Sebastijan Dumancic is an Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology, focusing on neuro-symbolic AI through program synthesis and probabilistic programming. He leads the RAIL lab and collaborates with institutions like Harvard, MIT, and CNRS. His research bridges symbolic AI and machine learning, applying program synthesis to scientific discovery, transportation, and robotics. He holds an FWO-funded PhD from KU Leuven and has participated in initiatives like ELLIS and the Symbolic Computation and Machine Learning Initiative. Program synthesis Probabilistic programming Neuro-symbolic AI Constraint-based learning His recent articles highlight advancements in program synthesis, neuro-symbolic integration, and constraint satisfaction. Projects like Find2Fix and Intelligent Greenhouse Horticulture (funded by NWO) demonstrate practical applications. ELLIS Membership University Teaching Qualification He supervises numerous MSc and PhD students in projects involving logic programming, program synthesis, and probabilistic modeling. Active in workshops and symposia, he contributes to neuro-symbolic AI and scientific discovery.
Associate Professor Fengling Han is affiliated with RMIT University's School of Computing Technologies in Melbourne, Australia. He holds the rank of Associate Professor since January 2022. His research focuses on complex networks, industrial electronics, AI/machine learning, and network security. Notable contributions include steganography frameworks for healthcare data, sliding mode control for energy systems, and blockchain applications in surveillance and voting systems. His work spans interdisciplinary areas such as renewable energy integration, battery management systems, and privacy-preserving recommendation systems. He has supervised numerous projects, including AI-driven chatbots, medical imaging watermarking, and peer-to-peer energy trading systems. Han's service roles include conference reviewing and committee memberships in international conferences like IEEE and ISMST. Research Interests: His expertise spans electrical engineering, control systems, and AI applications. Key areas include battery management, cybersecurity, and smart manufacturing. Recent projects emphasize Industry 5.0 technologies, blockchain for data integrity, and deep learning for steganalysis. Teaching and Supervision: Teaches network security, data communication, and IT infrastructure. Current supervision includes AI-powered business modeling, medical imaging tampering detection, and renewable energy sharing systems. Over 14 research projects are documented, reflecting his interdisciplinary impact. Awards and Recognition: While specific awards are not listed, his extensive publications (over 150 outputs) and high citation counts (e.g., 119 citations for the Industry 5.0 survey) highlight his scholarly contributions.
Sean O'Rourke is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on probability, random matrix theory, and random polynomials. He has organized multiple workshops and minisymposia, including events at the Canadian Discrete and Algorithmic Mathematics Conference (CanaDAM) and ICERM, demonstrating his active role in academic community engagement. His research spans spectral properties of random matrices (e.g., singular values, elliptic matrices, Laplacian matrices), probabilistic behavior of polynomial roots under operations like differentiation and summation, and applications of free probability theory. Recent work includes universal behavior in eigenvalue gaps, non-Hermitian matrix controllability, and asymptotic refinements of classical theorems for random polynomials. Publications highlight collaborations with researchers such as Andrew Campbell, Kyle Luh, David Renfrew, and Van Vu. His work appears in leading journals like Annals of Probability , Electronic Journal of Probability , and Transactions of the American Mathematical Society , covering topics from Gaussian fluctuations to low-rank perturbations and noncommutative harmonic analysis.
Dr. Haiyan Liu is an Associate Professor of Quantitative Methods, Measurement, and Statistics in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of California, Merced, within the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts. She earned her Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Notre Dame (2018). Her research focuses on advanced statistical modeling of psychological and educational data, including high-dimensional, longitudinal, and social network data. She develops Bayesian methodologies and machine learning techniques to enhance understanding of human behavior, with recent emphasis on structural equation modeling, network dynamics, and nonparametric growth curves. Her work addresses challenges in survey methodology and behavioral data analysis. Dr. Liu’s educational background includes a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Notre Dame (2018), complementing her current academic role. Her lab, accessible at https://sites.google.com/view/ucmhaiyanliu , supports her research activities. Her research interests span Bayesian SEM, social network analysis, and applications of machine learning to behavioral data, aiming to bridge methodological innovation with practical psychological inquiry. Her recent articles highlight advancements in Bayesian model selection, longitudinal sentiment analysis, and social network mediation. She emphasizes prior specification rigor in Bayesian frameworks and explores nonlinear relationships in social dynamics. Though no awards are explicitly listed, her contributions to statistical methodologies in psychological research reflect significant scholarly impact. Dr. Liu advises students in quantitative methods and has developed software tools like logistic4p for misclassification correction in logistic regression. Her work integrates computational methods with theoretical advancements, positioning her as a key contributor to modern quantitative psychology.
Dr. Danial Chitnis is a Chancellor's Fellow and Lecturer in Electronics at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. He holds a DPhil in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford (2013) and has expertise in microelectronics, biomedical engineering, and quantum imaging. His research focuses on SPAD arrays, time-of-flight sensors, and wearable optical systems for biomedical applications. Education: BSc in Electronics Engineering, Chamran University of Ahvaz (2002–2007) MSc in Advanced Microelectronics Systems Engineering, University of Bristol (2007–2008) DPhil in Engineering Science, University of Oxford (2009–2013) Research Interests: Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays for optical communications and biomedical imaging Quantum-enhanced imaging via QuantIC Hub Wearable sensors for near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) AI-driven automation in test and measurement systems Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes AI integration in electronics design, photon-counting receivers for 6G networks, and portable biomedical devices. Notable contributions include SYCL-based acceleration of circuit simulations and FPGA-driven time-to-digital converters. Grants & Collaborations: Principal Investigator of multiple grants, including EPSRC-funded projects on AI-enhanced human-machine interfaces and quantum technology applications. Collaborates with UCL, QuantIC, and industry partners like Keysight Technologies. Labs/Teams: Co-investigator at QuantIC, the UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Enhanced Imaging. Leads interdisciplinary research on detector arrays and systems for quantum physics and consumer cameras.
Dr. Zhibao Mian is a Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of Hull, UK, and previously held an Associate Professor position at Northwest Normal University. He specializes in trustworthy AI, machine learning, and intelligent maintenance systems. His research integrates AI with IoT, blockchain, and digital twins in Industry 4.0/5.0 contexts. He leads projects on predictive maintenance for offshore wind turbines and AI-driven sustainable energy solutions. Dr. Mian holds a PhD from the University of Hull and an MSc from the University of Nottingham. Research interests include AI ethics, model-based safety analysis, and RCM. He has secured grants such as the CPHC-funded study on AI in software education and oversees multiple PhD scholarships. Notable roles include Editorial Board member of the American Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Reviewer for high-impact journals/conferences like JSS and IEEE. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and received the Royal Academy of Engineering's 2024 Exceptional Talent designation. Recent publications (2023-2025) focus on ordinal networks, outlier detection, Belt and Road trade analysis, and carbon emissions modeling. He actively advises PhD students on topics like UAV-based anomaly detection and predictive maintenance frameworks.
Felix Xiaozhu Lin serves as Associate Professor and William Wulf Faculty Fellow in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied Science, where he directs the Computer Science Ph.D. Program and MCS/MS Program. Previously a tenured Associate Professor at Purdue University's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lin joined UVA Engineering in August 2020 after completing his doctoral research at Rice University. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Rice University (2014) M.S. in Computer Science, Tsinghua University (2008) B.S. in Automation, Tsinghua University (2006) Lin's research centers on systems software at the intersection of operating systems, compilers, and computer architecture, with emphasis on accelerating and safeguarding software systems. His current projects target on-device large language models and speech processing for low-cost hardware ( Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in edge computing and efficient AI systems. His research demonstrates increasing focus on hardware-software co-design for autonomous devices, with significant contributions in video analytics for energy-constrained cameras, kernel virtualization for heterogeneous architectures, and stream processing frameworks leveraging emerging memory technologies. The work consistently addresses real-world constraints like power limitations and network intermittency while maintaining rigorous academic standards. His scientific recognition includes: National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2019) Google Faculty Research Award (2016) NSF CISE Research Initiation Initiative Award (2015) ACM ASPLOS Best Paper Award (2014) Lin leads the XSEL research group mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in systems software development. His educational initiatives include CS4414/CS6456, a modern operating systems course featuring Arm64 baremetal kernel development, multicore systems, trusted execution environments, and filesystem forensics. The course's experiential approach has received strong student feedback for its modern content and practical relevance. His group actively recruits for projects spanning on-device AI, hardware-accelerated speech processing, and next-generation OS development. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Lin's research benefits from UVA's proximity to Shenandoah National Park and collaborative opportunities within the university's vibrant computing ecosystem, including the 2024 LLM Workshop he co-organized with Professor Yangfeng Ji.
Loris D'Antoni is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) . He is also a Visiting Academic at Amazon Web Services (AWS) . His research focuses on helping people write trustworthy software through techniques in program synthesis, formal verification, and machine learning robustness. Bachelor and Master in Computer Science from University of Torino (2008, 2010) PhD in Computer Science from University of Pennsylvania (2015) His research integrates programming languages , automata theory , and formal methods to ensure software reliability. Recent work explores semantics-guided synthesis and specification-aligned LLMs , with applications in network security, machine learning fairness, and automated code repair. Key trends in his publications include program synthesis , formal verification , and trustworthy AI systems . He has contributed to tools like AutomataTutor and SemGuS , a framework for customizable synthesis problems using constrained Horn clauses. Phillip R. Certain-Gary D. Sandefur Distinguished Faculty Award NSF CAREER Award Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship Google and Facebook Faculty Awards Best Paper Award at ICDCN 2023 Distinguished Paper Award at SBES 2021 D'Antoni actively contributes to academic community service as a committee member in PLDI , OOPSLA , POPL , and CAV . He leads the Programming Systems Group at UCSD and collaborates with SemGuS research team on synthesis frameworks.
Jordan Etkin is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, specializing in studies of goal pursuit, motivation, and time management. She explores how goal structures, variety in activities, and personal quantification impact behavior and well-being. Her research bridges consumer behavior, psychology, and decision science, with frequent publications in top-tier journals like the Journal of Consumer Research and Journal of Marketing Research. Education: PhD (Year not specified, but teaches since 2013) Her research interests focus on the interplay between goals and personal resources (e.g., time), including unintended consequences of tracking behaviors like step-counting. Key themes include motivation dynamics, goal conflict resolution, and temporal resource allocation. She frequently engages with popular media, appearing in outlets like the New York Times and BBC. Recent work (2020–2024) highlights topics such as time limits paradoxically increasing consumption, variety’s role in goal conflict, and machine learning’s applications in behavioral research. Her 2019 JCR Award underscores scholarly impact. Awards: 2019 JCR Awards Announcements (Recipient) Teaching responsibilities include the Marketing Core class for Fuqua’s MBA program. While no lab teams are explicitly mentioned, her research themes suggest collaborative work in behavioral science and consumer studies.
Chuanhai Liu is an Associate Head and Professor of Statistics at Purdue University’s Department of Statistics. He specializes in computational methods for statistical inference, Bayesian analysis, and big data computing systems. His research emphasizes robust algorithms, inferential models, and probabilistic methods. Education: M.S., Wuhan University, Probability and Statistics (1987) M.A., Harvard University, Statistics (1990) Ph.D., Harvard University, Statistics (1994) Research Interests: Computational methods (EM algorithms, MCMC), statistical software systems for big data, theoretical foundations of inference, and prior-free probabilistic modeling. His work bridges computational efficiency and statistical validity, with applications in network analysis, environmental data, and machine learning. Awards: Fellow of the American Statistical Association (2007) Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute (2006) Frank Wilcoxon Prize (2000) Advising & Grants: Supervised 9 Ph.D. students, including interdisciplinary collaborations. His grants focus on distributed statistical computing and inferential frameworks. Active in software development for large-scale data analysis. Labs/Teams: Leads statistical computing initiatives at Purdue, contributing to scalable algorithms and probabilistic inference systems.
Prof. Dr. Biliana Yontcheva is Professor of Economics at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, specializing in Health Economics and Empirical Methods. Her research explores market outcomes through spatial econometrics, price transmission dynamics, and competition analysis across diverse sectors including healthcare, gasoline markets, and professional services. Focus on empirical modeling of market structures Expertise in spatial competition and entry models Key contributions to understanding asymmetric cost pass-through Analyzes consumer information effects on pricing Recent publications examine market delineation methodologies , vertical integration impacts , and income inequality-product variety relationships . Collaborates with researchers across Europe on topics like transition economy dynamics and regulatory frameworks. The team includes academic assistant Birte Stadtlich at the Economics Department.
Romdhane Rekaya serves as a Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science within the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. He also holds courtesy faculty positions in the Department of Statistics and is an associate faculty member with the Institute of Bioinformatics at UGA. His research program focuses on developing statistical and computational tools for analyzing large genetic and genomic datasets with applications in livestock, poultry, and human health. Dr. Rekaya's educational background includes: Agriculture Engineer from the High Institute of Agriculture, Tunisia Master of Science from the International Center for Advanced Studies in Mediterranean Agriculture of Zaragoza, Spain Ph.D. from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain Dr. Rekaya's research interests span quantitative genetics, genomics, biostatistics, and bioinformatics. His work centers on developing statistical and computational methodologies for analyzing big genetic and genomic data sets with practical applications in livestock, poultry, and human health. His research has been particularly focused on addressing critical challenges in animal agriculture including horn fly resistance in beef cattle, water utilization efficiency in poultry, and greenhouse gas emissions in dairy production. His methodological approaches often integrate machine learning, Bayesian statistics, and genomic technologies to solve complex biological problems. Dr. Rekaya's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on statistical methodology development for genetic analysis, with recent work increasingly emphasizing practical applications of genomic technologies in animal agriculture. His research spans both theoretical statistical development and practical implementation in livestock improvement programs, with particular emphasis on innovative approaches to traditional breeding challenges. Among his professional recognitions: Student Career Success Influencer Award 2024 Mini-Sabbatical Award Student Career Success Influencer Award 2022 Carnegie fellowship Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow Faculty with significant positive impact of at least one graduate student Gamma Sigma Delta outstanding Research Achievements Award Dr. Rekaya has successfully mentored numerous graduate students including PhD candidates Amanda Warner, Mahsa Zare, Koushik Das, and Evan Hartono, along with undergraduate researchers. His research has been consistently supported by major funding agencies including USDA NIFA, USDA ARS, Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef, National Academy of Sciences, and industry partners including Tyson Foods and Cobb-Vantress. Current projects include developing genetic solutions to the horn fly problem in beef cattle, improving water utilization efficiency in poultry, and examining associations between greenhouse gas emissions and feed efficiency in dairy cattle. Dr. Rekaya leads an active research laboratory that collaborates with multiple departments and institutions. His lab focuses on applying advanced statistical and computational methods to solve pressing problems in animal agriculture, with particular emphasis on integrating genomic information into practical breeding programs. The lab maintains strong industry connections and international collaborations, particularly with researchers in Africa through the African Animal Breeding Network.
Dr. Richard Y. Zhao is a tenured Professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research combines molecular biology, fission yeast genetics, mammalian biology, and virology to study virus-host interactions, particularly for HIV and Zika virus. He previously held academic positions at Northwestern University and Columbia University and has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed articles. B.S., China Oceanography University (1981) M.S., Oregon State University (1995) Ph.D., Oregon State University (1991) Postdoctoral Training, Columbia University (1991-1992) Dr. Zhao's research focuses on: Virus-host interactions and pathogenicity High-throughput drug screening for antivirals Role of viral proteins in neuroinflammation and cancer Translational genomics in precision medicine His recent publications highlight SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, Zika envelope proteins, and HIV protease inhibitors, emphasizing host-pathogen mechanisms across species. He has served on NIH panels and editorial boards for journals like Cell Research and Retrovirology . Scientific awards include: Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2019) Bernard L Mirkin Endowed Chair (2001-2004) Honorary Director, Shandong Gallo Institute (2009) Distinguished Service from SCBA (2015) Outstanding Service from CBA-USA (2016) Dr. Zhao also contributes to clinical diagnostics and personalized medicine through molecular testing and pharmacogenetics programs.
James S. Duncan is the Ebenezer K. Hunt Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Yale University, with additional appointments in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Radiology & Biomedical Imaging. His research focuses on biomedical image processing, quantitative image analysis using geometrical models, and applications in cardiac function and neuro-structure analysis. He has pioneered image-guided interventions and developed computational frameworks for medical imaging challenges. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. His work integrates AI, deep learning, and statistical decision-making to advance medical imaging technologies. Notable contributions include advancements in 3D image segmentation, deformable models, and MRI-based tumor response assessment. Dr. Duncan has received prestigious awards, including IEEE Fellow (2001) and induction into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2000). His recent research spans AI-driven hemodynamics modeling, trustworthy healthcare AI guidelines, and molecular MRI innovations in immunotherapy monitoring. He collaborates across disciplines to address challenges in cardiovascular, neuroimaging, and oncological applications.
Will Perkins is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at Georgia Institute of Technology. Previously, he held faculty positions at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Birmingham (UK), and was an NSF Postdoc at Georgia Tech. He earned his PhD in 2011 from New York University's Courant Institute under Joel Spencer. His research focuses on algorithms, statistical physics, and discrete mathematics, particularly exploring algorithmic tractability of random computational problems, statistical physics spin models, and combinatorial methods derived from algorithmic intuition. Research Interests : Algorithms, statistical physics, combinatorics, phase transitions, random graphs, and Gibbs measures. His work bridges theoretical computer science and statistical mechanics, addressing questions about sampling, phase coexistence, and algorithmic barriers. Recent Activities : Director of the Algorithms and Randomness Center at Georgia Tech, Managing Editor of Combinatorial Theory , and Associate Editor of Random Structures and Algorithms and SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics . Upcoming engagements include the Rocky Mountain Summer Workshop (2024), Park City Mathematics Institute (2024), and conferences on Random Structures and Algorithms (2025). Teaching : Courses include Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CS 3510), Advanced Algorithms (CS 4540), and specialized topics like Statistical Physics in Algorithms and Combinatorics (CS 8803). He has taught across institutions, including at the University of Birmingham and University of Illinois at Chicago. Key Contributions : His work on phase transitions in combinatorial structures, algorithmic sampling in statistical physics models, and rigorous analysis of Gibbs measures has been published in top venues like FOCS, STOC, and Communications in Mathematical Physics. Notable results include hardness of sampling for anti-ferromagnetic Ising models and novel contour methods for Pirogov-Sinai theory.
