Serkut Ayvasik is a Researcher at the Chair of Communication Networks at Technical University Munich (TUM). He joined TUM in March 2019 as a research and teaching associate, following his M.Sc. in Communications Engineering (2019) and B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (2016) from Middle East Technical University. His research focuses on: Wireless Network Resource Management for heterogeneous latency-critical 5G applications Channel State Information Prediction using depth images Network Slicing and Quality of Service optimization Machine Learning for proactive network configuration Telemedicine Applications in cross-border communication Key article trends include 5G/6G technology , IoT sustainability , digital twins , and haptic feedback systems . He contributes to IEEE and ACM journals, with recent work on Digiot (2025) and OCTOPUS (2024). Collaborations include researchers like Wolfgang Kellerer (Chair), Edwin Babaians , Alba Jano , and Fidan Mehmeti . His work spans projects such as 6G Future Lab Bavaria , DFG GGI QCDE , and ERC FlexNets .
Prof. Dr. Patrick Vonderau is a Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (2018–present) and previously held the same role at Stockholm University (2009–2018). His research focuses on media industries, digital distribution systems, cultural history, and the intersection of advertising with screen cultures . He has authored/co-authored seminal works like Spotify Teardown (MIT Press, 2019) and Advertising and the Transformation of Screen Cultures (Amsterdam University Press, 2021). Education : PhD from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (2005); studied at University of Copenhagen, Freie Universität Berlin, and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Research Themes include media industries (e.g., Spotify’s algorithmic governance, sponsored films by oil companies), digital compensation models (e.g., music streaming equity studies funded by BKM), and historical media-advertising symbiosis (e.g., early 20th-century industrial films). His work spans algorithmic transparency , platform regulation , and media production cultures . Awards & Editorial Roles : Advisory Editor of the Springer Series in Media Industries ; co-founder of NECS (European Network for Cinema and Media Studies); editorial board member of Montage AV , Media Industries Journal , and Television & New Media . Projects & Leadership : Co-led Shadow Economies of the Internet (Swedish Research Council, 2018–2022); heads the Circuit Lab at Halle-Wittenberg; organized conferences like Connected Viewing (2011) and Urban Mediations (2010).
Tasos Dagiuklas is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Technology within the School of Engineering and Technology at the University of Bedfordshire. With over 168 publications spanning from 1995 to 2025, he has established himself as a leading researcher in telecommunications and network systems. His extensive publication record demonstrates continuous scholarly contribution across multiple decades in the field. Professor Dagiuklas' research focuses on wireless communications, edge computing, 5G/6G networks, quality of experience (QoE), and federated learning . His work bridges theoretical networking concepts with practical applications, particularly in multimedia delivery and security. He has developed significant expertise in video streaming optimization, network security mechanisms, and resource management in emerging network architectures. His research consistently addresses the evolving challenges of modern communication systems, with recent work increasingly focusing on AI integration in networking. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong trend toward edge computing, federated learning, and security applications in next-generation networks. His work demonstrates a strategic shift from traditional networking concerns to more complex systems involving AI integration, energy efficiency, and heterogeneous environments. The publications show consistent collaboration with researchers across multiple institutions, with particularly strong partnerships with Muddesar Iqbal, Ilias Politis, and Stavros Kotsopoulos. Professor Dagiuklas has made substantial contributions to the academic community through his extensive publication record in high-impact venues including IEEE journals and conferences. His work has evolved from foundational networking research to cutting-edge investigations of AI-enhanced communication systems, reflecting the broader trajectory of the field itself. His research demonstrates both technical depth in specific networking challenges and breadth across multiple application domains.
Simone Ferlin is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Karlstad University working with 5G and Internet evolution. She completed her PhD in computer science in 2017 at the Simula Research Lab and Universitetet i Oslo under the supervision of Dr. Ozgu Alay and Prof. Michael Welzl. Her PhD dissertation focused on increasing robustness in multipath transport with MPTCP. Dr. Ferlin's educational background includes a PhD in Computer Science from the Simula Research Lab and Universitetet i Oslo (2017). Her doctoral research centered on enhancing robustness in multipath transport protocols, specifically focusing on MPTCP (Multipath TCP). She also completed undergraduate work that contributed to a book project with Prof. Friedrich Oehme on electronics and circuit technology. Dr. Ferlin's research spans multiple domains at the intersection of networking, systems, and performance engineering. Her primary interests include network and system measurements, performance analysis, security, and congestion control. She investigates how networks like the Internet evolve, examining technology development, adoption patterns, and their impacts on various entities. Additionally, she explores ways to harmonize security and privacy while making them more usable and assessable. Her work particularly focuses on transport layer and multipath transport protocols, examining their performance and security aspects. She also investigates application and transport layer performance, automation, and monitoring. Her research extends to network programming in both Linux kernel and user space, mobile broadband networks from 2G to 5G, and their intersection with the Internet. She is deeply engaged in observability, distributed and system performance monitoring, and automation. Analysis of Dr. Ferlin's recent publications reveals a strong focus on next-generation networking technologies. Her work spans multiple domains including 5G/6G networks, transport protocols (particularly QUIC and MPTCP), network virtualization, container orchestration, and the application of machine learning to networking problems. She has increasingly incorporated large language models into network configuration and automation research. Her publications demonstrate a consistent emphasis on performance measurement, optimization, and security across diverse networking environments from the edge to the cloud. Dr. Ferlin has received notable recognition for her research contributions: Best paper award at IEEE ICIN'21 for 'Learning-based Incast Performance Inference in Software-Defined Data Centers' Applied Networking Research Prize (ANRP)'25 winner for 'NetConfEval: Can LLMs Facilitate Network Configuration?' Dr. Ferlin is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of networking researchers. She has co-supervised numerous Master's and PhD students across multiple institutions including Karlstad University, KTH, TU Berlin, University of Oslo, and universities in Brazil. Her students have worked on diverse topics including NAT64 performance comparison, system tracing visualization, network observability, ML applications to multipath transport, FEC integration with QUIC, high-performance networking for 5G, congestion control, shared bottleneck detection, multipath IoT applications, and container runtime performance. She is also involved in several significant research projects including Vinnova's SEMLA (Securing Enterprises via Machine-Learning-based Automation), Horizon Europe's CODECO (Cognitive Decentralised Edge Cloud Orchestration), and the Knowledge Foundation of Sweden's DRIVE (Data-driven Latency-Sensitive Mobile Services for a Digitized Society). Dr. Ferlin serves as Workshop Chair for ACM SIGCOMM '25, is a member of the ACM/IRTF Applied Networking Research Workshop (ANRW) steering committee, and co-chairs the Internet Congestion Control Research Group (ICCRG) at the IRTF. She previously served as Associate Technical Editor for IEEE Communications Magazine and has been active on numerous program committees for major networking conferences including SIGCOMM, CoNEXT, IMC, and PAM.
Nele Mentens is a full professor at both KU Leuven and Leiden University, where she leads cutting-edge research in applied cryptography, hardware security, and secure embedded systems. At KU Leuven, she is affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering Technology and the Electrical Engineering Department (ESAT), leading the Emerging Technologies, Systems & Security (ES&S) research group at the Diepenbeek campus. Simultaneously, she holds a full professorship at Leiden University’s Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), focusing on applied cryptography and security. She has been instrumental in numerous national and international research initiatives, including Horizon Europe and NWO-funded projects. Full Professor, KU Leuven (since 2023) Full Professor, Leiden University (since 2020) Associate Professor, KU Leuven (2014–2023) Post-doctoral Researcher & Lecturer, KHLim / KU Leuven (2007–2014) Ph.D. in Engineering Science, KU Leuven (2007) M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven (2003) Her research focuses on secure and efficient hardware design, particularly for cryptographic applications on FPGAs, reconfigurable architectures, IoT security, and neuromorphic computing. She explores physical attack resistance, side-channel analysis protection, and trusted computing architectures, with applications in healthcare, industrial monitoring, and endpoint AI. Her work bridges theoretical cryptography with practical hardware implementations, emphasizing energy efficiency and real-time performance. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend toward secure, energy-efficient, and intelligent embedded systems. Topics include neuromorphic AI accelerators, trusted IoT architectures, dynamic reconfiguration for side-channel protection, and secure medical data processing. These works span disciplines such as computer architecture, cybersecurity, digital design, and embedded systems, with a focus on hardware-software co-design and real-world deployment. Nele Mentens has received recognition for her contributions, including: Best Paper Award, DATE'16 Best Paper Nomination, AsianHOST'17 Best Paper Award, CHES'19 She has supervised over 15 Ph.D. students and post-docs, both current and former, and has served as principal investigator in approximately 25 funded research projects. Her work has attracted significant grants from Horizon Europe, NWO, FWO, and national innovation programs. She actively contributes to the academic community through editorial roles in top journals and leadership in major conferences. Nele Mentens leads the ES&S research group at KU Leuven and collaborates closely with LIACS at Leiden University. Her team includes Ph.D. students, post-docs, and research experts working on projects like NimbleAI, NeuroSoC, and TrustedIoT. She has also established secure electronics labs through infrastructure grants and maintains strong international ties with institutions such as EPFL, Ruhr University Bochum, and ETH Zurich.
Dr. Markus Seifert serves as Senior Lecturer and Research Assistant at the University of Erfurt within the Seminar for Media and Communication Studies . He coordinates the aptitude assessment process and acts as academic advisor for the Bachelor's degree program in Communication Studies , while also contributing to Master's programs in Health Communication and Global Communication. His academic career spans multiple institutions, including visiting professorships at Chemnitz University of Technology (2022) and Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2023). Research Focus: Health Communication, Digital Communication, Political Communication Methodological Expertise: Quantitative Analysis, SPSS Applications, Experimental Design Academic Roles: Seminar Manager, Research Assistant, Teaching Professor (Acting) His scientific contributions address contemporary communication phenomena across three key domains: Health Communication: Digital patient support, hospital choice behavior, grief processing through online media Political Communication: Internet's mobilizing effects, digital democracy, political self-expression Music Communication: Digital music consumption, embodied listening practices, music taste formation Markus Seifert actively participates in academic governance as elected member of the Senate Committee for Study Affairs and the Study Commission of the Faculty of Philosophy. He serves as peer reviewer for multiple journals including Publizistik and European Journal of Health Communication.
Sebastian Brüggemann is a German legal scholar specialising in Internet, data-protection and IT law. Since 2013 he has been a part-time lecturer (Lehrbeauftragter) at the Faculty of Law of Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, and he holds parallel teaching appointments in data-protection and IT law at the Universities of Applied Sciences in Kehl and Ludwigsburg as well as at ZHAW School of Management and Law in Winterthur, Switzerland. In private practice he works as in-house counsel (Syndikusrechtsanwalt) for a large international IT company, focusing on data-protection and technology law. Education: 2003-2011: Studies of Law and General Rhetoric, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen 2009: First State Law Examination, Tübingen 2011: Magister Artium in General Rhetoric, Tübingen 2010-2012: Legal clerkship (Referendariat), including stages at the German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer and eco – Verband der Internetwirtschaft 2012: Doctorate in Law (Dr. iur.), Tübingen – dissertation on third-party disclosure claims against Internet providers in copyright enforcement 2013: Admission as attorney (Rechtsanwalt) 2013-2015: Part-time LL.M. in Information Technology Law, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Research interests span the intersection of law and digital technology: data-protection compliance under the GDPR, cybersecurity regulation, copyright in digital media, network neutrality, M2M/IoT legal issues, and the legal framework of behavioural advertising. His work frequently analyses German, European and comparative US developments. He has authored a monograph, numerous commentaries to GDPR/BDSG provisions, model IT contracts, and more than two dozen peer-reviewed articles and case notes since 2013, identifying recurring themes such as data portability, ISP liability, streaming and copyright, and the challenges of Industrie 4.0. Professional memberships & science communication: editorial board of Privacy in Germany , core team member of the Telemedicus IT-law portal, member of IAPP, DGRI and GRUR, and co-author of sector guidelines issued by Bitkom and eco association. There is no indication of supervised doctoral or master’s students in the supplied material; his teaching activities concentrate on specialised continuing-education courses and part-time lectures.
Mathias Denecke is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Media Studies at Ruhr University Bochum since March 2022 and an associated member of the Collaborative Research Center 'Virtual Lifeworlds' since February 2024. His academic trajectory includes doctoral research at Leuphana University Lüneburg's Centre for Digital Cultures (2014-2018) and prior work as a Research Associate on media streaming cultures at the University of Hamburg (2018-2022). His educational background features a completed doctorate in 2021 with the project 'Electricity metaphors in digital cultures,' an MA in Literature, Art and Media Studies from the University of Konstanz (2011-2014), and a BA in the same field with a minor in Political Science (2008-2011), including an Erasmus semester in Vilnius. Denecke's research centers on the intersection of digital cultures and material infrastructures, with particular focus on metaphors in theory formation, logistical systems, digitally mediated work, and age-appropriate assistance technologies. His work critically examines how conceptual frameworks like 'flow' and 'circulation' shape our understanding of digital phenomena while investigating the hidden labor within platform economies and care infrastructures. He approaches these topics through media theory, cultural studies, and political economy perspectives, often employing historical and comparative methods. His publications reveal a consistent trajectory exploring the metaphors that structure digital culture, evolving from early work on streaming and data flows to more recent investigations of logistical capitalism, care work in technical environments, and the material conditions of digital labor. Denecke frequently collaborates with other scholars while maintaining a distinctive focus on the epistemological dimensions of digital infrastructure and the social implications of emerging technologies. Denecke teaches courses including 'Data Bodies. People in Computing Environments,' 'Digital Media and Health,' 'Care Work' (at MA level), and 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Work' (at BA level), reflecting his research interests in the relationship between humans and computational systems. His teaching appears to integrate theoretical frameworks with contemporary case studies from platform economies and assistive technologies. As part of the Collaborative Research Center 'Virtual Lifeworlds,' Denecke contributes to interdisciplinary research examining the evolving relationship between digital technologies and human experience, particularly investigating how infrastructures shape everyday life and social relations in increasingly digitized environments.
Muhammad Khalil Afzal is a faculty member at COMSATS University Islamabad within the Department of Computer Science . His career focuses on Internet of Things (IoT) , Wireless Sensor Networks , and Machine Learning applications in network optimization. Key collaborations with researchers like Byung-Seo Kim and Sung Won Kim Published extensively in IEEE Access , Sensors , and Future Generation Computer Systems Research spans data-driven intelligence , QoS in IoT , and smart transportation systems : Developed graph convolutional GRU frameworks for traffic prediction Explored NOMA for low-latency communications in 5G Innovated blockchain-based privacy preservation in vehicular networks
Professor Jörg Ott holds the Chair for Connected Mobility at Technische Universität München (TUM) in the Faculty of Informatics since August 2015. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Aalto University, where he previously served as Professor for Networking Technology from 2005 through 2015. His academic career includes positions as Assistant Professor at Universität Bremen (1997-2005) and research staff with teaching responsibilities at TU Berlin (1992-1997). His research spans network architectures, protocol design, and networked systems , with current focus areas including network and system architectures, robust networking, mobile networked systems, adaptive real-time communication, and network measurements. He has made significant contributions to delay-tolerant networking, edge computing, and internet protocols. Professor Ott has served the networking community extensively, including as co-chair of IETF working groups (MMUSIC, SIP), co-chair of IRTF DTNRG, Treasurer of ACM SIGCOMM, Vice-chair of IEEE Comsoc TCCC, and General Co-Chair of major conferences including ACM SIGCOMM 2012, ACM MobiSys 2018, and ACM CoNEXT 2021. He is currently chair of the Steering Committee of the ACM CoNEXT conference and member of TUM Ethics Board for non-medical sciences. Best Paper Award at ACM ICN conference (2015) Best Student Paper Award at Packet Video Workshop (2012) Professor Ott has supervised numerous students and researchers, with current members of his research group including Wolfgang Wörndl, Ljubica Kärkkäinen, and Leonardo Tonetto. He has co-founded multiple technology companies including Tellique Kommunikationstechnik GmbH, Lysatiq GmbH, Spacetime Networks Oy, and NeMu Dialogue Systems Oy (callstats.io). His teaching portfolio includes courses on Connected Mobility Basics, Edge Computing and the Internet of Things, and Wireless Internet Communication.
Andrey I. Lyakhov is a Professor and Doctor of Computer Science at the Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He serves as the Head of Laboratory №18 and has been active since 1959. His research focuses on wireless networks, particularly IEEE 802.11 and 802.16 protocols. Position: Laboratory Chief Affiliation: Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences Research Interests: Wireless Networks, MAC Protocol Analysis, Network Performance, Distributed Control, Multicast QoS, Channel Assignment His work includes analytical modeling of data transmission, beaconing in mesh networks, and studies on network unfairness and congestion. He has contributed to patents in wireless sensor networks and piconet beacon management. Notable publications span wireless LANs, WiMAX, and sensor network optimization. Lyakhov's research has involved collaborations with international conferences and journals, focusing on throughput estimation, channel contention, and quality of service in wireless systems. Recent publications include studies on bandwidth piggybacking (2010), intra-flow interference in mesh networks (2010), and multicast QoS support in WLANs (2007). Earlier works from 1983-2008 cover foundational topics in queueing theory, cache efficiency, and distributed control systems.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Carôt is a Professor of Media Informatics at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, leading the Faculty of Computer Science and Languages as its Dean. His work bridges physics, computer science, and music, with a focus on networked music performance and low-latency audio systems. He developed the SoundJack software, enabling remote collaborative music-making, and contributed to projects like FAST-MUSIC and 5GUK trials for distributed music sessions. His research spans telemedicine applications, real-time streaming optimization, and quantum effects in telecommunications. Education: Ingenieursdiplom (2004) Doctorate in Engineering (2009) Research Interests: Prof. Carôt explores interdisciplinary fields combining technology and music. Key areas include: Real-time audio networking for live performances 5G-enabled tele-music systems Medical tele-rehabilitation using music feedback Low-latency multimedia streaming protocols Grants & Projects: Led initiatives like the FAST-MUSIC project and 5G trials, focusing on distributed music collaboration. Active in EU-funded research on telematic systems and networked audio. Labs/Teams: Directs the SoundJack development team and collaborates with industry partners on 5G infrastructure for arts and healthcare.
Emilia Ndilokelwa Weyulu is a Ph.D. student and researcher in the Internet Architecture department at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarbrücken, Germany, with concurrent enrollment in Computer Science at Universität des Saarlandes. Her work focuses on internet congestion control mechanisms and transport protocol analysis within the Saarland Informatics Campus ecosystem. Her academic journey includes: Ph.D. in Computer Science (2019–present) at Universität des Saarlandes and Max Planck Institute for Informatics Master of Informatics (2016–2018) at Tokyo University of Information Sciences, thesis: Asymmetric RTS/CTS for Exposed Node Reduction Master of Computer Science (2014–2017) at Namibia University of Science and Technology, thesis: A Rate Adaptive and Forward Error Correction Scheme for Video Streaming in 802.11b WLANs Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Statistics (2006–2011) at University of Namibia Weyulu's research centers on congestion control heterogeneity in internet infrastructure, with emphasis on BBRv3 protocol evaluation, in-band service routing, and network-assisted congestion feedback. Her work bridges theoretical protocol design with empirical measurement in public internet environments, extending to wireless networking challenges including ad hoc WLAN optimization and video streaming reliability. She employs cross-layer approaches to address exposed node problems and throughput limitations in wireless networks. Analysis of her 2024 publications reveals a concentrated focus on next-generation congestion control evaluation, particularly BBRv3's real-world performance across diverse network conditions. Her research combines protocol design with large-scale internet measurement, addressing both wired infrastructure challenges and wireless network constraints through innovative routing and feedback mechanisms. Weyulu has served as tutor for Data Networks courses during Winter 2018 and 2020 terms, and for the Hot Topics in Data Networks Seminar in Summer 2020 at Universität des Saarlandes. She also acted as student scribe for the CoNEXT 2020 TPC meeting, demonstrating active engagement in academic community service. As a core member of the Internet Architecture research group at Max Planck Institute for Informatics, she contributes to projects analyzing internet traffic patterns, transport protocol evolution, and network measurement methodologies within the institute's collaborative research environment on the Saarland Informatics Campus.
Prof. Anja Klein is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Technische Universität Darmstadt. She leads the Communications Technology group, focusing on cutting-edge research in wireless communications, edge computing, and UAV-enabled systems. Her work emphasizes optimization techniques, machine learning applications, and energy-efficient network designs. Key areas of expertise include integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), multi-agent systems, and resilient digital infrastructure. Her research spans topics such as UAV-assisted communication networks, risk-aware optimization, and decentralized learning in mobile edge computing. Notable contributions include advancements in beamforming algorithms for UAV systems, age of information minimization, and sustainable resource allocation strategies. Prof. Klein collaborates extensively on projects like the MAKI initiative, exploring future wireless network transitions and protocol-independent architectures. Her publications highlight innovations in network resilience, such as Safehaul for mmWave self-backhauling and techniques for handling imperfect feedback channels in status update systems. She also investigates socio-technical challenges, including user preferences in data forwarding and incentive mechanisms for video streaming in multi-hop networks. Her work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in 5G/6G networks, IoT, and smart city technologies.
Prof. Dr. Michael Seufert is a Full Professor and Chairholder at the University of Augsburg since October 2023, leading the Chair of Networked Systems and Communication Networks within the Faculty of Applied Computer Science. Previously, he served as a Private Lecturer at the University of Würzburg and completed his Habilitation in Computer Science there in 2023. His academic journey includes a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Würzburg (2017) with a thesis on Quality of Experience and Access Network Traffic Management of HTTP Adaptive Video Streaming, which earned him two prestigious Best Dissertation Awards. His research focuses on Quality of Experience (QoE) of Internet applications, artificial intelligence and machine learning for communication networks, measurement and analytics of encrypted network traffic, and data-driven proactive user-centric network management solutions. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in network monitoring, security, and performance optimization. Recent research has increasingly incorporated machine learning techniques to address challenges in network management, traffic analysis, and user experience assessment. Prof. Seufert's publication record shows a clear evolution from foundational work on QoE modeling and HTTP adaptive streaming toward more sophisticated applications of machine learning in network operations. His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong emphasis on practical ML applications for network monitoring, security, and optimization, with particular attention to real-world constraints and performance requirements. The research spans multiple subfields including encrypted traffic analysis, explainable AI for network management, edge computing, and quality assessment for emerging applications. CNOM Young Professional Award of the IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) Technical Committee on Network Operations & Management (CNOM) (2024) Best Dissertation Award 2018 of KuVS (Communication and Distributed Systems) special interest group Best Dissertation Award of the IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) Technical Committee on Network Operations & Management (CNOM) Prof. Seufert actively supervises research projects and advises students through thesis projects and practical modules. His teaching portfolio includes Communication Systems, Management of Communication Networks, Practical Introduction to Internet-Technologies, and seminars on Networked Systems. He leads a research group focused on networked systems and communication networks, with current projects exploring machine learning applications in networking, as evidenced by the organization of the 3rd International Workshop on Machine Learning in Networking (MaLeNe 2025).
