Welf Löwe is a资深 researcher and faculty member at Linnaeus University's Faculty of Technology, Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, and also teaches at Linköping University's Department of Computer and Information Science. His research focuses on data-intensive technologies, software metrics, design pattern detection, and context-aware systems. He leads the Data Intensive Software Technologies and Applications (DISTA) group and contributes to the Linnaeus University Centre for Data Intensive Sciences and Applications (DISA). He actively collaborates on projects like the Data Intensive Applications (DIA) graduate school and the High-Performance Computing Center (HPCC). His work spans machine learning applications in healthcare, forestry, and industrial automation. Recent research includes feature engineering in medical data, skeleton avatar technology for aging studies, and AI-driven diagnostics. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and participates in interdisciplinary initiatives such as the iSchool project.
Peter Wetz is a researcher affiliated with the Institute of Software Technology and Interactive Systems at TU Wien. His work focuses on semantic data processing, environmental data systems, and interactive data exploration. He has contributed to frameworks like YABench for RDF stream processing and StatSpace for statistical data integration. His research integrates Linked Data, real-time environmental monitoring, and user-friendly data visualization tools. Notable projects include Linked Widgets and Open Mashup Platform, aiming to lower barriers for data exploration. He has authored over 20 publications between 2013–2017, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to data management and semantic technologies. Key Areas: Semantic Web, Environmental Data, Stream Processing Tools Developed: YABench, StatSpace, Linked Widgets Platform
apl. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Brenner is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Cartography and Geoinformatics within the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodetic Science at Leibniz University Hannover. His research focuses on LiDAR mapping, point cloud processing, and robust estimation, with applications in autonomous systems, urban mapping, and disaster risk assessment. He leads the Graduiertenkolleg 2159 research group on integrity and collaboration in dynamic sensor networks. Key research areas include 3D reconstruction, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), semantic segmentation of mobile mapping data, and cooperative perception systems. His work integrates advanced machine learning techniques with geospatial data analysis, addressing challenges in sensor fusion, uncertainty modeling, and real-time localization. Recent publications span topics like voxel-based point cloud localization for smart spaces, flood risk mapping using LiDAR, and adversarial shape completion. Brenner has contributed to benchmark datasets such as LuCoop and LUMPI, advancing research in cooperative perception and urban navigation. His methods emphasize robustness and scalability, often leveraging generative models and statistical frameworks for urban environment analysis. Notable projects include the development of high-definition mapping using LiDAR, trajectory-based road network reconstruction, and semantic annotation from user trajectories. His work bridges theoretical advancements in computer vision with practical applications in autonomous systems and smart infrastructure.
Norbert Haala is an Adjunct Professor and Deputy Director at the University of Stuttgart's Department of Photogrammetric Computer Vision. He leads the Research Group in Photogrammetric Computer Vision and is involved in ISPRS Working Group II/2 (Point Cloud Generation) and EuroSDR Commission 2 (Modelling and Processing). His work focuses on 3D data collection, SLAM algorithms, LiDAR integration, and UAV-based geospatial technologies. Research interests include image-based data collection, photogrammetric computer vision, and semantic segmentation of 3D point clouds. He has contributed to benchmarks like Hessigheim 3D and TIME, and developed tools like SURE for dense image matching. Teaching includes courses on digital image processing, terrain modeling, and computer vision. His publications emphasize real-time mapping, hybrid georeferencing, and neural surface reconstruction from airborne imagery. Projects involve UAV monitoring, indoor SLAM for robotics, and multi-modal data fusion for urban modeling. He collaborates on EuroSDR initiatives and publishes regularly in remote sensing and robotics domains.
Dr. Sarah Goodwin is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University's Department of Human Centred Computing, specializing in geospatial analysis and information visualization. She leads the Embodied Visualisation research group and holds roles as Director of Engagement for Human-Centred Computing and co-Director of the Monash Grid Innovation Hub. Her work focuses on creating visual solutions for complex data, including energy grid analysis, cancer prevalence visualization, and urban data exploration. Dr. Goodwin has over 20 years of experience in academic and professional roles, collaborating globally with institutions like the giCentre (City University London) and RMIT University. Education: She holds a PhD in Geographical Information Science (City University London, 2015), MSc in Geographical Information Systems (City University London, 2007), and BSc (Honours) in Geography (University of Manchester, 2003). Research Interests: Geovisualization, energy data analytics, urban data visualization, HCI, and geostatistical modeling. She has developed tools like Gazealytics and led projects such as the Australian Cancer Atlas and the Australia's Discourse Explorer. Teaching: She teaches Data Exploration and Visualisation (FIT5147) and Research Methods at Monash, impacting over 1000 students annually. She has also taught at RMIT University. Grants & Awards: Recipient of the IEEE InfoVis Best Paper Honorable Mention (2016). Active in conferences like IEEE VIS (General Chair, 2023) and organizes workshops on EnergyVis and CityVis. Labs & Teams: Involved with the Immersive Analytics Lab and collaborates with Monash Energy Institute and Data Futures Institute. Her work aligns with UN SDGs on sustainable cities and energy systems.
Gabriele Lobaccaro is a Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NTNU, within the Faculty of Engineering. His primary focus is on sustainable urban development, renewable energy integration, and climate-resilient architectural design. He leads research in solar energy planning through initiatives like the IEA SHC Task 51 and COST Action PEARL PV. Education: MSc from Politecnico di Milano (2008), PhD in Structural Engineering (Politecnico di Milano/UNSW Sydney, 2013) Research interests include Smart Cities, urban solar potential analysis, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Key projects involve the HELIOS-NFR FRIPRO program and collaborations with French institutions via the Åsgård Program. Publications emphasize solar irradiance modeling, urban energy systems, and legislative frameworks for solar neighborhoods. He co-leads Subtask C of the IEA SHC Task 51, focusing on case studies and action research. Awards: ISSNAF/CNI Scholarship for MIT collaboration, Åsgård Research+ Program (2019-2020)
Laura Pollacci is a postdoctoral researcher at the Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining Laboratory (KDDLab), a joint research group of the Information Science and Technology Institute of the National Research Council (CNR) in Pisa and the University of Pisa, where she holds a position as Research Fellow in the Department of Computer Science. Her educational background includes: Bachelor's Degree in Digital Humanities (2014) from University of Pisa with 110/110 cum laude Master's Degree in Digital Humanities (2015) from University of Pisa with 110/110 cum laude PhD in Computer Science (2019) from University of Pisa with thesis on 'conjunct usage of Big Data and Sentiment Analysis for the study of Human Migration' Pollacci's research focuses on Social Network Analysis and Visual Analytics for Social Mining, Human Migration, and Sentiment Analysis. Her work bridges computational methods with social science questions, particularly examining how digital traces can reveal patterns in human behavior, migration, and emotional expression across social platforms. She has developed expertise in analyzing complex social networks, music diversity, and political polarization through data-driven approaches. Her publication record shows a clear trajectory from computational linguistics and sentiment analysis toward broader applications in social network analysis, migration studies, and musicology. Early work focused on emotive lexicon development and sentiment polarity classification for Italian language, while more recent publications examine political polarization on Reddit, human migration patterns through big data, and the fractal dimensions of music diversity. Pollacci is actively involved with the HumMingBird project, which focuses on 'Enhanced migration measures from a multidimensional perspective.' Her work at KDDLab places her at the intersection of data science and social research, contributing to the laboratory's mission of developing theory, techniques and systems for extracting knowledge from large data sets.
Sean P. MacDonald is a Professor of Economics in the Department of Social Science at the School of Arts & Sciences, City University of New York, City Tech. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from The New School for Social Research, a Certificate in Labor Studies from Cornell University, and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland. She has served as the Economics discipline coordinator since 2010 and is actively involved in institutional governance through committees on interdisciplinary studies, general education, and faculty appointments. Ph.D. in Economics, The New School for Social Research M.A. in Economics, The New School for Social Research Certificate in Labor Studies, Cornell University B.A. in Sociology, University of Maryland Her research spans environmental economics, housing and mortgage markets, income inequality, and public policy, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary pedagogy. She explores innovative teaching methods such as place-based and virtual learning, aiming to connect urban education with real-world economic and environmental challenges. Her work integrates data visualization and collaborative teaching models to enhance student engagement and critical thinking. The 15 most recent publications reflect a sustained focus on economic crises, housing policy, and educational innovation. They span journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings, highlighting her dual commitment to economic research and pedagogical advancement. Key themes include the foreclosure crisis, mortgage modification effectiveness, intertemporal poverty, and the integration of interdisciplinary methods in STEM and urban education. She has been recognized through competitive fellowships, including: NEH Grant Program Fellow, Making Connections: Engaging the Humanities at a College of Technology Fourth-Year Fellow, Title V Grant Program, A Living Laboratory: Revitalizing General Education for a 21st Century College of Technology Dr. MacDonald has advised and collaborated on grant-funded initiatives that aim to revitalize general education and promote interdisciplinary learning. She has served on key institutional committees and professional organizations, including the New York State Economic Association, where she has served on the Board of Directors since 2012. Her teaching includes Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Environmental Economics, and Visualizing Economic Data, reflecting both her research and educational priorities. She has co-edited two books on interdisciplinary place-based learning and has contributed extensively to academic discourse through publications and conference leadership. She is actively involved in academic communities, including the Association for the Study of Higher Education and the New York State Economic Association. Her work bridges economic analysis with educational innovation, particularly in urban technical colleges, aiming to make economics more accessible, relevant, and impactful for diverse student populations.
Eric English is a Lecturer in the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pace University, New York City. He holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Pittsburgh and an MPAP in Public Affairs and Politics from Rutgers University. PhD in Communication, University of Pittsburgh, 2013 MPAP in Public Affairs and Politics, Rutgers University, 2020 MA in Communication, University of Pittsburgh, 2003 BA in Communication, Philosophy, and Political Science, University of Pittsburgh, 2001 His research centers on political and rhetorical communication, particularly the rhetoric of presidential campaigns, digital media use in social movements, and geospatial data as visual communication. He explores how persuasive discourse functions in legal, political, and cultural contexts, with a focus on libertarian and conservative ideologies, media criticism, and democratic theory. The publications reflect a consistent engagement with political rhetoric, legal discourse, and ideological critique. Themes include the intersection of law and rhetoric, conservative and libertarian political narratives, media’s role in democracy, and collaborative academic practices. His work spans forensic scholarship, media criticism, and rhetorical analysis of political figures like Ron Paul and Barry Goldwater. Dr. English has presented his research at major academic conferences including the Eastern Communication Association, Rhetoric Society of America, and New Jersey Communication Association. While no formal advising or grant activities are documented, his teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Introduction to Communication, Media Criticism, Ethics in Media, and Persuasion, indicating a strong commitment to undergraduate education in communication studies. He is actively contributing to scholarly discourse through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications, though no labs, research teams, or awards are mentioned in the available materials.
Clementina Moldovan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Geology at the Faculty of Mining, Politehnica University of Timişoara. Her research focuses on environmental safety, industrial emissions, and explosion protection systems in hazardous environments. She has contributed extensively to understanding coal combustion byproducts' environmental impacts, air quality monitoring, and electrical equipment safety standards in explosive atmospheres. Her work integrates computational modeling (e.g., CFD simulations for indoor air pollution) with geospatial analysis (e.g., hot spot mapping of pollutants in Craiova). Key research areas include: 1) Development of GHG intensity metrics for industrial processes, 2) Thermal safety of equipment in explosive environments, and 3) Heavy metal contamination in atmospheric particulates. Dr. Moldovan also investigates radiation dosimetry in soils and the application of natural materials like zeolites for pollution control. Recent studies address hydrogen safety protocols and the adaptation of safety standards to emerging energy technologies. Her publications emphasize practical applications of research to industrial safety compliance, environmental policy formulation, and sustainable development strategies for mining regions. Current projects explore synergies between computational fluid dynamics and regulatory frameworks for hazardous environment equipment certification.
Kay Römer is Professor and Director of the Institute for Technical Informatics at Graz University of Technology, Austria. He previously held a professorship at the University of Lübeck, Germany, and was a senior researcher at ETH Zurich, where he obtained his doctorate in computer science in 2005. His research focuses on networked embedded systems, particularly in the domains of Wireless Sensor Networks, Internet of Things (IoT), and Cyber-Physical Systems. Key areas include wireless networking, operating systems, programming models, dependability, and deployment methodologies for large-scale embedded networks. The most recent publications reflect a consistent trend in dependable and scalable IoT systems, with emphasis on wireless protocols, fault tolerance, real-time operation, and system robustness. His work bridges theoretical innovation with practical deployment, often involving cross-layer design and energy efficiency. Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Computers Program Co-Chair, ACM SenSys 2011 Program Co-Chair, ACM/IEEE IPSN 2013 Coordinator, EU FP7 FIRE Project RELYonIT Coordinator, TU Graz Excellence Project "Dependable Internet of Things" Kay Römer has advised multiple research teams and coordinated major international projects funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, European Commission, German Science Foundation, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research, and Economy. He has delivered invited keynote talks and co-directed five international summer schools, demonstrating strong leadership in research dissemination and mentoring. He leads research activities within the Institute for Technical Informatics at TU Graz, focusing on dependable and secure IoT systems, with active collaborations across Europe and industry partners.
Dario Rodighiero is an Assistant Professor of Science and Technology Studies at the University of Groningen's Campus Fryslân, specializing in knowledge design, critical data, and digital humanities. He coordinates the Data Wise minor and teaches in the Data Science and Society program. He holds affiliations as a principal at metaLAB (at) Harvard and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. His research bridges design, data, and humanities to map cultural/scientific dynamics through projects like Super-Vision (EPFL history via 8,000 theses) and the Weather Map (controversy analysis). He authored Mapping Affinities: Democratizing Data Visualization (2021) and holds a PhD from EPFL. He has lectured globally (CERN, Ars Electronica) and exhibited at MAXXI and Harvard Art Museums. Education: PhD in Sciences (EPFL), Doctoral Program in Architecture and Sciences of the City. Research Interests : Focuses on visualizing complex systems, interdisciplinary collaboration, digital archives, and controversy mapping. Develops tools for IIIF interfaces, cultural heritage analysis, and pandemic visualization (COVIC project). Grants & Labs : Works with metaLAB on projects like Surprise Machines (Harvard Art Museums) and Curatorial A(i)gents. Affiliated with Edgelands Institute (Fellow) and Freie Universität Berlin (Senior Fellow). Key Projects : Orchestrating Peirce’s PAP Manuscript, 3D Cartography of COVID-19, and the Analogous City digital mapping.
Muhammad Umar is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography & Geographic Information Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the School of Earth, Society & Environment. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Geography and Meteorology, respectively, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on fluvial dynamics, remote sensing, process modeling, and GIS applications, with particular emphasis on river confluences, landslide susceptibility, and agricultural environmental management. Education: Postdoc: University of Illinois, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Ph.D.: University of Illinois, Department of Geography and GIS M.S.: COMSATS University Islamabad, Department of Meteorology Research interests span fluvial hydrology, remote sensing for environmental monitoring, and geospatial tool development. Recent work includes analyzing river confluence mixing dynamics, landslide susceptibility in Pakistan’s upper Indus Basin, and crop health assessments using satellite data. He has developed online platforms for soil nitrogen tracking and precision agriculture. His publications (2012–2025) reflect expertise in hydrology, geohazards, and climate-agriculture interactions. Notable contributions include studies on U.S. river confluences, Pakistan’s precipitation datasets, and evapotranspiration trends in South Korea. Teaching includes advanced GIScience and high-performance geospatial computing courses. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, but his work demonstrates significant academic and applied impact. Advising and grants details are not provided in the text. He is affiliated with the university’s Geography department and contributes to interdisciplinary research teams addressing environmental challenges through geospatial technologies.
Jorge A. Sefair is an Associate Professor and Associate Director at the Center for Applied Optimization in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering at the University of Florida. He also serves as Masters Program Co-Coordinator. His expertise spans operations research, mathematical programming, and optimization in environmental/urban planning, public policy, and service systems. Dr. Sefair holds a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida (2015), with prior degrees including an MSc and BSc in Industrial Engineering, and a BA in Economics from Universidad de los Andes, Colombia. His research focuses on network optimization, multistage optimization, and integer programming, with interdisciplinary applications in civil engineering, public health, ecology, and economics. His work has been published in high-impact journals like INFORMS Journal on Computing and European Journal of Operational Research. Research funding comes from the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, and Department of Homeland Security. He received an NSF CAREER award in 2021 for Operations Engineering. Key research trends include optimization models for hydropower planning, human trafficking interdiction, biosurveillance, and conservation planning. Collaborations span diverse fields such as ecology, biology, and economics. Current efforts emphasize scalable solutions for complex, real-world systems.
Bonna Daix Wescoat is the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Art History at Emory University, specializing in Ancient Greek art and architecture. She directs excavations at the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace, Greece, and holds a D.Phil. from Oxford University. Her research focuses on Hellenistic architectural trends, sacred spaces, and architectural sculpture, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between ritual, space, and experience in ancient sanctuaries. Education: D.Phil., Oxford University, 1983 (Classical Art and Archaeology) M.Phil., Oxford University, 1979 (Classical Art and Archaeology) M.A., University of London, Institute of Archaeology, 1977 (Art and Archaeology of the Roman Empire) A.B., Smith College, 1976 (History of Art, magna cum laude) Research Interests: Her work centers on the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace, exploring architectural innovation, sacred geography, and the integration of digital tools for archaeological analysis. She investigates the role of space and ritual in Hellenistic sanctuaries, with recent projects focusing on 3D modeling, marble provenance studies, and geospatial analysis of the site. Grants & Awards: John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship (2014) National Endowment for the Humanities Collaborative Research Grant (2015-2021) Getty Foundation Connecting Art Histories Program Grant (2018-2022) Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (Archaeological Institute of America, 2017) Advising & Grants: Dr. Wescoat has advised numerous PhD students and secured significant funding for interdisciplinary projects, including digital archaeology initiatives and collaborative studies with institutions like Université Bordeaux-Montaigne and the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Labs/Teams: She leads the American Excavations Samothrace project, coordinating teams in fieldwork, digital documentation, and international scholarly collaboration. Her research integrates geology, metrology, and material science to understand ancient building practices and environmental influences on sacred spaces.
