Univ.-Prof. Torsten Möller, PhD is a Professor at the University of Vienna and serves as Head of the Research Group Visualization and Data Analysis and Head of the Research Network Data Science. His work spans data visualization, visual analytics, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on biomedical, environmental, and societal data applications. Academic rank: Professor Research group: Visualization and Data Analysis Network: Data Science Email: torsten.moeller@univie.ac.at Research interests include: Visual data analysis for complex systems Interdisciplinary applications in climate science and medicine Human-computer interaction in data exploration Image processing and computer graphics Recent publication trends show expertise in: Visualizing climate change and pandemic data Multi-volumetric and network analysis Algorithmic transparency and user-centered design Interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., astrophysics, medical imaging) Statistical and uncertainty visualization Design frameworks for visualization recommendation Teaching includes courses in: Computer graphics and visualization Image processing and analysis Human-computer interaction Data analysis projects Doctoral research seminars
Dominik Schörkhuber is a PreDoc Researcher at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in the Computer Vision department. With a background in Informatics (BSc, Dipl.-Ing.), he focuses on computer vision applications for autonomous driving, robotics, and human-machine interaction. His work spans driver action recognition, pedestrian prediction, and adaptive lighting systems. Current projects: Empathic Vehicle (2024–2026), SyntheticCabin (2021–2025), SmartProtect (2020–2025) Research themes: Video transformers, synthetic data transfer learning, multi-task learning, and sensor-lighting integration Specializes in 3D sensing, nighttime driving analysis, and mobile video creation tools
Johannes Riquet is a Professor in the Department of English at Tampere University , Finland, and Head of English. He directs the Spatial Studies and Environmental Humanities research group and leads interdisciplinary projects such as Mediated Arctic Geographies funded by the Academy of Finland (EUR 480,000, 2019–2023). Research Interests : Spatial theory, literary geography, environmental humanities, Arctic studies, mobility, and deconstruction. Recent Publications include monographs on island aesthetics, Arctic geopoetics, and co-edited volumes with Wesleyan UP and Manchester UP. His work spans cinematic geographies, Arctic comics, and hip-hop narratives. Grants : Principal Investigator for Mediated Arctic Geographies (Academy of Finland, 2019–2023). Collaborative Projects : Co-curated Circumpolar Connections with Indigenous scholars, integrating Arctic and Indigenous knowledges.
Jiro Katto is a Professor at Waseda University's School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, where he has been conducting research and teaching since 1999. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo and has established himself as a leading researcher in multimedia signal processing and computer networks. His academic journey includes positions as Associate Professor (1999-2004), Professor (2004-present), and Director at NEDO (2004-2008), along with research experience at NEC C&C Laboratories (1992-1999) and a Visiting Scholar position at Princeton University (1996-1997). Professor Katto's research interests focus on Multimedia Signal Processing and Computer Networks, with particular expertise in video compression, 5G network performance, and learned image compression techniques. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations, as evidenced by his extensive publications in top-tier conferences and journals. His research group has made significant contributions to point cloud compression, latency compensation in remote systems, and hardware-accelerated video encoding for UHD streaming. His publication record is impressive, with 276 papers cited 3,323 times in Scopus and 6,169 times in Google Scholar, reflecting his substantial impact in the field. His recent work shows a strong trend toward applying deep learning techniques to traditional signal processing problems, particularly in the areas of image and video compression, where his team has developed novel approaches to improve compression efficiency while reducing computational complexity. Electric Telecommunications Promotion Foundation Telecommunications System Technology Award (2023) Takayanagi Kenjiro Foundation Takayanagi Kenjiro Achievement Award (2020) Institute of Image Information and Television Engineers Fellow (2020) Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers Fellow (2015) IEICE Communications Society Activity Contribution Award (2006) IEICE Academic Encouragement Award (1995) SPIE VCIP 1991, Best Student Paper Award (1991) Professor Katto has served on numerous prestigious committees including IEEE ComSoC Tech News Editorial Board, IEEE Technical Program Committees for major conferences (Globecom, ICC, ICIP), and editorial boards for several academic journals. His leadership in the academic community extends to chairing conferences like IWAIT 2011 and serving as Editor-in-Chief for journals in his field. His research has practical applications in commercial 5G networks, video streaming services, and remote monitoring systems, demonstrating the real-world impact of his work.
Paul Taele is an Instructional Assistant Professor and Deputy Lab Director in the Sketch Recognition Lab at Texas A&M University's Department of Computer Science & Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. (2019), M.S. (2010), and dual B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin (2006). His research focuses on sketch recognition, haptics, and intelligent interfaces for education and accessibility, with notable work in mid-air gesture recognition, educational sketching tools, and assistive technologies for disabilities. He has contributed to projects like Kanji Workbook , Hashigo , and HaptiMoto , and has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles across venues like CHI, IUI, and AAAI. Taele has received awards including the NSF Student Travel Grant (2014) and Ford Foundation Honorable Mention (2015). He teaches courses in capstone design, programming, and sketch recognition, and mentors students across all academic levels through strict eligibility criteria for research collaborations. Education : Ph.D. Computer Science, Texas A&M University (2019) M.S. Computer Science, Texas A&M University (2010) B.S. Computer Science & Mathematics, University of Texas at Austin (2006) Concentration in Mandarin Chinese, National Chengchi University (2007) Research Interests : Taele's work bridges HCI and AI to create accessible educational interfaces. His projects emphasize: Sketch Recognition : Developing algorithms for mid-air gestures, children's developmental assessments, and language learning Accessibility : Haptic systems for visually impaired learners and algebra education Educational Tech : Intelligent tutoring systems for music, math, and East Asian languages Awards & Grants : EAAI-20 Travel Grant (2020) Ford Foundation Dissertation Honorable Mention (2015) NSF East Asia-Pacific Summer Institutes (2013, 2012) Royce E. Wisenbaker Fellowship (2009) Lab & Teams : Director of the Sketch Recognition Lab (SRL) and collaborator with global institutions like Singapore Management University and National Taiwan University. Active in organizing workshops like SketchRec at IUI conferences.
Jo Wood is Professor of Visual Analytics in the Department of Computer Science at City, University of London, where she has been employed since January 14, 2000. Her work bridges computer science, geographic information science, and human-computer interaction, focusing on innovative methods for visualizing complex spatial and behavioral data. Her research interests center on visual analytics , information visualization , and geovisualization , with applications in transportation, public health, crisis response, and citizen science. She investigates how interactive visual interfaces can support exploratory data analysis, decision-making, and storytelling, particularly through small multiples, faceted views, and sketch-based rendering techniques. The trends in her recent publications reflect a consistent focus on user-centered design , spatial data abstraction , and interactive exploration of multivariate datasets. Her work often integrates real-world behavioral data such as GPS tracks, cycling patterns, and crowd-sourced information to build meaningful visual narratives and support analytical reasoning. Throughout her career, Jo Wood has contributed significantly to the advancement of visual analytics through high-impact publications in top-tier venues such as IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics and Computer Graphics Forum. Her collaborations with researchers like Jason Dykes and Aidan Slingsby highlight her role in a vibrant research community. She has supervised numerous research projects and mentored students in visualization and geospatial analytics, though specific names are not listed in the provided text. Her work has been supported by various research grants, particularly in domains involving urban mobility, energy modeling, and crisis informatics, though grant details are not specified here. Jo Wood has also contributed to the design of visual analytics systems for applications including disease spread modeling, bicycle-hire scheme monitoring, and persuasive technology for health and leisure, demonstrating a strong commitment to impactful, interdisciplinary research.
Ju Hui Judy Han is an Associate Professor in Gender Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, with additional affiliations at the Center for Korean Studies, Center for the Study of Women, and Asia Pacific Center. Her office is located in 1117 Rolfe Hall at UCLA. As a cultural geographer, Professor Han is committed to building critical and transnational conversations concerning gender, sexuality, and activism, regularly contributing to community-based projects and public events both on campus and beyond. Professor Han received her Ph.D. in Geography from UC Berkeley and her B.A. in English and Women's Studies from UC Berkeley. Her educational background bridges humanities and social sciences, providing a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary research. Her research interests span (Im)mobilities, Religion and difference, conservatism, LGBTQ/queer politics and activism, Comics and graphic novels, Korean studies, and Cultural geography. Professor Han approaches these topics through a critical lens that emphasizes transnational perspectives, particularly focusing on South Korea and the Korean diaspora. Her work often examines how power operates through spatial arrangements and how marginalized communities navigate and resist dominant structures. She has developed innovative approaches to studying activism through comics and graphic nonfiction, creating accessible yet theoretically rich analyses of complex social phenomena. Professor Han's publications reveal consistent engagement with queer politics in South Korea, religious movements, and transnational activism. Her work shows a progression from analyzing specific case studies to developing broader theoretical frameworks about resistance, solidarity, and spatial politics. The recurring themes across her publications include the intersection of religion and queer politics, the spatial dimensions of activism, and the transnational connections between social movements. UCLA Center for the Study of Women/Barbra Streisand Center, inaugural Barbra Streisand Fellowship on Truth in the Public Sphere Podcast Support Grant, University of California Humanities Research Institute (UCHRI), 2021-22 Society of Hellman Fellows Award, UCLA, 2021-22 UCLA Faculty Career Development Award, 2018-2019 Co-Applicant, 'Protesting Publics in South Korea,' SSHRC Insight Grant (PI: Jennifer Jihye Chun), 2015-2020 Co-Investigator, 'Urban Aspirations in Seoul: Religion and Megacities in Comparative Studies,' Max Planck Institute, 2011-2017 Professor Han actively contributes to public discourse through media appearances and community engagement. She has received significant research funding supporting her work on South Korean protest movements and urban religious dynamics. Her teaching portfolio is diverse, including the Gender Studies undergraduate core class on power (102), senior capstone seminars (187), elective courses on transnational feminist politics (131) and comics and graphic nonfiction (185), as well as graduate seminars on feminist geographies, queer temporalities, and research design.
Dr. Jia Zhang is the Inaugural Robert H. Dedman Jr. Endowed Department Chair and Professor of Computer Science at Southern Methodist University (SMU Lyle School of Engineering). She holds the Cruse C. and Marjorie F. Calahan Centennial Chair in Engineering and has a courtesy appointment in the Department of Operations Research and Engineering Management. Her research focuses on applying machine learning, natural language processing, and information retrieval to data science infrastructure, particularly scientific workflows, provenance mining, software discovery, knowledge graphs, cloud computing, immune AI, and applications in earth science and healthcare. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago M.S. in Computer Science, Nanjing University B.S. in Computer Science, Nanjing University Dr. Zhang's work emphasizes data science infrastructure and machine learning for scientific workflows and knowledge graphs. Her recent publications highlight deep learning , graph neural networks , and optimization algorithms in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and environmental applications. Key trends include spatiotemporal modeling , hybrid neural architectures , and AI-driven service ecosystems . Scientific Awards: Best Paper Awards IEEE SCC (2011, 2017) Best Student Paper Awards IEEE ICWS (2014, 2018), IEEE ICCC (2018) Distinguished Paper Award ICSOC (2023) First Outstanding Service Award IEEE Technical Committee on Services Computing (2016) She has secured over $5 million in federal grants (as PI) and $11 million as PI/Co-PI from NSF, NASA, NIH, UTSW, Ericsson, SAP, and Google. Her lab (Caruth Hall 308) actively recruits research assistants. She previously served as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, Northern Illinois University, and Nanjing University, and worked in industry as a software architect.
Dr. Karim El-Basyouny is a Killam Laureate Professor and City of Edmonton Urban Traffic Safety Research Chair at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he serves as Associate Dean (Research Infrastructure and Innovation) in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. A licensed Professional Engineer in Alberta, he holds advanced degrees in Transportation Engineering from the University of British Columbia and has dedicated his career to advancing road safety through data-driven management frameworks. His academic credentials include: Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2011 Engineering Management Sub-specialization, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2010 Master of Applied Science, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2006 Bachelor's degree (ABET Equivalent), Civil & Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, 2003 El-Basyouny's research pioneers the integration of remote sensing, machine learning, and statistical modeling to enhance transportation safety. His work develops automated tools for infrastructure digitization, collision prediction, and speed management, treating safety as a systemic product requiring management frameworks. Key contributions include LiDAR-based road feature extraction, network-level safety evaluations, and frameworks for vision-zero outcomes that address both human-driven and autonomous vehicle contexts. His recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory centered on leveraging point cloud data and computational intelligence for safety management. Over 15 major publications since 2021 focus on automated infrastructure assessment (light pole detection, clear zone mapping, vertical clearance evaluation), weather-impact modeling, and enforcement resource optimization. This body of work bridges transportation engineering with computer vision and operations research to create scalable safety solutions. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors including: 2024 Killam Annual Professorship Award 2024 Road Safety Achievement Award from TAC 2023 Donald Stanley Award for environmental engineering 2022 Faculty of Engineering Graduate Teaching Award 2021 Daniel B. Fambro Student Paper Award As an academic leader, El-Basyouny actively mentors graduate students and secures significant research funding through his endowed chair position. He currently recruits fully-funded PhD and postdoctoral candidates specializing in remote sensing applications, machine learning, and geomatics for road digitization projects. His research group collaborates with national safety committees and municipal agencies to translate findings into policy, while he serves on editorial boards for Transportation Research Record and Analytic Methods in Accident Research. The research group operates at the intersection of transportation engineering and computational science, developing automated frameworks that merge sensor technologies with data processing tools. Current projects focus on semantic segmentation of 3D point clouds, safety implications of infrastructure digitization, and machine learning applications for road feature extraction in both urban and rural environments.
Professor Luke Prendergast is the Deputy Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (SCEMS) at La Trobe University (LTU) and holds a Professorship in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He previously served as Head of Department (2014–2020) and led LTU's Statistics Consulting Platform. His research focuses on robust statistics, meta-analysis, dimension reduction, and applied statistics, leading the DRAMA research group. Collaborations span fields like endocrinology, disability studies, and respiratory health. He actively contributes to research grants, including projects on Prader-Willi syndrome and exercise for disability populations. Professor Prendergast's recent work emphasizes statistical software development (e.g., the rquest package) and applications in biostatistics, such as metabolomics analysis and health intervention fidelity. His articles address topics like quantile-based hypothesis testing, geospatial accessibility for disability care, and motivational interviewing efficacy. Professional roles include NHMRC grant review panels, editorial boards for Nutrients and Respirology , and leadership in the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA Vic). His teaching includes courses in meta-analysis, linear models, and data-based critical thinking. Grants funded projects on exercise programs for cerebral palsy populations and community-university partnerships for disability inclusion. Luke's work bridges statistical theory with real-world health challenges, emphasizing robust methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ryo Suzuki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Science. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and robotics, particularly in tangible user interfaces, swarm robotics, and shape-changing interfaces. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Colorado Boulder (2020) and has conducted research internships at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, the University of Tokyo, and Adobe Research. His educational background includes advanced coursework in robotics and HCI, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary innovation. He teaches courses such as Human-Computer Interaction II, Human-Robot Interaction, and Special Topics in Mixed Reality Application Design. Research interests include designing novel interfaces for AR/VR/MR systems, haptic feedback mechanisms, and collaborative robotics. His work often bridges physical and digital spaces, such as through projects like LiftTiles (shape-changing building blocks) and RoomShift (room-scale haptic environments). Key awards include the UIST 2020 Honorable Mention Paper Award, DIS 2019 Best Paper Award, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan Innovation Award. His research has been featured in IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, TechXplore, and Wired. He actively explores future work in symbiotic AI systems, AI-in-the-loop AR applications, and scalable shape-changing robotics. His lab emphasizes hands-on prototyping and user-centered design principles.
Dr. Robert J. Teather is an Associate Professor and the Director of the School of Information Technology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He previously served as an interim Director of the School of Information Technology during the 2022-23 academic year. His academic journey includes a PhD in Computer Science from York University (2013) and a postdoctoral fellowship at McMaster University (2015). Dr. Teather's educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science from York University (2013) Master's Thesis: "Comparing 2D and 3D Direct Manipulation Interfaces" from York University (2008), which was awarded the Joseph Liu Thesis Award Dr. Teather's research broadly falls under the field of human-computer interaction, with specialization in 3D user interfaces, virtual reality, and user interfaces for computer games. His work establishes methods for direct comparison of 2D and 3D interfaces for conceptually equivalent tasks, such as selection and manipulation interfaces. He investigates factors influencing human performance in VR, including stereo 3D graphics, haptic feedback, and head-tracking. His research also evaluates novel user interfaces like tilt control or touchscreens, and examines human performance with game input devices in complex tasks involving navigation, selection, and manipulation of objects in game environments. His research has been published extensively in top venues including IEEE VR, ACM SUI, and Graphics Interface. Among his notable scientific achievements are: NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship during his PhD studies Ontario Graduate Scholarship during his PhD studies Best Paper Honourable Mention at the ACM Symposium on Applied Perception 2020 Best Demo Award for SUI 2017 Joseph Liu Thesis Award (2008) Dr. Teather actively supervises graduate students at Carleton University, currently overseeing multiple PhD and Master's students in the areas of human-computer interaction and interactive digital media. His research is supported by NSERC and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, providing funding for his students and laboratory equipment. His students have produced research spanning VR as a persuasive tool to improve vaccine confidence, selection performance using smartphones in VR, and text entry methods in virtual reality environments. Dr. Teather leads a well-equipped CFI-supported lab focused on virtual and augmented reality research. His team works collaboratively on projects related to interactive virtual reality systems, computer game user interfaces, and input devices for 3D interaction. The lab environment fosters interdisciplinary research with opportunities for students to work on cutting-edge VR/AR technologies and contribute to the growing field of spatial computing.
Alan Bovik is the Cockrell Family Regents Endowed Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering. He also holds positions at The Institute for Neurosciences and serves as Director of the Laboratory for Image and Video Engineering (LIVE). With a career spanning over three decades at UT Austin, he has progressed from Assistant Professor (1984-1988) to Associate Professor (1988-1994) to his current position as Full Professor (1994-present). Dr. Bovik received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1984 from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Professor Bovik's research focuses on image and video quality assessment, visual perception, and digital media processing. He is renowned for developing groundbreaking algorithms including the Structural Similarity (SSIM) index, Visual Information Fidelity (VIF), and various blind quality assessment models like BRISQUE and NIQE. His work bridges engineering and neuroscience, creating perception-based models that optimize visual media delivery while reducing bandwidth consumption. These innovations have had profound industry impact, with his algorithms processing a significant proportion of global internet video traffic. His recent publications demonstrate continued leadership in perceptual quality assessment, with increasing focus on AI-generated content, high dynamic range (HDR) video, and novel applications in medical imaging. The research shows a clear trajectory toward more sophisticated, neural network-based quality metrics that better align with human visual perception across diverse content types. Professor Bovik has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to the field: John Fritz Medal (2024) IEEE Edison Medal (2022) IAMB BaM Award (2022) Elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering (2022) Technology and Engineering Emmy Award (2021) IEEE Fourier Award for Signal Processing (2019) Progress Medal from The Royal Photographic Society (2019) Named Honorary Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society (2019) Primetime Emmy Award (2015) Edwin H. Land Medal from The Optical Society (2017) As Director of the Laboratory for Image and Video Engineering (LIVE), Professor Bovik has secured substantial research funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute for Standards and Technologies. His lab has produced numerous influential datasets including the LIVE Image and Video Quality Databases. He has mentored many successful students who have gone on to make significant contributions in academia and industry, though specific student names are not provided in the source materials. The Laboratory for Image and Video Engineering (LIVE) under Professor Bovik's direction has become a world-renowned center for research in perceptual image and video quality. The lab maintains close collaborations with major technology companies including Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube, ensuring that research has direct practical applications. LIVE has developed numerous influential tools and databases that are widely used in both academic research and industrial applications worldwide.
John Folkesson is an Associate Professor at the Department of Robotics, Perception and Learning at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on mobile robotics, underwater autonomous vehicles (AUVs), and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), particularly addressing challenges in dynamic underwater environments. He leads the AUV group within the Swedish Maritime Robotics Centre (SMaRC2.0) and supervises multiple PhD projects, including those funded by Ocean Infinity and Vinnova. Folkesson has pioneered work on sonar-based SLAM, bathymetric mapping, and autonomous underwater navigation without human intervention. He teaches courses such as Probabilistic Graphical Models (DD2420) and Applied Estimation (EL2320). Recent projects include developing neural rendering techniques for sidescan SLAM and automatic launch systems for AUVs in collaboration with Purdue University and SAAB. His research emphasizes long-term autonomy, environmental ambiguity, and sensor data interpretation in unstructured underwater scenarios. Education: PhD in Robotics (2005, KTH Royal Institute of Technology) Recent Funding: 2024 projects include ALARS (Vinnova), WASP WARA-PS, and industrial collaborations. Research Interests Folkesson's work spans underwater robotics, SLAM algorithms, and sensor fusion. Key areas include: Underwater SLAM and sonar modeling Bathymetric reconstruction using neural networks Autonomous decision-making in AUV missions Real-time terrain modeling and localization Articles Trends Recent publications emphasize neural networks for SLAM optimization, sonar data processing, and autonomous underwater systems. Themes include real-time bathymetric mapping, sensor fusion in dynamic environments, and neural rendering techniques for improving navigation accuracy. Folkesson's work bridges theory and practice, with applications in marine robotics and industrial surveys. Advising & Grants PhD supervision: AUV perception (2024), SLAM with Ocean Infinity, event-response AUV systems. Collaborations: Purdue University, SAAB, Ocean Infinity. Course responsibilities: Over 10 advanced robotics and engineering courses at KTH. Labs & Teams Lead of SMaRC2.0, KTH's official research center for maritime robotics. Active in developing AUV systems for long-duration missions, including ice-covered and deep-sea exploration.
Dr. Stewart Worrall is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) within the University of Sydney. His research focuses on autonomous systems, robotics, and intelligent transportation systems, particularly in the areas of autonomous vehicle perception, human-robot interaction, and sensor fusion. He has contributed to numerous high-impact publications on topics such as edge case testing for autonomous vehicles, collaborative perception frameworks, and context-aware human-robot interaction design. His work integrates robotics hardware, computer vision, and machine learning to address challenges in autonomous driving, crowd dynamics, and urban mobility scenarios. Current research students under his supervision explore topics ranging from light field imaging for autonomous driving to human-machine interfaces for vehicles. Worrall has pioneered datasets like the University of Sydney Campus Dataset and the ACFR Five Roundabouts Dataset, which are critical for evaluating autonomous systems. His contributions span academic conferences (e.g., IEEE IV, ICRA) and journals, emphasizing both technical innovation and societal impacts of autonomous technologies. Key labs/teams: Core member of the ACFR, collaborating across disciplines including robotics, computer science, and urban design.
