Dr. Adam Kocsis is an academic staff member at the Chair of Paleoenvironment (Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kießling) within the Department of Geography and Geosciences, Faculty of Science, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). His research focuses on global spatial patterns of biodiversity dynamics, simulation models, software development, and database construction for paleontological studies. PhD in Paleontology (2016), Doctoral School of Earth Sciences, Eötvös University, Budapest MSc in Geology (Paleontology specialization, 2012), Eötvös University, Budapest His work integrates computational approaches with fossil data to understand long-term biodiversity trends, particularly in marine ecosystems across geological timescales. Recent studies include modeling climate-driven extinction patterns, developing open-source paleontological tools like fossilbrush , and analyzing biogeographic shifts during hyperthermal events. He has contributed to 15+ peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Science , Paleobiology , and Global Change Biology from 2014–2025. Scientific themes span climate-biodiversity linkages, provincialism evolution, and predictive modeling of extinction risks. Dr. Kocsis leads the DFG-funded SPex project (2019–2022) investigating spatial distribution patterns under warming scenarios, and participated in the Quantification of Marine Biogeography initiative (2018–2019). He teaches courses including Climate and Earth System Data , Macroecology , and R Programming at FAU. His research bridges computational methods, fossil databases, and modern conservation strategies using deep-time perspectives.
Prof. Dr. Alfred Michael Franz serves as a Professor of Medical Informatics and Dean of Studies for Computer Science at Ulm University of Applied Sciences (THU). He leads research in the Intelligent Medical Systems division and maintains active collaboration with the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. His academic career spans computer-assisted medical interventions, image-guided therapy, and medical artificial intelligence applications. Dr. Franz completed his PhD at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg in 2015 with research on "workflow-integrated electromagnetic tracking for navigated ultrasound-guided interventions." Prior to his professorship at THU, he worked as a scientist and deputy research group leader in the Department of Computer-Assisted Medical Interventions at DKFZ. Professor Franz's research focuses on developing innovative technologies for medical interventions, particularly in cancer and stroke treatment. His work bridges the gap between computer science and clinical medicine, with emphasis on: Navigated percutaneous, endoscopic, and catheter-based interventions Medical instrument tracking and localization systems Ultrasound imaging and multimodal image fusion Augmented reality applications for surgical guidance Artificial intelligence for medical image analysis and intervention support With over 50 scientific publications, Professor Franz has established himself as a significant contributor to the field of computer-assisted medical interventions. His research demonstrates consistent innovation in applying computer science to solve clinical challenges in minimally invasive procedures. Professor Franz has received recognition through various professional activities: Program Committee Member, International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) 2017 Program Committee Member, International Conference on Information Processing in Computer-Assisted Interventions (IPCAI) 2021 Reviewer for Medical Physics Journal Reviewer for International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery At THU, Professor Franz actively mentors students through research projects, theses, and project work. He teaches courses including Programming, Algorithms and Data Structures, Computer Graphics, and Navigation for Medical Interventions. His research group, the "Navigation for Medical Interventions" laboratory, provides opportunities for students from various programs including Data Science in Medicine, Computer Science, Intelligent Systems, and Medical Devices. Outstanding master's graduates have opportunities for doctoral studies through university collaborations. The "Navigation for Medical Interventions" laboratory conducts cutting-edge research on medical instrument tracking, ultrasound imaging, and augmented reality for medical procedures. Current projects focus on cancer therapy (particularly ablation techniques), stroke treatment technologies, and systems for precise instrument navigation during minimally invasive procedures. The lab emphasizes open science principles, with several projects shared through platforms like the Open Science Framework.
Dr. Sebastian Junges is an Assistant Professor at the Software Science Group of Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) since September 2021. He previously held postdoctoral and research assistant positions at UC Berkeley and RWTH Aachen University respectively, working under prominent researchers like Sanjit Seshia and Joost-Pieter Katoen . Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, RWTH Aachen University (2020) M.Sc. in Computer Science, RWTH Aachen University (2015) B.Sc. in Computer Science, RWTH Aachen University (2012) His research focuses on trustworthy algorithms for system dependability , particularly in safety-critical domains like autonomous systems and infrastructure automation. Key technical contributions include: Verification algorithms for Markov decision processes (MDPs) Parameter synthesis in probabilistic models Finite state controller generation Runtime monitoring with imprecise sensors Recent work (2022-2024) has explored multi-objective verification , neuro-symbolic reasoning , and scalable analysis of probabilistic models . His methodological approach combines formal methods with machine learning and automated reasoning techniques, often implemented in the state-of-the-art Storm probabilistic model checking framework. Selected scientific contributions include: Keynote speaker at MODEM 2024 Invited tutorial presenter at Dagstuhl 2024 Co-organizer of multiple VeriProp workshops (2021-2024) Program committee member for TACAS 2026, CONCUR 2024, and CAV 2024 He actively supervises Bachelor and Master student projects in algorithm development for probabilistic systems, including topics on: MDP model checking acceleration Runtime monitoring frameworks Syntax-guided controller synthesis State estimation for fault trees Probabilistic inference transpilation His academic service includes: Radboud Science Faculty Diversitee Committee Steering Committee of ETAPS (2025-2026) Program committee roles across 15+ top venues
Michael Backes is the Founding Director and Chairman of the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security and a Professor at Saarland University . His research focuses on Trustworthy Machine Learning , Data Privacy , Software Security , and Information Security . He leads a prominent research group in AI Security and Privacy, with extensive collaborations including the CISPA-Stanford Center . Research Interests Trustworthy methods for machine learning Novel approaches for protecting personal data Universal solutions for software/system security AI-generated content detection Privacy-preserving techniques Adversarial machine learning Publications & Research Trends : His recent work examines LLM security , data leakage detection , privacy risks in conversational AI , and ethical challenges in vision-language models . He has pioneered benchmarks like HateBench and MGTBench to evaluate AI security. Scientific Awards & Honors ACM Fellow (2023) IEEE Fellow (2018) ERC Synergy Grant (2014) MIT TR35 Award (2009) NSA Cybersecurity Research Award (2017) Caspar Bowden Privacy Award (2004) VDI Diploma Thesis Award (2002) Advising & Leadership : He has mentored over 40 PhD students, many of whom now hold tenured or leadership positions at institutions like Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam , CISPA Helmholtz Center , and Microsoft Research . His group offers postdoc fellowships with mentorship, funding, and collaboration opportunities. Labs & Teams : Leads the AI Security and Privacy group at CISPA, focusing on foundational and applied research. The team collaborates with institutions like Stanford University and Saarland University .
Sam Tobin-Hochstadt is an Assistant Professor at the School of Informatics & Computing, Indiana University, with a focus on programming languages and systems. He is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and actively contributes to the Racket and JavaScript language ecosystems. Research: Design and implementation of programming systems, particularly languages enabling software evolution (e.g., Racket, Typed Racket, JavaScript). Teaching: Courses like C211, P632, and honors sections of CS 2510. Collaborations: Mozilla Research, Sun Labs Programming Language Research Group. His research spans gradual typing , DSL implementation , compiler design , and parallel programming , with recent work on build systems and probabilistic programming. While specific scientific awards aren't listed, his contributions to PLDI, POPL, and other program committees highlight his field prominence. He mentors Ph.D. students at Indiana University and has organized academic events like IFL 2014. Personal interests include Ultimate and outdoor activities, alongside his wife Katie Edmonds' post-doc work in chemistry.
Michalis Kokologiannakis is an assistant professor at ETH Zurich . He holds a PhD from Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS) and an MEng from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) . His research focuses on programming languages , compilers , and software verification , particularly automated verification and testing of concurrent programming algorithms and weak memory models in modern microprocessors. Recent publications highlight advancements in model checking for weak memory models, dynamic partial order reduction , and stateless verification techniques applied to C/C++ programs and Linux kernel mechanisms like Read-Copy-Update (RCU).
Manuel Reinhard is a Research Associate at Helmut Schmidt University / University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, affiliated with the Professorship Transformation of Governance in Education and Society since 2020. His research focuses on the sociology of the future, particularly examining the interplay between future imaginaries, anticipatory governance, and political practices in 21st-century Western societies. Education: PhD in Philosophy, Technical University of Darmstadt (2013-2016) Magister Artium in Philosophy, Psychology and Pedagogy, University of Trier (2007-2012) Research Interests: Reinhard's work bridges social theory, political governance, and science/technology studies. His current habilitation project investigates 'Strategic Foresight by Federal Agencies' through ethnographic studies of German defense, climate, and financial policy institutions. Key themes include future-making practices, epistemic cultures of foresight, and the ethics of anticipation in governance systems. Publications: His scholarly output spans sociology of the future, educational technology critique, and philosophical deconstruction. Recent works demonstrate strong focus on speculative societies, predictive governance frameworks, and critical analyses of digital education tools. Collaborative publications with the UNBLACK THE BOX initiative examine transparency and ethics in educational algorithms. Awards & Honors: PhD Scholarship, German Research Foundation (2013-2016) Visiting Scholarship, Harvard University (2014-2015) Visiting Fellowship, University of Cambridge (2014-2015) Undergraduate Scholarship, German Academic Scholarship Foundation (2011-2012) Academic Activities: Reinhard teaches seminars on cultural sociology, qualitative research methods, and classical sociological texts at Helmut Schmidt University. He holds memberships in the German Sociological Association, World Future Studies Federation, and serves on the board of the 'Knowledge Cultures' section at the German Cultural Studies Association.
Steve Kremer is a permanent researcher at Inria, leading the PESTO team at Inria Nancy - Grand Est and affiliated with LORIA. He holds a prominent role in the field of formal security analysis of cryptographic protocols, with a focus on privacy, automated verification, and real-world applications such as e-voting and mobile communication protocols. His research interests center on formal methods for cryptographic protocol verification , privacy-preserving systems , and automated reasoning techniques applied to security. He develops theoretical foundations and practical tools like AKISS and DEEPSEC to analyze complex protocols under realistic assumptions, especially in domains such as e-voting and 5G communications. The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on symbolic analysis , equivalence properties , and tool development for proving security. These works span high-impact venues such as IEEE S&P and Real World Crypto, demonstrating both theoretical depth and practical relevance in uncovering vulnerabilities in deployed systems. Scientific Awards: Distinguished paper award at Usenix Security’23 Distinguished paper award at S&P’18 ACM Computing Reviews’ Best of Computing list (2016) ERC Consolidator Grant (SPOOC, 2015–2020) Steve Kremer has advised PhD students including Charlie Jacomme and has led major funded projects such as the ASAP AI Chair and the SPOOC ERC project . He is actively involved in the research community, serving on numerous program committees and steering committees for top security conferences including CSF, POST, and ETAPS. He is part of the PESTO research team at Inria, which focuses on the design and automated analysis of security protocols, particularly under adversarial conditions and untrusted platforms. The team collaborates on tools like ProVerif , SAPIC , and AKISS , integrating symbolic techniques into practical verification workflows.
Philippa Gardner is a Professor in the Department of Computing at Imperial College London, holding a UK Research and Innovation Established Career Fellowship (2018–2023). She leads the Research Institute on Verified Trustworthy Software Systems (VeTSS, 2017–2023) and is renowned for her work on program specification and verification, particularly in concurrent separation logics and the development of the Gillian platform for symbolic analysis of real-world languages like C and JavaScript. PhD from the University of Edinburgh (1992), supervised by Professor Gordon Plotkin FRS. EPSRC Advanced Fellowship at Cambridge (1998), followed by a lectureship at Imperial (2001) and promotion to Professor (2009). Her research bridges program verification, symbolic execution, and bi-abduction, focusing on robust mechanised language specifications. She has pioneered library specifications for JavaScript and WebAssembly, emphasizing environment robustness and scalable compositional reasoning. The Gillian platform unifies classical symbolic execution, separation-logic verification, and bi-abduction-based testing. Philippa has received prestigious awards, including the Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship (2020), President and Rector’s Award for Teaching (2013), and Microsoft Research — Royal Academy of Engineering Senior Fellowship (2005–2009). She has secured significant grants from Amazon, Facebook, EPSRC, and GCHQ for projects like Gillian and JSVerify. She actively supervises PhD students and teaches the Scalable Software Verification course. As General Chair of POPL ’24 and organizer of the Isaac Newton Institute’s Verified Software program (2022), she shapes academic discourse. Her editorial roles and conference committee memberships further underscore her influence in programming languages and formal methods.
Alastair F. Donaldson is a Professor in the Department of Computing at Imperial College London, where he leads the Multicore Programming Group. His academic career spans positions as a Visiting Researcher at Microsoft Research Redmond, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, a Research Engineer at Codeplay Software Ltd., and PhD studies at the University of Glasgow. Notably, he served as Director of GraphicsFuzz, an Imperial College spinout acquired by Google in 2018, demonstrating significant industry impact from his academic research. Donaldson's research focuses on Programming Languages, Compilers, Verification, Testing, and Multicore Programming, with particular expertise in randomized testing methodologies for compilers and program analyzers. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical software engineering applications, developing innovative techniques like metamorphic testing for graphics shader compilers and systematic approaches for testing memory persistency models. His research output shows consistent progression toward increasingly sophisticated testing frameworks for verification-aware languages and GPU programming interfaces. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong trend toward applying fuzzing and randomized testing techniques to increasingly complex systems, including zero-knowledge proof circuits, large language models for code generation, and WebGPU APIs. His work consistently addresses the challenge of verifying correctness in systems where traditional testing approaches fall short, with growing emphasis on industrial deployment of compiler testing techniques. Throughout his career, Donaldson has maintained exceptional service to the academic community, serving on program committees and as chair for numerous prestigious conferences including SPLASH, PLDI, POPL, ECOOP, and ISSTA. His leadership roles have included Program Chair for ECOOP and General Chair for PLDI, reflecting his standing within the programming languages research community. As an advisor and mentor, Donaldson has contributed to the PLMW (Programming Languages Mentoring Workshop) with talks on 'The Lean Researcher' and 'Hacks to Compensate for Lack of Novelty in Programming Languages Research,' demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers. His work on integrating compiler fuzzing into continuous integration pipelines represents significant practical impact on software development practices.
Camil Demetrescu is a Professor of Computer Science at Sapienza University of Rome, with a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the same institution (2001). His research spans performance profiling, programming language design, algorithmics, and computer security, focusing on software reliability and optimization. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Sapienza University of Rome (2001) Research Interests include performance analysis of software systems, graph algorithm implementation, incremental computing, symbolic execution, and computer security. As a glider aircraft pilot, he combines technical rigor with a passion for aviation. Recent Publications (2011-2022) address concolic execution, path profiling, runtime code replacement, and symbolic fuzzer development. Key themes: software diagnostics, program analysis, and security engineering. Conference Contributions : Active in PLDI, ICSE, ASE, and SPLASH series as author and committee member since 2011.
Frank Kammer is a researcher at the Technical University of Central Hesse , actively engaged in teaching and research projects. He co-leads the RegioTainment platform with Biebertal municipality and contributes to the SEA Project , an open C++ library for space-efficient algorithms. Teaching : Database Systems (CS1020), Software Engineering (CS1023), Efficient Algorithms (CS2353), Artificial Intelligence (CS2364/WK1613), etc. Research : Focuses on space-efficient graph algorithms, temporal graph exploration, and algorithm engineering. His work addresses computational challenges in huge datasets and memory-constrained devices , with applications in planar graph encoding, vertex separators, and student feedback systems. Advising : Supervised theses on topics including data-driven analytics platforms, low-code integration, cloud orchestration, and AI-optimized marketing campaigns. Collaboration : Works with students like Max Stephan, Timon Pellekoorne, and Johannes Meintrup on algorithm implementation and educational tools. Projects like RegioTainment emphasize digital community networking to preserve rural culture while embracing modernity.
Professor Heike Trautmann is a distinguished academic at Paderborn University, where she serves as Professor of Machine Learning and Optimisation in the Department of Computer Science within the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics. Since April 1, 2025, she also holds the position of Vice President for International Relations at the university. Her academic career spans prestigious institutions including the University of Münster, where she was Professor of Data Science: Statistics and Optimization from 2013 to 2023, and the University of Twente, where she serves as Guest Professor of Data Science until February 2026. Dr. Trautmann's educational background includes: University Studies in Statistics (Diploma), TU Dortmund, Germany (1997-2000) University Studies in Economic Mathematics (First Diploma), TU Dortmund, Germany (1996-1998) PhD student at Graduate School of Production Engineering and Logistics, TU Dortmund University (2002-2004) Habilitation in Statistics, TU Dortmund University, Germany (April 15, 2013) Professor Trautmann's research program centers on cutting-edge topics in artificial intelligence and optimization. Her primary research interests include (Trustworthy) Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Automated Algorithm Selection and Configuration, Exploratory Landscape Analysis, (Multiobjective) Evolutionary Optimisation, and Data Stream Mining. She leads the Machine Learning and Optimisation research group at Paderborn University, which develops innovative approaches for understanding and improving optimization algorithms through landscape analysis and automated configuration techniques. Her work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly in the domains of trustworthy AI and algorithm selection. Her extensive publication record reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated integration of deep learning with traditional optimization techniques. Recent work demonstrates a strong focus on multi-objective optimization problems, exploratory landscape analysis using deep learning methods, and the development of automated algorithm configuration systems. A notable trend is the application of transformer architectures to landscape analysis, as seen in her Deep-ELA work, which represents a significant innovation in the field. Her research consistently addresses the challenge of characterizing complex optimization problems to enable better algorithm selection and configuration. Professor Trautmann has received notable recognition for her scholarly contributions, including: GECCO Best Paper Award for "Deep reinforcement learning for instance-specific algorithm configuration" As an academic leader, Professor Trautmann has secured significant research funding for projects including "Towards Robustness of Disinformation Campaign Detection Algorithms in Open Online Media in the Context of Trustworthy AI" and "Automated rail transport as a backbone for sustainable, networked mobility in rural areas." She actively mentors students through her teaching of advanced courses in machine learning, optimization, and data science. Her industry connections, stemming from her previous work as an Analytics Consultant at Roland Berger Strategy Consulting, enable her to bridge academic research with practical applications. Professor Trautmann leads the Machine Learning and Optimisation research group at Paderborn University, which collaborates extensively with international partners. She is a key supporter of the Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe (CLAIRE) and a member of the European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS). Her group maintains strong connections with research centers across Europe, particularly through her involvement with the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 318.
Professor Andreas Dietzel serves as the Director of the Institute of Microtechnology at Braunschweig University of Technology, where he leads research in micro- and nanoscale engineering. He previously held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering from 2019 to 2021 and has been instrumental in establishing the university's Engineering for Health research focus. His leadership extends to coordinating the SMART BIOTECS research initiative and serving on the board of the Engineering for Health core research area. Professor Dietzel's academic foundation includes: Diploma in Physics from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (1980-1986) PhD in Physics from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen under Prof. Dr. D. Harder (1986-1989) His research spans the intersection of microtechnology, biomedical applications, and advanced manufacturing. Professor Dietzel specializes in developing microfluidic platforms for biomedical analysis, with particular focus on lab-on-chip systems, MEMS fabrication, and laser microprocessing techniques. His work bridges engineering principles with healthcare applications, contributing significantly to the Engineering for Health research area at TU Braunschweig. The integration of microscale engineering with pharmaceutical and medical applications represents a central theme throughout his career. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on microfluidic systems for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery and diagnostics. His research group has made significant contributions to lipid nanoparticle synthesis, oocyte analysis, and pathogen detection systems. There's a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated integration of sensing modalities within microfluidic platforms, with growing emphasis on real-time monitoring and automation capabilities. The work spans fundamental fluid dynamics, advanced fabrication techniques, and practical healthcare applications. Professor Dietzel actively contributes to the scientific community through service on program committees for major conferences including IEEE MEMS, IEEE Transducers, and 3M Nano, and as a reviewer for international journals such as Sensors & Actuators, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, and Micro- and Nanofluidics. As Director of the Institute of Microtechnology, Professor Dietzel oversees a multidisciplinary research environment focused on micro- and nanoscale engineering. His institute serves as a hub for the Engineering for Health research area, collaborating with pharmaceutical scientists, medical researchers, and industry partners to develop innovative healthcare solutions. The institute maintains state-of-the-art facilities for microfabrication, laser processing, and microfluidic device characterization.
Dr.-Ing. Anne Gutschmidt is a researcher at the University of Rostock's Department of Computer Science, actively engaged in participatory business modeling and technology acceptance. She combines expertise in behavioral data analysis with empirical research methodologies. Current roles: Research Assistant at Chair of Business Informatics Administrative roles: Program Manager (Bachelor of Business Informatics), Internship Manager Key projects: Coordinator of Center for Artificial Intelligence in MV (2020-2022) Collaborations: Chair of Business Informatics, Chair of Software Engineering Her research focuses on participatory enterprise modeling , emphasizing human-computer interaction and tool support for collaborative modeling environments. She investigates psychological ownership dynamics in modeling sessions and explores media comparisons (multi-touch tables vs traditional methods). Major funding sources include the European Fund for Regional Development and the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern . Her methodological expertise spans controlled experiments, behavioral observation, and digital tool evaluation.
