Travis Wiltshire is a Researcher at Tilburg University in the Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence school, with prior postdoctoral work at the University of Utah (Psychology) and the University of Southern Denmark (Institute of Language and Communication). His work bridges human-robot interaction , dynamical systems theory , and collaborative cognition , focusing on how low-level coordination mechanisms facilitate social and cognitive processes in teams and therapeutic contexts. His research explores multiscale movement coordination dynamics in collaborative problem solving, social signal processing for robotic systems, and neural correlates of cognitive performance using EEG. Key findings demonstrate that in-phase movement coordination predicts team performance, social cues modulate human-robot attribution , and fractal scaling relations in EEG data reveal insights into brain functioning under task demands. Current work emphasizes interdisciplinary frameworks integrating ecological psychology , enactive cognition , and computational modeling to advance artificial systems. Travis's publications span journals like Frontiers in Human Neuroscience , Clinical Psychological Science , and Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences , addressing topics such as phase transitions in team problem solving , attractor dynamics in scheduling, and direct perception theories in social cognition. His methodological expertise includes cross-wavelet coherence , convergent cross-mapping , and vector field diagrams for analyzing complex interactions. Future research directions emphasize soft-assembly principles in neural systems and ethical frameworks for artificial moral agents.
Dr. Anne Bauch is a Researcher at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Tuebingen. Her work focuses on developmental psychology, speech perception, phonological awareness, and literacy development in children. She has presented her research at numerous international conferences, including the Society for the Neurobiology of Language (SNL) Annual Meeting and the International Child Phonology Conference (ICPC). Education: Master of Science in Psychology, University of Hamburg (2010–2013) Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Jena (2007–2010) Her research explores how literacy acquisition influences speech processing, phonological competition, and social-emotional competence in preliterate children. She has conducted workshops on eye-tracking and mixed-effects regression at the University of Tuebingen and the University of Groningen. Dr. Bauch has taught practical courses on diagnostic psychology, including performance and personality diagnostics, at the University of Tuebingen. Her recent publications highlight the interplay between literacy, phonological awareness, and speech perception in early childhood.
Michael L. Anderson is Professor in the Department of Philosophy within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities at Western University, and serves as Acting Director of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy. Holding the Rotman Canada Research Chair in Philosophy of Science, his work bridges philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and computer science to develop novel frameworks for understanding brain organization and cognition. His educational background includes a B.S. from Notre Dame and a Ph.D. from Yale University. Key research contributions focus on the theory of neural reuse —the principle that brain regions are dynamically repurposed across cognitive tasks—and its implications for embodied cognition, brain evolution, and cognitive taxonomy. Anderson's publication trends reveal a sustained investigation into how evolutionarily older sensory-motor systems are coopted for higher cognition, with significant methodological innovations in analyzing functional brain diversity. His work spans theoretical neuroscience, philosophical analysis of cognitive architecture, and empirical studies of brain plasticity, consistently challenging modular views of brain organization. Rotman Canada Research Chair in Philosophy of Science Fellow at Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University (2012-2013) As Acting Director of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Anderson leads interdisciplinary research initiatives connecting philosophy of science with empirical neuroscience. His collaborative work involves developing quantitative methods for mapping brain function and reforming psychological taxonomy through large-scale neuroimaging analyses.
Melody M. Chang, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the School of Medicine. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Loma Linda University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science from UC Riverside in 2001. Education: MD (2008, Loma Linda University), BS (2001, UC Riverside) Her research focuses on vascular biology , pain management , and clinical outcomes . Key areas include hypoxia-induced vascular changes, pharmacological interventions in fetal and adult arteries, and quality improvement in postoperative pain protocols. Recent publications (2003–2023) span anesthesiology, physiology, and pharmacology. Themes include opioid alternatives in robotic surgery, age-dependent vascular responses, and stress impacts on resident physicians. Collaborations with experts like W. J. Pearce and J. M. Williams highlight her interdisciplinary work.
Fengzhu Xiong is a Group Leader at the Gurdon Institute and affiliated with the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge . His research bridges Developmental Biology , Biophysics , and Engineering to explore how mechanical forces shape embryonic development. Focuses on Avian Embryos as a model system Developed Tissue Force Microscopy (TiFM) and Magnetic Nanorobotics for mechanical measurements Key themes: Systems Tissue Mechanics , Bilateral Symmetry , and Neural Tube Morphogenesis His work combines Imaging , Mathematical Modeling , and Molecular Genetics to uncover fundamental rules of Morphogenesis , with applications in Birth Defects and Cancer Mechanics . Recent publications emphasize Tissue Deformability , Cell Density Regulation , and Lumen Pressure Modulation in shaping embryonic structures. Scientific Awards : Wellcome Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, Wellcome-Beit Prize, NIH Pathway to Independence Award Current Projects : Paraxial-axial tissue interactions, Fluid pressure effects on organ shape, Magnetic micro/nanorobotics in development The lab maintains a Molecular Biology Workstation , Embryology Facilities , and Custom Mechanical Tools . Collaborations include Theoretical Biophysicists and Bioengineers to refine morphogenesis models.
Helena Margarida dos Santos Vasconcelos Gomes is an Assistant Professor at the School of Education of Viseu (Polytechnic Institute of Viseu), with a PhD in Mathematics (Spectral Graph Theory, 2018) and a Master's in Mathematics (Algebra and Systems Theory, 2006) from the University of Aveiro . She is a senior researcher at the Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications (CIDMA) . Her work bridges Spectral Graph Theory and Mathematics Education , focusing on Early Childhood and Primary Education Algorithmic and Computational Thinking Humor in Mathematics Teaching Textbook Evaluation Teacher Training Programs Her research projects include EARLY (Robotics in Early Education), MindMaths (Flipped Learning for Math Anxiety), and Algolittle (Play-Based Algorithmic Skills). She has contributed to national and international studies on pedagogical content knowledge and interdisciplinary curriculum design. She supervises Master’s theses on topics like ICT in Geometry and teaching materials for Preschool Mathematics. Her recent publications analyze caterpillar graphs via H-join operations, Randic spectra, and humor integration in textbooks. Current affiliations : Assistant Professor, School of Education of Viseu (since 2018) Senior Researcher, CIDMA (since 2019) PhD Candidate, Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems Engineering, Porto Higher Institute of Engineering (since 2022)
Marc Degelaen is a researcher at the Department of Human Physiology and Anatomy , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , focusing on cerebral palsy , gait analysis , biomechanics , and stroke rehabilitation . His work bridges neuroscience and rehabilitation engineering , with significant contributions to understanding muscle physiology and orthotic interventions in developmental and post-stroke conditions. Address: Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium ORCID: 0000-0001-6651-2496 Research Themes: His studies explore: Cerebral Palsy: Etiology, subtypes, and public health indicators Gait Biomechanics: Trunk/pelvis kinematics, ankle-foot orthoses effects Muscle Morphology: Impact of botulinum toxin, muscle weakness mechanisms Rehabilitation Technology: Hip exoskeleton design, virtual twin applications Recent Publications (2025-2017) demonstrate expertise in: AI in Stroke Care (TARGET consortium) Biomechanical Interventions for motor coordination disorders Wearable Sensors for gait analysis Academic Contributions: Supervised 14 student theses on topics including muscle alterations in stroke , pediatric pain management , and virtual rehabilitation tools . Co-authored 30+ research outputs including datasets on stroke patient muscle data and gait analysis toolboxes . Active in European Heart Journal and Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine . Conference Participation: Served as program committee member at the 2024 EACD Bruges conference, contributing to developmental neurology discourse.
Michael Arthur-Kelly is a Professor at the School of Education, University of Newcastle , specializing in Special Education and Disability Studies . He directs the Faculty's Centre for Special Education and Disability Studies and collaborates with the Renwick Centre at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children . Key research areas: Communication intervention , Challenging behavior , Inclusive education , Behavior state assessment , and Positive behavior support . Major projects include: ARC Discovery Projects -funded initiative improving communication for students with severe disabilities via mentor modeling Early Childhood Intervention Project training 1000+ teachers in NSW on functional behavioral assessment His 87+ peer-reviewed journal articles focus on assistive technology , teacher professional development , and inclusion of students with profound disabilities . Recent work examines robot-mediated social interventions and telepractice efficacy in family-centered early intervention. Teaching Expertise covers instructional design , curriculum assessment , and classroom management . He has served on editorial boards for the Australasian Journal of Special Education and Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability .
Francisco Esteves is a Senior Professor in the Department of Psychology and Social Work at Mid Sweden University, Östersund, holding the academic title of Professor and serving as Head of Department. His research spans multiple domains within psychological science, with significant contributions to understanding human cognition and behavior. His primary research interests include: Emotion processing and facial expression recognition Attentional mechanisms and cognitive biases Bilingualism's impact on social flexibility and cognitive control Quality of life assessment in health contexts (particularly pregnancy and mental illness) Leadership dynamics and organizational behavior Human-robot interaction and ethical decision-making Analysis of his recent publications (2018-2023) reveals an interdisciplinary trajectory bridging cognitive, social, and health psychology. His work demonstrates methodological sophistication through psychophysiological measures, experimental designs, and cross-cultural validation studies. Notable trends include the expansion from foundational emotion research into applied domains like pregnancy quality of life assessment, leadership resistance mechanisms, and human-robot interaction ethics. His bilingualism research uniquely connects linguistic diversity with social adaptation capabilities. Professor Esteves maintains extensive international collaborations, particularly with Portuguese and Swedish research groups, evidenced by recurring co-authorship patterns with researchers like Pedro Arriaga, Sofia Fernandes, and Maria Champoux-Larsson. His work appears in high-impact journals across psychology, neuroscience, and interdisciplinary health sciences.
Benedikt Feldotto is a Researcher at the Technical University of Munich, affiliated with the Department of Computer Science, Chair of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Systems led by Prof. Knoll. He works on the Neurorobotics Platform as part of the European Human Brain Project and serves as lead developer of the NRP Robot Designer since 2017. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics from Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) with industry experience in automation pre-development, including a development stay in the USA. He further specialized with a Master of Science in "Robotics, Cognition, Intelligence" at Technical University of Munich. Feldotto's research focuses on biomimetic learning in neurorobotic systems, with particular emphasis on spiking neural networks for embodied cognition. His work bridges cognitive neuroscience and robotics, exploring how robots can interact naturally with humans and environments through biologically-inspired learning mechanisms. Key areas include musculoskeletal modeling, human-robot interaction, and the ethical implications of learning robots in society. He actively develops simulation tools to enable large-scale neurorobotic experiments and has contributed significantly to the Human Brain Project's Neurorobotics Platform infrastructure. His publication record shows a clear progression from foundational platform development toward increasingly sophisticated embodied simulations using high-performance computing. Recent work emphasizes scaling spiking neural networks for robotic control, analyzing neural network architectures for specific motor tasks, and validating biomechanical models against human movement data. The research consistently connects theoretical neuroscience with practical robotics applications. His scientific recognition includes: Best Poster Award from the Graduate School of Bioengineering (2018) As an educator, Feldotto has taught Cognitive Systems course exercises from Spring Semester 2018 through Spring Semester 2022. He regularly offers thesis and project opportunities in biomimetic robotics and neural network learning, though no current openings are listed. His teaching and research are supported through the European Human Brain Project funding framework. Feldotto leads development of the NRP Robot Designer, a critical tool within the Neurorobotics Platform ecosystem. He has presented this work internationally through workshops at major conferences including the European Robotics Forum and Japanese Neural Network Society meetings. His outreach extends to public exhibitions at the Deutsches Museum and participation in ethics discussions on robot stereotypes, demonstrating commitment to both technical advancement and societal implications of neurorobotics research.
Kristy Armitage is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Psychology , Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences , The University of Queensland (UQ). Her research focuses on metacognition, cognitive offloading, and children's problem-solving strategies, particularly in the context of digital tool usage. Bachelor (Honours) of Psychology, The University of Queensland Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, The University of Queensland Armitage investigates how children develop awareness of their cognitive limits and employ creative strategies to overcome these challenges. Her work also explores the cognitive consequences of growing up in the digital age, including interactions with computers, smartphones, and tablets. Recent publications examine social offloading, collaborative cognition, and external problem-solving techniques in developmental contexts. She contributes to fundamental developmental psychology through empirical studies on cognitive strategies and participates in applied research about technology's impact on cognition. Her work, published in journals like Developmental Psychology and Child Development , reveals patterns in children's spontaneous use of external tools and social interactions to enhance cognitive performance. Armitage is currently funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects (2025-2028) for research on children's foresight capacities. She is available for supervision and actively participates in the Early Cognitive Development Centre at UQ.
Helen Andreae is a Lecturer in Interaction Design at the School of Design Innovation , Victoria University of Wellington, and serves as the Associate Dean (Students) at the Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation. She holds a visiting researcher position at Eindhoven University of Technology (2024) and earned her PhD in Design from Northumbria University (2025). Her work bridges design and psychology, focusing on subconscious cues to influence behavior, mental health design, and socially assistive robotics. Her research interests lie in Design Psychology , Industrial Design , and Interaction and Experience Design , with a focus on addressing psychological and social needs through physical-digital integration. She has led projects on mental health tools, procrastination, pelvic floor exercise devices, and sensory-based tableware to reduce portion sizes. Recent publications include work on digital health , behavioral design , and medical device development . She supervises Masters and PhD students and has received grants from BIBO Global Opportunity for language-learning game development (2022–2027). Awards and engagement activities are not explicitly listed, though she contributes to community workshops, industry panels, and design education initiatives.
Dr. Michael Johannes Barz is an Associated Member at the Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz (DFKI) in Saarbrücken, Germany, where he conducts research within the Ubiquitous Media Technology Lab (UMTL). His work bridges human-computer interaction with artificial intelligence, focusing on gaze-based interaction, eye tracking, and interactive machine learning systems. Dr. Barz has established himself as a significant contributor to the field with over 50 publications spanning from 2015 to 2024. His research interests center on gaze-based interaction , mobile eye tracking , user modeling , and interactive machine learning , with recent work expanding into cognitive load measurement using digital pen technology and mixed reality applications for industrial training. Dr. Barz has developed influential tools like IMETA for eye tracking annotation and pEncode for visualizing pen signals, demonstrating his commitment to creating practical research methodologies. Dr. Barz's publication record shows consistent contributions to top-tier conferences including ACM ETRA, IEEE VR, and the International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces. His 2022-2024 work reveals increasing focus on making AI systems more transparent and interactive, with publications on explaining machine learning model explanations and interactive deep learning frameworks. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, cognitive science, and educational technology. Special recognition for an outstanding review at ACM ETRA 2020 Active conference reviewer for IJCAI, ACM IUI, KI, ACM ETRA, and IEEE VR Journal reviewer for Journal of Eye Movement Research Dr. Barz has contributed to teaching as an assistant for 'Intelligent User Interfaces' at TU Kaiserslautern and 'Artificial Intelligence' at Saarland University. His current research suggests strong engagement with both theoretical advancements in interactive machine learning and practical applications in educational and industrial contexts, particularly through the MASTER-XR project for mixed reality manufacturing training. The Ubiquitous Media Technology Lab provides the collaborative environment where Dr. Barz develops his innovative approaches to human-AI interaction.
Taher A Saif is the Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research spans biomechanics and nanomechanics, focusing on cellular mechanics, cancer metastasis, neuro mechanics, and the mechanical properties of nanoscale materials. He leads the Saif Lab which develops innovative micro and nano-scale apparatus for studying cell mechanics and material properties. Dr. Saif received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (with Honors) in 1984, his M.S. in Civil Engineering from Washington State University in 1987, and his Ph.D. in Theoretical & Applied Mechanics from Cornell University in 1993. His academic journey includes positions as Lecturer at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Teaching Assistant at Washington State University, and various research and teaching roles at Cornell University before joining UIUC in 1997. Dr. Saif's research investigates how mechanical forces influence cellular behavior and disease progression. His lab explores fundamental questions about how cells transduce mechanical stimuli into biochemical processes, whether disease progression can be altered with mechanical stimuli, and if cell-cell interactions can be engineered to develop living machines. His work on neuromechanics has revealed that neurons generate mechanical tension that is essential for vesicle clustering and synaptic function. In cancer research, his lab investigates how cancer-associated fibroblasts generate mechanical forces that promote metastasis. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biohybrid robotics, cellular mechanotransduction, and the development of novel sensors for measuring cellular forces. A key trend is the integration of engineering principles with biological systems to create living machines with unprecedented capabilities. His work spans multiple disciplines including biomechanics, materials science, neuroscience, and cancer biology, with increasing emphasis on translational applications for disease treatment and biohybrid robotics. Dr. Saif has received numerous prestigious awards including election to the National Academy of Engineering (2024), the Engineering Science Medal from the Society of Engineering Science (2020), and the Warner T. Koiter Medal from ASME (2018). He was named a Fellow of AAAS (2023) and received the Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professorship at UIUC (2010-date). Dr. Saif has advised numerous students and postdocs who have gone on to publish significant research in top journals. His lab has secured substantial funding from NSF, NIH, and other agencies to support research on cellular mechanics, cancer metastasis, and biohybrid robotics. He has organized multiple workshops and summer schools including the GEM4 (Global Enterprise for Micro-Mechanics and Molecular Medicine) programs focused on cancer, cardiovascular systems, and developmental biology. The Saif Lab operates at the intersection of engineering and biology, maintaining state-of-the-art facilities for micro and nano fabrication, cell culture, and mechanical testing. The lab has developed innovative MEMS-based devices for studying cellular forces and material properties at small scales. Current projects include "Mind in vitro" (exploring whether living neurons can perform computations), FORCE hypothesis research (investigating how mechanical forces drive cancer progression), and the development of biohybrid robots that combine living cells with engineered scaffolds.
Alexander Galozy is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Halmstad University's School of Information Technology, specializing in Reinforcement Learning applications for healthcare. His work focuses on developing Bandit algorithms that enable personalized adaptive interventions with minimal data requirements. His primary research interests center on Reinforcement Learning in healthcare contexts , particularly: Personalized mobile health interventions using contextual bandits Medication adherence optimization through adaptive digital systems Chronic disease management (especially diabetes and hypertension) Privacy-preserving health data analysis Real-world implementation of AI-driven clinical decision support His methodology emphasizes practical solutions that function effectively with limited patient data. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory applying Bandit algorithms to healthcare challenges. The research spans from theoretical advancements in latent bandit frameworks (2023-2025) to concrete medical applications including diabetes management (2022-2024), medication adherence systems (2020-2021), and critical care analytics (2019). A distinctive pattern shows progressive refinement of contextual bandit approaches for personalized interventions across multiple chronic conditions. His doctoral work culminated in the 2023 thesis "Mobile Health Interventions through Reinforcement Learning," establishing the foundation for his current postdoctoral research. Current projects include AI-augmented data pipeline orchestration (2025) and novel bandit frameworks balancing state evolution with corrupted context handling.
