie has guest-taught at University of Manchester and London School of Economics, presented at major international conferences (AREUEA, ARES, ERES), and published in top journals like Regional Studies and Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics.
Harmen Oppewal is a Professor of Marketing at Monash Business School, Monash University. He holds a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology and degrees in geography and social psychology from the University of Groningen. His research focuses on consumer behavior in retail, tourism, and urban planning contexts, employing experimental, modeling, and interpretative methods. He has served as Head of the Marketing Department (2012–2018) and is actively involved with the Monash Business Behavioural Lab since 2010. Education : PhD, Urban Planning, Eindhoven University of Technology Master's/Master of Science in Geography and Social Psychology, University of Groningen Research Interests : Consumer behavior, choice modeling, experimental research, retail marketing, tourism, pricing strategies, and visual attention. His work contributes to SDGs related to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and responsible consumption (SDG 12). Recent Articles : Focus on scarcity tactics' impact on consumer decisions, spatial choice modeling, and the integration of VR/eye-tracking in retail research. Key areas include brand perception, tourist behavior, and pricing dynamics. Awards : ANZMAC Distinguished Researcher of the Year (2008) Fellow of ANZMAC (2013) Journal of Retailing Outstanding Reviewer Award (2020) Grants & Supervision : Secured funding from ARC, EU, and industry partners. Supervised over 20 PhD completions. Active on editorial boards of Journal of Retailing , European Journal of Marketing , and Journal of Travel Research . Collaborations : Global partnerships in tourism, urban planning, and consumer behavior research, with projects funded by UK's Advanced Institute of Management and Sustainable Tourism CRC.
Bhoomija Ranjan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Marketing at Monash University, affiliated with Impact Labs. She holds a PhD and MS in Business Administration from the University of Rochester (2017), an MA in Economics from the same institution, and a B.Sc-M.Sc in Mathematics and Scientific Computing from IIT Kanpur. Previously, she served as Assistant Professor at Brandeis University (2017-2018). Her research focuses on quantitative modeling of firm and consumer decision-making, including retail layout optimization, consumer attention patterns, pricing strategies, and new product launches. She employs structural modeling, Bayesian methods, and applied data science techniques. Notable contributions include studies on retail advertising effectiveness and emoji usage in digital marketing. Recipient of prestigious awards including the Center of Excellence in Data Science Fellowship and Monash's Outstanding Teaching Performance accolade Peer-reviewed for journals like Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science and Journal of Marketing Management Active in academic service roles such as program committee member for the Consortium on Digital Economy
Kevin M. Stange is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. He specializes in empirical labor and public economics, focusing on higher education policy, labor market dynamics, and public finance. His research explores how higher education impacts student mobility and labor market outcomes, as well as postsecondary institutional responses to skill demand. He co-edits Productivity in Higher Education and leads the College and Beyond II (CBII) Data project, a comprehensive dataset tracking student and institutional behaviors. Education: B.A. in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from MIT, Ph.D. in Economics from UC Berkeley. Research Interests: Higher education policy, economic inequality, public finance, and labor market dynamics. Recent work includes studies on college affordability, policy briefs on pandemic impacts on education, and analyses of college-specific labor markets. Teaching: Courses include Microeconomics, Quantitative Methods of Program Evaluation, and Higher Education Policy. He has taught these courses across multiple semesters, emphasizing empirical analysis and policy application. Affiliations: Co-Director of the Education Policy Initiative and Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research is supported by NSF, Spencer Foundation, and others. Key Projects: CBII Data (19 universities, 50M course records), evaluations of state education policies, and analyses of occupational licensing.
Dr. Frederic Ang is an Associate Professor in the Business Economics Group at Wageningen University & Research since 2023, specializing in agri-food sector productivity and sustainability. He holds a joint Ph.D. from KU Leuven and Hasselt University (2015), followed by postdoctoral roles at the University of Reading and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. His research focuses on sustainable intensification, dynamic optimization, and agricultural productivity analysis. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Productivity Analysis and Co-Editor of the Journal of Agricultural Economics . Key honors include the 2023 AES Outstanding Contribution Award and 2020 Best Referee Award. His work addresses agricultural efficiency, environmental policy, and farm-level decision-making. Education: Joint Ph.D. in Bioscience Engineering and Business Economics (2015) Master of Advanced Studies in Economics (2015) M.Sc. in Tropical Natural Resources Management (2009) B.Sc. in Biosystems Engineering (2007) Research Interests: Dr. Ang examines agricultural productivity through lenses of production economics, exploring sustainable practices and environmental-economic trade-offs. His work bridges theoretical models (e.g., Hicks-Moorsteen productivity indicators) with applied analyses of farm-level data, emphasizing nitrogen management, energy resilience, and microbial innovations. Awards & Grants: Recognized for contributions to agricultural economics journals and policy research. Active in OECD initiatives on productivity and environment. Projects include leading the SIMBA initiative on microbiome applications and the MINDSTEP project modeling farmer decisions under EU policies. Labs & Collaborations: Engaged with interdisciplinary teams in the Business Economics Group and international partners via projects like MIXED (agroforestry systems) and MINDSTEP. Coordinates research on circular economy principles and climate-smart agriculture.
