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Omar A. SalehView profile

Professor

• Biophysics
• Soft Matter Physics
• Polymer Physics
• +5 more

Professor Omar A. Saleh is a distinguished physicist and materials scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, holding appointments in both the Materials and Physics Departments. Since summer 2023, he has served as Chair of the Materials Department and maintains a minority appointment in the Biomolecular Science and Engineering (BMSE) Program, where he previously served as Director from 2013-2017. His educational background includes a B.S. in Physics from MIT (1997) and a Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton (2003), supported by a Hertz Fellowship. Following postdoctoral work at École Normale Supérieure in Paris developing single-molecule techniques for motor protein/DNA studies, he joined UCSB in 2005. Saleh's research centers on fundamental principles of biomolecular behavior through experimental investigation of biopolymer elasticity and biomimetic organelles. His lab pioneers precision single-molecule stretching experiments to study entropic/energetic contributions in soft systems and creates life-like behaviors using reconstituted nucleic acid/protein assemblies. Key focus areas include DNA nanostar phase separation, liquid-liquid phase behavior, intrinsically disordered proteins, and non-equilibrium biomolecular systems. His publication trends reveal a strong emphasis on biomolecular condensates (2023-2025), with recurring themes in DNA nanotechnology, polyelectrolyte physics, and single-molecule mechanics. Recent work explores tension-mediated control of phase separation, transcriptional regulation of biomolecular liquids, and active matter principles in DNA systems. NSF CAREER Award (2008) Bessel Research Award from Alexander von Humboldt Society (2017) Fellow of the American Physical Society (2019) Saleh actively mentors graduate students and postdocs including Sam Wilken, Gabrielle Abraham, Anna Nguyen, and Aria Chaderjian, whose research spans DNA nanostar liquids, active droplets, and complex coacervation. His lab develops innovative instrumentation including high-speed magnetic tweezers and GPU-based tracking systems, supported by grants such as NSF/MCB-BSF: Direct force measurements of intrinsically disordered proteins. The Saleh Group operates at BioE 3006, focusing on creating quantitative models of biological function through physical reconstitution.

• Electrochemical Engineering
• Catalysis Engineering
• Separations Engineering
• +3 more

Raj Ganesh S. Pala serves as a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. His research focuses on electrochemical engineering with particular expertise in energy storage systems, catalysis, and materials science. Dr. Pala maintains an active research program investigating fundamental electrochemical processes and their applications in energy conversion and storage technologies. Dr. Pala earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Utah (1999-2005), followed by a Master's in Science (Biophysical Chemistry) from the Indian Institute of Science and National Center for Biological Science (1997-1998), and a Bachelor's in Chemical and Electrochemical Technology from the Central Electro-Chemical Research Institute (1992-1996). His research interests span electrochemical engineering, catalysis, and separation processes with applications in energy storage, water treatment, and sustainable chemical production. Dr. Pala's work bridges fundamental electrochemistry with practical engineering applications, particularly in battery technology and electrocatalysis. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on energy storage materials, particularly lithium-ion battery cathodes, and electrocatalytic processes for sustainable chemical production. The research spans from fundamental materials characterization to practical device implementation, with particular emphasis on improving efficiency, selectivity, and longevity of electrochemical systems. Dr. Pala is based in Office NL-II 304 at IIT Kanpur, where he conducts his research and teaching activities in the Department of Chemical Engineering. His work contributes significantly to IIT Kanpur's research initiatives in sustainable energy and advanced materials.

Avi LoebView profile

Professor

• Cosmology
• Gravity
• High Energy Astrophysics
• +5 more

Avi Loeb , the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, is a leading astrophysicist and former Chair of Harvard's Department of Astronomy (2011-2020). He directs the Institute for Theory and Computation (ITC) and the Galileo Project (2021-present), while holding the Sackler Senior Professorship at Tel Aviv University. His research spans cosmology, black holes, interstellar objects, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Education: PhD in Physics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1986) Former Positions: Member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (1988-1993) Loeb's research interests include: Gravitational wave detection and interstellar object analysis Simulation hypothesis and cosmic reality Technological signatures beyond the Standard Model His recent publications focus on 3I/ATLAS , gravitational SETI, and AI alignment in space exploration. Awards include being named among TIME's 25 Most Influential People in Space (2012), 14 Most Inspiring Israelis (2020), and ranking #3 in global astronomical impact (2024). He chairs the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative and advises the National Academies' Board on Physics and Astronomy.

William ChuehView profile

Professor

• Energy Storage
• Renewable Energy
• Materials for Carbon-Neutral Energy
• +3 more

William Chueh is a Professor in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University. He serves as Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy and Faculty Director of the Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program. His research focuses on redox-active materials for energy storage, conversion, and carbon-neutral energy cycles. Education: PhD, Materials Science, Caltech (2010) BS, Applied Physics, Caltech (2005) Research Interests: Energy storage and conversion systems (batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers) Multi-scale electrochemical and chemical reaction dynamics Materials design rules for redox-active solids Thermodynamic frameworks for sustainable energy Publication Trends: His work spans fundamental materials synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and modeling of redox reactions. Key themes include solar thermochemical cycles, ceria-based systems for CO2/H2O conversion, and advanced battery technologies. Scientific Honors: Outstanding Young Investigator Award (MRS, 2018) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2016) Sloan Research Fellowship (2016) CAREER Award (NSF, 2015) Advising: He advises students in energy technologies, materials science, and electrochemistry, including doctoral and master’s candidates. Contact: wchueh@stanford.edu

• Bioinformatics
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• +5 more

Ole Winther is Professor in High dimensional biological data analysis/Machine learning at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen and Professor in Data science and complexity at DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark. He serves as CRO and co-founder of raffle.ai, CTO and co-founder of FindZebra, Head of ELLIS Unit Copenhagen, and co-PI of the Machine Learning for Life Science Center. His research spans Bioinformatics , Machine Learning , and AI for Science , focusing on applying deep learning to biological sequence analysis, latent variable models, and medical NLP. Winther's work develops predictive and generative models for bioinformatics, with significant contributions to protein localization tools (SignalP, DeepLoc, DeepTMHMM), single-cell genomics, and novel deep learning architectures like variational autoencoders and diffusion models. Analysis of Winther's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong trend toward integrating protein language models with traditional bioinformatics approaches and applying diffusion models to scientific problems. His work bridges theoretical machine learning advancements with practical applications in biology and medicine, particularly in protein sequence analysis, medical search engines, and scientific simulation acceleration. Winther currently supervises a diverse research group including Panagiotis Antoniadis, Rachael M. DeVries, Jun Wang, Beatrix M. G. Nielsen, Felix G. Teufel, Irene R. Rodriguez, Anders Christensen, and Christopher Heje Grønbech. His former students have established successful careers at institutions including Google, Apple, and various startups, with notable alumni like Casper Sønderby (Google Brain) and Søren Sønderby (Apple). He leads significant research initiatives including the ELLIS Unit Copenhagen and the Machine Learning for Life Science Center, while maintaining active industry partnerships through his co-founded companies raffle.ai (enterprise search using NLP) and FindZebra (search engine for rare diseases). His teaching includes Deep Learning courses at both DTU (02456) and University of Copenhagen (NDAK24002U).

Harris H. WangView profile

Associate Professor

• Systems Biology
• Synthetic Biology
• Genome Engineering
• +17 more

Harris H. Wang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Systems Biology and Department of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he also serves as Interim Chair of Systems Biology. He is affiliated with the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (C2B2) and the Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical Studies (CMBS). B.S., Physics and Mathematics, MIT Ph.D., Biophysics, Harvard University Dr. Wang's research lies at the intersection of systems and synthetic biology, focusing on developing foundational technologies for genome engineering, microbiome manipulation, and synthetic genomics. His lab pioneers methods such as MAGE, MAGIC, CAST, and CAMII to enable high-throughput genetic manipulation, in situ microbiome engineering, and AI-driven microbial culturomics. Key research themes include understanding microbial community dynamics, engineering cellular memory systems, designing biocontained genetic circuits, and applying synthetic biology to human health challenges in personalized medicine and infectious disease. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in spatial and functional metagenomics, CRISPR-based microbiome editing, and synthetic biology tools for data storage and genetic stability. The articles span high-impact journals like Nature , Science , and Nature Biotechnology , reflecting his leadership in developing scalable, programmable biological systems. Scientific Awards: NIH Director’s Early Independence Award Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science Sloan Research Fellowship NSF CAREER Award ONR Young Investigator Award Burroughs Wellcome Fund PATH Award Schaefer Scholar Blavatnik National Award Vilcek Prize PECASE Dr. Wang has advised numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to independent scientific careers. His lab is supported by major grants from NIH, NSF, DARPA, DOE, and foundations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and CZ Biohub NY. He is actively involved in educational initiatives, including organizing Columbia’s iGEM team and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Synthetic Biology course. The Wang Lab is based at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and is part of national consortia such as the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) and the Genome Project-Write (GP-Write) initiative. The lab develops and applies cutting-edge technologies in automation, machine learning, and synthetic biology to engineer microbiomes for applications in medicine, global health, and climate change.

Hang LuView profile

Professor

• Microfluidics
• Systems Biology
• Neuroscience
• +6 more

Hang Lu is a Professor and holds the Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Lu also holds a Love Family Professorship and leads the Lµ Fluidics Group, which focuses on engineering microfluidic systems and machine learning tools to address complex questions in neuroscience, developmental biology, and cell biology that are difficult to address with conventional techniques. Dr. Lu's research lies at the intersection of engineering and biology, with primary interests including: Microfluidic systems for high-throughput screens and image-based genetics and genomics Systems biology: large-scale experimentation and data mining Microtechnologies for optical stimulation and optical recording Big data, machine vision, and automation Developmental neurobiology, behavioral neurobiology, and systems neuroscience Cancer biology, immunology, embryonic development, and stem cells Her laboratory engineers microfluidic devices and BioMEMS to study neuroscience, genetics, cancer biology, and biotechnology. These miniaturized Lab-on-a-chip tools operate at scales comparable to biological systems, leveraging unique micro and nano-scale phenomena to gather large-scale quantitative data about complex biological systems. Current projects include Microfluidics for Life Sciences, Optical Neuron Recordings and Manipulations, Machine Learning Tools for Neuroscience, Measuring and Modeling Behavior, and High-throughput, High-content Cell-based Assays. Analysis of Dr. Lu's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong trend toward integrating microfluidics with advanced computational methods: Development of deep learning frameworks for biological image analysis Advanced neuron tracking and functional imaging techniques Non-invasive characterization of 3D organoid cultures Sophisticated neuromechanical modeling of locomotion Microfluidic temperature control systems for in vivo studies Label-free imaging pipelines for neural development Dr. Lu's significant professional honors include: Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Love Family Professorship The Lµ Fluidics Group actively mentors students and postdocs, currently accepting new postdoctoral researchers. The lab receives substantial funding for interdisciplinary projects at the engineering-biology interface, with research implications spanning fundamental biological understanding to therapeutic development. The group operates within Georgia Tech's School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, with specialized facilities for microfluidic device fabrication, biological experimentation, and advanced imaging, maintaining strong collaborative ties across engineering, neuroscience, and biological disciplines.

James HelalView profile

Lecturer

• Life Cycle Assessment
• Structural Optimization
• Embodied Carbon
• +5 more

Dr James Helal is the Assistant Dean for Sustainability and a Lecturer in Construction Management at the Melbourne School of Design (MSD), University of Melbourne. His research focuses on integrating life cycle assessment and computational tools into the structural design of tall buildings, emphasizing embodied carbon reduction. He is recognized for developing software frameworks that automate environmental impact analysis in early-stage structural design. Dr Helal teaches materials, structures, and life cycle assessment in construction management. His pedagogical excellence has earned prestigious awards, including the Edward Brown Award for Teaching Excellence. He coordinates the construction major in the Bachelor of Design program. His research addresses structural optimization, tall building sustainability, and environmental flows. Key contributions include frameworks for reducing carbon emissions in tall building design and critiques of decorative architectural elements' environmental impact. Awards: Structures Best Research into Practice Prize (Institution of Structural Engineers) Open Award for Excellence in Teaching (Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning) Edward Brown Award for Teaching Excellence (University of Melbourne) Advising & Grants: Coordinates construction curriculum but no explicit student advisee list is provided in texts. His work aligns with sustainability-focused research grants. Labs/Teams: Engaged with MSD’s Future Cities Practice and Construction Innovation initiatives.

John OakeyView profile

Professor

• Microfluidics
• Microscale transport phenomena
• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• +4 more

John Oakey is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wyoming, with additional affiliations to the INBRE Program, Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, and Materials Science and Engineering Program. Education Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School (2007–2010) Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (2003) M.S. Chemical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (1999) B.S. Chemical Engineering, Penn State University (1997) Research Interests Oakey’s laboratory integrates fluid dynamics, colloidal science and materials science to understand how biological systems behave under flow, on surfaces and within complex 3-D geometries. A unifying theme is the use of microfabrication and microfluidics to create new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic platforms. Current thrusts include: Heterogeneous biomaterials: self-assembled particulate tissue scaffolds whose mechanical and transport properties can be temporally programmed. Inertial microfluidics: exploiting lift forces for membrane-free particle sorting, enrichment and diagnostics. Multi-temporal analysis by flow cytometry: development of closed-loop, high-throughput microfluidic cytometers for longitudinal single-cell studies. Publication Trends From 2025 back to 2010, Oakey’s articles reveal a consistent trajectory that marries fundamental physics (microtubule mechanics, inertial focusing) with translational applications (cell encapsulation, tissue scaffolds, drug delivery). Recent work (2023-2025) increasingly targets injectable granular hydrogels, single-cell therapeutic delivery and sustainable carbon-sequestering living materials, demonstrating an evolution from microscale transport phenomena to macroscopic biomedical and environmental impact. Scientific Awards No named awards are listed in the supplied text. Advising & Coordination Roles As Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Professor Oakey oversees graduate program development and student mentoring. While no individual students are named, his role implies active supervision of M.S. and Ph.D. advisees in chemical and biomedical engineering. Laboratory & Teams The Oakey Research Group operates from the Energy and Environmental Research Building (EERB 435A) at the University of Wyoming. The lab enjoys R1-level research infrastructure and collaborates broadly with the Wyoming INBRE network, the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, and the Materials Science and Engineering Program.

Sarah BillingtonView profile

Professor

• Sustainable Building Design
• Human Wellbeing in Built Environments
• Affordable Housing
• +3 more

Sarah Billington is the UPS Foundation Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. Her research program focuses on sustainable building design, human wellbeing, and ethical supply chain practices. Education: PhD, University of Texas at Austin, Structural Engineering (1997) MSE, University of Texas at Austin, Structural Engineering (1994) BSE, Princeton University, Civil Engineering & Operations Research (1990) Her lab employs interdisciplinary methods to study how built environments impact human physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Current projects include developing tools to quantify nature exposure in buildings, exploring affordable housing's role in wellbeing, and using AI to assess forced labor risks in material supply chains. While no longer active in this area, her group previously pioneered research on sustainable construction materials like bio-based composites and ductile cement-based composites. Her recent publications address topics such as nature integration in architecture, workplace design optimization, and health impacts of building materials. The Billington Lab at Stanford fosters collaborative team science, welcoming partnerships to advance occupant-centric engineering solutions.

• Computational Neuroscience
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• +7 more

Raul Vicente Zafra is a Professor of Data Science at the University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Computer Science, where he has been working since 2013. His research spans computational neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and data science, with a particular focus on bridging biological and artificial models of intelligence. Education: PhD in Physics (2001-2006), University of the Balearic Islands BSc in Physics (1997-2001) Professor Zafra's research interests center on computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence, with specific expertise in brain-computer interfaces, reinforcement learning, neural modeling, and explainable AI. His work bridges the gap between biological and artificial intelligence systems, exploring how neural principles can inform machine learning algorithms and vice versa. He has made significant contributions to understanding neural coherence, time interval learning in neural systems, and the application of information theory to brain-computer interfaces. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration between computer science, neuroscience, and medicine. Analysis of Zafra's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the intersection of artificial intelligence and neuroscience. His work spans explainable AI methods, brain-computer interfaces, reinforcement learning models that mimic cognitive processes, and neurophysiological studies of brain activity. A notable trend is his exploration of how biological principles of neural computation can inform and improve artificial intelligence systems, particularly in areas like time-based learning, consciousness modeling, and neural coherence. Scientific Awards: 2012: Attendee at the 62nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2007: Quantum Electronics and Optics Division Prize of the European Physical Society for the best PhD Thesis in Applied Optics in Europe 2006: PhD Extraordinary Award of the Physics Department of the University of the Balearic Islands 2001: Physics Degree Extraordinary Award (First Class Honors, best GPA) 1997: Bronze Medal in the "8th Spanish Physics Olympiad" Professor Zafra has been principal investigator on numerous significant research projects including the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Cardiovascular Stress Impacts On Neuronal Function, and Bridging biological and artificial models of vision. His grant portfolio demonstrates strong funding support from the Estonian Research Council, European Commission, and other major funding bodies. He has supervised multiple PhD students and mentored early-career researchers in computational neuroscience and AI. His laboratory work focuses on developing computational models of neural systems and applying these insights to artificial intelligence. Current research directions include explainable AI methods, brain-computer interfaces, modeling of consciousness and cognitive processes, and the application of AI to healthcare challenges.

• Bioelectronics
• Nanotechnology
• CMOS Technology
• +12 more

Sandro Carrara is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he leads the Bio/CMOS Interfaces (BCI) laboratory. He is affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI), the Institute of Electrical Engineering (SCI-STI-SC), and the Integrated Systems Laboratory (LSI). His academic leadership spans teaching, doctoral supervision, and editorial roles in major journals including IEEE Sensors Journal and BioNanoScience. Education: Diploma in Electronics, National Technical Institute of Albenga, Italy Master in Physics, University of Genoa, Italy PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Padua, Italy His research focuses on the integration of biological systems with CMOS technology, particularly in the development of nanoscale biosensors for health monitoring. Key areas include memristive biosensors, wearable and implantable sensors, electrochemical detection, and therapeutic drug monitoring. His work bridges electronics, nanotechnology, and biomedicine to enable point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine. His recent publications (2023–2025) show a strong trend toward sustainable printed electronics, machine learning for biosensing, in-memory computing for cancer diagnostics, and remote health monitoring. These works appear in high-impact journals such as IEEE Sensors Journal , Nanoscale , and Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X . Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow (2015) IEEE Sensors Council Technical Achievement Award (2016) Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Sensors Council (2017) Best Paper Award, IEEE MeMeA Symposium (2020) Multiple Gold and Bronze Leaf Prizes at PRIME and IEEE conferences Best Poster Awards at EMBEC and Nano-Tera meetings He actively advises PhD students and leads research projects involving CMOS-based biosensors, wireless implants, and smart sensor systems. His lab collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions, focusing on real-world applications in oncology, neurology, and environmental health. He has also contributed to the development of battery-free wearable devices, optical power transfer systems, and IoT-enabled telemedicine platforms. Laboratories and Teams: Bio/CMOS Interfaces (BCI) Laboratory, EPFL Integrated Systems Laboratory (LSI), EPFL Collaborations with IEEE Sensors Council and Circuits and Systems Society Editorial leadership in IEEE Sensors Journal and BioNanoScience

Ashwin BALIGAView profile

Assistant Professor

• B2B Marketing
• Sales Management
• Service Recovery
• +5 more

Ashwin BALIGA is an Assistant Professor of Sales at IÉSEG School of Management , France, since 2022. He holds a Ph.D. in B2B Marketing from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (2022), a Master of Technology in Engineering Management (2015), and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (2011). Ph.D. in B2B Marketing, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (2022) Masters of Technology in Engineering Management, Manipal Institute of Technology (2015) Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Engineering, Mysore (2011) His research focuses on B2B Service Failure & Recovery , Mental Health in B2B Sales , Technology in B2B Sales , and Buyer-Supplier Relationships . Recent work includes systematic reviews and morphological analyses of DEI in B2B selling, mental health impacts, and tech-driven sales strategies. In 2025, he received the Best Reviewer Award from the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management (JHTM). Additional accolades include the Sri N Kannan Prize for Best PhD Thesis in Marketing (2022), multiple gold medals for academic excellence (2015, 2011), and recognition for research contributions at NASMEI and the Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium. Baliga teaches Selling Techniques at the bachelor’s level and Services Marketing and Sales Management at the master’s level. He is a member of the Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM) and has contributed to journals like the Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, Journal of Business Research, and the International Journal of Mineral Processing.

Magnus FröhlingView profile

Professor

• Circular Economy
• Sustainability Assessment
• Bioeconomy Systems
• +4 more

Prof. Magnus Fröhling is a Full Professor of Circular Economy and Sustainability Assessment at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Chair of Circular Economy and Sustainability Assessment at TUM Campus Straubing. He holds a doctorate and habilitation from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), specializing in material flow analysis and resource efficiency. His career includes roles as a professor at TU Bergakademie Freiberg before joining TUM in 2018. Fröhling’s research focuses on quantitative approaches for circular economy systems, including industrial value chains, built environments, and bioeconomy. He co-leads the TUM Mission Network Circular Economy, an interdisciplinary platform for research and innovation. **Education:** Bachelor/Master in Industrial Engineering, Karlsruhe University (TH) PhD in Industrial Engineering (2005), Karlsruhe University Habilitation in Business Administration (2011), KIT **Research Interests:** Circular economy concepts for automotive industry, buildings, and energy systems; sustainability assessment in bioeconomy; policy instruments for resource efficiency. His work emphasizes lifecycle analysis and closed-loop systems. **Awards:** TUM Sustainability Award (2021) and recognition for groundbreaking research on sustainability in industrial biotechnology (2020). **Advising & Grants:** Leads research initiatives like CirculaTUM, focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration. His work integrates policy analysis, technological innovation, and industrial ecology to advance sustainability goals. **Labs/Teams:** Active in TUM’s Green Fuel Center and SynBioFoundry@TUM, promoting sustainable energy and biotechnology solutions.

Elena AgapieView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Health Informatics
• Behavior Change
• +7 more

Elena Agapie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Informatics at the Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine. Her research lies at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI), health, and behavior change, focusing on designing technologies that support individuals in adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors through human-centered approaches. She is affiliated with the Connected Learning Lab and the Institute for Future Health at UCI. Her educational background includes a PhD in Human Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington, an MS in Computer Science from Harvard University, and a BS in Computer Science from Jacobs University Bremen in Germany. She has also conducted research at Microsoft Research, FXPAL, Intel Labs, and NASA Jet Propulsion Lab. Elena's research focuses on designing tools that integrate evidence-based behavioral interventions with user needs, particularly in mental health, chronic disease management, and social support systems. She explores how technology can support therapist-client collaboration, enable tailored health interventions, and leverage crowd expertise for personalized behavior change plans. Her work often involves participatory design, qualitative studies, and prototyping of interactive systems for diverse populations, including youth, hospitalized patients, and underserved communities. Her recent publications, primarily in top-tier venues like CHI and CSCW, reflect a strong trend toward social computing in health, longitudinal behavior support, and the design of inclusive digital health tools. Key themes include goal setting, conversational agents, social sharing in health tracking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in health technology development. Best Paper Award (top 1%) at CHI 2017 Honorable Mention Best Paper Award (top 5%) at CHI 2016 Best Paper Award (top 1%) at HCOMP 2015 Honorable Mention Best Paper Award (top 5%) at CHI 2013 Elena has been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and UCI internal grants. She actively mentors PhD students including Bruna Oewel, Meeshu Agnihotri, and Mehreen Masood, and is currently recruiting students interested in HCI, health, and behavior change. She previously led the outreach program in the HCDE department at the University of Washington, creating workshops that introduced K–12 students to engineering and human-centered design, reaching over 2,000 students across public schools and community events. She runs initiatives to broaden participation in computing and advises undergraduate students in outreach and curriculum development. Her lab collaborates with clinical partners and interdisciplinary teams to ensure real-world impact of her research.