Eivind Rudjord Hillesund is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Agder. He holds qualifications in teaching mathematics and physics from the University of Oslo's lektorprogrammet and defended his doctoral thesis in January 2021 on engineering students' use of learning resources in mathematics courses. His teaching focuses on statistics courses within GLU programs and assignments in EVU courses at UiA since 2019. Research Interests: Resource use and decision-making in undergraduate mathematics education Educational strategies for engineering students Development of tools for tracking student resource utilization Publications include studies on resource systems analysis, didactical purposes of resources, and data collection methodologies. His work emphasizes improving understanding of how students interact with learning materials in STEM fields.
Dr. Michael Stevens is a Senior Lecturer at University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra , where he focuses on advanced manufacturing and biomedical device control systems . His work bridges digital manufacturing for SMEs with smart artificial heart technologies , emphasizing industry collaboration and translational research. Specializes in physiological control systems for rotary blood pumps Develops unobtrusive fall detection systems for dementia patients Leads international projects on total artificial heart development Education : B.Eng (Medical - First Class Honours), Queensland University of Technology (2010) PhD in Physiological Control for Biventricular Assist Devices, University of Queensland (2014) Research Trends show consistent focus on: Machine learning for biomedical diagnostics (2018–2025) mmWave radar and thermal sensors in patient monitoring (2021–2024) Computational fluid dynamics in artificial heart modeling (2016–2024) Physiological control algorithms for rotary blood pumps (2011–2025) Scientific Awards : UNSW Scientia Education Award (2021) for contextual teaching Heart Foundation Runner-up for "Smart Artificial Hearts" pitch (2021) ARC PGC Supervisor Award (2017) for mentoring Grants & Supervision : Holds over $6 million in competitive funding including MRFF and ARC grants. Currently supervises 4 PhD students while maintaining industry partnerships with VitalCare and BiVACOR. Labs & Facilities : Works across UNSW Engineering labs and Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering platforms, including mock circulation loops and high-performance computing clusters for CFD simulations.
Peter Wardrip is an Assistant Professor of STEAM Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education. His research focuses on bridging informal and formal learning environments, professional learning communities, formative assessment strategies, and making/tinkering pedagogy. He holds a PhD in Learning Sciences and Policy from the University of Pittsburgh, an MS in Human Ecology, and a BS in Latin Education from UW-Madison. Education Background: PhD in Learning Sciences and Policy (University of Pittsburgh, 2014) MS in Human Ecology (Centre for Human Ecology, 2004) BS in Latin Education (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1997) Research Interests: Peter's work emphasizes collaborative learning frameworks, educator professional development, and innovative assessment methods in makerspaces. He has developed national frameworks for museum and library makerspaces, and co-designed observation tools for maker educators. His research often explores how educators use data to inform instruction and how informal learning spaces can enhance traditional education systems. Recent Article Trends: Recent publications focus on pandemic-era educational adaptations, assessment challenges in makerspaces, and role evolution of librarians/museum educators. He has contributed to foundational texts on maker pedagogy including Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology and Makeology . Awards: INSPIRE Fellow (2018-2019), Research+Practice Collaboratory Fellow (2016), DML Design Research Committee Member (2014-2015) Grants & Advising: Peter has led projects funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, co-authored a national framework for museum makerspaces, and advised on digital badge systems in educational settings. He actively collaborates with institutions like the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon’s Learning Media Design Center. Labs/Teams: Involved with the University of Pittsburgh’s UPCLOSE research group and the MIT Teaching Systems Laboratory through his INSPIRE fellowship. His work bridges university, museum, and K-12 partnerships to create scalable educational tools and frameworks.
Zhiru Sun is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Denmark, affiliated with the Department of Design, Media and Educational Science. Their research focuses on the intersection of education, humanities, and data science, with expertise in Learning Analytics (LA), Digital Humanities (DH), and AI applications in education and humanities. Sun holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from The Ohio State University (2011–2015), alongside advanced degrees in Applied Statistics and Cultural Foundations of Technology. Key research interests include student motivation and performance analysis, historical data mining in DH, and human-centered AI in education. They have received notable awards such as the Outstanding Proposal Award (2021) and the Loadman Outstanding Dissertation Award (2016). Sun leads projects like 'Empowering Humanities Education with Deep Learning' and 'Flipped Classroom Design for Self-Regulation.' Their work spans collaborative learning algorithms, flipped classroom efficacy, and generative AI policy analysis in education. Educations: Ph.D. in Educational Technology, M.Sc. in Applied Statistics, and M.Sc. in Cultural Foundations (all from The Ohio State University) Key Projects: FREI: The Danish Family Revolution, DH Visualization Tools Teaching: Courses include Digital Humanities, Data Science, and Web-mediated Communication Recent publications address learner empowerment in online environments, negotiation skills in collaborative games, and group formation algorithms for optimal learning outcomes.
Zhe He is a Full Professor at Florida State University (FSU), leading the eHealth Lab in the School of Information (iSchool) within the College of Communication & Information. He holds courtesy appointments in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine (College of Medicine), Department of Computer Science, and Department of Statistics. His research focuses on biomedical informatics, AI, and big data analytics, aiming to improve population health and advance biomedical research through informatics applications. He directs the Institute for Successful Longevity and co-leads the Biostatistics, Informatics, and Research Design Program (BIRD) of the UF-FSU Clinical and Translational Science Award. Education: Postdoctoral training at Columbia University (2015), PhD in Computer Science from NJIT (2014), MS from Columbia University (2009), and BE from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (2007). Research Interests: Clinical trial generalizability, ontology quality assurance, consumer health informatics, and AI in medicine. His work bridges biomedical terminologies, patient engagement, and healthcare equity, with a focus on older adults and underserved populations. Grants & Funding: Over $21.9M in grants from NIH (NLM, NIA, NIMH), AHRQ, Amazon, NVIDIA, and Eli Lilly. Active grants include projects on medical marijuana effects, AI-driven clinical training, HIV prevention, and lab result interpretation tools for older adults. Awards & Honors: 2022 Lois Lunin Award (ASIS&T), FAMIA (2022), two AMIA Distinguished Paper Awards, and recognition for interdisciplinary research. Promoted to Full Professor in 2025 after early tenure as Associate Professor (2020). Labs & Teams: Directs the eHealth Lab and collaborates with跨学科 teams in the OneFlorida Data Trust, UF-FSU Clinical and Translational Science Award, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (during sabbatical).
Karan Ahuja is the Lisa Wissner-Slivka & Benjamin Slivka Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Northwestern University, directing the Sensing, Perception, Interactive Computing & Experiences (SPICE) Lab. He earned his Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University (2023) and a B.Tech. in Computer Science (2017). His research focuses on creating technologies that sense and understand human behavior, with applications in mobile health, extended reality, and natural user interfaces. Key projects include LemurDx for ADHD diagnosis, EITPose for wearable hand pose tracking, and MobilePoser for full-body pose estimation via consumer IMUs. Awards include Forbes 30 Under 30 (2024), MIT 35 Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific, and ACM SIGCHI's Outstanding Dissertation Award. He has worked at Google, Apple, Microsoft Research, Meta Reality Labs, and IBM Research. His lab emphasizes real-world deployments, with technologies licensed and integrated into products used by millions. Prospective students are invited to join his lab at Northwestern via a dedicated application form. Research spans embedded systems, computer vision, and on-device ML, with a focus on impactful applications in healthcare and XR.
Kevin Leyton-Brown is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holding a Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). He is also an Associate Member of the Vancouver School of Economics and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, ACM, and AAAI. His research focuses on AI, machine learning, computational economics, and game theory, with notable contributions to algorithmic market design, heuristic algorithms, and large language models. He co-authored influential textbooks on multiagent systems and game theory, and his work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the INFORMS Franz Edelman Award and the Killam Teaching Prize. Education: PhD (Computer Science), Stanford University; MSc (Computer Science), Stanford University; BSc (Computer Science), McMaster University. Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Game Theory, Computational Economics, Algorithmic Game Theory, Market Design, and Large Language Models. He has developed impactful tools like SATzilla, AutoWEKA, and Mechanical TA, and contributed to high-stakes projects such as spectrum auction design and Ugandan agricultural market platforms. Awards & Recognition: Royal Society of Canada Fellow (2023), ACM SIG-KDD Research Track Test of Time Award (2023), INFORMS Franz Edelman Award (2018), ACM Fellow (2020), AAAI Fellow (2018), Killam Teaching Prize (UBC), and numerous paper awards from top conferences like AAAI, ICML, and ACM-EC. Leadership & Affiliations: Director of UBC’s CAIDA and AIM-SI research clusters, former Chair of ACM SIG-Ecom, and advisor to companies like AI21 Labs and Auctionomics. He has held visiting roles at institutions including MIT, Harvard, and the Simons Institute.
Eleni Bozia is an Associate Professor of Classics and Digital Humanities at the University of Florida. She leads the Data-Driven Humanities Research Group and serves as Associate Director of the Digital Epigraphy and Archaeology Project, focusing on 3D digitization of cultural heritage and AI integration in humanities. Her research explores linguistic/cultural diversity in Imperial Greek/Latin literature and its intersections with modern globalism. Bozia holds dual doctorates from the University of Florida (2009) in Classical Studies and Universität Leipzig (2018) in Digital Humanities. Her scholarly work bridges classical studies with digital innovation, including computational analysis of ancient texts, virtual reality for experiential learning, and collaborative global preservation initiatives. Recognized with awards from La Fondation Hardt and the American Academy in Rome, her contributions span peer-reviewed articles, edited volumes, and public engagements like TEDx talks. She actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through roles in the Florida Digital Humanities Consortium and the Literary Encyclopedia. Bozia’s research portfolio includes groundbreaking books on Lucian’s works, multilingual practices in antiquity, and digital epigraphy. She advocates for reimagining classical pedagogy through technology, emphasizing accessibility and relevance for younger generations. Her lab’s projects like the Digital Rosetta Stone and 3D artifact preservation redefine how ancient knowledge is studied, shared, and experienced in the digital age.
Dr. Daniel Hein is a researcher affiliated with the University of Bamberg's Faculty of Social Sciences, Economics, and Business Administration, specifically within the Chair of Sales & Marketing. His work focuses on Business Digitization, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies. He has contributed to studies exploring the digitization of services and CRM systems, societal implications of emerging technologies like AR smart glasses, and strategic frameworks for digital transformation in non-digital enterprises. His research emphasizes bridging theoretical concepts with practical business challenges, particularly in leveraging digital tools to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency. Notable themes include analyzing adoption barriers for technologies like autonomous vehicles and smartwatches, and evaluating how analytics drive innovation performance. Dr. Hein has also explored ethical dimensions of wearable technologies and the psychological factors influencing consumer preferences, such as the role of disease avoidance in color choices. His publications span academic journals and conference proceedings, reflecting a keen interest in both technological innovation and its societal ramifications. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his work contributes to interdisciplinary discussions at the intersection of marketing, technology, and organizational strategy. As part of the Chair of Sales & Marketing, Dr. Hein collaborates with academic and industry partners to advance research in digital business practices, CRM effectiveness, and the strategic implications of emerging technologies.
Dr. Shadi Beshai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University and director of the Mindfulness Engagement and Cultural Adaptation (MECA) Lab. His research focuses on culturally adapting evidence-based psychological treatments for depression and anxiety, particularly for underserved populations such as Indigenous communities, educators, and law enforcement. He has led large-scale trials assessing mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in diverse international settings, including Canada, the UK, and Iran, funded by organizations like the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) and Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF). Education: Dr. Beshai holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (2015) from the University of Calgary, an M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology (2010), and a B.A. (Honors) in Psychology (2008) from York University. He is a registered doctoral clinical psychologist in Saskatchewan (since 2018). Research Interests: Dr. Beshai prioritizes bridging mental health disparities through scalable interventions. Key areas include treatment adaptation mechanisms (e.g., self-compassion, cultural beliefs), public literacy about interventions, and digital platforms for accessibility. His work emphasizes reducing stigma via psychoeducation framing and improving intervention messaging. Editorial Roles: He serves as Associate Editor for Mindfulness (Springer) and the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy . His lab (MECA) explores cultural adaptation strategies, digital mental health tools, and resilience in high-stress professions like public safety. Grants & Partnerships: His research has been supported by CIHR and SHRF. Collaborations include projects with Canadian public safety personnel and international teams in Iran and the UK.
Dr. Bill Hamilton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at New Mexico State University. His research focuses on live media design, online communities, and digital game culture. He holds a Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction from Texas A&M University (2018), and has collaborated with industry partners like Microsoft Research and Motorola Mobility. Education: Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction, Texas A&M University (2018) Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Texas A&M University Research Interests: Bill explores how live media supports societal participation in education, politics, work, and play. His work employs qualitative methods like ethnographic inquiry to study collaborative digital environments. Recent projects include designing wearable interfaces for human-drone teams and analyzing YouTube’s content policies' impact on free speech. Awards: 2018 Texas A&M Distinguished Graduate Research Award 2016 Best Paper at ACM Interactive Experiences for TV/Online Video Advising & Grants: Mentors students like Preeti De Maurya and Cassandra Palmer, with a focus on inclusive education technologies and collaborative tools for emergency response. Active in conference organization including ACM CHI’s Games and Play Subcommittee (2019). Labs: His research is conducted through the PlexLab, exploring playful interactions and live media systems.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet ÖZMEN is a Professor at Sakarya University's Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, Department of Software Engineering. He has held various administrative positions including Head of the Software Engineering Department (2019-2028) and Director of the Computer Research and Application Center (2019-2022). With extensive experience in academia since 1991, he has made significant contributions to computer vision, traffic monitoring systems, and sensor technologies. Sakarya University: Professor (2019-present), Associate Professor (2011-2019) Dumlupınar University: Assistant Professor (2001-2011), Research Assistant (2000-2001, 1993-1998) Istanbul Technical University: Research Assistant (1991-1993) Prof. ÖZMEN's research spans computer vision applications for traffic monitoring, indoor air quality systems, parallel computing, and sensor technologies. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical engineering applications, particularly in developing vision-based systems for nighttime vehicle detection, traffic flow monitoring, and environmental sensing. His interdisciplinary approach combines machine learning, image processing, and embedded systems to solve real-world problems in transportation and environmental monitoring. His publication record shows a clear evolution from parallel and distributed systems in his early career to computer vision and sensor applications in recent years. The majority of his recent work focuses on traffic monitoring systems using computer vision techniques, particularly for nighttime conditions, and indoor air quality monitoring systems using sensor networks. His research demonstrates strong industry and societal relevance, with applications in smart transportation, environmental protection, and educational technology. TÜBİTAK Publication Awards (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) Physical implementation award from TÜBİDER (2008) Microsoft Certified Professional Certificate (2005) YÖK overseas study scholarships (1993, 1998) Elginkan graduate scholarships (1990, 1991) Prof. ÖZMEN has supervised numerous graduate students across multiple institutions, with a focus on practical engineering problems. His research has been supported by various projects including TÜBİTAK projects, institutional research grants, and industry collaborations. He has led significant research initiatives in traffic monitoring systems, indoor air quality monitoring, and educational technology platforms. His administrative leadership has included directing research centers and shaping curriculum development in software engineering. His work has involved establishing research teams focused on computer vision applications, sensor network development, and educational technology. These teams have produced numerous publications, developed practical systems, and trained the next generation of computer engineers. Current research directions include advanced traffic monitoring systems using deep learning and multi-camera setups for urban planning applications.
Shion Guha is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information, cross-appointed to the Department of Computer Science. He directs the Human-Centered Data Science Lab and is affiliated with the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society and the Data Sciences Institute. His research focuses on integrating technical methodologies with critical social science approaches to address algorithmic biases in public sectors like child welfare, healthcare, and policing. Key roles include coordinating the Human-Centred Data Science concentration in the Master of Information program and advising national policies on AI ethics. Education: PhD in Information Science and Statistics, Cornell University (2016) MS in Information Science, Indian Statistical Institute (2010) Bachelor of Business Administration, Jadavpur University (India) Research Interests: Human-Centered Data Science, AI ethics, public policy, healthcare systems, algorithmic accountability, and marginalized communities' interaction with technology. His work emphasizes participatory design and real-world impact, addressing high-stakes decisions in public services. Recent Trends in Articles: Focus on participatory AI design in public sectors, algorithmic harms in child welfare, and cultural biases in NLP tools. His studies explore the intersection of technical systems and societal values, advocating for equity and transparency in algorithmic decision-making. Awards: Way-Klingler Early Career Award (2019) Connaught New Researcher Award (2021) Schwartz-Reisman Institute Faculty Fellowship (2023–2025) Grants & Advising: Secured funding from NSERC, CIFAR, and others for projects like the Responsible AI for Health Systems (RAIHS) framework. Advises PhD students through cross-departmental programs and collaborates with organizations like Parkview Health and the ACLU. Current supervisees include Ramaravind Kommiya Mothilal and Seh Young Moon. Labs & Initiatives: Leads the Human-Centered Data Science Lab, contributing to interdisciplinary research on AI ethics. Active in policy advocacy, including work with the Canadian government’s AI Policymakers Expert Group and the CIFAR AI Solutions Network.
Dr. Ben Swift is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Cybernetics, ANU, specializing in AI, computational art, and cybernetics. He leads the Cybernetic Studio, an interdisciplinary collective exploring cybernetic systems through hardware/software/people collaborations. As a livecoding artist, he performs globally and co-founded the ANU Laptop Ensemble. His research spans generative AI, open-source tools like Extempore, and UX design. Education: PhD in Computer Science (ANU) Projects: Australia's Digital Economy (2022), The Augmented Web (2019) Research focuses on AI creativity, biofeedback interfaces, and computational music. His work bridges technical innovation with artistic expression, evident in projects like TSPNet and adversarial camera systems. Key contributions include Extempore’s development and studies in live coding disruption. Awards unspecified but recognized internationally for interdisciplinary impact.
Associate Professor Anton Didenko is a leading academic at UNSW Sydney's School of Private & Commercial Law, specializing in FinTech regulation, banking law, and central bank digital currencies (CBDC). He holds law degrees from Russia and the UK, including an MJur and DPhil from the University of Oxford. His research focuses on CBDC design, regulatory sandboxes, open banking frameworks, and cybersecurity in finance. University Affiliation: UNSW Sydney Key Academic Roles: Author of Banking Law in Australia (11th ed, 2024) and lead author of Customer Data Sharing Frameworks (2024) Global Engagement: Adviser to G20, Asian Development Bank, and UN agencies Research Interests: - CBDC policy and design implications - Regulatory frameworks for FinTech innovation - Cybersecurity in financial systems - Transnational commercial law and secured transactions - Open data and customer consent mechanisms Recent Articles: Focus on CBDC adoption in Pacific economies, weaponization of digital currencies in geopolitical conflicts, and comparative analysis of blockchain liabilities. His work bridges legal, technological, and policy dimensions of financial innovation. Awards : Australian Academic of the Year in Digital Finance (2023) Advising & Grants: - No listed advisees - Collaborations include Asian Development Bank-funded Pacific CBDC studies - Co-authored policy reports for UN Capital Development Fund and CPA Australia Labs/Teams: - Editor-in-Chief of the Cape Town Convention Journal - Co-leader of UNSW's FinTech regulation research initiatives
