Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Steffens is a faculty member at the University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf , affiliated with the Faculty of Media . His research spans interdisciplinary domains at the intersection of music, soundscapes, and cognitive-affective processes. Research Focus : Music listening behavior, soundscapes, noise perception, music recommendation systems, film music, and the psychological effects of sounds. Teaching : Supervises final theses and offers modules aligned with examination regulations of 2018, including topics in media informatics and mixed reality applications. Technical Contributions : Develops tools for soundscape exploration (e.g., Advanced Soundscape Search) and music information retrieval (MIR) systems for live performance visualization. Methodological Expertise : Utilizes computational music analysis, experience sampling, statistical learning, and multilevel modeling to investigate situational and demographic influences on auditory perception. Applied Research : Explores the impact of room acoustics on customer satisfaction in restaurants, motivational music in sports, and semantic expression in audio branding.
Matthias C. Kettemann is Professor and Chair for Innovation, Theory, and Philosophy of Law at the Institute for Theory and Future of Law, University of Innsbruck. He simultaneously leads the research group 'Global Constitutionalism and the Internet' at the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) and directs the research programme 'Regulatory Structures and the Emergence of Rules in Online Spaces' at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans Bredow Institute. Additionally, he heads the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab and serves as a board member and research group leader for 'Platform and Content Governance' at the Sustainable Computing Lab, Vienna University of Economics and Business. Prof. Kettemann's research focuses on the legal foundations of digital societies, examining regulatory mechanisms for digital platforms and the interaction between states and private actors. His work spans internet governance, platform regulation, digital rights, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies including AI and quantum computing. He has published extensively on the normative order of the internet, with his 2020 monograph 'The Normative Order of the Internet: A Theory of Online Rule and Regulation' establishing him as a leading scholar in the field. His recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward examining the intersection of law, technology, and democratic governance. The articles demonstrate particular attention to the Digital Services Act implementation, human-in-the-loop systems for AI governance, and the relationship between cybersecurity and privacy. His work consistently addresses how legal frameworks can protect democratic values while accommodating technological innovation, with increasing focus on quantum technology ethics and international dimensions of digital governance. Prof. Kettemann has advised numerous international organizations including the Council of Europe, UNESCO, OSCE, and various national ministries. His current research projects include the 'DSA research network,' 'Human in the Loop,' 'Cybersecurity,' and 'The Public International Law of the Internet,' reflecting his commitment to addressing pressing challenges in digital governance through interdisciplinary research and practical policy engagement. He is actively involved in multiple research teams and labs, particularly the Innsbruck Quantum Ethics Lab which explores ethical dimensions of quantum technologies, and contributes to shaping global digital governance through participation in international expert groups and advisory roles with governmental bodies across Europe.
Laura State serves as a Research Fellow at the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) in Berlin, Germany, where she contributes to the AI & Society Lab's Impact AI project. This initiative develops transdisciplinary auditing methodologies to evaluate artificial intelligence systems' contributions to societal transformation and ecological sustainability through rigorous impact assessment frameworks. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Data Science from Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy (Advised by Salvatore Ruggieri and Franco Turini) MSc in Neural Information Processing from the University of Tübingen BSc in Physics from the University of Rostock State's research synthesizes hard sciences with social perspectives to investigate AI's societal and planetary implications. She specializes in transparency and accountability mechanisms for non-interpretable machine learning models, developing assessment methodologies to determine how AI can foster sustainable futures. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates technical AI development with regulatory frameworks and ecological impact analysis, emphasizing real-world applicability through industry-academia collaboration. Her 2023-2025 publications reveal a cohesive research trajectory centered on explainable AI and regulatory compliance, particularly regarding GDPR requirements. Key themes include legal-technical alignment for explanation systems, bias/fairness policy frameworks, and innovative evaluation tools like REASONX. The work consistently bridges machine learning theory with societal accountability, demonstrating methodological rigor in translating technical capabilities into public-interest applications. As a core member of HIIG's AI & Society Lab, State collaborates on transdisciplinary teams examining AI's role in sustainability transitions. The Impact AI project coordinates researchers from computer science, law, and social sciences to develop evaluation frameworks that measure AI's contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals, with active engagement in policy dialogues and public science initiatives like Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften.
Raffi Khatchadourian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). His research focuses on techniques for automated software evolution, particularly automated refactoring and source code recommendation systems, with the goal of easing the burden associated with evolving large and complex software through automated tools. He also conducts research on the automated analysis of Object-Oriented programs. Ph.D., Computer Science & Engineering, Ohio State University (2011) MS, Computer Science & Engineering, Ohio State University (2010) BS, Computer Science, Monmouth University (2004) Khatchadourian's research spans multiple areas of software engineering and programming languages, with particular emphasis on automated software evolution techniques. His work addresses critical challenges in refactoring legacy systems to modern language constructs, optimizing parallel processing in Java 8 streams, and addressing technical debt in machine learning systems. His recent research has expanded into deep learning program transformation, where he develops techniques to convert imperative deep learning code to more efficient graph execution models while ensuring safety. His approach combines static analysis, program transformation, and empirical validation to create practical tools that developers can integrate into their workflows. Analysis of Khatchadourian's recent publications reveals a strong focus on bridging the gap between theoretical program analysis and practical software engineering challenges. His work increasingly intersects with machine learning systems, examining both how to improve ML code through refactoring and how to ensure safety in deep learning frameworks. The research demonstrates consistent evolution from foundational work on Java language features toward more complex systems involving concurrency, deep learning, and automated program transformation. Distinguished Paper Award at SCAM '18 for work on Java 8 stream optimization EAPLS Best Paper Award at FASE '20 for study on Java 8 stream usage EAPLS Distinguished Paper Award at FASE '25 for Deep Learning refactoring work Best Paper Award nominee at IJCAI '24 for AI safety framework Khatchadourian actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with several advisees going on to successful academic and industry positions. His former Ph.D. student Tatiana Castro Vélez accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor position at the University of Puerto Rico. He has supervised numerous master's theses and undergraduate research projects, often resulting in co-authored publications at top software engineering venues. His research has been supported by various grants, though specific funding details are not prominently featured in the available information. Through his work on tools like Fraglight for aspect-oriented programming and Hybridize Functions for deep learning refactoring, Khatchadourian has established a research group focused on practical program analysis and transformation. His lab develops Eclipse plugins and other IDE-integrated tools that help developers with automated refactoring, bug detection, and code optimization. The group maintains active collaborations with researchers at other institutions and contributes to open-source projects on GitHub.
Wing Lam is an Assistant Professor at George Mason University specializing in software engineering with a focus on software testing methodologies. His academic service includes program committee membership for major conferences including ASE, ICSE, ISSTA, and ESEC/FSE, as well as session chair roles across multiple tracks. His research interests center on flaky tests , mobile application testing , and continuous development optimization . Lam's work addresses critical challenges in test reliability, particularly order-dependent flaky tests and resource-related flakiness. His research bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in modern software development pipelines, with recent expansion into AI-assisted testing methodologies. Lam's publication record shows a clear trajectory focusing on flaky test detection and mitigation, with approximately 60% of his recent work dedicated to various aspects of this problem. His research increasingly incorporates machine learning techniques for UI testing and test optimization, reflecting broader trends in the field. The consistent publication venue pattern across top software engineering conferences indicates strong recognition within the academic community. Lam has served in multiple leadership roles including Program Co-Chair for MOBILESoft Research Track and Committee Member for ASE's New Ideas and Emerging Results (NIER) Track. His involvement in workshops focused on flaky testing demonstrates his specialization in this niche area of software testing.
Alexandre Bartel is a Professor in the Department of Computing Science at Umeå University, Sweden, specializing in software security and software engineering. His research focuses on system security and analysis of permission-based software stacks, particularly Android. With numerous publications in top-tier security and software engineering conferences and journals, Bartel has established himself as a leading researcher in vulnerability analysis and software security. Bartel's research interests primarily center around software security, with a particular emphasis on Java and Android ecosystems. His work delves into vulnerability analysis, deserialization attacks, control flow integrity, and security mechanisms for complex software systems. He investigates how to verify security properties through efficient algorithms and examines existing software layers from a security perspective. His research bridges theoretical security concepts with practical implementation challenges in real-world systems. Analysis of Bartel's recent publications reveals a strong focus on Java deserialization vulnerabilities, control flow integrity mechanisms, and Android security. His work demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental vulnerability analysis to developing practical security solutions and benchmarks. The research spans both theoretical frameworks and empirical evaluations, with significant contributions to understanding long-term security adoption patterns and developing tools for vulnerability detection. Scientific Awards: Most influential Paper ICSE N-10 Award for IccTA: Detecting Inter-Component Privacy Leaks in Android Apps Bartel actively contributes to the academic community through service roles, having served on program committees for major conferences including ASE, ESEC/FSE, ICSE, and FSE. His research has practical implications for software developers and security practitioners, particularly in the areas of vulnerability detection and security mechanism implementation. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his extensive publication record suggests successful funding for his research initiatives. Though not explicitly detailed in the provided information, Bartel's research likely involves collaboration with students and researchers on projects related to software security analysis. His work on benchmarks like Gleipner and CONFUZZION suggests involvement in developing tools and resources for the security research community.
Despina Kontos, PhD is the Herbert and Florence Irving Professor of Radiological Sciences at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), with appointments in the Department of Radiology and the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. She serves as the Chief Research Information Officer for CUIMC, Vice Chair of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Research in the Department of Radiology, and Director of Biomarker Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Additionally, she holds appointments in the Departments of Biomedical Informatics and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Kontos received her educational training from prestigious institutions: BS in Engineering from the University of Patras, Greece MSc and PhD in Computer and Information Sciences from Temple University Postdoctoral training in Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Certificates in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from UPenn, Cancer Biology from Harvard, and AI for Decision Making from Wharton As a computer scientist with expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning, Dr. Kontos focuses on developing computational methodologies to leverage imaging as quantitative biomarkers for personalized disease prediction, particularly in cancer. Her research program investigates how imaging data can be mined to extract sophisticated phenotypic signatures with diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive value. While her primary focus has been on breast cancer, her lab also pursues related research in lung cancers, evaluating the integration of CT radiomic features with liquid biopsy data to characterize tumor heterogeneity. Dr. Kontos founded and directs Columbia University's Center for Innovation in Imaging Biomarkers and Integrated Diagnostics (CIMBID), a multidisciplinary center dedicated to developing and integrating quantitative imaging and non-imaging biomarkers for personalized disease prediction. Through CIMBID, she has built a vibrant scientific ecosystem that brings together expertise across Columbia's campuses, linking basic science, engineering, clinical medicine, public health, and health services research. Analysis of Dr. Kontos's publication record reveals a strong focus on applying AI and machine learning to biomedical imaging, particularly for cancer risk prediction and personalized treatment. Her work demonstrates a progression from foundational methodological development to clinical translation, with increasing emphasis on multi-modal biomarker integration. Recent publications show expansion into new disease areas including Alzheimer's disease prediction, while maintaining her strong focus on breast and lung cancer applications. Dr. Kontos has received significant recognition for her contributions to the field: Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research Distinguished Investigator Award (2020) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group - American College of Radiology Imaging Network ECOG-ACRIN Young Investigator Award of Distinction for Translational Research (2014) Dr. Kontos has been highly successful in securing research funding, with numerous grants from federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD), as well as private foundations such as the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Her leadership extends to mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers through her roles at CIMBID and the Department of Radiology. As the founding director of CIMBID, Dr. Kontos leads a multidisciplinary team that includes the Computational Imaging Biomarker Group (CBIG), the Laboratory of AI and Biomedical Science (LABS), and several other affiliated research labs. The center leverages Columbia's institutional strengths in engineering, data science, and clinical medicine to advance personalized healthcare through AI and imaging technologies.
Prof. Dr. Katja Beesdo-Baum is a Full Professor of Behavioral Epidemiology at the Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Science, Technical University of Dresden. Her research focuses on the epidemiology and clinical aspects of mental disorders, integrating neurobiological, developmental, and environmental factors through large-scale observational and experimental studies. She holds editorial roles at journals like Child Psychiatry & Human Development and contributes to global initiatives such as the WHO’s ICD-11 clinical practice network. Her work spans anxiety disorders, depression, and prevention strategies in youth, with a strong emphasis on translational research and healthcare system integration. Education includes a Diploma in Psychology (2000) and a Dr. rer. nat. (2006), both from TU Dresden, followed by Habilitation in 2010. Professional experience includes postdoctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health (USA) and leadership roles in clinical and research groups. Awards include the ECNP Fellowship and Dr.-Walter-Seipp Dissertation Award. Her research explores mechanisms linking stress, neuroendocrine systems, and mental disorders, with recent studies focusing on brain structure alterations in anxiety disorders (ENIGMA collaborations) and the efficacy of prevention programs. She investigates digital health tools, stigma reduction, and sociodemographic barriers to mental healthcare access in adolescents and young adults. Key Research Themes: Behavioral epidemiology, developmental psychopathology, neuroimaging, prevention science. Recent Trends: Machine learning in brain-based classification of anxiety disorders, longitudinal studies on stress biomarkers (e.g., cortisol, androgens), and implementation science for pediatric mental health services. Awards highlight her contributions to clinical guidelines (DSM-5 Task Force) and global mental health policy. Her grants and collaborations span European and international funding bodies, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to mental health challenges. Labs/Teams: Active in the ENIGMA Anxiety Working Group, BeMIND study (behavioral-mind health cohort), and Dresden-based clinical research networks.
Prof. Michael Felderer is the Director of the Institute for Software Technology at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and a full professor at the University of Cologne. His expertise spans software testing, security, architectures, empirical software engineering, and emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. Previously, he held roles as associate professor at the University of Innsbruck, guest professor at Blekinge Institute of Technology, and CEO of QE LaB Business Services. His research focuses on developing methods to enhance software quality and trustworthiness through collaborations with academia and industry. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his career trajectory indicates advanced academic training in software engineering. Research interests include AI-driven software systems, data trustworthiness in IoT, and agile methodologies. He has co-authored over 200 publications and received 14 best paper awards, with notable recognition from the Journal of Systems and Software. Labs/Teams: Leads the DLR Institute for Software Technology, focusing on open-source software solutions for aerospace, energy, and security domains. Collaborates with global researchers and companies on advanced engineering applications like quantum computing and digital twins.
Philippe Ciblat is a Professor at TELECOM Paris Tech, affiliated with the Department of Signal Processing and Communications. His research spans signal processing, wireless communications, and machine learning applications in networking. He has collaborated extensively with institutions like the University of Paris-Saclay and international researchers in areas such as cooperative communication protocols, resource allocation, and coding theory. Research Interests: Machine learning for signal processing, wireless channel modeling (Rician fading), lattice decoding, caching strategies, and distributed optimization. Notable Work: Pioneered transformer-based packet scheduling, neural network approaches to lattice decoding, and effective capacity analysis in fading channels. His contributions include over 170 publications in top venues (IEEE Trans. Signal Process., IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun.) and collaborations with industry partners on practical implementations like cache-aided polar coding. He has advised multiple researchers in distributed systems and wireless resource management.
Prof. Dr. Regina Dittmann is the Director of the Electronic Materials division (PGI-7) at the Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI), part of the Research Center Jülich. Her research focuses on memristive systems, resistive switching phenomena, and neuromorphic computing architectures. She leads a team exploring novel oxide materials and their applications in advanced electronics, including memristive heterostructures, nanoelectronics, and energy-efficient computing systems. Her work integrates materials science, device physics, and computational modeling to develop next-generation memory and neuromorphic hardware. Key research areas include the design and characterization of memristive devices, understanding ion migration in perovskite materials, and optimizing thermal and electronic stability in nanoscale systems. Recent studies emphasize the role of space charge effects in metal exsolution, the development of fault-tolerant neuromorphic architectures, and the application of synchrotron-based techniques for in-situ material analysis. Her contributions have advanced the theoretical and practical foundations of resistive switching mechanisms and their implementation in energy-efficient computing systems.
Shari Trewin is a prominent researcher in accessibility and human-computer interaction at IBM Research with over 25 years of scholarly contributions. Her work focuses on making digital technologies accessible to people with disabilities, particularly in web and mobile contexts. She has published extensively in top-tier venues including ACM SIGACCESS conferences (ASSETS, W4A) and journals, CHI, and other leading HCI publications. Dr. Trewin's research interests span web accessibility, mobile accessibility for users with physical and cognitive disabilities, inclusive design methodologies, and the application of artificial intelligence to improve accessibility. Her work addresses both theoretical foundations and practical implementations of accessible technologies, with particular emphasis on user-centered design approaches and evaluation methodologies. She has made significant contributions to understanding how people with disabilities interact with digital interfaces and how to design systems that accommodate diverse user needs. Her publication record shows a clear progression from foundational work on input devices and keyboard accessibility in the 1990s to contemporary research on AI fairness for people with disabilities. Recent publications demonstrate her leadership in addressing emerging challenges at the intersection of AI and accessibility, particularly around algorithmic fairness and inclusive design practices for AI systems. Among her notable contributions are editorial work for ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing and co-editing conference proceedings for the ASSETS conference. She has collaborated extensively with leading researchers in the field including Vicki L. Hanson, Gregg Vanderheiden, and Calvin Swart. Dr. Trewin has advised junior researchers including Jessica J. Tran, and her work has influenced both academic research and industry practices in accessibility. Her research has practical implications for web developers, designers, and policy makers working to create more inclusive digital experiences.
Enrico Rukzio is a Full Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Ulm, leading the Human-Computer Interaction group and directing the Institute for Media Research and Media Development. His research spans interactive systems design, focusing on automotive UIs, extended reality, accessibility, and sustainable interaction. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Munich and has held prior roles at Lancaster University and the Ruhr Institute for Software Technology. Roles: Faculty Dean (2017–2020), Admissions Committee Chairman, Doctoral Committee Chairman Educations: Ph.D., Munich; Lecturer qualifications from Lancaster and Duisburg-Essen Research emphasizes enabling efficient, inclusive, and sustainable interactions through novel interfaces. His work addresses automated vehicles, health-supporting tech, and accessibility for visually impaired users. Recent articles explore Bayesian optimization for UI design, automated vehicle communication, and urban air mobility visualization. Notable awards include best paper recognitions at CHI, EuroVR, and IEEE VR. His grants come from BMBF, DFG, and industry partners like Mercedes-Benz Group. Advises on over 20 funded projects and has mentored award-winning students.
Prof. Dr. Julia Schnabel is the TUM Liesel Beckmann Distinguished Professor and Helmholtz Distinguished Professor at TUM's TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. Her research focuses on computational imaging and AI in medicine, including medical image processing, machine learning, motion modeling, and quantitative imaging. She holds IEEE, Ellis, and MICCAI Society fellowships, and has pioneered work in image reconstruction, artifact correction, and AI-based diagnostics. Educations: Bachelor/Master from TU Berlin (1993) PhD from University College London (1998) Postdocs at UMC Utrecht, King's College London, and UCL Her research interests span medical AI, deep learning for medical imaging, and clinical evaluation methodologies. Key contributions include frameworks for motion artifact correction in MRI, physics-informed neural networks, and benchmark datasets like NOVA for anomaly detection in brain MRI. She has authored over 100 publications, with recent work advancing unsupervised anomaly detection and federated learning in healthcare. Prof. Schnabel leads interdisciplinary projects at TUM and Helmholtz Zentrum München, focusing on AI-driven solutions for diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Her labs develop tools for real-time cardiac imaging, histopathology segmentation, and trustworthy AI guidelines (FUTURE-AI initiative).
Iason Papaioannou is an Adjunct Professor in the area of Uncertainty Quantification at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the Engineering Risk Analysis Group. He holds a habilitation from the TUM School of Engineering and Design and has been tenured since 2021 as an Akademischer Rat. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from TUM (2012), an M.Sc. in Computational Mechanics (2007), and a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (2005). His research focuses on uncertainty quantification , reliability assessment , and Bayesian updating of engineering systems. Key areas include probabilistic modeling, machine learning applications, spatial variability analysis, and geotechnical reliability. He has pioneered methods for system reliability analysis, adaptive subset simulation, and cross-entropy-based importance sampling. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Stochastic Finite Element Methods, Structural Reliability Methods, and Elements of Machine Learning. His work integrates advanced computational techniques with practical engineering challenges, emphasizing high-dimensional uncertainty analysis and data-driven model updating.
