Prof. Mathias Drton holds the Chair of Mathematical Statistics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the Department of Mathematics and School of Computation, Information and Technology. His research focuses on graphical models, algebraic statistics, causal inference, and multivariate data analysis. He has authored numerous publications in top-tier journals and conferences, including work on conditional independence, sparse factor analysis, and causal discovery in linear models. Drton has supervised a large number of theses, mentoring students in areas like high-dimensional statistics, graphical models, and causal inference. He is actively involved in teaching advanced courses such as 'Graphical Models in Statistics' and 'Fundamentals of Mathematical Statistics.' His academic contributions span theoretical developments in statistical methodology and computational tools, including R packages like SEMID and symRC . Drton collaborates internationally, contributing to projects like the TUM-ICL Mathematical Sciences Hub and Exzellenzcluster MCQST. His work bridges algebraic methods with statistical challenges, addressing identifiability in latent variable models and robust graphical modeling under non-Gaussian assumptions. Recent research emphasizes causal structure learning under partial homoscedasticity, distribution-free independence tests, and multi-domain causal representation learning. Drton’s lab actively explores applications in genomics, epidemiology, and machine learning, leveraging both theoretical rigor and practical computational methods.
Mathias Niepert is a Professor at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence within the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Stuttgart. His research focuses on advancing machine learning techniques with applications in scientific computing, graph neural networks, and medical imaging. He is particularly known for contributions to physics-informed neural networks, equivariant models, and graph learning frameworks. Key research areas include: Scientific Machine Learning for PDEs and molecular modeling Graph neural networks and their theoretical limitations Medical vision-language models and multimodal learning Efficient neural network architectures (transformers, FNOs) Domain knowledge integration in deep learning His work often bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, as evidenced by extensive publications (2018–2025) on topics like adaptive message passing, equivariant networks, and medical imaging systems. He has contributed to benchmark development through initiatives like PDEBench and pioneered methods for equivariant diffusion models and molecular representation learning. His current projects emphasize: Improving generalization in Fourier Neural Operators Addressing oversmoothing in graph networks Combining physics principles with neural architectures Medical AI applications through multimodal fusion
Tom Wollschläger is a researcher at the Department of Computer Science (I26) within the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology at the Technical University of Munich . His work focuses on robustness and uncertainty in machine learning, with specific interests in graph/network analysis, temporal data modeling, and quantum computing applications. Education: M.Sc. Mathematics in Data Science, Technical University of Munich B.Sc. Computer Science (minor mathematics), Technical University of Munich B.Sc. Engineering Science, Technical University of Munich Research Background: 2020: Master's thesis on Certifiable Robustness for Arbitrary Classifiers using Graph Diffusion 2018: Bachelor's thesis in computer science on Forecasting Passenger Demand for Mobility Services using Machine Learning 2017: Bachelor's thesis in engineering science on The Influence of Light Intensity on Organic Solar Cells
apl. Prof. Dr. habil. Thomas Seifert is an extraordinary professor in the Professorship for Mineral Deposits and Petrology at the Faculty of Geosciences, Geotechnics and Mining of Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg. His academic career spans over three decades with significant contributions to economic geology and mineral deposit research. Since 2011, he has served as an apl. Professor for Geology and Metallogeny of mineral resource deposits, and since 2012 has been in charge of the Professorship for Lagerstättenlehre (mineral deposit science) and Petrology at TUBAF. Seifert's research focuses on metallogeny of Sn-W-Mo-Li-In polymetallic deposits, hydrothermal Au and Ag polymetallic mineralization, Archaean Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum pegmatites, petrology of lamprophyres and related rocks, and Large Igneous Provinces. His work bridges theoretical understanding with practical mineral exploration, particularly for critical raw materials essential for modern technology. His extensive field experience includes research in Germany, Australia, Zimbabwe, Russia, China, Canada, and the United States. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on critical metal exploration, particularly tin, lithium, indium, and other strategic elements. His research combines detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and geochronological studies to understand the formation processes of economically important deposits. The articles reveal his expertise in both European Variscan deposits and Archaean cratonic settings, with particular attention to the Erzgebirge region of Germany and comparable deposits worldwide. Seifert has received the Julius-Weisbach-Preis in 2009, recognizing his contributions to geoscience. He maintains active memberships in key professional societies including the Society of Economic Geologists (since 1996), International Association for the Genesis of Ore Deposits (since 1993), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften (since 2002). His collaborative research extends across international boundaries, working with institutions in Australia, Zimbabwe, Czech Republic, Sweden, and other countries. His work on iron oxide-apatite deposits, critical metal enrichment in skarn systems, and Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralization demonstrates the breadth of his research interests and their relevance to modern mineral exploration challenges.
Thomas Berger is a Professor at the University of Hohenheim , affiliated with the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and leading the Department of Economics of Land Use . He also contributes to the Computational Science Hub and Hohenheim Tropics initiatives. Focus Areas: Climate change adaptation, land-use modeling, biodiversity-productivity trade-offs, agent-based simulation, and machine learning in agricultural systems. Key Projects: Simulation frameworks for smallholder resilience in Ethiopia, bioeconomic modeling in the Amazon, and hybrid intelligence applications in European agricultural policy. Recent Publications: 2025 study on climate change effects on insecticide reduction in Germany, 2024 work on reconciling biodiversity with productivity via hybrid models, and 2023 methodological contributions to surrogate modeling and seasonal forecast integration. Research Trends: Interdisciplinary integration of climate science, agricultural economics, and computational modeling, with increasing emphasis on AI-assisted decision support systems and sustainability policy validation. Teaching & Outreach: Offers Agricultural Economics seminars and Hohenheim Tropics discussions, requiring advance email registration for office hours.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Weihan Li is a Junior Professor at RWTH Aachen University, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization for Batteries. He is affiliated with the Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) and the Center for Ageing, Reliability, and Lifetime Prediction of Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL). His research bridges informatics, electrochemistry, and power electronics to advance battery technology through AI. B.Sc. in Automotive Engineering (Tongji University, 2014) M.Sc. in Automotive Engineering and Transport (RWTH Aachen, 2017) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (RWTH Aachen, 2021, summa cum laude) Prof. Li’s research focuses on AI-driven battery modeling, diagnostics, and optimization. Key areas include digital twin technology, electrochemical parameterization, and lifetime prediction using field data. He explores multi-scale kinetic processes, thermal management, and mechanical-electrochemical coupling effects in battery systems. The articles listed reflect his leadership in AI-powered battery analytics, spanning degradation prediction, fast charging, failure mode analysis, and grid-scale storage. His work emphasizes both theoretical innovation (e.g., diffusion models, physics-informed neural networks) and practical applications (e.g., second-life battery screening, automotive integration). Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher 2024 BMBF BattFutur Research Group (€2M+) German Thesis Award (Körber Foundation) Reichart Prize vgbe Innovation Prize Battery Young Research Award Umbrella Award RWTH Innovation Award Prof. Li leads an interdisciplinary research group with over €6 million in grants from BMBF, BMWK, BMDV, European Commission, and industry partners. His teams focus on battery informatics, AI-driven diagnostics, and digitalization of testing processes at CARL and ISEA.
Prof. Dr. Petra Schwille is a Director at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and former C4 Professor of Biophysics at Dresden University of Technology . Her work spans molecular and cellular biophysics, synthetic biology, and single-molecule techniques. Academic disciplines: Natural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences Key roles: Editorial Board member (Nature Methods, Biophysical Journal), Governing Council of Biophysical Society Research Focus includes membrane biophysics, protein interactions, and microfluidic systems. Her publications emphasize Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) , receptor-ligand dynamics, and self-organization in bacterial cell division. Developed in vitro models for spatial regulation in cells Explored calmodulin availability and morphogen gradient formation Scientific Recognition includes prestigious awards like the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2010) and the Biofuture grant (1998) . Max Planck Fellow (2005) Young Investigator Award (2003) Leadership & Service involves roles such as Dean of Studies for Nanobiophysics at TU Dresden and Vice Dean of the Dresden International Graduate School for Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB) . She also contributes to editorial and advisory boards in biophysics and science policy.
Uwe Cantner is a Full Professor of Economics at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and holds a professorship at the University of Southern Denmark/Odense. He has held significant roles such as Vice President for Young Researchers and Diversity Management at FSU Jena (2014–2024), Chairman of the German Federal Government's Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI), and Spokesman of the DFG-GRK 1411 Research Training Group. His work focuses on the economics of innovation, evolutionary economics, industrial economics, productivity measurement, and public finance. Education : Dipl.oec. in Business Administration/Economics (1985) from University of Augsburg; MA in Economics (1984) from Wayne State University; Dr.oec.publ. (1990) and Dr.rer.pol.habil. (1996) from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. Cantner's research bridges theoretical and empirical analyses of innovation systems, technological sovereignty, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. He has contributed to debates on missions-oriented innovation policy, productivity dynamics in global value chains, and the role of institutional transparency in regional development. His recent publications analyze industrial policy frameworks (2023), digitalization challenges in European higher education (2022), and corruption-innovation linkages (2020). Articles span evolutionary economics, environmental economics, and policy analysis, with cross-cutting themes in sustainability, governance, and regional development. Cantner actively shapes academic discourse as President of the International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society (since 2015) and editorial roles in journals like the Journal of Evolutionary Economics . He has directed graduate programs and contributed to EU energy transition research through expert surveys.
Ronald Gleich has been Professor of Management Practice & Control at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management since August 2020. In December 2020 he founded the Centre for Performance Management & Controlling together with Prof. Dr. Matthias Mahlendorf. His research centres on management control, innovation management, performance measurement and digital transformation, and he co-authors the leading German-language controlling textbook (14th edition). Education & Career Path Apprenticeship as banker Studies in technically-oriented business administration, University of Stuttgart Doctorate and habilitation, University of Stuttgart Deputy professorship, University of Hohenheim Professor of Industrial Management, EBS University (2003–July 2020) Research Interests Ronald Gleich investigates practical and current issues in controlling, innovation management, performance measurement and cost management. He focuses on how organisations can design effective control systems to steer innovation, improve cost efficiency and master digital transformation (Industrie 4.0) and crisis situations such as COVID-19. His work bridges rigorous research with direct applicability for manufacturing firms and executive practice. Publication Profile Across more than 250 publications—spanning journal articles, monographs, edited volumes and practitioner guides—Gleich explores themes such as advanced budgeting, performance measurement systems, innovation controlling, supply-chain controlling and integrated reporting. His recent output (2020–2024) emphasises agility, crisis management, digital technologies and the evolution of controller roles. Industry Engagement & Leadership Founder and Co-Director, Centre for Performance Management & Controlling, Frankfurt School Co-Director, ICV-Ideenwerkstatt (think-tank of the International Controller Association) Partner, Horváth & Partners (2001–2005) Managing Partner & Shareholder, Horváth Academy (2012–2018) Advisor to leading German manufacturing companies Teaching & Executive Education Professor Gleich teaches internal accounting, controlling and a variety of executive-education seminars and certificate programmes aimed at finance leaders and controllers.
Xieyuanli Chen is an Associate Professor at the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), China. He holds a Dr.-Ing. (summa cum laude) from the University of Bonn (2022), a Master's in Robotics from NUDT (2017), and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering from Hunan University (2015). His research focuses on robot learning, perception, and navigation, with an emphasis on LiDAR-based SLAM, autonomous systems, and semantic perception. Education: PhD: University of Bonn, 2018-2022 (supervised by Prof. Cyrill Stachniss) Master's: NUDT, 2015-2017 Bachelor's: Hunan University, 2011-2015 Research interests include robotics, autonomous systems, computer vision, and LiDAR perception. He has authored over 90 papers in top venues like TRO, RSS, ICRA, and CVPR. He serves as an Associate Editor for IEEE RA-L, ICRA, and IROS, and is a member of the RoboCup Rescue Robot League Technical Committee. Awards include the RSS Pioneer Award (2021), Best-in-Class RoboCup awards, and recognition as a World’s Top 2% Scientist (2024). His work spans LiDAR localization, moving object segmentation, and efficient semantic mapping. He advises students in robotics and autonomous systems. Labs/Teams: Active in the PRBonn group (University of Bonn) and leads research at NUDT on LiDAR-based perception systems.
Ulrich Tallarek serves as Professor of Analytical Chemistry in the Faculty of Chemistry at Philipps University of Marburg, where he has held a W3 professorship since 2011. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Materials Science Center at the university, a position he has held since 2007. His research group focuses on the fundamental understanding of transport phenomena in porous media with applications spanning chromatography, battery technology, and microfluidic systems. The group maintains strong collaborations with institutions worldwide and secures substantial research funding for advanced computational and experimental work. Professor Tallarek's research interests center on functional porous solids, with specific focus on morphology-transport-performance relationships. His work bridges multiple scales from molecular dynamics simulations of solute behavior in nanopores to macroscopic transport in chromatographic columns and battery electrodes. Key research areas include diffusion in hierarchical porous media, electrokinetic phenomena in microfluidic systems, molecular simulation of chromatographic processes, and advanced characterization of porous materials using tomography and other techniques. His group has pioneered multiscale simulation approaches that connect molecular-level surface chemistry to macroscopic transport properties. The research output demonstrates consistent focus on understanding fundamental transport mechanisms in porous systems, with recent publications emphasizing multiscale simulation techniques, molecular dynamics studies of solvent effects in chromatography, advanced characterization of mesoporous structures, and applications to separation science and energy storage. The work shows strong integration of computational modeling with experimental validation across multiple length scales. 2003: Desty Memorial Prize for Innovation in Separation Science, The Royal Institution of Great Britain, London 2006: Young Scientist Award from DECHEMA e.V. 2011: Named Discussion Leader at the 2011 Gordon Research Conference on Physics & Chemistry of Microfluidics 2011–2012: Chairman of the German Chemical Society (GDCh), Marburg 2013: Finalist, World Technology Awards, for category Environment 2013: Named as one of the 100 most influential analytical scientists in the world (The Analytical Scientist Power List) 2017: Recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal 2017, The Chromatographic Society, UK Professor Tallarek's research has been supported by numerous grants enabling high-performance computing resources, advanced instrumentation, and international collaborations. His group maintains strong ties with industry partners in separation science and analytical instrumentation. The Tallarek Research Group includes postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and technical staff working across experimental and computational domains. Current projects focus on molecular simulation of chromatographic processes, advanced characterization of porous battery electrodes, and development of novel separation methodologies. The Tallarek Research Group operates state-of-the-art facilities for computational modeling, including access to high-performance computing resources at Forschungszentrum Jülich. The group also maintains experimental capabilities for chromatographic analysis, materials characterization, and microfluidic device development. Their work on physically reconstructed porous media has established new standards for connecting microstructure to transport properties in complex materials systems.
Lucio Baccaro is Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (MPIfG) and was Full Professor of Macrosociology at the University of Geneva, where he also served as Deputy Dean for Research (2016–2020). He has held academic positions at MIT, Case Western Reserve University, and visiting roles at the University of Turin and the University of Vienna. His primary affiliations are with MPIfG and the University of Geneva, both central to his research in political economy and sociology. Education: PhD in Management and Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1999 Doctorate in Labor Law and Industrial Relations, University of Pavia, 1997 Master of Business Administration, Stoa' (IRI-MIT joint venture), 1991 Laurea in Philosophy, summa cum laude, University "La Sapienza", Rome, 1989 Lucio Baccaro’s research focuses on comparative political economy, labor relations, global worker rights, and deliberative governance . His work integrates economic sociology and political sociology to analyze institutional change, social dialogue, and the impact of globalization on labor and welfare systems. He has led major comparative studies on employment models, pension reforms, and international labor standards. His scholarship emphasizes the interplay between institutions, ideas, and power in shaping economic governance. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on institutional change, deliberative processes, labor market reforms, and global justice . Themes include path dependence in international organizations, the transformation of collective bargaining, and the role of expertise in democratic governance. His interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, political science, and economics, with strong methodological rigor in comparative and qualitative analysis. Scientific Awards and Honors: Honorary Professor, University of Duisburg-Essen (2023) Professeur honoraire, University of Geneva (2020) International Geneva Award (2011) Outstanding Young Scholar Award, IRRA (2003) Founder's Prize, SASE (2001) Maurice F. Strong Career Development Chair, MIT (2006–2009) Multiple fellowships from SSRC, Harvard, MIT, and CUNY Alfiere del Lavoro, awarded by the President of Italy (1984) Advising and Grants: While specific student advisees are not listed, Baccaro has supervised research and mentored scholars through his roles at MPIfG and the University of Geneva. He has secured substantial research funding, including grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) and the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS), supporting projects on post-Fordist growth models, employment policy, and deliberative governance. His leadership in co-principal investigator roles highlights his collaborative research approach and institutional influence. Labs and Research Teams: As Director at MPIfG, Baccaro leads a major research institute focused on the study of societal and economic institutions. He has been instrumental in shaping research agendas on political economy and governance, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and international scholarly exchange.
Hannes Schammann is Professor of Political Science with a focus on migration policy at the University of Hildesheim , where he leads the Migration Policy Research Group since 2018. His work bridges academic research and practical implementation through the Research and Transfer Center for Migration Policy , addressing migration, integration, and refugee policy challenges. In January 2025, he joined the German Council of Experts on Integration and Migration (SVR) as a scientific advisor. Research Focus: Schammann specializes in local authorities' scope for action in refugee-related migration, national migration policy analysis, and educational integration aspects. He co-authored the textbook Migration Policy (2021) and contributes to international journals like Journal of Refugee Studies and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies . Key Projects: He leads third-party funded initiatives including Match'In (algorithmic asylum seeker distribution), SOLDISK (solidarity discourses in migration), Country.Home.Future (rural integration), When Mayors Make Migration Policy (municipal EU influence). Expert Engagements: Schammann serves on editorial boards including Zeitschrift für Flucht- und Flüchtlingsforschung , and participates in advisory roles for institutions like the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and Robert Bosch Foundation . He also engages in public discourse through media appearances in Deutschlandfunk , ARD , and SWR regarding migration challenges.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Knieling (HafenCity University Hamburg) specializes in Urban Planning and Regional Development , focusing on sustainable metropolitan governance, climate resilience, and land use policy. As co-chair of Hamburg's Senate Climate Advisory Board , he drives policy recommendations on net-zero land consumption , climate action plans , and spatial governance reform . Co-chair, Hamburg Climate Advisory Board (2021–present) Member, Advisory Council for Spatial Development, German Federal Ministry Co-leader, DFG Research Training Group 'City Science Lab' Coordinator, EU projects 'SMARTilience', 'RESCUE', 'Area21' His research explores climate-resilient urban governance through comparative studies of cities like Halle (Saale) and Mannheim , emphasizing collaborative planning and smart city technologies . Recent work addresses heat action planning , spatial equity , and digital policy tools for sustainable development. Key publication trends include land consumption reduction (30 ha/day target), urban-rural partnerships , and AI in spatial planning . His Urban Governance Toolbox project (2023) exemplifies solutions for municipal climate resilience. Students under his supervision include: Leon Thümer (B.Sc., 2020 - 'Co-Creation in Real Estate') Laura-Darleen Klein (M.Sc., 2023 - 'Age-Friendly Cities') Charlotte Muhl (M.Sc., 2018 - 'Urban Commons') He leads the Urban Planning and Regional Development department, mentoring 12+ research associates and coordinating interdisciplinary projects with institutions like Goldsmiths University , Leuphana University , and Georgia Tech .
Stefania Degaetano-Ortlieb is an Associate Professor of English Linguistics and Corpus Linguistics at Saarland University's Department of Language Science and Technology. She serves as Principal Investigator for the Collaborative Research Center (SFB 1102) 'Information Density and Linguistic Encoding,' leading Project B1 on diachronic information density in English scientific writing (17th century-present). Her interdisciplinary work bridges computational methods with sociolinguistics, focusing on register variation, language change, and digital humanities. Research interests center on text mining, data analytics, and probabilistic modeling of language variation. Key areas include: Diachronic evolution of scientific registers and linguistic densification Information-theoretic approaches to language efficiency Computational sociolinguistics and register diversification AI applications in humanities education (e.g., ChatGPT integration) Her publications show a strong trend toward quantitative diachronic analysis, with recent work emphasizing: interpretable AI models for linguistic change detection; propagandistic narrative analysis in conflict zones; and multi-word expression dynamics in scientific discourse. Cross-disciplinary collaborations frequently intersect with history, psychology, and media studies. Awards include the Fellowship Excellence Program for Young Female Scientists (2015-2018). Current grants: EU Horizon MSCA Doctoral Network 'CASCADE' (€521K to UdS, 2024-2027) Data-Pin Project for AI in education (€50K, 2023-2024) SFB 1102 Project B1 (€595K, 2022-2026) Advises PhD candidates in the EU CASCADE project on computational semantic change. Leads a research team exploring Russian media narratives, personality modeling in LLMs, and multi-word expressions. Directs teaching modules integrating AI tools for humanities students.
