Mohamed-Slim Alouini, was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He earned his Ph.D. from the California Institute ofTechnology(Caltech) in 1998 before serving as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and later at Texas A&M University at Qatar. In 2009, he became a founding faculty member at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where he currently is the Al-Khawarizmi Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the holder of the UNESCO Chair on Education to Connect the Unconnected. Dr. Alouini is a Fellow of the IEEE and OPTICA and his research interests encompass a wide array of research topics in wireless and satellite communications. He is currently particularly focusing on addressing the technical challenges associated with information and communication technologies (ICT) in underserved regions and is committed to bridging the digital divide by tackling issues related to the uneven distribution, access to, and utilization of ICT in rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas.
Mohamed-Slim Alouini, was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He earned his Ph.D. from the California Institute ofTechnology(Caltech) in 1998 before serving as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and later at Texas A&M University at Qatar. In 2009, he became a founding faculty member at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where he currently is the Al-Khawarizmi Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the holder of the UNESCO Chair on Education to Connect the Unconnected. Dr. Alouini is a Fellow of the IEEE and OPTICA and his research interests encompass a wide array of research topics in wireless and satellite communications. He is currently particularly focusing on addressing the technical challenges associated with information and communication technologies (ICT) in underserved regions and is committed to bridging the digital divide by tackling issues related to the uneven distribution, access to, and utilization of ICT in rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas.
Dr. Muhammad Alrabeiah is a technologist and assistant professor specializing in wireless
technologies. He is currently a full-time advisor to the spectrum sector of the communication,
space, and technology commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia. His contributions in that role are of
strategic and technical nature; he advises on matters related to wireless technologies and how
they utilize the radio spectrum. He also conducts and leads studies on emerging wireless
technologies, use-cases, and policies. In addition to his role at CST, Dr. Alrabeiah holds an
assistant professor position in the faculty of engineering at King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, where he contributes to the research and development of the field of wireless
communications. His contributions to the field have been published in top-tier journals and
conferences, and they have earned him a spot on Stanford’s 2023/24 list of top-2% most-cited
engineering researchers.
Dr. Muhammad Alrabeiah is a technologist and assistant professor specializing in wireless
technologies. He is currently a full-time advisor to the spectrum sector of the communication,
space, and technology commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia. His contributions in that role are of
strategic and technical nature; he advises on matters related to wireless technologies and how
they utilize the radio spectrum. He also conducts and leads studies on emerging wireless
technologies, use-cases, and policies. In addition to his role at CST, Dr. Alrabeiah holds an
assistant professor position in the faculty of engineering at King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, where he contributes to the research and development of the field of wireless
communications. His contributions to the field have been published in top-tier journals and
conferences, and they have earned him a spot on Stanford’s 2023/24 list of top-2% most-cited
engineering researchers.
Muhanned Alsaif received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State
University and a master’s degree from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST),
where his research focused on enhancing GNSS-based positioning through constrained optimization
techniques. He previously worked as a Research Engineer at SLB’s R&D Center, specializing in sensing
applications for subsurface estimation using electromagnetic waves. Currently, he serves as a Spectrum
Specialist for space services at the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), where he
focuses on spectrum management and regulatory aspects of satellite and non-terrestrial networks.
Muhanned Alsaif received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State
University and a master’s degree from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST),
where his research focused on enhancing GNSS-based positioning through constrained optimization
techniques. He previously worked as a Research Engineer at SLB’s R&D Center, specializing in sensing
applications for subsurface estimation using electromagnetic waves. Currently, he serves as a Spectrum
Specialist for space services at the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), where he
focuses on spectrum management and regulatory aspects of satellite and non-terrestrial networks.
Muhammad Salman Bashir [M'17, SM'20] is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom. From 2019 to 2023, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Communication Theory Lab (CTL) at KAUST. From 2017 to 2018, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Lahore. Dr. Bashir got his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, US, where he was a recipient of the State Department's Fulbright Science and Technology Award. He is currently an Associate Editor for IEEE Communication Letters. His research interests are in the application of signal processing and information theoretic techniques to free-space optics and laser-powering systems in non-terrestrial communication networks.
Muhammad Salman Bashir [M'17, SM'20] is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom. From 2019 to 2023, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Communication Theory Lab (CTL) at KAUST. From 2017 to 2018, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Lahore. Dr. Bashir got his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, US, where he was a recipient of the State Department's Fulbright Science and Technology Award. He is currently an Associate Editor for IEEE Communication Letters. His research interests are in the application of signal processing and information theoretic techniques to free-space optics and laser-powering systems in non-terrestrial communication networks.
Baha Eddine Youcef Belmekki (Senior Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree in wireless communications from the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse (INPT), Toulouse, France, in 2020. From 2013 to 2014, he worked as a Radio Access Network Engineer, Algiers. From 2014 to 2016, he served as a Lecturer with the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB). From 2019 to 2021, he was a Teaching and Research Assistant with INPT. From 2021 to 2024, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Communication Theory Laboratory, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. He currently holds the position of Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, U.K. His research interests center around vehicular, advanced air mobility, and non-terrestrial networks. Dr. Belmekki has received various awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2024, he was honored with the Arab Scientific Community Organization Award. He also received the Arab-American Frontiers Fellowship from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Additionally, he won the Best Paper Award at the Global Advanced Air Mobility Academic Paper Competition, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 2023, he was the winner of the Falling Walls Laboratory and was recognized as an Emerging Talent at the Berlin Falling Walls.
Baha Eddine Youcef Belmekki (Senior Member, IEEE) received the Ph.D. degree in wireless communications from the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse (INPT), Toulouse, France, in 2020. From 2013 to 2014, he worked as a Radio Access Network Engineer, Algiers. From 2014 to 2016, he served as a Lecturer with the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB). From 2019 to 2021, he was a Teaching and Research Assistant with INPT. From 2021 to 2024, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Communication Theory Laboratory, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. He currently holds the position of Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, U.K. His research interests center around vehicular, advanced air mobility, and non-terrestrial networks. Dr. Belmekki has received various awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2024, he was honored with the Arab Scientific Community Organization Award. He also received the Arab-American Frontiers Fellowship from the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Additionally, he won the Best Paper Award at the Global Advanced Air Mobility Academic Paper Competition, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 2023, he was the winner of the Falling Walls Laboratory and was recognized as an Emerging Talent at the Berlin Falling Walls.
Abdelmoula Bekkali received his MSc and Ph.D. degrees from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, in 2007 and 2010, respectively. He is currently a Research Director with Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), Spain. Previously, he held various R&D positions with major Japanese telecom operators and industry, including NTT Labs, KDDI Research Inc. and TOYO Electric Corp. His current R&D focuses on optical wireless communication systems and networks, including free-space optics (FSO) and fiber-wireless integration technologies. He holds 15+ granted patents in Japan, Korea, and the U.S. He was the recipient of the 2016 KDDI Excellent Research Award, the 2009 Waseda University Ono Azusa Memorial Academic Award, and the 26th Telecom System Technology Award from the Telecommunication Advancement Foundation (TAF) of Japan. Bekkali is IEEE Senior member since 2015 and Editor of IEEE Communication Magazine, Optical Communications and Networks Series.
Abdelmoula Bekkali received his MSc and Ph.D. degrees from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, in 2007 and 2010, respectively. He is currently a Research Director with Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), Spain. Previously, he held various R&D positions with major Japanese telecom operators and industry, including NTT Labs, KDDI Research Inc. and TOYO Electric Corp. His current R&D focuses on optical wireless communication systems and networks, including free-space optics (FSO) and fiber-wireless integration technologies. He holds 15+ granted patents in Japan, Korea, and the U.S. He was the recipient of the 2016 KDDI Excellent Research Award, the 2009 Waseda University Ono Azusa Memorial Academic Award, and the 26th Telecom System Technology Award from the Telecommunication Advancement Foundation (TAF) of Japan. Bekkali is IEEE Senior member since 2015 and Editor of IEEE Communication Magazine, Optical Communications and Networks Series.
Anas Chaaban is an associate professor at the University of British Columbia. He received the Maîtrise ès Sciences degree in electronics from Lebanese University, Lebanon, in 2006, the M.Sc. degree in communications technology and the Dr. Ing. (Ph.D.) degree in electrical engineering and information technology from the University of Ulm and the Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany, in 2009 and 2013, respectively. From 2008 to 2009, he was with the Daimler AG Research Group On Machine Vision, Ulm, Germany. He was a Research Assistant with the Emmy-Noether Research Group on Wireless Networks, University of Ulm, Germany, from 2009 to 2011, which relocated to the Ruhr-University of Bochum in 2011. He was a Post-Doctoral Researcher with the Ruhr-University of Bochum from 2013 to 2014, and with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology from 2015 to 2017. He joined the School of Engineering at the University of British Columbia in 2018. His research interests are in the areas of information theory and wireless communications.
Anas Chaaban is an associate professor at the University of British Columbia. He received the Maîtrise ès Sciences degree in electronics from Lebanese University, Lebanon, in 2006, the M.Sc. degree in communications technology and the Dr. Ing. (Ph.D.) degree in electrical engineering and information technology from the University of Ulm and the Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany, in 2009 and 2013, respectively. From 2008 to 2009, he was with the Daimler AG Research Group On Machine Vision, Ulm, Germany. He was a Research Assistant with the Emmy-Noether Research Group on Wireless Networks, University of Ulm, Germany, from 2009 to 2011, which relocated to the Ruhr-University of Bochum in 2011. He was a Post-Doctoral Researcher with the Ruhr-University of Bochum from 2013 to 2014, and with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology from 2015 to 2017. He joined the School of Engineering at the University of British Columbia in 2018. His research interests are in the areas of information theory and wireless communications.
Marwa Chafii (Senior Member, IEEE) received her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2016 and her Master’s degree in Advanced Wireless Communication Systems (SAR) in 2013, both from CentraleSupélec, France. Between 2014 and 2016, she was a visiting researcher at Poznan University of Technology (Poland), the University of York (UK), Yokohama National University (Japan), and the University of Oxford (UK). She joined the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, in 2018 as a research group leader, and ENSEA, France, in 2019 as an Associate Professor, where she held a Chair of Excellence on Artificial Intelligence from the CY Initiative. Since September 2021, she has been an Associate Professor at New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi and NYU WIRELESS at NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
She received the IEEE ComSoc Best Young Researcher Award for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, the IEEE ComSoc Best Young Professional Practitioner Award, the IEEE Glavieux Award, and the Best Ph.D. Thesis Prize in France in the fields of Signal, Image, and Vision. In 2020, she was selected among the Top 10 Rising Stars in Computer Networking and Communications by N2Women. She served as an Associate Editor for IEEE Communications Letters from 2019 to 2021, where she received the Best Editor Award in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, she was the Research Lead at Women in AI. She is currently an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Communications, serves as Vice-Chair of the IEEE ComSoc Emerging Technologies Initiative (ETI) on Machine Learning for Communications, and leads the Education Working Group of the IEEE ComSoc ETI on Integrated Sensing and Communications.
Marwa Chafii (Senior Member, IEEE) received her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2016 and her Master’s degree in Advanced Wireless Communication Systems (SAR) in 2013, both from CentraleSupélec, France. Between 2014 and 2016, she was a visiting researcher at Poznan University of Technology (Poland), the University of York (UK), Yokohama National University (Japan), and the University of Oxford (UK). She joined the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, in 2018 as a research group leader, and ENSEA, France, in 2019 as an Associate Professor, where she held a Chair of Excellence on Artificial Intelligence from the CY Initiative. Since September 2021, she has been an Associate Professor at New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi and NYU WIRELESS at NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
She received the IEEE ComSoc Best Young Researcher Award for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, the IEEE ComSoc Best Young Professional Practitioner Award, the IEEE Glavieux Award, and the Best Ph.D. Thesis Prize in France in the fields of Signal, Image, and Vision. In 2020, she was selected among the Top 10 Rising Stars in Computer Networking and Communications by N2Women. She served as an Associate Editor for IEEE Communications Letters from 2019 to 2021, where she received the Best Editor Award in 2020. From 2018 to 2021, she was the Research Lead at Women in AI. She is currently an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Communications, serves as Vice-Chair of the IEEE ComSoc Emerging Technologies Initiative (ETI) on Machine Learning for Communications, and leads the Education Working Group of the IEEE ComSoc ETI on Integrated Sensing and Communications.
Professor Julian Cheng is the Founding Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Information Science and Technology at Great Bay University, Dongguan, China. He is a Yangtze River Chair Professor of the Ministry of Education of China, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Professor Cheng received his B.Eng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Victoria, Canada, his M.Sc. degree in Applied Engineering Mathematics from Queen’s University, Canada, and his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta, Canada. After completing his Ph.D., he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Alberta. Subsequently, he held faculty positions at various Canadian universities, including The University of British Columbia (UBC) from 2006 to 2025.
Over the years, he has made significant and pioneering contributions to the field of wireless communications. He has published over 500 research papers, and his work has been cited more than 16,000 times according to Google Scholar. As a co-inventor of the Angle Difference of Arrival (ADOA) positioning method, his technology has become a core solution in indoor optical wireless positioning. Under his leadership, the UBC team achieved the world’s first demonstration of non-line-of-sight solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) signal positioning. The team also developed a UV communication platform that holds the world record for kilometer-scale transmission distance (as of 2024).
Dr. Cheng is Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC, Chair Professor in Wireless Systems (2023–2028), recipient of the 2021 Researcher of the Year Award, and served as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University (2022–2023).
Professor Julian Cheng is the Founding Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Information Science and Technology at Great Bay University, Dongguan, China. He is a Yangtze River Chair Professor of the Ministry of Education of China, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Professor Cheng received his B.Eng. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Victoria, Canada, his M.Sc. degree in Applied Engineering Mathematics from Queen’s University, Canada, and his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta, Canada. After completing his Ph.D., he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Alberta. Subsequently, he held faculty positions at various Canadian universities, including The University of British Columbia (UBC) from 2006 to 2025.
Over the years, he has made significant and pioneering contributions to the field of wireless communications. He has published over 500 research papers, and his work has been cited more than 16,000 times according to Google Scholar. As a co-inventor of the Angle Difference of Arrival (ADOA) positioning method, his technology has become a core solution in indoor optical wireless positioning. Under his leadership, the UBC team achieved the world’s first demonstration of non-line-of-sight solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) signal positioning. The team also developed a UV communication platform that holds the world record for kilometer-scale transmission distance (as of 2024).
Dr. Cheng is Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC, Chair Professor in Wireless Systems (2023–2028), recipient of the 2021 Researcher of the Year Award, and served as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University (2022–2023).
Nigel Jefferies is the Chairman of the Wireless World Research Forum, a global partnership between industry and academia to develop a research agenda for mobile communications. Previously he was Standards Development Manager at Huawei Technologies, Head of Academic Relationships for Vodafone Group Research & Development and a Principal Mathematician at Racal Research Ltd. He has led research projects including the European-funded IST project SHAMAN, which studied the security of future mobile systems, and ran the Secure Applications Steering Group for Mobile VCE. Other collaborative research projects on various aspects of security for mobile communications include 3GS3 in the UK-funded LINK programme, and ASPeCT and USECA in the European ACTS programme. His research interests include cryptography, security of systems and applications of mathematics to telecommunications. He was a member of the UK government’s 5G advisory committee. He received a PhD in functional analysis from Goldsmith's College, London, and an MA in mathematics from the Queen's College, Oxford. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE, a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and a Chartered Mathematician.
Nigel Jefferies is the Chairman of the Wireless World Research Forum, a global partnership between industry and academia to develop a research agenda for mobile communications. Previously he was Standards Development Manager at Huawei Technologies, Head of Academic Relationships for Vodafone Group Research & Development and a Principal Mathematician at Racal Research Ltd. He has led research projects including the European-funded IST project SHAMAN, which studied the security of future mobile systems, and ran the Secure Applications Steering Group for Mobile VCE. Other collaborative research projects on various aspects of security for mobile communications include 3GS3 in the UK-funded LINK programme, and ASPeCT and USECA in the European ACTS programme. His research interests include cryptography, security of systems and applications of mathematics to telecommunications. He was a member of the UK government’s 5G advisory committee. He received a PhD in functional analysis from Goldsmith's College, London, and an MA in mathematics from the Queen's College, Oxford. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE, a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and a Chartered Mathematician.
Eva Lagunas (SM'18) received the MSc and PhD degrees in telecommunications engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain, in 2010 and 2014, respectively. She held different research appointments at Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain, University of Pisa, Italy, the Center for Advanced Communications (CAC), Villanova University, PA, USA, and at the Centre Tecnologic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), Spain. Since 2014, she is with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), University of Luxembourg, where she currently holds an Assistant Professor position. Her research interests have been focused on Non-Terrestrial Networks, with emphasis on radio resource optimization, array processing, interference and spectrum management, and artificial intelligence.
Eva Lagunas (SM'18) received the MSc and PhD degrees in telecommunications engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain, in 2010 and 2014, respectively. She held different research appointments at Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain, University of Pisa, Italy, the Center for Advanced Communications (CAC), Villanova University, PA, USA, and at the Centre Tecnologic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), Spain. Since 2014, she is with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), University of Luxembourg, where she currently holds an Assistant Professor position. Her research interests have been focused on Non-Terrestrial Networks, with emphasis on radio resource optimization, array processing, interference and spectrum management, and artificial intelligence.
Alex has over 20 years’ experience as an observer and commentator on the telecoms industry, with experience from organisations including informa, the GSMA and 6GWorld. With TelcoForge, Alex and his colleagues are trying not just to observe but to encourage positive change within the industry
Alex has over 20 years’ experience as an observer and commentator on the telecoms industry, with experience from organisations including informa, the GSMA and 6GWorld. With TelcoForge, Alex and his colleagues are trying not just to observe but to encourage positive change within the industry
Jean-Paul Linnartz is a professor at Eindhoven University of Technology. He studied Optical Wireless Communication, particularly in conjunction with intelligent lighting systems. He previously was a senior director at Philips Research, heading departments focused on security, wireless communication, and integrated circuit design. From 2018 to 2024, he was a technical leader for the LiFi team at Signify Research, where he earlier had introduced the concept of “coded light” to enable applications such as indoor positioning using the lighting infrastructure. On behalf of companies like Signify, Fraunhofer, Maxlinear, and Nokia, he has served as the technical leader for the Horizon 2020 Innovation Action ELIoT, which has made significant contributions to LiFi standardization for both ITU g.hn and IEEE 802.11.
Jean-Paul Linnartz is a professor at Eindhoven University of Technology. He studied Optical Wireless Communication, particularly in conjunction with intelligent lighting systems. He previously was a senior director at Philips Research, heading departments focused on security, wireless communication, and integrated circuit design. From 2018 to 2024, he was a technical leader for the LiFi team at Signify Research, where he earlier had introduced the concept of “coded light” to enable applications such as indoor positioning using the lighting infrastructure. On behalf of companies like Signify, Fraunhofer, Maxlinear, and Nokia, he has served as the technical leader for the Horizon 2020 Innovation Action ELIoT, which has made significant contributions to LiFi standardization for both ITU g.hn and IEEE 802.11.
Yuanwei Liu is a tenured full Professor in Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). His research interests include next generation multiple access, integrated sensing and communications reconfigurable intelligent surface, and near-field communications. His research results have been published in prestigious IEEE top journals such as Proceedings of IEEE, IEEE JSAC/TWC/TCOM, which attracts over 20,000 Google Scholar citations. He is listed as one of 35 Innovators Under 35 China in 2022 by MIT Technology Review and a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher since 2021. He serves as an IEEE Communication Society Distinguished Lecturer, an IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Distinguished Lecturer, the academic Chair for the Next Generation Multiple Access Emerging Technology Initiative, the rapporteur of ETSI Industry Specification Group on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces on work item of “Multi-functional Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS): Modelling, Optimisation, and Operation”, and the UK representative for the URSI Commission C on “Radio communication Systems and Signal Processing” (2023-2024). He received IEEE ComSoc Outstanding Young Researcher Award for EMEA in 2020. He received the 2020 IEEE Signal Processing and Computing for Communications (SPCC) Technical Committee Early Achievement Award, IEEE Communication Theory Technical Committee (CTTC) 2021 Early Achievement Award. He received IEEE ComSoc Outstanding Nominee for Best Young Professionals Award in 2021.
Yuanwei Liu is a tenured full Professor in Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). His research interests include next generation multiple access, integrated sensing and communications reconfigurable intelligent surface, and near-field communications. His research results have been published in prestigious IEEE top journals such as Proceedings of IEEE, IEEE JSAC/TWC/TCOM, which attracts over 20,000 Google Scholar citations. He is listed as one of 35 Innovators Under 35 China in 2022 by MIT Technology Review and a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher since 2021. He serves as an IEEE Communication Society Distinguished Lecturer, an IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Distinguished Lecturer, the academic Chair for the Next Generation Multiple Access Emerging Technology Initiative, the rapporteur of ETSI Industry Specification Group on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces on work item of “Multi-functional Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS): Modelling, Optimisation, and Operation”, and the UK representative for the URSI Commission C on “Radio communication Systems and Signal Processing” (2023-2024). He received IEEE ComSoc Outstanding Young Researcher Award for EMEA in 2020. He received the 2020 IEEE Signal Processing and Computing for Communications (SPCC) Technical Committee Early Achievement Award, IEEE Communication Theory Technical Committee (CTTC) 2021 Early Achievement Award. He received IEEE ComSoc Outstanding Nominee for Best Young Professionals Award in 2021.
Issam Maaz is a communications engineer and researcher specializing in wireless networks, channel modeling, and the design of next-generation systems. He earned his PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Télécom Paris in 2015.
Issam’s career spans both academia and industry, reflecting a deep commitment to innovation and knowledge transfer. In academia, he served as an Assistant Professor for several years, where he taught and led research initiatives in MIMO systems, radio environmental mapping, and emerging 4G/5G technologies.
In the industry, Issam has contributed to high-impact R&D projects with Orange labs France, focusing on advanced communication systems. Currently, he serves as the Head of Advanced Research for Middle East at Keysight Technologies, where he leads strategic initiatives in 6G, quantum technologies, and other frontier domains. His work bridges theoretical research and practical implementation, driving the evolution of future communication systems in the Middle East region.
Issam Maaz is a communications engineer and researcher specializing in wireless networks, channel modeling, and the design of next-generation systems. He earned his PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Télécom Paris in 2015.
Issam’s career spans both academia and industry, reflecting a deep commitment to innovation and knowledge transfer. In academia, he served as an Assistant Professor for several years, where he taught and led research initiatives in MIMO systems, radio environmental mapping, and emerging 4G/5G technologies.
In the industry, Issam has contributed to high-impact R&D projects with Orange labs France, focusing on advanced communication systems. Currently, he serves as the Head of Advanced Research for Middle East at Keysight Technologies, where he leads strategic initiatives in 6G, quantum technologies, and other frontier domains. His work bridges theoretical research and practical implementation, driving the evolution of future communication systems in the Middle East region.
Cunhua Pan is a full professor in Southeast University. His research interests mainly include reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), AI for Wireless, near field communications and sensing, and integrated sensing and communications. He has published over 200 IEEE journal papers. His papers got over 20,000 Google Scholar citations with H-index of 73. He is Clarivate Highly Cited researcher. He is/was an Editor of IEEE Transaction on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, IEEE Wireless Communication Letters, and IEEE Communications Letters. He serves as the (leading) guest editors for IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, IEEE Internet of Things, IEEE Network Magazine, IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, IEEE Internet of Things Magazine, IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking. He received the IEEE ComSoc Leonard G. Abraham Prize in 2022, IEEE ComSoc Asia-Pacific Outstanding Young Researcher Award in 2022, IEEE ComSoc Fred W. Ellersick Prize in 2024, IEEE ComSoc CTTC Early Achievement Award in 2024, IEEE ComSoc SPCC Early Achievement Award in 2024, and IEEE ComSoc RCC Early Achievement Award in 2025. His supervised Phd thesis won the IEEE Signal Processing Society Best Phd Dissertation Award.
Cunhua Pan is a full professor in Southeast University. His research interests mainly include reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), AI for Wireless, near field communications and sensing, and integrated sensing and communications. He has published over 200 IEEE journal papers. His papers got over 20,000 Google Scholar citations with H-index of 73. He is Clarivate Highly Cited researcher. He is/was an Editor of IEEE Transaction on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, IEEE Wireless Communication Letters, and IEEE Communications Letters. He serves as the (leading) guest editors for IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, IEEE Internet of Things, IEEE Network Magazine, IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, IEEE Internet of Things Magazine, IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking. He received the IEEE ComSoc Leonard G. Abraham Prize in 2022, IEEE ComSoc Asia-Pacific Outstanding Young Researcher Award in 2022, IEEE ComSoc Fred W. Ellersick Prize in 2024, IEEE ComSoc CTTC Early Achievement Award in 2024, IEEE ComSoc SPCC Early Achievement Award in 2024, and IEEE ComSoc RCC Early Achievement Award in 2025. His supervised Phd thesis won the IEEE Signal Processing Society Best Phd Dissertation Award.
Gaofeng Pan received the B.Sc. degree in communication engineering from Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China, in 2005, and the Ph.D. degree in communication and information systems from Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China, in 2011. He is currently with the School of Cyberspace Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, China, as a Professor. His research interests span special topics in communications theory, signal processing, and protocol design. He is serving as the editor for several journals, e.g., IEEE Transactions on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, etc.
Gaofeng Pan received the B.Sc. degree in communication engineering from Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China, in 2005, and the Ph.D. degree in communication and information systems from Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China, in 2011. He is currently with the School of Cyberspace Science and Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, China, as a Professor. His research interests span special topics in communications theory, signal processing, and protocol design. He is serving as the editor for several journals, e.g., IEEE Transactions on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, etc.
Majid Safari received Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada in 2011. He is currently a Professor of Optical and Wireless Communications and the Deputy Head of Institute for Imaging, Data, and Communications (IDCOM) at the University of Edinburgh. He is a recipient of Mitacs Fellowship, Canada and prestigious grants from Leverhulme Trust and EPSRC, UK. He has published more than 150 papers and received best paper awards from IEEE GLOBECOM 2022, IEEE ICC 2023, and IEEE WCNC 2025. Prof Safari's main research interests include the application of optics, information theory, and signal processing in optical, wireless, and quantum communications. Prof Safari is a senior member of IEEE and has served as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Communications and IEEE Communication Letters. He has also served as the TPC co-chair of the OWC workshop at IEEE WCNC 2023 and IEEE GLOBECOM 2024.
Majid Safari received Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada in 2011. He is currently a Professor of Optical and Wireless Communications and the Deputy Head of Institute for Imaging, Data, and Communications (IDCOM) at the University of Edinburgh. He is a recipient of Mitacs Fellowship, Canada and prestigious grants from Leverhulme Trust and EPSRC, UK. He has published more than 150 papers and received best paper awards from IEEE GLOBECOM 2022, IEEE ICC 2023, and IEEE WCNC 2025. Prof Safari's main research interests include the application of optics, information theory, and signal processing in optical, wireless, and quantum communications. Prof Safari is a senior member of IEEE and has served as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Communications and IEEE Communication Letters. He has also served as the TPC co-chair of the OWC workshop at IEEE WCNC 2023 and IEEE GLOBECOM 2024.
Lokman Sboui (S’11-M’17-SM’23) received his Diplôme d’Ingénieur degree with honors from École Polytechnique de Tunisie (EPT), La Marsa, Tunisia, in 2011, his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2013 and 2017, respectively.
He is currently an Associate Professor at École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS), Montréal, Canada in the Department of System Engineering. He was a certification analyst for mobile devices at Vidéotron, a Canadian telecom operator located in Québec, between 2020 and 2021. Prof. Sboui is with IEEE Wireless Communications Letters Editorial Board since 2021. His current research interests include: LEO Satellites for IoT, Energy Efficient Wireless Communications, Automation,
Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Edge Computer Vision, Cognitive Radio, Industrial Digital Twins, VoIP Protocols.
Lokman Sboui (S’11-M’17-SM’23) received his Diplôme d’Ingénieur degree with honors from École Polytechnique de Tunisie (EPT), La Marsa, Tunisia, in 2011, his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2013 and 2017, respectively.
He is currently an Associate Professor at École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS), Montréal, Canada in the Department of System Engineering. He was a certification analyst for mobile devices at Vidéotron, a Canadian telecom operator located in Québec, between 2020 and 2021. Prof. Sboui is with IEEE Wireless Communications Letters Editorial Board since 2021. His current research interests include: LEO Satellites for IoT, Energy Efficient Wireless Communications, Automation,
Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Edge Computer Vision, Cognitive Radio, Industrial Digital Twins, VoIP Protocols.
Prof. Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir is a Professor of Wireless Communication and the Director of Digital Connectivity and Innovation Centre at the University of the West of Scotland. With over 20 years of experience, he has secured nearly £9 million in research funding from organizations including Innovate UK, the ERASMUS program, the UK Government, Qatar National Research Fund, the British Council, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Scottish Government. His research spans advanced digital technologies, focusing on 5G/6G networks, IoT, and AI. Prof. Shakir has published over 200 research articles, contributed to ten books, and received multiple awards, including Innovate UK's Award of Excellence (2023, 2018), the CEED award 2025, the Herald Higher Education Award (2023), and the IEEE Fred W. Ellersick Award (2021). He actively contributes to IEEE events such as Globecom and ICC and serves as executive chair for IEEE ICC 2026 in Glasgow. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland, highlighting his commitment to both academia and technology.
Prof. Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir is a Professor of Wireless Communication and the Director of Digital Connectivity and Innovation Centre at the University of the West of Scotland. With over 20 years of experience, he has secured nearly £9 million in research funding from organizations including Innovate UK, the ERASMUS program, the UK Government, Qatar National Research Fund, the British Council, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Scottish Government. His research spans advanced digital technologies, focusing on 5G/6G networks, IoT, and AI. Prof. Shakir has published over 200 research articles, contributed to ten books, and received multiple awards, including Innovate UK's Award of Excellence (2023, 2018), the CEED award 2025, the Herald Higher Education Award (2023), and the IEEE Fred W. Ellersick Award (2021). He actively contributes to IEEE events such as Globecom and ICC and serves as executive chair for IEEE ICC 2026 in Glasgow. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland, highlighting his commitment to both academia and technology.
Dr. Halim Yanikomeroglu is a Chancellor’s Professor at Carleton University, Canada, and the Founding Director of Carleton-NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) Lab. He is among the handful of academics recognized for substantial and impactful contributions in all three layers of NTN: aerial (UAVs), near-space (high altitude platform stations, HAPS), and space (satellites) networks. He has been among the champions of the UAV base station concept. He coauthored the highest number of papers in literature in HAPS networks. Dr. Yanikomeroglu has led several large-scale and high-profile collaborative research projects with industry (Canadian and international), the Government of Canada agencies, as well as the academic institutions and research centres around the world. His extensive collaboration with industry has resulted in 42 granted patents (most of his IP have been successfully transferred to industry). He has coauthored a high number of papers in 33 different IEEE journals. He gives around 25 invited seminars, keynotes, panel talks, and tutorials every year. He supervised or hosted in his lab 180 postgraduate researchers. Dr. Yanikomeroglu is a Fellow of several scholarly societies, including IEEE, the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA); he served as a Distinguished Speaker for the IEEE Communications Society and the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. He served as the General Chair, Technical Program Chair, and Steering Committee Chair/Member of several major international IEEE conferences as well as in the editorial boards of several IEEE periodicals. He is currently serving in various governance and leadership roles in the IEEE. Dr. Yanikomeroglu received several awards for his research, teaching, and service. He holds a BSc degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the Middle East Technical University (Türkiye), and MASc and PhD degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Toronto (Canada).
Dr. Halim Yanikomeroglu is a Chancellor’s Professor at Carleton University, Canada, and the Founding Director of Carleton-NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) Lab. He is among the handful of academics recognized for substantial and impactful contributions in all three layers of NTN: aerial (UAVs), near-space (high altitude platform stations, HAPS), and space (satellites) networks. He has been among the champions of the UAV base station concept. He coauthored the highest number of papers in literature in HAPS networks. Dr. Yanikomeroglu has led several large-scale and high-profile collaborative research projects with industry (Canadian and international), the Government of Canada agencies, as well as the academic institutions and research centres around the world. His extensive collaboration with industry has resulted in 42 granted patents (most of his IP have been successfully transferred to industry). He has coauthored a high number of papers in 33 different IEEE journals. He gives around 25 invited seminars, keynotes, panel talks, and tutorials every year. He supervised or hosted in his lab 180 postgraduate researchers. Dr. Yanikomeroglu is a Fellow of several scholarly societies, including IEEE, the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA); he served as a Distinguished Speaker for the IEEE Communications Society and the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. He served as the General Chair, Technical Program Chair, and Steering Committee Chair/Member of several major international IEEE conferences as well as in the editorial boards of several IEEE periodicals. He is currently serving in various governance and leadership roles in the IEEE. Dr. Yanikomeroglu received several awards for his research, teaching, and service. He holds a BSc degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the Middle East Technical University (Türkiye), and MASc and PhD degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Toronto (Canada).
