Professor Stephen Graham at Newcastle University is a leading scholar in critical urban studies, focusing on the intersections of militarism, surveillance, and urban infrastructure. His work explores how cities are shaped by and become sites of geopolitical conflict, technological control, and social inequality. Research spans urban verticality , military urbanism , and digital surveillance . Key themes include infrastructure disruption , elite spatial practices , and post-conflict urbanism . Recent publications analyze the militarization of urban space , robotic imperialism , and surveillance societies . His "Splintering Urbanism" framework remains foundational for understanding fragmented urban networks. Current work investigates vertical geopolitics , elite bunkering , and smart city security , with a focus on planetary-scale urban systems and their vulnerabilities.
John Oakey is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wyoming, with additional affiliations to the INBRE Program, Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, and Materials Science and Engineering Program. Education Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School (2007–2010) Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (2003) M.S. Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (1999) B.S. Chemical Engineering, Penn State University (1997) Research Interests Oakey’s laboratory integrates fluid dynamics, colloidal science and materials science to understand how biological systems behave under flow, on surfaces and within complex 3-D geometries. A unifying theme is the use of microfabrication and microfluidics to create new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic platforms. Current thrusts include: Heterogeneous biomaterials: self-assembled particulate tissue scaffolds whose mechanical and transport properties can be temporally programmed. Inertial microfluidics: exploiting lift forces for membrane-free particle sorting, enrichment and diagnostics. Multi-temporal analysis by flow cytometry: development of closed-loop, high-throughput microfluidic cytometers for longitudinal single-cell studies. Publication Trends From 2025 back to 2010, Oakey’s articles reveal a consistent trajectory that marries fundamental physics (microtubule mechanics, inertial focusing) with translational applications (cell encapsulation, tissue scaffolds, drug delivery). Recent work (2023-2025) increasingly targets injectable granular hydrogels, single-cell therapeutic delivery and sustainable carbon-sequestering living materials, demonstrating an evolution from microscale transport phenomena to macroscopic biomedical and environmental impact. Scientific Awards No named awards are listed in the supplied text. Advising & Coordination Roles As Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Professor Oakey oversees graduate program development and student mentoring. While no individual students are named, his role implies active supervision of M.S. and Ph.D. advisees in chemical and biomedical engineering. Laboratory & Teams The Oakey Research Group operates from the Energy and Environmental Research Building (EERB 435A) at the University of Wyoming. The lab enjoys R1-level research infrastructure and collaborates broadly with the Wyoming INBRE network, the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, and the Materials Science and Engineering Program.
Minseok Ryu is an Assistant Professor at the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Arizona State University (ASU). He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan (2020). Prior to ASU, he was a postdoctoral appointee at Argonne National Laboratory’s Mathematics and Computer Science Division. His research focuses on optimization methodologies for decentralized and stochastic decision-making distributed algorithms for machine learning and operations research applications in healthcare systems and energy grids Teaching responsibilities include courses on applied deterministic operations research (IEE 574), optimization (IEE 622), and research practicums (IEE 792). His work emphasizes computational challenges in decision-making under uncertainty, with recent projects addressing nurse staffing optimization, federated learning frameworks (e.g., APPFL/APPFLX), and resilient power grid systems. He has no recorded academic awards but actively contributes to open-source software and cross-disciplinary research collaborations. Research interests bridge theory and practice, targeting social goods through optimization techniques like distributionally robust optimization, federated learning, and heuristic algorithms for energy and healthcare systems.
Prof. Srdjan Capkun is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich and Director of the Zurich Information Security and Privacy Center (ZISC). He holds a Dipl.Ing. from the University of Split (1998) and a Ph.D. from EPFL (2004). His research focuses on system and network security, including wireless security (e.g., secure positioning), trusted computing, blockchain technologies, and privacy-preserving systems. He co-founded 3db Access (acquired by Infineon) and Sound-Proof, addressing secure distance measurement and authentication. Notable achievements include an ERC Consolidator Grant (2016), ACM Fellowship, and IEEE Fellowship. Education: Dipl.Ing., Electrical Engineering / Computer Science, University of Split, 1998 Ph.D., Communication Systems, EPFL, 2004 Research Interests: Wireless security (e.g., UWB, GNSS, cellular) Trusted execution environments (TEEs) Blockchain and cryptocurrency systems Privacy-preserving technologies Awards & Grants: ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) ACM Fellow and IEEE Fellow Leadership of ZISC Advising & Labs: Leads the System Security Group at ETH Zurich Guided postdoctoral researchers and graduate students in security and privacy Companies: 3db Access (secure distance measurement) Futurae (online authentication)
Dr. Alex Bigazzi is an Associate Professor and Associate Head (Undergraduate Program) in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), with a joint appointment in the School of Community and Regional Planning. He leads the REACT Lab, focusing on active transportation, micromobility, and sustainable infrastructure design. His research emphasizes the intersection of physics, physiology, and behavior in active travel, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, and addresses emissions reduction and equitable urban mobility. Bigazzi holds a B.M. in Jazz Saxophone from the University of Miami and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Portland State University. His career includes academic and practical contributions, such as founding the REACT Lab and leading projects on e-bike incentives, air pollution exposure, and infrastructure design. His work has earned awards like the 2024 Wall Legacy Award for inclusive transport design and the 2023 Climate Action Award. He teaches courses on pedestrian/bicycle facility design and capstone projects, mentoring students through UBC’s Civil Engineering programs.
Osman Yağan is a Research Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), with affiliate faculty status in the School of Computer Science. He is also a core member of CyLab Security and Privacy Institute. Prior to joining CMU in 2013, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at CyLab. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Maryland (2011) and a B.S. from Middle East Technical University (2007). His research focuses on modeling, analysis, and optimization of computing systems, leveraging applied probability, network science, data science, and machine learning. Key areas include multi-armed bandits, resilient machine learning, contagion processes in networks, and cybersecurity. Research Interests include Machine Learning, Data Science, Network Science, Cybersecurity, and Robustness in Cyber-Physical Systems. He has advised numerous students, including current PhD candidates Yurun Tian, Orkun İrsoy, and Ishank Juneja, as well as notable alumni such as Mansi Sood (now at MIT) and Jun Zhao (Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University). Key Awards include the CIT Dean's Early Career Fellowship, IBM Academic Award, and Best Paper Awards at ICC 2021, IPSN 2022, and ASONAM 2023. His work spans theoretical contributions (e.g., contagion models in multi-layer networks) and applied research (e.g., mitigating cascading failures in power systems). He leads or co-leads grants from ONR, NSF, and ARO, focusing on resilient machine learning, network robustness, and pandemic modeling.
Kenneth P. Birman is the N. Rama Rao Professor of Computer Science at Cornell University, where he has had a long and impactful career in distributed systems, cloud computing, and AI/ML infrastructure. He is known for foundational contributions to reliable and scalable distributed systems, and for leading high-impact projects such as Cascade, Vortex, and Derecho. He is also the author of a widely used textbook on reliable distributed systems and has founded multiple companies based on his research. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley M.S. in Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley B.A. in Computer Science, Columbia University Research Interests: Professor Birman's research focuses on building reliable, secure, and scalable distributed systems . His current emphasis is on AI and ML infrastructure , particularly in reducing latency and improving performance through hardware acceleration, RDMA-based communication, and edge computing. He explores how to eliminate data movement bottlenecks in AI pipelines and how to support real-time, mission-critical applications in domains like healthcare, smart grids, and industrial IoT. His work spans systems programming, cloud computing, fault tolerance, and formal verification . He has designed systems that have been deployed in high-stakes environments such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Swiss Exchange, and the French Air Traffic Control system. Scientific Awards: ACM Fellow (1999) IEEE Fellow (2014) IEEE Tsutomu Kanai Award for innovations in distributed computing Teaching and Mentorship: Professor Birman teaches two courses in the fall semester: CS4414: Systems Programming and CS5416: Cloud and ML Systems Programming . He has advised numerous Ph.D. and M.S. students, including Alicia Yang, Tiancheng Yuan, Yifan Wang, Weijia Song, Edward Tremel, Sagar Jha, Jonathan Behrens, and Mae Milano. He has announced that Fall 2025 will be his last semester teaching, and he is no longer recruiting new students, though he will continue supervising current ones. Labs and Projects: He leads the Derecho Project and the Cascade/Vortex Project , both focused on high-performance distributed systems. These projects are collaborative efforts with students and industry partners, and the software is released under open-source licenses. He also maintains strong ties with Cornell's systems group and collaborates with faculty across CS, ECE, IS, and the Cornell Tech NYC campus.
Hadi Meidani is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine , specifically within the Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign . He teaches courses in Civil and Environmental Engineering, including topics like Systems Engineering & Economics , Machine Learning in CEE , and Uncertainty Quantification . Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Southern California (2012) M.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California (2012) M.S., Structural Engineering, Sharif University of Technology (2005) B.S., Civil Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology (2002) Dr. Meidani's research focuses on uncertainty quantification , scientific machine learning , and optimization under uncertainty for engineering systems. His work spans stochastic multiscale analysis , physics-informed machine learning , and model reduction techniques. His recent publications emphasize machine learning for infrastructure systems , graph neural networks , physics-informed models , and traffic assignment . Key trends include deep learning , multi-fidelity modeling , and neural operator transformers applied to metamaterial design , seismic reliability , and autonomous freight delivery .
Snježana Babić serves as Associate Professor and Head of the Graduate Study Program Informatics - Teaching Major at the Faculty of Informatics in Pula , University of Pula. With a PhD obtained in 2016 and university affiliation since 2017, she teaches across undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on ICT fundamentals, web design, digital competencies, and informatics education methodology. Her educational background includes graduation in 1993 followed by doctoral studies culminating in 2016. Though specific institutions aren't detailed in the text, her career trajectory shows progression from foundational ICT teaching to specialized informatics education leadership. Babić's research centers on educational technology adoption with particular emphasis on programming pedagogy for young learners through the MEMA method. Her work investigates digital competencies across multiple educational contexts, from primary schools to higher education. Recent publications demonstrate rapid adaptation to emerging technologies, with 2025 studies examining ChatGPT integration in Croatian educational settings and cross-cultural applications of programming methods. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on technology acceptance models applied to Croatian educators and students. The research trajectory shows evolution from foundational e-learning systems (2016-2020) to cutting-edge AI and robotics applications (2022-2025), maintaining strong methodological focus on teacher motivation , implementation barriers , and culturally-specific adoption factors . Her teaching portfolio demonstrates deep integration with research interests: Undergraduate: ICT Fundamentals, Web Design and Application Graduate: Digital Competencies in Education, Informatics Education Methodology, Practicum for IT Educators Cross-disciplinary: ICT in Nursing, Healthcare Informatics Babić actively contributes to institutional leadership as program head while maintaining robust research productivity. Her work bridges theoretical technology adoption frameworks with practical implementation challenges in Croatian educational contexts, particularly examining how emerging technologies like humanoid robots and AI assistants can be effectively integrated into teaching practices.
Junfu Zhang is a Professor of Economics and Department Chair at Clark University. His research focuses on applied microeconomics, particularly urban and regional economics, with an emphasis on urbanization in China, entrepreneurship, regional development, and racial housing segregation. He holds a B.A. from Renmin University of China (1993), and M.A. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (1999, 2001). Prior to joining Clark in 2006, he was a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California and a Brookings Institution fellow (2000–2001). He has been an IZA Research Fellow since 2007 and served as President of the Chinese Economists Society (2019–2020). Education: B.A., International Economics, Renmin University of China, 1993 M.A., Economics, Clark University, 1997 M.A., Economics, Johns Hopkins University, 1999 Ph.D., Economics, Johns Hopkins University, 2001 Research Interests: Dr. Zhang's research explores urbanization dynamics in China, including land use policies, housing tenure systems, and economic segregation. His work also addresses entrepreneurship, high-tech industrial clusters, and the economic impacts of urbanization. Recent studies include analyses of land regulation, Super Bowl economic effects, and gender competition in labor markets. Recent Research Trends: His articles reflect a focus on China's socio-economic challenges, such as urban land policies, housing wealth effects, and regional development disparities. Collaborative projects with institutions like IZA and CES highlight interdisciplinary engagement. Awards and Affiliations: IZA Research Fellow (2007–present) Former President, Chinese Economists Society (2019–2020) Advising and Grants: No specific grant or student advising details are listed, though his research often involves collaborative teams. His work is supported by institutional affiliations and academic networks. Labs and Teams: No dedicated labs are mentioned, but his research engages interdisciplinary teams focusing on urban economics and regional policy.
Jarrod Ray Hore is a Scientia Lecturer in the School of Humanities & Languages at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, and Co-Director of the New Earth Histories Research Program. His work explores environmental history, settler colonialism, and the intersections of science, geology, and cultural landscapes. Hore’s research focuses on landscape photography’s role in shaping colonial projects, earthquake geology, and the logistics of the natural history trade. He has published widely in journals like the Pacific Historical Review and Australian Historical Studies, and his award-winning book *Visions of Nature* (2022) examines how photography reinforced settler territoriality. His research interests span environmental history, transnational history, the history of science, and colonial studies. Key areas include the history of settler colonialism in Australia, New Zealand, and North America, as well as the cultural and scientific dimensions of geological exploration. Hore actively supervises HDR and honours students in environmental history, colonial history, and the history of photography. His awards include the Marilyn Lake Prize (2023) and Donna Coates Prize (2022), with shortlist recognitions for prestigious history awards. Beyond academia, he teaches courses like *A House Divided: The Making of Modern America* (ARTS2150), emphasizing U.S. histories of race, class, and global engagement. Hore’s work bridges environmental humanities and colonial studies, analyzing how visual and scientific practices reinforced imperial and settler agendas. His current projects explore the material and logistical networks underpinning natural history collections and the epistemologies of colonial geology.
Moe Z. Win is the Robert R. Taylor Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), specializing in wireless communications, optical communications, and space communications systems. His research bridges theoretical and applied domains, including quantum sensing, network localization, and signal processing. B.S.E.E., Texas A&M (1987) M.S.E.E. & Ph.D., University of Southern California (1989, 1998) Recent work focuses on quantum-enhanced positioning, machine learning for localization, and next-generation (xG) non-terrestrial networks. He leads research at the Quantum neXus Laboratory (QX Lab), Wireless Information & Network Sciences Lab, and Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems. His career spans the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (1987-1995) and AT&T Research Laboratories (1998-2002). Key methodologies include soft information fusion, variational quantum sensing, and robust beam tracking for terahertz communications.
Dr. Haneen Farah is an Associate Professor in the Department of Transport & Planning at Delft University of Technology and co-director of the Traffic and Transportation Safety Lab. She also serves as head of the Traffic Systems Engineering section. Her research focuses on road infrastructure design, road user behavior, and traffic safety, integrating transportation engineering, human factors, and econometrics. Prior to TU Delft, she was a postdoc at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and earned her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Her work includes national/international projects like SAMEN (mixed automated/human traffic implications), AfroSAFE (road safety in Africa), and XCARCITY (sustainable city mobility). She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on road design and traffic safety, including online programs for low/middle-income countries. Farah supervises multiple PhD and Master students in her research areas, contributing to over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Key research themes include infrastructure design for automated vehicles, driver behavior modeling, cyclist safety, and policy implementation of the Safe System approach. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges engineering and psychology to enhance traffic safety and efficiency through advanced analytics and simulation models.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Brinkhoff is Chair of the Institute Board and Chair of Geoinformatics at Oldenburg University of Applied Sciences. He leads the Institute for Applied Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics (IAPG) and contributes to institutions like the Association for the Promotion of Geoinformatics in Northern Germany (GiN e.V.) and the Oldenburg Research and Development Institute for Computer Science (OFFIS e.V.). Education: Diploma in Computer Science (Informatik), Universität Bremen (1990) Doctorate in Computer Science (Dr. rer. nat.), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (1994) Brinkhoff's research spans geodatabase systems, spatiotemporal data processing, geosensor analytics, and location-based services. His work addresses Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), web-based geospatial visualization, and mobile data integration, with applications in traffic management and forensic science. Recent projects include ProSaDi (Digital Provenance and Collection Research) and contributions to the Laboratory for optical 3D metrology . He has served on program committees for ACM SIGSPATIAL (2002-2019), AGILE conferences (2010-2025), and editorial boards of journals like GeoInformatica and TGIS. Notable Lectures: 2024: Forensic applications of tachograph data 2023: Geoinformatics in homicide investigations 2022: Spatiotemporal analysis for sustainability projects 2015: Open geodata standards at FOSSGIS 2014: Mobile sensor data processing
Beng Chin Ooi is a Lee Kong Chian Centennial Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), School of Computing (SoC). He holds a B.Sc. (1st Class Honors) and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Monash University. His research focuses on database systems, large-scale analytics, and distributed computing. He has held leadership roles including Dean of School of Computing (2007–2013) and Director of Smart Systems Institute (2011–2021). Key achievements include the Singapore President’s Science Award (2011), ACM Fellow (2011), IEEE Fellow (2009), and multiple best paper awards. His work emphasizes scalable data management, blockchain systems, and healthcare data analytics. Education: Monash University (B.Sc., Ph.D.) Leadership: Dean (SoC), Director (Smart Systems Institute) Awards: Over 15 major honors including ACM SIGMOD E.F. Codd Innovations Award (2020) His research spans distributed databases, big data systems, and innovative applications of blockchain technology. Recent work includes NASI (neural architecture search) and Rafiki (ML-as-a-service).
