Invited Speakers



 

 

 

Assoc. Prof. Ting Zou
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada

Biography: Ting Zou received the B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering and the M.Sc. degree in automatic control engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China, and the Ph.D. degree in robotics and mechatronics from McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. Afterward, she joined the Centre for Intelligent Machines of McGill University as a Postdoctoral fellow, working on the optimum design of the next-generation multi-speed transmissions for electric vehicles and nonlinear motion control of autonomous tracked vehicles for mining drilling operations. She is currently an Associate Professor with the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada. Her current research interests include mechanism design and control of biologically inspired robots, advanced human–robot interaction, machine learning for robotic applications, soft robots, and MEMS. Dr. Zou is a senior Member of the IEEE, and member of ASME, Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineers, and Canadian Committee for the Theory of Machines and Mechanisms.

 



 

 

 

Asst. Researcher Kuo-Chin Jong
National Institutes of Applied Research, Taiwan

Biography: Dr. Kuo-Chin Jong received his Ph.D. degree in Photonics and Optoelectronics from National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, in 2010. He is currently an Assistant Researcher at the Science & Technology Policy Research and Information Center, National Institutes of Applied Research, Taipei, Taiwan.
His research focuses on patent landscape analysis, innovation strategy, and emerging technology policy. In particular, he is interested in developing purpose-driven innovation models and applying them to strategic foresight, enabling policymakers and industry leaders to better understand the evolving dynamics of advanced technologies such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Dr. Jong actively integrates patent analytics with innovation frameworks to provide actionable insights that bridge science, technology, and policy.

 



 

 

 

Asst. Prof. John Carlo Torres
National University–Lipa, Philippines

Biography: Engr. John Carlo Torres, CCpE, is an Assistant Professor at National University–Lipa, Philippines, and is currently pursuing his Doctor in Information Technology (DIT) at National University, Philippines. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Batangas State University – The National Engineering University and his Master of Science in Information Technology from Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas.

He has more than three years of professional IT industry experience as an administrator and consultant, and over four years in academia as professor. His expertise covers artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, embedded systems, robotics, and automotive technologies.

Engr. Torres has published and presented several research papers in areas such as convolutional neural networks, autonomous vehicle systems, AI-driven solutions, and industry–academia collaboration. An internationally invited speaker, mentor, and robotics coach, he delivers seminars and workshops on embedded systems, programming logic, machine learning, and automotive technologies, inspiring emerging engineers to innovate in mechatronics, control, and robotics.

 



 

 

 

Dr. Wesley Chorney
Mississippi State University, USA

Biography: Wesley Chorney received a B.Sc. (hons) mathematics from Simon Fraser University, a M.Sc. in data science from the University of Edinburgh, and a Ph.D. in computational engineering from Mississippi State University.

His research predominantly focuses on the use of artificial intelligence methods applied to the healthcare field, with a special interest in risk assessment and robotics in cardiothoracic surgery. He has published research in robotics, combinatorial quantum field theory, artificial intelligence in medicine, and artificial intelligence in agriculture.