Jenny Y. Yang is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on the development of inorganic electrocatalysts for chemical fuel generation and utilization, emphasizing bio-inspired secondary coordination sphere effects and thermochemical property optimization. Institution: University of California, Irvine Department: Chemistry Research Interests: Oxygen activation mechanisms Hydrogen production and oxidation Carbon dioxide reduction for fuel synthesis Thermochemical property effects on catalysis Secondary coordination sphere engineering Electrochemical carbon capture systems Scientific Trends: Recent work spans from 2023–2025, covering CO2-to-methane conversion, quantum dot hybrid systems for hydrogen evolution, and computational approaches to CO2 capture agent design. Articles highlight interdisciplinary methods combining inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, and sustainability-focused engineering. Contact: Office: 4080 ISEB | Phone: 949-824-1533 | Email: j.yang@uci.edu
Risto Miikkulainen is a Professor of Computer Science and Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin and VP of AI Research at Cognizant AI Lab. He directs the UTCS Neural Networks Research Group and is currently on leave from UT, working on Evolutionary Computation and Deep Learning at Sentient Technologies, Inc. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, UCLA, 1990 M.S. in Applied Mathematics, Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University), 1986 Risto Miikkulainen's research focuses on biologically-inspired computation such as neural networks and evolutionary computation. His work spans three main areas: (1) Neuroevolution, evolving complex deep learning architectures and recurrent neural networks for sequential decision tasks in robotics, games, and artificial life; (2) Cognitive Science, developing models of natural language processing, memory, and learning that shed light on disorders such as schizophrenia and aphasia; and (3) Computational Neuroscience, studying the development, structure, and function of the visual cortex, episodic memory, and language processing. His research combines theoretical understanding of biological information processing with practical applications for developing intelligent artificial systems. His recent publications (2025) show a strong focus on evolutionary approaches to AI development, particularly in neural architecture search, loss function optimization, and explainable AI. Many papers explore the intersection of evolutionary computation with deep learning, creating more efficient and transparent AI systems. His work spans theoretical foundations and practical applications in areas ranging from environmental control systems to cognitive modeling. Scientific Awards: College of Fellows, International Neural Network Society, 2024 Best Pathway to Impact Award, NeurIPS Climate Change workshop, 2024 AAAI Fellow, 2023 IEEE CIS Evolutionary Computation Pioneer Award, 2020 Gabor Award, International Neural Network Society, 2017 Outstanding Paper of the Decade Award, International Society for Artificial Life, 2017 IEEE Fellow, 2016 Multiple Best Paper Awards at GECCO, CIG, and CEC conferences Deployed Application Award, AAAI/IAAI-2013, AAAI/IAAI-2018 Miikkulainen has extensive experience mentoring students through undergraduate research courses like CS378 Computational Intelligence in Game Design I and II, where students develop independent research projects on the OpenNERO research platform. He has received multiple awards for deployed applications, demonstrating the practical impact of his research. His work has led to the development of the NERO game platform, which serves as both an educational tool and research platform for AI. He directs the UTCS Neural Networks Research Group, which focuses on neuroevolution, cognitive science models, and computational neuroscience. The group has developed the NERO (Neuro-Evolving Robotic Operatives) platform, a machine learning game that allows users to train intelligent agents through evolutionary computation. The group's work spans theoretical research and practical applications in AI, with connections to both academic and industry partners.
Dominik Schörkhuber is a PreDoc Researcher at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in the Computer Vision department. With a background in Informatics (BSc, Dipl.-Ing.), he focuses on computer vision applications for autonomous driving, robotics, and human-machine interaction. His work spans driver action recognition, pedestrian prediction, and adaptive lighting systems. Current projects: Empathic Vehicle (2024–2026), SyntheticCabin (2021–2025), SmartProtect (2020–2025) Research themes: Video transformers, synthetic data transfer learning, multi-task learning, and sensor-lighting integration Specializes in 3D sensing, nighttime driving analysis, and mobile video creation tools
Dr. Ruzan Sokhoyan is a Nanophotonics Research Scientist specializing in plasmonics and active metasurfaces. Her work focuses on advancing optical imaging, communication, and computation through tunable photonic structures. Core research in metasurface design for beam steering and polarization control Collaborative contributions with Harry A. Atwater and other leading researchers Publications in high-impact journals like ACS Nano and Advanced Optical Materials Her research explores electro-optic modulation , high-power laser beam manipulation , and dynamic photonic devices , with applications in optical communication and imaging. Recent work emphasizes inverse design approaches and liquid crystal-based tunable metasurfaces , reflecting trends toward reconfigurable and multifunctional photonic systems.
Josh Atkinson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute at Princeton University. His research focuses on using synthetic biology and protein engineering to control electron transport in microbes for environmental applications, such as bioelectronic sensors and bioremediation. The Atkinson Lab investigates microbial energy processing, biofilm-electronic interfaces, and sustainable biotechnologies. Affiliations: Princeton University, Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute Research Interests: Microbial electron transport, bioelectronic systems, environmental monitoring, sustainable catalysis His work bridges disciplines like electrochemistry, bioengineering, and environmental science to engineer living materials for real-world challenges. The lab recruits students across levels, emphasizing diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent projects include real-time contaminant sensors and light-controlled biofilm patterning. Articles highlight innovations in bioelectronics and microbial systems engineering. The lab’s future directions involve scaling-up bioelectronic devices and enhancing microbial community understanding.
Graham Dobereiner is an Associate Professor and Robert L. Smith Early Career Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Temple University's College of Science and Technology. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University (2011) and completed postdoctoral research at MIT (2012-2014) after earning his B.S. from Brandeis University (2007). His research group develops novel homogeneous transition metal catalysts for synthetic chemistry applications spanning fine chemicals manufacturing, petrochemical processing, and drug discovery. The work integrates organometallic chemistry principles, combining organic molecular diversity with inorganic compound reactivity. Research areas include catalytic isomerization, oxidative synthesis, ligand design, and mechanistic studies of transition metal complexes. Analysis of his recent publications demonstrates strong emphasis on reaction mechanism elucidation, catalyst design for stereoselective transformations (particularly Z-selective isomerizations), and development of novel catalytic systems for sustainable synthesis. His group employs computational and experimental approaches to advance synthetic methodology.
Maiken Mikkelsen is the James N. and Elizabeth H. Barton Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, promoted to Professor in 2025. She holds a secondary appointment as Associate Professor of Physics (2023–present) within Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Her research bridges Nanophotonics , Quantum Materials , and Ultrafast Spectroscopy , focusing on plasmonic nanostructures and nonlinear metasurfaces for quantum optics and optoelectronic applications. Education: Ph.D. in Physics (University of California, Santa Barbara, 2009), B.S. in Physics (University of Copenhagen, 2004), postdoctoral work at University of California, Berkeley. Her work explores Plasmonics and Quantum Optics to engineer nanoscale light-matter interactions, enabling transformative technologies in Single-Photon Sources , Ultrafast Photodetectors , and Active Metasurfaces . Recent projects include real-time tunable lasing and polarization-controlled nanocavity systems. Her 2016–2025 publications highlight breakthroughs in plasmonic fluorescence enhancement, hot electron dynamics, and room-temperature quantum devices. Grants include Nano Solutions On-Chip (Triad National Security, LLC, 2025–2029) and Meta-Imaging (Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 2021–2026). Her lab, jointly based in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics, has graduated PhD students Eunso Shin and Hengming Li, and actively engages in STEM outreach initiatives.
Gunnar Kusch is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on defects in semiconductors, porous AlGaN materials, and advanced characterization techniques like cathodoluminescence (CL) and atom probe tomography (APT). He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde and leads projects on UV-B LED optimization, nanoscale defect behavior analysis, and semiconductor device design. His work bridges materials synthesis, characterization, and device performance, with applications in energy-efficient lighting and solar cell technology. Key research areas include: Defect engineering in III-nitride semiconductors Porous AlGaN templates for high-efficiency UV emitters Correlative microscopy techniques (CL, EBSD, APT) Composition-structure-property relationships in photovoltaic materials Notable contributions include developing CL-based methods for nanoscale defect analysis and demonstrating improved Cu(In,Ga)S₂ solar cell efficiencies through compositional engineering. His laboratory focuses on translating microscopic insights into macroscopic device improvements.
Mohammad Peydayesh is a Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology , ETH Zürich. He works in the Food and Soft Material Laboratory , focusing on sustainable materials derived from food waste and agri-food byproducts. PhD in Chemical Engineering (2018, Iran University of Science and Technology) Postdoctoral Fellow at ETH Zürich under Prof. Dr. Mezzenga Senior Assistant at ETH Zürich since 2021 His research spans soft matter , self-assembly phenomena , and amyloid fibril applications in: Environmental engineering (water purification, heavy metal removal) CO2 conversion and storage Smart packaging and bioplastics development Biorefinery concepts and circular economy Nanomaterials for waste valorization Recent publications highlight trends in amyloid-based hybrid materials for: Metal recovery from e-waste and contaminated water CO2 capture and conversion Bioplastic production from agricultural waste Antiviral and detoxification applications Water desalination and purification Photonic and catalytic materials He contributes to the Laboratory of Food & Soft Materials , advancing sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary material science.
Matteo Maffei is a Full Professor at TU Wien, leading the Security and Privacy group. He joined in 2017 after 11 years at Saarland University's CISPA. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (2006). He coordinates the TU Wien Cybersecurity Center, the SecInt Doctoral School, and the FWF Special Research Program SPyCoDe. His research focuses on formal methods for security and privacy, blockchain technologies, and web security. Roles: Full Professor, Coordinator of TU Wien Cybersecurity Center, Module Head of Christian Doppler Lab for Blockchain Technologies (CDL-BOT), Board Member of Vienna Cybersecurity and Privacy Research Cluster (ViSP). His work emphasizes formal verification of cryptographic protocols, smart contracts, and decentralized systems. Key achievements include ERC Advanced (2024) and Consolidator (2018) Grants, and leadership roles in conferences like IEEE Computer Security Foundations Symposium (CSF). Research Interests: Formal methods, smart contracts, blockchain scalability, web security, privacy-preserving protocols, and decentralized systems. His recent projects include optimizing Lightning Network channels, secure multi-hop payments, and AI-driven robustness verification. Publications: Over 200 publications in top venues like CCS, IEEE S&P, and CRYPTO. Recent work includes advancements in blockchain interoperability (e.g., Alba bridges), light client protocols (Blink), and neural network verification techniques. Grants & Awards: ERC Advanced Grant (2024), ERC Consolidator Grant (2018), DFG Emmy Noether Fellowship (2009). Led projects funded by EU Horizon, FWF, and industry partners like ABC Research GmbH. Advising & Labs: Supervised over 20 PhD/Master theses. Active in the Christian Doppler Lab for Blockchain Technologies and the SPyCoDe SFB. Collaborates with institutions like SBA Research and Stanford University.
Scott Kerlin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University's College of Engineering. He holds an M.S. and B.S. in Computer Science from the University of North Dakota. Prior to academia, he worked at the Mayo Clinic on medical software systems and IBM as a build master for enterprise products. His career spans roles including network administrator, lab manager, and Undergraduate Director at UND. Dr. Kerlin's research focuses on bridging industry experience with academic curriculum, particularly in computer science education, project-based learning, and cybersecurity. He emphasizes practical applications of theoretical concepts, such as integrating 3D printing and scanning technologies with security systems for small satellites. His work also explores student efficacy in AI courses and scalable software project management methodologies. He has taught at multiple institutions, including the University of Minnesota and Augsburg University, and held roles at Michigan Tech as Senior Security Engineer. His 2024 Engineering+ Outstanding Teaching Award highlights his commitment to pedagogical innovation. Current projects include in-space 3D printing, solar energy systems, and cryptographic solutions for satellite communications. Key areas of contribution include: 3D printing/Scanning: Material characterization, key replication, and aerospace applications Cybersecurity: Intrusion detection, satellite communications security, and chaotic cryptosystems Educational Innovation: Active learning frameworks, PBL implementation, and student performance modeling His interdisciplinary approach connects computer science fundamentals with real-world engineering challenges, emphasizing sustainability and industry relevance in curricula.
Shanshan Xu is a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow and Academic Lecturer in Catalysis at the Department of Materials, University of Manchester, since January 2025. She specializes in heterogeneous catalytic systems for sustainable chemical reactions, including hydrogen production, nitrogen fixation, and CO2 conversion, employing operando X-ray spectroscopy and DRIFTS techniques to study catalytic mechanisms. Previously, she worked on the EU-funded Laurelin project, focusing on CO2 conversion to renewable methanol using nonthermal plasma catalysis. She earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering (2021) and MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Manchester. Her research interests span catalyst design (metal oxides, porous materials like zeolites and MOFs), operando spectroscopy (XAS, XPDF, IR), and sustainable chemistry. She leads the UoMaH research group at the University of Manchester-Harwell, collaborating internationally. Xu is actively mentoring PhD students and supervising projects in catalysis, with funding opportunities through scholarships like the President’s Doctoral Scholarship and the University of Manchester-CSC joint program. Notable awards include the Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowship (2024), Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship (2017), and First Prize in the China ShaoXing Innovation Competition (2023). Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to clean energy and sustainable industrial processes. Xu’s lab focuses on advancing catalyst design through operando studies, with emphasis on nonthermal plasma systems. She collaborates on projects like the UoMaH initiative, exploring nanoparticle behavior and catalytic materials for industrial applications.
Paul Downes is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Toronto, with a focus on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American literature and its intersection with political philosophy. He holds a BA from York University and a PhD from Cornell University. His research spans literature and political philosophy, Marxist theory, and environmental humanities, often analyzing canonical texts through critical theoretical frameworks. Education: BA, York University; PhD, Cornell University Fields of Interest: American Literature, Environmental Humanities, Literary and Critical Theory, Literature and Political Philosophy, Marxist Theory Downes’ research examines the relationship between literary works and political ideologies, particularly in early American literature. His recent work explores the politics and aesthetics of protection from the 18th to 21st centuries. His publications highlight themes of sovereignty, democracy, and ethical intervention in texts by authors like Herman Melville and Charles Brockden Brown. His journal articles and book chapters frequently bridge literary analysis with philosophical and political discourse. Notable trends in his publications include critical engagements with Thomas Hobbes’ theories in colonial contexts, the role of political theology in shaping early American narratives, and the interplay between democracy and terror in Gothic fiction. His work also interrogates energy ideologies in Melville’s Moby Dick and historical parallels between revolutionary texts and modern events. No scientific awards or honors were mentioned in the provided text. He has not explicitly listed any formal advisees or students in the available materials.
Senior Lecturer Outi Salo-Ahen is affiliated with Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering , Department of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on computational pharmacology, drug design, and pharmaceutical chemistry, particularly targeting chemokine receptors (CCR5/CXCR4) and transient receptor potential channels (TRPA1) for therapeutic applications. Doctor of Pharmacy (2006, University of Kuopio/UEF) MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (2001, UEF) BSc in Pharmacy (1999, UEF) University Pedagogy Modules 1-5 (2012-2015) Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through education and pharmaceutical innovation . Recent research trends include: Antimicrobial resistance solutions TRPA1 channel modulation Nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery Multi-target HIV-1 inhibitors 3D printing of biocompatible materials Computational analysis of nucleic acid frameworks She actively supervises doctoral projects, serves on assessment panels, and leads collaborations like Nordic Pharmaceutical Translation and Innovation. Her 60+ publications demonstrate expertise in molecular modeling and drug discovery.
Ashis K. Patra is a full-time Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur). After obtaining his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore in 2008, he carried out post-doctoral research at Harvard University and the University of Georgia before joining IIT Kanpur in 2012. Education & Academic Training Ph.D. (2008), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore M.Sc. (2002), The University of Burdwan Research Interests Professor Patra leads an interdisciplinary program that sits at the interface of inorganic chemistry, chemical biology, and medicinal chemistry. His work is organized into three principal thrusts: Therapeutic Applications of Metal Complexes: Design and mechanistic evaluation of cytotoxic transition-metal complexes that target nucleic acids and proteins, aiming to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer. Nitric Oxide Delivery from Transition Metal Nitrosyls: Development of photo- and redox-triggered metal nitrosyl complexes for controlled NO release to biological targets such as hemoglobin, myoglobin, and glutathione. Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes: Synthesis and photophysical characterization of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes that serve as luminescent probes and theranostic agents. Research Output & Impact His group has published extensively in leading journals including Dalton Transactions , Inorganic Chemistry , Chemical Science , and Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry . The collective work demonstrates a clear trajectory from fundamental coordination chemistry to translational applications in drug delivery and bioimaging, with recurring themes of redox control, light activation, and biological targeting. Scientific Awards & Fellowships CSIR Junior & Senior Research Fellowships (2001, 2003) West Bengal SLET Qualification (2001) International Travel Grants from CSIR & INSA (2006) DST Fast-Track Fellowship for Young Scientists (2013) Erasmus Mundus NAMASTE Scholarship for Academic Staff (2014) JSPS Invitation Fellowship (2016) Teaching & Mentoring Professor Patra teaches core and advanced courses in inorganic chemistry, including Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and Frontiers in Inorganic Chemistry. He actively mentors Ph.D. and master’s students (full list available on his lab website ) and has established the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemical Biology in the Old Core Lab complex at IIT Kanpur.
