Nick Gravin is a Professor at the School of Information Management and Engineering (SIME) of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SHUFE), affiliated with the Institute for Theoretical Computer Science (ITCS). His research focuses on Theoretical Computer Science, Discrete Mathematics, and Probability Theory, particularly in algorithmic auction design, equilibria computation in Algorithmic Game Theory, and online algorithms. Before joining SHUFE in 2017, he held postdoctoral positions at MIT-CSAIL (2016) and Microsoft Research New England (2013–2015). He holds dual PhDs: one in Mathematics from the Steklov Institute (Russia) under Dmitri Karpov, and another in Computer Science from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), advised by Dmitrii Pasechnik, Edith Elkind, and others. His work bridges fundamental algorithmic challenges and practical market design, emphasizing mechanisms for online resource allocation, budget constraints, and auction optimization. Over 15 recent publications span prophet inequalities, secretary problems, and competitive analysis in dynamic environments. Gravin’s contributions include novel pricing strategies, nonadaptive algorithms for matching problems, and frameworks for Bayesian online settings. His research also explores the interplay between cardinal and ordinal data in algorithmic decision-making. No awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided text. His advising role is not detailed, though his postdoctoral mentorship suggests involvement in training researchers. Current research continues to address theoretical and applied aspects of computational economics and combinatorial optimization.
Dr. Paige Dagenhard-Trainer is an Associate Professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Western Carolina University. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Education from the University of Toledo, alongside an MA in Recreation Administration and a BS in Recreational Therapy from the same institution. Her research focuses on therapeutic modalities in Recreational Therapy, including HeartMath techniques, and community outreach programs targeting at-risk youth and individuals with intellectual disabilities. She is actively involved in adaptive sports initiatives and has pioneered projects such as the Josh Project to address drowning prevention in urban communities. Education: Ph.D. in Health Education, University of Toledo MA in Recreation Administration, University of Toledo BS in Recreational Therapy, University of Toledo Her teaching emphasizes service learning and internship preparation for approximately 100 undergraduate majors in recreational therapy. Dr. Dagenhard-Trainer’s community work includes running therapeutic programs like Tai-Chi, Yoga, and adaptive mountain biking, alongside the National Youth Sports Program. Her research bridges theory and practice, addressing both clinical interventions and public health strategies. Her publications highlight innovative approaches in mental health recovery (e.g., equine therapy for sexual trauma survivors) and the integration of technology in therapeutic settings (e.g., digital art for intellectual disabilities). She has no listed scientific awards but has contributed to impactful community initiatives and undergraduate research strategies. Her advising and grant work focus on fostering student engagement and evidence-based interventions. Labs/Teams: Engaged in adaptive sports programs and community health projects through the College of Health and Human Sciences.
Francesca Balestrieri is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Science at the American University of Paris (AUP). She holds a DPhil in Arithmetic Geometry from the University of Oxford (2017) and a Laurea Magistrale in Scienze Filosofiche from Ca' Foscari University of Venice (2020). Her research focuses on arithmetic geometry, specifically rational points and zero-cycles on algebraic varieties, with interdisciplinary interests in philosophy and artificial intelligence. She has held postdoctoral positions at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn and a Marie Curie Fellowship at IST Austria. She teaches courses in mathematics, data science, and AI at AUP. PhD: DPhil in Arithmetic Geometry, University of Oxford (2013–2017) MSc: Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science, University of Oxford (2012–2013) BA/MA: Mathematical Tripos, University of Cambridge (2009–2012) Her research bridges pure mathematics with applied fields like technology policy, reflected in her co-authored books *Guerra digitale* (2019) and *Tecnologie dell'impero* (2024), analyzing tech geopolitics. Recent work includes studies on Brauer-Manin obstructions, Campana points, and AI applications. She also explores the philosophy of mathematics, particularly Wittgenstein’s rule-following paradox. Notable awards include the 2-year Marie Curie Individual Fellowship (2019–2021). She actively contributes to teaching, including courses on calculus, statistics, and probability, while leading projects on AI ethics and machine learning applications in speech editing and environmental modeling.
Antonio González Colás is a Full Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Facultat d'Informàtica de Barcelona (FIB) and the Department of Computer Architecture. He leads the ARCO research group (Microarchitecture and Compilers) and focuses on advanced computer architecture, including GPUs, compilers, and embedded systems. In 2024, he received the ICREA Acadèmia distinction for his research on future computer systems integrating cognitive tasks and autonomous decision-making. His work emphasizes energy-efficient architectures, memory optimization, and hardware acceleration for AI and real-time applications. He holds a Doctorate in Computer Science and has over 1000+ publications, including top-tier journals and conferences. His research spans topics like GPU microarchitecture, compiler-assisted caching, DNN acceleration, and autonomous driving hardware. Major awards include the HiPEAC 2024 Paper Award and EU-funded projects under Horizon 2020. He advises numerous PhD students on topics such as point cloud processing for autonomous systems, GPU rendering optimizations, and neural network efficiency. His contributions bridge theoretical computer architecture with practical hardware-software co-design, addressing challenges in modern computing systems.
Frédéric Pichon is a Full Professor at Artois University's Laboratory of Computer Engineering and Automation of Artois (LGI2A), part of the Faculty of Applied Sciences in Béthune, France. He holds a Ph.D. in Information and Communication Systems (2009) and an H.D.R. (2018) from Artois University. His research focuses on uncertain reasoning, information fusion (particularly belief functions theory), and machine learning applications in decision-making under uncertainty. Education: B.Eng. (Hons) in Computer Networks and Distributed Systems, Edinburgh Napier University, 2003 M.Sc. in Information Technology, Aalborg University Esbjerg, 2005 Ph.D., University of Technology of Compiègne, 2009 H.D.R., Artois University, 2018 Research Interests: Belief functions theory and applications Optimization under severe uncertainty Machine learning with uncertain data Information fusion for decision support Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes belief function-based solutions for optimization problems (e.g., shortest path, vehicle routing) and deep learning integration with uncertainty quantification. Early-career contributions include foundational work on Dempster-Shafer theory and conflict analysis. Awards: Notable recognitions include the IJAR Early Career Researcher Award (2022), multiple best paper awards at LFA and BELIEF conferences, and distinctions for student research supervision. Advising & Grants: Supervised 9 PhD students (3 in progress). Active in organizing international conferences (BELIEF, LFA) and editorial roles (Area Editor for International Journal of Approximate Reasoning). Research spans theoretical advancements and applied projects in logistics, image processing, and simulation. Labs/Teams: Core member of LGI2A, collaborating with institutions like Heudiasyc and IBISC labs on uncertainty modeling and fusion systems.
Bettina Speckmann is a Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, specializing in computational geometry and algorithms. Her work spans theoretical computer science, visualization, and geographic information systems. She is actively involved in academic conferences such as SoCG, SODA, and GIScience, and serves as a co-author and editor for multiple journals including Computational Geometry and IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics . Key roles: Conference program committee member, journal reviewer. Research interests: Algorithm design, geometric optimization, topological data analysis, and visual abstraction techniques. Her research focuses on advancing computational methods for spatial data analysis, including Fréchet distance algorithms, modular robotics reconfiguration, and visualizing categorical patterns. Recent work includes optimizing symbol placement in maps and analyzing trajectories in mobility data. She collaborates extensively with researchers in computer science and geography, producing impactful contributions to both theoretical and applied domains.
Professor Mihajlo Jakovljevic MD, PhD is a globally recognized expert in Health Economics and Global Health with primary appointment as Full Professor and Founding Head of the Department for Global Health, Economics and Policy at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia. He holds multiple prestigious international positions including Principal GBD Collaborator (the highest tier position) at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington (2025-present), and Visiting Professor of Health Economics at Hosei University, Tokyo (2020-present). His extensive career includes affiliations with Academia Europaea (Ordinary Fellow since 2022), UNESCO-TWAS (Ordinary Fellow since 2021), and the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Serbian Medical Society. His research focuses on the economics of global health with particular emphasis on Emerging Markets and the Global South. Key areas include health financing sustainability, pharmacoeconomics, population ageing, noncommunicable diseases, and BRICS health systems. He has established some of the oldest Pharmacoeconomics and Health Economics Curricula in Balkan universities and published the first complete university textbook of Health Economics in Western Balkan languages in 2014. Professor Jakovljevic has published approximately 400 papers in indexed peer-reviewed journals with an impressive Hirsch Factor of 98, over 151,000 citations, and a cumulative Impact Factor of approximately 6,540. His recent work shows a clear trajectory toward analyzing health system sustainability in resource-constrained settings, with increasing focus on fiscal space for health in LMICs, pharmaceutical pricing policies, and the economic implications of population ageing in transition economies. Academia Europaea, Section Clinical & Veterinary Science (2022) - First representative of Serbia within section comprising almost 800 members UNESCO-TWAS Fellow (2021) - First-Ever Elected Candidate based in Serbia Academy of Medical Sciences Serbian Medical Society (2022) - Youngest member ever elected in Academy's history Serbian Pharmacological Society Award 'Professor Vladislav Varagic' (2017) Multiple international fellowships including JSPS (Japan), FORTE (Sweden), and COST Actions across Europe As Principal Investigator, he has led the largest budget-financed health economics Grant in Serbia (OI 175014; budget 650,000 EUR; 2011-2023) and numerous bilateral inter-governmental science funding agreements with Hungary, Portugal, and other European nations. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation journal (BioMedCentral) since 2019 and previously as Founding Specialty Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Health Economics (2016-2021). His leadership extends to WHO's EACHR Committee since 2018, advising the Cabinet of WHO Regional Director for Europe. Professor Jakovljevic's Department for Global Health, Economics and Policy at the University of Kragujevac has contributed significantly to the university's recognition in the Shanghai ARWU global specialty ranking for public health/clinical medicine (Top 200-300, 2019-2023). His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications through collaborations with WHO, GBD Project, European Commission, and other multilateral agencies across more than thirty countries worldwide.
Dr. Jason Levesley is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of York. He holds a DPhil in Metric Number Theory from the University of York, completed under Prof. Maurice Dodson. His research focuses on metric number theory, Diophantine approximation, and their intersections with fractal geometry and applications in wireless networks. He has been involved in projects exploring the application of Diophantine approximation to MIMO wireless networks, and is a member of the Number Theory Research Group at York. Levesley’s academic career includes postdoctoral research in number theory and industrial data analysis, followed by a lectureship at York since 2001. He currently supervises PhD student Ben Ward and has contributed to collaborative research projects, including a study on the fractal properties of ψ-badly approximable numbers. His work bridges pure mathematics with applied fields, emphasizing interdisciplinary connections. Research interests include the Hausdorff dimension of approximation sets, p-adic Diophantine approximation, and simultaneous approximation over manifolds. His projects often explore the quantitative aspects of Diophantine approximation and its implications for signal transmission and interference alignment in communication systems. Education: DPhil in Metric Number Theory, University of York (1996) Grants/Projects: Fractal properties of the set of ψ-badly approximable numbers in higher dimensions (2022–2023) Levesley has organized conferences on Diophantine approximation and peer-reviewed for journals such as Advances in Mathematics . He maintains active collaborations in number theory and its applications, contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical problem-solving in communication theory.
Claire Maiza is an Associate Professor at Grenoble INP's Ensimag (École nationale supérieure d'informatique et de mathématiques appliquées de Grenoble) and a member of the Verimag laboratory. She holds a Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) awarded in June 2023. Her research focuses on timing analysis, real-time systems, and predictable execution models for embedded and multi-core/many-core platforms. Her work emphasizes worst-case execution time (WCET) evaluation, cache-related timing anomalies, and resource interference analysis in shared environments. Key contributions include frameworks for multi-core response time analysis, memory interference mitigation strategies, and novel approaches to model cache behaviors like LRU and PLRU policies. She also investigates scheduling algorithms resilient to preemption delays and software/hardware co-design for deterministic execution. Her research addresses challenges in hard real-time systems, including mixed-criticality scheduling, network-on-chip (NoC) timing, and WCET estimation using program semantics. Claire's methodologies aim to bridge theoretical timing analysis with practical implementation constraints in industrial applications. No academic awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided text. She is affiliated with the SharedResources group, though specific lab/team details beyond Verimag are not elaborated.
Mathias Stout is a Britton Postdoctoral Fellow at McMaster University working with Deirdre Haskell, previously completing his PhD at KU Leuven under Raf Cluckers' supervision. His academic journey includes: PhD in Mathematics, KU Leuven (supervised by Raf Cluckers) Stout's research centers on applying model theory to valued fields and tame geometry, with specialized focus on uniform and motivic integration. His work bridges mathematical logic, algebraic geometry, and number theory, particularly examining p-adic fields, Henselian structures, and definable set geometry in tame contexts. This interdisciplinary approach enables novel solutions to integration problems in non-Archimedean settings. His publication portfolio reveals consistent advancement in model-theoretic applications, spanning foundational integration theory, Diophantine geometry constraints via Pila-Wilkie theorems, and algebraic structure analysis in positive characteristic. Key themes include valuation theory generalizations, geometric tameness preservation, and cross-pollination between arithmetic geometry and logical methods. Professional recognition: Britton Postdoctoral Fellowship at McMaster University Stout actively shapes academic discourse through co-organizing reading groups on Berkovich geometry and Hrushovski-Kazhdan motivic integration, while participating in study groups covering Log-Noetherian functions, Unlikely intersections, and Resolution of singularities. His extensive teaching portfolio across McMaster University's mathematics curriculum demonstrates commitment to pedagogy despite lacking formal PhD advisees. He maintains vibrant research collaborations evidenced by international conference participation and seminar engagements across European institutions, operating within dynamic model theory networks focused on valued field applications.
Gábor Szabó is a BOFZAP Professor at KU Leuven in the Department of Mathematics, specializing in the Analysis group. His research focuses on C*-algebras, operator algebras, and their dynamical systems, particularly classification, regularity properties, and Rokhlin-type actions. He leads the Operator Algebra seminar at KU Leuven and collaborates internationally in the field of functional analysis. Szabó earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster in 2015, under the supervision of Wilhelm Winter, following a Master’s (2012) and Bachelor’s (2010) in Mathematics from the same institution. His work bridges abstract algebraic structures with topological dynamics, emphasizing the interplay between C*-dynamics and classification theory. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics, WWU Münster, 2015 M.Sc. in Mathematics, WWU Münster, 2012 B.Sc. in Mathematics, WWU Münster, 2010 Research Interests: His primary areas include the fine structure of C*-algebras, Rokhlin dimension, classification of nuclear C*-algebras, and topological dynamics. He explores group actions on C*-algebras, with a focus on equivariant properties and crossed products. Recent work emphasizes stability phenomena and the application of Kasparov theory in dynamical settings. Publications Trends: Szabó’s articles frequently address classification problems, Rokhlin-type properties, and equivariant KK-theory. His recent work (2023–2025) highlights advancements in homotopy rigidity, corona algebras, and categorical frameworks for C*-dynamics. These contributions underscore his role in advancing foundational aspects of operator algebras. Grants & Advising: While specific grants are not detailed in the text, his extensive international speaking engagements and workshop participations indicate active research funding and collaboration. No advisees are listed, but his seminars and collaborations suggest mentorship roles. Labs & Teams: Szabó co-leads the Operator Algebra working seminar at KU Leuven, fostering a collaborative environment for students and researchers in functional analysis and C*-dynamics.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Sandra Hofhues serves as the managing director of the Institute for Educational Science and Media Research (IfBM) and holds a W3 professorship for media didactics at the FernUniversität in Hagen. As a prominent figure in educational science, she represents the university in national and international research collaborations, focusing on the intersection of digitalization, education, and organizational structures. Her leadership extends to editorial roles and academic governance, including membership on the board of the German Society for Educational Science (DGfE). Her academic journey began with dual vocational training as an industrial clerk (final grade: 1.0), followed by high school diploma. She pursued a Bachelor's degree (2002-2005) and Master's degree (2006-2007) in 'Media and Communication' at the University of Augsburg (final grades: 1.41 and 1.0 respectively). Her doctoral studies at the Bundeswehr University Munich culminated in a Dr. phil. degree with magna cum laude honors (2007-2012). Professor Hofhues' research centers on two interconnected domains: media didactics in the context of digitalization and digitality, and documentary media and organizational research. She critically examines how digital transformation reshapes educational practices, institutional structures, and knowledge production. Her work emphasizes the socio-technical dimensions of educational technologies, questioning how datafication processes reconfigure school organization and educational governance. She approaches these issues through qualitative social research methods, focusing on material artifacts and organizational practices. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the implications of digital transformation across educational contexts, with increasing attention to datafication, artificial intelligence, and platformization. The research trajectory shows an evolution from examining digitalization as a technical process to understanding digitality as a cultural and social condition that fundamentally reshapes educational practices and institutions. Her work increasingly engages with critical perspectives on educational technology, questioning normative assumptions embedded in digital tools and platforms. Professor Hofhues has received notable recognition for her contributions to educational science: Fellow of the Teaching Excellence Network 'Lehre n' Member of the board of the German Society for Educational Science (DGfE) Member of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research's OER Advisory Board Co-editor of the book series 'Digitality and Education' As an active researcher, Professor Hofhues leads and contributes to numerous third-party funded projects that investigate digital transformation in educational contexts. Her current research portfolio includes the BMBF-funded projects 'BIRD – Bildungsraum digital' (as sub-project leader with a budget of approximately 1.6 million EUR), 'All is data (Aid)' on media and data education for educational personnel, 'DocTalk – Dialog trifft Chatbot,' and 'WerteRadar.' These projects reflect her commitment to translating theoretical insights into practical applications that address contemporary educational challenges. Professor Hofhues leads the Media Didactics research team at the Institute for Educational Science and Media Research (IfBM). Her team engages in collaborative research that bridges theory and practice, often working with schools, universities, and other educational institutions to understand and shape digital transformation processes. The research environment she has cultivated emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, bringing together perspectives from educational science, media studies, sociology, and information science to address complex questions about digital education.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Görling is a distinguished theoretical chemist at the Chair of Theoretical Chemistry , Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. His research bridges quantum chemistry, materials science, and catalysis through advanced computational frameworks. His scientific contributions focus on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and its derivatives, including σ-functionals for correlation energy calculations, Kohn-Sham inversion techniques, and excitation energy accuracy . His group investigates ionic liquid interactions with metal surfaces (Pt(111), Au(111)), catalyst restructuring mechanisms, and electronic structure of nanomaterials like graphene nanoribbons and cycloparaphenylenes. Recent publications (2024-2025) highlight his expertise in quantum mechanical modeling of catalytic systems, self-consistent RPA methods , and supramolecular complexation of fullerenes. His work spans electronic response properties , metal-organic interfaces , and liquid metal alloy dynamics , with applications in energy storage (MOST systems), hydrogen carriers, and surface science.
Dr. John Levy is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow. He holds a PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on game theory, stochastic games, and microeconomic theory, with a particular emphasis on equilibrium existence, repeated interactions, and information economics. He has supervised doctoral students exploring equilibrium stability, fairness in games, and microeconomic theory. His research interests include equilibria in static/repeated games, learning dynamics, and competitive equilibrium. He has published extensively in journals like the Journal of Mathematical Economics and Games and Economic Behavior . His recent work addresses measurable equilibrium selections, Bayesian game equilibria, and optimal contract regulation in markets. Education: PhD, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2013) Postdoctoral Fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford (2013–2016) Awards: None explicitly listed. Grants/Advising: Active supervision of multiple doctoral projects in game theory and microeconomic theory. Labs/Teams: Member of the Microeconomics research cluster at the University of Glasgow.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Wick is a Professor at the Institute of Applied Mathematics within the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Leibniz University Hannover. He holds leadership roles, including Executive Director of the Institute and membership in the Executive Board and Faculty Council. His research focuses on numerical methods for coupled nonlinear partial differential equations, multiphysics systems (e.g., fluid-structure interaction, phase-field fracture), adaptive finite element techniques, and robust solvers. Key projects include the DFG-funded SPP 1962 and SPP 1748 initiatives, the PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence, and international collaborations like the Indo-German Higher Education Partnership. He has received grants from DFG, DAAD, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. His work emphasizes algorithm design, error control, and computational efficiency in engineering and scientific applications. Research Interests: Numerical modeling of coupled PDE systems, multiphysics phenomena, phase-field fracture, adaptivity, and optimization. Projects include CoMeTeNd (IRTG 2657/1), PhoenixD Task Group S4, and Strukturerhaltende Adaptive Enriched Galerkin Methods. Scientific Awards: Feodor Lynen Fellowship, DFG Projects, DAAD grants. Collaborations span Germany, Austria, India, Peru, and France. Publications highlight advancements in phase-field fracture, fluid-structure interaction, and adaptive methods. His contributions address challenges in mesh adaptivity, error estimation, and high-performance computing.
