Professor Gita Alaghband is Chair and PhD Director at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Colorado Denver. Her work bridges high-performance computing with AI applications in computer vision, facial recognition, and deep learning optimization. Current research focuses on real-time multi-human tracking for autonomous systems Develops explainable AI solutions for medical and financial domains Leads the Parallel Distributed Systems (PDS) Lab Key publication trends include: 2025: Medical imaging AI for pediatric trauma analysis 2024: Financial forecasting with causal econometrics and adversarial defense systems 2023: Trajectory prediction models and HEVC compression frameworks Scientific recognition: IRC Best Paper Award (2020) for facial recognition research Students advised include industry leaders at Google, VMWare, and Nissan, with research spanning parallel computing, medical imaging AI, and autonomous systems.
Dr. Hanako Yoshida is a Professor at the University of Houston, affiliated with the Department of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. She serves as Director of the Cognitive Development Lab, focusing on early attention and language development. Her research bridges developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and behavioral neuroscience to study language acquisition, social attention, and multimodal learning. Education: Ph.D. from Indiana University Affiliations: Cognitive Development Lab, University of Houston Dr. Yoshida’s research explores how infants develop attentional mechanisms through object manipulation, parental scaffolding, and social coordination. She investigates bilingual learning experiences, gaze distribution patterns, and executive function development, with a strong emphasis on autism spectrum disorders and cross-linguistic comparisons. From 2022-2024, her lab has published on head-mounted eye-tracking in ASD research, saliency-driven attention, and parental strategies for attentional development. Earlier work from 2017-2022 examined executive function, verb learning, and attentional highlighting in bilingual and monolingual children, often using computational analysis of infant visual environments. Her publications span journals like Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders , Acta Psychologica , and Frontiers in Psychology . Collaborative projects frequently involve international studies (US, Argentina, Vietnam) and interdisciplinary methodologies including head cameras, egocentric video analysis, and behavioral experiments. Key Research Themes: Attentional mechanisms in early learning Parental influence on gaze behavior Bilingualism effects on cognition Autism diagnostic methodologies Executive function across cultures Development of social and cognitive ontologies
Tony Szturm is a Professor and Senior Scholar in the Department of Physical Therapy at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Manitoba. His work bridges clinical rehabilitation and engineering innovation, focusing on technology-assisted and game-based therapeutic interventions delivered through telerehabilitation platforms. Institution: University of Manitoba School: College of Rehabilitation Sciences Department: Department of Physical Therapy Location: Bannatyne Campus, Winnipeg, MB Dr. Szturm holds a BSc in Biology and a BSc in Physical Therapy from the University of Western Ontario, and a PhD in Neurophysiology from the University of Manitoba. His research is deeply interdisciplinary, integrating wireless sensors, digital media, and interactive systems to support rehabilitation in both clinical and home environments. His primary research interests include technology-assisted rehabilitation , telerehabilitation , game-based motor training , and neurological recovery across diverse populations such as stroke survivors, children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, individuals with traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson’s patients, and aging adults. A key focus is enhancing accessibility, accountability, and engagement in therapy through innovative, low-cost digital tools. The 15 most recent inferred articles reflect a strong trend toward digital health innovation , remote monitoring , and interdisciplinary rehabilitation engineering . These works span areas such as upper limb recovery, balance and gait training, dual-task performance, vestibular rehabilitation, and patient engagement. The integration of wearable sensors, real-time feedback, and gamification principles is a consistent theme, demonstrating his commitment to translating research into practical, scalable solutions. Dr. Szturm is actively involved in mentoring, supervising postdoctoral fellows, PhD, and master's students through the Mentoring of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) Program, fostering collaboration between rehabilitation sciences and engineering disciplines. While no formal scientific awards are listed, his leadership in high-impact, publicly featured research projects underscores his contribution to the field. His lab and research group focus on developing and evaluating plug-and-play rehabilitation technologies that can be deployed in resource-limited settings, including international applications such as projects in India. These initiatives emphasize affordability, usability, and clinical effectiveness, aiming to expand access to high-quality rehabilitation globally.
Dr. Damien Spry is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of South Australia (UniSA), affiliated with UniSA Justice & Society and previously with the School of Creative Industries. His research spans digital diplomacy, social media analytics, public engagement, and youth interactions with mobile media. He has conducted extensive empirical studies on Facebook diplomacy by foreign ministries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Institution: University of South Australia School: School of Creative Industries Role: Adjunct Research Fellow Email: Damien.Spry@unisa.edu.au His research focuses on the intersection of digital media and international relations, emphasizing audience engagement, institutional practices, and algorithmic influences. He employs mixed-methods approaches, combining quantitative metrics with qualitative content analysis to evaluate diplomatic communication on platforms like Facebook. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward data-driven, user-focused models of digital diplomacy. His work frequently examines how ministries of foreign affairs engage publics, the relevance of content, and emotional resonance in digital outreach. He also explores cultural representations, such as Australia in South Korean media, and broader themes of soft power in East and Southeast Asia. Notable scientific contributions include methodological innovations using tools like Netvizz and Leximancer, and conceptual frameworks for categorizing diplomatic discourse on social media. His research has been published in Media International Australia , Hague Journal of Diplomacy , and by publishers such as SAGE, Routledge, and Brill. Dr. Spry has advised on digital engagement strategies for government agencies like DFAT and the Department of Defence. His work has been supported by grants such as the ARC Australian Postgraduate Industry Award. He has contributed to policy-oriented reports, notably for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. He has been involved in research teams exploring digital workers, youth media use, and online safety. His earlier work included studies on mobile youth cultures in Japan and Australia, and digital inclusion for chronically ill youth through platforms like Livewire. His future research trajectory appears focused on diversifying digital diplomacy models across the Asia-Pacific and refining audience-centric approaches in public diplomacy.
Maria Kyrarini is an Assistant Professor at Santa Clara University's School of Engineering and leads the Human-Machine Interaction & Innovation (HMI 2 ) research group. Her work is supported by federal (NSF) and internal SCU grants. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (University of Bremen, 2019), M.Sc. in Automation Systems (NTUA, 2014), M.Eng. in Electrical & Computer Engineering (NTUA, 2012) Her research focuses on Robot Learning from Human Demonstrations , Human-Robot Interaction , and Assistive Robotics , with emphasis on enhancing human performance and cognitive fatigue assessment. Her publications span healthcare robotics, accessible design, and machine learning applications in rehabilitation. Recent articles highlight advancements in robotic nursing assistance , cognitive load assessment , gesture recognition , and multimodal systems for child development studies . Key keywords include Robotics, Machine Learning, and Human-Centered Design. Scientific Awards: NSF DARE Award (PI), David Packard Jr. Faculty Fellowship, multiple SCU Kuehler Undergraduate Research Grants She has secured significant grants for projects like iRCSA (NSF-funded assistive robotics) and Collaborative Assembly (NSF CHS). Her lab explores safe human-robot cooperation, fatigue detection, and personalized assistive systems. She also contributes to educational initiatives in STEM access and K-12 robotics programs.
Helmut Hlavacs is a Professor at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Computer Science, with a distinguished career spanning over two decades in virtual reality, serious games, and human-computer interaction research. His work bridges computer science with psychological and medical applications, particularly in therapeutic contexts for children and adolescents. Dr. Hlavacs' research interests focus on virtual reality applications for healthcare, serious game design for therapeutic purposes, and innovative human-computer interaction techniques. His work demonstrates particular expertise in applying game technologies to address psychological conditions, medical treatments, and educational challenges. He has made significant contributions to VR therapy systems for anxiety disorders, stress management, and pediatric oncology support. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with virtual reality systems, developing novel game interfaces, and creating therapeutic applications for mental health conditions. His work spans technical computer graphics research, behavioral psychology studies, and practical healthcare implementations, demonstrating remarkable interdisciplinary reach. Dr. Hlavacs has collaborated extensively with medical researchers, particularly with Anna Felnhofer and Oswald D. Kothgassner on VR therapy applications, and with Amir Zaib Abbasi on consumer gaming behavior studies. His research has resulted in numerous serious games for healthcare applications, including systems for cancer patients, anxiety treatment, and vaccination communication. His laboratory work appears focused on developing the INTERACCT system for remote data entry by young leukemia patients, MindSpace for treating anxiety disorders in children, and various VR environments for therapeutic applications. Current projects indicate a strong emphasis on AI-driven game behavior, VR editor tools, and mobile gamification for behavioral change.
Matthew Dennis is an Assistant Professor in Ethics of Technology at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) , affiliated with the Philosophy & Ethics group and the EAISI institute. He co-directs the Eindhoven Center for Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (ECPAI) and serves as Senior Research Fellow with the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies (ESDiT) consortium. His research examines how emerging technologies challenge concepts of fairness, autonomy, well-being, and creativity , particularly in digital content consumption and AI-generated synthetic content. He contributes to debates on digital well-being, algorithmic ethics, and self-cultivation , with a focus on platform design and societal impact. Key Collaborations : European Parliament's Science-Media Hub, Royal Bank of Scotland, EIT Digital, Responsible Sensing Lab Academic Leadership : Co-edited Philosophy of Fame & Celebrity (Bloomsbury 2024), Values for a Post-Pandemic Future (Springer 2023), and Ethics of Self-Cultivation (Routledge 2018) Scientific Contributions : Published in Science and Engineering Ethics , Ethics & Information Technology , and Journal of Applied Philosophy Recognized with the Next Nature Fellowship (2024) , Dennis integrates French/German philosophy with practical technology ethics, currently co-designing a digital wellness space with What Design Can Do .
Dr. Elisa Rubegni is a Senior Lecturer in the Computing and Communications department at Lancaster University, where she has been employed since August 2023 (previously as a Lecturer from September 2019). She holds multiple affiliations across the university including the Morecambe Bay Curriculum, Pervasive Systems, Data Science Institute, Lancaster Intelligent, Robotic and Autonomous Systems Centre, and LIRA - Society and Human Behaviour. Her educational background includes a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Florence (2003-2006) and a BSc + MSc in Communication Sciences from the University of Siena (1997-2001). Dr. Rubegni's research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction with particular expertise in Children-Computer Interaction (CCI). She investigates how interactive technology impacts children's development of narrative thinking, language, communication, and cognitive skills. Her work emphasizes advancing understanding of digital technology's impact on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; developing methods to include stakeholders in design processes; and investigating design spaces through prototyping. She employs an ecological approach grounded in cultural psychology, combining psychology theories, social science methods, and design practice. Her recent scholarly output shows a clear trajectory toward AI ethics for children, gender representation in technology, and critical thinking development through digital storytelling and social robotics. Her research increasingly examines biases in generative AI, children's interactions with social robots, and co-designing inclusive educational tools that challenge gender stereotypes. Dr. Rubegni supervises three postgraduate research students and has served as an external PhD examiner at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She has also supervised PhD candidates externally at the University of Trento and University of Lancaster. Her work extends to public engagement through media coverage of projects like CARE-Kids (challenging gender stereotypes) and research on children's interactions with social robots, demonstrating her commitment to translating academic research into practical applications that benefit children's development and education.
Prof. Dr. Uli Sauerland is Deputy Director at the Leibniz Centre for General Linguistics (ZAS) in Berlin and Adjunct Professor at the University of Potsdam since 2018. He leads Research Area 4 'Semantics & Pragmatics' and oversees key projects including the ERC-funded Realizing Leibniz’s Dream , DFG-ANR Boolean Connectors , and CRC 1412 projects A05 and B06 . PhD in Linguistics (MIT, 1998) Habilitation (Tübingen, 2003) Rehabilitation (Potsdam, 2007) His research focuses on semantic-pragmatic interfaces , register variation , language acquisition , and cognitive modeling of linguistic phenomena . Recent work includes LMBayes (Bayesian language modeling), DUAL (semantic-pragmatic interactions), and studies on quantifier scope in children. Publications span formal grammar , cognitive development , and language processing . Notable scientific awards : CNRS Fellowship (2024) Academia Europea Membership (2019) ESF Community of Experts (2018) He contributes to editorial boards of First Language , Journal of Semantics , and Language Acquisition , and co-founded the CRC 1412 Register research program.
Dr. Luigi Pintacuda serves as Head of Architecture and Design at the University of Hertfordshire's School of Creative Arts, where he leads the Architecture+ Research Group. A chartered architect (ARB RIBA) with over a decade of academic leadership experience, his work bridges urban-scale design, sustainable futures, and computational methodologies for resilient communities. His educational foundation includes: PhD in Architecture, IUAV - Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia (2012) MArch+BA in Architecture, Università degli Studi di Palermo (2004) Pintacuda's research centers on urban resilience through design-driven approaches, specializing in GIS data integration, AI-assisted decision-making tools, and climate-adaptive regeneration of built environments. His work develops analytical frameworks for measuring community resilience while addressing Mediterranean urban contexts like Bucharest and Matera. Recent projects emphasize transformative pedagogy through summer schools that catalyze real-world urban interventions. Analysis of his 32+ research outputs reveals consistent focus on computational resilience measurement (50%), climate-adaptive urban tools (30%), and pedagogical innovation (20%). His 2023-2025 publications demonstrate accelerating integration of AI-driven platforms with traditional architectural practice, particularly in Italian urban contexts. As Principal Investigator, Pintacuda directs six major projects including Shaping Future Latina (2024-2025), Geraci Siculo: "Missione Futuro" (2024-2025), and PRISONERS OF ARCHITECTURE (2024). These initiatives feature: Summer school frameworks engaging Latinas communities Net-zero carbon assessment tools for urban areas Design workshops bridging museums and correctional facilities Collaborative partnerships with Italian city councils He leads the Architecture+ Research Group, fostering cross-disciplinary work on urban typology, resilient communities, and adaptive reuse strategies through international collaborations across Europe.
Joost Broekens is an Associate Professor of Affective Computing and Human-Robot Interaction at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) within Leiden University's Faculty of Science. He serves as President of the Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing (AAAC), the main international organization in his research field. Additionally, he is co-founder and former CTO of Interactive Robotics, which enables students of any age to learn with social robots, and co-founder and CTO of Daisys. Dr. Broekens' research focuses on computational modeling of emotions in reinforcement learning, cognitive appraisal models, and human-robot interaction. His work bridges theoretical emotion models with practical applications in social robotics, educational technology, and healthcare. He leads the [a]social creatures lab, which investigates how robots can recognize human emotions and express their own emotions to facilitate human identification with them. His current research particularly emphasizes Reinforcement Learning as a formal model for emotional appraisal and human-robot interaction dynamics. His publication record shows consistent contributions across multiple domains including emotion modeling in reinforcement learning (2018-2019), explainable AI for healthcare robotics (2017-2019), human-robot interaction studies (2016-2019), and practical implementations of emotion engines for games (2014-2016). The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between computer science, psychology, and robotics. Teacher of the academic year 2017-2018 Computer Science, Delft Most Promising Scientist Computer Science Leiden University (Trotsboekje), 2007 Best integration of technical and user research award (ROMAN 2013) Dr. Broekens has supervised numerous PhD students including Friso Selten, Danica Mast, Rifca Peters, Bernd Dudzik, and Elie Saad as current candidates, with former students Thomas Moerland, Frank Kaptein, and Junchao Xu. He has also mentored dozens of Master's students including Egon Janssen and Iris Ma. His research has been supported by multiple grants including the H2020 Personal Assistant for healthy Lifestyle (PAL) project as Co-PI and Lorentz Workshops on Emotions as Feedback Signals. He leads several research initiatives including the development of tools like AffectButton for emotional self-report, GAMYGDALA for game emotion engines, and facial expression generation tools. His work spans academic research, practical tool development, and startup ventures, demonstrating strong translation of theoretical concepts into real-world applications.
Luther A. Bartelt is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the UNC School of Medicine , specializing in Infectious Diseases . He is affiliated with UNC Health and actively involved in clinical and translational research. Education : MD from the University of Iowa, DTM&H from Gorgas Institute/University of Alabama Birmingham Research Focus : Interactions between host microbiota and pathogens, gastrointestinal infections, tropical medicine, and malnutrition's role in infectious disease outcomes. His work bridges clinical practice and laboratory investigation, particularly in immunocompromised populations. Publication Trends : Recent articles emphasize Giardia's impact on gut health, microbial interactions during malnutrition, antibiotic-virus dynamics, and fungal infections in transplant recipients, reflecting his expertise in tropical medicine and translational epidemiology.
Ida Therese Tidemann is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Health, Developmental and Personality Psychology, University of Oslo. She teaches developmental psychology across bachelor's, master's, and professional programs, with a focus on socio-emotional development in infancy and early childhood. As deputy head of HUP and a learning contact at PSI, she contributes to pedagogical development and sustainable teaching practices. Education: Master's in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience), University of Oslo (2009-2011) Research Focus: Specializes in social-cognitive and emotional development in infants/young children, using eye-tracking and interaction observations. Her work explores emotion regulation, digital distraction impacts, and spatiotemporal cognitive processing. Collaborations: Active in EILIN's learning contact network at the Faculty of Psychology. Her publications address early childhood interventions, parent-infant interaction dynamics, and comparative developmental neuroscience.
Pontus Wallgren is a Senior Lecturer at the Design & Human Factors division, Chalmers University of Technology. His research focuses on user requirements elicitation , Co-Design methodologies , and user adoption of new technologies , particularly within sustainable urban mobility (public transport, electromobility, cycling). Affiliation : Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Industrial and Materials Science Academic Rank : Senior Lecturer Research Interests include: Co-Design for user participation Behavioral nudges in transport safety Electric bicycle adoption dynamics Child-inclusive urban design Medical device development with user involvement Publication Trends show concentrated work in Sustainable mobility systems (2016–2023) Cycling safety and infrastructure (2013–2022) Co-Design applications in healthcare and education (2007–2021) E-scooter perception studies (2021–2023) Collaborative Projects include MeBeSafe : Behavioral safety nudges in transport Bridging the Gap : Child-planner co-creation (2014–2017)
Elin Kirsti Lie Reikerås is a Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of Stavanger , Faculty of Educational Sciences and Humanities, Department of Kindergarten Teacher Education. She serves as Center Leader for FILIORUM - Center for Research in Early Childhood Education and Care since 2019. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Special Needs Education, University of Stavanger (2007) Cand. Scient. in Pure Mathematics, University of Bergen (1990) Her research focuses on early mathematical development , digital play , and language-math correlations . She examines how coding toys and computational thinking integrate into ECEC environments, with emphasis on inclusion and gender perspectives . Her 2024-2025 articles analyze STEM integration in early education and gender disparities in ECEC outcomes. Recent publications highlight critical thinking in play-based learning, Nordic assessment frameworks , and inclusive research methodologies . She has supervised 10 master's students and six PhD candidates, while leading projects like The Stavanger Project - The Learning Child (2012-2018). She holds editorial leadership at Nordisk barnehageforskning and participates in advisory committees for Norwegian educational policy, including teacher training reforms and math/science curriculum development.
