Professor Eran Halperin is the former Dean of the School of Psychology and Professor at IDC Herzliya. An award-winning pioneer in examining emotional processes using field experiments, Dr. Halperin’s research uses psychological and political theories to investigate causal factors driving intergroup conflicts. More specifically, his work develops new approaches for modifying the psychological roots of intolerance, exclusion and intergroup violence. The unique case of Israeli society in general, and of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in particular, motivates much of his work and, hence, most of his studies are conducted within the context of that “natural laboratory.” His laboratory currently spearheads a government sponsored project to standardize social inclusion in Israeli education. Halperin has published more than 130 peer reviewed papers in journals such as Science, PNAS and Psychological Science, and has been awarded with competitive research grants of more than 3 million dollars just in the last three years. He earned his Phd from Haifa university (summa cum laude) and his post doc from Stanford University (Fulbright scholar). In 2013 he was chosen as the most promising young political psychologists by the International Society of Political Psychology.
Yoni Levy is a neuroscientist studying the way the brain functions during intergroup conflicts. He collaborates with various experts to develop conflict-changing interventions. He then assesses the impact of these interventions on brain, hormones and behavior, in the aim of promoting prosocial change. He received his scientific training in France, Australia, The Netherlands, India & Israel.
Dr. Gloria Luong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University, and the Director of the Health, Emotion, and Aging Research Team (HEART). She received her Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine in 2012, and completed her postdoctoral research training at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, Germany in 2015. Dr. Luong is interested in understanding how people adapt to stressors and major life events, and why some people succumb to stress and others thrive. She is also interested in studying how stress adaptation changes across adulthood and varies by culture and race.
Annemarie Gockel holds a B.A. in Western Society and Culture from Concordia University, an M.S.W. from the University of Toronto, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Annemarie has been a practicing clinician, seeing individuals, leading groups, and working with couples in hospital, university, and community-based settings over the course of her career. Annemarie is currently an Associate Professor at the Smith College School for Social Work, where she focuses on educating social work students in clinical practice. Annemarie’s research interests center on the development and integration of mindfulness and other contemplative, mind-body interventions in clinical and community settings. She also investigates the potential of contemplative practices for enhancing clinical skill development, and fostering clinician well-being and effectiveness.
Jenny Mascaro is an applied biological anthropologist whose research focuses on investigating the impact of mindfulness and compassion meditation practices on the well-being, compassion, and health of both hospitalized patients and their healthcare providers. Her research approach incorporates a mix of methods, such as ambulatory assessment of linguistic behavior, functional and structural neuroimaging, as well as clinical and psychosocial evaluations. Jenny’s work also delves into implementation science, aiming to systematically identify and assess innovative avenues for integrating well-being practices within hospital medicine. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in gardening alongside her dogs and chickens, cooking, hiking, and engaging in sports with her children. Jenny is a Mind & Life Fellow, has served as a reviewer for Mind & Life grants, and currently services as the Science and Grants Consultant for Mind & Life.
Martin N. Davidson is the Johnson & Higgins Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He currently serves as senior associate dean and global chief diversity officer for the School. His thought leadership, informed by his contemplative practice, has changed how many executives approach inclusion and diversity in their organizations. He teaches, conducts research, and consults with global leaders to help them understand how diversity makes organizations better. His book, The End of Diversity as We Know It: Why Diversity Efforts Fail and How Leveraging Difference Can Succeed, introduces a research-driven roadmap to help leaders make diversity, equity, and inclusion a generative part of everyday life in their organizations. In addition to teaching leadership in Darden’s MBA and Executive Education programs, Davidson has consulted with leaders of a host of Fortune 500 firms, government agencies and social profit organizations. He has been featured in numerous media outlets including The New York Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and CNN. He earned his A.B. from Harvard University and his Ph.D. from Stanford University.
