Mehdi Abdollahi is an Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology's Department of Food and Nutrition Science. His research focuses on alternative proteins, food biotechnology, and plant-based hybrid foods, with emphasis on sustainable utilization of food side streams, legumes, cereals, and microalgae as future protein sources. Develops pH-shift technology and ultrasound-assisted methods for protein extraction Specializes in hybrid food engineering via fermentation and biorefinery Works on 3D food printing and high-moisture extrusion for food analogs Researches collagen and biobased food packaging materials His work includes >100 peer-reviewed publications, 4 book chapters, and 3 patents. Current projects involve collaborations with Arla Foods, Lantmännen, and Nordic Seafarm, addressing sustainable seafood systems and plant-protein hybridization. 2024 Bertebos Prize recipient 2025: Recognized among Sweden's Top 101 Sustainability Figures Mentors 7 PhD students and 3 postdocs while collaborating with European institutions like Kristianstad University and Ankara University. His group explores biorefinery strategies, hybrid food functionality, and innovative packaging solutions.
Holly Michael is a Professor and Unidel Fraser Russell Career Development Chair for the Environment at the University of Delaware, serving as Director of the Delaware Environmental Institute. She holds a BS from the University of Notre Dame (BS, 1990s) and a PhD from MIT (2000s). Her research focuses on coastal hydrogeology, saltwater intrusion, groundwater sustainability, and climate change impacts on water resources. Current projects include investigating coastal critical zones, groundwater salinization dynamics, and arsenic-safe groundwater management in Bangladesh. Dr. Michael’s work integrates field studies, modeling, and experimental economics to address water resource challenges. She leads initiatives on subterranean estuaries, tidal wetland biogeochemistry, and the interplay between groundwater and surface water systems. Her research spans disciplines such as contaminant hydrology, geostatistics, and environmental policy, with emphasis on coastal regions. Notable projects include assessing the impacts of storm surges on coastal forests and modeling groundwater responses to sea-level rise. Dr. Michael collaborates internationally on issues like sustainable groundwater use and climate adaptation strategies. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges hydrology, ecology, and socio-economic frameworks to solve complex environmental problems.
Franziska Mueller is a Research Scientist at Google Zurich , specializing in Augmented Perception . Prior to joining Google, she earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science at Saarland University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christian Theobalt, focusing on real-time hand reconstruction from RGB and depth images. Ph.D. in Computer Science (2016-2020) at Saarland University Master’s and Bachelor’s in Computer Science at Saarland University Research visits at Stanford University (2018) and Reality Labs Research (2019) Her research emphasizes the integration of model-based techniques and machine learning components for real-time 3D hand pose estimation, occlusion handling, and hand-object interaction tracking. Key contributions include methods for single-camera reconstruction and datasets like HandSeg. Scientific Awards : Dr. Eduard Martin Award (2021) Google PhD Fellowship (2017) Günter-Hotz-Medal (2016) Bachelor Award (2015) Völklinger Abiturpreis (2012)
Gunnar Kusch is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on defects in semiconductors, porous AlGaN materials, and advanced characterization techniques like cathodoluminescence (CL) and atom probe tomography (APT). He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde and leads projects on UV-B LED optimization, nanoscale defect behavior analysis, and semiconductor device design. His work bridges materials synthesis, characterization, and device performance, with applications in energy-efficient lighting and solar cell technology. Key research areas include: Defect engineering in III-nitride semiconductors Porous AlGaN templates for high-efficiency UV emitters Correlative microscopy techniques (CL, EBSD, APT) Composition-structure-property relationships in photovoltaic materials Notable contributions include developing CL-based methods for nanoscale defect analysis and demonstrating improved Cu(In,Ga)S₂ solar cell efficiencies through compositional engineering. His laboratory focuses on translating microscopic insights into macroscopic device improvements.
Agnes Desolneux is a CNRS Research Director at the Borelli Centre (formerly CMLA) and a Professor attached to the Mathematics Department at ENS Paris-Saclay. Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics (2000) from ENS Cachan Habilitation in Applied Mathematics (2010) from Université Paris Descartes Her research focuses on image analysis via statistical methods , particularly a contrario approaches, image restoration, texture synthesis, Determinantal Point Processes (DPP), optimal transport, Gaussian mixtures, geometry of random field excursions, shot-noise models, and mathematical modeling of visual perception through Gestalt theory. The articles extracted reflect her expertise in applied mathematics and computer vision , with recent works (2025-2020) on optimal transport algorithms, DPP applications, multiscale texture analysis, and stochastic modeling in medical imaging. Keywords span machine learning, probability theory, medical imaging, and computer vision . She has no listed scientific awards but has authored influential works including the book From Gestalt Theory to Image Analysis: A Probabilistic Approach (Springer, 2008) and Pattern Theory: the stochastic analysis of real-world signals (AK Peters, 2010).
Hanbyul Joo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU). Prior to joining SNU, he was a Research Scientist at Facebook AI Research (FAIR) in Menlo Park. He completed his Ph.D. in the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, working with Yaser Sheikh, and received his M.S. in Electrical Engineering and B.S. in Computer Science from KAIST, Korea. Dr. Joo's educational journey began at KAIST, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He then pursued his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, completing his dissertation titled "Sensing, Measuring, and Modeling Social Signals in Nonverbal Communication." His doctoral work focused on developing the Panoptic Studio, a unique sensing system with over 500 synchronized cameras for capturing social interactions. Dr. Joo's research primarily focuses on endowing machines and robots with the ability to perceive and understand human behaviors in 3D . His goal is to build "social Artificial Intelligence" that can interact with humans using social signals (body languages). He pursues this direction using data-driven methods where data is collected by measuring the wide spectrum of social signals transmitted during interpersonal social interaction. His research spans computer vision, machine learning, computer graphics, and robotics , with particular emphasis on 3D human pose estimation, human-object interaction, and social signal processing. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward leveraging diffusion models for 3D reconstruction and generation tasks, with a focus on human-centric applications. His work bridges the gap between 2D image understanding and 3D scene reconstruction, often utilizing pre-trained models to overcome data limitations. The research consistently addresses fundamental challenges in understanding human behavior, interaction with objects, and social dynamics in 3D space. Dr. Joo is a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Samsung Scholarship and the CVPR Best Student Paper Award in 2018 . His paper "Total Capture: A 3D Deformation Model for Tracking Faces, Hands, and Bodies" received this honor at CVPR 2018. His research has been widely recognized in top computer vision and AI conferences, with multiple oral presentations at venues like CVPR, ICCV, and ECCV. Dr. Joo actively mentors a large group of students, with approximately 15 current students working toward MS/PhD degrees under his supervision. His lab, the SNU VCLab, focuses on cutting-edge research in computer vision and graphics. He has secured significant research funding through his work, though specific grant details aren't provided on his website. Dr. Joo frequently serves as an area chair for major conferences including CVPR, ICCV, and NeurIPS, demonstrating his standing in the academic community. Dr. Joo leads the SNU VCLab, which has developed several notable datasets and tools including SNU ParaHome, FrankMocap, and the CMU Panoptic Studio Dataset. His lab maintains strong industry connections, with students interning at leading companies like Meta. The lab's research focuses on building the infrastructure and algorithms needed for social AI, with an emphasis on practical applications that can be deployed in real-world settings.
Dr. Robert O’Connor is an Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University (DCU) , specializing in interface chemistry and thin film characterization. His work bridges semiconductor physics and energy harvesting technologies , with a focus on materials like high-κ dielectrics and III-V substrates. BSc in Applied Physics (2001), DCU PhD in Semiconductor Physics (2005), DCU His research employs X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) to study material interfaces in devices such as MOSFETs and photoelectrochemical systems . He leads a 4-year SFI-funded project on solar water splitting for hydrogen fuel and collaborates with Trinity College Dublin (SPOKE project) and IMEC, Belgium on area-selective deposition techniques. His lab utilizes a state-of-the-art integrated ALD-XPS tool . His scientific awards include the Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship , Irish Research Council EMBARK Fellowship , and SFI TIDA Award . Publications span high-κ dielectrics , self-assembled monolayers , and block copolymer lithography , with recent work on graphene oxide heterostructures and recyclability in additive manufacturing . He supervises 5 postgraduate students and teaches modules like Final Year Project (PS451) and Solid State Physics I (PS204) . Collaborations include institutions such as IMEC and Trinity College Dublin , with tools like the integrated ALD-XPS system at DCU.
Wenping Wang is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on computer graphics, computer vision, geometric modeling, and visualization. He holds Fellowships from ACM and IEEE, and has received notable awards including the 2021 AsiaGraphics Outstanding Technical Contributions Award and the 2017 John Gregory Memorial Award. Wang's educational background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta and M.Eng. and B.Sc. degrees from Shandong University. His work spans advancements in neural implicit surfaces, 3D reconstruction, and medical imaging applications such as orthodontic treatment prediction. He has authored numerous influential papers in top-tier conferences like SIGGRAPH and journals like ACM Transactions on Graphics. His research interests emphasize bridging geometric modeling with machine learning, particularly in neural rendering, surface parameterization, and medical visualization. Recent projects include developing frameworks for automatic tooth alignment and high-fidelity 3D geometry generation. Wang's contributions have significantly impacted both theoretical foundations and practical applications in computer graphics.
Stephen Marshall is Professor of Urban Morphology and Urban Design at The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. He also served as Visiting Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano, Italy from 2019 to 2021. With over twenty-five years of experience in the built environment fields, initially in consultancy and subsequently in academia, Professor Marshall has established himself as a leading expert in urban morphology and design. His educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy from University College London (2001), a Postgraduate Diploma from Edinburgh College of Art (1995), a Master of Science from the University of Leeds (1989), and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Glasgow (1988). Professor Marshall's principal research focuses on urban morphology and street layout, examining their relationships with urban formative processes including urban design, coding and planning. His work bridges urban design theory with practical applications, exploring how cities evolve through complex interactions of physical form, social processes, and planning interventions. He has written or edited several influential books including 'Streets and Patterns' (2005), 'Cities, Design and Evolution' (2009), and 'Urban Coding and Planning' (2011). His recent publications reveal a growing interest in applying complexity science to urban morphology, with particular attention to biological analogies for understanding self-organizing cities. He has pioneered research on digital participation methods in urban planning, exploring how online platforms can enhance public engagement in urban space design. His work consistently bridges theoretical urban morphology with practical applications for contemporary urban challenges like pandemic adaptation and sustainable transport. Professor Marshall has served as Chair of the Editorial Board of Urban Design and Planning from its launch to 2012, and is now co-editor of Built Environment journal. His editorial work has significantly shaped scholarly discourse in urban planning and design. He leads several significant research initiatives including the Incubators of Public Spaces project, which explores digital platforms for co-creating urban spaces, and the Self-Organising Built Environment project, which investigates biological analogies in urbanism. These projects reflect his interdisciplinary approach to understanding and shaping urban environments, connecting with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
J. Edward Colgate is the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Human Augmentation via Dexterity (HAND) Engineering Research Center at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering. He also holds the title of Breed Senior Professor of Design. His academic career includes leadership roles as founding co-Director of the Segal Design Institute and director of the Master of Science in Engineering Design and Innovation program. Colgate earned his Ph.D. (1988), S.M. (1986), and S.B. in Physics (1983) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Colgate's research focuses on physical human-robot interaction with specialization in surface haptic interactive design and electroadhesion technology development. His work spans three interconnected domains: haptic interfaces (including wearable haptic arrays and Touchbot systems), robot dexterity through Shape-Based Remote Manipulation (SBRM) for overcoming communication delays, and high-speed electroadhesive actuators. The Northwestern Haptics Lab under his direction aims to create realistic virtual environments by merging these research vectors. His publications demonstrate consistent focus on tactile perception mechanisms, electroadhesion applications, and haptic rendering algorithms. Recent work explores texture playback fidelity, wearable electroadhesive arrays, robotic manipulation, and human-swarm control systems, reflecting interdisciplinary integration of mechanical engineering, materials science, and neuroscience principles. Awards: Elected to National Academy of Engineering (2021) for contributions to haptics, human-robot systems, and design education Inducted into National Academy of Inventors (2015) Educational initiatives include developing Northwestern's Design Thinking and Communication curriculum, establishing the Certificate in Engineering Design, and creating the Master of Science in Engineering Design and Innovation. He teaches ME 390: Introduction to System Dynamics using a flipped classroom model. Colgate directs the Northwestern Haptics Lab within the Center for Robotics and Biosystems, focusing on fundamental haptics research with applications in virtual reality, prosthetics, and human-assistive devices. The lab maintains active industry partnerships for technology transfer of haptic innovations.
Frederick A. A. Kingdom is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine, focusing on Perception, Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience . His research explores the interplay between early visual feature detection (edges, bars) and intermediate stages forming contours, textures, and surfaces through spatial vision, color vision, stereopsis, texture perception, brightness/lightness perception, and transparency studies . Email: fred.kingdom@mcgill.ca Key research domains include: Perceptual Mechanisms : Lateral inhibition, contrast normalization, spatial bandpass filters, and their role in brightness/lightness perception and illusions like simultaneous brightness contrast. Color Vision : Red-green vs blue-yellow system distribution, chromatic contrast requirements for stereopsis, color-based depth processing limitations, and color-shading effects that parse surfaces vs illumination. Texture Analysis : Detection thresholds for orientation/frequency/contrast modulated textures, co-circularity in texture perception, and texture statistical sensitivity (e.g., kurtosis importance). Shape Processing : Shape-frequency/shape-amplitude aftereffects, global vs local shape coding, and contour inflection adaptation. His work combines psychophysics , fMRI , image processing , and computational modeling to dissect visual system architecture, particularly how color and luminance signals are integrated/separated in early cortical processing.
David Salesin is an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington and a Principal Scientist/Director at Google Research since 2019. He has held academic roles at Cornell University (Visiting Assistant Professor, 1991-92) and guest professorships at Zhejiang University. His career spans academia and industry, including leadership at Adobe's Creative Technologies Lab (2005-17) and Microsoft Research (1999-2005). PhD, Stanford University (1991) Sc.B., Brown University (1983) His research focuses on computer graphics, particularly non-photorealistic rendering, digital typography, color science, and adaptive document layout. He pioneered techniques in image-based rendering, pen-and-ink illustration, and facial animation, with applications in multimedia and user interface design. Article Trends : His work bridges procedural content generation, 3D visualization, and artistic computing, emphasizing user-driven tools for creative industries. Key subfields include texture advection, multiresolution modeling, and real-time camera control for virtual cinematography. Scientific Awards : ACM Fellow (2002) ACM SIGGRAPH Achievement Award (2000) Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year (1998) NSF Presidential Faculty Fellow (1995-98) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (1995-97) Numerous industry grants and lab donations He has advised over 30 PhD and Master's students, including leaders at Microsoft, Pixar, and Google. His labs at UW and Adobe focused on graphics, imaging, and creativity tools.
Haagen Klaus is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at George Mason University, specializing in bioarchaeology, paleopathology, and forensic anthropology. Since 2013, he has directed research on the north coast of Peru, focusing on human skeletal biology, mortuary practices, and the impacts of colonialism and environmental stressors on prehistoric and historic societies. Ph.D., Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University (2008) M.A., Department of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University (2003) B.A., Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at Plattsburgh (2000) Klaus's research explores biocultural transformations in complex societies, with emphasis on health, violence, identity, and ethnogenesis. His Lambayeque Valley Biohistory Project (founded 2003) investigates skeletal markers of disease, stress, and violence across 10,000 years of Andean history. Methodologies include isotopic chemistry, ancient DNA analysis, and dental phenetics. Recent work (2025) examines oral microbiomes during Spanish colonization, syndemic processes in colonial dynamics, and stress indicators in pre- and postcontact populations. Projects integrate osteoimmunology, ecoimmunology, and life history trade-offs to understand physiological and cultural resilience. Current graduate students under his supervision include Rae-Ocean Blake, Kimberly Hargrave, Megan Jankowski, Emily Schopmeyer, and Celeste Schultheiss. He leads international collaborations involving Peruvian, Japanese, Canadian, and American researchers through the Lambayeque Valley Biohistory Project.
Prof William Tooman is the Head of the School of Divinity and Principal of St Mary's College at the University of St Andrews. He holds the rank of Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Judaism. His research focuses on the literary conventions and hermeneutics of ancient Jewish writers, particularly examining how poetics and textual evolution influenced interpretation. A co-PI of the Texture project, he explores historical poetics of ancient Jewish literature with Prof Andrew Teeter. Tooman earned his PhD in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2006) and has held roles including Lecturer at St Andrews (2009) and co-director of the Institute of Bible, Theology, and Hermeneutics (2018). Teaching spans undergraduate modules like DI1003 Old Testament 1 and postgraduate courses such as Textual Criticism. His research areas include textual criticism, inner-biblical interpretation, and scribal practices, with notable publications on Ezekiel, Targum Jonathan, and Qumran texts. Awards include an Honorary Research Fellowship at Manchester and grants from Harvard and Swiss-European programs. His advising includes five PhD students focusing on ancient Jewish literature. Key grants include the Texture project (2022–2027), exploring how ancient Jewish writers used literary techniques to transmit and reinterpret scripture. Labs/teams include the Institute of Bible, Theology, and Hermeneutics, emphasizing interdisciplinary biblical studies.
David Whitney is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley , with affiliations in Cognitive Science and Neuroscience . His research focuses on visual perception, particularly how humans process information in cluttered environments through mechanisms like ensemble perception , serial dependence , and perceptual crowding . He employs techniques such as psychophysics, fMRI, and TMS to study these phenomena. Whitney's recent work examines serial dependence in schizophrenia, emotion perception in crowds , and medical image analysis for dermatology and radiology. His studies reveal how the brain uses dynamic predictive templates and motion cues to stabilize perception despite neural processing delays. Publications span Current Biology , Nature Reviews Psychology , and PLoS ONE , with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary applications of perceptual science. Scientific contributions include foundational studies on visuomotor control , blind spot filling-in , and holistic face processing . His lab investigates perceptual stability across eye movements, spatial localization, and cross-modal interactions. Whitney has received grants such as NIH EY018216 to support his research on motion-dependent visual coding. Detailed information about his work is available on the Whitney Lab website .
