Francesco Spegni is a Researcher at the Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering (DICEA) within the School of Engineering at Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM), Italy. His work integrates advanced computational methods with civil engineering applications, focusing on built environment management through cutting-edge technological solutions. His research spans Augmented Reality , Construction Safety , Building Information Modeling , Facility Management , and Blockchain systems. Key investigations include marker-less AR registration for infrastructure inspections, cybersecurity in construction processes, and mixed reality applications for facility operations. His interdisciplinary approach bridges computer science and civil engineering to solve practical challenges in construction safety and infrastructure management. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals a dominant trend toward seamless integration of cyber-physical systems in built environments. Core themes include marker-less augmented reality for indoor/outdoor transitions, blockchain notarization of BIM processes, and natural language processing for safety management. His work consistently targets real-world implementation challenges in unprepared environments, emphasizing accuracy, interoperability, and practical usability for construction and facility management professionals.
Dr. Zuo Zhang is a Research Fellow at King's College London's Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre (SGDP Centre) within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences. Since joining King's in 2018, his work focuses on identifying eating disorder biomarkers and predicting disease risk through machine learning applied to neuroimaging data. Education: PhD in Computer Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai His research centers on neurobiological risk factors for eating disorders and developing predictive models using multi-modality data. Expertise spans neuroimaging analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning frameworks for psychiatric applications. He contributes to the Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS) and previously worked on the completed ESTRA project investigating eating disorder etiology. Publication trends reveal intensive focus on AI-driven psychiatry, with recent work exploring brain-derived psychopathology dimensions, neural network modeling for personalized treatment, and multimodal data integration for early detection of mental illnesses. Key themes include transdiagnostic approaches, adolescent mental health, and computational biomarker discovery. Scientific Awards: No awards documented in source materials Dr. Zhang has no formal advisees listed in available records. His research is supported through institutional affiliations and project-based funding including the ESTRA initiative, which concluded its investigation into eating disorder mechanisms. He operates within the SGDP Centre's collaborative ecosystem, contributing to large-scale studies like the IMAGEN project while advancing machine learning applications for mental health stratification through PONS.
Dr. Jason Tarkin is a Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellow and Associate Principal Investigator at the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge. He holds dual appointments as an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust with an imaging sub-specialty and as a Junior Research Fellow at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. His leadership extends to key roles in the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging Executive Committee, British Heart Foundation Clinical Research Collaborative Steering Committee, UK CARDIO-IMID Network Steering Committee, and the Editorial Board for Circulation Cardiovascular Imaging . Dr. Tarkin earned summa cum laude with honors in Biology from the University of New Hampshire (2003), graduated with Distinction in Medicine from St. George's, University of London (2008), and completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge (2017). His clinical training spanned Barts Heart Centre, Hammersmith Hospital (as NIHR Clinical Lecturer at the National Heart & Lung Institute), and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. His research pioneers multi-modality imaging approaches to quantify inflammatory disease activity in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular conditions through somatostatin receptor PET/MR imaging. Current projects focus on tracking cardiovascular inflammation as a prognostic marker for plaque progression and ventricular remodeling post-MI (NCT04073810), diagnostic/therapeutic monitoring in vasculitis (NCT04071691), and drug efficacy assessment in hyperlipidemia (NCT04073797). The collaborative PLAK-TALK study investigates intercellular communication pathways linking molecular mechanisms to clinically measurable biomarkers. Analysis of Dr. Tarkin's 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on inflammatory phenotyping in cardiovascular disease using advanced imaging modalities. Key trends include PET/MR applications for vascular inflammation quantification, machine learning integration for plaque characterization, and translational studies connecting imaging biomarkers to clinical outcomes in immune-mediated diseases. His work consistently bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical applications across atherosclerosis, vasculitis, and post-infarction remodeling. American Heart Association Melvin Judkin’s Young Investigator Award (2016) American College of Cardiology William W Parmley Young Author Achievement Award (2018) Wellcome Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship Dr. Tarkin leads a research group comprising Dr. Andrej Ćorović, Dr. Christopher Wall, and Dr. Marta Peverelli, with collaborations spanning Prof. James Rudd, Prof. Ziad Mallat, Dr. Meritxell Nus, Dr. Helle Jørgensen, and Dr. Nicholas Evans. His work is supported by Wellcome Trust funding and clinical trial grants (NCT identifiers), focusing on therapeutic monitoring and diagnostic innovation. The group operates within the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute's Clinical Research Facility, utilizing hybrid PET/MR imaging capabilities and molecular profiling platforms to investigate inflammatory cardiovascular phenotypes.
Professor Eoin McKinney holds the Versus Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge, serves as an honorary consultant in nephrology and transplantation at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and is a faculty member of the Cambridge Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. His research program pioneers systems immunology approaches, integrating machine learning with multi-omics data to dissect immune dysregulation in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Key focus areas include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), type 1 diabetes, vasculitis, and transplantation immunology, with emphasis on developing clinically actionable biomarkers and predictive models for personalized treatment. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals dominant themes: biomarker-stratified clinical trials (PROFILE for Crohn's disease), environmental determinants of autoimmunity (TEDDY study), and AI-driven healthcare transformation. His work consistently bridges computational biology and clinical immunology to identify novel therapeutic targets and optimize treatment pathways. Scientific Awards: Wellcome Trust Fellowship McKinney leads an active research laboratory within the Cambridge Immunology Network, directing the PROFILE trial and contributing significantly to the TEDDY study. His team collaborates with clinicians and data scientists to translate computational findings into clinical decision tools, with current projects focusing on immune receptor repertoire analysis, cost-effectiveness modeling of biologic therapies, and AI-enabled diagnostic frameworks for autoimmune conditions.
Jan-Michael Frahm is a Research Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His work focuses on computer vision and related fields. Education: Ph.D., Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Germany (2005) Research Interests: Structure from Motion Multi-View Stereo Augmented Reality Robust Estimation Feature Tracking in Images/Video Active Vision Contact: jmf@cs.unc.edu | Personal Website
Dr. Prashen Chelikani serves as Associate Dean (Research) at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and Professor in the Department of Oral Biology at the University of Manitoba's Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. He holds cross appointments as Professor in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and in Physiology and Pathophysiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine, while also serving as a Scientist at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). His educational background includes: PDF, Department of Biology, MIT, USA PhD, Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Canada MSc, BSc (Biochemistry), Andhra University, India For over 15 years, Dr. Chelikani's research has focused on bitter taste receptor (T2R) biology across three interconnected domains: the relationship between taste genetics, oral microbiome, and oral health; T2R roles in cystic fibrosis pathophysiology; and mechanisms of taste signal termination with applications in food chemosensation. His laboratory employs diverse biological and computational techniques to investigate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly their involvement in host-microbe interactions and innate immunity, resulting in over 80 peer-reviewed publications including 45 specifically on T2R biology. His recent publications reveal a trajectory toward personalized approaches in dentistry, integrating multi-omics methods to understand how genetic variations in taste receptors affect susceptibility to oral diseases, particularly early childhood caries. His work increasingly explores T2R-mediated antimicrobial responses in cystic fibrosis with several high-impact publications in journals like Cell Reports and iScience, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of targeting these receptors. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident through collaborations spanning dentistry, medicine, microbiology, and computational biology. Dr. Chelikani's scientific achievements have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards: Fellow (elected), Royal Society of Biology, UK (2023) Exceptional Achievement in Microbiology, Alumni Award, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba (2019) Ed Kroeger Mentorship Award, Health Sciences Graduate Students' Association, University of Manitoba (2015) Merit Award (Research, Teaching & Service), University of Manitoba (2013) Allen Rouse Basic Science Career Award, Manitoba Medical Service Foundation (2013-2016) New Investigator Award, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (2008-2013) As an active mentor, Dr. Chelikani currently advises multiple PhD and Master's students while maintaining a robust track record of successful student placements in academic and industry positions worldwide. His research program is supported by multiple external granting agencies including CIHR, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (USA), and NSERC, with his lab receiving over $8.3 million in CIHR funding as noted in university announcements. Dr. Chelikani directs the Manitoba Chemosensory Biology (MCSB) Research Group, operating state-of-the-art facilities including an Olympus IX-81 Microscope with DV2 Imaging System, New Brunswick Celligen 115 Bioreactor/Fermentor, Flex Station 3 Microplate Reader, and Molecular Modeling Suite. His research team comprises multiple research associates, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers working collaboratively across disciplines to advance understanding of taste biology and its implications for human health.
Radbod Darabi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. He serves as Associate Director of the Institute of Muscle Biology and Cachexia, focusing on skeletal muscle regeneration using pluripotent stem cells for muscular dystrophies and injuries. Education: M.D. from Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Postdoctoral Fellow in Stem Cell Biology at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA Research Interests: His work centers on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, multi-lineage stem cell differentiation, and bioscaffold-based therapies for volumetric muscle loss. His lab develops knock-in reporter systems to track myogenic differentiation and explores cellular interactions between iPSC-derived muscle and endothelial cells. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight POGLUT1's role in muscle stem cells, CEP164 disruption in skeletal malformations, and single-nucleus transcriptomic analysis of XBP1 in myogenesis. His team also investigates hypoxia's impact on reprogramming and epigenetic regulations in cell therapy. Scientific Awards: Jerold B. Katz Distinguished Professorship in Stem Cell Research (2019-2023) Marvin and Hadassah Bacaner Faculty Award (2012) Basic Science Research Award (2009, 2010) Top graduate honors (Ph.D. 2005, M.D. 1997) Notable Contributions: Pioneered iPSC-based strategies for LGMDR21 correction, developed PAX7/MYF5 reporter lines, and demonstrated functional muscle regeneration from ES cells in dystrophic mice models. Labs & Teams: Leads research at the Institute of Muscle Biology and Cachexia, collaborating with institutions like UT Southwestern and PLoS Genetics.
Dominique Vian serves as Associate Professor at SKEMA Business School in Sophia Antipolis since 2011, specializing in Strategy, Innovation & Entrepreneurship within the institution's research ecosystem. His academic journey includes a PhD in Management Sciences from Telecom ParisTech (2010), complemented by degrees in Information Systems Management from IAE Nice (1987) and Applied Computer Science from Côte d'Azur University (1985). Doctorate in Management Sciences, Telecom ParisTech (2010) Diploma of Specialized Higher Studies, IAE Nice (1987) Master's Degree in Applied Computer Science, Côte d'Azur University (1985) Postgraduate in IT Management, SKEMA Business School (1987) Vian's research centers on effectuation theory - developing practical methodologies like ISMA360 and FOCAL that transform entrepreneurial decision-making under uncertainty. His work uniquely bridges cognitive science with systemic approaches, examining how entrepreneurs conceptualize resources to navigate complex environments. Recent publications demonstrate application of these frameworks to societal challenges including pension reforms, urban riots, and geopolitical conflicts, revealing how effectual logic enables opportunity identification within chaotic systems. His 15 most recent publications reveal a clear trajectory from theoretical development (2022) toward real-world implementation across business and societal domains (2023-2024). This evolution shows increasing focus on systemic interventions where effectual principles address multi-stakeholder complexities in innovation policy, leadership development, and crisis management - particularly evident in his analyses of Chinese innovation systems and generative AI's creative limitations. Vian actively supervises doctoral research at Université Côte d'Azur, currently co-directing N. Farrugia's dissertation. His industry experience informs practical grant applications where effectual methods have been implemented across sixty incubators, technology parks, and corporate innovation programs worldwide. As co-director of the SKEMA Centre for Global Risks and contributor to the Transformation Research Center, Vian leads initiatives exploring how effectual logic enables organizations to navigate VUCA environments. His teams develop tools for systemic opportunity mapping that help entrepreneurs and policymakers transform constraints into strategic advantages through resource-driven innovation.
Yongcan Cao, Ph.D. , is a Professor and Assistant Chair of Research in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) , where he also directs the Unmanned Systems Laboratory (USL) . His scholarship spans robotics, autonomy, AI, multi-agent systems, and human-robot interaction, with extensive editorial service for IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, Automatica, and IEEE Control Systems Letters. Education Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Utah State University, August 2010 Research Focus Dr. Cao’s research integrates learning, autonomy, and safety to create trustworthy unmanned systems. Core themes include: Artificial Intelligence & Learning: reinforcement learning, human-guided learning, explainable & ethical AI. Networked Robotics: multi-agent coordination, distributed control, and formation algorithms for UAV swarms. Cyber-Physical Security: risk-aware planning, secure autonomy, and real-world validation on robotic hardware. His lab pursues open, cost-effective platforms—exemplified by the student-led Modi-Fly drone project that won the 2022 Engineering Design Award and was later selected for the DoD NSIN Emerge Accelerator in 2024. Scientific Awards & Honors Microsoft President’s Endowed Fellow Advancing Next-Gen Faculty Leadership Fellow Margie and Bill Klesse Faculty Fellow UTSA President's Distinguished Achievement Award in Research College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award & Service Award AFOSR Summer Faculty Fellowship (2016) National Research Council Research Associateship Award (2011) Professional Contributions & Funding Dr. Cao currently chairs the IEEE Technical Committee on Manufacturing Automation and Robotic Control and sits on the IoT Technical Community Steering Committee. His research is supported by AFOSR, NSF, DoD, and industry partners, enabling large-scale student engagement—over 400 visitors have toured USL, and more than 30 industrial and government collaborations have been hosted. Laboratory & Teams The Unmanned Systems Laboratory (USL) under his leadership advances scalable robotic platforms, trusted AI, and security for educational, economic, and societal benefit. A hallmark initiative is the Modi-Fly student group, recognized for creating one of the most cost-effective open-source drone research platforms using 3-D printed components.
Johnathan Votion is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), affiliated with the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. His work spans machine learning, robotics, and control systems, with a focus on multi-agent coordination, sensor networks, and risk-aware optimization. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UTSA (2016) Research trends in his publications emphasize autonomous systems , data reliability , and uncertainty propagation , including applications in UAV trajectory planning , multi-robot collaboration , and nonholonomic control . His work integrates machine learning with engineering systems to address complex, real-world constraints.
Tanja Karp is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas Tech University's College of Engineering. She is also a U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Previously, she served as a Senior Research and Teaching Associate at the Institute of Computer Engineering at Mannheim University, Germany. Education: Dipl.-Ing. (M.S.) and Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering from Hamburg University of Technology, Germany (1993, 1997) Her research spans digital signal processing , multicarrier communications , and STEM education . She has pioneered K-12 engineering outreach initiatives, including the Get Excited About Robotics (GEAR) competition and its virtual counterpart. Over 1,200 students from 75 schools now participate annually, with a focus on diversity and inclusivity. Tanja's publications reflect a dual focus on signal processing for technical systems (e.g., radar, wireless sensors) and STEM education innovations (e.g., service-learning pedagogy, robotics competitions). Her work has grown from localized outreach to scalable national programs, emphasizing student mentorship and retention. Scientific Awards : U.S. Fulbright Scholar She leads K-12 outreach efforts , mentoring engineering students to advise younger participants in robotics challenges. Her contributions to engineering education include curriculum development for digital signal processing and service-learning courses. She also promotes international collaboration in semiconductor engineering.
Warren D. D'Souza serves as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he leads the Medical Physics Division. Concurrently, he holds the position of Vice President for Enterprise Data and Analytics at the University of Maryland Medical System. His academic career spans over two decades, beginning at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2000 before joining the University of Maryland in 2002, where he progressed from Assistant Professor to full Professor by 2014. His educational background includes: B.S. in Applied Physics (summa cum laude), Xavier University, 1995 M.S. in Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998 Ph.D. in Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2000 MBA, Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, 2013 (Fuqua Scholar and Health Sector Management Scholar) Dr. D'Souza's research integrates advanced computational techniques with clinical radiation oncology, focusing on radiation treatment plan optimization through combinatorial methods derived from operations research. His work bridges medical physics with data science through machine learning applications for treatment outcomes prediction, multi-modality imaging for therapeutic response assessment, and development of novel analytic approaches in medicine. His expertise spans both theoretical optimization frameworks and practical clinical implementations. His publication record (2007-2009) reveals a strategic evolution toward integrating machine learning with radiation therapy planning, particularly in multi-plan IMRT frameworks and motion management solutions. Key thematic clusters include beam angle optimization using nested partitioning algorithms, real-time motion compensation systems, and 4D CT-based stereotactic body radiotherapy planning - demonstrating consistent innovation at the intersection of operations research, medical physics, and clinical oncology. Scientific recognition includes: Medical Physics Travel Award, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Fellow, American Association of Physicists in Medicine (2015) Fuqua Scholar designation at Duke University (top 10% of class) Health Sector Management Scholar at Duke University As Principal Investigator, he has secured substantial research funding from NIH, NSF, and industry partners to advance radiation therapy optimization and motion management technologies. His leadership extends to mentoring medical physics trainees and directing the Medical Physics Division's clinical and research operations, with six U.S. patents reflecting his translational impact. Current initiatives focus on enterprise data analytics applications within the medical system. He directs the Medical Physics Division within Radiation Oncology, fostering collaborations between radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and computer scientists. Current team projects include developing motion-synchronized treatment couches, implementing 4D CT for stereotactic radiotherapy, and creating machine learning models for predicting treatment complications - all aimed at enhancing precision radiation therapy delivery.
Dr. Fernando Camargo is a Principal Investigator at Boston Children's Hospital and Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University. His laboratory investigates adult stem cell biology, organ size regulation, and cancer mechanisms through Hippo/YAP pathway research. Harvard University Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Boston Children's Hospital Stem Cell Program Research Background: Dr. Camargo received his Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine under Dr. Margaret Goodell, followed by Whitehead Fellowship research on stem cell regulation. His work established the Hippo pathway's role in stem cell biology and tissue regeneration. Scientific Contributions: His lab developed groundbreaking tools for in vivo hematopoietic stem cell lineage tracing and CRISPR-Cas9 models for simultaneous gene expression analysis. Key discoveries connect organ size regulation to stem cell activity and tumor suppression. Awards & Honors: 2022 Regenerative Biology Endowed Chair Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholar Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science ISSCR Susan Lim Award NIH New Innovator Award PEW Biomedical Scholar Current Projects: Ongoing research focuses on hematopoietic stem cell dynamics during aging, embryonic development, and cancer progression, while exploring Hippo pathway's role in tissue regeneration and metabolic regulation.
Benjamin Wollmer is a Researcher at the Visual Systems (VSIS) department within the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences at the University of Hamburg. He is actively involved in research projects such as Baqend and HADeS , focusing on web performance optimization and scalable data management. Research Focus : Web Engineering, Performance Optimization, Polyglot Data Management Key Publications : Explored delta encoding for web compression, scalable test data generation, and caching strategies Teaching : Supervised 15+ theses on topics including real-time databases and client-side performance
Eric Sommerlade is a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in the Active Vision Group at the University of Oxford Engineering Department . He completed his DPhil in Engineering Science in 2011, focusing on surveillance with active cameras , and previously earned a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Hamburg. Education : DPhil in Engineering Science (2011), University of Oxford; Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Hamburg His research centers on active vision systems for surveillance, particularly visual tracking , camera control algorithms , and information-theoretic approaches to sensor planning. Key themes include multi-camera coordination , trajectory prediction , and real-time SLAM for surveillance simplification. Eric has contributed to 15 publications (2008–2012) spanning conferences like ICRA, CVPR, IROS, and BMVC, with a focus on surveillance systems , visual tracking , adaptive control , and information theory . His work includes probabilistic multi-camera surveillance, cognitive active vision, and entropy-driven exploration strategies. He received funding for his DPhil through the EC grant IST-027110 for the HERMES project under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme. He has collaborated with researchers such as Professor Ian Reid, Ben Benfold, and Nicola Bellotto. Eric has also engaged in teaching activities , including demonstrating Electrical Machines, Computing Labs, and C++ coursework modules. His professional contributions extend to peer reviewing for leading conferences and journals.
