Dr. Juha Kärkkäinen is a University Lecturer and Principal Investigator at the Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki, specializing in Algorithmic Bioinformatics. He supervises PhD students in the Doctoral Programme in Computer Science and actively contributes to research outputs and academic events. Institution: University of Helsinki Department: Department of Computer Science Rank: Lecturer His research focuses on string processing , data structures , and combinatorial pattern matching , with recent work on bijective Burrows-Wheeler transforms, LCP arrays, and efficient string indexing. Google Scholar lists publications spanning 2024 to 1999, highlighting his expertise in algorithm design and compression techniques . Notably, he has participated in and organized events like the International Workshop on Combinatorial Algorithms and delivered a keynote speech at the 1st Summer School on Bioinformatics Algorithms. While no explicit awards are detailed, his editorial roles in scientific collections and conferences underscore his academic influence.
Boris Jukic is a Professor and Director of Applied Data Science at the Reh School of Business , Clarkson University. With a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, he teaches courses such as Visual Basic Programming for Business Applications and Development of Business Applications on the Internet. Dr. Jukic's research focuses on: Management and pricing of networks and telecommunication services Application of data management and presentation strategies in e-business and e-commerce IT architecture's impact on organizational success metrics His recent publications highlight trends in data warehousing , IT architecture , and business intelligence . Notable subfields include data modeling , incentive-compatible pricing , and process-data integration . Contact: Email: bjukic@clarkson.edu Phone: 315/268-3884 Office: 227 Bertrand H. Snell Hall, Clarkson University
Uwe Zdun is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, where he serves as Vice-Director of Studies for Computer Science and Head of the Research Group Software Architecture. His teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Software Engineering 2, Advanced Software Engineering, and Practical Software Courses for Bachelor's and Master's theses across multiple semesters (2024W-2025S). His research spans software architecture with emphasis on microservices, cloud computing, and DevOps. Key focus areas include architectural design decisions, infrastructure-as-code conformance, security in distributed systems, and the integration of machine learning operations (MLOps/RLOps). He investigates cognitive aspects of architecture practices through controlled experiments and develops model-driven approaches for quality assessment in complex systems. Recent publications (2024-2026) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Security and coupling analysis in infrastructure-as-code deployments, (2) MLOps/RLOps integration for Industry 4.0 cyber-physical systems, and (3) Performance optimization patterns for CI/CD pipelines and autoscaling. His work bridges theoretical architecture models with industrial practice, particularly in microservice ecosystems and reinforcement learning applications. Professor Zdun leads the Research Group Software Architecture at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Computer Science. The group focuses on empirical validation of architectural patterns, tool development for conformance checking, and advancing design decision methodologies in cloud-native and AI-driven systems.
Qiaoning Carol Zhang serves as Assistant Professor of Human Systems Engineering within The Polytechnic School at Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Her research investigates the critical intersection of human perception, social contexts, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics, and automated vehicles, with emphasis on creating intuitive, user-friendly, and inclusive systems. Her academic foundation includes: Ph.D. in Information, University of Michigan (2023) M.S. in Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan (2018) B.S. in Industrial Engineering, Hunan University (2016) Dr. Zhang's research program centers on understanding how individual differences and social dynamics shape technology interactions. Key focus areas include Human-AI Collaboration , Human-Robot Interaction , Human Factors in Automated Vehicles , and User Experience Design . Her work employs interdisciplinary methodologies to ensure technology adapts to diverse user needs across complex socio-technical environments, particularly in transportation and healthcare robotics. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals dominant themes in trust dynamics within automated vehicles, with significant attention to explainable AI interfaces. Research consistently examines how voice characteristics (gender, similarity), explanation modalities, and individual differences (age, personality) impact cognitive and affective trust. Recent work extends to healthcare robotics for elderly populations using Kano model analysis to identify critical user requirements. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. Dr. Zhang actively recruits Ph.D. candidates and undergraduate/master's researchers with backgrounds in human-computer interaction, data science, and interdisciplinary fields (design, computer science, cognitive science). She emphasizes opportunities in transportation technology, healthcare robotics, AI, and UX research/design, requiring applicants to submit CVs, research statements, and representative work samples. While specific grants aren't detailed, her research scope indicates substantial funding in human factors and emerging technology domains. Her research team focuses on developing empathetic technology through projects examining trust calibration in automated vehicles and healthcare robot design for older adults. Current initiatives include voice interface optimization for diverse user groups and Kano model applications in home healthcare robotics, aiming to bridge technical capabilities with human-centered design principles.
Jim Luedtke is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on operations research, integer programming, and stochastic optimization methods for solving discrete and uncertain decision problems. Educational Background: BS in Industrial Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison MS in Operations Research from Georgia Institute of Technology PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology Postdoctoral Research at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center His work spans applications in power systems optimization, healthcare analytics, and network design, with particular emphasis on developing cutting-edge algorithms for chance-constrained and multistage stochastic programming problems. Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on Benders decomposition techniques, Lagrangian dual methods, and distributionally robust optimization frameworks. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2010) for "Risk Management via Stochastic Programming: Models, Computation, and Applications"
Professor Jaana Kaarina Bäck is affiliated with the University of Helsinki, serving in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry's Department of Forest Sciences. She leads the 'Ecosystem processes' research group and oversees ecosystem research at the SMEAR measurement network. Her work bridges forest ecology, atmospheric science, and climate change mitigation, focusing on forest-atmosphere interactions and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). PhD in Physiological Plant Ecology (University of Oulu, 1994) Docentship in Forest-Atmosphere Interactions (University of Helsinki, 2010) Docentship in Plant Ecophysiology (University of Oulu, 1998) Bäck's research explores how boreal forests influence atmospheric composition, carbon cycling, and climate dynamics. She investigates BVOC emissions, ecosystem responses to climate change, and feedback mechanisms between vegetation and the atmosphere. Her recent publications (277 total) analyze carbon dynamics after forest thinning, aerosol production in boreal ecosystems, and harmonized environmental observations via eLTER. These works span soil functions, air quality, and climate risk research. Knight, First Class, Order of the White Rose of Finland (2021) Open Science Award (University of Helsinki, 2018) Pro Scientia Award (Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters, 2017) Bäck supervises 3 postdoctoral researchers, 4 doctoral students as main supervisor, and 12 as co-supervisor. She has secured over 6 M€ in research funding, including EU Horizon grants and Academy of Finland projects.
Lorin M. Hitt serves as the Zhang Jindong Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. His distinguished career spans multiple domains at the intersection of information technology, economics, and business strategy. As a leading scholar in IT productivity and innovation, he maintains an active research agenda while teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in information systems and data analysis. Professor Hitt's research interests focus on the relationship between information technology and productivity, with particular emphasis on complementary factors such as organizational design and human capital that affect the value of IT investments. His current work explores the economics of IT labor mobility, enterprise software contracting, recommender systems' influence on consumer behavior, measurement of intangible assets, and pricing information goods. His research increasingly examines IT deployment in healthcare settings and the role of the IT workforce in relation to issues like offshoring and the H1-B visa program. His research publications demonstrate consistent contributions to top-tier journals, with recent work analyzing how data analytics mitigates post-IPO innovation decline, digital capital accumulation in superstar firms, and the relationship between analytics skills and firm productivity. His publication record shows sustained scholarly output across multiple domains of information systems research. Best Paper Runner-up – Management Science, 2014 Best Paper – Information Systems Research, 2013 Multiple Wharton Excellence in Teaching Awards (2003, 2007-2008, 2011) David Hauck Award for Distinguished Teaching, 1999 National Science Foundation Career Grant Recipient, 1998 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, 1998 Professor Hitt teaches multiple courses including OPIM101 (Introduction to OPIM), OPIM105 (Data Analysis in VBA and SQL), OPIM469 (Information Strategy and Economics), and OPIM955 (Doctoral Seminar in IS Economics). His teaching focuses on information systems management, economics, data analysis, and advanced analytical methods. Beyond academia, he consults on IT outsourcing agreements and IT investment evaluation, and occasionally serves as an expert witness in technology-related litigation.
Lin Zhong is the Joseph C. Tsai Professor of Computer Science at Yale University, leading the Efficient Computing Lab. He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and M.S./B.S. degrees from Tsinghua University. Previously, he served at Rice University from 2005 to 2019. His research focuses on optimizing computing efficiency, quantum error correction, operating systems, and mobile systems. Education: Ph.D., Princeton University M.S., Tsinghua University B.S., Tsinghua University Research Interests: His work spans quantum computing (e.g., decoding algorithms for surface codes), operating systems (safety, correctness, and lightweight kernels), and mobile/networking systems (massive MIMO, energy-efficient designs). Recent trends include integrating large language models (LLMs) into robotics and securing cloud-based AI workflows. Awards: NSF CAREER Award ACM SIGMOBILE RockStar (2014) and Test of Time (2022) Fellowships from IEEE and ACM Best Paper Awards at ACM MobileHCI, IEEE PerCom, ACM MobiSys, and more Lab & Teams: His Efficient Computing Lab explores systems for quantum error correction (e.g., FPGA-based decoders), secure embedded systems, and LLM-driven robotics. Projects include TimelyLLM (real-time LLM serving) and Blindfold (confidential memory management).
Dr. Larry Moore is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Memphis, specializing in environmental engineering with a focus on wastewater treatment optimization, water quality modeling, and energy conservation in water treatment plants. He holds a B.S. from the University of South Alabama (1973) and M.S./Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Mississippi State University (1974/1983). His career spans over 33 years of teaching and applied research, addressing wastewater challenges for over 200 industries in Tennessee through the UT Center for Industrial Services. Research interests include water quality modeling of streams (e.g., Loosahatchie River studies), optimization of municipal/industrial wastewater treatment plants, and energy efficiency improvements in water treatment facilities. Collaborative projects with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the U.S. Department of Energy have driven energy savings in over 24 treatment plants. Dr. Moore has served as President of the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association (KTWEA) and received the prestigious Leary Jones Award (2009) for his contributions to the wastewater profession, inducting him into the KTWEA Hall of Fame. Teaching responsibilities include advanced graduate courses such as Biological Wastewater Treatment, Water Quality Modeling, and Solid Waste Management. Awards include multiple 'Superior Performance in University Research' recognitions (1985-1989) and the 1990 Civil Engineering Outstanding Research award. He actively mentors graduate students in applied wastewater research and has advised numerous M.S. and Ph.D. candidates focusing on treatment plant optimization and emerging technologies. Professional Affiliations: Life Member of Water Environment Federation, KTWEA Pretreatment Certification Committee (since 2000), Tennessee Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Board (since 2007) Key Projects: Operational guidance for Memphis' Maxson WWTP, energy conservation studies across 24 plants, and aeration system design improvements Community Impact: Operator training programs, NPDES permit compliance support, and industrial wastewater problem resolution
Dr. Srinivas Prabakar is a Professor of Instruction in the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He specializes in water quality, wastewater treatment, and environmental engineering, with a focus on chloramine stability, disinfection by-products, and sustainable water management. Dr. Prabakar holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from UTA (2012), an ME in Chemical Engineering from Annamalai University (2004), and a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from the University of Madras (2000). Education: PhD, Civil Engineering, UTA (2012) ME, Chemical Engineering, Annamalai University (2004) B.Tech, Chemical Engineering, University of Madras (2000) His research interests center on improving water distribution systems and addressing challenges in wastewater management. Notable projects include investigations into factors affecting chloramine stability in UTA’s water systems and studies on biosorption of heavy metals. Dr. Prabakar has authored or co-authored over 30 publications, including peer-reviewed articles on topics like chlorine decay dynamics and microbial fuel cell applications. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Principles of Environmental Engineering and Biological Processes, reflecting his commitment to educating future environmental engineers. Dr. Prabakar has advised numerous graduate students and served on dissertation committees, mentoring research in areas like concrete durability and landfill biocovers. Dr. Prabakar’s service roles include Faculty Advisor for Civil Engineering undergraduates, membership in the Texas Water Science & Research Division, and reviewer positions for journals like ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering . He has received awards including the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award and the 2019 Tau Beta Pi-Eminent Engineer distinction. His current grants focus on advancing nanocomposite materials for sewer pipe longevity and identifying critical source areas for non-point pollutants in North Texas watersheds. Dr. Prabakar’s interdisciplinary work bridges environmental engineering challenges with practical solutions for sustainable infrastructure.
Dan A. Iancu is an Associate Professor of Operations, Information & Technology at Stanford Graduate School of Business, affiliated with the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (E-IPER). He holds a BS from Yale, SM from Harvard, and PhD from MIT. His research bridges operations, finance, and sustainability, focusing on dynamic optimization under uncertainty and its applications in supply chains, FinTech, and healthcare. Notable work includes designing financing solutions for global supply chains and promoting ethical analytics. Education: BS in Electrical Engineering (Yale, 2004), SM in Engineering (Harvard, 2006), PhD in Operations Research (MIT, 2010). Professional experience includes a Goldstine Fellowship at IBM Research and teaching roles at Wharton and INSEAD. He has won multiple awards including INFORMS Optimization Society (2009) and JFIG (2013) prizes. Research emphasizes fairness and environmental impact, with recent projects on sustainable palm oil production and climate impacts of digital supply chains. His work appears in Management Science, Operations Research, and Mathematics of Operations Research. Awards include Srivani Faculty Scholar (2023–24) and teaching commendations at Harvard, MIT, and INSEAD. He advises on multi-disciplinary projects involving engineering, environmental science, and business students.
Dr. XiaoYue Cathy Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah. She holds a PhD in Transportation Engineering from the University of Washington and advanced degrees in Transportation Planning and Electronics Engineering. Her research focuses on sustainable transportation systems, shared mobility, public transit optimization, managed lanes, and intelligent transportation systems. She actively serves on committees including the Transportation Research Board's Highway Capacity Quality of Service (HCQS) Committee and chairs its Technology Transfer Subcommittee. She also advises the Utah Model Advisory Committee and previously served on Salt Lake City’s Transportation Advisory Board. Dr. Liu is a licensed professional engineer in Utah. Education: PhD, Transportation Engineering, University of Washington (2013) MA, Transportation Planning & Management, Texas Southern University BS, Electronics & Electrical Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University Graduate Certificate, Global Trade & Logistics, University of Washington (2011) Research Interests: Electric vehicle infrastructure and charging networks Smart transportation systems and agent-based modeling GIS-based asset management for transportation infrastructure Snowplowing operations optimization and winter maintenance Managed lanes and high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane analysis Public transit equity and accessibility Her recent publications emphasize data-driven approaches to transportation challenges, including EV demand forecasting, drone delivery networks, and resilience in interdependent transit systems. She collaborates on projects addressing Utah’s unique transportation needs, such as optimizing snowplow routes and integrating renewable energy into public transport systems. Professional Contributions: Board member, Utah Model Advisory Committee Former Chair, Salt Lake City Transportation Advisory Board (2013-2016) TRB Managed Lane Committee member TRB Transit Capacity & Quality of Service (TCQS) Committee member (2016-2019) Dr. Liu’s work bridges transportation engineering with computational methods, focusing on equity, sustainability, and operational efficiency. She leads research initiatives involving large-scale modeling, geospatial analytics, and interdisciplinary solutions for modern mobility challenges.
Yongjie Yuan is a Researcher at the Technical University of Munich under the Associate Professorship of Computational Photonics within the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. His research focuses on quantum cascade devices, Josephson traveling-wave parametric amplifiers, and noise modeling in superconducting circuits. Institution: Technical University of Munich School: TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology Academic Rank: Researcher Email: yongjie.yuan@tum.de Yuan's work integrates quantum mechanics with computational photonics , emphasizing the modeling of superconducting circuits and microwave parametric amplifiers . He investigates dissipative-dispersive systems , flux-driven amplifiers , and nonlinear junction topologies to enhance quantum device performance. Recent publications highlight his contributions to quantum amplifier design , Josephson junction modeling , and noise dissipation analysis in microwave photonics. His research is associated with the EU Project QOMBS, focusing on quantum cascade devices and parametric amplification. Quantum Cascade Devices Josephson Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifiers Quantum Noise Modeling Nonlinear Circuit Analysis Microwave Photonics Yuan actively participates in teaching and supervising activities, contributing to courses on computational photonics , quantum engineering , and partial differential equations for electrical engineering. He collaborates with researchers like Christian Jirauschek and Michael Haider on quantum device simulations.
Maria Navarro is a Teaching Professor at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, specifically within the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University (2004) and a BS/MS equivalent in Agricultural Engineering from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain (1992). Ph.D., Agricultural Education, Texas A&M University (2004) BS/MS, Agricultural Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (1992) Her research focuses on High-Impact Practices (HIPs), interdisciplinary education, and integrating STEM with social sciences to create globally conscious curricula. She has led transformative projects in curriculum operations, faculty development, and student equity, with recent work emphasizing sustainable food systems and biocultural diversity. 2018 Fellow, Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education 2017 D.W. Brooks Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching 2016 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award 2014 UGA Richard B. Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Dr. Navarro has secured competitive grants totaling over $1.1 million from USDA-NIFA-HEP for projects like 'Interdisciplinary graduate research and education in sustainable food systems' and 'Integrating humanistic studies into engineering education.' Her teaching includes international study-abroad programs, graduate seminars, and first-year courses, with a focus on experiential learning and curriculum innovation.
Shantanu Bhattacharya is a Lee Kong Chian Professor of Operations Management, Deputy Dean (Education), and Academic Director of the PhD in Business (General Management) at the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University (SMU). He holds a PhD in Operations Management from The University of Texas at Austin (1998), an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Louisiana State University (1993), and a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay (1991). His research focuses on Operations Management , Supply Chain Strategy , Sustainable Operations , and New Product Development . He has pioneered studies on closed-loop supply chains, remanufacturing systems, and lifecycle pricing strategies. His work also explores digital business innovation, healthcare R&D partnerships, and energy sector operations. His recent work addresses strategic challenges in everything-as-a-service models (XaaS), battery-as-a-service strategies for automotive industries, and humanitarian logistics optimization. Earlier contributions include seminal studies on milestone-based R&D contracts, gain-share coordination mechanisms, and infrastructure investment in disaster relief. He has received awards including the 1996 Alden G. Clayton Dissertation Fellowship (top 5/57 entries) and multiple teaching nominations at INSEAD. Beyond academia, his research bridges operational efficiency with societal impact, particularly in sustainability and Asian market dynamics. He advises doctoral candidates such as SHEN Ya (CKGSB-SMU DBA). His career spans roles at INSEAD (2002-2014) and visiting positions at SMU-LKCSB (2014-2017), with leadership in curriculum design and PhD programs.
