Philipp Haindl is a lecturer at the Department of Computer Science and Security at St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences. His work focuses on software engineering, cybersecurity, and AI integration in education and manufacturing. Software Engineering Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence DevOps Quality Assurance Research Interests: Dr. Haindl explores software metrics, inter-service security in microservices, and AI tools like ChatGPT in programming education. He investigates quality models and non-functional requirements in DevOps environments. Publications: Recent work includes studies on ChatGPT's impact in software engineering education, systematic reviews of microservice security, and frameworks for human-AI teaming in manufacturing.
Thomas Gehrig is a Professor of Finance at the University of Vienna, affiliated with the Department of Finance within the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Statistics. He holds honorary doctorates and is a Research Fellow at prominent institutions like the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) and the Systemic Risk Centre (LSE). His research focuses on financial intermediation, banking regulation, market microstructure, and systemic risk, with notable contributions to understanding liquidity provision and ESG impacts on bank resilience. Education: Ph.D. in Economics, London School of Economics (1990) Habilitation, University of Basel (1995) Diplomvolkswirt, University of Bonn (1986) Exchange Programs: UC Berkeley (1984–85), UC Berkeley (1984–85) Research Interests: His work bridges theoretical finance and policy, emphasizing systemic risk, capital regulation, and ethical finance. Recent studies explore the interplay between ESG practices and bank stability, transatlantic banking differences, and historical financial crises like the Panic of 1907. Grants & Awards: FWF and OeNB grants for systemic risk research 2024 Doctor of Science honoris causa (Hanken School) Best Paper Awards in Atlantic Economic Journal and Journal of Financial Stability Professional Contributions: Editor-in-Chief of Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research , former Director of the Vienna Graduate School of Finance (VGSF), and advisor to central banks. He has supervised over 50 doctoral students, many placed in top academic and financial institutions globally. Labs/Initiatives: Leads the Resilience Research Network at the University of Vienna, focusing on geopolitical risks and financial stability. Co-organizes annual conferences on ethical finance and systemic risk.
Henk-Jan Guchelaar is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), part of Leiden University's Faculty of Science. He holds dual appointments across the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Science, reflecting his interdisciplinary focus in clinical pharmacy and translational research. As Chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology at LUMC, he leads research in personalized therapeutics and pharmacogenomics. He directs Leiden University’s Translational Drug Discovery and Development research profile and coordinates the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project Ubiquitous Pharmacogenomics (UPGx), advancing pre-emptive pharmacogenomic testing. His education includes a Pharmacy degree from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, followed by specialization as a hospital pharmacist and clinical pharmacologist. He has authored over 540 peer-reviewed articles (H-index=51) and co-developed the Master of Pharmacy program at LUMC. His leadership roles include membership in the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences’ Council for Medical Sciences, and former vice-chairmanship of the Dutch Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmacy (NVKFB). Research interests focus on optimizing drug therapy through pharmacogenetic insights, particularly in oncology and personalized medicine. Notable projects include genotype-guided dosing of fluoropyrimidines and tamoxifen metabolism studies in breast cancer. Awards include the 2018 PGRN Featured Investigator and NVKFB Education Award. Professional activities include advisory roles for the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board and EU consortia. He has led national and international initiatives, such as the CYPTAM study on tamoxifen pharmacogenetics, and founded the Leiden Network for Personalised Therapeutics (LNPT). His work bridges clinical practice, academia, and policy to improve drug safety and efficacy through precision approaches.
Prof. Georg Jäggle is a Professor of Vocational Education at the University College of Teacher Education Vienna (PH Wien), specializing in educational robotics, STEM pedagogy, and sustainability education. He leads the Department of Vocational Education within the Institute for Secondary Level Vocational Education (I:SBB). His work integrates technology-enhanced learning environments, focusing on project-based methodologies to bridge gaps between education and industry needs. Key projects include the Recycling Heroes initiative (2022–2024), which employs citizen science to promote circular economy awareness, and the EU-funded ER4STEM project (2017–2018), fostering STEM engagement through robotics. Prof. Jäggle holds a Dipl.-Ing. (FH) and a Dr. in engineering education, with prior industry experience as an engineer and vocational school teacher. His research emphasizes digital competence development, intergenerational learning, and inclusive education strategies. He has coordinated interdisciplinary teams across 10+ EU and national projects, including RoboCoop (2018–2022) and Makers@school (2017–2019), which implemented robotics and maker culture in schools. His teaching spans applied mathematics, engineering, and automation technology at both academic and vocational levels. Research interests include technology integration in vocational training, lifelong learning frameworks, and the impact of educational robotics on student motivation. Recent publications (2022–2024) explore STEM career self-efficacy, sustainability curriculum innovation, and cross-generational robotics collaboration. He currently serves in the Center for Research Management (Zentrum Forschungsmanagement) at PH Wien, advancing applied research in MINT (STEM) education and educational technology.
Brian Horsak is a Privatdozent (equivalent to Associate Professor) at the University of Vienna, affiliated with the Department of Sport and Human Movement Science within the Faculty of Sports Sciences. He serves as a member of the PI Panel/Supervisors for the Sport Science program at the Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences (VDS PhaNuSpo). His research group is located at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences with strong collaboration to the Centre for Sport Science and University Sports at the University of Vienna. Dr. Horsak's primary research interests focus on clinical (gait) biomechanics and interdisciplinary approaches between therapy and technology. His work is dedicated to understanding musculoskeletal loading of the lower extremities during locomotion and exercise, and developing assistive technologies such as machine learning algorithms and virtual reality applications to support patients and therapists during rehabilitation. Specific areas include: Clinical gait analysis and biomechanics Musculoskeletal loading in lower extremities Patellofemoral instability and joint biomechanics Machine learning applications for gait classification Virtual reality for rehabilitation Biomechanics of obesity and pediatric movement disorders 3D motion capture and markerless technology His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating advanced computational methods with clinical biomechanics. Over the past five years, his work has increasingly focused on smartphone-based motion capture systems, deep learning applications for gait analysis, and virtual reality environments. His research bridges engineering technology and clinical rehabilitation, with particular attention to knee biomechanics, patellofemoral disorders, and movement analysis in pediatric obesity. Dr. Horsak teaches courses including 'Methods and Concepts of Biomechanics and Sports Informatics' and serves as supervisor for PhD students Bernhard Dumphart and Mark Simonlehner. His research group maintains strong collaborations with the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and appears to be involved in multiple interdisciplinary projects combining sports science, engineering, and clinical rehabilitation.
Horacio Dante Espinosa is the James N. and Nancy J. Farley Professor in Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, holding the rank of Professor in Mechanical Engineering. He also directs the Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Program and the Micro and Nano Mechanics Lab. His research spans bioinspired materials, single-cell analysis, and multiscale experimentation, with a focus on nanoelectronics and energy harvesting. Espinosa earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics from Brown University and has held academic roles at Purdue University and Harvard University. He leads interdisciplinary teams exploring metamaterials, cell engineering, and advanced fabrication techniques. His honors include the Prager Medal (2019) and multiple fellowships. Espinosa's lab combines experimental and computational methods, with capabilities in nanomechanical testing and biological assay development. Education: Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics (Brown University, 1992), M.Sc. in Structural Engineering (Polytechnic of Milan, 1987), Civil Engineering (Northeastern National University, Argentina, 1981) Key Roles: Director of iCET (2015–2018), Faculty Director of NUFAB (2013–2015), Visiting Professorships at Stanford and Harvard Labs: Micro and Nano Mechanics Lab focuses on biomaterials, metamaterials, and single-cell manipulation with advanced microscopy and electroporation systems Grants/Awards: NSF-CAREER Award, ONR Young Investigator Award, and leadership roles in professional societies His research bridges mechanics, materials science, and biology, with applications in healthcare technologies and advanced materials. Current projects include phononic crystal studies, Kirigami engineering, and high-throughput electroporation platforms for cell analysis.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Martin Spitzer holds the Chair of Civil Law and Civil Procedure at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien), where he has been a full professor since 2011. He serves as Program Director for Business Law and Institute Director at WU. Professor Spitzer is Editor-in-Chief of the Austrian Jurists' Journal (ÖJZ) and the Austrian Legal Archives (ÖJA), and co-editor of prominent legal commentaries including the ABGB commentary ("KBB"). His academic work spans both traditional civil law topics and modern commercial legal challenges. Professor Spitzer's research interests focus on the intersection of substantive and procedural civil law, with particular emphasis on banking law, inheritance law, insolvency law, collective legal protection, credit security law, tort law, and contract law. His work often takes comparative and historical perspectives, examining how civil law principles apply in contemporary commercial contexts. He has published extensively across all fields of civil and civil procedure law, with recent work exploring digitalization of legal processes, climate change liability, and human rights violations in global supply chains. His recent scholarly output demonstrates a clear trend toward addressing contemporary legal challenges through traditional civil law frameworks. Many publications examine how digital transformation impacts civil procedure, with particular focus on video hearings and electronic evidence. Other significant themes include banking regulation in times of crisis, consumer protection in financial services, and the evolving relationship between administrative decisions and civil proceedings. His work consistently bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical applications for legal professionals. Excellent Teaching Award (2021, 2020, 2016) Innovative Teaching Award (2017) Insolvency Law Prize (Main Prize, 2014) Cardinal Innitzer Promotion Prize (2012) Walther Kastner Main Prize (2012) Capital Markets Prize (2012) Professor Spitzer plays a significant role in legal education through his position as Program Director for Business Law at WU Vienna. He co-founded Austria's best-selling legal textbook series (PSK, Bürgerliches Recht) with Stefan Perner, now in its 7th edition. He has supervised numerous doctoral students and research assistants who contribute to the chair's publication projects. Beyond academia, he maintains strong connections with legal practitioners through continuing education events for the judiciary and legal profession, including the Vienna Civil Court Day and Austrian Lawyers' Civil Law Day. His work extends to media commentary, expert opinions for public and private clients, and projects addressing social responsibility such as pharmaceutical supply chain resilience. The chair under Professor Spitzer organizes several major scientific events including the Banking Law Forum (since 2019), Forum for Civil Law (since 2016), Private Law Course including Civil Procedure (since 2014), Insurance Law Day (since 2021), Vienna Civil Court Day (since 2019), and Vienna Civil Law Day (since 2023). These events bring together academics, practitioners, and judges to discuss current developments in civil law. The chair also houses the editorial team for the Austrian Jurists' Journal and oversees publication of standard commentaries on key Austrian legal codes.
Tim Schrabback is a Full Professor at the Institute for Astro- and Particle Physics , Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, University of Innsbruck . He leads research in extragalactic astrophysics, focusing on weak gravitational lensing, galaxy clusters, and cosmology through major international collaborations such as the Euclid Mission , eROSITA , DES , SPT , and HSC . His research interests include: Observational cosmology using galaxy clusters Weak and strong gravitational lensing Dark energy and large-scale structure X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich cluster surveys Machine learning applications in astrophysics Calibration of space-based instruments His recent publications (2023–2025) span high-impact journals including Astronomy & Astrophysics , Physical Review D , and Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society . The work emphasizes cosmological parameter estimation , cluster mass calibration , systematic error mitigation in weak lensing , and multi-messenger cosmology . A strong trend is the integration of data from optical, infrared, X-ray, and microwave surveys to constrain models of dark energy and modified gravity. Scientific contributions include: Leading roles in Euclid’s weak lensing and cluster science working groups Co-authorship on foundational Euclid mission papers Key contributions to eROSITA all-sky survey analysis Development of shear calibration techniques using deep learning Mass calibration of galaxy clusters via weak lensing He actively participates in advising and collaborative research, working closely with postdocs and early-career scientists such as Sebastian Grandis , Florian Kleinebreil , Henrik Jansen , and Lukas Linke . He has secured access to major datasets and leads analysis efforts in joint cluster cosmology programs. His public engagement includes frequent outreach lectures on astrophysics and telescope observation, particularly through the annual Astronacht events at the University of Innsbruck. He has also contributed to media interviews on cosmological tensions and galaxy cluster physics. He leads or participates in several research labs and teams: Euclid Weak Lensing Science Working Group eROSITA Cluster & Cosmology Working Group Institute for Astro- and Particle Physics Observing Team Alpine Cosmology Collaboration
Donatella Sciuto is a Full Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, serving as Executive Vice Rector overseeing research strategies. She holds a PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MBA from Bocconi University. Her research focuses on embedded systems design, low-power electronics, and cyber-physical systems, with contributions to smart cities and ICT infrastructure. Education: Bachelor's in Electronic Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (1984) PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder MBA, SDA Bocconi School of Management Research Interests: Embedded systems, multiprocessor architectures, hardware/software co-design, power-efficient computing, and building automation via IoT technologies. She leads the Embedded Systems Design research group at Politecnico di Milano and coordinates EU-funded projects in smart cities and reconfigurable systems. Awards: IBM Women Leaders in AI (2021) IEEE Fellow (2011) EDAA Fellow (2010) Outstanding Contribution Award, IEEE Computer Society (2009) Professional Roles: Board Member: Bank of Italy, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, STM, Avio Former President, IEEE Council of Electronic Design Automation (2011-2013) Executive Committee Member, Design Automation and Test in Europe (DATE) conference Labs/Teams: Leads the Embedded Systems Design and Design Methodologies group at Politecnico di Milano, collaborating with CEFRIEL on executive education programs in embedded systems and IoT.
Dragi Kimovski is a Habilitated Assistant Professor in Distributed Systems at Klagenfurt University, Austria, focusing on Edge Computing and AI. He previously held roles at the University of Innsbruck and the University of Information Science and Technology in Macedonia. His research spans Edge/Fog/Cloud computing, multi-objective optimization, and high-performance computing. He has coordinated major projects like 6GContinuum and KärtnerFog, and led initiatives such as DataCloud and ASPIDE. His teaching includes courses on Distributed Computing, Cloud Computing, and IoT. He is the co-creator of the Carinthian Computing Continuum and maintains a blog on Edge AI World. His work emphasizes sustainable and efficient computing solutions for emerging technologies. Education: Not explicitly listed in the provided text. Research Interests: Edge Computing, Fog Computing, Cloud Computing, Multi-objective Optimization, High-Performance Computing, AI in Distributed Systems. His work addresses challenges in resource management, latency reduction, and scalability across heterogeneous environments, with applications in healthcare, IoT, and 6G networks. Projects: 6GContinuum (Coordinator): Focuses on AI services over 6G networks. KärtnerFog (Scientific Coordinator): Develops adaptive Fog infrastructures over 5G. DataCloud (WP5 Leader): Manages Big Data pipelines on the Computing Continuum. ASPIDE (Scientific Coordinator): Advances exascale programming models for data processing. Teaching: Klagenfurt University: Courses include Distributed Computing, IoT, Cloud Computing, and Advanced Programming. University of Innsbruck: Taught Advanced Parallel and Distributed Systems. University of Information Science and Technology: Courses in High-Performance Computing and Network Architectures. Labs/Teams: Co-created the Carinthian Computing Continuum, an automated SDN testbed for Edge computing research. Active in interdisciplinary teams addressing extreme data processing and sustainable computing.
Professor Ursula Kriebaum is a distinguished faculty member at the University of Vienna's Institute for European, International and Comparative Law within the Faculty of Law. She serves as a full Professor in the Department of International Law and International Relations, where she maintains an active research program and supervises numerous students. Her office is located at the Juridicum building (Schottenbastei 10-16, 1010 Vienna), Staircase II, 5th Floor, Room R549. Professor Kriebaum's research focuses span several critical areas of international law including international human rights protection, international investment law (particularly expropriation, fair and equitable treatment standards, and the relationship between human rights and investment protection), international arbitration tribunals, implementation of international human rights obligations into domestic law, and restitution of assets confiscated during the National Socialist regime. Her scholarly work demonstrates a consistent pattern of examining the intersection between human rights frameworks and investment protection mechanisms. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward addressing contemporary challenges in international dispute resolution, particularly the development of mechanisms like the Hague Rules on Business and Human Rights Arbitration. Her work consistently bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical applications in international arbitration, with significant attention to how investment treaties affect human rights protections and regulatory space for states. She has made substantial contributions to understanding expropriation standards, fair and equitable treatment, and the right to water in investment contexts. Among her notable professional affiliations and honors: Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague (since September 2014) Alternate Arbitrator at the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration (since August 2013) Member of the Arbitration Panel for the Protocol on Cultural Cooperation to the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and its Member States and the Republic of Korea Member of the German Society of International Law Member of the International Law Association (Committee on Human Rights) Member of the European Society of International Law Professor Kriebaum actively supervises a large team of students and researchers, demonstrating her commitment to academic mentorship. She has participated in significant research projects including a study on Asian ombudsman institutions conducted jointly with Professor Gabriele Kucsko-Stadlmayer, supported by Mag. Philipp Janig and Mag. Thomas Stefan Eder, for the International Ombudsman Institute and funded by the Institute and the World Bank. Her media appearances, including an Ö1 interview on the Geneva Refugee Convention and participation in TV discussions about CETA and TTIP, demonstrate her engagement with current legal issues affecting public discourse.
Elizabeth J. Erling is Professor of English Language Education at the University of Education Upper Austria (PH Oberösterreich) and Elise-Richter Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Vienna. She directs the project "Understanding disparities in English language education" (Udele), which investigates the potential contribution of language education to social justice and seeks solutions to improve students' experience of learning English at school. Her research focuses on English language education, particularly examining how language education can contribute to social justice. Her work addresses disparities in English language education in Austria, with a special focus on diverse, multilingual students from migration backgrounds. She has conducted extensive research on teachers' beliefs and practices, plurilingual pedagogies, and the role of language education in promoting equity. Her research also extends to international contexts, particularly Bangladesh, where she has studied the status and economic significance of English, as well as its role in development. Dr. Erling's publications reveal a strong focus on addressing inequities in language education. Her recent work examines how teaching practices can be adapted to better serve multilingual students, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also published extensively on English language education in Bangladesh, exploring how English functions in migration contexts and development initiatives. Her research consistently connects language education to broader social justice concerns, examining how educational practices can either perpetuate or address systemic inequalities. Elise-Richter Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Vienna Dr. Erling directs the project "Understanding disparities in English language education" (Udele) and has received research funding for her work on language education and social justice. While specific details about her advising are not provided in the available information, her publications suggest she collaborates with numerous researchers across Europe and Bangladesh on projects related to language education and social equity. Dr. Erling is actively involved in research teams investigating language education disparities, particularly through her Udele project. She collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions in Austria and internationally, with a notable focus on Bangladesh. Her work bridges educational research with social justice initiatives, aiming to develop practical solutions for improving English language education for diverse student populations.
FH-Prof. Dr. Kerstin Blumenstein is a Professor in the Department of Media and Digital Technologies at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. She has been with the institution since 2019, leading research in Interaction Design, User Experience, and Information Visualization. Her work focuses on multi-device ecologies, mobile computing, and digital media integration in cultural and educational contexts. Education includes a Bachelor's in Media Technology (2010) and a Master's in Digital Media Technologies (2012), both from St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences. Prior roles include student assistant at the Institute of Media Informatics and work as a Media Designer in Germany. Research projects like MEETeUX and Seekoi explore user-centered design for multi-device systems and context-aware mobile applications. Key interests span Human-Computer Interaction, second-screen applications, and visualization frameworks for real-time data. Publications emphasize cross-platform visualization tools, mobile interface design, and empirical evaluations of information displays. Current work addresses challenges in BYOD environments and cultural heritage digitalization through projects like KuKoNö . No scientific awards explicitly listed. Active in teaching across multiple programs including Media Technology (BA), Digital Healthcare (MA), and Interactive Technologies (MA).
Univ.Prof. Michael Wimmer is a Professor in the Department of Computer Graphics and Visualization at TU Wien's Faculty of Informatics. His research focuses on real-time rendering, point cloud processing, GPU computing, and computational design. He leads projects involving architectural visualization, thermal simulation, and integrative design frameworks combining 4D sketching with material modeling. His work bridges computer graphics with applications in architecture and engineering. ORCID: 0000-0002-9370-2663 Research Group: Network Lab Recent research emphasizes GPU-accelerated algorithms (e.g., LOD generation for 2 billion points), real-time rendering techniques, and deep learning approaches for surface reconstruction. Collaborations span thermal simulation with civil engineers and 4D design tools for architects. Notable contributions include: Developing PPSurf for detailed surface reconstruction using point convolutions Advancing Vulkan-based rendering pipelines in academic settings Integrating light polarization for HDR imaging His lab explores applications in architectural design metaphors, computational material assessment via GeoRadar, and thermal simulation using precomputed radiative transport. Students under his supervision focus on GPU optimization, 3D reconstruction, and VR ergonomics.
Ruth Breu is a Full Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics at the Universität Innsbruck, where she also leads the Quality Engineering research group. She has been a key figure in the Department of Computer Science since 2002 and served as its Head from 2013 to 2024. Her academic journey began with a PhD summa cum laude from the University of Passau in 1991, followed by a habilitation at the Technical University of Munich in 1999. Her research interests include: Quality Engineering Model and Security Engineering Requirements and Software Development Processes Enterprise Architecture Management Threat Intelligence and Digital Twins Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on model-based systems, automated programming assessment, security engineering, and digital twins in construction and energy systems. She frequently collaborates with researchers such as Michael Felderer, Clemens Sauerwein, and Philipp Zech, contributing to advancements in software testing, threat intelligence sharing, and cyber-physical systems. Notable awards include her PhD awarded summa cum laude. She has also been actively involved in national research governance, serving on the board of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) from 2011 to 2020. She co-founded Txture GmbH in 2017 and holds advisory roles at Universität Passau and FH OST. Ruth Breu advises several students and leads a vibrant research group. Her leadership extends to organizing workshops and contributing to major conferences in software engineering and enterprise modeling. She is deeply engaged in both academic and applied research, bridging theory and practice in IT quality and security.
