California Institute of Technology (Caltech)United States
William A. Goddard, III is the Charles and Mary Ferkel Professor of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology. With a career spanning over five decades, he has held positions from Noyes Research Fellow (1964–66) to his current professorship since 2001. His educational background includes a B.S. from UCLA (1960) and a Ph.D. from Caltech (1965). Quantum chemistry and first-principles simulations Multiscale modeling (QM→MD→mesoscale) Catalysis and protein structure prediction Nanotechnology and bionanotechnology Energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors) Recent publications emphasize applications in metal-organic frameworks , electrocatalysis , and space manufacturing , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. His work on G-protein coupled receptors and Li-S batteries demonstrates methodological innovation through quantum mechanics and machine learning . Horizon Prize , Royal Society of Chemistry Over 1548 total publications (1967–2022) As Director of Caltech's Material and Process Simulation Center , he leads development of software like ReaxFF for reactive dynamics. He teaches Ch 120 ab (Nature of the Chemical Bond) and Ch 121 ab (Atomic-Level Simulations), emphasizing hands-on computational applications for experimentalists and theorists.
Dr. Kathryn A. Whitehead is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She joined the faculty in 2012 after completing postdoctoral training at MIT. Her research focuses on engineering drug delivery systems for RNA therapeutics, maternal-infant health, and overcoming biological barriers to enhance drug efficacy. Key areas include lipid nanoparticle (LNP) design for mRNA delivery, intestinal permeation enhancement, and leveraging maternal milk cells for therapeutic applications. Education: H.B.Ch.E., University of Delaware (2002); Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara (2007); Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT (2008–2012). Research Interests: Drug delivery systems, RNA interference, bionanotechnology, personalized medicine, and translational nanomedicine for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Her lab develops novel LNPs for targeted delivery to tissues like the liver, brain, and pancreas. Awards and Recognition: AIMBE Fellow, DARPA Young Faculty Award (2016), CMBE Young Innovator Award (2016), MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35 (2014), and NIH Director’s New Innovator Award. Her work has been cited over 9,000 times, with patents in RNA delivery and permeation enhancers. Lab Members: Active researchers include Ph.D. students, postdocs, and undergraduates working on projects such as LNP formulation, maternal milk cell biology, and siRNA therapies. Notable alumni have advanced to roles at Moderna Therapeutics, Verve Therapeutics, and academic institutions. Grants and Funding: Supported by NIH, DARPA, and industry partnerships. Current projects include NIH grants on pregnancy-safe mRNA delivery and DARPA funding for maternal-infant therapeutics.
Ehud Gazit is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Life Sciences. He holds the Chair for Nano-Biology and serves as Vice President for Research and Development at Tel Aviv University. Professor Gazit has held numerous prestigious visiting appointments including at Umeå University, Fudan University, and Cambridge University. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. (summa cum laude) from Tel Aviv University's Special University Program for Outstanding Students in 1991, followed by a Ph.D. (with distinction) from the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1997, and postdoctoral training at MIT from 1997-2000. Professor Gazit's research focuses on molecular structure and self-assembly at the nano-scale, particularly examining protein folding, unfolding, and misfolding phenomena. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms and significance of protein unfolding and misfolding, with experimental systems including bacterial toxin-antidote systems, type II diabetes-related amyloidogenic proteins, and the VHL tumor suppressor protein. His work bridges fundamental biochemistry with nanotechnology applications, exploring how molecular self-assembly can be harnessed for technological innovation. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in peptide-based nanomaterials, with particular emphasis on amyloid formation mechanisms, peptide self-assembly for functional materials, and therapeutic applications targeting neurodegenerative diseases. His work spans multiple disciplines including biochemistry, nanotechnology, materials science, and biomedical engineering, showing increasing integration of fundamental research with practical applications. Professor Gazit has received numerous prestigious awards including: 2020 Landau Prize in Sciences and Arts in the Field of Healthy Aging 2019 Rappaport Prize for Excellence in Biomedical Research 2018 Foreign Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India 2016 ERC Advanced Grant from the European Research Council 2015 Elected Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Professor Gazit has been actively involved in mentoring students and researchers, as evidenced by his extensive publication record with numerous collaborators. He has secured significant research funding including an ERC Advanced Grant. His professional activities include editorial board memberships for journals including Journal of Peptide Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology - Asia, and Amyloid. He previously served as Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Science and Technology (2012-2014). His laboratory has developed innovative approaches to studying molecular self-assembly, with particular expertise in peptide nanostructures. The research team has made significant contributions to understanding amyloid formation mechanisms while simultaneously developing novel biomaterials with applications ranging from electronics to medicine. They have established strong collaborations with research groups worldwide, creating a dynamic interdisciplinary research environment focused on the intersection of biology and nanotechnology.
Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyGermany
Hendrik Dietz serves as Full Professor of Biophysics in the Physics Department at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), holding the Chair of Biomolecular Nanotechnology since 2018. He has been a continuous faculty member at TUM since 2009, progressing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor before his current appointment, and leads the Laboratory for Biomolecular Design as Principal Investigator. His academic credentials include: Doctorate in Physics (Dr. rer. nat.) from TUM (2007) with thesis on 'Mechanical Anisotropy of a Protein Structure in Single-Molecule Experiments' Diploma in Physics (Dipl.-Phys.) from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2004) with thesis on 'Mechanics of the Green Fluorescent Protein' Exchange studies at Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain (2000-2001) Initial diploma studies at University of Paderborn (1998-2000) Dietz's pioneering research integrates biophysics and nanotechnology to engineer biomolecular structures, particularly through DNA-based self-assembly techniques. His work establishes foundational methods for creating programmable 3D nanostructures with applications in drug delivery, molecular diagnostics, and synthetic biology. The Laboratory for Biomolecular Design focuses on developing novel biomolecular tools that bridge fundamental biophysical principles with practical nanotechnological implementations. His exceptional contributions are recognized through numerous elite awards: European Research Council Advanced Grant (2021) Honorary membership in Nordrhein-Westfalen Academy of Sciences (2019) ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) and Carl-von-Linde Senior Fellowship Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2015), Germany's highest research honor ERC Starting Grant (2010) alongside Arnold Sommerfeld Award Feodor Lynen Fellowship (2007-2008) and Deutscher Studienpreis (2008) Dietz's sustained funding success—including multiple ERC grants spanning his career—enables ambitious interdisciplinary projects in biomolecular engineering. His laboratory maintains strong collaborations across physics, chemistry, and medical research domains to translate nanostructure designs into functional biomedical applications. The research program emphasizes both fundamental biophysical understanding and technological innovation in molecular design. The Laboratory for Biomolecular Design operates as a dynamic research hub where physics-based approaches drive breakthroughs in programmable matter, with ongoing work expanding into synthetic biology applications and precision nanomedicine platforms.
Daniel J. Müller is a Full Professor of Biophysics at ETH Zurich's Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering since 2010. He served as Head of the Department (2021-2024) and co-directs the NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering (since 2014) and Basel Research Center for Child Health (BRCCH, since 2024). Education: Physics Diploma (Technical University of Berlin, 1993), PhD in Biophysics (University of Basel, 1997), Habilitation in Biophysics (University of Basel, 2000). Müller's research pioneers bionanotechnological tools for quantifying molecular interactions in living systems. His group develops single-molecule force spectroscopy and multiparametric nanoscopic imaging to study cellular mechanics, membrane protein dynamics, and neuronal reprogramming, revealing fundamental biological processes at molecular resolution. Key awards include the EBSA NanoTemper Award (2025), Honorary Professorship from Heidelberg University (2023), Humboldt Research Award (2022), EMBO Membership (2016), and Marsilius Medal (2019). He mentors students through courses like 'Nanomachines of the Cell' and leads major initiatives including the NCCR (30+ research groups) and BRCCH. His 2023 Roche partnership advances translational bioengineering for next-generation medical solutions. Müller directs the Biophysics research group at ETH Zurich, driving innovation in molecular systems engineering through collaborations with institutions like the Max Planck Society and University of Basel.
Ion Tiginyanu is a prominent materials scientist and academic leader. Currently serving as President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova since 2019, he previously held roles including Vice-President (2012-2019), and has been Director of the National Center for Materials Study and Testing at Technical University of Moldova since 2001. His academic career includes visiting professorships at the University of Michigan (USA) and Technical University Darmstadt (Germany). He holds a Doctor Honoris Causa from Gheorghe Asachi Technical University and is a Fellow of SPIE. Education: Graduated Moscow Institute of Physics and Engineering (1978), PhD in Semiconductor Physics from Lebedev Institute (1982), Habilitation from Institute of Applied Physics (1991), and became Full Professor in 1993. Research focuses on nanotechnologies, metamaterials, and nanoarchitectures with applications in photonics, electronics, and biomedical engineering. His work produced over 400 publications (H-index 42) and 52 patents. Key achievements include developing novel semiconductor compounds and aero-materials for electromagnetic applications. Grants & Awards: Over 20 major recognitions including National Prize in Science (2004), WIPO 'Outstanding Inventor' (2011), and Honorary Doctorates from Romania/Japan. Labs: Leads the National Center for Materials Study and Testing, and collaborates internationally with institutions like TU Darmstadt and University of Michigan.
Edward Hirschowitz, MD is an Associate Professor in the field of Internal Medicine with significant affiliations including the Markey Cancer Center , the Cancer Research Priority Initiative , and the Translational Oncology Research Program . His academic and clinical work focuses on advancing cancer research and treatment through innovative methodologies.
Juewen Liu is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Biosensors and Bionanotechnology in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. His research program employs principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to develop innovative nanoscale materials and systems with applications in sensing, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Research encompasses: DNA aptamer development and applications Nanoparticle engineering for biomedical use Biointerface chemistry innovations Nanozyme design and catalytic applications Liu maintains an extensive publication record in high-impact journals, with recent work emphasizing advanced biosensing platforms, targeted drug delivery systems, and nanomaterial-based solutions for environmental and health challenges. His research integrates fundamental science with practical applications in diagnostics and therapy. Teaching responsibilities include courses on nano-biomaterials and nano-instrumentation. Professor Liu collaborates extensively through the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Water Institute, and Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
Vincent Rotello is a University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He holds multiple affiliations including Faculty in the Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology, the Center for Bioactive Delivery, the Models to Medicine program, the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, and the Materials Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program at the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. Dr. Rotello received his B.S. in Chemistry (Honors) from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1985, followed by an M. Phil and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yale University in 1987 and 1990, respectively. He completed an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1990-1993 before joining the faculty at UMass Amherst. Professor Rotello's research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, particularly the study and application of non-covalent interactions including hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking. His work spans nanotechnology, bionanotechnology, bioorthogonal chemistry, drug delivery, and antimicrobial development. His laboratory explores how these molecular recognition concepts can address essential questions in biology, biomedicine, and material chemistry, with particular emphasis on using synthetic organic chemistry to engineer interfaces between synthetic and biological worlds. The group has published over 650 peer-reviewed papers to date. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward bioorthogonal catalysis, particularly 'nanozymes' and 'polyzymes' - nanomaterial scaffolds incorporating transition metal catalysts for localized drug and imaging agent generation. His research increasingly addresses biomedical applications including cancer treatment, bacterial infection control, and diagnostic development, with significant focus on antimicrobial applications and biofilm eradication. Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (2023) Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate (2014, 2015, 2018-2023) Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) NSF CAREER award Cottrell Scholar award Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Sloan Fellowship Professor Rotello has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with recent PhD graduates including Dr. Aarohi Gupta and Dr. Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay. His research group maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines and has secured significant funding for their work in nanotechnology and bionanotechnology. The group has published over 650 peer-reviewed papers, demonstrating consistent productivity and impact in their field. The Rotello Lab operates within the Lederle Graduate Research Tower at UMass Amherst, with office in room 379 and laboratory space in room 320. The group consists of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars from around the world, working collaboratively on projects spanning antimicrobials, bioorthogonal chemistry, drug delivery, and sensing technologies. The lab has documented numerous visiting scholars from institutions across Europe, Asia, and North America, indicating strong international collaborations.
Ana Luísa Daniel da Silva is a Principal Researcher at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, affiliated with CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (Group 1: Porous Materials and Nanosystems). She holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from IST, Lisbon (2000) and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Alicante, Spain (2005). Her research focuses on functional nanomaterials for water purification, biomedical applications, and environmental nanotechnology. She has supervised 10 ongoing PhD students, 25 MSc students, and contributed to over 110 SCI-indexed publications, earning an h-index of 35 (Scopus). Key research areas include surface-modified nanomaterials for pollutant removal and biodetection. She coordinates projects like BIOMAG under Portugal 2020, emphasizing industrial collaboration. Awards include recognition as a top 2% global scientist by Stanford University (2022–2023). Teaching involvement includes courses in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Education: BSc Chemical Engineering, IST, Lisbon (2000) PhD Materials Science, University of Alicante (2005) Her work bridges nanotechnology and sustainability, with patents on magnetic nanosorbents and biomolecule detection platforms. Current projects address carbon-neutral building technologies (ILLIANCE) and advanced drug delivery systems for diabetes and melanoma.
Sylvie Morin is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at York University, affiliated with the Faculty of Science. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Surface and Interfacial Electrochemistry and has been recognized with awards such as the Premier’s Research Excellence Award (2004) and the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award (2000). Her research focuses on electrochemical systems, nanomaterials, and energy storage solutions, particularly exploring electrodeposition techniques and nanostructured coatings for catalytic applications. Dr. Morin’s educational background includes a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Ottawa (1996), an M.Sc. from the University of Guelph (1991), and a B.Sc. in Honours Chemistry from Université de Sherbrooke (1988). She has held academic positions at York University since 1999, including roles as Associate Dean and Interim Director of One WATER. Her research group collaborates on projects involving hydrogen production via water electrolysis and the development of sustainable electrocatalysts. Her research interests span scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), electrochemistry of transition metal oxides, and functionalized surfaces for biomedical analysis. Key projects include investigating nanostructured materials for energy conversion and corrosion-resistant coatings from deep eutectic solvents. Dr. Morin has supervised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, contributing to the training of high-quality human resources in materials science and electrochemistry. Scientific awards include: Canada Research Chair (2001–2010) York University’s Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award (2000) Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship (Germany, 1996–1999) Her research has been funded through grants supporting interdisciplinary work in electrochemistry, materials science, and sustainable energy technologies. Collaborations include studies on vaccine adjuvants and viral genome organization, demonstrating her cross-cutting scientific contributions. Dr. Morin’s lab focuses on advancing low-dimensional material systems, with ongoing projects exploring novel electrodeposition methods and the structural-properties relationships in nanomaterials.
John T. Ngo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. He leads The Ngo Lab , focusing on developing novel technologies to study cellular function and disease through principles of evolution, chemistry, and engineering. His research emphasizes live-cell imaging, protein engineering, and advanced microscopy techniques. Education: PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the California Institute of Technology Research Interests: His work spans three core areas: live-cell imaging of signal transduction , innovative labeling techniques for high-resolution imaging , and protein engineering applications in biotechnology and nanotechnology . Recent projects include developing nanobodies for intracellular antigen detection and synthetic receptors for mechanotransduction. Publications: Over 20+ peer-reviewed articles since 2013, with recent focus on drug-controlled synthetic biology circuits, tension-tuned receptors, and RNA tracking tools. His work bridges molecular engineering and biomedical applications, emphasizing cross-disciplinary innovation. Labs/Teams: The Ngo Lab at Boston University collaborates on developing next-generation tools for live-cell analysis and synthetic biology. Current projects include antiviral drug-controlled systems and high-resolution imaging probes.
Professor Friedrich Simmel (*1970) holds the Chair of Physics of Synthetic Biosystems at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) within the TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience. His research laboratory is located at Am Coulombwall 4a in Garching near Munich, where he leads a vibrant research group focused on the physics of synthetic biological systems. Professor Simmel's research interests center on bionanotechnology, particularly artificial molecular machines and nanostructures made from DNA molecules, as well as the design of artificial biochemical control circuits. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to create novel synthetic biosystems with programmable functions. Key research areas include DNA origami, DNA nanotechnology, synthetic gene circuits, and biomimetic systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward increasingly complex DNA-based nanodevices with applications in biosensing, nanomedicine, and synthetic biology. The research shows progression from fundamental DNA nanostructure design to functional systems with practical applications in diagnostics and biocomputation. His group has pioneered approaches for creating DNA-based nanorobots, synthetic membrane channels, and programmable biochemical oscillators. ERC Advanced Grant (2015) Human frontier science program (HFSP) young investigator award (2006) Emmy Noether Young Researcher of the German Research Foundation (2002) acatech - the German Academy of Science and Engineering (2013) Professor Simmel actively mentors numerous students and junior researchers, as evidenced by the many co-instructors listed on his practical courses. His research has been supported by prestigious grants including the ERC Advanced Grant. His laboratory maintains strong collaborations across disciplines, working with researchers in microfluidics, synthetic biology, and biomedical engineering. The group operates within TUM's advanced infrastructure for biophysics and nanotechnology, including facilities for electron microscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.
Professor Bruce J. Hinds serves as the Campbell Professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, where he relocated in July 2014 after nine years at the University of Kentucky. His pioneering work focuses on nanoscale membrane technologies with applications spanning water purification, energy storage, and medical devices. Hinds' academic foundation includes: B.S. in Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College (1991) M.S. in Chemistry, Northwestern University (1992) Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry, Northwestern University (1996) His research centers on engineering active nanometer-scale architectures inspired by natural protein channels, particularly carbon nanotube membranes exhibiting 10,000-fold enhanced fluid flow. Current projects target programmable transdermal drug delivery, electrochemical water remediation, and biochemical separation systems. The lab's innovations include an award-winning artificial kidney prototype using photoelectrochemical membranes for nutrient recovery during dialysis. Recent publications (2014-2018) reveal escalating integration of electrochemical control with biomimetic membranes, advancing applications in protein separation, addiction treatment, and energy storage. This trajectory demonstrates convergence of nanofluidics, materials science, and biomedical engineering to solve critical healthcare and environmental challenges. His accolades include: NSF Early Career Award (2004) Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE, NIH) (2009) JSPS Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1998) Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow (2010) Supported by prestigious grants including NSF CAREER and PECASE funding, Hinds mentors graduate researchers in developing membrane platforms that electro-pump biomolecules for dialysis innovation and environmental applications. His lab collaborates with the Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute to transform theoretical nanofluidic principles into compact medical devices. The Hinds Lab pioneers 'active' membrane technologies at the University of Washington's Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, focusing on electro-pumped biomolecular systems. Recent breakthroughs include transdermal nicotine delivery validation and continuous protein separation platforms, with ongoing work targeting commercialization of dialysis-enhancing membranes that recover essential nutrients during treatment.
Vittorio Saggiomo is an Associate Professor in BioNanoTechnology at Wageningen University & Research , with significant collaborations at University College Dublin and other institutions. His work bridges material science, microfluidics, and open science hardware development. Research Interests include: 3D Printing Innovations Nanocomposite Material Development Open-Source Scientific Hardware Microplastic Detection Systems Algae-based Biopolymers Peptide Hydrogel Engineering Recent Publications demonstrate expertise in: Low-cost microscopy solutions (EnderScope/ESPressoscope) Algae-derived 3D printing resins Optical waveguide biomaterials Open science frameworks for fluidics Key Projects involve: Modular Microfluidic Catalysis Systems Self-optimizing Fluidic Technologies Microalgal Biorefineries for Food/Nutraceuticals Low-Field NMR/MRI Development Academic Activities feature multiple oral presentations on open microfluidics and hardware at international conferences (2025) and workshop organization like the Wageningen Biodiversity Challenge.
