Chris Atkeson is a Professor at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on achieving human-level competence in machines through humanoid robotics and human-aware environments. He explores machine learning techniques such as reinforcement learning, nonparametric methods, and memory-based learning to develop robots capable of complex tasks like manipulation, locomotion, and perception. His work emphasizes bridging the gap between simulation and real-world applications (sim2real transfer), with contributions to tactile sensing (e.g., FingerVision), dynamic walking control, and human-robot collaboration. Notable projects include participation in the DARPA Robotics Challenge with Team WPI-CMU, where his team developed reliable humanoid behavior for disaster response scenarios. Atkeson’s research spans robotics, computer vision, and control systems, with a focus on enabling robots to perceive, learn, and act in unstructured environments. His recent work includes advancements in 3D scene capture, soft robotics, and energy-based planning for compositional tasks.
Wendy Ju is an Associate Professor of Information Science at Cornell Tech, with appointments in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Previously, she served as executive director of interaction design research at Stanford University's Center for Design Research and as an associate professor of interaction design at the California College of the Arts. Her work bridges human-computer interaction, design, and robotics with a focus on how interactive devices can communicate with people without interrupting them. PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University Master's degree in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT Professor Ju's research centers on implicit interactions, human-robot collaboration, and automotive interfaces. She investigates how people interact with automated systems in natural contexts, develops methods for early-stage prototyping of autonomous technologies, and examines the social implications of robotics in urban environments. Her work spans from theoretical frameworks to practical applications, with particular emphasis on designing systems that integrate seamlessly into human activities without demanding constant attention. Her recent publications reveal a strong trajectory toward understanding human-robot interaction in public urban spaces, with increasing focus on robot navigation in city streets, the social implications of autonomous vehicles, and the integration of generative AI in design processes. Her work consistently bridges theoretical HCI frameworks with practical applications in transportation, urban design, and everyday robotics. Inducted into the ACM SIGCHI Academy (2025) Multiple Honorable Mention Awards at ACM CHI and DIS conferences Best Paper Award at Multimodal Technologies and Interaction (2023) Best Student Paper Award at IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (2017) Best Demonstration Award at HRI (2017) Professor Ju actively mentors numerous PhD and master's students, many of whom have become leading researchers in HCI and robotics. Her research has been supported by significant grants from NSF and industry partners, enabling extensive field studies of human-robot interaction in real-world settings. She has pioneered methodologies for studying autonomous vehicle interactions through both simulated and naturalistic driving environments. Her work with the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute supports interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computing, design, and urban technology. She has established research partnerships with transportation authorities, automotive companies, and urban planning organizations to study how emerging technologies can enhance urban mobility while respecting human needs and social contexts.
Dr. Alex Bigazzi is an Associate Professor and Associate Head (Undergraduate Program) in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), with a joint appointment in the School of Community and Regional Planning. He leads the REACT Lab, focusing on active transportation, micromobility, and sustainable infrastructure design. His research emphasizes the intersection of physics, physiology, and behavior in active travel, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, and addresses emissions reduction and equitable urban mobility. Bigazzi holds a B.M. in Jazz Saxophone from the University of Miami and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Portland State University. His career includes academic and practical contributions, such as founding the REACT Lab and leading projects on e-bike incentives, air pollution exposure, and infrastructure design. His work has earned awards like the 2024 Wall Legacy Award for inclusive transport design and the 2023 Climate Action Award. He teaches courses on pedestrian/bicycle facility design and capstone projects, mentoring students through UBC’s Civil Engineering programs.
Snježana Babić serves as Associate Professor and Head of the Graduate Study Program Informatics - Teaching Major at the Faculty of Informatics in Pula , University of Pula. With a PhD obtained in 2016 and university affiliation since 2017, she teaches across undergraduate and graduate programs focusing on ICT fundamentals, web design, digital competencies, and informatics education methodology. Her educational background includes graduation in 1993 followed by doctoral studies culminating in 2016. Though specific institutions aren't detailed in the text, her career trajectory shows progression from foundational ICT teaching to specialized informatics education leadership. Babić's research centers on educational technology adoption with particular emphasis on programming pedagogy for young learners through the MEMA method. Her work investigates digital competencies across multiple educational contexts, from primary schools to higher education. Recent publications demonstrate rapid adaptation to emerging technologies, with 2025 studies examining ChatGPT integration in Croatian educational settings and cross-cultural applications of programming methods. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on technology acceptance models applied to Croatian educators and students. The research trajectory shows evolution from foundational e-learning systems (2016-2020) to cutting-edge AI and robotics applications (2022-2025), maintaining strong methodological focus on teacher motivation , implementation barriers , and culturally-specific adoption factors . Her teaching portfolio demonstrates deep integration with research interests: Undergraduate: ICT Fundamentals, Web Design and Application Graduate: Digital Competencies in Education, Informatics Education Methodology, Practicum for IT Educators Cross-disciplinary: ICT in Nursing, Healthcare Informatics Babić actively contributes to institutional leadership as program head while maintaining robust research productivity. Her work bridges theoretical technology adoption frameworks with practical implementation challenges in Croatian educational contexts, particularly examining how emerging technologies like humanoid robots and AI assistants can be effectively integrated into teaching practices.
Dr. Haneen Farah is an Associate Professor in the Department of Transport & Planning at Delft University of Technology and co-director of the Traffic and Transportation Safety Lab. She also serves as head of the Traffic Systems Engineering section. Her research focuses on road infrastructure design, road user behavior, and traffic safety, integrating transportation engineering, human factors, and econometrics. Prior to TU Delft, she was a postdoc at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and earned her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Her work includes national/international projects like SAMEN (mixed automated/human traffic implications), AfroSAFE (road safety in Africa), and XCARCITY (sustainable city mobility). She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on road design and traffic safety, including online programs for low/middle-income countries. Farah supervises multiple PhD and Master students in her research areas, contributing to over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Key research themes include infrastructure design for automated vehicles, driver behavior modeling, cyclist safety, and policy implementation of the Safe System approach. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges engineering and psychology to enhance traffic safety and efficiency through advanced analytics and simulation models.
Andrew Radin is a Senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation and Associate Director of the Master of National Security Policy Program at the RAND School of Public Policy. His work focuses on European security, military activities in space, and state-building, with expertise in NATO, Russia, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Ph.D. in Political Science, MIT B.A. in Political Science and Mathematics, University of Chicago Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Southern California His research centers on European and Eurasian security , military strategy , and state-building in weak states . He emphasizes the role of local politics in institution-building and has conducted case studies in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Ukraine. His work explores hybrid warfare, deterrence, security sector reform, and U.S. policy toward Russia and China. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in analyzing space as a domain of military competition , NATO deterrence strategies , and Russian gray-zone aggression . Topics frequently include escalation dynamics, allied cooperation, and the future of the liberal international order. His research combines policy relevance with academic rigor. Scientific Contributions and Recognition: Author of Institution Building in Weak States: The Primacy of Local Politics (Georgetown University Press) Published in Security Studies , Journal of Conflict Resolution , Washington Quarterly , and War on the Rocks Contributor to high-impact RAND reports on Ukraine, NATO, Russia, and international order Andrew Radin has advised on national security policy, including serving as Country Director for Afghanistan in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. He previously taught as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. He has not received mention of specific grants or student advisees, but his leadership in the Master of National Security Policy program suggests mentorship and program development responsibilities. He is active in shaping U.S. defense and foreign policy through research and commentary. Laboratories, Teams, and Research Groups: He is affiliated with the RAND Corporation’s international security research division and contributes to projects on global competition, military strategy, and political warfare. His work is often collaborative, involving multidisciplinary teams focused on defense policy and strategic stability.
Jeff Huang is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Computer Science at Brown University. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with emphases on personalized systems using behavioral data, health informatics, and user interfaces. Huang holds a PhD from the University of Washington and degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His work is funded by NSF, NIH, and ARO, and he has received awards including the NSF CAREER Award and ARO Young Investigator Award. Education: PhD in Information Science, University of Washington (2013) MS in Computer Science, University of Washington (2013) BS and MS in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2007) Research Interests: His work spans health informatics (e.g., sleep tracking systems like Self-E and SleepCoacher), user interface design, and leveraging behavioral data for personalized systems. Notable projects include WebGazer (webcam eye tracking), filtered.ink (creative illustration tools), and Sochiatrist (mental health analytics). Teaching: He teaches courses on user interfaces, HCI, and research methods, including CSCI 0130/1300 (User Interfaces), CSCI 2300 (HCI Seminar), and CSCI 2000 (Research Methods). Awards: NSF CAREER Award Facebook Fellowship ARO Young Investigator Award Grants & Advising: Huang leads a research group advising over 50 students, many of whom have pursued academic and industry roles. His grants support projects in HCI, health tech, and collaborative systems.
Oliver Kroemer is an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute (RI), affiliated with the Intelligent Autonomous Manipulation (IAM) Lab. His research focuses on enabling robots to learn versatile manipulation skills through lifelong frameworks, with applications in elder care, environmental maintenance, and hazardous operations. Developed methods for robot learning via physical interaction and reinforcement learning Created representations for contact states and motor primitives to improve skill generalization Research Interests: Spanning robot learning, tactile sensing, force-velocity control, and lifelong skill acquisition. Projects include Agile and Dynamic Interactions for Mobile Manipulation and Integrated Planning and Learning (Pillar project). Scientific Awards: Finalist, Georges Giralt Ph.D. Award (2015) Education: Masters & Bachelors in Engineering, University of Cambridge (2008) Ph.D., Technische Universitaet Darmstadt (2014) Students & Affiliates: Current PhD: Mark Lee, Sarvesh Patil, Saumya Saxena, Yunus Seker, Zilin Si Past PhD: Alex LaGrassa, Tabitha Lee, Qiao Liang, Shivam Vats, Kevin Zhang
Frank Li is an Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech, affiliated with the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy and School of Electrical & Computer Engineering . His research focuses on computer security and privacy , particularly internet, network, and web security, with a data-driven approach. Education : PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, BS in Computer Science from MIT (Course 6-3) Experience : Previously a visiting researcher at Facebook, with internships at Google and Microsoft Research Research interests include empirical computer security , internet measurement, password policies, IoT security, browser extensions, and DeFi vulnerabilities. His work combines large-scale data analysis, network traffic studies, and user behavior experiments. His publications highlight trends in IPv6 adoption , security notifications, password masking, third-party web content, and PLC security evaluation. Teaching awards include the Student Recognition of Excellence in Teaching (Annual CIOS Award and Semester Honor Roll) at Georgia Tech. He leads the BEES Lab (Better Empirically Established Security), which investigates security and privacy issues through internet-wide measurements, network traffic analysis, and data mining. Lab members include PhD and MS students in computer science.
WANG Ye is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the School of Computing, National University of Singapore (NUS). He holds a PhD in Information Technology from Tampere University of Technology, Finland, and has been a tenured faculty member at NUS since 2002, following his industry research role at Nokia Research Center. He is the director of the Sound and Music Computing Lab at NUS, leading cutting-edge research in AI-driven music and health technologies. PhD, Information Technology, Tampere University of Technology, Finland (2002) MSc, Telecommunications, Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany (1993) BSc, Telecommunications, South China University of Technology, China (1983) His research is centered on Sound and Music Computing for Human Health and Potential (SMC4HHP) , with a focus on eHealth, eLearning, mobile/wearable computing, and music information retrieval. His work spans AI for stroke rehabilitation, language learning through singing, singing voice synthesis, and automatic music transcription. He has pioneered systems like SLIONS (language learning via karaoke), CocoLyricist (AI co-creation for stroke recovery), and SinTechSVS (expressive singing voice synthesis). The latest articles highlight a strong trend in AI-driven music and health technologies , particularly in controllable lyric generation, singing voice synthesis, automatic pronunciation assessment, and multimodal music transcription. The research increasingly integrates large language models, explainable AI, fairness, and real-world deployment, reflecting a shift from theoretical exploration to practical, human-centered applications in healthcare and education. Dr. Wang has received numerous scientific honors, including: Best Paper Awards at ACM MM, ISMIR, IEEE ISM, and CHI First Prize, Asia Pacific Assistive, Rehabilitative, and Therapeutic Technologies Challenge (2015) Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, NUS School of Computing (2024) Top Paper Award, ACM Multimedia 2022 AI in Medicine Collaborative Grant for CocoLyricist project He has supervised over 11 PhD and 20 MComp students and is currently guiding six PhD candidates. His grants come from MOE, NRF, A*STAR, Nokia, and Smule. He has served as General Chair of ISMIR2017 and TPC Co-Chair of ICOT2017, and is on the editorial boards of IEEE Transactions on Multimedia and Journal of New Music Research. He has also developed and taught the first course on Sound and Music Computing in Singapore. Dr. Wang leads the Sound and Music Computing Lab (SMC Lab) , a multidisciplinary team exploring the synergy of music computing, AI, mobile technology, and cloud systems for health and education. The lab actively collaborates with medical institutions such as NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, and is currently working on projects in AI-supported language learning, stroke rehabilitation, and intelligent music interfaces.
Sebastian Scherer is an Associate Research Professor at the Robotics Institute (RI), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he leads cutting-edge research in autonomous aerial systems and robotics. His work focuses on enabling unmanned rotorcraft to operate safely and efficiently in cluttered, low-altitude, and extreme environments. Education: Ph.D. in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University (2010) MS in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University (2007) BS in Computer Science (Minor in Robotics), Carnegie Mellon University (2004) His research interests span robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, energy infrastructure, and public policy . He has made seminal contributions to UAV autonomy, including the first obstacle avoidance for micro aerial vehicles in natural environments (2008) and the first automatic landing zone detection and landing on a full-size helicopter (2010). His recent publications (2023–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on resilient autonomy, multi-robot exploration, foundation models for robotics, and large-scale dataset development. His team has released key datasets like TartanGround , BETTY , and SubT-MRS , and simulation tools like Pegasus Simulator , indicating a systems-level approach to advancing real-world autonomy. The research trends emphasize self-supervised learning, robust perception, risk-aware planning, and multi-modal fusion for off-road and urban environments. Scientific Awards: Popular Science Best of What's New 2010 Award AIAA@Infotech Best Paper Runner-up Award (2010) Siebel Scholar Dr. Scherer has advised numerous students and leads a vibrant research group focused on high-impact robotics applications. He has secured significant grants related to UAV autonomy, energy infrastructure, and urban air mobility. His lab develops experimental infrastructure such as AIrTonomy for testing next-generation autonomous aerial vehicles. He is actively involved in advancing SLAM and localization in extreme environments, notably through participation in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge. His team develops large-scale datasets and benchmarking frameworks to push the boundaries of robustness and generalization in mobile robotics.
Adriana Tapus is a Full Professor at ENSTA Paris, affiliated with Institut Polytechnique de Paris, leading the Autonomous Systems and Robotics Laboratory (SAR) within the Computer Science and Systems Engineering Unit (U2IS). She holds an HDR (Habilitation) and a PhD from EPFL, Switzerland, with postdoctoral experience at USC. Her research focuses on socially assistive robotics, human-robot interaction (HRI), and personalized therapy for individuals with physical/cognitive impairments. She directs the IP Paris Doctoral School and coordinates national/international projects like the EU-funded ENRICHME and SWEET. Education: PhD in Mobile Robotics, EPFL (2005) Habilitation (HDR), ENSTA Paris (2011) M.S. Computer Science, University Joseph Fourier Engineer, Politehnica University of Bucharest Research Interests: Tapus pioneers socially assistive robotics, integrating machine learning, human modeling, and multimodal communication (verbal/non-verbal/para-verbal). Her work addresses adaptive therapies for vulnerable populations using robotics, physiological data interpretation, and context-aware interaction. Key themes include: Human-robot cooperation and trust Emotion recognition and expression Personalized rehabilitation systems AI ethics and human-centered design Publications: Over 150 articles, with recent work exploring humor in HRI, teleoperation trust models, and cross-cultural intelligent vehicles. Notable 2025 contributions include studies on robot laughter efficacy and multimodal facial expression frameworks. Awards: 2025: 4 IROS papers accepted 2016: 25 Women in Robotics recognition 2010: Romanian Academy Award Multiple conference best paper awards (RO-MAN, ICRA, etc.) Advising & Grants: Supervised over 20 PhD students and led projects like EU Horizon 2020 ENRICHME. Current students focus on teleoperation dynamics, robot humor, and haptic interfaces. Active in editorial roles (IJSR, THRI) and conference organization (HRI General Chair 2019). Labs/Teams: Founder of RoboticsByDesign lab and co-initiator of the Hi! Paris interdisciplinary AI center. The SAR lab develops systems for healthcare, education, and human-robot collaboration.
Albrecht Fuess is a Professor of Islamic Studies at Philipps University of Marburg since 2010, specializing in Middle Eastern History (13th–17th centuries), Mamluk socio-cultural dynamics, and contemporary European Islamic discourses. His research spans historical continuity in Ottoman-Mamluk-Safavid interactions, Islamic youth cultures, and Mediterranean geopolitics. Research Focus: Medieval Islamic history, Transottomanica mobility studies, Islam in Europe, and cultural integration of Muslim migrants. Awards: Le Studium Fellowship (2007–2009) at Université de Tours. His publications emphasize military-economy interplay, legitimacy through religious narratives, and resource management in empires, with a focus on Mamluk and Ottoman transformations. He has advised on doctoral projects covering topics like Islamic welfare, Arabic ʾAmālī literature, and Cypriot-Ottoman relations. Leadership: Co-coordinator of Transottomanica (DFG-SPP 1981), member of ANR and DAAD committees, and liaison professor for the German National Academic Foundation. Editorial Roles: Co-editor of 'Transottomanica' and 'Muslim Worlds' series, and advisory board member for journals in Cairo, Paris, and Leuven.
Daniela Iorio is an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Bologna, and holds a part-time professorship at the European University Institute’s School of Transnational Governance. She specializes in Political Economy, Health Economics, and Public Economics. Her work addresses topics like voting behavior, eating disorders, reproductive health, and parental investments. She earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and has held positions at institutions including USC, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics. Her research focuses on health policy, behavioral economics, and political institutions. Notable contributions include analyzing the link between eating disorders and addictive behaviors, evaluating IVF success disparities, and developing parenting measurement tools through digital interventions. She has been awarded the 2016 Oliver E. Williamson Prize and the Rita Levi Montalcini grant. Iorio teaches advanced courses on political economy and health economics at the PhD and master’s levels. She directs the Health Economics, Management and Policy master’s program at Bologna and has advised over a dozen graduate students. Her grants include a €758k MIUR project on child development and parental engagement. She serves as an Associate Editor for the European Economic Review and referees for top journals like the American Economic Review .
Prof. Alois Christian Knoll is a full professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in the School of Computation, Information and Technology. His academic career includes roles at Bielefeld University and leadership in major EU initiatives like the Human Brain Project and ECHORD++. He specializes in robotics, AI, and autonomous systems, with a focus on medical robotics, sensor-based systems, and neuromorphic engineering. Knoll has supervised over 100 doctoral theses and authored/co-authored over 1,000 publications. Education: Diploma in Electrical Engineering (University of Stuttgart, 1985); PhD in Computer Science (Technical University of Berlin, 1988); Habilitation (TU Berlin, 1993). He has been at TUM since 2001, leading the Robotics, AI, and Real-Time Systems department. Research interests span autonomous systems, neuro-IT integration, and traffic simulation. Key projects include fortiss (Bavarian State Institute for Computer Science) and TUM-CREATE (Singapore collaboration). Awards include IEEE Fellow, University of Tokyo Fellow, and the Carl-Ramsauer-Prize (1990). Current roles include editorships in robotics journals, leadership in EU flagship projects, and teaching across multiple programs. His work bridges computer science, neuroscience, and engineering, with applications in healthcare, automotive systems, and urban mobility.
