Alaa Alameldeen is an Associate Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU), part of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. Previously, he worked as a Research Scientist at Intel Labs (2006–2020) and held an Adjunct Faculty position at Portland State University (2008–2018). He earned a PhD in Computer Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006), and earlier degrees from Alexandria University, Egypt. His research focuses on computer architecture, including memory systems (processing-in-memory, cache/memory compression, security), energy-efficient architectures, and hardware-software co-design for machine learning. He advises PhD and MSc students in these areas and teaches advanced computing science courses. Key contributions include innovations in memory hierarchies, cache compression techniques, and mitigating hardware vulnerabilities. His work has been published in top conferences (e.g., ISCA, MICRO, HPCA) and patented in areas like near-memory processing and error correction. Alameldeen currently leads a research group exploring secure and high-performance memory architectures. He has supervised multiple graduate students, with many progressing to roles at leading tech companies and academic institutions.
Dr. Saiedeh Razavi is an Associate Professor and the inaugural Chair in Heavy Construction at McMaster University's Department of Civil Engineering, directing the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics (MITL). She holds a multidisciplinary background with degrees in Computer Engineering (B.Sc., Sharif University), Artificial Intelligence (M.Sc., Iran), and Civil Engineering (Ph.D., Waterloo). Her research focuses on smart infrastructure, connected mobility, and construction safety, funded by NSERC and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Key areas include transforming construction management through AI, autonomous vehicles, and smart work zones. Education: B.Sc. (Sharif), M.Sc. (Iran), Ph.D. (Waterloo) Research Interests: Smart cities, connected vehicle systems, data fusion, risk analysis, and sustainable logistics Leadership Roles: Director of MITL, Associate Chair (Research), and lead of national/international multidisciplinary projects Her work bridges academia, government, and industry to enhance mobility and safety. Notable grants include NSERC funding for transformative transportation systems. Awards include teaching excellence and innovation in team-based projects. Grants & Projects: NSERC, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and industry collaborations Labs/Teams: MITL, CPS-based construction safety initiatives, and autonomous vehicle research groups
Rosella Gennari is an Associate Professor in Computer Science at the Faculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, where she conducts research and teaches in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Her work is centered on designing interactive technologies for children, focusing on physical-digital (phygital) artefacts, Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL), and inclusive design. She leads the Research Unit Human-Centred Intelligent Systems and is actively involved in institutional leadership, including serving on the Third-Mission Board. Ph.D. : Computer Science, Amsterdam University (2002) Postdoctoral Experience : CWI, Amsterdam (ERCIM Alain Bensoussan Fellow); FBK-irst, Trento Leadership : Scientific & Technological Coordinator of the FP7-EU TERENCE project Her research explores how children interact with and design smart technologies, including IoT and AI, through playful and tangible interfaces. She investigates socio-emotional learning, digital well-being, and responsible design, often employing participatory and action research methods. Her work bridges computer science, education, and social impact, aiming to empower young learners as co-creators of technology. The analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend in developing and evaluating toolkits and frameworks for children and pre-teens to engage in designing smart things, IoT systems, and sustainable cities. Her work consistently emphasizes inclusivity, reflection, and responsible design, often in collaboration with teachers and learners. The publications span top HCI venues and journals, demonstrating a focus on practical applications in educational settings and the impact of technology on young users. Scientific Awards and Recognition ERCIM Alain Bensoussan Fellowship for talented young researchers Editorial Board Member, Journal of Child Computer Interaction (Elsevier, Q1) Regular reviewer for top HCI conferences and journals Advising and Grants : While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership role in the FP7-EU TERENCE project and numerous other research initiatives indicates extensive experience in securing and managing competitive grants. She mentors students through her research group and teaching, fostering the next generation of HCI researchers. Her collaborative network is extensive, with frequent co-authorship with researchers such as Alessandra Melonio, Maristella Matera, and Mehdi Rizvi. Labs and Teams : She leads the Human-Centred Intelligent Systems research unit, which serves as her primary lab and team. This group focuses on placing humans at the center of computer science and information engineering research. She is also a core member of the organizing committee for the MIS4TEL international conference series, highlighting her role in building and sustaining a global research community in Technology-Enhanced Learning.
Victoria A. Beard is Professor of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, where she serves as Director of the Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities. She is also a Core Faculty member of the Southeast Asia Program and was named a Global Public Voices Fellow (2021-22) for her work on urban poverty and water/sanitation inequality in developing countries. Education: Ph.D. in Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia (1999) M.A. in Urban Planning, University of California–Los Angeles (1995) B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning, University of California–San Diego (1992) Beard's research examines how communities in the Global South navigate formal planning systems to address urban poverty through collective action and transnational networks. Her work emphasizes water/sanitation infrastructure as critical sites of inequality, investigating how intermittency and affordability barriers perpetuate urban exclusion. She conducts comparative fieldwork in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia) and transnational contexts (Oaxaca/Southern California), analyzing how community-based planning can drive city-wide transformation despite institutional constraints. Her recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward infrastructure justice, with increasing focus on municipal service delivery systems and climate resilience. Beard consistently connects micro-level community practices to macro-level policy frameworks, highlighting pathways for inclusive urban development that center marginalized populations' lived experiences. Scientific Awards: Global Public Voices Fellow (2021-22) International Faculty Fellow, Global Cornell (2017) Fulbright Scholar to Indonesia (1993-94) Beard has secured major research funding including CORCL (University of California–Irvine) and Pacific Rim Research Program grants for transnational community planning projects. With 20+ years of practitioner experience, she has designed poverty-alleviation programs for the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and RAND, specializing in community-based development, monitoring/evaluation systems, and national policy implementation. Her grant portfolio bridges academic research and on-the-ground impact through partnerships with NGOs like Mercy Corps. As Director of the Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities, Beard leads initiatives focused on climate-resilient urban futures, including symposia on New York City resilience and Kenya's informal housing. She collaborates extensively with Cornell's Southeast Asia Program and Atkinson Center for Sustainable Future, building interdisciplinary teams that integrate planning, public health, and environmental science perspectives.
Said Hamdioui serves as a full Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science at Delft University of Technology. His research focuses on cutting-edge hardware architectures for neuromorphic computing and energy-efficient AI acceleration, with particular emphasis on memristor-based systems, emerging memory technologies, and fault-tolerant designs for edge applications. His research interests span Neuromorphic Computing , Memristor-Based Architectures , and Energy-Efficient AI Hardware , addressing critical challenges in hardware security, computation-in-memory, and reliable edge AI deployment. Recent work demonstrates significant advancements in RRAM/FeFET testing methodologies, spiking neural network implementations, and spin wave computing alternatives to traditional CMOS. His publications reveal strong trends toward real-world deployment of brain-inspired hardware with practical constraints like power efficiency, testability, and security. Award highlights include: DATE'20 Best Paper Award DFT'21 Outstanding Student Paper ETS 2021 Best Paper Award LATS 2018 & 2022 Best Paper Awards Professor Hamdioui actively contributes to the research community through editorial roles at IEEE Transactions on VLSI Systems , IEEE Design & Test , and Journal of Electronic Testing from 2017-2018. His leadership in multi-partner projects like CONVOLVE and NEUROKIT2E demonstrates strong industry-academia collaboration for edge AI solutions. Current work shows increasing focus on practical deployment challenges including in-field fault monitoring, security vulnerabilities in neuromorphic systems, and realistic brain simulation frameworks.
Dr. Jayshri Sabarinathan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Western University's Faculty of Engineering, and a Faculty Member with the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration. She joined Western University in Fall 2003, received the NSERC University Faculty Award in 2004, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2010. She previously served as Associate Director of Training (2019-2022) with the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2003) M.S.E. in Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1999) B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering and Engineering Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1997) Her research focuses on developing novel nano-photonic sensors and miniature remote sensing instrumentation, with expertise spanning photonic crystals, plasmonic sensors, and CubeSat technology. Her work integrates nanofabrication techniques with practical applications in precision agriculture, geology, and space exploration. She has extensive experience with nanofabrication facilities including the University of Michigan Solid State Electronics Laboratory and Western's nanofabrication facility. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on plasmonic sensing technologies, photonic crystal applications, and nanoscale optical phenomena. Her research consistently bridges fundamental photonics with practical sensor development, particularly for environmental monitoring and space applications. The publications demonstrate progression from basic photonic crystal research to applied space instrumentation. Scientific Awards: NSERC University Faculty Award (2004) US Patent 8839683 for Photonic Crystal Pressure Sensors (2014) OSA (Optica) Senior Member Co-founder of LightSail Ltd space startup Dr. Sabarinathan actively mentors graduate students through her Nanophotonic Sensors Engineering (NPSE) and Remote Sensing Instrumentation (RSI) research groups. She has secured significant funding including Canadian Space Agency projects, notably as PI for the Western University-Nunavut Arctic College CubeSat Project Ukpik-1. Her research has resulted in three patents for micro photonic-sensors and multi-spectral camera innovations. Her labs focus on two primary research thrusts: the NPSE group developing hybrid photonics micro/nano-sensors including IR/THz plasmonic sensors and bio-photonic sensors, and the RSI group creating multispectral camera imagers for UAV/mobile robots with XRD instrumentation miniaturization for Mars rovers.
Parfait Martial Eloundou-Enyegue is a Professor in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University and serves as Section Head and President of the Recruitment, Tenure and Promotion Committee at Institut National D'Etudes Démographiques (INED, France). He also holds appointments at Cornell's Brooks School of Public Policy and leads the Cornell Institute of African Studies. His work spans demography, sociology, and development economics with a focus on reconciling micro- and macro-level social change analysis. Education : Doctorate and Master's from Pennsylvania State University; Ingenieur Agroeconomiste from University of Dschang (Cameroon) Research Interests center on demographic transitions, global inequality, education-development linkages, fertility-schooling relationships, and decomposition methods for social change. His work examines how population dynamics affect economic development, poverty, and policy in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent Articles explore demographic dividends, micro-macro integration in sociology, and global child inequality trends. Awards include Pennsylvania State University's Distinguished Alumnus (2020), multiple Comparative International Education Society recognitions, and UN-related policy engagements. Scientific Awards : 2020 Pennsylvania State University Distinguished Alumnus, 2018 Cornell CALS Science & Policy Award, 2008 Marilyn Emmons Williams Undergraduate Research Advising Award Teaching includes courses on social indicators, education inequality, and development empirics. He has consulted for UN, World Bank, and USAID, and led large-scale demographic training initiatives across Francophone Africa.
Walid G. Aref is a Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University since Fall 1999. His research focuses on database systems, spatial and spatio-temporal data management, query processing, and indexing. He has led projects funded by NSF, NIH, and industry partners. Aref is a Fellow of the IEEE and has received awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2001) and VLDB’s Ten-Year Best Paper Award (2016). He serves as Editor-in-Chief of ACM Transactions on Spatial Algorithms and Systems and has authored numerous influential papers. Education: BSc/MSc from Alexandria University (Egypt), PhD from University of Maryland (1993). Research Interests: Extending database functionality for emerging applications like spatial, graph, and sensor databases. Notable contributions include the Chameleon project, AQWA system for big spatial data, and privacy-preserving Casper framework. Selected Projects: NSF-funded work on multi-predicate spatial queries, in-memory graph relational systems, and adaptive spatio-textual processing. Systems like Tornado (spatio-textual streams) and LocationSpark (distributed spatial data) exemplify his contributions. Awards: Multiple best paper awards, IEEE Fellow, and leadership roles in ACM SIGSPATIAL.
Dr. Laura Mae Jacqueline Herzog is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Osnabrück, affiliated with the Institute of Geography and the Research Center Institute of Environmental Systems Research. She serves as representative of mid-level faculty staff in the faculty council of Department 1 Cultural and Social Sciences for the term 2024-2026 and is a member of the working group Resource Management. Dr. Herzog received her PhD from the University of Bern, where she worked as a research assistant at the Chair of Policy Analysis and Environmental Governance. Prior to that, she completed her diploma in political science at the Otto-Suhr-Institut (OSI), Free University of Berlin, focusing on common-pool resource problems and environmental conflicts. Her research focuses on transformation pathways towards sustainable interactions between humans and nature in social-ecological systems, with particular emphasis on aquatic ecosystems. She works predominantly inter- and transdisciplinarily, examining sustainable land, water and open space management, participatory processes and co-creation, transformation processes and capacities, and environmental governance. Her methodological approaches include participatory modeling, interviews & surveys, comparative case study analysis, causal loop diagrams, and Social Network Analysis. Dr. Herzog's publications reveal a consistent focus on water resource management, social-ecological systems, and governance of common-pool resources. Her work spans from micro-pollutant regulation in the Rhine River to transformation processes in peatland use and digitalization in water management. She has developed expertise in analyzing cooperation networks, stakeholder engagement, and the emergence of collaborative governance structures in environmental management contexts. Member of the 3rd cohort of the PostDoc Academy for Transformational Leadership of the Robert Bosch Foundation (2020-2022) Founding member of the Working Group on Governance of Social-Ecological Systems of the Earth System Governance network Dr. Herzog actively engages with stakeholders and the public through her work on the Future Water Laboratory, MOOSland project, and LimnoScenES project. She has served on scientific advisory boards for research projects including BaltAqua and "Participatory visioning for collective action in natural resource management." Her commitment to climate action is evident through her involvement with Scientists4Future in Osnabrück. As part of her research on peatlands, Dr. Herzog works with regional stakeholders to investigate transformation processes toward rewetted peatlands and facilitates knowledge transfer of project findings into teaching materials and exhibition modules. She also conducts research on digital applications for sustainable water use within the Future Water Laboratory.
Dr. Gëzim Krasniqi is a Lecturer in Nationalism and Political Sociology and Programme Co-Director of the MSc Nationalism in Global Perspective at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science. His work focuses on nationalism, citizenship, and state-building in Southeast Europe, particularly Kosovo and the Balkans. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and has taught courses like Theorising Nationalism and Nationalism, Populism and Democracy . Education: PhD in Sociology, University of Edinburgh MA in Sociology, Central European University MA in Sociology, University of Sarajevo and University of Bologna BA in Sociology, University of Prishtina Research Interests: Dr. Krasniqi specializes in political sociology and nationalism, with emphasis on citizenship in contested states, ethnic conflicts, and post-Yugoslav state-building. His work examines how nationalism shapes intra-group power dynamics and citizenship policies in liminal polities like Kosovo and Northern Cyprus. He is an Associate Editor of Identities and Book Review Editor of Nations and Nationalism . Key Themes in Publications: His articles analyze EU-Kosovo relations, citizenship laws, and the geopolitical role of Great Powers in the Balkans. Recent work explores the EU's influence on state-building and the socio-political implications of passports for marginalized groups. Awards & Grants: No explicitly listed awards, but he has secured institutional support for research projects on Kosovo policy-making and EU integration. Labs/Teams: He co-leads the ASEN Edinburgh branch, advancing studies on ethnicity and nationalism. His supervision includes PhD projects on Romani activism, digital ID systems, and micro-level nationalism.
Abdullah Muzahid is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University (since August 2024), previously serving as an Assistant Professor there since August 2018. Prior, he held an Assistant Professor role at the University of Texas at San Antonio (2012-2018). He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2012), focusing on architectural support for debugging concurrency bugs under Prof. Josep Torrellas. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2012) M.S., Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2009) B.S., Computer Science and Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (2005) Research Interests: His work spans Computer Architecture , Systems , and Artificial Intelligence , with focus on multiprocessor architecture, parallel programming, debugging, and applying machine learning to system optimization. Recent projects include cache indexing via entropy estimation, DNN training acceleration, and hardware-software co-design for security. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2017) Excellence in Research Award (UTSA, 2015 & 2017) W. J. Poppelbaum Award (UIUC, 2012) Intel Ph.D. Fellowship (2011) Grants & Advising: He leads NSF-funded projects on robust deep learning and stream processing systems. Advised 5 PhD graduates and currently mentors 4 PhD students. Served on program committees for ISCA, HPCA, MICRO, and as NSF panelist. Labs/Teams: Active in Texas A&M’s Computer Architecture group, collaborating on machine programming, hardware security, and AI-driven systems optimization.
Dr. Gillian Sandstrom is an Associate Professor in the Psychology of Kindness at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. She holds a BMath from the University of Waterloo, MA in Psychology from Ryerson University, and PhD from the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on minimal social interactions, kindness, and gender roles in prosocial behavior. She previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex before joining Sussex in 2022. Her research examines how brief social interactions with strangers or weak ties can enhance well-being and reduce social barriers. Notable contributions include studies on the impact of 'talking to strangers,' parasocial relationships, and gender stereotypes in prosocial behavior. She has secured grants such as the ESRC-funded project on improving difficult social interactions. Dr. Sandstrom is affiliated with the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness and teaches courses like 'Social Connection and Disconnection.' Awards include an Honorable Mention for Best Paper Award (Self & Identity, 2021). She actively promotes public engagement through media and social platforms like Bluesky, emphasizing everyday kindness and social connection.
Dongming Xu is an Associate Professor in Business Information Systems at the University of Queensland Business School. She holds a PhD from the City University of Hong Kong in Information Systems and has established herself as a prominent researcher in the field of information systems with over 100 publications in top-tier journals and conference proceedings. Her educational background includes a PhD from City University of Hong Kong in Information Systems, though specific details about earlier degrees are not provided in the available text. Dr. Xu's research focuses on the confluence of information technology use and innovation, with particular emphasis on IT entrepreneurship, social media applications in business contexts, and business intelligence systems. Her work explores how information systems influence society and business performance, with applications spanning disaster management, eFinance, eHealth, and knowledge management. She combines theoretical model building with laboratory and field experiments, often developing prototype systems to validate her research. Her publication record demonstrates consistent high-quality output across multiple domains of information systems research, with recent work emphasizing digital disruption, platform ecosystems, social media in disasters, healthcare technology, and micro-learning applications. Her research shows a clear trajectory from foundational work on intelligent agents and decision support systems toward contemporary topics in digital transformation and platform-based innovation. Associate Editor, Information & Management Associate Editor, Journal of Electronic Commerce Research Associate Editor, Australasian Journal of Information Systems Dr. Xu has supervised numerous PhD students to completion, with research topics spanning digital disruption, IT startup development, social media in disasters, conceptual modeling, and environmental management. She has received multiple research grants, including current funding for 'Empowering Australia's Visual Arts via Creative Blockchain Opportunities' (2023-2026) and past projects on 'Smart micro learning with open education resources' (2018-2022). Her research has been supported by various agencies including the Hong Kong Government Research Grant Council, The National Natural Science Foundation of China, The University of Queensland, and City University of Hong Kong. She leads research in several key areas including IT entrepreneurship, business intelligence systems, and social media applications across multiple domains. Her work often involves developing innovative systems such as web-service-agent-based family wealth management systems, decision support systems for securities exception management, and knowledge management systems for disaster management.
Sanjeev Baskiyar is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University's College of Engineering. He has been actively involved in research, teaching, and academic leadership, with a strong focus on computer systems, real-time and embedded computing, scheduling, cloud and fog computing, and energy-aware architectures. Education: Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota B.S., Electronics and Communications, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore B.S., Physics (with honors), and distinction in Mathematics Dr. Baskiyar’s research interests span scheduling, real-time and embedded systems, computer architecture, fog/cloud computing, thermal/energy-aware computing, and STEM education. His recent work explores machine learning applications in scheduling and quantum computing for fake news detection. He has supervised over 25 graduate students, many of whom now hold academic and industry positions. His recent publications emphasize fog computing simulation, service placement, quantum-inspired fake news detection, and adaptive scheduling using machine learning. These works reflect a trend towards intelligent, scalable, and energy-efficient computing systems, particularly in distributed and edge environments. Scientific Awards and Honors: Walker Teaching Excellence Award, Auburn University, 2020 Summer Faculty Fellow, Air Force Research Labs, 2020 Nominated Best Teaching Assistant, University of Minnesota, 1992 Multiples Merit and State-merit Scholarships Honors in Physics and Distinction in Mathematics Dr. Baskiyar has successfully advised numerous MS and PhD students and secured over $2 million in research funding as Principal Investigator from the National Science Foundation, DARPA, NASA, and industry partners like Wind River Systems and Mentor Graphics. His grants focus on parallel computing education, real-time micro-architectures, and embedded systems. He has also served on editorial boards, program committees, and as a reviewer for NSF and IEEE journals. He has held leadership roles including Senator in the University Faculty Senate and Chair of the E-day Committee. Labs and Research Groups: While not explicitly named, Dr. Baskiyar leads a research group focused on computer systems, scheduling, and embedded computing, as evidenced by his long list of graduate student supervision and funded projects in fog, cloud, and real-time systems.
Professor Louise Amoore holds a faculty position at Durham University's Department of Geography, where she serves as Professor of Political Geography and Deputy Head of Department. Her work explores intersections of geopolitics, technology, and security, with a focus on algorithmic governance and data-driven practices. Co-editor of Progress in Human Geography Appointed to UK ethics body on biometric technologies Recipient of RCUK Global Uncertainties leadership fellowship Her research examines how data and algorithms reshape security paradigms, democracy, and societal norms. Recent projects analyze generative AI, cloud computing, and machine learning's political implications. She has secured funding from Leverhulme Trust, ESRC, EPSRC, AHRC, and NWO. Key article trends reveal expertise in algorithmic sovereignty (2024), border governance (2024), predictive security models (2023), data reuse ethics (2022), and post-9/11 surveillance practices (2021). Her work critically interrogates machine learning's epistemological foundations (2019) and data sovereignty implications (2018). RCUK Global Uncertainties leadership fellowship (2012-2015) Leverhulme Trust funding ESRC, EPSRC, AHRC, NWO grants Current PhD supervisees include Anna Okada and Charlotte Lock. She co-developed the Algorithmic Life book (2015) and serves as editor for Progress in Human Geography , maintaining active research collaborations in Europe.
