Prof. Dr. Chunyang Chen is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Heilbronn, Germany. He holds the Chair of Software Engineering & AI, serves as a core member of the Munich Data Science Institute, board member of the Heilbronn Data Science Center, and Fellow at Fortiss. He also maintains an Adjunct Professor role at Monash University, Australia. Research Focus: His work bridges Software Engineering, Deep Learning, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), specializing in AI/ML, NLP, and program analysis for mobile app development, testing, and security. Key areas include LLM-assisted app development, robustness of deep learning models, and accessibility testing. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Honorable Mention in CHI 2024 Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), Australian Research Council ACM SIGSOFT Early Career Researcher Award Facebook Research Award in Probability and Programming Dean's Award for Research Impact at Monash University Academic Leadership: He actively mentors PhD students, supervises postdocs, and leads research teams focusing on software security, automated testing, and LLM applications. His recent work explores the intersection of software security and large language models, with a special issue call for EMSE journal.
Jürgen Cito is an Associate Professor with tenure at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), specializing in software engineering, explainable AI, and performance engineering. He leads research at the IPA Lab (as indicated by his personal website) and maintains a visiting researcher position at Google. His academic journey began with joining TU Wien as an Assistant Professor in Spring 2020, with promotion to Associate Professor announced in April 2024. His research interests span multiple critical areas of modern software development, with particular focus on developer experience, program comprehension, and the intersection of AI with software engineering practices. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical industrial applications, as evidenced by collaborations with major technology companies. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical tools and methodologies that enhance software quality, performance, and security. His research trajectory shows increasing focus on explainable AI techniques applied to software engineering problems, performance prediction from source code, and automated security testing approaches that leverage large language models. best teaching award for distance learning for Web Engineering (2020) Cito actively contributes to the software engineering community through numerous conference committee roles, including program committee positions at ASE, ICSE, ESEC/FSE, and other major venues. His lab appears to focus on developer tools, program analysis, and AI-assisted software engineering, with connections to both academic and industrial research environments.
Gabriele Bavota is an Associate Professor at the Software Institute of Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland. He leads the SEART (Software Engineering Advanced Research Team) group and serves as Principal Investigator for the DEVINTA ERC starting grant focused on developer intelligence through mining software artifacts. Dr. Bavota's research spans Software Quality, Empirical Software Engineering, and Mining Software Repositories. His work has evolved from foundational studies on code smells and technical debt to cutting-edge research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and software development. He has made significant contributions to understanding API usage patterns, software quality metrics, and developer behavior through empirical studies of large software repositories. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on AI-assisted software development, with extensive research examining code generation, code summarization, and code review automation using large language models. He has also expanded his research to include quality assurance in game development (detecting game stuttering and low engagement events) and voice user interface testing. His work consistently bridges theoretical insights with practical applications for software developers. ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Paper Award for API compatibility research (MSR 2019) ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Paper Award for Hugging Face model documentation study (ICPC 2024) ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Artifact Award for deep learning fault taxonomy (ICSE 2020) As an active member of the software engineering research community, Dr. Bavota serves on program committees for major conferences including ICSE, ASE, FSE, and MSR. He has held leadership roles such as Program Co-Chair for ICSME 2023 and Vision/Reflection Track Co-Chair for ICSE. His SEART research group develops practical tools like the SEART Data Hub that streamline large-scale source code mining and preprocessing for empirical software engineering research.
Tse-Hsun (Peter) Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He serves as Director of the SPEAR lab (Software Performance, Analysis, and Reliability lab), which focuses on improving the quality of large-scale software systems through research in log analysis and AIOps, software performance analysis, software testing, and mining software repositories. His research group maintains extensive collaborations with industry partners including ERA Environmental, Ericsson, Microsoft, and BlackBerry. Dr. Chen received his PhD and MSc in Computer Science from Queen's University and his BSc in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Chen's research addresses critical challenges in modern software engineering, including leveraging Large Language Models to assist developers with development, debugging, and maintenance; helping developers debug production systems by utilizing rich software data; providing optimization suggestions by analyzing user usage data; improving software quality assurances in DevOps environments; and mining software development history for useful developer suggestions. His work spans Software Engineering, Performance Engineering, DevOps & AIOps, Software Testing, and Mining Software Repositories, with a strong emphasis on practical applications that bridge academic research and industrial practice. His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a pronounced shift toward integrating Large Language Models into various aspects of the software engineering lifecycle, particularly in log analysis, fault localization, code generation, and performance testing. This trend reflects the growing importance of AI in software engineering research and practice. Gina Cody Research award (2022) Ranked as one of the most active software engineering researchers worldwide by an independent study published in JSS Dr. Chen has successfully advised numerous PhD and Master's students, many of whom have secured prestigious academic positions. Several of his graduated PhD students now hold tenure-track assistant professor positions at institutions including York University, University of Alberta, DePaul University, and IIT Gandhinagar. His SPEAR lab has developed research tools that have been integrated into industrial practice for ensuring the quality of large-scale enterprise systems. The SPEAR lab, under Dr. Chen's leadership, has established itself as a leading research group in software engineering, with particular expertise in software performance analysis, log analysis, and AI applications for software engineering. The lab maintains strong industry connections and has produced numerous high-impact publications in top-tier software engineering venues including ICSE, FSE, ASE, and TSE.
Dr. Ali Grami is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Software Engineering at Ontario Tech University, within the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto (1986), an MEng from McGill University (1980), and a BSc from the University of Manitoba (1978). His research focuses on satellite communications, digital transmission systems, and wireless networks. He has extensive industrial experience, including roles at Telesat Canada and Nortel Networks, and has contributed to pioneering projects like Canada's Anik-F2 Ka-Band satellite system. Dr. Grami has authored several textbooks, including Introduction to Digital Communications and Discrete Mathematics: Essentials and Applications . His work spans theoretical advancements (e.g., beamforming algorithms, spectrum access protocols) and practical applications in broadband satellite systems and cognitive radio networks. Awards include the United Nations TOKTEN Award (1995) and Nortel Award of Excellence (1989). He has designed academic programs at Ontario Tech, including the BEng, MASc/MEng, and PhD in ECE, and contributed to IT security programs. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in digital transmission, communication systems, and signal processing.
Andrea Appolloni is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Law, University of Rome Tor Vergata. His academic career focuses on Management with emphasis on Sustainable Supply Chain Management , Digital Transformation , and Circular Economy . His research explores the intersection of technological innovation and sustainability, particularly through topics like AI in Logistics , Green Procurement , and Policy Optimization . Publications span both theoretical frameworks and empirical studies in China, Italy, and Malaysia, with a strong focus on environmental impact and organizational performance. Recent work includes digital twin applications for human-AI collaboration, blockchain integration in sustainable supply chains, and analyzing barriers to circular economy adoption. His 15 most recent articles (2025-2022) demonstrate a trend toward combining Artificial Intelligence , Operations Management , and Environmental Governance .
Pedro Dionísio is a Full Professor and Director of the Post-Graduation in Management and Marketing of Sports at ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa. He teaches Sports Marketing and oversees the Management and Marketing of Sports program. With a PhD from HEC Paris, his expertise spans sports marketing, fan behavior, and digital marketing strategies. He has authored 14 books, including the bestseller 'Mercator,' and his research explores topics like sports event management, sponsorship effectiveness, and consumer-generated content. Education: PhD in Management from HEC Paris. His research interests focus on the intersection of sports and marketing, including fan tribal behavior, sponsorship impact, and digital marketing trends. Notable works analyze the role of social media, volunteerism in nonprofits, and the economic impact of large-scale sports events. His recent publications address challenges in e-commerce loyalty systems and the evolution of marketing practices in the digital age. Dr. Dionísio contributes to the Marketing Futurecast Lab, exploring future marketing trends, and has conducted studies on piracy in academic publishing and donation drivers in religious vs. secular contexts. His work bridges theoretical marketing principles with real-world applications in sports, tourism, and consumer behavior.
Ming Li is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke Kunshan University's Division of Natural and Applied Science, and a Principal Research Scientist at the Digital Innovation Research Center. He holds an adjunct position as a Professor at Wuhan University's School of Computer Science. His research focuses on audio/speech processing, multimodal behavior signal analysis, and applications in autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Li has over 200 publications and serves on editorial boards of journals like IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech and Language Processing. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California (2013). Awards include the IBM Faculty Award (2016), ISCA 5-Year Best Paper Award (2018), and Youth Achievement Award (2020). He leads initiatives in anti-spoofing countermeasures, voice conversion, and speech synthesis. Recent Courses: Random Signals and Noise Speech Recognition Data Science Key Research Contributions: Development of datasets like KunquDB, TMCSpeech, and systems for speaker verification, deepfake detection, and autism diagnosis tools. His work bridges signal processing with clinical applications, leveraging AI for social interaction improvement in neurodiverse populations.
Thomas Bjørner is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University's Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology within The Technical Faculty of IT and Design. He serves as Head of the Media Innovation & Game Research (Me-Ga) unit and co-founded the research network for qualitative methods (since 2007) with 40+ company collaborations. Specializes in qualitative/mixed methods for technology evaluation Teaches PhD courses in advanced qualitative methods EU expert evaluator for research grants His research focuses on gamified learning , VR for social communication , and technology acceptance studies , often addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent projects include: Audio-only VR for blind gamers Generative AI integration in education Plastic crisis awareness games Smart city implementation barriers Scientific Awards: Serious Game Competition Award (2022) International conference prizes (2020, 2018) With over 121 publications including two textbooks, his work emphasizes applied qualitative methods with improved validity in technology contexts, particularly for youth education and media research.
Saibal Ray is a James McGill Professor of Operations Management and Vice-Dean, Faculty at the Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University. He holds the Desautels Business Leadership Chair and has served in multiple academic leadership roles, including Vice-Dean, Research and Academic Director of the Bensadoun School of Retail Management. His expertise spans supply chain management, risk management, and retail operations, with a focus on agri-food and natural resources sectors. He has published extensively in top journals like Management Science and Operations Research, and holds editorial roles at journals such as Production and Operations Management. Ray earned a PhD from the University of Waterloo, an MEng from the Asian Institute of Technology, and a BEng from Jadavpur University. His research bridges operations and marketing, addressing challenges like supply chain risk, pricing strategies, and sustainability. He has secured major grants from NSERC, SSHRC, and Quebec agencies, and received awards including the Desautels Faculty Scholar and Quebec Teaching Excellence Award. His teaching focuses on operations and supply chain management at the MBA and graduate levels. Ray’s work integrates academic leadership with practical impact, advising on initiatives like the McGill Center for the Convergence of Health and Economics. His recent research explores behavioral retail tactics, health-conscious bundling, and supply chain resilience in dynamic markets.
Reza Etemad is a Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School (part of HES-SO), specializing in marketing and hospitality technology. His research focuses on human-robot interaction, healthcare technologies in elderly care, and the application of technology in service delivery. He has led multiple projects funded by HES-SO and private partners, including studies on service robots' ethical implications, connected health technologies for seniors, and virtual agents in B2B/B2C contexts. Notable achievements include extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to healthcare and robotic service contexts, analyzing cultural impacts on online shopping risks, and investigating customer perceptions of revenue management practices in restaurants. He has published widely in journals such as International Journal of Hospitality Management and International Journal of Social Robotics , with a focus on bridging technological advancements and human-centric service solutions. Education: BSc in Hospitality from EHL. Key Projects (2010-2021): Led projects totaling over 298,600 CHF, including studies on robot ethics, smart home healthcare, and virtual agent impacts on B2B platforms. Awards: None explicitly listed, though his impactful research has driven industry-relevant insights. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with researchers like Justine Gentinetta and Valentina Clergue on robotics and healthcare tech. Partnerships include Touchmind for B2B digital solutions. Future Work: Expanding studies on AI ethics in service robots, sustainable healthcare technologies, and post-pandemic digital education strategies. His work emphasizes balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations, particularly in preserving human interaction's role in healthcare and hospitality sectors.
Margaret-Anne Storey is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Victoria and holds the Canada Research Chair Tier I in Human and Social Aspects of Software Engineering. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science and leads the Computer Human Interaction and Software Engineering Lab. Her research focuses on software engineering, human-computer interaction, information visualization, and collaborative work practices. Storey earned her PhD from Simon Fraser University (SFU). Her work bridges socio-technical systems, developer experience (DevEx), and the ethical integration of AI in software engineering. She has pioneered studies on remote work productivity during the pandemic, developer satisfaction, and the human-centered design of tools. Key research interests include understanding developer productivity through frameworks like SPACE (2021), analyzing code review strategies, and exploring the impact of generative AI on software engineering research. Her work often employs mixed-methods approaches and emphasizes empirical validation. Storey has been recognized with the Canada Research Chair Tier I (2020–present). Her contributions span keynote addresses at major conferences (e.g., ICSE), framework development (e.g., DASP for security practices), and interdisciplinary collaborations with organizations like Microsoft. Her research also addresses societal challenges, such as drug-checking technology and participatory culture in education. She advocates for human-centric AI in software engineering and critical questioning of AI’s societal impacts.
Prof. Dr. Aljosa Smolic is a Professor and Co-Head of the Immersive Realities Research Lab at Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. He joined HSLU in 2022 and became Co-Head in 2023. Previously, he served as SFI Research Professor at Trinity College Dublin (2016-2021) where he led the V-SENSE group in visual computing, combining computer vision, graphics, and media technology. His career includes positions as Senior Research Scientist at Disney Research Zurich (2009-2016) and Scientific Project Manager at Fraunhofer HHI (2001-2009). He holds a PhD from RWTH Aachen University. Research focuses on immersive technologies including AR/VR, volumetric video, light-fields, and deep learning applications in visual computing. His work has resulted in over 50 Disney R&D projects, publications, patents, and technology transfers. Publications emphasize VR evaluation, volumetric video applications, 3D reconstruction, and XR in education, frequently employing deep learning and computer vision techniques. Awards and Recognition: IEEE ICME Star Innovator Award 2020 TCD Campus Company Founders Award 2020 Multiple best paper awards Co-founded Volograms (volumetric video startup) and holds editorial roles including Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Image Processing.
Dr. Uwe Grünefeld is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science , Institute for Computer Science and Business Information Systems (ICB) of the University of Duisburg-Essen. He has been actively contributing to Human-Computer Interaction research through multiple publications in 2025-2022 focusing on Virtual Reality , Augmented Reality , and Robotics . Research Interests span across immersive technology applications for health behavior change (situated artifacts, weight visualization mirrors), haptic feedback systems (EMS for weight perception, vibrotactile directional cues), and behavioral biometrics (hand tracking identification, gaze-based user recognition). His work addresses cross-reality system design , collaborative robotics , and human-in-the-loop simulation methodologies . Key Publications demonstrate significant contributions to VR/AR user engagement, with particular focus on Physical activity promotion through situated artifacts Advanced haptic feedback techniques for immersive environments Behavioral biometric identification systems Robot motion intent communication Cross-reality transition visualization His research often employs mixed-method approaches combining technical implementations with user studies involving quantitative and qualitative data collection.
Cyriel Diels is a researcher at the Royal College of Art's Intelligent Mobility Design Centre (IMDC) , focusing on automotive and transport design at the intersection of human factors, technology, and sustainable mobility. His career spans academia (Coventry University, RCA) and industry (Jaguar Land Rover, Transport Research Laboratory). Expertise : Human-machine interaction in automated vehicles, motion sickness mitigation, passenger experience design Key Projects : DOMUS (EU), SIMUSAFE (EU), UK CITE (Innovate-UK) Recent research explores motion discomfort alleviation through design interventions and adaptive HMI solutions in autonomous vehicles. Funded by European Commission, Innovate-UK, and automotive industry partners, his work combines cognitive psychology with applied transport design . Publications analyze: Simulator sickness management Visual-motion cue conflicts Seating appearance effects on comfort Warning sign design for vehicle interfaces Multi-axis motion sickness mechanisms Automated driving trust compatibility Current students include Yi Li, Pooya Sareh, Robin Severs, and Selin Zileli. Collaborative projects span future cities , intelligent mobility , and human-centered vehicle design .
