David Powell serves as Professor and Distance Learning Director in the Department of Public Policy and Administration within California State University, Long Beach's College of Health and Human Services. His dual role bridges academic leadership with innovative educational delivery systems in public administration. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Political Science, Miami University M.A. in Political Science, Ohio University B.A. in Political Science, Baldwin-Wallace College Dr. Powell's research critically examines the intersection of governance and technology, specializing in distance learning infrastructure, student assessment validity in public affairs education, California Voting Rights Act implementation, and digital-era taxation policies. His work uniquely connects theoretical public administration frameworks with practical governmental challenges, particularly in municipal governance and educational accreditation. Analysis of his 14 publications (1996-2020) reveals three dominant trajectories: persistent investigation of student learning assessment methodologies for NASPAA accreditation; evolving focus on technology's impact on governance (from early internet taxation studies to contemporary m-government applications); and sustained examination of voting rights implementation in California local governments. His most recent work addresses privatization challenges in public health crises like the opioid epidemic.
Dr. Patrick Reinard is an Assistant Professor in the Department III - Papyrology at the University of Trier. His research focuses on Papyrology, Epigraphy, and socio-economic history of Greco-Roman Egypt, with specific expertise in Jewish communities, economic strategies, and material culture analysis. Co-editor of Oeconomica and Muziris series Principal investigator in Roman economic behavior and documentary evidence Specializes in papyrus letters as economic data sources His recent publications analyze market dynamics, trust mechanisms, and sustainability in Roman trade. Collaborative work includes hyperspectral papyri imaging projects and digital pandemic-era pedagogy initiatives. He contributes extensively to academic conferences and editorial boards, with particular interest in Greco-Roman epistemology and its contemporary reception.
Dr Saif Dewan is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law & Business , University of Notre Dame Australia. He holds a PhD in Business IT from the Australian National University and has taught Quantitative Methods for Business and Business Information Technology courses. Dr Dewan maintains honorary research affiliations with the University of New South Wales and the University of Twente, Netherlands. PhD in Business IT from Australian National University His research spans IT artefact design , business analytics , digital innovation , cybersecurity management , and AI . His work focuses on integrating technology with organizational effectiveness and consumer behavior. While the recent publications highlight his expertise in analytics knowledge management , neuro-IS studies , and mobile banking research , his broader contributions include conceptual frameworks for digital entrepreneurship, context-aware business processes, and information transparency in e-commerce. Dr Dewan actively collaborates with international institutions and has consulted for the United Nations, Samsung, and governments on IT and business analytics. He has supervised numerous PhD and Honours students and served on boards of technology startups, NGOs, and private schools globally.
Prof. Dr. Valentina Dagienė serves as a Professor and Senior Researcher at the Educational Systems Group within the Institute of Data Science and Digital Technologies at Vilnius University, Lithuania. Her academic career spans several decades with significant contributions to informatics education globally, particularly through her leadership in the international Bebras contest initiative. Her research focuses on computational thinking education through constructionist learning approaches, with particular emphasis on task design that promotes deep conceptual understanding in K-12 settings. Prof. Dagienė has pioneered methods for integrating computational thinking into primary education curricula while addressing cultural differences in learning approaches. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical classroom implementations, making complex informatics concepts accessible to young learners through engaging short tasks. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a clear progression toward interdisciplinary integration of computational thinking with STEAM education and digital competence frameworks. Her research increasingly addresses assessment methodologies for computational thinking skills and explores the connections between computational and algebraic thinking. The Bebras contest serves as both a research platform and practical implementation vehicle for her educational theories. Prof. Dagienė has established herself as a key figure in international informatics education through her editorial work, conference organization, and cross-national collaborations. She has fostered partnerships between educators and researchers across Europe and beyond, creating sustainable communities around computational thinking education. Her leadership in the Bebras International Contest has engaged millions of students worldwide in computational problem-solving activities. Through her work with the Educational Systems Group, Prof. Dagienė has developed comprehensive teacher training programs that support educators in implementing computational thinking concepts in diverse classroom settings. Her research on student approaches to problem-solving has informed the design of learning environments that accommodate different learning styles and cultural backgrounds.
Professor Matthias Lederer serves as a faculty member at the Weiden Business School of Ostbayerische Technical University Amberg-Weiden, specializing in Business Informatics with a focus on Process Management. His academic position is complemented by extensive industry experience across multiple sectors including IT services, manufacturing, and consulting. Dr. Lederer's research spans four interconnected domains: process analysis and optimization, IT process management, agile process transformation, and didactics for process digitization. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly in business process management (BPM), digital transformation, and the integration of agile methodologies into organizational structures. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated applications of data science and artificial intelligence in process optimization. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical implementations of business process management, with particular emphasis on agile transformations, data-driven process design, and the application of AI in business contexts. His work consistently addresses the intersection of academic research and industry practice, with publications appearing in both academic journals and professional conference proceedings. The research demonstrates growing attention to digital platforms, smart manufacturing applications, and sustainable business practices. His scientific recognition includes: Best Program Director award from ISM International School of Management Project Award 'Innovative LernOrte' from OTH Award for Good Teaching from the Bavarian State Ministry Best Paper Award at the 2014 International Conference on Information Systems Multiple professional certifications including Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and OMG-Certified Expert in Business Process Management Professor Lederer has developed significant academic leadership through his role as Chairman of the Institute of Innovative Process Management. His teaching approach integrates practice-integrated methodologies, reflecting his belief in connecting academic concepts with real-world applications. His extensive consulting background with organizations like REHAU AG + Co. and the Bavarian Ministry of Justice informs his academic work and student mentorship.
Miklós Szócska is a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Public Health at Semmelweis University, Budapest. He also serves as the Director of the Healthcare Management Training Center and Head of the Institute of Digital Health Sciences. His career bridges academic leadership with healthcare policy, including roles as Secretary of State for Health (2010–2014), where he focused on evidence-based health policy, public health taxes, and e-health systems. Education: General Practitioner, Semmelweis University (1989) Master of Public Administration, Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government (1998–1999) PhD, Semmelweis University (2008) Research Interests: Szócska's work spans network analysis , leadership and change management , crisis communication , social innovation , and big data/AI applications in healthcare . His recent studies focus on reconstructing 3D histological structures via machine learning, global mortality linked to pathogens, and tobacco control policies. Article Trends: His publications emphasize global health metrics (e.g., mortality decomposition, colorectal cancer risk factors) and digital health innovations (AI, e-health). Systematic analyses from the Global Burden of Disease Study frequently inform his research. Academic Affiliations: He leads the Institute of Digital Health Sciences and chairs the Faculty of Public Health at Semmelweis University. His international roles include Board Membership at the European Health Forum Gastein and Supervisory Board positions at EIT Health.
Sergey Yuryevich Roshchin serves as Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and Head of the Laboratory of Labor Market Research within the Faculty of Economic Sciences. He holds the academic rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Economics and is a member of HSE's Academic Council. With 34 years of scientific and teaching experience, he has been working at HSE since 2004. His academic background includes a Candidate of Economic Sciences degree (1995) from Moscow State University in Labor Economics and a Specialist degree in Economic Cybernetics (1985). Roshchin's research focuses on labor economics, personnel economics, and population economics, with particular attention to gender wage gaps, non-cognitive skills, and the relationship between education and labor market outcomes in Russia. His professional journey began at Moscow State University, where he served in various academic roles before joining HSE, where he previously headed the Department of Labor Economics and Population (2005-2015). Analysis of Roshchin's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Russian labor market dynamics, particularly examining how educational choices translate into career outcomes. His work frequently investigates gender disparities in wages, the impact of non-cognitive skills on economic behavior, and the evolving relationship between higher education institutions and the labor market. His research methodology often combines econometric analysis with large-scale survey data, contributing significantly to policy discussions in Russia. Medal "For contribution to the development of university" HSE (June 2023) Order of Honor (February 2022) Gratitude of the Government of the Russian Federation (September 2017) Honorary sign of the 1st degree of the Higher School of Economics (March 2018) Best Teacher awards (2018, 2013, 2011) Multiple academic publication bonuses (2021-2025) As Vice-Rector, Roshchin oversees educational programs, accreditation processes, and e-learning initiatives at HSE. He has supervised numerous PhD students, many of whom have gone on to contribute to labor market research in Russia. His leadership extends to coordinating partnerships between HSE and leading Russian universities in economics and management fields. He also plays a key role in organizing major academic events, including conferences on labor market research and participation in the university's strategic development initiatives. Roshchin leads the Laboratory of Labor Market Research, which conducts extensive empirical work on Russian labor market dynamics. The laboratory's research informs both academic discourse and policy decisions, with regular publications in leading journals and presentations at major conferences. Under his guidance, the laboratory has become a significant center for labor economics research in Russia, collaborating with both domestic and international institutions.
Jaechun No is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Sejong University. With a Ph.D. from Syracuse University (1999), he previously served as a Researcher at Argonne National Laboratory (1999-2001) and Hewlett Packard HPDC Laboratory (2001-2003) before joining Sejong University in 2003. Education: B.S., Ewha Womans University (1985) M.S., Western Illinois University (1993) Ph.D., Syracuse University (1999) His research focuses on Cloud/Edge computing , NVMe SSD technologies , and large-scale distributed/parallel storage systems . Key achievements include optimizing KVM/QEMU and Docker I/O virtualization, developing machine learning-based server failure prediction systems, and advancing NVMe/NAND flash memory I/O caching mechanisms for hybrid file systems. Recent publications highlight his work on virtualized I/O performance control (L-DTC, 2025), GPU Direct I/O classification (e-CLAS, 2024), Kubernetes resource provisioning (2024), and virtual storage resource redistribution (vThrot, 2024). These reflect trends in virtualization optimization, machine learning integration, and distributed resource management. Jaechun No's research has been cited extensively, with 148 Scopus h-index and over 8,000 citations. His collaborations span multiple countries and institutions, focusing on I/O virtualization, storage technologies, and distributed computing environments. Professional Affiliations: Current Professor at Sejong University (2003-present) Researcher at Argonne National Laboratory (1999-2001) Researcher at Hewlett Packard HPDC Laboratory (2001-2003)
Daria Dzyabura is a Professor at the New Economic School (Russia) and Skolkovo Moscow School of Management. She holds a PhD in Management from MIT (2012) and serves as Director of the Economics and Data Science Program and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Previously, she was an Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business (2018–2020) and a Full Professor at NES since 2020. Research Interests : Artificial intelligence methods in marketing, consumer preference modeling, recommender systems, and visual data analysis. Her work on consumer visual associations in Marketing Science and Journal of Marketing was recognized with INFORMS Society of Marketing Science awards. She contributed to Image Analytics in Marketing (2021) and Machine Learning (2018) book chapters. Recent Publications (2021–2023) focus on visual data in brand perception, product returns, and consumer search behavior. Her studies leverage machine learning for social media analytics and retail strategy, with applications to omnichannel retail and AI-driven marketing. Awards include the John D.C. Little Award Finalist (2021) Frank M. Bass Award Finalist (2021) MSI Young Scholars Award (2019) She serves as Associate Editor for Management Science and Marketing Science , and on editorial boards of Journal of Marketing and Journal of Marketing Research . Recent presentations include the 2022 MSI conference and IDLab seminar.
Morteza Ghobakhloo is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Uppsala University , affiliated with the Department of Civil Engineering and Industrial Engineering (Industrial Engineering) and the Institute for Research on Conflicts of Goals in Sustainable Social Transition . His email is morteza.ghobakhloo@angstrom.uu.se . He focuses on digital transformation, sustainability, and human-centric technologies. Research Interests: Morteza’s work bridges Industry 4.0/5.0 , Sustainable Manufacturing , and Generative AI applications. His studies explore blockchain, big data analytics, and smart technologies in supply chain resilience, energy efficiency, and organizational innovation. Article Trends: Recent publications highlight Industry 5.0’s role in sustainable supply chains, AI-driven healthcare optimization, and blockchain for socioenvironmental solutions. He employs hybrid methodologies like PLS-fsQCA, ANN, and simulation modeling across sectors including energy, healthcare, and tourism.
Prof. Dr. Ilona Buchem is a Professor of Communication and Media Studies at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT), Department I of Business and Social Sciences. She serves as Head of the Communication Laboratory and leads research in human-robot interaction, educational robotics, and technology-enhanced learning. Her work spans multiple interdisciplinary projects including Social Robotics, Open Virtual Mobility, and ePA-Coach, focusing on digital media for communication, collaboration, and digital sovereignty for older adults in healthcare contexts. Dr. Buchem holds a doctorate in business education from Humboldt University and a certificate in business administration from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Her academic background bridges business education with digital media expertise, positioning her at the intersection of technology and communication for innovative educational approaches. Her research interests focus on human-robot interaction in educational contexts, social robotics for learning, AI applications in education, and digital media for communication and collaboration. She explores how robots can serve as educational tools in business studies, language learning, and health-related applications. Her work also investigates digital sovereignty, particularly for older adults using electronic health records, and the use of open digital credentials like Open Badges for recognizing learning achievements. The integration of gamification elements with social robots represents another significant strand of her research, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of social robots in educational settings, particularly examining student perceptions of different robot platforms (NAO, Pepper, Furhat). Her work increasingly integrates generative AI with robotics, exploring conversational interfaces and new learning paradigms. There's also a consistent thread examining digital literacy for seniors, especially regarding electronic health records, and innovative approaches to recognizing learning through micro-credentials and digital badges. Dr. Buchem actively supervises numerous bachelor's and master's theses across multiple programs including Business Administration: Digital Economy and Media Informatics Online. She has established a digital award system based on Open Badges to recognize outstanding thesis work with top grades. Her research is supported through various funding sources including BMBF, EU, DFG, and industry partners, with projects spanning social robotics, virtual reality applications, and digital credentialing systems that connect academic research with practical applications. She leads the Communication Laboratory at BHT and is actively involved in the 'House of Robotics' initiative at the university. Her work connects with international partners through projects like Social Robotics (EU) and Open Virtual Mobility, creating a global network for educational robotics research and development that bridges European institutions and promotes cross-cultural educational exchange.
Michael Hyland is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on the modeling, analysis, and optimization of smart urban transportation systems, with particular emphasis on shared autonomous vehicles, microtransit integration with fixed-route transit, and sustainable mobility solutions. He employs methodologies from operations research (optimization, Markov decision processes), statistical modeling (discrete choice, regression), and economic analysis to address challenges in urban mobility. Education: Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering (Transportation), Northwestern University, 2018 M.Eng., Civil and Environmental Engineering (Transportation), Cornell University, 2013 B.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Magna Cum Laude, 2013 His recent research explores emerging mobility paradigms through topics such as dynamic fleet management, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impacts, equity in job accessibility, electricity demand implications of e-bikes, and human-machine collaborative planning frameworks. The work often combines large-scale simulation with interpretable modeling techniques. Hyland leads the Hyland Lab , which develops computational tools for evaluating integrated transportation systems. The lab's work spans theoretical modeling (e.g., state-space representations, decomposition heuristics) and applied policy analysis (e.g., assessing Senate Bill 1 infrastructure projects, AV-era parking reforms, and micromobility deployment strategies).
Prof. Dr. Manfred Cassens is a Professor at FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management , affiliated with the Chair of Social and Health Education. He serves as Founding Director of the FOM Institute for Health & Social Affairs (ifgs) and contributes to interdisciplinary health sciences, focusing on participatory health research, health literacy, and health equity. Current Roles: Professor (FOM Hochschule), Director of ifgs, Scientific Director of 'eHealth & Society 2021'. Research Interests: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Participatory Health Research, Health Literacy, Health Equity, Quality Management, Health Tourism, Behavioral Economics, Public Health Education, Organizational Theory, Health Policy. His recent publications highlight trends in regional health landscapes, pathogenic organizational structures in clinics, and ISO certification frameworks for 'Healthy Communities.' He emphasizes integrating workplace health management into community standards and explores the transformation of pediatric epidemiology. Prof. Cassens has served as a reviewer for Erasmus+ applications and collaborated extensively with institutions like Springer Gabler and the Austrian Society for Public Health. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in health tourism and corporate health management.
Assoc. Prof. Boyan Zhekov, PhD is an active faculty member at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (UNIBIT) in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he serves in the Department of Computer Science under the Faculty of Information Sciences. He teaches courses including Case Studies in Digital Transformation (SHEB609) and holds academic appointments at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and New Bulgarian University as a visiting lecturer. MSc in Information Technologies from Technical University - Sofia Specialized in IT and Economics across UK, France, Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan His research focuses on the intersection of digital governance and emerging technologies, with significant contributions to Internet of Things applications in public administration, smart city ecosystems, and open data frameworks. His work demonstrates a consistent emphasis on practical implementations of ICT solutions for governmental modernization, particularly through EU-funded projects and national initiatives. Current projects examine IoT business models and startup ecosystems within smart city contexts. Prof. Zhekov actively contributes to European research policy as a Horizon 2020 National Contact Point for Future and Emerging Technologies, ICT, and Secure Societies, while serving on the Programme Committee for ICT. His professional engagement extends to leadership roles in Japanese-Bulgarian academic networks including JICA Alumni Bulgaria and Nihon Tomono Kai. Member of Horizon 2020 National Contact Network Board member of Union of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Communications (SEES) President of JICA Alumni Bulgaria Vice President of JSPS Alumni Bulgaria His advisory work includes technical ICT audits for EU-funded projects under Operational Program RCBIS (2007-2013) and development of sectoral information strategies for regional governance (2014-2020). Recent projects for the Ministry of Education analyze national research infrastructure roadmaps and map Bulgaria's scientific infrastructure landscape.
Shaghayegh Abtahi (Shay) serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta. She is the sole female faculty member in the Structures group, actively promoting diversity while driving innovation in infrastructure resilience research and engineering education. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of Alberta (2022), an M.Sc. in Structural Engineering from Sharif University of Technology (2016), and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Sharif University of Technology (2014). Professional experience encompasses postdoctoral research at UAlberta and structural engineering practice in Iran. Dr. Abtahi's research pioneers next-generation infrastructure systems through cutting-edge integration of computational mechanics, AI, and risk analysis. Her work addresses critical climate adaptation challenges by developing: ML-powered physics-based modeling frameworks Digital twin systems for post-disaster infrastructure assessment Uncertainty-quantified performance evaluation methodologies AI-assisted infrastructure inventory and condition monitoring tools Resilience-focused design protocols for hazard-exposed structures She teaches core courses including Structural Analysis I (CIV E 372) and Advanced Topics in Civil Engineering (CIV E 789), emphasizing practical applications of computational modeling and performance-based design principles. Dr. Abtahi maintains an inclusive research group actively recruiting graduate students with expertise in computational mechanics, risk analysis, and AI applications. She particularly encourages applications from underrepresented minorities in engineering, valuing diverse perspectives in solving complex infrastructure challenges.
