Tina Hecksher is an Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Environment at Roskilde University , specializing in Mathematics and Physics (IMFUFA) . Her work bridges experimental and theoretical physics, focusing on glass-forming liquids, rheology, and dielectric spectroscopy. Keywords: Physics, Physics didactics, Glass and Time Projects: Supervised 'Closing the Gap in Broadband Mechanical Spectroscopy' (2019–2022), participated in 'Matter', 'ROSE', and 'COOEE' projects. Research Interests: Shear mechanics, hydrogen-bonded systems, density scaling, and time-scale ordering in amorphous materials. Her studies often reveal connections between dielectric and mechanical responses. Collaborations: Works with J.C. Dyre, K. Niss, B. Jakobsen, and others on experimental techniques like RUSC (Roskilde University Shear Code). Press Coverage: Featured in Danish media (2024) for discovering a universal formula for animal movement rhythms and collaborations with Continental (2019). Email: tihe@ruc.dk
Dan Koditschek is the Alfred Fitler Moore Professor of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the GRASP Lab. His research focuses on applying dynamical systems theory to design and test legged robots capable of complex physical interactions, such as running, climbing, and reorientation. Collaborations with biologists inform designs inspired by animal mobility, emphasizing formal mathematical modeling to understand success and limitations of robotic platforms. Key research areas include dynamical systems and control, machine learning/AI, and autonomous systems. Recent advancements include robotic rheometry for soil analysis, fault-tolerant gaits, and embodied intelligence in legged systems. His work spans theoretical foundations to real-world applications, such as planetary exploration and field data collection. Awards include the IEEE RAS Pioneer Award (2016) and Heilmeier Research Award (2017). The Koditschek Doctoral Fellowship honors his legacy. Advising over 20 PhD students and postdocs, Dan’s lab has produced leaders in academia and industry (e.g., Ghost Robotics, Amazon). Major projects include the RHex hexapod and the Kinegami origami-based robot design framework. Current efforts emphasize reactive planning in unstructured environments, energy-efficient locomotion, and interdisciplinary field robotics. His lab’s innovations address challenges in granular media interaction, obstacle-aided locomotion, and sensor-based navigation. Recent articles highlight advances in proprioceptive sensing, robotic rheometry, and multiscale dynamical systems analysis.
Dr. Monica Oliveira is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. She holds a PhD in Chemical & Process Engineering from Heriot-Watt University and a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Porto. Her research focuses on fluid flows and transport phenomena, particularly the rheology of complex fluids and microfluidics. She has been affiliated with institutions like MIT and CEFT, and her work appears in journals such as Physical Review Letters and Journal of Fluid Mechanics. Her expertise includes computational fluid dynamics, microdevice design, and rheology (shear and extension). Key projects include designing microfluidic components for extensional rheometry and developing biofluid analogues. She leads several research projects, including the DTP 2224 and KTP collaborations. Awards include the Chaires Paris-Science 2024 Invited Professorship and FEUP Scientific Incentive Prize. Her research integrates fundamental flow physics with biomedical applications, such as ophthalmic viscosurgical devices and blood flow dynamics in aneurysms. Recent publications address topics like ferrofluid emulsions, viscoelastic instabilities, and microscale mixing. She actively participates in international conferences and serves roles in professional societies like the European Society of Rheology. Her lab focuses on optimizing microfluidic geometries for precise fluid characterization and biomedical applications.
Spencer Bryngelson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Computing. He specializes in computational physics, numerical methods, fluid dynamics, and high-performance computing. His research focuses on developing scalable simulation tools for multiphase flows, quantum algorithms for fluid dynamics, and Bayesian optimization techniques. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2015–2017); B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics from University of Michigan–Dearborn (2013) Affiliations: Previously senior postdoc at Caltech, visiting researcher at MIT, and postdoc at XPACC Labs/Teams: Leads the Comp-Physics Group (https://comp-physics.group) His research interests include quantum computing applications to fluid mechanics, high-performance computing methodologies, and multiphysics simulation frameworks like the MFC flow solver. Recent work explores hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for PDEs and GPU-accelerated combustion kinetics modeling through tools like Pyrometheus. Notable trends in his articles include: Quantum computing integration in fluid dynamics simulations Development of exascale-ready multiphysics solvers Bayesian optimization for material characterization Advances in WENO schemes and turbulence modeling His work emphasizes portability and scalability in HPC environments, with contributions to libraries like QBMMlib and RoseNNa for neural network integration in CFD.
Nathan Keim is an Associate Professor of Physics at The Pennsylvania State University's Eberly College of Science. His research focuses on experimental studies of memory formation and non-equilibrium dynamics in soft materials, including disordered solids, fluid interfaces, and active matter systems. He leads the Keim Lab, which investigates how materials encode and recall mechanical and environmental inputs through mechanisms like plasticity, hysteresis, and path-dependent behavior. Key areas of exploration include mechanical memory in amorphous solids, contact line dynamics, and tunable materials. His work is supported by grants such as the Human Frontier Science Program (RGP0017/2021). Recent publications emphasize memory effects in sheared suspensions, twist-induced material behavior, and heterogeneous dynamics in particle-laden interfaces. The Keim Lab develops novel experimental techniques, including microfluidic devices and interfacial rheometry, to probe material microstructure and macroscopic response. Collaborative efforts bridge condensed matter physics, fluid dynamics, and materials science to uncover universal principles governing memory in soft matter systems. Notable contributions include demonstrating how disordered materials form multiple transient memories under cyclic driving and revealing the role of local hysteresis in global material behavior. His research bridges fundamental physics with applications in material design, offering insights into engineering systems with programmable mechanical responses.
Nick Jaensson is an Assistant Professor in the Processing and Performance of Materials group within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He leads Group Jaensson and is affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). His work bridges computational methods with experimental validation to advance understanding of soft materials and complex fluids. Jaensson earned his Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering from TU/e in 2012, followed by a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2016 with a thesis titled "Modeling interfaces and particles in viscoelastic fluids." After a year at DSM Materials Science Center, he conducted postdoctoral research at ETH Zürich before returning to TU/e as an Assistant Professor in mid-2020. His research focuses on the development and application of numerical methods for soft materials including suspensions, emulsions, and polymeric liquids. Key interests include interfacial rheology, non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, uncertainty quantification, and physics-informed machine learning. His work combines advanced computational modeling with experimental collaboration to gain fundamental insights into flow and transport processes within these materials, with applications ranging from microfluidics to large-scale industrial processing. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on fiber orientation kinetics in polymer composites, viscoelastic flow modeling, and the integration of machine learning with physics-based models. His work spans both fundamental fluid dynamics and practical industrial applications, with particular attention to experimental validation of computational models. Jaensson contributes to several research projects including the Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI) Project No. 840 (ANGLE) and the DAMOCLES research project funded by the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute. His work demonstrates strong industry-academia collaboration, particularly with companies involved in polymer processing and material science. As an educator, Jaensson teaches courses including Interfacial Transport Phenomena in Engineering Flows, Structure and Flow, Advanced Computational Continuum Mechanics, and Principles of Design and Programming. He leads research in the Processing and Performance group, focusing on computational methods for soft materials, with particular strength in connecting microstructural properties to macroscopic material behavior.
Giulio Giuseppe Giusteri is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematics "Tullio Levi-Civita" at the University of Padua, Italy, where he conducts research at the intersection of mathematics, physics, and engineering. He serves as National Coordinator for the PRIN 2022 project "Mathematical models for viscoelastic biological matter" and leads a research group comprising postdoctoral scholars and PhD students. His research spans multiple areas of mathematical physics and continuum mechanics. His primary interests include: Non-Newtonian Fluids and Rheology of Dense Suspensions Open Quantum Systems and Quantum Transport Phenomena Mechanics of Deformable Solids and Rod Theory Mathematical Fluid Mechanics and Viscoelasticity Variational Analysis and Nonlinear Systems His recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on developing mathematical frameworks for complex physical systems, with particular attention to viscoelastic materials, symmetry-preserving homogenization techniques, and multi-scale modeling approaches. His work often bridges theoretical development with practical applications in biological systems, energy transfer, and industrial processes. Professor Giusteri actively supervises PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, with current projects related to the PRIN 2022 initiative. He regularly presents his research at international conferences and workshops, maintaining active collaborations across multiple Italian institutions including Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Politecnico di Milano. His research group offers opportunities for PhD and Master's thesis projects in his various research fields, with an emphasis on mathematical modeling of physical phenomena and interdisciplinary applications.
Kristine Niss is a Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Physics (IMFUFA) within the College of Science and Environment at Roskilde University. Her research focuses on condensed matter physics, particularly the dynamics and aging behavior of glass-forming liquids, ionic liquids, and hydrogen-bonded systems. She has extensive experience with experimental techniques such as dielectric spectroscopy, neutron scattering, and rheometry. Key Research Areas: Glass transition, density scaling, physical aging, relaxation processes, and thermodynamic invariance in liquids. Collaborations: Active collaborations with institutions like Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and contributions to interdisciplinary projects including the Center for Interdisciplinary Plastic Research and Glass and Time. Recent Work: 2024 publications on density scaling in glycerol-water mixtures and time-scale invariance in ionic liquids, alongside 2022 studies on aging glasses and high-pressure spectroscopy. Media Engagement: Featured in Danish press for research on glass dynamics and thermodynamics of liquids. Email: kniss@ruc.dk
Dr. Antoine Deblais is an Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science WZI. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, soft matter physics, and active matter systems, with particular expertise in interfacial phenomena, rheology of complex fluids, and biomimetic systems. He leads the Deb'Lab, exploring topics like droplet coalescence, viscoelastic materials, and collective dynamics of active polymers. Key research areas include: Coalescence dynamics of drops in inertial and viscous regimes Rheological characterization of emulsions and polymer solutions Transport mechanisms in active matter systems (e.g., T. Tubifex worms) Biophysical applications like lung surfactant preservation His work often intersects experimental and theoretical approaches, leveraging advanced imaging and analytical techniques. Deb'Lab collaborates with industry partners on applications in soft robotics, drug delivery, and material science. Recent studies highlight: Phase separation mechanisms in active matter systems Role of surface tension in colloidal and biological systems Development of novel rheometry methods for viscoelastic fluids He maintains a Twitter presence for scientific outreach and operates a dedicated research website: Deb'Lab .
Raimund Wegener is a researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM in Kaiserslautern. His work focuses on modeling fiber dynamics, kinetic theories, and industrial processes, particularly in the context of nonwoven materials and melt spinning. He specializes in developing numerical frameworks and stochastic models to simulate complex systems involving viscoelastic fluids, turbulent airflow interactions, and material behavior under various conditions. His research integrates applied mathematics, computational fluid dynamics, and mechanical engineering to address challenges in manufacturing processes like aerodynamic web forming, electrospinning, and nonwoven production optimization. Key contributions include advancements in predictive modeling for tensile strength inference, boundary condition formulations for viscoelastic fibers, and Pareto-optimized mass distribution strategies. Wegener’s methodologies bridge theoretical models with industrial applications, leveraging asymptotic analysis, finite volume methods, and regression-based approaches. His work is published in journals like the Journal of Computational Physics and Applied Mathematical Modeling, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Emad Chaparian is a Lecturer in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, part of the Engineering Faculty of Engineering. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and has held postdoctoral and visiting positions at institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and the University of Waterloo (Canada). His research focuses on complex fluids, rheology, multiphase flows, and porous media, with applications to environmental sustainability and industrial processes. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (FIMA) and has led projects funded by the Royal Society and the EPSRC. Education: PhD (Mechanical Engineering, UBC), Postdoc (KTH), Research Fellow (UBC Mathematics) Professional Activities: Visiting researcher at UBC (2025), EPSRC IM3AGES workshop participant (2024) Research interests include computational rheometry, viscoplastic fluid dynamics, and innovative measurement techniques. Recent work explores particle manipulation, bubble dynamics in yield-stress fluids, and flow modeling in porous media. His 2025 publications reflect advancements in nonlinear rheology and multiphase system analysis. He actively contributes to both experimental and numerical studies, emphasizing sustainable industrial applications. Awards: FIMA (2023), Sir Anderson Visiting Professorship (2024) Grants/Projects: Principal Investigator for EPSRC-funded projects on tailings pond harvesting (2022–2023) and elastoviscoplastic fluid mechanics (2024–2024) Laboratory activities involve collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, leveraging advanced computational tools and experimental setups like 3D-printed rheometry fixtures.
Leszek Pawlicki is a researcher at the Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology. His work focuses on the physical properties of materials under extreme conditions, particularly phase transitions and mechanical/electrical behavior of oils under pressure. He has contributed to studies in materials science, condensed matter physics, and engineering mechanics, with applications in aerospace and industrial sectors. Recent research includes gear diagnostics for space industry components and high-pressure studies of vegetable oils. Key research themes include phase transition dynamics, pressure-induced material changes, and dielectric properties under stress. His publications (2021-2024) explore viscosity, compressibility, and electrical properties of oils under varying pressures, offering insights for both fundamental physics and industrial material applications.
Gary Leal is Research Professor and Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara , within the Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Physical Society, AIChE, Society of Rheology, and American Academy of Arts & Sciences, he has spent decades investigating the dynamics of complex fluids including polymer solutions, emulsions, foams, and liquid-crystalline polymers. Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, 1965 M.S. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, 1968 Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, 1969 Research Interests: Leal's current work centers on microstructure–flow coupling in complex fluids. Using a blend of large-scale computation and advanced experimental techniques (many unique to his laboratory), his group studies coalescence, thin-film stability, surfactant effects, nanoparticle-laden interfaces, and the nonlinear rheology of entangled polymers and liquid-crystalline systems. A strong emphasis is placed on quantitative prediction of macroscopic properties from molecular and mesoscale physics. His recent publications reveal sustained leadership in shear banding , flow-induced concentration fluctuations , and orientation imaging via Rheo-SANS. Collectively these works advance the multiscale modeling of soft materials undergoing industrial processing flows and provide diagnostic tools to fingerprint microstructural evolution in real time. Honors & Awards: Bingham Medal (Society of Rheology, 2001) Fluid Dynamics Prize (American Physical Society, 2002) G.I. Taylor Medal (Society of Engineering Science, 2015) Fellow of APS, AIChE, Society of Rheology, AAAS National Academy of Engineering Member since 1987 Dozens of named lectureships including Batchelor, Mason, Lacey, Finlayson, and more Grants & Teams: While specific grant numbers are not cited, Leal has continuously led large, multi-investigator projects—evidenced by NASA Group Achievement Awards, NSF/DOE citations in articles, and extensive experimental facilities. His team operates a multifaceted laboratory coupling rheometry, microfluidic four-roll mills, custom tensiometers, and neutron/x-ray scattering beamlines, maintaining collaborations with national laboratories and international centers for soft-matter research.
Arnaud TOURIN is a Professor at ESPCI Paris, affiliated with the Institut Langevin, a research institute focused on waves and imaging. His academic career spans over two decades with continuous research contributions in wave physics and acoustics. His primary research interests focus on wave propagation in complex media, particularly multiple scattering of ultrasound, wave control in disordered media, time reversal techniques, phononic crystals, acoustic metamaterials, and acoustics of granular media. His work bridges fundamental wave physics with practical applications in imaging, telecommunications, and material characterization. His research demonstrates how complex wave phenomena can be harnessed for technological innovation, particularly in ultrasound applications and metamaterial design. Tourin's publication record shows a consistent research trajectory with increasing interdisciplinary applications. His recent work (2021-2023) demonstrates expansion into electromagnetic applications of wave physics concepts, granular media dynamics, and technology transfer from academic research to commercial applications. The publications reveal a strong methodological foundation in experimental physics combined with theoretical modeling, particularly in wave propagation and scattering phenomena. As a professor at ESPCI Paris and researcher at Institut Langevin, TourIN contributes to both fundamental research and applied technological development. His work has implications across multiple fields including medical ultrasound, seismic imaging, wireless communications, and material science.
Hadi Mohammadigoushki is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. He also serves as NMR Staff at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory as an affiliate. His research group, founded in August 2016, focuses on the intersection of Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science and Physics. Dr. Mohammadigoushki received his BS-MS from Amirkabir University of Technology in 2009, followed by a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, Canada in 2014. He completed his postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley in 2016 before joining the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering faculty. His research primarily centers on soft matter physics and complex fluid dynamics , with specific expertise in rheology, flow-induced instabilities, locomotion in complex environments, NMR spectroscopy, and interfacial science. His laboratory combines experimental and theoretical approaches including Rheometry, Digital Particle Image Velocimetry, Particle Tracking Velocimetry, Fluorescence Microscopy, NMR diffusometry, and MR Velocimetry to investigate the connection between molecular and macroscale properties of soft materials. His work has significant applications in energy, oil & gas, and biotechnology sectors. Analysis of Dr. Mohammadigoushki's recent publications reveals a strong focus on understanding the behavior of complex fluids, particularly wormlike micellar solutions and yield stress fluids. His research spans fundamental investigations of shear banding phenomena, locomotion dynamics in non-Newtonian fluids, and advanced characterization techniques using NMR spectroscopy. There's a clear progression toward increasingly complex systems and applications, including biological interfaces and magnetic field effects on fluid behavior. 2021: Nominated for Outstanding Teaching Award, Florida State University 2020: CAREER award, National Science Foundation 2017: Young Faculty Award, Florida State University 2013: John Grace Graduate Award, University of British Columbia, Canada Dr. Mohammadigoushki has mentored numerous students at various levels, including current PhD candidates, undergraduate researchers, and past students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His research group actively participates in outreach programs to encourage female and underrepresented students to pursue STEM fields, including the Florida Young Scholar Program, Family STEM nights, and laboratory visits for middle and high school students. The Mohammadigoushki Research Group operates state-of-the-art facilities for studying soft matter and complex fluids, with particular emphasis on rheological characterization and flow visualization techniques. The group maintains strong collaborations with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and other research institutions, enabling cutting-edge investigations at the interface of multiple scientific disciplines.
