Dr. John C. Rodgers is a Professor and Department Head of the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University within the College of Arts and Sciences. With a PhD in Geography from the University of Georgia (1999), he specializes in invasive species, coastal processes, and geospatial analysis. Education: Ph.D., University of Georgia, Department of Geography (1999) M.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Department of Botany (1994) B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Biology and Botany (1991) His research focuses on invasive vegetation , coastal habitat change , and human-environmental interactions , particularly in the Bahamas and Gulf Coast regions. Recent work includes geospatial modeling of precipitation variability and coastal erosion risks. Key article trends highlight expertise in GIS applications , coastal ecology , and climate impact analysis , with collaborations spanning hydrology, deforestation, and social-environmental justice. Awards include the 2014-2015 College of Arts and Sciences Teacher of the Year . Scientific Awards: 2014-2015 College of Arts and Sciences Teacher of the Year He mentors graduate students in projects related to coastal environments , invasive species , and geospatial techniques , teaching courses like Principles of GIS and Coastal Environments.
Dr. Bob Planqué is an Associate Professor in Mathematical Biology at the Department of Mathematics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He serves as the current programme director of the Master Mathematics and is a member of the Amsterdam Center for Dynamics and Computation. His research focuses on systems biology, microbial physiology, and ecological interactions, with applications to epidemiology and ornithology. He collaborates extensively with the Systems Biology Lab on metabolic network optimization and microbial growth dynamics. Planqué co-founded Xeno-canto, the world's largest open-access database of wildlife sounds, recognized with the Dutch Data Prize 2024 for FAIR data sharing. His work bridges mathematical modeling with experimental biology, addressing questions in metabolic efficiency, collective decision-making in ants, and signal evolution in birds. Education & Roles: PhD in Applied Mathematics (CWI/VU Amsterdam), roles include programme director and supervisor of over 20 MSc/BSc students in mathematical biology. Active in interdisciplinary projects combining ecology, microbiology, and machine learning. Research Interests: Mathematical modeling of microbial metabolism, bifurcation analysis in metabolic pathways, stochastic processes in signal transduction, and the evolution of animal communication. Key projects include metabolic flux optimization, microbial growth rate adaptation, and avian acoustic ecology. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nature Metabolism, Biophysical Journal, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. His work on metabolic explosion in yeast and bird song dialects has been widely cited. Awards: Dutch Data Prize 2024 (Life Science and Health) for Xeno-canto's FAIR data practices, contributing to 4,000+ scientific publications and machine learning initiatives like BirdNET. Grants & Collaborations: Collaborations with Frank Bruggeman, Bas Teusink, and international teams on systems biology and data science. Xeno-canto supports global biodiversity research via open-access sound recordings.
Professor Joe Carthy is a Full Professor at the School of Computer Science and Informatics, University College Dublin (UCD). He has served as Dean of Science at UCD since 2011, following roles as Head of the School of Computer Science and Informatics (2007–2011). With over 30 years at UCD, he holds a BSc and PhD in Computer Science and a Graduate Diploma in University Teaching and Learning. His research focuses on cybersecurity, digital forensics, and social media analysis, particularly investigating extremist online communities and cloud forensics. He has secured €5.4M in research funding and established the UCD Centre for Cybersecurity, collaborating with Europol, Interpol, and UNODC. Professor Carthy has supervised 14 PhD and 20 MSc students and contributed to education projects with €1.8M in funding. He chairs CyberSafeIreland and previously led Camara, a nonprofit distributing refurbished computers to schools globally. Education: BSc in Computer Science, UCD PhD in Computer Science, UCD HDip University Teaching & Learning, UCD Research Interests: Cybersecurity, digital forensics, social media analysis, incident analysis, lexical chaining, and news story segmentation. Professional Roles: Founding Director, UCD Centre for Cybersecurity Board Member, CyberSafeIreland Former Director/Chair, Camara Teaching: Coordinates modules on Information Security, Case Studies, and leadership/management courses. Labs/Teams: Leads the UCD Centre for Cybersecurity, fostering collaborations with law enforcement and international bodies. His 127+ publications span cybersecurity, digital forensics, and social media dynamics, with recent work addressing far-right activity on Telegram and algorithmic radicalization on YouTube. Grants and advisory roles highlight his impact on both academic and societal challenges.
Patrick Pintus is a Professor of Macroeconomics at Aix-Marseille University, affiliated with the Faculty of Economics and Management (FEG) and the CNRS's INSHS institute. His research focuses on macroeconomic policy, public economy, and crisis management, with recent work addressing pandemic response strategies during the COVID-19 crisis. He holds a PhD from the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (1997). Research Interests: Macroeconomic policy design and transmission mechanisms Public finance and fiscal redistribution effects Behavioral responses to rare/ extreme events (e.g., black swan avoidance in decision-making) Real-time epidemiological modeling for pandemic management Crisis economics and healthcare system stress testing His most notable recent contributions include developing novel frameworks for tracking viral transmission dynamics using test-adjusted reproduction numbers, and analyzing behavioral economics experiments on how animals (rats) process extreme risk scenarios. These methodologies have been applied to French demographic groups and regional lockdown policy assessments. Grants & Collaborations: His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches combining computational models with real-world public policy evaluation. Current projects involve cross-disciplinary teams from economics, epidemiology, and computational social science. He maintains a research lab at AMSE (Aix-Marseille School of Economics) focused on macroeconomic policy analysis and crisis modeling.
Don Spence is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Classical and Liberal Education and Core Curriculum at Flagler College. His work focuses on tree health, risk assessments, and promoting native landscapes. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Florida, along with multiple advanced degrees in Biology. Spence's research emphasizes invasive species management, particularly regarding laurel wilt disease and ambrosia beetles, alongside ecological studies of plant communities in Florida's natural and urban environments. Education: Ph.D., Plant Pathology – University of Florida M.S., Biology – University of Central Florida B.S., Biology – Stetson University A.A., Science – Daytona Beach Community College Research interests span plant pathology, forest health, and ecological conservation. His work integrates field surveys, disease management strategies, and collaborative efforts to address invasive species impacts. Publications highlight topics like laurel wilt pathogen survival, ambrosia beetle biology, and floristic inventories in protected areas. Scientific contributions include over 20 peer-reviewed articles, technical reports, and books on plant ecology, forestry threats, and educational initiatives. His affiliations with organizations like the Florida Native Plant Society and the International Society of Arboriculture reflect his commitment to applied research and environmental stewardship.
Gabriele Santin is a Researcher at Ca' Foscari University of Venice's Department of Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Statistics. He holds a PhD in Computational Mathematics from the University of Padua and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Stuttgart and the Bruno Kessler Foundation. His research focuses on kernel-based approximation methods, numerical analysis, and applications in scientific computing, including partial differential equations and biomedical engineering. Research interests include kernel interpolation, greedy algorithms, convergence analysis, and data-driven modeling. He has contributed to advancing numerical techniques for solving PDEs, optimizing kernel methods, and analyzing stability in non-Lipschitz domains. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in fields like medical imaging, transportation systems, and epidemic modeling. Publications highlight contributions to kernel-based greedy algorithms, image interpolation, and surrogate modeling. He is affiliated with the Research Institute for Complexity and actively collaborates with institutions like SimTech (University of Stuttgart). His expertise spans numerical methods, machine learning, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Alexandre Stauffer is a Professor in Probability at the Department of Mathematics, King's College London. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley (2011), with postdoctoral positions at Microsoft Research and Università Roma Tre. He previously worked at the University of Bath (2013–2024) before joining King’s in 2024. His research focuses on discrete probability, interacting particle systems, and Markov chain mixing times. Key areas include first passage percolation, random walks, and phase transitions in stochastic systems. Stauffer has organized workshops on topics like strongly correlated random processes and random interacting systems. He secured grants such as the EPSRC Early Career Fellowship (2016–2022) and the Marie Curie Career Integration Grant (2013–2016). His work bridges theoretical probability with applications in statistical physics and computer science. Recent articles explore coexistence in competing percolation models and mixing times in dynamic systems. Stauffer’s research emphasizes multi-scale analysis and non-equilibrium phenomena in stochastic processes. Grants and organizational involvement highlight his leadership in probability theory. His publications span top journals like the Annals of Probability and Inventiones Mathematicae, reflecting rigorous mathematical contributions to understanding complex stochastic systems.
Daniel Edgington-Mitchell is an Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Monash University. He is also a researcher at the Laboratory for Turbulence Research in Aerospace and Combustion, contributing significantly to the fields of aeroacoustics and fluid mechanics. His research focuses on jet noise, high-speed propulsion, and turbulence, with particular emphasis on understanding and controlling screech, resonance, and coherent structures in non-axisymmetric and supersonic jets. He employs advanced experimental techniques, including optical diagnostics and acoustic characterization, to study complex flow phenomena. His work contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable industry and innovation. The trend in his recent publications shows a strong focus on elliptical and non-axisymmetric jets, guided waves, axis switching, and noise reduction strategies. His research integrates theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches to address fundamental challenges in aerospace propulsion and aeroacoustics. Scientific Awards: Vice-Chancellor's Diversity and Inclusion Award, Monash University (2020) Daniel Edgington-Mitchell has led multiple competitive research projects funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), including 'The art of controlling multijet resonance' and 'Elliptical nozzles: the shape of silence?'. He serves as the Primary Chief Investigator on active projects aimed at reducing rocket resonance for safer spaceflight and improving jet noise control. He mentors students and collaborates with leading international researchers such as Colonius, Jordan, and Samimy. He is affiliated with the Laboratory for Turbulence Research in Aerospace and Combustion, where he conducts experimental and theoretical work on high-speed flows and combustion dynamics. His lab utilizes advanced diagnostics and high-fidelity simulations to explore turbulence and noise generation mechanisms in propulsion systems.
Laura Pollacci is a postdoctoral researcher at the Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining Laboratory (KDDLab), a joint research group of the Information Science and Technology Institute of the National Research Council (CNR) in Pisa and the University of Pisa, where she holds a position as Research Fellow in the Department of Computer Science. Her educational background includes: Bachelor's Degree in Digital Humanities (2014) from University of Pisa with 110/110 cum laude Master's Degree in Digital Humanities (2015) from University of Pisa with 110/110 cum laude PhD in Computer Science (2019) from University of Pisa with thesis on 'conjunct usage of Big Data and Sentiment Analysis for the study of Human Migration' Pollacci's research focuses on Social Network Analysis and Visual Analytics for Social Mining, Human Migration, and Sentiment Analysis. Her work bridges computational methods with social science questions, particularly examining how digital traces can reveal patterns in human behavior, migration, and emotional expression across social platforms. She has developed expertise in analyzing complex social networks, music diversity, and political polarization through data-driven approaches. Her publication record shows a clear trajectory from computational linguistics and sentiment analysis toward broader applications in social network analysis, migration studies, and musicology. Early work focused on emotive lexicon development and sentiment polarity classification for Italian language, while more recent publications examine political polarization on Reddit, human migration patterns through big data, and the fractal dimensions of music diversity. Pollacci is actively involved with the HumMingBird project, which focuses on 'Enhanced migration measures from a multidimensional perspective.' Her work at KDDLab places her at the intersection of data science and social research, contributing to the laboratory's mission of developing theory, techniques and systems for extracting knowledge from large data sets.
Dr. Andreas Kuebart is a Research Associate in the Research Area 'Economy and Civil Society' at the Leibniz Institute for Spatial Social Research (IRS) and a Post-Doc Fellow at the Chair for Socio-Spatial Transformation at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU). His interdisciplinary work bridges human and economic geography, focusing on entrepreneurial ecosystems, digital economy, and socio-spatial dynamics of health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Leibniz Institute for Spatial Social Research (IRS), Research Area Economy and Civil Society Chair for Socio-Spatial Transformation, Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) He earned his Dr. rer. nat. in Geography from Freie Universität Berlin in 2020, with prior studies at Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Florida, Stockholm University, and Bonn University. PhD (Dr. rer. nat.), Geography, Freie Universität Berlin (2020) Studies in Geography, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Florida, Stockholm University, Bonn University His research centers on the geographies of socio-spatial processes in the digital economy, particularly examining entrepreneurial ecosystems, financial geographies, regional development, and health geography. Methodologically, he combines qualitative case studies with spatial data science and sequence analysis to understand temporal and spatial dynamics in innovation and pandemic spread. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in analyzing trans-local entrepreneurial networks, startup trajectories, and the spatial-temporal evolution of both innovation ecosystems and public health crises. His work increasingly integrates advanced spatial analytics and sequence-based modeling, especially in the context of Berlin and European-wide systems. Dr. Kuebart has contributed to major policy-oriented outputs for the European Commission through the StepUP Startups project, including influential reports on Europe’s startup landscape and spin-off innovation. He is actively involved in third-party funded research such as 'Disruption and Spatial Development' and 'CoDiff' (Socio-Spatial Diffusion of COVID-19 in Germany), indicating sustained engagement with impactful, interdisciplinary research. He has advised on or led projects analyzing the role of open creative labs, seed accelerators, and spatial infrastructure in entrepreneurial ecosystems. His collaborative work spans multiple institutions and disciplines, often involving teams from IRS, BTU, and international partners. Dr. Kuebart is a key contributor to the 'CODIFF' project on the spatial diffusion of COVID-19 in Germany and has developed phase models and severity indicators for pandemic dynamics. He also leads analytical components in the 'StepUP Startups' project, which maps Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem using data-driven methods.
Romualdo Satorras is a Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB) and the Department of Physics. His primary research focuses on complex systems, statistical mechanics, and network theory. He leads the Condensed, Complex and Quantum Matter Group (CCQM) and has contributed extensively to understanding epidemic spreading, opinion dynamics, and collective behavior in social and biological systems. With an h-index of 44, his work bridges theoretical physics and applied computational modeling. Education: Holds a Doctorate in Physics (DOCTOR C. FÍSIQUES). Research interests include social dynamics, complex networks, and critical phenomena, with notable studies on pandemic modeling and collective decision-making mechanisms. His work integrates advanced mathematical methods with real-world data analysis. Recent research trends emphasize multidimensional opinion polarization, temporal network dynamics, and the interplay between risk perception and collective behavior in biological systems like fish schooling. His publications analyze both theoretical frameworks and empirical data from social media interactions and epidemiological systems. Scientific Awards: Not explicitly listed, but his h-index indicates significant scholarly impact. Advising and Grants: While specific grants are not detailed, his active research group suggests involvement in competitive funding. His work on activity-driven networks and epidemic thresholds has attracted international attention. Collaborates widely with institutions through networks analyzed in his studies. Labs/Teams: Member of the CCQM group, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of condensed matter physics and complex systems science.
Jacob Geersen is a senior scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) , Section of Marine Geology, Marine Geophysics Group, in Rostock, Germany. His career spans prestigious institutions including Kiel University, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, the University of Southampton, and the University of Bremen. Education: PhD in Marine Geosciences, Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-GEOMAR) / University of Kiel (2009-2011) M.Sc. in Marine Geosciences, University of Bremen (2006-2009) B.Sc. in Geosciences, University of Bremen (2003-2006) Research Interests: Dr. Geersen's research centers on marine geologic processes and their interplay with climate and anthropogenic stressors . He investigates these processes in open oceans, marginal seas, continental margins, and coastal waters. Using hydroacoustic data, visual observations, sedimentary and geochemical archives, and seismic imaging , he explores topics such as submarine landslides, seamount subduction, methane seepage, and submerged archaeological sites . His work bridges the gap between tectonics, sedimentation, and seismic hazards , with a focus on subduction zones globally, including Chile, Java, and the Caribbean. Recent projects include the discovery of a submerged Stone Age hunting structure in the Baltic Sea , highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of his research. Scientific Awards: Marie Curie Fellowship (2012-2014) Grants & Collaborations: Dr. Geersen has held DFG-funded temporary positions for principal investigators at Kiel University and has been involved in multiple international research cruises and collaborative projects, including the Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" . Labs & Teams: He leads research within the Marine Geophysics Group at IOW, utilizing state-of-the-art seismic and hydroacoustic instrumentation to study the seafloor and sub-seafloor.
Haohan Wang is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's School of Information Sciences, with affiliations to the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. His research focuses on developing trustworthy machine learning methods for computational biology and healthcare applications , emphasizing robustness , causality , and interpretability in vision-based models. Recent research trends in his work include: Large Language Model interactions with biomedical challenges (GenoAgent, GenoTex) Adversarial security in language and vision models (Guard, Jailbreakzoo) Genomic data analysis through robust machine learning frameworks (Precision Lasso, Kernel Mixed Models) Interactive toolkits like Robustar for data annotation and model training Scientific awards include recognition as Baidu's Top 50 AI+X Rising Young Scholars (2022), Best Paper Honorable Mention at WSDM 2023, and Broad Institute's Next Generation status (2019). Current projects explore AI-made scientists for biomedical discovery and Robustar development for GUI-based robust vision learning.
J. Richard Culham is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering. Currently serving as Special Advisor to the Dean, he previously held administrative roles as Interim Dean (2020) and Vice-Dean of Engineering. Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering (University of Waterloo, 1989) Master's in Mechanical Engineering (University of Waterloo, 1979) Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering (University of Waterloo, 1978) His research focuses on thermal management of micro- and nano-devices, with expertise in microscale/nanoscale heat transfer , thermal interface materials , and entropy generation minimization . His work involves analytical and empirical modeling of cooling systems for electronics and optoelectronics. Recent publications analyze convective-diffusive flows in porous media, MHD flows, and nanofluid heat transfer mechanisms, reflecting his interests in nanotechnology , thermal systems optimization , and microfluidics . Scientific Honors : Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) As Director of the Microelectronics Heat Transfer Laboratory (MHTL), he has authored over 150 publications and mentored graduate students in electronics cooling and thermoelectric systems. Notably, he is not currently accepting graduate student applications . Specialized Lab : Microelectronics Heat Transfer Laboratory (MHTL)
Dr. Wendy Liermann is a researcher at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), focusing on metabolic health in farm animals. Her work primarily investigates gastrointestinal physiology, immune system development, and nutritional programming effects in neonatal calves and poultry. Key affiliations: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Leibniz Association Research areas: Maternal nutrition, intestinal mucosa transcriptomics, fatty acid supplementation, microbiome-immune interactions Recent research highlights include studies on Cryptosporidium parvum infections in calves, colostrum quality, and feed processing techniques in broilers. She frequently collaborates with Harald Michael Hammon and other veterinary scientists. Publications span 2017-2024 Active in experimental animal facilities Her work contributes to neonatal calf nutrition, antimicrobial resistance research, and optimized feeding strategies for poultry.
