Stratos Kontopoulos

Knowledge Graph Engineer, Foodpairing AI

Stratos Kontopoulos, PhD, is a highly accomplished knowledge scientist with 20+ years' experience bridging Semantic Web research and practical applications. His expertise spans diverse sectors including Pharma & Life Sciences, E-health, Cultural Heritage, and FoodTech, leveraging ontology engineering and knowledge graph technologies. A proven project leader and strategist, Stratos has secured international funding and successfully delivered scalable solutions across academia and industry. He is a sought-after speaker on Semantic Web technologies and their real-world impact.

Thomas Hubauer

Principal Key Expert for Knowledge Graph, Siemens

Thomas is an experienced researcher driving Knowledge Graphs at Siemens. He has a strong interest in both academic and applied research (also beyond computer science), and is excited about R&D and technology generating impact. Thomas holds a PhD in Computer Science from Hamburg University of Technology.

Ben Gardner

R&D Lead for Data Mesh / Semantic Infrastructure, AstraZeneca

Ben is R&D lead for Data Mesh and Semantic Infrastructure at AstraZeneca he is responsible for the application of graph technology in support of Information Discovery. He is focused on delivering FAIR Data-centric architecture to create multimodal integrated data sets to enable exploration and reuse of pre-clinical, clinical and Real World Evidence data.

Philippe Rocca-Serra

Senior Director - FAIR Collaboration - Data Office, AstraZeneca

Philippe, as part of the AstraZeneca R&D data office and University of Oxford e-Research Centre, builds on past FAIR-ification experiences with industry and academic efforts to encourage the sharing of common FAIR practices and the use of open-source community tools to foster interoperability and reuse.

Wilson Carey

Head of Data Engineering, Payzer

Wilson is a skilled problem solver with fifteen years of experience in solutions analysis and implementation. He has experience with a variety of industries and company sizes. Director level management experience in a highly distributed environment. Excellent written and oral communicator with extensive customer relations experience. Passion for business strategy as well as process analysis and improvement.

Barry Hurd

Fractional Digital Officer

Barry has founded, managed and grown multiple technology-based communities ranging from digital innovation labs and corporate partner ecosystems to cyber security breach teams and social media evangelists. He has been in the ‘startup scene’ for over 20 years working from seed round accelerators to M&A due-diligence for the F500. I’ve organized real world and digital events coaching hundreds of venture backed startups, coordinating an innovation community with over 40,000 members and co-founded one of the largest digital media clubs in the world. My main focus typically targets partner growth, partner evangelism, technology integration, competitive intelligence, digital acquisition, cloud strategy, market research, and vendor network analysis programs. My responsibilities often deal with multiple partners handling specialty scenarios in industry niches behind closed doors, requiring me to discover and engage new solutions for emerging problems.

Dylan Abney

Ontologist, Semantic Arts, Inc.

Dylan is an ontologist in Semantic Arts, Inc.

Pel Olson

Ontologist, Semantic Arts, Inc.

Formerly NYU Philosophy, focus on Philosophy of Language, Logic, and Philosophical Semantics, NYU Fencing Su '24 NREL Knowledge Graphs/Ontology intern. MLIS @ UW (co '25), focusing on Ontologies. Entry Ontologist for Semantic Arts.

Peter Winstanley

Ontologist

Data and metadata specialist with experience of enterprise, national and global scale projects covering semantics, Linked Data, textual analysis and machine learning.

Katariina Kari

Head of Data, In Parallel

Katariina Kari is a leading expert in semantic web technologies, recognized for building knowledge graphs that elevate customer experiences for brands like IKEA and Zalando. A global talent and frequent speaker on knowledge graphs, she holds both a Master of Science and a Master of Music, blending her passion for technology and the humanities.

Beatrice Gamba

Head of Innovation, WordLift

Beatrice Gamba is the Head of Innovation at WordLift, where she leads the development of AI-driven SEO and content optimization strategies for global enterprises. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing and tech companies, Beatrice helps businesses scale their digital efforts, leveraging knowledge graphs and AI to double organic search revenue. Her work empowers editorial teams and e-commerce platforms to innovate and thrive in the evolving web landscape. A frequent speaker at webinars and events like The Knowledge Graph Conference (2023 & 2024) and Connected Data London (2024), Beatrice is passionate about transforming digital marketing through cutting-edge technologies​

Robert Long

Chief Product & Technology Officer, Apptad Inc.

Robert is building the autonomous enterprise. He started with streaming data and HPC (High Performance Computing) in the '90s. Commodity compute technologies now exist to let him bring to reality a vision he's held for 25 years of what is possible. What's coming next will change everything!

Marina Aguado

Interoperability Coordinator & Data Lab Coordinator, European Union Agency for Railways

Marina is an accomplished expert in communication technologies for transport systems, with a particular focus on critical railway services such as train control systems. Her career began after completing her MSc in the UK, working for eight years in the control centers of major railway companies in Brazil, including CVRD, MRS Logistics, and Brasil Ferrovias. During this time, she held roles as a Telecom Network Administrator and Senior Consultant in signaling, IT, and logistics, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the complexities of railway operations. In 2004, Marina returned to Bilbao and joined UPV/EHU as an Assistant Professor, motivated by her professional experience in railway control centers and train control communication technologies. Her research culminated in a European PhD thesis titled “Broadband Communication Architecture for Train to Ground Communication Services,” supervised by Eduardo Jacob (UPV/EHU). Marina is now an Associate Professor and Senior Researcher with the I2T research group, contributing to the Master’s program in Transportation Systems on Communication Technologies for ITS. Her expertise is internationally recognized through research collaborations with institutions like IFSTTAR (France), MIT (USA), and Railtec (University of Illinois), as well as her co-leadership of EurNEX Pole 5 on Intelligent Mobility. Marina also actively engages with the global railway community as a member of the Spanish Railway Technological Platform, an Advisory Board member for the CBTC World Congress, and a frequent contributor to leading conferences and journals in the field.

Jay Yu

VP of Applied Research, RelationalAI

Jay is the VP of Applied Research at RelationalAI, a startup enhancing native data cloud with knowledge graph capabilities. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science, 32 patents, and over 25 years of industry experience, he is an expert in AI / Knowledge Graph / Big Data. He is passionate about solving complex problems, driving innovation, and aligning technology with business goals. He has a track record leading diverse teams and projects in applying knowledge graphs to enterprise applications at startups and established high-tech software companies like RelationalAI, TigerGraph, Intuit, and Teradata.

Michael Uschold

Senior Ontologist, Semantic Arts

Michael is a pioneer and leader in engineering and applying ontologies, with over 25 years of experience driving advancements in semantic technology. Known for his passion and commitment to delivering business value through cutting-edge innovation, he excels at distilling complex concepts into clear and actionable insights. With a strong background in enterprise applications, aerospace, and semantic advertising, Michael has served on numerous industrial and scientific advisory boards, bringing his expertise to research projects and journals. As a mentor, trainer, and sought-after speaker, he inspires professionals across industries to embrace semantic technology and its transformative potential. Throughout his career, Michael has achieved numerous milestones. He co-pioneered the field of ontology engineering, collaborating with Michael Gruninger to develop a methodology that remains widely used today. At Boeing, he spearheaded the use of ontologies to achieve interoperability among product design tools, laying the groundwork for production implementations still in use. He also led the creation of the influential Enterprise Ontology, crafting formal definitions for key business concepts and co-authoring a widely cited paper with lasting impact. Additionally, Michael played a key role in developing a commercial-grade contextual advertising system, leveraging ontologies, linked data, natural language processing, and machine learning to surpass revenue targets by 200%. His specialties include applied research and development in ontologies, semantic web, autonomous systems, and knowledge management, where his work continues to shape the future of semantic technology.

Rebecca Younes

Senior Ontologist, Semantic Arts

Rebecca is an accomplished IT professional with expertise in ontology design and development, semantic modeling, software development, and linguistic and text analysis. Her approach to ontology development involves close collaboration with subject matter experts to create domain models, alignment with established vocabularies, and meticulous documentation, including formal specifications and application profiles. Rebecca is also skilled in mentoring domain specialists and providing technical leadership, with her insights on semantic modeling and ontology design principles shared in papers and presentations. She has specialized in developing sophisticated ontologies for bibliographic materials and the financial services industry, demonstrating a remarkable ability to quickly master new domains and deliver complex, high-quality models. Rebecca’s diverse software development career spans a wide range of programming languages, platforms, and applications. Her work includes linked data and semantic web applications, text-to-speech systems, web applications, and a civic engagement platform for the federal regulatory process. As a text-to-speech scientist, she developed advanced text analysis components for multi-language systems, contributing modules for text normalization, morphological decomposition, phonological analysis, and more. Rebecca is a practitioner and advocate of test-driven development, model-view-controller architecture, and interface- and object-oriented programming, combining technical precision with a deep understanding of software engineering best practices.

Michael Atkin

Strategic Advisor, Semantic Arts

Michael is a seasoned strategic analyst and trusted advisor to financial institutions and market authorities, specializing in the principles, practices, and operational realities of data management. With extensive experience spanning the foundations of the information industry to the adoption of cutting-edge semantic technology, Michael is uniquely positioned to bridge traditional data practices with innovative solutions. Currently, Michael focuses on data management strategy and advisory services for both the public and private sectors. His expertise lies in helping organizations navigate complex data ecosystems, align with regulatory requirements, and leverage advanced technologies to optimize operations. As a passionate advocate for data-driven excellence, Michael combines a deep understanding of industry trends with a commitment to empowering clients through tailored strategies and actionable insights.

Steve Case

Data-Centric Ambassador, Semantic Arts

Steve is a passionate and entrepreneurial business development leader who specializes in aligning business transformation with cutting-edge technology and data innovation. With a proven track record of driving business growth, Steve excels in strategic management consulting, SaaS product delivery, and professional services implementation to maximize business outcomes. He is an expert in guiding organizations through digital transformation by reducing data complexity and delivering tailored, high-value solutions. Known for his personalized, high-touch sales approach, Steve prioritizes understanding clients' goals before recommending strategies, quickly establishing credibility and fostering trust. Dedicated to building lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with business leaders and aspiring technology professionals, Steve is committed to driving efficiency and innovation in every organization he works with. He facilitates the adoption of technologies and services that enhance business agility, automate workflows, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. A lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity, Steve collaborates with integrity and the highest professional values, employing educational selling techniques to expand market share and create sustainable revenue streams.

Joaquin Melara

Marketing Coordinator, Semantic Arts

Joaquin Melara is a highly skilled content and event producer, focusing on strategy, branding, operations, and the responsible usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Over the last four years, Joaquin has produced media and conferences around AI that have featured global industry experts from organizations such as Adobe, Amazon, BayWa r.e., IBM, LexisNexis, MIT, Roche, Schneider Electric, Stanford, and Verizon. His expertise in event production has established him as a trusted advisor in the AI community, fostering great relationships built on trust, communication, and mutual respect. In addition to event production, Joaquin offers freelance business and project management consulting services, with experience in software development, lean product development, and operational management.