Dr Haitao Shi is a Researcher affiliated with the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on criminal justice systems, drug policing in China, and the intersection of technology with crime. He employs advanced research methods including quantitative tools (R, Python, SPSS), qualitative software (Nvivo, MAXQDA), and data visualization techniques (Gephi, QGIS). His current projects include studying Chinese students' experiences at the University of Edinburgh and analyzing rhizomatic networks in online drug trade funded by the Polish Ministry of Science. Haitao's work emphasizes cross-cultural comparisons, particularly in drug trade dynamics across Finnish, Polish, and English-speaking contexts. He explores topics like police professionalization in China, guanxi networks, and quota-driven policing strategies. His methodologies span cloud computing (Azure, AWS), database systems (MySQL), and version control (Git), reflecting a technologically adept approach to criminology research. Notable research themes include the role of marketing in darknet drug trade, generational conflicts in police culture, and community-based drug rehabilitation policies. He collaborates with international teams and utilizes platforms like Microsoft Azure for large-scale data analysis.
Heidi R. Lewis is the David and Lucile Packard Professor of Feminist & Gender Studies at Colorado College. She serves as President of the National Women's Studies Association (2023-25) and Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Bibliography in Women's & Gender Studies. Her research focuses on Black Feminisms, Hip Hop discourse, and Critical Media Studies, with a current project challenging narratives around Mumble Rap's authenticity. Lewis holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue University and has taught interdisciplinary courses including Hip Hop & Feminism and Critical Media Studies. Education: Ph.D., American Studies, Purdue University (2011) M.A., English Literature, Ohio University (2005) B.A., English Studies, Robert Morris University (2003) Research Interests: Lewis interrogates intersections of race, gender, and media through projects like her forthcoming book on Mumble Rap and a documentary on her experiences during the crack cocaine epidemic. She employs discourse analysis to challenge dominant narratives in Hip Hop and feminist theory, emphasizing marginalized voices and transnational collaborations. Service & Leadership: As Director of Feminist & Gender Studies, Lewis secured funding for new faculty lines, student programs, and community partnerships. Nationally, she co-created the #FemSTEMSymposium to bridge feminist inquiry and STEM fields. Her service prioritizes equity, including roles on promotion committees and external reviews for academic centers. Community Engagement: Lewis collaborates with organizations like the Kampagne für Opfer Rassistischer Polizeigewalt and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Her work extends beyond academia through public talks, media contributions, and initiatives like the Marsha P. Johnson Professorship.
Anand Bhojan is an Associate Professor (Educator Track) at the Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, National University of Singapore (NUS). He is a member of the Communication and Internet Research Lab and serves on the Graduate Studies Committee. Dr. Bhojan is also the founder of Anuflora Systems and Virtual and Augmented Reality Labs (www.varlabs.org), and serves as Associate Editor of Computers and Electrical Engineering Journal, Elsevier, and Vice President of International Researchers Club, Singapore. Dr. Bhojan earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering from NUS in 2011, where his thesis was nominated for the Best PhD Thesis Award. He also holds a Professional Master's in Computer Applications from Bharathidasan University (1999), a Bachelor's degree in Computing with Gold Medal (University topper) from Bharathiar University (1994), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Higher Education from University of Sheffield, UK (2003). His research spans multiple domains including Distributed Computing and Wireless Networks (IoT, Security, Blockchain), Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI, FinTech), and Entertainment Computing with focus on Games, VR/AR/Metaverse technologies. Dr. Bhojan leads the Metaverse Foundry research group which focuses on content generation for games & XR simulations across multiple domains including entertainment, healthcare, and architecture, while also experimenting with innovative teaching methods for entertainment media technologies. Dr. Bhojan's recent research has pioneered hybrid rendering techniques that strategically combine ray tracing and rasterization to create more realistic video game graphics without compromising performance. His work addresses critical challenges in real-time rendering, particularly in depth of field and motion blur effects, with the goal of making Hollywood-quality graphics accessible on a wider range of hardware. Earlier work focused on energy efficiency in mobile gaming, including power management techniques and latency optimization for cloud gaming. Among his notable achievements: 2012 Nominated for Best PhD Thesis Award (Wang Gungwu Medal & Prize), NUS 2011 Dean's Graduate Research Achievement Award (PhD), SoC, NUS 2006 Best R&D Project award from TOTE Board, Singapore 1995 Gold medal for first Rank (out of 4000) in Computing, Bharathiar University Dr. Bhojan has served as Organizing Chair and Program Chair for multiple international conferences and has delivered keynote talks at IEEE/ACM International Conferences. He teaches courses including Computer Networks Practice, Game Development, Interaction Design for Virtual and Augmented Reality, and Game Development Project. He leads the Metaverse Foundry research group and the Virtual and Augmented Reality Labs, where undergraduate and graduate students have won multiple research and innovation awards. His research bridges entertainment, education, and emerging technologies with practical applications in making immersive experiences more accessible across different hardware capabilities while maintaining energy efficiency.
Ann D. Braude is a Senior Lecturer on American Religious History and Director of the Women's Studies in Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School (HDS), affiliated with Harvard University. She joined HDS in 1998 after roles at Carleton College and Macalester College. Her work emphasizes inclusive religious narratives, particularly exploring intersections of gender, spirituality, and social movements. Key research areas include 19th-century Spiritualism, Indigenous religious perspectives, and modern abstract art's relationship to spirituality. Braude holds an AB from Vassar College, MA from the University of Chicago, and PhD from Yale University. Her research has produced influential works like Radical Spirits (2008) and Sisters and Saints (2007), which examine women's roles in shaping religious history. She organized pivotal conferences such as the 2005 celebration of women at HDS and curated the bicentennial exhibition Faces of Divinity (2016). Her current projects include studying gender dynamics in abstract painting and Native American religious frameworks through a biennial speakers series. Braude’s courses focus on American religious history, feminist theology, and Indigenous religious studies. Her articles and public engagement reflect a commitment to bridging academic research with broader societal conversations about religion, gender, and culture. She maintains active roles in both Harvard Divinity School and the broader academic community, contributing to interdisciplinary dialogues on pluralism and religious diversity.
Professor Marcin Ciszewski is a distinguished faculty member at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, where he serves at the Faculty of Vocal and Acting. A graduate of the same institution with distinction in 1999, he has established himself as one of Poland's leading countertenors and vocal pedagogues. His educational background includes studies under Professor Piotr Kusiewicz and additional training with renowned instructors including Kinga Chełmińska, Ryszard Minkiewicz, Kai Wessel, Gerhard Kahry, and Dariusz Paradowski. Graduated with distinction from the Academy of Music in Gdańsk (1999) Habilitated doctor of musical arts (2019) Professor at the Faculty of Vocal and Acting Professor Ciszewski specializes in early music performance and is recognized as one of the first Polish countertenors who made significant contributions to the development of vocal art in the authenticity movement in Poland. His research focuses on the history and physiology of countertenor voices, and he regularly conducts lectures and voice training for professional and academic groups. His artistic output spans several hundred concerts across Poland and Europe, featuring collaborations with renowned ensembles, orchestras, and conductors. He has given over a dozen world premieres of both early and contemporary works, including compositions specifically written for him by modern composers. His recordings include extensive work for Polish Radio and Television, the French music television channel Mezzo, and Radio Classique. Notable Achievements Member of the European artists' association Spedidam based in Paris Nominated for the "Fryderyk" music award in the Early Music category Honored with international titles "Outstanding Teacher" and "Excellent Vocal Teacher" Since 2006, Professor Ciszewski has maintained a successful artistic partnership with organist Ewa Bąk, performing at over one hundred national and international organ festivals. Their collaborations have resulted in numerous CD, radio, and television recordings, including world premieres of works by Polish composers such as Marian Sawa and Jacek Urbaniak.
Min Hu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics, Philosophy, and Political Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. He holds an adjunct position at Dalhousie University's School of Health Administration. His primary research focuses on Health Economics, Applied Microeconomics, and Labour Economics, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations in Canada, Indigenous health, income inequalities, and cancer economics. He teaches courses in Microeconomics, Health Economics, and Statistics. Education: PhD in Economics (2019), Dalhousie University; Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Economics (2019–2020), Dalhousie University. Previous degrees include an M.A. (2014–2016) and B.A. in Economics from Dalhousie University. Research interests include the socio-economic determinants of health disparities, particularly among Indigenous peoples and immigrants, and the economic impacts of cancer-related policies. He employs applied econometric methods to analyze labor market outcomes and social policy effectiveness. His recent articles explore sustainable biomass utilization, energy policies, and environmental engineering innovations. Key themes include biomass supply chain optimization, CO₂ reduction strategies, and waste-to-energy technologies. Scientific Awards: Recipient of SSHRC New Frontiers Grant (2023–2026), CIHR Team Grant (2024–2026), and multiple UBC startup grants. His work is supported by SSHRC, CRDCN, and Indigenous Services Canada. He advises students in Economics and Global Studies (IGS) programs. Grants and funding span health economics, Indigenous well-being, and sustainable energy systems. Collaborations include interdisciplinary teams in health administration and environmental policy. Labs/Teams: Engaged with UBC's Okanagan Sustainability Initiatives and Dalhousie's Health Economics Research Group. Affiliated with professional organizations like the American Economic Association and Canadian Health Economics Study Group.
Peter A. Flach is Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Intelligent Systems Laboratory, School of Computer Science, University of Bristol, where he has been faculty since 1997 and was promoted to Professor in 2003. He currently directs the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Practice-Oriented Artificial Intelligence and serves as Vice-President of the European Association for Data Science (EuADS), having previously served as its President. His research centers on rigorous evaluation and improvement of machine learning systems, with seminal contributions to classifier calibration (including Beta Calibration and Precision-Recall-Gain curves), explainable AI frameworks, and data science methodology. He pioneered the extension of CRISP-DM to data science trajectories and developed Explainability Fact Sheets for systematic assessment of XAI approaches. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical deployment in real-world systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a dominant focus on interpretable and reliable machine learning, with strong emphasis on performance evaluation metrics, model calibration techniques, and human-centered explainability. His research increasingly addresses healthcare applications through projects like SPHERE and clinical decision support systems, while maintaining core contributions to fundamental ML theory. His scientific recognition includes prestigious fellowships: Fellow of the European Lab for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) Fellow of the European Association for Artificial Intelligence (EurAI) Professor Flach has secured major research funding including UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training grants and EU network funding (TAILOR). He leads extensive collaborations across Engineering, Population Health Science, and international institutions (Monash University, Polytechnic University of Valencia), plus over 20 industry partners in the Practice-Oriented AI CDT including LV= and QinetiQ. His work with the SPHERE project demonstrates successful translation of AI research into residential healthcare settings. He leads the Intelligent Systems Laboratory at Bristol, which develops influential open-source tools including the FAT Forensics Python toolbox for algorithmic fairness and the Explainability Fact Sheets framework. His lab maintains strong connections with the European AI community through ELLIS and EurAI, positioning Bristol as a hub for human-centered and methodologically rigorous AI research.
Olga Saukh is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Technical Informatics, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), and a Faculty member at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna (CSH). She leads the Embedded Learning and Sensing Systems research group, which operates across both institutions, focusing on the design and deployment of efficient AI-based systems on edge and mobile platforms. Her work bridges deep learning and embedded systems, with applications in environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and digital health. Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Bonn (2009) Habilitation in Embedded Systems, TU Graz (2020) Postdoctoral Training, ETH Zurich (2010–2016) B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (2002) M.Sc. in Applied Computer Science, University of Freiburg (2004) Her research centers on efficient machine learning, particularly model optimization, neural network pruning, and contrastive learning for resource-constrained devices. She is deeply engaged in solving real-world challenges in IoT, sensor networks, and cyber-physical systems. Her work emphasizes data privacy, sustainability, and practical deployment of AI at the edge. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong trend in efficient deep learning, including model compression, pruning, and transfer learning, applied to diverse domains such as environmental sensing (air quality, pollution tracking), digital agriculture (cattle farming), and embedded AI (sensor calibration, on-demand sensing). Her work frequently appears in top-tier venues like NeurIPS, ICLR, and IEEE/ACM IPSN, reflecting her leadership at the intersection of machine learning and embedded systems. Scientific awards include: CONET Ph.D. Academic Award (2010) Multiple Best Paper Awards at IEEE PerCom, ACM/IEEE IPSN, IEEE ICPADS, IEEE SECON, and UrbCom Spotlight and Oral presentations at ICML and CoLLAs workshops Ph.D. scholarship from IPVS, University of Stuttgart (2004–2005) Prizes in Ukrainian national mathematics competitions (1996–1998) Olga Saukh actively serves on program committees of leading international conferences in machine learning and embedded systems. She has advised multiple students and leads a collaborative research group spanning TU Graz and CSH Vienna. Her group develops practical AI systems for real-world deployment, with a focus on sustainability and privacy. She co-organizes the public EfficientML reading group and has secured recognition through numerous grants and awards. Her future work continues to explore the theoretical and practical challenges of deploying efficient, trustworthy AI in mobile and embedded environments. Her research group, Embedded Learning and Sensing Systems, operates jointly between TU Graz and CSH Vienna, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across institutions. The team develops AI solutions for edge computing, sensor networks, and cyber-physical systems, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and data privacy. Members work on joint challenges using advanced collaboration tools, reflecting the distributed nature of modern academic research.
Prof. Alessandro Golkar is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Chair of Picosatellites, Nanosatellites, and Satellite Constellations. He joined TUM in September 2022 and previously served as one of the founding faculty members at Skoltech, a Moscow-based graduate research university. His research focuses on advanced space mission concepts, systems engineering for picosatellites, and federated satellite systems. Prior to academia, he held roles at Airbus CTO, contributing to technology roadmapping and planning. His academic background includes expertise in aerospace engineering, systems design, and agile development methodologies for space hardware. Key research areas include CubeSat constellations, distributed satellite systems, and the integration of AI tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) into spacecraft design processes. He has pioneered projects such as the FSSCat mission, winner of the ESA Sentinel Small Satellite Challenge, and has explored applications of additive manufacturing for lunar missions. Prof. Golkar’s awards include the 2021 Karman Fellowship and IEEE Senior Membership (2018). His recent work emphasizes optimizing satellite networks, digital twin implementation, and orbital maneuvering for collision avoidance. He actively contributes to technology roadmapping, focusing on future human landing systems and lunar infrastructure development. Education: Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (details not explicitly stated). Grants & Funding: Extensive grants for CubeSat projects, federated systems research, and space technology innovation. Labs/Teams: Leads the Chair’s research group at TUM and collaborates with industry partners like Airbus on advanced mission concepts. His publications span over two decades, addressing topics like constellation design, machine learning in space, and agile processes for hardware development. He advocates for hybrid agile methodologies to bridge traditional systems engineering and modern product development.
Catherine Pinel is a Research Director (DR2) at the Institute for Research on Catalysis and Environment of Lyon (IRCELYON, UMR 5256), a joint research unit of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Claude Bernard University Lyon 1. She has held this senior research position since October 2008, following progression from CR1 (1998-2008) and CR2 (1994-1998) roles at the same institution. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral research at Cambridge University (1992-1993) under Professor S.V. Ley and with Professor M. Lemaire (1993-1994). Her educational foundation includes: Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie in Chemistry from Paris XI University (1986) Engineering Degree from École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris (1989) Advanced Studies Diploma in Organic Chemistry from Paris VI University (1989) PhD in Organic Chemistry from Paris VI University (1992) on chiral ruthenium complexes and enantioselective reductions Habilitation à diriger des recherches from Lyon I University (1999) on catalysis and fine chemistry Dr. Pinel's research pioneers sustainable catalytic processes with emphasis on biomass valorization, green chemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis. Her work bridges fundamental catalyst design with industrial applications, particularly in hydrogenation, oxidation, and biorefinery processes. Current focus areas include catalytic conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules (glucose, succinic acid, polyols), development of bimetallic catalysts, and valorization of hemicellulose streams. Her approach integrates advanced catalyst characterization with reaction engineering to create environmentally benign chemical transformations. Analysis of her recent publication trajectory (2019-2025) reveals evolving expertise from fundamental organometallic chemistry toward applied sustainable catalysis. Key trends include increasing focus on biomass-derived feedstocks (glucose, succinic acid, polyols), development of metal-carbide/nitride catalysts, and optimization of aqueous-phase reactions for industrial biorefineries. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across catalysis, materials science, and green chemistry, with growing emphasis on circular economy principles and renewable chemical production. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the source materials. Dr. Pinel actively contributes to academic training through graduate instruction at University of Lyon (Master 2 'Catalysis and Physical Chemistry' since 2007) and University of Savoie (M2 courses in New Catalysts in Organic Chemistry since 1999 and Coordination Chemistry since 2012). While specific grant details aren't provided, her extensive publication record across high-impact journals indicates sustained research funding. She maintains collaborative networks within IRCELYON and internationally, particularly in biomass conversion and catalyst characterization. As a core researcher at IRCELYON (celebrating 60 years of catalysis research in 2021), she operates within a world-class facility housing specialized equipment for catalyst synthesis, characterization (including in situ techniques), and testing. Her work aligns with the institute's focus on sustainable catalysis for energy transition, air/water depollution, and biomass valorization, contributing to France's strategic research priorities in green chemistry.
Peter Werner is a Full Professor of Behavioral Economics and Policy Design at Maastricht University's School of Business and Economics, where he leads research in the Department of Economics (Microeconomics & Public Economics section). He progressed from Assistant Professor (2016-2017) to Associate Professor (2018-2023) before attaining his current full professorship, demonstrating sustained academic contribution within the institution. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Economics, University of Cologne (2005-2009), thesis: 'Behavioral Economics and Agency Problems: Empirical Studies' Diplom-Volkswirt in Economics, University of Cologne and Stockholm School of Economics (1999-2005) Werner's research centers on applying behavioral insights to real-world systems , with dual focus on fundamental social preference mechanisms and practical policy design. His work bridges laboratory experiments with field applications, particularly in wage transparency , pension decision architecture , and organizational incentive structures . Recent methodological innovations integrate population-level surveys with experimental economics to measure preference stability during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals expanding scope from traditional labor economics into climate behavior and intergenerational solidarity, while maintaining core expertise in experimental methodology. Key trends include increased focus on Dutch pension systems, risk communication frameworks, and cross-generational discrimination patterns using nationally representative samples. His primary recognition includes: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (2017-2019) for 'Wage transparency in companies' (Horizon 2020 Grant 745894) Werner actively secures competitive funding through major initiatives: Current: Netspar Theme Project on risk preference measurement (Instituut Gak) Recent: Netspar pension savings project (2019-2023) Past: Marie Curie Fellowship (2017-2019) He coordinates the UM Behavioral Insights Center and co-organizes the M-BEES/M-BEPS symposia series, fostering research-practice integration. As co-director of the UM Behavioral Insights Center—one of the university's research spearheads—Werner leads interdisciplinary teams applying experimental economics to public policy challenges, with particular emphasis on pension communication and labor market transparency through partnerships with Dutch governmental and financial institutions.
Navid Azizan is the Alfred H. (1929) and Jean M. Hayes Career Development Assistant Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), holding dual appointments in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (in Control, Instrumentation & Robotics) and the Schwarzman College of Computing's Institute for Data, Systems & Society (IDSS). He is also a Principal Investigator in the Laboratory for Information & Decision Systems (LIDS), and a faculty member of the MIT Statistics and Data Science Center, the Center for Computational Science and Engineering, and the Operations Research Center. Dr. Azizan received his PhD in Computing and Mathematical Sciences from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 2020, his MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 2015, and his BSc in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Physics from Sharif University of Technology in 2013. Prior to joining MIT, he completed a postdoc at Stanford University's Autonomous Systems Laboratory and was a research scientist intern at Google DeepMind. His research spans the intersection of machine learning, systems and control, mathematical optimization, and network science. Dr. Azizan's work focuses on developing principled learning and optimization algorithms for reliable intelligent systems, with applications to autonomy and sociotechnical systems. His research has significant implications for creating trustworthy AI systems that can operate effectively in complex, uncertain environments. Dr. Azizan's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on uncertainty quantification, reliable AI systems, constrained optimization, and control-oriented learning. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly in autonomous systems where safety and reliability are paramount. His research group has made notable contributions to areas including neural network verification, multi-agent reinforcement learning, and adaptive inference techniques for large language models, with several papers featured on MIT News and selected for oral presentations at top conferences. Alfred H. (1929) and Jean M. Hayes Career Development Professorship (2025-present) Frank E. Perkins Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising (2025) List of Outstanding Academic Leaders in Data from the CDO Magazine (2024, 2023) Amazon Science Hub Research Award (2023) Outstanding UROP Faculty Mentor (2023) Esther and Harold E. Edgerton (1927) Career Development Chair (2022-2025) Information Theory and Applications (ITA) Gold Graduation Award (2020) Dr. Azizan has been recognized for his excellence in graduate advising, receiving the Frank E. Perkins Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising in 2025. During the pandemic, he founded and co-organized the 'Control meets Learning' virtual seminar series, connecting researchers across disciplines. His work has attracted significant research funding from industry partners including Google, Amazon, and MathWorks, supporting both fundamental research and practical applications in reliable intelligent systems. The Azizan Lab at MIT brings together researchers from mechanical engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics to tackle challenges at the intersection of learning and control. The lab emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical implementations, with a particular focus on developing algorithms that provide guarantees of performance and safety. Current research directions include uncertainty quantification in AI systems, constrained optimization for neural networks, and control-oriented learning for autonomous systems, with applications spanning robotics, transportation, and complex sociotechnical systems.
Zachary Ives is the Adani President's Distinguished Professor and Department Chair of the Computer and Information Science Department at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds affiliations with the ASSET Center for Safe, Explainable and Trustworthy AI, the Warren Center for Network and Data Science, the Center for Neuroengineering and Therapeutics, and serves as a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Annenberg Center for Public Policy. His research focuses on data integration and sharing, data provenance and trustworthiness, and machine learning systems. He develops data science platforms at the intersection of databases, machine learning, and distributed systems, with applications in Web question answering and scientific domains like genetics and neuroscience. His work addresses fundamental challenges in integrating heterogeneous data, ensuring trustworthy results, and facilitating collaborative data science. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on data lakes, learned database systems, fine-grained provenance, and question answering systems. These works span top conferences including SIGMOD (where his paper was selected as Best Paper in 2024), VLDB, ACL, and PODS, showing the breadth of his contributions across database systems, natural language processing, and data management. NSF CAREER award recipient Fellow of the ACM Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching IEEE Technical Committee on Data Engineering Education Award SIGMOD Best Paper Award ICDE 2013 ten-year Most Influential Paper award As Department Chair, Ives has overseen significant departmental growth, hiring 25 new faculty since 2018. He advises numerous PhD students and postdocs, and maintains extensive collaborations across Penn and with external institutions. His research has been funded by NSF, NIH, DARPA, Google, Amazon, and other organizations. He has developed courses including NETS 212 'Scalable and Cloud Computing' and teaches Big Data Analytics. His research group, the Penn Database Group, works on projects including data lake management, data provenance, and collaborative data science platforms. His work with neuroscientists on seizure prediction has received significant attention, including a competition with 504 teams achieving 82% accuracy.
Shaker A. Zahra is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota , where he holds the Robert E. Buuck Chair of Entrepreneurship. He has served as Department Chair, Director of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, and Academic Co-Director of Carlson Ventures Enterprises, and was Founding Co-Director of the Center for Integrative Leadership. Previously, he held the Paul T. Babson Distinguished Professorship at Babson College and faculty roles at Georgia State University and the University of Twente (Netherlands). Education : PhD in Business Administration (University of Mississippi), MBA (National University), B. Commerce (Al-Azhar University) His research focuses on corporate and international entrepreneurship , dynamic capabilities , and social entrepreneurship , particularly in technology-based industries. He explores industry emergence, strategic novelty, and firm heterogeneity, applying theories across global markets. His recent articles emphasize corporate entrepreneurship, international new ventures, and the role of dynamic capabilities in innovation. His work spans industries like robotics, software, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology, with studies in China, Brazil, India, and Europe. Scientific Awards : 2014 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, 5 Honorary PhDs, Fellowships from AOM, IFERA, and others, and over 20 Best Paper Awards. He has advised 75+ PhD students, taught across undergraduate to executive programs, and consulted for global technology firms. His leadership includes roles on 25+ journal editorial boards, organizing conferences, and delivering 40+ keynote speeches worldwide.
Dr. Damien Charrieras is an Associate Professor at the School of Creative Media , City University of Hong Kong, where he serves as Program Leader for the Master of Art in Creative Media and deputy program leader for the PhD in Creative Media. His work bridges cultural studies, new media theory, and the intersection of financial technologies with artistic practices through the ACIM Laboratory for Interventions in Speculative Finance . Doctoral research on digital artists' trajectories in Montreal FRQSC Postdoctoral Fellowship at McGill University Research spans game engine design , datafication of creativity , blockchain in art , and post-anthropocentric creative processes . With over HK$3.14M in grants as Principal Investigator, he explores situated digital creativity in urban contexts, critical worldbuilding pedagogy , and the mediation of technical systems in cultural production. His publications in Cities , Organized Sound , and Human Relations analyze the reconfiguration of artistic practices through software infrastructures and automation paradigms. Scientific awards include: FRQSC Postdoctoral Fellowship
