Dr. rer. nat. Manfred Besner is a researcher at Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences , focusing on game theory, mathematical economics, and algorithmic modeling. His work primarily explores cooperative game theory, with emphasis on the Shapley value, Harsanyi set, and weighted solutions for complex coalition structures. Research Trends : His publications (2024–2016) demonstrate systematic analysis of value allocation mechanisms in cooperative games, including: Shapley value extensions (per capita, weighted, proportional variants) Harsanyi support levels and dividend frameworks Polynomial-time algorithm development for hierarchical structures Impact assessment of boycotts and coalitional disruptions
Armelle Prigent is a Senior Lecturer at the University of La Rochelle, affiliated with the Computer Science, Image and Interaction Laboratory (L3I) and the National School of Video Games and Digital Interactive Media (ENJMIN). Appointed in 2005 after defending her doctoral thesis on testing real-time systems in avionics, she has held significant leadership positions including responsibility for the programming specialty of the Master's in Video Games and Digital Interactive Media (2006-2013) and deputy director of ENJMIN (2010-2013). Her research focuses on adaptive content management systems and user behavior modeling , with particular emphasis on developing formal models that represent user behaviors and enable dynamic adaptation of content. She investigates the balance between user freedom and maintaining quality user experiences across various interactive environments including websites, games, and mobile applications. Dr. Prigent's work addresses two main classes of approaches for analyzing behaviors and adapting content: learning-based and scripting-based methods. She has demonstrated that combining these approaches—particularly through modeling user profiles with clustering techniques for identifying typical user journeys—provides more effective solutions than either approach alone. Her research has practical applications in content management, interactive storytelling, mobile systems, and tourist information systems. Her technical contributions include work on verification of interactive scenarios using timed automata networks, development of the Unreal Adaptive Platform game prototype, and research on adaptive execution for ubiquitous gaming through the ANR PLUG project, which incorporated biometric sensors to adapt scenarios based on players' emotional states.
Boris Bankov is a software developer and academic professional currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Informatics in the University of Economics - Varna. His work combines web development expertise with educational innovation. PhD in Informatics and Computer Science Deputy Director at Center for Electronic and Distance Learning Laureate of John Atanasoff Award (2022) His research interests focus on web development, gamification in education, and the intersection between game design principles and enterprise web applications. He has extensive experience working with technologies including PHP Laravel, MySQL, Bootstrap, and Unity/C# game development. Key publication areas include: Learning Management Systems in higher education, Gamification frameworks for educational environments, Responsive web design solutions, and NFT technology analysis. His work has been published in various academic forums since 2017. John Atanasoff Award of the President of Bulgaria (2022)
Dr. Marek Konefał is an Associate Professor and Vice-Dean for Education at the Academy of Physical Education named after Polish Olympians in Wrocław, Poland. He serves in the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport within the Department of Sports Didactics. His academic career spans over a decade since joining the institution in 2013. Dr. Konefał teaches Professional Specialization in Football for Sports and Coaching majors, as well as research methodology for Doctoral School students. Dr. Konefał holds multiple academic qualifications in the field of physical education. His educational background includes: Master's and doctoral studies at the University of Physical Education in Wrocław Higher education degrees in physical education, care pedagogy, and recreation and tourism A qualifying course in Educational Organization and Management A postgraduate course in "Intellectual Property Management in Business" from Wrocław University of Science and Technology Dr. Konefał specializes in sports science with a focus on football performance analysis. His research concentrates on: Kinematic analysis of football gameplay Physical activity profiles and actions of football players Factors influencing sports results Bioclimatic conditions affecting football performance Relationships between individual dispositions, player effectiveness, and game outcomes Optimization of training processes through modeling performance factors His work bridges sports science with environmental physiology, particularly examining how climatic factors impact player performance. Dr. Konefał's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on understanding football performance under varying environmental conditions, particularly heat stress. His research examines how climatic factors influence player physiology, technical execution, and match outcomes. A significant portion of his work analyzes the impact of environmental conditions on professional soccer players, including studies related to the 2022 Qatar World Cup and projections for future tournaments. His research methodology combines field observations with controlled environmental chamber testing to isolate specific physiological responses. While specific scientific awards are not explicitly mentioned in the available information, Dr. Konefał's research has received notable recognition: His findings on climatic conditions for the Qatar World Cup were discussed at the Polish National Football Team training camp ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Author and co-author of over 100 scientific publications with total impact factor over 150 and more than 700 citations Dr. Konefał has secured significant research funding and demonstrates active mentorship: Principal investigator for a National Science Centre (NCN) grant on "The Impact of Predicted Climatic Conditions for the Qatar World Cup on Physiological, Biochemical, and Psychomotor Changes During Progressive Exercise in Soccer Players" Supervisor of the student scientific club "SKN Strefa Analiz Piłkarszych" (Football Analysis Zone) Regular consultations with students: Monday 12:30-14:00 and Wednesday 10:00-11:30 Dr. Konefał collaborates extensively across multiple institutions and research environments: Current intern at the Department of Climate Research, Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw Completed research internships at Charles University (Prague), University of Physical Education in Katowice, Department of Anthropology (Polish Academy of Sciences), StatSoft Polska, University of Gothenburg (Sweden), and University of Split (Croatia) Conducts coaching internships with professional clubs including Hannover 96, VfL Wolfsburg, and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany
James Elder is a Professor at York University, holding a joint Lassonde School of Engineering/Faculty of Health Tier I Chair. He is affiliated with the Centre for Vision Research, the VISTA program, and the Centre for AI & Society. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Psychology His research integrates computer vision and biological vision studies, focusing on developing algorithms through understanding human visual processing. Key areas include computer vision , 3D shape perception , and AI applications in urban mobility . He leads projects like AttentiveVision and Agile AI-Powered Robotics . Recent publications reveal critical differences between human and AI visual processing, including Monocular Depth Estimation and Shape Frequency Analysis studies. His work has been recognized with the Premier’s Research Excellence Award and Young Investigator Award from the Canadian Image Processing and Pattern Recognition Society. York Research Chair CFI Exceptional Opportunities Grant recipient ORF Research Excellence Grant recipient Professor Elder supervises graduate students including Maria Koshkina, Kumar Vaibhav Jha, and Nizwa Javed. His lab collaborates with institutions like Justus Liebig University Giessen and the Vector Institute for AI, with applications in hockey analytics and autonomous systems .
Mathias Hegele is a Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen. His research focuses on motor learning, predictive error processing, and the neural mechanisms underlying human agency and sports performance. Project B6: Investigates predictive error perception in natural environments Project C5: Explores animate-inanimate distinctions in action and language perception His work combines neurophysiological methods with behavioral experiments, spanning studies on elite basketball players, schizophrenia patients, and general motor adaptation. Collaborators include Prof. Dr. Hermann Müller and Dr. Lisa Maurer. Recent publications analyze: Mechanisms of outcome prediction in sports Neural correlates of error valuation Agency perception in biological motion tracking Sensory signal integration in motor tasks He advises PhD students Theresa Brand and Lea Junge-Bornholt, with email contact mathias.hegele@sport.uni-giessen.de.
Son Luu Nguyen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology. His research focuses on applied probability, stochastic dynamical systems, stochastic optimal control, mean-field games, computational methods for stochastic systems, and mathematical finance. Expertise: Applied Probability, Stochastic Dynamical Systems, Stochastic Optimal Control, Mean-Field Games, Computational Methods for Stochastic Systems, Mathematical Finance Contact: Email at snguyen@fit.edu | Office: 202C Crawford Building | Phone: (321) 674-8765 His recent publications (2025–2014) explore topics such as closed-loop equilibria in mean-field games, stability of hybrid diffusions, numerical methods for stochastic differential equations, and large-population control systems. Key trends include regime switching, mean-field interactions, and computational techniques for stochastic processes. Selected article subfields span Mean-Field Games, Stochastic Control, Markovian Switching, SIR Models, Numerical Solutions, and Hybrid Systems. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with applications in finance and systems engineering.
Carlos Ferrete Caceres is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sports and Computing at Universidad Pablo de Olavide. His academic focus lies within the area of Physical Education and Sport, and he is an active member of the research group 'RFYD Rendimiento Físico y Deportivo' (Physical and Sports Performance). His work is categorized under Social and Legal Sciences in the PAIDI research classification system. Education: He earned his Ph.D. from Universidad Pablo de Olavide in 2015 with a dissertation titled: Efecto del entrenamiento de fuerza, potencia y velocidad sobre las variables físicas y técnicas determinantes del rendimiento en jugadores de fútbol prepuberales y adolescentes (Effect of strength, power, and speed training on physical and technical variables determining performance in preadolescent and adolescent soccer players), supervised by Dr. Eduardo Sáez de Villarreal Sáez, Dr. Bernardo Requena, and Dr. Luis Jesús Suárez Moreno-Arrones. Research Focus: His interdisciplinary work bridges sports science and computing, with core investigations in: Optimizing athletic performance through strength/power training Youth soccer development methodologies Biomechanical analysis of sports techniques Data-driven approaches to physical education Long-term athlete development models Research Group: As a key contributor to the Physical and Sports Performance (RFYD) research group, he collaborates on projects investigating physiological and technical determinants of elite athletic achievement.
Arnav Jhala is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs at Duke University , with a research focus on Artificial Intelligence , Narrative Planning , and Interactive Digital Entertainment . He holds an A.B. from Gujarat University (India) (2001), M.S. (2004), and Ph.D. (2009) from North Carolina State University . Research Interests: AI-driven narrative systems, computational creativity, camera control in games, and interdisciplinary applications of AI in education and health. Notable Contributions: Pioneering work in procedural narrative generation, affective game design, and visual analytics for storytelling. Recent Publications: Focus on reward shaping for autonomous agents, collaborative creative systems, and urban space perception analysis. His collaborations span institutions like Duke University, North Carolina State University, and industry partners in game development. Current work explores real-time strategy game AI, narrative comprehension models, and adaptive educational technologies.
Luis Miguel Hernández Acosta serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Telematics Engineering at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), affiliated with both the GIR IUMA: Information and Communications Systems research group and the IU of Applied Microelectronics. His academic work spans software engineering and telematics systems within the School of Engineering. His research interests focus on Software Engineering , Mobile Computing , and Computer Vision , with significant contributions to practical applications including web/mobile platforms for service management, computer vision for medical diagnostics, and communication systems. Current projects demonstrate strong industry alignment in restaurant management, transportation optimization, and telemedicine solutions. Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent expertise in full-stack development, real-time systems, and cross-platform frameworks, with increasing integration of machine learning techniques since 2022. Key thematic trends include Practical implementation of publish/subscribe architectures for real-time notifications Computer vision applications in medical diagnostics Optimization algorithms for transportation and service platforms Advising Activities: Supervised 28 bachelor/master theses (2021-2025) Specializes in guiding telecommunications and computer engineering students Projects span mobile development (65%), web platforms (25%), and AI applications (10%) Research Infrastructure: Works within the Department of Telematics Engineering's ecosystem, leveraging resources from both GIR IUMA and the Applied Microelectronics Institute for hardware-software integration projects.
Prof. Tzvetan Jeljazkov is a distinguished Professor at the Department of Theory of Sport Training within the Faculty of Sport at National Sports Academy 'Vasil Levski' in Sofia, Bulgaria. Born on December 24, 1930, in Raianovtsi, Bulgaria, he graduated with excellence from the same academy in 1953. His career spans roles as a basketball coach (1953-1967), academic (since 1967), and sports administrator including Vice Minister of Sports (1995-1997). His research focuses on Sport Training Theory , Optimization of Athletic Performance , Conditional Training , Sports Adaptation , Basketball Coaching Methodology , and Mathematical Modeling in Sports . He has published over 200 works including 26 monographs, with 40 translated internationally, applying statistical methods to optimize elite athlete training. Recent publications (1997-2009) demonstrate his focus on sports training theory, athletic adaptation, and performance optimization. Key themes include physiological conditioning, methodological frameworks for elite athletes, biosocial aspects of sports achievement, and periodization strategies across endurance, basketball, and foundational training disciplines. Honored Basketball Coach (1961) Honorable Symbol of Sofia – 1st Degree (1958) Gold Medal of Labor (1972, 1988) Kiril and Methodii – 2nd Degree (1980) Kiril and Metodii – 1st Degree (2011) 1300 Years of Bulgaria – Jubilee Medal (1981) Gold Medal for Special Merits – 1st Degree (1983) Honored Figure (1983) Man of the Year by American Biographical Institute (2004) Meritorius Professor, University of Zagreb (2009) He advises doctoral candidates at NSA and directed scientific programs for Bulgarian Olympic teams (1964-1996). As Dean of After-Graduate Qualification (1976-1979) and department head (1973-1982), he established academic frameworks for sport methodology. He continues to lecture on sport training theory to all academic levels.
Christopher Child serves as a Lecturer in Computer Science at City, University of London, a position held continuously since February 2008. His academic foundation includes a PhD in Computer Science from City, University of London (2011), an MSc in Cognitive Science from the University of Birmingham (1993-1994), and undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the same institution (1990-1993). His research portfolio demonstrates deep expertise in artificial intelligence with three core pillars: reinforcement learning systems for game AI, computer vision applications for hand pose estimation, and neural network implementations for clinical text analysis. Early work established foundational contributions to Q-learning and behavior tree integration (QL-BT, 2013), while recent publications explore cutting-edge applications of non-Euclidean geometry in video games (2025) and ClinicalBERT for medical classification (2024). His methodology consistently bridges theoretical AI with real-time practical implementations, particularly evident in stereo vision systems for hand depth recovery. Publication trends reveal an evolution from pure reinforcement learning (2004-2013) toward interdisciplinary applications combining computer vision, gaming, and healthcare. His 21 verified works show strong institutional continuity at City, University of London with frequent collaboration across computer science and medical domains. While no specific laboratory affiliation is documented, his work on the Extreme AI Personality Engine (2016) and Kinect motion recognition toolkit suggests active development of experimental systems for human-AI interaction.
Richard Zeckhauser is the Frank Plumpton Ramsey Professor of Political Economy at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University. He earned his PhD and undergraduate degree (summa cum laude) from Harvard. His research bridges behavioral economics, decision theory, and public policy, with seminal contributions including Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), status quo bias, and betrayal aversion frameworks. Research interests span: Behavioral economics and decision-making under uncertainty Public-private collaboration models Game-theoretic analysis of policy and markets Health economics and regulatory efficiency Honors include fellowships in the Econometric Society, National Academy of Sciences, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences, plus the 2014 Distinguished Fellowship from the American Economic Association. Beyond academia, he serves as Senior Principal at Equity Resource Investments and is a national champion contract bridge player.
Dr. Penny Kyburz (Sweetser) is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing at the Australian National University (ANU), where she leads the ANU Games Research Group. Her research spans artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction, with a focus on video games and extended reality. As an experienced game developer, she created the seminal GameFlow model of enjoyment in video games and authored the book "Emergence in Games". Her research interests center on the intersection of AI, HCI, and game design. She investigates how games can be designed for enjoyment and usability, with applications in health (exergames for rehabilitation and physical activity), environmental communication, and human-robot interaction. Her foundational work on the GameFlow model has shaped player experience evaluation, and she has extended this to virtual and augmented reality contexts through usability methods for AAA games. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a strong trend toward applying game design to societal challenges. Key areas include AR/VR for health interventions (multiple sclerosis management, home exercise), climate communication through eco-games, and emerging technologies like large language models in game development. Her work consistently examines player identity, embodiment, and team dynamics in immersive environments. Dr. Kyburz has received recognition for her industry contributions: Four BAFTA nominations for 20 digital games she contributed to She is an advocate for women in technology and games and serves as Associate Editor for Elsevier’s Entertainment Computing and IEEE Transactions on Games. While specific grant details aren't provided, her leadership of the ANU Games Research Group indicates active mentorship in game development and HCI research. The ANU Games Research Group under her direction focuses on advancing game design principles for real-world impact, emphasizing enjoyment, accessibility, and innovative applications in health, environment, and human-AI collaboration.
Frédéric Segonds is a Full Professor at Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology (ENSAM) in Paris, France, working at the Design and Innovation Laboratory (CPI/LCPI, EA3927). His academic career spans from Professor Agrégé in Mechanical Engineering (2005-2011) to Maître de Conférences (2012-2022), and finally to Professor des universités since 2022. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Arts et Métiers ParisTech specializing in Design Sciences and obtained his HDR (Habilitation à diriger des recherches) in 2018 from Grenoble Alpes University. His educational background includes: PhD in Industrial Engineering from Arts et Métiers ParisTech, specialty Design Sciences HDR (Habilitation à diriger des recherches) from Grenoble Alpes University (2018) Graduate of Arts et Métiers and ENS Cachan (2001-2005) Professor Segonds' research focuses on the intersection of digital engineering and product innovation. His primary expertise lies in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Additive Manufacturing, and Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM), particularly in early design stages. He investigates how digital tools can enhance collaborative design processes and optimize knowledge management in engineering contexts. His research has significant industrial applications with companies including Thalès, Airbus, Dassault Systèmes, Lacoste, Eurostep, Keonys, Add-Up, and Safran. His publications consistently address challenges in integrating PLM systems with emerging manufacturing technologies. The recurring themes across his work include innovative design methodologies, knowledge management optimization, and the development of digital tools for product innovation. His research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industrial applications, demonstrating strong industry-academia collaboration. Professor Segonds serves as an elected member of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) WG5.1 and leads the Master's Degree program (Mastère Spécialisé) on PLM and BIM called IngéNUM (Management and Digital Engineering for Products and Buildings). He actively supervises PhD students with the following current projects: Emma TALEC (2021-2024, Saint Gobain Research): Development of a multidisciplinary and collaborative upstream design method that takes into account customer perception Jean-René CAMARA (2020-2023, CAPGEMINI): Knowledge Management optimisation in design Marine CATEL (2020-2023, Cartier): Creation of an employee experience design methodology Orphé CATHARIA (2020-2023, SNCF Gares & Connexions): BIM Mixed Digital Models for stations Asset Management At the Design and Innovation Laboratory (CPI) in Paris, Professor Segonds leads research initiatives that translate academic findings into practical industrial solutions. His laboratory maintains strong partnerships with major industrial players, ensuring that research remains relevant to current engineering challenges while pushing the boundaries of digital product innovation.
