Avraam Tapinos is a Researcher at the University of Manchester's Division of Cancer Sciences (L5), part of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Research focuses include cancer genomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics methodologies. Affiliations: Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Digital Futures Research Beacon Key expertise: Cancer genomics, germline analysis, metagenomic binning Recent research explores genomic landscapes of testicular germ cell tumors, breast cancer evolution in diverse populations, and respiratory virome dynamics in asthma. His computational methods advance alignment-free genomic analysis. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature Communications and American Journal of Human Genetics, with interdisciplinary collaborations in oncology, microbiology, and bioinformatics.
Daniel Campbell is a Lecturer in Web Development & Web AI at the Computer Science department of Edge Hill University. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. He is affiliated with the Centre for Intelligent Visual Computing and the Data and Complex Systems Research Centre. Education: He completed his Doctoral Thesis in 2018 titled 'An Ontology-Driven Approach To Personalised mHealth Application Development' under supervisors E. Pereira, G. McDowell, and C. Balakrishna. Research focuses on mHealth applications, ontology-driven frameworks, machine learning for health monitoring, and software engineering practices like bug prediction and open-source repository analysis. Recent projects include a Knowledge Exchange initiative with the water industry (2024-2026) as a Co-Investigator. His articles explore topics ranging from accelerometer-based elderly activity prediction to automated classification of software repository messages. Collaborations span institutions globally, with active engagement in topics like healthcare technology and user-centric design.
Hamidreza Mahyar is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering , McMaster University , and an Associate Member of the Computing and Software department. His academic journey includes postdoctoral work at Boston University and TU Wien , and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Sharif University of Technology . Research Focus: Mahyar's work bridges machine learning and network science , emphasizing graph neural networks for applications in social networks , recommendation systems , drug discovery , and generative AI . His research spans industrial AI (Industry 4.0 projects at Infineon Technologies), biomedical engineering (organoid morphology analysis), and semiconductor manufacturing (wafermap modeling). Scientific Recognition: McMaster Teaching Merit Award (2022) Vector Scholarship in AI (2023) NSERC USRA Award (2022) Google Cloud Platform for Research Award (2018) Best Paper Selection, Complex Networks (2018) Academic Leadership: He mentors PhD students (Taraneh Ghandi) and MSc students (Reza Namazi, Mohammad Khodadad, Ali Shiraei), while leading AI initiatives at Mind Lab 56 and BrainMaven . Former mentees include industry leaders at Google, Accenture, and ETH Zurich.
Tobias Ofner-Graff is a researcher at the Institute of Forest Growth within the Department of Ecosystem Management, Climate and Biodiversity at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Based at Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Wien, his work focuses on advanced forest monitoring technologies. His research interests include: LiDAR and remote sensing applications in forestry Automated forest inventory systems Forest regeneration quantification Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data analysis Sustainable forest harvesting planning Recent project contributions include: Leading lidar-based forest monitoring systems development Developing spatial forest growth models Implementing digital inventory workflows His publications demonstrate expertise in: Quantifying forest resources through 3D point clouds Advanced timber stack measurement techniques ALS data integration for forest modeling Mobile laser scanning applications Forest climate adaptation strategies
Dr. Hakki Erhan Sevil is an Associate Professor in the Department of Intelligent Systems and Robotics at the University of West Florida, within the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and has extensive research experience in robotics, intelligent systems, and autonomous control. His work spans theoretical and applied domains, focusing on resilient and intelligent robotic systems. Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology Dr. Sevil's research interests lie at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, and control systems. He specializes in autonomous navigation, fault detection and isolation (FDI), multi-agent coordination, computer vision, and bio-inspired computational methods. His work emphasizes real-world implementation in unmanned and self-sustained systems, particularly in challenging environments. His recent publications and projects highlight a strong trend toward intelligent, resilient, and distributed robotic systems. Themes include entropy-based behavior modeling for UAV swarms, assistive robotics for household tasks, post-disaster damage assessment using aerial vision, and advanced guidance for GPS-denied navigation. These reflect a multidisciplinary approach combining machine learning, control theory, and robotics engineering. 2024 Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, UWF 2024 Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award, UWF DURIP Grant ($478,000) from ONR (with IHMC) USDA Grant ($728,000) with New Mexico State University US Air Force SBIR/STTR Grant ($110,000) with Catalano Aerospace AFWERX Funding for Distributed Behavior Research Dr. Sevil actively mentors Ph.D. and M.S. students and leads the Sevil Research Group, which has secured multiple internal and external grants from NSF, NASA, ARL, ONR, and USDA. He has served as PI and Co-PI on funded projects and advises student teams that have won national awards. His lab, the Intelligent Systems and Robotics Lab, is highlighted in university communications and national challenges. The group collaborates with IHMC, NMSU, and industry partners, fostering innovation in autonomous systems. The Sevil Research Group operates within the Intelligent Systems and Robotics Lab at UWF, conducting cutting-edge research in autonomous navigation, swarm intelligence, and resilient robotics. The lab collaborates with the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), New Mexico State University, and private aerospace firms. It supports student-led projects, participates in national robotics challenges, and maintains active GitHub repositories for open research dissemination.
Dr. Erik Linstead is an Associate Professor and Senior Associate Dean at Chapman University, affiliated with the Fowler School of Engineering, School of Pharmacy, and George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics. His expertise spans Machine Learning, GPU Programming, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Assistive Technologies, Predictive Analytics, and Virtual Reality. Education: Bachelor of Science, Chapman University Master of Science, Stanford University Ph.D., University of California, Irvine Dr. Linstead's research integrates machine learning with diverse domains, including autism treatment, environmental monitoring, and software engineering. His recent publications focus on coral reef health, land surface temperature trends, and embedded machine learning systems. His scholarly work includes collaborations in remote sensing, medical informatics, and neurodiversity support. Articles highlight his interdisciplinary approach, applying AI to ecological challenges (e.g., Red Sea coral reefs, Nile Basin droughts) and human-centered technologies (e.g., VR therapy for autism, medication adherence analysis).
Prof. Dr. Melanie Krüger is a faculty member at Leibniz University Hannover , where she serves as Head of the Research Unit Sports and Cognition within the Institute of Sports Science. Her academic career spans institutions including the Technical University of Munich, University of Tasmania, and Ludwig Maximilian University. She leads research initiatives in embodiment, cognitive aging, motor decision-making, and the impact of physical activity on neurocognitive and motor functioning. Current Position: Professor, Institute of Sports Science, Leibniz University Hannover Prior Appointments: Post-doctoral roles at Technical University of Munich, University of Tasmania, and Pennsylvania State University Education: PhD in Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig Maximilian University; Diploma in Sports Science, University of Leipzig Krüger's research focuses on: Embodiment Research: Systemic interactions between cognitive and motor development Cognitive Aging: Age-related changes in motor decision-making and coordination Human Locomotion: Collision avoidance, mixed reality interactions, and real-world movement studies Open Science: Advocacy for research data management in sports science Her recent publications explore mixed reality applications ( 2024 ), stress effects on motor function ( 2023 ), and methodological innovations in locomotion studies ( 2021-2025 ). Current projects include Moving Forward (2021-2022) and two Innovation Plus initiatives (2022-2024) developing experimental frameworks for human movement analysis. Krüger actively participates in academic governance: Spokesperson, German Society of Sport Science's Ad Hoc Committee on Research Data Management (since 2022) Board member, DVS Section 'Sports Motor Skills' (since 2022) Doctoral Committee, Faculty of Humanities Examination Board, MSc Sustainable Health Promotion in Sports Science
Amy Mullens is a Professor at the School of Psychology and Wellbeing , University of Southern Queensland. She serves as Research Theme Leader for Health Equity at the Centre for Health Research (CHR) and contributes to the Institute for Resilient Regions (IRR). Her work focuses on vulnerable communities , with emphasis on sexual health/HIV , diabetes , COPD , substance use , and health behavior change . Education : BA (St Catherine), MSc (North Dakota SU), PhD (QUT). She is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society with Clinical and Health Psychology Endorsements . Her research spans public health , gender studies , and clinical psychology , particularly transgender health , health equity , and social determinants of health . Recent work includes STI/HIV risk modeling , prison health interventions , and LGBTQIA+ mental health . Key scientific awards include: Fellow, Australian Psychological Society Clinical Psychology Endorsement Health Psychology Endorsement Accredited Supervisor (STAP) She supervises doctoral and masters students in areas like transgender incarceration , STI prevention , and health equity . Industry affiliations include clinical credentialed work with West Moreton Health Service , membership in Australasian Society of Behavioural Medicine , and advocacy through Sexual Health Society Queensland .
Dr. Maria Cristina Ramos is an Assistant Professor at Florida State University, specializing in Computational Social Science. She is affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Social Science program, where her teaching and research focus on applying network science and computational methods to address complex social issues such as health inequalities, reproducibility in science, and social-ecological systems. Ph.D. in Sociology, Duke University M.A. in Sociology, Duke University B.A. in Organizational Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Her research integrates Social Network Analysis, Computational Social Science, and interdisciplinary approaches to study identity structures, sustainable fisheries, and organizational collaboration. She emphasizes reproducibility in social science research and uses data visualization to enhance understanding of societal challenges. Dr. Ramos' recent publications highlight trends in network science applications to moral psychology, environmental policy, and scientific methodology. Her work bridges quantitative and qualitative techniques, contributing to fields like Social Psychology and Marine Policy. Contact: mcr22c@fsu.edu | mc@mariacramos.com | Personal Website
Claudio Ulises Cortes Garcia is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science , Technical University of Catalonia, and leads the IDEAI-UPC (Intelligent Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Research Group) and KEMLG (Knowledge Engineering and Machine Learning Group). He is affiliated with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) and the Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB). With a Doctor en Informática (PhD in Computer Science) and Ingeniero Industrial y de Sistemas (Industrial and Systems Engineering) degrees, his work spans Artificial Intelligence , Intelligent Agents , and Assistive Technology . His research integrates European Programs and Internet with applications in Second Life and Software . His recent publications focus on Post-COVID cognitive effects , AI ethics , and agent-based modeling for urban water management. He received the Doctor Honoris Causa from Universitat de Girona in 2024 and has collaborated on projects like DIGITAfrica and HUB D'INNOVACIÓ PEDIÀTRICA . His work bridges Neuroscience , Environmental Modeling , and Digital Humanities , with over 650 activities recorded in his academic career. ORCID : 0000-0003-0192-3096 WoS Researcher ID : B-7284-2009 Scopus Author ID : 7004065770
Dr. Benjamin Evans is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science & AI (Informatics) at the University of Sussex , affiliated with the School of Engineering and Informatics . His research integrates computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence, focusing on biologically inspired neural networks. Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Informatics, University of Sussex Previous Roles: Research Associate at University of Bristol, University of Exeter, Imperial College London, and University of Oxford Education: DPhil in Computational Neuroscience (University of Oxford), MSc in Intelligent Systems (UCL), BA in Experimental Psychology (Oxford) His research centers on how neural systems self-organize to produce intelligent behavior, studied through both biological and computational modeling. He investigates spiking neural networks , convolutional neural networks , and the role of biological constraints in enhancing AI robustness and human-like perception. He is particularly interested in how spike-based information processing contributes to adaptive cognition in noisy environments. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in evaluating deep neural networks as models of human vision, questioning their biological plausibility while proposing bio-inspired improvements. He also works on optogenetics simulation (e.g., PyRhO platform), developmental biology modeling , and reproducible data science through containerization tools like Docker. His scientific contributions have been recognized through publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications , PLoS Computational Biology , and Behavioral and Brain Sciences . EPSRC Grant: "Exploring the multiple loci of learning and computation in simple artificial neural networks" (2023–2024) EPSRC Grant: "Using ant biology and natural environments to enhance models of vision and robot navigation" (2022–2026) Dr. Evans actively contributes to open science through GitHub repositories (e.g., PyRhO, DPE, BioNet) and promotes reproducible research. He has no listed advisees in the provided data, but leads funded research projects involving junior researchers. He is a core member of the Informatics research group at Sussex, contributing to both AI and neuroscience domains.
Elena Tuzhilina is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistical Sciences at the University of Toronto, specializing in machine learning, applied statistics, and computational biology. Her research focuses on statistical tools for chromatin 3D spatial structure reconstruction and analyzing emotional disorders' impact on brain function. Ph.D. in Statistics from Stanford University Specialist's degree from Moscow State University Two-year Data Science program at Yandex School Her research spans high-dimensional data analysis , dimension reduction , and statistical modeling in biological contexts. She has developed novel algorithms for chromatin conformation reconstruction and pandemic trajectory modeling. Recent publications focus on canonical correlation analysis , low-rank matrix approximation , and 3D genome architecture , with applications in computational biology and neuroscience. Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award JSM Student Travel Award Outstanding Teaching Assistance at Stanford Stanford Teaching Assistant Award Elena supervises PhD students and postdoctoral fellows across disciplines including statistical sciences, biochemistry, and applied mathematics. She has secured multiple grants including a NSERC Discovery Grant and University of Toronto Accelerator Grant .
Sidonie Christophe is a Senior Researcher (Directrice de Recherche, DR1) at UMR LASTIG, a joint research unit of Université Gustave Eiffel, IGN-ENSG, and EIVP. She serves as co-director of the LASTIG laboratory and leads research in geovisualization, map design, and interactive spatial data exploration. She also holds a part-time advisory role (60%) at the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research in the domain of digital technology, environment, climate, and sustainable urban development. PhD in Geographic Information Sciences Senior Researcher, DR1, MTECT Co-Director, LASTIG Laboratory (since 2021) Former Team Leader, GEOVIS (Geovisualization, Interaction, and Immersion) Advisor, Environment and Urban Climate, French Ministry of Higher Education & Research Her research centers on innovative methods for 2D/3D and nD geospatial data visualization, with a focus on enabling spatio-temporal understanding through visual and non-visual spatial thinking. Her work integrates principles from geographic information science, human-computer interaction, and computer graphics. Key areas include urban climate visualization, tactile and augmented reality for accessibility, expressive cartographic rendering, and cognitive aspects of map design. She investigates how aesthetic and semiotic choices impact map comprehension and utility. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in interactive and accessible geovisualization, particularly for urban and environmental applications. Topics include neural map style transfer, 3D urban climate analysis, tactile maps for the visually impaired, augmented reality in geography, and visual analytics for crisis and climate data. There is a consistent emphasis on user-centered design, interdisciplinary integration, and the development of tools for decision-making under uncertainty. Scientific Recognition and Service: Invited speaker at major conferences (IEEEVIS, AGILE, ICC, CPGIS) Co-organizer of international workshops (e.g., GeoVIS, ISPRS AR/VR sessions) Leader of national research projects (ANR ORACLES, ANR ACTIVmap, ANR ECOCIM) Recipient of international mobility grants (AMICI I-SITE FUTURE) Contributor to national glossaries and research strategy (e.g., French photogrammetry glossary) Advising and Grants: Sidonie Christophe actively supervises PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including Markie Jiang, Maria-Jesus Lobo, and Alexandre Mielniczek. She leads or participates in multiple funded research projects such as ANR ORACLES (marine flooding visualization), ANR ACTIVmap (tactile 3D maps), and ANR ECOCIM (eco-design of city information models). Her advisory role at the MESR involves shaping national research strategy in digital and environmental sciences. Labs and Research Teams: She is a core member of the GEOVIS team (Geovisualization, Interaction, and Immersion) at LASTIG and previously served as its leader. As co-director of LASTIG, she plays a central role in the leadership and strategic direction of the entire laboratory, which comprises over 100 researchers across four teams: ACTE, GEOVIS, MEIG, and STRUDEL.
Mengqiu Cao is a Lecturer in Urban Systems Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning at the University College London (UCL) within the Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources . He integrates academia and industry expertise to advance interdisciplinary research at the intersection of transport analysis and urban studies. Research Focus : Sustainable transport, urban mobility, logistics, social equity, and low carbon transitions. Teaching : Coordinates modules on climate sciences, data-driven consumer behavior analysis, and transport policy. Awards : Holds fellowships with the Royal Geographical Society, Royal Statistical Society, and Royal Society of Arts. Publications : Recent works examine green space impacts on mobility, equitable EV charging access, dockless bike-sharing patterns, and 15-minute city frameworks.
Catherine Dixon is a Senior Lecturer and Stage Leader for the BA Hons Graphic Communication Design program at Central Saint Martins, part of University of the Arts London. With over two decades of teaching experience since 1999, she has established herself as a significant figure in typography education and research. She previously served as a Visiting Professor at the University of São Paulo in 2011. Her research interests focus on typography, type design, letterform, and public lettering. Dixon's doctoral thesis, 'A description framework for typeforms; an applied study,' explored the challenges of describing typefaces and informed the CSM 'Typeform dialogues' project. She has co-authored the book 'Signs: lettering in the environment' with Professor Phil Baines and contributes regularly to the Public Lettering website. Her work examines the pragmatic concerns of typeface description, the value of letterpress as a teaching tool, and the contribution of public lettering to our sense of place. Dixon's recent professional activities demonstrate consistent engagement with the international typography community through conferences, editorial work, and curation. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in design education, particularly in developing frameworks for understanding and teaching typeface classification. She co-curates the Central Lettering Record, part of the college's Museum & Contemporary Collections, with Phil Baines. As an active participant in the design community, Dixon frequently speaks at international conferences including TypoBerlin, London Transport Museum, Tipoteca Italiana, and ATypI. Her professional activities reflect a deep commitment to preserving and advancing knowledge about typography and lettering practices.
