About University of Michigan

Aaron Ridley is a Professor of Space Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, specializing in the near-Earth space environment through the development of large-scale models. He has served as the Principal Investigator for three CubeSat satellite missions and was the Constellation Scientist for NASA's 8-satellite CYGNSS mission, which measures ocean winds. In addition to his research, he teaches courses on high-altitude ballooning, CubeSat design, space science, and rocket science, contributing significantly to the education and advancement of future space scientists and engineers.

Adrienne Lapidos, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan Medical School's Department of Psychiatry. Her research is dedicated to developing innovative solutions to enhance healthcare access for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. As a practicing clinical psychologist at Michigan Medicine, she provides care to individuals experiencing psychosis, depression, and PTSD, combining her clinical expertise with her research initiatives to make a meaningful impact in mental health care.

Andrew Wu is a prominent researcher in fintech, specializing in blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and robo-advisors. He leverages machine learning and automated text analysis to examine large-scale, unstructured data, with his findings published in the Journal of Financial Economics and featured in op-eds for The Hill. Dr. Wu teaches courses on FinTech Innovations and Global Business Field Projects in FinTech, and he has conducted an Executive Education program on Smart Banking in the Age of FinTech for the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. He earned his PhD in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a BA in mathematics and economics from Yale University.

Anita Valanju Shelgikar, MD, MHPE, is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Michigan, specializing in sleep medicine. Her clinical interests encompass sleep-disordered breathing, sleep deprivation, and restless leg syndrome. Dr. Shelgikar is also dedicated to medical education, actively training sleep medicine fellows and neurology residents. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she serves as the program director for the sleep medicine fellowship, contributing to the development of future specialists in the field.

Arun Agrawal is the Samuel Trask Dana Professor at the University of Michigan, where his research and teaching focus on the politics of international development, institutional change, and environmental conservation. He received his training as a political scientist at Duke University and has furthered his education in history and management in India. Dr. Agrawal has held prestigious teaching and research positions at renowned institutions, including Yale, the University of Florida, McGill University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard, contributing to a diverse and impactful academic career.

Barb Hiltz is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, where she leverages her expertise as a licensed social worker (LMSW) and holds an EdM in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership, focusing on diversity and equity in education. Her work emphasizes the sustainability of community-based organizations, exploring the impacts of innovation, social enterprise, and social entrepreneurship on social service delivery. With over two decades of experience in interpersonal, community, and administrative practice, Hiltz has also held leadership roles, including executive director of a domestic abuse program in St. Louis, MO, and a cancer support organization in Ann Arbor, MI. Notably, she co-founded The Brides Project in 2011, a social enterprise aimed at funding cancer support services.

Professor Barry Checkoway is a globally recognized scholar and practitioner focused on youth empowerment, neighborhood development, and community change. His extensive projects and publications are informed by collaborations with grassroots organizations, community agencies, and government programs across diverse regions, including the South Bronx, Detroit, the Mississippi Delta, and central Appalachia, as well as international efforts in South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Supported by institutions like the World Health Organization, Ford Foundation, and Kellogg Foundation, Checkoway played a pivotal role in launching AmeriCorps in 1990 and served as the founding director of several impactful initiatives, including the Michigan Neighborhood AmeriCorps Program and the Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning.

Dr. Bilal Butt is an Associate Professor at the School for Environment and Sustainability and a faculty affiliate of the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the political ecology of pastoralism and protected areas in East Africa, emphasizing empirical fieldwork to explore the interactions between pastoralists and wildlife across ecologically diverse regions. By employing various geospatial technologies—such as GPS tracking on livestock—he investigates how communities, wildlife, and livestock adapt to changing climate and political landscapes. Additionally, Dr. Butt critiques scientific and technical assessments that misinterpret the landscapes of rangeland peoples, often resulting in orientalist approaches to development programs. He has a robust background in addressing environmental conflicts, particularly related to wildlife poaching, land grabs, and green energy initiatives. A recipient of the NSF Career Award, Dr. Butt has contributed to numerous scholarly journals, including the Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal of Applied Ecology, and Humanity. He teaches courses on Conservation and Development, Political Ecology, Environmental Security and Conflict, Environmental Governance, and Preparing for International Fieldwork.

Brady T. West serves as a Research Associate Professor in the Survey Methodology Program at the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, part of the Institute for Social Research. He earned his PhD in Survey Methodology from Michigan in 2011, following an MA in Applied Statistics in 2002 and a BS in Statistics with Highest Honors in 2001, both from the same institution. His research focuses on the implications of measurement error in auxiliary variables and survey paradata for survey estimation, along with survey nonresponse, interviewer effects, and multilevel regression models for clustered and longitudinal data. West is the lead author of Linear Mixed Models: A Practical Guide using Statistical Software, Second Edition (2014, Chapman Hall/CRC Press) and co-author of Applied Survey Data Analysis (2017, Chapman Hill) with Steven Heeringa and Pat Berglund. Residing in Dexter, MI, he enjoys family life with his wife, Laura, their children, Carter and Everleigh, and their American Cocker Spaniel, Bailey.

Brenda Gunderson is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Michigan, where she received her PhD in Statistics in 1989. She coordinates and teaches the largest undergraduate statistics course, Statistics and Data Analysis, which accommodates approximately 1,800 students each term. In addition to her teaching role, Brenda serves as an undergraduate advisor for students pursuing a major or minor in Statistics. Her research focuses on enhancing statistical education, particularly through the integration of technology to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Brian E. Perron, PhD, serves as a Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, where he focuses on empowering community-based organizations to enhance service delivery and business operations through effective data utilization. His work encompasses the development of user-friendly data management systems, the creation of interactive data visualizations for easier comprehension by non-technical users, and the strengthening of organizational capabilities to support data-driven decision-making. Perron is actively involved with the Child & Adolescent Data Lab, investigating services aimed at improving outcomes for vulnerable youth and families within the child welfare system. His research has garnered support from notable institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is also keenly interested in the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in social work and explores how machine learning and natural language processing can enhance understanding in this field. Committed to education, Perron is dedicated to teaching research and data analysis, particularly for students with limited math skills, and he brings extensive experience in teaching the diagnosis and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, he engages in MOOCs to stay updated with rapid technological advancements.

Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan (UM) School of Public Health, as well as a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. He is also a member of the UM Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and a leader at the UM Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine. With a Ph.D. in Behavioral Decision Theory from Carnegie Mellon University, Zikmund-Fisher employs his interdisciplinary expertise to explore the factors influencing individuals' ability to use data for making informed health and medical decisions that align with their values. He develops and teaches graduate courses on health risk communication, effective message design, and communication fundamentals. His research intersects with his teaching, focusing on designing visual displays that enhance public understanding of health information, the impact of numeracy on health data interpretation, and the effectiveness of narrative in communication. Notably, he created iconarray.com, a free online tool for generating icon array risk graphics. His research interests span various topics, including laboratory test results, medication choices, vaccination, genetic testing, dioxin exposure, and cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

Dr. Briana Mezuk is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan. She completed her doctoral training in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Training Program within the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and was a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars Program at the University of Michigan. Her background as a former college debater and high school debate coach has instilled in her the value of examining issues from multiple perspectives and the importance of engaging with critical scholarship. Dr. Mezuk is drawn to population health as an inherently interdisciplinary field. Her research utilizes epidemiologic methods to explore the interrelationships between mental and physical health across the lifespan. A core aspect of her work involves integrating conceptual and analytical approaches, methods, and models from both social science and clinical disciplines to develop a nuanced understanding of how mental and physical health interconnect. Ultimately, her research aims to inform interventions that embrace a holistic approach to health.

Dr. Caren Stalburg is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, where she serves as the Director of the Health Infrastructures & Learning Systems Online Master’s program in the Department of Learning Health Sciences. She completed her medical school and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan and earned a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Post-Secondary Education from the School of Education in 2006. Her academic interests lie in the pedagogy of teaching and training others to teach, contributing to health professions education across the continuum of undergraduate and graduate training at the university. Alongside her educational role, Dr. Stalburg maintains a clinical practice in general obstetrics and gynecology. She is also a past Chair of the Central Group on Educational Affairs and actively participates on several committees for the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Association of Medical Colleges, in addition to serving as a reviewer for various academic journals.

Dr. Goldstein is a faculty member at the Sleep Disorders Center, where she specializes in evaluating and treating patients with various sleep conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders. Her research focuses on the intersection of sleep disruption and health issues such as infertility, alongside developing methods to assess sleep and circadian rhythms in everyday settings. Collaborating with the athletics department, she promotes healthy sleep practices to enhance performance and well-being among student-athletes. Dr. Goldstein is also passionate about education, sharing her expertise through media contributions that address a wide range of sleep-related topics for both trainees and the public.

Charles Severance, known as Dr. Chuck, is a Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, where he teaches technology-focused courses, including programming, database design, and web development. An accomplished author, he has written several books, such as Using Google App Engine and Python for Everybody. His research centers on developing learning management systems, having served as the chief architect for Sakai, which is utilized by approximately 300 educational institutions worldwide. He documented his experiences in the project through his book, Sakai: Free as in Freedom. In the mid-1990s, Dr. Severance hosted Internet: TCI, a national television talk show discussing internet topics. He also contributed to IEEE Computer Magazine as a columnist, where he conducted video interviews with prominent technology leaders and innovators in his monthly feature, "Computing Conversations."

Charlie Michaels serves as the Managing Director of the Center for Socially Engaged Engineering & Design (C-SED) and is a Lecturer in the Design Science Program at the University of Michigan. He holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art & Design from the University of Michigan and a BFA from Bradley University. As a co-author of the Socially Engaged Design Process Model, Charlie leads the implementation of C-SED’s educational initiatives, including instructing the “SEED” course, where students collaborate with stakeholders to identify and develop solutions for critical social issues. He actively partners with faculty to integrate socially engaged content into the curriculum and manages the C-SED Lab, an interdisciplinary makerspace dedicated to building and prototyping innovative ideas.

Cheri Alexander is a Professor of Practice at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where she teaches Leadership and Managing Human Capital across various programs, including the Bachelors and Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Management. Additionally, she supports Engineering students and delivers leadership and human capital management topics for Executive Education. Before her academic career, Cheri enjoyed a distinguished 33-year tenure at General Motors, where she served as President of General Motors University and Executive Director of Global HR. In her role as Chief Learning Officer, she oversaw Global Learning & Performance and was instrumental in the company's Global Integration Team, focusing on HR implementation in emerging markets. With extensive expertise in International Human Resource Management and Labor Relations, she has managed various aspects of HR, including mergers and acquisitions, talent management, and crisis management, and has worked in 51 countries across three continents. Cheri holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's in Industrial Health Engineering from the University of Michigan, along with a second Master's of Science in Management from MIT as an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow. As a Certified Executive Leadership Coach, she specializes in coaching aspiring CEOs. Cheri's scholarly contributions include published work on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and a thesis on the Relocation of Dislocated Automobile Workers, with citations in multiple influential books. Passionate about global education, she frequently speaks on topics such as "Being International" and "Global Superficial Homogenization."

My research centers on health disparities, highlighting that individuals from socially disadvantaged groups often experience poorer mental and physical health compared to those of higher social status. I aim to identify, explain, and mitigate health disparities related to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, and sexual orientation. My primary objectives include employing innovative methods to evaluate health disparities across the life course and uncovering the social structural, psychological, behavioral, and physiological mechanisms through which social disadvantage contributes to these disparities. Currently, I serve as a Multiple Principal Investigator on an R01 award from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) that investigates racial and ethnic differences in DNA methylation as a potential mechanism for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality disparities. Additionally, I am a Multiple PI on an R21 award from NIMHD, exploring whether second-hand exposure to the Flint Water Crisis during pregnancy has worsened racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes in Michigan.

Bhramar Mukherjee holds the John D. Kalbfleisch Distinguished Professorship and serves as a Professor of Epidemiology and Global Public Health at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Additionally, she is the Associate Director for Quantitative Data Sciences at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. Her research focuses on statistical methods for analyzing electronic health records, gene-environment interactions, Bayesian methods, shrinkage estimation, and high-dimensional exposure data analysis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhramar and her team actively modeled the trajectory of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in India, gaining recognition in major media outlets such as Reuters, BBC, NPR, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Der Spiegel, Australian National Radio, and The Times of India. With over 360 co-authored articles in statistics, biostatistics, medicine, and public health, she is also the founding director of the University of Michigan's Summer Institute on Big Data. Bhramar is a fellow of both the American Statistical Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and she has received numerous awards for her scholarship, service, and teaching, including the Gertrude Cox Award from the Washington Statistical Society in 2016 and the L. Adrienne Cupples Award from Boston University in 2020. In 2021, she was honored with the Distinguished Woman Scholar Award from Purdue University, the Janet L. Norwood Award from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Sarah Goddard Power Award from the University of Michigan Academic Women’s Caucus. Most notably, she was elected as a member of the US National Academy of Medicine in 2022 and received the Karl E. Peace Award for her statistical contributions toward societal betterment from the American Statistical Association in 2023.