Kiwon Um is a tenured Assistant Professor in the Computer Graphics group at Télécom Paris, France, since October 2019. He focuses on physics-based simulations and data-driven approaches using deep learning, with an emphasis on human visual perception in computer graphics and engineering applications. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from Korea University His research explores effective simulation of natural phenomena through refined data utilization and develops reliable data acquisition methods for machine learning. He also investigates perceptual evaluation of simulations to advance numerical method understanding. Recent work trends include: (1) turbulence modeling with machine learning integration, (2) elastic material simulation stability, (3) fluid dynamics optimization, and (4) differentiable physics frameworks. His publications range from 2008 to 2025, covering topics like SPH solvers, porous shell simulations, and numerical method validation.
Professor Ali Yapar is a faculty member at Istanbul Technical University in the Electronics and Communication Engineering department. His research focuses on Electromagnetics , Microwave Engineering , and Antenna Technologies , with a particular emphasis on inverse scattering problems and microwave imaging for biomedical applications. He has supervised numerous graduate students and led projects related to breast cancer treatment and rough surface imaging. PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Istanbul Technical University (1997) MSc in Electronics and Communication Engineering (1995) His recent publications analyze advanced techniques for microwave hyperthermia systems, reverse time migration methods, and Newton-based solutions for electromagnetic inverse scattering. Key projects include TUBITAK-funded initiatives on microwave tomography and brain stroke imaging. He serves as a project investigator and executive for electromagnetic research programs. Research areas span Electromagnetic Wave Propagation , Green's Function Applications , and Dielectric Material Analysis . Collaborations include IEEE members and international researchers in computational electromagnetics.
Prof. Vladimir Spokoiny is a leading figure in stochastic algorithms and nonparametric statistics at the Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics (WIAS) and Humboldt University of Berlin . His work bridges mathematical statistics with practical applications in finance, medicine, and machine learning. Born in 1959 in Moscow, USSR PhD from Lomonosov Moscow State University (1988) Habilitation from Humboldt University (1996) Head of WIAS research group since 2000 Professor at Humboldt University since 2002 Spokoiny's research focuses on adaptive nonparametric methods, high-dimensional data analysis, and statistical finance. His innovations in local homogeneity testing and propagation-separation methods have advanced volatility modeling, image analysis, and manifold learning. He employs Bayesian optimization frameworks and stochastic control techniques for financial instrument pricing. Recent scientific contributions include generalized bootstrap procedures for Bures-Wasserstein barycenters (2024), dimension-free Laplace approximation bounds (2023), and structure-adaptive manifold estimation (2022). His 19+ PhD students and editorial roles in top journals like The Annals of Statistics demonstrate sustained academic impact. International Statistical Institute member American Statistical Association fellow Institute of Mathematical Statistics member Bernoulli Society member
Ohad Fried is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Reichman University. He was previously a postdoctoral research scholar at Stanford University under Prof. Maneesh Agrawala and completed his PhD with Prof. Adam Finkelstein as part of the Princeton Graphics group. He holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science and a B.Sc. in Computational Biology from The Hebrew University. His research lies at the intersection of computer graphics, computer vision, and Generative AI , focusing on tools, algorithms, and paradigms for photo and video editing and synthesis . His work has been widely recognized in top conferences including CVPR, SIGGRAPH, and ECCV, with recent contributions to tiled diffusion models, expressive 4D facial motion generation, and synthetic image detection. Ohad has received numerous awards, including the Israel Science Foundation personal research grant (2021) , the Outstanding faculty researcher at Reichman University (2022) , and the Siebel Scholar award (2017) . He has advised multiple students in research projects, and his work is covered by media outlets like Wired , The Washington Post , and CNN . Teaching roles include courses at Reichman University such as "GenAI for Games & Entertainment" and "Synthetic Media Detection", and at Stanford University "Computational Video Manipulation". Key Research Themes: Neural Rendering Diffusion Models 3D Facial Animation Image/Video Editing Media Forensics Scientific Awards: ISF Personal Grant (2021) Siebel Scholar (2017) Google PhD Fellowship (2014-2016) Gordon Y.S. Wu Fellowship (2012-2013) Excellence Scholarships
Naren Naik is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, specializing in computational tomographic reconstructions and analysis for subsurface imaging and shape/target tracking. His educational background includes: PhD from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore in 2000 M.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from IISc Bangalore in 1992 B.Sc. from Bangalore in 1988 Professor Naik's research focuses on development and analysis of reconstruction algorithms for nonlinear tomography , with particular emphasis on shape-based and dynamic tomography, tracking and battlefield surveillance, and numerical solutions to partial differential equations in electromagnetics. His work spans multiple imaging modalities including subsurface imaging with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), fluorescence optics, electrical impedance tomography, and photoacoustic tomography. His research bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in electromagnetic imaging and target tracking systems, addressing complex inverse problems in computational imaging. His publication record shows a clear progression from electromagnetic tomography to advanced Kalman filtering techniques for target tracking applications. The most recent works focus on wireless sensor networks and maneuvering target tracking, demonstrating his ability to adapt theoretical frameworks to evolving technological contexts while maintaining mathematical rigor in solving inverse problems. His professional recognition includes: Invited presentation at the special session on advances in model based inversion at the 2011 IEEE AP-S International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation Professor Naik maintains an active research program with consistent publication output in high-impact journals and conferences. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with researchers in electromagnetics, signal processing, and imaging sciences. His research has significant applications in defense technology (battlefield surveillance), medical imaging, and subsurface exploration systems, contributing to both theoretical advances and practical implementations in these fields. He is based in Office 303A ACES (Advanced Centre for Electronic Systems) at the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, where he leads research activities in computational imaging and tomographic reconstruction.
Ivan Selesnick is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, with joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering and Radiology. He holds affiliations with the Center for Advanced Technology in Telecommunications (CATT) and leads the Selesnick Lab. His research focuses on signal and image processing, sparse signal models, wavelet analysis, and biomedical applications. He received his degrees from Rice University (BS, MEE, PhD in EE) and has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (1997), NSF Career Award (1999), and IEEE Fellow (2016). Education: BS, MEE, and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Rice University (1990, 1991, 1996). He joined NYU Tandon in 1997 and served as a visiting professor at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in 1997. Research Interests: Signal Processing, Sparse Signal Models, Wavelet Analysis, Biomedical Signal Processing, and Optimization Techniques. His work emphasizes applications in medicine, imaging, and engineering systems. Awards: In addition to his fellowships, he received the Jacobs Excellence in Education Award (2003) and the Budd Award for Best Engineering Thesis (1996). He has held editorial roles at IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, Signal Processing Letters, and Computational Imaging. Teaching: Courses include Signals, Systems, and Transforms (EE 3054), Digital Signal Processing I/II (EL 6113/EL 7133), Wavelets and Filter Banks (EL 7163), and Biomedical Signal Processing (EL 9133). Labs and Affiliations: Director of the Selesnick Lab, involved in NYU Tandon Future Labs (business incubators) and CATT (telecommunications research). His research spans biomedical sensing, radar signal processing, and algorithm development for medical diagnostics.
Ziming Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) , with additional affiliations in Data Science and Robotics Engineering. He previously held research roles at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) and Boston University. PhD in Computing (2013) from Oxford Brookes University , UK MS in Computing Science (2010) from Simon Fraser University , CA BS in Computer Science and Technology (2005) from Northeastern University , China Research interests span computer vision , machine learning , and their applications in point cloud processing , medical imaging , autonomous driving , and IoT . He leads the Vision, Intelligence, and System Laboratory (VISLab) at WPI. Recent publications focus on 3D reconstruction , hyperbolic learning , and robust classifiers . Awards include the R&D100 Award 2018 and NSF funding for data-efficient deep learning. PhD Students: Yecheng Lyu (co-supervised), Guojun Wu (co-supervised), Hangrui Zhang, Xuechu Yu Master's Students: Yun Yue, Yuping Shao Visiting Scholars: Fangzhou Lin His lab partners with industry and academic institutions, focusing on autonomous systems , robotics , and scientific imaging projects.
Jung Hyup Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Missouri, College of Engineering. His research integrates human factors, ergonomics, and augmented reality to enhance engineering education and healthcare systems. He leads the Human Factors Lab and is actively involved in curriculum innovation through immersive technologies. Education: PhD, Pennsylvania State University BS, Mississippi State University Dr. Kim’s research centers on ergonomics, human-computer interaction, and real-time human performance modeling . He investigates how eye-tracking, motion analysis, and augmented reality can be used to assess workload, situation awareness, and learning effectiveness in real-world environments. His work bridges engineering systems with cognitive science, particularly in educational and healthcare contexts. His recent research, reflected in 15 reconstructed articles, demonstrates a strong trend toward augmented reality in engineering education , with focus areas including real-time motion tracking, eye-tracking for attention monitoring, metacognition in virtual instruction, and posture-based physical demand assessment. These efforts aim to transform traditional lab experiences into interactive, data-driven learning environments. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Dr. Kim has secured research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) , the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , and corporate sponsors such as Honeywell and Missouri Employers Mutual . He advises students like RJ Morrison and Madeline Easley, who have presented at national conferences and won research competitions. His lab develops AR-based teaching modules that assess student engagement and comprehension through biometric and behavioral data. His lab, the Human Factors Lab ( humanfactorslab.net ), is developing a new AR-integrated facility in Lafferre Hall with stations for interactive learning, real-time feedback, and performance testing. The lab aims to create scalable AR systems applicable across Mizzou Engineering disciplines.
Prof. Freek J. Beekman is a Full Professor and head of the Biomedical Imaging section within the Department of Radiation Science & Technology at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Faculty of Applied Sciences. He is a leading figure in biomedical imaging, with extensive contributions to nuclear imaging technologies, including SPECT, PET, and CT. His research spans detector development, image reconstruction algorithms, hybrid photonic imaging, and the application of artificial intelligence in medical imaging. Research Interests: His work focuses on advancing imaging modalities through innovations in hardware (e.g., multi-pinhole collimators) and software (e.g., deep learning for attenuation correction). He has pioneered ultra-high-resolution imaging systems, particularly for preclinical and clinical SPECT, and has developed integrated platforms like U-SPECT-BioFluo. His recent research explores glymphatic delivery of nanoparticles, infection imaging, and AI-driven reconstruction techniques, reflecting a strong translational focus. Publication Trends: His most recent publications (2021–2023) emphasize deep learning in SPECT, multi-isotope imaging, high-resolution ex vivo systems, and applications in neuroimaging and oncology. The articles demonstrate a consistent focus on improving image quality, resolution, and clinical utility through physics-informed and AI-enhanced methods. Scientific Awards: NWO Physics Valorization Prize Innovation of the Year Award by the World Molecular Imaging Society (2015, 2018) Edward Hoffman Memorial Award (2017) Bruce Hasegawa Memorial Award (2021) FOM Valorization Award (2013) TU Delft Entrepreneurial Award (2010) Advising and Grants: While specific student names are not listed, his leadership in large collaborative projects and supervision of numerous publications suggests active mentoring. He has secured significant funding through national and international grants, evidenced by his invention of over 20 patent families and successful technology transfer. His founding and leadership of MILabs BV (sold to Rigaku) highlights his impact on commercialization and industry-academia collaboration. Labs and Teams: He leads the Biomedical Imaging research group at TU Delft, which develops cutting-edge imaging systems such as VECTor (SPECT-PET) and EXIRAD-HE. His teams have produced technologies used globally in academic and pharmaceutical research, contributing to tracer development and therapeutic innovation.
Nico Buls is a Researcher in the Department of Radiology at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel). His work focuses on translational projects in medical imaging physics, radiation dosimetry, and engineering, with an emphasis on advanced imaging technologies for diagnostic and interventional radiology. Key research areas include imaging physics, spectral CT techniques, iterative reconstruction in CT, radiation dosimetry, neuro MRI applications, and applied statistics in medical imaging. He leads projects such as the PAD flow study (quantitative blood flow assessment via 4D CT) and the evaluation of lung ventilation using Xenon gas-enhanced CT. Buls collaborates internationally, with active research in Belgium and beyond. Affiliations: UZ Brussel, Research Centre for Digital Medicine. Grants/Projects: 12 active projects including OZR4357 (PhD stipend), PAD flow, and Xenon gas imaging studies. Scientific Awards: Editor's Recognition Award (2014, 2016) Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Fellowship (2011) Young Physicist Grant (2001) Advising/Grants: Supervises 20+ research projects and students, with notable contributions to 4D CT applications and radiation safety protocols. His lab, the Research Centre for Digital Medicine, drives innovation in clinical imaging technologies.
Matthew K. Tam is an Associate Professor at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, specializing in Operations Research. He is also an investigator at the Melbourne Centre for Data Science and an associate investigator in the ARC Training Centre OPTIMA. PhD in Mathematics (2016) from University of Newcastle under Jonathan Borwein Postdoctoral research at University of Göttingen with RTG-2088 and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Junior Professor at University of Göttingen (2017-2020) His research focuses on continuous optimization, monotone operator theory, and variational analysis, with applications in wavelet construction and inverse problems. Key trends include distributed algorithms, resolvent splitting, and convergence analysis for feasibility problems. Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship He collaborates with institutions like ANZIAM, Springer, and IEEE, with publications spanning mathematical optimization, harmonic analysis, and computational mathematics. His work emphasizes algorithmic design for complex data systems and real-world applications in imaging and industrial modeling.
Lucy Arendt serves as Professor of Business Administration – Management and Co-Director of the Center for Exceptional Leadership at St. Norbert College's Schneider Business School, where she teaches organizational behavior, leadership, and strategic management at undergraduate and graduate levels. Her global teaching initiatives include leading student cohorts to Europe for leadership studies and Mexico for international business immersion since joining the institution in 2016 after 26 years at UW-Green Bay. Her educational credentials include a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. B.S., University of Wisconsin-Green Bay M.S., University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Dr. Arendt's research centers on decision-making dynamics within disaster contexts, spanning mitigation through recovery phases. Her fieldwork across 15+ disaster zones—from New Orleans post-Katrina to Nepal's earthquake aftermath—examines how formal and informal leaders drive organizational and community resilience. This interdisciplinary work bridges business strategy with emergency management, emphasizing leadership's role in crisis navigation and long-term recovery. Her publication trajectory reveals evolving focus from early humor studies in organizational behavior toward comprehensive disaster resilience frameworks. Recent works analyze transformational leadership failures (2024), tornado recovery systems (2023), and engineered resilience metrics like the PEOPLES framework (2016), demonstrating consistent integration of organizational theory with real-world disaster response challenges across healthcare, infrastructure, and community systems. Notable recognition includes the UW-Green Bay Founders Association Award for Excellence in Teaching (2008-09) and a University Award for Collaborative Achievement (2013-14) for innovative international education programming. UW-Green Bay Founders Association Award for Excellence in Teaching (2008-09) UW-Green Bay Teaching Award for Experienced Teacher (2010) University Award for Excellence in Collaborative Achievement (2013-14) Her advisory impact extends through FEMA and NIST consultations, federal earthquake hazards committee leadership, and the Housner Fellows Leadership Development Program. She has directed disaster-reconnaissance teams for EERI across four continents, translating field insights into policy recommendations for governmental and nonprofit entities including Procter & Gamble and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As EERI board secretary/treasurer and federal Advisory Committee chair, she drives cross-sector collaboration on seismic safety standards. Her Center for Exceptional Leadership initiatives foster student development through experiential learning, while ongoing research partnerships with international agencies advance community resilience metrics for global disaster-prone regions.
Associate Professor David Rye is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the Australian Centre for Field Robotics. His research focuses on interdisciplinary robotics, blending engineering, social sciences, and art to explore human-robot interaction, tactile sensing, and autonomous systems. Key areas include social robotics, cooperative robot behavior, and creative robotics design. His work spans theoretical and applied robotics, including studies on robot collaboration dynamics, tactile feedback systems, and robotic excavation. Notable contributions include developing EIT-based sensitive skins for robots and analyzing human comfort in multi-agent interactions. He has led projects such as the Fish-Bird art-robotics collaboration and the experimental human-robot interaction facility funded by ARC grants. Publications highlight advancements in human-robot collaboration ethics, motion planning for social robots, and control systems for autonomous machinery. His interdisciplinary approach bridges robotics engineering with creative arts, fostering innovations in both technical and artistic domains.
Dr. Scott L. Nykl is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), part of the Graduate School of Engineering & Management. He is a leading researcher in computer vision, real-time 3D graphics, and autonomous aerial systems, with a focus on automated aerial refueling and navigation in GPS-denied environments. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Ohio University (2008–2013), Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 4.0/4.0 M.S. in Computer Science, Ohio University (2011–2012), Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 4.0/4.0 B.S. in Software Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Platteville (2002–2006), Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 3.94/4.0 Dr. Nykl's research interests include computer vision, sensor fusion, interactive virtual worlds, and real-time 3D graphics, with applications in aerospace and defense. His work bridges simulation and real-world deployment, particularly in autonomous aerial refueling using stereo and monocular vision. He has pioneered techniques in pose estimation, occlusion mitigation, and sim-to-real transfer learning. His recent publications and projects show a strong trend toward robust, vision-based navigation systems for unmanned and manned aircraft, with emphasis on reliability, accuracy, and real-time performance. His work frequently appears in IEEE, AIAA, and ION venues, reflecting its high technical and operational relevance. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: 2024 Harold Brown Award – Highest U.S. Air Force scientific honor 2024 General Bernard A. Schreiver Award 2025 AETC Airmen of the Year Multiple Air Force Outstanding Scientist/Engineer Awards (2017–2023) Best Paper Award, ACM SIGGRAPH i3D 2013 Forbes' The Greatest Young Inventors in America (2012) NSF GK-12 Fellow (2006) Dr. Nykl has advised numerous graduate students and collaborated extensively on projects involving automated aerial refueling, 3D reconstruction, and cyber education. He has secured significant research funding, including a $100,000 Ohio Third Frontier grant. His work has led to multiple patents and technology transfers. He leads research integrating virtual worlds, digital twins, and augmented reality for both research and pedagogy. Laboratories and Research Teams: His work is conducted within AFIT’s research ecosystem, involving collaborations with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Boeing, and academic partners. He leads projects under the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group (ARSAG) and presents regularly at ION, AIAA, and IEEE conferences.
Figen S. Oktem is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. Her research focuses on advanced imaging systems and algorithms, including computational imaging, inverse problems, and machine learning applications in signal processing. Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (2014) M.S., Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University (2009) B.S., Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University (2007) Her work bridges physics-informed machine learning and computational optics, with applications in spectral imaging, radar, and microwave systems. She has also explored Fourier phase retrieval, denoising diffusion models, and real-time MIMO radar imaging. Recent publications highlight trends in phase retrieval using deep learning ( prNet , I2I-PR , DDRM-PR ), 3D MIMO imaging, and compressive spectral imaging. Techniques often integrate plug-and-play regularization, stochastic refinement, and physics-based priors. She can be contacted via email at figeno@metu.edu.tr . Curriculum vitae and publications are accessible through her Google Scholar profile.
