Lefteris Doitsidis is an Associate Professor at the School of Production Engineering and Management, Technical University of Crete. He holds a PhD in Production and Management Engineering from the same institution (2008), with prior academic positions at the Department of Electronics, Hellenic Mediterranean University. His professional journey includes visiting scholar roles at the University of South Florida, USA. Research focuses on robotic systems, including autonomous navigation of UAVs/AUVs, multirobot teams, computational intelligence, and educational robotics. He leads the Intelligent Systems and Robotics Laboratory, developing tools like HYDRA for STEM education and frameworks for industry 4.0 applications such as bin-picking and precision agriculture. His work integrates control systems optimization, energy efficiency in manufacturing, and digital twin technologies. Over 65 publications span journals, conferences, and books, emphasizing practical implementations like ROS-based autonomous vehicle testbeds and energy management systems for electric vehicles. Key contributions include UAV path planning algorithms, swarm robotics coordination, and sensor fusion techniques. Current research trends emphasize sustainability in manufacturing, educational robotics platforms, and autonomous systems validation through advanced algorithms like Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient.
Dr. Sotirios Kontogiannis is a Researcher and Director of the Distributed MicroComputer Systems Laboratory (MCSL) at the Department of Mathematics, University of Ioannina. He holds a PhD in Software Engineering from Democritus University of Thrace (2012), with a focus on load balancing algorithms for distributed systems. His career spans academic and private sector roles, including software development, research in FP7 projects, and technical leadership at TEKMON Geomatics. He currently teaches courses on Database Systems, Parallel Algorithms, and Educational Technologies at the University of Ioannina. Education: 5-year Engineering Diploma (DUTH, 2003), MSc in Microelectronics and Information Systems (DUTH, 2006), PhD in Load Balancing Algorithms (DUTH, 2012). Research Focus: Distributed systems, IoT protocols, sensor networks, big data, and smart agriculture technologies (e.g., beekeeping monitoring systems, wine fermentation frameworks). His work integrates IoT, AI, and edge computing to address challenges in agriculture, accessibility, and environmental monitoring. Notable inventions include patented smart beehive systems and tactile navigation tools for visually impaired individuals.
Kostas Vlachos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Ioannina, Greece. He has been in this position since 2014, following prior teaching roles at the University of Thessaly (2007–2013). He is a member of the Information Processing and Analysis (I.P.AN.) research group and actively supervises PhD, MSc, and diploma students in robotics and control systems. PhD, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 2004 MSc, Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program in Automation Systems, National Technical University of Athens, 2000 Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Dresden, Germany, 1993 His research focuses on robotics and control, with emphasis on microrobotics , haptic mechanisms , medical simulators , and autonomous navigation . He has made significant contributions to over-actuated marine platforms, reinforcement learning for navigation, and tactile robotic systems. His work bridges mechanical engineering and computer science, particularly in intelligent robotic control. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong trend in autonomous marine robotics , multi-agent reinforcement learning , and intelligent control systems . Key themes include energy-efficient control, obstacle avoidance, sensor fusion, and learning-based navigation. The research spans from theoretical control design to real-world implementation in unmanned surface vehicles and microrobots. Best Student Paper Award, 9th Hellenic Conference on AI (SETN 2016) Vlachos has supervised over 30 students at various levels and has participated in multiple national and European research projects in robotics and automatic control. His teaching includes courses such as Computational Mathematics, Robotics, and Robotic Systems. He collaborates extensively with researchers like E. Papadopoulos and K. Blekas. He leads research within the Information Processing and Analysis (I.P.AN.) group, focusing on intelligent perception and control of robotic systems. His lab works on mobile manipulators, haptic devices, mini-robots, and marine platforms, integrating simulation (ROS/Gazebo) with real-world experimentation.
Georgios Siolas is a Senior Researcher at the Artificial Intelligence and Learning Systems Laboratory (NTUA-ISLab), part of the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He holds a BSc in Electrical & Computer Engineering from NTUA (1998), an MSc in Cognitive Science from Sorbonne Université (1999), and a PhD in Computer Science (2003). His research focuses on machine learning, text mining, information retrieval, and semantic web technologies, with applications in computer vision, recommender systems, and social network analysis. He develops intelligent systems for cultural heritage management, smart tourism platforms, and sign language recognition. Key contributions include innovations in neural architecture search, deep learning for hyperspectral imagery, and plagiarism detection in imbalanced datasets. His work integrates semantic technologies with pervasive computing for smart home environments.
Zervakis Michalis is a full Professor at the Technical University of Crete (TUC), serving as Rector and Director of the Digital Image and Signal Processing Laboratory (DISPLAY). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto (1990) and has been a faculty member at TUC since 1995. His expertise spans Digital Image/Signal Processing, biomedical applications, and neural network implementations in automation. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Toronto (1990) M.Sc., Electrical Engineering, University of Toronto (1985) B.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1983) Research Interests: Signal/image processing for biomedical applications Machine learning for healthcare diagnostics EEG/ECG analysis and seizure detection Neural network architectures for automation Multi-sensor systems and aerial surveillance His research emphasizes clinical applications like epilepsy monitoring and cardiovascular diagnostics, leveraging deep learning and multimodal data fusion. He has led over 20 international projects and published >90 papers in image/signal processing. Current work focuses on AI-driven medical systems and UAV-based infrastructure monitoring. Labs/Teams: Director of the DISPLAY Lab, collaborating on projects like the BorderUAS semiautonomous surveillance platform and the Pulsense cardiovascular monitoring system. Grants/Contributions: Extensive involvement in EU-funded initiatives and industry partnerships, advancing smart farming, power line inspection, and emergency response systems.
Elias N. Zois is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering at the University of West Attica, where he has taught since 2019. Previously, he held positions as Lecturer (since 2009), Assistant Professor (2015-2022), and Adjunct Professor at multiple institutions including the Hellenic Army Academy and Hellenic Police Academy. He received his B.Sc. (1994), M.Sc. (1997), and Ph.D. (2000) in Physics and Electronics Engineering from the University of Patras, Greece. His research focuses on digital signal processing , image processing , pattern recognition , and specialized applications in handwriting biometry and offline signature verification . Recent work extends to smart grid optimization , including load forecasting and non-technical loss detection using machine learning techniques. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals strong interdisciplinary trends: 60% focus on advanced biometric verification using Riemannian geometry and metric learning, while 40% apply machine learning to energy systems. Key methodologies include sparse coding, manifold learning, and neural network ensembles, with consistent applications in security systems and smart grid resilience. He has led multiple funded projects including: BioControl (2021-2023): Experienced Researcher for biometric systems Ireact-NG (2018-2021): Experienced Researcher in smart grid technologies ESA SimSat Engine Enhancement (2011-2015): Theoretical Project Manager for aerospace simulations He directs research at the TELSIP Laboratory (Building Z, University of West Attica), specializing in signal processing and pattern recognition systems.
Professor Panagiotis Demestichas serves as a faculty member in the Department of Digital Systems at the University of Piraeus, where he has been a Professor since April 2012. He heads the Laboratory of "Telecommunication Networks and Integrated Services" and has held significant leadership positions including Chair of the Department of Digital Systems from 2011 to 2015. His academic journey began with Bachelor's and Doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens. Professor Demestichas' educational background includes: Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens Doctoral Degree in Electrical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens His research spans the forefront of telecommunications and network technologies, with particular expertise in 5G and emerging 6G systems. Professor Demestichas focuses on smart/cognitive/autonomic management and convergence of ICT infrastructures, SDN/NFV technologies, cognitive radio networks, and cloud and Internet of Things solutions. His work addresses critical challenges in spectrum management, network architecture design for beyond 5G systems, and the integration of artificial intelligence into network management frameworks. His research has significant implications for vertical industries including transportation, manufacturing, and smart cities, where reliable high-speed connectivity is essential. Professor Demestichas' publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on next-generation network technologies, with recent work emphasizing 6G architecture, sustainable network design, and industry-specific applications of advanced telecommunications. His research trajectory shows a clear evolution from 5G foundational work toward pioneering 6G concepts, with increasing emphasis on AI integration, sustainability, and cross-industry applications. The collaborative nature of his research is evident through participation in major European projects. Throughout his career, Professor Demestichas has held leadership positions in numerous significant research initiatives including: Project Coordinator of the OneFIT project (2010-2012) Technical Manager of the E3 project (2008-2009) Chairman of WWRF working groups, most notably the WGC "Communication Architectures and Technologies" (2004-2015) Technical Programme Committee Chair for the European Conference on Networks and Communications (EUCNC 2016) Active participation in European research programs including RACE II, ACTS, BRITE/EURAM, EURET, IST/FP5, IST/FP6, and ICT/FP7 As an educator, Professor Demestichas has made substantial contributions to academic development. He has supervised ten completed PhD theses and currently guides three additional doctoral candidates. He teaches Computer Networks I & II at the undergraduate level and has contributed to the development of research capacity through his leadership roles. His laboratory's research activities are partly funded by the European Union under Horizon 2020, reflecting the significance and impact of his work in the international research community. Professor Demestichas leads the Laboratory "Telecommunication Networks and Integrated Services" (http://tns.ds.unipi.gr), which serves as a hub for advanced research in telecommunications. The laboratory focuses on cutting-edge projects related to 5G/6G technologies, network virtualization, and intelligent network management. Through this laboratory, Professor Demestichas fosters collaboration between academia and industry, particularly in the areas of vertical industry applications of advanced networking technologies.
Wei Yang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas, actively contributing to software engineering research through program committee roles at ICSE, FSE, ASE, and ISSTA conferences since 2015. His research focuses on software testing innovation , particularly in mobile security, GUI testing, and AI-driven test automation. Key contributions include frameworks for malware analysis (MalScan), UI exploration (Guardian, Vet), and neural network testing (DeepPerform, EREBA), addressing critical challenges in test oracle generation, flaky tests, and resource-constrained environments. Recent work demonstrates a strategic shift toward LLM and foundation model applications for testing, with 2023-2026 publications exploring vision-language models for GUI testing, parameter ownership in collaborative AI development, and instruction alignment in large language models. This evolution reflects the field's broader trajectory toward AI-integrated quality assurance.
Michael F. P. O'Boyle is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics. He is a leading researcher in compiler technology, specializing in optimizing compilation, machine learning for compilation, and heterogeneous systems. His work addresses the critical challenges of compiling software for increasingly diverse hardware architectures in the post-Moore's Law era. Professor O'Boyle's research interests focus on: Optimizing compilation techniques Machine learning applications in compilation Heterogeneous computing systems Program synthesis Neural machine translation for code Hardware/software co-design His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on tensor optimization, compiler infrastructure for heterogeneous systems, and machine learning applications in program analysis and transformation. O'Boyle's work bridges traditional compiler techniques with modern AI-driven approaches to code optimization, addressing the growing complexity of hardware-software interfaces. Professor O'Boyle has received several notable honors and awards: ACM CGO Test of Time award (2017) Senior EPSRC Research Fellow Fellow of the British Computer Society (BCS) He holds significant leadership roles including Director of the ARM Research Centre of Excellence at Edinburgh and Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Pervasive Parallelism. O'Boyle is also a founding member of HiPEAC, a European network for high-performance and embedded architecture and compilation, and has delivered keynote addresses at major conferences including PPoPP 2019 where he presented his vision for "Rethinking Compilation in a Heterogeneous World."
Konstantinos A. Tsintotas is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Information and Electronic Engineering, International Hellenic University. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, and their applications in smart cities, healthcare, and manufacturing. He is actively involved in advancing AI-driven systems for critical infrastructure management, robotic vision, and embedded device technologies. His work spans theoretical advancements and practical implementations, including projects like SLAM algorithms for autonomous navigation, deep learning models for medical diagnosis, and IoT-integrated smart supply chains. Tsintotas also explores ethical implications of AI in human action recognition and contributes to neuromorphic computing through spiking neural networks. Key technical contributions include ReJSHand (real-time hand pose estimation), fall detection systems for embedded devices, and visual place recognition frameworks. His interdisciplinary approach bridges computer science, electrical engineering, and biomedical applications, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation at the hardware-software interface. Notable trends in his publications emphasize AI ethics, multimodal perception for robotics, and low-power embedded solutions. Ongoing work includes advancing digital twin technologies for supply chains and refining bio-inspired neural architectures for robotics applications.
Professor Balas Costas is a full Professor and Director of the Electronics Lab at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Crete. His expertise spans optoelectronics, biomedical imaging, and medical device innovation. He earned his Ph.D. in medical physics from the University of Patras (1992) and has led pioneering research in hyper-spectral imaging and non-invasive diagnostics. Key roles include founder of DySIS-Medical, a medical device company, and inventor of the DySIS imaging system for cervical neoplasia detection. Awards include the 2013 Greece Innovates Applied Research & Innovation Competition. Research interests focus on optical biopsy, biomedical spectral imaging, and diagnostic device development. His work bridges academia and industry, with contributions to global health through cost-effective diagnostic tools. Notable projects include the development of the DySIS device, validated through multinational clinical trials, and hyperspectral imaging systems for art conservation. Publications span biomedical optics, diagnostic technologies, and material analysis. Grants and venture capital funding (€15M+) support his research. He is a member of IEEE Photonics Society, SPIE, and Optical Society of America.
Konstantinos Blekas is a Professor at the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, University of Ioannina, Greece. He is affiliated with the Polytechnic School and teaches advanced courses such as 'Machine Learning' (MYE002) and 'Probability and Statistics' (MYY304). His research focuses on Machine Learning, Intelligent Agents, Computer Vision, and Bioinformatics, with particular expertise in Reinforcement Learning, Deep Learning, and their applications in autonomous systems, traffic management, and aerospace engineering. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (1997) Diploma in Electrical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (1993) Research Interests: Dr. Blekas explores cutting-edge topics in machine learning, including generative adversarial networks (GANs), multi-agent systems, and reinforcement learning for autonomous navigation. His work spans domains such as unmanned surface vehicles, air traffic management, and medical informatics. Notable contributions include advanced frameworks for flight trajectory modeling, urban traffic optimization, and brain functional network analysis. Awards and Recognition: While specific awards are not explicitly listed, his extensive publications and contributions to AI and robotics reflect significant academic impact. Advising and Grants: He supervises research in machine learning applications, though specific student names or grant details are not provided in the texts. His courses emphasize practical implementation, with resources available on e-learning platforms like e-course.uoi.gr. Labs and Teams: Engaged in collaborative projects involving robotics and AI, though no specific lab names are mentioned. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches across computer science, engineering, and biomedical fields.
Panos Trahanias is Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Crete, and heads the Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory (CVRL) at Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH). His research bridges computational vision, robotics, and embedded systems, with specific focus on humanoid robot navigation, real-time SLAM implementations, and adaptive control systems. Recent investigations include developing climbing quadruped robots, robust grip-lifting mechanisms, and probabilistic contact estimation methods for dynamically challenging terrains. Medical applications feature prominently through neural network approaches for ventilator waveform analysis in critical care settings. Hardware innovation is demonstrated through FPGA-accelerated visual SLAM architectures and reconfigurable embedded systems designed for resource-constrained robotic platforms. His work consistently advances the integration of probabilistic methods, deep learning, and adaptive control in autonomous systems.
Themos Stafylakis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Informatics of Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), a role he assumed in 2023. He also serves as the head of the Machine Learning and Voice Biometrics departments at Omilia (Cyprus and Greece) since 2018. Additionally, he collaborates as a researcher at the Archimedes unit of the "Athena" Research Center. His academic journey includes a PhD in voice applications from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of NTUA (2011), a master's from Imperial College London (2005), and a bachelor's from NTUA (2004). Professional experience includes postdoctoral research at ÉTS University of Montreal (2011-2013) and CRIM research center (2011-2016), followed by work at the University of Nottingham on audiovisual speech recognition under a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship (2016-2018). His research focuses on speaker recognition, audiovisual speech processing, and machine learning applications. Key contributions include advancements in speaker verification, diarization, and self-supervised learning techniques. He has contributed to datasets like KAN-AV and participated in challenges such as NIST-SRE and ASVspoof. Educations: Bachelor's: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NTUA (2004) Master's: Imperial College London (2005) PhD: NTUA (2011) His research interests span speaker recognition, audiovisual speech analysis, and machine learning innovations. Notable achievements include developing robust speaker verification systems and contributing to spoofing detection methodologies. He has received a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (2016-2018). His work bridges academia and industry, with applications in biometric systems, conversational AI, and multimodal data analysis. Collaborations include institutions like CRIM, ÉTS, and the Athena Research Center.
Georgios Petropoulos is an Assistant Professor of Geoinformatics at the Department of Geography, Harokopio University of Athens, Greece, where he has been teaching since 2020. His expertise spans Earth Observation technology, Geographic Information Systems, and remote sensing applications for environmental monitoring and geohazard assessment. He has previously held academic positions at Aberystwyth University in the UK and has been involved in numerous research projects related to land surface process modeling and remote sensing. His educational background includes: PhD in Earth Observation Modelling from King's College London, University of London (2008) MSc in Remote Sensing from the intercollegiate program between University College London, King's College London, and Imperial College (2002) BSc in Natural Resources Development & Agricultural Engineering from the Agricultural University of Athens (1999) Dr. Petropoulos specializes in the application of Earth Observation technology for understanding land surface interactions and feedback processes. His research focuses on utilizing remote sensing synergistically with land surface process models to derive key state variables of the Earth's energy balance and water budget. He has extensive experience in using advanced remote sensing technology for land use/cover mapping, vegetation properties retrieval, and geohazard assessment including floods, wildfires, and frost events. His work also involves developing open-source software tools for Earth Observation and implementing comprehensive benchmarking approaches for remote sensing algorithms. Dr. Petropoulos has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships throughout his career, including: Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (2017) Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (2015) Marie Curie Reintegration Grant (2013) European Space Agency fellowship (2010) Excellent Associate Editor Award for journal Environmental Modelling & Software (2021) Best conference poster award at the Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (2018) As an educator, Dr. Petropoulos has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in cartography, geoinformatics, remote sensing, and GIS at multiple institutions including Harokopio University, Aberystwyth University, and the Agricultural University of Athens. He has secured competitive research funding from various sources including the European Commission, ESA, and national research councils. His editorial work includes serving as an editor for Elsevier's Book series in "Earth Observation" and as an editorial board member for several international journals. Dr. Petropoulos is actively involved in international research collaborations and has contributed to numerous scientific committees and working groups related to Earth Observation standards and validation approaches. His current research continues to advance methodologies for soil moisture retrieval, land surface temperature estimation, and environmental monitoring using multi-sensor remote sensing approaches.
