Dr. Guillermo Amador is an Assistant Professor in the Experimental Zoology department at Wageningen University & Research. His research focuses on understanding how animals interact with complex environments through locomotion, adhesion, and fluid dynamics. He investigates biological systems like insects, plants, and marine organisms to inspire bio-engineered solutions for robotics, microfluidics, and material science. Amador received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (USA), followed by postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Germany) and a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship at TU Delft (Netherlands). His expertise spans biophysics, biomaterials, and biomechanics, with a focus on self-cleaning mechanisms and bioadhesion. He collaborates with the 4TU consortium on Dutch Soft Robotics to develop bio-inspired designs. His work bridges fundamental biology with engineering applications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to solve challenges in robotics and environmental science. Amador teaches courses including Biomimetics and Functional Zoology , integrating his research into education. His research highlights include studies on cuttlefish suction cups, stick insect adhesion, and pollen transport mechanisms in pollinators.
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 .
Didier Trono is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he leads the Laboratory of Virology and Genetics (LVG) within the School of Life Sciences. Formerly, from 2004 to 2012, he served as the founding dean of EPFL's Faculty of Life Sciences, orchestrating its development and growth during this formative period. Trono received his medical education at the University of Geneva, followed by clinical training in pathology, internal medicine, and infectious diseases in Geneva and at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. His scientific career began at the Whitehead Institute of MIT, and in 1990 he was recruited by the Salk Institute of San Diego to launch an AIDS research center. After seven years in the United States, he returned to Europe and eventually joined EPFL. Dr. Trono's research has evolved significantly over his career. Initially focusing on virus-host interactions, he studied pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis B virus, creating HIV-derived genetic transfer tools that are now successfully used in gene therapy. For approximately the last fifteen years, his research has centered on epigenetics, particularly exploring the impact of retroelements and their control mechanisms on development and physiology of higher organisms, including humans. His laboratory investigates how transposable elements and KRAB zinc finger proteins regulate gene expression, with important implications for understanding cancer biology and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong focus on transposable elements, KRAB zinc finger proteins, and their roles in gene regulation and cancer. His work combines molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics approaches to understand how these ancient viral remnants have been co-opted by the host genome to regulate development and cellular functions. The research spans basic molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy, with some recent work also addressing SARS-CoV-2 and immune responses. Throughout his career, Professor Trono has mentored numerous PhD students, including Bojkowska Karolina, Brandão Sanches Vong Martins Filipe Amândio, Bulliard Yannick, Coluccio Andrea, Corsinotti Andrea, Coudray Alexandre, De Tribolet-Hardy Jonas Caspar, and Dorschel Iris Arianna. His laboratory has received significant funding to support research at the intersection of virology, genetics, and epigenetics, contributing to EPFL's reputation as a leading institution in life sciences research. The Trono Laboratory continues to be at the forefront of research on retroelements and their regulatory mechanisms, maintaining a vibrant research environment that bridges fundamental biological questions with potential medical applications, particularly in cancer research and precision medicine.
Darryl Jones is Professor at Griffith University's Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, specializing in behavioral ecology and human-wildlife interactions. His research examines urban ecosystems, wildlife conflict resolution, and conservation strategies, with particular emphasis on bird ecology and road infrastructure impacts. Professor Jones has authored influential books including 'Feeding the Birds at Your Table' and 'A Clouded Leopard in the Middle of the Road' that bridge scientific research and public engagement. His work explores: Wildlife responses to urbanization Bird feeding practices and consequences Road ecology and mitigation design Human dimensions of conservation Koala-vehicle collision patterns Recent publications document COVID-19's impact on global bird feeding behaviors, analyze 20-year trends in koala road mortality, and evaluate LED streetlight effects on urban wildlife. He leads research on dingo population viability in Fraser Island and develops innovative wildlife monitoring technologies like the open-source WildWID RFID system. Professor Jones collaborates extensively with government agencies on conservation policy and has secured funding for projects examining wildlife crossing infrastructure effectiveness. His research informs evidence-based approaches to human-wildlife coexistence in rapidly changing landscapes.
Olga Sorkine-Hornung is a Professor of Computer Science at ETH Zurich and head of the Institute of Visual Computing. She leads the Interactive Geometry Lab, focusing on theoretical and practical advancements in digital content creation, geometry processing, and shape modeling. Current position: ETH Zurich, Department of Computer Science Previous roles: Courant Institute (NYU), Technical University of Berlin Education: BSc and PhD from Tel Aviv University, postdoc at TU Berlin Her research spans shape representation, digital fabrication, computer animation, and fundamental geometry processing. Key contributions include Laplacian surface editing, as-rigid-as-possible deformation, and generalized winding numbers. She works on applications in VR, AR, and autonomous systems. Awards include Test of Time Awards (2024), ACM Fellow (2020), ERC Consolidator Grant (2020), and EUROGRAPHICS Young Researcher Award (2008). She has supervised numerous students and co-developed software libraries like libigl and Instant Meshes . Co-chair roles for SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, and Pacific Graphics Editorial board member for ACM Transactions on Graphics and other journals Keynote speaker at VMV, CVPR, and SIAM conferences Her work bridges mathematical rigor with practical implementation, advancing computer graphics and geometry processing through intuitive algorithms that maintain surface detail while enabling efficient computation.
Rolf Halden is a Professor and Center Director at Arizona State University, holding appointments in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, the Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, and the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars program. He is a leading expert in environmental health engineering, wastewater-based epidemiology, and bioremediation. Education: Ph.D. in Civil (Environmental) Engineering, University of Minnesota (1997) M.S. in Civil (Environmental) Engineering, University of Minnesota (1994) M.S. in Biology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany (1992) Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Science, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1998) Research Focus: Halden’s research integrates environmental chemistry, public health, and sustainability to understand how anthropogenic chemicals affect ecological and human health. His lab uses advanced mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF) to track pollutants such as PPCPs, microplastics, pesticides, and dioxins across air, water, soil, and biological systems. He pioneered the use of wastewater treatment plants as public health observatories, enabling real-time tracking of disease, drug use, and environmental exposures. Scientific Awards & Recognition: Leadership Award, Arizona State University (2018) Rocky Mountain Emmy Award (2018) Leroy E. Burney Lecturer, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (2011) ACS Expert Program Member (2014–present) NIEHS Superfund R01 Working Group National Leader (2012–2014) Labs & Teams: Halden is the Founding Director of the Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering at ASU, where he leads a multidisciplinary team focused on environmental proteomics, bioremediation, and diagnostic tool development. He also co-leads the Human Health Observatory , a national wastewater monitoring network. Grants & Funding: Halden has secured major funding from NSF, NIH, EPA, DoD, and private industry. Notable projects include the development of in-situ groundwater monitoring devices, national wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, and studies on microplastics and neurodegenerative disease.
Haijun Xia is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he directs the Foundation Interface Lab and contributes to the Cognitive Science and Design Lab. His work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human-AI Collaboration , emphasizing the development of dynamic, malleable interfaces that integrate human cognition with intelligent systems to enhance thinking and working paradigms. Education: Bachelor's, Tsinghua University Master's and PhD, University of Toronto His research spans generative AI , interface design , and creative collaboration , with applications in data visualization, programming, and scholarly work. He advocates for treating information as a malleable material that can be flexibly manipulated by users and AI agents. Recent publications highlight advancements in: 2025 CHI Conference - Generative user interfaces, malleable overview-detail designs, and compositional structures for human-AI co-creation 2024 CHI Conference - Structured design space exploration with LLMs, ASCII diagram analysis, and adaptive presentation systems 2023 CHI/UIST Conferences - Data particle visualization, contextual logging tools, and metaphor generation for science communication Scientific recognitions include: Multiple Best Paper Awards and Honorable Mentions at CHI and UIST Hellman Fellowship and grants from NSF , Microsoft , Google , Meta , Apple , and Adobe He actively recruits undergraduate and graduate interns and has an upcoming postdoc position in early 2025 for researchers interested in foundational interface development.
Adam Runions is a researcher in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, leading the MPG Partner Group in computational analysis of leaf development through collaborative work with Miltos Tsiantis. His group is embedded in the Graphics Cluster, focusing on interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of computer science and developmental biology. University of Calgary - Department of Computer Science MPG Partner Group (2022) Graphics Cluster affiliation His research explores computational modeling and analysis of plant form and development across multiple scales, integrating geometric modeling, physically-based simulation, and computer-aided design. Key themes include plant morphogenesis, self-organization of natural forms, and cross-disciplinary applications in computer graphics and animation. Recent publications emphasize plant development (leaf shape, bark patterning), mathematical modeling (auxin-driven patterning), and geometric techniques (subdivision surfaces, PUPs). Collaborations span institutions like the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research. Scientific Awards Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Best Paper Award (International Conference on Cyberworlds 2015) Best Student Paper Award (Computer Graphics International 2011) The group actively recruits BSc, MSc, and PhD students with backgrounds in computer science and mathematics for projects on plant form simulation and digital content creation. Research integrates evolutionary biology, biomechanical modeling, and computational techniques.
April Yi Wang is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zürich, where she directs the Programming, Education, and Computer-Human Interaction Lab (PEACH Lab). She is a core faculty member at the Institute for Intelligent Interactive Systems and associated with the ETH AI Center. Wang is also an active member of ETH HCI and Swiss CHI communities, contributing significantly to human-computer interaction and educational technology research. Dr. Wang's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Information Science from University of Michigan (2023), advised by Steve Oney and Christopher Brooks M.Sc. in Computer Science from Simon Fraser University (2018), advised by Parmit Chilana B.Eng in Computer Science from Zhejiang University (2016) Dr. Wang's research focuses on human-centered approaches to programming and data science. Her work reimagines programming as a form of literature that communicates with both machines and people, exploring creative representations like text, shapes, animations, and everyday objects. She investigates how to make programming more natural and intuitive through literate programming environments, with applications in professional and educational contexts. Her research spans human-computer interaction, educational technology, and AI-assisted programming tools. Analysis of Dr. Wang's recent publications reveals a strong focus on AI-enhanced educational tools, particularly for programming and data literacy. Her work increasingly integrates large language models to scaffold learning while maintaining user agency. There's a clear trajectory toward developing situated learning approaches that connect abstract concepts to real-world contexts through augmented reality and tangible interfaces. Her research bridges HCI, education, and AI to create more accessible and engaging technical learning experiences. Dr. Wang has received numerous prestigious awards including: 2023 Gary M. Olson Award and Honourable Mention Award at ACM CHI 2022 Rising Stars in EECS and Heidelberg Laureate Forum Young Researcher 2020 Best Short Paper Award at IEEE VL/HCC and Honourable Mention at ACM CHI 2019 Best Paper Award at ACM CSCW Dr. Wang actively mentors students through thesis projects at ETH Zürich, supervising numerous bachelor's and master's students on topics ranging from AI-assisted programming to data literacy tools. Her lab, PEACH Lab, has secured funding including the recent innovedum funding for the Coducate project. She serves on program committees for major conferences including CHI and UIST, and regularly reviews for top HCI and education journals. The PEACH Lab, directed by Dr. Wang, focuses on creating expressive, intelligent, and human-centered systems that make technical topics more accessible. The lab explores textual, visual, and embodied representations for programming, with emphasis on enhancing communication, collaboration, and learning. Current research directions include balancing automation with user agency, supporting diverse learning needs, and developing tools for interdisciplinary technical communication.
Zaid Harchaoui is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Washington. His research focuses on machine learning, generative AI, and algorithmic optimization, with applications spanning ecology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. He explores learning under distributional shifts and develops tools for scalable generative models in language and vision domains. University: University of Washington Department: Statistics Research Focus: Learning from data with computational, inferential, and mathematical rigor; distributional shift adaptation; generative model scaling Email: zaid@uw.edu His recent work emphasizes generative AI applications in ecology and neuroscience, stochastic optimization for robustness, and algorithmic efficiency in large-scale learning. Key contributions include techniques for distributionally robust optimization, interpretable authorship obfuscation, and uncertainty quantification in behavior classification. Scientific awards and honors are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Collaborative efforts often intersect with nonlinear control algorithms, spectral analysis, and privacy-preserving machine learning frameworks.
Prof. Olga Sorkine Hornung is a Full Professor of Computer Science at ETH Zürich, leading the Interactive Geometry Lab. She holds a BSc and PhD from Tel Aviv University (2000 and 2006) and conducted postdoctoral research at Technical University Berlin. Her research focuses on computer graphics, geometric modeling, and geometry processing, with applications in shape editing, digital fabrication, and animation. She has received numerous accolades, including the ACM Fellowship (2020), ERC Consolidator Grant (2020), and the Golden Owl Teaching Award (2021). Her work bridges theoretical foundations and practical algorithms, addressing challenges in parameterization, surface compression, and interactive design tools. Her research interests span: Computer Graphics & Visualization Geometric Modeling & Processing 3D Content Creation & Digital Fabrication Garment Design & Simulation Human Motion Analysis & Animation Awards and grants include: 2024: Best Paper Honorable Mention (EUROGRAPHICS) 2023: Member of Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) 2020: ERC Consolidator Grant 2017: Rössler Prize (ETH Zurich) Her lab focuses on developing novel methods for interactive geometry processing, with recent advancements in garment modeling (e.g., AIpparel, Rags2Riches) and motion retargeting systems like WalkTheDog. She actively collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, including biomedical applications and sustainable fashion technology.
Robert MacCurdy is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder . He leads the Matter Assembly Computation Lab (MACLab) focused on automating robot design and fabrication. His research bridges computational design and advanced manufacturing to create "robots that walk out of the printer." The lab develops tools like OpenVCAD , an open-source volumetric multi-material geometry compiler.
Changxi Zheng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). He directs Columbia's Computer Graphics Group (C2G2) within the Columbia Vision and Graphics Center (CVGC). After receiving his PhD from Cornell University, he joined the faculty of Computer Science Department at Columbia, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in computer graphics and scientific computing. Dr. Zheng's research spans multiple areas of applied computer science with a particular focus on computer graphics and scientific computing. His work centers around developing numerical models for simulating physical phenomena involving complex motions such as fluids, bubbles, and thin rods, along with their resulting acoustic waves. Leveraging computational insights from these models, he devises methods for improving tangible object creation, enabling novel human-computer interactions, and developing software tools for acoustic and photonic devices. His research has attracted significant public interest and media coverage, including projects like FontCode, AirCode, and Computational Metallophone Design. His recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary approach, bridging computer graphics, physics simulation, machine learning, and hardware design. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in computational methods for simulating physical phenomena and applying these techniques to practical problems in 3D printing, acoustic modeling, and interactive systems. The breadth of his research spans from fundamental physics-based simulations to practical applications in industry. Columbia SEAS Dean's Fellow (for advised students) NSF Graduate Research Fellow (for Ruilin Xu) Snap Research Fellow (for Rundi Wu) CKGSB Fellow (for Yun Fei) Adobe Research Fellow (for Gabriel Cirio) Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellow (for Rundi Wu) Best Paper Award at ACM International Conference on Multimedia (ACMMM), 2019 Dr. Zheng actively mentors a diverse group of students, including current PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. His research group has received support from various sources that enable their innovative work in computational graphics and physics-based simulation. He has supervised numerous successful students who have gone on to positions at leading technology companies including Adobe, Tencent, Facebook, and academic institutions. As director of Columbia's Computer Graphics Group (C2G2) within the Columbia Vision and Graphics Center (CVGC), Dr. Zheng leads a vibrant research team focused on advancing the state of the art in computer graphics, physics-based simulation, and their applications. The group maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and academic institutions worldwide, fostering an environment of innovation and practical application of theoretical concepts.
Prof. Dr. Kenan Aycan is a Professor of Anatomy at Ahi Evran University's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, where he has served since 2019. He also holds the position of Department Head since 2020. Previously, he worked at Erciyes University as a School Director from 2011-2016. His academic career spans over four decades with significant contributions to anatomical sciences. Dr. Aycan earned his PhD in Basic Medical Sciences from Ege University's Faculty of Medicine (1983-1986) following his Bachelor's degree in Science from Ege University's Faculty of Science (1970-1975). He also holds a Certificate of Use of Experimental Animals from Erciyes University (2008). His research focuses on anatomical morphology, vascular structures, and developmental processes. Dr. Aycan has pioneered anatomical techniques including the 'Aycan's method' for corrosion preparations. His work spans comparative anatomy across various species, morphometric analyses of anatomical structures, and investigations into teratogenic effects and protective agents. He has extensively studied the foramen magnum using golden ratio principles, vascular anatomy of reproductive organs in ruminants, and auditory ossicles in sheep. Analysis of his recent publications (2021-2025) reveals consistent focus on anatomical methodology development, morphometric studies of key anatomical structures, vascular anatomy investigations, and research on developmental processes and teratology. His work often employs plastic injection and corrosion techniques, CT imaging, and comparative approaches across human and animal models. Dr. Aycan has mentored numerous graduate students, serving as primary advisor for over 20 Master's and PhD theses covering diverse anatomical topics from vascular variations to developmental studies. His collaborative network includes researchers like Tufan Ulcay, Burcu Kamaşak, and others across Turkish institutions.
Rui Ni is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, directing the Fluid Transport Lab. His research focuses on experimental fluid mechanics, turbulence, multiphase flows, and their applications in energy systems, environmental engineering, and physiological processes. He holds a PhD in Physics from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2011), followed by postdoctoral work at Yale and Wesleyan Universities. Before joining JHU, he held the Kenneth Kuan-Yun Kuo Early Career Professorship at Penn State University. His research interests include dusty flows, Lagrangian particle tracking, and animal collective behaviors. Notable projects include collaborations with NASA on plume-surface interaction and the development of advanced diagnostic tools like physics-informed machine learning and 3D particle tracking. He has received prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and ACS-PRF New Investigator Award, and leads studies on turbulence modulation by deformable bubbles, fish schooling efficiency in turbulent environments, and interfacial mass transfer dynamics. Key Projects: Plume-Surface Interaction (NASA collaboration), Fish Aquarium with Turbulent Environment (FATE) facility, V-ONSET multiphase flow facility. Grants: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation’s Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative Grant. Lab Focus: Experimental and computational studies of multiphase flows, physiological flows, and complex systems. Ni’s work bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with practical applications, such as improving energy efficiency and understanding biological systems like fish schooling and nasal drug delivery mechanisms.
