Dan-Alexandru Szabo | Biomedical Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dan-Alexandru Szabo | Biomedical Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

George Emil Palade University of Medicine | Romania

Associate Professor Dr. Dan-Alexandru Szabo is a distinguished scholar and educator in the field of biomedical engineering and human motor sciences, whose professional journey reflects a profound commitment to education, research, and sports science. He obtained his academic qualifications from leading Romanian universities, specialising in kinesiology, physiology, pedagogy, and performance management in sport. His extensive teaching and coaching career spans multiple institutions, where he has taught subjects including human motor activity, kinesiology, psychomotor education, and rehabilitation sciences. Dr. Szabo’s research interests encompass biomechanics, kinesiology, physical education, sports performance, and the integration of biomedical principles in human motion analysis. His research skills extend to experimental design, performance optimisation, data analysis in sports science, and the application of technology in rehabilitation. A respected peer reviewer for several Web of Science-indexed journals, he has contributed significantly to the academic community through scholarly publications and active participation in international conferences. His achievements include multiple national volleyball championships and involvement in curriculum development for physical education in Romania. Dr. Szabo’s dedication to academic excellence and innovation in human movement sciences has earned him recognition and numerous professional affiliations, underscoring his impact on education, research, and sports development in Romania and beyond.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Philippe Cattin | Biomedical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Philippe Cattin | Biomedical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

University of Basel | Switzerland

Dr. Philippe Cattin is a distinguished full professor at the University of Basel, Switzerland, with over two decades of academic and research excellence in computer science, robotics, and medical technology. He earned his MSc in Computer Science and PhD in Robotics from ETH Zürich under the mentorship of renowned professors Ueli Maurer and Gerhard Schweitzer, establishing a strong foundation in computational and engineering sciences. His professional journey began as a doctoral researcher at ETH Zürich, followed by roles as junior researcher and senior researcher in the Computer Vision Laboratory before joining the University of Basel, where he advanced from assistant professor to full professor. His research interests focus on medical image analysis, computer vision, robotics, and the integration of virtual reality and deep learning in healthcare. Skilled in advanced algorithms, 3D visualization, VR-based surgical planning, and deep learning architectures, he has pioneered real-time volume rendering in VR and cutting-edge diffusion models for medical applications. His team’s contributions, including the development of Specto Medical and leadership in international competitions, have significantly advanced precision medicine and surgical training. Recognized for impactful innovations, publications in leading journals, and patent applications, Professor Cattin continues to shape the future of medical technology with global influence and academic leadership.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

🔬 Grazia Ragone is a researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on autism and interactive systems. 🏫 She earned her PhD from the University of Sussex, UK, where she investigated social motor synchrony in autistic children through motion capture and sonification. 🎼 With a background in psychology, developmental science, and music therapy, she integrates interdisciplinary methods into assistive technology. 💻 She has extensive teaching experience in research methods, cognitive science, and HCI at the University of Sussex. 🏆 Her research has been recognized with multiple international awards, including Microsoft Research’s Best Student Research Competition. 🌍 She actively contributes as a reviewer and associate chair for HCI conferences and journals. 📖 Her work bridges psychology, technology, and education, aiming to enhance accessibility and interaction for neurodiverse individuals.

Profile

Education 🎓

She completed her PhD in 2023 at the University of Sussex, UK, where her research focused on autism, motion capture, and social motor synchrony. Prior to this, she earned an MSc in Psychological Methods from the University of Sussex in 2018, with a focus on autism and interactional features. She also holds an MPhil in Developmental Psychology from London Metropolitan University (2015), specializing in child development and interaction. In 2014, she completed her BSc in Developmental Psychology at London Metropolitan University, studying early cognitive and social development. She further enriched her expertise with a Master’s in Music & Art Therapy from Tor Vergata University in Rome (2006), where she focused on therapeutic interventions for individuals with special needs. Her academic journey began with a BA in Humanities from the University of Pavia, Italy (2004), where she studied philosophy, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Experience 👨‍🏫

From 2019 to 2023, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sussex, UK, where she taught Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), research methods, and professional skills. Prior to this, she served as a Research Assistant at the University of Sussex (2016-2018), focusing on technology designed for neurodiverse children. From 2014 to 2016, she conducted research on autism and interactive environments at London Metropolitan University. Earlier in her career, she was a Research Assistant at CNR-ISTI Pisa, Italy (2008-2014), where she contributed to the development of assistive software for autistic children. Her experience also includes working as a Music Therapist for the Rome City Council (2005-2010), providing therapeutic interventions for autistic children. Additionally, from 2010 to 2019, she worked as a Trainer and Consultant, conducting workshops and training programs for professionals in the field of autism.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and autism, developing interactive systems to support neurodiverse individuals. She explores the role of music and sonification in enhancing motor and social skills through auditory feedback. Her work also includes investigating social motor synchrony using motion capture technology. She designs AI-powered assistive technology to support autistic children and applies user-centered design principles to create accessible interfaces for individuals with special needs.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

She has received several prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to autism research and assistive technology. In 2021, she was awarded the Best Student Research Award by Microsoft Research at the ASSETS Conference. Her work was also recognized with the Best Work in Progress Award at the IDC Conference on autism research in 2020. In 2013, she received the Horizon Research Award from London Metropolitan University for outstanding research. Her contributions to autism research earned her a Massachusetts Senate Citation in 2012, and in 2011, she was honored with the Rotary Club Research Award from CNR Pisa for excellence in autism studies.

Publications 📚

  •  Supporting and understanding autistic children’s non-verbal interactions through OSMoSIS, a motion-based sonic system
    International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction
    2025-02 | Journal article
    CONTRIBUTORS: Grazia Ragone; Judith Good; Kate Howland
  • Child-Centered AI for Empowering Creative and Inclusive Learning Experiences

    Proceedings of ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference: Inclusive Happiness, IDC 2024
    2024 | Conference paper

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85197894406

    Part ofISBN: 9798400704420
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Ali, S.A.; Esposito, A.; Good, J.; Howland, K.; Presicce, C.
  • Designing Safe and Engaging AI Experiences for Children: Towards the Definition of Best Practices in UI/UX Design

    arXiv
    2024 | Other

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85192517180

    Part of ISSN: 23318422
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Buono, P.; Lanzilotti,