Bo Chen is a postdoctoral researcher at the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science and the Coordinated Science Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His work focuses on AI-system co-design for immersive computing, particularly in extended reality (XR) and multi-modal content delivery over wireless networks. Ph.D. in Computer Science (2022), advised by Klara Nahrstedt B.S. in Computer Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2016) His research integrates AI techniques with system-level optimizations to address challenges in XR infrastructure , including multi-view video streaming , NeRF-based content delivery , and uncertainty management in video transmission . He has pioneered methods like Loose Frame Referencing for learned codecs and Context-Aware NeRF Serving for mobile XR applications. Bo Chen's recent publications span top venues like ACM MobiSys, ACM SenSys, and USENIX NSDI. Key themes include AI-driven compression , dynamic 3D rendering , and reliable streaming over mobile networks . He has received recognition including the Rising Star Best Presentation Award (ACM MobiSys 2025) and Best Student Paper Award (ACM MMSys 2022). Bayesian optimization for XR systems Multi-view video aggregation at edge networks 3D Gaussian Splatting for immersive media
Mohit Singh is the Coca-Cola Foundation Professor at the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology. He previously held positions at Microsoft Research (2011-2016) and as an Assistant Professor at McGill University (2010-2012). PhD in Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization (ACO) at Carnegie Mellon University His research focuses on discrete optimization , approximation algorithms , and convex optimization , with applications to combinatorial optimization, submodular functions, and network design. He has contributed to topics like Sticky Brownian Rounding, integrality gaps, and online adaptive algorithms. His recent work includes theoretical advancements in matroid constraints, dimensionality reduction, and submodular maximization. He has published extensively in top conferences such as FOCS, SODA, ICML, and NeurIPS. He has been recognized with the Coca-Cola Foundation Professorship and served as Director of the Algorithms and Randomness Center at Georgia Tech (2019-2023). He has also held editorial roles and organized key academic workshops like the Bellairs Workshop on Approximation Algorithms (2011). His teaching includes advanced courses on approximation algorithms, combinatorial optimization, and linear inequalities. He has collaborated with institutions such as Microsoft Research and McGill University.
Maria Monica Wihardja serves as a Visiting Fellow and Co-coordinator of the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute while holding an Adjunct Assistant Professor position at the National University of Singapore. Her career bridges academic research and high-impact policy engagement, including former roles as World Bank Economist in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice and senior advisor to Indonesia's Presidential Executive Office on strategic economic reforms. Her educational background features: PhD in Regional Science, Cornell University MPhil in Economics, Cambridge University BA in Applied Mathematics-Economics, Brown University Wihardja's research integrates economic analysis with sociotechnical systems, focusing on digital transformation's impact on labor markets, food security, and democratic processes. She examines how technological disruption creates both opportunities for inclusion and risks of inequality, particularly through studies of platform economies, electoral disinformation, and sustainable agro-food systems. Her methodology combines quantitative econometrics with policy-oriented field research, often leveraging large-scale datasets from government and private sector partnerships. Analysis of her recent publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Digital economy effects on labor market polarization and inclusion, (2) Food system resilience through agricultural modernization, and (3) Geopolitical dimensions of supply chain reconfiguration. These intersect with her policy engagement in ASEAN economic integration frameworks and Indonesia's G20 presidency initiatives. Her scientific recognition includes: Nikkei Asian Scholar 2023 award Wihardja actively shapes regional discourse through editorial roles at East Asia Forum and Center for Indonesian Policy Studies. Her grant-funded work frequently involves World Bank partnerships and Indonesian government collaborations, particularly on stunting prevention and food policy reforms. Current projects examine deepfake impacts on electoral integrity and sustainable financing mechanisms for green transitions. She leads the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS, coordinating interdisciplinary research on digital governance and Southeast Asian technology policy. The programme partners with regional think tanks, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to develop evidence-based policy responses to technological disruption.
Calin Belta is a Professor in the College of Engineering at Boston University , with joint appointments in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research bridges control theory and formal methods, focusing on controller synthesis and automatic verification of hybrid systems with applications in robotics and systems biology . Education: Ph.D. in Control Theory, University of Pennsylvania His work emphasizes temporal logic specifications for ensuring safety and correctness in autonomous systems, particularly through control barrier functions (CBFs) , reinforcement learning , and model predictive control . Applications span from microrobotics to autonomous driving and biomolecular modeling . His recent articles (2025–2024) highlight advancements in safe control algorithms for autonomous vehicles, adaptive CBFs , temporal logic-guided learning , and microrobotics for cell manipulation. Common themes include formal verification , robustness , and human-in-the-loop safety . Scientific Awards: AFOSR Young Investigator Award (2008) NSF CAREER Award (2005) He also contributes to academia as a Senior Member of IEEE and Associate Editor for journals like SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization and IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control . His lab develops computational tools for safety-critical control in complex environments.
Marc Sachon is a Full Professor and Director of the Department of Operations, Information, and Technology at IESE Business School, University of Navarra . He serves as Academic Director for Advanced Management Programs (AMP) and specialized courses like Successful Change Management and Industry 4.0 . His leadership extends to the annual IESE Automotive Industry Conference (since 1986) and consulting engagements with global firms such as BMW Group , Phoenix Group , and Traton Group . PhD in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management from Stanford University MBA from IESE Business School Master's in Aerospace Technology from University of Stuttgart His research focuses on operations strategy , particularly in the automotive industry , and the impact of Industry 4.0 on manufacturing and logistics. He explores how digital transformation reshapes value chains, emphasizing human-machine collaboration and supply chain resilience. His work spans academic journals like IEEE Transactions and business publications like IESE Insight , with case studies on companies such as Porsche and Netflix . Professor Sachon has received multiple teaching awards and maintains an active consulting practice across industries including airlines , pharmaceuticals , and logistics . He previously worked at Airbus and IBM , and currently advises a mobility startup board. His recent publications highlight trends in electric mobility , 3D printing , and supply chain sustainability .
Alexander Russell is a Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Connecticut, serving as Director of Graduate Affairs in the School of Computing and Director of the UConn Voting Technology Research Lab. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics and an S.M. in Computer Science from MIT, alongside dual B.A. degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from Cornell University. His research focuses on cryptographic protocols, blockchain security, quantum computing, algorithms, and election auditing. Key areas include consensus algorithms, complexity-theoretic cryptography, and applied cryptography in voting systems. Recent work emphasizes low-variance risk-limiting audits and adaptive security mechanisms for blockchains. Notable contributions span provably secure blockchain protocols (e.g., Ouroboros), election integrity methods, and smartphone-based depression prediction models. His articles address topics like settlement bounds in longest-chain consensus, Byzantine-resilient gossip protocols, and energy-efficient neighbor discovery in mobile networks. Russell advises on interdisciplinary projects at the Voting Technology Research Center and collaborates on grants involving quantum-resistant cryptography and healthcare analytics. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in secure systems and public infrastructure.
Gayane Vardoyan is an Assistant Professor at the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst. She previously held a permanent Assistant Professor position at QuTech (Quantum Internet Division) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science at TU Delft (2022–2024). Her research focuses on quantum networking, particularly developing protocols for entanglement distribution and optimizing quantum systems. Vardoyan earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley and her Ph.D. from UMass Amherst under Prof. Don Towsley. She has held postdoctoral and research roles at TU Delft, Inria, and Argonne National Lab. Education: Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst (2017–2021) M.S., University of Massachusetts Amherst (2017) B.S., University of California, Berkeley (2013) Research Interests: Vardoyan’s work addresses challenges in distributed quantum systems, including entanglement distribution algorithms, quantum repeater architectures, and performance analysis of quantum networks. She integrates classical networking techniques with quantum principles to enhance protocol efficiency. Current projects emphasize utility maximization, resource allocation, and optimizing quantum network performance under hardware constraints. Awards: Best Paper Award, Performance 2021 Best-In-Session Presentation Award, INFOCOM 2018 Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD and Master’s students on quantum network design and optimization. Collaborates with industry and academic partners on projects funded by NSF and EU grants. Previously led initiatives at QuTech and co-organized events like the Quantum Software Consortium General Assembly. Labs & Teams: Leads the Distributed Quantum Systems group at UMass, focusing on theoretical and applied research in quantum networking. Engages in cross-disciplinary collaborations with computer science and electrical engineering teams.
Bruno Volckaert is a Professor in the Department of Information Technology at Ghent University and Senior Researcher at imec. He obtained his Master of Computer Science (2001) and PhD in Grid Computing Resource Management (2006) from Ghent University. His research focuses on distributed cloud systems for Smart Cities and Industry 4.0 applications. Volckaert's expertise spans: Reliable distributed cloud backend systems Autonomous optimization of cloud applications Cybersecurity through machine learning IoT data processing architectures Kubernetes-based container orchestration Edge-to-cloud continuum computing His publications demonstrate strong focus on: cloud-native technologies, Kubernetes optimization, cybersecurity frameworks, and distributed AI systems. Recent work emphasizes reinforcement learning for auto-scaling, secure edge computing, and intrusion detection systems. He has contributed to over 40 national/international research projects and authored 100+ publications. Current affiliations include leadership roles in: IDLab Research Unit (Ghent University) imec Research Center
Xiaoze Pei is a Professor in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) and the Electronics Materials, Circuits & Systems Research Unit (EMaCS). His research focuses on superconductivity applications in electric systems, cryogenic power electronics, and DC network technologies for aerospace and renewable energy integration. Key projects include leading initiatives such as Towards Zero Emissions Electric Aircraft through Superconducting DC Distribution Network and HSTEA - Aerospace R&I , addressing challenges in electric propulsion, fault current limiters, and cryogenic power converters. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and sustainable transport. Expertise: Superconducting fault current limiters (SFCL), DC circuit breakers, cryogenic power systems. Current roles: Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple UK and EU-funded projects. Collaborations: Extensive work with industry partners and academic institutions on electric aircraft, hydrogen control systems, and e-mobility technologies. Recent research emphasizes high-current cryogenic DC circuit breakers, superconducting air-core motors for aircraft, and topology optimization for power electronics. He actively supervises doctoral students in these areas and has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles. Labs/Teams: Leads research within EMaCS and collaborates with teams specializing in power electronics, cryogenics, and aerospace propulsion.
Francis Y. Yan is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), holding an affiliate appointment in Electrical & Computer Engineering within the Grainger College of Engineering. He leads the Illinois Networked Systems and AI (NSAI) research group, focusing on building intelligent networked systems that are safe, robust, and performance-optimized through practical machine learning integration. Prior to joining UIUC in January 2025, he served as a Senior Researcher at Microsoft Research Redmond under Victor Bahl. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University (2020), advised by Keith Winstein and Philip Levis B.S. in Computer Science (Yao Class) and B.A. in Economics from Tsinghua University (2015) Additional undergraduate studies at MIT Yan's research adopts a holistic approach to practical machine learning for networked systems, emphasizing judicious application rather than indiscriminate use. He builds real-world systems and research platforms to lay ML foundations, devises deployable algorithms using domain insights, and validates performance through extensive empirical evidence. His work consistently addresses operator concerns regarding ML deployment—focusing on safety, robustness, generalization, and efficiency—while strategically combining ML with classical networking and systems techniques. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant themes in resource allocation for microservices (DeDe, Autothrottle), real-time video optimization (Mowgli, GRACE), and LLM-driven network algorithm design. His work bridges theoretical advances with industrial deployment, evidenced by platforms like Puffer (400,000+ users) and OpenNetLab that have become community standards for validating congestion control algorithms. His research has been recognized with top honors: USENIX NSDI Outstanding Paper Award (2024) for Autothrottle APNet Best Paper Award (2022) IRTF Applied Networking Research Prize (2021) USENIX NSDI Community Award (2020) USENIX ATC Best Paper Award (2018) for Pantheon Yan actively recruits master's and undergraduate researchers for his NSAI group, prioritizing self-motivated students for projects in networked systems and AI. His research is supported by industry collaborations (notably Microsoft) and manifests in deployable platforms like Puffer—which has enabled award-winning research at NSDI and SIGCOMM—and OpenNetLab for real-time communications. His work directly impacts production systems including Microsoft Teams and Bing. He founded and directs the Illinois Networked Systems and AI (NSAI) research group, which operates critical infrastructure including Puffer (a live TV service and research platform) and OpenNetLab. These platforms facilitate community-wide validation of novel algorithms, with Puffer alone supporting multiple best-paper awards at top conferences. Current workstreams span cloud resource management (Teal, Autothrottle, DeDe), low-latency video (Puffer, Tambur, Mowgli), and LLM-augmented systems (Nada, Designing Network Algorithms via LLMs).
Sandra Paterlini is a Full Professor in the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Trento, Italy. She holds academic roles including Co-Chair of the ERCIM Working Group on Optimization Heuristics and Vice-Chair of the IEEE Task Force on Portfolio Optimization. Her career includes visiting positions at institutions such as the University of Minnesota and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. She earned a PhD in Computational Methods for Financial and Economic Decisions from the University of Bergamo, an MSc in Financial Mathematics from the University of Warwick, and a Laurea in Economics from the University of Modena and Reggio E. Her research focuses on quantitative finance, risk management, portfolio optimization, and network analysis, with applications to ESG, systemic risk, and financial stability. Key research contributions include methodologies for sparse graphical modeling, systemic risk analysis, and ESG scoring frameworks. She has received multiple awards for research excellence and serves on editorial boards of journals like Computational Statistics & Data Analysis and Frontiers in Applied Mathematics and Statistics . Her work bridges academia and policy, with contributions to the European Central Bank’s Financial Stability Directorate and involvement in global conferences on computational finance and econometrics.
Luca Carloni is a Professor of Computer Science and Department Chair at Columbia University's Columbia Engineering. He leads the System-Level Design Group, focusing on heterogeneous system-on-chip (SoC) architectures, networks-on-chip (NoC), and embedded systems. Carloni holds a Laurea Summa Cum Laude in Electronics Engineering from the University of Bologna and a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley. His work emphasizes specialized hardware design, energy-efficient computing, and FPGA-based prototyping. Research interests include system-level design methodologies for SoCs, embedded accelerators, and quantum computing hardware. He has pioneered frameworks like Embedded Scalable Platforms (ESP) and tools like MosaicSim for rapid SoC prototyping. Carloni has received numerous awards, including the NSF CAREER Award (2006), IEEE Fellow (2017), and multiple best paper awards at DATE and CloudCom conferences. He has served on editorial boards of IEEE Transactions on CAD and ACM Transactions on Embedded Computing , and chaired key conferences like EMSOFT and ESWeek. His research addresses challenges in heterogeneous architectures, power management, and the intersection of machine learning with embedded systems. Current projects explore quantum control systems, brain-computer interfaces, and energy-efficient datacenter computing.
Yading Yuan, PhD is an Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology (Physics) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a member of the Data Science Institute. He holds a PhD in medical physics from the University of Chicago (2010) and completed clinical residency at Harvard Medical Physics Program (2013). His research focuses on AI-driven innovations in radiation oncology, including automated medical image analysis systems, federated learning frameworks for tumor segmentation, and data-driven approaches to personalized cancer treatment. He is certified by the American Board of Radiology and licensed in New York State. Education: PhD in Medical Physics (University of Chicago, 2010); Clinical Residency (Harvard Medical Physics Program, 2013). Research interests include: automated knowledge-based treatment planning, large-scale clinical AI systems, medical image reconstruction algorithms, and panomics integration for precision oncology. His work emphasizes translating data science advancements into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. Key trends in his publications include federated learning for privacy-preserving medical AI, tumor segmentation in multi-modal imaging (PET/CT, MRI), and AI-driven prediction of treatment outcomes and recurrence risks. Recent work emphasizes decentralized learning architectures and cross-institutional collaboration systems. Scientific Awards: Distinguished Reviewers 2013 (selected by peer review committees) Advising/grants: No specific student names or grant details listed in provided text. His work is supported through institutional and collaborative research initiatives. Labs/teams: Active member of Columbia's Data Science Institute and Radiation Oncology department, contributing to interdisciplinary medical AI research groups.
Dr. Joyoung Lee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). He previously served as Laboratory Manager at the Federal Highway Administration's Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory. His research focuses on Connected Vehicle (CV) systems, including applications in traffic management, signal control optimization, and autonomous vehicle infrastructure integration. Dr. Lee holds a Ph.D. (2010) and M.S. (2007) in Transportation Engineering from the University of Virginia, and a B.S. (2000) in Transportation Engineering from Hanyang University. His work emphasizes CV-based solutions for real-time traffic systems, cooperative vehicle-infrastructure systems (CVIS), and autonomous vehicle integration. Notable achievements include the 2019 IEEE CAVS Best Paper Award and multiple best paper recognitions from PTV User Group Meetings. His research also addresses traffic safety through innovations like the Virtual Guide Dog system for visually impaired pedestrians and advanced traffic monitoring frameworks using LiDAR and computer vision. Education: Ph.D., Transportation Engineering, University of Virginia (2010) M.S., Transportation Engineering, University of Virginia (2007) B.S., Transportation Engineering, Hanyang University (2000) Dr. Lee's research interests span smart city infrastructure, edge computing for traffic systems, and sustainable transportation solutions. He has pioneered algorithms for cooperative intersection management, automated platooning systems, and federated learning-based traffic optimization. His work bridges theoretical models with real-world implementation through partnerships with FHWA and industry stakeholders. Key contributions include development of the Cumulative Travel-Time Responsive (CTR) traffic signal control system, smart arrival notification systems for paratransit services, and advanced microsimulation calibration techniques. His lab focuses on translating CV data into actionable strategies for safer, more efficient transportation networks. Awards: IEEE CAVS Best Paper Award (2019) ASCE Grand Challenge Innovation Contest Honorable Mention (2017) PTV VISSIM Best Paper Awards (2012, 2008) Excellence in Research Award (University of Virginia, 2011) Ongoing projects include semi-decentralized graph neural networks for traffic forecasting and low-cost LiDAR-based traffic monitoring systems. His work addresses critical challenges in autonomous vehicle integration, incident management, and infrastructure resilience through interdisciplinary collaborations.
Carolina Osorio is a Professor at HEC Montréal, holding the Scale AI Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence for Urban Mobility and Logistics. She is affiliated with the Department of Decision Sciences and is a member of the Group for Research in Decision Analysis (GERAD) and the Interuniversity Research Centre on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transportation (CIRRELT). Her research focuses on transportation optimization, urban mobility, and data-driven simulation-based methods. She has been recognized among the world’s most influential researchers in 2023 and 2024. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) M.Sc. in Statistics, University College London (UCL) Bachelor’s in Engineering, École nationale supérieure d'informatique et de mathématiques appliquées de Grenoble (ENSIMAG) Research Interests: Her work emphasizes scalable transportation modeling, simulation-based optimization, and AI applications for urban logistics. She develops methods for large-scale network analysis, traffic demand estimation, and sustainable urban mobility solutions. Key areas include traffic signal optimization, car-sharing service design, and high-dimensional stochastic systems. Publications: Recent articles highlight advancements in scalable traffic demand estimation, Bayesian optimization for transportation systems, and simulation-based toll optimization. Her work addresses challenges in global highway networks, urban congestion dynamics, and multi-city calibration. Awards: Scale AI Research Chair (Artificial Intelligence for Urban Mobility and Logistics) Recognition as a world-leading researcher in transportation science Advising & Grants: Osorio collaborates on projects funded by Scale AI and leads research initiatives through GERAD and CIRRELT. Her supervision activities include teaching courses such as Decision Analysis and Sample Efficient Optimization at HEC Montréal. Labs & Teams: She contributes to interdisciplinary teams at GERAD and CIRRELT, focusing on integrating advanced analytics into urban transportation systems.
