Chang S. (CS) Nam is a Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina State University, with affiliations in the UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Psychology. He holds editorial roles as Editor-in-Chief of Brain-Computer Interfaces journal and is a Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. His research focuses on advancing human-centered technologies through neuroergonomics, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), and rehabilitation engineering, supported by grants from NSF, AFRL, AFOSR, and the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences. Education: Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Virginia Tech (2003) MSIE in Industrial Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo (2000) Research Interests: His work spans neurorehabilitation, haptic interaction design, and BCI applications, aiming to bridge human cognitive and neural processes with technological systems. Key areas include adaptive human-computer interaction, EEG-based emotion recognition, and spatial augmented reality for skill training. Grants & Awards: Recipient of NSF CAREER Award (2010), Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship (2018), and the Leland S. Kollmorgen Spirit of Innovation Award (2019) Editor of Brain-Computer Interfaces Handbook: Technological and Theoretical Advances (CRC Press) Advising & Labs: Advises students like Lingchao Mao and Priscille Koutouan Leads the Brain-Computer Interface and Neuroergonomics Lab, developing BCI systems for communication in vegetative states and neurorehabilitation
Jiajun Wu is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and, by courtesy, of Psychology at Stanford University. He holds multiple affiliations including membership in Bio-X, Faculty Affiliate status at the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), and membership in both the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance and Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. Dr. Wu earned his Ph.D. and S.M. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before joining Stanford. Dr. Wu's research program focuses on creating AI systems that understand and interact with the physical world through the integration of computer vision, machine learning, robotics, and cognitive science. His work emphasizes physics-based modeling combined with deep learning to develop systems capable of perceiving, reasoning about, and predicting physical interactions. Key research areas include 3D scene understanding, neurosymbolic AI approaches, multimodal perception (combining vision, sound, and language), and embodied intelligence for robotics applications. His lab develops novel frameworks that bridge the gap between neural networks and symbolic reasoning to create more interpretable and robust AI systems. Analysis of Dr. Wu's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward integrated multimodal understanding for embodied AI. His work increasingly combines vision, sound, and language processing with physical reasoning to create systems that can interact meaningfully with the physical world. There's a clear progression from foundational computer vision research toward practical robotics applications, with significant emphasis on foundation models for robotics, sim2real transfer techniques, and creating comprehensive datasets for embodied AI research. Dr. Wu's exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER award (2024), Young Investigator Programs from ONR (2024) and AFOSR (2023), the Okawa research grant (2024), and being named to IEEE Intelligent Systems' 'AI's 10 to Watch' (2024). He has received multiple best paper awards at leading conferences including ICRA (2024), SIGGRAPH Asia (2023), and CoRL (2023). Dr. Wu actively mentors a large cohort of students across multiple levels, serving as primary advisor for doctoral candidates, master's students, and numerous independent researchers. His research is supported by substantial funding from major technology companies including Google, Meta, Amazon, Samsung, and J.P. Morgan, as well as government agencies like NSF, ONR, and AFOSR, reflecting the significance and impact of his work in physical AI and multimodal perception systems. Dr. Wu leads a dynamic research group at Stanford that collaborates extensively with the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Institute for Human-Centered AI. Current projects include developing neurosymbolic models for computer graphics, creating multisensory datasets like OBJECTFOLDER 2.0 for sim2real transfer in robotics, and building foundation models for embodied intelligence that can understand and manipulate objects with human-like physical intuition.
Youssef M. A. Hashash is the Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering and a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from MIT (1987–1992). His expertise spans geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, and computational geomechanics, with a focus on deep excavations, tunneling, and soil-structure interaction. He co-developed DEEPSOIL, widely used for seismic soil response analysis. Education: B.S. Civil Engineering, MIT (1987) M.S. Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering, MIT (1988) Ph.D. Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering, MIT (1992) Research Interests: Dr. Hashash's work integrates geotechnical engineering with advanced technologies like AI, visualization, and discrete element modeling. Key areas include: Seismic site response and amplification models for Central/Eastern North America Tunneling and underground infrastructure resilience Geotechnical applications of machine learning and augmented reality Soil-structure interaction and liquefaction analysis Professional Roles: Geotechnical co-leader, NIST investigation of the Champlain Towers South collapse (2022–present) Chair, National Academies' Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering (2024–present) Past President, Geo-Institute of ASCE Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers ASCE 2014 Peck Medal Elected to National Academy of Engineering (2022) Labs/Teams: Leads research groups at UIUC focused on computational geomechanics and geotechnical earthquake engineering. Collaborates with federal agencies like NIST and NSF on large-scale projects.
Prof. April Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich. Her work focuses on Educational Technology, Human-Computer Interaction, and AI-driven tools for programming education. She is affiliated with the Professur Educational Technology group and teaches courses such as Human Computer Interaction and Ethics in Computing. Her research explores interactive learning environments, collaborative data science workflows, and AI-augmented educational systems. Her research interests span computational notebooks, live coding interfaces, and human-AI collaboration in software development. Notable contributions include frameworks like DBox for algorithm learning and EDBooks for interactive programming narratives. She also investigates challenges in real-time collaboration tools and automated documentation systems for data scientists. Recent work emphasizes understanding user needs in automated copilot systems and resolving conflicts in collaborative notebook environments. Her projects often bridge theoretical HCI principles with practical educational tools, aiming to enhance both instructor efficacy and student engagement. Prof. Wang’s teaching portfolio includes courses on user-centered interface design and ethical scientific practices. She actively contributes to advancing interdisciplinary computational literacy through initiatives like datAR, which uses everyday objects to teach data concepts.
Michael S. Horn is a Professor of Learning Sciences and Computer Science at Northwestern University, serving as Program Coordinator for Learning Sciences. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Tufts University and a ScB in Computer Science from Brown University. His research focuses on the intersection of human-computer interaction and learning, emphasizing the use of emerging technologies in museums, classrooms, and informal settings. Notable projects include multi-touch tabletops in natural history museums, tangible programming languages for early education, and the TIDAL Lab’s innovative exhibits like Build-a-Tree and DeepTree. Education background includes: PhD in Computer Science (Tufts University, 2009) MS in Computer Science (Tufts University, 2006) ScB in Computer Science (Brown University, 1997) Research interests span tangible interaction design, computational literacy, and museum-based learning. He has led projects such as the ‘Energy Monsters’ board game and the TunePad music-coding platform. His work integrates technology with pedagogical practices to foster collaborative and exploratory learning environments. Active collaborations include the Computer History Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. Advising contributions include mentoring doctoral students like Dr. Mmachi Obiorah and Pei-Yi. His lab, TIDAL, explores interactive technologies for education, with grants from NSF and industry partnerships. Recent articles highlight innovations in computational thinking integration, music-coding hybrid practices, and AI-driven qualitative analysis.
Niels Henze is a Professor at the Chair of Media Informatics within the Faculty of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of Regensburg, where he has been serving since May 2018. His research centers on human-computer interaction, with a strong focus on predictive models in interactive systems, mobile interaction, augmented and virtual reality, and attention-aware computing. His research interests include: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Predictive modeling for runtime adaptation Mobile and wearable interaction Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Attention-aware and context-sensitive systems Sociocognitive aspects of interactive technologies The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on leveraging user behavior and contextual cues to build intelligent, adaptive interfaces. His work integrates machine learning with interaction design, emphasizing real-time model updates, implicit feedback, and cognitive load awareness to improve usability and user experience across mobile and immersive platforms. Scientific awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Niels Henze leads research in adaptive interactive systems and advises students in the field of media informatics. He has previously held a junior professorship at the University of Stuttgart and completed his doctorate at the University of Oldenburg under Susanne Boll. He is actively involved in advancing the theoretical and practical foundations of predictive and attention-aware computing. Grants and funding sources are not specified in the text. He is associated with the Institute for Information and Media, Language and Culture (I:IMSK) at the University of Regensburg, contributing to a multidisciplinary environment that bridges informatics with cultural and linguistic studies.
Casey Boyle serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts, where he also directs the Digital Writing & Research Lab. His academic profile demonstrates significant contributions to digital rhetoric, accessibility studies, and posthuman theory through both research and teaching. Boyle's research interests span Rhetorical Theory, Digital Rhetoric, Accessibility, Aesthetics, Digital Humanities, Media Studies, AI & Reading/Writing, Techno-poetics/ethics, and Posthumanism . His work explores how digital technologies reshape rhetorical practices, with particular attention to accessibility as both ethical imperative and theoretical framework. His book Rhetoric as a Posthuman Practice examines information as embodied material practice, arguing that digital rhetoric concerns how bodies become informed through practice that includes not only traditional communication but also how information technologies organize those bodies. Analysis of Boyle's recent publications reveals consistent engagement with posthuman and material approaches to rhetoric, with increasing focus on accessibility, digital environments, and the intersection of rhetoric with environmental concerns. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary reach across philosophy, media studies, and digital humanities, with recurring themes of embodiment, materiality, and the ethics of digital communication. Through his teaching, Boyle offers courses such as RHE 330C (Access Designed), RHE 391 (Rhetoric and Aesthetics), and RHE 325M (Advanced Writing), with course descriptions emphasizing experiential learning and practical application of accessibility principles. His Racing to Empathy project (with Terrance Green) develops immersive digital environments to address implicit bias against Black girls in primary education, while A Version to Access (with Nathaniel Rivers) explores accessibility ontologically through the concept of nonequal design.
Dr Luke Hespanhol is a Senior Lecturer in Design and Computation at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He is affiliated with the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre and Sydney Nano Institute, and previously served as a guest researcher at Aarhus University's Department of Aesthetics and Communication. His work focuses on interactive media installations that foster reflection on human-environment relationships, blending urban design, technology, and social engagement. He holds a PhD in interactive media architecture from the University of Sydney's Design Lab, with research exploring user-centred hybrid urban environments. His doctoral work laid the foundation for his current interests in digital placemaking, urban informatics, and smart cities. Research Interests: - Designing technology-infused public spaces - Media architecture as a tool for inclusive urban development - Ethical implications of AI and blockchain in cultural contexts - Temporal and spatial dimensions of urban interaction design - HCI methodologies for multiperspectival cultural heritage interpretation - Antifragile city frameworks integrating citizen participation His recent publications highlight trends in reimagining urban futures through speculative design, ethical AI systems, and autonomous vehicle interaction paradigms. While no specific scientific awards are listed, his work often addresses critical societal issues like decolonization in technology and climate-resilient infrastructure. Grants and Collaborations: - 2025: 'Waste to Resilience: Sanitation Against Stunting and Climate Vulnerability in Informal Coastal Areas' (Sydney Southeast Asia Centre) - 2022: 'The Metaverse as Vehicle for Aboriginal Digital Inclusion, Wellness and Self-Determination' (Facebook Research) Dr Hespanhol is actively involved in the Media Architecture Institute and contributes to cross-disciplinary initiatives uniting technology, art, and urban planning. His research emphasizes co-creation processes with communities to ensure equitable technological integration in urban systems.
Leia Stirling is an Associate Professor in Robotics and Industrial Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan, serving as Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies in Robotics. She is Core Faculty at the Center for Ergonomics and Affiliate Faculty at the Space Institute. Her research focuses on human-system interactions in robotics, biomechanics, and decision support systems. Key areas include wearable motion sensing for decision-making, co-adaptive exoskeleton algorithms, and space mission operations tools. Her group blends human factors, biomechanics, and robotics to design technology that enhances human performance in complex tasks. She leads the Stirling Group, which develops metrics for injury risk assessment, exoskeleton usability, and space crew readiness evaluation. Her lab’s work has applications in industrial safety, healthcare rehabilitation, and astronaut training. Research Thrusts: Wearable Motion Sensing: Creates metrics for musculoskeletal injury risk, balance rehabilitation, and quantitative assessment of agility/coordination. Exoskeleton Usability: Develops co-adaptive control algorithms and studies trust dynamics between users and wearable robots. Space Operations: Designs tools for astronaut readiness, human-aware robotics, and extravehicular activity planning. Recent work includes studies on neonatal ventilation systems, space inspection trajectory optimization, and augmented reality for sensorimotor assessments. She teaches robotics courses including ROB 204: Introduction to Human-Robot Systems. Her work has been featured at IROS 2023 and NASA-related initiatives. Lab Website: stirlinglab.org
Craig Jin is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, leading the CARlab (Computing and Audio Research Laboratory) and Spatial Audio Research initiatives within the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He holds a BS from Stanford University, an MS from Caltech, and a PhD from the University of Sydney. His work focuses on immersive audio technologies, biomedical signal processing, and assistive technologies for sensory augmentation. Research interests include spatial audio reproduction, binaural processing, acoustic sensing for accessibility, and machine learning applications in signal processing. Key contributions span HRTF interpolation, noise reduction algorithms, and acoustic touch systems for the visually impaired. Recent projects include real-time MRI analysis of vocal tract dynamics and sparse recovery techniques for sound field reconstruction. His publications span over 150 peer-reviewed articles in journals like IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech, and Language Processing, and conferences such as ICASSP. He advises four current PhD/Master’s students on projects like predictive gesture tracking, voice disorder classification, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques.
Dr. Iro Armeni is Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, leading the Gradient Spaces research group. Her interdisciplinary research bridges architecture, civil engineering, and computer vision to develop data-driven methods for sustainable and adaptive built environments. Professor Armeni's work focuses on creating gradient environments that blend physical and digital realities through mixed reality technologies. She develops computational methods for 3D scene understanding, generative design, and adaptive spaces that respond to human needs. Her research integrates AI with architectural design to improve sustainability, inclusivity, and reusability of built spaces. Current projects include 3D scene graph representations, automated BIM modeling from visual data, and neuro-symbolic approaches for design optimization. She has developed tools like HoloLabel (AR semantic labeling) and SemSpray (VR annotation) for construction information management. Professor Armeni holds a PhD from Stanford University, supported by a Google PhD Fellowship, and completed postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich with an ETH Fellowship. She teaches courses on Computer Vision for the Built Environment and Mixed Reality applications.
Franziska Mueller is a Research Scientist at Google Zurich , specializing in Augmented Perception . Prior to joining Google, she earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science at Saarland University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christian Theobalt, focusing on real-time hand reconstruction from RGB and depth images. Ph.D. in Computer Science (2016-2020) at Saarland University Master’s and Bachelor’s in Computer Science at Saarland University Research visits at Stanford University (2018) and Reality Labs Research (2019) Her research emphasizes the integration of model-based techniques and machine learning components for real-time 3D hand pose estimation, occlusion handling, and hand-object interaction tracking. Key contributions include methods for single-camera reconstruction and datasets like HandSeg. Scientific Awards : Dr. Eduard Martin Award (2021) Google PhD Fellowship (2017) Günter-Hotz-Medal (2016) Bachelor Award (2015) Völklinger Abiturpreis (2012)
Golan Levin is Professor of Electronic Art at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Art, with courtesy appointments in the School of Design, School of Architecture, School of Computer Science, and Entertainment Technology Center. From 2009 to 2022, he served as Director and Co-Director of CMU's Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, a laboratory dedicated to supporting atypical, anti-disciplinary research at the intersection of arts, science, technology, and culture. Levin's research spans interactive art, digital fabrication, information visualization, and generative design. He explores the critical potential of visualization, generative computation for expressive form, and how abstraction connects to realities beyond language. His practice engages interactive gestural robotics, nonverbal interaction aesthetics, and tactical applications of personal digital fabrication through responsive artifacts and media provocations that highlight human-machine relationships. His publications reveal consistent innovation in real-time audiovisual systems, interactive fabrication interfaces, and pedagogic tools for artists. Key trends include slit-scan video techniques, tangible augmented-reality performance, and noise-based visualizations, demonstrating his commitment to expanding human action vocabulary through digital media while bridging artistic expression with computational systems. Levin's work has received significant recognition: Permanent collection inclusion at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Whitney Biennial exhibition "50 Designers Shaping the Future" by Fast Company (2012) Competitive grants from National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Creative Capital, and Rockefeller MAP Fund As an educator, Levin teaches "studio courses in computer science" on interactive art, experimental capture, and generative design, emphasizing computation as a medium for critical inquiry. His research funding from major cultural institutions supports interdisciplinary exploration at the arts-technology nexus. The Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, which he directed for 13 years, remains a vital hub for anti-disciplinary collaboration, continuing his legacy of fostering creative agency through technology-infused artistic practice.
Mikko Valkama is a Professor at the Department of Communications Engineering , part of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University . His research focuses on advanced wireless communication systems, positioning technologies, and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC). He holds an Orcid ID ( 0000-0003-0361-0800 ) and can be reached at mikko.valkama@tuni.fi . Research interests span 5G/6G networks , RF antenna design , deep learning for signal processing , and millimeter-wave systems . He leads projects on positioning algorithms (e.g., mmWave SLAM, NLOS mitigation), ISAC architectures, and hardware-efficient transmitter linearization. Notable contributions include works on DECT-2020 NR standards, phase-based localization, and RIS-assisted systems. In 2025 alone, his group published over 30 articles on topics such as: Antenna array design for Ka-band and wideband applications Machine learning for power amplifier predistortion Bistatic radio SLAM and mmWave mapping Covert transmission and physical-layer security His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations, often validated through experimental setups (e.g., TUJI1 dataset for indoor localization). No scientific awards were explicitly listed in the provided texts.
Rhonda Hadi is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. She is also a Fellow of Green Templeton College and an Associate Editor at the Journal of Consumer Psychology , serving on editorial review boards for Journal of Consumer Research , Journal of Marketing Research , and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science . Her research focuses on emerging technologies reshaping consumer experiences, including augmented reality, AI, and wearable/mobile computing. She explores crossmodal perception, cultural influences on consumer behavior, and sensory-driven decision-making. Rhonda teaches the Core Marketing course for the MBA programme and contributes to Executive MBA, Diploma in AI for Business, and executive education courses. Her engagements span industry collaborations with Fortune 500 firms, startups, and non-profits, emphasizing practical applications of her research. She is a key member of the Oxford Future of Marketing Initiative , fostering academic-industry partnerships for thought leadership. Her research interests prominently feature technology-augmented consumer behavior , particularly in multisensory interactions (e.g., haptics, temperature, scent) and how cultural contexts modulate these responses. She has pioneered studies on anthropomorphic products, chatbot ethics, and the psychological impact of digital tools like AR and the Metaverse. Rhonda received the John Elliot Teaching Award and regularly engages with media outlets like the BBC to disseminate her findings. She has delivered over 50 invited talks globally, addressing North America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. In advising and grants, she mentors students across MBA and executive programmes and secures funding via Oxford’s initiatives. Her work intersects with the Major Programme Management and Private Equity Institute , though direct grant references are not explicitly detailed. She actively participates in interdisciplinary teams at Oxford Saïd, such as the Oxford Future of Finance and Technology Initiative and the Social Thermoregulation Project , integrating insights from psychology, technology, and business strategy.
