Prof. Ben Paechter is a leading academic at the School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment , Edinburgh Napier University, specializing in evolutionary algorithms and swarm robotics. As a Professor , he has shaped research directions in computational optimization and adaptive systems for over two decades. Research Themes : Evolutionary Swarm Robotics, Multi-Objective Optimization, Hyper-heuristics, Neural Architecture Search Key Projects : FOCAS (European Commission), KTP: Intelligent Agents (Innovate UK), PerAda (Self-Aware Systems) Collaborations : CAVES Research Group, Centre for Algorithms, Visualisation and Evolving Systems His article trends demonstrate expertise in cross-domain hyper-heuristics, swarm behavior tree evolution, and neural network architecture optimization. Recent works (2023-2024) focus on GPU-accelerated evolutionary algorithms and hierarchical swarm control systems. Scientific Awards : Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS) Chartered IT Professional (CITP) GECCO Best Paper Nomination (2018) Advising & Grants : Supervised 5 PhD students including Paul Lapok (planar mechanisms) and Andreas Steyven (swarm diversity). Secured £2.2M+ in funding across 13 projects, including EU FOCAS (£639,999) and Innovate UK grants.
Dr Alan Cannon is a Research Fellow at Edinburgh Napier University's School of Computing , affiliated with the Centre for Algorithms, Visualisation and Evolving Systems . His work spans data-driven web technologies, information visualization, interaction design, and software evaluation. Education: PhD: Interactive Visualisation Tools for Supporting Taxonomists Working Practice (2006) Alan specializes in creating visualization systems for biological and taxonomic data through projects like MaTSE and TaxVis . His recent work focuses on mobile platforms for safety engineering inspections and data-driven web services for academic and commercial applications. His publications demonstrate expertise in bioinformatics visualization, ontology-driven systems, and mobile application development across multiple domains including taxonomy, property management, and safety engineering. Research Grants: Data Driven Analysis of PEMFT Benefits (2022, £5,000) Solicitor Data Management for TC Young (2018, £5,000) Managing Archaeological Projects (2017, £5,000) Follow-on development for Plansafe Ltd. (2015-2016, £35,837) TrueBuild App Development (2014-2015, £5,000) Scottish Forestry Project (2016-2017, £28,492) Alan has extensive experience in academic-industry collaboration, commercialization activities, and developing visualization tools for complex data sets across biological sciences, engineering, and database systems.
Andrew McKelvey is a Lecturer at the School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment of Edinburgh Napier University. He specializes in virtual reality technologies, with a focus on enhancing immersive experiences through olfactory display systems and digital epistemic artefacts. His work includes prototyping XR applications for care identity exploration and cultural heritage preservation. Research Areas: Virtual Reality, Extended Reality (XR), Olfactory Display Technology, Human-Computer Interaction Contact: A.McKelvey@napier.ac.uk McKelvey's recent publications (2016-2022) demonstrate expertise in VR applications for cultural institutions and healthcare contexts, often utilizing HoloLens and mobile devices. He previously completed a Master's thesis on olfactory displays in virtual reality between 2018 and 2023.
Juan Moreno García is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Pedagogy and Educational Psychology at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). He holds a PhD in Educational Technology, a Master's in Educational Technology: E-Learning and Knowledge Management, a Bachelor's degree in Psychopedagogy, and a Diploma in Teaching, all from UIB. As a researcher at the Educational Technology Group (GTE), he contributes to the academic community as Deputy Editor of Edutec Magazine. His educational background includes comprehensive training in educational technology and pedagogy, with his doctoral work focusing on the specialized field of Educational Technology from the University of the Balearic Islands. His academic journey reflects a strong commitment to the integration of technology in educational contexts. Dr. Moreno García's research focuses on virtual communities, design and co-design of personal learning paths, and virtual training environments. His work explores how digital tools can enhance educational experiences, particularly through knowledge management systems, personal learning environments, and collaborative platforms. He investigates the intersection of social networking, educational technology, and information management to create more effective learning experiences. His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on educational technology applications, with recurring themes in information curation, virtual learning communities, and knowledge management. His research shows an evolution from practical applications in vocational training to more theoretical frameworks for virtual research communities and personal learning environments. The work consistently addresses how technology can enhance educational processes across various contexts. While no specific scientific awards are mentioned in the available documentation, his contributions to the field are evident through his editorial role at Edutec Magazine and his numerous publications in educational technology journals. As an educator, Dr. Moreno García teaches courses on Educational Technology in the Pedagogy, Primary Education, and Early Childhood Education programs. He also teaches postgraduate courses, training sessions, and conferences for teachers and researchers. His current teaching responsibilities for the 2025-26 academic year include Knowledge Management and Networked Learning, Technological Media and Resources in Primary Education, Primary Education Practices I, and Final Degree Project in Pedagogy. He also supervises doctoral students in the Doctorate in Educational Technology program. He is an active member of the Educational Technology Group (GTE), a consolidated R&D&I group at UIB, where he contributes to research projects focused on the application of technology in educational contexts. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in educational settings.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Florian Holzapfel holds the professorship in Flight System Dynamics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Engineering and Design. His academic journey includes a doctorate at TUM under Prof. Gottfried Sachs, followed by industry experience at IABG before joining TUM in 2007. He is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA and a DGLR member. Research focuses on flight control systems, trajectory optimization, sensor technology, avionics, and safety-critical systems, with emphasis on collaboration with Bavarian aerospace SMEs. Key contributions include adaptive control strategies, eVTOL trajectory optimization, and urban air mobility applications. Education: Bachelor/Master in Aerospace Engineering from TUM Doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) at TUM's Chair of Flight Mechanics and Flight Control Awards include the AIAA 2004 Best Paper Award and the Willy Messerschmitt Prize. His work bridges industry-academia gaps, addressing practical challenges in flight dynamics and advanced air mobility. Labs/Teams: Leads research in eVTOL trajectory generation, flight control architectures, and safety-critical system design. Grants/Awards: Extensive contributions to AIAA conferences and industry-funded projects.
Fidan Mehmeti is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the Chair of Communication Networks at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), led by Prof. Wolfgang Kellerer. His expertise spans wireless networks, 5G/6G systems, edge computing, and network security. He holds a PhD from EURECOM/Telecom ParisTech and has held postdoctoral positions at institutions like the University of Waterloo and Penn State University. Education PhD, Institute EURECOM/Telecom ParisTech, 2015 MSc, University of Prishtina (Kosovo), 2009 BSc, University of Prishtina, 2006 Research Interests Fidan's work focuses on resource allocation, mobility management, edge computing, and AI-driven network optimization. He explores challenges like latency guarantees in 6G multi-domain networks and energy-efficient edge orchestration. His research bridges theoretical analysis (e.g., queueing theory) with practical applications in healthcare and autonomous systems. Recent Contributions Recent articles address mMTC traffic management, latency-critical 6G systems, and medical edge computing. He co-authored chapters on 6G architecture and healthcare applications in the upcoming '6G-life' book. Awards & Recognition Best Student Paper Award at IEEE/IFIP NOMS 2025 IEEE Senior Member (2023) Recipient of Best Paper Awards at CNSM 2024 and CCNC 2023 Grants & Projects He leads projects like '6G-ANNA' (BMBF-funded) and '6G-Life', addressing security, sustainability, and healthcare integration. Collaborations with industry partners like Nokia highlight applied research. Teaching Teaches courses on network modeling, optimization, and data networking at TUM. Recent offerings include 'Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation of Communication Networks' and 'Communication Networks Modeling and Optimization'.
Navid Nikaein is a Professor at EURECOM's Communication Systems department, specializing in wireless networking and 5G/6G technologies. His research focuses on advanced protocols, network slicing, and large-scale emulation using the OpenAirInterface framework. He teaches graduate courses on ad hoc networking and mobile applications development. Research Interests : Uplink channel access for mixed traffic in LTE/LTE-A systems Scheduling schemes for cellular and ad hoc networks Hardware/software co-design for wireless emulation Network slicing and runtime systems for RAN flexibility Awards : Best-in-Session Presentation Award at INFOCOM 2016 Best Paper Award at Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks for Public Safety (2011) Key Projects : OpenAirInterface.org: Open-source LTE/5G platform FlexRAN: SD-RAN programmability framework Advising & Grants : Active in technical program committees for IEEE conferences and leads EU-funded research initiatives on 5G/6G architecture. Collaborates on projects like Mosaic5G and SliceNet for network slicing innovation. Labs/Teams : Leads the Communication Systems research group at EURECOM, focusing on prototyping next-gen wireless systems through open-source collaboration.
Barbara S. Linke is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California Davis. As the Director of the Laboratory for Manufacturing and Sustainable Technologies Research (MASTeR), she leads research in sustainable manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and energy-efficient processes. She is also a Principal Investigator at the Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology (AHMCT) Research Center, focusing on infrastructure-related manufacturing challenges. Her academic background includes a Dr.-Ing. habil. (Habilitation) and she holds the Chancellor’s Fellow title (2021–2026). She advises the UC Davis Student Chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Women Machinists’ Club, fostering student engagement in manufacturing education. Dr. Linke collaborates with interdisciplinary groups like the Fire Research Group at UC Berkeley and the UC Davis AI Center in Engineering, integrating AI into manufacturing systems. Her research emphasizes sustainable technologies, including eco-design frameworks for additive manufacturing, energy-efficient grinding processes, and resource-efficient material finishing. Recent work explores mobile 3D printing systems for emergency applications, biodegradable abrasive media, and distortion mitigation in aluminum alloys through simulation and experimentation. Dr. Linke’s articles highlight trends in sustainable manufacturing, process modeling, and material characterization. Her awards include the Chancellor’s Fellowship, recognizing her contributions to education and research. She actively promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration, bridging mechanical engineering with AI and environmental science to address global manufacturing challenges.
Dr. Deborah Turnbull Tillman is a Senior Lecturer in Media Arts and Curatorial Studies at the School of Art & Design, UNSW Sydney. She serves as Director of Lifelong Learning in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture and holds leadership roles in creative robotics research and education. Her academic journey includes a PhD in New Media Curation (UNSW, 2018) and a Master of Arts Curatorship (University of Sydney). She has curated over 20 exhibitions globally, including SHErobots and FEM-Me, focusing on technology’s intersection with art and audience engagement. Research interests span new media curation, cultural robotics, interactive art, and curatorial methodologies. Recent work explores how technology shapes audience participation in art. She leads the Creative Robotics Lab and advises on national facilities for Human-Robot Interaction research. Her publications include the co-edited volume Cultural Robotics (Springer, 2023) and peer-reviewed articles on digital curation in health contexts and virtual conferencing. Awards include the Australian Postgraduate Award and multiple grants for exhibition production and research. Deborah actively participates in international conferences, serving as Arts Chair for Creativity and Cognition 2024 and curator for SIGGRAPH Asia. Teaching focuses on future-focused technologies and curatorial practices. Supervision areas include interactive art curation and practice-led research methodologies. Grants total over $150K, supporting exhibitions, conferences, and publication costs. She directs educational initiatives like UNSW’s Annual Exhibition Graduate Showcase and leads professional development for education-focused academics.
Sylvia Ratnasamy is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in networked systems design. She holds affiliations with the International Computer Science Institute (ICSI), the Networked Systems Lab (NETSYS), and the Software Principles for Advanced Networking (SPAN) Center. Her research focuses on scalable network architectures, middlebox virtualization, data center networking, and distributed systems. Education: PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2002), Bachelor's in Computer Engineering from the University of Pune, India (1997). Research interests include networked systems, software-defined networking, middlebox architectures, and performance optimization. Notable contributions include the design of NetBricks, E2 framework for NFV, and foundational work on data-centric storage (e.g., OpenDHT). Recent work explores cloud-augmented autonomous driving, cellular network architectures, and hardware-accelerated scheduling. Major awards include the ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award (2014), ACM SIGCOMM Test-of-Time Award (2011), and Sloan Research Fellowship (2012). She has advised numerous projects funded by NSF, DARPA, and industry collaborations. Labs/Teams: Co-leads the SPAN Center for networking research. Active in academic service, including SIGCOMM Technical Steering Committee and program committees for top conferences like NSDI, SOSP, and HotNets.
Sophia Shao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) at the University of California, Berkeley. She was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in July 2024 after serving as an Assistant Professor from August 2019 to June 2024. Previously, she worked as a Senior Research Scientist at NVIDIA from October 2018 to July 2019. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Zhejiang University, China (2005-2009), followed by a Master of Science (2009-2014) and Ph.D. (2009-2016) in Computer Science from Harvard University. Shao's research focuses on computer architecture, with special emphasis on domain-specific accelerators, heterogeneous architecture, and agile VLSI design methodology. Her work bridges the gap between hardware and software through systematic approaches to accelerator design and evaluation. She leads research efforts in the Agile Design of Efficient Processing Technologies (ADEPT), Berkeley Emerging Technologies Research (BETR), Berkeley Wireless Research Center (BWRC), and SpeciaLIzed Computing Ecosystems (SLICE) centers. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward holistic hardware-software co-design for machine learning acceleration, with particular focus on efficient neural network accelerators, multi-tenant execution environments, and automated design methodologies. Her research spans from low-level circuit design to system-level architecture, demonstrating expertise across the entire computing stack. Notably, her work on Gemmini, Stellar, and Virgo represents significant contributions to the field of domain-specific accelerator design and integration. Sloan Research Fellowship (2024) Anita Borg Early Career Award (2024) NSF CAREER Award (2023) Google Research Scholar Award (2023) IEEE TCCA Young Computer Architect Award (2022) Intel Rising Star Faculty Award (2022) ISCA Distinguished Artifact Award (2023, 2024) Best Paper Award at DAC 2021 Professor Shao actively mentors a large group of graduate and undergraduate students, with several former students now at leading technology companies including NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Apple. Her research has been supported by multiple grants from NSF, Google, Intel, and other organizations. She leads several open-source research projects including Gemmini, Stellar, Chipyard, and RoSÉ, which have gained significant traction in both academic and industrial research communities. Her lab, part of the SLICE ecosystem, focuses on creating next-generation computing platforms through vertically integrated hardware-software approaches.
E. Rukzio is a prominent researcher in Computer Science with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , Virtual Reality (VR) , and Mobile Interaction . Their work spans disciplines like Engineering and Psychology , emphasizing user experience and innovative interaction techniques. Research Interests include: Designing cross-device interaction styles (e.g., mobiles and surfaces). Improving touch performance on smartphones through error compensation functions. Creating co-located VR experiences for both HMD and non-HMD users. Investigating biometric feedback and strategic interdependence in VR games. Optimizing typing behavior on mobile virtual keyboards. Publication Trends reveal a focus on Human Factors in Computing Systems , Mobile HCI , and Ambient Intelligence . Key subtopics include VR mechanics , tracking offsets , multiplayer game design , and ubiquitous computing . Collaborative work with co-authors like Jan Gugenheimer and Mark Colley highlights their interdisciplinary approach. Notable Contributions include the ShareVR prototype for collaborative VR, studies on touch accuracy for over 100 million taps, and frameworks for co-located asymmetric VR gameplay.
Abhishek Bhattacharjee is the A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of Computer Science at Yale University. His work spans computer architecture, operating systems, and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), with groundbreaking contributions to memory address translation and neurotechnology. He leads a research group developing full-stack systems like HALO and SCALO for brain-machine integration. Education : Ph.D., Princeton University; B.Eng., McGill University His research focuses on: Memory address translation optimizations Brain-computer interface architectures Virtual memory systems Heterogeneous memory management Low-power accelerators for neural interfaces Recent publications emphasize scalable memory systems for BCIs, TLB behavior analysis, and fiduciary AI integration with neurotechnology. His work has been adopted by AMD, NVIDIA, RISC-V, and Linux kernel. Scientific Awards & Honors : ACM SIGARCH Maurice Wilkes Award, 2023 Best Paper Award, ISCA '23 Distinguished Paper Award, ASPLOS '23 NSF CAREER Award, 2013 Yale Dylan Hixon Prize for Teaching, 2025 He has advised students now at NVIDIA, AMD, and Huawei, and teaches courses like Computer Architecture and Systems Programming . His group collaborates with Princeton Neuroscience Institute and industry leaders in AI/memory systems.
Christoph Sielmann is an Assistant Professor of Teaching at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia (UBC). Holding a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta (UofA), M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. from UBC, and registered as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), he is actively involved in engineering education and research. He is a member of CEEA, ASEE, and IEEE. His educational background includes: B.Sc. in Engineering from the University of Alberta M.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from UBC Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UBC Sielmann's research and teaching interests focus on industrial automation, instrumentation, nanofabrication technology, MEMS, and clean energy. He also emphasizes engineering ethics and decolonization in engineering education. His work explores technological pedagogical knowledge and multi-campus instruction strategies. Recent publications highlight his contributions to: MEMS sensor fabrication techniques (inkjet printing, acid-free etching) ZnO nanofabrication for clean energy applications Remote teaching methodologies in engineering labs Educational tools for multi-cohort courses Scientific affiliations and memberships include: Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Dr. Marianne Patera is a Senior Lecturer in Animation at Manchester Metropolitan University's School of Digital Arts. With over 15 years of higher education experience, she supervises postgraduate dissertations and PhD theses while maintaining a practice-based research focus. Senior Lecturer in Animation PhD in Art & Design from Glasgow School of Art MPhil in Advanced 2D/3D Motion Graphics Her research bridges 3D animation, VR, and color theory with applications in education and cross-disciplinary fields: 3D visualization for learning VR environments for creative writing Automotive interface design Cultural identity in digital art Scientific awards include: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) As a practitioner, she produces commercial animations for: Architectural visualization Medical imaging Interactive simulations VR game environments Current collaborations span computer science, psychology, engineering, and medicine. Her business ventures include 3D design and printing services.
