Massimo Mischi is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and chairs the Signal Processing Systems (SPS) Division , the largest division at TU/e with over 250 researchers. He founded the Biomedical Diagnostics (BM/d) Lab in 2012, which now includes 180 researchers and clinical/industrial advisors, focusing on biomedical signal processing for diagnostics and monitoring.
Prof. Tilo Hartmann is a Full Professor at the Department of Communication Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), affiliated with the Network Institute and Communication Choices, Content and Consequences (CCCC). He holds a PhD from Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media (2005) and has held positions at institutions including the University of Southern California, University of Erfurt, and University of Zurich. His research focuses on immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), examining presence, media awareness, and their psychological impacts. He explores how immersive experiences affect beliefs, wellbeing, and social behaviors, with applications in education (e.g., reducing plastic waste via VR interventions). Key research areas include: presence theory, media psychology, effects of XR technologies, and entertainment’s role in wellbeing. He co-founded the Immersive High Tech Group at VU's Network Institute and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable behavior and education. Prof. Hartmann has served on editorial boards of top journals (e.g., Journal of Communication) and professional roles such as secretary of ICA's Game Studies Interest Group. His teaching spans over 12 courses across universities globally, emphasizing curriculum development and student supervision. He holds advanced teaching qualifications (SKO).
Jampel Dell'Angelo is an Associate Professor with ius promovendi in Water Governance and Politics at the Department of Environmental Policy Analysis, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He holds concurrent roles as a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley's Ecohydrology Lab, and an Environmental Governance Affiliate Scholar at SESYNC, Maryland. His research focuses on multilevel dimensions of water governance, climate adaptation in African irrigation systems, and transnational land investments' impacts. He leads the EU-funded NEWAVE project, coordinating 15 Early Stage Researchers across 10 institutions. Educated with a dual PhD in Environmental Science (Autonomous University of Barcelona) and International Cooperation (Sapienza University), he also holds advanced degrees from the LSE, Sapienza, Curtin, and the University of Siena. As Editor-in-Chief of World Development , he promotes interdisciplinary research on socio-environmental systems. His work contributes to UN SDGs related to clean water, sustainable cities, and responsible production. Research interests span water grabbing dynamics, socio-ecological resilience, and policy frameworks for equitable resource management. Recent projects address Mediterranean water scarcity solutions and the socio-political implications of global land rushes. He supervises PhD candidates exploring themes like water democracy, agrifood transitions, and environmental justice. Key contributions include pioneering analysis of 'water commons grabbing' and documenting the Global Water Grab Syndrome. His documentary work complements field research, such as Working Together: Research and Water Governance on Mount Kenya . Current projects emphasize innovative governance models and climate-resilient water management in transboundary contexts.
Hailong Jiao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and an Associate Professor at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School's School of Electronic and Computer Engineering. He is also a Visiting Assistant Professor with TU/e's Electronic Systems group. His research focuses on low-power and variations-resilient VLSI circuit and system design , including error-resilient systems, approximate computing, machine learning in VLSI, ultra-low voltage circuits, and emerging devices like 3D integration and carbon electronics. Education : BSc (highest honor, 2004, Shandong University), MSc (2008, Institute of Microelectronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), PhD (2012, HKUST). Collaborations : BrainWave project (TU/e and Radboud University Nijmegen) developing wearable brainwave processing for epilepsy/Parkinson's healthcare. Editorial Roles : Associate Editor for Elsevier Microelectronics Journal and World Scientific Journal of Circuits, Systems, and Computers. Committee Memberships : HiPEAC, MemoCiS, ACM/SIGDA, and six IEEE committees. Research Trends : Recent articles emphasize energy-efficient IoT networks , voltage stacking , sensitivity control , and scan flip-flop design , aligning with UN SDGs for energy engineering and healthcare innovation. Scientific awards include highest honor at BSc .
Thomas Bäck is a Professor at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) , Leiden University , Netherlands, and a member of the interdisciplinary programme Society, Artificial Intelligence and Life Sciences (SAILS) . His academic career spans roles at Leiden University (1996–present) and leadership positions at the Center for Applied Systems Analysis in Dortmund (1994–2000). Education : Diplom-Informatiker (Computer Science), Technische Universität Dortmund (1990) Dr. rer. nat. (Computer Science), Technische Universität Dortmund (1994) Research Interests : Dr. Bäck specializes in evolutionary computation , machine learning , and their applications in sustainable smart industry and healthcare . Recent work focuses on integrating large language models (LLMs) and quantum computing into optimization frameworks, with projects like CIMPLO (predictive maintenance), ECOLE (experience-based optimization), and SAPPAO (airline operations optimization). Scientific Contributions : His 526+ publications cover evolutionary algorithms, quantum optimization, and LLM-driven design, with recent trends including: Quantum computing (e.g., quantum approximate optimization, quantum advantage challenges) LLM integration (e.g., hyperparameter tuning, mutation control, code evolution graphs) Healthcare and industry (e.g., predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, melt quality prediction) Algorithm benchmarking (e.g., IOHprofiler, MA-BBOB, explainable benchmarking) Scientific Awards : IEEE Fellow (2022) Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) member (2021) Academia Europaea member (2022) IEEE Computational Intelligence Society Evolutionary Computation Pioneer Award (2015) Fellow, International Society of Genetic and Evolutionary Computation (2003) Best Ph.D. thesis award, German Society of Computer Science (GI) (1995) Advising and Grants : He supervises Ph.D. candidates in evolutionary computation and machine learning and has secured 7 major grants from organizations like the Dutch Research Council , European Commission , and The Research Council of Norway . His editorial roles include Editor-in-Chief of the Evolutionary Computation Journal and associate editorships in leading AI journals.
Elly Konijn is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and Network Institute of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding the Fenna Diemer-Lindeboom Endowed Chair. As chair of the Media Psychology Amsterdam program, her work bridges media psychology, social robots, affective processing, and adolescent media use . Research Pillars : Relating to media figures, virtual humans, and social robots Media-based reality perceptions and moral standards Adolescent media effects (cyberbullying, video games, body image) Recent Publications explore emotional bonding with robots, narrative complexity in film, and media's impact on adolescent cognition. Her 2025 Communication Theory article introduces a framework for human-artificial others relationships. Scientific Recognition : KNAW/NWO Eurekaprijs (2015) Computable Award (2021) Network Institute Competitive Research Funding (2025) She supervises 16 PhD students and leads projects like ROBOT-BOND (ERC Advanced Grant 2025-2029) and Communicating with Social Robots (2020-2025). Her documentaries (e.g., Alice Cares ) translate research into public discourse.
Professor Michael Burke holds a full professorship in Rhetoric at Utrecht University (Faculty of Humanities) and teaches at University College Roosevelt (UCR) in Middelburg. Previously, he served as UU Honours Dean (2016–2021). His research focuses on rhetoric, stylistics, cognitive aspects of language, and education. He earned his Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Amsterdam, where he also completed his undergraduate studies. Research interests span written, oral, and digital rhetoric, emphasizing pedagogical, cognitive, stylistic, and neuroscientific dimensions. He has held visiting roles at institutions like the University of Cambridge and University of Bologna. Editorial roles include series editor for Routledge’s 'Research Monographs in Linguistics' and board memberships with journals like Language and Literature . Teaching includes undergraduate courses on classical rhetoric, argumentation, and public speaking at UCR, plus leadership and interdisciplinary research modules for Utrecht’s Honours College. He supervises PhD students in the UiL-OTS linguistics research school. Notable publications include The Routledge Handbook of Stylistics (2023) and studies on critical thinking, digital literacy, and cognitive literary science. Professional activities include keynote speaking at conferences like PCST and EARS, and contributions to projects such as ‘Undergraduate Research in the Netherlands’. His work bridges rhetoric, cognitive science, and education, emphasizing practical applications for students and educators.
Anna Grigolon is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente , Netherlands, affiliated with the Transport Engineering and Management Research Group . Her research focuses on sustainable urban mobility , user-centric transport solutions , and travel behavior analysis using tools like discrete choice modeling , spatial analysis , and social psychology theories . Research Interests : Sustainable Urban Mobility Accessibility Modeling Travel Behavior Discrete Choice and Latent Class Modeling Spatial Analysis and GIS Shared Micromobility and Mobility Hubs Equity in Transport Planning Article Trends : Anna’s recent work (2025–2024) emphasizes mobility justice , 15-minute city transitions, and equity in transport access , particularly for marginalized communities like São Paulo favelas. She integrates digital tools (e.g., serious games, kiosks) and space-time metrics to evaluate mobility solutions. Projects : She currently leads the SmartHubs project and contributes to DREAMS and R-map , focusing on smart, equitable mobility systems in Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Thijs Broekhuizen is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business, specializing in Innovation Management & Strategy. He currently serves as Scientific Director of the University of Groningen Business School, Coordinator of the Northern-Netherlands Innovation Monitor, and Programme Director of the Executive MBA. His research focuses on digital transformation, value creation in innovation, and digital business models, with interdisciplinary insights bridging strategy, innovation, and digitalization. Education: PhD in Marketing (University of Groningen, 2006) MSc in Marketing (University of Groningen, 2001) Research Interests: Broekhuizen explores value appropriation in technology-driven contexts, digital business models, and strategic responses to disruptive technologies. His work emphasizes SMEs' digital transformation challenges, organizational identity during technological change, and AI-driven innovation management. Key areas include digital platforms, motion picture industries, and social media dynamics. Grants & Projects: TALENT4S3 (€165K, Interreg 2024-2028) SIRM (€189K, Interreg 2023-2027) NWO-funded studies on construction industry profitability and online customer journeys Awards: Best Paper Award at ISoF 2021 Best Short Paper Award Nomination 2021 Teaching & Leadership: Broekhuizen teaches strategy and digitalization in executive programs and has led the MScBA and EMBA initiatives. His educational roles include Programme Director of the Executive MBA (Energy Transition, Health, Sustainable Business Models tracks) and member of the Groningen Digital Business Centre. Labs/Teams: He coordinates the Northern-Netherlands Innovation Monitor (surveying 10,000+ SMEs) and collaborates with the Groningen Digital Business Centre to advance digital strategy research.
Prof. Jan Theeuwes is a Full Professor of Cognitive Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, leading the ERC-funded research group on statistical learning and attention. He holds additional roles as Distinguished Visiting Research Professor at the William James Center for Research (Lisbon) and Visiting Professor at Zhejiang University (China). With over 474 publications and two ERC Advanced Grants (2013 & 2019), his work spans visual attention, statistical learning, and applied human factors in road design. He pioneered the 'Self-Explaining Roads' concept, revolutionizing global road safety design, and co-developed Open Sesame, a widely used open-source experiment builder. His research integrates EEG, fMRI, and computational modeling, addressing topics like distractor suppression, emotion, and leadership influence. Over 25 PhD students have graduated under his mentorship, many securing academic roles across Europe. Education: Cum laude degrees in Experimental Psychology (Tilburg University) and a PhD (VU Amsterdam, 1992). Key awards include the Bertelson Award (2001) and KNAW membership (2010). He advises the Dutch Department of Transportation and founded the Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam (IBBA) in 2016. Ancillary roles include leadership in European psychological societies and consultancy for Attention Architects, applying eye-tracking research in corporate settings.
Mark van Loosdrecht is a Full Professor in Environmental Biotechnology at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), leading the Mark van Loosdrecht Group within the Faculty of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on microbial ecology and innovative wastewater treatment technologies, including biofilm processes, nitrogen/phosphate conversion, and microbial polymer production. He is renowned for developing the Anammox and Nereda technologies, which revolutionize nutrient removal and sludge management in wastewater systems. **Awards & Recognition**: Van Loosdrecht has received prestigious awards such as the Spinoza Award (2014), Stockholm Water Prize (2018), and Lee Kuan Yew Prize (2012). He is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Dutch and U.S. National Academies of Sciences. **Research Interests**: His work emphasizes sustainable water treatment, resource recovery, and microbial process engineering. Key topics include anaerobic digestion, aerobic granular sludge, and bioremediation strategies for industrial and municipal wastewater. **Publications & Impact**: Over 1,400 peer-reviewed publications and contributions to textbooks like Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications . His research bridges fundamental science with practical applications, addressing global challenges in water management and environmental sustainability. **Affiliations**: He chairs the Environmental Biotechnology section at TU Delft and collaborates globally on projects like the ESDIT initiative, exploring ethics in disruptive technologies.
Justin Jansen is a Professor of Corporate Entrepreneurship at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) within Erasmus University Rotterdam. Affiliated since 2001, his academic career spans over two decades. He holds a PhD in Management (2005) from Erasmus University. His research focuses on organizational growth, strategic renewal, and leadership dynamics in fast-growing firms. He co-founded the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE) and pioneered the European ScaleUp Institute, fostering scale-up ecosystems across Europe. His work bridges academia and practice, addressing how organizations navigate paradoxes between exploration and exploitation. He has advised companies and governments on innovation strategies and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Editorships include Journal of Management Studies , and he’s an editorial board member of leading journals like Academy of Management Journal . Notable awards include the ERIM Best Paper Award and being named one of the world’s top entrepreneurship scholars. Research highlights include frameworks for scale-up DNA, leadership roles in ambidextrous organizations, and the role of social networks in corporate-startup collaborations. He co-developed BuildtoGrow, a venture applying research-based game-based learning tools for scaling organizations. Key collaborations include work with the European ScaleUp Institute and advisory roles for governmental agencies on entrepreneurial climate improvement. His 50+ publications span topics like absorptive capacity, strategic agility, and middle management roles in strategy implementation.
Tal Simons is Professor of Organization Theory in the Department of Organisation and Personnel Management at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam, and has been an ERIM Fellow since 2019. His research examines organizational responses to societal pressures through institutional and behavioral lenses. Simons' work centers on institutional theory applications in regulatory resistance, ideological dynamics, and organizational authenticity. He investigates how firms navigate social movements, media scrutiny, and moral legitimacy challenges across diverse sectors including tobacco, wine, and contemporary dance. His methodology blends historical analysis with qualitative case studies to uncover patterns in community cohesion, aesthetic innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration. Publication trends reveal an evolution from foundational studies on kibbutzim and Israeli wine industry transformation (1997-2010) toward contemporary analyses of CSR-media relationships, regulatory compliance, and authenticity construction (2015-2024). Recent work emphasizes ideological imperatives in news coverage and moral legitimacy frameworks, while maintaining consistent theoretical grounding in institutional logics and organizational ecology. Professional recognition includes: ERIM Fellow (2019–present) As an active doctoral supervisor, Simons mentors nine PhD candidates across organization theory and behavior domains. His advisees explore cross-cultural collaborations, multi-stakeholder organizing, sustainability-focused community enterprises, and societal change mechanisms. Supervision spans 2015 to present with roles as promotor and committee member, reflecting sustained commitment to developing organizational scholarship through next-generation researchers.
Mathias Funk is an Associate Professor in the Industrial Design department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), leading the Things Ecology lab. His research focuses on designing with data and systems behavior, particularly in IoT and medical technology contexts. He co-founded UXsuite GmbH and developed the OOCSI communication framework. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU/e (2011), Funk has held academic roles since 2013, including postdoctoral positions in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design. He teaches courses like 'Data-enabled design' and supervises projects on AI, data foundry, and OOCSI applications. His work bridges engineering and design, addressing sustainability and human values through systemic design approaches. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, TU/e (2011) Computer Science background from RWTH Aachen Postdoc at TU/e's Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design departments Research Interests: Data-driven design methodologies, IoT systems, medical technology innovation, sustainable design practices, and interactive systems for musical expression. Recent work emphasizes telemonitoring efficacy in heart failure care and federated learning applications. Awards: Best Paper Award (2014) Honorable Mention (2021) Grants/Projects: Leading initiatives like MEDICAID (medtech solutions), ACACIA (interpretable AI), and Data-Driven Servitizing in Professional Printing. Active in clinical workflow prototyping and cardiovascular disease detection projects. Lab Activities: Manages the Things Ecology lab, focusing on systemic design challenges in smart ecosystems. Collaborates internationally through spin-offs and visiting lectureships.
Prof. Ivo J.B.F. Adan is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), holding chairs in both Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences and Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on stochastic operations research, queueing models, and manufacturing systems design. He has held visiting positions at the University of North Carolina and was part-time professor at the University of Amsterdam (2008–2011). Education: MSc and PhD in Mathematics from TU/e Affiliations: Eurandom Senior Fellow, Beta Research Director, editorial roles at Queueing Systems and Probability in Engineering and Informational Sciences His work addresses warehouse optimization, transportation logistics, and semiconductor manufacturing. Notable achievements include: Developed analytical models for zone picking systems and conveyor networks Advanced understanding of FCFS infinite bipartite matching systems Recipient of multiple best paper awards including the IE&IS Valorization Prize (2023) Current projects include the DigiTwop digital twin-based warehouse optimization initiative and modular construction research. He teaches courses on stochastic modeling, manufacturing systems, and smart industry applications.
