Dr. Kaibo Liu is the Grainger STAR Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves as Associate Director of the UW-Madison IoT Systems Research Center. He earned his B.S. from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2009), and M.S. and Ph.D. from Georgia Tech (2011/2013). His research focuses on system informatics, big data analytics, and data fusion for process modeling, monitoring, and decision-making. He has been funded by NSF, ONR, DOE, and industry partners. Notable awards include the 2024 Hromi Medal (ASQ), 2021 IISE Technical Innovation Award, and multiple early-career recognitions. Recent work emphasizes real-time cyber-physical security, reinforcement learning for data streams, and Bayesian methods for prognosis. He edits IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering and IISE Transactions on Data Science.
Naisyin Wang is a Professor of Statistics at the University of Michigan, where she has been since 2009. Previously, she served as a faculty member in Statistics and Toxicology at Texas A&M University from 1992. She holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from Cornell University (1992), an M.A. in Statistics from Ohio State University (1987), and a B.S. in Mathematics from National Tsing-Hua University, Taiwan (1986). Her research focuses on longitudinal and functional data analysis, measurement error models, semiparametric methods, and applications in biological and medical fields, particularly genomics and metabolomics. Key contributions include methodologies for handling missing data, mixed effects models, and clustering techniques. Education: Ph.D. in Statistics, Cornell University (1992) M.A. in Statistics, Ohio State University (1987) B.S. in Mathematics, National Tsing-Hua University (1986) Dr. Wang’s honors include the College of Science Distinguished Alumni Award (2012), the Distinguished Achievement Award in Research (2003), and fellowships from the AAAS, ASA, and IMS. She has held leadership roles, including Co-editor of Statistica Sinica (2011–2014) and President of the International Chinese Statistical Association (2010). Her teaching includes courses such as Applied Statistics (STATS 500), Linear Models (STATS 600), and Special Topics in Applied Statistics (STATS 700). She has advised numerous students and contributed to research on cancer genomics, dietary interventions, and statistical methodology.
Jiro Katto is a Professor at Waseda University's School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, where he has been conducting research and teaching since 1999. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo and has established himself as a leading researcher in multimedia signal processing and computer networks. His academic journey includes positions as Associate Professor (1999-2004), Professor (2004-present), and Director at NEDO (2004-2008), along with research experience at NEC C&C Laboratories (1992-1999) and a Visiting Scholar position at Princeton University (1996-1997). Professor Katto's research interests focus on Multimedia Signal Processing and Computer Networks, with particular expertise in video compression, 5G network performance, and learned image compression techniques. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations, as evidenced by his extensive publications in top-tier conferences and journals. His research group has made significant contributions to point cloud compression, latency compensation in remote systems, and hardware-accelerated video encoding for UHD streaming. His publication record is impressive, with 276 papers cited 3,323 times in Scopus and 6,169 times in Google Scholar, reflecting his substantial impact in the field. His recent work shows a strong trend toward applying deep learning techniques to traditional signal processing problems, particularly in the areas of image and video compression, where his team has developed novel approaches to improve compression efficiency while reducing computational complexity. Electric Telecommunications Promotion Foundation Telecommunications System Technology Award (2023) Takayanagi Kenjiro Foundation Takayanagi Kenjiro Achievement Award (2020) Institute of Image Information and Television Engineers Fellow (2020) Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Fellow (2015) IEICE Communications Society Activity Contribution Award (2006) IEICE Academic Encouragement Award (1995) SPIE VCIP 1991, Best Student Paper Award (1991) Professor Katto has served on numerous prestigious committees including IEEE ComSoC Tech News Editorial Board, IEEE Technical Program Committees for major conferences (Globecom, ICC, ICIP), and editorial boards for several academic journals. His leadership in the academic community extends to chairing conferences like IWAIT 2011 and serving as Editor-in-Chief for journals in his field. His research has practical applications in commercial 5G networks, video streaming services, and remote monitoring systems, demonstrating the real-world impact of his work.
Professor Luke Prendergast is the Deputy Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (SCEMS) at La Trobe University (LTU) and holds a Professorship in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He previously served as Head of Department (2014–2020) and led LTU's Statistics Consulting Platform. His research focuses on robust statistics, meta-analysis, dimension reduction, and applied statistics, leading the DRAMA research group. Collaborations span fields like endocrinology, disability studies, and respiratory health. He actively contributes to research grants, including projects on Prader-Willi syndrome and exercise for disability populations. Professor Prendergast's recent work emphasizes statistical software development (e.g., the rquest package) and applications in biostatistics, such as metabolomics analysis and health intervention fidelity. His articles address topics like quantile-based hypothesis testing, geospatial accessibility for disability care, and motivational interviewing efficacy. Professional roles include NHMRC grant review panels, editorial boards for Nutrients and Respirology , and leadership in the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA Vic). His teaching includes courses in meta-analysis, linear models, and data-based critical thinking. Grants funded projects on exercise programs for cerebral palsy populations and community-university partnerships for disability inclusion. Luke's work bridges statistical theory with real-world health challenges, emphasizing robust methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Prof. Mathias Drton holds the Chair of Mathematical Statistics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the Department of Mathematics and School of Computation, Information and Technology. His research focuses on graphical models, algebraic statistics, causal inference, and multivariate data analysis. He has authored numerous publications in top-tier journals and conferences, including work on conditional independence, sparse factor analysis, and causal discovery in linear models. Drton has supervised a large number of theses, mentoring students in areas like high-dimensional statistics, graphical models, and causal inference. He is actively involved in teaching advanced courses such as 'Graphical Models in Statistics' and 'Fundamentals of Mathematical Statistics.' His academic contributions span theoretical developments in statistical methodology and computational tools, including R packages like SEMID and symRC . Drton collaborates internationally, contributing to projects like the TUM-ICL Mathematical Sciences Hub and Exzellenzcluster MCQST. His work bridges algebraic methods with statistical challenges, addressing identifiability in latent variable models and robust graphical modeling under non-Gaussian assumptions. Recent research emphasizes causal structure learning under partial homoscedasticity, distribution-free independence tests, and multi-domain causal representation learning. Drton’s lab actively explores applications in genomics, epidemiology, and machine learning, leveraging both theoretical rigor and practical computational methods.
Professor Arcot Sowmya is a distinguished academic at the University of New South Wales, serving as Professor in the School of Computer Science and Engineering. With a strong background in both computer science and mathematics, she has established herself as a leading researcher in machine learning and computer vision applications, particularly in medical imaging and diagnostics. Dr. Sowmya earned her PhD in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, along with an MTech in Computer Science, MSc in Mathematics, and BSc in Mathematics from the same institution. Her academic journey has positioned her at the intersection of theoretical computer science and practical medical applications. Her research interests span multiple domains with a primary focus on Machine Learning for Computer Vision . She has made significant contributions to learning object models, feature extraction, segmentation, and recognition techniques. Her work extends into medical image analysis, computer-aided diagnostics, high-resolution remote sensing, and biomedical informatics. More recently, she has applied similar techniques to social sciences domains, developing improved forecasting models for genocide and politicide. Her earlier work also includes contributions to real-time, concurrent, and embedded systems. Analyzing her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward medical applications of computer vision and deep learning. Her work spans from OCT-based glaucoma diagnosis to tumor segmentation, lung disease detection, and breast cancer prognosis. She has successfully bridged computer science with clinical medicine, developing practical tools for disease diagnosis and prediction that incorporate explainable AI approaches. Professor Sowmya's collaborative approach is evident in her extensive publication record across multiple journals and conferences. She has worked with researchers from diverse fields including ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, and public health, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of her research. Her laboratory work focuses on developing robust deep learning architectures for medical image analysis, with particular attention to segmentation networks, transformer models, and multimodal data fusion techniques. Her team has developed specialized networks for lung segmentation, tumor detection, and disease classification that address specific challenges in medical imaging.
Dr. Jane Garrison is a cognitive neuroscientist and Lecturer at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with Queens’ College. She serves as Director of Studies in both Psychological & Behavioural Sciences and Natural Sciences (Biological) for Part IA students, and as Admissions Tutor at Queens’ College. MA (Cantab), MSc (Hertfordshire), PhD (Warwick), PhD (Cantab) Focus on the neural basis of reality monitoring and hallucinations in schizophrenia and other conditions Current research explores paracingulate sulcus morphology, functional connectivity, and neurofeedback interventions Her recent publications emphasize neuroimaging methodologies, structural MRI analysis, and computational frameworks for understanding hallucination mechanisms. Contact: jrg60@cam.ac.uk
Ben Seiyon Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at George Mason University's College of Science. His work bridges computational statistics, climate modeling, and environmental risk assessment. Education: PhD in Statistics, Pennsylvania State University (2020) Lee specializes in computational methods for high-dimensional spatiotemporal data and uncertainty quantification in climate models. His research explores climate change impacts on extreme hydrological events, wildfire emissions, and medical decision-making. Recent publications focus on Bayesian spatiotemporal frameworks for extreme precipitation analysis, zero-inflated spatial models, and multisector uncertainty quantification. His work addresses challenges in flood risk assessment, agricultural yield projections, and healthcare compliance metrics.
Robert E. (Rob) Kass is the Maurice Falk University Professor of Statistics and Computational Neuroscience at Carnegie Mellon University, holding joint appointments in the Department of Statistics & Data Science, Machine Learning Department, and Neuroscience Institute. His research spans Bayesian statistics, neural data analysis, and computational neuroscience. Kass earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Antioch College, a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Chicago, and has been at CMU since 1981. He has served as Department Head of Statistics (1995–2004) and Interim Co-Director of the CNBC (2015–2018). His work focuses on statistical methods for neuroscience, particularly analyzing spike train data and identifying cross-brain interactions. Notable contributions include co-authoring Analysis of Neural Data and foundational articles on Bayesian inference. Kass has received prestigious awards such as the National Academy of Sciences membership and COPSS Distinguished Achievement Award. Research interests include computational neuroscience, statistical modeling of neural systems, and interdisciplinary education. He has advised numerous students and co-organized major workshops like the Statistical Analysis of Neuronal Data series. Kass’s work emphasizes the interplay between statistical rigor and scientific insight, bridging theoretical and applied domains. Education: B.A. in Mathematics, Antioch College Ph.D. in Statistics, University of Chicago Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University Scientific contributions include advancements in spike train analysis, Bayesian model assessment, and statistical methods for brain connectivity. His work on neural synchrony and population coding has influenced both theoretical and applied neuroscience.
Richard Garner is a lecturer at Macquarie University's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering. He specializes in teaching mathematics to engineering and computing students in units like MATH2055 and MATH1007, focusing on problem-solving and real-world applications. His teaching philosophy emphasizes authentic mathematical experiences, blending abstract concepts with practical examples, such as connecting multivariable calculus to AI technologies. School: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences University: Macquarie University Teaching Areas: Mathematics for engineering and computing, convolution, multivariable calculus Richard won a Student Nominated Award in the 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching Awards, reflecting his commitment to student-centered education. He prioritizes clarity in course design, using visual tools and accessible materials to enhance learning, and fosters a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions. Key Teaching Strategies Organized iLearn layouts following Macquarie University's standards Multiple formats for lecture materials (diagrams, color-coded slides) Weekly task clarity and real-world problem framing Live worked examples and transparent success criteria His research spans category theory, computational effects, and homotopy theory, with publications on topics like comodels, monoidal bicategories, and enriched categories. Richard's work bridges abstract mathematics with applications in computer science and logic. Scientific Awards 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching Award (Student Nominated) Students praise his ability to make complex concepts intuitive, his enthusiasm for mathematics, and his dedication to explaining the 'why' behind the subject. His teaching design, including time-sensitive banners and structured weekly content, has been highlighted as exemplary.
Carolyn Parkinson is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding the Bernice Wenzel and Wendell Jeffrey Term Endowed Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience. Her research integrates social psychology with computational neuroscience to explore how the human brain represents, navigates, and shapes social environments. University: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Academic Rank: Associate Professor Research Focus: Social and Affective Neuroscience, Social Network Analysis, Neural Mechanisms of Psychological Distance At the Computational Social Neuroscience Lab , Parkinson investigates: Neural encoding of social network structures Shared mechanisms for spatial, temporal, and social distance perception Computational modeling of social cognition Functional MRI analysis of social relationships Her work reveals that: Resting-state brain connectivity predicts social proximity Multivoxel patterns decode social knowledge representations Old cortical structures repurpose spatial processing for social cognition Neural population coding transcends historical phrenology-based approaches Notable awards include the Bernice Wenzel and Wendell Jeffrey Term Endowed Chair. She employs machine learning and social network theory to analyze distributed brain activity patterns, advancing understanding of human social behavior and cognition.
Rohit Kannan is an Assistant Professor in the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from MIT and a B.Tech. from IIT Madras. His research focuses on integrating machine learning with global optimization and optimization under uncertainty, emphasizing energy systems applications. Previous roles include postdoc positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. Education: Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2018 M.S., Chemical Engineering Practice, MIT, 2014 B.Tech., Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, 2012 Research Interests: Global optimization, optimization under uncertainty, computational optimization, energy systems, and machine learning integration. Recent Highlights: Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Spotlight Award (2024) Lead researcher in stochastic optimization and energy systems (e.g., hybrid polygeneration systems) Developed algorithms for chance-constrained nonlinear programs and distributionally robust optimization Service & Leadership: Elected Vice-Chair of Global Optimization, INFORMS Optimization Society (2025–2026) Reviewer for top journals like Operations Research and Mathematical Programming Advisor to ISE InclusiveVT and Graduate Admissions Committee Labs & Collaborations: Directs a research group advancing optimization and machine learning for energy and engineering systems. Active in interdisciplinary projects with LANL and UW-Madison.
Ye Zhisheng is the Dean’s Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering & Management at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on reliability engineering, inventory control, emergency response systems, and statistical modeling. He holds a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from NUS, along with a BEng in Material Science and Engineering and a BEco in Economics from Tsinghua University. His work emphasizes practical applications in mission-critical systems, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. Current research initiatives include optimal maintenance policies for manufacturing systems, degradation analysis of bearings, and federated learning approaches for battery lifecycle prediction. He has pioneered methods for integrating physics-informed neural networks into prognostics and health management (PHM) systems. Key technical contributions span advanced statistical methodologies like sieve estimation for survival data, phase-type distributions modeling, and condition-based maintenance optimization. His interdisciplinary approach bridges operations research, mechanical engineering, and computer science to address complex reliability challenges. Recent projects include resilient consensus-based power grid management and contamination source identification frameworks. Notable collaborations involve developing intelligent cross-domain fault diagnosis systems using transformer networks and advancing the Internet of Federated Things (IoFT) for distributed data analytics. His work has been applied in aerospace, telecommunication infrastructure, and medical emergency response systems.
Dr. Jannah Baker is a Research Fellow at the Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney. She holds a PhD in Statistics specializing in Bayesian spatiotemporal modelling of chronic diseases, alongside dual postgraduate diplomas in Public Health and Statistics. Her clinical background includes five years as a practicing physician. Her research focuses on cancer prevention (breast, endometrial, melanoma), spatiotemporal disease modeling, health economics, and clinical trial design. She has led projects on sepsis detection systems, diabetes management, and surgical outcomes analysis. Notable contributions include a seminal systematic review on fertility-sparing endometrial cancer treatments referenced in international guidelines. Jannah has attracted $6M+ in collaborative funding and oversees grants such as the 2023 NHMRC-funded ROADMAP trial and a Department of Health-funded study on pediatric sepsis management. Her work spans 50+ peer-reviewed articles across journals like Journal of Medical Internet Research and PLOS One . Professional activities include clinical trials statistics, health economics analysis, and implementation science lectures. She has mentored multiple research teams and maintains an ORCID profile (0000-0002-2208-6584).
James M. Piret is a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the School of Biomedical Engineering and the Michael Smith Laboratories. He holds a Sc.D. from MIT (1989), an S.M. from MIT (1986), and an A.B. from Harvard College (1981). His research focuses on bioprocessing, biomedical engineering, and cell therapy biotechnology, with emphasis on optimizing therapeutic cell production and biomanufacturing processes. Education : Sc.D. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1989) S.M. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1986) A.B. in Chemistry, Harvard College (1981) Professor Piret’s research integrates bioreactor engineering, Raman spectroscopy, and data analytics to advance cell-based therapies for diseases like cancer and diabetes. Collaborations with stem cell biologists (e.g., Drs. Kieffer and Levings) and engineers (Drs. Turner and Gopaluni) drive innovations in bioprocess optimization and device development. His lab emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to accelerate biotechnology production processes and cell therapy manufacturing. Awards : William F. Meggers Award (2022) R.S. Jane Memorial Award (2015) Cell Culture Engineering Award (2012) Fellow, Chemical Institute of Canada (2004) His work includes developing novel methodologies for CHO cell glycosylation engineering, optimizing fed-batch bioreactor systems, and advancing Raman spectroscopy techniques for real-time cell analysis. The lab actively recruits motivated graduate and postdoctoral researchers to tackle high-impact challenges in biomedical and chemical engineering.
