Western Switzerland University of Applied SciencesSwitzerland
Robyr Jean-Luc is an Associate Professor at the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture (HES-SO), University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland. His primary research focuses on non-destructive testing using ultrasonic guided waves in materials like monocrystalline silicon wafers, and energy systems optimization through genetic algorithms. He has collaborated extensively on projects such as defect detection in photovoltaic materials and multi-criteria energy management for smart buildings. Key research interests include Lamb wave propagation in anisotropic materials, beam skewing effects, and the application of genetic algorithms for optimizing energy self-consumption, cost reduction, and ecological impact minimization in buildings. His work integrates real-time data, weather forecasts, and user habits into physical models for predictive energy strategies. Major publications include studies on silicon wafer defect detection via high-frequency guided waves (2021), vertical motion modeling of gas balloons (2020), and genetic algorithm-driven energy optimization for buildings (2018). His research bridges mechanical/acoustic engineering with sustainable energy systems.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Dorota Jarecka is a Research Scientist at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her work focuses on developing open-source software tools and frameworks to enhance reproducibility and scalability in neuroimaging research. She is a core contributor to initiatives like BIDS Apps, NiMARE, and Pydra, which aim to standardize and streamline neuroimaging data analysis workflows. Her research interests span neuroinformatics, reproducible research practices, computational neuroscience, and the development of scalable data management solutions. She actively contributes to consortia such as the NMIND consortium and the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network, promoting collaborative approaches to neuroimaging challenges. Jarecka’s publications highlight her expertise in large-scale neuroimaging analysis, meta-analysis techniques, and the integration of open science tools like DataLad and Datalad. She emphasizes the importance of human-in-the-loop systems and agentic frameworks (e.g., STRUCTSENSE) to improve structured information extraction in scientific workflows. Her work has advanced reproducibility through ontologies and provenance tracking (e.g., NIDM Experiment) and has addressed technical challenges such as software variability across operating systems. She is also involved in educational efforts, including Software Carpentry workshops on version control with Git. Jarecka’s contributions bridge computational methods with neuroscience, fostering collaboration between researchers, developers, and institutions to tackle complex neuroimaging and atmospheric science problems.
David Schipf is an Assistant Professor of Engineering and Physics at Whitworth University , located in the Eric Johnston Science Center. He leads the Wave Information Laboratory (WIL), focusing on advanced research in optoelectronics, metamaterials, and additive manufacturing. His academic role includes teaching courses such as Optics , Control Systems , and Engineering Design . Dr. Schipf holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Washington. His research interests span Optics/Photonics , MEMS , Acoustic Metamaterials , and Additive Manufacturing of piezoelectric ceramics. Notable projects include developing mirrorless MEMS imaging systems and binder-jet-printed piezoelectric composites . His work emphasizes all-optical deep learning and fluid-optical encryption systems . Recent publications (2013–2024) cover topics like underwater 3D imaging, electrowetting lens dynamics, and non-reciprocal metamaterials. He has received prestigious awards including the National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship (2019–2022) and Boren Fellowship (2015–2016). Dr. Schipf is expanding his lab’s capabilities with a planned acquisition of a BlueWave Spectrometer from StellarNet, Inc. His teaching includes Principles of Engineering Design and Thermal Fluids Lab . Current research also explores acoustic wave control and metamaterial-based sensors .
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Kelly Stephani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and the Associate Director of the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies (CHESS). She holds additional roles such as Kritzer Faculty Fellow and Faculty Affiliate in Aerospace Engineering. Her research focuses on hypersonics, high-temperature aerothermodynamics, and surface chemistry interactions with plasma. Stephani has contributed to advancements in kinetic methods for non-equilibrium flows and the development of oxidation models for carbon-based materials. Education: Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2012) M.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (2006) B.S. Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, University of Minnesota (2005) Research Interests: Gas-surface interactions in porous materials Plasma-surface dynamics Thermal protection systems for aerospace vehicles Computational modeling of hypersonic flows Her work bridges experimental and computational approaches, with notable contributions to understanding oxidation mechanisms in carbon-fiber composites and the design of light-weight thermal protection systems. Awards and Honors: PECASE Award (2019) AFOSR YIP Award (2017) NASA Early Career Faculty Award (2015) Recipient of multiple fellowships including AFOSR Summer Faculty Fellow (2015) Teaching and Service: Teaches courses in gas dynamics and fluid mechanics (e.g., AE 312, ME 510). Serves as Co-director of the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics and leads service roles in professional societies like AIAA. Key Projects: Leads research on hypersonic aerothermodynamics, including modeling surface reactions in carbon-based materials and advancing DSMC techniques for plasma interactions.
David A. Edwards is a Professor of Mathematics at the Department of Mathematical Sciences , University of Delaware , where he has been tenured since 2007. His work spans applied mathematics , industrial modeling , and interdisciplinary research involving polymer diffusion , mathematical finance , bioreactions , and 3D printing . Education : B.S. in Applied Mathematics , California Institute of Technology (1990) Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics , Caltech (1994) Research Interests focus on solving real-world problems via asymptotic methods and numerical modeling . Key areas include: Polymer diffusion (non-Fickian transport, trapping skinning) Biosensor dynamics (steric hindrance, receptor heterogeneity) Mathematical finance (mortgage refinancing, options pricing) 3D printing (extrusion rates, welding temperatures) Biological systems (olfactory signaling, blood clotting) Industrial applications (fuel cells, UV irradiation effects) Recent Publications analyze copulas in finance , weld strength in additive manufacturing , and thermal models for 3D printers , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Scientific Awards : Caltech Merit Scholar Southern California Edison Scholarship National Merit Scholarship University of Delaware Arts and Science Award Outstanding RSO Advisor (2018) NSF, NIH, and UD Research Foundation grants Advising includes PhD/MS students in applied mathematics and undergraduate researchers working on topics like optical biosensors and 3D printing dynamics . He has co-organized Mathematical Problems in Industry Workshops and advised on NSF-funded modeling camps .
Colin Ware is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire. He directs the Data Visualization Research Laboratory and has established himself as a leading researcher in data and information visualization with a strong focus on the perceptual and cognitive aspects of visual representation. His work bridges computer science, cognitive psychology, and design principles to create more effective visualization techniques. Ware's primary research interests center around how humans perceive visual information and how this knowledge can be applied to create more effective data visualizations. His work spans several key areas including color theory and colormap design, 3D visualization techniques, flow visualization, uncertainty representation, and the cognitive processes involved in visual thinking. He has made significant contributions to understanding how stereoscopic and motion cues affect depth perception in 3D visualizations, and how to design visual representations that align with human perceptual capabilities. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on colormap design and evaluation, with numerous papers examining how different color mapping approaches affect feature detection and discrimination. His work increasingly incorporates perceptual modeling and crowdsourced evaluation methods to develop evidence-based visualization design guidelines. He has also maintained a consistent research thread on 3D flow visualization techniques, particularly for scientific applications in oceanography and meteorology. Ware has been instrumental in developing the theoretical foundations of information visualization as a discipline that integrates cognitive science with practical design. His influential book 'Information Visualization: Perception for Design' has become a standard reference in the field, emphasizing the importance of understanding human perception when creating effective visual representations of data. Throughout his career, Ware has mentored numerous graduate students who have gone on to become researchers in visualization and human-computer interaction. His collaborative approach is evident in his extensive publication record, which includes work with researchers across multiple disciplines including oceanography, meteorology, and cognitive science. His laboratory has developed several innovative visualization techniques including the 'Hairy Slices' method for 3D flow visualization, various approaches to representing uncertainty in geospatial data, and novel techniques for designing effective colormaps for scientific visualization. His current research continues to push the boundaries of how we understand and apply perceptual principles to visualization design problems.
Luis F. Ayala serves as Department Head and Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at Pennsylvania State University's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, holding the William A. Fustos Family Professorship and Energi Simulation Chair in Fluid Behavior and Rock Interactions. His leadership spans academic administration and cutting-edge research in natural gas systems. His educational background includes dual summa cum laude engineering degrees from Universidad de Oriente (Venezuela) in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Penn State. This foundation supports his expertise in advanced computational modeling of hydrocarbon systems. Ayala's research focuses on multiphase flow dynamics in unconventional reservoirs, with emphasis on numerical modeling of shale gas systems, retrograde gas condensates, and thermodynamic interactions in ultra-tight formations. His work bridges nanoscale fluid behavior with field-scale production forecasting through innovative computational approaches including lattice Boltzmann methods and boundary element solutions. His recent publications reveal strong trends in developing physics-based models for complex reservoir phenomena, particularly in nanopore transport mechanisms, multiphase adsorption dynamics, and anomalous diffusion in heterogeneous systems. These studies consistently integrate thermodynamic rigor with practical reservoir engineering applications. E. Williard & Ruby S. Miller Faculty Fellowship (2023) SPE Distinguished Member Award (2022) Howard B. Palmer Faculty Mentor Award (2022) Charles Hosler DEI Faculty Award (2021) Fulbright Scholar (2016-2017) Multiple SPE Outstanding Technical Editor Awards Ayala actively mentors students through research collaborations and has received multiple advising/mentoring awards. His administrative roles include SPE editorial positions (Executive Editor for SPE Journal) and leadership in Penn State's Office of the Senior Vice President for Research. Current research is supported by industry partnerships through the EMS Energy Institute and Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. He leads the Natural Gas Engineering research group within the John and Willie Leone Department, focusing on experimental validation and computational modeling of multiphase transport in unconventional reservoirs. The team collaborates with national laboratories and industry partners on projects addressing fundamental flow mechanisms in nano-porous media.
Hamda Ben Hadid is a Researcher at the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics (LMFA) - UMR 5509 in Lyon, France. She is affiliated with the Turbulence & Instabilities research team, focusing on advanced fluid mechanics and acoustic studies. Research Interests : Turbulence modeling and flow instabilities Geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics Multi-physical, multi-phase, and multi-scale flow simulations Particle transport mechanisms in fluids Experimental and numerical developments in fluid mechanics
Michael Shields is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, with secondary appointments in Materials Science and Engineering and affiliations with the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI) and the Data Science and AI Institute. He directs the Center on High-Throughput Materials Discovery for Extremes and co-leads the Center on Artificial Intelligence for Materials in Extreme Environments. Shields chairs the Whiting School of Engineering Faculty Senate and is an Ivy+ Provost Leadership Fellow. His research focuses on uncertainty quantification, machine learning, stochastic simulation, and reliability analysis for engineering systems. Key applications include extreme event modeling (earthquakes, blasts, impacts), materials science, and computational mechanics. His group develops open-source tools like UQpy for uncertainty quantification in physical systems. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong trends in physics-informed machine learning, with neural operators and Bayesian methods dominating 80% of works. Surrogate modeling techniques appear in 60% of articles, while materials science applications feature in 40%. Natural hazards and computational efficiency are recurring themes. Awards & Honors: 2025 Early Achievement Research Award (IASSAR) DOE Early Career Award NSF CAREER Award ONR Young Investigator Award Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award He leads the Shields Uncertainty Research Group (SURG), funded by NSF, ONR, ARL, and national laboratories. Current projects emphasize real-time prediction of complex systems and reliability analysis under uncertainty.
Felix Rempe is a Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow at the Technical University of Munich Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS) , affiliated with the BMW Group in the field of Autonomous Driving . He holds a PhD in Computational Science and Engineering from TU Munich, awarded summa cum laude in 2018, and an M.Sc. in Mechatronics from DHBW Stuttgart in 2014 with Honours. His research focuses on data-driven approaches to traffic engineering and control , leveraging machine learning and sensor data from vehicles for real-time traffic state estimation and prediction. His work explores the intersection of mobility systems and artificial intelligence , particularly in the domains of traffic flow theory and digital twin development for transportation infrastructure. Felix’s publications highlight advancements in data fusion techniques , deep learning architectures , and statistical modeling applied to autonomous driving and urban mobility challenges. 2018: PhD thesis awarded summa cum laude 2014: M.Sc. with Honours award for completing the Honour’s track at TUM 2012: BayLat grant for study exchange program Latin America
Rudolf Weeber is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Computational Physics, University of Stuttgart. He specializes in computational physics and soft matter simulations, with a focus on magnetic gels, elastomers, and nanoparticle dynamics. PhD in Physics (2015) from University of Stuttgart Diplom in Physics with specialization in simulation methods His research explores magnetic field-controlled materials, fluid-particle coupling, and simulation software development. He is a key contributor to the ESPResSo molecular dynamics package. Recent publications highlight his work on magnetic gel deformation, nanoparticle transport, and multiscale simulation frameworks. Trends include computational physics, soft matter, and high-performance computing. Weeber's projects span magnetic materials, micro-rheology, and sustainable software development. He has collaborated on EuroHPC systems and stochastic reaction modeling. He is affiliated with the Stuttgart Research Center for Simulation Technology and has developed open-source tools for soft matter research.
Prof. Torsten Frosch is a Professor and Head of the Department of Biophotonics Medical Engineering at TU Darmstadt's Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. His research focuses on innovative biophotonic techniques, including Raman and IR spectroscopy for medical technology applications such as drug monitoring and environmental gas sensing. He pioneered fiber-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for multi-gas analysis and spectroscopic drug interaction studies. Academically, Frosch holds a PhD in physical chemistry from Friedrich Schiller University Jena and conducted postdoctoral research at Imperial College London and Monash University. His work bridges photonics, analytical chemistry, and biomedical engineering, with contributions to antimalarial drug mechanisms, antibiotic quantification in bodily fluids, and environmental nitrogen cycle modeling. Research interests include personalized medical devices, non-invasive theranostics, and spectroscopic tools for real-time diagnostics. Notable achievements include developing ultrasensitive gas sensors for greenhouse gases and establishing a junior research group on fiber spectroscopic sensor technology at the Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies. His publications span over 15 years, emphasizing interdisciplinary applications of spectroscopy in healthcare (e.g., therapeutic drug monitoring) and environmental science (e.g., denitrification studies). Ongoing projects include multimodal Raman imaging setups and cavity-enhanced spectroscopy for trace gas analysis.
José Morán is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa since July 2024. He holds a BSc and MSc in Engineering from Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria (Chile) and a PhD in Physics from INSA de Rouen (France), conducted at the CORIA laboratory. His postdoctoral research included stints at Carleton University (Canada) and the University of Minnesota (USA). Research focuses on aerosol-based nanoparticle synthesis for pollution reduction technologies Specializes in nanoparticle formation in reactive/non-equilibrium systems Led the Aerosol and Interface Laboratory within the Faculty of Engineering His work explores aerosol technologies to mitigate indoor and atmospheric pollutants, with a focus on understanding particle formation mechanisms influenced by interfacial properties. Current research includes multi-scale modeling of soot aggregation and aerosol filtration for virus inactivation.
Lei Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University, College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced computational modeling techniques applied to materials and mechanical systems. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 2012 M.E., Materials Processing, Huazhong University of Science & Technology (HUST), China, 2007 B.E., Materials Processing, Huazhong University of Science & Technology (HUST), China, 2005 His research interests lie at the intersection of computational mechanics and materials science, particularly in fracture modeling, multi-scale simulations, and phase-field methods. He develops and applies advanced numerical techniques to model phenomena such as dendrite growth in batteries, microstructure evolution in alloys, and mechanical behavior of biological and composite materials. His work integrates finite element methods, smoothed finite element methods (S-FEM), and phase-field models with crystal plasticity and multi-physics coupling. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in computational modeling of energy materials and structural integrity. Key themes include phase-field simulations of lithium dendrite formation, multi-scale modeling of polycrystal grain growth, and advanced fracture mechanics using edge-based strain smoothing techniques. These works span disciplines from battery technology to biomaterials, demonstrating a versatile and impactful research program. Scientific Awards and Honors: Travel Fellowship, Enabling Methods for Materials Innovation, University of Florida, 2015 Travel Grant, USNCCM13, 2015 Z. Hsu Scientific Paper Award, 2015 Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowship, QUT, AUS Chinese Excellent Self-financed Student Abroad Scholarship, 2012 President Graduate Fellowship (top 5%), NUS, 2009–2011 Research Graduate Scholarship, NUS, 2007–2011 Outstanding Graduate Student Award, HUST, 2006 Excellent Bachelor Graduate Award, HUST, 2005 First-Class Scholarship, HUST, 2002–2004 Dr. Chen has advised research students and collaborated extensively with leading researchers such as Long-Qing Chen. His work is supported by academic grants and institutional fellowships. He has contributed to significant advancements in computational methods for fracture and microstructure modeling. He has also published in high-impact journals and presented at major international conferences. He is actively involved in research related to energy storage systems, additive manufacturing, and biological materials, often leveraging high-performance computing and image-driven simulations. His lab focuses on developing robust and accurate numerical frameworks for predicting material behavior across scales.
Dr. Luca Caracoglia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Northeastern University. He specializes in wind engineering, wind energy systems, fluid-structure interaction, and structural dynamics under extreme climate conditions. His research focuses on mitigating wind-induced damage to infrastructure and optimizing renewable energy technologies through advanced modeling and experimentation. Education: Ph.D., Structural Engineering, University of Trieste, Italy (2001) 5-year Diploma in Civil Engineering, University of Trieste, Italy (1997) Research Interests: Dr. Caracoglia's work addresses critical challenges in wind engineering, including bridge aerodynamics, wind turbine blade stability, and tornado/downburst impact assessment. He leads the Wind Engineering Research Group (WERG), which combines numerical simulations and wind tunnel experiments to evaluate structural resilience. Recent projects involve NSF-funded initiatives on turbulence effects on large flexible structures and tornado-resistant infrastructure design. Key Contributions: Dr. Caracoglia has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on stochastic flutter analysis, energy harvesting from wind-induced vibrations, and performance-based wind engineering frameworks. His 2020 ASCE Fellowship and 2009 NSF CAREER Award highlight his impactful contributions. He has secured $2.7M+ in grants, including a $14M NSF collaborative grant for tornado-resistant infrastructure testing. Awards & Recognition: Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (2020) NSF CAREER Award (2009) Consistently ranked among top 2% most-cited scientists in Stanford University’s global assessments (2021-2024) Labs & Collaborations: Director of the Wind Engineering Research Group (WERG) at Northeastern, collaborating with institutions like the University of Massachusetts Amherst and international partners. Active in organizing international wind engineering seminars and serving on IAWE committees.
