Dr. Marcel Dettling is a Group Lead in Data Analysis and Statistics at the ZHAW School of Engineering , focusing on predictive analytics, applied statistics, and complex data analysis. He also serves as a Lecturer at ETH Zurich , teaching advanced statistical methods. Education : PhD in Mathematics (2000-2004), ETH Zurich Postdoc in Applied Statistics (2004-2006), Johns Hopkins University His research spans predictive analytics (regression, classification, time series), data mining, and applications in health economics, transportation safety, social sciences , and business analytics . Recent work includes pharmaceutical cost group analysis for Swiss healthcare and predictive maintenance for marine vessels. Selected publications highlight his expertise in flight trajectory modeling , deep learning error mitigation , and statistical frameworks for rehabilitation finance . His projects address diverse fields like crowdworking in nursing, energy optimization for shipping, and customer behavior prediction.
Professor Mary Augusta Brazelton is a Professor at the University of Cambridge's Department of History and Philosophy of Science and a Fellow of Jesus College. She serves as Director of Studies in Natural Sciences (History and Philosophy of Science) at Jesus College (on leave 2024-2025). Her academic work focuses on the history of science and medicine in modern China, with particular attention to global health, transportation technologies, and the intersection of science and state power. Education: BA (Harvard), MPhil and PhD (Yale). Awards include the 2020 Student-led Teaching Award and the 2019 Zhu Kezhen Senior Award. She is also a Trustee and Research Fellow of the Needham Research Institute and a Council member of the American Association for the History of Medicine. Her research explores topics such as mass vaccination policies in 20th-century China, Sino-French scientific collaborations, and the history of penicillin development. Current projects include studies on the Sino-French Institute in Lyon and transnational histories of civil aviation. Publications include Mass Vaccination: Citizens' Bodies and State Power in Modern China (2019) and China in Global Health: Past and Present (2023). She actively contributes to academic discussions through media engagements and international conferences.
Professor Manolis Gavaises is a leading academic in the field of mechanical engineering and computational fluid dynamics at City St George's, University of London, where he holds the position of Professor in the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. He earned his PhD from Imperial College London and has been a faculty member since 2001, progressing to full Professor in 2009. His research is centered on advanced modeling of multi-phase flows, cavitation, and fuel injection systems, with extensive collaborations across Europe and industry partners such as Delphi, Caterpillar, and BP. Education: DIC, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Imperial College London, 1997 PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Imperial College London, 1997 Diploma (5 years), Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 1992 His research interests span computational fluid dynamics, cavitation, fuel injection, atomization, high-pressure and supercritical flows, and alternative fuels . He has developed advanced numerical models and experimental techniques, including X-ray phase contrast imaging and high-pressure test rigs. His work integrates fundamental DNS and LES simulations with industrial applications in automotive, marine, aerospace, and medical devices such as heart valves. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward real-fluid thermodynamic modeling (e.g., PC-SAFT), multi-component fuel behavior, cavitation erosion, and advanced diagnostics . His research increasingly incorporates machine learning and high-fidelity imaging to understand complex flow phenomena across energy, transportation, and biomedical domains. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Richard Way Prize (1998) Arch T. Collwell Merit Award (1998) Best Oral Paper, SAE World Congress (2006) PE Publication Award, IMechE (2007) Best Presentation Award, Engine Combustion Processes (2009) Fellow, IMechE (2013) Fellow, IMA (2015) As a dedicated mentor, Professor Gavaises has supervised 13 PhDs to completion and currently guides 23 doctoral students. He has secured over €16 million in EU and UK funding, including multiple Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN projects (CAFÉ, HAOS, IPPAD), which support 46 early-career researchers globally. He has created academic opportunities for post-docs and junior faculty, significantly advancing the research profile of his institution. He leads the International Institute of Cavitation Research (IICR), co-founded in 2011 with partners from Loughborough University, TU Delft, and Imperial College, supported by The Lloyd’s Register Foundation. His lab maintains strong experimental capabilities, including a 2000bar pressure flow rig with micro-transparent nozzles and collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory for X-ray imaging.
Jan K. Brueckner is a Distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of California, Irvine, and a member of the Institute of Transportation Studies. He holds dual expertise in Urban Economics and Airline Economics, with affiliations spanning academia and policy research. His career includes roles at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and visiting positions at institutions like Sapienza University of Rome and Charles University in Prague. Education: PhD (Economics) from Stanford University (1976), A.B. (Economics) from UC Berkeley (1972). Research focuses on urban growth, fiscal federalism, transportation economics, and housing policy, with over 100 journal articles and 7 books. He has advised governments globally on land-use policies and airline regulations. Research highlights include analyzing urban sprawl, zoning regulations, airline alliances, and the impact of telework on cities. Awards include the John M. Quigley Medal (2015) and Walter Isard Award (2008). He chaired 49 doctoral committees and edited major journals like Journal of Urban Economics . Consulting experience includes advising the World Bank, U.S. Department of Transportation, and airlines on policy and market dynamics. His recent work explores post-pandemic urbanization, carbon reduction in aviation, and land-use regulation in China and India.
Duminda Wijesekera serves as Professor in the Department of Cyber Security Engineering and Department of Computer Science at George Mason University, where he was inaugural chairman of the Cyber Security Engineering Department until December 2022. He concurrently held the position of visiting research scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) from 2007-2022 and maintains status as a fellow at the Potomac Institute of Policy Studies. He leads the Mason Innovation Laboratory at Mason Square, driving translational research in cyber-physical security. His educational foundation includes: PhD in Computer Science, University of Minnesota (1997) PhD in Mathematical Logic, Cornell University (1990) BSc in Mathematics, University of Colombo Professor Wijesekera's research centers on cyber-physical system security , with pioneering work in Intelligent Transportation Systems spanning trains, aircraft, and connected vehicles. His digital forensics innovations establish frameworks for evidence-based scenario reconstruction and error management, while his formal methods research provides mathematical guarantees for safety-critical systems. Current projects address Next G-based edge services, digital twin vulnerability detection, and healthcare security architectures, consistently bridging theoretical rigor with real-world infrastructure protection. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals intense focus on autonomous vehicle security (38% of recent output), including traffic signal control optimization, ramming attack countermeasures, and CARLA-based scenario validation. Digital forensics using AI (20%) and secure manufacturing/edge computing (27%) constitute other major thrusts, demonstrating how formal verification and machine learning converge to solve complex cyber-physical security challenges across transportation, energy, and healthcare domains. His scientific recognition includes: CCI Impact Award (2022) for groundbreaking cyber-physical security contributions Fellowship at the Potomac Institute of Policy Studies for cybersecurity policy leadership Professor Wijesekera has secured substantial research funding through: NIST grants for health record security frameworks (2014-2015) US Department of Transportation projects on wireless frequency mapping for high-speed rail (2013-2014) Cyber Security Research Alliance funding for trust architectures in cyber-physical systems (2014) Commonwealth Cyber Initiative awards for autonomous vehicle security and energy-efficient manufacturing His industry partnerships with Honeywell and NIST ensure practical impact of theoretical research. The Mason Innovation Laboratory under his direction serves as an interdisciplinary hub for cyber-physical security, integrating researchers from computer science, electrical engineering, and policy studies to develop deployable solutions for transportation networks, power grids, and critical infrastructure protection.
Alberto Brugnoli is a Full Professor in Applied Economics at the University of Bergamo, Italy, where he has served since 2020. He holds the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights, International Cooperation and Sustainable Development and serves as Delegate for International Cooperation in Developing Countries at the University of Bergamo. His academic career spans over 30 years with progressive appointments from Researcher to Full Professor. Brugnoli's research focuses on International Development Cooperation, Sustainable Development, Local Development, Regional Governance and Policy, Migration, Municipal Financing, and Trade. His work demonstrates a strong international dimension through collaborations with institutions like Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil), McGill University (Canada), OECD, and the European Commission. His recent publications show a clear trajectory toward sustainability, decarbonization, and economic transition topics. His research output reveals a progression from traditional economic policy topics toward contemporary challenges of sustainability, climate change, and social development. The most recent publications (2022-2025) predominantly address decarbonization, sustainable economic transitions, and regional development strategies, reflecting current global economic policy priorities. Award by the Scientific Committee of the First Report on Finance of the Rosselli Foundation (2012) Award by the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (2009) Recognition from Università Bocconi for editorial contributions (1999) Brugnoli has advised numerous international research projects and has extensive teaching experience in Development Economics, Regional Economics, and International Cooperation. His leadership extends to serving as President of the Master's Degree Program in Human Rights, Migration and International Cooperation (2018-2022) and various delegate roles at the University of Bergamo.
Paul Dodds is Professor of Energy Systems at University College London's Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources, where he holds joint appointments at the UCL Energy Institute and the Institute for Sustainable Resources. He serves as the Faculty Graduate Tutor for the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, overseeing all doctoral research programs. His academic progression at UCL has been steady, moving from Research Associate (2011-2014) to Senior Research Associate (2014-2015), Lecturer (2015-2016), Senior Lecturer (2016-2018), Associate Professor (2018-2020), and finally to Professor. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Leeds (2010) focused on climate change and agriculture in Senegal, where he developed a new crop model for adaptation research and created detailed meteorological datasets for West Africa. He also holds a Master of Natural Science (Honours) from the University of Nottingham (2000). Dodds specializes in energy systems modelling with particular expertise in hydrogen and bioenergy systems, and the importance of energy storage. His research examines the interactions between society and the environment, with a focus on energy and food systems. He has developed the UK TIMES energy systems model, which has replaced the UK MARKAL model and is now co-developed with the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This model has provided underpinning evidence for the UK's Clean Growth Strategy and Net Zero Strategy. His methodological contributions include formalizing a theoretical approach to analyzing the evolution of energy system models using 'model archaeology'. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on hydrogen energy systems, with multiple papers examining hydrogen trade pathways, integration methods, and environmental impacts. His work increasingly addresses the geopolitical dimensions of energy transition, as seen in studies about Russian gas pivots to Asia and global energy scenarios. He maintains expertise in energy system modeling techniques while expanding into practical applications for policy development, particularly regarding the UK's net-zero transition. Dodds has supervised 15 PhD students at UCL, with eight under his primary supervision. His professional activities include serving as the UK Alternate Delegate to IEA Hydrogen since 2017, acting as a PhD External Examiner at the University of Edinburgh, and participating in the EPSRC Peer Review College. He has contributed to multiple government initiatives, including the UKERC Future of the Gas Networks workshop and representing the UK Government at IEA ETSAP meetings. He teaches an undergraduate module on 'Energy and Environmental Systems Modelling' and guest lectures on several MSc courses. His research group focuses on energy system modeling, with particular emphasis on the UK TIMES model development and application. His work often involves collaboration with government bodies, particularly BEIS, and he has coordinated significant projects like seven reports on overshoot pathways for the UK Government.
René Jr Landry is a full Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at École de technologie supérieure (ETS), Université du Québec, specializing in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), avionics, and wireless communication technologies. His academic journey includes a B.Ing. from Polytechnique Montréal, M.Sc. from University of Surrey (UK), and Ph.D. from SupAréo in Toulouse. He maintains active research leadership through two key laboratories: LASSENA (Laboratory of Space Technologies, Embedded Systems, Navigation and Avionics) and LACIME (Communications and Microelectronic Integration Laboratory). His research spans critical aerospace navigation domains including GNSS signal processing, inertial navigation systems, software-defined radio for avionics, radio frequency interference mitigation, and indoor positioning technologies. Landry's work addresses real-world challenges in satellite navigation robustness, precision positioning in urban/denied environments, and next-generation avionic system security. His current projects focus on blockchain-enhanced IoT security, AI-driven GNSS disruption analysis, and adaptive RF front-ends for multi-band avionics applications. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong emphasis on resilient positioning systems through multi-constellation integration (particularly Iridium-NEXT), blockchain applications for navigation security, and explainable AI techniques for GNSS signal quality assessment. His work increasingly bridges traditional navigation engineering with cutting-edge security and machine learning paradigms. 2014 Prix d'excellence du c.a. pour les services à la collectivité Landry has supervised over 100 graduate students across doctoral, master's, and research projects since 2005, with current supervision extending through Summer 2025. His research funding supports multiple industry partnerships focused on avionics certification, software-defined radio implementations, and next-generation navigation systems. The LASSENA laboratory under his leadership develops certified avionic products from open-source SDR platforms and advances multi-sensor fusion techniques for challenging navigation environments. His research infrastructure includes specialized facilities for GNSS signal simulation, avionics hardware testing, and multi-sensor integration. Current work emphasizes flight-tested validation of RF front-end technologies, blockchain-secured navigation data, and real-time interference mitigation systems for aviation applications.
Miguel Mujica Mota is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Technology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and a member of the Centre of Applied Research Technology. His research focuses on airport operations, multimodal transport systems, and simulation modeling. He has expertise in analyzing capacity challenges in multi-airport systems, particularly in Mexico City, and developing decision support systems for airport security and resource allocation. His work integrates sustainability and efficiency, addressing topics like environmental reporting in airlines and post-pandemic airport recovery strategies. Research Contributions: Dr. Mujica Mota has published extensively on airport capacity optimization, multimodal transport integration, and simulation-based methodologies. Key projects include the X-TEAM D2D initiative for door-to-door travel and the IMHOTEP project for smart passenger flow management. His work often involves collaboration with institutions like Schiphol Airport and the H2020 EU framework. Research Interests: Airport terminal design, air traffic management, simulation modeling, multimodal logistics, and sustainable aviation. Awards: A-BOOST Research Fund (2020) Beste paper award EMM2018 X-TEAM D2D Project Recognition (2020) Activities: Organized conferences like the 2023 EUROSIM Simulation Seminar and served on committees for events such as the 2024 Multilog Conference. Grants & Projects: Involved in EU-funded initiatives like H2020, focusing on multimodal integration and sustainable transport solutions. His research also explores climate change impacts on infrastructure and simulation-based validation approaches.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stephan Staudacher is the Director of the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion at the University of Stuttgart. His work focuses on aircraft propulsion systems, gas turbine performance, and turbomachinery design. He holds a professorship in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace, leading research in advanced engine technologies, erosion effects, and fault detection algorithms. Research interests include engine reliability, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and experimental validation of propulsion systems. His publications emphasize topics like neural network applications for fault detection, ice crystal icing simulations, and particle transport in additive manufacturing processes. Recent studies highlight the optimization of composite-cycle engines and assessment of mission severity caused by erosion. Key contributions include advancements in engine condition monitoring, transient performance analysis, and the development of Stuttgart University’s Altitude Test Facility (ATF). His work bridges theoretical models with industrial applications, addressing challenges in both civil and military aviation propulsion systems.
Rui Shi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on sustainability engineering at the intersection of natural and engineered systems, prioritizing sustainable pathways for transportation fuels, bioproducts, agricultural systems, and food-energy-water systems through integrated sustainability analyses. She develops frameworks for quantitative sustainable design (QSD) and system-level environmental impact assessments to navigate technical, economic, and environmental trade-offs. Her work has led to advancements in plastic recycling via cold sintering technology, biofuel lifecycle assessments, and frameworks for sustainable aviation fuels. Notable projects include assessments of renewable jet fuels in the U.S. Northern Great Plains, cold sintering of LLZO-based composites, and quantifying uncertainties in greenhouse gas abatement costs. Shi has secured grants such as the $3.4M contract for plastic waste solutions and IEE seed grants for interdisciplinary sustainability research. Shi collaborates on global low-carbon transition initiatives and integrates computational tools like BioSTEAM-LCA for agile biorefinery modeling. Her research spans from fundamental material science (e.g., repurposing polyolefin waste) to policy-relevant analyses of land use change and bioenergy systems. She contributes to the Integrated Energy Systems and Water Sustainability research themes at Penn State's Institutes of Energy and the Environment.
Elina Rönnberg is a Professor and Deputy Head of Department at the Department of Mathematics, Linköping University, where she leads research in discrete optimisation and intelligent decision-making. Her work bridges theoretical method development and real-world applications in sectors such as healthcare, aviation, mining, and transportation. She is actively involved in the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) and has collaborated with industry leaders like Saab and Scania. Her research focuses on advanced optimisation techniques including Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition, Lagrangian relaxation, column generation, branch-and-price, and logic-based Benders decomposition. She also explores hybrid methods combining mathematical programming with constraint programming and machine learning. Applications span nurse rostering, electric vehicle routing, aircraft arrival scheduling, and underground mine planning. Recent publications highlight a strong trend toward integrating AI and machine learning—particularly graph neural networks—with classical optimisation frameworks to accelerate solution methods. Her work emphasizes practical impact, robustness, and scalability in solving complex scheduling and resource allocation problems. Nurse Rostering with Strategic Planning of Skills for Sick-Leave Robustness (2024) Pricing for the EVRPTW with Piecewise Linear Charging (2024) Speeding Up Logic-Based Benders Decomposition with Graph Neural Networks (2024) Elina supervises several PhD students and has co-supervised doctoral research at international institutions including Makarere University (Uganda) and the University of Exeter (UK). She has contributed to applied projects through student theses in collaboration with Scania and Saab, focusing on electric vehicle routing and search-and-rescue optimisation. She previously served as a Specialist in Optimisation at Saab Aeronautics (2014–2020) and co-founded Schemagi, a scheduling tool aimed at improving quality in healthcare. She teaches courses such as Introduction to Optimization (TAOP07) and Project - Applied Mathematics (TATA62). Her research group, 'Mathematics and algorithms for intelligent decision-making,' operates within the Division of Applied Mathematics (TIMA) at the Department of Mathematics. The team develops decision support tools that enhance efficiency and sustainability in complex systems, particularly under the growing demands of electrification and digitalisation in transport and logistics.
Inseok Hwang is the Paul Stanley Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University, specializing in multiple-vehicle control systems. His research focuses on hybrid systems, air traffic control, unmanned systems, and cybersecurity of cyber-physical systems. He leads the Flight Dynamics and Control/Hybrid Systems Laboratory and has received numerous awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and AIAA Associate Fellow designation. His work spans theoretical advancements in control theory and practical applications in aerospace systems. He has over 150 peer-reviewed publications and actively collaborates with industry and government agencies like NASA and the FAA. Education: B.S. (Seoul National University, 1992), M.S. (KAIST, 1994), Ph.D. (Stanford, 2004). Professional memberships include AIAA and IEEE. Research Interests: Hybrid systems analysis, air traffic surveillance and control, fault detection and isolation, spacecraft control, and cybersecurity for autonomous systems. His lab develops algorithms for safe and efficient operation of networked systems, including UAS traffic management and resilient control protocols against cyberattacks. Awards: NSF CAREER (2008), AIAA Associate Fellow (2012), University Faculty Scholar (2017), C.T. Sun Award (2019), multiple Seed for Success Awards (2020–2024), and Paul Stanley Professorship (2024). Grants and Collaborations: Active projects funded by NSF, NASA, FAA, and industry partners. Focus areas include resilient navigation, anomaly detection in air traffic systems, and cyberattack mitigation for autonomous vehicles.
Anming Zhang serves as a Professor in the Operations and Logistics Division of UBC's Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, holding the prestigious Vancouver International Airport Authority Professorship in Air Transportation. His academic foundation includes a B.Sc. from Shanghai Jiao-Tong University and M.Sc./Ph.D. degrees from the University of British Columbia. Education : B.Sc. (Shanghai Jiao-Tong University), M.Sc. & Ph.D. (University of British Columbia) His research focuses on Transport Economics and Policy , Air Cargo Logistics , and Industrial Organization , with particular expertise in air-rail competition dynamics, pandemic impacts on aviation, and infrastructure economics. Zhang employs advanced methodologies including spatial econometrics and complex network analysis to examine transportation systems. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) Resilience of global air networks against pandemics and geopolitical conflicts, (2) Economic implications of urban air mobility integration, and (3) Non-aeronautical revenue optimization in airport management. His work increasingly bridges transportation economics with environmental sustainability concerns. Zhang actively supervises graduate students in Transportation & Logistics MSc and PhD programs within Business Administration, teaching undergraduate courses including Logistics and Operations Management and Air Transportation. He maintains strong institutional ties through the Center for Transportation Studies and collaborates extensively with international researchers on aviation policy challenges.
Travis Desell is a Professor in the Department of Software Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), part of the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. His research focuses on data science and machine learning applied to large-scale datasets using high-performance and distributed computing. He specializes in neuro-evolution, combining evolutionary algorithms with neural networks, particularly through his EXACT and EXAMM algorithms. He leads the D2S2 Lab and has developed the SALSA programming language based on the actor model. Currently funded projects include the National General Aviation Flight Information Database (NGAFID) and an NSF award exploring contextual bandits for decision-making in cyber-physical systems. His work emphasizes practical scientific applications, including stock forecasting, power plant data prediction, and explainable time series models. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his roles and publications indicate advanced academic credentials. Research interests span neuro-evolutionary techniques, recurrent neural networks, and distributed computing frameworks. Key projects include EXAMM for time series forecasting and NGAFID for flight safety analysis. Collaborations involve students and teams at RIT and beyond, with a focus on advancing AI-driven solutions in dynamic environments. Lab affiliations include the D2S2 Lab, where he mentors students and conducts cutting-edge research. Current opportunities exist for PhD students with backgrounds in software engineering and expertise in areas like NLP, web development, and distributed systems.
