Yan Delaure is Associate Professor of Fluid Mechanics at Dublin City University's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and Deputy Director of the DCU Water Institute. His research focuses on multiphase flows, environmental hydraulics, and computational fluid dynamics applications in wastewater treatment and marine systems. Research includes microbubble dynamics for aeration, fluid-structure interactions in deformable systems, and biomimetic antifouling solutions. Recent publications explore advanced simulation methods for turbulent flows and additive manufacturing process optimization.
Johanna Pirker serves as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing, Graz University of Technology, where she holds teaching authorization in Applied Computer Science. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in interactive technologies, maintaining active consultation hours for students every Monday morning. Her research centers on human-centered computing with emphases on virtual/augmented reality systems, serious game design, and AI-driven interactive experiences. She investigates player behavior, user experience optimization, and therapeutic/educational applications of immersive technologies across diverse contexts including rehabilitation, engineering education, and social platforms. Recent 2025 publications reveal strong trends in AI integration for gaming ecosystems (toxicity detection, dialogue systems), VR-based educational tools across disciplines, and cross-cultural analyses of gaming communities. Her work consistently combines experimental user studies with novel system development to address real-world challenges. While specific grant details and student advising records aren't documented in source materials, her extensive publication output across venues like FDG and iLRN indicates active leadership in interdisciplinary collaborations focused on advancing immersive technologies for societal benefit.
Susan Herbst is a Professor of Political Science and President Emeritus at the University of Connecticut. She previously served as the 15th President of UConn (2010–2019), returning to the faculty afterward. Her academic career includes roles as Executive Vice Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Provost at the University at Albany (SUNY), and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Duke University (1984) and a Ph.D. in Communication Theory from USC’s Annenberg School (1989). Her research focuses on public opinion, media, and American politics, with five authored books and numerous articles. She co-edits the University of Chicago Press’s Studies in American Politics series. Notable works include A Troubled Birth: The 1930s and American Public Opinion (2021) and President in the Maelstrom: FDR as Public Opinion Theorist (2021). Her scholarship bridges historical analysis with contemporary democratic theory, emphasizing media’s role in shaping public discourse. Herbst teaches at UConn’s Stamford campus, focusing on political communication and leadership. Her career reflects deep engagement with academic governance, institutional leadership, and scholarly contributions to understanding public opinion dynamics in American democracy.
Samuel D. Gosling is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas, leading the Gosling Lab. His research focuses on how personality is expressed in physical environments (e.g., offices, bedrooms), virtual spaces (e.g., social media), and through preferences like music. He has pioneered studies on the link between personal spaces and occupant traits, as well as the accuracy of personality judgments from online profiles. His work also explores animal personality and innovative methods for collecting social science data via the internet. Collaborators include experts in environmental psychology, music preferences, and behavioral research. The Gosling Lab develops scales like the Ten Item Personality Measure (TIPI) and studies geographic correlations of psychological traits. Key research areas: Environmental psychology, social media analysis, music personality links. Lab contributions: Over 150 publications, including seminal works on Facebook and World of Warcraft studies. His research emphasizes real-world applications, such as matching pets to owners and identifying traits through physical/virtual environments. Current projects include exploring how spatial environments influence cognitive-emotional regulation and large-scale geographic personality trends.
Jack Snoeyink is a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, holding joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science (College of Arts & Sciences) and the School of Data Science and Society. His research focuses on computational geometry, with applications in molecular biology, geographic information systems (GIS), and geometric modeling. His work in computational geometry explores algorithmic design and analysis for problems in solid modeling, computer graphics, and robotics. Key application areas include terrain modeling in GIS, molecular structure validation in biochemistry, and computational topology. He has contributed to output-sensitive algorithms for convex hulls and Voronoi diagrams, and geometric search problems. Articles highlight his expertise in computational geometry, with trends spanning 1999-2000. Topics include contour tree algorithms (SODA'00), watershed extraction (ASPRS'99), and skeleton generation (Crust.pdf). His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in GIS and structural biology. Jack Snoeyink has collaborated with researchers like Marc van Kreveld, Christopher Gold, and Bettina Speckmann on projects related to Delaunay triangulation, regression depth computation, and geometric assembly problems. He previously served as a program director at the National Science Foundation's CISE division (2015-2018) and co-founded the TRIPODS program for data science foundations.
Dr. Babak Taheri is a Full Professor at Texas A&M University's Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management & Tourism, affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. He holds an Honorary Professorship in Marketing at the University of Aberdeen and has held visiting professor roles at institutions like the University of Sassari and the University of Central Florida. His expertise spans consumer engagement, sustainability, and mixed-method research in tourism and hospitality. Education: BSc Industrial Engineering (Azad University), MSc Information Systems (Glasgow Caledonian University), PhD in Marketing (University of Strathclyde) with a focus on tourism. Additional credentials include a PhDip in Research Methods and MRes in Management Science. Research focuses on consumer behavior, co-creation value, CSR, and climate change impacts. He has published over 150 papers and serves as Associate Editor for The Service Industries Journal and International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management . Awards include Fellow of The Higher Education Academy and multiple Best Reviewer accolades. Leadership includes roles at Durham University, Strathclyde, and others. He secured grants exceeding $3M from Horizon 2020 and Innovate UK. Teaching spans BSc to PhD levels, emphasizing experiential learning. Media contributions include articles in The Conversation and The Irish Times. Grants & Leadership: Academic leadership in research and teaching, with grants focused on innovation and resilience in hospitality sectors.
Professor Roy Pea is the David Jacks Professor of Education & Learning Sciences at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Computer Science. He served as Director of the H-STAR Institute (2007-2021) and founded Stanford’s PhD program in Learning Sciences and Technology Design. His research focuses on technology-enhanced learning, social foundations of human learning, and interdisciplinary applications of digital tools. Stanford University, School of Education Graduate School of Education Department Courtesy appointment in Computer Science His work spans complex domains like concussion education, climate change learning, and AI-driven mental health interventions. He co-authored the 2010 National Education Technology Plan and co-edited key texts including Video Research in the Learning Sciences and AI in Education . His NSF-funded LIFE Center (2004-2014) advanced learning science theories. Recent publications address: (1) linguistic framing of concussions and reporting behavior, (2) AI chatbots for mental health, (3) "engineering fiction" to reduce climate change abstractness, and (4) immersive AR/LLM learning experiences. His research integrates data science, psychology, and educational technology. Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2019) Inaugural Fellow, International Society of the Learning Sciences (2018) Honorary Doctorate, The Open University (2018) Best Bridging Paper, EDM 2014 LAK13 Best Paper Award (2013) Roy mentors doctoral and master’s students in learning sciences, advising on topics related to technology, cognition, and equity. He contributes to digital education policy through roles on advisory boards for organizations like NSF, NIH, and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. His patents include methods for digital video analysis and collaborative learning systems.
Joshua D. Bard is an Associate Professor and Associate Head for Design Research at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture. His work bridges traditional craft and cutting-edge robotics, focusing on human-machine collaboration in construction domains. He leads Archolab, an award-winning research group exploring digital fabrication methods like 'Morphfaux' (robotic plaster techniques) and 'Spring Back' (parametric steam bending). Education: M.Arch (Distinction) from University of Michigan; B.A. in Literature & Philosophy from Wheaton College. Professional affiliations include the Manufacturing Futures Institute and rob|arch. Research emphasizes reviving historical crafts through digital tools, such as augmented reality interfaces for architectural education and thermal-tuned concrete panels via robotic processes. His teaching includes generative modeling and architectural robotics labs. Awards: Architect Magazine R+D Award, Canadian Wood Council Merit Award Key Projects: Plaster ReCast AR app, Thermally Informed Robotic Concrete Panels Collaborators: Dana Cupkova, Garth Zeglin, Steven Mankouche Current courses include 62-225 Generative Modeling and 48-555 Introduction to Architectural Robotics. His work is featured in venues like the Carnegie Museum of Art and academic journals like International Journal of Architectural Computing .
Associate Professor Mary Jeanette Ignacio is a faculty member at the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), where she has served since 2008. She currently serves as the Undergraduate Programmes Director for Year 1 and specializes in simulation-based pedagogy. Doctor of Philosophy (Health Professions Education), Maastricht University Bachelor of Science (Nursing), St Dominic Savio College, Philippines Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Santo Tomas, Philippines Bachelor of Science (Psychology), University of the Philippines Diliman Her research focuses on stress management , cognitive integration , collaborative learning , and human factors in healthcare education. She has pioneered simulation-based teaching strategies across undergraduate and postgraduate nursing curricula and developed innovative approaches to link pathophysiology with clinical practice. Recent publications highlight her work in virtual reality simulations , systematic reviews on gender discrimination in nursing , and interprofessional educational interventions . She has received multiple teaching excellence awards and secured grants for simulation-based learning projects. NUS Teaching Excellence Award (Individual) 2023 NUS Long Service Award 2023 National University of Singapore Teaching Excellence Award 2017 Her funded projects include grants from the Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning (NUS), Singapore Millennium Foundation, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society of Nursing Research. She actively contributes to advancing simulation pedagogy , virtual hospital design , and affective fidelity in simulations to improve clinical learning outcomes.
Steve Loughnan is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. His research focuses on dehumanization, objectification, and human-animal relations, exploring how societal and psychological factors influence moral judgments and behaviors. He teaches undergraduate courses on social psychology, experimental/applied social psychology, and social class, and supervises PhD students in related fields. Research interests include: Dehumanization of social and ethnic outgroups Psychological impacts of objectification on women and marginalized groups Moral psychology of meat consumption and animal treatment Effects of economic inequality on societal attitudes Anthropomorphism in human-AI and human-pet relationships His publications analyze topics like the psychological mechanisms behind meat consumption paradoxes, the role of dehumanization in conflict scenarios, and the ethical implications of AI romance. He has received no explicitly listed awards but has been widely cited in social psychology domains. Teaching includes year-long programs on social psychology principles, experimental research methods, and social class analysis. Office hours are held weekly to support students. His work bridges theoretical social psychology with applied issues in global inequality, environmental ethics, and veterinary mental health.
R. Michael Alvarez , Flintridge Foundation Professor of Political and Computational Social Science at Caltech, is a leading scholar in election technology, political methodology, and machine learning applications in social science. Affiliated with the Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project , the Social and Decision Neuroscience Program , and the Resnick Sustainability Institute , his work bridges technology and democracy. Education: B.A. from Carleton College, Ph.D. from Duke University Academic Career: Caltech faculty since 1992 His research spans: Election Integrity : Monitoring election security, fraud detection, and ballot systems Computational Social Science : Applying machine learning to voter behavior and policy analysis Climate Policy : Examining public attitudes and behavioral interventions for sustainability Online Behavior : Analyzing toxicity in gaming and social media dynamics Key article trends show focus on election forensics (2025 Nature Climate Change study), game toxicity analysis (2025 CHI Play paper), and LLM applications in social science. His students include Jacob Morrier, Mitchell Linegar, and teams of postdocs and undergraduates in Caltech's SURF program. Scientific recognition includes: Google Cloud Research Innovators Class of 2022 Co-editor of multiple academic series including Cambridge Elements in Quantitative Methods
Wesley McGee serves as Associate Professor of Architecture and Director of the Fabrication and Robotics Lab (FABLab) at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. He co-founded Matter Design, a studio pioneering innovative applications of advanced manufacturing in architectural production across global contexts including the US, Europe, Middle East, and Australia. Education Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech Master of Industrial Design, Georgia Tech McGee's research critically interrogates material production methods in architecture through robotics and digital fabrication, developing novel connections between design, engineering, and manufacturing processes. His work explores spatial-laminated timber systems, geometrically adaptive robotic workflows, and real-time fabrication-aware form finding to create material-efficient architectural solutions. His publications trend toward integrating computational design with physical construction, emphasizing topological optimization, adaptive robotic motion planning, and additive manufacturing techniques that reduce material usage by up to 46% compared to conventional systems. Scientific Awards Architectural League Prize for Young Architects & Designers Design Biennial Boston Award ACADIA Award for Innovative Research Architect Magazine R+D Award (multiple) McGee leads NSF Regional Innovation Engines semifinalist projects including Next-Generation Factory-Built Housing and secures University of Michigan grants for climate action initiatives. His Matter Design studio collaborates with architects, engineers, and artists on exhibitions like Climate Futures and SPLAM, advancing equitable city-making through material innovation. As FABLab Director, he operates a cutting-edge robotics facility where industrial tools are reconfigured for architectural production, mentoring students in courses like ARCH 581 (Advanced Robotics) and ARCH 702 (Robotic Engagement) while pushing boundaries in mass timber and glass fabrication.
Nicole Smith is a Lecturer in Museum Education at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, specializing in museum education and the intersection of digital humanities with heritage studies. She currently serves as Acting Depute Lead for the CLIP RTG and co-leads the Clippings events programme. Her research focuses on participatory methodologies in community archaeology, co-design approaches in museum partnerships, and the impact of creative practices in heritage interpretation. She has led projects such as the Glencoe Project and the Dear Green Bothy evaluation initiative, emphasizing co-creative practices and digital technologies. She holds roles in the AHRC Peer Review College and UKRI Early Career Researcher Network. Nicole has extensive experience in field archaeology, museum collaborations, and digital heritage projects, including VR/AR applications for cultural exhibits. Her work often integrates experimental methods to bridge academic research and public engagement. Her research interests include community-driven heritage recording, the Anthropocene's influence on archaeological narratives, and the evaluation of arts-based interventions. Nicole has collaborated with organizations like the National Trust, York Museums Trust, and Indigenous communities in digitization projects. She is actively involved in supervising PhD students exploring topics like digital archives, museum education, and participatory design. Nicole’s recent projects include the AHRC-funded DiNAR initiative, which explored immersive storytelling in museums, and the Discovering England’s Burial Spaces project, funded by Historic England. She has published widely on digital heritage, co-edited key handbooks, and contributed to exhibitions such as the British Museum’s Viking Legacy exhibition. Her work emphasizes ethical and participatory approaches to cultural heritage, ensuring marginalized voices are included in co-design processes.
Pardis Pishdad is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the School of Building Construction at Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Design. She directs the Smart Built Environment Eco-System (Smart Bees) Laboratory, focusing on integrating cyber-physical systems, digital twins, and innovative project delivery methods (e.g., IPD, Flash Tracking) for sustainable built environments. Her research bridges technology adoption, trust-building in construction contracts, and supply chain optimization. Education: PhD, Environmental Design and Planning (Virginia Tech) Master’s Degrees: Civil Engineering (Virginia Tech), Design Studies in Project Management (Harvard), Architecture (University of Tehran) Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering (Azad University of Shiraz) Research Interests: Her work emphasizes sustainable construction practices using IoT, BIM, and blockchain. Key areas include lifecycle cost analysis, lean construction, and smart building technologies. She explores trust dynamics and collaboration in construction projects through game theory and process optimization. Recognition: 2018 ENR Top 20 Under 40 Professionals 2016 CII National Outstanding Researcher Award 2020-2022 Georgia Tech Provost Teaching Learning Fellow Advisory Roles: Academic Advisor for CII’s Supply Chain Management Community, Vice Chair of BuildingSMART’s BIM Forum 5D Taskforce. Formerly advised the Construction Management Association of America’s Board (2016–2018). Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with Turner Construction, GDOT, and VDOT. Research on Flash Tracking and blockchain has been integrated into industry practices. Labs & Teams: The Smart Bees Lab pioneers cyber-physical systems for smart buildings, exploring AI-driven solutions and sustainable construction frameworks.
Angel Hsing-Chi Hwang is an Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and a core faculty member at the USC Center for AI in Society . Her research focuses on the societal impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on work practices, with a particular emphasis on human-AI interaction (HAII), digital mental health, and the future of work. She holds a PhD in Communication from Cornell University with a concentration in Human-Computer Interaction and completed postdoctoral training at the Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Science . Research Interests: Human-AI collaboration and ethical design Sociotechnical consequences of AI deployment at scale AI in healthcare systems and mental health services Creative processes and AI empowerment in professional domains Methods for scalable AI impact assessment Online labor markets and AI-driven work transformations Recent Work: Her publications explore topics such as the integration of AI in mental healthcare ecosystems, gender dynamics in AI-mediated teams, and the ethical implications of generative AI in creative industries. She actively engages with industry through collaborations with Microsoft Research, Google Research, and other tech institutions. Affiliations & Activities: Organizing workshops on AI disclosure, ownership, and accountability (CHIWORK 2025) Contributing to conferences like ACM CHI and ICWSM Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on AI ethics and policy initiatives
