Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)Switzerland
Dr. Hanna Putzi-Plesko is affiliated with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) as a Researcher at the School of Engineering, specifically within the Institute of Mechatronic Systems. She is based at Technikumstrasse 9, Winterthur, Switzerland (ZIP 8400), and can be reached at +41 (0) 58 934 78 32. University: Zurich University of Applied Sciences School: School of Engineering Department: Institute of Mechatronic Systems Her research interests align with the institute's focus on integrating mechanical engineering with electronics and control systems to develop advanced mechatronic solutions.
Western Switzerland University of Applied SciencesSwitzerland
Chabbi Houda is a Full Professor at the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland. She leads research at the iCoSys Institute for Complex Systems, focusing on AI-driven solutions for industrial and societal challenges. Her work bridges computer vision, deep learning, and practical applications from medical imaging to construction materials. Her research explores: Advanced computer vision for industrial inspection and monitoring Deep learning architectures for anomaly detection and predictive modeling Multimodal data fusion in surveillance systems AI applications in material science and healthcare She leads significant projects including: HIGH-ROAD (2025-2026): Hierarchical AI for road asset inventory using orthoimagery VideoCognition (2023-2025): Explainable AI for surveillance systems with Morphean SA SoNIT (2025-2028): Sonography nerve tracking with FHNW Concrete AI (2022-2025): Machine learning for recycled concrete optimization Her lab at iCoSys Institute collaborates with academic partners including University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland and industry leaders in medical tech, surveillance, and construction.
Virginia Marano is an art historian and curator currently serving as an associate scholar in the Lise Meitner Group "Coded Objects" at the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut. She also holds significant affiliations with the University of Zurich, where she co-directs the research project "Rethinking Art History through Disability," and has been appointed Junior Research Fellow at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) starting in January 2026. Her academic journey includes a PhD in art history from the University of Zurich, supported by an ESKAS doctoral scholarship (2018-2021) and a FAN Grant (2021), followed by a SNSF Doc.Mobility fellowship at Hunter College/CUNY in 2022. She has also served as a Research Fellow at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice working on the PNRR-PEBA project for the Removal of Physical, Cognitive, and Sensory Barriers in Cultural Sites, funded by the NextGenerationEU program. Marano's research interests span multiple interdisciplinary areas: Gender and feminist theories in contemporary art Exile studies Critical disability studies and crip theory Disability aesthetics and access intimacy Decentralized exhibition making Sensory studies and embodied knowledge Her scholarly work examines how access functions as a critical space for rethinking relationships between art, science, and technology. Rather than approaching accessibility as a fixed or technical matter, she investigates it as an open process marked by uncertainty, experimentation, and care that exposes ableist structures in cultural and technological systems. Her research-based curatorial practice, grounded in intersectional feminist theory, develops methods of decentralization and shared inquiry, seeking to build connections between humanities and design practice. Her recent publications explore disability representation in art history, the intersection of medical humanities and artistic practice, and the reevaluation of artistic norms through feminist and disability perspectives. Among her notable achievements: ESKAS doctoral scholarship (2018-2021) FAN Grant (2021) SNSF Doc.Mobility fellowship (2022) Research Fellow at Fondazione Giorgio Cini (2023) Appointment as Junior Research Fellow at KIT (2025) As a curator and educator, Marano has organized numerous conferences, workshops, and symposia focused on disability, art, and access. She has taught courses at the University of Zurich on topics including exiled women artists and the intersection of care, disability, and art. Her current curatorial projects include "David Weiss. Il Sogno di Casa Aprile. Carona 1968–1978" at MASI Lugano and "Ear to the Ground" at Fondazione Centro Giacometti, demonstrating her commitment to making art accessible and inclusive.
University of Applied Sciences and Arts LucerneSwitzerland
Dieter Arnold serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts since 2021, based at Campus Zug-Rotkreuz. His extensive industry background in technology leadership enriches his academic contributions to cybersecurity and embedded systems education. His educational credentials include: Dr. sc. techn. from ETH Zurich and IBM (1997-2003) Dipl. NDS ETHZ in Information Technology (1997-2002) Dipl. El.-Ing. ETHZ (1991-1996) Arnold's research centers on practical cybersecurity applications across critical infrastructure domains. His current projects address health data commercialization, data lakehouse governance, and sector-specific cyber threats in building automation and power grids. This work bridges theoretical security frameworks with real-world industry challenges, emphasizing ethical data handling and system hardening. He leads multiple applied research initiatives including 'Commercialization of health data', 'Data governance for data lakehouse', and 'Next-Generation Cyber Security for Building Automation'. These projects drive innovation in secure data ecosystems while informing his teaching methodology. Through collaborations with industry partners like Landis+Gyr and Siemens, Arnold integrates frontline cybersecurity practices into academic curricula, ensuring students gain exposure to current firmware development, trusted computing protocols, and threat mitigation strategies for critical infrastructure.
