Jan Dreier is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Logic and Computation at Vienna University of Technology. His research centers on structural graph theory and algorithmic meta-theorems, particularly exploring the boundaries of tractability for model checking problems. Dreier's work bridges theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics, focusing on graph decompositions, parameterized complexity, and logical expressiveness. Key research themes include monadic stability in graph classes, applications of model theory to computer science, and efficient algorithms for logical queries on structured graphs. His publication record shows consistent focus on graph sparsity concepts and algorithmic applications of logic, with recent work expanding into approximation methods for counting queries. Research demonstrates sophisticated applications of combinatorial methods to fundamental problems in computational complexity.
Maria Chudnovsky is a Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University and a former Professor of IEOR and Mathematics at Columbia University (2006-2014). Her research focuses on graph theory and combinatorics, with significant contributions to structural graph theory, perfect graphs, and algorithmic applications. Education: B.A. Summa Cum Laude (1996) and M.Sc. (1999) from Technion, Ph.D. (2003) from Princeton University Her work addresses fundamental problems in graph coloring, forbidden induced subgraphs, and combinatorial optimization, including the proof of the Strong Perfect Graph Theorem and development of algorithms for detecting graph structures. Notable awards include the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (2013-2017), D.R. Fulkerson Prize (2009), and Henry Burchard Fine Professor of Mathematics (2022). She has held prestigious fellowships such as the Clay Mathematics Institute Research Fellowship (2003-2008). Grants: NSF DMS-EPSRC Grant DMS-2120644 (2021-2024), US Army Research Office Grant W911NF-16-1-0404 (2016-2020), and multiple NSF grants She has advised numerous PhD/MSc students and postdocs, including Sophie Spirkl, Mingxian Zhong, and Tara Abrishami. Her outreach includes popular science communication on YouTube's Numberphile and participation in initiatives promoting women in STEM.
Helmut Leder is a Professor at the University of Vienna, specifically within the Faculty of Psychology's Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology. He serves as Head of the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, integrating interdisciplinary approaches to study aesthetic experiences and cognitive processes. His academic profile includes teaching courses in General Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Neurosciences, alongside supervising master's and doctoral thesis seminars focused on perception and neuroaesthetics. Key Research Areas : Empirical Aesthetics, Cognitive Psychology, Visual Perception, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Urban Art Impact, Mental Imagery Studies Methodological Focus : Eye-tracking, Machine Learning Analysis, Cross-Cultural Comparisons, Field Experiments, Neuroimaging Recent Contributions : Investigated urban art's role in stress reduction, developed network models of aesthetic experiences, explored non-visual color navigation for the blind, and applied machine learning to art evaluation. His work bridges psychology with cultural studies, examining how aesthetic experiences shape well-being and cognitive processes. Current projects emphasize the neural and behavioral distinctions between real and imagined art encounters, while challenging traditional gender-based perception models.
Dr. Gabrielle Kremer is a Senior Research Associate and Guest Researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), focusing on provincial Roman archaeology with emphasis on the Danube provinces and Gallia Belgica. She has taught at the University of Vienna since 2001 and coordinates interdisciplinary projects on Roman stone monuments, including the Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani Carnuntum series. Her work bridges epigraphy, sculpture analysis, and funerary architecture studies. Research focuses include: Religious practices in Roman provinces Stone monument provenance and reuse Cultural identity in Noricum and Pannonia Interdisciplinary analysis of Roman material culture Monumental grave architecture in the Treveri region Current projects involve the PolychroMon initiative (2023–2025) analyzing polychromy in Roman monuments and the Accommodation/Living in a Sacred Context study. She co-edited multiple international colloquium proceedings and led the "Religion and Society" working group (2017–2020) at OeAW's Institute for Cultural History of Antiquity.
Professor Moncef Gabbouj is a distinguished academic and researcher currently serving as Professor of Signal Processing at the Department of Computing Sciences, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, Finland. Previously, he held the same position at Tampere University of Technology before the merger in 2019. He has also held visiting professorships at prestigious institutions including Hong Kong University of Technology and Science, University of Southern California, and Purdue University. Ph.D. and MSc. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, USA (1989 and 1986) B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University, USA (1985) Prof. Gabbouj's research spans multiple domains within signal and image processing, with a strong focus on machine learning applications. His primary research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, Big Data analytics, multimedia content-based analysis, indexing and retrieval, nonlinear signal and image processing, voice conversion, and video processing and coding. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications across various industries, particularly in multimedia communications and biomedical applications. His extensive publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from traditional signal processing techniques toward more sophisticated machine learning and deep learning approaches. Recent work shows increasing focus on convolutional neural networks for various applications including ECG classification, video processing, financial time-series analysis, and image recognition tasks, reflecting the broader trend in the field toward deep learning methodologies while maintaining strong foundations in signal processing theory. IEEE Fellow (2011) Member, Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2014) Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2006) Nokia Foundation Recognition Award (2005) Nokia Foundation Visiting Professor Award (2012) Finnish Cultural Foundation for Art and Science Award (2017) TUT Foundation Grand Award (2015) Prof. Gabbouj has supervised 64 doctoral and 72 Master's theses, demonstrating his significant contribution to academic mentoring. His research has been supported by substantial funding, including research grants totaling 8.5 million Euro (2001-2015). He has served as Academy of Finland Professor during 2011-2015 and has been involved in numerous EU research projects including Horizon, ESPRIT, HCM, IST, COST, Tempus and Erasmus programs. As Editor, Guest Editor or member of the Editorial Board of 6 international scientific journals, he has significantly influenced the academic discourse in his field. He leads the Signal Analysis and Machine Intelligence (SAMI) research group at Tampere University and serves as the Finland Site Director of the NSF IUCRC funded Center for Visual and Decision Informatics. His research unit focuses on applying advanced machine learning techniques to solve complex problems in signal processing, computer vision, and multimedia analytics, with applications ranging from healthcare to multimedia communications and financial analysis.
Jia Min Chin is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry , affiliated with the Institute of Functional Materials and Catalysis . Her research focuses on advanced materials, particularly Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Gold nanoparticles, and N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) chemistry, with applications in catalysis, environmental remediation, and sustainable technology. Her scientific work contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovations in functional materials and catalytic systems. Key projects include Breaking the ice – novel energy efficient hybrid de-icing systems and DYNAMOF: Electric Field Assisted Dynamic MOF Alignment , funded by major research grants. She received the prestigious ERC Grant in 2020 for her contributions to materials science. Chin's research spans MOF-based nanocomposites, photonic assemblies, and biomedical applications. Her publications highlight trends in Stimuli-responsive materials (electric/magnetic fields) Green catalytic systems Anti-icing and humidity-sensing coatings Cancer therapy platforms Scientific Awards ERC Grant (2020) She collaborates globally on cutting-edge topics like MOF alignment, nerve agent decomposition, and CO2 reduction, with recent activities including lectures at international conferences and workshops on material structuring.
Ivan Viola is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Computer Graphics and Algorithms, part of the Faculty of Informatics at TU Wien, Austria. He holds a leave of absence until December 2024 while also being affiliated with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) as an Associate Professor funded by the Vienna Research Groups program. His research focuses on visualization techniques in medicine, biological sciences, and earth sciences, with a specialty in illustrative visualization and DNA-nanotechnology applications. Viola has contributed over 100 scientific works and serves as a reviewer and panelist for major conferences in computer graphics and visualization. Education: M.Sc. (2002) and Ph.D. (2005) in Computer Graphics from TU Wien. Postdoctoral research at the University of Bergen (2006-2011), where he became Full Professor before returning to TU Wien. Research Interests: Whole-cell visualization Molecular modeling Interactive 3D environments Biomedical visualization Data-driven colormap techniques Awards: IEEE VIS 2017 Best Paper Honorable Mention, 'Best Overall Concept' for CellView, and multiple visualization awards. Active in EuroVis and IEEE VIS organizing roles. Grants & Supervision: Leads the Visualization Group at TU Wien, supervising student projects and master’s theses. Involved in grants like the Vienna Research Groups program. Labs/Teams: Visualization Group at TU Wien, collaborating on projects like CellView and Molecumentary.
Andreas Lechner is an Associate Professor at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) , Institute of Building Science. He is also a Visiting Professor at TU Berlin and Politecnico di Milano , indicating an international academic presence. His office hours are available on Tuesdays from 9:00-11:00, with portfolio requirements for diploma inquiries. Research Focus: Lechner's work explores architectural typologies, urban peripheries, and sustainable building practices. His research emphasizes the intersection of theory, design, and practice, particularly through counterintuitive approaches to architectural typologies and their affordances. Publications Trends: Recent work focuses on hybrid architectural practices, typological affordances, and peripheral urbanism. He examines how architectural typologies can be reimagined through the lens of the "Peripherocene," a concept challenging traditional urban center/periphery dichotomies. Design Philosophy: Lechner's "Counterintuitive Typologies" approach challenges conventional design paradigms, particularly in his analysis of urban buildings and their transformative potential. His work on solar energy integration in architecture demonstrates a commitment to sustainable design. Academic Contributions: Through his publications in journals like Journal of Architecture and edited volumes like GAM series, Lechner has been examining architectural theory, material rethinking, and the paradoxes of urban development since at least 2012. Professional Engagements: He has been involved in exhibitions and curation activities, including guest curatorship at Haus der Architektur in Graz. His personal website and social media presence ( @a_alechner ) demonstrate a commitment to public architectural discourse.
Dr. Alexander Plopski is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Visual Computing, Technische Universität Graz. His research focuses on advancing augmented reality (AR) technologies, human-computer interaction (HCI), and optical display systems. He holds a PhD, M.Sc., and BSc in relevant fields. His work emphasizes perceptual optimization in AR displays, eye tracking integration, and accessibility solutions for color vision deficiencies. Key research areas include gaze-contingent AR interfaces, light field manipulation for extended reality, and multimodal interaction techniques. Notable contributions include the development of the 'guitARhero' interactive AR guitar tutorial system and studies on focal distance effects in optical see-through displays. His publications span topics from AR display calibration to gesture recognition using radar sensing. He has explored applications in industrial training, medical AR, and robotic telemanipulation. His work often bridges theoretical perceptual studies with practical system implementations, aiming to enhance user experience and accessibility in AR/VR environments.
Sabine Plenk is Assistant Professor at the Institute of Landscape Architecture , part of the Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . Her work focuses on plant use in open spaces , emphasizing perennial planting design , ecological vegetation , and urban green space aesthetics . University: BOKU Vienna Institute: Landscape Architecture Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Her research explores: Naturalistic planting design for climate-resilient urban environments Ecological perennial plantings in municipal contexts Biodiversity-enhancing plant mixtures for public spaces Low-maintenance vegetation systems in Lower Austria Recent publications highlight perennial mixtures and ecological planting concepts applied in urban settings like Vienna's Adele-Jellinek-Park and Graz's Reininghauspark . Notable projects include sustainable stormwater planter vegetation and healing gardens for healthcare facilities. Scientific contributions: Nominated for Energy Globe Oberösterreich (2020) Awarded Floreales d'Angers (1996) Keynote speaker at international conferences She has supervised numerous Master's theses on topics ranging from climate-adaptive tree understory plantings to edible perennial landscapes , and serves on advisory boards for ecological garden design.
Michal Piovarci is a Researcher (Postdoc) at ETH Zurich's Computational Design Lab led by Bernd Bickel. He holds a Ph.D. from USI Lugano (2020) under Piotr Didyk, receiving the Eurographics PhD Award for his thesis on Perception-Aware Computational Fabrication. His research focuses on computer graphics, computational fabrication, and haptic/appearance reproduction, emphasizing perception-driven solutions. Education: Ph.D., USI Lugano (2020) Previous postdoc at ISTA's Visual Computing Group Research interests include 3D Printing Innovations Haptic Feedback Systems Material Perception Modeling Directional Surface Design Professional Activities: Area chair at ACM Symposium on Computational Fabrication (2024), program committee roles at SIGGRAPH, SAP, and Eurographics. Organized Computational Fabrication Seminars (2021-2022). Grants: SNSF Project Funding (CHF 1M, 2025-2029) and FWF Lise Meitner Grant (2022-2023). Teaching: Taught Scientific Machine Learning for Design (ETH Zurich, 2024) Computational Fabrication (TU Wien, 2022)
Bodo Wilts is a Professor at the University of Salzburg in the Chemistry and Physics of Materials department. His research focuses on biophotonics , structural color , and photonic nanostructures in biological systems, particularly insects and beetles. Education Habilitation in Physics, University of Freiburg (2020) PhD in Physics, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (2013) Diploma in Physics, University of Göttingen (2009) Research Trends Wilts’s recent publications highlight interdisciplinary work bridging biological optics , nanotechnology , and biomimetic materials . Key themes include: Photonic networks in insects (disordered vs. ordered structures) Self-assembly of block copolymers for advanced materials Applications of structural coloration in diagnostics and sensing 3D imaging of photonic nanostructures using X-ray tomography Projects Ra-Dia-M (2025–2026): Label-free SERS diagnostics for melanoma cells Unraveling butterfly scale morphogenesis (2022–2026): Genetics and biomechanics of butterfly scales High-aspect ratio optical structures (2024–2025): Simulation and characterization of optical metamaterials Activities Keynote on Dis/ordered photonic networks in insects (2024) Lectures on Multifunctional colors and nanostructure formation (2024) Presentations on Amorphous photonic networks (2023–2024)
Prof. Wilfried Kubinger serves as the Head of the Department of Electronic Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Austria. He holds a PhD in Technical Sciences from the Technical University of Vienna (1999) and has extensive experience in research and industry. His academic roles include leading the 'Automation & Sensor Technology' competence field and managing the 'Automation & Robotics' research area. **Research Focus:** His work centers on embedded systems, machine vision, autonomous robotics, and real-time control systems. Notable projects include obstacle detection for autonomous vehicles, stereo vision algorithms, and agricultural robotics applications. He actively contributes to IEEE and OVE engineering associations. **Professional Journey:** Prior to academia, he worked at Siemens Austria (2000–2003) as a software developer and project manager, and at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (2003–2010) managing research projects in autonomous systems. He participated in DARPA Grand Challenge/Urban Challenge as a principal scientist for vision-based obstacle detection. **Publications:** His research spans embedded vision systems, FPGA implementations, and autonomous vehicle technologies. Recent work emphasizes agricultural robotics and Industry 4.0 applications. He also leads R&D project acquisition and implementation for Technikum Wien.
Giorgio Riello is Professor of Global History and Culture at the University of Warwick and Chair of Early Modern Global History at the European University Institute in Florence. He serves as Director of the Warwick Institute of Advanced Study and has held significant leadership positions including Head of Department of History at the European University Institute (2021-22) and Director of Warwick in Venice (2018-19). His academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions across Europe and North America. His educational background includes a Laurea in Business Economics from Ca' Foscari University, Venice (1998) and a Ph.D. in History from University College London (2002). His academic appointments progressed from Assistant Professor (2007-9) to Associate Professor (2009-11) and finally Professor of Global History and Culture at the University of Warwick (2011-present). Riello's research focuses on the intersections of material culture, trade, and consumption in early modern Europe and Asia, with particular expertise in textile history. He explores how objects shape global historical narratives, examining the relationship between consumption and production, with specific reference to textiles and clothing. His work bridges economic, cultural, and global history through innovative methodologies that incorporate material culture studies. His publication record reveals a consistent focus on global connections, particularly in textile history and early modern trade networks. Riello has pioneered concepts like the 'Diamond-shaped Trade' connecting Atlantic and Indian Ocean spaces, challenging traditional Eurocentric narratives of industrial development. His research demonstrates how Asian knowledge and commodities fundamentally shaped European economic development. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (2013) Philip Leverhulme Prize (2010) World History Association Bentley Book Prize for Cotton: The Fabric that Made the Modern World (2014) Braudel Senior Fellowship, European University Institute (2012) Iris Foundation Award for contribution to the Decorative Arts and Material Culture (2016) Riello has successfully secured major research funding including an ERC Advanced Grant 'CAPASIA. The Asian Origins of Global Capitalism' (2022-27) and a Marie Curie COFUND grant. He currently supervises 10 PhD students at the EUI and acts as Second Reader for another 8 PhD students. His research has been supported by the Leverhulme Trust, Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Academy, and Economic History Society. As director of the Pasold Research Fund since 2010 and active collaborator with major international museums including the Victoria and Albert Museum and MUDEC Museum in Milan, Riello bridges academic research with public engagement in material culture studies.
Dr. Christian Büsel is a researcher at the Department of General Psychology I, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck . His work focuses on visual attention mechanisms, including top-down and bottom-up processing, and their relationships with working memory. Email: Christian.Buesel@uibk.ac.at Research Interests: Visual attention, visual search, and the interplay between working memory and intentional visual attention. He employs behavioral experiments, meta-analyses, and mobile eye tracking to study suppression of irrelevant stimuli and contingent capture effects. Methodological Contributions: A key developer of the open-source Experimenters' Tools project, which provides resources for psychological research, including visual angle calculations, color conversions, power analyses, and diffusion modeling. His textbook on empirical-experimental methods is available via Springer. Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize attentional control, feature-based suppression, and cross-modal cognitive processes (e.g., music reading and auditory discrimination). Technical contributions highlight mobile experimentation frameworks and OpenSesame-based methodologies.
