Find Academic Supervisors

Anne LemnitzerView profile

Associate Professor

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Earthquake Engineering
• Soil-Structure Interaction
• +5 more

Anne Lemnitzer is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. She has held academic positions including Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton (2009-2011) and Visiting Professor at the University of Chile, Santiago (2011). Her educational background spans structural engineering at HTWK Leipzig, M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering at California State University Long Beach, and Ph.D. in Structural and Earthquake Engineering at UCLA. Research Interests : Soil-structure interaction under seismic loading Deep foundation system performance Seismic response of underground and embankment systems Innovative sensor instrumentation for geotechnical studies High-performance materials in foundation design Post-disaster flood geotechnical reconnaissance Recent Research Trends from 2017-2025 show consistent focus on: Seismic soil pressures and kinematic loading analysis Rock-socketed pile behavior under lateral loading Flood impact assessment using multispectral imaging Centrifuge and large-scale testing methodologies Development of Next Generation p-y curves for foundation design Post-cyclic settlement behavior in organic soils Scientific Honors : ASCE Middlebrooks Award (2022) for levee settlement studies NSF CAREER Award (2018) for foundation research DFI Presidents Award (2017) ASCE-GI Technical Committee of the Year Award (2017) University of California Hellmann Fellowship (2014) DFI Young Professor Research Paper Awards (2010, 2011) Academic Leadership : Editor-in-Chief, Deep Foundations Journal Associate Editor, ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Engineering Chair, ASCE Earth Retaining Structures Committee Conference leadership roles (EERI 2018, DFI 2018) Student Mentorship : Mentored students securing prestigious fellowships (Samueli Fellowship, EERI-FEMA Fellowship) Advised award-winning research (DFI Student Paper Award 2020) Supervised 15+ graduate students in geotechnical and earthquake engineering Her work integrates experimental testing (centrifuge, shake table), numerical modeling, and field reconnaissance across seismic and flood hazard domains.

Tobias RohrbachView profile

Research Fellow

• Gender and Politics
• Political Communication
• Political Psychology
• +3 more

Tobias Rohrbach is a Postdoctoral Researcher (Research Fellow) at the Institute of Communication and Media Studies, University of Bern, Switzerland. His work focuses on the intersection of gender, media, and politics, with additional expertise in health communication and political psychology. He employs mixed-methods approaches integrating computational techniques to analyze media effects and societal biases. Dr. Rohrbach holds a joint PhD in Communication Research from the University of Fribourg and Political Science from the University of Amsterdam. His doctoral research examined media-based mechanisms of gendered evaluations of political candidates. His primary research domains include: Gender and Politics Political Communication Political Psychology Health Communication Computational Methods in Social Science Mixed Methods Research He specializes in combining observational and experimental designs with quantitative and qualitative analysis to investigate how media representations shape public perceptions, particularly regarding gender in political contexts and crisis communication. Recent publications reveal interdisciplinary expansion into AI applications, algorithmic bias, and conspiracy theory dynamics. His work increasingly bridges computational social science with traditional communication research, evidenced by studies on Google search biases, pandemic-era strategic communication, and AI-driven medical analysis. Key thematic threads include gender representation, health crisis management, and misinformation resilience. No doctoral students or research grants are documented in available sources. Conference participation spans major venues including ICA, ISPP, and SACM since 2017, reflecting sustained engagement with communication science and political psychology communities.

• Cognitive Psychology
• Educational Technology
• Multimodal Interaction
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Stephan Schwan is the head of the Realistic Representations research group at the Institute for Knowledge Media (IWM) at the University of Tübingen. He holds a professorship in psychology and has extensive experience in cognitive and educational research, particularly focusing on how dynamic audiovisual media and digital representations influence human learning and perception in informal settings like museums. His career includes a professorship for e-learning at Johannes Kepler University Linz (2002–2004) and a tenure as Deputy Director of the IWM (2017–2024). He earned his doctorate and habilitation in psychology from the University of Tübingen. His research explores the cognitive processing of realistic media, including haptic exploration of museum artifacts, AI-generated language effects, and spatial-temporal data visualization. Projects such as 'Digital Materialities' and 'Historical Sounds' investigate how digital tools and authentic objects enhance learning in museums. Key interests include museum visitor behavior, media authenticity, and the role of sensory engagement in knowledge acquisition. Publications span cognitive psychology, educational technology, and museum studies, with a focus on multimedia learning principles and their application in real-world settings. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications, emphasizing the interplay between digital media and human cognition. Current projects include studying the cognitive impact of AI-generated narratives, immersive digital environments, and spatiotemporal data representation. Prof. Schwan collaborates across disciplines, integrating psychology, education, and digital humanities to advance understanding of media-driven learning processes.

Hans Jürgen PirnerView profile

Professor

• Theoretical Physics
• Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Quantum Physics
• +6 more

Professor Hans Jürgen Pirner is a distinguished theoretical physicist at Heidelberg University's Institute of Theoretical Physics, specializing in nuclear and particle physics with significant contributions to the understanding of quark structure and string theory. His academic career spans decades of research and teaching at one of Europe's most prestigious universities. His research interests span from fundamental particle physics to the philosophical implications of modern physics. Pirner has made significant contributions to understanding the structure and dynamics of nucleons, particularly focusing on quark composition and string fragmentation. His work bridges the gap between theoretical physics and philosophical inquiry, exploring concepts of virtuality, uncertainty, and the nature of scientific reality. Pirner's publications reveal a trajectory from technical particle physics research toward broader philosophical questions about science, reality, and knowledge. His recent work examines the relationship between virtual and possible worlds, the nature of events in physics, and the aesthetics of scientific understanding. His research on string fluctuations in high-multiplicity proton-proton collisions represents cutting-edge theoretical work in particle physics. His scholarly output includes numerous technical papers on heavy ion collisions, proton-nucleus interactions, and quark-gluon plasma, alongside influential books exploring the philosophical dimensions of physics. His work demonstrates an evolving interest from purely technical particle physics toward interdisciplinary explorations connecting physics with philosophy, epistemology, and even ethics. Virtual and Possible Worlds in Physics and Philosophy (2018) - Explores connections between modern physics and philosophical concepts of possible worlds Das Unbestimmte und das Bestimmte (2021) - Develops concepts of uncertainty beyond fuzzy logic Ereignisse, Strukturen und Prozesse (2022) - Examines events as elementary units of reality Fast Alles besteht aus Quarks (2021) - Memoir connecting personal scientific journey with quark physics Pirner maintains active research interests in theoretical particle physics while increasingly focusing on the philosophical implications of modern physics. His work on the maximum entropy approach to heavy ion collisions offers an alternative perspective to conventional models. He continues to explore how virtual computer worlds relate to physical reality, cautioning against overly optimistic views of virtual reality while recognizing its scientific utility. His current research aims to determine quark-and-gluon light cone distributions underlying observed hadronic spectra by unfolding the fragmentation process.

Andy WillsView profile

Professor

• Cognitive Psychology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Andy Wills is a Professor in Psychology at the School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, within the Faculty of Health. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and has held academic positions at Exeter University and Plymouth University, advancing to full professorship in 2012. Andy earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Southampton (1990–1993). He pursued his Ph.D. in computational learning theory at the University of Cambridge (1994–1998) under Ian McLaren. Following his Ph.D., he was a Junior Research Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (1998–2000). His career progression includes roles at Exeter University (Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Associate Professor) before joining Plymouth as a full professor in 2012. His research focuses on visual object categorization, the role of errors and attention in learning, and human-centered AI. A proponent of open science, he maintains R packages like catlearn (43,000+ downloads). His work bridges cognitive psychology and machine learning, emphasizing clear scientific communication and ethical AI applications. Recent studies explore category learning mechanisms, attentional effects, and human-machine comparisons in object recognition. His interdisciplinary approach addresses generalization strategies and cognitive load, contributing to neuroscience and AI. Supervised doctoral students include Lenard Dome (2023) , Angus Inskter (2019) , and Charlotte Edmunds (2017) . Advocates for open-source tools and led initiatives like the Research Methods in R teaching materials. Active in debates on research ethics, peer review during UK academic strikes, and open science practices. His lab at Plymouth University fosters reproducible research and collaborative projects in cognitive modeling and AI.

• Corpus Linguistics
• Critical Discourse Analysis
• Language and Gender
• +5 more

Professor Paul Baker is a distinguished academic at Lancaster University, serving in the School Of Social Sciences within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. He has established himself as a leading expert in corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, and the study of language in relation to gender and sexuality. With numerous publications including several influential books, Professor Baker has made significant contributions to his field over several decades. His work bridges theoretical linguistic inquiry with practical applications in understanding media representation, social attitudes, and identity construction through language. Professor Baker's research interests span multiple interconnected areas including corpus linguistics, critical discourse analysis, language and gender studies, language and sexuality, and the study of Polari (a historical gay secret language). His work often examines how language reflects and constructs social identities, with particular focus on marginalized communities. He has conducted extensive research on representations of Islam in media, obesity discourse, masculinity studies, and LGBTQ+ language use. His approach combines rigorous corpus linguistic methods with critical discourse analysis to uncover patterns in language that reveal underlying social attitudes and power dynamics. His recent publications reveal a continued focus on applying corpus linguistic methods to contemporary social issues. Professor Baker has been examining representations of anxiety in online forums, obesity in news media across different countries, and the evolving relationship between masculinity and emotional expression. His work increasingly incorporates multimodal analysis, examining both textual and visual representations in media. The trend shows his research expanding into digital health applications, AI analysis of discourse, and cross-cultural comparisons of language patterns. Professor Baker has received recognition for his scholarly contributions through his extensive publication record and editorial roles. He serves as commissioning editor for the journal Corpora and sits on the editorial boards of several prominent linguistics journals including the Journal of English Linguistics , Journal of Language and Sexuality , and Gender and Language . His work has been influential in establishing corpus-assisted discourse analysis as a robust methodological approach in sociolinguistics. As an educator and mentor, Professor Baker has supervised numerous PhD students whose research spans diverse topics from the construction of Islam in media to language around schizophrenia in British press. His teaching focuses on corpus linguistics at the MA level, and he regularly supervises undergraduate dissertations. He maintains an active research group and collaborates with scholars internationally, contributing significantly to the field through both his own research and by fostering the next generation of linguists.

Laura ClancyView profile

Lecturer

• Media Studies
• Sociology
• Cultural Studies
• +4 more

Dr. Laura Clancy is a Lecturer in Media Research at Lancaster University's Sociology Department, part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). She serves as Co-Director of Education in Sociology and Co-Director of the Centre for Gender Studies. Her research intersects sociology, media studies, and gender studies, focusing on inequality, power structures, and media representation. Her work examines the cultural politics of the British monarchy and aristocracy, as well as digital hate culture targeting academics. Clancy's first monograph, *Running the Family Firm: How the Royal Family Manages Its Image and Our Money* (2021), frames the monarchy as a corporate entity, analyzing its economic and cultural functions. Her upcoming book *What Is the Monarchy For?* (2025) critiques the monarchy's modern relevance. Current research explores British country houses' resilience in a corporatized world. She co-leads the *Cultures of Digital Hate* project, addressing online harassment risks for academics. Clancy has secured grants from ESRC, ISRF, and The Sociological Review. Her work has appeared in outlets like *The New York Times*, *BBC News*, and *CNN*. She co-edits the *Routledge Transformations* series and serves on the *Cultural Sociology* editorial board. Teaching includes modules on gender studies, media theory, and feminist media analysis. Her awards include shortlists for the BSA Philip Abrams Prize and AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinkers. She advocates for institutional support against digital hate and has advised on policy and media projects, including BBC documentaries and parliamentary reports.

Manuel Salto TellezView profile

Professor

• Cancer Research
• Precision Medicine
• Artificial Intelligence
• +7 more

Professor Manuel Salto Tellez serves as Chair of Molecular Pathology at Queen's University Belfast, Director of the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence, and Clinical Consultant Pathologist at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. He holds a dual appointment as Deputy Director of the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) within the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences. With over three decades of international experience spanning Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the UK, Professor Salto Tellez has established himself as a global leader in molecular pathology and precision medicine. His educational journey began at the University of Oviedo (1984-88), continued at R-W Technischen Hochschule Aachen in Germany (1988-90), and concluded at The Royal University of Leiden in the Netherlands (1990-91). He earned his medical degree (LMS) in 1991, followed by professional certifications including MRCPath (1998), FRCPath (2006), and FRCPI (2013). His clinical training included pathology residencies at the University of Edinburgh and Northwick Park & St. Mark's Hospitals in London, complemented by a Fellowship in Diagnostic Molecular Pathology at the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Salto Tellez's research focuses at the intersection of cancer biology, molecular diagnostics, and digital innovation. His laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms driving colorectal and gastric cancers, with particular emphasis on biomarker discovery and validation. The integration of artificial intelligence with digital pathology represents a major thrust of his current work, exemplified by the Cancer Research UK Accelerator Award funding AI applications in cancer diagnostics. His research program demonstrates how morpho-molecular approaches can transform traditional pathology into a predictive and preventive discipline. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward translational applications of molecular diagnostics, with increasing emphasis on AI-driven image analysis, federated learning for secure data collaboration, and clinical implementation of precision oncology frameworks. His work consistently bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications, particularly in gastrointestinal cancers. Erasmus Prize of the European Community (1990) Courage Star by the Courage Fund for SARS crisis response (2003) World Scientists Forum International Award in Onco-Cytology (2005) Faculty Research Excellence Award (2006) Silver frame for gastrointestinal disease research (2008) Pathological Society JSPS Summer Studentship award (2022) Professor Salto Tellez has secured over £7.9 million in research funding throughout his career, including a £3.9 million CR-UK Accelerator Award and leadership of the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence. His mentoring extends to numerous postdoctoral researchers and clinical fellows, with several hosting international academic visitors through programs like the JSPS Summer Studentship. Current projects include the Future Medicines Institute, Kelvin-2 High Performance Computing Centre, and a national digital pathology platform. He directs operations at the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence and serves as Clinical Director for Molecular Diagnostics across Northern Ireland. His laboratory team works collaboratively with the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and international partners including the National University of Singapore where he maintains an associate membership with the Cancer Science Institute. The group's work on encrypted federated learning represents cutting-edge approaches to secure multi-institutional collaboration in cancer image analysis.

• Consumer Behaviour
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Digital Consumption

Dr. Shirley Chen is Assistant Professor of Marketing at Wilfrid Laurier University's Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. Her research examines psychological mechanisms underlying consumer judgment and digital consumption patterns. Research Focus: Investigates linguistic framing effects in health communication (e.g., COVID-19 messaging), cross-cultural consumer behavior, and digital platform engagement strategies. Recent work analyzes pronoun effects in pandemic messaging and brand naming linguistics. Methodological Approach: Combines experimental methods with behavioral analysis to understand decision heuristics in health, financial, and consumption contexts. Publications: Research spans consumer response to visual information (traffic light labeling), review platform engagement, and cultural moderators in crisis response effectiveness.

Jelena KovačevićView profile

Professor

• Biomedical imaging
• Data science & signal processing
• Multiresolution processing
• +3 more

Jelena Kovačević is the William R. Berkley Professor and Dean of the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University, the first woman to hold this position since the school's founding in 1854. Previously, she served as Hamerschlag University Professor and Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) until 2018. She holds a Dipl. Electr. Eng. from the University of Belgrade (1986), and MS and PhD degrees from Columbia University (1988, 1991). Her research focuses on biomedical imaging, multiresolution techniques (wavelets, frames), data science, and graph signal processing. She has authored influential books, including *Wavelets and Subband Coding* (1995) and *Foundations of Signal Processing* (2014), and co-authored over 150 publications. Awards include the IEEE SPS Technical Achievement Award (2016), Belgrade October Prize (1986), and Fellowships from IEEE and EUSIPCO. She has held editorial roles at major journals and conferences, including Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Trans. on Image Processing (2002–2006). Her leadership extends to roles like General Chair of ISBI and advisory positions in national initiatives. Her teaching spans advanced signal processing courses at CMU and Columbia, emphasizing practical applications in biomedical imaging and engineering. She has been recognized for educational excellence, including the edX Prize (2018) and contributions to online courses on criminal justice and psychology.

Yilang PengView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Social Science
• Visual Communication
• Media Effects
• +5 more

Dr. Yilang Peng is an Associate Professor in consumer analytics and strategic communication at the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences. His research bridges computational social science, digital media, and visual communication, using advanced methodologies like computer vision to analyze visual content in political and social contexts. Education: Ph.D. in Communication, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania M.A. in Communication, University of Wisconsin–Madison B.S. in Communication, Peking University Dr. Peng’s scholarship focuses on how digital technologies and visual media shape information environments and public discourse. He applies computational methods to study visual misinformation, social media engagement, and ideological influences on media perceptions. His work addresses critical issues in political communication, climate change representation, and consumer behavior on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Recent research trends highlight his expertise in AI-generated media, LLM-informed feature discovery, and cross-platform analysis of climate change visuals. Publications emphasize the intersection of computer vision with social science, examining topics such as media bias, brand personality prediction, and the psychological impact of digital filters. Scientific Awards: Charles B. Knapp Early Career Scholar Award, UGA (2025) Top Paper Awards from the Political Communication Division, International Communication Association (2025, 2024, 2023) Early Career Faculty Research Award, UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences (2025) Top Faculty Paper Award, Communication and the Future Division, National Communication Association (2021) Dr. Peng co-directs the Computational Multimodal Communication Lab , a collaborative initiative that advances computational approaches to visual media analysis. His teaching includes graduate courses like FHCE 8000 and undergraduate classes on consumer analytics and strategic storytelling.

Pragathi PraveenaView profile

Research Fellow

• Robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
• Computer Vision
• +3 more

Pragathi Praveena is a Research Fellow at the Robotics Institute , Carnegie Mellon University. Her work focuses on advancing human-robot interaction, teleoperation systems, and robotics applications in collaborative environments. She leads the Reliable Autonomous Systems Lab , exploring topics such as Petri Net-based robotic system design, generative AI in robotics, and socially engaging robot interfaces. Her research spans autonomous systems , computer vision , and medical robotics applications . Notable contributions include Periscope (a robotic camera system for remote collaboration) and Rex (user-centered repair frameworks for robots). She investigates challenges in telemanipulation control systems, motion generation algorithms, and optimizing collaborative workflows between humans and robots. Key technical trends in her work include formal methods for system design, integration of AI/ML in robotics, and human-centered approaches to interface development. Her publications address both foundational theory (e.g., Petri Nets) and applied solutions (e.g., cinematic automation). Current lab projects emphasize robustness in robotic groupware and cross-modal interaction systems. As part of the Robotics Institute, her work intersects with computer science, engineering, and design disciplines. Her lab collaborates on projects involving drone motion optimization, real-time respiration monitoring via video analysis, and enhancing remote collaboration through robotic systems.

Fredo DurandView profile

Professor

• Computer Graphics
• Computer Vision
• Computational Photography
• +5 more

Fredo Durand is the Amar Bose Professor of Computing at MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, affiliated with CSAIL. He earned his PhD from Grenoble University (1999), followed by a postdoc at MIT under Julie Dorsey. His work spans computational photography, computer graphics, and signal processing, emphasizing perceptual principles. Durand leads research groups in Computer Graphics and Vision, co-developed Halide, and pioneered imaging privacy studies via ambient light sensors. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Grenoble University (1999) Research Focus: Realistic rendering, non-photorealistic techniques, and AI-driven visual computing Notable awards include the ACM SIGGRAPH Achievement Award (2016) and Eurographics Young Researcher Award (2004). He advises over 40 students and collaborates on projects like Bounce Flash photography systems and neural light field reconstruction. Durand also co-founded the IEEE International Conference on Computational Photography. Labs/Teams: CSAIL's Computer Graphics Group, Vision Group, and Visual Computing Initiative

• Geometric Data Processing
• Optimal Transport
• 3D Shape Analysis
• +6 more

Justin Solomon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, leading the Geometric Data Processing Group within CSAIL. His research focuses on applying geometric principles to solve challenges in computer graphics, medical imaging, autonomous systems, and political redistricting. He earned his PhD from Stanford University and completed postdoctoral research at Princeton’s Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical tools, such as optimal transport and machine learning, to advance shape analysis and data-driven geometry. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Stanford University Postdoctoral Research, Princeton University Research Interests: Applied geometry, optimal transport, 3D shape analysis, machine learning for geometry, computational topology, and interdisciplinary applications like autonomous driving and political redistricting fairness. His group develops methods for robust processing of geometric data across domains, from medical imaging to manufacturing. Projects: Political Geometry: Using geometric algorithms to combat gerrymandering and ensure fair redistricting. Geometric Data Processing Group: Expanding geometric tools for 3D modeling, autonomous systems, and data analysis. Optimal Transport: Bridging theory and practice for statistical and machine learning applications. Labs/Teams: CSAIL’s Geometric Data Processing Group and collaborations with the MIT Center for Computational Science and Engineering (CCSE).

• Robotic Imaging
• Computational Imaging
• Light Field Processing
• +1 more

Donald Dansereau is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Sydney and Perception Theme Lead for the Sydney Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems. His research develops novel imaging systems for robotic perception. His work pioneers light field and computational imaging techniques to enable robust robotic vision in challenging environments. Current projects address underwater imaging, low-light conditions, space applications, and privacy-preserving vision systems. Recent advances include event-based satellite docking simulations, adaptive neural radiance fields for 3D reconstruction, and task-specific camera optimization frameworks. Key research directions include: Real-time light field processing for robotic navigation Neural rendering techniques for scene understanding Privacy-preserving computer vision architectures Hardware-software co-design for specialized imaging He received the Best Paper Award at ACRA (2014) and Distinguished Poster Awards from Stanford SCIEN (2016, 2017). Teaching includes Mechatronic Design and System Design courses.