Benoit Forget is the Korea Electric Power Professor of Nuclear Engineering and the Department Head of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT. He joined MIT in 2008 and leads the MIT Computational Reactor Physics Group (CRPG), which focuses on advancing computational methods for reactor simulation. His research spans Monte Carlo and deterministic transport methods, multiphysics coupling, and uncertainty quantification. He co-developed OpenMC and OpenMOC, open-source tools for reactor analysis. Forget holds a PhD from Georgia Tech and has received awards including the 2013 Landis Young Member Engineering Achievement Award. He teaches courses such as 22.05 Neutron Science and Reactor Physics, and actively contributes to MIT’s computational science initiatives. Educations: PhD in Nuclear Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2006), MS and BS in Energy Engineering (École Polytechnique de Montréal, 2003). Research Interests: Computational reactor physics, radiative transport, high-performance computing, Monte Carlo and deterministic methods, multiphysics coupling, nuclear data uncertainty. Labs/Teams: MIT Computational Reactor Physics Group (CRPG), Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL).
Navid Azizan is the Alfred H. (1929) and Jean M. Hayes Career Development Assistant Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), holding dual appointments in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (in Control, Instrumentation & Robotics) and the Schwarzman College of Computing's Institute for Data, Systems & Society (IDSS). He is also a Principal Investigator in the Laboratory for Information & Decision Systems (LIDS), and a faculty member of the MIT Statistics and Data Science Center, the Center for Computational Science and Engineering, and the Operations Research Center. Dr. Azizan received his PhD in Computing and Mathematical Sciences from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2020, his MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 2015, and his BSc in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Physics from Sharif University of Technology in 2013. Prior to joining MIT, he completed a postdoc at Stanford University's Autonomous Systems Laboratory and was a research scientist intern at Google DeepMind. His research spans the intersection of machine learning, systems and control, mathematical optimization, and network science. Dr. Azizan's work focuses on developing principled learning and optimization algorithms for reliable intelligent systems, with applications to autonomy and sociotechnical systems. His research has significant implications for creating trustworthy AI systems that can operate effectively in complex, uncertain environments. Dr. Azizan's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on uncertainty quantification, reliable AI systems, constrained optimization, and control-oriented learning. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly in autonomous systems where safety and reliability are paramount. His research group has made notable contributions to areas including neural network verification, multi-agent reinforcement learning, and adaptive inference techniques for large language models, with several papers featured on MIT News and selected for oral presentations at top conferences. Alfred H. (1929) and Jean M. Hayes Career Development Professorship (2025-present) Frank E. Perkins Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising (2025) List of Outstanding Academic Leaders in Data from the CDO Magazine (2024, 2023) Amazon Science Hub Research Award (2023) Outstanding UROP Faculty Mentor (2023) Esther and Harold E. Edgerton (1927) Career Development Chair (2022-2025) Information Theory and Applications (ITA) Gold Graduation Award (2020) Dr. Azizan has been recognized for his excellence in graduate advising, receiving the Frank E. Perkins Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising in 2025. During the pandemic, he founded and co-organized the 'Control meets Learning' virtual seminar series, connecting researchers across disciplines. His work has attracted significant research funding from industry partners including Google, Amazon, and MathWorks, supporting both fundamental research and practical applications in reliable intelligent systems. The Azizan Lab at MIT brings together researchers from mechanical engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics to tackle challenges at the intersection of learning and control. The lab emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical implementations, with a particular focus on developing algorithms that provide guarantees of performance and safety. Current research directions include uncertainty quantification in AI systems, constrained optimization for neural networks, and control-oriented learning for autonomous systems, with applications spanning robotics, transportation, and complex sociotechnical systems.
Yang Zhou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University, part of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. His research focuses on big data algorithms, machine learning, data mining, and distributed computing. He has contributed to advancements in federated learning frameworks, graph mining tools, and spatial machine learning for environmental applications like flood mapping. Education includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech (2021), M.E. in Computer Application Technology from Chongqing University (2016), and B.E. in Engineering from Jiangnan University (2014). His work emphasizes scalable algorithms for large-scale systems, with tools like DirDense for dense subgraph mining and FedASMU for federated learning optimization. Recent publications explore adversarial robustness, blockchain strategies in IoT, and curriculum-based learning for large language models. He advises on interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of AI and environmental science.
Pamela J. Hinds is the Rodney H. Adams Professor and Fortinet Founders Chair in Stanford University's School of Engineering, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Management Science and Engineering. She co-directs the Center on Work, Technology, and Organization and serves on the Director's Council for the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. Her research focuses on technology's impact on teams, collaboration, and innovation in global and cross-cultural contexts. She earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Science and Management from Carnegie Mellon University (1997). Research Interests: Dr. Hinds explores cross-boundary work teams, particularly those spanning national borders, examining cultural dynamics, language barriers, and site visits' role in knowledge sharing. She investigates human-robot interaction in workplaces and emerging technologies' effects on work practices, including AI, 3D printing, and open innovation systems. Her work bridges organizational behavior, human-computer interaction, and global work dynamics. Awards & Recognition: Lasting Impact Award (2018) Senior Editor of Organization Science Co-editor of Distributed Work (MIT Press) Advising & Leadership: As department chair, Hinds shapes educational and research agendas. Her grants include NSF-funded studies on digital technologies in agriculture and crowd-based innovation. She advises initiatives at the intersection of technology, work design, and global collaboration. Labs & Teams: Co-leads the Center on Work, Technology, and Organization, fostering interdisciplinary research on modern work environments. Engages in Stanford's Design School (d.school) to integrate human-centered design principles into workplace innovation.
Prof. Eleni Chatzi is a Full Professor and Chair of Structural Mechanics at ETH Zurich's Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. She holds a PhD from Columbia University (2010) and has held roles from Assistant to Full Professor at ETH since 2010. Her research focuses on intelligent structural monitoring and data-driven asset management, emphasizing nonlinear dynamics and sensor integration. Affiliations : Institute of Structural Engineering, European Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE President), Swiss Community for Computational Methods (SWICCOMAS Chair) Research interests include Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), system identification, and advanced simulation tools. She pioneered work on data-driven diagnostics and self-aware infrastructure, supported by grants like the ERC Starting Grant (2015). Awards include the 2020 Walter L. Huber Prize and 2024 SHM Person of the Year Award. Her work spans wind energy infrastructure, metamaterials for vibration control, and AI-driven structural analytics. Over 600 publications and 200k+ citations highlight her impact. She teaches computational science and structural dynamics in ETH's programs and collaborates globally on sustainable infrastructure projects.
Vicente Talanquer is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Arizona, College of Science. His academic journey includes a B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago's James Frank Institute. He has held various academic roles, including Professor and Associate Professor at UNAM before joining the University of Arizona in 2000. His research focuses on chemistry education, particularly student reasoning, assessment, and the development of chemical thinking. Key areas include understanding how students conceptualize chemical reactions, design learning progressions, and improve formative assessment strategies. He has led initiatives such as the Instructional-Teams Model to enhance teaching practices in STEM courses. Dr. Talanquer has received numerous awards, including the ACS Award for Achievement in Research (2021) and Arizona Professor of the Year (2015). He actively contributes to national and international educational committees, editorial boards, and professional societies such as the American Chemical Society and NARST. His work emphasizes curriculum innovation, teacher preparation, and fostering equity in science education. His research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the UA Provost Investment Fund, focusing on active learning, large-enrollment course redesign, and systems thinking approaches. Talanquer's publications span over 200 peer-reviewed articles, textbooks, and educational resources in chemistry education, reflecting his commitment to advancing both research and practice in the field.
Zachary Ives is the Adani President's Distinguished Professor and Department Chair of the Computer and Information Science Department at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds affiliations with the ASSET Center for Safe, Explainable and Trustworthy AI, the Warren Center for Network and Data Science, the Center for Neuroengineering and Therapeutics, and serves as a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Annenberg Center for Public Policy. His research focuses on data integration and sharing, data provenance and trustworthiness, and machine learning systems. He develops data science platforms at the intersection of databases, machine learning, and distributed systems, with applications in Web question answering and scientific domains like genetics and neuroscience. His work addresses fundamental challenges in integrating heterogeneous data, ensuring trustworthy results, and facilitating collaborative data science. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on data lakes, learned database systems, fine-grained provenance, and question answering systems. These works span top conferences including SIGMOD (where his paper was selected as Best Paper in 2024), VLDB, ACL, and PODS, showing the breadth of his contributions across database systems, natural language processing, and data management. NSF CAREER award recipient Fellow of the ACM Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching IEEE Technical Committee on Data Engineering Education Award SIGMOD Best Paper Award ICDE 2013 ten-year Most Influential Paper award As Department Chair, Ives has overseen significant departmental growth, hiring 25 new faculty since 2018. He advises numerous PhD students and postdocs, and maintains extensive collaborations across Penn and with external institutions. His research has been funded by NSF, NIH, DARPA, Google, Amazon, and other organizations. He has developed courses including NETS 212 'Scalable and Cloud Computing' and teaches Big Data Analytics. His research group, the Penn Database Group, works on projects including data lake management, data provenance, and collaborative data science platforms. His work with neuroscientists on seizure prediction has received significant attention, including a competition with 504 teams achieving 82% accuracy.
Fei-Fei Li is the Sequoia Capital Professor in Computer Science at Stanford University and Founding Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI). She holds courtesy appointments in the Graduate School of Business and is a Senior Fellow at HAI. Her work bridges AI research with interdisciplinary applications in healthcare, robotics, and policy. Dr. Li pioneered the ImageNet dataset, instrumental in the AI revolution, and co-founded World Labs to advance spatial intelligence and generative AI. Education: B.A. in Physics, Princeton University (1999) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Caltech (2005) Doctorate (Honorary), Harvey Mudd College (2022) Research Interests: AI ethics, computer vision, robotic learning, healthcare applications, and human-AI collaboration. Her teams developed frameworks like MOMA for activity recognition and BEHAVIOR for embodied AI benchmarks. She advocates for diversity in tech and co-founded AI4All to mentor underrepresented students. Key Contributions: ImageNet and ImageNet Challenge Stanford Vision and Learning Lab (SVL) Policy advisory roles for U.S. Senate, UN Secretary-General, and California Governor Labs & Initiatives: Leads the People, AI & Robots Group (PAIR), Partnership in AI-Assisted Care (PAC), and the Human-Centered AI Institute. Her work emphasizes ethical AI deployment and societal impact. Awards: VinFuture Prize (2024), IEEE Fellow, National Academy memberships (Engineering, Medicine, Arts & Sciences), and recognition as one of Time’s AI100 Influencers.
Prof. Hayden Kwok Hay SO is an Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), affiliated with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He currently serves as Acting Director of the School of Innovation and previously co-directed the Computer Engineering Program. His research focuses on reconfigurable computing systems, FPGA-based architectures, and their applications in AIoT, medical imaging, and high-performance computing. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley (1998–2007). Prof. So has been recognized with awards such as the IEEE-HKN Teaching Award (2021), Croucher Innovation Award (2013), and multiple teaching excellence awards. He leads the Computer Architecture & System Research Lab (CASR) and co-founded the Joint Lab on Future Cities (JLFC). His work spans FPGA overlay architectures, graph processing systems, and hardware-software co-design for efficient computing. Key research contributions include advancements in FPGA-based reconfigurable systems, sparse dataflow architectures, and medical imaging accelerators. He has secured grants for projects like 'Advanced machine vision guided aquatic surface vehicles' and 'Efficient and Productive Parallel Data Processing in Hybrid FPGA-CPU Clusters.' Prof. So has advised numerous students and researchers, contributing to over 150 peer-reviewed publications. His current projects explore AI hardware acceleration, neuromorphic computing, and FPGA-driven solutions for big data challenges.
Dr. Ly Fie Sugianto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting at Monash Business School, Monash University. Her research focuses on the integration of data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in accounting and business systems, with applications in the energy sector and organizational behavior. Monash Business School, Monash University Department of Accounting Specialization: Accounting Information Systems, Data Analytics, AI Her research interests span Accounting Information Systems , Agent-Based Simulation , Decision Support Systems , and Technology Adoption . She applies computational methods to study competitive dynamics in deregulated electricity markets and the impact of digital tools on employee well-being and organizational resilience. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in using AI and simulation to analyze complex socio-technical systems, particularly in energy markets and leadership dynamics. Keywords across her work include agent-based modeling , data analytics , servant leadership , and enterprise social media , indicating interdisciplinary research at the intersection of information systems, management, and public policy. Her scientific awards include competitive grants from the ARC (SPIRT/Linkage) , the Australia Indonesia Governance Research Partnership (AIGRP) , and the Sumitomo Foundation . ARC Grant: Dispatch Optimisation in the Australian National Electricity Market Sumitomo Foundation: Technology Use and Employee Well-Being AIGRP: Governance and MSME Resilience during Pandemic Dr. Sugianto has advised research projects and collaborated with industry partners such as Western Power , Ecogen Energy , and AEMO . She is currently accepting PhD students and leads externally funded research initiatives. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to industry innovation and responsible consumption. She is affiliated with research teams focusing on intelligent decision support systems and digital transformation in business , with active collaborations in Australia and Indonesia.
Shaker A. Zahra is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota , where he holds the Robert E. Buuck Chair of Entrepreneurship. He has served as Department Chair, Director of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, and Academic Co-Director of Carlson Ventures Enterprises, and was Founding Co-Director of the Center for Integrative Leadership. Previously, he held the Paul T. Babson Distinguished Professorship at Babson College and faculty roles at Georgia State University and the University of Twente (Netherlands). Education : PhD in Business Administration (University of Mississippi), MBA (National University), B. Commerce (Al-Azhar University) His research focuses on corporate and international entrepreneurship , dynamic capabilities , and social entrepreneurship , particularly in technology-based industries. He explores industry emergence, strategic novelty, and firm heterogeneity, applying theories across global markets. His recent articles emphasize corporate entrepreneurship, international new ventures, and the role of dynamic capabilities in innovation. His work spans industries like robotics, software, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology, with studies in China, Brazil, India, and Europe. Scientific Awards : 2014 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, 5 Honorary PhDs, Fellowships from AOM, IFERA, and others, and over 20 Best Paper Awards. He has advised 75+ PhD students, taught across undergraduate to executive programs, and consulted for global technology firms. His leadership includes roles on 25+ journal editorial boards, organizing conferences, and delivering 40+ keynote speeches worldwide.
Geng Yuan is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia's School of Computing, specializing in AI systems, energy-efficient deep learning, and hardware-software co-design. His work bridges machine learning algorithms with emerging hardware technologies like superconducting circuits and ReRAM. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University (2023) and a Master's in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Syracuse University (2016). Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Engineering, Northeastern University (2023) Master of Science (M.S.) in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Syracuse University (2016) Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Electrical Engineering, Beijing University of Technology (2014) His research focuses on optimizing deep learning systems for edge computing and mobile platforms through techniques like model compression, sparse training, and hardware-aware neural architecture search. Recent projects include adapting large language models via hybrid-grained pruning and developing ultra-low-power AQFP circuits for binary networks. Geng Yuan's publications span top venues like NeurIPS, CVPR, ICML, ICLR, ISCA, and DAC, with notable awards including a Best Paper Award at ICLR Workshop 2021, Spotlight Papers at ICLR 2023 and NeurIPS 2021, and a Design Contest 1st Place at ISLPED 2020. Best Paper Award (ICLR Workshop'21) Spotlight Paper Award (ICLR'23, NeurIPS'21) Design Contest 1st Place (ISLPED'20) Best Paper Nomination (DATE'21, ISQED'18) He actively recruits Ph.D., Master's students, and interns to his research group, focusing on advancing AI systems through interdisciplinary approaches combining machine learning, computer architecture, and electronic design automation.
Stefanie Mueller is the TIBCO Career Development Associate Professor at MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, with joint affiliation in Mechanical Engineering. She leads the HCI Engineering Group at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), focusing on advancing fabrication techniques through hardware/software innovations that enable novel object interactions. Develops computational fabrication methods combining photochromic dyes, lenticular lenses, birefringent materials, and optical illusions Co-chaired ACM CHI 2023 and ACM UIST 2020 program committees Recipients of 9 MIT EECS Best Undergraduate Researcher Awards among mentees Her research spans four key directions: Appearance-changing Objects: Photo-Chromeleon (ACM UIST 2019), Lenticular Objects (ACM UIST 2021), and Polagons (ACM CHI 2023) demonstrate reprogrammable surfaces through advanced materials and optical engineering. Tracking Systems: InfraredTags (ACM CHI 2022) and G-ID (ACM CHI 2020) enable passive object tracking via infrared markers and slicing artifacts. Embedded Sensing: MechSense (ACM CHI 2023) and Sprayable User Interfaces (ACM CHI 2020) integrate sensing capabilities into complex geometries. Curved Surface Prototyping: FlexBoard (ACM CHI 2023) and CurveBoard (ACM CHI 2020) develop specialized tools for non-planar electronics. Her recent publications focus on functionality segmentation (UIST 2023), fluorescent markers (UIST 2023), and machine-knitted haptics (UIST 2023). These works combine machine learning, material science, and interactive design principles to push fabrication boundaries. Scientific recognition includes: 2022 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 2020 Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship 2020 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship 2019 ACM UIST Best Paper Award 2019 NSF CAREER Award 2018 MIT EECS Outstanding Educator Award 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science Mentoring 9 PhD students and over 20 master's students, her lab has produced 20+ publications at top HCI conferences. She redesigned MIT's 6.810 Engineering Interactive Technologies course during the pandemic, maintaining hands-on learning through home electronics kits and Slack-based collaboration.
Xiaoxiang Zhu is a Professor for Data Science in Earth Observation at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and serves as the Director of the International AI Future Lab - AI4EO. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Munich Data Science Institute (MDSI) and has held various leadership positions in research institutions including as Spokesperson for Helmholtz AI Research Field "Aeronautics, Space and Transport" (MASTr). Her educational background includes a doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) and habilitation from TUM. She has held positions as Private Dozent at TUM (2013-2015), TUM Junior Fellow (2013-2015), and Research Group Leader for "SparsEO" at Munich Aerospace (2011-2016). Professor Zhu's research focuses on the intersection of remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and data science. Her work primarily addresses global urban mapping, sustainable development goals, and climate change monitoring through Earth observation technologies. She develops advanced signal processing techniques and machine learning algorithms specifically tailored for satellite imagery and geospatial data analysis. Her research has significant applications in urban planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. Her team has pioneered approaches that combine synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with deep learning for improved Earth observation capabilities. Professor Zhu has received numerous prestigious awards including being named an IEEE Fellow (2021), receiving the Geodesy Award of the Nico Rüpke Foundation (2020), and being awarded an ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2020, 2022). She is also a Fellow of the Academia Europaea (2024) and AAIA Fellow (2024). Her publication record includes highly cited works such as "Deep Learning in Remote Sensing: A Comprehensive Review and List of Resources" (2017). She leads a substantial research team comprising numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on various projects including Horizon Europe - ThinkingEarth, EarthCare, and AI4TWINNING. Her research group, the Chair of Data Science in Earth Observation, is actively involved in multiple large-scale European and German research initiatives focused on Earth observation and AI applications.
Joyce Y. Chai is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. She is an Associate Director of the Michigan Institute for Data & AI in Society (MIDAS) and affiliated with the Michigan Robotics Institute. Her research focuses on enabling situated communication with embodied AI agents through grounded language processing. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science from Duke University Her research interests lie at the intersection of natural language processing, embodied AI, and human-robot communication. She investigates how sensorimotor experiences and social interactions shape language learning, aiming to develop pragmatically-rich, cognitively-motivated language technologies for real-world applications. Scientific Awards: EECS Outstanding Achievement Award (2024) University of Michigan Outstanding Paper Award ACL (2023) Honorable Mention Amazon Alexa Prize Simbot Challenge (2023) - SEAGULL Team Winner ACL Fellow (2022) Outstanding Paper Award, EMNLP (2021) William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award, Michigan State University (2018) Withrow Distinguished Senior Scholar Award, College of Engineering, MSU (2017) Best Long Paper Award, ACL (2010) NSF Career Award (2004) Joyce Y. Chai has been an influential figure in AI and NLP research, securing significant grants such as the NSF Career Award. She leads the Situated Language and Embodied Dialogue (SLED) research group and has served on the executive board of NAACL. Her teaching includes graduate courses on Natural Language Processing (EECS 595) and Advanced Artificial Intelligence (EECS 692).
