James Bremer is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and holds a cross-appointment in the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus. His research focuses on developing efficient numerical algorithms for solving elliptic boundary value problems, integral equations, and special function transforms.
Chaitanya Swamy is a Professor and University Research Chair in the Department of Combinatorics & Optimization at the University of Waterloo, Canada. His primary affiliation is within the Faculty of Mathematics, and he holds positions in both the Department of Combinatorics & Optimization and the School of Computer Science. He obtained his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell University under the supervision of David Shmoys, followed by postdoctoral research at Caltech's Center for the Mathematics of Information. Swamy’s research focuses on algorithms, particularly in combinatorial optimization, approximation algorithms, algorithmic game theory, stochastic optimization, network design, scheduling, and online algorithms. His work spans theoretical contributions and practical applications, including algorithm design for facility location, network routing, and mechanism design. He has contributed to foundational results in approximation algorithms, such as the development of primal-dual methods and LP-rounding techniques. Swamy has held significant editorial roles, including as an associate editor for Discrete Optimization and SIAM Journal on Computing . He has organized major conferences like CanaDAM 2021 and sessions at ISMP 2018. His teaching record includes courses on combinatorial optimization, scheduling, and algorithmic game theory. He has advised numerous Ph.D. and Master’s students, many of whom have gone on to prestigious academic and industry positions. Swamy’s research has been recognized through awards for his students, including the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal. He actively contributes to the academic community through committee work for conferences like STOC, APPROX, and SODA, and his publications reflect a deep engagement with both theoretical and applied aspects of algorithms and optimization.
Yuvraj Agarwal is a Professor in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University , where he leads the SYNERGY Labs . His research focuses on Systems and Networking with emphasis on Embedded Systems , Security , and Energy Efficiency in computing environments. He has been recognized with the NSF Expeditions in Computing Award for Computational Decarbonization research and multiple best paper awards. Education : PhD in Computer Science from University of California, San Diego Research Leadership : Founder/Director of SYNERGY Labs; Executive Director of NSF Expeditions in Variability (2010-2013) Research Trajectory : Recent publications highlight his work on Privacy-preserving smart classroom systems (EduSense, ClassID) IoT security labeling frameworks Audio privacy protection mechanisms Computational decarbonization of infrastructure His research combines hardware-software co-design with societal impact considerations. Scientific Recognition : NSF Expeditions in Computing Award for CoDec (2024) Ubicomp/IMWUT Distinguished Paper Award (2024) CHI Best Paper Honorable Mention (2022) Advising & Collaboration : Mentors students in IoT systems , privacy research , and green computing . Collaborates with institutions including University of Massachusetts Amherst and industry partners like Johnson Controls. Grants include NSF funding for multi-university research initiatives.
Peter Pietzuch is a Professor in the Department of Computing at Imperial College London, where he leads the Large-Scale Data & Systems (LSDS) group. He also serves as the Director of Research and is a Visiting Researcher at Microsoft Research Cambridge. Pietzuch holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and a B.A. from Girton College. His research spans distributed systems, cloud computing, big data processing, and systems security. Key interests include: Scalable architectures for cloud-native applications Efficient stream processing and machine learning systems Trusted execution environments and secure cloud infrastructure Optimization of serverless computing and distributed databases His recent publications focus on adaptive machine learning frameworks, secure cloud resource management, and high-performance stream processing systems. Trends show strong emphasis on hardware-software co-design, confidential computing, and fault-tolerant architectures. Awards include: Best Paper Award at Middleware'03 He actively advises PhD students and secures grants for projects like Faasm (serverless computing) and Teechain (blockchain security). His LSDS group collaborates with industry partners including Microsoft Research. Pietzuch teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including Scalable Systems for the Cloud and Operating Systems . He co-founded the ACM DEBS conference and serves on steering committees for EuroSys and Middleware.
Benedikt Bünz is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He is also a co-founder and chief scientist of Espresso Systems, where he applies his research expertise to real-world blockchain solutions. His academic work bridges theoretical cryptography with practical blockchain implementations, focusing on enhancing privacy, security, and usability of decentralized systems. Dr. Bünz's research centers around applied cryptography, consensus mechanisms, and game theory as they relate to cryptocurrencies. His work spans zero-knowledge proofs, verifiable delay functions, secure multi-party computation, and privacy-preserving protocols. He has made significant contributions to Bulletproofs, a zero-knowledge proof system deployed on blockchains like Monero, and pioneered research in verifiable delay functions which are now part of Ethereum 2.0's design. His recent work focuses on recursive proof systems, accumulation schemes, and efficient verification techniques for blockchain scalability. His publication record shows a consistent progression from foundational cryptographic primitives to practical blockchain implementations. Recent work demonstrates increasing sophistication in recursive proof systems (ProtoStar, HyperPlonk), novel accumulation techniques (ARC, DewTwo), and foundational work on randomness generation (VDFs). His research consistently bridges theoretical cryptography with real-world blockchain applications, resulting in protocols that are both theoretically sound and practically implementable across multiple blockchain platforms. Dr. Bünz actively contributes to the academic community through teaching and mentorship. He teaches courses on cryptography of blockchains and computer security at NYU, providing students with hands-on experience in blockchain security and cryptographic protocols. His industry engagement through Espresso Systems demonstrates his commitment to translating academic research into practical solutions for the blockchain ecosystem.
Holger Fröning is a full professor at Heidelberg University’s Institute of Computer Engineering (ZITI), where he leads the Hardware and Artificial Intelligence (HAWAII) Lab. His research focuses on embedded machine learning , high-performance computing , and hardware-software co-design , with emphasis on resource efficiency, power optimization, and emerging architectures like analog , photonic , and resistive memory systems. He has held leadership roles including Managing Director of ZITI (2023–present) and Dean of Studies for Computer Science (2019–2022) , and has collaborated with institutions such as NVIDIA Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Graz University of Technology. Research Trends : His recent publications explore Bayesian neural networks , green machine learning , analog computing noise mitigation , and GPU/FPGA optimization . Articles highlight photonic computing for AI , memory-efficient training , and hardware-aware DNN compression . Scientific Awards : 2025 HiPEAC Paper Award (Nature Computational Science) 2014 Google Faculty Research Award Multiple Best Paper Awards (IPDPS, ICPP, ECML-PKDD workshops) Leadership & Service : Organized workshops (WEML, ITEM, F4HD), chaired tracks at EuroPar and ISC, and served on program committees for ICPR, ECAI, and FPL. Education & Affiliations : PhD and MSc from University of Mannheim (2007/2001). Sponsors include DFG, FWF, FFG, NVIDIA, SAP, and XILINX.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Reiser is a full Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry within the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Regensburg. His research group focuses on cutting-edge developments in organic synthesis, particularly in the areas of photocatalysis and visible light chemistry. He leads the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 325 on "Assembly Controlled Chemical Photocatalysis," which aims to develop new frontiers in photocatalysis for organic synthesis through designed control of catalyst-substrate interactions. University of Hamburg (PhD, 1989) IBM Research Center (Postdoc) Harvard University (Postdoc) University of Göttingen (Habilitation, 1995) Prof. Reiser's research spans multiple interconnected fields with a strong emphasis on sustainable chemistry. His group extensively utilizes modern techniques for organic synthesis including flow reactors, microwaves, and high-pressure systems. The primary research thrusts include catalysis (both metal and organocatalysts), unnatural amino acids and peptide foldamers, and natural product synthesis. His work on visible light photocatalysis has been particularly influential, with numerous publications in high-impact journals like Angewandte Chemie and Nature Catalysis. The group's research integrates experimental, spectroscopic, and computational techniques to analyze catalyst-substrate interactions for more rational design of photochemical reactions. Analysis of Prof. Reiser's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on copper-based photocatalysis, sustainable chemistry using earth-abundant metals, and innovative approaches to heterocycle synthesis. His work demonstrates a clear trend toward developing more efficient and environmentally friendly catalytic processes, with particular emphasis on visible light activation, catalyst immobilization for recyclability, and applications in medicinal chemistry. The research spans from fundamental mechanistic studies to practical applications in synthesis. German Academic Scholarship Foundation Minerva Foundation NATO Fellowship German Research Foundation Support Karl Winnacker Foundation Prof. Reiser has supervised numerous doctoral students, with recent PhD theses focusing on copper photoredox catalysis, magnetic nanoparticle-supported catalysts, and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. His research is supported by multiple collaborative projects, including the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 325, and involves extensive national and international collaborations with institutions such as the University of Kansas, the National Institute of Chemistry in Pune, the Institut Chimie de Coordination du CNRS in Toulouse, and the University of Zaragoza. The group maintains strong ties with pharmaceutical research through collaborations with Prof. A. Beck-Sickinger in Leipzig on neuropeptide ligands. The research group operates well-equipped laboratories with capabilities for advanced organic synthesis and characterization. They have developed specialized expertise in flow chemistry, high-pressure techniques, and magnetic nanoparticle-based catalyst systems. The CRC 325 initiative has provided significant infrastructure for collaborative research in photocatalysis, bringing together multiple research groups with complementary expertise in organic synthesis, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry.
Dr. Aria Fallah, MD, is an Assistant Professor in Neurosurgery at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with secondary appointments in Health Policy and Management. His research focuses on Evidence-Based Surgery , Clinical Trials , and Meta-Analyses for pediatric epilepsy surgery outcomes, including prognostic tools and comparative effectiveness studies . He actively participates in international collaborations like the CTSI and has published extensively in journals such as Epilepsia , Neurology , and Clinical Neurophysiology . University: University of California, Los Angeles Department: Neurosurgery Email: afallah@mednet.ucla.edu Dr. Fallah’s research integrates machine learning and deep learning to analyze high-frequency oscillations in epilepsy, aiming to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. His recent work includes developing tools like PyHFO for oscillation detection and HOPS calculator for predicting seizure freedom after hemispherectomy. His publications highlight collaborations across institutions in pediatric epilepsy surgery , hemimegalencephaly , and thalamic neuromodulation . While no explicit awards or student advisement are listed, his contributions span clinical trials , neuroimmunology , and global neurosurgery initiatives , including work in Haiti.
Fred B. Schneider is the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Computer Science at Cornell University , where he has been a faculty member since 1978. His career spans foundational work in trustworthy systems , fault-tolerant distributed systems , and system security . He served as department chair from 2014–2018 and previously earned a B.S. in Engineering from Cornell (1975) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stony Brook University (1978).
Parastoo Abtahi is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at Princeton University. She leads the Situated Interactions Lab (Ψ Lab) as part of the Princeton HCI Group, focusing on AR/VR and spatial computing. Prior to Princeton, she worked at Meta Reality Labs Research. PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Toronto (Engineering Science program) Her research explores wearable interactive technologies that augment human intelligence in physical contexts through: Input on-the-go: Low-effort, privacy-preserving multimodal interfaces Intelligent output: Timely, minimal multisensory systems Situated AI: Personalizable, predictable, safe physical-digital interaction Recent publications analyze: Drone-based haptic illusions for AR/VR Microgestures for mobile AR input Interactivity in explainable AI systems Temporal dynamics in VR haptics Awards include: 2025 Google Research Scholar Award CHI 2019 & 2018 Honorable Mentions She teaches courses like: COS 436: Human-Computer Interaction COS IW: AR Meets AI
Meng Wu is an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE) at Arizona State University, specializing in advanced optimization, control, and machine learning methods for integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) into power systems. Her work addresses critical challenges in power system planning, operations, stability, and electricity markets under high DER penetration. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2017 M.Eng. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, 2011 B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering & Automation, Tianjin University, China, 2010 Research Interests: Dr. Wu's research focuses on DER integration through transmission-distribution coordination , spatio-temporal price forecasting , and optimal market participation strategies. Key areas include: Physics-guided machine learning for DER-penetrated distribution systems Computational algorithms for wholesale-distribution market coordination Dynamic modeling of DERs and composite loads for voltage stability Optimal bidding strategies for energy storage and DER aggregators Publication Trends: Her 2021-2024 publications reveal a concentrated effort on DER market integration using parametric programming and deep learning, with emphasis on real-time locational marginal price forecasting, transmission-distribution coordination, and degradation-aware energy storage operations. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award, IEEE PES General Meeting (2021) Best Conference Paper Award, North American Power Symposium (2019) Invited Participant, US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, NAE (2021) Advising and Grants: Dr. Wu mentors multiple PhD and Master's students, including recent graduates Zhongxia Zhang (PhD) and Sayyid Mohssen Sajjadi (MS). Her group secured PSERC funding for projects on DER aggregation and adaptive transmission-distribution modeling, with industry partnerships at ISO New England and Quanta Technology. Research Group: Leading an active research team at ASU, she collaborates with the Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC) on DER integration challenges, advising students through FURI, MORE, and Barrett Honors College programs.
Toby Jia-Jun Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, where he leads the SaNDwich Lab. He also serves as the Director of the Human-Centered Responsible AI Lab in the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society and is a Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI). Previously, he was affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) and GroupLens Research. Dr. Li's research spans the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), End-User Software Engineering, Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP), with recent work focusing on addressing societal challenges in the future of work through human-AI collaborative approaches. His work has resulted in over 40 publications at premier venues including CHI, UIST, CSCW, ACL, and ICSE, with 8 papers winning Best Paper or Honorable Mention awards. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on human-AI collaboration across various domains, including code understanding, privacy, accessibility, and creative tools. The work shows a trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated integration of human-centered design with AI capabilities, particularly using large language models to enhance human productivity and address societal challenges. Google Research Scholar Award recipient Recipient of Yahoo! Fellowship ($100,000/year) Best Paper Award at UIST 2020 Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at CHI 2021 Best Paper Award at CSCW 2024 Best Paper Award at CHI 2025 Dr. Li actively mentors Ph.D. students and has established collaborations with Google, Microsoft Research, IBM Research, Adobe, Verizon, and J.P. Morgan. His research has been supported by NSF, Google Research Scholar Program, AnalytiXIN Initiative, Yahoo! InMind project, and J.P. Morgan. He is currently recruiting Ph.D. students and undergraduate researchers for his SaNDwich Lab, which focuses on developing interactive systems to empower individuals to create, configure, and extend AI-powered computing systems.
Jiliang Tang is an MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU), part of the College of Engineering. He holds a PhD from Arizona State University (2015) and previously worked as a research scientist at Yahoo Research. His research focuses on graph machine learning, trustworthy AI, and applications in education and biology. He has received numerous awards, including the 2022 AI's 10 to Watch, IAPR J.K. Aggarwal Award, and NSF CAREER Award. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Arizona State University, 2015 (Advisor: Huan Liu) Research Interests: Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Deep Learning on Graphs Trustworthy AI: Safety, Robustness, and Fairness AI+X Applications: Education Technology and Biological Data Analysis His work bridges theoretical advancements and practical applications, with contributions to graph representation learning, privacy in generative models, and educational AI systems. Awards & Recognition: Over 8 best paper awards (or runner-ups) Rock Star Award from Association of Chinese Scholars in Computing Extensive media coverage for innovations in AI education and biology Grants & Projects: NSF CAREER Award (2019) for research on signed networks Co-PI on a $1.7M grant for 5G research Leadership in projects like DSE Lab and Data Science initiatives Labs & Teams: Directs the Data Science and Engineering (DSE) Lab at MSU, focusing on advancing AI for real-world challenges. The lab collaborates with industry leaders and publishes widely in top conferences (e.g., KDD, SIGIR, ACL).
Dr. Yayun Du is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and System Control (Minor: Solid Mechanics) from UCLA (2022) and was a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University's Rogers Group through 2024. Current faculty at Vanderbilt University Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles Postdoctoral experience at Northwestern University Her research integrates bioelectronics and robotics through three core directions: 1) Developing multimodal wearable/implantable sensors for health monitoring, 2) Creating human-in-the-loop interaction systems using brain-computer interfaces, and 3) Applying machine learning to medical environment robotics. She has deployed four sensor types across seven hospitals globally, serving users from neonates to elderly patients. Dr. Du's recent publications focus on wireless bioelectronic devices ( PNAS ), sustainable sensor materials ( ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering ), and agricultural robotics ( ICRA , IROS ). She serves as Associate Editor for ICRA 2025 and has received two Best Paper Award final nominations at IROS 2021. Finalist - Best Paper Award in Agri-Robotics (IROS 2021) Finalist - Best Paper Award in Robot Mechanisms and Design (IROS 2021) As head of the Du Group, she leads interdisciplinary research with applications in both healthcare and agricultural contexts, collaborating with Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and clinical partners. Her work emphasizes deployable systems that transition from academic research to real-world implementation in medical and industrial environments.
Dr. Farha Sattar is a Lecturer in Education (Mathematics) at the Faculty of Arts and Society, Charles Darwin University. With over thirty years of teaching experience in Mathematics, Science education, GIS, Remote Sensing, and e-Learning technologies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Dr. Sattar brings extensive expertise to her academic role. She holds a PhD in Geospatial Science from Charles Darwin University, focusing on Spatial Mathematical Modelling for 3D Gully Mapping and Erosion Quantification. Her educational background includes: PhD in Geospatial Science (Three Dimensional Gully Mapping and Erosion Quantification within a Geoinformatics Framework), Charles Darwin University (2012) Prior academic experience at several Asian and European universities Dr. Sattar's research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with a strong focus on the intersection of education and technology. Her primary research interests include Mathematics Education, STEM Education, Geoscience Education, Spatial Mathematical Modelling, Drone Technology, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, and Innovative Pedagogies such as experiential learning and inquiry-based approaches. She has developed expertise in cognitive development, particularly in fostering critical and creative thinking skills through iSTEM approaches. An analysis of Dr. Sattar's recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward integrating emerging technologies like drones, augmented reality, and geospatial artificial intelligence into educational contexts. Her work demonstrates a progression from foundational geospatial research on erosion mapping to innovative applications in STEM education. Recent publications increasingly focus on drone technology for educational purposes, spatial data infrastructure for policy development, and computational thinking development through technology-enhanced learning. Dr. Sattar has received numerous accolades for her contributions to education and research: NT Science Week Awards – Inspired NT STEM Hero of the Year award (2021) Long Service Recognition Award (2023) Finalist, CDU Alumni Award (2023) Multiple Best Presentation Awards (2008, 2010, 2017) Australian College of Educators - 2021 College Medal Nominee As a supervisor, Dr. Sattar mentors postgraduate research students including Ayesha Farhan, who is working on "A Framework for Cognitive Development: Fostering Critical and Creative Thinking Skills, Using iSTEM Approach." She actively secures research funding through various projects such as "DBELaSTEM: Drone-Based Experiential Learning and STEM Education," "STEM_D & VR: Youth STEM Learning and Empowerment with Drones and VR," and "CodProg Drone Lab." Her research is supported by grants from NT Government projects and other external funding sources. Dr. Sattar leads the CodProg Drone Lab, an innovative research space exploring drone technology applications in education. She is a certified drone pilot and aeronautical radio operator, which enables her to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Her work with the "Flying Forward: Drones, STEM Equity, and Indigenous Empowerment" initiative demonstrates her commitment to community engagement and addressing educational disparities through technology.