Dr. Colin Caprani is an Associate Professor and Head of Structural Engineering at Monash University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on bridge traffic loading, structural reliability, vibration serviceability, and Intelligent Transportation Systems. He holds qualifications including a PhD, BSc(Eng), and DipEng, and is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and Chartered Structural Engineer (CEng). He has contributed to editorial roles for journals like Advances in Structural Engineering and Computers & Concrete , and led community initiatives such as mini-symposiums on bridge loading and maintenance. His professional affiliations include the Institution of Structural Engineers and the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineers. Recent projects include the ARC Research Hub for Nanoscience-based Construction Materials and studies on pavement behavior. Awards include the 2017 Best Paper Award and 2021 Institution of Structural Engineers Research Award. Teaching commitments span courses like CIV2226 and CIV4210, emphasizing structural analysis and bridge engineering.
Bassem O Andrawes is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). His research focuses on innovative materials like shape memory alloys (SMAs) and their applications in civil infrastructure, including reinforced concrete, bridge engineering, and structural rehabilitation. He has been recognized with prestigious awards including the ASCE Fellow (2024) and NSF CAREER Award (2011). Key research interests include: Active confinement and prestressing systems using SMAs Structural health monitoring and data-driven performance evaluation Bridge deck and girder analysis under dynamic and static loads Sustainable solutions for mass timber and concrete structures Recent work highlights include developing adaptive prestressing systems for concrete crossties, SMA-based crack healing for concrete structures, and digital twin models for bridge monitoring. His studies bridge materials science with civil engineering applications, emphasizing durability and resilience in infrastructure systems. Notable achievements include over 100 peer-reviewed publications and leadership in projects addressing seismic retrofitting, FRP composites, and material testing integrated (MTI) simulation paradigms. Collaborations span academia and industry, focusing on practical solutions for infrastructure challenges.
Sriraam Natarajan is a Professor and Director of the Center for Machine Learning at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science, University of Texas at Dallas. He previously served as an Associate Professor at Indiana University (on leave since 2017) and Wake Forest School of Medicine. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and their biomedical applications, particularly in relational learning, reinforcement learning, and graphical models. He leads the StaRLing Lab and holds fellowships from hessian.AI and RBCDSAI. Education: PhD in Computer Science from Oregon State University (2007), advised by Prasad Tadepalli. Postdoctoral research at University of Wisconsin-Madison under Jude Shavlik and David Page. Research interests span statistical relational AI, causal inference, and healthcare applications. Notable awards include AAAI Fellow (2025), UTD Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, and roles as AAAI Program Co-Chair and CODS-COMAD 2024 co-chair. Students supervised include over 20 PhD/MS graduates and current advisees in AI and machine learning. Active in editorial roles for JAIR, Machine Learning Journal, and conference PCs (ICML, AAAI, NIPS).
Naveena Karusala is an Assistant Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. Her research focuses on centering care work in AI design to create sustainable futures in healthcare and social services. She holds a PhD from the University of Washington and a BS from Georgia Tech. She currently serves as Vice President for Communications on the ACM SIGCHI Executive Committee, fostering global HCI community engagement. Her work integrates critical theory to address issues of class, caste, gender, and race, prioritizing marginalized communities' knowledge in participatory design processes. Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Washington Bachelor's in Computer Science, Georgia Tech Research Interests: Her interdisciplinary research explores human-centered AI, healthcare equity, and social justice. Key areas include contestable AI systems, participatory design with marginalized communities, and decolonizing technology practices. She emphasizes ethical AI frameworks that recognize care labor and structural inequities. Awards & Recognition: Her work has been recognized at ACM CHI and ACM CSCW for contributions to HCI and social good initiatives. Advising & Grants: She mentors students through Georgia Tech's PhD programs in Human-Centered Computing and Computer Science. She prioritizes applicants with experience in HCI, public health, and community-engaged research. Current Georgia Tech students can engage through research credits or funded projects. Labs & Teams: Collaborates with global community organizations and the Harvard Center for Research on Computation and Society (as a former postdoc). Her work emphasizes solidarity-driven research across borders and intersections of identity.
M. Derek MacKenzie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta, specializing in soil science with a focus on soil-plant relations. He leads research on ecosystem responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, including fire biogeochemistry, land reclamation in oil sands regions, and nutrient cycling dynamics. His work integrates microbial ecology, spatial ecology, and soil chemistry to understand ecosystem recovery processes. Dr. MacKenzie teaches courses such as Introduction to Soil Science (REN R 210) and Principles and Practices of Land Reclamation and Restoration (REN R 305) . His research emphasizes soil organic matter stability, pyrogenic carbon impacts, and reclamation strategies for industrial sites. He collaborates on projects addressing soil health, biochar applications, and microbial community dynamics in disturbed ecosystems. His lab focuses on quantifying soil-plant interactions in boreal forests and reclaimed landscapes, with a particular interest in how fire and human activities alter carbon storage and nutrient availability. Recent work includes evaluating the efficacy of biochar-amended soils for agricultural and reclamation purposes, and analyzing microbial responses to fertilization in post-industrial soils. Dr. MacKenzie’s research has contributed to guidelines for sustainable land reclamation practices in the Athabasca oil sands region, emphasizing the importance of soil structure and microbial biodiversity for ecosystem resilience. He actively engages in interdisciplinary projects to bridge ecological theory with practical restoration solutions.
Li Guo is an Assistant Professor at the University of Borås , affiliated with the Department of Textile Technology within the Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business. He serves as Program Coordinator for the Master Programme in Technical Textile Innovation. His research focuses on smart textiles, particularly in healthcare applications such as textile-based sensors for biomedical monitoring and neuromuscular stimulation. Guo’s work emphasizes seamless integration of functional elements into textile structures for mass production. Key Projects: SUITCEYES (wearable actuators), WEAFING (textile actuators), NeuRehab@Home (stroke rehabilitation). Grants: Received funding from Knowledge Foundation, VINNOVA, and Kamprad Family Foundation. Supervision: Assistant supervisor to doctoral students Yohann Opolka (Lisa project) and Carin Backe (WEAFING). Research Themes: - Textile sensors for recording/stimulation (e.g., textrode-band , compression stockings with electrodes). - Smart textiles for healthcare (phantom limb pain, DVT prevention). - Textile actuators via engineering design methods. Publications highlight innovations in textile electrodes, actuator integration, and home-based medical applications. His work prioritizes user compliance through textile’s inherent comfort and usability.
Professor Ling Li is a faculty member at Curtin University's School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences (EECMS), within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Their research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of machine learning, computer vision, and deep learning in structural engineering and materials science. Notable contributions include advancements in structural health monitoring, blast loading prediction, and 3D displacement measurement using monocular vision. Professor Li has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and collaborates on projects involving civil infrastructure resilience, smart materials, and AI-driven solutions for engineering challenges. They hold an office in the New Technologies Building at Curtin Perth and can be reached at L.Li@curtin.edu.au.
Dr. Davi V. Q. Rodrigues is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His research focuses on microwave/millimeter-wave circuits and signal processing for radar, communication systems, and smart living applications. He holds a B.S. in Communications Engineering from the Military Institute of Engineering (Brazil) and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University. Prior to academia, he served in the Brazilian Navy and Army, and worked at Uhnder, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, and Dell Technologies. His work emphasizes radar-based smart home, healthcare, and autonomous systems, with contributions in structural health monitoring, human activity recognition, and joint communication-sensing technologies. Dr. Rodrigues has received prestigious awards including the 2022 IEEE MTT-S Tom Brazil Fellowship and the 2023 Texas Tech Horn Distinguished Professors Award. His research group, the Microwave Circuits & Sensing Systems Group, develops algorithms and hardware for biomedical sensing, non-contact health monitoring, and 6G-enabled applications. He actively seeks motivated graduate students interested in radar systems, signal processing, and wireless technologies. Education: B.S., Communications Engineering, Military Institute of Engineering (2017) Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Texas Tech University (2023) Research Interests: Microwave/mm-wave radar systems Human activity monitoring and gesture recognition Structural health monitoring 6G/ B5G communication-sensing fusion Passive and opportunistic RF sensing His publications span radar-based smart living solutions, biomedical sensors, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (IRS). He is an IEEE MTT-S member and has contributed to industry partnerships through collaborations with Uhnder and Dell Technologies. Current projects integrate AI-driven radar signal analysis and low-cost sensor networks for healthcare and infrastructure monitoring.
Dong S. Ha is a Professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech. As Founding Director of the Multifunctional Integrated Circuits & Systems (MICS) Lab, he focuses on advanced circuit design for energy harvesting, RF systems, and high-temperature electronics. His work spans analog/RF ICs, power management circuits, and wireless IoT solutions with machine learning integration. Education: PhD (1986) and MS (1984) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Iowa; B.S. (1974) in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University. Research interests include energy harvesting (piezoelectric, thermal, RF), high-temperature RF circuits for oil/gas/spacecraft applications, and smart IoT systems. He actively seeks students for projects in RF design, energy harvesting, and embedded systems. His lab develops cutting-edge solutions for harsh environment communication, sustainable energy systems, and smart agriculture monitoring. Awarded IEEE Fellow (2008) for contributions to VLSI design/test. Key publications span energy harvesting circuits, GaN-based high-temperature systems, and low-power IoT architectures. Current projects include self-sustaining smart farm networks using federated learning and attack-resistant sensor systems. Labs/Teams: Leads MICS Lab focusing on integrated circuits and systems. Collaborates on cross-disciplinary projects involving machine learning, embedded systems, and sustainable energy. Active in industry partnerships for aerospace and automotive applications.
Iason Papaioannou is an Adjunct Professor in the area of Uncertainty Quantification at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the Engineering Risk Analysis Group. He holds a habilitation from the TUM School of Engineering and Design and has been tenured since 2021 as an Akademischer Rat. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from TUM (2012), an M.Sc. in Computational Mechanics (2007), and a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (2005). His research focuses on uncertainty quantification , reliability assessment , and Bayesian updating of engineering systems. Key areas include probabilistic modeling, machine learning applications, spatial variability analysis, and geotechnical reliability. He has pioneered methods for system reliability analysis, adaptive subset simulation, and cross-entropy-based importance sampling. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Stochastic Finite Element Methods, Structural Reliability Methods, and Elements of Machine Learning. His work integrates advanced computational techniques with practical engineering challenges, emphasizing high-dimensional uncertainty analysis and data-driven model updating.
Julie Bugg is a Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies. She is the principal investigator of the Cognitive Control & Aging Lab, which conducts research on cognitive control, aging, and memory. Her work is supported by funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Education: PhD, Colorado State University MS, Colorado State University BA, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Her research focuses on cognitive control mechanisms across the lifespan, particularly how aging affects attention, memory, and executive function. She investigates interference resolution in tasks like the Stroop and Eriksen flanker, distinguishing between list-level, contextual, and item-specific control. A major focus is how normal aging and early Alzheimer's disease differentially impact these processes. She also studies prospective memory —remembering future intentions—and the risks of commission errors, especially in older adults. Another active line explores cognitive training and physical exercise as interventions to preserve cognitive function in aging, including impacts on eHealth literacy. The published articles reveal a strong focus on cognitive control dynamics , with recurring themes in top-down regulation , conflict adaptation , and aging-related cognitive decline . Her work integrates behavioral paradigms with real-world applications, especially in improving health decision-making among older adults. Several studies use pupillometry to assess cognitive effort and awareness. Scientific Contributions: Developed methods to isolate levels of cognitive control Investigated mechanisms underlying commission errors in prospective memory Explored exercise as a neuroprotective factor in aging Examined eHealth literacy outcomes in cognitive training programs Julie Bugg actively mentors students, including undergraduates involved in her research. She has led NIA-funded projects on cognitive training and aging. Her lab investigates translational strategies to support cognitive health in older adults, with implications for public health and clinical intervention. Laboratory and Research Team: She leads the Cognitive Control & Aging Lab at Washington University, which conducts multi-faceted research on cognitive aging, memory, and executive function. The lab uses behavioral experiments, neuropsychological assessments, and physiological measures like pupillometry to explore cognitive mechanisms.
Dr. Anthony Baross is an Associate Professor of Sport & Exercise Physiology at the University of Northampton, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology and the Department of Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences. He has been a faculty member since 1998 and currently serves as a research theme lead, actively supervising PhD students and securing external funding for impactful research. His educational background includes a PhD in Cardiovascular Physiology from the University of Kent (2011), an MSc in Exercise and Health Behaviour from City University, London, and a BSc in Sport Science from Canterbury Christ Church University. He also holds a PGCE in post-compulsory education. Dr. Baross’s primary research focuses on the cardiovascular benefits of isometric resistance training (IRT), particularly its effects on ambulatory blood pressure and morning blood pressure surge in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals across age groups. He also investigates eccentric exercise, blood flow restriction training, and cryotherapy in aging populations. His work combines laboratory-based trials with real-world applications, often involving collaboration with institutions such as the University of Windsor and the University of Greenwich. His recent publications (2021–2025) reflect a strong trend in clinical exercise interventions, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies, and technical validations of training devices. Key themes include training frequency, detraining effects, cardiovascular reactivity, and home-based interventions for blood pressure management. Dr. Baross has led multiple funded projects, including those supported by local government, charitable organizations, and internal university funds, focusing on hypertension reduction and community health. His work has been presented at international conferences such as the European College of Sport Science. He actively supervises doctoral students including Brett Baxter, Saul Cuttell, Adnan Haq, and Dominic Langdon, whose research spans eccentric exercise, cryotherapy, and blood flow restriction. He is involved in public health partnerships and knowledge transfer initiatives, further amplifying the societal impact of his research.
Dr. Tom E. Nightingale is a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. He holds a PhD from the University of Bath and has held postdoctoral positions at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on improving health outcomes in individuals with neurological conditions, particularly spinal cord injury, through exercise and neuromodulation. Education: PhD in Exercise Physiology, University of Bath, UK (2016) BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, University of Bath, UK (2010) Dr. Nightingale's research lies at the intersection of exercise physiology and neurorehabilitation. He investigates how therapeutic interventions like neuromodulation and structured exercise can mitigate cardiometabolic and cerebrovascular risks in individuals with spinal cord injury. His work emphasizes autonomic regulation, cerebrovascular health, and the use of neuroprosthetics to enhance exercise capacity. He has published extensively on wearable technologies, clinical trial protocols, and consensus guidelines for SCI research. His recent publications highlight trends in transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, autonomic dysreflexia prevention, and the integration of wearable devices in monitoring health outcomes. These works reflect a strong focus on translating physiological research into clinical rehabilitation strategies. Scientific Awards: Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health Innovation Fund Postdoctoral Trainee Award Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research/ICORD Trainee Award Poster Presentation Winner, 4th International Conference on Ambulatory Monitoring Shortlisted for Ede & Ravenscroft Prize Dr. Nightingale supervises PhD and Master’s students on topics related to SCI and exercise physiology. He has received research support from the Wellcome Trust and the International Spinal Research Trust. He is actively involved in editorial boards for Spinal Cord and Spinal Cord Series and Cases , and serves on the National Rehabilitation Centre Research Board. He maintains ongoing collaborations with ICORD in Vancouver and is involved in multi-center clinical trials such as E-STAND. Labs and Teams: He collaborates with the International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) and contributes to research at the Centre for Human Brain Health at the University of Birmingham. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams focusing on spinal cord injury, neuromodulation, and rehabilitation science.
Peter Brown is an Associate Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on ladybird ecology, invasive species, and citizen science, with strong collaborations across the UK (especially the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and University of Hull), Europe, and Chile. Education: PhD: The spread of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Europe and its effects on native ladybirds – Anglia Ruskin University (2010) BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation – Anglia Ruskin University (2004) Peter's research interests include ladybird ecology, the impacts of non-native species on native biodiversity, intraguild predation among arthropods using molecular tools, and the use of citizen science in ecological research, particularly through the UK Ladybird Survey and COST Action CA17122. He investigates the global spread and ecological effects of the harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and evaluates the benefits and risks of exotic biological control agents. As director of the Citizen Science Research Group and member of the Applied Ecology Research Group, he emphasizes public engagement in science. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on citizen science, invasive species monitoring, and conservation biology. Themes include volunteer motivations, digital tools for data collection, policy implications of alien species, and recovery strategies for native ladybirds. This body of work demonstrates a strong integration of field ecology, molecular techniques, and public participation. Scientific Awards and Memberships: Fellow, Royal Entomological Society Honorary Fellow, British Naturalists' Association Co-leader, UK Ladybird Survey Editorial board, Nature in Cambridgeshire Member, British Ecological Society Peter supervises postgraduate research in ladybird and insect ecology and welcomes PhD applications. He has secured collaborative research opportunities and leads projects involving citizen science data. He has also contributed to policy and management frameworks for invasive species in Europe. Peter leads the undergraduate module 'Invertebrate Biology' and postgraduate modules in conservation and biodiversity, including field-based learning. He directs the Citizen Science Research Group and is actively involved in public outreach, having appeared on BBC programs such as The One Show, Countryfile Diaries, and The Today Programme, enhancing public understanding of ecology and invasive species.
Professor Tom Rye is a faculty member at Edinburgh Napier University within the School of Engineering and The Built Environment . His work focuses on Transport Policy , Sustainable Transport , and Public Transport Governance , with specific expertise in institutional dynamics, policy implementation, and urban mobility. Research Themes Transport economics and social equity Smart cities and mobility innovation Freight policy and collaborative governance Institutional analysis in transport planning Notable Contributions Hybrid policy implementation theory EU-funded projects on sustainable mobility (PROSPERITY, DYNAMO, CIVITAS CAPITAL) Analysis of formal/informal governance structures Supervision Director for Clare McTigue's bus policy research Second supervisor for Shelly-Ann Julien's port efficiency study Grants £187,417 (EU Park4SUMP) £254,160 (EU PROSPERITY) £62,823 (EU CIVITAS CAPITAL)
