Irina Marinov is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. She specializes in climate science, focusing on the critical role of oceans in global climate dynamics and carbon cycling. Her research integrates Earth system models and satellite data to study phenomena such as Southern Ocean convection, phytoplankton ecology, and the impact of climate change on oceanic processes. Marinov’s research spans biogeochemical cycles, marine ecology, and climate modeling, with a particular emphasis on Southern Ocean dynamics. She explores teleconnections between tropical atmospheric systems and Southern Ocean processes, polynya variability, and the use of satellite data to understand phytoplankton biomass and carbon distribution. Her recent publications (2024-2025) highlight the Southern Ocean’s influence on multidecadal climate variability, nonlinear CO2 dynamics, and the development of the GLOBAL CLIMATE SECURITY ATLAS. These works bridge climate modeling, satellite remote sensing, and policy applications. Scientific Awards: Undergraduate Research Mentorship award First woman to be tenured in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at Penn
Dr Nga Wun (Doris) Li is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) within the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, Department of Fashion and Textiles. She leads research in seamless knitting technology, smart textiles, and sustainable fashion innovation. PhD in Fashion & Textile Design (HK PolyU, 2021) BA (Hons) in Fashion & Textiles (HK PolyU, 2012) Certifications in Wholegarment Machine (Shima Seiki, Japan) and Higher Education Pedagogy (UTS) Her research focuses on functional garments, knitting technology, and bio-informed textile design. Key projects include smart socks for DVT prevention , one-size sports bras , and buoyant swimwear for children . She combines knitting with machine learning and 3D printing for material innovation. Recent publications highlight her work on compression textiles (2025), wearable glucose sensors (2025), and knitted metasurfaces for acoustic comfort (2024). She has secured AU$52,000+ in grants across 5 funded projects. Fashion Design Award (Jeanswest, China) Outstanding Presentation & Research Paper Awards (2024) Dr Li supervises PhD and MPhil students in smart textiles and sustainable design while coordinating machine knitting courses. She collaborates with AiDLab (Hong Kong) and Powerhouse Museum (Australia).
Eric J. Gangloff is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU). His research focuses on understanding how organisms adapt to environmental changes, particularly in reptiles and amphibians, using integrative approaches combining field studies, lab experiments, and molecular techniques. He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from the University of Denver, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Dr. Gangloff leads a lab investigating physiological and ecological adaptations in species such as the common wall lizard, garter snakes, and red-backed salamanders. Notably, his work on Ohio’s invasive wall lizards has been funded by the NSF, exploring their evolutionary success in urban environments. Collaborations span institutions worldwide, including France, Canada, and Australia. His recent studies examine how temperature, oxygen availability, and urbanization influence lizard physiology, behavior, and survival. Key themes include thermal biology, ecological traps, and resilience to pollutants like lead. The lab actively involves undergraduate students in field and lab research, emphasizing hands-on learning. Gangloff’s lab website (https://glare-owu.wixsite.com/glare) showcases ongoing projects and publications. His work bridges basic science and applied conservation, addressing global challenges in biodiversity and climate change.
David Eppstein is a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), affiliated with the Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences. He holds academic leadership roles as director of the Center for Algorithms and Theory of Computation and associate director of the Center for Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization. His research focuses on graph algorithms, computational geometry, discrete mathematics, and geometric graph theory. Eppstein earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Stanford University (1984) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Columbia University (1989). Research Interests: Graph drawing, information visualization, dynamic graph algorithms, mesh generation, optimal triangulation, K-shortest paths, subgraph isomorphism, data depth, exponential-time algorithms for NP-hard problems. Awards: ACM Fellow (2012), AAAS Fellow (2017), Distinguished Professor (2020), Best Paper Awards (2023, 2022), and SIAM recognition. Grants: Co-PI on a $1.2M NSF grant (2022) for geometric graph research, and previous NSF grants for algorithm studies (2016). His work bridges theoretical computer science and practical applications, including contributions to graph visualization, geometric algorithms, and combinatorial optimization. Notable recent achievements include resolving open questions in graph biplanarity and authoring the book Forbidden Configurations in Discrete Geometry (2018).
Durba Mitra is the Richard B. Wolf Associate Professor in the Department of Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She is a leading scholar at the intersection of feminist and queer studies, global intellectual history, and the history of sexuality in the colonial and postcolonial world, particularly South Asia. Education: PhD, Emory University Research Interests: Her work critically examines how sexuality, gender, and racial difference have shaped modern social thought. She is especially known for her intellectual history of deviant female sexuality in colonial India and its foundational role in social sciences. Her research spans feminist theory, queer studies, histories of science and epistemology, and transnational feminist networks in the Global South. Recent Publications Trends: Her recent articles reflect a deep engagement with Third World feminism, feminist rage, decolonial knowledge production, and the politics of sexuality. She frequently publishes in top journals such as Signs , GLQ , and South Atlantic Quarterly , often in collaborative or roundtable formats, highlighting her role in shaping feminist intellectual discourse. Scientific Awards: Bernard S. Cohn Book Prize Walter Channing Cabot Fellow Award (Harvard) Roslyn Abramson Award for Teaching Excellence Star Family Prize for Faculty Advising Multiple 'Favorite Professor' honors from Harvard undergraduates Fulbright-Nehru and Mellon fellowships Advising and Grants: Mitra has received numerous research grants from Harvard, the Weatherhead Center, and external foundations. She has been recognized for excellence in faculty advising and undergraduate teaching. She has served as Acting Faculty Director of the Schlesinger Library and is active on editorial boards, indicating strong institutional and scholarly leadership. Labs and Teams: She is a faculty associate of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, a member of the Asia Center Council, and part of the Mittal South Asia Institute at Harvard. She curated the multimedia exhibit 'Solidarity! Transnational Feminisms Then and Now,' demonstrating her commitment to public scholarship and collaborative knowledge creation.
Oliver S. Cossairt is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Northwestern University's departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering. He leads the Computational Photography Lab , focusing on computational imaging, optics, and display technologies. His work bridges computer vision, graphics, and optical engineering to design novel imaging systems with applications in medical, astronomical, and scientific domains. Education: Ph.D. Computer Science, Columbia University (2011) M.S. Media Arts and Sciences, MIT Media Lab (2003) B.S. Physics, Evergreen State College (2003) Research Interests: Cossairt develops imaging systems that combine optical innovations with computational methods to enhance performance and functionality. Key areas include computational displays, depth sensing, and high-precision 3D imaging. His work emphasizes practical applications like medical imaging, holography, and non-line-of-sight sensing. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2015–2020) Best Paper Award at ICCP 2011 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2008–2011) Teaching & Funding: Taught courses on computational photography and computer vision. Secured grants from NSF, NIH, and industry partners (e.g., Samsung, Omron) for projects like Coherent Computational Imaging and Snapshot 3D Holographic Microscope . Labs & Teams: Directs the Computational Photography Lab, collaborating with institutions like Argonne National Labs and museums for projects in cultural heritage imaging.
Gunnar Kusch is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on defects in semiconductors, porous AlGaN materials, and advanced characterization techniques like cathodoluminescence (CL) and atom probe tomography (APT). He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde and leads projects on UV-B LED optimization, nanoscale defect behavior analysis, and semiconductor device design. His work bridges materials synthesis, characterization, and device performance, with applications in energy-efficient lighting and solar cell technology. Key research areas include: Defect engineering in III-nitride semiconductors Porous AlGaN templates for high-efficiency UV emitters Correlative microscopy techniques (CL, EBSD, APT) Composition-structure-property relationships in photovoltaic materials Notable contributions include developing CL-based methods for nanoscale defect analysis and demonstrating improved Cu(In,Ga)S₂ solar cell efficiencies through compositional engineering. His laboratory focuses on translating microscopic insights into macroscopic device improvements.
Ola Svensson is an Associate Professor at the School of Computer and Communication Sciences , EPFL. His research spans approximation algorithms, combinatorial optimization, computational complexity, and scheduling. He holds an ERC Consolidator Grant (2023–) and previously received an ERC Starting Grant (2014–2019) and SNF grant (2019–2023). Education: PhD in Computer Science from IDSIA, Università della Svizzera italiana (2009) M.Sc. from Uppsala University (2005) Research Focus: Svensson develops novel techniques for NP-hard problems, with emphasis on primal-dual methods, LP/SDP hierarchies, and hardness proofs. His work applies to clustering, scheduling, network design, and submodular optimization. Publications: His 15 most recent works (2018–2021) focus on learning-augmented algorithms, robust optimization, and improved approximations for clustering/TSP. Key trends include integration of ML with classical algorithms and quasi-polynomial methods for combinatorial problems. Awards: Best Paper Awards at FOCS (2011, 2017) and STOC (2018) I&C Teaching Award at EPFL Advising & Grants: He advises 6 current PhD students and graduated 8 others. Major grants include ERC Starting Grant 'OptApprox' (€1.4M) and ERC Consolidator Grant 'POTCO' (€2M). Teaching: Leads courses in Advanced Algorithms, Computational Complexity, and Approximation Algorithms. He developed pedagogical frameworks for scribe notes and project-based learning in theoretical computer science.
Charles A. Bouman is the Showalter Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, with a courtesy appointment in Mathematics. He is a leading researcher in computational imaging, integrating statistical signal processing, physics, and computation for applications in healthcare, scientific, and industrial imaging. Education: B.S.E.E., University of Pennsylvania, 1981 M.S., University of California at Berkeley, 1982 Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, 1989 His research focuses on computational imaging , including statistical image models, multiscale techniques, tomographic reconstruction, and fast algorithms. Key areas include Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction (MBIR), Plug-and-Play priors, document processing, and multiscale segmentation. His work has led to foundational contributions in total variation regularization and sparse-view reconstruction. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in integrating machine learning with physical models for image reconstruction, particularly through Plug-and-Play methods. His work spans optical tomography, halftoning, image scaling, and document compression, demonstrating consistent innovation in both theory and practical software implementation. Scientific Awards and Honors: Member, National Academy of Inventors Life Fellow, IEEE Fellow, IS&T; Honorary Member (2022); Service Award (2023) Fellow, SPIE and AIMBE IEEE Signal Processing Society Claude Shannon-Harry Nyquist Award (2021) Electronic Imaging Scientist of the Year (2014) SIAM Imaging Science Best Paper Prize (2020) Founder, IS&T Computational Imaging Conference (2003) Co-Founder, IEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging Vice President, IS&T; Former VP of Publications (2000–2004) Bouman has advised numerous graduate students and leads a vibrant research group developing open-source tools like MBIRJAX , SVMBIR , and OpenMBIR . His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, General Electric, Intel, Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, and the State of Indiana 21st Century Fund. He maintains an active presence through tutorials, conference leadership, and educational resources including video lectures and a textbook on Foundations of Computational Imaging. Labs and Research Teams: His group develops cutting-edge software for tomographic reconstruction, clustering, segmentation, and dynamic sampling. Projects include Gaussian Mixture modeling (GMCluster), Plug-and-Play implementations, Sparse Matrix Transforms, and UAV sensing datasets. The research is highly interdisciplinary, bridging engineering, mathematics, and biomedical applications.
Dr. Alicia Kulczynski is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Head of the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline at the University of Newcastle. She holds a PhD in Management (Marketing) and undergraduate degrees in Forensic Science and Communication Studies. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, branding, and advertising, with emphasis on spokesperson characteristics, psycholinguistics in branding, and music concert attendance. She has published in top-tier journals like the Journal of Marketing and European Journal of Marketing, and was recognized as Associate Editor of the Year (2024) for the Journal of Consumer Behaviour. Her work bridges academia and industry through collaborations with organizations such as the NSW Ombudsman and Ultra Music Festival. Education - PhD in Management (Marketing), University of Newcastle (2014) - Bachelor of Science (Forensic), University of Newcastle - Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies), University of Newcastle Research Interests - Consumer behavior and decision-making - Branding and brand communication - Advertising strategies and spokesperson effectiveness - Psycholinguistics in brand naming and consumer priming - Music concert attendee behavior and motivations - Cause-related marketing and social impact initiatives Awards - Associate Editor of the Year (2024) - Multiple Best Paper Awards at ANZMAC (2015–2024) - Teaching Excellence Awards (2016–2024) - Industry Collaboration Recognition (e.g., Ultra Music Festival) Grants & Industry Work - Partnered with NSW Ombudsman to develop AI tools for complaint assistance. - Established an Industry Consultative Committee with Pacific Smiles, Newcastle Airport, and HMRI. - Collaborated on diabetes management system market research with a Swedish SME. Teaching & Mentorship - Teaches marketing research courses with industry-linked projects. - Supervised PhD students on topics like AI-driven pricing, post-purchase dissonance, and omnichannel consumer experiences. - Guided students to publish in top journals such as the Journal of Consumer Behaviour and European Journal of Marketing. Labs & Teams - Leads the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline. - Co-founded the Social Marketing Research Team for Youth (SMRTY) initiative.
Rozenn Dahyot is a Professor of Computer Science at Maynooth University within the Faculty of Science & Engineering. She previously held roles as Assistant and Associate Professor in Statistics at Trinity College Dublin (2008-2021) and Lecturer in Computer Science (2005-2008). Her research interests bridge Digital Signal Processing, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Statistical Analysis. She organized the European Signal Processing Conference (EUSIPCO2021) in Dublin and served as President of the Irish Pattern Recognition and Classification Society (IPRCS) from 2014-2020. Her work spans topics like semantic scene understanding, CNN compression, and medical image segmentation. Key contributions include advancements in graph-based image analysis, reinforcement learning optimization, and AI-driven systems for disaster management. Dahyot is a member of IEEE, ACM, and EURASIP, contributing to both academic and industrial collaborations.
Prof. Dr. Mona Hess is a Full Professor and Chairholder of the Chair of Digital Heritage Technologies at Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg , Germany. She directs the M.Sc. Digital Technologies in Heritage Conservation program and serves as Vice-Speaker at the Centre for Heritage Conservation Studies and Technologies (KDWT) . Her work bridges digital documentation, 3D imaging, and heritage conservation, with a focus on cultural landscapes, historic timber, and artifact preservation. Education : Dipl.-Ing. in Architecture (TUM), M.A. in Heritage Conservation (University of Bamberg), Ph.D. in 3D Imaging Metrology for Cultural Heritage (University College London, 2015) Her research spans 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, SLAM-based recording , and digital twin environments , particularly for structural monitoring, museum artifacts, and historic gardens. She leads projects like VirScan3D (virtual laser scanner simulator) and 3DPetrie (UCL Petrie Museum 3D models) and collaborates on international initiatives such as the British Museum War Canoe digital repatriation. Recent publications emphasize automated defect analysis in timber, multi-modal imaging for ceiling art, and linked open data in heritage. She has contributed to CIPA ICOMOS as an expert member and will chair their Education and Dissemination Commission (2024). Scientific Awards : Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (2016), Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014) She teaches courses in Digital Object Recording , 3D Spatial Data Modeling , and Science Communication , and organizes international summer schools on heritage monitoring. Her lab, the Chair of Digital Heritage Technologies , collaborates with institutions in Italy, Spain, and the UK, focusing on interdisciplinary innovation in heritage conservation.
Yvonne Fabella serves as Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies and History Undergraduate Advisor in the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, where she guides curriculum development and student academic pathways. Her educational credentials include: B.A. in History and French from American University M.A. in History from University of Maryland at Baltimore County Ph.D. in History from State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook Dr. Fabella's research centers on colonial Caribbean societies with rigorous analysis of race formation, gender dynamics, and revolutionary movements in the French Atlantic world. Her work examines how enslaved and free people of color navigated colonial hierarchies through legal challenges, cultural practices, and resistance strategies, particularly in pre-revolutionary Saint Domingue. Her publications reveal consistent thematic focus on creolization processes, whiteness construction, and citizenship debates that preceded the Haitian Revolution, demonstrating interdisciplinary methodology bridging social, cultural, and political history frameworks. As an educator, she teaches specialized courses including HIST 233 (Pirates, Rebels and Runaways: Unofficial Histories of the Colonial Caribbean; Race, Slavery and Revolution in the French Atlantic World) and HIST 248 (The Haitian Revolution), emphasizing marginalized perspectives in Caribbean historiography.
Dr. Ayşe Nihan AVCI is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Interior Architecture, Faculty of Architecture at Çankaya University. She holds a PhD in Design (2022), Master's in Interior Architecture (2017), and Bachelor's in Interior Architecture (2010) from the same institution. Her research focuses on lighting design's impact on health and well-being, biophilic design principles, and OLED/LED lighting technologies. She has been a full-time faculty member since 2015, progressing from Research Assistant (2015-2022) to Doctoral Researcher (2022-2024) before her current role. Education: PhD in Design, Çankaya University (2017-2022) MSc in Interior Architecture, Çankaya University (2014-2017) BSc in Interior Architecture, Çankaya University (2005-2010) Research Interests: Her work integrates lighting science with human-centric design principles, emphasizing: Salutogenic lighting strategies for health promotion OLED technology's circadian rhythm effects Biophilic daylighting in historical buildings Visual comfort in workplaces Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles (2016–2025) focus on OLED/LED lighting applications, circadian rhythms, and daylighting in heritage buildings. Recent work explores salutogenic design in coffee shop environments and workplace environmental quality. Awards: No specific awards listed, but active in academic service: Member of Aydınlatma Türk Milli Komitesi since 2017 Member of TMMOB İç Mimarlar Odası since 2010 Reviewer for journals including PLANARCH Grants & Projects: Led a university-supported research project (2020–2021) on lighting design's health impacts. Currently teaches courses on lighting design, materials science, and interior design fundamentals.
Prof. Jan Theeuwes is a Full Professor of Cognitive Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, leading the ERC-funded research group on statistical learning and attention. He holds additional roles as Distinguished Visiting Research Professor at the William James Center for Research (Lisbon) and Visiting Professor at Zhejiang University (China). With over 474 publications and two ERC Advanced Grants (2013 & 2019), his work spans visual attention, statistical learning, and applied human factors in road design. He pioneered the 'Self-Explaining Roads' concept, revolutionizing global road safety design, and co-developed Open Sesame, a widely used open-source experiment builder. His research integrates EEG, fMRI, and computational modeling, addressing topics like distractor suppression, emotion, and leadership influence. Over 25 PhD students have graduated under his mentorship, many securing academic roles across Europe. Education: Cum laude degrees in Experimental Psychology (Tilburg University) and a PhD (VU Amsterdam, 1992). Key awards include the Bertelson Award (2001) and KNAW membership (2010). He advises the Dutch Department of Transportation and founded the Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam (IBBA) in 2016. Ancillary roles include leadership in European psychological societies and consultancy for Attention Architects, applying eye-tracking research in corporate settings.
