Maneesh Agrawala is the Forest Baskett Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University and Director of the Brown Institute for Media Innovation. His research spans computer graphics, human-computer interaction, and information visualization. Agrawala's lab develops computational tools for visual communication, investigating how design principles improve media effectiveness. Current projects include diffusion models for image and video generation, sketch-based interfaces, and visualization tools for scriptwriting. His team creates systems that enable new forms of content creation and analysis. His publications demonstrate consistent innovation in visual computing, with recent advances in controllable generative models, video understanding, and visualization design. Agrawala has received numerous honors including the MacArthur Fellowship and ACM Fellowship for his contributions to visual computing.
Prof. Dr. Virginia Ruiz-Villanueva is a Professor and leader of the Geomorphology Unit at the Institute of Geography, University of Bern. Her research focuses on river processes, particularly large wood dynamics, flood hazards, and sediment transport in mountainous regions. She holds a prominent role in international collaborations, addressing climate change impacts and river management challenges. Key areas of expertise include geomorphology, environmental hazards, and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding river systems. Her work integrates field observations, numerical modeling, and remote sensing to study processes such as large wood accumulation in rivers, flood risk assessment, and the influence of human activities on hydrological systems. She has contributed to projects across Europe, South America, and the Western United States, emphasizing practical applications for disaster risk reduction and sustainable river management. Recent research highlights include exploring historical changes in mountain river hydrodynamics, quantifying large wood supply in Swiss catchments, and analyzing cascading hazards in Chilean river systems. Her publications frequently appear in high-impact journals such as Earth Surface Processes and Landforms and Science of the Total Environment .
Paul D. Miller, known professionally as DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid, is a Professor of Music and Mediated Art at The European Graduate School (EGS). Based in New York City, he is an experimental electronic and hip-hop musician, conceptual artist, and writer whose work spans music production, film, multimedia installations, and critical theory. He has released over a dozen albums pioneering 'illbient' and trip hop genres, authored influential books including Rhythm Science and Sound Unbound , and exhibited internationally at venues like the Venice Biennale and Andy Warhol Museum. Education: Bowdoin College: Studied philosophy and French literature; thesis on Richard Wagner's Gesamtkunstwerk as precursor to new media. Research Interests: Miller's work centers on remix culture as a postmodern methodology, exploring intersections of sound, image, and technology. His theoretical framework positions the DJ as a 'post-subjective auteur' who creates meaning through layered connections across time, culture, and media. Key projects include Rebirth of a Nation (reworking D.W. Griffith's film to address racial history) and Terra Nova (Antarctica sound recordings addressing climate change), demonstrating his focus on historical reinterpretation and environmental crisis through digital media. Publications: His 14 scholarly articles (2001-2009) analyze remix as cultural practice across domains from album art history ( The Inner Sleeve ) to Baudrillard's philosophy ( Baudrillard: A Remembrance ). The corpus reveals consistent investigation into how sampling, digital layering, and media archaeology reshape narrative, memory, and cultural identity in the information age. Awards: No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source text. Advising and Grants: The source text provides no information regarding students supervised, academic advising, or research grants administered by Miller. Labs and Teams: Miller operates through project-based collaborations rather than fixed labs, forming temporary collectives with institutions like the American Museum of Natural History (for Terra Nova ) and artists including Yoko Ono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and choreographer Francesca Harper. His 'Unfinished Stories' project with Pulitzer-winning critic Margo Jefferson exemplifies his interdisciplinary approach bridging dance, music, and social commentary.
Niall Winters is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford's Department of Education, previously serving as Professor of Education and Technology and an Official Fellow. His research focuses on socially-just technology innovations, particularly in healthcare and education, supported by over €7 million in funding. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin. Key roles include co-convenor of the Critical Digital Education Research Group, director of the MSc Education (Digital and Social Change), and mentor to Kellogg students. Prior to Oxford, he was a Reader in Learning Technologies at UCL Institute of Education and Deputy Head of the Department of Culture, Communication and Media. His research integrates global health challenges with digital solutions, emphasizing community health workers' training in low-resource settings. Collaborations include the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation at Kellogg and projects with UNESCO, WHO, and the NHS. He has held fellowships at institutions like Sciences Po and MIT Media Lab Europe. Publications span mobile health technologies, gamification in medical education, and policy frameworks for digital equity. His work bridges theory and practice, advocating for ethical technology design that addresses systemic inequalities in education and healthcare systems.
Gauthier Gidel is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Operations Research (DIRO) within the Faculty of Arts and Science at Université de Montréal, where he also holds the prestigious Canada CIFAR AI Chair position. He is a core faculty member of Mila, Quebec's AI research institute, and maintains active research collaborations with leading institutions. His academic journey includes a PhD in Computer Science under the supervision of Simon Lacoste-Julien, with internships at Sierra, ElementAI, and DeepMind during his doctoral studies. Dr. Gidel's research spans multiple critical areas in machine learning, with particular emphasis on generative modeling , adversarial machine learning , and variational inequalities for machine learning. His work explores the intersection of optimization theory and practical AI systems, focusing on challenges like LLM safety alignment, multi-agent cooperation, and robustness against adversarial attacks. He is particularly known for his contributions to understanding the theoretical foundations of generative adversarial networks through variational inequality frameworks. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward addressing critical challenges in large language model safety and alignment, with numerous 2024-2025 papers focusing on adversarial robustness, safety evaluation methodologies, and alignment techniques for LLMs. Simultaneously, his foundational work continues in optimization theory, particularly in variational inequalities and performative prediction, demonstrating his dual focus on practical AI safety concerns and theoretical machine learning foundations. Canada CIFAR AI Chair Core member of Mila Organizer of popular NeurIPS workshops on smooth games Co-founder of the ICLR blog post track Dr. Gidel actively supervises an extensive research group with approximately 10 current graduate students and numerous alumni who have secured positions at leading institutions including Inria Lyon, Oxford, and industry research labs. His research is supported by multiple substantial grants from CRSNG, MITACS, and IVADO, including the prestigious CRSNG Discovery Grant program and MITACS Acceleration Québec projects focused on fraud detection in music streaming and conditional generation. His laboratory maintains strong connections with both academic and industry partners, fostering a collaborative environment focused on advancing AI safety and theoretical understanding.
Jordan Boyd-Graber is a Full Professor at the University of Maryland, affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS). His research focuses on machine learning, natural language processing, computational linguistics, topic models, and question answering. He has made significant contributions to the development of interactive topic modeling systems and evaluations of large language models. His work often bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications, such as improving human-AI collaboration and enhancing the interpretability of machine learning models. Boyd-Graber’s research also addresses challenges in adversarial examples, calibration of models, and the ethical implications of AI systems. His recent publications span cutting-edge topics like evaluating topic models through ProxAnn, mitigating hallucinations in vision-language models, and exploring human-AI complementarity in question answering. He collaborates extensively with researchers in computer science, linguistics, and social sciences to advance interdisciplinary applications of NLP and ML.
Jana Shen is a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where she leads an interdisciplinary research group at the intersection of chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science. Her lab develops and applies advanced simulation and data science tools to understand biomolecular mechanisms and accelerate drug discovery. Education: Postdoc, The Scripps Research Institute (2003–2007) PhD, University of Minnesota at Twin Cities (1999–2003) MS, University of Calgary, Canada (1996–1999) Diplom-Chemie, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany (1991–1995) Her research focuses on molecular simulation , data science , and computational biophysics , with applications in kinases , GPCRs , transmembrane transporters , and pH-responsive materials . She has pioneered the development of continuous constant pH molecular dynamics (CpHMD) methods and their applications in drug design and biomolecular mechanisms. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in computational drug discovery , particularly in covalent inhibitors , opioid receptor mechanisms , antiviral design , and the integration of machine learning with molecular dynamics . These works span high-impact journals such as eLife , JACS , Nature Communications , and ACS journals. Scientific Awards: National Science Foundation CAREER Award American Chemical Society HP Outstanding Junior Faculty Award Junior Faculty Research Award (University of Oklahoma, 2008, 2009) Phi Kappa Phi, University of Minnesota Louise T. Dosdall Graduate Fellowship Nova Graduate Fellowship Dr. Shen has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Her research is supported by major agencies including the National Institutes of Health , National Science Foundation , and FDA . She leads the Shen Lab, which actively develops open-source tools such as DeepCys , CpHMD , and PKAD-3 , and maintains databases for covalent ligandability and pKa predictions.
Likoebe Maruping is a Professor of Computer Information Systems and Director of the Ph.D. program at Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He is a member of the Center for Digital Innovation and serves as a senior editor for MIS Quarterly , having previously held editorial positions at Information Systems Research and the Journal of the Association for Information Systems . Previously, he taught at the University of Arkansas and the University of Louisville. Education: Ph.D. in Information Systems, University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business B.S. in Information Systems, University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business B.S. in International Business, University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business Maruping's research spans digital innovation , open source software development , agile methodologies , and team collaboration in dispersed settings . His work explores how leadership styles, particularly empowering leadership , can mitigate stress and improve performance in software development teams. He examines governance in digital platform ecosystems and investigates the relationship between digital technologies and social justice, as evidenced by his 2024 MIS Quarterly special issue contribution. His research often employs multilevel analysis approaches to connect micro and macro phenomena in information systems. Maruping's recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward examining AI innovation frameworks, platform ecosystem governance, and the social implications of technology. His 2025 work on AI innovation contrasts with traditional IT innovation through patent analysis, while his research on digital skill visibility in open source communities demonstrates practical applications of theoretical frameworks. These publications consistently bridge academic rigor with practical business implications. Editorial Recognition: Senior Editor, MIS Quarterly Former Associate Editor, Information Systems Research Former Associate Editor, MIS Quarterly Former Senior Editor, Journal of the Association for Information Systems As Ph.D. program director and former CIS department Ph.D. coordinator, Maruping has advised numerous doctoral students. His leadership extends to strategic program development, curriculum innovation, and enhancing recruitment of diverse doctoral candidates. He frequently leads workshops on multilevel theorizing, as evidenced by his 2023 workshop at Hong Kong Baptist University. His research has been supported through collaborations with major institutions and has influenced both academic discourse and industry practices in information systems management. Maruping is actively engaged with the Center for Digital Innovation at Robinson College of Business, which serves as his primary research hub. His work often involves cross-institutional collaborations with researchers from leading universities worldwide, reflecting the global nature of contemporary information systems research.
Mariya Toneva is a tenure-track faculty member at the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems , conducting groundbreaking research at the intersection of Machine Learning , Natural Language Processing , and Neuroscience . She leads the Bridging AI and Neuroscience (BrAIN) group , focusing on computational models that align AI systems with human brain processes. Her work aims to enhance both AI capabilities and neuroscience understanding through this cross-disciplinary approach. Actively recruiting postdocs, PhDs, and research interns in areas like code/text representation, brain-AI alignment, and neuroimaging data analysis Collaborator on NIH-funded projects using fMRI and neuropixel data Research Themes : Her group explores neural mechanisms of language processing, event segmentation in narratives, memory reactivation via music, and effective human-AI collaboration frameworks. Key methods include LLM analysis, cross-modal similarity metrics, and naturalistic task-based fMRI studies. Key Publications (2024-2025): Brain-tuned speech models (INTERSPEECH 2025) Cognitive event boundaries in LLMs (Behavioral Research Methods 2025) Music-induced memory reactivation (biorxiv 2024) LLM-brain alignment reasons (EMNLP 2024) Advising : Mentors PhD candidates Omer Moussa (speech processing), Camila Kolling (representational similarity), and Gabriele Merlin (LLM alignment). Collaborates with institutions like MIT, NYU, and ETH Zurich.
Dr. Kate Farrahi is an Associate Professor in the ECS department at the University of Southampton, where she leads research in the Vision, Learning and Control (VLC) Group. Previously, she was a Research Assistant at the Idiap Research Institute and earned her PhD in Computer Science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). Her work focuses on the intersection of machine learning and digital health, particularly in developing human sensing methods using vision and wearable technologies. She currently supervises four PhD students in Computer Science and actively accepts new PhD applications. Her research interests span machine learning applications in healthcare, including wearable device analytics, epidemiological modeling via AI, and drug discovery through generative methods. She has been recognized with a Best Paper Award (2022) and contributes to interdisciplinary research groups such as the Institute for Life Sciences and Centre for Machine Intelligence. Her work bridges computational methods with real-world health challenges, emphasizing practical deployment of AI solutions in clinical and public health contexts. Research Groups: Vision, Learning and Control; Institute for Life Sciences; Centre for Health Technologies; Centre for Machine Intelligence Key Collaborations: Cross-disciplinary projects combining computer science with biomedical engineering and public health
Eric Paulos is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, directing the Hybrid Ecologies Lab, Master of Design program, CITRIS Invention Lab, and co-directing the Swarm Lab. He holds faculty appointments at the Berkeley Center for New Media and Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation. He earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley, where he pioneered internet tele-operated robots including Space Browsing blimps and Personal Roving Presence devices. Paulos is a foundational figure in urban computing (coined in 2004) with research spanning critical making, physical computing, and sustainability-focused design. His work consistently bridges Human-Computer Interaction with social justice, emphasizing inclusive prototyping and the societal implications of emerging technologies through hands-on making practices. His recent publications examine hybrid materials as design mediums, failure-mitigation in creative workflows, and light as computational material, revealing a trajectory toward empowering creators through accessible tool development and critical reflection on technological embodiment. No scientific awards were explicitly documented in the source material. He has advised seven PhD students including Katherine Song (2024), Molly Nicholas (2022), Sarah Sterman (2022), Rundong Tian (2021), Christine Dierk (2020), Cesar Torres (2019), and Joanne Lo (2016), with current recruitment for 2026 focusing on technical prototyping skills and equity-centered innovation in the Hybrid Ecologies Lab. His leadership spans the Hybrid Ecologies Lab (critical making research), Swarm Lab (collaborative robotics), and CITRIS Invention Lab (public fabrication space), fostering interdisciplinary work at the intersection of technology, art, and social impact through facilities like Jacobs Hall and the College of Environmental Design.
Juan Carlos De Martin is a Full Professor of Computer Engineering at the Polytechnic of Turin, where he is also co-founder and co-director of the Nexa Center for Internet & Society. He holds a Faculty Associate position at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and is a member of the Scientific Council of the Treccani Institute and the Steering Committee of Biennale Democracy. He previously served as Vice Rector for Culture and Communication at the Polytechnic of Turin (2018–2023) and as president of its libraries (2007–2015). His research centers on the societal implications of digital technologies, with a strong emphasis on algorithmic and data justice, digital power, and the democratic challenges posed by modern technology. He advocates for a more democratic and ethical technological future, particularly critiquing the dominance of smartphones and promoting digital sovereignty. His recent publications reflect a clear trend toward ethical AI, data protection, and the social impact of algorithms. He has published on gender bias in language models, GDPR compliance tools, and non-discrimination audits in software, demonstrating a sustained commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability in digital systems. Best Student Paper Award IEEE ISCC 2011 Best Student Paper Award IEEE ICME 2005 Fellow at Harvard University (Berkman Klein Center) (2011–2015, 2016–2024) Faculty Associate at Collège d'études mondos, France (2016) De Martin has advised PhD students like Marco Rondina on Responsible AI and has led numerous EU-funded research projects such as COMMUNIA and DECODE. He has also played a key role in public policy, serving on ministerial working groups on AI and online hate. He is the founder of the Biennale Tecnologia and has authored influential books on the future of universities and technology, all published under Creative Commons licenses. He leads the Nexa Center for Internet & Society, a multidisciplinary research group focused on the legal, economic, and social aspects of the Internet. The center fosters collaboration between computer scientists, legal scholars, and social scientists to address pressing digital challenges.
Dina El-Zanfaly serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where she directs the hyperSENSE: Embodied Computations Lab. Her work bridges computational design and human-centered interaction, focusing on how physicality shapes sensory experiences and cognitive processes through intelligent systems. Education: PhD in Design and Computation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Master of Science in Design and Computation, MIT (Fulbright scholar) Her research critically examines computational methods for augmenting sensory perception, with emphasis on embodied sense-making in hybrid environments. She investigates co-creative interactions between humans and intelligent systems, exploring how computational tools empower designers and non-designers to shape products, social spaces, and interconnected technologies. Key questions address mutual learning between humans and machines through improvisation and creative production. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in mixed reality interfaces, AI-augmented skill acquisition (particularly in crafts and welding), and tangible co-creation with generative AI. Her work consistently integrates physical computing with mindfulness applications and privacy-aware smart environments, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach across education, manufacturing, and therapeutic contexts. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholarship As lab director, El-Zanfaly mentors students in computational making and embodied interaction projects. Her research is supported through initiatives like Fab Lab Egypt and collaborations with MIT, where she co-founded the Computational Making Group. She chairs major conferences including Fab15 in Egypt and serves on the DESFORUM program committee, indicating significant leadership in maker education and design research communities. She founded and leads the hyperSENSE Lab at CMU, which investigates computational embodiment through projects like Origami Sensei and Sand-in-the-loop. Previously, she co-established the Computational Making Group at MIT and co-founded Fab Lab Egypt (the first community maker space in North Africa/Arab world), demonstrating sustained commitment to global maker ecosystems and interdisciplinary team building.
Michio Sugeno is a distinguished Professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology's Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering, Department of Computational Intelligence. With a career spanning over four decades, he has established himself as a leading figure in fuzzy systems and computational intelligence. His research interests encompass Fuzzy Systems, Computational Intelligence, Nonlinear Control, Choquet Integral theory, Brain-Computer Interfaces, and Linguistic Computing. Sugeno's work has fundamentally shaped modern fuzzy control theory, particularly through his development of the Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model which has become a standard approach in industrial applications. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a continued focus on piecewise nonlinear modeling, stability analysis of fuzzy systems, and the application of Choquet calculus to various computational problems. His work demonstrates a consistent trajectory from theoretical foundations to practical implementations in control systems and intelligent computing. IEEE Pioneer Award in Fuzzy Systems IFSA Fellow Emanuel R. Piore Award Sugeno has mentored numerous researchers who have become prominent in their own right, including Tadanari Taniguchi, Luka Eciolaza, and Anh-Tu Nguyen. His laboratory has been instrumental in developing novel approaches to nonlinear control systems using piecewise bilinear models and fuzzy logic. Current research directions include brain-computer interfaces using EEG analysis and the development of everyday language computing systems that enable more natural human-computer interaction.
Shiri Azenkot is an Associate Professor of Information Science at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, Cornell Tech, Cornell University, where she directs the Enhancing Ability Lab. She also serves as an affiliate faculty member in the Computer Science Department at the Technion--Israel Institute of Technology. Her research leverages artificial intelligence to design enabling systems that promote equity and improve quality of life for marginalized populations, with a current focus on visual impairments. Her educational background includes a PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of Washington, advised by Richard Ladner and Jacob Wobbrock. Azenkot's research centers on intelligent interactive systems that enhance perception and ability for people with disabilities. She investigates perceptual abilities and behaviors to design novel systems for navigation, STEM learning, and socialization. Her work spans accessibility, human-computer interaction, and the application of AI/XR technologies to create inclusive solutions for blind and low-vision populations, addressing critical gaps in assistive technology. Recent publications reveal strong trends in developing real-time AI-powered assistive tools for low-vision users, accessible STEM education through tactile interfaces, and examining social dynamics of disability in digital spaces. Her work bridges technical innovation with deep user-centered design, particularly in XR accessibility through co-founded initiatives like XR Access. Scientific awards include: NSF CAREER Award NSF CRII Award 10-year Impact Award at MobileHCI Google Faculty Award Azenkot has advised students including Yuhang Zhao (now Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison), Lei, and Danielle. Her research is funded by NSF, AOL, Verizon, and Facebook. She co-founded XR Access and leads the Enhancing Ability Lab, which conducts user studies and develops systems like Markit/Talkit and Livefonts. Current projects include XR accessibility REU programs and symposiums advancing industry-academia collaboration. She directs the Enhancing Ability Lab at Cornell Tech and co-leads XR Access, driving community initiatives to make augmented/virtual reality accessible while mentoring the next generation of accessibility researchers through funded REU programs and industry partnerships.
