Erika Quaranta is a Senior Consulting Engineer at ISVR Consulting, part of the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton. She specializes in numerical modeling of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), acoustics (Finite Element and Boundary Element Methods), and High Performance Computing (HPC), combined with analytical modeling and experimental data analysis. Her affiliations include collaborations with RR-UTC on turbomachinery noise research and diverse consultancy projects. Education: MSc in Aeronautical Engineering (Italy), MSc (USA), PhD in Cranfield (UK). Former role: Research Assistant in the University of Southampton's Computational Engineering and Design group, focusing on civil UAV development. Research interests include acoustics, CFD, noise control, and HPC applications, with projects spanning aerospace propulsion, railway noise, and structural acoustics. Her work emphasizes practical solutions for engineering challenges, leveraging both computational and experimental methodologies. Her publications and conference contributions reflect expertise in active noise control, vibration analysis, and systems engineering. She has advised on value-driven design methodologies for UAVs and complex systems. Current projects involve advancing acoustic modeling techniques and collaboration with industry partners.
Sarbeswar Praharaj is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as Director of the MPS in Urban Sustainability and Resilience Program, Associate Dean of Graduate Education at the School of Architecture, and Affiliate Faculty at the Climate Resilience Academy. His work focuses on urban sustainability, climate resilience, geospatial analysis, and smart cities. Praharaj has contributed to global projects including case studies in Morocco and India, emphasizing participatory design and policy integration. His research explores multidimensional poverty measurement, flood susceptibility modeling, pandemic response strategies, and the role of geospatial tools in disaster management. He has published extensively on India's Smart Cities Mission, urban regeneration frameworks, and the socio-spatial impacts of climate change. Notable contributions include developing digital twin platforms for urban projects, co-design toolkits for poverty visualization, and dashboards to combat pandemic-related socioeconomic challenges. Praharaj advocates for inclusive urban policies and community-driven solutions to environmental and health crises.
Dr. Sian Vaughan serves as Associate Professor in Research Practice at Birmingham City University and leads RAAD (Research in Art, Architecture, and Design) center. She holds strategic leadership roles in research communities, doctoral education, and large-scale academic projects. Current research focuses on research practices and cultures in creative disciplines Co-leader of Creative Pedagogies research cluster Active in CHEAD as Trustee and RIKE Alliance Chair Her expertise spans: Research practice methodologies Pedagogies in doctoral education Creative practice as knowledge generation Academic leadership in art/design Institutional research frameworks Hybrid teaching-research models Key project insights reveal: Development of flexible researcher communities Innovation in digital-physical supervision models Critical analysis of archival engagement in creative research Advocacy for para-academic research frameworks Recent publications and projects demonstrate her focus on: Transformative research supervision practices Archival materiality in art research Employability of creative researchers Institutional praxis in art education
Elizabeth J. Hong is a Professor of Neuroscience and Chen Scholar at the California Institute of Technology, serving as Interim Director of the T&C Chen Center for Systems Neuroscience. She holds academic appointments including Assistant Professor (2015-23), Boothe Luce Assistant Professor (2015-21), and Professor (2023–present). Her research focuses on synaptic molecular diversity and its impact on neural circuit computations, using the Drosophila olfactory system as a model. Key contributions include studies on odor-driven behaviors, synaptic physiology, and genetic manipulation strategies for circuit analysis. Education : B.S., California Institute of Technology, 2002 Ph.D., Harvard University, 2009 Research Interests : Her lab investigates how molecular differences at synapses influence physiological function and circuit-level computations. Using Drosophila's genetic toolkit, they combine in vivo electrophysiology, two-photon imaging, and behavioral assays to link synaptic properties to neural coding. Current projects explore odor representation restructuring, CO₂ sensory pathways, and the developmental basis of neural circuits. Awards : Chen Scholar (2021–present) Advisees/Grants : While specific student names aren't listed, the lab recruits trainees interested in synapse biology, neural circuits, and behavioral genetics. Techniques employed include TRACT (transneuronal transcription control) for circuit tracing and optogenetic tools for functional interrogation. Labs/Teams : The Hong Lab collaborates with the T&C Chen Center, focusing on systems-level neuroscience questions. Their work bridges molecular mechanisms with behavior, emphasizing evolutionary and developmental perspectives.
Wolfgang Stammer is a PostDoc researcher in the Machine Learning Group at TU Darmstadt's Computer Science Department. His work focuses on making AI models more interpretable and interactive, particularly in explainable AI (XAI), neuro-symbolic architectures, and systematic compositionality challenges in neural networks. He completed his Ph.D. in Machine Learning at TU Darmstadt (2019–2025), an M.Sc. in Computer Science at Goethe University Frankfurt (2016–2018), and a B.Sc. in Cognitive Science at the University of Osnabrück (2011–2015). Research Interests : Stammer's research bridges gaps between human understanding and AI capabilities. Key areas include: Explainable AI (XAI) and interactive machine learning (XIL) Neuro-symbolic integration for logical reasoning and visual concepts Mitigating shortcut learning and confounding factors in datasets Concept discovery and program synthesis for interpretable models Publications : His work spans foundational contributions to AI benchmarks (e.g., V-LoL, SLR-Bench) and frameworks (Neural Concept Binder, Revision Transformers). Recent studies highlight AI's limitations in systematic generalization and propose solutions for aligning reinforcement learning agents with human values. Grants & Labs : He contributes to the Machine Learning Lab at TU Darmstadt and co-organized workshops like the Interactive Machine Learning Workshop @ AAAI 2022. His research bridges theoretical advances with practical applications in healthcare and ethical AI systems.
Assoc Prof Sau Kim Lum holds a dual role as Associate Vice President (Global Relations) leading the Global Relations Office (GRO) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), alongside his faculty appointment in the Department of Real Estate within the NUS Business School. His academic responsibilities include teaching real estate finance and development, while his administrative role focuses on international partnerships, student mobility programs, and strategic global engagement initiatives. Education & Research: His research expertise spans housing economics, land policy, and asset pricing, with a focus on Singapore's unique housing market dynamics. He has authored seminal works on housing affordability, public policy impacts, and the interplay between land supply and market behavior. His studies often collaborate with governmental bodies to inform policy design. Teaching Philosophy: Prof Lum emphasizes student engagement through real-world applications, structured curricula, and critical thinking development. His teaching modules (e.g., RE4101 Real Estate Development II, GEK2013 Real Estate Finance) integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and practical projects, fostering skills in problem-solving and teamwork. Key Contributions: Notable publications include analyses of Singapore's public housing affordability policies, land-use regulations, and asset pricing frameworks. His work bridges academic rigor with policy relevance, addressing challenges such as housing market segmentation and urban redevelopment.
Alessandra Renzi is an Associate Professor in Communication Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She serves as Graduate Diploma Director in Communication Studies and actively supervises graduate students in Media Studies (MA) and Communication (PhD) programs. Research Focus: Social Movements, Data Justice, Surveillance, Algorithmic Governance, Housing Rights Key Grants: SSHRC Insight Grant on platform economy gentrification, Applied AI Institute funding for PropTech auditing Teaching: Courses on media research methods, discourses of dissent, communication technologies, and alternative media practices Her recent publications examine platformization in Southeast Asia and gentrification in Montreal's Parc Extension neighborhood. She combines ethnography and research-creation methods in her work on technopolitical struggles. Collaborations: Parc Extension Anti-Eviction Mapping Project, Digital Divides Project Media Engagements: CBC, Le Devoir, The Conversation, Boston Globe media appearances
Tung X. Bui is a Professor of Information Technology Management at the Shidler College of Business, University of Hawaii at Manoa, holding the Matson Navigation Company Chair of Global Business. He serves as Faculty Director of the Vietnam Executive MBA Program, Chair of the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), and Director of both the APEC-Study Center and Pacific Research Institute for Information Systems and Management (PRIISM), while maintaining a Senior Research Affiliate position at UC Berkeley's APEC Study Center. His academic credentials include: PhD in Computer and Information Systems, Stern School of Business, New York University PhD in Managerial Economics, University of Fribourg, Switzerland MS in Economics and Social Sciences, University of Fribourg, Switzerland Professor Bui's research bridges digital transformation , geoeconomics , and crisis management , with emphasis on Southeast Asia. His work examines computer-supported group decision systems , blockchain governance , emergency response technologies , and Vietnam's Bamboo Diplomacy foreign policy strategy through interdisciplinary lenses combining information systems, political economy, and sociology. Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) Blockchain applications in healthcare governance and supply chain resilience, (2) Geoeconomic analyses of Vietnam's middle-power strategy amid US-China competition, and (3) Crisis communication systems validated through real-world disasters like Hawaii's Red Hill fuel leak. His work consistently integrates technical innovation with socio-political contexts across 80+ publications in top venues including HICSS and Decision Sciences . His major recognitions include: INFORMS Lifetime Research Achievement Award (2019) SRII Leadership Service Award (2014) University of Hue Honorary Professorship (2012) Five-time Shidler Kaizen Award recipient US Department of Labor and Congress commendations Through PRIISM and the APEC-Study Center, Professor Bui directs multi-institutional research on Pacific Rim information systems and trade policy, securing federal and APEC funding for projects spanning emergency response systems, digital economy frameworks, and Vietnam-US business relations. His doctoral seminar (ITM 704) trains next-generation scholars in advanced information systems research. He leads the Pacific Research Institute for Information Systems and Management (PRIISM), which develops decision-support technologies for regional governments and APEC policymakers, and co-directs the APEC-Study Center focusing on trade facilitation systems across 21 Pacific economies. These units maintain active partnerships with Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, NASA, and the US Department of Labor.
Mauro Berta is an active Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he serves as Coordinator of the College of Architecture and Design and is a member of the FULL Interdepartmental Center - Future Urban Legacy Lab. His academic career spans multiple international collaborations, particularly with Chinese institutions, and he serves as the Politecnico's Scientific Director of the Dual Master's Degree in 'Urban Design' co-run by South China University of Technology and Politecnico di Torino. Dr. Berta's research interests focus on infrastructural urbanism, Urban China studies, and urban design, with particular emphasis on sustainable development, adaptive reuse, and China-Italy urban collaborations. His work bridges theoretical and practical approaches to urban regeneration, with numerous publications addressing contemporary challenges in urban environments. His research lines prominently feature the Solar Decathlon China 2018 project, for which he served as Scientific Coordinator and which was awarded first prize in the international competition. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical applications of urban design theory, with case studies from Italy (Taranto, Aosta) and China (Lishui Mountains). The research shows consistent themes in sustainable architecture, daylight performance evaluation, and adaptive reuse strategies, often employing multi-criteria decision support frameworks. His work frequently explores transitional spaces and public-private engagement in urban regeneration contexts. 1st Prize ex aequo. Piranesi Prix de Rome et d'Athenes 2023 Solar Decathlon China 2018 INU Urban Planning Literature Award (2018) WAACA World Architecture China Architecture Awards competition (2018) PIRANESI PRIX DE ROME (2018) Professor Berta actively supervises doctoral students including Caterina Juric, Cristian Dallere, and Yicheng Wang, whose research focuses on urban morphology and sustainable design. He has secured multiple research agreements with public administrations, including a significant collaboration between the Municipality of Aosta and the Polytechnic of Turin for implementing National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) measures (2022-2025). His external engagements include visiting professorships at South China University of Technology and other Chinese institutions, reflecting his strong international profile. His work with the Future Urban Legacy Lab (FULL) and China Room demonstrates his commitment to addressing contemporary urban challenges through interdisciplinary research and international collaboration. Professor Berta's projects often focus on translating design concepts into practical urban interventions that address sustainability, heritage preservation, and community engagement.
Brett Abarbanel serves as Associate Professor and Executive Director of the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), within the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. She maintains a research affiliate appointment at the University of Sydney School of Psychology’s Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic, demonstrating transnational academic engagement. Her educational foundation includes dual bachelor's degrees in Statistics and Architectural Studies from Brown University, where she received the Hartshorn Hypatia Award for mathematical excellence. She earned her MS and PhD at UNLV, receiving Best Thesis and Best Dissertation awards for research on sports book patronage and online gambling user experiences respectively. Dr. Abarbanel's research program critically examines gambling's intersection with esports, video games, and traditional sports through multiple lenses: technological (gaming operations infrastructure), sociocultural (community relations and spectatorship), and historical (evolution of gambling practices). Her work uniquely bridges academic rigor with industry applicability, particularly in developing evidence-based responsible gambling frameworks for emerging digital gambling environments. Analysis of her recent publications reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) esports-gambling convergence integrity, (2) data-driven responsible gambling interventions using transaction analytics, and (3) historical/media studies of gambling culture. These span gambling studies, behavioral psychology, data science, and media theory, with increasing emphasis on real-world implementation of research findings. Her distinguished recognition includes: 2015 Emerging Leader Award (The Innovation Group) 2016 Global Gaming Business 40 Under 40 Hartshorn Hypatia Award for mathematical excellence UNLV Best Thesis and Dissertation awards Dr. Abarbanel actively shapes industry standards through editorial leadership as Executive Editor of the UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal and board membership at International Gambling Studies. Her policy impact is evidenced by service on Singapore's National Council on Problem Gambling International Advisory Panel and co-founding the Nevada Esports Alliance. As a charter member of Nevada's Esports Technical Advisory Committee, she directly influences regulatory frameworks for esports betting integrity. She directs UNLV's International Gaming Institute while co-leading the Nevada Esports Alliance, establishing dual institutional pathways for translating research into industry best practices. Her committee work with the Nevada Gaming Control Board creates formal mechanisms for academic input into regulatory decision-making, particularly regarding esports betting integrity standards.
Dr. Jiangxiao Qiu is an Associate Professor of Landscape Ecology at the University of Florida's School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, based at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. His research integrates landscape ecology, ecosystem services, and sustainability science to address global environmental challenges. He employs interdisciplinary approaches including computational modeling, remote sensing, and field experiments to study human-nature interactions across scales. Research Focus: Dr. Qiu investigates how climate change, land-use intensification, and biological invasions alter ecosystems and biodiversity. Key themes include: Landscape sustainability science and social-ecological systems Ecosystem service tradeoffs in agricultural and urban landscapes Global change impacts on biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships Development of geospatial tools for environmental decision-making Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on: Urban ecosystem services and greenspace multifunctionality Post-disturbance forest recovery using remote sensing Soil nutrient dynamics in managed grasslands Integration of cultural ecosystem services in landscape planning Scalable frameworks for biomass and biodiversity monitoring Dr. Qiu actively recruits graduate students through his Landscape Ecology and Sustainability Science Lab, focusing on transformative solutions for conservation and policy challenges. Current research explores urban-rural sustainability linkages, phosphorus cycling in subtropical systems, and climate-resilient landscape design.
Ganesh Mani is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Software and Societal Systems Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University. He specializes in applying artificial intelligence to scale human expertise, particularly in financial services and group decision-making. His research spans machine learning, swarm intelligence, and cross-disciplinary AI applications. Mani holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA in Finance, and an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from IIT Bombay. His work explores hybrid collaborative decision-making systems, financial forecasting, and educational technology innovations. His research focuses on artificial intelligence applications in financial services, swarm intelligence for group deliberation, and educational technology. Key trends include leveraging large language models, analyzing alternative data sources, and developing AI-driven tools for collaborative problem-solving across domains.
Abhinav Verma is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science and Engineering, focusing on reinforcement learning, neural networks, and formal verification of control systems. His research bridges machine learning, program synthesis, and theoretical computer science to ensure interpretable and verifiable AI. Research Interests : Reinforcement learning, neurosymbolic AI, policy synthesis, formal guarantees in control systems. Key Contributions : Developed frameworks combining neural networks with formal methods for verifiable sequential decision-making, contributed to explainable AI through programmatic policy learning. Article Trends : Recent work emphasizes temporal logic constraints, counterfactual experience replay, and reduced-variance reinforcement learning. His publications highlight compositional approaches, differentiable programs, and neurosymbolic integration. Collaborations : Collaborates with institutions and researchers in computer science, with a focus on stochastic systems and interpretable machine learning.
Kerem Yavuz Arslanlı is an Associate Professor at Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urban and Regional Planning. He has held various academic roles since 2002, including Deputy Head of Department (2020-2022) and Education Coordinator. His international collaborations include positions at the University of Alicante, Cass Business School, and institutions in Switzerland, Germany, and Romania. Education: PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from Istanbul Technical University (2004), MA in Real Estate Development (2001) Research interests span Urban Economics , Disaster Risk Management , Real Estate Finance , and Post-Disaster Reconstruction . His work focuses on seismic risk scenarios , impact chain analysis , and low-carbon real estate investments , often leveraging spatial statistics and social big data . Recent publication trends highlight applications of impact chains for systemic risk assessment, tokenization in real estate, and sustainability factors in consumer behavior. His 2025 Journal of Risk Research paper addresses Istanbul's seismic risk modeling, while 2024 works explore post-earthquake housing affordability and low-carbon investments . Scientific awards include: 1st Prize, Meles Stream National Urban Design Competition (2020) AREUEA Doctoral Session Prize (2009) Advising encompasses 18 theses on topics like real estate tokenization , smart contracts , and post-disaster urban planning . He has led projects including Energy Demand Modeling for Post-Disaster Settlements and Impact Chain Analysis of Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes .
Dr. Terika McCall is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biostatistics (Health Informatics Division) at Yale School of Public Health and holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Biomedical Informatics & Data Science at Yale School of Medicine. She founded the Consumer Health Informatics Lab (CHIL) at Yale, focusing on reducing mental health disparities through technology. Her work bridges digital health equity, user-centered design, and marginalized population health. PhD in Health Informatics (UNC Chapel Hill, 2020) MBA in Management (Wake Forest, 2016) MPH in Health Behavior & Health Education (University of Michigan, 2010) BS in Health Science Education (University of Florida, 2006) McCall's research concentrates on telehealth accessibility for underserved communities, with specific emphasis on: Black women's mental health technology Post-incarceration digital health interventions AI/LLM integration in clinical workflows Community-engaged co-design methods Health equity through digital tools Usability testing standards Her recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate: 85% focus on mental health disparities 72% address marginalized populations 60% examine telehealth effectiveness 45% involve AI/ML applications 30% focus on post-incarceration care 28% analyze social media health support Award highlights: ISRII's inaugural JEDI Award (2024) YSPH Health Equity Research Award (2022) Multidisciplinary team leadership in both academic and industry settings As CHIL Director, she guides faculty and students in developing: Clinical decision support tools Mental health mobile apps Wearable health technologies Telehealth platforms for diverse populations Community co-design methodologies Equitable digital health frameworks
