Find Academic Supervisors

Georgios J. FakasView profile

Associate Professor

• Big Data
• Keyword Search
• Spatial Databases
• +9 more

Georgios J. Fakas is an Associate Professor (Docent) in the Department of Information Technology at Uppsala University, Sweden, where he leads the Uppsala DataBase Laboratory (UDBL). He has held academic positions at prestigious institutions including the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, EPFL, UMIST, University of Cyprus, and Manchester Metropolitan University, where he served as a Senior Lecturer. Education: Ph.D. in Computation, UMIST, Manchester, UK (1998) M.Phil. in Computation, UMIST, Manchester, UK (1996) B.Sc. in Computation, UMIST, Manchester, UK (1995) His research spans big data, keyword search on structured and graph data, spatial databases, web and geo-social search, workflow management, and data summarization . He also explores applications in educational technologies, distance learning, and health informatics. His work emphasizes efficient, user-centric data access and intelligent querying paradigms. The 15 most recent publications highlight a sustained focus on keyword search, object summarization, spatial and semantic data, and ranking , published in top venues like SIGMOD, VLDBJ, IEEE TKDE, and PVLDB. His work integrates algorithmic innovation with practical database applications. Scientific Awards: International Sabbaticals grant from Teknat (2023), hosted by Boston University Fellowship 'Hosting of Experienced Researchers from Abroad' from RPF, Cyprus (2009) ERCIM Fellowship (2001), hosted by EPFL, Switzerland He is actively involved in PhD supervision and grant leadership. He currently serves as Principal Investigator for an eSSENCE-funded project on Data-intensive analytics for discovering critical minerals using Machine Learning , in collaboration with industry partners. He has supervised multiple PhD students to completion, including Georgios Kalamatianos, Khalid Mahmood, Zhi Cai, and Ben Cawley. He is a frequent reviewer for leading journals and serves on program committees of major conferences such as ACM SIGMOD and PVLDB. He leads the Uppsala DataBase Laboratory (UDBL) , a research group focused on advanced data management systems, where he mentors students and drives innovation in database technologies.

Ann FruhlingView profile

Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Health Informatics
• User Interface Design
• +7 more

Ann Fruhling is a Distinguished Professor in the College of Information Science & Technology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she serves as the founding Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Informatics and Chair of the Ph.D. in Computing and Information Science program. She is also co-Director of the Nebraska University Center for Biomedical Informatics Research and Innovation and Director of the Consortium for Public Informatics (CPHI). Education: Ph.D. in Management Information Systems, Strategy, Marketing, Computer Science, and Human-Computer Interaction – University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 2003 MBA – University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1991 BS in Computer Information Systems – Colorado State University, 1983 Dr. Fruhling's research centers on human-computer interaction, usability, health and biomedical informatics, and agile system development. Her work emphasizes designing and evaluating information systems for high-stakes environments, particularly emergency response and public health laboratories. She is the Principal Investigator of STATPack™, a widely deployed bioterrorism surveillance system. Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on usability in health IT, emergency informatics, agile methodologies, and public health system design. The research spans disciplines including information systems, cognitive science, software engineering, and public policy, with recurring themes of user-centered design, system reliability, and real-world implementation challenges. Scientific Awards: Charles W. and Margre H. Durham Distinguished Professor (2017) UNO Graduation Marshal (2016) Mutual of Omaha Distinguished Professor (2011) Nebraska Navy Admiral Award (2006) Dr. Fruhling has secured over $8.5 million in research funding across more than 100 projects, supporting the training and development of over 85 students. She advises doctoral students in the CIS Ph.D. program and leads collaborative research initiatives through CPHI and the Biomedical Informatics Center. Her teaching portfolio includes Human-Computer Interaction, Health Informatics, Agile Development, and MIS Capstone courses. She leads the STATPack™ research lab in PKI 363 and collaborates with public health laboratories across the Midwest. Her team focuses on developing, evaluating, and deploying informatics solutions for emergency preparedness and response.

Xiao Hui TaiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Statistics
• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• +12 more

Xiao Hui Tai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. Her research sits at the intersection of statistics, data science, and social science, with a focus on global public health, conflict dynamics, and socioeconomic development. She leverages large-scale, granular data sources such as mobile phone records, satellite imagery, and geospatial datasets to study the impacts of violence, displacement, and environmental hazards. Her research interests include statistical and machine learning methods for causal inference, spatiotemporal modeling, and interdisciplinary applications in public policy and development economics. She is particularly interested in how data science can inform decision-making in humanitarian and low-resource settings. Her work bridges technical rigor with real-world impact, often involving collaboration across disciplines such as political science, economics, public health, and environmental science. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in using novel data sources to address pressing global challenges. Themes include conflict and education, air pollution and mortality, displacement due to violence, and illicit crop monitoring. Her methodological expertise spans record linkage, hierarchical clustering, natural language processing, and satellite-based environmental monitoring. These works demonstrate a consistent focus on both methodological innovation and policy-relevant applications. Hellman Fellow (2024–25) Tai advises students through her research and teaching, having developed and taught courses such as STA 35A (Introductory Statistical Data Science), STA 160 (Capstone in Data Science), and STA 250 (Data Science for International Development). She has mentored student-led research, including a project on air pollution in Chile that led to a publication in Communications Earth & Environment . Her current projects involve interdisciplinary collaborations funded by the L&S Unites Initiative, including automated text analysis of lobbying influence on global health policy. She is actively engaged in the academic community, presenting her work at major conferences such as the Households in Conflict Network, WNAR/IMS, and the Australasian Development Economics Workshop. Tai leads research that integrates data-intensive methods with social science questions, often in collaboration with labs and centers such as the UC Davis DataLab. She previously worked with the Global Policy Lab at UC Berkeley and CyLab at Carnegie Mellon University, maintaining connections to interdisciplinary research teams focused on data for development and security.

• Material Culture
• Mobility Studies
• Digital Anthropology
• +7 more

Heather Horst is Professor of Design Anthropology at the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning , University of Sydney. She holds additional affiliations as an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Digital Anthropology, University College London, and as Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. PhD (University of London), MA (California), BA (Minnesota) Her research explores material culture , mobility studies , and the mediation of social relations through technology, homes, and clothing. Current projects include the ARC Discovery Project Fashioning Fiji (2020-2025) and a $2.9M ACIAR initiative on mobile financial services in Laos and Cambodia (2022-2026). In recognition of her contributions, Heather was elected Fellow of the Academy of the Humanities, Australia (2023) . She has supervised 11 PhD students to completion and co-developed the HOMAGO framework for informal learning environments, now widely adopted in afterschool programs globally.

Tino WaltherView profile

Professor

• Construction Management
• Project Control
• BIM (Building Information Modeling)
• +4 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tino Walther is currently serving as Professor of Construction Management and Project Control at the Technical University of Mittelhessen (THM) since October 2023. Previously, he held roles at STRABAG AG and Bauhaus University Weimar where he completed his doctoral studies (2017-2021). His career spans academic research, industry leadership, and technical project management in civil and bridge construction. Education includes an M.Sc. in Management Studies (Construction/Real Estate/Infrastructure) from Bauhaus University Weimar (2009-2014), dual training as a civil and road construction worker with integrated studies (2007-2009), and civil engineering studies at the University of Kassel (2008-2009). Research focuses on digital transformation in construction , including BIM applications, automated data acquisition, 5D process management, and optimizing construction performance through algorithmic frameworks. His work emphasizes bridging gaps between theoretical models and practical implementation in infrastructure projects. Recent publications (2019-2024) highlight advancements in automated construction monitoring, VR-based training systems, and path-planning algorithms for heavy machinery. His methodologies integrate convex hull algorithms, point-cloud comparisons, and image recognition to improve site control and project outcomes. No scientific awards were explicitly listed in the text. His professional activities include leading construction processes departments and advising on linear infrastructure projects. He maintains active engagement with industry through collaborations like the IABSE Congress and ECPPM conferences.

Mazin SaberView profile

Researcher

• Remote Sensing
• Agricultural Water Management
• Evapotranspiration Modeling
• +3 more

Mazin Saber holds the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Sanchez Lab, Yuma Agricultural Center, affiliated with the University of Arizona. His work focuses on applying remote sensing and satellite technologies to improve agricultural water management, particularly in arid environments like Yuma, Arizona. He specializes in evapotranspiration modeling, irrigation scheduling, and crop water stress indices using multisource satellite data (Sentinel, Planet, ECOSTRESS) and ground-based measurements like eddy covariance systems. Research interests include precision agriculture, water resource optimization in desert farming, and development of decision support tools for crop water management. His work integrates remote sensing with hydrological modeling to address challenges in irrigated agriculture, including real-time irrigation detection, energy balance models for crop monitoring, and validation of FAO-56 methodologies in arid zones. Recent studies highlight advancements in crop water stress indices, fusion of radar and optical satellite data, and application of machine learning techniques for precision irrigation. His research has been applied across multiple crops including lettuce, durum wheat, and winter vegetables, with a focus on the Lower Colorado River Basin and Yuma agricultural regions. While no formal awards are listed, his contributions have advanced remote sensing applications in arid agriculture. Currently involved in the Sanchez Lab's projects at the Yuma Agricultural Center, focusing on automation of water management practices and development of scalable solutions for desert farming systems.

• Carbon Dioxide Emissions
• Fossil Fuel Emissions
• Urban Emissions Modeling
• +7 more

Kevin Gurney is a Professor in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University. His work focuses on high-resolution carbon dioxide emissions modeling, urban emissions, and climate informatics. He is widely recognized for leading the Hestia project and contributing to global emission datasets. University: Northern Arizona University School: School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems Academic Rank: Professor His research interests span carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuel and biofuel emissions, urban emissions modeling, high-resolution emission mapping, climate informatics, and environmental policy. His work integrates atmospheric science, data science, and urban planning to develop detailed carbon inventories and support climate mitigation strategies. He employs advanced techniques such as AI, machine learning, and geospatial analysis to model emissions at fine spatial and temporal scales. Recent publications (2024–2025) highlight his focus on AI-driven emission assessments, urban form impacts on CO₂, Scope 2 electricity emissions, and global fossil and biofuel inventories. His work demonstrates a strong trend toward integrating artificial intelligence with environmental monitoring and policy-relevant emission accounting at granular levels. Kevin Gurney has received extensive recognition, with over 11,969 citations and an h-index of 53. His research outputs, including 158 scholarly works and 67 datasets, are widely used and cited. His work has been featured in news outlets and social media, reflecting its societal relevance. He actively advises students and researchers in environmental informatics and carbon science, though specific names are not listed. His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration and external funding, supporting large-scale data generation and modeling efforts. He leads research teams focused on urban carbon systems and emission inventories. Kevin Gurney is associated with major research initiatives such as the Hestia project and CoCO2-MOSAIC, which produce high-resolution emission datasets. His lab and research teams work on integrating observational data, modeling, and policy analysis to advance urban and global carbon science.

Bochen JiaView profile

Associate Professor

• Human Factors and Ergonomics
• Wearable Sensors
• Worker Capacity and Safety
• +4 more

Bochen Jia is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn's College of Engineering and Computer Science , specializing in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering . With a background in Industrial & Systems Engineering (PhD and MS) and Engineering Mechanics (MS and BS), he leads research on human factors, ergonomics, and human-exoskeleton interactions. Research Highlights: Investigates worker capacity changes under modern occupational risks Led ASTM International task group to establish exoskeleton digital modeling standards Explores ergonomic challenges in connected/autonomous vehicle design Develops wearable systems for posture and fatigue monitoring Advances pedestrian safety through AR/VR interface design Publications Trends show expertise in biomechanics, AI-driven workload assessment, autonomous vehicle-pedestrian communication, and STEAM education integration over 2018-2025. Scientific Awards include 11 grants from organizations like ASTM International, Michigan Mobility Transformation Center, and Ford Motor Company. Key projects involve exoskeleton standards, automated driving education, and pedestrian safety technologies. Teaching Innovation includes integrating ergonomic competitions, practical engineering tools, and lab development for automotive education. Established a multipurpose lab with external funding to prepare students for future mobility challenges.

• Urban Aboriginal Issues
• Métis History and Contemporary Issues
• Trans-national Migration
• +6 more

Mike Evans is a Professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan within the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Department of Community, Culture and Global Studies . Holding a PhD and MA from McMaster University and a BA from University of Victoria , his work bridges Indigenous Knowledges with interdisciplinary research frameworks. Research focuses on Urban Aboriginal issues , Métis history , Indigenous methodologies , and regional food systems Key publication themes include: decolonizing research practices , Indigenous geospatial studies , and ecological cultural analysis He engages in community-based research across multiple domains: Island studies through ecological and cultural lenses Trans-national migration examining Tongan and Métis contexts Participatory action research with Indigenous communities

Margret PlankView profile

Researcher

• E-Infrastructure and Services for Non-Textual Materials
• Audiovisual Archives
• Science Communication
• +6 more

Margret Plank is a Researcher at the German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB) , where she leads the Lab for Non-Textual Materials . Her work focuses on developing user-centered services for scientific videos, 3D models, and research data, with a strong emphasis on discoverability and reuse.

Frank SchwarzbachView profile

Professor

• Geoinformatics
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Spatial Data Management
• +5 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Schwarzbach is a Professor of Geoinformatics at the Faculty of Spatial Information , HTW Dresden. He teaches core modules like Geographic Information Systems I/II , Geodatabase Systems , and GIS Applications across Geomatics, Environmental Engineering, and Archaeology programs. His role includes being Studiendekan for the Master's in Geoinformatics/Management and a member of the university Senate. Current research focuses on GIS applications, historical map georeferencing, and multimedia spatiotemporal visualization. Projects include the Bohemian-Saxonian Literature Landscape interactive map and collaborations with museums, archaeological institutes, and government agencies. He has led GIS software testing initiatives and developed educational materials for geospatial standards. His publications and workshops since 2002 emphasize GIS interoperability, WebGIS, and vector graphics. He is also involved in laboratory operations for geoinformatics and data processing.

• Land Surface Processes
• Climate Science
• Remote Sensing
• +9 more

Patrick C. McGuire is a Research Fellow at the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology and National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), where he has worked since 2017. His research spans terrestrial climate science and planetary exploration, with dual appointments reflecting his interdisciplinary work in the Department of Meteorology and formerly in Geography & Environmental Science. McGuire's primary research interests focus on land surface processes and climate science, remote sensing and atmospheric correction of orbital imaging data, Mars and planetary science, and computer vision applications. He leads advanced modeling efforts using JULES (Joint UK Land Environment Simulator) and the Unified Model for global land surface simulations, with recent emphasis on crop modeling in the Peruvian Andes using AquaCrop under climate change scenarios. His work integrates CORDEX and CHELSA downscaled climate data with advanced modeling techniques. His research portfolio demonstrates remarkable breadth, connecting terrestrial climate modeling with Mars exploration through projects like the 'Cyborg Astrobiologist' computer vision system. Current collaborations include the EXPECT project for regional climate explanation, CROPP for climate resilience in Peru, SPLICE for canopy light interactions, and multiple Global Carbon Project initiatives including TRENDY MIPs. McGuire has made significant contributions to Mars mission data analysis, particularly with CRISM instrument atmospheric correction algorithms. SciVal top-five highly-cited author at Reading (128 citations/paper, 2019-2024) NASA Tech Brief and NTR Software Awards for Mars imaging technology Humboldt Research Fellowship (2008-2010) Multiple Weather Game contest placements at Reading (2021-2024) As an active mentor, McGuire advised Nikita Agrawal's wildfire prediction project that won 3rd place at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair. He regularly serves as a journal referee for Geoscientific Model Development, Water, Atmosphere, and Nature Geoscience, and participates in numerous model intercomparison projects including TRENDY, European Drought 2018 MIP, and Soil Parameter MIP. His laboratory work centers on the Land Surface Processes research cluster, utilizing the CEDA JASMIN supercomputing infrastructure for large-scale climate simulations and evaluation through tools like ILAMB and AutoAssess.

Tom KwasnitschkaView profile

Researcher

• Physical Volcanology
• Submarine Volcanoes
• Marine Tephrostratigraphy
• +6 more

Tom Kwasnitschka is a permanent scientist in the DeepSea Monitoring group at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel since 2025, with prior roles at GEOMAR's Technology and Logistics Center (2016-2024) and the ROBEX Helmholtz Alliance (2013-2016). He leads projects like LIGHTHOUSE , MOMO , and MUSE , focusing on deep-sea robotics , 3D photogrammetry , and immersive data visualization . He also serves as a lecturer at Kiel University of Applied Sciences since 2010. Education: PhD in Marine Geology (2012, GEOMAR) on submarine volcanism in Cape Verde; Diploma in Geology/Paleontology (2009, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel). His research spans physical volcanology of submarine systems, tephrostratigraphy , and deep-sea technology . His work integrates 3D modeling , optical and acoustic mapping , and virtual environments for marine exploration. Key projects include digital seafloor reconstruction and deep-sea camera systems . Recent publications focus on hydrothermal vent mapping , volcanic hazard analysis , and immersive fieldwork simulations , reflecting trends in multi-disciplinary marine research and underwater robotics . Awards: AGU Outstanding Student Paper Award (2011) Grants include MUSE (0.15M€) , SPP2100 ASDDSA (0.29M€) , and Helmholtz Validation Fund LIGHTHOUSE (2.37M€) . He has led 13 oceanographic cruises using vessels like RV Alkor and RV Poseidon . As co-founder of allsky.de (2003-2023), he advanced immersive media for science communication . His patents include deep-sea camera stabilization and submersible LED systems .

Yuzhong ShenView profile

Professor

• Signal Processing
• Image Processing
• Computer Graphics
• +3 more

Dr. Yuzhong Shen is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Old Dominion University (ODU), affiliated with the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware, an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Mississippi State University, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Fudan University. His research spans signal processing , medical imaging , computer graphics , and computational modeling , with applications in remote sensing, healthcare, and transportation systems. He has led over 30 funded projects totaling more than $30M, including NSF grants for climate change visualization and STEM education technology. Recent publications focus on spatiotemporal image fusion (2018), parallel image quality assessment (2017), and ultrasound image analysis. Awards & Honors: Gene Newman Award for Excellence in M&S Research (2007, 2008, 2009) Faculty Research Award, ODU ECE Department (2009) Technical Innovation Award, Hua-Guang Technologies (1993) First Class R&D Award for telephone switching systems (1992) He co-developed simulation frameworks for surgical training and hurricane evacuation planning, and his lab focuses on GPU-accelerated algorithms for real-time image processing.

Stefan SeipelView profile

Professor

• Geospatial Information Science
• Computer Science
• Interactive Visualization
• +6 more

Stefan Seipel is a Professor at the University of Gävle's Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Department of Industrial Development, IT and Land Management, Computer Science division. He leads research in geospatial visualization and digital image processing with human-centered focus. Key collaborations with Lantmäteriet , KTH , and Ghent University 's Cartography & GIS group Research initiatives include Smart Build Environment projects and Urban 3D Visualization for smart city planning Research Focus: Interactive 3D visualizations for real estate formation Visual anomaly detection in digital maps Algorithm development for urban environment modeling Solar energy potential assessment using geospatial data Technical Contributions: Developed methods for 3D property visualization, augmented reality applications in facility management, and precision tools for thermographic building diagnostics. His work integrates geospatial analysis with cognitive modeling for decision support systems.