Hadi Esmaeilzadeh is an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering . He leads the Alternative Computing Technologies (ACT) Laboratory and serves as Associate Director of the Center for Machine Integrated Computing and Security (MICS) . Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. Ph.D., Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington (2013) Research focuses on computer architecture , machine learning acceleration , and approximate computing His work has produced 15+ publications spanning IEEE Micro Top Picks , CACM Research Highlights , and ISCA . Key projects include: Tabla : Cross-stack ML acceleration framework DnnWeaver : Open-source DNN acceleration platform Major honors include: IEEE TCCA Young Computer Architect Award ISCA Hall of Fame Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship Georgia Tech PURA Award Teaching roles: CSE 141: Introduction to Computer Architecture CSE 240D: Accelerator Design for Deep Learning CSE 240A: Principles of Computer Architecture
Daniel Varro is a Professor affiliated with McGill University (Faculty of Engineering, School of Computer Science), with strong ties to Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Linköping University. He is a leading researcher in model-driven engineering, cyber-physical systems, and software engineering, actively contributing to top-tier conferences such as MODELS, ICSE, and ASE. His research focuses on model-based systems engineering (MBSE) , automated model generation , model transformations , and constraint-based consistency checking . Recently, his work has expanded into integrating large language models (LLMs) and machine learning into modeling workflows, including model querying, domain modeling, and bug detection. The recent publications reveal a strong trend toward AI-augmented modeling, logic-based solvers (e.g., Refinery), and safety assurance of autonomous systems (e.g., COLREGs compliance). His work bridges formal methods with practical software engineering challenges in industrial and safety-critical domains. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in the text. Advising and Grants: While no explicit list of students or grants is provided, his mentorship in the Doctoral Symposium and repeated leadership roles suggest active supervision and likely grant funding. He has led projects on automated model generation, model quality, and AI integration in modeling. Labs and Teams: Daniel Varro is associated with research groups focused on model-driven engineering and software evolution, likely leading or co-leading teams working on the VIATRA and Refinery frameworks for model transformation and solving.
Pengtao Xie is an Associate Professor (with tenure as of June 2025) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California San Diego. He also serves as Associate Adjunct Professor in the Division of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, and holds affiliate appointments with the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute, School of Biological Sciences, Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and multiple research institutes including the AI Group, Center for Machine-Intelligence, Computing and Security, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, and Institute for Genomic Medicine. Education: PhD in Machine Learning, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University Research Interests: His research focuses on machine learning inspired by human learning skills, such as self-explanation, small-group learning, and learning by teaching. He applies these techniques to large language models, foundation models, healthcare, and biomedicine. His work spans generative AI, medical imaging, protein modeling, and drug discovery. Recent Research Trends: His 2024–2025 publications emphasize generative AI for ultra-low-data medical image segmentation, multimodal large language models for biomedical applications, protein function prediction, and novel training strategies like task-adaptive pretraining and bi-level optimization for model adaptation. Scientific Awards: NIH MIRA Award (2025) NSF CAREER Award (2024) Best Graduate Teacher Award – UCSD ECE (2023) ICLR Notable-Top-5% Paper (2023) Global Top-100 Chinese Young Scholars in AI (2022) UCSD Faculty Career Development Award (2022) Tencent Faculty Award (2021) Outstanding Reviewer – ICLR (2021) AMIA Doctoral Dissertation Award Finalist (2020) Amazon AWS Research Award (2020) Tencent AI-Lab Faculty Award (2020) Innovator Award – Pittsburgh Business Times (2018) Siebel Scholarship (2014) Advising and Grants: He currently advises PhD students, postdocs, and master’s students. He has received major grants including the NIH MIRA and NSF CAREER awards, and actively mentors Schmidt AI in Science postdocs and graduate students. Teaching and Labs: He teaches ECE285 Deep Generative Models and ECE175B Probabilistic Reasoning and Graphical Models . His lab focuses on foundational and translational AI research with applications in biomedicine and healthcare.
Danqi Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Princeton University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. Their research focuses on advancing large language models (LLMs), with emphasis on model alignment, safety, and long-context reasoning capabilities. Key research areas: LLMs, AI safety, retrieval systems, and model optimization Recent work explores theorem proving, context encoding, and ethical content generation Their 2025 publications highlight innovations in formal verification scaffolding, attention mechanism efficiency, and copyright-aware generation. 2024 studies investigate continual memorization, rule-based chatbot representations, and scientific literature retrieval benchmarks. Current projects demonstrate commitment to improving model robustness, interpretability, and security compliance in multimodal systems.
Daniel Balasubramanian is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Computer Science and Research Scientist at Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering. His research focuses on cybersecurity, software verification, and cyber-physical systems, with expertise in symbolic execution, code analysis, and formal methods. He contributes to advancing secure systems through frameworks like RAMPART for adversarial defense and Syntheto for formal verification. His work intersects edge computing, hardware security, and autonomous systems resilience. Research Interests: Cybersecurity (including ethical hacking, network defense), formal methods (verification, theorem proving), edge computing (tinyML, cloud integration), and cyber-physical systems (emulation, testbeds). His recent work emphasizes assurance provenance in software documentation and adversarially robust autonomous systems. Publications since 2019 highlight contributions to cybersecurity testbeds, reinforcement learning for penetration resistance, and hardware security against rowhammer attacks. He has explored domain-specific languages (Syntheto), incremental modeling techniques (differential-formula), and cloud-edge service resilience against adversarial perturbations. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Institute for Software-Integrated Systems (ISIS), focusing on integrating software with physical systems through model-driven approaches and cybersecurity innovations.
Matthew Lakin is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Computer Science at the University of New Mexico, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering. He is affiliated with the UNM Center for Biomedical Engineering and the School of Engineering, and collaborates extensively with the UNM Health Sciences Center and external institutions. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Cambridge, 2010 M.A. (Cantab), University of Cambridge, 2009 B.A. (Hons), Computer Science, University of Cambridge, 2005 Dr. Lakin's research focuses on molecular computing, DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and formal verification of biomolecular circuits. He develops computational models and experimental systems for programmable biological devices, especially using heterochiral DNA to enhance stability in living cells. His work spans software tools for biodesign and experimental validation in mammalian systems, with applications in nanomedicine and biosensing. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in engineering robust, intelligent biomolecular systems. His work integrates machine learning concepts into chemical reaction networks, advances geometric modeling of DNA systems, and pioneers L-DNA-based circuits for intracellular applications. The research spans theoretical foundations, software tools, and wet-lab experimentation, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation. Scientific Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2025 NSF CAREER Award, 2021 UNM School of Engineering Junior Faculty Research Excellence Award, 2021 Multiple student awards under his mentorship, including the Outstanding Graduate Student Award and DNA28 Best Student Presentation recognition Dr. Lakin has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, including Ph.D. graduates in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science. He leads major funded projects such as the NSF CAREER grant on heterochiral molecular computing, an EPSCoR Research Fellowship, and a $3M NSF grant on heavy metal biosensing in collaboration with Native American communities. He is also PI on multiple NSF grants related to synthetic cells and nucleic acid technologies. He directs the Lakin Lab for Programmable Biology, which operates within the Department of Computer Science and collaborates with Chemical & Biological Engineering and the Center for Biomedical Engineering. The lab emphasizes both computational modeling and experimental molecular biology, and runs an NSF-funded biotechnology summer camp in partnership with ¡Explora! science museum to strengthen STEM education in New Mexico.
Harry R. Lloyd is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, serving as Core Faculty for the PPE Program and Research Affiliate at the Center for AI Safety. He joined UNC Chapel Hill in Fall 2025 after completing his PhD at Yale University, where his dissertation examined moral uncertainty and bargaining under Shelly Kagan. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Yale University (2020-2025) and a first-class B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall (2016-2019), where he graduated top of his cohort and won multiple prizes including the Hicks/Webb Medley Prize and Uehiro Essay Prize. He attended Monmouth Comprehensive School (2009-2016), becoming the first comprehensive school student to win Trinity College Cambridge's Philosophy Essay Prize. Lloyd's research integrates Ethics, Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of AI through innovative frameworks for moral uncertainty and bargaining theory. His work bridges abstract theory with urgent real-world applications in AI alignment, distributive justice, and urban policy. He critically examines how normative disagreement should be resolved in AI systems, challenges conventional views on gentrification's moral dimensions, and develops resource-rational approaches to contractualism in animal ethics and intergenerational justice. His publication trajectory reveals a cohesive intellectual project: advancing bargaining-theoretic solutions to moral uncertainty while applying these frameworks across AI safety, political philosophy, and bioethics. Recent work in Philosophical Studies and Ergo establishes novel connections between moral uncertainty and collective decision-making, while his Journal of Urban Affairs article redefines gentrification's ethical analysis beyond displacement metrics. Awarded significant fellowships and prizes including the Rocky Mountain Ethics Congress Young Ethicist Prize (2024) and Global Priorities Institute Essay Prize (2021), his honors demonstrate impact across multiple domains: Institute for Humane Studies Junior Fellowship (2025) Forethought Foundation Global Priorities Fellowship (2022-2024) Rocky Mountain Ethics Congress Young Ethicist Prize (2024) Global Priorities Institute Early Career Conference Programme (2022) Research funding includes the Global Priorities Fellowship (2022-2024) and Institute for Humane Studies Junior Fellowship (2025). He actively shapes academic discourse through peer review for journals including Philosophical Studies and Journal of Applied Philosophy, and co-organizes the Yale Moral Philosophy Working Group. Though newly appointed, his teaching portfolio spans Environmental Ethics, PPE Capstone, and Philosophy of Technology, building on Yale teaching experience where he served as primary instructor for Philosophy and Technology. Lloyd maintains active research affiliations with the Center for AI Safety and previously contributed as a Resident Fellow at Yale's Information Society Project (2023-2025). His collaborative networks extend to the Global Priorities Institute at Oxford and Happier Lives Institute, driving interdisciplinary work at the AI-society interface through regular presentations at PPE Society meetings and ethics conferences.
Tianyi Zhang is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University, part of the College of Science. He leads the Human-Centered Software Systems Lab, focusing on AI-driven systems that synergize human expertise with machine intelligence to enhance programming productivity and software reliability. Prior to Purdue, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University under Dr. Elena Glassman and earned his Ph.D. from UCLA (2019) and B.Sc. from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2013). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles (2019) Bachelor's in Computer Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2013) Research Interests: His work spans Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, and AI. Key areas include program synthesis, interactive debugging tools, autonomous driving system testing, and mitigating biases in AI models. He develops systems like Interpretable Program Synthesis and SQLucid to bridge human and machine intelligence. Recent Trends in Publications: Recent work emphasizes human-in-the-loop AI, including mixed-initiative systems for data wrangling (Dango), interactive program repair, and bias analysis in text representations (STILE). He also explores challenges in autonomous driving testing and LLM-based code generation errors. Awards & Grants: NSF Career Award (2024) Amazon Research Award Showalter Trust Research Award for pre-diabetes research $1.5M NSF grant for software supply chain security Best Paper Honorable Mentions at CHI and VAHC Advising & Teams: Supervises 12+ PhD/Master's students and 30+ research interns. Notable advisees include Bonan Kou (API misuse studies) and Yuan Tian (text-to-SQL systems). Collaborates with Harvard Medical School on healthcare data analysis. Labs & Initiatives: Directs Purdue's Human-Centered Software Systems Lab. Co-founded the Societal Impact Fellows program. Active in open-source projects like Examplore for API usage visualization and JShrink for Java debloating.
Andrew Rice is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Cambridge's Department of Computer Science and Technology, and holds the Hassabis Fellowship in Computer Science. He is also the Director of Studies in Computer Science at Queens' College. His research focuses on programming languages, software engineering, and machine learning applications in software development. He leads projects like Isaac Computer Science and ALTA (Automated Language Teaching and Assessment), advancing adaptive learning technologies. His work includes static analysis tools such as Error Prone at Google, energy efficiency studies in computing infrastructure, and contributions to the Computing for the Future of the Planet initiative. His teaching emphasizes practical skill development through flipped classrooms and video lectures, earning him the 2014 Pilkington Prize for teaching excellence. He has held visiting roles at Google and collaborated on energy consumption research for mobile devices and data centers. His research spans systems, networking, and natural language processing, with a strong focus on applying computational methods to real-world challenges. Key Projects: Isaac Physics/Computer Science, ALTA, Error Prone Static Analysis Research Themes: Programming Languages, Machine Learning, Energy Efficiency Awards: Pilkington Prize (2014)
Mona Singh is a Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University, with affiliations to the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and the Department of Molecular Biology. She has been a faculty member since 1999. Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995 A.B. and S.M. degrees in Computer Science from Harvard University Her research focuses on computational molecular biology, integrating machine learning and algorithms to analyze biological networks, protein interactions, and mutational impacts. Key areas include DNA/RNA binding prediction, protein structure analysis, and network-based disease gene discovery. Her recent work highlights trends in protein language models, kinase-substrate prediction, and equitable MHC binding algorithms. These span sub-fields like structural bioinformatics, network biology, and functional genomics. Scientific Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) Rheinstein Junior Faculty Award ACM Fellow (2019) ISCB Fellow (2018) She has taught an introductory computational biology course with Professor Coleen Murphy, covering sequence analysis, phylogenetics, and network reconstruction. Her group has developed tools like dPUC , nCOP , and DiffMut . Her lab collaborates with institutions including Carnegie Mellon, Duke University, and the Broad Institute, advancing applications in cancer genomics, metabolic disease, and precision medicine.
Robert Dick is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan, part of the College of Engineering. He previously held roles as Associate Professor at Northwestern University and Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University and a Bachelor's degree from Clarkson University. His research focuses on Embedded Systems, Learning Dynamics, Efficient Machine Learning, Privacy, and Censorship Resistance. Key themes include defining problems with correct costs/constraints, broadening access to information technology, mitigating negative tech impacts, and solving inference problems with limited resources. He leads the Embedded Systems Graduate Program and is a member of the Michigan Integrated Circuits Laboratory (MICL). His work spans thermal management, energy-efficient computing, and low-power wireless networks. Notable contributions include innovations in embedded system design, machine vision frameworks, and sensor networks. Courses taught include EECS 507 (Embedded Systems Research), EECS 373 (Embedded System Design), and ENGR 100 (Autonomous Systems). His recent publications emphasize AI model analysis, energy-efficient networks, and environmental sensing. Projects include MemX (attention-aware wearable tech) and LoRa-based LPWAN protocols. Dick co-founded Stryd, a company commercializing embedded systems innovations.
Pontus Johnson is a Professor at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. He leads the Center for Cyber Defense and Information Security (collaborating with Swedish Armed Forces, FRA, MSB, FOI, FHS) and serves as vice director of Cybercampus Sweden since 2024. His research focuses on cybersecurity , enterprise architecture analysis , and probabilistic threat modeling , particularly through his development of the Meta Attack Language (MAL) for simulating cyber attacks on networked systems. Education: MSc in Computer Science, Lund Institute of Technology (1997) PhD in Computer Science, KTH (2002) Docent title, KTH (2007) Leadership Roles: Director, Center for Cyber Defense and Information Security (2013–present) Vice Director, Cybercampus Sweden (2024–present) Board Member, Swedish Research Council (2025–present) Deputy Chair, Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) Board (2024–present) His work spans cybersecurity research , attack simulation methodologies , and enterprise architecture frameworks . He has developed tools like securiCAD (acquired by Google) and pwnPr3d for probabilistic threat modeling. His 15 most recent publications highlight advancements in graph-based attack simulations , automated security assessments , and AI applications in cyber defense . Scientific recognition includes: Listed among Tech Awards Sweden's 50 Most Influential People in Swedish Tech (2022, 2023) Discovery of vulnerability in the Universal Turing Machine (2021) He supervises 16 PhD students and alumni (2005–2024), including Simon Gökstorp , Jakob Nyberg , and Sotirios Katsikeas . His academic service includes over 50 program committee roles and leadership positions in international conferences. He contributes to both academic and public domains through media appearances (SVT, Aftonbladet), courses in ethical hacking , and industry collaboration via his role at Google (20% of his time). His research group Software Systems Architecture and Security (SSAS) focuses on predictive security frameworks and system-of-systems analysis.
Adam Finkelstein is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Princeton University, where he has been a faculty member since 1997. He holds a PhD and Master's in Computer Science from the University of Washington and a dual degree in Physics and Computer Science from Swarthmore College. Finkelstein is renowned for his interdisciplinary work at the intersection of computer graphics, audio processing, and machine learning, and he co-organized the Art of Science exhibition at Princeton. Education: PhD, Computer Science, University of Washington MS, Computer Science, University of Washington BA, Physics and Computer Science, Swarthmore College His research spans audio processing (e.g., speech enhancement, voice conversion, audio metrics), computer graphics (e.g., line drawing algorithms, stylized rendering, image manipulation), and machine learning (e.g., self-supervised learning, differentiable programming). His work often bridges technical and creative domains, exemplified by collaborations at Pixar and Adobe Creative Technologies Lab. Recent publications highlight advancements in audio super-resolution and voice conversion using deep learning frameworks, as well as stylized line rendering for animated 3D models. His contributions to perceptual audio metrics and shader optimization further underscore his impact on human-centric computational systems. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Finkelstein has secured foundational grants for his research and actively mentors students, though no specific advisees are listed. He also explores collaborative tools for internet music performance, reflecting his broader interest in distributed systems and user interfaces.
Haryadi S. Gunawi is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago where he leads the UCARE research group (UChicago systems research on Availability, Reliability, and Efficiency). His work focuses on improving the dependability of storage and cloud computing systems, with a particular emphasis on addressing performance stability, reliability, and scalability challenges in modern computing environments. Dr. Gunawi received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2009. Following his doctoral studies, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley from 2010 to 2012 before joining the University of Chicago faculty. His research focuses on three main areas: (1) performance stability, where he builds storage and distributed systems robust to latency tails and "limping" hardware; (2) reliability and scalability, where he addresses concurrency and scalability bugs in cloud-scale distributed systems; and (3) the intersection of machine learning and systems, exploring how machine learning techniques can solve operating and storage system problems. His work often combines theoretical insights with practical system implementations that address real-world challenges in cloud and storage infrastructure. Dr. Gunawi's publication record shows a consistent focus on storage and cloud system reliability, with recent work increasingly incorporating machine learning techniques to address traditional systems challenges. His research spans the full stack from hardware interfaces to distributed system design, with a strong emphasis on practical solutions that can be deployed in production environments. His work often involves close collaboration with industry partners to ensure real-world relevance and impact. Dr. Gunawi has received numerous prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER award, NSF Computing Innovation Fellowship, Google Faculty Research Award, multiple NetApp Faculty Fellowships, and an Honorable Mention for the 2009 ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award. He has also received the Provost's Global Faculty Award and Facebook Faculty Research Award, highlighting the broad recognition of his contributions to the field. As an advisor, Dr. Gunawi has mentored several PhD students including Ruidan Li, Ray Andrew, Rani Ayu Putri, and William Nixon. His research has been supported by major grants from NSF, Google, Facebook, and NetApp, enabling his team to pursue ambitious research projects at the intersection of systems, storage, and machine learning. Dr. Gunawi leads the UCARE research group at UChicago, which focuses on improving the dependability of storage and cloud-scale distributed systems. He is also involved with the Chameleon cloud research infrastructure project and the broader Systems Group at UChicago, contributing to a vibrant research community focused on systems, programming languages, and software engineering.
Bilal Farooq is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Engineering in Interdisciplinary Engineering (MEIE) at Toronto Metropolitan University, holding the Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services within the Department of Civil Engineering. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto (2011), MASc from Lahore University of Management Sciences (2004), and BSc from the University of Engineering and Technology (2001). Dr. Farooq's research pioneers disruptive transportation solutions through cyber-physical systems, AI/machine learning applications, behavioral modeling, and optimization techniques. His work specifically targets on-demand multimodal systems, sustainable urban transportation, urban air mobility, automated vehicles, and extended reality applications, addressing critical urban mobility challenges with human-centered approaches. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward quantum-enhanced computational methods, privacy-preserving federated learning frameworks, and sustainability-focused decarbonization strategies across transportation domains, with increasing emphasis on human factors and real-world implementation. Notable scientific awards include: Ontario Early Researcher Award (2018) Canada Research Chair (2017) MassMotion Academic Pedestrian Modelling Project of the Year (2016) Québec Early Researcher Award (2014) Dr. Farooq actively supervises graduate students and secures significant research funding through his Canada Research Chair position and Early Researcher Awards. He directs the Laboratory of Innovations in Transportation (LiTrans), which develops interdisciplinary solutions integrating mathematics, engineering, computer science, and economics to address emerging transportation challenges. LiTrans focuses on disruptive transportation technologies, complete streets design, cyber-physical systems, pedestrian dynamics, resilience, and climate change impacts, collaborating with industry and government partners to translate research into practical urban mobility innovations for smart cities worldwide.
