Prof. Dr. Sven Völker is a faculty member at Technische Hochschule Ulm , affiliated with the Faculty of Production Engineering and Production Management and the Institute for Business Organization and Logistics (IBL) . He specializes in technologies for Industry 4.0 , with a focus on material flow simulation, digital factory design, and optimization methods in production planning and control. Teaches Enterprise Information Systems and Digital Factory Planning in the Systems Engineering and Management program. Active in simulation-based optimization and digitalization scenarios for logistics and manufacturing systems. Research Interests: His work bridges industrial engineering and computer science , emphasizing simulation tools, ERP systems, and lifecycle management of digital models. Recent publications explore Machine Learning applications in production planning, OPC UA communication for logistics systems, and augmented reality in manufacturing demonstrations. Publications: His research spans 2010–2023, covering simulation-based optimization of supply networks, discrete-event modeling, and Industry 4.0 integration. Keywords include Operations Research , Robotics , and Digital Twins , with sub-fields like Logistics Automation and Flexible Manufacturing . Memberships: Institute for Higher Education Didactics (IHD) Institute for Applied Research (IAF)
Dr. Alexandra Blöcker is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences. She works within the Department of Biology at the Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries Sciences, focusing on regime shifts and tipping points in North Sea fish stocks. Her research examines the abrupt dynamics of fish populations and their consequences for socio-ecological systems and fisheries management. PhD in Biology (2019-2023): Regime shifts in North Sea fish species MSc in Biology (2014-2016): Sustainable use of marine ecosystem services BSc in Biology (2011-2014): Visual effects of aircrafts on kestrels Her research combines quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze ecological discontinuities and management outcomes. She contributes to interdisciplinary projects like SeaUseTip (BMBF-funded), collaborating with Thuenen Institute and Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. She has published extensively on North Sea ecosystem dynamics, with recent work appearing in Marine Ecology Progress Series and Scientific Reports . Dr. Blöcker's publications reveal consistent focus on: Marine ecosystem tipping points Fisheries governance and adaptive management Human-environment interactions Biodiversity conservation in delta systems Climate change impacts on marine stocks
Dr. Christiane Rahe serves as Professor and Head of the Section for Battery Modeling, Analytics and Lifetime Prediction at the Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University. She holds the Chair for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems and directs research from her office at Campus-Boulevard 89, 52074 Aachen, where she leads critical investigations into next-generation battery technologies. Her research program centers on Battery Modeling , Battery Analytics , and Lifetime Prediction within electrochemical energy storage systems. Specializing in lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery degradation mechanisms , she employs multimodal approaches combining electrical diagnostics, post-mortem analysis, and advanced imaging techniques to unravel complex failure modes including lithium plating, gas evolution, and mechanical deformation. Her work bridges fundamental electrochemistry with practical automotive and grid-storage applications. Analysis of her 2019-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on battery aging phenomena across multiple dimensions: calendar aging in silicon-anode cells, electrolyte volume effects on cyclic degradation, pressure-dependent voltage-strain relationships, and sodium-ion battery failure mechanisms. Her research demonstrates exceptional methodological diversity—spanning nanoscale X-ray imaging, optical electrode analysis, and computational modeling—while maintaining strong industry relevance through automotive battery testing. At ISEA, Professor Rahe's section forms a critical component of RWTH Aachen's expanding battery research ecosystem, which includes the new M.Sc. program in Battery Science and Technology and the CARL Center for analytics. Her team collaborates extensively on projects like the 5 MW Battery Storage facility and contributes to flagship events including the Advanced Battery Power Conference.
Prof. Dr. Henner Gärtner is a full Professor for Industrial Logistics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Production at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg). He is also Program Coordinator of the cooperative Mechanical Engineering program with the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Chairman of the Study Reform Committee, and deputy member of the Department Council. Education & Academic Focus Doctorate (Dissertation on stock-out cost quantification, PZH-Verlag, 2011) Research stays and teaching activities in Germany and China Research Interests Prof. Gärtner’s work spans decentralized production control , Industry 4.0 testbeds , autonomous transport systems (AGVs) , and real-time ergonomic monitoring . A flagship project is the Shared Guide Dog 4.0 , an AI-equipped autonomous rollator that supports blind and visually impaired pedestrians through advanced navigation and puddle-detection algorithms. Scientific Awards Hamburger Lehrpreis 2022 – Excellence in Teaching Projects & Funding SafeWalker – safe navigation assistance for elderly pedestrians Shared Guide Dog 4.0 – AI-driven mobility aid (with DAAD & BMAS support) GehwegNavi – sidewalk navigation for the visually impaired Decentralized Manufacturing Control testbed – “swimming-pool” model for resource negotiation Collaborative projects with Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services, VTG AG, DESY, and Krüss GmbH Teaching & Supervision He teaches bachelor and master modules such as Industrial Logistics , Production Planning & Control , Operations Management , and Project Management & Communication . Prof. Gärtner has supervised more than 30 bachelor and master theses on topics ranging from decentralized AGV control to AI-based computer-vision apps for barrier-free mobility. Labs & Teams Prof. Gärtner leads activities within the Institute for Product and Production Management (IPP) at HAW Hamburg and coordinates interdisciplinary student teams working on robotics, lean production, and service engineering.
Tom Kwasnitschka is a permanent scientist in the DeepSea Monitoring group at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel since 2025, with prior roles at GEOMAR's Technology and Logistics Center (2016-2024) and the ROBEX Helmholtz Alliance (2013-2016). He leads projects like LIGHTHOUSE , MOMO , and MUSE , focusing on deep-sea robotics , 3D photogrammetry , and immersive data visualization . He also serves as a lecturer at Kiel University of Applied Sciences since 2010. Education: PhD in Marine Geology (2012, GEOMAR) on submarine volcanism in Cape Verde; Diploma in Geology/Paleontology (2009, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel). His research spans physical volcanology of submarine systems, tephrostratigraphy , and deep-sea technology . His work integrates 3D modeling , optical and acoustic mapping , and virtual environments for marine exploration. Key projects include digital seafloor reconstruction and deep-sea camera systems . Recent publications focus on hydrothermal vent mapping , volcanic hazard analysis , and immersive fieldwork simulations , reflecting trends in multi-disciplinary marine research and underwater robotics . Awards: AGU Outstanding Student Paper Award (2011) Grants include MUSE (0.15M€) , SPP2100 ASDDSA (0.29M€) , and Helmholtz Validation Fund LIGHTHOUSE (2.37M€) . He has led 13 oceanographic cruises using vessels like RV Alkor and RV Poseidon . As co-founder of allsky.de (2003-2023), he advanced immersive media for science communication . His patents include deep-sea camera stabilization and submersible LED systems .
Jonathan Aldrich is a Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science, with joint appointments in the Software and Societal Systems Department and Computer Science Department. He directs the Master of Software Engineering program (as of July 2025) and previously led the Software Engineering Ph.D. program. Aldrich teaches courses in programming languages, software engineering, and program analysis. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington (2003) M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington (1999) B.S. in Engineering and Applied Science (Computer Science), Caltech (1997) Research Focus: Aldrich's work bridges programming languages and software engineering to improve software quality and productivity. His research explores how structural and behavioral design aspects can be expressed in source code, enabling better tooling and error reduction. Key innovations include gradual verification systems, typestate-oriented programming, and ownership models for security. His projects span blockchain safety (Obsidian), concurrency (AEminium), and visualization (Penrose). Publication Trends: Aldrich's 15 most recent articles reflect a strong emphasis on language-based security, formal verification (especially gradual verification techniques), and human-centered language design. His work increasingly integrates empirical studies to evaluate usability in advanced type systems. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2006) Dahl-Nygaard Junior Prize (2007) ICSE Most Influential Paper Award (2012) DARPA Computer Science Study Group (2007) William Chan Memorial Dissertation Award (2003) Leadership & Service: Aldrich directs graduate programs, co-authored the textbook 'Programming Language Pragmatics,' and serves on the ACM Publications Board. As CTO of Noteful, he develops educational music technology. He has chaired program committees for OOPSLA, ECOOP, and SPLASH conferences.
Jasper Korte is a researcher affiliated with the Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung (German Institute for Adult Education) since 2025, where he works in the Organization and program planning department. His career spans roles at the German Aerospace Center, Breitenbach Media, and the University of Münster. He holds a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Münster (2021) and a diploma in Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology from the Free University of Berlin. Current: Researcher at DIE (2025–present) 2021–2024: Research Associate at the Institute of Software Technology, German Aerospace Center 2019–2021: Project Manager Media Analysis at Breitenbach Media 2012–2018: Research Associate at the Institute of Sociology, University of Münster Research interests include sociology, media analysis, digitalization, and climate change communication. His work explores the public representation of social sciences, data-driven foresight in space policy, graph theory applications for knowledge mapping, and interdisciplinary communication. Recent publications analyze climate change discourse in scientific and Wikipedia contexts, as well as computational tools for graph exploration. Publications span peer-reviewed articles in computational linguistics, environmental policy, and media studies, alongside monographs on public sociology and digital self-presentation. Collaborative projects highlight his focus on integrating sociological theory with technological innovation. Education : 2021: Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Münster Diploma in Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology from the Free University of Berlin
Dr. James M. Burgin is a researcher at the University of Würzburg, where he serves as Head of the DFG Emmy Noether Junior Research Group 'The Hittite Annals: Origins, Purpose, and Afterlife' since 2021. He is affiliated with the Chair of Ancient Near Eastern Studies within the Institute of Classical Studies in the Faculty of Philosophy. Previously, he worked as a Research Assistant (leader) from 2017-2021 on the philological processing and analysis of the Hittite palace administration corpus. Born on October 9, 1984, Burgin earned his BA in South Asian Language and Civilization with a focus on Sanskrit from the University of Chicago (2002-2006), followed by an MA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies with a focus on Hittite studies (2008-2010). He completed his doctorate at the University of Chicago in 2016 with a dissertation titled 'Aspects of Religious Administration in the Hittite Late New Kingdom.' Burgin's research spans multiple dimensions of Hittite and Ancient Near Eastern studies, with particular expertise in Hittitology, the history of the Hittites, economic and administrative history, and Hieroglyphic Luwian. His work demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the interplay between linguistic, historical, and archaeological evidence. He has made significant contributions to understanding Hittite festival texts, economic administration, textile production, and linguistic phenomena such as the 'Initial-A-Final' in Hieroglyphic Luwian. His research often bridges disciplines, connecting linguistic analysis with historical context and material culture. His recent publications reveal a trajectory of increasingly sophisticated analysis of Hittite textual corpora, with a growing emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate linguistic, historical, and archaeological perspectives. Burgin's work on the Hittite palace-temple administrative corpus has challenged conventional understandings of royal administration, while his linguistic studies have illuminated previously obscure aspects of Anatolian languages. Röntgen Prize of the University of Würzburg (2022) Burgin has been involved in significant research projects including the Corpus of Hittite Festival Rituals (2016-17) and the DFG-funded project on the Hittite palace administration corpus (2017-21). As leader of his Emmy Noether Research Group, he directs a major investigation into the Hittite Annals, examining their origins, purpose, and historical legacy. His work has been supported by prestigious funding mechanisms including the DFG Emmy Noether Program, which targets exceptional early-career researchers. As head of his research group, Burgin leads a team investigating the complex textual tradition of the Hittite Annals, which document the military campaigns and political activities of Hittite kings. His research environment combines philological expertise with interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Bronze Age Anatolian civilization.
Dr. Stefan Dech is a full Professor for Remote Sensing at the Institute of Geography and Geology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Wuerzburg since 2001. He also serves as Director of the German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) since 1998. His work focuses on operational derivation of geo- and bio-physical parameters from satellite data, time series analysis for change detection in terrestrial ecosystems, land use/land cover classification, urban risk modeling, and development of decision support systems for natural disasters. Education Diploma in Geography, University of Wuerzburg (1987) Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Wuerzburg (1990) Habilitation in Geography (Dr. rer. nat. habil.), University of Wuerzburg (1997) Research Highlights Prof. Dech leads interdisciplinary projects including: Information management system for the Mekong Delta, Vietnam Tsunami early warning system in Indonesia Impervious surface mapping in Germany Desertification quantification in semiarid regions Arctic/Antarctic sea ice dynamics analysis Mapping of abandoned military sites in Germany His research integrates optical and radar remote sensing technologies with environmental monitoring applications. Institutional Roles Chair of Remote Sensing at University of Wuerzburg (2001–present) Director of German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), DLR (1998–present) Member of Graduate School GSST (Science and Technology) and MICMoR (Climate Change in Mountain Regions) DFD under his leadership collaborates with Helmholtz Association institutions, BMBF, European Union, ESA, and NASA through over 50 active projects.
Dr. rer. nat. Sabine Gerstner is a Senior Lecturer (Akademische Oberrätin) at the Department of Biology Didactics within the Faculty of Biology at the University of Würzburg. She serves as Managing Director of the Department of Biology Didactics, Chair of the Biology Teacher Examination Board, and member of the Management Board of the M!ND Center at the University of Würzburg. Education: Diploma in Biology (University of Würzburg, 2000-2006), PhD in Biology Didactics (University of Bayreuth, 2006-2009) Key Roles: Part-time Lecturer, Educational Researcher, Teacher Training Advisor Dr. Gerstner's research focuses on science education methodologies, particularly: Concept mapping as assessment and learning tool Hands-on vs. teacher-centered instruction Digital learning platforms (e.g., HOBOS platform) Cognitive achievement and motivation in science classes Interdisciplinary approaches in biology education Environmental education frameworks Her academic work shows a consistent focus on improving science education through interactive methods and digital technologies, with publications spanning from 2007-2021. Notable contributions include studies on concept mapping for knowledge consolidation and comparative analyses of instructional approaches. Dr. Gerstner contributes to teacher training programs as: Academic advisor for biology students Developer of didactic frameworks Organizer of educational workshops Participant in curriculum development Advocate for evidence-based teaching practices She works at the Didactics and Language Center, Campus Hubland Nord, and her research has involved collaborations with institutions like the University of Bayreuth and Friedrich Verlag.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Gaißmaier is a full-time faculty member at the Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, specializing in Social Psychology and Decision Sciences. His research explores judgment and decision-making processes under uncertainty, with particular focus on individual differences in decision strategies, risk perception and communication, medical decision-making, ecological rationality, and heuristic modeling. Current research projects include "Political Elites and Inequality: Information, Heuristics and Policy" Co-developer of the riskyrApp and FFTrees R packages for risk literacy and decision modeling Key contributor to the Collective Behaviour Cluster of Excellence at University of Konstanz His recent publications examine cognitive biases in statistical information processing, the effectiveness of visual risk communication tools, and the psychological foundations of collective behavior. He collaborates extensively with researchers across psychology, economics, and computer science, particularly with Dr. Hansjörg Neth and Dr. Helge Giese. Major contributions include: Developing computational models of decision heuristics Investigating social learning mechanisms in risk perception Advancing tools for transparent risk communication Exploring the narrative bias in health decision-making Studying group dynamics in knowledge diffusion
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt. Ing. Diethelm Bienhaus is a faculty member at the Faculty of Information Technology (MNI) at Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen . His academic focus spans Cyber-Physical Systems , Industry 4.0 , and Assistive Technologies , with long-term projects in building automation and age-appropriate assistance systems. Research Interests: Cybersecurity for industrial systems, robotics, embedded systems, and human-computer interaction. Committee Roles: Member of the MNI Department Council, Head of Curriculum Development for Computer Engineering, and Chair of multiple appointment committees. Funded Projects: Led initiatives in secure digitalized healthcare production, dendrochronological analysis automation, and industrial connectivity platforms. Email: diethelm.bienhaus@mni.thm.de
Prof. Dr. Andreas Gogol-Döring is a Professor of Computer Science and Bioinformatics at Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) , with research spanning interdisciplinary domains of computational methods and biological systems. He is affiliated with the School of Computer Science and Bioinformatics and maintains active roles in research and teaching.
Johannes Kepper is a Professor at Paderborn University's Musicology Seminar Detmold/Paderborn and Deputy Executive Director of the Zentrum Musik – Edition – Medien (ZenMEM) . As a digital humanist, he specializes in digital music philology with a focus on music notation encoding standards. Education: PhD in Musicology (2009, Paderborn University), Diplom in Media Studies (2007), and Magister Artium in Musicology (2005) Research Focus includes: Digital music philology Music encoding standards (MEI) Genetic editions Linked data applications Musical stylometry Humanities data modeling His work intersects musicology, computer science, and media studies. Scientific Engagement highlights: Co-founder and elected member of the MEI Board (since 2015) Editor-in-chief of MEI Guidelines (since 2010) Organized multiple international conferences including Music Encoding Conference 2024 Key Projects led: Beethoven in the House Beethovens Werkstatt Digital Music Notation Data Model
Julia Thibaut is a Senior Lecturer at the Chair of General Educational Science within the Faculty of Cultural Studies , University of Bayreuth. Her academic career spans theoretical and empirical research in sociology of knowledge, network theory, and ethnography, focusing on volunteering in migration, NGOs, and photography's role in social research. Education : Master of Arts in Educational Sciences (Free University of Berlin), DAAD-funded study in India, Summer Schools in Social Network Analysis and Philosophy. Research Priorities : Sociology of knowledge, relational sociology, ethnographic methods, visual communication in migration contexts, organizational studies in non-profits, and photography as research tool. Publication Trends : Network structures between theory and practice, tensions in orientation frameworks, refugee volunteering, digital learning during crises, and transdisciplinary approaches to knowledge transmission. Scientific Awards : Zenith Photo Prize (Audience Award) for "Islam in Europe" (2017) DAAD New Passage to India Scholarship (2009) DAAD Passage to India Program (2009) Research Projects : Photography exhibitions like "Your Picture – My Picture" (2018), co-organization of conferences on Networks & Culture, and leadership in working groups related to digital anthropology and futures education.
