Professor Julius Kaplunov is a faculty member at Keele University's School of Computer Science and Mathematics, leading the Mathematics Research Centre. His academic journey includes PhD and DSc from the Russian Academy of Sciences, followed by roles at Manchester University (2000), Brunel University (2005–2012), and Keele since 2012. He has held visiting positions at institutions like the University of Alberta, Bordeaux University, and Technical University of Munich. Research focuses on applied mathematics, including continuum mechanics, acoustics, asymptotic analysis, and multi-scale modeling. He has authored/co-authored over 100 publications and three books, including *Dynamics of Thin Walled Elastic Bodies*. He serves on editorial boards of journals like *Mathematics and Mechanics of Solids*. Key research themes include theoretical solid mechanics, nano/meta-materials modeling, and boundary layer analysis. His work emphasizes asymptotic methods for thin structures and wave dynamics in heterogeneous media. Awards include membership in the European Academy of Sciences (2020). Administrative roles include former Head of Mathematics at Brunel and managing international academic networks (e.g., Erasmus+, University of Modena, Anadolu University). He currently serves as an external examiner at Liverpool University.
Enrico RADI is a Full Professor in the Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. His academic roles include teaching advanced courses in mechanical and structural engineering, such as Mechanics of Machines and Structures, Sustainable Industrial Building Design, and Rational Mechanics. His research focuses on mechanics of materials, structural analysis, nanotechnology, and biomaterials engineering. Key areas include contact mechanics, composite materials, and micro/nano-scale systems. He has published extensively on topics ranging from advanced structural analysis to biomechanical applications of metamaterials. Teaching responsibilities span multiple engineering disciplines, including courses in mechatronics and management engineering programs. His research integrates theoretical models with computational simulations (e.g., FEA) and experimental validation, as seen in his work on auxetic meta-biomaterials and nano-scale electromechanical systems. Office location: Via Amendola 2 Pad. Morselli, Reggio Emilia. Student reception hours: Wednesdays 3–5 PM. ORCID: 0000-0002-7410-3008. Recent research highlights include studies on carbon nanotube tweezers, functionally graded materials (FGM), and biomimetic scaffolds for orthopedic implants. His work bridges classical mechanics with modern applications in nanotechnology and sustainable engineering.
Dr. Luan Trinh is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of the Built Environment at the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. His research focuses on structural mechanics, composite materials, and advanced computational methods. Key areas include buckling analysis of cylindrical shells, vibration behavior of porous microbeams, and the application of modified couple stress theory in size-dependent structural analysis. He employs numerical techniques such as state-space approaches and inverse differential quadrature for modeling complex engineering systems. His work contributes to sustainable development goals through advancements in material science and structural optimization. Research interests include structural stability, composite materials, and finite element analysis. Recent studies emphasize the dynamic and static responses of functionally graded beams, porous microstructures, and elastically supported systems. Collaborations span international institutions, particularly in composite materials and mechanical behavior modeling. Publications highlight innovations in beam theories, buckling modes, and probabilistic analysis, often addressing practical engineering challenges such as compression buckling and boundary condition effects. While no specific grants or advisees are listed, his contributions are reflected in over 560 citations and an h-index of 11, underscoring impactful research in structural and materials engineering.
Andi Makarim Katili is a Research Associate at the Chair of Structural Analysis at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He holds an M.Sc. in Computational Mechanics (2023, TUM) and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (2019, Universitas Indonesia). His research focuses on computational mechanics, structural analysis, and numerical methods, including particle methods (Material Point Method), finite-element technology, isogeometric analysis, shell analysis, and modeling of natural hazards. He contributes to projects like CoDA, Mistralwind, and FlexWing, and teaches courses on finite element methods and structural analysis. His work involves developing advanced structural analysis tools and collaborating on interdisciplinary engineering challenges. Education: M.Sc. Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich (2019–2023) B.Sc. Civil Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (2015–2019) Research Interests: Particle methods (MPM) for natural hazard modeling Isogeometric analysis and design of membrane structures Structural optimization for additive manufacturing Wind engineering and fluid-structure interaction Numerical methods for composite materials and shell structures Software Contributions: Carat++ (finite element software) Kratos Multiphysics (open-source framework) WindGenerator and Kiwi!3d
Arefeh Abbasi is a researcher at ETH Zürich, affiliated with the Professorship for Computational Mechanics. Her work focuses on advanced mechanical engineering problems involving structural stability, magnetic actuation, and computational modeling of complex systems. Institution: ETH Zürich Department: Computational Mechanics Email: abbasia@ethz.ch Her research explores buckling mechanics in imperfect shells, bistable magnetic structures, and smart materials. She has developed frameworks for analyzing magneto-elastic systems and refined finite element models for composite and functionally graded plates. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding defect interactions in spherical shells, magnetic actuation of bistable beams, and tunable buckling behaviors in smart structures. These works span computational modeling, experimental validation, and reduced-order theoretical frameworks. She employs finite element analysis and numerical simulations to study nonlinear mechanical phenomena, with applications in adaptive structures and human-computer interaction technologies like refreshable braille displays.
John Wen is a Professor and Columbiad Space Research Chair for In-Situ Resource Utilization & Stewardship at the University of Waterloo's Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. He is cross-appointed to the Chemical Engineering department and directs the Laboratory for Emerging Energy Research (LEER). As CSME Technical Committee Chair on Microtechnology and Nanotechnology, he focuses on nanotechnology-driven energy solutions, combustion science, and sustainable energy systems. Education: Ph.D. (2005), Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto M.Eng. (2002), Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto B.Eng. (1992), Power Engineering, Harbin Engineering University NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow (2007), MIT Research Interests: Dr. Wen's work spans nanomaterial synthesis, biofuel combustion, CO2 capture, and in-situ resource utilization. His lab develops advanced energy devices like nanotube-based electrodes and nanothermites for propulsion and energy storage. Recent work includes lunar regolith processing for space applications and green hydrogen production. Publications Trends: His 2023–2025 articles emphasize nanoenergetic materials (e.g., Al-based composites), in-situ resource utilization, and CO2 conversion. Key themes include combustion optimization, material interfaces, and sustainable energy systems. Awards: Early Researcher Award NSERC Discovery Accelerate Supplement Advising & Labs: As SSPS (Sole-Supervisory Privilege Status) supervisor, he mentors graduate students in energy research. LEER focuses on nanotechnology, combustion, and space resource innovation. Industrial collaborations include Pratt & Whitney Canada and MAN B&W Diesel. Teaching: Recent courses include Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics (ME 750) and Heat Transfer (ME 353).
Ender Ciğeroğlu is a Professor and Vice Rector at the Middle East Technical University (METU), Department of Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University (2007) and academic degrees from METU (B.Sc. 1999, M.Sc. 2002) and Ohio State University (M.Sc. 2006). His research focuses on nonlinear dynamics, friction contact modeling, and vibration analysis of mechanical systems, particularly gas turbine blades, gear dynamics, and micro/nano-scale structures. Education: B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, METU, 1999 M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, METU, 2002 M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, 2006 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, 2007 Research Interests: Nonlinear vibration analysis of bladed disks and mistuning identification Friction damping mechanisms in turbine engines Gear dynamics and dynamic transmission error reduction Energy harvesting via nonlinear metastructures Fluid-structure coupling in rotor systems Key Projects: Developed BDamper software for bladed disk analysis used by Rolls-Royce and GUIde Consortium Recipient of TÜBİTAK grants for vibration isolation systems and bladed disk mistuning research Collaboration with Rolls-Royce for industry-focused turbine blade research Lab Activities: Director of Vibrations Laboratory focusing on turbine blade dynamics Hosts visiting researchers from international institutions Supervises over 30 graduate students in nonlinear dynamics and vibration control
Professor Evgeny Morozov holds a Professorship at the School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra. He holds advanced degrees including MSc, PhD, and DSc (Moscow), and is a member of MASME. His expertise spans Applied and Structural Mechanics, Composite Materials, and Structural Optimization. Affiliations: UNSW Canberra (2007–present), University of Natal, Durban (1995–2007), and Moscow State University of Aviation Technology (1977–1995). Research focuses on composite materials, including design, analysis, and manufacturing of advanced composites for aerospace and automotive applications. His work emphasizes structural optimization, crashworthiness, and material characterization. Recent articles highlight machine learning for damage detection in composites, structural analysis of spacecraft components, and ballistic impact behavior of advanced materials. His awards include the Donald Julius Groen Prize and recognition by the South African NRF for international research excellence. Grants: Lead investigator for projects on composite structures, deep water composites, and radiative cooling devices. Collaborated with Renault, Delft University of Technology, and others. He leads the Advanced Composite Research Unit, focusing on cutting-edge composite materials for aerospace and industrial applications.
Dr. Mergen Ghayesh is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, Australia. His research focuses on mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and advanced materials science. He specializes in fluid-structure interaction (FSI), vibration analysis, and nonlinear dynamics, with applications in cardiovascular biomechanics, robotics, and energy harvesting systems. His work bridges theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and real-world applications such as rehabilitation robotics and wave energy converters. Dr. Ghayesh holds editorial roles in prestigious journals like the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics. His recent studies explore metamaterials, graphene-based structures, and the biomechanics of arterial systems, emphasizing both fundamental science and translational engineering solutions. He actively publishes on topics ranging from smart materials to clinical applications of biomechanics. His research portfolio reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary innovation in mechanical and biomedical engineering.
Zahra Sharif Khodaei is a Professor in Aerospace Structural Durability and Health Monitoring at Imperial College London's Department of Aeronautics within the Faculty of Engineering. She earned her PhD in numerical modelling of functionally graded materials from Czech Technical University in 2008. Her professional experience includes a research associate role at Imperial College from 2009 before transitioning to a lectureship in 2014. Professor Khodaei holds prestigious fellowships from the Royal Aeronautical Society and Women in Engineering Society. Her research focuses on advanced structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques for aerospace composites, including fatigue analysis, damage detection via guided waves, and integration of physics-informed machine learning. Key areas include development of wireless sensor solutions, probabilistic frameworks for impact localization, and optimization of sensor networks for large composite structures. She also explores metamaterials, fiber optic sensing systems, and reliability analysis under environmental variations. Expertise: SHM, composite materials, fatigue analysis, neural networks, guided wave techniques Affiliations: Aerospace Materials and Structures, Space Engineering, Structural Integrity and Health Monitoring, The Composites Centre Recent work emphasizes baseline-free damage detection methods, probabilistic impact localization, and multi-objective sensor path optimization. Her publications span structural simulations, material characterization under extreme conditions, and hybrid sensor systems for aerospace applications. Scientific Awards: Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society, Fellow of Women in Engineering Society Current research includes development of digital clone platforms for SHM system testing under uncertainty, vibration-based offshore wind turbine monitoring, and 3D-printed flexible strain sensors. She also investigates automated crack growth quantification using neural networks and temperature compensation frameworks for guided wave systems in large composites.
Dr Behnam Sobhaniaragh is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University, affiliated with the School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies. He holds a PhD from Ghent University and a DSc from UFRJ, Brazil, and is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with IMechE and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). PhD in Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium Doctorate of Science (DSc) in Computational Mechanics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees inferred from academic trajectory in Mechanical/Electro-Mechanical Engineering His research focuses on computational mechanics of lightweight and sustainable materials, with expertise in fracture mechanics , phase-field modeling , hydrogen embrittlement , and multifunctional materials . He investigates material behavior under multiphysics conditions, contributing to Net Zero goals through advanced modeling of structural integrity and degradation. His work bridges solid mechanics, materials science, and physics, emphasizing durability and efficiency. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend in phase-field modeling of fracture , functionally graded and nanocomposite materials , thermo-mechanical coupling , and sustainable material systems . His research integrates finite element methods, micromechanical modeling, and data-driven approaches to simulate crack propagation, stability, and performance in advanced engineering materials, particularly under extreme or coupled environmental conditions. His scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Chartered Engineer (CEng), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Recipient of the prestigious FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship in Brazil Best DSc Thesis Award in the Department of Civil Engineering, UFRJ Dr Sobhaniaragh actively supervises MSc and BEng final year projects and is accepting PhD students. He leads the research project Microstructural Integrity of Shape Memory Alloys used in Elastocaloric Refrigeration , funded by the Newton Fund. He serves as a guest editor for special issues on Programmable Metamaterials and Phase-Field Modeling , and is a reviewer for over 20 international journals including Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering and Engineering Fracture Mechanics . He contributes to academic leadership as Module Leader for Machine Design , Continuum Mechanics , and Aircraft Structures , and as tutor for several core engineering modules. His research group focuses on computational modeling of material degradation and smart structures, collaborating internationally with institutions in Germany, Brazil, and the UK.
Slawomir KEDZIORA is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Design at the University of Luxembourg's Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM), leading the Computer-Aided Engineering & Additive Manufacturing research group. He serves as the Study Program Director for the Master's in Sustainable Product Creation. His expertise spans additive manufacturing, machine design, and structural analysis, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications and active industry collaborations. Education: PhD in Applied Mechanics (2000) from the Technical University of Lodz, followed by roles as an assistant professor and industry engineer at Delphi, Eaton, and DNV GL. His industry experience focused on reliability and stress engineering for mechanical/civil structures before joining academia in 2014. Teaching: Leads Machine Design courses across undergraduate and graduate programs, including Machine Design I-III (undergraduate), Machine Design Projects (master's), and civil engineering design exercises (2014–present). Supervised four completed PhD students and currently advises three more. Research: Priorities include additive manufacturing innovations, material modeling, and biomechanical testing setups for pelvic fractures. Active in developing functionally graded lattice structures and optimizing hydrogen valve designs for aerospace applications. Industry Collaboration: Engages in R&D projects with industry partners, focusing on material characterization and structural optimization. Leads efforts to bridge academic research with industrial applications in manufacturing and mechanical design.
Dr. Gullu Kızıltaş Şendur is an Associate Professor in the Mechatronics Engineering Department at Sabancı University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences in Istanbul, Turkey. She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey in 1995 and 1998, respectively, and completed her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2003. Her research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with a focus on: Design Optimization of mechanical, biomedical and electromagnetic systems Material Design and Fabrication using topology optimization and advanced 3D fabrication techniques Computational Mechanics including advanced micro-material modeling and Finite Element Methods Electromagnetics applications for miniature antennas and RF devices Tissue Engineering for artificial tissues and organs Dr. Kızıltaş Şendur's recent work demonstrates a strong trend toward additive manufacturing, multi-material design, and computational methods for creating functionally graded structures. Her research integrates computational design with experimental validation across mechanical engineering, biomedical applications, and electromagnetic systems. She has developed novel optimization frameworks that bridge multiple disciplines to solve complex engineering problems. Her scientific achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards including: 2008 Graduating Class Teaching Award from Sabancı University 2008 TUBA-GEBIP (Young Scientist Award) from the Turkish Academy of Sciences Dr. Kızıltaş Şendur has successfully advised numerous graduate students through their M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs, with many continuing to academic and research careers at institutions worldwide. She leads the 3D Systems Design and Realization Research Laboratory at Sabancı University's Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), which provides state-of-the-art facilities for multi-disciplinary research. Her laboratory focuses on the modeling and fabrication of multi-functional micro/nanostructures, with applications spanning mechanical engineering, biomedical devices, and electromagnetic systems. The group maintains strong collaborations with international research institutions and industry partners to advance the frontiers of computational design and advanced manufacturing.
Lucio Blandini is a professor and director of the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (ILEK) at the University of Stuttgart. He leads research in sustainable lightweight systems, adaptive structures, and digital fabrication, focusing on reducing environmental impact through computational design and sensor-integrated solutions. Education: PhD in Structural Engineering (University of Stuttgart, 2005) on adhesive-based glass shells. Leadership: Deputy spokesperson for CRC 1244 and Principal Investigator in the Cluster of Excellence IntCDC. His research spans Digital Fabrication , Adaptive Concrete Systems , and Complex Glass Envelopes , with recent work on functionally graded concrete, cyber-physical manufacturing, and resource-efficient structures. Publications emphasize integration of computational tools, material innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Key projects include the Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 , Doha Exhibition and Convention Center , and Enzo Ferrari Museum , demonstrating his focus on parametric design, digital transformation, and lightweight engineering. Labs and Teams: Collaborates with the University of Stuttgart's ILEK and Cluster of Excellence IntCDC, integrating architecture, civil engineering, and materials science.
Vedat Ziya Doğan is a Professor at Istanbul Technical University , specifically in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering . His research spans structural dynamics, composite materials, and aerospace engineering, with a focus on hypersonic vehicles, flutter analysis, and functionally graded materials. Research Highlights: Advanced studies in Multiphysics Simulations for high-speed vehicles Innovative work on Flutter Analysis and aerodynamic stability Expertise in Functionally Graded Materials under random excitation Projects: 2024-2025: Optimization of Impact Performance of Metal Composite Bonded Structures (Principal Investigator) 2020: R&D Consultancy on Elasticity and Stress Concentrations 2017-2018: Revolving Fund R&D Consultancy
