Dr. Yelda Turkan is an Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State University, where she leads research in automation, computer vision, and machine learning for sustainable infrastructure. She holds a PhD from the University of Waterloo and dual BS degrees in Civil Engineering and Geomatics Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. Her work focuses on leveraging lidar, digital twins, and BIM to improve construction operations and decision-making in the built environment. She has secured over $4M in grants from NSF, FHWA, and other agencies, and currently leads the NSF Convergence Accelerator-funded 'Deep Reality' project for AI-driven infrastructure management. Education: Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2012 M.S., Engineering Informatics & Remote Sensing, Istanbul Technical University, 2006 B.S., Civil Engineering (double major in Geomatics Engineering), Istanbul Technical University, 2005/2003 Professional Roles: Vice President, International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC) Chair, ASCE Computing Division Education Committee Associate Editor, ASCE OPEN Journal Her research emphasizes automation in construction quality control, infrastructure inspection via drones and lidar, and immersive education tools using VR/AR. Recent projects include automated curb ramp compliance analysis, wildfire impact modeling, and digital twin development for timber structures. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and actively promotes computing integration in civil engineering education and professional practice.
Dieu Tien Bui is a Full Professor in the Department of Business and IT at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) School of Business. His research focuses on Geospatial Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning GIS and Remote Sensing Natural Hazard Modeling Environmental Problems (landslides, floods, soil salinity, biomass) . He has contributed to over 15 recent publications in journals like Science of the Total Environment , Remote Sensing , and Geomorphology , emphasizing hybrid AI models for landslide and flood susceptibility. His work spans Vietnam, India, China, and Iran with applications in climate change adaptation and disaster management. Scientific Awards: Global Highly Cited Researcher PhD Supervision: He has supervised 8 PhD students at institutions including USN, NTNU, and Vietnamese universities.
Dr. Zhibao Mian is a Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of Hull, UK, and previously held an Associate Professor position at Northwest Normal University. He specializes in trustworthy AI, machine learning, and intelligent maintenance systems. His research integrates AI with IoT, blockchain, and digital twins in Industry 4.0/5.0 contexts. He leads projects on predictive maintenance for offshore wind turbines and AI-driven sustainable energy solutions. Dr. Mian holds a PhD from the University of Hull and an MSc from the University of Nottingham. Research interests include AI ethics, model-based safety analysis, and RCM. He has secured grants such as the CPHC-funded study on AI in software education and oversees multiple PhD scholarships. Notable roles include Editorial Board member of the American Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Reviewer for high-impact journals/conferences like JSS and IEEE. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and received the Royal Academy of Engineering's 2024 Exceptional Talent designation. Recent publications (2023-2025) focus on ordinal networks, outlier detection, Belt and Road trade analysis, and carbon emissions modeling. He actively advises PhD students on topics like UAV-based anomaly detection and predictive maintenance frameworks.
Professor Sara Bernardini is a leading academic in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Oxford's Department of Computer Science, where she holds a joint appointment as a Tutorial Fellow at Mansfield College. Her research specializes in decision-making for autonomous systems, automated planning, and robotics, with applications in extreme environments like space missions, nuclear decommissioning, and offshore energy. She bridges theoretical AI with real-world challenges through projects funded by Innovate UK, EPSRC, NERC, and the Alan Turing Institute. Her research interests span: Autonomous Systems : Developing agents that support humans in complex cognitive tasks. Automated Planning : Algorithms for goal recognition, pathfinding, and multi-agent coordination. Robotics : Solutions for subterranean exploration, offshore wind farms, and UAV operations. AI Safety : Risk-aware autonomous systems and interpretable decision-making. Bernardini's publications emphasize algorithmic robustness in path planning, multi-agent coordination , and real-world AI deployments . Recent work explores goal legibility in uncertain environments, energy-efficient robotics, and AI education tools. Her 65+ papers in top venues (e.g., AIJ, JAIR, ICAPS) show a trend toward safety-critical applications and human-AI collaboration. Awards & Leadership: ICAPS-2020 Best Paper Honorable Mention Executive Council Member, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) Program Chair, International Conference on Automated Planning and Scheduling (ICAPS 2024) Associate Editor, Artificial Intelligence Journal She leads interdisciplinary teams for projects like autonomous offshore wind farm maintenance and modular robots for extreme environments. As Principal Scientist at the UK National Oceanography Centre, she advanced marine robotics. She mentors PhD candidates and collaborates globally (e.g., NASA Ames, MIT).
Dr. Christopher Morton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, specializing in fluid-structure interaction, UAV technology, and energy systems. His research focuses on aerodynamics, flow control, and sustainable energy solutions, with applications in aerospace and environmental engineering. Education background includes a BASc in Mechatronics Engineering (University of Waterloo, 2008), MASc (2010), and Ph.D. (2014) in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution. His work bridges experimental and computational methods, particularly in flow estimation and control using advanced diagnostics like PIV and spectral analysis. His research interests span vortex-induced vibrations (VIV), unsteady aerodynamics, and energy harvesting through fluid-structure interactions. Recent publications highlight innovations in flow field reconstruction, sensor-based monitoring, and turbulence control. His work has been recognized through awards such as the Departmental Research Excellence Award (2021-2022) and multiple teaching accolades, reflecting his dedication to both research and education. Dr. Morton currently teaches MECH ENG 4FM3 (Advanced Instrumentation for Thermo-Fluids) and MECH ENG 723 (Flow Induced Vibrations), emphasizing hands-on experimental techniques and theoretical analysis. He actively supervises graduate students and collaborates with industry partners like Atlantis Research Labs and Plains Midstream Canada. Key Research Clusters: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Digital & Smart Systems, Energy, and Environment. Teaching Excellence: Awarded “Professor of the Year” multiple times and recognized for outstanding teaching performance.
Dr. Ken Ferens is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Price Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba. He serves as the Computer Engineering Champion in the Centre for Engineering Professional Practice and Engineering Education and directs the Applied Cognitive Intelligence (ACI) Research Group. Dr. Ferens is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Chair of the EduManCom Chapter of the IEEE, Vice-Chair of the Computer and Computational Intelligence Chapter of the IEEE, and Chair of the Industry, Teaching Assistants, and Student Forums for Engineering Curriculum Review and Improvement. Ph.D. (Computer Engineering), University of Manitoba, 1996 M.Sc. (Computer Engineering), University of Manitoba, 1991 B.Sc. (Electrical Engineering), University of Manitoba, 1989 Dr. Ferens has over 33 years of research experience in computational intelligence, focusing on cognitive machine learning, artificial intelligence, cognitive computational intelligence, chaos theory applications, agent-based models, and various optimization algorithms including simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks, and particle swarm optimization. His research applies these techniques to develop software and hardware intrusion detection systems for cybersecurity applications. He teaches graduate-level courses on Computer Network Security and Applied Computational Intelligence, providing students with theoretical background and hands-on experience in state-of-the-art security methods. Analysis of Dr. Ferens' recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying cognitive and chaotic computational techniques to cybersecurity challenges, particularly malware detection and network intrusion detection. His work increasingly integrates complexity theory, fractal analysis, and hybrid optimization approaches to enhance security systems' effectiveness. There's a clear progression toward more sophisticated machine learning architectures applied to increasingly complex security scenarios, with growing emphasis on real-world IoT and network security applications. Best Paper Award at IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics and Cognitive Computing (ICCI*CC 2022) Best Paper Award at IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics and Cognitive Computing (ICCI*CC 2015) Best Journal Paper Award for 2013 (Journal of ICT Research and Applications) Best Poster Award at 12th International Conference on e-Health Networking, Application & Services (2010) Best Paper Award at IASTED International Conference on Computer, Electronics, Control, and Communication (1991) Dr. Ferens collaborates with national and international industry partners including the Department of Advanced Information Management, Content Technology Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC), and Magellan Aerospace. His research group has received funding supporting the Cyber-security Research Program, developing practical applications of computational intelligence for security systems. He has supervised numerous graduate students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, focusing on research at the intersection of machine learning and cybersecurity. Dr. Ferens leads the Applied Cognitive Intelligence (ACI) Research Group within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, which focuses on applying cognitive, chaotic, and computationally intelligent algorithms to build intrusion detection systems. The group collaborates with industry partners to develop practical security solutions while providing students with hands-on research experience in cutting-edge security technologies. Their work spans both theoretical algorithm development and practical hardware implementation for real-world security applications.
Professor Clinton Fookes is a faculty member at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) within the School of Electrical Engineering & Robotics . His research focuses on leveraging computer vision and artificial intelligence to develop automated systems that understand, anticipate, and interact with human behaviors, with applications in medical diagnostics, autonomous vehicles, defense, and industrial efficiency . Research areas include AI adaptability, multimodal biosignal analysis, and human-machine interaction Collaborates with CSIRO Data61, Defence Science and Technology Group, Orica, Airbus, and Sentient Vision Systems Develops systems for human action detection, infrastructure monitoring, and stress response prediction His work addresses critical challenges in AI deployment, such as environmental adaptability and reducing diagnostic errors in medical and autonomous systems. Recent publications highlight trends in self-supervised learning, zero-shot knowledge transfer, multimodal integration , and 3D reconstruction for healthcare , while exploring ethical AI use in sectors like mining and defense . Professor Fookes emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging engineering, medicine, and social sciences to advance AI systems capable of real-world impact. His research agenda includes improving AI memory capabilities and explainability for safer, more reliable automation.
Kwan-Wu Chin is a Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Wollongong, where he also serves as Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS) and co-directs the Wireless Technologies Lab (WTL). His research focuses on resource allocation problems in Internet of Things (IoT) systems, maritime networks, edge computing platforms, and integrated sensing-communication systems. Chin leads an active research group currently supervising five PhD students working on UAV networks, edge computing, maritime systems, and metaverse resource allocation. He has graduated over 20 PhD students who now hold positions in academia and industry. Chin serves as editor for Elsevier Computer Communications and IEEE Internet of Things Journal. His work develops optimization techniques using graph theory, stochastic processes, and machine learning for next-generation wireless systems.
Dr. Alexander Paulus serves as a Researcher at the Chair of High-Frequency Engineering within the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), School of Computation, Information and Technology. Working under Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Eibert, he contributes to advanced electromagnetic research and measurement systems development at TUM's Arcisstr. 21 campus in Munich. Research Expertise His core specialization lies in near-field antenna measurement and transformation techniques, with significant contributions to phase retrieval algorithms, inverse source methods, and UAV-based electromagnetic field measurements. He addresses critical challenges including probe correction with unknown antennas, sparse sampling for directive antennas, and electromagnetic modeling of environmental effects like rain attenuation. His work bridges theoretical electromagnetics with practical antenna characterization solutions. Publication Trends From 2014-2025, Paulus has published 25+ papers focusing on near-field to far-field transformations, particularly in phaseless and multi-probe scenarios. Recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates innovation in spectral filtering, sparse reconstruction, and UAV-based systems for defect localization and wet antenna modeling. His research increasingly integrates computational techniques to solve complex inverse problems in antenna measurements. Scientific Recognition No formal awards documented in available information Academic Contributions Student Mentoring: No advisees listed in provided materials Research Funding: Grant details not specified in source text Research Environment Paulus operates within TUM's Chair of High-Frequency Engineering facilities, which include advanced near-field measurement ranges, UAV-based electromagnetic characterization systems, and laboratories for metamaterials research and electromagnetic compatibility testing. His work supports applications in 5G/6G communications, aviation navigation systems, and precision antenna diagnostics.
Zeljko Pantic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. He holds a Ph.D. from NC State (2013) and B.S./M.S. degrees from the University of Belgrade (1998/2007). Before joining NC State in 2019, he served as an Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Electric Vehicle and Roadway Research Facility at Utah State University. He is actively involved in editorial roles for IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification and serves on the IEEE IAS Transportation Systems Committee. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, North Carolina State University (2013) M.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade (2007) B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade (1998) Research: Dr. Pantic specializes in electrified transportation systems, wireless power transfer (WPT), power converter design, and DC microgrid technologies. His work addresses challenges in EV charging infrastructure, magnetic circuit optimization, and energy conversion principles for transportation electrification. Recent projects include autonomous wireless charging systems for UAVs, marine DC microgrids, and road-embedded DWPT solutions. Awards & Recognition: 2019 IEEE JESTPE Second Prize Paper Award 2017 Outstanding Teacher of the Year (USU) 2012 NC State Mentored Teaching Assistantship Award Advisees & Grants: While specific student names are not listed, Dr. Pantic has advised graduate students on projects spanning WPT systems, EV infrastructure, and battery management. His work has been supported by grants focusing on dynamic charging, magnetic materials, and autonomous observatory nodes. Labs & Facilities: He leads research at NC State's Electric Vehicle and Roadway facility, focusing on roadway-integrated wireless charging and high-power WPT systems. Collaborations include ocean observatory development and autonomous system integration.
Jason Ur is the Stephen Phillips Professor of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University, specializing in early urbanism, landscape archaeology, and remote sensing. He directs the Erbil Plain Archaeological Survey (EPAS) in Iraqi Kurdistan and has conducted fieldwork in Syria, Turkey, and Iran. His work leverages declassified satellite imagery and geospatial technologies to study ancient settlement patterns, irrigation systems, and transportation networks. Research Focus: Early urban development in Mesopotamia, GIS-based landscape analysis, qanat systems, and postmortem segregation in colonial New England cemeteries. Field Projects: EPAS (2012–present), Tell Hamoukar Survey (1999–2001), and studies of colonial-era burying grounds since 2020. Methodology: Remote sensing (CORONA, HEXAGON, U2 imagery), UAV photogrammetry, 3D visualization, and intensive ground surveys. Key Findings: Discovery of undocumented urban centers, mapping of ancient canals and hollow ways, and analysis of rural Assyrian landscapes.
Asunción Gómez Pérez is a Spanish computer scientist and Full Professor at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) . She currently serves as Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Doctoral Studies at UPM and holds a seat at the Real Academia Española . She has authored over 300 publications and accumulated 20,000 citations. Education : PhD in Computer Science (UPM, 1993), MBA (Comillas Pontifical University) Leadership Roles : Director of the Department of Artificial Intelligence (2008–2016), Academic Director of AI Master’s/PhD programs (2009–2016), Executive Director of UPM’s Artificial Intelligence Lab (1995–1998) Her research focuses on Semantic Web and Ontology Engineering , with applications in knowledge representation, machine-machine communication, and multilingual data integration. She pioneered methods for ontology validation, metadata licensing, and AI-driven social inclusion. Key publication trends include: Ontology evaluation frameworks (e.g., OOPS!) Linked Data quality models and validation tools Multilingual and cross-lingual AI applications Interoperability solutions for smart cities and healthcare Machine Learning for social exclusion prediction Ontology-driven library and lexicography systems Scientific Awards Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences Ada Byron Prize She has led projects like the NeOn Methodology for ontology development and contributed to the European framework for linked data rights (LD Terms). Her work bridges theoretical research with practical implementations in AI and Semantic Technologies.
Maurice Heemels is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), leading the Control Systems Technology group. He holds additional professorships in EAISI Mobility, EAISI Foundational, EAISI Health, and EAISI High Tech Systems. His research focuses on hybrid and networked systems, emphasizing resource-aware control, event-triggered strategies, and cyber-physical systems integration. He is an IEEE Fellow and chairs the IFAC Technical Committee on Networked Systems. Academic Background: MSc and PhD in Mathematics (TU/e, 1995 and 1999, both summa cum laude ) Visiting Professorships: ETH Zurich (2001), UC Santa Barbara (2008) Industry Experience: Research & Development at Océ NV Research Interests: Hybrid Systems, Networked Control, Event-Triggered Control Model Predictive Control (MPC) in healthcare and high-tech systems Cyber-Physical Systems for applications like lithography and precision agriculture Key Contributions: Developed Hybrid Integrator-Gain (HIGS) systems and Projection-Based Control methodologies Recipient of a VICI Grant for wireless control systems research Oversaw over €7M in research funding from NWO, EU, and industry Awards & Recognition: Automatica Outstanding Service Award (2014) Best Paper Awards (EBCCSP 2017, etc.) Invited Keynote Speaker at ECC, CDC, and others Grants & Projects: Current Projects: COMEDI (Cost-effective Mechatronics), PROACTHIS (Projection-based Control) Past Projects: Fault Detection in Wafer Scanners, Drone-based Farming Labs & Teams: Active in TU/e’s Cyber-Physical Systems and Systems Engineering research groups, collaborating globally on nonsmooth dynamics and hybrid systems.
Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng serves as Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chair Professor in Positioning and Navigation Systems at Imperial College London. He directs the Centre for Active Resilience and Security (CARS) and maintains key affiliations with the Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation, Centre for Transport Engineering and Modelling, Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering, and Space Lab. His extensive advisory roles include the Science Museum Group Board of Trustees, Royal Institute of Navigation Presidency, and Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Steering Committee. His educational background includes a BSc (First Class) in Engineering from the University of Nairobi and MSc (Distinction) and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Nottingham. He received an honorary DSc from Technical University of Kenya in 2023. Ochieng's research pioneers critical infrastructure resilience, user-centric mobility, and positioning/navigation/timing (PNT) systems. He has designed satellite navigation systems (including Europe's EGNOS and GALILEO) for multi-domain applications and advanced Air Traffic Management and Intelligent Transport Systems. His work integrates geomatics, transportation engineering, and sustainable mobility to solve global urban infrastructure challenges, with recent emphasis on decarbonization and AI-driven solutions. His 2024-2025 publications reveal strong trends in sustainable transportation decarbonization, AI-optimized traffic management, and resilient urban positioning systems. Research focuses on hydrogen fuel cell trains, carbon-efficient aviation, and deep reinforcement learning applications for emission reduction, demonstrating interdisciplinary integration of engineering, environmental science, and artificial intelligence to address climate challenges. Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2013) Harold Spencer-Jones Gold Medal from Royal Institute of Navigation (2019) Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from Technical University of Kenya (2023) Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) from Kenya (2023) Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) (2024) Ochieng provides strategic guidance to UK Government bodies (Government Office for Science, Department for Transport, FCDO), European Parliament, and European Court of Auditors. His advisory work shaped the Blackett Review on Satellite-derived Time/Position, UK Space Strategy, and Future of Mobility report. He chairs the Science Museum London Advisory Board and leads FCDO's Sustainable Urban Economic Development program in Africa, with significant grant influence through UK National Physical Laboratory and Department for International Development. He directs the Centre for Active Resilience and Security (CARS) and leads Space Lab initiatives, focusing on mission-critical PNT systems and infrastructure resilience. His teams collaborate with international consortia including RTCM Special Committee 134 and US Institute of Navigation, developing next-generation navigation solutions for safety-critical applications across transport, aviation, and urban environments.
Roya Nasimi, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering at California State University, East Bay, where she joined in Fall 2023. Her expertise spans structural engineering, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on developing innovative solutions for infrastructure monitoring and safety. Dr. Nasimi's educational background includes: Ph.D. with distinction in Structural Engineering from the University of New Mexico Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Tabriz Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tabriz Her research focuses on structural health monitoring using advanced technologies. She integrates computer vision , artificial intelligence , and machine learning to develop systems for monitoring aging infrastructure, particularly bridges. Her work includes designing low-cost and high-end sensor systems, conducting full-scale bridge experiments, and collaborating on interdisciplinary projects to enhance infrastructure safety and resilience. Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a strong emphasis on non-contact monitoring techniques using drones, lasers, and computer vision. Key trends include the application of deep learning for displacement measurement, digital twinning for infrastructure, and rockfall prevention through machine learning. Her work bridges civil engineering with cutting-edge technology to address critical infrastructure challenges. Dr. Nasimi's research is supported by multiple grants: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transportation Research Board (TRB) Transportation Consortium of South-Central States (Tran-SET) New Mexico Consortium She serves on two TRB standing committees and mentors students in structural health monitoring and infrastructure technology. Dr. Nasimi leads interdisciplinary research teams focused on infrastructure monitoring, utilizing drones, lasers, and computer vision systems. Her work involves field experiments on bridges and rail systems, often in collaboration with government agencies and research consortia.
