Christian Forssén is a Professor in theoretical physics at Chalmers University of Technology, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the Division of Subatomic, High Energy and Plasma Physics. His research focuses on theoretical nuclear and particle physics, employing advanced computational tools like Bayesian methods and machine learning to study low-energy effective field theories, nuclear forces, and astrophysical connections. He is an elected Fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of The Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg. Key research interests include nuclear many-body systems, symmetry energy in neutron-rich matter, and precision calculations of nuclear observables. His work bridges fundamental symmetries and astrophysical phenomena, such as neutron star properties and dark matter interactions. Recent studies emphasize Bayesian parameter estimation in chiral effective field theory and emulation techniques for large-scale ab initio calculations. Publications highlight breakthroughs in neutron skin predictions for 208Pb, first observations of exotic nuclei like 28O, and rigorous constraints on three-nucleon forces. Awards include recognition for contributions to nuclear theory and computational methods. Ongoing projects involve collaborations on dark matter detection and precision measurements of neutron halo nuclei.
Luka Lotina is affiliated with the Theoretical Physics Department at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. His research focuses on nuclear structure, deformations, and collective excitations in neutron-rich nuclei. He specializes in microscopic descriptions of nuclear phenomena, including quadrupole, octupole, and hexadecapole interactions. His work often addresses energy spectra, deformation effects, and collective modes in rare-earth and transition-metal nuclei. Recent studies emphasize hexadecapole correlations in samarium and gadolinium isotopes (2025), octupole excitations near N=56 and N=88 (2021), and beta-decay mechanisms in rhodium and palladium isotopes (2022).
Anna Lähde is a Professor in Aerosol Technology at the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland. She leads the Sustainable Materials Group at the Fine Particle and Aerosol Technology Laboratory . Her work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of sustainable nano- and microparticles for clean energy and environmental applications. Academy of Finland Research Fellow (2017-2022) Specializes in graphene, carbon nanostructures, and metal oxides via aerosol processes Key methods: induction annealing, chemical vapor synthesis, spray pyrolysis Her research spans Li-ion battery materials , water treatment nanocomposites , and toxicological analysis of airborne particles . She has published extensively on carbon-based anode materials , photocatalytic systems , and environmental applications of aerosol technology . Recent work includes CO2 adsorption catalysts and biomass-derived graphene . She has received recognition through the Academy of Finland Fellowship and contributes to circular economy projects like EKOAKKU.
Prof. Kieran Flanagan is a Professor of Nuclear Physics and Head of the Nuclear Physics Group at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester. He is also Director of the Photon Science Institute and Dalton Nuclear Institute. His research focuses on nuclear structure and fundamental physics using laser spectroscopy techniques, particularly the Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (CRIS) method. Education: Graduated from The University of Manchester, followed by PhD studies under Prof. Jon Billowes. Postdoctoral work included positions at CERN, KU Leuven, and IPN-Orsay. He returned to Manchester in 2009 as an STFC Advanced Fellow. Research Interests: Spectroscopy of exotic nuclei and molecules, quantum control of molecular ions, trace isotope detection, and exploring physics beyond the Standard Model through radioactive molecules. Key projects include the ERC-funded ActMol initiative (2024) and FNMPLS (2015). Publications highlight advancements in CRIS, laser cooling of radium-containing molecules, and studies of nuclear moments in short-lived isotopes. His work bridges fundamental physics with applications in trace analysis, as seen in the start-up Artemis Analytical Ltd (2016). Awards: STFC Advanced Fellowship (2009), ERC Consolidator (2015), and Advanced ERC (2024). Collaborations span global institutions like CERN, KU Leuven, and IPN-Orsay. Labs: Academic lead of the Ultra Trace Analysis Lab, specializing in high-resolution mass spectrometry and isotope detection.
Dr. Liguang Tang is a Professor at Hampton University's Department of Physics and holds a joint staff scientist position at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLAB). His research focuses on experimental hypernuclear physics using JLAB's CEBAF electron beam, particularly investigating Lambda hypernuclei through high-precision spectroscopy. He leads national initiatives in hypernuclear physics with roles as spokesperson/co-spokesperson on multiple experiments (E89-009, E01-011, etc.). These experiments explore hyperon-nucleon interactions and nuclear structure via CEBAF's advanced spectrometers. Education: B.A. (1977, Beijing Polytech University), M.S. (1981, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Ph.D. (1987, University of Houston). Research collaborations span J-PARC (Japan) and Mainz (Germany). His work elucidates baryonic strong interactions and nuclear matter properties, contributing to neutron star studies. Tang has pioneered experiments at JLAB, including first Lambda-hypernuclei production via electron beams. Publications highlight hypernuclear spectroscopy methods, gamma decay analyses, and detector innovations. His research bridges fundamental nuclear physics with astrophysical applications, emphasizing precision measurements to understand strangeness in nuclear systems.
Dr. Nan Alexandrina Emilia is a Senior Researcher (R4 - CS I) at the National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies (INCDTIM) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. She leads research in the Department of Materials, Energy and Advanced Technologies, specifically within the Multifunctional Materials and Biologically Active Compounds group. With expertise spanning materials science, nanotechnology, and polymer chemistry, her work focuses on developing advanced functional materials for environmental and biomedical applications. Her educational background includes: MSc in Heterocyclic Chemistry (2001) from Babes-Bolyai University PhD in Chemistry (2005) from Babes-Bolyai University Dr. Nan's research explores the synthesis and characterization of polymeric nanostructures, metal oxide nanoparticles, and functionalized materials for applications in wastewater treatment, magnetic hyperthermia, and sustainable construction. Her work bridges fundamental chemistry with applied nanotechnology, emphasizing green synthesis methods and circular economy principles in materials development. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong emphasis on: Eco-friendly nanocomposites for environmental remediation Thermally conductive polymer systems Magnetic nanostructures for biomedical applications Waste-derived construction materials Advanced characterization of multifunctional materials Her research consistently integrates materials chemistry with sustainability goals. Dr. Nan actively leads and contributes to significant national research projects including: PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1595: Neoteric polymers with tunable thermal conductivity (Project Coordinator) PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0769: Novel radiopharmaceuticals for oncology (Key Expert) PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0948: Magnetic nanofluid sealing systems (Team Leader) PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-1821: Industrial wastes in bituminous materials She directs research within the Multifunctional Materials and Biologically Active Compounds laboratory, focusing on developing nanostructured materials for environmental and biomedical applications through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Stefan Groote is an Associate Professor in Theoretical Physics at the Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia. He has held this position since February 2024, having previously served as an Associate Professor from January 2021 to February 2024 and as a Senior Research Fellow from 2016 to 2020. Before joining the University of Tartu, he held positions at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, where he completed his habilitation in 2003, and at Cornell University as a Post-Doc from 1998-1999. Dr. Groote received his Doctor's Degree in 1997 from the University of Mainz under the supervision of Jürgen Körner, with his dissertation focusing on "QCD-Strahlungskorrekturen in der Physik schwerer Quarks und Baryonen" (QCD radiation corrections in the physics of heavy quarks and baryons). He completed his habilitation (Dr. habil.) at the University of Mainz in 2003, qualifying him for a professorship in Germany. Dr. Groote's research focuses on theoretical particle physics, particularly in the areas of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and quantum field theory. His work spans perturbative and non-perturbative aspects of QCD, including spin in QCD perturbation theory, correlation functions and sum rules, lattice-QCD gauge theories, and the determination of standard model parameters using stochastic methods. His recent research has increasingly focused on non-perturbative approaches to Yang-Mills theories using Dyson-Schwinger equations, finite temperature QCD, and confinement mechanisms. He has published extensively in leading physics journals including Physical Review D, Nuclear Physics B, and Symmetry. An analysis of Dr. Groote's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on non-perturbative methods in quantum field theory, particularly the application of Dyson-Schwinger equations to problems in QCD and Yang-Mills theories. His work spans multiple subfields including finite temperature QCD, confinement mechanisms, electroweak theory, and mathematical aspects of field theory. Collaborations with researchers like Marco Frasca and Anish Ghoshal are prominent in his recent work, indicating strong international research connections in theoretical particle physics. Member of the German Physical Society (since 1995) Member of the AMBER collaboration (since 2025) Member of the management committee of the COST action CaLISTA (since 2022) Associated member of the COMPASS collaboration (since 2018) Dr. Groote serves as a referee for numerous prestigious journals including Physical Review D (since 2003), Letters in Mathematical Physics (since 2006), Annals of Physics (since 2010), and Physical Review Letters (since 2018), demonstrating his standing in the theoretical physics community. He has taught advanced courses at the University of Tartu including Quantum Field Theory, Renormalization Methods in Quantum Field Theory, and Gauge Theory for the Interaction of Elementary Particles, contributing significantly to graduate education in theoretical physics. His research is characterized by rigorous mathematical approaches to fundamental problems in particle physics, with particular emphasis on non-perturbative phenomena that cannot be addressed through conventional perturbative methods.
Marek Lewitowicz is a prominent Research Professor in Nuclear Physics at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France with over 25 years of experience. He has held significant leadership positions including Directeur de Recherche at CNRS, Deputy Director of GANIL (Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds), and Scientific Director of SPIRAL 2. His career spans research fellowships at JINR-LNR Dubna, GANIL, and IPN Orsay, progressing through CNRS ranks from Chargé de Recherche to Directeur de Recherche 1ère Classe. Dr. Lewitowicz's pioneering research focuses on experimental nuclear physics, particularly nuclei far from stability. His work led to the first observation of doubly magic nuclei 100Sn and 48Ni, discovery of two-proton ground-state decay, and measurements of neutron distribution in halo nuclei like 11Li. He has significantly advanced understanding of nuclear shell structure modifications leading to new magic numbers near N=20, N=28, N=40, and N=50. His innovative experimental techniques have become standard tools in major laboratories worldwide including GANIL, GSI, NSCL/MSU, and RIBF/RIKEN. Prix Joliot-Curie 1996 Société Française de Physique GENCO Award 2013 GSI Dr. Lewitowicz has supervised 25 early-career physicists, with 80% securing permanent positions in leading laboratories. He has coordinated major EU projects including the FP7 'SPIRAL2 Preparatory Phase' (25 institutions from 13 countries) and served as deputy coordinator of 'ENSAR' (29 institutions from 18 countries). As Deputy Director of GANIL, he contributed to constructing experimental devices like LISE2000, VAMOS, and EXOGAM. He remains active in promoting next-generation facilities including SPIRAL2 and EURISOL, serving on international committees including PAC at RIBF/RIKEN and as Chair of the Scientific Council of Institute Physique Nucléaire Orsay.
Prof. Dr. Stella Stopkowicz holds the Professorship for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at the Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry , Saarland University . Her research focuses on high-accuracy quantum-chemical methods for atoms and molecules in strong magnetic fields , with applications in astrochemistry and white dwarf star spectra . She employs coupled-cluster theory , Cholesky decomposition techniques , and relativistic quantum chemistry to model systems under extreme magnetic conditions. Education: Details not explicitly mentioned in the text. Her work reveals novel bonding mechanisms in magnetic fields, such as the triplet-state H2 molecule becoming bound due to orbital reorganization. She leads the Stopkowicz Group , which collaborates with institutions in Mainz, Göttingen, and Luxembourg, and contributes to European Summerschools and MMQC conferences . Her group develops multiscale approaches for large systems and investigates polaritonic systems in quantum cavities. Recent publications highlight her Cholesky-decomposed coupled-cluster methods for efficient calculations, magnetizability predictions in extreme fields, and polaritonic response functions . She received the IAQMS Medal (2024) for her contributions. Advisees: Elena Paulus, Davide Cianchino, Christopher-Matthias Röper, Simon Blaschke, Marios-Petros Kitsaras, and Laura Grazioli. Her team participates in DFG SFB 1633 (Electron Transfer via Proton-Coupled Processes) and European collaborative projects . Labs/Teams: The Stopkowicz Group at Saarland University, with alumni in institutions like Mainz and Paris. They engage in quantum cavity research (Szabolcs Góger) and method development for magnetic field applications.
Devin Short is a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of History at the University of Washington and a Senior Research Scientist at the UW Medical Cyclotron Facility . He holds an M.A. in History (UW, 2018), M.Sc. in Chemistry (Simon Fraser University, 2018), and B.Sc. in Physics (UW, 2012). Education : M.A. in History, University of Washington (2018) M.Sc. in Chemistry, Simon Fraser University (2018) B.Sc. in Physics, University of Washington (2012) His research bridges climate science , history of science , and digital humanities , focusing on the historical construction of climate models and the sustainability of scientific infrastructure amid climate change. He developed an archival database for planetary science literature to support critical analyses of laboratory archives and oral histories. Recent publications highlight his experimental nuclear physics work, including precision mass measurements, ion trapping experiments, and improvements to accelerator-based decay spectroscopy. Key collaborations span institutions like TRIUMF, GSI, and Berkeley National Lab. Scientific Awards : American Meteorological Society Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science (2021) Thomas Power Prize Honorable Mention (2021) UW History Department Digital History Fellowships (2021, 2020, 2018) Rondeau Evans Fellowship (2016-2017) Simon Fraser University Chemistry Alumni Graduate Scholarship (2016) US Department of Energy Spring Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (2010) At the UW Medical Cyclotron Facility, he applies laboratory and historical expertise to modernize 40-year-old accelerator technology for radiation therapy and medical isotope production. His work connects technical skill with philosophical inquiry into scientific practices.
Lucy Zhang is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research Innovations, Partnerships, and Workforce Development at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). She holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and previously served as an assistant professor at Tulane University before Hurricane Katrina. Her primary affiliation is in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering, with a secondary affiliation in Biomedical Engineering within the School of Engineering. Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on computational mechanics, particularly fluid-structure interactions, computational biomechanics, and multiphysics-multiscale simulations. Her work bridges engineering and biomedical applications, including aerodynamics, cardiovascular modeling, and material corrosion analysis. Notable contributions include the development of the OpenIFEM software framework for fluid-structure interaction simulations and studies on respiratory droplet dynamics during pandemics. Her recent research integrates machine learning with fluid dynamics solvers, explores material degradation under extreme conditions, and addresses challenges in neurorehabilitation modeling through NSF-funded initiatives. Dr. Zhang collaborates across disciplines, leveraging high-performance computing and numerical methods to solve complex engineering and biomedical problems. Her NSF grant on fibrous material performance under real-world conditions underscores her commitment to translational research.
Max Pallàs i Solís is a researcher affiliated with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), specifically within the Departament de Física at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (ETSEIB). He is a core member of the Advanced Nuclear Technologies Research Group (ANT) and the Institut de Tècniques Energètiques. His work spans nuclear engineering, radiation protection, and astrophysics, with a focus on neutron dosimetry, particle therapy, and exotic nuclear isotopes. Education: Doctorat en Enginyeria Nuclear i de les Radiacions Ionitzants (UPC) Research Interests: Neutron detection systems, radiation safety in medical facilities, nuclear astrophysics, and r-process nucleosynthesis. Recent publications highlight advancements in LINrem neutron dosimetry systems for particle therapy facilities, studies of neutron-rich isotopes' decay properties, and development of modular neutron counters like miniBELEN-10A. Collaborations include projects funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI), focusing on nuclear technologies and astrophysical applications. Grants & Projects: Tecnologías avanzadas para la exploración del universo Estructura Nuclear, Astrofísica y Transferencia de Conocimiento Sistema de diagnóstico en vivo de neutrones para hadrón-terapia His research contributes to improving radiation protection protocols, medical proton therapy accuracy, and understanding stellar nucleosynthesis processes in neutron-rich environments.
Dr. Jochen Ballof is a Staff Scientist in the Superheavy Element Chemistry department at GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, Germany. Previously, he worked as a Research Associate at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and as a Senior Fellow at CERN-ISOLDE. His academic background includes a PhD in Nuclear Chemistry from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and a Dipl.-Chem. in Chemistry from the same institution. Education: PhD in Nuclear Chemistry (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 2022) Diploma in Chemistry (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 2014) Ballof's research focuses on nuclear chemistry, superheavy element production, and innovative ion source development. He specializes in radioactive molecular beams, gas-phase chemistry of transactinides, and experimental techniques for fundamental symmetry studies. His work bridges nuclear physics and chemical separation methods through projects like EDM 3 and TASCA. Recent publications highlight his contributions to superheavy element discovery (2025), radioactive molecule production (2024), and ion source optimization (2023). His expertise spans computational modeling of ion transfer, experimental target design, and cryogenic spectroscopy of unstable isotopes. Presentations: Invited Talk: 14th International Conference on Stopping and Manipulation of Ions (2023) Contributed Talk: Fundamental Symmetries at FRIB Workshop (2022) Poster: ISOLDE Workshop and Users Meeting (2022) Contributed Talk: 19th International Conference on Electromagnetic Isotope Separators (2022) Contributed Talk: 19th International Conference on Ion Sources (2021) Dr. Ballof mentors students Katharina Hermainski and Felix Sprunk in PhD and Master’s research. His collaborations with institutions like CERN-ISOLDE, FRIB, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz drive advancements in nuclear chemistry and rare isotope studies.
Ruaridh Forbes is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Davis, Department of Chemistry. He leads the Forbes lab, which focuses on ultrafast laser sources to study photochemical reaction dynamics on femtosecond timescales. His research explores nuclear structures far from equilibrium and electronic energy flow in molecules during reactions, aiming to control chemical and biological processes. The lab conducts experiments at global X-ray light sources and tabletop setups. Forbes has held roles at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory since 2020, including Lead Scientist (2024), Staff Scientist (2022–2023), and Associate Staff Scientist (2021–2022). He earned a Ph.D. in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics from University College London (2018) and a M.S. in Chemical Physics from the University of Edinburgh (2014). Research Interests: Ultrafast laser spectroscopy Femtosecond/X-ray scattering techniques Photochemical reaction dynamics Electronic energy transfer mechanisms Molecular imaging via Coulomb explosion and covariance analysis Control of chemical reactions through light-matter interactions Publications: His recent work includes studies on X-ray-induced electron rearrangement, time-resolved Auger spectroscopy, and ultrafast electron diffraction imaging. These publications emphasize multi-channel dynamics analysis and novel laser-based methodologies. Labs/Teams: The Forbes Lab collaborates with global institutions like SLAC and utilizes cutting-edge X-ray facilities to advance real-time molecular imaging.
Bo Cederwall is a Professor of Physics at the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on experimental and applied nuclear physics, including studies of nuclear reactions at international facilities like GANIL (France), JYFL (Finland), and FAIR (Germany). He leads the Swedish participation in the AGATA project and pioneered the Neutron Gamma Emission Tomography (NGET) for nuclear waste characterization. Education: Master of Science in Engineering Physics, KTH (1987) PhD in Experimental Nuclear Physics, KTH (1992) Research Interests: Experimental nuclear physics, nuclear structure, radiation detection technology, and applications in nuclear safety, medical diagnostics, and nonproliferation. His work bridges fundamental research and practical solutions, such as NGET, which won the EURATOM Innovation Prize (2022). Notable Projects: AGATA (nuclear structure), NGET (waste imaging), and DESPEC (gamma spectroscopy). He has secured funding from the EU, Swedish Research Council, and Wallenberg Foundation. Awards: Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences' Innovation Top 100 (2021), EURATOM Innovation Prize (2022). Labs/Teams: AGATA collaboration, DESPEC project, and the Nuclear Physics Division at KTH (2011–2023).
