Find Academic Supervisors

Riccardo MasseiView profile

Researcher

• Ecotoxicology
• Toxicology
• Computational Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Riccardo Massei is a Scientist and Co-PI at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ , Leipzig, since July 2023. He serves as a Data Steward in the NFDI4BIOIMAGE initiative for high-content screening (HCS) data management and metadata annotation in toxicology and ecotoxicology. Previously, he held postdoctoral positions at UFZ's Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology (2021–2023) and the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Antwerp (2020–2021). Education: Doctoral degree in Natural Sciences (2018) from RWTH Aachen, focusing on pesticide mixtures and neuroactive chemicals in EU river basins. Research Expertise: Development of automated workflows for HCS data, metadata analysis, and FAIR-compliant image data storage using Python, KNIME, and Galaxy. His research spans ecotoxicology, computational biology, and environmental analytical chemistry , with over 30 publications since 2015. Recent work focuses on high-throughput effect-directed analysis, zebrafish embryo toxicity testing, and data-driven toxicology , particularly in the 2025_nanoINHALE and 2024_SafePol projects. Scientific achievements include the Young Scientist Award at SETAC 2016 and leadership in organizing sessions on "Fish model species in toxicology" since 2017. His publications cover topics like neurotoxicity of complex environmental mixtures biotransformation impacts on chemical toxicity automated behavioral assays for embryos sediment contamination analysis genotoxicity assessment in water systems Dr. Massei administers UFZ's OMERO instance and provides advisory services for research data management (RDM) concepts in toxicology.

Massimo Callisto De DonatoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Internet of Things
• Digital Twin
• Machine Learning
• +6 more

Massimo Callisto De Donato is an Assistant Professor specializing in Internet of Things, Digital Twin, and Machine Learning applications for real-world systems. His research addresses critical challenges in environmental management, workplace safety, and disaster response through advanced computing solutions. His primary research domains include: IoT infrastructure for real-time industrial and environmental monitoring Digital Twin development for process simulation and prediction Machine Learning frameworks for safety-critical applications Human behavior analysis using community detection algorithms ICT systems for earthquake rescue operations Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward integrating Digital Twin and IoT technologies with machine learning for predictive capabilities. Key application areas include wastewater management (decanter centrifuge modeling), smart living environments, and earthquake disaster response systems, with increasing emphasis on real-time simulation and human activity recognition. No scientific awards are documented in the available information. Details regarding student supervision, research grants, and laboratory affiliations are not provided in the source materials.

Laura ForlanoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Science and Technology Studies
• +6 more

Laura Forlano is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Design , Illinois Institute of Technology. She is a media expert and scholar in the social dimensions of emerging technologies , values in design , and urban computing , with a focus on critical social computing and sociotechnical practices in innovation ecosystems. Education: Ph.D. in Communications (Columbia University), Master of International Affairs (Johns Hopkins), Bachelor's in Asian Studies (Skidmore College) Research Interests: Urban Informatics, Science and Technology Studies, Speculative Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Critical Design Methods Her recent publications explore speculative futures for autonomous vehicles, collaborative cities , and design anthropology . She co-edits books on urban technology and Bauhaus Futures , and leads the Critical Futures Lab (2014–present). Funded by the National Science Foundation, her Design Collaborations as Sociotechnical Systems project analyzes global design networks in New York, Barcelona, and Brisbane. Scientific Awards: Newcity Design 50: Who Shapes Chicago (2017) IIT Nayar Prize for The Driverless City Project (2015) Projects: Designing Digital Networks for Urban Public Space Breakout! Escape from the Office (exhibited in Toward the Sentient City, 2009) Material Imagination (Fellow at Durham University, 2020) Forlano teaches and consults on design ethics , urban technology , and critical design futures . She is available for media interviews on Human and Behavioral Science topics.

• Cultural Geography
• Social Memory and Identity
• Tourism Studies
• +7 more

Michael Crang is Professor in the Department of Geography at Durham University, where he previously served as Head of Department (2014-2017) and Director of Research. His research spans cultural geography, tourism studies, waste economies, and urban governance, with projects including ESRC-funded 'The Waste of the World' and Vetenskapsrådet-supported 'Re:heritage'. He co-edits major reference works like the International Encyclopaedia of Human Geography (CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2010) and journals including Tourist Studies . Research interests focus on: Cultural geographies of memory, heritage, and identity Global recycling networks and waste transformations Ethical consumption and agri-food systems Urban technologies and sentient cities Visual methodologies and digital geohumanities His publications demonstrate consistent focus on material cultures, spatial justice, and transnational flows, with recent work examining Chinese urbanization, ethical consumption, and logistical systems. Key theoretical contributions include reconceptualizing commodity cycles and analyzing the temporal-spatial politics of waste. Awards include the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for co-editing the International Encyclopaedia of Human Geography . He serves on scientific committees including Societa Italianá di Scienze del Turismo. Currently supervises 10 PhD students researching topics from Chinese tourism to rural governance. Leads AHRC/ESRC projects on counterfeit economies and sustainable consumption. Associated with Durham's Centre for Visual Arts and Cultures and Leverhulme Doctoral Programme.

Rogerio S. VicterView profile

Associate Professor

• Business Strategy
• Strategic Thinking
• Competitive Advantage
• +4 more

Rogerio S. Victer is an Associate Professor in the Management & Entrepreneurship Department at the University of Connecticut's School of Business. His expertise spans business strategy, corporate leadership, and organizational innovation, with a focus on integrating theories like the Resource-Based View and Evolutionary Economics to explain performance differentiation. D.B.A., Boston University M.B.A., Boston College M.S., Federal University at Rio de Janeiro B.S., Federal University at Niteroi Dr. Victer's research examines cognitive functions in organizations that drive superior performance, emphasizing knowledge commercialization and innovation systems. His work bridges Industrial Dynamics, Behavioral Theory, and institutional impacts on profitability. Recent publications explore sentient firms, structural formalization, and resource mobility. He serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Management Decision and reviews for top journals. Best Paper Award, Global Innovation and Knowledge Academy He teaches courses in strategic management, ethical leadership, and organizational change, combining academic rigor with industry experience from founding Dell Computers in Brazil.

• Computer Vision
• Ontology-Based Image Analysis
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Dr. Christopher Town is an Affiliated Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge. He holds dual roles as Bye Fellow and Director of Studies in Computer Science at Jesus College and as a Fellow and Tutor at Wolfson College. His research focuses on bridging the semantic gap between human and machine interpretation of visual data through ontology-based frameworks, with applications in image retrieval, automated surveillance, and biological pattern analysis. Notable contributions include the development of tools like Manta Matcher for marine species identification and algorithms for egg pattern recognition in evolutionary biology. Dr. Town earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge, supported by an Industrial Fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. His academic journey includes pre-doctoral research at AT&T Labs and undergraduate studies at Trinity College, Cambridge. He has supervised over 60 student projects, lecturing courses in Machine Visual Perception and Computer Vision. Awards include the BCS Distinguished Dissertation Award (2005) and recognition for best papers in computer vision and bioinformatics. His interdisciplinary work spans computer science, ecology, and medicine, with publications in journals like Nature Ecology & Evolution and IEEE transactions. He actively promotes academic mentorship through initiatives like the PhD Mentoring Scheme at Wolfson College. Current research explores reproducibility in GANs and the application of deep learning to ecological and medical imaging challenges.

Tjeerd V. olde ScheperView profile

Professor

• Dynamic Systems
• Neurocomputation
• Biological Systems Modeling
• +3 more

Dr. Tjeerd V. olde Scheper is a Professor and Research Lead in Computing at the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics, Oxford Brookes University. He specializes in Dynamic Systems and Neurocomputation, focusing on biological problem-solving mechanisms and their applications in engineering, health, and medical fields. His notable contributions include the Rate Control of Chaos (patented) for stabilizing complex systems and Criticality Analysis for machine learning and biological data analysis. He leads the UG Computing Programmes and supervises PhD/MSc students in biomodelling and AI. Education: Holds MSc and PhD degrees in relevant disciplines (details unspecified). Active in research grants including DASA (£90k, 2020), Newton Fund (£97k, 2018), and multiple HEIF grants. Collaborates with institutions globally through projects like CARDIGAN (diabetic gait analysis) and [SENTIENT] (intelligent decision support). Research interests span bio-inspired control systems, nonlinear dynamics, and AI applications in healthcare. His work bridges computational models with real-world challenges in robotics, biomedical engineering, and environmental control (e.g., wind turbines, combustion engines). He contributes to interdisciplinary groups like CAVEPET, VAIL, and the Machine Learning & Robotics Group. Grants/Awards: Secured £90k+ from DASA and £97k+ from the Newton Fund. HEIF grants for wind turbine and engine control projects (2011–2012). Member of AAAS, IEEE, and neuroscientific societies. Consultancy roles include workshops on AI for diabetes and neural networks. Advising & Labs: Supervised Salman Khan (2023). Affiliated with CAICS, MOReS, DASOBU, and AIDAS. Leads projects like Map-to-Human Research Roadmap (NASA-funded, 2024–2026), emphasizing applied AI and movement science.

Wolfgang BirkView profile

Professor

• Automatic Control
• Multivariable Control Systems
• Control Structure Selection
• +7 more

Wolfgang Birk is a Professor of Automatic Control at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), affiliated with the Division of Signals and Systems within the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering. Currently, he is on leave of absence to support his spin-off company Predge in an intense growth phase, while maintaining his academic affiliation with LTU. Professor Birk received his MSc in Electrical Engineering from Universität des Saarlandes in Germany in 1997, followed by PhD studies at Luleå University of Technology where he earned his PhD in Automatic Control in 2002. His academic journey includes professional experience at Volvo Car Corporation (2002-2006) before returning to LTU in 2006. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2012 and to Full Professor in 2015. From 2013-2016, he served as Director of Third Cycle Studies, and from 2017-2019, he was a member of the LTU board. Professor Birk's research focuses on the boundary between control theory and practical industrial applications. His primary research interests include structural properties of multivariable and complex systems, control structure selection and interaction in multivariable systems, multivariable and decentralized control, estimation and prediction of system behavior (particularly for condition monitoring and maintenance), and modeling and simulation of complex dynamic systems. His work spans several application domains including process control in industries, transport systems (particularly railway), and energy systems (renewables, district heating and cooling, data centers, and buildings). His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward practical applications of control theory in industrial settings, with particular emphasis on Zero Defect Manufacturing, district energy networks, predictive maintenance, and digital twin technologies. His work demonstrates a consistent focus on bridging theoretical control concepts with real-world implementation challenges across multiple industries. Professor Birk has received notable recognition for his work: Henry Ford Technology Award for the development of Volvo Cars Driver Alert (2007) The Donald Julius Groen Prize 2007 for the journal article "A Driver-Distraction-Based Lane Keeping Assistance System" As an academic supervisor, Professor Birk has guided numerous doctoral students to completion, including Miguel Castaño (2012), Ulf Andersson (2013), Roland Hostettler (2014), Dennis Kleyko (2018), Ali Khadim (2018), and Johan Simonsson (2024). He has also supervised postdoctoral fellows including Maryam Razi, Martin Haller, Roland Hostettler, Miguel Castaño, and Khalid Atta. His research has been supported by various funding sources including H2020 Framework Program, ERA-Net SES, VINNOVA, and the Swedish Energy Agency, with projects focusing on areas such as AI-augmented cooling systems, flexible energy system integration, and efficient wood drying. Professor Birk is actively involved in both academic and commercial applications of control theory, having co-founded SafeCont AB during his PhD studies and later starting SafeMobility (now Sentient+) in 2009. His current focus on Predge represents the continued translation of academic research into practical industrial solutions.

• Business Innovation
• Digital Marketing
• Enterprise Analytics
• +3 more

Mohanbir Sawhney is the McCormick Foundation Chair of Technology and Clinical Professor of Marketing at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He also serves as Associate Dean for Digital Innovation (2020–present) and directs the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation. His work bridges academia and industry, focusing on business innovation, digital marketing, and AI applications in business. Education: PhD in Marketing, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1993) MBA, Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (1987) B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (1985) Research Interests: Sawhney explores how organizations harness digital trends, AI, and networked innovation. He emphasizes customer-centric innovation, product management, and leveraging global ecosystems. His work spans academic journals, executive education, and corporate consulting. Publications & Recognition: Authored seven management books, including The Sentient Enterprise (2017) and poetry collection Love, Longing and Loneliness (2014). Over 40 case studies, with 13 bestsellers and two classics in Harvard Business School archives. Recipient of awards like the 2006 Sidney Levy Teaching Award and 2021 Global Alumni Recognition Award. Professional Roles: Advises Global 2000 firms (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Meta) and governments. Serves on boards of Reliance Jio, Bahwan Cybertek, and QualSights. Founder of Kellogg’s Chief Product Officer Program and 15+ online executive courses. Labs & Initiatives: Leads the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation at Kellogg, focusing on tech-driven business transformation.

• Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence
• Social Robotics
• Affective Computing
• +3 more

Johannes Kirmayr is an external doctoral researcher at the Chair of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, affiliated with the Faculty of Applied Computer Science at the University of Augsburg. His work focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and social robotics. Contact: Phone: +49 821 598 - 2328 Email: johannes1.kirmayr@uni-a.de Address: Universitätsstraße 6a, 86159 Augsburg His research is associated with projects like FORSocialRobots, TherapAI, and Kristina, which explore empathetic AI systems, social agents, and culturally adaptive interactions. Current research interests include affective computing, multisensory emotion recognition, and AI-driven coaching assistants. He is part of a team developing sentient systems for elder care, mental health promotion, and educational applications, with a focus on explainable and trustworthy AI frameworks. Office hours are available by appointment.

Thomas KiderleView profile

Researcher

• Human-Centered AI
• Nonverbal Behavior Analysis
• Computational Humor
• +4 more

Thomas Kiderle is a Researcher at the Chair for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence at the University of Augsburg's Faculty of Applied Computer Science. His work focuses on nonverbal behavior synthesis, computational humor, and virtual character development. Key projects include PRESENT (photorealistic sentient entities) and ViLeArn_more (virtual learning environments). He contributes to interdisciplinary research in affective computing, social robotics, and AI ethics. Research interests span multimodal interaction design, generative AI for social agents, and real-time behavioral adaptation. Notable publications address voice conversion for virtual agents, parallel robot affective expressions, and socially-aware personality systems. His team develops emotionally intelligent systems for healthcare, education, and human-robot collaboration. Supervises topics in virtual character interaction, conditional motion synthesis, and multimodal dialogue systems. Collaborates on EU-funded projects like FORSocialRobots and MITHOS. Active in forums like FMLA (Machine Learning Augsburg). Contact: Email | Office 2038N | ORCiD

Heidi Rae CooleyView profile

Associate Professor

• Media Theory
• Mobility/Mobilities Studies
• Surveillance/Tracking Technologies
• +3 more

Dr. Heidi Rae Cooley is an Associate Professor of Arts, Technology and Emerging Communication at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), affiliated with the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology. Her work bridges media theory, critical studies, and transdisciplinary collaboration, focusing on mobile technologies, surveillance, and semiotic frameworks rooted in Charles Sanders Peirce's philosophy. She holds a PhD in Critical Studies from USC and has been recognized with the Anne Friedberg Innovative Scholarship Award (2015) for her book Finding Augusta . Education: PhD - Critical Studies, University of Southern California (2007) MA - Visual Studies, University of California, Irvine (2003) MA - English/Comparative Literature, California State University, Fullerton (1995) BA - English & Spanish Minor, California State University, Fullerton (1992) Research Interests: Media Theory : Mobile technologies, tracking, and sentient environments Philosophy : Peircean semiotics and habit formation Documentary Practice : Essay film, self-documentation, and indexicality Visual Studies : Tactile visuality and image dissemination Awards & Projects: Ward One App : Award-winning project addressing historical erasure in Columbia, SC CampusKoi : Research platform exploring technology and community engagement Recipient of NEH grants for interactive history projects like Reconstruction 360 Advising & Grants: Co-founder and editor of the Interactive Film and Media Journal Contributor to The Edge media project Collaborations with institutions like South Carolina Educational Television Labs/Teams: Lead researcher on transdisciplinary projects merging technology and humanities Member of the Interactive Film & Media Research Network

Valerii KanView profile

Researcher

• Technology
• Computer Science
• Human–Machine Interaction
• +4 more

Valerii Kan is a Doctoral Researcher at the Center for Ubiquitous Computing, affiliated with the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the University of Oulu. He contributes to the Project STOP: Sentient Tracking of Parkinson’s, leveraging his expertise in computer science and human–machine interaction. Research Focus: Ubiquitous computing, gamification, and wellbeing technologies Education: Master of Information Processing Science Contact: Valerii.Kan@oulu.fi | LinkedIn

Maite Lopez-SanchezView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Ethics in AI
• +8 more

Maite Lopez-Sanchez is a Full Professor at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, where she coordinates the Interuniversity Master on Artificial Intelligence (UPC-UB-URV) since 2006. She holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence (1999), M.Sc. in Computer Vision (1996), and B.Sc. in Computer Science (1994) from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She is an adjunct scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA-CSIC) and member of research groups including WAI (Virtual Worlds, Visualization and AI) and CLiC (Centre de Llenguatge i Computació). Her research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Multi-Agent Systems, Ethics in AI, Collective Intelligence, Open Democracy, and applications in e-Government. She investigates norm synthesis, value alignment, participatory democracy platforms (Decidim), and ethical decision-making in autonomous systems. Her work bridges technical AI research with social and ethical implications. Recent publications (2017-2020) demonstrate strong trends in ethical AI development, particularly in value-aligned normative systems, participatory democracy technologies, and moral reasoning frameworks. Her articles consistently integrate multi-agent systems with societal applications, showing interdisciplinary focus across computer science, ethics, and political science. She has supervised 8+ doctoral and master's students including Javier Morales Matamoros (PhD, 2016) and Marc Serramià Amorós (PhD, 2021). Her research has been supported by grants including: VAE: Value-Awareness Engineering (TED2021-131295B-C31) ACISUD: Advanced Computational Intelligence Techniques (PID2022-136787NB-I00) Collectiveware: Human Collectives in Smart Grids (TIN2015-66863-C2-1-R) Multiple Barcelona City Council projects on AI for participatory platforms She leads research activities within the WAI group and CLiC Center, collaborating with international teams through EURAMAS and CLAIRE networks. Her lab focuses on developing AI technologies for social good, particularly in democratic participation systems and ethical AI frameworks.

Ishanu ChattopadhyayView profile

Assistant Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Biomedical Informatics
• Digital Twins in Health Informatics
• +5 more

Ishanu Chattopadhyay is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Kentucky, affiliated with the Department of Internal Medicine and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. His research focuses on advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning frameworks to model human health trajectories through computational biology and digital twin technologies. He operates the Zero Knowledge Discovery Lab (zed.createuky.net), which explores intersections between medicine, mathematics, and computer science. Positions: Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics Affiliations: Department of Internal Medicine, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Research Interests: AI for health modeling, digital twins, computational biomedicine Lab: Zero Knowledge Discovery Lab ( zed.createuky.net )