Prof. Dr. Uwe Schlink is a leading Professor at the Institute of Meteorology, University of Leipzig, and Senior Researcher at the Department of Urban & Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ. His work focuses on urban climate research , thermal comfort , urban air quality , and statistical modelling with Bayesian inference. He leads the working group on urban climate and personal exposure, bridging environmental science with societal resilience. Affiliation: University of Leipzig (since 2009) and UFZ (since 2013) Research Themes: Urban heat islands, personal exposure to environmental stressors, statistical climate models, and health impacts of air pollution His research spans environmental health , urban climatology , and resilient city planning , with significant contributions to understanding thermodynamic interactions between urban structures and climate. He has pioneered methods for high-resolution land surface temperature analysis and green infrastructure performance in mitigating heat stress. Recent publications (2023-2025) highlight his work on PM2.5-bound PAH exposure , anthropogenic heat impacts in Beijing, and Asian plateau climate dynamics . Collaborative projects address urban heat stress , green roofs , and health-focused urban planning .
Professor Otso Ovaskainen holds a permanent position at the University of Helsinki , where he serves as Research Director in the Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program. He is also a Visiting Professor at a Norwegian Centre of Excellence since 2014. Supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Wildlife Biology Established the Research Center for Ecological Change (REC) with 60+ members ERC Starting Grant recipient (2008-2013) Research Interests: Ovaskainen bridges mathematical theory with empirical ecology, focusing on metapopulation dynamics, movement ecology, and statistical community ecology. His work integrates: Ecological theory with data Individual-based modeling Fungal community dynamics Probabilistic taxonomic placement Environmental DNA analysis Multi-species movement modeling Scientific Leadership: He has led major projects including the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Metapopulation Research (2015-2017) and the LIFEPLAN biodiversity inventory project (2020-2026). His HMSC modeling framework remains a benchmark in joint species distribution modeling.
Kemal Celik is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and holds a Global Network Assistant Professor appointment at New York University Tandon School of Engineering. He directs the AMBER Lab , focusing on sustainable construction materials and building energy efficiency. PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkeley (2015) MS and BS in Civil Engineering from Istanbul University His research spans multi-scale material characterization, 3D printing of cementitious composites, carbonation processes for CO2 sequestration, and hybrid simulation methods for daylighting optimization. Current trends include lunar regolith simulants for space construction and low-carbon cement technologies. Scientific Awards: Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award, UC Berkeley (2013-14) Outstanding Paper Award, SCMT3 Conference, Kyoto (2013) UC Berkeley Conference Grant Ministry of National Education of Turkey Scholarship TUBITAK Fellowship
Prof. Katja-Annika Pahl is a Full Professor at the School of Architecture Bremen, part of Bremen University of Applied Sciences, since 2008. She serves as Head of the Study Program in Design, Presentation, and Layout. Her work bridges architectural theory and practice, emphasizing the interplay between spatial concepts and their representation through both digital and analog methods. Academic Affiliation: Bremen University of Applied Sciences Research Focus: Architectural design, sustainable urban planning, educational architecture, and adaptive reuse of modernist housing. Projects: School construction in Bremen (2013–present), barrier-free housing (2015), and Crafts and Architecture collaboration (2009–2010). Her publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, vocational school architecture, and material studies. She has edited several books and contributed to journals like 'Umweltpsychologie' and 'BDA Talk.' While no explicit awards or scientific honors are mentioned, her leadership in research projects and symposia underscores her academic influence.
Artur Luczak is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, where he has been a faculty member since 2009 and is affiliated with the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN). His research integrates experimental and theoretical approaches to study cortical dynamics and neural computation. PhD from Jagiellonian University, Poland MSc from Wroclaw University of Technology Dr. Luczak's research focuses on how neuronal populations process information through spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity. Key interests include metabolic constraints on neural coding, predictive processing in cortical networks, and the role of neural sequences in brain function. His work bridges computational modeling with electrophysiological data to uncover fundamental principles of neural organization. His publications from 2007-2022 reveal consistent exploration of spontaneous cortical activity patterns, with increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and machine learning-inspired neural algorithms. The 2022 Nature Machine Intelligence paper demonstrating how neurons optimize metabolic energy through activity prediction represents a paradigm shift in understanding neural learning mechanisms. Scientific Awards: Fellowship in the Netherlands Fellowship in France Fellowship in Italy Dr. Luczak has trained graduate students and postdoctoral fellows through CCBN's neuroscience programs, with research supported by national and international grants. His teaching portfolio includes computational neuroscience workshops, MATLAB programming courses, and core neuroscience curriculum. He leads a research group at the CCBN utilizing multidisciplinary approaches including in vivo electrophysiology, computational modeling, and behavioral analysis to investigate neural dynamics across multiple scales.
Professor Pavel Šopák serves as a Professor in the Department of Theory at the Faculty of Architecture, Brno University of Technology. He actively teaches the History of Architecture series (DA1-T to DA4-T) and History of Art (DEU-T) for the 2025/2026 academic year, delivering lectures in Czech across winter and summer semesters. Additionally, he contributes to academic discourse as a Member of the Editorial Board for scholarly publications. His research spans architectural history with deep regional expertise in Moravia and Silesia, focusing on: 19th-20th Century Czech Architecture Museology and Cultural Heritage Preservation Sacral and Urban Architecture Biographical Studies of Architects Architectural Theory and Phenomenology Historical Documentation Methods Analysis of Šopák's 2020-2025 publications reveals a cohesive scholarly trajectory centered on documenting Czech architectural heritage through interdisciplinary lenses. His work consistently examines individual architects (Miloš Laml, Franz Kachler, Adolf Loos), museum evolution (particularly technical museums in Ostrava), and regional architectural character. A defining trend is the integration of architectural history with museology and intellectual history, contextualizing built environments within socio-historical frameworks while emphasizing visual standards, spatial relationships, and cultural identity in Central European contexts.
Professor Luming Shen is a distinguished academic in the School of Civil Engineering at The University of Sydney. With over two decades of experience in mechanical behavior of materials research, he leads cutting-edge investigations at the intersection of civil engineering, materials science, and computational mechanics. His work spans multiple scales from nano to macro, focusing on fundamental understanding that can be applied to real-world engineering challenges in water purification, structural safety, and sustainable infrastructure. Professor Shen's educational background includes: Bachelor's degree in Building Engineering from Tongji University, China Master's degree in Structural Engineering from Tongji University, China PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia, USA Professor Shen's research focuses on the mechanics and behaviors of materials across multiple scales. His primary interest lies in understanding both brittle materials (concrete, rock, glass) and ductile materials (aluminum, titanium, metals). Two major thrusts of his work include nano-mechanics and materials research, particularly developing carbon nanotube membranes for water purification, and studying novel composite materials under impact and extreme loading conditions for applications in blast-resistant structures and vehicle safety. He employs high-performance computing for molecular and macro-level analyses, complemented by physical laboratory testing. Professor Shen's extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on multiscale modeling of materials behavior, with recent work emphasizing granular materials dynamics, carbon nanotube applications, 3D-printed concrete technology, and energy storage systems. His research shows a clear evolution toward increasingly complex multiphysics problems that integrate mechanical, thermal, and fluid dynamics phenomena at multiple scales. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges civil engineering, materials science, computational mechanics, and environmental engineering, with applications spanning from fundamental material science to practical civil infrastructure solutions. Professor Shen actively supervises multiple research students, including Yifang Cao working on 3D printing concrete, Jiangshuai Meng studying granular materials under impact loads, and Runda Wang applying machine learning to rock burst prediction. His research is supported by access to advanced computational resources and laboratory facilities at The University of Sydney, particularly through his membership in The University of Sydney Nano Institute. The university has provided specialized space and equipment necessary for conducting physical tests on materials under high-speed impact conditions. Professor Shen maintains active laboratory facilities for conducting physical tests on materials under various loading conditions, particularly high-speed impact testing. His work is supported by computational resources for molecular dynamics and multiscale modeling. As a member of The University of Sydney Nano Institute, he collaborates with interdisciplinary researchers working at the nanoscale, particularly in applications related to water purification technologies using carbon nanotube membranes.
Michael Hardman serves as Professor of Urban Sustainability and Director of the Environmental Research & Innovation Centre at the University of Salford's School of Science, Engineering & Environment. His leadership spans REF Impact Case Study development, research centre direction, and international project coordination across Africa, North America, Europe, and the UK. His research focuses on urban sustainability through green infrastructure, urban agriculture, and climate resilience initiatives. Key areas include radical greening, guerrilla gardening, social prescribing of nature-based activities, and peri-urban planning. His work examines intersections between environmental health, social justice, and food systems, particularly during crises like the pandemic. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on practical urban interventions: 60% address climate change adaptation, 47% focus on social dimensions of greening, and 33% analyze policy implementation. His work consistently bridges academic research with community action, featuring case studies from Nigeria, Greater Manchester, and international contexts. Hardman actively supervises PhD researchers on topics including urban agriculture, flood mitigation, and public health innovations. His current projects include GREENME (2023-2027) on nature-based therapy, Roma Connections (2025), and Green and Well Community Spaces post-COVID. He has secured funding from research councils, charities, industrial partners, and global bodies. He leads the Environmental Research & Innovation Centre while maintaining visiting positions at Edge Hill University, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, and Toronto's Carrot City Research Group. His non-academic roles include Trustee of Social Farms & Gardens and Chair of their Academic Working Group.
Egidio Dansero is a Full Professor in the Department of Cultures, Politics and Society at the University of Turin, where he also serves as Vice Rector for Sustainability and Development Cooperation and Director of the School of Legal, Political and Economic-Social Sciences at Campus Luigi Einaudi (2022-2024). His academic work bridges political and economic geography with practical applications in urban development and sustainability initiatives. Dansero's research centers on urban food systems, territorial development, and sustainability transitions. He leads the Italian Network on Local Policies of Food (Rete italiana politiche locali del cibo), the Atlas of Turin Food System (www.atlantedelcibo.it), and the PRIN 'Emplacing Food' project. His work examines how cities can transform food systems through innovative governance approaches, with particular focus on Alternative Food Networks, urban-rural linkages, and food sovereignty. He also investigates the territorial impacts of mega-events like the Olympics, industrial heritage regeneration, and green economy transitions. Analysis of Dansero's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on urban food policy implementation across diverse contexts, from Italian cities like Turin and Milan to African urban centers. His work consistently applies geographical perspectives to sustainability challenges, particularly examining spatial dimensions of food systems, territorial governance, and urban resilience. A notable trend is his increasing focus on participatory approaches, including VGI (Volunteered Geographic Information) systems and crowdmapping for community engagement in urban planning. Dansero actively leads multiple research initiatives including 'Empowering cities as agents of food system transformation' and 'Circular Business Models for Sustainable Urban Food Systems.' His work with the RUS (Rete delle Università per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile) demonstrates commitment to connecting academic research with practical sustainability transitions in urban contexts. He coordinates the Atlas of Turin Food System and directs several collaborative projects involving the University of Turin, the University of Gastronomic Sciences, and international partners. His approach emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together academic researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders to address complex urban sustainability challenges, particularly in the food domain.
Calvin Tsay is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in the Computational Optimisation Group at Imperial College London, holding the BASF/RAEng Senior Research Fellowship in Scale-Bridging Modelling. Education: PhD Chemical Engineering (UT Austin 2020), BS/BA (Rice University 2015). Research develops optimization methods bridging machine learning and process systems engineering. Specializes in mixed-integer programming for neural networks and Bayesian optimization for energy applications. Awards: President's Medal for Early Career Researcher RAEng Senior Research Fellowship CACE Best Paper (2023) COIN-OR Cup (2022) Leads research on AI-driven chemical process optimization. Supervises PhD students in ML optimization and process control. Collaborates with BASF on industrial applications.
Tuhin Das is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he has been since 2011. He holds a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur (1997), and M.S. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University (2000, 2002). His research focuses on dynamics and controls applied to energy systems (fuel cells, wind energy), robotics (mobile/biomimetic systems), and sensing (compressive sensing). His work is funded by NSF, ONR, Siemens Energy, and ARPA-E. He is an ASME Fellow and co-founder of the Energy Systems Technical Committee. Education: Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (1997) M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University (2000, 2002) Research Interests: Energy systems (wind turbines, hybrid fuel cells) Nonlinear dynamics and control Robotics and mobile systems Advanced modeling/simulation techniques Phase-space kinematics and Hamiltonian systems Recent Work Trends: Recent publications emphasize offshore wind energy systems, floating platform dynamics, and advanced control strategies for energy systems. Experimental validation of models (e.g., tuned mass dampers for semisubmersible platforms) and theoretical advancements in system dynamics (Hamiltonian approaches) are prominent themes. Awards: UCF College of Engineering Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award (2016) ASME Fellow Inductee into Pi Tau Sigma (2009) Grants & Advising: Leading a $3.3M project for floating offshore wind turbine simulators Received $771K grant for offshore wind turbine simulation tools Active in mentoring graduate students in mechanical systems research Labs/Teams: Directs the Hybrid Sustainable Energy Systems Lab at UCF, focusing on interdisciplinary energy solutions and advanced control system development.
Sarah Goodwin is an academic affiliated with City, University of London, focusing on visualization techniques, geodemographics, and energy consumption analysis. Her work bridges computer science and geographic information systems (GIS), emphasizing user-centered design and collaborative methodologies. She holds a PhD in Visualisation for Household Energy Analysis from City University London (2015). Her research explores multivariate data visualization, particularly in energy-based geodemographic classifications and the impact of scale and geography on data interpretation. Notable contributions include frameworks for creative visualization workshops and topology-preserving map deformations for dissimilarity data. She has received the VAST 2012 Mini Challenge Award for Efficient Use of Visualization. Publications span journals like IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, and she has presented at conferences such as IEEE VAST and GIS Research UK. Her work addresses energy consumption patterns, network health monitoring, and spatial data analysis. Current research emphasizes innovative visual methods for complex data exploration across scales and geographic contexts.
Mitchelle Laboy is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at Northeastern University, with affiliate appointments in Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Her research focuses on transdisciplinary methods to advance resilience and sustainability across scales, emphasizing socio-ecological integration in design. She is licensed as a civil engineer (Puerto Rico) and holds professional certifications in safety assessment and architectural practice. Education: Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning, University of Michigan, 2005 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, 2001 Research Interests: Michelle Laboy’s work explores the intersection of architecture, engineering, and urban planning to create regenerative, socially just environments. Key themes include: Building and site systems integration Resilience in urban and infrastructural systems Green infrastructure and decentralized stormwater solutions Material circularity and persistent design Transdisciplinary education and collaborative practice Awards: 2022 and 2017 Latrobe Prize (AIA College of Fellows) 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award (CAMD) 2004 AIA Henry Adams Medal Grants & Projects: Laboy has led/co-led projects funded by ARPA-E, NSF, DOE, and Autodesk. Notable initiatives include: Boston LightWells (Boston Groundwater Trust/Autodesk Grant) Community Resilience in Extreme Temperatures (Northeastern University) Future-Use Architecture (AIA College of Fellows) Professional Experience: Co-founder of FieLDworkshop, a research-based design practice. Previously worked at Maryann Thompson Architects and Skidmore Owings & Merrill. Active in teaching courses like Integrated Building Systems and Graduate Topics in Architecture.
Assoc Prof Yang Zhang is an Associate Professor in the School of Economics at the National University of Singapore , Department of Economics. He has been affiliated with the university since 2012, progressing from Lecturer (2012-2015) to Senior Lecturer (2016-2021) and currently Associate Professor since 2022. Education: PhD in Managerial Economics and Strategy (Northwestern University, 2011) BA in Economics (Peking University, 2005) Research Interests: Health Economics Applied Microeconomics Industrial Organization Recent Research Trends focus on leveraging deep learning and structural biology tools for protein structure prediction, RNA modeling, and computational drug design. His work integrates advanced algorithms with large-scale metagenomic data to improve accuracy in complex biological system modeling.
A. Lee Swindlehurst is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering of the University of California, Irvine . He is also a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich's Institute for Advanced Study , where he collaborates on next-generation wireless communications research. Ph.D., Stanford University (Electrical Engineering, 1991) M.S., Brigham Young University (Electrical Engineering, 1986) B.S., Brigham Young University (Electrical Engineering, 1985) Swindlehurst's research focuses on sensor array signal processing for radar, wireless communications, and biomedical applications. His work addresses detection and estimation theory , system identification, and channel modeling, with recent emphasis on massive MIMO systems , low-resolution hardware, and physical layer security . His 2018-2017 publications demonstrate technical advances in precoding algorithms , channel estimation , and ADC/DAC optimization for emerging wireless architectures. IEEE Fellow (2004) IEEE Signal Processing Society Best Paper Awards (2010, 2006) Stephen O. Rice Prize in Communications Theory (2006) IEEE W.R.G. Baker Prize Paper Award (2000) Karl G. Maeser Research Award (2004) His research has produced foundational work on space-time block codes , vector-perturbation techniques , and blind equalization methods that continue influencing modern wireless system design.
