Anna Choromanska is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, with affiliations to NYU Center for Data Science (CDS), NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), NYU Center for Advanced Technology in Communications (CATT), and the C2SMART Center. Her research focuses on deep learning optimization, generalization, and applications in autonomous driving and large-scale data analysis. She holds an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship and NSF CAREER Award, and her work impacts industries like NVIDIA and Facebook. She directs the Learning Systems Laboratory (LSL), emphasizing interdisciplinary experimental/theoretical work. Research Interests: Machine Learning fundamentals, DL optimization, continual learning, autonomous vehicle systems, large data analysis. Her lab explores DNN learning dynamics, training architecture design, and scalable algorithms. Professional Impact: Over 50 invited talks, workshop organization for top ML conferences, and contributions to open-source projects like Vowpal Wabbit. Her algorithms are deployed in production systems at Facebook and Baidu. Awards: NSF CAREER Award Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship IBM Global University Program Academic Award (2x) Columbia University Presidential Fellowship Advising & Labs: Leads LSL, supervising interdisciplinary projects in optimization and autonomy. Actively involved in NYU's Modern AI seminar series and industry partnerships through CATT. Personal Interests: Accomplished pianist, salsa dancer, and fashion design enthusiast with notable performances and certifications in dance and music.
Prof. Martin Haenggi is the Frank M. Freimann Professor of Electrical Engineering and Concurrent Professor in the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Notre Dame. He holds a Dr.sc.techn. (Ph.D.) from ETH Zurich and has been at Notre Dame since 2000. His research focuses on stochastic geometry and wireless networks, including cellular, heterogeneous, vehicular, and millimeter-wave systems. He has held sabbaticals at UCSD (2007–2008), EPFL (2014–2015), and ETH Zurich (2021–2022). Education: Dipl.-Ing. (M.Sc.), ETH Zurich, 1995 Dr.sc.techn. (Ph.D.), ETH Zurich, 1999 Research interests emphasize stochastic geometry for analyzing network performance, including coverage, interference, and reliability in wireless systems. Key areas include meta distributions, spatial-temporal analysis, and network optimization. His work has been recognized with IEEE Fellow status, Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher distinction, and NSF CAREER Award (2005). Grants and Awards: NSF Award (Deep Stochastic Geometry: 2020–2023) NSF Award (Toward a Stochastic Geometry for Cellular Systems: 2015–2019) Rice Prize (2017), Best Survey Paper Award (2017), and Best Tutorial Paper Award (2010) from IEEE Communications Society Teaching includes advanced courses on stochastic geometry, wireless networks, and signal processing. His lab focuses on theoretical and applied aspects of network modeling, with collaborations in industry and academia.
Prof. Norbert Lütkenhaus is a Professor and Executive Director of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo, cross-appointed to the Department of Applied Mathematics. He holds affiliations with Perimeter Institute and the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research. His research focuses on quantum communication theory, particularly quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum repeaters. He has pioneered methods to bridge abstract quantum protocols with practical optical implementations, emphasizing secure key rate calculations and overcoming quantum channel limitations. Education: PhD (2003) in Physics from University Erlangen-Nürnberg, MSc (1993) and BSc (1990) from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and RWTH Aachen, respectively. Awards include the 2015 American Physical Society Outstanding Referee Award and a 2009 University of Waterloo Excellence Award. Research interests span QKD protocols (e.g., decoy-state BB84, phase-error mitigation), quantum repeater architectures, and entanglement verification. He develops numerical tools for key rate analysis and addresses implementation security loopholes. His work includes theoretical frameworks for long-distance quantum communication and practical QKD system optimizations. Teaching includes courses on quantum information processing (PHYS 768/QIC 890) and mechanics (PHYS 115). He contributes to international standards via ETSI’s QKD-ISG and the QCrypt steering committee. His patents cover QKD system designs and phase-randomization techniques.
Professor Tulika Mitra is the Dean of the School of Computing and Vice Provost (Special Projects) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She holds the Provost’s Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and has been instrumental in shaping academic policies and strategic initiatives at NUS since joining in 2001. PhD in Computer Science, Stony Brook University (2000) M.E. in Computer Science, Indian Institute of Science (1997) B.E. in Computer Science, Jadavpur University (1995) Her research focuses on hardware-software co-design for energy-efficient computing systems, particularly in real-time embedded systems, heterogeneous architectures, and AI accelerators. She leads major research programs such as the NRF Competitive Research Programme on Low-Power Edge Accelerators and the MOE Tier-3 Programme on Green AI , collaborating with industry leaders like ARM, AMD, and Meta. Her recent publications highlight innovations in CGRA optimization , sparse attention mechanisms , photonic-digital hybrid architectures , and low-power ML inference . These works often integrate compiler techniques, architectural design, and real-time constraints for edge computing applications. Scientific Awards : ESWEEK Test-of-Time Award (2022), ACM SIGDA Distinguished Service Award, IEEE CEDA Outstanding Service Recognition Award, Teaching Excellence Award (2006), and multiple best paper recognitions. Education Leadership : Spearheaded the Computer Engineering (CEG) Programme at NUS, a joint initiative between Engineering and Computing. As a mentor , she has supervised over 25 PhD students , many now in prominent academic or industrial roles. Her research group eCO Lab focuses on embedded computing challenges, while her grant collaborations include projects on 5G base stations, reconfigurable architectures, and IoT-optimized SoCs.
Ashwani K. Gupta is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, holding the Minta Martin Professorship in Engineering. He serves as Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor at the Institute of Physical Science and Technology, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. With over 45 years of experience in combustion engineering since graduating from Southampton University in 1970, Gupta has established himself as a leading authority in advanced combustion technologies. Dr. Gupta earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield in 1973, followed by a D.Sc. from the same institution in 1986 and another D.Sc. from Southampton University in 2013. His academic journey includes six years at MIT as a research staff member and three years at Sheffield University as an independent research worker before joining the University of Maryland in 1983. Gupta's research focuses on revolutionizing combustion technology through innovations in swirl flows, high-temperature air combustion (HiTAC), and distributed combustion systems. His pioneering work on 'colorless distributed combustion' has enabled ultra-low emission combustion processes with significant applications in gas turbine engines and waste-to-energy conversion. His research spans biofuels, CO2 utilization, sulfur chemistry, waste conversion, and advanced laser diagnostics, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on waste-to-energy conversion, biomass processing, and CO2-assisted technologies. Gupta's work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward sustainable energy solutions, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence for combustion optimization and emission control. His research bridges fundamental combustion science with practical engineering applications for cleaner energy systems. Among Gupta's numerous accolades are: Election to Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2023) Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society (2020) Recognition as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University (2022-2024) Multiple prestigious medals from ASME and AIAA including the Soichiro Honda Medal (2018) and AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award (2014) Honorary doctorates from three international universities Gupta has secured substantial research funding throughout his career, resulting in over 850 technical papers, three books, 18 edited books, and 22 book chapters. He has delivered over 100 plenary/keynote/invited presentations at international conferences. His mentorship has shaped numerous graduate students who continue to contribute to the field of combustion engineering. Gupta directs the Combustion Laboratory at the University of Maryland, which serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in sustainable combustion technologies. The Combustion Laboratory, under Gupta's leadership, has become a center of excellence for advanced combustion research, particularly in distributed combustion systems, waste-to-energy conversion, and alternative fuels. The lab maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and international research institutions, facilitating technology transfer and practical implementation of research findings. Gupta's team employs state-of-the-art diagnostics and computational tools to advance fundamental understanding while developing practical engineering solutions for cleaner energy systems.
Professor Peter F. Driessen is a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Victoria, with a cross-appointment in the School of Music. He holds a BSc and PhD from the University of Victoria and is a Professional Engineer (PEng). His research focuses on communication systems, signal processing, control, and interdisciplinary projects in computer music and wireless technologies. Key areas include audio/video signal processing, radio propagation, sound recording, and multimedia systems. He leads the University of Victoria Propagation Laboratory, which explores radio wave propagation and Amateur radio integration with engineering education. His work spans theoretical research and applied projects like ECOSat satellite systems, software-defined radio (SDR), and innovative musical instruments such as the Radio Drum. He supervises undergraduate and graduate projects in these domains through ELEC 499 courses. Notable contributions include the APEGBC Editorial Board Award for Best Paper (2002) and patents in wireless networking and signal processing. His teaching includes courses in signal analysis and electromagnetics, and he collaborates on interdisciplinary programs like the Music/Computer Science degree. Education: BSc in Electrical Engineering, University of Victoria PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of Victoria Research Interests: Audio and video signal processing for music and media Software-defined radio and Amateur radio technologies Satellite communication and ground station development Gesture-based interfaces and musical instrument design Error mitigation in streaming audio/video Optical and microwave-photonic systems Labs & Collaborations: Propagation Laboratory (radio wave research) UVic Experimental Radio Group (Amateur radio club) UVic Satellite Design Team (ECOSat projects) UVic Centre for Aerospace Research Grants & Awards: APEGBC Editorial Board Award (2002) Multiple US patents in wireless systems and signal processing
James Tinjum is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering. His interdisciplinary expertise spans geotechnical, geological, environmental, transportation, and sustainable energy engineering. Education PhD 2006, University of Wisconsin-Madison MS 1995, University of Wisconsin-Madison BS 1993, University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Interests Professor Tinjum’s research integrates energy geotechnics with environmental sustainability. He investigates wind energy site design, district-scale geothermal heating/cooling systems, beneficial reuse of industrial byproducts (e.g., coal-combustion residuals, cement kiln dust), life-cycle environmental analysis, and remediation of contaminated sites. Additional focus areas include thermal conduction in unsaturated soils, landfill liner performance, and PFAS management in Wisconsin. Recent Research Directions His 2020–2024 publications reveal a strong emphasis on geothermal system performance , wind-turbine foundation–soil interaction , and emerging contaminant transport (PFAS, chromium). Fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing (FO-DTS) is a recurring enabling technology, applied to both geothermal borefields and landfill covers. Life-cycle assessment methodologies are consistently employed to quantify environmental benefits of renewable energy and waste-reuse strategies. Scientific Awards 2018 Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2003 ASCE Zone III Practitioner Advisor of the Year 2002 ASCE Wisconsin Section Outstanding Young Engineer Teaching & Mentoring Professor Tinjum teaches core geotechnical courses (Soil Mechanics, Foundation Systems) alongside specialized offerings in wind-energy balance-of-plant design and sustainable systems engineering capstone. He supervises numerous master’s and doctoral students through GLE 790/890 research credits each semester. Labs & Teams He directs field-scale instrumentation campaigns at two wind-turbine sites and multiple campus/district geothermal installations, leveraging fiber-optic sensing networks and thermal response testing to advance energy geotechnics.
Jack Beuth is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the College of Engineering. He has been on the faculty since 1992 and leads the NextManufacturing Center, focusing on additive manufacturing (AM) research. His work emphasizes process mapping for AM, material science, and machine learning integration in manufacturing processes. Key affiliations include the Engineering Research Accelerator and the Manufacturing Futures Institute. Education: Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences, Harvard University (1992) M.S. in Engineering Sciences, Harvard University (1989) M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech (1987) B.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech (1984) Research Interests: Additive Manufacturing (process modeling, material characterization, and defect analysis) Melt pool dynamics and thermal modeling Machine learning for process optimization and quality control Advanced materials for AM (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel 718) His research has led to innovations like 'process map' approaches for AM, enabling better control over variables such as melt pool geometry and microstructure. Awards and Recognition: Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award (1998) George Tallman and Florence Barrett Ladd Development Professorship (2000) ASME Curriculum Innovation Award (2005) Benjamin Richard Teare Teaching Award (2009) Grants and Collaborations: $3.5M cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory (ARL) for AI-driven AM process optimization. Collaborations with Westinghouse Electric Company on 3D-printed nuclear components, such as spacer grids for pressurized water reactors. Labs and Teams: NextManufacturing Center: A research hub for AM innovation, emphasizing industrial partnerships and applied research. Beuth’s Additive Lab: Specializes in melt pool analysis, process mapping, and material behavior under AM conditions.
Aviad Levis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science, starting July 2024. He is affiliated with the Dunlap Astronomical Data Science and Technology Group (DADDAA) and collaborates with the Toronto Computational Imaging Group alongside Kyros Kutulakos and David Lindell. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Caltech's Computing + Mathematical Sciences department under Katherine Bouman, working with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration. PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Technion (supervised by Yoav Schechner) Research focuses on computational imaging tools at the intersection of AI and physics Develops algorithms for 3D tomography in both cloud physics and black hole imaging Recipient of ERC Synergy grant for CloudCT space mission His research spans two major domains: Computational Climate Imaging through cloud tomography to improve climate models, and Black Hole Imaging with the EHT collaboration. He pioneered methodologies for 3D cloud structure recovery using scattered sunlight and contributes to dynamic 3D reconstructions of black hole environments. Current interests include non-linear inverse problems, equation discovery from data, and ML-accelerated scientific simulations. Recent publications highlight advancements in atmospheric tomography and black hole emission modeling. His work on CloudCT involves coordinated nano-satellites for 3D cloud imaging, while EHT contributions include first images of Sagittarius A* (2022) and ongoing development of algorithms for 3D structure recovery. The ERC Synergy grant underscores his impact on climate imaging technology. Personal Website Work Email
Richard Simon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. He holds leadership roles as Publications Director of his department and Administrative Director of the Institute for Research in Mining and Environment (IRME) UQAT-Polytechnique. His educational background includes a B.Eng. and M.Sc.A. from Polytechnique Montréal and a Ph.D. from McGill University. Dr. Simon teaches courses including Introduction to Mine Operations, Underground Mining, and Rock Mechanics I. His research focuses on rock mechanics, numerical modeling, mining engineering, and geotechnical applications in mining environments. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on numerical modeling of rock behavior, mine stability analysis, and backfill mechanics. Recent work emphasizes computational geomechanics applications in mining operations, including stress analysis in backfilled stopes, slope stability in open pits, and optimization of mining layouts. Environmental aspects of mining, particularly contaminant transport in fractured rock, also feature prominently. Dr. Simon has supervised 6 doctoral and 8 master's students working on topics ranging from numerical seismic assessment in mines to rock fracture mechanics. He secured significant research funding including $900,000 (2017) for a metals circular economy project and led three new IRME research initiatives (2015). He directs research activities at IRME UQAT-Polytechnique and collaborates extensively within the mining geomechanics research community. His expertise is regularly featured in media outlets including La Presse+ and Les Affaires.
Professor George Britovsek (FRSC) is a leading figure in catalysis and sustainable carbon management at Imperial College London . As Director of the MRes in Catalysis & Engineering and Head of Teaching in Inorganic Chemistry, he bridges academic leadership with cutting-edge research. His work focuses on transition metal complexes for converting ethylene , alkanes , biomass , and CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels through industrial collaborations. Education : M.Sc. (Technical University of Aachen, 1990), Ph.D. (Aachen, 1993) under Prof. W. Keim Postdoctoral Training : University of Tasmania (1994-1996), Imperial College London (1996-2000) His research interests span: Selective oxidation of alkanes using bio-inspired iron complexes Alkene conversions to functional polymers via novel catalysts CO₂ valorization into polymers and cyclic carbonates Biomass-derived feedstocks for chemical synthesis Recent catalysis trends highlight his work on: Designing Fe-N/C catalysts for epoxidation Developing PN3P pincer ligands for H₂ activation Creating degradable polyethylene via iron-catalyzed chain growth Modeling alternating α-olefin distributions in chromium systems Awards : Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) Students & Collaborators actively engage in: Photocatalytic polymer degradation Electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion Functionalized polymeric materials 3D-printed catalytic scaffolds His Britovsek Research Group operates at the Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, advancing both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis through experimental and computational approaches.
James King is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Montreal, specializing in geomorphology and aeolian processes. His research focuses on wind erosion, mineral dust dynamics, and their impacts on climate and ecosystems, particularly in high-latitude regions like the Yukon and Namibia. He holds a BSc in Earth surface sciences from the University of Guelph and a PhD in Physical Geography from an unmentioned institution, with postdoctoral training in climatology. Key research areas include dust emission climatology, glacial retreat impacts, and aerosol-climate interactions. Over 20 ongoing and completed projects, including dust dynamics in proglacial valleys and high-latitude dust sources, are funded by CRSNG, FCI, and international collaborations. King supervises graduate students on topics like dust deposition effects on ecosystems and remote sensing applications. His work integrates field measurements, remote sensing, and climate modeling to advance understanding of dust processes in arid and semi-arid environments. He collaborates with global teams, such as the Hominin Dispersals Research Group, and contributes to initiatives like the Changing Atmospheric Chemistry, Transport, and Emissions (ACTE) project.
Sibel Pamukcu is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lehigh University, affiliated with the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Her research focuses on electroremediation of soils and groundwater, advanced geo-materials, and sensor systems for subsurface monitoring. She has held leadership roles including interim Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering and co-director of Lehigh’s ADVANCE grant. Pamukcu teaches courses in geotechnical and environmental engineering at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Education: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Louisiana State University M.S. in Civil Engineering, Louisiana State University B.S. in Civil Engineering, Bogazici University, Turkey Research Interests: Her work spans electrochemical methods for environmental detoxification, development of polymer-enhanced sands, and distributed sensor networks for real-time subsurface monitoring. Key focus areas include: In-situ destruction of contaminants in clay-rich soils Enhanced oil recovery via electric fields Wireless and fiber-optic sensor systems for hazard mitigation Grants & Awards: Principal investigator on over 60 grants from NSF, DOE, DOD, and others. Notable awards include the Alfred Noble Robinson Award (Lehigh University) and the ASCE Civil Engineering Foundation Grant Award. Her lab holds multiple patents on soil remediation techniques and polymer-coated sands. Advising & Service: Supervised 9 Ph.D. and 25+ M.S. students Appointed to Martindale Center faculty and Sigma Xi leadership Contributed to 50+ peer-reviewed articles and 100+ technical publications Labs & Teams: Leads interdisciplinary initiatives in electrokinetic remediation and underground sensing, collaborating with industry partners like Electric Power Research Institute and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Marcella Lusardi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Princeton Materials Institute at Princeton University, leading interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials synthesis, catalysis, and sustainability. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT (2018) B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University (2012) Dr. Lusardi's research focuses on designing advanced catalytic materials for environmental challenges, with core expertise in surface science, light-matter interactions, and complex materials processing. Her group develops natural and engineered materials for energy and sustainability applications, emphasizing CO 2 capture/reduction, pollution abatement, and photocatalysis through molecular-level catalyst design. The MatCat Lab integrates experimental techniques like NMR spectroscopy with computational guidance to create scalable solutions for closed carbon cycles and greener chemical processes. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a dominant focus on zeolite-based catalysis for CO 2 conversion and carbonylation reactions, with growing emphasis on supramolecular assemblies and water-tolerant acid catalysts. Her work consistently bridges fundamental material properties with practical sustainability applications, showing progression toward integrated systems for direct air capture and light-mediated reactions. The MatCat Lab employs a highly interdisciplinary approach centered on defect engineering in silica matrices and molecular recognition for supramolecular networks. Current projects target tailored reaction environments for CO 2 reduction and microplastic oxidation, utilizing advanced synthesis methods and structural elucidation to develop practical catalytic technologies for a sustainable future.
Scott Hopkins is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, specializing in Physical Chemistry. His research integrates machine learning with experimental techniques to study ion mobility, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopic analysis. He directs the Hopkins Laboratory, focusing on computational predictions of chemical behaviors and molecular interactions. His work addresses fundamental questions in gas-phase chemistry, cluster formation, and analytical method development. Research interests span physical chemistry, computational modeling, and analytical instrumentation, with a strong emphasis on developing predictive tools for complex chemical systems. Recent investigations explore ion-solvent dynamics, fragmentation mechanisms, and machine-learning applications for spectral interpretation.
