Nathaniel D. Daw serves as the Huo Professor in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience and Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at Princeton University, based at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute. His research integrates computational modeling with experimental neuroscience to investigate fundamental mechanisms of learning and decision-making. Daw's research focuses on computational and theoretical neuroscience, specializing in reinforcement learning, memory systems, and decision-making processes. He examines how neural circuits represent value, update beliefs through experience, and balance model-based versus model-free control strategies. His work frequently bridges theoretical frameworks with behavioral and neural data to explain phenomena ranging from habitual behavior to flexible cognitive control. Analysis of his 2025 publications reveals dominant themes in neural replay mechanisms, individual differences in learning trajectories, and clinical applications to eating disorders. His work increasingly incorporates large language models for psychological assessment while maintaining core focus on interpretable cognitive architectures and hierarchical planning. Daw maintains active research operations through the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, an interdisciplinary hub fostering collaboration between computational modelers, neuroscientists, and psychologists to advance understanding of neural mechanisms underlying cognition.
Marcella Lusardi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Princeton Materials Institute at Princeton University, leading interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials synthesis, catalysis, and sustainability. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT (2018) B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University (2012) Dr. Lusardi's research focuses on designing advanced catalytic materials for environmental challenges, with core expertise in surface science, light-matter interactions, and complex materials processing. Her group develops natural and engineered materials for energy and sustainability applications, emphasizing CO 2 capture/reduction, pollution abatement, and photocatalysis through molecular-level catalyst design. The MatCat Lab integrates experimental techniques like NMR spectroscopy with computational guidance to create scalable solutions for closed carbon cycles and greener chemical processes. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a dominant focus on zeolite-based catalysis for CO 2 conversion and carbonylation reactions, with growing emphasis on supramolecular assemblies and water-tolerant acid catalysts. Her work consistently bridges fundamental material properties with practical sustainability applications, showing progression toward integrated systems for direct air capture and light-mediated reactions. The MatCat Lab employs a highly interdisciplinary approach centered on defect engineering in silica matrices and molecular recognition for supramolecular networks. Current projects target tailored reaction environments for CO 2 reduction and microplastic oxidation, utilizing advanced synthesis methods and structural elucidation to develop practical catalytic technologies for a sustainable future.
Marcos Cruz is Professor of Innovative Environments at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL), where he leads research in bio-integrated design. He runs Bio-ID with Dr. Brenda Parker, a multidisciplinary research platform investigating design driven by biotechnology, computation, materials, and fabrication. Previously, he served as Director of The Bartlett from 2010-2014 and founded the BiotA Lab (2014-2018). His academic career spans multiple institutions including University College London (where he ran MArch Unit 20 for 19 years), University of Westminster (2008-2010), UCLA (2010), and IAAC (2014-present). Professor Cruz holds a Licenciatura from ESAP Porto, a Masters with distinction from UCL, and a PhD from UCL (2007), sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. His doctoral research on 'Neoplasmatic Architecture' earned him the RIBA President's Research Award in 2008. He is a registered architect with both the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Portuguese Architecture Chamber. His primary research area is Bio-Integrated Design, which explores how biotechnology and computation can reshape our built environment in response to climate change. This work goes beyond using nature as inspiration; instead, it treats nature as the medium for a multi-layered design approach. His key research project, Poikilohydric Living Walls, investigates integrating growth systems directly on building facades using algae and mosses that can switch photosynthetic activity on and off without additional maintenance. Another significant research area is The Body in Architecture, which examines the relationship between human flesh and architectural flesh, proposing a 'thick embodied flesh' that creates truly inhabitable architectural interfaces. His recent publications demonstrate a strong progression toward integrating living systems directly into building materials and facades. The research spans from microbial to tectonic scales, with increasing focus on biomaterials, robotic fabrication, and sustainable design approaches that actively participate in urban ecosystems rather than merely responding to them. RIBA President's Research Award (2008) for 'Neoplasmatic Architecture' Multiple Best Unit awards at Bartlett Summer Show (awarded by Thom Mayne, Paul Finch, Richard Rogers, Claude Parent, and Ross Lovegrove) Work part of permanent collection at FRAC Orleans Exhibitions at Venice and São Paulo Biennales Professor Cruz has supervised numerous PhD students through UCL's Research-by-Design programme and currently directs the MArch/MSc in Bio-Integrated Design. His research has been supported by EPSRC and involves industrial partners including Laing O'Rourke, Pennine Stone Limited, and Amorim, with academic partners at UCL Biochemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, and IST Tomar. He co-founded MAM-ARCH London (formerly marcosandmarjan) in 2000, whose work has built buildings and pavilions, won international competitions including the Kunsthaus Graz, and been exhibited globally. His practice represents a significant bridge between architectural design and biological systems, positioning him at the forefront of bio-integrated architectural research.
Matthew Santa serves as Professor of Music Theory and Chair of the Music Theory and Composition Area at Texas Tech University School of Music, with prior teaching appointments at Queens College and Hunter College. His leadership shapes curriculum development and academic initiatives within the department. Academic credentials include advanced degrees from Louisiana State University and The City University of New York, establishing foundational expertise in theoretical frameworks and analytical methodologies. Research focuses on post-tonal analysis , diatonic set theory , and parsimonious voice leading , bridging complex theoretical concepts with practical pedagogy. His work integrates popular music analysis and metrical studies, emphasizing accessibility for diverse learners through innovative teaching resources. Publications demonstrate evolving scholarly trends from late-20th century set theory toward contemporary applications in musical form and rhythm. Recent textbooks synthesize Rothstein, Krebs, and Mirka's theories into unified analytical approaches for undergraduate and graduate education. Scientific recognition includes: MTSNYS Young Scholar Award (1998) Mentorship encompasses graduate and undergraduate students across composition and theory disciplines, though specific advisees aren't documented in source materials. No grant funding details appear in available records. Collaborative projects include the Flute/Theory Workout series with Lisa Garner Santa and Thomas Hughes, blending performance technique with theoretical concepts through MIDI accompaniment systems.
Naoki Yoshinaga is a tenured Associate Professor at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, with extensive experience in natural language processing and computational linguistics. He has held academic positions since 2008 and currently leads research on pragmatic NLP models and multilingual systems. PhD in Computer Science, The University of Tokyo (2005-2008) MSc in Information Science (2000-2002) BSc in Information Science (1996-2000) His research focuses on mechanistic interpretability in NLP models, multilingual/multimodal NLP , and efficient model design using trie structures and conjunctive features. He also investigates knowledge acquisition from social data and evaluation metrics for language generation . Recent publications include work on neuron empirical gradient analysis (ACL-25), multilingual knowledge representation (EACL-24), and compact embedding methods (CoNLL-24). His research has been funded by multiple grants, including the University of Tokyo Excellent Young Researcher program and JSPS fellowships. Committee Special Award, Association for NLP (2023) JSAI SIG Research Award (2022) Best Interactive Award, DEIM Forum (2019, 2016) He developed widely-adopted NLP tools like pecco (fast classification library), RenTAL (LTAG-to-HPSG grammar converter), and J.DepP (Japanese dependency parser). His lab emphasizes strong equivalence in formalism comparisons and pragmatic model design .
J.D. Jansen is a full Professor at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the School of Civil Engineering & Geosciences, specializing in the Reservoir Engineering department. His research focuses on systems and control theory applied to subsurface flow mechanics, with applications in oil and gas production, geothermal energy, and induced seismicity. He actively contributes to academic networks through editorial roles, keynote presentations, and international collaborations. Active in computational geosciences (modeling, simulation, data analysis) Member of the Dutch Mining Council since 2016 Recipient of two Society of Petroleum Engineers awards in 2018 His work emphasizes optimization of subsurface processes, numerical modeling of porous materials, and seismicity mitigation. Recent publications highlight fault slip mechanics, benchmarking simulations, and stress pattern analysis in geothermal systems. Collaborations span geomechanics, reservoir engineering, and data assimilation domains. Scientific awards include: Distinguished Membership of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (2018) SPE Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty (2018) He leads research initiatives in induced seismicity, particularly in the Groningen Field, and contributes to model-based production optimization. Media engagements since 2020 demonstrate public outreach in energy transition topics.
Heng Ji is a Professor at the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science , affiliated with the Department of Computer Science , Electrical and Computer Engineering Department , and multiple research labs including the Coordinated Science Laboratory and Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She serves as an Amazon Scholar and Founding Director of the Amazon-Illinois Center on AI for Interactive Conversational Experiences (AICE) and CapitalOne-Illinois Center on AI Safety and Knowledge Systems (ASKS) . B.A. and M.A. in Computational Linguistics from Tsinghua University M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from New York University Her research bridges Natural Language Processing with Vision-Language Models , Knowledge-Enhanced LLMs , and AI for Science (e.g., chemical language modeling). She leads major multi-institutional projects such as DARPA ECOLE MIRACLE , KAIROS RESIN , and DEFT Tinker Bell , while advising governments (U.S. Air Force Data Analytics Expert Panel) and industry (Amazon, Google, IBM). Her work on multimodal reasoning, agent-based systems, and chemical language models (e.g., mCLM ) has been supported by NSF, DARPA, and corporate partners. Recent publications (2025) focus on LLM agents , vision-language integration , and scientific knowledge acquisition . Awards include NSF CAREER , IEEE Intelligent Systems' AI's 10 to Watch , and multiple Outstanding Paper Awards at ACL/NAACL. She advises students like Chi Han (ACL/NAACL awardee) and post-docs Xiusi Chen and Yuji Zhang , and leads the BLENDER Lab , which develops frameworks like WiNELL (Wikipedia updating) and ProteinZero (protein generation). She has also served as NAACL Secretary and Program Co-Chair for ACL-IJCNLP2022. Outstanding Paper Award at ACL2024 Two Outstanding Paper Awards at NAACL2024 Young Scientist by World Laureates Association (2023-2024) AI's 10 to Watch by IEEE (2013) NSF CAREER (2009) Google/IBM/Bosch Research Awards
Prof. Dr. Patrick Huber is a leading physicist and Institute Director at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) , heading the Institute for Materials and X-Ray Physics (M-2) . He also leads the High-Resolution X-Ray Analytics of Materials group at DESY through a cooperative professorship. His research spans condensed matter physics , nanoporous materials , and X-ray analytics , with significant contributions to molecular water science and soft matter in confinement . Education: PhD in Physics (1999, Saarland University), Diploma in Physics (1995, Saarland University) Professional Career: Full Professor at TUHH (2020-present), Member of CRC 1615 (2023-present), Spokesperson for CMWS (2024-present), Cluster of Excellence BlueMat (2025) Research Interests focus on multi-scale material behavior under extreme confinement, particularly hierarchical porous silicon and silica systems . His work examines adsorption-induced deformation , elastocapillarity , fluid transport in nanopores, and metamaterial design principles using electrolytes , polymers , and liquid crystals . Fundamental studies include fluid interface thermodynamics and microscopic hydrodynamics . Scientific Awards include the Top Reviewer Award (2018) from Applied Physics Letters and the Dr.-Eduard-Martin Award (2000) for his dissertation. He contributes to 130+ publications with an h-index of 36 (2021). Advising and Grants involve supervising 18 doctoral and master's students , including Manuel Brinker , Marc Thelen , and Stella Gries . He participates in Collaborative Research Centre CRC 1615 , Cluster of Excellence EXC 3120 BlueMat , and the United Nations University Hub on Climate Engineering . Laboratory and Teams include the Institute for Materials and X-Ray Physics (M-2) at TUHH, the High-Resolution X-Ray Analytics group at DESY, and contributions to the Centre for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHyN) .
Prof. Dr. Mareike Kühne is a full-time Professor of Business Administration at the Department of Business and Management, Brandenburg University of Technology. With a unique interdisciplinary background spanning economics, business administration, philosophy, and neuroscience, she bridges affective dimensions with economic rationality to develop holistic decision-making frameworks. Doctorate in Economics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (1992-1997) Fulbright Scholar, San Diego State University (1997-1998) Studies in Philosophy, Humboldt University (2007-2011) Doctoral and Master’s in Neuroscience, Berlin School of Mind and Brain (2011-2013) Her research integrates insights from psychology and neuroscience into capital market-oriented corporate reporting, corporate governance, and normative rationality frameworks. She critiques current economic models for neglecting the embodied nature of cognition, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of rationality that incorporates lived experience. Her 15 most recent works span sustainability reporting (2025), neuroeconomics (2021), M&A disputes (2017), and IFRS standard evolution (2005-2012). These publications highlight her focus on reconciling traditional accounting principles with interdisciplinary approaches to decision-making. Fulbright Scholar (1997-1998) Prof. Kühne has taught at Humboldt University, HHL Leipzig, and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain. She actively participates in professional organizations including the German Society for Philosophy, European Accounting Association, and European Financial Reporting Advisory Group. Her work emphasizes the practical impact of neuroscientific findings on economic policy and standard-setting.
Professor Behzad Fatahi is a distinguished academic in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), specializing in geotechnical engineering, railway infrastructure, and sustainable construction technologies. With a career spanning over 16 years at UTS, he has served as Deputy Head of School - Teaching and Learning (2024-present), Head of Discipline (2020-2024), and School Research Coordinator (2012-2017). His research focuses on unsaturated soil mechanics , dynamic soil-structure interaction , and green infrastructure solutions . Academic Appointments : Professor (2024-present), Associate Professor (2017-2024), Senior Lecturer (2011-2017), Lecturer (2008-2011) Research Leadership : Supervised 21 PhD students to completion, developed groundbreaking techniques for landfill waste reuse and tyre-derived aggregates in railway construction His work on seismic resilience of LNG tanks and bioengineered soil stabilization has received international recognition, including the 2023 Best Research Paper Award at the Australasian Association for Engineering Education conference. Professor Fatahi's industry experience includes geotechnical engineering roles at Coffey International and SES Engineering prior to academia. Key Research Contributions : Developed green corridor models for railway lines using coupled flow-deformation equations Pioneered AI-integrated teaching frameworks for civil engineering education Advanced machine learning techniques for intelligent compaction and structural buckling analysis As a Category 1 supervisor , he mentors graduate researchers in Civil Engineering , Geomechanics , and Earthquake Engineering . His peer-reviewed work (>240 publications) demonstrates technical excellence and innovation across multiple geotechnical domains.
Lu Zhang is The John W. Galbreath Chair in Finance and Professor of Finance at Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University. He also serves as a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (Asset Pricing program) and as Associate Editor for the Journal of Financial Economics and Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. Previously, he taught at the University of Michigan and University of Rochester. Research Focus: Dr. Zhang specializes in asset pricing, integrating macroeconomics, corporate finance, labor economics, and capital markets research in accounting. His groundbreaking contributions include the investment CAPM and the q-factor model, which address asset pricing anomalies and serve as foundational tools in academic and investment management sectors. Recent Publications: His recent work spans topics such as firm-level irreversibility, endogenous disasters in economic modeling, and the integration of expected growth into the q-factor model. These studies reflect his focus on bridging macroeconomic dynamics with financial markets. Scientific Awards: Smith-Breeden Award for Best Paper (2005) Spängler IQAM Best Paper Prize (2019) Editor’s Choice, Lead Article (2015) Teaching: Dr. Zhang teaches courses ranging from undergraduate to PhD levels, including Investment Management, Derivative Securities, and Advanced Asset Pricing. In 2015, he received the Outstanding Working Professional MBA Elective Faculty Award at Ohio State.
Dr. Cooper Harshbarger is a Lecturer at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich , Switzerland. His research bridges biomechanics and acoustofluidics, focusing on spinal surgery and microscale cell manipulation technologies. Email: cooper.harshbarger@hest.ethz.ch Research Interests : Dr. Harshbarger specializes in biomechanical analysis of spinal structures and acoustofluidic device development . His work explores: Biomechanics of the lumbar spine and osteoligamentous complexes Acoustically-driven microfluidic systems for medical diagnostics Cell focusing/trapping technologies using sharp-edge acoustofluidics Scientific Contributions : Recent publications highlight his dual expertise in spinal fusion biomechanics and microscale fluid control , with applications in cancer diagnostics and cell manipulation. Key technologies include BAW-based systems and programmable acoustofluidic chips.
Raphael Franzini serves as Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Utah, actively contributing to the Biological Chemistry PhD Program. His research pioneers innovative chemical approaches for therapeutic development, with dual focus on DNA-encoded library technologies and bioorthogonal drug delivery systems. His educational foundation includes an M.S. from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Lausanne) and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. This training underpins his group's multidisciplinary methodology combining organic synthesis, bioconjugation, computational modeling, and advanced imaging techniques. Dr. Franzini's research program centers on two transformative areas: First, advancing DNA-encoded library screening through computational integration to identify leads for challenging targets like Tankyrase and Sirtuin 6, with recent work addressing false negatives in machine learning prediction. Second, developing novel bioorthogonal release chemistry using isonitrile-tetrazine reactions for spatiotemporally controlled drug activation, validated in zebrafish models. His group emphasizes both technological innovation and therapeutic translation, with chemistry designed to minimize off-target effects in solid tumors. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals escalating integration of computational methods with experimental library screening, alongside refinement of bioorthogonal release kinetics. The work spans chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences, with growing emphasis on machine learning for library data interpretation and in vivo validation of drug-release systems. Dr. Franzini maintains an active research laboratory that provides comprehensive training in cutting-edge drug discovery methodologies. His group culture prioritizes both scientific innovation and researcher development, with projects spanning from fundamental reaction kinetics to therapeutic applications. The lab's infrastructure supports organic synthesis, molecular imaging, and computational analysis for advancing precision therapeutics.
Professor Patricia H. Reiff is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University and Associate Director for Outreach Programs at the Rice Space Institute. Her research focuses on space plasma physics, magnetospheric dynamics, auroras, and space weather. She has led missions like the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) and contributed to the Dynamics Explorer, Polar, and Cluster missions. Reiff has pioneered public education initiatives, including the Discovery Dome portable planetarium system and the 'Totality!' planetarium show, reaching global audiences. She has trained fourteen PhD students and directs the Master of Science Teaching (MST) program, which has produced 36 teacher alumni as of 2024. Education: B.S. Physics (Oklahoma State University, 1971), M.S. Space Science (Rice University, 1974), and Ph.D. Space Physics and Astronomy (Rice University, 1975). Her research uses data from missions like MMS and citizen science projects like Citizen CATE to study magnetic reconnection and space weather effects. Key research interests include solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions, magnetospheric reconnection, and the societal impacts of space weather. She has authored over 160 refereed publications and holds an H-index of 40. Reiff’s awards include AGU Fellow (1997), the Athelstan Spilhaus Award (2009), and NASA Group Achievement Awards. She is a vocal advocate for STEM education, frequently appearing in media to discuss eclipses and space science, including her role as a solar eclipse tour guide and science commentator.
Carla P. Gomes is a Professor of Computer Science at Cornell University with joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science and the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. She holds a PhD in computer science from the University of Edinburgh and an M.Sc. in applied mathematics from the University of Lisbon. Her research focuses on artificial intelligence, constraint reasoning, optimization, and computational sustainability. As Director of the Institute for Computational Sustainability (ICS) and co-director of the Cornell University AI for Science Institute, she leads efforts to integrate AI with sustainability challenges. Her research themes include the integration of constraint reasoning, machine learning, and operations research to solve large-scale problems. She pioneered the field of Computational Sustainability, addressing environmental, economic, and societal challenges through AI. Gomes directed two NSF Expeditions in Computing awards and established CompSustNet, a large-scale sustainability research network. Key awards include the 2021 ACM–AAAI Allen Newell Award, AAAI Feigenbaum Prize, and fellowships from AAAI, ACM, and AAAS. Her work spans over 200 publications, with contributions to AI, sustainability, and materials discovery. She advises numerous PhD students and oversees postdocs in AI, sustainability, and interdisciplinary projects. Gomes' lab focuses on AI for scientific discovery, including autonomous materials synthesis and crystal-structure phase mapping. She collaborates with institutions like JCAP and the Materials Project, advancing AI-driven solutions for energy and environmental challenges. Current projects include Schmidt AI in Science postdoc initiatives and AI-driven materials discovery platforms like DRNets and SARA.
