Bernhard J. Berger is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Engineering at the Institute of Embedded Systems, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). His research focuses on software security, static code analysis, machine learning, optimization, and research data management. He has held significant roles such as Program Committee member for ICPC 2025 and MSR 2025, and has received awards including the Best Reviewer Award (ICPC 2023) and Best Engineering Paper Award (SCAM 2019). His work spans interdisciplinary applications including maritime systems security, GPU-accelerated AI, and evolutionary algorithms. Recent studies emphasize AI-driven security tools (e.g., ML-SAST) and domain-specific language approaches to optimization (EvoAl). He has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed publications, with notable work in IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering and Science of Computer Programming. Berger collaborates closely with industry through DAAD review committees and serves on artifact evaluation boards for ISSTA and ARES conferences. Education: Doctoral Thesis (2022), Diploma in Computer Science (2007) Key Projects: ArchSec tool suite, Threat Modeling Frameworks, Bauhaus static analysis methodology Lab Affiliation: Embedded Systems Design Group His advisory roles include Deputy of TUHH's Election Verification Committee and Session Chair at IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation 2023. Current research trends integrate machine learning with static analysis for automated vulnerability detection, while also exploring explainable AI techniques for neural network optimization.
Muhammad Ali Gulzar is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at Virginia Tech and an Amazon Scholar at Amazon Web Services. His research focuses on improving developer productivity through automated debugging and testing for applications in emerging domains, including data-intensive software such as dataflow programs, ML/AI applications, and computational notebooks. Education Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of California, Los Angeles (Google Ph.D. Fellow 2017-2020) Research Interests Gulzar's research spans three primary areas: (1) automated tracking-code localization techniques in web applications, (2) re-engineering testing and debugging for data-intensive applications, and (3) advancing current testing and debugging practices in Federated Learning Applications. His work addresses the challenges of debugging in complex systems where traditional approaches fail due to the scale and distributed nature of modern applications. His research has significant implications for improving software quality, developer productivity, and accessibility in web applications. Research Trends Recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on debugging and testing challenges in emerging application domains. His work bridges traditional software engineering with machine learning, data-intensive systems, and web technologies. Notably, he has made significant contributions to Federated Learning debugging (FedDebug), accessibility challenges in ad-driven web applications, and semantic caching for Large Language Models. His approach often combines novel algorithmic insights with practical implementations that address real-world challenges in software development and maintenance. Scientific Awards Google Ph.D. Fellow (2017-2020) $1.1 million NSF award for Federated Learning research ACM CCS 2024 Distinguished Artifact Award Advising and Grants Gulzar leads a productive research group with multiple students contributing to publications in top-tier venues. His NSF-funded research on Federated Learning demonstrates his ability to secure competitive funding for innovative projects. His advising style appears to emphasize practical impact alongside theoretical contributions, with students often taking lead roles in publications. Current research directions include debugging techniques for Large Language Models, accessibility challenges in modern web applications, and novel testing approaches for distributed data processing systems.
Michael D. Ernst is a Professor in the Computer Science & Engineering department at the University of Washington's College of Engineering. His research aims to make software more reliable, more secure, and easier (and more fun!) to produce. Previously, he was a tenured professor at MIT and a researcher at Microsoft Research. Ernst's primary technical interests are in software engineering, programming languages, type theory, security, program analysis, bug prediction, testing, and verification. His research combines strong theoretical foundations with realistic experimentation, with an eye to changing the way that software developers work. He focuses particularly on programmer productivity and developing practical tools that can be integrated into developers' workflows. Analysis of his recent publications (2018-2025) reveals a continued focus on verification techniques, program analysis, and testing methodologies. His work spans from theoretical foundations of type systems to practical applications of NLP for test generation and LLMs for test oracle creation. A consistent theme is developing lightweight, modular approaches that can be practically applied in real-world development environments. Scientific Awards: ACM Fellow (2014) John Backus Award (2009) NSF CAREER Award (2002) ACM SIGSOFT Impact Paper Award (2013) 8 ACM Distinguished Paper Awards across multiple conferences ECOOP 2011 Best Paper Award Microsoft Academic Search ranked #2 in software engineering research (2013) Ernst has received significant research funding including the NSF CAREER Award, supporting his work on program analysis and verification techniques. His research combines theoretical rigor with practical impact, often resulting in tools that are adopted by the software engineering community. He actively collaborates with researchers across institutions and has served in leadership roles for major conferences in programming languages and software engineering. His research group develops practical tools that address real challenges in software development, with a focus on making verification and analysis techniques more accessible to working developers. Current projects include applying machine learning techniques to software engineering problems while maintaining strong theoretical foundations.
Yannic Noller is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), leading the Software Quality group. Previously, he held positions as Assistant Professor at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Research Assistant Professor at National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on automated software engineering, including program repair, machine learning analysis, and software testing. He earned his Ph.D. from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin under Prof. Lars Grunske, with a thesis on hybrid differential software testing. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science (2016-2020, Humboldt-Universität), M.Sc. (2013-2016, University of Stuttgart), B.Sc. (2010-2013, University of Stuttgart). Research interests include automated program repair techniques, machine learning model analysis, and intelligent tutoring systems for programming education. Notable contributions include HyDiff (hybrid differential analysis tool) and CPR (concolic program repair). Awards include the Distinguished Artifact Reviewer at ISSTA'2021 and multiple scholarships for academic excellence. Teaching includes courses on software engineering, requirements engineering, and automated software engineering.
G. Petur Nielsen, MD is a Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and serves as Subspecialty Head, Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital . With a clinical focus on bone and soft tissue tumors, his expertise spans diagnostic pathology, molecular genetics of neoplasms, and ancillary testing applications. Research interests center on Pathology and biology of bone/soft tissue tumors Molecular genetics of bone and soft tissue neoplasms Chordoma and sarcoma research Epithelioid vascular tumor differentiation Mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract His work includes landmark studies on tumor misdiagnosis rates, immunohistochemical profiling, and genomic analysis of chordomas. Scientific contributions appear in leading journals like Nature and American Journal of Surgical Pathology , with major emphasis on Molecular tumor classification Mutational signature analysis Translational oncology Diagnostic accuracy improvement Genomic instability mechanisms
Lionel C. Briand is a Professor of Software Engineering with shared appointments at the University of Luxembourg's SnT Centre for Security, Reliability, and Trust and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Ottawa. He holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Intelligent Software Dependability and Compliance and serves as Director of Lero, Ireland's national software research center. His academic leadership spans over 25 years of collaborative research with industry partners across automotive, aerospace, energy, financial, and legal domains. Professor Briand's research focuses on software verification and validation, trustworthy AI systems, model-driven engineering, and empirical software engineering methodologies. His work bridges theoretical foundations with industrial applications, particularly in cyber-physical systems where machine learning components interact with safety-critical control systems. He has pioneered techniques for testing AI-enabled systems, GDPR compliance automation, and mutation analysis for space systems. His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent innovation in software testing, with recent emphasis on large language models for test generation, automated compliance checking, and safety analysis of deep neural networks. Key trends include black-box testing methodologies, metamorphic testing for security, and search-based approaches for DNN validation. IEEE Fellow and ACM Fellow IEEE Computer Society Harlan Mills Award (2012) ACM SIGSOFT Outstanding Research Award (2022) IEEE Reliability Society Engineer-of-the-Year Award (2013) ERC Advanced Grant recipient (2016) Fellow of the Academy of Science, Royal Society of Canada (2023) ICSE 2011 Most Influential Paper Award As Director of Lero and holder of a Canada Research Chair, Professor Briand leads major research initiatives including an ERC Advanced Grant on cyber-physical system modeling and testing. His industrial collaborations generate substantial grant funding, particularly in automotive safety validation and regulatory compliance automation. He mentors numerous researchers through his dual appointments and serves on program committees for top software engineering conferences. Professor Briand directs research activities at the SnT Centre's SVV department, focusing on software verification and validation. His team develops practical tools like MASS for space system mutation analysis and COREQQA for compliance requirements understanding, with strong industry adoption in automotive and aerospace sectors.
Allison Sullivan is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where she also serves as the Undergraduate Software Engineering Program Director. She is a member of the Software Engineering Research Center (SERC) at UTA and serves as faculty advisor for UTA's Society of Women Engineers (SWE) club. Dr. Sullivan received her PhD in Software Verification, Validation and Testing (SVVAT) from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017 under Sarfraz Khurshid. Her educational background includes: PhD in Software Verification, Validation and Testing, University of Texas at Austin (2017) M.S. in Software Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2014) B.S. in Software Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas (2012) Dr. Sullivan's research focuses on two primary areas: Automated Software Engineering : Test/Oracle Generation, Automated Bug Localization and Repair, Mutation Testing, and Regression Testing Formal Methods and Programming Languages : Abstractions, Finite Model Finders, Program Synthesis, and SAT/SMT Solvers She leads the SCOPE lab which focuses on 'showing the correctness of all program executions' and has published extensively on Alloy modeling language applications. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying formal methods to software engineering problems, with a growing emphasis on the intersection of large language models and software development practices. Her work spans theoretical foundations, tool development, and empirical studies of how developers use modeling languages. Her scientific achievements have been recognized with: NSF CAREER Award (2024) UTA CSE department Rising Star Research Award (2024) UTA College of Engineering Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award (2025) NSF grant for building an educational tool for software modeling ($400k) Dr. Sullivan has successfully advised two PhD students to completion: Dr. Ana Jovanovic (defended November 2024) and Dr. Anahita Samadi (defended February 2025). She actively mentors undergraduate researchers and has secured significant research funding including the NSF CAREER grant. Her service includes committee roles for major conferences including ASE, ISSRE, and FormaliSE. She leads the SCOPE lab at UTA, which brings together graduate and undergraduate researchers to develop techniques for improving software verification and validation, with particular emphasis on making formal methods more accessible to practitioners.
Juan Zhai is an Assistant Professor in the Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences (CICS) at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she co-directs the Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER) and participates in the UMass NLP group. Her academic career spans over 7 years of active service including program committee roles at top-tier conferences like ICSE, FSE, and ASE. Her research focuses on Software-AI Synergy with core areas including: Formal Specification Synthesis for precise software behavior definition Comment Generation and Maintenance using LLMs Trustworthy AI through bias detection and framework testing Deep Learning Infrastructure Reliability Recent work demonstrates strong emphasis on practical tools for AI safety and software dependability. Her publication trends show consistent output in top software engineering venues (ASE, ICSE, FSE) with increasing focus on AI/ML conferences (ACL, CVPR, ICLR). Key themes include metamorphic testing for deep learning frameworks, bias analysis in LLMs, and formal methods for specification synthesis. She actively serves the community through: Program committees for 13 major conferences Reviewing for 5 top journals including TOSEM and TSE 40+ total reviews across SE and AI venues Juan mentors PhD students including Gehao Zhang (research focus: Software Engineering, AI Safety) and teaches graduate courses like CS520 (Theory and Practice of Software Engineering) and CS692P (Hot Topics in SE Research). She leads the LASER lab which develops tools like C2S, CPC, and DevMuT for software reasoning and AI infrastructure testing.
Shin Yoo is a tenured Full Professor in the School of Computing at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), where he leads the Computational Intelligence for Software Engineering (COINSE) research group. He received his PhD from King's College London in 2009 under the supervision of Prof. Mark Harman. Currently, he serves as the General Chair for ASE 2025, which will be held in Seoul, Korea. Professor Yoo earned his PhD in Computer Science from King's College London (2009), following an MSc in Software Engineering with Distinction from the same institution (2006). His academic journey includes positions as Tenured Associate Professor (2021-2025), Associate Professor (2018-2021), and Assistant Professor (2015-2018) at KAIST, as well as Lecturer and Research Associate positions at University College London and King's College London. His research focuses on the intersection of software engineering and artificial intelligence, particularly in search-based software engineering, software testing, automated debugging, SE4AI (Software Engineering for AI), and AI4SE (AI for Software Engineering). Professor Yoo's work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, developing innovative techniques for fault localization, test case generation, and debugging using machine learning and genetic programming approaches. His research has significant implications for improving software reliability and development efficiency in both traditional software systems and AI-powered applications. Professor Yoo's recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward leveraging large language models and deep learning techniques for software engineering tasks. His work spans fault localization, automated debugging, GUI testing, and program analysis, with increasing focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI systems. His research shows a consistent evolution from traditional search-based software engineering to AI/ML-enhanced approaches, reflecting the broader trends in the field. ACM SIGEVO HUMIES Silver Medal (2017) for human competitive application of genetic programming to fault localization research IEEE TCSE Most Influential Paper Award (ICST 2024) for work on mutation-based fault localization Professor Yoo has supervised five PhD students to completion, with his former students now holding positions as assistant professors, post-doctoral researchers, and software engineers at institutions including Kyoungpook National University, Max-Planck Institute Security & Privacy, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Roku Korea, and NUS. He currently serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Empirical Software Engineering and ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology, and has held significant leadership roles in major software engineering conferences including Program Co-chair for SSBSE (2014), ICST (2018), and ICSE NIER track (2020), General Chair for SSBSE (2022), and Testing & Analysis Area Chair for ICSE (2024). As leader of the Computational Intelligence for Software Engineering (COINSE) group at KAIST, Professor Yoo directs research that combines computational intelligence techniques with software engineering challenges. The group focuses on developing novel approaches to software testing, debugging, and analysis using search-based and AI-driven methods. Their work spans both theoretical foundations and practical implementations, with strong connections to industry challenges and applications.
Michael Nothnagel is a Professor at the University of Cologne, where he leads the Department of Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics within the Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG). His work spans statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, and forensic genetics, focusing on methodological development and large-scale genomic data analysis. His research interests encompass theoretical and applied statistical genetics, with emphasis on human genetic diversity, disease etiology, and forensic applications. Key areas include Y-chromosomal phylogeography, genome-wide association studies for complex diseases, development of statistical methods for variant interpretation, and forensic marker optimization. His group leverages next-generation sequencing data and specialized forensic markers to address questions in population history, disease mechanisms, and identification systems. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on computational approaches to genetic analysis, including spatial frequency interpolation for haplogroup mapping, polygenic risk score applications for behavioral traits, and advanced methods for variant classification. His work demonstrates consistent integration of statistical theory with practical applications in medical and forensic genetics, often through international collaborations like the VISAGE Consortium. Nothnagel maintains active involvement in the Cologne Center for Genomics, contributing to seminars and collaborative projects including the upcoming 34th International Genetic Epidemiology Society meeting. His research group operates at the intersection of computational biology and medicine, with particular strengths in handling complex genomic datasets and developing novel analytical frameworks for genetic epidemiology.
Barbara Namer is an Adjunct Professor at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and leads the IZKF-funded "Neuroscience: translational pain research" group at RWTH Aachen University Hospital. Her career spans 20+ years in neurophysiological pain research with clinical translations. Doctor of Medicine (2000-2004), Erlangen-Nuremberg Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in Physiology (2010) Adjunct Professor title (2018) Her research focuses on nociceptor mechanisms in diabetic neuropathy, migraine pathophysiology, and TRPA1 channel dynamics . Computational modeling and human microneurography techniques are central to her work. Key publication trends show expertise in peripheral nerve sensitization , diabetic pain mechanisms , translational pain modeling , and ion channel pharmacology . She has received multiple DGSS and German Neurology Society awards for her pain research. 2019 - DGSS Poster Award 2015 - DGSS Poster Award 2010 - EFIC Grünenthal Grant 2003 & 2018 - German Neurology Society Awards National and international collaborations include research stays in Norway and Sweden, with extensive grant funding from DFG and IZKF projects.
Raffi Khatchadourian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). His research focuses on techniques for automated software evolution, particularly automated refactoring and source code recommendation systems, with the goal of easing the burden associated with evolving large and complex software through automated tools. He also conducts research on the automated analysis of Object-Oriented programs. Ph.D., Computer Science & Engineering, Ohio State University (2011) MS, Computer Science & Engineering, Ohio State University (2010) BS, Computer Science, Monmouth University (2004) Khatchadourian's research spans multiple areas of software engineering and programming languages, with particular emphasis on automated software evolution techniques. His work addresses critical challenges in refactoring legacy systems to modern language constructs, optimizing parallel processing in Java 8 streams, and addressing technical debt in machine learning systems. His recent research has expanded into deep learning program transformation, where he develops techniques to convert imperative deep learning code to more efficient graph execution models while ensuring safety. His approach combines static analysis, program transformation, and empirical validation to create practical tools that developers can integrate into their workflows. Analysis of Khatchadourian's recent publications reveals a strong focus on bridging the gap between theoretical program analysis and practical software engineering challenges. His work increasingly intersects with machine learning systems, examining both how to improve ML code through refactoring and how to ensure safety in deep learning frameworks. The research demonstrates consistent evolution from foundational work on Java language features toward more complex systems involving concurrency, deep learning, and automated program transformation. Distinguished Paper Award at SCAM '18 for work on Java 8 stream optimization EAPLS Best Paper Award at FASE '20 for study on Java 8 stream usage EAPLS Distinguished Paper Award at FASE '25 for Deep Learning refactoring work Best Paper Award nominee at IJCAI '24 for AI safety framework Khatchadourian actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with several advisees going on to successful academic and industry positions. His former Ph.D. student Tatiana Castro Vélez accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor position at the University of Puerto Rico. He has supervised numerous master's theses and undergraduate research projects, often resulting in co-authored publications at top software engineering venues. His research has been supported by various grants, though specific funding details are not prominently featured in the available information. Through his work on tools like Fraglight for aspect-oriented programming and Hybridize Functions for deep learning refactoring, Khatchadourian has established a research group focused on practical program analysis and transformation. His lab develops Eclipse plugins and other IDE-integrated tools that help developers with automated refactoring, bug detection, and code optimization. The group maintains active collaborations with researchers at other institutions and contributes to open-source projects on GitHub.
Koushik Sen is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on developing software tools and methodologies to enhance programmer productivity and software quality, with expertise in Software Engineering, Programming Languages, and Formal Methods. Education: B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Research Focus: Professor Sen pioneers automated testing techniques including concolic testing and DART (Directed Automated Random Testing). His work bridges formal methods with practical software development, emphasizing bug detection, program synthesis, and AI-driven software analysis tools. Recent innovations include machine learning approaches for code recommendation and fuzzing. Publication Trends: His recent publications (2019-2023) demonstrate strong emphasis on fuzzing techniques, program synthesis, and AI/ML applications in software engineering. Notable domains include smart contract security, automated testing, and developer tooling, with frequent collaborations in top-tier conferences. Awards and Honors: NSF CAREER Award (2008) Sloan Foundation Fellowship (2011) IFIP TC2 Manfred Paul Award (2010) Okawa Foundation Research Grant (2015) Multiple ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Paper Awards UIUC Distinguished Alumni Educator Award (2014) Leadership: Active program committee member for premier conferences (PLDI, ICSE, ISSTA) and keynote speaker. His research is supported by NSF, Okawa Foundation, and Sloan Foundation.
David M. Langenau is a Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and Director of Research Education at Mass General Brigham Pathology . His work focuses on elucidating molecular mechanisms of relapse in pediatric sarcomas and leukemias using zebrafish models, human cell lines, and patient-derived xenografts. Institutional Affiliations : Harvard Medical School, Mass General Brigham, Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, Harvard Stem Cell Institute Research Themes : Tumor relapse biology, cancer stem cells, oncogenic pathways, zebrafish avatars, drug discovery Langenau's research has identified novel combination therapies (e.g., Olaparib-Temozolomide for RMS) and uncovered evolutionarily conserved oncogenic drivers in T-ALL. His team's work bridges zebrafish genetics and clinical translation, including the first zebrafish-origin clinical trial for pediatric cancer. Selected Research Trends : Recent publications highlight single-cell transcriptomics in RMS, checkpoint pathways in immunotherapy, and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling in T-ALL. These studies integrate bioinformatics, functional assays, and clinical data. Grants and Collaborations : His laboratory receives over $19 million annually in research funding and collaborates with institutions like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MGH Pathology Service .
Claire Le Goues is a Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, primarily affiliated with the Software and Societal Systems Department (S3D) within the School of Computer Science (SCS). She serves as the Associate Department Head for Faculty within S3D and leads the squaresLab research group. Le Goues also co-directs the REUSE@CMU summer program and teaches software engineering and program analysis at undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. Her research spans software engineering and programming languages, with a particular focus on how to construct, maintain, evolve, improve/debug, and assure high-quality software systems. Le Goues has made significant contributions to automated program repair, program analysis, and defect detection. Her work often bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, addressing real-world challenges in software development and maintenance. Le Goues' recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward integrating large language models and generative AI with traditional software engineering techniques. Her research examines how these technologies can enhance program repair (BatFix, AdverIntent-Agent), vulnerability detection (Interpretable Vulnerability Detection Reports), and testing (LWDIFF for WebAssembly). This represents an evolution from her earlier foundational work in program repair (GenProg) toward leveraging contemporary AI advancements. She has mentored numerous students through her squaresLab research group and has been instrumental in developing educational programs that prepare the next generation of software engineers. Le Goues is also known for her advocacy for double-blind review processes in academic conferences, having implemented this approach when co-chairing the Symposium for Search-Based Software Engineering in 2014.
