Roger-Bruno Richard is a full professor at the School of Architecture, Université de Montréal, since 1976 (half-time until 1989). He specializes in industrialized construction systems, focusing on affordable high-quality architecture and adaptability without demolition. His research includes four 'Load-Bearing Service Core' systems, passive solar prototypes, and large-scale projects in Asia, Africa, and North America. He served as Director of the School of Architecture (1989–1999) and held administrative roles including Canadian representative at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA, 1997–2000). Research highlights include his internationally recognized generic classification of industrialized building systems (published in four key volumes) and a JSPS Research Fellowship at the University of Tokyo (2007). Awards include the 2015 University of Montreal Excellence Prize for Internationalization and a 1976 winning project for 3,000 housing units in Bandar Abbas, Iran. He has supervised PhD and Master’s students on industrialized strategies and has collaborated globally, including at Hong Kong University and Suzhou University of Science and Technology. His work bridges architectural innovation, sustainability, and cross-cultural applications.
Vicenç Gómez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), where he leads research in artificial intelligence and machine learning. He serves as Coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Artificial Intelligence and the MSc program in Intelligent and Interactive Systems, and teaches in the BSc in Mathematical Engineering in Data Science. His research interests include machine learning, approximate inference, optimal control, and complex networks , with applications in social networks, robotics, brain-computer interfaces, and urban systems. He applies advanced AI techniques to model human behavior, network dynamics, and decision-making processes. The recent publications highlight a strong focus on graph-based learning, reinforcement learning, social network analysis, and health informatics . His work integrates theoretical advances in probabilistic modeling with real-world applications in digital platforms, environmental monitoring, and mental health. There is a consistent theme of modeling complex systems through structured AI and interpretable models. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Coordinator of the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Artificial Intelligence Local Chair of UAI 2024, a top-tier conference in AI Program Committee member for ICAPS 2024 Organizer of the EMAI Summer School in collaboration with UCL Advising and Grants: Vicenç Gómez actively supervises PhD and Master's students, including Nur Alvarez-Gonzalez, Roger Garriga, Emily Theophilou, and Sergio Calo. His advising spans topics in emotion detection, mental health modeling, air quality prediction, and representation learning. He has been involved in organizing major academic events and leading international educational programs, indicating significant leadership and collaborative grant activity. Labs and Research Groups: He is a key member of the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning group at UPF’s Department of Engineering, based at the Roc Boronat building in Barcelona. His team engages in interdisciplinary research combining AI theory with applications in social, health, and urban domains.
Jekan Thanga is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona’s College of Engineering, with a joint appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering and status as a Member of the Graduate Faculty. He is the Head of the Space and Terrestrial Robotic Exploration (SpaceTREx) Laboratory and leads the NASA-supported ASTEROIDS Laboratory, focusing on innovative robotic systems for space and planetary exploration. Dr. Thanga earned his B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science (Aerospace) from the University of Toronto and his Ph.D. in space robotics from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT’s Field and Space Robotics Laboratory (FSRL) and gained industry experience at MDA Space Missions, working on the Canadarm and Orbital Express programs. His research is centered on autonomous robotic systems, including CubeSats, swarms, and sensor networks, for exploring extreme environments such as asteroids, lava tubes, and planetary surfaces. He employs multi-disciplinary optimization and bio-inspired neuro-evolutionary methods to design high-performance, unconventional robotic systems. His work spans propulsion, power, communications, and control, with applications in interplanetary missions, on-orbit servicing, and lunar/asteroid resource utilization. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong trend toward autonomous systems for lunar and planetary construction, swarm-based exploration, inflatable and deployable structures, propulsion innovation (including solar thermal and steam systems), and cislunar surveillance. His team is advancing technologies for the Lunar Ark concept, lava tube exploration, debris avoidance, and in-situ construction using robot swarms and AI-driven design. Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award (2016) Tech Briefs Top 5 Award, Aerospace/Defense (2017) HeroX CubeSat Challenge Winner (2017) MBR Mars Settlement Challenge Winner (2018) NASA RASCAL Winner and Finalist (2021) NASA BIG Competition Top 10 and Collaboration Award (2020) ASEE Teaching Award (2019) Subject Matter Expert Fellowship, US Special Forces SOFWERX (2019) Multiple Best Student Paper and Presentation Awards (2017–2021) Dr. Thanga has graduated over 60 students who now hold leadership roles in aerospace, defense, and IT. He is the Engineering PI on two CubeSat missions: the US Air Force-funded SWIMSat and AOSAT-1, a CubeSat centrifuge laboratory. His lab, SpaceTREx, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and student-centric research, securing significant grants from NASA, NSF, and DoD. The lab is equipped with clean rooms, vacuum chambers, 3D printers, and air tables to support design, integration, and testing for extreme environments.
Bart Hengeveld is an Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology's Department of Industrial Design, specializing in the 'body language' of the Internet of Things and the role of sound in computational technologies. His research focuses on how embedded systems present themselves appropriately in human environments, with particular attention to tangible user interfaces (TUIs), social interaction design, and data embodiment. Academic Background: BSc/MSc in Industrial Design Engineering from Delft University of Technology (2003), PhD at TU/e (2011) Key Roles: Member of the ACM TEI Steering Committee, Program Chair of TEI’16 in Eindhoven Teaching: Awarded two Teacher of the Year titles, oversees courses like 'The Sound of Smart Things' and 'From Idea to Design' Research Interests emphasize sound as a communication medium for ubiquitous technologies, including projects on public displays for nursing homes (R2S system), pedestrian trajectory sonification, and embodied passwords. His work bridges design, computer science, and social sciences, with over 50 publications in venues like TEI, CHI, and Creativity & Cognition. Notable Projects: LOOP (physical data artifact), Slots-Memento (intergenerational storytelling), and LinguaBytes (language learning for toddlers) Awards: Multiple teaching accolades for innovative pedagogy Current affiliations include the Future Everyday research cluster and the Making With… group, exploring speculative design and embodied interaction paradigms.
Tuğçe Yüksel is an Assistant Professor at Sabanci University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, specializing in vehicle electrification and battery system design. She earned her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2015, following MSc and BSc degrees from Middle East Technical University. Research focus on battery thermal management, electric vehicle efficiency, and regional climate impacts on mobility systems Recipient of prestigious Fulbright Scholarship and Tubitak Returning Scientist Program Active in teaching energy systems and advanced vehicle technologies Contributions to transportation sustainability through computational modeling and policy analysis Her work bridges mechanical engineering principles with practical applications in sustainable mobility, supported by collaborations with institutions like Carnegie Mellon University's Vehicle Electrification Group. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholarship (2010-2012): Support for Ph.D. study in the United States Tubitak 2232 Returning Scientist Program (2016-2018): Comparative study of battery thermal management techniques Sabanci University Internal Research Grant (2017-2018): Cost and benefits of vehicle electrification in Turkey Advising & Funding: Currently seeking motivated students for projects in vehicle electrification and battery modeling. Has secured funding for research on thermal management impacts and regional climate effects on electric vehicle performance.
Ángel Llamazares Llamazares is a Researcher at the Department of Electronics, University of Alcalá. His work focuses on robotics, autonomous systems, and sensor fusion technologies. He is affiliated with the Robesafe (Service Robotics and e-Safety) and former INVETT (Intelligent Vehicles and Traffic Technologies) research groups. He earned his PhD in 2017 with the thesis Laser-based detection and tracking of moving obstacles to improve perception of unmanned ground vehicles , supervised by Dr. Manuel Ocaña. His research spans topics like SLAM algorithms, obstacle detection, autonomous vehicle perception, and human-robot interaction. Key research areas include autonomous driving systems, multimodal sensor fusion (LiDAR/camera/RADAR), driver activity recognition, and robotics education through competitions. He has explored applications in traffic management, elderly care via voice assistants, and explainable AI for decision-making. Notable contributions include game-theoretic models for electric vehicle charging, modular autonomous driving software architectures, and fusion techniques for HD map validation. His work bridges theoretical advancements with real-world applications in safety-critical systems. Awards: None explicitly listed. Grants: Focus on robotics competitions and university-driven projects. Labs/Teams: Active in Robesafe and INVETT groups, collaborating on robotics competitions like Eurobot Spain to foster skill development among students.
Dr. Tim Horeman is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Surgery & Translational Technology at Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, within the Department of Biomechanical Engineering. His work bridges mechanical engineering and surgical healthcare, focusing on the development of simpler, more elegant, and sustainable surgical instruments and implants. His research emphasizes accessibility, sustainability, and cost reduction in surgical technology. He designs modular systems where only disposable tips (e.g., gripping, cutting, or firing components) are replaced, minimizing waste and enabling global deployment of medical devices. Rather than developing entirely new robotic arms, he leverages off-the-shelf components and prioritizes intelligent, context-aware design to reduce overall system complexity. Collaboration is central to his approach. He works closely with clinical experts, including health ambassador David Abbink, on a joint project to develop and validate a sustainable, sterilizable, modular surgical robotic platform. His team includes eight PhD students—four with technical backgrounds and four from clinical practice—reflecting a strong integration of engineering and medical perspectives. Dr. Horeman advocates for engineers to understand clinical needs and communication dynamics in healthcare collaborations. He emphasizes that successful innovation must serve both patient outcomes and surgeon usability, with research impact measured not only in publications but in real-world adoption and improvement. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in the source text. Advising and Grants: Dr. Horeman supervises a diverse group of eight PhD candidates, equally split between technical and clinical backgrounds, indicating a strong commitment to interdisciplinary training. While specific grants are not listed, his research direction suggests funding likely related to sustainable healthcare technology, translational medical devices, and modular robotics, potentially supported by national or EU-level programs. Labs, Teams, and Research Groups: He leads a research team focused on sustainable surgery and translational technology, collaborating across engineering and clinical domains. His work is part of TU Delft’s broader health innovation initiative, engaging with medical professionals and contributing to the development of next-generation surgical tools that are functional, affordable, and environmentally responsible.
Davood B. Pourkargar is an Assistant Professor in the Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University (K-State), holding the Warren and Gisela Kennedy Keystone Research Scholar position. He joined K-State in 2020 after postdoctoral roles at the University of Minnesota and the University of Delaware, and industry experience at ExxonMobil. His research focuses on computational multiscale modeling, physics-informed machine learning, and optimization-based control of sustainable energy and chemical production systems. Key areas include advanced manufacturing, smart materials synthesis, and autonomous biomanufacturing, supported by grants from the NSF and industry. Education: Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering, 2015) from Penn State University; M.S. and B.S. (Chemical Engineering) from Sharif University of Technology (2010 and 2008). Research interests span cyber-physical systems, AI-driven process control, and renewable energy applications. His lab integrates computational tools with experimental validation, including robotic additive manufacturing and autonomous biomanufacturing. Recent work emphasizes resilient control of complex networks, adaptive design of experiments, and green ammonia production. Notable awards include the 2024 Carl R. Ice College Outstanding Assistant Professor Award and the NSF EPSCoR Fellowship. He holds senior membership in AIChE and affiliations with the Food Science Institute and Johnson Cancer Research Center at K-State.
Dr Bugra Alkan is a Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies , London South Bank University . With a PhD in Engineering from University of Warwick (2019), he has held postdoctoral positions at University of Bristol and University of Warwick . Academic Rank: Senior Lecturer Institutional Roles: Module Leader for Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Systems Cybersecurity Editorial Roles: Associate Editor for Industrial Robot and Heliyon , Editorial Board Member for MDPI Sensors and Frontier of Industrial Engineering Research focuses on smart manufacturing , collaborative robotics , and industrial AI with emphasis on cyber-physical production systems , digital twins , and Industry 5.0 . Key projects include: Data-driven Configuration Optimisation of CPPS AI-Enabled Digital Life-cycle Management Deep Learning-based Inline Quality Inspection Human-centric Collaborative Assembly 5.0 Scientific contributions include: Best Paper Awards at CIRP CATS 2016 and IATS’13 Over 40 peer-reviewed publications with h-index 16 Editorial leadership in Q1/Q2 journals Teaching responsibilities span artificial intelligence , cyber-physical systems , and statistical modeling at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Current research involves EU-funded TWIN-IT-ROMANS project (€1.76M) addressing robotics manufacturing systems.
Prof. Mohammad Ali Nasseri is a Professor of Surgical Robotics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Founding Director of the Medical Autonomy and Precision Surgery (MAPS) research group within the TUM School of Medicine and Health. He holds an adjunct professorship in the Department of Medical Engineering at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on surgical robotics, surgical intelligence, and medical AI, with key contributions in surgical mechatronics, medical imaging, and visualization. Nasseri leads the MAPS group, which develops advanced technologies for precision surgery and robotic systems. Notable achievements include coordinating the ForNeRo project (~EUR 2M) and receiving awards such as the Best Medical Robotics Paper Award (ICRA 2024 finalist), Best Short Paper (Medical Visualization VCBM 2019), and the Robot Dalen Innovation Award (2015). His work on robot-assisted microsurgery and real-time surgical monitoring systems has advanced medical robotics safety and precision. Education: Ph.D. in Engineering (details not specified). Affiliations: TUM School of Medicine and Health, MAPS Research Group, University of Alberta (adjunct). Research emphasizes interdisciplinary innovations at the intersection of robotics, AI, and healthcare, with a focus on translating technical advancements into clinical applications. Recent projects include Envibroscope for environmental motion monitoring and Colibri5 for vitreoretinal surgery tracking. Grants & Projects: Bavarian Research Foundation (ForNeRo), TUM excellence programs. Nasseri’s labs and teams collaborate internationally on surgical autonomy, precision surgery tools, and medical AI integration. His work bridges fundamental engineering research with clinical practice in minimally invasive procedures.
Sanjiban Choudhury is an Assistant Professor at Cornell University's Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science and a Machine Learning Researcher at Aurora. He leads the PoRTaL group, focusing on interactive AI agents that self-align through few-shot human interactions. His research emphasizes reinforcement learning (RLHF), imitation learning (IRL), and foundation models for robotics, planning, and code generation. Key achievements include receiving the 2025 ONR Young Investigator Award for multistep robot task learning, the OpenAI Superalignment Award (2024), and a Google Research Award for LLM-based planning. His group develops modular robotics foundation models (MOSAIC), earning best paper awards at ICRA 2024 workshops. Research projects aim to bridge AI language models with robotic execution, enabling robots to interpret manuals/videos and perform complex tasks like engine repairs in hazardous environments. Lab members include doctoral students Gonzalo Gonzalez, Yuki Wang, Kushal Kedia, and master’s student Prithwish Dan. Ongoing work focuses on task super-alignment, human-robot transfer learning, and open-source training models for the robotics community. Current funding supports developing robots capable of fluid, multi-step tasks through integrated AI systems.
Greg Formosa is a Lecturer in the Department of Robotics at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on mechanical design engineering for robotic medical devices, wheeled robot dynamics, and STEM education methodologies. He specializes in the design, fabrication, and control of medical robotics, particularly in endoscopic and gastrointestinal applications. His work emphasizes autonomous navigation systems, state estimation algorithms, and clinical validation of robotic platforms. Key contributions include the development of modular simulation tools like MESA and advancements in real-time navigation for medical robotics. Formosa also engages in pedagogical research to improve design engineering education. Publications span from 2010 to 2024, with a recent focus on autonomous endoscopy systems and robotic capsule design. Earlier work includes acoustics research in brass instruments, showcasing interdisciplinary interests.
Robert D. Gregg IV is a Professor at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the Robotics Department, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. He directs the Locomotor Control Systems Laboratory, focusing on control systems for robotic prostheses and orthoses. Research Interests: His work bridges legged robotics and rehabilitation engineering, emphasizing nonlinear control theory, biomechanics, and actuator design. Projects include $3M NIH-funded agile powered prosthetic legs and $1.7M NIH modular orthoses. Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (2006), UC Berkeley M.S. (2007) and Ph.D. (2010) in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Scientific Awards: NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (2013) NSF CAREER Award (2017) IEEE Senior Member (2016) Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award (2012) Grants & Leadership: Led multiple NIH and NSF grants, including a $3M NIH R01 renewal (2023) and $1.2M for humanoid actuator design (2023). Served as Robotics Graduate Chair and Program Chair for IROS 2023. Labs & Teams: Director of the interdisciplinary Locomotor Control Systems Laboratory, collaborating with the Ford Robotics Building and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Dr. Gordon Carlson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), Kansas. He holds a doctorate in New Media Communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has taught at institutions in Oregon, Chicago, Hawaii, and Kansas City. His work focuses on new media’s intersection with rhetoric, emphasizing interactive, collaborative, and virtual technologies. Education: Bachelor's and Master's in Communication, Oregon State University Doctorate in New Media Communication, University of Illinois at Chicago Research Interests: His research explores how new media disrupt and converge with rhetorical frameworks. He leads the Institute for New Media Studies , which develops transdisciplinary projects like 3D visualization tools for education (e.g., livestock anatomy, human brain structures) and immersive platforms for emergency training, campus navigation, and mascot-driven outreach. Projects include Tiger Range (3D campus modeling), Virtual Library (immersive library exploration), and Virtual Victor (synthetic mascot communication). Grants & Projects: Modular Smart Classroom (IMLS grant, $61,889, 2018) A-Star (robot concierge for library navigation) Labs/Teams: He directs the Institute for New Media Studies, which collaborates across disciplines to create innovative educational and communication technologies. The institute’s work spans VR applications, AI-driven avatars, and pedagogical tool development.
Lars De Laet is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architectural Engineering at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium, since October 2013. His research focuses on sustainable architectural engineering, including lightweight structures, biological materials, computational design methods, and robotic fabrication. He leads projects on mycelium-based materials and has contributed to national and EU initiatives like the European COST-Action on Structural Skins. He serves on the board of VUB and the Royal Flemish Academy’s Young Academy. Education: Architectural Engineering background. Research Interests: Sustainable construction, computational tools for structural design, bio-based materials, prototyping with (bio)materials, and robotic fabrication. Key Projects: MycoMatters (mycelium materials), House of Sustainable Transitions, and ReciPlyDome (modular structures). Awards: 2023 Outstanding Research Award, 2008 Tsuboi Award. Grants & Activities: Over 25 projects, including FP7 and H2020 grants. Active in conferences and exhibitions like I Love Science Festival. Labs/Teams: VUB’s Architectural Engineering Lab, collaborating with ULB and other institutions on mycelium and sustainable materials research.
