Christoph Koch is a Full Professor in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) , Switzerland. He has held academic positions at Cornell University (2007-2010, 2006), Saarland University (2005-2007), and TU Vienna (2001-2005). His research focuses on database systems, logic, programming languages, and data management.
Jan Dreier is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Logic and Computation at Vienna University of Technology. His research centers on structural graph theory and algorithmic meta-theorems, particularly exploring the boundaries of tractability for model checking problems. Dreier's work bridges theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics, focusing on graph decompositions, parameterized complexity, and logical expressiveness. Key research themes include monadic stability in graph classes, applications of model theory to computer science, and efficient algorithms for logical queries on structured graphs. His publication record shows consistent focus on graph sparsity concepts and algorithmic applications of logic, with recent work expanding into approximation methods for counting queries. Research demonstrates sophisticated applications of combinatorial methods to fundamental problems in computational complexity.
Richard Franz Löscher is a researcher at the Institute of Applied Mathematics specializing in numerical methods for optimal control problems. He holds a BSc, Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.), and Doctorate in Technical Sciences (Dr.techn.), demonstrating extensive technical education and engineering expertise. His educational qualifications include: BSc Diploma in Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.) Doctorate in Technical Sciences (Dr.techn.) Löscher's research centers on numerical mathematics with deep specialization in finite element methodologies for distributed optimal control problems governed by partial differential equations. His work addresses elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic control systems through regularization techniques, adaptive mesh refinement, and robust solver development. Key innovations include variable energy regularization frameworks, mass-lumping discretizations, and complexity-optimal space-time finite element systems that significantly advance computational efficiency and error estimation in constrained control environments. Analysis of his 2024-2026 publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory focused on overcoming computational bottlenecks in optimal control. His work consistently bridges theoretical rigor with practical implementation, emphasizing discretization schemes that balance accuracy and computational cost while addressing state/control constraints across diverse PDE systems. No scientific awards or honors were documented in available sources. Löscher maintains active research collaborations with prominent figures including Ulrich Langer and Olaf Steinbach, evidenced by co-authored publications and peer-review activities for journals like Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics. His external research engagement includes a July 2024 visit to Delft University of Technology, highlighting international academic partnerships.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans J. Briegel is a Professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics within the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics at the University of Innsbruck. His research group focuses on Quantum Information and Computation . He can be contacted via Hans.Briegel@uibk.ac.at and is located in Room 4S15.
Institute of Science and Technology AustriaAustria
Christoph H. Lampert is a Professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), leading the Machine Learning and Computer Vision (MLCV) Group. His research spans machine learning, computer vision, and trustworthy AI with emphasis on robustness and fairness. He serves as ELLIS Fellow and Unit Director for ISTA's ELLIS unit. His research program focuses on foundational challenges in machine learning including robustness against distribution shifts, fairness in algorithmic decision-making, and verification of neural networks. Key contributions include work on 1-Lipschitz networks for robust classification, multi-source learning frameworks, and federated learning architectures. The group maintains strong output in top-tier venues through theoretical and empirical approaches. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on verification, robustness, and multi-source learning, with notable recognition including the DARPA Disruptive Ideas award for logic gate neural network verification. Work frequently bridges computer vision and machine learning theory, with applications in safety-critical systems. Scientific Awards: ELLIS Fellow DARPA Disruptive Ideas award at NeuS (2025) for "Logic Gate Neural Networks are Good for Verification" Professor Lampert has supervised 12+ PhD students including recent graduates Alex Peste (2023), Nikola Konstantinov (2022), and Mary Phuong (2021), with current advisees including Max Cairney-Leeming and Egor Zverev. His group secures consistent publication placements at NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR while editing major volumes like "Advanced Structured Prediction" (MIT Press 2015). The MLCV group comprises 10+ members including postdocs and PhD students, operating within ISTA's ELLIS unit (approved 2019). The team maintains active collaborations across Europe through the ELLIS network and regularly hosts visiting researchers.
Maria Chudnovsky is a Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University and a former Professor of IEOR and Mathematics at Columbia University (2006-2014). Her research focuses on graph theory and combinatorics, with significant contributions to structural graph theory, perfect graphs, and algorithmic applications. Education: B.A. Summa Cum Laude (1996) and M.Sc. (1999) from Technion, Ph.D. (2003) from Princeton University Her work addresses fundamental problems in graph coloring, forbidden induced subgraphs, and combinatorial optimization, including the proof of the Strong Perfect Graph Theorem and development of algorithms for detecting graph structures. Notable awards include the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (2013-2017), D.R. Fulkerson Prize (2009), and Henry Burchard Fine Professor of Mathematics (2022). She has held prestigious fellowships such as the Clay Mathematics Institute Research Fellowship (2003-2008). Grants: NSF DMS-EPSRC Grant DMS-2120644 (2021-2024), US Army Research Office Grant W911NF-16-1-0404 (2016-2020), and multiple NSF grants She has advised numerous PhD/MSc students and postdocs, including Sophie Spirkl, Mingxian Zhong, and Tara Abrishami. Her outreach includes popular science communication on YouTube's Numberphile and participation in initiatives promoting women in STEM.
Wojciech Rytter is a full professor at the Institute of Informatics, Department of Mathematics and Informatics at the University of Warsaw, Poland, holding this position continuously since October 1971. His academic career includes significant international appointments as full professor at New Jersey Institute of Technology (2002-2004), Liverpool University (1997-2002), and Bonn University (1994-1995), and as visiting professor at University of California, Riverside (1992-1993) and University of Warwick (1985-1986). He earned his MSc in 1971, PhD in 1975, habilitation in 1985, and was awarded the scientific degree of professor in 1997, all from Warsaw University. Professor Rytter's research focuses on the design and analysis of computer algorithms, with particular expertise in automata and formal languages, parallel algorithms, and text algorithms. His work spans efficient sequential and parallel algorithms, automata theory, complexity of recognition and parsing of context-free languages, pattern matching, algorithmics of WWW, parallel combinatorial computing, graph-theoretic algorithms, and algorithmics of highly compressible objects. His theoretical contributions have practical applications in computational biology, bioinformatics, and text processing systems. His recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate continued activity in string algorithms, particularly in pattern matching, string covers, and combinatorics on words, with a strong focus on theoretical computer science with applications in bioinformatics. 200 problems on automata, languages, computations (Cambridge University Press 2023) 125 Problems in Text Algorithms (Cambridge University Press, 2021) Jewels of Stringology (World Scientific, 2002) Fast parallel algorithms for matching problems in graphs (Oxford University Press 1998) Text algorithms (Oxford University Press 1994) Professor Rytter has collaborated extensively with researchers including Jakub Radoszewski, Tomasz Walen, Tomasz Kociumaka, and Maxime Crochemore. He is a member of the Academy of Europe (elected 2011, Informatics section) and has authored or co-authored more than 130 publications. He maintains an active research laboratory focused on string algorithms and combinatorics on words at the University of Warsaw.
Cao Jiannong is currently a Chair Professor and Director of the University Research Facility in Big Data Analytics at Hong Kong Polytechnic University . He has held academic roles including Assistant Professor at City University of Hong Kong and University Lecturer at the University of Adelaide and James Cook University. His research spans Cloud and Edge Computing , Parallel and Distributed Systems , Big Data Analytics , and Wireless Sensing . Ph.D. in Computer Science, Washington State University (1990) MSc in Computer Science, Washington State University (1986) BSc in Computer Science, Nanjing University, China (1982) His work focuses on solving theoretical and practical challenges in distributed computing , mobile cloud systems , and wireless sensor networks . Recent projects include coupled network embedding models for heterogeneous networks and SDN architectures for vehicular communication. His research also pioneers WiFi-based non-invasive health monitoring and fault-tolerant sensor deployment for structural health applications. Dr. Cao's publications highlight advancements in network embedding , edge computing , and WSN optimization . Key papers address multi-user computation partitioning , energy-efficient SHM systems , and consensus protocols for mobile networks. These works have been cited over 15,000 times, with an h-index of 60. Ministry of Education (China) Natural Science Award (2018) Distinguished Member, ACM (2017) Fellow, IEEE (2014) Best Paper Awards at IEEE DSAA, SMARTCOMP, and WCNC Dr. Cao has advised multiple PhD students, including Linchuan Xu and Weigang Wu , whose research on WSN-based SHM and coupled network embedding has practical impact. His leadership includes directing Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Big Data Research Facility and serving on technical committees for IEEE INFOCOM and ACM/IEEE conferences.
Gil Kalai is a Professor of Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem since 1992, where he holds the Henry and Manya Noskwith Chair. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Yale University since 2004 in a long-term part-time visiting position. His academic career includes visiting positions at prestigious institutions including MIT, Cornell, IAS Princeton, Berkeley, Bell-labs, IBM, and Microsoft. Professor Kalai's research spans multiple areas within mathematics and theoretical computer science. His work in combinatorics encompasses geometric, probabilistic, and topological approaches. He has made significant contributions to the study of convex sets and polytopes, linear programming, and theoretical computer science. His influential 1988 paper with Kahn and Linial on Boolean functions pioneered applications of Fourier analysis in theoretical computer science. Kalai's research has evolved to include the application of Fourier analysis to thresholds, influences, symmetries, noise, percolation, and social choice. He has developed theories in algebraic shifting and studied face-numbers and other combinatorial invariants of polytopes. His work on the diameter of polytopes and randomized simplex algorithms has been influential in optimization theory. In 1993, his collaboration with Kahn produced a groundbreaking counterexample to Borsuk's Conjecture in 1325 dimensions. Professor Kalai's publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of combinatorics, geometry, and theoretical computer science. His work shows a progression from foundational combinatorial geometry to increasingly sophisticated applications of harmonic analysis in discrete mathematics. The recurring themes across his 30+ year career include Boolean functions, polytope theory, and probabilistic methods in combinatorics, demonstrating remarkable coherence in his research trajectory. 2016 European congress of Mathematics, plenary speaker 2013 ERC advanced grant 2012 Rothschild Prize 1994 International Congress of Mathematicians invited section talk, Zurich 1994 Fulkerson Prize 1993 Erdos Prize 1992 Polya Prize Though specific details of his advising are not provided in the source material, Kalai has written over 70 scientific papers and maintains an active research blog entitled "Combinatorics and More." His 2013 ERC advanced grant indicates significant research funding for his work. His extensive collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions suggest a robust research program with numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, though specific names are not mentioned in the provided texts. Professor Kalai maintains active research connections across multiple institutions including Hebrew University, Yale, and various research centers worldwide. His work bridges pure mathematics and theoretical computer science, creating a unique interdisciplinary research environment that influences both fields.
Nori Franco serves as Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Michigan and Chief Scientist at RIKEN's Theoretical Quantum Physics Laboratory in Japan. His dual appointments reflect his significant contributions to both American and Japanese academic communities, with continuous service at Michigan since 1990 and at RIKEN since 2002. His research spans quantum information, condensed matter physics, and quantum optics, with particular focus on light-matter interactions, superconducting qubits, optomechanics, and quantum open systems. Franco's work bridges theoretical foundations with experimental implementations, especially in circuit quantum electrodynamics and quantum computing applications. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on non-Hermitian quantum systems, quantum control techniques, and applications of quantum information science to fundamental physics problems. His research group consistently produces highly cited work, with publications appearing in top journals across quantum physics and condensed matter disciplines. Scientific Awards: Charles Hard Townes Medal (2024) - sole recipient for fundamental contributions to quantum optics and quantum information processing Research Doctorate Honoris Causa from University of Messina (2024) Highly Cited Researcher for eight consecutive years (2017-2024) Member of Academia Europaea (2023) Willis E. Lamb Medal (2023) for quantum electronics research Throughout his career, Franco has secured significant research funding and mentored numerous students and postdoctoral researchers. His work has received international recognition through invitations to deliver prestigious lectures including the Stanislav Ulam Lecture and Sir Nevill Mott Lecture in 2024. His research group maintains strong collaborations across multiple continents, reflecting his global impact on quantum physics. At RIKEN, Franco leads the Quantum Information Physics Theory Research Team within the Quantum Computing Center, directing cutting-edge theoretical work that complements experimental efforts in quantum computing hardware development.
Zhou Zhi-Hua is a Professor at Nanjing University's Department of Computer Science & Technology, serving as Standing Deputy Director of the National Key Lab for Novel Software Technology and Founding Director of LAMDA (Institute of Machine Learning and Data Mining). He holds simultaneous fellowships from ACM, AAAI, AAAS, IEEE, IAPR, IET/IEE, and CCF, reflecting his exceptional contributions to computational intelligence. His educational background includes: B.Sc. in Computer Science from Nanjing University (1996) M.Sc. in Computer Science from Nanjing University (1998) Ph.D. in Computer Science from Nanjing University (2000) Zhou's research pioneers fundamental advances in machine learning theory and applications. His seminal work on ensemble methods established new frameworks for classifier combination, while innovations in multi-label learning and anomaly detection addressed critical challenges in complex data analysis. His research bridges theoretical rigor with practical implementations across diverse domains including biometrics, data mining, and computer vision, resulting in over 150 publications and 18 patents. His textbooks "Ensemble Methods" (2012) and "Machine Learning" (2016) have become standard references in the field. Analysis of his publication trajectory reveals sustained leadership in core machine learning challenges: evolving from neural network ensembles (2002) through semi-supervised learning breakthroughs (2005) to foundational work on multi-instance learning (2012) and theoretical margin analysis (2013). His recent focus demonstrates increasing sophistication in handling complex data structures while maintaining theoretical soundness. His scientific excellence is recognized through: National Natural Science Award of China (2013) PAKDD Distinguished Contribution Award (2016) IEEE ICDM Outstanding Service Award (2016) IEEE CIS Outstanding Early Career Award (2013) Microsoft Professorship Award (2006) Simultaneous fellowships from 7 major international societies Zhou provides extraordinary service to the academic community as Executive Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers of Computer Science and Associate Editor-in-Chief of Science China Information Science. He founded the ACML conference and has chaired premier events including ICDM'16 and PAKDD'14. His leadership extends to serving as General Chair for ICDM'16, Program Chair for IJCAI'15 Machine Learning Track, and Area Chair for multiple top conferences. The available text does not specify student advising details or research grants. He directs LAMDA research group at Nanjing University, which has established itself as a global powerhouse in machine learning research, and contributes significantly to the National Key Lab for Novel Software Technology's mission of developing next-generation intelligent systems.
Professor Marta Zofia Kwiatkowska is Professor of Computing Systems and Fellow of Trinity College at the University of Oxford, where she has held a faculty position since 2007. She previously served as Professor of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham (2001–2007), Reader and Lecturer at the University of Birmingham (1994–2001), and Lecturer at the University of Leicester (1986–1994). Her academic career began as Assistant Professor at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland (1980–1988). Education: BSc/MSc in Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków MA, University of Oxford PhD, University of Leicester Research Interests: Professor Kwiatkowska spearheaded the development of probabilistic and quantitative verification methods on the international stage. Her work bridges theory and practice through the PRISM model checker—the leading software tool in probabilistic model checking—used worldwide for research and teaching. Application domains include communication and security protocols , nanotechnology designs , power management , ubiquitous computing and systems biology . She investigates automated verification , temporal logics , semantic models for concurrency , real-time systems , and biological process modelling . Current grant funding exceeds £3.7 million from EPSRC, EU and ERC, including the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant VERIWARE. Scientific Awards & Honours: Fellow of the Royal Society Fellow of the ACM Fellow of the European Association for Theoretical Computer Science (EATCS) Fellow of the British Computer Society (BCS) Fellow of the Polish Society of Arts & Sciences Abroad ERC Advanced Grant VERIWARE (€2.046 M, 2010–2015) Top Cited Article Award, Theoretical Computer Science (2005–2010) Best Paper Award, QEST 2006 Doctoral Supervision & Grants: Professor Kwiatkowska actively supervises doctoral students (D.Phil. at Oxford) and post-doctoral researchers. She welcomes applications in areas aligned with her research interests, detailed here . Current students include Charlie Griffin, Daqian Shao, Matthew Yuan and Minghao Liu; past students and researchers number over twenty, many now in faculty or industry leadership roles. Laboratory & Teams: She leads the Oxford Quantitative Verification group within the Department of Computer Science. Ongoing projects include FUN2MODEL, ELSA, FAIR and the flagship PRISM probabilistic model checker. The group maintains strong collaborations with biological, robotics and engineering teams worldwide.
Ares J. Rosakis is the Theodore von Kármán Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he served as Chair of the Division of Engineering and Applied Science from 2009-2015 and previously as Director of the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT). He has held numerous prestigious visiting professorships including at Nanyang Technological University, Northwestern University, Columbia University, Oxford University, and École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Rosakis earned his B.A. and M.A. in Engineering Science from Oxford University in 1978, followed by his Sc.M. (1980) and Ph.D. (1982) in Engineering (Solid Mechanics) from Brown University. He joined Caltech as an Assistant Professor in 1982, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1988, and to full Professor in 1993. In 2004, he was named the Theodore von Kármán Professor, one of Caltech's most distinguished named chairs. Rosakis is globally recognized as the foremost expert in dynamic failure mechanics of solid materials. His pioneering contributions span the dynamic failure of metals, composites, and interfaces. He invented Coherent Gradient Sensing (CGS) interferometry, a novel optical method sensitive to gradients of optical path differences that has been widely adopted in fracture mechanics and thin film stress measurements. His research encompasses dynamic shear-dominated rupture of heterogeneous materials, rupture mechanics of crustal earthquakes (where he experimentally discovered 'intersonic' or 'supershear' ruptures), and reliability of thin films and in-situ wafer level metrology. His work bridges engineering science, materials mechanics, and geophysics with remarkable interdisciplinary impact. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on earthquake mechanics and laboratory simulations of seismic events, particularly supershear earthquake ruptures. The research connects fundamental fracture mechanics with real-world geophysical phenomena, revealing how laboratory-scale experiments can illuminate the physics of large-scale earthquakes. His work has established critical links between theoretical models, experimental observations, and geological field evidence. Rosakis has received numerous prestigious awards including: 2024 Foreign Member of the Royal Society, UK 2023 Honorary PhD from National Technical University of Athens 2023 Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering from University of Illinois 2021 Zdeněk P. Bažant Medal for Failure and Damage Prevention 2018 Timoshenko Medal from ASME 2016 Elected to the National Academy of Sciences 2011 Elected to the National Academy of Engineering Throughout his distinguished career at Caltech, Rosakis has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have become leaders in their fields. His research has been continuously supported by major grants from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and other federal agencies, focusing on dynamic fracture, earthquake mechanics, and advanced optical measurement techniques. He has served on numerous editorial boards and advisory committees for major scientific organizations. At Caltech, Rosakis leads research in the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT), where he has established world-class experimental facilities for studying dynamic fracture and earthquake mechanics. His laboratory features high-speed imaging systems capable of millions of frames per second, infrared diagnostics for temperature field measurements, and specialized equipment for simulating earthquake ruptures at laboratory scale. His research group combines experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to address fundamental questions in solid mechanics and their applications to geophysics and materials engineering.
Massimiliano Di Ventra is a Professor of Physics at the University of California, San Diego, holding this position since 2006 after serving as Associate Professor (2004-2006) and moving from Virginia Tech where he was Assistant Professor (2000-2002) and Associate Professor (2003). His academic journey includes research roles at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center and Vanderbilt University. Education: Undergraduate degree in Physics, summa cum laude, University of Trieste, Italy (1991) PhD in Physics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne (1993-1997) Di Ventra's research bridges theoretical physics with practical applications, focusing on quantum transport in nanoscale systems, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, and DNA sequencing/polymer dynamics in nanopores. His pioneering work on memory effects in nanostructures has driven innovations in unconventional computing and biophysics, resulting in over 300 refereed publications and significant commercial impact through memcomputing technologies. His scientific awards include: Senior member, National Academy of Inventors (2025) Humboldt Research Award (2024) Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2022) IEEE Nanotechnology Council Distinguished Lecturer (2022) Fellow, IEEE (2022) George W. and Carol A. Lattimer Research Fellow (2021) Member of Academia Europaea (2020) Feynman Prize for Theory in Nanotechnology (2020) APS Outstanding Referee (2019) Highly Cited Researcher (2018) Di Ventra has secured major research funding including an NSF CAREER Award and Ralph E. Powe Award, holds 11 granted patents, and co-founded MemComputing, Inc. His mentorship extends to numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers within his active research group at UCSD. He maintains a globally recognized research presence through visiting professorships at institutions including École Normale Supérieure of Paris (2024), Technion (2017), and Technical University of Dresden (2015), and has delivered over 350 invited talks including 20 plenary/keynote presentations worldwide.
Jiao Licheng is a Distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Xidian University, leading the School of Artificial Intelligence and the Department of Computer Science and Technology. He holds prominent roles such as Director of the Key Laboratory of Intelligent Perception and Image Understanding (Ministry of Education) and the International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Perception and Computing. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Evolutionary Computation, and Remote Sensing, with significant contributions to image understanding and brain-inspired computing. Education: B.E. (1982) from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, M.E. (1984) and Ph.D. (1990) from Xi'an Jiaotong University. Postdoctoral research at Xidian University (1990–1992). Research Interests include AI, Machine Learning, Image Processing, and Big Data Analysis. His work bridges theoretical advancements and practical applications, such as medical imaging, SAR image analysis, and autonomous systems. Recent articles emphasize innovations in remote sensing, deep learning architectures, and evolutionary algorithms. Awards include IEEE Fellow, IET Fellow, and the Wu Wenjun Artificial Intelligence Outstanding Contribution Award. Labs/Teams: Key Lab of Intelligent Perception, International Joint Research Center, and leadership in national innovation bases. Active in academic societies, including editorial roles in IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics and Geoscience and Remote Sensing.