Find Academic Supervisors

Youness DehbiView profile

Professor

• Geoinformatics
• 3D City Modeling
• Remote Sensing
• +7 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Youness Dehbi is a Professor for Computational Methods at HafenCity University Hamburg. His academic career includes roles as a postdoctoral researcher and scientific assistant at the University of Bonn's Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Bonn (2016). His research focuses on geoinformatics, 3D city modeling, remote sensing, and applications in urban planning and disaster management. He has led projects such as VisioChick (enhancing animal welfare via mixed reality) and FPOplus (5G-based passenger flow management). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Bonn (2016) M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Computer Science and Communication Research, University of Bonn (2008) Research Interests: Prof. Dehbi specializes in computational methods for spatial data analysis, including laser scanning, UAV missions, and semantic segmentation of historical maps. He explores applications in BIM, flood risk communication, and smart city technologies. His work bridges geoinformatics with urban sustainability and mixed reality. Awards: Best Paper Awards at multiple international conferences (2018–2024) Best Reviewer Award, ISPRS Congress (2021) Advising & Projects: He advises projects like NGCN (Next Generation City Networking) and collaborates with institutions like TU München and the University of Osnabrück. His team includes researchers like Dr. Son H. Nguyen and M.Sc. Lukas Arzoumanidis. Lab & Teams: His Computational Methods Lab at HCU develops tools for 3D city modeling and spatial data analysis, contributing to open-source geospatial software and collaboration with industry partners.

David UsherView profile

Lecturer

• Ceramics
• Painting
• Australian Landscape Art
• +3 more

Dr. David Usher is a Lecturer in Ceramics at the University of Southern Queensland, School of Creative Arts. He holds a Master of Visual Arts (2006) and a Doctor of Creative Arts (2025) from USQ. His research focuses on reinterpreting the Australian landscape through ceramics and painting, emphasizing practice-led methodologies. Usher has exhibited nationally and internationally since 1988, with notable exhibitions including 'Magic Mountain' (2023), 'Landscape: Notions of the Spook' (2023), and 'Moree, Mehi After the Flood' (2022). His teaching includes ceramic courses such as VIS1010, VIS2010, and VIS3010, alongside supervising Honours and Master’s candidates. Usher’s work explores themes of nostalgia, environmental engagement, and material transformation, often combining traditional ceramic techniques with contemporary artistic practices. He has collaborated in group exhibitions such as 'Fragile States' (2021) and 'An Australian University Printmaking Exchange' (2023), showcasing interdisciplinary approaches to art. While no specific scientific awards are listed, Usher’s contributions to contemporary landscape art and ceramic innovation are reflected through his extensive exhibition record and academic engagements. His practice bridges creative research with pedagogy, fostering student development in 3D foundations and ceramic artistry.

• Urban Planning
• Sustainable Tourism
• Rural Landscape Regeneration
• +3 more

Valeria Scavone is an Associate Professor at the University of Palermo, Department of Architecture, specializing in urban planning and rural landscape regeneration. She teaches courses such as Urban Planning Laboratory , Urban Metabolism and Resilience , and Smart Mobility for Sustainable Cities . Her research spans sustainable tourism, ecological urbanism, and the socio-environmental challenges of Sicilian territories. Research Interests: Urban planning, rural landscape regeneration, sustainable tourism, ecological resilience, soil consumption, and mobility studies. Publications: Over 20 articles (2004–2025) focusing on Sicilian urban-rural dynamics, cultural-environmental sustainability, abandoned spaces, and climate-responsive planning. Collaborations: Works on regional projects like the Trapani Cultural Tourism Masterplan and PUMS/PEBA mobility strategies for historic centers. She is available for office hours in Palermo and Agrigento, with contact via email valeria.scavone@unipa.it .

Anastasia PiliourasView profile

Assistant Professor

• Coastal Geomorphology
• Arctic Delta Morphodynamics
• River-Ocean Fluxes
• +3 more

Anastasia Piliouras is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on coastal and deltaic morphodynamics, particularly in high-latitude environments, integrating physical experiments, numerical modeling, field observations, and remote sensing. Key Research Themes: Arctic delta evolution under climate change Permafrost-vegetation-hydrology-climate interactions Coastal change dynamics in Alaska River-ocean flux quantification Methodological Expertise: Laboratory experiments Field data collection Remote sensing analysis Morphodynamic modeling Her recent publications analyze sediment transport in Arctic deltas (JGR-Earth Surface 2024), thermokarst lake dynamics (Permafrost and Periglacial Processes 2024), and permafrost formation in river systems (AGU Advances 2024). She leads the Coastal Landscape Dynamics (CoLD) research group at Penn State.

• Economic Geography
• Urban Economics
• International Trade
• +3 more

Ferdinand Rauch is a Professor of Economics at Heidelberg University, specializing in economic geography, urban economics, and international trade. His research focuses on the interplay between urbanization, trade dynamics, and historical economic processes. He has conducted extensive studies on the long-term impacts of trade networks, infrastructure, and policy interventions on urban development and economic outcomes. Key research interests include analyzing the historical and contemporary determinants of city formation, trade costs, and spatial inequality. His work often integrates empirical data with theoretical models to explore how trade patterns, migration, and infrastructure shape economic landscapes. Notably, he has examined case studies such as the Hanseatic League’s legacy, the London Underground’s policy impacts, and urbanization in post-apartheid South Africa. Rauch collaborates with leading institutions and researchers across disciplines, producing influential papers in journals like the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Journal of Political Economy . His research bridges historical and modern contexts, offering insights into persistent economic challenges and opportunities. He currently holds no listed awards but is actively engaged in academic leadership and mentoring, contributing to policy debates on urban planning and economic development. His work emphasizes the importance of understanding historical path dependence to inform contemporary spatial policies.

• Urban Planning
• Regional Planning
• Spatial Analysis
• +6 more

Prof. Ersin Turk currently serves as a Professor at the Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urban and Regional Planning . With a PhD in Urban Planning from Izmir Institute of Technology (2009) and postdoctoral research at University of Florida (2015-2016), he specializes in regional planning , geographical information systems , and multi-criteria decision-making for sustainable development. Doctorate: Izmir Institute of Technology (2009) Postgraduate: Izmir Institute of Technology (2003) Undergraduate: Dokuz Eylul University (1998) His research focuses on land-use optimization , rural second home dynamics , and environmental conservation , utilizing methodologies like binary integer programming , AHP , and TOPSIS . Recent work examines population projection inaccuracies in territorial plans across 62 Turkish provinces. Scientific contributions include: 15+ peer-reviewed articles (e.g., Journal of Rural Studies , European Planning Studies ) Key projects: Strategic Master Plan for Karadeniz Technical University Kanuni Campus (2013-2015), Conservation-Oriented Rural Planning (TUBITAK 1001, 2010-2015) Scientific Awards: KTÜ Faculty of Architecture – Highest Impact Factor Publication (2023) KTÜ – Highest h-Index Academic Staff (2023) Multiple TUBITAK International Publication Incentive Awards (2011-2022) Active in planning consultancy and technical expert reports for legal cases involving municipal planning disputes (2020-2023). Currently serves as Deputy Head of Department since 2019.

Erkan AlkanView profile

Lecturer

• Civil Engineering
• Hydromechanics
• Hydrology
• +5 more

Erkan Alkan is a Lecturer at Gaziantep University's Technical Sciences Vocational School in the Construction Technology Pr. department. His work bridges hydraulic engineering with smart city innovations. Education: B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (2008-2013) from Gaziantep University Advanced degree in Hydraulic Department from Hasan Kalyoncu University Research focuses on hydrokinetic energy systems , fluid mechanics , and smart urban infrastructure . His work includes computational analysis of turbine designs and optimization of municipal systems. Key publication trends: 5/7 articles center on hydrokinetic turbine optimization (2025), 2/7 on smart city applications . Topics span from renewable energy extraction to urban logistics. Scientific recognition: TÜBİTAK scholarship holder for flood risk mapping projects Projects: Lead researcher on 2019-2022 helical hydrokinetic turbine optimization project Contributed to national flood risk database standardization

• Community Engagement
• Urban Planning & Design
• Pre- & Post-Disaster Recovery
• +5 more

Tomoyuki Mashiko is an Assistant Professor at Waseda University's School of Social Sciences and a Researcher at the Institute of Urban and Regional Studies. His academic trajectory includes roles at Tokyo Metropolitan University and JSPS Research Fellowships, centered on disaster governance and urban regeneration. Education: Dr. Arch., Waseda University (2021) M.Arch., University of Ferrara & Waseda University (2016–2017) B.Arch., Waseda University (2014) Research Focus: Mashiko explores disaster recovery, community participation, and historic preservation, with emphasis on Italy-Japan comparative frameworks. His work integrates urban resilience, local governance, and adaptive reuse of cultural landscapes, addressing challenges in post-catastrophe reconstruction and tourism-led regeneration. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2014–2025) reveal a focus on disaster recovery mechanisms, participatory planning, and cross-cultural urban studies. Key themes include governance innovation, temporary housing solutions, and community-centric design, with frequent Italy-Japan comparative analysis. Awards: Japan Architectural Institute Encouragement Prize (2022) Yamada Kazuhiro Award (2022) Paper Encouragement Award, City Planning Institute of Japan (2022) Recovery Design Conference Encouragement Prize (2019) Japan Architectural Conference Young Researcher Award (2018) Grants & Projects: He leads JSPS-funded initiatives on event legacy strategies (2023–2027), cultural heritage management (2023–2026), and co-editing methodologies in Italian urban design (2022–2026). Earlier projects examined disaster governance models and territorial resilience. Committees & Labs: Active in disaster prevention groups at the Architectural Institute of Japan and City Planning Institute committees. Coordinates fieldwork and workshops through Waseda's Institute of Urban and Regional Studies.

Weixian LiaoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Big Data Analytics
• Cybersecurity
• Networking
• +3 more

Weixian Liao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Towson University. His research focuses on big data analytics, cybersecurity, and networking in cyber-physical systems (CPS) and IoT. Dr. Liao holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (2018), an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Mississippi State University (2015), and a B.S. in Information Engineering from Xidian University (2012). His expertise spans secure edge intelligence, federated learning, adversarial machine learning, and IoT system resilience. Recent work includes surveys on AI model marketplaces, blockchain-empowered federated learning, and cybersecurity frameworks for smart energy systems. He has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed publications in top journals/conferences such as IEEE Transactions and ACML. Research trends highlight his focus on interdisciplinary solutions blending machine learning with cybersecurity in critical infrastructure systems. His work emphasizes practical applications like disaster damage assessment via IoT search engines and resilient CPS design. Current projects explore edge computing security, federated learning incentives, and adversarial attack detection in distributed systems. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided materials. Dr. Liao’s lab focuses on advancing secure AI frameworks for IoT and CPS through innovative algorithm design and system architectures.

• Maritime Economics
• Logistics Engineering
• Sustainability
• +3 more

Yang Yang is a Researcher and PhD student at the University of Hamburg Business School's Maritime Economics Research Center since 2019. She holds a B.Sc. in Logistics Engineering from Changsha University of Science & Technology (2015) and an M.Eng in Logistics (focusing on port operations) from Shanghai Maritime University (2017). Her work includes roles as a logistics planning engineer in an automotive company (2015–2017). Her research focuses on maritime logistics optimization, carbon emissions reduction in transportation and port operations, and environmental science dynamics in river systems. Key areas include port connectivity, shipping networks, and sustainable infrastructure strategies. Recent studies analyze carbon emissions in river basins (e.g., Pearl River, Elbe River), the impact of land use on CO₂ outgassing, and optimization of container terminal operations. Her work bridges environmental sustainability with industrial logistics, addressing both natural and anthropogenic factors in global supply chains. Yang has no listed awards but contributes actively to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of maritime economics and environmental science. She collaborates with the Maritime Economics Research Center and engages in doctoral studies exploring sustainable port logistics.

• Climate Dynamics
• Atmospheric Science
• Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions
• +3 more

Len Shaffrey is a Professor at the University of Reading, specializing in climate dynamics, atmospheric science, and extreme weather events. His research focuses on understanding climate variability and change, particularly in the North Atlantic and European regions, with an emphasis on cyclone dynamics, storm tracks, and compound weather risks. He has contributed to studies on jet stream behavior, post-tropical cyclones, Arctic cyclones, and the impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns and flooding. Key research areas include the North Atlantic Oscillation, ocean-atmosphere interactions, and the predictability of extreme weather events. His work integrates high-resolution climate models and observational data to assess future climate risks for sectors like energy and maritime safety. Recent studies highlight the increasing risk of co-occurring extreme wind and flood events in Great Britain due to seasonal jet stream shifts. Shaffrey collaborates extensively with international teams, contributing to initiatives such as the HiGEM high-resolution climate model and the CANARI science program. His interdisciplinary approach bridges meteorology, oceanography, and environmental science, addressing pressing questions about climate resilience and adaptation strategies.

Vamsi GantiView profile

Associate Professor

• Geomorphic Processes
• Sedimentary Geology
• River Dynamics
• +3 more

Vamsi Ganti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he has been since 2018. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. Prior to UCSB, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the California Institute of Technology and a research fellow at Imperial College London. His research focuses on quantifying the mechanics of Earth surface processes, including river dynamics, sediment transport, and planetary landscape evolution. He integrates field observations, physical experiments, and theoretical models to understand how these processes shape landscapes and are recorded in sedimentary strata. Key themes include fluvial morphodynamics, autogenic variability, and the interplay between modern geomorphic systems and ancient sedimentary records. His work spans diverse environments—from erosional rivers to deltaic systems—and employs interdisciplinary tools such as sediment transport theory, statistical analysis, and remote sensing. Notable contributions include studies on river avulsion frequency, floodplain reworking timescales, and the influence of climate change on river intermittency. Current graduate students include Debsmita Das, Huck Rees, and Feifei Zhao. The Surface Processes Group, led by Ganti, collaborates on projects ranging from terrestrial systems to Martian surface processes. His research has been featured in journals like Nature Communications and the Journal of Geophysical Research.

• Computer Networks
• Edge Computing
• Digital Twins
• +4 more

Armir Bujari is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Bologna. His research focuses on advanced networking, edge computing, digital twins, and blockchain applications. He holds a scientific disciplinary sector specialization in Information Processing Systems (IINF-05/A). Key research areas include: Edge and cloud computing architectures IoT and smart systems integration Blockchain-enabled data ecosystems Urban and industrial digital twins Disaster communication protocols Recent publications emphasize innovative solutions in federated learning, QUIC protocol optimization for satellite networks, and digital twin applications in logistics and smart cities. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in 5G/6G networks, disaster response systems, and sustainable energy grids. Office location: 1st floor, Palazzina ex-scuderie, Viale Risorgimento 2, Bologna. Reception hours are typically Mondays 3-5 PM, with flexible scheduling via email.

Jennifer RexfordView profile

Professor

• Computer Networking
• Network Security
• Internet Architecture
• +3 more

Jennifer Rexford is the Gordon Y.S. Wu Professor of Engineering and Provost of Princeton University. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Computer Science within the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Previously, she served as Chair of the Computer Science Department from 2015 to 2022 and worked at AT&T Labs—Research from 1997 to 2005. She earned her BSE in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University in 1991 and her PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Michigan in 1996. Her research focuses on computer networking, with an emphasis on enhancing network security, scalability, and trustworthiness. Key areas include software-defined networking (SDN), network architecture evolution, and mitigating cybersecurity threats. She co-authored influential books such as Web Protocols and Practice and The Real Internet Architecture , and has contributed to foundational research on network telemetry, BGP security, and programmable data planes. Rexford has received numerous accolades, including the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award, ACM SIGCOMM Lifetime Contribution Award, and IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal. She is a Fellow of the ACM and IEEE, and a member of the National Academies. Her recent work addresses challenges like global BGP attack mitigation and scalable video conferencing solutions using SDN principles. As Provost, she oversees academic affairs and continues to advise students, including PhD candidate Sophia Yoo. Her affiliations include the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP), the Keller Center, and the Princeton Environmental Institute (PEI).

• Hydrology
• Flood Modeling
• Runoff Routing
• +3 more

Dr. David Kemp is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Australia , affiliated with the UniSA STEM division. His work focuses on hydrology , particularly flood modeling , runoff routing , and urban drainage systems . 2023 : Benchmarked event-based models for Australian catchments. 2022 : Analyzed loss quantification in urbanized catchments. 2020 : Reviewed runoff routing evolution in Australia. Kemp’s research highlights critical issues in model self-consistency , baseflow estimation , and impact of urban infill on drainage standards. He has collaborated with institutions like the University of Adelaide and the Goyder Institute for Water Research, contributing to policy frameworks for water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) .