Andrew Mitchell is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, Monash University, and a member of the WTO Dispute Settlement Panelists Indicative List. He has extensive legal practice experience with Allens Arthur Robinson and consults for governments, international organizations, and the private sector. Mitchell has taught law in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore, and the US. He holds law degrees from the University of Melbourne, Harvard Law School, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on international economic law, public international law, and digital trade governance, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of trade law and public health. Mitchell has secured six major grants, including an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, and has authored over 170 books and articles. He serves as an editor for Edward Elgar’s International Economic Law Series and multiple journal editorial boards. Recent projects include 'Safeguarding Health in International Investment Agreements' (2022–2025) 'Maritime Cooperation for a Sustainable Indo-Pacific' (2021–2022) 'Global E-Commerce and Cottage Industries in India' (2020–2021) He has contributed to policy submissions on bilateral investment treaties and delivered lectures on data sovereignty and digital trade. His awards include editorial leadership roles at journals like the Journal of World Investment and Trade and Asia Pacific Law Review .
Dagfinn Aune serves as a Research Fellow at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics within the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London. He concurrently holds positions as Associate Professor at Oslo New University College and Senior Researcher at the Cancer Registry of Norway in Oslo. His work centers on large-scale epidemiological investigations into diet, obesity, and chronic disease mechanisms across international populations. Education: PhD in Epidemiology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (2016) MSc in Nutrition, University of Oslo (2008) Research interests focus on the interplay between dietary patterns, adiposity, physical activity, and smoking with chronic disease outcomes. His work examines how these factors influence cancer risk (particularly breast, gastrointestinal, and hematological malignancies), pregnancy complications, diabetes progression, and mortality across diverse populations. He employs systematic review methodologies and analyzes data from major cohorts including EPIC and Norwegian registries. Publication trends reveal consistent emphasis on obesity-cancer relationships, with recent work (2023-2025) expanding into metabolomic mediators, cardiometabolic interactions, and rare cancer epidemiology. His research frequently utilizes systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and multinational cohort studies to establish evidence for cancer prevention guidelines. Scientific Awards: No awards specified in source materials Advising and grant activity centers on major collaborative projects including the World Cancer Research Fund's Continuous Update Project, the EPIC study, and South American case-control research. While specific student mentorship isn't documented, his leadership in systematic review protocols suggests substantial training responsibilities. His grant portfolio includes funding from WCRF International and Norwegian research councils for large-scale epidemiological analyses. Labs and teams include the Centre for Translational Nutrition and Food Research at Imperial College London, where he collaborates with nutrition scientists and biostatisticians. He maintains active roles in the EPIC consortium and WCRF International's CUP Global Programme, coordinating multinational analyses of diet-cancer relationships through the Cancer Registry of Norway.
Allison Ross Eckard, MD is Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine, serving as Division Chief for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Director of MUSC's Ryan White Pediatric HIV Clinic and HIV Transition Clinic. She maintains an adjunct faculty position at Emory University and holds board certification in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Her primary research focuses on metabolic, cardiovascular, and nutritional complications of chronic HIV and antiretroviral therapy across age groups, with emphasis on inflammation's role in comorbidities like cardiovascular disease and bone disorders. Current investigations include NIH R01-funded research on interventions for weight gain and abdominal fat in HIV, vitamin D supplementation, and statin therapy. She has published nearly 60 peer-reviewed papers on HIV pathogenesis and treatment optimization. Dr. Eckard co-chairs the DHHS panel for Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Exposed and HIV-Infected Children and serves on the DHHS panel for Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV . Her clinical work specializes in comprehensive HIV care for children through young adults, with particular focus on adolescent/young adult transition issues and global health initiatives through Lespwa Timoun in Haiti. Recent efforts include developing COVID-19 treatment guidelines for children and school safety protocols. HIV Specialist certification (American Academy of HIV Medicine) Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America Fellow, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Fellow, HIV Medical Association Member, HIV Medical Association's 'Ending the HIV Epidemic' working group She leads MUSC's HIV education initiatives and serves as inpatient consultant for pediatric infectious diseases, with advanced training in tropical medicine. Her NIH-funded research examines targeted interventions to minimize comorbidity development in HIV, while her clinical leadership spans the Ryan White HIV program, transition clinics, and global health partnerships.
Dr. Winnie Yip is a Professor of the Practice of Global Health Policy and Economics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She serves as Faculty Director of the China Health Partnership and recently concluded her role as Acting Director at Harvard's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies. Previously, she was a Professor at the University of Oxford and led the Global Health Policy Program. She holds a PhD in Economics from MIT and a BA from UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on systemic healthcare interventions, policy design, and aging populations' impact on health systems. She collaborates closely with governments and international agencies like the World Bank and WHO, advising on reforms in Asia. Her work emphasizes equitable access, health system efficiency, and innovative eldercare solutions. Dr. Yip’s academic leadership includes roles as past President of the International Health Economics Association and editorial positions at journals like Social Science & Medicine . Her grants include funding from NSF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and EU Commission. Key areas of study include telemedicine, long-term care financing, and healthcare delivery in low-income regions.
Professor Shaun Larkin is a part-time academic at the School of Public Health , University of Sydney, specializing in Health Policy and Financing . He is affiliated with the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data and a member of the Charles Perkins Centre . With a career spanning executive roles at HCF and non-executive directorships in health startups, his work bridges academia and industry. Education : Harvard Business School alumnus with a HlthScD, MBA, MHSc, and BHA. His research focuses on health economics , health policy , and health services management , emphasizing: Translational research in healthcare financing Trends in private-public healthcare partnerships Price transparency in private health insurance Leadership in health systems Chronic disease management Quality use of medicines His publications reveal a trajectory from foundational work in: Psychiatric services data standardization (2000) Heart disease and diabetes management (2013-2015) Telehealth interventions (2017-2018) Private sector policy frameworks (2019-2020) Saudi Arabian health reforms (2022-present) Private equity in healthcare (2025) As an advisor, he currently supervises research students on topics including: Quality use of medicines in Saudi Arabia Sustainable financial models for private hospitals Patient-reported outcome measures in Australia He also contributes to the Leeder Centre and engages with global health startups as an investor and advisor.
Lisa L. Wynn is Professor in the School of Social Sciences (Discipline of Anthropology) at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. She serves as Associate Editor of American Ethnologist (2022-2027) and previously held leadership positions including President of the Australian Anthropological Society (2020) and membership on the AAS Executive Committee (2018-2021). Wynn earned her PhD in 2003 from Princeton University's Anthropology Department, followed by postdoctoral positions at Princeton's Office of Population Research and Center for Health and Wellbeing. Her research program centers on gender, reproductive health technologies, sexuality, and religion, with continuous fieldwork in Egypt since 1998. More recently, she has expanded her work to examine ethics review bureaucracies, lay understandings of infectious disease, and young adult vaping behaviors in Australia. Her methodological approach combines deep ethnographic engagement with critical analysis of how power structures intersect with medical technologies and bodily experiences, particularly among marginalized communities. Analysis of her recent publications reveals an evolving trajectory that maintains her foundational interest in Middle Eastern contexts while increasingly addressing digital spaces (as seen in studies of online fatwas) and contemporary health crises (including pandemic responses and vaping culture), with consistent attention to bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. Her significant scholarly contributions have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards: Vice Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award from Macquarie University (2009) Australian Award for Teaching Excellence (2012) OLT National Teaching Fellowship (2012-2014) Leeds Honor Prize from the Society for Urban, National, and Transnational/Global Anthropology (2008) Wynn actively mentors graduate researchers specializing in gender, sexuality, medicine and technology, with particular emphasis on sexual and reproductive health. Her research program has received substantial funding from the Social Science Research Council, Australian Research Council, Office of Learning and Teaching, and Hort Innovation. Notably, she co-led a major international project to develop multilingual sexual and reproductive health resources that have reached millions of users across 208 countries. She also created a free online ethics training program for humanities and social sciences researchers at Macquarie University. Through collaborations with Cambridge Reproductive Health Consultants and other partners, Wynn has successfully translated academic research into accessible public resources, including evidence-based information on medication abortion available in six languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Turkish, and Farsi).
Brian A. Primack is a Professor of Public Health with tenure at Oregon State University's College of Public Health and Human Sciences, serving as its dean since 2022. Previously, he was Dean of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas and Dean of the Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on social media's impact on mental health, including depression, anxiety, and loneliness. He has authored over 300 publications, including his book You Are What You Click , and secured over $10 million in federal research funding. Dr. Primack's research highlights both risks and opportunities of digital media. He emphasizes optimizing social media use through strategies like curating connections and mitigating negativity. His work intersects education, medicine, and public health, addressing disparities in health outcomes, such as those exacerbated during the pandemic. Notable awards include membership in the American Society of Clinical Investigation (2019) and the Next Big Idea Book Award shortlist (2021). His leadership philosophy prioritizes unlocking potential, fostering community trust, and advancing equitable health solutions. He oversees a college with nearly 2,400 students and $18 million in annual research funding, emphasizing community engagement and innovative scholarship.
Benjamin Andrew Toll is a Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine. He serves as Associate Director of Education and Training for the Hollings Cancer Center, Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Co-Director of the Lung Cancer Screening Program, and Director of the Tobacco Treatment Program at MUSC. Dr. Toll received his BA from Cornell University (1996), MS and PhD from Nova Southeastern University (1999, 2002), and completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship and Internship at Yale University. Dr. Toll is a leading researcher in tobacco cessation, with over 20 years of experience conducting clinical trials focused on developing novel therapeutics for tobacco and nicotine use. His work primarily centers on preventing cancer through tobacco treatment interventions, with particular emphasis on lung cancer screening patients and cancer surgery patients. He has expertise in nicotine replacement therapy, contingency management approaches, gain-framed messaging, and digital health interventions for smoking cessation across diverse populations including older adults and young adults. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on implementation science for tobacco treatment programs across various healthcare settings including hospitals, oncology clinics, and primary care. His research examines barriers to treatment, optimal delivery methods (including telehealth and EHR-integrated tools), and effectiveness of various pharmacological and behavioral interventions for smoking cessation. National Cancer Institute funding (R01CA235697, R01CA207229, P50CA196530) National Institute on Drug Abuse funding (P50DA036151, K12DA000167) Continuous funding for over 15 years for tobacco cessation research As a mentor and leader, Dr. Toll oversees the Education and Training program at the Hollings Cancer Center, guiding the development of future cancer researchers. His Tobacco Treatment Program serves as a model for integrating tobacco cessation into comprehensive cancer care, and he has successfully implemented 'opt-out' tobacco treatment programs across multiple hospital systems in South Carolina. Dr. Toll leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on tobacco treatment, including psychologists, pharmacists, physicians, and implementation scientists working together to develop and test innovative approaches to smoking cessation for high-risk populations.
John Monterosso is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California, specializing in addiction, motivation, and decision-making research. His work explores the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying impulse control and reward processing, with particular focus on substance use disorders and behavioral interventions. Monterosso's research integrates behavioral experiments with neuroimaging to examine decision-making processes in addiction contexts. His lab investigates how immediate rewards influence behavior and how cognitive control mechanisms can be harnessed for addiction treatment. Recent work examines the impact of e-cigarette flavors on appeal and sensory perception, obesity medication perceptions, and neural correlates of value representation. With collaborations spanning public health and neuroscience, his publications demonstrate consistent focus on translating basic psychological research into clinical applications. The methodological progression shows increasing sophistication in neuroimaging techniques and large-scale behavioral studies examining substance use patterns across diverse populations.
Professor Dhiraj Murthy holds appointments in the Moody College of Communication , Sociology , and School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin. He earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on social media, digital methods, health communication, and disaster response. He directs the Computational Media Lab , a leading research group with over 20 students, and co-edits the journal Big Data & Society . Notably, he authored the seminal book Twitter: Social Communication in the Twitter Age (2013/2018), which won the ALA CHOICE Prize. Dr. Murthy's work has been funded by NIH, NSF, and other major grants, including studies on e-cigarette marketing, disaster informatics, and AI-driven disinformation detection. He also serves on advisory boards for MediaWell and chairs international social media conferences. Education : Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Cambridge. Grants : Over $5M from NIH, NSF, and UT Austin’s Good Systems initiative for projects like 'AI Technologies to Curb Disinformation' and 'E-cigarette Use Among Mexican American Students.' Labs/Teams : Computational Media Lab (UT Austin), focusing on AI, social media analytics, and health research. Awards : Stanford University’s 2023 Top 2% Global Scientists in Communication & Media Studies and Sociology, ALA CHOICE Prize (2018), and multiple NIH/NSF grants. His work bridges sociology, media studies, and computational methods to address societal challenges like health disparities and misinformation.
University of California, San FranciscoUnited States
Iona Cheng is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she conducts groundbreaking research in cancer epidemiology. She serves as co-Investigator of the SEER Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry and is Principal Investigator of multiple NIH- and foundation-funded projects examining genetics, lifestyle factors, and neighborhood characteristics in relation to cancer risk. Dr. Cheng has developed an extensive research program focused on racial/ethnic differences in cancer risk and leads population-based cancer surveillance studies that document variations in cancer incidence and mortality patterns across diverse racial and ethnic groups. University of California, Davis, BS, 1990–1994, Physiology Yale University, MPH, 1999–2001, Chronic Disease Epidemiology University of Southern California, PhD, 2001–2005, Epidemiology University of California, San Francisco, Postdoc, 2006–2008, Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Dr. Cheng's research spans multiple disciplines within cancer epidemiology, with particular emphasis on understanding how environmental exposures, genetic factors, and social determinants interact to influence cancer risk and outcomes across different racial and ethnic populations. Her work frequently examines the impact of air pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and neighborhood characteristics on cancer development and survival. She has made significant contributions to understanding cancer disparities among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations, bringing attention to the unique cancer risks and outcomes within these understudied groups. Her research often leverages the Multiethnic Cohort Study, one of the largest prospective studies of cancer incidence and mortality across diverse racial/ethnic populations. Analysis of Dr. Cheng's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on environmental and social determinants of cancer risk across multiple organ sites. Her work demonstrates a sophisticated integration of epidemiological methods with environmental exposure assessment, genetic analysis, and health disparities research. Many of her studies examine the intersection of environmental exposures and racial/ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes, particularly regarding breast cancer, lung cancer, and other malignancies. She has published extensively on the impact of air pollution on cancer risk and survival, as well as the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like bisphenol A, parabens, and phthalates. American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-in-Training Award (2007) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Award (2007) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Renewal Award (2009) American Association for Cancer Research Faculty Scholar Award (2011) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Renewal Award (2011) National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Renewal Award (2013) American Journal of Epidemiology/Society of Epidemiology Research Top 10 manuscripts (2014) Cancer Prevention Institute of California Mentoring Award (2015) American Society of Human Genetics Top poster As Principal Investigator of multiple NIH-funded projects, Dr. Cheng oversees substantial research grants focused on cancer epidemiology and health disparities. Her work often involves large interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions, including the Multiethnic Cohort Study which follows over 200,000 participants from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. She has demonstrated leadership in mentoring junior researchers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in science, as evidenced by her Cancer Prevention Institute of California Mentoring Award. Her research program integrates data from cancer registries, electronic health records, and geospatial information to provide comprehensive insights into cancer patterns and risk factors. Dr. Cheng's research is closely connected to the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and leverages collaborations with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which provides advanced technological resources for cancer research. Her work benefits from access to extensive cohort data, sophisticated exposure assessment methods, and interdisciplinary expertise in genetics, environmental science, and computational biology available through these institutional partnerships. She frequently collaborates with researchers studying the genetic and environmental determinants of cancer across multiple organ systems, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of cancer etiology and prevention strategies.
Dr. Sara McMenamin is an Associate Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego. She serves as the Associate Director of the MPH program and Interim Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education . Her research focuses on state-level policies addressing tobacco use and preventive services, particularly health insurance coverage for tobacco dependence treatment in California and nationally. She also co-chairs the California Health Benefits Review Program , evaluating proposed health insurance legislation's medical, cost, and public health impacts. Her work spans public health policy analysis , health insurance mandate evaluations, and tobacco control strategies. Key areas include analyzing the effects of tobacco tax increases (e.g., Proposition 56), tracking smoking trends among youth and adults, and investigating the interplay between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation. She has contributed to studies on fertility preservation mandates, telemedicine for substance use disorders, and health equity in insurance access. Recent research highlights include assessing declines in youth smoking despite e-cigarette surges, evaluating tobacco policy coverage changes in California, and projecting future cigarette consumption trends. Her work often bridges policy implementation and population health outcomes, emphasizing evidence-based approaches. Dr. McMenamin collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and state agencies to translate research into actionable policies. Her contributions span over 150 peer-reviewed publications, with frequent media and policy engagement (e.g., cited in 14+ news outlets for key studies).
Dr. Linda De Caestecker is a Visiting Professor at the School of Health & Wellbeing, Glasgow Caledonian University. Her work focuses on public health policy, healthcare management, and organizational change within clinical and public sector contexts. She has contributed to studies on smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy, the role of lay-workers in healthcare settings, and systemic organizational dynamics affecting public institutions. Her research spans disciplines including public health, clinical policy, and management theory, with notable contributions to understanding barriers to organizational change and healthcare delivery improvements. Dr. De Caestecker's publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to complex health challenges, such as balancing economic incentives with health outcomes and addressing paradoxical tensions in institutional reform.
Matthew Lee Smith is a Professor at the Texas A&M School of Public Health , part of Texas A&M University . He is a core faculty member of the Center for Community Health and Aging (CCHA) and the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research (CHEER) , and serves as the Director of the Texas Research, Analytics, Innovations, and Research Lab (TRAIL) . Education: Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Health Science Center, Texas A&M University (2010) PhD in Health Education, Texas A&M University (2008) MPH, Indiana University Bloomington (2004) BS in Public Health Education, Indiana University Bloomington (2002) Research Interests: Dr. Smith’s research focuses on aging , chronic disease management , and evidence-based public health interventions . He is particularly interested in health behavior change , health risk assessment , and survey research methodology . His translational work bridges research and practice across healthcare, aging services, and public health systems. He has a strong focus on social determinants of health , including social isolation , caregiving , diabetes self-management , and fall prevention among older adults. His work often targets underserved populations, particularly Black/African American men and rural communities . Scientific Awards: Immunization Neighborhood Champion Award (2024) Responsible Research in Management Award (2023) J. Mayhew Derryberry Award (2022) Consumer Education Program Award (Silver) (2022) Bluebonnet Award (2021) Innovators in Aging Award (2019) Redefining American Healthcare Award (2019) Community ConnecTivity Award (2019) Phillip G. Weiler Award for Leadership in Aging and Public Health (2018) Leadership & Mentorship: Dr. Smith holds leadership roles in several national and state-level initiatives. He is the Co-Director of the Advancing Gerontology through Exceptional Scholarship (AGES) Program and serves on the Steering Committees of the Texas Falls Prevention Coalition , Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium , and Texas Social Isolation and Loneliness Coalition . He is also the Director of the Research Scholars & Mentorship Program (RSMP) at the American Academy of Health Behavior. Labs & Centers: He leads the Texas Research, Analytics, Innovations, and Research Lab (TRAIL) , which focuses on developing and evaluating community-based interventions. He is also affiliated with: Center for Community Health and Aging (CCHA) Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research (CHEER)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Matthew W. Buczynski is an Assistant Professor at the School of Neuroscience , part of the College of Science at Virginia Tech . Holding a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California San Diego (2008) and postdoctoral training at The Scripps Research Institute (2009-2016), he joined Virginia Tech in August 2016 after completing his postdoctoral fellowship. Education: B.S. in Chemistry, University of Michigan , 2001 Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of California San Diego , 2008 Postdoctoral Training, The Scripps Research Institute , 2009-2016 Dr. Buczynski’s research program focuses on identifying novel druggable targets for addiction and neurological disorders through mass spectrometry and behavioral pharmacology . His work integrates chemical biology , molecular pharmacology , and in vivo microdialysis to study molecular changes in the brain during chronic drug exposure. Key areas include nicotine dependence , ethanol withdrawal , and cross-talk between pain and addiction mechanisms. His recent publications highlight endocannabinoid system modulation , TRPV1/TRPA1 receptor activation in pain, and diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) mechanisms in nicotine withdrawal. He employs both self-administration and forced exposure models to validate therapeutic targets. Prospective students can contact him directly through his lab’s website .
