Sanna Syri is a Professor at Aalto University's School of Engineering , specifically within the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering . Her research focuses on large-scale energy systems, emphasizing climate change mitigation through innovative electricity market strategies and sustainable district heating solutions. Research Interests : Climate-resilient energy systems Electrification of district heating Data center waste heat utilization Renewable energy integration Green hydrogen production Recent Work examines Nordic electricity market dynamics, cold climate energy challenges in Finland and Japan, and the economic implications of electrified district heating systems. Her publications address critical energy transition issues through experimental and modeling approaches. Contact : sanna.syri@aalto.fi
Ian Ewart is an Associate Professor at the University of Reading's School of the Built Environment, serving as Head of Construction and Engineering Management and Research Group Lead for Organisation, People and Technology. He chairs the Research Ethics Committee since 2016 and supervises undergraduate/postgraduate dissertations. His academic journey spans engineering and anthropology: DPhil Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, St Hugh's College (2007-2012) MSc Material Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford, St Hugh's College (2006-2007) BA (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Oxford, Harris Manchester College (2003-2006) Diploma in Management Studies, University of the West of England (1990-1994) BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Staffordshire University (1983-1987) Ewart's research integrates ethnographic methods with digital technology studies, examining human-technology interactions in construction and domestic settings. His work bridges engineering practice and social anthropology, focusing on skill transmission, sustainable design, and multisensory experiences in virtual environments. Publications from 2025-2013 reveal a dominant trajectory in digital twins for socio-ecological sustainability, VR-based occupant behavior prediction, and HBIM for heritage conservation. The corpus demonstrates consistent cross-disciplinary innovation, merging archaeological reconstructions with healthcare applications while maintaining anthropological rigor. Key recognition: ESRC Future Research Leader fellowship (2013) for Designing Healthy Homes project He supervises PhD candidates like Afolabi Dania (Nigerian sustainable construction) and Joanna Hull (Heritage BIM), leveraging ESRC funding for ethnography-VR health studies. His grants emphasize participatory design and real-world impact assessment in built environments. Leaders the Organisation, People and Technology research group, developing multisensory Roman town reconstructions with sound/smell integration to advance archaeological and architectural experience modeling.
Dr. phil. Stefan Ladwig is a researcher at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (Institut für Kraftfahrzeuge) at RWTH Aachen University, specializing in traffic psychology, user acceptance, and human-machine interaction for automated driving systems. His work addresses psychological and ergonomic aspects of emerging mobility technologies, including seating ergonomics, trust-building mechanisms, and communication strategies for autonomous delivery robots. Research Focus: Automated driving, interior design psychology, driver/passenger behavior, and safety requirements. Projects: Lead roles in UrbANT (autonomous delivery robot) and SteeringBow (dynamic driving experience). Collaborations: Affiliated with Aldenhoven Testing Center, Future Mobility Partnership e.V., and innocam.NRW. Ladwig’s recent publications examine rotated seating positions, visual dominance in speed adaptation, and trust-relevant driving scenarios, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to optimizing human-vehicle interactions. His work spans ergonomics, energy management, and behavioral interventions to enhance safety and usability in next-generation mobility solutions.
Amin Hammad is a Professor at the Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, with an additional appointment as Affiliate Professor in Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University. His research focuses on advancing construction technology through digital transformation, automation, and AI integration. He leads work in BIM applications, 4D simulation, robotic systems, and sustainable infrastructure management. His interdisciplinary approach bridges civil engineering with computer science and data analytics. Key research areas include: Automation and robotics in construction (Construction 4.0) BIM and digital twin lifecycle management AI-driven defect detection and inspection systems Occupational safety through exoskeleton performance evaluation Multi-purpose utility tunnel optimization Energy-efficient building systems Recent work emphasizes applying machine learning to construction equipment activity recognition, UAV path optimization for infrastructure inspection, and ontology development for integrated systems. His research addresses industry challenges in productivity, safety, and sustainability through data-driven solutions.
Susan Powers is a Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University, where she also serves as the Spence Professor of Sustainable Environmental Systems, Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment, and Associate Director of Sustainability. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1992. Research Interests: Dr. Powers specializes in lifecycle assessment and environmental impact metrics for energy systems, with recent interdisciplinary work on anaerobic digestion for food waste management and smart housing to encourage energy conservation. Her educational research integrates project-based learning to enhance energy and climate change literacy across K-12 and college levels. Scientific Awards: AEESP Distinguished Service Award (2019) AEESP Fellow (2019) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award (2012) Premier Curriculum Award for K-12 Engineering (2009) NSF Directors Award – Distinguished Teaching Scholar (2004) Grants & Educational Leadership: Dr. Powers has led multiple education-oriented grants, including the NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholars award, to develop project-based modules for sustainability education. She actively incorporates campus sustainability initiatives into student projects to teach real-world environmental problem-solving.
Lars Nordström is a Professor at the Division of Electric Power and Energy Systems within KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. His work bridges control systems , communication networks , and power systems , with a focus on future architectures, functionality, and quality aspects of ICT for power grid operations. He has led initiatives such as the Swedish Centre of Electric Power Engineering and served as Thematic Leader for Smartgrids in KIC InnoEnergy. In 2014, he was a Visiting Professor at Washington State University. Education : Ph.D., MSc.EE Nordström's research explores the intersection of smart grids , machine learning , and cybersecurity for power systems. Key areas include: Wide-Area Monitoring and Control (WAMC) systems Decentralized control strategies for DC microgrids Impedance modeling using neural networks Data-driven methods for islanding detection ICT reliability and protocol design for grid operations His recent publications emphasize machine learning applications in power systems, including LSTM networks for EV charging management, graph attention networks for stability monitoring, and digital twin approaches for cyber-attack mitigation. These works span disciplines such as Smart Grids, Power Electronics, and Data Science. Scientific Recognitions : Senior Member, IEEE Senior Member, CIRED Senior Member, Cigre Past Chairman, Swedish IEC TC57 Mirror Committee Nordström actively teaches and examines graduate courses like Communication and Control in Electric Power Systems and Computer Applications and Machine Learning in Electric Power Systems . His work influences industry practices through collaborations on digital substations, energy market analysis, and resilience strategies.
Heitor Pellegrina is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in trade and development economics with a particular focus on agriculture and environmental resources. He is affiliated with the Building Inclusive Growth (BIG) Lab and became a Kellogg faculty fellow in 2023. Prior to joining Notre Dame, Pellegrina spent six years as an assistant professor at New York University Abu Dhabi, where he coordinated DevLab seminars from 2021-2023 and co-organized the conference "The End of Globalization" in 2022. His research spans multiple countries including Brazil, India, Colombia, and parts of Africa, examining the intersection of trade policies, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Pellegrina holds a PhD in economics from Brown University (2017) and both bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from the University of São Paulo, Brazil (2009 and 2011 respectively). His research program addresses critical questions at the intersection of international trade, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability. Recent work examines how weather shocks affect farm size distribution, the relationship between economic development and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, and the global impacts of trade policies on deforestation patterns. His publications appear in top journals including the Journal of Political Economy, Journal of Development Economics, and Journal of International Economics. PhD, Brown University, 2017 M.Sc., University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2011 B.Sc., University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2009 Pellegrina teaches undergraduate courses in Economic Growth and graduate courses in Quantitative International Trade and Development Economics. His research methodology combines empirical analysis of large datasets with theoretical modeling to address questions of economic development and trade policy. He has organized academic events including the Development Economics Working Group at Notre Dame and previously coordinated DevLab seminars at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Keigo Kobayashi is an Associate Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Department of Architecture. He has served in this position since 2016, previously holding the rank of Assistant Professor from 2012 to 2016. His professional journey includes significant experience at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam, where he worked as a Senior Architect and Project Architect from 2007 to 2012. His educational background includes a Master of Architecture II from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design (2005), a Master of Architecture from Waseda University's Graduate School of Science and Engineering (2003), and a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Waseda University's School of Science and Engineering (2002). Kobayashi's research focuses on architectural planning and city planning, with particular interests in food-related architecture, spatial behavior, and sustainable design. His work explores the intersection of architecture with everyday life, examining how spatial configurations influence human behavior and community formation. Recent research has investigated food systems in urban contexts, playful approaches to spatial design, and the relationship between architectural form and environmental performance. His publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical applications of architectural theory, with projects spanning from food truck design in Shodoshima to zero-energy housing solutions and innovative approaches to architectural education. His work shows a consistent interest in how architecture can respond to contemporary social challenges while maintaining theoretical rigor. Excellence in Concrete Construction Award 2019, American Concrete Institute (ACI), Qatar National Library / OMA Kobayashi actively contributes to architectural education through various committee memberships, including serving as Chief of the Subcommittee on Strategies for International Compatibility in Architectural Education at the Architectural Institute of Japan and leading the Caberra Accord Correspondence Subcommittee at the Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering Education. His teaching portfolio at Waseda University is extensive, covering architectural design studios from undergraduate to doctoral levels. He leads several research initiatives, including the Wakusei Project in Tosa, Kochi, NPO PLAT (Platform for Architectural Thinking), and the European Thinkbelt/McDonald's Radio University project which represents an innovative approach to architectural education and community engagement, particularly in contexts of migration and cultural exchange.
Helen Nguyen is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , where she has held positions since 2006. She also serves as an Affiliate at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Institute for Genomic Biology . Her academic roles include chairing the Environmental Engineering and Science Program (2017-2019) and prior positions as Associate and Assistant Professor at UIUC. Ph.D. (2005), M.S. (2004) in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University M.S. (2000) in Earth and Environmental Science from University of Illinois at Chicago B.S. (1995) in Geology from Ivan Franko National University of L'viv Nguyen's research focuses on pathogens and biofilms in drinking water distribution systems , environmental surveillance of pathogens , and water and food safety . Her work spans microbial inactivation mechanisms, biofilm dynamics, and innovative water treatment strategies. Her recent 15 articles (2023-2025) emphasize coronavirus stability , legionella contamination , rotavirus on produce , biofilm mechanics , and climate-pathogen interactions . Trends include environmental virology, microbial risk assessment, and disinfection science. Scientific awards include the NSF CAREER award , Fulbright Specialist , AEESP/CH2M Hill Outstanding Dissertation Award , and University of Illinois College of Engineering Research Excellence Awards at both Assistant and Associate Professor levels. Nguyen advises 10 undergraduate students on pathogen removal and has mentored award-winning graduate students like Ruiqing Lu (2015) and Chamteut Oh (2024). She leads Engineers Without Borders teams and collaborates on USDA-funded food safety workshops .
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Werner Lang serves as Vice President for Sustainable Transformation and holds the Chair of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building (ENPB) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the TUM School of Engineering and Design. Previously, he was Professor of Sustainable Building and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Texas School of Architecture in Austin (2008-2010). Lang also directs the Oskar von Miller Forum and is a partner at Lang Hugger Rampp GmbH Architekten in Munich. Lang's research focuses on developing strategies for buildings with positive environmental footprints through regenerative energy systems, renewable materials, and closed material cycles. His work emphasizes comprehensive life cycle analysis considering ecological, economic, and social aspects. Current research areas include climate-resilient urban neighborhoods, circular economy in construction, and sustainable building materials. The ENPB institute conducts numerous research projects such as Building Climate-Municipal, CircularFTmehrRAUM, and Urban Green Infrastructure. Lang's publications reveal a strong trend toward life cycle assessment, multi-criteria decision-making, and computational approaches for sustainable building design. His recent work integrates machine learning with building performance analysis and focuses on practical implementation of circular economy principles in urban contexts, with increasing emphasis on quantifying environmental benefits of urban green infrastructure. TUM Sustainability Award 2022 Doce et Delecta (Second Prize for Best Teaching), 2019 Bayerischer Energiepreis 2014 International Building Skin Tech Award (2008) Promotionspreis der TUM (2000) Lang leads the Institute of Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Design and Building with numerous research grants including projects like Building.Lab+, NAWAREUM, and ECO+. His team includes researchers working on topics ranging from urban mining to life cycle assessment tools. The institute maintains several products and startups including MoMeBo, Bilanzlabor, and EnergyML that translate research into practical applications for the building industry.
Patrick Baylis is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Economics at the Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia. His research focuses on how people respond to environmental threats such as wildfires, air pollution, and extreme temperatures. He employs large datasets, natural language processing, and spatial information in his work, primarily using R/RStudio and Python for data analysis. Dr. Baylis earned his PhD from the University of California Berkeley in 2016 in Agricultural and Resource Economics. Prior to joining UBC, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Center on Food Security and the Environment. He also worked as a research assistant at the Energy Institute at Haas and is a proud alumnus of Carleton College. His research interests span environmental economics with a particular focus on climate change impacts, energy economics, and behavioral responses to environmental threats. His work often examines the intersection of climate, health, and economic behavior, using innovative methods like social media data analysis to measure sentiment responses to temperature changes and other environmental factors. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strong focus on using big data approaches to understand human responses to environmental challenges. His work frequently appears in top journals including Nature Climate Change, PNAS, and the Journal of Public Economics. His research spans multiple subfields including wildfire economics, air quality valuation, climate migration, and the behavioral impacts of temperature extremes. Dr. Baylis has received significant media attention for his work, with coverage in major outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. His research on temperature and suicide rates, as well as climate perception, has been particularly influential in connecting environmental conditions with human behavior and mental health outcomes. He maintains an active research program examining critical environmental challenges, including wildfire risk, air pollution impacts, climate adaptation strategies, and the economic dimensions of climate change. His work combines rigorous economic analysis with innovative data collection and processing methods to provide new insights into how humans respond to environmental threats.
Roy Dong is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the Coordinated Science Laboratory. His research bridges Control Theory Economics Statistics Optimization to address challenges in cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things, focusing on data manipulation, privacy, and strategic behavior in interconnected systems. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley (2017) and dual B.S. degrees in Economics and Computer Engineering from Michigan State University (2010). At Illinois, he teaches courses ranging from Control Systems to Convex Optimization , with multiple teaching excellence awards. Roy's research explores Closed-loop effects of machine learning Causality in decision systems Incentive design for strategic agents Privacy-utility tradeoff optimization Human behavior modeling with applications in smart grids, transportation networks, and semi-autonomous vehicles. His work formulates privacy-preserving mechanisms as optimization problems, balancing data utility against user privacy in dynamic systems. Article trends show expertise in Game theory for strategic data sources Energy disaggregation techniques Nonlinear basis pursuit algorithms Privacy-aware control systems with a focus on cyber-physical systems and human-in-the-loop applications. Scientific recognition includes 'Teacher Ranked as Excellent' awards (ECE 120, ECE 486, ECE 515) Contributions to smartSDH building control and CPRL compressive sensing Roy leads the Privacy-aware Control Systems research group, collaborating with institutions like UC Berkeley and Michigan State University , and directs projects funded by grants including the New USDA NIFA grant for agricultural robot autonomy .
Dr. Daniel Carrión is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences. His work bridges climate science , energy transitions , and health equity , focusing on structural inequality’s role in exposure and health disparities. Education: PhD in Environmental Health Sciences (Columbia University, 2019); MPH in Environmental Health Sciences (New York Medical College, 2011); BA in Environmental Studies (Ithaca College, 2008). His research examines how home and neighborhood environments serve as intervention points for climate and health equity . Recent studies include modeling heat vulnerability in U.S. housing, geospatial analysis of lead water lines, and clean cooking interventions in Ghana. Articles span climate change , air pollution , and social determinants , with methodological focus on exposure science and case-crossover designs . Scientific honors include: Senior Fellow, Agents of Change in Environmental Justice (2022) Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2022) Senior Fellow, Environmental Leadership Program (2019) He contributes to community service as a member of the New York State Minority Health Council (2016–present) and the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (2018–present). His work integrates satellite data , machine learning , and policy evaluation to address energy insecurity , racial segregation , and climate justice .
Dr. Stella Boess is a Researcher at the Department of Industrial Design Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. She focuses on interdisciplinary research bridging social sciences and engineering, particularly in sustainable renovation, accessibility, and health technology. Her work emphasizes user-centered design in residential environments, addressing challenges such as heat pump adoption and inclusivity for visually impaired individuals. She teaches courses like Inclusive Design and Prototyping for Interaction , and has collaborated on projects including the HiPP initiative for optimized patient experiences and the NWO usability project. She appeared in media such as NPO's Programme Reference Man in 2022. Her research interests include human-technology relations, sustainable building practices, and co-creation methodologies. She explores how design interventions impact occupant behavior and satisfaction, advocating for holistic approaches to integrate technology with human practices. Recent projects also address mobility design improvements for automotive interiors and inclusive medical solutions for the Global South. Research Projects: HiPP: Optimizing orthopedic patient care pathways NWO design for usability project REIL project: Enhancing rehabilitation interactions AAL project MyGuardian: Supporting aging populations Stella’s publications from 2022 to 2025 reflect a trend toward analyzing socio-technical dynamics in sustainable housing and mobility systems. She highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration and participatory frameworks to ensure equitable outcomes. No scientific awards are listed, but her contributions to inclusive design and zero-energy renovation are notable.
Sean McGinnis serves as a Professor of Practice and Director of the Green Engineering Program within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. His academic and professional endeavors focus on advancing sustainable engineering practices through education, research, and industry collaboration. Dr. McGinnis earned his educational qualifications from prestigious institutions: a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science from the University of Minnesota, followed by a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. His research program is centered on Green Engineering principles, with specific expertise in Life Cycle Assessment, Sustainable Manufacturing Processes, Design for Environment, Carbon Footprint Analysis, Renewable Energy systems, and Interdisciplinary Education methodologies. He has pioneered courses such as Introduction to Green Engineering (ENGR 3124) and Environmental Life Cycle Analysis (ENGR 4134) that equip students with tools to evaluate environmental impacts across product lifecycles. His Earth Sustainability course (UCCS 2984) further extends this interdisciplinary approach to broader societal challenges. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent trajectory toward sustainable technology innovation, particularly in the life cycle assessment of nanomaterials and waste streams. Recent work examines circular economy models for nanowaste recycling, environmental implications of nanoparticle synthesis, and the development of optical systems that mitigate harmful blue light exposure while maintaining visual performance. This research bridges materials science, environmental engineering, and human health considerations. Professional recognition for Dr. McGinnis includes: LEED AP BD&C certification Life Cycle Assessment Certified Professional designation Johnson & Johnson Standards of Leadership Award (2003) In his leadership capacity as Director of the Green Engineering Program, Dr. McGinnis oversees curriculum development that integrates sustainability across engineering disciplines. He has published on educational methodologies for assessing interdisciplinary integration of green engineering knowledge and has organized introductory green engineering courses for undergraduates. His work extends to operational phase life cycle assessment of facilities and sustainable provision of food and water systems.
