Weichao Wang is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Software and Information Systems at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University (2005), with earlier degrees from Tsinghua University. His research focuses on securing pervasive systems, wireless networks, cloud computing, and critical infrastructures, integrating multi-disciplinary approaches like information theory and visualization. He leads efforts in cybersecurity education for K-12 and higher education. Key roles include organizing IEEE conferences (e.g., IPCCC) and editorial roles in journals like ITU Intelligent and Converged Networks. His awards include the 2024 AECT Crystal Award and multiple Distinguished TPC recognitions. Students under his advisement have contributed to areas like mobile cloud computing and network security. Professional contributions include service on over 50 conference committees and journal reviewing. Current research emphasizes cybersecurity in education, IoT defense, and AI-driven security systems. His lab explores immersive visualization for cybersecurity training and augmented reality applications.
Rongxing Lu is an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of New Brunswick (UNB), Canada, since August 2016. Previously, he held positions at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore (2012–2016) and the University of Waterloo, Canada (PhD in 2012). His research focuses on applied cryptography, privacy enhancing technologies, and IoT-big data security. He has over 7,500 citations and received prestigious awards like the Governor General’s Gold Medal (2012) and the IEEE ComSoc Asia Pacific Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2013). He is an IEEE senior member and serves on editorial boards of journals like IEEE Network. **Education**: PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo (2012), awarded Governor General’s Gold Medal Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Waterloo (2012–2013) **Research Interests**: Developing cryptographic protocols for IoT and big data systems Privacy-preserving techniques for distributed systems Secure communication in 5G/6G networks and vehicular systems **Awards and Recognition**: Recipient of multiple best paper awards in IEEE conferences 2016–2017 Excellence in Teaching Award at UNB **Editorial and Leadership Roles**: Symposium co-chair at IEEE Globecom’16 Secretary of IEEE ComSoc CIS-TC Organized special issues on fog computing security (Elsevier) and big data security (IEEE IoT Journal) **Key Contributions**: Pioneered privacy-aware data reporting schemes for vehicular networks Designed lightweight IoT authentication protocols Advanced secure machine learning frameworks with privacy guarantees
Gianluca Setti is a Full Professor at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (DET) at Polytechnic University of Turin, where he has been serving since 2017. He previously held positions at the University of Ferrara from 1997 to 2017. His institutional roles include being the Contact Person for the Research Quality Evaluation process, Member of the Interdepartmental Center SmartData@PoliTO - Big Data and Data Science Laboratory, and Member of the University Quality Assurance Committee. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Proceedings of the IEEE, the first non-US editor to hold this position. Dr. Setti's research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields including machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, Internet of Things, biomedical signal processing, power electronics, and electromagnetic compatibility. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly focusing on compressed sensing, neural networks, and circuit design for specialized applications. His research has significant implications for healthcare, sustainable infrastructure, and next-generation electronics. His publication record reveals a consistent trajectory from foundational work in chaotic systems and neural networks to contemporary applications in AI, IoT, and edge computing. The most recent publications demonstrate his focus on anomaly detection at the edge, neural oracles for biosignal processing, and power electronics innovations. His work shows strong integration between theoretical signal processing and practical circuit implementation. 1998 Caianiello prize (best Italian Ph.D. thesis on Neural Networks) IEEE Fellow (2006) IEEE Circuits and Systems Society Distinguished Lecturer (2004, 2015) 2004 IEEE CAS Society Darlington Award 2013 IEEE CAS Society Meritorious Service Award 2013 IEEE CAS Society Guillemin-Cauer Award 2019 IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems best paper award Multiple best paper awards at major conferences including ECCTD2005, EMCZurich2005, ISCAS2011, PRIME2019, and EMCCOMPO2019 Dr. Setti has supervised numerous PhD students across various research domains including electromagnetic compatibility, signal and power integrity, communication networks, mechatronics and robotics. His research is supported by significant funding including national PRIN projects, EU-funded JTI-ECSEL initiatives, and commercial contracts. He leads the VLSILAB Group at DET, focusing on circuit architectures, embedded systems, and AI applications. His current projects include DECORI (anomaly detection), StorAIge (embedded storage for AI), PROGRESSUS (energy infrastructure), CONNECT (smart grid), and CONVERGENCE (wearable healthcare applications).
Jian Hu is a Professor at Michigan State University (MSU) in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, with joint appointments in the Department of Chemistry and the BioMolecular Science Gateway. His research integrates structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to investigate macromolecular mechanisms in biology and biomedicine, focusing on bio-metal utilization and homeostasis. Ph.D., Peking University, 2004 B.S., Beijing Medical University, 1999 Associate Research Scientist, Yale University (2008–2013) Postdoctoral Research Associate, Florida State University (2005–2007) The Hu lab targets three major projects: (1) ZIP metal transporters, exploring alternating access mechanisms and substrate specificity; (2) Lar proteins, analyzing Ni-pincer cofactor biosynthesis and catalytic mechanisms; and (3) PIPK lipid kinases, studying membrane sensing and inhibitor development. Collaborations with Dr. Robert P. Hausinger and Dr. Xuefei Huang advance drug discovery and structural elucidation. Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary work, blending plant biology (phenylalanine metabolism, peroxisome dynamics) with computational methods (watermarking algorithms, signal processing). His collaborations extend to engineering and medicine, emphasizing functional characterization of proteins and drug target validation. Scientific Awards: Invited State-of-the-Art Review, FEBS Journal 2021 Current courses include BMB 829: Special Problems in Macromolecular Analysis & Synthesis and CEM 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research . The lab employs X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, NMR, and biochemistry to resolve atomic-level structures and functions of critical macromolecules, including ZIP4 and PIP5Kγ.
Assoc. Prof. Nhien An Le Khac is an Associate Professor at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin. He serves as Programme Director for the MSc in Forensic Computing & Cybercrime Investigation, which has trained over 1,500 law enforcement officers globally. His research focuses on cybersecurity, digital forensics, AI security, and secure healthcare IT systems. He holds a PhD from Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (France) and has supervised 9 PhD students. His work includes pioneering contributions to electromagnetic side-channel analysis (EM-SCA) for IoT forensics, blockchain forensics, and AI-based fraud detection. Education: BSc/MSc: Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City PhD: Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning: UCD Research Interests: Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, AI Security, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Big Data Analytics, Healthcare IT Security. Recent Article Trends: Focus on EM-SCA for IoT device forensics, illicit Bitcoin transaction tracking, and cross-device ML portability. His work bridges theoretical AI advancements with practical forensic applications, emphasizing privacy preservation and explainable AI. Awards & Recognition: World’s Top 2% Scientists (2024) UCD Teaching Excellence Awards (2022, 2018) Best Paper Awards at Elsevier, AI-2022, and DFRWS conferences Grants & Advising: Principal Investigator on grants like Cloud Atlas, CERBERUS, and Urban ARK. Advised 9 PhD students who now work in academia/research globally. Active in funding initiatives like ML-Labs (SFI-funded). Labs & Teams: Leads ASEADOS Lab and maintains datasets like EM-SCA and InSDN. Collaborates globally on forensic frameworks and cybersecurity tools.
Dr. Richard Jiang is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Neurocomputing, Quantum AI, Privacy Computing, and Medical Computing. He has pioneered secure pattern recognition in encrypted domains and quantum neuromorphic computing. With over £1M in research grants from EPSRC and others, he has authored 100+ publications and supervised over 20 PhD students. Dr. Jiang's work includes the Face2Brain method for neurodegenerative assessment and explainable models for brain aging analysis. He contributes actively to academic committees, editorial boards, and conferences like the World Conference on eXplainable AI. His research spans ethical AI frameworks, quantum algorithms for medical imaging, and privacy-preserving biometric systems.
Martin Nordal Petersen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering , Technical University of Denmark (DTU) . His work spans Internet of Things (IoT) , optical networking , and wireless communication systems, with notable contributions to LoRa , NB-IoT , and LPWAN technologies. He actively supervises PhD projects on topics such as machine learning in IoT edge devices , secure 5G communication , and smart community architectures . Active projects (2024–2027): Machine Learning in IoT Edge Devices , Deterministic and Secure 5G Communication Finished projects (2021–2024; 2018–2021; 2015–2018): Reliable M2M/IoT Communication , Smart Communities , IoT 100% , Network Slicing His research explores: IoT Reliability : Multi-RAT communication, backup systems, and signal propagation Optical Networks : Alien wavelength integration, SDN control, and network emulation platforms Wireless Innovation : GPS-free geolocation, maritime NB-IoT use cases, and multimode fiber distribution Current collaborations emphasize cross-disciplinary applications of IoT in healthcare , industrial ergonomics , and smart environments .
Liane Colonna is an Assistant Professor in Law and Information Technology at the Department of Law, Stockholm University , where she investigates ethical and legal challenges arising from AI-driven practices in higher education. She also engages in methodologically oriented research at the intersection of AI and Law, contributing to the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanities and Society. Additionally, Liane serves as the director of the Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI) and is a member of the New York Bar since 2008. Primary Affiliation: Department of Law, Stockholm University Institute Leadership: Director, Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI) Professional Status: Member of the New York Bar Research Interests: Ethical and legal challenges of AI in higher education Methodological approaches in AI and Law Data protection and privacy by design Regulatory frameworks for AI and emerging technologies Privacy implications of lifelogging and health IoT International data governance and surveillance law Publications demonstrate expertise in AI regulation, GDPR compliance, and privacy-preserving technologies, particularly for assisted living and educational contexts. Her work bridges technical implementation with legal accountability, emphasizing human oversight and ethical design.
Ivan Viola is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Computer Graphics and Algorithms, part of the Faculty of Informatics at TU Wien, Austria. He holds a leave of absence until December 2024 while also being affiliated with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) as an Associate Professor funded by the Vienna Research Groups program. His research focuses on visualization techniques in medicine, biological sciences, and earth sciences, with a specialty in illustrative visualization and DNA-nanotechnology applications. Viola has contributed over 100 scientific works and serves as a reviewer and panelist for major conferences in computer graphics and visualization. Education: M.Sc. (2002) and Ph.D. (2005) in Computer Graphics from TU Wien. Postdoctoral research at the University of Bergen (2006-2011), where he became Full Professor before returning to TU Wien. Research Interests: Whole-cell visualization Molecular modeling Interactive 3D environments Biomedical visualization Data-driven colormap techniques Awards: IEEE VIS 2017 Best Paper Honorable Mention, 'Best Overall Concept' for CellView, and multiple visualization awards. Active in EuroVis and IEEE VIS organizing roles. Grants & Supervision: Leads the Visualization Group at TU Wien, supervising student projects and master’s theses. Involved in grants like the Vienna Research Groups program. Labs/Teams: Visualization Group at TU Wien, collaborating on projects like CellView and Molecumentary.
David Opderbeck is a Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology and Institute for Privacy Protection at Seton Hall University School of Law. His expertise spans artificial intelligence compliance, cybersecurity, data privacy, intellectual property law, and the intersection of law with theology and neuroscience. He teaches courses such as Cybersecurity Law and Policy, AI and the Law, and leads the Data Privacy and Security Compliance Program. Additionally, he holds affiliations with Seton Hall's Department of Religion and is a Faculty Associate at Harvard's Berkman-Klein Center for Internet & Society. Education: JD from Seton Hall University School of Law; LLM from NYU Law School; PhD and MA in Systematic and Philosophical Theology from the University of Nottingham and Fuller Theological Seminary. Research focuses on AI ethics, cybersecurity policy, and theological dimensions of law. Notable works include Law and Theology: Classic Questions and Contemporary Perspectives (2019), The End of the Law? Law, Theology, and Neuroscience (2021), and the upcoming Faithful Exchange: The Economy as It's Meant to Be (2025). His recent articles address AI training data rights, regulatory frameworks for biotech innovation, and encryption policy dilemmas. Service roles include Co-Director of the Gibbons Institute since 2003 and arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association in tech-related disputes. His work bridges legal scholarship with practical policy solutions for emerging technologies.
Weiwen Jiang is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at George Mason University (GMU), affiliated with the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC). He leads the JQub lab, focusing on hardware/software co-design for computing systems, spanning classical (FPGAs, ASICs) and quantum computing applications in AI-driven fields like medical imaging and geophysics. Prior to GMU, he held a postdoctoral position at the University of Notre Dame and earned his PhD in Computer Science from Chongqing University with a joint PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. His research emphasizes quantum computing, AI accelerators, and domain-specific computing. Notable achievements include the 2025 NSF CAREER Award, ACM Sigda Meritorious Service Award (2024), and IEEE QuantumWeek Best Paper Award (2023). His work is funded by NSF, DoE, ARO, Meta, and Leidos. He co-chaired IEEE QuantumWeek (2023–2025) and created workshops like StableQ at ESWEEK 2023. Key contributions include developing frameworks like QuPAD for quantum learning and JQub's AI-driven geophysical and medical imaging tools. His lab graduated Dr. Yi Sheng (now at University of South Florida) and Dr. Zhepeng Wang (Amazon Applied Scientist). Current research explores quantum machine learning, noise mitigation, and fairness in AI for edge devices.
Willem Jonker is a Full Professor at the Digital Society Institute, specializing in Semantics, Cybersecurity & Services. His research focuses on encryption schemes, access control, and privacy-preserving technologies. He has contributed to over 120 publications, with recent work addressing CVE-to-CWE mapping, anomaly detection in network traffic, and functional encryption systems. His expertise aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to secure digital systems and privacy. Jonker has supervised 10 students and actively participates in academic conferences, presenting on topics like secure data management and cryptographic protocols. Research interests include cryptographic protocols, secure data management, and cybersecurity solutions. Notable projects involve developing methods for detecting covert channels, enhancing data privacy in healthcare, and improving secure search over encrypted data. He has also contributed to standards in digital rights management and forensic image recognition.
Dr. Bharanidharan Shanmugam is an Associate Professor in Information Technology at Charles Darwin University's Faculty of Science and Technology. He specializes in cybersecurity, IoT security, and cyber risk management in microgrids. His research focuses on addressing real-world challenges in IoT, smart grids, and medical devices to enhance community impact. **Research Interests:** - IoT Security - Cyber Risk Assessment in Microgrids - Network and Information Security - Applied Cybersecurity Solutions - Blockchain and Privacy-Preserving Technologies **Key Projects (2019–2025):** - Cyber Territory Skills Hub (2023–2025) - Renewable Energy Microgrid Hub (2021–2024) - Blockchain-Based Digital Identity (2019–2020) **Publications:** Focuses on IoT security frameworks, intrusion detection systems, and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. Recent works include studies on smart grid load forecasting, medical IoT threat detection, and water leakage detection using machine learning. **Grants & Supervision:** Principal Investigator on multiple ARC-funded projects. Supervises PhD students in DevSecOps and IoT security. Active in organizing workshops on digital awareness for indigenous communities.
M. Hadi Amini is an Assistant Professor at Florida International University's Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences. He founded and directs the Sustainability, Optimization, and Learning for InterDependent networks (SOLID) laboratory, focusing on cyber-physical-social systems and distributed AI applications. Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering (2019), Carnegie Mellon University M.Sc., Electrical and Computer Engineering (2015), Carnegie Mellon University M.Sc. (2013), Tarbiat Modares University B.Sc. (2011), Sharif University of Technology His research spans federated learning, interdependent network optimization, and AI applications in smart cities , energy systems , and healthcare . Recent work emphasizes privacy-preserving techniques, quantum encryption, and blockchain integration for secure distributed learning. The 15 most recent publications highlight trends in large language models , edge computing , medical imaging security , and infrastructure resilience , with interdisciplinary emphasis across computer science, systems engineering, and urban planning. Best Paper Award, IEEE Conference on Computational Science & Computational Intelligence (2019) Best Journal Paper Award, Springer Nature Operations Research Forum (2021) Excellence in Teaching Award, FIU (2020) Multiple Best Reviewer Awards, IEEE Transactions NSF Travel Awards (2019) As Associate Editor for Frontiers in Communications and Networks and book series editor for Sustainable Interdependent Networks , he actively shapes research discourse. His lab has secured $3.6M in federal/state funding for AI-driven infrastructure projects.
Thaier Hayajneh , Ph.D., is a University Professor at Fordham University's Department of Computer and Information Sciences. He serves as Founder Director of the Fordham Center for Cybersecurity and Program Director for the MS in Cybersecurity program. Previously, he held academic roles at New York Institute of Technology and Hashemite University in Jordan. Specializes in cybersecurity, networking, and applied cryptography Focus areas include blockchain, IoT security, and wireless network vulnerabilities Active in NSF cybersecurity review panels and as a CAE reviewer for NSA Recipient of peer-review awards from Publons His research spans secure protocols for medical IoT systems, lightweight cryptographic algorithms, and smart contract implementations in healthcare. Publications in IEEE IoT Journal, IEEE Systems Journal, and Journals like Future Generation Computer Systems demonstrate his expertise in securing emerging technologies. Dr. Hayajneh has received research funding from federal agencies including NSA, Department of Defense, and NSF. He has published over 80 papers and maintains active editorial roles in prestigious journals. Scientific Awards: Peer-review awards from Publons
