Professor Sandra Wachter is a Professor of Technology and Regulation at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford. She leads the Governance of Emerging Technologies (GET) Research Programme, focusing on legal, ethical, and technical aspects of AI and robotics. Her affiliations include Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, the World Economic Forum, and the European Commission’s Expert Group on Autonomous Cars. She advises governments and tech companies globally on AI governance. Education: Studied at the University of Oxford and the University of Vienna’s Law Faculty, with prior roles at the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Austrian Ministry of Health. Research interests include algorithmic bias, explainable AI, privacy law, and ethical design. Her work on counterfactual explanations and the CDD bias test has been implemented by Google, IBM, and Amazon. She explores AI’s societal impacts, including predictive policing, health tech, and cyber-security. Awards include the Privacy Law Scholar Award (2019) and the ‘AI Superhero Award’ (2017). She leads the British Academy project on algorithmic inferences and contributes to standards for AI transparency and accountability.
Riddhi Das is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Freiburg, affiliated with the Cluster of Excellence liv MatS (Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies). Their research focuses on soft robotics, particularly the design, fabrication, and actuation of pneumatic soft robots. Current work emphasizes developing soft autonomous machine (SaM) systems with integrated logic gates and sensors for environmental interaction. Key research interests include biomimetic robotics inspired by biological systems such as seahorses and earthworms, peristaltic locomotion in granular media, and modular robotics for multi-terrain environments. The lab aims to merge advancements from liv MatS research areas into fully operational autonomous robotic systems. Publications highlight innovations in bioinspired robotics, granular medium locomotion, and programmable materials. While no awards are explicitly mentioned, their work aligns with cutting-edge interdisciplinary robotics research. Advising and grants details are not provided in the text. The lab is part of the liv MatS initiative, focusing on interactive materials and bioinspired technologies.
Abey Campbell is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at the School of Computer Science, University College Dublin. He holds roles such as Deputy Programme Director for Computer Science, Director of UCD VR Lab, and 1st Year Stage Coordinator. His research focuses on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Multi-Agent Systems with applications in education, healthcare, and human-computer interaction. Campbell has coordinated modules like Augmented and Virtual Reality, Computer Graphics, Game Development, and Mobile Computing. He earned his BSc and PhD in Computer Science from University College Dublin. His work explores touchless interaction technologies, machine learning agents in STEM education, and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Notable contributions include RenderKernel for real-time rendering systems and studies on AR's role in decision support systems. Campbell has secured a grant from Enterprise Ireland for collaborative design documentation and participates in professional activities like peer reviewing for Frontiers in Virtual Reality and IEEE conferences. His collaborative projects include developing AR tools for veterinary training and evaluating immersive VR experiences in nursing education. The UCD VR Lab under his direction focuses on applied research in spatial computing and interactive systems.
Prof. Ingenuin Gasser is a Professor of Modelling and PDEs at the University of Hamburg's Department of Mathematics. He holds roles including UHH Coordinator for the Joint Master's Programme 'MathMods' and former Vice Dean for Internationalization and Young Researcher Support (2012-2022). His research focuses on mathematical modelling with PDEs, renewable energy systems, traffic flow dynamics, and semiconductor equations. He leads interdisciplinary projects on urban systems and energy technologies. Education & Career: Born 1965 in Brixen, Italy Diplom in Technical Physics (1989, TU Wien) Diplom in Technical Mathematics (1992, TU Wien) PhD in Mathematics (1996, TU Berlin) Habilitation in Mathematics (2000, UHH) Junior Professor (2002–2003, UHH) Full Professor (W3) since 2010 at UHH Research Interests: Modelling with PDEs, kinetic/fluid dynamics, renewable energy systems (solar updraft towers, osmosis power), traffic flow models, semiconductor equations, and interdisciplinary urban system modelling. Publications: Over 67 publications, recent works focus on PRO power stations, solar energy systems, and urban modelling. Key themes include energy efficiency optimization, nanofluid applications, and mathematical models for sustainable infrastructure. Grants & Projects: Participated in EU-funded networks (e.g., TMR), DFG projects on quantum transport, and international collaborations in applied mathematics and renewable energy.
Evangelos Papapetrou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Ioannina, Greece. He holds a Diploma (1998) and PhD (2003) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His research focuses on wireless and mobile networks, including mobile ad-hoc networks, opportunistic networks, satellite networks, quality of service (QoS), and network coding. He has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in EU/nationally funded projects. Research interests include: Wireless/Mobile Network Architectures Opportunistic and Social Mobile Networks Satellite Communication Systems Network Coding Techniques Routing Protocol Design His work emphasizes practical implementations of network protocols, with recent trends focusing on ultra-reliable low-latency communication, energy-efficient broadcasting, and protocol optimizations for 5G/IoT environments. He has developed simulation tools like Adyton for opportunistic networks and contributed to privacy-preserving routing solutions. Teaching responsibilities include courses on Computer Networks I and Wireless Networks (2024/25). He maintains active IEEE/ACM memberships and serves on conference review committees.
Dr. Sarah Barry is Director of Academic Programmes and Senior Lecturer at RCSI's School of Population Health, where she leads the MSc in Population Health Leadership. Her research focuses on health systems reform, integrated care models, and policy implementation in complex health environments. Education: PhD, Trinity College Dublin Master's in Anthropology of Development, University of Sussex Bachelor of Divinity, Pontifical Gregorian University Diploma in Corporate Governance Research interests center on: Design and implementation of integrated care systems Sláintecare health reform in Ireland Population health approaches in policy contexts Organizational change in healthcare systems Her recent publications analyze COVID-19 policy responses, health system resilience during economic crises, and implementation frameworks for universal healthcare. Leadership roles: Member, HSE Board Transformation Committee Appointee to Health Research Board (HRB) Advisory Board, Advanced Care Research Centre Academy (Edinburgh) Co-Director, National SPHeRE PhD Programme She directs the 'Together for Population Health' research initiative and teaches health policy implementation.
Mi Young Ahn is a Lecturer in the Sociology Department at Goldsmiths, University of London, where she joined in August 2022. She serves as the Academic Lead of the Advanced Methods for the Social and Economic Research Thematic Pathway for South East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS) and is a convenor for the MSc Social Research program. Previously, she held positions at University College London, University of Kent, Bangor University, and Liverpool Hope University. Her educational background includes a PhD and MA in Sociology & Social Policy from Bangor University and a BA in Sociology (with Politics minor) from Korea University, South Korea. She became a Higher Education Academy Fellow in 2021. Dr. Ahn's research focuses on intersectional inequalities, students' sense of belonging, educational inequalities, social mobility, social class, cultural and social capital, and advanced research methods. Her work has developed influential measurement tools like the 10 Words Question for assessing sense of belonging, now widely adopted across universities in the UK, USA, and Canada including Imperial College London's Sense of Belonging Toolkit. Her publication record shows a consistent trajectory in understanding student belonging from multiple angles - examining its relationship to socio-economic status, institutional factors, locality, and its connection to social capital. Recent work expands into curriculum diversification examining racial representation in teaching materials. Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) Scoping Award (2018) Research Schools Programme in Opportunity Areas (EEF commissioned) Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes (TASO) project As an educator, Dr. Ahn convenes core quantitative research modules for postgraduates and research methods modules for undergraduates. She serves as a reviewer for academic journals in higher education, education, social policy, and sociology, and contributes to educational conferences and textbook development.
Dr Anne-Marie Day is a Lecturer in Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), joining in January 2024. Previously, she held a Lecturer position at Keele University, leading modules like Youth Justice and Crime, and contributed to undergraduate program direction. Her research focuses on youth justice systems, care-experienced children, and racial disparities in diversion decisions. She completed her PhD at the University of Salford in 2018, examining pathways into offending among care-experienced children. Education: PhD in Criminology (University of Salford, 2018); prior roles include Probation Officer, Youth Justice Board policy adviser, and practitioner in community justice settings. Research Interests Dr Day’s work addresses systemic issues in youth justice, including neurodivergence in custody, racial disparities in diversion, and care-experienced children’s trajectories. She co-leads a Nuffield-funded study on racial disparities in youth justice diversion (2022–25) and evaluates programs like VASP and Sapling targeting at-risk youth. Key Projects Racial Disparities in Youth Justice Diversion (Nuffield, 2022–25) Constructive Resettlement Pathfinder Evaluation (2020–22) Vulnerable Adolescent Support Programme Evaluation (2022–23) Teaching and Supervision Module leader for Working with Criminalised People and involved in teaching Understanding Crime and Deviance . Supervises PhD students on topics like criminally exploited children and harmful sexual behavior interventions. Current students include Clara Paul ( Children’s Exploitation Dynamics ) and Gemma Hunt ( Neurodivergence and Social Work Practice ). Awards and Roles Trustee of the Alliance for Youth Justice; expert adviser to national/local organizations. No named scientific awards explicitly listed but recognized for impactful policy-focused research. Lab/Teams Associated with the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies (MCYS), facilitating interdisciplinary youth justice research.
Alexander Sumich is Professor of Mental Health and Biopsychology at Nottingham Trent University , School of Social Sciences. He co-directs the Centre for Public and Psychosocial Health and co-leads the Affect, Personality and Embodied Brain (APE) Research Group . He also serves as Adjunct Professor in Psychology at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand , and holds editorial and leadership roles in organizations like the British Society for the Psychology of Individual Differences (Treasurer) and Personality and Individual Differences (Associate Editor). Education: MA in Psychology (First Class Honors), University of Auckland PhD in Psychology as Applied to Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London His research spans neuroimaging and electrophysiological methods to investigate the neurobiology of affect-driven behaviors (depression, aggression, hallucinations) and the immune system's role in mental health . He employs virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) , spiking neural networks , and computational models to enhance mental health interventions. Key areas include gaming disorder , mindfulness effects , and gut-brain axis interactions . Notable research grants include: BIAL Foundation (2023-2024): €58,765 for trauma-paranormal-mental health links MBIE-Catalyst Programme (2020-2024): NZ$2,134,847 for computational neurogenetics UKRI KTP (2021-2024): £204,000 for therapeutic digital displays His external roles include: Treasurer, British Society for the Psychology of Individual Differences Associate Editor, Personality and Individual Differences Co-host, APE2020 Conference
Uwe Meyer-Baese is an Associate Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. (Dr.-Ing. habil) from Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany. His research focuses on Digital Signal Processing with FPGAs, VLSI design, and medical imaging applications. He has authored over 100 publications, 5 books, and holds 3 patents. He has been recognized with awards such as the Humboldt Fellowship (2009) and the FAMU-FSU Teaching Award (2007). Education History: Dr.-Ing. habil (Venia Legendi), Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, 2003 Ph.D. (Dr. Ing.), Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, 1995 M.S., Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany, 1989 Research Interests: FPGA-based embedded systems and real-time DSP Low-power VLSI architectures Medical image processing (e.g., breast MRI, brain tumor analysis) Hardware security and intellectual property protection Graph theory applications in biological networks Recent work includes advancements in FPGA implementations for microprocessor systems, brain network controllability studies, and AI-driven medical diagnostics. His lab focuses on bridging hardware design with biomedical applications, emphasizing practical implementations through FPGA platforms. Awards: Max-Kade Award in Neuroengineering (1997) ECE Department Research Award (2005) Humboldt Fellowship (2009) FAMU-FSU Teaching Award (2007) He has advised over 60 master’s theses and contributed to major grants in FPGA-based medical systems. His book Digital Signal Processing with Field Programmable Gate Arrays is a widely used textbook in the field.
Omar Haider Chowdhury is a SUNY Empire Innovation Scholar and Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Stony Brook University. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa where he received the Dean's Scholar Award. He completed his postdoctoral research at Cylab, Carnegie Mellon University and Purdue University. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio under the supervision of Prof. Jianwei Niu and Prof. William H. Winsborough (deceased), and undergraduate education in Computer Science and Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Chowdhury's research focuses on Computer Security and Privacy, with particular emphasis on applying formal verification, automated reasoning, runtime verification, programming languages, software engineering, and human-computer interaction techniques to solve practical security problems. His work addresses security challenges in SSL/TLS, X.509 PKI, Cellular Networks, Wi-Fi, Internet-of-Things (IoT), and Regulatory Compliance. He is also interested in fundamental problems in automated reasoning and formal verification. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying formal methods to practical security problems, with particular emphasis on cellular networks (4G/5G), IoT systems, and cryptographic protocols. His research shows a consistent pattern of bridging theoretical verification techniques with real-world security implementations, resulting in enhancements to widely used protocols like 4G LTE, 5G, and WPA2 enterprise. His scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards including: 2023 Test of Time Award, ACM SACMAT 2022 Dean's Scholar Award, University of Iowa 2021 Best Paper Award (Runner Up), ACM CCS 2020 Best Paper Award, ACNS 2019 DARPA Young Faculty Award Multiple Best Paper Awards at IEEE DASC, ACSAC, and NDSS Chowdhury has successfully mentored several PhD students including Dr. Moosa Yahyazadeh (now at Apple Inc.), and currently advises students including Joyanta Debnath, Muhammad Daniyal Pirwani, and Aliakbar Sadeghi. His research has been funded by both National Science Foundation (NSF) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), including a prestigious DARPA Young Faculty Award. His group's findings have directly influenced improvements in widely used security protocols and cryptographic libraries. He leads a research group focused on high-assurance software design and implementation, recently teaching courses on these topics at Stony Brook University. His research group combines expertise in formal methods, security analysis, and practical implementation to tackle emerging security challenges in modern computing systems.
David McNulty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Limerick (UL), affiliated with the Bernal Institute and the Centre for Battery and Energy Materials Research. He holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from UL, with postdoctoral experience at University College Cork (UCC), the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, and Confirm Centre-funded projects. His research focuses on advanced battery materials, particularly lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and sodium-ion batteries, emphasizing sustainable solutions like plastic waste conversion into electrode materials. Notable achievements include a Marie Curie COFUND Fellowship (ADMIRE Programme), an SFI Future Innovator Prize, and grants from the Royal Irish Academy and SFI-IRC Pathway Programme. He teaches solid-state and condensed matter physics to undergraduate and graduate students. Research interests include nanomaterial synthesis, electrode design, and energy storage systems. Key projects involve marine and biowaste-derived carbon materials for lithium-sulfur batteries and silicon nanowire anodes for improved battery performance. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting sustainable materials and energy solutions. Publications span over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on battery materials and nanotechnology. Awards highlight his contributions to sustainable energy and materials science. Current initiatives include expanding lithium-sulfur battery research through independent grants and leading interdisciplinary teams in battery innovation.
Dr. Amy Sheppard is a Senior Lecturer at Aston Optometry School within Aston University's College of Health and Life Sciences. She serves as Deputy Head (Education) and maintains UK optometry registration. Her academic appointments include roles as External Examiner for the University of Central Lancashire's MSci Optometry programme and iPRO research adviser for the College of Optometrists. She also chairs Vision Care for Homeless People. Education: 2018: Master's in Education with Distinction (Aston University) 2014: Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy 2010: PhD in Optometry (Aston University) 2003: BSc (Hons) Optometry, First Class Honours (Aston University) Research Focus: Dr. Sheppard's work centers on anterior eye physiology with specialization in Digital Eye Strain, ocular accommodation mechanisms, and presbyopia management. Her investigations employ clinical optometry approaches to address contemporary vision challenges, particularly screen-related visual fatigue and age-related focusing disorders. Recent work explores mobile health applications for vision assessment and AI integration in ophthalmic care. Publication Trends: Her recent articles demonstrate strong focus on digital eye health epidemiology, innovative myopia control interventions, presbyopia diagnostics, and technological applications in optometry. Collaborative work frequently addresses clinical guidelines development and vision-related public health challenges across different demographics. Awards & Honors: Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (2014) Fellow of UK Higher Education Academy (2013) Master's in Education with Distinction (2018) Academic Leadership: She leads modules in Clinical Practice (undergraduate) and Ageing Eye (postgraduate), supervises research dissertations, and directs educational initiatives. She accepts PhD students and contributes to curriculum development across optometry programs. Affiliations: Member of Optometry & Vision Science Research Group (OVSRG) and Aston Research Centre for Health in Ageing. Maintains active collaborations with national optometry organizations and international research teams.
Páraic Ó'Súilleabháin is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Limerick, affiliated with the Department of Psychology and the Ageing Research Centre. He serves as Research Coordinator on the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology and directs the Personality, Individual Differences, and Biobehavioural Health Laboratory (PathLab). His research focuses on personality traits, loneliness, adversity, and their associations with health outcomes across the lifespan, including mortality risk. His work bridges psychology with biological processes and biobehavioural factors. Education: PhD in Psychology (2017), NUI Galway; Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning (2018); BA (Hons) in Psychology (2012), NUI Galway. Prior to academia, he worked in med-tech and IT industries. Research interests include lifespan health, psychophysiological mechanisms, and the societal impacts of personality differences. His projects involve collaborations with institutions like Florida State University and University College London. Recent studies address loneliness in youth, cognitive decline in aging populations, and large-scale mortality analyses. Awards: 2025 APS Rising Star designation. Over 46 peer-reviewed publications, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses on loneliness and health. Advising & Grants: Leads PathLab and oversees doctoral training. Collaborations span transnational studies on global health issues. Active in UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being.
Dr. Iulia Ionescu is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for Creative Computing and Robotics postgraduate courses at UAL's Creative Computing Institute, with additional Visiting Senior Lecturer appointments at Royal College of Art and Imperial College London. She holds a Microsoft-sponsored PhD in AI design from RCA, complemented by an MA in Design (RCA), MSc in Mechanical Engineering (Imperial College), and BArch (Nottingham University). Her interdisciplinary research examines social phenomena in algorithmic societies, focusing on co-construction of meaning in human-AI interaction and anthropomorphism in technology design. Core interests include technology-mediated social dynamics, perceptual interfaces, and ethical implications of autonomous systems. Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on human-centered technology design across robotics, linguistics, and interaction paradigms, with emerging patterns in embodied cognition and generative systems. Teaching includes course leadership for MA/MSc Creative Computing and development of 'Methods 1: Creative Computing Research Methods' curriculum.
