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Prof. Dr. Thomas Brinkhoff is Chair of the Institute Board and Chair of Geoinformatics at Oldenburg University of Applied Sciences. He leads the Institute for Applied Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics (IAPG) and contributes to institutions like the Association for the Promotion of Geoinformatics in Northern Germany (GiN e.V.) and the Oldenburg Research and Development Institute for Computer Science (OFFIS e.V.). Education: Diploma in Computer Science (Informatik), Universität Bremen (1990) Doctorate in Computer Science (Dr. rer. nat.), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (1994) Brinkhoff's research spans geodatabase systems, spatiotemporal data processing, geosensor analytics, and location-based services. His work addresses Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), web-based geospatial visualization, and mobile data integration, with applications in traffic management and forensic science. Recent projects include ProSaDi (Digital Provenance and Collection Research) and contributions to the Laboratory for optical 3D metrology . He has served on program committees for ACM SIGSPATIAL (2002-2019), AGILE conferences (2010-2025), and editorial boards of journals like GeoInformatica and TGIS. Notable Lectures: 2024: Forensic applications of tachograph data 2023: Geoinformatics in homicide investigations 2022: Spatiotemporal analysis for sustainability projects 2015: Open geodata standards at FOSSGIS 2014: Mobile sensor data processing

• Geoinformatics
• Geodatabase Systems
• Spatio-temporal Data Processing
• +5 more

Xiaowei Jia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (supervised by Prof. Vipin Kumar) and B.S./M.S. degrees from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and SUNY Buffalo. His research focuses on integrating scientific theory with machine learning to address societal and environmental challenges, such as climate modeling, hydrology, and fairness in AI. Education: Ph.D., University of Minnesota (2020) M.S., State University of New York at Buffalo B.S., University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) Research Interests: Knowledge-Guided Machine Learning Spatiotemporal Data Mining Fairness in AI for Social Good Applications in Environmental Science and Healthcare Publications showcase his work on physics-integrated neural networks, spatiotemporal modeling (e.g., water temperature prediction), and fairness-aware algorithms. His work has been recognized with Best Paper awards at SIAM SDM (2022, 2023). Awards include the Best Applied Data Science Paper Award at SIAM SDM in 2022 and 2023. He teaches advanced machine learning courses, emphasizing theory integration with real-world applications.

• Machine Learning
• Data Mining
• Physics-Guided Neural Networks
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Zahra Gharineiat is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Queensland , affiliated with the School of Surveying and Built Environment . She has over 8 years of tertiary teaching experience and 11 years of administrative responsibilities. Bachelor of Surveying (BSurv), University of Tabriz Master of Engineering Management (MEngMgt), University of Melbourne PhD, University of Newcastle Research Interests : Zahra specializes in Geomatic Engineering and Machine Learning , with a focus on applications like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) , LiDAR , Digital Twins , and Remote Sensing . Her work spans Earth Science Observations , Satellite altimetry , and Geodetic data capturing , integrating Computational Modelling and Geoinformatics for innovative solutions. Professional Affiliations : She is a member of the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI) and the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) . Her research affiliations include the Centre for Future Materials (CFM) , Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences (IAESS) , and Centre for Astrophysics (CA) .

• Geomatic Engineering
• Physical Oceanography
• Oceanography
• +15 more

Dr. Athos Agapiou serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering and Geoinformatics, Cyprus University of Technology, where he holds the 'Geoinformatics and Earth Observation' chair. He also serves as Deputy Director of the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage and coordinates the EOCult Laboratory, a specialized research group focused on applying Earth Observation and Geoinformatics for archaeological research and cultural heritage landscapes. His research interests center on developing and applying innovative remote sensing technologies for cultural heritage preservation, addressing challenges posed by environmental and anthropogenic factors. Dr. Agapiou has led numerous high-profile research initiatives at European and national levels, including Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 projects, as well as programs funded by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation. His publication record demonstrates consistent output in remote sensing applications for archaeology, with particular focus on satellite image fusion, UAV technologies, spatial resolution optimization, and advanced data analysis techniques for archaeological prospection. His work bridges technical remote sensing methodologies with practical archaeological applications. Young Scientist Award from International Society for Digital Earth (2023) Young Researcher Award by Cyprus Research Awards (2018) Top 2% researcher worldwide in field (Stanford studies 2020-2024) Top three global researchers in Geoinformatics for cultural heritage (2024) Dr. Agapiou actively contributes to major research projects and collaborations, with his work influencing both academic research and practical applications in cultural heritage management. His laboratory (EOCult) serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting geospatial technologies with archaeological practice.

• Remote sensing
• Earth observation
• Geoinformatics
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John McDonald is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University, where he has held a faculty position since 2001. He is affiliated with the Maynooth University Hamilton Institute and the Assisted Living and Learning Institute (ALL). His research focuses on computer vision, robotics, and AI, emphasizing spatial perception and autonomous systems. He has contributed to areas such as visual SLAM, intelligent vehicle systems, and digital holography, with funding from SFI, EU, and other agencies. Currently, he is a Funded Investigator in Lero (SFI Research Centre for Software) and collaborates on the SFI Blended Autonomy Vehicles Spoke. Key research themes include simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), robotic navigation, 3D reconstruction, and applications in autonomous driving. His work integrates cutting-edge techniques in computer vision and machine learning to address challenges in spatial intelligence and perception. Publications highlight advancements in dense mapping, fisheye camera systems, and geospatial analysis. He has held visiting roles at MIT’s CSAIL and the National Centre for Geocomputation. His contributions span academic journals, conferences, and technical reports, reflecting a strong emphasis on both theoretical and applied robotics research. John McDonald has supervised numerous research projects and contributed to initiatives like the John and Pat Hume Doctoral Scholarships. His work bridges academia and industry, with a focus on real-world applications of autonomous systems and AI-driven robotics.

• Computer Vision
• Robotics
• Artificial Intelligence
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Thomas E. Bittner serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University at Buffalo, specializing in formal and applied ontology with particular focus on spatial and temporal reasoning. His academic work bridges philosophy, computer science, and geographic information systems. His research interests encompass Formal and Applied Ontology , Ontology of Space, Time and Spatial Entities , Spatio-Temporal Reasoning , and Bio-Medical Ontology . He investigates fundamental questions about spatial relations, vagueness in geographic boundaries, and quantum-inspired models for geographic information systems, developing rigorous formal frameworks applicable to both philosophical and computational domains. His publication record demonstrates consistent engagement with cutting-edge topics in ontology, particularly exploring quantum geography concepts and computational implementations of formal ontologies. Key themes across his work include the representation of spatial vagueness, quantum-inspired geographic modeling, and verifiable computational ontology systems. Bittner holds a PhD from the Technical University of Vienna and teaches courses including Logic and Spatial Ontology. His contact information lists office location at 109 Park Hall on UB's North Campus with phone (716) 645-5149.

• Formal Ontology
• Applied Ontology
• Ontology of Space and Time
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Matthew J. Cracknell is a Senior Lecturer in Geodata Analytics at the University of Tasmania's School of Natural Sciences, specializing in Earth Sciences. He holds a PhD in Computational Geophysics (2014) and BSc (Hons) in Geophysics (2009), both from the University of Tasmania. His research integrates geoscience with machine learning to address challenges in mineral exploration, environmental remediation, and sustainable resource management. Key focuses include automated detection of geological features in drillcore imagery, decarbonization of energy systems via ore deposit discovery, and legacy mine waste characterization. Cracknell leads the CODES Research Program 6 (Geophysics and Computational Geosciences) and Module 2 of the AMIRA P1249 project. He has secured significant industry and government funding, including projects with Boliden AB, Anglo American, and the Tasmanian Government. His work emphasizes collaboration with mining partners and agencies like Geoscience Australia and Mineral Resources Tasmania. Teaching roles include developing courses on the mining value chain, climate resilience, and geodata analytics. As Graduate Research Coordinator, he promotes HDR student well-being and supervises over 20 doctoral and masters students. Awards include the 2019 Oz Minerals Explorer Challenge Prize. Key affiliations include the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (Tasmanian Branch Secretary), and Geological Society of Australia.

• Geodata Analytics
• Applied Geophysics
• Resource Geoscience
• +7 more

Dr. Richard Ross Shaker is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Modeling at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), with affiliations in Sustainable Resources Management. He also serves as Principal of GEOECO Inc., a firm specializing in ecological restoration and spatial analysis. Previously, he held roles at Toronto Metropolitan University, Binghamton University (SUNY), and as a J. William Fulbright Scholar in Moldova. His research bridges human-environment interactions, focusing on sustainable development, landscape ecology, global change resilience, and applied geoinformatics. Education: Ph.D. (Geography, Sustainable Development), M.Sc. (Landscape & Aquatic Ecology), and B.Sc. (Geography) from University of Wisconsin institutions. He holds a Certificate in GIS from UW-Milwaukee. Research Interests: Dr. Shaker’s work addresses human-landscape coevolution, sustainability indicators, ecological restoration, and resilience planning. Key themes include aquatic invasive species, urban resilience, climate adaptation, and spatial modeling. His team explores global case studies across North America, Europe, and developing nations. Recent Publications: Focus on sustainability indices, urban heat islands, bioeconomy monitoring, and wetland restoration. Collaborations include SSHRC-funded projects on climate resilience and interdisciplinary spatial modeling. Advising & Grants: Current advisees include Sakib Tahmid Rishan (PhD), Alexsa Torres (MS), and Edward Zellar (MS). Grants include SSHRC (Canada) and USTDA-funded research in Romania. He emphasizes applied research with real-world policy impacts. Labs/Teams: Leads the Shaker Research Group at ESF, integrating geospatial technology with ecological and social systems analysis. GEOECO Inc. provides applied solutions in environmental planning and spatial analytics.

• Sustainable Development
• Landscape Ecology
• Global Change Resilience
• +7 more

Matthias Stürmer is a Professor at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) and Head of the Institute for Public Sector Transformation (90%) while also serving as Head of the Digital Sustainability Research Center at the University of Bern's Institute of Computer Science (10%). His roles include teaching, research, and consulting on digitalization topics such as digital sustainability, open source software, AI, NLP, open data, and public procurement. He earned a Dr. sc. ETH Zurich in 2009 and habilitation in 2020. His career includes senior roles at EY and Liip AG, and he holds leadership positions in organizations like CH Open and the Parliamentary Group for Digital Sustainability. **Education**: PhD (ETH Zurich, 2009), Licentiate in Business Administration (University of Bern, 2005). Studies included computer science and business administration, with an Erasmus semester at the University of Oviedo (Spain). **Research Interests**: Focus on digital sustainability, digital sovereignty, AI ethics, open source governance, smart cities, and public procurement strategies. His work bridges technical innovation with public sector challenges, emphasizing long-term societal benefits over short-term vendor dependencies. **Publications**: Over 38 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including foundational work on digital sustainability frameworks, open government data impact analysis, and collaborative innovation models. Recent focus areas include data colonialism risks and sustainable environmental data management. **Awards**: While no explicit awards listed, his leadership roles and prolific publications highlight recognition in academic and policy circles. **Advising & Grants**: Advises on public sector digitalization policies, contributes to Swiss federal IT strategies, and leads research projects funded by organizations like the University of Bern. Active in shaping Open Source adoption policies for public institutions. **Labs/Teams**: Directs the Research Center for Digital Sustainability at the University of Bern, collaborating with industry and government partners on projects like the Open Data Impact Framework and Open Finance initiatives.

• Digital Sustainability
• Artificial Intelligence
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
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Professor Yngve Karl Frøyen works at the Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). With expertise in sustainable transport solutions, urban spatial modeling, and GIS applications for planning, he has taught and supervised urban and regional planning topics since 2010. His work spans multiple master programs and involves improving transport modeling tools for walking, transit, and bicycling modes. Research Focus: Sustainable urban transport (walking, bicycling, public transit), urban density, GIS methods, land use-transport interactions, and urban logistics. Teaching: Courses in GIS methods, land use-transport integration, regional planning, and master thesis supervision. Publications: 15+ works on transport modeling, urban density impacts, bicycle infrastructure, and planning methodology. Outreach: Regularly presents at conferences and seminars on topics like urban logistics, walking modeling, and transport policy. His academic career spans from 1981 civil engineer graduation to current professorship, with prior roles at Norwegian Institute of Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) and SINTEF. He combines technical GIS proficiency with policy-oriented planning expertise.

• Sustainable transport planning
• Urban spatial modeling
• GIS applications in planning
• +3 more

Mick Filmer is a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He serves as Curtin's representative on the Land Surveyors Licensing Board of Western Australia and holds a PhD (Curtin University) and a Bachelor of Geoinformatics and Surveying (University of South Australia). His research focuses on InSAR technology, vertical land motion, height systems, and coastal sea surface topography, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications since 2007. Teaching responsibilities include Survey Law Ethics Practice, Cadastral Surveying, and Applied Geodetic Surveying. Research contributions span geodetic datum development (e.g., AUSGeoid09), InSAR deformation analysis, and land subsidence monitoring in the Perth Basin and Latrobe Valley. He collaborates with organizations like the International Association of Geodesy and European Geosciences Union. Key projects include evaluating Australia’s AUSHYDROID vertical datum model (2024), integrating InSAR with terrestrial reference frames (2021), and analyzing ocean tide signals in coastal zones (2023). His work bridges geodesy, remote sensing, and hydrogeology, addressing challenges in vertical land motion monitoring and geodetic infrastructure planning.

• Geodesy
• Geophysics
• InSAR Technology
• +4 more

Michał Paweł Michalak is an Assistant Professor at AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, affiliated with the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection and Department of Geoinformatics and Applied Informatics. His research spans computational geometry in geological modeling, machine learning applications in Earth sciences, statistical epidemiology, and ecclesiological dynamics. Doctoral degree from University of Silesia in Katowice Developed GeoAnomalia software suite combining C++, R, and ParaView Created unbiased risk metrics (WCSIR) for infectious disease surveillance Research focuses on: Subsurface geological modeling using combinatorial algorithms and machine learning; Spatial epidemiology emphasizing testing heterogeneity bias; Ecclesiological dynamics analyzing factional theological interactions. His 2020/37/N/ST10/02504 grant project received 'very good' evaluation for developing angular distance metrics in geological contacts. Scientific contributions include: 2025 Solid Earth paper on fault-related structure detection 2025 Frontiers in Public Health work on global pandemic risk evaluation 2023 AGH Rector award recipient Developer of open-source geological analysis tools Collaboration network includes Harvard University, Technische Universität Freiberg, and University of Texas at Austin. Currently teaching GIS modeling, optimization methods, and geoinformatics systems. Maintains a personal website with open data access.

• computational geometry
• machine learning in Earth sciences
• statistical methods in Earth sciences
• +2 more

Mitchel Langford is a Professor and Co-Director of the Wales Institute of Socio-Economic Research and Data (WISERD). He holds an academic position within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, focusing on spatial analysis, geoinformatics, and computational geography. His research spans over 35 years, emphasizing geographical accessibility, dasymetric mapping, and software engineering solutions for spatial problems. Langford earned his first degree in Physical Geography and Geology, followed by a PhD in software development for palynology using FORTRAN. He has extensive teaching experience in software engineering (C#, SQL, Python) and geoinformatics (PostgreSQL/PostGIS, web mapping). His key research contributions include pioneering work in dasymetric areal interpolation and multi-modal accessibility modeling, notably the Enhanced Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (E2SFCA) method. He has published over 119 peer-reviewed articles and consulted for international organizations like CIAT. Notable awards include the 2019 Impact Awards for contributions to spatial accessibility research. Current projects include investigating accessibility to public services (transport, healthcare, childcare) using GIS and multi-modal transport networks. Langford is also involved in policy-oriented research, contributing to Welsh Senedd inquiries on banking and healthcare access. His software engineering skills enable bespoke solutions for spatial analysis, emphasizing modern languages like Python and JavaScript.

• Spatial Analysis
• Geoinformatics
• Applied Computational Geography
• +5 more

René Westerholt is a Juniorprofessor (Assistant Professor) at the Department of Spatial Planning of TU Dortmund University, Germany. His research focuses on statistical methods for spatiotemporal and place-based analysis, including spatial autocorrelation, hotspot detection, and spatial regression. He also specializes in formalizing place-based information and its integration with urban analytics. Education : Ph.D. in Geography (2013-2018), Heidelberg University M.Sc. Geoinformatics (2010-2012), Osnabrück University B.Sc. Geoinformatics (2007-2010), Osnabrück University Research Themes : Spatial analysis (user-generated data, spatial weights, autocorrelation) Place-based formalization (perception, geometric footprints) Empirical geographical studies (urban heat exposure, mobility services) Teaching : Digital Geographies, Spatial Statistics, Computer Science for Planners, and Urban Analytics at TU Dortmund University. He has also taught nationally and internationally in German and English. Awards : Dissertation Award Geoinformatics (2019) CDRC Data Challenge First Prize (2018) Young Researchers Award (2014) Contact : Office at TU Dortmund University, Room GBIII/318. Email: rene.westerholt@tu-dortmund.de

• Spatial Analysis
• Place-Based Research
• Geospatial Statistics
• +3 more

Agostino Cortesi is a Full Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice , affiliated with the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics. He serves as Rector's Delegate for Research Quality Assessment and Deputy Coordinator of the Scientific Committee for the Innovation Ecosystem Project. His academic career includes a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Informatics from the University of Padova (1992), a postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University, and visiting professor roles at institutions such as the University of Illinois and École Normale Supérieure Paris. Research interests focus on software engineering , static analysis , security applications , and abstract interpretation . He has pioneered techniques for formal verification of software systems and explored cybersecurity in e-Government and robotics. His work spans over 200 publications in top journals and conferences (e.g., ACM TOPLAS, IEEE TSE, POPL, PLDI). Key contributions include advancements in abstract domains for behavioral property verification and security-oriented analysis frameworks. He has held leadership roles including Vice-Rector at Ca' Foscari, Dean of Computer Science programs, and Chair of the Department of Computer Science. Cortesi coordinates EU Horizon 2020 projects (e.g., Families_Share €1.6M) and regional initiatives like CEVID (€360K). He founded Factors , a university spin-off focused on robotic systems verification, which won the 2020 Veneto SmartCup ICT Prize. Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics and Informatics (1992, University of Padova) Editorial Roles: Co-Editor-in-Chief of Springer’s 'Services and Business Process Reengineering', and member of editorial boards for 'Computer Languages' and others Grants: Over €3M in EU and regional funding for projects in cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, and digital innovation Teaching includes courses on Software Correctness , Data Programming , and Computer Networks across Computer Science and Management programs. His research lab actively engages in industrial partnerships with Cisco, Leonardo, and AGID (Italy’s Digital Agency).

• Software Engineering
• Static Analysis
• Cybersecurity
• +5 more