Stefanie Tellex is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Brown University. She leads research in Human-Robot Interaction, focusing on enabling robots to understand natural language instructions and collaborate effectively with humans. Her work spans robotics, artificial intelligence, and reinforcement learning, with a strong emphasis on practical applications like teleoperation, task execution, and language grounding. Education : PhD in Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2010) MS in Computer Science, MIT (2006) MEng in Computer Science, MIT (2003) BSc in Computer Science, MIT (2002) Research Interests : Her research integrates robotics with natural language processing, emphasizing: Developing systems that interpret complex human instructions Improving robot learning through weak supervision Designing intuitive human-robot collaboration interfaces Advancing reinforcement learning for real-world robotic tasks Publications Trends : Recent work highlights advancements in: - Language-grounded reward functions for robots - Virtual reality frameworks for robot teleoperation (ROS Reality) - Abstract planning techniques for non-Markovian tasks - Hybrid architectures for interpreting multi-granularity instructions. Teaching : CSCI 1410: Artificial Intelligence CSCI 1951R: Introduction to Robotics CSCI 2951K: Topics in Collaborative Robotics Advising & Labs : Advises students on robotics and NLP projects. Active in Brown’s robotics labs focusing on human-robot collaboration and AI-driven systems.
Hasan Ayaz, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Drexel University’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, and the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a core member of the CONQUER Collaborative and has affiliations with the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His research focuses on neuroengineering, neuroergonomics, and clinical applications of optical brain imaging, particularly using fNIRS and EEG. He has over 200 publications and has secured funding from federal agencies and industry partners. Dr. Ayaz serves on editorial boards for journals like PLOS One and Frontiers in Human Neuroscience and has organized international neuroergonomics conferences. Education: BSc (Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Turkey), MSc and PhD (Drexel University). Research Interests: Neuroergonomics, functional neuroimaging, biomedical signal processing, neuroengineering, fNIRS, EEG, brain-computer interfaces, and mobile neuroimaging. His work aims to develop next-generation brain imaging technologies for applications ranging from aerospace to healthcare. Key Awards: Received a Wellcome LEAP Grant for Addiction Research in 2024. Grants & Advising: Extensive federal and corporate funding; no explicit student list provided. His research involves interdisciplinary collaborations and clinical partnerships. Labs/Teams: Leads the CONQUER Collaborative and contributes to the Cognitive Neuroengineering group at Drexel.
Dr. Andrew Erwin is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, focusing on robotics, human-robot interaction, and rehabilitation engineering. He holds a PhD and MS from Rice University (2018, 2014) and a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2012). Prior to UC, he was a postdoc at the University of Southern California and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His research explores how forces and movements are executed in healthy individuals, and how robotic devices can assist or restore function post-injury. Key areas include rehabilitation robotics, bio-inspired systems, haptic interfaces, and motor learning. He has received prestigious awards such as the NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowship (2018) and the IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics Best Paper Award (2017). Dr. Erwin’s work integrates biomechanics, control systems, and neurophysiology. His lab develops devices like the SE-AssessWrist for wrist assessment and explores planetary seismometers for space missions. He maintains an active Google Scholar profile with over 25 publications. Education: PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, 2018 MS, Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, 2014 BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2012 His current research emphasizes curriculum design for robotics learning, human-robot collaboration, and adaptive control systems. He offers a PhD position for Fall 2025 focusing on these areas.
Matthew Holden is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at Carleton University. He holds a PhD (2018) and MSc (2014) from Queen's University and a BScH (2012) from Western University. His research focuses on Surgical Data Science, applying machine learning to surgical time-series data from operating rooms and simulations to improve patient outcomes and surgical training. Key areas include real-time decision support, performance assessment, and surgical efficiency through domain-knowledge integration. Research interests emphasize machine learning for surgical workflows, skill assessment via sensor data (e.g., motion tracking, EEG), and computer-assisted interventions. Notable work includes automated proficiency evaluation in cataract surgery, ultrasound-guided procedures, and neurosurgical training. His contributions span medical robotics, surgical education, and clinical decision support systems. Publications highlight advancements in surgical workflow anticipation, tool detection, and skill metrics across domains like ophthalmology, emergency medicine, and neurology. Holden advocates for interdisciplinary approaches combining computational methods with clinical expertise to enhance healthcare delivery.
Huazhen Fang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kansas School of Engineering, where he joined in 2014. He leads the Information & Smart Systems Laboratory (ISSL) and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. His research focuses on enabling intelligence for complex systems through information-driven approaches. Dr. Fang received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego in 2014, following an M.Sc. from the University of Saskatchewan and a B.Sc. in Computer Science & Technology from Northwestern Polytechnic University in China. He was a Visiting Faculty Fellow at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories in 2022. His research interests span Systems and Control, Advanced Battery Management, Energy Storage Systems, and Robotics, with particular focus on system modeling, estimation, control design, machine learning and numerical optimization. Dr. Fang's work has significant applications in energy management, cooperative robotics, and environmental observing systems. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Army Research Laboratory, and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories. His extensive publication record shows a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated integration of physics-based modeling with machine learning approaches, particularly in battery management systems and autonomous vehicle control. Recent work demonstrates a growing emphasis on Bayesian inference methods, distributed control architectures, and safety-critical applications of intelligent control systems. Faculty Early Career Award from National Science Foundation (2019) University Scholarly Achievement Award (2024) Miller Professional Development Award (2022) Miller Faculty Scholar Award (2018, 2019, 2023) Wesley G. Cramer Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Faculty Award (2016) Big XII Faculty Fellowship (2015) IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification Prize Paper Award (2024) Dr. Fang has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through the Information & Smart Systems Laboratory, with many receiving awards for their research. His research has attracted significant funding from prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Army Research Laboratory, and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories. He currently serves as an Associate Editor for multiple prestigious journals including Information Sciences, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, and IEEE Control Systems Letters. The Information & Smart Systems Laboratory (ISSL) under Dr. Fang's leadership has established itself as a center for cutting-edge research in information-driven smart systems. The lab focuses on pushing the frontiers of information extraction, analysis and exploitation for dynamic systems to deal with system complexity and enable system intelligence. The lab actively collaborates with industry partners and local communities, emphasizing research that serves societal needs.
Bo Wu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Colorado School of Mines. His research focuses on compilers and programming systems, particularly program optimizations for heterogeneous computing and emerging architectures, with applications in machine learning and graph processing. He joined Mines in 2014 after earning a Ph.D. from The College of William and Mary and earlier degrees from Central South University in China. Education : B.S. in Computational Science and Technology (Central South University, 2005) M.S. in Computer Science (Central South University, 2008) Ph.D. in Computer Science (The College of William and Mary, 2014) Research Interests : Wu's work emphasizes enhancing data locality in heterogeneous systems, GPU scheduling, and optimizing applications for emerging architectures. His contributions include frameworks like GraphZero for efficient graph mining and FLEP for GPU preemption. Awards & Grants : NSF SPX Award (2018) NSF CAREER Award (2018) Supercomputing Best Paper Award (2015) Multiple NSF grants for GPU-related research Advising & Grants : Wu has led several NSF-funded projects and actively participates in conference program committees (e.g., PPoPP, SC, ICS). His research spans compiler optimizations, parallel computing, and high-performance systems. Labs & Teams : While specific labs aren’t named, his work involves collaborations on GPU-based systems, graph processing frameworks, and compiler toolchains.
Jack Snoeyink is a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, holding joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science (College of Arts & Sciences) and the School of Data Science and Society. His research focuses on computational geometry, with applications in molecular biology, geographic information systems (GIS), and geometric modeling. His work in computational geometry explores algorithmic design and analysis for problems in solid modeling, computer graphics, and robotics. Key application areas include terrain modeling in GIS, molecular structure validation in biochemistry, and computational topology. He has contributed to output-sensitive algorithms for convex hulls and Voronoi diagrams, and geometric search problems. Articles highlight his expertise in computational geometry, with trends spanning 1999-2000. Topics include contour tree algorithms (SODA'00), watershed extraction (ASPRS'99), and skeleton generation (Crust.pdf). His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in GIS and structural biology. Jack Snoeyink has collaborated with researchers like Marc van Kreveld, Christopher Gold, and Bettina Speckmann on projects related to Delaunay triangulation, regression depth computation, and geometric assembly problems. He previously served as a program director at the National Science Foundation's CISE division (2015-2018) and co-founded the TRIPODS program for data science foundations.
Kalaichelvi Saravanamuttu is an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Science and a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster University. Her research focuses on optochemical self-organization in soft materials, nonlinear optics, and photonics, with applications in light capture, waveguide architectures, and all-optical computing. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from McGill University (2001) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford (2001-2003). Her work combines polymer chemistry, photochemistry, and optical physics to develop functional materials like photoresponsive hydrogels and waveguide-encoded lattices. Key research themes include light-induced structural changes in soft matter, dynamic optical systems, and bio-inspired optical devices. Teaching includes courses on equity in science (SCIENCE 2AR3/4AR6) and advanced materials (CHEM 4W03). She has received funding from NSERC, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and the US Army Research Office. Her research group collaborates widely, with recent studies exploring electroactive hydrogels and switchable self-trapped light beams.
Joshua D. Bard is an Associate Professor and Associate Head for Design Research at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture. His work bridges traditional craft and cutting-edge robotics, focusing on human-machine collaboration in construction domains. He leads Archolab, an award-winning research group exploring digital fabrication methods like 'Morphfaux' (robotic plaster techniques) and 'Spring Back' (parametric steam bending). Education: M.Arch (Distinction) from University of Michigan; B.A. in Literature & Philosophy from Wheaton College. Professional affiliations include the Manufacturing Futures Institute and rob|arch. Research emphasizes reviving historical crafts through digital tools, such as augmented reality interfaces for architectural education and thermal-tuned concrete panels via robotic processes. His teaching includes generative modeling and architectural robotics labs. Awards: Architect Magazine R+D Award, Canadian Wood Council Merit Award Key Projects: Plaster ReCast AR app, Thermally Informed Robotic Concrete Panels Collaborators: Dana Cupkova, Garth Zeglin, Steven Mankouche Current courses include 62-225 Generative Modeling and 48-555 Introduction to Architectural Robotics. His work is featured in venues like the Carnegie Museum of Art and academic journals like International Journal of Architectural Computing .
Bryan Kian Hsiang Low serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Singapore's School of Computing, while simultaneously holding leadership positions as Director of AI Research at AI Singapore and Deputy Director of the NUS AI Institute. His academic journey includes a B.Sc. (2001) and M.Sc. (2002) in Computer Science from NUS, followed by a Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (2009). His research spans probabilistic machine learning, multi-agent systems, and trustworthy AI, with particular focus on Bayesian optimization , federated learning , and data-efficient methodologies . The Low Lab develops frameworks for collaborative AI, automated machine learning, and AI applications in scientific domains through the Group of Learning and Optimization Working in AI (GLOW.AI), which maintains a multi-disciplinary approach bridging computer science, mathematics, and engineering disciplines. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent emphasis on data valuation , privacy-preserving collaborative learning , and robust optimization techniques , with increasing integration of large language models into his research framework. His work demonstrates strong theoretical foundations coupled with practical applications in computational sustainability and robotics. Andrew P. Sage Best Transactions Paper Award (2006) NUS Overseas Graduate Scholarship (2004-2009) Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (2017-2018) IEEE RAS Distinguished Lecturer (2019) World Economic Forum Global Future Councils Fellow (2016-2018) Dr. Low actively mentors PhD students including Rachael Sim, Quoc Phong Nguyen, and Zhongxiang Dai, while leading major initiatives like the AI Phenome Platform for plant breeding optimization. His research group GLOW.AI operates at the intersection of theory and practice, with strong industry engagement through AI Singapore. Current projects focus on scalable AI systems for scientific discovery and developing frameworks for equitable collaborative machine learning with robust privacy guarantees.
Robert D. Gregg, IV is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, and Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan. He serves as Associate Director for Graduate Education at Michigan Robotics and directs the Locomotor Control Systems Laboratory. His research focuses on control systems for wearable robots, prosthetics, and orthotics, emphasizing biomimetic principles and nonlinear control theory. Gregg holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010) and prior academic roles at the University of Texas at Dallas and Northwestern University. Education: PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010 MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007 BS, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, 2006 Research Interests: Gregg’s work spans control mechanisms for bipedal locomotion, wearable robotics, nonlinear control theory, and rehabilitation engineering. His lab develops high-performance control systems for prosthetic legs and exoskeletons to enhance mobility for individuals with disabilities. Key areas include energy-efficient control strategies, adaptive impedance systems, and biomechanical modeling of human movement. Grant & Award Highlights: $3M NIH R01 Grant (2023): Modeling and control of agile powered prosthetic legs for varied activities. $1.7M NIH R01 Grant (2021): Modular powered orthoses for broad patient populations. NSF CAREER Award (2017) NIH New Innovator Award (2013) Advising & Labs: Gregg mentors PhD students in robotics and biomechanics, emphasizing independent research and collaborative team environments. His lab supports over 15 researchers and has produced notable alumni like Dr. Cara Welker (University of Colorado Boulder faculty). The lab’s work is supported by NIH, NSF, and industry partnerships. Recent Contributions: Recent work includes phase-variable control for stair climbing, energy shaping methods for exoskeletons, and open-source robotic leg platforms. Gregg also chairs major robotics conferences (e.g., IROS 2023) and advises on clinical translation of wearable robotics.
Prof. Hatice Gunes is a Full Professor of Affective Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Cambridge's Department of Computer Science and Technology, leading the Affective Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AFAR Lab). She holds an EPSRC Fellowship and is an EPSRC Fellow. Her research focuses on multimodal affective and social intelligence for AI systems, particularly embodied agents and robots, integrating Machine Learning, Affective Computing, and Human Nonverbal Behaviour Understanding. Key projects include the CHANSE initiative (2025–2028) for child mental health assessment via social robotics, the EPSRC Fellowship on robotic EQ for wellbeing (2019–2025), and the EU Horizon 2020 WorkingAge project. Prof. Gunes has pioneered systems like the EU SEMAINE project's SAL system, recognized with Best Demo and Paper Awards, and co-founded SensingFeeling, a spin-out company from the Innovate UK Sensing Feeling project. Her work emphasizes ethical AI and fairness, earning awards like the Best Paper Award in Responsible Affective Computing (IEEE ACII'23). She has delivered keynote talks at IEEE FG’19 and ICPR’22 and collaborates with the Department of Psychiatry and wellbeing professionals. Education: PhD in Computer Science from University of Technology Sydney (UTS) under Australian Government IPRS Scholarship Postdoctoral Research at Imperial College London (SEMAINe project) Research Interests: Multimodal affective computing, social robotics for mental wellbeing, fairness in AI systems, human-robot interaction (HRI), and ethical deployment of AI technologies. Her lab develops robots for workplace wellbeing coaching and child mental health assessment, with over 700 media coverages and partnerships with industry and healthcare sectors. Notable Achievements: Runner-up Collaboration Award (2023 VC Research Impact) Better Future Award (2023 Hall of Fame) Finalist RSJ/KROS Interdisciplinary Research Award (2021) Shortlisted Sony Women in Technology Award 2025 Labs & Teams: AFAR Lab drives interdisciplinary research in Cambridge, focusing on socially intelligent robots and AI systems that address critical societal challenges in wellbeing and mental health.
Wesley McGee serves as Associate Professor of Architecture and Director of the Fabrication and Robotics Lab (FABLab) at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. He co-founded Matter Design, a studio pioneering innovative applications of advanced manufacturing in architectural production across global contexts including the US, Europe, Middle East, and Australia. Education Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech Master of Industrial Design, Georgia Tech McGee's research critically interrogates material production methods in architecture through robotics and digital fabrication, developing novel connections between design, engineering, and manufacturing processes. His work explores spatial-laminated timber systems, geometrically adaptive robotic workflows, and real-time fabrication-aware form finding to create material-efficient architectural solutions. His publications trend toward integrating computational design with physical construction, emphasizing topological optimization, adaptive robotic motion planning, and additive manufacturing techniques that reduce material usage by up to 46% compared to conventional systems. Scientific Awards Architectural League Prize for Young Architects & Designers Design Biennial Boston Award ACADIA Award for Innovative Research Architect Magazine R+D Award (multiple) McGee leads NSF Regional Innovation Engines semifinalist projects including Next-Generation Factory-Built Housing and secures University of Michigan grants for climate action initiatives. His Matter Design studio collaborates with architects, engineers, and artists on exhibitions like Climate Futures and SPLAM, advancing equitable city-making through material innovation. As FABLab Director, he operates a cutting-edge robotics facility where industrial tools are reconfigured for architectural production, mentoring students in courses like ARCH 581 (Advanced Robotics) and ARCH 702 (Robotic Engagement) while pushing boundaries in mass timber and glass fabrication.
Chris Russell is the Dieter Schwarz Associate Professor of AI, Government & Policy at the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), University of Oxford. His work bridges computer vision, machine learning, and ethical AI governance. He leads the Governance of Emerging Technologies programme, focusing on algorithmic accountability, transparency, and fairness. Prior roles include Group Leader at the Alan Turing Institute and Reader at the University of Surrey. Russell’s research has been recognized with awards, including the ICRA Best Paper Prize for autonomous driving mapping work. Research interests span algorithmic fairness, explainable AI, and responsible AI design. Notable projects include collaborations with the British Antarctic Foundation on climate modeling and causal approaches to algorithmic fairness. His work with Sandra Wachter and Brent Mittelstadt informs GDPR guidelines and tools like TensorFlow’s 'What-if Tool.' Current projects include advancing medical machine learning for inflammatory arthritis prediction and governance frameworks for emerging tech. Russell advises PhD students on socio-technical AI evaluations and teaches courses in machine learning and AI ethics. Recent publications address deepfake proliferation, LLM regulation, and fairness in foundational models. He co-leads initiatives like the Digital Good Network to align tech development with societal benefit.
Angel Hsing-Chi Hwang is an Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and a core faculty member at the USC Center for AI in Society . Her research focuses on the societal impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on work practices, with a particular emphasis on human-AI interaction (HAII), digital mental health, and the future of work. She holds a PhD in Communication from Cornell University with a concentration in Human-Computer Interaction and completed postdoctoral training at the Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Science . Research Interests: Human-AI collaboration and ethical design Sociotechnical consequences of AI deployment at scale AI in healthcare systems and mental health services Creative processes and AI empowerment in professional domains Methods for scalable AI impact assessment Online labor markets and AI-driven work transformations Recent Work: Her publications explore topics such as the integration of AI in mental healthcare ecosystems, gender dynamics in AI-mediated teams, and the ethical implications of generative AI in creative industries. She actively engages with industry through collaborations with Microsoft Research, Google Research, and other tech institutions. Affiliations & Activities: Organizing workshops on AI disclosure, ownership, and accountability (CHIWORK 2025) Contributing to conferences like ACM CHI and ICWSM Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on AI ethics and policy initiatives
