Summary Associate Professor Mehrdad Arashpour is an internationally recognized researcher and educator in construction and civil infrastructure, focusing on automation and information technologies. He leads the ASCII Lab at Monash University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His academic roles include Head of Construction Engineering and membership in the CIB's Working Commission on Off-site Construction (W121) and Infrastructure Task Group (TG91). Education: Ph.D., RMIT University, Australia M.Sc., Grenoble University, France B.Sc., IU University, Iran Research Interests: Digital twins, computer vision, robotics, BIM integration, sustainable construction, and automation in construction processes. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable cities and communities. Grants & Awards: Over $6M in grants from ARC, Austroads, and industry partnerships. Recognitions include Editor's Choice Paper (ASCE, 2019) and Outstanding Reviewer (Elsevier, 2016). Teaching: Courses like Risk Management in Engineering Projects and Infrastructure Research Project. Advises on PhD topics in computer vision, robotics, and BIM. Labs & Collaborations: ASCII Lab focuses on smart, sustainable solutions for construction. Collaborates with global researchers and organizations like SPARC Hub and Building 4.0 CRC.
Bruce A. Maxwell is a Teaching Professor and Assistant Director of Computing Programs at Northeastern University’s Seattle Campus, following roles as Chair of the Computer Science (CS) Department at Colby College (2013–2020) and leadership in establishing the Khoury College MS CS Align Program at the Roux Institute (2020–2022). His academic journey includes affiliations with Northeastern’s Seattle Campus and ongoing collaboration with Colby CS as a research scientist. He specializes in Computer Vision, Robotics, Computer Graphics, Game Design, and Data Analysis, with notable contributions to concussion management research through the Maine Concussion Management Initiative (MCMI), focusing on sports-related injury analysis and symptom monitoring. His research spans over two decades, with significant work in human-robot interaction, autonomous systems, and educational technology. Notable projects include developing tools for real-time shadow removal in autonomous driving contexts and analyzing cognitive outcomes in student-athletes post-concussion. Maxwell has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches bridging computer science, sports medicine, and educational policy. Teaching innovations include integrating thematic elements (e.g., Lord of the Rings) into CS1 coursework and advocating for writing in computer science curricula. He maintains active roles in academic service, including SIGCSE conference contributions and panel discussions on gender equity in tech education. Education: Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University (1996), M.Phil. in Engineering from Cambridge University (1993). Awards: Recognized for pedagogical contributions but no named awards listed in provided materials. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Maine Concussion Management Initiative and Khoury College’s Align Program team.
Angelica Lim is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Rajan Family Scholar in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on Human Robot Interaction, Affective Computing, and Multimodal Perception with applications in healthcare and developmental robotics. She holds a PhD in Informatics from Kyoto University (2014), an M.Sc. from Kyoto University (2012), and a B.Sc. in Computing Science from SFU (2008). Her work bridges robotics and human-centered AI through projects like the ROSIE Lab, exploring emotion-aware systems, socially assistive robots, and VR programs for aging populations. Key contributions include benchmarking emotional speech recognition (BERSting), developing embodied emotion models for robots, and co-designing healthcare technologies with patient partners. Recent publications emphasize ethical AI, multimodal perception systems, and human-robot collaboration in dynamic environments. Teaching includes courses on software engineering, artificial intelligence, and introductory computer science. Her research has been applied in dementia care through VR programs, robotic companionship for older adults, and emotion-aware human-robot communication systems. Current initiatives focus on inclusive HRI design and sim2real methodologies for underrepresented data in affective computing.
Dr. João Henriques is a Research Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) at the Visual Geometry Group (VGG), University of Oxford. His research focuses on advancing computer vision, deep learning, and robotics, particularly in areas like 3D scene understanding, reinforcement learning, and multi-agent systems. He is renowned for developing the KCF and SiameseFC visual trackers, which won the VOT Challenge and are deployed in consumer hardware. His work spans 3D geometry, self-supervised learning, causal inference, and neuro-symbolic systems. Key contributions include methods for egocentric video analysis, unsupervised reconstruction, and robot navigation. He leads the VGG's research on neural feature fields, hierarchical scene understanding, and real-time 3D perception. Recent publications emphasize 3D-aware segmentation, universal place recognition, and neuro-symbolic world modeling for robotics. His research often bridges theoretical guarantees with practical applications, such as medical imaging and autonomous systems. Dr. Henriques collaborates with industry and academia on AI ethics, friendly AI, and interpretable learning. His lab hosts DPhil students advancing creative AI applications, such as generative models for gameplay design and LLM evaluations in real-world editorial workflows.
Jeffrey M. Timberlake serves as Professor of Sociology and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Sociology at the University of Cincinnati. His academic career centers on population dynamics, urban structures, and racial inequality, employing rigorous quantitative methodologies to examine systemic patterns across American metropolitan areas. His leadership in graduate education shapes emerging scholars in sociological research. Dr. Timberlake's educational foundation includes: PhD in Sociology from the University of Chicago (2003) MS in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1998) BA in Social Sciences from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (1991) His research program investigates the sociology of population, urban sociology, race and ethnicity, and quantitative methods. Recent work analyzes racial residential segregation, housing discrimination, children's exposure to neighborhood poverty and violence, and demographic shifts from 1970-2020. His publications reveal consistent focus on spatial inequality, ethnoracial dynamics, and policy impacts in housing markets. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications shows dominant themes in residential segregation measurement, racial steering mechanisms, and urban demographic change. Methodologically, he combines longitudinal data analysis with spatial statistics to document evolving patterns of inequality, particularly examining how neighborhood contexts shape life outcomes across racial groups. As Principal Investigator, Dr. Timberlake manages multiple active grants: CDC IPA Agreement w/ NIOSH (2021-2022): $50,000 federal grant Ohio Department of Medicaid Assessment Survey (2022): $45,210 state grant Ohio State University sub-award (2022): $45,210 higher education grant Medicaid Assessment Survey Year Two (2022-2023): $78,904 federal award Medicaid Assessment Survey Years Three-Four (2023-2025): $106,736 state grant and $59,107 federal award His research program demonstrates sustained federal and state funding for empirical studies of housing markets and population dynamics, with current work focused on Ohio Medicaid assessment systems.
Prof. Dr. Julia Rieck is a Full Professor of Business Administration at the University of Hildesheim , leading the Department of Business Administration and Operations Research within the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economics and Computer Science. As Dean of the Faculty , she oversees academic programs, quality management, and research initiatives. Her roles include academic advising for the Business Information Systems (B.Sc./M.Sc.) programs and active participation in examination boards and quality committees. Education: PhD in Political Science (Dr. rer. pol.) with summa cum laude (2008), Habilitation at Clausthal University of Technology (2014), and studies in Business Mathematics (Diploma, University of Hamburg, 2003) and Mathematics (Georg-August-University Göttingen, 2000). Research: Focuses on Operations Research , Supply Chain Management , Project Planning , and Logistics . Her work integrates mathematical modeling , machine learning , and real-world applications , particularly in disaster response , dynamic transportation , and sustainable e-commerce . Projects: Leads third-party funded initiatives like "IT für die sorgende Gesellschaft" (AI in healthcare/social sectors) and contributes to the HULLS real-lab (AI in aging societies). Collaborates with regional companies (e.g., Youco, ADITUS) and institutions (HAWK, University of Hannover). Teaching: Emphasizes practical application through case studies, industry partnerships, and the IT-Speed Dating event for student-company connections. Her courses cover project resource planning , logistics , and digital transformation . Labs & Teams: Active in the Institute of Business Administration & Business Information Systems , contributing to the KET Kompetenzwerkstatt (entrepreneurship support) and interdisciplinary teams in AI and sustainability research.
Jack Peltz, PhD, serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, Philosophy, and Neuroscience Programs at the State University of New York at Brockport. His academic career focuses on the intersection of developmental psychopathology, sleep science, and family systems dynamics, with particular emphasis on adolescent and college-age populations. His educational background includes: PhD in Clinical Psychology (Concentration: Developmental Psychopathology; Certificate: Quantitative Methods), University of Rochester, 2013 MA in Clinical Psychology, University of Rochester, 2010 MA in Child Development (Concentration: Clinical and Developmental Psychology), Tufts University, 2007 BA in Japanese, Middlebury College, 1996 Dr. Peltz's research program centers on developmental psychopathology and sleep regulation , investigating bidirectional relationships between sleep disturbances and family functioning. As a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep health for children and families, he develops community-based interventions to promote sleep hygiene. His work uniquely bridges quantitative methodology with clinical applications, examining how economic stressors, social media influences, and developmental transitions impact sleep-wake patterns. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) sleep as a mediator between adverse childhood experiences and psychological outcomes, (2) technology-mediated sleep disruptions (including wearable devices and social media), and (3) developmental transitions (puberty, college entry) affecting sleep-family dynamics. His methodological approach combines longitudinal designs, ambulatory EEG, and mixed-methods analysis to capture real-time sleep-family interactions across diverse populations including youth with visual impairments.
Vincent Roca is a permanent researcher at Inria , a French national research institute for digital science and technology. Since 2019, he leads the Privatics research team focusing on privacy, previously part of the Planete team (2000-2012) for Internet protocols and applications. His work spans Privacy in smartphones, IoT, and web browsers Design of the ROBERT and CLEA protocols for the French TousAntiCovid app Standardization in IETF working groups, notably on FEC and network coding Co-author of Inria's cybersecurity white book (2019) Instructor of the popular Privacy in the digital world MOOC (14,006 participants) Research Interests include privacy risks in digital technologies, robust content distribution via FLUTE/ALC transport protocols and LDPC-Staircase FEC codes, and network coding for scalable services. His articles focus on privacy in LoRaWAN, contact tracing protocols, GDPR compliance, and FEC optimization. Scientific Awards include the Third Applied Research Price from FIEEC (2014) Knight Medal of the French Order of Merit (2020) Students supervised include PhD candidates in privacy-preserving IoT, secure authentication, and alumni like Samuel Pelissier (LoRaWAN privacy) and Michael Toth (GDPR compliance). Software Contributions include openfec.org (AL-FEC codes) and FLUTE/ALC implementations .
Eleni Stai is an Assistant Professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), affiliated with the Division of Communication, Electronic and Information Engineering. She holds advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Applied Mathematical Sciences from NTUA and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her academic credentials include: Diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering, NTUA (2009) B.Sc. in Mathematics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2013) M.Sc. in Applied Mathematical Sciences, NTUA (2014) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, NTUA (2015) Dr. Stai's research integrates advanced optimization techniques with communications networks and energy systems. She develops stochastic and deterministic optimization frameworks for network resource allocation, data analytics on complex topologies, and smart-grid control applications. Her work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations in energy-harvesting networks, network slicing, and reinforcement learning for distributed systems. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant research thrusts in AI-driven network management (particularly O-RAN and network slicing), energy-integrated communications, and optimization of energy communities. A significant portion of her work addresses the convergence of 5G/6G networking with power systems, emphasizing real-time control and sustainability. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards: Chorafas Foundation Best Ph.D. Thesis award Thomaidis Foundation Best M.Sc. Thesis award Best Paper Award at ICT 2016 Best Presenter Award at IEEE ENERGYCON 2022 Dr. Stai serves on technical program committees for major international conferences and has co-authored the book "Evolutionary Dynamics of Complex Communications Networks". She teaches undergraduate courses in Queuing Systems, Computer Networks, and Social Network Analysis, reflecting her expertise in network theory and applications. Her research trajectory demonstrates continuous evolution from fundamental network optimization to AI-enhanced solutions for next-generation communication-energy systems. Her work builds upon her postdoctoral experience at EPFL (2016-2020) and ETH Zurich (2020-2023), where she developed advanced frameworks for communications networks and energy systems.
Daria Tsoupikova is a Professor of Digital Media Design at the University of Illinois Chicago's School of Design. She serves as Co-Founder and Design Chair of the bachelor's in computer science and design program and is affiliate faculty in the UIC Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL). Her work bridges artistic expression and technological innovation, focusing on virtual reality and interactive media applications across multiple domains. Her educational background includes: MFA in Computer Art from Syracuse University BFA in Graphic Design from Moscow State Academy Positioned at the crossroads of artistic and technological innovation, Tsoupikova's research explores the potential of new media and interactivity in relation to traditional arts. Through development of virtual reality art projects and networked multiuser exhibitions for VR projection systems like the CAVE and CAVE2, her work applies computer graphics to diverse research domains including educational multimedia, cultural heritage, and virtual rehabilitation for stroke survivors. Her approach integrates theater methodologies, design principles, and coding to create immersive experiences that address global challenges while preserving cultural heritage. Analysis of her publication history reveals an evolving trajectory from foundational VR art installations toward increasingly sophisticated therapeutic applications. Her recent work demonstrates a strong focus on the intersection of art, healthcare, and virtual reality, with particular emphasis on collaborative multiuser environments that transform traditional storytelling and therapeutic practices. The progression shows movement from artistic exploration to clinically validated therapeutic interventions with measurable patient outcomes. Her notable awards include: Session's Best Paper at IMCIC 2019 and QRMS/IMCIC 2016 Fulbright Scholar Award (2011) and Intercountry Lecturing Award Communication Arts Award of Excellence and Creative Quarterly Excellence Award National Endowment for the Arts grant and Presidential Award from University of Illinois Tsoupikova has secured significant research funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), and the Department of Education for projects including MARS2 (2007-2012) and MARS3 (2012-2018). She has developed innovative courses including Mobile App Design where students collaborate with professional partners such as Caterpillar, UIC medical departments, and clinics. Her work with stroke survivors at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has demonstrated improvements in patients' daily lives, regained trust in their hands, and increased therapy motivation. She is deeply involved with the UIC Electronic Visualization Laboratory, collaborating on advanced visualization projects including IBM partnerships exploring sustainable development goals through VR. Her leadership in establishing the computer science + design undergraduate program positions UIC as the only public university in the United States offering such a specialized degree, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary education at the technology-art intersection.
Christos Makris is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics at the University of Patras, Greece. His academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to computer science, particularly in data structures, algorithms, and information systems. He maintains active research collaborations and supervises graduate students in his areas of expertise. Dr. Makris's research spans several key areas in computer science with a strong focus on efficient data organization and processing. His work encompasses Data Structures , Information Retrieval , Data Mining , String Management and Processing Algorithms , Computational Geometry , Internet Technologies , Bioinformatics , and Multimedia Databases . His interdisciplinary approach bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications across various domains including web technologies, bioinformatics, and emergency response systems. Analysis of Dr. Makris's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on efficient algorithms for information management. His work demonstrates evolution from foundational data structure research in the 1990s to more applied work in web technologies, social media analysis, and machine learning applications in recent years. A notable pattern is his ability to adapt core algorithmic techniques to emerging application domains while maintaining theoretical rigor. Dr. Makris maintains an impressive scholarly record with over 3,000 citations, an h-index of 29, and an i10-index of 71 according to Google Scholar metrics. These indicators reflect the significant impact of his research within the computer science community. As an active faculty member, Dr. Makris maintains regular office hours on Tuesdays from 18:00-20:00 and Thursdays from 12:00-14:00. He is accessible via email at makri@ceid.upatras.gr or makri@upatras.gr for academic inquiries and student supervision.
John Valasek is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University, holding the Drs. L. Diane '88 and John E. Hurtado '91 Professorship. He directs the Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory (VSCL) and serves as Site Director for the NSF Center for Autonomous Air Mobility and Sensing (CAAMS) and the FAA Center for General Aviation Research (PEGASAS). His research focuses on autonomous control systems, UAV navigation, and cybersecurity for aerospace vehicles. Valasek earned his Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas (1995) and California State Polytechnic University (1986). Education: Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, University of Kansas - 1995 M.S., Aerospace Engineering, University of Kansas - 1990 B.S., Aerospace Engineering, California State Polytechnic University - 1986 Research Interests: Autonomous systems, nonlinear control, vision-based navigation, UAV control, bio-nano materials control, and aerospace systems engineering. Key Contributions: Over 100 invited lectures/seminars, leadership in NSF-funded research centers, and development of advanced control algorithms for aerospace systems. Notable publications include work on reinforcement learning for autonomous systems and real-time system identification for UAS. Awards: John Leland Atwood Award (2015) McElmurry Outstanding Teaching Award (2001, 2004, 2014) Engineering Hall of Fame inductee (2019) Advising & Grants: Advised over 60 graduate students, including recent NSF GRFP winner Evelyn Madewell. PI on multi-million-dollar grants, including the NSF CAAMS project and Air Force-funded research on autonomous systems. Labs & Teams: Directs the Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory (VSCL), focusing on low-cost attritable aircraft technology and autonomy. Collaborates with industry partners like Stratolaunch and VectorNav through CAAMS initiatives.
Prof. Dr. sc. techn. ETH Oliver Staadt is Full Professor of Computer Science and Chair of Visual Computing at the University of Rostock , Germany. Since 2023 he also serves as Director of the Institute for Visual and Analytic Computing within the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering . Previously he was Dean (2016–2018) and Vice Dean (2010–2016) of the same faculty. Education Ph.D. in Computer Science, ETH Zürich (2001) M.Sc. in Computer Science, TU Darmstadt (1994) Research Interests Prof. Staadt’s research spans virtual and augmented reality , computer graphics , visualization , telepresence , immersive analytics , and human–computer interaction . A particular focus lies on real-time rendering and display technologies for large high-resolution display systems, depth-image enhancement for RGB-D sensors, and interaction techniques that leverage spatial cognition and eye-tracking. His work is frequently applied to collaborative settings and microgravity environments, including experiments aboard parabolic flights and the International Space Station. Recent Publication Trends Between 2019 and 2021 his output centers on foveated rendering , AR viewpoint guidance , collaborative analytics on wall-sized displays , and embodied interaction metaphors . Earlier work addressed bandwidth-efficient telepresence, depth-image filtering, and physically-based animation. The corpus reveals a steady evolution from fundamental graphics algorithms toward applied immersive systems. Scientific Awards & Honors Fellow of the Eurographics Association Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (past) Associate Editor, Computers & Graphics (past) Associate Editor, Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds (past) Associate Editor, Frontiers in Virtual Reality (current) Chair, Expert Group on Virtual & Augmented Reality, German Informatics Society (2013–2020) Advising & Funding He has successfully supervised more than ten PhD graduates whose dissertations range from collision detection and physically-based animation to 3D interaction in microgravity and predictive user modeling. Current PhD researchers include Bipul Mohanto, Mana Takhsha, and Sven Kluge. His projects are supported by national and EU programs such as EVOCATION, SMOOTH, ARGuide, 3DPick, DIVA, and Telepresence. Labs & Teams Prof. Staadt leads the Visual Computing Group at Rostock, operating state-of-the-art facilities including large tiled display walls, VR/AR laboratories, and motion-capture systems. The institute hosts interdisciplinary collaborations with partners in visualization, computer vision, psychology, and aerospace engineering.
Pierluigi Salvo Rossi is a Professor at the Department of Electronic Systems , Norwegian University of Science and Technology ( NTNU ), with additional roles as Deputy Head of Department (since 2021) and Deputy Manager at the Center for Green Shift in the Built Environment (since 2022). He also serves as a part-time Research Scientist at SINTEF Energy's Gas Technology department. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy (2005) Dr.Eng. (cum laude) in Telecommunications Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy (2002) Research Interests span Wireless Communications , Digital Twins , Machine Learning , and Statistical Signal Processing , focusing on applications like Industrial IoT , Fault Detection , and Energy Systems . His recent Publications highlight trends in Federated Learning , Graph Signal Processing , and Multi-Sensor Anomaly Detection across domains from Natural Gas Pipelines to Subsea Leakages . Scientific Awards include: Exemplary Senior Editor, IEEE Communications Letters (2018) Department Ambassador, NTNU (2016) IEEE Senior Member (since 2011) Professional Roles encompass editorial leadership (e.g., IEEE Sensors Journal) and conference organization (e.g., General Chair for IEEE Sensor Array and Multichannel Signal Processing Workshop, 2022). He leads major funded research projects like PREFERENCE (RCN, 2023-2027) and AUTOSHIP (RCN, 2020-2028).
Professor Alex Richter is a Professor of Information Systems at the School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, where he also serves as Director of the Executive MBA program and PhD Director. He leads the Digital Work Lab and edits the Digital Work Diaries. With over 150 refereed publications cited more than 11,500 times, Professor Richter is a leading researcher in the field of Information Systems, recently ranked 285th globally among 18,561 researchers in the Information Systems sub-field on the Top 2% Scientists List. Professor Richter's research focuses on how digital technologies transform work to enhance innovation, productivity, and employee satisfaction. His primary areas of interest include Human-AI Collaboration , Digital Work and Innovation , Value-driven design , and The Future of Work . He explores practical applications of human-AI collaboration with global industry partners, identifying use cases, benefits, risks, and enablers of adoption. His conceptual work emphasizes value-driven, context-aware, and adaptive approaches to create meaningful sociotechnical systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward understanding the evolving relationship between humans and AI in workplace settings. Professor Richter's work examines trust in generative AI across organizational departments, the transformation of innovation practices through human-AI collaboration, and the implementation challenges of emerging technologies like augmented reality. His research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, focusing on how organizations can effectively integrate AI while maintaining human-centered values. Top 2% Scientists List (2024), ranking 285th globally among 18,561 researchers in Information Systems 'Innovation in Teaching Award' from the Association for Information Systems (2024) Research Fellow (2022) Multiple best paper awards throughout his career Professor Richter actively supervises numerous PhD students working on human-AI collaboration topics, including Carlos Forero, Chloe Latto, Ghazaleh Moqadam, Hedi Bigham Sohanaki, Jingyu Zheng, Mina Sanabadi, Shafiqul Alam, and Yao Zhang. He has successfully led research projects funded by the European Union, national governments, and organizations across Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Australia, and the USA. His engaged scholarship approach connects academic research with practical industry applications. As Director of the Digital Work Lab, Professor Richter leads a team exploring the future of work in the digital age. The lab investigates how digital technologies transform work practices, with particular focus on hybrid work environments, visibility in digital workplaces, and human-AI collaboration. Through the Digital Work Diaries initiative, the lab documents and analyzes real-world digital work transformations, providing practical insights for organizations navigating digital change.
