Seyed Ziae Mousavi Mojab is an Assistant Professor (Teaching) in Computer Science at Wayne State University's James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering. He holds a B.S.E. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, and both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from Wayne State University. His research focuses on evolutionary computation, optimization methods, workflow scheduling, medical image processing, data analytics, and business intelligence. Key investigations include cultural algorithms for big data workflows, deep learning ensembles for medical diagnostics, and neural architecture synthesis techniques. Recent publications demonstrate applications in robotic surgical segmentation (2023), COVID-19 detection via chest X-ray analysis (2020-2021), and optimization frameworks for cloud-based big data systems (2019-2022). Research consistently integrates evolutionary computation with deep learning architectures across medical and data-intensive domains.
Dr Andrew Macfarlane is a Reader in Information Retrieval at the School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, City, University of London, and a key member of the Centre for HCI Design. His research bridges information retrieval, human-computer interaction, and accessibility, with a focus on improving search technologies for users with disabilities such as dyslexia and aphasia. He holds a PhD in Information Science from City, University of London, supervised by Professors Robertson and McCann (Imperial College London), an MSc in Advanced Methods in Computer Science (University of London), and a BSc in Computer Science (University of Westminster). He also earned a PGCert in Academic Practice from City. His research interests center on AI techniques for information retrieval and filtering, image retrieval, knowledge organization, and the intersection of IR with cognitive and physical disabilities. He explores how search systems can be made more inclusive and effective for diverse user groups, particularly in professional and journalistic contexts. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward human-centered IR, with increasing focus on AI in journalism, accessibility, and sociotechnical design. Themes include dyslexia and aphasia in search, machine learning in multimedia retrieval, and the integration of AI into editorial workflows, emphasizing user needs and ethical design. Fellow, British Computer Society (2018) Fellow, Higher Education Academy (2017) Chartered Member (CITP), BCS (2004) Chartered Engineer, Engineering Council (2001) Andrew Macfarlane has supervised numerous PhD students in information science and computer science, covering topics from music IR to ontology-based search. He has served as principal investigator on projects like 'PhotoBrief' (TSB-funded) and co-investigator on 'SocialSensor'. His extensive professional service includes roles on program committees for SIGIR, CIKM, ECIR, and editorial board membership for the Journal of Information Science. He is actively involved in the BCS Information Retrieval Specialist Group, where he is a long-standing member and former chair, and contributes to the design and evaluation of search systems through both academic research and real-world applications.
Dr. Rodrigo Alonso De Pablo serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Durham University and concurrently holds an Assistant Professor position at the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP), a globally recognized center for theoretical particle physics research. His dual appointments underscore his significant contributions to fundamental physics investigations. His research program spans multiple critical domains: Theoretical frameworks for the Standard Model and beyond Effective Field Theory applications in gravity and particle physics Dark matter phenomenology, particularly ultra-light and sub-MeV candidates Cosmological implications of new physics including phase transitions Flavor physics anomalies in B-meson decays Geometric formulations of scalar field theories Analysis of his publication trajectory (2017-2025) reveals a consistent focus on bridging theoretical developments with experimental signatures. His work on atomic clock-based dark matter detection has pioneered new experimental avenues, while his contributions to understanding B-decay anomalies have directly impacted LHC search strategies. The geometric approach to Higgs effective field theory represents a novel methodology for probing scalar field space curvature. No scientific awards are documented in the available information. While student mentorship details remain unspecified, his extensive collaborations with institutions worldwide indicate active supervision. His affiliation with the IPPP places him within a premier research ecosystem driving theoretical advances in particle physics, with particular emphasis on connecting formal theory to observable phenomena across collider, astrophysical, and precision measurement frontiers.
Elsa Silva serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Production and Systems at the School of Engineering, University of Minho, and holds a dual appointment as Senior Researcher and coordinator of the SEOR (Systems Engineering and Operational Research) group at the ALGORITMI research centre. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering (2012) and a degree in Applied Mathematics, both from the University of Minho. Her educational credentials comprise: PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Minho (2012) Degree in Applied Mathematics, University of Minho Dr. Silva's research centers on Operations Research with pioneering contributions to Cutting and Packing Problems , where she develops hybrid algorithms combining mathematical programming with heuristics for industrial applications. Her work spans combinatorial optimization in logistics (prisoner transportation, fishing fleet routing), retail operations (shelf-space management, grocery backroom layout), and manufacturing (textile cutting, plasma processing), often addressing uncertainty and real-world constraints. She emphasizes bridging theoretical advances with practical implementations across sectors. Her recent publications (2021-2025) reveal evolving trends toward integrating uncertainty modeling with cutting stock problems, advancing 3D guillotine cutting frameworks, and solving complex logistics challenges like cross-docking and container loading. A consistent theme is the development of flexible matheuristics that balance computational efficiency with solution quality, as demonstrated in her Floating-Cuts model and adaptive sequence-based approaches. These works appear in top journals including European Journal of Operational Research and Omega , reflecting her impact on both theoretical and applied operations research. Her scientific recognition includes: Finalist for the 2015 Daniel H. Wagner Prize (INFORMS) Runner-up for the 2019 ITOR Best Paper Prize Diploma of Recognition of Pedagogical Merit (2021) Dr. Silva has supervised one post-doctoral researcher, two PhD theses, ten MSc dissertations (as supervisor/co-supervisor), and mentored three PhD students. Her academic service encompasses: Organizing two international conferences and three EURO conference streams Serving on examination boards for 5 PhDs (2 abroad) and 51 MSc theses (2 abroad) Providing 50+ peer reviews for international journals Scientific committee membership for EURO/ROADEF 2018 challenge Editorial board service for Portuguese Association for Operational Research bulletin (2022-23) As SEOR group coordinator at ALGORITMI, she leads a dynamic team developing optimization solutions for industrial partners in manufacturing, logistics, and retail. The group focuses on translating cutting-edge research into practical tools for waste reduction, logistics efficiency, and operational decision-making, maintaining strong industry-academia collaboration channels.
Manoj K. Agarwal serves as Professor and Program Director of the Master of Science in Data Analytics Program at Binghamton University's School of Management, where he bridges analytical methodologies with business strategy. His academic foundation includes a PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), and a BS from the University of Bombay. His educational background comprises: BS, University of Bombay MBA, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) PhD, State University of New York at Buffalo Professor Agarwal's research centers on Marketing Strategy , Brand Management , and the Marketing-Finance Interface , with growing emphasis on Data Analytics applications . His work investigates how financial constraints shape marketing decisions, the psychological mechanisms of brand anthropomorphism, and consumer behavior in digital ecosystems. He employs advanced modeling techniques to analyze pricing strategies, retail dynamics, and cross-category technology adoption. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals an evolutionary trajectory from foundational work in conjoint analysis (1980s-1990s) toward contemporary data-driven marketing science. Recent studies (2018-2022) increasingly address financial liquidity impacts on retail strategies, ethical dimensions of branding, and algorithmic effects in digital markets, reflecting the field's shift toward integrated analytics. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. As Director of the MS Data Analytics Program, Professor Agarwal leads curriculum development and academic oversight, though specific advising details or grant funding information were not disclosed. His office (AA 326) and contact information (607-777-6860, agarwal@binghamton.edu) indicate active administrative engagement within the School of Management.
Laurie Anne Ferguson is a Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Nursing, specializing in graduate studies with clinical expertise spanning adult, family, and pediatric populations. Her certifications include ANP-BC, FNP-C, CPNP, FNAP, and FAANP, reflecting comprehensive practice capabilities across the lifespan. Her educational foundation comprises a DNP from the University of Texas Houston Health Sciences, an MSN from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BSN from the University of San Francisco, supplemented by specialized certificates in biomedical research and health literacy. Dr. Ferguson's research centers on eliminating healthcare disparities in rural communities through innovative health literacy interventions and sustainable screening programs. Her work addresses critical gaps in colorectal cancer screening, anticoagulation management, and primary care dermatology/orthopedics, emphasizing practical solutions for resource-limited settings. She develops evidence-based clinical tools while advocating for nurse practitioner roles in interprofessional teams. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in rural health access (32%), health literacy interventions (24%), and primary care specialization (20%), with growing emphasis on historical advocacy and genetic disorder management. Her scholarship consistently bridges clinical practice and community impact through randomized trials and clinical guidelines. Her awards demonstrate exceptional recognition: Fellows Chair Award (2022) Great 100 Nurses (2016) Faculty Daisy Award (2013) Louisiana State Nurses' Association Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year (2013) Dr. Ferguson has secured major funding including PCORI (2023) for rural surgical education, American Cancer Society (2012) for CRC screening interventions, and Harvard Medical School (2007) for end-of-life dementia research. Her professional leadership spans the National Academies of Practice, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and National Rural Health Association, where she develops national clinical guidelines and presents cutting-edge workshops on splinting, dermatology, and antibiotic stewardship. She leads interprofessional research teams implementing video-based health literacy programs across rural Texas clinics, focusing on colorectal cancer screening sustainability and geriatric surgical preparation through community health worker partnerships.
Dr. Damiano Spina is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. He serves as an Associate Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S), the RMIT Research Lead at the Australian Internet Observatory (AIO), and a member of the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE). In June 2025, he began a 3-year appointment as an ACM Distinguished Speaker, recognizing his significant contributions to the computing field. Dr. Spina received his PhD in Computer Science from UNED (Spain) in 2014. His academic journey has established him as a leading researcher in information access systems and human-computer interaction. His educational background reflects a strong foundation in computer science with a focus on information retrieval systems. Dr. Spina's research focuses on Information Retrieval (IR), Text Analytics, and Human-AI interaction, with particular emphasis on interactive IR (including conversational assistants) and the evaluation of information access systems. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications, addressing critical issues such as fairness-aware evaluation, bias detection, and the impact of generative AI on information access. He has developed innovative methodologies that incorporate physiological and cognitive data to better understand user interactions with information systems. His approach often integrates perspectives from cognitive science, behavioral analysis, and ethical considerations to create more effective and equitable information access solutions. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward increasingly interdisciplinary research, combining traditional information retrieval with neurophysiological approaches, ethical frameworks, and societal impact assessments. The articles show growing attention to real-world applications, particularly in addressing misinformation, bias in search systems, and accessibility challenges for diverse user groups. His work increasingly incorporates multimodal data and human-centered evaluation methodologies that go beyond traditional relevance metrics. SIGIR 2025 LiveRAG Challenge - First Place Walert - Outstanding Achievement in the 2024 EIP-RACE Demonstrator Competition Award for Excellence in Reviewing ACM SIGIR 2024 Best Presentation Award NTCIR-17 (2023) Best Poster Award Ubicomp-ISWC 2023 RMIT Award for Research Impact (Technology) (2021) ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) (2020-2023) Best Short Paper Award ECIR 2020 Best Evaluation Paper Award ECIR 2019 Top Reviewer Award Information Processing & Management (2018) Dr. Spina has supervised numerous PhD and Master's students across diverse research areas including neurophysiological approaches to information retrieval, trust perception in social media, fairness-aware question answering, and sexism identification in social networks. His research has been supported by significant grants including the ARC DECRA award for 'Fair and Transparent Information Access in Spoken Conversational Assistants' (2020-2023) and ongoing projects through the ADM+S Centre. He has also received the 2021 RMIT Award for Research Impact (Technology) for his work's practical applications. Dr. Spina is actively involved with the Australian Internet Observatory (AIO), a national research infrastructure initiative developing tools to analyze digital social data across disciplines. He co-leads the EXIST project series on sexism identification in social networks and has contributed to the Cortana Intelligence Institute (2018-2020) which advanced knowledge on digital assistants. His work often bridges academia and practical applications, particularly in the areas of misinformation management, fairness in information access, and human-AI cooperation.
Anna D'Ambrosio is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, specializing in Applied Economics. Her academic career spans teaching and research in international economics, trade policy, and sustainable development. Her research interests focus on foreign direct investment, international business, international trade, migration processes and policies, and sustainable development. She contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender equality), 8 (Decent work and economic growth), and 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) through her scholarly work. Her expertise aligns with ERC sectors in international trade, macroeconomics, and microeconomics. Professor D'Ambrosio's recent scholarly output demonstrates significant contributions to understanding reshoring dynamics, sustainable trade practices, green entrepreneurship, and the impact of political movements on immigrant workers. Her work often employs advanced econometric methods to analyze complex economic phenomena across different geographical contexts. She serves as a scientific director for two major research projects: Pandemic&Trade (2023-2025), examining pandemic impacts on trade flows, and ENVIREG4FIRMS (2023-2025), studying environmental regulation effects on international trade. Her research has practical applications for policy formulation in international trade and sustainable development. As an educator, Professor D'Ambrosio teaches graduate courses in Panel Data Econometrics, Linear Models, Industrial Economics, and Economics across multiple academic years. She also mentors PhD students including Maria Laura Pupo (researching external shocks on trade flows) and Alida Sangrigoli (completing a thesis on Foreign Direct Investments in Africa). Her professional activities extend to international organizations, including long-term collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO and membership in the scientific committee of the Master in Technology and Public Policy since 2023. She has served as an expert evaluator for Horizon Europe projects and conducted research for institutions including INPS and the World Bank.
Marduch Tadaros is an Assistant Professor at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology and the Communications and Transport Systems division. His research focuses on logistics optimization, transportation systems, and metaheuristic algorithms with applications in hierarchical routing problems and sustainable logistics networks. Key research areas include vehicle routing problem variants, multi-objective optimization, and the integration of environmental considerations into logistics frameworks. His work often involves real-world applications such as HCT vehicle routing, lithium-ion battery recycling networks, and green transportation strategies. Recent publications emphasize algorithm development (e.g., hybrid ant colony optimization, variable neighborhood search) and validation techniques for metaheuristics. Collaborations include co-authors like Athanasios Migdalas and Angelo Sifaleras. No scientific awards are explicitly stated in the provided materials. Current advising and grant information is not detailed here, though his research aligns with quantitative logistics and transport systems themes.
Zhu Yuting is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA), part of the National University of Singapore's Smart Nation Research Cluster. Their research focuses on optimizing marketing policies, algorithm design, and data-driven decision-making, with applications in e-commerce, ridesharing, and freelance platforms. Key contributions include work on recommender systems for missing data, linear programming in sponsored listings, and understanding algorithm aversion in user communities. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, but their research portfolio reflects advanced expertise in operations research and machine learning. Research interests are centered around scalable marketing strategies, algorithmic transparency, and behavioral dynamics in digital markets. Publications span topics like dynamic policy optimization, group search strategies, and the impact of algorithms on user trust. While no formal awards are listed, their active participation in field experiments and interdisciplinary projects underscores their scholarly impact. Zhu Yuting’s work is conducted under the IORA framework, which emphasizes Smart Nation applications, and involves collaborations on reinforcement learning and experimental marketing. No specific grants or advising roles are detailed in the provided text.
Jerry Alan Fails is the Chair and Professor in the Computer Science Department at Boise State University, Idaho. He specializes in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), focusing on designing technologies with and for children using participatory design methods. His research emphasizes ethical concerns in child-centered design, digital privacy, and inclusive technology development at global scales. He leads the intergenerational Kidsteam design group, which collaborates with children and adults to co-design technologies. Key research areas include children’s online privacy, digital resilience, and innovative design modalities for diverse populations. Fails also serves as International Steering Committee Chair for ACM Interaction Design and Children (IDC), organizing major conferences like the 2019 ACM IDC in Boise. His work integrates participatory design principles with ethical frameworks, addressing challenges in emerging technologies such as extended reality (XR) and wearable devices. He actively contributes to academic committees and editorial roles, including the IJCCI Associate Editorship. Current projects explore children’s online information-seeking behaviors, family digital ecology of fear, and scalable co-design practices. He advocates for democratizing ethical technology development through interdisciplinary collaboration and global engagement.
Dr. Deana Hays is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Director at Oakland University's School of Nursing. She has been with the university since 2008, previously serving as Director of the Nurse Practitioner Program (2011-2014) and Interim Associate Dean (2014-2017). Her clinical practice focuses on cardiology in Southeast Michigan. She teaches pharmacology and patient safety in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Education: DNP – Oakland University MSN-FNP – Oakland University BSN – Valparaiso University Research interests include Quality and Safety , Just Culture , and Competency-Based Education . She emphasizes improving patient outcomes through safe clinical practices and educational frameworks. Recent work explores nursing students' perceptions of just culture in educational settings and barriers to nurse engagement in quality improvement. Professional contributions include grants totaling over $46,000 and leadership roles in organizations such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau International. Her publications span nursing education, patient safety, and culturally-adapted healthcare interventions. Advising and Grants: Directed major curricular initiatives in HIV education and nurse practitioner training Recipient of SON Faculty Grant (2021) and HRSA-funded HIV curriculum project (2019-2022) Labs/Teams: Active in cardiology clinical practice and collaborative research with regional healthcare providers.
Marius Metzger serves as Lecturer and Project Manager at the Institute for Social Pedagogy and Social Policy within the School of Social Work at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. His professional focus spans social pedagogy, family support systems, and child welfare interventions, with extensive project management experience in evaluation research and policy development across Swiss cantons. Metzger's academic foundation includes a Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Zurich (2006), complemented by advanced degrees in Adult and Professional Education (2013) and Leadership/Business Administration (2010). His educational trajectory reflects deep integration of psychological theory, pedagogical practice, and organizational management. Doctorate in Special Education, University of Zurich, 2006 Master of Advanced Studies in Adult and Professional Education, Pädagogische Hochschule Zentralschweiz, 2013 Diploma of Advanced Studies in Leadership, Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, 2010 Diploma as Adult Educator HF, Höhere Fachschule Bern, 2006 Lizentiat in Psychology, University of Zurich, 2004 His research centers on socio-pedagogical family support systems, with particular emphasis on foster care dynamics, resilience development in vulnerable children, and the financial/policy frameworks governing service accessibility. Metzger examines the tension between voluntary engagement and compulsory measures in child protection contexts, while developing practical models for strengthening parental competence and family functioning. Recent publications (2020-2025) reveal consistent focus on Swiss family support financing mechanisms, reimbursement policy impacts, and foster care system effectiveness. Key thematic threads include overcoming access barriers through policy reform, enhancing professional competence in social work practice, and developing evidence-based models for supporting at-risk families while respecting family autonomy. Metzger actively contributes to multiple research consortia including the Research Group on Effectiveness of Socio-Pedagogical Family Support (2015-2022) and serves on boards of the Albert Koechlin Foundation and Swiss Foster Care Organizations. His professional networks span ENSEC, ENCORE, FICE, AIEJI, and IFCO, facilitating international knowledge exchange on child welfare systems.
Ayah Soufan is a Research Fellow at the University of Strathclyde's Department of Computer and Information Sciences, where she completed her PhD. Her research focuses on exploratory search behaviors, particularly in academic literature review tasks. She holds a Master's in Data Science from the University of Southampton and a Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from An-Najah National University. Soufan's work addresses challenges in information retrieval and user-centric system design, aiming to improve search processes through task analysis and interface innovation. Education: PhD in Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde (2024) MSc in Data Science, University of Southampton (2018) BEng in Computer Engineering, An-Najah National University (2012) Research Interests: Exploratory search methodologies, user behavior analysis, academic search practices, information seeking models, and task-oriented system design. Her work integrates conceptual modeling with empirical studies to enhance search experiences. Publications: Soufan's research explores topics such as literature review processes, task taxonomy development, and sentiment analysis of Arabic text. Her 2022 study on exploratory search tasks has been widely cited, emphasizing user experience metrics and interface evaluation. Grants/Advising: Supervised by Prof. Iadh Ruthven and Prof. Leif Azzopardi during her PhD. No awards explicitly listed, though her work aligns with Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher funding in Domain Specific Systems (DoSSIER). Labs/Teams: Engaged with the Information Interaction and Retrieval group at Strathclyde, focusing on interdisciplinary collaborations between computer science and information science.
Amirreza Razmjoo Fard is a PhD student and Researcher at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI) and the Robot Learning and Interaction (RLI) Group at the Idiap Research Institute. Supervised by Dr. Sylvain Calinon, he focuses on developing adaptive, efficient, and intelligent robotic control methods for contact-rich environments and constrained scenarios. Research Areas: Generative AI (diffusion models, flow matching), Model composition (product of experts), System dynamics, Control theory, Physics-based simulation (Isaac Sim) Key Goals: Bridging theory and real-world applications, enhancing robot autonomy, interaction, and physical intelligence His work spans publications at top robotics conferences like IROS, CoRL, RSS, and ICRA, with a Best Paper Finalist recognition at RSS 2024. Notable methods include CCDP for diffusion policy composition, CDF for differentiable robot geometry, and D-LGP for hybrid planning. He has also collaborated with Honda Research Institute Europe during a six-month internship.
