Professor Alessandra Russo leads the Structured and Probabilistic Knowledge Engineering (SPIKE) research group at Imperial College London's Department of Computing. With expertise spanning computational logic, symbolic machine learning, and neuro-symbolic AI, she develops foundational AI techniques applied to security, network management, healthcare, and adaptive systems. Professor Russo holds a PhD in Computing from Imperial College London and an MSc in Computer Science from Ionian University. Her research pioneers logic-based learning systems for intelligent adaptive technologies, with projects including declarative networking for security management, privacy-preserving federated learning, and hybrid neuro-symbolic approaches for robust reasoning. Her current work focuses on developing interpretable AI systems through neuro-symbolic integration, creating frameworks that combine neural networks with symbolic reasoning for explainable decision-making. Recent publications explore rule learning from knowledge graphs, transformer-based world models, and formal methods for representation learning. Professor Russo teaches courses on Logic-Based Learning and AI Applications, and has received the Google PhD Fellowship for her research contributions. She mentors numerous PhD students in areas spanning theoretical foundations and practical applications of computational logic and machine learning.
Professor Jun Zhang is a leading academic in cybersecurity at Swinburne University, Australia, where he directs the Cybersecurity Lab. He has been honored as Australia's top cybersecurity researcher and instrumental in establishing Swinburne as a globally recognized cybersecurity research institution. His work includes high-impact papers and multi-million-dollar R&D projects, culminating in awards like the 2021 'Top Cybersecurity Research Institution' accolade. As course director of the Bachelor of Cyber Security, he pioneered an industry-driven teaching model with Deloitte and CSIRO, significantly boosting course enrollment. His collaborations extend to Adobe's Curriculum Innovation Program and the Australian P-TECH initiative, promoting STEM education and cybersecurity awareness. He supervises doctoral candidates and leads grants focused on AI-driven cybersecurity, smart home security, and blockchain-based edge computing. His research spans vulnerability detection, GAN forensics, IoT security, and privacy preservation in OSNs. Research interests include cybersecurity fundamentals, data science applications, and distributed systems. Notable achievements include the PTFix framework for Java vulnerabilities, the IoTFuzz smart home testing system, and CTI mining methodologies. Awards reflect his mid-career research excellence and industry partnerships. His grants with CSIRO and defense organizations emphasize real-world impact, addressing challenges from malware detection to adversarial machine learning. The Cybersecurity Lab and collaborative projects like Artchain demonstrate his commitment to bridging academia and industry. Professional activities include supervising over 20 HDR students and securing grants totaling millions. His work on blockchain-based edge storage (CSEdge) and SDCCP congestion control highlights innovation in networking. Future directions include advancing AI for design collaboration with CSIRO and enhancing privacy in smart energy technologies. His contributions span technical, educational, and community outreach domains, positioning him as a pivotal figure in cybersecurity's evolution.
Seagh Kehoe is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Westminster's School of Humanities, joining in 2019. Previously, he taught at the University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, and University College Dublin. His research focuses on cultural dimensions of social and political transformation in modern China, particularly Chinese media representations of ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, nationalism, and military. He holds a BA from University College Cork, an MA from Leiden University, and a PhD from the University of Nottingham, with additional studies in Mandarin and Tibetan. His academic work spans journal articles in China Quarterly , positions , and Media, Culture & Society , as well as edited volumes like Cultural China . His research interests include Tibet-China relations, critical university studies, and abolition theory. He supervises undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations on diverse socio-political topics. Kehoe has presented at conferences such as the British Association of China Studies and contributed to workshops on decolonizing Chinese studies. His recent work examines temporal politics in post-2008 Tibet and queer cinema in China. Education: BA Chinese Studies & Sociology (University College Cork) MA East Asian Politics (Leiden University) PhD (University of Nottingham) Mandarin Studies (Sichuan University) Tibetan Studies (Rangjung Yeshe Institute) Grants & Labs: Active in the Contemporary China Centre, contributing to interdisciplinary research on modern China.
Todd C. Helmus is a Senior Behavioral Scientist at the RAND Corporation and a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. He specializes in counterterrorism, information operations, security cooperation, and social media analysis with a focus on irregular warfare and violent extremism. Helmus holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) and has served as a deployed analyst for U.S. military commands in Iraq and Afghanistan. His research emphasizes countering adversarial tactics such as foreign terrorist recruitment, Chinese gray zone operations, and propaganda campaigns. He teaches graduate courses on information operations and frequently speaks at security conferences. Key findings include studies on veteran susceptibility to extremism and Ukraine's counter-disinformation strategies during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Helmus advises on national security communication campaigns, drawing insights from public health strategies. His work spans academic publications, expert commentary, and video/podcast media across topics like AI-driven misinformation, election security, and global resource development. He remains actively involved in policy analysis for U.S. national strategies on antisemitism and domestic extremism mitigation.
Vasileios Mavroeidis is an Associate Professor in Digital Security at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo (UiO). He specializes in security automation and orchestration (SOAR) and cyber threat intelligence (CTI) representation, reasoning, and sharing. He actively contributes to European cybersecurity initiatives, including Horizon Europe, Connecting Europe Facility, and the European Defense Fund, and serves as the primary representative of UiO at the OASIS standards development organization since 2017. Role : Associate Professor Department : Digital Security (SEC), University of Oslo Standardization Involvement : Chairman of OASIS Threat Actor Context (TAC), Leading Contributor to CACAO and OpenC2 Projects : Concordia, CyberHunt, JCOP (Joint Cyber Security Operations Platform), Oslo Analytics, P4C (Partnership for Cybersecurity) His research focuses on cyber threat intelligence (CTI), exploring its taxonomies, sharing standards (STIX, CACAO), and ontologies, with contributions to the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) Cybersecurity Playbooks task force. He analyzes quantum computing's impact on cryptography, develops automated threat detection systems using machine learning (e.g., recurrent neural networks for malware-generated domains), and investigates privacy issues under GDPR. Recent publications highlight his work on LLMs for code stylometry , neurosymbolic AI for cyber defense , and knowledge management systems for CACAO playbooks . His articles span 2017–2025, emphasizing formal verification, biometric data protection, and incident response automation. He collaborates with organizations like OASIS (Threat Actor Context, CACAO, OpenC2) and FIRST (Traffic Light Protocol), and participates in European research projects. His work includes standardization efforts in cybersecurity playbooks , MITRE ATT&CK representation, and quantum-resistant cryptography .
Seth Lloyd is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with adjunct appointments at the Santa Fe Institute since 1988 and as a Fellow at the Institute for Scientific Interchange since 2000. His research spans quantum information science, quantum control theory, and complex systems analysis. His educational background includes: B.A. from Harvard University (1982) M. from the University of Cambridge (1984) Ph.D. from Rockefeller University (1988) Lloyd's work focuses on quantum computation, quantum communications, and quantum limits to control and sensing. He has pioneered research in quantum algorithms, quantum metrology, and applications of quantum information to complex biological and physical systems. His research bridges theoretical physics, computer science, and engineering, with over 200 publications and two patents in quantum information processing. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant trends in quantum machine learning, quantum metrology, and quantum communication protocols, with increasing interdisciplinary applications in quantum biology and quantum gravity. His work consistently explores fundamental limits of quantum information processing. His scientific awards include: Lindbergh Fellow (1994) Finmeccanica Professorship (1996) Edgerton Prize (2001) Fellow of the American Physical Society (2007) Quantum Communication, Measurement, and Computation Prize (2012) Lloyd serves on the editorial board of Quantum Information Processing and holds significant MIT service roles including Course 2 Undergraduate Committee coordinator and membership on the Institute Foreign Scholarships Committee. He teaches advanced courses in quantum information, dynamics, and computational methods, shaping the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers. As a member of the American Physical Society, he maintains active research collaborations across quantum information science, with ongoing work in quantum algorithms and quantum-enhanced sensing technologies.
Jonathan Baugh is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, serving as Director of the Quantum Information Graduate Program. His research focuses on quantum devices, nanoelectronics, and molecular electronics with affiliations at the Institute for Quantum Computing and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. He leads the Baugh Research Lab, exploring quantum control, semiconductor spin qubits, and superconducting hybrid systems. Research interests include quantum information processing, nanoscale charge transport, and the development of next-generation photonic sources. His work bridges quantum physics and materials science, with recent breakthroughs in dopant-free semiconductors and single-molecule transistors. Publications emphasize scalable quantum architectures, noise mitigation in quantum control, and phase-coherent molecular electronics. Current projects involve cryogenic CMOS device modeling and topological quantum computing in silicon-based systems. No awards are explicitly listed, though his work has been highlighted in invited reviews and special sessions on quantum systems. Advising focuses on graduate students in quantum nanotechnology and condensed matter physics. His lab collaborates on integrated quantum networks and III-V/Si nanowire photodetectors. Labs/Teams: Baugh Research Lab (Quantum Nanoelectronics Group), Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN).
Jun Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo. His research focuses on advanced energy materials, nano/micro-mechanics, and self-powered systems, with applications in triboelectric energy harvesting and scanning probe microscopy. Education: PhD, Materials Engineering, University of Alberta (2018) MS, Materials Science, Shanghai University (2015) BE, Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang University (2012) Research Interests: Development of tribovoltaic and triboelectric systems for self-powered electronics Mechanical energy harvesting via dynamic heterojunctions and Schottky contacts 3D-printed hydrogel structures for energy absorption and flexible electronics Nanoscale characterization using atomic force microscopy Design of nanocomposite sensors and catalytic materials Publication Trends: His work emphasizes triboelectricity, nanoscale energy conversion, and sustainable materials. Recent articles explore bionic tactile sensing, tunable hydrogels, and quantum dynamics in sliding interfaces. Awards: SONY Faculty Innovation Award (2021) Nature Springer MINE Young Scientist Award (2020) International Contest of Applications in Nano/Micro Technology Prize (2013) Laboratory: Advanced Energy Materials and Nanomechanics Lab at University at Buffalo.
Jim Thatcher is an Assistant Professor at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University. He serves as editor of Cartographic Perspectives , a leading journal in cartography. His research focuses on the intersection of technology, society, and environment, particularly examining how data and spatial technologies operate within capitalist systems. Key areas include Critical GIS, Critical Cartography, and Digital Political Ecology. Thatcher's current projects explore equitable coastal flood risk modeling using topological data analysis, mapping infrastructural legacies of slavery in the Pacific Northwest, and creating accessible disaster response maps for non-English speakers in Oregon. He also investigates spectral governance for rural internet access, cartography's societal role, climate education through board games, and geographic influences on electoral districting. His research emphasizes critical approaches to spatial data, questioning representational practices and power dynamics embedded in geospatial technologies. Recent work includes analyzing Bitcoin mining's environmental impacts on hydropower systems and examining the World Bank's renewable energy mapping through Critical Data Studies. Thatcher actively mentors graduate students and encourages interdisciplinary inquiries blending critical social theory with computational methods. Thatcher has authored numerous articles and co-authored Data Power (Pluto Press, 2022), an open-access exploration of data's role in societal control and resistance. His scholarship bridges critical geography with emerging technologies, advocating for ethical and equitable spatial practices in an increasingly data-driven world.
Sapha Barkati, MD, MSc is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University , and an Investigator at the RI-MUHC Glen site . Her work bridges clinical practice and research in tropical medicine, focusing on parasitic diseases affecting vulnerable populations. Affiliations: Assistant Professor, McGill University Investigator, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) McGill International Tuberculosis Centre Research Focus: Specializes in neglected tropical diseases like strongyloidiasis and tegumentary leishmaniasis, particularly among migrants and immunocompromised individuals. Studies include: Physician awareness of Strongyloides screening Prevalence patterns in non-endemic countries HTLV-1 co-infection treatment response Cost-effective screening strategies Scientific Contributions: Key publications address tropical disease management in non-endemic settings, mpox outbreak dynamics, and SARS-CoV-2 immunity patterns. Her work emphasizes evidence-based guidelines for: Parasite screening in transplant recipients Leishmaniasis treatment protocols Traveler disease prevention Collaborative Networks: Partners with institutions like Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and participates in GeoSentinel surveillance. Leads studies on: Covid-19 health disparities Vaccine effectiveness against variants Remote patient monitoring systems
Axel Gandy is a Professor of Statistics at the Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London. He serves as Director of the EPSRC CDT in Modern Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning , overseeing PhD supervision and advanced statistical training.
Dr. Divya Jayakumar Nair serves as Senior Lecturer in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where she also holds the position of Associate Dean International – South Asia for UNSW Engineering. Her academic work is centered at the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (rCITI), focusing on transportation systems, network optimization, and disaster management applications. Dr. Nair's research interests span transportation engineering, disaster management, and urban mobility systems. Her work investigates complex network design problems, particularly in pre-disaster evacuation planning, transportation resilience, and food rescue logistics. She employs advanced analytical methods including traffic equilibrium modeling, network optimization techniques, and data-driven approaches to solve real-world transportation challenges with significant societal impact. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on transportation resilience during disasters, with particular attention to equity considerations in pre-event planning. Dr. Nair's research shows how transportation networks can be optimized to improve emergency response while ensuring equitable access to safety for all population segments. Her work bridges theoretical network optimization with practical applications in urban environments facing climate-related challenges. Dr. Nair collaborates extensively with leading researchers in transportation including S. Travis Waller, Vinay V. Dixit, David Rey, and Taha Rashidi. Her collaborative approach spans multiple institutions and addresses pressing challenges in urban transportation systems worldwide.
Dana Pe'er is a Professor and Chair of the Computational and Systems Biology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI) of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is also an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and holds the Alan and Sandra Gerry Endowed Chair. Dr. Pe'er leads an interdisciplinary research group that combines advanced genomics approaches with machine learning to address fundamental questions in biomedical science, with particular focus on cancer biology, developmental biology, and immunology. Dr. Pe'er earned her PhD from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. Her academic journey includes a postdoctoral fellowship with George Church at Harvard Medical School. Before joining Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2016, she held faculty positions at Columbia University. Dr. Pe'er's research focuses on understanding cellular plasticity, the consequences of intra-tumor heterogeneity, cancer evolution and metastasis, and the mechanisms by which regulatory circuits go awry in disease. Her lab combines single-cell and spatial profiling technologies with machine learning approaches to investigate gene regulation, cellular plasticity, and cell-cell communication in the contexts of cancer, immunity, and development. They are particularly interested in how organisms develop from a single cell to generate diverse cell types, how epigenetic control rewires during development, and how cells communicate to execute multicellular responses. Analysis of Dr. Pe'er's recent publications reveals a strong focus on developing computational methods for single-cell and spatial genomics data analysis. Her work spans cancer types including pancreatic, prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer, with emphasis on tumor heterogeneity, metastasis mechanisms, and cellular plasticity. A significant portion of her research involves creating novel algorithms and tools like CellRank, REUNION, and SEACells that enable researchers to extract meaningful biological insights from complex genomic datasets. 2023 Class of 2023 Inductee - American Academy of Cancer Research (AACR) Academy 2023 Innovator Award - International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) 2021 Fellow - International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2021) 2019 Ernst W. Bertner Memorial Award - University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2016 Lenfest Distinguished Faculty Award - Columbia University 2014 Director's Pioneer Award - National Institutes of Health 2014 Overton Prize - International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) Dr. Pe'er is known for her dedicated mentorship approach, describing herself as "a mama bear" who cares deeply about her trainees while expecting independence, innovation, and hard work. She mentors numerous PhD students and postdocs in her lab. Her HHMI Investigator award provides approximately $9 million over seven years, enabling ambitious research directions. She also collaborates extensively with the Single-cell Analytics and Innovation Lab (SAIL) at MSK to generate new data from emerging technologies, working closely with wet-lab collaborators at MSK and beyond to apply computational methods to cutting-edge datasets across multiple disease areas. The Pe'er Lab is an interdisciplinary group of computational biologists with diverse backgrounds ranging from pure mathematics to clinical medicine. They work closely with wet-lab collaborators to apply their computational methods to cutting-edge datasets across cancer, immunology, and developmental biology. The lab is described as open, supportive, collaborative, and fun, with access to world-class facilities at the Sloan Kettering Institute. Dr. Pe'er's work continues to push the boundaries of computational biology and cancer research, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective, personalized therapies for cancer patients.
Jan Skaloud serves as an Adjunct Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). He holds positions across multiple departments including SSIE (Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics), EDCE (Doctoral Program in Environmental Sciences and Engineering), and leads the Earth Sensing and Observation (ESO) Lab. His office is located at GC C2 397 in the EPFL campus in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Skaloud's research expertise spans satellite positioning, inertial and integrated navigation systems, sensor orientation and calibration, attitude determination, mobile mapping, airborne laser scanning, and Kalman filtering techniques. His work bridges theoretical development with practical applications in UAV navigation, photogrammetry, and remote sensing. He teaches across three EPFL sections and two faculties, demonstrating his interdisciplinary approach to education. His publication record shows consistent contributions to the field, with recent work (2023-2025) focusing on vehicle dynamic model-based navigation for various UAV platforms, including delta-wing and fixed-wing drones. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated navigation systems that integrate aerodynamic modeling with traditional sensor fusion approaches. This trend reflects the growing importance of model-based navigation in achieving higher precision and autonomy in UAV operations. 2021: Samuel Gamble Award for career contribution in photogrammetry & sensing (ISPRS) 2020: U.V. Helava Award for best paper in ISPRS Journal (2016-2019) 2017: Best Demo Award at IEEE International Workshop on Metrology & Aerospace 2014: Hansa Luftbild Award for best paper in PFG journal 2012: Karl Kraus Medal for best textbook in Photogrammetry 2009: GNSS Leader to Watch Innovation Award (GPS World) Dr. Skaloud has supervised numerous PhD students whose work focuses on advanced navigation systems, sensor calibration, and UAV applications. His research has received funding for projects involving direct georeferencing, mobile mapping systems, and UAV-based search and rescue operations. The ESO lab he directs serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in Earth observation technologies. The Earth Sensing and Observation Lab under Dr. Skaloud's direction brings together researchers working on navigation systems, sensor integration, and data processing techniques for geospatial applications. The lab maintains strong connections with industry partners and international research organizations, facilitating technology transfer and collaborative research projects.
David Schuster is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Chicago. His primary research focuses on experimental condensed matter physics, with a particular emphasis on circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED), superconducting qubits, and quantum information science. He leads the Schuster Lab, which explores quantum systems, hybrid quantum technologies, and topological materials. Education: Ph.D. in Physics from Yale University (2007), advised by Robert Schoelkopf. His doctoral work pioneered advancements in circuit QED, demonstrating strong coupling between superconducting qubits and microwave resonators. Research Interests: The lab investigates superconducting quantum circuits, topological photonics, quantum sensors for dark matter, and scalable quantum computing architectures. Projects include developing fluxonium qubits, autonomous error correction, and hybrid systems involving trapped electrons on helium. Key Contributions: Published in Nature , Science , and Physical Review Letters on topics like topological circuits, photon blockade, and dark matter detection using superconducting cavities. Collaborates with groups at Stanford, Purdue, and other institutions on quantum technologies. Students and Collaborators: Advises numerous graduate and undergraduate students, including prominent alumni who have transitioned to postdocs and industry roles. Lab members present at major conferences like the APS March Meeting. Labs: Schuster Lab at the University of Chicago, with access to state-of-the-art facilities like the Pritzker NanoFabrication Facility. Collaborates with the Awschalom, Cleland, and Houck groups on hybrid quantum systems and materials science.
