Andrea Megela Simmons is a Professor at Brown University in the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences with a secondary appointment in the Department of Neuroscience . She is a member of the Carney Institute for Brain Science and serves as a Principal Investigator on an ONR MURI project. Education : A.B. from the University of Pennsylvania (1973), Ph.D. from Harvard University (1978), Postdoctoral research at Cornell University Simmons specializes in cognitive and neural mechanisms of sound perception and communication across species including frogs, bats, dolphins, and humans. Her work bridges behavioral neuroscience, comparative neurology, and developmental studies to explore auditory processing, echolocation, and sensory integration. Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary trends in auditory neuroscience, focusing on sound exposure effects, metamorphic neurodevelopment, and sensory-motor coordination in cluttered environments. Key subfields include echolocation, lateral line function, tectal connectivity, and acoustic adaptation across species. Scientific Awards : Fellow, Acoustical Society of America Simmons has received grants from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for MURI projects and has taught courses such as Animal Behavior , Evolution and Development of the Brain , and Auditory Perception Laboratory .
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ahmad Osman is a Professor at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar), specializing in Test Technologies and Test Methods within the Faculty of Engineering. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position at Laval University in Quebec, Canada, in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence applications in Signal and Image Processing for Non-destructive Testing (NDT) , with extensive work on Deep Learning , 3D Ultrasound Tomography , and Sensor Data Fusion in industrial contexts. Engineering Artificial Intelligence Signal Processing Image Processing Non-destructive Testing Quality Control Augmented Reality Osman leads the AutomaTiQ research group and serves as Head of the Algorithms/Signal and Data Processing Department at Fraunhofer IZFP . His recent publications (2017–2022) emphasize Deep Learning for defect detection in CFRP , Terahertz Imaging for artwork diagnostics, and Acoustic Sensors for agricultural quality control. He has organized international conferences on Structural Health Monitoring and contributed to Springer books on NDT technologies. His projects include ComforTex-AI (2024) and development of 3D positioners for ultrasound measurements. Collaborations span institutions in Germany, Canada, Italy, and Brazil, with advisory roles in the German Society for NDT and technical committees for conferences in Montreal and Egypt.
Mohammad Hamdaqa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Software Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, where he leads the Laboratory of Software and Emerging Technologies. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo (2016), a Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Concordia University, an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on the intersection of software engineering and emerging technologies, particularly examining how software engineering approaches can be adapted for complex new platforms like cloud computing and blockchain. His work spans model-driven software engineering, cloud application architecture, smart contract development, and infrastructure as code. He investigates both how traditional software engineering practices can evolve to address the challenges of modern distributed systems and how emerging technologies can transform software development processes themselves. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on blockchain technologies (particularly smart contracts), cloud-native applications, and the application of AI to software engineering tasks. His work shows a consistent thread of empirical research combined with practical tool development, with increasing focus on sustainability aspects of software systems in recent years. Much of his research bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementation concerns. Professor Hamdaqa serves as a thesis supervisor for multiple graduate students, with recent completed Master's theses focusing on smart contract auditing, prompt engineering for OCL generation, model-driven epidemiology, and security practices in infrastructure as code. He actively recruits students for research projects in his laboratory. He is a member of both the IEEE Computer Society and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), has served on program committees for major software engineering conferences, and is on the editorial board of Service Transaction on Internet of Thing. His laboratory, the Laboratory of Software and Emerging Technologies, serves as the hub for his research activities in blockchain, cloud computing, and model-driven engineering.
Duncan Astle is the Gnodde Goldman Sachs Professor of Neuroinformatics at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. He serves as a Programme Leader at the Medical Research Council's Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (MRC CBU) and is a Fellow of Robinson College. Astle heads the 4D Lab (Development, Dynamics, Disorders, Data Science), which provides a research home for approximately 15 Early Career Researchers working at the intersection of developmental cognitive neuroscience and advanced data science methodologies. Astle's research focuses on understanding childhood development through innovative analytical approaches. His work employs transdiagnostic methods to study children with attention, learning, and memory difficulties, moving beyond traditional diagnostic categories. He investigates how neural systems develop in childhood, how they relate to developmental disorders, and how they respond to intervention. His research integrates network science, machine learning, and generative modeling to capture the complexity of neurodevelopmental diversity, examining how cognitive skills, literacy, numeracy, and mental health interrelate over developmental time. His publication record reveals a strong focus on brain connectivity and organization across development. Recent work explores structural and functional neurodevelopmental trajectories, brain wiring economics, and the impact of environmental factors on neural development. Astle's research frequently employs advanced data science techniques to identify sub-populations of children with different cognitive or brain profiles, regardless of diagnosis, and to map non-linear relationships between brain organization and cognitive difficulties. His work has increasingly focused on transdiagnostic approaches to understanding developmental disorders and the application of computational models to developmental neuroscience. Astle actively supervises PhD students and has built a substantial research group that contributes to major projects including the Centre for Attention Learning and Memory (CALM) and Resilience in Education and Development (RED). His work has been supported by prestigious funding bodies including the Royal Society, the British Academy, the Medical Research Council, and the Economic and Social Research Council, as well as multiple charitable foundations. The 4D Lab, under Astle's leadership, utilizes state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Cambridge, including on-site magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography scanners. The lab contributes to building specialist cohorts such as CALM (800 children with cognitive difficulties plus 200 comparison children) and RED, which study children's development, resilience, and educational outcomes. Astle's team explores how growing up in adverse environments affects children's brains, behavior, and mental health, with the aim of identifying early markers of risk and resilience.
Caren Walker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), leading the Early Learning and Cognition (ELC) Lab. Her research focuses on how children learn abstract causal principles, particularly through activities like analogy, explanation, and engagement with imaginary scenarios. She explores developmental trajectories in scientific reasoning and the role of cultural context in shaping cognitive processes. Dr. Walker’s work combines interdisciplinary approaches from psychology, philosophy, and computational modeling. She investigates children’s understanding of uncertainty, causal inference, and the decline of relational reasoning with age. Her lab conducts experiments in diverse settings, including partnerships with museums, to study learning mechanisms in real-world contexts. Notable achievements include the 2024 APA Boyd McCandless Award and the 2021 NSF CAREER Award. The ELC Lab actively engages undergraduate researchers and collaborates on projects addressing cognitive diversity across cultures. Recent lab milestones include studies on US-China differences in causal reasoning and the impact of stereotypes on causal judgments.
Marc G. Berman is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on understanding how environmental factors interact with human cognition, emotion, and behavior, particularly through the lens of environmental neuroscience. He leads the Environmental Neuroscience Lab (ENL), investigating how natural and urban environments influence brain function, memory, attention, and mental health. Dr. Berman holds a B.S.E. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Psychology and Engineering from the same institution. His postdoctoral training was at the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto. Prior to Chicago, he was an Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina. His research interests include the cognitive and affective benefits of natural environments, brain network efficiency, and the neurobiological underpinnings of self-control and emotion regulation. Recent work explores how urban design elements (e.g., greenspace, street activity) relate to crime rates and mental health outcomes, leveraging big data from social media and geospatial tools. Key contributions include demonstrating that natural environments improve memory and attention by ~20%, and that city characteristics like population diversity and segregation correlate with implicit racial biases. His lab employs fMRI, neuroimaging, computational modeling, and ecological data to quantify brain-environment interactions. Dr. Berman collaborates across disciplines, integrating neuroscience, psychology, urban planning, and data science to inform evidence-based environmental design for public health. Current projects include analyzing social media data to map gang networks and investigating how heat and greenspace influence emotional states in urban populations.
Andrea Carminati is a Full Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich. His research focuses on soil-plant hydraulics , rhizosphere dynamics , and drought adaptation mechanisms in crops and forest species. He investigates how root traits , soil texture , and biogenic substances like mucilage influence water uptake , gas exchange , and soil microbial activity . Key Research Areas: Soil-Plant Water Relations Rhizosphere Hydrology Drought Resistance in Maize and Trees Microplastics in Agricultural Soils Hydraulic Redistribution and Isohydricity Contact: Email: andrea.carminati@usys.ethz.ch Phone: +41 44 633 61 60 Recent studies highlight his work on soil texture-specific transpiration responses , rhizosheath properties under drought , and microplastic impacts on soil hydrology . He employs advanced techniques like X-ray computed tomography and neutron radiography to visualize root-soil interactions.
Doç. Dr. Muhammed Aras is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Baskent University (Başkent Üniversitesi), with a research focus on sustainable machining processes, tool wear monitoring, and surface roughness optimization. His work spans advanced manufacturing technologies, energy storage systems, and biomedical device design. PhD in Manufacturing Engineering (2018), Gazi Üniversitesi MSc in Mechanical Education (2013), Gazi Üniversitesi BSc in Mechanical Engineering (2010), Tabriz Islamic Azad University Research interests include sustainable machining (dry/hard turning, cooling-lubrication strategies), tool wear analysis (CBN, ceramic and coated inserts), and surface integrity optimization using AI-based methods (firefly algorithm, TOPSIS, Grey Relational Analysis). His 15 most recent articles (2017-2024) examine topics like: Surface roughness prediction in dry hard turning Energy storage technology viability assessments Cutting parameter optimization for various steels Acoustic/vibration monitoring in machining He has received scientific awards including the Teşvik Ödülü (Encouragement Award, 2015). His patent on an automatic orthognathic surgery articulator and book chapters on tool monitoring systems demonstrate his multidisciplinary impact.
John P. Spencer is a Professor of Psychology at the University of East Anglia , UK, and a member of its School of Psychology . He previously served as a Professor of Psychology and founding Director of the Delta Center at the University of Iowa. His research focuses on the development of executive function, working memory, attention, and word learning, with a pioneering emphasis on dynamical systems theory and dynamic neural field models of cognition and action. Sc.B. with Honors, Brown University (1991) Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, Indiana University (1998) His work utilizes fMRI , fNIRS , and eye-tracking to explore neural-cognitive dynamics in infancy and childhood, particularly in low-resource settings. Recent articles highlight cross-situational word learning, air quality impacts on cognition, and brain network myelination studies. Scientific awards include: 2003 Early Research Contributions Award (Society for Research in Child Development) 2006 Robert L. Fantz Memorial Award (American Psychological Foundation) APA Fellow since 2007 Current projects include brain imaging centers, infant cognition in India, and theoretical advancements in dynamic systems. He leads the Developmental Dynamics Lab and collaborates with institutions worldwide.
Gunnar Blohm is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen's University, affiliated with the School of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences. His research focuses on sensorimotor neuroscience, particularly 3D sensorimotor control, eye-hand coordination, and computational modeling of neural processes. He holds a Ph.D. from Université Catholique de Louvain and has held postdoctoral positions at York University and his alma mater. Cross-appointed to the School of Computing, Department of Psychology, and Department of Mathematics and Statistics, he is also Vice-Director of the Connected Minds initiative. His research integrates behavioral experiments, brain imaging (MEG/EEG), and patient studies to understand how sensory information is transformed into goal-directed actions. Key areas include visuomotor transformations, multisensory integration, and Bayesian processes in neural computations. Blohm leads the Computational Sensorimotor Neuroscience Lab, emphasizing collaborative projects like Neuromatch Academy and contributions to open science initiatives. Affiliated with Queen's Centre for Neuroscience Studies and Ingenuity Labs, his work bridges computational approaches with clinical applications, aiming to develop frameworks for understanding brain dysfunction and clinical tools. His recent articles explore topics like saccade dynamics, pupil responses, and generative adversarial collaborations in scientific discourse.
Samuel Jean Bassetto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. He serves as Director of the Continuous Improvement Laboratory (LABAC) and holds membership in multiple prestigious research groups including the Research Group on Globalisation and Management of Technology (GMT), Poly-Industries 4.0 Laboratory, Interuniversity Research Centre on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transportation (CIRRELT), and Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO). Dr. Bassetto's research spans multiple disciplines, focusing on continuous improvement through the integration of engineering, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, psychology, and design. His primary sphere of excellence is in New Frontiers in Information and Communication Technologies, with secondary expertise in Modeling and Artificial Intelligence and Human Health. He develops tools that place humans at the center of technology to enhance organizational performance while respecting human rhythms and cognitive limitations. His recent publication portfolio reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach, with research bridging industrial engineering, cognitive neuroscience, and AI ethics. His work addresses practical challenges in lean manufacturing assessment, racial bias in medical AI systems, cognitive data collection in natural environments, and condition monitoring for industrial machinery. The research consistently demonstrates a commitment to developing practical solutions that integrate human factors with technological innovation. NSERC Synergy Prize for Innovation recipient Principal investigator on multiple research grants from NSERC, FRQ, and MITACS Collaborations with over a dozen institutions across multiple countries Supervision of over 150 highly qualified personnel throughout his career Dr. Bassetto teaches specialized courses including CAP7011 (Creativity in Research), IND8444 (Continuous Improvement), IND8203 (Industrial Launch), and previously taught IND8178 (Production). His teaching philosophy emphasizes practical application, with courses featuring hands-on exercises, real-world scenarios, and gamification techniques to enhance learning. His supervision portfolio includes numerous Ph.D. and Master's students working on topics ranging from human-technology collaboration to reinforcement learning for production management. Through LABAC, Dr. Bassetto leads research initiatives focused on developing human-centered tools for continuous improvement in organizational settings. The laboratory conducts projects related to industrial IoT applications, cognitive aspects of process improvement, and the development of practical frameworks for organizations to enhance performance while maintaining respect for human rhythms and cognitive capabilities.
Mark Crowley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo , with a cross-appointment in the Cheriton School of Computer Science . He is actively involved in the Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute (WAII) , the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI) , and serves as National Secretary for the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association (CAIAC) , coordinating the Canadian Conference on AI . Research interests span the theoretical and applied aspects of Reinforcement Learning , Deep Learning , Manifold Learning , and Ensemble Methods . His work addresses challenges in domains with spatial dynamics, multi-agent systems, and uncertainty, particularly in Computational Sustainability (forest fire management, sustainable forestry), Autonomous Driving , Medical Imaging , and Material Design . Recent research focuses on integrating causal modeling with generative representation learning to improve out-of-distribution robustness in motion forecasting applications. Key publications include foundational work on ChemGymRL environments for safe chemical process reinforcement learning, Generative Causal Representation Learning for robust forecasting, and collaborative work on multi-advisor reinforcement learning in multi-agent settings. He co-authored a textbook Elements of Dimensionality Reduction and Manifold Learning (Springer, 2023) with Prof. Ali Ghodsi and Prof. Fakhri Karray. Teaching includes graduate and undergraduate courses in Algorithm Design , Computational Intelligence , Reinforcement Learning , and Data Modeling at the University of Waterloo since 2018. His research group has produced several notable graduates including Benyamin Ghojogh (2021), who continued as a postdoc until 2022.
Professor Jason Hall-Spencer is a globally recognized marine biologist at the University of Plymouth and a full professor at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), with an adjunct role at Xiamen University. His research focuses on ocean acidification, invasive species (e.g., lionfish), and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. He pioneered the use of underwater CO2 seeps as natural analogues for climate change studies, a methodology now adopted globally. His work has influenced policies to protect deep-water corals and Arctic reefs, and he leads projects like RELIONMED to combat lionfish invasions in the Mediterranean. Education: Studied Applied Marine Biology at Heriot-Watt University, completed a PhD on coralline algae at Millport Marine Station, and conducted fieldwork across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. His career includes discovering UK deep-water coral reefs and Arctic reefs, leading to their legal protection. Research Interests: Ocean acidification effects on marine organisms, invasive species management, CO2 seep dynamics, coral reef ecology, and marine conservation. His work combines field experiments, policy advocacy, and community engagement to address global marine challenges. Grants and Collaborations: Secured €1.7M from the EU Life Programme for lionfish control and a $400K grant on plankton dynamics. Collaborates with organizations like the Marine Biological Association and international researchers on projects such as the Ocean Organ to visualize CO2 impacts. Labs/Teams: Leads the Marine Conservation Research Group at Plymouth, coordinating initiatives like RELIONMED and influencing global marine policies through partnerships with governments and NGOs.
Dr. Steven P. Miller is a Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine. He also serves as the Chief of Pediatric Medicine at BC Children's Hospital & Sunny Hill Health Centre under the Provincial Health Services Authority. Additionally, he holds the Hudson Family Hospital Chair in Pediatric Medicine and is an Investigator at BC Children's Hospital. Dr. Miller's research focuses on neonatal neurology, particularly brain development and injury in newborns. His work utilizes advanced magnetic resonance techniques and bedside brain monitoring to understand how a baby's critical care experience influences their risk of brain injury and developmental trajectory. His research areas include birth defects, concussion, preterm labor, and steroid effects on neonatal brain development. Analysis of Dr. Miller's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on understanding the relationship between neonatal pain exposure, analgesia, and brain development in preterm infants. His work also extensively examines neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with congenital heart disease, exploring how fetal hemodynamics, surgical interventions, and brain imaging findings correlate with long-term cognitive outcomes. A significant portion of his research investigates the impact of socioeconomic status on brain development and neurocognitive outcomes in preterm infants. Dr. Miller is actively involved in graduate education, supervising students in Neuroscience and Women+ and Children's Health Sciences programs at UBC. His research group, part of the Brain, Behaviour & Development Research Theme and the Neurodevelopmental and Neurological Disorders Visualizing the Brain Research Group, has published extensively in top-tier journals across neurology, pediatrics, and neuroscience.
Professor Trevor Lithgow is a Research Professor in Microbiology at Monash University, affiliated with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. He holds a PhD from La Trobe University (1992) and has held fellowships including the ARC Federation Fellowship (2008) and ARC Laureate Fellowship (2014). His research focuses on bacterial cell biology, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and phage therapies, leveraging nanoscale imaging techniques like cryo-EM and super-resolution microscopy. He leads the Monash Centre to Impact AMR, an interdisciplinary initiative addressing global AMR challenges through collaborations across engineering, social sciences, and clinical medicine. Key achievements include the HFSP Tenth Anniversary Award (1999), Lemberg Medal (2020), and Royal Society of Victoria Medal (2017). His work on bacterial outer membrane assembly, phage-bacteria interactions, and structural analysis of the mitochondrial TOM complex has advanced understanding of pathogen resilience and novel antimicrobial strategies. Current projects include developing phage therapies and cross-sectoral AMR surveillance frameworks. Education: PhD in Biochemistry (La Trobe University, 1992) Research Interests: Bacterial cell surface visualization, nanoscale imaging, phage biology, AMR mechanisms Leadership: Director of Monash Centre to Impact AMR since 2020 Awards: 10+ national/international honors, including ARC Fellowships Publications span over 250 articles on bacterial membrane biology, AMR dynamics, and phage applications, with recent focus on polymyxin dependence in Acinetobacter and phage-driven resistance resensitization.
