Anastasia Ailamaki is a Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), renowned for her work in database systems and data management . Her research focuses on optimizing query processing for modern hardware, particularly GPUs and heterogeneous systems, and advancing cloud data analytics with serverless architectures like PixelDB . She has co-authored influential frameworks for adaptive query optimization , hardware-conscious database engines , and model-relational data management . Key research areas: GPU acceleration , HTAP , query approximation , spatial data processing , and cloud-native databases . Recent work emphasizes cross-task optimizations in distributed environments, efficient sampling , and context-aware joins integrating vector embeddings. In 2023, she contributed to adaptive recursive query optimization and speculative K-means clustering, while 2024 publications addressed proportional caching (HPCache) and model-relational systems . Her collaborations span institutions such as MIT, Microsoft, and ETH Zurich, with publications in top venues like SIGMOD , VLDB , and ICDE .
Nicoline Frølich is Professor and Director of the Centre for Learning and Education (LINK) at the University of Oslo, Norway. She also holds part-time Professor II appointments at the Department of Government, University of Bergen and at NIFU – Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education. Education 2002 – PhD in Comparative Politics, University of Bergen 1994 – Master in Comparative Politics, University of Bergen 1992 – Pedagogy, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) 1989 – Master in Economics and Business Administration, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) Research Interests Frølich’s research focuses on governance, management and organisation of higher education systems, institutional reforms, knowledge policies, and public administration. She employs institutional theory to examine how universities and colleges respond to policy pressures, merger processes, quality assurance mechanisms, and leadership communication during change. Recent Publication Trends Between 2018 and 2025 her work has concentrated on three interconnected themes: leadership and communication within university mergers, gendered career trajectories in academia, and the tension between quality assurance systems and institutional autonomy. Empirically, her studies draw on Nordic and European cases, combining survey data with qualitative analyses of policy enactment. Scientific & Professional Appointments 2023–present – Academic Chair, Circle U alliance 2023–present – Member, SIKT advisory board (Norway) 2021–present – Editorial board member, TEAM – Tertiary Education and Management 2021–2022 – Chair, EAIR – The European Higher Education Society 2019–present – Advisory Board member, UKÄ (Swedish Higher Education Authority) 2019–2021 – Co-Editor-in-Chief, TEAM – Tertiary Education and Management Research Groups & Projects Frølich leads the research group Knowledge, Learning and Governance: Studies in higher education and work (HEDWORK) and participates in the Policy, Bureaucracy, and Organization (PBO) group. She is currently directing the project Re-Structure , which investigates the effects of structural reforms on Norwegian higher education institutions.
Barbara M. Kehm is a Research Fellow at the Leibniz Research Centre for Science and Society (LCSS) , affiliated with Leibniz University of Hannover since 2018. She previously held professorial roles as Professor of Leadership and International Strategic Development in Higher Education at the University of Glasgow (2013–2017) and Professor of Higher Education Research at the University of Kassel (2003–2011), where she also served as Director of the International Centre for Higher Education Research (INCHER-Kassel) from 2004 to 2011. Education: Ph.D. (summa cum laude) from Ruhr-University Bochum (1989). Her research focuses on internationalisation and globalisation in higher education, doctoral education reform, academic work and professions , and the Europeanisation of higher education . She has extensively examined governance, management, and policy in higher education systems, with particular emphasis on organisational change and stakeholder engagement. Her publications reflect a comparative analysis of higher education systems across Europe and beyond, including collaborations with institutions in China, Argentina, Australia, and the United States. Notable works include studies on university boards , the excellence initiative in Germany , and academic career development in Europe. Advising and Grants: She has led funded projects such as 'Transformation of European Universities' (2009–2012) supported by the European Science Foundation and German Research Association, and 'Lifelong Learning and the University in Europe' (1998–2000) under the European Commission’s 4th Framework Programme. She has also contributed to editorial activities, including co-editing Tertiary Education and Management and serving on academic journal boards. Labs and Teams: Kehm is associated with the LCSS and INCHER-Kassel, both leading centers for higher education research in Europe.
Aaron J. Elmore is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the College of the University of Chicago. His research focuses on cloud computing, databases, and distributed systems, with an emphasis on resource-efficient database execution and collaborative analytics. PhD in Computer Science from University of California, Santa Barbara MS in Computer Science from University of Chicago Research interests include: Elastic databases and multitenancy (Database-as-a-Service) Resource-efficient systems (CrocodileDB, DenseStore, EdgeTSD) Database versioning (Datahub, Decible, OrpheusDB) Data discovery (DataSwamp, Relic) Recent publications highlight advancements in cloud-native query execution, dynamic compression frameworks, and time-series anomaly detection. His work often bridges systems design with practical data science applications. Scientific awards include: NSF CAREER Award (2021) Multiple Google and Intel research grants ACM SIGMOD Best Demo Honorable Mention Aaron has advised multiple PhD students including Jun Hyuk Chang and Riki Otaki, with former advisees now at institutions like MIT, Harvard, and UC Berkeley. He leads the ChiDATA research group and collaborates with Systems Group and CERES Center.
Jishen Zhao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego (Jacobs School of Engineering). His research focuses on computer architecture, non-volatile memory systems, and deep learning acceleration. Dr. Zhao has published extensively in top venues including ISCA, MICRO, ASPLOS, and IEEE Transactions. He collaborates with researchers at UCSD and beyond to advance systems for emerging applications in AI and autonomous vehicles. Dr. Zhao's primary research areas include persistent memory systems, hardware/software co-design for deep learning, and safety-critical computing. He develops techniques for crash consistency, memory disaggregation, and efficient neural network deployment. His work on autonomous vehicles addresses scenario generation and perception-aware system design. Recent projects explore LLM applications for software engineering and hardware verification. Analysis of Dr. Zhao's 2024-2025 publications reveals a strong shift toward AI-integrated systems research. He applies large language models to tasks like RTL verification and software issue localization while continuing to innovate in memory systems for serverless computing. There is growing emphasis on safety-critical systems for autonomous vehicles and energy-efficient neural network training using novel hardware architectures. Information about Dr. Zhao's scientific awards, advising activities, grants, and laboratory facilities was not available in the provided documentation.
Krzysztof Z Gajos is a Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at Harvard University’s Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He leads the Intelligent Interactive Systems Group, focusing on human-AI interaction, accessible computing, and behavioral research at scale. His work integrates technical innovation with ethical and societal considerations, emphasizing equity-centered design. Education: Ph.D., University of Washington M.Eng. and B.Sc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Research Interests: His research spans AI for public services , health informatics , design for equity , and behavioral research platforms like LabintheWild.org. He investigates how AI can augment human decision-making while addressing biases and ethical challenges. Recent Trends in Articles: Recent work emphasizes human-AI collaboration in healthcare , explainable AI , and equity-centered design . Key themes include reducing overreliance on AI, improving transparency in algorithmic decisions, and centering marginalized communities in technology development. Scientific Awards: Sloan Fellowship Best Paper Awards at ACM CHI, COMPASS, and IUI Advising & Grants: His federal grants support AI ethics and healthcare projects, though recent terminations have prompted efforts to secure alternative funding. He advises students on projects like AI for humanitarian negotiations and digital phenotyping. Labs & Teams: Leads the Intelligent Interactive Systems Group , collaborating with organizations on AI for social good and accessible technology.
Mehmet Esat Belviranli is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at the Colorado School of Mines, where he directs the High Performance Systems and Software Lab (HyperSys). His research focuses on increasing resource utilization in heterogeneous architectures through runtime systems, scheduling algorithms, and performance modeling, with publications in top venues including MICRO, PPoPP, and SC. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Riverside (2016) M.S. in Computer Science, Bilkent University (2009) B.S. in Computer Science, Bilkent University (2006) Belviranli's research spans heterogeneous architectures, runtime systems, performance modeling, parallel programming, autonomous computing, deep learning acceleration, cyber-physical systems, and edge-cloud platforms. His work develops analytical models and programming abstractions to address resource management, scheduling, and security challenges in diversely heterogeneous systems, with applications in edge computing, autonomous systems, and machine learning acceleration. Recent projects emphasize real-world constraints and security implications. His publication trends reveal increasing focus on edge-cloud resource management (e.g., HARNESS), security vulnerabilities in heterogeneous systems (e.g., MC3), and deep learning acceleration under resource constraints. Key themes include memory contention modeling, scheduling for cyber-physical systems, and concurrent DNN execution, reflecting a shift toward practical deployment in security-sensitive edge environments. Scientific Awards: U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Award (2022) U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Award (2021) Oak Ridge National Laboratory Significant Event Award (2019) Best Paper Finalist, IEEE HPEC 2018 Outstanding Paper Award, DATE 2024 Belviranli mentors Ph.D. students Ismet Dagli (MLCommons Rising Star 2024, CGO'24 SRC finalist) and Justin Davis (DATE'24 Outstanding Paper Award winner). He has secured $2M+ in funding from NSF, DoE, and SRC, including an NSF-SaTC grant on mobile security (2024), a DoE grant on superconductive systems (2023), and an NSF FuSe grant on graphene nanoribbons (2023), often leading multi-institutional teams from Rochester, Virginia, Arizona, and Minnesota. The HyperSys Lab develops ecosystems for high-performance heterogeneous systems, with recent projects including HARNESS for edge-cloud resource management and MC3 for mobile SoC security. The lab has received equipment donations from Google Coral.ai and Xilinx, and collaborates with national labs on security challenges and next-generation semiconductor technologies.
Magnus Liebherr is a Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen , focusing on Technology Acceptance , Artificial Intelligence , and Sustainable Transportation . His work bridges Business Administration with Human-Computer Interaction , exploring how users adapt to emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles and AI systems. Key research areas include: Acceptance of AI applications in mobility Business model development for climate-neutral transportation Cognitive and psychological factors in technology interaction Digital media effects on adolescent well-being Trust calibration in automated systems His recent publications examine Large Language Model dependency , gamified language learning , and mental workload metrics for autonomous vehicles. While no formal awards are listed, his interdisciplinary work spans psychology , engineering , and business strategy .
Ahmed Hammad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he also serves as Director of Academic Integrity, ENG WIL, Co-op and Career Connections. With 25 years of industry experience as a Project Planning & Control Manager on global mega-projects (including Oil Sands, LNG, and Infrastructure across Canada, UAE, Australia, and Egypt), he brings extensive practical expertise to academia. Education: Doctorate of Philosophy, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Alberta (2009) Master of Science, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Alberta (1999) Master of Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Cairo University (1996) Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Mansoura University (1989) Research Focus: Dr. Hammad's work centers on applying smart tools to achieve sustainable construction through maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste . His research employs Machine Learning , Multi-Criteria Decision Making , Knowledge-Based Decision Support Systems , and digital twin technologies to optimize project planning, resource allocation, and sustainable material selection. He investigates the integration of BIM and Augmented Reality to enhance construction processes while reducing environmental impact. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize sustainable construction methodologies, with 60% focusing on GHG reduction, resource optimization, and decision support systems. Key themes include machine learning for labor estimation, TOPSIS/MCDM for sustainable material selection, and digital twins for production planning, reflecting his NSERC-funded projects on KBDSS and construction-oriented digital twins. Scientific Recognition: Best Paper Award at 8th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (2018) Best Paper Award at HBRC Green Smart Sustainable Buildings Conference (2024) Research Leadership: Dr. Hammad secures major industry-academic partnerships, including NSERC Mission Alliance Grants ($1.2M+) with 16 industry partners for GHG reduction projects and NSERC Alliance Grants with 9 partners for digital twin development. His completed projects include collaborations with the City of Edmonton and Alberta Ministry of Infrastructure on resource allocation models. Research Ecosystem: As leader of the Sustainable Construction Research Group (SCRG), he fosters industry-academia collaboration through regular workshops with construction firms and government agencies, focusing on translating research into practical tools for sustainable project delivery.
Qizhen Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts and Science. Specializing in hyperscale data processing systems, Zhang leads research at the intersection of cloud computing, distributed systems, and data center networking. Recent work focuses on network-centric designs for efficient large-scale data processing, including pioneering contributions to disaggregated data center architectures. Research interests center on hyperscale data processing , network-aware system design , and disaggregated infrastructure . Current projects investigate DPU-accelerated systems (dpBento, DPDPU), memory disaggregation (Cowbird, Redy), and blockchain scalability (FlexChain). Zhang's approach systematically integrates network characteristics into distributed system optimization, addressing challenges in trillion-item workloads through novel shuffle layers (TeShu) and compute pushdown mechanisms (TELEPORT). Zhang advises multiple graduate students working on satellite networking (SaTE), federated learning, and DPU-optimized storage (DDS). Professional service includes program committees for SIGMOD, VLDB, NSDI, and EuroSys (2023-2026), plus journal reviews for ACM TODS and IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking. Industrial collaborations with Microsoft Research have yielded production-oriented systems like Redy and CompuCache. Key contributions include MimicNet for scalable network simulation (SIGCOMM 2021), GraphRex for network-aware graph processing (SIGMOD 2019), and foundational work on disaggregated data centers (CIDR 2020, VLDB 2020). Teaching responsibilities encompass graduate courses CSC2235 (Cloud-native Data Management) and undergraduate CSCC43 (Databases) at the University of Toronto.
Professor Susannah Quinsee is the Vice President (Digital and Student Experience) and Senior Diversity Ambassador for Race Equality at City, University of London. She leads on digital transformation, student experience, post-pandemic educational strategies, curriculum design, and staff development. Her team oversees Library Services, Learning Enhancement, Digital Education, and collaborations across academic divisions. She is a Lego Serious Play facilitator, integrating creative methods into leadership and change management. Previously, she served as Director of Learning Development and Chair in Learning and Teaching Development. Her expertise spans online learning, student support, and large-scale institutional change. Key roles include National Teaching Fellow (2011), Learning and Teaching Excellence Ambassador (2017), and Visiting Professor at the University of Northampton. She has advised national agencies like AdvanceHE and authored widely on educational leadership, playful pedagogy, and digital strategies. Her research focuses on playful leadership and change management, addressing how institutions adapt to evolving educational landscapes. Awards include the National Teaching Fellowship and HEA Principal Fellowship, reflecting her contributions to teaching excellence and professional development.
Dr. Jia Zhang is the Inaugural Robert H. Dedman Jr. Endowed Department Chair and Professor of Computer Science at Southern Methodist University (SMU Lyle School of Engineering). She holds the Cruse C. and Marjorie F. Calahan Centennial Chair in Engineering and has a courtesy appointment in the Department of Operations Research and Engineering Management. Her research focuses on applying machine learning, natural language processing, and information retrieval to data science infrastructure, particularly scientific workflows, provenance mining, software discovery, knowledge graphs, cloud computing, immune AI, and applications in earth science and healthcare. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago M.S. in Computer Science, Nanjing University B.S. in Computer Science, Nanjing University Dr. Zhang's work emphasizes data science infrastructure and machine learning for scientific workflows and knowledge graphs. Her recent publications highlight deep learning , graph neural networks , and optimization algorithms in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and environmental applications. Key trends include spatiotemporal modeling , hybrid neural architectures , and AI-driven service ecosystems . Scientific Awards: Best Paper Awards IEEE SCC (2011, 2017) Best Student Paper Awards IEEE ICWS (2014, 2018), IEEE ICCC (2018) Distinguished Paper Award ICSOC (2023) First Outstanding Service Award IEEE Technical Committee on Services Computing (2016) She has secured over $5 million in federal grants (as PI) and $11 million as PI/Co-PI from NSF, NASA, NIH, UTSW, Ericsson, SAP, and Google. Her lab (Caruth Hall 308) actively recruits research assistants. She previously served as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, Northern Illinois University, and Nanjing University, and worked in industry as a software architect.
Professor Anne Wallace is an Adjunct Professor at La Trobe Law School and holds concurrent roles at the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law and Victoria University's Sir Zelman Cowan Centre. She has extensive experience in judicial administration, having served as Head of School at Edith Cowan University and Associate Dean at the University of Canberra. Her research focuses on technology in justice systems, court administration, and Indigenous justice issues. Wallace holds a PhD from the University of Sydney and has authored over 37 scholarly works. Education: LLB (Tasmania), LLM (Melbourne University), Grad Cert Higher Ed (Canberra), PhD (Sydney). Her research explores the integration of ICT in courts, remote witness testimony, and judicial workload management. Notable projects include ARC-funded studies on visual evidence and remote testimony guidelines, and a decade-long Indigenous cultural awareness initiative for judiciary. Recent work addresses post-pandemic court digitalization and Indigenous justice disparities. She has contributed to international collaborations, serving as a visiting expert for CEELI Institute and editorial board member for the International Journal for Court Administration. Her funded research includes the 'Compliance by Design' project under Data to Decisions CRC (2018-2019). Professional activities include judicial training programs, curriculum development for Indigenous justice issues, and advisory roles in court technology policy.
Scott Taylor is a Professor of Leadership & Organization Studies in the Department of Management at the University of Birmingham’s Birmingham Business School. He also serves as the Business School Director of External Engagement and Responsible Business and as Academic Lead for Accreditations. He has held academic positions at Open, Essex, Exeter, and Loughborough Universities, and has been affiliated with the University of Birmingham in two periods: 2002–2007 and since 2013, confirming his current active status. Education: PhD in Management, Manchester Metropolitan University MA in Human Resource Management, University of Bolton MA in Arts, University of Glasgow His research centers on feminism in organizations, with current projects exploring gender quotas in political parties and women in the craft brewing sector. His work critically examines misogyny, gendered workloads, and the roles of men in feminist organizational change. He has published extensively in top journals such as Gender, Work & Organization , Human Relations , and Organization . His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on gender, power, and organizational ethics, often from a feminist and critical perspective. Scott Taylor is currently Development Editor for the Journal of Business Ethics and serves on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Learning & Education , Leadership , and Organization . He supervises several postgraduate students including Jennifer Davies, Isbahna Naz, and Dannielle Dorn. He is also a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools’ Equality, Diversity & Inclusion committee, reflecting his institutional leadership in equity issues. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Member, Chartered Association of Business Schools EDI Committee He has taught and visited universities internationally, including Auckland, Delhi, São Paulo, Jeddah, Melbourne, and Lapland. His academic leadership, editorial roles, and sustained research output confirm his active and influential position in the field of organizational studies.
Kenneth Ross is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Columbia University in New York City. His primary appointment is within the Department of Computer Science, with affiliations including the Foundations of Data Science Committee. His work bridges theoretical database research and practical system implementation. His research focuses on database systems with particular expertise in query processing, query language design, data warehousing, and architecture-sensitive database system design. Additional research spans computational biology, especially analysis of large genomic data sets. Current projects include Linear Algebra Operators in Databases for machine learning workloads and Repeats and Somatic Mutation analysis in genomics. His work consistently addresses the intersection of hardware capabilities and database system design. Ross leads the Database Research Lab at Columbia, which has produced significant work on query optimization, GPU database processing, and hardware-conscious database systems. His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on adapting database systems to modern hardware including GPUs, SIMD processors, and persistent memory. His scientific recognition includes: Packard Foundation Fellowship Sloan Foundation Fellowship NSF Young Investigator Award Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award (2008) Ross actively advises undergraduate engineering students (juniors with last names P-Z) and has taught foundational courses including Introduction to Databases and Programming and Problem Solving for over two decades. His teaching portfolio shows consistent engagement with both theoretical concepts and practical implementation challenges in computer science education.
