Stephane Cotin is a Research Director at Inria and leader of the MIMESIS team, specializing in real-time physics-based medical simulations. His work focuses on surgical training, planning, and image-guided therapy, with over 200 scientific articles and the development of the open-source SOFA framework. He co-founded InSimo, Twinical, and EVE, and previously held roles at Harvard Medical School and Mitsubishi Electric Research Lab. Cotin’s research bridges imaging, robotics, and medicine to improve healthcare outcomes, emphasizing patient-specific biophysical modeling and real-time computation. His awards include the Academy of Sciences Award (2018) and Dirk Bartz Medical Prize (2015). He has advised numerous PhD students and led projects like MediTwin and PREMYOM, advancing digital twin technologies for precision medicine.
Chao Liu is a Research Scientist at CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research) since 2008, affiliated with the DEXTER team and the Department of Robotics, LIRMM at University of Montpellier, France. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2006). Current research focuses on surgical robotics , haptics , teleoperation , and nonlinear control theory with applications in computer vision. His work addresses challenges in robotic-assisted telesurgery, including: Stable and transparent human-robot interaction through wave variable compensators and passivity filters Physiological motion compensation using spatio-temporal LSTM and dual Kalman filters EMG-based motion recognition for surgical skill assessment 3D soft-tissue reconstruction with stereo-endoscopes and deep learning Dr. Liu leads European and French projects like: TS2RT (CNRS-funded): Safer teleoperation with motion compensation ROBACUS (ANR-funded): Needle positioning with MPC control HaTUMoCo (CNRS-funded): Haptic teleoperation with uncertainty handling ARAKNES (EU-funded): Microrobotic systems for endoluminal surgery Scientific honors include Senior Member of IEEE and Member of Sigma Xi . He supervises Ph.D. and Master's students working on topics such as concentric tube robot optimization, haptic teleoperation, and EMG-based force estimation. Dr. Liu serves on IEEE Technical Committees for Telerobotics and Haptics , and as Technical Editor of IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics.
Benoit Rosa is currently a CNRS Researcher within the Robotics, Data science, and Healthcare technologies Team at the ICube Laboratory, University of Strasbourg. Previously, he was a Research Fellow at the Pediatric Cardiac Bioengineering Lab, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School (2015-2016), and a postdoctoral fellow in the Robot Assisted Surgery group at the Mechanical Engineering department of KU Leuven, Belgium (2013-2015). He received his Ph.D. in 2013 from Pierre & Marie Curie University (now Sorbonne University) under the supervision of Pr. Guillaume Morel and Pr. Jerome Szewczyk. His PhD was awarded the best PhD thesis award by the CNRS research group on robotics for 2013. Prior to his PhD, he obtained an Engineering Degree (equivalent to a Master's) from Ecole Centrale Paris. Rosa's research focuses on surgical robotics and image-guided control, with particular expertise in the design and control of miniature, distally-actuated and flexible systems for minimally invasive surgery. His work spans from mechatronic design of minimally invasive surgical devices to advanced control algorithms for surgical robots. Key areas include continuum robotics, visual servo control, surgical tool segmentation, and OCT-guided interventions. His research has significant applications in cardiac surgery, endomicroscopy, and various minimally invasive procedures, with a strong emphasis on translating theoretical robotics into practical clinical solutions. His recent publications demonstrate a growing trend toward applying deep learning techniques to enhance surgical robotics, with focus on autonomous systems that improve precision and reduce surgeon cognitive load while addressing challenges in medical imaging and surgical navigation. Scientific Awards: Best PhD thesis award by the CNRS research group on robotics (2013) Rosa has led multiple significant research projects including Image-based tracking of continuum robots (ongoing), Robot-assisted endomicroscopy (2010-2013), Beating heart intracardiac cardioscopy-guided interventions (2015-2019), and Intuitive control of active catheters (2014-2015). His work has resulted in numerous patents and collaborations with leading medical institutions worldwide, securing research funding for advancing surgical robotics technology. He actively participates in the academic community through invited talks and workshops, and maintains strong collaborations with institutions including Harvard Medical School, KU Leuven, and various French research entities, bridging theoretical robotics with practical clinical applications across multiple medical specialties.
Philippe Poignet is a Professor at the University of Montpellier, affiliated with the Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUT) and conducting research at the LIRMM (Laboratory of Informatics, Robotics, and Microelectronics of Montpellier). He served as Director of LIRMM from July 2015 to October 2023 and co-heads the IRP with Stanford University since 2025. His work focuses on Surgical Robotics, with a particular emphasis on medical device development, control systems, and biomedical applications. Co-founder of startup ACUSURGICAL (retinal surgery robotics) Scientific collaborator with STERLAB (flexible ureteroscopy robotics) Co-organized Summer School on Surgical Robotics (SSSR) for 20 years His research spans medical robotics , control theory , and biomedical imaging , with applications in needle steering, tissue interaction, and surgical precision. Recent publications highlight advances in soft tensegrity design , model predictive control , and multi-modality imaging registration . Scientific recognition includes: Best Paper Award at ARK’22 Prix de l’Innovation de l’I-Site MUSE (2020) Chevalier des Palmes Académiques (2019) He supervises doctoral students in projects related to flexible robotics , bioimpression , and robotic shoulder surgery , with collaborations across Europe and industry partners like CARANX Medical and CEDRAT Technologies.
Alauzen Marie is a CNRS Research Fellow at LAMSADE, a research laboratory affiliated with Paris Dauphine University. Her work bridges the fields of sociology, law, and technology studies, with a particular focus on the social implications of digital systems and algorithms. Her research interests include: Sociology of science and technology Sociology of state and law Anthropology of writing and reading Dr. Marie's scholarly work examines the intersection of technology, governance, and social practices. Her recent publications explore how digital systems shape citizenship, public policy, and professional practices in various domains including housing benefits administration, surgical environments, and algorithmic governance. Her research demonstrates a consistent focus on making visible the often-hidden social dimensions of technological systems. Her notable publications include studies on IT citizenship through public source code examination, the politics of programming choices in social welfare systems, the transformation of surgical practices through robotic technologies, and the challenges of achieving algorithmic transparency and explainability. Dr. Marie's work is characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration, as evidenced by her co-authorship with researchers from diverse fields including computer science, law, and medicine. Her research has practical implications for policymakers, technologists, and social scientists seeking to understand and shape the relationship between technology and society.
Pietro Gori is a Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging at Télécom Paris, working within the IMAGES team of the LTCI laboratory. He has previously collaborated with Inria at the ARAMIS laboratory and NeuroSpin (CEA), focusing on computational anatomy and medical imaging. Education: MSc in Mathematical Modeling and Computation (DTU, Copenhagen), MSc in Biomedical Engineering (University of Padua), PhD in Bioinformatics (Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI), and HDR (Habilitation à diriger des recherches) in Medical Imaging (Institut polytechnique de Paris, 2024). His research spans machine learning , medical imaging , computational anatomy , shape analysis , and statistical learning . He contributes to open-source tools like deformetrica and Clinica , emphasizing algorithms for analyzing 2D/3D images and clinical neuroimaging studies. Recent publications highlight trends in contrastive learning for disease classification, self-supervised methods in digital pathology, and 3D modeling for surgical applications. His work integrates prior knowledge into AI models and explores biomarkers for psychiatric disorders. Scientific Awards: Habilitation à diriger des recherches (HDR), Institut polytechnique de Paris (2024). He collaborates with NeuroSpin (CEA) and contributes to pediatric surgery planning and psychiatric research , leveraging large datasets of healthy subjects for transfer learning. His patents focus on organ characterization and 3D anatomical model generation.
Philippe Cinquin is a Professor of Medical Informatics and Director of TIMC-IMAG (UMR5525), a CNRS-Université Joseph Fourier research unit. He leads the CAMI (Computer Assisted Medical Interventions) Labex and co-heads INSERM's CIC-IT 803 clinical investigation center. With a PhD in Applied Mathematics and Medical Doctor qualification, he pioneered surgical robotics and computer-aided interventions since 1984, benefiting over 100,000 patients through startup innovations. His recent work focuses on symbiotic implantable devices, energy scavenging for medical implants, and hydrogen therapy. He received the 2013 CNRS Innovation Award and 2014 Ambroise Paré Surgical Award. Research interests span biomimetic devices, medical robotics, and innovative therapies including transdermal hydrogen delivery. He has developed implantable systems like intestinal reactors and biosensors, with applications in diabetes treatment and pandemic response. His work integrates mathematics, signal processing, and nanotechnology to advance minimally invasive surgery and autonomous medical implants. Key contributions include virtual fluoroscopy systems for navigation, enzymatic biofuel cells, and reusable PPE sterilization methods during the pandemic. His interdisciplinary teams collaborate across engineering, medicine, and computer science to address clinical challenges through technological innovation. Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics; Medical Doctorate Grants & Startups: Founded multiple companies commercializing surgical navigation systems and diagnostic devices Labs: TIMC-IMAG, CAMI Labex, CIC-IT 803 clinical innovation center
National Institute of Applied Sciences of StrasbourgFrance
Pierre Renaud is a Professor at INSA Strasbourg and Deputy Director of the ICube laboratory, specializing in Medical and Surgical Robotics, Mechatronics, and Additive Manufacturing. His research focuses on developing advanced robotic systems for healthcare applications, including surgical robots, compliant mechanisms, and MRI-compatible devices. He leads projects such as SPIRIT (multi-material additive manufacturing for medical robotics) and contributes to national initiatives like TIRREX and LABEX CAMI. Education: PhD in Mechanics from Université Clermont-Auvergne (2003), M.Sc. from ENS Cachan (1998), and Agrégation in Mechanical Engineering (1999). Visiting Associate Professor at Stanford University (2010–2011) as a Fulbright Fellow. Research Themes: Mechatronics for medical robotics, compliant systems, additive manufacturing integration, and tensegrity-based robots. Collaborates with IHU Strasbourg for surgical technology development and Axilum Robotics for industrial applications. Key Projects: Robotic assistance for interventional radiology, magnetic elastography, and beating heart surgery. Active in international collaborations (e.g., ANR, H2020 ITN ATLAS). Labs/Teams: Head of the Robotics, Data Science, and Healthcare Technologies group at ICube. Engaged in Equipex IRIS and ROBOTEX platforms for robotic innovation.
Aymeric Becq is an Associate Professor at Sorbonne University and a clinical practitioner in gastroenterology and endoscopy. He works at Henri Mondor Hospital (APHP, University of Paris Est Creteil) and Cochin Hospital (APHP, University of Paris). Since January 2020, he is a PhD student affiliated with the AGATHE Team, INSERM Unit U1150, and the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR). University Hospital Practitioner (Gastroenterology, Henri Mondor Hospital) PhD Student (Doctoral School SMAER, ISIR Laboratory) Research Focus: Medical Imaging, Endoscopy, and Gastroenterology His research bridges clinical practice and robotics, focusing on computer-aided detection in endoscopic imaging, 3D biliary reconstruction, and microbiota modulation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent work includes optimizing fluoroscopic image analysis and developing AI-driven tools for ERCP procedures. His publications since 2022 highlight trends in AI applications for medical imaging, particularly in guidewire detection, instrument segmentation, and biliary system modeling. Collaborations span INSERM, APHP hospitals, and institutions like Harvard Medical School.
Olivia Chevalier is a researcher at Institut Mines-Télécom Business School , affiliated with the Bopa Chair (Augmented Operating Room) and the PEPR O2R (Origins of Organic Robotics) program. She collaborates with institutions like AP-HP, University Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRIA, and CNRS. PhD (2008) , DEA (2003), and Master of Philosophy (2000) from Université Paris-Nanterre Her research focuses on the economic, geopolitical, social, and ethical implications of AI and biotechnologies , with a specialization in philosophy of science and epistemology . She explores how AI integrates into surgical practices, digital twins, and organic robotics. Recent publications highlight trends in AI-driven surgical innovation , ethical AI frameworks , and robotics in healthcare , emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and technological challenges. Summa cum laude in all academic degrees from Université Paris-Nanterre Chevalier contributes to science dissemination through teaching roles at Sciences Po , Ecole des Ponts et Chaussés , and MYPREPA , covering AI, biotechnologies, and socio-political issues. She is involved in the GdR Robotics and Society network, bridging technical and societal perspectives.
Ludovic Hamon is an Associate Professor at the IUT de Laval, Le Mans Université, France, since 2014. He is affiliated with the LIUM computer science laboratory and previously worked in the LARIS and LISA laboratories. His research focuses on virtual and augmented environments for learning, human motion analysis in educational contexts, and game mechanics. He teaches courses in relational databases and programming languages (C++/C#) at the DUT level. Key responsibilities include supervising student internships, managing research project calls, and mentoring students like Quentin Couland and Jean DELEST DJADJA. Education: PhD in Automation and Applied Computer Science from Université d’Angers (2011), with post-doctoral work at IRISA’s EXPRESSION team (2012–2014). Research interests include gesture learning through virtual environments, haptic simulators in dental education (EVAGO project), and automated motion evaluation in simulations. Publications emphasize applications of virtual/augmented reality in education, motion capture for skill assessment, and gamified tools like Albiziapp for collaborative learning. He contributes to conferences such as EC-TEL, CELDA, and GALA, focusing on technology-enhanced learning systems and human-computer interaction in educational settings. Lab affiliations include LIUM (computer science) and collaborations with LARIS and IRISA. His work bridges computational methods with pedagogical innovation, particularly in healthcare training and gesture-based learning.
Isabelle Bloch is a full Professor at Télécom Paris (Institut Polytechnique de Paris) and Emeritus Professor at the University of Bordeaux . She heads the Image, Modeling, Analysis, Geometry, Synthesis (IMAGES) research team within the Information Processing and Communication Laboratory (LTCI) in the Image, Data, Signal (IDS) Department . Education & Affiliations Professor – Télécom Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris (current) Professeure Émérite – University of Bordeaux (honorary) Research Interests Her work lies at the intersection of computer science, applied mathematics and medicine . Core themes include mathematical morphology , fuzzy and bipolar logics , 3-D image interpretation , discrete 3-D geometry & topology , information fusion , structural pattern recognition , spatial reasoning and medical imaging . Recent projects extend these concepts to explainable AI , argumentation theory , computational musicology and robotic surgery guidance . Scientific Awards Blondel Medal (2008) – awarded by the French Electrical & Electronics Engineering Society to outstanding young scientists. Grants & Collaborative Projects While specific grant numbers are not listed in the text, Prof. Bloch coordinates and participates in large-scale interdisciplinary projects funded by national (ANR) and European programs, spanning medical AI, pediatric oncology imaging, neuro-informatics and ethical AI. Labs & Teams She leads the IMAGES team (≈ 25 researchers) inside the LTCI – a joint research unit of Télécom Paris and CNRS. The group develops theory and open-source software in mathematical morphology, deep learning and symbolic AI, and collaborates closely with clinical partners at Necker–Enfants Malades Hospital, AP-HP and Gustave Roussy.
Adlane HABED is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Télécom Physique Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, France. He is affiliated with the Control, Vision and Robotics research group within the Imaging, Computer and Engineering Sciences Laboratory (ICube UMR-CNRS 7357). His work focuses on advanced computer vision techniques, medical imaging applications, and robotics, with a strong emphasis on camera calibration, 3D reconstruction, and sensor fusion. Research interests include: - Robust camera autocalibration methods - 3D reconstruction from uncalibrated data - Medical applications in laparoscopic surgery and image-guided interventions - Optimization techniques for vision systems (e.g., LMI/SOS programming) - Sensor fusion for robotics and visual odometry Notable projects include DrAACaR, ArchZoo3D, MOSCA, and WiDop, though specific project descriptions are not provided. His work bridges theoretical computer vision with practical medical and robotic applications. Labs/Teams: Active member of the ICube laboratory's Control, Vision and Robotics group, contributing to interdisciplinary research in autonomous systems and medical imaging.
Stéphane Safin is a Lecturer and researcher in ergonomics at Télécom Paris, part of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris. He holds a PhD in ergonomic psychology from the University of Liège (2011) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Montreal. His academic roles include teaching interaction design, user-centered design methods, and overseeing design projects. He co-leads the Master's in Design program accredited with University of Paris Saclay and ENSCI-Les Ateliers. His research focuses on creative activity in design, particularly in architecture and industrial design, emphasizing cognitive processes and instrumental dimensions of creativity. Key areas include digital sketching, collaborative design, and the role of external representations (drawings, models) in creative processes. Notable projects include the ANR Social Touch Project (2017-2020) exploring tactile interfaces for social communication and the EU-funded DIALLS Project (2018-2021) on cultural literacy through text production. He leads the Interaction, Technology, Activity (Interact) research team within the Interdisciplinary Institute of Innovation (i3) lab. His work spans participatory design, emergency response systems, and co-creation methodologies for urban planning. Recent publications address topics like bicycle modal shift in urban France, haptic interfaces for remote communication, and co-design in geriatric care facilities. He has contributed to over 70 peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and book chapters, with a focus on design cognition, ergonomics education, and sociotechnical systems. His teaching integrates theoretical and practical design methodologies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and user-centric approaches.
Alexandre Kruszewski is a Lecturer at Centrale Lille, where he is affiliated with the DEFROST research team within the CRIStAL laboratory (Centre de Recherche en Informatique, Signal et Automatique de Lille). His work focuses on deformable and soft robotic systems, with applications in medical procedures and surgical assistance. Research Interests: Kruszewski's expertise spans: Soft Robotics and Deformable Robot Design Advanced Control Systems for Robotic Compliance Workspace Estimation and Optimization Medical Robotics including real-time molecular analysis for cancer surgery Cochlear Implant Modeling and Control His research prioritizes developing control methodologies that maintain robot compliance while enhancing performance in dynamic environments. Advising: He has supervised six PhD theses: Antoine Alessandrini: Design of new control methods to preserve deformable robot compliance Walid Amehri: Workspace estimation and design optimization of deformable robots Paul Chaillou: Soft robotics system for SpiderMass guidance in cancer surgery (defended February 28, 2022) Shijie Li: Dynamic Tracking Control for Soft Robots (defended January 7, 2025) Lingxiao Xun: Data-Driven Modeling and Robust Control Design for Soft Robots (defended January 27, 2023) Lingxiao Xun: Modeling and control of active cochlear implants (defended March 14, 2024) Research Affiliation: Kruszewski is an active member of the DEFROST team at CRIStAL, specializing in deformable robotics research and development.
