Lillie Padilla is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics at Sam Houston State University's Department of World Languages and Cultures. Holding a Ph.D. and M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana, her research explores interdisciplinary connections between: Afro-Latinx representation in educational materials Discourse analysis and language ideologies Sociolinguistic studies in Equatorial Guinea Critical race theory applications in language teaching Her work focuses on Spanish subject pronoun expression patterns in multilingual contexts and curriculum development for inclusive pedagogy. Recent publications examine: Representation gaps in Spanish language textbooks Methodological challenges in Equatorial Guinea research Critical discourse analysis of Netflix's Elite series Intersectional representation of Afro-Latinx women Scientific achievements include: Finalist for American Association of Linguistics 2025 award for co-edited volume Representation, Inclusion and Social Justice in World Language Teaching Padilla's research continues to shape conversations about linguistic diversity and marginalized voices in language education through both empirical studies and theoretical frameworks.
Nicholas Evans is Distinguished Professor of Linguistics and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (CoEDL) at the Australian National University’s School of Culture, History & Language. His work bridges fieldwork-based language documentation with theoretical questions in typology, cultural evolution, and social cognition. Focus on endangered Australian and Papuan languages Director of ARC Laureate Project on 'The Wellsprings of Linguistic Diversity' Co-leader of SCOPIC (Social Cognition Parallax Corpus) study Collaborator in global linguistic diversity initiatives His research explores how micro-level community multilingualism shapes macro-level linguistic diversity, with fieldwork spanning seven years in remote Indigenous communities. Recent projects include PARABANK (paradigm syncretism analysis) and Southern New Guinea language studies, particularly Nen and Yam family languages. Scientific recognition includes the Ken Hale Award (Linguistic Society of America), Anneliese Maier Forschungspreis, and fellowships in the Australian Academy of Humanities, Australian Social Sciences Academy, and the British Academy.
Andrew Lynch serves as Professor and Associate Dean for Program Development in the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Miami. His academic leadership extends beyond teaching responsibilities to include significant administrative contributions to program development across the institution. Lynch's research interests center on sociolinguistics with particular focus on Spanish language dynamics in Miami, heritage language socialization, bilingualism, and language ideology. His work examines how language functions within specific social contexts, especially in workplace environments where Spanish heritage speakers navigate linguistic demands. He investigates the complex interplay between language, identity, and social structures in postmodern urban settings, with special attention to the Cuban diaspora experience in South Florida. His publication record reveals consistent scholarly engagement with heritage language education, Spanish language variation, and the sociolinguistic landscape of global cities. Lynch's research demonstrates how language practices in Miami reflect broader patterns of linguistic adaptation and resistance within diasporic communities. His work often addresses the tension between linguistic heritage and social integration, examining how language ideologies shape educational practices and community identity. Lynch's scholarly contributions span multiple formats, including single-authored books, co-authored publications, handbook chapters, and journal articles in both English and Spanish. His work frequently appears in high-impact sociolinguistics and language education journals, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach that bridges theoretical linguistics with practical educational implications.
Michael Kaess is an Associate Professor at the Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), within the School of Computer Science. He leads the Robot Perception Lab (RPL) and contributes to the Field Robotics Center (FRC) and Computer Vision Group (CV). His research focuses on efficient perception algorithms for mobile robots, particularly in 3D mapping, SLAM, and sensor fusion using vision, LiDAR, inertial, and sonar data. Kaess holds a PhD in Computer Science from Georgia Tech and was a postdoc at MIT's Marine Robotics Lab. Education: Georgia Institute of Technology, PhD in Computer Science (2008) MIT, Postdoctoral Associate (2008–2010) Research Interests: Kaess develops algorithms for robust and efficient inference in robotics, emphasizing factor graphs and linear algebra. His work spans underwater robotics, aerial systems, tactile SLAM, and multi-sensor integration. Key areas include SLAM with planes/lines, imaging sonar reconstruction, and neural field methods for LiDAR-visual fusion. Publications: Over 145 papers, including work on EDPLVO (visual odometry), HoloOcean (underwater simulation), and neural radiance fields with LiDAR. Recent trends focus on robust incremental smoothing, acoustic-optical fusion, and real-time volumetric mapping. Awards: Recognized with the RSS Test of Time Award (2020), Outstanding Associate Editor (2022), and paper awards at ICRA/ICRA. Active in conference organization (IROS/ICRA program committees). Advising & Grants: Supervises 10+ current PhD/MSc students, with past advisees contributing to CoRL/ICRA work. Manages grants in perception, autonomy, and marine robotics. Teaches courses like Robot Localization and Mapping (16-833). Labs/Teams: Directs RPL, collaborates with FRC on field robotics. Develops open-source tools like GTSAM (GNU Toolkit for Smoothing and Mapping).
David Noyce is a Professor and Executive Director of the Traffic Operations and Safety (TOPS) Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. He also serves as Associate Director of the Safety Research Using Simulation (SaferSIM) Center, a University Transportation Center. His work focuses on transportation safety, traffic operations, and automated/connected vehicle systems. Key roles include leading over $35M in research since 2003 through the TOPS Lab and advancing technologies like V2V/V2I communication, winter maintenance strategies, and work zone safety. Education: PhD (Texas A&M, 1999), MS (Civil Engineering, UW-Madison, 1995), MBA (UW-Whitewater, 1994), BS (UW-Madison, 1984). Research interests span traffic control devices, driver behavior analysis, crash reconstruction, and multi-modal transportation systems. He pioneered the national implementation of flashing yellow arrow signals and developed the Wisconsin Connected and Automated Transportation Consortium. Current projects include C-V2X localization frameworks, automated vehicle safety testing, and winter maintenance efficiency. Recognized with 20+ awards, including ITE and ASCE Fellowships and the Dr. Arthur F. Hawnn Professorship. His labs offer full-scale driving simulators and field-testing capabilities for real-world validation of innovations.
Francesca Stradolini is a Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the Electrical Engineering Doctoral School (EDEE). She holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from EPFL (2018), with prior education in Bio Engineering and Neuroscience from the University of Genoa (2012, 2015). Her current work focuses on R&D engineering for medical devices, emphasizing system lifecycle management, human factors engineering, and compliance with CE/FDA regulations. As an invited guest, she contributes to usability engineering education and interdisciplinary research at EPFL. PhD: IoT Bio-Electronic Multi-Panel Device for On-line Monitoring of Anaesthesia Delivery (EPFL, 2018) MSc: Bio Engineering (University of Genoa, 2015) BSc: Bio Engineering (University of Genoa, 2012) Her research spans bioelectronics, IoT-enabled medical monitoring, and electrochemical sensor development for clinical applications. Key areas include anesthesia delivery systems, wearable diagnostics, implantable devices, and human factors engineering. Her work integrates fluidic systems, noble metal nanostructures, and open-source hardware (e.g., Raspberry Pi) to address challenges in traceability, fouling mitigation, and pharmacokinetic modeling. Scientific recognition includes the Ville de Lausanne Award (2019) , EPFL Outstanding PhD Thesis Distinction (2018) , and a Best Paper Award at MOBIHEALTH (2016) . She has published extensively in journals like IEEE TBIOCAS, Sensors and Actuators B, and IEEE Sensors Journal, with collaborative studies on propofol monitoring, carbon nanoallotrope drug detection, and implantable sensor validation. Her technical expertise includes managing medical device development lifecycles, designing IoT architectures for intensive care, and optimizing electrochemical sensors for stability in undiluted biological fluids. She has contributed to conferences such as IEEE BioCAS, ISCAS, and MOBIHEALTH, focusing on translational studies in personalized medicine and 3D-printed medical systems.
Steven Jackson is a Professor of Information Science and Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University's Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, with additional graduate field appointments in Communication and Public Affairs. Since July 2023, he has served as Vice-Provost for Academic Innovation at Cornell, and previously held leadership positions as Chair of Information Science and Dean of William Keeton House. His work bridges academic research with significant institutional leadership in higher education innovation. Dr. Jackson's research focuses on critical intersections of technology, society, and the environment, with three primary strands: technology ethics, law and policy; maintenance, repair and sustainability; and technology, inequality and global development. His work draws from American pragmatism, political economy, and science and technology studies, integrating methods from sociology, anthropology, philosophy, and media studies. He is particularly interested in how computing practices meet social and material worlds, with implications for infrastructure, collaboration, sustainability, and cultural practice. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on repair as both theoretical concept and practical methodology, exploring 'ordinary hope' as a framework for technological engagement and examining unmaking as a necessary counterpart to design. The research spans diverse geographical contexts from the global North to South, addressing caste dynamics in computing, digital authoritarianism, and infrastructure challenges in developing contexts. Dr. Jackson has received significant recognition including an NSF CAREER award and more than twenty paper awards at leading computing and information science venues. His research has been supported by major organizations including the U.S. National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, Ford Foundation, Sloan Foundation, World Bank, Intel Research, Atkinson Center for Sustainability, and the Canadian Social Science and Humanities Research Council. As an advisor, Dr. Jackson has mentored numerous graduate students who have gone on to prominent positions at institutions worldwide. He currently advises Jen Liu, Amy Cheatle, Daniel Mwesigwa, Johan Michalove, and Ritik Batra, while his former students include Palashi Vaghela (Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University), Samir Passi (Responsible AI Researcher at Microsoft), Maggie Jack (Assistant Professor at NYU), and Ranjit Singh (Senior Researcher at Data and Society). Dr. Jackson convenes the Computing On Earth Lab, an experimental collaboration bringing together social scientists, humanists, artists, and engineers to rethink the material and planetary foundations of computing. The lab reflects his commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that address computing's environmental impacts and sustainability challenges.
Thomas Walz, PhD, is a Professor at The Rockefeller University and Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy. Previously, he held positions as Assistant, Associate, and Professor at Harvard Medical School (1999–2015) and was an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2008–2015). He earned his PhD and BS in biophysics from the University of Basel, Switzerland, and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Sheffield. Walz completed his education at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland, where he received his Diploma in Biophysics (1992) and PhD in Biophysics (1996). He furthered his training as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sheffield (1996–1999). His research focuses on understanding membrane-related processes and the structural biology of membrane proteins in lipid environments. Utilizing cryo-electron microscopy and nanodisc technology, he investigates how lipid bilayers influence membrane protein structure and function. Key areas include mechanosensitive channels, T-cell receptor dynamics, and telomere maintenance mechanisms. Collaborations with the de Lange lab explore the CST-Polα/primase complex's role in telomere regulation. Walz has been recognized with the Genzyme Award for Outstanding Achievement in Biomedical Sciences (2004) and continues to contribute to advancements in structural biology and membrane protein research. While specific student advisees are not listed, Walz actively mentors through his roles in the David Rockefeller Graduate Program and Tri-Institutional programs. His research is supported by grants and institutional funding, though specific grants are not detailed here. He directs the Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy at Rockefeller, a hub for innovative structural biology and membrane protein studies. The lab collaborates widely, integrating cryo-EM with electrophysiology and molecular dynamics simulations.
Dr. Amin Keramati is an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at Widener University’s School of Business Administration. He holds a PhD in Transportation & Logistics from North Dakota State University and previously served as a graduate research assistant at the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. His work includes federally funded projects like the Mountain-Plains Consortium’s MPC-550 project, focusing on highway-rail grade crossing safety. Dr. Keramati teaches courses in enterprise resource planning, decision analytics, database management, transportation/logistics, project management, and data analytics. Education: PhD in Transportation & Logistics, North Dakota State University Graduate Research Assistant at Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute Research Focus: Dr. Keramati develops mathematical, statistical, and machine learning approaches to solve complex problems in transportation, supply chain, and logistics. Key areas include data mining, big data decision support, transportation network analytics, project scheduling, smart manufacturing, and accident analysis. His interdisciplinary work bridges supply chain optimization with emerging technologies like blockchain for healthcare and clinical trials. Awards & Recognition: Student Paper Award, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2017) Grants & Projects: Lead researcher on the Mountain-Plains Consortium’s MPC-550 project, which expanded his dissertation work on safety systems for highway-rail crossings. Collaborates on federally funded transportation safety initiatives and supply chain optimization for bioethanol and pharmaceutical industries. Labs/Teams: Active in Widener’s School of Business research groups focusing on supply chain innovation and interdisciplinary projects combining logistics with emerging technologies.
Anthony Rowe is the Siewiorek and Walker Family Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and a Chief Scientist at Bosch Research. His primary affiliation is with the CyLab and the Wireless, Sensing and Embedded Systems (WiSE Lab) at CMU. He specializes in networked embedded systems, sensor networks, and extended reality (XR) technologies. His research emphasizes energy-efficient sensing, real-time localization, and XR integration with physical systems. Research Focus: His work spans XR systems (e.g., AR/VR edge networking in ARENA), mmWave radar for sensing (e.g., tire wear monitoring via Osprey), distributed edge computing (Silverline), and low-power wide-area networking (OpenChirp). Recent efforts include AI-integrated XR platforms (XaiR) and radar tomography (DART). Grants & Projects: Leads the CONIX Research Center ($27.5M NSF/DARPA grant), Bosch-funded edge computing projects, and DOE initiatives on microgrids. Notable projects include ARENA (XR edge architecture), GridBallast (smart grid control), and rural microgrid deployments in Haiti. Awards: Best Student Paper (ISMAR 2024), Best Paper (IPSN 2020), and the Steven J. Fenves Research Award (2015). Recognized for innovations in localization (MobiCom 2021), radar (ICRA 2023), and energy systems (BuildSys 2010). Teaching: Teaches courses on embedded systems (18-349/18-449), real-time systems, and mixed reality (18-453). Courses emphasize hands-on design and real-world applications. Labs & Teams: Directs the WiSE Lab, collaborating with Bosch Research and industry partners. The lab develops open-source frameworks like ARENA and OpenChirp, and contributes to standards for edge computing and sensing.
Dr Kingsley Edney is an Associate Professor in International Relations of China at the University of Leeds' School of Politics and International Studies. He holds a PhD (International Relations) and MA (Political Science) from the University of Melbourne, along with a BA(Hons) in Politics and Anthropology from Victoria University of Wellington. Fluent in Chinese and with experience living in Shanghai and Beijing, his research focuses on China's non-material international security dynamics, including cultural diplomacy, propaganda, and ideological strategies to manage global information flows. His expertise includes Chinese soft power, the role of ideology in foreign policy, and the intersection of domestic political cohesion with international security objectives. He teaches undergraduate and master's courses on China's domestic and international politics. Current postgraduate researchers under his supervision are Jinru Huang, Yanyu Lu, and Hengfeng Zhao. Edney's research outputs span topics like public perceptions of China in the Anglosphere, Chinese youth nationalism, and environmental governance. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of China's evolving global engagement strategies. He maintains active academic engagement through platforms like Google Scholar and ORCID.
Patricia A. Banks is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College, with affiliations in Africana Studies and the Program in Entrepreneurship, Organizations, and Society. She holds a Ph.D. and A.M. from Harvard University and a B.A. (summa cum laude, valedictorian) from Spelman College. Her research explores intersections of culture, consumption, and race, focusing on African Diaspora dynamics. Key areas include cultural philanthropy, art collecting as identity practice, and corporate diversity capital. She authored Black Culture, Inc. (Stanford 2022), winning the Oliver Cromwell Cox Book Award, and Race, Ethnicity, and Consumption (Routledge 2020). Recent honors include ASA awards and fellowships from the CASBS (Stanford), Sheila Biddle Ford Foundation, and Harvard’s Hutchins Center. She co-edits Poetics and serves on ASA committees. Teaching awards include recognition from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center and Mount Holyoke’s Baccalaureate address. Her work spans books, peer-reviewed articles, and media engagements (NYT, Artnet). The African American Museums Database, her digital archive, catalogs over 300 institutions. Current projects address corporate diversity signaling, African art markets, and dress code discrimination.
Lourdes Agapito is a Professor of 3D Vision at the Department of Computer Science, University College London (UCL), within the Faculty of Engineering Sciences. She leads research in Non-Rigid Structure from Motion (NR-SFM) and 3D reconstruction from monocular video sequences. Her work addresses dynamic scenes, deformable objects, and articulated structures, with applications in robotics and computer vision. She holds an ERC Starting Grant (2008–2014) and led the EU Horizon 2020-funded Second Hands project (2014–2019), collaborating with institutions like EPFL and KIT to develop robots with 3D visual perception for maintenance tasks. Her research group focuses on dense optical flow estimation, video registration, and deformable tracking. Agapito’s research interests include monocular 3D reconstruction, non-rigid motion analysis, and neural approaches to 3D modeling. She has supervised multiple PhD students and postdocs, including notable researchers such as Ravi Garg and Marco Paladini (Sullivan Prize recipient). Her contributions to conferences include roles as Program Chair for CVPR 2016 and CVPR 2017, and she has authored influential papers on topics like Video-Popup (ECCV 2014) and Modal Space (CVPR 2017). Current projects involve advancing neural parametric models and real-time 3D reconstruction techniques. Awards include the ERC Starting Grant and recognition for her team’s work in non-rigid reconstruction. She actively mentors students and collaborates on grants, with recent openings for postdocs and PhD candidates in 3D vision and robotics.
Michael A Osborne is Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Oxford and leads the Bayesian Exploration Lab . He serves as Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Autonomous Intelligent Machines and Systems and co-directs the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative. His research focuses on Bayesian optimization, Gaussian processes, and probabilistic numerics with applications in quantum devices, battery modeling, and AI governance. Key Positions: Professor of Machine Learning, University of Oxford Official Fellow, Exeter College Co-founder of Mind Foundry Lead Researcher, Oxford Martin Programme on Technology and Employment Research Themes: Probabilistic modeling for quantum systems Uncertainty quantification in energy storage AI safety and societal impact analysis Automated experimental design Quantum device calibration Probabilistic numerical methods Technical Contributions: Bridging reality gap in quantum devices Efficient Bayesian quadrature techniques Personalized neurostimulation algorithms Automated measurement protocols Quantum-classical hybrid ML
Salvatore Callesano is an Assistant Professor of Hispanic Linguistics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), affiliated with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on sociolinguistics, particularly bilingual communities in the U.S., language perception, and digital media representations of bilingualism. He employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate how language variation interacts with identity, media, and social structures. Dr. Callesano collaborates on Project 16 of the Asociación de Lingüística y Filología de América Latina, addressing linguistic aspects of Latin American diaspora communities. His work bridges traditional sociolinguistic inquiry with modern digital practices, analyzing how social media shapes perceptions of language use among Latinx populations. Recent research highlights include studies on code-switching in Miami's linguistic landscape, dialect perception, and the role of media in mediating language attitudes. His publications span peer-reviewed articles and book reviews, emphasizing empirical rigor and interdisciplinary connections between language, culture, and society.
