Yuzhe Yang is an Assistant Professor of Computational Medicine and Computer Science at UCLA, with a visiting research scientist role at Google Health. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from MIT (2024), advised by Dina Katabi, and a B.S. with honors from Peking University. Research Focus: Machine learning for healthcare, medical AI fairness, and AI-driven biomedical discovery Key Contributions: Ten Notable Advances (Nature Medicine) and Ten Crucial Advances (The Lancet Neurology) His lab develops Trustworthy Learning Algorithms and Generalist Health Models that integrate Multimodal Data for personalized health coaching. Notable projects include AI-based Parkinson's Disease Biomarkers via nocturnal breathing and Foundation Models for Equitable Medicine . Recent publications at ICLR 2025 (wearable foundation models), Nature Medicine 2024 (medical AI fairness), and Science Advances 2025 (vision-language medical bias) highlight his interdisciplinary work. He serves on ML4H workshops and reviews for top conferences like NeurIPS and ICML. Awards include Forbes 30 Under 30 , Takeda Fellowship , and Baidu PhD Fellowship . Advising opportunities: Recruiting PhD students (CS/CompMed) and postdocs in AI for health. Lab: Health Intelligence Lab (HAIL)
Prof. Flavio Anselmetti is a Full Professor of Quaternary Geology and Paleoclimatology at the University of Bern , where he has been employed since 2012. He also serves as the Managing Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences . Prior to this, he held significant roles at ETH Zurich, including SNSF Assistant Professor, and at EAWAG Dübendorf as Head of the Sedimentology Group, while remaining a Titular Professor at ETH Zurich until 2012. His academic training includes a Diploma in Geology (1990) from the University of Basel , followed by a PhD (1994) from ETH Zurich and University of Miami (USA) . He spent three years as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate at the University of Miami between 1994 and 1997. Paleoseismology : Using lacustrine and marine sediments to reconstruct earthquake and tsunami records Climate Change Studies : Investigating Holocene and Pleistocene climate shifts through sediment cores Sediment Dynamics : Analyzing source-to-sink systems and glacial sediment properties His recent publications focus on sedimentary archives in Science Advances , Quaternary Research , and Environmental Modelling and Software , with an emphasis on deep learning applications in sediment analysis , multi-proxy paleoenvironmental reconstructions , and human impact assessments over millennia. He has contributed to major projects in the Alpine foreland and Caribbean regions . Prof. Anselmetti leads the Quaternary Geology and Paleoclimatology Research Group and collaborates with international teams on ICDP-DOVE drilling campaigns and multibeam bathymetry mapping in Swiss lakes. His work extends to geohazard assessment , carbonate-siliciclastic shelf dynamics , and subaqueous fault analysis in active tectonic zones.
Friederike Mengel is a Professor of Economics at the University of Essex and holds a Visiting Professorship at Erasmus University Rotterdam. She is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (UK). Her research focuses on Behavioural Economics , integrating Game Theory , Evolutionary Dynamics , and Social Network Analysis . Key research themes include social influence in networks , opinion dynamics , emergence of social norms , and links between social identity, bounded rationality, and discrimination . Recent work explores Covid-19 impacts on productivity and innovation in hybrid work environments . Her scientific awards include the Best Paper Award from Quantitative Economics (2018) and recognition as an Academy of Social Sciences Fellow. Her publications span topics like cooperation in viscous populations , strategic behavior in repeated games , and gender bias in opinion aggregation , with media coverage in outlets like The Economist and Financial Times .
Kees van Veen is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences and the Department of Sociology. His expertise spans Corporate Governance , Policy Evaluation , and Sustainable Food Systems , with significant contributions to International Business & Management and Social Psychology during the pandemic. Education : MSc in Sociology (cum laude) from the University of Groningen. Research Focus : Interdisciplinary work bridging organizational behavior, prosociality, and global health behaviors, leveraging machine learning for cross-national pandemic analysis. His recent publications analyze prosocial behavior , conspiracy beliefs , and lockdown psychology through multi-country longitudinal data, emphasizing UN Sustainable Development Goals . He supervises MSc theses in Business Administration and Sociology and collaborates on open datasets like PsyCorona .
Prof. Dr. Gordana Gardašević is a full professor at the Department of Telecommunications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. She has been actively contributing to telecommunications research and education since the early 2000s and was appointed to full professor in September 2020. Her research interests focus on advanced networking technologies, particularly in these areas: Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and 6TiSCH networks Visible Light Communication and audio/speech quality assessment Quality of Service (QoS) in heterogeneous wireless networks Smart healthcare applications using IoT technologies Network protocols for time-sensitive industrial applications Professor Gardašević's publication record shows consistent research activity over two decades with a strong recent focus on 6TiSCH networks and Visible Light Communication. Her work combines theoretical analysis with experimental validation using platforms like OpenMote-B. She has published in reputable journals including IEEE Sensors, Entropy, and Wireless Personal Communications, with increasing emphasis on healthcare applications of IoT technologies in recent years. She has served as principal investigator for numerous research projects including: Algoritmi za lokalizaciju u IoT mrezama (2025, active) Eksperimentalno testiranje performansi industrijskih 6TiSCH mreza (2022-2023) Razvoj Internet of Things (IoT) aplikacija primjenom opticko-bezicnih tehnologija (2021-2022) Projectovanje industrijskih Internet of Things aplikacija (2021) Razvoj algoritama za vremenski osjetljive aplikacije u industrijskim IoT mrezama (2019-2021) Professor Gardašević collaborates extensively with researchers across Europe through COST Actions and Horizon Europe initiatives. Her laboratory work focuses on experimental testbeds for IoT and industrial communication systems, particularly using OpenMote platforms for 6TiSCH network evaluation. She has also contributed to standardization efforts through white papers and collaborative projects.
Lauri Heikonen is a University Lecturer at the Department of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, where he is affiliated with the Research and Training Group for Educational Leadership KAJO and the University of Helsinki Centre for Educational Evaluation HEA. He serves as a supervisor in the Doctoral Program in School, Education, Society and Culture and maintains an active research profile with 39 publications to date. Dr. Heikonen's research focuses on educational sciences and educational psychology, with particular emphasis on teacher education, school leadership, and educational evaluation. His work examines factors influencing teacher motivation, professional development, and the attractiveness of teaching as a profession. He has conducted significant research on teacher efficacy, school leadership practices, and educational reform implementation at various levels, often employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to address complex educational issues in the Finnish context and beyond. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on contemporary educational challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching communities, supervisory practices in teacher education, and collaborative approaches to school development. His research consistently addresses practical educational issues while contributing to theoretical understanding in the field. Dr. Heikonen is actively involved in multiple significant research projects, including 'EDUCA: Koulutus tulevaisuutta varten' (Education for the Future, 2024-2028), 'Cornér Solveig: SFV 23672 SkolForsk' (2024-2026), 'Ahtiainen: OPH VEPO voimaa johtamiseen' (2023-2025), 'Elevating Teacher Training Programs in the UAE' (2023-2024), and 'Erasmus+ Cooperation partnerships in school education: Co-creating inclusive school communities' (2021-2024). These projects reflect his commitment to advancing educational practices through research and international collaboration. As a supervisor in the doctoral program and through his active participation in conferences and peer review activities, Dr. Heikonen contributes significantly to the development of future educational researchers and practitioners, sharing his expertise in educational leadership and evaluation.
Dr. Prasanth Valayamkunnath serves as Assistant Professor Grade I in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM), having joined in December 2022 after working as an associate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). His research integrates climate modeling, land-atmosphere interactions, and hydrology to address climate extremes and water security challenges. His educational background includes: Bachelor's in Land Surface Hydrology from Kerala Agricultural University Master's in Climate Change and Hydrology from IIT Kharagpur Ph.D. in Climate Science from Virginia Tech (2019) Valayamkunnath's research employs convection-permitting climate models and hydrology frameworks to investigate anthropogenic and natural influences on regional hydrology. Key focus areas include Indian Summer Monsoon dynamics, agricultural water management impacts, and flood modeling under climate change. His work bridges observational data with model development to enhance predictive capabilities for climate extremes. Analysis of his 2018-2023 publications reveals strong emphasis on land surface model development (particularly Noah-MP), with recurring themes in agricultural water management, tile drainage systems, and groundwater-surface water interactions. His research consistently connects climate modeling advancements with practical applications in food and water security. Scientific recognition includes: Ministry of Education STARS grant (2023) DST INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship (2022) Pratt Fellowship at Virginia Tech (2014) He actively recruits PhD students for projects in land-atmosphere interactions and climate change impacts on hydrometeorology, supported by his DST INSPIRE Fellowship and STARS grant. His research program focuses on developing modeling frameworks to assess climate resilience in Indian agricultural systems. Valayamkunnath founded and leads the Hydrometeorology and Climate Research Laboratory (HyCResLab) at IISER TVM, which specializes in convection-permitting climate simulations and integrated hydrology modeling for watershed-scale climate impact assessments.
Rachelle Hole is a Professor at the School of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan. She serves as the Director of the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship (CIIC) and leads the Social Inclusion and Equity Research Cluster at the Institute for Community Engaged Research. As an Associated Health Researcher with CREST.BD, she bridges mental health and disability studies through community-based participatory research. UBC Tier 1 Principal's Research Chair in Critical Disability Studies Director, Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship Social Inclusion and Equity Research Cluster Leader Associated Health Researcher, Collaborative RESearch Team (CREST.BD) Her research integrates critical disability studies with community-based participatory methodologies to advance social inclusion for marginalized populations, particularly focusing on individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, Indigenous communities, and bipolar disorder patients. She explores employment equity, self-advocacy, and digital health tools like the PolarUs app for mental health. Her work emphasizes ethical participatory theatre and policy-informing research. Recent publications and grants (2018–2025) include multi-million-dollar partnerships with Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, MITACS, and Vancouver Foundation. Key projects: Tide Project (youth employment), Impact 2.0 (summer employment), and Evidence to Inform Policy (community living sector). Her 15 most recent Google Scholar articles span employment barriers, digital health, research-based theatre, and policy analysis. Scientific awards include UBC Okanagan Health Researcher of the Year (2019). She has supervised numerous graduate students and collaborated with institutions like Community Living British Columbia, Aspire, and CREST.BD.
Benjamin Shore, MD, MPH, FRCSC, is Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School and a practicing pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Boston Children’s Hospital. He serves as Co-Director of the Cerebral Palsy and Spasticity Center and Director of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship. Education and Training Undergraduate: Biology, University of Victoria, 1999 MPH: Harvard School of Public Health, 2013 MD: University of Western Ontario, 2003 Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, University of Western Ontario, 2008 Fellowship 1: Pediatric Orthopedics, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, 2009 Fellowship 2: Pediatric Orthopedics, Boston Children’s Hospital, 2010 Research Focus Dr. Shore’s research centers on improving outcomes for children with cerebral palsy and other complex musculoskeletal conditions. His work spans hip surveillance and reconstruction, gait abnormalities, trauma care, and the implementation of evidence-based surgical pathways. He has pioneered investigations into anesthesia protocols, infection prevention, and patient-reported outcome measures for pediatric orthopedic populations. Scientific Awards St. Giles Young Investigator Award (POSNA) Clinician Scientist Development Program Award (CSDP) Charles H. Hood Foundation Child Health Research Award Leadership & Multi-Disciplinary Teams At Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Shore leads a high-performance team within the Cerebral Palsy and Spasticity Center that integrates orthopedic surgery, neurology, physical therapy, and social work to deliver patient- and family-centered care. He mentors fellows and residents and actively contributes to national consensus projects using Delphi methodology to standardize surgical indications in cerebral palsy.
Jennifer Kaiser is an Associate Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, affiliated with the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences . Her research focuses on air pollutant formation, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their impacts on air quality and climate. Endowed Position: Greene Early Career Professor (2024) Key Projects: Emissions from agriculture/oil-gas, biosphere-atmosphere interactions, satellite data validation Tools: CMAQ modeling, TROPOMI satellite analysis, low-cost sensor networks Her work spans instrument development to global chemistry-transport modeling, with recent emphasis on satellite-based monitoring and health risk assessment. She leads the Kaiser Group , which investigates VOC dynamics in urban and wildfire-affected regions. Scientific Awards: NOAA Grant (2021) Greene Early Career Professor (2024) Contact: jennifer.kaiser@ce.gatech.edu | Office: Ford Environmental Science & Technology Building, Room 3224
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
David J. Stensrud is a Professor of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Pennsylvania State University, where he has been a faculty member in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. His research focuses on advancing our understanding of severe weather phenomena and improving numerical weather prediction capabilities. Dr. Stensrud received his academic training at Penn State, earning his M.S. in Meteorology in 1985 and his Ph.D. in Meteorology in 1992. His educational background has provided the foundation for his extensive research career focused on atmospheric dynamics and prediction. Dr. Stensrud's research spans several critical areas in atmospheric science, with particular emphasis on mesoscale meteorology , numerical weather prediction , and synoptic meteorology . He is internationally recognized for his work on ensemble forecasting , where he explores how groups of numerical weather prediction models can provide probabilistic forecasts of severe weather events. His research on convective-scale data assimilation aims to improve how observations from radar and satellites are incorporated into high-resolution weather models. Additional research interests include the physical processes behind severe weather phenomena like derechos and heavy rainfall events, the predictability of convective-scale phenomena, and the dynamics of the North American monsoon system. He has made significant contributions to understanding how urban environments influence thunderstorms and how convective systems interact with their larger-scale environment. Analysis of Dr. Stensrud's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on improving severe weather prediction through advanced data assimilation techniques. His work primarily centers on integrating radar and satellite observations into convection-allowing models to enhance forecasting capabilities for thunderstorms and other severe weather phenomena. A notable trend in his research is the increasing sophistication of ensemble approaches to address uncertainties in both initial conditions and model physics. His publications demonstrate a progression from fundamental studies of mesoscale phenomena to increasingly operational applications with potential for real-world forecasting improvements. Dr. Stensrud has served in several important professional capacities that highlight his standing in the meteorological community: Chair, Storm-scale Radar Data Assimilation Workshop, Norman, Oklahoma, October 2011 Member, NOAA/NWS Functional Weather Radar Requirements Integrated Working Team, 2012-2013 Guest Editor, Advances in Meteorology, Special Issue on "Storm-scale data assimilation and NWP", 2013 Commissioner, Scientific and Technological Activities Commission, American Meteorological Society, 2016-2017 Dr. Stensrud has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and a textbook entitled "Parameterization Schemes: Keys to Understanding Numerical Weather Models." He has been actively involved in mentoring graduate students, though specific names of advisees are not provided in the available information. In collaboration with colleagues at Penn State, he helped create a 20-station environmental monitoring network across Pennsylvania with plans to expand to 50+ stations. His research has been supported by various grants that have enabled field campaigns such as the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment (MPEX) in 2013, where his team intercepted severe thunderstorms to collect critical observational data. Dr. Stensrud is involved with several research teams and facilities at Penn State, including work with the Joel N. Myers Weather Center and the Bob and Charlotte Landis Broadcast Room. His research group focuses on analyzing data from dual-polarization radar systems and developing improved techniques for assimilating these observations into convection-allowing models. He collaborates extensively with other researchers at Penn State and beyond, particularly in studies involving the interactions between urban environments and thunderstorms, and the upscale effects of deep convection on larger-scale weather patterns.
Andrew Gettelman is a distinguished climate scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory whose research spans atmospheric sciences, climatology, and climate modeling. With a D-index of 91 and over 32,652 citations across 343 publications, he ranks 422nd globally and 194th nationally in Environmental Sciences. His research interests focus on fundamental climate processes including cloud microphysics, aerosol-cloud interactions, stratospheric dynamics, and climate model development. Gettelman has made significant contributions to understanding Arctic climate feedbacks, particularly how clouds respond to sea ice loss, and has advanced the representation of aerosols in climate models through his work on the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM). Analysis of his publication trends reveals a consistent focus on improving climate model representations of atmospheric processes, with recent work emphasizing climate sensitivity in the Community Earth System Model (CESM2) and bounding global aerosol radiative forcing. His research bridges fundamental atmospheric science with practical applications for understanding climate change. Among his recognitions, Gettelman has been named to the World's Best Scientists 2025 list. His highly cited works include foundational papers on cloud microphysics schemes and aerosol representation in climate models. Gettelman maintains extensive collaborative networks, frequently working with researchers from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Colorado Boulder, and other leading climate institutions. His research has been instrumental in advancing climate modeling capabilities used in major international climate assessments.
Dominik Roeser is a Professor and Associate Dean of Research Forests & Community Outreach at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Resources Management. With over 21 years of experience in forest research and innovation, he has built a comprehensive forest operations research program since joining UBC in 2018, following his tenure as Senior Director at FPInnovations where he managed multidisciplinary teams focused on improving forest sector competitiveness and wildfire management solutions in Western Canada. Professor Roeser's research interests center on sustainable forest management and the bioeconomy, with specific expertise in forest bioproduction, supply chain design, steep slope harvesting, and biomass operations. His work through the Forest Action Lab applies diverse research methods including productivity studies, field trials, and modeling to address sustainability challenges across different operational environments. His research portfolio spans sustainable forest biomass utilization, harvesting in difficult terrain, innovative forest planning tools, operational productivity, carbon management, and community sustainability impacts from reforestation. His publication record shows a strong focus on practical applications of forest science, with recent work emphasizing wildfire management, remote sensing technologies for precision forestry, biomass energy systems, and the socio-ecological dimensions of forest management. His research increasingly integrates advanced technologies like LiDAR and drone-based systems with traditional forest operations to address contemporary challenges in sustainable forest management. Roeser has received the Recognition Award from the Canadian Forest Service (2017) for his contributions to forest science and innovation. His work demonstrates significant impact on both academic understanding and practical implementation of sustainable forest operations across North America and Europe. As an educator, Professor Roeser teaches several key courses including FOPR 264 Introduction to Forest Operations, FOPR 362 Harvesting systems and forest access, FOPR 464 Operational planning and management, and FRST 452 Coastal field school. He considers educating the next generation of forestry professionals one of his passions, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical industry applications. The Forest Action Lab, led by Professor Roeser, represents a multidisciplinary research hub applying diverse methodologies to address forestry stakeholders' needs across British Columbia, Canada, and globally. The lab's work connects academic research with industry implementation, focusing on practical solutions for sustainable forest utilization in varied operational environments.
Michael Hoechsmann is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University, serving in dual capacities for Graduate Studies and Research in Education and Undergraduate Education Programs at the Orillia campus. His work centers on critical media literacy, digital citizenship, and cultural studies within educational contexts, with a strong emphasis on democratic engagement and social justice. Education PhD in Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto (1998) Dr. Hoechsmann's research traverses Media Education , Digital Literacy , and Cultural Studies , with particular expertise in critical media literacy's role in democracy. His scholarship critically examines power dynamics in digital spaces, global media education frameworks, and intersections with social studies curriculum. He maintains active international collaborations, especially across Latin America, as reflected in multilingual publications addressing regional contexts. Analysis of his 2022-2024 publications reveals intense focus on contemporary crises—particularly conspiracy theories (anti-vaxxer movements, Capitol Riots), disinformation ecosystems, and digital citizenship under threat. His work consistently bridges theoretical critique with transformative pedagogical practice, emphasizing decolonization and radical democracy while addressing emerging challenges in online radicalization and algorithmic manipulation. Dr. Hoechsmann has contributed to award-winning publications including UNESCO-recognized educational volumes, though specific individual awards aren't documented. His recent co-edited handbook The Handbook of Media Education Research (2021) represents significant field contribution. Professional engagement includes participation in UNESCO initiatives on global citizenship and climate communication (October 2023), plus contributions to award-winning educational texts (October 2022). While graduate student advisement details aren't public, his editorial leadership in Transformative Practice in Critical Media Literacy (March 2024) demonstrates active mentorship in the field.
