Dr. Tommaso Marcato is a Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich. He earned his MSc in Chemical and Bioengineering from ETH Zürich after completing his BSc in Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, Italy. His research focuses on perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), emission anisotropy, and light-outcoupling efficiency, with a particular emphasis on transition dipole moment orientation and nanocrystal self-assembly. His publications span topics such as Stabilization of CsPbI₃ nanoplatelets via metal iodide doping Molecular orientation engineering in OLEDs Ultraflexible self-powered optoelectronics Electroluminescent metasurfaces using perovskite nanocrystals His work aims to overcome photon trapping in devices by manipulating emitter orientation and exploring quantum confinement effects. Dr. Marcato's recent articles (2019–2025) demonstrate expertise in Hybrid perovskite systems Quantum dot applications Photonic device architecture Surface passivation techniques . He is part of the Shih group at ETH Zurich and has received funding from ETH-33 18-2 for his research on graphene-templated molecular alignment in LEDs.
Jan Jokisch is a Researcher and PhD student at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, affiliated with the Heisenberg research group. His academic background includes a Master's in Comparative Literature from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Bachelor's in Comparative Literature and Philosophy from Mainz. He has lectured in German language and literature at Argentine universities and served as a translator for the DEFA Film Library. His research focuses on drama history, quantitative and digital literary studies, and methodologies in the humanities, with current collaboration on the DFG-funded 'Forager Folklore Database (FFDB)' project. Education highlights include a thesis on 'Epistemological Horror in Literature' (2021) and a BA thesis reinterpreting Shklovsky's literary theory through Heidegger's phenomenology (2018). Jokisch has been recognized with DAAD scholarships (2019, 2021) and the Gutenberg Lehrkolleg Award (2018). He has authored and edited conference proceedings, including works on distant reading methodologies and interdisciplinary language studies. His academic work bridges computational analysis with traditional humanities, emphasizing the role of technology in literary research. Collaborations and editorial roles reflect his commitment to fostering international student scholarship and innovative research practices.
James McCann is an Associate Professor at the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute, where he leads the Carnegie Mellon Textiles Lab. He has been a faculty member since May 2017 after working at Disney Research Pittsburgh. McCann's academic journey includes a PhD from Carnegie Mellon advised by Nancy Pollard, followed by a postdoc at Adobe Research and a period developing video games. McCann's research focuses on building creative tools that operate in real-time and build user intuition, with particular emphasis on textiles fabrication and machine knitting. His work spans computer-aided fabrication, simulation, graphics, and creative tools development. He has pioneered systems for machine knitting design, including compilers for knitting instructions and tools for automatic conversion of 3D meshes to knitting patterns. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward computational textiles, with significant contributions to knitting semantics, deployable textile structures, and applications of machine knitting in healthcare and robotics. McCann's work bridges computer science, robotics, and textile arts, creating practical systems for once-off manufacturing with industrial knitting machines. McCann actively mentors students, with current PhD candidates working on solid knitting machines, knit calibration, and assistive devices. His teaching portfolio includes courses on Real-Time Graphics, Algorithmic Textiles Design, and Game Programming. He has taught at CMU since 2017, developing innovative courses that blend computer science with physical fabrication. As director of the Textiles Lab, McCann oversees research projects spanning machine knitting, robotic painting, and real-time graphics systems. His lab develops practical tools for creators, emphasizing intuitive interfaces and real-time feedback that lower barriers to advanced fabrication techniques.
Changxi Zheng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). He directs Columbia's Computer Graphics Group (C2G2) within the Columbia Vision and Graphics Center (CVGC). After receiving his PhD from Cornell University, he joined the faculty of Computer Science Department at Columbia, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in computer graphics and scientific computing. Dr. Zheng's research spans multiple areas of applied computer science with a particular focus on computer graphics and scientific computing. His work centers around developing numerical models for simulating physical phenomena involving complex motions such as fluids, bubbles, and thin rods, along with their resulting acoustic waves. Leveraging computational insights from these models, he devises methods for improving tangible object creation, enabling novel human-computer interactions, and developing software tools for acoustic and photonic devices. His research has attracted significant public interest and media coverage, including projects like FontCode, AirCode, and Computational Metallophone Design. His recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary approach, bridging computer graphics, physics simulation, machine learning, and hardware design. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in computational methods for simulating physical phenomena and applying these techniques to practical problems in 3D printing, acoustic modeling, and interactive systems. The breadth of his research spans from fundamental physics-based simulations to practical applications in industry. Columbia SEAS Dean's Fellow (for advised students) NSF Graduate Research Fellow (for Ruilin Xu) Snap Research Fellow (for Rundi Wu) CKGSB Fellow (for Yun Fei) Adobe Research Fellow (for Gabriel Cirio) Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellow (for Rundi Wu) Best Paper Award at ACM International Conference on Multimedia (ACMMM), 2019 Dr. Zheng actively mentors a diverse group of students, including current PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. His research group has received support from various sources that enable their innovative work in computational graphics and physics-based simulation. He has supervised numerous successful students who have gone on to positions at leading technology companies including Adobe, Tencent, Facebook, and academic institutions. As director of Columbia's Computer Graphics Group (C2G2) within the Columbia Vision and Graphics Center (CVGC), Dr. Zheng leads a vibrant research team focused on advancing the state of the art in computer graphics, physics-based simulation, and their applications. The group maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and academic institutions worldwide, fostering an environment of innovation and practical application of theoretical concepts.
Andrew Childs is a Professor at the University of Maryland, affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS). He serves as Director of the NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation (RQS) and is a Fellow at the Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science (QuICS). His research focuses on quantum algorithms for simulating physical systems, algebraic problems, and quantum walk protocols, with applications in quantum computing and computational complexity. University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science (QuICS) NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation Childs' research spans quantum simulation, quantum Fourier transform, phase estimation, and Hamiltonian dynamics. He has developed techniques to reduce quantum computational resources for simulating quantum systems and explored limitations of quantum computers through hidden subgroup problems and non-unitary dynamics. His publications cover diverse areas including quantum walk optimization, Hamiltonian simulation methods, and applications to cryptography and condensed matter physics. Recent works address spatial search algorithms, product formulas for commutators, and quantum routing protocols. As an educator, Childs has taught courses on quantum algorithms and information processing at both the University of Maryland and University of Waterloo, with lecture notes and materials spanning multiple years. Contact: amchilds@umd.edu | Office: ATL 3359 | Affiliated with University of Maryland's quantum research institutes.
Supratik Guha is a Professor at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and Senior Advisor to Argonne National Laboratory's Physical Sciences and Engineering directorate. His work bridges industrial R&D with academic and national lab research, focusing on quantum computing , semiconductor materials , and sensor networks for water and soil monitoring. Guha leads Argonne’s quantum information science strategy and serves as Faculty Director for the University of Chicago Center in Delhi. Education: PhD in Materials Science (USC, 1991), BTech in Engineering Physics (IIT Kharagpur, 1985) Research interests span multiple domains: Quantum technologies focusing on erbium-doped oxides for quantum memory and quantum interconnects Sensor networks for soil and water quality monitoring using cyberphysical systems Nanofabrication techniques including controlled spalling for heterogeneous material integration Advanced memory technologies exploring ferroelectric and optically addressable memory at atomic scales Scientific awards include: Election to National Academy of Engineering (2015) APS Prize for Industrial Applications of Physics (2015) Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellow (2018) Fellow of Materials Research Society and American Physical Society IBM Corporate Award (2013) Advising notable students like Manish Kumar Singh (co-founder memQ ), Cheng Ji (now at Intel), and Vamsi Nittala (now at Micron Technology). His group contributes to major DOE , NSF , and USDA funded projects including: Q-NEXT - DOE National Quantum Information Center AIFARMS - NSF/USDA AI for Agriculture Institute Thoreau Project - Geospatial sensor networks Labs and teams operate across University of Chicago and Argonne National Lab , with facilities for molecular beam epitaxy , nanofabrication , and optical/electrical characterization . The group has spawned startups like memQ (quantum networking) and K1 Semiconductors (wide-bandgap material transfer).
Angel Xuan Chang is an Associate Professor at Simon Fraser University's School of Computing Science, affiliated with labs including 3DLG, GrUVi, SFU NatLang, SFU AI/ML, and VINCI. He holds a Canada CIFAR AI Chair and was a TUM-IAS Hans Fischer Fellow (2018-2022). His research bridges natural language processing (NLP), 3D scene understanding, and embodied AI, focusing on language-grounded 3D generation and biodiversity monitoring via DNA barcodes. Recent work includes NuiScene (unbounded outdoor scene generation), ViGiL3D (3D visual grounding dataset), and CLIBD (vision-genomics biodiversity analysis). He advises students in projects like BIOSCAN-5M insect dataset and embodied AI navigation. His 2025 highlights include multiple ICCV and ICLR papers, workshops at ICML and CVPR, and a CRV invited talk. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University (2014), advised by Chris Manning. Previous roles include visiting research scientist at Facebook AI Research and researcher at Eloquent Labs.
Jungsang Kim is the Schiciano Family Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor of Physics at Duke University. He serves as Associate Director of the Duke Quantum Center and leads the Multifunctional Integrated Systems Technology group. Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions Quantum Information Science Photonic Device Development Quantum Communication Networks His research focuses on scalable quantum information processors using trapped atomic ions and advanced photonic technologies. Key innovations include microfabricated ion traps, optical MEMS, and cryogenic systems for quantum integration. Recent publications highlight trapped ion quantum simulation, high-fidelity gate design, and photonic error mitigation. His group develops practical quantum hardware and co-founded IonQ, the first publicly traded pure-play quantum computing company. Fellow, American Physics Society (2021) Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2016) Fellow, National Academy of Inventors Fellow, Optica (formerly OSA) Kim's work bridges quantum physics and engineering, with over 80 patents and leadership in Duke's quantum computing initiatives. He recently stepped down as IonQ's CTO while maintaining active research and strategic roles at Duke.
Sebastian Riedel is a Professor at University College London (UCL) and a Researcher at DeepMind, leading the UCL NLP Lab. His work focuses on teaching machines to read, reason, and write, integrating Natural Language Processing (NLP) with Machine Learning. He holds an Allen Distinguished Investigator award and has held roles at FAIR, UMass Amherst, Tokyo University, and the University of Edinburgh. Education: PhD in Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh (advisor: Ewan Klein), postdoctoral research at UMass Amherst (advisor: Andrew McCallum), and research at Tokyo University (advisor: Tsujii Junichi). Research Interests: NLP, machine learning, information extraction, and multimodal models like Gemini. He develops tools such as UCLEED (BioNLP event extractor), frontlets (Scala map wrappers), and thebibbrag (BibTeX to HTML converter). Awards: Allen Distinguished Investigator. Software contributions include GitHub repositories for NLP, machine learning, and data tools. Contact: s.riedel@ucl.ac.uk | Office: 1st Floor, 90 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LJ | Office Hours: Mondays 11 AM–12 PM.
Christoph Keplinger serves as Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart, Germany, leading the Robotic Materials Department since 2020 and assuming overall institute leadership in 2023. He holds dual academic appointments as Honorary Professor at the University of Stuttgart and Eminent Visiting Professor of Soft Robotics at the University of Colorado Boulder, establishing him as a pivotal figure in bridging fundamental materials science with advanced robotics. His interdisciplinary approach integrates physics, chemistry, and engineering to pioneer breakthroughs in soft robotic systems. Keplinger's academic foundation includes a PhD in Soft Matter Physics from Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard University focusing on mechanics and chemistry of soft materials. This unique background enabled his transition into robotics innovation, particularly in electrohydraulic actuation systems. His research program centers on three synergistic pillars: (I) soft robotics development through novel actuator technologies like HASEL artificial muscles; (II) energy capture mechanisms using soft materials; and (III) functional polymers engineered for robotic applications. This work produces transformative hardware that mimics biological functionality, with significant implications for human-robot interaction, medical devices, and sustainable robotics systems. His group employs cutting-edge materials synthesis and characterization techniques to create lifelike robotic components. Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in wearable haptic interfaces, electrohydraulic actuation systems, and tremor-suppression technologies. The research consistently leverages HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic) technology to achieve muscle-like performance in soft actuators, with applications spanning from fingertip haptic feedback to underwater manipulation systems. This trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental material properties toward practical implementations in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation. His exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognition: 2017 Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, awarded for high-impact interdisciplinary research 2021 Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (declined to remain at MPI-IS), Germany's most valuable international research award 2013 EAPromising European Researcher Award from the European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles As principal investigator, Keplinger leads a dynamic interdisciplinary research group while securing competitive funding for frontier projects. His entrepreneurial vision materialized in 2018 through co-founding Artimus Robotics, where he serves as Chief Science Officer to commercialize HASEL technology. This dual commitment to academic research and industry translation exemplifies his dedication to real-world impact, particularly in creating biodegradable and sustainable soft robotic solutions. The Robotic Materials Department operates state-of-the-art facilities for materials fabrication, robotic integration, and haptic interface development. The team maintains strong collaborations across MPI-IS departments and external institutions including the University of Colorado Boulder, fostering innovation in sustainable robotics through initiatives like biodegradable electrohydraulic actuators. Current projects focus on wearable tremor suppression systems, electrohydraulic locomotion platforms, and energy-autonomous soft robots that address critical challenges in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation.
Jindong Tan is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (since 2015). Previously, he held roles at Michigan Technological University (2002–2015) and Northeastern University, China (1995–1998). He specializes in medical/surgical robotics, human-robot interactions, wearable sensors, control systems, and mechatronics. His research integrates robotics, biomedical engineering, and computer science to advance minimally invasive surgical tools, wearable technology, and autonomous systems. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University (2002), M.S. from Northeastern University (1995), and B.S. from Lanzhou University of Technology (1992). Research interests focus on developing innovative medical robotic systems, including laparoscopic camera robots, magnetic actuation mechanisms, and human-robot collaboration frameworks. He has contributed to advancements in wearable sensors for healthcare, sensor networks for dynamic environments, and calibration techniques for bio-inspired robots. Key projects include the design of an untethered laparoscopic camera robot (s-CAM), magnetic localization for surgical tools, and frameworks for controlled robot language in human-robot collaboration. His work emphasizes practical applications in surgical environments and wearable health monitoring. Professional service includes roles with the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, and the Association for Computing Machinery. Contact: tan@utk.edu, Perkins Hall 315.
Marcia O’Malley is the Thomas Michael Panos Family Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bioengineering at Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering. She chairs the Department of Mechanical Engineering and directs the Mechatronics and Haptic Interfaces (MAHI) Lab. Her research focuses on haptics and robotic rehabilitation, particularly wearable robotic systems for training and rehabilitation in virtual environments. She holds adjunct roles at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical School. Educated at Purdue University (B.S., 1996) and Vanderbilt University (M.S./Ph.D., 1999/2001), Dr. O’Malley has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the ONR Young Investigator Award, NSF CAREER Award, and multiple fellowships. She has twice won Rice’s George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching. Her work bridges engineering and medicine, addressing human-robot interaction challenges in surgical training, workforce safety, and neurorehabilitation. The MAHI Lab develops devices like the hBracelet and Rice Haptic Rocker to enhance human-robot collaboration. She co-founded Houston Medical Robotics, Inc., applying her innovations to real-world medical applications. Research Interests: Haptics, wearable robotics, neural interfaces, surgical training metrics, and rehabilitation robotics. Labs/Teams: MAHI Lab (Biosciences Research Collaborative), collaborations with medical institutions. Grants/Awards: Extensive funding from NSF, ONR, and industry partnerships; leadership in editorial roles for IEEE Transactions on Haptics.
Prof. Dr. Otmar Hilliges is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich. He leads the AIT lab and serves as the head of the Institute of Intelligent Interactive Systems. His research focuses on spatio-temporal understanding of human movement and interaction, leveraging algorithms and representations from videos, images, and sensor data for applications in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Human-Robot Interaction. Education: Diplom (MSc) in Computer Science, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany PhD in Computer Science, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Germany (2009) Research Interests: Hilliges' work spans computer vision, robotics, and human-computer interaction. He develops methods for 3D human pose estimation, generative models for realistic avatar creation, and physically plausible simulation of human-object interactions. His research emphasizes practical applications in AR/VR and assistive robotics, aiming to bridge the gap between perception and action. Grants & Contributions: ERC Consolidator Grant (2022-2027): 'AI-Perceive: Robust Human-Centric Computer Vision for Advanced AI-Agents' Google Research Agreement (2020-2025): 'Generative Modelling of Humans' Microsoft Research Grants: Focus on human-centric robotics and interactive technologies Labs & Teams: Leads the AIT Lab at ETH Zurich, which pioneers research in intelligent interactive systems, emphasizing human-centric AI and robotics. The lab collaborates on projects ranging from drone cinematography to haptic feedback systems.
Dr. Muhammad Gulzari is an Assistant Professor at the School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD). Previously, he held positions as Lecturer/Assistant Professor at the University of Galway (2023–2024), Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin (2022–2023), and a Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin (2021–2023). He earned his Ph.D. in Civil Structural Engineering from City University of Hong Kong (2021) and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore (2017). Education: Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore Ph.D., Civil Structural Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Research Interests: His work focuses on structured materials and dynamics, including finite element modeling, phononic crystals, acoustic and mechanical metamaterials, vibration and noise control, and applications in structural health monitoring. He leads the Structured Materials and Dynamics Lab at UCD, exploring nonlinear and nonreciprocal metamaterials. Teaching and Awards: He has taught courses in Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Combustion Engineering. Notable recognitions include the Seal of Excellence Award from the EU-Horizon MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021) and nominations for teaching excellence awards at Trinity College Dublin and University of Galway. Grants: TimberFlow: Enhancing Efficiency in Mass Timber Construction (Enterprise Ireland, 2025) Indoor Acoustic Quality via Acoustic Metamaterials (Enterprise Ireland, 2025) RUBBERPAVE: ELT Integration in Pavement Construction (Enterprise Ireland, 2024–2026) Deep Learning for Metamaterial Design (Irish Research Council, 2021–2023) Labs and Collaborations: His research group collaborates with industry partners like Amplitude Acoustics and G-frame Structures Ltd. Key projects include developing metamaterials for noise/vibration control and sustainable construction materials.
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.
