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Sofia Diaz-MorenoView profile

Professor

• X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
• Solution Chemistry
• Structural Characterization
• +3 more

Professor Sofia Diaz-Moreno serves as the Science Group Leader of the Spectroscopy Group at Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron science facility located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. Her leadership drives advanced spectroscopic research across beamlines I18, B18, and I20, supporting diverse scientific investigations in chemistry, materials science, and biochemistry. Her expertise centers on X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), particularly EXAFS and XANES, for probing local atomic structures in solution chemistry. She pioneers time-resolved studies of chemical reactions using stopped-flow technology integrated with Energy Dispersive XAS, enabling kinetic analysis from milliseconds to seconds through combined structural and electronic perspectives. Complementary work involves computational XANES simulation to refine structural models and link electronic environments to chemical reactivity, alongside developing real-time spectral analysis methods for high-volume time-resolved data. Scientific Awards: No specific awards are documented in the provided text. Professor Diaz-Moreno leads the Spectroscopy Group's operational and developmental efforts, maintaining beamline capabilities for microfocus spectroscopy (I18), soft X-ray spectroscopy (B18), and dispersive EXAFS (I20). Her team facilitates cutting-edge research for academic and industrial users, focusing on methodological innovation and user support across catalysis, environmental science, and biological systems.

Kirk AtkinsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Nuclear Engineering
• Reactor Physics
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
• +5 more

Dr. Kirk Atkinson is an Associate Professor and Associate Industrial Research Chair in the Department of Energy and Nuclear Engineering at Ontario Tech University . His work is housed within the Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre (ERC), located in North Oshawa. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of London, UK (2007), preceded by degrees including a BSc (1999), MSc (2001), and MRes (2002) in physics-related fields. Research Expertise: Dr. Atkinson specializes in nuclear engineering with a focus on reactor physics, small modular reactors (SMRs), and radiation-related disciplines. His technical expertise spans radiation science, biophysics, risk assessment, microfocus x-ray spectroscopy, and high-performance computing applications in these domains. Affiliations & Contact: Based in Room 4065 at 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, he can be reached via email or phone (905.721.8668 ext. 5501). His research contributes to advancing nuclear energy systems and radiation safety technologies.

Andrew HectorView profile

Professor

• Materials synthesis
• Materials characterisation
• Electrochemistry
• +6 more

Professor Andrew Hector is a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and Head of the School of Chemistry at the University of Southampton. His research focuses on materials synthesis (including metal nitrides, thin films, and porous structures), materials characterization techniques (diffraction, microscopy, spectroscopy), and electrochemistry applications such as battery and supercapacitor development. He leads the Electrochemistry research group and has extensive experience in electrodeposition and energy storage materials. Education: BSc Chemistry, Imperial College (1992) PhD, University College London (1996) Teaching: Module coordinator for CHEM6152 (Battery Materials and Characterisation) Lecturer for CHEM6146 (X-Ray Crystallographic Techniques), CHEM6153 (X-Ray Diffraction), and Electrochemistry Summer School Tutor for CHEM1048/1053 (Chemistry fundamentals) Research Highlights: Active projects include solid-state battery manufacturing, lignocellulosic biomass valorisation, and ammonia synthesis via computational/experimental approaches EPSRC-funded projects on nitride catalysis, microfocus diffraction, and topological engineering Grants & Roles: EPSRC College member and Royal Society Research Grants panel member Treasurer of RSC Electrochemistry Interest Group Lab & Teams: Electrochemistry group at Southampton Collaborations with international researchers in energy materials and advanced characterization

Catherine KealhoferView profile

Associate Professor

• Ultrafast Electron Pulses
• Ultrafast Electron Diffraction
• Structural Dynamics
• +3 more

Catherine Kealhofer serves as Associate Professor of Physics at Williams College, based in Hopper Science Center Room 30 with contact details ck12@williams.edu and 413-597-2123. Educational background: A.B. from Princeton University (2003) Ph.D. from Stanford University (2013) Her research pioneers table-top tools for atomic-scale structural dynamics measurement through ultrafast electron pulse generation, manipulation, and characterization. This work bridges experimental physics and materials science, enabling real-time observation of phase transitions and chemical reactions with femtosecond precision. Core innovations include terahertz-controlled electron diffraction and laser-triggered field emission techniques. Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals consistent advancement in ultrafast electron metrology, evolving from fundamental emission processes to sophisticated terahertz-based control systems. Recent work emphasizes single-electron diffraction, temporal resolution breakthroughs, and practical applications in compact x-ray source development. Scientific Awards: None documented in available sources Kealhofer teaches foundational courses including PHYS 142 (Foundations of Modern Physics) and PHYS 201 (Electricity and Magnetism), while chairing the Claiming Williams Steering Committee. Her active publication record in high-impact journals indicates sustained research funding, though specific grant details aren't provided. She likely mentors undergraduate researchers through Williams' strong emphasis on student-faculty collaboration. Her laboratory focuses on developing next-generation ultrafast electron sources and diffraction systems, maintaining Williams College's tradition of integrating cutting-edge research with undergraduate education through hands-on instrumentation development.

Oleg G. ShpyrkoView profile

Associate Professor

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Experimental Physics
• X-ray Scattering and Diffraction
• +7 more

Oleg G. Shpyrko is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego. His research group focuses on experimental condensed matter physics, utilizing advanced X-ray techniques to study nanoscale structural and magnetic dynamics in both hard and soft matter systems. His research interests include: Coherent X-ray scattering and diffraction imaging Dynamics in strongly correlated electron systems Magnetic nanostructures and antiferromagnetic domain walls Phase transitions in soft and hard condensed matter Materials for energy storage and conversion Nanoscale confinement effects The recent publications highlight a strong trend in using coherent X-ray techniques such as Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging (BCDI) and X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) to probe nanoscale dynamics in materials ranging from battery cathodes to magnetic systems and biological nanostructures. His work bridges fundamental physics with applied materials science, particularly in energy and quantum materials. His research has been supported by prestigious awards and grants: NSF CAREER Award Department of Energy (Basic Energy Sciences) Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Argonne LDRD Hellman Foundation Prof. Shpyrko has advised several successful graduate students, including Andrej Singer (now Assistant Professor at Cornell), Roopali Kukreja (Assistant Professor at UC Davis), Andrew Ulvestad, Devin Cela, and Leandra Boucheron, many of whom have received awards and recognition. His lab maintains in-house capabilities in dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, microfocus X-ray systems, and cryostats, while heavily utilizing national facilities such as the Advanced Photon Source, LCLS, NSLS-II, and PETRA III. His group actively explores future research directions enabled by fourth-generation synchrotron sources and X-ray free-electron lasers, aiming to uncover non-equilibrium dynamics and hidden order in complex materials.