Gale M. Sinatra is a Professor at the Rossier School of Education and jointly appointed in the Psychology Department at the University of Southern California . Her research focuses on conceptual change learning , science education , and public understanding of science , particularly around controversial topics like climate change and evolution. PhD, MS, BS in Psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst Her recent publications explore refutation texts , epistemic emotions , and sustainability education , with a 2021 co-authored book Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It . Awards include National Academy of Education membership (2022), AERA Sylvia Scribner Award (2020), and Fellowships in APA and AERA. She has served as President of APA Division 15 and Associate Dean for Research at Rossier. NSF Grant (2018) for Augmented Reality in Paleontology Education Mattel Children’s Foundation Grant (2014) for Speedometry Program SSHRC Grant (2014) for Epistemic Belief Change Research
Prof. Jacco van Ossenbruggen is a Full Professor in Intelligent Information Systems at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), affiliated with the Network Institute. He serves on the Management Board of ODISSEI, a national research infrastructure for social sciences and economics. His academic background includes a PhD in Computer Science (2001) from VU’s Faculty of Science, focusing on hypermedia processing. Research Interests: His work centers on cultural AI, FAIR data principles, ontology engineering, and semantic web technologies. Key areas include inclusive cultural heritage metadata, bias mitigation in AI systems, and knowledge discovery via linked data. Recent projects involve leveraging large language models (LLMs) for metadata enrichment and ontology construction. Key Contributions: He leads initiatives like the Cultural AI Lab, exploring AI applications for cultural heritage. His research bridges technical innovations (e.g., semantic integration of restricted-access data) with societal impacts (e.g., ethical AI frameworks for public-sector applications). Developed frameworks for evaluating entity alignment in knowledge graphs Pioneered FAIR-aligned data management plans for scientific communities Designed tools like Alter Heritage for collaborative metadata curation Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator of the ODISSEI Portal project (2020–2024), advancing open data infrastructures. Active in funding initiatives promoting reproducible research and ethical data practices. Labs/Teams: Cultural AI Lab at VU, focusing on AI-driven solutions for cultural heritage preservation and accessibility.
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.
Dr. Anna De Simoni is a Clinical Associate Professor in Primary Care Research at Queen Mary University of London. She specializes in improving self-management and adherence to medications for patients with long-term conditions, particularly asthma and stroke. She co-leads the Centre for Primary Care and leads the AD-HOC NIHR Programme Grant, focusing on digital social interventions and online peer support systems. Her research integrates network science, big data analytics, and computational social science to enhance primary care outcomes. Education: MBBS (Medicine), PhD in Neurophysiology (University of Milan), followed by postdoctoral fellowships at UCL and the University of Cambridge. She holds NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship and Lectureship awards, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP). Research Interests: Digital health interventions, medication adherence strategies, primary care after stroke/TIA, domestic violence in healthcare settings, and patient engagement in online communities. She employs mixed-methods approaches including systematic reviews, qualitative studies, and computational analyses. Key Awards: EU Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (2010-2012), NIHR Academic Clinical Lectureship (2013-2016). Current roles include co-leadership of the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research (AUKCAR) and supervision of postgraduate students in MSc/PhD programs. Grants and Projects: AD-HOC NIHR Programme Grant, PAM Programme on Adherence to Medication, TEAM-care project on asthma management. Collaborations include industry partners and charities to develop scalable digital solutions for chronic disease management. Labs/Teams: Clinical Effectiveness Group at Queen Mary, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research (AUKCAR).
Shiri Breznitz is the Roz and Ralph Halbert Professor of Innovation and Director of Research at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. She holds a cross-appointment to the Strategy Area at the Rotman School of Management. Her research focuses on innovation policy, regional economic development, and the role of universities in fostering entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. She serves as an editor for Progress in Economic Geography , a member of Medicine By Design's Executive Leadership Team, and on the Scientific Board of the Journal of Technology Transfer . Her work bridges theory and policy, addressing global challenges such as biotechnology's economic impact, intellectual property rights, and the role of clusters in innovation. Current projects include studies on university IP policies, Toronto's regenerative medicine cluster, and entrepreneurship education's economic effects. Breznitz has advised policymakers at local, national, and international levels, including roles on Ontario's IP panels and the University of Toronto Alumni Impact Survey. Her publications span topics like entrepreneurial ecosystems, gender in innovation, and regional innovation systems. She frequently collaborates with global institutions and is a sought-after speaker, recently presenting at events like the Geography of Innovation Winter School in Pavia. Her academic contributions are further enriched through editorial roles and advisory work, ensuring her research informs both scholarly and policy communities.
Kimia Zamiri Azar serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida, focusing on hardware security and verification methodologies. Her research bridges theoretical formal methods with practical security implementations in semiconductor design and testing. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, George Mason University (2021) Postdoctoral Research, University of Florida Dr. Azar's research spans hardware security with emphasis on system-level verification, VLSI design-for-trust, and advanced IC testing. She pioneers techniques in logic locking, secure heterogeneous integration, and IC supply chain security, developing frameworks for authenticated encryption in Systems-in-Package and runtime security monitoring. Her work integrates formal verification with innovative testing methodologies to address hardware trust challenges across the semiconductor lifecycle. Analysis of her recent publications reveals two dominant trends: (1) Application of large language models (LLMs) to hardware design tasks including high-level synthesis code generation and RTL optimization, and (2) Advancement of secure heterogeneous integration techniques for System-in-Package architectures with focus on counterfeit prevention and split-test security protocols. These directions address critical gaps in hardware trustworthiness amid increasingly complex semiconductor supply chains. Her scientific contributions have earned significant recognition: Best Paper Award at ICCAD 2019 Best Paper Award at ISVLSI 2020 Best Paper Award at ICCAD 2020 Best Paper Award at IEEE DCAS 2020 Best Paper Award at HOST 2022 Best Paper Award at DATE 2023 Dr. Azar secures substantial research funding from premier agencies including NSF, SRC, DARPA, AFRL, DoD (NG), and Microsemi. Her grants support projects spanning hardware security validation frameworks, secure heterogeneous integration, and AI-augmented verification methodologies. She actively mentors students in her research group, guiding publications in top venues like IEEE D&T, IEEE TC, and DAC while fostering industry-academic collaborations. Her work directly impacts semiconductor security standards through patented innovations and open-source verification tools. As an active IEEE and ACM member, she contributes to community advancement through conference organization (HOST, DATE), journal editorial roles, and workshop leadership on hardware security standards. Her research group collaborates with semiconductor industry leaders to translate theoretical security frameworks into practical design-for-trust methodologies for next-generation integrated circuits.
Peter Wardrip is an Assistant Professor of STEAM Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education. His research focuses on bridging informal and formal learning environments, professional learning communities, formative assessment strategies, and making/tinkering pedagogy. He holds a PhD in Learning Sciences and Policy from the University of Pittsburgh, an MS in Human Ecology, and a BS in Latin Education from UW-Madison. Education Background: PhD in Learning Sciences and Policy (University of Pittsburgh, 2014) MS in Human Ecology (Centre for Human Ecology, 2004) BS in Latin Education (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1997) Research Interests: Peter's work emphasizes collaborative learning frameworks, educator professional development, and innovative assessment methods in makerspaces. He has developed national frameworks for museum and library makerspaces, and co-designed observation tools for maker educators. His research often explores how educators use data to inform instruction and how informal learning spaces can enhance traditional education systems. Recent Article Trends: Recent publications focus on pandemic-era educational adaptations, assessment challenges in makerspaces, and role evolution of librarians/museum educators. He has contributed to foundational texts on maker pedagogy including Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology and Makeology . Awards: INSPIRE Fellow (2018-2019), Research+Practice Collaboratory Fellow (2016), DML Design Research Committee Member (2014-2015) Grants & Advising: Peter has led projects funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, co-authored a national framework for museum makerspaces, and advised on digital badge systems in educational settings. He actively collaborates with institutions like the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon’s Learning Media Design Center. Labs/Teams: Involved with the University of Pittsburgh’s UPCLOSE research group and the MIT Teaching Systems Laboratory through his INSPIRE fellowship. His work bridges university, museum, and K-12 partnerships to create scalable educational tools and frameworks.
Brian Magerko is Professor of Digital Media in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at Georgia Institute of Technology , where he also serves as Director of Graduate Studies for the Digital Media program and holds an adjunct appointment in the School of Interactive Computing . He directs the Expressive Machinery Lab and has led over $20 million in federally funded research at the intersection of cognition, computation, and creativity. Education Ph.D. Computer Science and Engineering, University of Michigan (2006) M.S. Computer Science and Engineering, University of Michigan (2001) B.S. Cognitive Science (minor Computer Science & Jazz Performance), Carnegie Mellon University (1999) Research Interests Dr. Magerko’s scholarship integrates cognitive science , AI , and computational media to investigate three core themes: (1) social and creative collaboration between humans and AI; (2) design of interactive narrative, music, and arts-based computational experiences; and (3) inclusive STEAM education that leverages personal expression—most notably through the widely-adopted EarSketch platform, which engages learners in computer science via music remixing and coding. Publication Trends Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal a surge in work on generative and co-creative AI systems , AI literacy frameworks , and accessible computing education . Studies span dance improvisation agents (LuminAI), inclusive design for blind and visually-impaired learners, and large-scale evaluations of creativity and learning outcomes in EarSketch classrooms across the United States. Awards & Honors Methods Paper Recognition, ACM CSCW 2022 Best Paper Award, ACM Creativity & Cognition 2021 & 2017 Ivan Allen College Researcher of the Year 2018 NCWIT Engagement Excellence Award 2017 Multiple Best Student Paper Awards (AIED 2021, ICCCI 2021) CETL Thank-a-Teacher Award 2008 Grants & Advising Dr. Magerko has served as PI or Co-PI on numerous NSF, NEA, and private foundation grants totaling more than $20 million. His projects fund interdisciplinary teams of graduate and undergraduate students, post-docs, and external collaborators, producing open-source software, museum installations, and K-12 curricula. Labs & Teams As head of the Expressive Machinery Lab , he mentors researchers creating AI partners for dance, drawing, music, and storytelling. The lab’s artifacts have been exhibited at the Smithsonian, ArtScience Museum Singapore, MoogFest, and other international venues.
Jared Rubin is a Professor of Economics at Chapman University’s George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics and Co-Director of the Institute for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Society (IRES). His research bridges economic history, institutional economics, and religious studies, focusing on how historical political and religious institutions shaped economic development in the Middle East and Western Europe. Rubin’s work has been published in top journals like Review of Economic Studies and Journal of Economic Growth , and his book Rulers, Religion, and Riches (2017) received the Douglass North Best Book Award. He has secured over $1 million in grants from the John Templeton Foundation and serves on editorial boards for Journal of Economic History and Journal of Comparative Economics . Education: B.A., University of Virginia (2002) Ph.D., Stanford University (2007) Research Themes: Role of religious institutions in economic development Historical divergence between Middle East and Western Europe Political legitimacy and governance structures Cultural transmission of economic norms Recent Publications (2024): Religion, Political Legitimacy, and Complexity How Did the World Become Rich? Endogenous Political Legitimacy: The Tudor Roots of England’s Constitutional Governance Awards & Grants: Douglass North Best Book Award (2017) Over $1 million in grants from the John Templeton Foundation Leadership Roles: Co-Director, Institute for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Society (Chapman University) President, Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture (ASREC) Editorial Boards: Journal of Economic History Journal of Comparative Economics Explorations in Economic History
Felix Gomez Marmol is an Associate Professor at the University of Murcia's Faculty of Informatics, Department of Information and Communication Engineering. His research focuses on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, network security, and IoT security. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Murcia (2010), supervised by Dr. Gregorio Martínez Pérez. Key research interests include adaptive intrusion detection systems, dark web analysis, and AI-driven cybersecurity frameworks. He leads the Intelligent Systems and Telematics research group and previously contributed to the Sistemas Inteligentes group. His work emphasizes practical applications such as the SCORPION Cyber Range platform for cybersecurity training and gamification. Recent projects involve detecting hate networks on social media, optimizing malware defense using transfer learning, and developing SIEM systems for IoT environments. His contributions span technical papers on cybersecurity education, ethical hacking fundamentals, and blockchain-based security solutions. Prof. Gomez Marmol has collaborated on initiatives like the COBRA framework for simulating advanced persistent threats (APTs) and the COnVIDa dashboard for pandemic-related data analysis. His research bridges theoretical advancements with real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Shion Guha is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information, cross-appointed to the Department of Computer Science. He directs the Human-Centered Data Science Lab and is affiliated with the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society and the Data Sciences Institute. His research focuses on integrating technical methodologies with critical social science approaches to address algorithmic biases in public sectors like child welfare, healthcare, and policing. Key roles include coordinating the Human-Centred Data Science concentration in the Master of Information program and advising national policies on AI ethics. Education: PhD in Information Science and Statistics, Cornell University (2016) MS in Information Science, Indian Statistical Institute (2010) Bachelor of Business Administration, Jadavpur University (India) Research Interests: Human-Centered Data Science, AI ethics, public policy, healthcare systems, algorithmic accountability, and marginalized communities' interaction with technology. His work emphasizes participatory design and real-world impact, addressing high-stakes decisions in public services. Recent Trends in Articles: Focus on participatory AI design in public sectors, algorithmic harms in child welfare, and cultural biases in NLP tools. His studies explore the intersection of technical systems and societal values, advocating for equity and transparency in algorithmic decision-making. Awards: Way-Klingler Early Career Award (2019) Connaught New Researcher Award (2021) Schwartz-Reisman Institute Faculty Fellowship (2023–2025) Grants & Advising: Secured funding from NSERC, CIFAR, and others for projects like the Responsible AI for Health Systems (RAIHS) framework. Advises PhD students through cross-departmental programs and collaborates with organizations like Parkview Health and the ACLU. Current supervisees include Ramaravind Kommiya Mothilal and Seh Young Moon. Labs & Initiatives: Leads the Human-Centered Data Science Lab, contributing to interdisciplinary research on AI ethics. Active in policy advocacy, including work with the Canadian government’s AI Policymakers Expert Group and the CIFAR AI Solutions Network.
Christian Newman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Software Engineering at the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He serves as the Graduate Program Director and has expertise in software engineering methodologies, refactoring techniques, and source code analysis. His research focuses on improving code quality, developer practices, and automated documentation. Education: Newman holds a BS, MS, and Ph.D. from Kent State University. His academic background aligns with his current research in software engineering and empirical studies. Research Interests: His work emphasizes identifier naming standards, technical debt management, refactoring strategies, and code reuse. He explores how developers perceive and implement refactoring tools, as well as the role of large language models (LLMs) in programming education and code generation. Publications: Newman's recent work includes studies on identifier semantics, part-of-speech tagging for code analysis, and the performance of LLMs in introductory programming tasks. His research often combines empirical studies with tool development, such as SATDBailiff for technical debt tracking and TSDetect for test smell detection. Teaching & Advising: He teaches courses like SWEN-250 (Personal Software Engineering), SWEN-331 (Engineering Secure Software), and graduate-level thesis supervision. His courses emphasize secure development, software design principles, and team-based projects. Tools & Contributions: Newman has developed tools like srcSlice (static slicing), srcType (type resolution), and SCALAR (identifier analysis). These tools support software evolution, code comprehension, and empirical research in the field.
Dr Jeff Chamberlain is a Senior Lecturer at Deakin Business School, Faculty of Business and Law, Deakin University, where he also serves as Deputy Director of the MBA program. With over two decades of industry experience at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), he transitioned into academia, bringing a pragmatic, industry-informed approach to teaching and research. His work centers on the 'triple helix' model linking strategy, business processes, and technology. Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin University Master of Electronic Commerce, Deakin University Graduate Diploma of Electronic Commerce, Deakin University Graduate Certificate of Electronic Commerce, Deakin University Graduate Certificate of Higher Education, Deakin University Bachelor of Business, Deakin University CPA (Certified Practising Accountant), CPA Australia His research focuses on business process management, digital transformation in SMEs, enterprise systems (especially ERP), and organizational learning. He explores how SMEs strategize for technological change and the role of awareness and learning in enterprise transformation. Recent work includes a study on a Global Advisory Program (GAP) for innovative SMEs. The recent articles reflect a strong trajectory in e-government, digital services, and cross-cultural project management, with a pivot toward educational innovation and flexible learning models. His work bridges public sector digital transformation and academic pedagogy, emphasizing practical application. Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence, 2017 Fellow, CPA Australia (FCPA), 2016 Fellow, Institute of Managers and Leaders (FIML), 2016 Dean's Lecturing Legend Award, 2012 Australia Day Achievement Award, 2002 Jeff has supervised numerous student capstone projects, led industry-university partnerships, and secured internal grants such as the BPM Deakin project. He has been involved in executive education with DeakinCo, delivering transformation leadership programs to Tata Aerospace. He also serves on the board of Eastern Innovation Business Centre, supporting sustainable startups. He leads the 'BPMDeakin' virtual community and has developed innovative teaching models like 'Start Anytime' and 'Cloud First'. His teaching units include MBA705 Enterprise Optimisation and Transformation, emphasizing real-world applicability and digital agility.
Simon Lindgren is a Professor of Sociology and Director of DIGSUM (Digital Societies and Media) at Umeå University's Department of Sociology. His research focuses on politics, power, and resistance in the context of digital technologies, employing methods like critical discourse analysis, computational text analysis, and social network analysis. He leads interdisciplinary research on social dimensions of digital technology, including AI ethics, algorithmic governance, and digital activism. Key research areas include algorithmic politics, social media mobilization, critical AI studies, and data activism. Lindgren has directed projects such as 'Programmable Politics,' exploring algorithmic automation in civil society, and '#NeverForget vs. #NeverHappened,' analyzing Holocaust commemoration on social media. His work bridges sociology with computational methods, emphasizing the sociotechnical implications of digital tools. Recent publications address bot activity in progressive movements, class dynamics in AI research, and mental health discourse on Instagram. Lindgren has secured grants for AI ethics projects and co-authored works like the Handbook of Critical Studies of Artificial Intelligence . His research further explores digital care for aging populations and misinformation during emergencies. Lindgren coordinates the 'AI and Society' research group and has advised numerous collaborative projects at Umeå University. His work frequently intersects with policy analysis, aiming to inform governance of emerging digital technologies while critiquing techno-solutionist approaches.
Chris Bryan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence (SCAI) at Arizona State University (ASU), part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He leads the Sonoran Visualization Laboratory (SVL @ ASU), focusing on data visualization, human-computer interaction, and advanced interfaces for data science. His research includes explainable AI, augmented/virtual reality, and privacy-preserving visualization techniques. Educations: Ph.D. Computer Science, University of California, Davis (2018) B.S. Computer Science, University of Arkansas (2008) Research Interests: Bryan’s work spans data visualization, human-computer interaction, explainable AI, and immersive visualization. He develops tools for collaborative analysis, privacy-aware systems, and visual analytics for complex data. Current projects involve VR/AR interfaces, bias reduction in NLP tasks, and educational visualization tools. Recent Achievements: Recipient of the 2024 and 2023 Top Five Percent Faculty Award at ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. NSF grants for privacy-preserving visualization (SaTC #2224066) and visualization education (IUSE #2216452). Multiple publications in top venues like IEEE VIS, CHI, and EuroVis, including work on differential privacy, mind wandering in visualization, and LLM prompt exploration. Advising & Grants: Advises Ph.D., MS, and undergraduate students on visualization and HCI research. Collaborates with institutions like Los Alamos National Laboratory, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and Nankai University. Lab focuses on mentoring and preparing students for academic and industry roles in visualization and AI. Labs & Teams: Leads the SVL @ ASU, which uses advanced hardware (HTC Vive, HoloLens 2) and tools like D3.js, React, and LaTeX. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary projects with domain experts in medicine, engineering, and security.
