Prof. Dr.-Ing. Reimar Lenz is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) within the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. His research focuses on digital image acquisition, cooled cameras for microscopy, color image reconstruction, and videometry. He founded CCD Videometrie GmbH in 1999 and co-developed the 'Arriscan' film scanner, earning a Technical Oscar in 2010. Education: Studied electrical engineering at Technical University of Stuttgart and TUM (diploma 1980). PhD in 1986, habilitation in videometry/image processing (1989). IBM postdoc (1987-1988). Key achievements include the microscanning patent (1990), high-resolution museum cameras (MARC project), and CMOS sensor innovations. Awards include the Academy Scientific & Engineering Award (2010) and Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Medal. Manages CCD Videometrie GmbH and holds adjunct roles. Active in both academia and industry, bridging sensor technology and digital imaging applications.
Prof. Dr. Angelika Braun is a full Professor of Phonetics at the University of Trier since October 2009, with a career spanning forensic phonetics, sociophonetics, and cross-cultural speech analysis. She previously held roles at the Bundeskriminalamt (Wiesbaden/Düsseldorf) and Philipps-Universität Marburg, where she habilitated in Phonetics and Speech Processing (2000). Her work bridges academic research with forensic practice. Research Focus: Her Sociophonetics (language and emotions, gender-specific speech) Forensic Phonetics (speaker identification, voice analysis) Contrastive and Hawaiian Phonetics Speech prosody and toxin effects (smoking, alcohol) Intercultural dubbing studies Academic Contributions: Over 15 recent articles explore voice quality, emotional speech, forensic age estimation, and cross-cultural dubbing effects. Key conferences include Interspeech, International Congress of Phonetic Sciences, and ISCA. Her work appears in journals like Forensic Linguistics and The Phonetician . Scientific Honors: Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Founder Member and former Chairperson of the International Association for Forensic Phonetics (IAFP) Life-Member of the International Phonetic Association (IPA) Leadership roles in ISPhS and GAL Practical Impact: Developed the Almeida-Braun Transcription System for dialect analysis and contributed to forensic audio enhancement protocols (e.g., Rodney King case). Serves as reviewer for Language and Speech , Forensic Linguistics , and JIPA . Collaborates on longitudinal studies of vocal aging and speaker identification.
Li Wei is a distinguished academic affiliated with Tsinghua University, with a focus on interdisciplinary research spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision. His work often intersects with medical informatics, remote sensing, and signal processing, demonstrating a commitment to advancing technological solutions in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and engineering systems. Research interests include deep learning applications in clinical diagnostics, satellite data analysis for climate modeling, and optimization of energy storage systems. He has contributed to innovative solutions in areas such as UAV-enabled edge computing, privacy-preserving blockchain protocols, and thermal-based surveillance systems. His collaborative projects often involve multidisciplinary teams across institutions. Publications reflect a strong emphasis on practical applications, such as mobile health tools for tumor recognition, transformer-based super-resolution techniques for oceanography, and AI-driven risk classification models for respiratory diseases. While no specific awards or grants are listed, his prolific output across top-tier journals indicates sustained research impact. Professional activities include contributions to conferences like RecSys, MICCAI, and AAAI, and editorial roles are implied through his extensive publication record. Collaborations with industry partners (e.g., in energy systems and medical imaging) suggest engagement with real-world problem-solving.
Guillermo Gallego is a Professor of Robotic Interactive Perception at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Technische Universität Berlin , holding the Einstein Center Digital Future (ECDF) Professorship since 2019. His research bridges robotics , computer vision , and applied mathematics , focusing on optimization methods for interdisciplinary imaging and control problems. Education : PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2011), MS in Mathematics (Georgia Tech, 2009), MS in Electrical Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2007), MS in Mathematical Engineering (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 2005). Gallego's work explores event-based vision to enhance robot perception through low-latency sensing and real-time 3D reconstruction . He previously held postdoctoral positions at the Institute of Neuroinformatics (University of Zurich/ETH Zurich) and Technical University of Madrid (Marie Curie Experienced Researcher). His interdisciplinary projects span applications in ocean remote sensing , autonomous driving , and space exploration . Key scientific awards include the Fulbright Fellowship (2005-2010) and Marie Curie Experienced Researcher (2011-2014). His recent publications focus on event camera algorithms for optical flow , SLAM , and noise estimation , reflecting his leadership in event-based vision research. Collaborations include institutions like University of Zurich , Georgia Tech , and University of Pennsylvania . Research Grants : Funded through ECDF and Marie Curie programs. Labs : Affiliated with the Einstein Center Digital Future and Institute of Neuroinformatics (Zurich/ETH Zurich).
Michael Bronstein is a Professor at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI Lugano) in Switzerland and Imperial College London in the UK, where he holds the Chair in Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition. He serves as Head of Graph Learning Research at Twitter following the acquisition of his startup Fabula AI, and maintains a principal engineer position at Intel Perceptual Computing. His research focuses on the interplay between geometry, machine learning, and computer vision, with particular emphasis on non-Euclidean structured data. Professor Bronstein received his Ph.D. with distinction in Computer Science from the Technion in 2007. He has held visiting appointments at Stanford University, MIT, Harvard University (as a Radcliffe Fellow), and Tel Aviv University, and has been affiliated with multiple Institutes for Advanced Study including TUM-IAS where he was a Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow (2017). He is a Fellow of IAPR, Senior Member of the IEEE, and a member of the Young Academy of Europe. His research program centers on theoretical and computational methods in spectral and metric geometry applied to computer vision, pattern recognition, and machine learning. He pioneered the field of geometric deep learning, developing novel neural network architectures that process non-Euclidean data structures like graphs and manifolds. His work spans from theoretical foundations to practical applications, with over 100 publications in top scientific journals and conferences, and has been featured in international media including CNN. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in geometric deep learning with applications spanning computer vision, 3D shape analysis, social network analysis, and bioinformatics. His research consistently bridges theoretical innovation with real-world applications, developing novel neural architectures for processing complex data structures. The work demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary reach, connecting machine learning with fields from particle physics to molecular biology. Dalle Molle Prize (2018) Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2018) ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2018) Amazon AWS Machine Learning Research Award (2018) Fellow, International Association for Pattern Recognition (IAPR) Google Faculty Research Award (2017) Radcliffe fellowship, Harvard University (2017) Rudolf Diesel industrial fellowship, TU Munich (2017) ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2014) Professor Bronstein has secured multiple ERC grants (Starting Grant 2012, Proof of Concept Grants 2016 and 2018, Consolidator Grant 2016) and has mentored numerous students who have contributed to over 30 granted patents. He has chaired more than a dozen conferences and workshops in his field and served as area chair at major computer vision conferences including ECCV 2016 and ICCV 2017. His research group at USI Lugano collaborates extensively with industry partners including Intel and Twitter. As a serial entrepreneur, Professor Bronstein co-founded Novafora (2005-2009) developing large-scale video analysis, Invision (2009-2012) which created low-cost 3D sensors and was acquired by Intel, and Fabula AI (2018-2019) focused on fake news detection which was acquired by Twitter. His work bridges theoretical research with commercial applications, with his technology contributing to Intel RealSense and Twitter's graph learning infrastructure.
Nele Mentens is a full professor at both KU Leuven and Leiden University, where she leads cutting-edge research in applied cryptography, hardware security, and secure embedded systems. At KU Leuven, she is affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering Technology and the Electrical Engineering Department (ESAT), leading the Emerging Technologies, Systems & Security (ES&S) research group at the Diepenbeek campus. Simultaneously, she holds a full professorship at Leiden University’s Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), focusing on applied cryptography and security. She has been instrumental in numerous national and international research initiatives, including Horizon Europe and NWO-funded projects. Full Professor, KU Leuven (since 2023) Full Professor, Leiden University (since 2020) Associate Professor, KU Leuven (2014–2023) Post-doctoral Researcher & Lecturer, KHLim / KU Leuven (2007–2014) Ph.D. in Engineering Science, KU Leuven (2007) M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven (2003) Her research focuses on secure and efficient hardware design, particularly for cryptographic applications on FPGAs, reconfigurable architectures, IoT security, and neuromorphic computing. She explores physical attack resistance, side-channel analysis protection, and trusted computing architectures, with applications in healthcare, industrial monitoring, and endpoint AI. Her work bridges theoretical cryptography with practical hardware implementations, emphasizing energy efficiency and real-time performance. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend toward secure, energy-efficient, and intelligent embedded systems. Topics include neuromorphic AI accelerators, trusted IoT architectures, dynamic reconfiguration for side-channel protection, and secure medical data processing. These works span disciplines such as computer architecture, cybersecurity, digital design, and embedded systems, with a focus on hardware-software co-design and real-world deployment. Nele Mentens has received recognition for her contributions, including: Best Paper Award, DATE'16 Best Paper Nomination, AsianHOST'17 Best Paper Award, CHES'19 She has supervised over 15 Ph.D. students and post-docs, both current and former, and has served as principal investigator in approximately 25 funded research projects. Her work has attracted significant grants from Horizon Europe, NWO, FWO, and national innovation programs. She actively contributes to the academic community through editorial roles in top journals and leadership in major conferences. Nele Mentens leads the ES&S research group at KU Leuven and collaborates closely with LIACS at Leiden University. Her team includes Ph.D. students, post-docs, and research experts working on projects like NimbleAI, NeuroSoC, and TrustedIoT. She has also established secure electronics labs through infrastructure grants and maintains strong international ties with institutions such as EPFL, Ruhr University Bochum, and ETH Zurich.
Prof. Dr. Kai Essig is a Professor of Human Factors and Interactive Systems at the Faculty of Communication and Environment, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany. He has a strong interdisciplinary background combining computer science, cognitive science, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on eye tracking, visual perception, and assistive technologies. Master of Science in Computer Science and Chemistry, Bielefeld University (1998) Ph.D. in Computer Science, Bielefeld University (2007) His research centers on eye tracking, human-computer interaction, usability engineering, visual attention, and cognitive interaction technology . He investigates how movement expertise influences visual perception and how multimodal software can support real-time human actions. His work integrates computer vision, machine learning, and neuroscience to develop intelligent systems that adapt to user behavior. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent trend in eye movement analysis, mental representations, brain-machine interfaces, and assistive technologies . These works span domains such as sports psychology, robotics, augmented reality, and cognitive neuroscience, demonstrating a strong interdisciplinary approach. Key themes include gaze-based interaction, automated annotation of visual behavior, and the implementation of smart systems for daily living assistance. Scientific recognition includes: Landmark in the Land of Ideas (2018) – for the ADAMAAS project, awarded by 'Land of Ideas', a joint initiative of the German government and the Federation of German Industries Prof. Essig has been actively involved in research projects such as ADAMAAS (Adaptive and Mobile Action Assistance in Daily Living Activities), which received national recognition. He has collaborated extensively with the Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics Research Group at Bielefeld University and the Excellence Cluster CITEC. While no formal advising of students is listed, his publications suggest mentorship and collaboration with junior researchers. His lab work is centered on eye-tracking systems, multimodal interaction, and cognitive modeling , particularly within applied environments like smart glasses and assistive technologies.
Aggelos K. Katsaggelos is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering. His research focuses on biomedical imaging, machine learning, and computer vision applications in healthcare. He has collaborated extensively with interdisciplinary teams, including clinicians and engineers, to develop advanced algorithms for medical diagnosis and image analysis. Key research interests include medical image processing, deep learning for diagnostics, and computational methods in cardiology. His work spans applications such as MRI and ultrasound analysis, automated pathology detection, and multimodal sensing for health monitoring. Recent articles highlight contributions to myocardial scar quantification, lung ultrasound scoring, and AI-driven cough detection. His methodologies often combine domain-specific physics with modern machine learning techniques to solve real-world clinical challenges. Notable collaborations include projects with institutions like the University of Chicago and international teams in astrophysics and cognitive science. His work emphasizes translating algorithmic advancements into practical clinical tools.
Shueng-Han Gary Chan is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), within the College of Engineering. He is actively engaged in research and mentoring, with a strong publication record in mobile computing, indoor localization, and AI for pervasive systems. His research focuses on indoor localization using Wi-Fi, geomagnetic, and inertial signals , sensor fusion , crowd counting with deep learning , domain adaptation , and efficient mobile AI systems . His work bridges theoretical innovation with real-world deployment, as seen in systems for missing person search and indoor navigation. Recent publications (2023–2025) show a consistent trend toward self-supervised and domain-agnostic learning , efficient model design for mobile devices , and robust signal fusion in noisy environments . His team leverages transformer architectures, graph neural networks, and novel optimization techniques to solve real-world challenges in urban and indoor spaces. He has advised numerous graduate students, including Jierun Chen, Zhuoxuan Peng, and Tianlang He, who have contributed as first authors to joint publications. His collaborations span institutions and include work on large-scale system deployments and mobile AI. He leads a research group focused on mobile and pervasive computing , with projects involving IoT-based contact tracing, indoor navigation (e.g., DeepNavi, SiFu), and real-time localization systems. The team emphasizes practical deployment and system robustness.
Ashwin Ram is a postdoctoral researcher at Saarland University's Human-Computer Interaction & Interactive Technologies Lab, under Prof. Jürgen Steimle. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the National University of Singapore (NUS), advised by Prof. Shengdong Zhao, and a Bachelor's in Electronics Engineering from NIT Trichy. His research focuses on wearable augmented reality, smart glasses, and accessibility, leveraging cognitive and behavioral theories to design intelligent interfaces. Notable contributions include Mindful Moments (DIS '23, Honorable Mention), a mindfulness tool for smart glasses, and a quadruped robot guidance system for visually impaired individuals (CHI '24, Honorable Mention). He has served as an Associate Chair (AC) for UIST 2025 and CHI 2025. His work bridges HCI with wearable computing, exploring topics like video learning optimization (LSVP, IMWUT '21), sound source localization via neural networks (NCC '18), and accelerating Hawkes processes for event modeling (ICML '17 workshop). He collaborates internationally, including a research visit at UCL's Multi-Sensory Devices Group. Key achievements include 17 peer-reviewed publications (Google Scholar, ORCID: 0000-0003-1430-8770) and interdisciplinary projects like semantic floor map-based robot navigation. Beyond academia, he practices Carnatic music, plays guitar, and is fluent in Malayalam, Tamil, and English, with proficiency in French, German, and Hindi.
Detlev Marpe is a leading researcher at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI), serving as Head of the Video Coding & Analytics Department and Head of the Image & Video Coding Group. His work focuses on advancing video compression standards, including HEVC (H.265) and its extensions. He has contributed significantly to tools like entropy coding, transform coding, and scalable video coding. His research emphasizes efficient compression techniques, such as adaptive context models and wavelet-based methods, with applications in multimedia communication and low-delay video encoding. Affiliations: Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications HHI, Berlin, Germany Roles: Department Head, Research Group Leader, and Adjunct Lecturer at TU Berlin (2013/14) Research Interests: Video coding standards (HEVC, H.264/AVC), entropy coding (CABAC), wavelet-based compression, scalable video coding (SVC), multiview video coding (MVC), and rate-distortion optimization. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations, addressing challenges in compression efficiency, scalability, and real-time applications. Publications & Awards: Over 200 publications in top-tier journals and conferences, including IEEE Transactions and SPIE. Notable awards include the Chester Sall Best Paper Award and multiple Best Paper Awards from IEEE journals. His contributions to video coding standards have been adopted in global specifications like MPEG and ITU-T. Grants & Labs: Involved in major research projects on HEVC extensions, 3D video coding, and low-delay applications. Collaborates with industry partners and academic institutions globally. His team at HHI develops reference software and test models for emerging standards.
Miguel Machulla is a Researcher at the Department of Journalism and Communication Research, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media. His academic background includes a Master's in Biology, Music, and Education from Ruhr University Bochum and Technical University Dortmund. He has held research positions at TU Dortmund, University of Cologne, and currently contributes to the BMBF-funded project Degree 5.0 focused on digital teacher education. Research Interests: Machulla's work bridges music psychology, gender/queer studies, and media interactions. He investigates how music shapes intergroup dynamics, supports LGBTQ+ identity formation, and enhances educational methodologies. Key themes include queer music analysis, media's role in environmental advocacy, and video-based reflective practices in pedagogy. Publications: His recent articles and conference papers (2023-2025) demonstrate empirical rigor in studying music's sociocultural impact, particularly through quantitative analysis of queer music characteristics, music functions in identity development, and innovative task designs for music education. Methodologically, he employs structural equation modeling, discourse analysis, and cross-cultural comparisons. Affiliations: Active member of the German Society for Music Psychology (DGM), Society for Music Research (GfM), and Research Hub at Hanover University. Associated with the Cologne Systematic Musicology Lab and BMBF project Degree 5.0 .
Prof. Felix Bießmann holds a professorship in Computer Science and Media at Berlin University of Applied Sciences' Department VI. His research focuses on machine learning applications in diverse fields including healthcare, urban planning, environmental science, and robotics through his Cognitive Algorithms Lab. He teaches courses such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Data Science Workflows, alongside roles at TU Berlin and Korea University. Education: PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) in Natural Sciences Research interests span machine learning theory and practical implementations across domains like computer vision, generative AI, and sensor data analysis. His work addresses challenges in automated systems, healthcare monitoring, and sustainable technologies. Recent student theses explore topics like license plate recognition, adaptive game soundtracks, and bird song detection using TinyML. Collaborations include projects with the Charité Berlin and Robert-Koch Institute. Lab: Cognitive Algorithms Lab (developing machine learning methods/applications) Contact: felix.biessmann@bht-berlin.de | Office D138, Berlin University of Applied Sciences.
Ralf Salomon is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering , University of Rostock , Germany. He holds the title of Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. and is actively involved in research and teaching in embedded systems, localization, and signal processing. University: University of Rostock School: Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Position: Full Professor Contact: Room 201, Tel: +49 381 498 7260 His research focuses on high-precision time measurement , ambient assisted living , industrial embedded systems , and localization technologies . He applies bio-inspired principles, particularly from the barn owl auditory system, to develop low-cost, high-accuracy systems. His work spans health monitoring (e.g., fall detection, cochlear implants), sports technology, and animal experimentation systems. The recent publications (2020–2025) show a strong trend in sensor systems , embedded vision , and real-time measurement , with applications in sports, healthcare, and automation. His work combines theoretical innovation with practical implementation, often using FPGAs and microcontrollers. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: He advises students such as Theo Gabloffsky , who co-authors multiple publications and assists in teaching. He has led multiple funded projects including Welisa (DFG Graduate College) , iHeal , CurlDat , and BOUNCE . Many of his projects focus on health, localization, and embedded intelligence. Labs and Teams: He collaborates closely with researchers like Ralf Joost , Matthias Hinkfoth , Gerald Bieber , and Marian Lüder . His team develops FPGA-based systems, embedded sensors, and intelligent algorithms for real-world applications in health, industry, and sports.
Thomas D. C. Little is a Professor at Boston University, USA, specializing in Visible Light Communication (VLC), Optical Wireless Communication, and Mobile Ad Hoc Networks. His research focuses on hybrid RF/VLC systems, interference mitigation, and dynamic network optimization under illumination constraints. Recent work includes 3D localization via zone-based positioning Dynamic FOV receiver optimization Multi-tier transmission for 5G Li-Fi Security-aware OFDM modulation Research interests center on integrating optical wireless with traditional RF networks, developing energy-efficient communication protocols, and creating positioning systems for smart spaces. Publications analyze spectral efficiency, channel modeling, and coexistence strategies in dense optical environments. Collaborations span institutions in the USA and Germany, with applications in Industry 4.0 and coastal monitoring systems. His team has contributed to ns-3 simulator extensions for VLC, beam control in FSO systems, and interference analysis in optical networks. Current projects address reconciling SNR models and optimizing handover parameters via Q-learning for heterogeneous deployments.
