Lillie Padilla is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics at Sam Houston State University's Department of World Languages and Cultures. Holding a Ph.D. and M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana, her research explores interdisciplinary connections between: Afro-Latinx representation in educational materials Discourse analysis and language ideologies Sociolinguistic studies in Equatorial Guinea Critical race theory applications in language teaching Her work focuses on Spanish subject pronoun expression patterns in multilingual contexts and curriculum development for inclusive pedagogy. Recent publications examine: Representation gaps in Spanish language textbooks Methodological challenges in Equatorial Guinea research Critical discourse analysis of Netflix's Elite series Intersectional representation of Afro-Latinx women Scientific achievements include: Finalist for American Association of Linguistics 2025 award for co-edited volume Representation, Inclusion and Social Justice in World Language Teaching Padilla's research continues to shape conversations about linguistic diversity and marginalized voices in language education through both empirical studies and theoretical frameworks.
Gierad Laput is a Senior Engineering Manager at Apple, leading the Perception and Interaction Engineering organization under Machine Intelligence Neural Design (MIND) at Apple AI/ML (AIML). He is also an Adjunct Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction Institute. His research sits at the intersection of sensing systems, interactive technologies, and machine learning, with applications in ambient intelligence, wearables, and AI-driven interactive experiences. Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University Founding member of CMU's Future Interfaces Group Former Google Ph.D. Fellow, Disney Imagineer, and recipient of 10 Best Paper Awards/Nominations His research agenda at Apple leverages cutting-edge hardware to develop multimodal ML systems for vision, audio, and motion sensors, enabling features like head gesture detection for AirPods, Apple Intelligence integrations, and health monitoring tools. Recent collaborative projects include Vision Pro hand interaction systems and WatchOS updates for cycling/fall detection. Key research areas include human-computer interaction , machine learning for sensor fusion , and smart environment sensing . Over 35 publications cover transformative technologies like ViBand (bio-acoustic sensing), EM-Sense (touch recognition), SkinTrack (arm as touchpad), and ElectroDermis (stretchable electronics). Scientific honors include: Fast Company Innovation by Design Award (2017) Google PhD Fellowship (2018) Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellowship (2018) Best Paper Awards at ACM UIST (2016) and ACM CHI (2015) As an educator, he has taught courses at CMU and the University of Michigan on on-device machine learning , signal processing , and human-centered design . His lab has mentored numerous researchers now pursuing PhDs at MIT, UW, CMU, and Northwestern.
Ruben Juanes is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT. His research focuses on multiphase flow in porous media, energy resources, and CO₂ sequestration. He holds appointments in both departments and has a strong interdisciplinary focus on geosciences and environmental engineering. His work bridges theory, simulation, and experimentation to address energy and environmental challenges. Education: Ingeniero de Caminos (Civil Engineering), University of La Coruña, Spain (1997) MS in Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley (1999) PhD in Civil Engineering, UC Berkeley (2003) Research interests emphasize fluid dynamics in geologic media, especially CO₂ storage, methane hydrates, and ecohydrology. His group develops computational models to predict large-scale Earth processes, with applications to carbon capture and storage, energy resource management, and subsurface engineering. Notable contributions include advancing understanding of fluid displacement mechanisms, capillary trapping in aquifers, and induced seismicity risks during CO₂ injection. His work has been recognized through awards like the APS Fellowship (2024), DOE Early Career Award (2010), and ARCO Energy Professorship (2008). Advising and Grants: Juanes advises graduate students in CEE and EAPS, focusing on thesis research in multiphase flow and geomechanics. His grants include NSF and DOE funding for projects on subsurface energy systems and induced seismicity. His lab, the Juanes Research Group, collaborates on experimental facilities like the FluidFlower CO₂ storage simulator. Labs/Teams: Active in MIT's Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) initiatives and the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI). Collaborates with industry partners on field-scale CO₂ storage validation and subsurface monitoring technologies.
Prof. Hedan Bai is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, specializing in robotics materials, bio-inspired systems, and soft robotics. Their research focuses on developing advanced materials for sensing, energy-efficient systems, and biomedical applications. Notable projects include the SmartSuit architecture for space exploration and self-healing optical sensors for soft robots. Research interests span bioelectronics, stretchable sensors, haptic interfaces, and biomimetic materials. Bai's work integrates material science with robotics to create adaptive, sustainable, and intelligent systems. Key areas include wireless implants for neuromodulation, environmental-responsive textiles, and energy-harvesting devices. Publications highlight innovations in optical waveguides, self-healing materials, and wearable technologies. Their interdisciplinary approach bridges robotics, biomedical engineering, and aerospace applications. No formal awards are listed, but contributions to next-gen materials for robotics are prominent. Advising and grants are not detailed in the text, but Bai's lab focuses on projects like SmartSuit for extravehicular activities and synthetic afferent neural networks. Collaborations likely involve aerospace and biomedical sectors.
Nadia Figueroa is the Shalini and Rajeev Misra Presidential Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) Department at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds secondary appointments in Computer and Information Science (CIS) and Electrical and Systems Engineering (ESE), and is a core faculty member at the GRASP Lab. Prior to Penn, she was a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT’s CSAIL and earned her PhD in Robotics from EPFL under Prof. Aude Billard. Her research focuses on physical and perceptual adaptive intelligence for robots, enabling fluid collaboration with humans in dynamic environments. Key applications include robot learning from demonstration , human-robot co-manipulation , safe navigation in human-centric spaces , and rehabilitation robotics . Her work integrates machine learning control theory artificial intelligence biomechanics psychology with guarantees of stability, safety, and robustness . Recent publications highlight advancements in reactive collision avoidance dynamical system learning intent estimation EEG-driven assistive control origami-based reconfigurable robots across platforms like autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. She has authored a 2022 textbook on dynamical systems for robot control and received the Presidential Assistant Professorship at Penn.
Sheng Shen is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) , with courtesy appointments in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering . He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (Minor in Electrical Engineering) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , and his B.S. and M.S. from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. Prior to joining CMU in 2011, he conducted postdoctoral research at UC-Berkeley . Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2010) B.S. & M.S., Power Engineering & Engineering Thermophysics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2000 & 2003) Research interests include nanophotonics , nanoscale energy transport and conversion , nanofabrication , and advanced manufacturing , with applications in thermal management , light sources and devices , thermal emission control , solar energy conversion , infrared sensing , and multifunctional materials . His work leverages interdisciplinary expertise in thermal and optical measurements , material synthesis , device fabrication , and theoretical modeling . Recent publications highlight advancements in infrared radiation control , thermal interface materials , metasurface engineering , and graphene-based nanosystems . His scientific awards include: NSF CAREER Award DARPA Director's Fellowship DARPA Young Faculty Award Elsevier/JQSRT Raymond Viskanta Award CMU Dean's Early Career Fellowship Philomathia Foundation Research Fellowship Hewlett-Packard Best Paper Award Best Paper Award, Julius Springer Forum Advising spans Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers in nanoscale energy systems, with alumni contributing to solar energy conversion , infrared sensing , and flexible electronics . His lab receives funding from ARL, DARPA, DOE, DTRA, NASA, NSF, and ONR , and recently secured a DURIP award for instrumentation.
Raj Ganesh S. Pala serves as a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. His research focuses on electrochemical engineering with particular expertise in energy storage systems, catalysis, and materials science. Dr. Pala maintains an active research program investigating fundamental electrochemical processes and their applications in energy conversion and storage technologies. Dr. Pala earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Utah (1999-2005), followed by a Master's in Science (Biophysical Chemistry) from the Indian Institute of Science and National Center for Biological Science (1997-1998), and a Bachelor's in Chemical and Electrochemical Technology from the Central Electro-Chemical Research Institute (1992-1996). His research interests span electrochemical engineering, catalysis, and separation processes with applications in energy storage, water treatment, and sustainable chemical production. Dr. Pala's work bridges fundamental electrochemistry with practical engineering applications, particularly in battery technology and electrocatalysis. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on energy storage materials, particularly lithium-ion battery cathodes, and electrocatalytic processes for sustainable chemical production. The research spans from fundamental materials characterization to practical device implementation, with particular emphasis on improving efficiency, selectivity, and longevity of electrochemical systems. Dr. Pala is based in Office NL-II 304 at IIT Kanpur, where he conducts his research and teaching activities in the Department of Chemical Engineering. His work contributes significantly to IIT Kanpur's research initiatives in sustainable energy and advanced materials.
Andrea Cavalleri is a renowned physicist affiliated with both the University of Hamburg and the University of Oxford as a Professor of Physics. He serves as Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter since 2013, having previously held leadership roles at the same institute and its predecessor departments. Laurea and PhD in Physics, University of Pavia (1994–1998) Postdoc, University of California, San Diego (1998–2001) Scientific staff, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2001–2005) His research focuses on ultrafast science, superconductivity, and nonlinear phononics. He pioneered femtosecond x-ray experiments to study atomic-structural dynamics in solids and demonstrated light-induced superconductivity in cuprates and fullerites. Current work involves X-ray Free Electron Lasers for photo-induced phase transitions. Selected publications highlight trends in ultrafast control of condensed matter phases, including superconducting plasma waves, Josephson solitons, and Dirac carrier dynamics in graphene. His work bridges experimental techniques with fundamental insights into quantum materials. Fellow of the American Physical Society (2011), Institute of Physics (2015), and AAAS (2016) Max Born Medal (2015), Dannie Heinemann Prize (2015), ERC Synergy Grant (2013) David Shirley Award (2004) and European Young Investigator Award (2004) Cavalleri's research has driven the development of tools for studying non-equilibrium phenomena in complex solids, enabling new directions in materials science and quantum physics. He has held named lectureships at institutions like Collège de France and Uppsala University.
Nima Fazeli is an Assistant Professor of Robotics at the University of Michigan (2020–Present), holding courtesy appointments in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) and Mechanical Engineering. He directs the Manipulation and Machine Intelligence (MMint) Lab, focusing on enabling dexterous robotic manipulation through multimodal representation learning, tactile sensing, and model-based reasoning. His work integrates mechanics, perception, controls, and planning to achieve autonomous interaction with uncertain environments. Education: PhD, MIT (2019); MSc, University of Maryland (2014); BSc, Amirkabir University of Technology (2011) Research interests emphasize embodied intelligence , including visuo-tactile fusion, contact dynamics modeling, and cross-modal learning. Recent work explores tactile shadows, deformable object manipulation, and language-guided robot control. His research is supported by the NSF CAREER grant and National Robotics Initiative, with applications in manufacturing, assistive robotics, and space systems. Publications span topics like tactile sensing hardware (e.g., GelSlim 4.0), visuo-tactile implicit representations (ViTaSCOPE), and failure recovery policies (Racer). His team’s work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times and BBC. Key Awards: NSF CAREER Grant (2024) Teaching includes Introduction to Robotic Manipulation . Collaborations involve cross-disciplinary projects with mechanical, electrical, and biomedical engineering groups.
Robert Rohling is a Professor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Applied Science, affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and holding a joint appointment with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. As Director of the Institute of Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS), his research focuses on biomedical engineering, medical imaging, robotics, and computational methods. B.A.Sc. (UBC) M.Eng. (McGill) Ph.D. (Cambridge) Rohling's work spans three primary research areas: medical imaging (3D ultrasound, spatial compounding, elasticity reconstruction), medical information systems (radiologist navigation tools for large image datasets), and robotic calibration for surgical applications. His multidisciplinary approach integrates mechanical and electrical engineering principles with clinical needs. Rohling's publications (2020-2022) reveal trends in advanced ultrasound techniques (e.g., shear wave vibro-elastography), AI-driven image processing (cycleGAN translation), and computational optimization for diagnostic accuracy. Keywords across his work include Medical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, and Computational Modeling. As director of the Robotics and Control Laboratory , Rohling leads interdisciplinary collaborations with industry and clinical partners to address practical challenges in medical diagnostics and surgical robotics. His research emphasizes translating engineering innovations into clinical practice.
Farzad Mashayek is a Professor and Department Head of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona, College of Engineering. He is a member of the Graduate Faculty and leads the Computational Multiphase Transport Laboratory. His research integrates high-fidelity simulations, machine learning, and experimental validation across diverse domains in fluid dynamics and energy systems. Educational Background: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY MS in Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran BS in Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran His research interests include turbulent reacting flows, plasma dynamics, electrostatic atomization, solid-ion and lithium batteries, computational fluid dynamics, and machine learning applications in engineering. He employs high-order spectral element methods, phase-field modeling, and deep neural networks to study complex multiphysics phenomena such as drop impact, battery degradation, and turbulence modeling. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with multiphysics simulations, particularly in battery safety (thermal runaway prediction), materials characterization (STEM image analysis), and fluid dynamics (modal analysis of turbulence). His work often involves collaboration with experimental groups to validate models, especially in dental aerosol suppression and electrohydrodynamics. Scientific Awards: Sustained Service Award, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Spring 2022 Best Presentation Award, The 20th International Conference on Computational Mathematics, Parallel and Distributed Computing, Summer I 2018 Dr. Mashayek has secured funding from NSF (GOALI program) for controlled coating via charged droplet deposition. He advises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in computational mechanics and energy systems, fostering interdisciplinary research. He has contributed to engineering education, particularly during the pandemic, with active learning strategies in online instruction. He leads a dynamic research team focused on advancing simulation tools and applying them to real-world challenges in energy, manufacturing, and public health.
Francesca Stradolini is a Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the Electrical Engineering Doctoral School (EDEE). She holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from EPFL (2018), with prior education in Bio Engineering and Neuroscience from the University of Genoa (2012, 2015). Her current work focuses on R&D engineering for medical devices, emphasizing system lifecycle management, human factors engineering, and compliance with CE/FDA regulations. As an invited guest, she contributes to usability engineering education and interdisciplinary research at EPFL. PhD: IoT Bio-Electronic Multi-Panel Device for On-line Monitoring of Anaesthesia Delivery (EPFL, 2018) MSc: Bio Engineering (University of Genoa, 2015) BSc: Bio Engineering (University of Genoa, 2012) Her research spans bioelectronics, IoT-enabled medical monitoring, and electrochemical sensor development for clinical applications. Key areas include anesthesia delivery systems, wearable diagnostics, implantable devices, and human factors engineering. Her work integrates fluidic systems, noble metal nanostructures, and open-source hardware (e.g., Raspberry Pi) to address challenges in traceability, fouling mitigation, and pharmacokinetic modeling. Scientific recognition includes the Ville de Lausanne Award (2019) , EPFL Outstanding PhD Thesis Distinction (2018) , and a Best Paper Award at MOBIHEALTH (2016) . She has published extensively in journals like IEEE TBIOCAS, Sensors and Actuators B, and IEEE Sensors Journal, with collaborative studies on propofol monitoring, carbon nanoallotrope drug detection, and implantable sensor validation. Her technical expertise includes managing medical device development lifecycles, designing IoT architectures for intensive care, and optimizing electrochemical sensors for stability in undiluted biological fluids. She has contributed to conferences such as IEEE BioCAS, ISCAS, and MOBIHEALTH, focusing on translational studies in personalized medicine and 3D-printed medical systems.
Steven Jackson is a Professor of Information Science and Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University's Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, with additional graduate field appointments in Communication and Public Affairs. Since July 2023, he has served as Vice-Provost for Academic Innovation at Cornell, and previously held leadership positions as Chair of Information Science and Dean of William Keeton House. His work bridges academic research with significant institutional leadership in higher education innovation. Dr. Jackson's research focuses on critical intersections of technology, society, and the environment, with three primary strands: technology ethics, law and policy; maintenance, repair and sustainability; and technology, inequality and global development. His work draws from American pragmatism, political economy, and science and technology studies, integrating methods from sociology, anthropology, philosophy, and media studies. He is particularly interested in how computing practices meet social and material worlds, with implications for infrastructure, collaboration, sustainability, and cultural practice. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on repair as both theoretical concept and practical methodology, exploring 'ordinary hope' as a framework for technological engagement and examining unmaking as a necessary counterpart to design. The research spans diverse geographical contexts from the global North to South, addressing caste dynamics in computing, digital authoritarianism, and infrastructure challenges in developing contexts. Dr. Jackson has received significant recognition including an NSF CAREER award and more than twenty paper awards at leading computing and information science venues. His research has been supported by major organizations including the U.S. National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, Ford Foundation, Sloan Foundation, World Bank, Intel Research, Atkinson Center for Sustainability, and the Canadian Social Science and Humanities Research Council. As an advisor, Dr. Jackson has mentored numerous graduate students who have gone on to prominent positions at institutions worldwide. He currently advises Jen Liu, Amy Cheatle, Daniel Mwesigwa, Johan Michalove, and Ritik Batra, while his former students include Palashi Vaghela (Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University), Samir Passi (Responsible AI Researcher at Microsoft), Maggie Jack (Assistant Professor at NYU), and Ranjit Singh (Senior Researcher at Data and Society). Dr. Jackson convenes the Computing On Earth Lab, an experimental collaboration bringing together social scientists, humanists, artists, and engineers to rethink the material and planetary foundations of computing. The lab reflects his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that address computing's environmental impacts and sustainability challenges.
Gary Fedder is the Howard M. Wilkoff Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), with courtesy appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Robotics. He serves as Faculty Director of the Manufacturing Futures Institute (MFI) and previously held roles such as Vice Provost for Research and Interim CEO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. Fedder’s research focuses on MEMS, advanced manufacturing, and implantable microsystems. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in EECS from MIT and UC Berkeley, respectively. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, UC Berkeley (1994) M.S., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT (1984) B.S., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT (1982) Research Interests: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), digital twins, aerosol jet printing, stretchable electronics, and manufacturing innovation. His work integrates MEMS with CMOS processes, emphasizing low-cost, high-performance systems. Key Contributions: Co-founded the ARM Institute; developed MEMS-based sensors and actuators; pioneered methods for manufacturing innovation through projects like America Makes. His research spans over 300 publications and 21 patents. Awards: IEEE Fellow (2007), Ross Tucker Award (1993), NSF CAREER Award (1996), and leadership roles in Manufacturing USA initiatives. Leadership & Outreach: Directed the Institute for Complex Engineered Systems and led national initiatives to advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Active in editorial roles for journals like IoP Journal of Micromechanics .
Haijun Xia is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he directs the Foundation Interface Lab and contributes to the Cognitive Science and Design Lab. His work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human-AI Collaboration , emphasizing the development of dynamic, malleable interfaces that integrate human cognition with intelligent systems to enhance thinking and working paradigms. Education: Bachelor's, Tsinghua University Master's and PhD, University of Toronto His research spans generative AI , interface design , and creative collaboration , with applications in data visualization, programming, and scholarly work. He advocates for treating information as a malleable material that can be flexibly manipulated by users and AI agents. Recent publications highlight advancements in: 2025 CHI Conference - Generative user interfaces, malleable overview-detail designs, and compositional structures for human-AI co-creation 2024 CHI Conference - Structured design space exploration with LLMs, ASCII diagram analysis, and adaptive presentation systems 2023 CHI/UIST Conferences - Data particle visualization, contextual logging tools, and metaphor generation for science communication Scientific recognitions include: Multiple Best Paper Awards and Honorable Mentions at CHI and UIST Hellman Fellowship and grants from NSF , Microsoft , Google , Meta , Apple , and Adobe He actively recruits undergraduate and graduate interns and has an upcoming postdoc position in early 2025 for researchers interested in foundational interface development.
