Mohamed Hefeeda is a Professor in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada. He leads the Network and Multimedia Systems Lab (NMSL) and previously served as Director of the School from 2018 to 2023. His research focuses on multimedia networking, mobile computing, cloud systems, and hyperspectral imaging. He holds an ACM Distinguished Member designation and has received prestigious awards including the NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplements (2011) and multiple best paper awards at top conferences like ACM MM and IEEE Infocom. Education: Ph.D., Purdue University, 2004 M.Sc., University of Connecticut, 2001 B.Sc., Mansoura University, Egypt, 1994 Research Interests: Design of efficient multimedia systems and protocols for wired/wireless networks Cloud gaming optimization and video encoding techniques Hyperspectral imaging for healthcare and mobile applications AI-driven multimedia systems and mobile computing innovations Grants & Industry Collaborations: Funded by NSERC, CFI, and companies like AMD, Huawei, and CBC Co-founded Video Semantics (acquired by tech firm) Partnered with CBC on peer-assisted content distribution systems Awards Highlights: 2025: ACM Distinguished Member 2019: Best Student Paper Award at ACM MMSys 2015: NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplements Labs & Leadership: Network and Multimedia Systems Lab (NMSL) at SFU Contributed to creation of Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI)
Andrea Fumagalli is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science , The University of Texas at Dallas. He earned his Ph.D. (1992) and Laurea (1987) in Electrical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Research Interests: All-Optical Network Architectures, Photonic Slot Routing, Wavelength Routing and Protection, Sensor Networks, Cooperative Wireless Networks, Network Optimization, Next Generation Internet (NGI), and Multi-hop Optical Networks. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino (1992) Laurea, Electrical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino (1987) Key Research Trends: His recent publications focus on 5G networking, optical network automation, elastic optical networks, network reliability, and cross-layer optimization. He explores FPGA acceleration in 5G Low-PHY functions, live migration of containerized network components, and spectral fragmentation mitigation in EONs. Scientific Awards: Best Teaching Award, Electrical Engineering, UTD (2002) Best Thesis Award for Ph.D. Advisee Isabella Cerutti (2002) IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Tour (2000) Best Paper Award (1999): 'An Optimal Design Algorithm for Photonic Slot Routing Networks Migrating to Optical Packet Switching' Advising and Grants: He advised Ph.D. student Isabella Cerutti. In 2001, he secured a $300,000 grant from FUNDACAO CPqD for optical network reliability research. He leads the Optical Networking Advanced Research (OpNeAR) Lab at UTD, collaborating on international projects like the Italian government-funded grid computing initiative (2002) and the OMEGA Test-bed for differentiated reliability. Laboratories and Teams: He directs the OpNeAR Lab , which develops tools for optical network emulation and reliability testing. His projects involve partnerships with institutions in Brazil (Unicamp), Sweden (KTH), Italy (Politecnico di Torino, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna), and CNR/CNIT.
Dr. David Wright is a Professor in the Department of English and Technical Communication at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). He joined the faculty in 2007 after prior roles at NASA’s Education Project, Oklahoma state government, and the software industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Technical Communication (Oklahoma State University, 2007), an M.S. in Higher Education Administration (1996), and a B.S. in Organizational Psychology (1993), all from Oklahoma State University. His research focuses on smart home technology and artificial intelligence, particularly examining human-AI interaction through usability and user experience (UX) testing. He also explores technology diffusion, technical communication practices in emerging technologies, and educational methodologies for technical fields. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, blending engineering, sociology, and computer science. Recent publications highlight his contributions to IoT usability, smart home adoption challenges, and the intersection of AI ethics with virtual assistants. He has also authored studies on knowledge graph design, technical documentation in software development, and educational initiatives in computer science and healthcare. Dr. Wright teaches courses in technical writing, usability studies, and web-based communication. His academic service includes curriculum development and advising on technical communication pedagogy. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects sustained scholarly impact in his fields.
Dmitri Perkins is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering within the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He has held leadership roles including Senior Program Director at the National Science Foundation (2021-2024) and Lead Program Director for the NSF's Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (2015-2019). His research spans wireless and mobile networking paradigms, including cognitive radio, sensor networks, and large-scale heterogeneous systems. Ph.D., Computer Engineering, Michigan State University (2002) M.S., Computer Engineering, Michigan State University (1997) B.S., Computer Science, Tuskegee University (1995) His research focuses on adaptive protocol design , spectrum management , and network security . Key areas include dynamic spectrum access , cross-layer optimization , and formal performance evaluation in wireless systems. Publications highlight innovations in cognitive radio networks , IoT protocols , and secure wireless communication . Recent publications emphasize machine learning for spectrum efficiency , edge computing in heterogeneous networks , and security frameworks for wireless systems. The 15 most recent works (2002-2018) demonstrate expertise in protocol design , network scalability , and spectrum optimization . NSF CAREER Award (2005) NSF Director's Award for Superior Accomplishment (2024) ONR Research Fellow, U.S. Naval Research Lab (2013-2014) He leads a research lab at UMBC offering RA positions in spectrum research , IoT/CPS systems , and wireless cybersecurity . Prior to UMBC, he served as Hardy Edmiston Endowed Professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and held roles at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
Ningchuan Xiao is a Professor of Geography at The Ohio State University's Department of Geography. His work bridges Geographic Information Science (GIScience) with computational methods, emphasizing spatial optimization, cartography, and machine learning integration. Education: Ph.D. in Geography from The University of Iowa (2003). Courses taught include GIS fundamentals, cartography, and Python-based spatial analysis. Research Interests: Spatial Optimization: Developing algorithms for land acquisition, redistricting, and resource allocation. Machine Learning & Cartography: Exploring AI-driven map interpretation and ethical visualization of complex data. Census Data: Innovating privacy-preserving techniques while maintaining data utility, including temporal/spatial modeling. Open Source Tools: Authored GIS Algorithms (2016) and maintains GitHub repository 'gisalgs' for accessible code. Publications: Recent work (2023-2025) highlights advancements in synthetic microdata generation, privacy-utility tradeoffs in census aggregation, and AI-driven cartographic recognition. His 2022 studies include traffic camera analytics and choropleth map QA systems. Awards: Not explicitly listed in the provided texts. Advising & Grants: Collaborated with researchers like Y. Lin, J. Li, and S. Bao. Projects include the Sustainable Columbus Observatory (SCO) for urban sustainability metrics. Research is supported through academic partnerships and computational initiatives.
Robert Laganière is a Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Ottawa, where he has been actively contributing to the fields of computer vision and image analysis. He is a member of the VIVA research laboratory and holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from INRS-Telecommunications in Montreal, as well as a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal. Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering: École Polytechnique de Montréal (1987) Master's Degree: INRS-Telecommunications (1990) Doctorate: INRS-Telecommunications (1996) Professor Laganière's research focuses on computer vision, with particular expertise in image and video analysis, visual surveillance, embedded vision systems, and deep learning applications. His work spans fundamental research in feature detection and matching to practical applications in autonomous driving, human recognition, and real-time object tracking. He has made significant contributions to the development of algorithms for pedestrian detection, age and gender recognition, and 3D object localization. His publication trends reveal a consistent focus on practical computer vision applications with a strong emphasis on real-time performance and embedded implementation. Over the past decade, his research has evolved from foundational work in feature matching and homography estimation toward more complex applications in action recognition, human-computer interaction, and intelligent surveillance systems. His work consistently bridges theoretical computer vision with practical engineering constraints, particularly for mobile and embedded platforms. Best Paper Award, IEEE International Conference on Computer and Robot Vision (CRV 2014) Best Paper Award, CVPR Embedded Vision Workshop, Providence, RI, June 2012 Best Real-time Tracker, IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV) Workshop on Visual Object Tracking (VOT2015) Professor Laganière has supervised numerous graduate students through the years, with a particular focus on practical applications of computer vision in surveillance, human recognition, and embedded systems. His research has been supported through industry partnerships with companies including CogniVue Corp, NXP, iWatchLife.com, Solink Corp, CBSA Canada, Ross Video, Thales, Habitat Seven, and YouI Labs. He has successfully translated his research into commercial applications through his founding of Visual Cortek (acquired by iWatchLife in 2009) and Tempo Analytics (founded in 2016). As a member of the VIVA research laboratory, Professor Laganière collaborates with colleagues on advanced computer vision projects, particularly those involving intelligent video analytics for security and commerce applications. His work on NAVIRE (Virtual Navigation in Remote Environments) demonstrates his commitment to developing practical solutions for real-world navigation challenges using image-based representations of real environments.
Prof. Thomas Kuner is a Professor and Director of the Department of Functional Neuroanatomy at the University of Heidelberg's Medical Faculty. He holds a medical degree (MD) from Heidelberg (1998) and completed postdoctoral work at Duke University and the Marine Biological Laboratory. Since 2000, he has led a research group at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, followed by habilitation in Physiology (2003) and appointment as Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology (2006). Research Focus: His work focuses on neuroanatomy, synaptic transmission mechanisms, and pain research. Key projects include investigations into the structural and functional properties of synapses (e.g., calyx of Held), the role of presynaptic proteins like Mover, and the molecular basis of pain signaling via the SFB 1158 consortium. His lab uses advanced imaging techniques (e.g., STED microscopy) and genetic models to study neuronal circuits and synaptic plasticity. Funding & Collaborations: Kuner's research is supported by grants from the DFG (e.g., SFB 1158), the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, and other national/international bodies. His interdisciplinary approach bridges cellular neuroscience, molecular biology, and clinical applications in pain management. Teaching & Leadership: He oversees the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, contributing to graduate programs in medical education and anatomy. His team includes postdocs and technicians, with collaborations extending to imaging technology development and medical education innovation.
Michael Kleemann is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering Technology within KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) . His research focuses on Power System Protection , Wireless Power Transfer , and Renewable Energy Integration , with a particular emphasis on inverter-based grid dynamics and fault analysis. Key Research Areas : Power system protection algorithms, capacitive wireless power transfer, fault location methods in medium voltage cables, and grid stability with high renewable penetration. Notable Projects : Lead projects on Protection of Future Distribution Grids (2021-2025), Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer (2020-2024), and Flux 50 ICON (2024-2026) for low-voltage DC grid protection. Publication Trends : Recent work explores capacitive wireless power transfer materials and control systems (2024-2025), fault detection algorithms for inverter-dominated grids (2023-2025), and machine learning applications in voltage regulation for photovoltaic-rich networks (2024). Teaching : Courses include Power System Protection (JPI322), Power Electronics (JPI0L8/JPI318), and Capacitive Wireless Transfer topics in graduate seminars.
Professor Thierry Langer is a Full Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Life Sciences (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences). He leads research in computational drug design, with a focus on pharmacophore modeling, 3D-QSAR analysis, and AI-driven molecular design. His work bridges theoretical and experimental chemistry, addressing targets like viral proteases (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), GABA receptors, and dopamine transporters. Research interests include: Pharmacophore-guided drug discovery for anti-viral and CNS therapies Development of next-generation computational tools (e.g., PharmacoMatch, QPhAR) Protein-ligand interaction modeling using neural networks and graph-based algorithms Recent studies focus on: Inhibitors for herpesvirus nuclear egress complexes, AI-optimized antivirals, and dopamine transporter inhibitors for cognitive enhancement. His lab collaborates on projects like the NeuroDeRisk initiative to de-risk neurotoxic compounds. Publications emphasize drug repurposing, metabolic pathway analysis, and scalable synthesis methods for promising drug candidates.
Jian Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He leads the Mobile Sensing and Intelligence Security (MoSIS) Lab, focusing on robust AI, mobile security, computational sensing, and smart healthcare. His research has been published in top-tier venues like S&P/Oakland, CVPR, and IEEE journals, with over 6,400 citations. He holds seven U.S. patents, including two licensed to industry. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rutgers University (2019), ME and BE in Communication Engineering from Wuhan University of Technology (China). Research interests include trustworthy AI, federated learning, privacy-preserving technologies, and adversarial machine learning. His recent work includes HarmonyCloak (music copyright protection against generative AI), 3D facial authentication systems, and robust backdoor attack defenses. Notable awards include the University of Tennessee’s Professional Promise in Research Award (2025), Stanford’s World’s Top 2% Cited Scientists, and multiple best paper awards. He teaches Mobile and Embedded System Security (ECE 469/569) and has supervised projects funded by UT Grand Challenges grants. Labs/Teams: MoSIS Lab focuses on AI-driven security solutions, wearable sensing, and healthcare applications. Collaborations involve interdisciplinary projects with UT’s engineering and medical schools.
Karan Ahuja is the Lisa Wissner-Slivka & Benjamin Slivka Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Northwestern University, directing the Sensing, Perception, Interactive Computing & Experiences (SPICE) Lab. He earned his Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University (2023) and a B.Tech. in Computer Science (2017). His research focuses on creating technologies that sense and understand human behavior, with applications in mobile health, extended reality, and natural user interfaces. Key projects include LemurDx for ADHD diagnosis, EITPose for wearable hand pose tracking, and MobilePoser for full-body pose estimation via consumer IMUs. Awards include Forbes 30 Under 30 (2024), MIT 35 Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific, and ACM SIGCHI's Outstanding Dissertation Award. He has worked at Google, Apple, Microsoft Research, Meta Reality Labs, and IBM Research. His lab emphasizes real-world deployments, with technologies licensed and integrated into products used by millions. Prospective students are invited to join his lab at Northwestern via a dedicated application form. Research spans embedded systems, computer vision, and on-device ML, with a focus on impactful applications in healthcare and XR.
Amy Scott Metcalfe is a Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Faculty of Education. She holds dual appointments with the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to higher education studies. Her research focuses on international comparative higher education systems, academic governance, and sociological analysis of university policies. She critiques managerialism trends and explores gender disparities in academic productivity. Metcalfe employs visual methodologies, including photo-ethnography and extended photo essays to document institutional change. Teaching responsibilities are managed through the Department of Educational Studies, with course details available via UBC’s official portal. Her scholarship spans Canadian and global contexts, addressing issues like faculty internationalization, research ethics frameworks, and the impact of pandemic disruptions on academic collaboration. Key contributions include longitudinal studies on Canadian professors’ perceptions of work-life balance, comparative analyses of gender gaps in research output across North America, and critical examinations of university-industry-government networks. She advocates for equity-centered pedagogies and anti-colonial approaches in higher education policy.
Christena Nippert-Eng is Professor of Informatics at Indiana University's Luddy School with adjunct appointment in Sociology. She directs the Animal Computer Interaction Track and researches cognition, privacy, ethnography, and human-animal interaction. Her work combines sociological frameworks with technology design. Nippert-Eng has authored influential books on boundary negotiation and ethnographic methods. Her current research examines privacy negotiations with domestic robots and human-animal-computer interaction. She has consulted for major technology companies including HP, Motorola, and Steelcase. Her publications demonstrate sustained interdisciplinary examination of privacy practices across contexts including homes, workplaces, online gaming, and social media, increasingly focusing on technology-mediated interactions and ethical considerations.
Dr. Bill Hamilton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at New Mexico State University. His research focuses on live media design, online communities, and digital game culture. He holds a Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction from Texas A&M University (2018), and has collaborated with industry partners like Microsoft Research and Motorola Mobility. Education: Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction, Texas A&M University (2018) Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Texas A&M University Research Interests: Bill explores how live media supports societal participation in education, politics, work, and play. His work employs qualitative methods like ethnographic inquiry to study collaborative digital environments. Recent projects include designing wearable interfaces for human-drone teams and analyzing YouTube’s content policies' impact on free speech. Awards: 2018 Texas A&M Distinguished Graduate Research Award 2016 Best Paper at ACM Interactive Experiences for TV/Online Video Advising & Grants: Mentors students like Preeti De Maurya and Cassandra Palmer, with a focus on inclusive education technologies and collaborative tools for emergency response. Active in conference organization including ACM CHI’s Games and Play Subcommittee (2019). Labs: His research is conducted through the PlexLab, exploring playful interactions and live media systems.
Felix Gomez Marmol is an Associate Professor at the University of Murcia's Faculty of Informatics, Department of Information and Communication Engineering. His research focuses on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, network security, and IoT security. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Murcia (2010), supervised by Dr. Gregorio Martínez Pérez. Key research interests include adaptive intrusion detection systems, dark web analysis, and AI-driven cybersecurity frameworks. He leads the Intelligent Systems and Telematics research group and previously contributed to the Sistemas Inteligentes group. His work emphasizes practical applications such as the SCORPION Cyber Range platform for cybersecurity training and gamification. Recent projects involve detecting hate networks on social media, optimizing malware defense using transfer learning, and developing SIEM systems for IoT environments. His contributions span technical papers on cybersecurity education, ethical hacking fundamentals, and blockchain-based security solutions. Prof. Gomez Marmol has collaborated on initiatives like the COBRA framework for simulating advanced persistent threats (APTs) and the COnVIDa dashboard for pandemic-related data analysis. His research bridges theoretical advancements with real-world cybersecurity challenges.
