Prof. Dr. Stefanie Hellweg serves as a Full Professor for Ecological Systems Design at the ETH Zürich , Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. She is Deputy Head of the Institute of Environmental Engineering and leads groundbreaking research at the intersection of industrial ecology, life cycle assessment, and circular economy systems. PhD in Environmental Engineering (ETH Zürich, 2000) Industrial Engineering Degree (Karlsruhe University, 1996) Her research develops advanced methodologies for environmental impact assessment of products and technologies, focusing on: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with correlated uncertainty modeling Circular economy implementation in chemical and energy sectors Industrial symbiosis optimization for heat and nutrient flows Urban wastewater systems redesign for resource recovery Chemical pollution analysis in plastic materials Key publication trends reveal expertise in: Hybrid wastewater treatment systems Energy-efficient greenhouse cultivation Exergy analysis for sustainability metrics Machine learning applications in environmental modeling Policy-relevant industrial ecology studies She actively participates in global sustainability initiatives as: President of the International Society of Industrial Ecology (ISIE) Member of UN Environment's International Resource Panel Editorial board member for leading environmental journals
Dr. Dennis Buckmaster is a Professor in Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University, serving as Dean's Fellow for Digital Agriculture. He holds a B.S. from Purdue University and M.S./Ph.D. from Michigan State University. His research focuses on digital agriculture, machine systems engineering, and data science applications in farming. He co-coordinates the Agricultural Systems Management program and teaches courses like Computing Technology with Applications and Ag Tech and Innovation. He leads the Open Ag Technology and Systems Center (OATS Center), advancing open-source solutions for agriculture through platforms like ISOBlue and OADA. His work integrates IoT, robotics, and machine learning to optimize crop production, livestock management, and farm decision-making. He has authored over 150 publications on precision agriculture technologies. Professional memberships include American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and Fluid Power Society. He emphasizes data interoperability, edge computing, and bridging engineering with agricultural practices through collaborative frameworks like LATTICE and Meta Ag.
Dr. Thilina Halloluwa is a Teaching Focused Lecturer in the Department of Human-Centred Computing at The University of Queensland (UQ). He holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Queensland University of Technology (2019) and a Computer Science undergraduate degree from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology. With over 15 years of academic and industry experience, his research emphasizes real-world impact in education technology, financial inclusion, smart agriculture, and HCI. Educational Background: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Queensland University of Technology (2019) Bachelor of Computer Science, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology Research Interests: Education for All: Leveraging technology to enhance collaborative learning and social experiences in education. Human Money Interaction: Designing ethical AI solutions for financial services, particularly for underserved communities. Smart Agro: Developing AI-driven tools for crop disease detection, yield optimization, and precision agriculture. Software Project Estimation: Improving effort estimation accuracy through explainable AI (Metrix project). Key Contributions: Developed UrbanAgro (tomato disease detection) and BellCrop (bell pepper disease datasets). Pioneered Dhana Labha , a financial management tool for rural Sri Lankan communities. Advanced online exam proctoring systems for low-resource settings. Previous Roles: Lecturer at University of Sydney (2023) Senior Lecturer at University of Colombo (2013–2023) Lab/Team Affiliations: Smart Agro Project: AI-driven agricultural solutions Metrix Initiative: Software project estimation frameworks
Elena Niculina Dragoi is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection 'Cristofor Simionescu' at Gheorghe Asachi Technical University in Iasi, Romania. Her academic work integrates Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools for solving complex problems in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection . With over 30 published papers and six active research projects, her contributions span process optimization, nanomaterials, and sustainable technologies. Teaches Applied Informatics (Years 1 & 4) and Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering Contributes to Programming Engineering at the Faculty of Computer Science, University 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza' Engaged in interdisciplinary courses at the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Engineering Research Interests : Elena's work focuses on modelling and optimization (90% emphasis) of chemical processes using AI methodologies, with cross-disciplinary applications in environmental engineering (70%) and chemical engineering (95%). Her recent publications highlight innovations in: 3D-printed nanocomposite adsorbents for pollutant removal Metaheuristic optimization algorithms for industrial processes Hydrogen generation via nanocatalysts Electrochemical biosensors for environmental and health monitoring AI-driven wastewater treatment systems Green chemistry applications in pharmaceutical and dye removal
Prof. Ing. Juraj Beniak, PhD is a leading academic at the Institute of Production Engineering and Production Quality (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, STU). He serves as a Professor CSc., PhD and holds external collaborator roles at the Institute of Computer Engineering and Applied Informatics (FIIT) and the Institute of Manufacturing Technologies (MTF). His research bridges mechanical engineering and sustainable production. Office: U.V.I.P. SjF, Office 537 Contact: +421 2 57296 537 | +421 905 593 953 (mobile) Beniak's research focuses on additive manufacturing , biomass compaction , and smart production technologies . He investigates 3D printing parameter optimization, surface modification techniques, and composite material development from renewable sources. His work addresses both industrial applications and environmental sustainability through advanced manufacturing. Key projects include: OP R&I: Automation in freight railway vehicle production (2019–2023) APVV-18-0527: Additive manufacturing technology development (2019–2022) Recovery Plan: AI-driven waste management systems (2024–2026) As a KEGA grant guarantor and APVV co-investigator , he leads initiatives in CAx education, virtual laboratories, and biofuel production optimization. His contributions span from experimental equipment design to mathematical modeling of compaction processes.
Alexander Kocian is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Pisa. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Aalborg University (Denmark) and a Master's in Electrical Engineering from TU Vienna (Austria). His research focuses on Machine Learning, IoT, Agro Informatics, Health Informatics, and Real-time embedded systems. He has led major projects like AGRITECH (€40M funded by PNRR) and FuorisuoloSmart, advancing smart agriculture and healthcare technologies. Dr. Kocian serves as IEEE Senior Member (since 2024) and EAI Fellow (since 2022). He is Associate Editor of IEEE Access (2025–present), and Editorial Board member of Stats (2019–present) and Signals (2020–present). He has organized conferences like the EAI Int. Conf. on Intelligent Transport Systems (INTSYS) as General Chair (2024) and Steering Committee Member (2023). His work includes 50+ peer-reviewed publications, 4 patents, and contributions to telemedicine platforms like TESHEALTH (ESA-funded). Key projects span precision farming, IoT-based greenhouses, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. Current efforts emphasize data spaces for agritech and health informatics interoperability.
Ard Nieuwenhuizen is a Researcher at Wageningen University & Research in the Agro Field Technology Innovations department. His expertise spans Agricultural Engineering , Robotics , and Machine Learning , focusing on AI-driven solutions for crop management and harvesting automation. Agro Field Technology Innovations, Wageningen University & Research Research Interests Robotics and intelligent systems for agricultural operations Digital twin technology and precision agriculture Computer vision for weed and crop detection Human-robot collaboration in farming Machine learning for agricultural automation Publication Trends : His recent work emphasizes agricultural robotics , digital twins , and AI-driven crop monitoring , with applications in apple/pear harvesting, soybean weed detection, and spray optimization. Articles highlight collaborations with European institutions and contributions to journals like Smart Agricultural Technology . Projects : He leads initiatives such as Smart Autonomy for Precision Agriculture (SMP25029) and Redesigning future food production systems through AI and robotics (KB-53-000-010), focusing on integrating robotics and data science into sustainable farming practices.
Georgios Lappas is a Professor of Information Technology with emphases on Social and Political Informatics at the Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia. He serves as Head of the Department, Director of the Digital Media and Strategic Communication Laboratory, and Vice-Director of the MSc Programs "Public Discourse and Digital Media" and "Digital Games and Multimedia Development". He is also a member of the Regional Council for Research and Innovation of the Region of Western Macedonia. Professor Lappas holds a PhD in Computer Science and an MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence. His academic career spans numerous research contributions and leadership roles within the university and research community. His primary research interests focus on Social Informatics, E-Government, E-Democracy, Online Politics, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Marketing, Online Reputation Management, Web Mining, Opinion Mining, Artificial Intelligence, Web Intelligence, and Social Network Analysis. His work bridges computer science with social and political sciences, particularly examining how digital technologies impact governance, political communication, and social interactions. Professor Lappas has published extensively, with over 100 papers in international journals, conference proceedings, and book chapters. His recent work examines social media campaigns in political contexts, citizen engagement with digital government services, and the application of emerging technologies like augmented reality in various sectors. His publications appear in prestigious journals such as New Media and Society, Journal of Information Technology and Politics, Local Government Studies, and International Journal of Electronic Governance. He has served as Program Committee member in more than 130 international conferences and on editorial boards of journals including Journal of Information Technology and Politics, International Journal of Entertainment Technology and Management, and Journal of E-Government. Professor Lappas has chaired or co-chaired four international conferences, served on organizing committees for seven conferences, acted as publicity chair for two conferences, and chaired sessions at over 20 international conferences. Professor Lappas has participated in numerous national and EU-funded projects. Currently, he coordinates the "Wine Live Label Innovative Augmented Reality Applications in Wine Product Labeling" project under the "Research-Create-Innovate" program, and leads work package 5 of the "AGRO-TOUR" project focused on mixed reality applications for promoting mountain trails in Western Macedonia. He teaches courses including Human-Machine Communication, Digital Marketing and Online Entrepreneurship, Online Reputational Management, E-Government, E-Democracy and Political Campaigns on the Internet, Special Issues on Social Informatics, and Big Data and Web Intelligence.
Emiliano Gelati is a Research Fellow at the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Norway, specializing in hydrology and remote sensing applications. He holds a PhD from the Technical University of Denmark and has extensive postdoctoral and industry experience across institutions in Italy, France, and Spain. His research focuses on hydrological modelling, water resources optimization, irrigation systems, and climate change impacts. He teaches courses on hydrology and geophysical data science. Education: PhD, Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (2007–2010) MSc/BSc, Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy (2000–2006) Research Interests: Hydrological extremes and drought analysis Integration of remote sensing data into hydrological models Water resources management under climate change Modelling irrigation sustainability and crop-water interactions Land surface model validation and uncertainty assessment Articles Trends: His recent work emphasizes inter-disciplinary platforms for climate-ecosystem modelling, global water resource assessments, and satellite-based monitoring solutions. Key contributions include improving irrigation area mapping in Europe and evaluating drought trends under global warming scenarios. Advising & Grants: Supervised MSc theses on hydrologic extremes and hydrometeorological trends. Collaborated on EU-funded projects addressing water-energy-food nexus challenges and Mediterranean sustainability. Labs/Teams: Active in the Section for Geography and Hydrology (GeoHyd) and the Hydrology and Water Resources research group at the University of Oslo. Engaged with international teams like the European Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Hulya Yalcin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence applications in robotics, computer vision, and precision agriculture. She leads projects in musculoskeletal modeling, plant phenology monitoring, and assistive technologies for elderly care. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to innovation, health, and sustainable agriculture. Key projects include using deep learning for crop yield estimation and developing exergaming systems to improve elderly health. She has authored 52 research outputs and secured funding for initiatives like AISENSE (EU-funded exergames) and plant classification via computer vision. Publications span robotics control, medical engineering, and agricultural informatics. Notable contributions include knee orthosis gait learning via deep reinforcement learning and low-resource Turkish speech recognition improvements. As Principal Investigator, she manages projects on plant classification using CNNs, drone-based depth mapping, and multimodal assisted living systems. Her research bridges AI with practical applications in healthcare, agriculture, and robotics.
Gabriel Parodi is a Lecturer in the Department of Water Resources at the University of Twente’s Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC). He holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Buenos Aires, an MSc in Water Resource Management and Earth Observation from ITC, and postgraduate diplomas in Structural Engineering. His career includes over a decade at Argentina’s National Institute for Agricultural Technology (INTA), where he specialized in agroecology and remote sensing applications for water management. Currently, he coordinates remote sensing education at ITC and lectures internationally on water resources management, catchment modeling, and operational EO products. His research focuses on hydrological remote sensing, agro-hydrological systems, and the integration of GIS technologies with environmental monitoring. Contributions highlight the symbiosis between plants, soils, and water in flatland ecosystems, with emphasis on sustainable development goals. His work bridges technical innovations with policy frameworks addressing water scarcity and environmental governance.
Dr. SM Ashekuzzaman is an Assistant Lecturer and Researcher at Munster Technological University's Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, part of the Sustainable Infrastructure Research & Innovation Group (SIRIG). He holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering & Technology from the University of Glasgow, alongside M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Environmental and Civil Engineering. His research focuses on advancing bioresource recovery, circular economy solutions, precision agriculture, and sustainable wastewater treatment processes. Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering & Technology (Water Pollution and Decontamination) M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering B.Sc. in Civil Engineering Research interests include green synthesis of bio-based materials, agronomic nutrient recycling, soil health improvement, and reducing environmental footprints through innovative fertilization strategies. He has secured grants from DANIDA, Santander, and Science Foundation Ireland, and contributed to EU-funded projects like Nutri2Cycle and Renu2Farm. Key achievements include developing novel groundwater quality indices and Fenton-based wastewater treatments. He serves on international conference committees (RAMIRAN, ManuREsource) and is a CIWEM RoI Branch Committee Member since 2019. His work spans over 12 years in interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing agro-industrial waste valorization and sustainable farming solutions.
Dr. Barnali Das is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences at Kansas State University. Her research focuses on remote sensing applications in coastal and agricultural systems, with particular emphasis on mangrove dynamics, coral reef habitability, and crop yield forecasting. Her work spans three interrelated fields: Coastal ecology (mangrove carbon mapping, shoreline change analysis) Agricultural monitoring (soil moisture modeling for drought early warning, biophysical vs. agro-climatic predictors for crop yields) Geospatial science (machine learning for canopy parameter retrieval, cloud computing in environmental analysis) Recent publications highlight her expertise in: Marine ecosystem assessment (Andaman Islands, Arabian Sea) Coastal zone management (Maharashtra, Panama) Data-driven agriculture solutions (Sub-Saharan Africa) Her research demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary environmental science through advanced geospatial technologies.
Dr. Philip Kokic is a Visiting Fellow at The Australian National University's Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS), affiliated with the College of Science. With a career spanning academia, government, and private industry across Australia and overseas, his expertise lies in statistical methodologies applied to climate, economic, and agricultural systems. His research focuses on operational climate risk analysis for sectors such as agriculture, mining, finance, and telecommunications, alongside developing sophisticated statistical software tools for these analyses. His work integrates advanced statistical techniques like Bayesian modeling, spatial analysis, and robust estimation. Key themes include the vulnerability of rural communities to climate change, adaptive capacity of land managers, and statistical downscaling for climate impact predictions. He has contributed to policy frameworks through studies on drought's socioeconomic impacts and farm-level resilience strategies. Over the past decade, Philip’s research highlights trends in climate projection methodologies, agro-economic modeling, and interdisciplinary approaches to disaster solutions. His publications emphasize bridging climate data with decision-making systems for sustainable adaptation. No notable scientific awards are listed, though his contributions have been recognized through institutional affiliations and collaborative projects. He remains active in ICEDS’ initiatives addressing food security, energy transitions, and climate resilience strategies.
Dr. Athen Ma is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London's School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. Their research focuses on complex networks, ecological systems, and interdisciplinary applications of network science. Key areas include ecosystem responses to global environmental change, ecological network resilience, and drought impacts on food webs. Teaching responsibilities include modules on Digital Circuit Design and Network Science, emphasizing probability, simulation, and reliability theory. Affiliations: Centre for Human-Centred Computing, Faculty of Science and Engineering Grants: £840,297 NERC Pushing the Frontiers Grant (2024–2027), EU SUNSET (£337,527) Research highlights include Nature Ecology & Evolution and Nature Climate Change publications on agro-ecosystem resilience and drought-induced food web rewiring. Current projects investigate sub-network structures in ecological systems under climate stress. Collaborations involve institutions like the University of Essex and the Macao Polytechnic Institute. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Advising includes PhD students Lachlan Burton and Jorge Eduardo Castro Cruces, focusing on machine learning applications in ecological networks. The lab actively engages in interdisciplinary research, blending computational methods with ecological data to address global challenges.
