Joseph Sifakis is a CNRS Research Director and founder of Verimag Laboratory in Grenoble, France. He holds the INRIA-Schneider endowed industrial chair since 2008 and has been instrumental in advancing concurrent systems specification and verification. Education: Electrical Engineering (Technical University of Athens), Computer Science (University of Grenoble) Research interests focus on component-based design , real-time systems , and correct-by-construction techniques . He pioneered the development of the BIP framework and contributed to model checking, a cornerstone of industrial system verification. Recent publications emphasize component-based modeling, formal verification, and distributed system design, reflecting his work's impact on embedded systems and critical applications like aerospace and telecommunications. Scientific awards include: Turing Award (2007) CNRS Silver Medal (2001) Test-of-Time Award (2012) Multiple honorary doctorates (2008-2011) Member of prestigious academies Industry collaborations span Airbus, ST Microelectronics, and the European Space Agency, with applications in aeronautics, telecommunications, and industrial software standards. He leads the ARTIST2 Network of Excellence and directs the CARNOT Institute 'Intelligent Software and Systems'.
Roman Obermaisser is a Professor at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), affiliated with the Cyber-Physical Systems department. His research focuses on real-time systems, system architectures, communication protocols, safety-critical systems, distributed algorithms, and fault-tolerance. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from TU Wien, awarded in 2003 for his work on integrated architectures for control paradigms. His academic contributions span over two decades, with publications in top-tier conferences and journals. Key research themes include time-triggered architectures (TTA), fault containment in embedded systems, and integration of heterogeneous communication protocols like CAN and Ethernet. He has supervised numerous graduate students, contributing to advancements in system-on-chip (SoC) design, transient-resilient architectures, and diagnostic frameworks for real-time systems. Obermaisser’s work emphasizes practical applications in automotive and industrial systems, addressing challenges such as scalability, reliability, and composability. His involvement in projects like GENESYS and DECOS highlights his role in developing cross-domain reference architectures for embedded systems. Recent efforts include evaluating ontology-based reconfiguration and COTS-based Ethernet solutions for safety-critical networks. His articles reflect a focus on real-time communication protocols, fault-tolerant design, and system integration, with applications ranging from automotive networks to smart transducers. Advising over 20 students underscores his commitment to nurturing the next generation of embedded systems researchers.
Johannes Brandstetter is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Machine Learning at Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) where he leads the "AI for data-driven simulations" research group. He is also Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Emmi AI, bridging academic research with industrial applications in AI-driven physics simulation. Brandstetter earned his PhD after working at CERN's CMS experiment on Higgs boson physics. In 2018, he transitioned to machine learning, joining Sepp Hochreiter's research group in Linz. From 2021-2023, he worked at the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab under Max Welling and Microsoft Research, developing expertise in Geometric Deep Learning and neural surrogates for partial differential equations. He returned to JKU in October 2023 to establish his own research group. His research spans Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Physics-Informed Machine Learning with focus areas including Neural PDE solvers, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Climate Modeling. Brandstetter believes AI is poised to revolutionize industrial-scale simulations, potentially saving thousands of compute hours across engineering domains. His work integrates computer vision, numerical simulation, and engineering components to advance data-driven approaches. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward foundation models for scientific applications, particularly in atmospheric modeling (Aurora), geometric deep learning, and neural surrogates for complex physical systems. His interdisciplinary work spans computer vision, climate science, computational physics, and engineering, demonstrating the versatility of his research approach. Principal Investigator for "AlKa-DL: Alpine karst spring discharge prediction" (FWF-funded, 2024-2027) Principal Investigator for Cluster of Excellence "Bilateral Artificial Intelligence" (FWF-funded, 2024-2029) Co-PI for "Fast, efficient and flexible CFD simulation through generative AI" (FFG-funded, 2025-2026) As an educator and researcher, Brandstetter actively engages with the scientific community through invited talks at major conferences including presentations on "Closing the Gap Between Scientific Foundation Models and Real-World Applications" (March 2025) and "Scientific Machine Learning for Science and Engineering" (February 2025).
Wolfgang Bösch is a Professor at Graz University of Technology's Institute of Microwave and Photonic Engineering, specializing in advanced RF components and measurement techniques. His research advances high-frequency systems through innovations in antenna technology and electromagnetic theory. Research domains include: metamaterial-based antennas, precision measurement calibration, microwave filter optimization, and 3D-printed RF components. Recent work demonstrates strong focus on millimeter-wave systems and reconfigurable antenna arrays. Publications highlight expertise in: machine learning for filter design, metasurface applications, PCB transitions for high-frequency systems, and uncertainty quantification in RF engineering. Research consistently addresses miniaturization and performance optimization challenges. Awards recognize contributions to measurement science and antenna design: Fellow of IET, Houska Prize, and best paper awards. Current laboratories investigate liquid crystal antenna systems and error calibration methodologies for next-generation wireless systems.
Hannes Hick is a Professor at Graz University of Technology , affiliated with the Institute of Machine Elements and Development Methodology . His research focuses on mechanical development, tribology, and systems engineering for automotive and industrial applications. He actively contributes to engineering education and methodology standardization. Research Interests Hydrogen internal combustion engines System modeling and digital twins Tribology in electric drivetrains Sustainable engineering practices MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering) Friction and wear analysis Article Trends His recent work emphasizes hydrogen propulsion systems, model-based approaches for interdisciplinary engineering challenges, tribological optimization for sustainable mobility, and integrating AI with mechanical design workflows. Labs and Teams He leads research at the Institute of Machine Elements, focusing on mechanical validation and development methodologies for advanced powertrain systems.
Mohamed-Slim Alouini is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Associate Dean of the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. He also serves as the Associate Vice President for Research and holds the UNESCO Chair in Education to Connect the Unconnected. With over 500 journal publications and more than 46,000 citations, he is a world-renowned expert in wireless communications who was elected IEEE Fellow in 2009 at the age of 39. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), 1998 MS in Electrical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), 1995 Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies (DEA) in Electronics, Université Pierre & Marie Curie (Sorbonne University), 1993 Diplôme d'Ingénieur, École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (Télécom Paris Tech), 1993 Habilitation, Université Pierre & Marie Curie (Sorbonne University), 2003 Dr. Alouini is a world-renowned expert in wireless communication and networking with research interests spanning diversity combining techniques, MIMO systems, multi-hop/cooperative communications, optical wireless systems, cognitive radio, UAV communications, and advanced modulation schemes. His current focus addresses the technical challenges of uneven information and communication technology distribution, particularly targeting rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas through integrated ground-airborne-space networks. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations to solve real-world connectivity problems. His recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate a clear research trajectory toward integrated communication networks combining terrestrial, aerial, and space components. There's growing emphasis on UAV communications, satellite systems, optical wireless technologies, and rural connectivity solutions, with increasing integration of machine learning techniques for network optimization. His work shows consistent focus on addressing the digital divide, with several publications specifically targeting 6G challenges for connecting underserved populations and recycling existing infrastructure for enhanced rural connectivity. Scientific Awards: Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2019) Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (2018) IEEE Fellow (2009) Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers (2016) OIC Science & Technology Achievement Award (2017) Multiple recognitions as Highly Cited Researcher NSF CAREER Award (1999) Dr. Alouini has mentored numerous successful students and post-doctoral fellows who have secured positions at top institutions worldwide including Harvard, Caltech, Imperial College, and faculty positions at Korea University, Hanyang University, and universities across the Middle East. His December 2018 PhD graduate Qurrat-Ul-Ain Nadeem received the prestigious Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholars award, while post-doctoral fellows have won IEEE ComSoc Young Professionals Best Innovation Award and attended the Lindau Nobel Meeting. His Communication Theory Lab at KAUST drives significant research in wireless communications with funding supporting extensive publication output and innovative projects. Dr. Alouini leads the Communication Theory Lab at KAUST and holds the UNESCO Chair in Education to Connect the Unconnected, focusing specifically on technical solutions for connecting underserved communities. His lab works on integrated ground-airborne-space networks to bridge the digital divide, with particular emphasis on rural, low-income, and hard-to-reach areas. The team develops practical solutions using UAVs, satellite communications, and recycled infrastructure to provide cost-effective connectivity where traditional approaches fail.
Anna Beer is a researcher in the Faculty of Computer Science, specializing in data mining and machine learning with a focus on density-based clustering, spectral clustering, and interactive clustering frameworks. She holds a BSc and MSc in computer science and maintains an ORCID profile (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6890-997X) for her research contributions. Research Themes: Development of clustering algorithms (e.g., DISCO, Scar, LUCKe), fairness in density-based clustering (FairDen), and applications to molecular dynamics and climate research (DROPP). Collaborations: Works with colleagues like Ira Assent, Christian Plant, and Lars Krieger, with recent contributions to conferences like ICLR 2025. Activities: Presented research on density-connectivity distance at a 2023 oral contribution. Publications: 9 publications since 2019, including 3 in 2025 and 6 in 2024, covering topics from cluster evaluation to deep active learning strategies.
Tobias Ofner-Graff is a researcher at the Institute of Forest Growth within the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Based at Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Wien, his work focuses on advanced forest monitoring technologies. His research interests include: LiDAR and remote sensing applications in forestry Automated forest inventory systems Forest regeneration quantification Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data analysis Sustainable forest harvesting planning Recent project contributions include: Leading lidar-based forest monitoring systems development Developing spatial forest growth models Implementing digital inventory workflows His publications demonstrate expertise in: Quantifying forest resources through 3D point clouds Advanced timber stack measurement techniques ALS data integration for forest modeling Mobile laser scanning applications Forest climate adaptation strategies
Ulrich Schmid is a Full Professor and Head of the Research Unit for Embedded Computing Systems at TU Wien. He holds a position in the Faculty of Informatics and leads the department of Embedded Computing Systems (E191-02). His roles include Curriculum Coordinator for the Bachelor and Master programs in Computer Engineering, as well as the Excellence Program Bachelor with Honors. He is also the Chair of the Curriculum Commission for Computer Engineering and a Substitute Member of the Informatics Commission. His research focuses on fault-tolerant distributed algorithms, digital integrated circuits, and topology-based approaches to distributed systems. He coordinates major projects such as the FWF-funded DMAC (2019–2024) and ByzDEL (2020–2025), which integrate topological semantics and hybrid delay models for robust hardware design and distributed system analysis. Schmid has contributed to groundbreaking work in Byzantine fault tolerance, epistemic logic for system recovery, and real-time scheduling through collaborations with researchers like Chatterjee, Függer, and Rajsbaum. Notable awards include the 2018 Edsger W. Dijkstra Prize and the 2021 Principles of Distributed Computing Doctoral Dissertation Award. His research also bridges formal verification techniques with physical hardware implementations, exemplified by projects like HEX (a Byzantine-tolerant clock distribution system) and the Involution tool for timing analysis. Schmid actively contributes to academic governance, advancing rigorous education and research standards in computer engineering. His advising and grant work involve mentoring on fault-tolerant architectures and securing funding from agencies like FWF and the European Commission. Labs and teams under his leadership include the Embedded Computing Systems group, specializing in hardware-software co-design for dependable systems-on-chip, and collaborations with institutions like GSI Helmholtzzentrum and the University of Amsterdam.
Roman Franz Froschauer is a Professor of Production Informatics at the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, Research Center Wels. Since 2018, he has served as Director of Studies for the Master's program in Robotic Systems Engineering and leads the Smart Automation & Robotics research group. His career spans academic and industrial roles, including senior software development and project management at AlpinaTec Technical Products GmbH (2010-2016). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science (2010) from Johannes Kepler University Linz; Master's in Industrial Informatics (2005) from Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences. Research Areas: Software engineering for intelligent automation systems, human-robot interaction (HRI), control systems, and applications of IEC 61499 standards. His work focuses on proactive collaboration, trajectory planning, and user-centered design for assistive robots in office and industrial settings. Scientific Activities: Active in peer-review, conference organization, and technology development. Projects include VRoboCoop (human-robot trust), MARIE (office robotics), and Autility (automated utility vehicles). Key Contributions: Frameworks for modular manufacturing (PlugBot), skill-based engineering, and intralogistics automation (ATLAS).
Dr. Josef Schlacher serves as a Senior Scientist and PostDoc at the University of Leoben's Chair of Structural and Functional Ceramics, specializing in mechanical characterization of 2D/3D ceramic architectures. His research bridges fundamental materials science with industrial applications in advanced ceramics engineering. His academic foundation includes: BSc in Materials Science (2011-2017) Dipl.-Ing. in Materials Science (2017-2019) PhD in Materials Science (2019-2024) Schlacher's research centers on additive manufacturing of ceramics, particularly alumina-based systems. He pioneers techniques for spatially tailored porosity and multi-material approaches to enhance thermal shock resistance and damage tolerance. His work investigates fracture mechanics across scales—from micro-scale toughness measurements to high-temperature failure analysis—enabling next-generation ceramic components for extreme environments. Key innovations include 3D-printed architectures with engineered microstructures that resist thermal cracking and contact damage. His publication trajectory (2020-2025) reveals a strategic focus on translating additive manufacturing capabilities into functional ceramic systems. Early work established mechanical baselines for printed alumina, while recent studies demonstrate sophisticated multi-material designs achieving unprecedented thermal shock resistance through microstructural control. This evolution highlights a deliberate progression from fundamental characterization to application-driven engineering solutions. Recognition includes: JECS Trust Young Researcher Award (2nd place, 2022) CIEC17 Poster Competition (1st prize, 2021) Fractography of Advanced Ceramics Conference (2nd place poster, 2019) As an integral member of the Ceramics Chair research team, Schlacher contributes to ERC projects and contract research initiatives while developing novel testing methodologies for ceramic architectures. His collaborative work with industry partners focuses on standardizing mechanical characterization protocols for additively manufactured ceramics.
Andreas Stollwitzer is a researcher affiliated with the Research Area Steel Construction at TU Wien. His academic titles include Univ.Ass. (University Assistant), Dipl.-Ing. (Diplom-Ingenieur), and Dr.techn. (Doctor of Technical Sciences). His research focuses on railway bridge dynamics, track-bridge interaction, and structural health monitoring. Key areas of investigation include the behavior of ballasted tracks on railway bridges, dynamic characteristics of bridge-track systems, and vibration analysis in high-speed rail infrastructure. His work emphasizes experimental and numerical methods to study phenomena such as longitudinal/lateral track-bridge interaction, dynamic stiffness and damping measurement, and destabilization of ballast beds under vertical vibrations. He has contributed to projects like DYS-GROS, analyzing the dynamic interaction between track components and bridge structures through both simulations and in-situ testing. Recent publications (2021–2023) highlight advancements in damping factor calculations, comparison of vehicle-bridge interaction approaches, and the application of indirect structural health monitoring techniques using vehicle-based sensors. His findings aim to improve bridge safety, reduce computational uncertainties in dynamic analyses, and optimize railway infrastructure design under high-speed conditions. He collaborates with institutions and researchers in Austria and internationally, focusing on railway engineering challenges. While no formal awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects significant contributions to civil engineering dynamics and infrastructure systems.
Professor Jeffrey Kramer is a distinguished academic at Imperial College London, where he currently serves as Professor in Distributed Computing within the Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering. With a career spanning over four decades at Imperial College, he has held numerous leadership positions including Senior Dean (2009-2012), Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2006-2009), and Head of the Department of Computing (1999-2004). Professor Kramer's research focuses on software engineering, particularly in distributed computing, requirements engineering, software architecture, and self-managing adaptive systems. His work on the Darwin Software Architecture led to commercial implementation by Philips in consumer television products. He has been a principal investigator in research projects developing the CONIC and DARWIN environments for distributed programming. His publication portfolio includes over 200 refereed journal and conference papers along with two influential books: 'Distributed Systems and Computer Networks' (1986) and 'Concurrency: State Models & Java Programs' (1999, 2nd ed. 2006). His most cited works address software architecture, dynamic reconfiguration, and adaptive systems, demonstrating a consistent research trajectory focused on foundational aspects of distributed software systems. FREng Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2008) ACM SIGSOFT Outstanding Research Award (2005, joint with Prof. Magee) ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Service Award (2011) Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering (2006-2009) Most Influential Paper Award at ICSE 2003 IEE Informatics Premium prize (1998/99) Professor Kramer has served on over 50 international conference committees in the last decade and has delivered numerous keynote addresses globally. His industrial collaborations include work with BP, BT, NATS, Fujitsu, Barclays Capital, QinetiQ, Kodak, Microsoft, and Philips. He has also served as an expert witness for major law firms and has been involved in numerous research collaborations and consulting engagements.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hannes Bernien is a Research Director at the Institut für Quantenoptik und Quanteninformation, University of Innsbruck. His work focuses on quantum information science, leveraging neutral atom arrays for quantum computing, simulation, and networking. Key research areas include scalable quantum systems, entanglement engineering, and hybrid quantum technologies. His lab develops platforms like Rydberg atom arrays and nanophotonic interfaces for quantum networks. Notable achievements include loophole-free Bell inequality violations and Schrödinger cat state generation. He has been honored as the CLEO 2024 Gordon Memorial Speaker. PhD students advised: Ka Hui Goh, Shankar G. Menon, Dahlia Ghoshal, and others. Postdocs: Justus Brüggenjürgen, Peng Yin. Recent publications emphasize error-correctable quantum RAM, deterministic entanglement distillation, and hybrid quantum repeaters. His team explores nonergodic chiral dynamics and dual-species Rydberg arrays, advancing both theoretical and experimental quantum frontiers.
Rainer Hahn is an Associate Professor in Biochemical Engineering at the Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He also serves as Head of the Downstream Processing Unit at the BioIndustrial Pilot Plant and is a key researcher at the Austrian Center of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB). His work is centered on bioprocess engineering with a strong focus on downstream processing and biopharmaceutical purification. University: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) School: Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences Department: Institute of Biochemical Engineering Role: Associate Professor, Head of Downstream Processing Unit His research interests span Bioprocess Engineering , Downstream Processing , Industrial Biotechnology , Pharmaceutical Technology , and Chemical Biology . He investigates advanced purification techniques, particularly in chromatography and protein separation processes. His recent work emphasizes multicomponent adsorption, protein A affinity systems, and purification of complex biomolecules like secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). The trend in his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on protein purification , chromatographic modeling , and process optimization in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. His work integrates experimental analysis with mathematical modeling to improve efficiency and predictability in downstream operations, especially in multi-component systems. Topics such as continuous chromatography , pH transients , and affinity resin development reflect his leadership in advancing industrial bioprocessing. His notable scientific awards include: HOUSKA PRIZE (Recognition Award) - 2016 Dissertation Prize of the Austrian Society for Biotechnology - 2002 Rainer Hahn has been actively involved in numerous research projects funded by FWF, national enterprises, and private foundations, focusing on biopharmaceutical purification and process development. He mentors students and contributes to academic training through lectures and supervision. He is also a dedicated reviewer for leading journals such as Journal of Chromatography A , Biotechnology and Bioengineering , and Separation and Purification Technology . His work is closely tied to industrial applications, particularly in the development of scalable and efficient biomanufacturing processes. He is associated with the BioIndustrial Pilot Plant and collaborates with ACIB, contributing to innovation in industrial biotechnology. His research group focuses on developing robust downstream strategies for next-generation biopharmaceuticals.
