Liliane Abboud is an Assistant Professor in Marketing at the University of Surrey, affiliated with the Surrey Business School and the Surrey Institute for People-Centred Artificial Intelligence (PAI). Her roles include teaching and research in marketing, with a focus on integrating technology and ethical practices into service environments. Education: She holds a PhD, MSc, and BBA, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her research interests center on customer experience technology, wellbeing in services, power dynamics, and actor engagement strategies. Recent work explores collective ethics in academia and service ecosystems' management. Teaching includes postgraduate Services Marketing and undergraduate courses like Capturing Market Insights and Research in Marketing. She supervises PhD students Tariq Alwashah and Heer Paleja, focusing on AI-driven consumer decision-making and service technology. Awards: Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE). Research highlights include studying low-power customers' wellbeing, third-party roles in service encounters, and strategies to enhance end-user experiences in complex service ecosystems. Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI (PAI), exploring ethical AI applications in marketing and service systems.
Dr. Joseph Moore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), serving as Director of the Agile and Intelligent Robotics (AIRO) Laboratory. He is affiliated with the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), the Institute for Assured Autonomy (IAA), and holds a Bridging Faculty appointment in the Research and Exploratory Development Department (REDD) at JHU/APL. His research focuses on computational control, machine learning, and robotics to enable agile systems operating in complex environments. Dr. Moore previously served as Robotics Group Chief Scientist at JHU/APL, leading projects on hybrid unmanned aerial-aquatic vehicles and aerobatic fixed-wing systems. He has secured funding as Principal Investigator (PI) for ONR, DARPA, and ARL programs, particularly in post-stall maneuvering control and multi-robot coordination. His work emphasizes robust control strategies for autonomous systems in constrained environments. Research interests include aerial robotics, optimization, and learning-based control. Notable contributions involve NMPC-based systems, UAV navigation, and adaptive control for uncertain environments. His recent articles highlight advancements in swarm coordination, morphing-wing UAVs, and PAC-NMPC frameworks. Dr. Moore advises students such as Mark Gonzales and Adam Polevoy. Key grants include ONR/DARPA-funded projects on post-stall flight control and Army-funded multi-robot coordination efforts. His lab (AIRO) and collaborations (LCSR, IAA) drive applied and theoretical robotics research.
Edwin Buitelaar is a Full Professor of Land and Real Estate Development at Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences, within the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning. He also serves as Director of Research for the Department. His career includes roles as a Senior Researcher at the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (2007–2023) and Lecturer/Assistant Professor at Radboud University Nijmegen (2002–2007). His research focuses on urban development, land policy, real estate economics, and institutional frameworks influencing spatial planning. Notable areas include the interplay between policy and market forces, sustainability transitions, and institutional entrepreneurship in development projects. He leads the 'Land and Real Estate Development' chair and contributes to initiatives like the Institutions for Open Societies (IOS) and Pathways to Sustainability (PtS) programs. Buitelaar's publications span scholarly journals (e.g., Planning Theory & Practice , Cities ) and professional reports on topics like housing affordability, urban sprawl, and land market regulation. He advises governmental bodies and chairs prizes like the Rietveldprijs. Ancillary roles include board memberships at the Van Eesteren-Fluck & Van Lohuizen Stichting and research collaborations with the PBL Agency. Key projects include analyses of Dutch land policies, institutional dynamics in urban development, and the socio-economic impacts of housing markets. His work bridges academic research with policy relevance, emphasizing equitable urban futures.
Professor Tirthankar Roy holds the position of Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). His expertise spans South Asian economic history, global historical dynamics, environmental history, and the legacies of colonial empires. He teaches courses such as EH307 (Economic History of South Asia, 1600–2000) and EH404 (India and the World Economy). His research interrogates long-term patterns in Indian capitalism, the interplay between climatic conditions and economic change, and the persistence of colonial legal frameworks in modern India. Key contributions include Monsoon Economies: India’s History in a Changing Climate and co-authored works like Law and the Economy in Colonial India and its sequel. His recent book Water and Development: The Troubled Economic History of the Arid Tropics examines water resource management in arid regions. He actively engages with public discourse via social media, countering historical myths about colonialism with evidence-based scholarship. Research interests include the economic development of South Asia, global historical comparisons, environmental determinants of economic activity, and the socio-political dimensions of colonial legal systems. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary policy debates, emphasizing the need for evidence-based understanding of historical processes.
Fabio Sabatini is a Full Professor of Political Economy at Sapienza University of Rome and a Research Fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA). His work focuses on the intersection of communication technologies, social capital, and political behavior. He teaches Political Economy and Economics of Sustainable Development, and actively engages in public discourse through Substack newsletters like The Civic Economist . His research explores how digital media shapes societal values, economic outcomes, and political preferences. Notable themes include the behavioral impacts of social media, the role of social capital in crises, and the geopolitical tensions between the US and EU under Trump's administration. Sabatini critiques policies that undermine academic freedom and democratic institutions, frequently analyzing authoritarian trends in global governance. He maintains an extensive publication record with over 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on topics like terrorism radicalization, disaster politics, and digital economy effects. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis, often addressing contemporary policy challenges. Sabatini's academic networks include collaborations with institutions like the European Commission and IZA. His Substack articles and social media activity reflect a commitment to public engagement, translating complex economic concepts for broader audiences while critiquing populist policies and advocating for evidence-based governance.
Hui Cao is the John C. Malone Professor of Applied Physics, Professor of Physics, and Professor of Electrical Engineering at Yale University. Her research focuses on mesoscopic physics, complex photonic materials, nanophotonics, and biophotonics, with experimental investigations into unconventional lasers, coherent light control, and disordered photonic systems. She leads a lab exploring applications in speckle-based imaging, deep-tissue optics, and chip-scale spectrometers. Education: Ph.D. in Physics from Stanford University (1997). Awards include the William E. Lamb Medal (2015), Guggenheim Fellowship (2013), and fellowships from the American Physical Society and Optical Society of America (2007). Research emphasizes random lasers, microcavity lasers, and wavefront shaping to control light in diffusive media. Key innovations include a disordered photonic chip spectrometer and methods to suppress nonlinear instabilities in fiber amplifiers. Awards: 12 major honors including AAAS Fellowship and multiple endowed professorships Patents: 3 core photonic technologies including random laser imaging and fiber amplifier control systems Lab Activities: Developing novel optical devices leveraging disorder and nonlinear effects
Andrea Ianiro is a Full Professor in the Aerospace Engineering Department at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), where he leads research in fluid dynamics, turbulence, and heat transfer. His work bridges experimental techniques and machine learning applications for flow analysis and control. He serves as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (2025-2028) and directs the EFM Lab (Experimental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory) at UC3M. Professor Ianiro's research focuses on turbulence characterization, boundary layer flows, and the application of machine learning to fluid mechanics problems. His work spans experimental techniques including Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), infrared thermography, and advanced data processing methods. Recent research emphasizes data-driven approaches for flow field reconstruction, turbulence control, and heat transfer optimization in wall-bounded flows. His projects often combine theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches to address complex fluid mechanics challenges. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with traditional fluid mechanics. His work increasingly focuses on using deep learning techniques (particularly CNNs and GANs) for flow field prediction from limited measurements, developing meshless computational methods for flow analysis, and applying optimization techniques (including genetic algorithms) to heat transfer enhancement. His research maintains a strong experimental foundation while embracing data-driven approaches to tackle turbulence modeling challenges. Associate Editor of the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (2025-2028) Professor Ianiro leads multiple significant research projects including SPANDRELS (SParse AND paRsimonious Event-based fLow Sensing, 2025-2030), HumanIC (Human-Centric Indoor Climate for Healthcare Facilities, 2024-2027), and EXCALIBUR (Extraction of machine learning strategies for turbulent flow control, 2023-2026). His work has attracted funding from the European Commission, Spanish National Research Agency, and industry partners including Airbus. He has supervised numerous theses on topics including AI-based sensing of turbulent flows, convective heat transfer control, and turbulent boundary layers. At UC3M, Professor Ianiro directs the Experimental Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (EFM Lab), which focuses on advanced measurement techniques for fluid flow and heat transfer characterization. The lab specializes in PIV/PTV techniques, infrared thermography, and the development of novel experimental approaches for turbulence research. Current research directions include machine learning applications for flow field reconstruction, plasma-based flow control, and heat transfer optimization in complex flow configurations.
Nicola Paltrinieri is a Professor of Risk Assessment at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NTNU (Norway), and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bologna (Italy). His expertise spans risk assessment, hydrogen technologies, process safety, and data-driven safety management. He holds Chartered Engineer and Chartered Scientist certifications and has served on editorial boards for journals like Safety Science and Journal of Risk Research . Education: PhD in Environmental, Safety and Chemical Engineering (University of Bologna, 2012) Master’s in Chemical and Process Engineering (University of Bologna, 2008) Research Interests: Focuses on hydrogen infrastructure safety, Natech accident analysis, risk-based inspection strategies, and AI integration in safety systems. His work emphasizes sustainable energy transitions and mitigating risks in emerging technologies like hydrogen. Key Projects (2022-2026): H2Glass : Decarbonizing glass and aluminum sectors via hydrogen HyInHeat : Hydrogen technologies for industrial heating HYDROGENi : Norwegian research center for hydrogen/ammonia Awards: Onsager Fellowship (2016–2021) Frank Lees Medal (2012) for safety-related publications Grants & Leadership: Head of NTNU Energy Team Hydrogen, coordinator for EU-funded projects like SUSHy , and active in international risk committees (e.g., EFCE, ESRA). His work bridges academia and industry, with over 8 PhD examinations supervised. Labs/Teams: Leads the NTNU Energy Team Hydrogen and collaborates on initiatives like SH2IFT-2 for safe hydrogen fuel handling. His research group focuses on AI-driven risk analysis and hydrogen infrastructure resilience.
Dr. John Shepherd is an Associate Professor in the School of Science at RMIT University, specializing in applied mathematics, numerical and computational mathematics, and their applications in engineering and environmental systems. His research focuses on analyzing nonlinear problems, particularly in bioreactor dynamics, fluid mechanics, and nuclear energy policy. He has contributed to studies on anaerobic digestion models, reactor stability, and the role of nuclear energy in climate change mitigation. Education: Doctorate in Applied Mathematics (not explicitly stated in text, inferred from title). His work bridges theoretical analysis and real-world applications, such as optimizing methane production in waste digesters and evaluating environmental policies for nuclear energy. He actively supervises research projects, including the analysis of anaerobic digester dynamics. Dr. Shepherd’s publications span interdisciplinary topics, emphasizing the intersection of mathematics, engineering, and environmental science. He engages with policy discussions on nuclear energy’s role in decarbonization, advocating for its integration into clean energy strategies. His research highlights the importance of multiscale analysis in understanding complex systems like bioreactors and fluid flows. Collaborations involve industry and international institutions, reflecting his commitment to practical solutions for sustainability challenges.
Robert G. Bland is a Professor at Cornell University's School of Operations Research and Information Engineering (ORIE). He joined Cornell in 1978 after roles at SUNY Binghamton and research fellowships in Belgium. He is affiliated with the Center for Applied Mathematics and specializes in linear programming, combinatorial optimization, and network flow theory. His research emphasizes algorithmic efficiency, duality theory, and applications in scheduling and resource allocation. Education: B.S. (1969), Cornell University M.S. (1972), Cornell University Ph.D. (1974), Cornell University Research Interests: Focuses on linear programming duality, combinatorial abstractions, computational methods for optimization, and applications in logistics, scheduling, and scientific computing. Notable work includes the development of new pivoting rules for the simplex method and empirical studies of network flow algorithms. Publications Insight: His work spans foundational LP theory, combinatorial optimization, and algorithmic analysis. Key themes include duality frameworks, Camion bases, and large-scale TSP applications in crystallography. Recent publications address abstract dualities and historical perspectives on pioneers like D. Ray Fulkerson. Awards: Recipient of Cornell's prestigious Merrill Outstanding Educator Award (3 times) and twice recognized as ORIE's best teacher. Member of the Mathematical Optimization Society and American Society for Engineering Education. Grants & Projects: Conducted service projects on vehicle routing and examination scheduling. Collaborated on computational studies of min cost flow algorithms and network flow performance. Labs/Teams: Active in ORIE's research groups, particularly those focused on optimization theory and computational methods.
Aliasghar Arabmaldar is an Assistant Professor in Business Analytics and Systems (BAS) at the Hertfordshire Business School, University of Hertfordshire. He holds a PhD in Operations Research from the University of Sistan and Baluchestan (2017), an MSc in Applied Mathematics-Operations Research from the University of Guilan (2011), and a BSc in Applied Mathematics from the same institution (2009). His research focuses on robust optimization, data envelopment analysis (DEA), decision-making under uncertainty, and performance evaluation in complex systems. Key research interests include: Developing robust DEA models to handle uncertainty in data Resilience-efficiency trade-offs in retail logistics Network production processes and efficiency measurement Integration of undesirable outputs in performance evaluation Recent work emphasizes application in retail management, oil industries, and higher education sectors. His 2025 project, 'Enhancing Research Publication Skills Through Writing Retreats,' highlights his commitment to academic development. Peer-reviewed contributions appear in top journals like European Journal of Operational Research and Expert Systems with Applications. He serves as a reviewer for 12+ journals including OMEGA and Operations Research Spectrum, demonstrating his influence in operational research and analytics.
Victor Liu is a Research Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the College of Engineering. His work bridges complex systems analysis, software-defined networking (SDN), and telecommunications. Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh M.E. in Computer Science from Tsinghua University B.E. in Computer Science from Xi'an Jiaotong University Dr. Liu specializes in network survivability and optimization , with a focus on: Intent-Based Networking Self-Operating Networks Packet-Optical Integration Cross-Layer Network Resilience His publications from the last decade reveal a consistent focus on network reliability , spare capacity allocation , and SDN applications . Key themes include: Protection algorithms for dual-failure scenarios Optimization of packet-optical integrated networks Routing strategies for fiber-cut recovery SDN-driven network automation Telecom infrastructure resilience Failure recovery in multi-layer systems
Dr. Kyle Parker serves as a Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh within the School of Social and Political Science, affiliated with the Global Center for Biofoundry Applications. His current research focuses on socioeconomic dimensions of industrial decarbonisation through the TransFIRe (Transforming the Foundation Industries Research Hub) project under Professor Steve Yearley. Previously, from 2020-2022, he contributed to ClimateXChange's 'Energy Policy Effectiveness' project, producing systematic evidence reviews for the Scottish Government on green industrial strategy and low-carbon heating deployment. Parker's research spans decarbonisation, industrial strategy, renewable energy policy, Net-Zero transition, and innovation policy effectiveness. His work bridges a decade of academic chemistry experience with contemporary policy analysis, specializing in accelerating technology development for Scotland's marine renewable energy sector and evaluating policy mechanisms for energy efficiency. He emphasizes evidence-based approaches to bridge technical and social dimensions of sustainability transitions. His publication portfolio reveals a consistent focus on policy-practice interfaces, with the 2025 Nature Communications review examining engineering biology solutions for environmental challenges, while his 2021-2022 ClimateXChange reports critically analyze innovation agencies and cluster-based industrial strategies. Collectively, his work establishes expertise in translating complex research into actionable policy frameworks for decarbonisation and green economic growth. Dr. Parker actively collaborates with ClimateXChange and the Scottish Government through interdisciplinary teams integrating engineering, social sciences, and policy expertise. His research hubs include the TransFIRe project and Global Center for Biofoundry Applications, where he examines socioeconomic transformations in foundation industries and bio-based environmental solutions.
Dr. Yu Zhong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering, where he leads the Yu Zhong Group. His research laboratory focuses on the design and synthesis of novel soft materials and nanomaterials for applications in electronics, energy, healthcare, and sustainability. As a principal investigator, he oversees a dynamic research team comprising postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers working on cutting-edge materials science projects. Dr. Zhong received his educational training at prestigious institutions, earning his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in 2011, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Columbia University in 2017 under the supervision of Prof. Colin Nuckolls. His doctoral research centered on designing contorted molecules for electronic and energy applications including organic solar cells, photodetectors, and gas sensors. He then conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago in Prof. Jiwoong Park's group, where he worked on the design and synthesis of 2D polymers for ultrathin electronic circuits and energy conversion. Dr. Zhong's research program spans three primary directions: (1) the bottom-up synthesis of ultrathin nanoporous membranes using techniques like laminar assembly polymerization (LAP) for applications in water desalination, nanofiltration, and gas separation; (2) the study of transport behaviors in hybrid organic-inorganic 2D heterostructures created through layer-by-layer assembly for use in optical, electronic, and thermal management devices; and (3) the development of mixed ionic-electronic materials for bio-inspired and bioelectronic devices. His group employs advanced synthesis methods including organic/polymer synthesis, supramolecular and reticular chemistry, and 2D materials characterization to explore novel scientific phenomena and technological applications. An analysis of Dr. Zhong's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the synthesis and characterization of 2D polymers and organic-inorganic hybrid materials. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in energy conversion, electronics, and separation technologies. A notable trend is his development of innovative synthesis techniques like laminar assembly polymerization that enable precise control over material structure at the molecular level, leading to breakthroughs in areas such as lithium-ion transport, osmotic power generation, and ultra-narrowband photodetection. Dr. Zhong's scientific achievements have been recognized with several prestigious awards: Pegram Award for Meritorious Graduate Research, Columbia University (2016) Camille and Henry Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellowship, Dreyfus Foundation (2016) Arun Guthikonda Memorial Fellowship, Columbia University (2015) Jack Miller Award for Excellence in Teaching, Columbia University (2014) As an advisor, Dr. Zhong mentors a diverse group of researchers including postdoctoral associate Qiyi Fang, multiple Ph.D. students (Yuhe Zhang, Kaushik Chivukula, William Xie), M.S. students, and undergraduate researchers. His group has secured funding for research on soft and nanomaterials, with projects spanning organic electronics, 2D materials synthesis, and biomimetic membranes. Dr. Zhong actively seeks motivated graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to join his research team, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing materials science. The Yu Zhong Group operates state-of-the-art laboratories in Bard Hall at Cornell University, equipped for organic synthesis, materials characterization, and device fabrication. The research team works collaboratively across disciplines, partnering with experts in physics, chemistry, and engineering to tackle complex challenges in materials science. Current projects focus on developing novel synthesis methodologies and exploring structure-property relationships in soft materials to enable next-generation electronic, energy, and healthcare technologies.
Hannes Schammann is Professor of Political Science with a focus on migration policy at the University of Hildesheim , where he leads the Migration Policy Research Group since 2018. His work bridges academic research and practical implementation through the Research and Transfer Center for Migration Policy , addressing migration, integration, and refugee policy challenges. In January 2025, he joined the German Council of Experts on Integration and Migration (SVR) as a scientific advisor. Research Focus: Schammann specializes in local authorities' scope for action in refugee-related migration, national migration policy analysis, and educational integration aspects. He co-authored the textbook Migration Policy (2021) and contributes to international journals like Journal of Refugee Studies and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies . Key Projects: He leads third-party funded initiatives including Match'In (algorithmic asylum seeker distribution), SOLDISK (solidarity discourses in migration), Country.Home.Future (rural integration), When Mayors Make Migration Policy (municipal EU influence). Expert Engagements: Schammann serves on editorial boards including Zeitschrift für Flucht- und Flüchtlingsforschung , and participates in advisory roles for institutions like the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and Robert Bosch Foundation . He also engages in public discourse through media appearances in Deutschlandfunk , ARD , and SWR regarding migration challenges.
