Mark J. Schnitzer is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor at Stanford University, with primary faculty appointments in the Departments of Biology, Applied Physics, and Neurosurgery within the School of Humanities and Sciences . He co-directs Stanford's Cracking the Neural Code Program and holds affiliations with the Bio-X , Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute , and multiple graduate programs. Research focuses on neural circuit dynamics and optical imaging innovations for studying learning, memory, and motor behaviors in awake animals Develops high-resolution fluorescence microscopes and miniaturized imaging systems for clinical translation Scientific contributions include: 2019 Nature Methods Method of the Year for miniature fluorescence microscope HHMI Investigator (2008) NIH Director's Pioneer Award (2007) Allen Distinguished Investigator Award (2010) Teaching roles include: Advanced Imaging Lab in Biophysics (APPPHYS 232/BIO 132) Introduction to Biophysics (APPPHYS 205/BIO 126) Multiple independent study and graduate research courses Laboratory affiliations span biomedical engineering , neuroscience , and molecular imaging initiatives at Stanford.
Dr. Manuj Yadav is a Post Doctoral Researcher at the Chair for Hearing Technology and Acoustics , RWTH Aachen University, Germany. His work focuses on acoustic virtual reality , room acoustics , and psychoacoustics with applications in workplace environments, auditorium design, and vocal performance studies. Research Themes : Auditory distraction in open-plan offices, autophonic perception, speech intelligibility metrics, and retroreflective architectural design Projects : Involved in the Priority Program SPP2236 - AUDICTIVE (Auditory Cognition in Interactive Virtual Environments) Recent publications analyze indoor environmental quality in hybrid workspaces, biophilic sound interventions for stress recovery, and acoustic retroreflection in modern and historical architecture. His experimental studies employ auralization techniques and virtual reality to simulate real-world acoustic environments for empirical testing. Key Collaborations : RWTH Aachen University’s Institute of Hearing Technology and Acoustics (IHTA), University of New South Wales Technical Expertise : Acoustic measurement protocols, ISO 3382-3 compliance, binaural simulation systems
Carlo Gioia is a PhD researcher at Kunstuniversität Linz and Research Assistant at the Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST) at Polytechnic University of Turin. He serves as an external lecturer in Film and Media Engineering, teaching Interactive Media courses and delivering lectures on New Media Art and (S)low Technologies across multiple institutions including the University of Turin and A. Casella Conservatory. Educational Background: Master's degree in Cinema and Media Engineering from Polytechnic University of Turin Currently pursuing PhD at Kunstuniversität Linz Carlo investigates the intersection of art, science, technology, and marginal territories, examining computational cultures, landscape ecologies, and collective agency. His research engages strategies such as salvage, patchwork, and redundancy, exploring experimental models of (s)low-tech and benign computing that prioritize sustainability, accessibility, and the right to opacity in digital interactions. He approaches computation as a fragmented, relational, and context-aware practice deeply embedded within social and local fabrics, rejecting linearity in favor of iterative and collectively negotiated alternatives of experimental knowledge. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on rural technologies, sustainable computing practices, and the reimagining of traditional interfaces through contemporary digital technologies. A recurring theme is the exploration of how technologies reconfigure placemaking practices, community infrastructures, and spatial computing in marginal territories, with particular attention to the relationship between traditional knowledge systems and emerging technologies. His work often transforms vernacular tools into contemporary interfaces, creating what he terms 'technological disobedience' as a form of cultural and political resistance. Research Collaborations: Interuniversity Department of Science, Project and Policies of the Territory Department of Control and Computer Engineering at Polytechnic University of Turin Carlo co-founded the Radura collective in 2025, a research and open experimentation platform operating at the intersection of artistic practices, political ecologies, and emerging technologies in rural contexts. His work takes the form of multi-channel installations and experimental projects like 'Folk Interfaces' that explore the relationship between traditional rural practices and contemporary digital technologies, emphasizing sustainability, accessibility, and community-based knowledge systems.
Pascal Gaillard is an Associate Professor at the University of Toulouse - Jean Jaurès, where he conducts research at the CLLE Lab (Cognition, Languages, Language, Ergonomics, UMR5263) in the "Language and Cognitive Processes" Team, while teaching in the Music Department at the National Higher Institute for Teaching and Education in Toulouse - Midi-Pyrénées (INSPE). His academic career spans over two decades, beginning as an Assistant Professor in Musicology at Université de Toulouse - Le Mirail from 1998 to 2000, before becoming an Associate Professor at the University of Toulouse since 2002. His educational background includes: PhD in Musicology and Auditory Perception (1996-2000) from Université de Toulouse - Le Mirail / Université de Paris - Jussieu Master (DEA) in Musicology - Ethnomusicology (1993-1994) from Université de Toulouse - Le Mirail Maîtrise in Musicology - Ethnomusicology (1989-1990) from Université de Toulouse - Le Mirail Licence in Musicology (1985-1989) from Université de Toulouse - Le Mirail Dr. Gaillard's research focuses on auditory perception and cognitive processes, particularly the categorization of sounds. His work spans multiple domains including musical timbre perception, speech perception in individuals with age-related hearing loss, environmental sound recognition, and auditory processing in deaf individuals with cochlear implants. He has pioneered studies on how humans organize their sound world through categorization, drawing on prototypical categorization theory developed by Rosch (1976). A key insight from his research is that auditory categorization is dynamic rather than fixed, varying according to listener needs, tasks, and action goals. His recent publications demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary approach, bridging music cognition, clinical audiology, and cognitive neuroscience. There's a clear trend toward applied research with clinical implications, particularly for deaf children with cochlear implants, as evidenced by multiple studies on humanoid robots for speech-language training. His work also shows increasing integration of computational approaches, including transfer learning for music preference prediction and ontology-based data management. Dr. Gaillard has secured numerous research grants from prestigious funding bodies including the French National Research Agency (ANR), Occitanie Regional Council, and ANSES. Current projects include "The hospital and its 'Beeps': evaluation of the hearing health of caregivers" (2025-2028), "SILENCE - Comparative acoustics: earth, planets and extreme environments" (2024-2026), and "Rehabilitation of age-related hearing loss: evolution of cognitive load in a 3D virtual environment - AgeHear" (2020-2024). He directs the "Cognition, Behavior and Use" facilities (CCU) which include specialized auditory booths for research. Since 2003, he has developed TCL-LabX, experimental software for conducting categorization studies. His research collaborations span international boundaries, working with labs in France, Canada, and the Netherlands, as well as industry partners in aeronautics and healthcare sectors.
Professor Geoff Webb is a world-leading data scientist at Monash University , serving as Director of the Monash University Centre for Data Science within the Faculty of Information Technology . His research focuses on leveraging data science to enable evidence-based decision making and derive actionable insights through artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics. Core expertise in data mining , bioinformatics , and computational biology Developed Magnum Opus software and contributed to the Weka machine learning workbench Recipient of the Eureka Prize for Excellence in Data Science and leadership roles in major data mining conferences Research Interests Professor Webb's work spans artificial intelligence , machine learning , and data analytics , with a focus on black-box user modelling , interactive data analytics , and statistically-sound pattern discovery . His recent publications highlight advancements in Bayesian networks , time series analysis , and genomic data interpretation , demonstrating his interdisciplinary impact. Scientific Contributions AI in healthcare : EHR-ML framework for clinical records analysis Biological applications : KcatNet for enzyme prediction, PFresGO for protein function Data mining innovations : OPUS search algorithm, proximity forest techniques As a technical adviser to data science company Froomle , he bridges academic research with real-world applications. His work has been recognized through numerous research awards and leadership as Editor-in-Chief of Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery for a decade.
Hiroyasu Iwata is Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Creative Science and Engineering. He serves as Director of the Frontier Mechanical Engineering Research Institute and Director of Global Robot Academia Institute. Holding a Dr. Engineering degree from Waseda University, his research spans intelligent machines, medical robotics, and rehabilitation engineering, with over 256 publications and an h-index of 22. His research focuses on human-robot symbiosis with emphasis on humanoid robotics, tactile perception, and medical applications. Iwata develops systems for rehabilitation, tele-operated medical procedures, and human-coordinated machine systems that enhance human capabilities. His recent work explores VR applications for cognitive rehabilitation, particularly for stroke patients with spatial neglect, and human augmentation through supernumerary robotic limbs. Iwata's publications reveal strong interdisciplinary trends across medical robotics, virtual reality applications, and human augmentation technologies. His research bridges engineering and medical fields with particular focus on stroke rehabilitation, echocardiography robotics, and VR training systems for cognitive and physical rehabilitation. Best Paper Award, Robotics Society of Japan (2018) Multiple Outstanding Presentation Awards from Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (2017) Grand Prize, System Control Fair 2017 Executive Committee (2017) The Young Scientists' Prize from Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2009) Distinguished Achievement Award from Waseda University (2007) Iwata actively collaborates with medical institutions including Nippon Medical School through joint symposia on medical-science-engineering collaboration. His laboratory conducts research on robotic echocardiography, VR rehabilitation systems, and supernumerary robotic limbs, securing funding for projects that translate engineering innovations into medical applications. He directs the Frontier Mechanical Engineering Research Institute and Global Robot Academia Institute at Waseda University, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering and medical fields. Through the Nippon Medical School and Waseda University Joint Symposium series, his work promotes the integration of robotics, medicine, and engineering for clinical applications.
Shadrick Addy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Design at Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on leveraging experiential media technologies like VR/AR for cultural preservation, social justice advocacy, and educational innovation through interdisciplinary collaborations. Education includes graduate studies at NC State University (MGD) focusing on mixed reality systems, and undergraduate work at Elizabeth City State University (BS Graphic Design). Research interests encompass social design, extended reality applications, motion graphics, and culturally-responsive technology development. Publications explore the intersection of immersive technology and cultural preservation, with work spanning mixed reality museum experiences, VR-based empathy tools, and ethical frameworks for algorithmic systems. Recent projects include 'Belonging to Soil' (soil ecosystem simulation) and 'Eyes of Mariam' (educational VR about school attacks). Awards recognize innovations in safety training, student success initiatives, and interdisciplinary research. Service includes committee roles in diversity initiatives and advisory positions in mentoring programs. Leads graduate courses on immersive environment design and undergraduate motion graphics instruction at ACCAD.
Adam Fourney is a Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research's Human-AI eXperiences (HAX) group in Redmond. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Math. from the University of Waterloo and a B.Sc. from the University of Ottawa. His work focuses on AI agents collaborating with humans to complete complex tasks, including projects like AutoGen and Magentic-One. He previously studied web search, intelligent assistants, and information systems at the University of Waterloo. Education: Ph.D. (Computer Science), University of Waterloo M.Math. (Computer Science), University of Waterloo B.Sc. (Computer Science), University of Ottawa His research interests span Human-AI collaboration, multi-agent systems, AI ethics, and AI-assisted programming. He explores how AI systems can support human tasks while addressing challenges like uncertainty, communication breakdowns, and alignment with human goals. His work bridges technical innovation with user-centered evaluation, emphasizing real-world usability and societal impact. His recent articles highlight advancements in interactive AI debugging, alignment of AI tools with human needs, and leveraging search data for public health insights. Notably, he received a Best paper honorable mention at CHI 2024 for work on AI-assisted programming costs. Adam has collaborated extensively with researchers across Microsoft and academia, contributing to open-source tools like AutoGen Studio and foundational studies in human-LLM interactions. His interdisciplinary approach combines technical rigor with insights from user behavior and social dynamics.
Prof. Maura Mengoni is an Associate Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences of the University of Macerata (UNIVPM). Her work focuses on human-centered design methodologies integrating advanced technologies like AI-driven systems, XR applications, and affective computing. She leads research in smart manufacturing systems, ergonomic assessment tools, and inclusive technology development for diverse user groups including people with disabilities. Key projects include SOPHIA's IoT architecture for predictive maintenance and emotion-aware interfaces for automotive safety. Research interests span industrial automation, virtual/augmented reality applications, and multimodal interaction design. Recent studies investigate cognitive workload in driving simulators, emotion-based museum experiences, and facial expression analysis for educational evaluation. Her work bridges engineering with humanities through projects like Civitas, enhancing cultural heritage accessibility via spatial augmented reality at Urbino’s Ducal Palace. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, including collaborative designs with end-users for accessible technologies and data fusion techniques in manufacturing. She has pioneered systems linking customer emotions to shopping experiences and developed tools for ergonomic risk assessment using RGB camera networks.
Stephen Chang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts Boston, affiliated with the PLT Research Group. His research focuses on programming languages, particularly type systems and language-oriented frameworks for creating extensible languages. He has contributed to foundational work on macro-extensible type systems, lazy evaluation semantics, and tools like Typed Rosette. His teaching spans courses in programming languages, formal languages, and computational theory. Chang holds a PhD in Computer Science from Northeastern University, where his dissertation explored the relationship between lazy and strict evaluation models. Research interests include advancing typed language design through macros, enabling flexible domain-specific extensions while maintaining soundness. Notable projects include Turnstile+, a Racket-based framework for building typed DSLs, and contributions to the Rosette solver-aided programming language. His work bridges theory and practice, with applications in formal verification, educational tools like ProofViz, and industry collaborations. Key publications include foundational papers on type systems as macros (POPL 2017/2020), lenient symbolic execution (POPL 2018), and lazy evaluation profiling (POPL 2014). Chang has advised multiple students in research roles, including Sloan IDS Fellow Chantelle Boateng and industry professionals like Kyle Clapper (Jabra) and Vishesh Yadav (Apple). Awards include the Best Student Paper Award at TFP 2010 for work on control stack evaluation. His teaching portfolio spans over a decade, covering theory of computation, programming paradigms, and formal language theory across institutions including Northeastern University and Harvard University.
Dr Tommaso Perego is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London's College of Arts & Creative Industries. With expertise in audio engineering and multimodal perception, his research focuses on integrating spatial audio, wave field synthesis, and dance choreography. Research Interests Audiovisual perception and multimodal integration Spatial audio and immersive sound technologies Dance technology and interactive performance systems Wave field synthesis applications in creative industries Selected Publications His work demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining engineering principles with artistic practice, particularly in developing audiovisual environments for dance performance and spatial audio experimentation.
Matthew Plumlee is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of New Hampshire's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. and B.S. in Computer Science from the same institution. His research focuses on data visualization, human-computer interaction, and geospatial systems, with notable contributions to weather display design, marine navigation tools, and underwater behavior visualization of animals like humpback whales. Plumlee has authored numerous articles on topics ranging from hydrographic data processing to 3D visualization techniques in oceanography and robotics. His educational background includes advanced degrees from UNH, and he teaches courses such as Introductory Scientific Programming, Data Structures, and Software Engineering. His work frequently integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining computer science with marine science and environmental modeling. Key projects include the GeoCoastPilot system for port navigation and the GeoZui3D platform for oceanographic data fusion. Plumlee's publications span over two decades, emphasizing user-centered design principles and real-time data visualization challenges. He collaborates with institutions like CCOM (Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping) to develop innovative geospatial tools for maritime and environmental applications. His research also addresses cognitive aspects of interface design, such as comparing zooming versus multiple window techniques for visual tasks.
Dr Tom Garner is a Senior Lecturer in Interactive Technologies at Sheffield Hallam University and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence and Organised Crime Research (CENTRIC). He holds a BA (Hons), MA, PGCE, and PhD. His research focuses on auditory perception theory, extended reality (XR) technologies for training, and psychophysiological data collection methods. Teaching responsibilities include courses like BSc Computer Science for Games and modules such as Virtual Reality Development. Key projects include the ACCOMPLICE military training system (funded by DASA) and the DentaSIM dental training simulator. He has collaborated with organizations like BAFTA, DSTL, and Epic Games. Education: BA (Hons), MA, PGCE, PhD Research Centres: CENTRIC, Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Industry and Innovation Research Institute His work spans serious games, VR/AR applications, and biofeedback systems. Notable publications include How the World Listens (Routledge, 2022) and contributions to the Oxford Handbook of Sound & Imagination. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Current research explores asymmetric multiplayer XR systems, gesture-based interaction, and real-time psychophysiological monitoring. He supervises PhD students in HCI theory, XR platform development, and UX methodologies.
Margaret Schedel is a Professor in the Department of Art at Stony Brook University, with an affiliation in the Department of Music. Her work bridges classical music training, sound art, and computational science, focusing on interdisciplinary projects that integrate technology and the arts. She leads the Making Sense of Data Workgroup at the Institute of Advanced Computational Science and co-directs computer music initiatives. Her research spans interactive multimedia opera, virtual reality experiences, sound art installations, and innovative interfaces for music creation. Notable projects include The King Listens , a telematic opera, and RhumbLine , an exploration of biomimetic musical robots. She also investigates sonification techniques for healthcare applications, such as gait rehabilitation for Parkinson’s patients. Her recent articles highlight trends in inclusive design for music technology, sonification of scientific data, and reimagining traditional instruments through feminist perspectives. She advocates for accessibility in hackerspaces and gender equity in STEAM fields. Her work often merges artistic expression with cutting-edge computational methods, reflecting her dual focus on creativity and scientific inquiry. Margaret’s contributions extend to education through courses on electronic music, sound art, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has pioneered pedagogical frameworks for notation in digital performance and contributed to the development of open-source tools like softVNS for video processing.
Yapeng Tian is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas. His work focuses on advancing core computer vision and audition technologies with applications in AR/VR, healthcare, and human-computer interaction. He holds a PhD from the University of Rochester (2022) and dual engineering degrees from Tsinghua University (2017) and Xidian University (2013). Research Interests: Multisensory perception Audio-visual learning Diffusion models Medical imaging Accessibility technologies Awards: Amazon Research Award (2024) UIST Best Paper Award (2024) Cisco Faculty Research Award (2023) AAAI New Faculty Highlights (2023) Recent work emphasizes efficient multimodal systems, with publications in top venues like CVPR, ICCV, and ICLR. His research bridges theoretical advances with practical applications in healthcare, accessibility, and interactive systems.
