local Experts

Brianne Gilbert

Managing Director, Center for the Study of Los Angeles (StudyLA) & Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Political ScienceLoyola Marymount University

Center for the Study of Los Angeles

Jason Grissom

Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy and EducationVanderbilt University

An expert in K-12 leadership and policy and the impacts of school and district leaders on teacher and student outcomes.

John Lednicky

Research ProfessorUniversity of Florida

John Lednicky focuses on microbiology and molecular biology, various bacteria, fungi and viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses.

Ina Ganguli

Professor of EconomicsUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst

Ina Ganguli looks at how individuals acquire and use their skills, particularly on science and innovation, immigration and gender issues.

Kathryn Rudloff

Executive Director | weVENTURE Women's Business CenterFlorida Tech

Kathryn Rudloff is an experienced operations professional skilled in coalition building and advocacy with a focus on women-owned businesses.

Kristina Wagstrom, Ph.D.

Eversource Energy Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering EducationUniversity of Connecticut

Professor Wagstrom is a chemical engineer with a specialization in atmospheric chemistry.

L.G. Thomas

Professor of Organization & ManagementEmory University, Goizueta Business School

Jeff Schneider

Research Professor, Robotics InstituteCarnegie Mellon University

Jeff Schneider's work is on ML, AI, Autonomy, robotics, self-driving cars, nuclear fusion, and national defense.

Stephen S. Fong, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringVCU College of Engineering

Bioengineer who modifies micro-organisms to produce chemicals (e.g. from beer to fuel).

Kevin Smiley

Assistant ProfessorLouisiana State University

Dr. Smiley is an environmental and urban sociologist who specializes in disaster research.