Maria Loi is a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , University of Groningen, leading the Photophysics and OptoElectronics group. With over 321 research outputs and 17 datasets, her work focuses on the photophysics and optoelectronics of novel semiconductors including perovskites and quantum dots. Her research aims to understand and optimize semiconductor properties for applications in solar cells, LEDs, and photodetectors. Notable contributions include advancements in tin-based perovskites and unraveling hot carrier dynamics that challenge Shockley-Queisser limits. Scientific Awards : ERC Advanced Grant (2022) ERC Starting Grant (2013) Physica Prijs (2018) Fellowships: American Physical Society (2020), KNAW (2022), Royal Society of Chemistry (2022), EURASC (2022) Recent Trends : 2024-2025 publications emphasize defect passivation , scalable fabrication methods , hot carrier dynamics , and neuromorphic device applications in tin-lead and low-dimensional perovskites.
Hiroko H. Dodge is a Full Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and serves as Director of Research Analytics at the Interdisciplinary Brain Center, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Her work bridges clinical neurology, data science, and epidemiology with a focus on dementia research. Dr. Dodge's research spans multiple critical areas in aging and cognitive decline, with particular emphasis on clinical trials (both behavioral and pharmacological) in dementia research. Her expertise includes the epidemiology of dementia, application of demographic methods to clinical fields, and advanced data science approaches to understanding cognitive aging. She has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between social isolation and cognitive decline, as demonstrated through her leadership of the Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial (I-CONECT). Her work explores how social engagement, environmental factors, and nutritional status impact cognitive trajectories in older adults. Dr. Dodge has pioneered research on digital biomarkers for early detection of cognitive impairment, utilizing computerized cognitive testing, speech analysis, and facial expression recognition through projects like the ARMADA study. She has also investigated the role of environmental exposures such as air quality and lead in dementia risk. Editorial Board Member for The Journals of Gerontology Series B Editorial Board Member for Alzheimer's & Dementia Associate Editor for Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions Her research has been widely recognized, with 445 publications that have garnered over 15,000 citations. Dr. Dodge leads innovative clinical trials and methodology development for dementia research, including decentralized trial approaches and synthetic control methods that address challenges in contemporary Alzheimer's disease therapeutic development. She leads "Hiroko Hayama Dodge's Lab" which focuses on innovative approaches to dementia research, particularly through the integration of technology and clinical assessment. Her I-CONECT project, which investigates the impact of frequent social interactions via webcam/internet on cognitive function in socially isolated older adults, represents a novel approach to dementia prevention. Dr. Dodge collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, with notable partnerships at Oregon Health & Science University and other leading research centers.
Arend van Peer is a Researcher in Plant Breeding at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in fungal biology and biotechnology. His work focuses on leveraging white rot fungi for applications in sustainable agriculture, including lignocellulosic biomass conversion, mycelium-based materials, and improving feed quality for ruminants. Key projects include developing circular leather alternatives and optimizing fungal strains for industrial uses. He leads initiatives like the 'Right Fungus for the Right Job' program and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects bridging horticulture and mushroom cultivation. Peer has contributed to genomic studies of Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus species, advancing understanding of fungal genetics and reproductive mechanisms. His research integrates molecular biology, genomics, and applied biotechnology to address agricultural challenges. Notable achievements include pioneering agar-based screening methods for fungal incompatibility and co-developing the DigiFungi educational software. Peer actively participates in academic and professional seminars, emphasizing circular economy principles and cross-sectoral innovation.
Sander G. Huisman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics of Fluids at the University of Twente. His research focuses on turbulence, multiphase flows, and thermal dynamics, with a particular emphasis on bubble dynamics, drag reduction mechanisms, and melting processes in various fluid environments. He has contributed extensively to experimental and theoretical studies in Taylor-Couette turbulence, thermal mixing optimization, and the effects of salinity on fluid systems. His work spans across fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and materials science. His research interests include exploring the interplay between turbulence and multiphase phenomena, such as bubbly drag reduction in rotating systems and the dynamics of melting ice in saline and fresh water. Recent studies have also delved into particle dynamics in turbulent flows, including anisotropic particles and chiral orientations. Notable contributions include advancements in thermal mixing enhancement via bubble manipulation and the development of experimental methods for tracking particle orientation in complex flows. His work often utilizes state-of-the-art facilities like the Twente Turbulent Taylor-Couette (T³C) system and employs cutting-edge data analysis techniques for multiphase flow characterization. Supervised 10 research works, contributing to datasets on topics such as solvent exchange in jets, bubble coalescence inhibition, and melting dynamics. Collaborations span international institutions, reflecting his global impact in fluid dynamics research.
Guus Rijnders is a Full Professor at the University of Twente in the Department of Inorganic Materials Science. His research focuses on advanced materials synthesis and characterization, particularly thin films, oxide materials, and ferroelectric systems. With expertise in pulsed laser deposition techniques, he investigates novel materials for electronic, energy storage, and sensor applications. Research interests encompass nanomaterials science, with emphasis on designing and optimizing functional materials through controlled growth processes. Key areas include perovskite oxides for energy applications, nanoscale ferroelectric phenomena, and developing oxide superlattices with tailored electronic properties. His work bridges fundamental materials science with device engineering for next-generation technologies. Recent publications demonstrate extensive work on ferroelectric capacitors, perovskite thin films, and oxide interfaces. Research trends show consistent focus on energy storage materials, nanoscale characterization techniques, and novel synthesis methods for complex oxides. Articles frequently explore structure-property relationships in functional materials with applications in electronics and energy conversion. He maintains active collaborations across Europe and internationally, contributing to multidisciplinary projects in materials research. His group utilizes advanced fabrication and characterization facilities at the MESA+ Institute.
Paula Chanfreut Palacio is an Assistant Professor in the Control Systems Technology section of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). She joined TU/e in February 2023 after previously contributing to the ERC Advanced Grant project OCONTSOLAR (Optimal Control of Thermal Solar Energy Systems). Education: B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering (University of Seville, 2017/2019) Ph.D. in Automation Engineering (University of Seville, 2018–2022) Visiting scholar at UC Berkeley (2021) and MIT (2022) Research Interests: Her work centers on decentralized and data-driven model predictive control (MPC) for large-scale interconnected systems. Key applications include renewable energy plants, traffic networks, and smart grids, with emphasis on scalability, cooperative multi-agent frameworks, and real-time optimization. She also investigates cyber-security in control systems and learning-based supervisory methods. Publications: Recent articles (2025) focus on advanced MPC techniques for safety-critical systems like vehicle platooning and power grids, highlighting themes such as cyber-attack resilience, nonlinear cooperative control, and invariant set design. Cross-cutting topics include distributed optimization, robustness, and machine learning integration. Projects: Active member of the Model Predictive Pandemic Control project (2023–2025), funded by an ERC Advanced Grant, focusing on control strategies for large-scale health crises. Affiliation: Part of the Cyber-Physical Systems and Systems Engineering research group at TU/e, contributing to interdisciplinary work in control theory and real-world engineering solutions.
Dr. Evert van Nieuwenburg is an Assistant Professor at Leiden University, affiliated with both the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) and the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION). His research bridges the fields of Quantum Physics , Machine Learning , and Condensed Matter Physics , with a focus on quantum algorithms, reinforcement learning, and quantum game development (e.g., Quantum TiqTaqToe ). He actively contributes to the Applied Quantum Algorithms (aQa) initiative and leads the QuantumPlayed subgroup for quantum games and education. Research Interests: AI-driven quantum experiment control, quantum machine learning, variational quantum circuits, and quantum games for education and intuition-building. Publications: 15+ peer-reviewed works spanning quantum error correction, phase transitions, reinforcement learning in quantum systems, and quantum dot array simulations. Community Engagement: Developer of educational quantum games, open science advocate, and active participant in interdisciplinary initiatives. Selected Trends: His work demonstrates AI's transformative role in quantum physics, from decoding error-correcting codes with graph neural networks to merging reinforcement learning with quantum control systems. Labs & Initiatives: Affiliated with the Applied Quantum Algorithms (aQa) initiative and co-founder of QuantumPlayed , where quantum mechanics meets game theory to engage diverse audiences.
Dr. Dina Maniar is an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, specializing in Polymer Chemistry. She leads the Maniar Group, focusing on sustainable polymers, biocatalytic synthesis, and biobased composites. Her work bridges material science and environmental sustainability, with projects like the TINKER education initiative and SOLARLab's biobased photovoltaic encapsulants. She holds a PhD from the University of Groningen (2019) and degrees from Institut Teknologi Bandung (MSc 2014, BSc 2013). Notable awards include the Vlieland Lectureship (2019) and finalist status for the Best PhD Thesis Award (2020). Her research emphasizes green synthesis methods and applications in health, energy, and environmental remediation. Education: PhD in Polymer Chemistry, University of Groningen (2015–2019) MSc in Chemistry, Institut Teknologi Bandung (2013–2014) BSc in Chemistry, Institut Teknologi Bandung (2009–2013) Research Interests: Her group explores biobased polymers, enzymatic polymerization, and functional composites. Key areas include: Green synthesis of furan-based polymers Biodegradable and recyclable materials Applications in drug delivery, renewable energy, and sustainable packaging Awards: Finalist for Best PhD Thesis Award (2020) Vlieland Lectureship (2019) NWO Poster Award (2015) Advising & Projects: Supervises PhD students in polymer chemistry and collaborates on education initiatives like the TINKER Project. Manages ongoing projects on biobased encapsulants for solar cells and sustainable composite development. Labs/Teams: Maniar Group at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, leading projects in both polymer innovation and STEM education reform.
Folkert Boersma is an Associate Professor specializing in Air Quality at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). His research focuses on atmospheric chemistry, satellite remote sensing, and emissions monitoring. He leads projects analyzing nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and NOx emissions, leveraging advanced satellite data such as TROPOMI and GOME-2A. His work addresses environmental challenges like maritime pollution and urban emission variability, contributing to emissions control strategies and climate modeling. Key research interests include: Space-based emission estimation techniques Remote sensing of air pollutants Climate-ecosystem interactions via satellite data Quantification of uncertainties in atmospheric models He supervises multiple PhD candidates on topics ranging from satellite data validation to ozone deposition impacts on ecosystems. Notable collaborations include studies in China and projects assessing shipping emissions. His datasets, such as ESA CCI+ NO₂ TROPOMI level-3, are widely used in environmental research.
Dr. Irwan D. Setija is a Full Professor in Applied Physics and Science Education at Eindhoven University of Technology, specializing in photonics and semiconductor nanophysics. His research focuses on computational electromagnetics, waveguide holography, and optical sensor design, with applications in photonic devices and nanoscale systems. Research areas include: Electromagnetic scattering and spectral domain analysis Multi-wavelength holographic waveguides Synchrotron radiation physics His publications feature innovations in photonic integration and scattering theory. Recent work advances InP-based waveguide holograms and beam-shaping technologies. He teaches 'Optical Sensing and Metrology' and holds patents for electromagnetic modeling methods.
Petra van den Bos is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente, affiliated with both the Digital Society Institute and the Formal Methods and Tools department. Her research focuses on advancing software engineering through formal methods, model-based testing, and automated testing techniques. She has contributed to integrating Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) with model-based approaches, as well as developing tools like VeyMont for choreography-based concurrent programming. Her work emphasizes practical applications in video game development, web testing, and user story-driven methodologies. Notably, she received the FORTE 2023 Best artefact award for outstanding contributions to formal techniques. Petra collaborates on datasets archived on Zenodo, showcasing reproducible research in testing frameworks and formal verification. Research Interests: Formal Methods, Model-Based Testing, Automated Testing, Concurrent Programming, and Software Verification. Awards: FORTE 2023 Best artefact (2022). Advising & Grants: No formal advisees listed; contributions focus on collaborative research projects and open-source tool development. Labs/Teams: Active in the Formal Methods and Tools research group, advancing software reliability through interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr. Carlo Ferri Marini is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen. He holds a PhD cum laude from the University of Urbino, with additional studies at Colorado Mesa University and University College Dublin. His research focuses on optimizing exercise testing and prescription in healthy and clinical populations, particularly in aerobic and resistance exercise physiology. He collaborates internationally and serves as an Academic Editor for BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation and PeerJ . Key areas of research include exercise intensity methods, lifestyle interventions for breast cancer survivors, and cardiometabolic health. Notable projects include the MOVIS clinical trial on exercise and nutrition programs for cancer survivors and the TRIPL-A trial for type 2 diabetes management. His work emphasizes improving the benefit-to-risk ratio of physical activity through evidence-based approaches. Dr. Marini’s recent publications explore topics such as pedaling cadence effects on metabolic responses, gut microbiota changes in breast cancer survivors, and the validity of exercise intensity metrics. He also investigates the role of exercise in mitigating tumorigenic activity and enhancing quality of life in clinical populations. Collaborations span institutions globally, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary research. His research has been featured in journals like Scientific Reports , European Journal of Sport Science , and Frontiers in Oncology . Dr. Marini is affiliated with the SMART Movements research group, advancing knowledge in movement sciences and health. His work bridges clinical and applied research, aiming to translate findings into practical guidelines for improving public health outcomes.
Dr. Raoul Bongers is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, affiliated with the SMART Movements research group. His expertise focuses on action-perception learning, motor control, and rehabilitation technologies, particularly in upper limb prosthetics and serious game applications for prosthesis training. He investigates motor variability and coordination dynamics using advanced methodologies like Uncontrolled Manifold analysis and multifractal analyses. His research emphasizes the development of clinical tools such as IMU-based calibration algorithms and virtual reality environments to improve prosthetic control and rehabilitation outcomes. Collaborations span biomechanics, neuroscience, and medical engineering, addressing challenges in prosthetic design, user adaptation, and clinical assessment. Bongers has contributed to over 139 publications, with recent work exploring task-specific serious game training, IMU sensor calibration reliability, and motor learning dynamics in novel control tasks. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Professional activities include keynote lectures on motor control and participation in interdisciplinary research networks. Laboratory affiliations include SMART Movements, where research integrates ecological psychology and dynamical systems theory to advance rehabilitation technologies and motor learning understanding.
F. Alijani is a researcher at TU Delft in the Dynamics of Micro and Nano Systems department. Their work focuses on nonlinear dynamics, nanomechanical resonators, and graphene-based sensor technology. Department: Dynamics of Micro and Nano Systems Research interests include: Nonlinear dynamics of 2D materials Graphene engineering for bio-sensing Atomic force microscopy (AFM) applications Optimization of nanomechanical systems Structural and aeroelastic modeling Recent publications highlight advancements in topology optimization, bacterial nanomotion detection, and AFM techniques. Collaborations include institutions like TU Delft and TU Delft - 4TU.ResearchData for datasets. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided data. Labs & teams: Dynamics of Micro and Nano Systems group at TU Delft, working with Prof. P.G. Steeneken and Prof. A.M. Aragón.
Bas Overvelde is an Associate Professor (part-time) at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Group Leader of the Soft Robotic Matter Group at AMOLF, an institute for fundamental physics research in Amsterdam. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University and dual MSc/BSc degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Delft University of Technology. His research integrates soft robotics and mechanical metamaterials to develop autonomous systems capable of self-adaptation through shape, nonlinearities, and feedback mechanisms. Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics, Harvard University (2016) MSc Mechanical Engineering (cum laude), TU Delft (2012) BSc Mechanical Engineering (cum laude), TU Delft (2009) Research Interests: Overvelde’s work focuses on embodying intelligence in soft robots and metamaterials via computational/experimental methods. Key areas include nonlinear dynamics , autonomous systems , and bio-inspired design . His group explores programmable materials, fluidic circuits, and retrofit sensing strategies to achieve adaptive behaviors in mechanical systems. Recent Trends in Articles: Recent publications emphasize pneumatic coding , electronics-free fluidic robots , and hybrid control systems . These studies highlight innovations in soft robotics autonomy, sensor integration, and programmable materials for self-sustaining systems. Awards: ERC Starting Grant (2020) for fluidic circuit research in autonomous robotics. Advising & Grants: Supervised 5 academic works (names not listed). Active in TU/e’s Device Integrated Responsive Materials course. Research supported by ERC funding and collaborations in fluidics, metamaterials, and robotics. Labs/Teams: Leads the Soft Robotic Matter Group at AMOLF, focusing on interdisciplinary projects combining physics, engineering, and biology to advance autonomous robotic materials.
