Ronald C. Lasky is a Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering and a Senior Technologist at the Indium Corporation. His academic roles include teaching courses such as ENGM 187: Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship and ENGS 155: Intermediate Thermodynamics . Dr. Lasky holds a BS in Engineering Physics from Cornell University (1970), an MS in Applied Mathematics from Binghamton University (1974), and a PhD in Materials Science from Cornell University (1986). His research focuses on process optimization, electronic assembly, materials science, and environmental compliance. Notable contributions include work on lead-free solder assembly and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. He received the Member of Technical Distinction Award from the SMTA in 2021. Dr. Lasky actively engages with industry, exemplified by his collaboration with Galanz in China, exploring modern manufacturing practices and infrastructure. His insights on global supply chains and technological advancements highlight his dual academic and professional expertise.
Musa Jouaneh is a Professor in the Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering department at the University of Rhode Island 's College of Engineering . His research spans Robotics, Automation, Mechatronics , and Motion Control systems, with recent work focusing on robotic rehabilitation platforms, fastener extraction, and neural network applications in disassembly processes. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley (1989) M.Eng., Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley (1986) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisiana, Lafayette (1984) Research Trends in Jouaneh's recent publications emphasize robotic rehabilitation using magnetic actuation, automated fastener detection via neural networks, and trajectory optimization for servo motor systems. His work bridges mechatronic design with industrial automation , particularly in disassembly and assembly applications. Grants include projects like "Cobots for Outfitting of Hangers" (ONR, 2023) and "Device for Proprioception Training" (RI Commerce, 2024). He leads the Mechatronics Lab and Intelligent Control and Robotics Laboratory , focusing on practical automation solutions.
Prof. Hedan Bai is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, specializing in robotics materials, bio-inspired systems, and soft robotics. Their research focuses on developing advanced materials for sensing, energy-efficient systems, and biomedical applications. Notable projects include the SmartSuit architecture for space exploration and self-healing optical sensors for soft robots. Research interests span bioelectronics, stretchable sensors, haptic interfaces, and biomimetic materials. Bai's work integrates material science with robotics to create adaptive, sustainable, and intelligent systems. Key areas include wireless implants for neuromodulation, environmental-responsive textiles, and energy-harvesting devices. Publications highlight innovations in optical waveguides, self-healing materials, and wearable technologies. Their interdisciplinary approach bridges robotics, biomedical engineering, and aerospace applications. No formal awards are listed, but contributions to next-gen materials for robotics are prominent. Advising and grants are not detailed in the text, but Bai's lab focuses on projects like SmartSuit for extravehicular activities and synthetic afferent neural networks. Collaborations likely involve aerospace and biomedical sectors.
Minh Q. Phan is an Associate Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering. His expertise spans system identification, iterative learning control, model predictive control, robotic swarm control, and intelligent control systems. He holds a BS from the University of California, Berkeley, and MS/M.Phil/PhD degrees from Columbia University in Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Phan has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics. His research focuses on advancing control theory applications in robotics, structural health monitoring, and sustainable construction materials. Key contributions include the development of OKID (Observer/Kalman Filter Identification) methods and bilinear system identification frameworks. Education History: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, UC Berkeley, 1985 Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 1986 Master of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 1988 Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 1989 Research Interests: Advanced control methodologies for dynamic systems Model-based predictive control strategies Applications in robotics and aerospace engineering Structural health monitoring via system identification Machine learning for materials science Teaching Responsibilities include courses like ENGG 149 (Systems Identification), ENGS 145 (Modern Control Theory), and ENGG 148 (Structural Mechanics). His work bridges theoretical control systems with practical industrial applications, including automation in food processing and sustainable construction practices. Dr. Phan has collaborated on projects addressing viral epidemiology in Vietnam and coastal erosion mitigation strategies.
Cheryl Gaimon holds the Esther and Edward J. Brown Chair and serves as a Regents' Professor at the Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology. She is Faculty Director of the Management of Technology (MoT) Certificate Program, which she helped establish, and teaches across all academic levels including executive education. Professor Gaimon initiated the Operations Management Program and served as its first Area Coordinator for seven years. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Operations Research from Carnegie Mellon University M.S. in Industrial Administration (Operations Management) from Carnegie Mellon University B.S. in Mathematics and Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from Brooklyn College, City University of New York Professor Gaimon's research centers on managing knowledge-based resources in technology-driven environments. Her work spans Innovation and Management of Technology , Knowledge Management and Outsourcing , New Product/Process Development , Alliances for Innovation , and Sustainability Research . She examines how firms navigate technological change through strategic resource allocation, knowledge transfer, and sustainable operations, with increasing emphasis on environmental strategies in recent years. Her publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on operations management within technological evolution—from foundational work on technology acquisition and capacity planning to contemporary studies on environmental strategies and multidisciplinary technology management. Key journals featuring her research include Management Science , Operations Research , and Production and Operations Management . Major recognitions include: Regents' Professor designation (2005) by the Georgia Board of Regents The 1999 Georgia Tech Research Award for doctoral student development Brady Family Award for Faculty Research Excellence (2014) Best Department Editor Award for POM (2024) POMS Fellow status and Distinguished Service Award (2009/2014) As an educator, she has mentored doctoral students and shaped curriculum through the MoT program. Her professional leadership includes serving as POMS President (2008-2009), founding co-President of the POMS College on Product Innovation and Technology Management, and editorial roles at top journals including Management Science and Production and Operations Management . Professor Gaimon directs the interdisciplinary Management of Technology Certificate Program, fostering cross-departmental collaboration for technology management research and education while advancing sustainability integration in operations.
Professor Justin Chalker is the Matthew Flinders Professor and Research Leader at Flinders University 's College of Science and Engineering, affiliated with the Flinders Institute for NanoScale Science and Technology. He works at the intersection of organic chemistry, chemical biology, and materials science , focusing on sustainable chemistry solutions for environmental and technological challenges. Education: B.S. in Chemistry and B.A. in History/Philosophy of Science (University of Pittsburgh, 2006); D.Phil. in Chemistry (University of Oxford, supervised by Benjamin Davis) Career: Assistant Professor at University of Tulsa (2012-2015); Lecturer (2015) and Senior Lecturer (2017-present) at Flinders University His lab develops chemical tools for biological system interrogation and novel materials like sulfur-based polymers for mercury remediation, recyclable composites, and zinc-ion battery cathodes. Current projects include inverse vulcanization, waste valorization, and environmental applications of sustainable chemistry. His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for environmental protection and resource efficiency, particularly in material science (vulcanization, composite materials, polysulfides) and chemical biology (cysteine modification, protein chemistry). Key scientific recognitions: 2016 Tall Poppy Award, 2017 Dream Chemistry Award Finalist, Eureka Prize Finalist (2018), SA STEM Educator of the Year (2018), AMP Tomorrow Maker Award (2018) Prospective students can contact Dr. Chalker directly for Ph.D. and Honours opportunities. The lab website ( www.chalkerlab.com ) provides details on their research in sulfur chemistry, recyclable polymers, and chemical sustainability .
Nima Fazeli is an Assistant Professor of Robotics at the University of Michigan (2020–Present), holding courtesy appointments in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) and Mechanical Engineering. He directs the Manipulation and Machine Intelligence (MMint) Lab, focusing on enabling dexterous robotic manipulation through multimodal representation learning, tactile sensing, and model-based reasoning. His work integrates mechanics, perception, controls, and planning to achieve autonomous interaction with uncertain environments. Education: PhD, MIT (2019); MSc, University of Maryland (2014); BSc, Amirkabir University of Technology (2011) Research interests emphasize embodied intelligence , including visuo-tactile fusion, contact dynamics modeling, and cross-modal learning. Recent work explores tactile shadows, deformable object manipulation, and language-guided robot control. His research is supported by the NSF CAREER grant and National Robotics Initiative, with applications in manufacturing, assistive robotics, and space systems. Publications span topics like tactile sensing hardware (e.g., GelSlim 4.0), visuo-tactile implicit representations (ViTaSCOPE), and failure recovery policies (Racer). His team’s work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times and BBC. Key Awards: NSF CAREER Grant (2024) Teaching includes Introduction to Robotic Manipulation . Collaborations involve cross-disciplinary projects with mechanical, electrical, and biomedical engineering groups.
Professor Thomas Bein is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) , where he leads the Functional Nanosystems research group. His work focuses on synthesizing and characterizing nanostructured materials with applications in energy, catalysis, and biomedical delivery. Mesoporous nanoparticles for drug delivery Semiconductor nano-morphologies for photovoltaics Photoelectrochemical water splitting Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) Electroactive networks His research emphasizes atomic-scale control of material architectures using self-assembly, hydrogen bonding, and covalent interactions, enabling precise tuning of electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. A review of his recent publications reveals cutting-edge investigations into covalent organic frameworks (COFs), perovskite-inspired solar materials, and functional nanoparticle systems. Key trends include optimizing energy conversion efficiency, enhancing stability in optoelectronic devices, and exploring bio-compatible nanocarriers for targeted therapies. Professor Bein’s group actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering, with ongoing collaborations in solar energy, sustainable materials, and nanomedicine.
Farzad Mashayek is a Professor and Department Head of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona, College of Engineering. He is a member of the Graduate Faculty and leads the Computational Multiphase Transport Laboratory. His research integrates high-fidelity simulations, machine learning, and experimental validation across diverse domains in fluid dynamics and energy systems. Educational Background: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY MS in Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran BS in Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran His research interests include turbulent reacting flows, plasma dynamics, electrostatic atomization, solid-ion and lithium batteries, computational fluid dynamics, and machine learning applications in engineering. He employs high-order spectral element methods, phase-field modeling, and deep neural networks to study complex multiphysics phenomena such as drop impact, battery degradation, and turbulence modeling. The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with multiphysics simulations, particularly in battery safety (thermal runaway prediction), materials characterization (STEM image analysis), and fluid dynamics (modal analysis of turbulence). His work often involves collaboration with experimental groups to validate models, especially in dental aerosol suppression and electrohydrodynamics. Scientific Awards: Sustained Service Award, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Spring 2022 Best Presentation Award, The 20th International Conference on Computational Mathematics, Parallel and Distributed Computing, Summer I 2018 Dr. Mashayek has secured funding from NSF (GOALI program) for controlled coating via charged droplet deposition. He advises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in computational mechanics and energy systems, fostering interdisciplinary research. He has contributed to engineering education, particularly during the pandemic, with active learning strategies in online instruction. He leads a dynamic research team focused on advancing simulation tools and applying them to real-world challenges in energy, manufacturing, and public health.
Gary Fedder is the Howard M. Wilkoff Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), with courtesy appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Robotics. He serves as Faculty Director of the Manufacturing Futures Institute (MFI) and previously held roles such as Vice Provost for Research and Interim CEO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. Fedder’s research focuses on MEMS, advanced manufacturing, and implantable microsystems. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in EECS from MIT and UC Berkeley, respectively. Education: Ph.D., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, UC Berkeley (1994) M.S., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT (1984) B.S., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT (1982) Research Interests: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), digital twins, aerosol jet printing, stretchable electronics, and manufacturing innovation. His work integrates MEMS with CMOS processes, emphasizing low-cost, high-performance systems. Key Contributions: Co-founded the ARM Institute; developed MEMS-based sensors and actuators; pioneered methods for manufacturing innovation through projects like America Makes. His research spans over 300 publications and 21 patents. Awards: IEEE Fellow (2007), Ross Tucker Award (1993), NSF CAREER Award (1996), and leadership roles in Manufacturing USA initiatives. Leadership & Outreach: Directed the Institute for Complex Engineered Systems and led national initiatives to advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Active in editorial roles for journals like IoP Journal of Micromechanics .
Dr. Amin Keramati is an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at Widener University’s School of Business Administration. He holds a PhD in Transportation & Logistics from North Dakota State University and previously served as a graduate research assistant at the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. His work includes federally funded projects like the Mountain-Plains Consortium’s MPC-550 project, focusing on highway-rail grade crossing safety. Dr. Keramati teaches courses in enterprise resource planning, decision analytics, database management, transportation/logistics, project management, and data analytics. Education: PhD in Transportation & Logistics, North Dakota State University Graduate Research Assistant at Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute Research Focus: Dr. Keramati develops mathematical, statistical, and machine learning approaches to solve complex problems in transportation, supply chain, and logistics. Key areas include data mining, big data decision support, transportation network analytics, project scheduling, smart manufacturing, and accident analysis. His interdisciplinary work bridges supply chain optimization with emerging technologies like blockchain for healthcare and clinical trials. Awards & Recognition: Student Paper Award, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2017) Grants & Projects: Lead researcher on the Mountain-Plains Consortium’s MPC-550 project, which expanded his dissertation work on safety systems for highway-rail crossings. Collaborates on federally funded transportation safety initiatives and supply chain optimization for bioethanol and pharmaceutical industries. Labs/Teams: Active in Widener’s School of Business research groups focusing on supply chain innovation and interdisciplinary projects combining logistics with emerging technologies.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Tomas Palacios is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , where he directs the Center for Graphene Devices and 2D Systems and leads the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL). His research focuses on pushing the boundaries of microelectronics through novel semiconductor materials and device architectures, including Gallium Nitride (GaN) and 2D materials like graphene and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). Professor, MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Director, MIT Center for Graphene Devices and 2D Systems Clarence J. LeBel Professor, MIT Faculty Director, Northeast Microelectronics Internship Program (NMIP) Research Interests span multiple cutting-edge domains: High-frequency electronics (>300 GHz) for 6G and quantum applications High-voltage power devices (600V–10kV) for energy conversion Post-silicon logic devices using 2D materials High-temperature electronics (e.g., Venus rover applications) Distributed neural networks on large-area 2D materials Graphene-based biosensors and chemical detection systems Scientific Contributions include: Double recipient of the IEEE George Smith Award for groundbreaking GaN transistor work Co-invented first MoS2 electronic circuits Developed world’s first Wi-Fi-to-electricity conversion antenna Led MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories since 2021 Advising Philosophy emphasizes cross-layer expertise, with students gaining experience from materials synthesis to system-level prototyping. His lab has incubated startups like Vertical Horizons , focused on GaN power devices for AI and EVs.
Prof. Stefan Leutenegger is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Technische Universität München (TUM), leading the Machine Learning for Robotics group within the TUM School of Computation, Information, and Technology. Previously, he held roles as Senior Lecturer (2018–2021) and Lecturer (2014–2018) at Imperial College London's Dyson Robotics Lab, where he founded the Smart Robotics Lab. He earned his PhD (2014) from ETH Zurich, focusing on autonomous solar-powered aircraft navigation, and holds BSc (2006) and MSc (2009) in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich. His research centers on mobile robotics, particularly enabling robots (e.g., drones) to perceive and navigate complex environments using machine learning and sensor data fusion. Key focus areas include SLAM, event-based vision, 3D reconstruction, and autonomous exploration. He has pioneered algorithms like BRISK (2011), OKVIS (2014), and ElasticFusion (2016), advancing real-time robotics perception. Notable Awards: Imperial College President's Award (2018), Best ECCV Paper (2016), ETH Medal for Dissertations (2015). Labs: TUM's Machine Learning for Robotics Group, Imperial's Smart Robotics Lab. Publications: Over 100 papers, including seminal works in CVPR, ECCV, and Robotics: Science and Systems. Current projects include DigiForests (forest inventory via robotics), aerial additive manufacturing, and object-centric semantic mapping. His work bridges theory and practice, with applications in autonomous drones, construction robotics, and human-robot interaction.
University of California , Santa Barbara (UCSB)United States
Megan Valentine is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), affiliated with the College of Engineering. She leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on biological and bioinspired materials, investigating how forces are generated and transmitted in living systems to design responsive synthetic materials. Her work bridges engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology. Education: PhD in Physics from Harvard University, MS in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania, and BS in Physics from Lehigh University. Affiliations include the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), Materials Research Laboratory (MRL), Neuroscience Research Institute, and the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering. Research interests span soft material mechanics, bioengineering, and systems biology, with applications in marine-inspired materials, mechanobiology, and soft robotics. Her lab employs advanced experimental techniques to study biophysical and biochemical mechanisms in living systems and translate them into engineered materials capable of self-healing, movement, and environmental responsiveness. Notable awards include the NSF Early CAREER Award, Fulbright Scholarship, and election as Fellow of the American Physical Society and American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Her contributions emphasize creativity, collaboration, and diversity, with a focus on addressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary innovation.
David M. Dodson is a Lecturer in Management at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (GSB), where he teaches courses on managing growing enterprises and entrepreneurial acquisition. His career spans over 30 years in business management, including founding three search funds and serving as CEO of a technology manufacturer and Executive Chairman of a telecommunications firm. He co-founded Sanku (formerly Project Healthy Children), a nonprofit addressing micronutrient deficiencies in Africa through fortified grains, recognized for its life-saving impact. Dodson holds an MBA from Stanford GSB (1987) and a BA in Economics from Stanford University (1983). His research focuses on entrepreneurial acquisition strategies and managing small-to-medium enterprises. Notable awards include the MSx Teaching Excellence Award (2023, 2021) and recognition as a top lecturer by Stanford GSB students. Beyond academia, he invests in over 40 businesses and serves on 21 corporate boards. In 2020, he founded StudentVotes.org to empower student voting during the pandemic. His media contributions include columns for The Boston Globe and frequent TV commentary on CNBC and Fox Business.
