Bernhard J. Berger is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Engineering at the Institute of Embedded Systems, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). His research focuses on software security, static code analysis, machine learning, optimization, and research data management. He has held significant roles such as Program Committee member for ICPC 2025 and MSR 2025, and has received awards including the Best Reviewer Award (ICPC 2023) and Best Engineering Paper Award (SCAM 2019). His work spans interdisciplinary applications including maritime systems security, GPU-accelerated AI, and evolutionary algorithms. Recent studies emphasize AI-driven security tools (e.g., ML-SAST) and domain-specific language approaches to optimization (EvoAl). He has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed publications, with notable work in IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering and Science of Computer Programming. Berger collaborates closely with industry through DAAD review committees and serves on artifact evaluation boards for ISSTA and ARES conferences. Education: Doctoral Thesis (2022), Diploma in Computer Science (2007) Key Projects: ArchSec tool suite, Threat Modeling Frameworks, Bauhaus static analysis methodology Lab Affiliation: Embedded Systems Design Group His advisory roles include Deputy of TUHH's Election Verification Committee and Session Chair at IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation 2023. Current research trends integrate machine learning with static analysis for automated vulnerability detection, while also exploring explainable AI techniques for neural network optimization.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Paolo Gardoni is the Alfredo H. Ang Family Professor and an Excellence Faculty Scholar in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with additional professorial appointments in Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering and Biomedical & Translational Sciences. He also serves as Director of the MAE Center and Editor-in-Chief of Reliability Engineering & System Safety. Education Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2002) M.A. in Statistics, University of California, Berkeley (2001) M.Eng. in Structural Engineering, University of Tokyo (1997) Laurea (BS+MS equivalent) in Structural Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (1997) Research Interests Gardoni’s scholarship integrates probabilistic methods with large-scale infrastructure systems to advance reliability, risk, and life-cycle analysis. His work quantifies the performance of deteriorating systems under natural and anthropogenic hazards, models societal impacts of disasters, and develops decision frameworks for sustainable and resilient infrastructure. He also examines ethical, social, and legal dimensions of risk, and investigates optimal strategies for hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, and climate adaptation. Across more than 250 refereed journal papers, he has advanced sub-fields ranging from probabilistic mechanics and earthquake engineering to catastrophe bond pricing and engineering ethics, leveraging tools such as stochastic differential equations, Bayesian networks, and physics-informed machine learning. Awards & Honors Alfredo Ang Award on Risk Analysis and Management of Civil Infrastructure (ASCE, 2021) Best Paper Awards in ASCE Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment (2019) and Geotechnical Research (2018 Telford Premium Prize) Fellowships and named professorships: Alfredo H. Ang Family Professor, Excellence Faculty Scholar, and courtesy or honorary professorships at Tsinghua, IIT Guwahati, Tongji, Jianghan, and Loughborough universities. Research Leadership & Funding Gardoni has secured over $58 million in research funding from NSF, DHS, NIST, USAID, Qatar National Research Fund, and other agencies. He directs the MAE Center—formerly an NSF Engineering Research Center—focused on multi-hazard engineering approaches, and is Editor-in-Chief of Reliability Engineering & System Safety (Elsevier, IF 9.4). He founded and formerly led the journal Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure (Taylor & Francis) and serves on editorial boards of nine additional journals. Advising & Mentorship He has graduated 27 PhD and 35 Master’s students, many of whom now hold faculty positions worldwide. His group maintains an active pipeline of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers working on resilience analytics, infrastructure monitoring, and risk-informed decision-making. Laboratories & Collaborations He leads the MAE Center and is affiliated with the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) and the Biomedical and Translational Sciences group. International collaborations span the UK (Loughborough), India (IIT Guwahati), and China (Tsinghua, Tongji, Jianghan), fostering cross-disciplinary research in reliability and resilience engineering.
Leif Eriksson is a Professor at Chalmers University of Technology , specializing in Radar Remote Sensing within the Department of Space, Earth and Environment . His career at Chalmers began in 2004, and he was promoted to Professor in 2022 after serving as Group Leader (2012–2017) and Head of Faculty Assembly (2017–2020). His research focuses on developing advanced methods for environmental monitoring using radar data, particularly synthetic aperture radar (SAR) from satellites and aircraft. Leadership Roles: Group Leader (Radar Remote Sensing), Faculty Assembly Head Key Collaborations: Rymdstyrelsen, EU Horizon, VINNOVA, European Space Agency Research Interests : Dr. Eriksson’s work spans forest biomass estimation , sea ice dynamics , and ocean surface current/wind retrieval . He integrates SAR data with in situ observations and climate models to study: Forest degradation (clear cuts, storm damage) via multi-temporal SAR Sea ice concentration, drift patterns, and thickness in Arctic regions Wind vectors and surface currents using interferometric SAR techniques Applications for maritime navigation safety and polar shipping optimization Article Trends : His recent publications emphasize SAR’s role in transport infrastructure monitoring (e.g., Iron Ore Line degradation), pan-Arctic landfast ice stability , and multi-frequency SAR fusion for enhanced sea ice observations. Collaborative work with teams across Europe and the U.S. highlights interdisciplinary approaches to climate and marine research. Projects & Grants : Dr. Eriksson leads or contributes to projects such as: CAISA (2022–2024): Air-ice-sea data assimilation EONav (2016–2019): Copernicus data for maritime navigation SEDNA (2017–2020): Safe Arctic shipping Forest Biomass Monitoring (2017–2018): Spaceborne SAR applications His work is supported by Rymdstyrelsen, EU Horizon, and industry partners like Trafikverket. Labs & Teams : He is central to the Radar Remote Sensing Group at Chalmers, collaborating with institutions like Lund University and international bodies such as ESA. His research often involves satellite campaigns (e.g., TanDEM-X, Sentinel) and field studies in polar regions.
Dr. Hillary Briffa is a Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies and Assistant Director of the Centre for Defence Studies at King’s College London. She holds a Ph.D. in War Studies from King’s College London, focusing on small states’ grand strategy. Her roles include teaching National Security Studies, Small States and International Security at MA level, and leading BA3 Dissertation training. Research interests span small states’ security, climate security, grand strategy, and First World War propaganda. She leads the Climate Change and International Order portfolio at the Centre for Grand Strategy and co-organizes the annual U.S.-U.K. World Order summer school. Grants include maritime security for small states (with Georgetown University Qatar), national energy transitions, and foresight with the Estonian Defence Forces. Briffa advises the UK government on strategic reviews, international organizations, and defense policy. Awards include the U.S. State Department’s Emerging Young Leaders Award (2016), Hans J. Morgenthau Fellowship (2020/21), and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2023). She serves on King’s Academic Board, EDI committees, and chairs the Circle-U Climate Knowledge Hub. Her work bridges academia and policy, emphasizing small states’ strategic agency in global challenges. Publications include analyses of Maltese neutrality, Indo-Pacific maritime security, and small states’ pandemic responses. She co-authored sections in volumes on war studies, climate policy, and international order. Briffa’s research and outreach aim to enhance small states’ resilience and influence in evolving security landscapes.
Dr. Gavin Mount is a researcher at UNSW Canberra , specializing in non-traditional security studies , ethnic conflict , and the sociopolitical implications of emerging technologies . His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical applications in conflict transformation and defense studies. Research Focus: Global politics of ethnic conflict, hybrid peace/war frameworks, and socio-political impacts of drone technology. Teaching: Courses like Ethnic Conflict in World Politics and Law, Force and Legitimacy , with a focus on military education and strategic studies. Publications: Recent work includes contributions to Thinking Swarms (2025) and Hybridity on the Ground in Peacebuilding and Development (2018). Grants: Leads the Curricula Integration of Student Wellbeing Resources project under HERDSA. Key Themes across his research include the intersection of technology and conflict, evolving defense paradigms, and pedagogical innovations in security studies.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Stefan Helmreich is the Elting E. Morison Professor of Anthropology at MIT, where his research examines how scientists conceptualize fundamental phenomena—especially waves—across oceanography, biology, acoustics, and computing. His interdisciplinary work bridges anthropology, science studies, and media theory. Core research themes include: Cultural and scientific constructions of ocean waves Marine microbial ecologies and alien oceans Sound studies and transduction theories Multispecies ethnography Scientific visualization practices Helmreich's publications demonstrate consistent engagement with wave phenomena as both physical forces and cultural symbols, exploring how scientific representations of waves shape environmental understanding. His award-winning books trace connections between marine science, cosmology, and media technologies. He has received numerous prestigious awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship and multiple book prizes from anthropological associations. Helmreich maintains creative collaborations through projects like 'Wave Count'—a musical exploration of wave representations across genres.
Manish Verma is Professor of Operations Management and Associate Dean, Graduate Studies at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. His academic journey began with an MBA and PhD in Business Administration with Operations Management/Management Science specialization from Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University. Dr. Verma's research focuses on multimodal transportation of dangerous goods, risk assessment, network design and planning in transportation, humanitarian logistics, green supply chain management, and disruption/resilience in transportation systems. His current research engagements center on safety and security issues in freight transportation and humanitarian logistics, funded by NSERC and SSHRC grants. He has been frequently approached by media to comment on railroad accidents involving dangerous goods. An analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on hazardous materials transportation risk management, with significant contributions to rail-truck intermodal systems, hazmat risk modeling using value-at-risk methodologies, and emergency response planning for transportation networks. His work bridges theoretical operations research with practical transportation safety applications. $245K research grant for rail safety research from Government of Canada As an educator, Dr. Verma has taught courses including Predictive Analytics for Managers, Network Design Issues in Freight Transportation, and Management Science Research Issues. His scholarly impact is evidenced by publications in leading journals such as Transportation Research Part E, European Journal of Operational Research, and Safety Science. He actively contributes to real-world transportation safety through media commentary and research that informs policy decisions regarding dangerous goods transportation.
Gizem Kayişoğlu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering at Istanbul Technical University. Her research focuses on cybersecurity challenges in maritime systems, human error probability, and risk assessment methodologies. She actively explores vulnerabilities in shipboard systems such as ECDIS, VDR, and radar while emphasizing regulatory compliance and maritime safety standards. Her work integrates frameworks like CORAS, Fuzzy FUCOM, and SLIM to address cybersecurity dynamics and human factors in maritime operations. Key collaborations involve analyzing ransomware threats, AIS system vulnerabilities, and port infrastructure protection through interdisciplinary approaches. Her articles highlight trends in maritime cybersecurity, including ransomware mitigation, cyber hygiene practices, and critical infrastructure protection. She has contributed to developing risk assessment tools and checklists tailored for maritime environments, emphasizing both technological and human aspects of safety. No scientific awards have been explicitly mentioned. She has not listed formal advisees, and her professional activities focus on advancing maritime cybersecurity through academic and applied research.
Alessandra Arcuri is Full Professor of International Economic Law at the Department of Law and Markets, Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and a member of the Erasmus Initiative on Inclusive Prosperity. Her academic leadership spans critical intersections of law, sustainability, and democratic governance within global economic frameworks. Her research interrogates the tensions between international economic law and planetary boundaries, focusing on how investment treaties constrain climate action through cases like Rockhopper v. Italy . She exposes how fossil fuel interests exploit legal mechanisms like the Energy Charter Treaty while analyzing glyphosate regulation failures and corporate influence on EU Green Deal implementation. Her work consistently challenges technocratic governance models that marginalize democratic participation in environmental decision-making. Recent scholarship reveals an intensified focus on supply-side climate policies, where investment law clashes with state efforts to phase out fossil fuels. She documents how tribunals prioritize investor protections over ecological imperatives, using Dutch river pollution cases to demonstrate states' international obligations to prevent toxic emissions. Her analysis of boundary-work in investment law reveals systemic exclusions of public interest perspectives. Scientific Awards: Jean Monnet Fellow (2011-12) Fernand Braudel Fellow (2021-22) Hauser Global Research Fellow (2003-04) Marie Curie Fellow (2001) Professor Arcuri supervises PhD candidates including Abdurrahman Erol, with whom she co-authored pivotal research on Dutch river degassing that directly influenced national policy banning toxic emissions from inland vessels. Her policy impact extends through commissioned reports for the Dutch Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Commission, and NGOs, translating academic rigor into tangible regulatory change. She actively bridges scholarly critique with public advocacy, as seen in open letters correcting ministerial misinterpretations of environmental law. As a core contributor to the Erasmus Initiative on Inclusive Prosperity, she collaborates across disciplines to reconfigure economic governance toward ecological sustainability and democratic accountability, challenging the fossil fuel economy through legal innovation and grassroots empowerment.
Matthew Dunbabin is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Chief Investigator at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision (ACRV). His expertise spans environmental robotics, with a focus on vision-based autonomous systems for marine conservation, water quality monitoring, and greenhouse gas management. He holds a PhD from QUT and a BEng (Aerospace) from RMIT. Dunbabin has led projects at CSIRO and QUT, developing robots like COTSBot and RangerBot to combat marine pests and promote reef restoration. His work has earned national and international awards, including the 2019 Australian Water Association Award and 2016 Google Impact Challenge. Education: PhD in Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (Queensland, Australia) BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Australia) Research Interests: Environmental robotics and autonomous systems Vision-based perception and classification Marine habitat restoration and pest control Greenhouse gas monitoring via autonomous vehicles Cooperative robotics and sensor networks Awards & Recognition: 2019 Australian Water Association Award (SAMMI Project) 2019 Good Design Award - Sustainability (RangerBot) 2016 Google Impact Challenge People’s Choice Award (RangerBot AUV) 2010 Australian ICT Industry Association National iAward (iSnet) 2006 Queensland Engineering Excellence Innovation Award (Starbug Project) Grants & Projects: ARC Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision (ACRV): Leading robotic vision research (2014–present) Revolutionising Protection Against Air Pollution: Air quality monitoring networks (2015–present) Establishing Advanced Networks for Air Quality Sensing: Sensor development for urban environments (2017–present) Labs & Collaborations: ACRV at QUT Institute for Future Environments (QUT) CSIRO Autonomous Systems Laboratory (2001–2013)
Henri van Soest is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy and a Senior Analyst at RAND Europe. He is based at RAND, a global policy research organization, where he leads studies on energy security, artificial intelligence governance, critical infrastructure protection, and European Union policy. His work supports key institutions including the European Union, UK government, and Dutch government. His research focuses on the intersection of technology and policy, particularly in energy systems and AI. Key areas include: AI governance and trustworthy AI tools Energy security and digitalisation of the power grid Critical undersea infrastructure protection Cybersecurity in energy systems Space technology regulation Societal resilience and national security The trend in his recent publications shows a growing emphasis on the dual-use nature of AI in critical infrastructure, balancing innovation with security and resilience. His work combines technical analysis with policy recommendations, often using modeling and expert elicitation. Much of his research addresses transatlantic and European policy challenges, especially in energy and security domains. Scientific contributions and policy impact are evident through frequent publications and expert submissions to governmental bodies. Notable outputs include evidence submissions to the UK Parliament and reports for the U.S. Department of Energy. While no formal awards are listed, his influence is reflected in high-level policy engagement. He has advised on grants and policy studies involving global teams, particularly in energy transition, AI infrastructure, and resilience planning. His prior experience includes energy policy research at the University of Oslo, cleantech analysis, and corporate governance in banking. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and a joint LL.M. from KU Leuven and the University of Zurich. Henri van Soest leads research within RAND Europe’s multidisciplinary teams focusing on science, technology, and security policy. His work often involves collaboration across international experts and institutions, particularly on EU and NATO-related security issues. He contributes to projects involving horizon scanning, Delphi studies, and quantitative modeling in policy contexts.
Pelin Bolat is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fundamental Sciences at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), College of Maritime Studies. She is actively engaged in maritime cybersecurity, risk assessment, and maritime safety research. Her work is supported by multiple BAP and EU-funded projects, with ongoing research extending into 2025. Her research interests include cybersecurity in maritime navigation systems, dynamic positioning, port state control, and GHG emissions in the maritime sector. She applies advanced methodologies such as fuzzy FUCOM, CORAS framework, and association rule mining to analyze cyber and operational risks. Her recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a strong trend in maritime cybersecurity, focusing on ECDIS, RADAR, ransomware, and cyber hygiene. These works span high-impact journals in maritime engineering and technology, demonstrating interdisciplinary engagement with computer science, safety engineering, and policy analysis. She serves as a principal investigator on several key projects, including cyber risk assessment of bridge navigation equipment and system dynamic modeling of maritime GHG emission measures. She also mentors 15 theses in progress, indicating her active role in student supervision. Her collaborative network includes researchers like Gökhan Kayişoğlu and international partners. While no formal awards are listed, her leadership in EU and BAP projects underscores her academic prominence.
Associate Professor Marcus Cattani is a faculty member at Edith Cowan University (ECU), affiliated with the School of Medical and Health Sciences and the Department of Occupational Health and Safety. He serves as Deputy Director of the WA Government-funded MARS Centre, focusing on Mental Awareness, Respect, and Safety initiatives. Since joining ECU in 2015, he has developed risk management and leadership programs for undergraduate/postgraduate programs and supervises PhD/Master's research. His research emphasizes injury risk reduction in industries like mining, oil/gas, and construction, with recent focus on agriculture safety and radiation exposure in Western Australian mining. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Occupational Health and Safety), Murdoch University (2004) Master of Science, United Kingdom (1995) Research interests include occupational safety frameworks, real-time exposure assessment, fatigue management, and safety leadership tools. Current projects address critical controls for construction fatalities, radiation exposure in mining, and OHS systems for remote work. Over 30 years of industry experience as an occupational hygienist and HSE consultant informs his academic and applied work. Key collaborations involve government agencies (DMIRS, Water Corporation) and industry partners (Rio Tinto, Lifeline WA). Recent grants include MARS Centre initiatives and NORM exposure studies. His 2025 focus includes translating injury prevention techniques into agriculture contexts. Professional memberships include Australian Institute of Health and Safety (Chartered OHS Professional) and the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists.
Polemis Dionysios serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Maritime Studies at the University of Piraeus, Greece, within the School of Shipping and Industry. His academic profile demonstrates a strong commitment to maritime education and research in the Greek academic context, contributing to one of the Mediterranean's leading institutions for maritime studies. Professor Polemis specializes in International Economics and Maritime International Trade, with research focusing on the intersection of global trade patterns and maritime transportation systems. His scholarly work examines how geopolitical shifts, economic policy uncertainty, and market dynamics impact shipping operations, particularly in the LNG sector. His research interests span shipping economics, maritime transport economics, port management, and the geopolitical dimensions of international maritime trade routes. His publications reveal a consistent focus on analyzing market patterns, regulatory compliance, and sustainability challenges within the maritime sector. His extensive publication record, spanning from 2001 to anticipated 2025 publications, demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the maritime sector from operational, economic, and policy perspectives. Recent work shows increasing attention to emerging technologies in shipping and the evolving geopolitical landscape affecting global trade routes, particularly regarding LNG transportation and strategic maritime chokepoints like the Suez Canal. As an academic in the Department of Maritime Studies at the University of Piraeus, Professor Polemis contributes to the educational mission of an institution with a strong tradition in maritime education, situated in Piraeus—one of the Mediterranean's most important port cities. His work bridges theoretical economic concepts with practical applications in the shipping industry, providing valuable insights for both academic and industry stakeholders.
Daryl G. Press is a Professor of Government at Dartmouth College and the inaugural Faculty Director of the Davidson Institute for Global Security . He co-founded the Strategic Forces Boot Camp with Sandia National Laboratories and serves as a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council . Research Expertise U.S. National Security Policy Nuclear Deterrence Dynamics Technological Evolution in Warfare Strategic Stability Analysis Defense Department Consultancy Recent Publications (2023–2025) Examined U.S.-China military dynamics in East Asia Analyzed North Korean deterrence strategies Explored post-primacy U.S. foreign policy frameworks Investigated nuclear escalation risks Contact Information Email: daryl.g.press@dartmouth.edu Phone: (603) 646-1707 Office: Silsby Room 120, HB 6108
