Prof. Sander Bohte is a part-time full professor of Computational Neuroscience at the University of Amsterdam (Swammerdam Institute of Life Sciences) and an honorary full professor of Bio-inspired Neural Networks at the University of Groningen. He serves as a Scientific Staff Member and Group Leader in the Machine Learning department at CWI, Amsterdam. His work bridges computational neuroscience and machine learning with a focus on continuous-time information processing. Key research interests include: Spiking Neural Networks with predictive coding and multi-compartment models Biologically Plausible Learning in recurrent and deep architectures Working Memory modeling via reinforcement learning Neuromorphic Computing for real-time systems and GPU acceleration His recent publications highlight trends in neural adaptation , predictive coding , and SNN hardware-software co-design . Awards include the Veni Innovational Research Grant (2004) and ERCIM grant (2013) . He actively supervises MSc theses and leads grants like the NWO KIC project 'Selfhealing Neuromorphic Systems' (2024).
Prof. Dr. Harald Reiterer is a leading researcher in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Konstanz, where he has served as Professor since 2009. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. (1991) and habilitation (1995) from the University of Vienna, followed by roles including Senior Researcher at Fraunhofer FIT and Associate Professor at Konstanz. He currently holds multiple leadership roles: Dean of the Faculty of Sciences , Senator of Section 1 , and Consulting Dean . Ph.D. in Computer Science (University of Vienna, 1991) Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in HCI (University of Vienna, 1995) His research focuses on: Interaction Design for mixed reality environments Information Visualization in immersive contexts Hybrid User Interfaces combining physical and virtual elements 3D Object Manipulation in handheld AR Behavioral Analytics through mHealth interventions Recent work explores: Avatar representation in Augmented Reality (2024) Node selection efficiency in Virtual Reality (2024) Peripheral vision toolkits for Head-Mounted Displays (2023) Hybrid interface optimization for Mixed Reality (2023) Smartphone AR extensions for Spatial Memory (2023) Key scientific contributions: Landeslehrpreis 2021 for interdisciplinary exhibition design Development of Colibri cross-reality toolkit (2023) Foundational work on Re-locations for remote collaboration (2022) He leads numerous projects including: SMARTACT (Smart Mobility, 2015-2023) SFB TRR 161 (2009-2027) on XR interface measurement Blended Library (2011-2015) for future library design
Dr. Mohamed Youssef is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Software Engineering at Ontario Tech University. He holds a PhD (Electrical and Computer Engineering) from Queen’s University (2005). His primary affiliation is the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, with research focusing on propulsion systems, power electronics, railway systems, and renewable energy technologies. Education: PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Queen’s University (2005) MSc, Power Electronics, Concordia University (2001) MSc, Electric Power and Machines, Ain Shams University (1999) BSc, Electric Power and Machines, Ain Shams University (1995) Research Interests: Dr. Youssef’s expertise spans propulsion systems for automotive and hyperloop technologies , power electronics for IoT and renewable energy , railway electromagnetic compatibility , and power system stability . His work emphasizes practical applications in electric vehicles, smart grid integration, and sustainable energy systems. He leads the PEDAL (Power Electronics and Drives Laboratory) at Ontario Tech. Awards and Recognition: Recipient of the NSERC Post-doctorate Scholarship (2006) Best Paper Award at IECON 2004 Award of Merit from Ontario Center of Excellence (2006) Nominated for the Howard Alper Prize (2007) Professional Activities: He serves as a reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics , IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics , and others. He has held roles as Technical Chair at IEEE SEGE 2015 and Track Chair at IEEE SEGE 2016. Current affiliations include Senior Member of IEEE and Chair of the IEEE Power Electronics Chapter in Toronto. Labs and Teams: He directs the PEDAL Lab , focusing on advanced power electronics and electric vehicle technologies. Collaborations include Bombardier Transportation and Armstrong Pumps.
Robert D. Gregg, IV is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, and Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan. He serves as Associate Director for Graduate Education at Michigan Robotics and directs the Locomotor Control Systems Laboratory. His research focuses on control systems for wearable robots, prosthetics, and orthotics, emphasizing biomimetic principles and nonlinear control theory. Gregg holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010) and prior academic roles at the University of Texas at Dallas and Northwestern University. Education: PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010 MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007 BS, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, 2006 Research Interests: Gregg’s work spans control mechanisms for bipedal locomotion, wearable robotics, nonlinear control theory, and rehabilitation engineering. His lab develops high-performance control systems for prosthetic legs and exoskeletons to enhance mobility for individuals with disabilities. Key areas include energy-efficient control strategies, adaptive impedance systems, and biomechanical modeling of human movement. Grant & Award Highlights: $3M NIH R01 Grant (2023): Modeling and control of agile powered prosthetic legs for varied activities. $1.7M NIH R01 Grant (2021): Modular powered orthoses for broad patient populations. NSF CAREER Award (2017) NIH New Innovator Award (2013) Advising & Labs: Gregg mentors PhD students in robotics and biomechanics, emphasizing independent research and collaborative team environments. His lab supports over 15 researchers and has produced notable alumni like Dr. Cara Welker (University of Colorado Boulder faculty). The lab’s work is supported by NIH, NSF, and industry partnerships. Recent Contributions: Recent work includes phase-variable control for stair climbing, energy shaping methods for exoskeletons, and open-source robotic leg platforms. Gregg also chairs major robotics conferences (e.g., IROS 2023) and advises on clinical translation of wearable robotics.
Karen Hampson is a Senior Lecturer in Optometry at the University of Manchester, serving as the first-year Optics Theme Lead. Her research focuses on adaptive optics systems for vision science, particularly using retinal imaging technology for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. She is a member of the Consortium for Vision and Oculomics in Psychiatry and co-founder of the European Adaptive Optics Summer School. Education: MPhys (Swansea University, 2000), PhD in Physics (Imperial College London, 2004), Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice, and SEDA Professional Development Award. She trained in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy and mental health first aid. Research interests include adaptive optics applications across vision science, microscopy, and astronomy. She led an EPSRC-funded project on pre-symptomatic disease diagnosis via ocular biomarkers. Key roles include Chair of Optica’s Applications of Visual Science Technical Group (2021–2024) and Associate Editor for Frontiers in Ophthalmology. Teaching contributions include senior laboratory roles at Oxford’s Physics Department and tutorial leadership at Corpus Christie College. Her work aligns with UN SDG targets for health and innovation.
Dr. Amir Keyvan Khandani is a Professor and Senior Ciena-NSERC Industrial Research Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He holds prestigious research chairs including Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Wireless Communications and former Senior NSERC Chairs with Blackberry and Nortel. His research focuses on information theory, wireless and optical communications, and signal processing, emphasizing foundational principles and practical applications. Dr. Khandani earned his BEng and MEng from Tehran University (1985) and PhD from McGill University (1992). He joined Waterloo in 1993, supervising over 45 PhD students, 35 master’s candidates, and numerous postdoctoral researchers. His alumni work globally in academia and industry. Research interests include Network Information Theory , Media-Based Modulation , Full-Duplex Systems , and Quantum-Safe Encryption . Recent work explores secure key generation, interference management, and next-generation wireless innovations. Notable awards include NSERC/Ciena Industrial Research Chair and multiple Canada Research Chairs. His publications span foundational and applied topics in communications, with recent focus on cybersecurity and 5G/6G technologies. Dr. Khandani actively contributes to conferences, consults for industry/government, and teaches ECE 307 - Probability Theory and Statistics . His lab develops cutting-edge solutions in wireless networks, optical systems, and secure communication protocols.
Louis-A. Dessaint is a Professor at the Département de génie électrique at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS). He holds B.Ing., M.Sc.A., and Ph.D. degrees from Polytechnique Montréal. His research focuses on power electronics, renewable energy integration, and smart grid technologies, with affiliations to the GREPCI research group. He has supervised numerous theses and projects, addressing topics like microgrid optimization, energy storage, and voltage stability. Education: B.Ing., M.Sc.A., Ph.D. (Polytechnique Montréal). Research interests include electric machines, power network dynamics, hybrid energy systems, and sustainable development. His recent work emphasizes real-time control of power systems, renewable energy integration, and smart building energy management. Publications highlight advancements in microgrid topology optimization, battery storage systems, and ADRC-based control strategies. Awards include IEEE Fellow (2013) and membership in the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2012). He has advised over 50 students and contributed to projects on smart grids, energy storage, and grid stability. His lab, GREPCI, focuses on power electronics and industrial control.
ARNALTES GOMEZ SANTIAGO is a Full Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. His research focuses on Power Systems Control, Renewable Energy Integration, HVDC Systems, and Grid-Forming Converters. He leads projects funded by institutions like Red Eléctrica de España and the Community of Madrid. His work addresses challenges in offshore wind farm integration, energy storage systems, and converter-based grid stability. He has authored over 50 publications, including studies on grid-forming control strategies, low-frequency oscillation damping, and battery degradation modeling. He holds 4 patents related to power system control and renewable energy. Recent projects include contributions to digital power networks, green hydrogen integration, and black-start capabilities for renewable plants. His research emphasizes practical applications, such as HVDC interconnections and smart grid technologies.
Kevin Schneider is a Laboratory Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a Research Professor at Washington State University (WSU), and an Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington. As manager of PNNL's Office of Electricity Subsector, he leads business development, client relations, and strategic investments in R&D for the grid sector, overseeing portfolios in component design, system modeling, hierarchical controls, secure communications, and energy storage. Dr. Schneider is internationally recognized for his expertise in power system analysis, planning, and operations. His research focuses on improving grid reliability and system flexibility by harnessing advanced grid concepts at the edge of power systems, including microgrids, energy storage, electric vehicles, distributed energy resources, and smart home appliances. At WSU, he is a researcher for the WSU and PNNL Advanced Grid Institute (AGI), implementing layered control architectures to enhance operational flexibility of critical power systems. His work spans multiple disciplines within electrical engineering and power systems, with strong emphasis on practical applications for grid modernization, particularly in grid resilience, microgrid operations, and integration of distributed energy resources. Dr. Schneider is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), where he has served in multiple technical leadership roles. His scientific contributions have been recognized with significant awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PCASE), 2019 Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Dr. Schneider earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Washington State. His research has resulted in numerous patents related to power grid technologies, including several focused on voltage and frequency stability of distribution systems. His work has substantial implications for grid modernization efforts and the development of more resilient power systems in the face of climate change and other challenges.
Sebastian Trimpe is a Full Professor and Head of the Institute for Data Science in Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, concurrently serving as Co-Executive Director of the RWTH Center for Artificial Intelligence since 2023. Previously, he led a Max Planck Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems from 2018 to 2022. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Dynamic Systems and Control from ETH Zurich (2013) Dipl.-Ing. (M.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering from TU Hamburg (2007) MBA in Technology Management from TU Hamburg (2007) B.Sc. in General Engineering from TU Hamburg (2005) Professor Trimpe's research integrates machine learning with control theory to address safety and efficiency challenges in autonomous systems. His work spans theoretical frameworks for robust decision-making under uncertainty and practical implementations in robotics, with particular emphasis on event-triggered control, distributed systems, and data-efficient learning methodologies. Key contributions include novel approaches to safe reinforcement learning and model predictive control with guaranteed stability. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a pronounced focus on bridging machine learning with control engineering, especially in safety-critical robotics applications. Common themes include distribution-aware learning for medical diagnostics, diffusion-based control approximation, and hardware-in-the-loop validation of theoretical frameworks, demonstrating strong alignment between algorithmic innovation and real-world deployment. His scientific achievements have been recognized with prestigious honors: IFAC World Congress Interactive Paper Prize (2011) Klaus Tschira Award for public understanding of science (2014) Best Paper Award at International Conference on Cyber-Physical Systems (2019) Future Prize by Ewald Marquardt Stiftung (2020) As institutional leader, he directs the Institute for Data Science in Mechanical Engineering and co-leads the RWTH AI Center, overseeing strategic research initiatives and industry collaborations. His academic service includes editorial roles for IEEE Control Systems Society conferences and participation in the Cluster of Excellence 'Internet of Production'. The Institute for Data Science in Mechanical Engineering operates as a multidisciplinary hub where fundamental research in learning-based control meets industrial applications. Current projects focus on drone swarm coordination, deformable object manipulation, and medical diagnostics systems, leveraging both simulation environments and physical testbeds like the Mini Wheelbot platform.
Ali Akhavan is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Science , Aalborg University, specializing in Electric Power Systems and Microgrids . His work focuses on grid-connected inverters, microgrid stability, and advanced control algorithms. Research Interests: Control systems for power electronics, stability analysis in asymmetrical grids, passivity-based control, and harmonic compensation. Projects: Participated in CROM (Villum Foundation), SYNCHRONY (private funding), and ASSET (Horizon Europe) to develop high-performance converter systems for renewable energy integration. Scientific Awards: Recipient of the Best Paper Award (May 2021). Email: alak@energy.aau.dk Publications Trend: 15 recent works emphasize grid-forming inverters, harmonic voltage compensation, and stability analysis in renewable energy systems. Key subfields include power quality, passivity enhancement, and dynamic response optimization.
Dr. Carl Ho (Ngai Man) is a Full Professor and Canada Research Chair in Efficient Utilization of Electric Power at the University of Manitoba's Price Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Appointed Associate Head (Electrical Engineering) in July 2021, he leads the Renewable-energy Interface and Grid Automation (RIGA) Lab established with CFI funding in 2014. His educational background includes: PhD in Electronic Engineering (2007), City University of Hong Kong MEng in Electronic Engineering (2002), City University of Hong Kong BEng in Electronic Engineering (2002), City University of Hong Kong Dr. Ho's research focuses on power electronics applications for sustainable energy systems, with particular expertise in power conversion technologies for electric vehicles, renewable integration, and smart grid infrastructure. His work bridges industrial application and academic innovation, evidenced by over 40 IEEE journal publications, 80 conference papers, and 20+ patents. Current research emphasizes wide-bandgap semiconductor applications, power hardware-in-loop validation, and DC microgrid architectures for remote communities. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward practical implementation of power electronics solutions, with increasing focus on GaN/SiC devices, grid-forming converters, and modular architectures for microgrids. His work consistently addresses real-world challenges in efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness across renewable integration, electric transportation, and power quality domains. Notable awards include: Second Place Winner for 2018 IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Prize Paper Multiple IEEE JESTPE Star Associate Editor Awards (2022-2023) IEEE TPEL AE Excellence Award (2023) Best Student Team Regional Award in IEEE Empower a Billion Lives 2019 As an active mentor, Dr. Ho supervises numerous graduate students across multiple cohorts and leads significant research initiatives including NSERC Discovery Grants, MITACS collaborations with Power Integrations Inc., Research Manitoba Innovation Proof-of-Concept Grants, and Natural Resources Canada projects on zero-emission heavy vehicles. His RIGA Lab serves as a hub for industry-academic collaboration with Manitoba Hydro and transportation sector partners. The RIGA Lab, completed in 2016 and renovated in 2019, houses specialized equipment for power electronics prototyping, real-time simulation, and hardware-in-loop testing. Current projects include advanced wireless EV charging, GaN-based controller development, and DC microgrid solutions for remote communities, with recent recognition including a visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in April 2023.
Montek Singh serves as an Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on high-performance and energy-efficient digital systems with particular emphasis on asynchronous and mixed-timing circuit design. Dr. Singh received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2002 and his B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi, India, in 1993. His primary research interests span high-performance and low-power digital systems, with specialization in asynchronous or clockless and mixed-timing integrated chip design. His work encompasses circuit design methodologies, CAD tools for automated synthesis, analysis and optimization techniques. He has also explored applications in energy-efficient mobile graphics hardware, secure chip design for computer security, and design challenges in emerging computing technologies. His research has practical applications in industry, with work transferred to companies including IBM, Boeing, and Handshake Solutions. Analysis of Dr. Singh's publications reveals a strong focus on asynchronous circuit design spanning two decades. His work covers fundamental pipeline architectures (MOUSETRAP), high-speed asynchronous systems, latency-insensitive design methodologies, and practical applications in graphics hardware and mobile devices. The research demonstrates consistent innovation in making asynchronous design more practical for real-world implementation while addressing performance, power efficiency, and testing challenges. His notable scientific achievements include: Best Paper Award at the 6th IEEE Intl. Symp. on Adv. Res. in Async. Circ. and Syst. (ASYNC-2000) Best Paper Finalist at the 8th IEEE Intl. Symp. on Async. Circ. and Syst. (ASYNC-02) Dr. Singh has secured significant research funding including participation in the DARPA CLASS Program (led by Boeing) in 2005, where he collaborated with Philips/Handshake Solutions to develop an industrial-strength automated synthesis flow for high-speed asynchronous systems. His research has strong industry connections and practical applications, with technology transferred to major companies including IBM and Boeing. He has also organized major academic events such as the International Symposium on Asynchronous Circuits and Systems 2009 (ASYNC 2009) at UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Singh leads research in asynchronous systems design with connections to industry partners and practical applications. His work has been featured in prominent media outlets including The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, and Technology Review Magazine, highlighting the significance of clockless design approaches as traditional synchronous design approaches face limitations.
Meng Xu is an Assistant Professor in the Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, Canada. He is affiliated with the Cryptography, Security, and Privacy (CrySP) group and the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI). His research focuses on system and software security, emphasizing secure-by-design languages (e.g., Rust, Move), automated program analysis, and runtime defense techniques. Education : Ph.D., Computer Science (2020), Georgia Institute of Technology B.Eng. and B.Business (First Class Honors), Nanyang Technological University (2014) Research Interests : Secure-by-design languages Automated security analysis (fuzzing, symbolic execution) Runtime defense mechanisms (moving target defense, secure hardware) Key Awards : EAPLS Best Paper Award (2022) USENIX Security Distinguished Paper Award (2018) Grants & Funding : BlackBerry Research Grant (CAD $200,000) Amazon Research Award (USD $60,000) NSERC Discovery Grant (CAD $170,000) Labs & Collaborations : CrySP (Cryptography, Security, and Privacy Group) Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute (CPI)
Garrett Rose is a Professor and Department Head in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech (2001), and M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia (2003/2006). Prior to UTK, he served as Assistant Professor at NYU Polytechnic (2006–2011) and Senior Electronics Engineer at the Air Force Research Lab (2011–2014). His research focuses on nanoelectronic circuit design, neuromorphic computing, hardware security, and memristor-based systems. He leads the SENECA Research Group and the TENNLab initiative, exploring applications in neuromorphic architectures, hardware security primitives (e.g., PUF devices), and device modeling. Recent work emphasizes memristor-driven neuromorphic systems, secure FPGA designs, and in-memory computing. Grants include projects on neuromorphic target detection and nanotechnology-based security solutions. Rose actively mentors students and collaborates on co-design methodologies for real-world neuromorphic applications. Education: Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2006 M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2003 B.S. Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2001 Research Interests: Dr. Rose’s work spans neuromorphic hardware design, including memristor-based neural networks and spiking systems. He investigates hardware security through nanoscale devices like memristors for PUFs and side-channel resistant circuits. His team develops novel memristor models and explores applications in reconfigurable computing and energy-efficient architectures. Recent efforts focus on neuromorphic vision systems, robotic navigation, and neuromorphic processors with co-design frameworks. Grants & Projects: "Ground-roaming autonomous neuromorphic targeter" (2020) "Secure Backup and Restore for IoT using Nanotechnology" (2020) "Physically Unclonable Reconfigurable Computing System (PURCS)" (2020)
