Antonino Sferlazza is an Associate Professor in the Polytechnic School at the University of Palermo, specializing in Control Systems Engineering and Power Electronics. His research focuses on advanced control strategies for electric drives, power converters, and robotics systems. He has taught courses such as Automotive Control Systems , Automatic Controls , and Dynamic Systems Identification and Filtering across multiple engineering disciplines, including Electronics and Aerospace Engineering. His work emphasizes sensorless control of motors (e.g., BLDC, PMSM), DC-DC converter design for automotive and energy systems, and nonlinear control methodologies. Notable contributions include studies on Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) switches for electric vehicle recharging, and robust disturbance rejection control for DC microgrids. He has supervised numerous theses on topics like drone propulsion systems, ROV control, and predictive control algorithms for inverters. His research also extends to localization systems using inertial data and hybrid observers, as well as applications in renewable energy (e.g., micro wind turbines) and automotive systems (e.g., exhaust energy recovery). Sferlazza contributes to both theoretical advancements and experimental validation, publishing in journals and conferences on control systems, power electronics, and robotics.
Gabriele Costa is an Associate Professor at the SysMA Group of the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca. He holds a Laurea and Ph.D. in Computer Science. Previously, he was part of the cybersecurity group at CNR’s Istituto di Informatica e Telematica and served as a visiting researcher at ETH Zurich (2016-2017). He co-founded the Computer Security Laboratory (CSec) at DIBRIS and is CRO of Talos, a cybersecurity spin-off. His research focuses on formal methods for verifying and testing mobile/modular systems, including mobile software, cloud computing, and critical infrastructure security. He has led/co-founded initiatives like the MAVeriC framework for mobile app security and contributed to projects such as SPARTA (EU H2020) and FilieraSicura (CISCO-funded). Costa actively participates in conferences like EuroSP and ITASEC, serving on program committees. His work spans security protocols, penetration testing tools (e.g., MeTeOr), and educational initiatives like cybersecurity games for K-12 students. He emphasizes bridging theory and practice through frameworks like Lidite (digital twins) and tools targeting zero-day malware detection (Z-MDZS).
Chen-Ching Liu is the American Electric Power Professor and Director of the Power and Energy Center at Virginia Tech's Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and has held academic roles at institutions such as Washington State University (2011-2017), University of Washington (1983-2005), and University College Dublin (2008-2015). His research focuses on power systems, cybersecurity, resilience engineering, and renewable energy integration. Education : Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, UC Berkeley (1983) M.S., National Taiwan University (1978) B.S., National Taiwan University (1976) Research Interests : Cybersecurity of power systems Smart grid resilience and restoration Electricity market mechanisms Renewable energy integration Advanced control systems for microgrids Key Awards : Member, National Academy of Engineering (2020) IEEE Fellow (1993) Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award (2004) Doctor Honoris Causa, Polytechnic University of Bucharest (2013) Grants & Projects : Directed the WSU Energy Systems Innovation Center (2012–2017) Lead researcher on cyber-physical system security and microgrid resilience Contributed to CIGRE defense plans against extreme contingencies Labs & Teams : Director of Virginia Tech’s Power and Energy Center Developed cyber-distribution system testbeds for education and research Collaborates with industry partners on smart grid and cybersecurity initiatives
Professor Volker Pickert is a faculty member at Newcastle University, specializing in power electronics, electric vehicles, and energy systems. His research focuses on advanced thermal management, battery technologies, and converter designs for automotive and grid applications. His work spans wireless power transfer systems, dynamic road charging, and optimization of energy storage and distribution. Recent publications highlight innovations in zero-voltage switching converters, platoon energy recovery, and liquid metal cooling solutions. Article trends indicate expertise in converter topologies, thermal conductivity analysis, and electric road system integration. Research extends to fault tolerance in power electronics, battery management, and nonlinear system analysis across transportation and energy domains.
Dr. Adib Allahham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University. His research focuses on advancing energy systems through innovative control strategies and sustainable technologies. He specializes in microgrid optimization, renewable energy integration, and smart grid development, with a particular emphasis on hydrogen storage, energy storage systems, and decarbonization challenges. His work addresses critical issues such as building-to-building energy trading, grid security, and the transition to net-zero infrastructure. He explores hybrid control systems, predictive algorithms, and the impact of weather on renewable energy outputs. Dr. Allahham collaborates on projects like port electrification and Jordan’s energy regulatory reforms, emphasizing real-world applications of his research.
Dr Yehdego Habtay is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Science at the University of Greenwich. He holds BEng, MSc, and PhD degrees, with expertise in power systems engineering and control systems. His research focuses on power systems modeling/operation, Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), induction motor starting in isolated systems, and control instrumentation. Key contributions include work on fault ride-through mechanisms in HVDC systems, power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) testing for grid stability, and DC microgrid design. His publications span topics like inverter droop control, voltage regulation in low-voltage grids, and energy-efficient communication systems in healthcare. Dr. Habtay has held academic roles since 2004, complemented by industry experience at Bowman Power Systems and Scottish Power. His research integrates theoretical models with practical experimentation, emphasizing renewable energy integration and grid resilience.
Hui Li is the FSU Provost McKenzie Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee (2000) and degrees from Huazhong University of Science & Technology (B.E.E., 1992; M.S., 1995). Her research focuses on power electronics, including bi-directional dc-dc converters, micro-grid inverter control, and Wide Bandgap (WBG) device integration for renewable energy systems. Her current projects include DOE-funded work on WBG-based PV converters targeting cost reduction and reliability improvements. She serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics and has received the NSF Career Award (2007). Her work emphasizes high-power density converters, fault protection, and smart grid technologies. Key research trends in her articles include advancements in SiC MOSFET applications, grid-tied inverter stability, and novel modulation techniques for modular converters. Recent studies address challenges like dv/dt suppression, partial discharge mitigation, and sensorless control strategies. Scientific Awards: NSF Career Award (2007) Grants & Projects: DOE Next Generation Power Electronics Innovation Institute, WBG device integration in PV systems Labs/Teams: Leads the FSU team in the DOE-funded Power Electronics Innovation Institute, focusing on WBG device applications and high-performance power systems.
Faheem Ahmad is a Research Fellow at AAU Energy, Aalborg University, specializing in power electronics and industrial heating applications. He holds a PhD in Power Electronics from Aalborg University (2023), an M.Sc. in Energy Engineering (2020), and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (2014) from Delhi Technological University. His research focuses on high-frequency converter topologies, resonant converters, and wide bandgap semiconductors, particularly for industrial heating systems. He has contributed to projects like GreenHeat (2023–2026) and RFheat (2020–2021), addressing energy-efficient RF generators and curing technologies. Education: PhD in Power Electronics, Aalborg University (2021–2023) M.Sc. in Energy Engineering, Aalborg University (2018–2020) B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Delhi Technological University (2010–2014) Research Interests: His work emphasizes advancing power electronics for industrial applications, including high-frequency converters and semiconductor integration in dielectric heating systems. He explores RF-based solutions for energy efficiency and modernizing industrial heating processes. Projects: GreenHeat : Developing energy-efficient RF generators for industrial heating (Innovation Fund Denmark, 2023–2026). CoDE : Center for Digitalized Electronics (Poul Due Jensen Foundation, 2021–2026). Transistorization of Industrial Dielectric Heating Plants : PhD project focusing on semiconductor-based heating systems (2021–2023). Impacts: His work on modular power converters has yielded economic impacts through improved industrial heating systems. He has presented at events like the PDJF Grundfos Prize Expo (2022–2023).
Dr. John G. Hayes is a Senior Lecturer in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. He specializes in electric vehicles, energy systems, and power electronics. With a PhD from UCC (1998), he has over two decades of academic and industry experience, including roles at General Motors and Power One Inc. His current research focuses on power electronics, magnetics, and renewable energy applications, particularly in automotive and industrial contexts. Hayes directs UCC's Power Electronics Research Laboratory (PERL), collaborating with global firms like Analog Devices and General Motors. He authored a leading textbook on electric powertrains, published by Wiley & Sons and translated into Chinese. Hayes' work has been recognized with the William M. Portnoy Award for Best Paper (2011) at IEEE ECCE. Education: B.E., University College Cork (1986) M.S.E.E., University of Minnesota (1989) M.B.A., California Lutheran University (1993) Ph.D., University College Cork (1998) Research Interests: Power electronics for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, high-power converters, magnetics design, smart grid technologies, and renewable energy integration. Hayes emphasizes industrial collaborations, particularly in advancing EV charging infrastructure and magnetic component optimization. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers, focusing on magnetic materials, power converter control strategies, and EV energy management. Recent work explores high-frequency magnetics for EMI filters and modular e-axle design for heavy-duty applications. Awards & Recognition: William M. Portnoy Award (2011) 6 patents, including inductive charging and power converter designs Grants & Labs: PERL's projects include EU-funded collaborations on wave energy storage and high-power DC-DC converters. Hayes advises PhD students in power electronics and drives, with notable alumni contributing to industry and academia.
Dr. Mark Broadmeadow is a faculty member at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in the School of Electrical Engineering & Robotics within the Faculty of Engineering. He holds a PhD from QUT along with several graduate certificates in academic practice and research commercialisation. His educational background includes: Doctor of Philosophy (Queensland University of Technology) Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Queensland University of Technology) Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation (Queensland University of Technology) BEng(Hons)(Infomechatronics) (Queensland University of Technology) Dr. Broadmeadow's research focuses on power electronics, particularly in the areas of power converters, modular multilevel converters, battery storage systems, and power quality. His work has significant applications in renewable energy integration, electric vehicles, and power grid stability. He has made notable contributions to the development of advanced control strategies for power electronic systems and has explored innovative approaches to improve efficiency and reliability in power conversion. His publication record shows a consistent progression from fundamental gate driver research to sophisticated battery-integrated converter systems and machine learning applications for battery state estimation. His scientific contributions span various aspects of power engineering, with a particular emphasis on practical implementations and hardware solutions. His research often involves collaboration with industry partners to address real-world challenges in power electronics, as evidenced by his numerous conference papers presented at major power engineering conferences. Dr. Broadmeadow has been actively involved in supervision, with topics including 'Small, high efficiency, low cost appliance UPS.' His laboratory work appears to focus on power hardware implementation, with research involving modular power converters, FPGA-based control systems, and experimental validation of novel power electronic topologies.
Dr. Amirnaser Yazdani is a Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. He holds adjunct appointments as Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto (2005), M.Sc. from University of Tehran (2001), and B.Sc. from Sharif University of Technology (1995). Education: Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, University of Toronto (2005) M.Sc. Electrical Engineering, University of Tehran (2001) B.Sc. Electrical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology (1995) Research Focus: Dr. Yazdani leads pioneering research in high-power electronic conversion systems with applications in renewable energy integration, microgrids, and smart grids. His work emphasizes modeling, control design, and stability analysis of distributed energy resources. Key areas include: Advanced converter topologies for HVDC transmission and renewable integration Energy management strategies for DC distribution networks and electric vehicles Robust control frameworks for islanded microgrid operation Protection systems for inverter-based distributed generation Publication Trends: His recent articles demonstrate strong focus on DC power systems, microgrid resilience, and electric vehicle integration. Theoretical contributions include novel control methodologies for power converters, while applied research features case studies on grid modernization. Recurring themes include stability enhancement, fault tolerance, and optimization of hybrid renewable systems. Awards & Honors: IEEE Student Branch Professor of the Year (2016, 2017) Chair's Research & Teaching Awards, Ryerson University (2013, 2014) NSERC Industrial Research Fellowship (2005-2006) Multiple teaching excellence awards from University Students' Council IEEE Senior Member status (2009) Edward S. Rogers Scholarship (2004-2005) Academic Leadership: As Project Leader of NSERC-funded Canadian Smart Microgrid Strategic Network, he coordinates national research initiatives. He chairs the IEEE PES Working Group on Distributed Energy Resources Modeling and serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy. His research group focuses on power electronics applications for next-generation grids.
Dr. Paras Mandal is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Director of the Power & Renewable Energy Systems (PRES) Laboratory at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His research focuses on electric power systems, renewable energy integration, machine learning applications in smart grids, and cyber-security of power infrastructure. He has published over 200 articles and received awards such as the IEEE Best Papers Award and IEEJ Young Engineer Award. Mandal is a Senior Member of IEEE and holds leadership roles in IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES), including past Chair of IEEE PEEC Award Subcommittee and Secretary of IEEE New Product Development (NPD) Committee. His work is funded by NSF, DOE, DoEd, and industry, including co-leading the NSF-ERC-ASPIRE Power Thrust. Education & Professional Background: While specific educational details are not provided, his academic career demonstrates deep expertise in power systems engineering. He has pioneered initiatives in curriculum development, integrating emerging technologies like dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) and smart grid education through NSF-funded programs. Research Interests: Mandal’s work bridges theoretical advancements and practical applications in resilient energy systems. Key areas include: Optimization of microgrid operations under extreme weather Cyber-security protocols for inverter-based microgrids Machine learning-driven demand forecasting for EV charging infrastructure Resilience assessment of power distribution networks Integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) into distribution grids Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize: Application of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for grid optimization Impact of EVs on urban power distribution systems Cyber-physical security of distributed energy resources (DERs) Hybrid deep learning models for renewable energy forecasting Awards & Recognition: Beyond his technical accolades, Mandal’s leadership in IEEE committees and his role in shaping energy education through concept map evaluations (NSF-funded) highlight his dual focus on innovation and pedagogy. Grants & Labs: As PRES Lab Director, he oversees projects funded by NSF-ERC-ASPIRE and collaborations like the $2.5M UTEP-El Paso Electric partnership for green energy research. His labs develop tools like RAPSim software for DER-integrated grid education. Future Work: Prioritizes: Smart grid resilience against cyber-physical threats Large-scale EV in-motion charging infrastructure Decarbonization strategies for urban energy systems
Andrei BRAITOR is an Associate Professor at CentraleSupélec, affiliated with the L2S (Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes). His research focuses on systems and control engineering, particularly in DC microgrids, power electronics, and stability analysis. Key areas of expertise include voltage stability in aviation power systems, distributed control for multi-agent systems, and cyber-physical components of autonomous systems. Research interests span multiple domains including energy systems (hybrid electric aircraft, Industry 4.0 applications), telecommunications, and signal processing. He leads projects such as COMEDY (Control of Dynamical Systems), MODESTY (Modelling & Estimation), and SYCOMORE (Telecommunications & Networks). His work integrates advanced hierarchical control frameworks and stability analysis techniques. Recent contributions highlight innovations in overvoltage protection mechanisms, decentralized primary control strategies, and adaptive droop control for DC microgrids. He actively participates in international conferences like IFAC World Congress and the American Control Conference, contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical implementations in energy distribution systems. Prof. Braitor also pioneers educational initiatives using animated cartoons (∞ sCaR project) to enhance control engineering pedagogy. His research group collaborates across disciplines, leveraging L2S's interdisciplinary environment in signal processing, inverse problems, and modelling teams.
Dr. Amirnaser Yazdani is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University, serving as the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. He holds adjunct positions at the University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario. With a B.Sc. (1995) and M.Sc. (2001) from Sharif University of Technology and University of Tehran, respectively, and a Ph.D. (2005) from the University of Toronto, his expertise lies in power electronics and renewable energy systems. His research focuses on high-power electronic converters, grid integration of renewable energy, microgrids, and DC grids. He has authored/co-authored two textbooks and over 50 peer-reviewed papers. Notable awards include the IEEE Ryerson Professor of the Year (2016-2017) and the Ryerson Chair's Research Award (2014). Dr. Yazdani leads the Canadian Smart Microgrid Strategic Network (NSMG-Net) and serves on editorial boards of IEEE Transactions. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses on power electronics, electric machines, and energy systems. Current research emphasizes DC distribution systems and smart grid technologies.
Georgios Konstantinou is an Associate Professor in Energy Systems at the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. He leads the Real-Time Simulations Laboratory (RTS@UNSW), which hosts the largest Real-time Digital Simulation Laboratory in Australia. Dr. Konstantinou is also an ARC Future Fellow (FT240100038, 2025-2029) for the project "Integration and Stability of Power Electronics Defined Low Inertia Grids," and previously held an ARC Early Career Research Fellowship (DE170100370) focused on High-voltage DC grids. Dr. Konstantinou's educational background includes: PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia (2012) Thesis: "Harmonic Elimination Pulse Width Modulation of Modular and Hybrid Multilevel Converter Topologies" Diploma of Electrical Engineering (5-year degree, equivalent to Masters) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2007) Graduate Diploma in University Learning and Teaching from UNSW (2015) His research focuses on power electronics and energy systems, with particular expertise in HVDC transmission systems, multilevel converters, real-time digital simulations, and hardware-in-the-loop testing. Dr. Konstantinou's work addresses critical challenges in grid integration of renewable energy and energy storage systems, with an emphasis on stability and control of power electronics-defined grids. His research bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications through close collaboration with industry partners including CSIRO and AGL. Analysis of Dr. Konstantinou's recent publications reveals a strong focus on grid-forming converters, digital twin technologies, and advanced control strategies for power systems with high renewable penetration. His work increasingly integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques with traditional power system engineering to address stability challenges in low-inertia grids. Key themes include real-time simulation methodologies, fault analysis in HVDC systems, and innovative control approaches for power electronics interfaces. Dr. Konstantinou's scientific recognition includes: ARC Future Fellow (FT240100038, 2025-2029) ARC Early Career Research Fellow (DE170100370) Australia-China Young Scientist Exchange Program participant (2015) Next Steps Initiative Grant awardee (2016) Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Dr. Konstantinou actively supervises research students in areas including multilevel power electronics converters, HVDC systems, modular multilevel converters, and grid integration of large-scale renewable energy systems. His current research is supported by multiple grants totaling over $1.5 million, including an ARC Future Fellowship ($1,066,000), CSIRO Global Power System Transformation Initiative grants ($365,000 each), and various international collaboration grants. These projects focus on real-time simulation, grid integration of renewables, and stability of power electronics-defined grids. As the leader of the Real-Time Simulations Laboratory (RTS@UNSW), Dr. Konstantinou oversees Australia's largest Real-time Digital Simulation Laboratory with extensive capabilities in HVDC networks, multiterminal DC grids, power system protection relay testing, renewable energy systems, and smart grids. The laboratory serves as a critical resource for both academic research and industry collaboration, providing hardware-in-the-loop testing capabilities for next-generation power system technologies.
