Find Academic Supervisors

Devin K. HarrisView profile

Professor

• Structural Health Monitoring
• Smart Cities
• Digital Twins
• +5 more

Devin K. Harris is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia . His work focuses on large-scale infrastructure systems , combining image-based measurement techniques, simulation , visualization , and data analytics to advance structural health monitoring , smart cities , and digital twins . He also investigates reinforced/prestressed concrete behavior and innovative materials in civil infrastructure. Education : Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech (2007), Virginia Tech (2004), and University of Florida (1999). Research Interests Structures and Mechanics - Sustainable Infrastructure Systems Infrastructure Condition Assessment Structural Health Monitoring Smart Cities Digital Twins Applied Machine Learning Scientific Awards Delmar L. Bloem Distinguished Service Award (2021) IAspire Leadership Academy Fellow (2020–2022) ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering Outstanding Reviewer (2013) UVA Teaching Resource Center Excellence in Diversity Fellowship (2012–2013) ACI Young Member Award for Professional Achievement (2011) Grants Principal Investigator for EAGER: Adaptive Digital Twinning: An Immersive Visualization Framework for Structural Cyber-Physical Systems (NSF #2136724) and Performance Characteristics of In-Service Bridges (Virginia Transportation Research Council, 2018–2020). Co-led NCHRP 23-16 on Machine Learning applications in transportation agencies. Labs & Teams Leads the Infrastructure Simulation, Sensing and Evaluation Lab (I-S2EE) , equipped with DIC systems , mobile GPR , thermal imaging , and cyber-physical simulation tools. Collaborates with the Omni-Reality & Cognition Lab for AR/VR integration in infrastructure evaluation.

Imraan FaruqueView profile

Associate Professor

• Biologically-Inspired Flight Control
• Engineered Aerial Autonomy
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• +2 more

Imraan Faruque is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU), part of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT). His research focuses on biologically-inspired flight control systems, engineered autonomy for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the integration of sensory feedback mechanisms in autonomous systems. Education: Faruque holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland (2011 and 2010) and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech (2006). Research Interests: His work emphasizes bio-inspired solutions for aerial autonomy, including swarm coordination, gust-aware flight control, and human-autonomy interaction. Key areas include unmanned systems design, visual feedback algorithms, and adaptive control strategies derived from insect flight dynamics. Awards: He has received notable accolades such as the ONR Young Investigator Award (2019), AIAA Hal Andrews Young Engineer/Scientist Award (2017), and multiple 'Best in Session' recognitions at major conferences. His team also secured 1st Place in the International Aerial Robotics Championship (2005). Publications: Faruque’s research spans topics like orbital debris management, swarm intelligence, and tornado sensing with UAVs. His work bridges biological principles and engineering, with applications in aerospace, robotics, and environmental monitoring.

Tim OatesView profile

Professor

• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Deep Learning
• +7 more

Dr. Tim Oates is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County . His research spans machine learning, artificial intelligence, and brain-machine interfaces, with a focus on weakly supervised methods, human-in-the-loop reinforcement learning, and grounded policy development for robotics. Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2000 M.S., Computer Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1997 B.S., Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, 1989 Current research threads include: Developing non-invasive brain injury severity assessment via medical time series Modeling human brain development through computational frameworks Designing algorithms for autonomous robotic learning Recent publications highlight AI security mechanisms (backdoor detection via tensor decomposition, matrix factorization) Medical applications (3D artery reconstruction, skin lesion diagnosis, EEG denoising) Neuro-symbolic integration (holographic representations, language-guided reinforcement learning) Mathematical reasoning (schema-based problem solving, subitizing algorithms) Contact: oates@cs.umbc.edu | Office: 336 Information Technology and Engineering (ITE) Building

Marjan AlaviView profile

Assistant Professor

• Fault Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Power Electronics
• +3 more

Dr. Marjan Alavi is an Assistant Professor at McMaster University's W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology, affiliated with the Mechanical Engineering department as an Associate Member. She holds a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license in Ontario and has over 15 years of academic and industrial experience in electrical engineering. Her research focuses on model-based and data-driven approaches for fault diagnosis, prognosis, and fault-tolerant control in hybrid systems, with applications in power electronics, energy systems, and smart infrastructure. Education: B.Sc. (2004) from K.N. Toosi University of Technology, M.Sc. (2007) from Sharif University of Technology, Ph.D. (2014) from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and a Postdoc (2015) at the University of Toronto's Energy Systems Group. Teaching: Instructs courses on Real-Time Systems (SEP 6ES3, SFWRTECH 4ES3), Smart Cities and Communities (SMRTTECH 4SC3), integrating real-world engineering challenges with theoretical frameworks. She emphasizes hands-on learning through remote labs and experiential projects. Professional Contributions: Serves as IEEE Toronto Section Executive Member, Technical Reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, and Vice Chair of IEEE Industrial Applications Society (2015). Founded Intelligent Diagnosis Corporations, a Canadian startup focused on research and innovation in diagnostics technologies. Key Projects: Developed fault diagnosis strategies for electro-hydraulic actuators, vehicle-mounted infrastructure monitoring systems, and remote laboratory platforms for emergency traffic control. Research spans predictive maintenance, smart city technologies, and railway systems certification benefits. Awards: Recipient of the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) 2010. Recognized for her work in bridging academic research with industrial applications, particularly in enhancing system reliability through advanced control methodologies.

Dewei YiView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Computer Vision
• AI-enabled Healthcare
• Hybrid Intelligent Systems
• +16 more

Dewei Yi is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in the Department of Computing Science, School of Natural and Computing Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, UK. He holds a PhD from Loughborough University and is an active researcher in AI, computer vision, and intelligent systems. He serves as Director of the MSc AI and MSc Robotics and AI programmes. Research Interests: His research spans AI-enabled healthcare, medical image processing, intelligent vehicles, robotics, precision agriculture, remote sensing, and applied machine learning. He focuses on hybrid intelligent systems, personalised AI, federated learning, fairness, and explainability. Recent Publication Trends: His latest work includes medical image quality evaluation using contrastive learning, federated learning for diabetic retinopathy, UAV-based solar panel inspection, vascular image analysis, and emotion recognition from ECG data, reflecting a strong trend toward healthcare and intelligent systems with real-world impact. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Outstanding Reviewer, Transportation Research Part C (TRC) Advising and Grants: Dr Yi supervises multiple PhD students in AI, computer vision, and machine learning. His graduated PhDs include Debinal Bakyavathi Rajan, Sami Hamid Al Sulaimani, and Adinath Abhimanyu Ghadage. He has secured significant funding as PI and Co-PI, including a £408K Smartawl 5.0 project and a £794K Cancer Research UK grant (Co-PI). Labs and Teams: He leads research in AI for healthcare and intelligent vehicles, collaborating with institutions like University of Warwick, Loughborough University, and industry partners such as AVL Powertrain Ltd. His work is supported by interdisciplinary teams focusing on embedded AI, medical applications, and sustainable technologies.

Ronald D. HaynesView profile

Professor

• Numerical Analysis
• Partial Differential Equations
• Optimization Algorithms
• +2 more

Ronald D. Haynes is a Full Professor and Chair of Scientific Computing Graduate Programs in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He leads research in numerical methods for PDEs and industrial-scale optimization problems. His work develops advanced domain decomposition techniques, adaptive mesh methods, and parallel computing approaches for solving complex physical systems. Applications include modeling pitting corrosion of materials, predicting rock strength for drilling optimization, and simulating multiphase fluid flows in porous media. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in mesh adaptation, parallel algorithms, and machine learning applications for industrial problems. Collaborative projects have addressed reservoir simulation, drill bit analysis, and corrosion prediction through integrated computational approaches. Professor Haynes has received the President's Award for Outstanding Research (2018) and Dean of Science Distinguished Teaching Award (2017). He serves as Co-editor-in-chief of the CAIMS Mathematics in Science and Industry Journal and was President-Elect of the Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society (2023-2025). He maintains active doctoral supervision with current research groups focusing on domain decomposition methods, closest point algorithms, and optimization techniques. Industry partnerships include projects with ExxonMobil and Global Maritime addressing drilling optimization and mooring design challenges.

• Robotic Systems
• Intelligent Computing
• Artificial Intelligence
• +3 more

Nuno Miguel Fonseca Ferreira is a Full Professor at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra (ISEC), part of the Polytechnic of Coimbra, where he currently serves as President of the Scientific Council. His academic career spans over 25 years at ISEC, progressing from Assistant to Professor Coordenador Principal. He has held significant leadership positions including Vice-President of ISEC (2001-2005), Pro-President of the Polytechnic of Coimbra (2009-2010), President of ISEC (2010-2013), and Vice-President of the Polytechnic of Coimbra (2013-2017), where he was responsible for internationalization initiatives. His educational background includes a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Porto (1996), a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (2006), and a Habilitation Title (Aggregation) from the same institution (2020). His research focuses on Robotic Systems, with specialization in cooperative robotic systems as evidenced by his Habilitation work. Professor Ferreira's research spans multiple domains of robotics and intelligent systems, with particular emphasis on multi-robot coordination, environmental applications, and medical robotics. His work bridges theoretical control systems with practical applications across diverse fields including forestry, healthcare, manufacturing, and education. He has developed innovative approaches to robotic manipulation, sensor integration, and human-robot interaction, often incorporating advanced techniques from artificial intelligence and machine learning. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward practical applications of robotics in real-world environments, particularly in forestry maintenance, industrial automation, and medical applications. The research shows progression from theoretical control systems to applied robotics in challenging environments, with increasing integration of computer vision, deep learning, and collaborative systems. His work spans both fundamental robotics research and immediate industrial applications, reflecting a balance between academic inquiry and practical implementation. Professor Ferreira has supervised two doctoral theses and participated in numerous research projects with substantial funding. His leadership extends to coordinating 15 of the 33 national and international R&D projects he has participated in, demonstrating significant grant acquisition and management capabilities. His international collaborations through Erasmus+ and other European programs highlight his role in fostering global research partnerships. He is an integrated member of GECAD (Research Group in Engineering and Intelligent Computing for Innovation and Advanced Development), a Portuguese R&D unit classified as Excellent by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation. Additionally, he is a member of LASI (Associated Laboratory for Intelligent Systems), the Portuguese laboratory associated with Artificial Intelligence, connecting him to a broader national research ecosystem.

Lianne LefsrudView profile

Associate Professor

• Risk Management
• Sustainability
• Organizational Theory
• +5 more

Lianne Lefsrud serves as Associate Professor and Risk, Innovation, and Sustainability Chair (RISC) in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research bridges engineering, social sciences, and policy to transform risk management practices across energy, mining, construction, and railroading industries, directly influencing regulations, building codes, and industry operations for sustainable development. Her academic credentials include: BSc in Civil Engineering (Cooperative Program), University of Alberta (1994) MSc in Interdisciplinary Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sociology, University of Alberta (1996) PhD in Strategic Management and Organization, Alberta School of Business (2014) Dr. Lefsrud's research centers on risk management frameworks for sustainability challenges. She examines hazard identification, social license to operate, and technology adoption drivers in high-hazard industries, with emphasis on prospective risk assessment (e.g., hydrogen infrastructure design) and retrospective analysis (e.g., microplastic pollution impacts). Her work integrates circular economy principles into energy systems while addressing unintended consequences across UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate heavy focus on machine learning applications for rail and construction safety, hydrogen infrastructure risk analysis, and science denial mitigation. Key patterns show cross-industry adaptation of AI for incident prediction, regulatory gap analysis for emerging energy systems, and socio-technical approaches to reconcile sustainability goals with operational realities. Scientific recognition includes: Erb Post-Doctoral Fellowship (University of Michigan) Dow Sustainability Research Fellowship (Ross School of Business) Dr. Lefsrud mentors graduate students through industry-integrated projects like her Sustainable Design course where teams generated patents and city solutions. Her research secures Alberta Innovates funding with 1:4 industrial-to-federal matching, collaborating with Suncor, Transport Canada, and Canadian Standards Association. Grants target practical implementations including railcar inspection systems and hydrogen safety protocols. She co-founded Insight Risk Systems and leads the Lefsrud Lab, prioritizing inclusive teams with under-represented groups (women, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, neurodiverse) to tackle 'wicked problems' in sustainability. The lab leverages interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, computer science, psychology, and environmental sociology for real-world risk management solutions.

Abani PatraView profile

Professor

• Computational Sciences
• Data Driven Modeling
• Computer Science
• +5 more

Abani Patra is a Professor of Computer Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University. He also serves as the Center Director for Data Science at the Tufts Institute for Artificial Intelligence (TIAI). His research focuses on computational sciences and data-driven modeling, with applications spanning environmental systems, biomedical imaging, and geophysical hazards. He has directed major initiatives at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and previously founded the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Education: PhD in Mathematics, University of Texas, 1995 MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri, 1990 BSc in Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, India Research Interests: Large-scale computational modeling and uncertainty quantification Data-driven approaches for geophysical hazards (e.g., debris flows, volcanic eruptions) Biomedical imaging and metabolic analysis Open science platforms for glaciology and volcanology Key Projects: Developed the Ghub platform for open cryosphere research Launched VICTOR, a cyberinfrastructure for volcanology Advanced AI-driven techniques for postfire debris flow prediction Grants & Leadership: Directed NSF and DOE programs in computational science PI for NSF Cyberinfrastructure grants Former director of the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences

• Tomography
• Computational Imaging
• Computer Science
• +5 more

Joost Batenburg is a Professor at Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) , with a chair in Imaging and Visualization . He is affiliated with the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) and serves as Program Director for the interdisciplinary Society, Artificial Intelligence and Life Sciences (SAILS) initiative. His research focuses on tomographic image processing and reconstruction , where he has published over 80 journal articles and 60 conference papers. Current projects include Universal Three-dimensiOnal Passport for process Individualization in Agriculture (UTOPIA) and Center for Optimal, Real-Time Machine Studies of the Explosive Universe (CORTEX) , both funded by NWO grants. He leads the FleX-Ray Lab , a custom CT system integrated with advanced data processing algorithms. His research spans discrete tomography , real-time imaging pipelines , and AI-enhanced reconstruction methods , with applications in industrial inspection, agricultural analysis, and cultural heritage conservation. Recent articles demonstrate novel approaches to: Single-shot dynamic object tomography using level-set methods and motion modeling X-ray scattering quantification for defect detection in real-time systems Cross-modal image registration between CT scans and physical photographs Auto-differentiation in CT workflows combining classical and machine learning algorithms Scientific Awards: Dutch Award for ICT Research (2018) C.J. Kok Prize (2007) Philips Mathematics Prize (2006) He has supervised numerous PhD candidates including Mary Go, Eani Lachmansingh, and Zhichao Zhong, while maintaining editorial roles at IEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging and Journal of Mathematical Imaging and Vision . His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in agriculture, industry, and art conservation.

Jeeseop KimView profile

Assistant Professor

• Robotics
• Autonomy
• Control Theory
• +3 more

Jeeseop Kim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), College of Engineering, specializing in robotics, autonomy, and control theory. His research focuses on safety-critical planning and control, with emphasis on bipedal/quadrupedal locomotion, hybrid dynamical system control, and whole-body planning and control. Education: B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University (2014) M.S. in Intelligence and Information (Robotics), Seoul National University (2017) Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (2022) Postdoctoral Scholar, Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Caltech (2022–2025) His research spans safety-critical control systems for legged robots, including obstacle-aware nonlinear model predictive control (MPC), control barrier functions, and distributed coordination algorithms. Recent work explores adaptive delay estimation, tactile sensing for robotic grasping, and hardware-software co-design for humanoid robots. Key article trends highlight advancements in autonomous inspection robotics, hybrid control architectures, and real-time planning for quadrupedal systems. His work integrates control theory with practical applications in industrial and healthcare domains. Awards: ASME DSCD Rudolf Kalman Best Paper Award (2022) IEEE ICRA Outstanding Paper Award (2023) Jeeseop teaches MECH 4332: Mechanical Computational Applications in Vision and Robotics (Fall 2025). He actively recruits Ph.D. students for Spring/Fall 2026 and seeks motivated undergraduates/MS students with skills in robotics kinematics, programming (C/C++, Python, MATLAB), and CAD design. The AIGIS Lab welcomes applicants with interests in robotics, controls, and autonomous systems.

Dikai LiuView profile

Professor

• Robotics
• Field Robotics
• Human-Robot Collaboration
• +5 more

Dikai Liu is a Distinguished Professor and Strategic Research Director at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia, within the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering . His work spans field robotics and human-robot collaboration (HRC) , focusing on autonomous systems for infrastructure maintenance, construction automation, and underwater operations. Key research areas: Robotics, Human-Robot Interaction, Bio-Inspired Design, Infrastructure Maintenance Recent publications highlight innovations in trust modeling for HRC, stiffness control in continuum robots, and sociotechnical frameworks for AI-driven robotic systems. His 15 most recent articles emphasize applications in bridge maintenance, construction automation, and ethical AI integration. Awards include the 2019 UTS Medal for Research Impact, ASME DED Leonardo da Vinci Award (USA), and multiple engineering excellence recognitions. His research has generated over $22M in external funding, including 13 ARC grants and industry partnerships.

Mehrdad MoallemView profile

Professor

• Control Systems
• Power Electronics
• Energy Harvesting
• +3 more

Dr. Mehrdad Moallem is a Professor and Graduate Student Supervisor in the Department of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University (SFU). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Concordia University (1997), an M.Sc. from Sharif University (1988), and a B.Sc. from Shiraz University (1986). His research focuses on control systems in sustainable energy, power electronics, energy harvesting, robotics, and embedded systems. He has authored/co-authored four technical books and serves on editorial boards for journals like IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics. Dr. Moallem has held academic roles at Duke University and the University of Western Ontario. His teaching includes courses on real-time control systems, mechatronics design, and microprocessors. Research interests span embedded control systems, nonlinear dynamics, and applications in renewable energy and robotics. Recent work includes IoT-enabled lighting systems for agriculture, RF cavity control, and smart energy harvesting. He emphasizes hands-on student projects and industry collaboration, such as the Siemens Certification Program and Industry 4.0 bootcamps. Dr. Moallem's lab develops innovative solutions for energy efficiency and automation, with a focus on sustainable systems and smart manufacturing. He actively advises graduate students on advanced topics like grid-connected inverters, motor drives, and vibration control.

Gareth PierceView profile

Professor

• Robotics
• Non-Destructive Testing & Evaluation (NDT&E)
• Ultrasonics
• +7 more

Professor Gareth Pierce is a leading academic at the University of Strathclyde, serving as Co-Director of the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering and Academic Director of the UK Research Centre in Non-Destructive Evaluation (RCNDE). He specializes in robotics, autonomous systems, and non-destructive evaluation (NDT&E), with a focus on structural health monitoring (SHM) and advanced manufacturing. His work integrates robotics, AI, and ultrasonics to address challenges in aerospace, energy, and healthcare sectors. He holds a Spirit Aerosystems/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair and leads the £50M SEARCH (Sensor Enabled Automation, Robotics & Control Hub), which spans manufacturing and asset management applications. Education: BSc (Hons) in Pure and Applied Physics from the University of Manchester (1989), PhD in Fibre-Optic Interferometers for Laser-Generated Ultrasound from UMIST (1993). Additional qualifications include City & Guilds certifications in electrical installations and a PGDip in Psychological Wellbeing. Research Priorities Autonomous robotic inspection for manufacturing and asset management Integration of AI/machine learning with NDT&E systems In-process inspection for additive manufacturing and welding Ultrasonic and guided wave technologies for defect detection Key Achievements 2023 Anne Birt Award for NDT innovation Leadership roles in SRPe Robotics & UK HVM Catapult initiatives Over 270 research outputs, 86 projects, and a £50M research portfolio Teaching Course organiser for EE312 (Instrumentation & Microcontrollers) and contributes to advanced systems engineering education. Supervises student projects across engineering disciplines. Labs & Collaborations SEARCH Hub operates from Royal College R2.41 (manufacturing applications) and Technology Innovation Centre TIC 7.14 (asset management). Collaborates with global industry partners like Spirit Aerosystems and Högskolan Väst (Sweden).

Christoph HeinzlView profile

Professor

• Scientific Visualization
• Visual Analytics
• Immersive Analytics
• +3 more

Christoph Heinzl is a Professor of Cognitive Sensor Systems at the University of Passau since September 2022. He leads the Knowledge-based Image Processing research group at the Fraunhofer Development Center X-ray Technology (EZRT) . His academic background includes a PhD in Informatics and a Habilitation in 2022 , both from TU Wien . Research Focus: Scientific visualization, visual analytics, immersive analytics, virtual/augmented reality, machine learning, and X-ray computed tomography (XCT). Key Trends: Development of novel visualization techniques for complex volumetric data (e.g., dynamic volume lines, visual coherence frameworks), parameter space analysis, and cross-virtuality collaboration tools. Applications: Aerospace component inspection, defect analysis in composites (CFRP, GFRP), porosity quantification, and 4DCT time-series exploration.