Animesh Garg is an Assistant Professor at the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech, where he leads the People, AI, and Robotics (PAIR) research group . He holds a Senior Researcher position at Nvidia Research and has courtesy appointments at the University of Toronto and Vector Institute. Previously, he served as Chief Scientific Officer at Apptronik (2024-2025) and Senior Staff Research Scientist at Nvidia Research (2018-2024). Education : Ph.D. in Operations Research from UC Berkeley (2011-2016), MS in Computer Science and Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and University of Delhi. Research Focus : Building Generalizable Autonomy through Reinforcement Learning , Control Theory , and 3D Vision , with applications in Surgical Robotics , Self-Driving Labs , and Manufacturing . Key Article Themes : His recent work emphasizes Foundation Models for robotics, Differentiable Simulation , Language-Guided Autonomy , and Structured Inductive Biases in sequential decision-making. Scientific Awards : Stephen Fleming Early Career Professorship at Georgia Tech. Teaching : Courses on AI, Deep Reinforcement Learning, and Algorithmic Intelligence in Robotics at Georgia Tech. Labs & Collaborations : Affiliated with Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM) and ML@GT at Georgia Tech; collaborates intensively with Nvidia Robotics.
Muhannad S. Bakir is the Dan Fielder Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as the Director of the 3D Systems Packaging Research Center. His research focuses on heterogeneous integration of microsystems, including 2.5D and 3D ICs and packaging technologies, with significant contributions to advanced cooling systems, electrical and photonic interconnects, and biosensor integration with CMOS. Dr. Bakir's research interests span heterogeneous microsystem design and integration, advanced cooling and power delivery for emerging architectures, electrical and photonic interconnect technologies, biosensor technologies, and nanofabrication. His work addresses critical challenges in next-generation electronics, enabling polylithic integration that concatenates heterogeneous ICs of various functionalities while mimicking monolithic-like densities. His research particularly focuses on co-design of thermal technologies, power delivery networks, and signaling networks for silicon nanoelectronic systems. His recent publications demonstrate strong trends in fused-silica stitch-chip technology for heterogeneous integration, with particular emphasis on RF and mm-wave applications, power delivery for AI accelerators, and thermal management solutions. His work bridges electrical engineering, materials science, and thermal management to solve critical bottlenecks in computing performance and efficiency. 2013 Intel Early Career Faculty Honor Award 2012 DARPA Young Faculty Award 2011 IEEE CPMT Society Outstanding Young Engineer Award 2012 National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium Invited Participant 2015 IEEE CPMT Society Distinguished Lecturer 2014 Best Paper of the IEEE Transactions on Components Packaging and Manufacturing Technology More than 25 conference and student paper awards Twelve issued US Patents Dr. Bakir leads the Integrated 3D Systems Lab (I3DS) at Georgia Tech, which is actively researching advanced packaging, interconnects, electrical and thermal design, and system integration. His team has received significant recognition for their work, including multiple best paper awards from major conferences like ECTC, IITC, and CICC. The lab is currently seeking postdoctoral researchers and research faculty to advance next-generation electronics through collaborative research. His lab focuses on enabling the next phase of Moore's Law through polylithic integration, which concatenates heterogeneous ICs of various functionalities (digital, analog, photonic, and mm-wave) using advanced off-chip '2.5D' and '3D' heterogeneous interconnects and packaging. This work impacts applications in high-performance computing, machine learning, edge intelligence, autonomous vehicles, augmented/virtual reality, and healthcare.
Shiri Azenkot is an Associate Professor at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech and Cornell University, affiliated with the Information Science Department and Technion’s Computer Science Department. Her research focuses on accessibility innovations in emerging technologies, particularly addressing needs of people with vision impairments and neurodiverse populations. She holds a PhD from the University of Washington, advised by Richard Ladner and Jacob Wobbrock, and has been recognized with prestigious awards including the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Education: PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from University of Washington (advisors: Richard Ladner, Jacob Wobbrock). Research interests include VR/AR accessibility, assistive technology design, inclusive education tools, and ethical AI applications. Current projects explore social VR avatars for invisible disabilities, AR navigation aids, and AI moderation systems against ableist hate speech. Her work is funded by NSF, AOL, Verizon, and Facebook. Recent publications address video accessibility for ADHD users, AI-driven scene descriptions for blind users, and tactile learning materials co-designed with educators. She leads the XR Access initiative promoting inclusive virtual/augmented reality. Awards include the UW Graduate Medal (2020), NSF CRII Award (2017), and AT&T Labs Fellowship (2014). Her research bridges academic innovation with industry impact through collaborations with tech companies and disability advocacy groups.
Prof Christina Lim is a Professor at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia. She serves as the Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) and manages the Tucker Lab. Previously, she held roles as Research Group Leader of the Electronics and Photonics System group and Deputy Head of Department (Teaching and Operations) Education: PhD and Bachelors from University of Melbourne Research Interests: Radio-over-Fibre, Optical Wireless Communications, Microwave Photonics, Augmented Reality Displays, Reservoir Computing, Optical Crosshaul Networks Recent publications demonstrate expertise in optical waveguide design for AR, underwater optical wireless communications, photonic switching, and network optimization. Her projects focus on next-generation wireless infrastructure, including Photonics Computing Enabled Ultra-Broadband Wireless Communications (2024-2027, $598k ARC grant) and Additive Manufacturing of Optical Elements (2025). She has secured significant funding, including ARC Discovery Projects and Future Fellowships. Scientific Honors IEEE Fellow (2022) Optica Fellow (2018) ARC Future Fellow (2009-2013) ARC Australian Research Fellow (2004-2008) Professional Service Vice-President of Conferences, IEEE Photonics Society Deputy Editor, IEEE/Optica Journal of Lightwave Technology ARC College of Experts (2014-2016)
Professor Mark Wilson is a Professor in Psychology at the University of Exeter, specializing in cognitive and emotional processes underpinning skill acquisition and performance under pressure. He holds leadership roles, including Head of Department for Public Health and Sport Sciences (since 2020) and previously served as Director of Research (2018–2020) and Head of Department (2020–2022) in Sport and Health Sciences. He joined the University of Exeter in 2006, progressing from Lecturer to Professor by 2017. Education: M.Eng (1st), Engineering Manufacture and Management, University of Manchester (1991–1995) PGCE, Manchester Metropolitan University (2003–2005) PhD, Manchester Metropolitan University (2001–2006) M.Sc. (Distinction), Sport and Exercise Science (Psychology Pathway), Manchester Metropolitan University (2000–2001) Research Interests: Focuses on applied and theoretical aspects of skill acquisition, performance under pressure, and interdisciplinary applications in elite sport, public health, and immersive technologies. Active in collaborative networks such as the NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre and Exeter Immersive Health Technologies. Grants and Funding: Secured funding from UKRI, industry partners, and charities, with expertise in virtual immersive training (VITAL) and eye-tracking solutions. Supervised 20 PhD students to completion. Labs & Teams: Leads the Virtual Immersive Training And Learning (VITAL) group and collaborates with Exeter Brain Health Analytics and Exeter Defence, Security and Resilience networks.
ONG Soh Khim is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and a member of the NUS Graduate School. She is a Fellow of CIRP (International Academy for Production Engineering), the first Asian and fourth female Fellow globally. Her research focuses on augmented reality (AR) and digital twins in manufacturing, with applications in assistive technology and sustainable design. She has authored/co-edited 6 books, over 300 journal/conference papers, and holds an H-index of 66 (Google Scholar) and 52 (Scopus). She has held leadership roles, including serving as a Nominated Member of the Singapore Parliament (2005–2006) and on multiple NUS governance boards. Her honors include the Singapore Youth Award (2004), M. Eugene Merchant Award (2004), and the 2021 Long Service Medal. She advocates for gender diversity in STEM, leading initiatives like the Girls2Pioneers program. Her current roles include Senior Principal Investigator at NUS Research Institutes in Suzhou and Guangzhou, and Visiting Professorships at Chinese universities.
Kim Jae-ho serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic Information and Communication Engineering at Sejong University since September 2020, concurrently directing the Metaverse Autonomous Twin Research Center (ITRC) under the Ministry of Science and ICT. His leadership extends to the National Smart City Committee and TTA Internet of Things/Smart City Platform PG, with research focusing on hyper-connected autonomous intelligence systems for smart city applications. His research program centers on three interconnected pillars: (1) On-Device/Edge/Cloud-based autonomous intelligence architectures enabling distributed decision-making, (2) Spatial/situational awareness systems for intelligent environments, and (3) Collaborative intelligence frameworks for unmanned vehicle networks. This work bridges theoretical AI with real-world deployment in IoT ecosystems and metaverse applications, emphasizing practical implementations for societal benefit. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a strategic shift toward metaverse-autonomous system integration, with 68% of articles addressing digital twin alignment, radar/vision sensor fusion, and multimodal AI for robotics. Key trends include UAV swarm coordination (23% of works), battery life prediction for industrial IoT (15%), and large language model integration for robotic perception (12%), demonstrating consistent focus on deployable autonomous intelligence solutions. His scientific recognition includes six major awards: Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award for Smart City contributions (2020) National Academy of Engineering of Korea's '100 Technologies Leading Korea 2025' (2017) Prime Minister's Commendation for Science/Technology Promotion (2016) Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Technology Award (2016) KETI Person of the Year (2016) Minister of Science ICT Future Planning SW R&D Award (2014) Professor Kim actively mentors graduate researchers through doctoral and master's thesis supervision while managing $12.7M in active grants including the 7-year Metaverse Autonomous Twin ITRC (2021-2028) and Connected Intelligent Sensor Platform project (2022-2028), with recent funding targeting UAV safety interfaces and industrial IoT battery systems. He leads the Autonomous Intelligent Systems (AISL) Laboratory at Ocean AI Center 529, which integrates government-funded research with industry partnerships to develop deployable autonomous intelligence solutions for smart cities and metaverse applications.
Mark Billinghurst is a Professor and Director of the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments at UniSA STEM, University of South Australia. His work focuses on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and empathic computing, emphasizing remote collaboration, human-computer interaction, and inclusive design. He has authored influential books like Computer-Supported Collaboration: Theory and Practice (2024) and pioneered systems such as Empathy Glasses and gaze-tracking interfaces for collaborative tasks. Education & Affiliations: Mark Billinghurst is affiliated with the Empathic Computing Laboratory and has collaborated globally with institutions like Keio University, Nokia, and the University of Canterbury. His research spans AR applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and social interaction, with a focus on improving accessibility and user experience. Research Interests: Dr. Billinghurst’s research explores AR/VR for remote guidance, wearable technologies, and emotional interfaces. He investigates how gaze cues, multimodal feedback, and AI can enhance collaboration and empathy in virtual environments. His work bridges technical innovation with human-centric design, addressing challenges in industrial assembly, mental health, and workplace transformation. Publications & Impact: His 2016 study on gaze tracking in remote collaboration (cited over 100 times) and 2024 book on AR collaboration highlight his contributions. Recent projects include Vibe360 (group emotion analysis) and CAEVr (biofeedback-driven empathy systems). He actively contributes to conferences like IEEE VR and CHI, shaping the future of immersive technologies. Labs & Future Work: His lab develops tools like the SAR system for aircraft drilling and empathic agents (EMiRAs). Future directions include AI-driven emotional interfaces, inclusive metaverse design, and VR solutions for cognitive rehabilitation.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ahmad Osman is a Professor at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar), specializing in Test Technologies and Test Methods within the Faculty of Engineering. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position at Laval University in Quebec, Canada, in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence applications in Signal and Image Processing for Non-destructive Testing (NDT) , with extensive work on Deep Learning , 3D Ultrasound Tomography , and Sensor Data Fusion in industrial contexts. Engineering Artificial Intelligence Signal Processing Image Processing Non-destructive Testing Quality Control Augmented Reality Osman leads the AutomaTiQ research group and serves as Head of the Algorithms/Signal and Data Processing Department at Fraunhofer IZFP . His recent publications (2017–2022) emphasize Deep Learning for defect detection in CFRP , Terahertz Imaging for artwork diagnostics, and Acoustic Sensors for agricultural quality control. He has organized international conferences on Structural Health Monitoring and contributed to Springer books on NDT technologies. His projects include ComforTex-AI (2024) and development of 3D positioners for ultrasound measurements. Collaborations span institutions in Germany, Canada, Italy, and Brazil, with advisory roles in the German Society for NDT and technical committees for conferences in Montreal and Egypt.
Prof. Dr. Mirko Meboldt serves as a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, where he holds dual leadership roles as Head of Lecturers' Conference and Deputy Head of the Institute of Machine Tools and Manufacturing. His office is located at Leonhardstrasse 21 in Zürich, Switzerland. Professor Meboldt's research spans multiple engineering domains with particular emphasis on: User-oriented product innovations New production technologies Mechanical engineering applications Biomedical device development CAD/PDM systems standardization Engineering education methodologies His recent publication portfolio reveals a distinctive interdisciplinary approach that bridges traditional mechanical engineering with cutting-edge medical applications. Key research trends include human-robot collaboration systems, intelligent medical devices for neurosurgery, augmented reality training platforms for medical procedures, advanced manufacturing processes, and AI-assisted healthcare communication analysis. This diverse research portfolio demonstrates his commitment to solving complex real-world engineering challenges through cross-disciplinary innovation. Professor Meboldt places significant emphasis on the educational impact of his work, explicitly stating that he 'regards the impact on the education of young engineers and its relevance for industry as a key motivation and benchmark for his research.' His industrial background at Hilti AG informs his practical approach to academic research, ensuring strong industry relevance across all his projects.
Rodrigo Ventura is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon. He is also a senior researcher at the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisbon), leading the Space and Aeronautics thematic line. His research focuses on the intersection of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing human-robot interaction, space robotics, and cognitive architectures. He coordinates the Minor in Space Sciences and Technologies at IST and the MBE on Space Systems for Tecnico+. As Adjoint Faculty at the International Space University (ISU), he contributes to global academic initiatives. His work includes experiments on the International Space Station and participation in analog space missions. Research interests span biologically inspired systems, machine learning, and teleoperation interfaces. Recent publications address reinforcement learning for UAVs, microgravity experiments, and pseudo-haptic feedback for robotic control. He teaches subjects like Artificial Intelligence and Decision Systems, Satellite Engineering, and Autonomous Systems.
Sabine Waschull is an Assistant Professor of Operations Management at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen. She holds a MSc and PhD in Operations Management from the same institution. Her research focuses on human-centric design in Industry 4.0/5.0 contexts, including AI integration, digitalization, and work system evaluation. She is a member of the IFIP WG 5.7 working group on Production Management Systems. Her teaching includes courses such as Smart Industry Operations, Technology-Enabled Innovation, and Operations Strategy & Technology across bachelor and master programs. Her work emphasizes human-AI synergies and co-creation methodologies in manufacturing systems. Recent research trends highlight AI-driven enterprise interoperability, socio-technical evaluation of manufacturing systems, and human-centric design of augmented reality tools. Collaborations with co-authors like Christos Emmanouilidis and Joost Bokhorst explore AI ethics, digital twin integration, and assembly process optimization.
Brad Hayes is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder within the College of Engineering and Applied Science, where he directs the Collaborative AI and Robotics (CAIRO) Laboratory. He also serves as Chief Technology Officer at Circadence, leading efforts in developing AI-enabled products for cybersecurity training and assessment. Undergraduate degree from Boston College PhD in Computer Science from Yale University Postdoctoral Associate at MIT Professor Hayes' research focuses on developing techniques that enable autonomous agents and robots to learn from and collaborate with humans safely, reliably, and productively. His work occurs at the intersection of pervasive and personalized artificial intelligence, human-robot teaming, and decision support. He has made significant contributions to collaborative robotics, dependable explainable AI, and imitation learning, with applications spanning manufacturing, healthcare, disaster response, autonomous vehicles, and space exploration. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on human-robot interaction, with particular focus on improving predictability in collaborative tasks, developing explainable AI systems that build trust, leveraging augmented and virtual reality for enhanced collaboration, and creating more efficient learning algorithms from human demonstrations. His work increasingly integrates large language models and advanced neural network architectures while maintaining a strong human-centered design approach. Sustainability Recognition (2025) for computational efficiency in motion planning Best Student Paper Runner-up at AAMAS 2022 Nominated for Best Technical Paper at HRI 2024 Best Technical Paper Runner-up at HRI 2019 Hayes has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through the CAIRO Lab, including multiple PhD graduates in 2024 alone. His lab receives funding from various organizations supporting research in human-robot interaction and collaborative AI. He frequently collaborates with industry partners and has established connections with major technology companies through his research and speaking engagements. The CAIRO Lab, under Hayes' direction, is a vibrant research environment focused on turning theoretical concepts into practical applications through hands-on work with real robots and human participants. The lab's research spans multiple domains including manufacturing, disaster response, autonomous vehicles, and space exploration, with a consistent emphasis on safe and effective human-machine teaming.
Christina Youngmi Choi is a Professor in the School of Design at the Royal College of Art (RCA), specializing in emerging technologies, healthcare, and inclusive design. She holds a BFA and MA in Industrial Design from South Korea, followed by a MSc and PhD from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where she also served as faculty, earning tenure and holding leadership roles such as Associate Chair and Director of the Graduate Program. Her research focuses on leveraging technology for assistive and inclusive design, emphasizing evidence-based and human-centered approaches. Key areas include usability assessment, assistive product design, and healthcare innovation. She has over 60 publications in journals, conferences, and books, with notable works exploring augmented reality in design and accessibility. Dr. Choi has led or contributed to significant grants, including the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (2016–22), and the NSF-funded Feasibility and Usability Assessment of an Intraoral Inconspicuous Control Surface (2013–16). Her work spans collaborations with industry partners like LG Electronics and Jeju Airlines, addressing challenges in healthcare, education, and consumer technology. Awards: Best Paper Award at AHFE 2022 Georgia Tech Teaching Excellence Recognition (multiple years) National Science Foundation Women of Excellence Award (2016) Her advising and grants highlight interdisciplinary projects, such as integrating traditional wood joinery into CNC manufacturing and developing user-friendly medical devices. She is an editorial board member of the Journal of User Experience and peer reviewer for multiple journals and conferences. Her work also addresses privacy in health technologies and medication adherence systems, reflecting a commitment to societal impact through design.
Helena Webb is a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford, where she contributes to research and teaching within the Human Centred Computing theme. Her work bridges social science and computer science, focusing on responsible innovation, AI ethics, and user interactions with digital technologies. PhD in Social Sciences, University of Nottingham Bachelor’s in Social and Political Sciences, University of Cambridge Former Senior Researcher, University of Oxford Department of Computer Science Researcher at Work, Interaction and Technology (WIT) Research Centre, King’s College London (2009–2014) Her research interests include human-computer interaction, algorithmic fairness, privacy in smart homes, and ethical design of social robots. She specializes in qualitative research methods and interdisciplinary collaboration to understand how technology shapes and is shaped by social practices. She has led and contributed to major projects such as Digital Wildfire , UnBias , ReEnTrust , and RoboTIPS , all focused on responsible governance and design of digital systems. Her recent publications span topics from algorithmic accountability to ethical black boxes in robotics, reflecting a strong trend toward integrating ethical considerations into the technical design of AI and interactive systems. These works emphasize participatory design, transparency, and societal impact. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Named one of the Brilliant Women working in AI Ethics She actively supervises and co-supervises students, contributes to ethics education, and is involved in outreach and diversity initiatives at Oxford. She has also served on the Departmental Equality and Diversity Committee and the Research Ethics Committee. Helena is a member of the advisory board for the ReEnTrust project and continues to develop the ethical hackathon model with colleagues. Her work exemplifies a deep commitment to interdisciplinary, socially responsible research in computing.
