Dr. Jann Michael Weinand is the head of the Integrated Scenarios department at the Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE-2) within Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH. He leads a team of 30 scientists, PhD students, and master students focusing on energy system analysis, complexity management, and AI integration. His work addresses regional and international energy systems, emphasizing renewable energy resource assessment and techno-economic feasibility. Dr. Weinand holds a Dr.-Ing. from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (2020) and a Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration degree from RWTH Aachen University (2016). His research spans energy autonomy, renewable resource optimization, and the socio-technical challenges of energy transitions. Key research areas include energy system modeling, geothermal and wind energy potential, and data-driven methodologies. He coordinates interdisciplinary projects with academic and industrial partners, contributing to high-impact journals like Nature Energy and Joule. His team develops open-source tools (e.g., ETHOS workflows) for reproducible energy assessments and advocates for spatially disaggregated energy planning. Publications highlight trade-offs in energy system design, AI risks, and land-use conflicts for renewables. He emphasizes integrating social, technical, and environmental factors into energy policy frameworks.
Dr. Panagiotis Andriotis is a Lecturer in Computer Science at the School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He is also a GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE, GASF) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). His interdisciplinary research spans Cyber Security, Human Factors, and Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing. He teaches courses in Computer Science, Cyber Security, and Digital Forensics. His educational background includes a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Bristol (2016), an MSc with Distinction in Computer Science from the same institution (2011), and a BSc in Mathematics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2004). Dr. Andriotis’s research interests focus on user-centered security, particularly in mobile environments. He investigates how users interact with Android’s permission systems, develops novel authentication mechanisms like Bu-Dash, and explores adversarial machine learning in cybersecurity. His work bridges technical and human aspects, aiming to improve both system robustness and user experience. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in adversarial machine learning, mobile malware detection, usable privacy, and the societal implications of AI in education. He has contributed to high-impact journals such as IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, ACM Transactions on Privacy and Security, and Elsevier’s Journal of Information Security and Applications. Best Paper Award at HCI International 2020 Impact Award, UWE Bristol Student Union GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics (GASF) SANS Lethal Forensicator Coin Dr. Andriotis has advised PhD students, including Andrew McCarthy, and has been involved in funded research projects such as those related to fuzzing, software security, and critical infrastructure protection in collaboration with Airbus. He has served as an External Examiner at Cardiff Metropolitan University and is currently on the editorial boards of Digital Threats: Research and Practice (ACM) and the Journal of Responsible Technology (Elsevier). He has held visiting roles at the National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo, including as a JSPS Fellow and Toshiba Fellow. He leads research in digital forensics and security, with a lab focus on mobile ecosystems, behavioral modeling, and AI-driven threat detection. His team explores both technical and human dimensions of cybersecurity, contributing to tools and frameworks that enhance mobile security and user awareness.
Bruce Stephen is a Senior Lecturer and Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, where he has been since 1999. His work lies at the intersection of data science and power systems engineering, with a strong focus on real-world industrial applications. His educational background includes a BSc in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Glasgow (1997), an MSc from the University of Strathclyde (1998), and a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (2005) from the University of Strathclyde. Dr. Stephen's research centers on data-driven methodologies for solving complex engineering challenges in power systems, particularly under conditions of limited data or domain knowledge. His applications span the entire energy value chain—from generation (nuclear, wind, solar) to transmission, distribution, and end-use. He develops software solutions for condition assessment, anomaly detection, and predictive modeling to support asset management and future grid planning. Notably, he co-founded Silent Herdsman Ltd, a spin-out company applying intelligent systems to precision livestock farming. His recent publications highlight a strong trend toward advanced machine learning techniques such as transfer learning, surrogate modeling, and synthetic data generation (e.g., using CTGANs) to improve reliability and decision-making in power systems. These works emphasize explainability, uncertainty quantification, and scalability, particularly in renewable-rich and data-scarce environments. Dr. Stephen is currently the Principal Investigator on the EPSRC-funded Analytical Middleware for Informed Distribution Networks (AMIDiNe) project, aiming to identify barriers to Net Zero through improved data modeling of unmonitored networks. He has also contributed to major projects including EU FP7 ORIGIN, EPSRC APAtSCHE, AGILE, and Transactive Energy Supply Arrangements. He actively advises students and collaborates on interdisciplinary research. His professional activities include organizing the QFF Quarterly Forecasting Forum (2018) and delivering invited talks at industry workshops. He has supervised datasets and research involving structural health monitoring and industrial diagnostics. His work supports UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy, industry innovation, and climate action.
Andreas Holzinger is a Professor at Graz University of Technology, with additional affiliations at Medical University Graz and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna in Austria. He is recognized as an IFIP Fellow (2021) for his significant contributions to information processing and computer science. His work spans multiple institutions across Europe, with notable collaborations extending to the University of Alberta in Canada. Professor Holzinger's research focuses on Human-Centered AI, Explainable AI (XAI), and their practical applications across diverse domains. His work bridges theoretical AI advancements with real-world implementations in healthcare, forestry, and human-robot interaction. He has pioneered approaches in counterfactual explanations, graph neural networks, and human-in-the-loop systems that emphasize transparency and trustworthiness in AI decision-making processes. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating large language models with traditional AI systems while maintaining explainability. Holzinger's work consistently emphasizes the human element in AI systems, ensuring that technological advancements serve human needs rather than obscuring decision processes. His research in medical AI, smart forestry, and agricultural applications shows a commitment to solving practical problems with human-centered technological solutions. Scientific Awards: IFIP Fellow (2021) Professor Holzinger has been instrumental in establishing design guidelines for explainable AI systems, particularly through his work on post-hoc versus ante-hoc explanations. His research on Kandinsky Patterns has provided valuable experimental frameworks for pattern analysis and machine intelligence. He has secured significant research funding for projects bridging AI with practical applications in healthcare and environmental monitoring. His leadership extends to the organization of major conferences and workshops, including the CD-MAKE conference series, where he has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between AI researchers and domain experts. His work on the CLARUS platform demonstrates practical implementations of interactive explainable AI for medical applications.
Philip Wadler is Professor of Theoretical Computer Science at the University of Edinburgh and Senior Research Fellow at IOHK. He is an ACM Fellow, Fellow of the Royal Society, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His work spans programming language design, type systems, and formal verification, with significant contributions to Haskell, Java, and XQuery. He has held leadership roles in ACM SIGPLAN and served on editorial boards for major journals. Research Interests: Wadler's research focuses on the foundations of programming languages , including Gradual and session typing Language-integrated query Functional and logic programming XML data models Parametricity and free theorems Verification of smart contracts Publication Trends: Recent articles emphasize type safety, formal verification, and blockchain applications. Key themes include gradual typing (blame calculus), session types for concurrency, and logical foundations of programming. His 2015–2025 papers show sustained focus on type theory and language design . Awards & Recognition: POPL Most Influential Paper (2003 for 1993 work) SIGPLAN Distinguished Service Award Best Paper SBMF 2018 Royal Society-Wolfson Fellowship (2004–2009) ACM Fellow (2007) Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh (2005) Advising & Grants: He has supervised numerous PhD students in programs like the Centre for Doctoral Training in Pervasive Parallelism. His EPSRC Programme Grant "From Data Types to Session Types" (2013–2020) funded major advances in concurrency theory. Current work with IOHK explores blockchain verification using Haskell-based Plutus.
Falko Dressler is a Full Professor and Chair for Telecommunication Networks at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Computer Science from Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (1998-2003). His research focuses on next-generation wireless systems , distributed machine learning , edge computing , and applications in Internet of Things (IoT) , cyber-physical systems , and internet of bio-nano-things . Editorial roles: IEEE Trans. on Mobile Computing, Elsevier Computer Communications, IEEE/ACM Trans. on Networking Conference leadership: IEEE INFOCOM, ACM MobiSys, IEEE VNC Textbooks: Self-Organization in Sensor and Actor Networks (Wiley), Vehicular Networking (Cambridge) Recent publications highlight trends in Edge Computing Resilience and 6G Network Architecture , with a strong emphasis on Molecular Communication , Terahertz Band Synchronization , and Federated Learning in vehicular environments. Scientific contributions include multiple IEEE Fellow , ACM Fellow , and VDE ITG Prize 2023 recognitions. Advisory and professional activities include membership in the German National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech), IEEE COMSOC Conference Council, and ACM SIGMOBILE Executive Committee. His work spans cooperative driving, ultra-low power sensor networks, and security in nano-communication systems.
Eugene Kennedy is a Professor in the Department of Educational Research at Louisiana State University's College of Human Sciences & Education. Holding a PhD in Educational Research Methodology from the University of South Carolina (1990), Kennedy's career spans academic research, state education departments, and technical consulting roles. His work focuses on educational effectiveness, psychometrics, and technology integration in education. Bachelor's: Sociology, Benedict College (1977) Master's: Educational Statistics & Measurement, University of Iowa (1982) PhD: Educational Research, University of South Carolina (1990) Kennedy's research interests include educational research methodology , psychometrics , school effectiveness , STEM education , data-driven decision making , and learning analytics . His recent publications demonstrate increasing focus on AI's role in education and data-driven strategies for improving educational outcomes. His academic work shows trends in educational technology integration , quantitative research methods , and STEM equity initiatives . Key themes include using data mining for educational insights, technology tools for school leadership, and innovative teaching strategies to improve student outcomes. Kennedy has participated in grants including: Co-PI for Evaluation proposal for the EBRPS American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Program (2010-2011) PI for Longitudinal Study with University of Louisiana Lafayette (2008-2009) Contact: ekennedy@lsu.edu | 221 Peabody Hall | 225-578-2193
Luis Merino Cabañas is a Professor at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide , affiliated with the Deporte e Informática department and leading the SRL Service Robotics Laboratory . His research focuses on robotics, systems engineering, and automation, with a specialization in human-robot interaction and path planning. Education : PhD in Systems Engineering from the Universidad de Sevilla (2007), where his thesis explored cooperative perception techniques for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles in forest fire detection. Research Trends : Recent work (2023–2025) emphasizes 3D path planning, sensor fusion (LiDAR, radar, inertial systems), neural distance fields for safe navigation, and socially aware robotics. His studies integrate AI, genetic programming, and multi-modal perception for applications in construction, healthcare, and GNSS-denied environments. Labs & Teams : He leads the SRL Service Robotics Laboratory , contributing to projects like the Skyeye team and BIM2ROS integration for construction robotics.
Tanya Gupta is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon , College of Arts and Sciences. With a PhD in Chemical/Science Education from Iowa State University, she specializes in student-centered inquiry-based teaching and technology integration in chemistry education. Education : PhD (2012) and MEd (2007) in Science Education from Iowa State University; MSc (2000) in Inorganic Chemistry and BSc (1998) in Chemistry Honors from Indian institutions Tanya’s research focuses on enhancing student retention through inquiry-based pedagogy , simulations , and collaborative learning . Her work addresses Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access (DEIA) in STEM education, with expertise in instructional design models like ADDIE, SAM, and Kirkpatrick. She has taught at multiple institutions, including Iowa State University and Grand Valley State University, delivering both large-enrollment and graduate-level courses through face-to-face, hybrid, and distance education platforms. Tanya’s publications and book chapters highlight her contributions to technology integration in chemistry education, game-based learning , and social media applications for student engagement. Her work spans curriculum development, educational research, and professional development for science educators.
Dr. Shuangshuang Jin is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing with a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Clemson University's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. Previously, she served as a Senior Research Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science (2007), M.S. in Computer Science (2003) from Washington State University, and a B.S. in Computer Science (2001) from Wuhan University. Ph.D., 2007 - Washington State University, Computer Science M.S., 2003 - Washington State University, Computer Science B.S., 2001 - Wuhan University, Computer Science Dr. Jin specializes in high-performance computing (HPC), distributed and parallel computing, general-purpose computation on graphical processing units (GPGPU), and HPC-based big data analysis, machine learning, scientific computation, and visualization. Her research focuses on applying these technologies to electrical engineering (power and energy systems, power electronics), automotive engineering, systems biology, and computer graphics. She leads the High-Performance Computing Enabled Science and Engineering (HPCeSE) Lab, where she supervises six PhD students working on HPC implementations for power system dynamic simulation, GridPACK application development, data-driven model-based smart control of power electronics converters, and other cutting-edge projects. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in accelerating power system simulations, PV inverter reliability assessment, edge computing for power systems, and virtual prototyping of vehicle powertrain systems. The research trends show increasing focus on GPU acceleration, real-time simulation capabilities, and integration of HPC with emerging power system challenges. Junior Faculty Excellence in Teaching award (2021) Churchill Carter Fellowship (2022-2023) Zucker Graduate Education Center PhD Grant (2023) Doctoral Dissertation Completion Award (2023-2024) Outstanding Masters Student in Computer Science award (2022) Dr. Jin has successfully secured multiple grants from DOE, DOD, and other agencies for projects including 'Vehicle Propulsion Digital Twins', 'GridPACK-Wind', and 'Tool for Reliability Assessment of Critical Electronics in PV (TRACE-PV)'. She has advised numerous PhD and Master's students who have gone on to positions at national laboratories and industry. Her HPCeSE Lab maintains strong connections with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and other research institutions, providing students with valuable internship opportunities. Dr. Jin leads the High-Performance Computing Enabled Science and Engineering (HPCeSE) Lab at Clemson University, which focuses on developing optimized HPC-based parallel programming algorithms and architectures to solve complex scientific and engineering domain problems. The lab works on smart grid modeling and simulation, power electronics reliability assessment, ground vehicle systems prototyping, and advanced grid analytics, utilizing OpenMP, MPI, Pthreads, and CUDA/OpenCL on various computing platforms.
Paolo Prandoni is a Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC). He serves as a Scientist in the Audiovisual Communications Laboratory (LCAV) and teaches in the SSC-ENS and SIN-ENS units, focusing on signal processing theory and practical applications in audiovisual communications. He earned his PhD from EPFL after completing all prior education there, driven by childhood fascination with long-distance telephony. His doctoral work established foundations in communication systems that continue to inform his research. Prandoni's research spans audio/image processing, machine learning for media analysis, and DSP education. Key areas include computational photography (e.g., spectral imaging, stained glass rendering), speech quality assessment via transfer learning, music information retrieval (e.g., fingering prediction), and audience analytics through his company Quividi. His work consistently bridges theoretical signal processing with real-world implementation. Recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward machine learning integration in signal processing tasks, particularly non-intrusive speech assessment and lensless imaging reconstruction. Simultaneously, he advances DSP pedagogy through MOOC development and hands-on teaching tools using off-the-shelf hardware, emphasizing accessibility and practical skill development. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. He has advised PhD student Thanikachalam Niranjan (thesis: Image Based Relighting of Cultural Artifacts , 2016) and teaches Communication Systems and Computer Science courses. His educational impact extends through the open-access textbook Signal Processing for Communications (2008) and tools like MultiPub for maintainable online classes. Industry engagement includes Quividi co-founding (2006) and ongoing CSO role in attention analytics. As a core LCAV laboratory member, he collaborates on interdisciplinary projects including cultural heritage digitization, embedded signal processing systems, and real-time audience measurement, leveraging EPFL's infrastructure for both academic and commercial applications.
Marco Ghislieri is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (DET) of Politecnico di Torino, Italy. He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center PolitoBIOMed Lab and teaches in the Biomedical Engineering program, including courses like Neuroengineering and Design of Programmable Biomedical Devices . His research spans Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Signal Processing, Neuroscience, and Rehabilitation Engineering . PhD in Bioengineering and Medical-Surgical Sciences (2017-2021) at Politecnico di Torino Thesis: Muscle Synergy Assessment during Cyclic and Non-Cyclic Movements His research focuses on muscle synergy analysis in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients post- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) , AI-driven gait analysis for fall prevention, and wearable sensor applications for stress-cognitive decline monitoring. He leads the S-CoDe and OMNIA-PARK projects, and contributes to PRIN as a team member. Recent publications highlight advancements in machine learning for intraoperative DBS targeting , statistical gait analysis , and neurorehabilitation tools . He serves as Associate Editor for Scientific Reports and Applied Bionics and Biomechanics , and Guest Editor for Frontiers in Neural Circuits . Awards include the Carlo J. De Luca Award (2022) , GNB Doctoral Award (2022) , and the Best Poster Award at M. Grattarola Summer School (2022) . He supervises Fabrizio Sciscenti (PhD candidate) and collaborates on neuroengineering and biomedical device design courses. His work addresses Goal 3 (Good Health) and Goal 4 (Quality Education) of the UN SDGs.
Xuesong Zhou is a Professor of Transportation Systems at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment , Arizona State University (ASU). He leads the ASU Transportation+AI Lab and develops open-source tools like DTALite, NEXTA, and OSM2GMNS with over 100,000 downloads. His research focuses on multimodal transportation planning , dynamic traffic assignment , and rail scheduling with methodological contributions to traffic flow theory and operations research . Dr. Zhou's research bridges transportation system operations , computer applications for ITS , and logistics optimization . His work on differentiable programming reformulations and state-space-time network modeling has advanced real-time traffic prediction and multi-echelon facility scheduling . Scientific awards include: 2022 Elsevier Multimodal Transportation Best Article Award 2018 Transportation Research Part C Best Associate Editor Award 2012 INFORMS Railway Applications Section Best Paper Award He has advised 9 PhD students and 6 postdoctoral researchers to completion, with mentees now at institutions like Georgia Institute of Technology and Michigan State University. Current projects include NSF CONNECT and DOE Argonne collaborations on multi-scale traffic simulation and smart campus cyberinfrastructure .
Lisa Grant Ludwig is a Professor in the Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She is a nationally recognized expert in earthquake science, focusing on translating geophysical research into policy for disaster risk reduction. Her work bridges seismology, public health, and policy implementation. PhD in Geology with Geophysics minor (Caltech) MS in Environmental Engineering Science (Caltech) BS in Applied Environmental Earth Science (Stanford) Dr. Ludwig's research centers on earthquake dynamics, particularly along the San Andreas Fault, advancing disaster resilience through innovative nowcasting techniques using AI and machine learning. Her publications demonstrate expertise in seismic hazard modeling, geodetic imaging, and community preparedness studies. Recent publications highlight AI-enhanced earthquake prediction (QuakeGPT), temporal-spatial nowcasting models, and applications of geodetic data for crustal deformation analysis. These works integrate machine learning with traditional seismological methods to improve hazard forecasting. President of Seismological Society of America NASA 2012 Software of the Year Medal Featured on Science magazine cover Congressional Testimony provider Active Federal Advisory Committee member Her interdisciplinary approach combines geophysics, public health policy, and computational science. Current projects focus on earthquake nowcasting, fault zone analysis, and developing accessible geospatial tools like GeoGateway for disaster response.
Shane Dawson is the Executive Dean of UniSA Education Futures and Professor of Learning Analytics at the University of South Australia. His work bridges social network analysis and learner interaction data to enhance teaching quality and educational outcomes. Affiliation : University of South Australia Research Focus : Learning Analytics, Curriculum Mapping, K-12 Decision-Making Systems, and AI in Education Recent Research Trends : Shane’s 2025 publications emphasize generative AI for curriculum analytics, ethical considerations in K-12 dashboards, and longitudinal graduate attribute monitoring. His articles often integrate psychometric models, social network tools, and open-source software like OVAL and SNAPP . Advising and Collaboration : As a co-developer of key learning analytics tools and a supervisor for research students, he collaborates globally with institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Labs and Teams : Shane leads UniSA’s Teaching Innovation Unit and is a founding member of the Society for Learning Analytics Research , driving institutional and international initiatives in educational technology.
