Mahadev Satyanarayanan is the Jaime Carbonell University Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. His multi-decade research focuses on performance, scalability, availability, and trust in distributed systems spanning cloud to mobile edge computing. He pioneered foundational concepts in mobile computing and Edge Computing through his seminal work on VM-based cloudlets. His current research explores cloudlet-based Edge Computing for latency-sensitive applications, wearable cognitive assistance systems integrating augmented reality, and edge-based machine learning frameworks for efficient training data discovery. He collaborates with Dan Siewiorek, Martial Hebert, and Bobby Klatzky on transformative applications. Dr. Satyanarayanan received his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University after completing Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. His honors include ACM and IEEE Fellowships recognizing his contributions to distributed systems and mobile computing. ACM Fellow IEEE Fellow
Lincoln J. Lauhon is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University. His research focuses on nanoscale structure-property relationships in low-dimensional materials, emphasizing synthesis, characterization, and device applications. He leads the Lauhon Research Group, which explores nanowires, 2D semiconductors, and heterostructures for quantum computing, high-power electronics, and energy conversion. Lauhon holds significant recognition including the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2008) and National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2005). His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical technologies through advanced microscopy and modeling techniques. Education: Postdoc in Chemistry at Harvard University, Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University, and B.S. in Physics (Honors) from the University of Michigan. Research interests span nanowire synthesis, 3D nanotomography, scanning probe microscopy, and computational modeling. Current projects include III-As-Sb nanowire networks for quantum computing, GaN diodes for power electronics, and ferroelectric 2D materials. Lauhon's lab emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, with contributions to high-impact journals like Science Advances and Nano Letters . Awards highlight his dual excellence in teaching and research, including the Teacher of the Year award (2006). Professional service includes leadership roles in the Materials Research Society and organizing conferences on electronic materials. His team's innovations include novel nanomaterial synthesis methods and device architectures, with applications in computing, energy, and optoelectronics. The group actively engages in graduate and undergraduate training, fostering future leaders in nanotechnology.
Dr. E. Keith Smith is a Lecturer at ETH Zürich's Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, affiliated with the Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS). His research focuses on sociopolitical dimensions of climate change, particularly climate change attitudes, behaviors, and social tipping processes. He holds PhD from Colorado State University and master’s degrees from KU Leuven and University of British Columbia. His work explores why individuals engage—or disengage—in climate action, emphasizing factors like political polarization, religious beliefs (especially evangelical Protestantism), and trust in institutions. Smith's research employs quantitative methodologies and addresses challenges in environmental policy implementation, such as equitable air quality monitoring and global supply chain regulations. He contributed to the DominoES project on social tipping dynamics and has published in journals like Global Environmental Change and Nature Scientific Reports . His recent studies analyze public support for climate policies across Europe and the U.S., emphasizing how procedural inclusiveness and transparency can build trust in environmental governance. He also explores mobility policies in Switzerland, including road pricing and public transport expansion, using experimental methods to gauge citizen preferences. Smith’s work bridges environmental science and social science, aiming to identify pathways for transformative societal shifts toward climate action. His current projects focus on social tipping mechanisms and the interplay between climate risk anticipation and policy demand.
Debbie Senesky is an Associate Professor at Stanford University in both the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department and the Electrical Engineering Department, as well as a Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy. She serves as the Principal Investigator of the EXtreme Environment Microsystems Laboratory (XLab) and Site Director of nano@stanford. Dr. Senesky received her B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California (2001), followed by M.S. (2004) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Stanford, she held positions at GE Sensing (formerly NovaSensor), GE Global Research Center, and Hewlett Packard. Her research focuses on developing nanomaterials and electronic systems capable of operating in extreme environments, including high-temperature conditions for Venus exploration, microgravity synthesis of nanomaterials, and harsh environment electronics. Dr. Senesky's work bridges multiple disciplines, connecting aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, and space technology to solve challenges in extreme environment applications. Dr. Senesky has made significant contributions to the field of high-temperature electronics, GaN-based sensors, graphene aerogel synthesis in microgravity, and materials for space applications. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical applications of these technologies, particularly for space exploration and extreme environment sensing. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), NASA (2025) Emerging Leader Abie Award from AnitaB.org (2018) Early Faculty Career Award from NASA (2012) Gabilan Faculty Fellowship Award (2012) Sloan Ph.D. Fellowship (2004-2006) Dr. Senesky actively advises students at all levels, from undergraduate to postdoctoral researchers, and has established herself as a leader in promoting diversity in STEM through her role as Faculty Advisor for the Stanford Chapter of the National Society of Women Engineers. Her collaborative approach is evident in her numerous interdisciplinary projects and partnerships with NASA, industry, and other research institutions. She directs the EXtreme Environment Microsystems Laboratory (XLab), which focuses on developing technologies for operation in extreme environments including high temperature, radiation, and microgravity conditions. The lab's work has applications for space exploration, particularly for Venus missions, as well as terrestrial applications requiring robust electronics.
Lea R. Winter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Yale University's School of Engineering & Applied Science. Her research focuses on electrified processes at the nexus of food, energy, water, and climate, with emphasis on sustainable CO 2 conversion, green nitrogen fixation, wastewater valorization, and plasma-electrochemical systems. She leads an active research group and mentors multiple PhD students, postdocs, and undergraduates. Ph.D., Columbia University B.S., Yale University Dr. Winter's research interests lie at the intersection of sustainability and chemical engineering. She pioneers electrified membrane technologies, plasma-activated reactions, and catalytic processes for converting waste streams (CO 2 , nitrates, wastewater) into valuable fuels, chemicals, and fertilizers. Her work integrates electrochemistry, plasma chemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis to develop distributed, circular solutions for environmental challenges. Key themes include green ammonia production , on-demand fertilizer synthesis , and electrified water treatment with resource recovery. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on electrified membranes for nitrate and CO 2 conversion, plasma-activated co-processing of N 2 and C 1 gases, and single-atom catalysis for environmental applications. Her research spans fundamental reaction mechanisms to scalable engineering solutions, often published in high-impact journals such as Nature Water , PNAS , and Joule . The work demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward enabling a distributed hydrogen and nitrogen economy through sustainable electrochemical and plasma-driven technologies. Scientific Awards: Beckman Young Investigator Award (2024) Department of Energy Early Career Award (2024) Caltech Young Investigators Lecture Series Award (2022) NEWT Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2015) North American Catalysis Society Kokes Award (2019) Dr. Winter actively mentors students and has advised several who have gone on to PhD programs and faculty positions. Her lab receives significant research funding, as evidenced by her early-career awards from DOE and NSF. She leads projects on mining nontraditional water sources for hydrogen, plasma-based fertilizer synthesis, and electrified membrane systems. The Winter Lab fosters a collaborative, creative, and safe research environment centered on the principles of CRISP: Creativity, Respect, Investment, Safety, and Partnership. She also contributes to scientific discourse through invited viewpoints on climate education and critiques of emerging technologies like seawater electrolysis. Her lab collaborates widely, including with researchers at Columbia, Caltech, and international institutions.
Associate Professor Judy Hart is a materials scientist at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, UNSW Sydney , specializing in the development of semiconducting materials for renewable energy applications. Her work integrates computational (DFT) and experimental approaches to understand composition-property relationships in systems like solid solutions , heterostructures , and doped materials for photocatalysis and solar cells . She leads projects funded by ARC Discovery and Linkage grants , including work on photo-electro-catalysis systems and stabilizing ceramic materials . Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (Monash University, 2007), BEng (Materials) (Monash, 2002) Professional Experience: Senior Lecturer (UNSW, 2017–), Lecturer (UNSW, 2013–2017), University of Bristol (2007–2012) Research Interests Her research focuses on designing materials for renewable energy , particularly photoelectrochemical water splitting and organic oxidation reactions . Key areas include Density Functional Theory (DFT) , defect engineering , band gap tuning , and nanostructured materials . She investigates ferroelectric polarization effects , metal oxide heterostructures , and stability of battery components , with applications in hydrogen production , CO2 conversion , and advanced battery materials . Scientific Awards Ramsay Memorial Fellowship (University of Bristol, 2007–2009) Teaching Contributions She is co-author of the 1st Australian & New Zealand edition of "Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction" , and teaches courses on computational materials science , corrosion-resistant surfaces , mechanical behavior of metals , and materials design .
Rui Shi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on sustainability engineering at the intersection of natural and engineered systems, prioritizing sustainable pathways for transportation fuels, bioproducts, agricultural systems, and food-energy-water systems through integrated sustainability analyses. She develops frameworks for quantitative sustainable design (QSD) and system-level environmental impact assessments to navigate technical, economic, and environmental trade-offs. Her work has led to advancements in plastic recycling via cold sintering technology, biofuel lifecycle assessments, and frameworks for sustainable aviation fuels. Notable projects include assessments of renewable jet fuels in the U.S. Northern Great Plains, cold sintering of LLZO-based composites, and quantifying uncertainties in greenhouse gas abatement costs. Shi has secured grants such as the $3.4M contract for plastic waste solutions and IEE seed grants for interdisciplinary sustainability research. Shi collaborates on global low-carbon transition initiatives and integrates computational tools like BioSTEAM-LCA for agile biorefinery modeling. Her research spans from fundamental material science (e.g., repurposing polyolefin waste) to policy-relevant analyses of land use change and bioenergy systems. She contributes to the Integrated Energy Systems and Water Sustainability research themes at Penn State's Institutes of Energy and the Environment.
Ronald Hedden is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he focuses on innovations in undergraduate education and polymer science. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor at Texas Tech University (2009–2017). His current research emphasizes Virtual Reality (VR) integration into chemical engineering education, including the development of a Virtual Chemical Plant (VCP) simulation to provide safe, cost-effective access to process equipment. His research interests span chemical engineering, polymer science, soft materials, and nanomaterials. Notable projects include applying VR for teaching process safety and dynamics, as well as exploring nanocomposite materials and membrane technologies. He also investigates polymer rheology and structure-property relationships using advanced characterization techniques like NMR and SANS. Hedden teaches both core chemical engineering courses and interdisciplinary engineering subjects. His work bridges academic research and practical applications, with contributions to biofuel refining, asphalt modification, and nanoparticle incorporation in polymers. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publication record highlights impactful contributions to materials science and educational technology. His advisory work involves student projects on VR simulations and materials engineering. He collaborates on initiatives like the VCP platform, aimed at advancing safety training and process control education. Hedden’s career reflects a commitment to both cutting-edge research and transformative pedagogy in engineering education.
Sebastian Kube is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Engineering, with additional affiliation in Mechanical Engineering. His research accelerates alloy development through autonomous discovery methods combining robotics, data science, and advanced characterization. Dr. Kube's educational background includes: Postdoctoral Researcher (2023), University of California Santa Barbara (Tresa Pollock Lab) PhD (2021), Yale University (Jan Schroers Lab) BS (2016), Giessen University His work focuses on refractory multi-principal element alloys for extreme environments (>1300°C) and metallic liquid structure-property relationships. He develops autonomous platforms to navigate complex parameter spaces, targeting improved glass forming ability and rapid solidification processing through B2 precipitation strategies and novel characterization techniques. Recent publications emphasize refractory high-entropy alloys, BCC-B2 systems, and metallic glasses, integrating experimental and computational approaches to decode phase stability, deformation mechanisms, and glass formation for accelerated materials design. Major recognitions include: 2025 DARPA Young Faculty Award 2024 ARPA-E IGNIITE Early Career Award RCSA Scialog Fellowship for Automating Chemical Laboratories He mentors graduate students through thesis courses (M S & E 790/890/990) and leads the Autonomous Alloy Discovery Lab, which develops robotic systems for high-throughput experimentation. Current projects target next-generation turbine alloys and environmentally sustainable materials for aerospace, energy, and defense applications.
David M. Higdon is a Professor and Department Head of the Department of Statistics at Virginia Tech within the College of Science. He specializes in Bayesian statistical modeling of environmental and physical systems, focusing on integrating physical observations with computer simulations for prediction and inference. Previously, he spent 14 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a scientist and group leader in the Statistical Sciences Group. Education: Ph.D. in Statistics, University of Washington, 1994 M.A. in Mathematics, University of California San Diego, 1989 B.A. in Mathematics, University of California San Diego, 1987 Research Interests: Higdon’s work spans space-time modeling , inverse problems in hydrology and imaging , statistical modeling in ecology and environmental science , and multiscale models . He develops methods for parallel processing in posterior exploration , statistical computing , and Monte Carlo simulations . His research addresses critical challenges in uncertainty quantification (UQ), including climate modeling, nuclear density functional theory, and geophysical imaging. Publications Trends: His recent articles emphasize Bayesian methodologies applied to complex systems, such as climate forecasting, materials science, and cosmology. A recurring theme is the development of emulators and surrogate models to handle computationally intensive simulations. Awards: Fellow of the American Statistical Association Advising & Grants: While no specific advisees are listed, Higdon has contributed to interdisciplinary collaborations in UQ and statistical modeling. His work has been supported by grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy. Labs/Teams: He leads the Statistics Department’s efforts in UQ and computational statistics, fostering collaborations across engineering, environmental science, and physics.
Qing (Cindy) Chang is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on cyber-physical systems for smart manufacturing, real-time production control, and human-robot collaboration. Prior to academia, she worked at General Motors, earning three Boss Kettering Awards for innovation. She holds an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. in Manufacturing from the University of Michigan. Education: M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison Ph.D. in Manufacturing, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Research Interests: Cyber-Physical Systems for Smart Manufacturing Real-time Production Control Knowledge-guided Machine Learning-based Control Human-Robot Collaboration in Industrial Settings Intelligent Maintenance and Energy Management Awards: 20 most influential professors in smart manufacturing (2020) NSF CAREER Award (2014) General Motors Boss Kettering Awards (2005, 2006, 2008) GM R&D Charles L. McCuen Special Achievement Awards (2005, 2006, 2008) Leadership & Grants: She serves on the board of NAMRI/SME and holds editorial roles in ASME, IEEE, and SME journals. Her work bridges AI, robotics, and manufacturing systems, with notable grants including the NSF CAREER Award. Labs & Teams: Her Intelligent Systems Lab develops AI-driven solutions for manufacturing efficiency and sustainability, focusing on energy management, predictive analytics, and human-robot collaboration.
Stavros G. Vougioukas is a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on agricultural robotics, mechanization, and automation for specialty crops, with particular emphasis on robotic harvesting systems and precision agriculture technologies. He leads initiatives in developing actuator systems, perception, and control mechanisms to optimize crop management. Key areas of expertise include robotic fruit harvesting, autonomous vehicle navigation in orchards, and site-specific pest management strategies. His work integrates mechanical engineering principles with advanced automation to address labor shortages and improve agricultural efficiency. Recent projects emphasize data-driven solutions for yield estimation, worker activity analysis, and economic viability of robotic systems. Academic contributions span over 50 peer-reviewed publications (2023-2025), with a focus on robotic orchard platforms, crop transport systems, and sensor-based automation. Notable innovations include vacuum suction end-effectors for fruit harvesting and GNSS-free navigation systems for autonomous vehicles. He also explores sustainable agricultural machinery through techno-economic analyses of electric/hybrid tractors. Current research bridges robotics and agricultural economics, addressing labor cost optimization and precision irrigation. His lab collaborates with industry partners to translate prototypes into field-ready solutions, emphasizing practical applications for specialty crop production systems.
Melissa A. Schilling is the Herzog Family Professor of Management at New York University Stern School of Business, where she is also Deputy Chair of the Management & Organizations Department and Director of the Innovation Initiative at the Fubon Center for Technology, Business and Innovation. She joined NYU Stern in 2001 and is a leading scholar in innovation and strategic management. Ph.D., Strategic Management, University of Washington, 1997 B.S., Business Administration, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1990 Melissa Schilling's research centers on innovation in high-technology industries, including smartphones, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. She explores platform ecosystems, network externalities, technological standards, and the cognitive and social traits of breakthrough innovators. Her work integrates strategic management with organizational behavior and technological evolution. She is particularly known for her studies on how firms can accelerate innovation adoption and create value in complex ecosystems. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in digital transformation, platform competition, and the cognitive foundations of visionary leadership. She analyzes how firms manage innovation in platform-based markets and how breakthrough ideas emerge from outlier thinking. Her articles frequently appear in top journals such as Strategic Management Journal , Organization Science , and Management Science . Scientific Awards and Recognitions: National Science Foundation CAREER Award 2022 Sumantra Ghoshal Award for Rigour and Relevance in Management 2018 Leadership in Technology Management, PICMET Best Paper in Management Science and Organization Science, 2012 Broderick Prize for Excellence in Research, Boston University Melissa Schilling has advised numerous doctoral students and contributed to major research initiatives, including a National Academy of Sciences committee on electric vehicle deployment. She has secured grants from the NSF and Kauffman Foundation. She is a senior editor at Strategy Science and serves on the editorial boards of several leading management journals. She also leads the Innovation Initiative at the Fubon Center, fostering industry-academia collaboration in tech innovation. She is actively involved in research labs and innovation centers at NYU Stern, particularly those focused on technology ecosystems and digital transformation. Her leadership in the Fubon Center drives interdisciplinary research on how businesses can leverage technological change for competitive advantage.
Peter Alvaro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Baskin School of Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz. He joined the faculty in 2015 after earning his PhD from UC Berkeley under Professor Joe Hellerstein. His research lies at the intersection of databases, distributed systems, and programming languages , with a strong emphasis on data-centric approaches to building robust, scalable, and predictable distributed systems. He is the creator of the Dedalus language and co-creator of the Bloom language, both designed to simplify reasoning about distributed computation. Peter's recent work focuses on non-volatile memory (NVM) , computational storage , and data-centric operating systems , as seen in the Twizzler OS project. His publications span top venues such as USENIX ATC, HotNets, and Communications of the ACM, showing trends toward system resilience, efficient data management, and novel abstractions for modern hardware. Best Presentation award at USENIX ATC 2020 Peter advises graduate students, including Daniel Bittman, and is a key contributor to the Storage Systems Research Center (SSRC), now succeeded by the Center for Research in Storage Systems (CRSS). His work is supported by ongoing collaborations with researchers at UC Santa Cruz and beyond, particularly in the areas of storage, operating systems, and distributed computing.
Dr. Sajjad Bigham is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University and serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Michigan Technological University. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida and directs the Energy-X Lab (Energy eXploration Laboratory), which focuses on high-impact research in energy science and technology. His research interests encompass: Advanced thermal management solutions including microscale heat transfer, boiling/condensation phenomena, and interfacial transport Energy-efficient systems for HVAC&R, desalination, and clean water production Development of micro/nano-engineered materials and devices for energy conversion/storage Sorption-based gas management and multiphase systems under extreme conditions Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on thermal management innovations (45%), sustainable energy systems (30%), and advanced materials applications (25%). Dominant themes include heat transfer enhancement techniques, energy-efficient appliance design, desalination technologies, and microscale phase-change phenomena, with increasing emphasis on additive manufacturing approaches. Dr. Bigham leads the Energy-X Lab research group, which tackles high-risk, high-reward problems across four thrust areas: Terrestrial and space life support systems Advanced thermal management Clean energy production Clean water supply The lab's mission is to improve energy efficiency, reliability, and economy across defense, environmental, and energy sectors.
