Chris Harrison is an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science, directing the Future Interfaces Group . His research focuses on novel human-computer interaction technologies, including haptics, AR/VR/XR, and ubiquitous computing. Research Interests: Ubiquitous Computing, Human-Centered AI, Physical Interfaces (Sensing, Haptics, Fabrication), AR/VR/XR, Social Computing Advisees: Daehwa Kim, Nathan DeVrio, Vimal Mollyn, Vivian Shen Scientific Recognition: Forbes 30 Under 30 (Science), MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35, Smithsonian Innovator (2013), Google/Microsoft/Qualcomm Fellows Contact: chris.harrison@cs.cmu.edu His recent publications explore advanced haptic systems (Reel Feel, Fluid Reality), body-centric sensing (SkinTrack), and environment-embedded interfaces (Wall++). Current work integrates UWB/IMU fusion for pose estimation and synthetic jet haptics.
Eva Ascarza is a Professor of Business Administration in the Marketing Unit at Harvard Business School (HBS) . She co-founded the Customer Intelligence Lab at HBS's D 3 Institute, focusing on responsible and effective customer data utilization. Research Interests include: Customer retention and churn analysis Algorithmic bias in marketing AI Field experimentation (A/B testing) for targeting optimization Customer lifetime value (CLV) modeling Dynamic personalization strategies Scientific Awards and Recognitions: 2023 Weitz-Winer-O'Dell Award (winner) 2022 Paul E. Green Award (PNAS publication) 2020 Marketing Science Institute (MSI) Scholar 2019 Erin Anderson Award for Emerging Female Scholar 2018 Paul E. Green Award (JMR publication) 2014 Frank M. Bass Outstanding Dissertation Award Her articles demonstrate cutting-edge applications of statistical modeling , Bayesian methods , and fair AI frameworks in modern marketing challenges.
Xiaoming Liu is the Anil K. and Nandita Jain Endowed Professor of Engineering and MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University . Holding a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University (2004), he leads cutting-edge research in computer vision and machine learning. Research Interests : Computer Vision Pattern Recognition Image and Video Processing Machine Learning Medical Image Analysis Multimedia Retrieval Recent Research Trends : Focus on 3D object detection and depth estimation Development of robust biometric recognition systems Integration of radar-camera fusion for autonomous systems Advancements in self-supervised and multimodal learning Exploration of adversarial AI security Creation of interpretable forgery detection frameworks Teaching : Spring 2013: CSE891-006 Computer Vision Seminar Fall 2012-2015: CSE803 Computer Vision Spring 2014-2017: CSE 471 Media Processing and Multimedia Contact Information : Email: liuxm@cse.msu.edu Office: EB 3137, Michigan State University Phone: +1 (517) 355-2359
Joydeep Biswas is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Texas at Austin, where he serves as the Director of the Autonomous Mobile Robotics Laboratory (AMRL). He is also affiliated with Texas Robotics, the UT Machine Learning Laboratory, and UT Good Systems. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor in the College of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Biswas earned his PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014 and his B.Tech in Engineering Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2008. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of robotics and artificial intelligence. Dr. Biswas's research focuses on enabling long-term autonomy for mobile robots operating in human environments. His work spans robot perception, motion planning, control systems, and AI, with the ultimate goal of creating self-sufficient autonomous mobile robots that can perform tasks accurately and robustly in real-world settings. He is particularly interested in perception, planning, and failure recovery for autonomous mobile robots, which supports his vision of having autonomous service mobile robots deployed at campus-to-city scale, both indoors and outdoors, performing assistive tasks over deployments spanning years. His IJCAI 2019 Early Career Spotlight talk summarizes much of his research to date and ongoing interests. His recent research has shown a strong trend toward social navigation, human-robot interaction, and the application of machine learning techniques to robotics problems. There's a clear progression from fundamental robotics research toward more complex, real-world applications that require robots to understand and navigate human social spaces effectively. His work increasingly integrates large language models and other advanced AI techniques with traditional robotics approaches, as evidenced by his recent publications on topics like preference-conditioned navigation, social navigation benchmarks, and instruction-following navigation systems. Dr. Biswas has received numerous prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2021), J.P. Morgan Faculty Research Award (2019), Amazon Research Award (2019), and a grant from Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (2018). These awards recognize his innovative contributions to the field of robotics and autonomous systems. As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Biswas actively supervises PhD and master's students, with his PhD student Sadegh Rabiee winning the student poster award at the Northrop Grumman University Symposium 2019. He has secured significant grant funding from the National Science Foundation for projects including 'Introspective Perception and Planning for Long-Term Autonomy' and 'Interactive Synthesis and Repair For Robot Programs,' demonstrating his ability to secure competitive research funding and his commitment to advancing the field. Dr. Biswas leads the Autonomous Mobile Robotics Laboratory (AMRL), which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research in mobile robotics. The lab has developed notable resources such as the UT Campus Object Dataset (CODA) for 3D perception research and SOCIALGYM, a framework for benchmarking social robot navigation. His team regularly deploys robots on the UT Austin campus and in urban environments to test and refine their approaches in realistic settings, bridging the gap between simulation and real-world application.
Kostas Bekris is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Rutgers University, specializing in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. His research focuses on motion planning, autonomous manipulation, and robot control, with notable contributions to tensegrity robotics, perception-driven systems, and large-scale package handling. He leads a team conducting groundbreaking work in robotics, supported by grants from NSF, NASA, and industry collaborators like ExxonMobil. His group emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining machine learning, topological methods, and differentiable physics modeling to advance robot capabilities in complex environments. Education details are not explicitly stated in the provided texts, but his academic career has included significant mentorship of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Key projects involve vision-driven manipulation pipelines, obstacle detection systems (PROBE), and resilient robot designs inspired by biological structures. He has been recognized for his work through prestigious awards including the NASA Early Career Grant and multiple NSF grants, as well as team achievements in robotics competitions like the Amazon Picking Challenge. Research interests span robotics subfields such as: Autonomous manipulation in cluttered environments Learning-based control for dynamic systems Topological data analysis for motion reasoning Tensegrity and soft robotics architectures Sim-to-real transfer in robotic tasks His team's work has produced open-source software tools and datasets, advancing benchmarks in manipulation and perception. Recent articles emphasize scalable solutions for industrial automation and robust navigation strategies in unstructured settings. Scientific achievements include: Development of PROBE for proprioceptive obstacle detection Advances in differentiable physics engines for tensegrity systems NSF-funded projects on robotic rearrangement and modular morphologies Advising contributions span over a decade, with current advisees focusing on topics like non-prehensile manipulation and large-scale storage optimization. Collaborations with industry (e.g., ExxonMobil) and academic partners (Yale University) reflect his commitment to applied robotics research. Labs and teams under his leadership include the Rutgers CS Robotics Group, contributing to projects like the ARIAC challenge platform and packing/industrial automation systems. Future work targets improved robot resilience in disaster scenarios and enhanced human-robot collaboration paradigms.
Raquel Fernández is Full Professor of Computational Linguistics and Dialogue Systems at the University of Amsterdam, where she leads the Dialogue Modelling Group at the Institute for Logic, Language & Computation (ILLC). As Vice-Director for Research at ILLC and a Fellow of the ELLIS Society, she bridges computational linguistics, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence through her research on language use in multimodal and conversational contexts. PhD in Computational Linguistics from King's College London Prior research positions at University of Potsdam and Stanford University's CSLI Her work explores how cognitive constraints, social interaction, and perception shape language use, with a focus on: Visually-grounded language processing Multimodal dialogue modeling Model uncertainty and calibration Language grounding in multimodal data Language learning and semantic change Dialogue reference resolution Recent publications analyze multimodal reasoning limitations, cross-lingual knowledge consistency, and uncertainty modeling in dialogue systems. She has received multiple accolades including an ERC Consolidator Grant , NWO VENI/VIDI/Aspasia fellowships , and EMNLP/GenBench awards . Outstanding Paper Award (EMNLP 2023) Best Data Award (GenBench Workshop 2023) ELLIS Society Fellow ERC Consolidator Grant #819455 recipient NWO VENI/VIDI/Aspasia awardee As a leader in academic service, she serves on the SIGDAT Executive Committee and chairs multiple conference committees. Her lab develops models for multimodal dialogue, visual storytelling, and grounded language understanding.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rüdiger Daub serves as Professor and Chair of Production Engineering and Energy Storage Systems at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), operating within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His leadership encompasses research direction, academic supervision, and strategic development of battery production technologies at TUM's Garching campus (Boltzmannstr. 15), with active industry collaborations driving innovation in sustainable manufacturing. Daub's research program pioneers advanced production methodologies for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries, focusing on electrode manufacturing, electrolyte filling, and cell assembly processes. His work investigates critical parameter interdependencies affecting battery safety and performance, developing inline monitoring systems and digital twin technologies for real-time process optimization. Key contributions include moisture control in electrode production, electrochemo-mechanical characterization of solid-state systems, and robotics solutions for deformable object assembly, all integrated with machine learning for quality assurance in industrial settings. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals a dominant research trajectory toward solving production bottlenecks in next-generation energy storage. The work demonstrates increasing integration of computational modeling with empirical validation, particularly in solid-state battery manufacturing and high-voltage electrolyte systems. A notable trend is the cross-pollination of robotics, computer vision, and uncertainty quantification techniques to address complex assembly challenges and distribution shifts in quality monitoring, reflecting industry's urgent need for adaptable, data-driven production systems. Leading TUM's specialized laboratories for battery cell production, Daub's team maintains comprehensive facilities for electrode calendering, electrolyte filling, and cell assembly with integrated tracking and tracing capabilities. The research infrastructure supports collaborative projects with automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers to develop scalable production processes, emphasizing environmental sustainability through water-based electrode production and footprint optimization. Current initiatives focus on digital factory modeling and prelithiation technologies for next-generation battery systems.
Luca Peretti is an Associate Professor in Electric Machines and Drives at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, affiliated with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Electrical Engineering, Division of Electric Power and Energy Systems. He works as a researcher in the EMD (Electric Machines and Drives) group and serves as Partner Director for KTH's strategic partnership with ABB. Education: M.Sc. in Electronic Engineering (2005) from University of Udine, Ph.D. from University of Padova (2008) Professional Experience: Postdoc at University of Padova (2009-2010), Principal Scientist at ABB Corporate Research (2010-2018), Associate Professor at KTH (2018-present) His research focuses on: Automatic parameter estimation in electric machines Multiphase drive systems Sensorless control algorithms Loss segregation in drive systems Condition monitoring of industrial and transportation applications Recent publications demonstrate expertise in variable phase-pole machines, harmonic plane decomposition, predictive control algorithms, and advanced modeling of permanent magnet motors. Key application areas include transportation electrification, wind energy systems, and industrial drive technologies. Scientific roles include: Associate Editor, IET Electric Power Applications Journal (2019-present) Theme Co-Leader, Swedish Electromobility Center (2020-present) Member, IEEE (2021-present) and IET (2006-present) He leads the strategic partnership with ABB and contributes to doctoral program committees at University of Padova.
Ron Fedkiw is the Canon Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University's School of Engineering. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from UCLA. His research focuses on computational algorithms for applications in computational fluid dynamics, computer graphics, biomechanics, and machine learning. Fedkiw has pioneered techniques for simulating natural phenomena in film and video games, earning two Academy Awards for his contributions to visual effects. He leads the PhysBAM lab and collaborates with industry through consulting roles at Epic Games and former work with Industrial Light & Magic. Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics, UCLA (1996). Notable awards include the National Academy of Science Award, Packard Fellowship, and multiple teaching honors. His lab has graduated 40 PhD students, many of whom have made significant impacts in academia and industry. Research interests span fluid dynamics, cloth simulation, facial animation, and integrating machine learning with physical models. Key contributions include algorithms for two-way fluid-solid coupling, muscle-based facial modeling, and neural network approaches for cloth and deformable bodies. Current projects explore physics-informed machine learning and real-time interactive simulations. Scientific Awards include two Oscars, PECASE, and Okawa Foundation grants. His work bridges computational physics and visual effects, with over 140 research papers and a textbook on level set methods. Advising and grants: Supervised 40 PhD students, securing funding through NSF, ONR, and industrial partnerships. Lab collaborations include SAIL (Stanford AI Lab) and Epic Games. Future work focuses on AI-driven physical simulations and biomedical applications.
Rong Zheng is a Professor in the Department of Computing and Software and a member of the School of Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University, Canada. She holds a Tier-1 Canada Research Chair in Mobile Computing and serves as Acting Chair of the Computing and Software department from July to December 2025. She is also an Associate Member of the Electrical & Computer Engineering department. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA Master of Engineering (thesis) in Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Dr. Zheng's research lies at the intersection of mobile computing, wireless networking, and machine learning, with a strong focus on applications for aging populations. She directs the NSERC Smart Mobility for the Aging Population CREATE program. Her work encompasses sensor development, wireless network design, and mobile data analytics to address real-world challenges in healthcare, mobility, and data center monitoring. She has developed innovative solutions like the MacQuest campus navigation app and has captured first prize in indoor localization competitions. Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward applying wireless sensing technologies (particularly acoustic, Wi-Fi, and mmWave) to health monitoring and mobility assessment for older adults. There's a strong emphasis on developing efficient edge computing solutions that can process data in real-time on resource-constrained devices, as exemplified by her TeamNet framework for collaborative inference on the edge. Her work bridges theoretical advances with practical applications that have social impact. Scientific Awards: Tier-1 Canada Research Chair in Mobile Computing US National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2006) Joseph Ip Distinguished Engineering Fellow (2015-2018) Dr. Zheng leads the Wireless System Research Group (WiSeR) at McMaster University, which has secured significant funding including a $1.65M NSERC CREATE grant for smart mobility research for older adults. Her research has been supported by multiple funding agencies including NSERC, NSF, UH GEAR, and DURIP. She actively mentors graduate students and has developed specialized courses including CAS 772 (Mobile Data Analytics) and CAS 781 (Mobility in the Aging Population). The WiSeR group conducts impactful research on communication, networking, and data analytics issues in Cyber Physical Systems, with applications spanning healthcare, smart infrastructure, and data center monitoring. Their work on data center infrastructure monitoring networks has been featured in EurekAlert and Data Center Dynamics, and they've made significant contributions to indoor localization technology.
Emmanuel J. Candès is the Barnum-Simons Chair in Mathematics and Statistics at Stanford University, with joint appointments in the Institute of Computational and Mathematical Engineering and as Professor of Statistics and Electrical Engineering (by courtesy). His research spans mathematical signal processing , high-dimensional statistics , and data science , focusing on compressive sensing, inverse problems, and applications to imaging sciences. 2021 IEEE Jack S. Kilby Signal Processing Medal 2020 Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research 2017 MacArthur Fellow His recent work on conformal prediction and uncertainty quantification has advanced machine learning reliability, particularly in high-dimensional settings. Publications include breakthroughs in medical imaging, gravitational wave detection, and AI validation frameworks. Key collaborations include Terence Tao (UCLA) and Justin Romberg (Georgia Tech) for IEEE Kilby Medal recognition. He serves as Co-chair of Stanford's Data Science Institute and previously as Statistics Department Chair (2016–2019).
Michal Kolesár is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Princeton University , holding this position since July 2020. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor (2014-2020) with dual appointments in Economics and the Woodrow Wilson School (2018-2020), and as Visiting Assistant Professor at MIT (2016-2017). His research focuses on econometrics , particularly causal inference , instrumental variables , nonparametric regression , and robust statistical methods . His work addresses fundamental challenges in high-dimensional data analysis, treatment effect heterogeneity, and finite-sample inference validity. Current projects include developing bias-aware methods for regularized regression and analyzing dynamic causal effects in nonlinear systems. Kolesár's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on methodological rigor with practical applications. His work spans instrumental variable techniques (addressing contamination bias, weak identification), regression discontinuity designs (discrete running variables, measurement error), and high-dimensional inference (sparsity fragility, honest confidence intervals). Key recurring themes include finite-sample optimality, coverage probability guarantees, and robustness to model misspecification. Fellow of the International Association for Applied Econometrics (2023) Journal of Econometrics best associate editor award (2023) Sloan Research Fellowship (2019) NSF grants for high-dimensional data inference (2021-2025) and nonparametric regression (2016-2019) Graduate Economics Club teaching awards (2017, 2018) As an educator, Kolesár teaches advanced econometrics courses at both undergraduate (ECO 312, ECO 313) and graduate levels (ECO 517, ECO 519, ECO 539b). He serves as Co-editor of the Journal of Business & Economic Statistics (2024-2027) and sits on editorial boards of Econometrica , American Economic Journal: Applied Economics , and others. His professional activities include extensive peer review for top journals and organization of major econometrics conferences including the 2026 Econometric Society Winter Meeting.
Howie Choset is a Professor of Robotics at the Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. He directs the Undergraduate Robotics Minor and leads the Biorobotics Laboratory, where his research focuses on snake robots, motion planning, and medical robotics. He is also affiliated with the Manufacturing Futures Institute. Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (1996) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (1995) B.S.E., Computer Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (1990) B.S., Economics, The Wharton School of Business (1990) Choset's research centers on robotics for confined and complex environments, particularly through the development of snake robots. His work integrates mechanism design, path and motion planning, and estimation to enable applications in surgery, manufacturing, infrastructure inspection, and search and rescue. He is a pioneer in medical robotics and has co-founded Medrobotics to commercialize minimally invasive surgical robots. His recent publications highlight a strong focus on ergodic exploration, multi-agent systems, motion planning under uncertainty, and medical robotics. Themes include optimizing robot trajectories for information gathering, solving complex path planning problems with dynamic obstacles, and advancing autonomous systems for disaster response and space exploration (e.g., the EELS robot for Enceladus). MIT Technology Review Top 100 Innovators under 35 (2002) Best Paper Award, RIA (1999) Best Paper Award, ICRA (2003) Best Paper, IEEE Bio Rob (2006) Best Video, ICRA (2011) Nominations for best papers at ICRA, IROS, and CLAWAR Choset has advised numerous students, many of whom have won top awards. His lab has received significant funding for robotics research, including projects in surgical robotics, additive manufacturing, and autonomous exploration. He is the lead author of the textbook Principles of Robot Motion and is actively involved in educational innovation through custom robotics labs. He leads the Biorobotics Laboratory at CMU, which develops advanced robotic systems like snake robots and the EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor) robot for NASA missions. The lab collaborates with industry and government agencies on applications ranging from surgery to space exploration.
Aaron D. Ames is the Bren Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Control and Dynamical Systems, and Aerospace at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He serves as the Booth-Kresa Leadership Chair and Director of the Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies since 2025. His academic journey includes a BS in Mechanical Engineering and BA in Mathematics from the University of St. Thomas (2001), followed by an MA in Mathematics and a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley (2006). Research Interests span theoretical and experimental work in hybrid systems, nonlinear control, and bipedal robotic locomotion. Specific focus areas include: Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) for safety-critical systems Powered prostheses and robotic assistive devices Legged locomotion for bipedal and quadrupedal robots Cyber-physical systems and autonomous control Model predictive control and real-time optimization Humanoid robotics and geometric safety filters Recent publications emphasize risk-aware control, safety verification, and locomotion on constrained environments, with applications to drones, exoskeletons, and quadrupedal robots. His work often integrates theoretical advancements with practical validation through the AMBER Lab. Scientific Awards & Honors : NSF CAREER Award (2010) Donald P. Eckman Award (2015) Leon O. Chua Award (2005) Bernard Friedman Prize (2006) Teaching includes graduate courses on nonlinear control, hybrid systems, and robotics at Caltech, alongside prior roles at Georgia Tech and Texas A&M. He leads the AMBER Lab (Bipedal Robotics) and has secured major grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and industry partners like Miso Robotics and SRI International.
Atsuo Takanishi is a distinguished Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering, with appointments in both the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology and the Department of Modern Mechanical Engineering. With over 700 publications, 10,399 citations, and an h-index of 47, Professor Takanishi has established himself as a leading figure in robotics research. His work spans multiple institutions, including visiting positions at Showa University School of Dentistry and KDDI Research, Inc. Professor Takanishi received his Doctor of Engineering degree from Waseda University in 1985, following his undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the same institution, which he completed in 1980. His academic journey began with positions as an Assistant at Waseda University (1985-1988), Lecturer (1988-1990), and Associate Professor (1990-1997) before achieving his current Professor status. Professor Takanishi's research interests center around robotics and intelligent systems, with particular expertise in humanoid robotics, surgical dentistry applications, and biomechatronics. His work demonstrates a unique integration of mechanical engineering principles with biological systems, resulting in innovative robotic platforms that mimic human capabilities. Notably, his laboratory has developed the Waseda Anthropomorphic Saxophonist Robot series and various medical training simulators that have significantly advanced the field of human-robot interaction. His research in experimental psychology complements his robotics work, particularly in human-robot interaction studies. Analysis of Professor Takanishi's recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of robotics technology, particularly in assistive devices for elderly mobility, medical training simulators, and agricultural robotics for Synecoculture environments. His work consistently bridges theoretical robotics with real-world implementation, with recent papers emphasizing reinforcement learning approaches, haptic feedback systems, and computer vision techniques for complex environments. The Waseda Anthropomorphic Saxophonist Robot series represents a culmination of decades of research in humanoid robotics and musical expression. IEEE Fellow (2020-present) Robotics Society of Japan Fellow (2012-present) Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Fellow (2007-present) Multiple Best Paper Awards from IEEE conferences (ICRA, IROS, ROMANSY) BusinessWeek Asia's Stars Bloomberg (2001) IFToMM Award of Merit (2010) Professor Takanishi has maintained extensive collaborations with research institutions worldwide, particularly with Italian institutions through the Italy-Japan Workshop series. His laboratory has secured substantial funding from Japanese government agencies including the Japan Science and Technology Agency, with particular emphasis on projects bridging robotics with medical applications and human-centered technologies. His international recognition is evidenced by his numerous visiting professorships and collaborative projects across continents. Professor Takanishi leads the Takanishi Laboratory at Waseda University, which maintains specialized facilities for humanoid robotics development, medical robotics research, and human-robot interaction studies. The laboratory has developed several notable robotic platforms including the WABIAN series of bipedal humanoid robots, the WASEDA FLUTIST ROBOT, and various medical training simulators used in clinical education settings. His work on the WASEDA SAXOPHONIST ROBOT represents a unique fusion of musical artistry and robotics engineering.
