Mark Bocko is a Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Rochester, affiliated with the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. He holds roles as Director of the Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences (CEIS) and Director of Audio & Music Engineering. He earned his PhD in Physics from the University of Rochester in 1984, focusing on gravitational wave detectors. His research spans audio signal processing, sensors, superconductivity, and quantum computing. Notable contributions include flat-panel loudspeaker development, non-contact ECG sensors, and quantum coherence studies in Josephson junctions. Research interests include audio and acoustic signal processing, computer audition, and sensor technologies. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining electrical engineering, physics, and computer science. Awards include the 2012 Goergen Award for Teaching and Mercer Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professor (2008–2011). Recent publications address modal crossover networks for loudspeakers, vibrational touch sensing, and room impulse response modeling. He has advised PhD students on topics like spatial audio rendering and musical vibrato analysis. His labs focus on advancing audio engineering and smart sensor systems through collaborative industry partnerships.
Paul Taele is an Instructional Assistant Professor and Deputy Lab Director in the Sketch Recognition Lab at Texas A&M University's Department of Computer Science & Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. (2019), M.S. (2010), and dual B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin (2006). His research focuses on sketch recognition, haptics, and intelligent interfaces for education and accessibility, with notable work in mid-air gesture recognition, educational sketching tools, and assistive technologies for disabilities. He has contributed to projects like Kanji Workbook , Hashigo , and HaptiMoto , and has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles across venues like CHI, IUI, and AAAI. Taele has received awards including the NSF Student Travel Grant (2014) and Ford Foundation Honorable Mention (2015). He teaches courses in capstone design, programming, and sketch recognition, and mentors students across all academic levels through strict eligibility criteria for research collaborations. Education : Ph.D. Computer Science, Texas A&M University (2019) M.S. Computer Science, Texas A&M University (2010) B.S. Computer Science & Mathematics, University of Texas at Austin (2006) Concentration in Mandarin Chinese, National Chengchi University (2007) Research Interests : Taele's work bridges HCI and AI to create accessible educational interfaces. His projects emphasize: Sketch Recognition : Developing algorithms for mid-air gestures, children's developmental assessments, and language learning Accessibility : Haptic systems for visually impaired learners and algebra education Educational Tech : Intelligent tutoring systems for music, math, and East Asian languages Awards & Grants : EAAI-20 Travel Grant (2020) Ford Foundation Dissertation Honorable Mention (2015) NSF East Asia-Pacific Summer Institutes (2013, 2012) Royce E. Wisenbaker Fellowship (2009) Lab & Teams : Director of the Sketch Recognition Lab (SRL) and collaborator with global institutions like Singapore Management University and National Taiwan University. Active in organizing workshops like SketchRec at IUI conferences.
Swati Aggarwal is a Professor in Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College (HiMolde). Her research focuses on AI applications in healthcare, ethics, cognitive development, and neural networks. She holds a PhD in Neutrosophic Neural Networks, a Master's in Information Technology, and a Bachelor's in Computer Science and Engineering. Previously, she was a Marie Curie Postdoc Fellow at NTNU, working on AI models for cognitive assessment in infants (AIM_COACH project). Research Interests - AI in Health/Medicine - Ethics in AI and Societal Impact - EEG/BCI for Cognitive Assessment - Machine Learning and Deep Learning Publications Her recent work spans AI ethics, BCI applications, adversarial attacks, and healthcare diagnostics. Notable contributions include EEG-based infant perceptual monitoring (2025) and malaria detection via EfficientNet (2023). She also explores cross-lingual adversarial robustness and blockchain in hospitality systems. Labs/Teams - ABC-AI: Applied, Basic, and Conscientious AI Group - Virtual Technologies and Learning Research Group
Bryan Pardo is a Professor of Computer Science at Northwestern University and head of the Interactive Audio Lab. He co-directs the Northwestern Center for Human Computer Interaction + Design and chairs the Computer Science Diversity Committee. He teaches courses in Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Generative Modeling, and Digital Music Instrument Design. PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Michigan MMus in Jazz and Improvisation, University of Michigan MS in Computer Science, Ohio State University BMus in Jazz Composition, Ohio State University His research focuses on machine understanding and manipulation of sound, particularly in music and speech domains. Key areas include Machine Learning (e.g., automated gradient clipping), Signal Processing (e.g., Multi-scale Common-fate Transform), and Human Computer Interaction. Applications involve inclusive audio interfaces, audio search engines, source separation, natural language-controlled audio effects, privacy-preserving adversarial attacks on voice recognition, and music co-creation tools. Recent publications highlight advancements in neural watermarking (MaskMark), masked acoustic modeling (VampNet), and real-time adversarial privacy systems for speech. His lab's work has been applied in Adobe's AI-powered audio editor and Lexie B2 hearing aids. Scientific Awards: $1.8 million NSF Future of Work award $440K NSF grant for accessible music programming $200K Toyota grant $100K Sony grant TorchCrepe pitch tracker: 20 million+ downloads Bryan Pardo advises PhD student Max Morrison and collaborates with researchers like Patrick O'Reilly, Zeyu Jin, and Prem Seetharaman. His lab develops technologies for blind and visually impaired audio creators, including HaptEQ and Eyes-free tools.
Fernando De la Torre is a Courtesy Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, with an affiliation to the Robotics Institute where he has been a research faculty member since 2005. He holds a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering from Ramon Llull University (2002). His research focuses on machine learning and computer vision, with applications in human health, augmented/virtual reality, generative models, and data-centric methodologies. He directs the Human Sensing Laboratory, which explores technologies for human behavior analysis and health monitoring. Notable contributions include founding FacioMetrics LLC (acquired by Meta), advancing facial recognition and 3D human digitization, and developing frameworks for robust visual models. His work bridges theory and practice, with over 225 peer-reviewed publications and editorial roles, including Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence. Recent research trends emphasize generative AI applications in satellite imagery analysis, VR/AR rendering optimizations (e.g., Gaussian splatting), and clinical motion recognition for healthcare. His projects often intersect with industry, addressing challenges in wearable health monitoring and immersive technologies. His lab collaborations span academia and industry, focusing on scalable solutions for 3D human modeling, adversarial robustness, and multimodal data fusion. Key achievements include pioneering work on 3D face animation from speech and garment reconstruction from single images.
Reed Stevens is a Professor in the Learning Sciences department at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy (SESP). He holds a PhD in Cognitive Studies in Education from UC Berkeley (1999), an MA from UC Berkeley (1994), and a BA in Mathematics from Pomona College (1987). His research focuses on understanding learning across diverse settings including classrooms, workplaces, and museums, emphasizing how mathematical and technological practices shape cognition. Stevens develops tools like VideoTraces for media annotation and designs innovative educational models such as FUSE Studios to create scalable, interest-driven learning environments. His work bridges cognitive science and sociocultural studies, employing methods like audio-video ethnography and conversation analysis. Key themes include spatial reasoning in making activities, teacher adaptation to facilitator roles, and the diffusion of educational innovations. Stevens collaborates with industry partners to integrate real-world practices into school curricula, addressing challenges in scaling STEAM initiatives and fostering equitable participation. His research has implications for teacher training, curriculum design, and the development of technology-mediated learning tools. Stevens' recent work explores civic data science applications, professional learning in trades like coffee roasting, and the redefinition of scientific practices in education. He actively contributes to debates on expanding what counts as valid scientific inquiry and has published extensively on learning pathways, institutional adoption of innovations, and the role of agency in student-driven projects.
Christopher Kruegel is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he conducts research in systems security. He is affiliated with the International Secure Systems Lab (iSecLab) and was a co-founder of Lastline, Inc., which was acquired by VMware in 2020. His work focuses on creating practical security solutions that address real-world problems through system building and experimental validation. Professor Kruegel's research spans multiple areas of computer security including malware analysis, web security, network security, and vulnerability analysis. His work often involves developing systems that analyze programs for malicious behavior, scanning web applications for vulnerabilities, and improving privacy on social networks. He has made significant contributions to firmware security, smart contract analysis, and mobile security through his extensive publication record. His 15 most recent publications (2022-2023) demonstrate a strong focus on practical security solutions across diverse domains including firmware security (Shimware, Fuzzware), blockchain and smart contract security (Confusum Contractum, NFT security), mobile security (TEEzz, Columbus), and vulnerability detection techniques (Actor, Toss a Fault to Your Witcher). His research shows consistent innovation in security tools and methodologies with several papers receiving distinguished awards. Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award, UCSB Academic Senate Distinguished Artifact Award for Fuzzware paper Distinguished Paper Award for Ramblr paper Best Student Paper Award for Detecting Spammers On Social Networks Professor Kruegel has advised numerous graduate students and collaborated extensively with researchers at UCSB and beyond. His work has been funded by various research grants supporting his security research initiatives. He is actively involved in the International Secure Systems Lab, which focuses on practical security solutions for real-world problems.
Dr. Thomas Sullivan is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Carnegie Mellon University, with a courtesy Lecturer appointment in the School of Music. He holds a PhD (ECE '96) and BS (EE '85) from Carnegie Mellon and an MS in Computer Music from MIT's Media Lab (MAS '88). His research interests focus on signal processing for music and audio applications, including audio recording advancements, music synthesis, and controller design for synthesizers. He teaches core ECE courses such as Introduction to ECE, Senior Capstone Design, and Electro-acoustics, while also emphasizing STEM outreach for under-represented K-12 students. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University (1996) MS in Computer Music, MIT Media Lab (1988) BS in Electrical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University (1985) His work bridges engineering and music technology, contributing to both academic and industry applications. Sullivan actively promotes STEM engagement through outreach programs and is involved in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Music Technology BS/MS programs. Outside academia, he enjoys music performance as an amateur guitarist/bassist, ice hockey, and distance running.
Dr. Karen Cochrane is an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on wearable and tangible computing for mental health and accessibility. Her research integrates soma design, autoethnography, and design fiction to address the needs of underrepresented communities, particularly those with disabilities. Key projects include developing assistive technologies for queer/crip identities, accessible gaming wearables, and tactile interfaces for sensory exploration. She explores embodied experiences through multidisciplinary approaches, blending traditional craft practices with modern computational tools. Her work prioritizes participatory design methodologies, collaborating with occupational therapists, disabled communities, and neurodivergent individuals to co-create inclusive technologies. Recent innovations include VARitouch (a haptic feedback device), Breathing Scarf (for emotional regulation), and adaptive switches for children with motor disabilities. Her research extends into sensory narratives, exploring how fabric and data can articulate bodily experiences through projects like Sensory Data Dialogues and Queer/Crip Body Mapping. While no formal grants or awards are listed, her publications reflect a strong focus on ethical technology, accessibility, and embodied interaction. Current projects emphasize the intersection of wearable tech with identity expression, mindfulness practices, and neuromotor rehabilitation. She actively designs prototypes that bridge clinical needs with creative technology solutions, though specific lab affiliations or team collaborations are not detailed in available texts.
Miguel Nacenta is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Victoria (UVic), Canada, and a founding member of the Victoria Interactive eXperiences with Information (VIXI) research group. Previously affiliated with the University of St Andrews (UK), his work bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Visualization, and Cognitive Science. He specializes in designing interactive systems that enhance human cognition, with a focus on Infotypography (using typography to encode data), collaborative problem-solving tools, and perceptual input/output devices. Research Interests: His key areas include cognitive augmentation, visualization techniques for complex tasks, multi-display environments, and tools for constraint problem-solving. Notable projects include the WriteReason tool for essay writing, InfoTypography studies on perceptual typographic parameters, and Solvi for visual constraint modeling. Grants & Collaborations: He collaborates internationally, including with the University of St Andrews on PhD scholarship programs. His work is supported by grants focusing on HCI innovations and accessibility. He actively mentors students (e.g., Adam Binks, Johannes Lang) and supervises postdoctoral researchers. Affiliations: Member of the VIXI group,他曾是St Andrews计算机科学学院的教授, 并参与多个学术服务活动, including conference program committees and journal reviews. Labs & Teams: Leads the VIXI lab at UVic, focusing on interactive technologies for cognitive tasks. Collaborates with industry partners on projects like TypoCartographer for infoTypographic maps and HaptiQ for accessible graph exploration.
Dr. Martha Sidury Christiansen is a Professor of Applied Linguistics/TESOL at the University of Texas at San Antonio , where she serves in the College of Education and Human Development . She is the Principal Investigator of Project RESPETO , a NSF-funded initiative exploring racial equity in engineering education. Her work spans sociolinguistics, digital literacies, and raciolinguistic analysis, with a focus on transnational multilingual communities. Born in Veracruz, Mexico Ph.D. in Foreign/Second Language Education (Ohio State University, 2013) M.A. in English Composition (Indiana University, 2007) B.A. in English Language Teaching (Universidad Veracruzana, 2002) Her research examines how transnational youth navigate digital spaces through multiliteracies , challenges Western academic writing norms via Mexican decolonial methodologies , and investigates raciolinguistic intersections in identity formation. The 15 most recent publications reveal a strong focus on digital communication , transnationalism , and critical pedagogy across journals like TESOL Quarterly and Language@Internet . 2023-2025: Expanding raciolinguistic frameworks in digital contexts 2021-2022: Analyzing multimodal identity construction 2019-2020: Exploring Mexican bilinguals' online language use She has received multiple honors including ACUE Fellow (2023), Fulbright Scholar (2017), and Faculty Leadership Fellow (2021-2022). Her presentations at conferences like ICOLLITE and DDVM Lab highlight her expertise in critical sociolinguistic awareness and digital discourse analysis . Dr. Christiansen actively consults for nonprofits on linguistic equity and multilingual education .
David De Roure is Professor of e-Research at the University of Oxford and Academic Director of both the Digital Scholarship initiative and the Laboratory for AI Security Research. He is also an Honorary Research Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where he serves as Technical Director of the Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music (PRiSM). His work bridges computer science, digital humanities, cybersecurity, and music through his distinctive interdisciplinary approach. De Roure received his PhD in 1990 supervised by David W Barron and Peter Henderson, with research in Lisp and distributed systems. Prior to joining Oxford in 2010, he was Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and Director of the Centre for Pervasive Computing in the Environment. His career spans multiple institutions and research domains, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary work. De Roure's research focuses on new methods of digital scholarship, innovation in knowledge infrastructure, cybersecurity, and computational approaches to music. His work uniquely combines humanities (digital musicology), social sciences (social machines and web science), engineering (Internet of Things), and computer science (distributed systems, AI). A key theme is empowering human creativity through technology rather than replacing humans with AI. He emphasizes co-creation between humans and machines, particularly in music composition where he explores how algorithms can generate fragments for human assembly. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on AI security in IoT systems, digital scholarship methods, and the intersection of music with computational approaches. There's a clear trajectory from foundational work in social machines and web science toward current applications in cybersecurity and music-AI co-creation. His publications consistently bridge technical domains with humanistic inquiry, demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship that addresses real-world challenges. Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS) Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (FIMA) Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) Chartered IT Professional (CITP) Turing Fellow at The Alan Turing Institute (2018-2024) De Roure has co-founded three major interdisciplinary initiatives: PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity (the world's largest socio-technical research center focused on IoT security), the Software Sustainability Institute (dedicated to improving research software), and PRiSM at RNCM. He was Director of the Oxford e-Research Centre from 2012-17 and has led numerous research projects including SOCIAM (The Theory and Practice of Social Machines), FAST (Fusing Audio and Semantic Technologies), and Transforming Musicology. The Laboratory for AI Security Research, which he directs, took its first PhD students in 2024. At Oxford, De Roure chairs the Digital Research Cluster at Wolfson College and oversees the Laboratory for AI Security Research. The PRiSM team at RNCM has produced numerous musical works and performances, including six premieres in New York in 2024. He has been involved in designing gesture recognition software used in many performances and has collaborated on public engagement projects including the Science Together project which released a Hip Hop album. His current work includes exploring Chladni Plates for new musical instrument design and developing algorithmically enhanced instruments.
Dominic Thibault is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Music, Université de Montréal . His research-creation explores human-machine interaction in musical contexts, focusing on embodied cognition through electroacoustic compositions, audiovisual performances, and musical software development. Co-director, Laboratoire Formes·Ondes Active member, CIRMMT (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology) Research axis leader, Expanded Musical Practice (CIRMMT) Member, Québecor Millénium entrepreneurship committee Scientific committee member, ACFAS
Mark d'Inverno is a Professor in the Department of Computing at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he has established himself as a leading researcher at the intersection of artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems, and creative applications. His academic journey began with foundational work in formal methods and agent-based systems, culminating in his 1998 PhD thesis 'Agents, Agency and Autonomy: A Formal Computational Model' from University College London, and has evolved toward practical applications in music technology and ethical AI systems. Professor d'Inverno's research interests span multiple interconnected domains, with a particular focus on computational creativity, multi-agent systems, and the application of AI in musical contexts. His work explores how artificial intelligence can enhance creative processes, particularly in music composition and performance, while maintaining ethical considerations in social AI systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding how agents can interact meaningfully in social contexts, how ethical frameworks can be embedded in online systems, and how technology can support creative learning experiences. His recent scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory toward applied research with social impact, as evidenced by his 2021-2024 publications which increasingly address ethical considerations in AI, human-AI collaboration in creative domains, and educational applications of technology. These works reveal a researcher deeply engaged with both theoretical foundations and practical implementations, bridging the gap between abstract computational models and real-world creative and educational applications. Professor d'Inverno maintains an extensive collaborative network, frequently working with Matthew Yee-King on music technology applications, with Pablo Noriega on ethical AI frameworks, and with Jon McCormack on computational creativity. His research has been supported through various projects that connect theoretical computer science with practical creative applications, particularly in the development of systems that facilitate human-AI creative collaboration.
Dr. Siwei Lyu is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University at Buffalo. He serves as Co-Director of the Center for Information Integrity (CII) and Director of the UB Media Forensic Lab (UB MDFL). His research focuses on digital media forensics, computer vision, and machine learning, with significant contributions to counter-deepfake technologies. Education includes a PhD in Computer Science from Dartmouth College (2005), MS from Peking University (2000), and BS in Information Science from Peking University (1997). He has held academic positions at the University at Albany and New York University. His work spans media forensics, adversarial machine learning, and AI security. Notable achievements include developing the Celeb-DF dataset, leading NSF-funded projects, and testifying before U.S. and NYS legislative bodies on disinformation threats. Over $11.3M in grants have supported his research on AI-generated media detection, including a $5M NSF Convergence Accelerator grant. Key awards include IEEE and IAPR Fellowships, Google Faculty Award, and SUNY Chancellor's Research Award. He has authored 230+ papers, 4 patents, and serves on editorial boards of top journals and conferences (e.g., CVPR, ICCV).
