Dr. Yi Shen is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, and Chair of RACI Women in Chemistry. She is also affiliated with multiple research institutes including Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, The Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation, and The University of Sydney Nano Institute. PhD in Soft Materials from ETH Zurich Postdoctoral research at University of Cambridge and Harvard University Her research focuses on protein phase behavior and functional biomaterials development, utilizing soft matter approaches and microfluidic techniques to address challenges in neurodegenerative diseases, sustainable materials, and biomedical engineering. She has published extensively in top journals like Nature Nanotechnology and PNAS, with a particular emphasis on: Protein liquid-liquid phase separation mechanisms Biomaterials from protein nanofibrils Microfluidic manipulation of biological systems Biodegradable bioplastics development Shear force effects on biomolecular systems Pathological protein aggregation dynamics Key scientific achievements include: 2022 ARC DECRA Fellowship 2022 Sydney Nano Frontier award 2018 ETH Zurich Spark Award (for Fe delivery system invention) 2012 Princeton Grand Challenges Program 2 patents pending 2 Nature Nanotechnology cover articles As an educator, she coordinates CHNG2802 Chemical Engineering Modelling and Analysis, co-teaches CHNG3804 Biochemical Engineering and CHNG5605 Bio-products: Laboratory to Marketplace, and guest lectures across biomedical and nanotechnology programs. Her lab actively collaborates with institutions in Switzerland (ETH Zurich), UK (Cambridge), and US (Harvard, Princeton), focusing on transforming biomolecular understanding into real-world applications in health, industry, and environmental sustainability.
Ramin Golestanian is a Professor at the University of Oxford since 2010 and has served as Director at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization since 2018. He is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Göttingen. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Living Matter Physics at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Göttingen, Germany. Golestanian obtained his BSc from Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, and his MSc and PhD from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS) in Zanjan. His PhD work was conducted under the remote supervision of Mehran Kardar from MIT, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at UC Santa Barbara. He held academic positions at IASBS and the University of Sheffield before becoming a Full Professor in 2007. Golestanian has a broad research interest in nonequilibrium statistical physics, soft matter, and biological physics. He is particularly distinguished for his pioneering work on active matter, including the development of microscopic swimmers and active colloids. His recent research focuses on non-reciprocal interactions in active matter systems, exploring how breaking action-reaction symmetry leads to novel self-organization phenomena. His work spans theoretical frameworks for understanding living matter from fundamental principles, with applications ranging from synthetic biology to understanding the origin of life. Golestanian is an elected Fellow of the American Physical Society and the Institute of Physics. His major awards include the Holweck Medal of the Société Française de Physique and the Institute of Physics, the EPJE Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Lecture Prize, the Martin Gutzwiller Fellowship of the MPI-PKS, the Nakamura Lecturer Award of UCSB, and the 50th-Anniversary Most Distinguished Alumni Award of Sharif University of Technology. As Director of the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Golestanian leads research initiatives exploring the fundamental principles of self-organization in complex systems. His department, the Department of Living Matter Physics, investigates how physical principles govern living systems. He has delivered numerous invited lectures at prestigious institutions worldwide, including Cambridge University, Oxford University, and the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics.
Thomas R Powers is a Professor of Engineering and Professor of Physics at Brown University. He joined Brown in 2000 as the first holder of the James R. Rice Term Chair in Solid Mechanics and has been an influential figure in soft matter physics, biomechanics, and microorganism locomotion. PhD in Physics, University of Pennsylvania (1995) BS in Physics and Mathematics, MIT (1989) His research focuses on soft matter systems, including colloidal and lipid bilayer membranes, liquid crystals, and active matter, with an emphasis on low-Reynolds-number hydrodynamics and geometric mechanics. His work has been supported by NSF grants, including collaborations with Brandeis University's bioinspired materials center. Recent publications explore microbial flagellar dynamics (e.g., Giardia lamblia ), chiral membrane behavior, and active gel responses to shear. Key keywords include soft matter, active matter, fluid mechanics, and microscale locomotion. Scientific honors include: Fellow, American Physical Society NSF CAREER Award (2001-2006) T. Francis Ogilvie Young Investigator Lectureship, MIT Ocean Engineering He has advised numerous students through courses like ENGN 2912F (Soft Matter) and ENGN 1210 (Biomechanics), while leading funded research on colloidal membranes and viscoelastic fluid interactions.
Dr. Suresh Bhargava is a Distinguished Professor and Director of AcSIR at RMIT University's Research & Innovation department. He has led interdisciplinary research in materials science, catalysis, and environmental engineering for over three decades, with a focus on strengthening Indo-Australian scientific collaboration. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing challenges in pollution control, nanotechnology, and cancer treatment. Research & Leadership: Established RMIT's Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC), pioneering translational research with industry applications. Supervised 70+ PhD students (100% employment rate), many now leading roles at global institutions. Holds distinguished professorships across six countries and advises governments and Fortune 500 firms on environmental and industrial issues. Awards & Recognition: Recipient of Australia's Member of the Order of Australia (2022), India's P.C. Ray Chair (2014), and the Khwarizmi International Award (2016). His work on mercury pollution control and gold-based anticancer drugs has garnered global acclaim, with over 800 publications (26,000+ citations, h-index 86). Key Contributions: Architect of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund and the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program. Innovated eco-friendly graphene production from eucalyptus bark and patented anti-cancer gold compounds. Advises on sustainable mineral processing, hydrogen energy, and CO₂ valorization. Industry Engagement: Consulted for Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, and CSIRO on resource efficiency, pollution mitigation, and nanotechnology applications. His research has created jobs and driven innovation in Australia and Asia-Pacific.
Susanna Thon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), affiliated with the Whiting School of Engineering. She serves as Associate Director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI) and a member of the Data Science and AI Institute. Her research focuses on nanomaterials engineering for optoelectronic devices, emphasizing solar energy conversion and sensing. Notable areas include plasmonic-photocatalytic systems using aluminum nanoparticles and nanostructured materials like colloidal quantum dots for next-generation devices. Thon holds a BSc from MIT (2005) and MSc/PhD in Physics from UC Santa Barbara (2008/2010). She joined JHU in 2013 after postdoctoral work at the University of Toronto. Her work is funded by agencies such as the NSF, U.S. Army, and Maryland Energy Innovation Institute. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and received JHU’s Catalyst and Discovery awards. Key research projects include developing plasmonic systems to enhance light absorption in titanium dioxide and creating scalable fabrication techniques for optoelectronic materials. Thon’s team also advances quantum dot solar cells and novel characterization methods for energy materials. She actively participates in professional societies, including the Optical Society of America and IEEE. Her grants and collaborations aim to train the next generation in sustainable energy research, with recent initiatives funded through NSF and Space@Hopkins seed grants. Thon’s lab integrates nanophotonics, materials science, and machine learning to address global energy challenges.
Farooq Azam is a Distinguished Professor of Microbial Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. He has held this position since 1996, following roles as Professor-in-Residence and Research Biologist at the same institution. His research focuses on marine microbial ecology, coral reef microbiology, microbial biogeochemistry, and the ocean carbon cycle. Azam earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from the Czechoslovak Academy of Science, Prague, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stony Brook University. Affiliations: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD Key Roles: Long-term leadership in microbial oceanography research Research Interests: His work explores how marine microbes influence biogeochemical cycles, coral health, and organic matter dynamics. He has pioneered studies on microbial regulation of the ocean carbon cycle and the ecological roles of marine phages. Awards: Includes election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2015), Tiedje Award (2004), and recognition as an ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2002). He holds an honorary doctorate from Linnaeus University (2004).
Nuri Yazdani is a Lecturer at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. Based at the Institute for Electronics (Institut für Elektronik) in Zurich, Dr. Yazdani contributes to both teaching and research in advanced materials and nanotechnology. His work spans multiple interdisciplinary areas connecting physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering, with particular emphasis on nanocrystal-based materials and their applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Dr. Yazdani's research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials, particularly semiconductor nanocrystals and quantum dots. His work explores the fundamental physical properties of these materials, including exciton-phonon interactions, structural ordering in multicomponent systems, and charge transport mechanisms in nanocrystal assemblies. He investigates how nanoscale phenomena affect macroscopic material properties, with applications ranging from catalysis to optoelectronic devices. His approach combines experimental techniques like small-angle X-ray scattering with theoretical modeling to understand structure-property relationships in nanomaterials. Analysis of Dr. Yazdani's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on perovskite and chalcogenide nanocrystals, with particular interest in how structural features like cation distribution, octahedral tilting, and surface chemistry affect optical and electronic properties. His work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications, spanning from quantum optics to energy conversion technologies. A recurring theme is the investigation of size-dependent phenomena and the role of phonons in determining material behavior at the nanoscale. Dr. Yazdani collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions and disciplines, as evidenced by his authorship on numerous multi-investigator publications. His work appears in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Nature Physics, reflecting the significance and interdisciplinary nature of his contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Amy Childress is Dean's Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering. She serves as director of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department's environmental engineering program and leads the Center for Water Reuse (ReWater). Dr. Childress has been with USC since summer 2013 and previously served as professor and chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Childress earned her educational degrees from the following institutions: Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland College Park Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California - Los Angeles Doctoral Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California - Los Angeles For over 20 years, Professor Childress' research has focused on membrane processes for addressing global water scarcity challenges. Her current research interests include membrane contactor processes for innovative solutions to contaminant and energy challenges; pressure-driven membrane processes as industry standards for desalination and water reuse; membrane bioreactor technology; and colloidal and interfacial aspects of membrane processes. She emphasizes process sustainability through reduction of discharge by-products, limiting chemical and material consumption, and minimizing energy, carbon, and infrastructure footprints of treatment systems. Her work explores the water-energy nexus to develop holistic solutions for finite water and energy resources. Professor Childress' recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on advancing membrane technologies for water treatment and desalination. Her research spans fundamental studies of membrane properties and performance to applied research on system integration and optimization. Key themes include improving membrane wetting resistance, developing mathematical models for water blending, understanding morphological changes in membranes, exploring power density limitations in osmotic processes, and investigating long-term operational effects on membrane performance. Her work consistently addresses the technical challenges of water scarcity while considering sustainability and energy efficiency. Her scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honors: National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2001) NAE Frontiers of Engineering Invited speaker (2007) AEESP President (2008) Multiple fellowships and scholarships from UCLA, AWRA, ACS, and water districts UNR Student Chapter of AWRA Excellence in Teaching Honorable Mention Award (2001) Clair A. Hill Scholarship (1995) Larson Aquatic Research Support (LARS) Scholarship (1996) Professor Childress has directed research projects funded by numerous prestigious organizations including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, NSF, NASA, Office of Naval Research, U.S. Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, California Department of Water Resources, the U.S. EPA, and SERDP, as well as local and private agencies. She leads a productive research group that has generated numerous peer-reviewed publications, proceeding papers, and patents. Her leadership extends to service on the AEESP Foundation Board of Directors and previously as AEESP President. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Desalination journal. Dr. Childress leads the Childress Research Group at USC, which focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of membrane processes for water treatment and desalination. The group maintains laboratory facilities in Biegler Hall (BHE) at USC and conducts both experimental and modeling research to advance water treatment technologies. Their work addresses critical challenges in southern California and around the world related to wastewater reclamation and seawater desalination.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Hirsch is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) . His research focuses on organic chemistry , graphene functionalization , carbon nanomaterials , and molecular solar thermal systems , with significant contributions to 2D material engineering and supramolecular chemistry . Chair of Organic Chemistry II (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg) ResearchGate: Profile Google Scholar: Profile His work spans graphene patterning via laser writing , black phosphorus stabilization using perylenediimides , and covalent functionalization of 2D materials like MoS 2 and carbon nanotubes . Recent studies include non-covalent passivation of BP nanosheets and electroswitchable catalysis for solar thermal energy storage . His scientific awards include the Second Place Poster Award (2023) and Robert C. Haddon Research Award (2021) . Collaborative projects highlight smart nanoparticle systems for radiation therapy and environmental remediation applications.
Daniela Kraft is a Professor of Experimental Physics at the Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory , part of the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) at Leiden University. She obtained her Ph.D. cum laude from Utrecht University and completed postdoctoral research at New York University's Center for Soft Matter Research with a Rubicon grant. Her research bridges self-assembly in soft and biological matter , including colloidal particles , lipid membranes , and active systems . Key awards include the NWO Athena Prize (2019) , ERC Starting Grant , VENI/VIDI fellowships , and the Biophysical Journal Paper of the Year (2017) . She has published extensively in journals like Nature Communications , ACS Nano , and Physical Review Letters , with recent work on membrane-deforming colloids , non-additive interactions , and anisotropic microswimmers . Research Focus : Self-organization principles in biological and synthetic systems, colloidal model systems, and non-equilibrium physics. Labs : Leads the Kraft Lab at Leiden University. Education : Ph.D. in Physics (Utrecht University), Postdoc in Soft Matter Physics (NYU).
Zvonimir Dogic is a Research Associate Professor of Physics at the Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University. He leads the Dogic Lab, focusing on self-assembly of active and soft materials, with interdisciplinary work spanning statistical mechanics, biochemistry, and biophysics. His research explores how particle shape, chirality, and entropic forces drive emergent structures in colloidal systems and active matter. He holds a PhD from Brandeis University (2001) and has supervised numerous PhD students now in academic and industrial roles. Notable honors include the 2010 Cozzarelli Prize and the 2013 Andor Insight Award for his work on oscillating microtubule bundles. Research interests include active matter dynamics, liquid crystalline phases, and biomimetic systems. Recent work includes studies on microtubule-based active gels, chiral colloids, and self-organized cilia-like structures. His lab collaborates with institutions like Harvard, the Mayo Clinic, and the Francis Crick Institute. Key funding sources include the NSF MRSEC, W.M. Keck Foundation, and NIH. The lab’s YouTube channel and Science Blog posts highlight breakthroughs like self-propelled emulsions and entropy-driven membrane formation.
Prof. Silvia Vignolini is a leading researcher in sustainable and bio-inspired materials. Since January 2023, she has served as Director at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , where she leads the department of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials . Her academic career includes a Lecturer in Physics at University College London (2013-2017) and a Professor of Biomaterials and Sustainability at the University of Cambridge (2020-2022). Education: University of Florence (Physics, PhD) Postdoctoral Research: University of Florence , University of Cambridge Her research bridges chemistry , soft matter physics , optics , and biology , focusing on the self-assembly of natural materials into functional architectures. She pioneered work on cellulose-based photonic materials with applications in displays, pigments, and radiative cooling. The selected articles highlight her work on cellulose nanocrystals , structural coloration , and sustainable fabrication techniques . Key trends include mechanochromic hydroxypropyl cellulose systems, bio-inspired light management, and applications in microalgae growth and bacterial symbiosis. Scientific Awards : Philip Leverhululme Prize (2019) ACS Lectureship in Sustainable Chemistry (2018) Ipazia Prize for Women in Science (2012) PhD Thesis Award (University of Florence, 2009) At the Max Planck Institute, her interdisciplinary research group explores bio-inspired design principles for sustainable materials, combining experimental and computational approaches to create functional materials from natural resources.
Markus Schmidt is a Professor of Fiber Optics at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and serves as Head of the Research Department of Fiber Photonics at the Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies (IPHT), where he leads the Hybrid Fibers work group. He previously held a team leadership position at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (2006–2012) and conducted research at Imperial College London (2011). His research integrates fiber optics and photonics for applications in biophotonics, optofluidics, plasmonics, and nonlinear optics. Key innovations include 3D nanoprinted holograms for remote focus control, liquid-core fibers for stable supercontinuum generation, and fiber-integrated platforms for nanorheology and quantum spectroscopy. His work bridges materials science and applied photonics , enabling advancements in telecommunications, environmental monitoring, and bioanalytics. Scientific awards and student mentorship details are not explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His email is markus.schmidt@leibniz-ipht.de .
Professor John L Provis is a leading expert in cement materials science at the University of Sheffield 's School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering. He also holds a Visiting Professor position at Luleå University of Technology's Building Materials division. PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Melbourne) 2013 RILEM Robert L'Hermite Medal 2015 Honorary Doctorate from Hasselt University Editor-in-Chief of Materials and Structures His research focuses on alkali-activated materials and geopolymer binders for sustainable construction, with key themes in chemical speciation , waste immobilization , and novel cement systems for nuclear applications. Recent publications highlight 15 representative articles spanning topics: Radiation-resistant cementitious matrices Geopolymer synthesis for heavy metal containment Thermodynamic modeling of binder systems Corrosion mechanisms in alkali-activated concretes Low-carbon cement alternatives Microstructural analysis via advanced spectroscopy Scientific Recognition : RILEM Robert L'Hermite Medal recipient Hasselt University Honorary Doctorate Editorial leadership roles in major journals Contact: j.provis@sheffield.ac.uk | Sir Robert Hadfield Building, University of Sheffield
Rahul Mangal serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur). His academic profile demonstrates expertise in polymer physics, colloids, complex fluids, nanocomposites, active matter, and liquid crystals. Dr. Mangal completed his PhD at Cornell University in 2016, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Madison (2016-2017). He earned his B Tech-M Tech dual degree from IIT Kanpur in 2010. Prior to his academic career, he gained industry experience as a Manager at Reliance Industries Limited in Jamnagar, Gujarat from July 2010 to July 2012. His research program focuses on the experimental investigation of colloid-polymer interactions in nanocomposite systems. Specifically, his group studies how colloids (1-1000 nm) interact with polymeric hosts to influence fundamental properties including phase behavior, rheology, and colloidal diffusion. His work explores the novel properties that emerge when colloids are added to polymer melts, block copolymers, and liquid crystals, with applications in energy devices, photonics, and bio-medicines. Dr. Mangal's research has produced significant publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Langmuir, and Macromolecules, demonstrating his contributions to understanding polymer-nanoparticle systems and their applications in energy storage technologies. Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University (2016) McMullen Fellowship, Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University (2012) His work bridges fundamental polymer physics with practical applications, particularly in developing advanced materials for energy storage solutions. Dr. Mangal maintains an active research program that continues to explore the complex behavior of polymer-nanoparticle systems to engineer materials with precisely controlled properties for targeted applications.
