Jack Puleo is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware (UD), and a core faculty member of the Center for Applied Coastal Research (CACR). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, a Master’s from Oregon State University, and a Bachelor’s from Humboldt State University. His research focuses on coastal hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. He has served as Associate Chair and Director of CACR, and was a Fulbright Scholar and Visiting Professor at Plymouth University (2011-2012). Research Interests: Small-scale hydrodynamic processes and sediment transport in coastal zones Remote sensing and sensor networks for coastal monitoring Nature-based solutions for coastal protection Munitions mobility in nearshore environments Climate change impacts on coastal flooding Awards and Honors: NSF CAREER Award (2007) ASCE Teaching Awards University of Delaware Teaching Awards (twice) Chi Epsilon Advising Award ASBPA Robert G. Dean Award German DAAD Scholarship Labs and Collaborations: Core member of the Center for Applied Coastal Research (CACR), collaborating on projects such as UXO mobility studies, coastal flooding modeling, and military infrastructure resilience. Active in interdisciplinary work with the Naval Research Laboratory and joint bases like Langley-Eustis.
Professor Gabriel Kuperminc is a faculty member at Georgia State University’s College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Psychology, with a secondary appointment in the School of Public Health. He serves as Chair of the Community Psychology Program and a member of the Developmental Psychology Program. His research focuses on resilience in adolescence, community-based prevention programs, and cultural factors influencing health and development. He collaborates with non-profits to evaluate youth programs and has expertise in mentoring interventions, substance abuse prevention, and immigrant youth studies. Education: Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1994. Research interests include understanding how cultural contexts shape youth development and health behaviors. His work emphasizes collaboration with marginalized communities, including immigrant families and organizations addressing systemic inequities. Notable projects include studies on group mentoring effectiveness (funded by DOJ), photovoice methodologies for trauma recovery, and interventions targeting acculturative stress among Latino youth. Key affiliations include the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, Center for Human Rights and Democracy, and Center for Research on School Safety. Since 2009, he leads a Maymester Study Abroad Program on Human Rights in Argentina. Grants and collaborations include DOJ-funded research on juvenile justice system interventions and CDC evaluations of public health programs. He directs the Social Ecology and Adolescent Development Lab, focusing on youth resilience and community health interventions.
Richard Pawlowicz is a Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC), within the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on ocean physics, seawater properties, geophysical fluid dynamics, and coastal processes. He holds a PhD from the MIT/WHOI Joint Program and has been a faculty member at UBC since 1996. His work integrates field observations, numerical modeling, and novel instrumentation, such as neutrally buoyant floats (Swish floats) and satellite-tracked drifters, to study coastal circulation, estuarine dynamics, and double diffusion processes. He leads research in the Salish Sea, Strait of Georgia, and Gulf of St. Lawrence, emphasizing subsurface mixing, dispersion, and the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Education & Background: B.Sc. (Hons) from Queen's University (1987), PhD from MIT/WHOI (1994), Postdoctoral research at Institute of Ocean Sciences (1994–1996). Research Interests: Ocean circulation, nonlinear waves, estuarine mixing, double diffusion in stratified basins, and the application of TEOS-10 seawater standards. He collaborates on projects like the MEOPAR Observation Core and has developed influential software tools for oceanographic analysis. Students & Supervision: Active supervisor of graduate students and postdocs in physical oceanography. Notable supervisees include Mark Halverson, Caixia Wang, Sam Stevens, and Grace Watts. He emphasizes mathematical rigor and writing skills, requiring strong backgrounds in PDEs and fluid dynamics. Labs & Teams: Member of the MEOPAR Research Management Committee, co-chair of SCOR/IAPWS/IAPSO seawater committees, and collaborator with the Pacific Salmon Foundation's citizen science programs. His work contributes to coastal resource management and climate resilience initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Viktor Leis is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Chair for Decentralized Information Systems and Data Management. His research focuses on cost-efficient data systems, particularly in cloud environments, with expertise in core database topics like query processing, transaction management, and storage optimization. He earned his PhD from TUM in 2016 and previously held professorships at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg before returning to TUM in 2022. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the ACM SIGMOD Dissertation Award, VLDB Early Career Research Contribution Award, and an ERC Starting Grant. Research Interests: Cloud computing, database systems, query optimization, storage engines, transaction processing, and NVMe-optimized systems. Key Projects: Developed the LeanStore storage engine and contributed to the Hyper database system. His recent publications emphasize cloud-native architectures, high-performance storage solutions, and hybrid transactional/analytical processing. He actively teaches courses on distributed systems, cloud databases, and blockchain technologies.
Hemant K. Bhargava is a Distinguished Professor at the Graduate School of Management, University of California Davis, where he holds the Jerome and Elsie Suran Chair in Technology Management. He serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), and previously served as Associate Dean for Instructional Programs (2010–2013) and Faculty Chair. He co-founded and was the first Academic Director of the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Decision Sciences, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1989) MBA, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (1986) B.S. in Mathematics, University of Delhi (1984) Bhargava is a leading scholar in technology management, information systems, and decision analytics. His research focuses on the economics of digital goods and platforms, pricing strategies, AI in business, healthcare IT, and platform ecosystems. He builds economic models to study operations, marketing, and competitive strategy in tech-driven markets, with applications in healthcare, media, electric vehicles, and generative AI. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward platform business models, data sharing, AI’s impact on research and education, and healthcare cost transparency. He explores how digital platforms shape competition, how data can be leveraged across markets, and how real-time decision tools can reduce prescription drug costs. His work bridges theory and practice, often involving collaboration with industry and policy makers. His scientific awards include: INFORMS Journal on Computing Test of Time Award (2023) INFORMS CIST Best Paper Award (2021) Google Research Excellence Gift (2017–18) Distinguished Alumni Award, IIM Bangalore (2024) INFORMS ISS President's Service Award (2023) Global 100 Top Academic Data Leaders (2020) Bhargava has played a pivotal role in academic leadership and program development. He co-founded the Theory in Economics of Information Systems (TEIS) workshop and has served on editorial boards of top journals including Management Science (where he is Department Editor for Information Systems), Operations Research, and Marketing Science. He has advised numerous campus initiatives, including the UC Davis Data Lab and Religions of India Initiative. His grants and collaborations include work with Google and healthcare organizations on real-time price transparency tools. He leads the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), which focuses on the societal implications of data and AI. He also co-founded the MSBA program and continues to shape the future of business education in the age of AI through strategic planning committees.
David F. Boutt is a Professor in the Department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He leads the Boutt Hydrology Group and holds several leadership roles, including Program Head of the 1-year Hydrogeology (MS) Program, Co-Director of the Environmental Science Program, and Major Coordinator for the Department of Geosciences. His research focuses on the subsurface component of the hydrologic cycle, with an emphasis on groundwater recharge, discharge, and its contribution to streamflow and springs. He investigates regional water availability across geologic time and employs isotopic and geochemical tracers to understand hydrological processes. Lithium & Arid Hydrology: Studies hydrogeology of salar and brine systems in Chile, Argentina, and the U.S. Great Basin, focusing on lithium enrichment processes. North-East Hydrology & Climate Change: Assesses climate change impacts on New England’s hydrological cycle, including precipitation, evaporation, and subsurface storage. Isotopic & Geochemical Tracers: Uses environmental tracers to constrain residence times and isotopic composition of waters, supported by funding from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. Advanced Groundwater Modeling: Applies quantitative models to test hydrological hypotheses and predict impacts such as saltwater intrusion and groundwater flooding. His work has been featured in the Washington Post and Environmental Monitor, and he collaborates on international projects in Japan, Tobago, Chile, and Argentina. Research is funded by programs such as the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Project. Dr. Boutt advises graduate students and leads a dynamic research group integrating fieldwork, modeling, and remote sensing. He is actively involved in academic leadership and research innovation.
Dr. Lesley Batty is a Reader in Ecological Education at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham. She plays key leadership roles as Head of Wellbeing and Head of Employability and Placements within the School, reflecting her strong commitment to student development and inclusive education. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Sheffield, an MRes and BSc from the University of Reading, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching from the University of Birmingham. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a HEFi Scholar, underscoring her excellence in teaching. Dr. Batty's research centers on the ecology of industrial pollution, particularly in post-mining landscapes. She investigates phytoremediation techniques for contaminated soils, focusing on heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Her work extends to ecological education, where she explores inclusive teaching practices, barriers in STEM laboratories, and the integration of employability skills into the curriculum. She is actively involved in national educational policy through her role as Lead Secretary of the British Ecological Society Special Interest Group in Teaching and Learning and as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Geochemical Exploration. Her recent publications reveal a dual focus: one stream on environmental contamination and remediation (e.g., metal and PAH pollution in brownfield sites, phytoremediation with bacteria and chelates), and another on innovative pedagogy in geography and ecology (e.g., virtual field trips, inclusive lab practices, and the future of fieldwork education). This reflects her unique position at the intersection of environmental science and educational leadership. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) HEFi Scholar Lead Secretary, British Ecological Society Special Interest Group in Teaching and Learning Dr. Batty is a dedicated educator and researcher who bridges the gap between environmental science and pedagogical innovation. She has made significant contributions to both her field of research and the national discourse on ecological education. Her leadership in student wellbeing and employability, combined with her research on pollution and inclusive learning, demonstrates a holistic approach to academic life. She actively supervises research, as evidenced by her co-authorship with doctoral researchers, and welcomes PhD applications in her areas of expertise. She is a key member of several research groups, including those focused on Physical Geography, Global Biogeochemistry, and Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Her collaborative work, especially in large consortia on conservation education, highlights her strong network and impact in the academic community.
Prof. Dr. Harald Reiterer is a leading researcher in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Konstanz, where he has served as Professor since 2009. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. (1991) and habilitation (1995) from the University of Vienna, followed by roles including Senior Researcher at Fraunhofer FIT and Associate Professor at Konstanz. He currently holds multiple leadership roles: Dean of the Faculty of Sciences , Senator of Section 1 , and Consulting Dean . Ph.D. in Computer Science (University of Vienna, 1991) Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in HCI (University of Vienna, 1995) His research focuses on: Interaction Design for mixed reality environments Information Visualization in immersive contexts Hybrid User Interfaces combining physical and virtual elements 3D Object Manipulation in handheld AR Behavioral Analytics through mHealth interventions Recent work explores: Avatar representation in Augmented Reality (2024) Node selection efficiency in Virtual Reality (2024) Peripheral vision toolkits for Head-Mounted Displays (2023) Hybrid interface optimization for Mixed Reality (2023) Smartphone AR extensions for Spatial Memory (2023) Key scientific contributions: Landeslehrpreis 2021 for interdisciplinary exhibition design Development of Colibri cross-reality toolkit (2023) Foundational work on Re-locations for remote collaboration (2022) He leads numerous projects including: SMARTACT (Smart Mobility, 2015-2023) SFB TRR 161 (2009-2027) on XR interface measurement Blended Library (2011-2015) for future library design
Anne-Mette Hvas is Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Denmark, where she leads academic and administrative initiatives in health sciences. Her role places her at the forefront of institutional strategy, research development, and interdisciplinary collaboration within clinical and translational medicine. Research Interests: Her work spans hematology, coagulation, platelet biology, neonatal hemostasis, and endocrinology. She investigates thrombotic and bleeding disorders in clinical contexts such as nephrotic syndrome, pregnancy, cancer surgery, and stroke. Her research integrates physiological, pharmacological, and clinical perspectives to improve patient outcomes. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on thrombin generation, platelet reactivity, endothelial dysfunction, and red blood cell behavior in acute and chronic conditions. These studies often involve multicenter collaborations and contribute to evidence-based practices in thromboprophylaxis, surgical safety, and stroke management. Scientific Contributions: Active research in hemostasis and thrombosis across diverse patient populations Leadership in clinical studies on anticoagulation, HIPEC, and neonatal platelet function Investigations into hormonal and cardiovascular aspects of Turner syndrome Advising and Grants: While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership in multiple funded research projects suggests mentorship of junior researchers and clinicians. She has led projects on platelet function in preterm neonates and coagulation in surgical oncology, indicating grant acquisition and team coordination capabilities. Labs and Teams: Though specific lab names are not mentioned, her work implies collaboration with clinical research teams in hematology, neonatology, oncology, and obstetrics at Aarhus University Hospital and affiliated centers.
Professor Ashish Sharma is a Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. With a PhD in Civil Engineering from Utah State University and extensive experience in hydrological research, he has established himself as a leading expert in his field. Dr. Sharma's research focuses on hydrological uncertainty, with particular emphasis on the impact of climate change and variability on hydrological practice. His work spans multiple areas including remote sensing applications, stochastic hydrological modeling approaches, development of hydrological models, and addressing key hydrology challenges such as design flood estimation and water resources management. He has made significant contributions to understanding how climate change affects hydrological extremes and water availability. His publications reveal a strong trend toward advanced modeling techniques for climate change impact assessment, with recent work focusing on spectral transformation methods, multivariate bias correction in climate models, flood forecasting improvements, and the relationship between temperature and precipitation extremes. His research increasingly integrates remote sensing data with hydrological modeling to address challenges in data-scarce regions. Professor Sharma has held significant leadership positions including President of the International Commission of Hydrologic Sciences (IAHS) Commission on Statistical Hydrology (STAHY) since 2016, service on the Australian Research Council's College of Experts twice, and participation on the Technical Committee for the Australian Rainfall and Runoff Design Flood Estimation guidelines (ARR2016). In addition to his research leadership, Professor Sharma actively mentors students and collaborates with researchers globally, as evidenced by his extensive publication record across top hydrology and climate journals. His work bridges theoretical hydrology with practical applications for water resources management under changing climate conditions.
Kristiina Kumpulainen is a Professor at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Educational Sciences, leading the Learning, Culture & Interventions (LECI) research group. Currently on leave but actively engaged in research, she supervises doctoral students in both the Doctoral Program in Cognition, Learning, Teaching and Communication and the Doctoral Program in School, Education, Society and Culture. Her scholarly contributions include 270 research outputs and leadership of 27 research projects, with recent work focusing on children's digital experiences and early childhood education systems. Her research interests center on educational sciences with emphasis on early childhood education, digital literacy development, learning environments, and educational change processes. She examines how children interact with technology, develop ecological imagination, and build multiliteracy skills across different contexts. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical educational interventions, particularly examining agency-structure dynamics in educational settings and the implementation of child-centric educational systems. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on digital childhoods, educational interventions, and comparative early childhood education systems. Her work spans multiple methodologies including qualitative case studies, comparative analyses, and theoretical explorations of learning across contexts. The research demonstrates strong international collaboration, particularly within Nordic countries and global comparative studies. Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2019) 2020 Editor's Choice Award from British Educational Research Association (2021) Nomination for Outstanding Publication Award from EARLI (2002) Nomination for best paper award at THE POWER OF MEDIA IN EDUCATION Conference (2007) Professor Kumpulainen has supervised numerous doctoral students and served on dissertation committees. Her research has been supported by significant grants including the Australian Research Council, Finnish Academy of Science, and Nordic research networks. She actively participates in academic service through editorial boards, peer review activities (over 90 manuscript reviews), and professional committees. She directs the Playful Learning Center research laboratory, which focuses on innovative approaches to children's learning through play and technology integration.
Dr. Ken Ferens is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Price Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba. He serves as the Computer Engineering Champion in the Centre for Engineering Professional Practice and Engineering Education and directs the Applied Cognitive Intelligence (ACI) Research Group. Dr. Ferens is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Chair of the EduManCom Chapter of the IEEE, Vice-Chair of the Computer and Computational Intelligence Chapter of the IEEE, and Chair of the Industry, Teaching Assistants, and Student Forums for Engineering Curriculum Review and Improvement. Ph.D. (Computer Engineering), University of Manitoba, 1996 M.Sc. (Computer Engineering), University of Manitoba, 1991 B.Sc. (Electrical Engineering), University of Manitoba, 1989 Dr. Ferens has over 33 years of research experience in computational intelligence, focusing on cognitive machine learning, artificial intelligence, cognitive computational intelligence, chaos theory applications, agent-based models, and various optimization algorithms including simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks, and particle swarm optimization. His research applies these techniques to develop software and hardware intrusion detection systems for cybersecurity applications. He teaches graduate-level courses on Computer Network Security and Applied Computational Intelligence, providing students with theoretical background and hands-on experience in state-of-the-art security methods. Analysis of Dr. Ferens' recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying cognitive and chaotic computational techniques to cybersecurity challenges, particularly malware detection and network intrusion detection. His work increasingly integrates complexity theory, fractal analysis, and hybrid optimization approaches to enhance security systems' effectiveness. There's a clear progression toward more sophisticated machine learning architectures applied to increasingly complex security scenarios, with growing emphasis on real-world IoT and network security applications. Best Paper Award at IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics and Cognitive Computing (ICCI*CC 2022) Best Paper Award at IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics and Cognitive Computing (ICCI*CC 2015) Best Journal Paper Award for 2013 (Journal of ICT Research and Applications) Best Poster Award at 12th International Conference on e-Health Networking, Application & Services (2010) Best Paper Award at IASTED International Conference on Computer, Electronics, Control, and Communication (1991) Dr. Ferens collaborates with national and international industry partners including the Department of Advanced Information Management, Content Technology Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC), and Magellan Aerospace. His research group has received funding supporting the Cyber-security Research Program, developing practical applications of computational intelligence for security systems. He has supervised numerous graduate students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, focusing on research at the intersection of machine learning and cybersecurity. Dr. Ferens leads the Applied Cognitive Intelligence (ACI) Research Group within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, which focuses on applying cognitive, chaotic, and computationally intelligent algorithms to build intrusion detection systems. The group collaborates with industry partners to develop practical security solutions while providing students with hands-on research experience in cutting-edge security technologies. Their work spans both theoretical algorithm development and practical hardware implementation for real-world security applications.
David Hsu is the Richard A. Sapp Professor of Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on entrepreneurial innovation, intellectual property management, and technology commercialization strategies. He teaches courses including Venture Acceleration Lab (MGMT3880/MGMT8880), Managing Emerging Enterprises (MGMT6120), and Entrepreneurship (MGMT8010). Hsu holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Stanford University, an M.P.P. from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Management from MIT. His research interests span intellectual property rights, startup innovation, venture capital dynamics, and university-industry collaboration. His recent publications reveal strong trends in post-acquisition innovation integration (2025), university-corporate technology transfer (2024), and remote work's impact on diversity in tech hiring (2024). Key recurring themes include knowledge spillovers, absorptive capacity, and commercialization pathways for scientific discoveries. Honors include: Alfred P. Sloan Industry Studies Fellowship ($45,000) (2008-2009) Wharton Teaching Excellence Award (2020-2022) Management Science Meritorious Service Award (2010) Mack Institute research grants (2002-2023) Hsu leads the Venture Acceleration Lab, mentoring startups through industry-academic collaboration. His research has secured sustained funding through the Mack Institute, with recent work examining geographic pull factors in AI entrepreneurship and knowledge homogenization in R&D teams. He serves as discussion leader for doctoral seminars (MGMT9370/9390) focusing on entrepreneurship research methodology. Hsu maintains active industry engagement through Knowledge at Wharton commentaries on IPO markets, remote work policies, and university technology transfer strategies.
Barak Ariel is a Professor of Experimental Criminology at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge. He holds a PhD in Criminology from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, an LLM (Hebrew University), LLB (Academic Centre of Law & Business), MA in Criminology (Hebrew University), and BA in Psychology (University of New York). Since 2008, he has been affiliated with the Jerry Lee Centre of Experimental Criminology and teaches on the MSt in Applied Criminology and Police Management. Academic Rank: Professor of Experimental Criminology Key Affiliations: University of Cambridge, Jerry Lee Centre of Experimental Criminology Education: PhD, LLM, MA, LLB, BA Dr. Ariel specializes in experimental criminology, evidence-based policing, and the role of technology in crime prevention. His research focuses on evaluating policing strategies through randomized controlled trials (RCTs), particularly in areas such as body-worn cameras, domestic abuse hotspots, and interventions to reduce violence against women. He has advised police departments and governments across the UK, USA, Latin America, and Europe. His recent publications highlight trends in global crime dynamics, the impact of police interventions on offender behavior, and the use of machine learning for crime forecasting. These works span subfields including hot spots policing, procedural justice, victim-offender overlaps, and network analysis of organized crime. Scientific Awards : Academy of Experimental Criminology Young Experimental Scholar Award European Society of Criminology Young Criminologist Award Fellow of the Division of Experimental Criminology As Chair of the Division of Experimental Criminology (2019–2021), Dr. Ariel has contributed to advancing methodological rigor in criminological research. He has conducted extensive evaluations of police-led interventions, including trials on body-worn cameras, victim communication strategies, and data-driven approaches to domestic homicide prevention. His work bridges academic research with practical policing reforms, emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence in criminal justice policy.
Cynthia Brewer is a Professor of Geography and Information Sciences and Technology at Pennsylvania State University. She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs in the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), a position she began in August 2024. Previously, she was a faculty member in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) where she served as head of the Department of Geography from 2014 to 2021. Dr. Brewer's research focuses on cartographic communication and visualization, map design, color theory, multi-scale mapping, atlas production, and topographic maps. She is especially well known for her ColorBrewer online tool for selecting map color schemes and her work on ScaleMaster for organizing multiscale mapping. Her research falls primarily within the Geospatial Big Data Analytics and Spatial Modeling and Remote Sensing research clusters at Penn State. Her publications include more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and 60 additional publications and cartographic design resources, generating over 7,000 citations. She has authored four books, including the popular 'Designing Better Maps' with the 3rd edition published by Esri Press in 2024. Carl Mannerfelt Gold Medal from the International Cartographic Association (ICA) in 2023 O. M. Miller Cartographic Medal from the American Geographical Society (AGS) in 2019 Henry Gannett Award for Exceptional Contributions to Topographic Mapping from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2013 EMS Wilson Award for Outstanding Service in 2014 As an administrator, Dr. Brewer has extensive experience in departmental leadership, having served as head of the Department of Geography for seven years. She has also served on numerous university committees, was elected to the University Faculty Senate, and served as an Administrative Fellow shadowing the Provost. She is not currently taking on graduate advisees due to her full-time administrative role in IST.
