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.
Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Muhannad S. Bakir is the Dan Fielder Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as the Director of the 3D Systems Packaging Research Center. His research focuses on heterogeneous integration of microsystems, including 2.5D and 3D ICs and packaging technologies, with significant contributions to advanced cooling systems, electrical and photonic interconnects, and biosensor integration with CMOS. Dr. Bakir's research interests span heterogeneous microsystem design and integration, advanced cooling and power delivery for emerging architectures, electrical and photonic interconnect technologies, biosensor technologies, and nanofabrication. His work addresses critical challenges in next-generation electronics, enabling polylithic integration that concatenates heterogeneous ICs of various functionalities while mimicking monolithic-like densities. His research particularly focuses on co-design of thermal technologies, power delivery networks, and signaling networks for silicon nanoelectronic systems. His recent publications demonstrate strong trends in fused-silica stitch-chip technology for heterogeneous integration, with particular emphasis on RF and mm-wave applications, power delivery for AI accelerators, and thermal management solutions. His work bridges electrical engineering, materials science, and thermal management to solve critical bottlenecks in computing performance and efficiency. 2013 Intel Early Career Faculty Honor Award 2012 DARPA Young Faculty Award 2011 IEEE CPMT Society Outstanding Young Engineer Award 2012 National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium Invited Participant 2015 IEEE CPMT Society Distinguished Lecturer 2014 Best Paper of the IEEE Transactions on Components Packaging and Manufacturing Technology More than 25 conference and student paper awards Twelve issued US Patents Dr. Bakir leads the Integrated 3D Systems Lab (I3DS) at Georgia Tech, which is actively researching advanced packaging, interconnects, electrical and thermal design, and system integration. His team has received significant recognition for their work, including multiple best paper awards from major conferences like ECTC, IITC, and CICC. The lab is currently seeking postdoctoral researchers and research faculty to advance next-generation electronics through collaborative research. His lab focuses on enabling the next phase of Moore's Law through polylithic integration, which concatenates heterogeneous ICs of various functionalities (digital, analog, photonic, and mm-wave) using advanced off-chip '2.5D' and '3D' heterogeneous interconnects and packaging. This work impacts applications in high-performance computing, machine learning, edge intelligence, autonomous vehicles, augmented/virtual reality, and healthcare.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Anantha Chandrakasan is the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, serving as Dean of the MIT School of Engineering and Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer. His research focuses on energy-efficient integrated circuits, medical devices, and AI hardware security. He leads the MIT Energy-Efficient Circuits and Systems Group, developing systems for biomedical applications, wireless communication, and quantum computing. He holds appointments at MIT's Microsystems Technology Laboratories and has contributed to collaborations like the MIT-Takeda Program in AI-driven healthcare and a partnership with GlobalFoundries for energy-efficient AI chips. His work spans implantable drug delivery systems, conformable ultrasound patches, and secure edge computing architectures. Chandrakasan's innovations include ultra-low-power circuits for IoT devices, cryptographic processors for post-quantum security, and AI accelerators for edge applications. He emphasizes interdisciplinary research bridging electrical engineering with biomedical and quantum fields, supported by leadership roles in MIT's strategic initiatives. His contributions to energy-efficient computing have led to advancements in wearable health monitors, batteryless sensors, and secure communication protocols for medical devices. Ongoing projects include THz integrated systems and AI-enhanced analog circuit design optimization.
Kristofer Pister is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. He co-directs the Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center (BSAC) and the Ubiquitous Swarm Lab. His career spans groundbreaking innovations in Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Control Systems, and Low-Power Circuits, with a focus on Smart Dust and synthetic insects. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in EECS from UC Berkeley (1992, 1989); B.A. in Applied Physics from UC San Diego (1986). His research areas include MEMS , Control Systems , Robotics , and Integrated Circuits , with recent work on self-powered micro-sensors, crystal-free radios, and interplanetary swarm networks. Key awards include the ISA Albert F. Sperry Founder Award (2009) , Alexander Schwarzkopf Prize (2006) , and the NSF CAREER Award (1996) . He has authored numerous influential publications in wireless sensor networks and microrobotics. His lab, Ubiquitous Swarm Lab , explores distributed robotics and swarm intelligence. Pister emphasizes open collaboration in research, ethical conduct in academia, and efficient resource utilization for graduate students.
Dr. Richard Fair is the Lord-Chandran Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Duke University, with a career spanning semiconductor physics, digital microfluidics, and lab-on-a-chip systems. His research group collaborates with faculty across Duke, Harvard, and Stanford in bioengineering, genomics, and environmental science to develop applications-driven microfluidic platforms. Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University (1969) B.S.E.E., Duke University (1964) M.S.E.E., Pennsylvania State University (1966) Research interests focus on electrowetting-based microfluidics for biosensing, diagnostics, and synthetic biology applications. Key innovations include adaptive droplet routing , magnetic bead manipulation , and integrated optical sensors for real-time analyte detection in environmental and medical contexts. Recent publications emphasize deep reinforcement learning for biochip automation, fluorescent nucleosome detection , and inorganic ion analysis in aerosols. Collaborations with institutions like Advanced Liquid Logic and NSF-funded projects highlight his interdisciplinary approach. IEEE Third Millennium Medal (2000) Solid State Science and Technology Award (Electrochemical Society, 2003) Gordon E. Moore Medal (2009) Fellow, IEEE and Electrochemical Society Grants include NSF awards with Nan Jokerst and Krish Chakrabarty for adaptive lab-on-a-chip optical control, DARPA funding for genomic engineering platforms, and collaborations with the Desert Research Institute on airborne particle sensing. His lab develops scalable solutions for environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and synthetic biology applications.
Gabriel Alfonso Rincon-Mora is the Motorola Solutions Foundation Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. A Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, IEEE, and IET, he specializes in analog/power integrated circuits, energy-harvesting systems, and microelectronics. With over 200 articles, 44 patents, and 12 books, his work has produced 26 commercial power-chip products. His research spans: Analog and power-management ICs for efficient energy conversion Self-sustaining microsystems powered by thermal, mechanical, and environmental sources Nano-scale circuit designs for biomedical and wireless sensor applications Recent publications focus on piezoelectric energy harvesting, battery charging optimization, and low-power CMOS designs, demonstrating consistent innovation in power efficiency and miniaturization. Awards include the IEEE Charles A. Desoer Technical Achievement Award, National Hispanic in Technology Award, and recognition as one of "The 100 Most Influential Hispanics." He directs research in power IC design and mentors students through the Georgia Tech Analog Consortium. His laboratory develops integrated solutions for energy-constrained applications, including collaborations with industry partners like Texas Instruments.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Ruonan Han is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT and serves as Associate Director of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) and Director of the MIT-MTL Center for Integrated Circuits and Systems . His research focuses on ultra-high-frequency microelectronic circuits , particularly addressing the 'terahertz gap' in sensing, metrology, security, and communication. He leads the Terahertz Integrated Electronics Group at MIT's MTL, established in 2014. Education: B.S. in Microelectronics, Fudan University (2007) M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Florida (2009) Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University (2014) Research Interests: Terahertz (THz) integrated circuits and systems High-frequency CMOS technologies Quantum sensing and magnetometry RF systems for imaging, radar, and molecular sensing Energy-efficient communication systems His work bridges electronic circuits , electromagnetics , and quantum physics , with applications in defense, healthcare, and environmental monitoring. Awards & Recognition: 2023 IEEE SSCS New Frontier Award 2020 NSF CAREER Award 2019 Intel Outstanding Researcher Award 3× IEEE RFIC Best Student Paper Awards (2012, 2017, 2021) Advising & Leadership: Ph.D. advisor to over 10 students (many recipients of MIT MTL Dissertation Awards) Co-advises with Prof. Anantha Chandrakasan and Prof. Tomás Palacios Editorial roles at IEEE Transactions on Quantum Engineering and VLSI Systems Technical committee member for ISSCC, RFIC, and IMS Labs & Teams: Terahertz Integrated Electronics Group at MIT MTL: Focuses on chip-scale THz systems, quantum devices, and next-generation RF circuits Collaborations with industry (e.g., Apple, MediaTek) and academic groups (e.g., D. Englund's lab at MIT)
Ming C. Wu is the Nortel Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. He co-directs the Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center (BSAC) and the Berkeley Emerging Technologies Research Center (BETR), and is affiliated with the NSF Challenge Institute for Quantum Computation. He earned his B.S. from National Taiwan University in 1983 and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in 1988, following a postdoctoral stint at AT&T Bell Laboratories (1988–1992) and faculty role at UCLA (1992–2004). Research Areas: Silicon Photonics Optoelectronics Nanophotonics Optical MEMS Optofluidics Prof. Wu's recent publications focus on scalable photonic systems, including wafer-scale silicon photonic switches, MEMS-based LiDAR, and quantum technologies. His work bridges fundamental research and commercialization, exemplified by co-founding OMM, Inc. (MEMS optical switches) and Berkeley Lights, Inc. (optoelectronic tweezers). Scientific Awards: Paul F. Forman Engineering Excellence Award (OSA 2007) William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award (IEEE Photonics Society 2016) C.E.K. Mees Medal (OSA 2017) Robert Bosch MEMS Award (IEEE EDS 2020) Bakar Prize (UC Berkeley 2021) IEEE Fellow (2002) Packard Fellow (1992) He leads the Integrated Photonics Laboratory , which develops technologies for optical communication, sensing, and biomedical applications.
Ayse Coskun is a Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Boston University's College of Engineering. She serves as Director of the Center for Information and Systems Engineering (CISE) and as interim Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development. Her research focuses on the intersection of computer systems, energy efficiency, and AI. Dr. Coskun received her PhD from the University of California, San Diego in 2009. Prior to joining academia, she worked at Sun Microsystems (now Oracle). Her research spans energy-efficient computing, cloud computing, high performance computing, computer architecture, and embedded systems, with recent work focusing on AI's impact on data center energy demands. Her publication record shows consistent innovation across multiple domains, with recent work emphasizing AI applications for improving cloud security (through frameworks like DeltaSherlock and Praxi) and transforming data centers into grid-responsive assets (Emerald AI project). Her research bridges theoretical advances with practical applications, resulting in tools adopted by industry partners including IBM. IBM Faculty Award (2020) Ernest S. Kuh Early Career Award (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2012-2017) Multiple best paper and artifact awards at top conferences As an educator, Dr. Coskun teaches courses including EC327 Introduction to Software Engineering, EC535 Introduction to Embedded Systems, and EC713 Advanced Computing Systems and Architecture. She has advised numerous PhD students including Mert Toslali, Anthony Byrne, and Burak Aksar. Her lab maintains strong industry partnerships with IBM, Intel, AMD, and Oracle, and collaborates with academic institutions worldwide including Brown University, MIT, EPFL, and CEA-Tech in France. Dr. Coskun leads the Coskun Lab, which secured a $500K grant from Sandia National Labs for AI-based analytics in high performance computing systems, demonstrating the practical impact of her research on critical computing infrastructure.
F. Levent Degertekin is a Regents' Entrepreneur and the George W. Woodruff Chair in Mechanical Systems and Professor at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. His office is located in Love Building, room 311B, and his contact email is levent.degertekin@me.gatech.edu. Dr. Degertekin's academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University (1997), an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Bilkent University, Turkey (1991), and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey (1989). Dr. Degertekin's research focuses on micromachined ultrasonic devices and systems for medical applications, particularly in intravascular ultrasound imaging, therapeutic ultrasound, and acousto-optical sensors for MRI. His work spans from fundamental research on novel transduction methods to complete catheter-based imaging systems close to commercialization. He has made significant contributions to capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs), developing diffraction grating based optomechanical sensing methods now commercialized by Silicon Audio, novel atomic force microscopy imaging probes, and micromachined ultrasonic ejector structures for cell transfection commercialized by OpenCell Technologies. His research integrates acoustics, optics, and their combinations for various medical applications, utilizing conventional microfabrication (MEMS) and integrated circuit technologies. The Degertekin lab exposes students to applied physics, electrical, mechanical and biomedical engineering, biology, and biomimetic systems, providing them with thorough theoretical and experimental education in acoustics and optics while learning interdisciplinary research. Dr. Degertekin's work has received significant media attention, including coverage in IEEE Spectrum, Wired Magazine, The New York Times, and Fox Business News, highlighting innovations such as handheld ultrasound probes, MRI safety sensors, and minimally invasive cardiac imaging technologies. IEEE Fellow for 'Contributions to micromachined ultrasonic and optomechanical transducers and systems,' 2022 IEEE UFFC Society Inaugural Carl Hellmuth Hertz Ultrasonic Achievement Award, 2014 George W. Woodruff School Outstanding Achievement in Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Award, 2024 National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2004-2009 Whitaker Foundation Biomedical Engineering Research Grant Award, 2001 66 US and 6 International Patents Dr. Degertekin has mentored numerous students who have gone on to make significant contributions in the field. Several of his students have received IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium Best Student Paper Awards, including Jeff McLean (2003), Sheng-Yu Peng (2006), Rasim O. Guldiken (2005 and 2007), and Toby Xu (2014). His research has been supported by various grants including the NSF CAREER Award and Whitaker Foundation grant. His work has led to multiple commercial ventures including Silicon Audio and OpenCell Technologies. The Degertekin Group at Georgia Tech focuses on transducers and systems for medical imaging and sensing, with current projects including capacitive parametric transducers, acousto-optic sensors for MRI, novel transducer methods for focused ultrasound in the brain, microsystems for intravascular and intracardiac ultrasound imaging, and CMUT-on-CMOS systems for IVUS imaging.
Amit Lal is a Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University, with affiliations in Biomedical Engineering, Applied Engineering Physics, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He is a member of key research centers including Cornell CCMR, NBTC, and KAUST-CU. Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1990 Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1996 Prof. Lal's research focuses on the development of integrated microsystems using micro- and nanoscale fabrication. His work spans ultrasonic MEMS, low-power IoT sensors, atomic microsystems, and bio-robotics. He directs the SonicMEMS Laboratory, advancing technologies in GHz ultrasonics, inertial sensing, and chip-scale manipulation of particles. His interdisciplinary interests include biomedical imaging, solid-state devices, nanotechnology, and plasma science. His recent publications highlight innovation in energy harvesting, MEMS gyroscopes, and biologically integrated systems. The works reflect strong trends in autonomous sensing, miniaturized power sources, and hybrid bio-electromechanical systems, particularly for medical and navigation applications. Scientific Awards and Honors: NSF CAREER Award Whitaker Foundation Award Department of Defense Exceptional Service Award Best Program Manager Award, DARPA IEEE Ultrasonics and Frequency Control Symposium Best Paper Award IEEE NEMS Best Paper Award Robert M. Scharf 1977 Professor, Cornell Engineering HHMI Visiting Scientist, Janelia Farms Intel Fellowship (awarded to advisee) Prof. Lal has advised numerous students who have gone on to win awards and publish impactful research. He has secured significant research funding through DARPA and other agencies, managing and initiating multiple high-impact programs. His leadership extends to service on technical committees for IEEE conferences and journals, including Transducers and the IEEE Sensors Council. He has also contributed to academic recruiting within ECE. He leads the SonicMEMS Laboratory , a multidisciplinary research group focused on transforming sensing, communication, and computation at the microscale. The lab fosters collaboration across engineering and life sciences, pushing the boundaries of what integrated microsystems can achieve.
Suresh K. Sitaraman is a Regents' Professor and Morris M. Bryan, Jr. Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology's George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. His primary research focuses on Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and Design, manufacturing processes, micro/nano engineering, and mechanics of materials. He leads the Computer-Aided Simulation of Packaging Reliability (CASPaR) Lab and is involved in flexible hybrid electronics research through the Flexible Electronics Center . Dr. Sitaraman holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University (1989), M.A.Sc. from the University of Ottawa (1985), and B.E. from the University of Madras (1982). His research includes developing novel techniques like fixtureless magnetic actuation for interfacial fracture testing, compliant micro-scale interconnects for stress mitigation, and synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis for through-silicon vias (TSVs). He has pioneered studies on carbon nanotube forests' mechanical properties and reliability challenges in 3D microsystems. His awards include the NSF CAREER Award (1997-2002), ASME Fellow designation (2004), and Sigma Xi Sustained Research Award (2008). He has authored over 150 publications and holds multiple patents on compliant interconnect technologies and packaging reliability solutions. Key Research Themes: Micro/nano-scale material characterization, physics-based predictive modeling, flexible electronics, 3D integration, and thermal management. Labs/Initiatives: CASPaR Lab ( caspar.gatech.edu ), Flexible Hybrid Electronics Center. Industry Impact: Contributions to semiconductor packaging, wearable electronics, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Muhannad S. Bakir is the Dan Fielder Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, and Director of the 3D Systems Packaging Research Center . His research focuses on heterogeneous integration , electrical/photonic interconnects , thermal modeling , and electronics for healthcare , with over 180 publications and 12 U.S. patents. Research areas include: Advanced cooling and power delivery for emerging systems Biosensor-CMOS integration 2.5D/3D IC packaging Polylithic integration technology Nanofabrication for microsystems Scientific accolades include: 2018 IEEE EPS Exceptional Technical Achievement Award 2013 Intel Early Career Faculty Honor Award 2012 DARPA Young Faculty Award 2011 IEEE CPMT Outstanding Young Engineer Award Best paper awards at IEEE ECTC, IITC, and CICC 2020 Georgia Tech Doctoral Thesis Advisor Award His lab explores integrated 3D systems with emphasis on co-design of thermal, power, and electrical networks for machine learning and healthcare applications.
University of California, Los AngelesUnited States
Sam Emaminejad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on developing advanced wearable bioelectronic systems for continuous, noninvasive health monitoring and personalized therapeutics. Key Research Areas: Biomarker detection via flexible sensors Microfluidic and ferrobotic systems Stress and drug level monitoring Biodegradable and breathable wearable materials Recent Trends: Analysis of sweat and interstitial fluids using microneedles, aerogel skins, and programmable microfluidics. Machine learning integration for physiological evaluation is prominent. Awards & Collaborations: While specific awards aren't listed, he collaborates with major UCLA Health and Engineering faculty, including Ali Khademhosseini and Dino Di Carlo, on projects funded by NIH T32 grants and institutional fellowship programs. Grants & Labs: Leads projects in NIH-funded wearable sensor research, including the development of autonomous systems for cystic fibrosis and glucose monitoring. His lab explores ferrobotic swarms and hydrogel-based interfaces for clinical and consumer applications.
