Dr. Anuj Sharma is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University, serving as Co-Director of the REACTOR Lab and Director of FAST-TrAC. He holds affiliations with InTrans, CTRE, and REACTOR, and is CEO of ETALYC Inc. His research focuses on big data analytics, traffic signal systems, and real-time transportation decision-making. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2008 MS in Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2004 BE in Civil Engineering, Regional Engineering College, Rourkela, India, 2001 Research Interests: Dr. Sharma’s work leverages big data to improve transportation systems, including real-time analytics, traffic signal optimization, and smart rural infrastructure. His lab, REACTOR, integrates multiple data streams for policy and operational decisions. Publications: His recent work spans driver behavior analysis, autonomous systems, and traffic safety, with a focus on data-driven solutions. Notable projects include congestion modeling and pandemic-era traffic adaptations. Awards: Social Analytics Strategic Network (SASNet) Fellow, 2016 Outstanding Reviewer (Journal of Transportation Engineering), 2014 Pikarsky Award for PhD Dissertation, 2008 Grants & Projects: Secured over $13M in funding for 32+ projects, including work on adaptive traffic control, AI-driven data analysis, and rural safety. Active roles in TRB committees and journal reviewing highlight his leadership in the field. Labs & Teams: Leadership at REACTOR Lab drives innovations in transportation data management and real-time systems, collaborating with agencies like Iowa DOT.
Prof. Iris Sommer is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the University of Groningen. She leads the Clinical Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research Program (CCNP) and contributes to the Biology-Related, Artificial, and Interventional Neuroscience (BRAIN) group. Her expertise spans neuropsychiatry, with a focus on hallucinations, schizophrenia, and gender disparities in mental healthcare. She is an internationally recognized researcher, having pioneered studies on female brain research, estrogen’s role in psychosis, and innovative treatments like the Stemmenpoli (Voices Clinic). Roles: Editor at Schizophrenia Bulletin, Psychological Medicine, and Lancet Psychiatry. Committee Roles: Chair of ZonMw Offroad Grants Committee, Speaker of the Speakers Academy. Research Interests: Dr. Sommer’s work addresses the origins of psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia and hallucinations. Her key contributions include uncovering estrogen’s protective role in psychotic disorders and advocating for gender-sensitive psychiatric treatments. Recent projects explore gut-brain interactions, probiotics in mental health, and computational linguistics in psychosis diagnosis. Notable Findings: Female brain underrepresentation in clinical studies leads to less effective treatments for women; antipsychotics may suppress beneficial estrogens. Publications & Impact: Over 438 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact works on hallucinations, COH-FIT pandemic mental health studies, and PET/SPECT imaging in schizophrenia. Her research emphasizes translational medicine and societal impact through public engagement. Awards: Distinguished Lorentz Fellowship (2022/23), Huibregtsenprijs (2022), NWO Science Communication Award (2024), and recognition for science communication initiatives like 'Marvelous Mind.' Labs/Teams: Leads the CCNP, collaborates globally via networks like the HAMLETT and OPHELIA consortia. Active in interdisciplinary projects linking neuroscience, AI, and clinical practice.
Dr. Hannah Star Rogers is a Visiting Professor at Columbia University, specializing in the intersection of Art and Science. She holds a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Cornell University and an MFA in Poetry from Columbia University. Her research explores bioart, alternative media, and the historical role of artists in scientific communication, particularly through her work on Berenice Abbott's scientific photography. She has taught at Columbia, Strathclyde University, and the University of Virginia. Education: Ph.D., Cornell University (STS); MFA, Columbia University (Poetry) Affiliations: Columbia University, Emerge: Artists and Scientists Redesign the Future (Director of Research) Research Interests: Rogers investigates how art and science co-construct knowledge systems, focusing on: Curatorial practices in scientific exhibitions Ethical dimensions of bioart and biotechnology Historical intersections between photography and science pedagogy Publications & Exhibitions: Her monograph Art, Science, and the Politics of Knowledge (MIT Press, 2022) examines knowledge production across disciplines. She co-curated the award-winning Making Science Visible exhibit on Berenice Abbott, blending art with scientific communication. Recent articles span Leonardo , Configurations , and SciArt Magazine , addressing topics from nuclear ethics to AI design fiction. Awards: Akademie Schloss Solitude Fellowship (Germany) National Park Service Writing Residencies British Society for the History of Science Exhibit Prize Grants & Leadership: Directed Emerge’s 2016 initiative and served as Guest Bioart Curator (2017). Her projects often involve collaborative science-art teams, emphasizing public engagement with complex scientific issues. Labs/Initiatives: Active in curating interdisciplinary art-science collaborations, including exhibitions on genetic futures and cyborg theory. Leads workshops merging creative writing with scientific inquiry.
Ryan Griffis is a Professor at the School of Art and Design, University of Illinois. His research focuses on political ecology, environmental justice, and interdisciplinary art practices addressing ecological and socio-economic impacts of industrial agriculture. He co-organized projects like 'Anthropocene Drift' and 'A Great Green Desert,' examining environmental changes in the US Midwest and Brazil. His work combines documentary, public art, and critical pedagogy to advocate for better human and environmental relations. Griffis's research interests span New Media, studio art, and the intersection of art with activism. He has led funded initiatives like the 'Global Midwest' project and curated exhibitions addressing genetic technologies, energy consumption, and agricultural practices. His writings appear in journals such as New Art Examiner and Rhizome, and he co-founded the Art In These Times venue for socially engaged art in Chicago. His projects integrate video, print, and installation to visualize ecological crises, such as the transformation of prairie grasslands into industrial farmland. Collaborations include Temporary Travel Office, which uses tourism as a critical platform for public engagement with overlooked urban spaces like parking lots and speculative parks. Griffis’s work bridges artistic practice with academic research, emphasizing the role of art in social justice advocacy. He has curated exhibitions on themes like machine politics and ecological activism, and his writings explore spatial justice, tactical media, and the politics of art in urban contexts.
Dr Alina Trapova is a Lecturer in Law at the Faculty of Laws, University College London (UCL), with expertise in intellectual property law and artificial intelligence. She holds a PhD in Legal Studies (cum laude) from Bocconi University, an LLM in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary University of London, and an LLB from the University of Sheffield. Her research focuses on AI’s intersection with copyright law, digital entertainment, and legal education reforms. Alina previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham (2021–2022) and worked at the EUIPO and European Audiovisual Observatory on procedural harmonization and piracy mitigation projects. She advises governmental bodies like the Ukrainian government on specialized IP court frameworks and collaborates with institutions like the Milano Fashion Institute. Her research interests include AI-generated content rights, copyright exceptions in education, and contractual frameworks for emerging technologies. Notable projects include studies on AI in video games, EU copyright reforms, and the role of collective management organizations in digital markets. Alina is trilingual (Italian/Spanish/German) and contributes to policy discussions on global IP harmonization. Awards include her cum laude PhD thesis on EU copyright and machine learning. Her work bridges legal theory with practical applications in tech-driven industries, emphasizing inclusive enforcement mechanisms and dynamic contractual models.
Marco Scialdone is a Lecturer at the European University of Rome, specializing in Information Technology Law and Legal Categories related to Technology. He holds a PhD from the same university (2016) and Master’s degrees from La Sapienza University of Rome (2005). A Fellow of the IAIC – Italian Academy of the Internet Code, he focuses on AI ethics, digital rights, and consumer protection law. His research bridges legal frameworks with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics. Education: PhD in Legal Categories and Technology (2016), European University of Rome Master’s in Computer Law (2005), La Sapienza University of Rome LL.B. in Law (Cum Laude, 110/110), LUISS Guido Carli University Research Interests: His work explores the intersection of law and technology, including AI governance, digital copyright, consumer rights in the digital age, and the legal implications of robotics. He emphasizes ethical AI development, regulatory challenges in digital markets, and public administration digitization. Recent studies analyze algorithmic bias in judicial systems and the legal protection of user-generated content. Publications & Expertise: Authored over 20 publications, including monographs like Living with Artificial Intelligence (2021) and The Legal Protection of User-Generated Content (2018). His articles address topics such as non-human creativity rights, predictive justice models, and cross-border copyright conflicts. He has served as an expert in AI policy (Italian Government’s High-Level Group on AI, 2018) and on the Permanent Advisory Committee for Copyright (2019). Professional Roles: Head of Litigation & Academic Outreach at Euroconsumers (since 2021) Former lecturer at La Sapienza University (2015–2018) and University of Perugia (2007–2012)
Jonas Fritsch is an Associate Professor at the IT University of Copenhagen, affiliated with the Media, Art & Design School and the Center for Climate IT. He leads the Affective Interaction & Relations (AIR) Lab and serves as Principal Investigator (PI) for major projects like the VELUX-funded TRACE initiative (2023-2027) and the DFF-funded VOCAL project (2022-2025). His research focuses on affective interaction design, particularly in healthcare, emotional design, and the integration of cultural theory into HCI. Research Interests: His work explores affective healthcare design, embodied interaction, and interdisciplinary design methodologies. Recent projects include developing tools for patient-centered care, synthetic voice design frameworks, and affective engagement in extended reality (XR). Notable collaborations span Denmark and international partners, emphasizing human-technology relationships in care practices. Key Projects: TRACE investigates emerging human-technology interactions in care practices, while VOCAL explores novel vocal imaginaries through voice design. He has secured grants totaling over 8.5 million DKK, demonstrating impact in both academic and applied domains. Labs & Teams: As head of the AIR Lab, he fosters collaborative research on affective technologies. Media contributions include public installations like UDREDNING, which engages audiences in diagnostic processes through XR. He actively participates in conferences and review committees, emphasizing interdisciplinary dialogue in design and technology.
Dr. James Orbinski is a Professor and the inaugural Director of York University’s Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research. He holds a BSc from Trent University, an MD from McMaster University, and an MA in International Relations from the University of Toronto. As a physician, humanitarian leader, and author, his career focuses on global health equity, humanitarian action, and the intersection of climate change with health. He served as International President of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of MSF in 1999, and co-founded initiatives like the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and Dignitas International. Leadership & Affiliations: Board Member, Grand Challenges Canada Member, Global Alliance for TB Drug Development Member, Davos World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Health Care Systems Research Focus: The Dahdaleh Institute’s core themes under his direction include Global Health and Humanitarianism, Planetary Health, and Global Health Foresighting. His work emphasizes transdisciplinary research addressing climate change health impacts, health equity, and humanitarian innovation. Awards: Officer of the Order of Canada, Meritorious Service Cross (for leadership during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide), and author of the award-winning An Imperfect Offering: Humanitarianism in the 21st Century . Recent Projects: Includes modeling climate change’s health impacts in Malawi, advancing digital technologies for food security, and advocating for global solidarity in pandemic responses. He also spearheaded the Safe Water Optimization Tool project and collaborated with the Rainmaker Enterprise to address water scarcity in South Sudan.
Dr. Naeha Sharif is a Lecturer in Computer Science & Software Engineering at The University of Western Australia (UWA), specializing in Computer Vision (CV) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). She holds a PhD from UWA (2021) focused on AI-driven image captioning and received the prestigious ACS 1962 Medal for outstanding IT/CS research. Her work bridges AI with healthcare, including automated medical assessment via spine scans (DXA) for abdominal aortic calcification analysis and AI-driven medical report generation for fundus imaging. Education: PhD in Computer Science (UWA 2021), Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (Kyung Hee University, 2013). Previous roles include Postdoctoral Fellow at Edith Cowan University (2021–2022). Research Interests: Vision-language models, medical image analysis, captioning metrics, multimodal learning, and AI applications in healthcare. Active in UN SDGs related to health and innovation. Teaching: Unit Coordinator for Computer Graphics & Animation (CITS3003, 2022–2023) Computational Thinking with Python (CITS1401, 2023) Grants: Lead investigator on the 'Generative AI for Screening of Depressive Disorders' project (2024). Awards: Recognized for student learning contributions (2025), best paper awards (2024/2020), and academic excellence honors (2021/2020). Labs/Teams: Member of UWA Natural & Technical Language Processing Group and IEEE Signal Processing Society.
Dr. Raoul Bongers is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, affiliated with the SMART Movements research group. His expertise focuses on action-perception learning, motor control, and rehabilitation technologies, particularly in upper limb prosthetics and serious game applications for prosthesis training. He investigates motor variability and coordination dynamics using advanced methodologies like Uncontrolled Manifold analysis and multifractal analyses. His research emphasizes the development of clinical tools such as IMU-based calibration algorithms and virtual reality environments to improve prosthetic control and rehabilitation outcomes. Collaborations span biomechanics, neuroscience, and medical engineering, addressing challenges in prosthetic design, user adaptation, and clinical assessment. Bongers has contributed to over 139 publications, with recent work exploring task-specific serious game training, IMU sensor calibration reliability, and motor learning dynamics in novel control tasks. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Professional activities include keynote lectures on motor control and participation in interdisciplinary research networks. Laboratory affiliations include SMART Movements, where research integrates ecological psychology and dynamical systems theory to advance rehabilitation technologies and motor learning understanding.
Dr. Eugene C Lim is a Lecturer at the School of Law, Queen's University Belfast, specializing in international and comparative intellectual property law. His research focuses on the intersection of law, technology, and society, particularly non-traditional trademarks, digital art, and biotechnology law. He has published extensively in top legal journals and received the Outstanding Presentation Award (2016). His teaching areas include copyright law, torts, and intellectual property in creative industries. Research interests span trademark dilution, copyright fixation, patent law equivalents, and legal theory. He employs cross-disciplinary and comparative methodologies to analyze socio-cultural impacts of legal frameworks. Recent work explores climate change's effect on geographical indications, virtual property rights in NFTs, and health-related trademark applications. Dr. Lim actively participates in academic activities, including organizing the School of Law PhD Conference and presenting at international forums. His publications address emerging challenges in intellectual property, biotechnology, and digital technologies, emphasizing practical legal solutions for evolving societal needs.
Hendrik Huelss is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Center for War Studies (CWS), Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark. He is also an associated Senior Researcher in the European Research Council (ERC) project AutoNorms (2020-2025). Previously, he held a post-doctoral position at the University of Kent (2016–2020). Education: PhD in Political Science, University of Copenhagen MBA in Sustainability Management, Leuphana University of Lüneburg MSc in European Politics and Governance, London School of Economics and Political Science MSc in Political Science, University of Potsdam Research Interests: Focuses on the intersection of international norms and military technology, particularly AI and autonomous weapons systems. Combines constructivist/poststructural theories with science and technology studies to explore governance frameworks, ethical implications, and global security dynamics. Key themes include AI's impact on warfare, regulatory mechanisms, and norm evolution in international relations. Key Projects: ERC AutoNorms (2020–2026): Examines norms around weaponized AI through comparative practices. ERC HuMach (2024–2028): Investigates human-machine interaction in military AI. AutoPractices (2024–2025): Focuses on governance of AI in weapon systems. Publications: Highlights include co-authoring Autonomous Weapons Systems and International Norms (2022) and articles in Journal of European Public Policy , International Political Sociology , and Review of International Studies . Recent work explores AI's normative challenges in global governance and cross-cultural narratives on military AI use. Teaching: Involves courses on international relations, remote warfare, and human rights in security contexts at the University of Southern Denmark.
Chyrell D. Bellamy, PhD, MSW is Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University's Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH). She also serves as Director of Peer Support Services & Research and Director of the Yale Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy (LET(s)Lead). Additionally, Dr. Bellamy functions as a Senior Policy Adviser for the Office of the Commissioner for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH) Yale Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy (LET(s)Lead) Connecticut Mental Health Center Center for Brain & Mind Health Dr. Bellamy's research expertise centers on community-based participatory research and co-design with communities of color and individuals living with psychiatric illness, substance use disorders, HIV, homelessness, and incarceration histories. Her work focuses on healthcare disparities, sociocultural pathways of recovery, development of culturally responsive interventions, qualitative research methods, and community/clinic-based psychosocial and wellness interventions. She brings personal and professional expertise as a frontline service provider, clinician, social worker, and community organizer, openly identifying as a person with lived experience of multiple marginalized identities including mental illness, trauma, and addictions. Dr. Bellamy's publication record demonstrates significant contributions to mental health equity, with a focus on culturally responsive interventions for marginalized populations. Her research trends show a consistent emphasis on community-driven approaches, particularly through initiatives like Harambee (a wellness intervention for serious mental illness) and Imani Breakthrough (a faith-based opioid recovery program). Her recent publications increasingly incorporate technology and AI considerations in mental healthcare while maintaining strong community engagement principles. The breadth of her work spans from local Connecticut implementations to international collaborations in Brazil. PCORI award for co-located primary care for people with mental illness NIMH R34 award for whole health intervention mechanisms CT DMHAS/SAMHSA State Opioid Recovery funds for Imani Breakthrough program NIH Common Fund/NIDA grant for culturally responsive substance use recovery NIH R34 grant for peer support implementation in Brazil NIH NIMHD grant for Recovery Finance study Dr. Bellamy actively mentors researchers through her leadership roles and directs multiple federally funded research initiatives. Her work with the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health has secured substantial grant funding from NIH, PCORI, NIMH, and state agencies, focusing on innovative approaches to mental health and substance use recovery. Her research portfolio demonstrates strong community partnerships and a commitment to translating research into practice through programs like LET(s)LEAD, which provides leadership training for people with lived experiences. Dr. Bellamy leads the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, which operates through a collaborative network of researchers, community members, and practitioners. Her work with the Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy (LET(s)LEAD) represents a significant team-based approach that centers lived experience in research and service delivery. She collaborates extensively with community organizations, particularly faith-based institutions serving Black and Latinx communities, and maintains international partnerships in Brazil for mental health system transformation.
Dr. Kate Kenski is a Professor of Communication and Government & Public Policy at the University of Arizona. She specializes in political communication, public opinion, and research methods. Her work examines the role of media in elections, incivility in online discourse, and strategies to mitigate cognitive biases. She has held editorial roles at journals like the Public Opinion Quarterly and contributed to influential books such as The Obama Victory , which received multiple awards. Kenski’s research bridges academia and public policy, addressing contemporary challenges in digital democracy and election integrity. Her academic journey includes a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. She has led major projects like the National Annenberg Election Survey and contributed to initiatives on serious game design for bias reduction. Kenski’s awards reflect her impact on political communication scholarship, including the ICA Outstanding Book Award (2011) and NCA Diamond Anniversary Book Award (2012). She has also served in leadership roles for professional organizations like the National Communication Association and American Political Science Association. Current research focuses on online incivility dynamics, social media’s role in political polarization, and innovative teaching methods. She collaborates on platforms like TRACE for crowdsourced analytical reasoning and explores how digital tools can enhance civic education. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses urgent issues in media literacy, election security, and democratic resilience amid crises like the pandemic and social protests.
Rebecca Cordell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh. She previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on state repression, human rights, and political violence, employing quantitative text analysis and machine learning methodologies. She leads the Sub-national Analysis of Repression Project (SNARP) and examines transnational repression dynamics, public opinion on human rights, and sub-national variations in rights violations. Education: PhD in Political Science (University of Essex, 2017), MA in Human Rights (University of Essex, 2013), BA in Philosophy (University of Birmingham, 2010). Her research has been published in top journals such as the American Journal of Political Science , International Interactions , and Journal of Conflict Resolution . Notable contributions include analyzing transnational cooperation in repression and the role of extraordinary rendition in security-civil liberties trade-offs. Awards: 2024 ISA Human Rights Section Best Paper Award, 2018 Steven C. Poe Best Graduate Student Paper Award. Her work integrates spatial analysis of social unrest and epidemics in Africa/Latin America, as well as geopolitical studies of rendition corridors. She collaborates on interdisciplinary projects linking human rights practices to sub-national governance structures.
