Dr. Marcel Dettling is a Group Lead in Data Analysis and Statistics at the ZHAW School of Engineering , focusing on predictive analytics, applied statistics, and complex data analysis. He also serves as a Lecturer at ETH Zurich , teaching advanced statistical methods. Education : PhD in Mathematics (2000-2004), ETH Zurich Postdoc in Applied Statistics (2004-2006), Johns Hopkins University His research spans predictive analytics (regression, classification, time series), data mining, and applications in health economics, transportation safety, social sciences , and business analytics . Recent work includes pharmaceutical cost group analysis for Swiss healthcare and predictive maintenance for marine vessels. Selected publications highlight his expertise in flight trajectory modeling , deep learning error mitigation , and statistical frameworks for rehabilitation finance . His projects address diverse fields like crowdworking in nursing, energy optimization for shipping, and customer behavior prediction.
Dr. Wade Smith is a Senior Lecturer within the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales. He is an active member of the WAVES research group (Wear, Aeroacoustics and Vibration in Engineering Systems) and conducts his research in the Tribology and Machine Condition Monitoring laboratory. His primary research interests include vibration-based diagnostics of rotating machinery, prognostics of rotating machinery, gear wear monitoring and prediction, simulation and modeling of rotating machines for diagnostic applications, and signal processing of machine vibration signatures using cyclostationarity. His work has significant applications in industrial machinery health monitoring and predictive maintenance systems. Dr. Smith's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on advanced diagnostic techniques for rotating machinery, with particular emphasis on gear systems and bearings. His research integrates traditional mechanical engineering principles with modern signal processing and machine learning approaches to develop more effective condition monitoring solutions. He actively supervises PhD and Masters students on projects related to gear diagnostics, wear monitoring, and vibration analysis. His current research projects include gear diagnostics in planetary gearboxes using internal sensors, gear wear monitoring and prediction, sliding contact-induced vibration studies, and transmission-error-based gear diagnostics. Dr. Smith's laboratory is equipped with specialized facilities including gearbox test rigs (both planetary and parallel configurations), a rolling element bearing test rig, an engine test rig, friction rig, tribometer, high-quality microscope, and extensive instrumentation for vibration analysis. His research has attracted collaborations with institutions including Queensland University of Technology, SpectraQuest (USA), Weir Minerals, University of Technology Sydney, RWTH Aachen University (Germany), and Safran.
Sverre Steen is a Professor and Head of the Department of Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He leads the Kongsberg Maritime University Technology Centre focused on 'Ship Performance and Cyber-physical Systems' and is a member of the standing committee for the Symposium of Marine Propulsors. His research emphasizes ship propulsion, hydrodynamics, and big data analysis of in-service vessel performance. Key interests include seakeeping, high-speed marine vehicles, and model testing techniques. Steen teaches TMR 4217 Hydrodynamics of High-Speed Marine Vehicles , covering cavitation, experimental hydrodynamics, and propulsion systems. He collaborates internationally on projects like the Norwegian Ocean Technology Centre. His recent work explores wave-energy extraction via hydrofoil vessels, resistance modeling for fast ferries, and propulsion efficiency in real sea states. He has contributed to global shipping emission models (MariTEAM) and reliability analysis of structural components under vibration. Steen's publications span propulsion in waves, engine-propeller dynamics, and data-driven methods for ship performance monitoring. His applied research bridges experimental testing and computational modeling to address challenges in sustainable maritime transport and operational safety.
Professor Ingrid Bouwer Utne is a faculty member at the Department of Marine Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her primary research focuses on risk analyses of ships, marine systems, and autonomy, with emphasis on operational safety, maintenance management, and risk control in autonomous maritime technologies. Key Projects: Leader of the Risk Group at NTNU, involved in the SFI Autoship initiative and ERC AdG BREACH project addressing risk-based rationality in autonomous systems. Research Interests: Autonomous systems design, probabilistic risk assessment, safety engineering, and risk-informed decision-making for marine operations. Grants & Funding: Secured funding from the Research Council of Norway, MAROFF, and industry partners for projects like ORCAS (Online Risk Management for Autonomous Ships) and UNLOCK (Supervisory Risk Control). She supervises numerous PhD students and postdocs, focusing on topics such as autonomous vessel navigation, risk modeling for underwater robotics, and decarbonization of maritime systems. Her work bridges theoretical risk analysis with practical applications in marine autonomy and safety systems.
Amir R. Nejad is a Professor at the Department of Marine Technology, NTNU, and leads the Marine Energy Systems and Autonomics (MESA) research group. He chairs the EAWE WindEurope Scientific Track Committee and co-founded the Drivetrain Technical Committee at the European Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE). He is also involved in ISO committees, editorial boards of journals like Wind Energy Science , and contributes to standards for offshore wind energy. Education: Ph.D. in Marine Technology, NTNU (top 10% international ranking) M.Sc. Subsea Engineering, University of Aberdeen (Distinction) B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, Tehran University (Honors) Research Interests: Focus on stochastic and reliability-based design, dynamic modeling of electro-mechanical systems, fault detection, and condition monitoring in marine and offshore renewable energy applications. Key areas include wind turbine drivetrains, floating offshore systems, and digital twin technology. Awards: 2x Best Lecturer, NTNU (2015-2016, 2019-2020) Best Poster Award, Torque Conference 2016 Nowitech Ph.D. Fellowship, 2012-2015 Advising & Grants: Supervises Ph.D. students in drivetrain design and offshore systems. Leads projects on marine system dynamics and vibration through the MD Lab. Collaborates with industry on drivetrain testing and reliability. Labs & Teams: Director of the Marine System Dynamics and Vibration Lab (MD Lab), fostering innovation in offshore renewable energy systems and digital twin applications.
James S. Noble is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Missouri, where he also serves as the MU Site Director for the NSF I/UCRC Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution (CELDi). His work bridges academia and industry through applied research in logistics, supply chain, and integrated production systems. PhD, Purdue University MS, Purdue University BS, University of Oklahoma Dr. Noble's research focuses on logistics and distribution , supply chain system design , and integrated production systems , with applications ranging from humanitarian logistics to intelligent warehouse systems. His work emphasizes modeling, analysis, and optimization of material flow and transportation systems. The 15 most recent articles reflect a consistent trajectory in logistics systems analysis , supply chain modeling , and material flow improvement . These publications demonstrate a strong integration of operations research, systems engineering, and real-world problem-solving, with applications in energy, transportation, humanitarian aid, and industrial logistics. Keywords span Operations Research , Supply Chain Management , and Industrial Engineering , while sub-fields include Bayesian forecasting, reverse logistics, winter road maintenance, and intelligent systems. Dr. Noble has been recognized with several prestigious awards: Society of Manufacturing Engineers Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineering Award (1997) William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence (2022) Win Horner Award for Innovative Writing Intensive Teaching (2014) Elected Fellow of the Institute for Industrial and Systems Engineering (IISE) (2019) His research has been generously funded by the National Science Foundation , Bayer , Boeing , Hallmark Cards , Honeywell FMT , Medline , Ameren , UMB Financial , the U.S. Economic Development Administration , the Midwest Transportation Consortium , and the Missouri Department of Transportation . While specific advisees are not listed, his leadership in CELDi and role as department chair suggest extensive mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students in real-world logistics projects. He is also a registered Professional Engineer in Missouri. As MU Site Director for CELDi, Dr. Noble leads a multidisciplinary team of faculty from Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography, and Biological Engineering, collaborating with over 30 industry, military, and government partners to solve real-world logistics challenges and develop implementable, cutting-edge solutions.
Matthew Petering is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His work bridges operations research with real-world applications in logistics, transportation, and political redistricting. He holds a PhD in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan (2007), an MS from the same program (2003), and a BA in Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis (1999). His research focuses on optimizing complex systems: from seaport container terminals to university course scheduling, and recently developing the FastMap algorithm for unbiased political redistricting. His algorithm was central to Wisconsin Supreme Court litigation in 2023-2024, submitting proposals for legislative maps that balanced fairness and operational efficiency. Dr. Petering has pioneered board game designs like Distrix (2020), which won international awards, and authored The Distrix Puzzle Book . His peer-reviewed work spans over 30 publications in journals like Transportation Science , European Journal of Operational Research , and International Journal of Production Economics . Key contributions include: Algorithmic solutions for container shipping and rail logistics Cyclic production planning models Real-time location management systems for distribution facilities Emergency evacuation modeling His FastMap redistricting system was recognized with the 2024 INFORMS Practitioner Poster Competition award. Dr. Petering frequently advises governmental bodies and judicial proceedings on redistricting methodology and logistics optimization.
Heikki Handroos is a Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering at LUT University, leading the Laboratory of Intelligent Machines since 1993. He holds a DSc (Technology) from Tampere University of Technology and has served as Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Technology (2007-2009) and currently chairs the Collegiate Body of LUT University. His research focuses on mechatronics, robotics, control systems, and fluid power, with over 300 publications and 2,400+ citations. He has supervised 34 doctoral theses and 150+ MSc projects, managed R&D projects exceeding €20M, and co-founded four tech startups. His work spans industrial collaborations, digital twin applications, and innovative robotics for nuclear energy (e.g., DEMO reactor maintenance systems). He has held visiting professorships in the U.S., Japan, and Russia, and actively contributes to academic editorial roles and professional societies like ASME and IEEE.
Lokukaluge Prasad Perera is a Professor in Maritime Technology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and a Senior Research Scientist in Smart Data at SINTEF Digital . He holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University (1999), MSc in Systems & Controls from the same institution (2001), and a PhD in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Technical University of Lisbon (2012). His research focuses on Maritime and Offshore Systems , Advanced Data Analytics , Autonomous Navigation , Energy Efficiency , and Digital Twin Applications . He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and was recognized in the World's Top 2% Scientists (2021-2022) by Stanford University. Key professional experiences include roles at SINTEF Ocean (2014–2017), Center for Marine Technology and Engineering in Portugal (2008–2012), and Wärtsilä Finland (2012–2014). He has also held academic positions at Naval & Maritime Academy and Ocean University of Sri Lanka . His work addresses challenges in emission reduction , renewable energy integration , and safety-critical systems for maritime operations. Current projects emphasize trustworthiness of autonomous ships and data-driven decision frameworks for energy efficiency.
Hans Petter Hildre is Head of Department at the Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering , part of the Faculty of Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His work focuses on maritime engineering, digital twin technology, and marine operations. Research interests include: Digital Twin Applications in Maritime Industry Offshore Operations and Wind Turbine Installation Marine Robotics and Autonomous Systems Wave Field Estimation and Environmental Load Analysis Human-Machine Interaction in Maritime Contexts Co-simulation and Real-time Monitoring Recent publications highlight trends in: Wave shielding effects for offshore vessels Knowledge transfer from automotive/aviation to maritime Crane path planning using digital twins Visual attention zone recognition systems Hydrodynamic modeling and sensitivity analysis Smart city-maritime integration Scientific collaborations span institutions including: European Commission (Future Skills Reports) Royal Institution of Naval Architects The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) IEEE Transactions on multiple domains Springer Publishing
Dr. Zhenzhou Wang is a Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the CERN-STFC HL-LHC Project. His research focuses on lightweight materials for liquid hydrogen storage systems in aircraft and ships, composite material modeling, and AI-driven multi-objective optimization. He is a member of the Energy Technology Group and has held roles such as Guest Editor for Polymers (2021-2023). Notable achievements include receiving the Dean's Award (2024) twice. His work integrates analytical and numerical methods to address challenges in aerospace materials, cryogenic testing, and structural optimization. Recent studies include evaluating thermoplastic polymers for cryogenic sealing, thermal fatigue effects on composites, and deployable composite boom design frameworks. Collaborations involve researchers from institutions like CERN and industry partners. Affiliations: University of Southampton (CERN-STFC HL-LHC Project), Energy Technology Group Key Projects: Liquid hydrogen fuel storage systems, spacecraft lightweight materials, AI optimization algorithms Awards: Dean's Award (2024)
Athanasios Kolios serves as Professor and Head of the Structural Integrity and Loads Assessment section within the Department of Wind and Energy Systems at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His work focuses on advancing wind energy technology through structural analysis, materials science, and system optimization for both onshore and offshore applications. His primary research domains include wind turbine structural integrity, offshore wind farm layout optimization, and structural health monitoring systems. He investigates critical challenges in operation and maintenance strategies, techno-economic metrics for wind projects, and materials behavior under dynamic loading conditions. His fingerprint analysis reveals dominant expertise in Wind Turbine Engineering (100%), Offshore Wind Turbines Engineering (45%), and Offshore Wind Farms Engineering (36%). Recent publications demonstrate strong emphasis on data-driven approaches for wind energy systems, including structural optimization algorithms, virtual sensing techniques, and techno-economic assessments of offshore projects. His work consistently bridges theoretical engineering principles with practical industry applications, particularly in Brazilian and European offshore wind contexts. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards were documented in the provided information Professor Kolios actively supervises five PhD candidates across major research initiatives while mentoring Master's students in structural wind energy applications. His research portfolio includes six significant projects addressing critical industry needs: PhD Supervision: Chopard (anomaly interpretation), Piovesan (risk-based technology qualification), Yildirim (floating turbine uncertainty), Rodrigues Faria (autonomous operation), Al-Hagri (offshore structure maintenance) Master's Supervision: Rushil S. Mahajan (monopile buckling analysis) Current Projects: Decision support systems, life cycle cost modeling, floating wind turbine modeling, autonomous operation frameworks, sustainable offshore structure design As section head at DTU Wind and Energy Systems, he leads an internationally collaborative research group focused on structural integrity assessment, load prediction methodologies, and materials innovation for next-generation wind turbines. The team maintains strong industry partnerships and contributes to global wind energy standards development through participation in initiatives like ISSC.
Eric C. van Berkum is a Full Professor at the Digital Society Institute and Transport Engineering and Management. His research spans Artificial Intelligence, Mobility and Transport, and Intelligent Transport Systems, with a focus on optimizing traffic networks, public transport efficiency, and railway maintenance scheduling. He contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to environmental resilience and social safety in transport systems. Expertise in Equilibrium Traffic Models and Stochastic Modelling Active in Data Mining, Machine Learning, and Network Analysis Key themes: Dynamic Traffic Management, Infrastructure Optimization, and Passenger Behavior His recent work addresses railway maintenance scheduling, shared demand-responsive transit, and passenger rerouting in capacitated systems. He has received a Best Paper Award (2017) and served on editorial boards, including Tijdschrift vervoerswetenschap (2014–2017). He organized the E-COST Summer School on Autonomous Road Transport Systems (2014) and contributed to IEEE conferences as a program committee member.
Iraklis Lazakis is a Reader in Maritime Operations and Maintenance at the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering (NAOME), within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. He joined the university as a PhD researcher in 2007 and began his academic career in 2011, establishing himself as a key figure in maritime systems research and education. His research interests span a broad range of topics including ship operations, systems maintenance and reliability, condition monitoring, risk and asset management, shipyard productivity, and offshore renewable energy systems (wind, wave, and tidal). His work bridges academic theory with industrial application, drawing from his 8 years of prior industry experience in maritime surveys, accident investigations, and ship repairs. The trends in his recent publications reflect a strong focus on data-driven and digital solutions for sustainable maritime operations. Key themes include the development of simulation and optimization tools, application of virtual reality for safety, cost reduction in offshore wind O&M, and decarbonization strategies such as onboard CO2 capture. His work increasingly integrates AI, digital twins, and human factors to enhance system performance and crew wellbeing. He has received numerous accolades, including: SNAME Faculty Advisor of the Year (2024) SNAME WES Best Paper Award (2023) Multiple Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Certificates of Excellence (2020, 2022) Laureate of the Franz Edelman Award (2012) ISSC Committee IV.2 Membership (2012–2015) Lazakis actively supervises undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students, and leads or contributes to a wide portfolio of research and knowledge exchange projects. His recent projects include decarbonizing UK shipping, structural surveys of vessels like Calmac and the Royal Yacht Britannia, and development of low-cost underwater gliders. He plays a strategic role in supporting colleagues with funding applications, publications, and industry collaboration. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable energy and industry innovation.
Amir R. Nejad is a Professor in the Department of Marine Technology at NTNU, leading the Marine Energy Systems and Autonomics (MESA) research group. He holds roles such as Chair of the EAWE WindEurope Scientific Track Committee and co-chair of the Drivetrain Technical Committee at the European Academy of Wind Energy (EAWE). His research focuses on stochastic design, reliability-based operation, dynamic modeling, and fault detection in marine and offshore renewable systems. Nejad is an editorial board member for journals like Wind Energy Science and Ocean Engineering , and a member of ISO committees on drivetrain health monitoring. Education: PhD in Marine Technology, NTNU (2015) MSc Subsea Engineering, University of Aberdeen (2012) BSc Mechanical Engineering, Tehran University (2009) His research interests emphasize offshore wind drivetrain reliability, condition monitoring, and digital twin applications. Recent work includes studies on blade bearing fatigue estimation, SCADA-based lifetime extension of drivetrains, and wake steering techniques in floating wind farms. Key awards include multiple 'Best Lecturer' honors at NTNU and international conference recognitions. His research has been supported by grants such as the Nowitech Fellowship and DNV Education Fund. Key Projects: Marine System Dynamics and Vibration Lab (MD Lab) oversees projects on wind turbine drivetrains, floating offshore systems, and digital twin integration. Lab/Teams: MD Lab focuses on advancing marine energy systems through experimental and computational studies.
