Zhou Fan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics and Data Science at Yale University, specializing in mathematical statistics, probability theory, and computational algorithms with applications in statistical genetics and computational biology. Education: Ph.D. in Statistics, Stanford University, 2018 His research spans Random matrices and free probability , Statistical physics and inference , High-dimensional statistics and machine learning , and Applications in genetics and computational biology . He develops theoretical frameworks for complex data analysis, focusing on inferential problems in scientific contexts through advanced computational methods. Recent publications demonstrate leadership in Approximate Message Passing algorithms, empirical Bayes methods, and group orbit estimation, with significant contributions to high-dimensional statistics and biological applications. His work bridges statistical theory with practical computational solutions for modern data challenges. As Co-Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Fan provides academic leadership for the department's graduate program while teaching advanced courses in high-dimensional probability, statistical theory, and random matrix applications.
Daoyuan Wu is an Assistant Professor at the School of Data Science, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, one of eight UGC-funded universities in the region. Previously, he held positions as a Research Assistant Professor at HKUST CSE, Senior Research Fellow at Nanyang Technological University, Senior Researcher at Huawei HKRC, and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor from 2022-2023. His research focuses on the intersection of Large Language Models and security, with specialization in LLM for Security and Security of AI/Blockchain/Code/Mobile . His work spans multiple domains including AI/LLM4Sec (using LLMs for vulnerability detection), AI/LLM-Sec (securing LLMs themselves), Blockchain and Web3 Security, and Mobile and Software Security. He leads the AIS2Lab which is actively researching LLM applications in cybersecurity contexts. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward applying LLMs to security problems across multiple domains, with significant contributions to smart contract security through tools like PropertyGPT (which received a Distinguished Paper Award at NDSS 2025), GPTScan, and ACFix. His work combines program analysis with LLM capabilities to address complex security challenges that traditional methods struggle with. Distinguished Paper Award at NDSS 2025 for PropertyGPT: LLM-driven Formal Verification of Smart Contracts through Retrieval-Augmented Property Generation Dr. Wu actively advises PhD and research students, with several former students now working at top institutions and companies including Huawei, OKX, and academia. He's currently hiring PhD students for Fall 2026 with scholarship support of approximately HK$19,000 per month. His lab receives funding from multiple internal and external grants supporting PhD students, RAs, and PostDocs. He leads the AIS2Lab which focuses on AI/LLM applications in security contexts across multiple domains including blockchain, mobile security, and software security. The lab maintains active collaborations with researchers at top institutions globally and has developed multiple influential tools and frameworks for security analysis.
Nitin Williams is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on brain connectivity, aging, and neuroimaging techniques like MEG and fMRI. He has contributed to understanding functional connectivity dynamics, age-related neural changes, and computational models of brain networks. Recent work includes studies on TMS-evoked potentials, phase synchronization in resting-state networks, and discrete Ricci curvatures to analyze brain networks. He has collaborated internationally, including a visiting research stint at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in India. Williams is an active member of academic communities, serving on editorial boards for journals like Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience and Network: Computation in Neural Systems . His datasets, including connectome analyses and biophysical models, highlight computational approaches to neuroscience challenges. Key research themes include: (1) Aging’s impact on neural plasticity and connectivity, (2) Biophysical modeling of phase synchronization, (3) Multimodal neuroimaging integration, and (4) Applications of graph theory in brain network analysis.
Yu Yang is a Researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology's Division of Electronics and Embedded Systems. He has been affiliated with KTH since at least 2020 and currently holds a postdoc position. His research focuses on neuromorphic computing, FPGA/ASIC implementation, approximate computing, and embedded systems design. He also explores ergonomic applications using wearable sensors to address workplace safety and musculoskeletal disorders. Yang has taught courses like Digital Design and Embedded Hardware Design in ASIC and FPGA , demonstrating expertise in both theoretical and applied electronics. His work bridges hardware acceleration (e.g., memristor-based neural networks) with practical applications like surgeon workload analysis and posture correction systems. Notable projects include the eBrainII ASIC implementation of a human-scale cortical model and developing smart workwear systems for real-time vibrotactile feedback. Publications span IEEE conferences (DATE, FDL, ASP-DAC) and journals like Frontiers in Neuroscience and Journal of Signal Processing Systems . His research often emphasizes low-power, high-performance computing while addressing ergonomic challenges in manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Manfred Jaeger is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science, Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Aalborg University. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence , Bayesian Networks , and Graph Neural Networks , with significant contributions to probabilistic reasoning and relational learning. University: Aalborg University School: Technical Faculty of IT and Design Department: Department of Computer Science Jaeger's research explores inductive and probabilistic reasoning , statistical relational learning , and model checking . His recent work integrates heterogeneous graph neural networks with relational Bayesian network encodings to enhance reasoning capabilities in complex systems. Key trends in his publications include relational deep learning , probabilistic inference , and graph-based modeling . He has contributed to applications in social network community detection , reinforcement learning for MDPs , and latent variable models for graph learning . Jaeger collaborates on projects involving incomplete data analysis , modularization of complex tasks , and probabilistic logic . His datasets on multi-multi-instance learning networks are publicly available for research use.
Prof. Dr. Heike Trautmann is a leading researcher in statistics and optimization at the University of Twente (2021-2026) and former Professor at WWU Münster (2013-2016). Her work bridges computational statistics, evolutionary optimization, and social media analytics. She has held visiting positions at TU Dortmund, Leiden University, and RWTH Aachen. Current affiliation: University of Twente (Data Science: Statistics and Optimization) Previous roles: WWU Münster (Professor for Information Systems and Statistics), TU Dortmund (Postdoctoral researcher) Research Focus: Multi-criteria optimization, automated algorithm selection, data stream mining, and disinformation detection in social media. Her methodological innovations in exploratory landscape analysis and evolutionary computation have transformed algorithm configuration practices. Developed COSEAL consortium for algorithm selection Co-founder of Benchmarking Network (2019) Principal investigator in projects like PropStop and MODERAT! Academic Contributions: Over 150 publications in top venues like GECCO, PPSN, and Evolutionary Computation journal. Pioneered feature-based landscape analysis tools (flacco, pflacco) and stream clustering frameworks.
Xiaodong Cheng is an Assistant Professor at the Mathematical and Statistical Methods (Biometris) group in the Department of Plant Science at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on control systems, optimization, and machine learning, with applications in agricultural and energy systems. He holds a Ph.D. (cum laude) from the University of Groningen, under Prof. Jacquelien Scherpen, and prior roles include Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and Postdoctoral Researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology. Education: B.S. and M.E. from Northwestern Polytechnical University, China (2011, 2014) Ph.D. (cum laude) in Engineering from the University of Groningen, Netherlands (2018) Research Interests: Data-driven modeling, dimensionality reduction, learning-based control, system identification, and applications in agriculture and energy. He emphasizes practical implementations through tools like SYSDYNET and Bayesian neural ODEs for greenhouse systems. Key Contributions: His work spans model reduction for network systems, fault-tolerant control, and stochastic MPC for greenhouse production. Recent trends in his publications highlight advancements in resilient microgrid control, precision agriculture via drone-based sensing, and Bayesian methods for dynamic systems. Awards: Automatica Paper Prize Award (2017–2019) IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology Outstanding Paper Award (2020) Labs/Teams: Leads the Biometris group's efforts in integrating control theory and machine learning for sustainable systems. His work often collaborates with agricultural and energy sector stakeholders for real-world impact.
M.Sc. Pascal Esser is a researcher at the Department of Informatics at Technical University of Munich (TUM). He specializes in theoretical computer science, formal methods, and machine learning, with a focus on neural networks and verification techniques. His teaching responsibilities include courses on theoretical computer science fundamentals such as Petri Nets, Automata and Formal Languages, Logic, and Model Checking. He has contributed to research in representation learning, graph neural networks, and probabilistic models, as evidenced by his recent publications. Esser is involved in the development of tools like Automata Tutor and has collaborated on projects such as PaVeS and ConVeY. His work bridges formal methods and artificial intelligence, emphasizing rigorous theoretical foundations while exploring practical applications in neural network verification and algorithm design. Education: Master of Science in Computer Science (degree details unspecified). Research Interests: Formal verification, machine learning theory, neural networks, representation learning, graph algorithms, and theoretical computer science. Professional Activities: Active in teaching advanced undergraduate and graduate courses since 2020, with a focus on foundational topics in informatics and emerging areas like neural network verification. Egger's research trends emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from statistical learning theory with algorithmic analysis to address challenges in modern AI systems. His publications highlight advancements in understanding model dynamics, kernel-based methods, and graph neural network architectures. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his sustained academic contributions indicate active engagement in the informatics research community. He is part of a research group at TUM including notable figures like Javier Esparza and Jan Křetínský, contributing to tools and frameworks for automata theory and model checking. His work often intersects with practical software implementations such as the Automata Tutor educational platform and Strix verification tools.
Gabriele Santin is a Researcher at Ca' Foscari University of Venice's Department of Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Statistics. He holds a PhD in Computational Mathematics from the University of Padua and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Stuttgart and the Bruno Kessler Foundation. His research focuses on kernel-based approximation methods, numerical analysis, and applications in scientific computing, including partial differential equations and biomedical engineering. Research interests include kernel interpolation, greedy algorithms, convergence analysis, and data-driven modeling. He has contributed to advancing numerical techniques for solving PDEs, optimizing kernel methods, and analyzing stability in non-Lipschitz domains. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in fields like medical imaging, transportation systems, and epidemic modeling. Publications highlight contributions to kernel-based greedy algorithms, image interpolation, and surrogate modeling. He is affiliated with the Research Institute for Complexity and actively collaborates with institutions like SimTech (University of Stuttgart). His expertise spans numerical methods, machine learning, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Hugues Bersini is a Professor at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Co-Director of the IRIDIA laboratory, the Artificial Intelligence research laboratory of ULB. His academic career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to the fields of artificial intelligence, complex systems, and biological networks. Bersini earned his MS degree in 1983 and his Ph.D. in engineering in 1989, both from Université Libre de Bruxelles. After working as a researcher with an EEC grant from the JRC-CEE in Ispra (1984-1987), he joined the IRIDIA laboratory at ULB, where he has remained throughout his career, eventually becoming a full professor. His research spans a diverse range of topics within artificial intelligence and complex systems. Bersini is particularly known for his work on modeling and control of complex systems, neural networks, fuzzy control, data mining, autonomous agents, and biological networks. He pioneered the exploitation of biological metaphors, especially from the immune system, for engineering and cognitive sciences applications. His research has evolved to include computational chemistry, immune engineering, cognitive sciences, bioinformatics, and object-oriented technology. In recent years, he has focused on business intelligence applications and public goods through the Brussels Institute FARI. Throughout his career, Bersini has published approximately 300 papers, demonstrating consistent productivity and evolving research interests. His early work focused on optimization algorithms and immune-inspired computing, which gradually expanded to include fuzzy and neuro control systems, biological networks, and more recently, applications to real-world problems through spin-off companies and the FARI institute. His publications show a clear trajectory from theoretical foundations to practical applications, with growing emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches that bridge computer science with biology, chemistry, and cognitive sciences. Bersini has been actively involved in the academic community, having co-organized major conferences including the Parallel Problem Solving from Nature (PPSN), European Conference on Artificial Life (ECAL), European Workshops on Reinforcement Learning (EWRL), and International Competitions on Evolutionary Optimization (ICEO). He also organized tributes to Francisco Varela and the International Conference on Artificial Immune Systems (ICARIS). As an educator, Bersini teaches artificial intelligence, object-oriented programming (C++, Java, .Net, Kotlin, UML, Django/Python), and design patterns to both university students at Solvay and Polytechnic Schools and for industry professionals. He has authored fourteen French books covering computer science fundamentals, complex systems, and the intersection of computer science with other fields. His books range from technical manuals to philosophical explorations of complex systems and emergence. Bersini has coordinated significant research projects including the FAMIMO LTR European Project on fuzzy control for multi-input multi-output processes and participated in ESPIRIT projects NEMORETS and METHODS. His work has led to practical applications through spin-off companies such as Cluepoints, Tevizz, and In Silico DB, and more recently through the Brussels Institute FARI which addresses public goods like mobility, epidemics, access to jobs and schools, and energy transition.
Michael Feischl is a Professor for Computational PDEs at TU Wien (since 2022) and holds an ERC Consolidator Grant for his project "New Frontiers in Optimal Adaptivity" (2024–2029). His research focuses on partial differential equations with random coefficients, computational micromagnetism (Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation), and optimal adaptive mesh refinement techniques. He leads the Computational PDEs research group within the Institute of Analysis and Scientific Computing. Education and career highlights include roles as Associate Professor at TU Wien (2019–2022), W2 Professor at University of Bonn (2017–2018), and Junior Research Group Leader at KIT (2015–2017). His work bridges numerical analysis, computational physics, and machine learning, with a strong emphasis on rigorous mathematical foundations and algorithmic efficiency. Research interests include: Adaptive finite element and boundary element methods Stochastic modeling and uncertainty quantification Computational methods for micromagnetic simulations Machine learning applications in numerical analysis His recent work explores optimal adaptivity for time-dependent PDEs, neural network-based solvers, and efficient discretization strategies for complex physical systems. Key contributions include advancements in a posteriori error estimation and hierarchical training of neural networks.
Professor Kevin Swingler is a Professor and Head of the Division of Computing Science and Mathematics at the University of Stirling. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly in data science, machine learning, and computer vision, with a strong emphasis on healthcare applications. He leads the AISLA project , developing assistive technologies for visually impaired individuals using AI tools like computer vision and natural language understanding. His work addresses challenges in AI innovation while aiming to enhance independence for people with sight loss. Before academia, he ran a software company specializing in neural network-based solutions for banking, insurance, and marketing. He champions innovative teaching methods, including graduate apprenticeships, online degrees, and international programs. His research extends to applying AI in livestock disease surveillance, social media analysis for farming communities, and digital health tools for elder care. He also runs a university spin-out company providing data collection and analytics services. His recent publications span AI-driven health monitoring systems, neuro-symbolic models for small datasets, and haptic interfaces for accessibility. Collaborations with charities and health organizations highlight his commitment to translational research addressing societal challenges.
Varun Shankar is an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at the Kahlert School of Computing (KSoC), University of Utah, and currently serves as Associate Director of the Master of Software Development (MSD) program. His research focuses on developing efficient machine learning models for scientific applications, blending scientific computing, machine learning, and high-performance computing. Previously, he held a non-tenure-track role as an Assistant Professor Lecturer in KSoC, emphasizing teaching and curriculum development for the MSD program. Varun earned his PhD in Computing (Scientific Computing) from the University of Utah and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Math Biology group at the Department of Mathematics, University of Utah. His research interests span scientific machine learning, numerical analysis, and computational methods for complex systems. Recent work emphasizes physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), hybrid models for PDE solving, and meshless discretization techniques. His publications reflect contributions to operator learning, RBF-FD methods, and computational biomechanics. In teaching, Varun has instructed courses in software development, mobile programming, and numerical analysis, emphasizing practical skills for software professionals. He has co-advised MS and PhD students across KSoC and Mathematics departments.
Wouter Kouw is an Assistant Professor at the Electrical Engineering department of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) , leading the Bayesian Intelligent Autonomous Systems lab. With a dual PhD in Computer Science (2018, TU Delft) and MSc in Neuroscience (2013, Maastricht University) , he bridges neurobiology and artificial intelligence through variational Bayesian inference and active inference frameworks. Research Focus : Probabilistic machine learning systems using message passing algorithms on factor graphs , applied to mobile robotics and adaptive control Key Projects : CONTACT-AI (contact-rich robot navigation), FEP-walker (active inference-based locomotion), and BayesBrain (hybrid neuro-in-silico computing) His work spans nonlinear system identification , uncertainty quantification , and sensor modeling , with recent publications in IEEE Transactions , Entropy , and Communications in Computer and Information Science . Awards include the Niels Stensen Fellowship (2017) and TU/e Team Science Award nomination (2023) . Collaborations extend to institutions in Germany, USA, and Denmark, with teaching responsibilities in Bayesian Machine Learning and Neuro Computation .
Amirreza Razmjoo Fard is a PhD student and Researcher at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI) and the Robot Learning and Interaction (RLI) Group at the Idiap Research Institute. Supervised by Dr. Sylvain Calinon, he focuses on developing adaptive, efficient, and intelligent robotic control methods for contact-rich environments and constrained scenarios. Research Areas: Generative AI (diffusion models, flow matching), Model composition (product of experts), System dynamics, Control theory, Physics-based simulation (Isaac Sim) Key Goals: Bridging theory and real-world applications, enhancing robot autonomy, interaction, and physical intelligence His work spans publications at top robotics conferences like IROS, CoRL, RSS, and ICRA, with a Best Paper Finalist recognition at RSS 2024. Notable methods include CCDP for diffusion policy composition, CDF for differentiable robot geometry, and D-LGP for hybrid planning. He has also collaborated with Honda Research Institute Europe during a six-month internship.
