Katja Hose is a Full Professor of Data Management at TU Wien's DBAI research unit, heading the Data Management and Knowledge-Driven AI Lab. She previously held a Poul Due Jensen Foundation Professorship at Aalborg University. Her research focuses on data and knowledge engineering, including graph databases, knowledge graphs, querying, analytics, and machine learning, with interdisciplinary applications in bioscience, healthcare, and environmental assessment. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Ilmenau University of Technology, 2009), Postdoc at Max Planck Institute for Informatics (2009–2012). Academic roles include Program Co-Chair for ISWC 2024 and EDBT 2023, and editorial board membership at VLDBJ and TGDK. She leads projects like TARGET (health virtual twins) and ARMADA (data management). Research Interests: Knowledge Graphs, Semantic Web, Big Data, Machine Learning, Data Integration, and Provenance Systems. Key contributions include SHACL shape extraction, conversational data analytics, and environmental knowledge graphs. Awards include the 2025 Distinguished Meta-Reviewer Award and 2024 Manfred Paul Award. Advising and Grants: Supervised students including E. Pürmayr (Diploma Thesis 2025). Active in EU projects (TARGET, ARMADA) and grant coordination. Labs/Teams: DMKI Lab at TU Wien, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in healthcare and environmental science.
Dr. Yunjie Yang is an Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering, with affiliations at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), the Edinburgh Generative AI Laboratory (GAIL), and the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics. He previously held the Chancellor's Fellow in Data Driven Innovation (2018-2023) and Bayes Innovation Fellow (2023-2024) positions. His research focuses on AI-powered sensing and imaging, machine learning, and soft sensors & electronics for robotics. Yang received his PhD in Engineering Electronics from the University of Edinburgh, MSc in Control Science & Engineering from Tsinghua University, and BEng in Measurement & Control Engineering from Anhui University. After his PhD, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Chemical Species Tomography before securing his lectureship. His research interests center on developing intelligent sensing systems that replicate human perception capabilities for robotics and intelligent systems. He pioneers flexible sensing and imaging technologies across various scales through innovative multi-modal sensors, soft electronics, and their modeling using machine learning approaches. His work aims to enable autonomous physical artificial intelligence by bridging the gap between robotic systems and human-like perception. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on soft robotics perception, particularly through electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and transformer-based architectures. His research spans medical imaging applications, digital twin modeling for industrial processes, and machine learning approaches for sensor data interpretation. The trend shows increasing integration of physics-informed deep learning with traditional tomographic techniques to achieve higher accuracy and efficiency. European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant (2024) IEEE J. Barry Oakes Advancement Award (2024) IEEE I&M Society Graduate Fellowship Award (2015) Multiple Best Paper Awards Senior Member of IEEE Fellow of the International Society for Industrial Process Tomography Fellow of the Higher Education Academy ESI highly cited papers Dr. Yang serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement and holds editorial positions with Scientific Reports and IEEE Sensors Journal. His research has been licensed to overseas research institutes and industry partners and received wide media coverage including BBC, EFE, USA Today, and STV. He has secured significant grant funding including the prestigious ERC Starting Grant. He leads the Edinburgh SMART Lab (Sensing/imaging + Machine Learning + Robotics), which aims to replicate human perception capabilities for robotics and advance flexible sensing technologies through innovative multi-modal sensors and machine learning approaches. The lab focuses on enabling autonomous physical artificial intelligence with applications spanning medical diagnostics, industrial monitoring, and advanced robotics systems.
Peng Shige is a Professor of 1st class at the School of Mathematics, Shandong University, China. He has held the Distinguished Professor title under the Ministry of Education (Cheung Kong Scholarship) since 1999. His academic journey includes degrees from Shandong University (Physics diploma, 1971-1974), Paris-IX (1985), and Aix-Marseille University (PhD 1986, Habilitation 1992). Research focuses on nonlinear expectations, stochastic calculus, partial differential equations, and financial mathematics. Key contributions include foundational work on backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs), the g-expectation framework, and the G-expectation theory extending probability axioms to nonlinear settings. These innovations have advanced stochastic control, financial risk modeling, and differential games. Honors include the 2020 Future Science Award, 2011 Princeton Global Scholar, and 2005 Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician status. He delivered a plenary lecture at the 2010 International Congress of Mathematicians. Peng's work integrates theoretical breakthroughs with applied domains like financial engineering. His research has been widely cited (~8k citations) and shaped modern stochastic analysis methodologies.
Karl-Theodor Sturm is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Bonn, holding this position since 1997. He is affiliated with the Institute for Applied Mathematics and leads the Cluster of Excellence Hausdorff Center for Mathematics. His academic journey includes a PhD (1989) and habilitation (1993) from the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, followed by postdoctoral positions at Zurich, Erlangen-Nürnberg, and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (MPI Leipzig). He has held visiting professorships at Stanford, Toulouse, Paris, and Bonn. Sturm's research focuses on stochastic analysis and geometric analysis, particularly in optimal transport, metric measure spaces, synthetic curvature bounds, and diffusion processes. His work on synthetic Ricci curvature bounds, developed in competition with Cédric Villani, has been highly influential. He received the ERC Advanced Grant (2016-2022) for research on metric measure spaces and Ricci curvature, and was a Plenary Speaker at the 2020 European Congress of Mathematics. His leadership roles include Vice Chairman of Collaborative Research Center SFB 611 (2002–2012), Managing Director of the Institute for Applied Mathematics (2007–2010), and Coordinator of the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics (2012–2019). Awards include the Heisenberg Fellowship (1994) and recognition through numerous invited lectures and editorial roles. His mentorship has shaped the careers of prominent researchers such as Nicola Gigli and Jan Maas.
Julian Jauk is a Researcher at the Institute for Architecture and Media, TU Graz. His work focuses on innovative material systems, digital fabrication, and sustainable architectural design. He explores the integration of clay composites, mycelium-based materials, and knitted structures with advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing. Key research themes include lightweight ceramic structures, biocomposite materials, and computational design methodologies. His research emphasizes material-driven innovation, structural optimization, and environmental sustainability. Notable projects include MyCera (clay-mycelium composites) and ClayKnit (3D-printed clay-knitted hybrids). He also investigates mixed reality tools for architectural sketching and kinetic architectural prototypes. Publications from 2021–2024 highlight trends in bio-based materials, additive manufacturing, and material-property analysis. His work bridges traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital fabrication, aiming to redefine sustainable building practices.
Johannes A. Lercher is a full Professor of Chemistry at the Technische Universität München (TUM) since 1998 and Director of the Institute for Integrated Catalysis at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, USA. He also holds the title of Battelle Fellow at PNNL and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis. Education Diplom Ingenieur (summa cum laude), Technische Universität Wien, 1978 Dr. techn. (summa cum laude), Technische Universität Wien, 1980 Postdoctoral researcher, Yale University, 1982 Venia docendi (Habilitation), Technische Universität Wien, 1985 Research Interests Prof. Lercher’s research focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of heterogeneous catalysis. His team elucidates elementary reaction steps on solid catalyst surfaces using advanced in-situ spectroscopic techniques, including IR, Raman, solid-state NMR, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Major themes include the catalytic valorization of biomass, selective methane functionalization, hydrocarbon processing over zeolites and mesoporous materials, and the design of hierarchically structured catalysts that combine shape selectivity with optimized transport properties. Scientific Awards & Honors Alwin-Mittasch-Preis (2021) David Trimm and Noel Cant Lectureship Award (2017) ENI Award for Hydrocarbons (2016) R. B. Anderson Award (2015/2016) Kozo Tanabe Award for Acid Base Catalysis (2013) Francois Gault Lectureship Robert Burwell Lectureship (North American Catalysis Society) Elected Member: Austrian Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea, European Academy of Sciences Honorary Professor: Chinese Academy of Sciences institutes (Dalian, Qingdao) and China University of Petroleum Leadership & Service Prof. Lercher has held numerous leadership roles including Dean of the Chemistry Department at TUM (2000–2003), Member of the TUM Senate (2003–2007), President of the International Zeolite Association (2001–2004), and current President of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis and serves on the editorial boards of multiple catalysis journals.
Giovanni De Micheli is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at EPF Lausanne, Switzerland. He also serves as Director of the Integrated Systems Centre and the Institute of Electrical Engineering at EPFL, and chairs the Scientific Committee of CSEM in Neuchatel. Previously, he held academic roles at Stanford University for 18 years, including Full Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. His research spans synthesis of digital circuits, hardware/software co-design, low-power design, and Networks on Chip (NoC) technology. 2003: IEEE Emanuel Piore Award 2000: Golden Jubilee Medal of the IEEE CAS Society 2000: ACM Fellow 1994: IEEE Fellow 1990: IEEE/CS Distinguished Service Award 1988: NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award His seminal contributions include pioneering C-based synthesis and Boolean matching algorithms for digital circuits, foundational work in dynamic power management using stochastic control, and the development of Network-on-Chip (NoC) technology. His publications, such as "Networks on Chips: A New SoC Paradigm" and "Dynamic Power Management for Portable Systems" , have shaped modern SoC design practices. With over 400 technical articles, 9 books, and an H-index of 56, his work remains highly influential.
Marc Pollefeys is a Full Professor of Computer Science at ETH Zurich and Director of the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Zurich Lab. He has held roles such as Visiting Professor at Stanford University (2007) and Assistant/Associate Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill (2002–2009). His research focuses on 3D computer vision, robotics, machine learning, and augmented reality. Education: PhD in Computer Science from KU Leuven (1999), followed by postdoctoral research there until 2002. He transitioned to academic roles at UNC-Chapel Hill before joining ETH Zurich in 2007. Research interests include 3D reconstruction, visual localization, SLAM, and applications in archaeology, urban modeling, and robotics. Notable projects include real-time 3D scanning, city-scale reconstruction, and autonomous vision-based drones. Key awards include ACM Fellow (2022), IEEE Fellow (2012), and ERC Starting Grant (2008). He advises numerous PhD students and collaborates with institutions like Google and Microsoft. Labs and teams: Leads the Computer Vision and Geometry (CVG) lab at ETH Zurich and directs the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Lab. His work bridges academia and industry, focusing on perception for mixed reality and autonomous systems.
Professor Robert Eason is a leading academic at the University of Southampton, specializing in photonics and laser technology. His research spans interdisciplinary areas combining Machine Learning , Medical Diagnostics , and Microfluidics . Research Interests : Eason focuses on AI-driven laser applications, including deep learning for phototherapy , autonomous laser machining , and low-cost paper-based diagnostic devices . His work bridges photonics with biomedicine and advanced manufacturing. Recent Publications : His 2025 article in Scientific Reports explores AI simulations for psoriasis treatment, while 2024-2022 works address laser-controlled microfluidics, deep learning in microscopy, and reinforcement learning for laser machining. Supervision : He supervises PhD student Georgia Mourkioti in laser-based research projects. External Roles : Eason has served as a speaker at international conferences including the International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication (2018), LAISER (2019), and Deep Learning for Control of Light-Matter Interactions (2022).
Johannes Brandstetter is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Machine Learning at Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) where he leads the "AI for data-driven simulations" research group. He is also Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Emmi AI, bridging academic research with industrial applications in AI-driven physics simulation. Brandstetter earned his PhD after working at CERN's CMS experiment on Higgs boson physics. In 2018, he transitioned to machine learning, joining Sepp Hochreiter's research group in Linz. From 2021-2023, he worked at the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab under Max Welling and Microsoft Research, developing expertise in Geometric Deep Learning and neural surrogates for partial differential equations. He returned to JKU in October 2023 to establish his own research group. His research spans Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Physics-Informed Machine Learning with focus areas including Neural PDE solvers, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Climate Modeling. Brandstetter believes AI is poised to revolutionize industrial-scale simulations, potentially saving thousands of compute hours across engineering domains. His work integrates computer vision, numerical simulation, and engineering components to advance data-driven approaches. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward foundation models for scientific applications, particularly in atmospheric modeling (Aurora), geometric deep learning, and neural surrogates for complex physical systems. His interdisciplinary work spans computer vision, climate science, computational physics, and engineering, demonstrating the versatility of his research approach. Principal Investigator for "AlKa-DL: Alpine karst spring discharge prediction" (FWF-funded, 2024-2027) Principal Investigator for Cluster of Excellence "Bilateral Artificial Intelligence" (FWF-funded, 2024-2029) Co-PI for "Fast, efficient and flexible CFD simulation through generative AI" (FFG-funded, 2025-2026) As an educator and researcher, Brandstetter actively engages with the scientific community through invited talks at major conferences including presentations on "Closing the Gap Between Scientific Foundation Models and Real-World Applications" (March 2025) and "Scientific Machine Learning for Science and Engineering" (February 2025).
Institute of Science and Technology AustriaAustria
Sylvain Lefebvre is a permanent researcher at INRIA (Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique) in France, where he leads the MFX research team since 2018. Previously, he was part of the ALICE group at INRIA Nancy (2009-2018) and the REVES team in Sophia Antipolis (2006-2009). His career includes a postdoctoral position at Microsoft Research Seattle (2005) following his PhD at INRIA Rhones-Alpes under Fabrice Neyret. His educational background includes a PhD in Computer Graphics from Université Joseph Fourier (Grenoble) in 2005, preceded by a Master in Computer Graphics from INP Grenoble in 2001. His habilitation thesis focused on Runtime Texture Synthesis. Lefebvre's research centers on simplifying content creation for highly detailed patterns, structures, and shapes with applications spanning Computer Graphics to additive manufacturing. He develops fast, controllable by-example synthesis approaches that generate content while enforcing user-specified constraints. His work addresses computational challenges through novel data structures and algorithms optimized for GPUs and FPGAs, including his Silice programming language. The ERC-funded ShapeForge project (2012-2017) advanced shape generation for 3D printing, leading to the IceSL software for digital modeling and fabrication. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on additive manufacturing optimization, with recurring themes in structural integrity, material efficiency, and geometric algorithms. His work bridges computer graphics theory with practical fabrication constraints, particularly in microstructure design, slicing techniques, and mechanical metamaterials. The interdisciplinary nature spans computer science, materials engineering, and robotics. EUROGRAPHICS Young Researcher Award (2010) ERC Starting Grant for ShapeForge project (2012) Lefebvre has advised over 25 PhD students and interns including Marco Freire, Thibault Tricard, and Jimmy Etienne. His ShapeForge project received significant ERC funding, supporting research in computational fabrication. He serves on numerous program committees including SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, and SIGGRAPH Asia, reflecting his leadership in the computer graphics community. As leader of the MFX team since 2018, Lefebvre directs research in computational fabrication, focusing on IceSL software development for 3D printing workflows. The team integrates computer graphics techniques with manufacturing constraints, developing tools that simplify complex object design and fabrication while addressing real-world challenges in material usage and structural integrity.
Camillo De Lellis is a Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study since July 2018, with a distinguished career spanning multiple institutions including the University of Zürich, where he served as Full Professor from 2005 and Assistant Professor in 2004. Prior to that, he held postdoctoral positions at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (Leipzig) and ETH Zürich. Research Interests encompass calculus of variations , geometric measure theory , partial differential equations , and incompressible fluid dynamics . His work bridges deep analytical techniques with geometric insights, particularly in understanding regularity theory for area-minimizing surfaces and anomalous dissipation in fluid flows. Publications highlight groundbreaking contributions to geometric analysis and fluid dynamics, including regularity theory for currents, Onsager's conjecture, and convex integration methods for Euler equations. These works span subfields like center manifold theory , blow-up analysis , Hölder continuous flows , and Q-valued functions . Scientific Awards Maryam Mirzakhani Prize (2022) Feltrinelli Prize (2021) Bôcher Memorial Prize (2020) Caccioppoli Prize (2014) Stampacchia Medal (2009)
Mohamed-Slim Alouini is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Associate Dean of the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. He also serves as the Associate Vice President for Research and holds the UNESCO Chair in Education to Connect the Unconnected. With over 500 journal publications and more than 46,000 citations, he is a world-renowned expert in wireless communications who was elected IEEE Fellow in 2009 at the age of 39. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), 1998 MS in Electrical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), 1995 Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies (DEA) in Electronics, Université Pierre & Marie Curie (Sorbonne University), 1993 Diplôme d'Ingénieur, École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (Télécom Paris Tech), 1993 Habilitation, Université Pierre & Marie Curie (Sorbonne University), 2003 Dr. Alouini is a world-renowned expert in wireless communication and networking with research interests spanning diversity combining techniques, MIMO systems, multi-hop/cooperative communications, optical wireless systems, cognitive radio, UAV communications, and advanced modulation schemes. His current focus addresses the technical challenges of uneven information and communication technology distribution, particularly targeting rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas through integrated ground-airborne-space networks. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations to solve real-world connectivity problems. His recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate a clear research trajectory toward integrated communication networks combining terrestrial, aerial, and space components. There's growing emphasis on UAV communications, satellite systems, optical wireless technologies, and rural connectivity solutions, with increasing integration of machine learning techniques for network optimization. His work shows consistent focus on addressing the digital divide, with several publications specifically targeting 6G challenges for connecting underserved populations and recycling existing infrastructure for enhanced rural connectivity. Scientific Awards: Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2019) Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (2018) IEEE Fellow (2009) Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers (2016) OIC Science & Technology Achievement Award (2017) Multiple recognitions as Highly Cited Researcher NSF CAREER Award (1999) Dr. Alouini has mentored numerous successful students and post-doctoral fellows who have secured positions at top institutions worldwide including Harvard, Caltech, Imperial College, and faculty positions at Korea University, Hanyang University, and universities across the Middle East. His December 2018 PhD graduate Qurrat-Ul-Ain Nadeem received the prestigious Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholars award, while post-doctoral fellows have won IEEE ComSoc Young Professionals Best Innovation Award and attended the Lindau Nobel Meeting. His Communication Theory Lab at KAUST drives significant research in wireless communications with funding supporting extensive publication output and innovative projects. Dr. Alouini leads the Communication Theory Lab at KAUST and holds the UNESCO Chair in Education to Connect the Unconnected, focusing specifically on technical solutions for connecting underserved communities. His lab works on integrated ground-airborne-space networks to bridge the digital divide, with particular emphasis on rural, low-income, and hard-to-reach areas. The team develops practical solutions using UAVs, satellite communications, and recycled infrastructure to provide cost-effective connectivity where traditional approaches fail.
Prof. Joachim Schöberl is a faculty member at TU Wien's Faculty of Mathematics and Geoinformation, leading the Scientific Computing and Modelling research group. His academic career includes roles as a university professor (Univ.Prof.) with engineering and technical doctorates (Dipl.-Ing., Dr.techn.). Research focuses on advanced numerical methods, including finite element methods, computational fluid dynamics, and partial differential equations. He has pioneered high-order schemes for fluid-structure interaction, shell mechanics, and electromagnetic simulations. Notable contributions include the NGSolve finite element library and innovative approaches to curvature approximation in discrete geometry. Recent work emphasizes nonlinear elasticity modeling, fractional diffusion problems, and shape optimization for biomembranes. His team collaborates on projects like metascreen upscaling, micromorphic continuum models, and eddy current simulations in laminated materials. Prof. Schöberl advises PhD students researching mixed finite element methods, fractional operators, and computational mechanics. His lab develops open-source tools for high-performance scientific computing.
Isabel Gabbe , University Professor of Piano & Piano Didactics at Mozarteum University Salzburg's Innsbruck Department since 2016, is a German-French pianist and music educator with extensive international experience. She heads the Music Education Department and contributes to artistic higher education through her work with the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) and the Austrian Society for Music and Medicine (ÖGFMM). Studied with Hans Leygraf and Rainer Becker Certified music physiologist Founder of "Moments Musicaux" festival in France Active in teacher training across Europe and South America Her research focuses on music education , physiological piano teaching methods , and musicians' health . Isabel integrates creative approaches to piano instruction for children, emphasizing cross-cultural communication through music. Her recent work explores alternative keyboard techniques and inclusive pedagogy. Professor Gabbe's publications analyze piano didactics, including " Alles ist erlaubt, nur nicht Alles spielen! " on practical repertoire use and " Musizieren lernen? Ein Kinderspiel! " on playful learning approaches. She contributes to Schott Verlag's "Üben&Musizieren" series and Waxmann Verlag's music education publications. Scientific recognitions include: German Music Council Artist List (2000) EPTA Austria Vice Chair (2018–present) Deutsche Tonkünstlerverband Deputy Chair (2015–2023) Richard Wagner Association Stipend (2002) Aspen Music Festival Stipend (1995,1996) Isabel Gabbe actively mentors educators through workshops and masterclasses across Europe and South America, focusing on sustainable teaching practices and physiological approaches to piano instruction. She has participated in numerous festivals and serves on academic committees for music education curricula.
