Paolo Samorì is a full-time Professor at the Université de Strasbourg , where he serves as Director of the Nanochemistry Laboratory and Emeritus Director of the Institut de Science et d'Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS) . He is affiliated with multiple prestigious academies, including the German National Academy of Science and Engineering (ACATECH) , Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) , and European Academy of Sciences (EURASC) . Education: Laurea (MSc) in Industrial Chemistry (University of Bologna, 1995), PhD in Chemistry (Humboldt University Berlin, 2000, summa cum laude). His research focuses on Nanochemistry , 2D materials , and supramolecular systems at interfaces , with applications in organic electronics , optoelectronics , and sensing . He pioneered methods for scanning probe microscopies and photoresponsive nanodevices , including graphene-based systems and diarylethene molecular switches. His scientific awards include the ERC Advanced Grant (2019) , Blaise Pascal Medal (2018) , and Catalán-Sabatier Prize (2017) , among 20+ honors. He has trained over 130 students and researchers , including 34 professors now active globally.
Henry Jäger is a Professor in Food Technology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) since 2014. Previously, he worked as a Project Manager at Nestlé (2012-2014) and Lecturer at TU Berlin (2012-2017), following his PhD/Postdoc at TU Berlin (2006-2012) and Diploma in Food Technology (2000-2006). His research focuses on electrotechnologies in food processing , particularly pulsed electric fields (PEF) and ohmic heating , for microbial inactivation, food preservation, and quality optimization. He explores applications in plant material processing , gluten-free baking , and novel food preservation methods . His work also addresses edible insect processing for allergenicity reduction and protein recovery. Recent publications (2025-2024) analyze synergies between PEF and ohmic heating, biofilm imitation systems for hygiene validation, and computational models for sterilization processes. These studies span food safety , sustainable processing , and functional food design . Henry Jäger actively contributes to scientific communities, serving on the EFFoST managing board , as scientific advisor for food conferences, and as reviewer for journals like Food Chemistry and Trends in Food Science & Technology . He has organized workshops on PEF applications and contributed to EU food technology initiatives.
Alessandro Astolfi is a Professor of Nonlinear Control Theory in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London, where he has been faculty since 1996. He also holds a professorship at the Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata since 2005. From 2022 to 2025, he serves as College Consul for the Faculty of Engineering and Business School, and previously served as Head of the Control and Power Group from 2010 to 2022. His research expertise spans multiple areas of control theory: Nonlinear control theory Adaptive and robust control Discontinuous stabilization Model reduction Geometric control theory Observer design Astolfi's work has produced significant applications across diverse fields including aerospace systems (under-actuated satellites, autonomous aircraft), power systems (multi-machine systems), game theory (population dynamics, multi-agent systems), and industrial processes (model reduction applications). His research contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: 2003 Philip Leverhulme Prize for outstanding research achievements of young scholars 2007 IEEE Control Systems Society Antonio Ruberti Young Researcher Prize 2009 IEEE Fellow for contributions to nonlinear control theory 2009 Googol Best New Application Paper Award 2012 George S. Axelby Outstanding Paper Award 2012 IEEE CSS Distinguished Member Award 2015 Sir Harold Hartley Medal from the Institute of Measurement and Control (UK) Professor Astolfi has authored more than 120 journal papers, 30 book chapters, and over 240 conference papers. He co-authored the monograph 'Nonlinear and Adaptive Control with Applications' (Springer-Verlag). He currently serves as Chair of the IEEE CSS Conference Editorial Board and has participated in program committees of numerous international conferences. His research group at Imperial College London maintains strong connections with academic institutions worldwide including ETH Zurich, Rice University, and SUPELEC, with whom he has established visiting lecturer relationships spanning decades.
Dirk Praetorius is a Professor of Numerics of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) at the Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) , affiliated with the Institute for Analysis and Scientific Computing (ASC) within the Faculty of Mathematics and Geoinformation . He leads the research group on Numerics of PDEs and has held various leadership roles, including Institute Director (since 2020) and head of the Numerics research area. His work focuses on numerical methods for PDEs, including Finite Element Methods (FEM), Boundary Element Methods (BEM), adaptive algorithms, and computational micromagnetics. Education and Career: Praetorius earned his Diplom in Mathematics (2000) and PhD in Applied Mathematics (2003) from TU Wien, followed by a Habilitation in Numerical Analysis (2005). He has been a faculty member at TU Wien since 2005, progressing from Assistant Professor to full Professor in 2017. He has also held visiting positions at institutions such as the University of Jyväskylä and RICAM (Linz). Research Interests: His research spans numerical analysis, adaptive FEM/BEM, a-posteriori error estimation, matrix compression, and computational micromagnetics. He has contributed to modeling spin dynamics, magnetic skyrmions, and multiscale systems. His work emphasizes efficient algorithms for large-scale problems and optimal computational complexity. Awards and Editorial Roles: Praetorius received the TU Best Teacher Award (2021) and TU Best Lecture Award (2019). He serves as Senior Editor for Computational Methods in Applied Mathematics (CMAM) and on the editorial board of Applied Numerical Mathematics (APNUM) . He co-founded the outreach initiative TUForMath to promote mathematics education. Grants and Projects: He leads or co-leads several research projects funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), including the collaborative SFB "Taming Complexity in Partial Differential Systems" (2017–2025) and international collaborations with Germany. His work addresses topics like functional error estimates, nonlinear PDEs, and computational design of magnetic devices. Labs and Teams: He contributes to the ASC Institute and coordinates interdisciplinary projects involving computational physics and engineering. His team develops software tools like MooAFEM and Commics for micromagnetic simulations.
Philipp Eichmeir is a Researcher at the Research Center Wels within the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences . His work focuses on optimal control , multibody dynamics , and adjoint methods applied to robotics and automotive systems. Expertise in adjoint gradient computation for extremal value optimization Active in automotive/mobility and smart production domains Philipp's research spans computational mathematics , robotics , and mechanical engineering , utilizing advanced numerical methods and simulation modeling for complex dynamic systems. His recent publications focus on multibody dynamics , adjoint optimization , and inequality constraint handling in control systems. Collaborative projects include IOMMS (Innovative Optimization Methods for Multibody Systems) and JR-Centre for Thermal NDE of Composites . Scientific Awards Best Paper Award (2020) Automatisierte Körperschallauswertung (2015)
Julian Jauk is a Researcher at the Institute for Architecture and Media, TU Graz. His work focuses on innovative material systems, digital fabrication, and sustainable architectural design. He explores the integration of clay composites, mycelium-based materials, and knitted structures with advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing. Key research themes include lightweight ceramic structures, biocomposite materials, and computational design methodologies. His research emphasizes material-driven innovation, structural optimization, and environmental sustainability. Notable projects include MyCera (clay-mycelium composites) and ClayKnit (3D-printed clay-knitted hybrids). He also investigates mixed reality tools for architectural sketching and kinetic architectural prototypes. Publications from 2021–2024 highlight trends in bio-based materials, additive manufacturing, and material-property analysis. His work bridges traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital fabrication, aiming to redefine sustainable building practices.
Markus Vincze is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Automation and Control Engineering (ACIN) at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). He founded the Vision for Robotics (V4R) group in 1996 to advance robotic perception, particularly in real-world environments and homes. His work focuses on cognitive computer vision techniques for robotics. Education: Diplom in Mechanical Engineering (1988) and PhD (1993) from TU Wien; M.Sc. (1990) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. V4R coordinates EU projects like ActIPret, robots@home, HOBBIT, and national initiatives like vision@home. Markus has edited a book on Robust Vision with Gregory Hager and authored 62 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 400 reviewed publications. His recent research explores zero-shot 6D pose estimation, sim-to-real transfer, and transparent object detection. Markus has served as program chair for ICRA 2013 and organized HRI 2017 in Vienna. He has advised numerous students and secured grants from the Austrian Academy of Sciences for work at HelpMate Robotics and Yale's Vision Laboratory. The V4R group leads innovations in robotic vision, including frameworks for synthetic data generation (Unrealgensyn), depth completion (CAGT), and educational robotics applications for sustainability. Their work spans household robotics (RH3), agricultural robotics (EdgeSoil), and human-robot collaboration.
Uwe Zdun is a Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, where he serves as Vice-Director of Studies for Computer Science and Head of the Research Group Software Architecture. His teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Software Engineering 2, Advanced Software Engineering, and Practical Software Courses for Bachelor's and Master's theses across multiple semesters (2024W-2025S). His research spans software architecture with emphasis on microservices, cloud computing, and DevOps. Key focus areas include architectural design decisions, infrastructure-as-code conformance, security in distributed systems, and the integration of machine learning operations (MLOps/RLOps). He investigates cognitive aspects of architecture practices through controlled experiments and develops model-driven approaches for quality assessment in complex systems. Recent publications (2024-2026) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Security and coupling analysis in infrastructure-as-code deployments, (2) MLOps/RLOps integration for Industry 4.0 cyber-physical systems, and (3) Performance optimization patterns for CI/CD pipelines and autoscaling. His work bridges theoretical architecture models with industrial practice, particularly in microservice ecosystems and reinforcement learning applications. Professor Zdun leads the Research Group Software Architecture at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Computer Science. The group focuses on empirical validation of architectural patterns, tool development for conformance checking, and advancing design decision methodologies in cloud-native and AI-driven systems.
Thomas Jaeger is a Professor of European Law at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Law, specializing in the Internal Market and Competition within European Commercial Law. He leads the Institute for European, International and Comparative Law and serves as President of the Austrian Society for European Law (ÖGER), a member of FIDE, advocating for Austrian perspectives in EU legal developments. His research spans European Commercial Law, State Aid Law, Media Regulation , and Intellectual Property , with notable publications addressing EU legal frameworks for transport, digital markets, and gambling concessions. Recent lectures focus on state aid challenges, constitutional identity conflicts , and merger control . Jaeger supervises dissertations requiring significant scientific contribution and has organized events like the European Law Roundtable with CJEU and State Aid Law Day . He has held visiting roles at Hannover and Munich universities and previously worked at the Max Planck Institute and UNHCHR .
Zhiming Cai is a Visiting Professor at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and holds multiple leadership roles in China, including President of Shenzhen Medical Association, Deputy Director of Carlson International Oncology Center at Shenzhen University, and Director of the Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systemic Biology and Synthetic Biology in Genitourinary Oncology. As an Outstanding Principal Investigator at the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Synthetic Biology, he leads groundbreaking research in cancer genomics and synthetic biology. Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa, The National Academy of Science of Ukraine Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) His research focuses on synthetic biology applications for cancer therapy , including engineered cell treatments and artificial gene circuits for tumor targeting. Notable work includes the "Remodeling Tumor Suppressor Theory" and CRISPR-based signal transduction systems that earned recognition from Nobel laureates and top-tier journals. With over 330 publications and an H-Index of 36, Cai's work has appeared in Nature , Cell , and European Urology . His research team has successfully treated over 200 advanced tumor patients using synthetic biology approaches, demonstrating clinical translation of cutting-edge technology. Guangdong Medical Natural Science Award (First Class) May 1st Labor Medal (China's highest worker award) State Council Special Allowance Expert National Model Worker International Genetically Engineering Machine Competition Gold Award Cai directs multiple high-profile research institutions including the National Tumor Genome Application Engineering Laboratory and the Academic Committee of the National and Local Joint Medical Synthetic Biology Engineering Laboratory. His work bridges basic research with clinical applications in genitourinary oncology through systematic biology approaches.
Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov is Professor of Nanotechnology and Molecular Science at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Australia, and concurrently serves as CEO Science Leader and Chief Research Scientist (Plasma- and Nano- Technologies) at CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship. Beyond his primary appointments, he holds visiting or honorary professorships at more than a dozen institutions across six countries, including Peking University, Zhejiang University, the University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, University of Wollongong, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Jiangnan University, Kharkiv National University, Nanyang Technological University, and the Jožef Stefan Institute. Education & Fellowships: Distinguished Doctor of Sciences, Kharkiv National University, Ukraine (2009) Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship, Germany (1997–1999) Royal Society Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, United Kingdom (1997) Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Invitation Fellowship (2000–2001) Lee Kuan Yew Research Fellowship, Singapore (2002) Australian Research Council (ARC) Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship (2004–2009) ARC Future Fellowship – Level FT3 (2011–2015) Research Interests: Professor Ostrikov is globally recognized as the pioneer of Plasma Nanoscience , a field he established and advanced through seminal reviews in Reviews of Modern Physics (2005) and Advances in Physics (2013). His research targets the fundamental challenge of controlling energy and matter at the nanoscale, translating insights into sustainable technologies. Core themes include: plasma-aided nanofabrication, functional nanomaterials synthesis, plasma catalysis, low-temperature plasmas for energy and environmental applications, plasma medicine and healthcare, and nano-plasmonics. The work bridges physics, chemistry, materials science and biotechnology, aiming at renewable-energy devices, environmental remediation, and next-generation health-care solutions. Grants & Funding: He has secured over AU $15 million in competitive research funding during the last six years alone, including flagship and centre-level grants from the Australian Research Council and CSIRO. Advising & Mentoring: Ostrikov has supervised approximately 65 PhD graduates and more than 92 research students (post-doctoral fellows, master’s and honours students). Alumni hold prestigious fellowships and faculty positions worldwide, attesting to the global impact of his mentoring. Leadership & Community: He is the Convenor of the annual iPlasmaNano international conference series (since 2009) and chairs the Executive Committee of the International Plasma Nanoscience Collaborative Research Network. These roles coordinate a vibrant community of >250 active collaborators, ensuring rapid dissemination of breakthroughs and fostering cross-disciplinary partnerships.
Professor Paolo Fornasiero is a Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Trieste, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where he has worked since 1998. He serves as Deputy Director of the department since 2021 and Scientific Responsible of the CNR Research Unit associated with the Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (ICCOM) since 2008. His career spans EU projects, bilateral collaborations with China, India, and Argentina, and leadership roles in journals like ACS Catalysis (Executive Editor since 2021). Full Professor (2016–present) Associate Professor (2006–2016) Assistant Professor (1998–2006) Post-Doc, University of Reading (1996–1997) His research focuses on multi-functional metal-oxide nanosystems for energy and environmental catalysis, including green hydrogen production , CO2 valorization , and methane emission control . He pioneered core-shell catalysts and single-atom systems for stability and selectivity. His work extends to solid oxide fuel cells and photocatalytic water depollution . Recent publications highlight trends in photothermal catalysis , single-atom catalysts , and CO2 electroreduction . His 280+ papers (3 in Science , 2 in Nature Communications ) reflect expertise across Environmental Catalysis , Nanomaterials , and Green Energy . 2022 Malatesta Medal 2021 European Academy of Sciences member 2017 Edoardo Kramer Award 2016 Heinz Heinemann Award 2013 Chiusoli Gold Medal He oversees PhD/postdoc advising and participates in global capacity-building via UNIDO and World Academy of Sciences . His lab collaborates with institutions like KAUST , Czech Academy of Sciences , and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics .
Prof. Pierre Jaïs serves as University Professor in Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of Bordeaux and Head of the Electrophysiology Unit at Bordeaux University Hospital. He concurrently leads the Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute (LIRYC) as CEO since 2021, driving innovation in cardiac rhythm disorder treatments through multidisciplinary research. His research revolutionized cardiac electrophysiology by identifying pulmonary veins as primary sources of atrial fibrillation, establishing pulmonary vein isolation as the global treatment standard. Current work focuses on pulsed field ablation—a non-thermal technique with potential to replace conventional ablation—and developing advanced imaging for precise arrhythmia targeting, reflecting his commitment to translating scientific discovery into clinical solutions. Analysis of recent publications (2017-2021) reveals dominant trends in pulsed field ablation optimization, comparative ablation techniques, and AI integration in cardiovascular imaging. These works consistently address atrial fibrillation treatment efficacy, safety profiles, and technological innovation, positioning him at the forefront of electrophysiology advancement. His distinguished contributions are recognized through prestigious awards including: 2019: Eli S. Gang Most Innovative Abstract Award (Heart Rhythm Society) 2018: Eric N. Prystowsky Lectureship Award 2012: Academy of Medicine Membership (Paris) 2009: Circulation Best Paper Award Multiple National Academy of Medicine honors Prof. Jaïs actively mentors electrophysiology trainees and secures substantial research funding, notably leading an EU-funded randomized trial comparing pulsed field versus thermal ablation. His LIRYC institute integrates cardiology, engineering, and computational expertise to accelerate therapeutic innovation. The LIRYC institute operates as a collaborative hub where clinicians, biomedical engineers, and data scientists develop next-generation electrophysiology tools. Current projects include real-time arrhythmia mapping systems, tissue-selective ablation protocols, and AI-driven predictive models for treatment personalization, fostering seamless translation from bench to bedside.
Neil Champness is the Norman Haworth Professor of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. He holds a prestigious academic position following roles at the University of Nottingham, including Professor of Chemical Nanoscience (2004-2020). His research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, crystal engineering, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Champness leads a group pioneering studies on molecular self-assembly, surface chemistry, and functional materials. Education & Career - Began academic career with Teaching Fellowships at the University of Nottingham (1995) and Southampton (1994). - Became Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at Nottingham (1998), progressing to Reader (2003) and full Professor (2004). - Currently heads the Champness Group at Birmingham, established in 2021. Research Interests Champness’s work spans: - Design of porous materials (MOFs, HOFs) for gas storage and catalysis. - Surface self-assembly of 2D supramolecular frameworks. - Photoresponsive materials and molecular rotaxanes. - Chemical synthesis under constrained conditions. His group emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, linking chemistry with materials science and nanotechnology. Awards & Recognition 2019: Elected Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences 2020: EPSRC Established Career Fellowship 2016: Royal Society of Chemistry Surfaces & Interfaces Award 2011: Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher 2006: Corday-Morgan Medal (Royal Society of Chemistry) Advisory Roles & Grants - Editorial roles include Chem, Crystals, and CrystEngComm. - Served on Royal Society panels, Irish Research Council, and IUPAC. - Secured major grants from EPSRC and Royal Society. Labs & Collaborations His Birmingham group collaborates globally, with visiting professorships in Japan, Australia, and Brazil. Research is supported by advanced facilities in crystallography and surface chemistry.
Hans Irschik is a Full Professor and Head of the Institute of Technical Mechanics at Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria. He has held key academic roles, including Vice-Rector for Research (1995-2001) and Chair of the Senate (2009-2013) at JKU, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Acta Mechanica . His work bridges structural mechanics, mechatronics, and control systems. Education: Studied Civil Engineering at Vienna University of Technology, earned Doctor of Technical Sciences (1981) and Habilitation in Mechanics (1986). Research interests include structural control, continuum mechanics, and smart materials. His contributions span theoretical developments and applied control strategies for aging structures. Recent articles focus on Lagrangian formulations, piezoelectric sensors, and beam theories, reflecting his expertise in mechanics and structural health monitoring. Scientific Awards & Memberships: Full Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences (since 2011) Honorary Doctorate, St. Petersburg Polytechnical University (2009) President, European Association of Structural Control and Health Monitoring (2008-2012) Fellow, Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (2006) City of Vienna Award (1988) Kardinal Innitzer-Award (1988) Grants & Projects: Led Austrian Science Fund (FWF) research since 1993. Key researcher in the K2-Austrian Center of Competence in Mechatronics (since 2001). Participated in EUROMECH committees and European Science Foundation programs.
