Dr. Yara Khaluf is an Assistant Professor in the Information Technology Group at Wageningen University & Research, Department of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD (2014, Paderborn University, cum laude) on robot swarm task allocation, followed by postdoctoral research at Paderborn University (2014–2015) and Ghent University’s IDLab (2015–2021). Her work focuses on computational social science, hybrid human-agent societies, and distributed artificial cognition, leveraging agent-based modeling and systems dynamics for behavior prediction/modulation. She leads European-funded projects like ChronoPilot (EU Horizon2020 FET) and DELICIOS (FWO, 2019–2022). Her research explores interactions between artificial agents and humans, developing cognitive capacities for seamless interaction via social feedback networks. Notable contributions include collective foraging algorithms, time perception modeling, and agent-based simulations for public health interventions. Awards include competitive IGS and DFG fellowships. She collaborates with leading experts in swarm intelligence (Dorigo, Stuetzle), collective decision-making (Hamann, Marshall), and experimental psychology (Johansson, Vatakis). Current projects investigate modulating human time perception and delegation of conflict-of-interest decisions to AI agents. Teaching includes courses on model thinking, agent-based modeling of complex systems, and data science applications in food/consumer science. Her work bridges computational methods with societal challenges, emphasizing scalable solutions for hybrid systems.
Jamshid Mohammadi is the Interim Provost and Professor of Civil and Architectural Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), within the Armour College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on structural integrity, seismic damage analysis, bridge performance, and risk assessment in transportation systems. Research Projects: He leads studies on bridge fatigue, seismic vulnerability, structural health monitoring, and disaster resilience. Notable projects include investigating horizontally curved bridges, seismic damage to skewed bridges, and probabilistic models for fatigue failure in metals. His work often involves collaborations with institutions like NASA and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Publications & Books: Mohammadi has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and two influential books: Systems Engineering, with Economics, Probability and Statistics and NDT Methods Applied to Fatigue Reliability Assessment of Structures . His work bridges theoretical models with practical engineering solutions. Expertise: His expertise spans system reliability, highway bridge analysis, and probabilistic methodologies for infrastructure assessment. He advises on temporary structure design, post-disaster risk mitigation, and lifecycle cost optimization. Grants & Recognition: His projects are funded by federal and state agencies. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publications and leadership roles highlight his impact in civil engineering education and practice.
M. Ishaque Khan is a Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Materials Chemistry Program at Illinois Institute of Technology's Lewis College of Science and Letters. His work bridges materials design, catalysis, and sustainable chemistry. Ph.D., Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur M.S., Aligarh Muslim University His research focuses on creating functional materials like polyoxometalates (POMs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and nanocomposites for catalysis, sensing, gas separation, energy storage, and biomedical applications. He emphasizes sustainable synthesis and atomic-level control of material architecture. Recent publications highlight advances in POM@MOF hybrids, organo-functionalized clusters, and NOx sensor development. Collaborations span Argonne National Laboratory, Northwestern University, and industry partners. Scientific Awards German Academic Exchange Fellowship Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship Editorial Board Member, Professional Journals As an educator, he designed interdisciplinary science-business programs and courses at Illinois Tech. His leadership roles include Department Chair and Associate Dean.
Dr. Alexander Plopski is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Visual Computing, Technische Universität Graz. His research focuses on advancing augmented reality (AR) technologies, human-computer interaction (HCI), and optical display systems. He holds a PhD, M.Sc., and BSc in relevant fields. His work emphasizes perceptual optimization in AR displays, eye tracking integration, and accessibility solutions for color vision deficiencies. Key research areas include gaze-contingent AR interfaces, light field manipulation for extended reality, and multimodal interaction techniques. Notable contributions include the development of the 'guitARhero' interactive AR guitar tutorial system and studies on focal distance effects in optical see-through displays. His publications span topics from AR display calibration to gesture recognition using radar sensing. He has explored applications in industrial training, medical AR, and robotic telemanipulation. His work often bridges theoretical perceptual studies with practical system implementations, aiming to enhance user experience and accessibility in AR/VR environments.
Finn Aakre Haugen is a Professor at the Department of Built Environment within the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University. His research focuses on chemical process engineering, electrotechnical sciences, and sustainable built environments. He leads the Sustainable Built Environment (SustainaBuilt) research group and has authored numerous textbooks on modeling, control systems, and Python for engineering applications. Affiliations: OsloMet University, Faculty of Technology, SustainaBuilt Research Group Education: Extensive academic background in engineering disciplines (specific degree details not explicitly stated in text) His research emphasizes environmental engineering systems such as wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion optimization, and control strategies for urban infrastructure. Notable contributions include work on model predictive control for biogas reactors and advanced state estimation techniques in environmental systems. Over 26 scientific publications, 24 textbooks, and 5 research reports demonstrate his expertise in bridging theoretical models with practical industrial applications. Publications trends show strong focus on: Environmental process control (45% of articles) Bioreactor optimization (30% of articles) Simulation-based training methodologies (25% of articles) He has contributed to major conferences like the IWA Specialized Conference on Instrumentation and ESCAPE 27. His textbook series includes foundational works like Modeling, Simulation and Control (2023) and Reguleringsteknikk (2012).
Albert Treytl is a Senior Researcher at the Danube University Krems , serving as Head of the Center for Distributed Systems and Sensor Networks and Deputy Head of the Department for Integrated Sensor Systems. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Vienna University of Technology (2001) and has over two decades of experience in communication technologies and security. Current roles: Head of Center, Deputy Head of Department Research focus: Security for embedded systems, IoT, digital twins, AI in energy optimization Involvement: IEEE, CEN TC 247 WG4, IEEE1588 standardization His work addresses distributed data management, smart grid security, and model predictive control strategies for energy efficiency in buildings and traffic systems. He leads multiple national and international projects funded by FFG and EU programs. Recent research projects include KI4HVACS (AI-driven HVAC optimization), Factories4Renewables (industrial renewable energy integration), and Dataskop (sensor-based data economy). He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and serves as co-lecturer at the Vienna University of Technology.
Allison M. Okamura is the Richard W. Weiland Professor of Engineering at Stanford University with joint appointments in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. She serves as Director of Graduate Studies for Mechanical Engineering and Deputy Director of the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. Her CHARM Lab develops haptic systems for medical robotics, rehabilitation, and virtual environments. Current projects include wearable textile-based haptics, soft growing robots for navigation, and advanced teleoperation systems. She leads clinical trials on stroke rehabilitation using compliant arm supports and vibrotactile stimulation. Okamura has received numerous honors including IEEE Fellowship and the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Distinguished Service Award. Her teaching includes courses on haptic system design, dynamic systems, and medical robotics.
Talal Shaikh is an Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University's School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences in Dubai. He serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies and Programme Director for BSc Computer Science, BSc CS (AI), and MSc Software Engineering. With a decade of industry experience as a Chief Information Officer and Software Engineer, he bridges practical insights with academic research. Research Interests: Pervasive Computing, IoT/M2M, AI/ML, WiFi Sensing for Healthcare, Financial Machine Learning, Educational Technology Awards: Teaching Excellence Awards (2017/18), Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), multiple Learning and Teaching Oscars (2016, 2017, 2018) His work spans Ubiquitous Computing and IoT , focusing on sensor networks and WiFi-based sensing for healthcare. In Artificial Intelligence , he applies ML to robotics, financial analytics, and educational innovation. Recent articles analyze Reinforcement Learning , Emotion Recognition , and WiFi Sensing applications. His teaching emphasizes student-centric learning, with over 100 supervised dissertations achieving distinctions. Collaborations include international conferences and interdisciplinary research in smart environments and adaptive systems.
Sebastian Schulz is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in advanced photonics research. His work focuses on nanophotonics, plasmonics, and metasurfaces, particularly exploring epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials and their applications in optical sensors, integrated photonics, and augmented reality systems. He is affiliated with the Quantum Nano Centre (QNC 4601), indicating a strong involvement in cutting-edge nanotechnology research. His research interests encompass nonlinear optical phenomena, metamaterials design, and the development of novel optical components such as flexible holographic metasurfaces and tunable photonic devices. Schulz has contributed significantly to understanding the coupling dynamics between ENZ materials and plasmonic structures, as well as the optimization of photonic crystal waveguides for low-loss signal transmission. Recent work includes advancements in temperature-controlled polymer-based lasers, high-throughput speckle spectrometers, and dynamically tunable optical systems. His publications frequently address the integration of nonlinear effects and nanostructured materials to achieve breakthroughs in optical performance metrics like time-bandwidth product limits. While no specific grants or awards are explicitly listed, his prolific output in top-tier photonics journals underscores his influential role in the field. Schulz collaborates on interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of materials science and optical engineering, driving innovations in sensor technologies and next-generation photonic systems.
Dr. Tuquabo Tesfamichael is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering (MMPE), Faculty of Engineering at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He obtained his Ph.D. from Uppsala University (Sweden) in 2000 followed by a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at QUT. Dr. Tesfamichael serves as the Subject Area Coordinator for undergraduate Mechanical Engineering (EN01) and Course Coordinator for postgraduate Advanced Materials (EN54). Dr. Tesfamichael's research spans multiple cutting-edge areas in materials science and engineering. His primary interests include thin film technology, nanostructured materials and nanotechnology, metal oxide thin film gas sensors, perovskite solar cells, and nanostuctured metallic glasses thin films for biomedical applications. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in energy, sensing, and biomedical fields. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on thermoelectric materials, metallic glasses for biomedical applications, and advanced sensor technologies. His research consistently explores the intersection of nanotechnology, materials engineering, and practical applications, with significant contributions to flexible electronics, energy harvesting, and biomedical device development. The work demonstrates a progression toward increasingly sophisticated material systems with multifunctional properties. Dr. Tesfamichael has secured over $1.3 million in research grants and awards from prestigious sources including Defense Science Technology, ARC Discovery Grants, and Japanese Society for Promotion of Science Fellowships. His research collaborations span international institutions including Hokkaido University in Japan and Uppsala University in Sweden. Defense Science Technology - DST (2021-22) National and International Research Alliances Program (2010-12) AINSE Research Grants (2003-2013) ARC Discovery Grant (2006-08) Japanese Society for Promotion of Science Fellowships (2007, 2013) With over 70 journal articles, more than 3000 citations, and an h-index of 31, Dr. Tesfamichael has established himself as a significant contributor to materials science. He has supervised 13 PhD students to completion in the last decade and currently mentors 5 additional PhD candidates. His research leadership extends to membership on the Board of Directors for the UNI Doctoral Program in Sciences and active participation in the Centre for Materials Science and Centre for Biomedical Technologies at QUT.
Diane M. Styers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources at Western Carolina University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her work integrates geospatial technologies with community engagement to address global climate resilience challenges through human-centered research approaches. Her educational qualifications include: Postdoctoral Research in Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis, University of Washington Ph.D. in Forest Ecology, Auburn University M.A. in Geography, Georgia State University B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Dr. Styers specializes in public participatory GIS (PPGIS) to incorporate local landscape knowledge into climate adaptation strategies. Her technical expertise spans LiDAR data analysis, object-based image analysis (OBIA), MODIS/Landsat time series, multi-sensor integration, forest ecology, and dendroecology. She investigates how social-ecological processes drive landscape changes affecting Earth's resources, with particular focus on community resilience against climate-related risks. Her publication record reveals strong thematic trends in applying geospatial methods to socio-ecological systems, with increasing emphasis on rivercane conservation, forest community dynamics in Appalachia, biodiversity education using NEON data, and vector-borne disease mapping. Recent works demonstrate sophisticated integration of remote sensing with community-based adaptation frameworks. Dr. Styers actively mentors students through co-authored publications and teaches diverse courses including Introduction to Geospatial Analysis, Remote Sensing, GIS applications, and field-based programs like Sustainability in Costa Rica. Her instructional approach emphasizes authentic science engagement using big data resources.
Hjalti H. Sigmarsson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering within the Gallogly College of Engineering. His research focuses on reconfigurable RF/microwave hardware, spectral management for cognitive radios, heterogeneous integration packaging, and nanomaterial-based device development. Education : B.S.E.C.E., University of Iceland (2003) M.S.E.C.E., Purdue University (2005) Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University (2010) Research Interests : His work advances agile communication systems through tunable microwave components and explores novel packaging techniques for heterogeneous material integration. His nanomaterial research targets next-generation RF devices, while his radar systems development contributes to meteorological observations and mobile phased arrays. Scientific Contributions : He has pioneered liquid metal-tuned filters, substrate integrated waveguide technologies, and evanescent-mode cavity resonators. His publications demonstrate expertise in hybrid acoustic-electromagnetic filters, SAR imaging, and filter shape optimization. Awards : DARPA ASP program recognition (2008) Best paper awards at IMAPS (2008, 2009) Outstanding student paper, IMAPS (2009) Best paper, Microwave/Radio Applications session at IMAPS (2008, 2009) Labs & Centers : He leads research at the University of Oklahoma's Radar Innovations Lab and contributes to the Advanced Radar Research Center. His work includes the Horus All-Digital Phased Array Weather Radar project.
Donato Romano serves as Associate Professor at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy, where he coordinates the Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab and co-founded the spin-off company HUBILIFE srl. His interdisciplinary work bridges robotics, biology, and AI to develop biohybrid systems for biodiversity preservation, sustainable environmental management, and life support in extreme scenarios including space exploration. With over 90 publications and an H-index of 27 (Scopus, March 2025), he has established significant academic leadership through editorial roles across 12+ international journals. Romano's educational foundation includes advanced degrees with honors: an M.Sc. in Agriculture Science and Technologies (2014) and a PhD in BioRobotics (2018), both from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. His academic journey includes visiting scholar positions at Khalifa University and substantial industry-academia collaboration through HUBILIFE srl, which commercializes bioinspired devices for human daily life improvement. His research program focuses on bioinspired and biomimetic robotics with particular emphasis on animal-robot interaction, biohybrid systems, and natural intelligence. Key projects address critical global challenges: SENSORBEES develops biohybrid environmental surveillance for ecological monitoring; REGOLIFE investigates lunar soil-terrestrial organism interactions for space agriculture; and OCEAN ROBOCTO explores marine ecosystem solutions. This work demonstrates a strategic progression from fundamental behavioral studies toward applied ecological and extraterrestrial systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in AI-driven behavioral analysis, with deep learning increasingly applied to entomological studies and pest management. The research spans agricultural applications (precision monitoring traps, larval detection systems), ecological conservation (biodiversity surveillance), and extreme-environment adaptation (lunar regolith studies). A distinctive feature is the consistent integration of biohybrid approaches where living organisms and robotic systems create synergistic capabilities exceeding either component alone. Romano's scientific recognition includes election as Junior Fellow of the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology (2025), the Lucani fuori dal Comune award (2024), and multiple best-thesis prizes. His editorial leadership spans high-impact journals including IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics and Pest Management Science, where he serves as Associate Editor. As principal investigator, Romano coordinates major international projects totaling over €15M in funding: HORIZON-EIC's SENSORBEES (2024-2029), ASI's REGOLIFE (2024-2027), National Geographic's OCEAN ROBOCTO (2024-2026), and PRIN's COSMIC (2023-2025). His teaching portfolio includes PhD courses in Biosystems for Biorobotics and M.Sc. instruction in Bionics Engineering at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and University of Pisa. The Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab under Romano's direction pioneers biohybrid technologies where living organisms and robotic systems create integrated solutions. Current initiatives include SENSORBEES' environmental monitoring swarms, REGOLIFE's moonworm colonization systems, and HUBILIFE's commercial vector-control devices. The lab maintains active collaborations with space agencies, agricultural institutes, and conservation organizations, positioning biohybrid systems as next-generation tools for planetary-scale challenges.
Vineet Pandey is an Assistant Professor at the Kahlert School of Computing, University of Utah, and a Responsible AI Faculty Fellow starting Spring 2025. His research focuses on human-centered computing tools to bridge communities and institutional experts in science and medicine, emphasizing digital health and citizen science. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC San Diego (2013-2019) and postdoctoral roles at MIT (2022-2023) and Harvard University (2020-2022). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, UC San Diego (2013-2019) Postdoctoral Researcher, MIT (2022-2023) Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University (2020-2022) Research Interests: Designing systems for community-led scientific work Remote health assessment tools for neurological disorders Social platforms for public participation in policymaking Collaborations with rare disease communities and healthcare institutions Articles Trends: Recent work spans motor impairment monitoring in ataxia-telangiectasia, digital phenotyping in ALS, and citizen science platforms like Galileo. Earlier contributions include key-value store systems and microbiome research via the American Gut Project. Scientific Awards: 2019 School of Engineering Henry Booker Award for Exemplary Ethical Engineering Advising/Grants: Supervises PhD/MS/BS students on HCI projects in digital health and citizen science. Alumni include Jenny Yijun Zhan (MSD) and Gunasekhar Athuluri (CS MS). Teaches courses like 'Designing Digital Health Systems' and 'Designing Human-Centered Systems'. Labs/Teams: Leads a multidisciplinary group collaborating with medical experts, rare disorder communities, and institutions. Current projects include fine-finger tracking for motor performance analysis and platform design for participatory science.
Di Zhou is a Researcher specializing in aerospace engineering and fluid dynamics, focusing on turbulence modeling, aeroacoustics, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). His work integrates advanced numerical methods such as large-eddy simulation (LES) with machine learning techniques like reinforcement learning to address challenges in wall modeling and flow prediction. Current affiliations are not explicitly stated, but his research involves collaborations in turbulence, rotor noise, and high-Reynolds-number flows. Research interests span turbulent boundary layers, adverse pressure gradients, and rotor aeroacoustic response. He has pioneered the application of multi-agent reinforcement learning for wall modeling in LES, advancing accuracy in simulating complex flows over periodic hills and Gaussian bumps. His studies also explore optimal sensor placement for lift prediction under gust loads and noise generation mechanisms in rotor systems. Recent trends in his publications highlight machine learning-driven turbulence modeling, sensitivity analysis of LES closure models, and computational analysis of rotor ingestion noise. Despite no listed awards, his work contributes significantly to both fundamental fluid dynamics and applied aerospace problems. No specific advising roles or labs are mentioned, but his research likely involves collaboration with experimental and numerical groups in aerodynamics and acoustics.
