Koenraad Muylaert is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Science, KU Leuven, and head of the Biology department at KU Leuven Kulak. His research focuses on microalgae ecology and phytoplankton physiology , with applications in eutrophication studies , wastewater treatment , and biofuel production . Based in Kortrijk, Belgium, he works with international teams in Ecuador, Qatar, and Belgium. Current projects on mountain lake eutrophication and urban aquatic systems Specializes in nano-material flocculation and omega-3 fatty acid production from microalgae Research Trends from his recent articles show emphasis on: Microalgae harvesting innovations (cellulose nanocrystals, PDMAEMA polymers) Comparative processing techniques (DAF vs sedimentation, drying methods) Biotechnological applications in flavor chemistry and microbiome interactions Laboratory operates at KU Leuven's Kortrijk campus, with strong collaborations in environmental engineering and food science . His work bridges fundamental ecological research with industrial biotechnology for sustainable solutions.
Yuan Zhong is an Associate Professor of Operations Management at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business . He previously held positions as an Assistant Professor at Columbia University’s Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and was a Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Berkeley’s Computer Science Department. Education: PhD in Operations Research, MIT (2012) MA in Mathematics, Caltech (2008) BA in Mathematics, University of Cambridge (2006) His research focuses on applied probability and stochastic system design , with applications in cloud computing , supply chain management , and e-commerce logistics . Recent work explores multi-period production systems and dynamic resource allocation in data centers and healthcare operations . Recent publications analyze cloud value chains , sparse graph design for delivery networks, and process flexibility in manufacturing. He has contributed to journals like Operations Research , Annals of Applied Probability , and Stochastic Systems . Scientific Awards: 2012 Kenneth C. Sevcik Outstanding Student Paper Award Best Student Paper Award at ACM Sigmetrics (2012) He teaches courses in business process fundamentals and queueing theory , with a future schedule including Operations Management: Business Process Fundamentals (2025–2026). No explicit student advising list was provided.
Roya Nasimi, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering at California State University, East Bay, where she joined in Fall 2023. Her expertise spans structural engineering, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on developing innovative solutions for infrastructure monitoring and safety. Dr. Nasimi's educational background includes: Ph.D. with distinction in Structural Engineering from the University of New Mexico Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Tabriz Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tabriz Her research focuses on structural health monitoring using advanced technologies. She integrates computer vision , artificial intelligence , and machine learning to develop systems for monitoring aging infrastructure, particularly bridges. Her work includes designing low-cost and high-end sensor systems, conducting full-scale bridge experiments, and collaborating on interdisciplinary projects to enhance infrastructure safety and resilience. Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a strong emphasis on non-contact monitoring techniques using drones, lasers, and computer vision. Key trends include the application of deep learning for displacement measurement, digital twinning for infrastructure, and rockfall prevention through machine learning. Her work bridges civil engineering with cutting-edge technology to address critical infrastructure challenges. Dr. Nasimi's research is supported by multiple grants: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transportation Research Board (TRB) Transportation Consortium of South-Central States (Tran-SET) New Mexico Consortium She serves on two TRB standing committees and mentors students in structural health monitoring and infrastructure technology. Dr. Nasimi leads interdisciplinary research teams focused on infrastructure monitoring, utilizing drones, lasers, and computer vision systems. Her work involves field experiments on bridges and rail systems, often in collaboration with government agencies and research consortia.
Marco Barla is a Full Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at the Department of Structural, Building and Geotechnical Engineering (DISEG) at the Polytechnic of Turin, where he also leads a research group focused on energy geostructures, tunneling, slope stability, and numerical modeling. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the ASCE International Journal of Geomechanics and holds leadership roles in international organizations such as the International Society for Energy Geostructures (President, 2025–2029) and ELGIP (Past President). He is actively involved in multiple EU and national research projects, including GEOREFIT, REGENERATE, and FOLIAGE. Research Interests: Thermoactive geostructures for shallow geothermal energy Tunnel design and construction under challenging conditions Real-time detection of debris flows and snow avalanches using fiber optics Numerical modeling of geotechnical systems Energy retrofitting of existing underground infrastructure His recent publications (2024–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on sustainable urban development through geothermal energy integration, particularly in tunnels and buildings. Key themes include energy geostructures, thermal storage, landslide monitoring, and climate resilience, reflecting his commitment to SDGs 7, 9, 11, and 13. He frequently publishes in top venues such as Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology , Geothermics , and Landslides . Scientific Awards: Telford Premium, Institution of Civil Engineers (2016) IACMAG Excellent Contributions Award (2011) Best Paper, 11th ISRM Congress (2007) Iacmag Award (2005) Top 5 Project Nominee, European Geothermal Innovation Award (2018) Advising and Grants: He supervises multiple PhD students in civil and environmental engineering and has led over 70 research projects, securing more than 2 M€ in funding from national and international sources. His projects span fundamental research (e.g., PRIN, H2020) and applied consulting (e.g., tunnel safety, landslide risk, structural monitoring). He is the scientific responsible for numerous contracts with public and private entities, including Autostrade per l’Italia and regional governments. Labs and Teams: He leads the Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering research group at Politecnico di Torino ( www.rockmech.polito.it ), which conducts laboratory testing, field monitoring, and numerical simulations. The team is active in international collaborations and coordinates the COST Action FOLIAGE, dedicated to scaling up energy geostructure deployment.
Pradeep Lall is the MacFarlane Endowed Distinguished Professor and Alumni Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. He serves as Director of the Auburn University Electronics Packaging Research Institute (EPRI) and holds a joint courtesy appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. A leader in flexible hybrid electronics and harsh environment systems, Dr. Lall has built a world-renowned research program focused on additive manufacturing, electronics reliability, and sustainable materials. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland M.B.A. in Finance and Strategy, Northwestern University M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, Delhi College of Engineering Dr. Lall’s research centers on Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) , Harsh Environment Electronics , Semiconductor Packaging , and Prognostics Health Management . His work leverages additive manufacturing techniques such as Aerosol-Jet, InkJet, and screen printing to develop conformal, robust, and sustainable electronic systems. His innovations include the Flexible Biometric Band for monitoring workers in hazardous environments and additively printed antennas for aerospace applications. His recent focus includes eliminating PFAS from electronics and developing water-based inks for eco-friendly manufacturing. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend toward sustainability , additive manufacturing , and real-world applications in defense, aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. His work bridges fundamental research with industrial realization, particularly through partnerships with NextFlex and federal agencies. Themes include reliability under shock and vibration, sensor development for extreme environments, and workforce training in advanced manufacturing. Dr. Lall has received numerous scientific honors, including: SMTA Founder’s Award (2024) SEMI FlexTech R&D Achievements Award (2023) ASME Avram Bar-Cohen Memorial Medal (2022) IEEE Biedenbach Outstanding Engineering Educator Award (2020) IEEE Sustained Technical Contributions Award (2018) NSF Alex Schwarzkopf Prize (2016) Fellow of ASME, IEEE, NextFlex, and Alabama Academy of Science Dr. Lall has secured over $2 million in annual research funding from SRC, NSF, and NextFlex, leading large-scale projects on sustainable electronics and workforce development. He mentors numerous graduate and undergraduate students and leads the NSF-CAVE3 Center. As founding faculty advisor of the SMTA student chapter, he promotes student engagement in electronics manufacturing. His lab, EPRI, features a full prototyping line for additive electronics and collaborates with industry and government to advance domestic manufacturing capabilities. EPRI, under Dr. Lall’s leadership, partners with the Auburn University Research and Technology Park, the Office of Economic Development, and multiple colleges to drive technology commercialization and workforce education in electronic packaging. The institute is at the forefront of the national effort to reestablish U.S. leadership in semiconductor packaging and advanced electronics manufacturing.
Prof. Sam Salem, Ph.D., P.Eng., is a Full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Lakehead University's Faculty of Engineering. He founded the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)-sponsored Fire Testing and Research Laboratory (LUFTRL), the only facility of its kind in a Canadian university. Ph.D. in Structural Fire Engineering, Carleton University M.A.Sc. in Structural Engineering, Zagazig University (Egypt) B.A.Sc. (Honors) in Civil Engineering, Zagazig University (Egypt) Dr. Salem specializes in structural fire engineering, focusing on performance-based fire resistance design, large-scale fire endurance testing, and finite element modeling of steel/concrete/timber structures. His research program investigates structural fire performance of innovative building systems, particularly mass timber construction, through experimental testing and computational modeling. His work has attracted over $2.1 million in research grants from NSERC, CFI, OMRI, NOHFC, MNRF, MTI, and other agencies. He has authored/co-authored 60+ peer-reviewed publications and holds two patents (Canada/USA) for beam-end connection mechanisms in mass timber buildings. Lakehead University 2023 Research Excellence Award Lakehead Merit Awards (Research 2022, Teaching & Research 2020/2015) Contribution to Teaching Awards (2022, 2018, 2014) ASFE 2019 Outstanding Paper Award Dr. Salem trained 40+ highly qualified personnel through a balanced approach emphasizing academic excellence, practical implementation, professional development, and career skills. He served as Dept. Chair (2021-2023), graduate program coordinator (2017+), and sits on multiple university and technical committees including ULC Standards Technical Committee and Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes.
Johan Liu is a Full Professor in Electronics Production at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and leads the Electronics Materials and Systems Laboratory within the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience. He is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and an IEEE Fellow, with over 500 publications and 75 patents in nanoelectronics and thermal management. Education: Master's and Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden His research focuses on graphene-based thermal interface materials, carbon nanotubes for 3D integration, and advanced packaging solutions. Recent work includes laser-induced graphene films, nano-soldering techniques, and biomedical nanoscaffolds. His publications span high-impact journals like Nature Communications , Advanced Materials , and IEEE Transactions , with recent trends emphasizing thermal conductivity enhancement, composite materials, and nanofluids. Johan has received prestigious awards including the IEEE Exceptional Technical Achievement Award and IEEE CPMT Best Paper Award. He has secured funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Swedish Board for Strategic Research (SSF), Vinnova, and EU Horizon 2020 programs. His lab specializes in scalable graphene synthesis, CNT array engineering, and reliability testing of nanomaterials in electronics.
Marika Edoff is a Professor in Solid State Electronics specializing in solar cells at Uppsala University. She leads the Thin Film Solar Cell group at the Ångström Solar Center and has held a 50% pro-dean appointment (2014-2018). Her research focuses on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS)-based thin film solar cells, including physical deposition methods, alkali-metal doping, and nanostructured passivation strategies. Education : PhD in Solid State Electronics (KTH 1997), Master in Electrical Engineering (KTH 1990) Professional Experience : Full Professor (2012-), Senior Lecturer (2006-2012), Spin-off company founder (Solibro AB) Recent publications highlight her work on rear contact passivation , light management architectures , and wide-gap CIGS solar cells with efficiency breakthroughs (23.6%). Collaborations span institutions in Belgium, Portugal, France, and Slovenia. Scientific Awards : Member, Swedish Research Council Board (2019-2024) Project Leader, EU Horizon Projects (ARCIGS-M, SITA) Coordinator, Ångström Thin Film Solar Center She supervises PhD students including Dorothea Ledinek and Olivier Donzel-Gargand , and has contributed to thermally integrated PV-water splitting and industrial-scale CIGS module development .
Dr. R. Michael Bagby is a Full Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto Scarborough, and a Full Member of the Institute of Medical Sciences. He holds appointments in the Graduate Departments of Psychology, Psychological Clinical Science, and the Institute of Medical Sciences. His research focuses on psychopathology diagnosis, psychological assessment validity, personality’s role in depression treatment, and detection of non-credible responses in self-reports. He directs the Clinical Laboratory for Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychodiagnostics and collaborates with CAMH’s Clinical Research Department. Dr. Bagby is an editorial board member of several journals, including Psychological Assessment , and has received prestigious awards for his contributions to psychological assessment. He teaches courses in psychopathology, personality disorders, and forensic psychology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His clinical practice specializes in forensic assessments and major depression treatment using eclectic approaches. Research Interests: Phenotypic structure and classification of psychopathology, particularly personality disorders Psychometric validation of assessment tools Personality as a mediator/moderator in depression treatment Strategies for detecting non-credible self-report responses Key Awards: APA’s Distinguished Assessment Psychologist Award SPA’s Bruno Klopfer Award for Lifetime Contributions Teaching and Clinical Work: Teaches courses in psychological assessment, psychodiagnosis, and forensic psychology. Maintains a small private practice in civil/criminal forensic evaluations. His treatment approach combines cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic methods for depression. Labs and Affiliations: Director of the Clinical Laboratory for Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychodiagnostics at UofT. Collaborative Scientist at CAMH’s Clinical Research Department and Research Imaging Centre.
Benoît Valley is a Full Professor at the University of Neuchâtel's Faculty of Science and Director of the Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN). He specializes in geomechanics, geothermics, and hydrogeology, focusing on stress and fracture characterization in rock masses. His work addresses geothermal energy, CO2 storage, and nuclear waste sequestration. Education: PhD from ETH Zurich (2007), followed by research roles at MIRARCO Canada and ETH Zurich. Appointed to University of Neuchâtel in 2014 as Assistant Professor, promoted to Full Professor in 2020. Research interests include stress field dynamics, hydraulic stimulation, and fracture network analysis. Awards include the Bernard Kübler and Jean Landry Prize (2002). Teaching includes courses on geosciences, hydrogeology, and geothermal energy at undergraduate and graduate levels. Key initiatives: Leadership in CHYN, involvement in Swiss geoscience platforms, and contributions to projects like SPINE (EU-funded) and TIBEX (SFOE-funded). Labs: Established the Geothermics and Geomechanics Laboratory at CHYN, focusing on deep geothermal systems and reservoir engineering.
Daniele Casagrande is an Assistant Professor of Wood Engineering at the University of Trento, Italy, and an Adjunct Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Ottawa, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Civil Engineering. His expertise lies in the seismic performance and structural dynamics of timber-based systems. Education: Ph.D. in Civil and Mechanical Structural Systems Engineering, University of Trento, Italy Postgraduate Diploma in Seismic Behavior of Structures, University of Trieste, Italy M.Sc., University of Trento, Italy BASc., University of Trento, Italy His research focuses on the seismic behavior of timber structures , including dynamic response, timber connections under cyclic loading, hybrid wood-steel systems, and the development of simplified analytical and numerical models for lateral load analysis. He has contributed to innovative designs for post-emergency timber housing and conducted full-scale vibration table tests and laboratory experiments on shear walls and mechanical connections. Daniele is actively involved in international standards development, serving on the Italian Committee on Timber Structures and contributing to the revision of Eurocode 5 and the timber chapter of Eurocode 8 . He currently leads a working group within the COST CA20139 action on holistic design of tall timber buildings, focusing on accidental load scenarios. Professional Engagement: Member, Italian Committee on Timber Structures Working Group Leader, COST CA20139 (Accidental Loads in Tall Timber Buildings) Collaborator in national and international research projects (e.g., University of Ottawa and National Research Council of Italy) Participant in professional training courses and seminars for civil engineers He has published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, with research impacting both academic and practical applications in structural timber engineering.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasemin CEYHAN is an accomplished academic in nursing, currently serving as an Associate Professor at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University's Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing. She has been a full-time faculty member since 2013, initially as a Research Assistant (2013-2020) and subsequently as a Doctoral Teaching Member (2020-present). She holds multiple administrative positions including Head of Department (2020-present), Faculty Council Member (2022-present), and Quality Committee Member (2024-present). Dr. CEYHAN completed her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at Ahi Evran University (2007-2011), followed by a Master's Degree in Nursing at Erciyes University (2012-2015), and earned her Doctorate in Internal Medicine Nursing from Erciyes University (2015-2019). She has completed numerous specialized courses in statistical analysis, meta-analysis, and healthcare research methodology. Her research primarily focuses on Internal Medicine Nursing with particular expertise in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) management, cultural competency in nursing practice, and patient self-management in chronic diseases. She has developed significant expertise in psychometric evaluation of nursing instruments and has contributed substantially to understanding the relationship between cultural sensitivity and nursing care effectiveness. Her work bridges nursing practice with psychological, cultural, and physiological aspects of patient care. Analysis of her publication record reveals a clear evolution from descriptive studies to sophisticated analytical research employing structural equation modeling and randomized controlled trials. Her recent work demonstrates increasing methodological rigor with a focus on mediation and moderation effects in complex patient care scenarios, particularly in COPD management where she examines intricate relationships between symptoms, psychological factors, and self-management behaviors. Poster Presentation 3rd Prize (2014) from Eskişehir Osmangazi University Dr. CEYHAN has successfully supervised multiple Master's theses and currently mentors additional graduate students. She has secured and led several significant research projects funded by TÜBA, TÜBİTAK, and university research funds, focusing on chronic disease management, cultural competency assessment tools, and COPD patient care. Her research portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based nursing practice and instrument development. As an active member of the Turkish Respiratory Research Association (since 2018) and the Turkish Nurses Association (since 2015), Dr. CEYHAN maintains a robust collaborative research network that spans multiple Turkish universities, particularly Erciyes University. Her work reflects a team-oriented research approach with numerous co-authored publications demonstrating interdisciplinary collaboration.
Seung Eock Kim is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Sejong University, Korea, where he has served since 1997. Previously, he held executive leadership as Senior Vice President (2015-2018) and brings industry experience from Daewoo Engineering. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. from Purdue University (1996), M.S. from KAIST (1990), and B.S. from Yonsei University (1983). Kim leads research in structural systems optimization with emphases on: Nonlinear inelastic analysis of steel/composite structures AI-driven structural design methodologies LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design) frameworks Advanced computational mechanics for infrastructure His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong focus on machine learning applications for structural health monitoring, nano-scale material characterization of steels, and sensor-based corrosion detection. This represents a strategic expansion into intelligent infrastructure systems beyond traditional mechanics. Awards and honors: National Research Laboratory designation (Ministry of Science, 2000) Elected Full Member of Korean Academy of Science and Technology (2011) He directs the Steel Structure Laboratory , where he developed the specialized nonlinear analysis software 3D-PAAP. His research has generated 132 SCIE-indexed publications with 1,599+ citations, including the influential CRC Press book LRFD Steel Design Using Advanced Analysis (1997).
Dr. Daniel M. Dowden is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering at Michigan Technological University. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering) from the University at Buffalo, along with MS and BS degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Wyoming and Washington State University, respectively. Prior to academia, he worked as a structural engineer in Seattle for 10 years, which influenced his research focus on earthquake engineering and resilient infrastructure design. Education: PhD, Civil Engineering – Structural Engineering, University at Buffalo (2014) MS, Civil Engineering – Structural Engineering, University of Wyoming BS, Civil Engineering – Structural Engineering, Washington State University His research emphasizes innovative solutions for earthquake-resistant structures, particularly self-centering systems and low-damage frameworks to mitigate seismic impacts. He has conducted extensive experimental testing using shake-tables, pseudo-dynamic systems, and static methods. Key areas include steel plate shear walls, post-tensioned connections, and resilient friction dampers. Teaching focuses on earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, steel/concrete design, and structural analysis. He joined Michigan Tech in 2017 after serving as Structural & Testing Engineer at UB’s Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL), where he contributed to seismic qualification testing. Recent publications highlight advancements in numerical modeling of friction dampers, shake-table testing methodologies, and analytical investigations of rocking wall systems.
Abdeldjelil Belarbi is the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering. He holds fellowships from the American Concrete Institute (ACI), Structural Engineering Institute (SEI), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and other leading organizations. His academic career spans over three decades, including roles as Department Chair (2009–2013) and faculty positions at the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T), where he contributed to research centers like the Intelligent Systems Center and Materials Research Graduate Center. Belarbi’s education includes a Ph.D. (1991) and M.S. (1986) in Civil/Structural Engineering from the University of Houston, and a B.S. (1983) from the University of Sciences and Technology of Oran, Algeria. His research focuses on sustainable infrastructure, corrosion-resistant materials, FRP-reinforced concrete, and seismic resilience. He has pioneered studies on prestressed concrete girders, bridge pile repair, and shape memory alloy confinement for columns. His 150+ publications emphasize FRP applications, structural durability, and innovative repair techniques. Awards include the Cullen Distinguished Professorship and recognition as a Fellow in multiple engineering societies. Belarbi has advised numerous students and led interdisciplinary projects on infrastructure sustainability and advanced materials. Awards: Cullen Distinguished Professorship, ACI Fellow, ASCE Fellow, IIFC Fellow Key Research: FRP-reinforced concrete, corrosion-resistant steels, bridge retrofitting, shape memory alloys Leadership: Department Chair (UH), Dean’s Teaching Scholar (MU-Rolla)
