Roberto Berjón Gallinas is a Professor at the School of Computer Science, Deusto University. His research focuses on semantic technologies, internet of things, and data integration, with a strong emphasis on mobile applications and open data. He leads two research groups: ICS (Innovación en Ciencias Sociales) MARATON (Mobile applications, internet of things, data processing, semantic technologies, open data) His recent work includes developing smart tracking frameworks for IoT workflows and digital twins, event-driven architectures for IoT systems, and semantic integration solutions for university research. His projects often bridge technical innovation with practical applications in collaborative e-learning and spatial analytics. Key trends in his publications highlight advancements in IoT frameworks , semantic technologies for data integration, and real-time systems using BLE and open data. These works frequently intersect with collaborative e-learning , university transparency , and adaptive mobile platforms .
Dr. Rajesh Bera is a Research Fellow at ICFO's Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials group specializing in quantum-confined nanostructures. His research examines ultrafast carrier dynamics, excitonic properties, and optoelectronic applications of nanomaterials including quantum dots, nanoplatelets, and hybrid nanostructures. Current investigations focus on intraband transitions in doped nanocrystals, orientation-dependent excitonic behavior in 2D materials, and charge transfer mechanisms in heterostructure devices. Work bridges fundamental photophysics with applications in photodetection, sensing, and energy conversion. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in time-resolved spectroscopy of quantum materials, nanomaterial synthesis via colloidal chemistry, and rational design of optoelectronic devices. Continually develops novel characterization methods to probe ultrafast processes at nanoscale interfaces.
Carme Torras Genís is a Research Professor at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), affiliated with the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI) in Barcelona and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC). Her career spans over three decades, focusing on robotics, neurocomputing, and artificial intelligence with applications in healthcare and deformable object manipulation. M.Sc. in Mathematics (University of Barcelona, 1978) M.Sc. in Computer Science (University of Massachusetts, 11981) Ph.D. in Computer Science (UPC, 1984) Research Interests : Robotic manipulation of deformable objects (especially textiles) Neurocomputing and machine learning for robotic control Human-robot interaction and assistive robotics Computational topology for cloth state representation Ethics in social robotics and AI Medical applications of robotics for neuromuscular disease assessment Scientific Leadership : ERC Advanced Grant recipient (2016) IEEE and EurAI Fellow Coordinator of Horizon Europe project SoftEnable and former ERC project CLOTHILDE Editorial leadership in IEEE Transactions on Robotics and multiple journals Active in ethics committees and AI policy advisory boards Advisory Committee of Ethics in AI (Catalan Government) Vice-President of CSIC Ethics Committee Member of Royal Academy of Engineering (Spain)
Miguel Ángel Bernal Merino serves as a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Modern Philology, Translation and Interpretation at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Concurrently, he acts as convener of the MA in Translation at the University of Roehampton in London, managing its Specialised Translation, Audiovisual Translation, and Intercultural Communication pathways since 2005. His academic profile bridges theoretical research and industry application in localization disciplines. PhD in The Localisation of Video Games, Imperial College London MSc in The Localisation of Multimedia Interactive Entertainment Software, Imperial College London Certificate in Software Localisation, University of Limerick CELTA, University of Cambridge MPhil in Lip-Synched Dubbing, Universidad de Alicante MA in Hispanic Literature, University of Rhode Island BA in English & Spanish Linguistics, Universidad de Alicante Bernal Merino's research pioneers the expansion of Translation Studies into interactive media domains. His work on video game localization examines interactivity, cultural adaptation, glocalisation, and playability, while his audiovisual translation research investigates creativity in lip-synched dubbing, subtitling, and audiodescription. He extends these frameworks into gaming-based language learning through haptic environments and multisensory reinforcement, exploring physiological aspects of multilingual cognition and polysemiotic neural networks. This multidisciplinary approach fundamentally challenges traditional boundaries in translation theory. His publication trajectory reveals evolving industry-academia integration, shifting from foundational game localization frameworks (2008-2015) toward user-centered research and educational applications (2018-2024). Recent work emphasizes measurable business impacts through quality localization, regional market adaptations, and crowd-sourced methodologies, demonstrating consistent influence on professional standards across gaming and translation sectors. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Bernal Merino supervises doctoral research on mobile game localization, transmedia fan experiences, and historical game content translation while developing industry-academia pipelines through projects like AHRC's Media Across Borders. His funded initiatives—including Maximising ROI through Quality Game Localisation and Video Games for Language Learning—bridge theoretical innovation with commercial implementation, focusing on glocalisation strategies, interactivity metrics, and playability optimization. These collaborations connect European universities, gaming studios, and localization service providers. As chair of the IGDA Localization SIG and member of GIR Discourse, Communication and Society, he directs international forums for game localization discourse. His work with Routes into Languages promotes audiovisual media in language education, while REF-readiness collaborations enhance research excellence across European institutions through his professional network spanning industry conferences like GDC Summit and Game Global.
Prof. Maciej Lewenstein is a Group Leader and ICREA Professor at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Spain. He leads the Quantum Optics Theory group, focusing on theoretical and computational studies of quantum many-body systems, topological phases, and nonlinear optics. He holds a Dr.rer.nat. in Physics from the University of Essen, Germany. His research interests include quantum simulations, high-harmonic generation, Bose-Einstein condensation, and quantum information processing. He has pioneered work on topological quantum thermometry and ultrafast phase transitions in materials like vanadium dioxide. His group actively explores the intersection of quantum optics with condensed matter physics and quantum computing. Recent articles highlight advancements in tensor network approaches for topological phases, quantum algorithms for many-body systems, and the application of sonification to quantum entanglement dynamics. He has received a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant and the ICREA Professorship, recognizing his contributions to quantum science. Prof. Lewenstein advises over a dozen PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering a dynamic research environment at ICFO. His grants include ERC and ICREA funding, supporting projects on quantum simulations and nonlinear optical phenomena. The Quantum Optics Theory group collaborates internationally, with expertise in light-matter interactions, quantum resource theory, and quantum many-body localization. Their lab develops novel methods for probing quantum systems using high-harmonic spectroscopy and quantum trajectory simulations.
Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)Spain
Pere Roca-Cusachs Soulere is a Full Professor at the University of Barcelona and Group Leader at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC). His research focuses on understanding how cells detect and respond to mechanical signals through physical and molecular mechanisms. He holds significant roles in both academic and research institutions, including leadership in IBEC's Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology group. Education: PhD in cellular biophysics (2007) from the University of Barcelona Medical School; postdoctoral research at Columbia University (2007–2011). Established his group at IBEC in 2012. Awards include the EMBO Young Investigator Award, City of Barcelona Award, and EBSA Young Investigator Award. Research Interests: Mechanobiology, cellular mechanotransduction, force transmission, nuclear mechanics, and integrin-mediated adhesion. His work bridges biophysics, cell biology, and engineering to study how mechanical forces influence cellular behavior and disease processes. Awards: Recognized for contributions to mechanobiology, including EMBO membership and multiple prestigious awards. His lab develops innovative tools like the MIRO chip to model tumor-immune interactions. Advising & Grants: Leads a multidisciplinary team, collaborating on projects funded by grants focusing on cell mechanics, cancer biology, and tissue engineering. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches to advance understanding of cellular force dynamics. Labs/Teams: Directs the Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology group at IBEC, a hub for cutting-edge research on mechanosensing and mechanotransduction.
Guillermo Toral is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at IE University and a Faculty Affiliate at MIT GOV/LAB. He holds a PhD from MIT (2020), an MPhil from the University of Oxford (2011), and a Licenciatura from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (2009). His research focuses on comparative politics, political economy, and governance, with a regional emphasis on Latin America and Southern Europe. He examines relationships among state actors, anti-corruption policies, and their impact on public service delivery and human development. His academic experience includes tenure-track roles at IE University (2022–present) and Vanderbilt University (2020–2022). He previously worked at the World Bank (2011–2014) on education policy and human development programs. His research has been published in top journals like the American Journal of Political Science and Journal of Politics , earning awards such as the AJPS Best Article Award and APSA Health Politics Best Paper Award. Key research areas include bureaucratic accountability, political budget cycles, and the political uses of public employment. His book project explores how lame-duck governments disrupt bureaucracy and service delivery. Teaching evaluations highlight his expertise in comparative politics and political economy at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Awards: Harold D. Lasswell Award, AJPS Best Article Award, APSA Health Politics Best Paper. Grants: Ramón y Cajal fellowship (IE University). Labs/Teams: MIT GOV/LAB Affiliate.
Jordi Perelló Muntan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Architecture at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain, where he is also affiliated with the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria de Telecomunicació de Barcelona (ETSETB). He is a member of the Broadband Communications Systems and Architectures (CBA) and IDEAI-UPC research groups, focusing on advanced optical and future internet networking technologies. Research Interests: His research spans telecommunications networks, optical fiber and optical networking, resource optimization, network architectures, and the Future Internet. He investigates performance optimization in 5G transport networks, Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM), Recursive Inter-Network Architecture (RINA), elastic optical networks, and cognitive networking. His work integrates SDN, network virtualization, and green networking principles for scalable and efficient infrastructures. Publication Trends: His recent publications focus on probabilistic constellation shaping in multicore fiber networks, cognitive strategies for optical margin reduction, RINA-based QoS assurance, and migration planning toward spectrally-spatially flexible optical networks. These reflect a strong trend toward intelligent, adaptive, and energy-efficient network design for future communication systems. Scientific Awards: Co-recipient of the 2020 Fabio Neri Best Paper Award Runner-up (Elsevier Journal of Optical Switching and Networking) Co-recipient of the ONDM 2021 Best Paper Award Co-recipient of the 2019 IEEE Communications Society Charles Kao Award Co-recipient of the ONDM 2012 Best Student Paper Award Advising and Grants: He has advised multiple PhD students on topics including RINA, optical network planning, and virtual provisioning. He has led or participated in major European (H2020, FP7) and national (PID, TEC) research projects such as SLICENET, PRISTINE, TRAINER, and ALLIANCE, focusing on 5G, RINA, and sustainable network infrastructures. Labs and Teams: He is an active member of the CBA research group at UPC, contributing to experimental and theoretical advancements in optical and programmable networks. His team collaborates internationally on testbed development and standardization efforts in next-generation networking.
Susana Paton Alvarez is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electronic Technology within the College of Engineering at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She is affiliated with the Microelectronic Design and Applications (DMA) research group and the University Institute on Gender Studies . Her contact information includes email addresses susana.paton@uc3m.es and spaton@ing.uc3m.es , and her office is located at 1.2.C06 - Agustin De Betancourt in Leganés. Her research focuses on analog and mixed-signal circuit design , with a particular emphasis on capacitance-to-digital converters , voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) , and biomedical sensors . Recent work includes advancements in time-encoded sensors for physiological monitoring and noise analysis in multi-bit SigmaDelta modulators. She also explores applications in flexible electronics and edge computing for biosignal acquisition. Notable publications include contributions to IEEE Sensors Letters , IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II , and IEEE Sensors Journal , reflecting her expertise in microelectronic design and biomedical engineering. Her research often bridges theoretical circuit analysis with practical implementations in nanometer CMOS technologies. Dr. Paton Alvarez actively participates in collaborative projects and conferences, such as Modularos and Short Range Wireless Front-Ends initiatives. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, her publications highlight sustained contributions to the field of analog and biomedical circuit design. Her academic roles include teaching Computer Science and Electronics subjects. She is involved in the University Institute on Gender Studies , indicating an interest in interdisciplinary research or outreach in gender-related academic issues.
Cristina Baus Marquez is a Research Fellow at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Psychology, affiliated with the Department of Cognition, Development, and Educational Psychology. She holds a Ramon y Cajal Research Fellowship (2020–2025) and leads research in the Brain Dynamics and Structure of Human Cognition (BraCo) group. Her work focuses on cognitive neuroscience, bilingualism, and language processing, with a particular emphasis on electrophysiological and behavioral studies of language production, perception, and social cognition. Education: Bachelor's Degree (Llicenciatura) in Psychology, University of Barcelona (2003) PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and Specific Educational Needs, Universidad de La Laguna (2010) Research Interests include the neural mechanisms underlying bilingual speech production, cross-modal language interactions, and how linguistic experience shapes perception of faces and voices. She employs EEG/ERP techniques to study self-monitoring processes in bilinguals and investigates the role of iconicity in sign language production. Key Projects: Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (2020–2025): Investigates verbal interactions and learning mechanisms Fundación BIAL Grant (2017–2019): Explored electrophysiology of bimodal bilingualism AGAUR Grant (2018–2020): Studied verbal interactions' cognitive mechanisms Labs/Teams: Active member of the BraCo research group, collaborating internationally on multilingualism and cognitive neuroscience projects.
Baris Ata is the Sigmund E. Edelstone Distinguished Service Professor of Operations Management at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His work bridges theoretical operations management with practical applications, focusing on dynamic decision-making under uncertainty. Research Interests Ata’s research spans stochastic networks, manufacturing/service operations, healthcare delivery, and social sector innovation. Recent projects address high-dimensional stochastic control, xenotransplantation candidate selection, criminal justice logistics, and last-mile delivery challenges in Africa. Scientific Awards Best Paper in Service Science Award, INFORMS (2009) William Pierskalla Best Paper Award, INFORMS (2015) Wickham Skinner Best Paper Award, POMS (2019) Manufacturing and Service Operations Management Young Scholar Prize, INFORMS (2015) Emory Williams MBA Teaching Award (2021) Recent Publications Ata’s recent work includes topics in dynamic pricing, stochastic control, and healthcare logistics. His papers examine congestion-based pricing strategies, equilibrium analysis in queues, and policy design for organ transplantation. Broad disciplines include operations management, stochastic modeling, and healthcare analytics.
Josep Marco Pallares is a Professor at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Psychology, affiliated with the Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology. He leads the Brain Dynamics and Structure of Human Cognition (BraCo) research group and holds an ICREA Academia Fellowship (2018-2023). His work focuses on neural mechanisms underlying reward processing, music perception, and social cognition using neuroimaging techniques. Education: Licenciatura in Psychology (University of Barcelona, 2000), Doctorate in Neuroscience (2012), and Doctorat (University of Barcelona, 2005) Research interests include brain oscillations in reward systems, music-evoked emotions, and decision-making. His recent studies explore how theta and gamma oscillations underpin pleasantness responses to music and social information. Ongoing projects investigate neural correlates of gambling behaviors and white matter correlates of music reward sensitivity. Awards: ICREA Academia Fellowship (2018) Has supervised doctoral theses on music reward processing and atypical reinforcer anticipation mechanisms. Active in teaching courses on neuroimaging techniques and music psychology at the University of Barcelona. Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator of the BraCo group, collaborating with AGAUR and Ministerio de Ciencia-funded projects.
John Kilner is a Senior Research Investigator at Imperial College London, formerly holding the BCH Steele Professorship of Energy Materials and serving as Head of the Department of Materials and Dean of the Royal School of Mines. His research focuses on ionic and mixed-conducting ceramics, particularly for applications in fuel cells, oxygen separators, and sensors. He pioneered isotopic exchange SIMS techniques to study oxygen exchange and diffusion in oxide ceramics, with recent work centered on intermediate-temperature fuel cells and interfacial phenomena in solid electrolytes. Prof. Kilner's academic background includes over 30 years of research in materials science, leading to over 250 publications and multiple patents in fuel cell and gas separation technologies. He co-founded CeresPower Ltd, a successful spinout company. His work bridges fundamental materials science with applied energy technologies, emphasizing solid-state ionics and ceramic electrolyte development. Publications span advancements in garnet solid electrolytes, lithium-ion conductivity enhancement strategies, and in-operando microscopy analysis of battery materials. His contributions to the Journal of Solid State Ionics as European Editor highlight his role in shaping the field's academic discourse. Notably, Kilner advises doctoral research such as William Manalastas Wang’s thesis on ceramic lithium-ion electrolytes. His research team actively explores next-generation battery materials with a focus on improving energy density and stability through advanced ceramic engineering and surface analysis techniques.
Antonia Agulló Agüero is a distinguished Professor at Pompeu Fabra University specializing in Financial and Tax Law. With a scholarly career spanning over four decades from 1980 to 2025, she has established herself as a leading authority in Spanish tax law with growing expertise in EU tax frameworks and public finance systems. Her academic contributions include 26 journal articles, 27 collaborative works, 15 books, and direction of 20 doctoral theses. Her research interests focus on Tax Law , Financial Law , and Public Finance , with particular expertise in EU Taxation, Local Government Finance, Constitutional Tax Law, and International Taxation. Her scholarly work demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational tax principles to complex contemporary issues including healthcare financing, cross-border taxation, and fiscal policy responses to economic crises. Analysis of her most recent publications (2016-2020) reveals increasing attention to healthcare financing mechanisms, EU tax harmonization challenges, and the constitutional dimensions of public spending. Her work bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical policy applications, particularly in regional tax autonomy and fiscal federalism within Spain's autonomous communities framework. As a dedicated academic mentor, she has supervised 20 doctoral students whose research spans diverse tax law topics including international double taxation, public debt concepts, soft law in international taxation, and environmental taxation. Her students have gone on to contribute significantly to academic and professional tax discourse in Spain. Her scholarly infrastructure includes leadership in academic publications, participation in professional tax councils (notably the Barcelona Tax Council), and contributions to major tax law reforms including Spain's General Tax Law and Personal Income Tax legislation. Her work continues to influence tax policy development in Spain and EU member states.
Yolanda Vidal Segui is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Escola d'Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE). Her research focuses on wind energy systems, predictive maintenance, and structural health monitoring of wind turbines. She leads projects in the CoDAlab and WinTurCoM research groups, specializing in data-driven models, condition monitoring, and failure prognosis. Her work integrates machine learning, mathematical modeling, and sensor technology to enhance turbine reliability and energy efficiency. Dr. Vidal holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and has authored over 350 publications. Her contributions include advancements in SCADA data analysis, vibration-based diagnostics, and AI-driven condition monitoring systems. She has received several accolades, including the WindEurope Technology Workshop recognition and the IFIT Distinction in Mechanism and Machine Science. Her research bridges academia and industry, addressing challenges in offshore wind turbine integrity and maintenance strategies. Active in professional service, she serves on conference committees and editorial boards (e.g., Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Wind Energy). Her work emphasizes sustainable energy solutions and has been applied in real-world scenarios like the Alpha Ventus wind farm. She also contributes to educational initiatives, developing innovative teaching materials for engineering students.
