Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Horst Bischof is an Associate Professor at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). His work focuses on computer vision, medical imaging, and pattern recognition. He has contributed to projects in automated medical diagnosis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis assessment), 3D reconstruction, and cultural heritage preservation through advanced segmentation techniques. He has supervised numerous students including S. Veigl, A. Belbachir, and G. Langs. Bischof has edited proceedings like the 2005 Computer Vision Winter Workshop and published extensively on topics like Markov Random Fields, Active Appearance Models, and Canonical Correlation Analysis. His research bridges computer science and biomedical applications, with notable contributions to anatomical structure localization and robust model learning. He collaborates with institutions like the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology and has developed systems such as the RheumaCoachCAD for automated scoring of bone erosions. Education: Dipl.-Ing. (Master of Engineering) and Dr.techn. (Doctor of Technical Sciences) from TU Wien. Key Projects: CAD systems for rheumatoid arthritis, 3D rock-art segmentation, and MRF-based medical image analysis. Research interests emphasize integrating computational methods into clinical diagnostics and heritage conservation. His work on sparse MRF models and group-wise learning has advanced automated medical image processing techniques.
Johann Vollmann , Associate Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), specializes in plant breeding and crop genetics. His research focuses on soybean and camelina adaptation to environmental stresses, genetic diversity, and sustainable agricultural practices. Institution: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Department: Plant Breeding Email: johann.vollmann@boku.ac.at His work leverages advanced phenotyping techniques, including hyperspectral imaging and UAV-based data, to improve yield stability and seed quality in legumes. Recent studies emphasize climate resilience and organic farming compatibility. Selected publications highlight his contributions to understanding genetic variation, phenological adaptation, and non-destructive biomass estimation. He actively participates in international conferences like the World Soybean Research Conference.
Philipp Fleck is a researcher at the Institute of Visual Computing at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz). His work focuses on augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and computer graphics, with applications in industrial systems, medical imaging, and situated analytics. He has developed tools like CECILIA and RagRug for game content exploration and spatial data analysis. Research Highlights: AR for heavy machinery safety using laser projections Thermochromic temperature sensing for cost-efficient thermal imaging Compact World Anchors for large-scale localization Situated analytics frameworks for physical-digital integration Scientific Contributions: His publications span 3D reconstruction, SLAM, image processing, and IoT-ready XR-WebApps. Awards include Best Paper at VISAPP 2020 and Honorable Mention at IEEE VR 2024.
Christian Kop is an Associate Professor at the University of Klagenfurt's Faculty of Technical Sciences, affiliated with the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. He holds leadership roles including membership in the BEKO-C consortium and chairs the Curricular Commission for Information Management. His expertise spans AI, cybersecurity, software development, and natural language processing. Research focuses include requirements analysis, system design, and interdisciplinary applications of AI. Recent work examines online political microtargeting avoidance, swarm robotics, and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Active in grant-funded projects like Heterogeneous multi-agent localization (FFG-funded) and Wind Turbine Blade Inspection (FFG). Collaborates with industry partners such as Infineon Technologies and the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation. Teaches courses in information management and participates in academic governance roles.
Ignacio Baltazar Perez Messina is a PreDoc Researcher and Ph.D. candidate at Vienna University of Technology's Centre for Visual Analytics Science and Technology (CVAST) within the Faculty of Informatics. His work focuses on guidance mechanisms in mixed-initiative visual analytics systems, with emphasis on progressive analysis and user interaction design. His research interests span Visual Analytics , Data Visualization , and Human-Computer Interaction , with specific expertise in task-driven guidance methodologies, persistent user-generated artifacts, and spatio-temporal data analysis. Current projects include DoRIAH (2020–2024), GuidedVA (2020–2025), and KnoVA (2018–2022), with recent expansion into typographical forensics through a 2025 research internship at Japan's National Institute of Informatics. Analysis of his publication record reveals a consistent trajectory in advancing guidance frameworks for visual analytics, evolving from foundational typologies (2022) to task-driven methodologies (2023-2024) and persistent interaction models (2024-2025). His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in urban mobility, remote sensing, and creative data representation. Honourable Mention at EuroVA 2023 His research is supported through multiple EU-funded projects including DoRIAH (Domain-adaptive Remote Sensing Image Analysis with Human-in-the-loop) and GuidedVA. Perez Messina actively participates in interdisciplinary collaborations, having completed artistic residencies at Bibliothek Andreas Züst (Switzerland) and Creartathon (Paris), where he integrates visualization research with media art practice through exhibitions at VISAP and IEEE VIS events. He maintains active laboratory work at CVAST, where his research on progressive guidance systems continues to evolve through collaborations with international partners including UCLab at FH Potsdam and the National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo.
Margrit Gelautz is an Associate Professor at TU Wien, leading the research group on Image and Video Analysis & Synthesis. She holds a PhD from Graz University of Technology (1997) and conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University's Radar Interferometry Group. Her work focuses on 3D reconstruction, stereo analysis, and applications in autonomous driving and robotics. She directs the Doctorate College 'TrustRobots' and has pioneered projects like the AlphaMatting.com evaluation system. Key roles include heading the 'Precision Livestock Farming' unit and serving as a university lecturer in Computer Vision. Education: PhD in Computer Science, Graz University of Technology (1997) Postdoctoral Research, Stanford University (1999–2001) Research Interests: 3D scene reconstruction, stereo analysis, image matting, autonomous driving systems, and robotics. Her group develops tools for 3D film production, novel view synthesis, and real-time depth estimation using structured light. Current projects include CarVisionLight (autonomous driving vision systems) and Precise3D (cost-efficient 3D scanning workflows). Grants & Awards: Interactive TV Award 2009 Microsoft Research Stipend 2007 Funding for 10 PhD positions in the 'TrustRobots' Doctorate College Labs & Teams: Her research group collaborates on EU initiatives like 3D-ConTourNet and maintains the AlphaMatting.com platform. Projects span dynamic vision sensors, event-based stereo systems, and semantic SLAM for robotics.
Dr. Alexander Pacha is an External Lecturer at TU Wien, specializing in Optical Music Recognition (OMR) and deep learning applications. His work focuses on advancing OMR systems through graph neural networks, dataset development (e.g., DeepScoresV2), and music score analysis. He leads projects like DeepOMR and contributes to the Mixed Reality Lab and Virtual Meeting Room initiatives. Key research areas include music symbol detection, staff/measure segmentation, and cross-document alignment in music scores. Research interests span computer vision, artificial intelligence, and software tools for music information retrieval. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in digital libraries and music technology. Notable contributions include self-learning OMR frameworks and benchmarking tools for music object detection. Labs & Teams: Mixed Reality Lab (exploring AR/VR in music contexts), Virtual Meeting Room (collaborative digital environments).
Bernhard Kerbl is a Post-doctoral Researcher at the Computer Graphics Group (E193-02) within the Faculty of Informatics at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). He actively contributes to research in real-time rendering, GPU optimization, and 3D visualization. His work focuses on point cloud rendering, Gaussian splatting, and low-level graphics API development (particularly Vulkan). Core Research Areas: Real-time rendering, GPU programming, point cloud processing, 3D Gaussian splatting, task-based parallelism Projects: IVILPC (2023–2026), ACD (2020–2028), EVOCATION (2018–2022) Key Contributions: Developed real-time rendering techniques for massive datasets, pioneered GPU-based scene streaming architectures, and created novel methods for visual error prediction using machine learning. His work on Vulkan transition in academia received recognition, and he maintains active collaborations in GPU education. Scientific Achievements: Best Paper Award at EGPGV 2024 for "Fast Rendering of Parametric Objects on Modern GPUs" Recipient of Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF) support for graphics research Technical Expertise: Specializes in CUDA, OpenGL/Vulkan APIs, and real-time systems. His work bridges academic research with practical implementations in virtual reality, augmented reality, and GPU education.
Reinhold Preiner is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Computer Graphics and Knowledge Visualization, part of the Faculty for Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering at TU Graz. He holds a PhD from TU Wien (2017) focused on dynamic and probabilistic point-cloud processing. His research emphasizes 3D graphics, geometry processing, and cultural heritage digitization. Current projects include Open Reassembly (fragment assembly for archaeological artifacts) and VR4CPPS (virtual reality in production systems). Education: PhD in Computer Science, TU Wien (2017) Dipl.-Ing. (MSc equivalent) in Computer Science, TU Wien Research Interests: Probabilistic geometry processing, interactive visualization, cultural heritage preservation through digital methods, and VR applications. Recent work includes thermal conduction modeling in astrophysical systems and crowd simulation algorithms. Projects & Grants: FWF Research Group A+CHIS (Cultural Heritage Informatics) Collaborative projects with Fraunhofer Institute Labs/Teams: Leads the Visual Computing group at TU Graz, collaborating with international partners on cultural heritage digitization and VR solutions.
Aaron De Souza is a Research Fellow at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, specializing in Nubian material culture of the late second millennium BC. He holds a PhD in Egyptology from Macquarie University, where he also served as a Junior Research Fellow and Honorary Postdoctoral Associate. Education: PhD in Egyptology (Macquarie University, 2016) Current Roles: Marie Skłodowska-Curie 'InBetween' Fellow, Nubian Ceramics Specialist at the Tell Edfu Project (University of Chicago) Past Roles: Tutor and Examiner at Macquarie University, Pan-Grave cemetery specialist at Hierakonpolis Expedition (Oxford University) Research Interests include Nubian-Egyptian cultural interactions, evolutionary approaches to material culture, and the analysis of ceramic traditions as markers of identity. His fieldwork spans Egypt, Sudan, Sweden, the UK, the USA, and Italy. Recent Publications focus on cross-cultural hybridity, ceramic analysis, and redefining the 'Bronze Age' framework for Nubia. He has contributed to debates on marginalization in Pharaonic narratives and technological innovations in vessel-forming techniques. Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, Junior Research Fellow at Macquarie University Projects: 'Living Nubia' and 'InBetween' initiatives Labs & Collaborations: Affiliated with the Tell Edfu Project (University of Chicago) and the Hierakonpolis Expedition (Oxford University).
Florian Kitzler serves as a Researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering within the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). His work bridges advanced computer vision techniques with practical agricultural applications, focusing on developing innovative solutions for modern farming challenges. Kitzler actively contributes to multiple research projects including the Digital Agriculture initiative and the Digitalisation and Innovation Laboratory in Agricultural Sciences (DiLaAg), where he collaborates with various institutes across BOKU. Kitzler's research interests center on applying artificial intelligence to agricultural problems, particularly in the areas of plant and weed segmentation, field robot evaluation, and digital farming systems. His work demonstrates how computer vision can enhance precision agriculture through RGB-D imaging, decision tree classifiers, and object localization algorithms specifically designed for agricultural environments. He has developed systems for evaluating field robot operations and created datasets like WE3DS that support semantic segmentation in farming contexts. His publication record shows a consistent focus on practical applications of computer vision in agriculture, with recent work emphasizing selective weed control, plant segmentation quality, and digital laboratory frameworks. Kitzler's research trend demonstrates increasing sophistication in applying machine learning techniques to solve specific agricultural challenges, moving from basic object detection to more complex systems for field operation evaluation. Wissenschaftspreis award for AI-based weed detection research (October 2024) Kitzler supervises master's level research, as evidenced by his guidance of Sarah Sierra's 2022 thesis comparing manual and image-based area assessment in sugar beet cultivation. His project involvement includes both technical development and practical implementation aspects of agricultural digitization. While specific grant details aren't provided in the text, his participation in multi-institute projects suggests experience with collaborative research funding. As a key contributor to the DiLaAg (Digitalisation and Innovation Laboratory in Agricultural Sciences) project, Kitzler works within an interdisciplinary team developing infrastructure for testing and implementing digital agricultural technologies. This laboratory setting provides the practical environment for validating his computer vision systems and agricultural robotics research in real-world farming conditions.
Thomas Blaschke is a Full Professor of Geoinformatics and Director of the Department of Geoinformatics – Z_GIS at the University of Salzburg. He has held leadership roles including Head of the GIScience Division and Vice-President of the Association for Geoinformatics, GeoIT and Navigation. Since 2022, he serves as Head of the Department. Education: MSc in Geography/Geographic Information Systems (1986-1992) PhD in Geography (1992-1995) Habilitation (2001) Research Focus: His work integrates spatial analysis with domain knowledge to develop GIS-based decision support systems. He specializes in bridging object-based image analysis with Geographic Information Science (GIScience), advancing methodologies in geospatial data processing and environmental modeling. Awards & Honors: Fulbright Professorship at California State University Long Beach (2006) Elected Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences PhD Supervision: He has guided over 30 doctoral students to completion, with recent projects spanning landslide mapping, urban livability assessment, participatory planning platforms, and multi-hazard susceptibility modeling using geoinformatics approaches.
Iris Laner is a Professor of Fine Arts and Art Education at the Department of Fine Arts and Design, School of Music & Arts Education (SOMA), Universität Mozarteum Salzburg. She leads the FWF solo project 'Joint Aesthetic Judgments' and coordinates the transdisciplinary #ConnectingMinds project 'Transforming Climate-Social Futures.' Her work bridges aesthetic, ethical, and political perspectives through collaborative and art-based research. Her research focuses on aesthetic judgment, collaborative practices with cultural artifacts, and the role of art education in fostering utopian visions and sustainability. She has co-edited book series like 'Experience-Oriented Educational Research' and 'Interjections: Transdisciplinary Texts on Art and Pedagogy.' Hertha Firnberg project: 'Aesthetic Practice and the Critical Faculty' Graduate school fellowship: 'Image and Time' (NCCR Image Criticism eikones) Publications include works on collective imagination, embodiment in education, digital media critique, and poststructuralist theories. She has contributed to journals and edited volumes in aesthetics, pedagogy, and cultural studies. Laner's teaching and research span institutions like the University of Basel, University of St. Gallen, KU Leuven, and Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. Her methodological interests include theoretical, qualitative, participatory, and art-based research.
Dagmar Thoss is a Lecturer at the University of Vienna's Faculty of History and Cultural Studies, affiliated with the Institute of Art History and based at the Research Lease Archive/Research Center for Medieval Book and Picture Culture. Her academic journey began at the University of Vienna in 1961 with French interpreting studies, followed by a scholarship at the University of Lausanne (1963). She later specialized in Romance Studies and Art History, earning professional translator (1965) and interpreter (1966) certifications before completing her Dr. phil. in Romance Studies (1970). Research Expertise Thoss specializes in Medieval Art History with emphasis on French and Flemish book illumination. Her research examines Gothic and Renaissance manuscript traditions, Burgundian court culture, codicology, and artistic techniques in medieval miniature painting. She has curated major exhibitions on French Gothic/Renaissance illumination and Flemish manuscript treasures. Professional Contributions As a long-term researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (1970-1990s), Thoss co-directed the landmark catalog The Illuminated Manuscripts and Incunabula of the Austrian National Library , editing volumes on French and Flemish schools. She authored significant facsimile commentaries including the Black Prayer Book and Croy-Gebetbuch, establishing methodologies for stylistic analysis in Flemish illumination. Since 1992, she has taught Medieval Art History at the University of Applied Arts while continuing research at Vienna's Pächt Archive. Publications Overview Thoss's publications (1974-2018) demonstrate sustained focus on Burgundian and Flemish manuscript cultures, with recent work expanding into Southern Netherlandish Gothic traditions. Her scholarship combines meticulous codicological analysis with investigations of text-image relationships, artistic patronage, and the sociopolitical contexts of medieval book production.
Dr. Hanna Brinkmann is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Cultures and Technologies of Collecting at the University of Continuing Education Krems, Austria. Her interdisciplinary work bridges art history, empirical aesthetics, and digital humanities, with a focus on understanding how people engage with visual culture through both traditional and digital means. She employs cutting-edge methodologies like eye-tracking to investigate cultural influences on art perception and develops innovative approaches to museum experiences. Her research interests center on reception aesthetics, visual culture studies, and empirical methods for analyzing art perception. Dr. Brinkmann specializes in using physiological measures to objectively study subjective aesthetic experiences, examining how cultural background, exhibition design, and digital mediation affect viewer responses. She has pioneered mobile eye-tracking studies in museum settings and developed the MuseumsMenschen-Web-App for participatory engagement with urban museum collections. Her work increasingly explores the therapeutic applications of art experiences, particularly for aging populations and those with dementia. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the evolving relationship between physical and digital art experiences. She has conducted groundbreaking research on how different presentation formats (original artworks versus digital surrogates) affect aesthetic responses, with particular attention to cultural diversity in perception patterns. Her work demonstrates how eye-tracking data can inform museum curation practices and digital interpretation strategies. A significant portion of her recent research investigates practical applications of art engagement for health promotion, especially in the context of dementia care and healthy aging. Dr. Brinkmann is actively involved in several major research initiatives including the FWF-funded 'Art Experience in the (Post-)Digital Age' project (2024-2027), where she serves as project lead investigating how digital surrogates affect aesthetic experiences compared to original artworks. She also contributes to the 'Gesundes Museum' project exploring how museums can support health promotion for older adults, and the 'Industriekultur im Dialog' project examining participatory approaches to industrial heritage collections. Her work with the Krems Arts Education & Dementia Initiative (KAEDI) demonstrates her commitment to translating academic research into practical, socially beneficial outcomes. As a member of professional associations including ICOM Austria, the German Art Historians Association, DArtist Austria, and VöKK – Association of Austrian Art Historians, Dr. Brinkmann maintains strong connections with the international art history and museum communities. Her presentations at conferences like Museums and the Internet, DHd, and dementia care forums showcase her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to knowledge exchange across academic and professional boundaries.
