Alice Niemeyer is a Professor at the Algebra Teaching and Research Area of RWTH Aachen University , specializing in computational algebra, finite group theory, and interdisciplinary applications in civil engineering. She has co-authored over 30 publications in journals like PNAS Nexus , Linear Algebra and Its Applications , and International Journal of Solids and Structures , with recent work bridging abstract algebra and topological interlocking concrete systems. Research Interests : Finite groups, matrix decomposition algorithms, combinatorial design, and applications to sustainable construction. Key Collaborators : Cheryl Praeger, Tomasz Popiel, Wilhelm Plesken, Daniel Robertz, Reymond Akpanya. Notable Grants : Funding from the Simons Foundation for computational algebra research. Awards : No explicit awards mentioned in the provided text.
Antti Lehto is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture, Aalto University. His work focuses on sustainable and circular economy principles in architectural design. Research highlights include: Innovative material reuse strategies Low-carbon building concepts Flexible housing solutions Circular economy in urban planning Climate emergency-responsive design Recent publications explore topics like Design through Availability and The New Aesthetics of Circular Architecture , emphasizing resource efficiency and climate adaptation. Scientific awards: Wuorio award for best Master's Thesis (2024, 2025) Aalto Pioneering Excellence Award Honourable Mention (2024) for Closing Loops Pilot Shortlisted: Finnish Wood Awards (2023) for Postivarikko and Haagan Artturi He leads circular economy projects like the Closing Loops pilot, which involves constructing a warehouse in Helsinki using recycled materials to study their impact on design, cost, and carbon footprint.
Joseph Paat is an Associate Professor at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, with a strong focus on discrete optimization and integer programming. He is an associate member of the Computer Science department and affiliated with the Institute of Applied Mathematics. BS, Denison University MA, Wake Forest University PhD, Johns Hopkins University His research interests lie at the intersection of discrete optimization, integer programming, and theoretical mathematics, particularly exploring applications of topology, combinatorics, and number theory to optimization problems. He also integrates machine learning techniques into discrete optimization in his teaching and research. Recent publications highlight advancements in proximity bounds, flatness theorems, and algorithmic efficiency for integer programs, alongside theoretical contributions to unimodular hypergraphs, quadratic-free sets, and block-structured optimization. His work often involves collaborations across disciplines and institutions, including ETH Zürich and Deutsche Bahn. Associate Editor, Discrete Optimization (2022–present) Secretary (2022–2025) and Chair (2025–2026) of the Mixed Integer Programming Society Chair of the Organizing Committee, Mixed Integer Programming Workshop (2024) At UBC, Paat teaches courses such as Logistics and Operations Management , Advanced Topics in Optimization , and Discrete Optimization II , emphasizing modeling practices, integer programming, and machine learning integration. He previously taught at ETH Zürich and Johns Hopkins University. Joseph Paat actively participates in research collaborations, supervises graduate students, and contributes to professional service through editorial and organizational roles in optimization societies.
Nikolaos Efkolidis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Western Macedonia in the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering . He is a member of the Computational Design and Digital Fabrication Research Lab ( codeplus.uowm.gr ) and co-founder of the design studio heptahedron.studio . Research Focus : Computational design, digital fabrication, AI-driven optimization, and sustainable product development. Key Techniques : Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Genetic Algorithms, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Additive Manufacturing. His recent publications highlight trends in multi-material 3D printing , machine learning for machining processes , and user-driven customization . Applications span footwear, marine robotics, and industrial design.
Professor Phil McMinn is the School PGR Lead and head of the Testing Research Group at the University of Sheffield 's School of Computer Science . His research focuses on automated software testing , particularly addressing test flakiness, mutation analysis, and pseudo-tested code identification. Research Interests : Software testing, search-based software engineering, test oracles, test flakiness, mutation analysis Grants : EPSRC, Meta, RCUK Recent work includes empirical studies on test flakiness and mutation analysis for relational database schemas , with applications in autograding systems and Rust programming . He has published extensively in journals like IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering and ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology . Scientific awards include the Best Paper Award at SSBSE 2010 . Current PhD students include Owain Parry , Islam Elgendy , Zalán Lévai , Megan Maton , and Olek Osikowicz . His team collaborates on projects funded by EPSRC and industry partners.
Dr. Tiantai Deng is a Lecturer in Electronics and Digital Systems at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering , University of Sheffield (since 2021). His industrial background includes a senior research engineer role at HiSilicon/Huawei , where he focused on hardware architecture design for CNN, GEMM, and image/video processing on FPGAs/ASICs. Education: BEng, MSc, PhD Research interests span FPGA-based hardware acceleration , sparse processing architecture for CNN/GEMM, number system design , approximation computing , and high-level design environments . His work integrates algorithm-hardware co-optimization for efficiency in AI and mathematical computing. Recent publications emphasize neurodynamic systems for opinion modeling, parallel processing elements for ODE/AI acceleration, and low-power FPGA implementations for clustering/modulation classification. Earlier work addressed combustion dynamics and image processing pipelines. Contact: t.deng@sheffield.ac.uk | Office: G108, Sir Frederick Mappin Building, Sheffield S1 3JD | ORCID 0000-0003-4507-5746
Sohail Umer is a University Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Technology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, specializing in power electronics and energy systems. His work focuses on improving power quality, control techniques, and energy efficiency in standalone and grid-connected systems. Research group: Electromechanical Systems Project: DeHigh His research explores advanced control strategies for power electronic converters, particularly Current Source Converters and Modular Multilevel Converters, with applications in renewable energy integration, microgrids, and smart grid technologies. Recent publications highlight innovations in adaptive modulation techniques, overlap-time mitigation, and hybrid PV-battery systems. Key themes include energy storage optimization, distributed generation, and converter design for standalone applications. Collaborations span institutions like UiT and include co-authors such as Trond Østrem, Bjarte Hoff, and Andrei Blinov. His work addresses challenges in renewable energy systems, including grid stability, harmonic reduction, and multi-port converter efficiency.
Jean-Daniel Penot is a Researcher at CESI's Research and Innovation Department , with expertise in additive manufacturing, materials science, and industrial integration. His work bridges advanced manufacturing technologies with environmental sustainability and educational innovation. Doctorate in Materials Physics (2010) Engineering Degree in Physics (2007) Research Master in Optoelectronics (2007) Penot's research spans Additive Manufacturing and its applications in automotive, nuclear, and construction sectors. He focuses on Laser-Material Interaction , Machine Learning for process optimization, and Sustainable Engineering through life cycle assessments and geopolymer applications. His recent publications emphasize BIM , AM Modular Plants , and Defect Analysis in 3D-printed metals. Penot leads France Additive initiatives and contributes to International Standards as a board member. Penot supervises PhD students including Maryam Houhou and Amal Khabouchi , with a focus on Industrial Security and Energy Transitions . His projects integrate Thermal Comfort , Ultrasonic Inspection , and Quality Assurance in additive manufacturing systems.
Jari Vepsäläinen is an Assistant Professor at Aalto University's Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering under the College of Engineering. He serves as Director of the Fluid Power group and specializes in mechatronics design, energy efficiency, and generative design methodologies. Research focuses on physics-based modeling for energy recovery AI/ML applications in electromechanical system design Applications in robotics, heavy machinery, and sustainable transportation His recent publications demonstrate expertise in hybrid systems, fluid power optimization, and AI-driven engineering, with a strong emphasis on electrification and efficiency across automotive, maritime, and industrial domains. Key areas: Mechatronics, Energy Systems, Generative Design Technologies: Digital Twins, IoT, Machine Learning Current projects involve thermal energy systems, electric motor optimization, and advanced control algorithms for mobile machinery.
Pieter-Jan Daems is a postdoctoral researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Engineering Technology department, specializing in the Acoustics & Vibrations Research Group. With an h-index of 6, his work focuses on wind turbine dynamics and machine learning applications in renewable energy systems. Active in wind turbine research (100% focus) Specializes in modal analysis (78%) and farm-wide monitoring (35%) Expertise in condition monitoring (33%) and damping analysis (19%) Engages with machine learning (22%) for anomaly detection (19%) His recent publications demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach combining mechanical engineering, data science, and renewable energy systems. Key research themes include turbine-level power prediction, wake loss analysis, and drivetrain dynamics investigation. While no formal awards are listed, his collaborations with university researchers and industry experts indicate strong academic engagement.
Hedvig Harmati is a university professor and research leader at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), where she has held pivotal roles since 2005. She served as Department Head of the Textile Department (2005-2019), led the MOME Doctoral School (2019-2024), and acted as a supervisor for both the Fashion and Textile Design MA and the Doctoral School. Her work bridges textile design and structural design , emphasizing technological integration and architectural parallels. Education: DLA degree (2009), Habilitation (2018) Leadership: Department Head (2005-2019), Doctoral School Leader (2019-2024) Key Projects: Clean Architecture (2016), Human Washer (2016), Plait Positions (2012) Her research focuses on textile design innovation, structural design principles, and the intersection of industrial technology with artistic expression. She has pioneered projects like the Clean Architecture collection (2016), which demonstrated architectural influences in textile design, and the Dark Light international research project (2015-2017). Harmati’s work has been recognized with prestigious awards including: Ferenczy Noémi Award (2017) Hungarian Design Awards (2002, 2016) Main Prize of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (2012) Design 21 Award (UNESCO, 1997) Szombathely Textile Biennale Prize (1998) She has received multiple Creative Grants from Hungary’s National Cultural Fund (2008, 2016-2017) and the Moholy-Nagy László Design Grant (2001, 2004). As a supervisor in the MOME Doctoral School (2019-2024), she mentored future generations while leading the international research project Future Traditions (2022-2026).
Davood Pourkargar is an Assistant Professor in the Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University. He is also a Graduate Faculty Member at the Food Science Institute and a Faculty Researcher at the Johnson Cancer Research Center. His work focuses on integrating data with first-principle models to understand complex systems across multiple scales. Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University (2015) M.S. in Process Simulation and Control from Sharif University of Technology (2010) B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology (2008) His research interests span computational multiscale modeling, digital twin development, applied artificial intelligence, and optimization-based control of complex process networks. Dr. Pourkargar's work integrates process systems engineering with artificial intelligence to address challenging problems in chemical, biological, energy, and food systems. He develops intelligent frameworks for controlling complex process networks, designing cyber-physical architectures for smart manufacturing, and advancing system identification using machine learning and process data analytics. A significant aspect of his research involves physics-informed machine learning applied to cancer dynamics modeling and drug distribution in the human body. Dr. Pourkargar's publication record shows a strong focus on predictive modeling and control of chemical processes, particularly ammonia synthesis systems, polysilicon reactor systems, and food extrusion processes. His recent work increasingly incorporates machine learning techniques, especially transformer architectures and physics-informed approaches, applied to both traditional chemical processes and emerging areas like organ-on-a-chip systems for drug discovery. 2024 Carl R. Ice College of Engineering Outstanding Assistant Professor Award NSF EPSCoR Research Fellowship 2023 Kansas EPSCoR First Award AFOSR Faculty Fellowship Big XII Faculty Fellowship Robert F. Smith School Distinguished Junior Researcher Award from Cornell University (2017) O. Hugo Schuck Best Paper Award (2014) Dr. Pourkargar has successfully mentored numerous graduate students through their master's and doctoral research, with several receiving departmental and college-level awards. His research has been supported by significant grants from the National Science Foundation, Kansas EPSCoR, and K-State's Global Food Systems initiative. His lab has presented extensively at major conferences including AIChE Annual Meetings and American Control Conferences. The Intelligent Systems and Process Systems Laboratory (ISPSL) led by Dr. Pourkargar operates computational and experimental facilities in Durland Hall. The lab is expanding into robotic additive manufacturing and autonomous biomanufacturing, supported by research infrastructure grants. The group maintains active collaborations with the Johnson Cancer Research Center and the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation.
Jean Pierre Crousse serves as Associate Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) where he directs the Master Program in Architecture. He maintains an active academic presence as a visiting professor at prestigious institutions including Harvard Graduate School of Design (2015, 2022), Yale School of Architecture (2019, 2021), and University of Virginia (2020). As a foreign member of the French Académie d'Architecture, his academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to architectural education. His research interests center on the integration of architecture with landscape, cultural heritage conservation, and the development of contemporary architectural responses to traditional practices. Crousse explores the complex relationship between built environments and cultural memory, particularly in the Andean context. His work examines how architecture can mediate between production systems and tourism while preserving cultural integrity, as demonstrated in his studio work on the Maras Salt Mine in Peru's Sacred Valley. He investigates critical conservation approaches that allow heritage sites to remain living, productive landscapes rather than frozen monuments. Crousse's architectural practice, Barclay & Crousse, has produced award-winning projects including the Place of Remembrance in Lima (2015), University Facilities at UDEP in Piura (2016), and the Paracas Museum (2016). These projects demonstrate his interest in creating spatial experiences that connect contemporary design with cultural memory and environmental context. His firm's work has been recognized with the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (2018), Oscar Niemeyer Prize (2016), and multiple Peruvian National Architecture Prizes. Foreign member of the French Académie d'Architecture Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize 2018 Oscar Niemeyer Prize 2016 Peruvian National Prize of Architecture 2014 Peruvian National Prize of Architecture 2018 Latin America Prize 2013 As an educator, Crousse has developed influential design studios that challenge students to reconcile contemporary architectural interventions with living heritage sites. His 2024 Yale studio on the Maras Salt Mine examines how architecture can integrate production systems with tourism while preserving cultural practices. He has published extensively on his architectural philosophy, including the book 'Barclay & Crousse: Landscapes of Intimacy' (2021), which presents twelve exemplary projects demonstrating how their work binds technological advances with designs centered on quality of life. His architectural practice serves as a laboratory for exploring how design specific to developing country conditions can inform global architectural conversations.
Doriana Dal Palù is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD), Polytechnic University of Turin, specializing in Design for Cultural Heritage , Innovative Materials , and Product Sound Design . She serves as Program Coordinator for the Bachelor's Degree in Design and Communication and leads international collaborations with institutions like IRCAM (Paris) and TU Delft (NL). Her research focuses on Technological Paradigm Shifts in materials, including the AI-TW (transparent wood) and BIOMAPS (biobased polymers) Horizon Europe projects. She founded MATto, a materials library with over 1,000 sustainable materials, and explores sensory design through packaging and architectural acoustics. Key publication trends include Sustainability , Material Innovation , and Acoustic Design . She mentors PhD student Riccardo Caradonna and contributes to design education through international conferences.
Wen Li is an Assistant Professor at the School of Computing , Utah State University. Their research focuses on software security , software engineering , and network security , with significant contributions to analyzing multilingual software systems. Recent work highlights include: Characterization of multilingual software and language selection patterns Security analysis of cross-language interactions and runtime vulnerabilities Development of fuzzing frameworks like Pyrtfuzz and POLYFUZZ Investigation of dynamic information flow and memory management in complex systems Research trends demonstrate expertise in software testing, language interoperability, and security verification across programming environments.
