Dr. Peichen Zhong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He leads the Applied Machine Learning and Materials Modeling (AM³) Group, focused on advancing computational methods for clean energy technologies. His research integrates machine learning with atomistic simulations to tackle challenges in battery materials, disordered materials, and sustainable energy systems. Education: B.S. in Physics from University of Science and Technology of China (2018); Ph.D. in Materials Science from UC Berkeley (2023, advised by Prof. Gerbrand Ceder); Postdoctoral training at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and BIDMaP, co-advised by Persson, Cheng, and Krishnapriyan. Research Interests: Computational modeling of battery cathodes/electrolytes, AI-driven interatomic potentials, statistical mechanics in disordered materials, and generative models for scientific discovery. Key areas include Li/Na-ion batteries, solid-state reactions, and sustainable energy materials. Awards: BIDMaP Emerging Scholar Fellowship (UC Berkeley CDSS, 202?), 2023 Rising Stars in Materials Science (CMU/MIT/Stanford). Labs/Teams: The AM³ Group at NUS MSE focuses on interdisciplinary research combining theory, computation, and AI4Science. Current openings include PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
Adrian Weller is a prominent researcher and academic at the University of Cambridge, serving as a Director of Research in Machine Learning within the Department of Engineering. He holds multiple significant leadership roles including Programme Director for Trust and Society at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI), and previously served as Programme Director for AI at The Alan Turing Institute, the UK national institute for data science and AI. His work bridges theoretical machine learning research with practical applications and societal implications of artificial intelligence. Weller's research interests span a broad spectrum of AI and machine learning topics with a particular focus on ensuring beneficial societal outcomes. His work encompasses explainability, fairness, robustness, scalability, privacy, safety, and ethics in AI systems. He has made significant contributions to trustworthy machine learning, including developing frameworks for AI governance, certification, and human-AI collaboration. His research group actively investigates neuro-symbolic approaches, privacy-preserving techniques, and methods for improving the reliability and interpretability of AI systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward addressing the practical challenges of deploying AI systems in real-world contexts, particularly focusing on certification frameworks, governance mechanisms, and human-centered approaches. His work spans theoretical advances in machine learning architectures while maintaining a strong connection to societal impact, with publications appearing in top venues across AI, machine learning, and interdisciplinary applications. Scientific Awards: MBE for services to digital innovation (2022 Queen's Birthday Honours) Turing AI Fellowship for Trustworthy Machine Learning Weller actively supervises a large group of PhD students and postdocs, with current students including Juyeon Heo, Yanzhi Chen, Katie Collins, Isaac Reid, Yichao Liang, Herbie Bradley, and Shoaib Siddiqui. His former students have gone on to positions at leading institutions including Google DeepMind, ETH Zurich, NYU, and MPI-IS Tübingen. He has served on numerous advisory boards including the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, UNESCO's expert group on AI ethics, and the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on AI. His research has been supported through his Turing AI Fellowship and various collaborative projects focused on safe and ethical AI development. Weller leads a vibrant research group focused on trustworthy machine learning, which actively organizes workshops and conferences including ICML 2024 (where he served as Program Chair), multiple workshops on responsible AI, and events through the ELLIS network. His group collaborates extensively across disciplines, working with researchers in computer science, social sciences, law, and policy to address the multifaceted challenges of developing beneficial AI systems.
Sheng Shen is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) , with courtesy appointments in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering . He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (Minor in Electrical Engineering) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , and his B.S. and M.S. from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. Prior to joining CMU in 2011, he conducted postdoctoral research at UC-Berkeley . Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, MIT (2010) B.S. & M.S., Power Engineering & Engineering Thermophysics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2000 & 2003) Research interests include nanophotonics , nanoscale energy transport and conversion , nanofabrication , and advanced manufacturing , with applications in thermal management , light sources and devices , thermal emission control , solar energy conversion , infrared sensing , and multifunctional materials . His work leverages interdisciplinary expertise in thermal and optical measurements , material synthesis , device fabrication , and theoretical modeling . Recent publications highlight advancements in infrared radiation control , thermal interface materials , metasurface engineering , and graphene-based nanosystems . His scientific awards include: NSF CAREER Award DARPA Director's Fellowship DARPA Young Faculty Award Elsevier/JQSRT Raymond Viskanta Award CMU Dean's Early Career Fellowship Philomathia Foundation Research Fellowship Hewlett-Packard Best Paper Award Best Paper Award, Julius Springer Forum Advising spans Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers in nanoscale energy systems, with alumni contributing to solar energy conversion , infrared sensing , and flexible electronics . His lab receives funding from ARL, DARPA, DOE, DTRA, NASA, NSF, and ONR , and recently secured a DURIP award for instrumentation.
Oscar Randal-Williams is the Sadleirian Professor of Pure Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, where he is affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (DPMMS). His work is centered in the Differential Geometry & Topology research group, where he contributes to advancing knowledge in geometric and algebraic topology. Professor Randal-Williams specializes in Algebraic and Geometric Topology, with particular expertise in mapping class groups, moduli spaces, cobordism categories, spaces of manifolds, surgery theory, configuration spaces, characteristic classes, and K-theory. His research explores the deep connections between homotopy theory and geometric structures, with applications across various mathematical domains. His work often bridges abstract algebraic structures with concrete geometric problems, creating new frameworks for understanding topological phenomena. An analysis of Professor Randal-Williams' recent publications reveals a strong focus on homological stability phenomena, mapping class groups of high-dimensional manifolds, and the interplay between algebraic structures and geometric topology. His work frequently involves E ∞ -algebras, general linear groups, and the topology of diffeomorphism groups. A significant portion of his research investigates the structure of moduli spaces of manifolds and their connections to algebraic K-theory, with recent work extending to applications in mathematical physics through studies of symmetries in quantum field theories. Professor Randal-Williams maintains active collaborations with leading mathematicians worldwide, including Søren Galatius, Alexander Kupers, and Jeremy Miller, among others. His research has been published in top-tier mathematical journals including the Annals of Mathematics, Inventiones Mathematicae, and the Journal of the American Mathematical Society.
Amitabha Bagchi is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi. His research spans data algorithmics, probability, networks, and theoretical computer science, with applications in distributed systems, social networks, and AI-driven platforms. He has published extensively in leading venues such as SIGMOD, VLDB, ICDE, AAAI, and KDD, often collaborating with students and researchers on problems involving graph algorithms, fairness, and large-scale data analysis. Research Interests: His primary research interests include Data Algorithmics, Probability and Networks, Theoretical Computer Science, Distributed Algorithms, Graph Algorithms, and Machine Learning Theory. He investigates algorithmic foundations for real-world problems such as food delivery optimization, social network analysis, and efficient data structures for streaming and large graphs. Publication Trends: Recent publications focus on fairness in gig economy platforms, efficient solvers for graph Laplacians, generalization in neural networks, and temporal graph querying. His work combines theoretical rigor with practical impact, often involving GPU acceleration, distributed computing, and data-aware algorithm design. Scientific Service: Editor, Algorithms (2020–present) Editor, Journal of Discrete Algorithms , Elsevier (2006–2018) Guest Editor, special issue on Algorithms for Shortest Paths in Dynamic and Evolving Networks , Algorithms (2021) Volume Editor for proceedings of ESA, ATMOS, COCOON, and others Conference Leadership: He has served on numerous program committees and as chair for conferences including ESA (Engineering Track, 2016), ATMOS (2020), and ICALP (2019). His involvement spans algorithmic engineering, transportation optimization, and theoretical computer science forums. Teaching: He currently teaches COL863: Special Topics in Theoretical Computer Science on concentration inequalities and their applications. He has previously taught advanced courses in algorithms and data structures.
Prof. Rob Timmermans is a Professor of Theoretical Physics and Vice-Dean for Education at the University of Groningen (UG). He is affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Precision Frontier — Van Swinderen Institute for Particle Physics and Gravity. His research focuses on theoretical particle physics, quantum mechanics, and precision measurements, particularly in electric dipole moment (EDM) searches using molecules like BaF. His work includes developing methods for molecular beam manipulation, phase-space analysis, and symmetry violation studies. He has contributed to collaborations such as NL-eEDM, advancing techniques for EDM detection and precision physics. Prof. Timmermans has received nominations for teaching awards, reflecting his commitment to education. Research highlights include studies on nucleon decay, antinucleon-nucleon interactions, and chiral effective field theory. His lab activities involve collaborations on laser-cooled molecules and trapping techniques. Prof. Timmermans’ articles often address fundamental physics questions, such as Lorentz violation in beta decay and parity violation in molecular systems. Awards: Nominated for Faculty Teaching Award 2014, Teacher of the Year 2014-15. Grants/Advising: Leads projects on EDM searches and particle physics, with active roles in international collaborations. Labs/Teams: Van Swinderen Institute, Precision Frontier group.
Laurent Demanet is a Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with a primary appointment in the Department of Mathematics and a joint appointment in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). He served as Director of MIT’s Earth Resources Laboratory from 2018 to 2024, focusing on seismic imaging and wave propagation to visualize Earth's subsurface structures. Undergraduate: Mathematical Engineering and Theoretical Physics, Université de Louvain, Belgium PhD: Applied and Computational Mathematics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), 2006 (advisor: Emmanuel Candès, William P. Carey Prize for best dissertation in mathematical sciences) Postdoctoral: Szegö Assistant Professorship, Stanford University (2006-2009) His research centers on applied mathematics and scientific computing for geophysics, particularly inverse problems, wave propagation, and signal processing. He develops numerical algorithms and machine learning tools to analyze indirect, incomplete, and noisy data, enabling accurate subsurface modeling for environmental monitoring, carbon sequestration, hydrogen storage, and geothermal energy. His work also addresses seismic hazards induced by resource exploration and storage activities. Scientific awards and honors include: National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2012) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2011) Air Force Young Investigator Award (2011) MIT Class of 1954 Career Development Professorship (2013-2016) As Director of MIT’s Earth Resources Laboratory and through his research group, Demanet has advanced computational methods for geophysical imaging, mentored students, and secured grants for interdisciplinary projects. His work bridges applied mathematics, computational science, and geophysics to solve pressing environmental and energy challenges. He leads research on subsurface visualization, integrating machine learning and numerical algorithms to improve seismic imaging and quantify predictive uncertainty. His lab's applications span natural hazard assessment, resource management, and sustainable energy solutions.
Vineeth N Balasubramanian is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, with affiliate faculty status in the Department of Artificial Intelligence. His research focuses on the intersection of deep learning, machine learning, and computer vision, emphasizing explainability, robustness, and real-world applications. He leads Lab 1055, which investigates problems such as Explainable and robust AI/ML systems Lifelong learning in evolving environments Multimodal vision-language models Applications in agriculture, autonomous navigation, and human behavior analysis His recent work includes causal reasoning in transformers, vision-language model capabilities, and drone-based object detection. Funded by organizations like Google, Microsoft, Intel, and DST, he has received multiple awards including the World's Top 2% Scientists (2022-23), INSA/INAE Fellowships, and Best Paper recognitions. Lab 1055 collaborates with institutions like CMU, UBC, and Monash University, contributing to cutting-edge advancements in AI.
Chris Donahue is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University . He also serves as a part-time Research Scientist at Google DeepMind on the Magenta team. His work focuses on leveraging generative AI to enhance human creativity, particularly in music. Education: PhD in Computer Science (UC San Diego), Postdoctoral Scholar (Stanford University) His research spans controllable generative modeling of music and audio , with a focus on real-time interactive systems. Projects like Piano Genie , Beat Sage , and Copilot Arena demonstrate his commitment to real-world deployment. His Generative Creativity Lab (G-CLef) explores AI applications beyond music, including programming and natural language. Recent publications highlight advancements in multimodal music evaluation , real-time adaptation , and AI-driven sound morphing . He co-developed Magenta RealTime , an open-weight real-time music generation model, and MusicFX DJ Mode . Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award (top 1) at NAACL Student Research Workshop 2025 Best Paper Award (top 1% of submissions) at CHI 2025 Best Paper Runner-up at ISMIR 2021 He co-advises PhD students like Wayne Chi (NDSEG Fellow) and mentors Irmak Bukey . His lab receives support from the AIxArts incubator fund at CMU .
Heng Huang is the Brendan Iribe Endowed Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park . He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Dartmouth College and holds prior degrees from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research focuses on advancing the foundations and applications of artificial intelligence, particularly in machine learning, data mining, natural language processing, computer vision, and biomedical informatics . His work integrates large-scale optimization, fairness, and robustness in deep learning systems. Heng Huang’s recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in large language models, federated learning, model watermarking, continual learning, and medical image analysis . His work appears consistently in top venues like NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ICLR, and MICCAI, reflecting a broad impact across theoretical and applied AI. He actively mentors students and postdocs, seeking highly motivated researchers in machine learning and related domains. His work has significant implications for healthcare, privacy, and trustworthy AI.
Tomaso Aste is a Professor of Complexity Science at the Department of Computer Science, University College London (UCL). He founded the Financial Computing and Analytics group and co-founded the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies. His work bridges complex systems, data science, and finance, with applications in blockchain, fintech, and market modeling. Education: PhD in Physics (Politecnico di Milano, 1994); Laurea in Physics (University of Genoa, 1990) Prior Appointments: Reader at University of Kent's School of Physics; Associate Professor at Australian National University's Applied Mathematics His research focuses on data-driven modeling of complex systems , particularly financial systems, complex networks, and statistical physics. He has pioneered information filtering networks and topological machine learning methods for financial applications, including portfolio optimization, risk assessment, and cryptocurrency analysis. Recent publications highlight his expertise in financial time-series analysis, blockchain technology, and AI-driven modeling. Articles explore topics like limit order books, cryptocurrency market fragility, and topological neural networks. His work has influenced regulatory technology (RegTech) frameworks and digital economy strategies. Scientific Awards : Marie Curie Individual Fellowship University of Genoa graduate study specialization Fellowship Bacheflor Boncompagni-Ludovisi Foundation Fellowship Awarded fellowships from European Commission and academic foundations support his interdisciplinary research. He has held editorial roles at journals like Philosophical Magazine and Granular Matter , and contributed to professional societies including American Physical Society and Australian Research Council panels. Teaching & Academic Leadership : Co-created four UCL Master's programs: Financial Risk Management, Computational Finance, Financial Technologies, Emerging Digital Technologies Coordinates executive training on AI, blockchain, fintech, and regtech for regulators and private firms Teaches graduate-level courses in Data-Driven Modeling, Data Science, and Advanced AI
Avi Loeb , the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, is a leading astrophysicist and former Chair of Harvard's Department of Astronomy (2011-2020). He directs the Institute for Theory and Computation (ITC) and the Galileo Project (2021-present), while holding the Sackler Senior Professorship at Tel Aviv University. His research spans cosmology, black holes, interstellar objects, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Education: PhD in Physics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1986) Former Positions: Member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (1988-1993) Loeb's research interests include: Gravitational wave detection and interstellar object analysis Simulation hypothesis and cosmic reality Technological signatures beyond the Standard Model His recent publications focus on 3I/ATLAS , gravitational SETI, and AI alignment in space exploration. Awards include being named among TIME's 25 Most Influential People in Space (2012), 14 Most Inspiring Israelis (2020), and ranking #3 in global astronomical impact (2024). He chairs the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative and advises the National Academies' Board on Physics and Astronomy.
William Chueh is a Professor in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University. He serves as Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy and Faculty Director of the Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program. His research focuses on redox-active materials for energy storage, conversion, and carbon-neutral energy cycles. Education: PhD, Materials Science, Caltech (2010) BS, Applied Physics, Caltech (2005) Research Interests: Energy storage and conversion systems (batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers) Multi-scale electrochemical and chemical reaction dynamics Materials design rules for redox-active solids Thermodynamic frameworks for sustainable energy Publication Trends: His work spans fundamental materials synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and modeling of redox reactions. Key themes include solar thermochemical cycles, ceria-based systems for CO2/H2O conversion, and advanced battery technologies. Scientific Honors: Outstanding Young Investigator Award (MRS, 2018) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2016) Sloan Research Fellowship (2016) CAREER Award (NSF, 2015) Advising: He advises students in energy technologies, materials science, and electrochemistry, including doctoral and master’s candidates. Contact: wchueh@stanford.edu
Zhi-Xun Shen is the Paul Pigott Professor in Physical Sciences at Stanford University, holding dual appointments in the Physics and Applied Physics Departments. He is a senior fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy and serves on advisory boards for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars and Stanford Science Fellows programs. His research focuses on condensed matter and materials physics, particularly the electronic structures of superconductors, topological insulators, and novel materials. Dr. Shen pioneered advanced spectroscopic techniques, including photon-based imaging and scattering methods, and has authored over 600 publications with significant citation impact. His honors include the Kamerlingh Onnes Prize (2000), E.O. Lawrence Award (2010), and Oliver E. Buckley Prize (2011). He co-founded PrimeNano Inc., commercializing technologies from his lab, such as microwave impedance microscopy. His work bridges fundamental physics with energy-related applications, emphasizing the interplay between electronic structure and material properties. Dr. Shen’s research group explores cutting-edge topics like topological surface states, electron-phonon interactions, and superconductivity mechanisms. His inventions, such as non-resonance microwave imaging, have found applications in materials characterization. He remains active in advancing instrumentation and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations through his academic and industry roles.
Sumanta Acharya is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Illinois Tech's Armour College of Engineering. His career spans computational methods, experimental fluid mechanics, and combustion, with affiliations including ASME, AIAA, and ASTFE. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1982) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1980) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (1978) A leading expert in thermal and fluid sciences, Acharya focuses on gas turbine heat transfer, turbulence modeling, and advanced cooling systems. His work integrates Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with experimental validation for applications in biofuels , hydrogen combustion , and phase change materials . Recent publications highlight innovations in Brayton cycle integration, impingement cooling, and aerothermal performance optimization. Awarded by ASME, AIAA, and LSU, his honors include the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award (2011) and ASME Fellow (1999). He has contributed to key committees, including the ASME Heat Transfer Division Executive Committee and the Department of Energy's University Turbine Systems Research program. Researcher to Know, Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (2022) ASME Dedicated Service Award (2019) AIAA Thermophysics Award (2015) Contact: sacharya1@illinoistech.edu | Phone: 312.567.3701
