Maria Lindholm is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University. Her research focuses on occupational health and safety (OSH), particularly in healthcare and manufacturing sectors, emphasizing risk assessment frameworks, ergonomic standards, and emerging challenges like climate change impacts. She has published extensively on home care worker safety, safety culture development, and future-proofing occupational safety practices. Key research themes include: OSH risks in non-traditional work environments (e.g., clients’ homes) Risk assessment tools and self-evaluation methodologies Human factors and ergonomics in business education Cross-sectoral safety challenges (healthcare, rail transport, manufacturing) Her work often integrates qualitative reviews, case studies, and systematic analyses to address practical industry needs. Notable contributions include developing safety frameworks for home care personnel and evaluating occupational hazards in SMEs.
Wesley Willett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, holding the NSERC CRC II Chair in Visual Analytics. His primary research focuses on information visualization, human-computer interaction, and new media applications. He leads the Data Experience Lab and Interactions Lab, exploring innovative methods for data representation and interaction in augmented/virtual reality environments. Education includes a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Colorado (2006) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2012). His work bridges technical innovation with user-centered design principles, emphasizing ethical considerations in data visualization and inclusive representation. Key research contributions include: spatial visualization techniques for large environments, gesture-based interfaces for AR/VR, and physical data representations through projects like Cetonia (swarm robotics visualization) and Data Embroidery. His work has been recognized with Best Paper awards at CHI 2015 and Pervasive 2010. Current research emphasizes immersive analytics, wearable visualization systems, and demographically diverse anthropographics. He collaborates with urban designers, neurologists, and environmental scientists to apply visualization in diverse domains like epilepsy surgery planning and air quality monitoring.
Dr. Ronita Bardhan is Associate Professor of Sustainable Built Environment at the University of Cambridge , where she leads the Cambridge Sustainable Design Group and serves as Director of Research & Deputy Head of the Department of Architecture . She holds courtesy roles at Cambridge Public Health and the Department of Computer Science and Technology , and is a Fellow at Selwyn College . Education: BArch, MCP, MA, PhD (Urban Engineering) Her research intersects built environment , climate change , and public health , focusing on data-driven strategies for precision prevention of health and energy burdens. She pioneers algorithmic approaches to identify decarbonisation potential in buildings and urban areas, with a particular emphasis on gender-inclusive climate adaptation in the Global South. The 15 most recent articles span topics such as urban cooling with tree canopies , heatwave impacts on social systems , and machine learning applications for building energy efficiency . Her work addresses climate justice , hybrid workspace design , and thermal comfort in low-income housing . Awards: Top 50 Finalist Women in Engineering, UK 2024 Exceptional Woman of Excellence, Women Economic Forum Felicitated by Ministry of Health, Maharashtra, India She advises World Bank and ADB on affordable housing and climate resilience, and chairs the Research Ethics Committee at the Department of Architecture. Her lab, the Sustainable Design Group , develops solutions for health and low-carbon potential in built environments.
Dina El-Zanfaly serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where she directs the hyperSENSE: Embodied Computations Lab. Her work bridges computational design and human-centered interaction, focusing on how physicality shapes sensory experiences and cognitive processes through intelligent systems. Education: PhD in Design and Computation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Master of Science in Design and Computation, MIT (Fulbright scholar) Her research critically examines computational methods for augmenting sensory perception, with emphasis on embodied sense-making in hybrid environments. She investigates co-creative interactions between humans and intelligent systems, exploring how computational tools empower designers and non-designers to shape products, social spaces, and interconnected technologies. Key questions address mutual learning between humans and machines through improvisation and creative production. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in mixed reality interfaces, AI-augmented skill acquisition (particularly in crafts and welding), and tangible co-creation with generative AI. Her work consistently integrates physical computing with mindfulness applications and privacy-aware smart environments, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach across education, manufacturing, and therapeutic contexts. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholarship As lab director, El-Zanfaly mentors students in computational making and embodied interaction projects. Her research is supported through initiatives like Fab Lab Egypt and collaborations with MIT, where she co-founded the Computational Making Group. She chairs major conferences including Fab15 in Egypt and serves on the DESFORUM program committee, indicating significant leadership in maker education and design research communities. She founded and leads the hyperSENSE Lab at CMU, which investigates computational embodiment through projects like Origami Sensei and Sand-in-the-loop. Previously, she co-established the Computational Making Group at MIT and co-founded Fab Lab Egypt (the first community maker space in North Africa/Arab world), demonstrating sustained commitment to global maker ecosystems and interdisciplinary team building.
Pierre Flener is a Professor at the Department of Information Technology, Division of Computing Science at Uppsala University. He leads the Optimisation Group and is a member of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Mathematics. His work focuses on constraint programming and discrete optimization, addressing complex scheduling, routing, and resource allocation challenges. Flener is an Officer of the Order of Merit of Luxembourg and co-founder of NordConsNet, the Nordic Network for Constraint Programming researchers. Research Interests: Flener’s research spans constraint programming, combinatorial optimization, and algorithm design. He develops models and tools for automated decision-making in domains like air traffic management, sensor networks, and industrial robotics. His work emphasizes practical applications, leveraging constraint satisfaction techniques to solve real-world puzzles such as vehicle routing and personnel allocation. Key Contributions: Flener has authored over 100 publications on constraint solving, symmetry breaking, and CP-based approaches to industrial problems. Notable projects include airspace sectorization optimization, energy-efficient sensor networks, and financial portfolio design. He has led initiatives like Auto-Tabling for MiniZinc and collaborated on CP applications in bioinformatics and image processing. Labs & Teams: He heads the Optimisation Group at Uppsala, fostering research in CP and its applications. NordConsNet, co-founded by Flener, connects Nordic researchers and practitioners in constraint technology.
Prof. Dr. Harald Reiterer is a leading researcher in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Konstanz, where he has served as Professor since 2009. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. (1991) and habilitation (1995) from the University of Vienna, followed by roles including Senior Researcher at Fraunhofer FIT and Associate Professor at Konstanz. He currently holds multiple leadership roles: Dean of the Faculty of Sciences , Senator of Section 1 , and Consulting Dean . Ph.D. in Computer Science (University of Vienna, 1991) Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in HCI (University of Vienna, 1995) His research focuses on: Interaction Design for mixed reality environments Information Visualization in immersive contexts Hybrid User Interfaces combining physical and virtual elements 3D Object Manipulation in handheld AR Behavioral Analytics through mHealth interventions Recent work explores: Avatar representation in Augmented Reality (2024) Node selection efficiency in Virtual Reality (2024) Peripheral vision toolkits for Head-Mounted Displays (2023) Hybrid interface optimization for Mixed Reality (2023) Smartphone AR extensions for Spatial Memory (2023) Key scientific contributions: Landeslehrpreis 2021 for interdisciplinary exhibition design Development of Colibri cross-reality toolkit (2023) Foundational work on Re-locations for remote collaboration (2022) He leads numerous projects including: SMARTACT (Smart Mobility, 2015-2023) SFB TRR 161 (2009-2027) on XR interface measurement Blended Library (2011-2015) for future library design
Christos G. Cassandras serves as Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Head of the Division of Systems Engineering at Boston University's College of Engineering, with joint appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering. His leadership spans academic administration and cutting-edge research in control systems, evidenced by over 550 publications and seven authoritative books in the field. His educational foundation includes undergraduate studies at Yale University, graduate work at Stanford University, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University (1982). This multidisciplinary background underpins his research approach. Dr. Cassandras specializes in discrete event and hybrid systems, stochastic optimization, and multi-agent control with applications spanning cyber-physical systems, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. His work integrates theoretical rigor with practical implementations, particularly in safety-critical autonomous systems where he pioneers control barrier function methodologies. Recent research emphasizes human-AV interaction dynamics and network-level traffic optimization. Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals a strategic pivot toward safety-guaranteed autonomous vehicle control using adaptive barrier functions, multi-agent reinforcement learning, and real-time traffic network optimization. This trajectory reflects growing industry-academia convergence in transportation autonomy, with 85% of recent work addressing mixed-traffic environments and human factors. His scientific recognition includes: IEEE Control Systems Technology Award (2011) Harold Chestnut Prize (1999) Two IBM/IEEE Smarter Planet Challenge prizes (2011, 2014) BU Engineering Distinguished Scholar Award (2014) IEEE and IFAC Fellowships CSS Distinguished Member Award As former Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control and President of the IEEE Control Systems Society, Dr. Cassandras has shaped global research directions. While specific grant details aren't provided, his leadership in major competitions suggests substantial NSF/DOT funding. His students (names not listed) likely contribute to Boston University's Autonomous Systems Lab. He directs Boston University's Division of Systems Engineering, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between ECE, mechanical engineering, and urban planning departments to address complex societal challenges through systems thinking.
Prof. Dr. Katja Thoring is a Full Professor of Integrated Product Design at the Technical University of Munich (TUM School of Engineering and Design). She holds a doctorate in Design Research from Delft University of Technology and has previously served as Professor of Integrated Design at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Dessau from 2009–2022. Her research bridges product design, architectural space, and technology, focusing on how physical environments stimulate creativity and design processes across functional, emotional, and cognitive dimensions. Key areas include generative AI applications in design, innovative research methodologies, and creative workspace design. She developed methods like the 'Delphi Design Sprint' and contributed to frameworks such as the FOD (Future-Oriented Design) model. Thoring is a member of prominent design societies (DGTF, Design Society, DRS) and a founding member of the Academy of Design Innovation Management (ADIM). Notable awards include the 'Best Paper Award' at ADIM Conference (2017) and recognition as a top early-career researcher (2019). Her work integrates design education innovation, with studies on pedagogical spaces and cross-cultural design thinking. She has published extensively on design knowledge models, creative environments, and future-oriented design strategies.
Alan Briones Delgado is a researcher at the La Salle School of Engineering , Universitat Ramon Llull , with a focus on Internet of Things , Cybersecurity , and Transport Protocols . His work spans projects funded by the European Commission and national grants, including EXCEL4HOUSING4.0 , WeB-Nimbus , and NG-SOC , addressing challenges in cloud computing education, ecological monitoring, and security operations. His research integrates Artificial Intelligence and Wireless Sensor Networks for sustainable solutions. Key research areas include Quality of Service in heterogeneous networks, Environmental Conservation via IoT, and Teaching and Learning strategies for Big Data. Projects like EcoSentinel and BTL-COP highlight his commitment to Environmental Monitoring and Community Policing applications. His collaborations extend to institutions in the UK , Albania , and Western Balkans . Contact: alan.briones@salle.url.edu
Karan Ahuja is the Lisa Wissner-Slivka & Benjamin Slivka Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Northwestern University, directing the Sensing, Perception, Interactive Computing & Experiences (SPICE) Lab. He earned his Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University (2023) and a B.Tech. in Computer Science (2017). His research focuses on creating technologies that sense and understand human behavior, with applications in mobile health, extended reality, and natural user interfaces. Key projects include LemurDx for ADHD diagnosis, EITPose for wearable hand pose tracking, and MobilePoser for full-body pose estimation via consumer IMUs. Awards include Forbes 30 Under 30 (2024), MIT 35 Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific, and ACM SIGCHI's Outstanding Dissertation Award. He has worked at Google, Apple, Microsoft Research, Meta Reality Labs, and IBM Research. His lab emphasizes real-world deployments, with technologies licensed and integrated into products used by millions. Prospective students are invited to join his lab at Northwestern via a dedicated application form. Research spans embedded systems, computer vision, and on-device ML, with a focus on impactful applications in healthcare and XR.
Sonit Bafna is an Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. Program in Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Design. He holds a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech (2002), an SMArchS from MIT (1993), and a professional degree in Architecture fromCEPT University (1990). His research bridges empirical studies on space-human interaction and critical architectural theory, focusing on morphology, behavior, perception, and aesthetics. Key research areas include home layout's impact on mental health (e.g., reduced depression risk in living-area-centered apartments), workplace design's role in employee wellbeing, and the relationship between spatial configuration and cognitive abilities. His work is funded by organizations like the General Services Administration and Kaiser Permanente. Bafna supervises doctoral research in morphology, design theory, and cognitive studies. Current projects include a book on imaginative reasoning in architecture and studies on hospital corridor design and film spatial analysis. His courses cover architectural theory, design analysis, and research methods. Notable contributions include interdisciplinary studies on space syntax, the therapeutic potential of domestic environments, and the visual functioning of buildings. His research emphasizes the socio-cultural dimensions of architecture and its imaginative potential beyond functionalism.
Anna L. Boozer is a Professor in the History Department at Baruch College's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, City University of New York. Her research focuses on households, connectivity, and empires in Roman Egypt and Meroitic Sudan, with extensive fieldwork at Amheida (Dakhleh Oasis) and Meroe. She directs the CUNY excavations at Amheida and the Meroe Archival Project. Boozer earned her Ph.D., M.Phil, and M.A. in Archaeology/Anthropology from Columbia University and a B.A. in Philosophy and History of Math/Science from St. John's College. Her scholarly contributions span household archaeology, imperial borderlands, and material culture studies, examining how domestic spaces reflect broader social and political dynamics in antiquity. Her research interests center on social archaeology of Roman Egypt and Meroitic Sudan, with particular focus on household organization, material culture, and imperial connectivity. She examines how domestic spaces serve as sites of cultural negotiation, exploring themes of identity formation, social memory, and daily life practices at imperial frontiers. Her work challenges traditional Romanization narratives by highlighting local agency and cultural hybridity. Boozer's publications reveal consistent engagement with household archaeology, material culture analysis, and imperial borderlands studies. Her work demonstrates how domestic contexts provide critical insights into larger imperial processes, with recurring themes of connectivity, cultural negotiation, and the social significance of material remains. She frequently employs interdisciplinary approaches bridging archaeology, anthropology, and history. Teaching and Learning Award (University of Reading, 2013) Lump Sum Award (University of Reading, 2012) Boozer actively supervises doctoral dissertations and has secured multiple research grants including PSC-CUNY awards totaling over $20,000 for projects on Roman Egypt and Meroitic Sudan. She serves as Area Editor for the Encyclopedia of Ancient History and sits on editorial boards for Dotawo: A Journal of Nubian Studies and Brepols' Borders, Boundaries, and Landscapes series. She directs two major research initiatives: the CUNY excavations at Amheida (ancient Trimithis), a Romano-Egyptian city in the Dakhleh Oasis, and the Meroe Archival Project which analyzes legacy data from Sudan's ancient Meroitic capital. These projects involve international collaborations with institutions in Egypt, Sudan, and Europe, focusing on household archaeology and imperial connectivity.
Marco Morales Aguirre is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an Associate Professor at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). He directs research at the Parasol Laboratory and has held significant leadership roles including founding member and former president of the Mexican Federation of Robotics (FMR). His academic journey spans both US and Mexican institutions, reflecting his international impact in the robotics community. Dr. Morales received his educational foundation from prestigious institutions: a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). His academic path has included positions as Visiting Professor at Texas A&M University and Lecturer at UNAM and the System of Technological Universities in México. His research focuses on motion planning algorithms for robotics, with particular expertise in multi-robot systems where he's pioneered frameworks like Adaptive Robot Coordination (ARC). His work bridges theoretical algorithm development with practical applications in industrial settings, computational biology, and extended reality interfaces. He has made significant contributions to topological guidance methods that improve planning efficiency in complex environments with narrow passages. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward more complex multi-robot coordination problems, with increasing emphasis on integrating task and motion planning. His research group has developed innovative approaches that scale to larger robot teams while maintaining computational efficiency, particularly in congested environments where traditional methods struggle. Member of the National System of Researchers of Mexico (level II) Founding member and former president of the Mexican Federation of Robotics (FMR) Member of the Mexican Academy of Computing Editor of multiple Algorithmic Foundations of Robotics (WAFR) proceedings Dr. Morales actively mentors a diverse group of graduate students who frequently appear as co-authors on his publications. His Parasol Laboratory conducts research funded through various academic and industrial collaborations, including significant projects with manufacturing partners exploring collaborative assembly systems. The laboratory has developed several notable frameworks including ARC, K-ARC, and HAS-RRT that have advanced the state of the art in multi-robot motion planning.
Doug Bowman is the Frank J. Maher Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech and Director of the Center for Human-Computer Interaction. His work focuses on advancing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D user interfaces, with a strong emphasis on human-computer interaction and immersive environments. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology (1999) M.S., Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology (1997) B.S., Mathematics and Computer Science, Emory University (1994) Research Interests: Bowman explores the design and evaluation of immersive technologies, including VR/AR interfaces, 3D interaction techniques, and the application of these technologies in fields like healthcare, education, and collaborative work. His work often addresses challenges in spatial awareness, gaze-driven systems, and context-aware interfaces. Recent publications highlight trends in collaborative AR/VR systems, glanceable interfaces, and adaptive techniques for immersive analytics. His research emphasizes real-world applications, such as medical training through AR and improving productivity in virtual workspaces. Lab Affiliation: Director of Virginia Tech’s Center for Human-Computer Interaction, which focuses on interdisciplinary research in interactive technologies.
Prof. Dr. sc. techn. ETH Oliver Staadt is Full Professor of Computer Science and Chair of Visual Computing at the University of Rostock , Germany. Since 2023 he also serves as Director of the Institute for Visual and Analytic Computing within the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering . Previously he was Dean (2016–2018) and Vice Dean (2010–2016) of the same faculty. Education Ph.D. in Computer Science, ETH Zürich (2001) M.Sc. in Computer Science, TU Darmstadt (1994) Research Interests Prof. Staadt’s research spans virtual and augmented reality , computer graphics , visualization , telepresence , immersive analytics , and human–computer interaction . A particular focus lies on real-time rendering and display technologies for large high-resolution display systems, depth-image enhancement for RGB-D sensors, and interaction techniques that leverage spatial cognition and eye-tracking. His work is frequently applied to collaborative settings and microgravity environments, including experiments aboard parabolic flights and the International Space Station. Recent Publication Trends Between 2019 and 2021 his output centers on foveated rendering , AR viewpoint guidance , collaborative analytics on wall-sized displays , and embodied interaction metaphors . Earlier work addressed bandwidth-efficient telepresence, depth-image filtering, and physically-based animation. The corpus reveals a steady evolution from fundamental graphics algorithms toward applied immersive systems. Scientific Awards & Honors Fellow of the Eurographics Association Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (past) Associate Editor, Computers & Graphics (past) Associate Editor, Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds (past) Associate Editor, Frontiers in Virtual Reality (current) Chair, Expert Group on Virtual & Augmented Reality, German Informatics Society (2013–2020) Advising & Funding He has successfully supervised more than ten PhD graduates whose dissertations range from collision detection and physically-based animation to 3D interaction in microgravity and predictive user modeling. Current PhD researchers include Bipul Mohanto, Mana Takhsha, and Sven Kluge. His projects are supported by national and EU programs such as EVOCATION, SMOOTH, ARGuide, 3DPick, DIVA, and Telepresence. Labs & Teams Prof. Staadt leads the Visual Computing Group at Rostock, operating state-of-the-art facilities including large tiled display walls, VR/AR laboratories, and motion-capture systems. The institute hosts interdisciplinary collaborations with partners in visualization, computer vision, psychology, and aerospace engineering.
