Tina Shoa is an Associate Professor in the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering at Simon Fraser University. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia (2010), an M.Sc. from the University of Manitoba (2004), and a B.Sc. from Iran University of Science and Technology (2000). Her research focuses on battery performance modeling, electrochemical methods for fault detection, sustainable battery manufacturing, and AI-based diagnostics. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2010 M.Sc., Electrical Engineering, University of Manitoba, 2004 B.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 2000 Research Interests: Battery performance modeling, analysis, and optimization Electrochemical and ultrasound-based battery fault detection Sustainable battery manufacturing processes AI-driven battery diagnostics Teaching and Courses: Advanced Battery and Fuel Cell Technologies Power Plant Systems Smart Grids Practicum SEE 354 D100 Energy Storage (Summer 2025) Patents: Battery State-of-health Determination upon charging (US Patent 11079437B2, 2022) Battery State-of-health Determination using multi-factor normalization (US Patent 10,302,709, 2019) Apparatus and Method for testing electrochemical systems (US Provisional Patent 62/994687, 2020) Key Contributions: Her work integrates electrochemical principles and AI to advance battery diagnostics and sustainable energy storage solutions. She has authored over 15 publications in top-tier journals and conferences, addressing battery aging, state estimation, and novel manufacturing techniques.
Dr. Chang Lei is an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Fellow at the Department of Medical Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. She is also a member of The University of Sydney Nano Institute and the Charles Perkins Centre. With expertise in nanotechnology-based bioanalysis, mass spectrometry, lateral flow immunoassay, and tissue regeneration, Dr. Lei leads several innovative research projects focused on advancing healthcare through nanotechnology. Dr. Lei completed her PhD at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at The University of Queensland (UQ). Her academic journey includes receiving the Queensland Government Advance Queensland Research Fellowship, the UQ Amplify Fellowship in 2021, and the prestigious ARC DECRA in 2024. Her research interests span across nanotechnology applications in healthcare, with particular focus on: Developing novel nanomaterials for single-cell metabolomics analysis Creating affordable and ultra-sensitive biomarker detection platforms Engineering silica bio-nanomaterials for stem cell differentiation and bone repair Advancing lateral flow immunoassay technologies using nanomaterials Applying nanotechnology to dental and craniofacial regeneration Dr. Lei's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on nanotechnology applications across multiple disciplines. Her recent work shows increasing emphasis on medical applications of nanomaterials, particularly in diagnostics, cancer therapy, and tissue regeneration. She has published in high-impact journals including Nature Science Review, Small, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Angewandte Chemie, and Advanced Materials. Dr. Lei has received several notable awards and honors: 2024 ARC DECRA Fellow 2021 The University of Queensland Amplify Fellow 2020 GC Minimum Intervention Dentistry Research Award 2017 Advanced Queensland Research Fellow As a reviewer for scientific journals such as Science Advances, Journal of Nanobiotechnology, and Journal of Materials Chemistry B, and for ARC and NHMRC grants, Dr. Lei actively contributes to the scientific community. She also serves as an editor for Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and Nano TransMed. Her current research projects are supported by grants including the ARC DECRA and the FMH Start-up Scheme. Dr. Lei is actively involved in several research groups and initiatives: Member of The University of Sydney Nano Institute Member of the Charles Perkins Centre Member of Australian and New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry Member of The Australian Materials Research Society Member of the Australian Nanotechnology Network
Associate Professor Javad Tavakoli holds a dual appointment at RMIT University’s School of Engineering (Department of Biomedical Engineering) and serves as a Visiting Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney’s School of Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on biomechanical engineering , biomaterials , and orthopaedic applications , with notable contributions to intervertebral disc-on-a-chip models and hydrogel-based drug delivery systems . He has pioneered cutting-edge technologies such as microfluidic platforms for hydrogel characterization and aggregation-induced-emission fluorogens for biomedical sensing. His academic journey includes a PhD from Flinders University (2015–2018) and postdoctoral work at Flinders University’s China-Australia International Laboratory for Health Technologies (2018–2020). He received the Chancellor’s Research Fellowship from UTS in 2020, enabling the development of the world’s first disc-on-a-chip model, which won the AO Spine Discovery and Innovation Award (2022) and David Findlay Award (2022). Key research interests include organ-on-a-chip systems , mechanobiology , and nanofabrication of biosensors . He leads a team recognized for student achievements such as the UTS Capstone Showcase Judges’ Choice Award (Stephanie Weiss, 2022) and Engineering Female Scientist Award (Maryam Rad, 2022). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health) and 9 (Industry Innovation). Notable awards also include the Best Spinal Research Award (2023), Engineers Australia Excellence Award (2023), and multiple Excellence in Reviewing Awards . His research outputs span biomechanical engineering , additive manufacturing , and microfluidics , with over 70 peer-reviewed publications and three commercialized products. Current initiatives include advancing 3D-printed orthopaedic implants , low back pain diagnostics , and fluorescent hydrogel applications . Collaborative projects with industry and global institutions underscore his translational research impact.
Sara Pedron Haba is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. She holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University Carlos III Madrid and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Valencia. Her research focuses on developing biomaterial-based platforms to study brain physiology and neurological diseases, particularly glioblastoma. Key research areas include biomaterials for tissue engineering, tumor microenvironment modeling, and hyaluronic acid's role in cancer progression. Dr. Haba's work emphasizes creating microphysiological systems to bridge the gap between in vitro models and clinical applications. She has received notable awards, including the AACR NextGen Star (2021) and the Nature Publishing Award from the Society for Biomaterials (2016). Her lab collaborates widely, integrating expertise from chemical engineering, biomedical science, and oncology to advance therapeutic strategies for brain cancers. Education: PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University Carlos III Madrid (2004–2009) BS, Chemistry, University of Valencia (2001) Awards: NextGen Star, AACR (2021) Nature Publishing Award, Society for Biomaterials (2016) CPLC 10K Pilot Program (2014) Research Themes: Biomaterials for brain tumor modeling Extracellular matrix dynamics in glioblastoma Therapeutic efficacy assessment platforms Her lab's efforts aim to improve patient-specific therapies and understand tumor-stroma interactions through innovative biomaterial systems.
Frederic Meunier is a CNRS researcher based at IRCELYON (Institute of Chemistry of Lyon), part of the University of Lyon. He holds a European PhD in Physical Chemistry from the Universities of Strasbourg (France) and Limerick (Ireland), and a Habilitation to Direct Research from the University of Caen (France). His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, with expertise in operando FT-IR spectroscopy and reaction mechanisms, particularly in syngas chemistry and CO₂ conversion. He leads the ATARI team (Integrated thermodynamic, analytical, and reactional approaches) and has published over 100 papers (H-factor 35) and holds two worldwide patents. Key research interests include catalytic materials for environmental applications, such as CO₂ capture/methanation, water treatment, and sustainable chemistry. He has supervised 16 PhD theses and is an editorial board member of Catalysis Today and Applied Catalysis B: Environmental . In 2009, he received the Catalytic Division Award from the French Chemical Society. His work also explores microwave-assisted catalysis, nanomaterial synthesis, and advanced oxidation processes for pollutant remediation. Collaborative projects include studies on biochar-based materials, microwave-enhanced reactions, and catalyst stability under industrial conditions.
Prof Wen Wang is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Vice-Principal and Executive Dean for Science and Engineering at Queen Mary University of London, affiliated with the School of Engineering and Materials Science and the Centre for Bioengineering. He is a Chartered Engineer and holds fellowships from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE), Higher Education Academy (FHEA), American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (FAIMBE), and the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), reflecting his leadership and technical excellence in engineering and biomedical sciences. His research focuses on vascular bioengineering , biomaterial mechanics , and cell biomechanics , with particular emphasis on the endothelial glycocalyx , vascular stem cells , and transmembrane transport . He employs advanced techniques such as AFM nano-indentation, confocal microscopy, and microfluidic platforms to study the mechanical properties, shear stress responses, and structural stability of biological systems. His work spans from fundamental biophysics to translational applications in drug delivery and cardiovascular disease. Prof Wang has led multidisciplinary research projects in the UK and through international collaborations with partners in the US, China, and Japan. His recent publications highlight sustained contributions to understanding microcapsule mechanics , extracellular vesicles , biofluid dynamics , and biomolecular sensing . His work integrates experimental and computational modeling, particularly in microcirculation and cellular transport phenomena. He has received notable scientific recognition through multiple prestigious fellowships and has published extensively in high-impact journals including Nature Communications , Journal of Controlled Release , Biosensors and Bioelectronics , and Journal of Fluid Mechanics . His research demonstrates a strong trajectory in both fundamental discovery and applied biomedical innovation. Prof Wang actively supervises research and collaborates with clinical and engineering partners at Queen Mary and King's College London. His leadership in the School of Engineering and Materials Science underscores his role in shaping academic strategy and research excellence in science and engineering at Queen Mary University of London.
Dr. Jonathan Hu is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University's School of Engineering and Computer Science. He holds a PhD from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (2008) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University (2009–2011). He is an active researcher in optics and photonics, leading the Photonics Research Laboratory and advising both graduate and undergraduate research assistants. Research Interests: Nanophotonics and metamaterials for photovoltaic and biomedical applications Mid-IR supercontinuum generation using chalcogenide photonic crystal fibers 2D materials such as graphene and their alignment via magnetic fields Coherent optical communication and quantum optical Fredkin gates Numerical simulation of electromagnetic problems and leaky mode analysis His recent publications (2019–2024) demonstrate a strong focus on quantum plasmonics, specialty optical fibers, optofluidics, and nonlinear optical phenomena, with high-impact work in journals like Science Advances , ACS Photonics , and Advanced Materials . The research shows a clear trend toward integrating photonics with 2D materials and quantum systems, with applications in sensing, communication, and materials characterization. Scientific Awards and Recognition: 35 Baylor faculty named among top 2% most cited researchers (2023) Editor’s Pick, Journal of Applied Physics (2018) Top three downloads in OSA journals for three consecutive months (2009) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (awarded to advisee) Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad (awarded to advisee) Second Place in FiO + LS Student Competition (awarded to advisee) Advising and Grants: Dr. Hu actively mentors students at all levels, with current graduate research assistants including Wei Zhang, Zhihao Hu, and Sterling Walzel. His lab is supported by external funding, though specific grants are not detailed in the text. He has advised PhD students such as Joshua Young, Chao Niu, and Chengli Wei, many of whom have gone on to successful academic and industry careers. His teaching includes core courses like EGR 1302, ELC 2320, and ELC 4320, as well as advanced topics in computational photonics and integrated photonics. Labs and Teams: He leads the Photonics Research Laboratory at Baylor University, located at the BRIC facility. He is also involved with the Baylor University Optica Student Chapter, promoting optics outreach and networking among students and researchers.
Riikka Puurunen is an Associate Professor at Aalto University's Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, leading the Catalysis group since 2017. Her work focuses on developing solid heterogeneous catalysts using atomic layer deposition (ALD), microreactors, and in situ testing methods to advance sustainable biomass-based solutions.
Prof. Ian D. Sharp is a Professor and Head of the Functional Semiconductors and Catalysts Group at the Walter Schottky Institute, Technical University of Munich (TUM). His research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing semiconductors and catalysts for renewable energy applications, particularly solar fuel production and photocatalytic systems. He leads a multidisciplinary team investigating material interfaces, charge carrier dynamics, and advanced deposition techniques like atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Research Interests: His work centers on developing materials for efficient photochemical conversion, including nitride/oxynitride thin films, nanostructured catalysts, and heterostructured materials. Key areas include optimizing semiconductor interfaces for water splitting, enhancing charge collection efficiency, and studying defect properties using advanced spectroscopic and microscopic tools. Publications: Recent work emphasizes stable photoelectrodes, chiral perovskite heterostructures, and functional nanoarchitectures. His group's contributions span energy materials, nanotechnology, and sustainable chemistry, with a focus on bridging fundamental science and practical applications. Awards: ERC Consolidator Grant (2019) Grants: Active funding for solar fuels research and materials engineering. Advising: Mentors ~20 PhD and Master's students in experimental and theoretical projects. Labs/Teams: Oversees state-of-the-art facilities for thin film deposition, characterization (e.g., in situ spectroscopy), and nanofabrication. Collaborates with institutions like EPFL, National Taiwan University, and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.
Prof. Julia Hearts is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) , affiliated with the School of Natural Sciences . Her research focuses on biomedical imaging , particularly advancing X-ray computed tomography through phase-contrast and dark-field radiography for clinical and biological applications. Developing spectral detection techniques to enhance diagnostic accuracy Quantitative imaging for element-specific parameter extraction Utilizing synchrotron radiation and standard X-ray tubes Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in dark-field radiography for lung and breast imaging, phase-contrast tomography for tissue characterization, and multi-spectral X-ray analysis for material decomposition. Collaborative work spans oncology , pulmonology , and materials science . Contact: julia.herzen@tum.de
Jeffrey T. Glass is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Hogg Family Director of Engineering Management & Entrepreneurship at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering. He holds the Hogg Family endowed chair in Engineering Management and Entrepreneurship. Previously, he served as Co-Director of The Institute for the Integration of Management and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and held roles at Kobe Steel USA Inc. and North Carolina State University. Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.), Johns Hopkins University, 1981 Master of Science in Engineering (M.Sc.Eng.), Johns Hopkins University, 1983 Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 1986 M.B.A., Duke University's Fuqua School of Business (Global Executive Program), 1999 Research Interests: His work focuses on electronic materials, miniature mass spectrometry, energy conversion/storage, and waste treatment systems. Key projects include developing nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene), advanced sensors, and applications like smart toilets and photoelectrochemical energy devices. His lab, the J.T. Glass Nanomaterials and Thin Films Lab, explores carbon nanostructures for supercapacitors, field emitters, and neural stimulation electrodes. Awards: Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2015) Highly Cited Researcher (2001) National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award Maurice Holland Award (2004) Grants & Advising: Glass has secured over $97M in research funding, advising numerous students and leading interdisciplinary initiatives. He consults for materials-related companies and serves on technical advisory boards. His innovation management work bridges business and technology, with courses like EGRMGMT 572. Labs & Teams: Leads the Nanomaterials and Thin Films Lab, collaborating on coded aperture mass spectrometers, supercapacitors, and waste disinfection systems. Teams include engineers, materials scientists, and industry partners.
Tim J. Nye is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University's Faculty of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (1997) from the University of Waterloo, following an M.Sc. (1989) at Ohio State and B.A.Sc. (1987) at Waterloo. His research focuses on applying operations research techniques to manufacturing systems, with specific expertise in optimization algorithms for sheet metal processes, hydroforming reliability, and adaptive control in forging. Education: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo (1997) M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State (1989) B.A.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo (1987) Research interests span multiple dimensions of advanced manufacturing: developing decision models for production investment, creating novel lot-sizing algorithms incorporating work-in-process costs, exact solutions for 2D nesting problems, and agent-based systems for reliability prediction using warranty data. His work bridges theoretical operations research with practical metal forming applications. Recent publications demonstrate consistent contributions to manufacturing optimization, with particular focus on stamping processes, sheet metal design, and hydroforming reliability. These align with McMaster's research clusters in Advanced Materials & Manufacturing and Infrastructure. Scientific awards include the 2002 CSME Best Student Paper competition win for machine vision research with S. Dworkin. He maintains active collaborations with industry partners, as evidenced by his research on industry-university R&D ventures. Current projects explore intelligent open die forging as a solid freeform fabrication method, demonstrating his commitment to both traditional manufacturing improvement and emerging rapid prototyping technologies.
Associate Professor Joshua Watts is a Principal Research Fellow in Battery Systems at the Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry & Physics, Queensland University of Technology. His research focuses on solid-state electrolytes and advanced materials for energy storage, particularly in lithium-ion battery systems. He holds a PhD from QUT and maintains an active research profile with ORCID and Scopus integration. Research Interests Development of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) ceramic electrolytes Thermoelectric materials (boron carbide) Advanced ceramics processing Ion transport optimization in solid-state systems Morphology control for high-purity materials Publications Recent work demonstrates expertise in solid electrolyte fabrication (2024), densification techniques (2024), and structural analysis of boron carbide (2020). His publications span the Journal of the European Ceramic Society , Journal of Energy Storage , and Ceramics International , with a focus on energy materials and ceramics.
Rainald Loehner is a Distinguished Professor of Fluid Dynamics at George Mason University's Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics. Since 2003, he has led the Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics at George Mason University. He is currently a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich's Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS) for 2023, hosted by Professors Kai-Uwe Bletzinger and Roland Wüchner in the 'Adjoint-Based System Identification of Large-Scale Structures' Focus Group. Loehner received his Diplom Ingenieur (Maschinenbau) degree from the Technical University of Braunschweig, and his PhD and a DSc in civil engineering from the University College of Swansea, Wales. After teaching at Swansea for a year, he worked at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, followed by a research professorship at George Washington University. He joined George Mason University as an associate professor and was promoted to full professor in 1995 and distinguished professor in 2004. With over 35 years of experience, Professor Loehner's research spans the complete pipeline of numerical solvers and simulation tools. His expertise includes pre-processing, grid generation, numerical methods, field solvers, parallel computing, adaptive mesh refinement, fluid-structure interaction, shape optimization, system identification, and computational crowd dynamics. His current work focuses on developing advanced field solvers for compressible and incompressible flows, acoustics, electromagnetic wave propagation, heat and mass transfer, structural mechanics, and fluid-structure interaction. Key application areas include blast mitigation, ship hydrodynamics, blood flow, contaminant transport, and pedestrian safety. Loehner's recent research output (2020-2024) shows a strong trend toward digital twin technology and adjoint-based methods for structural analysis and optimization. His publications focus on high-fidelity digital twins for detecting structural weaknesses, risk assessment in engineering systems, and optimization of sensor placement. His work bridges computational mechanics with machine learning approaches, particularly in system identification and inverse problems, demonstrating how computational methods can solve complex real-world engineering challenges. 2020: Ranked #15119 in the Stanford List of Most Influential Scientists of the World; #8 in Aerospace and Aeronautics 2010: Distinguished International Career Award, Argentine Association of Computational Mechanics 2008: Fellow, International Association for Computational Mechanics 2006: Associate Fellow, AIAA 2005: Honorary Professor, University of Wales Swansea 2005: Advisory Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 2004: Distinguished Professor of Fluid Dynamics, George Mason University 1999: Computational Mechanics Achievements Award, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineering 1993: Doctor of Science in Civil Engineering, University College of Swansea 1979-1983: Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (Top 1% of German Students) Professor Loehner has mentored numerous students through his work at George Mason University and has supervised research in computational fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, and related fields. His research has been supported by various grants from government agencies and industry partners, enabling the development of advanced simulation tools applied in aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, shock-structure interaction, and medical applications. His codes and methods have been widely adopted in industry and academia for applications ranging from aircraft and ship design to medical simulations and urban pathogen transmission modeling. Loehner leads the Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics at George Mason University, which focuses on developing cutting-edge computational methods for fluid dynamics and related multiphysics problems. The center works on strategic application areas including blast mitigation, ship hydrodynamics, blood flow simulation, and pedestrian movement modeling. As a TUM-IAS Fellow, he collaborates with the Chair of Computational Modeling and Simulation at TUM on adjoint-based system identification of large-scale structures, bringing together expertise in computational mechanics and digital twin technology to address complex engineering challenges.
Assoc. Prof. Dietmar Pum is a leading researcher at the Institute of Biophysics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). With a career spanning over three decades, he has pioneered work on S-layer proteins as nanobiotechnological tools and biomimetic surface functionalization. His research bridges microbiology, biophysics, and nanomaterials science. Education & Career Doctorate (1984) and Habilitation (1992) at Vienna University of Technology Awarded FEBS (1987) and EMBO (1982) fellowships Assoc. Univ. Prof. since 1997, Deputy Head of Biophysics Institute since 2014 Research Focus Dr. Pum's work centers on leveraging S-layer proteins for nanoscale fluid mechanics , molecular imprinting , and biohybrid materials . His projects explore: Self-assembly of 2D protein crystals Functionalization of carbon nanotubes Biomimetic sensor development Applications in diagnostics and environmental technology Publication Trends His recent publications (2025-2019) highlight interdisciplinary advancements in: Nanoscale biofluid dynamics Gold nanoparticle synthesis via microbial enzymes Archaeal S-layer characterization Protein-directed nanomaterials Biosensor platforms Lipid quantification via machine learning Scientific Recognition Philip Morris Research Prize (1998) Cardinal Innitzer Prize (1992) ÖAGM Prize (1986) Peer reviewer for Nature Materials , Advanced Materials , and Biophysical Journal Advising & Collaborations Dr. Pum has supervised over 15 theses, mentoring students in topics ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans imaging to nanomembrane fabrication. He leads international collaborations under EU Horizon and FWF grants, including the Stimuli Responsive Materials project (2020-2025). Labs & Networks As a core member of BOKU's Center for NanoBiotechnology and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Molecular Nanotechnology , he develops bioinspired nanomaterials and contributes to global programs in molecular self-assembly.
