Christoph Koch is a Full Professor in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) , Switzerland. He has held academic positions at Cornell University (2007-2010, 2006), Saarland University (2005-2007), and TU Vienna (2001-2005). His research focuses on database systems, logic, programming languages, and data management.
Katja Hose is a Full Professor of Data Management at TU Wien's DBAI research unit, heading the Data Management and Knowledge-Driven AI Lab. She previously held a Poul Due Jensen Foundation Professorship at Aalborg University. Her research focuses on data and knowledge engineering, including graph databases, knowledge graphs, querying, analytics, and machine learning, with interdisciplinary applications in bioscience, healthcare, and environmental assessment. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Ilmenau University of Technology, 2009), Postdoc at Max Planck Institute for Informatics (2009–2012). Academic roles include Program Co-Chair for ISWC 2024 and EDBT 2023, and editorial board membership at VLDBJ and TGDK. She leads projects like TARGET (health virtual twins) and ARMADA (data management). Research Interests: Knowledge Graphs, Semantic Web, Big Data, Machine Learning, Data Integration, and Provenance Systems. Key contributions include SHACL shape extraction, conversational data analytics, and environmental knowledge graphs. Awards include the 2025 Distinguished Meta-Reviewer Award and 2024 Manfred Paul Award. Advising and Grants: Supervised students including E. Pürmayr (Diploma Thesis 2025). Active in EU projects (TARGET, ARMADA) and grant coordination. Labs/Teams: DMKI Lab at TU Wien, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in healthcare and environmental science.
Matteo Maffei is a Full Professor at TU Wien, leading the Security and Privacy group. He joined in 2017 after 11 years at Saarland University's CISPA. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (2006). He coordinates the TU Wien Cybersecurity Center, the SecInt Doctoral School, and the FWF Special Research Program SPyCoDe. His research focuses on formal methods for security and privacy, blockchain technologies, and web security. Roles: Full Professor, Coordinator of TU Wien Cybersecurity Center, Module Head of Christian Doppler Lab for Blockchain Technologies (CDL-BOT), Board Member of Vienna Cybersecurity and Privacy Research Cluster (ViSP). His work emphasizes formal verification of cryptographic protocols, smart contracts, and decentralized systems. Key achievements include ERC Advanced (2024) and Consolidator (2018) Grants, and leadership roles in conferences like IEEE Computer Security Foundations Symposium (CSF). Research Interests: Formal methods, smart contracts, blockchain scalability, web security, privacy-preserving protocols, and decentralized systems. His recent projects include optimizing Lightning Network channels, secure multi-hop payments, and AI-driven robustness verification. Publications: Over 200 publications in top venues like CCS, IEEE S&P, and CRYPTO. Recent work includes advancements in blockchain interoperability (e.g., Alba bridges), light client protocols (Blink), and neural network verification techniques. Grants & Awards: ERC Advanced Grant (2024), ERC Consolidator Grant (2018), DFG Emmy Noether Fellowship (2009). Led projects funded by EU Horizon, FWF, and industry partners like ABC Research GmbH. Advising & Labs: Supervised over 20 PhD/Master theses. Active in the Christian Doppler Lab for Blockchain Technologies and the SPyCoDe SFB. Collaborates with institutions like SBA Research and Stanford University.
Luca Cardelli is a Principal Researcher and Assistant Director at Microsoft Research Cambridge, UK, since 1997. He holds visiting professorships at Imperial College London (Department of Computing, 2004–2009) and the University of Trento (2005–2007). He earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh in 1982. His research spans type theory , molecular programming , and principles of programming languages , with applications to systems biology and concurrency theory. Notable contributions include formal frameworks for modeling biochemical systems (e.g., the stochastic π-calculus) and designing DNA-based circuits. Key achievements include the AITO Dahl-Nygaard Senior Prize (2007) and multiple Most Influential Paper Awards at POPL and ETAPS. His work bridges computer science and biology, advancing both theoretical foundations and practical molecular computing.
Markus Vincze is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Automation and Control Engineering (ACIN) at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). He founded the Vision for Robotics (V4R) group in 1996 to advance robotic perception, particularly in real-world environments and homes. His work focuses on cognitive computer vision techniques for robotics. Education: Diplom in Mechanical Engineering (1988) and PhD (1993) from TU Wien; M.Sc. (1990) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. V4R coordinates EU projects like ActIPret, robots@home, HOBBIT, and national initiatives like vision@home. Markus has edited a book on Robust Vision with Gregory Hager and authored 62 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 400 reviewed publications. His recent research explores zero-shot 6D pose estimation, sim-to-real transfer, and transparent object detection. Markus has served as program chair for ICRA 2013 and organized HRI 2017 in Vienna. He has advised numerous students and secured grants from the Austrian Academy of Sciences for work at HelpMate Robotics and Yale's Vision Laboratory. The V4R group leads innovations in robotic vision, including frameworks for synthetic data generation (Unrealgensyn), depth completion (CAGT), and educational robotics applications for sustainability. Their work spans household robotics (RH3), agricultural robotics (EdgeSoil), and human-robot collaboration.
Uwe Zdun is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, where he serves as Vice-Director of Studies for Computer Science and Head of the Research Group Software Architecture. His teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Software Engineering 2, Advanced Software Engineering, and Practical Software Courses for Bachelor's and Master's theses across multiple semesters (2024W-2025S). His research spans software architecture with emphasis on microservices, cloud computing, and DevOps. Key focus areas include architectural design decisions, infrastructure-as-code conformance, security in distributed systems, and the integration of machine learning operations (MLOps/RLOps). He investigates cognitive aspects of architecture practices through controlled experiments and develops model-driven approaches for quality assessment in complex systems. Recent publications (2024-2026) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Security and coupling analysis in infrastructure-as-code deployments, (2) MLOps/RLOps integration for Industry 4.0 cyber-physical systems, and (3) Performance optimization patterns for CI/CD pipelines and autoscaling. His work bridges theoretical architecture models with industrial practice, particularly in microservice ecosystems and reinforcement learning applications. Professor Zdun leads the Research Group Software Architecture at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Computer Science. The group focuses on empirical validation of architectural patterns, tool development for conformance checking, and advancing design decision methodologies in cloud-native and AI-driven systems.
Senad Bećirović serves as a full Professor at the University of Education Lower Austria (Pädagogische Hochschule Niederösterreich), having progressed from assistant professor (2014) to associate professor (2017) before attaining his current rank in 2023. His academic career spans teaching research methodology, pedagogy, and advanced statistics across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs at international institutions, delivered through both online and in-person formats. Bećirović's research focuses primarily on Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies in education , with significant contributions to intercultural education , gifted education , and foreign language pedagogy . His work demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward understanding how emerging technologies reshape educational practices and outcomes. Through four books published by Springer and Nova Science and over 60 articles in top-tier journals, he has established himself as a leading voice in digital educational transformation. His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a pronounced emphasis on AI applications in education, with multiple studies examining AI literacy, policy frameworks, and implementation strategies across European higher education contexts. This research demonstrates both theoretical depth and practical relevance to current educational challenges. Bećirović actively contributes to the scholarly community as editor and reviewer for numerous Q1 journals including Smart Learning Environments (Springer), Education and Information Technologies (Springer), and TESOL Quarterly (Wiley). He participates in multiple European Commission-funded initiatives such as ENRICH (Enhancing Teaching and Research through Innovative Digital Technologies) and Erasmus+ projects focused on peace learning and English education. His professional activities extend to international collaboration through membership in the European Network Ethical Use of AI and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). He frequently delivers keynote addresses at international conferences, sharing expertise on AI in education, digital transformation, and intercultural competencies.
Eva Vetter is a full Professor at the University of Vienna , affiliated with both the Department for Teacher Education and the Department of Linguistics . She specializes in multilingualism, language teaching methodologies, and minority language education, with a focus on integrating climate justice themes into linguistic pedagogy. Email: eva.vetter@univie.ac.at Office: Porzellangasse 4, 1st floor, 1090 Vienna Her research interests include: Applied linguistics in educational contexts Minoritized language preservation Language policy and equity Interdisciplinary approaches to multilingualism Recent teaching activities focus on: Developing communication spaces for multilingual learners Empirical research methods in language education Climate justice integration in linguistic curricula Doctoral supervision in applied linguistics She actively mentors educators through professional development programs and leads research initiatives at the intersection of linguistics and teacher education.
Emanuel Sallinger is a Full Professor at TU Wien's Databases and Artificial Intelligence Group and Vice Dean of Academic Affairs for Business Informatics and Data Science. He leads the Knowledge Graph Lab, focusing on scalable knowledge-based systems, reasoning in knowledge graphs, and AI integration. His research spans computational logic, database theory, and blockchain applications. Education: PhD in Computer Science (awarded 'sub auspiciis praesidentis rei publicae'), Master's degrees in Computational Intelligence and Informatics Management, and a Bachelor's in Software and Information Engineering. Research Interests: Knowledge graphs (construction, reasoning, scalability), logic-based systems, AI/ML integration with databases, enterprise architecture modeling, and financial knowledge systems. His work emphasizes practical applications like enterprise modeling, sustainable waste management, and regulatory compliance. Grants & Projects: Lead Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF)-funded Knowledge Graph Lab. Involved in projects like 'Knowledge Graph-driven Tour Management' (sustainability), 'SustainGraph' (waste processing), and 'Enterprise Architecture Knowledge Graphs'. Teaching: Offers courses on Knowledge Graphs, Generative AI, Database Systems, and research methodology. Supervises doctoral and master's students in AI, databases, and knowledge representation. Labs/Teams: Knowledge Graph Lab at TU Wien, collaborating with industry on blockchain-based systems, financial AI, and enterprise architecture frameworks.
Wolfgang Klas is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, leading the Research Group Multimedia Information Systems. His research focuses on multimedia systems, data management, and information retrieval, with significant contributions to multimedia content analysis and database systems. He has been actively involved in multiple research projects, including TP2 PRECIOUS (2013-2016), SciLink (2011-2014), and OptFI (2010-2013). His work intersects with emerging technologies like blockchain, as seen in his public engagements and talks on topics such as 'From Blockchain to Web' and IT4S Forum presentations. His research interests span multimedia systems, database design, and the application of declarative programming for security and data integrity. Recent projects emphasize fake review detection and sentiment analysis using advanced algorithms and neural models. He has collaborated internationally, contributing to workshops like SMAP 2020 and publishing in journals like Algorithms and Applied Sciences . Grants/Projects: TP2 PRECIOUS (2013-2016), SciLink (2011-2014), OptFI (2010-2013) Activities: Speaker at IT4S Forum (2024), Blockchain-related talks (2020–present) Labs/Teams: Research Group Multimedia Information Systems
Sylvain Lefebvre is a permanent researcher at INRIA (Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique) in France, where he leads the MFX research team since 2018. Previously, he was part of the ALICE group at INRIA Nancy (2009-2018) and the REVES team in Sophia Antipolis (2006-2009). His career includes a postdoctoral position at Microsoft Research Seattle (2005) following his PhD at INRIA Rhones-Alpes under Fabrice Neyret. His educational background includes a PhD in Computer Graphics from Université Joseph Fourier (Grenoble) in 2005, preceded by a Master in Computer Graphics from INP Grenoble in 2001. His habilitation thesis focused on Runtime Texture Synthesis. Lefebvre's research centers on simplifying content creation for highly detailed patterns, structures, and shapes with applications spanning Computer Graphics to additive manufacturing. He develops fast, controllable by-example synthesis approaches that generate content while enforcing user-specified constraints. His work addresses computational challenges through novel data structures and algorithms optimized for GPUs and FPGAs, including his Silice programming language. The ERC-funded ShapeForge project (2012-2017) advanced shape generation for 3D printing, leading to the IceSL software for digital modeling and fabrication. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on additive manufacturing optimization, with recurring themes in structural integrity, material efficiency, and geometric algorithms. His work bridges computer graphics theory with practical fabrication constraints, particularly in microstructure design, slicing techniques, and mechanical metamaterials. The interdisciplinary nature spans computer science, materials engineering, and robotics. EUROGRAPHICS Young Researcher Award (2010) ERC Starting Grant for ShapeForge project (2012) Lefebvre has advised over 25 PhD students and interns including Marco Freire, Thibault Tricard, and Jimmy Etienne. His ShapeForge project received significant ERC funding, supporting research in computational fabrication. He serves on numerous program committees including SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, and SIGGRAPH Asia, reflecting his leadership in the computer graphics community. As leader of the MFX team since 2018, Lefebvre directs research in computational fabrication, focusing on IceSL software development for 3D printing workflows. The team integrates computer graphics techniques with manufacturing constraints, developing tools that simplify complex object design and fabrication while addressing real-world challenges in material usage and structural integrity.
Hans Tompits is an Associate Professor in the Department of Knowledge-Based Systems at Technische Universität Wien (Vienna University of Technology). His research focuses on computational logic, declarative logic programming, and formal methods, with a particular emphasis on Answer-Set Programming (ASP). He coordinates the Master's program in Logic and Computation and leads projects in areas such as formal methods for optimization, fault-tolerant autonomous systems, and algorithmic composition. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications, including tools like SeaLion (an ASP IDE with debugging support) and dlvhex (an ASP-based semantic web reasoner). He has contributed to foundational topics like program equivalence, debugging techniques, and integration of ASP with external systems. His recent projects address challenges in autonomous vehicle architectures, music composition algorithms, and safety-critical system design. Tompits has published extensively on topics ranging from nonmonotonic reasoning and modal logics to the development of declarative programming tools. His interdisciplinary approach spans computer science, mathematics, and AI, with applications in both academic and industrial contexts.
Univ.-Prof. Martin Pinzger is a Professor at the Department of Informatics Systems, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt. He serves as Head of Department and Member of the Senate, actively contributing to academic governance. Research Focus: Automating Software Engineering Tasks, Mining Software Repositories, Program Analysis, Software Evolution and Visualization Recent Work: Developing tools for API evolution analysis, cybersecurity AI (CAI), robotics benchmarking (RobotPerf), and dependency validation His research combines empirical studies with tool development for software maintenance and security. Current projects address challenges in REST API breaking changes, cloud security certifications, and robotic system performance evaluation. Publications since 2023 demonstrate continued engagement with topics spanning AI-driven code segmentation, microservice API evolution, and cybersecurity tool development. Key trends include cross-disciplinary applications of NLP to software engineering and security-focused tool creation. Contact: martin.pinzger@aau.at
Ana Sokolova is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Salzburg. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Digital and Analytical Sciences and actively contributes to research in theoretical computer science. University: University of Salzburg Faculty: Faculty of Digital and Analytical Sciences Department: Computer Science Email: ana.sokolova@plus.ac.at Her research focuses on probabilistic systems , concurrency theory , convex algebras , and formal verification . This work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in distributed computing and programming semantics. Recent publications highlight advancements in trace semantics , determinization , probabilistic anonymity , and coalgebraic modeling . Key trends include the integration of Markov chains , nondeterministic systems , and algebraic structures for formal verification.
Maria-Dolores Garcia-Ramon is a Full Professor of Geography at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), where she held academic leadership roles including Chair of the Department of Geography (1977–78, 1995–97) and Chair of the Doctoral Program in Human Geography (1986–94). She has been a visiting scholar at institutions such as the University of Arizona, Cornell University, and the London School of Economics. Her research focuses on rural geography, gender studies, and colonialism, with a particular emphasis on gendered spatial practices and women’s narratives in colonial contexts. Education: PhD in Geography and History (1975, University of Barcelona), MA in Geography (1970, UC Berkeley), BA in Philosophy and Letters (1966, University of Barcelona). Research Interests: Garcia-Ramon pioneered gender studies in Spanish geography, analyzing women’s roles in agriculture, urban public spaces, and colonial travel narratives. Her work critiques colonial discourses and explores how gender shapes spatial experiences. Key themes include the invisibility of women’s labor in rural economies, postcolonial geographies, and feminist methodologies in geographical research. Publications: Over 90 peer-reviewed articles and 12 authored/edited books, including Mujer y agricultura en España (1994) and Geografía Rural (1992). Recent articles address urban planning’s gendered impacts and colonial travel narratives. Awards: Recipient of the Jan Monk Award (2008), Premi Narcís Monturiol (2003), and membership in prestigious academies like Academia Europaea. She has led 31 funded research projects on gender, rural development, and colonial geographies. Advising & Grants: Supervised 19 PhD theses and secured grants from the European Commission, Spanish Ministry of Science, and Catalan Government. Her work on gendered labor and urban spaces has influenced policy debates on work-life balance and inclusive urban design. Labs/Teams: Active in the UAB’s Gender and Geography Research Group, contributing to international networks like the Association of American Geographers and editorial boards of journals such as Gender, Place & Culture .