Prof. Matthias Nießner is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich , where he leads the Visual Computing Lab . Prior to this, he held a Visiting Assistant Professor position at Stanford University . His work bridges computer vision , graphics , and machine learning , focusing on 3D reconstruction , semantic scene understanding , and AI-driven video synthesis . Prof. Nießner has published over 150 works in top venues like SIGGRAPH , CVPR , and ECCV , with several receiving best paper awards (SIGCHI’14, HPG’15, SPG’18, SIGGRAPH’16 Emerging Tech). His research has garnered international media attention, including features in the New York Times , Wall Street Journal , and MIT Technological Review , as well as TV demonstrations (e.g., Jimmy Kimmel Live for Face2Face technology). Awards : TUM-IAS Rudolph Moessbauer Fellowship (2017–ongoing) Google Faculty Award (2017) Nvidia Professor Partnership Award (2018) ERC Starting Grant (2018, €1.5M) Eurographics Young Researcher Award (2019) Research Trends : 3D Gaussian Splatting for real-time rendering Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) with mesh supervision Audio-driven facial animation via diffusion models Latent space diffusion for 3D scenes Self-supervised and zero-shot methods for 3D and image analysis As a co-founder and director of Synthesia Inc. , he drives democratization of synthetic media. His YouTube channel has over 5 million views, reflecting his impact beyond academia.
Viola S. Stoermer is Assistant Professor in Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College, directing the BrainStörmer Lab. Her research examines cognitive and neural mechanisms of perception, attention, and memory using EEG and behavioral methods. Research investigates fundamental limits of selective attention and working memory capacity. Key findings demonstrate how meaningful objects expand memory capacity and how attention warps feature perception. Studies reveal cross-modal interactions where sounds influence visual processing and resolve ambiguities. Publications establish representational frameworks for attention, showing how feature-based selection operates globally. Research combines psychophysics with neural measures to characterize perceptual bottlenecks and capacity limits. Current Research Areas: Principles of selective attention in feature/space Meaningfulness effects on working memory capacity Auditory influences on visual perception
David W. Jacobs is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, with a joint appointment at the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS). He also served as the interim Director of the University of Maryland Center for Machine Learning starting in 2018. University: University of Maryland School: College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences Department: Department of Computer Science Academic Rank: Professor Education: He received his B.A. from Yale University, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT. Research Interests: His research primarily focuses on computer vision and machine learning, particularly visual object recognition, lighting variation modeling, 3D reconstruction, perceptual organization, motion understanding, and the integration of vision with graphics and human-computer interaction. A major applied contribution is the development of Leafsnap , an electronic field guide app for plant identification, which has been downloaded over 1.5 million times and used in biodiversity and educational contexts. Publication Trends: His recent scholarly output centers on deep learning, convolutional networks, residual architectures, generative models (especially GANs), and interpretability. His work often bridges theoretical insights with practical applications in vision and AI. Scientific Awards: Honorable Mention, Best Paper Award, CVPR 2000 Best Student Paper Award, UIST 2003 Best Paper Award, Eurographics 2016 2011 Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Pioneer Award for Leafsnap Teaching and Advising: He has taught advanced courses such as CMSC 422 (Introduction to Machine Learning) and CMSC 828L (Deep Learning). He mentors students through course projects and research, though specific advisees are not listed. He has collaborated with institutions like Columbia University and the Smithsonian on impactful interdisciplinary projects. Labs and Teams: He is affiliated with UMIACS and leads research efforts in vision and learning, contributing to the University of Maryland Center for Machine Learning. His team has developed several mobile applications including Leafsnap, Birdsnap, and Dogsnap, demonstrating a strong focus on real-world deployment of vision technology.
Wim Gevers is a faculty member at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and leads the CS4S – Cognitive Control & Sleep laboratory within the CRCN research centre. His work bridges cognitive psychology, neuroscience and sleep research to understand how the brain exerts control over thoughts and actions and how sleep contributes to these processes. Research Interests Cognitive Control & Metacognition: Investigating how subjective experiences such as confidence and the "urge-to-err" guide strategic adjustments in behaviour. Working Memory & Ordinal Cognition: Examining how order information is maintained and manipulated, and how these processes relate to mathematical competence. Sleep, Memory & Decision Making: Exploring how sleep-dependent consolidation influences motor learning and decision strategies. Across his 2022–2025 publications a clear trend emerges: a focus on metacognitive monitoring —how humans evaluate their own cognitive states—and the role of emotional and temporal context in shaping those evaluations. Studies range from reaction-time introspection and confidence judgements in perceptual tasks to the impact of aging and depression on metacognitive accuracy. Doctoral Supervision & Mentoring Whitney Stee (PhD 2024) – Sleep-dependent structural brain reorganization & motor learning Gaia Corlazzoli (PhD 2024) – Subjective experience in decision-making Myrtille Dewulf (PhD 2023) – Ordinal coding mechanisms in working memory Rebeca Sifuentes-Ortega (PhD 2023) – REM sleep and memory reactivation All dissertations were defended at ULB, Faculté des Sciences psychologiques et de l’éducation, with Wim Gevers formally listed as Promotor . Laboratory & Collaborative Networks As head of CS4S, Gevers coordinates a multidisciplinary team that combines behavioural experimentation, EEG/MEG, computational modelling and sleep polysomnography. The lab is embedded in the larger CRCN ecosystem, fostering collaborations with groups such as CO3 (consciousness), LCLD (language & deafness), and UR2NF (neurofunctional imaging).
Professor Guy Williams is a leading academic at the University of Cambridge with a focus on imaging science and clinical neurosciences, affiliated with Downing College and the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre . Holding a PhD in Physics from his initial Natural Sciences degree, he specializes in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI techniques for brain imaging. Education: BA, PhD in Physics His research centers on non-invasive imaging of brain structure and function, particularly in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and dementia. His work involves developing novel MRI pulse sequences and advanced data analysis algorithms, including AI-based diagnostic tools. He leads studies on white matter integrity post-trauma, longitudinal dementia assessment, and applications of MRI in disorders of consciousness and addiction. Recent publications highlight collaborations in traumatic brain injury outcomes, AI-guided dementia prediction, and neuroimaging of post-COVID cognitive deficits. His team's work on ultra-high field laminar fMRI and distortion correction methods has advanced clinical neuroscience applications. Key techniques include diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), 7 Tesla MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET/MR). His research spans from basic NMR physics to clinical translation, with a strong emphasis on multi-site studies and real-world diagnostic implementation.
Gioele Zardini is the Rudge (1948) and Nancy Allen Assistant Professor at MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), with affiliations to the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) and the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). He holds a PhD from ETH Zurich and previously worked as a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University. His research focuses on co-design of complex systems, autonomous systems, and game-theoretic modeling of transportation networks. Education: BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics from ETH Zurich (2017–2019), PhD in 2023. He has held visiting roles at nuTonomy Singapore, Stanford, and MIT. Research interests include co-design methodologies, autonomous vehicle systems, compositionality in engineering, and strategic interactions in mobility networks. Recent work emphasizes scalable fleet coordination, safety-critical robotics, and user-centric transportation solutions. Notable awards include the 2024 ETH Doctoral Dissertation Award (Silver Medal), Best Paper at ITSC 2021, and federal grants for enhancing urban transit equity. He leads the Zardini Lab, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in systems engineering and autonomy. Grants and advising: Received federal grants for transit accessibility projects. His work on Autonomy Talks has produced over 180 recorded lectures, promoting knowledge exchange in autonomous systems. Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator at LIDS, affiliate at IDSS, and founder of the Zardini Lab, focusing on systems co-design, mobility innovation, and game-theoretic frameworks.
Professor Lucy Kimbell is Professor of Contemporary Design Practices at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, where she convenes the Policy Futures Studio. She is Co-Director of the Sustainable Transitions through Democratic Design Doctoral Network funded by the EU Marie Curie programme and serves as Visiting Professor at University of Ulster and Honorary Adjunct Professor at RMIT University. Her work bridges design practice, public policy, and social innovation across multiple international contexts. Professor Kimbell's educational background includes a PhD in Design from Lancaster University (2013), an MA in Computing in Art and Design from Middlesex University (1996), and a B. Engineering in Design and Appropriate Technology from the University of Warwick (1989). Her academic journey reflects a consistent integration of technical, creative, and social perspectives. Kimbell's research focuses on service design, social design, and design for policy, with increasing emphasis on sustainable transitions and democratic innovation. She explores how design methods can address complex societal challenges, particularly through transdisciplinary approaches that connect creative practice with public policy contexts. Her work examines the role of design in government, professional services, and community settings, with particular attention to AI readiness in professional service firms and antimicrobial resistance policy in India. She has pioneered frameworks for measuring design's social and environmental value, notably through the Design Value framework developed with the Design Council. Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward understanding design's role in public policy, sustainable transitions, and democratic innovation. The research shows increasing integration of practice-based research methods with policy development, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and the application of design thinking to complex societal challenges. There's a notable focus on developing frameworks for measuring design's social and environmental value and advancing democratic innovation through design practice. Notable recognitions include: AHRC Research Fellow in Policy Lab in the Cabinet Office (2014-15) Principal research fellow at University of Brighton (2013-15) Clark Fellow in Design Leadership at Said Business School, University of Oxford (2005-10) Professor Kimbell supervises transdisciplinary PhD research connecting design with public policy, with six completions to date including four UAL-KCL joint studentships. She examines PhDs internationally and serves on the supervisory board for the PhD in Service Design for Public Sector at Sapienza University, Rome. Her grant portfolio includes major projects funded by EU Marie Curie, AHRC, ESRC, and Creative Europe, totaling millions in research funding for design-led approaches to societal challenges, including the Sustainable Transitions through Democratic Design Doctoral Network (2024-28) and the AHRC Design & Policy Research Network (2022-23). She previously directed UAL's Social Design Institute (2019-2022), which brought together university expertise in design for society through capacity building, joint research, publications, and public events. Her collaborative work extends to knowledge exchange projects with Design Council, Department of Work and Pensions, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, and Bite Back 2030, demonstrating her commitment to applying design thinking to real-world policy and social challenges.
Stephen Marshall is Professor of Urban Morphology and Urban Design at The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. He also served as Visiting Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano, Italy from 2019 to 2021. With over twenty-five years of experience in the built environment fields, initially in consultancy and subsequently in academia, Professor Marshall has established himself as a leading expert in urban morphology and design. His educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy from University College London (2001), a Postgraduate Diploma from Edinburgh College of Art (1995), a Master of Science from the University of Leeds (1989), and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Glasgow (1988). Professor Marshall's principal research focuses on urban morphology and street layout, examining their relationships with urban formative processes including urban design, coding and planning. His work bridges urban design theory with practical applications, exploring how cities evolve through complex interactions of physical form, social processes, and planning interventions. He has written or edited several influential books including 'Streets and Patterns' (2005), 'Cities, Design and Evolution' (2009), and 'Urban Coding and Planning' (2011). His recent publications reveal a growing interest in applying complexity science to urban morphology, with particular attention to biological analogies for understanding self-organizing cities. He has pioneered research on digital participation methods in urban planning, exploring how online platforms can enhance public engagement in urban space design. His work consistently bridges theoretical urban morphology with practical applications for contemporary urban challenges like pandemic adaptation and sustainable transport. Professor Marshall has served as Chair of the Editorial Board of Urban Design and Planning from its launch to 2012, and is now co-editor of Built Environment journal. His editorial work has significantly shaped scholarly discourse in urban planning and design. He leads several significant research initiatives including the Incubators of Public Spaces project, which explores digital platforms for co-creating urban spaces, and the Self-Organising Built Environment project, which investigates biological analogies in urbanism. These projects reflect his interdisciplinary approach to understanding and shaping urban environments, connecting with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Edward Awh is a Professor at the University of Chicago in the Department of Psychology, specializing in cognitive neuroscience, working memory, and attentional mechanisms. His research explores the neural basis of memory storage, spatial attention, and the interplay between cognitive systems using EEG and neuroimaging techniques. University of Chicago, Department of Psychology NIH R01 grants on working memory and ADHD Research Interests: Awh investigates discrete resource limits in working memory, the role of alpha oscillations in attention, and neural mechanisms underlying memory encoding and retrieval. His work addresses how the brain manages distractor suppression, spatial representations, and the relationship between attention and memory capacity. Scientific Trends: Recent publications focus on content-independent memory encoding, EEG decoding of attentional processes, and the intersection of sustained attention with memory performance. His studies frequently employ human behavioral experiments, EEG analysis, and computational modeling. Grants: Principal Investigator on multiple NIH R01 grants, including projects on working memory states (R01MH087214), perceptual interference in ADHD (R01MH077105), and attentional control mechanisms.
Philipp Koralus is the McCord Professor of Philosophy and AI at the University of Oxford and serves as Director of the Human-Centered AI Lab (HAI Lab) within the Institute for Ethics in AI. He is also a member of St Catherine's College. Koralus holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Neuroscience from Princeton University and a B.A. from Pomona College. His research focuses on the human capacity for reasoning and decision-making, exploring how these processes relate to artificial intelligence agents and large language models like GPT. He advocates for the Erotetic Theory of Reason (ETR), which posits that reason aims to resolve issues or questions directly, explaining both human rationality and fallibility. His work extends to moral judgment, definitions of intelligence, and interdisciplinary collaboration with computer scientists, psychologists, linguists, and neuroscientists. Koralus is preparing to launch the HAI Lab in Fall 2024, aiming to advance human-centered AI ethics and cognition research. His educational background includes advanced studies in philosophy and neuroscience, combining analytical rigor with empirical insights. Collaborations span diverse fields, including fisheries management through agent-based modeling and healthcare ethics in AI applications. He has published widely on topics such as attention mechanisms, visual perception, and the theoretical foundations of AI reasoning. Koralus regularly teaches graduate seminars on philosophy and AI, including upcoming sessions like 'Building the Philosophy to Code Pipeline' starting in 2025. He has supervised doctoral students in both philosophy and computer science but currently lists no specific advisees. His research has been recognized in symposia and commentary, though no formal scientific awards are explicitly mentioned.
Dr. Jonathan Cant is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). His research focuses on cognitive neuroscience, particularly visual perception and cognition using fMRI and behavioral techniques. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, educated at Western University (Psychology) and Harvard University (postdoctoral) Expertise: Object perception, ensemble processing, texture/shape perception, scene recognition The Cant Lab investigates high-level human visual cortex organization, with a focus on the ventral stream's role in perception. Key research includes dissociating shape and surface property processing, material properties in cognition, and object-scene interactions in neural systems. Recent publications highlight ensemble encoding of facial expressions (2025), cross-modal ensemble coding (2024), and texture-shape relationships in ventral cortex (2015). His work bridges modular/distributed cortical organization theories and explores neural substrates for 3D shape vs. material compliance. Teaching includes PSY5222 (Visual Cognitive Representation), PSYC75 (Cognitive Psychology Laboratory), and PSYC51 (Cognitive Neuroscience of Vision). The lab welcomes motivated students and researchers through direct email applications.
Dr. Lauren Emberson (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Arts. She directs the Baby Learning Lab, which is part of UBC's Early Development Research Group, a consortium focused on infant and child development. Prior to her position at UBC, Dr. Emberson was an Assistant Professor at Princeton University where she co-founded and co-directed the Princeton Baby and Princeton Kid Labs. Education: Postdoctoral Associate, University of Rochester (PI Aslin) Ph.D, Cornell University (PIs Amso, Goldstein, Spivey) B.Sc, University of British Columbia Dr. Emberson's research focuses on learning, perception (audition, vision, crossmodal or multisensory), language development, face/object perception, and attention in infants. She investigates these capacities using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques, particularly fNIRS (functional near infrared spectroscopy), working primarily with very young infants (birth through 1 year) and preterm/premature infants. Her work examines how infants' learning capacities contribute to rapid development of perception in ecological contexts, with implications for understanding how early life experiences affect later outcomes. Analysis of Dr. Emberson's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on infant perception, learning mechanisms, and neuroimaging methodology. Her work increasingly incorporates advanced fNIRS techniques while maintaining focus on fundamental questions about how infants learn from their environment. There's a growing emphasis on individual differences, cross-cultural comparisons, and applications to infants facing developmental challenges. Dr. Emberson serves on the editorial board of Infancy (journal of the International Congress of Infancy Studies) and is a consulting editor for the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience . Her research has been published in top journals including PNAS, Current Biology, Psychological Science, Cognition, Developmental Science, and the Journal of Neuroscience. Dr. Emberson has secured significant research funding from prestigious organizations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, James S. McDonnell Foundation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She collaborates with clinicians at BC Women's and Children's Hospitals to understand how different early life experiences impact learning and brain development. Dr. Emberson is currently accepting graduate students into her research program. The Baby Learning Lab, under Dr. Emberson's direction, is part of UBC's Early Developmental Research Group and collaborates with multiple institutions. The lab strives to provide interactive research experiences for infants and families while advancing scientific understanding of early cognitive development. The lab acknowledges that it operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.
Steve Luck is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Davis, holding appointments in the Department of Psychology and the Center for Mind and Brain (CMB). He served as CMB Director from 2009–2019 and is affiliated with the UC Davis MIND Institute and the Center for Neuroscience. His research focuses on attention, working memory, and cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), employing ERP recordings, eye tracking, and behavioral methods. He is a leading developer of ERP methodologies, including the ERPLAB Toolbox and global ERP Boot Camp workshops. Education: Ph.D., Neurosciences, UC San Diego, 1993 M.S., Neurosciences, UC San Diego, 1989 B.A., Psychology, Reed College, 1986 Research Interests: Dr. Luck explores mechanisms of cognitive control, with a focus on working memory's role in guiding attention. His lab investigates ERP correlates of attentional deficits in schizophrenia and develops standardized ERP protocols. Recent work emphasizes multivariate decoding of EEG signals and transdiagnostic neurocognitive biomarkers. Awards: Troland Award (2001) APA Distinguished Scientific Award (1998) McGuigan Young Investigator Prize (2004) Elected Fellow, Society of Experimental Psychologists and AAAS Teaching & Leadership: Professor Luck pioneered hybrid course formats in Cognitive Science and teaches advanced topics in perception and cognitive neuroscience. He co-founded the UC Davis Cognitive Science major and advocates for innovative undergraduate education models. Labs & Collaborations: The Luck Lab integrates clinical and basic research, collaborating globally on ERP method development and schizophrenia biomarker studies. Key projects include ERP Core resources and the CNTRACS consortium for neurocognitive reliability studies.
Christiane C. Schubert is an Assistant Professor in Medical Education at the School of Medicine and an Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Studies at the School of Behavioral Health at Loma Linda University. Her dual appointments reflect her interdisciplinary approach to healthcare research and education, bridging medical education with behavioral health perspectives. Dr. Schubert's educational background includes: PhD from Loma Linda University (2008) MS from Northern Arizona University (1999) BS from Northern Arizona University (1997) Her research program focuses on understanding healthcare systems through multiple lenses. She investigates how patients with chronic illnesses navigate self-care within complex healthcare environments, with particular attention to macroergonomic factors that influence patient work systems. Dr. Schubert examines resilience in healthcare settings, exploring how both patients and providers adapt to challenges in clinical environments. Her work addresses cultural factors in healthcare, particularly examining how acculturation affects health-promoting behaviors among Arab Americans. Through her studies on novice-expert differences in emergency medicine, she contributes to understanding cognitive work processes in high-stakes clinical settings. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates insights from medical education, behavioral health, and systems engineering to address complex healthcare challenges. Dr. Schubert's scholarly output from 2012-2017 demonstrates consistent contributions across healthcare resilience, patient work systems, medical education, and cultural competence. Her publications reveal a trajectory of increasingly sophisticated systems thinking applied to healthcare delivery challenges, with a particular emphasis on understanding patient experiences and clinician cognition within complex healthcare environments. Dr. Schubert has maintained an active research and publication record since completing her PhD in 2008. Her work demonstrates a commitment to improving healthcare delivery through better understanding of patient experiences, clinician cognition, and system-level factors that influence healthcare outcomes. Her interdisciplinary appointments position her to bridge traditional academic boundaries in addressing complex healthcare challenges.
Dr. Jenna Yentes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management at Texas A&M University, affiliated with the College of Education and Human Development. Her research focuses on functional resiliency in aging populations, biomechanics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and nonlinear analysis of human movement. She leads studies on gait stability, respiratory-gait coupling, and exoskeleton-assisted walking. Notable contributions include quantifying locomotor reserve and exploring firefighter performance in protective gear. Education: Ph.D. in Biomechanics (University of Nebraska, 2013), M.S. in Kinesiology (California State University Fullerton, 2006), B.A. in Kinesiology (University of Northern Colorado, 2000). Research Interests: Reserve capacity in older adults' mobility and cognition Biomechanical adaptations in COPD patients Methodological rigor in nonlinear data analysis (e.g., entropy metrics) Firefighter physical performance under protective gear Recent Articles Trends: Focus on entropy-based gait analysis, COPD biomechanics, dual-task interference in aging, and exoskeleton effects on interlimb coordination. Methodological rigor in parameter selection for nonlinear algorithms is a recurring theme. Awards: 2023 Faculty Climate Award (Texas A&M), 2019 Promising Scientist Award (International Society of Posture and Gait Research), and 2019 Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women Award (University of Nebraska). Advising & Grants: Mentors graduate students (noted in publications) and collaborates with TEEX Fire Academy and multiple Texas A&M research centers including the Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and the Center for Population Health and Aging. Research supported by institutional and federal grants. Labs/Teams: Active in Texas A&M's Human Movement and Aging Lab, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in sports medicine, rehabilitation engineering, and pulmonary research.
