Gilbert Fridgen is Full Professor in Digital Financial Services and holder of the PayPal-FNR PEARL Chair at the University of Luxembourg's Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT). He leads the FINATRAX research group focusing on blockchain, digital identity, and sustainable digital solutions. His research explores decentralized technologies in finance, energy systems, and public administration. Current projects investigate blockchain applications in industrial demand response, NFT markets, EU digital identity wallets, and DeFi institutional adoption. Prof. Fridgen examines the intersection of technology with regulatory frameworks and user behavior in energy and financial systems. He collaborates extensively with industry partners including PayPal and Spuerkeess. Prof. Fridgen actively contributes to EU digital policy discussions, particularly regarding the European Digital Identity Wallet framework and decentralized finance governance.
Sarita V Adve is the Richard T. Cheng Professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she conducts research spanning hardware, programming languages, operating systems, and applications with a focus on domain-specific systems. Her work bridges theoretical foundations and practical implementations, particularly in extended reality and heterogeneous computing. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1993, 1989) and a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (1987). Prior to joining Illinois, she served on the faculty at Rice University from 1993 to 1999. Adve's research centers on generalizable and scalable specialization for domain-specific systems, with current emphasis on extended reality (XR) systems including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. She chairs the ILLIXR consortium to democratize XR research and developed the first fully open-source XR system (ILLIXR). Her foundational contributions include memory consistency models for C++ and Java programming languages, the Spandex coherence framework for heterogeneous systems, and software-driven approaches for hardware reliability. Her work spans hardware reliability (SWAT and RAMP projects), power management (GRACE system), and instruction-level parallelism. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on energy-efficient XR systems, hardware-software co-design for AI workloads, and resilience analysis. Her team explores rendering offload, visual-inertial odometry optimization, and compositional error injection frameworks, often targeting tradeoffs between energy, latency, and accuracy in mobile and edge environments. Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow of the ACM and IEEE ACM/IEEE-CS Ken Kennedy Award Anita Borg Institute Woman of Vision in Innovation Award ACM SIGARCH Maurice Wilkes Award Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship UIUC University Scholar University of Illinois Campus Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Adve actively mentors students and has received multiple teaching awards. She co-founded the CARES movement to address discrimination in CS research events and chairs CS@Illinois CARES. Her service includes leadership roles in ACM SIGARCH (2015-2019), DARPA/ISAT study group, ACM Council, and Computing Research Association. She has secured significant funding including DARPA initiatives and Google Faculty Research Awards. She leads the ILLIXR consortium and has established collaborative research programs such as the $8.3M DARPA Joint University Microelectronics Program. Her lab focuses on open-source XR development, heterogeneous system architectures, and reliability-aware designs, with strong industry and government partnerships.
Xupeng Miao is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University, holding the Kevin C. and Suzanne L. Kahn New Frontiers Assistant Professorship. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University's Catalyst Group under Professors Zhihao Jia and Tianqi Chen. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Peking University (2022) and a Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. His research focuses on machine learning systems, distributed computing, and data management, with notable contributions to systems like Hetu (a distributed deep learning framework) and innovations in large language model (LLM) serving (e.g., SpotServe, SpecInfer). He has received awards including the 2024 WAIC Yunfan Award and an Outstanding Paper Award at ACL 2024. Current projects emphasize efficient systems for generative AI, including optimizing LLM training and inference on heterogeneous hardware, fault-tolerant distributed training, and scalable graph-based machine learning. He teaches CS 59200-MLS: Machine Learning Systems at Purdue and actively mentors students in PhD/MS programs and internships. Key achievements include NVIDIA Academic Awards, IEEE Micro Top Picks recognition, and leadership in international conference roles (e.g., Artifact Evaluation Co-Chair for KDD 2025 and MLSys 2025). His work bridges system design, algorithmic innovation, and hardware-aware optimizations to advance scalable AI infrastructure.
Ram Rajagopal is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, and a Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy. He leads the Stanford Sustainable Systems Lab (S3L), focusing on large-scale monitoring, data analytics, and stochastic control for infrastructure networks, particularly power systems. His research emphasizes renewable energy integration, smart distribution systems, and demand-side data analytics. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences & MA in Statistics (UC Berkeley), MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (UT Austin), and BEng in Electrical Engineering (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). Research interests include power grid optimization, renewable energy systems, and data-driven approaches to infrastructure challenges. He has pioneered work in grid flexibility, distributed energy resources, and machine learning applications for energy systems. His lab develops technologies like Smart Dim Fuses and the EV-EcoSim platform for EV charging infrastructure optimization. Received NSF CAREER Award, Powell Foundation Fellowship, and Berkeley Regents Fellowship Over 30 patents and best paper awards Advises/founded companies in sensor networks, power systems, and data analytics Labs/Teams: Stanford Sustainable Systems Lab (S3L), Powernet Project. His work spans grid resilience, energy equity, and scalable energy solutions.
Frank Li is an Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech, affiliated with the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy and School of Electrical & Computer Engineering . His research focuses on computer security and privacy , particularly internet, network, and web security, with a data-driven approach. Education : PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, BS in Computer Science from MIT (Course 6-3) Experience : Previously a visiting researcher at Facebook, with internships at Google and Microsoft Research Research interests include empirical computer security , internet measurement, password policies, IoT security, browser extensions, and DeFi vulnerabilities. His work combines large-scale data analysis, network traffic studies, and user behavior experiments. His publications highlight trends in IPv6 adoption , security notifications, password masking, third-party web content, and PLC security evaluation. Teaching awards include the Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching (Annual CIOS Award and Semester Honor Roll) at Georgia Tech. He leads the BEES Lab (Better Empirically Established Security), which investigates security and privacy issues through internet-wide measurements, network traffic analysis, and data mining. Lab members include PhD and MS students in computer science.
Dr. Andrew Owusu is a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP) within the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), serving as graduate program director for public health. His academic appointments include teaching Foundations in Health Education, Community and Public Health, Epidemiology, and Data Management in Public Health since joining MTSU. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance, Middle Tennessee State University (2004) M.S. in Sports Administration and Management, Wayne State College (1998) B.S. in Biology, University of Alabama (1996) Dr. Owusu's research centers on adolescent health risk behaviors including bullying, sexual risk-taking, and substance use, with specialized expertise in school health policy implementation. His 15-year leadership (2007-2020) of Ghana's Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and Global School Health Policies and Practices Survey (G-SHPPS) established critical surveillance systems for adolescent health behaviors through collaborations with WHO and CDC. His methodological innovations include classroom response systems for health education and childhood lead poisoning research. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on Ghanaian adolescent health through school-based surveillance, examining sexting, skin-lightening practices, violence victimization, and condom use barriers. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of public health surveillance, policy analysis, and behavioral science to address global adolescent health challenges. Scientific recognition includes: MTSU President Recognition (2008) for significant international research/partnership Feature in 2006-2008 MTSU President’s Biennial Report (pg.11) Dr. Owusu has secured major international collaborations as Ghana's country coordinator for WHO/CDC school health initiatives (2007-2020), directing multi-institutional teams across MTSU, Ghana Education Service, WHO, and CDC. His mentorship extends through graduate program leadership and track coaching, developing 16 NCAA All-American athletes at MTSU while serving as Ghana's Olympic track coach for three consecutive games (2012-2020). The Ghana School-based Student Health Surveillance System (GSSHSS), established under his coordination, represents a sustained partnership model integrating academic research with national public health infrastructure, producing actionable data for school health policy development across Ghanaian educational institutions.
Prof. Gabriela Hug is a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, serving as Deputy Head of the Department and Deputy Head of the Power Systems and High Voltage Lab. She leads the Energy Science Center (ESC) and holds adjunct roles at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on modeling, control, and optimization of electric power systems for sustainable energy transitions. Education: PhD in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich (2004–2008) MSc in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich (1999–2004) Research Interests: Her work addresses challenges in smart grid integration, renewable energy systems, and advanced control strategies. Key areas include vehicle-to-grid technologies, distribution network optimization, and energy storage system planning. She emphasizes data-driven approaches and collaborative frameworks for grid resilience and flexibility. Key Achievements: Recipient of the 2019 ALEA Award (ETH Zurich) NSF Career Award (2013) IEEE Outstanding Young Engineer Award (2013) Leadership & Roles: Co-Director, NCCR Automation (Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research) Board Chair, Energy Science Center (ESC) Adjunct Faculty, Carnegie Mellon University Labs & Teams: Power Systems Laboratory (ETH Zurich) Energy Science Center (multi-disciplinary research hub)
Peter A. Raymond is the Oastler Professor of Biogeochemistry at Yale University's School of the Environment and Department of Geology and Geophysics. He serves as Senior Associate Dean of Research & Director of Doctoral Studies and is Co-Director of the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture. Raymond leads the Raymond Biogeochemistry Lab, which investigates the biogeochemistry of inland waters, enhanced weathering, methane cycling, and blue carbon systems through cutting-edge field, laboratory, and modeling approaches. Education B.S., Marist College Ph.D., College of William and Mary/Virginia Institute of Marine Science Research Focus Raymond's research fundamentally reshapes our understanding of carbon cycling in aquatic systems, demonstrating that rivers serve as dynamic conduits rather than passive pipes in the global carbon cycle. His work examines how biology and watershed variables alter carbon chemistry in streams, rivers, and estuaries, with particular emphasis on understanding global carbon cycles in relation to climate change. Raymond employs radiocarbon measurements to explore the age and turnover of carbon in aquatic ecosystems, revealing that rivers are variable sources of both old and young terrestrial dissolved organic carbon to oceans. The Raymond Lab is particularly known for developing the Pulse-Shunt Concept, which challenges traditional views of riverine biogeochemistry by emphasizing the episodic and dynamic nature of elemental fluxes. Current research directions include enhanced weathering and alkalinity studies for carbon removal, global greenhouse gas budgets through projects like RECCAP 2, natural methane cycling in aquatic systems, and blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and salt marshes. Publication Trends Raymond's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on global carbon and methane cycling, with particular attention to inland water systems' role in the Earth's climate system. His work increasingly integrates large-scale datasets with field measurements to understand how climate change and human activities affect greenhouse gas emissions from rivers and streams. A significant portion of his recent work contributes to international efforts like the Global Carbon Project, aiming to refine estimates of global carbon and methane fluxes. His research also shows growing emphasis on carbon removal strategies, particularly enhanced rock weathering through the Earthshot-funded GOAL-A project, and their potential for climate mitigation. Scientific Recognition Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering Coastal and Estuarine Research Federations Cronin Award for Young Scientists ISI highly cited author Past Editor and Chief of the American Geophysical Union's journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles Mentorship and Funding Professor Raymond currently mentors four doctoral students (Jon Gewirtzman, Shou-En "Samuel" Tsao, Benjamin Saalidong, and Mingyu Zhang) and masters student Bella Garrioch. His research is supported by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), including CAREER awards, and participation in the Earthshot-funded GOAL-A (Global Ocean And Land Alkalinization) project. Raymond has also been involved in significant collaborative projects with USGS data to research how climate and land use change alter carbon export from US watersheds, and with Lamont Doherty to develop methods for measuring air-sea gas exchange of CO2 in rivers and estuaries. Research Infrastructure The Raymond Biogeochemistry Lab at Yale is a dynamic research group comprising research scientists, postdocs, doctoral and masters students, and postgraduate researchers. The lab recently acquired a Mini Carbon Dating System (MICADAS) at Yale, significantly expanding their research capabilities in ecosystem carbon turnover and verification of natural climate solutions. The lab collaborates globally on projects in the Arctic, Hudson River, and middle Atlantic Bight, and is actively involved in the NASA Carbon Monitoring System BlueFlux field campaign to assess carbon exchange in coastal wetlands.
Ana Klimovic is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science, ETH Zürich, and Deputy Head of the Institute for Computing Platforms. She leads the Efficient Architectures and Systems Lab (EASL) and focuses on optimizing cloud computing performance and resource efficiency. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Stanford University), M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Stanford), B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science (University of Toronto) Previous Roles: Research Scientist at Google Brain Her research spans cloud computing, operating systems, distributed systems, and their intersection with machine learning. Key areas include cloud-native programming models, elastic storage, GPU sharing, and data pipeline optimization. The 2025-2024 articles highlight trends in serverless computing, large language model (LLM) serving, GPU optimization, and data-centric ML systems. Themes include elasticity, resource multiplexing, heterogeneous computing, and infrastructure for AI/ML workloads. Scientific Awards: Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship, Stanford Graduate Fellowship She has led research projects on ephemeral storage, distributed training automation, and cost-efficient ML preprocessing, with grants from Microsoft Research and Stanford.
Majid Ghayoomi is a Professor and Civil Engineering Undergraduate Coordinator in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Hampshire's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on geotechnical engineering and geomechanics, particularly unsaturated soil mechanics and geotechnical earthquake engineering. He teaches courses such as Soil Mechanics, Engineering Behavior of Soils, and Geotechnical Modeling. Dr. Ghayoomi holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder, an M.S. from Sharif University, and a B.S. from the University of Tehran. His research interests include bioremediation, hazards mitigation, soil-structure interaction, and materials testing. He leads the Geotechnical Modeling and Innovation lab, advancing bio-inspired solutions and remote sensing applications in geotechnical systems. His recent work emphasizes climate change impacts on seismic resilience, microbial stabilization of soils, and satellite-based soil moisture monitoring. Key contributions include studies on liquefaction mitigation, seismic site response, and infrastructure vulnerability in dynamic environments. His research spans theoretical, experimental (centrifuge modeling), and computational approaches to address complex geotechnical challenges.
Dr. K. Max Zhang is a Professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University. He is the director of the Energy and the Environment Research Laboratory (EERL) and a fellow at the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. His research is deeply interdisciplinary, focusing on sustainable energy systems, air quality, and environmental justice, with significant impacts on policy and community development in New York and beyond. Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Davis, 2004 B.S., Thermal Engineering, Tianjin University, 1998 B.A., English Language, Tianjin University, 1998 Dr. Zhang’s research centers on the integration of energy and environmental systems. He investigates air pollution dynamics using advanced numerical models like CTAG, with applications in near-source pollution, indoor air quality, and environmental justice. His work on renewable energy systems includes designing sustainable solar farms and managing distributed energy resources such as heat pumps to enhance grid flexibility. He also leads a pioneering initiative to create the first statewide public IoT network in the U.S., enabling hyperlocal weather forecasting and microclimate monitoring. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward agrivoltaics, peer-to-peer energy markets, and IoT-based environmental monitoring. These works demonstrate a consistent focus on data-driven modeling, community-scale energy solutions, and the integration of social considerations into technical systems. The keywords across his articles highlight expertise in sustainability, machine learning, air quality, and energy transition. Cornell Town-Gown Achievement Award (2022) Engaged Scholar Prize, Cornell University (2017) People's Choice Sign of Sustainability Award, Sustainable Tompkins (2016) Scientific and Technological Achievement Award, Environmental Protection Agency (2015) Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Dr. Zhang is actively involved in mentoring students and securing research grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration across eight Cornell colleges and 16 academic departments. He has led initiatives such as the Cornell Atkinson Academic Venture Fund projects and the development of a county-level energy roadmap for Tompkins County. He also teaches courses in engineering thermodynamics, future energy systems, and air quality, emphasizing experiential and community-based learning. Dr. Zhang leads the Energy and the Environment Research Laboratory (EERL) and collaborates with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. His lab functions as a hub for innovation in sustainable communities, combining advanced modeling with real-world applications. Through partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and industry, his team develops science-driven solutions to urban and rural sustainability challenges.
Sebastian Scherer is an Associate Research Professor at the Robotics Institute (RI), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he leads cutting-edge research in autonomous aerial systems and robotics. His work focuses on enabling unmanned rotorcraft to operate safely and efficiently in cluttered, low-altitude, and extreme environments. Education: Ph.D. in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University (2010) MS in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University (2007) BS in Computer Science (Minor in Robotics), Carnegie Mellon University (2004) His research interests span robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, energy infrastructure, and public policy . He has made seminal contributions to UAV autonomy, including the first obstacle avoidance for micro aerial vehicles in natural environments (2008) and the first automatic landing zone detection and landing on a full-size helicopter (2010). His recent publications (2023–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on resilient autonomy, multi-robot exploration, foundation models for robotics, and large-scale dataset development. His team has released key datasets like TartanGround , BETTY , and SubT-MRS , and simulation tools like Pegasus Simulator , indicating a systems-level approach to advancing real-world autonomy. The research trends emphasize self-supervised learning, robust perception, risk-aware planning, and multi-modal fusion for off-road and urban environments. Scientific Awards: Popular Science Best of What's New 2010 Award AIAA@Infotech Best Paper Runner-up Award (2010) Siebel Scholar Dr. Scherer has advised numerous students and leads a vibrant research group focused on high-impact robotics applications. He has secured significant grants related to UAV autonomy, energy infrastructure, and urban air mobility. His lab develops experimental infrastructure such as AIrTonomy for testing next-generation autonomous aerial vehicles. He is actively involved in advancing SLAM and localization in extreme environments, notably through participation in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge. His team develops large-scale datasets and benchmarking frameworks to push the boundaries of robustness and generalization in mobile robotics.
Professor Hendrik Vollmer is a faculty member in the Accounting Group at Warwick Business School , University of Warwick, since 2020. He previously served as Head of the Accounting Division at the University of Leicester (2015–2020) and worked at Bielefeld University in Germany for 16 years. His research bridges accounting, sociology, and environmental studies, focusing on accounting as a social practice and its role in addressing ecological challenges. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Associate Editor of European Accounting Review Member of editorial boards for Zeitschrift für Soziologie, Accounting, Organizations and Society, and Social and Environmental Accountability Journal Active in sustainability accounting research and education Contributor to interdisciplinary accounting literature Recent publications explore accounting's role in climate change mitigation, public value creation, and the spatialization of worth. His teaching modules include Accounting for Sustainability, People, Planet and Financial Accounting: Theory and Context .
Dr. Oana Cocarascu is a Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences, King's College London. She holds a PhD and MEng in Computing (Artificial Intelligence) from Imperial College London and conducts applied research focusing on how artificial intelligence can be deployed to support real-world applications, with machine learning and natural language processing as core components of her work. Her research interests span argument mining, explainable AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and symbolic reasoning. She is particularly focused on developing AI systems that can provide transparent, accountable, and ethical decision-making processes. Her work addresses critical challenges in bias mitigation, fairness metrics, fact verification systems, and argumentation-based explanations for complex AI decisions. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on fairness in AI systems, with particular attention to individual fairness metrics and nuanced evaluation frameworks. She has made significant contributions to fact verification systems, especially in multimodal contexts involving charts and tabular data. Her work increasingly integrates argumentation theory with natural language processing to create explainable AI systems that can justify their decisions through structured reasoning. Dr. Cocarascu leads an EPSRC-funded project titled 'A framework for evaluating and explaining the robustness of NLP models' (2024-2027) and is actively involved in the Natural Language Processing Group at KCL. Her research fingerprint shows strong activity in argumentation (100%), decision-making (74%), artificial intelligence (50%), explainable AI (39%), and bias mitigation (35%). She has contributed to numerous high-impact publications in top venues including ACL, EMNLP, AAAI, and the Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, with a particular focus on making AI systems more transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values. Her work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to reducing inequality and building resilient infrastructure.
Gretchen A. Macht is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, College of Engineering. She specializes in Human Systems Engineering, with research emphasizing team performance, sustainability, electric vehicles, solar energy systems, and voting systems. Her work bridges engineering, ergonomics, and public policy. Her research interests focus on understanding and optimizing human-centered systems. She investigates team communication and performance through fuzzy cognitive maps and entropy modeling, develops sustainable design practices for products and energy systems, and analyzes user behavior in electric vehicles and solar installations. A significant portion of her research is dedicated to election systems, where she uses simulation to improve accessibility, safety, and efficiency of in-person voting, particularly during public health crises. Her recent publications span topics such as EV charging behavior, solar installation safety, voting simulation, and team dynamics. These works reflect interdisciplinary trends combining systems engineering, data analytics, ergonomics, and sustainability science. She frequently employs simulation, naturalistic data analysis, and human factors methodologies. Dr. Macht has secured substantial grant funding from organizations including the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, National Science Foundation, MIT, and Democracy Fund. She serves as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on projects related to election systems (e.g., SMILE, URI VOTES), ergonomic redesign of protective gear, and community solar development. She leads the SIS Lab and the URI VOTES initiative, fostering collaborative research on simulation and system design. Her lab supports graduate students in conducting impactful research at the intersection of engineering and societal challenges. Notable grants include: PI, MIT: “Voting in Person - White Paper” (2023) PI, US EAC: “SMILE 2.0” (2022) PI, Democracy Fund: “URI VOTES Pocket Guide Tool” (2022) Co-PI, NSF: “Election Science: Convergence Accelerator Workshop Proposal” (2021) PI, US EAC: “SMILE: Simulation Models for an Immersive Learning Environment” (2021) She has advised several graduate students, including Mehrsa Khaleghikarahrodi, Nicholas D. Bernardo Jr., and Tim Jonas, whose research aligns closely with her focus areas in EVs, elections, and team performance.
