Antti H. Niemi is a Professor and Dean at the University of Oulu 's Faculty of Technology , specializing in computational solid and structural mechanics. His research focuses on advanced numerical methods for engineering analysis and design. Research areas include computational mechanics, structural engineering, and metamaterials Develops innovative finite element methods for thin-body problems Current projects address snow structures, timber building envelopes, and machine learning applications in mechanical systems His recent work emphasizes discontinuous Petrov-Galerkin (DPG) methods for plates and shells, with applications in civil and mechanical engineering. Publications cover: Snow and ice vaults (2024) Machine learning for steel beam capacity prediction (2024) Hygrothermal analysis of timber structures (2024) DPG formulation for Reissner-Mindlin plates (2023) Shell element benchmarking (2018-2022)
Kevin J. Kircher is an Assistant Professor at Purdue University in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and (by courtesy) Electrical and Computer Engineering. He works in Herrick Laboratories and the Institute for Control, Optimization and Networks, focusing on optimization and control strategies for distributed energy resources (DERs) to address climate change, pollution, and energy equity issues. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Cornell University), Postdoctoral Research in Electrical Engineering (MIT) His research spans DERs like electric vehicles, solar PV, and heat pumps, with a focus on grid interaction and energy system modeling for business/government decisions. He co-developed EDGIE, an open-source MATLAB/Python tool for electrification impact simulation. Recent publications analyze methane emissions in energy infrastructure, predictive HVAC control systems, and grid capacity challenges for residential electrification. His team has secured multiple ASHRAE grants and fellowships, with field studies on thermal storage and grid protection protocols. Mentorship priorities include diversity in energy research, with active recruitment of graduate students skilled in optimization, control theory, and thermal sciences. He leads a course on DERs with open-access materials.
Antonella Basso serves as a Full Professor in the Department of Economics at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, specializing in mathematical methods of economics and actuarial and financial sciences (STAT-04/A). She is affiliated with the Research Institute for Complexity and maintains her office in the San Giobbe building where she holds regular office hours on Tuesdays from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm CET. Professor Basso's research expertise spans multiple domains of quantitative finance and economics, with particular emphasis on Financial Mathematics , Quantitative and Computational Finance , and Ethical Finance including ESG investments and green finance. She has pioneered the application of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) across diverse contexts from mutual funds and pension funds to museum evaluation. Her work increasingly explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques for economic applications, alongside traditional risk assessment methodologies. She also maintains significant research interests in art as a financial asset and alternative investment class. Her recent publications (2019-2025) reveal a consistent research trajectory with growing emphasis on sustainable finance, alternative investments including art, and performance measurement in cultural institutions. Her work demonstrates sophisticated methodological approaches to portfolio optimization with volume-based liquidity constraints, ethical fund evaluation using metafrontier approaches, and innovative integration of DEA with Balanced Scorecard and AHP methodologies for comprehensive performance assessment. As an educator, Professor Basso actively supervises undergraduate and master's theses on topics spanning financial mathematics, computational finance, insurance, and ethical finance applications. She requires preliminary discussions with students to ensure appropriate thesis topic alignment with research objectives and methodological capabilities. Through her affiliation with the Research Institute for Complexity, she contributes to interdisciplinary research examining complex economic and financial systems through quantitative lenses, bridging theoretical mathematical approaches with practical financial applications across multiple sectors.
Valentino Manni is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design, Polytechnic University of Turin, where he conducts research in technological and environmental design of architecture. He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center Ec-L - Energy Center Lab and actively contributes to PhD programs in Technological Innovation for the Built Environment. His teaching includes core courses such as 'Culture and Fundamentals of Architectural Technology' across multiple academic years and specialized workshops on dry-layered construction technologies. Academic Rank: Associate Professor Institution: Polytechnic University of Turin Department: Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) Email: valentino.manni@polito.it Phone: +39 0110904317 His research centers on sustainable and innovative architectural systems, with a focus on biomimetic design , adaptive building envelopes , and space architecture for lunar and Martian settlements. He investigates the use of agri-food and textile waste to develop thermo-acoustic insulation panels, aligning with circular economy principles. His work intersects with key sustainability goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) , and is supported by commercial research contracts and interdisciplinary collaborations. The recent publication trends highlight a dual focus: advancing sustainable building technologies on Earth and pioneering modular, resilient habitat designs for space exploration. His work frequently appears in international conferences such as the International Astronautical Congress and in journals like Sustainability and AGATHÓN , demonstrating a strong integration of environmental, technological, and architectural innovation. Scientific Awards: No formal awards listed in the provided text. Manni supervises PhD student Luca Saverio Valzano , whose thesis explores biomimetic approaches to climate-adaptive building envelopes. His research projects include a 2024–2029 Memorandum of Understanding with the Poroton Italia Consortium and prior roles as Scientific Manager for urban placemaking and environmental certification initiatives. He leads the LaSTIn Laboratory of Innovative Technological Systems, fostering applied research in sustainable construction and smart building technologies. Laboratories and Teams: LaSTIn – Laboratory of Innovative Technological Systems (DAD) Member of research group on Poroton Italia Consortium project (2024–2029) Scientific Manager for Corso Farini urban redevelopment (2023)
Gaofeng Jia is Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University's Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. He specializes in natural hazard risk assessment, infrastructure resilience, and uncertainty quantification. Research integrates simulation-based approaches with high-performance computing for assessing complex engineering systems. Core areas include infrastructure deterioration modeling, wave energy converter optimization, tsunami evacuation planning, and surrogate modeling techniques. Recent work emphasizes physics-informed machine learning for engineering applications. Publications demonstrate consistent methodological innovation in uncertainty quantification across domains including seismic engineering, coastal hazards, renewable energy systems, and structural reliability. Articles employ advanced computational statistics, Bayesian methods, and multi-fidelity modeling. Young Researcher Best Paper Award Best Student Paper Award
Geoffrey Thün is a Professor of Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan . He is a founding partner of the research-based practice RVTR and serves as Associate Vice President for Research: Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts at the University of Michigan Office of Research. His work spans scales from regional territories to high-performance building envelopes, integrating complex systems thinking to address societal, environmental, and cultural challenges. Master of Urban Design, University of Toronto Bachelor of Architecture, University of Waterloo Thün’s research focuses on responsive and kinetic envelopes , sustainable urbanism , and smart-city technologies , often leveraging complex systems approaches to mediate energy, atmosphere, and social space. His funded projects with institutions like the U.S. Department of Energy and Ford Motor Company emphasize transdisciplinary solutions to the Food, Energy, Water (FEW) Nexus and climate futures . Recent publications highlight his contributions to topological design optimization and robotic architecture , reflecting trends in digital fabrication, additive manufacturing, and energy-efficient building systems. RVTR’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Biennale Architettura in Venice (2016) and Yale University. Scientific Awards R&D Award from Architecture Magazine (2010, 2016) Best Design as Research Article (2013) Architizer A+ Jury Award (2013) ACSA Faculty Design Award (2012, 2014) RAIC Award of Excellence (2011) Canadian Prix de Rome (2009) Young Architect’s Forum Award (2008) Thün co-directs the Urban Collaboratory and previously served as Associate Dean for Research at Taubman College (2014-2021). His funded work includes grants from the National Science Foundation and collaborations with industry leaders like Guardian Industries and Ford Motor Company.
Simon Mochrie is a Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Yale University, affiliated with the Department of Physics within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on experimental biophysics and condensed matter physics, with emphasis on chromatin dynamics, nuclear mechanics, and super-resolution microscopy. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT (1985) and has pioneered techniques such as optical tweezers and STED microscopy to study biological systems like the ubiquitin-proteasome system in yeast. Current projects include single-molecule measurements on nucleosomes and developing novel imaging methods like LIVE-PAINT for live-cell super-resolution imaging. Educations: Ph.D., Physics, MIT (1985) Research interests center on understanding how chromatin organization influences nuclear mechanics, with studies on heterochromatin condensation, cohesin-driven loop extrusion, and chromatin-envelope interactions. His lab develops advanced microscopy techniques to visualize protein dynamics and subnuclear structures in real time. Recent work explores diffusive states of membrane proteins and the role of phase separation in heterochromatin mechanics. His articles demonstrate a focus on interdisciplinary approaches, combining biophysical experimentation with computational modeling to elucidate fundamental mechanisms in cell biology and soft matter physics. Notable themes include the interplay between chromatin structure and nuclear stiffness, loop extrusion dynamics, and quantitative analysis of intrachromosomal contacts. Teaching contributions include developing introductory physics courses tailored for life sciences students, emphasizing applications in biology and medicine. He actively participates in STEM education initiatives, including collaborative research networks for graduate students in physical biology. The Mochrie Lab also emphasizes instrumentation innovation, such as building fast-scanning STED microscopes and reversible peptide-based imaging systems.
Meredith L. Miller is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Director of the Master of Architecture program at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where she joined as an A. Alfred Taubman Fellow in 2009-2010. She is a founding member of the award-winning architecture practice T+E+A+M, which has exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Chicago Architecture Biennial, and Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Miller holds a Master of Architecture from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. Her research critically examines architecture's materiality in relation to global resource systems, climate change, and post-natural ecologies, with a focus on sustainable material innovation. This work directly informs her development of Post Rock—a composite building material utilizing waste plastics and aggregates—which received NSF funding in 2023. Her teaching emphasizes architectural design and sustainability across graduate and undergraduate studios. Scientific Awards: A. Alfred Taubman Fellow (2009-2010) NSF Partnerships for Innovation Technology Translation Grant for Post Rock (2023) Architect’s Newspaper Best of Practice Honorable Mention for T+E+A+M (2025) Miller directs the Master of Architecture program while mentoring students through advanced design courses. Her research has secured significant external funding including NSF grants and Taubman College Catalyst Grants focused on sustainability and justice. As co-founder of T+E+A+M, she leads a practice recognized for reimagining architectural materials and community-focused design, recently completing projects like Detroit's East Village community hub.
Professor Tapas Mallick is a leading academic in renewable energy and solar technologies, serving as Professor and Chair of Clean Technologies and Renewable Energy at the University of Exeter’s Environment & Sustainability Institute. He also holds distinguished adjunct and visiting professorships at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Saudi Arabia) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (India), respectively. He is the Director and Scientific Advisor of BuildSolar Limited and actively leads the Solar Energy Research Group. University of Exeter, UK (2013–present) Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia (2024–present, Distinguished Adjunct Professor) Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India (2018–present, Visiting Professor) BuildSolar Limited (2018–present, Director and Scientific Advisor) His research focuses on applied solar energy, with emphasis on bridging the urban-rural energy divide through innovative solar integration in buildings, smart materials, and hybrid systems. Key interests include photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), phase change materials, solar desalination, and energy storage. His work combines engineering, materials science, and environmental sustainability to develop scalable, real-world solutions. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in hybrid solar technologies, smart materials for energy efficiency, rural electrification, and water-energy nexus solutions. Research spans photovoltaics, thermal engineering, materials innovation, and system integration, with applications in both urban and off-grid rural environments across ODA countries. His scientific accolades include: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry Fellow of the World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies British Indian Award for Services to Education (2016) Best Innovation for Sustainability Award (Cornwall, 2018) Professor Mallick has supervised 34 PhD students to completion and leads multiple high-impact funded projects, including UK-Egypt British Council initiatives, EPSRC-funded HIACT Hub, and the SUPERGEN solar consortium. He serves as Section Editor-in-Chief of the journal Energies and has strong international collaborations across India, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa. His research is supported by RCUK, EU, and industrial funding, demonstrating significant translational impact. He leads the Solar Energy Research Group at Exeter and is deeply involved in innovation through BuildSolar Limited, focusing on commercializing solar technologies for sustainable development.
Dr. Sven Mackenbach serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Senior Engineer at RWTH Aachen University's Institute of Construction Management, Digital Engineering and Robotics in Construction (ICoM) since January 2023. Holding a doctorate in circular construction from the same institution, he leads the development of the "Circular Construction" research area, oversees multidisciplinary projects, and teaches Sustainable Construction Management to engineering students. His academic credentials include: PhD in Circular Construction, RWTH Aachen University (2023) Mackenbach's research integrates circular economy principles with digital construction technologies, focusing on strategic management frameworks for sustainable building practices. His expertise spans modular construction methods, BIM-based sustainability assessment, and digital twinning applications for infrastructure management. He bridges theoretical research with practical implementation through sustainability consulting for construction stakeholders, addressing real-world challenges in resource efficiency and regulatory compliance. His publication portfolio reveals a decisive shift toward data-driven circular construction solutions, with increasing emphasis on BIM-ontology integration for deconstruction planning, public participation systems, and sewer infrastructure management. Recent works demonstrate sophisticated methodological approaches to quantify ecological, economic, and social sustainability metrics without specialized expertise. As a scientific supervisor, Mackenbach mentors research assistants in project execution while contributing to curriculum development through his specialized course instruction. His leadership in research project coordination indicates substantial grant management experience, though specific funding sources aren't detailed in available materials. Within ICoM's collaborative environment, he contributes to cross-disciplinary teams advancing digital engineering and robotics applications in construction, particularly through the KaSyTwin sewer management project and BIPV facade digitalization initiatives.
Professor Maria Kolokotroni is a full academic staff member at Brunel University's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. She holds a Professorial rank and has extensive experience in urban environmental engineering and building energy systems. Her academic career began at UCL (MSc 1992, PhD 1995), followed by postdoctoral research on environmental design guidance and moisture management. She joined Brunel University in 1998 and contributed to the Building Research Establishment's indoor environment division prior to her academic appointment. Education MSc in Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School, UCL (1992) PhD in Thermal Performance of Housing, UCL (1995) Postdoctoral Research: Environmental Design Guidance (UCL, 1996-1998) EPSRC-funded Postdoc: Moisture in Residential Buildings (University of Westminster, 1998) Research Interests Her work focuses on urban heat island mitigation, energy-efficient building technologies, ventilative cooling systems, and urban microclimate analysis. She actively collaborates on EU-funded projects like the IEA’s Annex 80 (Resilient Cooling) and Annex 62 (Ventilative Cooling), emphasizing practical applications of sustainable energy strategies. Key themes include: Urban albedo computation and reflective materials Thermal performance of residential and non-residential buildings Integration of renewable energy systems (photovoltaics, hydrogen) Building energy demand modeling Grants & Projects Recent projects include: PRELUDE: Real-time building energy optimization (EU, 2020-2024) PVadapt: Smart building-integrated photovoltaic systems (EU, 2018-2022) ReCO2ST: Near-zero energy retrofit platform (EU, 2018-2021) Urban albedo studies in high-latitude cities (EPSRC, 2017-2020) Advising & Collaborations Professor Kolokotroni leads interdisciplinary teams and collaborates with experts in mechanical engineering, environmental science, and urban planning. Her work bridges academic research with industry applications through projects like COOL ROOFS EU initiative and the IEA’s energy efficiency annexes. Labs/Teams Active in the International Energy Agency’s EBC Annex 80 (Resilient Cooling) and part of Brunel’s Institute for the Environment (IEF). Her research group focuses on building sustainability and climate resilience through advanced simulation tools and experimental validation.
Barrie Dams is a Researcher at the University of Bath's Department of Mechanical Engineering, affiliated with the Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS). His work focuses on sustainable construction materials and heritage conservation. He holds a PhD in Aerial Additive Manufacturing and an MEng in Civil Engineering from the University of Bath. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Bath (2016–2019) MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, University of Bath (2011–2016) Research Interests: Bio-based construction materials, additive manufacturing with drones, fibrous plaster conservation, and circular economy principles. His projects include the People-Led Net Zero initiative (UKRI-funded) and the Leverhulme Trust project on historic fibrous plaster ceilings. Recent Research Trends: Barrie’s work emphasizes sustainable building materials, lifecycle assessment of bio-based systems, and heritage material preservation. His articles explore thermal performance of bio-walls, failure mechanisms in historic ceilings, and drone-based 3D printing materials. Grants & Collaborations: Involved in EPSRC-funded aerial additive manufacturing and Interreg Circular Bio-based Construction projects. Collaborations include Historic England and fibrous plaster industry partners. Labs/Teams: Part of the IMPS research group and the People-Led Net Zero project team.
Sofia Kalakou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marketing, Operations and General Management at ISCTE Business School, where she teaches operations management across undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs. She also serves as Director of the Industrial Management and Logistics degree program. Her research focuses on urban and air transport planning, technology integration in operations, sustainable practices, and performance evaluation. She coordinates four EU-funded projects on operations management and new technologies. Dr. Kalakou holds a doctorate and master’s in Transport Systems from ISCTE, a civil engineering diploma, and prior experience as a transport and mobility consultant. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications, addressing challenges like airport terminal optimization, drone delivery systems, and gender-sensitive mobility policies. She has published extensively on topics ranging from lean six sigma applications in telecom repair to SWOT analysis of Greek seaplane operations. Her funded projects emphasize sustainable transport solutions and capacity-building for local authorities implementing MaaS and smart mobility initiatives. Key contributions include frameworks for setting transport sustainability targets and analyzing passenger behavior in airports through activity-based modeling.
Professor Ahmad Taki is a Professor of Building Performance and Sustainability at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Leicester School of Architecture and the Institute for Sustainable Futures. He previously served as Director of the Architecture Research Institute (2018–2024) and has played a key role in national research assessment exercises (REF). University: De Montfort University School: Leicester School of Architecture Research Group: Architecture Research Institute, Institute for Sustainable Futures His research focuses on sustainable built environments, human thermal interaction, energy efficiency, and climate-responsive design, particularly in developing countries. He has extensive expertise in passive design, building physics, and socio-cultural integration in sustainable housing. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward sustainable materials (e.g., rice husk ash, cardboard), retrofit strategies, thermal comfort in hot climates, and culturally sensitive design frameworks. His work bridges technical performance with social relevance, emphasizing affordability, well-being, and resilience. Energy Champion, COP28 Sustainability Climate Award (DMU, 2023) PVC Dean Award for Best Contribution to Research Environment (2018) Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Chartered Fellow, Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Professor Taki has successfully supervised 27 PhD students and is currently supervising 10, demonstrating strong mentorship. He has secured numerous research grants from EPSRC, DMU, and GCRF, supporting projects on Schlieren imaging, evaporative cooling, and sustainable housing. He founded the BSc Architectural Technology and MSc Architecture and Sustainability programmes, highlighting his educational leadership. He leads research on indoor environmental quality, using advanced optical systems, and collaborates internationally on low-energy building solutions.
Laia Mogas-Soldevila serves as Assistant Professor of Graduate Architecture and Director of DumoLab Research at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design, pioneering radically sustainable material practices that bridge science, engineering, and the arts for architectural and product design innovation. Her academic credentials include: Interdisciplinary doctorate in biomaterials science, biomedical engineering, and advanced design from Tufts University School of Engineering Two master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Architecture Licensed architect with Fine Arts minor from Polytechnic University of Catalonia and École Nationale Supérieure de Beaux-Arts Dr. Mogas-Soldevila's research reimagines matter as a fundamental design driver through biomaterials and bio-based fabrication , emphasizing environmental justice and circular economy principles. Her work partners with scientists to develop unprecedented material capabilities, spanning from molecular-scale biopolymer engineering to full-scale architectural applications that address climate challenges. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals dominant themes in carbon-sequestering living materials, agricultural waste valorization, and adaptive biological skins. These works consistently bridge architecture, material science, and environmental engineering, with increasing focus on participatory design and urban farming applications as seen in her 2024 Portable Bioremediation Technologies project. Her scientific recognition includes: Johnson&Johnson Foundation Woman in STEM2D Scholar Award Research funding encompasses Penn's Research Foundation Grant, Environmental Innovation Grant, Sachs Art Innovation Grant, and Global Engagement Fund, supporting her interdisciplinary exploration of sustainable material systems. Her pedagogy cultivates novel theory and applied methods for biomaterial implementation across design disciplines. As DumoLab Research Director, she leads cross-disciplinary collaborations developing material-driven computational workflows for digital fabrication, with recent projects exhibited at MoMA, Milan/London Design Weeks, and ACADIA conferences, translating laboratory innovations into tangible environmental solutions.
