Elly Konijn is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and Network Institute of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding the Fenna Diemer-Lindeboom Endowed Chair. As chair of the Media Psychology Amsterdam program, her work bridges media psychology, social robots, affective processing, and adolescent media use . Research Pillars : Relating to media figures, virtual humans, and social robots Media-based reality perceptions and moral standards Adolescent media effects (cyberbullying, video games, body image) Recent Publications explore emotional bonding with robots, narrative complexity in film, and media's impact on adolescent cognition. Her 2025 Communication Theory article introduces a framework for human-artificial others relationships. Scientific Recognition : KNAW/NWO Eurekaprijs (2015) Computable Award (2021) Network Institute Competitive Research Funding (2025) She supervises 16 PhD students and leads projects like ROBOT-BOND (ERC Advanced Grant 2025-2029) and Communicating with Social Robots (2020-2025). Her documentaries (e.g., Alice Cares ) translate research into public discourse.
Ming Cao is a Full Professor at the University of Groningen (Netherlands), holding positions in the Department of Discrete Technology and Production Automation, the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen, and serving as Chair of the Jantina Tammes School of Digital Society, Technology and AI. His academic roles include Director of the Jantina Tammes School and membership in prestigious organizations such as the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) and the European Commission’s DG CNECT. Cao’s research focuses on multi-agent systems, autonomous robotics, complex networks, and cooperative control, with applications in robotics, epidemic modeling, and biomimetic sensors. Education: PostDoc in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University (2008), PhD in Electrical Engineering from Yale University (2007). Research Interests: Multi-agent systems, distributed decision-making, cooperative control, robotic teams, seal whisker-inspired flow sensing, and privacy-preserving control systems. Recent Trends in Articles: Recent work emphasizes co-evolutionary dynamics in social-technical systems, privacy in control systems, and biomimetic robotics. Key topics include feedback mechanisms in cooperation, hypergraph-based epidemic models, and seal whisker mechanics for underwater sensing. Awards: European Control Award (2016), Manfred Thoma Medal (2017), ERC Grant (2012). Grants: Vidi Grant from NWO (2015) for agent coordination research. Labs/Teams: Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control, Research Center for Data Science and Systems Complexity (DSSC). Active in editorial roles for journals like Artificial Life and Robotics and the SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization .
Mannes Poel is a researcher specializing in Datamanagement & Biometrics with a focus on applied machine learning. His work spans healthcare analytics, sensor technology optimization, and meta-learning frameworks for missing data. ORCID: 0000-0002-3813-9732 Active Domains : Artificial Intelligence, Medical Predictive Modeling, Industrial Sensor Analytics Collaboration Network : Interdisciplinary work with institutions in healthcare (e.g., Diagnostics journal) and engineering (e.g., IEEE MEMS conference) Scientific Achievements : Best paper award at Intetain 2107 (2017) Research Trends : His recent publications (2024-2025) emphasize explainable AI for missing data in clinical contexts and machine learning-enhanced sensor systems for industrial fluid dynamics. These works combine traditional ML with real-time data processing and cross-domain model adaptation.
Khiet P. Truong is an Associate Professor affiliated with the Digital Society Institute and the Human Media Interaction group. Their research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-computer interaction, with particular emphasis on speech emotion recognition, conversational agents for children, and multimodal interaction analysis. Recent work includes exploring how robots can restore trust through apologies, benchmarking Dutch automatic speech recognition systems, and developing child-friendly interfaces for cultural heritage archives. Truong has also investigated physiological signals like laughter and stress markers in speech across diverse contexts. Scientific Awards : Best Functional Design Award (2019) Research Trends : Analysis of speech patterns, emotion recognition, robot-human dialogue, and multimodal behavioral cues dominate their recent publications. Key subfields include Dutch language processing, laughter classification, trust indicators in child-robot interactions, and healthcare applications of speech technology. Academic Activities : Chair of the 26th ACM International Conference on Multimodal Interaction (2024) Examiner roles for PhD defenses and research evaluations (2024–2023) Contributions to workshops on emotion representation and social signal processing
Nathan van de Wouw is a Full Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with ICMS, EAISI Mobility, EAISI High Tech Systems, EAISI Foundational, and EIRES. He also holds an adjunct Full Professor position at the University of Minnesota and a part-time Full Professorship at Delft University of Technology. His research focuses on dynamics and control of mechanical systems, including mechatronics, robotics, smart manufacturing, energy systems, and networked control. He has supervised over 150 students and led numerous projects funded by industry partners like ASML, Philips, and Shell. Education: M.Sc. (with Honors) in Mechanical Engineering, TU/e (1994) Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, TU/e (1999) Research Interests: Nonlinear systems and control Model reduction and complexity analysis Data-driven and networked control strategies Applications in high-tech systems, autonomous vehicles, and energy systems Awards: IEEE Control Systems Technology Award (2015) for variable-gain control in motion systems Grants & Projects: Lead projects on mechatronic design, lithography systems, and thermodynamic optimization Collaborations with TNO, ASML, and industrial partners Labs & Teams: Member of TU/e’s Dynamics and Control group Affiliated with EAISI (Eindhoven AI Systems Institute)
Herman Bruyninckx is a Part-Time Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Mechanical Engineering department, specifically within the Control Systems Technology group and EAISI High Tech Systems initiative. He also serves as a professor (Hoogleraar) at KU Leuven in Belgium. Academic focus on robotics, control systems, and multi-agent coordination Active research in model predictive control , semantic mapping , and dynamic constraint algorithms Recent publications address industrial automation , agro-food robotics , and haptic technology Research Highlights : Developed hybrid decision-making frameworks for multi-agent navigation Innovated swing-free control methods for robotic pick-and-place operations Formulated constrained dynamics algorithms with LQR-Gauss principle integration Created ExoTen-Glove for haptic feedback in virtual environments Collaborative Projects : Coordinated with researchers like René van de Molengraft , Elena Torta , and Koen de Vos Contributed to NWO/TTW FlexCRAFT project for cognitive robotics in agro-food technology
René M.B.M. de Koster is a Full Professor of Logistics and Operations Management at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University, where he has been a faculty member since 1995. He holds a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology (1988) and is a leading expert in warehousing, material handling, and sustainable logistics. PhD, Eindhoven University of Technology, 1988 Professor, RSM, Erasmus University, 1995–present Honorary Francqui Chair, Hasselt University, 2018 His research focuses on warehousing systems , robotics in logistics , container terminals , and behavioural operations . He integrates operations research with real-world logistics challenges, emphasizing sustainability and automation. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption and industry innovation. The most recent publications highlight a strong trend toward autonomous systems and AI-driven logistics , particularly in robotic fulfillment, dynamic routing, and human-robot collaboration. These works reflect interdisciplinary engagement with computer science, industrial engineering, and behavioural science. Notable scientific awards include: IISE Annual Conference Best Student Paper Award (2024) Transportation Science Paper of the Year (2023) EJOR Best Paper Award (2023) Best European Journal of Operational Research Review Paper (2022) Best Paper Finalist at major logistics conferences Professor de Koster has supervised over 30 students and is actively involved in editorial service for top journals such as Transportation Science , Production and Operations Management , and International Journal of Production Research . He is chairman of Stichting Logistica and founder of the Material Handling Forum, contributing significantly to both academic and industry advancement in logistics. He leads research in advanced logistics labs focusing on robotic sorting, mobile fulfillment, and sustainable supply chains, often in collaboration with European institutions and industry partners.
Angelika H. Mader is an Associate Professor at the University of Twente, holding dual appointments at the Digital Society Institute and within the Human Media Interaction research group. Her work bridges computer science, design, and human factors with a focus on embodied interaction technologies and educational innovation. Her research centers on Haptics and Human-Computer Interaction , specializing in Social Touch systems, textile-based actuators, and pressure perception thresholds. She investigates emotional and sensory qualities of mediated touch while contributing to programming education through automated assessment tools. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates computer science, psychology, and design to develop novel user experiences for social and educational contexts. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a concentrated focus on haptic interfaces for social interaction, including textile actuators for pressure feedback, spatiotemporal touch illusions, and systems for social breath awareness. Her programming education work addresses automated assessment for learning-by-doing, demonstrating a clear trend toward embodied interaction in health, education, and collaborative environments. Professional recognition includes: Best Practices in Education Award (2018) She has supervised 3 students and maintains active research through dataset contributions on psychophysics and social touch. Her work shows consistent funding through collaborative projects evidenced by 6 public datasets and high-impact publications. As a core member of the Human Media Interaction group, she contributes to multimodal interaction research while advancing the Digital Society Institute's mission of addressing societal challenges through digital innovation. Her cross-disciplinary collaborations span engineering, psychology, and design teams focused on tactile communication systems.
Rianne Conijn is an assistant professor in the Human-Technology Interaction group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Netherlands. Her research bridges data-driven methodologies (machine learning, statistical modeling) with human-centered design to enhance learning analytics, explainable AI, and writing process analysis. She holds a joint PhD (cum laude) from Antwerp University and Tilburg University, and an MSc (cum laude) in Human-Technology Interaction from TU/e. Academic Background: MSc (2015, TU/e, cum laude), PhD (2020, Antwerp University & Tilburg University, cum laude). Research Focus: Learning analytics, keystroke logging, explainable AI for education, data dashboards, and self-regulated learning dynamics. Teaching: Courses in Advanced Research Methods, Human-AI Interaction, Behavioral Research Methods, and AI ethics in education. Her recent publications explore parallel language planning in writing, longitudinal self-regulated learning strategies, and generalizability of academic performance prediction models. She leads an NWO Veni project on Human-Centered AI in education, emphasizing tailored explanations for student-AI collaboration. Scientific awards include cum laude distinctions for her MSc and PhD, and the NWO Veni grant. Collaborative work spans institutions in the Netherlands, Norway, and the U.S., with applications in intelligent tutoring systems and ethical AI deployment in exams. Key trends across her work: integration of machine learning with educational theory, leveraging keystroke data for cognitive process insights, and prioritizing actionable, explainable AI systems for student support. Publications span journals like the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , Computers and Education , and IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies . Scientific Awards: NWO Veni grant for Human-Centered AI in education Cum laude for MSc and PhD Grants & Collaborations: National Science Foundation grants (2016868, 2302644) for biometric feedback in writing UK Research and Innovation grant (ES/W011832/1) for real-time AI scaffolding TU/e Boost! Program grant for self-regulated learning analysis Labs & Teams: EAISI Foundational (Eindhoven AI Systems Institute) Human Technology Interaction group at TU/e Collaboration with Norwegian Reading National Center (University of Stavanger) Project teams for Waterproof ITS and ProWrite grants
Marc C.W. Geilen is an Associate Professor at the Electronic Systems group , Eindhoven University of Technology. He leads the Model-Based Design Lab and contributes to the CompSOC Lab and High Tech Systems Center . His work focuses on model-based design methods, design automation, and optimization for real-time and embedded systems. Research Keywords: Cyber-Physical Systems, Real-Time Systems, Embedded Systems, Performance Analysis, Design Automation Key Collaborations: EU ECSEL TRANSACT project, SAM-FMS project, Arrowhead Tools initiative His recent publications address weakly-hard timing constraints in server-based systems, hybrid performance modeling for cyber-physical systems, and neural network optimization for communication. Article trends span Real-Time Scheduling , Trustworthy Modeling , Neural Network Efficiency , and Resource Allocation in distributed environments. Scientific Awards : Partial-Order Reduction for Performance Analysis (2018) Teaching activities include courses in Computational Modeling , Embedded Signal Processing , and Discrete Mathematics . He collaborates across projects like TRANSACT, SAM-FMS, and Arrowhead Tools, focusing on flexible manufacturing and cloud-to-edge transitions.
A.A.J. (Erjen) Lefeber is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His research focuses on control systems, cooperative driving, vehicle dynamics, and autonomous systems. He is affiliated with the EAISI Mobility cluster and the ICMS Core group, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Lefeber has contributed to over 150 research outputs, including peer-reviewed articles, conference contributions, and datasets. His work addresses challenges in platooning systems, model predictive control (MPC), cybersecurity in cooperative vehicles, and multi-agent systems. Research interests include cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC), decentralized control strategies, and robust control against adversarial attacks. His projects integrate theoretical analysis with experimental validation, such as testing heterogeneous platoons with actuation delays. Dr. Lefeber has received the AVEC '24 Best Paper Award for contributions to vehicle platooning control. He teaches courses on nonlinear control, manufacturing networks, and mechanical engineering fundamentals. Collaborations span academia and industry, focusing on sustainable transportation and automation. Current efforts explore online learning for interaction dynamics in multi-agent systems and high-performance MPC for aerial robotics. His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly addressing safe and efficient mobility solutions.
Dr. Hamidreza Mohades Kasaei is an Associate Professor in the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. He holds positions in both the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Medical Sciences/UMCG, focusing on Robotics and image-guided minimally-invasive surgery. His work bridges theoretical advances in machine learning with practical robotic applications. Dr. Kasaei's research focuses on developing algorithms for adaptive perception systems through interactive environment exploration and open-ended learning. His specific interests include 3D object perception, grasp affordance detection, object manipulation, and active perception. He has evaluated his research on various robotic platforms including PR2, UR5e, Kinova, Franka robotic arms, and humanoid robots. His work enables robots to learn from past experiences and intelligently interact with non-expert human users using data-efficient techniques. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends toward increasingly sophisticated manipulation capabilities, particularly in dual-arm coordination and handling dense clutter. There's a clear progression toward integrating language models with robotic control systems, as seen in works like 'Lifelong Robot Library Learning' and 'Towards Open-World Grasping with Large Vision-Language Models.' His research consistently addresses real-world challenges in agricultural robotics, assistive technologies, and service robotics applications. Gratama Science Award (2022) Google Research Scholar Award in Machine Learning (2023) Outstanding Associate Editor for IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (2023) Dr. Kasaei has successfully supervised multiple PhD students including Zhenxing Zhang (thesis on 'Generative Adversarial Networks for Diverse and Explainable Text-to-Image Generation') and Hamed Ayoobi (thesis on 'Explain What You See: Argumentation-Based Learning and Robotic Vision'). His research is supported by significant grants including the Google Research Scholar Award for 'Continual Robot Learning in Human-centered Environments' and various conference organization roles including workshops at RSS 2023 and NeurIPS 2022. He leads the Lifelong Interactive Robot Learning Lab (IRL-Lab), which focuses on six key research directions: Perception and Perceptual Learning, Object Grasping and Manipulation, Lifelong Interactive Robot Learning, Dual-Arm Manipulation, Dynamic Robot Motion Planning, and Exploiting Multimodality. The lab develops cutting-edge approaches for robots to learn in open-ended fashion through interaction with non-expert human users, with applications in assistive robotics for people with disabilities.
Stefano Puntoni is a Professor of Marketing and a behavioral scientist at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. He serves as Head of the Department of Marketing Management at RSM and as Director of the Psychology of AI Lab at the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics. His academic journey began with a "Laurea" in Statistics and Economics from the University of Padova in 2000, followed by a Ph.D. in Marketing from London Business School in 2005. His primary research focuses on autonomous technology adoption in consumer markets and production, with particular emphasis on the value of human labor in the age of AI. Additional research areas include advertising language, consumer identity, and numerical cognition. Puntoni's work spans interdisciplinary boundaries, connecting marketing, psychology, and artificial intelligence. An analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward understanding human-AI interactions in consumer contexts. His research examines how consumers perceive decisions made by algorithms versus humans, preferences for material versus digital products in identity-based consumption, and psychological reactions to human versus robotic job replacement. These studies collectively explore the tension between technological advancement and human elements in decision-making processes. Scientist in Residence, Experiments in Arts and Economics, ZKM Centre for Art and Media (2021) Science Communication Grant, Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (€10,000) (2021) Case Centre's Marketing Case Award (2021) EFMD Case Writing Award (2020) Case Centre's Outstanding Case Writer Award (2020) C.W. Park Award, Journal of Consumer Psychology (2019) Puntoni has mentored numerous doctoral students, including Phyllis (Jia) Gai, Eugina Leung, and Elisa Maira, many of whom have gone on to prestigious academic positions. He currently serves as Associate Editor for both the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Marketing. His teaching spans marketing strategy, innovation and technology adoption, brand management, and decision making across multiple institutions including RSM, Lancaster University, London Business School, and Bocconi University. As Director of the Psychology of AI Lab at the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics, Puntoni leads a research team exploring the intersection of human psychology and artificial intelligence in business contexts. His lab focuses on understanding consumer and worker reactions to AI implementation, with practical applications for businesses navigating the digital transformation.
Ard Nieuwenhuizen is a Researcher at Wageningen University & Research in the Agro Field Technology Innovations department. His expertise spans Agricultural Engineering , Robotics , and Machine Learning , focusing on AI-driven solutions for crop management and harvesting automation. Agro Field Technology Innovations, Wageningen University & Research Research Interests Robotics and intelligent systems for agricultural operations Digital twin technology and precision agriculture Computer vision for weed and crop detection Human-robot collaboration in farming Machine learning for agricultural automation Publication Trends : His recent work emphasizes agricultural robotics , digital twins , and AI-driven crop monitoring , with applications in apple/pear harvesting, soybean weed detection, and spray optimization. Articles highlight collaborations with European institutions and contributions to journals like Smart Agricultural Technology . Projects : He leads initiatives such as Smart Autonomy for Precision Agriculture (SMP25029) and Redesigning future food production systems through AI and robotics (KB-53-000-010), focusing on integrating robotics and data science into sustainable farming practices.
Robert Pollice is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , University of Groningen , specializing in Homogeneous Catalysis . His research integrates computational chemistry , machine learning , and automated experimentation to accelerate molecular design and catalyst development . Research Interests focus on homogeneous catalysis , quantum chemistry , and machine learning applications. His work addresses challenges in reaction mechanism modeling , noncovalent interactions , and inverse molecular design , leveraging closed-loop optimization and large language models for chemical data analysis . Publications span quantum chemical simulations , solvation energy calculations , excited state engineering , and automated catalyst discovery . His recent studies explore inverted singlet-triplet gaps , machine learning for reaction modeling , and SELFIES for molecular string representations . Peer-review Contributions include evaluations for journals like Organic Process Research & Development , Materials Advances , and Chem , reflecting his expertise in catalysis , quantum chemistry , and AI-driven chemical discovery .
