Stef Van Den Elzen | Network Visualization | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Network Science

Dr. Stef Van Den Elzen | Network Visualization | Research Excellence Award

Eindhoven University of Technology | Netherlands

Dr. Stef Van Den Elzen is an accomplished expert in visual analytics, artificial intelligence, and advanced data visualization, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Visual Analytics at Eindhoven University of Technology since 2021. Prior to this, he worked as a Senior Scientist and Product Owner at Philips Research, where he led an agile team of over 15 members and drove the integration of state-of-the-art AI technologies into impactful innovations. His industry leadership includes serving as VP of Engineering at SyneRScope, guiding strategic direction, technical roadmaps, and product development, following earlier roles as Visualization Architect and Software Engineer in which he developed pioneering visual analytics techniques and supported international research projects. Dr. Van Den Elzen began his career with roles in software visualization, interactive data analysis, and educational support, and he earned his PhD in Visual Analytics for dynamic networks from Eindhoven University of Technology, graduating cum laude. He also holds a cum laude Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering with a specialization in Visualization, a minor in Game and Multimedia Technology from Utrecht University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, building a strong foundation that has enabled his innovative contributions to research, industry, and technology development.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

"Towards multi-faceted visual process analytics", S van den Elzen, M Jans, N Martin, F Pieters, C Tominski, MC Villa-Uriol, Information Systems, 2025.

"When Dimensionality Reduction Meets Graph (Drawing) Theory: Introducing a Common Framework, Challenges and Opportunities", FV Paulovich, A Arleo, S van den Elzen Computer Graphics Forum, 2025.

"Long sequences with a lot of events (LoLo): A visual analytics approach for analyzing long event sequences", S van der Linden, B Cappers, A Vilanova, S van den Elzen Information Visualization, 2025.

"Cluster-Based Random Forest Visualization and Interpretation", M Sondag, C Meinecke, D Collaris, T Von Landesberger, S Elzen, arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.22665, 2025.

"Automated Refined Comic Generation: From Investigation Provenance to Data Comics using Visual Narrative Structure", K Roggenbuck, A Vilanova, S van den Elzen, 2025 Eurographics Conference on Visualization, 2025.

Kexue Sun | Graph Data Structures | Best Researcher Award 

Published on by Network Science

Prof. Kexue Sun | Graph Data Structures | Best Researcher Award 

Nanjing University of Posts and Communications | China

Prof. Kexue Sun is a distinguished Professor at the School of Electronic and Optical Engineering and the School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (NJUPT). He earned his Ph.D. in Acoustics from the School of Physics, Nanjing University (2012–2018), an M.E. in Software Engineering from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (2004–2006), and a B.E. in Electronic Information Engineering from the Artillery Academy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Hefei (1998–2002). Prof. Sun has served NJUPT in various academic roles, including Lecturer (2007–2013), Associate Professor (2013–2020), and currently as Professor since 2020, with international experience as a Visiting Scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2018–2019). He is an active member of IEEE, a technical expert for high-tech enterprises in Jiangsu Province, and a review expert for the Degree and Graduate Education Development Center of the Ministry of Education, while also serving on the Specialized Committee on Biomedical Information Detection and Processing of the Jiangsu Society of Biomedical Engineering. His research spans Electronic Technology, FPGA Applications, Electrical and Electronic Experiments, Optoelectronic Information Materials, and Acoustic Devices. Prof. Sun has participated in over ten national and enterprise research projects, co-authored one monograph and seven textbooks, published more than 100 academic papers, and holds over 20 authorized Chinese invention patents. Additionally, he has made significant contributions to higher education research and teaching reform, leading more than ten national and provincial projects, publishing over 20 papers in this field, and earning prestigious honors such as the Teaching Model Award, the First Prize for Teaching Achievements at NJUPT, and the Special Prize for Teaching Achievements of Jiangsu Province.

Profiles: Orcid ID

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