Find Academic Supervisors

Harald GiessenView profile

Professor

• Ultrafast Nano-Optics
• Plasmonics
• Metamaterials
• +5 more

Harald Giessen is Full Professor and Chair for Ultrafast Nanooptics in the Department of Physics at the University of Stuttgart since 2005. He co-chairs the Stuttgart Center of Photonics Engineering (SCoPE) and serves as associated researcher at Nanyang Technical University's Center for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, Singapore. Education: Diploma in Physics, Kaiserslautern University M.S. and Ph.D. in Optical Sciences, University of Arizona (1995) as J.W. Fulbright Scholar His research spans Ultrafast Nano-Optics, Plasmonics, Metamaterials, 3D Printed Micro- and Nano-Optics, Medical Micro-Optics, Miniature Endoscopy, and mid-IR Ultrafast Laser Sources with applications in microscopy, biology, and sensing. This interdisciplinary work bridges nanophotonics, laser technology, and biomedical engineering. Awards: ERC Advanced Grant (2012) for complex nanoplasmonics Optical Society of America Fellow Highly Cited Researcher (2018-2021) Sigma Xi Full Member (2021) Gips-Schüle Research Prize (2021) for 3D printed microoptics Professor Giessen secures major research funding including ERC grants and holds editorial leadership as topical editor for Light: Science & Applications and advisory roles for Advanced Optical Materials , ACS Photonics , and other leading journals. He organizes flagship conferences including Gordon Conferences on Plasmonics (2014/2016 chair) and Photonics Europe (2018 general chair). He leads the Stuttgart Center of Photonics Engineering (SCoPE) and maintains active international collaborations through guest professorships at Cambridge, Innsbruck, Sydney, and Beijing University of Technology.

• Optics
• Optical Materials Science
• Integrated Optics
• +8 more

Nikolay Nikonorov is a Professor and Head of the Research Center for Optical Material Engineering at ITMO University . He is also a Chief Research Associate at the Heritage Science Lab and part of the Research and Educational Center for Photonics and Optoinformatics . Education: DSc (Doctor of Sciences) PhD Bachelor's degree in Optical and Electronic Devices from Leningrad Institute of Mechanics and Optics (now ITMO University) in 1976. Research Interests: Prof. Nikonorov pioneered the field of optical materials science of gradient waveguides in glass and contributed to integrated optics, gradient-index optics, microoptics, laser optics, optical nanotechnologies, and nonlinear optical magneto-optic materials . His work spans photosensitive, fluorescent, and polyfunctional optical materials, as well as condensed laser media. Scientific Awards: Diploma and award of the D.S. Rozhdestvensky Optical Society Diploma and award of S.I. Vavilov Diploma and medal of I.V. Grebenshchikov Diploma and medal of Yu.N. Denisyuk Medal 'Honored Inventor of the USSR' Laureate of 'Science/Interperiodica' Prize (2014) Medal of Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century by IBC Cambridge' Grants & Collaborations: He worked at Corning (USA) and the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (University of Central Florida). His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals indexed by Web of Science and Scopus, with an h-index of 17.

• Semiconductor Engineering
• Optical Engineering
• Photon Science
• +4 more

Professor Tomohiro Kita is a distinguished faculty member at Tohoku University's School of Advanced Science and Engineering, specializing in silicon photonics and semiconductor laser technology. With a Doctor of Engineering in Materials from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Hokuriku, he has established himself as a leading researcher in integrated photonics and optical communication systems. His research interests span semiconductor engineering, optical engineering, photon science, silicon photonics, nonlinear optical effects, and semiconductor lasers. Professor Kita's work focuses on developing innovative photonic integrated circuits including wavelength tunable laser diodes, optical phased arrays, and high-speed optical switches. His research group has pioneered techniques for passive optical beam scanning, ultrafast thermo-optic switching, and hybrid integration of quantum dot technology with silicon photonics. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of silicon photonics for optical communications, lidar systems, and optical neural networks. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in overcoming key challenges such as thermal crosstalk in integrated devices, spectral linewidth narrowing, and expanding wavelength tuning ranges. Notably, his group has achieved record-breaking performance metrics including a 145 nm wavelength tuning range and sub-microsecond switching times. Best Paper Award 2023 for Silicon Based High Resolution Passive Optical Phased Array Consisting of Multi-Mode Waveguides Ishida Minoru Memorial Foundation Research Encouragement Award 2014 The 23rd Japan Society of Applied Physics Presentation Encouragement Award 2007 Professor Kita actively mentors students including Yamato Misugi, Kissho Iwanaga, and Yuga Tomimura, who frequently appear as first authors on his publications. He serves on multiple program committees including the IEEE International Semiconductor Laser Conference and Microoptics Conference. His research has attracted significant media attention, with coverage in Laser Focus World, Photonics Spectra, and major Japanese business publications. His laboratory focuses on developing practical photonic integrated circuits for next-generation optical communication systems and sensing applications, with strong industry collaboration particularly with Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology.

Tom RobinsonView profile

Lecturer

• Synthetic Biology
• Lipid Membranes
• Microfluidics
• +4 more

Dr Tom Robinson serves as a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering within the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, specializing in the Bioengineering Research Institute. His interdisciplinary work bridges synthetic biology, membrane biophysics, and microfluidics to engineer biomimetic systems. His core research focuses on: Bottom-up Synthetic Biology : Constructing artificial eukaryotic cells with multi-compartment structures using droplet microfluidics and giant lipid vesicles (GUVs) to enable enzymatic cascades for biofuel production and drug delivery applications. Lipid Membrane Engineering : Developing model membrane systems (GUVs and nano-vesicles) to isolate and study membrane properties like permeability, fusion dynamics, and ligand interactions without cellular interference. Advanced Microfluidics : Designing novel microfluidic platforms for single-cell analysis (cancer cells, magnetotactic bacteria), high-throughput vesicle production, and precision manipulation of biomimetic structures. Analysis of Dr Robinson's 55+ publications reveals dominant trends in biomimetic membrane systems (42%), synthetic cell engineering (31%), and microfluidic device innovation (27%). His work increasingly integrates multi-omics approaches with physical manipulation techniques, particularly evident in recent studies on magnetotactic bacteria navigation and phase-separated synthetic cells. The research demonstrates strong translational potential in drug delivery and environmental microbiology. The Robinson Lab employs cutting-edge microscopy including FLIM, confocal, multiphoton, and high-speed imaging to characterize membrane dynamics and cellular interactions. Current projects focus on ESCRT-III protein-mediated vesicle remodeling, magnetic field effects on bacterial motion, and polymerizable emulsion systems for optical applications. The lab maintains active collaborations across bioengineering, microbiology, and materials science disciplines, with significant contributions to the MaxSynBio consortium for bottom-up cell synthesis.

Dennis HohlfeldView profile

Professor

• Silicon-based microsystem technology
• Energy-autonomous systems
• Energy Harvesting
• +3 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dennis Hohlfeld serves as Professor and Chair of Micro- and Nanotechnology of Electronic Systems at the University of Rostock's Institute of Device Systems and Circuit Technology. He holds key administrative roles as Study Advisor and Chairman of the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Examination Board, while actively contributing as a reviewer for research funding organizations and scientific publishers. His research spans five core domains: Silicon-based microsystem technology focusing on nanoscale material behavior for high-performance electronics Energy-autonomous systems leveraging environmental energy sources through harvesting techniques Energy-efficient circuit design for miniaturized applications Microoptics development for photonic integration Modeling and simulation techniques enabling system-level analysis of complex multiphysics phenomena Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant trend toward biomedical energy solutions, particularly thermoelectric generators for implantable devices. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary integration across electrical engineering, materials science, and neuroscience, with increasing emphasis on model order reduction for efficient simulation of MEMS devices and optogenetic applications. The publications consistently address miniaturization challenges while maintaining system-level performance. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. As Study Advisor and Examination Board Chairman for CSE, Prof. Hohlfeld oversees academic progression for computational science students. His research leadership encompasses: Technical Domains Energy harvesting systems for medical implants Photonic integration in microelectronics Multiphysics modeling frameworks Application Areas Autonomous environmental sensors Neuroprosthetic interfaces Power-efficient microsystems The Institute of Device Systems and Circuit Technology houses specialized laboratories for microsystem fabrication, energy harvesting characterization, and optical circuit development, supporting his research in silicon-based nanotechnology and energy-autonomous systems.

Michael LayhView profile

Professor

• Machine Vision
• Optical Design
• Optical System Analysis
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Michael Layh is a Professor in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Kempten University of Applied Sciences . He serves as the Institute Director for the Institute for Computer Vision and heads the Optical 3D Metrology and Computer Vision Laboratory (3Dvisionlab) . His expertise lies in Machine Vision, Optical Design , and Simulation and Modeling . Teaching Areas: Physics, Engineering Mathematics, Optical Measurement Technology, Technical Optics Research Focus: Development of advanced optical measurement systems, including spectrometer-free chromatic confocal metrology and synthetic image-based neural networks for industrial applications Current Projects: ReGAIN (2023-2024) and opTWINspect (2024-2026) with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and Bavarian Research Foundation His recent work includes innovations in 3D imaging and high-speed optical scanners , with patents covering EUV projection lithography and micro mirror arrays. Collaborations span Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH and iron foundry industries .

Robert KirchnerView profile

Associate Professor

• 3D Lithography
• Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
• Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems
• +4 more

Dr. Robert Kirchner serves as Group Leader at the Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) at Dresden University of Technology, where he heads the Mesoscopic 3D Systems Group. Since 2017, he has held a prestigious DFG Heisenberg Stipendiat position, focusing on advanced 3D fabrication technologies. His research group is closely associated with the HETEROMERGE startup project, which develops innovative hardware solutions for multi-material 3D printing on two-photon systems with unprecedented precision and speed. Dr. Kirchner's academic journey includes: PhD (Dr.Ing.) in Electrical Engineering from Dresden University of Technology and Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (2007-2011) Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Dresden University of Technology and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden (2001-2007) His research program centers on high-resolution 3D lithography techniques including electron beam lithography (EBL), two-photon polymerization (2PP), and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. He investigates self-optimization and self-organization processes in mesoscopic systems, particularly Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems (NEMS). His work explores material characterization and the modification of polymer properties through high-energy radiation exposure, along with computational modeling of surface effects on polymer melts. The Kirchner Group develops novel approaches to 3D micro- and nanofabrication with applications spanning micro-optics, plasmonics, and multi-material integration for advanced devices. Analysis of Dr. Kirchner's publication record reveals a clear trajectory from fundamental fabrication techniques toward increasingly complex multi-material systems and commercial applications. His early work focused on basic lithography and surface modification techniques, while recent publications emphasize practical implementations in multi-material 3D printing, plasmonic structures, and MEMS integration. The establishment of HETEROMERGE represents a significant commercialization effort translating academic research into industry-ready technology for multi-material 3D printing at nanoscale resolution. Dr. Kirchner's most significant recognition is the DFG Heisenberg Stipendiat award, which supports exceptional researchers on the path to professorship in Germany. His work has secured substantial research funding, including affiliation with Research Training Group 2767 "Supracolloidal Structures: From Materials to Optical and Electronic Devices" funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. DFG Heisenberg Stipendiat (2017-present) Dr. Kirchner actively mentors multiple PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in his group. His HETEROMERGE startup project demonstrates successful technology transfer from academic research to commercial application, offering hardware solutions that enable multi-material 3D printing at highest resolution with 10 nm placement accuracy. The group maintains active collaborations with institutions including Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and participates in multiple research consortia focused on advanced micro- and nanofabrication techniques. The Mesoscopic 3D Systems Group operates within the Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), one of Germany's Clusters of Excellence. The group maintains state-of-the-art facilities for micro- and nanofabrication and collaborates closely with the HETEROMERGE startup team. Their research environment fosters innovation in 3D fabrication technologies, with particular emphasis on overcoming current limitations in multi-material integration, resolution, and printing speed for applications in micro-optics, integrated photonics, and MEMS/NEMS devices.

Hans ZappeView profile

Professor

• Optics
• Micro-Optics
• Optical MEMS
• +2 more

Prof. Hans Zappe is a Full Professor in the Institute of Microsystem Technology at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany. He holds the Gisela-und-Erwin-Sick-Professur für Mikrooptik (Microoptics). His primary affiliation is with the Faculty of Engineering, focusing on advanced optical systems, MEMS, and medical optoelectronics. Areas of Expertise include Optics, Micro-Optics, Optical MEMS, Photonics, and Medical Optics. He leads Research Area B and oversees the IDEASfactory@FIT innovation hub. Current projects include the 'Autonomous Eyeball' initiative exploring light-driven optical systems and V4DA actuators for programmable materials. His research emphasizes liquid crystal-based actuators, adaptive optical systems, and optofluidic devices. Over 150 peer-reviewed articles demonstrate expertise in tunable microlenses, endoscopic imaging probes, and bio-inspired optical systems. Notable collaborations include DFG-funded livMatS projects and high-throughput glass fabrication innovations. Dr. Zappe advises current PhD candidates Sruthy Dinesh and Shalini Soman, with former student Dr. Jasleen Kaur Lall contributing to liquid crystal actuator research. His work bridges fundamental optics research with practical applications in biomedical devices and smart manufacturing systems. Labs/Teams: IDEASfactory@FIT (innovation lab), livMatS core team, and Advanced Optical Microsystems Group. Active in academic outreach through workshops like Core Lectures and Master Lab programs.

Andreas DietzelView profile

Professor

• Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
• Microfluidics
• Laser Microfabrication
• +5 more

Professor Andreas Dietzel serves as the Director of the Institute of Microtechnology at Braunschweig University of Technology, where he leads research in micro- and nanoscale engineering. He previously held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering from 2019 to 2021 and has been instrumental in establishing the university's Engineering for Health research focus. His leadership extends to coordinating the SMART BIOTECS research initiative and serving on the board of the Engineering for Health core research area. Professor Dietzel's academic foundation includes: Diploma in Physics from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (1980-1986) PhD in Physics from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen under Prof. Dr. D. Harder (1986-1989) His research spans the intersection of microtechnology, biomedical applications, and advanced manufacturing. Professor Dietzel specializes in developing microfluidic platforms for biomedical analysis, with particular focus on lab-on-chip systems, MEMS fabrication, and laser microprocessing techniques. His work bridges engineering principles with healthcare applications, contributing significantly to the Engineering for Health research area at TU Braunschweig. The integration of microscale engineering with pharmaceutical and medical applications represents a central theme throughout his career. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on microfluidic systems for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery and diagnostics. His research group has made significant contributions to lipid nanoparticle synthesis, oocyte analysis, and pathogen detection systems. There's a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated integration of sensing modalities within microfluidic platforms, with growing emphasis on real-time monitoring and automation capabilities. The work spans fundamental fluid dynamics, advanced fabrication techniques, and practical healthcare applications. Professor Dietzel actively contributes to the scientific community through service on program committees for major conferences including IEEE MEMS, IEEE Transducers, and 3M Nano, and as a reviewer for international journals such as Sensors & Actuators, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, and Micro- and Nanofluidics. As Director of the Institute of Microtechnology, Professor Dietzel oversees a multidisciplinary research environment focused on micro- and nanoscale engineering. His institute serves as a hub for the Engineering for Health research area, collaborating with pharmaceutical scientists, medical researchers, and industry partners to develop innovative healthcare solutions. The institute maintains state-of-the-art facilities for microfabrication, laser processing, and microfluidic device characterization.

N. SubbiahView profile

Researcher

• Microsystems Engineering
• Optofluidics
• Electrowetting on Dielectrics
• +3 more

M.Sc. N. Subbiah is a Researcher at the Department of Packaging and Interconnection Technology at the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg. He holds a Master's degree in Microsystems Engineering from the same university, focusing on optofluidic systems (e.g., EWOD-based iris designs). Since 2015, he has been conducting research on high-temperature electronics under the Faculty of Engineering. Prior to this, he worked in software development for mainframe applications at SynTel Inc. in India. His research interests span optofluidic devices, microelectronic packaging, and advanced materials for high-temperature applications. He collaborates closely with the Gisela and Erwin Sick Chair of Microoptics and contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the university's Cleanroom and Electronics Service Centers.

Jonas GutscheView profile

Researcher

• Quantum Sensing
• Quantum Optics
• Solid State Quantum Systems
• +3 more

Jonas Gutsche is a researcher in the Workgroup of Prof. Artur Widera at the Department of Physics, Kaiserslautern University of Technology, specializing in experimental quantum sensing using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. His research directly contributes to advancing quantum metrology through novel sensor designs and fundamental studies of quantum systems. Core research interests include: Quantum Sensing with NV Centers Nanodiamond Quantum Systems Relaxometry and Charge Dynamics Miniaturized Quantum Sensors Fiber-Integrated Quantum Control Quantum Metrology Applications Recent publication analysis reveals a strategic progression from fundamental charge conversion studies (2022-2023) toward practical sensor implementation (2024), demonstrating increasing engineering focus while maintaining rigorous quantum physics foundations. His work consistently addresses real-world constraints like temperature stability and miniaturization. The Widera research group provides a collaborative environment with advanced quantum optics laboratories where Gutsche develops experimental setups for quantum control. Current projects emphasize translating quantum phenomena into functional technologies, particularly in magnetic field sensing applications requiring high spatial resolution and environmental robustness.

Andreas Michael SchneiderView profile

Researcher

• Inorganic Solid-State and Materials Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• +7 more

Dr. Andreas Michael Schneider is a Researcher at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He holds multiple administrative roles, including Spokesperson for the Curriculum and Teaching Committee (Chemistry BSc/MSc), Safety Officer for the Institute, and Representative for Scientific Staff in the Faculty Council and Curriculum Committee. He is also Deputy BAFÖG Officer for Chemistry Teacher Training and a member of the Senate and Study Quality Commission at the university level. His research focuses on Inorganic Solid-State and Materials Chemistry , with a particular emphasis on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), such as UiO-66 derivatives, exploring their functionalization, optical properties, and applications in sensing technologies. He contributes to computational modeling of hybrid materials, sol-gel processes, and advanced fabrication techniques like two-photon polymerization. His work integrates nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, and catalysis, addressing both fundamental material science and practical engineering challenges. Dr. Schneider’s recent articles highlight advancements in MOF-based optical sensors, scalable material fabrication, and computational approaches to material design. His research trends underscore interdisciplinary innovation at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and engineering. He is affiliated with the Inorganic Solid State and Materials Chemistry group and actively participates in collaborative projects within the institute.

Kevin LearView profile

Professor

• Photonic biosensors
• Computational neuroscience
• High-speed optical communication

Kevin Lear serves as a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Colorado State University, with research spanning photonic biosensors, computational neuroscience, and high-speed optical communication systems. His career includes significant industry experience at Sandia National Laboratories and as Chief Scientific Officer of MicroOptical Devices (acquired by Emcore Corporation in 1997). His academic credentials include: B.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado at Boulder (1984) M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (1985) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (1990) Professor Lear's research focuses on developing photonic biosensors for medical applications, creating biophysical models for neurons in computational neuroscience, and advancing components for optical communication systems. His pioneering work on vertical cavity surface emitting lasers established critical performance benchmarks for efficiency and speed in the field. His recognition includes: IEEE LEOS Distinguished Lecturer Award He directed CSU's undergraduate biomedical engineering program from its inception in 2010 through 2019 and maintains active industry collaboration as a consultant and advisory board member for multiple high-technology companies.

Florian MangoldView profile

Researcher

• Nonlinear Optics
• Plasmonics
• Photonics
• +3 more

Florian Mangold is a Researcher at the 4th Physics Institute of the University of Stuttgart. His primary research focus is on Nonlinear imaging , with expertise in plasmonics, photonics, and 2D materials. He investigates phenomena such as plasmonic skyrmion bags in moiré superlattices and develops gas sensing technologies like COCO-QEPAS for trace gas detection. His work spans interdisciplinary areas including condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, and optical engineering. Mangold’s recent research highlights include contributions to plasmonic twistronics and roadmap developments for photonics with 2D materials. He is affiliated with the University of Stuttgart’s physics department and can be contacted via the institute’s address in Stuttgart. Key research themes include: Nonlinear optical effects in plasmonic systems Design of advanced optical devices Applications of 2D materials in photonics

Pavel RuchkaView profile

Researcher

• 3D Printing in Optics
• Quantum Optics
• Fiber Optics
• +3 more

Pavel Ruchka is a Researcher at the 4th Physics Institute of the University of Stuttgart, focusing on advanced optical technologies leveraging 3D printing. His work emphasizes micro-optics development for quantum systems, including applications in optical trapping, fiber integration, and biomedical imaging. With degrees in engineering and materials science, he explores intersections between additive manufacturing and photonics. His research spans quantum components, nonlinear optics, and sensor technologies, with a strong emphasis on practical implementations in fields like environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. Key research areas include 3D-printed micro-optics for atomic trapping, hybrid laser systems, and gas sensing via photoacoustic spectroscopy. Ruchka's innovations often target miniaturization and functional integration, such as compact platforms for quantum experiments or high-resolution medical imaging devices. His contributions bridge fundamental optics research with applied technologies, addressing challenges in materials durability, beam control, and real-time data analysis. Publications highlight breakthroughs in exciton transport in 2D materials, ultra-compact photon sources, and fiber-coupled detectors. While no formal awards are listed, his work demonstrates significant impact in photonics and quantum engineering communities. He collaborates closely with the 4th Physics Institute’s teams, contributing to projects like microscopic optical tweezers and plasmonic photodetectors. Future directions likely involve further optimizing 3D-printed optical systems for quantum applications and biomedical settings.