Shokhrukh Ibragimov is a Researcher at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Münster. He is affiliated with the Applied Mathematics Münster: Institute for Analysis and Numerical Analysis. His research focuses on machine learning, particularly neural networks and optimization challenges in high-dimensional spaces. Collaborating with prominent figures like Arnulf Jentzen, he investigates topics such as the curse of dimensionality, gradient descent convergence, and the behavior of local minima in neural network training. His work bridges theoretical analysis and computational methods, contributing to advancements in deep learning and numerical analysis. Research interests include the mathematical foundations of neural networks, numerical approximations for high-dimensional problems, and the theoretical underpinnings of optimization algorithms in machine learning. His recent publications address critical gaps in understanding neural network limitations and the effectiveness of gradient-based methods.
Prof. Hartmut Weiß is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany. His research focuses on Differential Geometry, Geometric Analysis, and Low-Dimensional Topology. He has organized numerous workshops and conferences, including the Norddeutscher Tag der Differentialgeometrie series and specialized events on Higgs bundles and geometric structures. **Education**: PhD (2002): 'Local rigidity of 3-dimensional cone-manifolds' at University of Tübingen Habilitation (2010): 'Rigidity and flexibility of hyperbolic cone-3-manifolds and polyhedra' at LMU Munich Diploma (1999): 'Variation formulas for equivariant analytic torsion' at University of Göttingen **Research Interests**: Weiß explores geometric structures in low dimensions, specializing in hyperbolic cone-manifolds, Higgs bundles, and geometric flows. His work integrates differential geometry with topological methods, addressing deformation theory and geometric rigidity. Recent projects examine asymptotic geometry of Higgs bundles and moduli spaces. **Key Activities**: He co-organized over 15 events since 2015, including international workshops on geometric analysis and topology. Current teaching includes Differentialgeometrie II and a seminar on Seiberg-Witten theory. **Professional Network**: Active in the German mathematics community, collaborating with institutions like the MPI for Mathematics (Bonn) and Heidelberg University. His research group engages in international projects funded by DFG and EU initiatives.
Trevor Norris is a Full Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Brock University, Ontario. He holds a PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. His research critically examines the intersections of education, politics, and philosophy, focusing on neoliberalism, consumerism, democracy, and the public function of education. He has authored/co-authored numerous books, including Consuming Schools (2011) and Questioning the Classroom (2016), and edited volumes like Strong Democracy in Crisis (2016). Norris has led SSHRC-funded projects on philosophy education in schools and the relationship between democracy and education. He serves as Director of the Posthumanism Research Institute and participates in the PhD in Interdisciplinary Humanities program. His work has been translated into multiple languages. Awards include SSHRC grants (2022, 2019, 2012) and editorial leadership roles for journals like Philosophical Inquiry in Education . His teaching spans foundational education courses and advanced topics like consumerism as a worldview. Education: PhD in Philosophy of Education, OISE/University of Toronto Grants: Over $275,000 in SSHRC funding for projects on philosophy education and democracy Labs/Institutes: Director, Posthumanism Research Institute Future Work: Books on philosophy of education methodology (2024) and Trump v Education (2024)
Prof. Birte Glimm is a full Professor and Chair of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Ulm. She holds leadership roles in academic governance, including as Dean of Studies for Cognitive Systems and Computer Science programs. Her research focuses on knowledge representation, automated reasoning, and semantic web technologies, with applications in autonomous systems and intelligent assistants. She has led projects like the 'Companion-Technology for Home Improvement' and contributed to standards such as SPARQL 1.1 Entailment Regimes. Education: PhD (2008) from the University of Manchester under Prof. Ian Horrocks, BSc from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (2004), and prior industry experience in communication design. Research Interests: Development of efficient reasoning algorithms for Description Logics, ontology-based data management, and explainable AI. Her work emphasizes scalability, dynamic knowledge processing (e.g., for autonomous vehicles), and natural language explanations of automated reasoning. She co-leads the DFG-funded KEMAI research training group and previously led the BMBF project 2LIKE. Awards: Google Faculty Award (2017), Mileva Einstein-Marić-Preis (2016), and multiple best paper awards. She has served on numerous conference committees and editorial boards, including the OWL 2 Conformance Specification. Teaching: Courses on Knowledge-Based AI, Semantic Web Foundations, and programming for cognitive systems. She coordinates curricula for Computer Science and AI programs at Ulm. Labs/Teams: Institute of Artificial Intelligence; contributions to Collaborative Research Centers SFB/TRR 62 and EU projects in AI for industry.
Nadine Ueberschaer is a Junior Professor of New Testament at the Faculty of Protestant Theology, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, a position she has held since April 2020. She previously served as a research assistant at the University of Greifswald and has been affiliated with academic institutions in Munich, Zurich, and Münster. Studied Evangelical Theology at Munich and Tübingen (1999–2008) Research Assistant, Chair of New Testament, University of Munich and Zurich (2009–2014) Project Assistant, 'Bible and Literature', WWU Münster (2008) Doctorate (Dr. theol.), University of Zurich (2016) Pastoral Training, Evangelical Church in Baden (2014–2018) Research Assistant, University of Greifswald (2018–2020) Junior Professor, University of Tübingen (2020–present) Her research centers on New Testament theology, particularly the writings of John and Paul, with a focus on the interplay between faith and life, Johannine ethics, Christology, soteriology, and pneumatology. She explores how early Christian texts construct theological meaning, particularly through narrative and doctrinal summaries. Her recent publications reflect a strong engagement with the Gospel of John and the Johannine Epistles, analyzing themes such as faith communication, spiritual abiding, and ethical formation. Her work also intersects with Pauline theology, comparative theological concepts, and hermeneutical methods in biblical interpretation. She has been recognized with the Year Prize of the Theological Faculty of the University of Zurich in 2017. Nadine Ueberschaer has contributed significantly to academic discourse through her monograph, edited volumes, and numerous scholarly articles and reviews. While no formal advisees are listed, her editorial roles and publications indicate active mentorship and collaboration in the field. She has not received mention of external grants in the provided text. She is affiliated with the Chair of New Testament II at the University of Tübingen, contributing to its research and teaching mission in Protestant theology.
Prof. Vasileios Angelidakis is a Professor at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), specializing in Discrete Element Method (DEM) modeling, granular materials, and particle dynamics. His research focuses on numerical simulations of particulate systems, including particle shape characterization, DEM framework comparisons, and applications in additive manufacturing, railway ballast, and material science. He has collaborated internationally, contributing to open-source DEM software like MercuryDPM and Yade, and has published extensively on topics such as clump dynamics, thermal-particle interactions, and global benchmark studies on granular behavior. He has also worked on seismic engineering, analyzing structural responses to earthquake-induced ground motion. Education: PhD in Engineering (Newcastle University, 2022), MSc in Structural Engineering (National Technical University of Athens, 2016), Diploma in Civil Engineering (National Technical University of Athens, 2014). Research Interests: DEM modeling, particle shape effects, granular flow, computational mechanics, additive manufacturing processes, and seismic structural analysis. Publications highlight his work on open-source frameworks, particle morphology analysis, and validation studies across disciplines. His contributions include algorithms for rotational motion integration and tools like CLUMP and SHAPE for particle representation.
Bernhard Heinloth, M.Sc., is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science (INF) at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), specifically within Chair of Computer Science 4 (System Software). His research focuses on system software optimization, kernel tailoring for embedded systems, and dynamic software updates. He has contributed to projects like Luci (dynamic shared object updates), Cocoon (on-demand kernel compilation), and Honey (binary library reduction). Teaching activities include leading exercise sessions for courses such as Betriebsysteme (Operating Systems), Systemnahe Programmierung in C (Low-Level Programming), and Praktikum angewandte Systemsoftwaretechnik (Systems Software Lab). He has advised numerous master's theses on topics ranging from interrupt latency analysis to compiler-based OS optimization. His publications span academic venues like USENIX ATC, PLOS, and SBESC, with a strong emphasis on practical system software engineering. Current work continues exploring compiler-driven system optimizations and real-time kernel performance.
Manfred Seifert is Professor of European Ethnology / Cultural Studies at Philipps-Universität Marburg (Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Fb03) since October 2013. He simultaneously serves as speaker of the DGEKW-Commission “Work Cultures” and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (since 2018) and of Germany’s former expert committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (2013-2022). From 2006-2013 he was head of the European-Ethnology department at the Institute for Saxon History and European Ethnology e.V. in Dresden. Education & Academic Career 1984-1989 Studies of European Ethnology, Psychology and History at Universities of Passau, Tübingen and Vienna (Master 1989) 1994 Dr. phil. (European Ethnology), University of Passau – Dissertation on National Socialist cultural policy in the Reichsarbeitsdienst 2002 Habilitation (European Ethnology), University of Passau – Thesis on domestic heating as cultural technology 2009 Appointment as Associate Professor, University of Passau 2013-present Full Professor, Philipps-Universität Marburg Research Interests Manfred Seifert’s work is driven by an ethnographic and historical interest in the cultural constitution of everyday life. Central thematic axes include: Work Cultures & Economy: digitalisation, neoliberal management, flexibility, precarity, emotions and empathy in labour life. Space & Landscape: perception, emotion, atmosphere, construction of landscape and urban space. Home & Identity: belonging, mobility, globalisation, plural identities, emotional geographies. Popular Music & Culture: folk music cultivation, musical identity, festivals and competitions. NS Cultural Policy: Reichsarbeitsdienst, Thingspiel movement, propaganda and everyday culture. Theory & Method: biography research, ethnography of space, cultural theory, digital archives. Publications Seifert’s publication corpus (more than 120 articles plus numerous monographs and edited volumes) reveals a consistent trajectory from historical studies of National Socialist cultural work to contemporary analyses of flexible labour, digital work cultures, and the emotional dimensions of economy and home. Recent outputs (2020-2025) foreground interdisciplinary perspectives on post-Fordist work, intangible heritage policy, and the cultural semantics of home in late modernity. Memberships & Advisory Roles Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Germanisches Nationalmuseum (since 2018) Former member, Independent Expert Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (2013-2022) Speaker, DGEKW-Commission “Work Cultures” Editorial activity for Zeitschrift für Empirische Kulturwissenschaft Research Infrastructure & Teams At Marburg, Seifert teaches and conducts research within the Institute for Critical Studies in Culture and History , fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between European ethnology, sociology, history and cultural geography. He has also co-initiated digital heritage and biography projects, including the Lebensgeschichtliches Archiv für Sachsen and online editions of Adolf Spamer’s works.
Franziska Nestler is a Researcher at the Department of Mathematics , Chemnitz University of Technology , with a focus on applied functional analysis and computational methods. She leads the BMBF junior research group SALE (Fast Algorithms for explainable recommendation systems) and contributes to E-learning initiatives at the Faculty of Mathematics. Education : Diploma in Mathematics (2012), PhD in Applied Functional Analysis (2018) Research interests center on fast Fourier-based algorithms for electrostatic interactions in particle systems, machine learning with interpretable kernel methods, and E-learning tools for mathematics education. Her work bridges numerical analysis, computational physics, and pedagogical innovation. Key scientific awards include the Best Poster Award at the Strobl18 Workshop. She has collaborated on projects like DFG's Fast Fourier-based Coulomb solvers and BMBF's Qualitätspakt Lehre for teaching digitalization. Advising : Supervised Master’s and Bachelor’s theses in fast summation methods and inverse NFFT techniques
Max Planck Institute for Demographic ResearchGermany
Jutta Gampe serves as Head of the Laboratory of Statistical Demography at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock, Germany. Her position places her at the forefront of advanced demographic methodology development, with particular expertise in survival analysis and statistical modeling of mortality patterns. As a research leader at one of the world's premier demographic research institutions, she contributes significantly to methodological innovation in demography. Dr. Gampe's research interests center on statistical demography with specific focus on survival analysis with multiple time scales, mortality at extreme ages, and cognitive functioning in aging populations. Her work bridges theoretical statistical development with practical demographic applications, particularly in the context of human longevity and aging processes. She has made substantial contributions to methods for analyzing interval-censored data and developing smooth hazard functions for complex demographic phenomena. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong methodological focus with increasing sophistication in handling multiple time scales in survival models. Her research demonstrates a consistent trajectory from foundational work on mortality at extreme ages toward more complex statistical frameworks that can accommodate multiple dimensions of time in demographic processes. The interdisciplinary nature of her work is evident in collaborations spanning statistics, demography, epidemiology, and even ecological applications. Dr. Gampe leads several significant research projects including Cognitive Functioning in Middle- and High-Income Countries, Estimating Smooth Rates from Interval-Censored Data, Mortality at Extreme Ages and Potential Limits to Human Lifespan, and Multiple Time Scales in Survival and Event-History Models. Her laboratory serves as a hub for advanced statistical methodology development in demographic research, attracting numerous collaborators from around the world.
Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International LawGermany
Mark Somos is a distinguished scholar specializing in international law, legal history, and the history of political thought. He currently holds a Heisenberg Position at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg, Germany, where he serves as a Senior Research Affiliate. He also maintains a longstanding affiliation as a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at Sussex Law School since 2012. His interdisciplinary research bridges law, history, and the history of science, with particular expertise in Grotius studies and early modern intellectual history. Dr. Somos has an impressive educational background across multiple prestigious institutions: PhD in Law, Leiden University (2014) LL.M in Law and International Security (Distinction), University of Sussex (2012) PhD in Political Science, Harvard University (2007) A.M. in Government and Social Policy, Harvard University (2006) M.Phil. in Political Thought and Intellectual History, University of Cambridge (2000) B.A. (Honours) in History (First Class), University of Cambridge (1999) His research interests span international law history , Grotius studies , constitutional history , the American Revolution , early modern print culture , and the history of anatomy . Somos is particularly known for his innovative "census method" of bibliographic research, which systematically tracks the provenance, ownership, and annotations of rare historical texts. His scholarly approach combines meticulous archival work with theoretical insights from political philosophy and legal theory, resulting in groundbreaking contributions to understanding how historical texts have shaped legal and political thought across centuries. Somos's extensive publication record reveals a scholar deeply engaged with the intersection of law, history, and textual scholarship. His most recent work focuses on comprehensive bibliographic censuses of Hugo Grotius's seminal work De iure belli ac pacis , examining multiple editions across different years. He has also made significant contributions to Vesalian studies, particularly regarding Andreas Vesalius's De humani corporis Fabrica . A distinctive feature of his scholarship is the methodological innovation of the "census method," which has opened new avenues for understanding the material history and reception of foundational texts in law and science. His work demonstrates how close attention to physical books—their annotations, ownership histories, and printing variations—can illuminate broader intellectual and legal developments. Among Somos's notable achievements are: Winner of a prestigious Heisenberg Position (2019) Balsdon Senior Fellow at the British School at Rome (2017) DFG Heisenberg Project: "Grotius Census Bibliography" Throughout his career, Somos has received significant research support and held numerous academic appointments at leading institutions including Harvard University, Yale University, Tufts University, and the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics. His interdisciplinary approach has allowed him to bridge traditionally separate fields, creating innovative research at the intersection of legal history, political thought, and the history of science. His work on the "state of nature" concept in American constitutional thought, published in American States of Nature: The Origins of Independence, 1761-1775 (Oxford University Press, 2019), represents a major contribution to understanding the intellectual foundations of American independence. Somos leads the ambitious "Grotius Census Bibliography" project, which systematically documents the global distribution, ownership, and marginalia of copies of Grotius's foundational work on international law. This project exemplifies his commitment to combining traditional scholarly methods with innovative digital approaches to historical research. His collaborative work with scholars across disciplines, particularly in the fields of history of science and book history, demonstrates his ability to build productive research networks that transcend conventional academic boundaries.
Prof. Dr. Dietmar Gallistl is a faculty member at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, holding the Professorship for Numerical Mathematics within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. His research focuses on numerical methods for partial differential equations, including mixed finite elements, multiscale methods, adaptive algorithms, and computational homogenization. He teaches courses such as Theory and Numerics of Partial Differential Equations and Iterative Solvers for Partial Differential Equations . His research interests span various areas including discretization techniques for nonlinear PDEs, error analysis, and computational methods for wave propagation. He has contributed to software tools for finite element mesh refinement and numerical simulations. Recent work includes publications on the Gross-Pitaevskii eigenvalue problem, Monge-Ampère equations, and time-harmonic Maxwell equations. Prof. Gallistl's academic work emphasizes rigorous mathematical analysis alongside practical numerical implementation. His teaching materials include lecture notes on computational PDEs and finite element methods available on his university webpage.
Tianbai Xiao is a Researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) within the Department of Mathematics and Steinbuch Centre for Computing. His work spans mesoscopic science , uncertainty quantification , and scientific machine learning , focusing on multi-scale, multi-physics problems in flow transport. His research in kinetic theory addresses nonlinear partial differential equations, hyperbolic conservation laws, and the unified modeling of continuum/rarefied flows. He develops high-performance numerical algorithms like the Unified Gas-Kinetic Scheme (UGKS) and Kinetic.jl (a finite volume toolbox for scientific computing). Current projects include mesoscopic science , stochastic data science , and physics-informed neural networks . He contributes to open-source tools including FluxReconstruction.jl for advection-diffusion methods and Langevin.jl for stochastic kinetic modeling. Publications cover Journal of Computational Physics , Engineering Fracture Mechanics , and Entropy , with preprints on arXiv in 2025 addressing force-driven flows and hybrid peridynamics. Teaching activities include the Introduction to Kinetic Theory lecture at KIT, and mentoring in the CAMMP (Computational and Mathematical Modeling Program) to develop problem-solving skills through real-world modeling tasks. He advocates for problem-based learning where students translate non-mathematical problems into mathematical language.
Max Planck Institute for Empirical AestheticsGermany
David Temperley is a Professor of Music Theory at the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester), where he has been teaching since 2000, progressing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and finally to Professor in 2015. His academic career also includes visiting positions at the University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University, Columbia University, and New York University. He holds a Ph.D. in Music Theory from Columbia University (1996), an M.A. in Composition from Columbia University (1992), and a B.A. in History from Swarthmore College (1985). Dr. Temperley's research spans multiple areas at the intersection of music theory, cognition, and computational modeling. His work focuses on: Music cognition and perception Computational models of musical structure Analysis of popular music, particularly rock Relationships between music and language Rhythm and meter in various musical traditions Corpus-based approaches to music analysis His research demonstrates a consistent interest in applying quantitative and computational methods to understand musical structures and processes. He has pioneered corpus studies in music theory, examining large collections of musical works to identify patterns and principles that might not be evident from individual case studies. His work often bridges theoretical music analysis with empirical cognitive science approaches. Dr. Temperley has received several prestigious awards including the Society for Music Theory Emerging Scholar Award (2003), the University of Rochester Bridging Fellowship (2009), and the University of Rochester Provost's Multidisciplinary Award (2012). These awards recognize his innovative interdisciplinary approach that connects music theory with cognitive science and computational modeling. As an educator, Dr. Temperley has taught a wide range of courses in music theory, analysis, counterpoint, and music cognition at both graduate and undergraduate levels. His teaching reflects his research interests, emphasizing both traditional theoretical approaches and contemporary empirical methods. He has supervised numerous graduate students in their research, particularly in areas combining music theory with cognitive science. Dr. Temperley is also an active composer with numerous performances of his works, including chamber music for various instrument combinations and piano compositions. His compositional work informs his theoretical research and vice versa, creating a productive dialogue between creative practice and scholarly inquiry.
Prof. Dr. Moritz Kaßmann is affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics at Bielefeld University, Germany. His academic career spans institutions such as the University of Bonn, University of Connecticut, and Wroclaw University of Technology. Professor (W3), Bielefeld University (2016–present) Speaker of GRK 2235 (2016–present) Subproject Leader in SFB 1283 (2017–2025) Education: Doctorate (2001), University of Bonn Habilitation (2007), University of Bonn Studies at University of Bonn (1994–1997), St. Petersburg State University (1993–1994), and University of Konstanz (1991–1993) Research Interests: Moritz Kaßmann specializes in nonlocal operators, stochastic processes, and their applications in partial differential equations. His work addresses regularity theory, Harnack inequalities, and degenerate integrodifferential operators. He explores connections between singular systems, random structures, and analysis on fractals. Article Trends: His recent publications focus on nonlocal kinetic equations, parabolic Harnack inequalities, and robust Hölder estimates. Key themes include the failure of classical assumptions in nonlocal settings, trace theorems for degenerate operators, and geometric analysis of irregular systems. Scientific Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship (2014) Foundation for Polish Science Fellowship (2014) Advising and Grants: He supervises students in projects like GRK 2235 and SFB 1283, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). His research investigates regularity properties of solutions to nonlocal equations and numerical methods for degenerate operators. Labs/Teams: Kaßmann collaborates with international experts in the International Research Training Group (IRTG) between Bielefeld and Seoul National University, focusing on singular and random systems in mathematics.
