Samuel Johnston is a Lecturer in Probability Theory at the Department of Mathematics, King's College London, affiliated with the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. He joined King's in 2022 after postdoctoral roles at the University of Bath, University of Graz, and University College Dublin. MMath, University of Oxford (2014) PhD in Probability, University of Bath (2017) Johnston's research spans probability theory, with a focus on stochastic processes involving branching, coalescence, and fragmentation. He actively explores free probability, random matrices, integrable combinatorics, and combinatorial approaches to the Jacobian conjecture. His work intersects with statistical physics and asymptotic geometric analysis. Recent publications highlight coalescent structures in heavy-tailed branching processes, integrable probability models, free probability via entropic transport, and convexity in high dimensions. Keywords include universality classes, Berry-Esseen bounds, and fragmentation-scaling limits. Samuel has not been mentioned to have received specific scientific awards or honors. He advises PhD students Rohan Shiatis (2023-) and Neil Mukerji (2024-). Collaborations span institutions in the UK, USA, Mexico, Austria, and Poland, with invited talks at global conferences including Xiangtan University, Imperial College London, and UCLA.
Bryan Tripp is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in computational neuroscience, deep learning, robotics, and medical AI. He leads the BRAIN Lab, which focuses on developing neural system models that interact with the physical world through robots. His research integrates neurobiological models with advanced machine learning techniques to study visuomotor processes and robotic applications. Tripp teaches courses such as Computational Neuroscience (SYDE 552), Deep Learning (SYDE 577), and Biomedical Engineering Design Workshops (BME 461/462). His lab has achieved milestones including the OREO robotic head, the first spiking neural network model for complex action planning, and comprehensive datasets for robotic grasping. His recent work emphasizes Medical AI applications, with graduate positions available. The BRAIN Lab is affiliated with the Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience and Waterloo.AI, contributing to interdisciplinary AI research initiatives.
Dr. Alfred Chong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics at Heriot-Watt University (HWU). Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and co-founded the Illinois Risk Lab. His research focuses on Actuarial Science, Financial Mathematics, and Quantitative Risk Management, addressing emerging risks like cyber, pandemic, and climate risks, leveraging machine learning, optimization, and stochastic control. He holds a PhD from The University of Hong Kong and King's College London, and is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries. Chong actively contributes to academic governance, including roles in the EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Early Career Forum and the Maxwell Institute's Data and Decisions research theme. Education: PhD in Actuarial Science, University of Hong Kong & King's College London Research Interests: Chong explores risk sharing mechanisms, forward preferences in insurance, and mitigation strategies for large-scale risks. His work integrates data analytics and machine learning to solve decision-making challenges, such as cybersecurity risk assessment, pandemic resource allocation, and climate risk modeling. Recent projects include incident-specific cyber insurance design and delegated investment strategies for retirement savings. Awards: Michael V. Colla Prize for Mathematics Related to Medicine (2022) Best of 2020 in the Annual Meeting of the Casualty Actuarial Society (2021) Advising & Grants: Chong supervises PhD students in holistic risk management, forward preferences, and reinforcement learning applications. He has secured grants supporting interdisciplinary research in risk modeling and insurance innovation. Labs & Teams: Co-founder of the Illinois Risk Lab (UIUC), now leading research at HWU's Actuarial Mathematics & Statistics department. Engaged with the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences for knowledge exchange initiatives.
Professor Paul Sellin is a Professor of Physics at the University of Surrey's School of Mathematics and Physics, with visiting roles at UCL and the University of Wollongong. He holds a PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Edinburgh (1992) and a BSc (Hons) in Physics from the University of Birmingham (1988). His research focuses on radiation detector materials, including perovskites, semiconductors, and scintillators, with applications in medical imaging, nuclear security, and high-energy physics. Key interests include perovskite semiconductor development, neutron/gamma detection, and radiation-hard materials. His group collaborates internationally on projects like the DTRA Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter (IIRM) University Research Alliance. Publications highlight advancements in X-ray detection using perovskite nanocomposites, Cu-doped crystals, and organic semiconductors. His work emphasizes material synthesis, charge transport optimization, and device fabrication for low-dose imaging and high-sensitivity detection. Professor Sellin has supervised over 30 postgraduate students, many contributing to seminal studies on perovskite detectors, plastic scintillators, and semiconductor characterization. His contributions span academic networks like the Nuclear Threat Reduction Network (NTR-net) and the STFC NuSec program.
Cameron Musco is an Assistant Professor in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is affiliated with the Theory Group and conducts research at the intersection of theoretical computer science, numerical linear algebra, and machine learning. His work focuses on randomized algorithms, streaming, and distributed computation, with applications in data science. Education: PhD in Computer Science, MIT (2019) BS in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Yale University Research Interests: Musco's research emphasizes algorithm design for large-scale data analysis, including fast randomized methods for linear algebraic problems. He explores topics such as low-memory computation, matrix approximations, and graph algorithms, driven by applications in machine learning and distributed systems. Publications: His recent work spans advancements in hierarchical matrix approximation, graph-based nearest neighbor search, and fair resource allocation, reflecting expertise in both theoretical foundations and practical algorithmic innovation. Awards: He has received an NSF Career Award, Google Research Scholar Award, and recognition for anti-racism leadership. He actively reviews for top conferences in theoretical computer science and machine learning. Advising & Grants: Musco advises multiple PhD students and has grants from NSF and Google. His lab collaborates on projects like low-rank matrix approximation and causal discovery. Labs/Teams: He is part of the Theoretical Computer Science Group and the Center for Data Science at UMass.
Benjamin F. Hobbs serves as the Theodore M. and Kay W. Schad Professor of Environmental Management at Johns Hopkins University, holding a primary appointment in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering and a joint appointment in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. He is co-director of the USEPA Yale-JHU SEARCH Center and director of the NSF-funded Electric Power Innovation for a Carbon-free Society (EPICS) Center, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of energy systems, environmental management, and public health. Hobbs' educational background includes a BS from South Dakota State University (1976), an MS in Resources Management and Policy from SUNY-Syracuse (1978), and a PhD in Environmental Systems Engineering from Cornell University (1983). Prior to joining Johns Hopkins in 1995, he worked at Brookhaven and Oak Ridge National Laboratories and served as a professor at Case Western Reserve University, with additional visiting appointments at institutions including Cambridge University. His research integrates systems analysis, economics, and optimization to address critical challenges in electric utility planning, renewable energy integration, and environmental resource management. Key focus areas include solar forecasting using AI, green infrastructure for urban water management, health impacts of energy transitions, and grid reliability under high renewable penetration. His work emphasizes practical applications through engineering-economic modeling with rich technological and environmental detail. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward addressing grid reliability in decarbonizing systems, with increasing emphasis on market design innovations, resource adequacy under uncertainty, and storage-transmission tradeoffs. His research consistently bridges theoretical optimization with real-world policy implementation, particularly evident in his leadership of the EPICS Center's 100% renewable grid initiatives. Lifetime Achievement Award by Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG), 2024 Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow of the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS) Hobbs advises graduate students through Johns Hopkins' interdisciplinary programs, with alumni employed as energy consultants, policy analysts, and researchers. His current grants include leadership of the NSF Global Center EPICS and co-direction of the USEPA SEARCH Center, focusing on energy-air-climate-health interactions. He chairs the Market Surveillance Committee for the California Independent System Operator and serves on editorial boards for Energy Economics and other leading energy journals. He leads the Hobbs Energy & Environment Decisions Research Group, which collaborates with institutions including IBM, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and University of Texas at Dallas. The group participates in the Global Power Systems Transformation Consortium and Columbia-JHU Future Power Markets Forum, conducting fieldwork initially in California and the central United States.
Shen Wei is the KoGuan Distinguished Professor of Law at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Law School, with a concurrent role as Visiting Professor (2025). His academic career spans legal practice and academia, focusing on international investment law, corporate governance, financial regulation, and international commercial arbitration. Concurrently, his research extends into computational and mathematical domains, including machine learning, deep neural networks, and approximation theory. He teaches international investment law, international financial regulation, company law, and international economic law. His interdisciplinary work bridges legal scholarship with advanced mathematical modeling and algorithmic analysis. Recent research emphasizes neural network architecture, optimization techniques, and approximation theory applied to complex systems. Notable contributions include studies on deep network expressivity, gradient methods, and wavelet-based image restoration. Awards and grants are not explicitly mentioned, but his work reflects significant contributions to both legal and computational fields.
Robert C. Merton is the School of Management Distinguished Professor of Finance at MIT Sloan School of Management and John and Natty McArthur University Professor Emeritus at Harvard University. He holds a PhD in Economics from MIT (1970), with prior roles including George Fisher Baker Professor at Harvard Business School and J.C. Penney Professor of Management at MIT Sloan. His work revolutionized finance through the Black-Scholes-Merton options pricing model, earning the 1997 Nobel Prize in Economics. Current research focuses on lifecycle investing, systemic risk measurement, and financial innovation. Education: BS in Engineering Mathematics (Columbia), MS in Applied Mathematics (Caltech), PhD in Economics (MIT). Affiliated with MIT’s Golub Center for Finance and Policy and Harvard initiatives. Recognized via awards from CME Group, World Federation of Exchanges, and Risk magazine. Key publications include Continuous-Time Finance and co-authored works on financial systems and innovation. Research emphasizes translating theory into practice, with recent articles addressing volatility forecasting, trust in lending, bankruptcy frameworks, and performance fee valuation. A prolific academic leader, he advises on policy and systemic risk while maintaining ties to MIT’s finance community through roles like Killian Award recipient (2021).
Professor Daniel Quevedo is a leading academic in Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Sydney. Previously, he held positions at Queensland University of Technology and Paderborn University, Germany, where he founded the Chair in Automatic Control. He earned his PhD from the University of Newcastle (Australia) and MSc/Ing. degrees from Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (Chile). His research focuses on networked control systems, cyber-physical systems, and cybersecurity, with contributions to state estimation, control of power converters, and human-in-the-loop systems. He has pioneered work integrating machine learning, behavioral economics, and advanced mathematics to address challenges in interconnected digital-physical environments. Quevedo serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Control of Networked Systems and IEEE Control Systems. He chairs the Committee of Experts for Germany’s Excellence Strategy on Digital Methods and has held leadership roles in IEEE technical committees. Notable awards include the IEEE Axelby Outstanding Paper Award (2018) and multiple fellowships. Teaching includes advanced control systems courses like Reinforcement Learning and Optimal Control. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing privacy-preserving state estimation, resilient control systems, and energy-efficient wireless control. His research labs explore topics such as human-machine collaboration, cybersecurity in Industry 5.0, and data-driven control strategies. Current projects include secure remote state estimation frameworks and adaptive control under adversarial conditions.
Akanksha Agrawal is an Assistant Professor and Veena and Induprakas Keri Faculty Fellow at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Her research focuses on Parameterized Complexity & Algorithms, Graph Algorithms, Computational Geometry, Exact Algorithms, and Fine Grained Algorithms & Complexity. She has held postdoctoral positions at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel) and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, funded by a PBC Fellowship. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Bergen under Professors Saket Saurabh and Daniel Lokshtanov. Education: Ph.D., University of Bergen, Norway (2017-2021) Postdoctoral Researcher, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel (2021-2022) Postdoctoral Researcher, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary (2022-2023) Research Interests: Her work emphasizes parameterized complexity, graph algorithms, and computational geometry. She explores exact algorithms, fine-grained complexity, and algorithmic approaches to NP-hard problems. Her research bridges theoretical insights with practical algorithmic solutions. Recent Activities & Awards: ACM-India Eminent Speaker (2024-2026) Invited Talks: COMSNETS 2025, IISc Bengaluru (2024), Bali Parameterized Graph Algorithms (2024) Program Committee Roles: IPEC 2025 (Co-Chair), WG 2025, CALDAM 2025 Grants & Academic Services: Organizing Dagstuhl Seminar (Jan. 2025) with Maria Chudnovsky, Daniel Paulusma, and Oliver Schaudt Contributions to international conferences and workshops Teaching: Courses include Combinatorial Objects, Parameterized Algorithms, Design & Analysis of Algorithms, Approximation Algorithms, and Advanced Data Structures.
Mikkel N. Schmidt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His research focuses on statistical modeling, Bayesian methods, and their applications in science and industry. He has held visiting roles at Columbia University (2007) and Cambridge University (2008-2009). His work integrates probabilistic modeling with computational inference to address complex problems in diverse fields such as molecular discovery, optical communication, and brain connectivity analysis. Education highlights include visiting scholar and postdoctoral experiences at top-tier institutions. Research interests span statistical methodology development, machine learning applications, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Current projects involve Bayesian neural networks for molecular discovery and federated learning optimization. Advising efforts include supervising multiple PhD students in areas like molecular discovery and denoising diffusion models. Notable collaborations involve work on materials science, quantum communication, and medical signal processing. His contributions bridge theoretical advancements with practical industrial applications, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation.
Dirk Praetorius is a Professor of Numerics of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) at the Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) , affiliated with the Institute for Analysis and Scientific Computing (ASC) within the Faculty of Mathematics and Geoinformation . He leads the research group on Numerics of PDEs and has held various leadership roles, including Institute Director (since 2020) and head of the Numerics research area. His work focuses on numerical methods for PDEs, including Finite Element Methods (FEM), Boundary Element Methods (BEM), adaptive algorithms, and computational micromagnetics. Education and Career: Praetorius earned his Diplom in Mathematics (2000) and PhD in Applied Mathematics (2003) from TU Wien, followed by a Habilitation in Numerical Analysis (2005). He has been a faculty member at TU Wien since 2005, progressing from Assistant Professor to full Professor in 2017. He has also held visiting positions at institutions such as the University of Jyväskylä and RICAM (Linz). Research Interests: His research spans numerical analysis, adaptive FEM/BEM, a-posteriori error estimation, matrix compression, and computational micromagnetics. He has contributed to modeling spin dynamics, magnetic skyrmions, and multiscale systems. His work emphasizes efficient algorithms for large-scale problems and optimal computational complexity. Awards and Editorial Roles: Praetorius received the TU Best Teacher Award (2021) and TU Best Lecture Award (2019). He serves as Senior Editor for Computational Methods in Applied Mathematics (CMAM) and on the editorial board of Applied Numerical Mathematics (APNUM) . He co-founded the outreach initiative TUForMath to promote mathematics education. Grants and Projects: He leads or co-leads several research projects funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), including the collaborative SFB "Taming Complexity in Partial Differential Systems" (2017–2025) and international collaborations with Germany. His work addresses topics like functional error estimates, nonlinear PDEs, and computational design of magnetic devices. Labs and Teams: He contributes to the ASC Institute and coordinates interdisciplinary projects involving computational physics and engineering. His team develops software tools like MooAFEM and Commics for micromagnetic simulations.
Gabriel A. Silva is a Professor in the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering at UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, with a joint appointment as Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology. His research bridges neuroscience, theoretical physics, and applied mathematics to explore how the brain encodes and processes information, leveraging quantum logic and algorithms for advanced neural modeling. University: University of California, San Diego School: Jacobs School of Engineering Department: Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering Academic Rank: Professor Joint Appointment: Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology Research Interests: Silva focuses on neural computation at cellular and network scales, aiming to abstract biological mechanisms into mathematical models that emulate brain-like processing. His work has implications for understanding neurological disorders, developing neural engineering nanotechnologies, and advancing AI systems through emergent complexity. Recent Article Trends: His publications span quantum-enhanced neural modeling, EEG-based disease detection, nonlinear dynamics in brain networks, and interdisciplinary applications of graph theory. Emerging themes include the integration of category theory for network analysis and AI optimization via emergence-promoting schemes. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with UC San Diego’s Institute of Engineering in Medicine, Silva leads research at the intersection of bioengineering, ophthalmology, and neural systems, fostering collaborations with neuroscience and quantum computing domains.
Jonas Faleskog is a Professor in the Department of Materials and Structural Mechanics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on mathematical modeling of material deformation and failure mechanisms, particularly in metallic and polymeric materials. Key areas include ductile and brittle fracture analysis, fracture mechanics, and computational modeling of material behavior under various stress conditions. He leads a research group collaborating internationally to develop models describing material failure at microscopic scales. Faleskog teaches courses such as Fracture Mechanics (SE2139) and Modeling in FEM (SE2860), emphasizing practical applications of theoretical models. His work spans experimental and numerical methods, addressing challenges in material heterogeneity, porosity effects, and environmental degradation. Notable contributions include advancements in weakest-link modeling for brittle failure, probabilistic fracture models, and strain gradient plasticity analysis. His research bridges material science, applied mechanics, and numerical methods to optimize material utilization in engineering systems like reactor tanks, aircraft, and vehicles. Key collaborations involve international teams exploring microstructural influences on fracture behavior. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects sustained contributions to mechanical and materials engineering.
Zhendong Su is a full professor in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich since August 2018. Previously, he held a full professorship at UC Davis from 2003 until June 2019. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from UT Austin in 1995. Affiliations: ETH Zurich: Full Professor (since 2018) UC Davis: Full Professor and Chancellor’s Fellow (2003–2019) IEEE Fellow, ACM Fellow, and Member of Academia Europaea His research focuses on programming languages, compilers, software engineering, computer security, and education technologies . Key contributions include compiler validation (e.g., Project Yin-Yang for SMT solvers and DBMS testing), testing tools like SQLancer, and educational innovations such as the Algot visual programming language. Recent work emphasizes secure AI (e.g., CipherSteal for TEE-shielded models) and compiler reliability (e.g., Artemis/Apollo for JIT validation). He has pioneered techniques like metamorphic testing and equivalence modulo inputs (EMI) for compiler validation, uncovering thousands of bugs in GCC/LLVM and SMT solvers. Awards: ICSE MIP Award (2022), ACM SIGSOFT Impact Paper (2018), NSF CAREER Award, and multiple industrial awards. His students have won IEEE TCSE Rising Star and SIGSOFT Impact Paper awards, securing roles at top universities and companies like Google and NVIDIA. Service: Steering committee member of ISSTA and ESEC/FSE, ACM Distinguished Speaker, and Associate Editor for ACM TOSEM. Program chaired ISSTA 2012 and co-chaired FSE 2016. Labs/Teams: Leads research groups on compiler validation, secure AI, and education technologies. Projects include Yin-Yang (SMT testing), SQLancer (DBMS fuzzing), and Algot (visual programming for education).
