Nan Bai is an Assistant Professor in the Heritage & Architecture section at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment. His research integrates computational social science, architecture, and artificial intelligence to analyze heritage values in urban contexts, focusing on social perceptions derived from social media data. PhD in Heritage and Values from TU Delft Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher in the HERILAND Project Research Interests : Computational social science, cultural heritage analytics, spatiotemporal modeling, and social media-driven urban planning. His work bridges architecture, AI, and big data to address heritage preservation challenges. Scientific Awards : Best Paper Award from CIPA 2023 Young CAADRIA Award 2020 External Roles : Active in committees like ICOMOS Nederland, CIPA Emerging Professionals, and CIPA Heritage Documentation. He has presented at international conferences and workshops on heritage and AI topics.
Francisco de Arriba Perez serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the School of Telecommunications Engineering, University of Vigo, where he contributes to the Research Center for Telecommunication Technologies and leads research within the TC1 Group of Information Technologies. He earned his PhD from the University of Vigo in 2019 with a dissertation titled Application of wrist wearables in educational environments for the characterization of sleep and stress , supervised by Dr. Manuel Caeiro Rodríguez and Dr. Juan Manuel Santos Gago. His research centers on Explainable Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing , with pioneering applications in mental health monitoring (postpartum depression, anxiety, cognitive decline), wearable technology integration , and real-time stream analysis for social networks and financial systems. He specializes in developing interpretable machine learning frameworks that bridge theoretical AI advancements with practical healthcare implementations, particularly through large language models for clinical decision support. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant research trajectory toward healthcare AI (60% of works), with significant contributions to mental health diagnostics using conversational interfaces, followed by applications in social network security (20%) and financial forecasting (20%). His methodology consistently emphasizes explainability , real-time processing , and stream-based adaptation to address data drift challenges. As an active member of the TC1 Group of Information Technologies, he collaborates on interdisciplinary projects advancing telecommunication technologies and information systems, with recent work exploring robotic avatars for social pilgrimage and accessibility enhancements through wearable computing.
Jürgen Ziegler is a Senior Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Applied Cognitive Science within the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of Duisburg-Essen. He leads the Interactive Intelligent Systems Group, focusing on human-computer interaction, recommender systems, and explainable AI. His work emphasizes transparency, user control, and interdisciplinary collaboration with industry partners. He earned his doctoral degree from the University of Stuttgart, specializing in formal user interface design methodology. Prior to his current role, he headed the Competence Center for Software Technology and Interactive Systems at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) in Stuttgart. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of the journal i-com - Journal of Interactive Media from 2001 to 2021. Ziegler’s research bridges academic and industrial domains, with applications in e-commerce, health, social media, and automotive systems. He investigates how to make intelligent technologies more transparent and user-controllable, particularly in conversational recommender systems, personalized interfaces, and social media analytics. His work integrates visualization techniques and semantic data models to enhance user experience. His recent publications focus on multistakeholder evaluation frameworks, explainable AI, and the integration of conversational agents with traditional interfaces. These studies explore domains like health promotion, smart environments, and education, using methods such as knowledge graphs, generative AI, and interactive sliders for feature dependency visualization. Ziegler founded and co-chairs the German Special Interest Group on User-Centred Artificial Intelligence. He has contributed to funded projects like SPIDER, FairWays, and PAnalytics, which address polarization in social networks, interactive recommendation, and health support systems. His leadership roles include organizing international workshops on explainable user models and user-centered AI. He supervises PhD students and advises on projects related to recommender systems, mental models, and user interaction preferences. His team collaborates on multi-method approaches for transparent decision support and the development of tools for measuring user perception of recommendation transparency. Labs and teams under his direction include the Interactive Intelligent Systems Group, which develops demonstrators like AR-based shopping advisors and hybrid recommendation frameworks. His work emphasizes both theoretical advancements and practical implementations across diverse application scenarios.
MARIA BLANCA IBAÑEZ ESPIGA is an Associate Professor at the Telematics Engineering Department of Carlos III University of Madrid , specializing in educational technology and immersive learning environments. Her research focuses on integrating augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) into educational practices to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Research Focus: Dr. Ibañez Espiga explores the application of augmented reality in STEM education, gamification for learning activities, and learning analytics to model student behavior in immersive systems. She has developed tools like BabloXR for WebXR applications, XploRe for solar system education, and Reaq for chemistry tutoring, demonstrating her commitment to innovative pedagogical solutions. Publications: Recent work includes studies on generative AI in education , cloud-based universities , and AR simulations in problem-based learning . Her research spans from 2010 to 2025, showing sustained contributions to technology-enhanced learning methodologies. Labs & Teams: She is affiliated with the eMadrid Network , a research group focused on learning methodologies, gamification, and quality in educational technology. Her projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging telematics engineering to create scalable educational solutions.
Professor Ulrich Nikolaus serves as a Professor of Multimedia Publishing and Communication Design at the Faculty of Computer Science and Media at Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig). He has held this position since his appointment in December 2002 and currently serves as Chairman of the Examination Board for technical degree programs within the faculty. His academic journey began with computer science studies at Saarland University in 1988, followed by a degree in computer science in 1996, and culminated in his doctorate on 'Multimedia Learning in Companies' in October 2001. Nikolaus's research spans multimedia publishing, interface design, electronic publishing, and digital accessibility. His work emphasizes creating inclusive digital experiences, particularly through his longstanding collaboration with the German Central Library for the Blind (since 2011). He has directed significant projects including the redesign of the Egyptian Museum website in collaboration with Leipzig University, where students under his supervision developed design, content, and technical concepts. His scholarly contributions focus on advancing accessible digital publications, voice user interfaces, eye-tracking analyses for media research, and cross-media publishing workflows. Nikolaus has been instrumental in developing digital teaching strategies at HTWK Leipzig, serving on the 'Steering Committee for Inclusion' since 2018 and as a founding member of the Institute for Digital Teaching and Learning since 2019. Among his notable recognitions are membership in the Accessibility in Education Working Group of the IAAP-DACH since 2022, and his role as co-organizer of Leipzig's first World Usability Day in 2017. He has also contributed to international standards through his participation in the DAISY 2009 International Technical Conference. Nikolaus teaches across multiple courses including Media Production, Interface Design, Electronic Publishing, and Media Management at the Master's level. His educational philosophy integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, evident in his supervision of student projects that address real-world challenges in digital media and accessibility.
Chris Snider is an Associate Professor at Drake University's School of Journalism & Mass Communication since 2010, where he teaches web design, social media strategy, and multimedia courses. He also co-owns Innovation Profs LLC, specializing in generative AI training for businesses. B.A. from University of Iowa (1998) MBA from Drake University (2013) His research focuses on generative AI , social media , and smartphone video applications in digital communication. Workshop leadership includes over 30 sessions on topics like video editing, podcasting, and LinkedIn branding between 2010-2025. Notable awards include Gannett's top digital editor (2008) and Presstime 20 Under 40 recognition (2008). He serves as digital media advisor to Des Moines companies and leads community workshops on emerging technologies. Professional history: Assistant Managing Editor for Digital & Innovation at Des Moines Register (2007-2010) News Design Director at St. Louis Post-Dispatch Early career at Baltimore Sun
Jayan Chirayath Kurian is a Lecturer in Information Systems at the University of Technology Sydney's School of Computer Science within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. He previously held academic positions at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australian National University, and RMIT University in Vietnam. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and certified Pega Business Architect, Kurian brings extensive industry experience to his academic role. His educational background includes a PhD in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Canberra (2019), an M.Phil in Computer Science from the University of Nottingham, and professional certifications from PegaSystems, Oracle, Microsoft, and other leading technology providers. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning from RMIT University. Kurian's research focuses on spatial computing applications, digital transformation in emergency management, and health informatics for chronic patient monitoring. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implementations, particularly in mixed reality environments and digital health interventions. Recent projects examine dementia care technology, virtual reality for cognitive assessment, and metaverse applications in education. His publications demonstrate consistent output across prestigious venues including Computers & Education, Online Information Review, and various AIS conferences. The research shows a clear trajectory from social media analysis in emergency management toward increasingly sophisticated spatial computing applications in healthcare and education contexts. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2022-present) Canberra Citizen of the Year Award (2020) eINDIA Award for best ICT enabled University Invited to Google Summer of Code Mentors' summit Kurian has secured multiple research grants including the $5,000 performance bonus for the CogDec project under the ON Prime - CSIRO Program (2024), the Blue Sky Research Scheme ($10,000 from UTS), and several other projects through 2025. His teaching portfolio covers enterprise systems, creative programming, business informatics, and digital transformation courses. He actively supervises Masters and PhD students while collaborating with industry partners on practical technology implementations.
MSc. Sinem Alturjman is a Lecturer in the Department of Artificial Intelligence Engineering at Near East University's College of Engineering. Her academic work focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and internet of things (IoT) systems. Research areas include: Development of AI-powered learning facilitators and educational tools Integration of blockchain for secure IoT architectures Optimization of mobile cloud computing services Application of machine learning in cybersecurity frameworks 6G communication systems with intelligent routing protocols Recent publications demonstrate expertise in: AI-enhanced scheduling mechanisms Decentralized cloud-IoT architectures Reinforcement learning applications Smart healthcare systems with blockchain Energy-aware routing protocols for sensor networks
Joanna F. Defranco is an Associate Professor of Engineering at the Engineering Division (Great Valley) of Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on software development, internet of things (IoT), blockchain, and artificial intelligence, with a particular emphasis on quality assurance, security, and practical implementations in engineering and healthcare. Research Interests Defranco's work addresses critical challenges in IoT security, digital twins for manufacturing, and AI-driven software quality analysis. She explores secure data sharing frameworks, blockchain applications in healthcare, and the evolution of low-code/no-code platforms. Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to telemedicine, smart agriculture, and urban infrastructure. Publication Trends Her 2023-2025 publications show increasing focus on IoT integration with AI, secure healthcare data systems, and the societal implications of emerging technologies. Key themes include digital twin adoption in SMEs, generative AI's impact on software development, and cybersecurity resilience. Collaborations She collaborates with institutions like IEEE and researchers such as Paul Laplante, Joseph Voas, and Thrasyvoulos Speicher. Her work bridges engineering education with real-world applications in manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare.
Gail Towsley , PhD, is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing . As a gerontologist and licensed nursing home administrator , she focuses on interdisciplinary applied aging research to improve palliative care in long-term care (LTC) settings . Her innovative work includes developing Me & My Wishes - a video-based communication system for documenting resident care preferences. Her research spans critical areas in end-of-life care , care coordination , health disparities , and communication training for healthcare staff. She has led studies on virtual care conferences for dementia patients, legacy value documentation for older adults, and social model hospice care for homeless populations. Recent articles show consistent focus on dementia care (2024 systematic review), care transition disparities (2024 Hispanic population study), and communication interventions (2023 CONTACT tool development) Key collaborations include work with University of Pennsylvania and Polisher Research Institute through postdoctoral fellowships Her educational background includes PhD in Nursing and MS in Gerontology from University of Utah, plus postdoctoral training at Penn and Polisher Institute Current teaching responsibilities include courses in the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program and Nursing doctoral program . She holds multiple external grants for palliative care improvement initiatives and has received prestigious fellowships and career development awards from institutions like National Palliative Care Research Center and Gerontological Society of America .
Larissa D'Angelo is an Associate Professor of English Language and Translation at the University of Bergamo , affiliated with the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures . She leads the Eye Tracking Lab within the Research Group on Digital Humanities (ReDH) and is a member of the Research Center on Languages for Specific Purposes (CERLIS) . Her academic background includes an MA in English Language from Youngstown State University (USA), a TESOL Certificate , a Certificate in Children's and Young Adult Literature , and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Reading (UK). Her research focuses on English for Specific Purposes , multimodal analysis , and eye-tracking studies , particularly in audiovisual translation , game localization , and academic communication . She has supervised theses on topics like AVT and cultural prosumer dynamics , multimodal text design , and AI in translation , though she emphasizes that AI usage is strictly prohibited in thesis work. Her publications explore the intersection of digital communication , metadiscourse , and translation theory , with a focus on visual and textual academic genres and pedagogical applications . She actively collaborates on projects like Erasmus+ initiatives for climate-resilient education.
Dr. Hannes Ritschel is a Researcher at the Chair of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence , Department of Computer Science, University of Augsburg , and a Professor at the University of Music Würzburg . His work focuses on adaptive AI systems for human-robot interaction, leveraging reinforcement learning to personalize robot behaviors based on social cues. His research interests span Artificial Intelligence , Reinforcement Learning , Natural Language Generation , and Multimodal Interaction . He has pioneered techniques for socially-aware robots, including humor and irony generation, adaptive linguistic styles, and real-time behavior synchronization. Recent publications highlight his work on generative AI for virtual agents , multimodal joke presentation , and privacy-by-design speech assistants . Key themes include emotion recognition, human-agent trust, and AI applications in health and music education. Scientific Awards: Best Technical Paper Award, PETRA 2019 Best Poster Award, PETRA 2019 He mentors students in projects related to reinforcement learning , social robotics , and creative AI , with advisees including Kathrin Janowski, Andreas Seiderer, and Thomas Kiderle. His teaching includes lectures on Content Creation for Virtual Environments and Reinforcement Learning , bridging art and computer science.
Maria Vittoria Calvi is a full Professor of Spanish Language and Translation at the Department of Contemporary Languages and Cultures, University of Milan. Her academic career centers on specialized language research with institutional leadership in national projects and founding roles in research centers. Her research spans four interconnected domains: lexicography (specialized vocabulary in Spanish-Italian contexts), tourism language (discourse genres, digital evolution, and cultural representation), Spanish language teaching (for specific purposes and Italian speakers), and migration linguistics (Italian-Spanish contact in migrant communities). Key methodologies include discourse analysis, pragmatic studies, and comparative lexicography, often applied to tourism communication across digital and traditional platforms. Recent publications (2014-2019) reveal consistent thematic focus on tourism discourse evolution, particularly examining genre blurring in digital contexts (e.g., tourism 2.0), cultural diversity in tourism communication, and pragmatic aspects of specialized translation. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration, frequently co-editing volumes and leading Spanish-Italian comparative projects. Professor Calvi has directed significant research initiatives including Scientific Coordinator for the PRIN 2007 project 'Il linguaggio della comunicazione turistica spagnolo-italiano' and head of the Milan unit analyzing legal-commercial aspects of tourism language. As a founding member of CERLIS (Center for Research on Specialized Languages and Intercultural Communication), she has shaped institutional frameworks for specialized language studies. Her laboratory work centers on CERLIS research teams, coordinating national projects on tourism language and specialized communication. Current activities focus on digital tourism discourse analysis and migration linguistics, with ongoing exploration of social media's impact on tourism communication genres.
Christian López Bencosme is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science with an affiliation in Mechanical Engineering at Lafayette College. He holds a Ph.D. from the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, NY. Prior to his academic career, he worked in both the Service and Manufacturing sectors. Dr. López's research focuses on the design and optimization of intelligent decision support systems and persuasive technologies to augment human proficiencies. His work integrates technologies and methods from science and engineering, particularly Machine Learning, Virtual Reality, and Gamification, to create systems that improve decision-making and task performance across education, business, health, and wellness domains. He has established several significant research projects including the Adaptable Game-based, Interactive Learning Environments for STEM Education (AGILE STEM), a Machine Learning and Gamification project for personalized-adaptive educational applications, and the VR CLICK Approach Project for improving spatial visualization skills. His scholarly work demonstrates consistent innovation in educational technology, with particular emphasis on developing machine learning algorithms that can personalize learning experiences and adapt pedagogical content to individual students' needs. His research on multilingual Twitter datasets related to the COVID-19 pandemic has generated significant scholarly interest, resulting in over 3 billion collected tweets and multiple publications analyzing global reactions to pandemic policies. Dr. López's work consistently bridges theoretical computer science with practical educational applications, creating systems that not only advance knowledge but also have immediate impact in classroom settings. Best Paper Award from Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Regional Conference New IE Educator Outstanding Paper Award (awarded twice) ASME CIE Virtual Environments & Systems Best Paper Award Mid-Atlantic ASEE Committee Best Paper Award As an educator, Dr. López teaches courses including Introduction to Engineering: Design & Data Mining (ES 101), Introduction to Game Programming (CS 104), Introduction to Machine Learning (CS 414), and Principles of Data Science (DS 201). He has mentored numerous undergraduate students including Nathan Dinh, Alexa Gould, and Malolan Vasu on research projects related to gamification, machine learning, and virtual reality applications. His students have presented their collaborative work at major conferences including the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences. Dr. López leads the VR/AR Community of Practice at Lafayette College, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration around virtual and augmented reality technologies. His research lab focuses on developing innovative educational applications that leverage machine learning algorithms to personalize learning experiences and improve student outcomes in STEM fields, with current projects including AI-driven educational game development and VR applications for spatial visualization training.
Professor Shang Xiaochun is a distinguished faculty member of the Department of Information Management at the College of Business, National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. With extensive experience in academic leadership, she has served as Department Chair, Deputy Dean of the College of Business, and Director of the International Business Master's Program (English). Her career spans both academic and professional realms, with prior experience at major consulting firms including IBM, KPMG, and BNF Consulting. Professor Shang earned her PhD in Information Systems from the University of Melbourne, Australia (1997-2002) and a Master's degree in Computer Technology from the New York Institute of Technology, USA (1983-1984). Her educational background reflects a strong foundation in both technical and business disciplines, which informs her interdisciplinary research approach. Professor Shang's research focuses on enterprise model innovation, enterprise system management, enterprise process management, and change management. Her work bridges the gap between technical information systems and business management, with particular emphasis on how organizations can leverage technology for competitive advantage. She has made significant contributions to understanding how businesses can innovate through information systems, manage organizational change during technology implementation, and optimize business processes in the digital age. Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output across multiple high-impact journals. Her research trajectory shows a progression from foundational work on enterprise systems implementation in the early 2000s to more recent investigations into mobile payment innovation, autonomous vehicle technologies, and social media applications. The breadth of her work spans traditional business process management, customer relationship management, and cutting-edge digital innovation areas. Professor Shang has secured research funding from both the Ministry of Science and Technology and other non-governmental organizations, including projects such as the '2019 International Symposium on Smart Enterprise Information Application Development' and 'Service Innovation E-Newsletter.' These projects reflect her commitment to bridging academic research with practical business applications. Within the academic community, Professor Shang has made significant contributions through her leadership roles and collaborative research. She has served as principal investigator on multiple research projects and has mentored numerous students through their academic journeys. Her work continues to influence both academic discourse and practical business applications in information systems management.
