Chun Liu is Chair and Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Department of Applied Mathematics, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), within the College of Computing. His research focuses on Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations , Complex Fluids , and Multiscale Modeling , with applications in electrophysiology and materials science. He earned a Ph.D. from New York University’s Courant Institute, an M.S. from Duke University, and a B.S. from Fudan University. Prof. Liu leads projects on General Diffusion Systems , Ion Channel Dynamics , and Viscoelastic Fluids . He has secured grants from NSF, BSF, and DAAD for research in energetic variational approaches, multiscale materials modeling, and biomolecular systems. Key contributions include the development of Poisson-Boltzmann models , coarse-grained dynamics , and energetically stable numerical methods . He serves on editorial boards for Communications in Mathematical Sciences , SIAM Journal on Mathematical Analysis , and others. His work bridges applied mathematics with engineering and biophysics, addressing challenges in fluid mechanics, ion transport, and nonlinear systems.
Piotr Zwiernik is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistical Sciences at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts and Science, with a cross-appointment in the Department of Mathematics. Currently on leave from the University of Toronto, he is based in Barcelona following his return in July 2025. His academic journey includes a PhD in Statistics from the University of Warwick (2011), research positions at prestigious institutions including Mittag Leffler Institute, IPAM, TU Eindhoven, UC Berkeley, and the University of Genoa, and an Assistant Professorship at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona (2016-2021). His research spans the intersection of statistics, mathematics, and computational methods, with particular emphasis on graphical models, covariance matrix estimation, convex analysis, tensors, and algebraic and combinatorial methods in statistics. Zwiernik's work demonstrates a consistent focus on high-dimensional statistics, mathematical statistics, and elegant theoretical frameworks that bridge abstract mathematics with practical statistical applications. His recent publications reveal a deepening exploration of tensor analysis, algebraic statistics, and the geometric properties of statistical models. Zwiernik serves as an associate editor for leading journals including Biometrika, Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, and Algebraic Statistics. His research program includes the development of the GOLAZO R package for asymmetric regularization of log-likelihood in Gaussian graphical models. As an academic leader, he has served as Associate Chair for Research in his department and actively participates in numerous international conferences and workshops, reflecting his significant standing in the statistical community. His recent publications show a strong trend toward algebraic and geometric approaches to statistical problems, with increasing focus on tensor methods, positivity constraints in statistical models, and the theoretical foundations of graphical models. The work demonstrates remarkable continuity in exploring the mathematical structures underlying statistical models while adapting to emerging challenges in high-dimensional data analysis. Zwiernik is committed to mathematical accessibility and education, guided by Federico Ardila's four axioms which emphasize equitable distribution of mathematical potential, joyful mathematical experiences, mathematics as a malleable tool, and treating every student with dignity and respect. He actively seeks PhD students with strong mathematical backgrounds for research at UPF or the Institute of Mathematics of UPC.
Marco Caccamo is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) , holding the Chair of Cyber-Physical Systems in Production Engineering within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. He is also a Principal Investigator and Professor at the Department of Computer Science, with courtesy appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Coordinated Science Lab (CSL), and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). His research spans Embedded Systems , Real-Time Systems , and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) , focusing on resource management, reinforcement learning architectures, and 6D pose recognition for robotics. University of Pisa (B.Sc., 1997) Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (Ph.D., 2002) Research highlights include predictable resource management on heterogeneous platforms, security frameworks for AI-based controllers , and UAV testbed development . His work integrates deep learning and real-time constraints in industrial applications like avionics, farming, and automotive systems. His 15 most recent publications emphasize cache optimization , memory bandwidth regulation , and reinforcement learning for CPS , with a focus on multi-core processors and DNN inference . Awards include the IEEE Fellow (2018), Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (2018), and multiple Best Paper Awards at RTSS, RTNS, and RTAS. NSF CAREER Award (2003) IEEE Fellow (2018) Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (2018) Best Paper Awards (RTSS 2024, RTNS 2023, ECRTS 2019) He has advised numerous Ph.D. students and postdocs, with a track record in UAV development and industrial collaborations . His lab, the Real-Time and Embedded System Laboratory , focuses on real-time OS and predictable computing .
George Athanasopoulos is Professor and Head of the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics at Monash University, a position he has held since 2022. He was appointed Professor in 2019 and has established himself as an internationally recognized expert in forecasting, time series analysis, and applied econometrics. He serves as Past President (since 2024) and former Director (2014-2024) of the International Institute of Forecasters, and is Associate Editor of the International Journal of Forecasting since 2014. His research focuses on hierarchical and grouped time series forecasting, where he has pioneered methods for forecast reconciliation and cross-temporal coherence. His work has significantly influenced forecasting practices across diverse fields including national statistics offices, energy markets, and public health. He is particularly renowned for his contributions to tourism forecasting and macroeconomic modeling in big data environments. Awarded the Australian Awards for University Teaching in 2022 for outstanding contributions to student learning, Professor Athanasopoulos has also received multiple Dean's Awards from Monash Business School for research excellence, teaching innovation, and publication quality. His research output includes over 49 publications and leadership of six major research projects, including the ARC-funded 'Macroeconomic forecasting in a Big Data world' and the RACE for 2030 CRC project on clean energy forecasting. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through applications in economic forecasting, energy modeling, and sustainable tourism development. He has supervised numerous research students and collaborated extensively with institutions including Australian National University, Griffith University, and international partners across multiple continents.
Lande Liu is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Huddersfield's School of Applied Sciences. Previously, he held a Lectureship at the University of Manchester (2010-2014), and earlier worked as an industrial consultant and research fellow at Leeds and Sheffield Universities. His academic journey began with a MEng in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in kinetic theory of aggregation from Sheffield (2004), preceded by a visiting PhD at Twente University (2002). Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Sheffield, 2004) Visiting PhD (Twente University, 2002) MEng in Chemical Engineering (Tsinghua University, 1999) BSc in Applied Mathematics (Tsinghua University, 1996) Liu's research focuses on multi-scale particle interactions (molecular to granular) using kinetic theory of aggregation, with applications spanning nanotechnology, pharmaceutical engineering, and sustainable chemical processes. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for environmental protection and industrial innovation. Recent publications examine particle deposition in turbulent flows, enhanced heat exchanger designs, and nanofluid stabilization techniques. He teaches core chemical engineering topics including transport phenomena, unit operations, and process design. Active in collaborative research, Liu has partnered with institutions across Europe on projects involving spectroscopy, ultrasonics, and dynamic modeling. His technical expertise includes particle size analysis, tomography, and computational simulation of complex systems.
Stefano Grivet Talocia is a Full Professor in the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications at Polytechnic University of Turin. He serves as Director of the Doctoral School, is a member of the Interdepartmental Center SmartData@PoliTO - Big Data and Data Science Laboratory, and holds positions on the University Committee for Research and the Commission for the Promotion of Library, Archive and Museum Heritage. He is also President of the Doctoral School Council. His educational background includes a Laurea degree (summa cum laude) in Electronic Engineering (1994) and a Ph.D. in Electronic and Communication Engineering (1998), both from Polytechnic University of Torino. From 1994 to 1996, he worked at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, USA. Professor Grivet Talocia's research focuses on passive macro-modeling of concentrated and distributed interconnect structures for Signal/Power Integrity, order reduction techniques, and modeling and simulation of fields, circuits, and their interactions. His work spans several key areas including fast simulation of transmission lines (TOPLine technique), macromodeling and model order reduction, simulation methods for fields and circuits, passivity enforcement of lumped macromodels, waveform relaxation techniques, and wavelet applications. His research has significant applications in electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity verification of complex electronic systems. His recent publications demonstrate strong trends in model order reduction techniques applied to power integrity verification, advanced macromodeling for electromagnetic compatibility, nonlinear circuit analysis, uncertainty quantification in PCB design, and power electronics modeling. These works consistently address practical engineering challenges in high-speed electronic design with emphasis on computational efficiency and accuracy. URSI Young Scientist Award (1999) Best symposium paper (2006) Three IBM Shared University Research Awards (2007-2009) IEEE Transactions on Advanced Packaging Best Paper Award (2007) Best EPEP conference paper awards (2007, 2008) Best Associate Editor Award - IEEE Transactions (2020) Best Conference Paper Award (2020) Three Intel SRS Grants (2022-2024) IEEE Fellow (2018) Professor Grivet Talocia actively supervises PhD students working on cutting-edge topics including machine learning applications in signal integrity, model reduction techniques, and electromagnetic compatibility. He has secured significant research funding through competitive grants including PRIN projects and multiple industry-sponsored research contracts with major technology companies such as IBM, Intel, Nokia, Hitachi, and Infineon. His technology transfer activities include co-founding the spin-off IdemWorks (acquired by CST in 2016) and maintaining active collaborations with industry partners. He leads the EMC Group (Electromagnetic Compatibility) within the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications and has developed the autoCircuits web service for automated generation of circuit theory problems. His research has been recognized by inclusion in the top 2% worldwide researcher catalog (Stanford) since 2019.
Prof. Sadettin Emre Alptekin is a full Professor of Industrial Engineering at Galatasaray University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, where he also serves as Vice Dean. Since joining the university as a research assistant in 2000, he has steadily advanced through the academic ranks, becoming an Assistant Professor (2006–2010), Associate Professor (2010–2023), and finally Professor in 2023. Education: PhD (Dr), Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Institute of Science and Technology, 2001–2006 MSc, Industrial Engineering, Galatasaray University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, 1999–2001 BSc, Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Management, 1995–1999 Languages: Advanced English (C1), Upper-Intermediate French (B2), Advanced German (C1) Research Interests: Prof. Alptekin’s research focuses on Computer Learning , Fuzzy Sets and Systems , and Decision Support Systems . His work integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and soft-computing techniques to solve complex industrial and managerial problems in areas such as supply chain management, quality function deployment, blockchain adoption, and mental-health prediction. Publication Trends: Across more than 50 refereed publications, Prof. Alptekin has consistently explored hybrid intelligent models that combine fuzzy logic, machine learning, and multi-criteria decision-making. Recent articles emphasize deep-learning-based anomaly detection in industrial time-series data, blockchain adoption in supply chains, and machine-learning applications in subjective well-being and mental-health modeling. Scientific Awards & Honors: No specific awards or medals are listed in the provided documents. Research Leadership & Funding: Since 2008 he has been the principal investigator (executive) of 12 nationally funded projects, covering topics such as Industry 4.0 sub-system design, Internet of Things applications, artificial neural networks in organizational decision-making, big-data analytics, and strategic decision processes. Graduate Advising: He has formally supervised at least 8 master’s theses and numerous undergraduate projects. Representative thesis titles include Gaussian-process-regression-based man-hour prediction, machine-learning-driven human-behavior modeling, recommender-system design for e-commerce, thyroid-nodule diagnosis from scintigraphic images, software-effort estimation via neural networks, spreadsheet heuristics for joint-replenishment problems, cross-selling decision systems in insurance, and profitability analyses of Turkish banks under disinflation. Laboratories & Teams: While no dedicated laboratory name is disclosed, his continuous role as Vice Dean and principal investigator implies active leadership of the Industrial Engineering department’s research clusters in intelligent systems and decision support technologies.
David De Roure is Professor of e-Research at the University of Oxford and Academic Director of both the Digital Scholarship initiative and the Laboratory for AI Security Research. He is also an Honorary Research Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where he serves as Technical Director of the Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music (PRiSM). His work bridges computer science, digital humanities, cybersecurity, and music through his distinctive interdisciplinary approach. De Roure received his PhD in 1990 supervised by David W Barron and Peter Henderson, with research in Lisp and distributed systems. Prior to joining Oxford in 2010, he was Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and Director of the Centre for Pervasive Computing in the Environment. His career spans multiple institutions and research domains, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary work. De Roure's research focuses on new methods of digital scholarship, innovation in knowledge infrastructure, cybersecurity, and computational approaches to music. His work uniquely combines humanities (digital musicology), social sciences (social machines and web science), engineering (Internet of Things), and computer science (distributed systems, AI). A key theme is empowering human creativity through technology rather than replacing humans with AI. He emphasizes co-creation between humans and machines, particularly in music composition where he explores how algorithms can generate fragments for human assembly. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on AI security in IoT systems, digital scholarship methods, and the intersection of music with computational approaches. There's a clear trajectory from foundational work in social machines and web science toward current applications in cybersecurity and music-AI co-creation. His publications consistently bridge technical domains with humanistic inquiry, demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship that addresses real-world challenges. Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS) Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (FIMA) Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) Chartered IT Professional (CITP) Turing Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute (2018-2024) De Roure has co-founded three major interdisciplinary initiatives: PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity (the world's largest socio-technical research center focused on IoT security), the Software Sustainability Institute (dedicated to improving research software), and PRiSM at RNCM. He was Director of the Oxford e-Research Centre from 2012-17 and has led numerous research projects including SOCIAM (The Theory and Practice of Social Machines), FAST (Fusing Audio and Semantic Technologies), and Transforming Musicology. The Laboratory for AI Security Research, which he directs, took its first PhD students in 2024. At Oxford, De Roure chairs the Digital Research Cluster at Wolfson College and oversees the Laboratory for AI Security Research. The PRiSM team at RNCM has produced numerous musical works and performances, including six premieres in New York in 2024. He has been involved in designing gesture recognition software used in many performances and has collaborated on public engagement projects including the Science Together project which released a Hip Hop album. His current work includes exploring Chladni Plates for new musical instrument design and developing algorithmically enhanced instruments.
Andrew Thompson is the John S. and Sherry Chen Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. He serves as Director of the Ronald and Maxine Linde Center for Global Environmental Science and Executive Officer for Environmental Science at Caltech. With a Ph.D. from Scripps Institute of Oceanography (2006), his career at Caltech spans from Assistant Professor (2011-17) to his current Professor role since 2017. Education: B.S. in Physics from Dartmouth College (2000), C.A.S. (2001) and M.Phil. (2002) at University of Cambridge Leadership: Director of Linde Center (2023-), Academic Officer (2019-22) His research focuses on ocean circulation dynamics and physical processes governing climate systems . Key areas include: Ocean Turbulence and Submesoscale Dynamics Antarctic Circumpolar Current and Drake Passage Dynamics Climate Change Impacts on Ice Shelf Melt Rates Current projects involve ChinStrAP (Changes in Stratification at the Antarctic Peninsula), using autonomous ocean gliders to study eddy formation and air-sea exchange. His group employs idealized numerical models , remote sensing , and climate simulations to explore topics like: Warm water pathways onto Antarctic continental shelves Role of mesoscale/submesoscale eddies in ocean mixing Global overturning circulation responses to climate change Scientific achievements include the Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering . He mentors graduate students Xiaozhou Ruan , Giuliana Viglione , and Andrew Delman , fostering interdisciplinary collaboration with institutions like Scripps Institution of Oceanography and CSIR . His group emphasizes inclusive training for early-career scientists in climate-relevant STEM careers .
Dr. Kanwaljeet S. Anand is a dual-appointed Professor of Pediatrics (Pediatric Critical Care) and Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. As director of the Pain/Stress Neurobiology Lab and Jackson Vaughan Critical Care Research Fund, he serves as Editor-in-Chief of Pediatric Research and maintains active membership in Bio-X, MCHRI, and Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. Rhodes Scholar with D.Phil from University of Oxford Harvard postdoctoral fellowship and Boston Children's Hospital residency Founded Harmony Health Clinic - Arkansas' largest charitable medical-dental facility A translational researcher with 30+ years of impact, Dr. Anand established the first scientific framework for infant pain perception and developed novel pain assessment methodologies. Current research focuses on: Hair biomarker analysis for stress and social affiliation (cortisol/oxytocin) Machine learning systems for objective pain detection in non-verbal infants Biopsychosocial interventions for stress reduction in disadvantaged youth Neurotoxicity mechanisms of sedatives in developing brains Global NICU opioid usage patterns through the NeoOpioid Consortium His work has yielded over 260 publications and significant advances in: Pediatric pain management protocols Neonatal stress biomarker development Critical care neurobiology insights Community health initiatives AI-driven clinical decision support systems Scientific Recognition 9th Annual 'In Praise of Medicine' Public Address, Erasmus University (2014) Nightingale Excellence Award (2016) Honorary Doctorate from University of Örebro (2019) NIH SBIB-H82 Study Section Chair (2018) Multiple IASP and American Pain Society awards Swedish Academy of Medicine's Nils Rosén von Rosenstein Award (2009) St. Jude Endowed Chairholder (2010) As mentor to Med Scholar Anjali Gupta and advisor to numerous professional bodies, Dr. Anand maintains active clinical leadership in Pediatric Intensive Care while advancing computational approaches to pain detection through collaborations with Stanford's AI researchers.
Abhijit Sarkar is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University, Ottawa. His work centers on computational dynamics and probabilistic modeling, with office MC 3076 in the Minto Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering and contact details including phone (613) 520-2600 x6320 and email abhijit_sarkar@carleton.ca . Education: D.Phil. from University of Oxford M.Sc. from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) B.E. from Calcutta University Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation His research drives innovation in uncertainty quantification for complex engineering systems. Core interests include dynamics of nonlinear structures, probabilistic mechanics for stochastic finite element methods, and Bayesian inference frameworks for parameter estimation. He pioneers scalable high-performance computing solvers for large-scale systems and sparse learning algorithms to address overfitting in statistical modeling. Recent publications (2022-2024) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Bayesian model calibration for stochastic compartmental systems applied to epidemiology and aerospace, (2) domain decomposition techniques for scalable uncertainty quantification in stochastic PDEs, and (3) sparse learning methods for nonlinear aerodynamic encoding. Key applications span wind turbine vibration analysis, flutter margin prediction, MEMS resonator optimization, and geospatial pandemic modeling. Scientific awards: No awards, fellowships, or medals listed in the source material Graduate supervision includes 6 current students (Ajay Kumar, John Clarabut, Nastaran Dabiran, Sakhi Mittal, Michael Pantano, Brandon Robinson) and 18 graduated students across 17 years (2006-2023). His research leverages high-performance computing for projects in structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and computational epidemiology, frequently co-supervised with Dominique Poirel and Chris Pettit. Notable grants focus on wind tunnel validation for nonlinear systems and pandemic spread modeling. Based in the Minto Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering, his computational mechanics group develops algorithms for stochastic dynamics using Carleton University's high-performance computing infrastructure. Collaborations span aerospace engineering (flutter analysis), civil infrastructure (seismic wave propagation), and public health (Covid-19 modeling).
Christopher Ferrie is an Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where he is affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and the Centre for Quantum Software and Information (QSI). His academic career spans quantum information science, machine learning, and scientific education, with a strong emphasis on both theoretical research and public engagement through science communication. Full-time faculty member at UTS Active researcher in quantum information science Director of the Centre for Quantum Software and Information Author of numerous scientific publications and popular science books Dr. Ferrie earned his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the Institute for Quantum Computing and University of Waterloo in Canada in 2012. His doctoral work focused on quantum information and laid the foundation for his subsequent research career in quantum computing and related fields. Dr. Ferrie's research interests span several interconnected domains within quantum information science. His primary focus is on quantum estimation and control, with particular emphasis on applying machine learning techniques to solve statistical problems in quantum information science. He investigates how quantum systems can be characterized, controlled, and optimized for practical applications. His work bridges theoretical quantum physics with practical implementations, exploring how quantum phenomena can be harnessed for computational advantage. Recent research directions include quantum machine learning, quantum neural networks, and quantum optimization algorithms, with applications ranging from quantum state tomography to solving combinatorial optimization problems. Analysis of Dr. Ferrie's recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical quantum computing challenges. His work consistently addresses the intersection of quantum information theory and machine learning, with particular emphasis on making quantum algorithms more efficient, interpretable, and robust against noise. A significant portion of his recent research explores variational quantum algorithms and their optimization, reflecting the current priorities in near-term quantum computing. His publications also demonstrate growing interest in quantum machine learning applications and the development of techniques for quantum error mitigation and characterization. Dr. Ferrie has secured multiple research grants supporting his work in quantum computing and related fields. His funded projects span quantum control, quantum probability, quantum machine learning, and statistical decision theory, reflecting the breadth of his research program. While specific major awards aren't detailed in the available information, his sustained funding and publication record indicate significant recognition within the quantum information science community. Dr. Ferrie is actively involved in research supervision and teaching, with current funding supporting multiple PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. His teaching responsibilities include courses on quantum computing, where he introduces students to the fundamentals of quantum information processing. His research group at the Centre for Quantum Software and Information focuses on developing novel quantum algorithms and exploring the practical implementation challenges of quantum computing. The Centre for Quantum Software and Information at UTS serves as the primary research environment for Dr. Ferrie's work. This center brings together researchers working on various aspects of quantum computing, from hardware development to algorithm design and applications. Dr. Ferrie's team within the center focuses specifically on quantum software development, quantum algorithm design, and the application of machine learning techniques to quantum information problems. The collaborative environment enables interdisciplinary research that bridges theoretical quantum physics with practical computing applications.
Sir Paul Collier is a distinguished Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, where he also directs the Centre for the Study of African Economies. He serves as the Oxford Academic Director of the International Growth Centre, a collaboration between the London School of Economics and Oxford University. Professor Collier has established himself as a leading authority on development economics, particularly focusing on African economies, poverty reduction, and the political economy of development. His academic journey includes significant public service, having served as Director of the World Bank Research Development Department from 1998 to 2003. He currently advises the International Monetary Fund Strategy and Policy Department and writes regularly for major publications including The Independent and The New York Times. His extensive contributions to economic thought have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. Professor Collier's research interests span a wide range of critical development issues. He has made significant contributions to understanding the "bottom billion" - the poorest populations in the world - and has developed innovative approaches to addressing regional inequality, natural resource management, and the political barriers to development. His work consistently bridges academic rigor with practical policy applications, making complex economic theories accessible to policymakers and the general public alike. His publications reveal a consistent focus on practical solutions to development challenges. Recent works have examined urbanization in developing countries, the relationship between elections and economic performance, infrastructure investment in Africa, and the cultural foundations of economic success or failure. His research demonstrates how institutional design, cultural factors, and appropriate policy frameworks can enable neglected regions to "spiral up" toward prosperity. A.SK Social Science Award (2013) Arthur Ross Prize (for The Bottom Billion) Handesblatt Prize (for The Future of Capitalism) Adam Smith Prize by Glasgow's Philosophical Society (2023) Global Citizenship Award by Belgium's cooperative movement (2018) Professor Collier is actively engaged in advising governments on practical approaches to regional renewal. His recent work emphasizes the importance of local agency, collective learning, and moral leadership in addressing the challenges faced by neglected communities in both developed and developing countries. He challenges conventional economic orthodoxies that prioritize market forces alone and advocates for more nuanced, context-specific policy approaches that recognize the complex interplay of economic, social, and political factors in development processes.
Nina Balcan is the Cadence Design Systems Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science, with affiliations in both the Machine Learning Department (MLD) and Computer Science Department (CSD). She maintains her office in Gates Hillman Center (GHC) 8205 and is a prominent figure in theoretical machine learning and algorithmic game theory. Her research spans multiple critical areas in computer science, with a strong focus on the theoretical foundations of machine learning, algorithm design and analysis, and computational approaches to game theory and economics. Balcan has made significant contributions to developing principled algorithms for deep learning, learning with limited supervision, representation learning, and life-long learning. Her work uniquely bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications, particularly in the analysis of complex objects and processes, including algorithmic learning and multi-agent systems. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward data-driven algorithm design, with particular emphasis on learning to optimize combinatorial algorithms, revenue-maximizing mechanisms, and robust learning frameworks. Her work consistently demonstrates how theoretical guarantees can inform practical algorithm development across diverse domains from optimization to economics. Major Awards and Honors: ACM Fellow AAAI Fellow Simons Investigator 2019 ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (awarded to the outstanding young computer professional of the year) Winner of Outstanding Student Paper Award at UAI 2024 Winner of Exemplary Artificial Intelligence Track Paper Award at ACM EC 2019 Runner Up Best Paper Award at COLT 2012 Professor Balcan has served as Program Committee Co-chair for major conferences including NeurIPS 2020, ICML 2016, and COLT 2014, demonstrating her leadership in the machine learning community. Her teaching portfolio at CMU includes foundational courses such as 10-701 Machine Learning, 10-315 Machine Learning, and 10-715 Advanced Introduction to Machine Learning, where she has mentored numerous students in both theoretical and applied aspects of the field. Her research group focuses on developing theoretically sound yet practically applicable machine learning algorithms, with particular attention to algorithm configuration, data-driven optimization, and learning in strategic environments. Current projects involve learning to improve combinatorial algorithms, designing revenue-maximizing mechanisms, and developing robust learning frameworks that can operate effectively in challenging environments.
D. Eric Holt is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and the College of Arts and Sciences. He has held academic appointments since 1994, including visiting roles at Georgetown University and lecturing positions in Ecuador and Spain. His expertise spans Hispanic linguistics, historical linguistics, second language acquisition, and phonological theory, with a focus on Optimality Theory and its applications to Spanish and Portuguese. Educated at Occidental College (BA), Georgetown University (MS, PhD), and with extensive summer programs in linguistics, Holt's research explores sound change, dialectology, and L2 pronunciation acquisition. He has supervised numerous graduate theses and dissertations, including notable works on connected speech perception and language contact phenomena. His teaching portfolio includes advanced courses on Spanish linguistics, phonetics, and historical language evolution. Holt has led international study programs in Spain, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, and contributes to academic service as an associate editor of Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics and through professional organizations like Phi Beta Kappa. Holt's grants include funding for research on L2 speech perception and技术创新 in pronunciation teaching. He has presented globally at conferences such as NWAV and LSA, and his work appears in top journals like Probus and Georgetown University Round Table . His current projects include books on Optimality Theory in Spanish linguistics and debunking language myths.
