Dimitris Skaltsas is a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. He received his Diploma in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens in 2021, focusing on the effects of stochastic roughness in hydrodynamic lubrication. In his doctoral dissertation he combines two major fields of science, namely mathematics and physics, aiming at exploring the effect of surface roughness on the lubrication phenomena. His aim is to derive novel semi-stochastic differential equations for Thermo-Elasto-Hydrodynamic lubricated rough bearings, accounting for stochastic geometric and operational parameters. As a Fulbright Visiting Research Student, Dimitris will spend a 6-month period at Northwestern University, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Center for Surface Engineering and Tribology, under the supervision of Prof. Q. Jane Wang. During this period, he will delve into understanding the combined effect of surface roughness, assumed as a stochastic variable, and lubricant properties on the performance and durability of commonly used bearings, such as journal and thrust bearings. The Fulbright fellowship will not only enrich his understanding and expertise in the field but also expose him to an exceptionally rigorous academic environment.

Giorgos Gargalas is a sound artist, composer, and award-winning beatboxer with a diverse background in music technology, composition, and audiovisual arts.His works explores the relationship between contemporary music with video art, installations and performance. Working with topics such as human-computer interaction and sound sculpture, his pieces are framed in a wide range of electronic and electro acoustic music. He graduated from the Department of Audio and Visual Arts in Corfu in 2018, and from the Postgraduate Department of the Music University of Athens, specializing in “Music Creation for New Media” in 2021. He is currently a Ph.d. student at the Faculty of Music & Audiovisual Arts. He has won awards in competitions and festivals as a performer and sound designer.

Natali Tereza Chavez is a professional actress and a Ph.D. candidate in the Film Department of the School of Fine Arts at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in the field of Virtual, Augmented, Mixed Reality and Cinema, under the supervision of Professor Nefeli Dimitriadi. She obtained a B.A. in European and International Business and Politics from the University of Macedonia, a M.Sc. in Services Management at Athens University of Economics and Business, and an Acting Diploma accredited by the Greek Ministry of Culture. She also possesses certificates, inter alia, in Pedagogy and Teaching, Artificial Intelligence, Python and Machine Learning. As an actress she has worked with various important theatrical and film directors. Her research interests lie in the area of Virtual Actors and their expressions using anthropological, cognitive and acting theories, animation, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence tools.

As a Fulbright Visiting Research Student, she will spend 6 months in the Mixed Reality Lab at the Institute for Creative Technologies of the University of Southern California. Her main scientific aim will be a theoretical and an experimental study of acting methods translation into meaningful data in scope of creation of a virtual actor with Artificial Intelligence component and its application in cognitive sciences. The opportunity given is invaluable as she will have the chance to work with pioneers in the scientific field and at the same time she will be able to have access to the technology that Hollywood studios use. The Mixed Reality Lab and her supervisor David Nelson collaborate with major film studios and production companies and that will offer her a rich tapestry of resources, connections, and creative synergies.

Pinelopi Papadopoulou is a Ph.D. candidate at the Sanitary Engineering Laboratory of the School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) under the supervision of Professor S. Malamis. Her research is focused on Water Circular Economy and Water Reuse for potable and non-potable uses in various sectors with the main one being in Agroforestry systems. Her passion for Agroforestry started during her Bachelor/Integrated Master studies in the School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, when she also participated in a 3-month Erasmus+ traineeship program at the University of Santiago de Compostela in the city of Lugo, Galicia, Spain. During this time, she also participated in various student exchange programs, and she was gradually introduced into the Water Circular Economy and Water Reuse concept, in which she decided to specialize while combining it with agroforestry. She believes that Water Circular Economy and Reuse is of paramount importance for dryer regions like the Mediterranean as well as at a global scale, especially when it comes to water demanding activities such as agriculture. For this, she participated and obtained an M.Sc. degree in Science & Technology of Water Resources with a specialization in Water Quality and Environmental Technology from the School of Civil Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. While being a Ph.D. candidate at NTUA, she is also working in European research projects that focus on Water Circular Economy and Nature Based Solutions (NBS) like the HYDROUSA and the CARDIMED ones (both funded by the Horizon Europe programme).

As an I.K.Y. Fulbright Visiting Research Student, Pinelopi will spend a 6-month period at the University of Nevada, Reno, at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering under the supervision of Professor K. Pagilla. During this period, she will work on water reclamation for reuse through sustainable systems and materials. She will also have the chance to visit water and wastewater treatment units in the city of Reno and participate in scientific conferences across the U.S.A. She also believes that the introduction and collaboration with an international team with varying scientific backgrounds while working on the same subject, will broaden her network and possible career opportunities, while representing a milestone in her research and knowledge experience.

Sotiris Stamkos is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Ioannina, Greece, specializing in solar and space physics. His doctoral research, titled The Evolution and Propagation of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in the Solar Corona and Inner Heliosphere, offers a comprehensive analysis of the physics underlying the propagation of CMEs and their interactions with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field. By integrating advanced mathematical analysis, plasma physics, and programming, his work aims to enhance predictive models of CME arrivals at the near-Earth space environment, contributing significantly to the field of space weather. His academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in physics at the same institution, where he developed a strong foundation in mathematical analysis, advanced physics, and a desire to study celestial phenomena. This background steered him toward a masters in astrophysics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where he began his focused research on CMEs. The transition to his current Ph.D. work was marked by publishing his research article in the peer-reviewed journal, Solar Physics. This study introduced a semi-analytical approach to investigate the effects of magnetic erosion on the kinematics of CMEs. This work has established a new standard in the field by blending a theoretical model with empirical data analysis.

Sotiris received the opportunity to further his research at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University in the U.S.A., under the mentorship of Dr. Angelos Vourlidas, a recognized expert in solar physics. There, he will employ the latest data from the Parker Solar Probe missions in conjunction with advanced computational tools to refine his theoretical models, thereby enhancing the accuracy of space weather forecasting. Through the I.K.Y. Fulbright mobility program, Sotiris seeks to deepen his understanding of CME dynamics and aims to make substantial contributions to global space weather forecasting. His experience at APL will provide him with invaluable insights and skills essential for his Ph.D. studies and professional growth. Sotiris Stamkos is committed to advancing solar and space physics through innovation and collaboration. His research efforts in the United States will significantly enhance his academic and practical contributions to the field, solidifying his role as a noteworthy contributor to solar and space physics research.