John Zelek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He co-directs the VIP (Vision & Image Processing) lab and previously served as Associate Graduate Chair (2013-2017). He co-founded two startups: Tactile Sight (haptic navigation for disabled individuals) and Sweep3D (3D modeling technology). His research focuses on autonomous robotics, 3D scene understanding, infrastructure assessment, medical imaging, and sports analytics using AI/deep learning techniques. Education includes a BASc from Waterloo (1985), MASc from Ottawa (1989), and PhD from McGill (1996). He teaches courses like SYDE 283 (Physics), SYDE 572 (Pattern Recognition), and SYDE 675 (Pattern Recognition). Research interests span robotics, computer vision, anomaly detection, and SLAM. His work applies to infrastructure monitoring, sports analytics (hockey/pitcher analysis), medical imaging (OCT/fundus), and assistive technologies. Recent publications emphasize 3D modeling, SLAM enhancements, and sports tracking algorithms. Zelek advises graduate students (SSPS status) and collaborates with companies like Intelligent Health Solutions and EyeCheck through advisory roles. Key innovations include hybrid SLAM systems, puck localization algorithms, and medical robotic swab systems demonstrated on moving phantoms.
Franziska Mueller is a Research Scientist at Google Zurich , specializing in Augmented Perception . Prior to joining Google, she earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science at Saarland University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christian Theobalt, focusing on real-time hand reconstruction from RGB and depth images. Ph.D. in Computer Science (2016-2020) at Saarland University Master’s and Bachelor’s in Computer Science at Saarland University Research visits at Stanford University (2018) and Reality Labs Research (2019) Her research emphasizes the integration of model-based techniques and machine learning components for real-time 3D hand pose estimation, occlusion handling, and hand-object interaction tracking. Key contributions include methods for single-camera reconstruction and datasets like HandSeg. Scientific Awards : Dr. Eduard Martin Award (2021) Google PhD Fellowship (2017) Günter-Hotz-Medal (2016) Bachelor Award (2015) Völklinger Abiturpreis (2012)
Harish Ravichandar is an Assistant Professor at the School of Interactive Computing , Georgia Institute of Technology, and a core faculty member of the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM) . He leads the Structured Techniques for Algorithmic Robotics (STAR) Lab , focusing on structured computational frameworks and learning algorithms with inductive biases to enhance robot efficiency, reliability, and self-sufficiency in human-robot collaboration and complex applications like dexterous manipulation and multi-agent coordination. His research bridges robot learning , human-robot interaction , and multi-agent systems , emphasizing stable, frugal, and safe skill acquisition from human demonstrations. Key themes include intention inference , trajectory optimization , and heterogeneous team coordination , often leveraging Koopman operators , hypernetworks , and graph-based methods . Scientific recognition includes the NSF CAREER Award , IEEE MRS Best Paper Award , and Georgia Tech’s College of Computing Outstanding Post-Doctoral Research Award . His work also received the ASME DSCC Best Student Paper Award and P&W Institute Graduate Fellowship . Harish’s educational background includes a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Connecticut (2018) , an M.S. from the University of Florida (2014) , and a B.E. in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Anna University (2012) . He previously held postdoctoral and research scientist roles at Georgia Tech before his current position.
Dominik Schörkhuber is a PreDoc Researcher at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in the Computer Vision department. With a background in Informatics (BSc, Dipl.-Ing.), he focuses on computer vision applications for autonomous driving, robotics, and human-machine interaction. His work spans driver action recognition, pedestrian prediction, and adaptive lighting systems. Current projects: Empathic Vehicle (2024–2026), SyntheticCabin (2021–2025), SmartProtect (2020–2025) Research themes: Video transformers, synthetic data transfer learning, multi-task learning, and sensor-lighting integration Specializes in 3D sensing, nighttime driving analysis, and mobile video creation tools
Hanbyul Joo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU). Prior to joining SNU, he was a Research Scientist at Facebook AI Research (FAIR) in Menlo Park. He completed his Ph.D. in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, working with Yaser Sheikh, and received his M.S. in Electrical Engineering and B.S. in Computer Science from KAIST, Korea. Dr. Joo's educational journey began at KAIST, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He then pursued his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, completing his dissertation titled "Sensing, Measuring, and Modeling Social Signals in Nonverbal Communication." His doctoral work focused on developing the Panoptic Studio, a unique sensing system with over 500 synchronized cameras for capturing social interactions. Dr. Joo's research primarily focuses on endowing machines and robots with the ability to perceive and understand human behaviors in 3D . His goal is to build "social Artificial Intelligence" that can interact with humans using social signals (body languages). He pursues this direction using data-driven methods where data is collected by measuring the wide spectrum of social signals transmitted during interpersonal social interaction. His research spans computer vision, machine learning, computer graphics, and robotics , with particular emphasis on 3D human pose estimation, human-object interaction, and social signal processing. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward leveraging diffusion models for 3D reconstruction and generation tasks, with a focus on human-centric applications. His work bridges the gap between 2D image understanding and 3D scene reconstruction, often utilizing pre-trained models to overcome data limitations. The research consistently addresses fundamental challenges in understanding human behavior, interaction with objects, and social dynamics in 3D space. Dr. Joo is a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Samsung Scholarship and the CVPR Best Student Paper Award in 2018 . His paper "Total Capture: A 3D Deformation Model for Tracking Faces, Hands, and Bodies" received this honor at CVPR 2018. His research has been widely recognized in top computer vision and AI conferences, with multiple oral presentations at venues like CVPR, ICCV, and ECCV. Dr. Joo actively mentors a large group of students, with approximately 15 current students working toward MS/PhD degrees under his supervision. His lab, the SNU VCLab, focuses on cutting-edge research in computer vision and graphics. He has secured significant research funding through his work, though specific grant details aren't provided on his website. Dr. Joo frequently serves as an area chair for major conferences including CVPR, ICCV, and NeurIPS, demonstrating his standing in the academic community. Dr. Joo leads the SNU VCLab, which has developed several notable datasets and tools including SNU ParaHome, FrankMocap, and the CMU Panoptic Studio Dataset. His lab maintains strong industry connections, with students interning at leading companies like Meta. The lab's research focuses on building the infrastructure and algorithms needed for social AI, with an emphasis on practical applications that can be deployed in real-world settings.
Soo Jeon is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, part of the Faculty of Engineering. He holds a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley (2007) and prior degrees from Seoul National University. His research focuses on mechatronics, dynamic systems, and control, with applications in robotics, autonomous systems, and precision motion control. He has held roles as Assistant Professor (2009–2015), Associate Professor (2015–2024), and Full Professor (2024–present). Professor Jeon’s expertise includes intelligent sensing and control for mechatronic systems, nonlinear dynamics, and autonomous systems. He has received notable awards such as the 2022 Engineer of the Year Award (AKCSE/KOFST), 2015 NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement, and 2010 ASME Rudolf Kalman Best Paper Award. He serves as an Associate Editor for several journals, including the ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems and IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering. His research interests span robotics, control systems, and automation, with recent work on autonomous navigation, tactile exploration, and model predictive control. He supervises graduate students in MASc and PhD programs and teaches courses like ME 649 (Control of Machines and Processes) and ME 360 (Introduction to Control Systems). Jeon holds patents in areas like low-power magnetic locks and remote plasma source seasoning. His lab, the Waterloo Mechanical Systems & Control Laboratory (WMSCL), focuses on advanced mechatronics and robotics projects, including collaborations with international institutions such as the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM).
Timothy Bretl is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, holding the Severns Faculty Scholar position since 2021. He also serves as Associate Head of the Aerospace Engineering department. His research focuses on robotics, control systems, rehabilitation robotics, and engineering education. Bretl earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University (2005), with prior degrees from Swarthmore College. He holds affiliate roles across multiple departments, including Neuroscience, Coordinated Science Laboratory, and Computer Science. Education: Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University (2005) B.A. in Mathematics and B.S. in Engineering, Swarthmore College (1999) His research spans engineering education innovations, robotic manipulation, and brain-machine interfaces. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2010), Best Manipulation Paper (2012), and multiple teaching honors like the Rose Award for Teaching Excellence (2016). Bretl’s work integrates theoretical foundations with practical applications in prosthetics, autonomous systems, and educational technology. He has advised numerous projects on robotics, control systems, and human-robot interaction. His lab explores advanced topics like elastic rod manipulation, magnetic positioning, and curriculum reform in STEM education. Collaborative projects include partnerships with industry and interdisciplinary teams at the Beckman Institute.
Dr. Benjamin Busam is a Senior Research Scientist at the Technical University of Munich , affiliated with the Chair for Computer Science Applications in Medicine under Prof. Nassir Navab. Starting September 2025, he will hold the Professorship for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing at TUM. His career includes leadership roles at FRAMOS Imaging Systems and Huawei Research in London. Education: Mathematics (TUM), Mathematics and Physics (ParisTech, University of Melbourne), PhD in Mathematics (TUM, 2014) His research focuses on 3D computer vision , multi-modal sensor fusion , and their applications in collaborative robotics and augmented reality . He specializes in projective geometry , 6D pose estimation , and neural radiance fields , with a particular emphasis on photometrically challenging environments. Recent publications highlight advancements in 3D scene understanding , neural rendering , and medical imaging , often leveraging machine learning and vision-language models . His work has been recognized through awards like the EMVA Young Professional Award (2015) and Innovation Pioneer of the Year (2019) , along with multiple Outstanding Reviewer distinctions at leading conferences. Dr. Busam has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students on topics including 6D pose estimation , medical augmented reality , and robotic ultrasound , collaborating with institutions like MIT , École Polytechnique , and University of Padova .
Deepak Ganesan is a Professor at the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research focuses on low-power sensing and communication, networked systems, and machine learning applied to pervasive health monitoring and societal challenges. PhD, Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles (2004) MS, Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles (2000) BTech, Computer Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (1998) Ganesan's work bridges wireless sensor networks, smart textiles, and healthcare applications. He designs ultra-low-power wearable devices for tracking health signals like drug use, smoking, and cognitive performance, often integrating machine learning for robust detection. His research emphasizes societal impact, particularly in aging and Alzheimer's care through the Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care (MassAITC) and the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring (CPHM). Recent publications highlight innovations in edge-cloud collaboration, fabric-based sensors, and longitudinal health analytics. His NIH-funded MD2K Center for Excellence and affiliations with the Center for Data Science and Computational Social Science Institute further underscore his interdisciplinary approach. ACM Fellow NSF CAREER Award (2006) IBM Faculty Award (2008) UMass Junior Faculty Fellow (2008) UMass Lilly Teaching Fellow (2009) Best Paper at CHI 2013 Best Paper Runner-up at Mobicom 2014 Honorable Mentions at Ubicomp 2013 Ganesan leads the SENSORS: Wireless Sensor Networks Group and contributes to global initiatives like the Internet of Battlefield Things. His work spans academic research, industry partnerships, and policy development in AgeTech and digital health.
Dr. Xiao Zhou is a Research Fellow affiliated with the Professorship for Consumer Behavior at ETH Zurich. His current position began in 2021. Prior to this, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Reading (2020-2021) and completed his PhD in Consumer Behavior at the University of Copenhagen (2015-2019). His research focuses on advancing consumer behavior studies through interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from marketing, behavioral economics, and human motion analysis. Zhou’s work emphasizes understanding decision-making processes and their applications in real-world contexts. Education history includes a PhD in Consumer Behavior from the University of Copenhagen (2015-2019), followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Reading (2020-2021). His academic trajectory reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied research. His research interests span consumer behavior, marketing research methodologies, and behavioral economics. Notably, his recent publications explore cutting-edge technologies in motion capture and computer vision, including real-time human motion tracking and generative models for 3D reconstruction. This reflects a unique intersection of consumer behavior studies with technical advancements in computational methods. Zhou’s research outputs demonstrate expertise in areas such as inertial sensor-based motion analysis, physics-aware tracking systems, and hierarchical modeling techniques. His contributions highlight innovative solutions for challenges in human pose estimation and 3D reconstruction. He is currently based at ETH Zurich’s Department of Consumer Behavior, contributing to both academic research and potential industrial applications of his work.
Dr. Mao Shan is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Robotics, part of The University of Sydney. He holds a PhD from The University of Sydney (2014) and has held research positions at Nanyang Technological University (2016-2017) and the Australian Centre for Robotics (2014-2016). His research focuses on autonomous systems, V2X communication, cooperative perception, and sensor fusion. Current students include Yaoqi HUANG, Henry LYU, Zhenxing MING, Nguyen TRAN, Tzu-yun TSENG, and Yupeng WANG. His work spans robotics, intelligent transportation systems, and control systems. Recent publications emphasize 3D object detection, cooperative perception frameworks, and autonomous navigation. He has contributed to the development of the University of Sydney Campus Dataset for robust autonomy testing and led cooperative perception projects funded by iMOVE CRC (2018). His research bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in autonomous vehicles and multi-robot systems. Labs and affiliations include the Australian Centre for Robotics and the Intelligent Transport Systems Group. His interdisciplinary approach integrates probabilistic modeling, sensor fusion, and machine learning to address challenges in autonomous systems.
WonSook Lee is a tenured Full Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Engineering. Her expertise spans medical imaging, machine/deep learning, computer graphics, and computer vision. She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and holds degrees from POSTECH (Korea) and NUS (Singapore). Before academia, she worked at Korea Telecom, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, and Eyematic Interfaces Inc. (USA). Her research focuses on applications such as virtual/augmented reality, MRI/CT/Ultrasound analysis, and 3D mesh modeling. She has authored over 130 publications, including 30+ journal papers, and serves on conference committees and editorial boards. Lee has secured major grants (NSERC, CFI, ORF) as Principal Investigator and contributed to global initiatives like South Korea’s National Research Foundation. Her lab explores cutting-edge techniques in medical imaging, AI-driven object detection, and multimodal systems. Notable projects include adversarial perturbation analysis for model robustness, cross-domain GANs for semantic segmentation, and real-time ultrasound-enhanced pronunciation training. She actively promotes interdisciplinary research in healthcare technology and autonomous systems.
Dr. Samuel Cheng is an Associate Professor at the Gallogly College of Engineering , University of Oklahoma , specializing in Electrical and Computer Engineering . He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University (2004), preceded by M.S. and M.Phil. degrees from the University of Hawaii and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Education: B.S. (University of Hong Kong, 1995), M.Phil. (HKUST, 1997), M.S. (University of Hawaii, 2000), Ph.D. (Texas A&M, 2004) Professional Experience: Senior Research Engineer at Advanced Digital Imaging Research (2004-2005), prior internships at Microsoft Asia and Panasonic Technologies His research focuses on Information Theory , Signal and Image Processing , and Pattern Recognition , with applications in remote sensing, urbanization analysis, and disaster monitoring. His publications span topics including urban impervious surface mapping , nighttime light analysis , and machine learning for environmental data . His work often integrates multi-source datasets (e.g., Landsat, LiDAR, social media) for spatiotemporal modeling. Technical Expertise: Spectral unmixing, machine learning, thermal remote sensing, GIS integration Key Applications: Power outage detection, vegetation-crime correlation, PM2.5 estimation, smart meter data fusion Dr. Cheng holds three US patents in digital watermarking and is affiliated with IEEE, Sigma Xi, and AAAS. His recent articles demonstrate a trend toward leveraging AI for remote sensing challenges and analyzing urbanization impacts on ecosystems.
Michael Felsberg is a Professor and Head of Division at the Department of Electrical Engineering (ISY) at Linköping University, leading the Computer Vision Laboratory (CVL). His research focuses on artificial visual systems (AVS), including 3D computer vision, computational imaging, object tracking, and autonomous systems. He emphasizes HVS-inspired approaches to bridge the gap between human and machine vision capabilities. Notable achievements include over 20,000 citations (h-index 47), leadership roles in the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP), and recognition as Sweden’s top AI researcher by Vinnova. His work spans academic contributions, industry collaborations, and interdisciplinary projects like climate science applications of machine learning. Positions : WASP Executive Committee Member, WASP Area Cluster Leader for Machine Learning, and Vice-Head of Department (Electrical Engineering). Education : Extensive academic background in electrical engineering and computer vision (details not explicitly stated). Research trends in his articles reflect advancements in autonomous systems, multimodal AI, and robust vision models. His teams address challenges like object tracking, generative models for 3D simulation, and culturally diverse AI systems. Awards : Tracking Challenge Winner (OpenCV, 2015) Best Paper Awards (ICPR 2016, VISAPP 2021) Vinnova’s Highest-Ranked Swedish AI Researcher (2018) He advises numerous PhD students and oversees grants in WASP-funded initiatives. CVL collaborates on projects like disaster-response robotics and Berzelius supercomputer utilization for AI.
Dr. Stewart Worrall is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) within the University of Sydney. His research focuses on autonomous systems, robotics, and intelligent transportation systems, particularly in the areas of autonomous vehicle perception, human-robot interaction, and sensor fusion. He has contributed to numerous high-impact publications on topics such as edge case testing for autonomous vehicles, collaborative perception frameworks, and context-aware human-robot interaction design. His work integrates robotics hardware, computer vision, and machine learning to address challenges in autonomous driving, crowd dynamics, and urban mobility scenarios. Current research students under his supervision explore topics ranging from light field imaging for autonomous driving to human-machine interfaces for vehicles. Worrall has pioneered datasets like the University of Sydney Campus Dataset and the ACFR Five Roundabouts Dataset, which are critical for evaluating autonomous systems. His contributions span academic conferences (e.g., IEEE IV, ICRA) and journals, emphasizing both technical innovation and societal impacts of autonomous technologies. Key labs/teams: Core member of the ACFR, collaborating across disciplines including robotics, computer science, and urban design.
