Prof. Dr. Tobias Gemmeke is a University Professor at RWTH Aachen University's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, leading the Chair of Integrated Digital Systems and Circuit Design. His work focuses on neuromorphic computing, hardware accelerators, and energy-efficient electronics. He has pioneered advancements in FPGA-based computational neuroscience simulators, neuromorphic processor architectures, and sensor integration for industrial and medical applications. Research interests include time-domain computing, ReRAM reliability, and co-optimization of neural networks with hardware. Notable contributions include the neuroAIx framework for accelerated neuroscience simulations and energy-efficient ASIC designs for post-quantum cryptography. He actively explores memristive devices and domain generalization techniques for edge computing. Recent publications highlight innovations in spiking neural networks, sensor systems for plain bearings, and time-domain compute-in-memory engines. His work bridges theoretical neuroscience with practical hardware implementations, emphasizing scalability and real-time performance.
Javier Zamora is a Professor at IESE Business School , part of the University of Navarra. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University and an M.Sc. in Telecommunications Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Education Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Columbia University M.Sc., Telecommunications Engineering, Polytechnic University of Catalonia PDG, IESE Business School Research Interests : Zamora specializes in digital transformation, focusing on data-driven organizations and artificial intelligence. His work explores how new technologies reshape business models, organizational structures, and leadership strategies. Publications span topics from AI implementation in finance and sports management to cloud computing in crisis scenarios. His research emphasizes practical frameworks like the "Digital Density" concept and tools for assessing digital maturity. Professional Roles : He co-founded Inqbarna (AI-powered mobile solutions) and served as CEO of eNeo Labs (digital home products). Currently, he directs executive programs at IESE, including Digital Transformation: Senior Management Program and Navigating IT Architecture .
Jan Knippers is a Professor and Institute Director at the University of Stuttgart's Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning , leading the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) . He co-founded Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering and established Jan Knippers Ingenieure in 2018 to focus on innovative fiber composite and timber structures. Key roles: Deputy Executive Director of Cluster of Excellence IntCDC , former Vice-Rector for Research (2019-2021), and Dean of Faculty of Architecture (2021-2023) Technical focus: Hybrid FRP-Timber systems, computational design, and biomimetic principles His projects include the 2024 Hybrid Flax Pavilion , Urbach Tower (2024), and BUGA Fiber Pavilion (2019). He contributes to European standardization committees and serves as 2024 Leverhulme Visiting Professor at University College London.
Steven Swanson is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, within the Jacobs School of Engineering. He is the Director of the Non-Volatile Systems Laboratory (NVSL), where he leads cutting-edge research in non-volatile memory, storage systems, and hardware-software co-design. His work bridges computer architecture, systems, and software to develop efficient, reliable, and secure computing platforms. Ph.D., University of Washington, 2006 B.S., University of Puget Sound, 1999 Dr. Swanson's research centers on non-volatile and persistent memory systems , exploring how next-generation storage technologies can transform computing. His lab develops full-stack solutions including file systems like NOVA and Orion , programming models such as NV-Heaps , and hardware prototypes like Moneta and Onyx . The team also works on low-power co-processors (e.g., GreenDroid ) and tools for debugging and verifying persistent memory programs. Research spans system reliability, security, energy efficiency, and performance optimization. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on persistent memory safety , zero-copy I/O , RDMA-based distributed file systems , and real-world characterization of Intel Optane . These works appear in top venues including ASPLOS, FAST, MICRO, and USENIX ATC, demonstrating sustained innovation in storage and systems research. Scientific honors include: NSF CAREER Award Google Faculty Award Facebook Faculty Award NetApp Faculty Fellow Dr. Swanson has advised 15 PhD students and 4 postdocs , many now faculty or senior engineers at Google, Microsoft, Intel, and other leading tech firms. He has secured significant research funding and leads major community initiatives such as the annual Non-Volatile Memories Workshop and Persistent Programming In Real Life (PIRL) . His educational efforts include innovative courses on robotic system design, quadcopter building, and modern storage systems, emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world implementation. The Non-Volatile Systems Laboratory (NVSL) under his leadership fosters a collaborative, international research environment, hosting visitors and postdocs from around the world. The lab is recognized globally as a pioneer in storage systems research and a key contributor to the adoption of persistent memory technologies in industry.
Sabine Waschull is an Assistant Professor of Operations Management at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen. She holds a MSc and PhD in Operations Management from the same institution. Her research focuses on human-centric design in Industry 4.0/5.0 contexts, including AI integration, digitalization, and work system evaluation. She is a member of the IFIP WG 5.7 working group on Production Management Systems. Her teaching includes courses such as Smart Industry Operations, Technology-Enabled Innovation, and Operations Strategy & Technology across bachelor and master programs. Her work emphasizes human-AI synergies and co-creation methodologies in manufacturing systems. Recent research trends highlight AI-driven enterprise interoperability, socio-technical evaluation of manufacturing systems, and human-centric design of augmented reality tools. Collaborations with co-authors like Christos Emmanouilidis and Joost Bokhorst explore AI ethics, digital twin integration, and assembly process optimization.
René van de Molengraft is a Full Professor of Robotics at the Mechanical Engineering Department of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He holds dual professorships in EAISI High Tech Systems and EAISI Foundational. His research focuses on autonomous robotic systems operating in human environments, emphasizing adaptability and task execution in varying conditions. Academic Background: MSc in Mechanical Engineering (TU/e, 1986) PhD in Identification of Mechanical Systems for Control (TU/e, 1990) Career progression: Assistant Professor (1990–2008) → Associate Professor (2008–2024) → Full Professor (2024) Research Interests: Autonomous robotics, human-robot interaction, agricultural automation, and control systems. His work emphasizes practical applications, such as the Tech United RoboCup team (world champion in multiple years) and large-scale robotics competitions. Projects: Key initiatives include the Tech United RoboCup team, the AI-matters manufacturing network, and the Frontiers in Autonomous Systems Technology (FAST) project. He has organized major robotics events like the 2013 and 2024 RoboCup World Championships in Eindhoven. Labs/Teams: Founder and leader of Tech United, a robotics team renowned for its achievements in robotic soccer and service robotics. Active in TU/e's Robotics research group and collaborations with industry partners.
Prof. Dr. Janick Edinger is a Professor of Distributed Operating Systems at the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Germany. He leads a research group focused on distributed, context-aware, and adaptive computing systems, with a strong emphasis on edge computing, computation offloading, and assistive technologies. Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Mannheim Studies at National Taiwan University Studies at University of Alberta, Canada Research stays at University of British Columbia, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Georgia State University, USA His research explores how edge computing and computation offloading can enable efficient, privacy-preserving processing of sensor and video data close to their sources, particularly in dynamic environments. He investigates the integration of autonomous and heterogeneous systems—such as drone fleets and mobile devices—into scalable middleware platforms for real-time monitoring and decision-making in logistics and industrial operations. His work also emphasizes societal impact, contributing to accessible routing, adaptive interfaces, and crowd-sourced mapping. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in edge computing, federated learning, privacy-preserving analytics, and assistive technologies. Topics include WebAssembly-based offloading, emotion prediction via eye tracking, real-time traffic detection, and predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0, showcasing a blend of foundational systems research and applied human-centered computing. Scientific Awards: PerCom 2021 Mark Weiser Best Paper Award Best Paper Award at IEEE PerCom 2021 for 'Voltaire: Precise Energy-Aware Code Offloading Decisions with Machine Learning' Prof. Edinger actively advises students and leads research projects involving grants and collaborations. His team includes PhD candidates and researchers working on middleware, edge systems, and context-aware applications. He has served on conference program committees, such as shadow PC member for EuroSys 2021, and publishes in top venues including IPDPS, PerCom, CHIIR, and COMPSAC. Labs and Teams: He leads the Distributed Operating Systems research group at the University of Hamburg, where he mentors students and collaborates on projects involving edge computing, IoT, and adaptive systems.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Nejdl is a Professor at the Institute for Data Science within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Leibniz University Hannover. He serves as Executive Director of the L3S Research Centre and Leibniz Forschungszentrum Inclusive Citizenship. Web Science Information Retrieval Artificial Intelligence Deep Learning His recent research focuses on AI applications in medicine , multimodal data fusion , and ethical AI systems . Projects include CAIMed (AI in Causal Medicine) and DAISEC (AI & Cybersecurity). His publications span conferences like AAMAS, WWW, and SIGIR. Notable awards include membership in the National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) . Former students hold positions at institutions like Stanford, TU Dresden, and ETH Zürich. Current projects involve climate resilience AI , federated learning for healthcare , and quantum-inspired data science .
Ronald Gleich has been Professor of Management Practice & Control at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management since August 2020. In December 2020 he founded the Centre for Performance Management & Controlling together with Prof. Dr. Matthias Mahlendorf. His research centres on management control, innovation management, performance measurement and digital transformation, and he co-authors the leading German-language controlling textbook (14th edition). Education & Career Path Apprenticeship as banker Studies in technically-oriented business administration, University of Stuttgart Doctorate and habilitation, University of Stuttgart Deputy professorship, University of Hohenheim Professor of Industrial Management, EBS University (2003–July 2020) Research Interests Ronald Gleich investigates practical and current issues in controlling, innovation management, performance measurement and cost management. He focuses on how organisations can design effective control systems to steer innovation, improve cost efficiency and master digital transformation (Industrie 4.0) and crisis situations such as COVID-19. His work bridges rigorous research with direct applicability for manufacturing firms and executive practice. Publication Profile Across more than 250 publications—spanning journal articles, monographs, edited volumes and practitioner guides—Gleich explores themes such as advanced budgeting, performance measurement systems, innovation controlling, supply-chain controlling and integrated reporting. His recent output (2020–2024) emphasises agility, crisis management, digital technologies and the evolution of controller roles. Industry Engagement & Leadership Founder and Co-Director, Centre for Performance Management & Controlling, Frankfurt School Co-Director, ICV-Ideenwerkstatt (think-tank of the International Controller Association) Partner, Horváth & Partners (2001–2005) Managing Partner & Shareholder, Horváth Academy (2012–2018) Advisor to leading German manufacturing companies Teaching & Executive Education Professor Gleich teaches internal accounting, controlling and a variety of executive-education seminars and certificate programmes aimed at finance leaders and controllers.
Paras N. Prasad is a SUNY Distinguished Professor with joint appointments in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo. He serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics (ILPB), which he founded in 1999. Dr. Prasad holds the Samuel P. Capen Chair of Chemistry and has pioneered interdisciplinary research at the interface of photonics, nanotechnology, and biomedicine. Education: BSc, Bihar University, India (1964) MSc, Bihar University, India (1966) PhD, University of Pennsylvania (1971) Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan (1971-74) Research Focus: Dr. Prasad's multidisciplinary research spans photonics, nanophotonics, and biophotonics, with emphasis on nonlinear optical processes in nanostructured materials. His work develops photonic technologies for information processing, medical imaging, and cancer therapy through nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems and diagnostic platforms. The ILPB laboratory features state-of-the-art instrumentation for advanced optical research. Publication Trends: Recent articles demonstrate strong focus on nanomedicine applications, particularly cancer theranostics using functional nanoparticles. Key themes include drug delivery systems, chiral photonic materials, bioimaging technologies, and nanoparticle synthesis techniques. The research consistently bridges fundamental materials science with translational medical applications. Honors and Awards: SPIE Gold Medal (2016) IEEE Photonics Society William Streifer Award (2021) American Chemical Society Peter Debye Award (2018) OSA Michael Feld Biophotonics Award (2017) IEEE Pioneer Award in Nanotechnology (2017) Fellow of National Academy of Inventors (2016) Guggenheim Fellowship (1997) Leadership: As ILPB Executive Director, Dr. Prasad leads multidisciplinary teams developing photonic technologies with applications in healthcare, energy, and communications. His research has generated nine spin-off companies, including Nanobiotix currently in advanced cancer therapy trials.
Hatice Altug is a Full Professor at EPFL's Institute of Bioengineering within the School of Engineering, where she leads the Bionanophotonic Systems Laboratory. Her research integrates nanophotonics, plasmonics, and microfluidics to develop advanced biosensors for real-time molecular diagnostics. She holds dual roles in EPFL's doctoral programs and academic committees. Education: PhD in Applied Physics, Stanford University (2000-2007) B.S. in Physics, Bilkent University (1996-2000) Her research centers on creating label-free, high-sensitivity optical biosensors using nanophotonic technologies. Key innovations include dielectric metasurfaces for mid-infrared spectroscopy, AI-enhanced detection platforms, and portable nanoplasmonic imagers for point-of-care diagnostics. Her work bridges fundamental light-matter interactions with clinical applications like sepsis monitoring and cancer biomarker detection. Her publications emphasize nanophotonic biosensor design, metasurface applications, and single-cell analysis. Recent trends show increased focus on AI integration, vibrational spectroscopy, and wafer-scale manufacturing for clinical translation. Awards & Honors: Optical Society Fellow (2020) Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE, 2011) ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) IEEE Photonics Society Young Investigator Award (2011) She mentors numerous PhD students and leads interdisciplinary teams developing optofluidic platforms. Her laboratory pioneers nanoplasmonic microarrays and collaborates globally on projects like neurodegenerative disease biomarker detection. She co-directs EPFL's doctoral program in photonics and champions women in STEM through executive roles in diversity initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Frank T. Piller is a University Professor and Co-Leader of the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) at RWTH Aachen University, where he also serves as Academic Director of the Executive MBA program at RWTH Business School. He leads a research team of approximately 30 doctoral students, 5 postdocs, and over 20 student researchers within the TIME Research Area of the School of Business and Economics. His educational background includes a doctoral degree in Operations Management from the University of Würzburg (1999) and a Habilitation degree from TUM Business School (2004) on "Innovation and Value Co-Creation." Prior to joining RWTH Aachen in 2007, he was a Research Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management and faculty at TUM Business School. Prof. Piller is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in customer-centered value creation, specializing in mass customization, personalization, and customer co-creation. His current research focuses on how established companies can transform in response to disruptive business model innovations, with particular emphasis on digital transformation (Industry 4.0), AI-augmented innovation, and sustainable business models. He is particularly known for his work on innovation ecosystems, platform-based business models, and stakeholder-oriented technology development. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward integrating artificial intelligence with traditional innovation management frameworks, exploring how AI transforms manufacturing systems, innovation processes, and business models. His work increasingly addresses the challenges of digital transformation in established industries while maintaining focus on customer co-creation and mass customization principles. His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards: Co-Creation Award of the PDMA Nomination for "Innovating Innovation" Prize by Harvard Business Review and McKinsey "Lecturer of the Year" by Executive MBA students at TU Munich RWTH Aachen Rector's Prize for Excellent Teaching (since 2010) Grant for innovative "Flipping the Classroom" teaching concept ERC Synergy Grant for SAFER Grid project (2025-2031) Prof. Piller maintains an extensive research network spanning academia and industry. He collaborates with numerous corporations including 3M, Adidas, BASF, EON, J&J, P&G, Siemens, and Vodafone, as well as many technology startups across Europe and North America. As a co-founder, supervisory board member, and investor in innovative startups, he actively transfers research into practice. His research has received significant funding, most notably the prestigious ERC Synergy Grant for the SAFER Grid project. He leads the Technology and Innovation Management Group (TIM) within the TIME Research Area at RWTH Aachen, which comprises over 100 senior and junior researchers working at the intersection of innovation, technology management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The institute is a leading European research institution for strategic, behavioral, and computer-supported technology and innovation management.
Maria Monica Wihardja serves as a Visiting Fellow and Co-coordinator of the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute while holding an Adjunct Assistant Professor position at the National University of Singapore. Her career bridges academic research and high-impact policy engagement, including former roles as World Bank Economist in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice and senior advisor to Indonesia's Presidential Executive Office on strategic economic reforms. Her educational background features: PhD in Regional Science, Cornell University MPhil in Economics, Cambridge University BA in Applied Mathematics-Economics, Brown University Wihardja's research integrates economic analysis with sociotechnical systems, focusing on digital transformation's impact on labor markets, food security, and democratic processes. She examines how technological disruption creates both opportunities for inclusion and risks of inequality, particularly through studies of platform economies, electoral disinformation, and sustainable agro-food systems. Her methodology combines quantitative econometrics with policy-oriented field research, often leveraging large-scale datasets from government and private sector partnerships. Analysis of her recent publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Digital economy effects on labor market polarization and inclusion, (2) Food system resilience through agricultural modernization, and (3) Geopolitical dimensions of supply chain reconfiguration. These intersect with her policy engagement in ASEAN economic integration frameworks and Indonesia's G20 presidency initiatives. Her scientific recognition includes: Nikkei Asian Scholar 2023 award Wihardja actively shapes regional discourse through editorial roles at East Asia Forum and Center for Indonesian Policy Studies. Her grant-funded work frequently involves World Bank partnerships and Indonesian government collaborations, particularly on stunting prevention and food policy reforms. Current projects examine deepfake impacts on electoral integrity and sustainable financing mechanisms for green transitions. She leads the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS, coordinating interdisciplinary research on digital governance and Southeast Asian technology policy. The programme partners with regional think tanks, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to develop evidence-based policy responses to technological disruption.
Alvin NG Theng Haw is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Division of Information Technology and Operations Management, College of Business (Nanyang Business School), Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He combines over 20 years of global leadership experience in Sales and Product Management with academic roles, including serving as a Senior Career Fellow and executive coach for NTU’s Global Executive MBA and Full-Time MBA programmes. His work focuses on integrating Digital Transformation, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence for Business into strategic frameworks. Research Interests : Alvin specializes in leveraging Digital Transformation and Advanced Technologies (IoT, AI) to drive business innovation. His publications in materials science demonstrate interdisciplinary applications of these technologies to fields like Soft Robotics, Self-Healing Materials, and Wearable Electronics. His expertise extends to Smart Cities, Sustainability Technology, and Industry 4.0, where he applies business strategies to technological challenges. Contributions : As a founding member of the World Economic Forum’s Digital ASEAN Skills Task Force, he advocates for digital literacy and skills development. His industry experience includes roles in networking, software, cloud platforms, and biorenewable materials, reflecting a bridge between business and engineering.
Charles Fine is the Chrysler Leaders for Global Operations Professor of Management at MIT Sloan School of Management and concurrently serves as CEO, President, and Dean of the Asia School of Business (ASB) in Kuala Lumpur since 2015. He holds an AB in Mathematics and Management Science from Duke University, MS in Operations Research, and PhD in Business Administration from Stanford University. His research focuses on supply chain strategy, value chain roadmapping, and operations management in fast-clockspeed industries such as automotive and aerospace. He has pioneered frameworks for strategic innovation, entrepreneurial operations, and urban mobility systems. Key contributions include the concept of 'clockspeed' in industry dynamics and co-authoring Clockspeed (1998) and Faster, Smarter, Greener (2017). Fine co-directs MIT Sloan’s Driving Strategic Innovation executive program with IMD, Switzerland. He previously served on the board of Greenfuel Technologies, a biotech startup he co-founded. His work has been published in top journals like Management Science , Production and Operations Management , and Interfaces . Recent research highlights include analyzing unintended consequences of automated vehicles and exploring supply chain strategies for market expansion through O2S (Online-to-Store) models. He advises global corporations on supply chain resilience, value chain design, and innovation scaling.
