Prof. Mario Kupnik is a Full Professor at the Technische Universität Darmstadt , leading the Measurement and Sensor Technology Group within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. His academic career includes roles at Stanford University (2005–2011) and Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus (2011–2014). He holds a doctorate from Montanuniversität Leoben (2000–2004) and a master's in Telematics from Graz University of Technology. His research focuses on micromachined sensors and actuators , ultrasonic and electroacoustic systems , and non-destructive testing . He pioneers innovations in wearable sensors, biomedical applications, and additive manufacturing for sensor integration. Notable contributions include air-coupled ultrasonic transducers, 3D-printed ferroelectret sensors, and robotics for STEM education. Recent work emphasizes biodegradable sensors , acousto-optic modulation , and multi-parameter medical measurement systems . His projects span from fundamental material science to applied engineering solutions, often leveraging open-source hardware. Kupnik’s labs integrate interdisciplinary approaches, combining electrical engineering, materials science, and biomedical engineering.
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Kingreen is a full Professor and Chair of Public Law, Social Law, and Health Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Regensburg . He is a leading expert in German constitutional, administrative, and health law, with a strong focus on statutory health insurance, hospital financing reform, and fundamental rights. Education: Doctorate in Law (Dr. iur.), University of Regensburg Habilitation in Public Law, Social Law, and Health Law Staatsexamen (German First and Second State Law Examinations) His research interests span Public Law , Social Law , Health Law , Constitutional Law , Fundamental Rights , and Police and Regulatory Law . He is renowned for his authoritative commentaries on the German Social Code (SGB V), his co-authorship of the seminal textbook "Grundrechte. Staatsrecht II" (now in its 40th edition), and his leadership in major health law reforms. His work on the legal aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including co-editing the "Handbook of Infection Control Law," has been particularly influential. The recent publications reflect a sustained and dominant focus on health law reform , constitutional interpretation , and public administration . His work consistently addresses the intersection of legal doctrine, social policy, and practical governance, particularly in the areas of healthcare financing, drug pricing, and the integration of ambulatory and inpatient care. He is a prolific scholar, contributing both comprehensive legal commentaries and timely analyses of current constitutional debates. Scientific Awards and Honors: Elected as a full member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (Section II: Law, Social and Economic Sciences) in 2025. Repeatedly awarded for excellence in teaching, recognized as having the "Best Teaching Course" at the Faculty of Law of the University of Regensburg on multiple occasions (e.g., Winter 2023/24, Summer 2020). Advising and Grants: Prof. Kingreen has supervised several doctoral candidates, including Edoardo D'Alfonso Masarié and Anna Käsbauer , both of whom received prestigious awards for their dissertations. He has been the principal investigator for significant research projects, including a DFG-funded project on health data protection law, which was granted an extension due to its success. His expertise is in high demand for public policy, and he has served on numerous high-level government commissions, such as the Government Commission for Modern and Needs-Based Hospital Care and the Commission for the Evaluation of the Infection Protection Act, where his work has directly informed national legislation like the Hospital Care Improvement Act (KHVVG). Labs, Teams, and Research Groups: He leads the Chair of Public Law, Social Law, and Health Law at the University of Regensburg. He has collaborated extensively with Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kühling on research projects concerning health data protection and the reform of the dual health insurance system. He also co-organizes annual seminars on constitutional, health, and European law with colleagues from the University of Erlangen.
Bernard Haasdonk is a Professor at the University of Stuttgart, affiliated with the Institute of Applied Analysis and Numerical Simulation (IANS), part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. His research focuses on model reduction techniques for parametrized partial differential equations (PDEs), kernel-based methods, numerical analysis, and machine learning applications in scientific computing. He leads a research group in numerical mathematics and has contributed to software tools like RBMatlab and KerMor. Affiliations: Institute of Applied Analysis and Numerical Simulation, University of Stuttgart Roles: Academic Researcher, Software Developer, Grant Principal Investigator His work bridges numerical simulation, machine learning, and reduced basis methods, addressing challenges in optimal control, fluid dynamics, and biomechanics. Haasdonk has held multiple funded projects, including those on kernel methods for model reduction and certified RB-ML-ROM surrogate models. Research Interests: Model reduction for PDEs, kernel methods, greedy algorithms, numerical analysis, optimal control, and applications in fluid dynamics and porous media. He emphasizes structure-preserving methods for Hamiltonian systems and data-driven approaches for surrogate modeling. Publications: Over 200 articles in journals like SIAM, BIT Numerical Mathematics, and Physica D, focusing on convergence analysis, kernel-based approximation, and reduced-order modeling. Recent trends include adaptive greedy algorithms, symplectic model reduction, and energy-conserving surrogates. Awards: IEEE PerCom 2017 Best Paper Award, Teaching Excellence Awards (2012-2017), and early-career research grants. Grants: DFG-funded projects on model reduction, SimTech Cluster contributions, and collaborations on fuel cells and biomechanics. Teams: Leads the Numerical Mathematics Research Group at IANS, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on projects like MORCOS (Model Order Reduction of Coupled Systems) and KerMor (Kernel Methods for Model Reduction).
Georg Herdrich is an Associate Professor and academic advisor for part-time studies at the Institute of Space Systems (IRS), part of the Faculty 6: Aerospace Engineering and Geodesy at the University of Stuttgart. His work focuses on advanced propulsion systems, plasma physics, and space technology applications. Key areas include ferrofluid-based attitude control, iodine thrusters (Project BOOST), and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) systems for heat flux and radio blackout mitigation (Project MEESST). He leads research on spacecraft re-entry dynamics, demisable materials, and CubeSat mission validation (e.g., PETRUS thruster on SONATE-2). Research Interests: Electric Propulsion Systems (MPD, PPT) Ferrofluidic Actuators and Thermal Control Aerothermodynamics and Re-entry Phenomena Spacecraft Materials and Sustainability CubeSat Technologies and In-Orbit Experiments Recent work emphasizes experimental validation of propulsion systems and MHD shielding, with contributions to EU-funded projects like MEESST and BOOST. His team collaborates on missions like FINIX (ferrofluid tech) and SOURCE (demise studies). Awards: No scientific awards explicitly listed in texts. Labs/Teams: Active in the Institute of Space Systems, leading propulsion and materials research groups. Involved in interdisciplinary teams for CubeSat development and plasma wind tunnel experiments.
Ullrich Steiner is the John Humphrey Plummer Professor of the Physics of Materials at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge. He is affiliated with St. Edmund's College, Cambridge and holds fellowships at the Royal Society of Chemistry. His research focuses on soft matter physics, polymer chemistry, and biomimetic materials design. He served as Chairman of the Editorial Board for the journal Soft Matter and has led projects on molecular order in conjugated polymers for organic electronics. Education: Doctorate (1993), University of Konstanz (Professors Jacob Klein and Günter Schatz) Diploma (1989), University of Konstanz Studies at Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Research Interests: Pattern formation on surfaces, polymer confinement effects, solar cell nanomorphology control, and bioinspired hybrid materials. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and engineering to advance organic electronics and biomimetic technologies. Key Projects: Investigates how molecular ordering in conjugated polymers influences charge transport for improved electronic device performance. Recent work includes anisotropic charge transport in polymers and bio-inspired solar cell designs. Awards & Roles: 2002 Raymond & Beverley Sackler Prize in Physics Sciences Editorial leadership in Soft Matter journal Grants & Teams: Lead researcher in FRIAS-funded projects on molecular order in organic electronics. Collaborations include teams at the Adolphe Merkle Institute and Cavendish Laboratory. Active in interdisciplinary material science initiatives. Labs: Cavendish Laboratory (Cambridge) and prior affiliations at the University of Groningen and Weizmann Institute.
Prof. Dr. Markus Holz is a professor at the Department of Economics at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. He serves as Vice President for Research, Transfer and Sustainability. His research focuses on operations management, process optimization, cost reduction, lean management, system analysis of macrologistic processes, sustainability concepts in logistics, logistics of energy sources and raw materials, digitalization in logistics, ground-based logistics processes in the aviation sector, and drone logistics. Dr. Holz coordinates and supervises the mobility semester and acquisition and implementation of third-party funded projects. His recent publications focus on multivariate statistical analysis of women's empowerment in labor market, environmental sustainability assessment of green hydrogen production, land suitability analysis for green ammonia units, advancement of power-to-x strategies, wind-to-hydrogen production via electrolysis, and photovoltaic module efficiency improvements. Dr. Holz teaches courses including Strategic Logistics Management, Scientific Work, Project Logistics Management, Co-opter Management in Logistics and Air Transport, International Cargo Air Transport, Innovation Management, Strategic Corporate Management, Leadership & Management Skills, Management Game, Reporting & Controlling, and Cost and Performance Accounting.
Lieven De Marez is a Professor at Ghent University, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and the Department of Information Technology. His research spans human-computer interaction, quality of experience (QoE), smart homes, digital education, and social media behavior, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary approach combining technical and social sciences. His research focuses on understanding user interactions with emerging technologies, particularly in educational, healthcare, and domestic environments. Key interests include learning analytics, privacy in social media, VR/AR experiences, and the impact of digital technologies on youth and vulnerable populations. He frequently investigates how users perceive and adapt to new systems, emphasizing user-centered design and ethical implications. The most recent publications highlight a trend toward digital well-being, algorithmic transparency in education, and the integration of AI in health and urban contexts. His work often involves mixed-method studies, longitudinal data analysis, and experimental designs to assess user acceptance, behavior, and experience. Recipient of multiple collaborative research grants (inferred from sustained publication output). Active advisor and collaborator with PhD and postdoctoral researchers (inferred from co-authorship patterns). He has contributed to major projects on mobile TV, smart cities, and digital inclusion, often in collaboration with Flemish and European institutions. His work appears in top journals such as Telematics Informatics , New Media & Society , and IEEE Transactions . Lieven De Marez leads or contributes to interdisciplinary research teams focused on interactive technologies, including work on VR prototyping, personal data stores (Solid), and ambient intelligence in public spaces. His recent involvement in projects like ExperienceDNA and Art and Science Interaction Lab underscores his leadership in experimental and user-centric research infrastructures.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Gallei is a Full Professor of Polymer Chemistry at Saarland University, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, where he leads the Gallei Lab. His research focuses on the development of nano-structured and stimuli-responsive polymeric materials inspired by natural hierarchical design principles. He holds a W3 professorship and is actively involved in interdisciplinary research bridging polymer chemistry, colloidal science, and self-assembly for advanced applications. His primary research interests include polymer chemistry , self-assembly of block copolymers , stimuli-responsive materials , smart membranes , photonic materials , and ceramic templating . His group develops novel synthetic strategies such as controlled radical polymerization and post-functionalization to create functional hybrid nanostructures. These materials are applied in fields like photonics , separation technologies , and energy storage . The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward redox-responsive systems , metallopolymer-based materials , 3D-printed structural colors , and environmental applications such as PFAS removal. The research combines fundamental polymer synthesis with applied materials engineering, emphasizing scalable and sustainable approaches. Reimund-Stadler-Prize donated by the GDCh (2017) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Journal of Materials C Fond der Chemischen Industrie (2016) Emerging Investigator 2016, RSC Polymer Chemistry Fellowship Max-Buchner-Foundation (DECHEMA) (2015) Young Talents 2015, Polymer Science, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics Prize of the Familie-Bottling-Foundation (2011) Honor for PhD Thesis (summa cum laude), TU Darmstadt (2010) Prize of the Foundation of the Ehemaligen des Deutschen Kunststoff-Instituts (2007) GDCh-Prize for Chemistry (Abitur) (2000) Markus Gallei has led a junior research group at TU Darmstadt and has been a visiting scientist at MIT. He advises students and collaborates extensively on interdisciplinary projects. His lab is supported by national and EU-level funding, particularly in the area of smart inorganic polymers. He is a member of the editorial board of Frontiers in Polymer Science (Colloids) and part of the EU network 'Smart Inorganic Polymers'. The Gallei Lab operates within a well-equipped research environment, focusing on the self-assembly of core-shell particles , melt-shear organization , and functional hybrid films . The group actively develops new methodologies for creating porous membranes , ceramic precursors , and stimuli-responsive opal films .
Demetrio Arturo Ovalle Carranza is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Colombia's School of Engineering. With an academic career spanning over three decades since earning his PhD from Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble, France in 1991, he has established himself as a prominent researcher in multi-agent systems and educational technology. His research focuses on developing intelligent systems for education, particularly in the areas of multi-agent architectures, adaptive learning environments, context-aware educational applications, and learning object recommendation systems. His work bridges artificial intelligence with practical educational applications, creating systems that adapt to individual learner needs and contexts. Analysis of his recent publications (2015-2020) reveals a strong trend toward developing sophisticated multi-agent systems for educational applications, with increasing emphasis on context-awareness, personalization, and adaptive learning techniques. His research demonstrates consistent evolution from foundational multi-agent work to sophisticated educational applications integrating fuzzy logic, ontologies, and collaborative filtering. Ovalle Carranza has mentored numerous researchers who have become active contributors in the field, including Oscar M. Salazar, Néstor D. Duque, Valentina Tabares Morales, and others who frequently appear as co-authors on his publications. His collaborative network extends across Colombian institutions and international research groups. His laboratory work centers around developing and testing multi-agent educational systems, with particular emphasis on creating adaptive learning environments that can respond to individual student needs and group dynamics. Current projects appear to focus on serious games, health-care applications of intelligent agents, and advanced recommendation systems for educational resources.
Felix Schindler is a Researcher at the Institute for Analysis and Numerical Analysis , part of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Münster . His work bridges numerical analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing, with a focus on model reduction for partial differential equations (PDEs), adaptive algorithms, and computational efficiency. Research Interests include: Numerical analysis of parametric and multiscale PDEs Localized reduced basis methods (LRBM) and adaptive enrichment Integration of model order reduction (MOR) with machine learning (ML) Conservative flux reconstruction techniques Development of software libraries like dune-xt and pyMOR Recent Publications highlight trends in applying deep kernel models for surrogate modeling, localized training strategies for PDE-constrained optimization, and hybrid full/reduced-order pipelines for reactive flow prediction. His work emphasizes certified error control, hierarchical adaptivity, and cross-disciplinary computational frameworks. Collaborations span institutions such as AIMS Senegal, Springer Nature, and DUNE project teams. He actively contributes to conferences like GAMM, ENUMATH, and Algoritmy.
Jacob A. Nelson serves as Project Group Leader for the Cross-Scale Terrestrial Ecophysiology (XTE) group within the Biogeochemical Integration Department at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena, Germany. His research bridges ground-based ecosystem measurements with global carbon, water, and energy cycle analysis through knowledge-guided data-driven methodologies. The XTE group focuses on synthesizing ecophysiological understanding from direct measurements while developing advanced models for global flux estimation. Nelson's research centers on ecohydrological processes, particularly plant water use and its interaction with carbon cycles. His work employs machine learning approaches guided by physiological understanding to estimate transpiration across diverse ecosystems. Current research priorities include advancing the FLUXCOM framework for global data-driven estimates of terrestrial carbon, energy, and water fluxes, with significant contributions to the X-BASE product development. His methodological innovations address critical challenges in eddy covariance measurements, energy balance closure, and evapotranspiration partitioning. Analysis of Nelson's 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on resolving measurement limitations in ecosystem flux quantification while developing next-generation scaling frameworks. His work consistently integrates machine learning with biophysical understanding to improve terrestrial flux estimates, with particular focus on evapotranspiration dynamics, carbon-water interactions, and addressing energy imbalance issues in flux tower data. The research spans from vineyard-scale applications to global FLUXCOM-X products. Nelson actively supervises a research team including doctoral researchers Deep Prakash Sarkar, Xiuzhi Chen, Sinikka Jasmin Paulus, Laura Nadolski, Yucong Hu, Luca Tuzzi, and Kai-Hendrik Cohrs, along with bachelor student Jakob Lambert-Hartmann. He recently supervised Weijie Zhang through successful PhD defense at Ghent University. Current projects include EO-LINCS for terrestrial carbon cycle assessment and FLUXCOM for upscaling biosphere-atmosphere fluxes from FLUXNET sites to global scales.
Nadhir Ben Rached serves as a Lecturer at the School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, specializing in stochastic simulation methodologies with applications spanning wireless communications and stochastic differential equations. His research focuses on developing advanced importance sampling techniques for rare-event estimation, particularly in wireless network outage probability analysis and McKean-Vlasov stochastic differential equations. Key contributions include hazard rate twisting approaches, state-dependent sampling methods, and stochastic optimal control frameworks for efficient simulation of complex systems like biochemical reaction networks and green cellular networks under uncertainty. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a concentrated research trajectory toward integrating optimal control theory with Monte Carlo methods for rare-event probability estimation, alongside significant work on renewable energy integration in wireless networks. This evolution demonstrates increasing sophistication in handling high-dimensional stochastic systems through multi-level and multi-index computational frameworks. He actively supervises graduate research, currently advising PhD candidate Shyam Mohan Subbiah Pillai on numerical methods for stochastic optimal control applications in rare-event estimation and wireless networks, following successful supervision of the candidate's Master's thesis on McKean-Vlasov equation simulation techniques.
Dr. Cordelia Zimmerer leads the research topic "Interface Design and Boundary Layer Characterization of Polymer Materials" at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden (IPF). Her work focuses on bio-inspired interface design for polymers, aiming to replace environmentally harmful industrial processes through innovative material development and characterization techniques such as FT-IR spectroscopy. She actively contributes to training and supporting students since founding her research group in 2014. Institution: Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research Dresden Education: Doctorate from Technical University of Dresden (2007) on "Development of an optical label-free ion channel sensor array" Leadership: Chairs the Scientific and Technical Council at IPF Her research bridges physics, chemistry, materials science, and process technology, emphasizing the control of nanoscale material interfaces to influence macroscopic properties for sustainable products. Key projects include the EU M.ERa.net "InsBIOration" and AiF "C6C8 turn Green" initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Petra Benzinger serves as Professor of Geriatrics at Kempten University of Applied Sciences within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health since 2018. She concurrently holds positions as Academic Advisor for Gerontological Nursing and Therapy (Bachelor), Institute Management of the Institute for Health and Generations, and Decentralized Representative for Equal Opportunities for Women in Science. Additionally, she maintains a Research Associate role at Heidelberg University's Geriatric Center since 2018. Her educational foundation includes: Human Medicine studies at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg (1993-2000) Study visit at Queen's University Belfast (1997/98) State Examination in Human Medicine (2000) Specialist title in Internal Medicine (2009) Additional designation in Geriatrics (2012) Vena legendi award from Heidelberg University (2024) Prof. Benzinger's research centers on geriatric syndromes with emphasis on physical activity and mobility in older adults, fall prevention, and fracture-related injuries. Her clinical expertise spans geriatric rehabilitation, frailty assessment, and sarcopenia management, addressing critical gaps in elderly care through translational research. She actively investigates psychosocial impacts of pandemics on nursing homes and develops practical interventions for rehabilitation facilities across Europe. Recent publications (2020-2024) reveal consistent focus on validating assessment tools (frailty, nutritional appetite), designing rehabilitation protocols (GeRas trial), and exploring pharmacological implications in frail elderly. Her work bridges epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews, with increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary European collaborations addressing delirium prevention and nutritional care standards. Key recognitions include: Vena legendi by Heidelberg University (2024) German National Academic Foundation Scholarship (1994-2000) Robert Bosch Foundation Research College Geriatrics Scholarship (2008-2011) She supervises students in gerontological nursing programs while leading major research initiatives including the GeRas trial (multimodal home-based rehabilitation) and TRADE project (delirium prevention). Her grant portfolio features collaborations with Heidelberg University, Robert Bosch Hospital, and European networks focused on fracture epidemiology and rehabilitation outcomes. Current funding supports studies on anticoagulant pharmacokinetics in frail patients and pandemic impacts on long-term care facilities. Prof. Benzinger operates within Kempten's Institute for Health and Generations (IGG), collaborating with Heidelberg University's Geriatric Center and Agaplesion Bethanien Hospital. Her interdisciplinary teams integrate physicians, nurses, and social scientists across Germany and Europe, with recent expansion into telehealth assessment tools and caregiver-focused intervention models.
Prof. Dr. Tobias Windisch is a Professor at the University of Applied Sciences Kempten, where he serves as head of the Institute for Machine Vision within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. He leads the Optical 3D Measurement and Computer Vision Laboratory (3D visionlab) and oversees research activities focused on machine learning applications for industrial automation. Dr. Windisch received his PhD in mathematics from OvGU Magdeburg under the supervision of Thomas Kahle, and holds an Honors Master's degree in mathematics from TU Munich within the elite TopMath program. Prior to his academic career, he worked on machine learning projects for Robert Bosch GmbH and Daimler TSS GmbH (now Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation). His research spans machine learning, computer vision, and optical sensing with a strong focus on industrial applications. Windisch's work primarily explores how reinforcement learning can be combined with optical sensing to develop intelligent control strategies for manufacturing processes. His team develops mechanical processes built around machine learning models to further automate industrial applications using data from optical sensors. The research has practical applications in automotive production, quality control, and precision manufacturing. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward practical implementations of machine learning in industrial settings, with particular emphasis on reinforcement learning for process optimization, drift detection in high-dimensional data, and causal structure learning for manufacturing analytics. His work bridges theoretical machine learning with real-world industrial challenges. As a dedicated educator and research leader, Windisch maintains high standards for academic integrity and excellence. He believes in creating an environment where students can focus deeply, think boldly, and innovate through meaningful research. Dr. Windisch leads a dynamic research group with numerous Master's and Bachelor's students working on cutting-edge projects including reinforcement learning for active alignment, drift detection in sensory data, latent drift detection with Autoencoders, and representation learning for industrial processes. His laboratory, the 3D visionlab, serves as the physical hub for this research. The Institute for Machine Vision under his leadership develops practical tools and frameworks such as relign, lineflow, and driftbench that are openly available on GitHub, demonstrating his commitment to reproducible research and practical applications.
