Alexandr Lucas is a Teaching Professor in Robotics at the University of Sheffield's School of Computer Science. He joined in September 2019 and holds roles including Deputy Admissions Tutor (General Engineering) and IPE Tutor. His research focuses on developmental neuro-robotics, cognitive assessment via human-robot interaction, and educational robotics applications. He contributes to courses like COM1005 (Machines and Intelligence) and COM3528 (Cognitive and Biomimetic Robotics), developing teaching materials for MiRo robots and simulators. Publications include work on cognitive skill assessment using cloud computing and robotic systems, visual finger-counting for neuro-robotics learning, and public perception analysis of robots in urban environments. He co-founded the SERAI Network CIC and maintains active roles in robotics education and outreach. Lucas has created extensive teaching resources, including guides for MiRoCloud simulation platforms and visual coding tools (MiRoCODE). His work emphasizes practical robotics education and bridging theory with hands-on experiments in undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Greg Bryant is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on cognitive science, vocal communication, and social behavior, integrating acoustic analyses, perception experiments, and cross-cultural field studies. Key research areas include evolutionary psychology, nonverbal communication, verbal irony, music perception, and infant-directed speech. His recent publications explore volitional laughter, vocal features in social judgments, and the cultural evolution of music. Media coverage of his work highlights topics such as animal laughter, affiliation detection in colaughter, real vs. fake laughter perception, and vocal changes during ovulation. He teaches courses like the Evolution of Interpersonal Communication and Communication Theory.
Tricia Skoler is a Professor of Developmental Psychology at the School of Arts and Sciences, Hunter College (CUNY). Her research focuses on developmental trajectories, neuroscience, autism, and infant social cognition. She holds a PhD from Emory University and leads a lab emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, requiring prospective students to read Doing Developmental Research (Guilford Press). She is currently accepting students for Spring 2025 courses (201 and 395). Her work spans neuroscience, architectural design, biophilia, and health psychology, integrating methodologies like EEG and statistical physics to study gaze processing, joint attention, and social-cognitive development in infants and children with ASD. Key contributions include understanding neural correlates of eye gaze in early infancy and contextual influences on social skills. Publications highlight themes such as gaze-following deficits in autism, the role of social cues in learning, and developmental neuroscience. Her research bridges basic science and applied contexts, including biophilic design and nutrition education. Lab inquiries must follow guidelines in Chapter 1 of her book. No explicit awards are listed, but her extensive publication record reflects recognition in developmental and cognitive neuroscience.
Andreas Holzinger is a Professor at Graz University of Technology, with additional affiliations at Medical University Graz and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna in Austria. He is recognized as an IFIP Fellow (2021) for his significant contributions to information processing and computer science. His work spans multiple institutions across Europe, with notable collaborations extending to the University of Alberta in Canada. Professor Holzinger's research focuses on Human-Centered AI, Explainable AI (XAI), and their practical applications across diverse domains. His work bridges theoretical AI advancements with real-world implementations in healthcare, forestry, and human-robot interaction. He has pioneered approaches in counterfactual explanations, graph neural networks, and human-in-the-loop systems that emphasize transparency and trustworthiness in AI decision-making processes. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating large language models with traditional AI systems while maintaining explainability. Holzinger's work consistently emphasizes the human element in AI systems, ensuring that technological advancements serve human needs rather than obscuring decision processes. His research in medical AI, smart forestry, and agricultural applications shows a commitment to solving practical problems with human-centered technological solutions. Scientific Awards: IFIP Fellow (2021) Professor Holzinger has been instrumental in establishing design guidelines for explainable AI systems, particularly through his work on post-hoc versus ante-hoc explanations. His research on Kandinsky Patterns has provided valuable experimental frameworks for pattern analysis and machine intelligence. He has secured significant research funding for projects bridging AI with practical applications in healthcare and environmental monitoring. His leadership extends to the organization of major conferences and workshops, including the CD-MAKE conference series, where he has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between AI researchers and domain experts. His work on the CLARUS platform demonstrates practical implementations of interactive explainable AI for medical applications.
Andrea Bonarini is a Professor at the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering (DEIB) within the School of Industrial and Information Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence , Robotics , and Human-Robot Interaction , particularly in assistive technologies for children with disabilities and autism therapy. Key Research Areas: Reinforcement Learning, Social Robotics, Affective Computing, Accessibility in Robot Design Notable Projects: Development of frameworks like Mushroomrl and datasets like POLIMI-ITW-S for robotics research His recent publications highlight advancements in playful robotics for neurodevelopmental disorders, emotion projection in non-bio-inspired robots, and safety experiments for small social robots interacting with children. He also contributes to ethical, social, and psychological challenges in robotics applications.
Donato Romano serves as Associate Professor at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy, where he coordinates the Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab and co-founded the spin-off company HUBILIFE srl. His interdisciplinary work bridges robotics, biology, and AI to develop biohybrid systems for biodiversity preservation, sustainable environmental management, and life support in extreme scenarios including space exploration. With over 90 publications and an H-index of 27 (Scopus, March 2025), he has established significant academic leadership through editorial roles across 12+ international journals. Romano's educational foundation includes advanced degrees with honors: an M.Sc. in Agriculture Science and Technologies (2014) and a PhD in BioRobotics (2018), both from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. His academic journey includes visiting scholar positions at Khalifa University and substantial industry-academia collaboration through HUBILIFE srl, which commercializes bioinspired devices for human daily life improvement. His research program focuses on bioinspired and biomimetic robotics with particular emphasis on animal-robot interaction, biohybrid systems, and natural intelligence. Key projects address critical global challenges: SENSORBEES develops biohybrid environmental surveillance for ecological monitoring; REGOLIFE investigates lunar soil-terrestrial organism interactions for space agriculture; and OCEAN ROBOCTO explores marine ecosystem solutions. This work demonstrates a strategic progression from fundamental behavioral studies toward applied ecological and extraterrestrial systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in AI-driven behavioral analysis, with deep learning increasingly applied to entomological studies and pest management. The research spans agricultural applications (precision monitoring traps, larval detection systems), ecological conservation (biodiversity surveillance), and extreme-environment adaptation (lunar regolith studies). A distinctive feature is the consistent integration of biohybrid approaches where living organisms and robotic systems create synergistic capabilities exceeding either component alone. Romano's scientific recognition includes election as Junior Fellow of the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology (2025), the Lucani fuori dal Comune award (2024), and multiple best-thesis prizes. His editorial leadership spans high-impact journals including IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics and Pest Management Science, where he serves as Associate Editor. As principal investigator, Romano coordinates major international projects totaling over €15M in funding: HORIZON-EIC's SENSORBEES (2024-2029), ASI's REGOLIFE (2024-2027), National Geographic's OCEAN ROBOCTO (2024-2026), and PRIN's COSMIC (2023-2025). His teaching portfolio includes PhD courses in Biosystems for Biorobotics and M.Sc. instruction in Bionics Engineering at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and University of Pisa. The Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab under Romano's direction pioneers biohybrid technologies where living organisms and robotic systems create integrated solutions. Current initiatives include SENSORBEES' environmental monitoring swarms, REGOLIFE's moonworm colonization systems, and HUBILIFE's commercial vector-control devices. The lab maintains active collaborations with space agencies, agricultural institutes, and conservation organizations, positioning biohybrid systems as next-generation tools for planetary-scale challenges.
P. Murali Doraiswamy, MBBS, FRCP , is Professor of Psychiatry and Professor in Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, Director of the Neurocognitive Disorders Program, Senior Fellow at the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, and holds affiliate faculty appointments with the Duke Center for Applied Genomics & Precision Medicine, the Duke Microbiome Center, and the Duke Initiative for Science & Society. He is a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences and has advised major agencies including NIH, FDA, WHO, and the World Economic Forum. Research Focus Dr. Doraiswamy leads a multidisciplinary program that integrates advanced neuroimaging, multi-omics, digital therapeutics, and artificial intelligence to understand, predict, and prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. His work spans: Development and validation of blood, CSF, imaging, and digital biomarkers for early detection and staging. Clinical trials of novel pharmacological, lifestyle, and digital interventions in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s dementia. Systems-biology approaches combining genomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and microbiome data to uncover mechanisms of resilience and risk. Policy translation and global mental health initiatives aimed at reducing disparities and improving brain health worldwide. Publications & Impact With more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and continuous federal and industry funding, his research has shaped current diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic pipelines. Recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates accelerated adoption of deep-learning MRI models for amyloid/tau staging, AI-guided companion robots to combat loneliness, and precision nutrition trials leveraging microbiome signatures. Scientific Leadership & Recognition He has chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Brain Research and co-chaired innovation advisory councils for large social-impact funds. His findings have been featured by BBC, The New York Times, Scientific American, TIME, NPR, CBS Evening News, Oprah, The Dr Oz Show , and acclaimed documentaries such as (Dis)Honesty: The Truth about Lies and Mysteries of the Brain . Advocacy & Societal Engagement Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Doraiswamy is a leading advocate for increased public and private investment in brain and behavioral research. He serves on multiple charitable boards and co-authored the popular book The Alzheimer’s Action Plan , translating cutting-edge science into practical guidance for patients and families.
Nick Cheney is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, leading the UVM Neurobotics Lab. He also serves as Graduate Program Director and is affiliated with the Vermont Complex Systems Center, an interdisciplinary hub for data-rich complex systems research. PhD in Computational Biology and Biological Statistics from Cornell University Advised by Hod Lipson and Steve Strogatz His research focuses on bio-inspired machine learning algorithms, particularly in evolutionary computation, deep learning, and reinforcement learning. Key applications span robotics, healthcare diagnostics, and environmental science. The lab's interdisciplinary work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award and SIGEVO Impact Award . Recent publications highlight advancements in morphological computation, continual learning, and cross-domain applications of machine learning. His team develops algorithms for soft robots, medical diagnostics using wearable sensors, and sustainable agriculture systems, often publishing in venues like the Nature Scientific Reports , GECCO , and Soft Robotics . Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award SIGEVO Impact Award The lab actively mentors graduate students in Complex Systems and Data Science, with alumni securing positions at institutions like Harvard, UC Berkeley, and Medidata. Collaborative grants with biomedical and environmental researchers demonstrate the lab's commitment to societal impact through machine learning applications.
Morten H. Christiansen is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Psychology at Cornell University and holds a concurrent position as Professor of Cognitive Science at Aarhus University's School of Communication and Culture and the Interacting Minds Centre. His research focuses on the interplay between biological and environmental factors in language evolution, acquisition, and processing. Key methodologies include computational modeling, neuroimaging, and experimental psychology. He is an elected member of Denmark’s and Norway’s Royal Academies of Sciences and a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and Cognitive Science Society. His work spans over 250 papers and four edited volumes, with his monograph The Language Game (2022) proposing a novel theory of language emergence through improvisation. Research interests emphasize multiword chunking, statistical learning, and individual differences in language processing. Current projects explore Danish language challenges, computational models of cultural evolution, and the impact of large language models (LLMs) on human cognition. Christiansen directs the Cognitive Science of Language Lab, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses (e.g., PSYCH 2150: Psychology of Language), and collaborates internationally on projects like the Danish Gigaword Corpus. His recent work highlights language as an emergent system shaped by interactive and ecological pressures.
Seth Polsley is an Assistant Professor in the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His academic home resides in the School of Computing, where he bridges intelligent systems design with human-computer interaction to enhance educational and universal computing experiences. BS in Computer Engineering (2014) - University of Kansas MS (2017) & PhD (2023) in Computer Engineering - Texas A&M University His research explores: Intelligent tutoring systems Brain-computer interfaces Accessible educational technologies Machine learning for child development assessment Sketch recognition in STEM learning Recent publications demonstrate expertise in tactile learning interfaces, sketch-based developmental assessment, and equitable AI systems. Key disciplines span Human-Computer Interaction, Machine Learning, and Educational Technology. Scientific recognition includes: James Blackiston Memorial Graduate Fellowship Sigma Xi Research Award With professional experience at Lexmark International and MIT Lincoln Lab, Polsley combines practical engineering with educational innovation. His work on sketch-based tools and wearable systems addresses both technical and societal challenges in computing.
Nilanjan Sarkar is the Vice Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering, holding the David K. Wilson Professorship in Engineering. He is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science. His research focuses on intelligent systems for human interaction, including robotics, virtual/augmented reality, and assistive technologies for neurodevelopmental disorders and aging populations. Education: PhD (Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania), ME (Indian Institute of Science), BE (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur). Research interests span human-robot interaction, sensor fusion, and rehabilitation engineering. His lab develops systems for autism intervention, stroke rehabilitation, and elderly engagement through socially assistive robotics and VR/AR. Notable projects include robot-mediated therapy for children and AR telepresence systems for long-term care facilities. Labs/Teams: Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory. Key contributions include CoMove, RASSLE, and the Career Interview Readiness in VR platform. His work emphasizes participatory design with end-users for ethical and inclusive technology.
David Brown is a Professor in Interactive Systems for Social Inclusion at Nottingham Trent University's School of Science & Technology, Department of Computer Science. He serves as Director of the Computing and Informatics Research Centre (CIRC) and Research Group Leader for the Interactive Systems Research Group (ISRG). Director, Computing and Informatics Research Centre Research Group Leader, Interactive Systems Research Group Governor, Oak Field School for students with severe learning disabilities Conference Chair, International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technology (ICDVRAT21) Associate Editor, Frontiers: Virtual Reality in Medicine Professor Brown's research focuses on developing inclusive technologies for people with disabilities. His work spans accessibility for students with learning, physical and sensory impairments; virtual reality applications for rehabilitation; multimodal affect recognition systems; social robotics for education; accessible visual programming toolkits; and serious games for developing physical and cognitive skills. His research is characterized by strong interdisciplinary collaboration and practical application in educational and healthcare settings. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on applying emerging technologies like virtual reality, machine learning, and social robotics to address real-world challenges in accessibility and inclusion. The research shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated multimodal systems that can detect user states and adapt accordingly, with applications ranging from autism support to mental health interventions. Extensive EU-funded research projects including Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, and EPSRC grants Notable projects: DIVERSIA, MaTHiSiS, Pathway, AI-TOP, EDUROB, No One Left Behind, Real Life, RISE Professor Brown has supervised numerous PhD students and collaborates extensively with international partners across Europe and Asia. His work bridges computer science, psychology, education, and healthcare to create technologies that promote social inclusion and improve quality of life for people with disabilities.
Jim Tørresen is a Professor of Computer Science at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, where he has been employed since 1999 (Associate Professor 1999-2005, Professor since 2006). He serves as group leader for the Robotics and Intelligent Systems (ROBIN) research group and is also a Principal Investigator at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion (RITMO). His academic career includes visiting positions at Cornell University's Creative Machines Lab (2010-2011) and Kyoto University in Japan (1993-1994). His educational background includes a Dr.ing. (Ph.D.) in Computer Architecture from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (1996) and an M.Sc. in Computer Architecture from the same institution (1991). Before his academic career, he worked in industry at Navia Aviation (1998-1999) and NERA Telecommunications (1996-1998). Tørresen's research spans artificial intelligence, robotics, and bio-inspired computing. His work focuses on biology-inspired algorithms, programmable logic (FPGA), robotics (simulation, prototyping, control), and human-robot interaction. He has made significant contributions to areas including evolutionary computing, reconfigurable hardware, and adaptive systems. His research often bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in healthcare, music, and industrial settings. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on human-robot interaction, particularly in healthcare contexts for elderly care, as well as applications in sports science, musical robotics, and geological engineering. His work shows a consistent pattern of interdisciplinary research that combines machine learning techniques with domain-specific challenges. Tørresen has also authored a popular science book on artificial intelligence in the "what is" series by Universitetsforlaget, which discusses fundamental concepts, methods, future perspectives, and ethical aspects of AI. He has been active in academic leadership, serving as General Chair for the 22nd International Conference on Field Programmable Logic and Applications (FPL) in 2012 and the 9th Joint IEEE International Conference of Developmental Learning and Epigenetic Robotics in 2019. As group leader of ROBIN, he oversees research on intelligent systems that operate in dynamic environments requiring runtime adaptation. The group works at both fundamental and applied levels, using evolutionary algorithms for robot learning and machine learning techniques for classification and recognition tasks in various application domains.
Katherine Twomey is a Lecturer in Language & Communicative Development at the University of Manchester's Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience. She holds a PhD from the University of Sussex (2013) focusing on early word learning processes. Her research uses computational and empirical methods to study how infants and toddlers learn language, particularly the influence of environmental stimuli and curiosity-driven exploration. She is affiliated with the Autism@Manchester initiative and the Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (RAI), contributing to interdisciplinary projects. Key research areas include curiosity mechanisms in early learning, the role of perceived emotions in word acquisition, and telehealth interventions for aphasia. She has received awards such as the Future Research Leaders Fellowship (2016) and has published over 50 peer-reviewed works. Twomey’s work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being), with projects like the TALES program targeting post-stroke literacy recovery. She actively collaborates with NHS trusts and participates in autism-focused summits, demonstrating commitment to translational research and societal impact. Her research methodologies span experimental psychology, neurocomputational modeling, and longitudinal studies, with datasets archived at the UK Data Service. Twomey is also engaged in public outreach, contributing to media discussions on child language development and autism advocacy.
Dr. Benjamin Evans is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science & AI (Informatics) at the University of Sussex , affiliated with the School of Engineering and Informatics . His research integrates computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence, focusing on biologically inspired neural networks. Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Informatics, University of Sussex Previous Roles: Research Associate at University of Bristol, University of Exeter, Imperial College London, and University of Oxford Education: DPhil in Computational Neuroscience (University of Oxford), MSc in Intelligent Systems (UCL), BA in Experimental Psychology (Oxford) His research centers on how neural systems self-organize to produce intelligent behavior, studied through both biological and computational modeling. He investigates spiking neural networks , convolutional neural networks , and the role of biological constraints in enhancing AI robustness and human-like perception. He is particularly interested in how spike-based information processing contributes to adaptive cognition in noisy environments. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in evaluating deep neural networks as models of human vision, questioning their biological plausibility while proposing bio-inspired improvements. He also works on optogenetics simulation (e.g., PyRhO platform), developmental biology modeling , and reproducible data science through containerization tools like Docker. His scientific contributions have been recognized through publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications , PLoS Computational Biology , and Behavioral and Brain Sciences . EPSRC Grant: "Exploring the multiple loci of learning and computation in simple artificial neural networks" (2023–2024) EPSRC Grant: "Using ant biology and natural environments to enhance models of vision and robot navigation" (2022–2026) Dr. Evans actively contributes to open science through GitHub repositories (e.g., PyRhO, DPE, BioNet) and promotes reproducible research. He has no listed advisees in the provided data, but leads funded research projects involving junior researchers. He is a core member of the Informatics research group at Sussex, contributing to both AI and neuroscience domains.
