Erman Acar is an Assistant Professor for Explainable AI in Finance at the University of Amsterdam, affiliated with the Socially Intelligent Artificial Systems (SIAS) group at the Informatics Institute (IvI) and the Cognition, Language and Computation (CLC) lab at the Institute of Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC). His research focuses on Neuro-Symbolic AI architectures that integrate machine learning with symbolic approaches (logical or causal) to enhance reasoning and explainability in single/multiagent scenarios, applied to financial services. Education : PhD in Computer Science (University of Mannheim, 2017), MSc in Computational Logic (TU-Wien/TU-Dresden, 2012). Previous Roles : Postdoctoral researcher at VU Amsterdam (2018-2021), Leiden University (2021-2022). Research Trends : His recent work emphasizes causal discovery via meta-reinforcement learning, aligning with his Neuro-Symbolic AI and XAI themes. A PhD position (2022) highlights his focus on deploying these approaches for fairness and transparency in fintech. Teaching : Co-teaches the course Interpretability & Explainability in AI (University of Amsterdam, 2023) and leads the AI4Fintech initiative. Labs & Teams : Collaborates with the SIAS group (IvI), CLC lab (ILLC), and the upcoming AI4Fintech hub in Amsterdam.
Christoph Schalast is a Professor of Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Law, and European Law at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management since 2002. He founded the Master of Mergers & Acquisitions program in 2005 and established the research area of non-performing loans (NPLs) at Frankfurt School. He chairs the annual M&A/Private Equity Conference and the Frankfurt Institute for Private Equity and M&A (FIPEMA), and has been recognized as a top M&A lawyer by WirtschaftsWoche (2024). Specializes in M&A, Banking Law, Capital Markets Law, and Telecommunications/Technology Advises governments in Eastern Europe and Germany on business law reform Authored/co-edited Grundlagen des M&A Geschäfts (3rd ed., Springer) and Grundlagen des NPL-Geschäftes (4th ed., 2024) His research focuses on legal frameworks for M&A transactions, ESG integration in corporate law, EU financial regulation, and NPL market trends. His work bridges academic analysis with practical implementation, particularly in post-financial crisis reforms and cross-border transactions. Recent publications analyze FinTech regulation, EU capital market union, and geopolitical impacts on M&A. He has also contributed to debates on environmental protection vs. competition in EU energy markets and telecommunications governance. Scientific awards include: Leonardo M&A Award (2008, 2014) M&A Science Award (2010) DKS Award (multiple times) JUVE Award for Law Firm of the Year for SMEs (2007) European Award 'Law Firm of the Year Germany' (2018) He supervises thesis research and teaches courses on Distressed M&A, Bankruptcy Law, and Corporate Transactions, with a focus on modular post-merger integration frameworks.
Jens-Uwe Franck is a Professor at the University of Mannheim , holding the Chair of Civil Law, Commercial Law and Antitrust Law within the Department of Law. He teaches courses on antitrust law, consumer protection, and comparative competition law in bachelor's and master's programs, including the M.C.B.L. degree and Master’s in Competition and Regulation . Research Focus: Competition law, digital platforms, banking and capital market law, and consumer protection, with a comparative and interdisciplinary approach. Current Projects: Leading research on digital platform regulation within CRC Transregio 224 . Affiliations: Non-Governmental Advisor to the German Federal Cartel Office in the International Competition Network (ICN) . Key Publications: Focus on EU competition law, digital market regulation, and cartel damages, with articles in Journal of European Competition Law & Practice , Common Market Law Review , and Yearbook of Socio-Economic Constitution .
Max Planck Institute for Security and PrivacyGermany
Jacky Wai Keung is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at City University of Hong Kong with extensive industry connections across the Asia Pacific region. He leads the Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering Research Group (AiSE) and serves as Chairman of IEEE Computer Society Hong Kong Chapter and Vice-President of Hong Kong STEM Education Alliance. Prof. Keung received his B.Sc.(Hons) in Computer Science from the University of Sydney and Ph.D. in Software Engineering from the University of New South Wales, Australia, before working as a Research Scientist at NICTA (now DATA61, CSIRO) in Sydney. His research spans software engineering, data science, AI, FinTech, machine learning, blockchain systems, and large language models for code generation and analysis. His recent work focuses on applying large language models to software engineering challenges, with publications examining code translation, anomaly detection, and autonomous driving system testing. The research shows a strong trend toward practical applications of AI in software development processes, particularly in FinTech and autonomous systems domains. Among his numerous accolades, Prof. Keung has been named in Stanford's top 2% most highly cited scientists for both 2022 and 2023, received the President's Teaching Excellence Award in 2020, and earned multiple IEEE best paper awards. His editorial service includes roles as Area Editor for Journal of Systems and Software since 2017 and Associate Editor for Information and Software Technology since 2020. Prof. Keung has successfully secured over HK$20 million in research funding through GRF, ITF, and TDG grants, including major projects like 'Smart Intelligent Process Automation for the Mortgage Lending Industry' (HK$2.62 million) and 'Software Data Analytics and Blockchain Technological Advancements' (HK$6 million). His industry collaborations have significantly enhanced student opportunities, with CS student starting salaries increasing by over 15% year-on-year for the past three years. He currently leads multiple research initiatives including RealisticCodeBench for evaluating LLMs in code generation and FedLAD for federated log anomaly detection, with several active projects focused on AI-enhanced InsurTech systems and deep probabilistic reasoning using deep learning.
Max Planck Institute for Security and PrivacyGermany
Dr. Jifeng Xuan is a Professor and Deputy Dean at the School of Computer Science, Wuhan University, China. He founded the CSTAR (Centre of Software Testing, Analysis and Reliability) and holds editorial roles at Empirical Software Engineering and PLOS One . Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at INRIA Lille-Nord Europe (France) and earned his PhD from Dalian University of Technology. Research Interests: His work focuses on software testing, debugging, automated program repair, software data analysis, and search-based software engineering. He integrates AI/ML techniques for tasks like log analysis, fuzz testing, and vulnerability detection, with applications in robotics, microservices, and Android development. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2022–2025) emphasize AI-driven software engineering, including LLM-based repair, reinforcement learning for testing, and deep learning surveys. Security (vulnerability logs) and empirical studies on industrial challenges (e.g., C program repair) are recurring themes. Awards & Honors: ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Paper Award (2025) IEEE TCSE Distinguished Paper Award (2025) CCF NASAC Youth Software Innovation Award (2024) Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, China Computer Federation (2014) Luojia Young Scholar (2015) Student Advising & Labs: Actively recruits PhD and master students for CSTAR Lab. Research areas include automated debugging, testing tools (e.g., Mergebot, FastLog), and AI-generated code assessment. No specific grants listed.
Prof. Dr. Jann Lay is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Goettingen and Lead Research Fellow at the GIGA German Institute for Global and Area Studies in Hamburg. He holds a PhD in Economics (summa cum laude) from the University of Goettingen and has extensive experience in research and policy advising across Africa, focusing on development economics, globalization, labor markets, and natural resource management. His current research emphasizes informal entrepreneurship, structural change impacts, and climate-related development challenges. Affiliations: GIGA Institute for African Affairs, University of Goettingen Collaborative Research Center 990 Leadership Roles: Head of Research Programme 'Globalisation and Development' at GIGA, Former Acting Director of GIGA Institute of African Affairs His work bridges academic research and policy practice, with contributions to the World Bank, German Development Cooperation, and the European Commission. Key areas include sustainable supply chains, land rights in climate actions, and digital transformation's role in governance. Lay has authored influential publications on topics like Africa's tech sector growth and labor formalization in Côte d'Ivoire. Grants & Projects: Includes EU-funded Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL), World Bank land policy research, and GIZ-supported studies on global supply chains. He advises on policy at international forums and contributes to initiatives like the Land Matrix and Sustainable Rural Transformation programs.
Verena Schoenmueller is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Marketing at ESADE Business School, Ramon Llull University. Her research sits at the intersection of digital marketing, consumer behavior, and social media dynamics, with a focus on authenticity, polarization, and user-generated content. Her primary research interests include: Digital and Social Media Marketing Consumer Behavior in Online Environments Brand Authenticity and Trust Political and Preference Polarization Online Reviews and Sentiment Analysis Subscription Service Dynamics Dr. Schoenmueller’s recent publications explore the spread of fake news, the behavioral consequences of deplatforming, and the psychological underpinnings of extreme online reviews. Her work frequently appears in top marketing journals such as the Journal of Marketing Research and Marketing Science , and she regularly presents at leading conferences including EMAC and ISMS. The overarching trend in her research is understanding how digital platforms shape consumer cognition, emotion, and decision-making in increasingly polarized environments. She earned her PhD in Business Administration from the University of Basel, a Master in Business Administration from ESSEC, and completed her undergraduate studies in Business and Economics at the University of Mannheim. While no formal list of advisees is provided, her role as a Contracted Doctoral Professor indicates active involvement in PhD-level teaching and supervision. She has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards. There is no indication of part-time status or retirement. Her research has implications for brand strategy, platform governance, and public policy around digital misinformation and consumer protection.
Professor Tobias Berg is a Professor of Banking at Goethe University Frankfurt and a Research Professor at the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH). His academic journey includes roles as Tenured Associate Professor (2016–2019) and Full Professor (2020–2023) at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, alongside visiting positions at NYU Stern and the European Central Bank. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from Technical University of Munich and Humboldt University Berlin, and a Diploma in Mathematics from University of Marburg. His research focuses on financial intermediation, corporate finance, and climate finance, with notable work on credit supply shocks, spillover effects in corporate finance, and green transition economics. His articles span topics like BNPL dynamics, climate divestment, and loan pricing disparities between the U.S. and Europe. Editor roles at Review of Finance and Review of Financial Studies underscore his academic leadership. Current research explores CBDC geopolitical impacts and biodiversity stress testing in finance. Education: Ph.D. in Finance, Technical University of Munich/Humboldt University Berlin (2008–2013) Diploma in Mathematics, University of Marburg (1999–2004) Research Interests: Financial Intermediation, Corporate Finance, FinTech, Climate Finance, Empirical Methods, Risk Management. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, such as analyzing how credit shocks impact firm growth and green heating adoption linked to wealth distribution. Grants & Labs: Affiliated with Leibniz Institute for Financial Research (SAFE) and Frankfurt Institute for Risk Management and Regulation (FIRM). Active in teaching at undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels, including courses on climate finance and fintech.
Prof. Lennart Ante is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at Constructor University, Germany. He holds a Doctorate in Financial Economics from Universität Hamburg and is actively involved in non-profit research through his role as Managing Director of the Blockchain Research Lab. His research focuses on blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and their socio-economic impacts, particularly in democratizing capital access, decentralized finance (DeFi), and financial inclusion. Education: Doctorate in Financial Economics (Universität Hamburg), Master's in Business Administration. Research Interests: Blockchain applications in finance, digital asset markets (NFTs, DeFi), regulatory frameworks, and fintech solutions for underserved populations. He explores how emerging technologies transform organizational structures and enable new business models like Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Key Contributions: Co-founded the Blockchain Research Lab and STOKR, a blockchain-based digital securities platform. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing challenges in crypto markets, fan token engagement, and metaverse real estate investment. Labs/Teams: Leads the Blockchain Research Lab, collaborating on projects like blockchain's role in sports governance and sustainable finance. Engages in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of finance, technology, and policy.
So Young Sohn is a distinguished Professor at Korea University's College of Business, Department of Management Engineering, with over two decades of impactful research in technology management and operations research. Her scholarly contributions have established her as a leading expert in technology credit scoring, data mining applications, and technology convergence analysis. Dr. Sohn's research interests span technology credit scoring for SMEs, operational research methodologies, data mining techniques, machine learning applications in business contexts, technology convergence patterns, patent analysis, and SME financing mechanisms. Her work bridges theoretical rigor with practical business applications, particularly focusing on Korean case studies that have broader international relevance. She has pioneered innovative approaches using knowledge graphs, multiplex networks, and deep learning techniques to solve complex business problems. Her publication portfolio reveals consistent research trends toward increasingly sophisticated analytical methods, evolving from traditional statistical models to advanced machine learning and network science approaches. Recent work demonstrates particular focus on technology convergence, digital therapeutics, and AI applications in business decision-making. The interdisciplinary nature of her research spans business analytics, engineering, healthcare, and environmental science. Dr. Sohn has received recognition through numerous high-impact publications in premier journals including Expert Systems with Applications, European Journal of Operational Research, Scientometrics, and IEEE Transactions. Her research has been consistently funded through competitive grants focusing on technology management and innovation. As an academic mentor, Dr. Sohn has advised numerous doctoral students who have gone on to productive research careers, with many continuing to collaborate with her on ongoing projects. Her research team has secured substantial funding for projects related to technology credit scoring, technology convergence analysis, and predictive analytics applications. Dr. Sohn leads a dynamic research laboratory focused on technology analytics and decision support systems, collaborating with industry partners and government agencies to translate research findings into practical business solutions. Her current work emphasizes sustainable technology development and AI-driven decision support systems for complex business environments.
Timothy King is a Professor of Finance at the School of Accounting and Finance, University of Vaasa. He holds external examiner roles at the Adam Smith Business School (Glasgow) and Edinburgh Business School (Heriot-Watt University). His research focuses on SME strategies, political risk analysis, banking performance, and emerging markets. He has held leadership roles including Director of the Centre for Quantitative Finance (2020-2022) and Department Research & Innovation Lead (2021-2022). King's academic service includes editorial roles for Business Research Quarterly and Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance , as well as leadership in the British Academy of Management's Financial Management SIG. His teaching includes advanced courses on financial regulation and analysis. His research has been featured in media outlets such as Harvard Business Review , Finder.com , and Corporate Board Member . Awards include the Journal of Corporate Finance's Outstanding Reviewer and ACRI fellowship for research talent. He has secured grants including funding from the Foundation for Economic Education.
Eric R. Brisker is an Associate Professor and Department Chair at the University of Akron College of Business , specializing in Finance . With over 20 years of teaching experience, he instructs courses in Corporate Finance , Financial Analytics , and Investments , including advanced and internship programs. His research focuses on corporate finance , executive compensation , and capital structure dynamics. Education: PhD in Finance, Florida State University MA in Finance, Ohio University MBA in Finance, Ohio University BS in Finance, Shawnee State University Brisker's publications in journals like the Journal of Banking and Finance and Financial Management explore CEO inside debt, cash holdings, and financial literacy. His work connects to broader fields such as corporate governance , investment strategies , and behavioral finance . Recent articles examine corporate risk-taking in China and sin bond investments in the insurance sector. Scientific recognition includes the University of Akron College of Business Teaching Award , Research Award , and induction into Beta Gamma Sigma . He serves on editorial boards for journals like the Journal of Risk and Financial Management and has chaired multiple university and departmental committees, including Finance Department RTP Committee and Graduate/MBA Curriculum & Assessment . As a Derivative Analyst at Fifth Third Bank, he brings industry experience to academia. His grants include funding from the University of Akron Department of Finance Advisory Board and Florida State University for research travel.
Professor Peter Roßbach is an academic at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management , specializing in General Business Administration with emphasis on Applied Business Informatics and Information Technology. His career spans over three decades in academia and banking IT research. Diploma in Economics from Philipps University Marburg (1985) Doctorate in Business Administration (1990) Habilitation in Business Informatics (1998) His research focuses on Database Technologies , Machine Learning , IT Security , and Blockchain , with over 30 publications addressing financial technology, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Recent work explores algorithmic interpretability, blockchain security, and human factors in cybersecurity. Key publication trends include: Machine Learning applications in banking (2017-2020) Blockchain implications for financial systems (2016-2018) IT Security in online banking (2012-2015) Crowdfunding and fintech innovations (2013) Regulatory compliance in banking (2014) Roßbach is actively involved in academic societies: Deutscher Hochschulverband , VHB , and WKWI . He teaches courses in Digital Business Security , Analytics , and Business Modeling , with office hours available by appointment.
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Seitz is a full Professor and Head of the Business Information Systems programme at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Heidenheim, Germany. Since April 2001 he has shaped the university’s applied informatics curriculum and serves as data-protection liaison and German Informatics Society (GI) trustee. Internationally, he is Associate Editor for several journals and chairs tracks at conferences such as WHICEB and Bled eConference. Education 1988–1991 Diplom-Betriebswirt (BA), Berufsakademie Stuttgart (now DHBW) – focus on data processing 1992–1996 Diplom-Ökonom, University of Hohenheim – economics 1998 Dr. rer. pol., Europa-Universität Viadrina – dissertation on the impact of IT on banking structures Research Interests Seitz’s research integrates business informatics with pressing societal challenges. Key themes include: e-Finance & FinTech: cryptocurrency literacy, blockchain sustainability, digital payment futures e-Health & Health Telematics: barrier-free e-kiosk design, telematics infrastructure for electronic health cards, pandemic digital health solutions Data Management & Analytics: heterogeneous data-warehouse integration, big-data approaches to agriculture, water-quality prediction, renewable-energy forecasting IT Management & Modeling: business-model evaluation, Industry 4.0 architectures, enterprise system integration Publication Trends Across more than 150 peer-reviewed works (1998–2024), Seitz demonstrates a shift from foundational studies in e-commerce and digital watermarking to cutting-edge applications of AI, blockchain, and data analytics in finance, health, and sustainability. Recent articles emphasize machine-learning techniques (k-means, ARIMA, PCA) applied to global agriculture, renewable-energy growth, and gendered cryptocurrency adoption, reflecting a commitment to data-driven, cross-disciplinary impact. Editorial & Scientific Service Associate Editor: International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations (IJNVO) , Journal of Cases on Information Technology (JCIT) , International Journal of Cases on Electronic Commerce (IJCEC) Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Global Sourcing and Management (IJGSM) , Journal of Digital Marketing (JDM) , Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce (JIBC) , among others Conference Chair/Co-Chair: WHICEB (Wuhan International Conference on E-Business), Bled eConference eHealth Track Technical Programme Committee Member: IEEE ICDMAI, IEEE IEMCON, IEEE UEMCON, CCWC External examiner & guest lecturer in China, India, USA, Australia, Malaysia, Jordan, Poland, UK, Belarus Advising & Collaborative Networks While individual student names are not disclosed, Seitz mentors within the DHBW cooperative-education model and supervises industry-linked capstone projects. He is a key liaison for German industry partners and international universities, facilitating funded research on FinTech adoption, e-health feasibility, and sustainable IT architectures. His leadership of the Business Informatics programme positions him to coordinate grants and consortia across Europe and Asia. Laboratories & Teams At DHBW Heidenheim, Seitz steers the Business Informatics Lab —a hub for applied R&D projects with corporate partners such as Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and health-sector IT providers. The lab focuses on prototyping blockchain-based e-prescription systems, evaluating FinTech business models, and deploying predictive-maintenance analytics in automotive supply chains. Interdisciplinary student teams work under his guidance to translate academic insights into market-ready solutions.
Prof. Dr. Julia Kreppmeier serves as a Junior Professor at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) in the Weiden Business School. Her academic position focuses on International Business with specialization in Finance, where she conducts research at the intersection of traditional finance and emerging digital technologies. Her research interests center on Digital Finance, with particular expertise in FinTech, Blockchain technology, and Tokenization. She also investigates Sustainable Finance practices and their implementation in modern financial systems. Her work bridges theoretical finance concepts with practical applications in the rapidly evolving digital financial landscape. Dr. Kreppmeier's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on empirical analysis of digital financial instruments and market behaviors. Her research examines real estate security token offerings, data privacy issues within FinTech applications, signaling mechanisms in security token markets, and comprehensive analyses of the German FinTech industry. These publications appear in high-impact finance journals including Journal of Banking & Finance, Electronic Markets, and Journal of Business Economics. As a dedicated academic, she maintains regular office hours by appointment and is actively engaged in advancing knowledge in the field of digital finance through rigorous empirical research and scholarly contributions.
