Beng Chin Ooi is a Lee Kong Chian Centennial Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), School of Computing (SoC). He holds a B.Sc. (1st Class Honors) and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Monash University. His research focuses on database systems, large-scale analytics, and distributed computing. He has held leadership roles including Dean of School of Computing (2007–2013) and Director of Smart Systems Institute (2011–2021). Key achievements include the Singapore President’s Science Award (2011), ACM Fellow (2011), IEEE Fellow (2009), and multiple best paper awards. His work emphasizes scalable data management, blockchain systems, and healthcare data analytics. Education: Monash University (B.Sc., Ph.D.) Leadership: Dean (SoC), Director (Smart Systems Institute) Awards: Over 15 major honors including ACM SIGMOD E.F. Codd Innovations Award (2020) His research spans distributed databases, big data systems, and innovative applications of blockchain technology. Recent work includes NASI (neural architecture search) and Rafiki (ML-as-a-service).
Christoph Koch is a Full Professor in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) , Switzerland. He has held academic positions at Cornell University (2007-2010, 2006), Saarland University (2005-2007), and TU Vienna (2001-2005). His research focuses on database systems, logic, programming languages, and data management.
Dr. Athos Agapiou serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering and Geoinformatics, Cyprus University of Technology, where he holds the 'Geoinformatics and Earth Observation' chair. He also serves as Deputy Director of the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage and coordinates the EOCult Laboratory, a specialized research group focused on applying Earth Observation and Geoinformatics for archaeological research and cultural heritage landscapes. His research interests center on developing and applying innovative remote sensing technologies for cultural heritage preservation, addressing challenges posed by environmental and anthropogenic factors. Dr. Agapiou has led numerous high-profile research initiatives at European and national levels, including Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 projects, as well as programs funded by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation. His publication record demonstrates consistent output in remote sensing applications for archaeology, with particular focus on satellite image fusion, UAV technologies, spatial resolution optimization, and advanced data analysis techniques for archaeological prospection. His work bridges technical remote sensing methodologies with practical archaeological applications. Young Scientist Award from International Society for Digital Earth (2023) Young Researcher Award by Cyprus Research Awards (2018) Top 2% researcher worldwide in field (Stanford studies 2020-2024) Top three global researchers in Geoinformatics for cultural heritage (2024) Dr. Agapiou actively contributes to major research projects and collaborations, with his work influencing both academic research and practical applications in cultural heritage management. His laboratory (EOCult) serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting geospatial technologies with archaeological practice.
Katja Hose is a Full Professor of Data Management at TU Wien's DBAI research unit, heading the Data Management and Knowledge-Driven AI Lab. She previously held a Poul Due Jensen Foundation Professorship at Aalborg University. Her research focuses on data and knowledge engineering, including graph databases, knowledge graphs, querying, analytics, and machine learning, with interdisciplinary applications in bioscience, healthcare, and environmental assessment. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Ilmenau University of Technology, 2009), Postdoc at Max Planck Institute for Informatics (2009–2012). Academic roles include Program Co-Chair for ISWC 2024 and EDBT 2023, and editorial board membership at VLDBJ and TGDK. She leads projects like TARGET (health virtual twins) and ARMADA (data management). Research Interests: Knowledge Graphs, Semantic Web, Big Data, Machine Learning, Data Integration, and Provenance Systems. Key contributions include SHACL shape extraction, conversational data analytics, and environmental knowledge graphs. Awards include the 2025 Distinguished Meta-Reviewer Award and 2024 Manfred Paul Award. Advising and Grants: Supervised students including E. Pürmayr (Diploma Thesis 2025). Active in EU projects (TARGET, ARMADA) and grant coordination. Labs/Teams: DMKI Lab at TU Wien, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in healthcare and environmental science.
Huamin Qu is a Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He serves as the Founding Dean of the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS), Founding Head of the Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), and was the Founding Acting Head of Computational Media and Arts (CMA) at HKUST(GZ). Qu directs the VisLab and coordinates the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) group. He obtained his BS in Mathematics from Xi'an Jiaotong University and MS/PhD in Computer Science from Stony Brook University. Qu's research integrates Data Visualization , Human-Computer Interaction , and Human-Centered AI , with applications in urban informatics, social networks, and explainable AI. His work focuses on developing interactive systems for big data analytics, visual storytelling, and AI-driven decision support. Research extends to multimodal communication, fintech, and augmented reality applications. His publications emphasize visual analytics for complex datasets (mobility, social media, financial), interaction techniques for immersive environments, and AI-enhanced visualization tools. Recent works explore explainable AI interfaces and large-scale data communication frameworks. IEEE Visualization Academy (2020) IEEE VGTC Technical Achievement Award AI 2000 Most Influential Scholar (2019, 2023, 2024) 21 Best Paper/Honorable Mention awards IBM Faculty Award (2009) APICTA Merit Award (2015) Yelp Dataset Grand Prize (2018) Qu has advised 48 PhD graduates (21 now faculty at institutions like UC Davis, University of Minnesota, Texas A&M) and 30 MPhil students. He secured major grants including RGC theme-based projects (digital citizenship, air pollution), UGC AoE (slope safety), and China's 973 Program. As VisLab director, he leads 20+ researchers in visualization/HCI projects adopted by Microsoft, IBM, Huawei, and Tencent.
Allen J. Scott is a Distinguished Research Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, with a joint appointment in the Department of Public Policy (School of Public Affairs) and Department of Geography. He has held prestigious positions at UCLA since 1994 and previously at the University of Toronto (1969–1994). His career spans over five decades, focusing on urban geography, regional development, and cultural economy. Education : BA (1961) from Oxford University; MA and PhD (1962, 1965) from Northwestern University. Research Interests include: Creative cities and cognitive-cultural capitalism Political economy of urbanization and globalization Industrial clusters and labor-intensive economies Human capital distribution in metropolitan areas Cultural landscapes and peripheral development Publication Trends (2005–2014) emphasize: Globalization's impact on low-technology industries Cognitive-cultural capitalism in urban contexts Human capital dynamics in metropolitan hierarchies Celebrity culture and urban glamour Creative field theories and urban policy implications Scientific Awards : 1986 Guggenheim Fellow 2003 Vautrin Lud Prize 2005 Meridian Book Prize 1999–2013: Chaires d’Excellence, Fellowships, and Doctor Honoris Causa 2008 Carol and Bruce Mallen Lifetime Achievement Award 2003 ISI Highly Cited Author
Gene Tsudik is a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), with a career spanning over two decades. He obtained his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1991, focusing on access control in the Internet. His research spans multiple areas including computer and network security, applied cryptography, and digital privacy, with a recent emphasis on database privacy, genomic privacy, and usable security. His notable contributions include the Inter-Domain Policy Routing (IDPR) protocol, KryptoKnight for network security, and Tree-Based Group Key Agreement protocols. He has over 210 publications and 8 patents. From 2002 to 2007, he served as Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at UCI's School of Information and Computer Sciences and currently directs the UCI Secure Computing and Networking Center (SCONCE). Research Keywords : Cybersecurity, Cryptography, Privacy, Network Security, Digital Signatures, Genomic Data Protection. Scientific Awards : IEEE Fellow (2012), ACM Fellow (2014), AAAS Fellow (2016), Fulbright Senior Scholar (2007), and IFIP Fellow (2020). Professor Tsudik has supervised 18 PhD students and held visiting positions at universities across Europe and Asia. His recent publications focus on secure hardware attestation, biometric authentication, and social media data privacy.
Prof. Martin Messner is a University Professor at the University of Innsbruck, leading the Controlling Institute within the Department of Organization and Learning. His work focuses on management accounting, performance measurement, and the intersection of accounting practices with organizational behavior. He holds editorial leadership roles, including Editor-in-Chief of Accounting, Organizations and Society (2021–present) and previously served on the Management Accounting Research editorial board (2015–2019). Prior to his current position, he was an Assistant Professor at HEC Paris (2006–2011). Research Interests: His research explores performance measurement systems, ethics in management control, and the evolving roles of accounting in organizational narratives and governance. He investigates topics like algorithmic decision-making, narrative reporting, and entrepreneurial governance structures. Professional Activities: Member of the European Accounting Association’s Publications Committee Co-organizer of the MASOP Workshops (2008–2023) His publications span academic journals and edited volumes, addressing themes such as zero-based budgeting, data scientist identities, and the ethical implications of control systems. He actively bridges theoretical and practical accounting issues through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Andreas Eckert is Professor and Chair of African History at Humboldt University Berlin, where he also serves as Director of the International Research Centre "Work and Human Life Cycle in Global History" since 2009. Previously, he was Head of Department at the Institute of Asian and African Studies (2008-2009) and Dean of the Faculty of History and Philosophy at the University of Hamburg (2004-2006). His academic career includes visiting professorships at Harvard University, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme in Paris, and Indiana University. Professor Eckert's research focuses on African history in the 19th and 20th century , with particular emphasis on the history of the state, urbanization, and historiography. His scholarly work extends to comparative history of colonialism , history of work/labour history , and global history . His approach combines deep regional expertise in African contexts with transnational and comparative perspectives that challenge traditional historical narratives. Eckert's publication record demonstrates a consistent engagement with themes of state formation, labor relations, urban development, and historical methodology in African contexts. His work spans from detailed case studies of specific regions like Douala and Tanzania to broader conceptual explorations of how Africa fits into world historical narratives. A notable trend in his scholarship is the examination of entangled histories that connect local African experiences with global processes of colonialism, decolonization, and postcolonial state formation. His notable achievements include: 2012 Guest Fellowship at Freiburg Institute of Advanced Study Election as chairperson of "Forum Transregionale Studien" (2011) Major Grant from the German Ministry for Research and Education for the Institute "Work and Human Life Cycle in Global History" (2009) Election as chairperson of "Arbeitskreis für Moderne Sozialgeschichte" (2007) Managing Editor of the Journal of African History (2004-2011) Fellowship in the Royal Historical Society (2000) As Director of the International Research Centre "Work and Human Life Cycle in Global History," Eckert has secured significant funding including a major grant from the German Ministry for Research and Education (2009-2015). He has also served on the Board of the International African Institute in London and has been actively involved in scholarly organizations including the "Forum Transregionale Studien" and "Arbeitskreis für Moderne Sozialgeschichte." Under Eckert's leadership, the International Research Centre "Work and Human Life Cycle in Global History" brings together scholars from multiple disciplines and countries to examine the historical dimensions of work and human life cycles from a global perspective. The center serves as a hub for innovative research that transcends traditional geographic and disciplinary boundaries.
Ian Horrocks is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Oriel College. His research focuses on knowledge representation, description logics, automated reasoning, and semantic web technologies. He has held academic positions at the University of Manchester (2003–2007) and served as Chief Scientist at Cerebra Inc. (2001–2006). Horrocks earned his BSc (1st class), MSc, and PhD in Computer Science from the University of Manchester (1981–1997). His work includes foundational contributions to ontology languages (e.g., OWL) and reasoning systems such as HermiT and ELK. He has supervised over twenty doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. His honors include Fellowships from the Royal Society (2011), ECCAI (2009), and the British Computer Society (2005). He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Transactions on Graph Data and Knowledge and leads initiatives in semantic web standards and knowledge graph applications. Key Roles: Editor-in-Chief (Journal of Web Semantics), Co-Chair (W3C OWL Working Group) Grants: EPSRC Senior Research Fellowship (2005), numerous international collaborations Labs: Oxford Semantic Technologies, involvement in projects like RDFox and PAGOdA
Peter Druschel is a Professor and founding Director of the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS) in Saarbrücken, Germany. He holds adjunct professorships at Saarland University and the University of Maryland. His research focuses on distributed systems, operating systems, and privacy-preserving technologies. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 1994 and has held roles at Rice University since 1994, including Professor of Computer Science (2002–2005). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Arizona (1994) Research Interests: Distributed systems, operating systems, network security, accountable computing, and privacy technologies. Current projects include privacy compliance in data systems (Thoth), secure communication (EbN), and privacy-aware image capture (I-Pic). Awards: SIGOPS Mark Weiser Award (2008) NSF CAREER Award (1995) Member of Academia Europaea and German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina Grants & Leadership: Leads the ERC Synergy Project imPACT, chairs the Max Planck Society’s Chemistry, Physics, and Technology Section, and collaborates with institutions like Cornell and Google. Advises on policy issues related to technology and privacy. Labs/Teams: Distributed Systems Group at MPI-SWS, collaborations with Microsoft Research and MIT. Current team includes students and postdocs working on privacy, security, and distributed systems.
Univ.-Prof. Torsten Möller, PhD is a Professor at the University of Vienna and serves as Head of the Research Group Visualization and Data Analysis and Head of the Research Network Data Science. His work spans data visualization, visual analytics, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on biomedical, environmental, and societal data applications. Academic rank: Professor Research group: Visualization and Data Analysis Network: Data Science Email: torsten.moeller@univie.ac.at Research interests include: Visual data analysis for complex systems Interdisciplinary applications in climate science and medicine Human-computer interaction in data exploration Image processing and computer graphics Recent publication trends show expertise in: Visualizing climate change and pandemic data Multi-volumetric and network analysis Algorithmic transparency and user-centered design Interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., astrophysics, medical imaging) Statistical and uncertainty visualization Design frameworks for visualization recommendation Teaching includes courses in: Computer graphics and visualization Image processing and analysis Human-computer interaction Data analysis projects Doctoral research seminars
Professor Marta Zofia Kwiatkowska is Professor of Computing Systems and Fellow of Trinity College at the University of Oxford, where she has held a faculty position since 2007. She previously served as Professor of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham (2001–2007), Reader and Lecturer at the University of Birmingham (1994–2001), and Lecturer at the University of Leicester (1986–1994). Her academic career began as Assistant Professor at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland (1980–1988). Education: BSc/MSc in Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków MA, University of Oxford PhD, University of Leicester Research Interests: Professor Kwiatkowska spearheaded the development of probabilistic and quantitative verification methods on the international stage. Her work bridges theory and practice through the PRISM model checker—the leading software tool in probabilistic model checking—used worldwide for research and teaching. Application domains include communication and security protocols , nanotechnology designs , power management , ubiquitous computing and systems biology . She investigates automated verification , temporal logics , semantic models for concurrency , real-time systems , and biological process modelling . Current grant funding exceeds £3.7 million from EPSRC, EU and ERC, including the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant VERIWARE. Scientific Awards & Honours: Fellow of the Royal Society Fellow of the ACM Fellow of the European Association for Theoretical Computer Science (EATCS) Fellow of the British Computer Society (BCS) Fellow of the Polish Society of Arts & Sciences Abroad ERC Advanced Grant VERIWARE (€2.046 M, 2010–2015) Top Cited Article Award, Theoretical Computer Science (2005–2010) Best Paper Award, QEST 2006 Doctoral Supervision & Grants: Professor Kwiatkowska actively supervises doctoral students (D.Phil. at Oxford) and post-doctoral researchers. She welcomes applications in areas aligned with her research interests, detailed here . Current students include Charlie Griffin, Daqian Shao, Matthew Yuan and Minghao Liu; past students and researchers number over twenty, many now in faculty or industry leadership roles. Laboratory & Teams: She leads the Oxford Quantitative Verification group within the Department of Computer Science. Ongoing projects include FUN2MODEL, ELSA, FAIR and the flagship PRISM probabilistic model checker. The group maintains strong collaborations with biological, robotics and engineering teams worldwide.
Dr. Rajkumar Buyya is a Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor at the University of Melbourne and Founder & CEO of Manjrasoft , a spin-off commercializing cloud innovations. He has held visiting roles at Imperial College London , University of Birmingham , and Tsinghua University . Research Interests : His work spans Cloud Computing , Edge Computing , Grid Systems , and Energy-Efficient Computing , focusing on utility-driven resource allocation, simulation tools, and scalable IoT application frameworks. He pioneered the CloudSim toolkit and Aneka Cloud technologies. Scientific Awards : IEEE Fellow (2015), Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (2016-2021) Khwarizmi International Award (2020), Scopus Researcher of the Year (2017) Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award (2010), IEEE TCSC Medal (2009) Impact : Authored over 850 publications, including the widely adopted textbook Mastering Cloud Computing . Graduated 54 PhD students now in leadership roles at institutions like Newcastle University and companies such as IBM , Google , and Amazon . His research has driven global adoption of cloud/edge technologies in 50+ countries.
Paolo Gamba is Full Professor in Telecommunications and Remote Sensing at the University of Pavia, Italy, where he previously led the Telecommunications and Remote Sensing Laboratory until 2021. He currently serves as Delegate of the Rector for international relations with USA and the Americas. Gamba is Principal Investigator for projects funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italian Ministry for External Affairs, and European Space Agency (ESA), and coordinates the School of Science and Technology for the Consortium of Italian Universities for Argentina (CUIA). His research focuses on urban remote sensing , image processing , data fusion , and Earth observation applications for physical exposure and risk management. He has pioneered work in remote sensing data analysis and telecommunications, with particular emphasis on developing methods for urban environment monitoring. Gamba holds significant leadership positions in scientific organizations: Current Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine Former President of IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (2019-2020) Technical Chair for multiple IGARSS conferences Founding organizer of GRSS/ISPRS Joint Workshops on Remote Sensing over Urban Areas Awards & Honors: IEEE Fellow (2013) IAPR Fellow (2020) AAIA Fellow (2022) Outstanding Service Award from IEEE GRSS (2021) Multiple excellence in reviewing awards He maintains active involvement in space mission planning through membership in advisory groups for COSMO/SkyMed Constellation (ASI) and Sentinel-2 Next Generation mission (ESA). Gamba has published extensively with over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and 300+ conference presentations.
