Sewon Min is an Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley's Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) department and a research scientist at the Allen Institute for AI. Her research focuses on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), emphasizing data-centric approaches and ethical AI practices. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington (2024) and a B.S. from Seoul National University (2018). Her work includes advancements in retrieval-based models, mixture-of-experts architectures, and data privacy in LLMs. Notable projects include FlexOlmo (flexible data use in LLMs) and OLMoE (open mixture-of-experts models). She has been recognized with the ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award Honorable Mention (2025) and WAGS/ProQuest Innovation in Technology Award. Recent articles highlight her contributions to reasoning models, data tracing (OLMoTrace), and scalable retrieval systems (MassiveDS). She leads the Berkeley NLP Group and collaborates with BAIR, exploring topics like model transparency and ethical data usage.
Jukka Manner is a Full Professor (tenured) of Networking Technology at Aalto University's Department of Communications and Networking (Comnet), School of Electrical Engineering. With a career spanning over two decades in internet technologies, he leads research in networking, wireless systems, and energy-efficient ICT solutions. Dr. Manner received his MSc (1999) and PhD (2004) degrees in computer science from the University of Helsinki. His academic journey has been marked by significant contributions to internet standardization through the IETF since 1999, where he served as co-chair of the NSIS working group. Professor Manner's research focuses on networking, software and distributed systems, with particular emphasis on wireless and mobile networks, transport protocols, energy efficient ICT and cyber security. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications, addressing critical challenges in modern communication systems, sustainable networking practices, and security frameworks. His research group has made significant contributions to 5G technologies, UAV communications, and energy-efficient network design. His extensive publication record shows a clear evolution toward sustainability in networking technologies, with recent work focusing on energy efficiency in 5G systems, sustainable web technologies, and the environmental impact of digital infrastructure. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between telecommunications engineering, computer science, and environmental science, with particular emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint of digital systems while maintaining performance. Cross of Merit, Signals (2014) Medal for Military Merits for contributions in national defence and C4 (2015) Professor Manner has supervised over 200 MSc theses and more than 20 doctoral dissertations, establishing himself as a dedicated mentor in the field. He has been principal investigator and project manager for over 15 national and international research projects, including serving as Academic Coordinator for the Finnish Future Internet research programme (2008-2012). His leadership extends to conference organization, having served as local co-chair of Sigcomm 2012 in Helsinki, and active participation as a peer reviewer and member of various Technical Program Committees. As an active contributor to internet standardization through the IETF, Professor Manner's work has practical impact on global networking technologies. His research group maintains strong connections with industry partners and participates in shaping future networking standards and practices, particularly in the areas of sustainable networking, 5G evolution, and security frameworks for emerging technologies.
Sara Vinco is an Associate Professor at the Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN), Politecnico di Torino, Italy. She specializes in battery simulation, digital twins, and energy-efficient design automation for heterogeneous embedded systems, aligning with Industrial and Information Engineering (Area 0009) and ERC sectors including Computer Architecture and Machine Learning . Her research focuses on advancing cyber-physical systems through simulation frameworks like SystemC-AMS, enabling holistic modeling of analog, digital, and thermal domains. Key projects include data-driven digital twins for EV batteries and low-area digital circuits in industrial/medical applications, supported by commercial contracts such as C-based virtual prototyping. Her recent publications (2022-2023) emphasize machine learning for battery SOH/SOC estimation , energy monitoring in production lines , and multi-domain fault modeling . These works span journals like IEEE Transactions and conferences including DATE and ISLPED. Awarded the FFABR 2017 grant and IEEE FDL Best Paper Award 2011 , she also chairs editorial boards for IEEE Transactions on CAD and DATE Conference. She supervises PhD students Giovanni Pollo (Digital Circuits) and Khaled Alamin (EV Battery Twins), reflecting her leadership in smart systems design.
Nathalie Pignard-Cheynel is a Full Professor of Journalism and Digital Communication at the University of Neuchâtel since 2020, where she leads cutting-edge research on digital transformations in journalism. Previously, she held academic positions at the University of Neuchâtel (Assistant Professor, 2016-2020), University of Lorraine (2013-2016), and Grenoble 3 University (2005-2013), where she earned her doctorate in Information and Communication Sciences (2004). Doctorate in Information and Communication Sciences, University of Grenoble 3 (2004) Full Professor of Journalism and Digital Communication, University of Neuchâtel (2020-present) Assistant Professor in Digital Journalism, University of Neuchâtel (2016-2020) Lecturer in Information and Communication Sciences, Grenoble 3 University (2005-2013) Her research focuses on: Mutations in journalistic practices during digital transformations Social media usage by journalists, media, and audiences Participatory journalism and media-audience relationships Journalism and data practices Disinformation content dissemination and reception Platformization of information and algorithmic roles Digital formats analysis in journalism She has led multiple funded research projects including: PANDA (2023-2026, CHF 499,986) on pandemic data communication #sad2 (2021-2022, CHF 138,460) on disinformation architectures LINC (2018-2021, CHF 184,586) on local journalism innovation International collaborations on pandemic communication and digital media Her teaching includes: Digital technology courses for economics students NewsLab projects for journalism master's students Advanced seminars on digital media and communication Innovative journalistic format production She serves in leadership roles for: President of the Scientific Council, Initiative for Media Innovation (2018-2022) Board Member, Hirondelle Foundation (2021-present) Editorial Board Member, Cahiers du journalisme (2020-present) Qualis Commission, University of Neuchâtel (2019-present)
Rika Hanamitsu is a Professor at the School of Social Sciences, Waseda University, where she teaches courses related to intercultural communication studies. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Waseda University and is also affiliated with the Center for International Education and the Global Education Center at the university. Education: Doctor of Philosophy from Waseda University Affiliations: Center for International Education, Global Education Center Her research focuses on intercultural communication and applied linguistics, particularly examining how cultural stereotypes, identities, and communication styles are represented in media and literature. She has conducted extensive research on Allen Say's works and their cultural implications, analyzing how they depict multicultural experiences and identity formation. Professor Hanamitsu's educational activities include teaching various courses including 'Seminar III (Intercultural Communication Studies)', 'Exploring Cultures through Film', 'Inter-Cultural Communication', 'Freshman Seminar', and 'Intercultural Communication' in both fall and spring semesters of 2025. Her teaching emphasizes the use of films as educational tools for intercultural understanding and literacy development. She has participated in overseas activities such as attending the Summer Institute of Intercultural Communication at Hope College, University of Michigan in 2002. Her social activities include intercultural communication training using games to develop communication skills, which she has conducted since 2011. International Presentations: 35th IBBY World Congress (2016), Summer Institute of Intercultural Communication (2002) Domestic Conferences: Japan Association for Language Education & Technology, Japan Association of College English Teachers, Japan Society of English Usage and Style Research Projects: Cultural Comparison of Conflict Scenes in Movies and Their Treatment (2005)
Gregory D. Erhardt is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky and serves as Associate Director of the T-SCORE Center, a multi-university consortium advancing public transit strategies. He holds a PhD from University College London’s Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, with prior experience in transportation planning across public and private sectors. His research focuses on transportation forecasting, big data applications, and evidence-based policy decisions, particularly addressing the impacts of emerging mobility technologies like ride-hailing on urban systems. Erhardt’s work emphasizes improving forecast accuracy and advocating for gender equity in engineering. He has been recognized with awards such as the Transportation Research Board’s Certificate of Appreciation and the Chan Wui & Yunyin Rising Star Fellowship. Education: PhD (University College London), M.S. (Northwestern University), B.S. (Cornell University). His research integrates activity-based travel models with big data to evaluate infrastructure investments and mobility trends. Key projects include analyzing public transit ridership decline, ride-hailing effects on congestion, and TNC impacts on urban transportation systems. Current initiatives include developing multi-agent simulation frameworks for on-demand transit systems. As a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the TUM Institute for Advanced Study, he collaborates on travel behavior modeling. His advocacy for diversity includes leading 'Advocates and Allies' training to promote gender equity in engineering. Erhardt’s publications span journals like Transportation Research Part A and Science Advances , with a focus on policy-relevant transportation analytics.
Prof. Robert Fuchs holds the Frommann Professorship of Applied English Linguistics at the University of Bonn, leading the Chair of Bonn Applied English Linguistics (BAEL) within the Department of English, American and Celtic Studies. His research focuses on World Englishes, corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics, and the impact of artificial intelligence on linguistic analysis. He actively supervises PhD students in topics aligned with his research group's interests, emphasizing empirical work and data science. Recent research explores language change in varieties like Hong Kong English, Trinidadian prosody, and intensifier usage across cultures. Fuchs frequently presents at international conferences, including ISLE, ICAME, and Sociolinguistics Symposium, and publishes extensively in journals like World Englishes and Language and Speech . His teaching includes advanced courses on corpus linguistics and language in culture, with a focus on climate change discourse analysis. He maintains an active academic presence through ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and LinkedIn. Research Interests: Fuchs investigates sociolinguistic variation, AI applications in linguistics, and the structural features of postcolonial Englishes. His work addresses topics such as vowel mergers in Hong Kong English, lexical stress perception in Indian English, and the role of gender in language use. He also explores diachronic changes in aspects like stative progressives and the perfect-past alternation across Asian Englishes. Advising & Grants: Fuchs oversees PhD student recruitment through research associate positions and self-funded scholarships, prioritizing applicants with strong empirical and analytical skills. His funded projects include studies on pandemic discourse (DisCOVIndUK) and linguistic trends in Caribbean English. His lab, BAEL, collaborates internationally, with ongoing work on Trinidadian prosody and Northeast Indian linguistic ecology. Labs/Teams: The Bonn Applied English Linguistics (BAEL) group, part of the University of Bonn's IAAK institute, focuses on cutting-edge research in global Englishes and computational linguistics, hosting international workshops and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Steven Farber is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Geography at the University of Toronto . His research focuses on transport geography , spatial analysis , accessibility , and public transportation equity , with a strong emphasis on Geographic Information Science (GIS) and social sustainability . Current research: Distributional aspects of transit accessibility, personal mobility, activity participation Teaching: Undergraduate courses on multivariate analysis and transportation geography, graduate seminars on transportation and urban form Key research trends include: Transport equity and social inclusion Time-geography in urban mobility Spatiotemporal accessibility modeling Behavioral impacts of transport infrastructure GIS-based spatial econometric methods Grants include multiple SSHRC Insight awards, Ontario Ministry of Research funding, and municipal partnerships for transport equity studies.
Patrick Skeba is a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Computer Science within the School of Computing and Information. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Lehigh University (2022) and bachelor's degrees in Cognitive Science and Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University (2017). His research focuses on internet privacy, AI ethics, and the responsible use of data. He teaches courses in machine learning and programming. Research Interests: Skeba's work bridges technology and societal impact, emphasizing privacy risks in data systems, algorithmic fairness, and user-centric privacy frameworks. His recent studies explore informational friction in data collection, community-based privacy strategies, and lay-expert disparities in understanding privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). Publications: His articles analyze privacy dynamics in digital spaces, from pandemic-era discourse on r/privacy to methodological approaches for categorizing technology non-use. His earlier work includes breakthroughs in sleep disorder diagnostics, particularly periodic leg movement (PLM) analysis and telemedicine applications for neurological conditions. Awards: No scientific awards listed. Grants and advising details are currently unspecified. Labs/Teams: No specific lab affiliations mentioned in provided materials. His teaching and research emphasize collaboration across computational and social domains.
Prof. Maryline Laurent is a Professor at Telecom SudParis, affiliated with the SAMOVAR research laboratory. Her work focuses on cybersecurity, privacy-preserving technologies, blockchain applications, and IoT security. She has contributed to numerous high-impact publications and conferences, addressing challenges in secure healthcare systems, decentralized identity management, and privacy in distributed systems. Her research spans cryptographic protocols, access control mechanisms, and compliance with EU data protection regulations. Key areas of expertise include secure communication protocols for IoT, blockchain-based solutions for healthcare, and privacy-enhancing technologies. She has collaborated on projects such as self-sovereign identity frameworks, anonymized data aggregation, and privacy-preserving smart grid systems. Her work emphasizes practical methodologies for assessing re-identification risks in anonymized datasets and designing secure systems compliant with evolving regulations. Prof. Laurent’s contributions extend to book chapters and edited volumes on digital identity management and wireless network security. She actively participates in international conferences and initiatives, advocating for privacy-by-design principles in intelligent infrastructures.
Ryan P. Huang is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science & Engineering department at the University of Michigan, College of Engineering, where he leads the Order Lab. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins CS department from 2017 to 2022. His research focuses on computer systems, particularly operating systems and distributed systems, with emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and defensibility across cloud data centers and mobile devices. Dr. Huang's research interests center on pushing the boundaries of cloud systems availability and observability. His work addresses critical challenges such as gray failures and partial failures in distributed systems, developing principled techniques for failure detection and localization. His research spans multiple thrusts including Panorama for enhanced observability, Watchdog for runtime checking, OmegaGen for partial failure localization, and Narya for predictive failure mitigation. He also investigates energy-efficient mobile systems and system misconfiguration prevention. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward addressing silent failures in distributed systems, with multiple papers accepted to top-tier conferences including SOSP and OSDI in 2025. His work bridges theoretical principles with practical system implementations, focusing on real-world challenges in cloud infrastructure and distributed computing environments. NSF CAREER award recipient Multiple Best Paper Awards (OmegaGen, Argus, LeaseOS) CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award honorable mentions for advisees Dennis Ritchie doctoral dissertation award honorable mention Dr. Huang actively mentors PhD students including Yuzhuo Jing, Wanning He, Yuxuan Jiang, and others. His lab has produced graduates who have gone on to faculty positions at institutions like University of Virginia and Boston University. He serves on program committees for major systems conferences including SOSP, OSDI, and NSDI, contributing significantly to the academic community. The Order Lab maintains active research collaborations and regularly publishes in top-tier venues, with multiple papers accepted to SOSP and OSDI in 2025.
Betsy Foxman serves as the Hunein F. and Hilda Maassab Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She directs three major initiatives: the Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, the Integrated Training in Microbial Systems program, and the Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention & Control. Her academic leadership spans decades with continuous research contributions. Dr. Foxman earned her PhD and MSPH from UCLA (1983, 1980) and BS from UC Berkeley (1977). Her research centers on infectious disease transmission, microbiome ecology, antibiotic resistance, and wastewater surveillance . Key projects include analyzing the oral microbiome in dental caries using genomic methods, studying nose/throat microbiome associations with respiratory infections in nursing facilities, and developing wastewater monitoring for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Her work integrates next-generation sequencing with epidemiological analysis to identify novel interventions. Publication trends reveal consistent focus on microbiome-pathogen interactions across multiple body sites (oral, vaginal, gut, respiratory). Recent articles demonstrate methodological innovation in wastewater epidemiology (2024 Norovirus GII monitoring) and clinical applications like predicting vancomycin-resistant enterococci contamination (2023 Lancet study). Her research bridges molecular microbiology with population health, emphasizing translational potential for diagnostics and public health interventions. Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology Dr. Foxman's advising portfolio includes numerous NIH-funded projects on microbiome dynamics and infection control. Her leadership in the Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology drives collaborative research across departments. Current initiatives focus on wastewater surveillance standardization and microbiome-based diagnostics for infection prevention. She maintains active laboratories for genomic analysis of microbial communities and clinical sample processing.
Alejandro Tirachini is an Associate Professor in Transport Planning at the University of Chile, specializing in transportation systems research with emphasis on public transport optimization, emerging technologies, and socio-economic impacts. His work bridges engineering, urban planning, and policy analysis to address global mobility challenges. His research spans public transport operations, road transportation systems, autonomous vehicle integration, and sustainable mobility solutions. Key methodologies include agent-based modeling, statistical analysis, and mathematical programming for optimization. Tirachini investigates environmental externalities, economic systems in transport, and behavioral responses to innovations like real-time information apps and teleworking. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals a strong focus on practical transport solutions: bus scheduling algorithms, electrification barriers, real-time information impacts, and railway barrier effects. His work consistently compares developed and developing country contexts, with significant Chilean case studies. Methodologically, he combines quantitative techniques with socio-technical analysis to evaluate policy interventions across environmental, economic, and behavioral dimensions.
Hemant K. Bhargava is a Distinguished Professor at the Graduate School of Management, University of California Davis, where he holds the Jerome and Elsie Suran Chair in Technology Management. He serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), and previously served as Associate Dean for Instructional Programs (2010–2013) and Faculty Chair. He co-founded and was the first Academic Director of the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Decision Sciences, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1989) MBA, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (1986) B.S. in Mathematics, University of Delhi (1984) Bhargava is a leading scholar in technology management, information systems, and decision analytics. His research focuses on the economics of digital goods and platforms, pricing strategies, AI in business, healthcare IT, and platform ecosystems. He builds economic models to study operations, marketing, and competitive strategy in tech-driven markets, with applications in healthcare, media, electric vehicles, and generative AI. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward platform business models, data sharing, AI’s impact on research and education, and healthcare cost transparency. He explores how digital platforms shape competition, how data can be leveraged across markets, and how real-time decision tools can reduce prescription drug costs. His work bridges theory and practice, often involving collaboration with industry and policy makers. His scientific awards include: INFORMS Journal on Computing Test of Time Award (2023) INFORMS CIST Best Paper Award (2021) Google Research Excellence Gift (2017–18) Distinguished Alumni Award, IIM Bangalore (2024) INFORMS ISS President's Service Award (2023) Global 100 Top Academic Data Leaders (2020) Bhargava has played a pivotal role in academic leadership and program development. He co-founded the Theory in Economics of Information Systems (TEIS) workshop and has served on editorial boards of top journals including Management Science (where he is Department Editor for Information Systems), Operations Research, and Marketing Science. He has advised numerous campus initiatives, including the UC Davis Data Lab and Religions of India Initiative. His grants and collaborations include work with Google and healthcare organizations on real-time price transparency tools. He leads the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), which focuses on the societal implications of data and AI. He also co-founded the MSBA program and continues to shape the future of business education in the age of AI through strategic planning committees.
Jeff MacSwan is a Professor of Applied Linguistics and Language Education at the University of Maryland's College of Education, with affiliations in the Department of Linguistics and the Maryland Language Science Center. He also holds a joint appointment in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. His research focuses on bilingualism, codeswitching, and their implications for educational policy, particularly for multilingual students. MacSwan has authored and edited seminal works, including Grammatical Theory and Bilingual Codeswitching and Codeswitching in the Classroom . He serves as editor of the International Multilingual Research Journal and has contributed to national committees such as the National Academies' study on Dual Language Learners. MacSwan received the 2021 AERA Lifetime Achievement Award and Leadership through Scholarship Award for his transformative work in bilingual education theory and practice. His advocacy challenges language-deficit perspectives, emphasizing translanguaging as a pedagogical asset. MacSwan's interdisciplinary approach bridges linguistics, education, and cognitive science. His lab addresses policy-relevant research on language assessment validity and equitable educational practices for linguistic minorities. He collaborates with institutions like the National Education Policy Center, advancing evidence-based policies for multilingual learners.
