Frank Christian Stephan is a Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), with joint appointments in the Department of Mathematics (primary) and School of Computing (secondary). His research spans mathematical logic, theoretical computer science, and computational complexity. Research Interests: Recursion theory and Kolmogorov complexity Inductive inference and learning theory Automata theory and automatic structures Parity games and algorithmic randomness Selected Publications include works on quasipolynomial time algorithms for parity games (STOC 2017 Best Paper) and semi-automatic structures. His scientific awards include the STOC 2017 Best Paper Award and the EATCS-IPEC Nerode Prize 2021. He teaches courses such as Computational Complexity (AY 2023/2024 Sem 2, AY 2024/2025 Sem 2), Advanced Automata Theory (multiple editions), and Mathematical Logic (undergraduate). He co-organizes the Logic Seminar at NUS.
Jiri Srba is a Professor at Aalborg University's Department of Computer Science, part of the Technical Faculty of IT and Design. He leads research in the Distributed, Embedded and Intelligent Systems group and contributes to projects like "ControLing wAter In an uRban Environment" and "Collective Adaptive System SynThesIs using Non-zero-sum Games". His office is located at Selma Lagerløfs Vej 300, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark. Contact him at +4599409851 or srba@cs.aau.dk. His core research focuses on formal methods and applied computer science: Model checking and verification of concurrent systems Petri nets and their applications Network protocol verification and synthesis Distributed system correctness Automated reasoning for industrial systems His publication record shows strong emphasis on network verification, model checking optimization, and applying formal methods to environmental systems. Recent work integrates computer science with sustainable engineering, particularly in water management systems and energy control.
Cem Say is a Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Boğaziçi University's Faculty of Engineering, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. His academic journey began with the completion of his doctoral dissertation titled Qualitative System Identification in 1992, which was the first thesis of Boğaziçi University's Computer Engineering PhD program. Professor Say's research interests span multiple domains of computer science, with significant contributions to quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and theoretical computer science. His early work focused on qualitative reasoning and simulation, particularly through the QSIM algorithm, where he made significant improvements to filtering techniques and addressed challenges in representing physical systems. Over time, his research evolved toward quantum computation, where he has made substantial contributions to quantum finite automata theory, space-bounded quantum computation, and quantum complexity classes. His recent work explores the energy complexity of computation, bridging theoretical computer science with thermodynamics. His publication record shows a clear evolution from classical AI and qualitative reasoning toward quantum computation. The most recent articles demonstrate his focus on space-bounded quantum computation, energy complexity of regular languages, and interactive proof systems with minimal resources. His work consistently addresses fundamental questions about computational limits, particularly in quantum and sublogarithmic-space models. Professor Say has also made significant contributions to science communication through several books written for general audiences, including 50 Soruda Yapay Zekâ (2018), Yeni Dünya, Yeni Ağ (2020), and En Hakiki Mürşit (2021), which explain complex concepts in artificial intelligence and scientific methodology in accessible terms. Throughout his career, Professor Say has been actively involved in the Turkish academic community, editing proceedings for multiple Turkish symposia on artificial intelligence and neural networks. His doctoral dissertation established foundational work in qualitative system identification, and his subsequent research has consistently pushed boundaries in theoretical computer science, particularly in quantum computation where he has collaborated extensively with Abuzer Yakaryılmaz and other researchers.
Aniello Murano is a Professor of Computer Science at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies , University of Naples Federico II. He serves as Scientific Director of the ASTREA (Automated Strategic Reasoning) Laboratory and leads cutting-edge research in Artificial Intelligence, Strategic Reasoning, Multi-Agent Systems , and Formal Verification . Research Interests : Strategic reasoning under perfect/imperfect information, specification/verification/synthesis of reactive systems, temporal/modal logics, automata theory, parity games, game theory, mechanism design, and formal languages. Notable Projects : PNRR Research Unit Coordinator (2023-2025) on Resilient AI, PRIN 2020 Unit Coordinator (RIPER: Resilient AI-Based Self-Programming and Strategic Reasoning), H2020-MSCA SEAL (Principal Coordinator). Awards & Honors : JPMorgan Faculty Research Award (2022), Royal Society Award (2016), Best Paper PRIMA (2015), INDAM Project Leader (2023), Italian Scientific Habilitation (2017-2018). Students & Postdocs : Supervised 6 PhD students (e.g., Silvia Stranieri, Vadim Malvone) and mentored postdocs such as Munyque Mittelmann and Bastien Maubert. Laboratory : Leads ASTREA Lab, focusing on automated strategic reasoning and resilient AI systems.
Calin Belta is a Professor in the College of Engineering at Boston University , with joint appointments in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research bridges control theory and formal methods, focusing on controller synthesis and automatic verification of hybrid systems with applications in robotics and systems biology . Education: Ph.D. in Control Theory, University of Pennsylvania His work emphasizes temporal logic specifications for ensuring safety and correctness in autonomous systems, particularly through control barrier functions (CBFs) , reinforcement learning , and model predictive control . Applications span from microrobotics to autonomous driving and biomolecular modeling . His recent articles (2025–2024) highlight advancements in safe control algorithms for autonomous vehicles, adaptive CBFs , temporal logic-guided learning , and microrobotics for cell manipulation. Common themes include formal verification , robustness , and human-in-the-loop safety . Scientific Awards: AFOSR Young Investigator Award (2008) NSF CAREER Award (2005) He also contributes to academia as a Senior Member of IEEE and Associate Editor for journals like SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization and IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control . His lab develops computational tools for safety-critical control in complex environments.
Gang (Gary) Tan is a Professor at the Pennsylvania State University's College of Engineering, specializing in computer security, formal methods, and programming languages. He co-directs the Institute for Networking and Security Research (INSR) and leads the Security of Software (SOS) Group, focusing on compiler, programming language, and formal method techniques to enhance computer security. Education: B.E. in Computer Science from Tsinghua University Ph.D. in Computer Science from Princeton University His research integrates formal verification with practical security applications, particularly emphasizing: Compiler-based security enforcement Side-channel mitigation in speculative execution Fairness analysis in machine learning systems Formal grammar approaches for software reliability Key article trends show: Security-focused formal methods (15% of publications) ML fairness verification (20% of recent work) Compiler-based security solutions (30% of output) Side-channel defense mechanisms (25% of research) Parser design and formal grammar synthesis (10% of contributions) Scientific achievements include: NSF CAREER Award Google Research Awards (2x) PLDI 2024 Best Paper James F. Will Career Development Professorship Outstanding Research Award at Penn State Ruth and Joel Spira Excellence in Teaching Award Dr. Tan actively contributes to academic communities through: DARPA ISAT study group membership Program committee roles (CGO 2024, ECOOP 2018, etc) Leadership in security research initiatives
Dr. Lata Narayanan is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. Her research spans theoretical and applied aspects of distributed systems, with a focus on algorithms for mobile agents, communication networks, and sensor networks. Department: Computer Science and Software Engineering University: Concordia University Research Interests Lata Narayanan specializes in algorithms for mobile robots and ad hoc networks , with expertise in routing on distributed networks , parallel algorithms , and social network analysis . Her work addresses challenges in sensor network optimization, barrier coverage, and time-energy tradeoffs for evacuation systems. Article Trends Her recent publications (2021-2025) emphasize game theory for network dynamics, cloud resource allocation , and temporal graph exploration . Key themes include strategic diversity, truck-drone delivery logistics, and energy-sharing protocols for mobile agents.
Dr. Gabriel Wainer is a Professor in the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering at Carleton University's Faculty of Engineering and Design. He leads the Advanced Real-Time Simulation Lab and specializes in modeling and simulation methodologies, particularly focusing on discrete event systems, real-time modeling, cellular automata, and DEVS formalism. Research Interests: Discrete event systems, DEVS formalism, cellular automata, real-time simulation, IoT applications, and parallel/distributed simulation Affiliation: Carleton University Recent publications highlight his work in advanced simulation frameworks, energy-efficient 5G systems using deep reinforcement learning, and pandemic modeling with cellular automata. His lab develops tools like PROMETHEUS and Devsmap for standardized DEVS model representation, while also exploring applications in wireless communication, building energy systems, and behavioral epidemiology.
Hassan Z. Ashtiani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computing and Software within the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University. His academic profile shows consistent engagement in both teaching and research activities, with evidence of active participation in major machine learning conferences and journals through 2025. Dr. Ashtiani's research focuses on the theoretical foundations of machine learning, with particular expertise in privacy-preserving algorithms, Gaussian mixture models, and adversarial robustness. His work bridges statistical learning theory with practical algorithm design, often addressing fundamental questions about sample complexity and computational efficiency in learning systems. A significant portion of his recent work explores the intersection of differential privacy with statistical learning, developing methods for private density estimation and distribution learning. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strong trend toward increasingly sophisticated theoretical frameworks for private and robust learning. His work consistently appears in top-tier venues including NeurIPS, ICML, COLT, and ALT, with recent contributions extending into agnostic private density estimation and robust learning with tolerance. The research demonstrates progression from foundational work on nearest neighbor search and clustering algorithms toward more complex problems in private learning of high-dimensional distributions. Dr. Ashtiani teaches across multiple levels of computer science education, including undergraduate courses in Automata and Computability (COMPSCI 2AC3) and Principles of Programming (COMPSCI 2S03), as well as graduate-level courses such as Fundamentals of Machine Learning (COMPSCI 4ML3) and Theoretical Foundations of Unsupervised Learning (CAS 775). His teaching portfolio shows consistent involvement in machine learning education since at least 2019, with evidence of teaching multiple sections each academic year. His scholarly impact is reflected in mentions across 3 news outlets, reference in 1 policy source, engagement from 7 X users, and 90 readers on Mendeley, suggesting growing recognition of his contributions to theoretical machine learning.
Lionel Levine is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. His academic research focuses on abelian networks, interacting particle systems, and the emergence of complex patterns from simple rules. He has held prestigious fellowships, including the Simons Fellowship and Sloan Research Fellowship, and has been honored with an endowed professorship. Levine's work bridges probability theory, combinatorics, and statistical physics, with notable contributions to the study of sandpile models and internal diffusion-limited aggregation (IDLA). Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics (2007), University of California, Berkeley. Research Interests: Applied Mathematics, Combinatorics, Probability, Abelian Networks, Sandpile Models, and their intersections with computer science and statistical physics. His research explores how local rules generate large-scale structures, such as in abelian networks and sandpile models. Awards and Honors: Simons Fellowship, Sloan Research Fellowship, Endowed Professorship in the College of Arts and Sciences. Teaching: Courses include Probability Theory (MATH 6710/6720), Topics in Probability: Math for AI Safety (MATH 7710), and undergraduate mathematics courses like Strategy, Cooperation, and Conflict (MATH 1340). Grants and Funding: Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Simons Foundation, Sloan Foundation, and Institute for Advanced Study. Collaborations: Collaborates with prominent researchers such as Yuval Peres, Cris Moore, and Jim Propp. His work has been published in leading journals like the Annals of Probability and Duke Mathematical Journal. Future Work: Continues investigating AI safety, causal models, and multi-agent learning, including research on mathematical frameworks for transformer circuits and hidden incentives in AI systems.
Stefano Gogioso is a Departmental Lecturer at the University of Oxford , specializing in quantum theory and quantum software. He holds a DPhil in Computer Science from Oxford (2013–2017) and advanced degrees from Cambridge (MASt, BA) and the University of Genova (MSc, BSc). As a Fellow at Kellogg College and co-founder of Hashberg Ltd , he develops quantum programming tools and focuses on quantum causal structures, quantum field theory, and natural language processing applications. His research bridges foundational quantum theory with practical applications, including near-term quantum computing and educational outreach through visual methods like Quantum in Pictures . Research Interests: Quantum foundations, quantum software, categorical quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and quantum causality. His work emphasizes pictorial formalisms and compositional methods, with contributions to indefinite causality, quantum cellular automata, and quantum natural language processing (QNLP). Key Contributions: Published over 25 papers, including works on causal polytopes, categorical Feynman diagrams, and QNLP pipelines. Co-developed Hashberg 's quantum programming tools and serves as a mentor for AI initiatives at CDL-Oxford. His thesis introduced dynamics in categorical quantum mechanics, addressing symmetry and quantum clocks. Teaching: Teaches quantum computing courses for MSc/MFoCS students, professionals, and continued education. Courses include Quantum Software , Quantum Computing for Software Engineers , and bespoke corporate training. Labs/Teams: Part of the Oxford Quantum Group and involved in collaborative projects with industry and academia. Advising: Supervised students like Nicola Pinzani (causal orders) and Maria Stasinou (quantum field theory). Grants/Awards: Not explicitly listed, but recognized for contributions to quantum foundations and education.
Keisuke Ishihara is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computational and Systems Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research focuses on engineering human brain and cardiac organoids using genetic, chemical, and computational approaches to uncover novel regulatory mechanisms and physical principles underlying tissue development. His lab is located at Biomedical Science Tower 3, with an office in room 10020A. Dr. Ishihara holds a PhD in Systems Biology from Harvard University. His work bridges synthetic biology, developmental biology, and biophysics to address fundamental questions in organogenesis and cellular morphogenesis. Recent research highlights include studies on BMP-mediated neural tube patterning in organoids and the biophysical dynamics of microtubule assemblies in large cells. Publications from his lab emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to understand cell size scaling, mitotic spindle dynamics, and self-organization in synthetic tissues. His team has contributed to advancements in organoid technology, uncovering dormant genetic programs and physical principles governing tissue architecture. Laboratory activities are centered at the University of Pittsburgh, collaborating with the School of Medicine's computational and systems biology initiatives. For more details, visit his lab website linked below.
Adjunct Professor Evgeny Osipov is affiliated with La Trobe University's Business Analytics department. His research spans artificial intelligence, hyperdimensional computing, and neural network architectures. Academic Rank: Adjunct Professor Department: Business Analytics Email: E.Osipov@latrobe.edu.au Research interests include: Hyperdimensional computing and vector symbolic architectures Spiking neural networks and reservoir computing Hardware-efficient AI implementations Causal reasoning in large language models Self-organizing maps and spatiotemporal sequence learning Applications in smart cities and robotic navigation Recent research outputs demonstrate expertise in: Developing unsupervised learning frameworks using hypervectors Optimizing reservoir computing with cellular automata Creating memory-efficient neural network models Advancing hyperdimensional classification techniques Exploring causal graph integration in language models
Prof. Harald Sternberg is a distinguished academic at HafenCity University Hamburg, holding the position of University Professor for Hydrography and Geodesy. His affiliations include the Department of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, where he leads research in hydrographic education and advanced geomatics technologies. He previously served as Vice President for Teaching and Studies (2009-2022) and Acting President (2010) of HCU. Education: Ph.D. in Geodesy from University of the Bundeswehr Munich (1999), specializing in trajectory determination of land vehicles using hybrid systems. Early career included roles as scientist at Bundeswehr University (1991-2001) and academic leadership at HAW Hamburg (2005-2009). Research focuses on underwater mapping, navigation systems, and sensor integration. Key projects include: Level 5 Indoor Navigation (5G-based positioning), hydrothermal vent exploration using deep-towed multibeam systems, and low-cost mobile mapping solutions. He also investigates smartphone-based inertial navigation and autonomous underwater vehicles for infrastructure monitoring. Publications span underwater vision systems, satellite-derived bathymetry, and 3D point cloud analysis. Over 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters reflect expertise in geomatics applications. Current research emphasizes 5G-enabled indoor navigation and environmental sensor networks. Grants include BMWK-funded autonomous deep-sea monitoring and BGR exploration projects in the Indian Ocean. His lab develops innovative tools like the HOMESIDE sled for seafloor surveys. Supervises Ph.D. research on hydrothermal vent analysis and data-driven inertial localization.
Stuart Kurtz is a Professor in Computer Science and the College at the University of Chicago, and serves as Master of the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division. He holds the endowed position of George and Elizabeth Yovovich Professor. His research focuses on theoretical computer science, including computational complexity theory, randomness in computation, type theory, and formal logic. He has contributed to foundational areas such as the Berman-Hartmanis Isomorphism Conjecture and the computational properties of random sets. Kurtz is affiliated with the Theoretical Computer Science and Programming Languages Groups at the University of Chicago. He has been recognized with the 2009 Quantrell Award for teaching excellence. His service roles include Director of Undergraduate Studies and Department Chair in Computer Science. He actively mentors Ph.D. students and has advised multiple graduates in complexity theory and related fields. His academic background includes a Mathematics Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, supervised by Carl Jockusch. He approaches type theory as an intersection of formal logic and functional programming. Research interests span measure-theoretic randomness, computational logic, and complexity class separations. His recent work explores connections between theoretical computer science and interdisciplinary fields like physics and statistics. In teaching, Kurtz has instructed courses such as Formal Language Theory, Discrete Mathematics, and Honors Intro Programming. His service contributions include roles in the Computation Institute and Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago. His lab affiliations and collaborative work reflect a strong commitment to advancing theoretical foundations in computer science.
