Hadi Meidani is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine , specifically within the Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign . He teaches courses in Civil and Environmental Engineering, including topics like Systems Engineering & Economics , Machine Learning in CEE , and Uncertainty Quantification . Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Southern California (2012) M.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California (2012) M.S., Structural Engineering, Sharif University of Technology (2005) B.S., Civil Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology (2002) Dr. Meidani's research focuses on uncertainty quantification , scientific machine learning , and optimization under uncertainty for engineering systems. His work spans stochastic multiscale analysis , physics-informed machine learning , and model reduction techniques. His recent publications emphasize machine learning for infrastructure systems , graph neural networks , physics-informed models , and traffic assignment . Key trends include deep learning , multi-fidelity modeling , and neural operator transformers applied to metamaterial design , seismic reliability , and autonomous freight delivery .
Aleksandar Jeremic is an Associate Professor in both the Electrical & Computer Engineering department and the McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, statistical signal processing, and biometrics, with applications in healthcare and biomedical systems. He holds a Dipl. Ing. from the University of Belgrade, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His expertise spans physiological signal analysis (e.g., ECG/EEG), medical imaging, and machine learning for biomedical applications. He has authored over 50 technical articles and two book chapters, and has been recognized with a teaching award from the McMaster Electrical and Computer Engineering Society (2018). He supervises graduate students in both theoretical and applied research areas. Dr. Jeremic teaches advanced courses such as Biomedical Signal Modeling and Processing and Advanced Probability and Random Processes , emphasizing practical applications of signal processing in healthcare. His work includes clinical implementations like neonatal seizure monitoring software and microwave imaging for breast cancer detection.
Dr Andrew Rhead is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, specializing in aerospace composites and damage tolerance analysis. His research focuses on impact damage detection, failure mechanism modeling, and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques for composite structures. MSci in Mathematical Sciences (Dynamical Systems) - University of Bristol (2006) PhD in Composite Damage Tolerance - University of Bath (2009) His work develops computationally efficient analytical models for compression after impact (CAI) strength prediction in composite laminates, surpassing traditional finite element methods. Key projects include hydrogen storage systems for aircraft, cryogenic composite testing, and steered fiber manufacturing optimization. Active in 10 projects including ASPIRE and HyFIVE Collaborates with Airbus, GKN Aerospace, and EPSRC Research trends show emphasis on sustainable aviation materials, structural battery integration, and advanced testing methodologies. Current affiliations include the Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI) and Centre for Integrated Materials, Processes & Structures (IMPS).
Mark Crowley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, with a cross-appointment in the Cheriton School of Computer Science. He is a member of the Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute (WAII) and the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI), and serves as National Secretary of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association (CAIAC). His educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia, where he worked in the Laboratory for Computational Intelligence, and a B.A. in Computer Science from York University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon State University working with Tom Dietterich's machine learning group. Crowley's research focuses on developing dependable and transparent algorithms to augment human decision-making in complex domains with multiple agents, spatial structure, or uncertainty. His work spans Reinforcement Learning , Deep Learning , Ensemble Methods , and Manifold Learning . He frequently collaborates with researchers in applied fields including Computational Sustainability, Sustainable Forest Management, Autonomous Driving, Medical Imaging, and Material Design. His research is motivated by both theoretical opportunities and real-world challenges such as forest fire management, automotive applications, and medical imaging. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on addressing challenges in reinforcement learning, particularly around observation costs, multi-agent systems, and causal representation learning. His work on ChemGymRL provides a significant contribution to digital chemistry and material design through reinforcement learning frameworks. The textbook Elements of Dimensionality Reduction and Manifold Learning represents a major contribution to the theoretical foundations of machine learning. Crowley actively supervises graduate students, with recent thesis completions including Shayan Shirahmadi Gale Bagi (PhD, Feb 2025) and Oleksandra Nahorna (MASc, Dec 2024). His lab, UWECEML (Waterloo ECE Machine Learning Lab), focuses on developing new algorithms at the intersection of Machine Learning, Optimization, and Probabilistic Modeling. He teaches courses including ECE 457C (Reinforcement Learning), ECE 657A (Data & Knowledge Modelling & Analysis), and ECE 457B (Fundamentals of Computational Intelligence). His blog Computationally Thinking explores AI, machine learning, and the societal impact of these technologies.
Marek Locmelis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Bureau of Economic Geology within the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on magmatic, hydrothermal, and sedimentary ore deposits, with an emphasis on critical mineral supply strategies, including recycling of mine waste and STEM education in economic geology. He holds a PhD from Macquarie University and prior roles at Missouri University of Science and Technology and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Education PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University (Australia) Diploma (MSc equivalent) and Pre-Diploma (BSc equivalent) in Geosciences, University of Hannover (Germany) Research Interests His work spans geochemistry, petrology, and planetary evolution, with a focus on critical minerals (e.g., lithium, rare earth elements) and novel exploration techniques. He investigates pathways to enhance domestic critical mineral recovery through reprocessing mine waste and optimizing production streams. His planetary research includes atmospheric toxicity studies and habitability potential of extraterrestrial environments. Awards Fellow of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG) SEG Graduate Student Fellowship Program Chair NSF CAREER Award (2020) NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship (2014) Advising & Grants Locmelis has advised postdocs and students through workshops on critical mineral resilience. His NSF CAREER project explores metal transport via magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. He co-organized conferences on critical minerals and led the Roadmaps Into the Geosciences (RIGS) program to support student career development. Labs & Teams He collaborates with the Bureau of Economic Geology and interdisciplinary teams in critical mineral research, combining fieldwork, geochemical analysis, and policy advocacy.
Luca Peretti is an Associate Professor in Electric Machines and Drives at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, affiliated with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Electrical Engineering, Division of Electric Power and Energy Systems. He works as a researcher in the EMD (Electric Machines and Drives) group and serves as Partner Director for KTH's strategic partnership with ABB. Education: M.Sc. in Electronic Engineering (2005) from University of Udine, Ph.D. from University of Padova (2008) Professional Experience: Postdoc at University of Padova (2009-2010), Principal Scientist at ABB Corporate Research (2010-2018), Associate Professor at KTH (2018-present) His research focuses on: Automatic parameter estimation in electric machines Multiphase drive systems Sensorless control algorithms Loss segregation in drive systems Condition monitoring of industrial and transportation applications Recent publications demonstrate expertise in variable phase-pole machines, harmonic plane decomposition, predictive control algorithms, and advanced modeling of permanent magnet motors. Key application areas include transportation electrification, wind energy systems, and industrial drive technologies. Scientific roles include: Associate Editor, IET Electric Power Applications Journal (2019-present) Theme Co-Leader, Swedish Electromobility Center (2020-present) Member, IEEE (2021-present) and IET (2006-present) He leads the strategic partnership with ABB and contributes to doctoral program committees at University of Padova.
Prof. Dr. Taner Akbay is a faculty member at Yeditepe University, Faculty of Engineering , Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering. He has held academic positions at institutions including Kyushu University, Oita University, and Imperial College London. Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (1993, Imperial College London); Master’s (1989) and Bachelor’s (1986) degrees from Middle East Technical University. His research spans Materials Engineering , Metallurgy , and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) , with a focus on oxide ion conductivity, laser surface treatment, and phase transformations. Recent work explores photocatalysis , anion intercalation , and CO2 reduction using computational and experimental approaches. Key article trends include SOFC optimization (2004–2009), strain effects on catalysts (2015–2020), and dual-carbon battery technology (2016–2020). His work bridges fundamental metallurgy and advanced energy materials . Scientific Awards: Postdoctoral Research Sponsorship Award (EPSRC, UK) JSPS Fellowship (Japan) Daiwa Adrian Prize (2016, UK) PhD Studentship at Imperial College (European Commission) He has supervised multiple PhD and Master’s theses, including projects on dual-carbon batteries , microwave absorption nanocomposites , and rare earth recovery . Administrative roles include Head of Department (2020–2021). Non-University Experience: Worked with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (2001), Çolakoğlu Metalurji (2010), and National Research Council Canada (2009).
Paul D. Asimow is the Eleanor and John R. McMillan Professor of Geology and Geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), part of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University (1991), an M.S. (1993), and a Ph.D. (1997) from Caltech. His career progression includes roles as Assistant Professor (1999–2005), Associate Professor (2005–2010), and Professor (2010–present), with the McMillan Professorship since 2016. Education: A.B. in Geology, Harvard University, 1991 M.S. in Geology, Caltech, 1993 Ph.D. in Geology, Caltech, 1997 Research Interests: Focuses on computational, experimental, and observational approaches to igneous petrology and mineral physics. Key areas include adiabatic mantle melting, water's role in mantle dynamics, high-pressure mineral physics, and processes at mid-ocean ridges. His research utilizes advanced facilities like the Lindhurst Laboratory of Experimental Geophysics and the alphaMELTS software package for thermodynamic modeling. Articles Overview: Recent work spans planetary crust formation, Martian petrogenesis, and high-pressure mineral behavior. Themes include experimental techniques, computational modeling, and cosmochemical studies of meteorites. Awards and Honors: James B. Macelwane Medal (AGU) Frank Wigglesworth Clarke Medal (Geochemical Society) Richard P. Feynman Prize for Teaching Excellence (Caltech) Fellow of the American Geophysical Union Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America Grants and Labs: Received NSF funding for developing an interactive phase equilibria curriculum. Leads the Lindhurst Laboratory, focusing on shock-wave experiments and high-pressure mineral physics. Collaborates on software tools like alphaMELTS and MAGMASOURCE. Labs and Teams: Active in the Caltech Shock Wave Laboratory, advancing experimental methods for planetary material studies. Engages in interdisciplinary projects on Mars geology and terrestrial planet formation.
Angelo Peccerillo is a distinguished Full Professor of Petrology at the University of Perugia, Italy, with an extensive academic career spanning multiple Italian universities. He previously served as Full Professor of Petrology at the Universities of Calabria (1993-1997) and Messina (1985-1993), and as Associate Professor of Volcanology (1982-1985) and Assistant Professor (1971-1982) at the University of Florence. He earned his Laurea Degree in Geology from the University of Florence in 1970 and has been a member of Academia Europaea since his election. Peccerillo's research focuses on the petrology and geochemistry of magmatic processes, with particular expertise in igneous petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, orogenic volcanism, and continental rift magmatism. His scholarly work has established him as a leading expert in understanding the complex relationships between mantle processes, crustal interactions, and volcanic activity in the Mediterranean region and beyond. His research methodology integrates petrological, geochemical, and geophysical approaches to develop comprehensive models of magmatic systems. Analysis of Peccerillo's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on magmatic processes across diverse geological settings. His work spans from detailed studies of specific volcanic systems like the Aeolian Islands and Ethiopian Rift to broader investigations of mantle structure and geodynamic processes in the Mediterranean region. A recurring theme is the integration of multiple analytical approaches to model magma plumbing systems, understand mantle composition, and elucidate the geodynamic evolution of volcanic regions, particularly examining the relationships between deep and shallow mantle processes. Antonio Feltrinelli Price 2006 for Earth Sciences, awarded by the National Academy of Lincei, Italy Professor Peccerillo has supervised numerous MSc and PhD students both at his home institution and abroad. His editorial leadership includes serving as Chief Editor of the "European Journal of Mineralogy" from 2006 to 2008 and membership on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals including "Lithos," "Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research," "Geological Society of Italy Bulletin," and "Open Mineralogy Journal." He has been actively involved in research evaluation, serving on national and international panels for organizations such as NSF, ESF, CNR, MIUR, and NATO. Peccerillo maintains strong international scientific connections through visiting positions at institutions like the Australian National University, University of Gottingen, and University of Paris XI at Orsay. His leadership extends to professional organizations, having served as President of the Italian Petrology Group and currently as a Member of Academia Europaea. His administrative experience includes serving as Department Head and Coordinator of PhD programs at the Universities of Messina, Cosenza, and Perugia.
Witold J. Henisz serves as Vice Dean and Faculty Director of the Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, holding the Deloitte & Touche Professorship in Management. His research centers on political and social risk identification, ESG impact materiality, and corporate diplomacy frameworks that transform stakeholder relationships into strategic assets. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Business and Public Policy from UC Berkeley's Haas School and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Henisz has served as Departmental Editor at Journal of International Business Studies and Associate Editor at Strategic Management Journal , reflecting his scholarly influence. Research interests converge on geopolitical risk quantification, stakeholder engagement optimization, and sustainable business model innovation. His work demonstrates how political hazards materially impact firm valuation and how corporate diplomacy can mitigate conflict through strategic stakeholder alignment. Recent publications leverage massive media datasets (4+ billion articles) to model populism dynamics, indigenous land conflicts, and ESG-credit risk linkages. Award highlights include the Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020), Iron Prof recognition (2019), and Academy of International Business Fellowship. His geostrategy framework Geostrategy by Design (2024) provides executives with actionable methods for navigating geopolitical volatility. Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020) Iron Prof recognition (2019) Academy of International Business Fellow (2014-present) Multiple Wharton Excellence in Teaching Awards (2006-2021) Industry Studies Association Best Paper Award (2019) Henisz consults through PRIMA LLC for multinational firms (Rio Tinto, Shell), financial institutions (Eaton Vance, World Bank), and NGOs. His executive education programs train leaders in ESG integration and geopolitical risk management, while his KEROVKA crisis simulation develops real-time strategic response capabilities. Media frequently cites his expertise on ESG controversies, with 50+ major publications featuring his analysis since 2022 including Financial Times , Bloomberg , and Wall Street Journal .
Abbas Milani is a tenured Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus, where he holds the Tier 1 Principal's Research Chair in Sustainable & Smart Manufacturing and serves as Director of the Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI). He also serves as Technical Director of the Composites Research Network (CRN), Lead of the Canadian-International Biocomposites Research Network, and leads multiple major initiatives including the UBC-Pacific Economic Development Canada-Advancing Circular Economy (ACE) program and the UBC-NRC IRAP National Circular Economy CtO Program. Dr. Milani's primary research focuses on advanced modeling, simulation, and multi-criteria design optimization of composite and biocomposite materials, structures, and manufacturing processes. His expertise spans Textile Composites/Biocomposites, Materials Constitutive Relations, Finite Element Modeling, Robust Inverse Methods, Material Selection for End-of-Life Design Strategies, Multiple Criteria Decision Making, and Industry 5.0 applications. His interdisciplinary research bridges mechanical engineering, sustainable materials science, and smart manufacturing technologies. Analysis of his recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on sustainable materials development, with particular focus on biocomposites, life cycle assessment methodologies, and optimization of manufacturing processes. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental validation across diverse application areas including medical devices, sustainable packaging, and circular economy strategies. The publications demonstrate increasing integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches with traditional engineering methods. 2015 UBC Okanagan Researcher of the Year Award Killam Faculty Research Award (2016) Inducted into Royal Society of Canada - College of New Scholars (2020) Gold Medal Service Contribution Award by Academics World Reviewer Contribution Award by ASM International Multiple teaching excellence awards from UBC Dr. Milani has successfully mentored over 100 students and postdoctoral fellows who have secured positions in both industry and academia. His research program has been supported by more than $15 million in funding from government and industrial organizations. He leads the NSERC CREATE in Immersive Technologies (CITech) program and co-leads the Advanced Materials and Fabrication Core Competency within the Survive and Thrive Applied Research (STAR) program, demonstrating his commitment to training the next generation of engineers and advancing applied research.
Ronaldo I. Borja is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University's School of Engineering. His academic career spans decades of research and teaching in theoretical and computational solid mechanics, geomechanics, and geosciences. He teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level courses including Geotechnical Engineering (CEE 101C), Mechanics and Finite Elements (CEE 281), Computational Poromechanics (CEE 314), and Plasticity Modeling and Computation (CEE 315). Professor Borja's research focuses on theoretical and computational solid mechanics, with particular emphasis on geomechanics and geosciences. His work includes the development of multi-scale discontinuity frameworks for crack and fracture propagation utilizing strong discontinuity and extended finite element methods; solution techniques for multi-physical processes such as coupled solid deformation-fluid diffusion in saturated and unsaturated porous media; stabilized finite element methods for solid/fluid interaction and nonlinear contact mechanics; and nanometer-scale characterization of the inelastic deformation and fracture properties of shales. His research spans multiple projects including shale characterization, poromechanics, and large deformation inelasticity. His recent publications demonstrate expertise across computational mechanics, geomechanics, and materials science, with a focus on finite element methods, constitutive modeling, and multi-scale analysis. His work bridges theoretical developments with practical applications in geotechnical engineering and earth sciences. 2016 ASCE Maurice A. Biot Medal for work in computational poromechanics Professor Borja serves as editor of two leading journals in his field: the International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics and Acta Geotechnica. He has also authored the textbook 'Plasticity Modeling and Computation' published by Springer. His research is supported by multiple projects examining shale mechanics, poromechanics in unsaturated porous media, and large deformation inelasticity in crystalline materials.
Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (NTU), specializing in numerical modeling and simulation. With a background as Research Manager at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, his work spans materials science, nanotechnology, and aerospace engineering. Current focus on graphene-based desalination membranes Expertise in molecular dynamics simulations Investigates nanoscale fluid mechanics and structural dynamics Recent publications highlight advancements in energy-efficient electrodialysis, smart robotics, and nonlinear vibration analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates computational methods with experimental validation in additive manufacturing and soft material mechanics.
Qian Yang is an Assistant Professor in Information Science at Cornell University, with a faculty appointment in Computer Science. Her research focuses on human-AI interaction, designing AI applications for healthcare, autonomous systems, and UX design. She holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University and has industry experience in design consultancy (2007–2014). Yang co-directs the Cornell Digital and AI Literacy Initiative and is a Senior Fellow at the Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute. Her work emphasizes bridging AI technologies with societal needs, supported by awards like the Schmidt Futures AI2050 Fellowship. She leads the DesignAI research group, focusing on AI-driven design methods and tools for practitioners. Education: PhD in HCI (Carnegie Mellon), M.S. in HCI (CMU), M.Des in Design, B.Eng in Industrial Design (Shanghai Jiao Tong University). Research interests include AI ethics, healthcare decision support systems, and context-aware mobile services. Notable contributions include: Developing AI systems for life-critical healthcare decisions (e.g., artificial heart implants) Innovating UX design methods for integrating AI into practice Advancing human-centered AI evaluation frameworks Awards include the SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award and AI2050 Fellowship. She actively collaborates across disciplines, with work published in top HCI venues like CHI and ACM Transactions.
R. Edwin García is a Professor at the School of Materials Engineering at Purdue University, where he has been faculty since 2005. He holds appointments in the Materials Engineering department within Purdue's College of Engineering, specifically in the School of Materials Engineering located in the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering at Purdue's West Lafayette campus. His educational background includes: B.S. in Physics from the National University of Mexico (1996) M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2000) Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in Applied Mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2003) Professor García's research focuses on the design of materials and devices through the development of a fundamental understanding of the solid state physics of individual phases, their short and long range interactions, and associated microstructural properties and time evolution. His current research emphasizes establishing relationships between material properties and resultant performance and degradation in electrochemical systems. He integrates computational approaches ranging from kinetic Monte Carlo, phase field and level set methods, to finite elements, finite volumes, and symbolic computing. His work particularly addresses microstructure design, crystallographic texture, and grain boundary science and engineering to control the topology of underlying phases and establish practical relations between processing, microstructure, and material properties. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on lithium-ion battery technology, ferroelectric materials, and computational modeling of material behaviors. The research trends show increasing integration of machine learning with traditional computational methods, exploration of novel sintering techniques like flash sintering, and deeper investigation into the fundamental mechanisms of material degradation in energy storage systems. His work spans multiple length scales from atomistic to continuum modeling, reflecting a comprehensive approach to materials design and analysis. Professor García teaches several courses including MSE 230 (Structure and Properties of Materials), MSE 350 (Thermodynamics of Materials), MSE 597G (Modeling and Simulation of Materials), MSE 597I (Introduction to Computational Materials), and MSE 597N (Physical Properties of Crystals). He mentors graduate students in areas related to computational materials science, battery technology, and microstructural evolution. His research group, the Laboratory of Computational Microstructures, focuses on developing home-grown analytical theories and algorithms to resolve relevant time and length scales in materials systems. The group's work has significant implications for portable power sources, including rechargeable batteries and fuel cells, as well as for ferroelectric ceramic applications.
