About Columbia University

Hanna-Tina Fischer is an Instructor in the Program on Forced Migration and Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and a doctoral candidate in Leadership in Global Health and Humanitarian Systems. Her research focuses on how adversity impacts children's wellbeing and development in crisis situations. With extensive field experience across Asia, Africa, and Europe, Fischer has worked with various UN agencies and NGOs on child welfare and protection in humanitarian contexts. Her diverse background includes leading post-disaster assessments, implementing psychosocial support programs, and supporting family reunification efforts in multiple countries. Fischer's expertise spans programs for children affected by armed conflict, refugee children, and unaccompanied minors. Born in Botswana and raised in India and Pakistan, she brings a global perspective to her work, holding degrees from Goldsmiths', University of London and the London School of Economics. At Columbia, Fischer teaches the course "Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings," sharing her wealth of practical and academic knowledge in child protection and forced migration.

Mark Canavera is the co-director of the Care and Protection of Children (CPC) Learning Network at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, where he coordinates global research and advocacy efforts on children's protection, care, health, and development in complex settings. He co-chairs the INSPIRE Working Group with the World Health Organization and co-leads the Assessment, Measurement, and Evidence Working Group of the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Settings. Canavera's extensive field experience includes humanitarian aid work in over 20 countries, particularly in West Africa, with organizations like Save the Children, UNHCR, and Oxfam. His work has encompassed supporting former child soldiers, promoting girls' education, and reforming child welfare systems across multiple African countries. With Master's degrees in Peace Studies from Notre Dame and Public Policy from Harvard, Canavera brings a wealth of academic and practical expertise to his role. At Columbia, he teaches courses on "Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings" and "INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children," contributing significantly to the education of future child protection specialists and the development of evidence-based strategies for child welfare in humanitarian contexts.

Dr. Michael G. Wessells, a Professor in the Program on Forced Migration and Health at Columbia University, is a renowned psychosocial and child protection practitioner with decades of experience in humanitarian and development settings across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As the author of "Child Soldiers: From Violence to Protection" and former Co-Chair of the IASC Task Force on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, Wessells has significantly shaped the field of child protection in conflict zones. His research focuses on the holistic impacts of war and political violence on children, emphasizing community-led approaches to child protection. Currently leading multi-country action research on community-led child protection in Sierra Leone, Kenya, and India, Wessells regularly advises UN agencies, governments, and donors on these critical issues. His work prioritizes children's voice and agency, community resilience, prevention, and critical reflection in child protection efforts. At Columbia, Wessells teaches "Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings," sharing his vast experience and insights with the next generation of humanitarian workers and researchers.

Daniel Wolfenzon, the Stefan H. Robock Professor of Finance and Economics at Columbia Business School, is a distinguished scholar in corporate finance and organizational economics. With a PhD and Masters in Economics from Harvard University and dual BS degrees in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from MIT, Wolfenzon brings a multidisciplinary approach to his research. As a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research, he has made significant contributions to understanding control sharing in small firms, the effects of investor protection on ownership concentration, and the structure of business groups globally. His recent work focuses on family firms, examining the consequences of family succession on firm performance and the importance of managerial talent in family-controlled businesses. Wolfenzon's research combines theoretical economic approaches with practical insights into family business management, making him a leading expert in the field with implications for corporate governance, ownership structures, and the unique dynamics of family-owned enterprises.

R.J. Jenkins, a Curriculum Designer at Columbia University's Center for Veteran Transition and Integration since 2016, brings a wealth of experience in supporting non-traditional students' academic success. With a background as Associate Dean of Students at Columbia's School of General Studies, where he directed the Academic Resource Center and led a transition course for first-year, non-traditional students, Jenkins has developed expertise in addressing the unique needs of diverse student populations. His academic credentials include a BA in English and Anthropology from Columbia, an MLitt in English Literature from Cambridge, and ongoing doctoral work in English literature. An award-winning teacher, Jenkins has taught a wide range of courses across prestigious institutions, including Columbia, Cambridge, and Harvard. His current role focuses on designing curricula for veteran transition, exemplified by courses such as "Learning Success" and "Attaining Higher Education." Jenkins' multifaceted experience in academic advising, teaching, and curriculum development makes him a key figure in enhancing educational experiences for non-traditional students, particularly veterans transitioning to higher education.

Dr. Sara Remedios, the Associate Dean of Students at Columbia University's School of General Studies, brings a wealth of experience in supporting student success and academic excellence. With a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in English Literature from the City University of New York and a B.A. in English and Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis, Remedios combines academic expertise with practical leadership in student support. In her current role, she directs the Academic Resource Center and oversees all academic and learning initiatives at the School of General Studies. Her background includes restructuring the CUNY Pipeline Honors Program, demonstrating her commitment to assisting underrepresented students in accessing higher education. As an accomplished teacher, Remedios contributes to Columbia's "Learning Success" course and the "Veteran Transition: Academic Excellence and Career Readiness" XSeries program. Her multifaceted experience in program development, teaching, and academic administration makes her a key figure in enhancing educational experiences for non-traditional and diverse student populations at Columbia University.

Josh Edwin serves as the Senior Assistant Dean of Students at Columbia University's School of General Studies, bringing a diverse background in education and creative writing to his role. With a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Emory University and an M.F.A. in Poetry and Literary Translation from Columbia University's School of the Arts, Edwin's expertise spans academic support and creative expression. His teaching experience at Columbia is extensive, including University Studies, academic writing classes, one-on-one writing support, and creative writing workshops for veterans. Edwin's international teaching background includes positions at a public high school in Atlanta and an English language school in Seoul, South Korea. Beyond his academic roles, he is an accomplished poet, translator, and reviewer, with wide-ranging publications. At Columbia, Edwin contributes to the "Learning Success" course and the "Veteran Transition: Academic Excellence and Career Readiness" XSeries program, demonstrating his commitment to supporting diverse student populations, particularly veterans, in their academic and professional journeys.

Dr. Vivek K. Moitra, the Allen I. Hyman Professor of Critical Care Anesthesiology at Columbia University Medical Center, is a distinguished leader in critical care medicine. As Chief of the Division of Critical Care in the Department of Anesthesiology and Medical Director of the Cardiothoracic and Surgical Intensive Care Units, Dr. Moitra brings extensive expertise to his roles. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, subspecialty certified in Critical Care Medicine and Neurocritical Care, and a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Moitra's national influence is evident through his positions as an Oral Board Examiner, the American Society of Anesthesiologists' liaison to the American Heart Association, and co-author of the 2015 Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines. As Program Director of the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship and instructor of the "Crisis Resource Management" course, he plays a crucial role in educating the next generation of critical care specialists. Dr. Moitra's multifaceted contributions to clinical practice, education, and national guideline development cement his status as a key figure in advancing critical care anesthesiology.

Dr. David O. Kessler is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in Emergency Medicine at Columbia University and serves as the Vice Chair of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives in the Department of Emergency Medicine. With a diverse educational background including a degree from Princeton University, an MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and an MSc in Clinical Investigation from New York University, Dr. Kessler brings a wealth of expertise to his roles. His training includes a pediatric residency with a global health focus, as well as fellowships in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Emergency Ultrasound at Bellevue Hospital. At Columbia, Dr. Kessler is instrumental in implementing innovative programs and solutions to complex healthcare systems issues. As an Associate Medical Director for the Mary & Michael Jaharis Simulation Center, he supports the development of safety-driven simulation programs across departments. Dr. Kessler's commitment to advancing pediatric emergency medicine is further exemplified by his role as a founder and co-director of INSPIRE (International Network for Simulation-based Pediatric Innovation, Research, and Education), fostering collaboration and mentorship in simulation-based research. He also contributes to medical education by teaching the "Crisis Resource Management" course at Columbia University

Dr. Jessica Spellman, an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, is a distinguished expert in cardiothoracic anesthesiology. As the Director of Clinical Operations for the Division of Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at the nationally recognized New York-Presbyterian Hospital, she brings extensive expertise in advanced complex cardiac surgery, echocardiography, and mechanical circulatory support. Dr. Spellman's clinical approach emphasizes education, preparedness, and crisis management, reflecting her commitment to achieving high standards of care. Her passion for sharing knowledge extends beyond her role as a clinical educator for trainees to teaching the "Crisis Resource Management" course at Columbia University, allowing her to reach a global audience. Dr. Spellman's combination of clinical excellence, leadership in cardiothoracic anesthesiology, and dedication to education positions her as a key figure in advancing patient care and medical training in her field.

Dr. Daniel Bauer is a Senior Lecturer in the discipline of natural language processing in the Department of Computer Science at Columbia University. His research focuses on developing systems that can accurately interpret natural language in multimodal environments and linguistic discourse, with a particular emphasis on the semantics of natural language and efficient translation between surface text, syntax, and semantics. Bauer's work utilizes deep, formal representations of language meaning, applicable to areas like machine translation and natural language user interfaces. With degrees in cognitive science from the University of Osnabrück, language science and technology from Saarland University, and a PhD in computer science from Columbia University, Bauer brings a multidisciplinary approach to his research. His expertise lies in syntactic and semantic parsing, combining machine learning techniques with linguistically inspired formal models. Bauer's innovative work includes using hyperedge replacement graph grammars to construct meaning representations and exploring language grounded in other modalities like formal knowledge bases, 3-D scenes, vision, and robotics. Through his research and teaching, Bauer contributes significantly to advancing natural language processing systems and their applications in various fields

Dr. Marni Sommer, an Associate Professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Director of the Gender, Adolescent Transitions and Environment (GATE) Program, is a globally recognized expert in menstruation, gender, and adolescent health. Her multifaceted work spans research, practice, and policy development, focusing on the intersections of gender, health, education, and environment for adolescents in diverse settings. Dr. Sommer has made significant contributions to improving menstrual hygiene management in humanitarian responses, leading the development of key resources and collaborating with UNICEF on global initiatives. As founder of Grow and Know, she has published millions of puberty books worldwide. Her current research examines menstruation issues across various populations, from homeless individuals to displaced girls in emergencies. A Senior Editor of Global Public Health, Dr. Sommer teaches courses on menstruation and global health at Columbia, including "Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice." Her comprehensive approach to menstrual health and adolescent development has established her as a pivotal figure in advancing global understanding and action in this critical field.

Maggie L. Schmitt, MPH, formerly the Associate Director for the GATE Program at Columbia University, is a distinguished expert in menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) research. With a focus on low-income and humanitarian settings, Schmitt's work spans Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), adolescent health, and health systems strengthening. Her significant contributions include co-authoring key resources for menstrual management in emergencies and conducting research on menstruation issues in the USA, including studies on low-income adolescents and the impact of COVID-19 on menstrual product insecurity. Schmitt's expertise has been instrumental in developing educational materials like "A Girls' Guide to Puberty and Periods" and in shaping the course "Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice" at Columbia. With an MPH from Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health specializing in Forced Migration and Health, Schmitt's work bridges academic research with practical applications, significantly advancing global understanding and practices in menstrual health, particularly in challenging environments.

Caitlin Gruer, MPH, was a Program Manager for the Gender, Adolescent Transitions and Environment (GATE) Program at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Her work focused on using participatory research methods to understand women's and girls' experiences related to menstruation, puberty, and sanitation. Gruer's expertise spans translating research into practical resources, implementing global initiatives on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Her portfolio included diverse projects exploring menstruation issues among homeless populations, during Ebola epidemics, and innovative methods for disseminating puberty information to adolescent girls. Gruer coordinated the Period Posse Presents webinar series, bringing together experts to discuss emerging issues in menstrual health. With an MPH from Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health in Sociomedical Sciences with a Global Health concentration, Gruer contributed to the course "Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice" at Columbia, sharing her extensive experience in menstrual health research and program management.

Nicolas Makharashvili is a Senior Program Officer at the Care and Protection of Children (CPC) Learning Network at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. He serves as the INSPIRE MOOC Content Lead and Learning Facilitator, bringing extensive experience in project management, intervention scale-up, capacity building, and evaluation in the social sector. Makharashvili's expertise spans child protection, early childhood development, public health, and education. His diverse background includes roles at the Social Impact Exchange, Bolder Giving, and the Roosevelt Institute, where he worked on philanthropic initiatives and policy development. Originally from Georgia, Makharashvili began his career in child welfare programs and holds an MPA in Policy Analysis and Evaluation from Baruch College and a BBA in Finance. At Columbia, he coordinates the INSPIRE Working Group and leads the development and facilitation of the "INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children" course, leveraging his multifaceted experience to advance child protection strategies globally.

Dr. Cassie Landers is an Assistant Professor of Population and Family Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. With a Doctorate in Education and a Master's in Public Health from Harvard University, Dr. Landers has over 35 years of experience working with UNICEF and other international agencies to promote policies and programs supporting young children and families. Her expertise spans child protection, early childhood development, and public health, with technical assistance provided to child development programs in over 60 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Dr. Landers has designed interventions for children in conflict and post-conflict situations, participated in rapid assessment missions in areas of conflict, and developed global interventions in parenting education and developmental pediatrics. She has also contributed to academic program development, including designing a Master's degree program in Early Childhood Development at BRAC University, Bangladesh. At Columbia, Dr. Landers teaches the course "INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children," leveraging her extensive international experience to educate students on child protection and development in diverse global contexts.

Eric Foner, the DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University, is one of the most distinguished historians in the United States. His research focuses on the intersections of intellectual, political, and social history, particularly American race relations, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction era. Foner's prolific career includes authoring over twenty books, with notable works such as "Gateway To Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad" (2015) and the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery" (2010). As the only person to serve as president of all three major professional historical organizations in his field, Foner's influence extends beyond academia. He is renowned for his public engagement, including curating historical exhibitions and frequent media appearances. At Columbia, Foner teaches a comprehensive series on the Civil War and Reconstruction, sharing his expertise with students and the public alike. His work has significantly shaped modern understanding of 19th century American history, cementing his status as a leading authority on this crucial period in U.S. history.

Tim Shenk is a graduate student in history at Columbia University, bringing a fresh perspective to the study of American history and politics. His academic pursuits are complemented by his work as a writer, with publications in notable outlets such as The Nation, Dissent, and Jacobin. Shenk's scholarly interests are evident in his authorship of "Maurice Dobb: Political Economist," demonstrating his engagement with economic history and political thought. At Columbia, he contributes to the instruction of a comprehensive series on the Civil War and Reconstruction era, including courses on the pivotal periods of 1850-1861, 1861-1865, and 1865-1890. This involvement in teaching underscores his developing expertise in 19th-century American history, particularly the tumultuous Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Shenk's combination of academic study, published writing, and teaching experience positions him as an emerging voice in the field of American historical scholarship.

The Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is a comprehensive resource dedicated to enhancing teaching and learning across Columbia University. The CTL partners with faculty, students, and colleagues to support excellence and innovation in education through a wide range of programs, services, and resources. Their offerings include teaching consultations, workshops, technology training, and online courses. The CTL promotes inclusive, learner-centered, and research-based pedagogy while supporting the use of new media and emerging technologies in classrooms and online learning environments. Their course offerings on edX cover diverse topics including Crisis Resource Management, a multi-part series on the Civil War and Reconstruction era, Fighting for Equality: 1950-2018, and a series on women's labor history titled "Women Have Always Worked." Through these initiatives, the CTL aims to foster professional development, curricular enhancement, and academic excellence for Columbia's instructors and students.

Beth E. Morgan, the Director of Higher Education Transition and Partnerships at Columbia University's Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, brings a unique blend of personal and professional experience to her role. Raised in a Marine Corps family with international exposure, Morgan's career spans work with the Central Intelligence Agency, non-profits, and major universities including Colgate, Princeton, and USC. Her expertise in veteran education transition was honed through leadership roles at Service to School and the Marine Corps Leadership Scholar Program. With degrees from the University of Virginia and Stanford University, Morgan now focuses on assisting transitioning service members and veterans in accessing higher education. At Columbia, she contributes to the "Attaining Higher Education" course and the "Veteran Transition: Academic Excellence and Career Readiness" XSeries, leveraging her diverse background to bridge the gap between military service and academic pursuits for veterans.

Alice Kessler-Harris, the R. Gordon Hoxie Professor of American History Emerita at Columbia University, is a preeminent scholar in American labor history and women's studies. Her groundbreaking research focuses on the history of American labor, 20th-century social policy, and women's work. Kessler-Harris is acclaimed for seminal works such as "In Pursuit of Equity" and "Out to Work," which have significantly shaped understanding of women's roles in the workforce and American socioeconomic landscape. Her leadership extends beyond academia, having served as president of major historical associations and currently as Vice President of the Society of American Historians. An elected member of prestigious scholarly societies, Kessler-Harris continues to influence the field through her teaching, including courses on "Fighting for Equality: 1950-2018" and the "Women Have Always Worked" XSeries at Columbia. Her work not only illuminates the historical experiences of working women but also contributes to broader discussions on gender, labor, and social policy in America

William "Skip" Bailey, the Senior Advisor to the Director of Educational Financing at Columbia University's School of General Studies, brings over 34 years of experience as a financial aid administrator to his role. With more than two decades focused on non-traditional students at Columbia, Bailey has developed extensive expertise in managing the unique financial challenges these students face. His career includes administering financial aid at institutions like the University of San Diego and the University of Michigan, complemented by his education degree from Michigan State University. At Columbia, Bailey contributes his knowledge to courses on "Attaining Higher Education" and the "Veteran Transition: Academic Excellence and Career Readiness" XSeries program, helping students navigate the complexities of college financing. His long-standing commitment to assisting non-traditional learners makes him an invaluable resource in the field of educational financing and student support.