Raghu Bollapragada is an Assistant Professor in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, with affiliations to the Oden Institute and Machine Learning Laboratory. His research designs algorithms for nonlinear optimization, including constrained, stochastic, and distributed methods with applications in machine learning. Supported by NSF, Argonne National Laboratory, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, recent work (2024-2025) develops gradient tracking for decentralized systems, adaptive sampling techniques, and hessian averaging for nonconvex problems. He was elected Vice Chair of Nonlinear Optimization for INFORMS (2024-2026).
Adrian Lewis is the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Engineering at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Engineering and the Department of Operations Research and Information Engineering . He specializes in variational analysis and nonsmooth optimization, focusing on eigenvalue optimization and semi-algebraic geometry. His research has been supported by NSF grants, including DMS-1613996. He holds prestigious awards like the SIAM Fellow and the Lagrange Prize. Research interests include optimization algorithms, convex analysis, and the interplay between geometry and optimization. Notably, his work on eigenvalue optimization and nonsmooth problems has advanced theoretical and computational methods. He has contributed to journals like Mathematical Programming and SIAM Journal on Optimization , and serves as Co-Editor of Mathematical Programming A . Professional achievements include the 1995 Aisenstadt Prize, SIAM Outstanding Paper Award (2005), and the INFORMS Computing Society Prize (2018). He has held leadership roles, such as Director of ORIE (2010–2013), and editorial positions across multiple journals. His research also explores metric spaces, subgradient methods, and nonsmooth algorithms, reflecting a commitment to foundational and applied optimization challenges.
Zenonas Tziarras is a Lecturer in the Department of Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cyprus. His academic work focuses on Turkish foreign policy, contemporary Turkish politics, and the international politics and security dynamics of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region. He holds a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick, UK, with a specialization in Turkish Foreign Policy under the Justice and Development Party (AKP). Dr. Tziarras earned his BA in Mediterranean Studies from the University of the Aegean, Greece, and his MA in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK. He has also attended specialization seminars in International Security at the University of Delhi, India, and in Leadership and Conflict Resolution at Koç University, Turkey, along with obtaining a certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills from the Northern Ireland Open College Network. His research interests span Turkish foreign policy, contemporary Turkish politics, international politics and security of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, political Islam, and more recently, political theology, apocalypticism, and the relationship between religion, ideology and politics. Dr. Tziarras employs Neoclassical Realist theoretical frameworks in his analysis of foreign policy behavior, with particular attention to ideational factors. His scholarly output demonstrates a clear evolution from analyzing Turkish foreign policy in the Middle East toward examining broader regional dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean, with increasing focus on Cyprus's foreign policy and strategic position. The publications reveal a methodological consistency in applying international relations theory to concrete regional cases, particularly examining how systemic pressures interact with domestic factors to shape foreign policy outcomes. Dr. Tziarras is the co-founder of the platform Geopolitical Cyprus and serves as a member of the editorial board of the New Middle Eastern Studies Journal. He has previously worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Cyprus and as an Associate Lecturer in Security & Diplomacy Studies between 2015 and 2017.
Professor Wang Li-Lian is a faculty member in the Division of Mathematical Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He holds the rank of Professor of Applied Mathematics and has been affiliated with NTU since 2006, progressing through roles including Assistant and Associate Professor before his current position. His research focuses on spectral methods, computational acoustics/electromagnetics, and PDE-based image processing. He has supervised multiple PhD and Master's students, including Zhang Jing, Gu Ying, Yang Zhiguo, and others. Education and career highlights include a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Purdue University (2002-2003), followed by a Visiting Assistant Professorship (2003-2005). His academic work spans spectral element methods, fractional differential equations, and high-order numerical techniques for wave scattering problems. Notable contributions include advancements in spectral-Galerkin methods for nonlocal operators and exact nonreflecting boundary conditions for Maxwell's equations. Research interests emphasize high-accuracy numerical schemes, with applications to fractional PDEs, metamaterial simulations, and image processing. His publications (over 100+ articles) reflect expertise in spectral methods, computational physics, and mathematical modeling. Teaching responsibilities include courses on partial differential equations, numerical analysis, and scientific computing.
Stevan Pilipović is a Full Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Informatics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad. His research spans generalized functions, integral transforms, pseudodifferential operators, and fractional calculus. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Novi Sad (1979) and has led key academic roles, including editorships in journals like Integral Transforms and Special Functions and Pseudo-Differential Operators and Applications . Education: BSc in Mathematics, University of Novi Sad (1973) MSc in Mathematics, University of Belgrade (1977) PhD in Mathematics, University of Novi Sad (1979) Professional Activities: Leader of the Generalized Product and Integral Transformations seminar Editorial roles in multiple international journals Supervisor of numerous research projects in functional analysis and mathematical physics Research Interests: Pilipović’s work emphasizes microlocal analysis, fractional calculus in viscoelasticity, and stochastic PDEs. Key contributions include monographs on generalized functions and Fourier analysis, with over 400 publications. His research bridges pure mathematics (e.g., ultradistribution theory) and applications in mechanics and signal processing. Grants and Collaborations: Active in international collaborations, including projects on fractional Zener models and stochastic dynamics. His work frequently intersects with engineering and physics, addressing real-world problems in material science and wave propagation.
Professor Fang Liu serves as a Professor of Operations Management at Durham University Business School (DUBS). She joined Durham University in 2023 after academic positions at The University of Chinese Academy and Nanyang Technological University, bringing extensive expertise in supply chain systems and operational resilience. Her educational foundation includes a doctoral degree in Operations Management from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, USA. Liu's research centers on Supply Chain Resilience, Inventory Management, E-commerce and Warehouse Management, and Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. Her work develops innovative frameworks for mitigating disruption risks while optimizing resource allocation, with direct applications in global logistics networks and sustainable operations. She bridges theoretical rigor with practical implementation across diverse sectors. Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals a strategic evolution from foundational inventory theory toward contemporary challenges in e-commerce logistics and sustainable supply chains. Her recent work increasingly addresses healthcare operations and carbon-neutral supply chain design, consistently published in premier journals like Operations Research and Production and Operations Management. Professor Liu has secured multiple competitive research grants as Principal or co-Principal Investigator. She actively translates academic insights into practice through collaborations with organizations including Cummins, Singapore IFRC, and Meide, focusing on operational optimization and resilience building. While specific lab structures aren't detailed, her industry partnerships demonstrate applied research engagement, particularly in developing solutions for complex operational challenges faced by multinational corporations and humanitarian organizations.
Helen Walker is a Professor of Operations and Supply Management and Director of Postgraduate Research Studies at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. She leads the Logistics and Operations Management section's research strategy, PhD programme, Awayday programme, seminar series, and journal club. Previously, she served as Deputy Head of Section at both CRiSPS, University of Bath School of Management and the OM Group, Warwick Business School. Professor Walker's research primarily focuses on sustainable procurement, sustainable supply chain management, ethical issues in purchasing and supply, collaborative procurement, and supply strategy. Her work examines how organizations can integrate sustainability considerations into their procurement and supply chain practices across both public and private sectors. She has made significant contributions to understanding modern slavery risks in supply chains, sustainable public procurement, and the theoretical foundations of sustainable supply chain management. Her research often employs mixed methods approaches including case studies, interviews, and surveys to investigate complex sustainability challenges in supply chains. Analysis of Professor Walker's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward examining ethical and sustainability challenges in supply chains, particularly focusing on modern slavery, deforestation, and workers' rights. Her work increasingly integrates theoretical frameworks like institutional theory and doughnut economics to address complex sustainability problems. She has been systematically building knowledge in sustainable procurement across different contexts including public sector, private sector, and global supply chains. Her research demonstrates a progression from foundational work on sustainable procurement concepts to more nuanced examinations of specific sustainability challenges and their interconnections with broader societal issues. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management Best Paper Award (2015) International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management Highly Commended Literati Award (2015) Public Administration Review Louis Brownlow Award (2014) IPSERA Conference Nantes IFPSM Best Paper Relevant to Practice Award (2013) Public Administration Review Louis Brownlow Award (2012) IPSERA Conference Wiesbaden Best Paper Award (2009) Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management Best Paper Award (2008) International Public Procurement Conference Fort Lauderdale Best Manuscript Award (2004) Professor Walker has successfully raised over £1 million in research funding and has advised numerous public sector bodies including the United Nations, NHS, DEFRA, and local government on sustainable procurement issues. She has also conducted research with private firms such as PepsiCo and Boots. Her work bridges academic research and practical implementation, making significant contributions to both theoretical development and practical application in sustainable supply chain management. As a Research Affiliate of the Sustainable Places Research Institute at Cardiff University, Professor Walker contributes to interdisciplinary research on sustainable supply chain management. She has served as President of the International Purchasing and Supply Education and Research Association (2014-17) and has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Sustainable/Responsible Procurement Group and the cross-government Sustainable Procurement Task Force.
Colin Ingalls is a Full Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at Carleton University. His research focuses on Noncommutative Algebra and Algebraic Geometry, with contributions to areas such as noncommutative resolutions, quiver representations, and birational geometry. He has advised numerous graduate students, including Master’s and PhD candidates, whose theses cover topics like Hochschild cohomology, McKay quivers, and Brauer pairs. Ingalls has an extensive publication record, with recent work exploring reflection groups, discriminant loci, and derived categories of algebraic structures. His research interests span the intersection of algebra and geometry, emphasizing noncommutative methods to address classical geometric problems. He maintains active collaborations, evidenced by co-authored papers on topics such as minimal model programs for orders and applications of Koszul duality. Ingalls’ work bridges abstract algebraic theory with geometric constructions, contributing to foundational advancements in these fields.
Richard Sparks is a Professor of Criminology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Law and a member of the Global Justice Academy. He holds degrees from the University of Cambridge (BA, MPhil, PhD). His research focuses on penal policies and democratic politics, the sociology of punishment, public responses to crime, and criminological knowledge's role in policy. He co-directed the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (2006–2016) and was Head of the School of Law (2014–2017). Editorial roles: Editor-in-chief of Punishment & Society (2000–2004) and member of multiple journal boards. Notable works include Public Criminology? (2010), Prisons and the Problem of Order (1996), and Crime and Social Change in Middle England (2000). Awarded an honorary doctorate by KU Leuven (2019) for contributions to criminology and democratic politics. Active in international collaborations, including the Law and Society Association's Punishment and Society research network. Research Interests: Penal policies & democracy, prison sociology, public policy impacts, criminology's societal role. Current projects include studies on security in English towns and global penal dynamics. Recent articles explore 'seeing disorder' in urban contexts, automobility's role in crime perception, and policing's spatial impact. His work emphasizes democratic engagement in criminal justice reform.
Alastair Smith is the Bernhardt Denmark Professor of International Relations at New York University's Department of Politics, part of the College of Arts & Science. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester (1995) and a B.A. (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Oxford (1990). His research focuses on international relations, electoral politics, and political economy, with notable works including *The Dictator's Handbook* (2011) and *The Logic of Political Survival* (2003, co-authored). His research explores authoritarian regimes, conflict dynamics, and the strategic calculus of leaders in international negotiations. Recent scholarship addresses topics such as UN Security Council influence on conflict reduction, electoral timing effects on negotiations, and the political economy of climate agreements. He has contributed to debates on punishment strategies in governance (*The Punisher's Dilemma*, 2024) and the role of regime type in coalition warfare efforts (2023). His work bridges theoretical political science with empirical analysis of global governance challenges. Smith's academic contributions span books, peer-reviewed articles, and policy analyses. He has advised on international relations topics and collaborates across disciplines, occasionally engaging in interdisciplinary studies (e.g., genetics and Alzheimer’s resilience). His contact includes the NYU Politics Department address and email provided.
Nicolai J. Foss is a Professor of Strategy at the Department of Strategy and Innovation, Copenhagen Business School (CBS). He holds additional roles as Honorary Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Denmark, External Chair of the Danish Institute for Advanced Studies (2020–2025), and Professor II at the Norwegian School of Economics. A Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog, he previously held the Rodolfo Debenedetti Chair of Entrepreneurship at Bocconi University (2016–2019). His academic journey includes degrees from the University of Copenhagen (M.Sc., 1989) and a PhD from CBS (1993). He has held visiting professorships at Warwick, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and others. Research interests focus on strategic management (resource-based view, microfoundations), organizational design (knowledge processes, open innovation), entrepreneurship (cross-country analyses, strategic entrepreneurship), and social science methodology. He has authored over 266 journal articles, 109 book chapters, and 26 books, with a Google Scholar h-index of 116 and ~60,000 citations. Recognitions include Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researcher status since 2018 and being ranked the 13th most cited living business scholar globally. Professional contributions include founding CBS’s Department of Strategic Management and Globalization (2005), directing World Class Environment programs at CBS, and serving on ERC panels and the Strategic Management Society board. He co-founded influential think tanks like the Danish Research Unit for Industrial Dynamics and CEPOS. His work is featured in outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Forbes , and he has been a columnist for Danish newspapers Børsen and Berlingske .
Nan Chen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a faculty affiliate of the Institute for Foundations of Data Science (IFDS), a multi-University TRIPODS Phase II Initiative. His research spans applied mathematics with applications in atmosphere-ocean science, climate dynamics, and data science. Education: PhD from Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences (CIMS) and Center of Atmosphere and Ocean Science (CAOS), New York University (NYU), May 2016 Postdoc research associate at CIMS, NYU (June 2016-May 2018) Master's degree from School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai Undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai Visited Department of Scientific Computing at Florida State University working with Dr. Max Gunzburger and Dr. Xiaoming Wang Nan Chen's research focuses on contemporary applied mathematics, particularly modeling complex systems, stochastic methods, numerical algorithms, and data science. He specializes in uncertainty quantification (UQ), data assimilation, and developing statistically accurate algorithms to address the curse of dimensionality in large-dimensional complex dynamical systems with strong non-Gaussian features. His work has significant applications in atmosphere-ocean science, including predicting phenomena such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), monsoons, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and sea ice dynamics. He has also extended his research to material science, neuroscience, and other complex systems. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in inverse problems, wave equations, numerical methods, and data compression techniques that blend mathematical theory with practical applications. Dr. Chen has authored a book titled "Stochastic Methods for Modeling and Predicting Complex Dynamical Systems --- Uncertainty Quantification, State Estimation, and Reduced-Order Models" published by Springer, and a tutorial paper "Taming Uncertainty in a Complex World: The Rise of Uncertainty Quantification — A Tutorial for Beginners" in the Notices of the AMS. Professional Activities: Organizing "Data Meets Dynamics: Workshop on Data Assimilation for Complex Systems and Applications" (August 21-22, 2025) Author of two articles in Elsevier's Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences Participant in Wisconsin Science and Computing Emerging Research Stars (WISCERS) program Judge for Outstanding Student Paper Award (OSPA) program at American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meetings Involved in Madison Experimental Mathematics Lab (MXM Lab) Dr. Chen actively mentors undergraduate students for research during semesters and summers, encouraging them to present at the UW undergraduate symposium. He also offers reading and independent study courses for interested undergraduates. He is currently seeking highly motivated PhD students to join his research group with possible Research Assistantship support.
Tobias Ritschel is a Professor of Computer Graphics at University College London . His research spans advanced rendering techniques, perceptual modeling, and data-driven graphics, with a focus on bridging physical accuracy and artistic flexibility in visual computing. Key research themes include: Interactive Global Illumination : Real-time simulation of complex lighting effects on GPUs Perceptual Graphics : Human vision-driven rendering and display optimization Non-physical Graphics : Beyond-photorealistic techniques for artistic expression Data-driven Graphics : Leveraging large datasets for novel rendering and modeling approaches His recent work emphasizes neural rendering , differentiable graphics , and X-ray tomography , with applications in 3D reconstruction , NeRF manipulation , and holographic imaging . Notable scientific achievements include the Eurographics Young Researcher Award 2014 and Eurographics Thesis Award 2011 . He has advised multiple PhD students including Philipp Henzler (EG PhD Award 2024) and Thomas Leimkühler (Otto Hahn Medal 2019), while actively contributing to conference leadership as co-chair for EGSR 2024 and Pacific Graphics 2024 . His team collaborates on X-ray reconstruction with Pablo Villanueva-Perez and works on 3D perception with Anthony Steed.
Christophe Andrieu is a Professor in Statistics within the School of Mathematics at the University of Bristol. His research bridges theoretical probability, computational statistics, and applied mathematics, with significant contributions to Markov Chain Monte Carlo methodologies and Bayesian inference frameworks. He maintains active collaborations across engineering and data science domains. His educational background includes: M.A. from List.Natnl.Scis.App.Lyon Additional M.A. (institution unspecified) Ph.D. from Paris Andrieu's research focuses on Markov Chain Monte Carlo theory , where he develops convergence guarantees and efficiency bounds for complex samplers. His work extends to non-reversible MCMC algorithms , piecewise deterministic processes , and gradient-free optimization techniques. Recent publications demonstrate innovative approaches to state-space models and numerical integration, often addressing high-dimensional statistical challenges through stochastic approximation methods. His fingerprint reveals deep specialization in Markov chain convergence analysis and computational Bayesian statistics. His 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) exhibit consistent focus on theoretical foundations of Monte Carlo methods, particularly convergence analysis of Markov chains and novel sampler designs. Key trends include the application of weak Poincaré inequalities to pseudo-marginal MCMC, development of self-organizing state-space models, and exploration of hypocoercivity in piecewise deterministic processes. The work spans both theoretical advancements and practical implementations for engineering and statistical applications. Andrieu has secured significant research funding including: COmputational Statistical INference for Engineering and Security (COSINES) (2018-2023) New Approaches to Data Science (2018-2023) He has supervised 5 research students and maintains active collaborations in computational statistics and machine learning. His network shows strong connections with probability theory and engineering research groups.
Jennifer Mitzen is a Professor of Political Science at The Ohio State University, specializing in international relations (IR) theory, ontological security, global governance, and international history. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has authored influential works like Power in Concert: The Nineteenth Century Origins of Global Governance . Her research explores how states navigate shared global challenges through diplomacy and ontological security frameworks, focusing on identity, anxiety, and emotional drivers in policy. Current projects address 'unthinkability' mechanisms in post-WWII contexts, examining claims that certain violent acts (e.g., nuclear war) are rendered unthinkable through collective discourse. Mitzen’s academic leadership includes co-chairing the APSA International Relations Theory Section, co-editing Ontological (In)Security in the European Union , and serving on editorial boards for journals like Security Studies and International Theory . She has held a visiting professorship at Lund University (2021–2022) and received teaching and mentorship awards at OSU. Her pedagogical work emphasizes critical security studies, global governance, and scholarly writing. Research interests span ontological security’s role in foreign policy, EU security dynamics, and the interplay between emotion and state behavior. Notable contributions include analyzing how states mitigate existential anxieties through identity work and diplomatic practices. Recent scholarship interrogates how societal taboos shape geopolitical realities, offering fresh perspectives on conflict prevention and global governance efficacy. Mitzen’s work bridges theoretical innovation with practical implications, addressing both explanatory and normative questions in IR. She actively collaborates through international networks, including the International Relations Theory Colloquium, and mentors students on topics ranging from IR theory foundations to contemporary global challenges.
