Prof. Gjalt de Graaf is a Full Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, leading the New Public Governance (NPG) research group. He holds dual appointments in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, specializing in public governance quality, integrity, and value conflicts. His work addresses how social media, academic education, and whistleblowing impact governance practices. Research focuses on resolving public value conflicts, particularly in academia and public institutions. He explores governance through lenses like art’s role in policy-making and administrative traditions’ influence on professional ethics. Notable contributions include studies on Dutch justice policy under pressure and cross-national comparisons of academic integrity. Awarded the Best Article Award 2017 Public Integrity and the VU Faculty of Social Sciences Research Prize (2008) , his work aligns with UN SDGs on peace, justice, and strong institutions. He advises 4 PhD theses and leads projects like Veerkrachtige en zinvolle samenlevingen , addressing societal resilience and youth participation. Teaching includes courses on good governance, public administration ethics, and leadership in dynamic environments. He actively engages in media commentary on integrity issues and organizes conferences on anti-corruption and ethical leadership.
Chang Lou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on distributed systems, operating systems, and cloud computing, emphasizing runtime assurance and failure detection. He leads LiftLab, a reading group exploring cutting-edge system research. Education : Ph.D., Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University (2023); B.S., Computer Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2016). Research : Develops techniques to improve system reliability, including silent failure detection, memory leak mitigation, and formal verification. His work has been deployed at Microsoft Azure and recognized with awards like NSDI Best Paper (2020). Teaching : Offers courses like CS4740 (Cloud Computing) and CS6501 (Cloud System Reliability). Awards : NSF CAREER Award (2024), ACM SIGOPS Dissertation Honorable Mention (2023), Google Cloud Grant (2023). Service : Serves on program committees for NSDI, EuroSys, and SOSP. Co-organizes workshops like SIGCOMM Formal Methods x Networks.
Professor Dawn A. Lott holds the position of Professor of Applied Mathematics at Delaware State University. She obtained her Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences & Applied Mathematics from Northwestern University (1994), M.Sc. from Michigan State University (1989), and B.Sc. from Bucknell University (1987). Her postdoctoral training was at the University of Maryland (1997). Her research focuses on numerical and analytical studies of nonlinear partial differential equations modeling solid/fluid mechanics, biomechanics, and physiology. She also investigates decision-making processes using operations research and machine learning techniques. Key areas of expertise include computational methods, artificial intelligence, and algorithm design. Recent work emphasizes decision-making under uncertainty in IoT-enabled battlefield scenarios. Her publications explore MATLAB/Java comparisons for decision algorithms, graph-based reasoning systems, and SAGE-inspired optimization frameworks. Collaborations with researchers like Raglin and Metu highlight interdisciplinary approaches to military and operational challenges. No specific grants, awards, or student advisories are noted in the provided materials. Her contributions bridge applied mathematics with real-world applications in defense, healthcare, and computational systems.
Christophe VIGNAT is a Professor at CentraleSupélec, affiliated with the Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes (L2S). His research focuses on number theory, special functions, probability, and their applications in signal processing and control systems. He has held visiting professorships at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Tulane University. VIGNAT's work bridges pure mathematics and applied fields, with notable contributions to Bernoulli/Euler polynomials, multiple zeta values, and probabilistic methods in number theory. His recent publications explore topics like partition functions, theta functions, and Ramanujan-type identities. He has delivered talks at international conferences and collaborates widely with researchers in mathematics and physics. Research Interests: Number theory, special functions (Bessel, orthogonal polynomials), probability theory, signal processing, control systems, analytic combinatorics, and their interconnections. His work often employs symbolic computation and probabilistic approaches to uncover identities and structures in mathematical analysis. Publications Trends: Recent articles emphasize partition theory, zeta functions, and integrals related to classical polynomials. His collaborations highlight interdisciplinary efforts between pure mathematics and applied sciences. Over 150 refereed papers and conference contributions demonstrate his prolific output across diverse mathematical domains. Education: While specific academic history isn’t detailed, his roles and publications suggest advanced training in mathematics and engineering, typical for a full professor in systems and control.
Prof. Jack van der Vorst is the Personal Professor of AgriFood Supply Chain Logistics at Wageningen University's Operations Research and Logistics Group. Previously serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Wageningen University & Research (until 2024) and General Director of the Social Sciences Group, he leads over 1000 personnel across three institutes. His advisory roles include the Topteam AgriFood (Science Captain), Top consortium for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI), The Sustainability Consortium (TSC), and Florensis BV's Supervisory Board. With 20+ PhD supervisions and 200+ publications, his research focuses on innovative logistics concepts in AgriFood systems, including supply chain resilience, sustainability, and system innovation. His work integrates modeling frameworks with practical industry applications, emphasizing perishable products, horizontal collaboration, and environmental efficiency. Research interests span AgriFood System Design, Supply Chain Strategy, and Performance Management. His recent studies address challenges like postharvest loss reduction in developing countries, CO2 emission minimization in cold chains, and circular economy implementation in mushroom supply chains. Methodologically, he employs multi-criteria decision models, optimization techniques, and simulation to address complex logistics problems. Publications highlight themes such as horizontal collaboration success factors, vulnerability assessment frameworks, and green supply chain design. His work bridges academic rigor with industry needs, often collaborating with policymakers and international organizations to promote sustainable agri-food systems.
Associate Professor Marcus Cattani is a faculty member at Edith Cowan University (ECU), affiliated with the School of Medical and Health Sciences and the Department of Occupational Health and Safety. He serves as Deputy Director of the WA Government-funded MARS Centre, focusing on Mental Awareness, Respect, and Safety initiatives. Since joining ECU in 2015, he has developed risk management and leadership programs for undergraduate/postgraduate programs and supervises PhD/Master's research. His research emphasizes injury risk reduction in industries like mining, oil/gas, and construction, with recent focus on agriculture safety and radiation exposure in Western Australian mining. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Occupational Health and Safety), Murdoch University (2004) Master of Science, United Kingdom (1995) Research interests include occupational safety frameworks, real-time exposure assessment, fatigue management, and safety leadership tools. Current projects address critical controls for construction fatalities, radiation exposure in mining, and OHS systems for remote work. Over 30 years of industry experience as an occupational hygienist and HSE consultant informs his academic and applied work. Key collaborations involve government agencies (DMIRS, Water Corporation) and industry partners (Rio Tinto, Lifeline WA). Recent grants include MARS Centre initiatives and NORM exposure studies. His 2025 focus includes translating injury prevention techniques into agriculture contexts. Professional memberships include Australian Institute of Health and Safety (Chartered OHS Professional) and the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists.
Heather A. Jones, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology within Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Humanities and Sciences, holding joint appointments with the Department of African American Studies, Department of Pediatrics, and Institute for Women's Health. As a licensed clinical psychologist in Virginia, she maintains an active research program focused on reducing mental health disparities through culturally responsive interventions. Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Maryland at College Park (2006) Dr. Jones' research centers on three interconnected pillars: Black children and families' mental health, maternal mental health across the perinatal spectrum, and training culturally competent clinical psychologists. Her work specifically examines ADHD manifestations in Black youth, impacts of racial discrimination on adolescent mental health, and integration of behavioral health services within primary care settings. She employs mixed-methods approaches to address systemic barriers in mental healthcare access for underserved communities. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals consistent emphasis on health equity through studies of cultural competence in cancer survivorship, ADHD treatment representation gaps, and digital interventions for perinatal depression. Her methodological approaches span latent class analyses of service utilization, content analyses of historical research biases, and clinical trials of integrated care models, all contextualized within structural determinants of health. Dr. Jones has received significant recognition for her contributions: VCU College of Humanities and Sciences Distinguished Teaching Award (2023) VCU Department of Psychology Outstanding Mentoring Award (2023) Elizabeth Fries Young Investigator Award (2016) Clinical and Translational Research Award (2016) She actively mentors students, particularly supporting Black graduate trainees in pediatric psychology as evidenced by numerous student co-authorships. As Principal Investigator, she directs the $1.4M HRSA-funded Primary Care Psychology Training Collaborative providing pro bono services to urban Richmond and rural Virginia communities, recently expanded through an additional $1.1M grant serving Latinx immigrants and refugees. Her federally funded work consistently bridges research, clinical service, and community engagement. Dr. Jones co-directs the Families and Mental Health Research Lab and Primary Care Psychology Training Collaborative, leading interdisciplinary teams comprising psychology graduate students, pediatric residents, and community health workers. These initiatives operate within VCU's integrated primary care clinics, focusing on implementation science to scale evidence-based practices for underserved populations while training the next generation of healthcare providers.
Kareem Ahmed is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and a faculty member of the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research. He leads research in advanced propulsion and energy systems, focusing on high-speed turbulent combustion, detonations, and hypersonic technologies. His work includes groundbreaking projects in detonation-based propulsion for hypersonic flight and power generation, supported by over $17 million in grants from NASA, AFOSR, and DOE. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University at Buffalo (SUNY) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University Research Interests: Ahmed’s expertise spans detonation dynamics, supersonic reacting flows, flow-flame control, and advanced laser diagnostics . His team explores innovations like rotating detonation engines (RDEs) and scramjet combustion systems, with applications in aerospace defense and space exploration. Awards and Recognition: AIAA Associate Fellow American Chemical Society Doctoral New Investigator Award AFOSR Summer Faculty Fellowship UCF Trustee Chair (2025–2030) Grants & Advising: PI of over $17M in research funding; mentors 145+ doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate students. Collaborates with industry leaders like GE, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Pratt & Whitney. Labs & Teams: Director of UCF’s Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion, advancing technologies for 15-minute transcontinental flight and clean rocket fuels.
Ágnes Deák is a Professor at the Department of Modern Hungarian History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Szeged. She has held key academic leadership roles including Head of Department (2019-2022) and Vice-Chairperson of the Historical Committee at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on 19th-century Habsburg Monarchy, Hungarian nationalism, and state police systems. Education: BA/MA in History and Literature from József Attila University (1979-1985), PhD (2000), DSc (2014) from Eötvös Loránd University and Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Research interests include the political career of Ferenc Deák, secret police operations, and press policies. She has led major research projects on topics like the Protestant Patent Movement (2021–2024) and political press dynamics (2016–2021). Awards include Soros Foundation scholarships and multiple Hungarian research grants. Editorial roles: Editor-in-Chief of Aetas historical journal since 1991.
Soroosh Shafiee is an Assistant Professor in the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering at Cornell University since July 2023. Before joining Cornell, he held postdoctoral positions at the Tepper School of Business (Carnegie Mellon University) and the Automatic Control Laboratory (ETH Zurich). He earned a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tehran and a Ph.D. in Operations Research from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). His research focuses on optimization under uncertainty, robust optimization, optimal transport, and their applications in machine learning and finance. Specific interests include designing algorithms for data-driven optimization, analyzing statistical and computational complexity, and exploring nonconvex optimization structures. Swiss National Science Foundation Early PostDoc Mobility Fellowship (2020) PhD Thesis Distinction Award, EPFL (2020) His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, contributing to areas such as distributionally robust optimization, Wasserstein-based methods, and scalable algorithm development. His research has been published in top venues like Journal of Machine Learning Research and Operations Research .
Elizabeth J. Wilson is a Professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College and former founding Director of the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society (2017–2022). Her research focuses on energy systems transitions, offshore wind policy, and regulatory challenges in emerging technologies. She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, an M.S. from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. Her research explores gaps between policy goals and practice in offshore wind development, federal-state-local institutional dynamics, and energy transmission challenges. Notable works include Energy Law and Policy (2022, co-authored) and Smart Grid (R)evolution (2015, co-authored). She teaches courses on energy-environment intersections and offshore wind policy analysis. Her expertise spans energy system transformations, carbon sequestration, and public perception of technology. She has advised on grid modernization, regional transmission organizations, and renewable energy policy. Active in academic leadership, she collaborates with Dartmouth’s Environmental Studies Department and the Irving Institute to advance energy-society nexus research.
David Basin is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science, ETH Zurich, and heads the Information Security Group. He has held academic positions since 2003, including roles at the University of Freiburg (1997–2002) and the Max-Planck-Institut für Informatik (1992–1997). His research focuses on Information Security, including methods and tools for secure systems, formal verification, and cryptographic protocols. He is Editor-in-Chief of the ACM Transactions on Privacy and Security and Springer's Information Security and Cryptography book series. Basin founded the Zurich Information Security Center (ZISC) in 2003 and led it until 2011. Education: B.Sc. in Mathematics (Reed College, 1984), Ph.D. (Cornell University, 1989), and Habilitation (University of Saarbrücken, 1996). Research interests span formal methods for security protocol verification, privacy-preserving systems, and cryptographic implementations. He has contributed to foundational work on security protocols, including the Tamarin verification framework. His work addresses real-world systems like payment protocols (EMV), DNS security, and database isolation guarantees. Awards: ACM Fellow (2018) for contributions to Information Security and Formal Methods, IEEE Fellow. He has organized numerous conferences, including IEEE S&P, Euro S&P, and ACM CCS. Labs/Teams: Leads the Information Security Group at ETH Zurich and co-founded Anapaya Systems, a startup focused on network security solutions. His team develops tools like VeriMon (formally verified monitoring) and Tamarin for protocol analysis.
Karen Hulme is a Professor at the University of Essex's Essex Law School, where she has been affiliated since 2001. She holds a PhD from Essex (2002), an LL.M. in Public International Law from Nottingham (1996), an LL.B. from Nottingham (1995), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (2006). Her research focuses on the intersection of environmental law, armed conflict, and human rights, with particular emphasis on climate change governance, biodiversity conservation, and remediation of conflict-related environmental damage. Her scholarly work explores environmental protection mechanisms during military operations, human rights frameworks for ecological governance, and legal responses to emerging threats like fracking and marine litter. She collaborates extensively with NGOs including the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) and chairs the IUCN WCEL Specialist Group on Peace, Security and Conflict. Professor Hulme's publications demonstrate sustained focus on developing legal frameworks for environmental protection in conflict zones, with recent work addressing energy justice and planetary crises. She received the American Society of International Law's Francis Lieber Prize (2004) for her book War Torn Environment: Interpreting the Legal Threshold . Current PhD Students: Enitan Adetutu Lawson Charles Williams Junior Mensah Research Grants: Reimagining Food Systems (ESRC, 2024) Implementing ILC Principles on Environmental Protection in Conflict (ESRC IAA, 2022) Litter Law Strategy (CPRE, 2016)
Prof. Dr. Hendrik Weber is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Münster, leading the Workgroup for Stochastic Analysis. He holds the Bridging the Gaps Professorship and is affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. His expertise lies in stochastic analysis, particularly stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) and their applications in mathematical physics and statistical mechanics. Weber's research focuses on regularity structures, singular SPDEs, and the interplay between stochastic processes and nonlinear dynamics. Education and Career: Weber earned his PhD from the University of Bonn (2010) and held positions at the University of Warwick (2010–2018) and the University of Bath (2018–2022) before joining Münster in 2022. He has been recognized with awards including the ERC Consolidator Grant (2022), Philip Leverhulme Prize (2017), and Rollo Davidson Prize (2016). Research Interests: Weber's work addresses theoretical challenges in SPDEs, including invariant measures, phase transitions, and scaling limits. His projects span topics like singularities in PDEs, field theory randomness, and deep learning surrogate methods. Recent studies include the dynamic Φ⁴ model, stochastic quantization in non-commutative spaces, and a priori bounds for quasilinear SPDEs. Publications: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact contributions to Annals of Probability , Communications in Mathematical Physics , and Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis . His work emphasizes rigorous mathematical analysis of stochastic systems and their physical implications. Awards and Grants: ERC Consolidator Grant (2022), Royal Society Fellowship (2016), and multiple collaborative projects funded by the EPSRC and DFG. His research also bridges theoretical developments with applications in machine learning and feature engineering using regularity structures. Labs/Teams: Leads a dynamic research group comprising PhD students (e.g., Sophie Mildenberger) and postdoctoral researchers. Collaborations with global institutions like the University of Warwick and the University of Bath drive interdisciplinary advancements in stochastic analysis.
Tianzheng Wang is an Associate Professor and Director of the Dual-Degree and Partnerships Programs at the School of Computing Science, Simon Fraser University. His research focuses on database systems, transaction processing, parallel and distributed computing, and embedded systems. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Toronto (2017) and a BSc in Computing from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2012). Research Interests: Database systems optimized for modern hardware, parallel programming, synchronization, and distributed architectures. His work emphasizes high-performance transaction processing and efficient indexing techniques, with applications in cloud and embedded systems. Awards: ACM SIGMOD Best Paper Award (2025), IEEE TCSC Early Career Award (2019), and multiple distinguished reviewing recognitions (SIGMOD/VLDB 2021-2024). His research has been integrated into systems like Amazon Redshift and DragonflyDB. Teaching: Leads courses such as CMPT 454 (Database Systems II), CMPT 300 (Operating Systems), and special topics in databases. Actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students in research projects. Labs & Collaborations: Heads the Data-Intensive Systems Lab, part of SFU's Data Science and Systems groups. Collaborates on tools like PiBench for persistent memory benchmarking and contributes to open-source projects like CoroBase and Tabular.
