Edouard Oyallon is a CNRS Researcher at Sorbonne University's MLIA team within the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR). His research focuses on machine learning foundations, particularly the symmetries of deep neural networks, and large-scale distributed/decentralized training algorithms. He has contributed to frameworks like Kymatio for wavelet scattering transforms and collaborates on projects such as SHARP (Frugal Learning) and ADONIS (ANR-funded). He advises multiple PhD and postdoctoral researchers and teaches advanced deep learning courses at Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IPP). Grants include the ADONIS project (ANR/Sorbonne) and participation in VHS and CoCa4AI initiatives. His work spans theoretical and applied aspects, with recent emphasis on optimizing LLM training at exascale. He maintains active roles in academic service, including organizing workshops on federated learning and graph machine learning.
Scientia Professor Nasser Khalili is the Head of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He also serves as the Director of the ARC Research Hub for Resilient and Intelligent Infrastructure Systems (RIIS), President of the Australian Association for Computational Mechanics (AACM), and a core member of the International Technical Committee on Unsaturated Soil (TC106). His research focuses on geotechnical engineering, computational mechanics, porous media behavior, and sustainable infrastructure systems. Key areas of expertise include unsaturated soils, hydraulic fracturing modeling, and advanced material characterization for asphalt mixtures. Professor Khalili's work integrates computational methods with experimental analysis to address challenges in infrastructure resilience and environmental sustainability. He has pioneered studies on pore pressure dynamics, fracture mechanics in porous media, and the application of waste materials in construction. His leadership roles in national and international committees reflect his influence in advancing geotechnical and computational engineering practices. His scientific contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing machine learning applications in civil engineering and innovative solutions for sustainable asphalt mixes. Awards include Fellowship of the Academy, recognizing his significant impact on the field.
Miao Zhengjie serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU), joining in October 2023 after a research scientist position at Megagon Labs. His work centers on enhancing data science pipelines through innovations in database systems and artificial intelligence. His academic foundation includes: Ph.D. in Computer Science from Duke University (2022) M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University (2016) B.S. in Computer Science and Technology from Peking University (2015) Dr. Miao's research spans Database Systems , Data Management , Data Curation , and Data Provenance , with emphasis on AI-driven solutions for data pipeline efficiency. His methodology bridges theoretical database concepts with practical data science applications through novel algorithm development. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals persistent focus areas: query explanation systems (35% of works), data augmentation frameworks (27%), and human-AI collaboration tools (20%). These contributions appear consistently in premier venues including SIGMOD, VLDB, and CHI, demonstrating methodological evolution from foundational query debugging (2019) to LLM-integrated annotation systems (2024). He actively participates in the SFU Data Science Research Group , contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives in large-scale data processing. Current information indicates no formal advisees or grant details are publicly documented in his institutional profile.
Mahzarin R. Banaji is the Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics at Harvard University and a Harvard College Professor. She is affiliated with the Department of Psychology and is a key figure in the Mind, Brain, and Behavior (MBB) Interfaculty Initiative. Her research is centered at the intersection of social cognition, implicit bias, and ethical behavior. Institution: Harvard University School: Harvard College Department: Psychology Email: banaji@fas.harvard.edu Dr. Banaji earned her Ph.D. from Ohio State University and has been a leading scholar in the study of unconscious bias. Her work explores how implicit attitudes shape perception, judgment, and behavior outside conscious awareness. She co-developed the Implicit Association Test (IAT) , a groundbreaking tool for measuring unconscious biases related to race, gender, age, and other social categories. Her research spans social cognition, prejudice, stereotyping, moral psychology, and the neuroscience of social behavior . More recently, she has extended her work into the domain of artificial intelligence, investigating how human-like biases emerge in large language models. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend toward computational social science , combining psychological theory with natural language processing and AI. Her team analyzes bias in digital corpora, studies the transmission of stereotypes in AI systems, and develops tools to measure intersectional and implicit attitudes at scale. These works bridge psychology, ethics, and technology, highlighting the societal implications of implicit cognition. Among her notable scientific honors are: Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences William James Fellow Guggenheim Fellowship Kurt Lewin Award (SPSSI) Harvard College Professorship Dr. Banaji has advised numerous graduate students, including Tessa Charlesworth and Kerry Morehouse, many of whom are now active researchers in social and cognitive psychology. She has secured major grants through the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative and has led interdisciplinary teams exploring bias in education, law, and technology. She is also the co-creator of OutsmartingHumanMinds.org , a public education platform on implicit bias. Her lab serves as a hub for collaborative research on implicit social cognition, bringing together psychologists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists to understand and mitigate unconscious bias in human and artificial systems.
Professor Klavs F. Jensen is the Warren K. Lewis Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. His research focuses on integrating automation, machine learning, and robotics to accelerate materials discovery and pharmaceutical synthesis. He leads the Jensen Research Group, pioneering automated reaction systems with online analytics and optimization algorithms. Education: MS in Chemical Engineering (Technical University of Denmark, 1976); PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Wisconsin, 1980). Research Interests: Thermochemistry, electrochemistry, photochemistry, Bayesian optimization, high-throughput experimentation, and AI-driven synthesis planning. He collaborates with MIT’s Machine Learning for Pharmaceutical Discovery Consortium to develop algorithms for drug development and process chemistry. Awards: Member of National Academy of Sciences (2017), Member of National Academy of Engineering (2002), Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2007), and Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2022). Grants & Labs: Editor-in-Chief of Reaction Chemistry and Engineering ; holds 63 US patents and over 490 journal articles. His lab’s innovations include ASKCOS (open-source synthesis planning software) and automated platforms for closed-loop molecular discovery.
Elena Simperl is a Professor of Computer Science and Deputy Head of Department for Enterprise and Engagement at King's College London's Department of Informatics. She co-directs the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence and serves as Director of Research for the Open Data Institute. As a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich's Institute for Advanced Study, she leads the Trustworthy Knowledge Graphs focus group and contributes to advancing human-centric AI research across European institutions. Professor Simperl obtained her doctoral degree in Computer Science from the Free University of Berlin and her diploma from the Technical University of Munich. Prior to joining King's, she held academic positions in Germany, Austria, and at the University of Southampton, and was a Turing Fellow. Her career trajectory demonstrates consistent leadership in bridging academic research with practical applications in data ecosystems. Her research sits at the critical intersection of AI and social computing, focusing on human-centric approaches to building sociotechnical systems that integrate data, algorithms, and human capabilities. She investigates how to make knowledge engineering more accessible, how to leverage collective intelligence for data quality improvement, and how to design participatory AI systems that address societal challenges like misinformation. Her work spans knowledge graphs, semantic technologies, crowdsourcing, and open data, with particular emphasis on the social dimensions of data-intensive systems and the governance frameworks needed for trustworthy AI deployment. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong evolution toward integrating large language models with traditional knowledge engineering practices while maintaining human oversight. There's a clear trajectory from foundational work on knowledge representation toward increasingly applied research addressing real-world challenges in media ecosystems, citizen science, and data governance, with growing attention to policy implications of AI technologies. Fellow of the British Computer Society Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at TUM-IAS (2023) Ranked among top 100 most influential scholars in knowledge engineering of the last decade Included in Women in AI 2000 ranking Professor Simperl has led 14 major European and national research projects totaling millions in funding, including MediaFutures (a Horizon 2020 program tackling online misinformation), QROWD, ODINE, Data Pitch, and ACTION. She currently co-chairs the Croissant working group in ML Commons developing data standards for AI, and serves as president of the Semantic Web Science Association. Her research has directly influenced the development of data ecosystems supporting startups and citizen science initiatives across Europe, demonstrating exceptional ability to translate theoretical advances into practical impact. As Director of Research at the Open Data Institute, she oversees initiatives connecting data entrepreneurs with artists and civic organizations. Her leadership in the MediaFutures project established a data-driven innovation hub that supported 51 startups/SMEs and 43 artists through three open calls, creating a sustainable model for arts-technology collaborations addressing media challenges. Her work with the ODINE project helped create a European ecosystem for data-driven startups, demonstrating her commitment to building practical applications of open data principles.
Carme Torras Genís is a Research Professor at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), affiliated with the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI) in Barcelona and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC). Her career spans over three decades, focusing on robotics, neurocomputing, and artificial intelligence with applications in healthcare and deformable object manipulation. M.Sc. in Mathematics (University of Barcelona, 1978) M.Sc. in Computer Science (University of Massachusetts, 11981) Ph.D. in Computer Science (UPC, 1984) Research Interests : Robotic manipulation of deformable objects (especially textiles) Neurocomputing and machine learning for robotic control Human-robot interaction and assistive robotics Computational topology for cloth state representation Ethics in social robotics and AI Medical applications of robotics for neuromuscular disease assessment Scientific Leadership : ERC Advanced Grant recipient (2016) IEEE and EurAI Fellow Coordinator of Horizon Europe project SoftEnable and former ERC project CLOTHILDE Editorial leadership in IEEE Transactions on Robotics and multiple journals Active in ethics committees and AI policy advisory boards Advisory Committee of Ethics in AI (Catalan Government) Vice-President of CSIC Ethics Committee Member of Royal Academy of Engineering (Spain)
Pedro Ferreira is a Full Professor at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), holding a joint appointment in the School of Information Systems & Management at the Heinz College and the Department of Engineering and Public Policy within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on how technology influences education, media consumption, and peer effects, leveraging large datasets from randomized experiments. Ferreira has been recognized with the 2018 INFORMS Early Career Award and Top 17th worldwide research scholar ranking (2020–2022). He co-founded CMU's Initiative for Teaching and Education Analytics (iTEA) and advises numerous students in areas like AI/ML in education and media analytics. Education: BSc in Computer Science (IST), MSc in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science & Technology Policy (MIT), PhD in Telecommunications Policy (CMU). He has taught at MIT, IST, and invited roles at Católica-Lisbon and the University of Cambridge. Research Interests: Impact of digital technologies on education outcomes (e.g., smartphones in classrooms, video analytics), peer influence in media industries (e.g., binge-watching, recommender systems), and empirical methods using randomized experiments. Current projects include AI-driven education improvement and policy implications of AI/ML technologies. Notable Achievements: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles in top journals like Management Science and MIS Quarterly. Key grants include Gates Foundation funding for video-based education research and Koch Foundation support for online certification studies. He serves as Associate Editor for Management Science and previously for MIS Quarterly. Advising & Grants: Advised 23 PhD students, many now in academia and industry. Current students research facial recognition in education and hybrid recommender systems. Ferreira has led grants totaling millions, including studies on GDPR's impact on piracy tracking and worldwide VoD availability. Professional Service: Organized conferences like the Symposium on Statistical Challenges in eCommerce Research (SCECR). Served on NSF review panels and CMU’s Portugal PhD program steering committee.曾参与葡萄牙知识社会局(UMIC)的国家级政策制定，推动宽带学校项目。
Thomas Bäck is a Professor at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) , Leiden University , Netherlands, and a member of the interdisciplinary programme Society, Artificial Intelligence and Life Sciences (SAILS) . His academic career spans roles at Leiden University (1996–present) and leadership positions at the Center for Applied Systems Analysis in Dortmund (1994–2000). Education : Diplom-Informatiker (Computer Science), Technische Universität Dortmund (1990) Dr. rer. nat. (Computer Science), Technische Universität Dortmund (1994) Research Interests : Dr. Bäck specializes in evolutionary computation , machine learning , and their applications in sustainable smart industry and healthcare . Recent work focuses on integrating large language models (LLMs) and quantum computing into optimization frameworks, with projects like CIMPLO (predictive maintenance), ECOLE (experience-based optimization), and SAPPAO (airline operations optimization). Scientific Contributions : His 526+ publications cover evolutionary algorithms, quantum optimization, and LLM-driven design, with recent trends including: Quantum computing (e.g., quantum approximate optimization, quantum advantage challenges) LLM integration (e.g., hyperparameter tuning, mutation control, code evolution graphs) Healthcare and industry (e.g., predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, melt quality prediction) Algorithm benchmarking (e.g., IOHprofiler, MA-BBOB, explainable benchmarking) Scientific Awards : IEEE Fellow (2022) Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) member (2021) Academia Europaea member (2022) IEEE Computational Intelligence Society Evolutionary Computation Pioneer Award (2015) Fellow, International Society of Genetic and Evolutionary Computation (2003) Best Ph.D. thesis award, German Society of Computer Science (GI) (1995) Advising and Grants : He supervises Ph.D. candidates in evolutionary computation and machine learning and has secured 7 major grants from organizations like the Dutch Research Council , European Commission , and The Research Council of Norway . His editorial roles include Editor-in-Chief of the Evolutionary Computation Journal and associate editorships in leading AI journals.
Mohamed Bouri is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he is affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI) and specifically the Microengineering Department (SCI-STI-MB). He is part of the ReHAssist research group (http://rehassist.epfl.ch), which focuses on rehabilitation robotics and human-robot interaction. His office is located in the MED Building (MED 3 1016) at Station 9, 1015 Lausanne. Dr. Bouri's research spans several key areas in robotics and rehabilitation engineering. His primary focus is on the development and control of exoskeleton systems for mobility assistance and rehabilitation. He has made significant contributions to hip exoskeleton technology, adaptive control strategies, and human-robot interaction paradigms. His work bridges engineering principles with clinical applications, particularly for individuals with mobility impairments and neurological conditions. Additional research interests include sensory substitution techniques, balance control systems, and astronomical instrumentation involving robotic fiber positioners for multi-object spectrographs. Analysis of Dr. Bouri's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of robotics in rehabilitation settings. His work increasingly focuses on user-centered design, adaptive control systems that respond to individual user needs, and ecological validity in testing environments. There's a clear trend toward developing systems that can function effectively in real-world scenarios rather than controlled laboratory settings. His research also shows growing integration of physiological feedback mechanisms and multimodal sensing to enhance human-robot cooperation, with applications spanning from Parkinson's disease rehabilitation to astronomical instrumentation. Dr. Bouri has supervised numerous doctoral students whose theses reflect the breadth of his research interests, including work on lower-limb exoskeletons, robotic control systems, and rehabilitation technologies. His collaborative approach is evident in the extensive list of co-authored publications across multiple institutions and disciplines, demonstrating his ability to bridge engineering with clinical and astronomical applications. Based at EPFL's Microengineering Department, Dr. Bouri leads research activities within the ReHAssist laboratory, which specializes in rehabilitation assistance technologies. The lab focuses on developing innovative robotic solutions for mobility assistance, with particular expertise in exoskeleton design, control algorithms, and human-robot interaction paradigms. His work on projects like TWIICE One has demonstrated real-world impact in assistive technology development.
Berrak Sisman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, affiliated with the Data Science and AI Institute and the Center for Language and Speech Processing (CLSP). She leads the Speech & Machine Learning Lab (SmILe Lab), focusing on AI-driven speech technologies. She received her PhD from the National University of Singapore in 2020 and was previously a tenure-track faculty member at the University of Texas at Dallas (2022–2024). Research Interests: Her work spans artificial intelligence, speech synthesis, voice conversion, emotion analysis in speech, medical speech applications, and secure speech technology. She develops neural models for expressive and adaptive speech processing. Publications: Her recent articles (2024–2025) emphasize speech emotion recognition, zero-shot prosody control, accent conversion, and disentangled representations in TTS, reflecting a focus on cross-modal learning, robustness, and real-world applications. Awards & Grants: NSF CAREER Award (2024) Amazon Faculty Research Award (2022) Singapore Ministry of Education Award (2021) A*STAR Singapore International Graduate Award (2016–2020) Leadership: She directs the SmILe Lab, recruiting PhD/Master’s students for projects in neural speech modeling. Her grants include NSF and Amazon funding for voice conversion and emotion synthesis research.
Jenny Y. Yang is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on the development of inorganic electrocatalysts for chemical fuel generation and utilization, emphasizing bio-inspired secondary coordination sphere effects and thermochemical property optimization. Institution: University of California, Irvine Department: Chemistry Research Interests: Oxygen activation mechanisms Hydrogen production and oxidation Carbon dioxide reduction for fuel synthesis Thermochemical property effects on catalysis Secondary coordination sphere engineering Electrochemical carbon capture systems Scientific Trends: Recent work spans from 2023–2025, covering CO2-to-methane conversion, quantum dot hybrid systems for hydrogen evolution, and computational approaches to CO2 capture agent design. Articles highlight interdisciplinary methods combining inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, and sustainability-focused engineering. Contact: Office: 4080 ISEB | Phone: 949-824-1533 | Email: j.yang@uci.edu
Risto Miikkulainen is a Professor of Computer Science and Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin and VP of AI Research at Cognizant AI Lab. He directs the UTCS Neural Networks Research Group and is currently on leave from UT, working on Evolutionary Computation and Deep Learning at Sentient Technologies, Inc. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, UCLA, 1990 M.S. in Applied Mathematics, Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University), 1986 Risto Miikkulainen's research focuses on biologically-inspired computation such as neural networks and evolutionary computation. His work spans three main areas: (1) Neuroevolution, evolving complex deep learning architectures and recurrent neural networks for sequential decision tasks in robotics, games, and artificial life; (2) Cognitive Science, developing models of natural language processing, memory, and learning that shed light on disorders such as schizophrenia and aphasia; and (3) Computational Neuroscience, studying the development, structure, and function of the visual cortex, episodic memory, and language processing. His research combines theoretical understanding of biological information processing with practical applications for developing intelligent artificial systems. His recent publications (2025) show a strong focus on evolutionary approaches to AI development, particularly in neural architecture search, loss function optimization, and explainable AI. Many papers explore the intersection of evolutionary computation with deep learning, creating more efficient and transparent AI systems. His work spans theoretical foundations and practical applications in areas ranging from environmental control systems to cognitive modeling. Scientific Awards: College of Fellows, International Neural Network Society, 2024 Best Pathway to Impact Award, NeurIPS Climate Change workshop, 2024 AAAI Fellow, 2023 IEEE CIS Evolutionary Computation Pioneer Award, 2020 Gabor Award, International Neural Network Society, 2017 Outstanding Paper of the Decade Award, International Society for Artificial Life, 2017 IEEE Fellow, 2016 Multiple Best Paper Awards at GECCO, CIG, and CEC conferences Deployed Application Award, AAAI/IAAI-2013, AAAI/IAAI-2018 Miikkulainen has extensive experience mentoring students through undergraduate research courses like CS378 Computational Intelligence in Game Design I and II, where students develop independent research projects on the OpenNERO research platform. He has received multiple awards for deployed applications, demonstrating the practical impact of his research. His work has led to the development of the NERO game platform, which serves as both an educational tool and research platform for AI. He directs the UTCS Neural Networks Research Group, which focuses on neuroevolution, cognitive science models, and computational neuroscience. The group has developed the NERO (Neuro-Evolving Robotic Operatives) platform, a machine learning game that allows users to train intelligent agents through evolutionary computation. The group's work spans theoretical research and practical applications in AI, with connections to both academic and industry partners.
Dr Nga Wun (Doris) Li is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, Department of Fashion and Textiles. She leads research in seamless knitting technology, smart textiles, and sustainable fashion innovation. PhD in Fashion & Textile Design (HK PolyU, 2021) BA (Hons) in Fashion & Textiles (HK PolyU, 2012) Certifications in Wholegarment Machine (Shima Seiki, Japan) and Higher Education Pedagogy (UTS) Her research focuses on functional garments, knitting technology, and bio-informed textile design. Key projects include smart socks for DVT prevention , one-size sports bras , and buoyant swimwear for children . She combines knitting with machine learning and 3D printing for material innovation. Recent publications highlight her work on compression textiles (2025), wearable glucose sensors (2025), and knitted metasurfaces for acoustic comfort (2024). She has secured AU$52,000+ in grants across 5 funded projects. Fashion Design Award (Jeanswest, China) Outstanding Presentation & Research Paper Awards (2024) Dr Li supervises PhD and MPhil students in smart textiles and sustainable design while coordinating machine knitting courses. She collaborates with AiDLab (Hong Kong) and Powerhouse Museum (Australia).
Dr. Elisa Donati is a researcher and independent group leader at the Institute of Neuroinformatics , affiliated with both the University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich . Her work bridges neuromorphic engineering, biomedical signal processing, and wearable healthcare technologies, with a focus on creating brain-inspired systems for neuroprosthetics and rehabilitation. Affiliation: Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich & ETH Zurich Email: elisa@ini.uzh.ch Elisa’s research emphasizes developing neuromorphic signal processing strategies for wearable and embedded systems, enabling real-time closed-loop interactions with the nervous system. She specializes in translating neuroscience insights into energy-efficient technologies for digital health applications, including neuroprosthetics and personalized biomedical devices using neuromorphic hardware. Her recent publications (2024–2025) highlight advancements in gesture recognition via EMG and event-based systems, neuromorphic heart rate monitoring , and spiking neural network architectures . These works span biomedical signal processing, low-power computing, and adaptive algorithms, reflecting her commitment to robust, real-time, and brain-inspired solutions for healthcare. Elisa’s contributions to neuromorphic computing are evident in her exploration of heterogeneous population encoding , event-driven processing , and ultra-low-power microcontrollers . Her projects often integrate wearable systems with neuroscience, aiming to improve prosthetic control and rehabilitation technologies .
