Olinkha Gustafson-Pearce is a Lecturer in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Brunel University London, affiliated with the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. She specializes in Graphic Communication, with a focus on Information Architecture and Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), particularly in virtual worlds like Second Life. She leads the Virtual Brunel project, a 3D immersive platform for education and public engagement. PhD in Information Architecture (Brunel University London) BA (Hons) in Graphic Information Design (Westminster University) Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (Brunel University London) Her research explores structure and navigation in virtual worlds, emphasizing accessibility for distance learners and visually impaired users. She investigates tactile signal systems, information overload in media, and urban design in cultural contexts. Her work has been supported by Brunel’s L&T Innovation Fund (£5973.00). Olinkha is a founding member and fellow of the Human-Centred Design Institute, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the IET. She supervises PhD and MA students, focusing on projects like visual semiotics in advertising billboards and methodologies for reclaiming cultural urban spaces.
Przemysław Rokita is a full-time Professor at the Institute of Computer Science within the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology at Warsaw University of Technology. He holds a PhD (1993), DSc (2000), and has been a Professor since 2014. His work spans computer graphics, image processing, and machine learning applications in particle physics simulations. MSc (1985), PhD (1993), DSc (2000) Academic roles: Professor (2014-present), Professor Assistant (2000-2014) Rokita's research interests include: Computer graphics algorithms and visualization Digital image processing techniques Machine learning for detector simulations High-energy physics data analysis Interactive software tools for scientific computing His recent publications focus on AI-driven particle collision simulations , real-time data visualization , and deepfake detection . He has collaborated with institutions in Germany, Japan, and the UK, including Max-Planck-Institut für Informatik and The University of Aizu. Scientific Awards: Minister of Education Award (1995) Rector’s Award in Science (2001, 2019) Golden Chalk Distinction for teaching excellence (2005, 2006) Professional Leadership: Head of Computer Graphics Division (2013-present) Member of Faculty Council and its Scientific Research Committee Active in program committees for IEEE, ACM Siggraph, and Eurographics
David Rafferty is an Associate Professor in the Department of the Arts at The American University in Cairo (AUC). He holds a PhD in Music from McGill University's Schulich School of Music, a Master of Music in Advanced Composition from the Royal College of Music (RCM), and a BA in Philosophy from Mount Allison University. Education Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy, Mount Allison University Master of Music - Advanced Composition, Royal College of Music (2009-2010) Doctor of Music, Schulich School of Music, McGill University (2013-2018) His research focuses on the intersection of technology and music practices, with specific interests in real-time performance, pedagogical strategies for music technology, spatialization in recording and performance, and audio signal processing. Scientific Awards Cobbett and Hurlestone Prize for Composition (RCM) Graduate Excellence Fellowship (McGill University) Rafferty has taught courses in Digital Composition, Advanced Digital Composition, and Video Production at McGill University. He collaborated with sound engineer George Massenburg to develop the Schulich School of Music's video production area.
Dr Jon Stammers serves as the Senior Theme Lead for Data, Connectivity and AI within the Integrated Manufacturing Group at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), University of Sheffield. He joined the AMRC in 2013, initially working in the Machining Group's Process Monitoring and Control team, and has since taken on leadership of the Data, Connectivity and AI theme. Additionally, he has lectured at the AMRC Training Centre and is an active member of the Centre for Machine Intelligence and the IET Manufacturing Technical Network. Stammers holds an MEng and PhD in Electronic Engineering. His doctoral research investigated automated identification of urban and natural audio signals using time-domain feature extraction and ensemble neural network classifiers. His primary research interests focus on leveraging data from connected manufacturing processes to enable Smart Factories. This includes developing open-source data architectures, data visualization techniques, computer vision applications, AI and machine learning algorithms, data security measures, and data science methodologies. He is particularly interested in how AI can serve as a practical tool to enhance daily manufacturing operations and the broader societal impacts of technology adoption in industrial settings. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent emphasis on machine tool health monitoring, anomaly detection in machining processes, and the integration of AI for predictive maintenance. His work bridges theoretical advancements in signal processing and machine learning with practical industrial applications, contributing to more efficient and reliable manufacturing systems. No scientific awards, prizes, or fellowships were mentioned in the provided information. Stammers has previously lectured at the AMRC Training Centre, contributing to workforce development in advanced manufacturing. While no formal PhD or Master's advisees are listed in the provided information, his role in training is evident through his educational contributions. He has secured significant research funding as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on multiple projects, including the ATI-funded "Securing Aerospace Manufacture in the UK" (£974,000), Innovate UK's "Data-driven manufacturing" (£111,000), EPSRC's "Autonomous Method for Detecting Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Anomalies" (£1.02M), and several others totaling over £2.5 million. His current projects span AI for machining design, hydrogen storage, and geospatial AI for housing layouts. Stammers leads the Data, Connectivity and AI theme at the AMRC, which focuses on enabling Smart Factories through innovative data and AI solutions. He is part of the Integrated Manufacturing Group, a key research team within the AMRC dedicated to advancing manufacturing technologies.
Lubomir Ivanov is a Professor of Computer Science and current Chair of the Computer Science Department at Iona University, where he also serves as Game Development Coordinator and primary contact for all undergraduate programs. He joined Iona in 1999 after completing his academic training at Stevens Institute of Technology and has established himself as a versatile educator teaching courses ranging from computer architecture to virtual reality development. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Stevens Institute of Technology M.S. in Computer Science, Stevens Institute of Technology B.S. in Computer Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology Dr. Ivanov's research demonstrates exceptional interdisciplinary breadth, with dual pillars in Natural Language Processing and Applied Virtual Reality . His NLP work pioneers authorship attribution techniques using linguistic features from phonetic patterns (alliteration, assonance) to semantic dimensions (abstractness/concreteness), particularly for historical texts like Thomas Paine's writings. Simultaneously, his VR research creates impactful educational tools, including anti-bullying simulators with facial-expression recognition and mental health applications for non-suicidal self-injury assistance, reflecting strong collaborations with psychology departments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2016-2024) reveals an evolving trajectory: early work focused on phonetic features for authorship analysis, progressively incorporating semantic and sentiment features, while his VR research matured from basic environments to sophisticated systems integrating real-time facial recognition and user experience optimization. Both strands consistently address real-world problems through computational methods. Scientific Awards: None mentioned in source material. Dr. Ivanov actively mentors students on research projects including the 'Bully' virtual environment and NSSI assistance software, securing collaborative grants with psychology departments. His leadership extends to university governance through the Faculty Senate and previous department chairmanship (2006-2009), alongside curriculum development for game development courses targeting non-CS majors. He directs a cross-disciplinary research ecosystem centered on the Game Development concentration, integrating computer science with education and psychology to create socially impactful technologies through ongoing VR and NLP innovation.
Joshua Alexander is Associate Professor in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University. His research focuses on hearing aid technology, speech perception mechanisms, and auditory rehabilitation. Key areas include frequency compression algorithms, music quality enhancement in hearing devices, and neural coding of auditory signals in hearing impairment. Recent work develops novel diagnostic methods like the PHIG technique for feedback quantification and investigates tonotopic distortions in sensorineural hearing loss. His lab also explores open-source hearing aid platforms and ear monitoring systems using speakers as sensors.
Hong Z. Tan is a distinguished Professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, with courtesy appointments in Mechanical Engineering and Psychological Sciences. She holds the Keysight Professorship and has held visiting roles at institutions like Microsoft Research Asia and Google LLC. Her research focuses on haptic human-machine interfaces, haptics psychophysics, and applications in robotics, medicine, and education. She pioneered the TAPS system for tactile speech communication and developed innovative haptic devices like the Sensing Chair and SlickFeel touchscreen feedback. Educations: BEng from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Biomedical Engineering), MEng and PhD from MIT (Electrical Engineering & Computer Science). Prior to Purdue, she was a Research Scientist at MIT Media Lab. Research interests include tactile signal design, crossmodal perception, and haptic communication systems. Her work bridges engineering and psychology, emphasizing perceptual foundations for technology development. Over 160 peer-reviewed publications span journals like IEEE Transactions on Haptics, Proceedings of the IEEE, and Perception. Key awards: NSF CAREER Award, Chinese National Natural Science Funds' Distinguished Young Scholar, IEEE Fellow, and multiple Best Paper Awards. Editor roles include IEEE Transactions on Haptics and World Haptics Conference. Active in professional service, she co-founded the IEEE Technical Committee on Haptics. Grants include funding from NSF, Google, and Microsoft. Her Haptic Interface Research Laboratory (HIRL) at Purdue explores cutting-edge haptics applications, including VR sports training and emotional haptic communication. Current projects include tactile speech transmission and wearable haptic arrays.
Dr. Byung-Cheol Min is an Associate Professor and University Faculty Scholar in the Department of Computer and Information Technology at Purdue University. He serves as the inaugural director of the Applied AI Research Center (AARC) and leads the SMART Lab (www.smart-laboratory.org). His research focuses on human-robot interaction, multi-robot systems, and robotics, with an emphasis on distributed algorithms, learning, and socio-technical collaboration. Dr. Min holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University (2014), an M.S. from Kyung Hee University (2010), and a B.S. from Kyung Hee University (2008). He has received prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2019), Purdue University Faculty Scholar (2021), and multiple recognition for research excellence and mentorship. His work spans robotics applications in precision agriculture, construction automation, and assistive technologies. Dr. Min has secured over $10 million in grants and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, contributing to advancements in AI, control systems, and human-robot collaboration. Key roles include leadership in the Realizing the Digital Enterprise (RDE) initiative (2022–2024) and interdisciplinary affiliations with the Robotics Accelerator, ICON, and ISF institutes. His labs develop innovative systems such as the ROS2-based SMARTmBOT platform and multimodal datasets for cognitive workload assessment.
Stephen Xia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and by courtesy in Computer Science at Northwestern University. He directs the Intelligent Mobile and Embedded Computing (IMEC) Lab. His research focuses on embedded AI, mobile systems, IoT, and digital health, aiming to create smarter, safer environments through resource-efficient technologies. Xia holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University and a B.S. from Rice University. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Columbia University B.S., Electrical Engineering, Rice University Research Interests: Embedded AI, mobile systems, IoT, wearables, edge computing, smart cities, cyber-physical systems, energy-efficient buildings, and digital health. His work spans applications like urban safety, healthcare monitoring, and energy optimization in commercial buildings. Labs/Teams: Director of the IMEC Lab, focusing on embedded intelligence, health-aware systems, and smarter environments. Grants/Projects: Includes projects on drone-based smart homes, low-cost fever screening, construction worker safety wearables, and energy footprint tracking in commercial buildings. Notable platforms include LegoSENSE and Anemoi.
Nick Collins is a Professor in the Department of Music at Durham University specializing in live computer music, musical artificial intelligence, and computational musicology. He is an active international performer as a composer-programmer-pianist, working across genres from algoraves to electronic chamber music. His research interests include algorithmic composition, machine listening, audio database analysis, and historical electronic music. Collins has authored significant publications including co-editing 'The Cambridge Companion to Electronic Music' and 'The SuperCollider Book', and writing 'Introduction to Computer Music' and 'Electronic Music'. His recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work combining artificial intelligence with music creation, including AI voice modeling, audio corpus studies, and algorithmic criticism. Research trends show strong focus on computational analysis of musical works, generative systems development, and innovative applications of machine learning to music composition and analysis. Collins currently supervises PhD student Andrew Brown. His creative practice includes frequent performances and compositions utilizing novel computer music techniques.
Prof. Youakim Badr is a Professor of Data Analytics in the Engineering Division at Temple University's Great Valley campus. His research focuses on advancing interdisciplinary fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, cybersecurity, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. He has contributed to over 134 publications, emphasizing trust frameworks in decentralized systems, privacy-preserving machine learning, and smart service ecosystems. Research Interests: Prof. Badr’s work spans AI-driven systems, blockchain applications for identity management, secure IoT architectures, and innovative frameworks for data analytics. He actively explores how AI can enhance service ecosystems and address societal challenges aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in healthcare and smart infrastructure. Collaborations: His recent research involves international collaborations in blockchain-based trust systems, cybersecurity for AI, and IoT-enabled medical devices. These efforts have led to impactful solutions like the TrustLend platform for decentralized lending and frameworks for resilient dynamic data-driven applications. Advising & Grants: While specific student names are not listed, his research has been supported by grants focusing on AI ethics, secure smart cities, and crisis management systems. He has co-authored seminal papers on federated learning, adversarial testing for AI, and artifact-centric process modeling. Labs/Teams: His contributions include foundational work in the TrustLend platform and collaborations on resilient DDDAS (Dynamic Data-Driven Application Systems) for crisis environments. He also leads initiatives integrating business artifacts with modern IT infrastructure.
Anna Diedesch, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Western Washington University. She also serves as the SLP Program Director and AuD Program Director. Her roles include overseeing academic and clinical programs in audiology and speech-language pathology. Diedesch holds a B.A. from Washington State University, an Au.D. from Wichita State University, and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Her research focuses on binaural hearing, central auditory processing, hearing aid technology, and remote testing methodologies. She explores how spatial auditory cues and amplification strategies improve communication outcomes for individuals with hearing impairments, particularly in complex listening environments. Her recent work emphasizes innovative approaches like virtual reality testing for cochlear implant users and the usability of consumer electronics (e.g., Apple AirPods Pro) for hearing assistance. She has also pioneered remote auditory testing protocols to enhance accessibility in clinical assessments. Honors include the Frederick V. Hunt Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Diedesch teaches advanced courses in hearing science, psychoacoustics, and audiological electrophysiology. She actively collaborates with the Speech-Language and Hearing Clinics at WWU, integrating clinical practice with research.
Peter Lennox is a Senior Lecturer in Performance at the University of Derby's School of Arts. His research explores spatial audio, multimodal perception, and embodied cognition through innovative sound technologies. Research focuses on tissue-conducted sound fields, perceptual augmentation, and spatial music composition. His work bridges auditory display, cognitive mapping, and sensory substitution for immersive experiences. Publications demonstrate strong emphasis on auditory-tactile integration, spatial sound perception, and creative pedagogy. Recent projects investigate sensory augmentation techniques for artistic expression and educational innovation. Achievements include Higher Education Academy Fellowship. His research has received international recognition in audio engineering and perceptual studies communities.
Luís Teixeira is an Assistant Professor at the School of Arts of the Catholic University of Portugal since 2017. He holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Porto and has been an Integrated Researcher at CITAR (Research Center for Science and Technology of the Arts) since 2004. He also served as Deputy Director of CITAR (2004-2011), Coordinator of the Digital Creativity Centre (2015-2018), and Master’s in Management of Creative Industries Coordinator since 2014. Academic Roles : Assistant Professor (School of Arts, UCP); Integrated Researcher (CITAR) Education : PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of Porto) Leadership : Deputy Director (CITAR, 2004-2011); Coordinator (Digital Creativity Centre, 2015-2018; Master’s in Creative Industries, 2014-present) His research focuses on audio-visual media , immersive and interactive technologies , and the intersection of creative industries with digital signal processing . He has led major projects like the Digital Creativity Center , CHIC , and Media, Arts & Technologies , while contributing to COST Actions in climate change , memory practices , and student mobility . His work spans digital arts , creative coding , and technology for cultural preservation . He has received two notable awards: the 2019 Cooperation and Exchange Prize for Euroregion collaboration and the 2021 Intetain Best Paper Award in eXtended Reality. His recent publications reflect expertise in generative digital photography , virtual museums , and augmented reality applications for cultural heritage. He actively engages in academic supervision , conference organization , and international collaborative networks .
Dr. Franz J. Kurfess is a Professor in the Computer Science and Software Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo). Since 2020, he has participated in the CSU Pre-Retirement Reduction in Time-Base (PRTB) Program, teaching primarily during Fall and Winter quarters while maintaining academic advising roles. He coordinates international exchange programs for the College of Engineering and focuses on interdisciplinary research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Deep Learning applications in agriculture, environmental science, and public safety. Education and Professional Background: No formal education details provided in the text, but his career spans over three decades in academia with a focus on computational systems and educational innovation. His teaching includes advanced courses like Human-Computer Interaction (CSC 486) and User-Centered Design (CPE/CSC 484), emphasizing practical, project-based learning with industry collaboration. Research Interests: Combines technical expertise in AI with societal applications, including wildlife population monitoring, UAV navigation systems, agricultural automation, and ethical considerations in data science. His work bridges theory and practice through collaborations with external partners, such as the 'CSU-FORWARD' diabetes initiative and shark surveillance projects. Publications Highlight: Over 50 publications since 1983, with recent focus on AI-driven solutions for environmental challenges (e.g., livestock detection via aerial imaging) and educational technology (e.g., cross-class AI project collaboration). Early work includes foundational contributions to neural networks and knowledge management systems. Awards and Recognition: No explicit awards listed, but sustained academic contributions are evident through his prolific publication record and leadership in international exchange programs. His role as a faculty advisor for student theses and senior projects underscores his commitment to mentoring. Labs and Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations, including the School Safety Project and UAVSim open-source development. Active in curriculum design for HCI and AI courses that integrate real-world problem-solving.
