Prof. Mark Heitmann is a Professor of Marketing & Customer Insight at the University of Hamburg Business School. He holds a visiting appointment at Nova School of Business and Economics. His research focuses on AI-driven marketing strategies, social media analytics, brand equity, and consumer decision-making. He has held academic roles at institutions including the University of St. Gallen and Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel before joining Hamburg in 2011. Academic Career: Holds a PhD (2004) and post-doctoral Habilitation (2007) from the University of St. Gallen. Visiting researcher at Columbia University and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Research Interests: Applications of artificial intelligence in marketing Social media and digital transformation Ethical consumer behavior Brand self-expression and visual design Marketing technology (MarTech) innovations Key Achievements: Over 20 peer-reviewed publications in top journals like Journal of Marketing Research and Harvard Business Review . Award-winning research includes the MSI/H. Paul Root Award and IJRM-EMAC Best Article Award. Active in translating research into scalable commercial solutions through software-as-a-service ventures. Team & Collaborations: Leads a research team including M.Sc. candidates Sammar Rath, Julia Rosada, Maximilian Witte, Tijmen Jansen, Claus Hegmann-Napp, and Magdalena Heynicke. Engages in interdisciplinary projects with industry partners.
Professor Gabriel Brostow is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science at University College London (UCL), where he leads research in Computer Vision and Human-Computer Interaction. He also serves as Chief Research Scientist and Senior Director of the R&D Team at Niantic, the company behind Pokémon GO. His work bridges academic research and industry applications, focusing on developing AI systems that enhance human capabilities through what he terms 'Human in the Loop AI'—now commonly referred to as Human-Centered AI. Brostow completed his BS in Electrical Engineering at UT Austin, followed by a PhD with Irfan Essa at Georgia Tech. He then pursued postdoctoral research with Roberto Cipolla's Computer Vision & Robotics Group at Cambridge University as a Marshall Sherfield Fellow, and with Marc Pollefeys in ETH Zurich's CVG Group. His research explores how AI, particularly Computer Vision, can serve as 'super-tools' for professionals across various domains including filmmaking, architecture, robotics, and scientific research. Specific interests include assistive technology for everyday life, authoring systems that maximize user effort, 3D reconstruction, depth estimation, and vision-language models. His work often involves creating systems that are validated through real-world human interaction to ensure practical utility. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of Computer Vision that directly interact with humans. His research spans 3D scene understanding, depth estimation, sketch-based interfaces, and multimodal AI systems. There's a clear emphasis on creating benchmarks and tools that facilitate human-AI collaboration, with applications in assistive technology, urban planning, filmmaking, and biodiversity monitoring. His work frequently appears at top conferences including CVPR, NeurIPS, ECCV, and CHI. Marshall Sherfield Fellowship Brostow actively mentors PhD students, with current advisees including Ross Murphy, Skanda Koppula, Gizem Unlu, Omiros Pantazis, and Jamie Watson. His alumni include numerous PhD graduates and MSc students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. He emphasizes selecting students based on passion and potential rather than just academic credentials, valuing traits like helpfulness, drive, and hunger to learn. His research is supported through collaborations with major institutions and companies including DeepMind, MIT, and the University of Edinburgh. He leads a research group at UCL that collaborates closely with Niantic's R&D team, creating a unique bridge between academic research and industry application. His team's work frequently involves developing novel Computer Vision techniques that are validated through real-world human interaction, ensuring practical utility alongside technical innovation. The group explores blue-sky research problems with applications ranging from assistive technology to professional tools for filmmakers, architects, and scientists studying diverse environments.
Duke R. Gee is an Instructor of French (mapped to Lecturer academic rank) in the Department of English and World Languages . His teaching and academic focus align with French language instruction and broader world language education. Fields of Interest : French Language Linguistics Language Education World Languages
Professor Marina Jirotka is a leading academic in Human-Centred Computing at the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, and a Governing Body Fellow at St Cross College. She directs the Responsible Technology Institute and leads interdisciplinary research on responsible innovation in AI, robotics, and digital systems. University: University of Oxford School: Department of Computer Science Position: Professor of Human-Centred Computing Leadership: Director, Responsible Technology Institute Fellowships: EPSRC Established Career Fellowship (RoboTIPS) Her research focuses on integrating ethical, societal, and human values into technology design. Key areas include responsible innovation, human-computer interaction, algorithmic accountability, and socio-technical systems. She explores trust, transparency, and governance in autonomous systems, digital mental health, and quantum computing ethics. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in responsible robotics, explainable AI, digital wellbeing, and ethical governance. Articles emphasize interdisciplinary methods, stakeholder engagement, and practical tool development such as the Ethical Black Box and TrustScapes. Themes span autonomous vehicles, social robots, algorithmic bias, and sustainability in digital innovation. Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Oxford (2006) ESRC/SSRC Fellowship (2007) UCLA Scholar Award (2011) EPSRC Established Career Fellowship (2018, 2019) Vice Chancellor’s Innovation Award Highly Commended (2020) She supervises numerous PhD and Master’s students and leads major grants including RoboTIPS, RAILS, PARIS-DE, and Adolescent Mental Health in the Digital World. She co-directs ORBIT, a leading RRI training provider, and contributes to policy through advisory roles with the House of Lords, All-Party Parliamentary Groups, and industry consortia. She is a member of the IEEE P7000 working group and the UK Committee for IIASA. Her lab work involves interdisciplinary teams focused on responsible technology design, public engagement, and ethical tool development.
Tobias Bolch is a full Professor at the Institute of Geodesy, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Austria, specializing in cryospheric research with a focus on High Mountain Asia and the Tibetan Plateau. His work integrates advanced geodetic and remote sensing methodologies to address critical climate change impacts on glaciers and related systems. His research spans: Glacier dynamics and mass balance monitoring using InSAR and optical satellite data Rock glacier kinematics and permafrost interactions Glacial lake evolution and outburst flood hazards Climate-glacier-hydrology linkages in Central Asian river basins Long-term cryosphere reconstruction using historical satellite archives Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in quantifying ice loss acceleration, particularly from lake-terminating glaciers, and the application of multi-sensor approaches (Sentinel, ASTER, UAV) for decadal-scale change detection. His work consistently emphasizes the hydrological consequences of glacier retreat for downstream water security across High Mountain Asia. No scientific awards or specific grant programs were documented in the provided materials. While student supervision details are absent, his position at TU Graz's Institute of Geodesy indicates active mentorship within geospatial and cryospheric research programs. His homepage (https://ifg.tugraz.at) serves as the primary hub for research dissemination through the university's PURE portal.
Xiaoming Liu is the Anil K. and Nandita Jain Endowed Professor of Engineering and MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University . Holding a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University (2004), he leads cutting-edge research in computer vision and machine learning. Research Interests : Computer Vision Pattern Recognition Image and Video Processing Machine Learning Medical Image Analysis Multimedia Retrieval Recent Research Trends : Focus on 3D object detection and depth estimation Development of robust biometric recognition systems Integration of radar-camera fusion for autonomous systems Advancements in self-supervised and multimodal learning Exploration of adversarial AI security Creation of interpretable forgery detection frameworks Teaching : Spring 2013: CSE891-006 Computer Vision Seminar Fall 2012-2015: CSE803 Computer Vision Spring 2014-2017: CSE 471 Media Processing and Multimedia Contact Information : Email: liuxm@cse.msu.edu Office: EB 3137, Michigan State University Phone: +1 (517) 355-2359
John Gallagher is Associate Professor in English and Information Sciences at UIUC. His research examines how writers adapt to participatory audiences in digital environments, including social media interactions and AI writing tools. Using case studies and computational methods, he explores algorithmic audiences, ethical implications of AI, and technical communication in institutional contexts. He teaches courses in professional writing, digital rhetoric, and research methodologies. Recent projects analyze content creators' narratives about platform algorithms, inclusive emoji design, and academic integrity challenges posed by generative AI.
Dr. Sara Caputo is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of History and Philosophy of Science and an Affiliated Lecturer at the Faculty of History, University of Cambridge. She serves as Director of Studies in History, History and Politics, and History and Modern Languages at Magdalene College. Her research spans transnational maritime history, the history of medicine, cartography, and imperial history. Education: PhD in History from the University of Cambridge (Robinson College), MSc in History from the University of Edinburgh, BA (Hons) in History from Cardiff University. Career Highlights: Lumley Junior Research Fellow (2019–2022), Senior Research Fellow (2022–present) at Magdalene College, Scouloudi Fellow (2018–2019), Lewis-AHRC Scholarship (2015–2018), Honorary Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar (2015–2018). Research Focus: Dr. Caputo explores maritime mobilities, knowledge exchange, and the instability of national boundaries in the British and European navies. Her work integrates transnational perspectives into the study of a quintessentially national institution, challenging notions of Britishness and foreignness. She combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies to analyze legal, social, and cultural contexts of naval service and cartographic practices. Notable Articles: Recent publications include studies on British naval medicine, the evolution of ship tracks into surveillance tools, and the transnational dimensions of naval exploration. Her articles span journals like Past & Present , English Historical Review , and Social History of Medicine , with chapters in edited volumes on transport history and postwar naval recruitment. Scientific Awards: Royal Historical Society Whitfield Prize (2024) British Commission for Maritime History Boydell & Brewer Prize (2020) Fachverband Medizingeschichte wissenschaftlichen Förderpreis (2022) International Committee for History of Technology Maurice Daumas Prize (2021) Scottish History Society Rosebery Prize (2020) Teaching and Outreach: Dr. Caputo teaches courses on the Global Eighteenth Century, Union and Disunion in Britain, and Mediterranean history. She actively participates in outreach programs with the Cambridge University Admissions Office and The Brilliant Club, focusing on widening participation in history education.
Kyle Bellucci Johanson serves as a Visiting Critic in Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Department of Art. Holding an MFA from California Institute of the Arts and a BA in Art and Reconciliation Studies from Bethel University, he merges artistic practice with critical theory through performance architecture and collaborative media. Whitney Independent Study Program (2022–23) Founding fellow at land's edge free school (Los Angeles) Teaching experience at SAIC, UIC, CUNY, and Cooper Union His research investigates: Power structures through spatial interventions Critical theory applications in art practice Post-capitalist imaginaries Hauntology and historical materialism Transdisciplinary approaches to social critique Project trends reveal: Reinterpretation of Soviet design principles Investigation of worker identity in post-industrial contexts Temporal and spatial dislocation in artistic practice Monument critique through performative methods Quantum theory-inspired architectural concepts Reimagining of common spaces as political sites Scientific awards include: Creative Research Grant (2025) Whitney ISP participation (2022–23) Automata Studio Residency (2022) Artists Run Chicago Grant (2021) BOLT Residency (2020–21) Through projects like KLUB WRKR —a nomadic workers' club reimagined for the gig economy—and table (2018–2022), a Chicago-based experimental space for artistic practice, he interrogates institutional frameworks while fostering community through discursive meals and collaborative exhibitions.
Prof. dr. Nico Van de Weghe is a full Professor of GIScience at the University of Ghent (UGent), affiliated with the CartoGIS research unit. His work bridges computer science, social science, and natural science through geospatial information studies, focusing on enabling machines to reason spatially (GeoAI). Since 2004, he has specialized in knowledge-based AI, particularly spatiotemporal reasoning and moving object analysis, with applications in animal behavior, criminology, healthcare, mobility, and sports. Van de Weghe's research emphasizes hybrid GeoAI systems combining knowledge-driven and data-driven approaches. Keywords include GeoAI, GIScience, Spatiotemporal Analysis, Moving Objects, and Data Mining. Recent publications highlight urban road network analysis, hybrid trajectory modeling, BIM semantic enrichment, and cycling safety studies using virtual reality.
Takako Fujioka is an Associate Professor of Music at Stanford University, affiliated with the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying auditory perception, auditory-motor coupling, and music-supported therapy for neurorehabilitation. She holds a Ph.D. in Physiology from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Japan, and M.Sc./B.Eng. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Waseda University. Her work combines neurophysiological techniques such as MEG and EEG to study brain plasticity in development, aging, and stroke recovery. Notable contributions include investigating how music influences motor and cognitive recovery in stroke patients, as well as exploring the neural basis of musical perception through rhythmic synchronization and pitch discrimination studies. Supported by awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research during her postdoctoral work at the Rotman Research Institute, her research bridges clinical neuroscience and music cognition. Dr. Fujioka’s expertise spans auditory neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, and technology-assisted music therapy. She has pioneered studies on tactile mapping for cochlear implant users and networked music performance systems, emphasizing cross-modal perception and human-technology interaction. Her findings contribute to both theoretical understanding of auditory processing and practical applications in medical and educational settings. Awards: Canadian Institutes of Health Research Awards (postdoctoral phase) Labs/Teams: CCRMA, Stanford Music Perception Laboratory, Rotman Research Institute collaborations Key Themes: Neuroplasticity, Music-Mediated Rehabilitation, Auditory-Motor Integration, Multisensory Processing Her recent work examines aging-related changes in binaural hearing and the role of beta/gamma oscillations in rhythmic processing. She advocates for translational research that connects neural mechanisms with real-world therapeutic interventions.
Asma Sayeed is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Islamic Studies at UCLA's Near Eastern Languages and Cultures department, part of the UCLA College. She holds a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University (2005) and previously served as an Assistant Professor at Lafayette College. Her research focuses on early Muslim social history, Muslim education, gender studies, and hadith transmission by women. She has authored Women and the Transmission of Religious Knowledge in Islam (2013) and contributed to numerous journals and encyclopedias. Sayeed received a Fulbright Fellowship (2010) for archival research on Muslim women’s education in Syria. She teaches courses such as 'Introduction to Islam' and graduate seminars on research methodologies. Her current work examines textual practices in Muslim education across historical contexts. Education: PhD, Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University (2005) MA, History, Binghamton University (1994) BA, Politics, Princeton University (1991) Certificate in Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University (1991) Research Interests: Her scholarship emphasizes women’s roles in religious knowledge transmission, legal and social history intersections, and medieval Muslim educational systems. She frequently addresses how gender shaped access to religious authority and spaces. Awards: Fulbright Fellowship (2010) Teaching and Professional Engagement: Sayeed’s courses cover Quranic studies, Islam in the West, and methodological frameworks in Islamic studies. She actively participates in academic conferences and initiatives, including keynote lectures on women’s intellectual engagement in classical Islam and digital humanities projects mapping women’s educational histories.
Song Kim is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Faculty Affiliate at the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). He holds a Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University, where he was awarded the Harold W. Dodds Fellowship (2012-2013). His research focuses on International Political Economy, Formal and Quantitative Methodology, and Big Data analysis of international trade. He is particularly known for his work on firm-level political incentives in trade liberalization, which earned him the 2015 Mancur Olson Award and the 2018 Michael Wallerstein Award for best published article in political economy. Kim develops computational methods for analyzing trade data, including dimension reduction and visualization techniques. He maintains two key databases: LobbyView (tracking firm lobbying efforts) and TradeLab (for trade policy analysis). His research has been published in top journals such as the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, and International Organization. Educations : Ph.D. in Politics (Princeton University), B.A. not explicitly stated. His research interests include the dynamical evolution of lobbying networks, strategic links between political donations and lobbying, and the political origins of trade regulations. He also contributes methodological innovations, such as two-way fixed effects models and matching methods for causal inference with panel data. Awards : Mancur Olson Award (2015) Michael Wallerstein Award (2018) Harold W. Dodds Fellowship (2012-2013) Advising & Grants : No listed advisees. His work is supported by MIT’s IDSS and institutional funding. He collaborates on software tools like the 'wfe' and 'concordance' R packages, advancing computational social science. Labs/Teams : Associated with MIT’s Political Science Department and IDSS, focusing on interdisciplinary projects in trade, lobbying, and quantitative methods.
David Martens is a Professor of Data Science at the University of Antwerp , where he directs the Applied Data Mining Research Group within the Faculty of Business and Economics . He also serves as Chair of the Department of Engineering Management and Director of the Antwerp Center on Responsible AI . His academic work spans data mining , interpretable machine learning , and the societal impact of AI . PhD in Applied Economic Sciences (KU Leuven, 2008) Director, Antwerp Center on Responsible AI Chair, Department of Engineering Management Martens' research focuses on responsible AI and data ethics , with applications in finance, public policy, and behavioral analysis. His recent publications emphasize counterfactual explanations , LLM interpretability , and privacy implications in AI systems. His articles reveal trends in Explainable AI (XAI) , including narrative-driven explanations , graph neural networks , and ethical challenges like monetization risks and algorithmic bias. Keywords span Computer Science , Artificial Intelligence , and Behavioral Data . Martens is a leading voice in data science ethics , authoring the book Data Science Ethics: Concepts, Techniques, and Cautionary Tales (Oxford University Press, 2022). He combines academic rigor with industry experience, having consulted for banks, telecom firms, and startups in fraud detection and digital advertising .
Dr. Md Manjurul Ahsan serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, where he develops AI-driven solutions for healthcare diagnostics and advanced manufacturing optimization. His work bridges theoretical AI advancements with practical industrial and medical applications. Education: Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Oklahoma M.S. in Industrial Engineering, Lamar University B.S. in Industrial and Production Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Research Focus: Dr. Ahsan specializes in Artificial Intelligence with technical depth in Machine Learning , Deep Learning , and Computer Vision to solve critical challenges in healthcare diagnostics and additive manufacturing . His research emphasizes Explainable AI to enhance model trustworthiness and deployment efficiency across Cyber-Physical-Social Systems, with significant contributions to Aerospace and Defense applications. Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2025) reveals a strategic expansion from core manufacturing applications into medical AI (diffusion models for diagnostics), cultural preservation (NLP for Dravidian languages), and geopolitical AI analysis. His publications consistently address data imbalance challenges while advancing digital twin integration in quality control systems. Scientific Recognition: GCOE Dissertation Excellence Award (2023) International Student Scholarship (2022) Outstanding Academic Achievement in Engineering (2022) IEEE IEMCON Best Paper Award (2020) Netti Vincent Boggs Engineering Excellence Award (2020) Research Leadership: As director of the Sooner Additive Manufacturing Laboratory , Dr. Ahsan leads cross-disciplinary teams developing real-time monitoring systems using FARO arms and CMM metrology. His postdoctoral work at Northwestern University (2023-2024) advanced AI deployment frameworks, resulting in 60+ peer-reviewed publications with multiple papers ranking in engineering's top 1% for citations.
