Maartje de Graaf is an Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction in the Department of Information and Computing Sciences at Utrecht University. Her research investigates human perceptions of robots in scenarios involving errors, aiming to develop strategies for improving human-robot collaboration. With expertise in social cognition and interaction design, she explores how anthropomorphic attributions influence long-term technology acceptance. Her work is driven by the societal imperative to understand affective, behavioral, and cognitive responses to robots. Prior to Utrecht, she held postdoctoral positions at the University of Twente and Brown University, focusing on communication science and human-centered robotics.
Ana Paiva is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Lisbon's Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), and coordinator of the GAIPS research group at INESC-ID, now focused on AI for People and Society. She holds a Katherine Hampson Bessell Fellowship at Harvard University's Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Her work centers on creating socially intelligent AI and robots through agent-based approaches, emphasizing emotional and cultural competencies. Key research areas include Social Robotics, Affective Computing, and Pro-social Computing. She leads projects like the EU-funded ANIMATAS ITN network and Portugal's AMIGOS/AGENTS initiatives. Notable contributions include the FAtiMA Toolkit for developing emotional AI agents and pioneering work in hybrid human-machine societies. She has received awards such as the EurAI Fellowship (2019) and the Blue Sky Ideas Award at AAAI’18. Her research explores how machines can foster prosocial behaviors like altruism and cooperation, with applications in education, therapy, and ethical AI design. Her advising includes PhD students like Fernando Santos (Victor Lesser Award winner) and Elmira Yadollahi (ACM award recipient). Current projects focus on inclusive robotics for mixed-ability classrooms and ethical frameworks for human-robot collaboration.
Silvia Santini is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Informatics of USI since 2016, leading the People-Centered Computing Lab. Previously, she held roles at TU Dresden (2014–2016) and TU Darmstadt (2011–2014), focusing on embedded systems and wireless sensor networks. She completed her PhD at ETH Zurich in 2009 and earned a Telecommunication Engineering degree from Sapienza University of Rome (2004). Her research centers on wearable computing, human-computer interaction, and sensor networks applied to health monitoring, activity recognition, and physiological signal analysis. Notable projects include BiHeartS (bilateral heart rate monitoring) and studies on sleep quality using wearable devices. Key achievements include being ranked among the World’s top 2% of Scientists (2022) and securing grants for projects like XAI-FinCrime. She advises on PhD and postdoc positions, such as the 2025 Innosuisse-funded project in explainable AI for financial crime detection. Labs/Teams: People-Centered Computing Group (USI), collaborating on cross-disciplinary projects in pervasive computing and healthcare technology.
Amir Tofighi Zavareh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University, specializing in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology. He is affiliated with the Center for Remote Health Technologies and Systems and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on analog and mixed-signal bioelectronic design, biomedical imaging, and wearable technology for healthcare applications. Dr. Tofighi Zavareh earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2019. His work bridges biomedical engineering and signal processing, with a strong emphasis on developing innovative medical devices and wearable systems for real-time health monitoring. His research interests include wearable biosensors, machine learning-driven diagnostics, and improving mental health support in educational settings through technology. Notable projects involve eye-tracking metrics for online learning accessibility and stress-alleviation systems using emotion recognition. His publications span advancements in optical coherence tomography (OCT), retinal imaging systems, and AI-powered mental health tools. He collaborates across disciplines to address challenges in healthcare technology and education equity.
Thomas J Benson serves as a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois, with a concurrent appointment as Principal Research Scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey. His academic career focuses on wildlife ecology, particularly avian population dynamics, habitat requirements, and conservation biology across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Dr. Benson's research interests center on ornithology with emphasis on nesting ecology, predation risk, and responses to environmental change. His work examines how landscape composition, habitat fragmentation, and climate variables influence bird distribution, abundance, and reproductive success. He specializes in studying nightjars (including Eastern Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-will's-widows), cuckoos, and other species of conservation concern, employing both field studies and sophisticated modeling approaches to understand ecological patterns. Analysis of Dr. Benson's recent publications reveals consistent research themes examining predator-prey interactions, particularly how predation risk affects nesting behavior and fledgling survival. His work spans multiple ecosystems from coastal areas to agricultural landscapes, with significant contributions to understanding climate change impacts on bird populations. He frequently collaborates with researchers across institutions to address complex ecological questions using integrated methodological approaches. Dr. Benson has established long-term monitoring programs for several bird species and has been instrumental in developing conservation strategies for species facing population declines. His research bridges fundamental ecological understanding with practical conservation applications, providing valuable insights for natural resource management and policy development.
Dr. Michael L. Austin is a Senior Lecturer in Music and Sound at Edge Hill University, serving as Programme Leader in Music Production since January 2023. He previously held academic roles at Louisiana Tech University, Howard University, and others. His research focuses on sound and music in interactive media, including video games, social media, and smart devices. He is Executive Director of the Society for the Study of Sound and Music in Games and a Research Associate at the Library of Congress's Radio Preservation Task Force. Education: PhD in Humanities (Aesthetic Studies) from the University of Texas at Dallas (2011), MA in Music Theory from UT Austin (2007), and BA in Music Composition from UT San Antonio (2005). Research interests include ludomusicology, cultural representation in media, sound design for UX, and algorithmic bias in emerging technologies. His 2024 monograph Audiovisual Alterity explores identity representation in music videos, while earlier works like Music Video Games: Performance, Politics, and Play (2016) analyze music's role in digital games. Publications span video game music analysis, algorithmic bias, and sound art. His talks include topics like 'Sounding Drag Identities in Video Games' and 'Algorithmic Bias in Emerging Media.' As a sound artist, his work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian and Dallas Museum of Art.
Clara Rosa Cardoso is a Researcher at the University of Siegen's Department of Business Informatics and New Media, contributing to the DCitizens project and advising students in the HCI master's program. She holds a Master's in Digital Media and Society from the University of Bremen, with a thesis on hashtag activism (#ForaBolsonaro). Her research focuses on online political activism, digital media's societal impact, and participatory design in underserved communities. She has supported labs like ZeMKI's Mediatization and Globalization group and Prof. Kannengiesser's media sociology projects. Beyond academia, she tutored media practice lectures and summer camps. She earned a Bachelor's in Communication from Universidade Federal da Bahia and an MBA in Marketing (Brazil). Her work emphasizes resilience in unstable regions (e.g., Palestinian refugee camps) and lessons from design failures in digital civics. She collaborates on projects like Fab Lab Siegen and contributes to HCI conferences like CHI and NordiCHI. Clara's interdisciplinary approach bridges technology, sociology, and community empowerment without formal awards noted to date.
Hanan Salam is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), where she leads the Social Machines & Robotics Lab (SMART) and is affiliated with the Center of AI & Robotics (CAIR). She is also the co-founder and head of education and research at Women in AI, a global non-profit dedicated to increasing female representation in artificial intelligence. Education: PhD in Telecommunications, Information, and Communication Sciences and Technologies, CentraleSupélec, France Master of Control, Robotics, Signal and Image Processing, École Centrale de Nantes, France Engineering Degree in Computer Science and Telecommunications, Lebanese University Her research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and human behavior, particularly in mental health applications. Key areas include Human-Robot Interaction, affective computing, bias in AI, and social signal processing. She advocates for ethical AI and technology for social good. Although publication titles are not listed in the provided text, her work centers on intelligent systems that understand and respond to human emotions and behaviors, particularly through social robots and AI-driven mental health tools. These efforts align with broader themes in computer science, cognitive systems, and healthcare technology. Scientific Awards: First Place, FERA 2011 - Facial Expression Recognition and Analysis Challenge Second Place, AVEC 2012 - International Audio/Visual Emotion Challenge Hanan has mentored students through capstone projects in computer science and has been actively involved in educational outreach, particularly through Women in AI. She previously taught at Emlyon Business School and several French universities as a part-time lecturer. Her work includes both academic research and industry R&D in robotics startups. She is also engaged in public speaking and advocacy for women in STEM. She leads the Social Machines & Robotics Lab (SMART), which focuses on developing socially intelligent machines capable of understanding and interacting with humans in natural and empathetic ways. The lab integrates AI, robotics, and psychology to build systems that enhance human well-being.
Richard D. Lane is a Professor at the University of Arizona, holding appointments in Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience. He is a clinical psychiatrist and psychodynamic psychotherapist with a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, specializing in systems neuroscience and emotion research. Dr. Lane is a pioneer in functional brain imaging studies of emotion since the 1990s and has secured multiple NIH grants, including K and RO1 awards. Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, University of Arizona (1999) M.D., University of Illinois Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine (1978) B.A., Yale University (1974) His research integrates systems neuroscience with psychological frameworks to study emotion, emotional awareness, neurovisceral integration, and the mind-body link in conditions like Long QT Syndrome and Coronary Artery Disease. He has published over 200 papers and co-edited two books, including Neuroscience of Enduring Change: Implications for Psychotherapy (Oxford University Press, 2020). Recent publications focus on socio-emotional skills, affective processing deficits in alexithymia, neurovisceral integration, and the clinical relevance of emotional awareness. His work employs PET, fMRI, and graph-theoretic analyses to explore brain-heart interactions and memory-emotion dynamics. Distinguished Scientist Award, American Psychosomatic Society (2024) President, American Psychosomatic Society (2005–2006) Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association Fulbright-Freud Visiting Lecturer in Psychoanalysis (2023) Howard E. Wulsin Excellence in Teaching Award (2014) As an educator, Dr. Lane directed the University of Arizona’s psychotherapy curriculum for psychiatric residents for two decades and has mentored extensively. He collaborates with institutions like the International Neuropsychoanalysis Society and Southwest Psychoanalytic Society.
Sylvia C. Pont is a Professor in the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), where she leads the Perceptual Intelligence Lab (π-lab). Her work uniquely bridges perception science and design, focusing on multisensory experiences in real-world contexts. Her research interests center on Perceptual Intelligence , particularly the science and application of light, materials, and their interactions with shape and space. She pioneers methods in ecological optics and perception-based lighting design. Her work spans disciplines including human-centered design, visual perception, and sensory experience design. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in understanding how illumination affects perception—ranging from illusory motion to environmental lighting variability and light-material interactions. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates vision science, design, and human factors, often applied in healthcare, computing systems, and art. Associate Editor, Journal of Vision Coordinator of Master’s elective course: Lighting Design Teaches in human factors and multisensory design She has supervised 9 academic works and contributes actively to public discourse through media and public lectures. Her research is supported by extensive datasets and collaborations across institutions. She is involved in lab leadership (π-lab), interdisciplinary research teams, and international conferences such as Dagstuhl Seminar and CHI. Her work continues to advance the integration of perceptual science into intelligent and human-centered design systems.
Rev. Dr. Michael Hakmin Lee is Associate Professor of Ministry & Leadership and Program Director of three M.A. programs (M.A. Evangelism & Leadership, M.A. Ministry Leadership, M.A. Missional Church Movements) at Wheaton College. He holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, a Th.M. in Systematic Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. Ph.D., Intercultural Studies – Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Th.M., Systematic Theology – Dallas Theological Seminary B.A., Biochemistry – University of Texas at Austin Dr. Lee's research centers on missiology, intercultural studies, religious deconversion, race and ethnicity, theology of religions, and the social impact of technology. He explores how contemporary challenges—such as AI, social media, and religious pluralism—affect Christian discipleship and gospel witness. His work bridges theological reflection with practical ministry engagement. His recent and forthcoming publications reveal a strong trend in analyzing digital culture, deconversion, and interfaith dynamics. He investigates how artificial intelligence and social media reshape disciple-making, while also addressing deep existential questions behind why evangelicals leave the faith. His scholarship integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from theology, sociology, and communication studies. Dr. Lee is an active scholar in the Evangelical Missiological Society, where he currently serves as VP of Finance. He has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals and edited monograph series, reflecting sustained academic engagement. He advises on graduate theological education and has led initiatives in distance learning pedagogy. Though no formal advisees are listed, his leadership in M.A. programs suggests significant mentorship. He is also involved in community service as a church elder, certified judo instructor, and youth baseball coach, reflecting a holistic integration of faith and vocation. Dr. Lee is affiliated with Wheaton College’s College of Ministry and Leadership and contributes to the mission of advancing evangelical scholarship and practice in a changing world.
Cinzia Di Dio is an Associate Professor at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, Department of Psychology, affiliated with the Research Center on Theory of Mind and Social Competence in the LifeSpan (CeRiToM). She holds academic roles in the Faculty of Education and contributes to interdisciplinary studies on human-robot interaction and developmental psychology. Education : PhD in Neuroscience, University of Parma (2012) MSc in Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology, University of Hertfordshire (2003) BSc (Hons) in Psychological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire (2002) Training in fMRI at Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome (2006) Research Focus : Investigates social cognition, moral judgment, and decision-making in human-human and human-robot interactions across the lifespan. Key topics include Theory of Mind, trust dynamics, embodiment effects, and ethical implications of AI. Collaborates with institutions like Harvard University, Kyoto University, and the Italian Institute of Technology. Key Awards : National Scientific Entitlement for Developmental Psychology (2018–2027) Elected ISSBD Executive Committee Member (2024) Teaching & Grants : Lectures courses on developmental neuroscience, psychology of education, and robotics ethics. Oversees doctoral training in Psychology and chairs ethics committees. Active in securing research grants for interdisciplinary projects. Labs & Teams : Leads CeRiToM, focusing on lifespan social competence and directs studies on robotics in education and healthcare.
Ehud Reiter is a Professor of Natural Language Generation at the University of Aberdeen's School of Natural and Computing Sciences, Department of Computing Science. With over three decades of research experience, he is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in Natural Language Generation (NLG), particularly in data-to-text systems, evaluation methodologies, and healthcare applications. Reiter's research primarily focuses on creating systems that generate accurate, useful, and understandable natural language from structured data. His work spans multiple domains including healthcare (medical note generation, patient-facing systems), sports reporting, and explainable AI. A significant portion of his recent research addresses the critical challenge of evaluating NLG systems, with particular emphasis on human evaluation methodologies, reproducibility of results, and factual accuracy in generated text. His work on Bayesian Networks and causal graph discovery represents his ongoing interest in knowledge representation and reasoning behind natural language explanations. His research has evolved from foundational work on reference generation and document planning to current projects addressing large language models, reproducibility crises in NLP evaluation, and human-AI collaboration frameworks. The SPHERE evaluation card framework he co-developed represents a systematic approach to evaluating human-AI interaction systems across five key dimensions. Reiter has been instrumental in organizing multiple shared tasks focused on reproducibility in NLG evaluations, demonstrating his commitment to improving research methodology in the field. His work on consultation checklists for medical note evaluation has introduced standardized protocols that increase objectivity in clinical text assessment. Through projects like BabyTalk (generating neonatal intensive care unit summaries) and DrivingBeacon (providing driving behavior feedback), Reiter has demonstrated the practical applications of NLG technology in critical domains. His research consistently bridges theoretical advances with real-world implementation challenges.
Dr. Daniel Büchel is a researcher at the Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation, Department of Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation Sciences, at the German Sport University Cologne. His work bridges neuroscience, motor control, and sports performance, with a focus on brain-behavior interactions during athletic tasks and rehabilitation. His research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience , motor-cognitive integration , biomechanics , and sports psychology . He investigates cortical activation, functional connectivity, and postural control using EEG and wearable sensors during complex motor tasks in elite athletes and during rehabilitation. His work emphasizes how cognitive demands influence motor performance and how injuries like ACL tears affect skilled movement. The recent trend in his publications reveals a strong focus on neural correlates of motor performance , particularly in team sports such as field hockey and handball. Using advanced neuroimaging and sensor technologies, his studies explore agility, training load, and postural instability, contributing to both performance optimization and injury rehabilitation. His work frequently applies methods from computational neuroscience and biomechanics to real-world sports contexts. Dr. Büchel actively collaborates with leading researchers in motor neuroscience and sports science, including Jochen Baumeister and Thorben Hülsdünker. While no formal grants or advising roles are mentioned in the provided text, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals indicates active involvement in funded research projects and scientific collaboration networks. He is part of a dynamic research environment at the German Sport University Cologne, contributing to the university's strong profile in movement and neuroscience. He is affiliated with the following research units: Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation Department of Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation Sciences
Natalia Latini is a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Education , University of Oslo, Norway. Her research focuses on reading comprehension , digital learning environments , and special education with an emphasis on specific learning disabilities. She actively contributes to research groups like Development, Equity, and Literacy in Learning Contexts (DEAL) , and projects including CrossREAD (Reading across mediums, devices, and contexts) . Education: Ph.D., Department of Education, University of Oslo (2022) Master in Special Education, Specific Learning Disabilities, University of Oslo (2017) Bachelor in Special Education, University of Oslo (2015) Psychology, year unit, University of Oslo (2012) Her research investigates how digital reading impacts comprehension, with a focus on multimedia integration , media multitasking , and self-efficacy in academic writing . She utilizes methodologies like eye-tracking and verbal protocols to analyze behavioral engagement and cognitive processing across mediums. Recent studies examine belief bias in adolescents and the role of main idea summarization in multiple-document comprehension. Key collaborations include work with researchers such as Ivar Bråten , Ymkje Elisabeth Haverkamp , and Helge Ivar Strømsø . Her publications span journals like Journal of Research in Reading , Literacy Research and Instruction , and Contemporary Educational Psychology . Natalia's research contributes to understanding how technology-mediated learning affects educational outcomes, particularly for individuals with learning challenges. She explores the interplay of screen size , text movement , and media multitasking on comprehension and motivation, offering insights for adaptive teaching strategies in digital contexts.
/prod02/channel_1/media/faculty/Michael-Lee-T4-1-1000X1200.jpg)
