Daniel Vallero is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University . He holds a Ph.D. from Duke (2000) , an M.S. from the University of Kansas (1996) , and a B.A. from Southern Illinois University (1974) . His career spans environmental engineering, exposure assessment, and climate change adaptation, with affiliations including North Carolina Central University (2012-2013) as Associate Professor. Education B.A., Southern Illinois University, 1974 M.S., University of Kansas, 1996 Ph.D., Duke University, 2000 Key Research Areas Environmental systems science Air pollution modeling and control Hazardous waste bioremediation Climate change governance Exposure-based chemical prioritization Biogeochemical cycling under climate stress Publication Trends Focus on PFAS exposure pathways , climate adaptation strategies , and pollutant fate in ecosystems Recent work includes high-throughput exposure models and environmental justice in global warming Scientific Awards Federal Honor Awards (2025) from the U.S. EPA Jeffrey B. Taub Award (1999) at Duke University Notable Contributions Authored Air Pollution Calculations and Environmental Systems Science Developed exposure prioritization tools like Ex Priori Post-9/11 environmental contamination studies in New York City
Professor Cyrill P. Rigamonti is a Tenured Professor of Law at the University of Bern, where he teaches intellectual property law, antitrust/competition law, and media law. He serves as Director of the Institute for Economic Law and Chair of the Department for Economic Law, and is the founder of the Center for the Law of Innovation and Competition (CLIC). Professor Rigamonti is also an elected member of the Federal Arbitral Commission on Copyright and Neighboring Rights, serving as its President since 2024, having previously been Vice President since 2020. Professor Rigamonti holds a S.J.D. from Harvard Law School, an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, and a J.D./Ph.D. from the University of Zurich. He also earned a habilitation from the University of Bern and is admitted to practice in New York and Zurich. His academic career includes a visiting position at the University of Oxford's Faculty of Law and Oxford Intellectual Property Research Centre in Spring 2024. Professor Rigamonti's research focuses on intellectual property law, particularly copyright, patent, and trademark law, as well as competition law. His work examines the intersection of intellectual property with fundamental rights, digital technologies, and international harmonization efforts. He has made significant contributions to understanding Swiss copyright law in comparative perspective, particularly regarding non-original photographs, parody exceptions, and internet service provider liability. His scholarly output shows consistent focus on the evolving relationship between copyright law and digital technologies, with particular attention to secondary liability, parody exceptions, and the protection of non-creative works. Professor Rigamonti's work bridges theoretical analysis with practical legal application, as evidenced by multiple citations of his scholarship in Swiss Federal Supreme Court decisions. Prix Jubilé from the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (first legal scholar to receive this award) Mancini and Addison Brown prizes from Harvard Law School Professor Rigamonti actively engages with the legal profession through his service on editorial boards including the leading Swiss intellectual property law journal (sic!), as a peer reviewer for the International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law (IIC), and as National Correspondent for the Journal of Intellectual Property, Information Technology and E-Commerce Law (JIPITEC). He also serves as Vice President of the Board of the Hans Sigrist Foundation at the University of Bern and on the list of arbitrators for the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework Binding Arbitration Program.
Dawn Laux serves as Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and Professor of Practice in the School of Applied and Creative Computing at Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University. She concurrently holds the position of Division Head for Military Science and Technology and chairs the Purdue University Teaching Academy. With over 15 years of service since 2007, Dr. Laux teaches undergraduate information governance courses and has earned recognition including the Charles B. Murphy Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching (2019) and induction into Purdue's Book of Great Teachers (2023). Her educational background includes: PhD in Human Computer Interaction, Iowa State University (2014) MS in Management Information Systems, Iowa State University (2007) BS in Business Education and Office Administration, Ball State University (1994) Dr. Laux's research centers on data governance, computer-supported collaborative learning, and student persistence in technology education. She investigates technology acceptance, recruitment of women and minorities into IT, database management, and information governance frameworks. Her work bridges educational theory with practical applications to enhance student engagement and diversity in computing fields. Analysis of her publications (2011-2016) reveals consistent focus on educational technology interventions, particularly examining virtual communities for student persistence, diversity initiatives in computing, and classroom technology adoption. Her research demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of information systems, educational psychology, and social computing principles with practical applications in higher education settings. Her distinguished recognition includes: Book of Great Teachers, Purdue University (2023) Academic Leadership Program Fellow, Big Ten Academic Alliance (2022-2023) Teaching Academy Member, Purdue University (2019) Charles B. Murphy Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching (2019) College of Technology Exceptional Early Career Teaching Award (2014-2015) Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award (2013-2014) Bringing 10 years of pre-academic industry experience from Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union and Insight Communications, Dr. Laux integrates practical IT expertise into her teaching and leadership. Her administrative roles encompass academic program oversight and military technology education initiatives, supported by her active participation in the National Center for Women and Information Technology Academic Alliance since 2011. As Division Head of Military Science and Technology, Dr. Laux leads specialized technology education programs while chairing the university-wide Teaching Academy to advance pedagogical excellence across Purdue's academic units.
Keriann M. Backus is an Associate Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine , University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry . Her research focuses on chemical proteomics, cysteine and lysine profiling, and immunomodulatory agents for cancer, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. Education: B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in Latin American Studies from Brown University (2007), Ph.D. from Oxford University and NIH (2012) Research Interests: She develops chemical tools to study immune system modulation, targeting proteins via small molecules and antibodies. Her work integrates chemical proteomics, activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), and redox biology to explore cell-surface proteomes and inflammation-responsive mitochondrial redoxomes. Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize cysteine chemoproteomics, SP3-FAIMS technology for high-throughput profiling, covalent drug discovery for proteoform-selective inhibitors, proximity labeling for lipid interactomes, and data integration via CysDB. These reflect her expertise in redox-sensitive cysteine mapping and covalent fragment-based screening. Scientific Awards: W.M. Keck Foundation Grant (2024) Ono Breakthrough Science Initiative Award (2023) NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (2021) Packard Fellowship (2020) DARPA Young Faculty Award (2019) Beckman Young Investigator (2019) Rhodes Scholar (2007) NIH Oxford Cambridge Scholar (2007) Advising & Grants: Dr. Backus has secured major grants including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and Packard Fellowship. She co-corresponded studies on multi-omic data integration and mentored students in covalent drug discovery and chemoproteomic method development.
Charless C. Fowlkes is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and a member of the UCI Vision Group. His research focuses on computational vision, integrating visual recognition with 3D scene understanding and developing tools for biological image analysis. UCI Chancellor's Fellow (2019-2022) NSF CAREER Award recipient (2013) Helmholtz Prize winner (2015) Research Interests His work spans computational vision, image understanding, 3D scene reconstruction, and machine learning applications in biological and forensic domains. He develops methods for automated pollen classification, cardiac tissue analysis, and forensic shoeprint matching. Recent Publications His recent work includes 3D scene reconstruction with epipolar transformers, forensic shoeprint analysis, and image inpainting techniques. These show trends in integrating geometric understanding with deep learning. Scientific Awards Awarded the Marr Prize (2009), Helmholtz Prize (2015), and NSF CAREER Award (2013), he has received recognition for both theoretical and applied contributions to computer vision. Teaching & Advising He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in computer vision since 2008 and advised numerous PhD, MS, and BS students who now work at institutions like Google, Apple, and CMU. Collaborations He collaborates with labs at UIUC (Punyasena Lab), Harvard (DePace Lab), and UCI (Cinquin Lab, Khine Lab) for biological applications of computer vision.
Prasad Balkundi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Organization and Human Resources at the School of Management, University at Buffalo. His research focuses on social networks, team processes, and organizational behavior, with publications in top-tier journals like the Academy of Management Journal and Leadership Quarterly . He holds a PhD from Pennsylvania State University, a Post Graduate Diploma (MBA) from Xavier Institute of Management in India, and a BTech from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. His teaching spans courses on Organizational Behavior, Organizational Theory, and Social Networks for Managers. Balkundi’s research examines structural holes in teams, leader-follower dynamics, and the impact of age on professional networks. He has received awards including the Smeal Dissertation Research Award and the Penn State Graduate Student Outstanding Teaching Award. His industry experience includes roles as a Human Resource Executive at Larsen & Toubro in India (1995–1997). Balkundi has presented globally, including invited talks in Asia, and has taught MBA courses in the region. His recent work explores how age influences network effectiveness and the interplay of positive/negative ties in team performance. His research methodologies include network analysis and meta-analytic studies, contributing to understanding interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership prototypes.
Professor Kenneth M. Anderson is Chair of the Department of Computer Science and holds the Palmer Endowed Chair at the University of Colorado Boulder's College of Engineering & Applied Science. He co-directs Project EPIC, a $4M NSF-funded initiative on social media use during mass emergencies, and serves as Co-Director of the Center for Software and Society. Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Irvine (1997) Joined CU Boulder in 1998; tenured in 2005 Former Associate Dean for Education (2016-2019) Former Associate Chair (2010-2013) His research bridges software engineering, crisis informatics, and human-computer interaction. Current projects focus on large-scale social media analytics, crisis response systems, and software architecture for data-intensive environments. Recent publications explore multilingual social media analysis (ML-EPIC), bug fix patterns in software development (FIXR), and collaborative big data platforms. Themes include disaster risk communication, data modeling challenges, and asynchronous analysis tools. ATLAS Fellow (2010) As department chair, he spearheaded initiatives for inclusivity, including creating a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and establishing the NSF Broadening Participation in Computing plan. He oversees major academic reforms and departmental operations.
Kanchana Kariyawasam serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics within Griffith University's Business School. Holding a PhD in IP Law from Griffith University, an LL.M (Advanced) in IP Law from The University of Queensland, and an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Colombo, she maintains active research affiliations with the Law Futures Centre (2009-2024) and Griffith Asia Institute (2019-present). Her research spans Intellectual Property Law with specialized focus on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, IP and Right to Repair, Patent Law in Biotechnology, and Gender Equality in IP systems. Current projects examine AI-generated works, digital exhaustion doctrine, and NFT legality under Australian copyright frameworks, reflecting strong alignment with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 9 (Industry Innovation). Professor Kariyawasam's funded research portfolio includes significant projects such as the WIPO Study on Illegal Retransmission of Live Broadcasts (2023), Queensland Government Ewaste initiatives (2022), and Griffith University's Right to Repair Workshop (2020). Her publications demonstrate consistent output in high-impact journals including European Intellectual Property Review and International Journal of Law and Information Technology , with recent works analyzing AI copyright challenges, spatial data protection, and medical device repair rights. Deputy Vice-Chancellor's 2024 Student Experience of Teaching Survey Commendation Green Impact Gold Award Recipient (2023, Griffith Repair Cafe) Highly Commended Griffith Award for Excellence in Teaching (Large Classes) Two GBS teaching citations She currently supervises five doctoral candidates researching AI data privacy, patent law intersections, and agricultural IP issues, while having successfully completed supervision of four doctoral theses including works on female entrepreneurship and agribusiness marketing. As Coordinator of Griffith Repair Cafe and Steering Committee Member of Australian Repair Network, she bridges academic research with community engagement on repair rights and e-waste reduction.
Carlos R. Rivero is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), located within the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. His primary research focuses on graph theory applications in knowledge graphs, graph databases, and computer-aided program comprehension. He holds a PhD from the University of Seville (Spain), completed in 2012, with postdoctoral work at the University of Idaho (USA). His teaching responsibilities include courses such as Principles of Data Management, Data Mining, and Big Data exploration. Rivero has advised numerous PhD and Master’s students, contributing to research projects in link prediction, knowledge graph completion, and educational technology. He actively serves on program committees for conferences like The Web Conference and SIGKDD, and has reviewed for journals including the VLDB Journal and Communications of the ACM. His research emphasizes evaluating knowledge graph embeddings, improving link prediction methodologies, and developing tools for educational feedback in programming. He has contributed to projects like AYNEXT, which streamlines link prediction evaluation, and CAFE, a neighborhood-aware knowledge graph completion tool. Rivero’s work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in education and industry. Notable contributions include frameworks for automated feedback in programming courses and methodologies for assessing inference patterns in knowledge graphs. His grants and service roles reflect a commitment to advancing computational methods and fostering academic collaboration in data science and education.
Robert J. Brunner is a Professor at the University of Illinois with primary appointments in the Gies College of Business (Department of Accountancy) and the School of Information Sciences. He holds affiliate roles across multiple departments including Astronomy, Computer Science, and Statistics, as well as research centers like the Beckman Institute and NCSA. His research focuses on applying statistical/machine learning to solve complex problems in astronomy, finance, and large-scale data science. Education: Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Johns Hopkins University (advisor: Alex Szalay). Postdoctoral work at Caltech on the Digital Sky project. Research Interests: Machine learning applications, computational techniques, data management/visualization, and observational cosmology. His work bridges astrophysical data analysis with modern data science methodologies. Recent work includes developing spatio-temporal neural networks for forecasting, evaluating AI-driven financial analysis tools, and planning for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. He collaborates internationally on large-scale surveys like the Dark Energy Survey and SDSS. Labs/Teams: Leads data science initiatives at the University of Illinois Research Park. Active in interdisciplinary teams at NCSA and Beckman Institute focusing on algorithm optimization and data-intensive research.
Sharad Mehrotra is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), leading the Center for Emergency Response Technologies (CERT) and directing the NSF-funded RESCUE project. He previously served at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin (1993). His research focuses on data management, IoT systems, privacy-preserving technologies, and smart spaces, with contributions to frameworks like TIPPERS and MARS. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin, 1993 Research Interests: His work bridges database systems, security, and IoT, emphasizing privacy in smart environments. Notable projects include sentient space technologies for disaster response, cryptographic methods for encrypted data queries, and semantic IoT integration. Recent efforts address privacy in multi-owner data systems and resilient community water infrastructure. Awards & Recognition: ACM Fellow (2024) SIGMOD Best Paper (2001), DASFAA Best Paper (2004) NAVWAR Innovation Award (2021) Outstanding Graduate Mentor (2005) Grants & Leadership: As RESCUE PI, he managed $12.5M NSF funding, developing crisis-response software deployed by emergency agencies. Collaborations include the Cal-IT2 institute (UCSD/UCI) and the US Navy’s TIPPERS platform. He co-leads initiatives like the NSF Civic Innovation Challenge for disaster resilience in aging communities. Labs & Teams: Directs UCI’s Information Systems Group and CERT, fostering interdisciplinary research with 60+ members. His teams produce open-source tools (e.g., SEMIoTIC, PrivacySphere) and engage in global partnerships via Fulbright Visiting Scholar programs.
Paul Moritz Wiegmann is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where he is part of the ITEM group. He currently serves as President of the European Academy of Standardisation (EURAS). His academic career includes visiting research positions at TU Berlin (2014 & 2015), Yonsei University, Seoul (2018), and the University of California, Davis (2023). Paul holds a PhD from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, alongside additional degrees from Erasmus University and the University of Warwick. His educational background emphasizes interdisciplinary training, reflected in his research and teaching. His research focuses on the role of standardization in innovation ecosystems, particularly how explicit and implicit rules enable value creation and capture. He employs mixed-methods approaches, including case studies, grounded theory, choice experiments, and conjoint analysis. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, addressing societal challenges like sustainability and smart technologies through collaborative frameworks. Notable awards include the Industria Education Award 2022-2023 for Best Teacher Talent (2023) and the ISPIM Dissertation Award 2020 (2020). These recognize his contributions to both education and research in standardization and innovation. In advising and grants, Paul has supervised 30 works (names not listed) and leads the Measuring societal impact of standards project (2021–2022). He also coordinates the FIQCS: FIeldlab Quantum Cryptography Solutions for Safe Society initiative (2023–2028). His activities include organizing conferences like EU-SPRI 2025 and delivering invited talks on topics ranging from standardization governance to quantum technologies. Paul teaches courses such as Methodology for IE research and Patents design rights & standards exploration course , reflecting his expertise in standardization and research methods. He contributed to the Standardization literature database (2024), an interdisciplinary review, and engages in media discussions on topics like AI adoption in SMEs and quantum threat mitigation in public safety.
Darren Jorgensen is a Lecturer at the UWA Design School , University of Western Australia, specializing in twentieth century and contemporary art. His research bridges Australian art, Aboriginal art, Chinese art, and experimental music, with a focus on critical theory and poststructuralism. PhD in Science Fiction and the Sublime Co-founder of Guan Kan journal on contemporary Chinese art Contributor to Dispatch Review and Artlink His research projects examine illustrated literature from remote Aboriginal communities and art from Australian pastoral stations. He has collaborated on ARC-funded initiatives exploring Indigenous art conditions and digital transformations of Australian art databases. Recent writings analyze post-industrial music, science fiction aesthetics, and cross-cultural art practices. Recent Research Trends : Darren's 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) span exhibition reviews, book critiques, and cultural analyses. Key themes include: Transnational Australian-Chinese art dialogues Aboriginal art's relationship to land, heritage, and decolonization Industrial/post-industrial music influences in visual art Critical theory applications to contemporary art practices Illustrated literature as cultural document Scientific Awards : Best Small Exhibition Catalogue (2019) for collaborative curatorial work Teaching & Supervision : Supervises postgraduate and honours students across diverse topics including Aleister Crowley's esoteric art, whale acoustics, and continental philosophy's impact on aesthetics. His teaching philosophy integrates Kant, Isabelle Stengers, and poststructuralist theory. Research Collaborations : Collaborates with institutions across Australia and internationally, particularly through projects like the Beijing Realism exhibition and remote Aboriginal art studies. Maintains active research networks in art history, critical theory, and experimental practices.
Wantao Yu is a Professor of Supply Chain Management at the Roehampton Business School, part of the University of Roehampton's Faculty of Business and Law. Previously, he held academic positions at the University of Kent, University of East Anglia, and Buckinghamshire New University. His expertise spans digital supply chain management, sustainability, and modern slavery prevention. He actively supervises PhD students in areas like agri-tech and LARG (Lean, Agile, Resilient, Green) supply chains. Research Interests: His work focuses on digital innovation in supply chains, sustainable practices, and ethical sourcing. Notable projects include STFC-funded initiatives in agri-food systems (UK, China, Kenya, Uganda) leveraging IoT and machine learning for sustainability and productivity. He emphasizes public-private partnerships with smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. Notable Achievements: Included in Stanford's World Top 2% Scientists (2020-2024) and recognized with multiple awards, including the Emerald/EFMD Doctoral Research Award (2010) and conference paper accolades (e.g., 2017, 2015). His pandemic-related research was featured in the WHO database. Teaching: Leads courses on Supply Chain Strategy & Processes and Digital Logistics. External roles include serving as an academic examiner at universities like Essex and Hertfordshire. Collaborations: Active in global research networks, with recent projects in Kenya, Uganda, and China. Key themes include data-driven supply chains, agri-tech, and resilience strategies for SMEs.
Claire Bishop is a Presidential Professor of Art History at the CUNY Graduate Center, widely considered an original thinker and creative interpreter of contemporary art, as well as a dynamic teacher. Her work critically examines participatory art, performance practices, and the relationship between art and politics. She has been based at the CUNY Graduate Center since 2008 and serves as a Contributing Editor to Artforum. Her publications have been translated into twenty languages, reflecting her international influence in the field of contemporary art history. Education: Ph.D. University of Essex, 2002 M.A. University of Essex, 1996 B.A. University of Cambridge, 1994 Bishop's research interests span Contemporary Art, Performance Art, Art & Politics, Exhibition History, History of Art Pedagogy, Post- and De-colonial Theory, and Museology. She is particularly known for her critical engagement with participatory art practices, questioning their political efficacy while exploring new modes of spectatorship in contemporary art. Her work examines how the digital revolution has transformed how we engage with art, arguing against simplistic narratives about technology's impact on visual culture. Bishop's scholarly contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship (2024), the Mentoring and Teaching Award from CUNY Graduate Center (2024), and the College Art Association's Frank Jewett Mather Award for art criticism (2013). She has also received significant research support including a fellowship from the Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU to study Merce Cunningham's Museum Events. Awards and Recognition: Guggenheim Fellowship, 2024 Mentoring and Teaching Award, CUNY Graduate Center, 2024 Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant, 2017 Frank Jewett Mather Award for art criticism, 2013 Research Fellowship, Sterling and Francine Clark Institute, 2013 Bishop has received substantial grant support for her research, including the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant which enabled her to deepen her investigation into art and politics. Her work as a mentor has been formally recognized by CUNY Graduate Center, highlighting her commitment to developing the next generation of art historians. She has organized numerous academic events including the 'Post-Discipline? Contemporary Artists and Research' seminar series at the Center for the Humanities at CUNY Graduate Center. Bishop maintains an active presence in both academic and artistic communities, regularly contributing to major art publications and participating in international conferences. Her work bridges theoretical inquiry with practical engagement in contemporary art institutions and practices.
