Dr. Kevin Kochersberger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech , with a career spanning academic research, technical innovation, and educational leadership. His work focuses on autonomous aerial systems , robotic control , and applied aerodynamics , particularly through the Uncrewed Systems Laboratory . Kochersberger's research has pioneered UAV-based radiation detection , 3D terrain mapping , and low-resource drone applications , including establishing the African Drone and Data Academy in Malawi . Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1994) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1984) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1983) A.S., Engineering Science, Jamestown Community College (1981) Kochersberger's publications demonstrate expertise in UAV path planning , smart material actuation , and radiation source localization , with over $9M in research funding. His scientific awards include AIAA Associate Fellow (2009) and Aviation Week Aerospace Laureate (2003). Notable projects involve helicopter-deployable robotic systems and urban canyon navigation without GPS. Recent articles highlight BVLOS drone simulators , 2.5D terrain mapping , and autonomous negative obstacle traversal , reflecting his focus on real-time adaptive control and heterogeneous robotic systems . He teaches Drone Technology and Flight Operations and Advanced Design Projects , emphasizing student-driven innovation and industry collaboration .
Professor Omer Rana serves as Professor of Performance Engineering and International Dean for the Middle East at Cardiff University's School of Computer Science and Informatics. He also holds the prestigious position of Cross-Council Research Director for the UK National Edge AI Hub, demonstrating his leadership in national research initiatives. Previously, he led the Complex Systems research group and served as Dean of International for the Physical Sciences and Engineering College at Cardiff University. Professor Rana is a Fellow of both the Learned Society of Wales and the Higher Education Academy, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Welsh Ethnic Minority Professors Initiative (WEMPI). His research expertise centers on the intersection of intelligent systems and high performance distributed computing, with particular focus on applying intelligent techniques to resource management in distributed systems. His scholarly contributions span edge computing, cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, federated learning, privacy-preserving systems, and sustainable computing. Professor Rana has published extensively in top-tier journals and conferences, with recent work emphasizing practical applications in industrial automation, smart buildings, and sustainable computing solutions. Professor Rana's publication record demonstrates consistent leadership in edge computing and distributed systems research, with a growing emphasis on practical implementations across diverse application domains. His work bridges theoretical computer science with real-world technological challenges, particularly in industrial automation, smart environments, and sustainable infrastructure. Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Professor Rana actively supervises postgraduate students and has secured significant research funding for projects related to edge computing, IoT, and distributed systems. His international collaborations span Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, reflecting his global influence in the field. He serves as a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop chair, and panel moderator at major international conferences including IEEE/ACM Utility and Cloud Computing (UCC) and IEEE Edge Computing. He leads multiple research initiatives, most notably as Cross-Council Research Director for the UK National Edge AI Hub, where he shapes national research directions in edge computing and AI. His work has practical applications across industrial automation, smart building management, electric vehicle infrastructure, and sustainable computing solutions.
Ning Nan is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, specifically within the Department of Accounting and Information Systems. With a BA from Peking University, an MA from the University of Minnesota, and a PhD from the University of Michigan, Dr. Nan focuses on digital business strategy, evolvable IT infrastructure, and complex adaptive systems. His research explores blockchain applications, agent-based modeling, and the intersection of AI with societal challenges like sustainability. Education: PhD in Information Systems, University of Michigan MA in Information Systems, University of Minnesota BA in Computer Science, Peking University Research Interests: Dr. Nan investigates how technology shapes organizational and societal systems, with a focus on AI ethics, sustainability through personalized recommendations, and blockchain's role in decentralized supply chains. He employs agent-based modeling to simulate complex phenomena like innovation diffusion and online community dynamics. Recent work addresses explainable AI in smart cities and carbon-reduction gamification strategies. Teaching: In 2024-2025, he teaches Data Management for Business Analytics , emphasizing practical applications of data-driven decision-making. Key Research Themes: His articles highlight trends in AI sustainability (e.g., carbon footprint impacts of recommendation systems), digital business strategy (blockchain governance, app update strategies), and foundational IS theory (hyperturbulence and IS strategy).
Aura Istrate is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Urban Planning & Sustainable Urbanism at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin (UCD). With an international background spanning multiple continents, she conducts interdisciplinary research on sustainable urban development, focusing on active mobility, nature-based solutions, and climate-neutral cities. She teaches GIS and urban planning modules while coordinating several significant research projects across European and Asian contexts. University College Dublin, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy Primary Coordinator of C-NEWTRAL (Horizon MSCA-DN 2024-2028) Co-Leader of REALLOCATE (Horizon Europe project 2023-2027) Principal Investigator for BIODIVERSA+ projects (NatureScape and NBS4AQUAMISSION) Educated at the University of Architecture and Urban Planning 'Ion Mincu' in Bucharest (BA and MA) and the University of Liverpool (PhD), Dr. Istrate further enhanced her teaching credentials with a Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning from UCD. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in architectural and urban planning principles combined with specialized expertise in sustainable urbanism. Dr. Istrate's research focuses on smart and sustainable urbanism, particularly examining active mobility, livable streets, green public spaces, and nature-based solutions in urban planning. Her work employs participatory, geospatial, and mixed methods to inform smart communities and the transition to climate-neutral cities. She has practical international experience in urban design and planning, with ongoing collaborations spanning European and Asian countries, currently teaching and researching across cultures in UCD and UCD's International Colleges (CDIC). Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on street vitality, urban heat adaptation, and nature-based solutions. The research demonstrates methodological diversity combining quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative community engagement approaches. Her work spans multiple geographic contexts, with particular expertise in Chinese urban environments and European cities, showing how urban planning concepts need to be contextualized for different cultural settings. The articles consistently address climate adaptation challenges through innovative approaches like urban nature games and fine-grained street classification systems. Dr. Istrate serves as a PhD thesis supervisor and is actively involved in major research initiatives including C-NEWTRAL (as Primary Coordinator), REALLOCATE (as Co-Leader), and BIODIVERSA+ projects (as PI for NatureScape and NBS4AQUAMISSION). Her grant portfolio includes Horizon Europe projects and other significant funding that supports interdisciplinary research on climate-neutral urban development. She has coordinated multiple teaching modules including Planning Design & Development, GIS & Planning, Intro to Spatial Planning, and Local Planning Studio. She leads international research collaborations and maintains active partnerships across various European and Asian countries. Her work bridges academic research with practical urban planning applications, particularly through her focus on research-by-design approaches and participatory methods that engage communities in the planning process. She has served as a lecturer, tutor, or teaching assistant across departments of Architecture, Planning, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Human Geography in Ireland, the UK, Czechia, Sweden, China, and Romania since 2010.
Tuuli Toivonen is a Professor of Geoinformatics at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki. She leads the transdisciplinary Digital Geography Lab , which addresses human-scale spatial analytics for sustainable societies. She serves as Vice-Director of Geography Degree Programs (post-2022) and previously held the Director role (2020-2022). After receiving the ERC Consolidator Grant in 2022, she continues advancing open science through active memberships in HELSUS and URBARIA . PhD in Geography (University of Turku, 2006) Specialist Vocational Qualification in Leadership (2023) Life Member, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (since 2021) Her research focuses on Human-Place Interactions through accessibility/mobility lenses, combining Open Data , Machine Learning , and Spatial Analytics . Key application areas include Urban Geography , Conservation Science , and Governance Policy . Recent publications address Dynamic Cities (2018), Social Media for Conservation (2019), and Environmental Exposure During Travel (2021). Her lab produces datasets like the Helsinki Region Travel Time Matrix series (2014-2023). Scientific Awards: European Open Data Champion (2017) Open Science Price (2017) University of Helsinki Geography Award (2018) She supervises Master's thesis work and serves as Opponent for doctoral defenses across Europe. Her teaching portfolio includes Advanced Geoinformatics and Digital Geographies courses.
Bilal Farooq is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Engineering in Interdisciplinary Engineering (MEIE) at Toronto Metropolitan University, holding the Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services within the Department of Civil Engineering. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto (2011), MASc from Lahore University of Management Sciences (2004), and BSc from the University of Engineering and Technology (2001). Dr. Farooq's research pioneers disruptive transportation solutions through cyber-physical systems, AI/machine learning applications, behavioral modeling, and optimization techniques. His work specifically targets on-demand multimodal systems, sustainable urban transportation, urban air mobility, automated vehicles, and extended reality applications, addressing critical urban mobility challenges with human-centered approaches. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward quantum-enhanced computational methods, privacy-preserving federated learning frameworks, and sustainability-focused decarbonization strategies across transportation domains, with increasing emphasis on human factors and real-world implementation. Notable scientific awards include: Ontario Early Researcher Award (2018) Canada Research Chair (2017) MassMotion Academic Pedestrian Modelling Project of the Year (2016) Québec Early Researcher Award (2014) Dr. Farooq actively supervises graduate students and secures significant research funding through his Canada Research Chair position and Early Researcher Awards. He directs the Laboratory of Innovations in Transportation (LiTrans), which develops interdisciplinary solutions integrating mathematics, engineering, computer science, and economics to address emerging transportation challenges. LiTrans focuses on disruptive transportation technologies, complete streets design, cyber-physical systems, pedestrian dynamics, resilience, and climate change impacts, collaborating with industry and government partners to translate research into practical urban mobility innovations for smart cities worldwide.
Christian Poellabauer is a Professor at Florida International University (FIU) in the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences, serving as Interim Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Engineering & Computing. He holds a Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology (2004) and a Diplom-Ingenieur from TU Vienna (1998). His research focuses on mobile sensing, data analytics, and healthcare technologies, leading the MOSAIC Lab which develops solutions for healthcare, IoT, and smart cities. He previously led the Mobile Computing Lab at the University of Notre Dame and held leadership roles in data science institutes. Research Interests: His work spans digital biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, speech analysis for mental health, wearable device authentication, and wireless sensor networks. The MOSAIC Lab addresses challenges like real-time sensor data analysis on constrained devices and translating insights into clinical applications. Teaching: He has taught courses on Operating Systems, Mobile Computing, and Smart Health at both FIU and Notre Dame. Recent courses include COP4610 (Operating Systems Principles) and COP5614 (Graduate Operating Systems) at FIU. Service: He serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering, and has organized conferences like ICNC 2023 and IEEE MASS 2021. His academic service includes roles on editorial boards and technical program committees for major conferences in distributed computing and networking. Advising & Labs: Advises current Ph.D. students in areas like multi-modal sensing for affective computing and mental health crowdsensing. Past students have pursued roles in academia and industry (e.g., Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Facebook, Microsoft). The MOSAIC Lab collaborates on projects like digital clinical outcome assessments and motor impairment detection.
Dr. Thomas E. Doyle is an Associate Professor at the McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at McMaster University. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, human-computer interfacing (HCI), and machine learning applications for healthcare augmentation, rehabilitation, and enhancement. He holds a Ph.D. from Western Ontario, Canada, and teaches courses like COMPENG 2DI4 (Logic Design). His work bridges cybernetics and clinical applications, emphasizing AI-driven solutions for medical diagnostics, patient monitoring, and space exploration. Education: B.E.Sc, B.Sc, M.E.Sc, Ph.D. from Western Ontario, Canada Recent Projects: Developed AI systems for remote healthcare diagnostics (2023) Collaborated with NASA on medical emergency simulators for deep space missions (2017–2023) Led ventilator development efforts for local hospitals during the pandemic (2020) His research interests span machine learning for mental health diagnostics, trust quantification in medical AI, and extended reality (XR) for medical training. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating computational methods with healthcare challenges. Recent publications highlight applications in pediatric emergency care, chronic pain management, and reliable medical device design. Dr. Doyle actively engages in educational initiatives, including first-year engineering pedagogy and experiential learning programs. He has received funding for projects such as the Educating the Engineer of 2025 (EtE-25) awards and contributes to initiatives like the Digital & Smart Systems and Health & Bio-innovation research clusters at McMaster.
Mathias Funk is an Associate Professor in the Industrial Design department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), leading the Things Ecology lab. His research focuses on designing with data and systems behavior, particularly in IoT and medical technology contexts. He co-founded UXsuite GmbH and developed the OOCSI communication framework. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU/e (2011), Funk has held academic roles since 2013, including postdoctoral positions in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design. He teaches courses like 'Data-enabled design' and supervises projects on AI, data foundry, and OOCSI applications. His work bridges engineering and design, addressing sustainability and human values through systemic design approaches. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, TU/e (2011) Computer Science background from RWTH Aachen Postdoc at TU/e's Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design departments Research Interests: Data-driven design methodologies, IoT systems, medical technology innovation, sustainable design practices, and interactive systems for musical expression. Recent work emphasizes telemonitoring efficacy in heart failure care and federated learning applications. Awards: Best Paper Award (2014) Honorable Mention (2021) Grants/Projects: Leading initiatives like MEDICAID (medtech solutions), ACACIA (interpretable AI), and Data-Driven Servitizing in Professional Printing. Active in clinical workflow prototyping and cardiovascular disease detection projects. Lab Activities: Manages the Things Ecology lab, focusing on systemic design challenges in smart ecosystems. Collaborates internationally through spin-offs and visiting lectureships.
Dr. Srinivas Peeta is the Frederick R. Dickerson Chair and Professor in Transportation Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He previously held the Jack and Kay Hockema Professorship at Purdue University, where he served for 24 years. He is also the Associate Director of the USDOT Center for Connected and Automated Transportation. Education: B. Tech. from IIT Madras, M.S. from Caltech, and Ph.D. from UT Austin, all in Civil Engineering. His research focuses on large-scale transportation systems, infrastructure interdependencies, and connected/automated vehicles. He has authored over 345 publications and secured over $48M in research funding. Research Interests: Dynamic traffic networks and driver behavior modeling Information-based navigation in vehicular systems Systems perspectives for complex adaptive infrastructure Autonomous vehicle integration and human-vehicle interactions Key Achievements: Developed DYNASMART software for traffic operations Recipient of NSF CAREER Award (1997) and ASCE Walter Huber Prize (2009) Directed NEXTRANS UTC and pioneered USDOT’s real-time route guidance systems Grants & Outreach: Secured funding from USDOT, NSF, FHWA, and international agencies Initiated NEXTRANS internship programs and K-12 outreach Labs/Teams: Active in Georgia Tech’s ACT Lab, focusing on autonomous transportation systems and human-vehicle-environment interactions.
Cyrille Artho is an Associate Professor in the Division of Theoretical Computer Science at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, actively contributing to research in formal methods, software testing, and cybersecurity. His work spans model checking, smart contract security, and concurrent systems verification, with significant contributions to tools like Java Pathfinder and Modbat. PhD from ETH Zurich (2005) with dissertation on multi-threading fault detection Teaches Software Safety and Security, Software Engineering Fundamentals, and supervises degree projects His research focuses on developing formal techniques for safety-critical systems, particularly in blockchain security and distributed applications. Recent work emphasizes smart contract verification, anomaly detection in microservices, and trusted execution environments for secure cloud analytics. The 15 most recent publications reveal a strong trend toward blockchain security (6 articles), formal verification of distributed systems (5), and novel testing methodologies (4), with increasing integration of machine learning for vulnerability detection. As chair of the FTSCS workshop series and contributor to major conferences like ASE and ICST, Artho has significantly shaped the formal methods community. His leadership in organizing workshops demonstrates commitment to advancing safety-critical systems research. Principal investigator for C3.ai DTI Cyber Safety Cage for Networks project Develops Modbat framework for model-based API testing Active in Digital Futures research initiative at KTH
Professor Dinusha Mendis is a leading academic in Intellectual Property and Innovation Law at Bournemouth University, where she serves as Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM). Her expertise bridges copyright law with emerging technologies like 3D printing, AI, blockchain, and the Metaverse, informed by extensive research and consultation with entities such as the European Parliament, UKIPO, and corporations like HP and Chanel. She holds a PhD from Edinburgh University and has authored seminal works on the intersection of technology and IP. BSc in Law from Aberdeen University LLM and PhD from Edinburgh University Called to the Bar of England and Wales Her research focuses on copyright challenges in immersive environments , AI-generated content regulation , and blockchain/NFTs . She led major studies for the European Commission and UKIPO , including the first peer-reviewed work on 3D printing and IP. Her 2019 co-edited book with Stanford and QUT scholars established foundational frameworks for additive manufacturing legal analysis. Recent publications highlight AI copyright disputes (2024 The Conversation ), NFT legal ambiguities (2022), and pandemic-era 3D printing (2020). Trends show increasing emphasis on decentralized IP systems and machine learning's impact on creative industries . Scientific Awards & Grants JSPS Visiting Professorship (2023) Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Grant (2024) EU Commission Research Funding (2020) AHRC Grant for 3D Jewellery Study (2017) As a PhD supervisor, she mentors researchers on AI copyright (Benjamin White), crypto-art (Bahar Dagli), and music creation law (Elizabeth Bailey). She contributes to global IP policy through the World Economic Forum's Metaverse Governance Team and EU IPR Enforcement Projects .
Dr. Muhammad Imran is a Reader and Lecturer in Mechanical, Biomedical & Design Engineering at Aston University, UK. He is affiliated with the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, and low-temperature power cycles such as Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and Supercritical CO₂ systems. He has contributed to the commercialization of ORC systems and collaborates internationally on hybrid energy systems, solar-thermal integration, and district heating networks. Dr. Imran holds a PhD in Energy System Engineering (2016), MSc in Thermal Power Engineering (2012), and BEng in Mechanical Engineering (2009). He has held academic roles at institutions in Pakistan, South Korea, and Denmark, including a Marie Curie Fellowship at the Technical University of Denmark. His awards include the Marie Curie Fellowship (EU), Innovation Award (South Asia Triple Helix), and multiple Research Excellence Awards from South Korea. He leads funded projects on hybrid energy systems for agriculture, waste heat recovery in industries, and sustainable energy solutions in developing countries. His editorial roles include associate editorships in Frontiers in Thermal Engineering and Resources, Environment and Sustainability . He supervises PhD students in renewable energy and low-temperature thermodynamic systems, with ongoing projects on solid-state heat pumps and advanced ORC control strategies. Dr. Imran’s work bridges engineering, data science, and environmental science to address energy challenges. Notable collaborations include projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Sudan, focusing on off-grid cold storage, smart irrigation, and biomass energy systems. His research outputs include over 130 peer-reviewed articles, patents, and contributions to international conferences.
Mark Bocko is a Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Rochester, affiliated with the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. He holds roles as Director of the Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences (CEIS) and Director of Audio & Music Engineering. He earned his PhD in Physics from the University of Rochester in 1984, focusing on gravitational wave detectors. His research spans audio signal processing, sensors, superconductivity, and quantum computing. Notable contributions include flat-panel loudspeaker development, non-contact ECG sensors, and quantum coherence studies in Josephson junctions. Research interests include audio and acoustic signal processing, computer audition, and sensor technologies. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining electrical engineering, physics, and computer science. Awards include the 2012 Goergen Award for Teaching and Mercer Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professor (2008–2011). Recent publications address modal crossover networks for loudspeakers, vibrational touch sensing, and room impulse response modeling. He has advised PhD students on topics like spatial audio rendering and musical vibrato analysis. His labs focus on advancing audio engineering and smart sensor systems through collaborative industry partnerships.
Michael Lepech is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. His research focuses on integrating sustainability into civil engineering through quantitative assessment and multi-scale modeling, particularly via the Sustainable Integrated Materials, Structures, Systems (SIMSS) framework. He also leads the Stanford Center at the Incheon Global Campus (SCIGC) in South Korea, exploring smart city technologies for urban sustainability. Education : PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2006), MBA in Finance and Strategy (2008) from the University of Michigan. Research Areas : Sustainable infrastructure design, biopolymer composites, life cycle assessment, digital twinning, smart city technologies, and multi-physics deterioration modeling. Leadership : Director of SCIGC, advancing research on smart and sustainable urban environments in Songdo, South Korea. His recent publications focus on biopolymer-bound composites, traffic signal optimization, and life cycle sustainability analysis. He has received recognition as a Senior Fellow at Stanford’s Woods Institute for environmental research.
