Tara Whalen is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Computer Science, Carleton University. Her research focuses on cybersecurity, privacy engineering, usable security mechanisms, and information control systems. She has contributed to studies on password security, authentication alternatives to CAPTCHA, and mobile device privacy challenges. Her work bridges technical security practices with human factors, emphasizing how security systems interact with end-users. Notable projects include breach alerting services and empirical studies on browser security interfaces. She has published extensively since 2003, with recent work addressing modern challenges in password management and privacy-by-design frameworks. No academic awards or grants are listed, though her publications indicate active collaboration in computer security research. She maintains an affiliation with Carleton's Herzberg Laboratories and can be reached at tjwhalen@gmail.com.
Ralph Deters is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Saskatchewan , where he co-leads the MADMUC (Multi-Agent Distributed Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing) Lab . He has taught courses including CMPT 298, CMPT 350, CMPT 436, CMPT 842, and CMPT 898, and served as co-coordinator for CMPT 400/CMPT 405. Education Ph.D. in Computer Science, Federal Armed Forces University Munich (1998) MS (Diploma) in Computer Science, Technical University Berlin (1992) BS in Computer Science, Technical University Berlin (1988) Research Interests focus on multi-agent systems , scalable distributed systems , mobile/ubiquitous computing , and privacy-preserving technologies . Current lab projects include: Middleware infrastructures for decentralized systems (cloud/fog/mobile) Social software for sustainable user collaboration Decentralized trust-based data storage Persuasive technologies for health, physical activity, and learning Ethical AI and dark patterns in UI design Blockchain applications in IoT and access control Publications highlight trends in digital twins , blockchain integration , synthetic data for privacy , and machine learning for social impact , with recent work spanning health analytics, agricultural AI, and smart city applications. Lab Impact : The MADMUC Lab, established in 2000 with a $895,687 CFI grant, has graduated 120 researchers (17 PhD, 103 MSc), including two Vanier Scholars. The lab emphasizes awards, scholarships, and interdisciplinary collaboration with 152 total alumni.
Maha Shaikh is an Associate Professor at the Department of Operations, Innovation and Data Sciences within Esade Business School , Ramon Llull University. She holds an ORCID identifier 0000-0001-5110-1619 and maintains an active research agenda across multiple domains of information systems and open technology.
Anton Cervin is a Senior Lecturer (on Leave of Absence) at the Department of Automatic Control, Lund University. He is affiliated with the LTH Profile Area: AI and Digitalization. His roles include Director of First and Second Cycle Studies, Deputy Head of the Department (2019–2022), and Director of the China Profile at LTH (2008–2012). Research focuses on real-time systems, control over cloud platforms, event-based control, and cyber-physical systems. Key projects include the Swedish Research Council-funded 'Event-Based Control of Stochastic Systems' and WASP-supported 'Event-Based Information Fusion for Self-Adaptive Cloud'. Developed software tools: TrueTime (real-time simulator), JitterTime, Jitterbug, and TinyRealTime. Recognized with multiple Best Paper Awards at ECRTS, RTNS, and RTCSA conferences. Supervised over 5 PhD students in real-time control and embedded systems. Teaching includes advanced courses on automatic control, systems engineering, and real-time systems. His work aligns with UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through contributions to smart infrastructure and cloud-based control systems.
Dr Jonathan Foster is a Senior Lecturer in Information Management at the University of Sheffield's Information School. He holds a PhD in Information Studies (Social Sciences) from the University of Sheffield, alongside degrees in Information Systems and Education. His research focuses on information governance, ethics, data sharing, and digital economy dynamics. He leads the IKIM Research Group and has secured significant grants from AHRC, EPSRC, and Wellcome Trust, including projects on AI ethics and cybersecurity narratives. He has supervised numerous PhD students and contributed to curriculum development in information governance and digital economy. Notable awards include the 2018 Teaching Excellence Award for his Deliberation Days initiative. Education: BA, MSc (Brunel), M.Ed. (Sheffield), PhD (Sheffield). Research interests emphasize governance frameworks for data-driven AI, accountability in digital ecosystems, and ethical dimensions of data sharing. His publications span information science journals and edited volumes on collaborative information behavior. He has held roles such as Programme Coordinator for MSc Information Management and Sub-Dean for Undergraduate Affairs. Current grants include AHRC-funded work on mental health AI fairness and ESRC-funded cybersecurity narrative research. Teaching contributions include pioneering modules on information governance and digital economy, reflecting his research-led approach. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in enterprise and public health.
Professor Chanaka Jayawardhena is a Professor of Marketing and Head of the Department of Marketing at the University of Surrey's Surrey Business School. He previously held academic roles at the University of Hull, Loughborough University, De Montfort University, and the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. His research focuses on virtual marketplaces, digital technology's impact on consumer behavior, and organizational strategies for enhancing customer experiences through AI, AR, and digital platforms. He actively supervises PhD students and teaches across various levels, emphasizing practical insights and real-world applications. His work bridges academic rigor and industry relevance, with recent publications exploring eWOM 2.0, sharing economy externalities, and consumer-brand relationships via avatars. Research interests include digital media engagement, service robots' societal impacts, and strategies for leveraging technology in marketing. His publications reflect a strong focus on consumer interaction dynamics, with notable contributions to understanding electronic word-of-mouth evolution, regulatory challenges in sharing economies, and avatar-based brand strategies. Teaching philosophy emphasizes adaptability to student needs and integration of research into pedagogy. Roles: Chair in Marketing, Member of Senior Management Team Research Themes: Virtual Marketplaces, Digital Consumption, Technology-Driven Strategies Key Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2001, with recent emphasis on digital marketing and consumer behavior. Supervision involves mentoring PhD candidates on topics aligned with his research areas, fostering academic innovation and industry collaboration.
Dr. Thomas Bifano is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Boston University Photonics Center. He holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Electrical & Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on MEMS technologies, adaptive optics, and biomedical imaging applications. Dr. Bifano leads interdisciplinary initiatives in photonics, including commercialization of deformable mirrors via Boston Micromachines Corporation. He directs the Neurophotonics Research Training Grant and participates in the NSF Engineering Research Center on Cellular Metamaterials (CELL MET). His lab develops optical instruments for microscopy and telescope instrumentation, emphasizing light control through deformable mirrors. Recent work includes engineered heart tissue studies and high-throughput cardiac tissue screening. Education: PhD from North Carolina State University. Key Roles: Former Chair of the Manufacturing Engineering Department (1999-2006). Affiliations: Photonics & Optical Systems, Neuroscience & Neuroengineering. Grants & Collaborations: NSF CELL MET, BU Photonics Center innovation programs. Facilities: Manages state-of-the-art shared labs and a business innovation center at the Photonics Center.
Marina Papatriantafilou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg. Her research focuses on distributed computing, fault-tolerance, parallel algorithms, and concurrency control. She has contributed to methods for fault-tolerant distributed systems, visualization tools for distributed algorithms, and scalable overlay networks. Her academic roles include teaching advanced courses on distributed systems, computer communication, and operating systems. She advises graduate students in areas like distributed algorithms and parallel computing. Key research interests include lock-free synchronization, memory reclamation, and self-stabilizing systems. She has authored over 100 publications in top-tier conferences and journals, with recent work on data streaming frameworks, energy-sharing optimization, and vehicular network processing. Professional involvement includes roles in program committees for conferences like OPODIS, SWAT, and SSS, plus membership in research evaluation boards for Swedish and European funding agencies. She pioneered educational tools like the Lydian environment for distributed algorithm visualization.
Philippas Tsigas is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology. He leads the Distributed Computing and Systems Research Group and has held roles as co-leader of research initiatives such as the PEPPHER project. His research spans distributed/parallel computing, information visualization, and fault-tolerant communication mechanisms. He has supervised numerous PhD students, including Yi Zhang, Håkan Sundell, and Farnaz Moradi. Research interests include lock-free data structures, multicore algorithms, secure network services, and visualization tools like Lydian and DataMeadow. Notable awards include Best Paper Awards at IPDPS 2003 and SNS 2012. His work has been published in top venues like IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems and ACM Journal of Experimental Algorithmics. Awards highlight contributions to lock-free algorithms and network modeling. Students have contributed to projects like NBmalloc (memory reclamation) and GPU Quicksort. Collaborations with institutions like SSF and VR have supported his research. Tsigas is also involved in teaching distributed systems and mentoring early-career researchers.
Adam J. Lee is a Professor of Computer Science and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Computing and Information. He holds a PhD (2008) and MS (2005) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a BS (2003) from Cornell University. His research bridges computer security, privacy, and distributed systems, focusing on systems that enable secure cross-domain interactions while preserving user privacy. Notable work includes studies on IoT privacy, cryptographic access control, and user perceptions of privacy in smart environments. Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008 MS in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005 BS in Computer Science, Cornell University, 2003 Research Interests: Explores secure distributed systems, privacy-preserving technologies, and user-centric design for IoT. Recent efforts include tangible privacy controls for smart devices, context-aware messaging agents, and formal analysis of cryptographic enforcement architectures. Supported by NSF and DARPA grants, including an NSF CAREER Award in 2013. Recent Work: Focuses on balancing utility and privacy in sensing systems, with contributions in ephemeral communication, auto-response agents, and privacy-aware smart voice assistants. Recent studies address user perceptions of temporal data redaction and trusted platforms. Awards: NSF Career Award (2013) ACM CSCW 2022 Best Paper ACM DIS 2022 Best Paper Advising & Grants: Advises PhD students in privacy and security research. Active in grant-funded projects on access control, cloud security, and health technology interventions. Collaborates with the Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security on policy-relevant cybersecurity issues. Teaching: Courses include Discrete Structures for Computer Science and Computer and Network Security , emphasizing foundational theory and practical applications. Known for curriculum development in privacy-aware systems and ethical computing practices.
James B D Joshi is a Professor in the Department of Informatics and Networked Systems (DINS) at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Computing and Information (SCI). He joined Pitt in 2003 after earning his PhD from Purdue University. From 2019 to 2023, he served as a Program Director for the NSF’s Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program. Currently, he is an intermittent Expert in NSF’s TIP Directorate and led the NSF PDaSP program. His research focuses on cybersecurity and privacy, including access control, AI/ML security, cloud/edge security, and privacy-preserving techniques. Education: PhD, Computer Engineering, Purdue University (2003) MS, Computer Science, Purdue University (1998) BE, Computer Science & Engineering, Motilal Nehru NIT, India (1993) Research Interests: Privacy, security, trust, attribute-based encryption, cloud security, insider threat detection, and privacy-preserving AI/ML. His work emphasizes trustworthy systems and secure distributed computing environments. Recent Contributions: His articles span privacy-preserving federated learning, insider threat mitigation, and secure edge computing. Recent projects include PPFL-RDSN (2025), TAPFed (2024), and blockchain-based transparency frameworks (2022). Awards & Honors: NSF Director’s Award (2023), IEEE Fellow (2023), ACM Distinguished Member (2017), NSF CAREER Award (2006), and SIRI Research Leadership Award (2018). Service & Leadership: Founding director of LERSAIS lab, co-chair of IEEE conferences (TPS, CIC, CogMI), and former Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Services Computing. Active in NSF and NITRD policy initiatives, including privacy and digital assets R&D strategies.
Hantao Cui is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NC State University. He previously served as an Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University (2021–2024) and earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2018). His research focuses on applying mathematical and computational methods to model, simulate, and analyze modern power systems, particularly those dominated by renewable energy sources and inverter-based technologies. He is the author of the ANDES simulation tool and a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award (2024) and the 2020 R&D 100 Award for his work on the CURENT Large-Scale Testbed. His expertise spans power electronics, grid stability, and cyber-physical system integration. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2018) M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Southeast University, China (2013) B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Southeast University, China (2011) Research Interests: Large-scale power system simulation and modeling Inverter-based resource control and grid stability Renewable energy integration and optimization Cyber-physical system testbed development Open-source software tools for power systems analysis Key Contributions: Developed ANDES, an open-source framework for power systems modeling Advanced virtual inertia scheduling (VIS) techniques for microgrids Pioneered data-driven adaptive control strategies for grid-forming inverters Awards & Honors: NSF CAREER Award (2024) R&D 100 Award (2020) Best Paper Award at IEEE PES General Meeting (2022) Senior Member of IEEE (2020) Grants & Labs: Principal Investigator for NSF-funded research on inverter-based grid stability Core contributor to the CURENT Large-Scale Testbed project
Lara J. Nettelfield is a Clinical Professor in the Program in International Relations at New York University. Her research focuses on human rights, forced migration, transitional justice, technology's societal impact, and social movements. She co-authored Srebrenica in the Aftermath of Genocide (2015), which examines post-genocide social repair mechanisms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and authored Courting Democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2010), analyzing the impact of the ICTY on democratization. Both books received significant academic recognition, including the Marshall Shulman Prize (2011). Nettelfield holds a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University, with additional training at the Harriman Institute. Her career includes work with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), OSCE, and NATO Parliamentary Assembly, alongside NGO advisory roles. She serves on editorial boards for journals like East European Politics and Review of International Studies , and frequently contributes to media outlets such as the New York Times , Foreign Policy , and BBC . Her recent projects include an oral history initiative on Europe's refugee crisis and analyses of technology's role in humanitarian efforts. Awards include the HEA Fellowship (UK) and multiple research grants on Balkan conflict studies. Nettelfield's work bridges academic rigor with practical policy engagement, emphasizing accountability mechanisms and civil society roles in post-conflict reconstruction. Her publications span scholarly articles on missing persons, asylum system critiques, and lessons from European migration policies. She remains actively engaged in debates about racial equality in US asylum systems and the ethical dimensions of quantitative data in conflict analysis.
Keith Cuthbertson is a Special Lecturer at Bayes Business School, City, University of London. He holds a BSc in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Sussex and an MA in Economics from the University of Manchester. His professional experience includes roles at H.M. Treasury, Bank of England, National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), Imperial College London, and visiting positions at the Federal Reserve Bank (Washington), Freie University (Berlin), and University of Bordeaux. His research focuses on investment fund performance, behavioral finance, and risk management. Key areas include: (1) Measurement and persistence of mutual fund performance, (2) Statistical methods to distinguish skill from luck in fund management, (3) Factor models for portfolio optimization, and (4) Market timing strategies in equity and bond funds. His work emphasizes practical applications for investors and regulators. Recent publications (2016–2023) demonstrate a consistent focus on fund performance analytics, with evolving emphasis on factor models, portfolio size effects, nonparametric methods, and sustainability-linked finance. His research frequently combines academic rigor with practitioner-oriented insights. PhD Supervision: Elisa Pazaj (2015–present): Topics in Financial Markets Niall O'Sullivan (2006–2009): Performance of Mutual Funds Consultancy: Extensive work with Centrica, Towers Perrin, RBS, Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), and other financial/government institutions. Focuses on applied finance, derivatives, and risk management solutions.
Peter Druschel is the founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS) and leads the Distributed Systems Group. He holds adjunct professorships at Saarland University and the University of Maryland, reflecting his strong academic affiliations in computer science. He has previously served as a Professor of Computer Science at Rice University and has held visiting positions at MIT, Microsoft Research Cambridge, and LIP6. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Arizona, 1994 His research centers on building secure, compliant, and privacy-preserving distributed and mobile systems. Key interests include accountable systems, peer-to-peer networks, operating systems, and network security. He has led foundational work in systems like Pastry, Scribe, and Glacier, and currently focuses on privacy compliance in data processing through projects like Thoth and iPic. His work is supported by major grants from the ERC, Max Planck Society, DFG, BMBF, and Google. The recent publications highlight a consistent trend in secure and privacy-aware systems, with a focus on policy enforcement, isolation mechanisms, anonymity, and mobile security. These works span top venues such as USENIX Security, OSDI, MobiSys, and SIGCOMM, reflecting sustained impact in systems and security communities. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (1995) Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2000) SIGOPS Mark Weiser Award (2008) Microsoft Research Outstanding Collaborator Award (2016) EuroSys Lifetime Achievement Award (2017) Druschel has advised numerous PhD and master’s students and postdoctoral researchers at MPI-SWS. He has co-directed major collaborative programs including the Cornell-Maryland-Max Planck Pre-doctoral School and the Maryland Max Planck Ph.D. Program. His leadership extends to professional service, having chaired SOSP, OSDI, NSDI, and EuroSys, and served on editorial boards of CACM, TOCS, and Royal Society Open Science. He is a member of Academia Europaea and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Labs and Teams: Distributed Systems Group, MPI-SWS imPACT ERC Synergy Project Collaborators include Bobby Bhattacharjee, Deepak Garg, Miguel Castro, Ion Stoica, and others
