Dr. Igor V. Pivkin is a Full Professor at the Institute of Computing within the Faculty of Informatics at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland. His academic journey includes degrees from Novosibirsk State University (B.Sc./M.Sc. Mathematics), Brown University (M.Sc. Computer Science and Ph.D. Applied Mathematics), and postdoctoral research at MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research focuses on multiscale/multiphysics modeling , numerical methods , and large-scale simulations of biological and physical systems. Key areas include biophysics, cellular/molecular biomechanics, stochastic modeling, and coarse-grained molecular simulations. He leverages high-performance computing (HPC) and particle-based methods to address complex biological phenomena. His work spans diverse applications, from understanding cellular mechanosensitivity and biofilm engineering to modeling cancer cell behavior and red blood cell dynamics in the spleen. His contributions bridge computational science, biotechnology, and biomedical research. He has published extensively in top-tier journals, with recent work advancing automated biofilm analysis, deep learning for microbial classification, and systems biology approaches to metal bioleaching. His lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing computational innovation for real-world biological challenges.
Giancarlo Ferrari Trecate is an Adjunct Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) , affiliated with the School of Engineering and the SCI-STI-GFT department. He is also involved in teaching and research through the STI-SGM and EDRS-ENS programs. Research Interests : Automatic control, state estimation, system identification, machine learning, distributed control, hybrid systems, microgrids, biochemical networks, voltage and frequency stabilization in AC/DC microgrids. Publications Trends : His recent work focuses on integrating Neural ODEs and Hamiltonian structures for stable control systems, regret minimization in distributed control, and robust state estimation under uncertainty. Applications include autonomous mobility-on-demand , power grid optimization , and secure microgrid control against cyber-attacks. Scientific Awards : No specific awards mentioned in the provided data. Teaching & Advising : He supervises PhD students in mechanical engineering and teaches courses on Multivariable control and Networked control systems . His lab, DECODE , specializes in Dependable Control and Decision systems.
Sebastijan Dumancic is an Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology, focusing on neuro-symbolic AI through program synthesis and probabilistic programming. He leads the RAIL lab and collaborates with institutions like Harvard, MIT, and CNRS. His research bridges symbolic AI and machine learning, applying program synthesis to scientific discovery, transportation, and robotics. He holds an FWO-funded PhD from KU Leuven and has participated in initiatives like ELLIS and the Symbolic Computation and Machine Learning Initiative. Program synthesis Probabilistic programming Neuro-symbolic AI Constraint-based learning His recent articles highlight advancements in program synthesis, neuro-symbolic integration, and constraint satisfaction. Projects like Find2Fix and Intelligent Greenhouse Horticulture (funded by NWO) demonstrate practical applications. ELLIS Membership University Teaching Qualification He supervises numerous MSc and PhD students in projects involving logic programming, program synthesis, and probabilistic modeling. Active in workshops and symposia, he contributes to neuro-symbolic AI and scientific discovery.
Dr. Mauro Werder is a Lecturer at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich. His work focuses on glaciology, subglacial hydrology, and numerical modeling, combining computational methods with field measurements. He has developed widely used models such as GlaDS (Glacier Drainage System) and BITE (Bayesian Ice Thickness Estimation), and contributed to projects like SHMIP and 4D-Antarctica. Current Projects: Gladder (2025-2028), DIWING (2023-2026), LEAD (2020-2026), 4D-Antarctica (2019-2022), CORDS (2023-2024) Education: PhD in Glaciology (2009, Swiss National Science Foundation funded) His research spans subglacial drainage systems, sediment transport (SUGSET model), Bayesian inversion techniques, and field experiments involving artificial lakes and R-channels. He actively teaches courses on GPU-based PDE solving, applied glaciology, and reproducible scientific computing. Scientific Awards: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) Fellowship for Prospective Researchers (2010-2011) European Union (FP7) Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship (2011-2014) He collaborates with institutions like the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and contributes to software development through packages like BITEmodel.jl and Parameters.jl. His fieldwork includes experiments on Greenland's Jakobshavn Isbræ and Switzerland's Plaine Morte glacier.
Florent Krzakala is a Full Professor at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, holding positions across multiple departments including the School of Basic Sciences (SB), School of Engineering (STI), and specifically within the Department of Physics (IPHYS) and Department of Electrical Engineering (IEM). He leads the Information, Learning and Physics Laboratory (IdePHICS) and maintains an office at ELD 239, Station 11, 1015 Lausanne. His research bridges statistical physics and computational disciplines, with significant contributions to understanding the theoretical foundations of machine learning and optimization problems. Dr. Krzakala received his MSc in Physics from Orsay, France in 1999, followed by a PhD in Statistical Physics from Orsay, Paris XI, France in 2002, and completed a postdoctoral position at Roma La Sapienza in 2004. This strong foundation in physics has informed his interdisciplinary approach to computational problems. His research interests span Statistical Physics, Machine Learning, Probability and Statistics, Computer Science, Information Theory, Inference on Graphs, Random Constraint Optimization, and Computational Optics. Krzakala's work focuses on applying methods from statistical physics to problems in theoretical computer science, probability, and machine learning. He investigates how concepts from disordered systems and phase transitions can illuminate computational barriers in optimization and inference tasks. His research has particular relevance for understanding the behavior of neural networks, compressed sensing, and high-dimensional statistical models. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward understanding the fundamental limits of learning in high-dimensional settings, with particular emphasis on phase transitions, statistical-to-computational gaps, and the theoretical properties of deep learning architectures. His work frequently bridges rigorous mathematical analysis with practical machine learning applications, demonstrating how insights from statistical physics can inform algorithm design and theoretical understanding in AI. Krzakala actively mentors the next generation of researchers, supervising numerous PhD students whose work continues to advance these interdisciplinary fields. His laboratory serves as a hub for researchers exploring the intersection of physics and computation, fostering collaborations across traditional disciplinary boundaries. He teaches advanced courses including Fundamentals of Inference and Learning, Statistical Physics, and Statistical Physics for Optimization & Learning, which examine the connections between physical principles and computational methods. His educational materials, including lecture notes on statistical physics methods in optimization and machine learning, have become valuable resources for students and researchers worldwide. As founder and scientific advisor of the startup Lighton, Krzakala has also demonstrated a commitment to translating theoretical insights into practical applications, particularly in the realm of optical computing for machine learning tasks.
Andrea Del Prete is an Associate Professor in the Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Trento (Italy) since 2022. His research focuses on robot control, reinforcement learning, trajectory optimization, and numerical algorithms for dynamic systems. He leads the Interdepartmental Robotics Lab (IDRA) and has previously held roles as a tenure-track assistant professor at the University of Trento (2019-2021), a research scientist at the Max-Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (2018), and an associated researcher at LAAS-CNRS (2014-2017) working with the HRP-2 humanoid robot. Earlier, he conducted PhD and post-doc research at the Italian Institute of Technology (2010-2013) on iCub robot control. PhD in Robotics (2013) - Italian Institute of Technology MEng in Computer Engineering (2009) - University of Bologna BSc in Computer Engineering (2006) - University of Bologna Dr. Del Prete specializes in merging learning and model-based techniques for safe robot control, particularly in legged systems. His work bridges trajectory optimization (TO) with reinforcement learning (RL) to overcome local minima challenges (CACTO/CACTO-SL algorithms) and develops robust controllers for humanoid and quadrupedal robots in unstructured environments. He explores viability kernels in MPC, safety certificates, and bi-level optimization for co-designing hardware/control policies. Key application areas include mountain rescue robotics (ALPINE platform), aerial maneuver recovery, and energy-efficient legged locomotion. His recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize numerical optimization algorithms, multi-contact locomotion, and hybrid control frameworks. Topics span from analytical integral optimization (2025) to climbing robots for mountain operations (2025), demonstrating a trajectory from theoretical algorithm development to real-world robotic applications. Research keywords include robotics, numerical optimization, and machine learning, with sub-fields like MPC for dynamic systems, humanoid control, and terrain adaptation. As an educator, he teaches advanced courses on: Optimization and Learning for Robot Control (48-hour master's course) Optimization-based Control of Legged Robots (12-hour PhD course) Task-Space Inverse Dynamics (3-hour PhD course) Current PhD advisees include Mohammad Hasan Yeganegi (generalization bounds for imitation learning), Pietro Noah Crestaz (numerically-efficient RL), Veronica Campana (ergodic control for defect detection), Elisa Alboni (data-efficient model-based RL), and Gianni Lunardi (MPC for legged locomotion).
Stéphane Commend is an Associate HES Professor at the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR) under HES-SO Valais-Wallis. He also holds a lecturer role at the School of Engineering and Management of the Canton of Vaud. His primary research focuses on geotechnics, numerical simulations, and probabilistic modeling applied to infrastructure projects like tunneling and deep excavations. Education and affiliations include roles across multiple HES-SO institutions, with a strong emphasis on integrating advanced computational methods into geotechnical engineering. Notable projects include the Grand Paris Express tunnel project, Bayesian inference for wood constitutive modeling, and probabilistic risk analysis for urban construction. Research interests span soil-structure interaction, finite element modeling, and uncertainty quantification. Recent work emphasizes Bayesian methods for parameter calibration, machine learning in excavation design, and natural hazard vulnerability assessment. Key contributions include frameworks linking ZSOIL and UQLab for reliability analysis, and prototypes like SLIDE-PM for mudflow impact modeling. Current projects (e.g., iBAG and OptiSoil) focus on optimizing construction methods using AI and data-driven approaches. He leads collaborative teams across HES-SO institutes and academic partners like EPFL and CETU. Key Projects: iBAG Project (2022–2025): Bayesian methods in geotechnics OptiSoil (2019–2025): Machine learning for excavation design TULIP Project: TBM-pile interaction probabilistic analysis
Fabio Nobile is a Full Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Basic Sciences (SB), Department of Mathematics (MATH), holding the CADMOS Chair in Scientific Computing and Uncertainty Quantification. He leads the CSQI (Chair of Scientific Computing and Uncertainty Quantification) group. His work focuses on numerical methods for partial differential equations (PDEs), uncertainty quantification, stochastic modeling, and computational fluid dynamics. He is involved in collaborative projects involving fluid-structure interaction, cardiac electro-mechanics, and energy systems. Professor Nobile has extensive teaching experience, including courses on advanced analysis, stochastic simulation, and numerical integration of stochastic differential equations. He supervises numerous PhD students and has contributed to over 200 peer-reviewed publications, covering topics such as low-rank approximation methods, multilevel Monte Carlo techniques, and optimal control under uncertainty. His research emphasizes interdisciplinary applications, including biomedical engineering (e.g., personalized cardiac simulations) and renewable energy (e.g., probabilistic load forecasting). He collaborates with industries and academic institutions globally, advancing computational methodologies for engineering and scientific challenges.
Leon Bungert is a Professor of Mathematics of Machine Learning at the University of Würzburg, working in applied analysis and numerics with a particular focus on data science and machine learning. His research investigates PDEs and variational models on graphs, adversarial robustness of machine learning, variational regularization, and nonlinear optimization. Dr. Bungert serves as a guest editor for the European Journal of Applied Mathematics, an associate editor for Advances in Continuous and Discrete Models: Theory and Applications, and is a member of the program committee at SSVM 2025. He is also an ELLIS member and actively organizes conferences and workshops, including "MIA'25" at IHP in Paris (January 13-15, 2025), "Synergies of Machine Learning and Numerics" in Osaka (March 11-13, 2025), and "Mathematical Analysis of Adversarial Machine Learning" in Oaxaca (August 17-22, 2025). Research Interests Dr. Bungert's primary research areas include: PDEs on graphs Adversarial robustness in machine learning Inverse problems Optimization Variational problems in L-infinity Nonlinear eigenvalue problems Image reconstruction with structural priors His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in machine learning, particularly focusing on the mathematical foundations of deep learning and developing robust algorithms that can withstand adversarial attacks. He has made significant contributions to understanding the connections between partial differential equations and machine learning algorithms. Research Trends Analysis of Dr. Bungert's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of machine learning and mathematical analysis. A key theme is the application of variational methods and partial differential equations to machine learning problems, particularly in understanding and improving the robustness of neural networks against adversarial examples. His work on Lipschitz learning on graphs has established important theoretical foundations for graph-based semi-supervised learning. Additionally, his research on the infinity Laplacian and p-Laplacian equations provides deep insights into the mathematical structure of machine learning algorithms. The development of Bregman learning frameworks for sparse neural networks represents a significant contribution to efficient deep learning model training. Professional Activities Dr. Bungert is actively involved in the academic community through editorial roles and conference organization. His current professional activities include: Guest editor for the European Journal of Applied Mathematics Associate editor for Advances in Continuous and Discrete Models: Theory and Applications Member of the program committee at SSVM 2025 ELLIS member Co-organizer of multiple international conferences and workshops Technical Contributions Dr. Bungert has developed several open-source software packages that implement his theoretical contributions, including: Code for convergence rates of Lipschitz learning on graphs A Bregman training framework for sparse neural networks CLIP: Cheap Lipschitz Training of Neural Networks Nonlinear Power Method for Proximal Operators and Neural Networks Robust Image Reconstruction with Misaligned Structural Information These implementations are primarily in Python and MATLAB, demonstrating his commitment to making theoretical advances accessible for practical applications.
Igor V. Pivkin is a full professor at the Institute of Computing within the Faculty of Informatics at the University of Lugano (USI). He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mathematics from Novosibirsk State University, followed by an M.Sc. in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Brown University. Before joining USI, he was a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research focuses on multiscale/multiphysics modeling , numerical methods, and large-scale simulations of biological and physical systems. Key areas include biophysics, cellular/molecular biomechanics, stochastic modeling, and coarse-grained molecular simulations. He leverages high-performance computing and particle-based methods to address complex biological phenomena. His work spans diverse applications, including cancer cell dynamics, bioleaching bacterial biofilms, and erythrocyte mechanics in human spleen circulation. He has pioneered computational tools such as the Bayesian recursive global optimizer (BaRGO) and the in-silico lab-on-a-chip framework, enabling petascale simulations of microfluidic systems at cellular resolution. Pivkin collaborates extensively with institutions like the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and has contributed to advancing methodologies for multi-model scientific simulations. His research integrates experimental data with computational models to bridge gaps between microscopic and macroscopic biological processes.
Michael Multerer is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Informatics, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). His research focuses on multiresolution methods, scattered data analysis, and numerical analysis with applications in computational mathematics and engineering. He leads projects such as the SNSF Starting Grant on multiresolution methods for unstructured data, emphasizing nonlinear approximation and kernel-based techniques. Research Interests: Development of fully discrete multiresolution methods for unstructured data Wavelet theory and kernel matrix algebra Uncertainty quantification in partial differential equations Scattered data compression and approximation Key Software Contributions: FMCA: Fast multiresolution covariance analysis for scattered data Bembel: Boundary element library for solving Laplace and Helmholtz equations SPQR: Anisotropic sparse grid quadrature in MATLAB Funding: Holder of the SNSF Starting Grant (2025) for advancing multiresolution techniques in unstructured data processing. Labs/Teams: Active in the research group at USI’s Faculty of Informatics, collaborating with institutions like TU Darmstadt and University of Basel on numerical methods and engineering applications.
Giona Casiraghi is a Senior Researcher at ETH Zurich specializing in network science and complex systems, with a primary focus on resilience modeling in social organizations and data-driven network analysis. His work bridges theoretical advances in statistical network models with practical applications in supply chain management, open-source software ecosystems, and online social dynamics. His research interests center on developing quantitative methods for analyzing complex systems, particularly through the generalized hypergeometric ensemble of random graphs (gHypEG). Casiraghi's work spans multiple disciplines including network science, statistical physics, data science, and resilience theory, with particular expertise in temporal network analysis, multi-edge networks, and zero-inflation models for sparse networks. His research group develops the ghypernet R package , providing open-source tools for network regression and inference. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward applying network science to real-world resilience problems, particularly in pharmaceutical supply chains and social organizations. His 2025 Science paper on US tariffs threatening medicine supply chains exemplifies this practical turn, while his methodological work on zero-inflated network models (PNAS Nexus 2025) demonstrates continued theoretical innovation. Casiraghi frequently collaborates with Frank Schweitzer and others in the Systems Group at ETH Zurich, producing interdisciplinary work that bridges computer science, economics, and social science. Casiraghi's research has significant implications for understanding how social organizations withstand shocks and how supply chains can be made more resilient to disruptions. His work on the gHypEG framework provides foundational tools for network scientists across multiple disciplines, while his applied research offers concrete insights for policymakers and industry practitioners dealing with complex system failures. He has contributed to numerous projects examining online migration after community bans, developer productivity in open-source projects, and reconstruction of social relations from interaction data. His research methodology typically combines large-scale data analysis with advanced statistical modeling, often developing new network analysis techniques to address specific research questions.
Dr. Andrea Carron is a Senior Lecturer at ETH Zürich, affiliated with the Intelligent Control Systems group under Professor M. Zeilinger at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. He holds a PhD in Information Technology from the University of Padova (2016) and was a Postdoc at ETH Zurich from 2016 to 2020. Education: B.S. and M.Sc. in Control Engineering (University of Padova, 2010 and 2012) Professional Roles: Senior Lecturer (ETH Zurich, 2022–present), Postdoc Fellow (ETH Zurich, 2016–2020) Research Interests: Andrea Carron's work focuses on Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Learning-based Control with safety guarantees. His research addresses challenges in Distributed Safe Learning , Coverage Control , and Autonomous Racing , utilizing Gaussian Processes and Stochastic Control frameworks. He has developed safety filters for racing vehicles, scalable MPC for mobility-on-demand systems, and Kalman-filter-enhanced GP regression techniques. Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize Autonomous Racing (ForzaETH Race Stack), Safe Learning for distributed systems, Gaussian Process applications in control, and Robust MPC under uncertainty. His work bridges machine learning and classical control theory, with applications in robotics and real-time systems. Teaching Activities: He has taught courses such as Signals and Systems and Advanced Model Predictive Control at ETH Zurich and Ashesi University since 2017. Course content includes discrete-time signal processing, system identification, and control algorithms.
Richard Baltensperger is a Full Professor at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) , affiliated with the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture and the HumanTech - Technology for Human Wellbeing Institute . His research spans numerical analysis, thermal kinetics, and ecological network modeling. Key research areas include: Thermal stability prediction using kinetic models Remote teaching methodologies in chemistry IoT-enabled material shelf-life monitoring Optimization of acoustic sensor networks Thermal hazard analysis for reactive chemicals Complex systems in ecology His work on merging DSC and large-scale testing data has improved safety temperature predictions for materials, while recent publications explore AI-driven sensor placement optimization. He employs advanced statistical methods (AIC/BIC) for model selection and has developed applications for smartphone-based deterioration tracking via data loggers. Current research at the HumanTech Institute focuses on technology applications for environmental and materials safety. Publications show collaborations with institutions like the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Germany.
Dr. Kevin J Liang is a Research Scientist at Meta Platforms, Inc. , specializing in Deep Learning , Computer Vision , and 3D Reconstruction . He earned his PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Duke University in 2020, with a dissertation on Deep Automatic Threat Recognition for Airport X-Ray Baggage Screening . His research focuses include: 3D Computer Vision (ICON, Fast3R) Few-Shot Learning (Sylph, HyperMix) Federated Learning (WAFFLe) Object Detection (EgoTracks, Self-Supervised Methods) Recent publications demonstrate his leadership in Egocentric Vision (Ego-Exo4D) and Transformer Applications (GliTr). He has received numerous awards including the E Bayard Halsted Fellowship (2017) and Summa cum laude (2015), and serves on program committees for major conferences like NeurIPS and CVPR . As an educator, he developed and taught tutorials for Duke University's Machine Learning School and Coursera courses, covering TensorFlow, PyTorch, and foundational ML concepts for over 600 students.
