Laboratory Head, Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne Dr Mark Davies completed his PhD at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in 2007, before undertaking postdoctoral studies at the University of York in the UK. In 2009, he was awarded an NHMRC postdoctoral training fellowship within the laboratory of Professor Gordon Dougan at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK and Prof Mark Walker the University of Queensland. In late 2015, he was appointed as the Inaugural Doherty – Sanger Fellow within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. His principle research interests are in the application of genome sequencing approaches to understanding emergence and evolution of key bacterial pathogens including Streptococcus pyogenes.
Professor of Social Work, Southern Cross University Mark Hughes is a social worker and has worked in health, aged care and mental health settings in both Australia and the UK. His research interests centre around ageing and the delivery of health and aged care services to older people. He is currently engaged in a program of research on ageing in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities, which has involved projects on sexual identity expression in health and aged care, lesbian and gay people's experiences and expectations in accessing services, and the care networks of older LGBTQ+ people. In addition to work on ageing, Mark has also published more broadly on social work and social work education. Mark is currently Professor of Social Work and Editor of the Australasian Journal on Ageing.
Adjunct Professor of Genocide Studies and Human Rights, University of Connecticut Mike Brand is a human rights, atrocities prevention, and peacebuilding professional with 15 years of experience in policy, advocacy, organizing, and education. Mike is an Adjunct Professor of genocide studies and human rights at the University of Connecticut and a Senior Fellow at George Mason University’s Raphaël Lemkin Genocide Prevention Program. Throughout his career, Mike has worked for various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the United States, Rwanda, and South Sudan, and has done fieldwork in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Mike supports civil society organizations and diaspora networks in strategic planning, program development, and achieving their advocacy and organizing objectives. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, national and international publications, and has been quoted in various international news outlets as an expert in his field. He holds a Master’s in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University, with a concentration in human rights and atrocities prevention, and BA’s in History and Political Science with a minor in human rights from the University of Connecticut.
Lecturer, University of South Africa Mpho-Entle Puleng Modise (PhD) is a lecturer in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies, College of Education at the University of South Africa. Mpho-Entle’s research areas include faculty and student support in distance education, e-learning, open distance e-learning (ODeL), academic professional development, educational technology integration and adoption, and the use of e-portfolios in teaching and learning. She also has an interest in MOOCs and OERs. Mpho-Entle is also a member of the South Africa Education Research Association (SAERA) executive committee, where she represents the needs and interests of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in South Africa and other African countries. She has received the SAERA 2022 Doctoral Dissertation Award and the 2022 Postgraduate Medal (Doctoral Degree) from the Education Association of South Africa (EASA).
Lecturer/Research Scientist, University of Ghana Dr. Marian Selorm Sapah is a Lecturer and Research Scientist at the Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Ghana and subsequently a Ph.D. in Earth Chemistry from The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, as a trained Cosmochemist. As a Lecturer, she teaches courses in Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Geochemical analytical techniques, and Environmental geochemistry. Her main research interest is focused on investigating processes occurring in our Solar system by studying meteorite samples (i.e. rocks from space). Her other research interests and activities involve the application of geochemical tools in the exploration of mineral, water and oil resources, environmental monitoring, assessment and mitigation, and investigating the effects of Geology on public health. Marian is a published academic author whose work has been published in various peer reviewed journals https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marian-Sapah. Marian is an active member of various professional organizations including the Ghana Institution of Geoscientists (GhIG), Meteoritical Society, Geological Society of Africa (GSAf), the Ghana Science Association (GSA), and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). She is also a founding member of the Africa Initiative for Planetary and Space Science (AFIPS) and a member and mentor of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). She is also currently a member of the selection committee for the Geochemical Society Capacity-Building Grant program. Dr. Sapah delights in mentoring and educational outreach. She wants to be able to contribute meaningfully to research and teaching endeavours in Ghana especially in the field of Planetary and Space Science. In her spare time, Marian enjoys spending time with family and friends, travel and sightseeing, sky gazing as well as crafting.
Associate Professor, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin Martha O'Hagan Luff is an Assistant Professor of Finance in Trinity College Dublin, and the Director of the MSc in Law and Finance. She holds a BA in Economics, an MSc in Finance and a PhD in International Finance from Trinity College. Her research interests are in the areas of Home Bias in Equity Investments, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Finance. She has published articles in many journals including the International Business Review, International Journal of Finance and Economics and Small Business Economics. Prior to completing her PhD she worked in Investment Banking in London and Dublin, for Bank of America, Credit Suisse First Boston and Bank of Ireland Global Markets. Her area of specialisation was derivatives and financial engineering.
