Sakari Melander is a Professor at the Faculty of Law , University of Helsinki, specializing in Criminal Law , with a focus on constitutionalization, Europeanization, and sentencing policies. His work bridges theoretical criminal law with practical legislative and policy challenges. Key research areas include EU criminal law, constitutional constraints on criminal legislation, and general doctrines of criminal law. He has extensive experience in parliamentary legal consultation, providing expert opinions to Finland’s Legislative Committees (e.g., on immigration control, anti-corruption directives, and digital evidence handling). Recent publications address topics like EU corporate sanction policies, constitutionalization of criminal law, and reforms in Finnish sentencing systems. His 2025 article in the New Journal of European Criminal Law explores balancing administrative and criminal sanctions in the EU. Scientific awards include: Hilkka ja Otto Brusiin Foundation Thesis Prize (2001) Magister Bonus – Good Teacher Award (2014) Primustohtori Award (2010) Year’s Teacher (2010) Year’s Opponent (2008) He leads research projects such as Criminal Law Under Pressure: Differentiation and Harmonization (2012-2015) and Assessment of Human Trafficking Sanction Practices (2021-2022), and supervises doctoral theses on criminal law topics.
Wenyao Xu is a Professor and Associate Department Chair in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. His research focuses on embedded systems, body sensor networks, biomedical signal analytics, telemedicine, and human-computer interaction. He leads the Embedded Sensing and Computing (ESC) Lab, pioneering innovations in wearable health monitoring and non-invasive medical technologies. Dr. Xu holds a PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from UCLA (2013), an MEng in Embedded Systems from Zhejiang University (2008), and a BEng in Electrical Engineering from Zhejiang University (2006). He has received multiple accolades, including the UB Exceptional Scholar—Sustained Achievement Award (2021) and SEAS Senior Career Researcher of the Year (2020). His research spans cutting-edge areas like mmWave-based sensing for health monitoring, mHealth applications for behavioral interventions (e.g., Sense2Quit app for smoking cessation), and wearable devices for gait analysis and vital sign detection. Recent work includes advancements in through-clothing wound monitoring, voice- and gesture-based authentication systems, and AI-enhanced medical imaging. Publications reflect his interdisciplinary impact, with over 150 peer-reviewed papers in top venues. His lab collaborates closely with clinical partners to translate technologies into practical healthcare solutions. Dr. Xu also emphasizes mentorship, having been honored with the President Emeritus and Mrs. Meyerson Award for teaching excellence (2020).
Bryan Pardo is a Professor of Computer Science at Northwestern University and head of the Interactive Audio Lab. He co-directs the Northwestern Center for Human Computer Interaction + Design and chairs the Computer Science Diversity Committee. He teaches courses in Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Generative Modeling, and Digital Music Instrument Design. PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Michigan MMus in Jazz and Improvisation, University of Michigan MS in Computer Science, Ohio State University BMus in Jazz Composition, Ohio State University His research focuses on machine understanding and manipulation of sound, particularly in music and speech domains. Key areas include Machine Learning (e.g., automated gradient clipping), Signal Processing (e.g., Multi-scale Common-fate Transform), and Human Computer Interaction. Applications involve inclusive audio interfaces, audio search engines, source separation, natural language-controlled audio effects, privacy-preserving adversarial attacks on voice recognition, and music co-creation tools. Recent publications highlight advancements in neural watermarking (MaskMark), masked acoustic modeling (VampNet), and real-time adversarial privacy systems for speech. His lab's work has been applied in Adobe's AI-powered audio editor and Lexie B2 hearing aids. Scientific Awards: $1.8 million NSF Future of Work award $440K NSF grant for accessible music programming $200K Toyota grant $100K Sony grant TorchCrepe pitch tracker: 20 million+ downloads Bryan Pardo advises PhD student Max Morrison and collaborates with researchers like Patrick O'Reilly, Zeyu Jin, and Prem Seetharaman. His lab develops technologies for blind and visually impaired audio creators, including HaptEQ and Eyes-free tools.
F. Levent Degertekin is a Regents' Entrepreneur and the George W. Woodruff Chair in Mechanical Systems and Professor at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. His office is located in Love Building, room 311B, and his contact email is levent.degertekin@me.gatech.edu. Dr. Degertekin's academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (1997), an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Bilkent University, Turkey (1991), and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey (1989). Dr. Degertekin's research focuses on micromachined ultrasonic devices and systems for medical applications, particularly in intravascular ultrasound imaging, therapeutic ultrasound, and acousto-optical sensors for MRI. His work spans from fundamental research on novel transduction methods to complete catheter-based imaging systems close to commercialization. He has made significant contributions to capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs), developing diffraction grating based optomechanical sensing methods now commercialized by Silicon Audio, novel atomic force microscopy imaging probes, and micromachined ultrasonic ejector structures for cell transfection commercialized by OpenCell Technologies. His research integrates acoustics, optics, and their combinations for various medical applications, utilizing conventional microfabrication (MEMS) and integrated circuit technologies. The Degertekin lab exposes students to applied physics, electrical, mechanical and biomedical engineering, biology, and biomimetic systems, providing them with thorough theoretical and experimental education in acoustics and optics while learning interdisciplinary research. Dr. Degertekin's work has received significant media attention, including coverage in IEEE Spectrum, Wired Magazine, The New York Times, and Fox Business News, highlighting innovations such as handheld ultrasound probes, MRI safety sensors, and minimally invasive cardiac imaging technologies. IEEE Fellow for 'Contributions to micromachined ultrasonic and optomechanical transducers and systems,' 2022 IEEE UFFC Society Inaugural Carl Hellmuth Hertz Ultrasonic Achievement Award, 2014 George W. Woodruff School Outstanding Achievement in Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Award, 2024 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2004-2009 Whitaker Foundation Biomedical Engineering Research Grant Award, 2001 66 US and 6 International Patents Dr. Degertekin has mentored numerous students who have gone on to make significant contributions in the field. Several of his students have received IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium Best Student Paper Awards, including Jeff McLean (2003), Sheng-Yu Peng (2006), Rasim O. Guldiken (2005 and 2007), and Toby Xu (2014). His research has been supported by various grants including the NSF CAREER Award and Whitaker Foundation grant. His work has led to multiple commercial ventures including Silicon Audio and OpenCell Technologies. The Degertekin Group at Georgia Tech focuses on transducers and systems for medical imaging and sensing, with current projects including capacitive parametric transducers, acousto-optic sensors for MRI, novel transducer methods for focused ultrasound in the brain, microsystems for intravascular and intracardiac ultrasound imaging, and CMUT-on-CMOS systems for IVUS imaging.
Catherine Guastavino is a Professor at McGill University's School of Information Studies (within the Faculty of Arts) and an Associate Member at the Schulich School of Music. She also contributes to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT). Her roles include leading research projects and supervising graduate students in music technology and related fields. She holds a PhD in Psychoacoustics from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), an MSc from IRCAM (France), and a BSc in Mathematics from McGill University. Her research focuses on auditory perception, soundscape analysis, human-computer interaction, and urban acoustics. Notable projects include the 'Sounds in the City' partnership addressing urban noise policy and the development of immersive soundscape simulation tools. She leads or co-leads grants from SSHRC, NSERC, and MITACS, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to sound in urban environments. Guastavino's work bridges academic research with practical applications, such as designing sound installations for public spaces and improving acoustic environments in transportation and performance venues. She collaborates with city planners, musicians, and engineers, reflecting her commitment to making cities sound better through evidence-based strategies. Key Projects: SSHRC Partnership Grant for urban soundscape management (2018-2023) NSERC Discovery Grant on auditory localization (2019-2024) MITACS projects on Montreal festival soundscapes and noise policy Labs & Partnerships: Multimodal Interaction Laboratory (MIL) Collaborations with Ville de Montréal and Quartier des Spectacles Education: PhD: Psychoacoustics (Paris VI) MSc: Computer Science & Music Technology (IRCAM) BSc: Mathematics (McGill) Her teaching includes courses like Music Information Retrieval, integrating computational methods with artistic and scientific applications.
Dr. phil. André Fiebig is a Permanent Research Associate and PostDoc at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Technical Acoustics (ISTA) within Faculty V - Transportation and Mechanical Systems at Technical University of Berlin. From January 2019 to December 2024, he served as a Visiting Professor responsible for the field of psychoacoustics, funded by the HEAD Genuit Foundation. Since January 2025, he has been leading the 'Psychoacoustics and Noise Effects' working group at the Department of Technical Acoustics. His research spans multiple areas within psychoacoustics and soundscape studies, including fundamentals and modeling of psychoacoustic sensation variables, binaural psychoacoustics, assessment of ambient noise and soundscapes, and psychoacoustic evaluation of sound insulation measures. His work also addresses cognitive stimulus integration of auditory sensations, auditory recreation, acoustic quality of stay, characterization of quiet areas, and measuring sound-induced emotions. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on urban soundscapes, noise-conscious behavior in transportation, and the development of methodological frameworks for soundscape assessment. His work often integrates psychoacoustic principles with environmental considerations, particularly examining the relationship between sound environments and human health. Recent research shows increasing emphasis on cross-cultural studies of noise perception and the development of standardized assessment methodologies. Dr. Fiebig is involved in the EARS (Education and Applied Research on Soundscapes) initiative and has contributed to numerous collaborative research projects examining the intersection of urban planning, environmental acoustics, and human perception. His work frequently appears in major acoustics conferences and journals, demonstrating his active role in advancing the field of psychoacoustics and soundscape research. His laboratory work focuses on psychoacoustic testing methodologies, soundscape assessment techniques, and the development of evaluation instruments for noise protection measures. The 'Psychoacoustics and Noise Effects' working group under his leadership conducts research on both theoretical aspects of sound perception and practical applications for urban noise management.
Jennifer C. Hsieh is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies. Her research investigates sensory practices in institutional and technological settings, focusing on urban East Asia. She holds a PhD from Stanford University (2017), MA from Columbia University (2009), and BA from Harvard College (2007, magna cum laude). Her interdisciplinary work combines ethnography, history, and experimental methods (e.g., audio recordings, GIS) to explore multisensory social configurations. Her current book project, From Festival to Decibel: Making Noise in Urban Taiwan , examines how noise becomes a regulatory object entangled with citizenship and geopolitical belonging. She has held fellowships at institutions including the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science and Harvard’s Fairbank Center. Research interests include sensory studies, science/technology studies, urban environments, and East Asian cultural politics. She founded the Sensory & Technology Lab to explore creative anthropological methods, hosting events like the Voices of the Rainforest cinema concert with Steven Feld. Awards: SSRC International Dissertation Fellowship, Wenner-Gren Fieldwork Award Teaching: Courses on sound, music, and noise; emphasizes experimental methods and sensory ethnography. Lab: Sensory & Technology Lab fosters collaborative research in film, music, and media.
Jennifer Beavers, Ph.D. , is an Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Her research intersects early twentieth-century music analysis, timbre/orchestration studies, and music theory pedagogy, with a focus on Maurice Ravel’s compositions and curriculum innovation. Awarded Faculty Mentor Award for Undergraduate Research (2019) Co-founder of UTSA Music Theory Club initiatives Active presenter at Society for Music Theory , American Musicological Society , and College Music Society conferences Research Themes : Analytical approaches to Ravel’s neurological decline, timbre as structural marker, flipped pedagogy, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Her publications span journals like Music Theory Online and Indiana Theory Review , emphasizing timbral transformations and pedagogical innovation. Scientific Awards : Faculty Mentor Award for Undergraduate Research (2019) Teaching Contributions : Courses include Aural Skills , Basic Skills , 20th-Century Analysis , and graduate Research Methods . Her pedagogical research addresses improvisation, pitch-matching, and AP curriculum alignment.
Neil White is Professor of Intelligent Sensor Systems at the University of Southampton's Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) school and serves as Director of the ECS Centre for Healthcare. He has held various leadership positions including Head of Electronics and Computer Science from 2011 to 2015 and has been instrumental in establishing research initiatives in sensor technology and energy harvesting. His research interests focus on medical sensors , intelligent sensor systems , and energy harvesting technologies. Professor White's work bridges the gap between engineering and healthcare applications, with significant contributions to wearable medical devices, particularly respiratory monitoring systems. His research integrates micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), energy harvesting techniques, and smart textiles to create innovative healthcare solutions. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on energy harvesting technologies, medical sensor applications, and e-textile development. His work spans multiple disciplines including biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and materials science, with applications in healthcare monitoring, environmental sensing, and transportation systems. The research demonstrates a consistent theme of creating self-powered, intelligent sensor systems for practical applications. Professor White has received notable recognition including the Callendar silver Medal (2009) from the Institute of Measurement and Control and the 1989 Educational Prize from the International Society for Hybrid Microelectronics. Principal Investigator on NIHR i4i project developing low-cost wearable respiration sensors Former Director and co-founder of Perpetuum Ltd., specializing in vibration energy harvesting Current collaborations with clinicians at University Hospital Southampton Extensive funding from EPSRC, European Union, and industry partners Professor White leads research within the Smart Electronic Materials and Systems group, the Institute for Life Sciences, and the Centre for Health Technologies. His work in the Interdisciplinary Musculoskeletal Health and Digital Health research areas demonstrates his commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration to address complex healthcare challenges through engineering solutions.
Anthony Gritten is Head of Undergraduate Programmes at the Royal Academy of Music in London. A distinguished scholar-performer, he completed his doctorate at Cambridge University on Stravinsky's neoclassical music under Alexander Goehr. As a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Gritten has given over 400 recitals across the UK, France, and Canada, establishing himself as a leading interpreter of organ repertoire. His academic journey includes positions at the University of East Anglia, the Royal Northern College of Music, and Middlesex University before his current leadership role at the Royal Academy of Music. Gritten's scholarly profile is marked by an interdisciplinary approach that bridges performance practice with philosophical inquiry. Gritten's research interests focus on the intersection of music, philosophy, and performance studies. His work explores musical gesture, the phenomenology of performance, and the philosophical dimensions of musical practice. He has made significant contributions to understanding the works of John Cage, Charles Rosen, and Stravinsky through the lens of performance philosophy. His research reveals how embodied experience shapes musical interpretation and how philosophical concepts manifest in performance practice. His scholarly output demonstrates a sustained engagement with questions of indeterminacy, distraction, and ecological awareness in musical performance. Gritten's work has helped establish Performance Philosophy as a legitimate field of academic inquiry, connecting practical musical concerns with broader philosophical questions about meaning, interpretation, and embodiment. Fellow of the Royal College of Organists Gritten has supervised numerous doctoral students in the field of performance philosophy and artistic research. His administrative leadership as Head of Undergraduate Programmes has shaped curriculum development at the Royal Academy of Music, emphasizing the integration of practical performance with theoretical and philosophical inquiry. He has been instrumental in developing research frameworks that validate practice-based research in music, contributing to the institutional recognition of artistic research as a legitimate scholarly pursuit.
Katalin Piniel is an Assistant Professor at the Department of English Applied Linguistics within the School of English and American Studies at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest. Her work bridges applied linguistics and educational psychology , focusing on the dynamic interplay of emotions , including language anxiety , motivation, and self-efficacy in foreign language learning contexts, particularly in Hungary. PhD in Language Pedagogy (ELTE) Associate Editor of Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching Active reviewer for applied linguistics journals Her research integrates complex dynamic systems theory to analyze longitudinal changes in affective variables and employs meta-analytic techniques to validate anxiety measurement tools like the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) . She explores formative and summative assessment practices in Hungarian high schools and investigates flow experiences during language tasks. Her methodological interests include quantitative tools (e.g., Rasch analysis), collaborative research , and cross-cultural comparisons (e.g., Hungarian-Kazakh studies). Recent publications highlight trends in emotion-motivation dynamics , skills-based anxiety measurement , and the impact of online education on affective variables. She collaborates on projects examining special needs learners , including Deaf and hard-of-hearing students , in foreign language acquisition. Contact: brozik-piniel.katalin@btk.elte.hu | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate
Christian Stilp, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville. His research focuses on auditory perception, speech perception, and music perception, with an emphasis on how acoustic context and natural signal statistics influence perceptual processes. He leads the Auditory Perception and Processing (APP) Lab, which investigates perceptual learning, efficient coding, and the role of variability in speech and music perception. Dr. Stilp earned his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin in 2003 and his Ph.D. in Perceptual Psychology in 2011, also from the University of Wisconsin. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Case Western Reserve University before joining the University of Louisville faculty in 2012. His research interests include spectral contrast effects, talker adaptation, expertise in speech and music perception, and the application of these principles to hearing-impaired listeners. He teaches courses such as Sensation and Perception, Music Perception and Cognition, and Advanced Statistics. Dr. Stilp has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have contributed to his lab’s publications. His lab collaborates with researchers at institutions including the University of Connecticut, University of Minnesota, and University of Zurich.
Talia Peleg is an Associate Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Immigrant & Non-Citizen Rights Clinic at CUNY School of Law. She is a dedicated legal scholar and practitioner whose work centers on protecting the rights of non-citizens, particularly those entangled in both the immigration and criminal legal systems. Her research interests include: Immigration Law and Policy Criminal-Immigration Law Intersection Humanitarian Relief and Deportation Defense Universal Representation for Detained Immigrants Government Surveillance and Control of Immigrants Reform of ICE and Detention Practices Her recent scholarly output reflects a strong commitment to transformative legal advocacy and systemic reform. Her publications focus on dismantling the deportation pipeline, challenging indefinite detention, and implementing public defender models in immigration courts. These works span law journals and public opinion platforms, demonstrating her dual role as scholar and public intellectual. Notable recognitions and awards were not mentioned in the provided text. Professor Peleg supervises law students in clinical practice, representing non-citizens in bond hearings, removal proceedings, and affirmative applications. She has been instrumental in shaping the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), a groundbreaking universal representation program. Her prior experience as a Supervising Attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services has deeply informed her teaching and scholarship. She is actively involved in federal litigation and policy advocacy. She is affiliated with the Immigrant & Non-Citizen Rights Clinic at CUNY School of Law, a leading center for public interest immigration law, where she trains the next generation of advocates in creative, client-centered legal defense.
Valeria Bruschi is a Researcher at the Department of Information Engineering (DII) within the Faculty of Engineering at Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) in Ancona, Italy. Her academic profile was last updated on April 13, 2024, and she maintains her office at the Engineering Faculty on via Brecce Bianche, with contact information including phone +39 071-220-4486 and email v.bruschi@staff.univpm.it. Dr. Bruschi's research spans multiple domains within audio and signal processing, with particular expertise in spatial audio systems, automotive human-computer interaction, and biomedical signal applications. Her work bridges theoretical signal processing techniques with practical implementations across diverse fields including automotive safety systems, hearing aid technology, sleep medicine, and agricultural monitoring. She has made significant contributions to head-related transfer function (HRTF) processing, real-time audio enhancement algorithms, and innovative monitoring systems that utilize acoustic signals for various applications. Analysis of Dr. Bruschi's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in developing practical audio processing solutions with real-world applications. Her work shows increasing integration of machine learning techniques with traditional signal processing approaches, particularly in areas like driver monitoring systems, snoring detection and cancellation, and spatial audio rendering. A notable trend is her focus on creating lightweight, real-time implementations suitable for embedded systems and practical deployment scenarios, while maintaining high performance standards. Her research consistently demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting audio engineering with fields as diverse as automotive safety, sleep medicine, and agricultural technology. Dr. Bruschi actively contributes to advancing audio engineering through her research on equalization techniques, noise reduction systems, and immersive audio technologies. Her work on pulse compression techniques for hearing aid distortion measurement represents an important contribution to audiological assessment methodologies. Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with increasing impact across multiple application domains, reflecting her ability to translate theoretical signal processing concepts into practical engineering solutions.
Dr Chris Carignan serves as Programme Director for the Language Science MSc at University College London's Division of Psychology and Language Sciences within the Faculty of Brain Sciences. His research focuses on the intricate mechanisms of human speech production, particularly through cross-linguistic phonetic studies and articulatory dynamics using advanced imaging technologies. PhD in Speech Science Specializes in the intersection of language heritage and phonetic research Develops innovative methodologies for speech data collection and analysis His work spans multiple areas including nasal coarticulation , real-time MRI of vocal tract movements , and cross-linguistic phonetic analysis . He has contributed significantly to understanding how speakers produce complex speech sounds across different languages through comparative studies. Dr Carignan's research has led to the development of open-source tools for speech production analysis and pioneered new approaches for ultrasound articulography . His work on vowel nasalization and sibilant contrasts has been particularly influential in speech science. As Programme Director, he oversees a comprehensive curriculum that provides students with methodological training , statistical expertise , and hands-on research experience while allowing specialization through optional modules. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of curiosity-driven research and interdisciplinary approaches in advancing language sciences.
