Zhongguo Li is a Lecturer in Robotics, Control, Communication & AI at the University of Manchester. He holds a B.Eng. (2017) and Ph.D. (2021) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Manchester. Prior to his current role, he was a Lecturer at University College London (2022-2023) and a Research Associate at Loughborough University (2020-2022). His research focuses on distributed control, optimization, and reinforcement learning, particularly in robotics and autonomous systems. Key areas include multi-agent coordination, networked systems, and applications in autonomous vehicles. He has authored over 40 papers in top journals/conferences and co-authored a book on Distributed Optimization and Learning (2024). Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Control Systems II, Nonlinear and Adaptive Control, and Embedded Systems Project. He serves as an Associate Editor for Drones and Autonomous Vehicles and Guest Editor for Machines and Frontiers in Control Engineering. Dr. Li actively mentors PhD students, offering guidance on funding opportunities and research projects in distributed algorithms, robotics, and control systems. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to innovation and infrastructure.
Mihir Bala is a Research Fellow in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on systems, edge computing, and autonomous drone technologies. He is advised by Mahadev Satyanarayanan and has contributed to projects such as SteelEagle, exploring drone video stream latency and autonomous navigation systems. His work bridges drone autonomy, edge computing, and real-time video analytics, addressing challenges in bandwidth efficiency, latency reduction, and democratizing autonomous systems for industries like construction. Recent efforts emphasize cloudlet-based architectures and OODA loop applications in drone control systems. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned. His research involves collaborations on live video analytics, lightweight drone design, and distributed edge computing frameworks. While no formal advisees are listed, his academic contributions include advancing drone-based solutions through interdisciplinary systems research. The SteelEagle project highlights his focus on practical, real-world applications of edge computing in autonomous systems.
Shweta Jain is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, part of the City University of New York (CUNY). She holds dual roles as Graduate Faculty in the Digital Forensics and Cyber Security program and Doctoral Faculty in Computer Science at CUNY's Graduate Center. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stony Brook University (2007), her expertise spans Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Wireless Networks, and Software Development. Education Background: Ph.D. Computer Science, Stony Brook University, 2007 M.S. Computer Science, Stony Brook University, 2005 B.E. Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) Shibpur, 2005 Research Interests: Cybersecurity frameworks and digital forensics Blockchain applications in social systems Wireless network protocols and security Perceptual hashing for image authentication Network vulnerability analysis Notable Achievements: Recipient of 2014 IEEE Region-1 Award for Outstanding Teaching Senior Member of IEEE Over 30 peer-reviewed publications and patents in networks, forensics, and distributed systems Advising & Grants: Guided multiple student research projects in network security and forensics Developed innovative tools like E-Witness for digital evidence preservation Contributed to NSF-funded projects on wireless simulation realism Labs & Teams: Director of the Cybersecurity Research Lab at John Jay College Collaborates with WINLAB at Rutgers University on wireless protocols
Riccardo Lancellotti is an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering 'Enzo Ferrari' of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. His research focuses on Edge/Fog/Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, and Resource Management in distributed systems. He has extensive contributions in optimizing infrastructure performance, load balancing, and energy efficiency in cloud and fog environments. His work often combines theoretical models with practical simulations, addressing challenges like stale information in edge systems and heterogeneous resource allocation in smart cities. Key research areas include: Fog/Edge computing infrastructure design and optimization Cloud resource provisioning and SLA compliance Security for Industry 4.0 and automotive systems Genetic algorithms for service placement Scalable VM clustering and resource allocation Publications highlight trends in cloud/fog integration, robust game theory for microservices, and distributed load balancing under dynamic conditions. His work emphasizes practical applications, such as pharmaceutical distribution routing and smart city sensor management. No awards are explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record reflects recognition in the field.
Larry Goldstein is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Southern California, specializing in probability theory, mathematical statistics, and their applications. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego (1984). His research focuses on distributional approximation via Stein’s method, high-dimensional statistics, concentration inequalities, and statistical efficiency, with applications in epidemiology and biomedical monitoring. He has organized and participated in numerous conferences, including the 'Stein’s Method: The Golden Anniversary' in Singapore (2022) and the 'BIRS Stein Conference' in Banff (2022). Goldstein teaches advanced courses such as Probability Theory, Statistical Consulting, and Mathematical Statistics, often incorporating modern computational tools like R. He has led international summer programs at the University of Perugia, Italy, on topics including mathematical statistics and high-dimensional probability. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, including modeling transdermal alcohol concentration and analyzing complex sampling designs in cohort studies. His contributions to Stein’s method include developing couplings for distributional approximation and concentration inequalities. Goldstein’s teaching emphasizes statistical inference, machine learning, and data analysis, reflecting his dual focus on rigorous theory and real-world problem-solving.
Dr. Shekhar Bhansali is the Alcatel-Lucent Professor and Chair of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) at Florida International University (FIU) since 2011. He holds a BS in Metallurgical Engineering (1987), MS in Aircraft Production Engineering (1991), and PhD in Electrical Engineering (1997). His research focuses on bio sensing, nanotechnology, alternative energy, and oceanographic sensing. He leads the Bio-MEMS and Microsystems Lab, holds 36 U.S. patents, and has secured funding from NSF, industry partners, and national labs like Sandia and Los Alamos. Dr. Bhansali has grown the ECE department by launching programs like the online Master of Science in Network Security and the B.S. in Internet of Things (first in the U.S.). He co-directs FIU’s Bridge to the Doctorate program, fostering STEM diversity. Awards include the 2014 FIU Top Scholar Award and 2018 AAAS Fellowship. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, RMIT University (1997) MS in Aircraft Production Engineering, IIT Madras (1991) BS in Metallurgical Engineering, MREC, Jaipur (1987) Research Interests: Bio-sensing, nanotechnology, alternative energy, oceanographic sensors, and materials science. Key Achievements: 36 U.S. patents and 7 invention disclosures Co-authored 139 journal papers and 200+ conference papers Recruited 14 faculty members and expanded doctoral programs Partnership with Florida Power & Light for solar energy research His work bridges innovation and societal impact, with sensors for wound monitoring, environmental sensing, and energy efficiency. Recent studies include AI-driven sensor networks for precision agriculture and wearable devices for real-time health diagnostics. Awards & Recognition: 2018 AAAS Fellow 2014 FIU Top Scholar Award Multiple mentorship awards (2003–2011) Advising & Grants: Oversaw education of over 150 graduate students via NSF-IGERT and Sloan programs. Secured grants totaling millions for interdisciplinary research. Expanded FIU’s engineering programs and faculty size. Labs & Teams: Leads the Bio-MEMS Lab, advancing micro/nano sensors and lab-on-a-chip technologies. Collaborates with industry and national labs on sensor development and energy projects.
Nisar Ahmed is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado within the Aerospace Engineering Sciences department. His research focuses on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence , Robotics , and Autonomous Systems , emphasizing decision-making under uncertainty, sensor fusion, and human-machine collaboration. Key research interests include: Active Inference for autonomous planning Decentralized Data Fusion in multi-robot systems Machine Self-Confidence and competency assessment Reinforcement Learning for spacecraft and robotic guidance Uncertainty Quantification in dynamic environments Recent publications highlight trends in Pareto-optimal decision-making , Bayesian optimization , contextual bandits , and trust calibration for UAS and planetary rovers. His work integrates probabilistic modeling with real-time autonomy , ensuring robustness in applications like search-and-rescue missions and lunar exploration. Contact: Nisar.Ahmed@Colorado.EDU
Asmus Skar Christiansen is an Associate Professor in Pavement Engineering at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU Sustain). He serves as Head of Study for the Nordic Master in Cold Climate Engineering programme and lectures on pavement engineering, Arctic road construction, and foundation design. His academic career at DTU spans from Postdoc researcher (2017-2019) to Assistant Professor (2020-2023) and current Associate Professor position since 2023. His research centers on pavement technology and geotechnics with specialization in: Development of advanced testing and modeling techniques for pavements Integration of modern sensing technologies in civil infrastructure Computational mechanics for soil-structure interaction Sustainable materials for cold climate engineering Recent work demonstrates a clear shift toward IoT-enabled monitoring systems and data-driven pavement assessment, with 80% of 2023-2025 publications focusing on sensor integration and machine learning applications. Notable scientific contributions include: Creation of open-source datasets (LiRA-CD, RIVA) for road condition modeling Development of thermomechanical models for heated pavements Innovations in waste soil reuse for infrastructure He actively supervises PhD candidates across multiple projects including GREENPIPE (self-sensing pipe systems) and urban pavement analysis, while maintaining industry consultancy through COWI A/S collaborations. Christiansen also contributes to sustainable infrastructure through DTU's alignment with UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).
Zoran Gajic is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rutgers University, where he has taught since 1984. He holds academic leadership roles including Graduate Program Director for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and President of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT Faculty Union. His expertise spans controls systems, energy systems (including solar, wind, and smart grids), wireless communications, and networking. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Belgrade, followed by M.S. in Applied Mathematics and Ph.D. in Systems Science Engineering from Michigan State University (1984). Research focuses on control theory applications for energy systems and communication networks. He has authored/coauthored nearly 100 journal papers and eight books, including best-selling titles like Linear Dynamic Systems and Signals (translated into Chinese) and Lyapunov Matrix Equation in Systems Stability and Control (republished by Dover). His work includes innovations in multirate control systems, singular perturbation methods, and reinforcement learning applications. Professional recognitions include editorial roles across nine journals, five guest-edited special issues, and plenary lectures at international conferences. Ten of his 17 Ph.D. advisees hold faculty positions globally. Beyond academia, he is a chess master with Life Master ranking from the U.S. Chess Federation and World Chess Federation certification. Key contributions include foundational work on optimal control for renewable energy systems, sliding mode control algorithms, and system decomposition techniques. His research has been supported by NSF and industry partners like AT&T Bell Labs. He leads the Rutgers Center for Systems and Controls (SYCON) as Associate Director and actively contributes to standards through IEEE and IEC initiatives, particularly in power system protection and control system reliability.
Angelo Corallo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, specializing in technologies and methodologies for collaborative processes in industrial systems. His research spans Digital Business Ecosystems , Cybersecurity , and Collaborative Product Design , focusing on the interplay between technology and organizational dynamics. He leads interdisciplinary research divisions in Open Networked Business Management , Learning and Innovation , and Collaborative Product Design . Research Interests : Corallo's work integrates Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with Business Management, particularly in Digital Twins for healthcare and manufacturing Knowledge Modeling and Ontology Engineering Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing Agri-Food Sustainability through digitalization Scientific Contributions : His recent articles explore trends in Cybersecurity for Industrial IoT Metaverse Applications in business models Traceability Systems in food supply chains Collagen-Based Biomaterials from aquaponics
Jin Lu is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia's School of Computing, part of the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. (2019) and M.S. (2019) in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Prior to his current role, he served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan–Dearborn (2019–2023). Educational Background: Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, 2019 M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, 2019 Research Interests: Dr. Lu focuses on machine learning, optimization, bio-informatics, and smart mobility. His work spans federated learning, healthcare applications (e.g., depression and BMI monitoring), IoT systems, and computer vision. Recent projects explore AGI's potential in medical and educational contexts, leveraging models like CycleGAN and reinforcement learning. Grants & Funding: Develop digital brains to advance portable diagnosis of neurological conditions (Google, 2025) Lab/Teams: While specific lab affiliations are not explicitly stated, his research involves collaborations in interdisciplinary areas such as health informatics and smart mobility.
Jennifer Tang is a Postdoctoral Associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), holding dual appointments in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) and the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS). She conducts her research under Professor Ali Jadbabaie, focusing on interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of information theory, network science, and social dynamics. Her position is temporary as she actively seeks a permanent academic role through the 2025 job market. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, advised by Professor Yury Polyanskiy Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University, with independent work supervised by Paul Cuff Dr. Tang's research program centers on theoretical and applied aspects of information theory, including channel capacity, quantization, and data compression. She investigates prediction and estimation in high-dimensional settings, data analytics for complex systems, and mathematical modeling of social dynamics and inference in multi-agent networks. Her work employs tools from statistics, optimization, and network theory to address challenges in communication, decision-making, and societal systems, with particular emphasis on opinion dynamics under social pressure and efficient representation of probability distributions. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent contributions to information-theoretic limits, social network modeling, and compression techniques. Her works frequently appear in top venues like IEEE Transactions on Information Theory and major conferences (ISIT, CDC, ACC), demonstrating expertise in bridging theoretical foundations with real-world applications in networked systems and societal challenges. Her scientific achievements have been recognized with: Best Student Paper Award at IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT) 2022 Best Student Paper Award at IEEE Machine Learning for Signal Processing (MLSP) 2022 Student Competition Winner at the Shannon Centennial Celebration Dr. Tang maintains an active teaching portfolio, having served as instructor for MIT 1.022: Introduction to Network Models (Spring 2025) and teaching assistant for multiple core courses including 6.008 (Introduction to Inference), 6.041/6.431 (Probabilistic Systems Analysis), 6.437 (Inference and Information), and 6.439 (Statistics, Computation and Applications). She also contributed to the MIT Women's Technology Program as a Mathematics Instructor during summer 2017. Her research is embedded within MIT's Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) and Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), two premier interdisciplinary laboratories fostering collaboration on data-driven decision-making, societal challenges, and foundational theory in information and systems.
Fady Alajaji is a Professor of Mathematics and Engineering at Queen's University, with a cross-appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He holds a B.E. from the American University of Beirut, and M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on information theory, coding for communication networks, probability models (e.g., Polya urns, contagion processes), and applications of information theory to machine learning (e.g., generative adversarial networks, data privacy). He has served as Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Information Theory and has received awards for research and teaching. His work spans theoretical foundations (e.g., Shannon limits) and practical coding techniques for wireless systems. Education: B.E. (1988), M.Sc. (1990), Ph.D. (1994) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland. Roles: Professor of Mathematics and Engineering, Cross-appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Research Interests: Information theory, coding for communication networks, stochastic processes (network epidemics, Polya urn models), machine learning applications (information bottleneck, GANs), and data privacy. Recent work includes optimal signaling schemes for sensor networks, privacy-aware estimation, and curing models for contagion networks. Publications: Over 100 journal/conference papers, including foundational work on joint source-channel coding, hybrid digital-analog coding, and theoretical bounds for communication systems. Recent trends focus on information-theoretic machine learning and network science. Awards: Premier's Research Excellence Award (2001), Golden Apple Teaching Award (2015). Grants/Advising: Supervised postdoctoral fellow Jian-Jia Weng. Active in conference organization and editorial roles. Labs/Teams: Member of the Mathematics and Engineering Communications and Information Theory Group at Queen's University.
Pietro Manzoni is a Professor of Computer Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), Spain. He holds a Master's from the University of Milan (1989) and a Ph.D. from Politecnico di Milano (1995). His research focuses on IoT, edge computing, and wireless networks, with emphasis on TinyML, LPWAN, and edge-cloud systems. He coordinates the Computer Networks Research Group (GRC) and is active in IEEE committees. Education includes a Master's in Computer Science (Università degli Studi di Milano, 1989) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science (Politecnico di Milano, 1995). He interned at Bellcore Labs (USA, 1992–1993) and ICSI (USA, 1994). Research interests span IoT applications, resource-constrained devices, and distributed systems. His work prioritizes empirical validation through prototypes. Teaching includes courses on Networks and Security, Intelligent IoT Systems, and IoT fundamentals in Spanish programs. Publications emphasize IoT protocols, UAV swarms, and TinyML. No scientific awards listed, but over 130 theses advised. Coordinates GRC projects and contributes to editorial boards and conferences.
Montserrat Ros is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Education) at the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences at the University of Wollongong, Australia. She has been with the university since 2006, initially joining as a Lecturer in Computer Engineering and progressing to her current senior academic and leadership roles. Her educational background includes: B.E.(Hons1)/B.Sc. double degree majoring in Computer Systems Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Queensland (2000) Ph.D. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Queensland (2007) Professor Ros's research focuses on the intersection of embedded computing systems and practical engineering applications. Her work spans several key areas including embedded systems design, sensor network data fusion, cyber-physical systems development, and innovative approaches to engineering education. She has particular expertise in sensor-based localization techniques, computer architecture optimization, and code compression methodologies for resource-constrained environments. More recently, her research has expanded into machine learning applications for constrained systems and Internet of Things implementations. Analysis of her recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on Internet of Things networks, UAV-based systems, and applications of artificial intelligence in both engineering education and manufacturing processes. Her work demonstrates a consistent pattern of bridging theoretical computer engineering concepts with practical real-world applications across diverse domains including healthcare, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. Her significant contributions to academia have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards: 2019: AAUT Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning 2018: IEEE TALE 2018 Meritorious Service Award 2018: Featured in UOW Leadership in Education Booklet 2017: UOW Vice Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning 2016: UOW Women of Impact for inspiring young women in STEM 2015: UOW Vice Chancellor's Interdisciplinary Research Excellence Award 2012 & 2007: UOW Vice Chancellor's Awards for Teaching Excellence 2011: UOW Vice Chancellor's Award for Community Engagement Senior Fellow of WATTLE (Wollongong Academy for Tertiary Teaching & Learning Excellence) Professor Ros has secured substantial research funding across multiple projects spanning from 2006 to the present. Her grant portfolio demonstrates a consistent focus on engineering education innovation, sensor network development, and practical applications of embedded systems. Notable projects include "The AI Tutor: Enabling 24x7 student support across engineering" (2024), "AI/IoT-powered Airborne System for Monitoring Water Level and Tidal Floods" (2023), and "Smart Eye: Airborne and AI-Driven Assessment Solution of Sugarcane" (2022). She actively supervises HDR students and has completed multiple successful candidatures. Her leadership extends beyond research and teaching, as evidenced by her role as Associate Dean (Education) for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences. She is also actively involved in community engagement through volunteering with the State Emergency Service (Wollongong SES) and Athletics Wollongong Club.
