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Kathleen HallView profile

Associate Professor

• Education
• Anthropology
• Immigration
• +7 more

Kathleen Hall is an Associate Professor of Education and Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania , with secondary appointments in the Department of Anthropology and affiliations in Sociology, Folklore, Social Policy, South Asia Studies, Urban Studies, and Asian American Studies. She received the Michael Katz Excellence in Teaching Award (2001) and the Provost’s Award for Distinguished Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring (2009). Fulbright Fellow Spencer Dissertation Fellow National Academy of Education Postdoctoral Fellow Her research spans immigration , citizenship , racial and class inequality , public sector policy , anti-terrorism law , and global citizenship education . She authored Lives in Translation: Sikh Youth as British Citizens (Oxford University Press, 2002). Recent publications focus on misinformation dynamics , vaccine hesitancy , media polarization , and public trust in science . She investigates how conspiracy theories and partisan media consumption influence health behaviors, political perceptions, and scientific acceptance. Scientific awards include: Michael Katz Award (2001) Provost’s Award (2009) Fulbright Fellowship Spencer Fellowships Dr. Hall mentors graduate students and advises on projects related to social stratification and science communication . She has contributed to initiatives like the Spencer Advanced Studies Institute Fellowship and the Urban Studies Program .

Rui PradaView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Game Development
• Affective Computing
• +4 more

Rui Prada is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence , Game Development , and Human-Machine Interaction , with emphasis on socially intelligent agents and affective computing. His work explores Multi-Agent Systems , XR Testing , and Educational Game Design , particularly for neurodiverse populations. Recent publications highlight Procedural Content Generation , Human-AI Collaboration , and Social Power Dynamics in agent-based systems. Scientific contributions include the Best Poster Award and leadership in projects like PartiPlay and RAGE , advancing Inclusive AI and Game Technologies Marketplace frameworks.

Spencer WilliamsView profile

Associate Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Law
• Contract Law
• +4 more

Spencer Williams is an Associate Professor of Law at California Western School of Law and Golden Gate University School of Law , where he researches and teaches at the intersection of business law and technological innovation . His work focuses on AI applications in legal practice , complex systems theory , and venture capital financing . He holds a JD from Stanford Law School and a BS in Economics from MIT . Prior to his academic career, Professor Williams practiced corporate and securities law at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and served as General Counsel for a Y Combinator-backed technology startup . Current Research Interests: AI-driven contract modeling Algorithmic price regulation Network theory in legal systems Smart contract frameworks Venture capital term optimization Legal informatics His recent publications analyze generative AI in contract design (2024), LLM benchmarking (2023), and edge computing contracts (2023). He contributes to the CodeX - Center for Legal Informatics and Stanford Legal Design Lab . Contact: swilliams@ggu.edu | Office: 415-442-6651

Julia Parish-MorrisView profile

Associate Professor

• Computational Linguistics
• Social Cognition
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• +5 more

Julia Parish-Morris is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and a Senior Principal Scientist at the Center for Autism Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She directs the Social Attention and Language (SoAL) Lab, focusing on language and social cognition in children with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, particularly exploring sex differences. Education: BA in Psychology from Smith College (2003), PhD in Developmental Psychology from Temple University (2011) Research Interests center on using computational linguistics, immersive virtual reality, and eye-tracking to identify mechanisms underlying conversation challenges in autism across the lifespan. Her work aims to inform individualized supports and early identification, with a focus on objective behavioral markers via machine learning. Publications highlight trends in sex differences, social communication, and vocal biomarkers in autism. She examines clinician biases, conversational dynamics, and camouflaging in autistic girls using advanced technologies. Scientific Awards: Presidential Fellowship National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Autism Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship American Psychological Association Dissertation Award Alavi Dabiri Award Award of Excellence from the Center for Autism Research Advising: Mentors undergraduate interns in the SoAL Lab, fostering research on clinical language and social attention phenotypes. Grants: Funded by NIH, DoD, Autism Science Foundation, MindCORE, NSF, Eagles Charitable Trust, and industry sponsors. Labs & Teams: Leads the SoAL Lab at CHOP, collaborating with institutions like the Lifespan Brain Institute and University of Pennsylvania. The lab recruits interns and engages in projects such as CONNECT and Huddle Up for Autism.

Alla ShefferView profile

Professor

• Geometry Processing
• Computer Graphics
• Discrete Geometry
• +7 more

Alla Sheffer is a Professor and Associate Head of Faculty Affairs in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Science. She is affiliated with multiple research centers including CAIDA (Centre for Artificial Intelligence Decision-making and Action), the Institute of Applied Mathematics, and ICICS (Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems). B.Sc., Hebrew University, Jerusalem (1991) M.Sc., Hebrew University, Jerusalem (1995) Ph.D., Hebrew University, Jerusalem (1999) Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1999-2001) Assistant Professor, Technion, Israel (2001-2003) Assistant Professor, University of British Columbia (2003-2008) Associate Professor, University of British Columbia (2008-present) Professor Sheffer's research focuses on geometry processing, addressing algorithmic challenges in digital shape modeling and manipulation. Her work primarily deals with discrete geometry representations, specifically meshes (polygonal model representations), with applications in computer graphics and computer-aided engineering. She utilizes tools from computational and differential geometry, discrete mathematics, and graph theory to generate, manipulate, and edit discrete geometric models. Her research spans virtual and augmented reality, visual computing, and 3D modeling, with significant contributions to sketch-based modeling, mesh processing, and cloth simulation. The 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent research trajectory in geometry processing, with recent work focusing on vector sketch processing, VR drawing tools, and advanced mesh manipulation techniques. Her work demonstrates a strong connection between human perception and computational methods, particularly in the interpretation of freehand sketches and the generation of perceptually-accurate geometric representations. The recurring themes across her publications include flowlines, curve networks, mesh parameterization, and the application of perceptual studies to improve algorithmic outputs. Eurographics Fellow ACM Fellow IEEE Fellow Royal Society of Canada Fellow SIGGRAPH Academy Member UBC Killam Research Prize NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement IBM Faculty Award Professor Sheffer has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, with recent theses focusing on geometric mesh processing, vector sketch interpretation, VR drawing tools, and garment modeling. Her research group maintains strong connections with industry through various partnerships and has received substantial grant funding to support their innovative work in geometry processing and computer graphics. She teaches courses in computer graphics, geometric modeling, and video game programming, contributing significantly to both undergraduate and graduate education in computer science.

• Science Education
• Chemistry Education
• Curriculum Development
• +4 more

Alipaşa Ayas is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education at Bilkent University, where he also serves as Chair of the Department of Educational Sciences. His research focuses on science education, teacher training, conceptual understanding, and inclusive education. He has led numerous national and international projects, including UNICEF- and EU-supported initiatives. Ph.D., University of Southampton M.A., University of New Brunswick MSc., Karadeniz Technical University BSc., Karadeniz Technical University His research interests span teacher education, science education (particularly chemistry), concept development, curriculum design, and assessment strategies. He employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore these areas. His publications emphasize inquiry-based learning, conceptual change strategies, and the effectiveness of interventions such as the 5Es model, constructivist activities, and analogies in enhancing science learning. These works often address misconceptions in chemistry and methods to improve scientific process skills. He has contributed to projects supported by the World Bank, EU, and UNICEF, including initiatives on lifelong learning, education development, and inclusive teacher training. His administrative roles include a 6-year deanship at Karadeniz Technical University and leadership of Bilkent University’s Graduate School of Education since 2017.

• Maritime Engineering
• Digital Twin Technology
• Marine Robotics
• +3 more

Hans Petter Hildre is Head of Department at the Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering , part of the Faculty of Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His work focuses on maritime engineering, digital twin technology, and marine operations. Research interests include: Digital Twin Applications in Maritime Industry Offshore Operations and Wind Turbine Installation Marine Robotics and Autonomous Systems Wave Field Estimation and Environmental Load Analysis Human-Machine Interaction in Maritime Contexts Co-simulation and Real-time Monitoring Recent publications highlight trends in: Wave shielding effects for offshore vessels Knowledge transfer from automotive/aviation to maritime Crane path planning using digital twins Visual attention zone recognition systems Hydrodynamic modeling and sensitivity analysis Smart city-maritime integration Scientific collaborations span institutions including: European Commission (Future Skills Reports) Royal Institution of Naval Architects The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) IEEE Transactions on multiple domains Springer Publishing

• Software Technology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Educational Software
• +5 more

Maria Virvou serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Informatics at the University of Piraeus, where she also directs the Graduate Program in Informatics and leads the Research Laboratory 'Software Technology'. She holds significant institutional leadership roles including membership in the University Senate and has chaired the Department of Informatics for multiple terms. As Editor-in-Chief of Springer book series 'Learning and Analytics in Intelligent Systems' and 'Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Software and Systems Engineering', she maintains substantial academic influence across international scholarly platforms. Dr. Virvou earned her PhD in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Sussex with a scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation, a Master of Science in Computer Science from University College London, and her undergraduate degree from the Department of Mathematics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her educational background in both mathematics and computer science has provided a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary research approach. Professor Virvou's research spans Software Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Educational Software and Games, User Modeling, and Human-Computer Interaction. She has pioneered work in personalized interactive software systems, applying fuzzy logic and machine learning techniques to create adaptive educational environments. Her recent work demonstrates a strategic expansion into AI applications for healthcare, with significant contributions to medical diagnostics using large language models and multimodal AI systems. She has also made notable advances in smart tourism applications through personalization techniques. With over 400 publications to her name, Professor Virvou's scholarly output shows a clear progression from foundational work in user modeling toward increasingly sophisticated AI applications across multiple domains. Her publication trends reveal a strategic focus on explainable AI, multimodal systems, and practical implementations that bridge theoretical advances with real-world applications, particularly in healthcare and education sectors. Ranked #1 worldwide in 'User Modelling' publications (147,450 total publications) according to Scopus Ranked #1 worldwide in 'Educational Software' publications according to both Scopus and Microsoft Academic Search Recognized among the top 2% of most influential Artificial Intelligence scientists worldwide by Stanford University General Co-Chair at the 14th IISA Conference 2023 Invited Keynote Speaker at the 35th IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training (CSEE&T 2023) As Director of the Research Laboratory 'Software Technology', Professor Virvou has built a robust research team focused on AI applications across multiple domains. She co-founded and co-chairs the IEEE Intelligent Information Systems and Applications international conference series, creating a significant platform for scholarly exchange. Her leadership extends to editorial roles with major academic publishers and active participation in international research collaborations that have secured substantial funding for innovative projects in AI and software engineering.

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Computational Neuroscience
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Fred Wolf is a leading scientist affiliated with the Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks (CIDBN) at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. His research focuses on the intersection of neuroscience, computational biology, and epithelial morphogenesis, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and theoretical models to study neural circuits and tissue dynamics.

• Extended Reality
• Virtual Reality
• Augmented Reality
• +7 more

Dr. Kata Szita serves as an Assistant Professor of Multimedia at the School of Communications. Her expertise spans extended reality technologies, human-computer interaction, and the psychological impacts of virtual environments on human behavior and cognition. Her research delves deep into understanding how virtual and augmented reality experiences affect human-to-computer and human-to-human interactions. She investigates the cognitive and neural processes involved when users engage with virtual environments, particularly focusing on the use of avatars and XR-manipulated bodies. Her work also examines social behaviors in virtual spaces and the ethical dilemmas surrounding artificial digital agents and personal data collection in XR environments. Dr. Szita currently leads interdisciplinary and cross-sector research projects aimed at developing accessible and adaptive immersive technologies. Her collaborative efforts extend to studying cognitive processing of realism in mixed reality, virtual identities, and youth behavior in virtual environments. Her research approach combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications, contributing significantly to the understanding of immersive media experiences. Her extensive publication record from 2017-2025 demonstrates a consistent focus on emerging themes in XR research. The articles reveal an evolution from early smartphone-based viewing studies to sophisticated analyses of metaverse environments, presence measurement methodologies, and the psychological impacts of virtual identities. Her work bridges cognitive psychology, media studies, and technology development, establishing her as a leading voice in understanding human experience within digital and virtual contexts.

• Surgical Robotics
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Continuum Robots
• +4 more

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.

• Computational Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Visual Cortex
• +3 more

Mario Dipoppa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. His research focuses on computational neuroscience, cortical adaptation, and neural circuit dynamics. Position: Assistant Professor, Neurobiology Email: mdipoppa@g.ucla.edu Research Interests: Mario's work explores how neural populations in the visual cortex adapt to sensory input, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between neural oscillations, synchrony, and cognitive functions like working memory. His recent studies investigate optimal coding strategies in visual adaptation, contextual modulation mechanisms, and the role of transcriptomic diversity in cortical interneuron function. Publications Trends: His research spans computational modeling of cortical networks, visual neuroscience, and neurogenetic analyses of brain circuits. Early work (2013-2016) focused on working memory mechanisms and neural oscillations, while recent studies (2022-2025) emphasize visual cortex adaptation, population coding, and cross-species circuit comparisons.

Sebastian von MammenView profile

Professor

• Games Engineering
• Virtual Reality
• Interactive Simulations
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Sebastian von Mammen is a tenured professor at the University of Würzburg's Institute for Computer Science, where he heads the Games Engineering research group and contributes to the Chair for Human-Computer Interaction. His group leads the Games Engineering academic program. Previously, he completed his habilitation (2012-2016) at the University of Augsburg's Chair of Organic Computing and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary. His research spans: Real-Time Interactive Systems : Visual programming, immersion techniques, software engineering Interactive Simulations : Serious games for healthcare/logistics/construction Artificial Life : Self-organisation, adaptive systems, evolutionary computation Artificial Intelligence : Agent-based modeling, procedural content generation Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong focus on: Virtual reality applications in education (femtoPro optics simulator, BrainBuilder neuroanatomy) Healthcare technology platforms (VIA-VR for medical serious games) Game mechanics analysis (Match-3, Jump'n'Run flow) AI-driven emotion recognition and interactive systems Computational modeling of biological systems He leads the Games Engineering research group and previously participated in the Evolutionary and Swarm Design group (Calgary) and LINDSAY project. His lab develops VR simulations for scientific training and serious games applications.

Steven FranconeriView profile

Professor

• Visual Thinking
• Data Visualization
• Cognitive Psychology
• +3 more

Steven Franconeri is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University, leading the Visual Thinking Laboratory . His research focuses on visual thinking and communication, investigating how leveraging the human visual system can improve data understanding, memory, and decision-making in fields like science, education, and industry. Recent publications highlight his work on perceptual biases in data visualization (e.g., average estimation in line graphs , aspect ratio effects ), design principles for mitigating cognitive errors (e.g., V-FRAMER framework ), and the interplay between attention, memory, and visual communication. Key themes include visual working memory limits , grouping cues in bar charts , and dynamic visualization challenges .

Jed ElisonView profile

Professor

• Developmental social neuroscience
• Structural brain development and social cognition
• Visual attention
• +6 more

Jed Elison is the Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development and Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development. His research focuses on developmental social neuroscience, structural brain development, and early autism detection. BA in Psychology and English (2005), University of Utah PhD in Psychology (2011), University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Postdoc in Social Neuroscience (2013), California Institute of Technology Elison’s work examines how attentional orienting drives early cognitive and social development using eye tracking and neuroimaging (MRI, DWI). Key areas include autism , emerging psychopathology , and white matter microstructure . Recent studies model longitudinal trajectories in ASD and explore social-emotional competence. His 2025 articles address infant brain imaging datasets, gesture-vocabulary relationships in autism, and adaptive functioning in corpus callosum agenesis. Collaborative work spans Developmental Science , Pediatrics , and Autism Research . Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Development Distinguished McKnight University Professor Elison advises PhD students in the Cognition and Neurodevelopmental Studies (CNS) Lab, collaborating with Dr. Megan Swanson. The CNS Lab investigates infant brain-behavior associations, particularly in high-risk populations like those with corpus callosum agenesis or congenital CMV . Techniques include MRI , EEG , and behavioral assessments.