Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hakan Kayal serves as University Professor for Aerospace Engineering at the University of Würzburg, holding the Chair of Computer Science VIII (Space Technology) and chairing the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Extraterrestrial Studies (IFEX). His leadership bridges computer science and space systems engineering within the university's Institute of Computer Science. Research focuses on three synergistic domains: nanosatellite development for extraterrestrial missions (including the SONATE-2 6U platform demonstrating AI-driven onboard processing), scientific investigation of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) through the university's collaboration with the Federal Aviation Office, and spacecraft autonomy systems enabling higher mission independence. Current projects include the NEAlight mission (extended to develop the Apophis Interceptor concept for the 2029 asteroid flyby), VaMEx3-MarsSymphony for Mars exploration, and JMU Space Observatory initiatives. Publication trends reveal strong emphasis on asteroid defense strategies (particularly for Apophis), CubeSat-based UAP detection methodologies, and real-time AI processing in constrained space environments. His team actively engages students through ADS-B tracking, Meteosat App development, and Moon Base 2030 projects, while recent recognition includes co-authoring a landmark UAP review in Progress in Aerospace Sciences with 33 international scientists.
Christoph Keplinger serves as Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart, Germany, leading the Robotic Materials Department since 2020 and assuming overall institute leadership in 2023. He holds dual academic appointments as Honorary Professor at the University of Stuttgart and Eminent Visiting Professor of Soft Robotics at the University of Colorado Boulder, establishing him as a pivotal figure in bridging fundamental materials science with advanced robotics. His interdisciplinary approach integrates physics, chemistry, and engineering to pioneer breakthroughs in soft robotic systems. Keplinger's academic foundation includes a PhD in Soft Matter Physics from Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard University focusing on mechanics and chemistry of soft materials. This unique background enabled his transition into robotics innovation, particularly in electrohydraulic actuation systems. His research program centers on three synergistic pillars: (I) soft robotics development through novel actuator technologies like HASEL artificial muscles; (II) energy capture mechanisms using soft materials; and (III) functional polymers engineered for robotic applications. This work produces transformative hardware that mimics biological functionality, with significant implications for human-robot interaction, medical devices, and sustainable robotics systems. His group employs cutting-edge materials synthesis and characterization techniques to create lifelike robotic components. Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in wearable haptic interfaces, electrohydraulic actuation systems, and tremor-suppression technologies. The research consistently leverages HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic) technology to achieve muscle-like performance in soft actuators, with applications spanning from fingertip haptic feedback to underwater manipulation systems. This trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental material properties toward practical implementations in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation. His exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognition: 2017 Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, awarded for high-impact interdisciplinary research 2021 Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (declined to remain at MPI-IS), Germany's most valuable international research award 2013 EAPromising European Researcher Award from the European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles As principal investigator, Keplinger leads a dynamic interdisciplinary research group while securing competitive funding for frontier projects. His entrepreneurial vision materialized in 2018 through co-founding Artimus Robotics, where he serves as Chief Science Officer to commercialize HASEL technology. This dual commitment to academic research and industry translation exemplifies his dedication to real-world impact, particularly in creating biodegradable and sustainable soft robotic solutions. The Robotic Materials Department operates state-of-the-art facilities for materials fabrication, robotic integration, and haptic interface development. The team maintains strong collaborations across MPI-IS departments and external institutions including the University of Colorado Boulder, fostering innovation in sustainable robotics through initiatives like biodegradable electrohydraulic actuators. Current projects focus on wearable tremor suppression systems, electrohydraulic locomotion platforms, and energy-autonomous soft robots that address critical challenges in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation.
Stefanie Mueller is the TIBCO Career Development Associate Professor at MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, with joint affiliation in Mechanical Engineering. She leads the HCI Engineering Group at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), focusing on advancing fabrication techniques through hardware/software innovations that enable novel object interactions. Develops computational fabrication methods combining photochromic dyes, lenticular lenses, birefringent materials, and optical illusions Co-chaired ACM CHI 2023 and ACM UIST 2020 program committees Recipients of 9 MIT EECS Best Undergraduate Researcher Awards among mentees Her research spans four key directions: Appearance-changing Objects: Photo-Chromeleon (ACM UIST 2019), Lenticular Objects (ACM UIST 2021), and Polagons (ACM CHI 2023) demonstrate reprogrammable surfaces through advanced materials and optical engineering. Tracking Systems: InfraredTags (ACM CHI 2022) and G-ID (ACM CHI 2020) enable passive object tracking via infrared markers and slicing artifacts. Embedded Sensing: MechSense (ACM CHI 2023) and Sprayable User Interfaces (ACM CHI 2020) integrate sensing capabilities into complex geometries. Curved Surface Prototyping: FlexBoard (ACM CHI 2023) and CurveBoard (ACM CHI 2020) develop specialized tools for non-planar electronics. Her recent publications focus on functionality segmentation (UIST 2023), fluorescent markers (UIST 2023), and machine-knitted haptics (UIST 2023). These works combine machine learning, material science, and interactive design principles to push fabrication boundaries. Scientific recognition includes: 2022 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 2020 Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship 2020 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship 2019 ACM UIST Best Paper Award 2019 NSF CAREER Award 2018 MIT EECS Outstanding Educator Award 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science Mentoring 9 PhD students and over 20 master's students, her lab has produced 20+ publications at top HCI conferences. She redesigned MIT's 6.810 Engineering Interactive Technologies course during the pandemic, maintaining hands-on learning through home electronics kits and Slack-based collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Steffen Marburg is a Full Professor at the Chair of Acoustics of Mobile Systems within the TUM School of Engineering and Design at the Technical University of Munich. His research focuses on numerical methods in vibroacoustics, structural optimization, and acoustic modeling for applications in automotive, maritime, and musical instrument domains. Education: PhD from Technical University of Dresden (1998). Academic Career: Junior Professor at TU Dresden (2004), Chair of Technical Dynamics at University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich (2010), Full Professor at TUM (2015–present). Editorial Roles: Co-Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Theoretical and Computational Acoustics, Associate Editor of Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Editor of Acoustics Australia and Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing. His research integrates computational acoustics, boundary element methods, and machine learning to address noise control and structural optimization challenges. Recent work explores acoustic metamaterials, viscothermal losses, and data-driven modeling. He has co-authored over 150 publications and led advancements in multifrequency solution methods and noise-insulating structures. Scientific awards include the Innovation Award of the Industrieclub Sachsen e.V. (1999). His editorial contributions and leadership in journals highlight his influence in computational acoustics and structural dynamics.
Prof. Vasilis Ntziachristos is a Professor and Chair of Biological Imaging at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging at the Helmholtz Centre Munich. His research focuses on developing novel optical and optoacoustic imaging techniques for early disease detection, diagnostics, and theranostics. He holds a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and previously served as an Assistant Professor at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital. Affiliations: TUM School of Medicine and Health, Helmholtz Munich, Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging. Key Research Themes: Non-invasive imaging methods, molecular imaging, optoacoustic technology, and clinical translation. His work bridges theoretical developments with clinical applications, including advancements in glucose monitoring, cancer imaging, and drug delivery systems. Notable awards include the Leibniz Prize (2013) and the World Molecular Imaging Society Gold Medal (2015). Labs/Teams: Imaging to Sensing I2S, Optoacoustic Mesoscopy, Fluorescence Imaging, and AI in Optoacoustics. Grants/Projects: Involvement in Horizon Europe initiatives and collaborations with TranslaTUM and Helmholtz Munich. Prof. Ntziachristos actively contributes to education via courses like 'Biological Imaging' and 'Introduction to Bioengineering', fostering the next generation of imaging scientists.
Prof. Dr. Markus Zimmermann leads the Chair of Product Development and Lightweight Design at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). With a background in mechanical engineering from TU Berlin and the University of Michigan, and a doctorate from MIT on solid-state singularities, he bridges academic rigor with industrial application. His career spans 12 years at BMW focusing on vehicle development before transitioning to academia. Specializes in solution space engineering for robust design Expert in additive manufacturing and systems engineering Develops methodologies for managing design complexity and uncertainty His research focuses on multidisciplinary design optimization and lightweight structures , particularly in robotics and automotive systems . His team applies digital twin frameworks and attribute dependency graphs to enhance design processes. Recent publications emphasize topology optimization in robotic systems and thermal management for medical X-ray sources. Key trends in his 2024-2025 publications include: Topological optimization for additive manufacturing and robotics Application of solution spaces to manage design uncertainty Development of compact X-ray systems for medical therapy Integration of digital twin technologies in industrial contexts
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Steinhorst is an Associate Professor (W3-level with tenure) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) within the Embedded Systems and Internet of Things group at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology . His research focuses on advancing the security, predictability, reliability, and interoperability of smart connected and autonomous systems, particularly for applications in Internet of Things (IoT) , Industry 4.0 , and automotive systems . PhD in Computer Science (2011) from Goethe University Frankfurt Postdoctoral roles at TUMCREATE Singapore (2011-2016) and Aarhus University (2016) Joined TUM in 2016 as Rudolf Moessbauer Tenure Track Professor His research areas include decentralized embedded systems, hardware/software co-design, modeling and verification of cyber-physical systems, security protocols for automotive networks, and time-sensitive networking (TSN) for industrial applications. Recent work explores blockchain-based data sovereignty, zero-knowledge proofs for vehicle authentication, and resilient architectures for autonomous systems. Key scientific contributions include the 2019 ACM TODAES Best Paper Award and pioneering work on CyberSecDome , LeapChain , and Simutack frameworks. He serves on editorial boards and conference committees, including co-organizing the Autonomous Systems Design initiative at DATE. His teaching portfolio spans lectures on System Design for IoT , Software Architecture for Distributed Systems , and IoT Security across multiple semesters. He also leads advanced seminars on embedded systems and IoT.
Jan Oliver Borchers is a full professor of computer science and head of the Media Computing Group at RWTH Aachen University, where he holds the endowed Chair in Media Informatics and Human-Computer Interaction (Computer Science 10). He established his research group in 2003 and pioneered modern HCI academic research and teaching in Germany, becoming a leading lab in terms of archival publications at CHI, the top international conference in HCI. Before joining RWTH, he held faculty positions at Stanford University and ETH Zurich. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction with particular interest in new user interfaces for soft robotics, textile user interfaces, 3D printing and personal fabrication, augmented reality, wearable and tangible computing, interfaces for software development, deceptive patterns, and interactive guides and exhibits. He opened Germany's first Fab Lab in 2009 and has been instrumental in advancing digital fabrication and maker culture in academia. His work bridges theoretical HCI research with practical applications, as evidenced by his consulting for major companies including AirBus, Apple, ARD, Bayer, Children's Museum Boston, Daimler, Handelsblatt, OTIS, Scout24, TEDx, and Deutsche Telekom. His recent publications show a strong focus on deceptive patterns in UI design, textile interfaces, and the intersection of AI with human interaction. The research demonstrates consistent innovation in tactile interaction techniques, with numerous honorable mentions at top conferences like CHI. His lab has produced significant contributions to eyes-free interaction, textile computing, and the ethical implications of dark patterns, particularly regarding children's experiences with deceptive designs. IDC 2025 Best Work in Progress for research on children's assessment of deceptive designs CHI'25 Student Games Competition Winner for The Deceptive Dungeon RWTH-Wissenschaftsnacht 2024 Best Science Slam for Usability: 4 Prinzipien guter User Interfaces Multiple CHI Honorable Mentions spanning from 2008-2021 Best Note and Best Demo awards at ITS and UIST conferences Borchers has served in numerous leadership roles including heading the Computer Science Department's Examination Board (2015-2025), coordinating the department's public relations since 2010, and organizing the weekly Faculty Lunch since 2003. He is an active member of the ACM, SIGCHI, SIGCHI Germany, and GI, and introduced the Interactivity format to the CHI conference in 2005. His PhD thesis, A Pattern Approach to Interaction Design, became the first book to bring design patterns to HCI. The Media Computing Group under his leadership has developed significant expertise in physical computing, textile interfaces, and fabrication technologies, with a strong emphasis on both theoretical contributions and practical applications. His lab continues to push boundaries in interactive technologies while maintaining a strong ethical stance on user experience, particularly regarding deceptive design patterns.
Prof. Dr. Andrea Stocco is a Professor at the Technische Universität München (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. His research focuses on the intersection of software engineering and deep learning, particularly addressing the robustness and reliability of data-intensive systems. Key areas include autonomous vehicles, web application testing, and automated functional oracles for deep learning systems. He leads initiatives such as the Lehrstuhl für Software und Systems Engineering , collaborating on projects like CrESt and SUPPRA – Algorand Center of Excellence . Research interests encompass monitoring techniques for AI-driven systems, test suite maintainability, and scenario-based testing of cyber-physical systems (CPS). His work emphasizes practical applications, such as improving testing frameworks for evolving web applications and enhancing interoperability in autonomous driving systems (ADS). Recent efforts include leveraging large language models (LLMs) for secure code assessment and benchmarking generative AI for test input generation. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His publications reflect a strong focus on testing methodologies, with over 40 articles since 2013, covering domains like web test automation, dependency-aware testing, and safety-critical failure prediction in autonomous systems. Advising and grants details are not detailed in the current data, but his lab contributes to TUM's broader efforts in software engineering and systems reliability.
Roman Schnabel is a Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Hamburg , affiliated with the Institute for Laser Physics under the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences. He leads cutting-edge research in quantum optics, gravitational wave detection, and quantum technologies. Education : PhD in Physics (1999, Leibniz Universität Hannover); Physics degree (1988–1994, Leibniz Universität Hannover) Awards : QCMC 2018 Award, Gruber Cosmology Prize 2016 (LIGO team), Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics 2016 (LIGO team), Joseph F. Keithley Award 2012 His recent work explores high-frequency gravitational wave observatories , entanglement generation , and quantum-enhanced sensing . He holds patents for gas sensors and optical surface imaging technologies. Schnabel co-founded the start-up Noisy Labs in 2023 and served as Director of Outreach & Transfer for the Cluster of Excellence 'Quantum Universe' (2019–2022).
Georg Martius is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Science and a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the MPI for Intelligent Systems. Since April 2023, he has been a core member of the DFG-funded Cluster of Excellence 'Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science,' which received extended funding through 2032 for its mission to integrate machine learning into fundamental scientific discovery processes. His academic foundation includes a PhD from the University of Göttingen and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (2005), a Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Leipzig (2003), and a visiting research period at the University of Edinburgh's Division of Informatics. Postdoctoral positions followed at the Max Planck Institutes for Dynamics and Self-Organization (Göttingen, 2009), Mathematics in the Sciences (Leipzig, 2010), and IST Austria (2015). Professor Martius's research pioneers the intersection of reinforcement learning, robotics, and tactile sensing, with emphasis on developing autonomous systems capable of natural locomotion, dexterous manipulation, and physical-world understanding. His work bridges theoretical machine learning with practical hardware applications, particularly in creating differentiable simulators, superresolution tactile sensors, and biologically plausible learning frameworks for robotic control. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in offline reinforcement learning (especially goal-conditioned and diversity-maximization techniques), object-centric representation learning for video understanding, and tactile sensing innovations. A strong thread connects foundation models to world model construction, while his work on differentiable physics engines enables precise collision handling and contact dynamics for real-world robotic control. His leadership roles include directing the Distributed Intelligence research team at Tübingen and contributing to major collaborative initiatives like the Real Robot Challenge and Myochallenge 2022. The Cluster of Excellence appointment represents recognition of his contributions to transforming scientific methodology through machine learning, particularly in automating hypothesis generation and experimental design. Current projects focus on integrating large-scale machine learning with embodied intelligence, advancing tactile perception systems like the Minsight vision-based sensor, and developing neuroplasticity-inspired approaches for robust out-of-distribution detection. His work directly impacts fields requiring physical interaction intelligence, from autonomous navigation to medical robotics, with emphasis on sample-efficient learning from limited real-world data.
Prof. Joachim Spatz is a Full Professor of Biophysical Chemistry at Heidelberg University and Director of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research. His academic career includes roles as Director at MPI for Metals Research (2004–2015) and Founding Director of the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE). He holds a PhD from Ulm University and habilitation in Physics, with postdoctoral training at the Institut Curie, Paris. His research spans cellular biophysics, materials science, and synthetic biology, focusing on mechanotransduction, cell-material interactions, and engineered biological systems. Education: 1989–1994: Dipl. Phys. (Physics), Ulm University & Colorado State University 1994–1996: PhD (summa cum laude), Ulm University 2000: Habilitation in Physics, Ulm University Research Interests: Spatz’s work integrates biophysics, materials science, and engineering to study cellular mechanics, synthetic cells, and mechanosensing. Key projects include developing synthetic cell models using microfluidics and exploring how mechanical forces regulate cell behavior in health and disease. Awards: 2017 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize 2012 ERC Advanced Grant (with Prof. B. Geiger) 2002 Alfried Krupp Research Award Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Cellular Biophysics Department at MPI for Medical Research and collaborates with institutions like the Weizmann Institute and Jackson Laboratory. Active in interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Max Planck School Matter to Life.
Prof. Dr. Amelie Hagelauer holds a professorship in Micro- and Nanosystem Technology at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich. Her work focuses on advanced electronics and systems integration across quantum computing hardware, resistive memory technologies, and high-frequency RF systems. She has contributed to innovations in superconducting qubit readout architectures, multi-level RRAM designs, and 3D-integrated CMOS-compatible quantum devices. Research interests span quantum hardware design, nanoelectronic devices, RF front-end systems, and emerging memory technologies. Her work emphasizes practical implementation challenges such as low-power operation, high-voltage handling in RF switches, and wafer-scale fabrication processes. Recent projects include D-band radar systems, energy-efficient 60 GHz transceivers, and antenna tuning solutions for 5G applications. Publications from 2023-2025 showcase advancements in resistive switching device characterization, mitigation of TLS losses in superconducting qubits, and reconfigurable AI accelerators using RRAM-based digital twins. Her work bridges theoretical device physics with practical integrated circuit design, addressing scalability and reliability in next-gen electronics. Awards and grants: None explicitly listed in provided texts. Active collaborations include EU-funded projects on quantum computing platforms and TUM's Electronic Photonic Integration initiatives. Leads research teams in microsystem technology with emphasis on cross-disciplinary approaches combining CMOS processes, MEMS, and quantum engineering.
Wolfgang Porod is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and holder of the Frank M. Freimann Chair at the University of Notre Dame. He is also a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the TUM Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS) since 2009, affiliated with the Nanoimprint and Nanotransfer Focus Group led by Paolo Lugli. His research focuses on nanoelectronics and quantum devices, notably co-inventing the Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata (QCA) framework, a molecular-scale information processing paradigm. Porod earned his Diplom (M.S.) and Ph.D. from the University of Graz, Austria, and held postdoctoral roles at Colorado State and Arizona State Universities before joining Notre Dame in 1986. He directs Notre Dame’s Center for Nano Science and Technology, advancing interdisciplinary nanotechnology research. His academic accolades include Fellowships from the AAAS (2005) and IEEE (2001), and teaching awards such as the Kaneb Teaching Award (2005) and the Ruth and Joel Spira Award (2000). Porod’s work bridges quantum physics and engineering, with applications in low-power computing, spintronics, and nanoscale device fabrication. At TUM-IAS, he collaborates on nanoimprint lithography and nanotransfer technologies, advancing scalable nanomanufacturing methods.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ahmad Osman is a Professor at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar), specializing in Test Technologies and Test Methods within the Faculty of Engineering. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position at Laval University in Quebec, Canada, in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence applications in Signal and Image Processing for Non-destructive Testing (NDT) , with extensive work on Deep Learning , 3D Ultrasound Tomography , and Sensor Data Fusion in industrial contexts. Engineering Artificial Intelligence Signal Processing Image Processing Non-destructive Testing Quality Control Augmented Reality Osman leads the AutomaTiQ research group and serves as Head of the Algorithms/Signal and Data Processing Department at Fraunhofer IZFP . His recent publications (2017–2022) emphasize Deep Learning for defect detection in CFRP , Terahertz Imaging for artwork diagnostics, and Acoustic Sensors for agricultural quality control. He has organized international conferences on Structural Health Monitoring and contributed to Springer books on NDT technologies. His projects include ComforTex-AI (2024) and development of 3D positioners for ultrasound measurements. Collaborations span institutions in Germany, Canada, Italy, and Brazil, with advisory roles in the German Society for NDT and technical committees for conferences in Montreal and Egypt.
