Find Academic Supervisors

Oleg ShpyrkoView profile

Professor

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• X-ray Scattering Techniques
• +5 more

Oleg Shpyrko is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He leads a research group focused on nanoscale structural dynamics using advanced x-ray scattering techniques. His work bridges hard and soft condensed matter systems, including magnetic materials, energy storage materials, and biophotonic nanostructures. Shpyrko earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University in 2004. His research leverages national facilities like the Advanced Photon Source (APS) and Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Key areas include coherent x-ray imaging, domain dynamics in magnetic systems, and operando studies of battery materials. His research interests span: Coherent X-ray Scattering and Imaging Magnetic Domain Dynamics Nanostructured Materials Energy Storage (battery cathodes) Biophotonic Structures Phase Transitions Notable achievements include pioneering X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) for antiferromagnetic domain studies and revealing dislocation dynamics in battery materials. His work has been featured in Nature , Science , and Physical Review Letters . Shpyrko has mentored over 15 graduate students and postdocs, many of whom have become faculty at top institutions. Awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2010), Hellman Fellowship (2009), and the Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award (2008). His group operates facilities including Dynamic Light Scattering labs, AFM/EFM microscopes, and collaborates with synchrotron and neutron sources globally.

• Theoretical/computational mechanics of materials
• Computational plasticity
• Multi-scale material modeling
• +4 more

Curt Bronkhorst is the Harvey D. Spangler Professor of Engineering and Professor of Applied Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics (1985), M.S. (1988), and Ph.D. (1991) in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His career includes roles as Senior Scientist at Weyerhaeuser (1991–2002) and Scientist/Project Leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2002–2019) before joining UW-Madison. He leads the Army Research Laboratory's Center for Extreme Events in Structurally Evolving Materials and contributes to the Theoretical and Computational Mechanics of Materials Group . PhD (1991) - Massachusetts Institute of Technology MS (1988) - Massachusetts Institute of Technology BS (1985) - University of Wisconsin-Madison Bronkhorst's research focuses on theoretical and computational mechanics of materials , particularly under extreme conditions. Key themes include: Coupled thermo-mechanical deformation Finite elasticity and dislocation slip plasticity Deformation twinning and phase transformations Pore nucleation and adiabatic shear banding Brittle-to-ductile transition mechanisms Multi-scale modeling of damage evolution His 2025–2023 publications emphasize data-driven modeling , void nucleation , and machine learning integration in EBSD analysis. Recent work explores gradient nanostructured metals and low-grain polycrystal stress heterogeneity . 2019: Harvey D. Spangler Professorship 2012: DOE Defense Programs Award (Implosion Predictive Capability) 2009: DOE Outstanding Mentor Award 2007–2008: Los Alamos Distinguished Performance Awards Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Member, Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Pi Honor Societies Bronkhorst serves as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Plasticity and president of Northland Partners, LLC. He is affiliated with UW-Madison's Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics and Materials Science & Engineering departments. No formal advisees are listed, but his computational framework has been adopted in grants like the DMREF collaborative research on grain-interface design.

• Semiconductor Defects
• Quantum Materials Engineering
• Infrared Photonics
• +3 more

Kunal Mukherjee serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering within Stanford University's School of Engineering. His teaching portfolio includes core courses such as MATSCI 152: Electronic Materials Engineering and MATSCI 183/213: Defects and Disorder in Materials, alongside extensive supervision of graduate research through MATSCI 300 (Ph.D. Research) and undergraduate studies. His research centers on semiconductor defects and quantum materials engineering, with particular expertise in dislocation dynamics, heteroepitaxial growth, and quantum emitter systems. Key focus areas include: Defect engineering in diamond for quantum sensing applications Mid-infrared photonic materials (PbSe, PbSnSe) for room-temperature operation Quantum dot laser reliability on silicon substrates Nanoscale positioning of color centers in diamond nanostructures Chalcogenide thin film growth for infrared photonics Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on defect-mediated phenomena across multiple material systems. His work bridges fundamental materials science with photonic applications, particularly in quantum technologies and infrared optoelectronics. The research demonstrates sophisticated control over dislocation formation, strain management, and phase stability in heterostructures. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. His academic supervision spans Ph.D. candidates (MATSCI 300), Master's students (MATSCI 200), and undergraduate researchers across multiple independent study courses, though specific student names are not listed. His laboratory work focuses on advanced materials growth and characterization, particularly employing correlative microscopy techniques to study dislocation luminescence and quantum emitter systems. Current efforts target scalable quantum photonic platforms and high-reliability infrared emitters through precise defect engineering.

Gregor KieslichView profile

Research Professor

• Solid-State Chemistry
• Functional Materials
• Metal-Organic Frameworks
• +2 more

Gregor Kieslich is a Research Professor at the Technical University of Munich's School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry. His laboratory explores molecular and solid-state chemistry at the Catalysis Research Centre. Research focuses on structure-property relationships in functional materials including metal-organic frameworks, molecular perovskites, and hybrid systems. The group develops design principles for advanced materials with tailored electronic, mechanical, and ionic transport properties through crystal engineering approaches. Recent publications emphasize materials for energy applications, with consistent focus on structural dynamics under external stimuli. Articles frequently investigate ion transport mechanisms, framework flexibility, and defect engineering using computational and experimental methods. No specific awards or laboratory details are documented in the provided information.

Paolo PasquarielloView profile

Professor

• Information Economics
• International Finance
• Market Microstructure
• +2 more

Paolo Pasquariello is a Professor of Finance at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan , where he holds the John C. and Sally S. Morley Professor of Finance chair. He earned his MBA (1998) , M.Phil. (2002) , and Ph.D. (2003) from New York University's Stern School of Business , following a BA (1994) at Luigi Bocconi University in Milan. Ross School of Business , University of Michigan: John C. and Sally S. Morley Professor (2023–present) Professor (2018–present) Associate Professor (2010–2018) Assistant Professor (2003–2010) Visiting Appointments : Hans Dalborg Visiting Professor of Finance, Stockholm School of Economics (2013) Visiting Scholar, Universita' Ca' Foscari, Department of Economics (2019) Research Interests span Information Economics , International Finance , and Market Microstructure . His work examines how information asymmetry, political uncertainty, and speculative behavior influence financial markets, with a focus on dislocations, contagion, and liquidity dynamics. Article Trends reveal a trajectory from foundational studies in currency markets and equity comovement to contemporary analyses of political risk , pandemic economics , and cross-market trading strategies . He integrates prospect theory and empirical finance to assess market quality and investor behavior. Scientific Awards : Michael J. Brennan RFS Best Paper Runner-Up Award (2014) for Financial Market Dislocations Media & Public Engagement : A frequent commentator on financial crises and economic policy, he has contributed to outlets like The New York Times , CNN , and The Hill . His LinkedIn blog series on pandemic economics and international finance reaches a global audience.

Jorge ViñalsView profile

Professor

• Soft Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Biomechanics
• +5 more

Jorge Viñals is a Professor at the School of Physics and Astronomy , University of Minnesota, and Director of Graduate Studies. His research focuses on theoretical and computational studies of nonequilibrium phenomena in extended systems, with applications to Soft Matter Physics, Materials Science, and Biomechanics. Affiliation: Director of Graduate Studies, School of Physics and Astronomy Institution: University of Minnesota Collaborations: Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, University of Oslo, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon His work examines mesoscale theories of systems outside thermodynamic equilibrium, particularly unstable interfaces and moving topological defects. Current projects include studies of chiral symmetry breaking in nematic liquid crystals, field dislocation mechanics in defected solids, and biomechanics of epithelial tissue with orientational order. Recent publications highlight computational approaches to nematic defect structure , topological charge quantification , and plasticity modeling . Key journals include Soft Matter , Proceedings of the Royal Society A , and Physical Review B . Key collaborators: Lucas Myers, C.D. Schimming, Luiza Angheluta, Manas Upadhyay Grants: NSF-funded projects on active matter and liquid crystal dynamics, Department of Defense research on intraosseous catheters

Yuan GaoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Partial Differential Equations
• Computational and Applied Mathematics
• Stochastic Analysis
• +7 more

Yuan Gao is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Purdue University's Department of Mathematics (College of Science). His research focuses on analysis and computations of PDEs in materials science, biology, and microfluidics, with recent emphasis on optimal control, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, and non-equilibrium chemical reactions. His work is supported by NSF awards DMS-2204288 and DMS-2440651. Previously, he held the William W. Elliott Assistant Research Professor position at Duke University (2019-2021). Research interests include PDE analysis in materials science (crystal growth, dislocation dynamics), numerical methods for interface dynamics, applied stochastic analysis (Langevin dynamics, transition path theory), and mean-field games for fluid systems. He organizes the PSU-Purdue-UMD Joint Seminar on Mathematical Data Science. Key publications span topics like dislocation evolution, Wasserstein gradient flows, and stochastic algorithms for rare events. Awards include NSF CAREER funding recognizing his contributions to mathematical analysis of non-equilibrium systems.

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage
• +3 more

Professor Daniel Rettenwander is a Full Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), leading the Battery Materials Team within FACET. He also directs the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Solid-state Batteries and serves as Principle Scientist at the Center for Transport Technologies (Battery Technologies) at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. His research focuses on advanced solid-state battery materials, particularly solid-state electrolytes and cathode materials for next-generation electric vehicle batteries. Key research interests include the development of high-performance solid electrolytes, interface engineering in batteries, and overcoming challenges in solid-state battery design such as dendrite formation and interfacial degradation. His work bridges fundamental materials science with applied electrochemical engineering, addressing critical barriers to commercializing solid-state batteries. Notable achievements include over 75 peer-reviewed publications, numerous awards including the Emerging Investigator awards (Chem. Comm., Journal of Physics: Energy), and leadership in major EU and national grants. His team’s work has been highlighted in media outlets like Gemini and Krone.at, emphasizing breakthroughs in battery materials science. Funding includes projects like OPERA (HORIZON-CL5-2022), SOLIMEC (M-ERA.NET), and CDG-supported initiatives. He supervises a dynamic team of PhD candidates and postdocs, advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials chemistry and energy storage technologies.

Derek DuncanView profile

Professor

• Transnational Italian Studies
• Migration and Mobility Studies
• Queer Theory
• +3 more

Derek Duncan serves as Professor of Italian at the University of St Andrews' School of Modern Languages, specializing in Italian Cultural Studies. Previously holding a professorship at the University of Bristol, he directs the Italian Centre for Contemporary Art and contributes significantly to transnational humanities research. His educational background includes French and Italian studies at Aberdeen University followed by doctoral work at Edinburgh. Duncan's research centers on intersections of sexuality/gender and race/ethnicity in modern Italian culture through queer and critical race theory frameworks, with notable courses including 'Black Italians,' 'Fascist Italy,' and 'Cultures of Migration.' Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent focus on Mediterranean migration narratives, transnational identity formation, and creative humanities methodologies. His work frequently connects historical events like the Arandora Star sinking with contemporary migration crises, emphasizing transcolonial continuities. Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship (2019-2022) Multiple AHRC-funded projects including Transnationalizing Modern Languages Founding editor of Liverpool University Press series: Transnational Italian Cultures and Transnational Modern Languages Duncan actively supervises research and collaborates with artists like Davide D'Elia on projects such as Tiepido Cool. His work with the Centre for Poetic Innovation demonstrates commitment to bridging academic research and artistic practice, while his global challenges project in Namibia reflects international engagement. Current research examines Mediterranean migration through the lens of the Arandora Star disaster and its contemporary resonances.

• Renewable Energies
• Solar Technology
• Thermoelectrics
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Nadine Buczek serves as Professor of Renewable Energies, Nanotechnology and Photonics at the Department of Applied Natural Sciences, Lübeck University of Applied Sciences (TH Lübeck), a position she has held since 2017. She leads the Energy Materials Laboratory and maintains active affiliations with the Climate and Environmental Protection Group, Materials for Storage and Renewable Energy Systems, and Photovoltaics Group. Her research centers on physical principles of renewable energy systems and photonics, with core expertise in solar technology, thermoelectrics, and nanoscale material engineering. She investigates spin wave phenomena in disordered magnetic materials and develops advanced fabrication techniques for silicon nanowires and superlattices using metal-assisted chemical etching, with applications in sustainable energy conversion and storage. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2012-2022) reveals consistent focus on condensed matter physics and nanomaterial engineering. Key trends include theoretical modeling of spin dynamics in alloys, structural characterization of etched semiconductor nanostructures, and optimization of nanofabrication processes for renewable energy applications. Her work bridges experimental nanotechnology with computational physics, primarily targeting semiconductor-based energy solutions. The Energy Materials Laboratory under her direction drives interdisciplinary research in photovoltaics and thermoelectric materials, collaborating closely with the Materials for Storage and Renewable Energy Systems group. Current projects emphasize scalable nanofabrication methods and fundamental studies of charge transport in nanostructured materials to advance next-generation renewable energy technologies.

Rod BeresfordView profile

Professor

• semiconductor materials and devices
• molecular beam epitaxy
• quantum structures
• +5 more

Rod Beresford is a Professor of Engineering at Brown University's School of Engineering, where he has held several leadership positions including Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Associate Provost for Academic Space. He earned his B.S. (1979) and M.S. (1981) in electrical engineering from Yale University and his Ph.D. (1990) from Columbia University. In 2020/21, he served as an IEEE/AAAS Congressional Fellow working on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. His research focuses on semiconductor nanostructures, including synthesis, modeling, integration with microelectronics, and applications, with a particular emphasis on molecular beam epitaxy. Beresford has published over 80 scientific papers and has worked on molecular beam epitaxial growth of III-V semiconductors since 1987. His current research emphasizes engineering innovations for decarbonization and electrification of the economy. Professor Beresford's scholarly work spans semiconductor materials and devices, quantum structures, nanomaterials, microfluidics, and biosensing. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on quantum dot arrays, nanowire electrical properties, and biosensing applications. The research shows evolution from fundamental semiconductor physics toward practical applications in sensing and energy technologies. His honors and awards include: Tau Beta Pi (1978) Sheffield Fellowship (Yale University, 1980–81) Office of Naval Research Fellowship (Columbia University, 1987–90) Sigma Xi (1991) BBV Foundation Chair (Visiting Professor, Polytechnic University of Madrid, 1996) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Senior Member (2002) Professor Beresford has been instrumental in Brown's academic infrastructure development, including facilitating the successful development of the Engineering Research Center, an 80,000-sf lab building completed in October 2017. He has served as Academic Director for the Master of Science in Technology Leadership program and has introduced new courses in VLSI Design and Nanoelectronics. His research has been supported by significant grants including: Nanoelectronics Research Initiative / National Science Foundation: "Direct-Write Synthesis of Graphene Devices" (PI, $400,000) National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Center: "Micro- and Nano-Mechanics of Electronic and Structural Materials" (co-PI, $9,360,000) Air Force Office of Scientific Research Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative: "Direct Nanoscale Conversion of Biomolecular Signals into Electronic Information" (co-PI, $5,609,969) Professor Beresford leads a research group focused on semiconductor nanostructures and collaborates extensively with colleagues including Jingming Xu, Eric Chason, Brian Sheldon, Alexander Zaslavsky, and David Paine. His laboratory includes molecular-beam epitaxy systems for advanced materials research.

Christian LiebscherView profile

Professor

• Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy
• Materials Science
• Energy-Related Materials
• +6 more

Prof. Christian Liebscher is a Professor of Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy at the Ruhr University Bochum , affiliated with the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy and the Research Center Future Energy Materials and Systems (RC FEMS). His work focuses on developing cutting-edge TEM techniques to understand energy-related materials' atomic-scale structure-functionality relationships. He combines aberration-corrected scanning TEM (STEM), 4D-STEM, and in-situ microscopy with machine learning to analyze complex material datasets. Education and Career: 2000–2006: Study of Materials Science at the University of Bayreuth. 2006–2010: PhD at the University of Bayreuth (summa cum laude) with a thesis on phase and dislocation analysis in superalloys. 2011–2014: Postdoc at the University of California, Berkeley, and the National Center for Electron Microscopy (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). 2014–2015: Staff scientist at the University of Duisburg-Essen. 2015–2024: Group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials in Düsseldorf. Research Interests: Prof. Liebscher’s research bridges microscopy innovation and materials understanding. He emphasizes atomic-scale characterization of interfaces, defects, and grain boundaries in metals and alloys using advanced STEM and 4D-STEM. His work addresses how structural features—like segregation, strain, and phase transitions—impact material properties. He also pioneers machine learning tools to automate data analysis from microscopy and tomography, advancing materials dataspaces. Key topics include energy materials (e.g., PEM fuel cells), high-entropy alloys, and nanomaterials for applications like semiconductors and electromagnetic absorption. Scientific Contributions: His publications highlight trends in grain boundary phase transitions, microstructure-property correlations, and integration of AI into microscopy. For example, recent work explores how grain boundary complexions affect mechanical strength in alloys and how in-situ TEM reveals deformation mechanisms under realistic conditions. He has contributed significantly to methodologies like scanning precession electron diffraction tomography and unsupervised machine learning for atomic-resolution datasets. Labs and Collaborations: Prof. Liebscher leads the Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy group at RUB, building on his previous leadership at the Max Planck Institute. His lab collaborates with institutions like the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and integrates interdisciplinary approaches combining experimental microscopy with computational modeling.

• Rock Mechanics
• Fracture Mechanics
• Tunneling
• +4 more

Mikael Rinne serves as Associate Professor in Rock Mechanics within the Department of Civil Engineering at Aalto University, Finland. Holding a Doctor of Science in Technology (D.Sc. Tech.), he brings extensive industry experience from Finnish and Swedish consulting firms (1988-2008) where he specialized in rock engineering and project management for tunneling and geological disposal of radioactive waste. His research focuses on rock and fracture mechanics with direct applications to rock engineering, mining, and tunneling. Current investigations center on digital characterization methods including photogrammetry, videogrammetry, and virtual reality systems for both practical engineering solutions and educational advancement. His work addresses critical challenges in fracture hydro-mechanics, rock mass characterization, and sustainable mining practices. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on digital transformation in rock mechanics. Key trends include non-contact surveying techniques for rock mass characterization, scale effects in fracture properties, and virtual learning environments for engineering education. His research bridges theoretical modeling with field applications in tunneling, mining, and radioactive waste disposal, demonstrating consistent innovation in measurement technologies and computational methods. No scientific awards were mentioned in the source materials. While specific advising details and grant information were not provided, his leadership of the Mineral-based materials and mechanics research group indicates active supervision of graduate students and management of research projects. His industry background suggests strong connections with tunneling and mining sectors for applied research collaboration. He directs the Mineral-based materials and mechanics research group at Aalto University, which develops advanced methodologies for rock characterization and engineering applications. Current initiatives integrate digital tools like smartphone LiDAR, 360-degree cameras, and virtual reality systems to enhance both field practices and educational outcomes in rock engineering.

Boris SvistunovView profile

Professor

• Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Superfluidity
• Superconductivity
• +2 more

Boris Svistunov is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst . His research focuses on Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics , particularly on quantum fluids and superconductivity phenomena. Research Interests His work explores fundamental aspects of superfluidity , superconductivity , and quantum phase transitions . Key topics include: Transverse quantum fluids and their statistical features Bipolaronic superconductivity mechanisms Quantum dynamics of topological defects Monte Carlo studies of strongly correlated systems Phonon-modulated electron interactions Publications (2024-2025 Trends) Recent articles emphasize quantum hydrodynamics , Cooper flow precursors , and diagrammatic Monte Carlo approaches. Key themes include: Emergent phenomena in multi-component superfluids Unconventional pairing mechanisms in low-dimensional systems Critical behavior in disordered quantum systems Quantum plasticity and defect-mediated superfluidity Renormalization approaches to superconductivity Contact Details Email: svistunov@physics.umass.edu Phone: (413) 545-4428 Office: Hasbrouck Laboratory 408, 666 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01003-9300

Nianhua PengView profile

Research Fellow

• Solid-state physics
• Materials science
• Condensed matter physics
• +3 more

Dr. Nianhua Peng is a Liaison Fellow at the Advanced Technology Institute , University of Surrey. His research focuses on experimental manipulation of solid-state materials under extreme conditions such as temperature, pressure, and ion beam irradiation. Key interests include defect engineering in semiconductors, oxygen nonstoichiometry in perovskites, and ion-beam synthesis of novel materials. His work bridges fundamental physics and applied technologies, with applications in energy storage, superconductors, and quantum photonics. Research Interests: Manipulation of physical properties of novel solid-state materials Ion beam synthesis and implantation effects Superconductivity and material degradation under irradiation Energy materials for batteries and electrocatalysis Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes ion-implantation-induced modifications (e.g., compressive stress in SSEs, ferromagnetism in ZnO) and radiation effects on superconductors. Collaborations span fusion technology, battery chemistry, and quantum photonics. Grants & Advising: Engaged in EPSRC-funded projects and international collaborations, though specific grant details or student advisees are not explicitly listed. Labs/Teams: Active within the Advanced Technology Institute, contributing to interdisciplinary research in materials science and energy systems.