Professor Ifiok Otung is a Chartered Engineer and Professor of Space Engineering at the University of Bradford, where he directs the Bradford-Renduchintala Centre for Space AI. He holds a PhD in Satellite Communications from the University of Surrey and First-Class Honours/Master's degrees from the University of Ife, Nigeria. His research spans satellite communications, radio wave propagation, mobile channel modelling, and 5G/6G-satellite integration. An award-winning academic, Professor Otung has authored major textbooks used globally, including 'Communication Engineering Principles' and 'Digital Communications Principles and Systems'. He serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Engineering and Technical Program Chair for the International Communications Satellite Systems Conference. With extensive industrial collaboration, he has supervised over 150 MSc and PhD candidates.
Noah J. Cowan is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering, with secondary appointments in Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Neuroscience. He is the founder and director of the Locomotion in Mechanical and Biological Systems (LIMBS) Laboratory, part of the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics. His research focuses on neuromechanics, robotics, and control theory, bridging neuroscience, biomechanics, and engineering. Cowan's work investigates how organisms achieve precise locomotion and applies these insights to advance robotics, neuroprosthetics, and rehabilitation technologies. Education: B.S. Electrical Engineering (Ohio State, 1995), M.S. and Ph.D. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (University of Michigan, 1997/2001). Postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley (2001–2003) before joining Johns Hopkins. Research Interests: Neuromechanics of motion, bio-inspired robotics, multisensory integration in animals (e.g., electric fish, Drosophila), and sensorimotor control in clinical contexts like cerebellar ataxia. His lab studies how neural circuits interact with biomechanics to produce movement, with applications to robotic design and neurological disorder treatments. Awards & Recognition: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2010), IEEE Fellow, NSF CAREER Award (2009), and multiple teaching and research excellence awards at Johns Hopkins. His work has been published in top journals like Nature , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and IEEE Transactions on Robotics . Outreach & Mentorship: Longtime mentor for high school and undergraduate students in STEM, leading programs like the Baltimore Ingenuity Project and WISE. Served as team leader for the STEM Achievement in Baltimore Elementary Schools (SABES) initiative. Key Projects: Development of the LIMBS Lab’s VR systems for animal studies, bioelectric navigation technologies for medical devices, and collaborations with clinicians on upper limb movement disorders. His team’s research on electric fish and fruit flies has revealed principles of adaptive control applicable to robotics and AI.
Miyuki Hino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Resources from Stanford University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yale University. Her research focuses on climate hazards, governance, and public policy , with emphasis on equitable adaptation to climate change. Key areas include sea level rise impacts, flood risk on property markets, and managed retreat strategies. She has conducted extensive work on floodplain development policies, household relocation programs, and community resilience frameworks. Dr. Hino's interdisciplinary approach integrates environmental science, urban planning, and social equity . She collaborates with academic and municipal partners, such as the Center for Urban and Regional Studies and Annapolis, MD local governments, to develop actionable solutions for climate adaptation. Her work bridges technical analyses (e.g., sensor networks, machine learning) with policy design to ensure both effectiveness and justice in climate responses. Recent projects emphasize preventing future 'trapped households' by analyzing zoning policies and market dynamics that drive risky development. She advocates for climate-smart growth strategies to balance economic needs with environmental safety, while addressing disparities in vulnerability across communities. Her research has been featured in Science Advances , Nature Climate Change , and interdisciplinary journals. She actively engages with policymakers to translate findings into practical measures, such as equitable buyout programs and floodplain management reforms.
Michael Nebeling is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan's School of Information (UMSI), leading the Information Interaction Lab. His research focuses on Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality (XR) interfaces, emphasizing usability, accessibility, and privacy. He co-directs the HCI seminar series in the Michigan Interactive and Social Computing (MISC) group and teaches AR/VR courses (SI 559/659). Nebeling has held roles such as UIST 2026 General Co-Chair and CHI 2026 Subcommittee Co-Chair. He pioneered the Extended Reality for Everybody Coursera specialization and the XR MOOC series . His work includes projects like XRDirector , MRAT , and 360proto , addressing challenges in XR design and tool development. Awards include the Disney Research Faculty Award, Mozilla Research Award, and Epic MegaGrant. He advises the student-led Alternate Reality Initiative (ARI) and collaborates with industry partners like Meta, Epic, and Disney. Education: PhD in Computer Science from ETH Zurich (2015), Postdoc at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (2016). Research Themes: XR toolkits, privacy/security in AR/VR, inclusive design, educational applications, and ethical considerations in mixed reality. Over 90 publications in venues like CHI, UIST, and ACM Transactions on CHI. Awards: Disney Research Faculty Award (2018), Mozilla Research Award (2018), Epic MegaGrant (2019), Meta Reality Labs Gift (2020). Recognized with Best Paper Awards at CHI and UIST.
Prof. Dr. Mirko Hornung is a Professor of Aircraft Design at the TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technische Universität München. His research focuses on conceptual aircraft design, integration of propulsion systems, and evaluation of aviation technologies in operational contexts. Education and Career: PhD in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of the Bundeswehr (2003), awarded a research prize for work on reusable space transport systems. 2003–2009: Worked at Airbus Group (EADS) on military air systems, propulsion integration, and program management. Executive Director of Research & Technology at Bauhaus Luftfahrt, a think tank for long-term aviation developments. Research Interests: Aircraft design optimization, including hybrid energy systems, electric propulsion, and UAV technologies. Environmental sustainability in aviation, such as hydrogen-powered aircraft and lifecycle assessment. Aerodynamic and structural analysis, including flutter suppression and composite materials. Key Publications Highlight Trends: Focus on hybrid-electric and hydrogen propulsion for reducing environmental impact. Advancements in UAV design, including morphing wings and autonomous systems. Integration of AI-driven tools for propulsion optimization and lifecycle analysis. Scientific Awards: EADS Promotion Award (1995) Research Prize for Thesis on Reusable Space Transport Systems (2003) Advising & Grants: Directs research at Bauhaus Luftfahrt, collaborating on future aviation concepts. Engaged in interdisciplinary projects like FLEXOP UAV demonstrator and Ce-Liner eMobility studies. Labs/Teams: Active in the Aircraft Design Professorship at TUM and leadership roles at Bauhaus Luftfahrt, focusing on next-generation aviation technologies.
Marc-Antoine Dilhac serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where he also directs governance and international collaboration initiatives. He holds leadership roles as Scientific Director of Algora Lab and leads the Ethics and Politics research axis at the Centre de recherche en éthique (CRÉ). His academic affiliations extend to the Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (CÉRIUM) and the Canada Research Chair in Public Ethics and Political Theory (2014-2019). Education: PhD in Philosophy and Political Science, University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne (2009) Master 2 in Philosophy and Political Science, University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne (2003) Agrégation in Philosophy, University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne (2002) Dilhac's research spans ethics, political philosophy, and AI governance, with particular focus on democratic tolerance, multiculturalism, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. His work bridges theoretical political philosophy with practical applications in AI policy development, sustainable finance, and democratic institutions. He has contributed significantly to UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and leads initiatives examining AI's impact on French-speaking culture and democratic values. His recent publications reveal a clear trajectory from foundational work on tolerance and justice theory toward contemporary AI ethics challenges. The thematic evolution shows increasing engagement with practical governance frameworks, particularly in finance and education sectors, while maintaining strong philosophical grounding in democratic theory and institutional design. Key Awards and Recognition: Canada Research Chair in Public Ethics and Political Theory (2014-2019) Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011) Contributor to UNESCO's Recommendation on AI Ethics (2021) Dilhac has supervised over 15 graduate students across philosophy, political science, and interdisciplinary AI ethics programs. His research is supported by multiple grants from FRQSC, FRQNT, SSHRC, and MITACS, totaling over $2 million CAD. Current projects include the Generative AI Ethics Framework for Educational Technology (2024-2025) and the Sustainable Finance AI Tools project examining ESG/DEI disclosure analysis. He co-founded and leads the CORDÉ research group on corruption and democracy, and directs Algora Lab's work on AI governance. His upcoming February 2025 panel at Université Laval will address AI and Francophone cultural perspectives ahead of the Paris AI Action Summit.
Arash Arami is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, cross-appointed in Systems Design Engineering. He directs the Neuromechanics and Assistive Robotics Laboratory and maintains affiliations with Waterloo Robohub, the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Waterloo AI institute, and KITE institute at Toronto Rehab Institute. He earned his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from EPFL (2014), Master of Science from University of Tehran (2009), and Bachelor of Science from University of Tabriz (2006), all in Control Engineering. His research in Assistive Robotics and Rehabilitation Engineering integrates Machine Learning with Neuromechanics to develop intelligent systems for human movement analysis. Key focus areas include exoskeleton control algorithms, wearable sensor systems, and neural control modeling for rehabilitation applications. Recent publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work spanning robotics, biomedical engineering, and materials science, with emphasis on real-time human locomotion prediction, exoskeleton-human interaction, and data-driven health monitoring solutions. Dr. Arami serves as Chair of the NSERC Scholarship Committee (2021-2023) and mentors graduate students through the Mechatronics Exchange Study program. His teaching includes core courses in control systems, robot manipulators, and biomechanical engineering. The Neuromechanics and Assistive Robotics Laboratory fosters collaborations with clinical partners at Toronto Rehab Institute, focusing on translating robotic innovations into practical rehabilitation tools through interdisciplinary teamwork.
Ian Miers serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, holding a joint appointment with the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and serving as a core faculty member of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center (MC2). His academic home resides within the Department of Computer Science, though the overarching college/school structure is not explicitly stated in available materials. His research program centers on applied cryptography with a context-driven methodology: starting from real-world security challenges to develop deployable cryptographic protocols. Key focus areas include blockchain privacy (notably Zerocoin/Zerocash), zero-knowledge proofs, anonymous credentials, and secure messaging systems. Miers emphasizes practical implementations that address subtle security requirements in production environments, bridging theoretical cryptography with tangible system security. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in zero-knowledge proof scalability (zkSNARKs), privacy-preserving infrastructure for blockchains, and cryptographic solutions for content moderation in encrypted messaging. His work consistently targets deployable systems, with increasing focus on balancing privacy guarantees with accountability requirements in real-world applications. Miers actively recruits PhD students for hands-on research in his small lab, emphasizing direct collaboration on applied security and blockchain problems. As a founding scientist of Aleo, Bolt Labs, and Zcash, he translates academic research into commercial products, with his work receiving coverage from major media outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Wired.
Assia Mahboubi is a tenured researcher ( directrice de recherche ) at INRIA in the Gallinette team, Nantes, France, and an endowed professor in the Algebra and Number Theory section of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands. Her work bridges theoretical computer science and formal mathematics, with significant contributions to proof assistants and formal verification. Her research focuses on the foundations and formalization of mathematics in type theory, particularly on the automated verification of mathematical proofs. She explores the interplay between computer algebra and formal proofs, and is a key contributor to the Rocq prover (formerly Coq) and the Mathematical Components libraries. Her work often examines how familiar mathematical objects can be optimally represented for computer-aided proof checking. Recent publications show a strong trend toward categorical reasoning, diagram chasing, and continuity properties in constructive type theory, with increasing focus on practical applications of formal methods in computational mathematics. Her work demonstrates the maturation of formal verification techniques from theoretical foundations to practical tools for mathematical research. ERC Consolidator grant for the FRESCO (Fast and Reliable Symbolic Computation) project Mahboubi actively supervises doctoral students including Vojtěch Štěpančík, Tomás Vallejos Parada, and Alain Chavarri Villarello. She has received significant research funding through her ERC Consolidator grant for the FRESCO project, which aims to develop fast and reliable symbolic computation techniques. She is deeply involved in the international research community, serving on program committees for major conferences including POPL, CPP, and ICFP. She leads research in the Gallinette team at INRIA, which focuses on the intersection of proof assistants, programming languages, and formal mathematics. Her work has helped establish formal verification as a practical tool for mathematical research, moving beyond theoretical foundations to real applications in computational mathematics.
Matthias Feurer is a Thomas Bayes Fellow and interim professor at the Chair of Statistical Learning and Data Science, funded by the Munich Center for Machine Learning (MCML) at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. He is a member of the Department of Statistics at LMU Munich, working under Prof. Dr. Bernd Bischl. His academic background includes: PhD in Computer Science from Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, supervised by Prof. Dr. Frank Hutter M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Freiburg B.Sc. in Computer Science and Media from the Media University Stuttgart Feurer's research focuses on simplifying machine learning usage through Automated Machine Learning (AutoML). His work encompasses hyperparameter optimization, meta-learning, and model selection, with increasing emphasis on multi-objective AutoML that considers factors beyond predictive performance such as interpretability, deployability, and fairness. He actively develops open-source tools to advance the field. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in practical AutoML systems, with growing attention to tabular machine learning, foundation models integration, and addressing real-world constraints in optimization. His work consistently bridges theoretical advances with practical implementations through several widely-used open-source projects. Notable achievements include: 1st place in the warmstarting-friendly leaderboard of the BBO NeurIPS challenge Winner of the 2nd AutoML challenge Winner of the kdnuggets blog contest on AutoML Feurer is actively mentoring and teaching, having advertised PhD positions focused on AutoML, optimization, and benchmarking. He co-founded the Open Machine Learning Foundation supporting OpenML.org. His upcoming move to TU Dortmund as an assistant professor in AutoML and Optimization signals continued growth in his academic career while maintaining his research focus on making machine learning more accessible and rigorous.
Professor John Pickett serves as Chair of the School of Chemistry at Cardiff University, where he holds the position of Professor of Biological Chemistry. His research program has established him as a leading figure in chemical ecology with significant contributions to understanding chemically mediated interactions between organisms. Professor Pickett's research focuses on chemical ecology involving chemically mediated interactions between various organisms, particularly pests attacking plants and animals. His work encompasses the chemical characterisation of pheromones and other semiochemicals across plants and animals, including insect pests and beneficial organisms. He investigates stress-related chemical signalling by plants and vertebrates (including humans and farm animals), elucidates biosynthetic pathways to pheromones and other semiochemicals, and explores how these compounds can be exploited in pest management through ecological approaches and genetic modification. Analysis of Professor Pickett's recent publications reveals a sustained and impactful research trajectory spanning chemical ecology, agricultural science, and sustainable development. His work demonstrates remarkable continuity in investigating semiochemicals and pheromones while expanding into interdisciplinary areas including AI applications for sustainable futures and the economic impacts of agricultural innovations. A consistent theme throughout his career is the practical application of chemical ecology principles to develop sustainable pest management solutions, particularly through the development and refinement of push-pull farming systems that have transformed agricultural practices in Africa.
Abbas Milani is a tenured Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus, where he holds the Tier 1 Principal's Research Chair in Sustainable & Smart Manufacturing and serves as Director of the Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI). He also serves as Technical Director of the Composites Research Network (CRN), Lead of the Canadian-International Biocomposites Research Network, and leads multiple major initiatives including the UBC-Pacific Economic Development Canada-Advancing Circular Economy (ACE) program and the UBC-NRC IRAP National Circular Economy CtO Program. Dr. Milani's primary research focuses on advanced modeling, simulation, and multi-criteria design optimization of composite and biocomposite materials, structures, and manufacturing processes. His expertise spans Textile Composites/Biocomposites, Materials Constitutive Relations, Finite Element Modeling, Robust Inverse Methods, Material Selection for End-of-Life Design Strategies, Multiple Criteria Decision Making, and Industry 5.0 applications. His interdisciplinary research bridges mechanical engineering, sustainable materials science, and smart manufacturing technologies. Analysis of his recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on sustainable materials development, with particular focus on biocomposites, life cycle assessment methodologies, and optimization of manufacturing processes. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental validation across diverse application areas including medical devices, sustainable packaging, and circular economy strategies. The publications demonstrate increasing integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches with traditional engineering methods. 2015 UBC Okanagan Researcher of the Year Award Killam Faculty Research Award (2016) Inducted into Royal Society of Canada - College of New Scholars (2020) Gold Medal Service Contribution Award by Academics World Reviewer Contribution Award by ASM International Multiple teaching excellence awards from UBC Dr. Milani has successfully mentored over 100 students and postdoctoral fellows who have secured positions in both industry and academia. His research program has been supported by more than $15 million in funding from government and industrial organizations. He leads the NSERC CREATE in Immersive Technologies (CITech) program and co-leads the Advanced Materials and Fabrication Core Competency within the Survive and Thrive Applied Research (STAR) program, demonstrating his commitment to training the next generation of engineers and advancing applied research.
Dr A. I. Shihab is a Senior Lecturer at Kingston University's Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment, Department of Networks and Digital Media. He teaches programming languages (C++/Java), data structures, web development, and AI/machine learning. His research focuses on affective computing and machine learning applications including: Acoustic event detection in sports environments Audio signal analysis for tennis match modeling Multi-camera visual surveillance systems Medical imaging analysis using fuzzy clustering techniques Publications demonstrate expertise in combining audio/video modalities for sports analytics (tennis rallies, court-shots) and developing Markov models for sound event sequence analysis. Contact: a.shihab@kingston.ac.uk
Bryan H. Choi is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Colorado Law School , where he bridges law and computer science to address software and AI safety. His work on software liability has influenced national cybersecurity strategy discussions. As an Adviser for the ALI Principles Project on Civil Liability for Artificial Intelligence , he shapes legal frameworks for emerging technologies. Education : JD and AB in Computer Science from Harvard University; clerkships with U.S. Court of Appeals judges Leonard I. Garth and William C. Bryson. Roles : Former joint appointment at Ohio State University Law School and Computer Science Department; Faculty Fellow at UPenn's CTIC; Director of Law and Media at Yale's ISP. Research Focus : Choi's scholarship examines software liability , AI accountability , and privacy law through interdisciplinary lenses. He critiques institutional approaches to software safety and advocates for empirical legal frameworks over participation-based models. Recent Articles address AI malpractice , NIST software standards , and forensic tool validation , reflecting trends in AI regulation and cyber-physical system liability . His 2021 NSF grant funded technical-legal methods for safety-critical systems. Awards & Grants : National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant (2021) Adviser, ALI Principles Project on Civil Liability for Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement : Active in Law and Computer Science communities , serving on committees for the ACM Symposium , Cybersecurity Law and Policy Scholars Conference , and co-organizing the AAAI Bridge Program on AI and Law .
Reşat Kasaba is a Professor at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, where he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses for over 30 years. He currently directs the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies and served as the director of the Jackson School from 2010 to 2020. His expertise centers on the political and economic history of the Middle East, particularly Turkey. His educational qualifications include: Ph.D. in Sociology, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1986 M.A. in Sociology, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1978 B.S. in Economics and Statistics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 1976 Professor Kasaba's research interests encompass political economy, economic history, state-society relations, migration and refugee studies, ethnicity and nationalism, urban history, and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. His work often focuses on modern Turkey, analyzing the rural-urban divide and the historical trajectory of state formation. His scholarly output features four influential books that explore the dynamics of empire, migration, modernity, and legal systems in the Ottoman and Turkish contexts. Collectively, these works contribute to understanding the complex interplay between social forces, national identity, and political economy in the region. He has been recognized with the UW Distinguished Teaching Award. Additionally, he has held leadership roles in prominent academic associations: President, Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (2017-2019) Board Member, Middle East Studies Association of North America (2015-2018) Professor Kasaba is actively involved in graduate education, currently accepting new MA students for the 2026-2027 academic year and mentoring Ph.D. candidates through the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program. His teaching covers diverse topics including world cities, state-society relations, and the modern Middle East.
