Dr. Rajesh Bera is a Research Fellow at ICFO's Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials group specializing in quantum-confined nanostructures. His research examines ultrafast carrier dynamics, excitonic properties, and optoelectronic applications of nanomaterials including quantum dots, nanoplatelets, and hybrid nanostructures. Current investigations focus on intraband transitions in doped nanocrystals, orientation-dependent excitonic behavior in 2D materials, and charge transfer mechanisms in heterostructure devices. Work bridges fundamental photophysics with applications in photodetection, sensing, and energy conversion. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in time-resolved spectroscopy of quantum materials, nanomaterial synthesis via colloidal chemistry, and rational design of optoelectronic devices. Continually develops novel characterization methods to probe ultrafast processes at nanoscale interfaces.
Indrek Jõgi is an Associate Professor of Plasma Technology at the University of Tartu's Institute of Physics within the Faculty of Science and Technology. He serves as Assistant Director of the Institute of Physics and Programme Director of the Doctoral Programme in Chemical and Physical Sciences. His academic career spans over 15 years at the University of Tartu, with progressive roles from Research Fellow to his current Associate Professor position. Dr. Jõgi earned his PhD in Physics (Optics and Spectroscopy) from the University of Tartu in 2007, following a Master's degree in Applied Physics in 2003 and a diploma in Physical Information Technology in 2001. His doctoral research focused on conduction mechanisms in thin atomic layer deposited films containing TiO 2 . His research interests center on plasma physics and technology, particularly the electrical properties of thin metal-oxide films, plasma-chemistry, and thermodynamically non-equilibrium plasma properties. His work bridges fundamental plasma physics with practical applications in materials science, nuclear fusion technology, and biomedical applications. He specializes in plasma diagnostics using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for fusion reactor materials analysis and has made significant contributions to understanding ionization processes in various gas mixtures. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on plasma applications for nuclear fusion materials analysis, particularly using LIBS techniques for detecting hydrogen isotopes and impurities in fusion reactor wall materials. His work spans plasma diagnostics, thin film deposition techniques like atomic layer deposition, and biomedical applications of plasma technology including cancer cell treatment research. His scientific awards include: IOP Outstanding Reviewer Award for Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics (2022) IOP Outstanding Reviewer Award for Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics (2018) III award in the PhD student category at the National Contest of Students on Scientific Research (2007) Dr. Jõgi serves in significant administrative roles including Assistant Director of the Institute of Physics and Programme Director for the Doctoral Programme in Chemical and Physical Sciences. He is the Estonian representative in the Governing Board of Fusion for Energy and the General Assembly of EUROfusion consortium. He also represents Estonia in COST Actions 23139 (from 2025) and previously served as Vice STSM Coordinator for COST Action 19110 (2020-2024). With approximately 90 peer reviews completed according to Web of Science, he is an active contributor to scholarly discourse in his field. He leads the Laboratory of Plasma Physics at the University of Tartu and is a member of the International Scientific Committee for the HAKONE symposium series on High Pressure Low Temperature Plasma Chemistry. His research team collaborates extensively with international fusion research facilities including WEST tokamak in France and Magnum-PSI in the Netherlands.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
John M. Dallesasse is the Gregory E. Stillman Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Facilities and Capital Planning. He holds dual roles in academia and industry leadership, with prior experience as CTO, Vice President, and co-founder of Skorpios Technologies. His expertise spans optoelectronics, semiconductor materials, and photonic integration. Dallesasse earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from UIUC ECE in 1985, 1987, and 1991, respectively. His research focuses on III-V semiconductors, heterogeneous integration, quantum cascade lasers, and silicon photonics. He has pioneered innovations like III-V oxidation and the transistor-injected quantum cascade laser. Education: Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, UIUC, 1991 M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, UIUC, 1987 B.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, UIUC, 1985 Research Interests: Compound semiconductor materials and devices Heterogeneous integration and wafer bonding Quantum cascade lasers and transistor lasers Photonic integration and silicon photonics III-Nitride devices and optoelectronics Awards: IEEE Fellow (2015) Optica Fellow (2013) Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (2016) Advising and Labs: Leads the Advanced Semiconductor Device and Integration Laboratory Mentors undergraduate researchers in semiconductor innovation and photonics
Peeter Paris is an Associate Professor in Optics and Gas Discharge Physics at the Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu. He has been affiliated with the University of Tartu since 1976, progressing from a senior lab assistant to his current position as Associate Professor since February 2024. His research focuses on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, plasma physics, and applications in fusion research. Education: PhD in Physics, University of Tartu (1994), dissertation: "Initiation of corona pulses" Higher degree in Physics, University of Tartu (1976) Professor Paris specializes in Optics, Gas Discharge Physics, and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) . His work primarily addresses plasma physics phenomena, particularly in the context of nuclear fusion research. His research has significant applications in fusion reactor diagnostics, plasma-wall interactions, and material analysis for ITER and other fusion devices. He has developed LIBS techniques for in-situ monitoring of fuel retention, erosion, and deposition in fusion reactor components. His recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on applying LIBS techniques to fusion research problems, particularly analyzing plasma-facing materials like beryllium and tungsten coatings. His work examines hydrogen isotope detection, plasma diagnostics, and material interactions in various gas environments. A consistent theme across his publications is the development and refinement of LIBS as a diagnostic tool for fusion reactors, with particular attention to atmospheric pressure plasmas and different gas mixtures. Research Supervision: Doctoral students: Jasper Ristkok (ongoing), Fred Valk (2017), Kaarel Piip (2016) Master's students: Jasper Ristkok (2021), Kaarel Piip (2012), Fred Valk (2005) Professor Paris has led and participated in numerous research projects, including the EUROfusion consortium project "Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020" and the INTAS project "Physics and applications of positive and negative corona discharges." He is a member of the organizing committee for the international symposium "High pressure low temperature plasma chemistry" (HAKONEVIII).
Dr. Jonathan Bones is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD) and Principal Investigator of the Characterisation and Comparability Group at NIBRT. His research focuses on analytical methods for biopharmaceuticals, including liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for protein characterization, glycomics, and process optimization. He holds a BSc and PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Dublin City University. His work has been recognized through inclusion in the Medicine Maker Power List. He leads a team of 18 researchers, supported by SFI, EI, and industry partnerships. Education: BSc in Analytical Science (Chemistry), Dublin City University PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Dublin City University Research Interests: Development of advanced LC-MS platforms for glycomics, proteomics, and bioprocess analysis. Key areas include: Quantitative proteomics/metabolomics for bioprocess monitoring Liquid phase separations for complex bioanalysis Process analytical technology (PAT) His group collaborates with ThermoFisher Scientific on analytical workflows for biopharmaceutical characterization. Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes analytical methods for AAV vector characterization, biosimilar comparability via MAM/iMAM, and process clearance of excipients. Over 126 publications highlight his contributions to biopharmaceutical quality control and process understanding. Awards: Medicine Maker Power List (2023): Top 100 influential scientists in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and analysis Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD students in bioprocessing and analytical chemistry Funding from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Enterprise Ireland (EI), and EU FP7 Industry collaborations with ThermoFisher Scientific and Bristol Myers Squibb Labs & Teams: Leads the Characterisation and Comparability Lab at NIBRT, focused on cutting-edge analytical tools for bioprocess development and product quality assurance.
Professor Michael Thompson is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering. He holds the Dwight C. Baum Professorship in Engineering and specializes in advanced materials processing, particularly semiconductor materials under pulsed laser exposure. His research focuses on transient thermal processing (nanosecond to sub-second timescales) for material property modification and characterization, with applications in semiconductors, EUV lithography, and photonic materials. Thompson has authored over 120 papers and 20 patents, emphasizing industrial challenges like front-end junction formation and flexible electronics. Education: B.S. in Physics (CalTech, 1979), M.S./Ph.D. in Physics (Cornell, 1982/1984). He has received prestigious awards including the North American Award for Technical Contribution to the Semiconductor Industry (2009), multiple Cornell Excellence in Teaching Awards, and the Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow designation (2021). His teaching focuses on thermodynamics and electronic properties, with a commitment to making abstract concepts accessible through real-world examples. Service: Leads curriculum development, ABET accreditation, and industry outreach. His lab develops novel methods for autonomous materials discovery using AI-driven approaches. Current projects include laser spike annealing for semiconductor doping and high-throughput synthesis of metastable materials.
Yi Ji is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware. He joined the faculty in 2006 and serves as the Graduate Program Director (2020–present). His research focuses on spintronics, exploring spin injection, transport, and functionality in mesoscopic metallic heterostructures. Key areas include enhancing spin relaxation lengths, studying spin transfer torque effects, and investigating Kondo spin relaxation. He holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (2003) and a B.S. from Peking University (1997). Research interests emphasize experimental studies using advanced equipment such as thin film deposition systems, electron-beam lithography, and cryogenic magneto-transport setups. His lab, the Mesoscopic Spintronics Lab, collaborates with the University of Delaware Nanofabrication Facilities. Notable contributions include demonstrating copper spin relaxation lengths exceeding 3 micrometers and exploring ionic-gated spin relaxation tuning. Yi Ji has supervised seven Ph.D. students, many of whom now hold industry and academic positions. His work appears in top journals and is accessible via Google Scholar and ORCiD profiles. He has held postdoctoral roles at Argonne National Laboratory (2003–2006) and maintains active participation in experimental condensed matter physics.
J J Keating is a Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. His research focuses on impurity profiling of amphetamine-type drugs of abuse, particularly newly emerging hallucinogenic amphetamines, and their forensic applications. He has contributed significantly to understanding synthetic routes of illicit drugs and their toxicity. Keating holds a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Trinity College Dublin and has extensive postdoctoral and research experience. Education: BSc (Pharm) from Trinity College Dublin, PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, and advanced teaching qualifications including an MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from UCC. Research Grants: Secured over €289,667 in funding, including projects on forensic impurity profiling and synthesis of hallucinogenic amphetamines. Awards: Recognized with Top 100 Dynamic Irish Pharmacists (2013/2014), UCC Teaching Award (2013), and several best presentation/poster awards in pharmacy and chemistry colloquia. His teaching spans medicinal and organic chemistry, with a focus on integrating pharmacy education into the UCC BPharm curriculum. He actively contributes to continuing professional development for pharmacists and chairs key committees, including the Pharmacy Mature Student Entry Route. Collaborations include work with Dr. Dara Fitzpatrick on Broadband Acoustic Resonance Dissolution Spectroscopy.
Matthew Kanan is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Stanford University, teaching core courses including CHEM 31E: Chemical Foundations and 21st Century Problems (Autumn) and CHEM 121: Understanding the Natural and Unnatural World through Chemistry (Spring). He actively mentors students through year-round independent studies (CHEM 90, CHEM 190) and research programs (MATSCI 300, CHEM 301, CHEM 200). His research pioneers sustainable solutions for carbon management, focusing on electrochemical CO 2 reduction, catalyst development for reverse water-gas shift reactions, and novel carbon capture technologies. Key innovations include carbonate-promoted carboxylation processes, membrane-free electrochemical systems for acid-base production, and metamaterial reactor designs for energy-efficient thermochemical conversion. His work bridges fundamental electrochemistry with scalable engineering for carbon-neutral chemical synthesis. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory toward industrial-scale CO 2 utilization, with emphasis on energy efficiency, catalyst durability, and impurity tolerance. Dominant themes include electrochemical engineering for concentrated product streams, computational modeling of catalyst microenvironments, and thermal processes for mineral-based carbon removal. This integrated approach targets practical implementation in sustainable fuel and chemical production. Professor Kanan supervises undergraduate research (CHEM 190), directed instruction (CHEM 90), and Ph.D. candidates across chemistry and materials science. His research group likely secures substantial funding for projects addressing critical challenges in carbon conversion, though specific grants aren't detailed in the source material. Collaborative work spans electrochemical engineering, materials design, and process optimization for decarbonization.
Ifana Mahbub is an Associate Professor at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science , University of Texas at Dallas, specializing in Electrical & Computer Engineering . Her research focuses on energy-efficient integrated circuits, wireless power transfer systems for biomedical sensors, and advanced antenna designs for UAV and mm-wave applications. She leads the Integrated Biomedical, RF Circuits and Systems Lab . Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (2017), University of Tennessee, Knoxville B.S. in Electrical Engineering (2012), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Research interests include: Ultrawideband/mm-wave phased-array antennas Far-field wireless power beaming V2V communication for UAVs Energy harvesting via reverse electrowetting Implantable/wearable sensor systems Recent work highlights advancements in high-efficiency rectennas, beamforming algorithms, and AI-driven metasurface design. Her systems address critical challenges in biomedical telemetry and aerial communication.
Prof. Saskia Mordijck is a Professor of Physics at the College of William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. Her research focuses on Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Science, with expertise in experimental and computational studies of plasma confinement in tokamak devices. She leads the Plasma Physics and Fusion Science research group, which collaborates with major facilities like DIII-D, JET, and Alcator C-Mod. Her work addresses critical challenges in achieving controlled nuclear fusion, including particle transport dynamics, edge pedestal formation, and ELM suppression mechanisms. Prof. Mordijck holds a Ph.D. (2011) and M.S. (2010) from the University of California San Diego, and an MEng (2006) from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. She transitioned from the Applied Science department in 2019 to the Physics department, reflecting her expanded role in cross-disciplinary fusion research. Her group actively engages in the ITER project, contributing to core-pedestal integration strategies and plasma edge modeling. Key research areas include: Resonant Magnetic Perturbations (RMPs) for ELM control, particle transport driven by turbulence and fueling dynamics, and boundary plasma interactions with material surfaces. She has pioneered studies on neutral particle dynamics and their impact on pedestal stability, leveraging advanced numerical models like SOLPS-ITER and Aurora. Her team collaborates internationally, with notable contributions to JET and DIII-D campaigns. Prof. Mordijck has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom pursue careers in fusion energy research, academia, and national laboratories. She currently seeks motivated students for projects in plasma modeling and experimental analysis.
Benedikt Geiger is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering, affiliated with the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics and Electrical & Computer Engineering. He leads the Helically Symmetric eXperiment (HSX), focusing on quasi-symmetry and transport in stellarators, and directs the Turbulence and Spectroscopy Group conducting diagnostics at DIII-D, W7-X, and NSTX-U. Ph.D., Ludwig-Maximilians University (2013) Diploma (MS), Ludwig-Maximilians University (2009) Diploma Thesis, Max-Planck Institute for Physics (2009) His research spans experimental plasma spectroscopy, particle/heat transport, synthetic diagnostics, and turbulence analysis in fusion devices. Recent work includes developing deep learning algorithms for ELM prediction and real-time confinement regime detection, alongside turbulence studies in negative triangularity plasmas and impurity transport in W7-X. Key awards include the 2025 Grainger Institute for Engineering Professorship, 2020 DOE Early Career Award, 2014 Landau Spitzer Award, and the 2014 Otto-Hahn Medal. He holds leadership roles in the National Stellarator Coordinating Committee, Transport Task Force, and International Stellarator and Heliotron Workshop.
Dr. Lin Lin is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore (NUS Law). Her expertise spans corporate law, corporate finance, and Chinese corporate and securities law. She holds a PhD and LLM from NUS, and an LLB from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Dr. Lin has held visiting positions at Stanford Law School, University of Oxford, and University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on corporate governance structures, cross-border financial regulations, and legal frameworks governing Chinese enterprises. She has authored Venture Capital Law in China (Cambridge University Press, 2021), a seminal work in corporate law scholarship. Dr. Lin teaches courses on Chinese Law, Private Equity, and Venture Capital at NUS, and has delivered lectures at leading institutions worldwide. Professional Roles: Editorial Board Member of Asian Journal of Comparative Law , Arbitrator at Hainan Court of International Arbitration, and Mediator at Hainan International Commercial Mediation Centre. Grants & Awards: Recipient of President's Graduate Fellowship, and peer reviewer for American Journal of Comparative Law . Practice Experience: Former Legal Policy Officer at Singapore's Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), and Assistant Counsel at Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Her research integrates legal analysis with comparative institutional frameworks, addressing contemporary challenges in corporate law across jurisdictions. Dr. Lin actively engages in executive training programs for legal practitioners in Asia and advises on corporate reforms in Taiwan.
Dr. Zoltán Kis serves as a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at The University of Sheffield and holds an Honorary Lecturer position at Imperial College London's Department of Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on innovating disease-agnostic RNA vaccine and therapeutics manufacturing platforms through process digitalization and intensification. Dr. Kis earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Imperial College London, complemented by an M.Sc. in Applied Biotechnology and a B.Eng. in Chemical with Biochemical Engineering. His interdisciplinary training bridges chemical engineering, biotechnology, and bioengineering disciplines. His research integrates experimental and computational methodologies to revolutionize mRNA production: Development of continuous enzymatic synthesis, purification, and LNP formulation processes Process intensification through novel unit operations and equipment design Digital twin deployment for real-time monitoring and control Techno-economic modeling to reduce production costs Quality by Digital Design framework implementation for regulatory compliance Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in continuous bioprocessing and digital transformation of mRNA manufacturing. Key subfields include oligo-dT chromatography optimization, tangential flow filtration for mRNA purification, and digital twin applications for process control, with strong emphasis on pandemic-response capabilities and cost reduction strategies. Dr. Kis actively supervises PhD students in mRNA bioprocessing and teaches Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing (CPE336/CPE6043) and Introduction to Bioengineering (BIE103). His industry engagement includes advisory roles on Sanofi's mRNA CMC Board and Pfizer's mRNA Technology Advisory Board. He leads the RNA Manufacturing Innovation Team and has secured substantial research funding, including: £3.7 million CEPI grant for RNAbox platform (2024-2027) £7.6 million UK-SEA Vaccine Manufacturing Hub (2023-2028) £2 million Innovate UK project for automated RNA platform (2023-2025) Multi-million USD Wellcome Leap R3 grant for distributed RNA production His work demonstrates significant impact through industry partnerships, policy advisory roles including WHO mRNA Technology Transfer Hub consultancy, and leadership in advancing global vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
Dr. Giulia Mazzoccanti is a Research Fellow at the Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome. She holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Sapienza University of Rome (2018) and an MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (2015) with top honors. Her academic appointments include her current position as Research Fellow (2021-present), Postdoctoral Researcher at Sapienza University of Rome (2019-2021), and upcoming Visiting Researcher position at CIC biomaGUNE, Spain (Oct 2024-Mar 2025). Dr. Mazzoccanti's research focuses on: Chirality and stereochemistry in natural and synthetic compounds Chiral stationary phases: synthesis and application in UHPLC, UHPSFC Absolute configuration assignment and stereostability of chiral systems Separation and profiling of cannabinoids (CBC, Δ⁹-THC) Functionalized nanomaterials (carbon nanodots) Epimeric peptide impurities in pharmaceutical products Her work demonstrates a strong integration of theoretical and experimental approaches to solve complex problems in separation science and stereochemistry. She has developed advanced techniques for unraveling the complexity of natural substances, ranging from small chiral molecules to large proteins, with particular emphasis on chiral separations using innovative stationary phases. Dr. Mazzoccanti has published 43 peer-reviewed articles (2016-2024) with an H-index of 12 and 506 citations (Scopus, April 2024). Her research has appeared in high-impact journals including Journal of Organic Chemistry, Chirality, Journal of Natural Products, TrAC, Analytical Chemistry, and ChemCatChem. Her publication record shows a consistent trajectory of scholarly output with increasing impact in the fields of chiral separations, natural products chemistry, and pharmaceutical analysis. She has received recognition through invitations to speak at international conferences including HANDS 2024 – International School on Chirality (Como, Italy), Extreme Chromatography Workshop (CNR Rome, 2023), and Global Summit on Catalysis and Chemical Engineering (Rome, 2023). Her scientific service includes: Topic Editor for MDPI journals: Molecules, Biomolecules, Metabolites, Separations Reviewer for journals: RSC Advances, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, etc. Member of the Local Scientific Committee – Chirality 2023, Rome Dr. Mazzoccanti is actively involved in research funding as Principal Investigator of two research agreements (2023, 2024) with Fresenius Kabi iPSUM, focused on stereoselective high-performance separations. She also participates in university-funded major research projects such as MACbyMOCC (asymmetric catalysis in flow). Her teaching activities include: Organic Chemistry (in English), 6 CFU, BSc in Molecular Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Computer Science for Pharmaceutical Applications (48 hours) Organic Chemistry and Natural Products Chemistry, 5 CFU of 9, BSc in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (40 hours) Lecture on chiral selector design for enantiodiscrimination for PhD in Chemistry, University of Milan Teaching module titled "Advanced techniques in separation science for unraveling the complexity of natural products and (bio)pharmaceuticals" for PhD in Molecular Design and Characterization for Health
