About Cornell University

Dr. Mathew L. Ouellett, the founding Executive Director of the Center for Teaching Innovation at Cornell University, is a distinguished expert in multicultural teaching, organizational development, and social justice in higher education. With over 30 years of teaching experience across various institutions, Ouellett has significantly contributed to the field through his extensive publications, including over 40 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and books on faculty development and inclusive teaching. His career spans leadership roles at Wayne State University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he honed his expertise in fostering inclusive teaching practices. Recognized with the Bob Pierleoni Spirit of POD Award for lifetime achievement, Ouellett's work focuses on engendering systemic change for social justice while honoring individual transformation processes. At Cornell, he continues to advance these goals through his leadership of the CTI and by teaching the course "Teaching & Learning in the Diverse Classroom," drawing on his diverse educational background and rich experience to promote inclusive and effective teaching practices in higher education.

Melina Ivanchikova is the Associate Director of Inclusive Teaching in the Center for Teaching Innovation at Cornell University. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, she specializes in developing faculty programming focused on diversity, inclusion, and equity. Her expertise spans reflective and inclusive teaching, global and intercultural learning, and culturally-responsive pedagogy. Ivanchikova's diverse background includes roles at Northern Essex Community College, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Cornell, where she has focused on Latinidad, mentoring, and curriculum development. She holds an M.F.A. in Poetry, an M.A. in English, and a B.A. in Russian/International Relations and Comparative Literature. As a bicultural, Spanish-fluent educator and activist, Ivanchikova brings a unique perspective to her work. She has co-authored academic articles on active pedagogy and study abroad programs, and is also an accomplished poet. At Cornell, she teaches the course "Teaching & Learning in the Diverse Classroom," leveraging her extensive experience to promote inclusive and intercultural teaching practices in higher education.

Bennett Goldberg is a distinguished academic leader and researcher who has made significant contributions to both physics and educational innovation in higher education. As the Director of the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching and Assistant Provost for Learning and Teaching at Northwestern University, Goldberg brings a wealth of experience in STEM education and research to his role. With a background that includes a BA from Harvard College and an MS and Ph.D. in physics from Brown University, Goldberg has had a remarkable career spanning nearly three decades at Boston University before joining Northwestern in 2016. His research interests are diverse, encompassing nano-optics, spectroscopy, and the study of 2D crystals, reflecting his commitment to cutting-edge scientific inquiry. Goldberg's dedication to improving STEM education is evident in his work on course transformation and the development of evidence-based, active learning approaches. As a Fellow of the American Physical Society and recipient of prestigious awards such as the Sloan Foundation Fellowship and the Presidential Young Investigators Award, Goldberg has been recognized for his contributions to both research and education. His transition from Boston to Chicago marks a new chapter in his career, where he continues to influence the landscape of higher education through innovative teaching practices and research initiatives.

Henry (Rique) Campa III is a distinguished academic leader and wildlife ecologist serving as an Associate Dean in the Graduate School and Professor of Wildlife Ecology in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (MSU). With a career spanning over three decades, Campa has made significant contributions to wildlife research, ecosystem management, and graduate education. His expertise encompasses wildlife-habitat relationships, the effects of disturbances on wildlife, and the professional development of graduate students. Campa's research has been well-funded, generating approximately $21 million since 1990, and has taken him across the United States as well as to Kenya and Nepal. Prior to his academic career, he gained valuable field experience with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. At MSU, Campa has been instrumental in developing and implementing career and professional development programs, including the PREP program and activities associated with the NSF-funded CIRTL Network. His dedication to education has earned him numerous accolades, including the MSU Teacher-Scholar Award and The Wildlife Society's Excellence in Wildlife Education Award. Campa's influence extends beyond the classroom, as he has held leadership positions in The Wildlife Society and is recognized as a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Fellow of the organization

Dr. Rajesh Bhaskaran, the Swanson Director of Engineering Simulation and Senior Lecturer in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University, is a leading expert in the democratization of engineering simulation. With a B.Tech from IIT Madras and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University, Bhaskaran specializes in integrating commercial simulation tools into engineering courses and promoting reliable deployment of simulations by non-experts. His work focuses on making advanced simulation technologies accessible to a broader audience, as evidenced by his creation of simcafe.org, a valuable resource for simulation education. At Cornell, Bhaskaran teaches "A Hands-on Introduction to Engineering Simulations," furthering his mission to bridge the gap between complex simulation technologies and practical engineering education. His expertise in engineering applications of simulation technology and his efforts to democratize these tools are significantly contributing to the advancement of engineering education and practice.

Charles K. Whitehead, the Myron C. Taylor Alumni Professor of Business Law at Cornell Law School and Director of the Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship Program at Cornell Tech, is a distinguished expert in business organizations, capital markets, financial institutions, and mergers and acquisitions. With a unique background that blends academic excellence and extensive industry experience, Whitehead brings valuable insights to his teaching and research. Prior to his academic career, he held senior legal and business positions in the financial services industry, including roles at major firms like Nomura Securities International and Citigroup. This practical experience informs his scholarly work on financial markets, regulation, and corporate governance. At Cornell, Whitehead leverages his expertise to bridge the gap between legal theory and business practice, particularly in areas where law, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect. His contributions to legal education include co-authoring leading casebooks on Securities Regulation and Business Organizations, further cementing his status as a key figure in business law education and research.

Jed Stiglitz, the Jia Jonathan Zhu and Ruyin Ruby Ye Sesquicentennial Fellow at Cornell Law School, is a distinguished scholar in administrative law, legislation, and public policy. With both a law degree and a doctorate in political science, Stiglitz brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his research and teaching. His work focuses on the intricate relationships between judicial review, trust, and accountability in the administrative state, integrating legal theory with quantitative social science methods. Stiglitz's scholarship has been published in top-tier legal journals, and he has authored or co-authored books on American elections and the architecture of the modern state. As a professor at Cornell Law School, he contributes significantly to the understanding of how legal structures impact governance and public policy. His background, which includes clerking for the Honorable Stephen F. Williams of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, enriches his academic work with practical insights into the functioning of the legal system, making him a key figure in the field of administrative law and public policy analysis.

Robert A. Hillman, the Edwin H. Woodruff Professor of Law at Cornell Law School, is a distinguished scholar and educator in the fields of contract and commercial law. With a career spanning decades, Hillman has made significant contributions to legal education and scholarship, particularly through his co-authorship of the influential "White, Summers, and Hillman, Uniform Commercial Code" and his widely used textbook "Principles of Contract Law." His expertise extends to e-commerce law, reflecting his engagement with evolving legal challenges in the digital age. Hillman's impact at Cornell goes beyond teaching; he served as Associate Dean from 1990 to 1997, shaping the law school's direction. As an arbitrator and litigation consultant, he bridges academic theory with practical application, enhancing his effectiveness in the classroom and his influence in the legal community. Hillman's work continues to be instrumental in shaping understanding and practice in contract and commercial law, making him a key figure in legal education and scholarship

David Easley, the Henry Scarborough Professor of Social Science at Cornell University, is a distinguished scholar with joint appointments in the departments of Economics and Information Science. His research, focusing on learning and wealth dynamics, market microstructure, and networks, bridges multiple disciplines and contributes significantly to understanding complex social and economic systems in highly connected environments. A Fellow of the Econometric Society with a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, Easley has made notable contributions to the field, particularly through his co-authored book "Networks, Crowds and Markets: Reasoning About a Highly Connected World." This work, based on the popular undergraduate course "Networks" that he developed at Cornell with Jon Kleinberg, integrates perspectives from economics, sociology, computing, information science, and applied mathematics. Easley's interdisciplinary approach to studying networks and behavior in networked environments has positioned him as a key figure in the emerging field at the interface of these disciplines, making him a valuable asset to Cornell's academic community and the broader field of social science research.

Jon Kleinberg is the Tisch University Professor of Computer Science and Information Science at Cornell University, where he currently chairs the Department of Information Science. A renowned expert in network science, Kleinberg's research focuses on the interface between networks and information, particularly social and information networks underlying the World Wide Web and online media. His groundbreaking work has earned him numerous accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship and membership in the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Kleinberg's contributions span various fields, including algorithmic aspects of the small world phenomenon, link analysis for web search, and the study of cascading behaviors in networks. With a Ph.D. from MIT, Kleinberg has co-authored influential textbooks and significantly shaped the understanding of complex networks in the digital age. His leadership at Cornell and his interdisciplinary approach to studying networks and algorithms have established him as a key figure in computer science and information systems research.

Eva Tardos, the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of Computer Science and Information Science at Cornell University, is a world-renowned expert in algorithmic game theory and network algorithms. With a DiplMath and PhD from Eötvös University in Budapest, Tardos has made groundbreaking contributions at the intersection of computer science and economics. Her research, focusing on algorithms and games on networks, has earned her numerous prestigious accolades, including membership in the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Sciences, as well as Packard, Sloan Foundation, and Guggenheim fellowships. Tardos's work on network flows, combinatorial optimization, and selfish routing has been foundational in the field, and she has co-authored the influential textbook "Algorithm Design" with Jon Kleinberg. Her leadership extends to editorial roles in major journals, and she has been recognized with several major prizes, including the Fulkerson Prize, Gödel Prize, and IEEE John von Neumann Medal. Tardos's interdisciplinary approach and significant contributions have established her as a key figure in shaping the understanding of algorithmic processes in economic and network systems.

William E. Bemis is a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University, specializing in comparative vertebrate anatomy, ichthyology, marine vertebrate zoology, paleontology, and systematics. With a career spanning over 40 years, Bemis has made significant contributions to the field of vertebrate biology. He received his B.A. from Cornell, M.S. from the University of Michigan, and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. Bemis has extensive research experience, having worked with specimens in over 50 natural history collections worldwide. His research focuses on the anatomy, development, and evolutionary relationships of fossil and living fishes. Bemis has authored numerous influential publications on topics ranging from shark tooth development to the evolution of fish anatomy. He has also co-authored major textbooks in vertebrate anatomy. At Cornell, Bemis teaches courses in vertebrate biology, anatomy, paleontology, and evolution, while also training undergraduate and graduate research students. His diverse expertise and extensive research experience make him a leading figure in the study of vertebrate evolution and comparative anatomy.

Joshua Moyer is a Lecturer in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University, specializing in elasmobranch biology, comparative morphology, and marine ecology. With degrees from Millersville University, Cornell University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Moyer has extensive expertise in shark anatomy, feeding behavior, and evolution. His research focuses on shark dentition, feeding performance, and comparative morphology, with notable publications on shark tooth microstructure and feeding kinematics. As the Resident Research Scientist at the Atlantic Shark Institute and an active member of professional societies like ASIH and AES, Moyer contributes significantly to the field of shark biology. At Yale, he teaches courses on comparative vertebrate anatomy and shark biology, combining his research experience with education to foster a deeper understanding of these fascinating marine predators

Ian Tibbetts is a distinguished marine biologist and Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Queensland, Australia. With a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology from the University of Wales and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Queensland, Tibbetts has established himself as an expert in various areas of marine science. His research interests span functional morphology of fish digestive systems, electroreceptor morphology in sharks, rays, and catfish, coral reef ecology, and fisheries biology. Tibbetts has published extensively on a wide range of marine species and has held significant roles, including Director of the Centre for Marine Science at the University of Queensland and Chair of the Expert Scientific Panel for the Queensland Government's fisheries reform strategy. As an educator, he teaches ichthyology and marine biology, and has received recognition for his excellence in teaching. Through his research, teaching, and leadership positions, Tibbetts continues to make valuable contributions to marine science and conservation efforts in Australia and internationally.

Derek Bruff is a prominent figure in higher education, serving as the director of the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching and a senior lecturer in the Department of Mathematics. With a Ph.D. in mathematics from Vanderbilt University and teaching experience at Harvard University, Bruff has established himself as an expert in educational innovation. In his role as director, he oversees programming and offerings for faculty and graduate students, focusing on developing foundational teaching skills and exploring new ideas in pedagogy. Bruff's research interests encompass educational technology, visual thinking, and social pedagogies, which he regularly discusses on his blog at derekbruff.org. His expertise in these areas is further demonstrated by his book, "Teaching with Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments," published by Jossey-Bass in 2009. As a consultant to campus leaders on pedagogical issues, Bruff actively works to foster a university culture that supports effective teaching, making him a key influencer in shaping modern higher education practices.

Trina McMahon is a distinguished professor holding dual appointments in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Her multidisciplinary expertise spans microbial ecology, water quality, and environmental biotechnology, reflecting her commitment to addressing complex environmental challenges. With a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, McMahon has established herself as a prolific researcher, having authored over 70 research articles in collaboration with her graduate students. Her dedication to academia extends beyond research, as she currently serves as the Co-Faculty Director of the Delta Program at UW-Madison, where she plays a crucial role in promoting education innovation within the College of Engineering

Edward E. Baptist is an influential historian and associate professor in the Department of History at Cornell University. His groundbreaking research focuses on the intersection of slavery, capitalism, and the development of the United States in the 19th century. Baptist's work has significantly contributed to our understanding of how slavery shaped both American and global economic systems.

Louis Hyman is a prominent economic historian and professor, currently serving as the Dorothy Ross Professor of Political Economy in History at Johns Hopkins University and a professor at the SNF Agora Institute. With a background that includes a BA from Columbia University, a Fulbright scholarship, and a PhD from Harvard University, Hyman has established himself as a leading expert on the history of capitalism in the United States. His research focuses on personal debt, labor, and the evolution of American economic systems, resulting in acclaimed books such as "Debtor Nation: The History of America in Red Ink" and "Temp: The Real Story of What Happened to Your Salary, Benefits, and Job Security." Formerly the Maurice and Hinda Neufeld Founders Professor at Cornell University's School of Industrial & Labor Relations, Hyman has also directed the Institute for Workplace Studies and founded the Columbia Studies in the History of U.S. Capitalism book series. His work continues to shape discussions on American economic history and contemporary capitalism, bridging academic research with public understanding through various platforms, including a popular MOOC on American capitalism.

Dave Albonesi is a distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University, renowned for his expertise in energy-efficient computer architecture. With a career spanning both industry and academia, Albonesi brings a unique perspective to his research and teaching. He holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Syracuse University, and spent a decade in the computer industry before transitioning to academia. At Cornell, Albonesi teaches a wide range of courses, from introductory computing to advanced graduate-level computer architecture. His research focuses on adaptive and reconfigurable multi-core architectures, power-aware computing, and energy-efficient smart buildings. Albonesi's contributions to the field have earned him numerous accolades, including fellowship in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and multiple teaching excellence awards at Cornell. He has also held significant leadership roles in the academic community, serving as Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Micro and in various capacities for international symposiums on computer architecture and microarchitecture

Adrian Powell is a distinguished plant biologist and bioinformatics expert currently serving as the Director of the BTI Computational Biology Center (BCBC) at Cornell University. With a Ph.D. in plant biology and a concentration in genomics from Cornell, Powell's research background includes studying nodulation in wild relatives of soybean. In his role at the BCBC, he focuses on providing educational resources and supporting the development of new methods to advance plant life understanding. Powell's expertise spans bioinformatics, genomics, and plant biology, allowing him to address complex biological questions using computational approaches. His work at the intersection of plant science and computational biology has led to the development of innovative courses, such as "Applications of Machine Learning in Plant Science." This course, offered through Cornell University, explores machine learning applications in plant sciences through Python exercises, covering key concepts like supervised learning, neural networks, and regression. The course is designed to provide hands-on experience with real-world examples from plant scientists, bridging the gap between computational techniques and biological research. As an educator and researcher, Powell continues to contribute significantly to the field of plant biology and computational science, fostering a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists