Katy Ilonka Gero is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Computer Science, with a PhD in Computer Science from Columbia University (2022). She holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, where she received the Carl G. Sontheimer Prize for Excellence in Innovation and Creativity. Education : BSc (MIT), PhD (Columbia) Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction , Creative Writing , and AI Ethics , particularly examining how language models impact writing processes, ownership, and agency. She advocates for community-driven language models trained on consensual data and explores technical innovations for personalized AI tools. Recent publications span language model ethics (Nature Machine Intelligence 2023), generative AI (CHI 2025 Best Paper), and creative collaboration (CHI 2023). Key trends include user-centered AI design , creative ownership , and data ethics . Scientific Awards : NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Brown Institute for Media Innovation, Amazon Research Award, CHI Best Paper (2025), CHI Honorable Mention (2024) As co-founder of Ensemble Park and former taper editor, she bridges computational poetry and traditional literary practices. Her work at startups Rest Devices and Soofa demonstrates technical innovation in consumer and urban tech.
Kirsten Cater serves as Professor of Human-Computer Interaction in the School of Computer Science at the University of Bristol, while concurrently holding the senior administrative role of Associate Pro Vice Chancellor (Education & Students) for the Science and Engineering Faculty, overseeing institutional educational strategy and student welfare initiatives. Her research expertise centers on Human-Computer Interaction, examining the design, usability, and accessibility of interactive computing systems through user-centered methodologies. This field bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in interface design and user experience optimization. Contact details: Email: kirsten.cater@bristol.ac.uk Phone: +44 117 456 1945 Office: Merchant Venturers Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UB
Brenna Argall is an Associate Professor at Northwestern University with joint appointments in the Departments of Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation . She is also a Faculty Research Scientist at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab , the nation’s premier rehabilitation hospital. Her research focuses on robotics autonomy, machine learning, and human rehabilitation , particularly in developing assistive and rehabilitation robotics that utilize shared control and interface-aware intelligence to enhance user autonomy. Education: Ph.D. in Robotics (2009), Carnegie Mellon University M.S. in Robotics (2006), Carnegie Mellon University B.S. in Mathematics (2002), Carnegie Mellon University Research Interests: Argall's work sits at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, and rehabilitation . Key themes include trust-based control systems, dynamic autonomy allocation, and human-in-the-loop machine learning . Her lab, the Assistive & Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory (argallab) , develops semi-autonomous wheelchairs, robotic arms, and adaptive control systems tailored to users’ physical and cognitive abilities. Projects emphasize customizable shared control, intent inference, and human-robot collaboration . Article Trends: Recent publications highlight advancements in shared autonomy, interface-aware robotics, and human-robot co-adaptation . Key areas include 7-DoF robot arm teleoperation, eye gaze tracking for control, high-dimensional body-machine interfaces, and trust-based dynamic control allocation , reflecting her lab’s focus on user-centric AI and rehabilitation technology . Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2016) Crain's Chicago Business 40 under 40 (2016) NSF Convergence Accelerator Phase 1 & 2 Awards (2022, 2024) AIMBE College of Fellows (2023) Office of Naval Research (ONR) Grant Advising & Grants: Argall advises students in the Masters of Science in Robotics program and has secured significant funding from NSF, NIH, and ONR for projects on self-driving wheelchairs, intent disambiguation, and trust-aware autonomy . Labs & Teams: As founder and director of the argallab , she leads a multidisciplinary team at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab . The lab’s mission is to advance human ability through robotics autonomy , focusing on motor-impaired users and human-robot co-adaptation .
Carolyn Conner Seepersad serves as the J. Mike Walker Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and directs the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation. She holds membership in the U.T. System Academy of Distinguished Teachers and maintains active leadership in the additive manufacturing community through roles such as co-organizer of the Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium and ASME Design Engineering Division Executive Committee membership. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech (2004) MA/BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University (1998, Rhodes Scholar) BS in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University (1996) Dr. Seepersad's research centers on computational design methodologies and additive manufacturing innovation , with particular expertise in simulation-based design of complex systems, environmentally conscious product development, and materials engineering. Her work bridges theoretical design frameworks with practical manufacturing applications, emphasizing sustainability and performance optimization across aerospace, automotive, and energy systems. Current projects explore reactive extrusion additive manufacturing, negative stiffness materials, and machine learning integration for process-aware design. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on process innovation in additive manufacturing (70%), particularly stereolithography and selective laser sintering, with growing emphasis on data-driven design approaches (20%) and sustainable engineering applications (10%). Her work demonstrates consistent progression from fundamental material design toward integrated system optimization and industrial scalability. Her scientific recognition includes: International Outstanding Young Researcher Award in Freeform and Additive Manufacturing (2009) UT System Regents’ Teaching Award (2010) ASME Design Automation Committee Outstanding Young Investigator Award (2010) ASEE Outstanding New Mechanical Engineering Educator Award (2013) Multiple ASME and ASEE best paper awards U.T. System Academy of Distinguished Teachers membership Dr. Seepersad maintains an extensive advising portfolio with 48 graduate students (16 PhD, 24 MS, and 8 current) plus 2 postdoctoral researchers, reflecting sustained research productivity and educational impact. Her Product, Process, and Materials Design Lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between mechanical engineering, materials science, and computational design teams.
Dawn Laux serves as Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and Professor of Practice in the School of Applied and Creative Computing at Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University. She concurrently holds the position of Division Head for Military Science and Technology and chairs the Purdue University Teaching Academy. With over 15 years of service since 2007, Dr. Laux teaches undergraduate information governance courses and has earned recognition including the Charles B. Murphy Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching (2019) and induction into Purdue's Book of Great Teachers (2023). Her educational background includes: PhD in Human Computer Interaction, Iowa State University (2014) MS in Management Information Systems, Iowa State University (2007) BS in Business Education and Office Administration, Ball State University (1994) Dr. Laux's research centers on data governance, computer-supported collaborative learning, and student persistence in technology education. She investigates technology acceptance, recruitment of women and minorities into IT, database management, and information governance frameworks. Her work bridges educational theory with practical applications to enhance student engagement and diversity in computing fields. Analysis of her publications (2011-2016) reveals consistent focus on educational technology interventions, particularly examining virtual communities for student persistence, diversity initiatives in computing, and classroom technology adoption. Her research demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of information systems, educational psychology, and social computing principles with practical applications in higher education settings. Her distinguished recognition includes: Book of Great Teachers, Purdue University (2023) Academic Leadership Program Fellow, Big Ten Academic Alliance (2022-2023) Teaching Academy Member, Purdue University (2019) Charles B. Murphy Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching (2019) College of Technology Exceptional Early Career Teaching Award (2014-2015) Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award (2013-2014) Bringing 10 years of pre-academic industry experience from Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union and Insight Communications, Dr. Laux integrates practical IT expertise into her teaching and leadership. Her administrative roles encompass academic program oversight and military technology education initiatives, supported by her active participation in the National Center for Women and Information Technology Academic Alliance since 2011. As Division Head of Military Science and Technology, Dr. Laux leads specialized technology education programs while chairing the university-wide Teaching Academy to advance pedagogical excellence across Purdue's academic units.
Felix Gille is a researcher at the University of Zurich , affiliated with the Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care under the Faculty of Medicine. He leads the DSI-funded project "Data handling, security and protection: reaching conceptual equivalence for the concept of public trust in national electronic health records in Switzerland and neighboring countries," collaborating with Prof. von Wyl (IfIS/DSI, UZH) and Prof. Thouvenin (Faculty of Law, UZH). His work bridges health system and policy research, digital health, data law, and data security. Education: BSc in European Public Health, Maastricht University MMedSc in Health Economics, Policy and Management, Karolinska Institute PhD in Public Trust in Healthcare Systems, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Research Focus: Gille specializes in public trust dynamics within healthcare systems, particularly examining data governance, health policy, and ethical dimensions of digital health innovations. His projects analyze cross-national trust frameworks, biobanking ethics, AI in healthcare, and pandemic data sharing mechanisms. Scientific Contributions: His publications address critical issues such as GDPR impacts on research, trustworthiness of mHealth apps, and interdisciplinary approaches to health data policy. Articles span 2015–2025, emphasizing conceptual trust models, policy harmonization, and stakeholder engagement in health data systems. Awards & Roles: Fellow of the Swiss School of Public Health Associate Editor for Public Health Reviews
Liane Colonna is an Assistant Professor in Law and Information Technology at the Department of Law, Stockholm University , where she investigates ethical and legal challenges arising from AI-driven practices in higher education. She also engages in methodologically oriented research at the intersection of AI and Law, contributing to the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanities and Society. Additionally, Liane serves as the director of the Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI) and is a member of the New York Bar since 2008. Primary Affiliation: Department of Law, Stockholm University Institute Leadership: Director, Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI) Professional Status: Member of the New York Bar Research Interests: Ethical and legal challenges of AI in higher education Methodological approaches in AI and Law Data protection and privacy by design Regulatory frameworks for AI and emerging technologies Privacy implications of lifelogging and health IoT International data governance and surveillance law Publications demonstrate expertise in AI regulation, GDPR compliance, and privacy-preserving technologies, particularly for assisted living and educational contexts. Her work bridges technical implementation with legal accountability, emphasizing human oversight and ethical design.
Pernille Bjørn is a Professor in Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) at the Department of Computer Science , University of Copenhagen (DIKU), where she has been since May 2015. Her research investigates collaborative work practices to design cooperative technologies, focusing on domains like healthcare, global software development, startup companies, and digital fabrication. Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen Human-Centred Computing Section Research Interests : Bjørn’s work spans CSCW , Human-Computer Interaction , and Digital Fabrication , with applications in healthcare systems, cross-cultural software development, and inclusive technology design. She explores collaborative virtual reality training, FemTech, and crisis computing. ACM Distinguished Member (2024) Publications : Published in top venues like ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction , CSCW , and CHI , her recent work examines hybrid work asymmetry, neurodiverse accessibility, and art-driven collaborative research.
Anupriya Tuli is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology , affiliated with the Division of Media Technology and Interaction Design . She collaborates with Madeline Balaam and Airi Lampinen to examine ethics in data collection for intimate topics and designs interactions fostering trust and collective care in reproductive/menstrual journeys. Research Focus : Intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), global health, taboo, marginality, and activism Expertise : Qualitative research, feminist design, health equity Education : PhD in Human-Centered Design from IIIT-Delhi, India Their work emphasizes technology as a tool for equity and empowerment , particularly for marginalized communities. Recent publications explore themes like intimate technologies, post-growth HCI, and menstrual mobilities. Awards include fellowships from the Indian Government, Google, and the MARFATIA AWARD (2018). Scientific Awards Fellowship from the Indian Government (for doctoral research) Google Fellowship (for doctoral research) MARFATIA AWARD (2018)
Vikram Iyer is an Assistant Professor at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering and holds an Adjunct Appointment in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. He co-directs the CS for Environment Initiative , focusing on interdisciplinary solutions that bridge computing, biology, and physical systems for environmental sustainability. Education : Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering (University of Washington), B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (UC Berkeley) Research Interests revolve around bio-inspired wireless systems , environmentally sustainable electronics , and miniaturized autonomous robotics . His work includes: Biodegradable circuit boards Battery-free wireless sensors Insect-scale vision systems Wind-dispersed environmental monitors AI tools for sustainable design Article Trends highlight contributions to green hardware , energy-autonomous robotics , and environmental sensing networks , often integrating machine learning with physical world interaction . Awards include: NSF CAREER Award SIGMOBILE Dissertation Award Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Best Paper Awards (SIGCOMM 2016, Sensys 2018) Google/Amazon Research Awards Students advised include Kyle Johnson (NSF Fellow), Vicente Arroyos (GEM Fellow), and Qiuyue Xue (co-advised with Shwetak Patel). His lab collaborates with the Networks & Mobile Systems Lab and Urban Innovation Initiative .
Lianne Lefsrud serves as Associate Professor and Risk, Innovation, and Sustainability Chair (RISC) in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research bridges engineering, social sciences, and policy to transform risk management practices across energy, mining, construction, and railroading industries, directly influencing regulations, building codes, and industry operations for sustainable development. Her academic credentials include: BSc in Civil Engineering (Cooperative Program), University of Alberta (1994) MSc in Interdisciplinary Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sociology, University of Alberta (1996) PhD in Strategic Management and Organization, Alberta School of Business (2014) Dr. Lefsrud's research centers on risk management frameworks for sustainability challenges. She examines hazard identification, social license to operate, and technology adoption drivers in high-hazard industries, with emphasis on prospective risk assessment (e.g., hydrogen infrastructure design) and retrospective analysis (e.g., microplastic pollution impacts). Her work integrates circular economy principles into energy systems while addressing unintended consequences across UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate heavy focus on machine learning applications for rail and construction safety, hydrogen infrastructure risk analysis, and science denial mitigation. Key patterns show cross-industry adaptation of AI for incident prediction, regulatory gap analysis for emerging energy systems, and socio-technical approaches to reconcile sustainability goals with operational realities. Scientific recognition includes: Erb Post-Doctoral Fellowship (University of Michigan) Dow Sustainability Research Fellowship (Ross School of Business) Dr. Lefsrud mentors graduate students through industry-integrated projects like her Sustainable Design course where teams generated patents and city solutions. Her research secures Alberta Innovates funding with 1:4 industrial-to-federal matching, collaborating with Suncor, Transport Canada, and Canadian Standards Association. Grants target practical implementations including railcar inspection systems and hydrogen safety protocols. She co-founded Insight Risk Systems and leads the Lefsrud Lab, prioritizing inclusive teams with under-represented groups (women, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, neurodiverse) to tackle 'wicked problems' in sustainability. The lab leverages interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, computer science, psychology, and environmental sociology for real-world risk management solutions.
Professor Kenneth M. Anderson is Chair of the Department of Computer Science and holds the Palmer Endowed Chair at the University of Colorado Boulder's College of Engineering & Applied Science. He co-directs Project EPIC, a $4M NSF-funded initiative on social media use during mass emergencies, and serves as Co-Director of the Center for Software and Society. Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Irvine (1997) Joined CU Boulder in 1998; tenured in 2005 Former Associate Dean for Education (2016-2019) Former Associate Chair (2010-2013) His research bridges software engineering, crisis informatics, and human-computer interaction. Current projects focus on large-scale social media analytics, crisis response systems, and software architecture for data-intensive environments. Recent publications explore multilingual social media analysis (ML-EPIC), bug fix patterns in software development (FIXR), and collaborative big data platforms. Themes include disaster risk communication, data modeling challenges, and asynchronous analysis tools. ATLAS Fellow (2010) As department chair, he spearheaded initiatives for inclusivity, including creating a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and establishing the NSF Broadening Participation in Computing plan. He oversees major academic reforms and departmental operations.
Kevin Ponto is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, holding dual affiliations with the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Living Environments Lab. His work bridges engineering, design, and digital humanities, focusing on virtual and augmented reality technologies for education, healthcare, and cultural heritage preservation. Ponto earned his B.S. in Computer Engineering from UW-Madison, followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. in interdisciplinary fields from UC Irvine and UC San Diego, respectively. His research interests include immersive visualization systems, AR/VR interfaces for accessibility, and embodied learning experiences. Notable projects include the Augmented Reality Home Assessment Tool (ARHAT) for home safety evaluations and Waddle , a VR empathy project simulating the life of an Adélie penguin. Ponto has collaborated on interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Center of Interdisciplinary Science for Art, Architecture and Archaeology (UCSD) and the Computation and Informatics in Biology and Medicine program. He explores spatiotemporal gait analysis in virtual environments, low-cost immersive display systems, and the usability of AR tools in healthcare and emergency response. His work emphasizes translating cutting-edge VR/AR technologies into practical applications for education, rehabilitation, and cultural preservation. Ponto actively publishes in journals and conferences covering human factors, computer graphics, and digital humanities, contributing to both theoretical and applied research in immersive technologies.
Dr. Peter Lloyd is a Professor of Integrated Design Methodology at Delft University of Technology's Industrial Design Engineering department. He specializes in design process, design ethics, and AI collaboration in design. His recent work explores human-AI interaction in creative processes. He chairs the Design Research Society and is Editor-in-Chief of Design Studies . Lloyd teaches courses like 'Design Processes and...' and 'Exploring Design...'. He leads the Designing Intelligence Lab, focusing on human-AI collaboration in complex design challenges. His research spans design methodology, ethical AI, and interdisciplinary innovation. Key contributions include advancing design thinking frameworks, co-chairing the Design Thinking Research Symposium since 1994, and publishing influential articles on AI-driven design practices. He collaborates with industry on projects like BMW car interiors and aircraft seat design.
Dr. Danesh Tarapore is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton specializing in robotics and AI. He focuses on human-robot interaction, swarm intelligence, and autonomous systems. His current research involves developing resilient robotic teams and optimizing learning algorithms for constrained environments. He supervises 6 PhD students in the iPhD MINDS and Computer Science programs. Dr. Tarapore's work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in autonomous navigation, multimodal dataset creation, and quality-diversity optimization. His publications span conferences like HRI and journals in robotics and AI. He collaborates with institutions like the University Hospital Southampton and the Boldrewood Innovation Campus. Research Interests: Human-robot collaboration, swarm systems, machine learning, and adaptive control Key Contributions: HRI-SENSE dataset, evolutionary subset selection algorithms, forest navigation frameworks Grants and Funding: Active projects in multi-agent systems and resilient robotics Dr. Tarapore maintains active roles in the robotics community through conference participation and interdisciplinary collaborations.
