Simon O'Sullivan is a Professor of Art Theory and Practice and Programme Leader for the MA in Contemporary Art Theory at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is affiliated with the Department of Visual Cultures, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of art, performance, and continental philosophy. His work explores themes such as mythopoesis, fictioning, and the production of subjectivity, with a particular interest in Deleuze and Guattari's theories. O’Sullivan collaborates under the name Plastique Fantastique, a performance fiction collective that interrogates aesthetics, subjectivity, and cultural politics through interdisciplinary practices. His research interests span aesthetics, continental philosophy, and modern/contemporary art, including ritual/performance, psycho/schizo-analysis, and non-philosophy. He has published extensively, including monographs like From Magic and Myth-Work to Care and Repair (2024) and Fictioning: The Myth-Functions of Contemporary Art and Philosophy (2019 with David Burrows). O’Sullivan’s work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing hybrid writing and speculative approaches to art and culture. He teaches on the MA Contemporary Art Theory and contributes to BA and MPhil/PhD programs, mentoring students in areas like theory-fiction, occulture, and care and repair. His collaborative art projects have been exhibited globally, and he frequently presents at international conferences on topics such as myth-science and speculative methodologies.
Aura Istrate is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Urban Planning & Sustainable Urbanism at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin (UCD). With an international background spanning multiple continents, she conducts interdisciplinary research on sustainable urban development, focusing on active mobility, nature-based solutions, and climate-neutral cities. She teaches GIS and urban planning modules while coordinating several significant research projects across European and Asian contexts. University College Dublin, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy Primary Coordinator of C-NEWTRAL (Horizon MSCA-DN 2024-2028) Co-Leader of REALLOCATE (Horizon Europe project 2023-2027) Principal Investigator for BIODIVERSA+ projects (NatureScape and NBS4AQUAMISSION) Educated at the University of Architecture and Urban Planning 'Ion Mincu' in Bucharest (BA and MA) and the University of Liverpool (PhD), Dr. Istrate further enhanced her teaching credentials with a Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning from UCD. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in architectural and urban planning principles combined with specialized expertise in sustainable urbanism. Dr. Istrate's research focuses on smart and sustainable urbanism, particularly examining active mobility, livable streets, green public spaces, and nature-based solutions in urban planning. Her work employs participatory, geospatial, and mixed methods to inform smart communities and the transition to climate-neutral cities. She has practical international experience in urban design and planning, with ongoing collaborations spanning European and Asian countries, currently teaching and researching across cultures in UCD and UCD's International Colleges (CDIC). Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on street vitality, urban heat adaptation, and nature-based solutions. The research demonstrates methodological diversity combining quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative community engagement approaches. Her work spans multiple geographic contexts, with particular expertise in Chinese urban environments and European cities, showing how urban planning concepts need to be contextualized for different cultural settings. The articles consistently address climate adaptation challenges through innovative approaches like urban nature games and fine-grained street classification systems. Dr. Istrate serves as a PhD thesis supervisor and is actively involved in major research initiatives including C-NEWTRAL (as Primary Coordinator), REALLOCATE (as Co-Leader), and BIODIVERSA+ projects (as PI for NatureScape and NBS4AQUAMISSION). Her grant portfolio includes Horizon Europe projects and other significant funding that supports interdisciplinary research on climate-neutral urban development. She has coordinated multiple teaching modules including Planning Design & Development, GIS & Planning, Intro to Spatial Planning, and Local Planning Studio. She leads international research collaborations and maintains active partnerships across various European and Asian countries. Her work bridges academic research with practical urban planning applications, particularly through her focus on research-by-design approaches and participatory methods that engage communities in the planning process. She has served as a lecturer, tutor, or teaching assistant across departments of Architecture, Planning, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Human Geography in Ireland, the UK, Czechia, Sweden, China, and Romania since 2010.
Dr. Catrin Lundström is an Assistant Professor of Ethnicity and Migration at the Department of Migration, Ethnicity and Society (REMESO) within the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS) at Linköping University's Faculty of Philosophy. Her research focuses on the intersection of migration, whiteness, and gender, examining how Swedish women experience transnational migration and return migration processes. Dr. Lundström received her PhD in Sociology from Uppsala University in 2007 and became an Associate Professor (Docent) in Sociology there in 2011. Her academic journey includes teaching and research positions at multiple Swedish institutions including Uppsala University, Stockholm University, Mälardalen University, Södertörn University, Umeå University, and Linköping University. She has also been a visiting researcher at the University of Arizona and the University of California. Dr. Lundström's research centers on whiteness as both a place-bound and transnational construction. She challenges conventional migration studies by focusing on privileged Swedish women migrants, developing the concept of 'white capital' to understand how whiteness functions as transferable cultural capital across national borders. Her work examines how racial privilege, gender, and class intersect in migration experiences, particularly among women who migrate for lifestyle, companionship, or professional reasons. Her recent publications demonstrate an expanding focus on the relationship between race, whiteness, and educational systems in Sweden, as well as critical examinations of contemporary political debates through the lens of critical race theory. Lundström's work increasingly addresses how colorblind discourse operates in Swedish society while simultaneously exploring the politics of national identity in a globalized world. Dr. Lundström has led significant research projects including: 'White Migrations: Gender, Whiteness and Privilege in Transnational Migration' (2014) 'Tre faser av hegemonisk vithet' (Three Phases of Hegemonic Whiteness) with Tobias Hübinette 'Att återintegrera svenskheten' (Reintegrating Swedishness) on returning Swedish migrant women, funded by the Swedish Research Council Her research has been supported by organizations including the Sweden-America Foundation and the Swedish Research Council. Dr. Lundström is actively involved in several academic networks: IMISCOE Standing Committee on Gender, Migration and Transnational Lives White Spaces Network at Leeds University Lifestyle Migration Hub, an international network of researchers studying lifestyle migration She regularly lectures within and outside academia, both in Sweden and internationally, and has received significant media attention for her research on school segregation, colorblind language, and gender equality in migration contexts.
Dr. Lisa Libby is a Professor of Social Psychology at The Ohio State University, affiliated with the Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on how subjective perceptions shape cognition, emotion, and behavior, with a particular emphasis on mental imagery and visual perspective. She explores how manipulating these processes can improve decision-making, emotional well-being, and social harmony. Libby holds a PhD from Cornell University (2003), an MA from Simmons College (1997), and a BA from Williams College (1996). Education: PhD in Psychology, Cornell University, 2003 MA in Psychology, Simmons College, 1997 BA in Psychology, Williams College, 1996 Her research investigates how visual perspective in mental imagery influences self-perception, memory, and goal pursuit. Key themes include the interplay between imagery, identity, and decision-making, with applications to personal and interpersonal contexts. Libby's work highlights how shifting perspectives (e.g., first- vs. third-person imagery) can alter emotional responses, reduce bias in self-assessment, and enhance adaptive behaviors. Her advising contributions include mentoring students like Valenti G. and Shaeffer E.M., who have co-authored influential studies on imagery perspective and memory. Libby's lab at Ohio State University continues to advance understanding of how subjective experiences are constructed and manipulated through psychological mechanisms. Her research spans cognitive and social psychology, addressing topics such as autobiographical memory, regulatory fit, and the psychological effects of motion on conflict resolution. She has contributed to major academic volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of Social Cognition and Advances in Experimental Social Psychology .
Michael Wheeler is a Professor in Philosophy at the University of Stirling, focusing on cognitive science, phenomenology, and the philosophy of technology. His work bridges existentialist philosophy with modern AI ethics and embodied cognition. Key Research Themes: Extended mind, distributed cognition, and transparency in smart machines. Recent Projects: Explore the societal impact of AI, cognitive change in the arts, and the interplay between aging and cognition. Selected Articles (2024-2019): His publications span topics like creativity and contingency in the arts, transparency in AI, and the evolutionary psychology of reasoning. Notable Contributions: Advocates for integrating phenomenology into cognitive science and challenges representationalist frameworks in AI and robotics.
Sami H. Assaf is a Gabilan Distinguished Professor of Science and Engineering and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Southern California. He currently serves as Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Mathematics and was named a Dean's Leadership Fellow for Physical Sciences and Mathematics in 2024. His academic career spans from CLE Moore Instructor at MIT (2008-2011) through Assistant Professor (2012-2019), Associate Professor (2019-2022), to his current position as Professor (2022-present). Dr. Assaf earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2007 under Mark Haiman, with his dissertation titled "Dual equivalence graphs, ribbon tableaux and Macdonald polynomials." He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame in 2001, graduating summa cum laude with Honors in Mathematics and Philosophy. His research primarily focuses on symmetric function theory and its rich interplay with algebraic combinatorics, representation theory, and algebraic geometry. Dr. Assaf's recent publications center on polynomial generalizations of symmetric functions, including Schubert polynomials, Demazure characters, and nonsymmetric Macdonald polynomials. His work has established important connections between combinatorial structures and representation-theoretic objects, particularly through the development of dual equivalence and weak dual equivalence frameworks. Dr. Assaf's research has been consistently supported by multiple National Science Foundation grants (most recently DMS-2246785) and Simons Foundation Collaboration Grants (most recently Award 953878). His publication record shows remarkable productivity with over 40 papers in top mathematics journals since 2005, including numerous collaborations with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Among his honors are the Gabilan Distinguished Professorship (2023), multiple USC Mentoring Awards (2017, 2024), the Herb Alexander Prize for outstanding dissertation (2007), and both the National Science Foundation and National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Research Fellowships. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Assaf has successfully guided numerous Ph.D. students to completion, including Henry Ehrhard, Grant Bowles, and Peter Kagey. He also founded and directs the Venice Math Circle, an innovative early math education program that uses creative approaches like dinosaur sorting and building blocks to teach deep mathematical concepts to children from Pre-K through 8th grade, emphasizing discovery and analytical thinking over rote memorization.
Sam Pizelo is an Assistant Professor of Game Studies at the Institute for Communication, Culture, Information & Technology (ICCIT), University of Toronto. His research investigates the role of games as modeling technologies in the development of computing, artificial intelligence, and neoliberal capitalism. He is actively engaged in both scholarly and creative practices, integrating media art, data science, and game design into his academic work. Research Interests: Sam's work spans game studies, digital humanities, media theory, and critical computing. He explores how games function as epistemic tools that shape knowledge production, particularly in technoscientific domains. His research connects historical analysis with contemporary digital methods to examine the cultural and philosophical implications of games. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on the historical and systemic roles of games in shaping modern computing and thought. Themes include the modeling revolution, systems thinking, and the deep cultural roots of game logic. His work bridges humanities scholarship with computational practice. Scientific Contributions: Co-creator of Project Quintessence , a corpus exploration framework combining machine learning and dynamic visualizations for archival research. Founding member of the Degrowth Game Design Project (DeGDP) , a multi-campus initiative exploring games for post-growth futures. Sam Pizelo is an active researcher and media practitioner without listed advisees or awards in the provided text. He maintains academic affiliations with the University of Toronto and previously held a visiting position at NYU.
Dr. Alessio Russo is a Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at the School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology (QUT). As a recognized expert in urban ecosystem services and green infrastructure, his research bridges environmental design with human health and climate change mitigation. His research emphasizes enhancing urban human health and wellbeing through biodiverse green spaces, participatory design, and nature-based solutions that address thermal comfort, pollution removal, food production, and water runoff. Key projects include 2023-2024: Urban rewilding aesthetics & people's needs in blue/green infrastructure (UKRI RECLAIM Network Plus) 2023: Climate-resilient public spaces (RPA Small Grants, UoG) 2021-2022: Shared vision for urban greening (UCL & Net Zero Innovation Programme) His scholarly output spans 2014-2025, focusing on nature-based urban regeneration aligned with SDG 11. He serves as Associate Editor for Urban Agriculture and Regional Food Systems and sits on editorial boards of Urban Planning, Discovering Cities, and Urban Resilience and Sustainability. Professional memberships include IFLA, ICOMOS-IFLA, and IUCN CEM.
Caren Walker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), leading the Early Learning and Cognition (ELC) Lab. Her research focuses on how children learn abstract causal principles, particularly through activities like analogy, explanation, and engagement with imaginary scenarios. She explores developmental trajectories in scientific reasoning and the role of cultural context in shaping cognitive processes. Dr. Walker’s work combines interdisciplinary approaches from psychology, philosophy, and computational modeling. She investigates children’s understanding of uncertainty, causal inference, and the decline of relational reasoning with age. Her lab conducts experiments in diverse settings, including partnerships with museums, to study learning mechanisms in real-world contexts. Notable achievements include the 2024 APA Boyd McCandless Award and the 2021 NSF CAREER Award. The ELC Lab actively engages undergraduate researchers and collaborates on projects addressing cognitive diversity across cultures. Recent lab milestones include studies on US-China differences in causal reasoning and the impact of stereotypes on causal judgments.
Zohreh Sharafi is an Assistant Professor of Software Engineering in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering (GIGL) at Polytechnique Montréal. Previously, she served as a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she worked with Dr. Westley Weimer and was awarded the prestigious NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Prior to her academic career, she worked as a software engineer at Morgan Stanley, contributing to the firm's electronic trading platform and serving as principal architect of SURF, a market data simulator. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from École polytechnique de Montréal under the supervision of Dr. Giuliano Antoniol and Dr. Yann-Gaël Guéhéneuc, a Master of Applied Science in Software Engineering from Concordia University, and a Bachelor of Computer Engineering from the University of Tehran. Dr. Sharafi leads the SENSE Lab, a multidisciplinary software engineering research laboratory focused on understanding problem-solving strategies developers use during software development, with particular attention to human factors such as gender and native language. Her research combines human-centric design with experimental methodologies, investigating cognitive processes involved in software development using biometric measures including eye tracking and neuroimaging. Current active projects include evaluating trustworthiness perceptions of software artifacts and studying the role of creativity in software engineering tasks. She has made significant contributions to understanding how gender influences program comprehension and code review processes. Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on empirical methods in software engineering, particularly eye tracking and neuroimaging techniques to study developer cognition. Her work spans program comprehension, code review, requirements engineering, and the impact of human factors on software development processes. She has developed methodological frameworks for conducting eye tracking studies in software engineering and has made notable contributions to understanding how visualization techniques affect software development tasks. NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship NSERC Discovery Grant Program and Launch Supplements (Sep 2024-Sep 2029) IVADO Startup & Operation Fund (Jan 2022-Jan 2023) Scholarship for Doctoral Studies from Fonds de Recherche du Quebec Distinguished Reviewer Awards from IEEE ICPC 2020 and ACM FSE 2024 Dr. Sharafi actively mentors students including Mahta Amini (PhD Candidate, IVADO Scientifique en résidence 2024 Laureate), Cameron Cherif (PhD Candidate), Sara Yabesi (Master's Student), and Anthonia Njoku (Graduate research intern). She serves on numerous conference organizing committees including as Local Arrangement Chair for SANER 2025, Program Co-chair for SEMLA 2024, and as a reviewer for top-tier journals including IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering and ACM Computing Surveys. Her research is supported by multiple grants focused on understanding human factors in software engineering through empirical methods. At Polytechnique Montréal, Dr. Sharafi directs the SENSE Lab which brings together computer scientists, cognitive scientists, and software engineering researchers to investigate the cognitive aspects of software development. The lab employs advanced methodologies including eye tracking, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study how developers comprehend, navigate, and modify software systems. Current projects examine trustworthiness perceptions in code review, the role of creativity in software engineering tasks, and gender differences in software development processes.
Sunny Stalter-Pace serves as the Hargis Professor of American Literature in Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts, English Department. A specialist in modernist performance, literature, and urban space, she authored Imitation Artist: Gertrude Hoffmann's Life in Vaudeville and Dance (2020) and is currently completing a cultural history of the New York Hippodrome. Her work bridges academic research with public engagement through blogs, interviews, and collaborations with institutions like the Library of Congress. Her educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in English, Rutgers University (2007) M.A. in English, Rutgers University (2003) B.A. in English and French, Loyola University Chicago (1997), magna cum laude Stalter-Pace's research interrogates intersections of mobility, gender, and performance in 20th-century American culture. She examines how vaudeville, subway systems, and theatrical spectacles shaped public identity, with particular attention to women's experiences and spatial politics. Her methodology combines literary analysis, archival research, and visual studies to reveal how imitation and movement function as cultural forces. Current projects explore aquatic performances at the New York Hippodrome and the legacy of vaudeville producer Gertrude Hoffmann. Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate an evolving trajectory from subway systems ( Underground Movements , 2013) toward aquatic spectacles and vaudeville legacies, consistently centered on New York City's infrastructure. This body of work establishes mobility studies as a critical lens for understanding modernism, revealing how transportation networks and performance venues structured social interactions. Her interdisciplinary approach connects theater history, gender studies, and urban theory to uncover marginalized narratives in American cultural production. Key recognitions include: Harry Ransom Center Fellowship (2020) New York Public Library Short-Term Research Fellowship (2020) Alabama Humanities Foundation Grant (2014) College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching Award nomination (2011) Multiple research fellowships from 2003-2017 Stalter-Pace has secured substantial funding for archival research through fellowships from the NEH, MLA, and university grants. She serves on Biographer’s International Organization's program committee and curated the 'Common Grounds' exhibition at Auburn's Jule Collins Smith Museum. Her teaching innovations include the first-year seminar 'Thinking Through the Arts' and courses on contemporary drama that integrate Hamilton into American literature pedagogy. As Book Review Editor for Transfers: Interdisciplinary Journal of Mobility Studies , she shaped scholarly discourse in mobility studies. Through her Hippodrome research blog and collaborations with the New York Public Library, Stalter-Pace transforms specialized scholarship into accessible public history. Her Library of Congress presentation on Albertina Rasch and the Hippodrome exemplifies her commitment to bridging academic research with community engagement, while ongoing interviews and blog posts extend her work beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Olga Kokshagina serves as an Associate Professor in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at The University of Sydney, with adjunct research appointments at Monash University's Emerging Technology Lab and the UNU Hub - Learning Planet Institute. She is also an active member of the French Digital Council. Her research program investigates technology-mediated collaboration in complex innovation systems, focusing on healthcare transformation, deep tech commercialization, and co-design methodologies. Kokshagina has led high-impact projects with global institutions including the World Health Organization, OECD, STMicroelectronics, Vall d’Hebron Hospital, and Roche, demonstrating strong translational research capabilities. Her scholarly work centers on value-based healthcare innovation, digital platform governance, and AI-enhanced collaborative systems. She examines how organizational capabilities evolve during technological transitions, particularly in healthcare ecosystems, and investigates regulatory frameworks for algorithmic control in digital markets. Kokshagina's research bridges theoretical innovation management with practical applications, evidenced by her co-founding of Ninti—an initiative advancing women's health in workplace environments—and her Open Covid-19 crowdsourcing campaign that mobilized global expertise during the pandemic. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals a cohesive trajectory examining innovation in socio-technical systems. Key themes include value digitalization in healthcare, mission-oriented interdisciplinary collaboration, and the impact of big data on technology management. Her work consistently addresses grand challenges through mixed-methods approaches, spanning conceptual frameworks in journals like Research Policy to applied studies in Technovation and R&D Management, with increasing focus on quantum readiness and AI-augmented learning systems. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. Kokshagina currently holds a 2025 research grant for "Co-designing societal readiness and scenario building for quantum" through the University of Sydney Nano Institute/Catalyst program. While no student supervision activities are mentioned, her collaborative projects involve multi-institutional teams across industry, government, and academic sectors. Kokshagina maintains active roles within the University of Sydney Nano Institute and contributes to international policy discourse through the French Digital Council. Her Ninti initiative exemplifies her commitment to human-centered innovation, while ongoing collaborations with healthcare providers like Roche and Vall d’Hebron Hospital demonstrate sustained engagement with real-world implementation challenges in value-based care systems.
Prof. Dr. Johanna Heitzer is a University Professor for Mathematics Education at RWTH Aachen University since 2011. She leads the Teaching and Research Area of Mathematics Education within the university's mathematics department. Her office is located in Room 352 of the Kreuzherrenstraße 2 building in Aachen. She serves as co-editor of the journal 'mathematik lehren,' co-author of the 'Mathematics - New Ways' textbook series, and holds numerous committee positions including membership in the Faculty Advisory Board and Structural Commission of the Center Council. 1989: High school diploma 1989-1994: Mathematics and Physics Teacher Training at RWTH Aachen 1994-1996: Traineeship at Aachen Teacher Training College 1997: Research assistant at University of Münster 1998-2007: Mathematics and Physics teacher at Korschenbroich Gymnasium 2007-2010: Scientific assistant and doctorate at RWTH Aachen 2011-present: University Professor at RWTH Aachen Professor Heitzer's research focuses on the training and further education of mathematics teachers, development of contemporary teaching materials, applied and interdisciplinary mathematics, and the transition from school to university. Her work emphasizes concept formation, linguistic communication in mathematics, and the historical development of mathematical ideas as teaching resources. She investigates mathematics-specific learning and cognitive processes through multiple research projects including the Aachen school-university project iMPACt. Her recent scholarly output demonstrates a strong trend toward integrating digital technologies in mathematics education, particularly 3D printing and e-learning tools. She has increasingly focused on the social relevance of mathematics, exploring concepts of fairness, sustainability, and citizen empowerment through mathematical modeling. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics education with practical classroom applications, maintaining a strong connection to both historical perspectives and contemporary educational challenges. Special prize from Sparkasse Bad Hersfeld-Rotenburg for best mathematics Abitur (1989) Borchers Plaque for doctoral examinations passed with distinction (2011) DMV honor as Mathemaker of the Month (2013) Brigitte Gilles Prize 2013 for the MINT-L4 Center Professor Heitzer has supervised numerous doctoral students, serving as primary or secondary advisor for at least nine PhD dissertations between 2016-2021. Her research projects include the School-University Project MathePlus Aachen (iMPACt), e-Learning 'Mathematics for Civil Engineers,' and the development of mathematics items for StudiChecks NRW. She has secured funding through the Quality Initiative for Teacher Education (both phases) and participates in the ComeIn project focused on digitalization in teacher training. Her grants consistently emphasize practical applications of mathematics education research with direct impact on classroom practice. As a founding member of the MINT-L4@RWTH center and initiator of the working group Mathematical Education for Sustainable Development, Professor Heitzer has established significant collaborative structures. She participates in the Subject Didactics Forum at the Teacher Training Center of RWTH Aachen and has served in leadership roles including Chair of the Center Council (2014-2016) and Board member of the Teacher Training Center (2014-2017). Her work connects with national and international networks through her membership in the Society for Mathematics Education (GDM), the German Association for Mathematics and Science Education (MNU), and the German Mathematical Society (DMV).
Suyi Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering, where he leads the Dynamic and Architected Robot and structurE (DARE) Lab. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at Clemson University from 2016-2022 after completing postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2014) M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University (2008) B.S. Summa Cum Laude in Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2006) Dr. Li's research focuses on pioneering new paradigms of intelligent robots and functional structures by exploiting the interplay between geometry, mechanics, actuation, and computation. His work spans origami-inspired morphing structures, physically computing materials that perform machine learning tasks without traditional electronics, and soft/reconfigurable robots that can move like animals or grow like plants. His innovative approach combines mechanical engineering principles with computational thinking to create systems with 'mechano-intelligence'. Analysis of Dr. Li's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward embodied intelligence and mechanical computing, where physical structures themselves perform computational tasks. His work increasingly integrates origami/kirigami principles with advanced materials to create systems that can sense, process information, and actuate without conventional electronics. The research shows progression from fundamental mechanics of adaptive structures to sophisticated applications in robotics and computing. Dean's Awards of Excellence – Faculty Fellow, Virginia Tech (2024) C.D. Mote Jr Early Career Award, ASME Design Engineering Division (2022) Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award, ASME Aerospace Division (2021) Junior Researcher of the Year Award, College of Engineering, Clemson University (2020) CECAS Dean's Faculty Fellow, Clemson University (2018) CAREER Award, National Science Foundation (2018) ASME Freudenstein Young Investigator Award Dr. Li has secured nearly two million dollars in research funding, including the prestigious NSF CAREER award and an NSF EFRI project to build mechano-bio hybrid reservoir computers. He advises multiple Ph.D. and Master's students in the DARE Lab, with recent successes including Vishrut Deshpande's Ph.D. defense. His research has generated close to 80 journal and conference papers, demonstrating significant impact in the fields of adaptive structures and materials systems. Dr. Li also serves on editorial boards for several prominent journals including Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures and Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. The DARE Lab at Virginia Tech comprises a multidisciplinary team of researchers working on origami-inspired meta-structures, physically computing materials, and soft robotics. Current projects include developing electronics-free crawling robots with mechanical central pattern generators, creating kirigami-based wearable medical devices, and engineering metamaterials with programmable mechanical properties. The lab actively collaborates with institutions across the country and has received recognition for its innovative approaches to combining mechanical design with computational capabilities.
Mélanie Roustan is an anthropologist and Assistant Professor at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. She teaches visitor studies in the Museum's Master in Museology program and conducts research in the PALOC laboratory (UMR Paloc), which focuses on heritage and territories. Her academic work bridges material culture studies with contemporary museum anthropology, examining how museums function as social spaces for working, visiting, and thinking about heritage, memory, and cosmology. Dr. Roustan's research interests include: Material Culture Studies Museum Anthropology Visitor Studies Anthropology of Smoking Heritage Studies Indigenous Paradigms in French Museums Zoological Gardens as Heritage Sites Her scholarly approach combines ethnographic fieldwork with theoretical analysis of museum practices and heritage politics. She has published extensively on museum anthropology, with notable works including 'Sous l'emprise des objets? Culture matérielle et autonomie' (2007), 'Voyage au Musée du quai Branly' (2012, with Octave Debary), and 'El museo y sus públicos. El visitante tiene la palabra' (2013, with Jacqueline Eidelman and Bernadette Goldstein). Dr. Roustan's recent publications (2019-2023) demonstrate a significant evolution in her research toward contemporary issues in museum anthropology, particularly focusing on digital transformations in museum practices, indigenous perspectives in French museums, and the heritagization of living animals in zoological gardens. Her work on French ambivalence toward indigenous concepts and the administration of digital collections in zoological parks represents cutting-edge research at the intersection of anthropology, heritage studies, and digital humanities. Her contributions to academic discourse include: Critical analysis of French museums' engagement with indigenous peoples Innovative research on living collections and biodiversity heritage Exploration of digital transformations in museum practices Examination of material culture in everyday life and museum contexts Comparative studies of heritage practices across national contexts Dr. Roustan actively participates in international academic conferences, including presenting on Maori exhibitions in Paris and Québec City, reflecting her commitment to cross-cultural dialogue and understanding in museum contexts. Her work consistently demonstrates methodological rigor and theoretical sophistication, making significant contributions to multiple fields within anthropology and museum studies.
