Prof. Wim Desmet is a full professor at the Faculty of Engineering Science and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven . His research focuses on advanced modeling techniques for mechanical systems, including: noise and vibration control in automotive and industrial systems computational acoustics and interval field uncertainty modeling metamaterials for broadband vibroacoustic performance AI-driven diagnostic systems in renewable energy and manufacturing Current research projects address challenges in electric vehicle drivetrains, wind turbine monitoring, and multi-physical digital twin development. He actively contributes to academic governance as: Managing Director of KU Leuven Head of Subdivision HIST Chair of multiple executive committees Member of 15+ academic and administrative councils
Dr. Carmen Cheh is a Research Scientist in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UIUC and a Bachelor of Computing (Hons) from the National University of Singapore. Her research focuses on cyber-physical system security, threat modeling, and critical infrastructure resilience. She has served as Co-Principal Investigator on two major grants: the 2023-2024 project on threat modeling for government systems and the 2022-2025 initiative on real-time fraud detection in e-commerce platforms. Her work bridges theoretical computer security with practical applications in critical infrastructure protection. Dr. Cheh has contributed to tools like CyberSAGE, which aids in automated security argument evaluation, and frameworks for detecting business logic flaws in software systems. She collaborates extensively with industry and government entities to advance cybersecurity practices in both digital and physical domains. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Bachelor of Computing (Hons), National University of Singapore Her research interests emphasize real-world security challenges in interconnected systems, including automated threat modeling, vulnerability discovery in business logic, and compliance frameworks for financial services. She has pioneered constraint-based methodologies for identifying security flaws in complex systems and developed novel approaches to insider threat detection using physical access data. Recent work explores the intersection of machine learning and cybersecurity in fraud detection systems. Her publications span top venues like ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation, IEEE Secure Development Conference, and the IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications. Collaborations include projects with institutions like Argonne National Laboratory and the National Science Foundation.
Alan Rooney is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Yale University, affiliated with the Yale School of Arts and Sciences. He leads the Rooney Geochronology and Geochemistry Group, which is part of the Yale Metal Geochemistry Center. His research integrates radiogenic isotope geochemistry (e.g., Re-Os, Sr, Nd) with field-based methods like sedimentology and stratigraphy to investigate tectonic, climatic, and biologic transitions in Earth history. Current projects include refining Neoproterozoic chronology, studying Mid-Pleistocene ice sheet dynamics, and advancing EARTHTIME’s Re-Os geochronometer standards. His research interests are centered on three main areas: 1) Proterozoic tectonics and eukaryotic diversification, 2) ice sheet dynamics over the last 5 million years using multiple geochemical proxies, and 3) radiogenic isotopes as tracers of crustal-mantle processes. He collaborates with researchers at Dartmouth College, Oxford University, and other institutions to address these topics. The Rooney Lab emphasizes experimental approaches, such as simulating seafloor weathering of mafic rocks, to better understand isotopic fluxes into the sedimentary record. His articles highlight a focus on geochronology and isotopic analysis to unravel climate-tectonic interactions, with recent work emphasizing the Great Oxidation Event, Ediacaran biogeochemical shifts, and Mid-Pleistocene glacial variability. These studies often combine field observations with laboratory experiments to deconvolve complex Earth system processes. Dr. Rooney has no listed scientific awards. He advises three graduate students: Gryphen Goss, Sam Shipman, and Carey Ciaburri. The lab’s NSF-funded involvement in EARTHTIME underscores its commitment to advancing geochronological standards. The Rooney Geochronology Lab operates within ultra-clean facilities equipped with advanced mass spectrometers (e.g., Thermo Fisher Neptune-Plus MC-ICP-MS, Triton-Plus TIMS), adjacent to the Microprobe Facility’s electron microprobe resources, enabling precise geochemical and petrological analyses.
Alexander Rodríguez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on advancing AI methods for modeling complex spatiotemporal dynamics, particularly in applications related to population health and community resilience. He specializes in machine learning, time series analysis, uncertainty quantification, and multi-agent systems, with an emphasis on scientific modeling and data-driven decision-making. Recent contributions include keynote talks at AAMAS 2025 (Autonomous Agents for Social Good workshop), presentations at the US National Academies Symposium, and invited talks at AAAI 2025 on topics like knowledge-guided machine learning and public health prediction. He co-organizes AAMAS 2025 as sponsorship co-chair and leads initiatives in AI for science and epidemic forecasting. His publications emphasize neural networks for time series forecasting, biomedical foundation models, and epidemic surveillance systems. Notable work includes 'Neural Conformal Control for Time Series Forecasting' (AAAI 2025) and 'Deepcovid: An operational deep learning-driven framework for explainable real-time forecasting' (2021). No scientific awards explicitly listed in available texts. His research group actively collaborates on grants related to AI applications in public health and infrastructure resilience, with a focus on data-centric methodologies and multi-agent systems.
Denny Borsboom is Professor in the Psychological Methods Group at the University of Amsterdam, where he directs the Social and Behavioural Data Science Centre. His research program develops network theories of psychopathology, novel psychometric methods, and formalized psychological theory through initiatives like the Psychosystems Project and Theory Methods Lab. Research focuses on conceptual foundations of measurement, complex systems approaches to mental disorders, and computational modeling of psychological phenomena. Recent publications advance network psychometrics, validity theory, and integration of intra/interindividual dynamics. Articles demonstrate strong methodological innovation through computational psychiatry applications, network theory development, and philosophical engagement with psychological foundations. Recurring themes include psychopathological networks, measurement realism, system transitions, and collaborative theory-building frameworks.
Andrew M. Olney is Professor in both the Institute for Intelligent Systems and Department of Psychology at the University of Memphis. His work bridges artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and education, with a primary focus on natural language interfaces for learning. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Memphis (2006), an M.S. in Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems from the University of Sussex (2001), and a B.A. in Linguistics with Cognitive Science from University College London (1998). Dr. Olney's research centers on intelligent tutoring systems and natural language processing applications in education. His specific interests include vector space models, dialogue systems, unsupervised grammar induction, and computational representations of meaning. He has made significant contributions to conversational intelligent tutoring systems and task-oriented natural language interfaces, with particular emphasis on dyadic interaction and engagement in learning contexts. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on leveraging AI for educational enhancement, particularly through automated content creation, question generation, and adaptive learning systems. His work spans multiple disciplines including computer science, cognitive science, linguistics, and education, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary integration. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Best Paper Award, Proceedings of Empowering Education with LLMs (2023) Associate Editor, International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education (Impact Factor 4.9) Dr. Olney has been actively involved in mentoring graduate students and securing research funding. He has served as Principal Investigator on $6M of federal grants within a total of $18M in federal grant funding. His service includes former editorship of the Journal of Educational Data Mining (2017-2022) and former leadership roles as Director/Associate Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems (2006-2017). He currently coordinates both the Cognitive Science Graduate Certificate and Undergraduate Minor in Cognitive Science at the University of Memphis. His BrainTrust project, funded by the NSF, addresses the knowledge engineering bottleneck for intelligent tutoring systems through innovative approaches to virtual student simulation and knowledge representation.
Carmen Moraru is a Professor in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Her research focuses on enhancing food safety, quality, and shelf life through advanced processing methods such as membrane separation, light-based technologies, high-pressure processing (HPP), and microwave vacuum drying. She also studies intermolecular interactions in foods and nanoscale surface engineering to prevent microbial contamination. Dr. Moraru teaches courses like Food Processing and Engineering (FDSC 4250) and co-instructs Advanced Food and Bioprocessing Systems (FDSC 6650) . Her lab, the Moraru Lab, explores emerging technologies in food safety and processing, with recent projects addressing microbial inactivation, nanomaterials, and sustainable drying methods. She advises multiple graduate students and has supervised notable projects, including studies on pea protein functionality and antimicrobial surfaces. Education: Doctorate in Food Science (PhD details not explicitly stated in provided texts). Lab Affiliations: Moraru Lab at Cornell University. Her scientific awards include the Kosi Award in Food Science (2019) and recognition for student achievements like Andreea Beldie's 2019 ADSA Poster Competition win. Recent publications highlight innovations in UV-C light disinfection, microwave drying, and nanotopography-based antimicrobial surfaces. Research collaborations span industry and academia, addressing challenges in dairy processing, plant-based foods, and food packaging safety. Her work frequently integrates computational modeling, experimental validation, and interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex food engineering problems.
Syukuro Manabe is a renowned climate scientist and Senior Meteorologist at Princeton University's Program in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. He is a Nobel laureate (2021) for pioneering global climate modeling. Affiliated with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), his work laid foundations for understanding climate change mechanisms. Education: B.A., M.A., and D.Sc. in Meteorology from the University of Tokyo (1953-1959). Career highlights include developing the first global climate model (1960s) and demonstrating CO2's role in global warming. Collaborations include Kirk Bryan on coupled ocean-atmosphere models and later work on transient climate responses. Research focuses on climate system interactions, numerical modeling, and paleoclimate studies. Awards include the Nobel Prize, Crafoord Prize, and Blue Planet Prize. His models remain foundational for modern climate research, predicting temperature and hydrological changes linked to greenhouse gases.
Prof. Dr. Jan-David Liebe is a Professor of Digital Society at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, leading the Digital Health Management field. He holds a PhD in Business Informatics from the University of Osnabrück (2013–2018). His research focuses on implementation science in healthcare, human-centered design, and AI-driven healthcare innovations. He is a co-founder of innnow GmbH and an associated researcher at UMIT’s Institute for Medical Informatics. Key roles include heading the GMDS AG mwmKIS and contributing to national IT reports in healthcare. Research Interests: His work spans digital transformation in healthcare, evaluating healthcare IT maturity models, and fostering innovation through design thinking. Notable projects include benchmarking health IT systems and developing frameworks for AI-supported diagnostics. Professional Roles: Prof. Liebe serves as the Study Director for the Health Management MA program and Entrepreneurship Officer at the WiSo faculty. He actively contributes to research networks like the German Society for Medical Informatics and advises on healthcare IT strategies. Grants & Projects: Leads projects on cloud readiness of hospitals, VR-based medical training, and AI in echocardiography. His work is published in over 50 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing practical applications of digital tools in healthcare workflows and policy. Affiliations: Member of the Research Commission and Study Committee at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Collaborates with institutions like the Medical School Hamburg and Novia University of Applied Sciences.
Nabil Kahale is an Associate Professor of Finance at ESCP Business School in Paris. His research focuses on financial derivatives, Monte Carlo methods, optimization, and machine learning. He holds a PhD in theoretical computer science from MIT (1993) and an HDR (French habilitation) from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2020), enabling him to supervise PhD students. His academic career includes prior roles in theoretical computer science and consulting for banks. He has published widely in top journals such as Mathematical Finance , Management Science , and SIAM Journal on Computing . Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering, École Polytechnique (1987) PhD in Theoretical Computer Science, MIT (1993) HDR in Economics, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2020) Research Interests: His work bridges finance and computational methods, emphasizing practical applications of stochastic models and algorithmic efficiency. Key areas include derivative pricing, risk management, and the integration of machine learning into financial systems. Professional Contributions: He has served as a consultant for banking institutions and a referee for the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. His research also intersects with social and economic policy analysis, such as evaluating the economic impact of public health measures. Labs/Teams: While no specific lab affiliation is mentioned, his collaborations span interdisciplinary teams in finance, computer science, and applied mathematics through his publications and consulting work.
Dr. Yara Khaluf is an Assistant Professor in the Information Technology Group at Wageningen University & Research, Department of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD (2014, Paderborn University, cum laude) on robot swarm task allocation, followed by postdoctoral research at Paderborn University (2014–2015) and Ghent University’s IDLab (2015–2021). Her work focuses on computational social science, hybrid human-agent societies, and distributed artificial cognition, leveraging agent-based modeling and systems dynamics for behavior prediction/modulation. She leads European-funded projects like ChronoPilot (EU Horizon2020 FET) and DELICIOS (FWO, 2019–2022). Her research explores interactions between artificial agents and humans, developing cognitive capacities for seamless interaction via social feedback networks. Notable contributions include collective foraging algorithms, time perception modeling, and agent-based simulations for public health interventions. Awards include competitive IGS and DFG fellowships. She collaborates with leading experts in swarm intelligence (Dorigo, Stuetzle), collective decision-making (Hamann, Marshall), and experimental psychology (Johansson, Vatakis). Current projects investigate modulating human time perception and delegation of conflict-of-interest decisions to AI agents. Teaching includes courses on model thinking, agent-based modeling of complex systems, and data science applications in food/consumer science. Her work bridges computational methods with societal challenges, emphasizing scalable solutions for hybrid systems.
Dr Adam J Fenton is an Assistant Professor at Coventry University’s Centre for Peace and Security (CPS), with his work spanning security, resilience, technology, and governance. He is currently leading a project with the Alan Turing Institute to assess socio-technical aspects of digital twins in building UK transport network resilience, alongside NATO-funded research on subsea cable cyber-physical security and UKRI-funded studies on AI’s impact on religious faith and cultural resilience. His 2024 Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship focused on maritime cybersecurity governance, and he holds legal qualifications from Monash University, with admission to practice in Australia’s Northern Territory Supreme Court and prior border security experience. Assistant Professor, Coventry University Centre for Peace and Security (CPS) Alan Turing Institute collaboration NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme awardee UKRI SALIENT Hub grant recipient Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship (2024) Monash University BA/Law (Hons), Australian legal practitioner His research interweaves security studies, AI ethics, maritime cybersecurity, and legal frameworks. Key projects include Digital Twinning for Crisis Response (DTBOC) and CYBERCABLE for underwater infrastructure protection. His work addresses hybrid threats in strategically vital shipping lanes like the Straits of Malacca, blending technical rigor with policy analysis. The Chancellor's Medal - Higher Education (2010) recognizes his early academic excellence. His publications span digital twinning, AI ethics, maritime cybersecurity, Indonesian law reform, and religious freedom, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to global security challenges. Digital Twinning for transport resilience Cyber-Physical Security of critical infrastructure AI Ethics and religious/cultural impacts Hybrid Maritime Threats in Southeast Asia Legal Reform in Indonesian anti-terrorism As Principal Investigator for CYBERCABLE and STRAITSECURITY , and Co-Investigator for DTBOC , his research bridges academia with practical policy. He actively contributes to media discourse on maritime technology and geopolitical conflicts.
Horacio Castillo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Ohio University, affiliated with the Nanoscale Quantum Phenomena Institute (NQPI). His research focuses on condensed matter theory, particularly glassy dynamics, dynamical heterogeneities, and non-equilibrium systems. He explores topics such as fluctuating relaxation times, aging dynamics, and the interplay between structure and dynamics in supercooled liquids and amorphous solids. Key research areas include the study of glass transition phenomena using molecular simulations and theoretical models. His work addresses questions about spatial and temporal correlations in glass-forming systems, dynamic susceptibility, and the application of spin-glass concepts to biological reprogramming processes. Castillo’s contributions span experimental collaborations and computational studies, with a focus on advancing understanding of complex materials and their underlying physics. Publications highlight advancements in characterizing rotational/translational dynamics in supercooled liquids, modeling dynamic heterogeneity, and analyzing aging regimes in silica glasses. His research bridges traditional condensed matter physics with interdisciplinary topics such as biophysics, leveraging tools from statistical mechanics and nonlinear dynamics. Castillo has contributed to the Ohio University community through involvement in academic events like the NQPI-CMSS Joint Poster Session (2015) and mentoring student research projects, as evidenced by his presence in student research expos. His grants and collaborations reflect a commitment to advancing fundamental knowledge in nanoscale and quantum phenomena.
Mamoun Qasem is a Lecturer in Cyber Security at the University of South Wales, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science. His work focuses on IoT Security, autonomous vehicle cybersecurity, wireless sensor networks, and RPL protocol enhancements. He has collaborated with industry leaders like Huawei and Thales Ltd, contributing to international standards through the IETF. Research Interests include: Defending systems from cyber threats RPL protocol optimization Adversarial deception methods in complex systems IoT threat hunting and network security Publications span top journals (e.g., IEEE Communications Letters) and conferences (e.g., IEEE WCNC). He leads projects like RsIoT for oil & gas field monitoring and supervises a KESS PhD student on adversarial deception in cyber defense. Mamoun actively reviews for journals like Elsevier Computer Networks and coordinates international conference workshops (e.g., ICSOC, CFATI). No scientific awards are explicitly listed. He coordinates interdisciplinary research initiatives and serves as a technical reviewer for multiple platforms.
Patrick Dallasega is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Plants at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Free University of Bolzano (Italy). He holds a PhD from the University of Stuttgart and has been a Visiting Scholar at Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA). His expertise spans supply chain management, Industry 4.0 integration in SMEs, lean construction methodologies, and sustainable production planning in ETO/MTO environments. He teaches Project Management and Industrial Plants courses in Industrial Mechanical Engineering programs. His research focuses on digital transformation in manufacturing, including smart mobile factories, augmented reality applications for training, and synchronization of production and on-site assembly processes. Collaborative projects like the AR-enhanced industrial training initiative with Memc aim to reduce errors and costs in complex industrial setups. His work emphasizes human-centered technology integration, sustainability, and real-time data utilization for adaptive production strategies. Education Bachelor/Master: Free University of Bolzano (Italy) MSc: Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy) PhD: University of Stuttgart (Germany) Research Interests Professor Dallasega’s research explores the intersection of Industry 4.0 technologies with lean manufacturing principles, particularly in complex Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Make-to-Order (MTO) sectors. He investigates how digital twin frameworks, augmented reality (AR), and real-time data analytics can enhance supply chain resilience, reduce operational losses, and improve workforce training efficiency. His work also addresses sustainability challenges in mobile and distributed manufacturing systems, emphasizing eco-friendly logistics and smart factory design. Key Projects Recent collaborations include: Development of an AR-based training module to boost procedural knowledge retention in machinery setups Comparative studies on Industry 4.0 adoption in SMEs across Europe and Asia Framework for digital twin-driven quality control in precast manufacturing Grants & Advising No specific grants or student advisees are listed in the provided data. His focus remains on collaborative industry projects and institutional teaching responsibilities. Labs & Teams Involved in cross-disciplinary teams at the Free University of Bolzano, particularly in the NOI Techpark innovation hub. Leads initiatives on smart mobile factories and human-centered robotics applications in manufacturing environments.
