Richard Marais is a Professor of Molecular Oncology and Director at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute. He has held leadership roles such as Centre Co-Lead for the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence and Scientific Co-Director of the Belfast-Manchester Movember Centre of Excellence. Marais is renowned for his work on BRAF/NRAS oncogenes, melanoma biology, and drug resistance mechanisms. Education: BSc in Genetics and Microbiology from University College London (1985); PhD at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (1989). Research: Focuses on cell signaling in melanoma, UV radiation effects, tumor heterogeneity, and personalized medicine strategies. Selected Awards: ERC Advanced Grant (2015) Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award (2013) AACR Team Science Award (2012) His work spans 140+ publications and 15 patents, with grants from the European Research Council, The Wellcome Trust, and Cancer Research UK.
Marie-Claude Maurel is a Professor of Geography at the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS, Paris). She is affiliated with the Centre d’études des mondes russe, caucasien et centre-européen (CERCEC) , a joint CNRS/EHESS research unit. Her career spans roles as Director of the Institut Universitaire de France (2010-2013) and the French Research Center in Social Sciences (CEFRES) (2006-2010), alongside leadership at the CNRS (1997-2001) and academic positions at Paul Valery University, Montpellier (1970-1997). Research Interests: Post-socialist rural transformation in Central/Eastern Europe Agrarian decollectivization and land ownership changes Local governance and administrative reforms EU rural development models (e.g., LEADER program) Historical geography of Soviet collective agriculture Scientific Awards & Memberships: Bronze Medal of the CNRS (1990) Prize of the Geographic Society, Paris (1995) Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite (1996) Junior Member of Institut universitaire de France (1991-1996) Senior Fellow at Collegium Budapest (2005) Full Member, French Academy for Agriculture (2016) Publications: She has authored a dozen books and over a hundred articles, focusing on agrarian structure changes, local governance, and EU rural development models in Central/Eastern Europe. Her work spans from early studies on Soviet collective agriculture (1994) to recent analyses of post-decollectivization land regimes (2018).
Professor Luiz Moutinho is a globally recognised authority in marketing and futures research, currently serving as Visiting Professor of Marketing at Suffolk Business School, University of Suffolk (UK), Marketing School (Portugal), and as Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the Graduate School of Business, University of the South Pacific (Fiji). Over a 31-year professorial career he has held the Foundation Chair of Marketing at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow (1996-2015), the world’s first Chair in BioMarketing and Futures Research at Dublin City University (2015-2017) and visiting appointments at 27 universities worldwide. Education PhD, University of Sheffield, 1982 MA, BA, FCIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) Research Interests Professor Moutinho’s work sits at the intersection of marketing, neuroscience and artificial intelligence. His current research clusters around: Futures research & marketing foresight : scenario planning, evolutionary algorithms, algorithmic self Neuro & biometric marketing : wearable emotion-detection devices, fMRI/EEG studies, eye-tracking AI & decision modelling : artificial neural networks, machine learning for consumer choice Tourism & services marketing : destination choice modelling, luxury hospitality pricing He has authored 155+ refereed journal articles and 34 books, generating 14,050+ Google Scholar citations (h-index 55, i10-index 196 as of January 2020). Scientific Awards & Recognition 2017 Professor Honoris Causa, University of Tourism and Management Skopje 2018, 2006, 2003, 2001, 1997, 1996 Emerald Literati / ANBAR Highly Commended / Outstanding Paper Awards 1998 Martin Oppermann Memorial Best Article of the Year Award 1998 Best in Research Award, Portuguese Marketing Management Institute 2015 External Member, Hellenic Open University International Research Fellowships at Neurolab (Finland) and DACC Lab (Macau) Doctoral Programmes & Editorial Leadership Professor Moutinho directed doctoral programmes at: Confederation of Scottish Business Schools (1987–1989) Cardiff Business School (1993–1996) University of Glasgow Doctoral Programme in Management (1996–2004) He is the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Modelling in Management (JM2) , co-editor-in-chief of the Innovative Marketing Journal , associate editor for five additional journals and serves on the editorial boards of 50 international academic journals.
Radostina Radulova-Stahmer is a Researcher and University Assistant at the Institute for Urban Planning, Graz University of Technology (since 2017). She co-leads the architecture office STUDIOD3R with Deniza Horländer since 2010. Her expertise spans urban planning, architectural design, and competitive project submissions. Education: She earned a Dipl.-Ing. (Master's) and Dr.-Ing. (Doctorate) in Architecture from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), graduating with distinction in the 2009/2010 winter semester. Additional studies at Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (ETSAM). Professional Experience: Postdoctoral roles included research associate at the Institute for Design and Urban Planning (2013–2017) and Leibniz University Hannover (2015–2017). Prior to academia, she worked at Atelier Jean Nouvel (Paris), KoopX (Shanghai), and freelanced in Stuttgart and Mannheim. Awards: Recognized for excellence in architectural competitions, including first prizes at Europan 14 Graz and the MAXXI Young Architecture Programme, as well as a commendation for the Seeterrassen Aspern urban design competition. Consultation hours are by appointment. Contact: radostina.radulova@gmx.de | TU Graz address: Rechbauerstraße 12/II, Room AT02080.
Christine Wächter is a faculty member at the Science, Technology and Society Unit within the Institute of Interactive Systems and Data Science at Graz University of Technology . Her work focuses on gender equality in engineering education and technology, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and sustainable development. Her research interests include Gender Studies in Engineering Interdisciplinary Education Women in STEM Sustainable Engineering Pedagogy Notable trends in her publications reveal a consistent focus on dismantling gender barriers in technical education and promoting inclusive institutional policies. Key subfields encompass curriculum reform, discourse analysis, and gender dynamics in male-dominated industries. She has contributed to projects addressing regional technology programs and gender mainstreaming in technical universities, though no specific scientific awards are documented in the provided texts.
Sergey V. Ablameyko serves as Rector of Belarusian State University (BSU) since 2008 and holds the distinguished title of Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Previously Director General of the United Institute of Informatics Problems (2002-2008), he has shaped national research policy while maintaining active scholarly engagement in computational sciences through international collaborations and editorial leadership. Education: Belarusian State University, Diploma in Mathematics (1978) PhD in Information Processing Systems, Institute of Cybernetics, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (1984) DSc in Information Processing Systems, Institute of Cybernetics, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (1990) Research Interests: Professor Ablameyko's pioneering work integrates Image analysis , Pattern recognition , and Knowledge-based systems with applications spanning Medical imaging , Geographical information systems , and Supercomputers . His research demonstrates consistent focus on practical implementations in space technology and diagnostic systems, leveraging digital geometry and graphics recognition for real-world problem solving in high-stakes environments. Scientific Awards: State Prize of Belarus (2002), highest national scientific honor Academician of four national academies including National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (2009) IEEE Senior Member and Fellow of International Association for Pattern Recognition 15+ medals from Russian space agencies for international cooperation A.S. Popov Award and Norbert Wiener Bronze Medal for engineering contributions Advising and Grants: Supervised 10 PhD and 2 DSc dissertations while securing major international funding. Led European Commission projects through COPERNICUS, INTAS, and Framework Programs alongside Russian-Belarusian joint initiatives in Space and Supercomputing (each exceeding $10 million). Held 15+ extended research visits at global institutions including Kyushu University, Nottingham University, and Russian Academy of Sciences under grants from British Royal Society, NATO, and national research councils. Labs and Teams: Founded and led the Image Processing and Recognition Laboratory at Minsk's Institute of Engineering Cybernetics (1987). As Deputy Chairman of Belarus' National Space Committee and Chairman of BSU's Academic Council, he directed national research strategies while fostering international teams across European, Asian, and Russian institutions for space technology development and high-performance computing infrastructure.
Michael Brainin is a renowned neurologist and Full Professor at the Danube University Krems, Austria. He served as Head and Chair of the Department for Clinical Neurosciences and Preventive Medicine until his retirement in 2020. Previously, he held leadership roles at the University Hospital Tulln and Gugging Hospital, where he pioneered Austria's first acute stroke unit in 1997. His career includes visiting positions at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital (NY, USA), NIH, and Paris’ La Pitié-Sâlpétrière Hospital. Education & Career: MD from University of Vienna (1976) Residency at Landeskrankenhaus Gugging (Neurology/Psychiatry) Postdoc at University of Vienna (1991) Research Focus: Acute stroke treatment, thrombolysis, neuroprotection, post-stroke cognitive decline, and global stroke prevention strategies. He co-developed the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) and Post Stroke Checklist (PSC), and led the ASPIS trial on post-stroke cognitive decline prevention. Leadership & Awards: He co-founded the Austrian Stroke Society and held global leadership roles in the European and World Stroke Organizations. His honors include multiple honorary doctorates, the Marinescu Award, and the Daniel Lackland Excellence Award for hypertension advocacy. Global Impact: Spearheaded initiatives like the 'Cut Stroke in Half' program, advised governments on stroke strategies, and co-founded the World Stroke Academy. He supported stroke specialist training in Vietnam, China, and other countries, and championed UN/WHO collaborations on stroke and dementia prevention.
Simon Potts is a Professor of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at the University of Reading, UK. He directs the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, overseeing 20 staff and >30 PhD students. His work focuses on environmental drivers of biodiversity, ecosystem services in sustainable agriculture, and evidence-based policy. He has raised over €10M in grants from NERC, BBSRC, and EU/industry sources and supervised 43 completed PhD students. Positions: Director (2014–present), Deputy Director of Centre for Food Security (2012–2016), Visiting Fellow (CSIRO, 2013). His research interests span climate change impacts, conservation biology, sustainable agriculture, and science-policy interfaces. He co-chairs the UN IPBES Pollinator Assessment and advises multiple international bodies including FAO, EU DGs, and IUCN. Potts has published >200 papers in top journals like Nature, Science, and Ecology Letters (H-index 69). Awards include Web of Science ‘Highly Cited Researcher’ (2016–2021) and the Zayed International Prize for the Environment (2005). Awards: Defra’s Bees’ Needs Champion (2018), Ecological Engagement Award (2013–2014). He advises NGOs like the World Bee Project and sits on corporate sustainability boards (Waitrose, Innocent Drinks). His lab’s focus includes pollinator decline mitigation, nature-based solutions, and agri-environmental policy design.
Ricard Solé is an ICREA Research Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra , where he leads the Complex Systems Lab at the PRBB (Biomedical Research Park). He is also an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute and a founding member of the NASA-associated Center for Astrobiology. PhD in Physics (Polytechnic University of Catalonia) Degrees in Physics and Biology (University of Barcelona) His research bridges evolutionary biology and synthetic biology , focusing on reconstructing evolutionary innovations like protocells and multicellularity through synthetic approaches. Key themes include: Synthetic Major Transitions Unstable Evolutionary Dynamics in RNA viruses and cancer Terraforming ecosystems Complex biological network evolution His recent work (2024–2025) spans topics from synthetic multicellularity to AI-driven ecological control, with a focus on bifurcations, nonequilibrium dynamics, and resilience mechanisms. Notable scientific awards include: Barcelona City Award for Science (2004) James McDonnell Foundation Award in Complex Systems La Vanguardia Award for Science (2011) ERC Advanced Grant (2012) He has published over 250 papers (18,000+ citations) and actively collaborates with institutions like UCSF and the European Center for Living Technology.
Prof. Dr. Hans Spada is a Full Professor of Psychology at the University of Freiburg, Germany. His academic career includes roles as Vice-Director of the Educational Science Department at the University of Kiel (1973-1980) and Assistant Professor at the University of Vienna (1969-1973). He is affiliated with the Department of General Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, focusing on cognition-emotion interactions, computer-supported collaborative learning, and environmental psychology. Research interests span cross-cultural emotion studies, collaborative learning technologies, and risk perception in environmental contexts. Notable contributions include work on cognitive determinants of emotions in Tonga and Germany, collaborative problem-solving frameworks, and the design of effective computer-mediated learning environments. Key Awards: Landeslehrpreis Baden-Württemberg (1994), Honorary Membership at Humboldt University (1997), and Academia Europea membership (1994). Leadership Roles: Chairman of Leibniz Gemeinschaft Senate Committee (2010), and International Advisor to the Max Planck Institute for Human Development (2011). Publications emphasize innovative methods in collaborative learning assessment and cross-cultural psychological research. His work bridges cognitive science, educational technology, and environmental decision-making, with a focus on practical applications in teaching and policy.
David Storch is a Professor of Ecology at the Department of Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, and a Senior Researcher at the Center for Theoretical Study, Charles University. He holds academic appointments since 2004 and has been a Royal Society Fellow (2002) and Santa Fe Institute Fellow (2002–2004). His research focuses on macroecology, biodiversity patterns, ecological theory, and biogeography. He has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed papers, 6 books, and 16 book chapters, with significant impact (5,950 citations, H-index 47 as of 2022). Storch’s awards include election to The Learned Society of the Czech Republic (2020), Donatio Universitatis Carolinae (2019), and the Czech Science Foundation President’s award (2015). He serves as an associate editor for Ecology Letters and Global Ecology and Biogeography , and chairs the Czech Society for Ecology. His fieldwork spans Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, and Zambia, with a focus on ecological dynamics and conservation. Key research themes include biodiversity scaling laws, species-energy relationships, and the equilibrium theory of biodiversity dynamics. He emphasizes integrating theory with empirical data to address global ecological challenges, including anthropogenic impacts and climate change effects on biodiversity.
Hans van Ginkel was a prominent academic and administrator, serving as Rector Magnificus of Utrecht University (1986–1997) and Rector of the United Nations University (1997–2007). He held honorary professorships in Human Geography and Planning at Utrecht University and chaired major organizations like the Institute of Social Sciences in The Hague and the Centre for Development Research (ZEF) in Bonn. His academic career began with a PhD in Social Sciences from Utrecht University (1979). His research focused on public administration, urban planning, sustainable development, and global governance. He emphasized interdisciplinary approaches to addressing environmental challenges and human security, advocating for participatory governance models in the information age. Van Ginkel received numerous honors, including five honorary doctorates and Japan's prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon (2007). His publications explore themes like accreditation systems, university reform, and the role of education in sustainable development. He actively engaged with international organizations, contributing to policy frameworks on human security and environmental sustainability. His legacy includes shaping global academic collaboration and advancing the UN's role in addressing complex transnational issues.
Prof. Wenzel Friedemann is a Full Professor of Geophysics and Director of the Geophysical Institute at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) since 1994. His expertise spans seismic early warning systems, hazard assessment methodologies, and risk management in urban environments. He coordinates the Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM). Key contributions include developing PreSEIS neural network-based early warning systems and probabilistic hazard models for regions like Romania. Awards include membership in Academia Europaea (1999) and an Excellence Award (2001). Research focuses on intermediate-depth earthquakes (e.g., Vrancea zone), site response analysis, and urban seismic vulnerability. Notable projects include Bucharest's earthquake early warning systems and Amurian plate stress field studies. His work integrates tectonophysics, real-time monitoring, and policy-driven risk reduction strategies.
Professor Øyvind Østerud holds the position of Professor in international conflict studies at the Department of Political Science, University of Oslo since 1980. He concurrently serves as an affiliated part-time professor at the Norwegian Defense Academy since 2005. His academic career includes roles such as Head of the Department of Political Science (1993–1996 and 2008–2012), Visiting Scholar at l’Université d’Aix-en-Provence (1997), and Visiting Scholar at The Australian National University (1987–1988). He earned a Mag. art in political science from the University of Oslo (1970) and a PhD from the London School of Economics (1974). Research interests focus on geopolitics, power dynamics, sovereignty, state formation, regime transition, and international governance. Notable contributions include analyses of Arctic geopolitics, NATO strategy, and post-communist transitions. He has held leadership roles such as President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (2008–2011), and serves as an official advisor to the Norwegian Nobel Committee since 1983. Awards include membership in the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (1995) and the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (2008). His editorial work includes co-editing the Journal of Peace Research (1997–2011) and authoring a major Nordic political science textbook (1991–2014). Professional service includes chairing the Board of the International Peace Research Institute (2004–2006) and directing the Norwegian Government’s Power and Democracy Study (1998–2003). He is also a member of the International Prize Committee for the Skytte Prize in Political Science since 2012.
Steven Laureys is a Belgian-Canadian neurologist and neuroscientist holding the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neuroplasticity at the CERVO Brain Centre (Laval University, Canada) since 2024. He also maintains positions as Professor at Laval University's Faculty of Medicine and Research Director at the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS). A pioneer in consciousness studies, Laureys established the Coma Science Group (2006) and GIGA Consciousness Unit (2014) at the University of Liège, Belgium, before co-founding the Hangzhou International Consciousness Institute (2015) and BRAIN-NM Neuromodulation Clinics (2023). MD, PhD, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (1993) M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, VU Brussels (1998) PhD in Neurology of Consciousness, University of Liège (2000) His research focuses on clinical and cognitive neuroscience , particularly disorders of consciousness (coma, vegetative states, locked-in syndrome), neuroplasticity, and neuromodulation therapies. Using multimodal neuroimaging (PET, fMRI, EEG), he investigates brain dynamics during anesthesia, sleep, and meditation while developing novel diagnostic tools and rehabilitation strategies for brain-injured patients. Scientific Trends across his 450+ publications reveal extensive work on EEG microstate analysis (2025), thalamic firing patterns (2025), and neurostimulation techniques (taVNS, tDCS) for consciousness disorders. His team's 2024-2025 studies emphasize AI-driven consciousness mechanisms, cross-cultural end-of-life decision-making, and z-drug paradoxical effects. Scientific Recognition includes: 2004 - ASSC William James Prize 2017 - Francqui Prize (Belgium's highest scientific honor) 2024 - Canada Excellence Research Chair ($32M award) 2024 - Health 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award As Editor-in-Chief of Brain Connectivity (2024), he advances interdisciplinary dialogue between neuroimaging, neurology, and computational science. His translational work bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, including co-founding international neuromodulation clinics and leading multicenter trials in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.
