Paul Boersma is a Professor of Phonetic Sciences at the University of Amsterdam within the Faculty of Humanities. His research explores how phonetic, phonological, and morphological phenomena emerge through computational modeling using artificial neural networks and Optimality Theory, with a focus on multi-level constraint interactions and distributional learning. University of Amsterdam Faculty of Humanities Phonetic Sciences Key research areas include: Computational Modeling : Simulations of phonological category emergence from phonetic data Optimality Theory : Gradual Learning Algorithm applications BiPhon Framework : Parallel bidirectional phonology/phonetics models Statistical Learning : Cross-situational and distributional learning mechanisms Recent publications emphasize: 2025: Inclusive speech recognition systems using Whisper model 2025: F0 ratio analysis for creaky voice diagnostics 2024: Prosodic clitics in child speech and checked tones in Shanghai Chinese 2023: Distributional learning in developmental language disorder contexts 2022: Substance-free phonological features and ghost segment phenomena He has also contributed extensively to the Praat software for phonetic analysis, with continuous updates since 1993.
Rodrigo Otoni is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence. His research focuses on automated reasoning for verification, synthesis, and certification in computer science. He leads initiatives in formal methods for distributed systems and maintains active profiles on GitHub and LinkedIn. Research Interests: Specializes in theoretical computer science foundations with applied work in model checking and formal verification. Key areas include: Automated theorem proving for system certification Formal specification of distributed protocols Rigorous verification methodologies for concurrent systems
Marcus Gerhold is an Assistant Professor in the Formal Methods and Tools group at the University of Twente's Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. His research focuses on model-based testing for software reliability in critical infrastructures, particularly railway systems, alongside significant contributions to game design and programming language analysis. His educational background includes: PhD in Computer Science from University of Twente (2018): Choice and Chance: Model-based Testing of Stochastic Behaviour MSc in Mathematics from Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena (2013): Embeddings of Weighted Morrey Spaces BSc in Mathematics from Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena (2011): Entropy-, Approximation- and Kolmogorov Numbers on Quasi-Banach Spaces Gerhold's research integrates theoretical model-based testing with practical critical infrastructure applications . His work on railway conformance testing addresses EULYNX controller validation, while his game design research explores affective mirroring in NPCs and procedural dungeon generation. The code modernity analysis stream leverages static analysis to quantify legacy code evolution across languages like Python and PHP, revealing version identification challenges through deep learning. Publication trends show consistent focus on model-based testing methodologies (40%), railway safety applications (25%), and innovative game design/code analysis (35%). Recent work increasingly incorporates AI/ML techniques for UML assessment and Python version identification, while maintaining rigorous formal methods foundations. He actively mentors 63 students across all academic levels and contributes to major research initiatives: STORM_SAFE (ERDF, 2024): Daily Supervisor for WP1/WP2 on software reliability for critical infrastructures ZORRO (KIC grant, 2023): Daily Supervisor for WP4 on zero downtime in cyber-physical systems MISSION (MSCA RISE, 2021-2025): Interim coordinator (early 2024) for space systems modeling As part of the Formal Methods and Tools research group, Gerhold participates in European collaborations while serving on SAC-SVT 2024 and FormaliSE 2023 program committees.
Jaco van de Pol is a Full Professor of Computer Science at Aarhus University, holding dual roles in the Digital Society Institute and Formal Methods and Tools. He earned his PhD from Utrecht University in 1996, specializing in Termination of Higher-order Rewrite Systems, and a Master's in Computer Science (Term Rewriting) in 1992. His research focuses on model checking, formal methods, algorithms, and automated verification, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to innovation and education. Education: PhD, Termination of Higher-order Rewrite Systems, Utrecht University (1996) Master's in Computer Science (Term Rewriting), Utrecht University (1992) Research Interests: His work spans model checking, formal verification, parallel algorithms, and their applications in software engineering and bioengineering. He emphasizes practical formal methods, such as SCC algorithms and timed automata analysis, to solve complex computational challenges. Awards: Best Paper Award SPIN 2017 (2017) Best Student Paper Award (2018) Advising & Grants: Supervised 12 students and contributed to collaborative projects in formal methods and computational biology. His research has been applied to areas like cartilage phenotype modeling and parallel algorithm design. Labs/Teams: Engages with interdisciplinary teams, including computational biology and distributed systems groups, to advance formal methods in practical contexts.
National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer ScienceNetherlands
Jop Briët is a Researcher at the Department of Algorithms and Complexity at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in the Netherlands. His work focuses on theoretical computer science, quantum information theory, combinatorics, and tensor analysis. He has held grants including the Veni Innovational Research Grant from NWO and a Rubicon fellowship. He has authored over 50 publications in leading venues, exploring topics such as Grothendieck inequalities, quantum computing, and additive combinatorics. His research interests span the interplay between combinatorics and computational complexity, with particular emphasis on tensor analysis, probabilistic methods, and algorithm design. Recent work includes studies on Szemerédi’s theorem with random differences and the application of quantum query algorithms to entanglement-based problems. Awards: Outstanding paper award TQC (2020), Andreas Bonn medal (2013), Stieltjesprijs (2011). Professional Activities: Editor for ERCIM News, Board Member of Koninklijk Wiskundig Genootschap, and frequent invited speaker at workshops on quantum computing and combinatorics. Grants: Veni Grant (2014), Rubicon Fellowship (2012). Current teaching includes courses on Additive Combinatorics and Quantum Information Processing, reflecting his commitment to bridging foundational theory with advanced applications in computing and mathematics.
Marc C.W. Geilen is an Associate Professor at the Electronic Systems group , Eindhoven University of Technology. He leads the Model-Based Design Lab and contributes to the CompSOC Lab and High Tech Systems Center . His work focuses on model-based design methods, design automation, and optimization for real-time and embedded systems. Research Keywords: Cyber-Physical Systems, Real-Time Systems, Embedded Systems, Performance Analysis, Design Automation Key Collaborations: EU ECSEL TRANSACT project, SAM-FMS project, Arrowhead Tools initiative His recent publications address weakly-hard timing constraints in server-based systems, hybrid performance modeling for cyber-physical systems, and neural network optimization for communication. Article trends span Real-Time Scheduling , Trustworthy Modeling , Neural Network Efficiency , and Resource Allocation in distributed environments. Scientific Awards : Partial-Order Reduction for Performance Analysis (2018) Teaching activities include courses in Computational Modeling , Embedded Signal Processing , and Discrete Mathematics . He collaborates across projects like TRANSACT, SAM-FMS, and Arrowhead Tools, focusing on flexible manufacturing and cloud-to-edge transitions.
Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law EnforcementNetherlands
Virginia Pallante is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR) since 2020, specializing in ethological analysis of human behavior within criminological contexts. Previously, she served as a Research Fellow at the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Italy (2017-2019), bridging biological and social sciences through observational methodologies. Her educational background includes a PhD in Biology from the University of Florence, Italy (2017), with a focus on anthropology, and a Master's in Biology from the University of Parma, Italy (2013). PhD: Biology, Department of Anthropology, University of Florence (2017) MA: Biology, Department of Bioscience, University of Parma (2013) Dr. Pallante's research integrates ethology with criminology to develop innovative observational frameworks for analyzing real-world human interactions. Her work centers on video-based ethological methods to decode conflict dynamics, aggression triggers, and de-escalation patterns in public spaces, police-civilian encounters, and retail environments. She pioneers the adaptation of animal behavior concepts—such as ethograms and signal analysis—to human social contexts, emphasizing ecological validity through covert observation and bodycam footage analysis. This interdisciplinary approach reveals how biological principles inform security practices and social tension resolution. Her publication trends demonstrate a cohesive trajectory from primatology to human conflict analysis, with increasing focus on digital data applications since 2022. Key fields include ethological methodology refinement (35% of works), police-civilian interaction dynamics (25%), digital behavioral analysis (20%), and cross-species communication models (15%). The research consistently applies biological frameworks to criminological problems, with growing emphasis on bias detection in law enforcement and real-time behavioral coding systems. Dr. Pallante actively contributes to scientific communities as a member of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) and the Italian Primatological Association (API). Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) Italian Primatological Association (API) She serves as a science communication advisor for MUSE Science Museum in Trento, Italy, translating complex behavioral research for public engagement. Her methodological innovations in video observation support evidence-based policing strategies and conflict management training programs developed in collaboration with Dutch law enforcement agencies.
Jean Wagemans is a Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Humanities, where he leads research in the Department of Speech Communication, Argumentation Theory and Rhetoric. His work specializes in the interdisciplinary study of argumentative discourse, bridging philosophy, linguistics, and computational analysis. He maintains an active research profile with recent publications exploring AI-generated argumentation, legal/medical discourse, and digital misinformation. Wagemans' research centers on argumentation theory, rhetoric, and debate, with emphasis on practical applications in AI ethics, healthcare communication, and public discourse. His recent investigations include: Developing computational models like Adpositional Argumentation (AdArg) for natural discourse analysis Examining ethical frameworks for AI-generated arguments Creating argument-checking methodologies to combat misinformation Analyzing normative structures in public deliberation His scholarly publications (2022-2024) demonstrate a distinct trajectory toward computational argumentation, with recurring themes of AI ethics, misinformation detection, and applied discourse analysis. Recent works systematically address: The intersection of argumentation theory with AI systems Methodologies for evaluating reasoning in natural language Cross-disciplinary applications in law, medicine, and digital humanities
Dr. Aurelien Baillon is a Professor of Economics of Uncertainty at the Erasmus School of Economics , Erasmus University Rotterdam, specializing in the Department of Applied Economics . His research focuses on individual decision-making under risk and ambiguity, combining empirical and theoretical approaches to understand probability elicitation and expert opinion aggregation. Key research areas: Behavioral Economics, Risk Attitudes, Bayesian Modeling Major projects: Bayesian Markets , Personal Model of Trumpery , Malakoff Humanis Chair His recent publications explore ambiguity theories , cybersecurity decision-making , and linguistic deception detection . Notable grants include the ERC Starting Grant (2016) and NWO Vidi Grant (2014). Collaborations span institutions like BRiO , HITS Institute , and GATE . The Datavisualization project with Alice Havrileck demonstrates his interdisciplinary approach to uncertainty analysis.
Renata Medeiros de Carvalho is an Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Process Analytics and EAISI Health groups. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Federal University of Pernambuco (Brazil), an MSc and BSc in Computer Engineering from University of Pernambuco, and has conducted postdoctoral research at UQAM (Canada). Her research focuses on adaptive and declarative business processes, with particular emphasis on healthcare and data privacy. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Federal University of Pernambuco (2015) MSc in Computer Engineering, University of Pernambuco BSc in Computer Engineering, University of Pernambuco Research Interests: Flexible business processes and Process Mining Declarative modeling (e.g., OCBC language) Healthcare process optimization GDPR compliance frameworks Key Projects: PATIENCE 2 : Patient-centric healthcare through nomadic sensing BPR4GDPR : GDPR compliance toolkit Awards: Xerox University Affairs Committee Grant NSERC Engage Grant Teaching & Leadership: Local coordinator for EIT Digital Data Science and Erasmus Mundus BDMA master programs Teaches courses like Advanced Process Mining and DBL Data Challenge
Prof. Wan Fokkink is a Full Professor in Theoretical Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and holds a part-time position as Professor of Model-Based System Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His research focuses on distributed systems, formal analysis of protocols, and supervisory control synthesis. He leads the Theoretical Computer Science group at VU and has authored three influential textbooks: Introduction to Process Algebra , Modelling Distributed Systems , and Distributed Algorithms: An Intuitive Approach . Education: MSc in Mathematics (University of Amsterdam, 1990) and PhD in Computer Science (University of Amsterdam, 1994). Postdoctoral work at Utrecht University and lectureship at Swansea University preceded his leadership roles at CWI (2001–2004) and VU (since 2004). Teaching includes courses on logic, concurrency, and distributed algorithms. He is editor of Logical Methods in Computer Science and co-founder of the Electronic Proceedings in Theoretical Computer Science . Active in professional organizations: co-founder of IFIP WG 1.8 (Concurrency Theory) and steering committee member of the CONCUR conference. Research interests span formal verification, concurrency theory, and practical applications of supervisory control in engineering systems (e.g., traffic management, ship locks). His work aligns with sustainable development goals through contributions to reliable system design and optimization. Recent articles explore model-based specification, distributed control under communication delays, and tools like Eclipse ESCET for supervisory control synthesis. Collaborations span international teams in Europe and beyond.
Dr. Matias Valdenegro Toro is an Assistant Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Groningen within the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Artificial Intelligence department of the Bernoulli Institute. He holds a PhD from Heriot-Watt University (2019) and a Master's in Autonomous Systems from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (2014). His research focuses on trustworthy machine learning models , particularly in uncertainty quantification , medical AI , and robotics , with applications in computer vision and explainable AI. He teaches courses like Introduction to Machine Learning and Deep Learning at the Bachelor and Master levels. His work emphasizes robustness in AI systems, including uncertainty estimation for medical applications, super-resolution techniques, and neuromorphic robotics. He has published widely on topics like Bayesian neural networks, prompt tuning, and sanity checks for explanations. Notable awards include Best Reviewer at ICML (2024) and Highlighted Reviewer at ICLR (2022). He collaborates with institutions like the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and actively contributes to open-source datasets (e.g., the Japanese Uncertain Scenes Dataset ). Key grants and activities include organizing the ENLIGHT BIP Course on Deep Learning for Forestry and teaching at the European Summer School on AI . His research also addresses regulatory challenges like the EU AI Act's implications for uncertainty quantification in general-purpose AI.
Auke E. Hoekstra is a University Researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology, working within the Mechanical Engineering faculty and specifically the Control Systems Technology department. He serves as founder and director of the NEON research program focused on accelerating the transition to zero emission energy and mobility. Hoekstra is affiliated with both the EIRES Research institute and Group Steinbuch. His research focuses on designing interactive multi-level agent-based digital twins that can capture and represent complex adaptive social-technical systems. He applies these models to policymaking in low carbon energy, electric mobility, meat replacements, and precision agriculture. His domain expertise includes CO2 emissions and charging infrastructure of electric vehicles, learning curves of renewable technologies, and creating interactive models for policymakers. Hoekstra's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on energy transition pathways, electric mobility systems, and policy frameworks for decarbonization. His work combines technical analysis with practical policy recommendations, particularly in the areas of electric vehicle adoption, renewable energy systems, and sustainable transportation infrastructure. His research often addresses real-world challenges in implementing climate solutions. As an educator and public intellectual, Hoekstra has given numerous keynote speeches, including at the EVS 35 conference in Oslo. He is scheduled to teach a course titled 'The Energy Transition: A Roadmap to a Cleaner & Smarter Energy System' beginning September 2025. He is particularly active in public discourse, with 116 media appearances where he provides expert commentary, especially on electric vehicle technology and policy. Hoekstra is a well-known advocate for electric vehicles and solar energy, frequently engaging in public debate and fact-checking misinformation, which has earned him the Twitter nickname 'debunker in chief.' His work contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action, sustainable cities, and affordable clean energy.
Cristina Batista Paulino is an Associate Professor and Head of the cryo-EM unit at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering. She leads the Enzymology group within the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology department. Her research focuses on structural biology, particularly membrane proteins and cryo-electron microscopy, elucidating transport mechanisms in membrane proteins. Education: PhD in Biophysics (2014, Max-Planck Institute under Prof. Werner Kühlbrandt), postdoc at the University of Zurich (Prof. Raimund Dutzler). Joined the University of Groningen as an Assistant Professor in 2017, promoted to Associate Professor thereafter. Research Interests: Structural-functional studies of membrane transporters and channels, cryo-EM applications in membrane biology, and protein-lipid interactions. Key projects include understanding the structure-function relationship in ABC transporters and ion channels. Grants & Awards: ENW-KLEIN grant (2021, €700k) for OpuA transporter research, NVBMB Prize 2020, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (2017). Labs/Teams: Heads the cryo-EM facility, collaborates with the Electron Microscopy Group and Membrane Enzymology Group.
Mitra Nasri is an Assistant Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology, affiliated with the College of Engineering's Department of Electrical Engineering. She contributes to the High Tech Systems Center and EAISI Foundational, focusing on interconnected resource-aware intelligent systems. Research Focus: Real-Time Systems, Scheduling Algorithms, Embedded Systems, Fault-Tolerant Computing, and Cyber-Physical Systems. Key Contributions: Development of scheduling frameworks for multi-rate task chains, response-time analysis techniques, and containerization strategies for real-time distributed applications. Her recent work includes advancements in weakly-hard timing constraints, parallel global scheduling, and cloud integration for embedded systems. She actively collaborates on projects like SAM-FMS and COMP4DRONES. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award - RTAS 2022 Best Paper Award - RTNS 2016 Outstanding Paper Awards at RTAS 2017, 2022 and RTSS 2020 She teaches courses in Real-Time Systems, Operating Systems, and Automotive Software, and participates in organizing conferences like Embedded Systems Week and CompSys.
