Onur Varol is an Assistant Professor at Sabanci University's Computer Science Department and leads the VIRAL Lab, which focuses on computational social science, network science, and machine learning. He has affiliations with the Center of Excellence for Data Analytics. His research spans social bot detection, misinformation analysis, and online behavior modeling.
Serge Fehr is a Senior Researcher in the Cryptology Group at CWI (Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica) in Amsterdam and a part-time Professor at the Mathematical Institute of Leiden University. His research focuses on foundational aspects of cryptology, including post-quantum cryptography, information-theoretic security, zero-knowledge proofs, and secure multiparty computation. He participates in AMSec (Amsterdam Cyber Security Center) and leads work packages in the NWO-funded HAPKIDO consortium. Education: M.Sc. in Mathematics from ETH Zürich (1998) Ph.D. in Cryptography from ETH Zürich and University of Aarhus (2003) Postdoc at Macquarie University (2003-2004) Research Interests: Post-quantum cryptographic primitives (e.g., digital signatures, lattice-based schemes) Quantum-resistant protocols (e.g., non-resignable signatures, Fiat-Shamir transforms) Foundational security proofs in the quantum random oracle model (QROM) Secure multiparty computation and privacy-preserving healthcare systems Key Activities: Editorial Board Member: Journal of Cryptology , IEEE Transactions on Information Theory Program Committee Co-Chair: EUROCRYPT 2025 Steering Committee Member: Beyond IID Information Theory, QCrypt Co-organizer: Symposium Series on Post-Quantum Cryptography Grants/Awards: NWO Cybersecurity consortium grant (HAPKIDO - 2021) NWO Veni Grant (2005) NWO Open & Free Competition Grants (2008, 2013) Students/Advising: Supervised or served on committees for over 15 Ph.D. students, including work on post-quantum signatures, MPC applications, and lattice-based cryptography. Labs/Teams: Active in CWI’s Cryptology Group and Leiden’s Mathematical Institute, collaborating with industry partners (e.g., KPN, Microsoft) in cybersecurity initiatives.
Parv Venkitasubramaniam is a Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Lehigh University, affiliated with the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering. Previously, he served as a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley under Prof. Venkat Anantharam. His research focuses on theoretical foundations of privacy and security in networks, leveraging statistical signal processing, information theory, and game theory. Key application areas include smart grids, transportation systems, and peer production networks. Education includes a Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and a B.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology. His doctoral work concentrated on wireless sensor networks, particularly distributed communication and statistical inference. Research interests span privacy-utility tradeoffs, cybersecurity in control systems, and resilient network design. He explores topics like stealthy attacks on dynamical systems, privacy-aware stochastic games, and resilient energy storage systems. Recent work emphasizes transportation system resilience and cyber-physical system security. His publications address cutting-edge challenges in anonymizing networks, detecting cyber attacks, and optimizing privacy-preserving mechanisms. Notable projects include NSF-funded research on anonymous networking and information-theoretic security frameworks.
Retsef Levi is the J. Spencer Standish (1945) Professor of Operations Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, affiliated with the MIT Operations Research Center. He co-directs the Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) Program. His work focuses on data-driven decision models for healthcare systems, supply chain optimization, and risk management. Levi holds a PhD in Operations Research from Cornell University and has led industry collaborations with major hospitals and organizations like the FDA and Walmart Foundation. Education: PhD in Operations Research, Cornell University, 2005 Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Tel-Aviv University, 2001 Research Interests: Levi’s research addresses complex decision-making under uncertainty in healthcare, supply chains, and logistics. Key areas include food safety analytics, risk-based sampling, and predictive modeling for zoonotic diseases. He designs algorithms for inventory control, appointment scheduling, and healthcare resource allocation. Articles Overview: Recent work spans AI-driven epidemiological models, supply chain cybersecurity, and agricultural market interventions. His articles emphasize practical applications of operations research in healthcare and public health. Awards: NSF Career Grant INFORMS Optimization Prize (2008) Wagner Prize (2013) Harold W. Kuhn Award (2016) Advising & Grants: Advised 10 PhD students and 34 master’s students. Led multi-million-dollar projects like the Walmart Foundation initiative for China’s food safety. Active in hospital process optimization and FDA risk management contracts. Labs & Teams: Runs MIT’s Food Supply Chain Analytics and Sensing Initiative, collaborating with global partners on predictive risk tools and healthcare analytics.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Nejdl is a Professor at the Institute for Data Science within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Leibniz University Hannover. He serves as Executive Director of the L3S Research Centre and Leibniz Forschungszentrum Inclusive Citizenship. Web Science Information Retrieval Artificial Intelligence Deep Learning His recent research focuses on AI applications in medicine , multimodal data fusion , and ethical AI systems . Projects include CAIMed (AI in Causal Medicine) and DAISEC (AI & Cybersecurity). His publications span conferences like AAMAS, WWW, and SIGIR. Notable awards include membership in the National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) . Former students hold positions at institutions like Stanford, TU Dresden, and ETH Zürich. Current projects involve climate resilience AI , federated learning for healthcare , and quantum-inspired data science .
Carlisle-Martin is an Associate Department Head and Professor of Practice in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University. They also serve as Director of the United States Air Force Academy Center for Cyberspace Research. Their research focuses on computer security, programming languages, and innovative computer science education techniques. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, Princeton University (1996) B.S., Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Delaware (1991) Research Interests: Malware analysis and detection Cybersecurity frameworks for DNS and network protocols Visual programming tools like RAPTOR for education Ada language modernization and integration Cybersecurity education through CTF competitions Awards: 2016: Meritorious Civilian Service Award (USAF) 2014: SANS Institute Security Award 2009: ACM Distinguished Educator 2008: Colorado Professor of the Year 2007: Arthur S. Flemming Award Advising & Grants: Known for mentoring through cybersecurity initiatives and leading the USAF Academy's cyberspace research programs. No specific grant details listed, but their work aligns with defense and education funding priorities. Labs/Teams: Directs the USAF Academy's Center for Cyberspace Research, focusing on applied cybersecurity solutions and educational outreach.
Carles Padro Laimon is a Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Department of Mathematics and the School of Telecommunications Engineering. He is a leading researcher in cryptography and information security, focusing on secret sharing schemes, combinatorial structures, and cryptographic protocols. His work integrates discrete mathematics, coding theory, and algorithmic design to address security challenges in digital systems. Padro leads the MAK Research Group (Mathematics Applied to Cryptography) and the ISG-MAK Information Security Group. He has been involved in numerous competitive research projects, including initiatives on post-quantum cryptography and secure multi-user systems. His contributions span over 211 documented activities, including articles, theses, and conference participations. His research interests include the theoretical foundations of cryptography, with a focus on optimizing secret sharing schemes, analyzing matroid-based structures, and developing secure communication protocols. He has collaborated extensively with institutions like the UPC and European research networks, contributing to both academic and practical advancements in cybersecurity. Padro holds a PhD in Mathematics from UPC and has supervised doctoral theses and mentored researchers in his field. His work frequently appears in top journals like IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, Designs, Codes and Cryptography, and SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics.
Eric Thun is a Tutorial Fellow in Management at Brasenose College and the Peter Moores Associate Professor in Chinese Business Studies at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. He has taught at Princeton University and joined Oxford in 2005, focusing on undergraduate management education and executive programs. Thun holds a BA from Princeton University (1990) and a PhD from Harvard University (1999). He served as a postdoctoral fellow at MIT’s Industrial Performance Center before returning to Princeton as an Assistant Professor in the Woodrow Wilson School and Department of Politics. His research interests center on China’s political economy, particularly how industrial structures and policies influence firm capabilities and competition. Thun has extensively studied China’s automotive industry, multinational corporations, and the integration of China into global production networks. More broadly, he explores strategies of indigenous and multinational firms in emerging markets and the impact of digital transformation on global value chains. Thun’s recent articles (2021–2025) highlight themes of modular ecosystems, state-market dynamics, and challenges in reshoring supply chains. Earlier works (2019–2000) emphasize innovation, policy impacts on GVCs, and sustainability in global trade. No scientific awards are explicitly listed. While he teaches and advises across multiple programs, no formal advisees or grants are detailed in the provided texts. His affiliations include Brasenose College and Saïd Business School, with no lab or team affiliations mentioned.
Joshua Ignatius is a Professor of Business Analytics at the Aston Business School, part of the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University. He focuses on research areas including supply chain analytics, prescriptive analytics, electronic commerce, and operations management. His work often addresses challenges such as information asymmetry in supply chains, user recommender systems, and logistics optimization. He is currently accepting PhD students in topics like Information Asymmetry in Supply Chains, User Recommender Systems, and Supply Chain Analytics. His research interests are centered on leveraging data-driven approaches to improve decision-making in supply chain and operational contexts. This includes studying disruption risk management, dynamic data modeling, and the integration of AI in cloud services. He also explores strategic decisions in e-commerce logistics, customer segmentation strategies, and environmental sustainability. Recent publications highlight his contributions to supply chain resilience, optimal security in cloud computing, and sustainable manufacturing processes. For instance, his 2025 work on supply chain network viability addresses disruption risks through dynamic data strategies. Another key area is the analysis of customer behavior in product upgrades, utilizing online review data to inform quality differentiation strategies. Dr. Ignatius has collaborated on projects involving platform information sharing, manufacturer encroachment, and logistics sourcing for e-commerce firms. His research often bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, emphasizing practical solutions for operational challenges. He holds a strong record of supervising PhD students and guiding projects that combine academic rigor with industry relevance. His work frequently appears in leading journals such as the European Journal of Operational Research and Journal of Operations Management.
Gerry Dozier is the Charles D. McCrary Eminent Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University's College of Engineering. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, computational intelligence, cybersecurity, identity science, and cyber identity protection. He leads initiatives like the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Engineering and contributes to Alabama's AI policy through the state commission. Dr. Dozier holds a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and has pioneered work in adversarial machine learning, biometric security, and low-resource language NLP. Education: Ph.D. Computer Science, North Carolina State University (Raleigh) M.S. Computer Science, North Carolina State University (Raleigh) B.S. Computer Science, Northeastern Illinois University Research Themes: Combines AI with cybersecurity to address modern digital challenges. Specializes in adversarial attacks/defenses, biometric authentication systems, and ethical NLP applications in multilingual contexts. Active in developing tools for sentiment analysis in underrepresented languages and mitigating biases in automated systems. Impact: Spearheaded Auburn's AI@AU initiative with lecture series and forums. Collaborates internationally on facial recognition, malware detection, and medical AI applications like bacterial vaginosis diagnosis. His work bridges theoretical CS advancements with real-world security and ethical considerations. Labs/Teams: Directs Auburn's AI & Cybersecurity Engineering Center and contributes to interdisciplinary groups like the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security.
Christoph Frei is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Alberta. He holds a PhD in mathematical finance from ETH Zurich and previously worked as a researcher at École Polytechnique in Paris. His research focuses on quantitative finance, risk management, and mathematical economics, with applications to algorithmic trading, credit risk, and digital currencies. Education: PhD in Mathematical Finance, ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Researcher, École Polytechnique (Paris) Bachelor/Master in Mathematics, ETH Zurich His work bridges academia and industry through collaborations with institutions like ATB Financial, Canadian Western Bank, and the Federal Reserve System. Key research interests include over-the-counter markets, financial regulation, and machine learning applications in risk prediction. Frei has received notable recognition, including the Best Paper in Asset Pricing Award (2019). Current industry partnerships include AI-driven customer risk prediction projects with ATB Financial and credit risk analysis with Canadian Western Bank. He actively contributes to professional organizations like PRMIA Edmonton and advises on financial technology innovation. Research grants come from NSERC, SSHRC, and Mitacs. His consulting roles have spanned risk modeling at UBS and Credit Suisse, emphasizing practical applications of theoretical frameworks.
Jacques deLisle is the Stephen A. Cozen Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China, co-director of the Center for Asian Law, and director of the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. His expertise centers on contemporary Chinese law, politics, and U.S.-China relations, with a focus on legal reform, cross-strait relations, and Taiwan's international status. DeLisle’s research explores the interplay between law, governance, and international dynamics in China. His notable works analyze China’s engagement with international law, Taiwan’s diplomatic strategies, and the implications of U.S. policy toward the region. Recent publications include studies on China-India territorial disputes, political warfare tactics by authoritarian regimes, and the evolving role of the Chinese Communist Party. His work frequently addresses geopolitical issues such as the South China Sea disputes, the impact of the pandemic on U.S.-China relations, and the legal frameworks governing cross-strait interactions. DeLisle has advised on legal reform initiatives in China and frequently engages in policy discussions, including as an expert witness on Chinese law and a consultant for development programs.
Lu Shijian is an Associate Professor (tenured) at the School of Computer Science and Engineering , Nanyang Technological University (NTU) , Singapore. He holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the National University of Singapore and leads the Visual Intelligence Lab (VILab) , focusing on humanlike visual perception, understanding, and creation. University: Nanyang Technological University School: School of Computer Science and Engineering Academic Rank: Associate Professor (tenured) Email: Shijian.Lu@ntu.edu.sg Office: N4-02C-101, NTU, Singapore His research spans computer vision, deep learning, image and video analytics, visual intelligence, and machine learning , with key topics including scene text detection, unsupervised domain adaptation, image synthesis, satellite image analytics, and facial expression recognition. His work integrates supervised, semi-supervised, and self-supervised learning across 2D images, 3D point clouds, and multi-spectral data. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in domain adaptation, generative modeling, 3D vision, and multimodal AI . His lab produces high-impact work accepted at top venues like CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, NeurIPS, and TPAMI, with applications in autonomous systems, image editing, and robust AI. Top winner of ICFHR2014 Competition on Word Recognition from Historical Documents Top winner of ICDAR 2013 Robust Reading Competition (scene text segmentation) Top winner of ICDAR 2013 Document Image Binarization Contest (DIBCO 2013) Top winner of H-DIBCO 2010 – Handwritten Document Image Binarization Competition Top winner of ICDAR 2009 Document Image Binarization Contest (DIBCO 2009) Lu advises several PhD students and serves as an Associate Editor for Pattern Recognition and Neurocomputing . He has held leadership roles in top conferences as Senior Program Committee member (IJCAI, AAAI) and Area Chair (ICDAR, WACV). His lab, the Visual Intelligence Lab , is actively recruiting PhD students and conducting cutting-edge research in visual intelligence, with recent work on 3D Gaussian splatting, backdoor attacks, and vision-language models.
Nicole Jackson is an Associate Professor in the School for International Studies at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Vancouver. Her research focuses on foreign and security policy, particularly Russian foreign policy, post-Soviet Central Asia, securitization, and hybrid challenges. She holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics (LSE) in Government, an MSc in Comparative Government from LSE, and a BA (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Toronto's Trinity College. Her career includes prior roles as Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick (UK) and current research on NATO's approaches to nuclear and information warfare risks. She is the 2025 NATO Defence College Fellow, focusing on strengthening responses to disinformation and hybrid threats through multilateral cooperation. Her work spans empirical studies on Russian policy, Canadian foreign policy responses, and theoretical debates on securitization. Education: Ph.D., Government, London School of Economics MSc, Comparative Government, London School of Economics BA (Hons), Political Science, University of Toronto Research themes include Russian military actions in post-Soviet conflicts, securitization frameworks, and Canada/NATO strategies against hybrid warfare. She has published extensively on these topics, including her 2003 book Russian Foreign Policy and the CIS and recent articles on disinformation and deterrence. Her 2024 MINDS/NDC Fellowship in Rome aims to address NATO’s responses to manipulated information threats. Teaching includes courses on Russian foreign policy, global security governance, and special topics in governance and conflict. She supervises graduate students on Eurasian security and Canadian foreign policy, with alumni in government agencies like Global Affairs Canada and CSIS.
Yepang Liu is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. He leads the Software Quality Lab and serves as director of the Trustworthy Software Research Center within the Research Institute of Trustworthy Autonomous Systems. His educational background includes a B.Sc. with honors from Nanjing University (2010) and a Ph.D. from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2015), where he was supervised by Prof. Shing-Chi Cheung. Prior to joining SUSTech, he worked as a postdoc at HKUST's CASTLE Lab and Cybersecurity Lab. Liu's research primarily focuses on software testing and analysis, empirical software engineering, AI for SE, software security, and trustworthy AI. His work bridges traditional software engineering with cutting-edge AI technologies, particularly in automated testing, security analysis, and quality assurance for mobile, blockchain, and extended reality applications. Recent projects explore how large language models can enhance bug detection, improve testing automation, and address fairness issues in machine learning systems. His contributions have been recognized with three ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Paper awards (ICSE 2021, ASE 2016, ICSE 2014) and one Distinguished Artifact award (ICSE 2019). He has also received the ACM SIGSOFT Service Award and Distinguished Reviewer Award for his extensive service to the software engineering community. Top-10 Most Active Early-Stage Software Engineering Researcher (2013-2020) Top-10 Most Popular Instructor Among 2024 Undergraduate Graduates at SUSTech Junior Faculty of the Year (2021) SUSTech Teaching Excellence Award (2021) Outstanding Mentor Award (2020, 2024) Liu actively serves on the editorial boards of Empirical Software Engineering (EMSE) and Journal of Computer Science and Technology (JCST). He has participated in over 80 conference committees including leadership roles in ICSE, FSE, ASE, and ISSTA. His research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program, and leading Chinese IT companies. He regularly mentors PhD and MSc students and has guided multiple national competition award-winning teams. The Software Quality Lab under Liu's direction focuses on innovative approaches to software testing, security analysis, and quality assurance across various platforms including mobile, blockchain, and extended reality applications. Current projects emphasize the integration of AI techniques with traditional software engineering practices to address emerging challenges in software quality.