David Ness is an Adjunct Professor at UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, with a focus on sustainable built environments, resource efficiency, and climate mitigation. His work bridges architecture, engineering, and policy analysis. Research Interests : Sustainable urban systems, circular economy critiques, sufficiency policies, and climate adaptation strategies. Publications : Recent articles explore carbon-neutral urban dynamics, technological efficiency limitations, and architectural regeneration models. Scientific Contributions : He has advanced frameworks for resource-efficient infrastructure, urban symbiosis, and post-circular economic models, emphasizing equity and global climate justice.
Muhammad Iqbal is a Research Fellow at Aalto University, affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation. His work focuses on resilient control systems, cybersecurity for cyber-physical systems, and advanced signal processing techniques. Research Interests: Resilient control of connected automated vehicles Robust Kalman filtering under cyber-attacks Multi-agent systems and distributed optimization Signal denoising and sparse signal processing Microgrid fault diagnostics and control Hydropower system regulation Research Groups: Sensor Informatics and Medical Technology.
Andreea Minca is a Professor in the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering at Cornell University, holding a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Sorbonne University and a Diplome from Ecole Polytechnique. Her research focuses on mathematical modeling of financial systems under uncertainty, with emphasis on systemic risk and network-based contagion dynamics. Her educational background includes: PhD in Applied Mathematics, Sorbonne University Diplome de l'Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole Polytechnique Minca's research pioneered structural models for systemic risk using network theory to represent financial interconnections. She developed foundational work on contagion in large systems through asymptotic analysis of diffusions on random graphs and introduced optimization frameworks under network uncertainty. Current interests extend to decentralized finance, stablecoin design, reinforcement learning in graphon games, and pandemic-related risk mitigation for supply chains. Her methodology integrates stochastic analysis, game theory, and network science to derive stability-promoting policies. Recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward decentralized finance applications while maintaining core systemic risk research. Key trends include modeling stablecoin vulnerabilities, applying clustering algorithms to financial networks, and developing reinforcement learning solutions for mean-field games. This interdisciplinary work bridges operations research, finance, and computer science to address contemporary challenges in financial stability and emerging technologies. Her distinguished awards include: 2016 SIAM Activity Group on Financial Mathematics and Engineering Early Career Prize NSF CAREER Award (2017) Research Fellow of GARP (2014) AXA Research Fund Awardee (2020) Minca has advised seven PhD students with placements at JPMorgan, Northwestern University, Citadel, AQR, Tower Research Capital, and Gyroscope Stablecoin (founded by her student). Her research is supported by competitive grants including the NSF CAREER award and AXA-funded project on pandemic risk mitigation. She serves on editorial boards of Mathematical Finance, SIAM Journal on Financial Mathematics, and European Journal of Operational Research. Her work operates within complex financial systems research, collaborating across disciplines to develop mathematical frameworks for crisis management and system resilience, particularly through network analytics and machine learning applications.
Ali M. Memari is the Bernard and Henrietta Hankin Chair Professor at The Pennsylvania State University, with joint appointments in the Departments of Architectural Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering. He serves as Director of the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center (PHRC) and Editor-in-Chief of the ASCE Journal of Architectural Engineering. His research integrates structural engineering, building science, and sustainable construction technologies. Research Focus: Dr. Memari leads investigations in residential building systems, including seismic resilience of structures, energy-efficient envelope design, and sustainable materials development. His pioneering work in multi-story modular construction and 3D concrete printing addresses housing affordability and environmental impact. Current projects explore hurricane/flood-resistant designs, hempcrete applications, and performance optimization of 3D-printed structural elements. Teaching & Advising: He teaches graduate courses in Building Enclosure Science and Earthquake Resistant Design. Since 2000, he has mentored over 45 graduate students, with dissertations/theses spanning seismic testing of wall systems, additive manufacturing, building energy modeling, and tornado shelter design. Honors & Innovations: Recognized as an ASCE Fellow and endowed chair holder, Memari holds patents for earthquake-resistant glass panels and transparent sustainable wall systems. His research receives support through PHRC industry partnerships and federal grants. Laboratory Leadership: He directs experimental research at PHRC's Air Bladder Load Test Facility and 3D printing laboratories, advancing testing protocols for building components under environmental and seismic loads.
Steven Beites is a tenured Professor at Laurentian University's McEwen School of Architecture, where he directs the Institute for Northern Housing Innovation and serves as Graduate Coordinator. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto, a Master of Science in Digital and Material Technologies from the University of Michigan, and is a Ph.D. candidate at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. Previously, he taught at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Waterloo, with visiting appointments at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. His research integrates robotics, material science, and bio-based materials to transform affordable housing in Northern Ontario, focusing on decarbonization, automated construction, and sustainable design. Key themes include: Robotic fabrication for in-situ construction Low-carbon bio-material assemblies Cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) systems Community-driven design-build frameworks Publications emphasize robotic construction (68% of recent works), material innovation (21%), and pedagogical/community design (11%), with consistent focus on practical applications for housing affordability. Significant awards include: Voyageur Innovation Challenge 2025 (1st Place) Kathryne Kril-Atkins Innovation Fellowship National Award of Excellence from Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Azure Magazine’s Social Good AZ Award Over 15 national/international competition wins including Postmark Hotel (2024) and Venice Biennale exhibitions He secured $1.75M+ in grants (SSHRC, NFRF) establishing the Institute for Northern Housing Innovation, and advises the Ontario government on modular housing policy through the Council of Ontario Universities.
Prof. Francesca Tittarelli is a Full Professor at the Polytechnic University of Marche, affiliated with the Department of Materials, Environmental and Urban Science Engineering (SIMAU) within the School of Engineering. Her research focuses on sustainable construction materials, particularly alkali-activated systems, waste valorization in cementitious composites, and structural health monitoring. Recent publications highlight her work on: Development of sustainable alkali-activated mortars using copper mine tailings and metakaolin (2025) Creation of multifunctional finishes for indoor air quality improvement (2025) Comparative analysis of textile-reinforced mortars with different binder systems (2024) Implementation of AI-enabled monitoring platforms for concrete structures (2024) Characterization of construction and demolition waste (2024) Development of waste-valorized nanowebs for water purification (2024) The research demonstrates consistent focus on: Environmental sustainability in material science Waste-to-resource strategies Smart sensing materials Cultural heritage preservation Climate-resilient construction techniques Energy-efficient building solutions
Professor Dominic C.Y. Foo is a distinguished academic at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, serving as Professor of Process Design and Integration and Founding Director of the Centre of Excellence for Green Technologies . He holds multiple prestigious fellowships including Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) , and is recognized in the Stanford list of top 2% scientists for several consecutive years. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering Active in international collaborations across Asia, Europe, Americas, and Africa Editor-in-Chief of Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability (Springer Nature) Research Focus : His work centers on process integration and optimization for sustainability, particularly through pinch analysis and mathematical programming to address resource conservation , CO2 reduction , and decarbonization . Key areas include water minimization , energy planning , and carbon management networks , with applications spanning from the oil palm industry to hydrogen production systems. Scientific Contributions : With over 190 journal papers , 8 books , and 30+ keynote speeches , Professor Foo's research has had significant global impact. He has examined 40+ PhD/MSc theses internationally and developed specialized software like RCNet and DECO2 for resource conservation and carbon management. 2009 IChemE Innovator of the Year 2013 Outstanding Asian Researcher (SCEJ, Japan) 2016 Top Research Scientist Malaysia (ASM) International Engagement : He serves as Visiting Professor at several institutions including University of the Philippines Los Baños and De La Salle University in the Philippines. His editorial roles span multiple leading journals in chemical and environmental engineering.
Eric Thacker is an Associate Professor in the Wildland Resources department at Utah State University, specializing in rangeland ecology and wildlife conservation. His work focuses on sagebrush ecosystems, habitat management, and livestock grazing impacts. PhD in Wildlife Sciences (2010), Utah State University His research addresses ecological resilience, fire management, and restoration techniques in rangelands. Publications emphasize sage-grouse habitat, vegetation responses to disturbances, and sustainable grazing practices. Recent articles highlight innovations in rangeland management, including smart foodscapes, plant survival strategies, and climate adaptation frameworks. These studies span plant ecology, wildlife behavior, and ecosystem restoration. Scientific awards include: US Extension Specialist Award (2023) Extension Cooperator (2020) Range Manager of the Year (2016) Teaching includes graduate courses in rangeland management and wildlife ecology. He has mentored multiple graduate students and contributes to extension programs on drought preparedness and wild horse management.
Dr Dnyaneshwar (Danny) Mogale is Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain and Logistics Modelling at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University . A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), he previously served as Visiting Researcher at Cranfield School of Management and Research Assistant at the Geneva School of Business Administration, Switzerland. With a PhD from IIT Kharagpur, MTech from NIT Tiruchirappalli, and BTech from SRTMU Nanded, he brings extensive interdisciplinary expertise to his role. Research Interests Dr Mogale's research centres on developing mathematical models for complex, real-world supply chain and logistics challenges. His core areas include: Supply Chain & Logistics Modelling – designing optimisation frameworks for freight distribution, vehicle routing, and network design. Risk & Resilience – analysing disruptions (COVID-19, geopolitical, climatic) and devising mitigation strategies. Sustainability – integrating economic, environmental, and social objectives into supply chain planning. His work aligns with Cardiff Business School’s Public Value strategy, aiming to deliver tangible societal impact. Research Projects & Funding Dr Mogale has secured competitive grants totalling over £245,000 : Knowledge Transfer Partnership , Innovate UK & Tower Cold Chain Solutions – £239,719 (2023-2026, Co-I). ESRC Impact Acceleration Account – £3,000 (2022-2023, PI): robust distribution of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Global Wales International Research Mobility Fund – £3,180 (2020-2022, PI): COVID-19 impacts on sustainable food supply chains. Publications & Knowledge Exchange He has published 30+ peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Transportation Research Part E , International Journal of Production Economics , Production Planning & Control , and Computers & Industrial Engineering . His research trends reveal a consistent focus on: Multi-objective optimisation for sustainable supply chains. Resilience modelling during disruptions. Integration of AI & Big Data analytics in logistics. Scientific Awards & Recognition IFAC 2019 Young Author Award Finalist Invited session chair at WPGRC 2022 (Cardiff) and ICIEM 2021 (MNIT Jaipur) Organiser & chair – LRN 2021 special session on “Sustainability & Circular Economy Challenges in Food Supply Chains” Judge – CILT UK Logistics Dissertation of the Year Awards, James Cooper Memorial Cup, and Seed Corn Research Fund Cardiff University representative on CILT(UK) Logistics & Research Network Forum since 2020 Teaching & PhD Supervision Dr Mogale currently leads three MSc modules: BST846 – Modelling and Analysis for Sustainable Supply Chains & Logistics BST835 – Risk Management in Supply Chains BST811 – Business Data Analytics He welcomes PhD candidates in supply chain modelling, food supply chains, sustainability, and risk/resilience. Current supervisees include Jianhao Yang and S M Salauddin Salauddin . Professional Service & Outreach Dr Mogale serves as: Reviewer for Transportation Research Part E , IJPE , IJPR , PPC , Annals of OR , CAIE and other leading journals International PhD examiner and conference reviewer (IFAC, LRN, IPSERA) Invited guest lecturer at IIT(BHU) Varanasi, MNIT Jaipur, Clemson University, and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology Organising committee member – LRN PhD Workshop 2022 (Aston)
Prof. Dr. Alvaro Garcia Hernandez is a distinguished academic and current Head of Institute of Highway Engineering at RWTH Aachen University (Germany). He previously served as Associate Professor (2020-2022) and Assistant Professor (2013-2020) at the Department of Civil Engineering , University of Nottingham . His career includes research fellowships at EMPA (Switzerland), TU Delft (Netherlands), and University of Cantabria (Spain). Education: PhD in Civil Engineering (2008) from University of Cantabria, Spain Current Role: Chair and Institute of Highway Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Research Focus: Self-healing asphalt, thermal properties of pavements, induction heating applications, and sustainable road materials His research explores advanced pavement technologies, including asphalt mixture optimization and energy harvesting systems . Recent work (2025) includes thermal traffic sensor development and road marking visibility for automated vehicles, while earlier studies (2016-2017) focused on induction healing, microcapsule technology, and climate-resilient asphalt. Alvaro's publications reveal a strong emphasis on transportation infrastructure and materials innovation , with recurring subfields like: Asphalt self-healing mechanisms Thermal and electromagnetic repair techniques Microstructural optimization Climate-adaptive road design Rejuvenator delivery systems Urban temperature mitigation
Prof. Dr. Roland A. Fischer is a full Professor at the Chair of Inorganic and Metallorganic Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) , affiliated with the TUM School of Natural Sciences . He is also the Academic Director of the Central Institute for Catalysis Research since 2018. His research focuses on developing multifunctional molecular materials like Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and atomic-precise clusters for applications in energy conversion, catalysis, gas storage/separation, chemical sensing, photonics, and microelectronics. Educational Background: Dipl.-Chem. (TUM, 1986), PhD (TUM, 1989), Habilitation (TUM, 1995) Academic Leadership: Vice President of DFG (2016-2021), Speaker of Ruhr University Research Schools (2006-2009, 2012-2015), Board member of multiple research programs Research Highlights: Fischer's work emphasizes the design and synthesis of supramolecular materials , particularly MOFs with tunable pores and clusters for catalytic transformations. His team explores surface-mounted MOFs for electrocatalysis, flexible MOFs with stimuli-responsive behavior, and hybrid systems for biomedical applications like drug delivery and biosensing. Scientific Awards & Recognitions: Ehrendoktor der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (2018) Alfried Krupp-Preis für junge Hochschullehrer (1996) Karl-Winnacker Stipendium (1995) Heinz Maier-Leibnitz-Preis (1993) Promotionspreis der TUM (1989) Grants & Collaborations: He coordinates EU programs like HORIZON 2020 ITN DEFNET and STREP SURMOF, and leads DFG Priority Programs. Fischer serves on editorial boards for Angewandte Chemie and Chemical Vapour Deposition , and has >680 publications with an h-index of 101.
Professor M. Veljkovic is a leading academic in the School of Civil Engineering & Geosciences, specializing in Steel & Composite Structures. His work bridges structural engineering, materials science, and mechanical analysis, with a focus on fatigue behavior, fracture mechanics, and composite systems. Research Interests : Steel structures, fatigue analysis, additive manufacturing, bolted connections, orthotropic bridge decks, finite element modeling, and structural diagnostics using acoustic emission. Publications : Over 127 research outputs spanning fatigue life prediction, ductile fracture assessment, and machine learning applications in structural monitoring. Awards : Recipient of the 2024 Engineering Structures Best Paper Award and Featured Paper Award for Volume 305. Professional Roles : Editorial board member of 'Steel Construction - Design and Research' (2018) and committee member at the 2024 International Conference on Coordinating Engineering for Sustainability and Resilience. Public Engagement : Frequently cited in media for steel structure reliability, wind turbine mechanics, and sustainable construction.
Dr. Haibo Feng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wood Science at the Faculty of Forestry , University of British Columbia (UBC) . He specializes in sustainable construction, green building design, and building energy performance with a focus on mass timber and zero-carbon construction. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia – Sustainable Construction Research Interests: Dr. Feng’s research integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM) , Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) , and renewable energy systems to develop low-carbon, socially and economically viable buildings. He is particularly focused on the use of mass timber in zero-carbon timber frame construction and has expertise in various green building rating systems such as LEED , BREEAM , Passive House , and BC Energy STEP Code . His work spans both local and global contexts, emphasizing the development of the Sustainable Built Environment Centre at UBC. Scientific Contributions: Over 30 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals Research spans digital twins, smart cities, construction safety, energy modeling, and environmental impact assessment Contact: Email: haibo.feng@ubc.ca
Vijaya Raghavan is a Professor in the Bioresource Engineering Department at McGill University's Macdonald Campus . His research focuses on food safety , food security , bioproducts , and waste management , with specialties in postharvest technologies and food allergenicity reduction . He has been recognized with the Distinguished James McGill Professor award. Fields of Interest: Food science, agricultural engineering, bioproducts, sustainability Awards: Distinguished James McGill Professor Vijaya's recent publications investigate topics like ultrasound-assisted cold plasma for allergenicity reduction, AI-driven IoT sensors for real-time crop monitoring, and sustainable forest soil remediation . His scientific output emphasizes interdisciplinary applications of engineering to food systems and health. He contributes to advancements in 3D food printing for dysphagia patients, bioactive compound extraction from agricultural waste, and cultured meat scalability . Vijaya's work bridges agricultural engineering with human health through innovations in food processing and environmental monitoring.
Alessandro Checco is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at University of Rome La Sapienza. His research focuses on crowdsourcing, distributed systems, and privacy-preserving technologies, bridging theoretical computer science with practical applications that consider human factors in technological systems. He has established himself as a significant contributor to the field of human computation and privacy-aware systems. His educational background includes: 2020: Fellowship of Higher Education from The University of Sheffield, Higher Education Academy 2015: Ph.D. in Mathematics from Hamilton Institute (Design of decentralised algorithms applied to channel/code selection and convex optimisation for throughput fairness of 802.11 networks) 2010: M.Sc. in Mathematical Engineering from University of Roma "Tor Vergata" (110/110 with great distinction) 2009: Erasmus Scholarship at Universiteit Gent, Department of Telecommunications 2007: B.Sc. in Mathematical Engineering from University of Roma "Tor Vergata" (110/110 with great distinction) Checco's research spans multiple areas at the intersection of computer science and social implications of technology. He is particularly interested in Crowdsourcing for Human Computation, Distributed Private Recommender Systems, Information Retrieval, Data Privacy, Distributed Systems, User Data Obfuscation in Web Systems, Societal and Economic Analysis of Online Work, Crowd Workers Unionisation, and Algorithmic Bias. His work often examines how technological systems can be designed to respect user privacy while maintaining functionality, and how crowd work can be structured to be more equitable for workers. His recent publications demonstrate a clear evolution in research focus, beginning with foundational work in wireless networks and distributed algorithms, then shifting toward human computation and privacy-preserving systems. His most recent work increasingly addresses the societal implications of crowd work, including investigations into crowd worker unionization and cooperative models. Several publications examine gender bias in algorithmic systems, reflecting growing attention to fairness and ethical considerations in his field. Among his notable achievements: All That Glitters is Gold-An Attack Scheme on Gold Questions in Crowdsourcing (Best Paper Award) Checco has secured significant research funding and led important projects including the H2020-funded FashionBrain project as Research Director and the EPSRC-funded BetterCrowd project as Research Associate. His work on the FashionBrain project demonstrates his ability to lead large-scale, interdisciplinary research initiatives. He has also received the Technology Innovation Development Award (TIDA) from Science Foundation Ireland. His research has practical applications across multiple domains including recommendation systems (BLC: Private Matrix Factorization Recommenders), peer review assistance using AI, smart farming technologies, and cooperative models for crowd workers (CrowdCO-OP). He has developed frameworks for understanding worker behavior in crowdsourcing platforms and created methods for improving quality control in human computation systems.
