Find Academic Supervisors

Tyson Govan PhillipsView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Autonomous Systems
• Robotics
• Mining Automation
• +4 more

Dr. Tyson Phillips serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching and Learning at The University of Queensland's School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. He is an active Affiliate of the Future Autonomous Systems and Technologies research group, focusing on translating robotics innovations into practical mining applications. His academic leadership includes curriculum development for engineering programs and direct industry engagement with major mining equipment manufacturers. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from The University of Queensland in 2016, with thesis research centered on LiDAR-based perception systems for autonomous excavators. His doctoral work established foundational methods for object pose verification in mining contexts. Phillips' research specializes in robotics perception for extreme mining environments, developing LiDAR-centric solutions for autonomous equipment operation amid dust, fog, and unstructured terrain. Key contributions include evidential reasoning frameworks for uncertainty management, real-time pose estimation algorithms, and sensor fusion techniques for excavators and bulldozers. His work bridges theoretical computer vision with industrial deployment, targeting operational safety and efficiency in mineral extraction. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on mining robotics since 2012, with recent works (2021-2024) emphasizing minimal-sensor configurations, probabilistic terrain mapping, and vibration-assisted gripper technology. His 14 scholarly outputs demonstrate evolution from sensor evaluation (2012-2015) toward integrated autonomy systems (2018-2024), predominantly in Journal of Field Robotics and Sensors . He actively supervises graduate researchers as Principal Advisor for a PhD on multimodal perception mapping and Associate Advisor for two PhD projects involving spreader systems and physics-informed neural networks. Completed supervision includes a 2024 PhD on bulldozer terrain mapping and a 2021 Master's on shovel/hopper interaction strategies. Research funding spans 14 projects from 2012-2026, including current Australian Coal Association Research Program support (2025-2026) and major Caterpillar Inc. collaborations for ERS self-protection and articulated truck automation. Phillips operates within The University of Queensland's Future Autonomous Systems and Technologies group, which develops field-deployable autonomy solutions for mining partners. This team conducts real-world testing of perception systems using Caterpillar and FMG operational sites as validation environments.

• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• User-Centered Design
• +11 more

Professor Marilyn Lennon is a leading academic in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Strathclyde , holding the title of Professor in Digital Health and Care. She founded and directs the Digital Health and Wellness Group (DHaWG) , focusing on multidisciplinary research for designing, evaluating, and implementing digital technologies that enhance individual and population health and wellbeing. First class BSc in Psychology (University of Glasgow, 1998) PhD in Computing Science (University of Glasgow, 2002) Postgraduate diploma in academic practice (Fellow of Higher Education Academy) With over two decades of experience in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , usability, and user-centered design, her research spans wearable and mobile technologies for home healthcare, including remote monitoring (predictive falls monitoring), remote diagnosis (colon capsule technology evaluations), and smart home solutions for social care. She specializes in addressing technical and social barriers to real-world health technology implementation, emphasizing robust yet rapid evaluation methods. Recent publications highlight her work in 3D healthcare visualization, telehealth implementation, and medication management systems. Her research combines lab-based usability testing with real-world ('in the wild') evaluations of technologies like smart home systems and telehealth solutions. Key trends include cross-disciplinary collaboration, accessibility for sensory-impaired individuals, and AI-driven healthcare innovations. Scientific Awards MyCity: Glasgow - Gamechanger Award (Gold Medal) 2025 Images of Research 2025 Shortlist Emerald Outstanding Paper Award 2013 Best Paper Award (most replicable scientific paper) 2013 As course director for the Masters in Digital Health Systems , she has supervised 5 PhD students (2 completed) and over 100 honors projects. Current projects include the No Need to Fall initiative funded by the Health Foundation (£400k) and the PREMIO project co-creating clinical trials in advanced breast cancer. She maintains active collaborations with NHS, charities, and international institutions like the University of Waterloo.

Colby C. SwanView profile

Professor

• Computational Mechanics
• Topology Optimization
• Biomechanics
• +3 more

Colby C. Swan is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iowa's College of Engineering, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. He leads the Swan Research Lab and maintains active memberships in ASCE, ASME, ISSMO, and USACM, contributing to computational mechanics and digital human modeling research. His educational background includes a PhD in Civil Engineering from Princeton University (1993), an MS in Ocean Engineering from the University of Miami (1985), and a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine (1983). Professor Swan's research spans Computational Mechanics , Topology Optimization , and Biomechanics , with pioneering work on multi-scale computational clothing models for digital humans and structural topology optimization of compliant mechanisms. His lab develops physics-based simulation frameworks for applications in civil infrastructure, protective clothing design, and bone adaptation phenomena, integrating advanced computational methods with real-world engineering challenges. His publication trends reveal a sustained focus on digital human modeling (notably the Santos virtual human environment) and topology optimization, with significant contributions to continuum structural optimization, woven fabric mechanics, and human locomotion analysis. Recent work emphasizes virtual prototyping for protective systems and computational morphogenesis for structural design. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) The Fiber Society International Society for Structural & Multidisciplinary Optimization (ISSMO) United States Association for Computational Mechanics (USACM) Professor Swan directs the Swan Research Lab, which collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving computational modeling for engineering design and human performance analysis. His work bridges civil engineering with biomechanics through digital human simulation, particularly in protective gear development and structural optimization applications.

Wolfgang HillertView profile

Professor

• Accelerator Physics
• Superconducting Accelerator Technology
• Free-Electron Lasers (FEL)
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hillert is a leading physicist at the University of Hamburg , serving as the Bjørn-Wiik Professor for Accelerator Physics since 2016. Affiliated with the Institute of Experimental Physics under the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, he specializes in Accelerator Physics , Superconducting Accelerator Technology , and Free-Electron Lasers (FEL) . His work focuses on polarized electron beams, SRF cavity optimization, and gravitational wave detection methods. Education: Physics degree from University of Bonn (1987), Promotion in Atmospheric Physics (1992), Habilitation in Physics (2001) Leadership Roles: Head of Accelerator Physics Group (2016–present), Managing Director of Institute of Experimental Physics (2019–2021) Research Trends: His recent work spans superconducting RF cavities for gravitational wave detectors ( 2025 ), resonant slow extraction in electron boosters, and atomic layer deposition of superconducting thin films. Publications highlight advancements in beam dynamics , cryogenic systems , and terahertz generation . Teaching & Outreach: He has lectured on Accelerator Physics since 2002 and engaged in public science communication, including talks on Physics of Music (2005–2021) and teacher training programs at DESY. Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Accelerator Physics Group at DESY, collaborates on projects like XFELO and BGO-OD beamline , and contributes to international schools (CAS) and symposia.

Pamela P MartinezView profile

Assistant Professor

• Computational Biology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Infectious Diseases
• +3 more

Pamela P Martinez serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, holding concurrent appointments in Microbiology, Statistics, and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Her research program integrates computational modeling with epidemiological data to address critical questions in infectious disease dynamics. Her primary research focuses on the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes in pathogens, specifically investigating how climatic and demographic factors shape spatial-temporal disease patterns and how pathogen diversity influences public health interventions. She employs mathematical and computational approaches applied to longitudinal time-series data, with particular emphasis on SARS-CoV-2, dengue, malaria, and rotavirus. Her work bridges theoretical epidemiology with practical public health applications, often incorporating climate science and socioeconomic variables. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals consistent themes across computational biology, climate-infectious disease interactions, and pandemic response. Key trends include the development of novel modeling frameworks for pathogen evolution (e.g., ortholog refinement algorithms), quantification of climate drivers on tropical diseases, and rigorous assessment of intervention strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her research demonstrates increasing integration of high-resolution mobility data, immune history analysis, and equity considerations in infectious disease modeling. No scientific awards are documented in the available information. Details regarding student mentorship, grant funding, laboratory infrastructure, or collaborative research teams are not provided in the source materials.

Shabnam Sadeghi EsfahlaniView profile

Associate Professor

• Robotics
• Mechatronics
• Artificial Intelligence
• +3 more

Dr. Shabnam Sadeghi Esfahlani is an Associate Professor in Robotics at the School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Anglia Ruskin University , where she serves as Deputy Leader of the BORI research group and leads the Automation & Robotics MSc program. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans mechatronics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and serious games , with a focus on applications for rehabilitation, medical training, and autonomous systems . As a Chartered Engineer and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy , she has secured significant funding from Innovate UK, Horizon 2020, and GCRF , with grants exceeding £3 million. Education PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University BSc (First Class) in Statistics & Mathematical Science, Shahid Beheshty University Her research integrates AI with robotics for societal impact, exemplified by the open-source SROBO ground robot and projects like Rehabgame and the Assistive Feeding Robot . She has published over 45 peer-reviewed articles and contributes to academic communities as a journal guest editor and conference organizer . Key collaborations include IET, IMechE, and the Nuffield Foundation as a mentor for young students. Scientific Awards & Recognitions: Chartered Engineer (CEng), Engineering Council UK Senior Fellow (SFHEA), Higher Education Academy Student-Voted 'Made a Difference Award' (2018) Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher Education

John D CresslerView profile

Professor

• Silicon-Germanium Microelectronics
• RF/Microwave Circuits
• Semiconductor Devices
• +3 more

John D. Cressler is a Regents Professor and Schlumberger Chair in Electronics at the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He earned his B.S. in Physics from Georgia Tech (1984) and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Columbia University (1990). After pioneering SiGe research at IBM (1984-1992), he joined academia at Auburn University before moving to Georgia Tech in 2002. His research specializes in silicon-germanium heterojunction technology, with focuses on: RF/microwave/mm-wave circuits Radiation effects in electronics Cryogenic semiconductor behavior Device reliability physics Compact modeling for SiGe devices His 700+ publications demonstrate consistent innovation in SiGe HBT design, radiation-hardened circuits, and millimeter-wave systems. Recent work emphasizes radiation tolerance for space applications, high-frequency circuit optimization, and novel fabrication techniques. Major Awards: IEEE Fellow (2001) IEEE Leon K. Kirchmayer Graduate Teaching Award (2011) ONR Young Investigator Award (1994) IEEE Third Millennium Medal (2000) He leads Georgia Tech's SiGe research group with extensive industry collaborations and teaches courses including ECE 3040 (Microelectronic Circuits), ECE 6444 (SiGe Devices), and interdisciplinary courses on science/religion dialogue.

Rana AdhikariView profile

Professor

• Gravitational Waves
• Dark Matter Detection
• Quantum Metrology
• +6 more

Rana Adhikari is a Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Holding a B.S. from the University of Florida (1998) and a Ph.D. from MIT (2004), he has been at Caltech since 2006, progressing from Assistant Professor to full Professor in 2012. His research focuses on advancing detector technologies for fundamental physics experiments in gravitational waves, dark matter, and near-field gravity studies. Education: B.S. in Physics, University of Florida (1998); Ph.D. in Physics, MIT (2004) Caltech Faculty: Assistant Professor (2006-12), Professor (2012-present) Adhikari's group specializes in precision measurements at the intersection of classical and quantum physics. Key research areas include: Mechanical oscillators and their thermodynamic limits Nonlinear optics for interferometric applications Quantum information constraints in classical sensors Adaptive optics using thermal actuation Cryogenic silicon interferometers for cosmological observations High-quality silicon opto-mechanical systems for LIGO applications Laser gyroscope technology for rotation sensing The group's work on gravitational wave detection has produced numerous publications in leading journals like Physical Review X , Physical Review D , and Optics Express . Their research often combines experimental physics with machine learning techniques for noise cancellation in laser interferometers. Adhikari's team also engages with undergraduate researchers through programs like the International LIGO SURF students, creating opportunities for young scientists in gravitational physics. His publications reveal a consistent focus on gravitational wave detector optimization, quantum metrology, and cosmological observations through advanced instrumentation.

Colin PalmerView profile

Research Fellow

• social vision
• sensory processing
• face perception
• +7 more

Dr. Colin Palmer is a Visiting Fellow in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he conducts research on visual perception with a focus on social features of our sensory environment. His work examines how the brain processes elements like eyes, faces, and behaviors of people around us using visual psychophysics, computational modeling, and 3D graphical rendering. Dr. Palmer completed his Ph.D. in 2016 and Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience (Honours) in 2009, both at Monash University. His doctoral research explored how neurocognitive models of sensory processing relate to differences in sensory integration and social cognition in autism. His primary research interests center on understanding the perceptual and neural mechanisms underlying our sensitivity to dynamic social cues, particularly eye and head movements. Dr. Palmer investigates how the visual system extracts basic environmental elements (color, shape, motion) and develops a mechanistic understanding of how our experience of the social world arises from nervous system activity. His work has clinical applications for understanding sensory and social difficulties in conditions like autism and schizophrenia. Dr. Palmer's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on social vision, particularly gaze perception, face processing, and animacy detection. His research increasingly incorporates computational modeling approaches to understand visual perception mechanisms. There's a strong emphasis on how lighting and shading affect face and gaze perception, with growing attention to clinical applications for neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Palmer has received recognition for his work through several awards: Emerging Investigator Award, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society, 2017 Postdoctoral presentation award, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society, 2016 Dr. Palmer is actively involved in research supervision and teaching. He teaches PSYC 3221 Vision and Brain and is available to supervise research students. His research is supported by significant funding: ARC Discovery Project (2020-2022): "Extracting meaning from motion" ($492,000) ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2019-2021): "Human sensitivity to the dynamics of other people's eye movements" ($356,000) Experimental Psychology Society Study Visit Grant (2017): "Testing computational theories of autism spectrum disorder in the social domain" (£2,580) Dr. Palmer collaborates extensively with Professor Colin Clifford at UNSW and maintains international collaborations with researchers in the UK and Australia, particularly on projects related to autism spectrum disorders and social cognition.

Timothy MenziesView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Software Engineering
• Data Science
• +5 more

Timothy Menzies is a full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University's College of Engineering. He serves as the director of the Irrational Research lab (mad scientists r'us) and holds editorial positions as editor-in-chief of the Automated Software Engineering journal and associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering. With over 300 publications and more than 24,000 citations, Menzies is a globally recognized leader in software engineering research. Menzies' research focuses on developing computer systems that make optimal decisions with minimal data, specializing in artificial intelligence, intelligent agents, data sciences, analytics, and software engineering. His pioneering work in data-driven, explainable, and minimal AI for software systems has redefined defect prediction, effort estimation, and multi-objective optimization. He is particularly known for his contributions to empirical software engineering, emphasizing transparency and reproducibility. As the co-creator of the PROMISE repository, he helped establish modern empirical software engineering by demonstrating that small, interpretable AI models can outperform larger, more complex ones. Menzies' recent publications reveal several key trends in his research: a growing emphasis on ethical considerations in AI deployment, particularly in sensitive domains like legal systems; continued innovation in software analytics with a focus on hyperparameter optimization tailored specifically for software engineering tasks; exploration of causal relationships in software analytics; and development of techniques that work effectively with limited data, including landscape analysis, surrogate learning, and active learning approaches. Mining Software Repositories Foundational Contribution Award (2017) Carol Miller Graduate Lecturer Award (2016) IBM Faculty Award (2016, 2017) ACM Fellow (2025) ASE Fellow (2024) IEEE Fellow Professor Menzies has advised 24 Ph.D. students throughout his career, with recent completions including Andre Motta (April 2025) and Xueqi Yang (October 2024). His research has secured over $19 million in funding from prestigious agencies including NSF, DARPA, and NASA, as well as industry partners like Meta, Microsoft, and IBM. Current grants focus on improving machine learning model efficiency, adapting empirical software engineering methods to computational science, vulnerability detection, and software analytics at scale using transfer learning across 10,000+ GitHub projects. Menzies has developed innovative approaches to help developers navigate the challenges of AI implementation while maintaining ethical standards and practical effectiveness. As director of the Irrational Research lab, Menzies leads a team focused on creating AI tools that are not only intelligent but also fair, transparent, and trustworthy. The lab's work emphasizes practical applications of AI in software engineering while addressing the human factors involved in developer-AI collaboration. Current projects include developing methods for better fuzzing with L3harris, improving vulnerability detection through smart pruning techniques, and creating AI platforms for workforce empowerment through credential gap diagnostics.

• Integrated Circuits
• Signal Processing
• Data Analytics
• +4 more

Xin Li is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University and serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor at Duke Kunshan University. He holds a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University (2005) and has held leadership roles in research consortia like the FCRP Focus Research Center and the Center for Silicon System Implementation (CSSI). His research bridges integrated circuits , machine learning , and cyber-physical systems , with applications in autonomous driving, battery lifetime prediction, and smart buildings. Education : Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University (2005); M.S., Fudan University (2001); B.S., Fudan University (1998) His work emphasizes robust design methodologies for analog/RF circuits, data-driven predictive modeling , and Bayesian inference for high-dimensional variation spaces. Recent publications focus on generative adversarial networks for circuit design, multi-view imputation for incomplete data, and knowledge-driven autonomous systems . He has received numerous accolades, including the NSF CAREER Award (2012) , IEEE Donald O. Pederson Best Paper Awards (2013, 2016) , and IEEE Fellow (2017) . He has served as Editor for journals like IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering and as Chair for conferences including ISVLSI and CAD/Graphics.

Kaius SinnemäkiView profile

Professor

• Linguistics
• Language Typology
• Comparative Linguistics
• +9 more

Kaius Sinnemäki is a Professor of Quantitative and Comparative Linguistics at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Department of Languages under the Faculty of Arts. Since 2025, he has directed the strategic profiling action Diversity in Society and Life (DIVSOL) , funded by the Research Council of Finland, and previously led the ERC Starting Grant project Linguistic Adaptation (2019-2024). His research focuses on large-scale comparative linguistics, integrating language typology with sociolinguistics. Key areas include core argument marking, statistical methods in typology, linguistic complexity, language contact, and the interplay between language and religion. He teaches courses spanning language typology, evolution, sociolinguistics, and quantitative methods. Recent publications address replication in linguistic research, adaptation in contact ecologies, and complexity measures across phonological, morphosyntactic, and syntactic domains. His work often bridges theoretical linguistics with empirical data analysis, utilizing open datasets and computational tools. Scientific Awards: Prize for the Humanities (2021) He actively supervises academic theses, serves on editorial boards (e.g., Linguistic Typology ), and participates in international collaborations, peer reviews, and media engagements on linguistic diversity and secularism.

Orit ShaerView profile

Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Human-AI Collaboration
• Tangible and Embodied Interaction
• +5 more

Orit Shaer is a Professor and co-Chair of Computer Science at Wellesley College , where she founded and directs the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Lab . Her work bridges tangible interaction, human-AI collaboration, and mixed-reality interfaces, focusing on transforming work and learning environments through embodied technologies. Education : B.A. from Academic College of Tel-Aviv, M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Tufts University Research interests center on novel human-computer interaction paradigms : Human-AI collaboration frameworks Tangible and embodied interface design Mixed-reality applications for productivity Genomics collaboration tools STEAM education technologies Recent publications highlight human-AI co-creation (CHI 2024), temporal dynamics in automated work (CHIWork 2024), and pandemic-era remote interaction studies (IEEE Pervasive Computing 2021). Awarded: NSF CAREER Award Agilent Technologies Research Award Google App Engine Education Award Pinanski Prize for Excellent Teaching Best Paper Honorable Mention (ACM CHI 2014) Honorable Mention (CHIWork 2022) She co-founded the international CHIWork Symposium and chairs the ACM TEI conference. Her NSF IRES grant (2022) supports US-German collaboration on human-automation interaction.

Sami ÄyrämöView profile

Associate Professor

• Computer Science
• Machine Learning
• Health Science
• +11 more

Sami Äyrämö is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Information Technology , University of Jyväskylä. His research bridges machine learning and health science , focusing on innovative applications in biomechanics , medical imaging , and exercise physiology . Specializes in automated scoring systems for medical diagnostics Pioneer in domain-specific transfer learning for healthcare data Develops synthetic data for wellbeing sector innovation His work spans colorectal cancer tissue analysis , ACL injury risk modeling , and dementia detection from speech , with recent studies applying cluster analysis and deep learning to sports biomechanics challenges. Current projects include the WellbeingDataLab initiative for synthetic exercise data, and collaborations with the Computational Data Science Research Group on spectral imaging and health analytics.

• Human-Machine Interaction
• Usability Testing
• User Experience (UX)
• +5 more

Jürgen Sauer is a Full Professor at the University of Fribourg , affiliated with the Department of Psychology under the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences . With over 120 publications, his research focuses on Human-Machine Interaction , Usability Testing , User Experience (UX) , and Automation Design , particularly in high-stakes environments like X-ray baggage screening and spaceflight simulations . Email: juergen.sauer@unifr.ch Phone: +41 26 300 7622 Address: RM 01 bu. C-1.117, Rue PA de Faucigny 2, 1700 Fribourg Orcid: 0000-0003-2105-1694 His research projects, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (FNS), include: Improving work design for airport security officers (2019-2024): Developed pictorial scales for measuring psychological constructs in security environments. Social stress and support in hybrid teams (2018-2023): Investigated machine-induced social stressors and mitigation through social support. Automation in visual inspection tasks (2014-2018): Examined adaptable automation for baggage screening and system reliability effects. Usability testing effectiveness (2012-2016): Analyzed cultural background impacts and non-usability product features influencing test outcomes. Key contributions include the Luggage Inspection Simulation (LIS) environment for modeling work environments and the development of pictorial usability scales for multilingual applicability. His work bridges ergonomics , human factors , and applied psychology , with notable collaborations with researchers like Adrian Schwaninger and Andreas Sonderegger . His recent publications (2025-2014) analyze: Human-machine performance under false alarms and miscues Social stressor dynamics in hybrid teams Usability scale animation effects Phubbing behavior in professional contexts Accessible website design for non-disabled users