Kevin Marc Blasiak is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Vienna University of Technology, affiliated with the Faculty of Informatics . His work explores the intersection of technology, society, and business, focusing on AI conversational agents as persuasive technologies for value-sensitive contexts like countering online extremism, ethical decision-making, and content moderation. Current project: Designing "Shadowbanning" and "ExtremismBot.com" systems for ethical AI deployment. Research interests include sociotechnical systems, digital ethics, and online extremism. His publications analyze: AI ethics and governance Content moderation mechanisms Counter-narrative strategies for extremism Risk mitigation in generative AI applications Scientific awards : Canadian Network on Terrorism, Security & Society (TSAS) PhD Gala Fellow (2022) Finalist, Meta PhD Research Fellowship (2022) Finalist, Human Computer Interaction - Social Media, People, and Society Category (2022) He supervises thesis students at TU Wien and contributes to regulatory discourse on digital platforms.
Bernhard Kerbl is a Post-doctoral Researcher at the Computer Graphics Group (E193-02) within the Faculty of Informatics at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). He actively contributes to research in real-time rendering, GPU optimization, and 3D visualization. His work focuses on point cloud rendering, Gaussian splatting, and low-level graphics API development (particularly Vulkan). Core Research Areas: Real-time rendering, GPU programming, point cloud processing, 3D Gaussian splatting, task-based parallelism Projects: IVILPC (2023–2026), ACD (2020–2028), EVOCATION (2018–2022) Key Contributions: Developed real-time rendering techniques for massive datasets, pioneered GPU-based scene streaming architectures, and created novel methods for visual error prediction using machine learning. His work on Vulkan transition in academia received recognition, and he maintains active collaborations in GPU education. Scientific Achievements: Best Paper Award at EGPGV 2024 for "Fast Rendering of Parametric Objects on Modern GPUs" Recipient of Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF) support for graphics research Technical Expertise: Specializes in CUDA, OpenGL/Vulkan APIs, and real-time systems. His work bridges academic research with practical implementations in virtual reality, augmented reality, and GPU education.
Federico Capasso is the Robert Wallace Professor of Applied Physics at Harvard University, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. He is renowned for inventing the quantum cascade laser at Bell Laboratories and pioneering bandstructure engineering in semiconductor devices. His research spans plasmonics, metasurfaces, nanophotonics, and Casimir forces , with applications in light sources, optical antennas, and MEMS technology. PhD in Physics, summa cum laude, University of Rome (1973) Leadership roles at Bell Labs: Head of multiple departments (1987–2000), Vice President (2000–2002) Research Interests: Quantum electronics, terahertz radiation generation, plasmonic interfaces, and flat optics. His group at Harvard demonstrated optical antennas, plasmonic collimators , and generalized laws of reflection/refraction via metasurfaces. Article Trends: Recent work focuses on metasurface optimization , integrated solitons , optical rotatum , and active mid-infrared ring resonators , reflecting advancements in flat optics and quantum electronics. Scientific Awards: 2016 Balzan Prize 2013 SPIE Gold Medal 2005 King Faisal Prize 2004 Edison Medal 1995–1998: National Academy memberships and fellowships Labs/Teams: Leads the Capasso Group at Harvard, which co-founded the startup Metalenz for metasurface commercialization.
Joshua Braun is an Associate Professor in the Journalism Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Communication from Cornell University, a Master's in Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor's in 'Sciences in the Media' from UC Santa Barbara. His research focuses on sociological questions surrounding online media distribution, digital advertising ecosystems, and the civic impacts of media circulation. He co-edits the MIT Press 'Distribution Matters' series and is a founding member of the NSF-funded 'Culture Digitally' working group. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Communication, Cornell University M.A. in Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania B.A. in Sciences in the Media, UC Santa Barbara Research interests include media distribution studies, ad tech's impact on news media, and digital cultural production. His award-winning book This Program is Brought to You By... (2015) analyzes TV news distribution. Recent work explores the civic implications of media circulation and the role of ad tech in misinformation. Awards: Recipient of the Anson E. Rowe award for academic excellence and community service at Cornell. His work bridges journalism studies, media sociology, and science and technology studies. Professional roles: Editorial board member of Social Media & Society , affiliated fellow at Yale Law School's Information Society Project, and former science journalist at Seed Magazine and contributor to WNYC's Radio Lab .
Cameron W. Piercy serves as Associate Professor of Relationships and Digital Media in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas' College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is founding director of the Human-Machine Communication Lab and co-director of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Mentored Scholars Program, with research examining how socio-technical interactions transform contemporary work practices. His academic credentials include: Ph.D., University of Oklahoma Dr. Piercy's research program centers on Human-Machine Communication, Organizational Communication, and Computer-Mediated Communication. He investigates team dynamics with technology, identity communication in digital contexts, and the sociotechnical aspects of job search networks. His work bridges communication theory with practical applications for organizations navigating digital transformation, with particular focus on how humans interact with AI systems and digital platforms in professional settings. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on human-AI interaction dynamics, including fairness in algorithmic hiring, credibility assessment of AI-generated content, and identity/representation issues in virtual assistant communication. His work spans communication, psychology, and organizational science journals, showing increasing interdisciplinary integration of human factors in technological systems. His scholarly contributions include significant recognition for educational innovation. 2023 Schulenburger Award for innovation and advocacy in scholarly communication As an educator, Dr. Piercy teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in teams and groups, human-machine communication, and organizational communication. Through the Mentored Scholars Program, he provides research mentorship to undergraduate students while contributing to campus diversity initiatives as an active member of the Native Faculty and Staff Council. His open textbook publications demonstrate commitment to accessible educational resources. The Human-Machine Communication Lab under his direction conducts cutting-edge research on human-technology collaboration, with current projects examining workplace AI integration, digital identity management, and the evolving nature of professional communication in socio-technical systems.
Christos Christodoulou is a Professor and Director of COSMIAC (Aerospace Research Center) at the University of New Mexico’s School of Engineering. He leads the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and previously served as Department Chair (1999-2005) and Dean of the School of Engineering (2017-2023). His research focuses on antennas, high-power microwaves, wireless communications, and machine learning applications in electromagnetics. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering (North Carolina State University, 1985), MS in Electrical Engineering (North Carolina State University, 1981), and BS in Physics and Mathematics (American University in Cairo, 1979). Research interests include cognitive radio antennas, reconfigurable systems, and electromagnetic shielding. He has published over 600 papers, 18 book chapters, and 9 books. Awards include IEEE Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer (2007-2010). He advises students in doctoral and master’s programs, with over 40 PhD and 75 MS graduates. His work at COSMIAC emphasizes aerospace research, including antenna array design and millimeter-wave technologies.
AURORA BULGARELLI is a Researcher in the Department of Educational Sciences at Roma Tre University, specializing in sociocultural and linguistic dimensions of education. Her work focuses on migrant integration through language education, gender non-binary inclusion in schools, and ethical implications of AI in pedagogy. She contributes to interdisciplinary research on decolonial pedagogies, mentorship systems for teachers, and intersectional analyses of social policies. Research Interests: Her research explores how education systems address social inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups such as adult migrants and gender non-binary individuals. She investigates the role of language policies in social stratification and advocates for intercultural and postcolonial frameworks in education. Recent work includes studies on AI’s replication of biases and its impact on educational equity. Key Contributions: Co-authored Second Language and Social Inclusion: Educational Pathways for Adult Migrants (2024), analyzing language training programs in Rome. Her work on gender non-binary teachers in schools (2024) highlights systemic invisibility in education. She also examines decolonial tools like Parish Maps to foster cultural dialogue in schools. Collaborations: Collaborates with institutions like the Regional Education Office for Lazio on mentorship programs for new teachers. Her research on unaccompanied migrant minors (2025) proposes holistic care strategies for their social integration. Future Directions: Continuing investigations into AI ethics in education and advocating for inclusive policies addressing migrant and LGBTQ+ needs through qualitative methodologies.
Ling-Qi Yan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he co-directs the MIRAGE Lab and is affiliated with the Four Eyes Lab. His research focuses on computer graphics, particularly real-time rendering, physically-based appearance modeling, and advanced light transport algorithms. Prior to UCSB, he earned his PhD from UC Berkeley, advised by Ravi Ramamoorthi, and completed internships at Disney, Autodesk, Weta Digital, and NVIDIA Research. He also holds a B.E. in Computer Science from Tsinghua University. Yan's education includes a PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2018) and a B.E. from Tsinghua University (2013). His research interests span rendering photo-realistic visuals, real-time ray tracing, and appearance modeling for materials like fabrics and fur. Notable achievements include the 2023 EGSR Best Paper Award for cloth shading work and the 2019 ACM SIGGRAPH Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award. His awards include the Regents' Junior Faculty Fellowship (UCSB), Best Visual Effects Award (EGSR 2023), and NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship supervision recognition. He teaches courses such as Introduction to Computer Graphics and Real-Time High-Quality Rendering , and has developed online courses in Chinese like GAMES101 and GAMES202 . Yan's lab collaborations and industry ties include roles as a research consultant at Intel and visiting professor at NVIDIA. His research emphasizes bridging theory and practice, with over 50 publications in top venues like SIGGRAPH and ACM Transactions on Graphics.
José Luis Lázaro Galilea is a Professor in the Department of Electronics at the University of Alcalá. He is affiliated with the GEINTRA research group, focusing on Electronic Engineering applied to Intelligent Spaces and Transport. His doctoral thesis (1998) explored infrared modeling for mobile robot guidance. Key research areas include visible light positioning systems, FPGA-based hardware architectures, and remote laboratory development. He has contributed to vehicular VLC systems, indoor navigation algorithms, and biomedical applications like closed-loop insulin delivery systems. Notable projects include the ALCOR initiative for optimizing robot guidance in smart environments and the Helpresponder system for emergency intervention safety. Education: PhD in Electronics from University of Alcalá (1998). Supervised by Dr. Manuel Ramón Mazo Quintas. Academic focus spans digital electronics, embedded systems, and sensor networks. Active in educational innovation, including adapting digital electronics practices for blended learning models. Research emphasizes practical applications of electronic systems in smart spaces, with over 70 publications since 1998. Recent work addresses multipath effects in optical positioning, reconfigurable hardware platforms, and human-centered lighting systems. His interdisciplinary approach integrates robotics, telecommunications, and biomedical engineering. Notable contributions include: Development of high-precision indoor positioning systems using PSD sensors Optimization of sensor deployment via evolutionary algorithms Design of FPGA-based real-time processing architectures Innovative remote laboratory frameworks for STEM education Current projects explore vehicular visible light communication, wearable medical devices, and intelligent transportation systems. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in both academic and industrial contexts.
Álvaro de la Llana Calvo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronics at the University of Alcalá. His research focuses on electronic engineering applied to intelligent spaces and transportation, particularly in indoor positioning systems using optical sensors and PSD detectors. He holds a PhD from the University of Alcalá (2020), with a thesis on positioning systems based on optical signals and PSD detectors. His research interests include visible light communication, vehicular VLC systems, remote laboratory frameworks, and human-centered lighting parameters. He contributes to the GEINTRA research group, which develops solutions for smart environments and transport systems. Recent work includes advancements in VLP (Visible Light Positioning) systems, sensor calibration techniques, and reconfigurable hardware platforms for STEM education. Publications highlight innovations in PSD sensor applications, multipath effect mitigation, and flexible strain sensors for biomedical monitoring. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in both academic and vehicular contexts. He is actively involved in developing remote laboratory frameworks for digital electronics and control systems education, emphasizing accessibility and reconfigurable hardware. Collaborations focus on integrating lighting infrastructure for positioning and monitoring applications. Labs/Teams: Member of the GEINTRA group, specializing in Electronic Engineering applied to intelligent spaces and transport.
Christopher Hoyle Associate Professor at Oregon State University's College of Engineering, specializing in Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering. His research focuses on decision-making in early-stage engineering design, with expertise in uncertainty quantification, Bayesian methods, and complex system resilience. Prior to academia, he worked in industry for 15 years as an engineer and manager at Motorola and Illinois Tool Works. Education PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2009 MS in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 1994 BS in General Engineering, University of Illinois, 1988 Research Interests Dr. Hoyle's work bridges theoretical and applied engineering challenges. He develops frameworks for decision-based design, integrating consumer preferences and enterprise objectives with technical constraints. Key areas include: Early-phase design under uncertainty Resilience and reliability optimization Agent-based modeling for complex systems Bayesian statistical methods for design automation Research Contributions His recent work emphasizes human-in-the-loop optimization, coupled system design, and functional hazard assessment. Notable projects include improving road safety via driver visibility simulations and advancing resilient infrastructure design through multi-agent coordination. Labs & Teams Director of the Design Engineering Laboratory , which focuses on computational tools for early-phase system design. Collaborates with industry partners on projects involving sustainable manufacturing and risk-based design strategies.
Minzhang Zheng serves as an Assistant Research Professor of Physics at George Washington University and Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His interdisciplinary work bridges physics, computational biology, and artificial intelligence to address complex biomedical challenges through data-driven methodologies. Dr. Zheng's research centers on the dynamics of complex systems with applications in functional genomics and clinical decision support. He develops AI-enabled approaches to elucidate spatial-temporal regulation of cis-regulatory elements in the human genome, focusing on their role in disease mechanisms. His methodology integrates network science, temporal data analysis, and multiomics profiling to decode biological complexity in contexts ranging from astronaut health to diabetic pathophysiology. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory applying temporal network analysis to biological and social systems. Key themes include visibility-graph community detection for time-series data, longitudinal omics profiling in spaceflight and metabolic disorders, and modeling of online hate networks. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in transforming complex temporal datasets into actionable insights for precision medicine and public health interventions.
Nima Hoda is a Norbert Wiener Fellow in the Department of Mathematics at Tufts University. His research focuses on geometric group theory and generalized nonpositive curvature, examining groups acting on metric and combinatorial spaces with nonpositive curvature characteristics. Prior to Tufts, he held positions including an NSERC H.C. Wang Visiting Assistant Professorship at Cornell University, a postdoctoral researcher at École Normale Supérieure in Paris, and an assistant professorship at the University of Wrocław. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from McGill University in 2019 under the supervision of Daniel Wise. His research interests span geometric group theory, nonpositive curvature, and metric geometry, with contributions to topics like asymptotic cones, systolic complexes, and shortcut properties. He has been recognized with fellowships such as the Norbert Wiener Fellowship and the NSERC H.C. Wang Visiting Assistant Professorship. His teaching includes advanced courses like Algebraic Topology and Real Analysis, reflecting his expertise in geometry and topology. Nima’s work bridges pure mathematics with geometric insights, exploring foundational questions in group theory and topological spaces. His articles address cutting-edge topics such as snowflake groups, ℓp metrics, and hierarchical hyperbolicity, contributing to the theoretical underpinnings of nonpositively curved spaces.
Nitin Bhatia is a Research Fellow (Remote Sensing) at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University. His work focuses on remote sensing applications in environmental science, including hyperspectral data analysis, uncertainty quantification, and geo-spatial modelling. He holds a PhD from the University of Twente, Netherlands, with collaborative research at VITO, Belgium. Education: PhD in Remote Sensing, University of Twente, Netherlands (collaboration with VITO, Belgium) M.Sc. Geo-information Science & Earth Observation, ITC, Netherlands (collaboration with ISRO, India) B.E. Computer Science (IT), Indraprastha University, India Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Aryabhatt Institute of Technology, India Research Interests: Deep learning in remote sensing Land-use/land-cover change analysis Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in environmental models Deforestation modelling using spatial and socio-economic data Time series analysis for environmental monitoring Professional Experience: Software developer (2006–2008) Catastrophic modeller (2010–2011) Labs/Teams: Principal researcher at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, contributing to coral reef resilience studies through advanced remote sensing techniques.
Amna Riaz is a researcher at Northumbria University, focusing on advanced optical communication technologies. Her work spans free-space optical communications, laser-based satellite networks, and visible light communication systems. She has contributed to CubeSat steering mirror design and space-based laser communication missions like ALIGN. Her research emphasizes high-speed data transfer, payload optimization, and practical applications in aerospace engineering. Riaz's publications explore topics such as optical pre-equalization, fluorescent concentrators, and smartphone VLC receivers, indicating expertise in both theoretical and applied optical systems. Her affiliations include collaborations with aerospace and engineering teams at Northumbria and partner institutions.
