Aniket 'Niki' Kittur is a Professor in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science. His research focuses on AI-augmented cognition, exploring how human and machine intelligence can collaborate to enhance creativity, decision-making, and innovation. He leads projects like the Semantic Reader and Skeema browser extension, aiming to reduce cognitive overload through intelligent systems. Education: BA in Psychology & Computer Science from Princeton University; PhD in Cognitive Psychology from UCLA. His work bridges HCI, crowdsourcing, and cognitive science, with 100+ publications and 17 best paper awards. He advises industry partners including Google, Microsoft, and Toyota while maintaining a lab focused on real-world impact. Research interests center on accelerating knowledge acquisition via systems that scaffold sensemaking (e.g., Selenite for web exploration) and fostering analogical innovation through crowdsourced/AI hybrid approaches. Notable contributions include CrowdForge (human-machine workflows) and Kinetica (touch-based data visualization). Awards include NSF CAREER Award, Allen Newell Award, and CHI Academy membership. His lab's Skeema tool has achieved 79% 30-day retention in beta, reflecting impactful user-centered design principles. Current projects emphasize LLM integration for composite cognition, aiming to create systems where 'LLMs + Humans > Either Alone.' Funding来自NSF, NIH, ONR, and industry partners like Bosch and Wikimedia. Teaching includes PhD bootcamps and user-centered research courses. Over 100 students have contributed to his projects, many advancing to tech leadership roles.
Dr. Jiang Qian is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of Houston, a Master’s in Finance from Johns Hopkins University, and an undergraduate double major in Information Systems and Finance from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. His research focuses on leveraging quantitative models and machine learning techniques to extract insights from large-scale data in marketing and healthcare contexts, particularly in social media, online search, and healthcare markets. Current research supervision includes Jennifer Ye’s project on Audio Data Analytics: A New Dimension in Customer Service Excellence . Dr. Qian’s recent work spans AI applications in breast cancer detection, medical imaging analysis, and reinforcement learning for autonomous systems. His studies address challenges like AI model calibration, training data quality, and radiologist-AI collaboration in clinical settings. Notable contributions include analyzing video cover image impacts on advertisement engagement and exploring multiresolution techniques for medical imaging segmentation. His interdisciplinary approach bridges marketing analytics and healthcare technology, emphasizing practical clinical translation of AI systems.
Dr. Andrea Grover is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis at the University of Nebraska Omaha’s College of Information Science & Technology. Her research focuses on citizen science, technology design, and collaboration systems in data-intensive environments. She holds a Ph.D. in Information Science & Technology from Syracuse University, an MS in Information from the University of Michigan, and a BA in Mathematics from Alma College. Her research interests include organizational impacts of technology, open collaboration frameworks, and ethics in information systems. She teaches courses on management and IT ethics, employing ungrading techniques to enhance student engagement. Notable contributions include work on citizen science data quality, cyber-security tools leveraging crowdsourcing, and barriers in STEM education equity. Dr. Grover has been recognized with the 2022 Rising Star Distinguished Ecologist award and serves on editorial boards (e.g., Frontiers in Ecology) and conference committees (e.g., ACM CSCW DEI Co-chair). She has secured grants such as the NSF-funded “Streamlining Embedded Assessment to Understand Citizen Scientists' Skill Gains” (2017–2019) and contributed to media discussions on citizen science via National Public Radio. Her recent publications explore hybrid human-AI tools, agile citizen science methodologies, and systemic barriers in education. She actively participates in interdisciplinary initiatives, bridging technology, ecology, and social sciences to advance participatory research practices.
Michael C. Hughes ("Mike") is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Tufts University's School of Engineering, where he develops statistical machine learning methods for healthcare applications. His work focuses on building predictive models that extract actionable insights from complex clinical data, including electronic health records and medical imaging. PhD, Computer Science, Brown University (2016) MS, Computer Science, Brown University (2012) BS, Computer Science, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (2010) Research interests center on: Bayesian hierarchical models for documents, sequences, and medical images Optimization algorithms for approximate inference Model fairness and interpretability in clinical contexts Semi-supervised learning for medical diagnostics Recent publications demonstrate these capabilities through applications in cardiovascular disease diagnosis, opioid overdose forecasting, and ICU risk prediction. His lab emphasizes reproducibility through open datasets like TMED-2 and open-source tools like BNPy. Grants include NIH R01 funding for heart valve disease detection, NSF CAREER support for model interpretability, and NSF GCR funding for educational uncertainty research. Scientific awards include: NIH R01 Award (PI) for heart valve disease detection (2025) NSF CAREER Award (2024) NSF GCR Grant (2024) Best Poster Award at Time Series Workshop (ICML 2021) Top 10% Reviewer Awards at AISTATS (2023, 2022) Teaching activities include courses on Bayesian Deep Learning, Introduction to Machine Learning, and Statistical Pattern Recognition. He previously served as postdoctoral fellow at Harvard SEAS.
Marta González-Lloret is a Professor of Spanish and Applied Linguistics at the Department of Languages and Literatures of Europe and the Americas (LLEA) and an Associated Graduate Faculty member of the Department of Second Language Studies (SLS) at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa . Originally from Valladolid, Spain, she has resided in Hawaii for over 30 years and holds a PhD in Second Language Acquisition, an MA in Linguistics, an MA in European Languages, and a Licenciatura in English Philology. Education: PhD in Second Language Acquisition, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (2008) MA in Linguistics, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (1997) MA in European Languages (Spanish Linguistics), University of Hawai‘i at Manoa (1993) Licenciatura in Filología Inglesa, Universidad de Valladolid (1991) Her research focuses on the intersections of technology and Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) , as well as L2 Pragmatics and Conversation Analysis . Her work explores how digital environments enhance pragmatic competence and foster intercultural communication. She has co-edited seminal volumes on technology-mediated TBLT and serves as Series Editor for Task-Based Language Teaching and Pragmatics & Language Learning . She has received prestigious awards, including the Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching (2018) and the HALT Excellence in Teaching Award (2010) . Her teaching portfolio includes Spanish language, teacher training, and critical digital literacies, often delivered through hybrid or online formats. Scientific Awards: Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching (2018) College of LLL Excellence in Teaching Award (2013) HALT Excellence in Teaching Award (2010) 'Oihana Maika’i Award for Research Excellence (2005) Top 2% Most-Cited Researchers (2023) Top 400 World Linguists (2023) She has conducted over 80 invited talks and 17 plenary/keynote lectures globally, addressing topics like AI in language education, pragmatic development in digital spaces, and task design for multilingual contexts. Her editorial and leadership roles include co-chairing international conferences and serving on advisory committees for ACTFL Guidelines (2024).
Christina Niklaus is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). Her research focuses on Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Computational Argumentation, with an emphasis on text simplification, knowledge representation, and responsible AI. She leads the project 'Conversational AI: Dialogue-based Adaptive Argumentative Writing Support' funded by SNSF Basic Research (2022–2026). Education : Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Passau, Germany (2022) M.Sc. in Computer Science, University of Passau, Germany (2016) B.Sc. in Applied Computer Science, University of Bamberg, Germany (2011) Research Interests : Christina Niklaus develops AI systems to bridge complex information with human understanding, emphasizing accessibility and ethical integrity. Her work includes: Context-aware NLP systems for simplifying technical texts Computational tools for enhancing argumentation skills in academic writing Open Information Extraction (OIE) for structured knowledge representation Responsible AI frameworks ensuring fairness and transparency Recent Article Trends : Her recent work explores large language models (LLMs) in education, discourse-aware text simplification, and argument quality assessment. Key contributions include applying FinBERT for financial text analysis and developing adaptive writing support systems. Awards : Best Paper Award (ECEI 2024) Best Paper Nomination (CSEDU 2023) Nominated for GI-Dissertationspreis (2022) delina Innovation Award (2021) Teaching & Grants : Teaches Database Systems and Advanced Databases at HSG Principal investigator of multiple grants including SNSF Basic Research Labs/Teams : Her research group focuses on interdisciplinary AI applications in education and argumentation, collaborating with institutions like LEARNTEC and CHI.
Harish Krishnan is a Professor in the Operations and Logistics Division at the UBC Sauder School of Business. He holds degrees from Delhi, Alabama, Michigan (MA and PhD). His research focuses on incentive distortions in supply chains, contracts for supply chain coordination, and broader supply chain management strategies. He teaches courses such as Process Fundamentals and Supply Chain Management in the 2024-2025 academic year. Education: BEng from Delhi MS from University of Alabama MA from University of Michigan PhD from University of Michigan Research Interests: Incentive distortions in supply chains Contracts and supply chain coordination Supply chain management with a focus on sustainability and operational risk Recent Work Trends: Blockchain applications in sustainable global value chains Climate policy analysis, particularly international carbon mitigation frameworks Strategic collaboration between competitors in operational contexts Affiliations: Member of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group Part of the Operations and Logistics Division leadership
Sarah Annunziato is an Associate Professor of Italian and Director of both the Undergraduate Program in Italian and the Italian Language Program (1000-2000 level courses) at the University of Virginia. She holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from Smith College. Her research focuses on children’s literature, media, and trauma representation, with a particular emphasis on Italian and U.S. texts. She also investigates language pedagogy, including game-based learning and the role of streaming media in language acquisition. Her teaching spans graduate courses like Dante’s Inferno on Film and undergraduate courses such as Elementary Italian and Small Screen Italy . She has advised MA theses on topics ranging from Italian literature to comparative cinema. Annunziato has received multiple grants, including funding for a tutoring clinic and curriculum development for healthcare-focused Italian courses. Her publications include Clic! L’italiano col telecomando (2024) and articles on topics like colonialism in Emilio Salgari’s works and Dante’s influence on American TV. She actively serves as an editor for La Vendemmia and contributes to initiatives like the Moons and Bonfires archive of Italian-American history.
Wesley Willett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, holding the NSERC CRC II Chair in Visual Analytics. His primary research focuses on information visualization, human-computer interaction, and new media applications. He leads the Data Experience Lab and Interactions Lab, exploring innovative methods for data representation and interaction in augmented/virtual reality environments. Education includes a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Colorado (2006) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2012). His work bridges technical innovation with user-centered design principles, emphasizing ethical considerations in data visualization and inclusive representation. Key research contributions include: spatial visualization techniques for large environments, gesture-based interfaces for AR/VR, and physical data representations through projects like Cetonia (swarm robotics visualization) and Data Embroidery. His work has been recognized with Best Paper awards at CHI 2015 and Pervasive 2010. Current research emphasizes immersive analytics, wearable visualization systems, and demographically diverse anthropographics. He collaborates with urban designers, neurologists, and environmental scientists to apply visualization in diverse domains like epilepsy surgery planning and air quality monitoring.
Melissa J. Ferguson is a Professor of Psychology at Yale University since 2020, previously affiliated with Cornell University's Psychology Department (2002-2020). Her research focuses on implicit cognitive processes underpinning evaluation, goal-pursuit, self-control, and social behavior. She investigates impression updating, prejudice expression, and behavioral control mechanisms. Ph.D., Social Psychology, New York University (2002) As director of Yale's Implicit Social Cognition Lab, Ferguson explores how implicit evaluations evolve through reinterpretation and new evidence. Her work spans human-robot interaction, moral agency, and political bias dynamics, with funding from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. Recent publications analyze: (1) Robot competence evaluation mechanisms, (2) Implicit bias correction methods, (3) Legal decision-making patterns, and (4) Prejudice shifts during political events. She contributes to high-impact outlets like Psychological Science and PNAS . Best Paper Award, ISCON 2016
Filippo Carlo Wezel is a Full Professor of Organization and Management at the Faculty of Economics of Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), where he also serves as Director of the Institute of Management and Organisation. He holds additional research affiliations as a Visiting Research Professor at emlyon Business School (France) and a Research Fellow at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. He plays a significant editorial role as Senior Editor at Organization Studies and serves on the editorial review boards of Organization Science , Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal , Strategic Organization , and the Advisory Board of Research in the Sociology of Organizations . His educational background includes a PhD in Management from the University of Bologna. Prior to joining USI in 2009, he held academic positions at the University of Groningen (post-doctoral researcher) and Tilburg University (Assistant and Associate Professor). He has also been a visiting scholar at leading institutions including Wharton, MIT, Columbia, Duke, London Business School, LSE, and Hong Kong University. His research centers on organizational identity, managerial and inter-firm mobility, entrepreneurship, and institutional theory. His recent publications explore identity hybridization in political parties, category dynamics in creative industries, historical organizational practices in colonial firms, and stigma in emerging markets. He frequently employs longitudinal, historical, and experimental methodologies, often bridging sociology and management. The most recent articles (2020–2025) reflect a strong trajectory in the sociology of organizations, with recurring themes of identity, categorization, legitimacy, and mobility. He investigates how social evaluations, historical constraints, and institutional environments shape organizational behavior and strategic positioning. His work spans diverse contexts—from 18th-century Lyon silk traders to modern ICT firms and medical marijuana markets—demonstrating a broad empirical and theoretical reach. Scientific Honors and Editorial Roles: Senior Editor, Organization Studies Editorial Review Board, Organization Science Editorial Review Board, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal Editorial Review Board, Strategic Organization Advisory Board, Research in the Sociology of Organizations He has extensive experience in teaching organizational theory and behavior at undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and executive levels. His research has been published in top-tier journals such as Administrative Science Quarterly , American Sociological Review , Academy of Management Journal , and Strategic Management Journal . He leads a vibrant research agenda at USI, supported by a broad international network, though specific grants and funded projects are not detailed in the provided text. He is also involved in mentoring students and shaping the next generation of organizational scholars, though a list of advisees is not available. Filippo Carlo Wezel is a key figure in the European organizational studies community, leading the Institute of Management and Organisation at USI and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between organization theory and strategy. His work combines deep historical insight with contemporary theoretical innovation, contributing significantly to our understanding of how organizations and careers evolve under institutional and social pressures.
Larry Heck is a Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology with joint appointments in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the School of Interactive Computing. He holds the Rhesa S. Farmer Advanced Computing Concepts Chair and is a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar. His research focuses on machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, conversational systems, and speech/speaker recognition. He directs the AI Virtual Assistant (AVA) Lab, advancing next-generation AI assistants. Dr. Heck has held leadership roles in industry, including at Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and Viv Labs, and has over 50 U.S. patents. Education: BSEE from Texas Tech University (1986) MSEE and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech (1991) Research Interests: Dr. Heck’s work bridges machine learning and human-centric AI, with emphasis on conversational systems, multimodal interaction, and real-world applications. His AVA Lab develops AI assistants that integrate visual, auditory, and contextual cues for natural interaction. Recent projects include multimodal sensor integration, dialogue systems for caregiving networks, and embodied AI for avatar animation. Awards: IEEE Fellow (2020) Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni, Georgia Tech (2017) Distinguished Engineer Award, Texas Tech University (2017) Advising & Grants: While primarily focused on industry collaboration, Dr. Heck mentors students through Georgia Tech’s interdisciplinary programs. His research is funded by government agencies and corporate partnerships, including the NSA and DARPA. Labs & Teams: The AVA Lab collaborates with academia and industry to create AI systems that understand context, gestures, and environment. Current initiatives include multimodal dialogue datasets (e.g., OKCV, SensorQA) and reinforcement learning frameworks for real-time systems.
Stephen Sliwa is the Executive Program Director of Teacher Education and an Adjunct Professor at Queen’s University’s Faculty of Education. He holds an MA from Trent University, MEd and MPA degrees from Queen’s University. Previously, he served as Director of Education and CEO of the Upper Canada District School Board, with extensive experience as a superintendent, principal, and teacher in K-12 education. His research focuses on Indigenous Studies foundations, special education support, intermediate education design, and public sector management. His academic work spans historical analyses of Indigenous-white relations, policy development for inclusive education, and digital learning strategies. He has contributed to provincial education guides and government reports on topics like disability inclusion and Indigenous economic development. Publications include book reviews in Canadian Social Studies and Saskatchewan History , practical guides for teachers, and case studies on Indigenous communities. His work bridges academic research with actionable strategies for educators and policymakers.
Holger Straßheim is Professor of Political Sociology at Bielefeld University, affiliated with the Faculty of Sociology, Department 4 – Politics and Society. He also holds leadership roles as co-director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Science (ISOS) and the Institute for World Society Studies, and is an elected member of the university’s Senate. He coordinates the MA program in Political Communication and serves on multiple examination and ethics committees. University: Bielefeld University School: Faculty of Sociology Department: Department 4 – Politics and Society Research Institutes: ISOS, Institute for World Society Studies Administrative Roles: Program Coordinator MA Political Communication, Member of BA/MA Examination Boards, Habilitation Committee His research centers on the interplay between science and politics, particularly the role of expertise and evidence in public policy. Key areas include behavioral public policy, climate and consumer policy, Arctic geopolitics, and the temporal dimensions of governance. He investigates how knowledge is produced, legitimized, and used in policy-making across transnational contexts. The most recent publications reflect a strong focus on evidence cultures, ethical expertise in crises, and the global spread of behavioral governance. These works analyze how expert advice functions under uncertainty, the paradoxes of evidence-based policy, and the institutionalization of ethical guidance during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research often employs comparative and interdisciplinary methods, engaging with science and technology studies, political sociology, and policy analysis. Best Dissertation Award, University of Tübingen (2011) Visiting Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School (2014) Visiting Research Fellow, Collège d’études mondiales, Paris (2018) Visiting Research Fellow, University of Bologna (2022) Straßheim has supervised and advised in various research projects and PhD initiatives, particularly through his leadership in DFG and ESRC-funded programs. He has secured significant third-party funding, including projects on Arctic knowledge co-production and ethics in crisis governance. He is actively involved in academic service, reviewing for major journals and research councils, and shaping policy discourse through editorial roles in Critical Policy Studies and the Advances in Critical Policy Analysis book series. He leads the Straßheim Research Group, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration on science-policy interfaces. He is a key figure in research networks such as the Science and Democracy Network (Harvard) and the International Arctic Science Committee. His work bridges academic inquiry with real-world policy challenges, emphasizing democratic accountability, epistemic pluralism, and the ethical dimensions of expertise.
Marta Kutas is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where she has held roles including Department Chair (2007–2019), Director of the Center for Research in Language (2007–2022), and Chancellor's Associates Endowed Chair (2017–2022). Her research focuses on language processing, neuropsychology, and electrophysiological methods, with a particular emphasis on event-related potentials (ERPs). She has contributed significantly to understanding semantic integration, memory, and neural mechanisms underlying language comprehension. Education includes a B.A. from Oberlin College (1971) and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Illinois (1977). She has held adjunct roles at San Diego State University and the UCSD Department of Neurosciences. Her awards include the Revelle Medal (2023), membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2018), and the Cognitive Neuroscience Society's Distinguished Career Award (2015). Her research interests span language comprehension/production, neuropsychology, and ERP methodologies. Key publications analyze semantic processing, memory-related brain potentials, and the impact of individual knowledge on word processing. She has collaborated on studies involving Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia, using ERPs to explore cognitive deficits.
