Professor Jiti Gao is a Donald Cochrane Chair in Econometrics & Business Statistics at Monash University's Faculty of Business and Economics. He leads the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, specializing in non- and semi-parametric econometrics, time-series analysis, and panel data methodologies. His research focuses on developing statistical models for climate change, energy demand, and financial forecasting. Affiliations: Monash University, Impact Labs Grants: Multiple ARC Discovery Projects (e.g., 2020–2025 on climate-energy time series, 2017–2020 on econometric model building) Collaborations: CSIRO, Yale University, and international partners from China, Norway, and Singapore Research interests include climate econometrics, financial time series, and policy evaluation. Over 136 publications span econometric theory and applications, with recent work on nonlinear trending models and quantile regression. His grants emphasize methodological advancements in time series and panel data analysis. Awards: Not explicitly mentioned, but recognition includes Australian Professorial Fellow status and international research leadership roles. Advising/Grants: Primary Investigator on multiple ARC-funded projects, focusing on climate modeling and financial econometrics Labs/Teams: Part of Monash's Impact Labs and collaborates with global institutions on climate and econometric initiatives
Qifeng Li is an Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida specializing in Electrical Engineering with a focus on power and energy systems. His research integrates convex optimization and nonlinear dynamics to address challenges in renewable energy integration, microgrid stability, and energy-water-hydrogen nexus systems. Research Interests: Convex optimization, nonlinear systems, grid resilience, energy-water-food nexus Grants: NSF and DOE projects on microgrid stability and cross-system coordination Professional Roles: Editor for CSEE Journal, IEEE Battery Energy Storage Work Group member Honors: China National Scholarship 2012 His recent publications emphasize data-driven optimization methods, voltage stability analysis, and machine learning applications in power systems. Key trends include hybrid physics-data-driven models, stochastic disturbance analysis, and real-time grid control solutions. Scientific Awards: China National Scholarship (2012)
Di Shi is an Associate Professor at the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering , New Mexico State University (NMSU), holding the Paul W. and Valerie Klipsch Distinguished Professorship. He previously founded the AI energy startup AInergy, LLC and held leadership roles at GEIRI North America, NEC Laboratories America, and Arizona State University. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University (2012) MS in Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University (2009) BS in Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University (2007) His research focuses on power system data analytics , energy storage , artificial intelligence , and IoT applications for grid stability and renewable integration. His work bridges theoretical innovation with real-world deployment, including software adopted by 15 utility companies. Recent publications highlight his leadership in deep reinforcement learning for grid control, blockchain frameworks for energy management, and tensor decomposition for efficient load modeling. He has secured a $6M NSF grant for AI-driven digital twinning to address climate-aware energy resilience. Awards & Recognition: 2025 Paul W. and Valerie Klipsch Distinguished Professorship 2024 University Research Council Mid-Career Award 2024 IET Fellow Multiple IEEE Best Paper Awards (2019–2022) 2019 L2RPN AI Competition Championship He serves as an editor for IEEE Transactions on Power Systems , IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution , and other journals, and leads the IEEE Task Force on IoT for Power Systems . His team’s patents cover AI-driven load modeling , energy storage scheduling , and state estimation , with 42 granted or pending.
Geert Deconinck is a full professor at KU Leuven , leading the Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (ELECTA) research group within the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT). He also serves as scientific leader of the EnergyVille research center's algorithms domain, focusing on smart electrical networks and thermal systems. M.Sc. and Ph.D. from KU Leuven Head of ELECTA since 2012 (10 professors, 8 postdocs, 70+ PhDs) Over 8 million EUR research budget in last 5 years 44 completed PhDs and 10 current advisees IEEE Transactions editorial board member His research spans smart grid architectures , distributed control , and cyber-physical security , with recent focus on EV-grid integration , renewable energy democratization , and multi-carrier energy systems . Current projects include: Smart Charging - E-Mobility meets Renewable Energy Early Detection and Defense Systems for Smart Grids Open-source P2P energy sharing platforms Microgrid control strategies for PV-battery systems Awarded IET Fellow and IEEE Senior Member status, his work combines machine learning with power systems engineering through both theoretical modeling and experimental validation . He has contributed over 575 publications with 9800+ Google Scholar citations.
Magdy M. A. Salama is a Professor and University Research Chair at the University of Waterloo's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. He holds a P.Eng. license and is a Fellow of the IEEE. His research spans Energy Systems (Power Quality, Smart Grids, Renewable Energy) and Biomedical Engineering (Medical Imaging, Sleep Analysis). He has authored/co-authored over 460 publications and supervised numerous graduate students. Education: PhD (University of Waterloo), M.Sc. and B.Sc. (Cairo University). Awards include the IEEE Fellow distinction, University Research Chair, and multiple teaching/research awards from the University of Waterloo. Research trends in his articles focus on Smart Grid resiliency, renewable integration, cyber-physical security, and biomedical applications of AI. Notable projects include voltage sag mitigation, EV fleet electrification, and blockchain-based energy trading platforms. Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow, University Research Chair, Teaching Excellence Award (2000) Grants/Consultation: Extensive industry and institutional collaborations on power systems and biomedical tech. Labs/Teams: Active in High Voltage Lab, Smart Grids Research Group, and Medical Image Processing Lab.
Gustavo Valverde Mora is a Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Power Systems Laboratory in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. His research focuses on distributed energy resources, smart grid technologies, and power system control, with expertise in behind-the-meter DER integration and hosting capacity analysis. His recent work addresses key challenges in renewable energy integration, including voltage control coordination between transmission and distribution networks, data-driven local control schemes for active distribution grids, and unsupervised load disaggregation techniques using smart meter data. He has developed novel methods for DER modeling, GIS-based system analysis, and distribution network planning. Recognized with multiple awards including the 2022 Costa Rican National Technology Award, he actively contributes to IEEE Task Forces on DER integration. His research demonstrates strong emphasis on practical grid applications, combining theoretical power systems knowledge with advanced data analytics. Dr. Valverde teaches Power System Analysis (227-0526-00L) and maintains collaborations with utilities worldwide on renewable integration challenges.
Dr. Pavlos Tafidis is a Lecturer in Transport (Systems) Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to advance transport planning and engineering, with a focus on smart and sustainable mobility solutions. PhD in Transport Engineering, Hasselt University (2022) M.Sc in Transport Planning, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2015) M.Eng in Transportation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2013) He leads projects like "BikeHood" (Science Foundation of Ireland), developing Ireland’s first cycling neighborhood, and contributes to initiatives such as "REALLOCATE" (Horizon 2020) and "CISMOB" (Interreg Europe). His research emphasizes accessible mobility solutions, equity in transport infrastructure, and urban livability. Recent publications analyze cyclist crash hotspots using machine learning, electric bike route preferences via GPS data, and traffic-emission correlations in Dublin. His expertise spans digital twins, virtual reality, and geospatial analysis. Dr. Tafidis teaches courses including Transport Engineering 3, Transport and Society, and Multi-Scale Energy Demand, affiliated with the School of Engineering and Edinburgh Future Institute.
Roles and Affiliations: Tien Foo Sing is the Provost's Chair Professor in the Department of Real Estate at the NUS Business School, National University of Singapore. He serves on the Management Board of the Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies (IREUS) and was its former Director (2017–2022). He has held leadership roles including Head of the Department of Real Estate (2020–2022) and past President of the Asian Real Estate Society (AsRES). He is a CLC Fellow (2024–2026), Fellow of AsRES, and a Fellow of the Weimer School of Advanced Studies. He edits the International Real Estate Review and serves on editorial boards of journals like Real Estate Economics and Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics. Education: PhD (Land Economy) and MPhil (Land Economy) from the University of Cambridge, UK; BSc (Estate Management) from NUS. Research Interests: Focuses on urban planning, real estate economics, housing markets, climate finance, transport economics, and environmental policy. His work bridges theory and policy, addressing issues like urban resilience, intergenerational mobility, and environmental externalities. Recent studies include impacts of sea level rise on housing prices, ESG-REIT linkages, and PropTech adoption. Awards: Recognized with the Outstanding Referee Award (2017) for Real Estate Economics, Fellowships from AsRES and the Weimer School, and book awards for his 'Kiasunomics' series. Professional Activities: Serves on government boards (e.g., Valuation Review Board, Singapore Chapter of APREA) and advises organizations like the PropTech Association of Singapore. His work influences policy on housing, transportation, and sustainable development. Labs/Teams: Leads research initiatives through IREUS and collaborates with institutions like the Sustainable & Green Finance Institute (SGFIN). His projects often involve large-scale data analysis (e.g., smart card transit data, housing transactions).
Stelios Timotheou is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and faculty member at the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence, University of Cyprus. He holds a Dipl-Ing from National Technical University of Athens, and MSc/PhD from Imperial College London. His research focuses on developing real-time distributed methodologies using mathematical optimization, machine learning, and computational intelligence to enhance efficiency in critical infrastructure systems. Research interests center on data-driven decision making for urban mobility management, traffic control systems, and energy optimization. Key areas include: Intelligent UAV-based sensing for traffic monitoring Cooperative control algorithms for multi-agent systems Optimization of renewable energy integration Robust infrastructure protection strategies Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on traffic state estimation (76%), energy system optimization (16%), and UAV applications (8%). Awarded the Cyprus Research Award (2017) and ERC Consolidator Grant for URANUS project. Secured multiple research grants focusing on real-time control systems.
Professor Ruchi Choudhary is a Professor in Architectural Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering, within the School of Technology. She leads the Energy Efficient Cities initiative (EECi), a cross-disciplinary research project focused on strengthening the UK's capacity to address energy demand reduction and environmental impact in cities through research in building and transport technologies, district power systems, and urban planning. Her research interests span urban energy systems, building energy modeling, sustainable cities, geothermal energy systems, and data-driven energy modeling . She has pioneered work in digital twins for energy systems, urban subsurface thermal modeling, and building-integrated agriculture. Her research group develops numerical tools to improve energy efficiency of cities, with particular focus on modeling energy consumption of large building sets at multiple time and spatial resolutions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with physics-based modeling for energy systems, with increasing emphasis on uncertainty quantification, digital twins, and value of information analysis for decision-making. Her work bridges the gap between theoretical modeling and practical urban implementation, with significant focus on city-scale geothermal potential, underground climate change impacts, and energy equity considerations. Professor Choudhary has supervised numerous PhD students who have gone on to prominent positions at institutions including UCL, University of Cambridge, BEIS, Arup, and various international universities. Her research group includes faculty members, research associates, graduate students, and international collaborators from institutions worldwide. Her current research focuses on two parallel investigations: one on using multi-scale multidisciplinary models to address energy use questions in the built environment, and second, on quantifying uncertainties in model outcomes. Current projects include integration of food production in urban environments, analysis of underground transport systems as energy sources, large-scale integration of ground source heat pumps, and distributed energy networks.
Dr. Amir Hakami is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Carleton University , where he leads the Carleton Atmospheric Modelling Group . His research focuses on advanced air quality modeling techniques to inform environmental policy. Degrees: B.Sc. (Polytechnic of Tehran), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Georgia Tech), Postdoc (Caltech) Contact: Office 3454 Mackenzie Building, Phone: 613-520-2600 ext. 8609, Email: amir.hakami@carleton.ca Research Interests: Air quality modeling at multiple spatial scales Adjoint sensitivity analysis for atmospheric response Inverse modeling and data assimilation techniques Uncertainty quantification in environmental systems Interdisciplinary applications in policy, public health, and economics Teaching: Courses include Environmental Engineering Systems Modeling , Contaminant Transport , and Air Pollution & Emissions Control at undergraduate and graduate levels. Research Group: The group includes Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and alumni working on topics ranging from atmospheric chemistry to sustainable energy systems. Members come from diverse backgrounds in engineering, science, and policy disciplines.
Tim Huh is a Professor and Chair of the Operations and Logistics Division at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration. He specializes in inventory control, supply chain management, and operations research, with a focus on dynamic decision-making under uncertainty. B.A., B.Math, M.Math from University of Waterloo M.A. from Regent College M.S., Ph.D. from Cornell University His research spans theoretical and applied topics including renewable energy systems, healthcare operations, and digital learning analytics. Recent work explores wind power storage optimization, asynchronous video usage in education, and multi-echelon inventory solutions. Scientific recognition includes the Canada Research Chair in Operations Excellence and Business Analytics He teaches core business analytics and operations management courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing quantitative decision-making and process fundamentals.
Mehrdad Ehsani is a Robert M. Kennedy Endowed Professor of Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University, leading the Power Electronics and Motor Drives Laboratory. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has over four decades of expertise in power electronics, electric/hybrid vehicles, and energy systems. His research focuses on sustainable energy, advanced power conversion, and vehicle electrification. Educational Background: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1981) M.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (1974) B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (1973) Research Interests: Sustainable power systems, electric/hybrid vehicles, energy storage, power electronics, and aerospace power systems. His work emphasizes practical applications, such as transmotor technology for energy efficiency and grid-interactive buildings. Awards & Recognition: Life Fellow of IEEE SAE Fellow (2005) IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Avant Garde Award (2001) Recipient of multiple Prize Paper Awards (IEEE-IAS) Advising & Grants: Director of Advanced Vehicle Systems Research Program. His lab collaborates with industry on patents, including over 30 granted/pending patents, and advises on sustainable transportation technologies. He has consulted for over 60 companies and government agencies. Labs & Teams: Founder and director of the Power Electronics & Motor Drives Lab, focusing on electric vehicle propulsion, renewable energy integration, and advanced control systems.
Prof. Dr. Evi Hartmann holds the Chair of Business Administration, especially Supply Chain Management at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) within the Department of Business, Economics, and Social Sciences. She is actively involved in multiple research focus areas including sustainability, energy markets and energy system analysis, and insurance and risk. Her academic leadership extends across interdisciplinary collaborations with engineering, mathematics, and industry partners. Dr. Hartmann studied industrial engineering at the University of Karlsruhe (TH), received her doctorate in 2002 from the Institute of Technology and Management at the Technical University of Berlin, and completed her habilitation in business administration in 2008. Prior to her academic career, she worked as a consultant at AT Kearney from 1998 to 2005, followed by a junior professorship for 'Purchasing and Supply Management' at the Supply Chain Management Institute at the European Business School. Her research program focuses on supply chain management, purchasing, and strategic foresight, with particular emphasis on application-oriented approaches that bridge theory and practice. Current research trajectories include supply chain resilience in crisis situations (including pandemic response), digital transformation through Industry 4.0 technologies, sustainable and low-carbon supply chains, and the integration of strategic foresight methodologies in logistics decision-making. Her work frequently employs Delphi studies, bibliometric analyses, and multi-tier case studies to examine complex supply chain phenomena. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research that combines supply chain management with digital transformation, sustainability, and crisis response. Her work increasingly examines the intersection of technology adoption (particularly Industry 4.0), organizational culture, and supply chain resilience across multiple industries including automotive, food, and maritime logistics. Prof. Hartmann is recognized as the author of two academic bestsellers in her field, though specific awards are not detailed in available materials. Her research has been published in top-tier journals including IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, International Journal of Production Research, and Journal of Cleaner Production. Her research program demonstrates extensive industry collaboration, with numerous projects involving real-world implementations and close partnerships with companies. She leads research initiatives examining the practical implications of digital transformation, sustainability challenges, and resilience strategies in supply chain operations. Current projects include studies on digital ecosystems, physical internet applications, and the future of freight forwarding technologies. Prof. Hartmann participates in several research networks including the Energy Campus Nuremberg (EnCN) and collaborates with the Department of Mathematics on gas networks and markets research. She is also involved with the Nuremberg Energy Region (Energieregion Nürnberg eV) and contributes to interdisciplinary research centers focused on sustainable development and digital transformation in supply chains.
Ninette Pilegaard is a Professor and serves as Deputy Head of Division and Head of Section for Transport Policy at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Her academic career spans multiple research domains with significant contributions to transportation policy and economics. Her research interests focus on transportation policy analysis with particular expertise in: Road charging systems and pricing mechanisms Bicycle infrastructure and safety analysis Commuting behavior and accessibility impacts Car ownership and usage patterns Relationship between transportation accessibility and labor market outcomes Dr. Pilegaard's scholarly work demonstrates a strong empirical approach combining transportation engineering with economic analysis. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on evidence-based policy evaluation, particularly in the Danish context. She frequently employs quasi-natural experimental methods to assess transportation policy impacts, with particular attention to road pricing, cycling infrastructure, and the economic implications of transportation systems. Her research has been supported by major funding bodies including Innovation Fund Denmark and Forskningsrådsfinansiering, and has resulted in publications in high-impact transportation journals such as Transportation Research Parts A and D, and Journal of Safety Research. As an academic supervisor, Dr. Pilegaard has served as Main Supervisor for PhD projects, including the 'Productivity and agglomeration' project. She has been actively involved in numerous research collaborations both within DTU and with external partners. Her laboratory work focuses on transportation data analysis, particularly utilizing Danish transportation datasets to examine policy impacts. She has developed expertise in analyzing hospital data for traffic safety research and has contributed to methodologies for assessing infrastructure effects on traffic accidents.
