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Boris BuffoniView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Calculus of Variations
• Lagrangian and Hamiltonian systems
• Optimal transportation
• +7 more

Boris Buffoni is a Senior Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Basic Sciences, Institute of Mathematics, specifically within the Chair of Partial Differential Equations. He maintains his office at MA C2 605 (MA Building), Station 8, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, and can be contacted at boris.buffoni@epfl.ch or +41 21 693 49 87. His academic role spans both teaching responsibilities across multiple mathematics programs and active research in theoretical and applied mathematics. Dr. Buffoni's research program centers on the calculus of variations applied to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian systems, with significant contributions to optimal transportation in Lagrangian dynamics and hydrodynamics. His work explores semi-global minimization methods for quasi-linear elliptic variational problems and the variational approach to capillary-gravity water waves and their energetic stability. Additional research foci include local bifurcation and center-manifold theory for elliptic PDEs, the configurations of infinite elastic cylinders under compression or traction, and the analytic theory of global bifurcation with applications to gravity waves and their secondary bifurcations. The trajectory of his recent publications reveals a deepening focus on three-dimensional water wave phenomena, particularly steady rotational flows, gravity-capillary solitary waves, and advanced mathematical techniques for analyzing these complex systems. His 2025 publications demonstrate continued innovation in applying Kato's approach to locally coercive problems and developing the theoretical foundations of global bifurcation. The consistent application of variational methods and bifurcation theory across his work represents a unifying theme in addressing challenging problems in fluid dynamics and nonlinear partial differential equations. Dr. Buffoni has received research support including an EPSRC grant (GR/L41059) for work on 'Multibump localised solutions for spatially homogeneous partial differential equations,' reflecting the significance of his contributions to the field. His teaching portfolio at EPFL includes foundational courses such as Analysis II, Functional Analysis I, and Partial Differential Equations of Evolution, where he imparts knowledge of differential and integral calculus of real functions of several variables, linear functional analysis, and fundamental techniques for solving evolution equations.

Martina LöwView profile

Professor

• Sociological Theory
• Urban Sociology
• Space Theory
• +1 more

Prof. Dr. Martina Löw is a Professor of Sociology at Technische Universität Berlin, holding the Chair of Sociology of Planning and Architecture. She serves as head of the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1265 "Re-Figuration of Spaces" and previously held leadership roles including President of the German Sociological Association (2011-2013) and professorship at Technical University Darmstadt. Löw's research centers on the dynamic interplay between social structures and spatial configurations, with expertise in sociological theory, urban sociology, space theory, and cultural sociology. Her theoretical framework of "re-figuration of spaces" examines contemporary spatial transformations driven by globalization, digitalization, and migration, emphasizing how urban environments shape and are shaped by social practices. Her publication trajectory from 2001-2020 reveals consistent focus on spatial sociology, evolving from foundational work on space construction to current analyses of urban inequality, experiential city dynamics, and commons management within re-figurative contexts. Key thematic threads include spatial uncertainty, shared meaning production, and governance of interconnected urban systems. Scientific Awards: Christian-Wolff prize from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg for habilitation thesis "Raumsoziologie/Sociology of Space" Research Leadership: Löw directs the major DFG Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1265 and previously coordinated the LOEWE focus "Intrinsic Logic of Cities," securing substantial funding from German research foundations. Her work supports interdisciplinary investigations into spatial dynamics across urban, digital, and global scales. Research Environment: As SFB 1265 head, Löw leads a large multi-institutional consortium examining contemporary spatial re-figuration. The center integrates urban studies, sociology, and planning perspectives to address challenges including social inequality and sustainable spatial development in rapidly changing environments.

• Urban Analytics
• Urban Informatics
• Smart Cities
• +12 more

Jorge Gil is an Associate Professor in Urban Analytics and Informatics at Chalmers University of Technology's Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering. His research focuses on integrated urban models, Smart Cities, City Information Modelling (CIM), and Urban Digital Twins, with applications in sustainable mobility, social inclusion, energy transition, and circular economy. He develops GIS solutions and open science methodologies. Teaching includes GIS, sustainable mobility, and spatial data science courses. He supervises Bachelor, Master's, and PhD students. Current projects include LogiNets (logistics network flows analysis), ComCy (cycling safety), and FlowSense (traffic flow data). Key research outputs span agent-based modeling of waste sorting behavior, mobility equity analysis, and multimodal urban network frameworks. He co-authored over 50 publications and actively contributes to interdisciplinary urban planning initiatives.

• Ecological Epidemiology
• Wildlife Disease Dynamics
• Veterinary Epidemiology
• +4 more

Dr. Martin Lange is part of the Project Group Ecological Epidemiology within the Department of Ecological Modelling at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). His research focuses on computational epidemiology, particularly in wildlife and livestock systems. Key areas include disease transmission dynamics, surveillance strategies, and the development of predictive models for infectious diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV). Affiliations: UFZ, Department of Ecological Modelling; EcoEpi research group. Education: PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology (2013, TU Bergakademie Freiberg). Research interests span ecological epidemiology, wildlife disease control, and the application of agent-based and individual-based models to understand pathogen spread. Notable contributions include modeling ASF in wild boar populations and BVDV eradication strategies in Ireland. Awards: Received the 2018 UFZ-Wissenstransferpreis (shared with H.H. Thulke) and the Konrad-Bögel-Nachwuchsförderpreis for his doctoral work on eco-epidemiology of wild boar diseases. Also recognized at the DACh Epidemiologietagung 2011. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2006, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to disease modeling and environmental systems. Recent work includes digital twin frameworks for biodiversity monitoring and Python-based model coupling tools like FINAM. Labs/Teams: Active in the EcoEpi group and contributes to projects like BioDT (Biodiversity Digital Twin) and CauSES (Causation in Social-Ecological Systems).

Mahvish ShamiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Development Economics
• Political Economy
• Poverty Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Mahvish Shami is an Assistant Professor at the Department of International Development, London School of Economics and Political Science. She serves as Programme Co-Director of Development Management and holds visiting research affiliations with Johns Hopkins University and Oxford University. Her academic background includes a PhD from LSE, post-doctoral fellowship at Copenhagen University, and a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship. Her research examines how unequal power relations—particularly clientelism—impact poverty outcomes. She investigates alternative solutions beyond redistributive policies, focusing on bargaining power dynamics that affect public goods provision, collective action under hierarchical structures, and interventions improving formal justice access for marginalized groups. Current projects analyze urban clientelism in Lahore slums using unique household data, contrasting rural-urban network variations. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on clientelism's intersection with development challenges, evolving from market exposure studies to sophisticated analyses of justice barriers and urban brokerage systems. Recent work (2022-2024) shows intensified examination of institutional constraints in justice access and urban poverty targeting. Awards: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship

Olivia CheungView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Visual Cognition
• Perceptual Expertise
• +7 more

Olivia Cheung is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Global Network Assistant Professor at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), affiliated with the Division of Science and the Department of Psychology. She leads the Objects and Knowledge Laboratory (OAK Lab), which is also associated with the Center for Brain and Health at NYUAD. Education: BSSc, Chinese University of Hong Kong PhD, Vanderbilt University Postdoctoral Training: Harvard Medical School, CIMeC (Trento, Italy), Harvard University Her research focuses on cognitive neuroscience and visual cognition, particularly how experience and learning shape perception. She investigates how visual and conceptual knowledge interact to influence representations of objects, faces, words, musical notations, and scenes. Her lab employs behavioral experiments, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and computational modeling to explore perceptual expertise and category selectivity in the brain. Her recent publications (2022–2024) reveal a consistent focus on high-level vision, with studies on holistic face and word processing, neural and computational models of category recognition, ensemble perception of animacy, and social judgments from faces (e.g., election prediction). These works, presented at Vision Sciences Society (VSS), demonstrate interdisciplinary methods and collaborations with students and international researchers. Olivia Cheung teaches courses such as Capstone Projects in Computer Science and Psychology, and Concepts and Categories: How We Structure the World , reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. She mentors undergraduate researchers, many of whom have co-authored conference posters. Her lab, the OAK Lab, fosters research on the intersection of perception, knowledge, and expertise.

• Convivial informatics
• Digital sustainability
• Participatory design
• +9 more

Aurélien Tabard is an Associate Professor at LIRIS (Laboratoire d'InfoRmatique en Image et Systèmes d'information), a joint research unit between Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and CNRS. His academic career spans over a decade with positions at prestigious institutions including the IT University of Copenhagen, University of Munich, and INRIA. He completed his PhD at Université Paris-Sud in 2009, focusing on supporting lightweight reflection on familiar information. Tabard's research centers on convivial informatics, exploring alternatives to computational platforms that consider digital limits and foster sufficiency, maintenance, autonomy, and durability. His work emphasizes participatory approaches to designing resilient infrastructures and tools for rapid prototyping by non-designers. He investigates software obsolescence, digital sufficiency, and the materiality of data physicalization through projects like Limites Numériques and PC4-Congrats within PEPR eNSEMBLE. His recent publications reveal strong trends toward sustainability in computing, examining how digital systems can be designed with longevity and environmental impact in mind. There's a clear progression from technical HCI research toward broader societal implications of digital technology, particularly focusing on how users experience aging devices and negotiate digital limits collectively. Honorable mention award for 'Obsolescence Paths: living with aging devices' at ICT4S 2023 Student Lea Mosesso received the prize for best MSc thesis from Conseil National du Numérique Tabard actively mentors PhD students including Maëva Calmettes (working on skill and expertise sharing), Edlira Nano (studying software obsolescence), and Lea Mosesso (researching digital sufficiency). He collaborates extensively with researchers across France and internationally, particularly with Inria Lille where he spent a sabbatical in 2023. His current projects involve understanding software obsolescence, digital sufficiency, and the interplay between micro design decisions and systemic forces shaping ICT. He leads the Limites Numériques team, which investigates how to design computational platforms that take digital limits into consideration. The team recently developed an exhibit on water in the digital sector that will travel to Rhône-Alpes in spring 2025. Tabard also contributes to participatory design tools and critical approaches to participatory design, working with colleagues like Nolwenn Maudet, Thomas Thibault, and Romain Rouvoy.

• Migration Studies
• International Relations
• African Studies
• +4 more

Dr. Darshan Vigneswaran is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences , University of Amsterdam, affiliated with the Transnational Configurations, Conflict and Governance programme group. His research focuses on migration studies, international relations, and urban governance in Africa and beyond. Institution: University of Amsterdam Programme: Transnational Configurations, Conflict and Governance Contact: D.V.Vigneswaran@uva.nl Research Interests: Vigneswaran examines migration control, biopolitics, and territoriality through critical lenses, often challenging conventional frameworks in international relations and urban governance. His work spans empirical studies on deportation systems, mobility regimes, and the intersection of technology with migration enforcement. Scientific Trends: His recent publications analyze European migration policies, the terrestrial bias in international relations, and the socio-political dimensions of gentrification and mobilities. Notable subfields include refugee governance, urban violence prevention, and historical migration narratives.

• Urban Planning
• Ethnography
• Literary Studies
• +4 more

Laurent Matthey is an Associate Professor at the University of Geneva's Department of Geography and Environment since 2014. He directs the Urban Planning orientation of the joint UNIGE-HES-SO Master's in Territorial Development and co-directs the UNIGE-EPFL MAS in Urban Planning. His work bridges ethnography and literary studies, examining political issues in urban narrative production through sensitive registers and attentional regimes. Current affiliations: CRESSON team (UMR AAU) since 2023 Active in EspaceSuisse committee and RAMAU network management Research focuses on epistemology of urban planning knowledge , organized into two streams: Planning discourses and narrative studies Ethnography of urban projects His research-creation explores intersections between: Communication and urban planning Fiction and urban planning Narrative and sensitive methods Urban social quality Current projects include "Participez! Neighborhood makers" (FNS Division 1 funding) and completed works like "The narrative making of the city" (FNS-COST 18126) and "Developing housing cooperatives in Greater Geneva" (Interreg V France-Switzerland). He has supervised doctoral students in Geneva, including Hugo Campi ("Flowers to Convince"), Nicole Peccoud ("Social emergency in Geneva"), and Morgane Rudaz ("Feminist collages"). Key scientific contributions appear in GeoHumanities , Planning Theory , and Social Inclusion , with recent emphasis on: AI's role in urban narrative (2024) Decolonial planning approaches (2023) Affective urbanism (2018) Teaching encompasses: Urban geography and ecology (T206059 BGEO) Research-creation seminar (T416007 MDT) Creative methods in metropolitan foresight Professional engagements include urban quality studies for Geneva's Urban Planning Office and Lausanne's Roads Department. He has co-authored foundational texts on Swiss urbanism with Christophe Mager and David Gaillard, exploring topics like "Urbanism fictionnel" (2011) and "Being an urban planner" (2016).

María LoisView profile

Lecturer

• Political Geography
• Geopolitics
• Cultural Geography
• +4 more

María Lois is a Lecturer in the Department of History, Theories and Political Geography at the Complutense University of Madrid, Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology. She is a member of the 'Space and Power' Research Group and 'Polarts (The Politics and the Arts)', a Standing Research Group within the ECPR. María serves as board member of the Research Committee 15 (Political and Cultural Geography) of the International Political Science Association and co-editor of the journal Geopolítica(s). Her research focuses on Political and Cultural Geography , with particular emphasis on border studies, cultural governance, and the heritageization of European borders. She explores geographies of nationalism, spatial interpretations of artistic processes, and geopolitics of globalization, with specialized expertise in literary geographies and cultural dimensions of border regions, particularly the Spanish-Portuguese border. Her work demonstrates how borders transform rather than disappear, examining cross-border cooperation projects that create new spatial configurations while maintaining elements of national security frameworks. María Lois's scholarly contributions reveal consistent focus on spatial arrangements reflecting power relations. Her analysis of border heritage through multiple scales shows parallel versions of the past serving different political purposes. Her research on the Spanish-Portuguese border examines how smuggling routes have been transformed into tourist experiences, re-signifying historical practices for contemporary cultural consumption. She has also made significant contributions to understanding the geopolitics of the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing border closures as territorial solutions to exceptional situations. Her teaching aligns closely with research interests, particularly in political geography. She has developed innovative approaches using film as a learning tool in political geography education, creating shared teaching resources among faculty members through her project 'APRENDIZAJE A TRAVÉS DEL CINE.' María Lois is actively engaged with research teams focusing on border studies and cultural geography. Her work with the 'Space and Power' Research Group and 'Polarts' suggests collaborative environments where theoretical and empirical border studies are developed. Her participation in EU-funded cross-border cooperation projects indicates practical engagement with policy applications of her research.

Dimitrios KoutsonikolasView profile

Associate Professor

• Wireless Networking
• Mobile Computing
• Millimeter Wave Networking
• +5 more

Dr. Dimitrios Koutsonikolas is an Associate Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Northeastern University, leading the WiNS Lab. Previously, he held a tenured position at the University at Buffalo. His research focuses on experimental wireless networking and mobile computing, particularly millimeter-wave systems, 5G/6G networks, energy-efficient protocols, and high-bandwidth applications like VR/AR. He has published over 80 papers in top venues (e.g., MobiCom, INFOCOM), received NSF CAREER and IEEE awards, and led major grants including an NSF-funded $3M project for an open 5G/6G testbed. His lab explores cutting-edge technologies like O-RAN, beam management, and edge computing for latency-critical applications. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University (2010). Research Interests: Experimental validation of wireless protocols, mmWave networking, latency-optimized edge computing, and cross-layer design. Current projects include TARGET (5G/6G latency solutions) and the X5G testbed for open spectrum utilization. Recent Trends in Articles: Focus on 5G deployment maturity, mmWave beam management, and 6G-ready technologies like autonomous space networks. Work bridges theoretical contributions with practical implementations, leveraging testbeds for real-world validation. Awards: Notable honors include IEEE Region 1 Innovation (2019), NSF CAREER (2016), and multiple best paper awards at MobiCom, WCNC, and Globecom. Recognized for both research and teaching excellence. Grants & Labs: Principal investigator on NSF grants ($3M+), leading collaborations with IMDEA Networks and industry partners. WiNS Lab develops open-source tools for 5G testing and explores sub-THz channels. Advises over 15 students, many advancing to top tech firms (e.g., Apple, HP Labs).

• Photovoltaics
• Solar Energy Systems
• Silicon Solar Cells
• +5 more

Jef Poortmans is a Visiting Professor at KU Leuven, Belgium, specializing in photovoltaic technologies and solar energy systems. His research spans multiple applications including conventional solar installations, agrivoltaics, vehicle-integrated photovoltaics, and tandem solar cell configurations. Affiliated with the Electa department at KU Leuven, he maintains an active research profile with numerous publications extending into 2025. His research interests focus on advancing photovoltaic technology across multiple dimensions. Poortmans investigates thermal modeling to improve energy yield predictions, develops lightweight PV modules for vehicle integration, explores agrivoltaic systems that combine agriculture with solar energy production, and works on next-generation perovskite and tandem solar cell technologies. His work often addresses practical implementation challenges including reliability under various environmental conditions, mechanical integration requirements, and performance optimization for specific applications. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical implementation challenges of photovoltaic systems. His work spans fundamental materials science (particularly for perovskite and thin-film technologies), system integration challenges (especially for vehicle applications), and innovative approaches to land use optimization through agrivoltaics. A recurring theme is addressing reliability and performance issues under real-world operating conditions rather than ideal laboratory settings. Poortmans frequently collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions, indicating strong industry and academic connections within the photovoltaics community. His work appears in high-impact journals including Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Scientific Reports, and Advanced Functional Materials, demonstrating recognition within the field. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, his extensive publication record across diverse photovoltaic applications suggests successful funding acquisition for multiple research projects. His involvement in PhD theses supervision indicates active mentorship of next-generation researchers in the photovoltaics field. His research group appears to focus on bridging fundamental photovoltaic science with practical engineering applications, particularly addressing the reliability and integration challenges that prevent wider adoption of solar technologies in non-traditional applications like vehicles and agricultural settings.

Jordan CheerView profile

Professor

• Active Noise Control
• Active Vibration Control
• Smart Structures for Noise and Vibration Control
• +3 more

Professor Jordan Cheer holds a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Smart Acoustic Control Technologies at the University of Southampton's Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR). His research focuses on active control of noise and vibration, including smart structures and metamaterials. He is an Associate Editor for Journal of the Acoustical Society of America and Subject Editor for Journal of Sound and Vibration . Education: BMus (Tonmeister) in Music and Sound Recording, University of Surrey (2008) MSc in Sound and Vibration, ISVR, University of Southampton (2009) PhD in Active Control of Automobile Cabin Acoustics, ISVR, University of Southampton (2012) Research Interests: Active Noise/Vibration Control, Smart Structures, Acoustic Black Holes, and Metamaterials. Current projects include the BAE Systems-funded Smart Acoustic Control Technologies Chair and the IN-NOVA MSCA Doctoral Network. Recent Work Trends: Publications emphasize neural network controllers, head-tracking systems, and metamaterial applications. Patents focus on vibration damping and acoustic control devices. Awards: Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair (2024) Grants & Labs: Leads projects funded by EPSRC, MOD, and industry partners. Collaborates with teams like the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute and the Centre for Defence and Security Research.

• Humanitarian Operations
• Air Traffic Management
• Logistics Optimization
• +7 more

Dr. Jose Escribano is a Lecturer in Aviation & Logistics at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London. His research focuses on humanitarian logistics optimization, AI-driven airspace management, and urban resilience strategies. He holds a First Class Honours bachelor’s degree (2015) and a PhD (2021) from Imperial College London. Dr. Escribano is affiliated with the Centre for Transport Engineering and Modelling and the Transport Systems and Logistics Project D-Risk SHIFT. His academic qualifications include a BEng in Engineering and a PhD in Civil Engineering, both from Imperial College London. His professional affiliations include the Institution of Civil Engineers, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He has received the 2023 Transportation Research Board Best Paper Award and a JSPS Fellowship for urban evacuation modelling. Dr. Escribano’s research integrates stochastic modelling, machine learning, and simulation to address challenges in humanitarian response, UAV coordination for disaster relief, and airspace safety. His work emphasizes endogenous value-of-information analysis and the application of cutting-edge technologies to enhance societal resilience. He has collaborated with the United Nations World Food Programme on UAV deployment models for humanitarian contexts. His recent publications span topics like air traffic network resilience, autonomous vehicle optimization, and last-mile delivery mechanisms. He advises doctoral candidates in transportation systems, logistics, and air traffic management, offering opportunities for PhD research in these domains.

• Sustainable Urban Mobility
• Active Travel
• Walking and Cycling
• +9 more

Professor Tim Jones is a Professor of Sustainable Urban Mobility at the School of the Built Environment, Oxford Brookes University. His research focuses on how urban environments can be configured to support sustainable and healthy mobility, particularly walking, cycling, and electrically assisted mobility. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good health and wellbeing), 10 (Reduced inequalities), and 11 (Sustainable cities and communities). Dr. Jones' research interests center on sustainable urban mobility, with particular emphasis on walking, cycling, and electric micromobility. He investigates how urban environments can be designed to promote healthy, sustainable travel that minimizes environmental impact while improving health and wellbeing and providing equal access to opportunities. His work employs novel mixed-method approaches to understand the physical, social, and cultural factors that influence everyday travel decisions. His research spans contexts from the UK to Brazil, examining issues like mobility justice, 15-minute cities, and low traffic neighborhoods. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on the health impacts of active travel, particularly examining how walking and cycling affect mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life. His work increasingly addresses electric micromobility, including e-bikes and e-scooters, with several 2024-2025 publications on the HELMET project. He frequently collaborates with international researchers, particularly in Brazil, on comparative urban mobility studies. Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Award for Research Excellence 2017 (Academic Award) for the project cycle BOOM Professor Jones has supervised numerous PhD students including Catherine Ross (current), Oscar Natividad Puig (current), Aline Moreira Fernandes Barata (completed 2023), and Daniela Wollrab (completed 2023), among others. He has secured significant research funding including the NIHR-funded HELMET project (2025-2026), the EU-funded ENACT 15mC project (2023-2026), and the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund's UMALTraN project (2023-2024). His current research portfolio demonstrates strong engagement with contemporary urban mobility challenges, particularly post-pandemic transport issues and the integration of new mobility technologies. Professor Jones is actively involved in multiple research networks including the Planning Policy and Government Group, the Sustainable and Resilient Futures Network, the Healthy Ageing and Care Network, and the Children and Young People Network at Oxford Brookes University. He serves as a Research Ethics Officer and contributes to professional organizations including the European Partnerships Driving Urban Transitions Programme.