Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Aberham Hailu Feyissa is an Associate Professor at the National Food Institute of the Technical University of Denmark , specializing in process modeling and sustainable food engineering. His research bridges complex transport phenomena with practical food manufacturing challenges. Ph.D. in Food Process Engineering, Technical University of Denmark MSc in Food Science, K.U.Leuven and Universiteit Gent BSc in Chemical Engineering, Bahir Dar University His work focuses on coupled mass and heat transfer during solid food processing, aiming to develop robust first-principles models for predictive process optimization. Key applications include Ohmic heating , digital twin technology , and bioactive ingredient extraction . Recent publications highlight his contributions to sustainable food processes , including insect-based feed modeling , seaweed bread kinetics , and clean-label cheese formulation . His methodological innovations span FTIR spectroscopy , computational fluid dynamics , and kinetic modeling . Supervisor for PhD students S. S. Turgut , M. E. Jabali , and Dahal S. Principal Investigator for projects like Modelling and Digitalisation of Food Processes and Sustainable Extraction of Bioactive Insect Fractions Active in conference presentations and peer review , he drives advancements in food process understanding through mechanistic modeling and mathematical simulation .
Michael Baldea is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin . He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota (2006), with prior degrees from 'Babeş-Bolyai' University in Romania (M.Sc. 2001, Diploma 2000). His research group develops theoretical and computational methods for Process and Energy Systems Engineering , focusing on integrated decision-making, performance optimization, and process intensification with industrial validation. Education: Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota (2006) M.Sc., Interface Process Engineering, 'Babeş-Bolyai' University (2001) Diploma, Chemical Engineering, 'Babeş-Bolyai' University (2000) Research Thrusts: Integrated decision-making in chemical/energy supply chains Process performance monitoring and optimization Process integration and intensification Key applications include grid-responsive chemical plants, intensified distillation/column designs, and renewable energy integration for building systems. Scientific Awards: Frank A. Liddell, Jr. Fellowship NSF CAREER Award (2015-2020) Moncrief Grand Challenges Faculty Award (2014) AIChE Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2017) Implementation : His group has translated research into commercial tools through partnerships with industrial test beds and is working to integrate methods into commercial simulators. They explore predictive approaches for building energy management and strategic capital investment analysis in next-generation energy systems.
Dr. Vakil Takhaveev is a Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology, within the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health. His research focuses on DNA damage mechanisms, aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration, with particular emphasis on developing novel DNA-damage-sequencing methods like click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq . He investigates anticancer drug action (e.g., trabectedin), aging clocks using DNA oxidation profiling, and stress-induced carcinogenesis. His work integrates multi-omics approaches and advanced sequencing techniques. Research Directions: Novel DNA-Damage-Sequencing Methods: Developed click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq for genomic mapping of DNA lesions and repair dynamics. Anticancer Drug Action: Explored mechanisms of trabectedin and other chemotherapeutics, linking DNA repair vulnerabilities to therapy resistance. Aging Clocks: Created DNA oxidation-based biomarkers for biological aging using genome-wide profiling in human and mouse models. Stress-Induced Pathologies: Studies metabolic and DNA damage links to early tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration. Awards & Recognition: 2025 Public Award Winner in PIs of Tomorrow competition 2024 ETH Zurich Career Seed Award Best presentation awards (Swiss Chemical Society, American Chemical Society) Grants & Collaborations: Impetus grants for aging clock development Swiss Chemical Society and American Chemical Society fellowships Labs & Teams: Leads research on DNA damage and aging mechanisms at ETH Zurich, collaborating with international groups in oncology and toxicology.
Amit Kumar is the Jaswinder and Tarwinder Chadha Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi. His research focuses on combinatorial optimization, online algorithms, and algorithmic fairness. He has taught courses such as Approximation Algorithms (COL 754), Design and Analysis of Algorithms (COL 351), and Numerical Analysis (COL 726). His work spans theoretical computer science with applications to clustering, scheduling, and fairness in evaluation processes. Research Interests Kumar's research emphasizes developing efficient algorithms for online and dynamic settings, particularly in constrained optimization and biased evaluation systems. He explores theoretical foundations of clustering, load balancing, and resource allocation, with recent contributions to fair food delivery systems and coreset constructions. Publications His recent work includes advancements in online convex paging (STOC 2025), consensus clustering (SODA 2025), and fairness-aware algorithms (AAAI 2024). Over 70 papers across top venues like STOC, SODA, and ICML reflect his expertise in algorithm design and analysis. Awards Best Paper Award at ISAAC 2023 for 'Clustering What Matters in Constrained Settings' Teaching & Mentorship Kumar instructs graduate and undergraduate courses in algorithms, data structures, and numerical methods. He advises students through these courses and collaborates with researchers on NSF-funded projects related to approximation algorithms and streaming systems.
Christopher L. Tucci is a Professor of Digital Strategy & Innovation at Imperial College London's Business School and currently serves as Interim Vice Dean of Education. He is also the Founding Dean of NEOM's College of Business & Innovation in Saudi Arabia. Previously, he held the Chair in Corporate Strategy & Innovation at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he served as Dean of the College of Management from 2013 to 2018. His academic qualifications include a PhD in Management from MIT and multiple degrees from Stanford University: an AB in Music, BS in Mathematical Sciences, and MS in Computer Science and Computer Science. His research focuses on digital strategy, innovation management, open innovation, and business model innovation, with particular emphasis on how firms transition to new technologies and organizational forms. He has pioneered work on crowdsourcing, inter-networking, and AI-driven innovation. His award-winning article 'Crowdsourcing as a Solution to Distant Search' (co-authored with Allan Afuah) has received multiple accolades, including the AMR Decade Award in 2022. Professor Tucci teaches courses such as AI Ventures, Co-Creation in AI & Robotics, and Design Thinking. He actively contributes to academic leadership roles, including serving on the Academy of Management's Board of Governors and leading initiatives like Imperial's I-X (Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation hub). His work integrates technology, strategy, and organizational dynamics to address modern business challenges. Educations: PhD in Management, MIT (1992–1997) SM in Technology & Policy/EECS, MIT (1989–1991) BS in Mathematical Sciences, Stanford (1978–1982) AB in Music, Stanford (1979–1983) MS in Computer Science, Stanford (1982–1984) Labs/Teams: Co-Director of Imperial's I-X initiative, focusing on AI, data science, and digital innovation.
Dr. Robert Huber serves as a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zürich, specializing in Agricultural Economics and Policy. His research focuses on the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge to analyze and evaluate management and policy options that promote sustainable development in the agricultural sector. Institution: ETH Zürich Department: Agricultural Economics and Policy Research Focus: Sustainable Agriculture and Policy Methodologies: Bio-economic and agent-based modeling Dr. Huber's research explores how multifunctional agricultural sectors can provide essential non-market goods and services while maintaining their primary economic function of food production. His work applies bio-economic and agent-based modeling techniques to understand farmers' decision-making processes regarding ecosystem services provision, coupled with economic valuation techniques to analyze societal demand for these services. His research aims to identify effective and efficient policy measures that align supply and demand for ecosystem services at landscape scale. His recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in agricultural policy analysis, climate change mitigation strategies, sustainable farming practices, and innovative modeling approaches. His work spans topics from herbicide-free agriculture using remote sensing technologies to biodiversity enhancement in agricultural landscapes and the cost-effectiveness of different climate change mitigation policies at various scales. Remote sensing applications in sustainable agriculture Behavioral aspects of farmer decision-making Policy evaluation methodologies Climate change adaptation in farming systems Economic valuation of ecosystem services Digitalization impacts on agricultural policy Dr. Huber has published extensively in high-impact journals including Journal of Agricultural Economics, People and Nature, and Q Open. His collaborative research often involves interdisciplinary teams addressing complex agricultural sustainability challenges. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on practical policy implications derived from rigorous empirical analysis.
Prof. dr. Nico Van de Weghe is a full Professor of GIScience at the University of Ghent (UGent), affiliated with the CartoGIS research unit. His work bridges computer science, social science, and natural science through geospatial information studies, focusing on enabling machines to reason spatially (GeoAI). Since 2004, he has specialized in knowledge-based AI, particularly spatiotemporal reasoning and moving object analysis, with applications in animal behavior, criminology, healthcare, mobility, and sports. Van de Weghe's research emphasizes hybrid GeoAI systems combining knowledge-driven and data-driven approaches. Keywords include GeoAI, GIScience, Spatiotemporal Analysis, Moving Objects, and Data Mining. Recent publications highlight urban road network analysis, hybrid trajectory modeling, BIM semantic enrichment, and cycling safety studies using virtual reality.
Dr. Jeremy Guest is the Levenick Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering (and courtesy appointment in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He serves as Associate Director for Research at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and leads the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). His research focuses on advancing circular bioeconomies through sustainable sanitation systems, resource recovery from wastewater, and biofuel/bioproduct development from lignocellulosic biomass. Guest's work emphasizes Quantitative Sustainable Design (QSD) methodologies to bridge engineering innovation with policy and investment decisions. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (University of Michigan, 2012); MS (Virginia Tech, 2007); BS (Bucknell University, 2005). Research interests include wastewater treatment innovation, nutrient recovery, bioenergy systems design, and sustainable agriculture practices. Key contributions include the EcoRecover phosphorus recovery process, the QSDsan modeling platform, and leadership in CABBI's $262.5M DOE-funded initiative. Guest has secured funding from NSF, US EPA, USDA, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Recognitions include the NSF CAREER Award, 2021 James J. Morgan Early Career Award, and the Paul L. Busch Award. He advises over 15 graduate students and leads multiple high-impact projects like the NEWgenerator sanitation system and oilcane biorefinery integration. Lab/Group: Guest Research Group focuses on experimental, computational, and policy-oriented research to solve global sustainability challenges. Current projects address algae-based wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management in low-income regions, and precision fermentation systems development.
Dr. Sirui Li is a Lecturer at Murdoch University's School of Information Technology within the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Her research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning, Knowledge Graphs, Data Analysis, Temporal Data, and Multi-modal Models, with applications in medicine, agriculture, and mining. She collaborates with industry partners like BHP and has published in journals such as Food Chemistry and Knowledge and Information Systems , as well as conferences like ICSME and IJCNN. Education: Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours) in Computer Science at Australian National University Master of Computing (Specialising in AI) at ANU Ph.D. in Information Technology (AI) at Murdoch University Research interests include interdisciplinary applications of AI, such as clinical coding privacy solutions, disease spread modeling, and drug repurposing for pandemics. Her work emphasizes practical industry integration, demonstrated through awards like the 2024 EMNLP Best Demo Award and the 2023 Iron Ore Circuit Hackathon innovation prize. Professional roles include IEEE Western Australia Section committee membership, conference chair positions, and peer review for top journals. She actively mentors students pursuing Honours, Master's, or PhD projects in her areas of expertise.
Greg Keoleian is the Peter M. Wege Endowed Professor of Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan. He co-founded and directs the Center for Sustainable Systems and co-leads the MI Hydrogen initiative. His research focuses on advancing life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies to evaluate the sustainability of technologies, products, and systems. Key areas include renewable energy systems (e.g., wind, solar, bioenergy), transportation decarbonization, circular economy frameworks, and food/agricultural systems. He teaches interdisciplinary graduate courses on Sustainable Energy Systems and Industrial Ecology, and co-directs the Engineering Sustainable Systems Dual Degree Program and the Rackham Graduate Certificate Program in Industry Ecology. Research interests emphasize integrating environmental, economic, and social metrics into sustainability assessments. Notable contributions include pioneering LCA models for hydrogen energy systems, vehicle lifecycle optimization, and circular economy pathways for automotive materials. His work spans global and regional scales, addressing challenges such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable urban infrastructure. Keoleian’s recent work highlights synergies between emerging technologies (e.g., wireless charging, autonomous vehicles) and sustainability goals. He collaborates with policymakers and industry leaders to translate research into actionable strategies for deep decarbonization and circular economy adoption. Initiatives like the State of Michigan Hydrogen Roadmap exemplify his focus on bridging academic research with practical implementation. His interdisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive analysis of energy systems, industrial processes, and consumer behaviors. Keoleian’s teaching and mentorship emphasize systems thinking and cross-sector collaboration. He has shaped curricula that prepare students for leadership roles in sustainable systems design, policy development, and corporate sustainability management. Ongoing projects include optimizing reusable packaging systems, evaluating food waste impacts, and modeling urban energy justice in electric vehicle deployment.
Georgia Perakis is the John C Head III Interim Dean of MIT Sloan School of Management and a Professor of Operations Management and Operations Research & Statistics. She has been on MIT Sloan's faculty since 1998, contributing extensively to research in analytics/AI, optimization, and machine learning applications in pricing, supply chains, healthcare, and energy. Recognized as a leading academic, she has won numerous awards, including the INFORMS Fellow and Distinguished MSOM Fellow, along with multiple best paper awards. Perakis has supervised 30 PhD and 59 master's students, fostering lifelong academic relationships. Her administrative roles include co-director of the Operations Research Center and Associate Dean for Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of M&SOM and has held editorial leadership roles in top journals like Operations Research and Management Science. Her education includes a BS in Mathematics from the University of Athens and advanced degrees in applied mathematics from Brown University. Research Interests : Perakis focuses on solving complex problems at the intersection of optimization and machine learning, with applications in retail promotions, healthcare operations (e.g., emergency department management), and energy systems. Her work emphasizes practical solutions to real-world challenges, leveraging data-driven analytics and prescriptive models. Recent projects include optimizing patient placement in emergency departments and modeling demand for new products in retail. Grants & Awards : Her accolades include the NSF CAREER Award, PECASE Award, and over a dozen best-paper recognitions. Notable contributions include a finalist position in the JD.com Competition (2019) and winning first place for Johnson & Johnson’s demand-prediction work (2018). She has also pioneered methodologies for equitable resource allocation in healthcare. Education & Leadership : Perakis holds leadership roles in interdisciplinary initiatives like the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and the Food Supply Chain Analytics and Sensing Initiative. Her teaching excellence is underscored by awards such as the Jamieson Prize and Teacher of the Year (MIT Sloan). She has directed major programs like the MIT Leaders for Global Operations and the Executive MBA program. Labs & Teams : She is affiliated with the Operations Research Center (an interdepartmental PhD program) and collaborates with institutions like UMass Memorial Hospital on healthcare optimization projects. Her work integrates ethics into AI development, emphasizing fairness, bias mitigation, and societal impact.
Professor Michael C.L. CHAU serves as Professor and Deputy Area Head of Innovation and Information Management at The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Business and Economics. He also holds the position of Associate Director at the HKU HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, and serves on the HKU Senate and Court. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona and a B.Sc. in Computer Science (Information Systems) from the University of Hong Kong. Dr. Chau's research spans business analytics, artificial intelligence, web mining, fintech, smart health, and security informatics. His work focuses on applying data/text/web mining techniques to business, education, and social domains. He leads the Artificial Intelligence Research Group at HKU Business School, which has secured significant funding from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Food and Health Bureau, and other agencies for projects including 'The Invisible Hand in Crowdfunding' and 'Factors Moderating the Predictive Power of Social Media Sentiment on Stock Returns'. His publication portfolio includes over 150 articles in premier journals like MIS Quarterly, JMIS, and IEEE Transactions, with recent work exploring large language models, hate speech detection, and disaster-related social media analysis. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections across computer science, information systems, and business applications. INFORMS ISS Design Science Award (2020) IEEE ITSS Leadership Award in Intelligence and Security Informatics (2020) AIS Sandra Slaughter Service Award (2016) HKU Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2014) Faculty Research Postgraduate Supervision Award (2020 & 2025) Cited over 9,400 times (h-index = 47) Dr. Chau actively mentors doctoral students and has supervised numerous PhD graduates who now hold academic positions at institutions including Fudan University, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and the University of Maryland. His research grants portfolio demonstrates sustained funding success across diverse areas including blockchain, mental health applications, and social media analytics. The Artificial Intelligence Research Group he leads maintains strong industry connections through projects with Hong Kong Red Cross and the Hospital Authority.
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Hellweg serves as a Full Professor for Ecological Systems Design at the ETH Zürich , Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. She is Deputy Head of the Institute of Environmental Engineering and leads groundbreaking research at the intersection of industrial ecology, life cycle assessment, and circular economy systems. PhD in Environmental Engineering (ETH Zürich, 2000) Industrial Engineering Degree (Karlsruhe University, 1996) Her research develops advanced methodologies for environmental impact assessment of products and technologies, focusing on: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with correlated uncertainty modeling Circular economy implementation in chemical and energy sectors Industrial symbiosis optimization for heat and nutrient flows Urban wastewater systems redesign for resource recovery Chemical pollution analysis in plastic materials Key publication trends reveal expertise in: Hybrid wastewater treatment systems Energy-efficient greenhouse cultivation Exergy analysis for sustainability metrics Machine learning applications in environmental modeling Policy-relevant industrial ecology studies She actively participates in global sustainability initiatives as: President of the International Society of Industrial Ecology (ISIE) Member of UN Environment's International Resource Panel Editorial board member for leading environmental journals
Claudia R. Binder is Full Professor at EPFL's School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, leading the Laboratory for Human-Environment Relations in Urban Systems (HERUS) since 2016. Previously, she held professorships at the University of Munich (2011-2016), University of Graz (2009-2011), and University of Zurich (2006-2009). She served as Dean of EPFL's ENAC School from 2020-2023 and holds advisory roles with Swiss federal institutions including the Mercator Foundation since 2024. Her academic foundation includes a Biochemistry degree and PhD in Environmental Sciences from ETH Zurich, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland. This interdisciplinary background underpins her research approach spanning natural and social sciences. Professor Binder's work centers on urban sustainability transitions, examining urban metabolism dynamics through systems science frameworks. She investigates energy-food-transport interdependencies in cities using transdisciplinary methods that integrate material flow analysis, spatial modeling, and socio-technical assessments. Her research particularly emphasizes regulatory mechanisms and transformation drivers in human-environment systems, with case studies across Swiss and global urban contexts. Recent publications reveal evolving focus from foundational urban metabolism studies toward actionable transition strategies. Her 2024-2025 work increasingly addresses social tipping dynamics, circular decarbonization, and spatially explicit waste management, demonstrating methodological innovation through geo-referenced material flow analysis and participatory backcasting frameworks. Key thematic clusters include energy innovation diffusion, plastic waste governance, and demand-side flexibility in residential systems. She actively mentors 7 current PhD candidates while supervising 11 graduates since 2018, with research spanning urban metabolism modeling, sustainability assessment, and transition governance. Her leadership extends to Swiss National Science Foundation committees and National Research Program 71 on energy consumption management. At EPFL, she directs the HERUS laboratory which develops the Sustainability Solution Space methodology for urban assessment. The lab operates at the intersection of data science, environmental engineering, and social theory, maintaining strong field connections in Switzerland, Indonesia, and Germany for empirical validation of transition models.
