Aleksandrs Vališevskis , an academic at Riga Technical University's Institute of Architecture and Design , specializes in the intersection of textile engineering and wearable electronics. His research focuses on integrating flexible electronic components into clothing, particularly for medical and protective applications.
Dr. Feiran Zhang is a Research Assistant Professor at the School of Design , Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) . She is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work bridges design, education, and technology , with a focus on child-computer interaction , design-based learning , and emotion-aware technologies . Previously, she held postdoctoral positions at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Eindhoven University of Technology , where she conducted research on learning technologies, child-robot interaction, and emotional experiences in educational contexts. Education: PhD in Child-Computer Interaction (2016–2021), Eindhoven University of Technology MEng in Industrial Design (2013–2016), Beijing Jiaotong University BA in Art Design (2009–2013), Beijing Jiaotong University Research Interests: Dr. Zhang’s research centers on enhancing personal well-being and learning experiences through technology. She explores how emotions influence learning , especially in design-based learning and collaborative educational settings . Her work includes the development of emotion-aware tools and gamified learning environments , particularly for children and adolescents . She also investigates human-robot interaction in healthcare contexts, focusing on robotic support for pediatric pain management . Her recent work leverages multimodal learning analytics to understand how students engage with AI-enhanced collaborative tools and gamified science education platforms. She has led and contributed to multiple design-based research projects that integrate educational psychology , interaction design , and learning technologies . Scientific Awards & Recognitions: ERCIM Alain Bensoussan Fellowship (2022–2023) TU/e PhD Thesis Award Nomination (2022) TU/e Postdoc Best Paper Award (2022) GPT for Software Security Hackathon (2024) Advising & Funding: Dr. Zhang is actively recruiting PhD students and postdocs interested in design-based learning , emotion-aware technologies , and technology-enhanced education . Prospective students are encouraged to apply for PolyU postgraduate fellowships and RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme and reach out via email. Professional Service & Editorial Roles: Associate Editor, Behaviour & Information Technology (2025–Present) Associate Editor, ROMAN Conference (2024–Present) Reviewer for CHI, IDC, HRI, IJCCI, and other top-tier venues Publicity Co-chair, ICWL (2024–Present)
Dr. Solvita Umbrasko is an Assistant Professor and Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Latvia. Her expertise spans test construction, adaptation, validation, psychometrics, and standardization of assessments in nationally representative samples. She specializes in cognitive psychology, focusing on visual-spatial abilities, perception, language, and reading literacy. Her research integrates interdisciplinary methodologies and experimental designs. Key thematic areas include psycholinguistics (language learning and perception), literacy development, and educational interventions for children with hearing impairments. Notably, her recent publications explore minimal face perception stimuli, geometric shape segmentation, and color-emotion mappings in digital environments. Dr. Umbrasko leads courses such as Cognitive Psychology: Psycholinguistics and Psychological Help for Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, contributing to both academic instruction and applied research in education and psychology.
Liene Čupāne is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at Rīga Stradiņš University. Her research focuses on gut microbiota analysis, biomarker development, and pediatric infectious diseases. Key Research Areas: Gut-Brain Axis, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Biomarker Discovery, Antimicrobial Resistance, Pediatric Neurogastroenterology Collaborations: Works with European Social Fund projects, Latvian medical institutions, and multidisciplinary research teams Research outputs show consistent contributions to understanding gut microbiome's role in neurodevelopmental disorders through metabolomic and metagenomic approaches. She actively participates in clinical research and peer-review activities, with recent projects involving biomarker identification and microbial profiling.