Yan Huang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Indiana University Bloomington, focusing on security and cryptography. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical systems, emphasizing cryptographic protocols with strong security guarantees for generic computation. University: Indiana University Bloomington School: College of Arts and Sciences Department: Computer Science Academic Rank: Associate Professor His research combines theoretical computer science , program analysis , artificial intelligence , and software engineering to address real-world security problems. Key areas include secure computation , zero-knowledge proofs , and privacy-preserving technologies . Recent publications, such as Phecda (SP'25) and Dubhe (USENIX Security'23), highlight advancements in post-quantum cryptography , AES verification , and privacy-preserving deep packet inspection , reflecting his focus on scalable and practical cryptographic solutions. He has advised notable students including Changchang Ding (PhD, Computer Science) and Ruiyu Zhu (PhD, now at Facebook), and served on program committees for top conferences like ACM CCS and CRYPTO .
Guglielmo Scovazzi is a Professor at Duke University with appointments across multiple departments including the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and as Professor of Mathematics. His interdisciplinary research bridges computational mechanics, scientific computing, and engineering applications. Dr. Scovazzi earned his B.S/M.S. in aerospace engineering (summa cum laude) from Politecnico di Torino (Italy), followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. Prior to joining Duke, he was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories' Computer Science Research Institute. His research focuses on developing advanced numerical methods for computational mechanics, particularly finite element methods for fluid and solid mechanics. Key areas include multiphase porous media flows, computational methods for materials under extreme conditions, turbulent flow computations, and instability phenomena. His work emphasizes creating accurate computational approaches that reduce design/analysis costs for complex engineering problems involving fluid-structure interactions and transient phenomena in complex geometries. Dr. Scovazzi's most significant recent contribution is the development of the Shifted Boundary Method, an innovative computational framework that enables efficient simulations on complex geometries without requiring boundary-fitted meshes. This method has found applications in geomechanics, energy systems, and resilient infrastructure design. Kavli Fellow, National Academy of Sciences & Kavli Foundation (2018) Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), White House (2017) Early Career Award, U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Scientific Computing Research Program (2014) Dr. Scovazzi teaches multiple courses in computational mechanics including Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis and Introduction to the Finite Element Method. His research has been supported by substantial federal funding, and he actively collaborates across disciplines to address challenging problems in energy, environment, and infrastructure resilience through advanced computational methods.
Jignesh M. Patel is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University , focusing on Data Management , System Efficiency (e.g., Scalable Data Platforms), and Human Efficiency (e.g., LLM-Based Query Interfaces). His work bridges Database Systems , Machine Learning , and Human-Computer Interaction . Co-founder of four startups: Paradise (1997), Locomatix (2007), Quickstep (2015), and DataChat (2017). Member of SIGMOD 2025 (AE) , CIDR 2024 (Co-Chair) , and other program committees. Research Interests include efficient data analysis algorithms , LLM-based data interaction , and systems security . His group develops platforms combining scalability and user productivity . Scientific Awards include Best Paper Awards at SIGMOD and VLDB, and Fellowships from AAAS, ACM, and IEEE. He also received Teaching Awards at CMU. Professional Activities feature co-founding startups , serving on program committees , and teaching courses like Database Systems and Advanced Database Systems at CMU.
Dr. Zara Ersozlu is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education within the School of Education at the University of Newcastle, Australia. With a distinguished international career spanning multiple continents, she has held academic positions at prestigious institutions including North Carolina State University (USA), Gazi and Gaziosmanpasa Universities (Turkey), National Taiwan Normal University (Taiwan), The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, and Deakin University. Her academic journey includes tenured positions as an Associate Professor and leadership roles as Department Head and Chair in teacher education disciplines. Currently, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in mathematics education, including Effective Pedagogies in Primary Mathematics, K-6 Mathematics, K-6 Numeracy, and Digitally Supported Learning. Dr. Ersozlu earned her Doctor of Philosophy from Firat University in Turkey and her Master of Art from Sakarya University. Her extensive academic preparation is complemented by five years of practical teaching experience in public schools prior to entering academia. This blend of theoretical knowledge and practical classroom experience informs her approach to teacher education and educational research. At the broadest level, Dr. Ersozlu's research investigates solutions to real-life problems impacting people's well-being, success, and capacity to achieve. Her scholarly work spans primary and secondary mathematics education, the psychology of mathematics (including metacognition, self-regulation, and anxiety), cross-cultural educational studies, teacher education, virtual simulated learning environments, and educational assessment. She has increasingly focused on the transformative potential of AI and machine learning in education, exploring how these technologies alter teaching, learning, and research processes. Her methodological expertise encompasses both quantitative and qualitative approaches, allowing her to effectively analyze both small and large educational datasets. Analysis of Dr. Ersozlu's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on mathematics anxiety, teacher education, and the integration of technology in learning environments. Her work demonstrates a consistent focus on practical applications of educational research to address real-world challenges in mathematics education. The interdisciplinary nature of her research connects educational psychology, technology integration, and cross-cultural perspectives, with particular attention to how these elements intersect in teacher preparation and student learning outcomes. 2023 ATEA Research Recognition Award from the Australian Teacher Education Association 2021 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE, UK) 2010 Fellowship Program for Postdoctoral Researchers from the Council of Higher Education of Turkey Dr. Ersozlu is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars, currently supervising four PhD students and having successfully guided ten students to completion. Her grant portfolio includes significant funding for projects such as Best Practice Guidelines for RPL in Initial Teacher Education Programs ($60,000), Exploring the Reciprocal Relationship Between Mathematics Anxiety and Mathematical Resilience ($2,599), and multiple conference travel awards. She serves as an Associate Editor for several prominent journals including the International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education and as Editor for Interdisciplinary STEM Education. Her editorial work reflects her standing as a respected voice in mathematics education research. Dr. Ersozlu's academic leadership extends to her role in developing innovative teaching approaches that integrate virtual simulation technology and learning analytics. Her work with TeachLivE™, a mixed-reality classroom simulation platform, demonstrates her commitment to creating authentic learning experiences for teacher education students. Through these initiatives, she bridges the gap between educational theory and classroom practice, preparing future educators to effectively implement evidence-based teaching strategies in diverse learning environments.
Michael Mühlebach is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen, Germany, leading the independent Learning and Dynamical Systems group. His academic journey began at ETH Zurich where he earned his B.Sc. (2010) and M.Sc. (2013) in mechanical engineering, specializing in robotics, systems, and control. He completed his Ph.D. at ETH Zurich in 2018 under Prof. R. D'Andrea, followed by postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley with Prof. Michael I. Jordan. Dr. Mühlebach's research spans machine learning, dynamical systems, control theory, and optimization . His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in robotics, developing methods that incorporate physical constraints and system dynamics into learning frameworks. His group focuses on online learning, physics-informed machine learning, and large-scale optimization for cyber-physical systems, with applications in electromagnetic navigation, robotic table tennis, and energy-efficient flight systems like the shape-changing robot Floaty . His publication record shows a strong focus on constrained optimization, with recent work exploring decision-dependent stochastic optimization, nonlinear feedback, and the theoretical foundations of reinforcement learning. His research integrates perspectives from control theory, dynamical systems, and optimization to develop algorithms with strong theoretical guarantees and practical performance. Outstanding D-MAVT Bachelor Award Willi-Studer prize for best Master's degree ETH Medal and HILTI prize for doctoral thesis Branco Weiss Fellow (2018) Emmy Noether Fellowship (2020) Amazon Fellowship (2024) Dr. Mühlebach actively mentors doctoral researchers and is seeking talented students for PhD and Master's projects. His research group has received funding from multiple prestigious fellowships and maintains collaborations across institutions including ETH Zurich, UC Berkeley, and various Max Planck research units. The group's work spans theoretical developments to practical implementations on robotic systems, demonstrating strong connections between mathematical theory and physical realization.
Adrienne Raphel is a Lecturer in the Department of English at Baruch College, part of the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at The City University of New York (CUNY). She holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from Harvard University, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from Princeton University. Her research and creative work intersect contemporary culture, poetry, and the history of wordplay. She explores modernist literature, dark academia, and the evolution of puzzles like crosswords and board games as cultural artifacts. Raphel's recent publications highlight crosswords, poetry, and literary criticism, reflecting her interests in generational trends, linguistic innovation, and urban themes. Her articles analyze cultural phenomena through the lens of games, literature, and media. She has received prestigious awards, including: Visiting Fellowship at the American Library in Paris (2023) James Merrill Writer in Residence (2023) Writer in Residence at The Mastheads (2018) Raphel serves on the Awards and Honors Committee and teaches courses such as Writing II and Great Works of Literature I. She has contributed to media outlets like The New Yorker , The New York Times , and The Paris Review .
Juan Camilo Gómez is an Associate Professor with tenure at the University of Washington Bothell's School of Business, specializing in game theory, bargaining, and microeconomic theory. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Minnesota and his B.Sc. in Mathematics from Universidad de los Andes in Colombia. Education: Ph.D. Economics (1998–2003), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN B.Sc. Mathematics (1990–1996), Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia Research Interests: His research focuses on foundational and applied aspects of game theory, including bargaining models, coalition formation, cooperative solution concepts, and general equilibrium. He explores how efficiency can be achieved in strategic interactions, especially when agents may behave manipulatively or when traditional balance conditions do not hold. His work contributes to understanding how coalitions form and how outcomes can be predicted or designed to ensure equitable and efficient allocations. He also investigates the implications of reference points in bargaining and the role of aspirations in shaping cooperative behavior. Publications Overview: Across his publications, a clear trajectory emerges from foundational theoretical work—such as axiomatizing core extensions in cooperative games—to applied models that predict coalition formation and bargaining outcomes. His research consistently bridges rigorous mathematical frameworks with practical economic questions, including market interpretations of cooperative solutions and strategic pricing models like 'Pay What You Want'. Awards and Honors: 2010 MBA Professor of the Year, University of Washington Bothell Teaching and Advising: Gómez has taught a wide range of courses from undergraduate calculus and mathematical economics to graduate-level game theory and quantitative methods for business. He has held teaching roles at institutions including Macalester College, University of Copenhagen, Universidad de los Andes, and University of Minnesota. He has also co-directed undergraduate theses, such as that of Santiago Saavedra, and served on numerous academic committees including MBA Admissions and faculty hiring. Labs and Teams: While no specific lab is mentioned, his collaborative working papers with researchers like Camelia Bejan and P.V. Balakrishnan suggest active participation in research networks focused on game theory and economic modeling.
Philip Thomas is an Associate Professor and Doctoral Program Director at the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst. He leads the Autonomous Learning Lab (ALL) and co-founded the Reinforcement Learning Conference (RLC). His research focuses on reinforcement learning, AI safety, and algorithms that ensure safety guarantees for high-risk applications like healthcare and digital marketing. Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2015) MSc in Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University (2009) BSc in Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University (2008) Research Interests: Thomas specializes in designing biologically plausible reinforcement learning algorithms and ensuring safety through frameworks like Qualia Optimization and Seldonian Algorithms . His work emphasizes off-policy evaluation, fairness guarantees, and ethical AI. Recent projects include developing benchmarks for medical decision-making (e.g., ICU-Sepsis) and analyzing adversarial robustness in speech denoising models. Articles Trends: His recent work spans high-confidence policy evaluation, fairness metrics, and algorithmic safety. Key themes include improving benchmarking practices, rethinking eligibility traces, and leveraging state abstraction for consistent off-policy evaluation. Awards & Grants: Armstrong Award Co-PI on Army Research Grant (IoBT), NSF grant (FMitF) Significant funding from Adobe Research Advising & Grants: Thomas has overseen grants totaling millions and mentored students in reinforcement learning and AI safety. His current focus includes exploring qualia optimization for doctoral applications (2026-2027). Labs & Teams: He directs the Autonomous Learning Lab and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects at the Center for Data Science, emphasizing ethical AI and safe machine learning systems.
Valeria Caiati is an Assistant Professor at the Urban Planning Group within the Built Environment School at Eindhoven University of Technology. Her research focuses on sustainable urban mobility, smart cities, and the role of ICTs in fostering sustainable development. She leads the SCRIPTS project exploring demand-driven mobility services and platform technologies. She holds a PhD from TU/e, preceded by professional experience in international consultancy and research institutes in Italy. Valeria teaches courses like 'Built Environment and Smart Mobility' and contributes to 8 active/funded projects, including LEVERAGE and NEDAM initiatives. Her research interests revolve around Mobility as a Service (MaaS), sustainable transportation policies, and behavioral modeling of transport adoption. She employs mixed-methods approaches, including stated choice experiments and portfolio analysis to assess user preferences and system impacts. Recent work examines parking guidance systems, electric vehicle adoption drivers, and corporate sustainability interventions. Valeria has supervised 9 academic works and actively participates in peer-review for journals like Transportation and European Transport Research Review . She engages in professional activities such as invited talks on MaaS bundling strategies and workshop participations on transformative urban mobility. Her teaching portfolio includes courses integrating theory with practical studio projects in urban development.
Amalia Foka is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science Applications for the Arts at the Department of Fine Arts & Art Sciences , School of Fine Arts , University of Ioannina , Greece. She has held academic positions at the University of Patras (2005-2013), University of Ioannina (2005-2008), and Computer Technology Institute & Press "Diophantus" (2014-2015). Her research bridges Artificial Intelligence with Digital Art , focusing on Generative AI , Social Media Mining , and Human-Computer Interaction within artistic contexts. Education: BEng in Computer Systems Engineering (1998) from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST) , UK MSc in Advanced Control (1999) from UMIST PhD in Robotics (2005) from the Department of Computer Science , University of Crete Her artistic research includes projects like Bushwalking (StyleGAN2 landscape generation), Breaking the Silence (NLP analysis of taboo topics), and The Invisible Structures of the Artworld (social media-driven network visualization). She leads the Multimedia Lab at the University of Ioannina, focusing on AI in Creative Processes and Digital Interaction methodologies.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sema Alaçam Doğan has been affiliated with Istanbul Technical University since 2014, serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture . She has held administrative roles including Deputy Head of Department and Erasmus Coordinator. Education : PhD in Informatics in Architectural Design (2008-2014), MS in Informatics in Architectural Design (2005-2008), and BS in Architecture (1999-2005) from Istanbul Technical University. Her research explores Computational Design , Artificial Intelligence in Architecture , and Sustainable Material Innovation . She investigates digital tools for heritage preservation, daylight optimization in BIM, and cognitive development in architecture students. Recent publications analyze AI-assisted design literacy , machine learning for Sinan mosques , and environmental comfort in Harran houses . Her work integrates algorithmic frameworks with sustainable practices. Scientific awards include multiple ITU Publication and Performance Awards (2021-2024), FABFEST Prizes , and the 2024 Artemis Educator Award from NASA. Active projects like "Physical Computation in Architectural Drawing" and "Robotic Fabrication with Recycled Wind Turbine Blades" demonstrate her leadership in computational and sustainable research.
Masood Masoodian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Media at Aalto University, Finland. He leads the Visual Communication Design research group, focusing on interactive visualization for health, energy, and sustainability contexts. Previously, he held roles at the University of Waikato (2000-2016), University of Southern Denmark, and Massey University. Education: Doctoral degree in Other disciplines from the University of Waikato (1999) Research interests include design thinking, visualization of complex data, and creative aging interventions. Notable projects include the EU-funded INT-ACT initiative (2024-2026) addressing intangible cultural heritage. He has received an award for collaborative work on video game ludonarrative analysis (2019). Recent activities include organizing workshops on map-based interfaces, co-creating cultural heritage methods, and delivering public talks on digital design. Supervised two theses and contributed to 131 peer-reviewed outputs, emphasizing human-centered design and sustainability. Grants: Principal investigator for multiple EU projects totaling over 3 years of active funding. Awards: Prize for 'Comedy in the Ludonarrative of Video Games' (2019). Labs/Teams: Visual Communication Design group, collaborating internationally on projects like INT-ACT's cultural heritage mapping.
Professor Grahame Holmes is an Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering at RMIT University, Australia. His expertise spans electrical energy conversion, smart energy systems, renewable energy integration, power electronics, and grid infrastructure. He focuses on advancing technologies for sustainable energy storage, grid stability, and high-efficiency power conversion. Research Interests : Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Communications Technologies, Power Electronics, Renewable Energy Systems, and Grid Integration Solutions. His work emphasizes practical applications such as hydrogen energy storage systems, grid-interactive inverters, and modular multilevel converters. Recent Contributions : Prof. Holmes has published extensively on topics like advanced PWM techniques, resonant current controllers, and DC transformer designs. His research bridges theoretical advancements with real-world implementations, addressing challenges in smart grid stability and high-frequency power conversion. Advising & Grants : Supervised projects include 'Hydrogen Energy Storage System for Nanogrid' (2015) and 'Synchronised Control of Grid-Interactive Inverters' (2015). While specific grant details are not listed, his work aligns with major themes in sustainable energy research. Labs & Collaborations : Engages in collaborative research through RMIT's facilities, focusing on hardware-software co-simulation frameworks and FPGA-based real-time systems.
Juris Salaks is an Acting Associate Professor and Director of the Institute of the History of Medicine and RSU Museum at Riga Stradiņš University. His work bridges medical history with archival research, focusing on pharmaceutical legacies and historical narratives in the Baltic region. Fields of Interest: Medical Sciences, History, USSR Studies, Central/Eastern Europe, and medical museology. Academic Leadership: Organized the 47th Congress of the International Society for the History of Medicine and co-led the "Bridging the Baltic IV" conference. Research Trends : Recent publications analyze the history of artificial kidney development and Roche's industrial archives, emphasizing cross-border scientific collaboration and preservation of medical heritage. His work aligns with SDGs for education and historical research. Scientific Awards : General Secretary (Other distinction, 2024) Pauls Stradiņš Award (Honorary award, 2001) Cross of Recognition (State award, 2023) Academic Contributions : As director of RSU Museum, he integrates medical history with interdisciplinary exhibitions, including projects on Fabergé's medical connections and Baltic medical innovators. Supervised 2 academic works and participated in 67 activities, including invited talks and editorial roles.
Shanshan Xu is a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow and Academic Lecturer in Catalysis at the Department of Materials, University of Manchester, since January 2025. She specializes in heterogeneous catalytic systems for sustainable chemical reactions, including hydrogen production, nitrogen fixation, and CO2 conversion, employing operando X-ray spectroscopy and DRIFTS techniques to study catalytic mechanisms. Previously, she worked on the EU-funded Laurelin project, focusing on CO2 conversion to renewable methanol using nonthermal plasma catalysis. She earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering (2021) and MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Manchester. Her research interests span catalyst design (metal oxides, porous materials like zeolites and MOFs), operando spectroscopy (XAS, XPDF, IR), and sustainable chemistry. She leads the UoMaH research group at the University of Manchester-Harwell, collaborating internationally. Xu is actively mentoring PhD students and supervising projects in catalysis, with funding opportunities through scholarships like the President’s Doctoral Scholarship and the University of Manchester-CSC joint program. Notable awards include the Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowship (2024), Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship (2017), and First Prize in the China ShaoXing Innovation Competition (2023). Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to clean energy and sustainable industrial processes. Xu’s lab focuses on advancing catalyst design through operando studies, with emphasis on nonthermal plasma systems. She collaborates on projects like the UoMaH initiative, exploring nanoparticle behavior and catalytic materials for industrial applications.
