Amy H. Auchincloss is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. Her research focuses on social and environmental factors influencing health behaviors and chronic conditions, with expertise in spatial/GIS analysis, health disparities, and policy interventions. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan, an MPH from Columbia University, and a BA in History from Wesleyan University. Her research interests include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, urban health, climate change impacts, and the built environment's role in promoting active transportation. Notable collaborative projects include analyzing health inequities in major U.S. cities through the Big Cities Health Coalition data platform and studying climate-related disasters' mental health effects on adolescents. Auchincloss has contributed to influential studies such as evaluating Philadelphia's bikeshare program's impact on physical activity and assessing how parking pricing policies influence active commuting. Her work often intersects public health policy, environmental justice, and global health systems, particularly in Latin America. Her advising and grants focus on interdisciplinary approaches to urban health challenges, with projects examining gentrification's mental health impacts, food policy effects on chronic disease, and sanctuary policies' role in improving immigrant community health outcomes. She is part of teams analyzing air pollution co-exposures with respiratory infections and the social determinants of cognitive aging.
Douglas Nychka is a Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Colorado School of Mines since 2018. He holds an emeritus position at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), where he previously directed the Institute for Mathematics Applied to Geosciences (IMAGe) from 2004 to 2017. Nychka earned his PhD in Statistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BA in Mathematics (with Physics emphasis) from Duke University. His research focuses on spatial statistics, nonparametric regression, and computational methods for large datasets, particularly applied to environmental and geophysical problems. He has developed influential R packages like fields and LatticeKrig , which are widely used for spatial data analysis. Nychka received prestigious awards including the Jerry Sacks Award for Multidisciplinary Research (2004) and recognition as a Fellow of both the American Statistical Association and the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. His work bridges statistical theory, computational innovation, and real-world applications in climate science and renewable energy. His academic career includes 14 years as a faculty member at North Carolina State University and roles at the National Institute of Statistical Sciences. Nychka's research emphasizes spatial statistics for climate data, statistical downscaling, and uncertainty quantification, with contributions to solar radiation modeling and extreme event analysis. He actively engages in interdisciplinary projects, collaborating with experts in climatology, environmental science, and data science. Professional service includes roles on committees for the National Research Council and leadership in statistical societies. His teaching focuses on modernizing curricula to integrate data science with applied statistics. Nychka’s work is characterized by a commitment to open-source software and reproducible research, exemplified by his R package contributions.
Lucy Bastin is a Professor in the School of Computer Science and Digital Technologies at Aston University, part of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She holds academic roles since 2003, including leadership in the Digital Observatory for Protected Areas (DOPA) project at the European Commission. Her research focuses on biodiversity informatics, remote sensing, and citizen science, with applications in conservation planning and sustainable development. She advises PhD students on topics like GIS, remote sensing, and citizen observatories. Education: BSc Zoology (University of Nottingham), MSc GIS (University of Leicester), PhD in Spatial Population Ecology (University of Birmingham). She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Research Interests: Essential Biodiversity Variables, metadata standards for citizen science, uncertainty in conservation models, disease mapping (e.g., MRSA), and environmental policy support. She developed the DOPA toolkit for protected area monitoring and co-authored the Bari Manifesto for biodiversity variables. Key Projects: DOPA Explorer 2.0, FLIERS EU project, EuroGEOSS initiatives Recent Awards: Midlands Women in Tech Finalist (2021), Best Paper Award (2018) Teaching: Software Engineering, Professional Ethics in Computing, GIS modules Labs/Teams: Part of the Computer Science Research Group and Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application. Collaborates with global partners on initiatives like BIOPAMA and the Green Deal Data Space.
Dr. Hamid Rabiei is an Assistant Professor in Geography at the School of History and Geography, Dublin City University. He holds a PhD in Spatial Planning and Urban Development from Politecnico di Milano, Italy. His research focuses on sustainable development, spatial inequalities, climate change, and remote sensing/GIS applications. He has secured prestigious grants like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship and published extensively in top-tier journals such as Habitat International and Applied Geography . His work bridges engineering, social science, and data science to address global challenges like environmental degradation and urbanization patterns. Key research interests include smart cities, spatial composite indicators, gentrification, and social vulnerability to natural hazards. He has contributed to developing novel models like the Adaptive Inverse Distance Weighting (AIDW) for population estimation and the Ordered Geographically Weighted Averaging (OGWA) for composite indicators. Recent work includes spatial analysis of internal migration impacts in Iran, Afghan immigrant segregation in Tehran, and ensemble modeling of extreme temperatures. He serves on editorial boards of academic journals in environmental studies and urban planning. His research emphasizes policy relevance, collaborating with decision-makers to translate findings into actionable strategies. Publications span 2023-2025, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to urban sustainability, disaster risk, and big data applications. Grants and fellowships highlight his international recognition, particularly in integrating geospatial techniques with socioeconomic analysis.
Paul Cohen is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Computing and Information (SCI), where he also directs the Modeling and Managing Complicated Systems Institute (MOMACS). Previously, he served as the founding Dean of SCI from 2017 to 2020. Before joining Pitt, he was a Program Manager at DARPA (2013–2017), leading initiatives like Big Mechanism and Communicating with Computers. Earlier roles include founding director of the University of Arizona’s School of Information: Science, Technology and Arts (SISTA), and professor at the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute and the University of Massachusetts. Education: PhD in Computer Science and Psychology (Stanford University), MS in Psychology (UCLA), BS in Psychology (UC San Diego). Research Interests: Focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and modeling complex systems like cell signaling pathways and socio-environmental interactions. His work emphasizes explainable AI, human-computer communication, and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Key Contributions: Authored Empirical Methods for Artificial Intelligence and over 200 peer-reviewed articles. His research spans robotics, education technology (e.g., the AnimalWatch tutoring system), and collaborative analysis tools like COLAB. He has won a Telly Award for his video on systemic challenges and a Best Paper award for spatial language learning frameworks. Awards & Recognition: Elected Fellow of the AAAI, recipient of the Telly Award, and winner of the Best Paper Award at the IEEE Conference on Development and Learning. Leadership & Outreach: Advocates for polymathy in education to address global challenges. His work includes developing curricula for complex systems thinking and promoting diversity in STEM through initiatives like AnimalWatch.
Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi is currently Vice President (Research & Innovation) at King’s College London and holds the ARM Professorship in Computer Engineering there. He is also a Visiting Professor in Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. Prior to academia, he worked in the electronics design industry for eight years before joining the University of Southampton in 1999, where he became a personal Chair holder in 2004. His research focuses on energy-efficient computing systems, low-power testing, and energy-harvesting technologies, with a strong emphasis on smart city applications and wearable computing. He has led numerous interdisciplinary projects funded by the EPSRC and industry, including the PRiME Programme Grant and the EPSRC-funded Spatial Computational Learning consortium. He has supervised 45 PhD students and authored/co-authored nearly 400 technical papers, earning eight best paper awards and contributing to five books. His honors include a CBE (2018), knighthood (2025), Fellowship of the Royal Society (2023), and roles on the Research Excellence Framework panels. He founded the Arm-ECS industry-academia center in 2008, promoting energy-efficient computing research.
Niels Anten is a Full Professor of Crop and Weed Ecology at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in plant interactions and sustainable agricultural systems. His research focuses on climate change impacts, crop diversification, and optimizing plant productivity under environmental stress. He leads projects on cocoa production resilience, intercropping strategies, and root-shoot signaling mechanisms in cereals and legumes. Key research interests include crop-weed competition, light-mediated plant responses, and the ecological roles of lianas in tropical forests. Anten has supervised 21 PhD candidates, including studies on potato stress responses, spatial crop diversification, and cocoa agroecology. His work integrates field experiments, functional-structural plant modeling, and big data analysis to address global food security challenges. Recent articles highlight breakthroughs in understanding CO2-driven photosynthetic efficiency, drought effects on cocoa yields, and far-red light influences on root systems. His datasets and collaborations span institutions globally, addressing topics like coffee genetic adaptation and arid ecosystem root dynamics. Anten frequently engages in media discussions on climate impacts on agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
Dr. Indratmo is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science at MacEwan University. He holds a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan, an M.Sc. from the University of Manitoba, and a B.Eng. from Petra Christian University. His research focuses on information visualization, human-computer interaction, and social computing, with a particular emphasis on developing tools for analyzing social media data. He has contributed to projects like a visual analytical tool for sentiment analysis in Edmonton's traffic-related social media data and studies on multimedia content effectiveness in communication strategies. Indratmo teaches a range of computer science courses, emphasizing student engagement through transparent pedagogical practices. His work bridges technical innovation with social impact, aiming to enhance communication strategies for organizations through data-driven insights. He has published extensively in journals like Big Data Research and Visual Informatics , and his research spans topics from educational visualization tools to smart mirror applications and geospatial heritage systems. Outside academia, he enjoys outdoor activities in the Canadian Rockies. Notable collaborations include work on stacked bar chart efficacy, web-based course registration models, and exploratory browsing frameworks. His research portfolio demonstrates a commitment to both theoretical advancement and practical applications in computing.
Matthew Mitchell is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Forest Resources Management at the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia (UBC). His research focuses on multifunctional landscapes, integrating ecological and socio-economic dimensions to balance biodiversity conservation with human well-being. He co-leads the M2L2 Lab, which emphasizes equitable and sustainable management of urban and agricultural systems. Mitchell’s work bridges landscape ecology, ecosystem service science, and conservation policy, leveraging interdisciplinary methods like socio-ecological modeling and participatory research. His research areas include community ecology, ecosystem services and conservation policy, and environmental change. He collaborates with stakeholders to co-design solutions for urban greenspace planning, agricultural sustainability, and mineral exploration that respect biodiversity. Mitchell’s lab actively engages in reconciliation efforts, acknowledging Indigenous land stewardship and UBC’s location on Musqueam territory. Notable contributions include studies on forest restoration trade-offs, flood mitigation via ecosystems, and biodiversity-ecosystem service linkages. Mitchell advises students like Dan Forrest (UBC Public Scholar) and MSc candidate Aaron Aguirre, exploring urban bat ecology and mutualistic city design. His work informs national conservation strategies and urban planning, emphasizing equity and ecological resilience. Lab activities focus on developing tools for multifunctional landscape planning, such as indices for restorative nature and frameworks balancing mineral prospectivity with conservation. Mitchell’s research underscores the urgency of addressing global biodiversity loss through inclusive, science-driven policies.
Ben Faber is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on the intersection of international trade and development economics, with particular emphasis on migration patterns, market integration, and policy interventions in rural and urban contexts. He joined UC Berkeley in 2013 and currently teaches courses on international economics and supervises doctoral students. His research explores topics such as the economic impacts of senior migration on local development, rural-urban migration dynamics, and the welfare implications of incomplete price data. He has also studied agricultural policy scalability, responsible sourcing practices in global supply chains, and the role of e-commerce in connecting rural regions. His work frequently integrates empirical evidence from case studies in Mexico, China, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Faber’s recent publications analyze the effects of retail globalization on household welfare, the relationship between tourism and coastal economic development, and the challenges of artisanal mining in cobalt supply chains. His research methodologies often involve innovative use of scanner data, spatial analysis, and econometric modeling to address complex development questions.
Dr. Judith Grant Long is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning and Sport Management at the University of Michigan with a joint appointment. She holds a PhD in Urban Planning from Harvard University, where she previously directed the Urban Planning Program. Her research focuses on strategic investments in sport venues and tourism infrastructure, examining public-private partnerships, mega-event legacies, and host city outcomes. Dr. Long's work spans Olympic Games infrastructure, NFL stadium development, and sport district planning. She is a certified city planner with over 20 years of academic and industry experience, including board roles at Juego de Pelota and Coliseum. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and HUD. Dr. Long teaches courses on sport real estate development and Olympic infrastructure planning, mentoring students through collaborative projects. Education: PhD in Urban Planning (Harvard University, minor in Economics) MDes in Real Estate Development (Harvard Graduate School of Design) Undergraduate degrees in Economics and Urban Planning Research Interests: Dr. Long bridges sport management and urban planning to address challenges in venue financing, post-event infrastructure utilization, and urban development through sport-driven initiatives. She emphasizes cost-effectiveness and long-term success for host cities, leveraging data from over 120 major league venues and Olympic projects. Grants & Awards: Funded by NSF, HUD, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BBC Radio. Student Collaboration: Leads teams of researchers investigating Olympic venues, sport districts, and former major league facilities. Current and former students include Sarah Perrigo (MURP '22), Stephanie Gerretson (PhD '20), and Robert Sroka (PhD '21).
Associate Professor Antonio Peyrache is a Deputy Head of School at the School of Economics, University of Queensland, within the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. His research focuses on applied economics, econometrics, and productivity/efficiency analysis with particular emphasis on production systems, public sector efficiency, and systemic risk modeling. He leads the Centre for Efficiency and Productivity Analysis (CEPA), driving advancements in efficiency measurement methodologies. Key research interests include judicial system efficiency, banking systemic risk, and multilevel production networks. Recent work explores homothetic production technologies and optimal organizational structures for public institutions. Featured projects include analyzing productivity in Australian horticulture and European judicial systems. His expertise spans both theoretical contributions (e.g., decomposition frameworks) and applied policy analysis (e.g., healthcare delivery efficiency). Publications span journals like European Journal of Operational Research and Omega, with a focus on operational research techniques and their policy applications. He has directed projects funded by the Asian Productivity Organization and collaborated on EU-KLEMS growth accounting initiatives. Professional roles include editorial contributions and leadership in academic productivity analysis.
Professor Michael Bell is the Foundation Professor of Ports and Maritime Logistics at the University of Sydney Business School's Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. He holds a BA from Cambridge University, MSc and PhD from Leeds University, and has held roles including Director of Imperial College London's PORTeC and academic positions at Newcastle University and Karlsruhe Technical University. His research focuses on ports, transport networks, sustainability, and intelligent transport systems. He has authored over 150 publications, including seminal works like Transportation Network Analysis . Current projects include circular economy diversification for ports and autonomous delivery systems. Awards include fellowship in multiple transport societies. Education: BA (Economics) Cambridge (1975), MSc (Transportation) Leeds (1976), PhD (Freight Distribution) Leeds (1981). Postdoctoral research at Karlsruhe Technical University (1982–1984). Research Interests: Ports logistics, transport network resilience, urban logistics, cybersecurity in supply chains, and sustainable transport policy. Publications span 40+ years, emphasizing empirical and theoretical advancements in maritime systems, network modelling, and policy analysis. Recent work explores autonomous systems integration and port diversification strategies. Grants include a 2023 iMOVE CRC project on land use trip surveys and a 2022 ARC Discovery Project on automated transport decisions. Media appearances address global trade disruptions (e.g., Suez Canal blockage), autonomous vehicles, and port sustainability. Led PORTeC (Imperial College) and co-founded the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies at Sydney. Active in policy advisory roles for government agencies and industry bodies.
Naratip Santitissadeekorn is a Senior Lecturer in Data Assimilation at the School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, where he is affiliated with the Mathematics at the Interface Group. His work bridges mathematics, data science, and real-world applications in urban planning, crime analysis, and geophysical fluid dynamics. Dr. Santitissadeekorn received his PhD from Clarkson University in 2008, with a dissertation titled "Transport Analysis and Motion Estimation of Dynamical Systems of Time-Series data." His doctoral research was supervised by Professor Erik Bollt. Following his PhD, he completed two significant postdoctoral positions: from 2008-2011 at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, working with Professor Gary Froyland on numerical techniques for finite-time Lagrangian coherent set identification, with applications to delimiting the polar vortex and Agulhas rings; and from 2011-2014 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, working with Professor Chris Jones on data assimilation projects. Dr. Santitissadeekorn's research focuses on inverse problems and data assimilation in geophysical fluid dynamics, the applications of Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS), and computational ergodic theory. His work combines theoretical mathematics with practical applications, particularly in urban growth modeling and crime analysis. He has developed innovative methods for identifying coherent structures in fluid flows, estimating transition probabilities from spatiotemporal data, and creating data-driven frameworks for urban expansion scenarios. His research demonstrates how mathematical techniques can be applied to solve real-world problems in environmental science, urban planning, and public safety. An analysis of Dr. Santitissadeekorn's recent publications (2020-2023) reveals a strong focus on urban expansion modeling and network analysis. His work on urban growth has evolved from basic cellular automata models to sophisticated frameworks that manage uncertainty through parameter clustering and growth mode identification. His research on Hawkes processes has advanced ensemble-based filtering techniques for analyzing count data in large networks. These publications demonstrate a consistent pattern of applying mathematical rigor to complex spatiotemporal phenomena, with increasing emphasis on data-driven approaches and practical applications. Dr. Santitissadeekorn has made significant contributions to data assimilation methods, particularly through the development of the extended Poisson-Kalman filter (ExPKF) for urban crime modeling. His teaching includes courses in Algebra and Bayesian Statistics, reflecting his expertise in both theoretical and applied mathematics. While specific awards are not mentioned in the available information, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals demonstrates recognition within his field. Dr. Santitissadeekorn's research has practical implications for urban planning and law enforcement. His work on urban expansion models helps planners understand different growth trajectories, while his crime modeling research contributes to improved police patrolling strategies. His interdisciplinary approach, combining mathematics, computer science, and domain-specific knowledge, positions him at the forefront of applying data science to societal challenges.
Hanno Hilbig is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Davis. He holds a PhD from Harvard University’s Department of Government (2022) and an MS in Economics from Humboldt University Berlin. His research focuses on the interplay between structural economic changes—such as labor markets, housing crises, and energy transitions—and their political impacts in advanced democracies. He employs causal inference methods for observational data, using designs like natural experiments and large-scale administrative datasets. Key research areas include voter preferences, policymaking processes, and democratic institutions. His work addresses topics such as public housing budget tradeoffs, refugee labor market integration, and the effects of local newspaper decline on polarization. He has published in top journals like the American Journal of Political Science , British Journal of Political Science , and Journal of Politics . His recent articles explore themes such as green party support following natural disasters, the role of wealth disparities in radical right voting, and the consequences of rent control policies. Hilbig co-leads collaborative projects like the German Election Database (GERDA) and investigates refugee integration dynamics. His research bridges quantitative methods with substantive political questions, emphasizing policy relevance and democratic stability.
