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Patrick KastnerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Environmental Performance Simulation
• Urban Decarbonization
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Patrick Kastner is an Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture and holds an adjunct appointment at the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech. He directs the Sustainable Urban Systems Lab, focusing on environmental performance simulation and urban decarbonization. His work emphasizes software tools for sustainable urban decision-making, such as Eddy3D, a microclimate modeling toolkit widely adopted in academia and practice. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Systems Science and Engineering, Cornell University (2022, 2021) M.S. in Sustainable Building Science, Technical University of Munich (2017) B.S. in Energy Engineering, University of Erlangen–Nuremberg (2012) Research Interests: Environmental performance simulation, urban decarbonization, machine learning applications in urban systems, spatial analysis, and software development for sustainability. His work integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), surrogate modeling, and data-driven approaches to address urban climate challenges. Key Projects: Leads the Vertically Integrated Project SMUR (Surrogate Modeling for Urban Regeneration), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across Georgia Tech. Developed Eddy3D, which streamlines microclimate simulations for architects and urban planners. Grants & Advising: Engages students from sophomore to graduate levels in sustainability research. Teaches at Cornell and UPenn previously. Advises on projects blending engineering, urban design, and climate science. Labs & Teams: Director of the Sustainable Urban Systems Lab, focusing on software tools for sustainable urban transformation. Collaborates with industry partners and global institutions on decarbonization strategies.

• Robust Statistics
• Dimension Reduction
• Meta-Analysis
• +3 more

Professor Luke Prendergast is the Deputy Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (SCEMS) at La Trobe University (LTU) and holds a Professorship in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He previously served as Head of Department (2014–2020) and led LTU's Statistics Consulting Platform. His research focuses on robust statistics, meta-analysis, dimension reduction, and applied statistics, leading the DRAMA research group. Collaborations span fields like endocrinology, disability studies, and respiratory health. He actively contributes to research grants, including projects on Prader-Willi syndrome and exercise for disability populations. Professor Prendergast's recent work emphasizes statistical software development (e.g., the rquest package) and applications in biostatistics, such as metabolomics analysis and health intervention fidelity. His articles address topics like quantile-based hypothesis testing, geospatial accessibility for disability care, and motivational interviewing efficacy. Professional roles include NHMRC grant review panels, editorial boards for Nutrients and Respirology , and leadership in the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA Vic). His teaching includes courses in meta-analysis, linear models, and data-based critical thinking. Grants funded projects on exercise programs for cerebral palsy populations and community-university partnerships for disability inclusion. Luke's work bridges statistical theory with real-world health challenges, emphasizing robust methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Michael SchaubView profile

Assistant Professor

• Network Science
• Dynamical Systems
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Michael Schaub is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at RWTH Aachen University, specializing in Computational Network Science. His research focuses on analyzing complex systems through network and graph models, integrating dynamical systems, control theory, and machine learning. He leads the Computational Network Science group, advancing methodologies for higher-order network models like simplicial complexes and hypergraphs. Schaub holds a PhD from Imperial College London and has held postdoctoral positions at MIT and Oxford. He is an ERC Starting Grant recipient (2022) and a Marie Curie Fellow, recognized for contributions to network dynamics and topological data analysis. Education: PhD in Mathematics, Imperial College London (2011-2015) MSc in Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London (2010) BSc in Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich (2007-2010) Research Interests: Schaub’s work spans interdisciplinary applications of network science, including biological systems, social networks, and technical infrastructures. Key areas include: Higher-order network models (hypergraphs, simplicial complexes) Graph signal processing and dynamics on networks Community detection and dynamical systems analysis Topological data analysis and machine learning Grants & Awards: ERC Starting Grant (2022): HIGH-HOPeS project Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2017-2019) Junior Fellow, German Informatics Society (GI) Member of Junges Kolleg (North Rhine-Westphalia Academy) Labs & Teams: Leads the Computational Network Science Lab at RWTH Aachen, collaborating internationally on projects like the ELLIS Society and the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS). Active in organizing workshops (e.g., Toponets, SIAM MDS).

Werner LangView profile

Professor

• Sustainable Building
• Energy-Efficient Design
• Building with Positive Footprint
• +7 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Werner Lang serves as Vice President for Sustainable Transformation and holds the Chair of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building (ENPB) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the TUM School of Engineering and Design. Previously, he was Professor of Sustainable Building and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Texas School of Architecture in Austin (2008-2010). Lang also directs the Oskar von Miller Forum and is a partner at Lang Hugger Rampp GmbH Architekten in Munich. Lang's research focuses on developing strategies for buildings with positive environmental footprints through regenerative energy systems, renewable materials, and closed material cycles. His work emphasizes comprehensive life cycle analysis considering ecological, economic, and social aspects. Current research areas include climate-resilient urban neighborhoods, circular economy in construction, and sustainable building materials. The ENPB institute conducts numerous research projects such as Building Climate-Municipal, CircularFTmehrRAUM, and Urban Green Infrastructure. Lang's publications reveal a strong trend toward life cycle assessment, multi-criteria decision-making, and computational approaches for sustainable building design. His recent work integrates machine learning with building performance analysis and focuses on practical implementation of circular economy principles in urban contexts, with increasing emphasis on quantifying environmental benefits of urban green infrastructure. TUM Sustainability Award 2022 Doce et Delecta (Second Prize for Best Teaching), 2019 Bayerischer Energiepreis 2014 International Building Skin Tech Award (2008) Promotionspreis der TUM (2000) Lang leads the Institute of Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building with numerous research grants including projects like Building.Lab+, NAWAREUM, and ECO+. His team includes researchers working on topics ranging from urban mining to life cycle assessment tools. The institute maintains several products and startups including MoMeBo, Bilanzlabor, and EnergyML that translate research into practical applications for the building industry.

Shashi ShekharView profile

Professor

• Spatial Computing
• Spatial Data Science
• Spatial Data Mining
• +3 more

Shashi Shekhar is a Professor at the University of Minnesota, holding the distinguished titles of McKnight Distinguished University Professor and Distinguished University Teaching Professor. He serves as the ADC/CSE Chair and Director of the AI-LEAF Institute within the Department of Computer Science at the College of Science and Engineering. His research interests span multiple areas of spatial computing including spatial data science, spatial data mining, spatial databases, Geo-AI, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). His work has focused on developing scalable algorithms for eco-routing, evacuation route planning, and spatial pattern mining. He has made significant contributions to the field through his Spatial Databases textbook, the Encyclopedia of GIS which has seen over 192,918 downloads in 2017, and a spatial computing book for professionals. His research group has produced numerous PhD graduates dating back to 1993 through 2023. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying spatial computing to critical societal challenges including climate change mitigation through the AI-LEAF Institute, pandemic response through mobility data analysis, and sustainable transportation through eco-routing algorithms. His work bridges theoretical advances in spatial data science with practical applications in urban planning, emergency management, and environmental sustainability. Distinguished McKnight University Professor Distinguished University Teaching Professor UCGIS Education Award (2015) Graduate Education Award (2015) President of University Consortium for GIS (2017-2018) Computing Research Association Board Member (2016-2019) Professor Shekhar has advised over 30 PhD students since 1993, with his most recent graduate in 2023. He has secured significant research funding including a $20 million AI Institute grant focused on climate-smart agriculture and forestry. His Spatial Computing Research Group maintains active collaborations with government agencies and industry partners. The group has developed practical applications featured in media outlets including FoxTV coverage of evacuation route planning algorithms. Current research directions include applying AI techniques to address climate challenges through the AI-LEAF Institute and advancing spatial data science for polar regions through NSF-funded initiatives.

Samuel ChengView profile

Associate Professor

• Information Theory
• Signal and Image Processing
• Remote Sensing
• +4 more

Dr. Samuel Cheng is an Associate Professor at the Gallogly College of Engineering , University of Oklahoma , specializing in Electrical and Computer Engineering . He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University (2004), preceded by M.S. and M.Phil. degrees from the University of Hawaii and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Education: B.S. (University of Hong Kong, 1995), M.Phil. (HKUST, 1997), M.S. (University of Hawaii, 2000), Ph.D. (Texas A&M, 2004) Professional Experience: Senior Research Engineer at Advanced Digital Imaging Research (2004-2005), prior internships at Microsoft Asia and Panasonic Technologies His research focuses on Information Theory , Signal and Image Processing , and Pattern Recognition , with applications in remote sensing, urbanization analysis, and disaster monitoring. His publications span topics including urban impervious surface mapping , nighttime light analysis , and machine learning for environmental data . His work often integrates multi-source datasets (e.g., Landsat, LiDAR, social media) for spatiotemporal modeling. Technical Expertise: Spectral unmixing, machine learning, thermal remote sensing, GIS integration Key Applications: Power outage detection, vegetation-crime correlation, PM2.5 estimation, smart meter data fusion Dr. Cheng holds three US patents in digital watermarking and is affiliated with IEEE, Sigma Xi, and AAAS. His recent articles demonstrate a trend toward leveraging AI for remote sensing challenges and analyzing urbanization impacts on ecosystems.

Brian CalderView profile

Research Professor

• Seafloor Characterization
• Seabed Mapping
• Bathymetric Data Processing
• +12 more

Brian Calder is a Research Professor at the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, University of New Hampshire, with a strong affiliation in Ocean Engineering and Earth Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Image Analysis and Electronics Communications Engineering from Heriot-Watt University. His academic work is centered on advanced methods in seafloor characterization and hydrographic data processing. Ph.D., Image Analysis, Heriot-Watt University M.S., Electronics Communications Eng, Heriot-Watt University His research focuses on the development and application of computational techniques for seabed mapping, bathymetric uncertainty modeling, and autonomous ocean sensing. He integrates machine learning, signal processing, and remote sensing to improve the accuracy and reliability of marine geospatial data. His work supports navigation safety, coastal zone management, and deep-ocean exploration. Recent publications highlight trends in automated nautical chart generalization, trusted community bathymetry systems, and wireless ocean-of-things networks for volunteer data collection. His article portfolio reveals a strong emphasis on data quality, uncertainty quantification, and algorithmic innovation in hydrography and marine geodesy. Brian Calder has received multiple research grants, primarily from NOAA and the U.S. Navy, supporting projects such as IT support for NOAA personnel at UNH, development of bathymetric uncertainty models, and autonomous mapping using Saildrone technology. These grants reflect sustained funding and recognition in the field of hydrographic science. He teaches graduate courses including Seafloor Characterization , Seabed Mapping , and Doctoral Research , indicating active mentorship and academic leadership. His work is conducted within the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, a leading institution in hydrographic research, where he collaborates extensively with experts like Yuri Rzhanov, Larry Mayer, and Christos Kastrisios.

• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Sustainability
• Interdisciplinarity
• +5 more

Giuliano Di Baldassarre is a Professor of Hydrology and Environmental Analysis at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University , Sweden. He serves as Head of Division for LUVAL (Air, Water and Landscape Sciences) and directs the Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS) (2016–2025). His work bridges water, environment, and society through interdisciplinary methods , focusing on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. Education : Details not explicitly provided in the text. His research examines feedbacks between human activities and hydrological processes , including floods, droughts, and reservoir management . Key themes include social-ecological systems , inequalities in water crises , and policy implications of hydrological extremes . He has pioneered sociohydrology and human-water system modeling . Recent articles highlight global drought-flood interactions , urban water inequality , climate service maladaptation , and sociohydrological modeling . His work spans Nature Sustainability , Science Advances , and Hydrological Sciences Journal . Scientific Awards : International Hydrology Prize (Volker Medal) Plinius Medal (EGU) Witherspoon Lecture Award (AGU) European Research Council Consolidator Grant He led Panta Rhei - Everything Flows (2013–2022), IAHS’s global initiative on water-society interactions. Current efforts include transdisciplinary praxis and climate risk reduction frameworks .

Somayeh DodgeView profile

Associate Professor

• Spatial Data Science
• GIScience
• Movement Analysis
• +5 more

Somayeh Dodge is an Associate Professor of Spatial Data Science in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She leads the MOVE Lab and serves as Co-Associate Director of the UCSB Center for Spatial Studies and Data Science. Her research focuses on computational movement analysis, spatiotemporal data science, and the application of these tools to study human and ecological systems. She holds editorial roles in major journals including Journal of Spatial Information Science and Geographical Analysis. Education: PhD in GIScience (University of Zurich, 2011), MS in GIS Engineering (K.N.Toosi University of Technology, 2005), and BS in Geomatics Engineering (2003). Postdoctoral work at The Ohio State University and University of Zurich. Prior faculty positions include University of Minnesota (2016–2019) and University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (2013–2016). Research interests include wildfire impact analysis, mobility patterns during disasters, environmental vulnerability modeling, and geovisualization techniques. Her NSF CAREER project explores movement responses to environmental disruptions. Teaching focuses on GIScience, movement analytics, and spatial modeling courses. Awards: 2021 NSF CAREER Award and 2022 AAG Emerging Scholar Award. Active in editorial boards for multiple journals and serves on the Board of Directors for the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS). Advising: Supervises 7 graduate students in mobility analytics and environmental modeling. Labs/Teams: MOVE Lab (https://move.geog.ucsb.edu/) focuses on computational movement ecology and human mobility studies.

• Spatio-temporal data modeling
• Mobile and web-based GIS
• Map personalisation
• +6 more

Michela Bertolotto is a Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin (UCD). Her research focuses on spatio-temporal data modeling, GIScience, and applications of geospatial technologies in fields like urban planning and health informatics. She leads a research group and has supervised 19 PhD and 8 MSc students. Her work includes innovations in LiDAR-based flood risk visualization, semantic web quality assurance, and open-source spatial data analysis. Bertolotto has held roles including College Lecturer at UCD (2000–2006) and postdoctoral research positions at the University of Maine and University of Genoa. Education: BSc and PhD in Computer Science from the University of Genoa (1993, 1998). Professional achievements include over 100 publications, 24 grants (e.g., Science Foundation Ireland-funded Urban ARK project), and editorial roles at journals like the International Journal of Geographical Information Science. Awards include the UCD President's Research Award (2001) and NATO Postdoc Fellowship (1998–1999). Research interests span map personalization, volunteered geographic information (VGI), and geospatial data quality. Her lab develops tools like the LAMSkyCam (low-cost sky imaging system) and dynamic flood risk viewers. She chairs international conferences and serves on program committees for GIScience events.

Nikos MamoulisView profile

Professor

• Spatial Data Management
• Big Data Analytics
• Data Privacy
• +5 more

Prof. Nikos Mamoulis is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Ioannina, and a Lead Researcher at Archimedes Research Unit, ATHENA RC. He holds a PhD from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and a Diploma from the University of Patras. His research focuses on spatial data management, big data analytics, data privacy, and uncertain data systems. Education : Ph.D., Computer Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2000) 5-year Diploma, Computer Engineering and Informatics, University of Patras (1995) Research Interests : Complex data management (spatial, spatio-temporal, time-series, text, graphs), big data analysis, privacy preservation, and uncertain data systems. He develops scalable algorithms and systems for modern data management challenges, with applications in transportation, social networks, and geospatial analytics. Projects & Grants : MESA: In-memory Spatial Analytics Made Scalable (HFRI-funded, PI) MORE: Real-time Energy Data Management (H2020, Senior Researcher) Smart City Bus Platform (ERDF-funded, PI/Coordinator) Awards : Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2008-2009, HKU) Best Paper Award at SSTD 2015 Test of Time Award at MDM 2022 Labs & Collaborations : Leads the Archimedes Research Unit at ATHENA RC, collaborating with institutions like HKUST and Uppsala University on spatial and big data systems. Active in organizing top-tier conferences like SIGMOD, EDBT, and ICDE.

Mohamed F. MokbelView profile

Professor

• Database Systems
• Spatial Data
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
• +3 more

Mohamed F. Mokbel is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities , where he also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies. He is recognized as an IEEE Fellow and ACM Distinguished Member for his contributions to spatially- and privacy-aware systems. His research focuses on database systems , spatial data management , and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) , with significant work in spatiotemporal data, location-based services, and machine learning for spatial applications. His most recent publications address scalable BERT-based trajectory imputation , spatial logistic regression frameworks , and spatiotemporal big data decay techniques . Key Awards: Distinguished McKnight University Professor (2023) ACM SIGSPATIAL 10-Year Impact Award (2022) IEEE Fellow (2020) ACM Distinguished Member (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2010) Selected Conference Papers: Recathon (2015, IEEE MDM Best Paper) ST-Hadoop (2017, SSTD Best Paper) KAMEL (2023, ACM SIGMOD Demo) Academic Service: Editor-in-Chief, ACM Transactions on Spatial Algorithms and Systems (2024–) General Co-Chair, ACM SIGSPATIAL 2025 Past Chair, ACM SIGSPATIAL (2014–2017)

Luca SebastianiView profile

Professor

• Plant Physiology
• Molecular Plant Stress Responses
• Nutraceuticals in Plants
• +3 more

Luca Sebastiani is a Full Professor in Horticultural Sciences (AGR/03) at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy, since 2014. He currently coordinates the PhD Course in AgroBioSciences and has previously served as Director of the Institute of Life Sciences (2016-2021). His academic career includes roles as Associate Professor (2002-2014) and Assistant Professor (1998-2002) at the same institution. PhD in Plant Biology from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (1996) MSc in Agricultural Sciences from University of Pisa (cum laude, 1991) Postdoctoral research in agricultural biotechnology (1996-1998) Research Interests: Focus on plant-environment interactions, particularly abiotic and biotic stress responses in crops. Key areas include: Physiological and molecular responses to climate change stressors Nutraceutical enhancement of food crops Plant germplasm conservation using molecular markers Agriculture 4.0 integrating AI, IoT, and robotics Phytoremediation using poplar and Brassica species Scientific Contributions: His work bridges molecular mechanisms (aquaporin function, heavy metal transport) with ecosystem-level applications (precision irrigation, contaminant phytoremediation). Recent publications emphasize genome sequencing, stress tolerance modeling, and nutraceutical food development. ISHS Medal for SapFlow Workshop organization (2011) Giovanni Spitali Foundation Award for PhD dissertation (1998) Collaborations: Extensive international collaborations with institutions like Beijing Forestry University, Comenius University, and Purdue University. Currently supervises projects in plant phenotyping, omics technologies, and sustainable crop management.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• User Interface Design
• Soft Robotics
• +10 more

Jan Borchers is a full professor of computer science and head of the Media Computing Group, an endowed Chair in the Computer Science Department at RWTH Aachen University. He serves as deputy member of the Faculty Council for Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences (2024-2026) and previously headed the Computer Science Department's Examination Board from 2015 until February 2025. Borchers established his research group in 2003, pioneering modern HCI academic research and teaching in Germany, and opened Germany's first Fab Lab in 2009. Borchers received his PhD 'summa cum laude' in computer science from Darmstadt University of Technology in 2000. Before joining RWTH Aachen, he held faculty positions at Stanford University and ETH Zurich. His PhD thesis, 'A Pattern Approach to Interaction Design,' became the first book to bring design patterns to HCI. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction with particular interest in new user interfaces for soft robotics, textile user interfaces, 3D printing and personal fabrication, augmented reality, wearable and tangible computing, interfaces for software development, deceptive patterns, and interactive guides and exhibits. He is a member of ACM, SIGCHI, SIGCHI Germany, and GI, and introduced the Interactivity format to the CHI conference in 2005. Recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on deceptive patterns/dark patterns in UI design, textile interfaces, and the impact of generative AI on creative teamwork. His work spans from fundamental research in interaction techniques to practical applications in smart homes, accessibility, and children's interfaces, with a consistent focus on usability and user-centered design. IDC 2025 Best Work in Progress: 'If They Have No Choice, They'll Accept!' CHI'25 Student Games Competition Winner: 'The Deceptive Dungeon' RWTH-Wissenschaftsnacht 2024 Best Science Slam: 'Usability: 4 Prinzipien guter User Interfaces' Multiple CHI/UIST Honorable Mentions and Best Paper awards spanning two decades Author of influential books including 'A Pattern Approach to Interaction Design' and 'Arduino In A Nutshell' Borchers has provided extensive consulting, training, and user interface design services to major clients including AirBus, Apple, ARD, Bayer, Children's Museum Boston, Daimler, Handelsblatt, OTIS, Scout24, TEDx, and Deutsche Telekom. He actively organizes the Computer Science Department's weekly Faculty Lunch since 2003 and coordinates the department's public relations and web presence since 2010. He leads the Media Computing Group, which has become a leading German lab in terms of archival publications at CHI, the top international conference in HCI. Since March 2025, he serves as faculty patron for TechLabs Aachen, a student initiative providing practical digital skills training.

• Environmental Science
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• +3 more

Dr. Jennifer Koch is an Associate Professor at the Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing, part of Wageningen University & Research. Previously, she served as an Associate Professor and Associate Research Director at the University of Oklahoma's Data Institute for Societal Challenges. Her research integrates data-driven methods like simulation modeling to address socio-economic and climate change challenges, focusing on sustainable urbanization and environmental management. Education: She holds a Diplom (Univ.) in Geoecology from the University of Bayreuth and a Dr.-Ing. in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from the University of Kassel. She teaches courses on geo-information management and data analytics. Research emphasizes multi-scale modeling, stakeholder engagement, and participatory approaches to socio-ecological systems. Recent work explores urban growth in Africa, methane emission monitoring, and renewable energy siting. Articles highlight interdisciplinary methods in GIS, climate policy, and community geography. Professional service includes roles with iEMSs, IALE, and the AAG. No ancillary activities reported. Her work bridges technical geospatial tools with societal challenges, emphasizing practical policy applications.