Paul Ward is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo and a faculty fellow at the IBM Centre for Advanced Studies. He holds a PhD (2002) and MASc (1993) from Waterloo and a BScE (1998) from the University of New Brunswick. His research focuses on distributed systems management, dependable systems, autonomic computing, wireless networks, and IoT. Key areas include fault detection in web services, service-oriented networking, and optimization of wireless mesh networks. Ward's publications span computer networks, cognitive science, and sports analytics, reflecting interdisciplinary applications of computational methods. He holds two patents in mobile web services and fault resolution.
Shaowu Pan is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), affiliated with the Future of Computing Institute (FOCI) and the Scientific Computation Research Center (SCOREC). He holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and Scientific Computing from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington’s AI Institute in Dynamic Systems. Education: Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2021 M.S., University of Michigan, 2015 B.E. & B.S., Beihang University, 2013 Research Interests: His work focuses on the intersection of computational fluid dynamics, data-driven modeling, and scientific machine learning. Key areas include operator-theoretic modeling of fluid flows, generative AI for physical systems, and physics-informed neural networks. He develops novel algorithms for reduced-order modeling and stability-preserving surrogate models, with applications in turbulence, plasma physics, and aerodynamics. Key Contributions: Developed PyKoopman , an open-source Python package for Koopman operator approximation. Pioneered mesh-agnostic representation methods like Neural Implicit Flow for spatio-temporal data. Advanced physics-informed neural networks for solving Grad-Shafranov equations and plasma equilibrium problems. Awards & Recognition: John Tichy Junior Faculty Travel Grant (2024) Chinese Outstanding Student Abroad Award (2021) Richard and Eleanor Towner Prize Nominee (2019) Teaching & Mentorship: He teaches courses like MANE 2110: Numerical Methods and Programming for Engineers and mentors multiple Ph.D., master’s, and undergraduate students. His doctoral committee involvement spans interdisciplinary projects in fluid dynamics and AI. Grants & Software: Lead PI for NSF-funded projects on neural representation learning for turbulent flows. Developed software tools like spKDMD and Warp-DG for dynamics analysis and CFD simulations. Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with institutions like Los Alamos National Laboratory and actively participates in conferences (e.g., AIAA SciTech, SIAM). His research bridges computational science, machine learning, and fluid dynamics to address complex nonlinear systems.
Lei Wu is a Professor and Anson Wood Burchard Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. He holds a B.S. (2001) and M.S. (2004) in Electrical Engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University, and a Ph.D. (2008) in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. His research focuses on power system optimization, renewable energy integration, microgrid control, and cyber-physical systems resilience. Education: B.S. Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University (2001) M.S. Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University (2004) Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology (2008) Research Interests: Dr. Wu's work addresses challenges in power system operations, including optimization of renewable energy integration, electricity market design, and resilient microgrid control. He develops advanced algorithms for unit commitment, stochastic modeling of renewable resources, and cyber-physical security. His research emphasizes practical applications in grid resilience, demand response, and multi-energy system coordination. Awards: Fellow of IEEE (2022) NSF CAREER Award (2013) IBM Smarter Planet Faculty Innovation Award (2011) Grants & Professional Service: He leads grants on smart grid optimization, including projects from NSF, DOE, and industry partners. He serves as Editor for IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid and other journals, and has advised numerous students on energy-related research. His work on microgrid control and cyber-physical security has been widely recognized in industry and academia. Labs & Teams: Leads the Stevens Energy Systems Lab, focusing on advanced grid technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations between power systems, AI, and cybersecurity.
Rajesh Karki is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Engineering. He holds a B.E., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in related fields. His research focuses on power system reliability, renewable energy integration, and microgrid resilience, with particular emphasis on addressing challenges posed by extreme weather, cyber threats, and decarbonization targets. Dr. Karki’s work spans theoretical modeling, probabilistic analysis, and practical implementation strategies for smart grids, energy storage systems, and distributed generation. His educational background includes advanced degrees in electrical engineering, complemented by professional engineering licensure (P.Eng.). His research has explored diverse topics such as wind energy curtailment mitigation, energy storage optimization, and demand response mechanisms in developing economies like Nepal. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on grid resilience, reliability economics, and cyber-physical system security. Key themes in his work include: (1) quantifying the reliability value of energy storage in active distribution systems, (2) modeling cyber-physical threats to microgrids, and (3) developing frameworks for extreme weather-resilient infrastructure. Despite the volume of his publications (over 50 articles), no specific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided materials. His research often intersects technical, economic, and policy dimensions of sustainable energy systems.
Neal Sullivan is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), leading experimental research at the Colorado Fuel Cell Center as its director. His expertise lies in electrochemical ceramics, with a focus on fuel cells, electrolyzers, and membrane reactors for energy conversion and storage. Sullivan’s work spans from materials development to large-scale system integration, addressing applications such as hydrogen production, CO₂-to-fuels processes, and geothermic fuel cell systems for unconventional oil recovery. His research is supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, and industry partners, totaling over $15M. Notable projects include the development of proton-conducting ceramic electrolyzers for water splitting, high-efficiency hybrid SOFC-IC engine systems, and Mars-based CO₂ methanation. Sullivan has led collaborative efforts with global leaders in electrochemistry, emphasizing scalability and durability in energy systems. Key contributions include innovations in protonic ceramic fabrication, catalyst integration, and multi-stack system design. His lab focuses on bridging early-stage materials research with full-scale demonstrations, achieving power outputs up to 100 kW. Sullivan’s work has been published in top journals like Nature Energy and International Journal of Hydrogen Energy , with a strong emphasis on practical applications and renewable energy solutions. Labs/Teams: Director of the Colorado Fuel Cell Center. Grants/Advising: PI/co-PI on multiple DOE and NASA grants, including $5M for hybrid SOFC systems and $1.5M for geothermic fuel cells. Advises on advanced materials and system integration for energy storage and conversion.
Ben Bloem-Reddy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver Campus. His research focuses on statistical theory and applications in machine learning, particularly in causal inference, Bayesian methods, neural networks, and probabilistic models. He advises current students Quanhan (Johnny) Xi, Kenny Chiu, and Gian Carlo Diluvi. His work bridges foundational statistical theory with practical machine learning challenges, including causal discovery, model identifiability, and uncertainty quantification. Recent research explores topics such as latent variable models, generative processes, and symmetry in data and algorithms. His contributions span interdisciplinary areas like particle physics applications and information theory-based compression techniques. Ben’s research trends emphasize advancing theoretical guarantees for modern machine learning systems while addressing real-world problems. His publications frequently intersect with algebraic topology (e.g., cocycles in causal inference) and nonparametric methods. He maintains an active lab within the Department of Statistics, fostering collaborations across UBC’s academic ecosystem. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided information. His advising and grant activities focus on statistical methodology development, as evidenced by his student supervision and published work. His office is located in ESB 3168, and he can be reached at benbr@stat.ubc.ca.
Christina Lee Yu is an Assistant Professor at Cornell University in the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering (ORIE). She holds a PhD and MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT (2017, 2013) and a BS in Computer Science from Caltech (2011). Her research focuses on algorithm design, high-dimensional statistics, causal inference in networks, and reinforcement learning. She is also an Amazon Scholar and has received prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and Intel Rising Stars Award. Her work is supported by grants from the NSF and Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Education: PhD in EECS, MIT (2017) MS in EECS, MIT (2013) BS in Computer Science, Caltech (2011) Research Interests: Algorithm design and analysis Inference over networks and causal inference Sequential decision making under uncertainty Online learning and reinforcement learning High-dimensional statistics Awards and Honors: NSF CAREER Award (2024) ACM SIGMETRICS Rising Stars Award (2024) Intel® Rising Stars Award (2021) JPMorgan Faculty Research Award (2021) Simons Institute Research Fellow (2020) INFORMS Dantzig Dissertation Award Honorable Mention (2018) Grants and Funding: National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Grant Air Force Office of Scientific Research Grant Advising: PhD Students: Sean Sinclair, Tyler Sam, Xumei Xi Collaborators: Mayleen Cortez, Matthew Eichhorn Labs and Collaborations: Member of ORIE, Statistics, CAM, and CS graduate fields at Cornell Amazon Visiting Academic in Fulfillment Optimization (2025)
Iris D. Tommelein serves as the Roy W. Carlson Distinguished Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of California, Berkeley's College of Engineering, where she directs the Project Production Systems Laboratory (P2SL). A globally recognized pioneer in Lean Construction, she has revolutionized architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) practices through research, industry workshops, and leadership since co-founding the Lean Construction Institute in 1997. Her educational foundation spans multiple disciplines: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management), Stanford University, 1989 M.S. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), Stanford University, 1989 M.S. in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management), Stanford University, 1985 B.S. (5-year degree) in Civil Engineer-Architect, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, 1984 Professor Tommelein's research centers on transforming construction processes through Lean principles and digital innovation . Her work pioneers takt planning for workflow reliability, industrialized construction for labor and sustainability challenges, and mistakeproofing to eliminate errors. She integrates digital twins , AI , and optimization to develop practical decision-support systems for supply chains, logistics, and production management. Recent focus includes modular offsite construction and Industry 4.0 applications. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals intensifying research on takt planning maturity models and industrialized construction feasibility , with growing emphasis on mass timber automation and visual management systems. Her work consistently bridges lean theory with practical implementation across megaprojects, subcontracting networks, and heavy civil engineering. Her exceptional contributions have earned: Lean Pioneer Award (Lean Construction Institute, 2015) National Academy of Construction induction (2019) PPI Technical Achievement Award (2022) Robert B. Harris Award (University of Michigan, 2024) ASCE Construction Management Award (2024) - first woman recipient in 51 years Through the P2SL, she leads industry-collaborative research on production system design, mistakeproofing frameworks, and digital transformation. Her grant-funded projects develop assessment tools for industrialized construction adoption and takt planning methods adaptable to diverse project types. She actively mentors graduate students and drives knowledge transfer via workshops and the annual Construction Innovation Day. The Project Production Systems Laboratory (P2SL) operates as a global hub for construction innovation, partnering with owners, contractors, and suppliers to implement lean production systems. Current initiatives include developing serious games for mistakeproofing training, optimizing work density methods for heavy civil projects, and creating digital twins for real-time construction management.
David Simmons-Duffin is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he has held positions since 2016. He is part of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, contributing to the Physics Department. His career progression includes roles as Visiting Associate (2016–17), Assistant Professor (2017–20), and Associate Professor (2020–21) before becoming full Professor in 2021. Education: A.B. and A.M. from Harvard University (2006), CASM from the University of Cambridge (2007), and Ph.D. from Harvard University (2012). His research focuses on conformal field theory (CFT), bootstrap methods, quantum field theory, and AdS/CFT correspondence. Key areas include precision computations in strongly coupled systems, critical phenomena, and applications to holography and quantum gravity. Research highlights include advancing the conformal bootstrap program, analyzing CFT data in 3D Ising models, and exploring connections between CFTs and gravitational theories. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with numerical methods, yielding insights into operator product expansions (OPE), spectral gaps, and causality constraints. Affiliations include the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM) and other Caltech research centers. His contributions have shaped modern approaches to understanding universality in critical systems and the geometric aspects of quantum field theories. Notable collaborations involve high-precision calculations, bootstrap island techniques, and studies of thermal QFT and light-ray operators. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary methods, combining analytic tools with computational advancements to tackle complex theoretical problems.
Kyojin Choo is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Engineering , affiliated with the Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits Lab (MSIC-LAB). He also holds teaching roles in Microengineering and Electrical and Electronics Engineering at EPFL. B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University (2007, 2009) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan (2018) His research focuses on charge-domain analog/mixed-signal circuits , low-power sensor interfaces , and compact ADCs for IoT, wearables, and millimeter-scale systems. He has pioneered charge-injection cell techniques for energy-efficient circuits in energy management, sensor front-ends, and communication. His work emphasizes reducing power consumption to nanowatt levels while enabling ultra-compact designs. His recent publications highlight advancements in compact SAR ADCs , low-power MEMS accelerometers , millimeter-scale imaging systems , and ultra-low-power timing generators . His research integrates charge-domain circuit design with sensor interface optimization , energy harvesting , and high-speed link architectures . He holds over 20 US patents and has taught courses in Microengineering and Electrical Engineering at EPFL. His group (MSIC-LAB) addresses challenges in battery-free sensor design, power-constrained system scaling, and commercialization of wearables with unconventional form factors.
June Huh is a Mathematics Professor at Princeton University's Department of Mathematics. His research focuses on the interplay between algebraic geometry, combinatorics, and matroid theory, with notable contributions to Hodge theory, tropical geometry, and log-concavity phenomena. He is actively involved in collaborative projects such as the FRG initiative on matroids, graphs, and algebraic geometry. Key research interests include matroid polytopes, Chow rings, Lagrangian geometry, and combinatorial applications of Hodge-Riemann relations. His work bridges discrete and continuous mathematics, with implications for enumerative geometry and geometric combinatorics. Recent publications explore topics like volume polynomials, Bergman fans, and singular Hodge theory in combinatorial geometries. He has received funding for interdisciplinary research through grants like the FRG Collaborative Research program. His contributions highlight innovative methods in geometric and algebraic combinatorics.
Antonello Monti is a Professor and Director of the Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems at RWTH Aachen University. His research focuses on modern power systems, including smart grid technologies, hybrid AC-DC grids, and quantum computing applications in energy systems. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in grid resilience, EV charging optimization, quantum-assisted power system planning, and advanced simulation techniques. His team develops open-source tools like JuliaGrid for power system analysis and validates concepts through real-time testing platforms. Research addresses energy transition challenges including renewable integration, grid modernization, cyber-physical security, and next-generation optimization methods combining quantum computing with traditional power engineering approaches.
Prof. Tammo H.A. Bijmolt is a Full Professor of Marketing Research and Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business. He holds additional roles such as Director of the Groningen Digital Business Center and former Director of the SOM Research Institute. His expertise spans consumer decision making, e-commerce, advertising, retailing, loyalty programs, and meta-analysis. Education: PhD in Marketing (cum laude, 1996) and MSc in Quantitative Business Economics (cum laude, 1991), both from the University of Groningen. Research focuses on marketing methodology, consumer behavior in digital contexts, and loyalty programs. Notable awards include the 2022 Best Paper Award (Journal of Interactive Marketing) and the 2017 Emerald Literati Award. Advising over 20 PhD students and overseeing grants such as NPG funding for digitalization projects. Active in leadership roles with EMAC and EIASM, and consulting with firms like DVJ Insights and Unilever. Labs/Teams: Leads the Groningen Digital Business Center and collaborates with the SOM Research Institute.
Kavan Modi is a Professor at the School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University. His research focuses on quantum information theory applied to dynamics, metrology, computation, thermodynamics, and relativity. He leads the Monash Quantum Information Science (MonQIS) group and serves as Director of the Centre for Quantum Technology at Transport for NSW (2022–2024). Education: B.Sc. Engineering Physics (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2001), M.A. Physics (University of Texas at Austin, 2004), Ph.D. Physics (University of Texas at Austin, 2008). Postdoctoral positions included the Centre for Quantum Technologies (Singapore, 2008–2011) and Clarendon Lab, Oxford (2011–2013). Joined Monash in 2014. Research interests center on quantum dynamics, non-Markovian processes, and their applications in quantum computing and information science. Projects include developing error correction codes, quantum algorithms for network analysis, and mitigating correlated noise in quantum systems. He has authored over 111 publications, with recent work emphasizing non-Markovian characterization, quantum process tomography, and topology-based quantum algorithms. Awards and grants include leadership in multiple Australian Research Council projects. Advising/Grants: Primary Chief Investigator in projects like 'Quantum Software Platform' (2023–2026) and 'Mitigating Correlated Noise in Quantum Machines' (2020–2021). Supervises graduate students and collaborates globally on quantum information science. Labs/Teams: MonQIS group focuses on foundational and applied quantum research, integrating theory and experimental collaborations.
Konstantinos Pelechrinis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Informatics and Networked Systems at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Computing and Information. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Riverside. His research focuses on network science, urban informatics, and sports analytics. He has been recognized with the Army Research Office Young Investigator Award for his contributions. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Riverside Research Interests: Urban mobility patterns and infrastructure analysis Sports performance quantification and strategy Data-driven decision-making in transportation systems Network science applications in social and urban systems His recent work explores topics such as implicit biases in sports refereeing, anomaly detection in NFT markets, and optimizing bike-sharing systems using predictive models. He also investigates urban infrastructure resilience through projects like the Epui platform for experimental urban informatics. Awards: Army Research Office Young Investigator Award He contributes to academic outreach through courses like TELCOM2125 (Network Science and Analysis) and collaborates on initiatives like the Healthy Ride Pittsburgh bike-sharing study. His lab focuses on bridging theoretical models with real-world urban and sports datasets.
