Find Academic Supervisors

Maria YangView profile

Professor

• early stage design process
• design methods
• mechanics
• +5 more

Maria Yang is a Professor and the William E. Leonhard Professor/Interim Dean of the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Her research focuses on early stage design processes , design methods , and system-level engineering design , with applications spanning consumer products, complex systems, and sustainable technologies. Educational Background: B.Sc., MIT (1991) M.Sc., Stanford University (1994) Ph.D., Stanford University (2000) Yang's research explores the theoretical foundations of design , emphasizing sketching , prototyping , and design cognition . Her work addresses global challenges in sustainability , emerging markets , and human-computer interaction , as demonstrated by collaborations with NASA, IBM, and Ferrari. Recent publications highlight trends in design-by-analogy , 3D printing of transparent glass , and information flow in complex systems . Her research bridges mechanical engineering , bioengineering , and computational design . Scientific Awards: 2024 ASME Design Theory and Methodology Award 2024 ASME Design Theory and Methodology Best Paper Award 2017 MacVicar Faculty Fellow 2016 Bose Excellence in Teaching Award 2014 ASEE Fred Merryfield Design Award 2013 ASME Fellow Yang mentors students through courses like 2.00B Toy Product Design and 2.009 Product Engineering Processes , and leads the MIT Ideation Laboratory , which investigates transformational design strategies for global competitiveness and sustainability.

J. Andrew JonesView profile

Associate Professor

• Metabolic Engineering
• Pathway Optimization
• Synthetic Biology
• +3 more

J. Andrew Jones is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering at Miami University. He joined Miami in 2017 and leads the Jones Lab, focusing on metabolic engineering to produce high-value chemicals like psilocybin. His research includes optimizing microbial pathways in E. coli for psychedelic medicine applications, highlighted in major media outlets like NPR and Scientific American. Jones holds a Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and degrees from Mercer University. He has secured over $2M in grants, published 30 peer-reviewed articles, and holds 13 patent applications. Notable awards include AIChE's 35Under35 in Bioengineering (2020) and Miami University's Junior Faculty Scholar (2021). Education: Ph.D. (Chemical & Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2016); M.S. (Environmental Engineering, Mercer University, 2012); B.S. (Biomedical Engineering, Mercer University, 2012). Research Interests: Metabolic Engineering, Psychedelic Medicine, Synthetic Biology, and microbial co-culture systems. His lab's work on psilocybin biosynthesis has advanced clinical drug development and regulatory frameworks for psychedelic therapeutics. Awards: Over 15 honors, including National Academy of Inventors Senior Membership (2023), CEC Outstanding Faculty Research Award (2023), and Technology Commercialization Awards. His lab also engages in industry partnerships, such as with Biotherapeutics. Advising & Grants: Trained over 40 students and staff, with active projects on tryptamine derivatives, biosensor development, and metabolic pathway optimization. His work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing scalable production methods and ethical applications of synthetic biology. Labs/Teams: The Jones Lab at Miami University focuses on microbial engineering for drug production, with collaborations in psychology and clinical science to test behavioral effects of compounds like norbaeocystin.

Aydin K. SunolView profile

Professor

• Green Engineering
• Supercritical Fluid Technology
• Systems Engineering
• +7 more

Dr. Aydin K. Sunol is a Professor of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering at the University of South Florida's College of Engineering. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, he leads the Environmentally Friendly Engineered Systems (EFES) Lab and serves as principal investigator for numerous research projects funded by NASA, DOD, NSF, and industry partners. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, VPI & SU, Blacksburg, Virginia MEng in Industrial Engineering and Operational Research, VPI & SU, Blacksburg, Virginia Diploma in Chemical Engineering, University of Aston, Birmingham, England BS in Chemical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey Dr. Sunol's research focuses on green engineering and chemistry, sustainability in the chemical industry, systems engineering, and cleaner energy conversion processes. His work integrates global computational methods, machine learning, product prototyping, and experimentation across multiple temporal and spatial scales. Recent projects include developing nano-structured photo-catalysts, therapeutic particles, and energetic materials using environmentally friendly pathways, as well as creating efficient fuel conversion processes utilizing supercritical fluids. His research demonstrates a consistent trend toward sustainable solutions that address fundamental challenges in materials science, energy conversion, and environmental protection through innovative application of supercritical fluid technology and computational methods. Scientific Awards: USF Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department Outstanding Teaching Award, 2018 University of South Florida Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2002-2003 Engineering Professor of the Year, 1984 Outstanding Professor of Chemical Engineering, VPI & SU, 1981 Outstanding Technology Innovation Award, Aerospace Space System Conference, 2010 As an educator, Dr. Sunol has advised 18 PhD and 29 Master's students, developing innovative teaching methods and curricula including NSF-funded Web-based Teaching Modules and Design Course Series. His research has been supported by diverse funding sources including DOE, NSF, NATO, UNESCO, NAVY, NASA, and numerous industry partners. Dr. Sunol also serves as principal partner and CTO of Temptroll LLC and Accent Creations LLC, which develop self-heating and cooling products, demonstrating the practical application of his research. The EFES Lab, which Dr. Sunol directs, brings together interdisciplinary researchers including chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, and computer scientists to tackle complex challenges in sustainable engineering. Current team members include PhD candidates working on nano-structured materials, wastewater management systems, and temperature modulation products, continuing the lab's tradition of innovation in environmentally friendly engineered systems.

Vinicius Prado da FonsecaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Robotics
• Tactile Sensing
• Robotic Manipulation
• +4 more

Vinicius Prado da Fonseca is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research focuses on advanced robotics, tactile sensing technologies, and human-robot interaction. His work integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve robotic manipulation, prosthetic control, and haptic interfaces. Education background includes: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Ottawa (2020) M.Sc. in Systems and Computing from Military Institute of Engineering, Brazil (2013) B.Sc. in Computer Science from Federal University of Tocantins, Brazil (2010) Research interests emphasize tactile perception systems, compliant robotic grippers, and bio-inspired sensor modules. Notable contributions include the BioIn-Tacto tactile sensing framework and studies on myoelectric control for upper-limb prosthetics. His work bridges theoretical machine learning with practical robotics applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and assistive technologies. Publications span over 30 peer-reviewed articles focusing on tactile datasets, sensor design, and robotic control algorithms. Recent trends show increasing emphasis on multimodal data fusion, active learning for sensor optimization, and human-centric robotics applications. Currently no listed scientific awards or grants, but maintains active collaborations in prosthetic development and industrial automation projects.

• Nanoparticle Technology
• Biomedical Imaging
• Biomolecular Phase Behavior Modeling
• +3 more

Kwahun Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Stevens Institute of Technology, part of the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science. His research focuses on developing nanoparticle-based probes for in situ imaging of biological processes and modeling biomolecular phase behaviors. He employs interdisciplinary approaches combining biochemical assays, spectroscopy, and microscopy to understand interfacial dynamics relevant to cancer immunotherapy and neurodegenerative diseases. Education : PhD (2018) in Chemistry from Indiana University Bloomington; BS (2011) in Chemistry & Chemical Education from Seoul National University. Research interests include nanoparticle synthesis, biomaterials design, and quantitative imaging techniques. His lab explores applications in targeted drug delivery and therapeutic strategies. Notable achievements include the 2021 ASEE Postdoctoral Fellowship and multiple travel awards for conference presentations. Awards : 2021 ASEE Postdoc Fellowship, 2016 Outstanding Oral Presentation Award (3rd Material Symposium), 2015 HHMI Fellowship Nomination. Prof. Lee actively mentors students and postdocs, emphasizing interdisciplinary training. He serves on institutional committees such as the SES Working Group on PhD Recruitment and the Professional Development Committee. His work bridges nanotechnology with biomedical applications, with over 20 publications in high-impact journals like JACS , Nano Letters , and ACS Nano .

Lior SepunaruView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioelectronics
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology
• +7 more

Lior Sepunaru is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and a member of the Center of Polymers and Organic Solids. His research focuses on bioelectronics, single-entity electrochemistry, and nano-electrochemistry, with applications in enzyme catalysis, biosensor development, and liquid-liquid phase separation phenomena. He completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Oxford and earned his Ph.D. from the Weizmann Institute of Science. Education: Ph.D., Weizmann Institute of Science (2014) Marie Curie Research Fellowship, University of Oxford Research interests include: Electrochemical analysis of biological droplets (coacervates) and their role in protocell-like systems Single-molecule electrocatalysis and nano-scale energy conversion mechanisms Biomolecule-mediated nanoparticle synthesis and characterization Electrochemical correlative microscopy for reaction dynamics Publications highlight advancements in electrochemical sensing, catalysis, and bio-inspired materials. His lab employs cutting-edge techniques such as liquid-cell TEM and impedimetric spectroscopy to bridge macroscopic and single-entity electrochemical phenomena. Advising and grants: Guides over 20 graduate students and postdocs in interdisciplinary projects Collaborates with groups in materials science, chemical engineering, and biomolecular science Labs/Teams: Director of the Electrochemistry Lab at UCSB, specializing in bioelectrochemistry and nanoelectrochemical systems.

Joel E. CohenView profile

Professor

• Mathematical Biology
• Population Dynamics
• Demography
• +7 more

Joel E. Cohen is the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor at The Rockefeller University, where he leads the Laboratory of Populations. With over five decades of research experience, Cohen has pioneered innovative mathematical approaches to study biological populations and variability. His work bridges mathematics, biology, and environmental science, fundamentally changing how scientists understand population dynamics and the significance of biological variability. Dr. Cohen's research focuses on developing new mathematical tools to address population problems in demography, epidemiology, and ecology. He has made seminal contributions to the understanding of heavy-tailed distributions that describe extreme events like hurricanes and disease outbreaks, challenging traditional statistical approaches. His laboratory has conducted groundbreaking research on the spatial distribution of human populations in relation to geophysical factors, with unexpected practical applications ranging from soap formulation to semiconductor manufacturing. Cohen has also developed mathematical models for Chagas disease control in rural Argentina and created algorithms to predict international migration patterns. Analysis of Cohen's recent publications reveals a sustained focus on Taylor's law of fluctuation scaling, population dynamics, and ecological statistics. His work consistently demonstrates how abstract mathematical concepts can transform our understanding of biological systems, from cellular processes to global population trends. The research spans theoretical mathematics to practical applications in disease control, conservation biology, and environmental management. Olivia Schieffelin Nordberg Prize for excellence in writing in the population sciences (March 1997) Gheorghe Lazar Prize of Romanian Academy (December 2000) As director of the Laboratory of Populations, Cohen has led research on human population growth, infectious diseases, food webs, and international migration. His methods for assessing the uncertainty of population projections have been applied in court cases for predicting future claimants of asbestos-related diseases. Cohen's laboratory has collaborated with the United Nations Population Division on migration studies and developed mathematical models that account for more than half of the variability in annual migration numbers among 229 countries. Current research directions include understanding how demographic, economic, and cultural changes interact with Earth's physical, chemical, and biological environments. The Laboratory of Populations employs a multidisciplinary approach that combines mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and field studies to address complex population issues. Their work exemplifies how basic quantitative research on populations frequently yields unexpected practical applications, demonstrating the profound connections between theoretical mathematics and real-world challenges in public health, environmental science, and resource management.

• Cyber Physical Systems
• Risk/Reliability Analysis
• Deep Learning
• +3 more

Dr. Saptarshi Sengupta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at San José State University (SJSU), leading the Machine Intelligence and Complex Systems (MICoSys) Lab. He advises the ACM student club at SJSU and holds a 'Alien of Extraordinary Ability' visa (Einstein Visa) from USCIS. His work focuses on resilient cyber-physical systems, risk analysis, and deep learning applications in healthcare and industrial systems. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Vanderbilt University M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Vanderbilt University B.Tech. in Electronics & Communication Engineering, West Bengal University of Technology Research Interests: Cyber-Physical Systems Security Healthcare AI for Cancer and Chronic Disease Prediction Battery Prognostics and Energy Systems Machine Learning for Complex Systems Analysis Key Achievements: Dr. T.M.A. Pai Gold Medal Award for Healthcare AI contributions Recipient of multiple best paper awards at international conferences Author of over 30 peer-reviewed publications Labs & Teams: Leads the MICoSys Lab, developing AI solutions for healthcare diagnostics, industrial prognostics, and smart infrastructure systems. Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects with biomedical and engineering domains.

Shankar MukherjiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Biophysics
• Quantitative Biology
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

Shankar Mukherji is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the Center for Quantum Leaps. His research integrates theoretical and experimental approaches to understand the design principles governing cellular function, with a focus on organelle biogenesis, spatial organization, and systems-level coordination. He holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard’s FAS Center for Systems Biology under Erin O’Shea. Key research themes include: (1) how cells regulate organelle abundance, size, and spatial distribution under developmental/environmental cues, (2) the interplay between organelle biogenesis and cellular physiology, and (3) engineering cellular decision-making to control organelle properties. His group employs advanced imaging, synthetic biology, and computational modeling techniques. Recent work emphasizes systems-level analysis of organelle networks, uncovering principles linking cellular growth to organelle allocation. Notable contributions include studies on stochastic fluctuations in organelle abundance, resource competition models, and the biophysical limits governing organelle formation. Courses taught include Biophysics Laboratory (Physics 360) and Calculus-based Physics (Physics 191). His research has been highlighted in high-impact journals like Cell Systems, Nature, and Science. Current projects explore nanodiamond-based quantum sensing for organelle detection and synthetic biology approaches to reprogram organelle biogenesis pathways.

David R. ReichmanView profile

Professor

• Disordered Materials
• Glass-Forming Systems
• Soft Materials
• +3 more

David R. Reichman is the Centennial Professor of Chemistry at Columbia University, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry within the School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the chemistry, physics, and biology of disordered materials, including glass-forming systems, soft materials (gels, colloids, emulsions), and biological systems. Key themes include disorder, dynamical heterogeneity, and metastable configurations. His work spans computational methods such as Quantum Monte Carlo, time-dependent variational principles, and exciton theory. Notable contributions include studies on singlet fission mechanisms, halide perovskites, and optically pumped phonon dynamics in superconductors. Leads the Reichman Group, based at 520 Havemeyer Hall. Active in cross-disciplinary collaborations, as seen in publications across journals like Nature Communications and Physical Review B . Research emphasizes bridging microscopic quantum phenomena with macroscopic material behavior, particularly in energy-related materials and nanostructured systems.

Andrea GiomettoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Stochastic and Dynamical Systems in Biology
• Theoretical Population Biology
• +3 more

Andrea Giometto is an Assistant Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, part of the College of Engineering. He holds affiliations with Applied Mathematics, Biological and Environmental Engineering, and Microbiology. His research focuses on spatial growth of microbial communities, integrating statistical physics, experiments, and genetic engineering to study ecological and evolutionary processes in spatially extended systems. Education: Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (EPFL, 2015), M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Physics (University of Padova). Postdoctoral research at Harvard University, supported by Swiss National Science Foundation fellowships. Visiting scientist at Imperial College London and Eawag, Switzerland. Research interests include microbial population dynamics, resource competition, and scaling patterns in ecosystems. Key methods involve microfluidics, evolutionary experiments, and mathematical modeling. Recent work explores how physical interactions and environmental factors shape microbial behavior and community structure. Awards: Earth Science Award (EPFL, 2016), Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoc Fellowships (2016–2018). Grants: Funded by Swiss National Science Foundation and Cornell Engineering. Labs/Teams: Leads research in microbial systems biology and evolutionary ecology at Cornell, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in biophysics and environmental engineering.

Kayla KingView profile

Professor

• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Climate Change Biology
• Evolutionary Ecology
• +3 more

Kayla King is a Professor in the Departments of Zoology and Microbiology & Immunology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and holds a Professorial Fellowship at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on the contemporary ecology and evolution of host-pathogen/parasite interactions, integrating experimental evolution, comparative genomics, and field studies. Key research interests include climate change impacts on pathogen virulence, biodiversity loss effects on disease dynamics, and the evolutionary consequences of host jumps. She investigates microbial diversity, symbiosis, and the interplay between environmental stressors and host immunity. Education Affiliations: University of British Columbia (UBC) University of Oxford (as Professorial Fellow) Research Interests: Dr. King’s work spans microbial ecology, evolutionary theory, and environmental change. She explores how warming temperatures and habitat fragmentation influence pathogen transmission and host resistance. Her team uses experimental systems to study virulence evolution, microbiome functions, and the ecological basis of disease emergence. Recent projects examine symbiotic relationships, stress responses in hosts, and the role of biodiversity in disease regulation. Lab & Collaborations: The King Lab operates across UBC and Oxford, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to infectious disease dynamics. They collaborate on topics like protective microbiota, pathogen surveillance in wild animals, and applying evolutionary principles to disease control strategies. Awards: No specific awards listed in provided materials. Advising & Grants: While specific student names aren’t listed, the lab focuses on training researchers in experimental evolution and disease ecology. Funding sources include UBC’s Biodiversity Research Centre and academic excellence initiatives. Labs/Teams: King Lab (UBC Zoology & Microbiology & Immunology), part of the Biodiversity Research Centre’s collaborative network.

• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• +3 more

Prof. Robert Grass is a Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences at ETH Zurich, affiliated with the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering Sciences. His research focuses on innovative applications of nanotechnology, DNA-based storage systems, and sustainable catalytic processes for CO2 valorization. Grass has pioneered silica-encapsulated DNA technologies for traceability in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and anti-counterfeiting measures. His work bridges chemical engineering with information technology, addressing challenges in long-term data preservation and molecular-level security. Current projects include developing compostable DNA storage materials and designing catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO2, contributing to both environmental sustainability and energy systems. Grass's interdisciplinary approach integrates nanomaterials design, enzymatic processes, and machine learning to advance next-generation storage and sensing technologies. Research Interests: Development of DNA-based storage systems with error-correction mechanisms Nanoparticle engineering for medical and environmental applications Catalytic materials for CO2 conversion and green chemistry Bio-inspired security systems using molecular randomness Sustainable materials for long-term data preservation His recent work highlights advancements in silica-encapsulated DNA tracers for tracking pathogen transmission dynamics, as well as low-nuclearity catalysts enabling efficient methanol synthesis from CO2. Grass actively explores the intersection of nanotechnology and digital information, including cryptographic applications leveraging DNA's inherent complexity.

James BishopView profile

Professor

• Ocean carbon cycle dynamics
• Remote sensing
• Aquatic chemistry
• +5 more

James Bishop is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Faculty Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He earned a B.Sc. (Honors) in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry from the University of British Columbia and a Sc.D. in Marine Chemistry from the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography. His research focuses on ocean carbon cycle dynamics, remote sensing, aquatic chemistry, marine biogeochemistry, and autonomous observing systems. Key affiliations: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (since 2006), University of Victoria (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences), and Columbia University (Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory). Dr. Bishop’s research spans marine particle dynamics, biogeochemical cycling, and development of autonomous sensors for ocean carbon monitoring. His work involves major initiatives like GEOTRACES and VERTIGO, with emphasis on particulate inorganic/organic carbon (PIC/POC) proxies, carbon flux validation, and optical sensor integration. Recent publications highlight advancements in robotic oceanography, carbon export quantification, and cross-polarized light detection methodologies.

Mickael MounaixView profile

Research Fellow

• Photonics
• Optical Engineering
• Biomedical Imaging
• +3 more

Dr Mickael Mounaix is a Research Fellow at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Queensland. His research focuses on controlling the spatial and temporal properties of light through complex disordered materials (e.g., multimode fibers, biological tissues). He leads projects on optical time reversal, spatiotemporal beam shaping, and nonlinear light propagation. Key achievements include demonstrating time-reversed optical waves (Nature Communications, 2020) and controlling light delivery in multimode fibers (Nature Communications, 2019). His work has been featured in Phys.org and highlighted in international conferences like CLEO and ECOC. Education background: Ph.D. in Physics (university unspecified). Collaborations include Nokia Bell Labs, Crawford Hill Labs, and international institutions. His lab employs spatial light modulators and advanced software techniques for light manipulation. A fully funded Ph.D. project is currently available. Research interests span photonics applications in biomedical imaging and telecommunications, with a focus on overcoming scattering limitations in complex media. Recent innovations include programmable spatiotemporal exotic beams (2025) and high-dimensional light tomography (2023). His work bridges theoretical optics with experimental photonics, addressing challenges in light delivery and control. Media and outreach: UQ News press releases, YouTube abstracts, and pedagogical conference presentations (e.g., 75-minute CLEO 2020 talk). No explicit awards listed, but publications in top-tier journals highlight his contributions. Advising: No listed students yet. Grants: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts. Lab/teams: Focus on transmission matrix methods, spatiotemporal engineering, and optical time reversal systems. Ongoing projects include developing optical time reversers and analyzing multimode fiber characteristics without coherence (Referenceless 2023 work).