Boris Jukic is a Professor and Director of Applied Data Science at the Reh School of Business , Clarkson University. With a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, he teaches courses such as Visual Basic Programming for Business Applications and Development of Business Applications on the Internet. Dr. Jukic's research focuses on: Management and pricing of networks and telecommunication services Application of data management and presentation strategies in e-business and e-commerce IT architecture's impact on organizational success metrics His recent publications highlight trends in data warehousing , IT architecture , and business intelligence . Notable subfields include data modeling , incentive-compatible pricing , and process-data integration . Contact: Email: bjukic@clarkson.edu Phone: 315/268-3884 Office: 227 Bertrand H. Snell Hall, Clarkson University
Uwe Zdun is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, where he serves as Vice-Director of Studies for Computer Science and Head of the Research Group Software Architecture. His teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Software Engineering 2, Advanced Software Engineering, and Practical Software Courses for Bachelor's and Master's theses across multiple semesters (2024W-2025S). His research spans software architecture with emphasis on microservices, cloud computing, and DevOps. Key focus areas include architectural design decisions, infrastructure-as-code conformance, security in distributed systems, and the integration of machine learning operations (MLOps/RLOps). He investigates cognitive aspects of architecture practices through controlled experiments and develops model-driven approaches for quality assessment in complex systems. Recent publications (2024-2026) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Security and coupling analysis in infrastructure-as-code deployments, (2) MLOps/RLOps integration for Industry 4.0 cyber-physical systems, and (3) Performance optimization patterns for CI/CD pipelines and autoscaling. His work bridges theoretical architecture models with industrial practice, particularly in microservice ecosystems and reinforcement learning applications. Professor Zdun leads the Research Group Software Architecture at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Computer Science. The group focuses on empirical validation of architectural patterns, tool development for conformance checking, and advancing design decision methodologies in cloud-native and AI-driven systems.
Jim Luedtke is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on operations research, integer programming, and stochastic optimization methods for solving discrete and uncertain decision problems. Educational Background: BS in Industrial Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison MS in Operations Research from Georgia Institute of Technology PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology Postdoctoral Research at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center His work spans applications in power systems optimization, healthcare analytics, and network design, with particular emphasis on developing cutting-edge algorithms for chance-constrained and multistage stochastic programming problems. Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on Benders decomposition techniques, Lagrangian dual methods, and distributionally robust optimization frameworks. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2010) for "Risk Management via Stochastic Programming: Models, Computation, and Applications"
David Newburn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His research focuses on environmental and resource economics, particularly land-use regulations for farmland and forest preservation, and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. He develops spatial models to manage urban sprawl and evaluates incentive-based programs for conservation practices. Research Areas: Land-Use Change and Urban Sprawl Water Quality Trading and Conservation Spatial Economic Modeling Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Collaborations: NSF-funded Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) National Center for Smart Growth Chesapeake Bay Program Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee Recent Publications: Highlight trends in household behavior, land-use policy effectiveness, and coastal adaptation to climate impacts. Articles span environmental economics, urban ecology, and interdisciplinary sustainability research. Education: B.S., University of Maryland, College Park (1991) Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (2002)
Joseph Francois is a Professor of Economics and Director at the World Trade Institute (WTI) , affiliated with the Economic Institute at the University of Bern. He previously served as Deputy Director of the NCCR Trade Regulation (2015–2017) and held professorships at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and other institutions. His research spans international economics, trade policy, globalization, environmental economics, and computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling. Key focus areas include cross-border production chains, trade in services, open economy competition policy, financial market integration, and the interplay between trade agreements and sustainability goals. Scientific distinctions include a Fellowship at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (London). His methodological expertise includes CGE modeling, econometric estimation of large nonlinear systems, and policy analysis of trade disputes, carbon border adjustments, and non-tariff measures. Education: Ph.D. in Economics, University of Maryland BA in Economics and History, University of Virginia He has contributed extensively to policy briefs and technical reports, particularly in analyzing trade impacts on employment, economic development, and environmental outcomes.
Professor Jaana Kaarina Bäck is affiliated with the University of Helsinki, serving in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry's Department of Forest Sciences. She leads the 'Ecosystem processes' research group and oversees ecosystem research at the SMEAR measurement network. Her work bridges forest ecology, atmospheric science, and climate change mitigation, focusing on forest-atmosphere interactions and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). PhD in Physiological Plant Ecology (University of Oulu, 1994) Docentship in Forest-Atmosphere Interactions (University of Helsinki, 2010) Docentship in Plant Ecophysiology (University of Oulu, 1998) Bäck's research explores how boreal forests influence atmospheric composition, carbon cycling, and climate dynamics. She investigates BVOC emissions, ecosystem responses to climate change, and feedback mechanisms between vegetation and the atmosphere. Her recent publications (277 total) analyze carbon dynamics after forest thinning, aerosol production in boreal ecosystems, and harmonized environmental observations via eLTER. These works span soil functions, air quality, and climate risk research. Knight, First Class, Order of the White Rose of Finland (2021) Open Science Award (University of Helsinki, 2018) Pro Scientia Award (Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters, 2017) Bäck supervises 3 postdoctoral researchers, 4 doctoral students as main supervisor, and 12 as co-supervisor. She has secured over 6 M€ in research funding, including EU Horizon grants and Academy of Finland projects.
Danfeng Zhang is a faculty member at Duke University whose research sits at the intersection of programming languages and security. Active across the premier PL conferences since 2015, Zhang has served on more than two-dozen program committees and currently co-chairs the POPL Student Research Competition. Education & Affiliation: Home page: users.cs.duke.edu/~dz132 Affiliation: Duke University, United States Research Interests: Zhang’s work spans programming-language design, static and dynamic analysis, formal verification, and security. A recurring theme is developing language-based techniques that guarantee strong security and privacy properties—ranging from side-channel resistance and constant-time execution to differential-privacy proofs—while preserving performance and usability. His recent projects combine type systems, program logics, and automated reasoning to build practical verification tools for concurrent, speculative, and approximate software. Publication Trends: Across nine representative papers (2015-2024) Zhang has advanced static detection of cache side channels, automated proofs of differential privacy, and relaxed concurrency models. The trajectory shows deepening integration of security concerns into language infrastructure, with tool-building (CtChecker, SpecSafe, LightDP) that bridge formal guarantees and real-world systems. Service & Leadership: 2024 POPL Student Research Competition Co-Chair 2025 POPL Program Committee member Repeated reviewer/PC member: PLDI, SPLASH/OOPSLA, ISSTA, ECOOP, APLAS, PriSC, PASS Zhang regularly mentors student researchers through SRC sessions and workshop panels, fostering diversity and early-career participation in the programming-languages community.
Dr. Larry Moore is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Memphis, specializing in environmental engineering with a focus on wastewater treatment optimization, water quality modeling, and energy conservation in water treatment plants. He holds a B.S. from the University of South Alabama (1973) and M.S./Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Mississippi State University (1974/1983). His career spans over 33 years of teaching and applied research, addressing wastewater challenges for over 200 industries in Tennessee through the UT Center for Industrial Services. Research interests include water quality modeling of streams (e.g., Loosahatchie River studies), optimization of municipal/industrial wastewater treatment plants, and energy efficiency improvements in water treatment facilities. Collaborative projects with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the U.S. Department of Energy have driven energy savings in over 24 treatment plants. Dr. Moore has served as President of the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association (KTWEA) and received the prestigious Leary Jones Award (2009) for his contributions to the wastewater profession, inducting him into the KTWEA Hall of Fame. Teaching responsibilities include advanced graduate courses such as Biological Wastewater Treatment, Water Quality Modeling, and Solid Waste Management. Awards include multiple 'Superior Performance in University Research' recognitions (1985-1989) and the 1990 Civil Engineering Outstanding Research award. He actively mentors graduate students in applied wastewater research and has advised numerous M.S. and Ph.D. candidates focusing on treatment plant optimization and emerging technologies. Professional Affiliations: Life Member of Water Environment Federation, KTWEA Pretreatment Certification Committee (since 2000), Tennessee Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Board (since 2007) Key Projects: Operational guidance for Memphis' Maxson WWTP, energy conservation studies across 24 plants, and aeration system design improvements Community Impact: Operator training programs, NPDES permit compliance support, and industrial wastewater problem resolution
Professor Markus Helfert is a leading academic in Digital Service Innovation and Digital Transformation at Maynooth University's School of Business . He serves as Director of the Innovation Value Institute , Hub for Data and Digital Research, and holds Science Foundation Ireland Principal Investigator roles at Lero – The Irish Software Research Centre and Adapt Research Centre. His research spans Service Innovation , Artificial Intelligence , Intelligent Transportation Systems , FinTech , and Enterprise Architecture , with active involvement in European Standardisation initiatives.
Jonna Häkkilä is a Professor of Industrial Design at the Faculty of Art and Design, University of Lapland and serves as Vice Dean (Research). She holds a Docent title in Human-Computer Interaction and Computer Science from the University of Oulu (since 2011). Her primary research group is LUX (Lapland User Experience Design). Research focuses on user-centered design, wearable technology, cultural heritage digitization, and ethical technology integration with marginalized communities. She leads projects like the MAGICS National Infrastructure for Human in the Digital World and Indigenous Digital Storytelling with New Media. Awards include Best Demo Award at Pervasive Displays 2019 and Best Paper Award at MUM 2017. Active in organizing international conferences and supervising 3 doctoral works. Engaged in Arctic resilience initiatives through co-creative methodologies.
Dr. Srinivas Prabakar is a Professor of Instruction in the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He specializes in water quality, wastewater treatment, and environmental engineering, with a focus on chloramine stability, disinfection by-products, and sustainable water management. Dr. Prabakar holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from UTA (2012), an ME in Chemical Engineering from Annamalai University (2004), and a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from the University of Madras (2000). Education: PhD, Civil Engineering, UTA (2012) ME, Chemical Engineering, Annamalai University (2004) B.Tech, Chemical Engineering, University of Madras (2000) His research interests center on improving water distribution systems and addressing challenges in wastewater management. Notable projects include investigations into factors affecting chloramine stability in UTA’s water systems and studies on biosorption of heavy metals. Dr. Prabakar has authored or co-authored over 30 publications, including peer-reviewed articles on topics like chlorine decay dynamics and microbial fuel cell applications. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Principles of Environmental Engineering and Biological Processes, reflecting his commitment to educating future environmental engineers. Dr. Prabakar has advised numerous graduate students and served on dissertation committees, mentoring research in areas like concrete durability and landfill biocovers. Dr. Prabakar’s service roles include Faculty Advisor for Civil Engineering undergraduates, membership in the Texas Water Science & Research Division, and reviewer positions for journals like ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering . He has received awards including the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award and the 2019 Tau Beta Pi-Eminent Engineer distinction. His current grants focus on advancing nanocomposite materials for sewer pipe longevity and identifying critical source areas for non-point pollutants in North Texas watersheds. Dr. Prabakar’s interdisciplinary work bridges environmental engineering challenges with practical solutions for sustainable infrastructure.
Albert M. Lai, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine and Computer Science & Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, serving as Chief Research Information Officer (CRIO) for the School of Medicine and Deputy Director of the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I²DB). He leads WashU Medicine's data warehousing and informatics services, driving innovation in clinical research infrastructure. His expertise spans biomedical informatics, natural language processing (NLP), and telemedicine. Dr. Lai is also Deputy Faculty Lead for WashU’s Digital Transformation initiative, focusing on secure AI integration with sensitive healthcare data. He holds affiliations with the Institute for Public Health, Siteman Cancer Center, and the Center for Applied Health Informatics (CAHI). Research Interests: Dr. Lai develops informatics infrastructure to support clinical trial prescreening, leveraging NLP and machine learning for phenotype extraction from EHR data. He also explores telemedicine, mobile health applications, and EHR-driven cardiovascular health interventions for cancer survivors. His recent work addresses AI ethics in healthcare, including responsible data sharing and bias mitigation in generative AI models. Key Contributions: Over 77 peer-reviewed publications across clinical informatics, AI in healthcare, and pandemic response strategies. His projects include EHR-based cardiovascular health tools, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in schools, and machine learning models for predicting transplant outcomes. Active mentorship of PhD/MSTP students in translational informatics and data science. Labs/Teams: Leads the Informatics Services Core and collaborates with the CRITICAL consortium for intensive care analytics. Engages in multi-institutional initiatives like the Greater Plains Collaborative for cancer data integration.
Thomas Berger is a Professor at the University of Hohenheim , affiliated with the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and leading the Department of Economics of Land Use . He also contributes to the Computational Science Hub and Hohenheim Tropics initiatives. Focus Areas: Climate change adaptation, land-use modeling, biodiversity-productivity trade-offs, agent-based simulation, and machine learning in agricultural systems. Key Projects: Simulation frameworks for smallholder resilience in Ethiopia, bioeconomic modeling in the Amazon, and hybrid intelligence applications in European agricultural policy. Recent Publications: 2025 study on climate change effects on insecticide reduction in Germany, 2024 work on reconciling biodiversity with productivity via hybrid models, and 2023 methodological contributions to surrogate modeling and seasonal forecast integration. Research Trends: Interdisciplinary integration of climate science, agricultural economics, and computational modeling, with increasing emphasis on AI-assisted decision support systems and sustainability policy validation. Teaching & Outreach: Offers Agricultural Economics seminars and Hohenheim Tropics discussions, requiring advance email registration for office hours.
Dr. XiaoYue Cathy Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah. She holds a PhD in Transportation Engineering from the University of Washington and advanced degrees in Transportation Planning and Electronics Engineering. Her research focuses on sustainable transportation systems, shared mobility, public transit optimization, managed lanes, and intelligent transportation systems. She actively serves on committees including the Transportation Research Board's Highway Capacity Quality of Service (HCQS) Committee and chairs its Technology Transfer Subcommittee. She also advises the Utah Model Advisory Committee and previously served on Salt Lake City’s Transportation Advisory Board. Dr. Liu is a licensed professional engineer in Utah. Education: PhD, Transportation Engineering, University of Washington (2013) MA, Transportation Planning & Management, Texas Southern University BS, Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University Graduate Certificate, Global Trade & Logistics, University of Washington (2011) Research Interests: Electric vehicle infrastructure and charging networks Smart transportation systems and agent-based modeling GIS-based asset management for transportation infrastructure Snowplowing operations optimization and winter maintenance Managed lanes and high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane analysis Public transit equity and accessibility Her recent publications emphasize data-driven approaches to transportation challenges, including EV demand forecasting, drone delivery networks, and resilience in interdependent transit systems. She collaborates on projects addressing Utah’s unique transportation needs, such as optimizing snowplow routes and integrating renewable energy into public transport systems. Professional Contributions: Board member, Utah Model Advisory Committee Former Chair, Salt Lake City Transportation Advisory Board (2013-2016) TRB Managed Lane Committee member TRB Transit Capacity & Quality of Service (TCQS) Committee member (2016-2019) Dr. Liu’s work bridges transportation engineering with computational methods, focusing on equity, sustainability, and operational efficiency. She leads research initiatives involving large-scale modeling, geospatial analytics, and interdisciplinary solutions for modern mobility challenges.
Professor Emilios Avgouleas holds the Chair of International Banking Law and Finance at the University of Edinburgh's School of Law. He is a leading expert in financial regulation, fintech policy, and systemic risk governance. His research focuses on blockchain technology, sustainable finance, and digital finance frameworks. He serves on the European Securities and Markets Group, advises the World Economic Forum, and collaborates with institutions like the European Banking Institute and the Monetary Committee of the International Law Association (MOCOMILA). Education: PhD (LSE), LLM (LSE), LLB (Athens University). Research grants include Leverhulme Trust funding and collaborations with the Asian Development Bank and Hong Kong University. He has been a visiting professor at Harvard, Yale, Tsinghua, and other global institutions. Research interests span financial stability, bank resolution mechanisms, and the intersection of technology with legal frameworks. His recent work addresses CBDCs, crypto regulation, and post-pandemic banking challenges. Over 80 peer-reviewed articles and books include *Governance of Global Financial Markets* (CUP, 2012) and co-edited volumes on systemic risk and capital markets union. Grants and awards: AHRC (2008-2009), Australian Research Council (2013-2016), Leverhulme Trust. He advises the European Parliament on financial stability and NPLs. Engages in high-level policy dialogues with regulators like the Bank of England, FCA, and ECB.
