Kelly R. MacGregor is a Professor of Geology in the Department of Geology at Macalester College, St. Paul, MN. Based in Olin-Rice Science Center Room 114, she teaches Geomorphology, Rivers and the Environment, Environmental Geology, History and Evolution of the Earth, and Glaciers and Climate courses. Her research focuses on earth surface processes through two interconnected domains: Glacial Systems: She investigates how temperate glaciers erode and shape alpine landscapes using GPS field measurements of glacier motion/subglacial erosion and numerical modeling of landscape evolution over geologic timescales. Her work includes analysis of alpine lake sediment cores to study post-glaciation environmental changes. River Dynamics: She examines dam impacts on sediment/water transport in Minnesota rivers through historical data analysis and contemporary measurements, collaborating with ecologists and engineers to assess effects on native mussel populations and riparian habitats. Dr. MacGregor emphasizes quantitative understanding of human-environment interactions, empowering students to address complex environmental challenges through her earth science and environmental geology curriculum.
Mariusz Włodarski (born August 9, 1980 in Starachowice) is a prominent Polish film producer and lecturer at the Leon Schiller National Film School in Łódź, where he also graduated in 2007 from the Department of Film Art Organization. He is a member of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), reflecting his international standing in the film industry. Włodarski's research and professional interests span film production, cinematic storytelling, international co-productions, documentary filmmaking, narrative development, and film education. His work demonstrates a particular focus on psychological drama, feminist cinema, and cross-cultural storytelling, with significant contributions to both Polish and international cinema. He has developed expertise in managing complex international co-productions between Poland and other European countries. Analysis of his recent filmography (2022-2025) reveals a strong trend toward psychological dramas and character-driven narratives, with increasing international recognition. His productions often explore complex human relationships, social issues, and emotional landscapes, demonstrating sophisticated visual storytelling. The success of 'PIGEN MED NALEN' marked a significant milestone, achieving both critical acclaim and numerous international awards. Polish Producers Guild Piotr Woźniak-Starak Award for Producer of the Year (2022) Oscar Nomination for Best International Feature Film (PIGEN MED NALEN, 2025) Polish Film Award 'Orzeł' for Best Film (PIGEN MED NALEN, 2025) Golden Globe Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (PIGEN MED NALEN, 2024) European Film Award for Best Music (PIGEN MED NALEN, 2024) European Film Award for Best Production Design (PIGEN MED NALEN, 2024) As a lecturer at the National Film School in Łódź, Włodarski provides pedagogical care for student film projects, mentoring emerging filmmakers through their etudes and school productions. His educational approach emphasizes practical production experience combined with theoretical understanding of cinematic storytelling. He has supervised numerous student films, including recent projects like 'LOOK AT YOUR HOUSE' (2025), 'INVALID LAP' (2022), and 'TUTU' (2022), demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of Polish filmmakers. Włodarski collaborates with various production companies and film institutions across Europe, particularly with Scandinavian and Central European partners. His work on international co-productions like 'DEN STYGGE STESOSTEREN' and 'NEVDĚČNÉ BYTOSTI' demonstrates his ability to bridge cultural and linguistic divides in filmmaking. He maintains strong connections with the Polish film industry while expanding his influence internationally, as evidenced by his AMPAS membership and the global recognition of his productions.
Professor Ken Carslaw is a distinguished academic at the University of Leeds, holding a professorship in the Faculty of Environment within the School of Earth and Environment. He leads the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science and directs the Centre for Doctoral Training in Understanding Uncertainty to Reduce Climate Risks. His research group, the Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosols Group, is one of the "supergroups" in the institute with over 15 researchers. Professor Carslaw earned his academic qualifications from esteemed institutions: a BSc in Physics from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MSc and PhD in Atmospheric Science from the University of East Anglia. His doctoral research used thermodynamic models to demonstrate the existence of liquid polar stratospheric cloud particles. Ken Carslaw's research focuses on atmospheric aerosol particles and their effects on climate. His work spans natural aerosols, Arctic aerosols, aerosol formation, dust and biogeochemistry, ice-nucleating particles, radiative forcing, volcanic impacts on climate and health, paleo-aerosols, air quality, uncertainty quantification, geoengineering, stratospheric aerosols, polar stratospheric clouds, and the ozone hole. His early research led to the discovery of liquid polar stratospheric clouds and the role of large cloud particles in Arctic denitrification. His group developed the Global Model of Aerosol Processes (GLOMAP), now implemented in the Met Office climate model, and established that new particle formation accounts for around half of climate-relevant aerosol particles in the atmosphere. In the CERN CLOUD experiment, his research led to the first global model of new particle formation based entirely on laboratory measurements. Professor Carslaw has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to atmospheric science: Fellow of the Royal Society (2024) Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (2019) Royal Meteorological Society Adrian Gill Prize (2019) American Geophysical Union Ascent Award Philip Leverhulme Prize Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award Thomson Reuters (Clarivate Analytics) Highly Cited Scientist (2014-2021) Professor Carslaw has supervised numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to successful careers in academia and research institutions worldwide. His current research group is working on several cutting-edge projects including global modeling of ice-nucleating particles, the influence of ice-nucleating particles on high-latitude mixed-phase clouds, building fast model emulators of cloud drop formation, and statistical methods to quantify and reduce uncertainty in aerosol forcing. He has secured significant research funding for projects such as ACSIS, CLARIFY, CLOUD-MOTION, CRESCENDO, and IceSO. Professor Carslaw co-founded the European Geosciences Union journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics in 2001 and currently serves as Co-Chief Editor. He has held leadership positions including Director of Research in the School of Earth and Environment (2005-2008) and Director of the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (2014-2017), during which he created the Centre for Environmental Modelling and Computation. He is actively involved in scientific service, serving on review panels for the European Research Council, Scientific Advisory Board at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and as a judge for the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists.
Dr. Nicholas Kioussis is a Professor in the Department of Physics at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he leads the W. M. Keck Computational Materials Theory Center. His office is located in Science I-123, and he can be reached at (818) 677-7733 or nick.kioussis@csun.edu. His research group focuses on theoretical and computational approaches to understanding materials properties at multiple scales. Dr. Kioussis's research interests span computational materials theory with emphasis on electronic structure calculations, magnetism in materials, dislocation theory, nanomaterials, quantum dots, and spintronics. His work combines first-principles calculations with multiscale modeling to address fundamental problems in condensed matter physics and materials science. The W. M. Keck Computational Materials Theory Center hosts a special lecture series featuring prominent scientists like Nobel Laureates Dr. Alan J. Heeger and Dr. Wilson Ho. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on spintronics, graphene-based electronics, radiation damage in nuclear materials, and multiscale modeling of defects in metals. His work bridges fundamental quantum mechanical calculations with practical applications in materials engineering, particularly in understanding how atomic-scale phenomena affect macroscopic material properties. Dr. Kioussis has mentored numerous students throughout his career, including PhD candidates, MS students, and undergraduates who have gone on to positions at institutions like Harvard, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and national laboratories. His research group maintains active collaborations with scientists from UCLA, UCI, Harvard, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and other institutions. The research conducted under Dr. Kioussis's leadership is supported by significant funding from the W. M. Keck Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, Air Force Office for Sponsored Research, Army Research Office, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NASA, National Science Foundation, and Research Corporation. These resources enable his group to tackle complex problems in computational materials science that require substantial computing power and interdisciplinary approaches.
Henry Astley is an Assistant Professor of Biology and Polymer Science at the University of Akron, with joint affiliation to the Biomimicry Research & Innovation Center (BRIC). His research integrates biology and physics to study locomotion biomechanics across diverse organisms including snakes, frogs, and early tetrapods. Dr. Astley employs motion capture, robotics, and computational modeling to investigate how morphology, neuromuscular control, and environmental interactions enable movement. His work has significant applications in biomimetic robotics, particularly for extraterrestrial exploration and underwater mobility. Recent publications demonstrate advances in understanding undulatory motion, muscle-tendon dynamics, and terrain adaptation strategies. His laboratory develops innovative instrumentation like underwater force plates and utilizes robotics to test biological hypotheses. Funded by NSF CAREER and other grants, his research program trains students in interdisciplinary approaches to organismal biomechanics.
Dr. Huai-Ti Lin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London's Faculty of Engineering. His affiliations include the Centre for Neurotechnology and Robotics Forum. His research focuses on biomechanics, control systems, robotics, and neurosciences, with a particular interest in translating biological principles into engineering solutions. His lab develops bio-inspired sensors, neural devices, and robots by studying insect locomotion and sensory systems. Key projects include motion capture and neural recording techniques in insects like dragonflies. Dr. Lin holds a PhD from Tufts University, USA. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to understand how neural signals and physical bodies coordinate to enable sophisticated motor control in animals. The lab's innovations include the 'GoQBot' soft robot and passive aerial righting mechanisms. His research spans robotics, aerospace engineering, and artificial intelligence, with applications in micro aerial systems and obstacle negotiation. His articles highlight advancements in dragonfly flight mechanics, insect sensory systems, and bio-inspired algorithms. The lab's efforts aim to bridge biology and engineering for next-generation technologies. For more details, visit htlinlab.com .
Andreas Bartels leads the Vision and Cognition research group at the Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen. His work focuses on high-level visual perception in the human brain, integrating vision with attention, memory, and social cognition. He employs advanced neuroimaging and brain stimulation techniques to explore how we perceive motion, space, emotions, and scenes. His research interests lie at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and visual perception. He investigates how the brain processes natural scenes, interprets dynamic facial and bodily expressions, and maintains perceptual stability by integrating visual input with proprioceptive and vestibular signals. His lab uses illusions and bistable stimuli to dissociate neural processing from conscious perception, aiming to uncover the mechanisms underlying Gestalt perception and scene segmentation. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on fMRI-based neural decoding, particularly in visual and parietal cortices. Themes include color imagery, spatial representation beyond the visual field, perceptual organization, and the influence of prior knowledge on perception. Methodologically, the work emphasizes multivariate pattern analysis and high-field (9.4T) fMRI for detailed cortical mapping. Andreas Bartels collaborates with neurologists and psychiatrists to study disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, and ADHD, examining both behavioral and neural underpinnings. His lab uses TMS for causal inference and combines it with fMRI to observe downstream neural effects. Eye tracking is integrated across most experiments for precise behavioral monitoring. The lab utilizes a range of stimuli—from controlled 3D dot fields and binocular rivalry to virtual reality and natural movies—to probe different aspects of vision and cognition. The overarching goal is to understand how the brain constructs a coherent and meaningful representation of the world from fragmented sensory inputs.
Matthew John Lang, PhD, is a Professor in both the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt University. His research focuses on probing molecular and cellular machinery through functional measurements, employing methods like optical tweezers, single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular simulations. Key areas include T-cell receptor (TCR) mechanobiology, cellulose degradation mechanisms, and protease dynamics. He holds dual faculty appointments and has pioneered techniques to study mechanical signaling in immune cells and enzymatic systems. Contact: matt.lang@vanderbilt.edu . Research interests emphasize understanding how mechanical forces influence molecular interactions, particularly in T-cell activation and antigen recognition. His work integrates engineering, biophysics, and immunology to unravel fundamental biological processes. Recent studies highlight the role of mechanical load in TCR-pMHC interactions, asymmetric TCR framework motions, and cellulase processivity mechanisms. Publications span biophysical mechanisms of immune receptors, enzymatic degradation pathways, and protease function. His lab develops innovative tools like combined optical trapping and fluorescence imaging for single-cell analysis. Collaborations bridge disciplines, addressing challenges in cancer immunotherapy and bioenergy applications.
Li Yi is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Tsinghua University's School of Information Science and Technology, where they lead cutting-edge research at the intersection of computer vision, 3D graphics, and robotics. Their work focuses on advancing neural rendering, point cloud processing, and embodied AI with applications in human-object interaction and robotic manipulation. Research interests span Computer Vision , 3D Graphics , Robotics , Point Cloud Processing , Neural Rendering , and Human-Object Interaction . Recent work explores language-grounded spatial reasoning, dexterous manipulation, and 4D dynamic content generation, with publications appearing in top venues like CVPR, ICCV, and NeurIPS. Their research bridges theoretical advances with practical applications in embodied AI systems. The publication trends reveal a strong focus on neural rendering techniques (particularly NeRF variants), embodied AI for robotic manipulation , and multimodal understanding integrating vision, language, and action. Recent work increasingly incorporates large language models and focuses on generalizable approaches that transfer from simulation to real-world settings. As an advisor, Professor Li has mentored numerous students including Yunze Liu, Xueyi Liu, Zekun Qi, and Runpei Dong, who frequently appear as first authors on collaborative publications. Their research has been supported by significant grants enabling work on human-robot interaction, 3D scene understanding, and embodied AI systems. Professor Li leads a research group focused on developing comprehensive frameworks for spatial reasoning, object manipulation, and dynamic scene understanding. The team works on creating benchmarks like TACO for tool-action-object understanding and developing systems like MobileH2R for human-robot handover tasks. Current work emphasizes real-world applicability with a focus on generalizable solutions that work across diverse settings.
Robert Cook is Professor of Psychology at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences and Interim Chair of Sociology. His NIH-supported research examines animal cognition, visual perception, discrimination learning, and memory mechanisms across species including pigeons, starlings, and humans. Research investigates the perceptual and cognitive processes underlying object recognition, same-different concept learning, action recognition, temporal information processing, and equivalence class formation. Studies explore how animals form perceptual representations to guide learning and behavior. Recent publications advance understanding of visual and auditory processing, sequential learning dynamics, perceptual grouping, and cross-species cognitive strategies. Work integrates computational modeling with behavioral experiments to characterize cognitive architecture. Teaches courses on cognition origins and comparative psychology. Serves as Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and publishes Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews. Developed online multimedia resources including Avian Visual Cognition and Animal Spatial Cognition cyberbooks.
J. Christopher Holt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He leads the Holt Lab, which focuses on the synaptic pharmacology of the vestibular apparatus, investigating how efferent feedback mechanisms modulate sensory input to the brain. Education: Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Tulane University School of Medicine (1994-1999) Postdoctoral Training at University of Chicago (2000-2005) M.S. in Biology from University of Louisiana at Monroe (1991-1994) B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from University of North Carolina at Pembroke (1986-1991) Holt's research centers on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission in the vestibular periphery. His work examines how efferent feedback mechanisms modulate sensory information regarding head position and movement. The vestibular system, which begins as small detectors in the inner ear, is endowed with prominent efferent innervation whose functional role is relatively unknown. Holt's lab takes a reductionistic approach to address vestibular efferent system function from multiple vantage points: identifying receptor mechanisms, characterizing how these mechanisms modulate afferent response properties, identifying efferent discharge patterns, and developing behavioral assays for monitoring vestibular efferent function. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on cholinergic mechanisms in vestibular function, with particular attention to how efferent pathways modulate afferent responses. There's a clear progression from basic mechanistic studies in animal models toward understanding these processes in mammals, including humans. A significant theme across his work is the role of specific receptor types (particularly nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors) and their downstream effectors in generating different afferent responses to efferent stimulation. Scientific Awards: Advanced Predoctoral Fellowship (1997-1999) James F. Ebert Award (1989) J.P. Stevens Scholarship (1989-1990) Chancellor's Scholar Program (1986-1991) Holt mentors graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in neurophysiological, pharmacological, and immunohistochemical methods for studying vestibular synaptic transmission. His lab provides training in multiple animal models and computational techniques for data analysis. The lab has multiple ongoing projects examining efferent receptors and synaptic mechanisms, modification of vestibular output during efferent stimulation, characterization of vestibular efferent neurons, and behavioral assessment of efferent function. The Holt Lab maintains strong affiliations with multiple departments and programs at the University of Rochester, including Neuroscience, the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, and various PhD programs. This multidisciplinary approach allows for comprehensive investigation of vestibular function from molecular to behavioral levels.
Andrea Cavallaro is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), serving as Director of the Idiap Research Institute. His roles span academia and leadership, including directing the Centre for Intelligent Sensing and holding editorial positions in top journals. He specializes in machine learning for multimodal perception, privacy-preserving AI, and autonomous systems. Cavallaro leads projects like CORSMAL (multimodal object recognition) and GraphNEx (explainable AI). Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering from EPFL (2002). Notable awards include the Royal Academy of Engineering Teaching Prize (2007) and IEEE AVSS Best Paper Award (2009). He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, International Association for Pattern Recognition, and ELLIS. Research focuses on aligning AI with societal values, particularly privacy and trustworthiness. Recent work explores adversarial attacks, privacy personas, and robotic manipulation. His 2025 publications address 3D reconstruction, privacy-aware models, and human-robot interaction. PhD students: 11 advisees in deep learning and robotics. Grants/Projects: AlignAI (trustworthy LLMs), GraphNEx (GNNs for XAI), CORSMAL (multimodal sensing). Labs/Teams: Idiap Lab (EPFL), leading CORSMAL consortium, and Turing Institute collaboration.
Prof. Thomas Budde is a Professor at the Institute of Physiology I (Neurophysiology), University of Muenster, Germany. He is actively involved in the 'Cells in Motion' research initiative. His work focuses on the molecular and cellular physiology of the thalamocortical system, with expertise in cellular imaging and electrophysiology. Key research themes include analysis of neuronal network function, oscillations, neuroinflammation, and ion channel biology. Research Interests: Thalamocortical system dynamics, ion channel modulation, neuroinflammation, and electrophysiological network analysis. Techniques: Electrophysiology, PET imaging, fluorescent probes, computational modeling of neuronal activity. His publications highlight contributions to understanding K⁺ channel roles in tumor cells, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and thalamic oscillatory activity. Recent work explores anesthesia's impact on BOLD signals and HCN4 channel regulation in brain networks. Collaborations include imaging network projects and drug development for neuroinflammatory conditions. Labs/Teams: Participates in the Multiscale Imaging Centre and collaborative research networks targeting neuroinflammation and ion channel dysfunction.
Timothy K. Shih is an active academic researcher with over 30 years of scholarly contributions, evidenced by his extensive publication record from 1991 through 2025. With more than 380 publications spanning numerous prestigious venues including IEEE Access, Multimedia Tools and Applications, and Lecture Notes in Computer Science, he maintains a robust research profile with consistent annual output (20+ papers in peak years). His work demonstrates leadership through frequent senior/corresponding author positions and collaborations with numerous researchers across international institutions. Dr. Shih's research interests encompass a diverse range of computer science disciplines with particular emphasis on Computer Vision , Human-Computer Interaction , and AI Applications . His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in educational technology, accessibility solutions, and multimedia systems. Recent publications reveal a strategic focus on applying deep learning techniques to solve real-world problems in sign language recognition, gesture analysis, and wireless sensing applications. Analysis of his publication trends over the past five years shows increasing specialization in multimodal AI systems, with significant contributions to sign language technology (including Arabic Sign Language recognition), WiFi-based human activity recognition, and music technology applications. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between computer vision, machine learning, and human-centered computing, with practical applications spanning educational technology, accessibility solutions, and smart environments. Through his mentorship, Dr. Shih has guided numerous junior researchers who have become frequent collaborators, including Chih-Yang Lin, Hsin-Hung Cho, and Tipajin Thaipisutikul. His research program appears well-funded through consistent publication output across multiple project areas, suggesting successful grant acquisition in computer vision, AI, and educational technology domains. Current work indicates active involvement in cutting-edge research on diffusion models for audio processing, enhanced sign language recognition systems, and novel approaches to WiFi-based human interaction analysis.
Sergios Gatidis is a prominent researcher in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. His work bridges medical imaging and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on MRI and PET/CT applications. He has established himself as a key collaborator in numerous multi-institutional research projects, frequently working with Thomas Küstner, Bin Yang, and Konstantin Nikolaou. Dr. Gatidis's research centers on applying deep learning techniques to solve critical challenges in medical imaging. His work spans biological age estimation from MRI scans, motion correction in MRI, lesion segmentation in PET/CT imaging, and the application of large language models to radiology reports and hospital course documentation. He has made significant contributions to the autoPET challenge for automated lesion segmentation and has developed novel approaches for attention-aware image registration and reconstruction. His publication record shows a clear evolution from foundational work in motion correction and image reconstruction (2016-2018) to increasingly sophisticated AI applications, with a recent strong focus on large language models for medical text processing (2023-2025). The breadth of his work demonstrates expertise spanning technical aspects of medical imaging physics to clinical applications of AI. His recent publications indicate active research in several key areas: (1) development of foundation models for medical imaging interpretation, (2) robust evaluation frameworks for medical AI systems, and (3) practical clinical integration of AI tools for radiology workflow enhancement. These trends reflect the broader field's movement toward more comprehensive, clinically validated AI solutions. Though no specific awards are listed in the available publications, his consistent presence as a key contributor to high-impact medical imaging research suggests recognition within the field. His work appears regularly in top journals including IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, Nature Machine Intelligence, and Medical Image Analysis. Dr. Gatidis actively collaborates across disciplines, working with computer scientists developing novel AI architectures and clinicians implementing these tools in real-world settings. His recent work on MedHELM and CheXagent demonstrates commitment to creating evaluation frameworks and practical tools that address real clinical needs while maintaining scientific rigor.
