Sascha Ranftl is an Erwin Schrödinger Fellow at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. Their research spans interdisciplinary domains including Bayesian probability theory, uncertainty quantification, computational engineering, and biomedical applications. Affiliation: Courant Institute, NYU Former Affiliation: Graz University of Technology (Institute of Theoretical Physics & Computational Physics, Graz Center of Computational Engineering) Research Interests: Ranftl's work focuses on integrating Bayesian inference with machine learning and physics-informed modeling to address uncertainty quantification in biomedical simulations, particularly for aortic dissection and impedance cardiography . Their approach harmonizes statistical rigor with engineering pragmatism, emphasizing surrogate models and computational fluid dynamics. Recent Publications: Analyze geometric uncertainties in patient-specific blood vessels, develop physics-consistent neural networks, and apply Bayesian frameworks to biomedical diagnostics and elastoplastic material modeling. Scientific Awards: Erwin Schrödinger Fellowship Contact: ranftl@tugraz.at sranf@duck.com
Francesco Lacquaniti is a Full Professor of Physiology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Director of the Center for Space Bio-Medicine there. He also leads the Department of Neuromotor Physiology at the Scientific Institute Santa Lucia Foundation in Rome. His academic journey includes positions at Cagliari University, University of Minnesota, and roles with the Italian National Research Council. Lacquaniti holds an M.D. and Neurology specialization from Turin University, followed by post-doctoral research in Minnesota. His research focuses on Neuroscience, Gait/Posture, and Space Physiology, particularly motor control systems, neural programming of movement, and gravitational effects on human physiology. Notable contributions include studies on locomotor primitives in infants and the neural basis of interception timing. Lacquaniti has authored over 130 peer-reviewed articles and serves on editorial boards of major journals like Experimental Brain Research and Frontiers in Exercise Physiology . Key honors include membership in Academia Europaea (2012), lifetime achievement awards in Space Biomedicine, and multiple keynote lectureships. He advises European and North American research agencies and has held leadership roles in neurosciences societies.
Erzsébet Ligeti is a full Professor at the Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, with a career spanning over four decades. Her work focuses on cell physiology, particularly ion transport mechanisms and neutrophilic granulocyte functions, contributing significantly to understanding small GTPases and their regulatory roles. 1974: M.D. (summa cum laude) from Semmelweis Medical University 1981: Ph.D. in Physiology 1990: Habilitation (Doctor of Medical Sciences) Her research explores ion transport processes , mitochondrial phosphate transport, and the physiological functions of small GTPases , with applications in biochemistry and molecular physiology. Awards include the Semmelweis Award (2006), Szent-Györgyi Award (2005), and membership in Academia Europaea (2003). She has led Ph.D. programs, instructed medical and doctoral students, and organized FEBS/ICRO advanced courses. Collaborations include institutions in Geneva, Grenoble, Amsterdam, and Harvard, with grants from Swiss Nationalfond, NWO-OTKA, and Fogarty International.
Pierre-Marie Lledo is a leading figure in cellular neurobiology, currently serving as Head of the Laboratory 'Perception and Memory' at the Institut Pasteur and Director of the CNRS Unit 'Genes, Synapses and Cognition'. He has held pivotal academic roles including Director of the Neuroscience teaching program at the Pasteur Institute since 2002, Vice-President of the Scientific Council of the Pasteur Institute since 2008, and Faculty member at Universita' di Torino since 2009. His research focuses on Adult neurogenesis mechanisms Sensory system plasticity Neural stem cell dynamics Olfactory circuitry development Synaptic transmission regulation Neuroplasticity and memory He pioneered the use of olfactory systems to study adult neurogenesis and its functional implications. His recent publications (2008-2010) explore topics spanning Neurogenesis in social behavior Synaptic plasticity mechanisms Stem cell regulation in olfactory circuits Experience-dependent neuronal survival Neurochemical interactions in hippocampal neurogenesis Developmental neuroplasticity Notable scientific recognitions include CNRS Medal for best Junior Scientist (1995) Young Investigator Awards (Paris Academy, DRET 1995-1996) Schlumberger Foundation Award (2002) Dual French Academy Awards (Medicine 2004, Science 2005/2007) New York Academy of Sciences membership (2009) As a member of the Academia Europaea and French Neuroscience Foundation Council, he significantly influences neuroscience research directions. His laboratory developed viral tools for in situ neuronal development studies and discovered inhibitory circuit maturation's role in controlling brain plasticity timing.
Misrahi Micheline is a Professor Exceptional Class at the University Paris Saclay, leading the Genetics of Metabolic and Reproductive Diseases Unit at Bicêtre Hospital. She serves as a National Referent for Genetic Infertility and Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) under the French Ministry of Health. Her roles include heading research units focused on reproductive and metabolic diseases, and she has held directorships in INSERM (French NIH) and university research programs. Education: She earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Paris VI (1989) and a medical degree from Paris V (1985). Her research focuses on sex steroid receptors, thyroid endocrinology, and genetic defects underlying infertility and POI. She pioneered studies on the human progesterone receptor and TSH receptor, contributing foundational knowledge in reproductive endocrinology. Research Interests: Her work spans molecular genetics of reproductive disorders, personalized medicine, and translational applications of genetic findings. Key areas include identifying genetic causes of POI and infertility, with emphasis on receptor dysfunction and therapeutic targets. She leads international collaborations, such as a European Network on POI (9 countries). Publications: Her work highlights genetic insights into POI, BRCA2’s role in fertility, and LH receptor mutations. These studies emphasize personalized medicine and genetic counseling implications. Recent trends focus on NGS applications in clinical practice and cancer-risk correlations in genetic infertility. Awards: Elected to European Academy of Sciences (2022), Jean Marie Lehn Prize (2022), INSERM Scientific Council Member (2008–2012), and multiple doctoral supervision awards. Leadership: Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Molecular Science (2018–2021), Head of ESHRE POI Guideline Group (2022), and advisory roles at global institutions like the Virtual Academy of Genetics. Labs & Teams: Leads the Molecular Genetics Unit at Bicêtre Hospital and coordinates a multidisciplinary European initiative on POI. Her lab integrates clinical genetics, endocrinology, and bioinformatics to advance fertility treatments and diagnostic strategies.
Zoltan Nusser is a distinguished Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology at the Institute of Experimental Medicine in Budapest, Hungary, a position he has held since 2000. He is a Fellow of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2007) and a member of Academia Europaea (elected 2011), with his research focusing on fundamental mechanisms of synaptic transmission and neuronal communication. Dr. Nusser received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from the University of Veterinary Science, Budapest (1987-1992), followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) in Physiological Science from Oxford University, Hertford College (1992-1995), where he also earned Overseas Research Students Awards. He completed postdoctoral training at the MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Oxford (1995-1998) and a Wellcome Travelling Research Fellowship at UCLA (1998-2000). His laboratory pursues four major research directions: Understanding the role of specific nerve cells in olfaction using pharmaco- and opto-genetic techniques during odor discrimination tasks Investigating the molecular, structural, and functional diversity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the cortex Mapping the molecular distribution of ion channels across neuronal surfaces using quantitative microscopy and computational modeling Quantitative analysis of cerebellar cortex microcircuits, particularly focusing on electrically coupled GABAergic interneurons Dr. Nusser has received numerous prestigious awards including: Debiopharm Life Sciences Award (2007) FENS/Boehringer Award (2006) 'Akadémiai Prize' from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (2006) European Young Investigator Award (2005) Ignaz L. Lieben Prize of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2004) His research program has been supported by substantial funding including a €2.5 million European Research Council Advanced Grant (2012-2016) and multiple Wellcome Trust grants. He serves on editorial boards of The Journal of Neuroscience, The European Journal of Neuroscience, Hippocampus, and Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, and regularly reviews for top journals including Nature, Science, and Neuron. The Laboratory of Cellular Neurophysiology employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular techniques, neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, imaging, and computational modeling. Notable collaborations include work with Prof. Angus Silver's lab at University College London on cerebellar microcircuits, and Dr. Nusser's team has identified novel GABAergic interneuron subtypes in the main olfactory bulb that show unique connectivity patterns.
Kostas Triantis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology and Taxonomy, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2019-present). Previously, he served as Assistant Professor (2014-2019) and held academic positions including Special Secretary for Water at Greece's Ministry of Environment (2012-2015), Visiting Professor at University of Bayreuth (2011), and post-doctoral fellowships in Portugal and the UK. He is affiliated with multiple international organizations including IUCN and the International Biogeography Society. University: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School: Faculty of Biology Department: Ecology and Taxonomy His research focuses on island biogeography, macroecology, community ecology, and conservation biology. Key themes include species-area relationships, ecological modeling, environmental heterogeneity, and the systematics of Aegean land snails. He leads international collaborations on biodiversity dynamics in the Anthropocene and has developed computational tools like sars and KBAscope for biogeographical analysis. Recent research includes: 2020-2023: Understanding the Anthropocene (Aegean Islands) - Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation 2018-2021: Inspire4Nature - Marie Curie European Training Networks 2010-2018: Threatened Land Snails of Europe - EU & IUCN collaboration 2012-2015: Community assembly on remote islands - CESAB, France 2012-2015: Biodiversity on oceanic islands - FCT, Portugal Scientific contributions include: Member of Journal of Biogeography editorial board Over 70 peer-reviewed publications Co-editor of two biodiversity books Assessor for over 200 Greek land snail species (IUCN Red List) Reviewer for 56 journals including Nature and Science
Professor Aristidis Tsatsakis is a distinguished academic and researcher currently serving as Professor of Toxicology and Director of the Toxicology and Forensic Science Department at the School of Medicine, University of Crete and University General Hospital in Heraklion, Greece. With over three decades of academic service at the University of Crete, he has held various progressive positions from Lecturer to his current Professorship since 2010. He is also the founder and chief scientific leader of the University of Crete spin-off companies ToxPlus S.A. and LifePlus S.A. Professor Tsatsakis' research interests span multiple critical areas in toxicology and public health. His primary focus includes biomonitoring and risk assessment of xenobiotics, particularly examining the links between chronic low-dose exposure to chemicals and health problems such as metabolic disorders, autoimmune conditions, and cancer. He has developed numerous biomarkers of exposure and effects for various chemicals including pesticides and pharmaceuticals, while also exploring telomere length, chronic diseases, aging, and nanotoxicology. His work on real-life risk simulation of exposure has been particularly influential in advancing safety evaluations in the 21st century. His extensive publication record includes over 1,000 publications with more than 700 in ISI journals and PubMed, reflecting his significant contributions to the field. His most recent research (2023-2025) demonstrates a continued focus on substance abuse patterns, innovative drug development approaches, and cross-cultural studies of drug use. These works reveal a consistent emphasis on practical applications of toxicological research to public health challenges, particularly in the areas of alcohol use disorders, opioid addiction, and pharmaceutical safety assessment. Professor Tsatsakis' scientific achievements have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards: EUROTOX Merit Award 2022 Highly Cited Researcher (2020, 2021) Commemorative medal '130 years of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene' Gold Medal, Eminent Scientist from IRPC As Principal Investigator, he has coordinated over 60 scientific research and technology projects, establishing worldwide collaborations across multiple continents. His editorial contributions include serving as Editor-in-Chief for Public Health and Toxicology journal and long-standing roles with Toxicology and Toxicology Letters. His leadership extends to prominent positions including past President of the Federation of European Toxicologists and European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX) and Honorary President of the Hellenic Society of Toxicology. Professor Tsatsakis leads the Toxicology Science and Research Centre, which investigates thousands of forensic cases annually from Greek territory and internationally. His work bridges academic research with practical applications through his spin-off companies, demonstrating his commitment to translating theoretical knowledge into real-world solutions for public health and safety.
Carlo Arrigo Umiltà is a Full Professor of Neuropsychology at the Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, serving since 1989. He has been Dean of the Galilean School of Advanced Studies at the University of Padua from 2004 to the present. Degree in Medicine (1963), University of Bologna Degree in Psychology (1967), University of Padova His research focuses on spatial attention , executive functions and visuo-motor integration , neural bases of cognitive processes , and mathematical cognition . He has contributed to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying selective attention and cognitive control. Scientific leadership highlights include presidencies of the Italian Neuropsychological Society, European Society for Cognitive Psychology, and the International Society for the Study of Attention and Performance. He received the prestigious ‘Mind and Brain’ award in 2004. Editorial roles: Brain and Cognition , Cortex , European Journal of Cognitive Psychology , and others International research grants: NATO Study Visit Grants, European Science Foundation Twinning Grants, McDonnell-Pew Cognitive Neuroscience Program, and Royal Society Grant
Yvette van Kooyk is a Professor of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology at Amsterdam UMC (VUmc location) and Head of the Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology since 2001. She previously served as Director of the Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute (2017–2021) and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of spin-off companies DC4U and Glycotreat. Her research focuses on dendritic cell biology, glycobiology, and immune responses in cancer, infection, and autoimmunity. Education: PhD in transplantation immunology at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (1989–1993). Key contributions include the discovery of the DC-SIGN receptor and pioneering work on glycocode-driven immune regulation. She has supervised 40 PhD students and holds 6 patents. Research interests include glycan-mediated immune modulation, tumor microenvironment analysis, and development of glycan-modified cancer vaccines. She employs in-vivo mouse models (e.g., pancreatic cancer, melanoma) and human in-vitro systems (skin models, 3D cultures). Awards include the Spinoza Award (2019), ERC Advanced Grant, and membership in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences (KNAW, 2018). She has authored over 280 publications in journals like Nature and Cell . Her work bridges basic research and translational medicine, with a focus on immune checkpoint modulation and novel vaccine strategies targeting dendritic cells.
Hedda Wardemann is a Professor and Head of the Division of B-Cell Immunology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany since 2014. She previously served as the Speaker of the Tumor Immunology Program at DKFZ (2016-2019) and held leadership roles at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology and The Rockefeller University. Her research focuses on B cell immunology, vaccine development, and systems immunology, with significant contributions to understanding antibody responses against pathogens like malaria and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Education: Dr. rer. nat. in Immunology, Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg (2001) Graduate Studies in Immunology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology (1998-2001) Dipl. Biol. from Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg (1998) Research Interests: Wardemann’s work spans B cell biology, single-cell analysis, and translational vaccine research. She investigates how natural parasite exposure and vaccination shape protective antibody responses, with a focus on malaria and bacterial infections. Her lab develops high-throughput methods to profile immunoglobulin repertoires and elucidate clonal selection dynamics in immunity. Scientific Contributions: Her recent publications highlight breakthroughs in understanding antibody specificity for Klebsiella pneumoniae, the role of affinity maturation in malaria immunity, and novel methods for single-cell immunoglobulin sequencing. These studies underscore her lab’s dual focus on basic immunology and applied vaccine development. Awards: 2018: Member of the European B Cell Network 2015: Founding member of the IUIS Vaccine Committee Leadership & Grants: As Division Head, Wardemann oversees a multidisciplinary team exploring B cell-driven immunity. Her research has been supported by grants focused on malaria, tuberculosis, and systems-level immunology studies. She maintains collaborations with international institutions like the NIH and the University of Oxford to advance vaccine design strategies. Labs/Teams: Her division operates within the DKFZ’s broader tumor immunology framework, integrating computational immunology, single-cell technologies, and clinical trial data to advance translational research.
Chee Yap is a Professor of Computer Science at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, where he has been a faculty member since 1979. He previously held positions at the University of Southern California and has served as a Visiting Professor at several prestigious institutions including Oxford University, Seoul National University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Yap received his BS in Computer Science & Mathematics (Double Major) from MIT in 1975 and his PhD in Computer Science from Yale University in 1980. His academic journey began at the Boys' Wing, Royal Military College in Malaysia. His research spans several areas in theoretical computer science and computational mathematics, with primary focus on Computer algebra and symbolic-numeric computation , Robotics , Visualization , Theory of algorithms , Exact computation , Complexity theory , and Computational geometry . His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations, exemplified by his development of the Core Library for exact computation and the G-Vis System for visualization. Dr. Yap's publication record shows a consistent focus on robust geometric computation, algorithmic motion planning, and exact numerical methods. His recent work (2021-2026) demonstrates continued innovation in parameter estimation for differential equations, subdivision models, path planning algorithms, and root clustering techniques. His research maintains a strong connection between theoretical computer science and practical applications in robotics and scientific computing. Among his notable honors are the CAS President's International Visiting Scientist Fellowship (2018), KIAS Scholar award (2006-2009), Lester R. Ford Award (1990), and Fulbright Scholar Award (1988). He has also received multiple ACM Recognition of Service Awards for his conference leadership. Dr. Yap has been continuously funded by the National Science Foundation since 1984, securing approximately 20 grants valued at about $5 million. He has mentored 17 PhD students and 4 postdocs throughout his career. His editorial service includes long tenures on the boards of SIAM Journal of Computing (1985-2002), Journal of Computer and System Sciences (1986-2014), and Journal of Symbolic Computation (1988-2004), among others. He is the principal architect of the Core Library (http://cs.nyu.edu/exact) and co-architect of the G-Vis System (http://cs.nyu.edu/visual), and holds two visualization patents. His leadership in the academic community is evident through his roles as General Chair of the 42nd ISSAC conference and various program committee positions for major conferences including FOCS, ISSAC, SoCG, and WAFR.
Manuela Zaccolo is a Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Oxford since 2012 and a Tutorial Fellow in Pre-Clinical Medicine at Balliol College, Oxford, UK. Her research focuses on the spatial and temporal regulation of cyclic nucleotide signaling, particularly in cardiac pathophysiology. Research Interests : Cyclic nucleotide signaling (cAMP/cGMP) Subcellular compartmentalization of signals Role of phosphodiesterases in heart disease AKAP-mediated signal transduction Quantitative optical imaging in living cells Scientific Contributions : She pioneered genetically encoded FRET-based reporters for cyclic AMP, enabling real-time monitoring of signaling in live cells. Her work on compartmentalized signaling in cardiac myocytes has redefined understanding of second messenger systems. Scientific Awards & Honors : Fellow of the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arte (2023) Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (2019) Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award (declined, 2011) Telethon Career Award (2001-2007) Royal Society/Accademia dei Lincei European Science Exchange Fellowship (1996-1997) British Council Grant in Aid (1992)
Dr. Lucas Kook is a Researcher at the Department of Statistics and Mathematics, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. His research focuses on causal inference, machine learning, and statistical modeling, with applications in sports analytics, medical data analysis, and healthcare outcomes. He actively develops R packages such as deeptrafo for neural network-based statistical inference. His work bridges theoretical advancements in distributional regression and practical implementations in healthcare and sports domains. Key research areas include algorithm development for significance testing in supervised learning, causal feature selection, and nonparametric methods for conditional independence. Recent studies explore the efficacy of thrombolytic therapies in retinal artery occlusion and the predictive power of deep learning models in stroke patient outcomes. Collaborations span interdisciplinary fields, emphasizing reproducibility and methodological rigor in simulation studies.
Dr. Michael Szvetits is a Lecturer and Researcher at the Institute of Computer Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Vienna (2019), an MSc in Computer Science (2012), and a BSc in Information Technology (2010), all from the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt. His research focuses on software architecture, domain-specific languages, model-driven software development, functional programming, logic programming, and compiler construction. He has contributed to projects such as 'Care about Care' (C^C), which aims to enhance home care through ICT solutions, and 'CARU cares,' which integrates emergency call systems with care documentation tools. His publications span topics like runtime event analysis, model-driven engineering, and software architecture decisions. He collaborates on initiatives funded by the FFG and Active Assisted Living Programme. Dr. Szvetits is actively involved in research projects targeting healthcare technology, software systems optimization, and innovation in assistive living solutions.
