Project Partners
University of Macerata (Coordinator)
Prof. Benedetta Giovanola
Benedetta Giovanola is Full Professor of Ethics at the University of Macerata, where she was also Deputy Rector and Vice-Rector for International Relations and Jean Monnet Chairholder (EDIT – Ethics for a Digital Inclusive Europe). She is currently the Co-holder of the UNESCO Chair on AI Ethics and Practical Wisdom and the vice-president of SEPAI – Society for the Ethics and Politics of AI. She is also the Director of the international Ph.D. program Politics, Society, Technology and the President and co-founder of GAIA srl, an academic spin-off and innovative start up focused on AI ethics and Governance. She is Principal Investigator and Ethics Advisor in multiple EU-funded projects, expert evaluator for the European Commission, and a regular visiting professor at Tufts University, US. Her research focuses on digital ethics, AI ethics and governance, theories of justice, media ethics, and business ethics. She is experienced in supervising Ph.D. candidates and has authored 9 books and 200+ publications in leading international journals.
benedetta.giovanola@unimc.it
Prof. Simone Calzolaio
Simone Calzolaio is associate professor of Constitutional Law at University of Macerata. His main fields of interest and research are public and regional law, internet law, data protection law. He has dealt with topics related to the sources of law, regional law, information and communication law and the internet, and personal data protection. He has participated and is involved in several funded European projects, including a European Industrial PhD. He teaches several university Master's courses on personal data protection, Internet governance, PA digitalisation. He is a lawyer and a data protection practitioner certificated by ICS (Irish Computer Society) in 2018.
simone.calzolaio@unimc.it
Dr. Simona Tiribelli
Simona Tiribelli is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Ethics at the University of Macerata. She is also Director for AI Ethics at the Public Innovation Institute, AI policy research center founded at MIT (Boston, US), and co-founder of GAIA srl, spin-off of the University of Macerata specialized in ethical-legal assessment and AI governance of AI solutions. She holds an European PhD cum laude in the AI ethics field from the University of Macerata and is former Fulbright Visiting Fellow in AI Ethics at the MIT Media Lab (2020) and Visiting scholar at New York University (2023). Her research primarily focuses on digital ethics and AI ethics. She authored two books and 45+ publications in leading international journals, and delivered 80+ invited talks in academic institutions worldwide. She also serves as Associate Editor for AI Ethics and Governance at the Journal of Responsible Technology (Elsevier) and as Ethics Advisor for several international research projects funded by the European Commission.
simona.tiribelli@unimc.it
Dr. Stefano Torregiani
Stefano Torregiani is a research fellow at the Department of Legal Sciences of the University of Florence and adjunct professor of Data Governance Law at the University of Macerata. His expertise are in Public Law and Digital Technology and Privacy Law. His research interests include Data Law, Data Protection Law and Data Governance and their impact on the implementation of new technologies in sectors like smart cities and health. He authored scientific papers in top journals concerning the analysis of the impact produced by the European Data Law on the development of ICTs. He participated in national and international projects in the role of Key Person on the implementation of the European legal framework in relation to new technologies.
stefano.torregiani@unimc.itBarbara Chiucconi
Project manager
Barbara Chiucconi (F), head of the Grant office, experienced project manager of several EU and H2020 research projects (POREEN, CHETCH, ALICE, DESIGN-MTS, TRUST, GRAGE, HEART, ERUA).
Maastricht University
Prof. Gaby Odekerken-Schröder
Gaby Odekerken's professional interest and expertise is heavily inspired by the current service economy. Fascinated by managerial questions of how to create a unique customer experience, in a complex value network or how to infuse new technology in retail or healthcare settings, she enjoys developing new courses or embarks on innovative research projects with PhD candidates, co-authors and industry stakeholders. She is experienced in supervising PhD candidates and her research has been published in leading international journals. Prof. Odekerken is passionate about (international) triple helix cooperations, involving government, industry and university. Her participation as a researcher and partner in large EU consortia as well as in regional subsidy initiatives, enable her to transfer and validate her scientific knowledge.
g.odekerken@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Prof. Dominik Mahr
Dominik Mahr is Professor of Digital Innovation & Marketing and Scientific Director of the UMIO Innovate at Maastricht University. He co-founded the Digital Experience Lab (DEXLab) and the Maastricht Center for Robots (MCR), where he works at the intersection of technology, science, and society. His research centers on human digitalization, examining how data-driven and emerging technologies shape individuals, organizations, and society at large. His work integrates research, education, and practice. He is experienced in supervising PhD candidates and publishing in top high-impact international journals across innovation, management, marketing, service research, policy, robotics, healthcare, design, education, and information systems.
d.mahr@maastrichtuniversity.nlKU Leuven
Prof. Bart Vanrumste
Professor in biomedical signal processing and AI applications.
bart.vanrumste@kuleuven.be
Dr. Moran Gilat
Assistant professor in movement disorders and gait analysis.
moran.gilat@kuleuven.be
Dr. Melkamu Hunegnaw Asmare
Postdoctoral researcher with experience in biomedical engineering, health AI, and capacity building across Europe and Africa. His work focuses on developing and translating AI-enabled, affordable diagnostic and decision-support technologies (biosignals, wearables, and digital health), with a strong emphasis on responsible and explainable AI, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world deployment.
melkamuhunegnaw.asmare@kuleuven.be
Prof. Jens-Uwe Voigt
Professor in cardiology and medical imaging.
jensuwe.voigt@uzleuven.beRadboudumc
Dr. Jorik Nonnekes
Jorik Nonnekes is a consultant in rehabilitation medicine and associate professor at the Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Both his clinical and scientific work is dedicated to the study of gait impairments in neurological diseases, with specific emphasis on gait impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD), rare and inherited movement disorders and upper motor neuron lesions. Dr. Nonnekes leads his own research group and has published more than 160 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. He leads several international consortia that focus on gait impairments in PD. He was awarded with an Early Career Award from The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2020) and an Early Career Award from the International Society for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (2023).
Jorik.nonnekes@radboudumc.nl
Dr. Lotte van de Venis
Lotte van de Venis is a physical therapist and postdoctoral researcher at the Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Her clinical and scientific work focusses on the study of balance and gait disorders in neurological conditions, with a particular interest in rare and inherited movement disorders and Parkinson’s disease. She was awarded the Adolf Strümpell Award from the Federation of European HSP Associations, and the Young Scientist Award from the international Congress on NeuroRehabilitation and Neural Repair.
lotte.vandevenis@radboudumc.nlUniversity of Cape Town
Prof. Liesl Zuhlke
Professor Liesl Zühlke is Vice President of the South African Medical Research Council and a paediatric cardiologist at Red Cross Children's Hospital and UCT. A global leader in rheumatic and congenital heart disease, her work spans clinical care, implementation science, genetics, and health systems strengthening. She is committed to advancing equity, empowering women in medicine, and shaping a resilient, inclusive research ecosystem across Africa. She has over 250 publications, conference proceedings and book chapters, an h-index of 64, she has been cited over 88,000 times and was the 2018 recipient of the MRC/Dfid African Research Leader Award, the Winner of the NRF award for Social Impact in Research, the International Metrodora Award for Public Health and Research and the UCT Vice-Chancellor's Alan Pfifer Award for research. She was recently inducted into the prestigious UCT College of Fellows, UCT's highest academic honour, inducted in 2024 into The World Academy of Science, a Member of the South African Academy of Sciences (MASSAf) and is NRF-B1 rated.
liesl.zuhlke@uct.ac.zaAssociated Partners
Delft University of Technology
Dr. Benjamin Filtjens
Benjamin Filtjens is an Assistant Professor at TU Delft. He earned his PhD at KU Leuven and subsequently held postdoctoral appointments at KU Leuven and the University Health Network. His research advances machine learning methods to model and interpret human movement, with a focus on robust movement analysis, AI-enabled rehabilitation technologies, and translation to clinical practice. His goal is to enable reliable measurement outside the lab and support personalized therapy that improve patients' quality of life. He conducts this research together with a team of four talented PhD candidates, whom he supervises as a co-supervisor. In 2025, he was awarded with the Emerging Scientist Award from the International Society of Posture and Gait Research.
University of Pretoria
Prof. Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem
Prof of Philosophy, is member of the UN High-level Advisory Board on AI; she leads AI ethics research group at Centre for AI Research in ZA. Expertise: AI ethics, human-technology relations, with focus on Global South. With an extensive publication record, she is/was supervisor of 13 PhD.
PathCheck Foundation
Peter Choi
Choi holds a Master of Bioethics (M.B.E.) from Harvard University, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Neuroscience & Education from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Sociology from Emory University. Following his confirmation by the Board of Directors, Choi will lead efforts to expand global partnerships, drive policy innovation, and advance AI-driven public health initiatives that uphold the foundation’s mission of promoting ethical, privacy-first digital solutions for a rapidly evolving world.
Be Ethical
Dr. Enrico Panai
Founding Director of Be Ethical, with more than 20 years of experience as a senior consultant in AI Ethics, expert in standards regarding AI Ethics and Responsible AI. He has (co-)authored over 20 international peer-reviewed papers. He is (co)supervisor of 5 PhD students.
Alessio Tartaro
Alessio Tartaro (M), junior researcher at BeEthical. His research focuses on the role of technical standards as a regulatory tool for AI in the context of the AI Act, with active participation in ISO/IEC, ETSI, and CENCENELEC technical committees on AI.
Eurocentro
Claudio Carlone
Claudio Carlone (M), Director, has 25 years of experience in managing complex national/transnational projects. Extensive experience in training and life-long learning projects, coordination of training courses and aspects linked to innovative training concepts, validation of competencies and guidance. Experience in training researchers/postgraduates on EU project management and design and in project communication.
Maria Nygren
Maria Nygren (F) has expertise (25 years) in EU project development and management, with experience in communication and training activities (Communication Plans/strategies, information material, publications, etc.). Experience in training on project communication.
University of Johannesburg
To Be Announced
This position is currently actively being recruited.
Tufts University
Dr. Josephine Wolff
Associate prof. of cybersecurity policy, director of the Hitachi Center. She published 2 books, 3 book chapters, 11 journal articles, 6 refereed conference proceedings papers, and numerous conference papers and op-eds. She was/is (co) supervised 6 PhDs and several postdocs.
MeanderGroep
Mieke Fransen
Director of Long-Term care facilities, 20 years of experience in providing advanced healthcare services in collaboration with universities, companies, caregivers (within the Living Lab Elderly Care).
Hilde Verbeek
Hilde Verbeek (F), scientific collaborator at MZL and prof. of Health Service Research specializing in LongTerm Care at MU and (her chair is co-funded by MZL). She will supervise DC3 in investigating concrete practices of co-creation in healthcare.
Altuition
Wilfred Achthoven
Managing and Founding Partner, degree in Philosophy and Computer Science, specializations in Logic & Epistemology, Expertise Customer Experience Strategy & Governance and Behavioral Economics. He has (co)authored a management book used in higher education.
Emory University
Dr. Lucas McKay
Associate Prof. of Biomedical Informatics and Neurology. He has used signal processing and machine learning to study gait and balance in Parkinson’s disease since 2012. He has co(authored) 100+ peer reviewed papers. He is/has supervised 5 graduate students and 5 clinical or postdoctoral fellows.
Prof. Gari Clifford
Prof. and Chair of the Dep of Biomedical Informatics, specializes in utilizing machine learning to integrate diverse healthcare data for cost reduction, accuracy improvement, and enhanced access. He (co)authored 215+ peer-reviewed papers. Holding 5 patents, he supervised 25+ Ph.D. and 25+ postdocs.
Cue2Walk
Sander Minnoye
Former lecturer at TU Delft's Industrial Design master and Technical Director & Founder of Cue2Walk Int. driving the development of device for people with Parkinson’s disorders. His expertise is in industrial design, biomechanical engineering and has over 15 years of medical product development.
Martijn van der Ent
Lecturer and researcher at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Medical Director and Founder of Cue2Walk Int. He brings expertise in Movement Sciences, Industrial Design, and has over 17 years of experience in multidisciplinary development of technology for health.