Dr. Qiongkai Xu is a Lecturer in Natural Language Processing (NLP) at Macquarie University's School of Computing, with an honorary fellowship at the University of Melbourne. He holds a PhD in NLP from the Australian National University (ANU). His research focuses on auditing machine learning models, particularly addressing privacy/security issues in NLP/ML models and developing evaluation frameworks. Key areas include text watermarking, adversarial attacks, data leakage mitigation, and model authentication. Recent publications emphasize robustness against backdoor attacks, generative model watermarking, and healthcare applications of LLMs. His work bridges theoretical security advancements with practical NLP challenges. Awards: DAAD Scholarship (2022), Research Pitching Session Winner (MQ, 2022 & 2024) Grants: Leading the Climate Litigation Risk project on AI-driven greenwashing detection. Labs/Teams: Data Horizons Research Centre, Future Communications Research Centre, and Frontier AI Research Centre.
Dr. Suzanne Houwen is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, specifically within the Department of Orthopedagogy & Clinical Educational Science. Her research focuses on child development, motor skills, and behavioral sciences. She has contributed to studies on developmental coordination disorder, motor performance in children, and the interplay between play, motor skills, and executive functioning. Her work often employs innovative observational tools like 'Hands-On!' to assess fine motor skills in young children. She has collaborated on projects such as 'Bewegend leren' (Moving Learning), which emphasizes active learning and motor skill development. Her research has been published in journals like Behavioral Sciences , Frontiers in Psychology , and Children . Key research interests include developmental psychology, educational interventions for motor skill improvement, and understanding how motor abilities relate to broader cognitive and emotional outcomes. She has systematically reviewed motor-executive function interactions and explored handwriting challenges in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder using advanced statistical methods like structural equation modeling. Dr. Houwen has also engaged in public engagement activities, contributing to educational initiatives and disseminating research findings to broader audiences. Her work bridges clinical, educational, and developmental perspectives to promote inclusive and effective interventions for children.
Maxim Miterev is an Assistant Professor in Industrial Management at the School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM) at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. He is affiliated with the Digital Futures Faculty, a cross-disciplinary research center addressing societal challenges through digital technology innovations. His research focuses on project-based organizations, organizational design, and systemic transitions, with a particular emphasis on experimental networks and business model innovation. Miterev also holds a Senior Lecturer role at KTH, contributing to both academic and applied research. His research explores intersections between project management, organizational structures, and sustainability transitions. Key areas include understanding mechanisms driving project success, alignment between organization design and value creation processes, and leveraging experimental networks for innovation in established industries. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in digitalization, urban development, and public policy. Recent publications highlight trends in exploring project conceptualizations, organizational design frameworks, and mechanisms enabling systemic transitions. Miterev’s contributions advance methodologies for analyzing project-based systems and their societal implications. He participates in collaborative initiatives across KTH, Stockholm University, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, fostering interdisciplinary solutions to complex challenges. Based at Osquars Backe 5 in Stockholm, Digital Futures serves as a hub for his research activities. Contact details include miterev@kth.se and maxim.miterev@indek.kth.se. His work emphasizes practical relevance while advancing theoretical frontiers in project studies and organizational dynamics.
Prof. D. (David) Lentink is a Full Professor of Biomimetics at the University of Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on understanding biological flight mechanics, particularly in birds, to inspire advanced robotics and aerospace innovations. He holds a PhD in Experimental Zoology (cum laude, Wageningen University, 2008) and dual MS/BS degrees in Aerospace Engineering (Delft University of Technology, 2003). Lentink leads the Biomimetics Group, pioneering projects like rudderless flight and morphing-wing drones. His work bridges biomechanics, robotics, and aerodynamics, with notable contributions to aerial grasping systems and biomimetic materials. Education: PhD cum laude, Experimental Zoology, Wageningen University (2008) MS/BS, Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology (2003) Research Interests: Biomimetics, bio-inspired design, animal flight biomechanics, aerodynamics of flight, and aerial robotics. His lab develops cutting-edge tools like the Aerodynamic Force Platform to measure in vivo forces and advanced wind tunnels for precise flight studies. Awards: 2018 Steven Vogel Young Investigator Award 2017 National Academy of Engineering Gilbreth Lecturer 2013 World Economic Forum Top 40 Scientists Under 40 Grants & Labs: Lentink oversees grants from NSF, Human Frontiers Science Program, and Dutch Academic Year Prize. His lab collaborates globally and maintains ties with Stanford University’s former projects. Current focus includes biomimetic drones for complex environments and understanding turbulence adaptation in birds.
Christyann M. Darwent is a Professor and Evolutionary Anthropology Wing Chair in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on zooarchaeology, particularly human adaptation to arid, high Arctic, and coastal environments. She directs the Zooarchaeology Lab and manages the Peter D. Schulz Osteoichthyology collection. She serves as a graduate advisor for the Forensic Science Graduate Group and previously edited Arctic Anthropology (2012–2022). Education: Ph.D., Anthropology (University of Missouri–Columbia, 2001); M.A., Archaeology (Simon Fraser University, Canada, 1995); B.Sc., Archaeology (University of Calgary, Canada, 1992). Research interests include analyzing faunal remains to understand subsistence strategies and past environments. Her fieldwork spans western Alaska, Greenland, and Nunavut, with notable collaborations at Iita (Greenland) and Shaktoolik (Alaska). Recent work explores Indigenous marine mammal use, coastal adaptations, and Arctic migration patterns through genetic and zooarchaeological methods. Awards include the 2020 UC Davis Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award and the 2015 Dean’s Leadership Award. She has secured over 10 NSF Polar Programs grants since 2003, supporting interdisciplinary field and lab research. Teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in archaeology, forensic science, and anthropological theory. Labs and teams: Zooarchaeology Lab, Comparative Skeletal Collection, and collaborations with the Greenland National Museum and Bowdoin College.
Dr. Erin Robbins is a Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at the School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews. Her research focuses on cultural influences on child development, particularly in areas like moral reasoning, fairness, ownership, and cross-cultural comparisons. She currently supervises PhD student Jasmine Rodriguez. Her work emphasizes cross-cultural studies, examining how cultural contexts shape children’s understanding of morality, social behavior, and equity. Notable contributions include analyzing variations in moral evaluation across eight cultures and investigating fairness perceptions in Tibetan children. Robbins frequently collaborates across disciplines, integrating psychological theories with anthropological perspectives. Publications span topics such as racial bias in early childhood, ownership reasoning, and the development of cooperative behavior. Her research is disseminated in journals like Cognition , Frontiers in Psychology , and Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology . She co-authored the 2024 book Colonised Minds: Narratives That Shape Psychology , critiquing colonial influences on psychological frameworks. Robbins’ advising includes mentoring Jasmine Rodriguez, and her research has been featured in interdisciplinary platforms like the Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of the Social Mind . Her work bridges developmental and cultural psychology, offering insights into universal vs. culturally specific aspects of human development.
David Wiens is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of California, San Diego, with affiliations in Philosophy, Data Science, and Ethics. He holds a PhD in Philosophy (University of Michigan, 2011) and MA degrees in Political Science (2011) and Philosophy (2006). His research integrates political philosophy, social science, and political economy, focusing on formal models of justice, institutional design, and feasibility analysis. Wiens co-edits the journal Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and has presented at leading conferences globally. Education : PhD, Philosophy, University of Michigan (2011) MA, Political Science, University of Michigan (2011) MA, Philosophy, Texas A&M University (2006) BA, Philosophy and History, Brock University (2004) Research Interests : Wiens explores the intersection of ideal and non-ideal theory, emphasizing how formal models inform ethical and political inquiry. Key themes include justice under constraints, institutional stability, and the critique of epistocracy. His work bridges philosophy and social science, with applications to global justice, resource distribution, and democratic theory. Advising & Grants : Wiens has supervised multiple PhD and MA theses, including Matthew Draper and Shelbi Swanson. His service roles include Political Theory Field Coordinator at UCSD and editorial leadership in PPE. While no explicit grants are listed, his research reflects sustained institutional support. Labs/Teams : Affiliated with the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute and Computational Social Science Program, Wiens collaborates on interdisciplinary projects linking political theory with quantitative methods.
Dr. Emma Towlson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Science, serving as Assistant Head of Undergraduate Curriculum. She holds a Full Member position at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and is a Child Health & Wellness Researcher at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. Her research focuses on network neuroscience, exploring how brain networks' structure-function relationships underpin health and disease. Key areas include network control theory, mental illness vulnerability, and brain connectivity analysis across species. Dr. Towlson's work bridges computer science, physics, neuroscience, and biology. She investigates structural brain networks' topological features (e.g., rich clubs, modules) and their spatial constraints, applying these insights to disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer's. Her lab uses network control principles to identify therapeutic targets for brain stimulation therapies and personalized medicine approaches. Recent grants include a $250,000 New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Explorations grant (2022) to study preterm birth's impact on brain networks and mental illness risk. She teaches courses on social network analysis (CPSC 572/672) and data visualization (DATA 601). Collaborative efforts include partnerships with Harvard Medical School and Monash University's Turner Institute. Her team’s interdisciplinary projects include analyzing mouse brain connectomes, simulating connectome perturbations, and developing open-source network neuroscience tools. Ongoing work emphasizes translating network science insights into clinical applications for mental health interventions.
Candie Paulsen, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University, within the Yale School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of TRPA1 ion channels in pain signaling and chronic inflammation. She employs a multidisciplinary approach combining structural biology, cryo-EM, biochemistry, and electrophysiology. Education & Training: PhD in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan (2011) BS in Genetic Biology, Purdue University (2006) Postdoctoral Fellow at UCSF (2012–2017) under David Julius Staff Scientist at UCSF and Yale University (2017) Research Interests: TRPA1 regulation, neurogenic inflammation, chronic pain mechanisms, protein-protein interactions, and structural biology. Her lab investigates how TRPA1 dysregulation contributes to chronic pain and seeks novel therapeutic targets. Awards: Rita Allen Foundation Pain Scholar Award (2018) International Association for the Study of Pain Early Career Grant (2018) Howard Hughes Medical Institute-Helen Hay Whitney Fellowship (2014) Advising & Grants: Collaborates with researchers like Lilian Kabeche. Active in grant-funded projects exploring TRPA1’s role in pain. Serves as a guest editor for Frontiers in Pain Research and reviewer for Communications Biology . Labs & Teams: Leads the Paulsen Lab at Yale, focusing on TRPA1 biology. Affiliated with the Wu Tsai Institute and the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program.
Alexandre Poirier is the Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor of Economics at Georgetown University, where he has held positions since 2018. He previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa (2013–2018). He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from UC Berkeley (2013), an M.A. in Statistics (2011), and a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Economics from Université de Montréal (2007). His research focuses on econometric theory, causal inference, and sensitivity analysis, with publications in top journals like Econometrica , Journal of Econometrics , and Quantitative Economics . He develops statistical software tools, including Stata modules regsensitivity and tesensitivity , and serves as an Associate Editor for Journal of Business & Economic Statistics and Econometric Reviews . His work emphasizes robustness to unconfoundedness assumptions and omitted variable bias. He teaches advanced econometrics at the Ph.D. and undergraduate levels, including courses on causal inference and panel data methods. Education Ph.D. in Economics, UC Berkeley, 2013 M.A. in Statistics, UC Berkeley, 2011 B.Sc. in Mathematics and Economics, Université de Montréal, 2007 Research Interests Prof. Poirier’s research bridges econometric theory and applied methods, with a focus on identifying causal effects under relaxed assumptions. Key areas include quantile regression, instrumental variables, sensitivity analysis for unobserved confounding, and panel data models. His work often addresses practical challenges in policy evaluation, such as omitted variable bias and endogeneity. Recent contributions include frameworks for comparing sensitivity parameters and assessing robustness of treatment effect estimates. Grants and Software Developed regsensitivity and tesensitivity Stata packages for regression and treatment effect sensitivity analysis Recipient of grants from the National Science Foundation and UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division Professional Service Associate Editor, Journal of Business & Economic Statistics (2021–present) Associate Editor, Econometric Reviews (2024–present) Moderator, arXiv Econometrics Section (2025–present) Referee for leading journals including American Economic Review , Econometrica , and Journal of the American Statistical Association
Dr. Daniel Wangpraseurt is an Associate Researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, where he leads the Coral Reef Ecophysiology and Engineering Lab. He joined Scripps in summer 2024 and co-founded Hybrid Reef Solutions, a startup developing sustainable coral reef protection technologies. Wangpraseurt serves as associate editor for Frontiers in Marine Science: Coral Reefs and sits on the Coral Restoration Consortium advisory board. His educational background includes: PhD from University of Technology Sydney, Australia MSc from Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology & Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Germany BSc from James Cook University, Australia Wangpraseurt's research bridges coral reef science, engineering, and biophysics with core interests in coral ecophysiology, restoration engineering, benthic photosynthesis, and blue technology. His work develops innovative tools for reef restoration while investigating fundamental coral physiological processes and optical properties. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in coral restoration technology development, including biomimetic settlement substrates, acoustic larval enrichment, and engineered biofilms. His optical research focuses on coral microstructure imaging via the Benthic Underwater Microscope (BUMP) and light-harvesting mechanisms across depth gradients. No specific scientific awards are mentioned in the source material. He directs the Coral Reef Ecophysiology and Engineering Lab and leads Hybrid Reef Solutions. His collaborative research includes NSF-BSF projects on Red Sea mesophotic corals and IntBIO grants integrating nanobiotechnologies for coral symbiosis studies. Wangpraseurt maintains active roles in the Coral Restoration Consortium advisory board and Frontiers in Marine Science editorial board, driving both technological innovation and scientific discourse in coral reef conservation.
Jawad Ahmad is a Lecturer in the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University . His work is closely associated with the Centre for Cybersecurity, IoT and Cyberphysical Systems and the Centre for Distributed Computing, Networking and Security , where he contributes to cutting-edge research in secure and intelligent systems. His research interests are centered on cybersecurity , artificial intelligence , and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. He focuses on developing advanced intrusion detection systems, privacy-preserving frameworks using federated learning and homomorphic encryption, and secure data transmission mechanisms leveraging chaos-based and quantum-inspired encryption. His interdisciplinary work extends to healthcare, smart agriculture, and environmental monitoring, demonstrating the broad applicability of his research. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward AI-driven security solutions, particularly using deep learning models like transformers and attention mechanisms for network intrusion detection. He also explores the integration of machine learning with blockchain and distributed ledgers for trusted threat intelligence sharing. His work consistently emphasizes real-world deployment, performance optimization, and resilience against cyber threats in industrial and healthcare settings. Funded Research Projects: Data Sharing in Highly Secure Environments (Innovate UK, £273,181) PhD Studentship on Homomorphic Encryption (6G Health Institute GmbH, £35,082) TrustShare: Privacy-Preserving Threat Intelligence Sharing (Innovate UK, £31,386) Cyber Hunt: Automated Cyberthreat Hunting (Norway Research Council, £37,500) AI Dashboard for COVID-19 Sentiment Analysis (Chief Scientists Office, £135,104) Dr Ahmad actively supervises postgraduate research, currently serving as Director of Studies for Hisham Ali and as second supervisor for other PhD candidates. He is involved in multiple collaborative research teams focusing on cybersecurity, AI, and IoT, often working with Prof Bill Buchanan and other leading researchers in the field. His research is published in high-impact journals such as IEEE Access , Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience , and Sensors , and presented at international conferences.
Professor Tara Shears is an experimental particle physicist at the University of Liverpool, where she leads a research group focused on the Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment at CERN. She has been a Professor of Physics since 2012 and has played a key role in advancing fundamental physics through precision studies of matter and forces. Her research interests lie at the frontier of particle physics, particularly in testing the limits of the Standard Model. Her group conducts detailed investigations into heavy quark behavior, matter-antimatter asymmetry, and fundamental forces using data from high-energy collider experiments. They are also deeply involved in the design and construction of advanced particle detectors for future experiments. Tara Shears has held numerous national and international leadership roles, including chairing the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s principal scientific strategic advisory board (2020–2023) and serving on fellowship panels for the Royal Society and UK Research and Innovation. She is committed to public engagement and science communication, regularly interacting with diverse audiences to promote understanding of physics. She is recognized as a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, a distinction reflecting her significant contributions to the field. Throughout her career, she has advised and mentored early-career researchers and contributed to major research grants supporting experimental particle physics in the UK. Her work is closely tied to international collaborations at CERN and Fermilab, and her research group is an active participant in the LHCb collaboration, contributing to both data analysis and detector development. She leads an experimental particle physics group at the University of Liverpool that is embedded within the high-energy physics community, working at the intersection of theoretical prediction and experimental validation through cutting-edge instrumentation and data analysis.
David Budtz Pedersen is a Professor of Science Communication and Impact Studies at Aalborg University and Director of the FRONTIER Center for Advanced SSH. His work focuses on science governance, communication, evaluation, and societal impact, with advisory roles for the European Commission, Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, and the Norwegian Research Council. Education: PhD, MA, and BA in philosophy of science and science policy studies from the University of Copenhagen; visiting scholarships at University of Vienna and New York University. Research Interests include open science, responsible research, mission-oriented innovation, and science-policy interfaces. He emphasizes evidence-informed policymaking and collaborative research to drive societal impact. Recent Publications explore interdisciplinarity, AI in research management, and frameworks for science advice, reflecting trends in Science Communication , Science Policy , and Impact Assessment . Projects include the EU-funded CeRRA initiative on research assessment reform and the multidisciplinary 'Algorithms, Data and Democracy' (ADD) program.
Dag Svanæs is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at NTNU’s Department of Computer and Information Science. His research focuses on embodied interaction, emphasizing the physical, bodily, and social dimensions of human-computer interaction. He developed a usability laboratory for simulating multi-user, multi-device scenarios, particularly in healthcare contexts. His theoretical framework draws heavily from Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology, exploring how perception and action shape interaction. Education: PhD in HCI from NTNU (2000). His research areas include interaction design, user-centered methods, and healthcare IT systems design. Key projects include the UNITY-Things IoT framework and exergame development for balance training in seniors. Research Highlights: Svanæs pioneered participatory design methodologies in healthcare IT, emphasizing end-user involvement through role-play and prototyping. His work on pandemic policy critiques and lockdown strategies demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration between HCI and public health. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles in venues like Computer Supported Cooperative Work , Frontiers in Computer Science , and IEEE Transactions . Recent work addresses exergame design, pandemic response systems, and embodied interaction theory. Grants & Labs: Built NTNU’s Health Informatics Usability and Design Lab. Collaborates with academic and healthcare institutions on projects like the NSEP (Norwegian Center for Electronic Patient Records).
