Robert M. Weikle, II is a Professor in the Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Virginia, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Physics. He earned his B.S. from Rice University (1986), M.S. (1987), and Ph.D. (1992) in Electrical Engineering from Caltech, followed by postdoctoral work at Chalmers University of Technology (1992). His research focuses on millimeter-wave and terahertz electronics , applied electromagnetics, integrated antennas, low-noise sensors, and heterogeneous integration of compound semiconductors. His work bridges electronics and photonics for spectrum access, with applications in astronomy, spectroscopy, and metrology. He has published extensively on micromachined silicon substrates, superconducting materials, and emerging technologies. Scientific Awards: IEEE Microwave Prize (1993) David A. Harrison III Award (1999) University of Virginia All-University Outstanding Teaching Award (2000) Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year (2016) Fulbright Scholar (2001) As Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Dominion Microprobes, Inc., he commercializes micromachined wafer probes for high-frequency metrology. His lab, located in E220 Thornton Hall and the Jesse W. Beams Physics Building, has produced 15+ recent publications on submillimeter-wave devices, THz probes, and calibration techniques.
Maurizio Conti is a Full Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics, University of Genova . He holds a PhD from the University of Essex and an MSc from the University of Warwick, with additional affiliations as an IZA Research Fellow and board member of the Italian Association of Labor Economics (AIEL) . Educational Background : PhD in Economics (Essex, 2004); MSc Economics (Warwick, 2000); Laurea in Business and Economics (Genova, 1998). Research Focus spans labour economics , industrial economics , and transport economics . Key topics include: Impact of labour market institutions (e.g., employment protection, unions) on firm investment in physical/human capital Transport infrastructure effects on productivity, house prices, and regional development Policy evaluation in regulated industries and public procurement Recent Publications analyze high-speed rail impacts, cooperative industrial relations, and firm dynamics under regulatory frameworks, with methodologies ranging from quasi-experimental designs to cross-country comparative analyses. Scientific Recognition : IZA Research Fellow (since 2006) Organized conferences like the Genoa Labour Workshop and participated in COMPIE and NERI networks Teaching includes courses on MICROECONOMICS , Economic Policy , and Transport Economics , with a focus on applied analysis, productivity measurement, and regulatory frameworks.
Birgitte Bak-Jensen is a Professor at the Department of Energy, Aalborg University, where she has worked since 1988. She specializes in intelligent control of power distribution systems, with research focusing on grid stability, power quality, and integration of dispersed generation and smart grid technologies. Her work also addresses multi-energy system interactions between electrical grids, heating, and transport sectors. Projects : Led EU H2020 projects (SERENE, SUSTENANCE) and Danish initiatives (EFFORT, SMARTCE2H) Publications : Over 250 papers on distribution grid control and smart energy systems Her research combines renewable energy integration , electric vehicle grid interaction , and energy storage optimization . Recent work includes explainable AI for wind forecasting and voltage control strategies for EV charging. 2025 Awards : Best Student Paper Award (2023), Best Paper Award (2021), CIGRE Technical Council Award (2018) Organizational Roles : Vice Head of AAU Energy Research, leadership positions in IEEE and CIGRE
Professor Paul Nugent is a Professor of Comparative African History at the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, where he also serves as Research Director in History. His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary policy concerns, particularly regarding African borderlands, wine history, and governance dynamics across the continent. Professor Nugent holds a BA Hons from the University of Cape Town, and MA and PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. His academic journey began with a temporary lectureship in Comparative Politics at Keele University before joining Edinburgh, where he was promoted to Reader in 2003 and Professor in 2005. Professor Nugent's research primarily focuses on the comparative history of African borderlands, with particular attention to West Africa. His work examines how border regions have shaped state formation, governance, and everyday life, challenging conventional notions of margins and centers. He has also conducted extensive research on the history of the South African wine industry, exploring connections between race, consumption, and economic development. His scholarship spans colonial and postcolonial history, with special attention to Ghana, where he has studied electoral politics and social contracts. Professor Nugent approaches these topics through interdisciplinary frameworks that connect historical analysis with contemporary policy challenges. His scholarly output demonstrates remarkable consistency in exploring the intersections between space, power, and identity in African contexts. Over the past decade, his work has increasingly focused on the governance implications of infrastructure development and border management across the continent, while maintaining his longstanding interest in Ghanaian politics and the cultural history of wine production. ERC Advanced Grant (€2.5 million over 5 years) for "African Governance and Space: Transport Corridors, Border Towns and Port Cities in Transition" (AFRIGOS) Leverhulme Research Fellowship for research on South African wine history British Academy ODA-Challenge grant (2024-2025) for "Living Heritage, Climate Change and Sustainability in South African Agriculture" Fellow of the Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study (STIAS) Member of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton FRHistS (Fellow of the Royal Historical Society) Professor Nugent has supervised 34 successful PhD projects and currently mentors doctoral students including Francesco Longo and Kpanie Addy. His supervisory interests span wine and cultural heritage, African borderlands, regional integration, consumption studies (particularly alcohol), West African politics, and comparative imperial and colonial history. He has received significant research funding including a major ERC Advanced Grant and multiple British Academy grants, demonstrating the impact and relevance of his work to contemporary policy debates. His engagement extends beyond academia through advisory roles with the African Union Border Programme, ECOWAS, and the UNDP African Borderlands Centre. Professor Nugent founded and chairs the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE), which has evolved into a major international collaborative platform. He has also led significant research projects including the ERC-funded AFRIGOS project, which examined governance effects of large-scale infrastructure investments across Africa, and currently serves as PI for a British Academy project addressing climate action in the South African wine industry.
Mohd Ahmad Syed is a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Manchester's Department of Civil Engineering and Management. His research focuses on climate change impacts on geotechnical infrastructure, resilient and sustainable infrastructure design, and earthquake engineering. He holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and has industry experience with firms like Consulting Engineering Services (I) Pvt. Ltd and Dar Al-Handasah Consultants. Education: BTech (Hons) in Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2001) MTech in Geotechnical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2003) PhD in Seismic Analyses of Waterfront Structures, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2009) Research Interests: Climate change modelling for geotechnical infrastructure resilience Development of sustainable construction materials (e.g., bagasse ash) Seismic risk analysis for dams and tunnels in West Africa Artificial soil weathering techniques for laboratory testing Coupled numerical methods for embankment stability under climate scenarios Editorial Activities: Assistant Editor, International Journal of Geomechanics (ASCE) Assistant Editor, Indian Geotechnical Journal (Springer) Key Achievements: Developed first-of-its-kind displacement-based S-curve for seismic earth pressure analysis Co-developed methodologies for post-liquefaction pile behavior and blast-loaded tunnels Guided 10 PhD/MSc students in geotechnical resilience and sustainability topics
Paolo Sellari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Sapienza University of Rome, where he contributes significantly to research and teaching in political and economic geography, geopolitics, and infrastructure security. He is affiliated with the research group Geopolitics of the Sea and plays a key role in the Master in Geopolitics and Global Security , contributing to curriculum development and academic supervision. Department: Department of Political Science University: Sapienza University of Rome Email: paolo.sellari@uniroma1.it His research interests span a broad yet interconnected spectrum, including maritime geopolitics, Mediterranean and Arctic strategic dynamics, Chinese foreign policy (especially the Belt and Road Initiative), infrastructure as instruments of power, and the geopolitics of climate change. He also explores unconventional intersections such as sports and geopolitics. His scholarly work emphasizes spatial dimensions of power, resilience, and connectivity in a rapidly transforming global order. The analysis of his recent publications (2023–2025) reveals a strong thematic consistency focused on maritime routes, infrastructure security, and the evolving geopolitical roles of the Mediterranean and Arctic regions. His work frequently addresses the interplay between physical geography and power projection, with a particular interest in how climate change, technological evolution, and strategic investments reshape global and regional orders. He contributes to both academic journals and reference works, including the Italian Encyclopedia. While specific scientific awards are not listed in the provided texts, his consistent publication record in reputable venues and leadership in advanced academic programs suggest recognition within the academic community. Sellari advises students through the Master in Geopolitics and Global Security and is involved in organizing seminars and educational content. Although no direct mention of grants is made, his editorial roles and institutional leadership imply active engagement in academic projects and collaborations. He supervises thesis work and contributes to academic discourse through prefaces, introductions, and editorial reviews. He is a core member of the Geopolitics of the Sea research group, which focuses on maritime spatial dynamics, naval security, and the geopolitical implications of oceanic infrastructure and climate change. This group serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting geography, political science, and security studies.
Dr. Prabodh Bajpai is a Professor in the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor at the same department from July 2022 to December 2022, and before that at the Electrical Engineering Department of IIT Kharagpur from July 2014 to June 2022. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at IIT Kharagpur from June 2008 to July 2014. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems) from IIT Kanpur (2008), M.Tech in Energy Studies from IIT Delhi (2001), and B.E. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Roorkee (1997). Dr. Bajpai's research spans renewable energy integration, power system operation and control, microgrid technologies, and smart grid applications. His work focuses on practical implementation of sustainable energy solutions with emphasis on power electronics, energy storage, and grid stability. He has made significant contributions to the fields of distributed generation integration, protection schemes for renewable-rich systems, and energy management in microgrids. His recent publications show a strong focus on DC microgrids, multi-port power converters, and advanced control strategies for renewable integration. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in power electronics applications for sustainable energy systems, with particular emphasis on practical implementations for commercial and agricultural applications. Dr. Bajpai actively mentors graduate students, currently supervising seven students across PhD and M.Tech programs. His teaching portfolio includes core courses in electrical power engineering, renewables-integrated smart power systems, and energy systems modeling and analysis at IIT Kanpur, building on his extensive teaching experience at IIT Kharagpur where he developed several new courses in renewable energy systems. His research group maintains a Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid test facility and has developed a Renewable Hybrid Energy Power Plant for stand-alone applications, demonstrating his commitment to translating theoretical research into practical implementations.
Matteo Brunelli is Associate Professor of “Mathematical Methods of Economics and Actuarial and Financial Sciences” at the University of Trento , Department of Industrial Engineering, and Adjunct Professor (docent) at Lappeenranta University of Technology , Finland. He is nationally habilitated as Full Professor in Italy and has held long-term visiting positions at Berkeley, Turku, Auckland, JAIST and Binghamton. Education: Ph.D. (Doctor of Science) in Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, 2011 – graded Eximia cum laude approbatur M.Sc. in Economics, University of Trento, 2007 – grade 110/110 cum laude B.Sc. in Economics, University of Trento, 2005 Research focus: Brunelli’s work sits at the intersection of multi-criteria decision analysis , operations research and computational optimisation . He develops axiomatic foundations and algorithms for pairwise comparison matrices , consistency indices , the best-worst method and fuzzy preference relations , and applies them to energy planning, sustainable inventory, maintenance scheduling, 3-D printer selection, and blockchain governance. His 2023-2025 articles reveal intensified interest in uncertainty modelling (Dempster-Shafer theory), bi-objective optimisation of inventory and maintenance, and group decision protocols that integrate probabilistic or active-learning components, demonstrating both methodological depth and practical relevance. Scientific awards & grants: Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Researcher grant (€254 670, 2014-2017) Claudio Dematté Research Grant (€19 000, 2008) Teacher of the Year Award, Aalto University (2013 – both Spring & Autumn semesters) Bernard Roy Award 2021 for outstanding contribution to Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding (under-40 category) Supervision & funding: While specific doctoral students are not listed, Brunelli currently supervises graduate theses at Trento and has continuously held competitive national grants. His Academy of Finland project “Consistency of valued preference relations for decision analytics methods” financed three years of full-time research and international collaboration. Editorial & community roles: He serves on the editorial boards of International Journal of General Systems and Mathematical and Computational Applications , and acts as area editor for Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis , positioning him among the key gatekeepers of the MCDA community.
Dyanna Jolly is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Management at Lincoln University, Aotearoa New Zealand. She is of Whitebear First Nations (Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, Dakota) heritage from Treaty 4 territory in Saskatchewan, Canada, and was adopted into the Kakakaway, Shepherd, Maxie family. Her work centers on Indigenous-led environmental decision-making processes grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. Her educational background includes: PhD from University of Otago, Dunedin MNRM from University of Manitoba, Winnipeg BA (Hons) from University of Regina, Regina Jolly's research focuses on transformative engagement through Indigenous planning, environmental management, and impact assessment. She has over two decades of experience developing Iwi Management Plans and cultural impact assessments while collaborating with iwi, hapū, industry, and government. Her work bridges Western scientific approaches with Māori environmental knowledges (Mātauranga Taiao) and global Indigenous studies, emphasizing epistemic justice in environmental health risk assessment and soil science applications. Her publications reveal strong thematic trends in Indigenous authority within impact assessment frameworks, cultural impact assessment effectiveness in Aotearoa New Zealand, and knowledge-weaving methodologies connecting soil science with Indigenous land management practices. Recent works highlight decolonial approaches to environmental decision-making and the integration of Māori perspectives in horticultural land use studies. Key recognitions include: University of Otago Humanities Divisional List of Exceptional Doctoral Theses (2020) New Zealand Geographical Society Best Doctoral Thesis in Geography Award (2022) Jolly actively supervises Master's and PhD students while leading significant research initiatives including 'Te Rua o mahara - Stories stored in the depths' (2024) and 'Building the Autonomy of Indigenous Communities to Make their Data Work for Decision-Making' (2025). She serves as Programme Convenor for the Master of Planning Programme and maintains extensive professional engagement through the New Zealand Association for Impact Assessment Core Group, EIANZ Impact Assessment Special Interest Group, and as Chair of the Mana Whenua Advisory Group for Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke and Lyttelton Port Company. Her collaborative work with the Tāwhaki Joint Venture demonstrates practical application of Indigenous planning theory in environmental management contexts, creating tangible pathways for community-led environmental governance.
Carlos Enrique Palau is a prominent researcher in the field of Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, and cyber-physical systems. His work focuses on interoperability, security, and scalability in distributed systems, particularly in industrial and smart city applications. He has contributed to frameworks for cloud-edge continuum integration, blockchain-based IoT solutions, and federated computing architectures. Key areas of research include: IoT interoperability and semantic frameworks Edge computing and distributed workload management Cybersecurity for IoT and critical infrastructure Smart port logistics and real-time data analytics Cognitive services in legacy port management systems His recent work explores: Data-as-a-Product frameworks for Industry 4.0/5.0 Autonomous workload scheduling in energy-efficient edge-cloud systems Deception mechanisms for IoT security Self-* capabilities in cloud-edge nodes Palau has collaborated extensively with institutions like Universitat Politècnica de València and international partners in projects funded by EU initiatives. His research addresses practical challenges in industrial IoT deployments, smart city infrastructure, and emergency management systems.
Dr. Vahid Hosseini is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Chair in the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering at Simon Fraser University (SFU). His research focuses on sustainable energy systems, urban air pollution, and clean mobility solutions. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta (2008), and M.A.Sc. and B.Eng. degrees from Sharif University of Technology (Iran). His academic roles include leadership in graduate academic programs and engineering education. Key research areas include thermo-fluid systems analysis, vehicle emissions reduction, and urban air quality modeling. He is actively involved in projects addressing real-world driving emissions, emission inventory development, and the impact of cold climates on transportation energy consumption and pollution. Notable contributions include studies on retrofit emission control devices for motorcycles, high-emitter vehicle identification, and policy recommendations for emission reduction. His work integrates experimental methods, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and machine learning to tackle complex environmental challenges. Teaching interests span thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and air pollution control engineering. Current courses include SEE 325 D100 Mechanical Design and Finite Element Analysis . Research highlights include collaborations on Tehran’s air quality management, particulate matter (PM2.5) source apportionment, and the development of high-resolution emission inventories. He contributes to international conferences and journals, with a focus on practical solutions for sustainable urban transportation systems.
Zakir Durumeric is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, leading the Stanford Empirical Security Research Group. His research focuses on Internet security, trust, and safety, emphasizing large-scale network measurement and open-source tool development. He founded Censys, a platform providing global Internet device data, and maintains tools like ZMap, ZGrab, and Retina. Research interests include cybercrime prevention, censorship analysis, disinformation tracking, and platform governance for online harassment. Notable contributions include studies on the Mirai botnet, TLS certificate ecosystems, and vulnerabilities like Heartbleed and Logjam. Awards include the IRTF Applied Networking Research Prize (2015) and a Test of Time Award (2022). Teaches courses: CS155 (Computer & Network Security), CS356 (Systems & Network Security), and CS249i (Modern Internet). Advises over 20 students, including Catherine Han, Kimberly Ruth, and Liz Izhikevich. Develops open-source software such as ZMap Toolkit and ASdb, and maintains datasets like CrUX Top Million Websites. Recent work explores toxic online behavior, misinformation ecosystems, and regional censorship mechanisms in China. His lab’s tools are widely adopted in academia and industry for security research and policy guidance.
Prof. Dr. Moritz Petersen is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Practice and Co-Director of the Center for Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chains (CSLS) at Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg, Germany. His academic career began at Hamburg University of Technology, where he completed his doctoral studies in 2017 under Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kersten, and he has been at KLU since 2016. Research Focus: Decarbonization of logistics, Circular Economy, Blockchain applications in supply chains, and sustainable product development Teaching: Courses on Supply Chain Sustainability, Circular Product Development, and Lean Logistics Operations across KLU’s Bachelor to MBA programs Outreach: Co-hosts the podcast “Das Gleiche in Grün?!”, collaborates on educational children’s books about logistics, and frequently speaks at industry events like the Deutscher Logistik-Kongress Research Trends from his 15 most recent articles center on: Blockchain technology’s role in sustainable logistics Decarbonization strategies across maritime and road freight Circular economy implementation through product design and waste stream analysis Behavioral and organizational barriers to sustainability Public-private partnerships in European logistics Information sharing as a CE enabler Scientific Awards: 2020 Best Paper Award, International Journal of Operations & Production Management (IJOPM) Research Projects include: CREAToR: EU Horizon 2020 project on polymer recycling GATE: German Ministry of Economy-funded GHG emissions data exchange HANSEBLOC: Blockchain applications in logistics ChainLog: Blockchain use cases Development of Logistics Competence Assessment Toolkit
Andrew Macintosh is a Professor at the Australian National University College of Law, where he serves as Associate Dean (Research). He is a leading environmental law and policy scholar with extensive expertise in climate change mitigation and adaptation, carbon markets, and environmental impact assessment processes. Professor Macintosh's research is distinctly cross-disciplinary, applying legal, economic, and political science methodologies to environmental policy challenges. His work has established him as one of Australia's foremost experts on carbon offsets, land sector carbon abatement, and federal environmental law. His publications in prestigious journals including Nature Climate Change and the Journal of Environmental Law demonstrate the high impact of his scholarly contributions. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the integrity of Australia's carbon credit system, particularly examining human-induced regeneration projects, landfill gas methods, and nature-based markets. His research critically assesses regulatory compliance, measurement accuracy, and actual environmental outcomes of carbon offset projects, highlighting systemic issues in policy implementation. Among his notable recognitions is the Schlamadinger Prize for Climate Change Research awarded in 2012. Professor Macintosh maintains significant policy engagement through leadership roles including Chair of the Australian Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee, Director of the Port of Newcastle, and membership on the Australian Government's Emissions Reduction Fund Expert Reference Group and National Greenhouse Gas Inventory User Reference Group. His previous roles include Chair of the Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee and Associate Member of the Australian Climate Change Authority. He serves as an editor of the Environmental and Planning Law Journal . His work bridges academic research and practical policy implementation, with regular advisory roles for governments, corporations, and non-government organizations on environmental law and policy matters. Professor Macintosh's research directly informs climate policy development and implementation at national and international levels.
Basil Germond is a Professor of International Security at Lancaster University's School of Global Affairs , where he co-directs the interdisciplinary research institute Security Lancaster . He also holds a Visiting Fellowship at the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre and is affiliated with the Centre for War and Diplomacy and the ESRC Centre for Corpus Approaches to Social Science (CASS) . Education: PhD in International Relations (Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva), MA in History and International Politics, BA in International Relations (interdisciplinary 4-year degree). Leadership: Co-Director of Security Lancaster, former Faculty Leadership Team member (2018-2022), and ESRC NWSSDTP Institutional Politics Pathway Lead. His research bridges International Relations , Maritime Security , Geopolitics , and Corpus Linguistics , focusing on the evolving concept of seapower , maritime strategy , and climate-maritime security interactions. He works on UK Defence , Black Sea dynamics , and the representation of the sea in policy and media. Recent publications analyze the Strait of Hormuz crisis, Black Sea ceasefire implications, and climate security intersections. His work appears in Marine Policy , The Geographical Journal , and Science of the Total Environment , reflecting his cross-disciplinary approach. Scientific awards include Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). He has advised House of Commons , House of Lords , and EU Council , with research cited in IPCC Sixth Assessment Report . PhD Supervision: Completed projects on maritime strategy , EU security policy , and climate-maritime interactions . Currently supervises 4 students in maritime security and outer space security .
