Jason R. Green is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Boston. With a PhD from Purdue University (2007) and postdoctoral experience at the Universities of Chicago, Cambridge, and Northwestern University, his research bridges theoretical chemistry, physics, and data science to explore nonequilibrium systems. His work focuses on transforming chemical energy into dynamically functional materials through interdisciplinary approaches. Education: B.S., Case Western Reserve University (cum laude, 2002) Ph.D., Purdue University (2007) with NASA Graduate Fellowship NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Chicago and University of Cambridge Research Interests: Theoretical chemical physics Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics Data science applications in chemical systems His recent publications analyze electrochemical material dynamics (ACS Nano 2024), chemically driven self-assembly (Chemical Science 2024), and thermodynamic speed limits across disciplines (Nature Physics 2020, Physical Review X 2022). He has received prestigious fellowships including NASA's Graduate Student Researchers Program and NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship. The Green Research Group at UMB applies theory, computation, and data science to understand energy transformation in synthetic and biological materials.
Prof. Laura Na Liu is a Professor and Director at the 2nd Physics Institute, University of Stuttgart, with a dual affiliation at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research. Her research bridges nanophotonics, DNA nanotechnology, and plasmonics, focusing on dynamic systems for biomedical applications, optical metamaterials, and synthetic biology. Key contributions include DNA-templated plasmonic architectures, reconfigurable metasurfaces, and synthetic cell components using DNA nanotechnology. Academic training includes advanced work in physics and materials science, with a career spanning leading institutions. Research interests emphasize the interplay between nanoscale structures and optical/chemical functionalities. Recent publications highlight innovations in programmable nanomaterials, real-time molecular tracking, and high-performance holography systems. Her work integrates experimental and theoretical approaches, addressing challenges in biophotonics, nanoelectronics, and smart materials. Awards and recognitions are listed in institutional records, while her lab actively collaborates with industry on applied photonics solutions.
Mark F. Bocko is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics at the University of Rochester, serving as Chair of the Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering since 2004. He holds a BA from Colgate University and advanced degrees (MS/PhD) in Physics from the University of Rochester. His research spans superconducting digital electronics, quantum computing, music signal processing, and smart sensor systems. Notable awards include the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (1991, 2002) and Professor of the Year (2002). His research groups focus on high-frequency digital signal processing using Josephson junctions, quantum coherence in superconducting circuits, and applications in music technology such as internet-based real-time musical collaboration. Collaborations include work with the Eastman School of Music and local industries on sensor networks and wireless technologies. Key contributions include developing GHz-rate analog-to-digital converters, quantum bit control systems, and music encoding algorithms. His NSF-funded projects explore internet2 applications for musical interaction and physical modeling in music systems.
Bhavin J. Shastri is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy at Queen's University in Canada. His research explores the physics of light for computing , pushing frontiers in information and signal processing through photonic computing and quantum/neuromorphic photonics . He is affiliated with the Centre for Nanophotonics and NUCLEUS , a pan-Canadian photonic computing program funded by NSERC CREATE, bridging artificial intelligence and quantum information . Canada Research Chair & Principal Investigator Faculty Affiliate at Vector Institute (2020-) Editorial Board Member of JPhys Photonics (2019-) Member of IEEE Photonics Society Technical Affairs Council (2019-) Visiting Researcher Scholar at Princeton University (2018-) Shastri Lab members have access to world-class shared facilities, including the Centre for Nanophotonics (CFI-Innovation Fund), Nanofabrication Kingston , the Centre for Advanced Computing , and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada . The lab takes an interdisciplinary approach combining nanophotonics with complex systems on emerging substrates. His research focuses on silicon photonics , nanophonic processors , and photonic integrated circuits with applications to deep learning , nonlinear programming , and quantum information science . His articles show consistent exploration of quantum photonic neural networks , photonic memory systems , and optical signal processing for machine learning and quantum technologies . 2020 IUPAP Young Scientist Prize in Optics 2014 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship 2012 D. W. Ambridge Prize 2011 IEEE Photonics Society Graduate Student Fellowship 2011 NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship Multiple Best Student Paper Awards Shastri's lab supervises Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral fellows working on quantum photonics , neuromorphic computing , and photonic AI systems . His recent work includes photonic tensor cores for scientific computing , quantum photonic neural networks , and all-optical memory systems. Shastri Lab designs programmable nanophotonic processors with potential to outperform microelectronic processors in energy efficiency and computational speeds by seven and four orders of magnitude respectively. Their work spans from device design to system-level implementations in optical computing for machine learning and quantum information processing .
Ramses Martinez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University . He holds a B.A. in Applied Physics from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (2004) and a Ph.D. in Physics and Materials Science from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in 2009. Prior to joining Purdue, he conducted postdoctoral research in the lab of Prof. George M. Whitesides at Harvard University, focusing on nanofabrication, microfluidics, and soft robotics. Education B.A. in Applied Physics, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (2004) Ph.D. in Physics and Materials Science, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) (2009) His research bridges soft robotics , flexible electronics , and nanofabrication , with a focus on creating self-powered e-textiles , omniphobic paper-based devices , and programmable mechanical metamaterials . His work has led to over 25 publications and 9 patents, emphasizing practical applications in health monitoring and industrial automation . Notable projects include waterproof electronic decals for biofluid monitoring, smart bandages for chronic wound detection, and laser nanoforming methods for scalable metallic structures. His research has been recognized through the Fulbright Fellowship and the Marie Curie IOF Grant .
Ross J. Kang is a Canadian mathematician currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Korteweg–de Vries Institute for Mathematics within the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam since 2022. He is an active member of the Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information group and the NETWORKS consortium. Previously, he held positions as Assistant/Associate Professor at Radboud University Nijmegen (2014-2022), Assistant Professor at Utrecht University (2013), and Researcher at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (2012-2013). His academic journey includes postdoctoral positions at Durham University (2010-2012) and McGill University (2008-2010), where he was advised by Bruce Reed and Louigi Addario-Berry. DPhil in Mathematics, University of Oxford (2008) - Thesis: 'Improper colourings of graphs', advised by Colin McDiarmid BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Victoria (2003) - Governor General's Silver Academic Medal recipient Ross J. Kang's research focuses on probabilistic and extremal combinatorics, random discrete structures, graph coloring, geometric graphs, and algorithms. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications, exploring fundamental questions in discrete mathematics. He has made significant contributions to understanding graph coloring problems, particularly in the contexts of list coloring, distance coloring, and strong coloring. His research often employs probabilistic methods to establish bounds and structural properties in graph theory. Kang's work on the hard-core model, local occupancy method, and triangle-free graphs has advanced our understanding of the interplay between local constraints and global structure in discrete systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on graph coloring problems, particularly list coloring variants and their extensions. His work frequently explores the relationship between graph structure (such as degree constraints, girth, or forbidden subgraphs) and coloring properties. A notable trend is his development and application of the local occupancy method to establish improved bounds for chromatic numbers in various graph classes. His research also demonstrates a consistent interest in extremal problems, seeking optimal configurations under specific constraints, particularly in the context of triangle-free graphs and geometric representations. NWO Open Competition M-1 grant entitled 'Asymptotic triangle-free structure (3Free)', 2022-2026 NWO Vidi grant entitled 'On the edge: theory and techniques at the frontiers of edge-colouring', 2017-2023 NWO Veni grant entitled 'Generalised colouring for random graph models', 2012-2015 Van Gogh travel grants (2020-2021 with Marthe Bonamy; 2016-2017 with Louis Esperet) Governor General's Silver Academic Medal (2003) Ross J. Kang has successfully supervised multiple PhD students including Eoin Hurley (defending May 2025), Stijn Cambie (defended April 2022), and François Pirot (winner of 2020 prix Charles Delorme). His research is supported by significant grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), including the prestigious Open Competition M-1 grant. Kang is actively involved in the academic community through his editorial role at Combinatorial Theory, co-organization of conferences like the Dutch Days of Combinatorics, and leadership in initiatives such as Innovations in Graph Theory, a diamond open access journal he helped launch in August 2023. As a member of the Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information group at the University of Amsterdam and the NETWORKS consortium, Kang collaborates with researchers across various institutions. He has established strong international connections through his Van Gogh travel grants and participation in collaborative projects like the Sparse (Graphs) Coalition sessions. His research group focuses on theoretical aspects of discrete mathematics with connections to quantum information science, and he maintains active collaborations with researchers across Europe and North America.
Hiroshi Toyoizumi is a Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of Commerce and Graduate School of Accountancy, with a Ph.D. in Mathematical Physics from Waseda University. His work bridges Applied Probability , Operations Research , and Computational Biology , focusing on stochastic modeling across biological and network systems. Research Interests Stochastic Models in Biology : Analyzing social queues in hover wasps and meiotic DSB regulation using quasi-birth-death processes and survival analysis. Network Security : Modeling computer virus spread on scale-free networks and proposing active defense strategies. Queueing Theory : Developing analytical frameworks for on-demand streaming, quantum merging, and blockchain-based systems. Article Trends Recent work (2020-2024) explores nonlocal diffusion , quantum queueing , and swarm behavior in financial markets . Mid-2010s studies focus on cooperative breeding and DNA recombination dynamics . Early papers (pre-2010) examine computer virus ecology , secure group communication , and deterministic queue analysis . Scientific Awards Biotechno 2013 Best Paper Award IEICE Switching Workshop SSE Research Award (1999) IEICE Young Research Engineer Award (1997) Teaching Activities Graduate-level courses in Operations Research and Financial Engineering . Undergraduate and graduate seminars in Applied Mathematics and Probabilistic Models .
Dr. Barak Ratzker is a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials , affiliated with the Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design department. His work focuses on the sustainable synthesis of materials, particularly through hydrogen-based reduction pathways and advanced sintering techniques like spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). His research spans transparent ceramics, MAX/MXene phases, and alloy design. Key research areas include: Hydrogen reduction of oxides for sustainable metallurgy Pressure-assisted sintering (SPS/HIP) of transparent ceramics Microstructure engineering in refractory materials Development of MXene-based composites for electronics Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of solid-state reactions His recent publications highlight trends in: Environmentally conscious processing of ferromanganese oxides High-pressure synthesis of MAX phases and MXenes Optimization of optical and mechanical properties in ceramics Dynamic deformation behavior under extreme conditions Biological material interactions (e.g., crusticul-chitin systems)
Professor Scott Anthony Sisson is a leading academic at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) , holding the position of Professor of Statistics and Data Science in the School of Mathematics and Statistics . He serves as Director of the UNSW Data Science Hub (uDASH) and Deputy Director of the UNSW AI Institute (UNSW.ai) . Previously, he was Deputy Director of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS) and held leadership roles in the Australasian Society of Bayesian Analysis and Statistical Society of Australia . PhD in Statistics (Bristol University, 2002) MSc in Environmental Statistics and Systems (Lancaster University, 1997) BSc in Mathematics and Statistics (Lancaster University, 1996) His research focuses on computational statistics and Bayesian inference , with expertise in machine learning , extreme value theory , and high-dimensional data analysis . He develops simulation-based algorithms for complex statistical problems and applies these to diverse scientific challenges like seagrass decline, urban flood modeling, and drug delivery systems. His recent work spans quantum computing for statistics, graphon modeling, and synthetic likelihood methods. Scientific awards include: 2024 Fellow of the International Society of Bayesian Analysis 2023 Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics 2017 ARC Future Fellowship 2010 Queen Elizabeth II Research Fellowship 2006 John Yu Fellowship His advising team has mentored students in statistical modeling, Bayesian computation, and applied data science. Grants from the Australian Research Council and industry collaborations support his research in government and scientific applications. He contributes as Associate Editor for Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics and Statistics and Computing .
Roozbeh Tabrizian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Florida, holding the Nelms Rising Star Endowed Professorship. His research focuses on RF micro- and nano-electro-mechanical systems (RF N/MEMS), nonlinear and nonreciprocal systems, and ferroelectric materials for sensing and information processing. He has received prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2018) and DARPA Young Faculty Award (2019). Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech (2013), BS from Sharif University of Technology (2007). Research interests include developing temperature-stable acoustic resonators, ferroelectric transducers, and novel materials for high-frequency applications. His work bridges nanotechnology, materials science, and MEMS to create innovative devices for communication and sensing. Key scientific awards include the HWCOE Innovation Award (2025), DARPA Director’s Fellowship (2021), and multiple best paper awards at international conferences. His grants include the NSF CAREER Award supporting nano-acoustic waveguide research. He advises on advanced MEMS fabrication techniques and collaborates on CMOS-compatible resonators. His lab develops nanoelectromechanical tags for anti-counterfeiting and high-precision frequency control systems.
Cosimo Lacava is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pavia, Department of Industrial and Information Engineering. He works in the Integrated Photonics Laboratory (Floor F) and specializes in silicon photonics, integrated optics, and nonlinear optics for optical communications applications. His research focuses on developing advanced photonic integrated circuits for next-generation optical networks and signal processing systems. Dr. Lacava's primary research interests include: Silicon and silicon nitride photonic devices (design, fabrication and testing) Integrated electro-optic devices for telecommunications applications Design of highly spectral-efficient optical networks enabled by advanced modulation formats Digital signal processing (DSP) for telecommunication and data communication applications Nonlinear optics for all optical signal processing His recent publication record demonstrates significant contributions to integrated photonics, particularly in wavelength conversion technologies, nonlinear signal processing, and silicon nitride platforms. The research shows a clear progression from fundamental studies of nonlinear optical properties to practical implementations of photonic integrated circuits for optical communications systems. His work bridges theoretical understanding with practical device development for real-world applications. Dr. Lacava received his education at the University of Pavia, graduating with honors in Electronic Engineering in 2011 and completing his PhD in Optoelectronics and Electronic Engineering in 2014. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Senior Research Fellow at the Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, and as a Postdoctoral researcher at the Quantum Electronics Laboratory at the University of Pavia working on the 'Fabulous' European Project. As an educator, he teaches Physics 1 for civil and environmental engineering students. His laboratory work in the Integrated Photonics Laboratory focuses on developing and testing photonic integrated circuits with applications spanning optical communications, signal processing, and emerging quantum information systems.
Zhenqiang Ma is a Lynn H. Matthias Professor and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work bridges semiconductor physics, flexible electronics, and bioelectronics, with affiliations in Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics and Materials Science & Engineering. Education: PhD, M.S.E., and MS in Electrical Engineering from University of Michigan; BS and BE in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University His research focuses on lattice-mismatched semiconductor heterostructures, flexible/stretchable electronics, neural interfaces, optoelectronic devices, and semiconductor processing. Articles highlight UV Micro-LEDs, heterojunction diodes, and stretchable microwave components. Scientific Awards: PECASE, Fellowships from AAAS, IEEE, and 5 other societies, Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, WARF Innovation Award Finalist, and 8+ Best Paper Awards Ma has supervised 60+ scientists/postdocs/PhDs and collaborates with biomedical engineering and medical school experts on vision restoration scaffolds and neuroprosthetic electrodes.
Kostas Magoutis is Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department at the University of Crete , and a collaborating researcher at FORTH-ICS . His research focuses on scalable distributed systems, cloud computing, IoT, and quantum-enhanced control. Education and Career: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Harvard University (2003) Research Staff Member, IBM T. J. Watson Research Center (2003-2009) Assistant Professor (2014-2019, tenured 2017) and Associate Professor (2020-2024), University of Crete Professor and Chair, University of Crete (2024-present) Research Interests: His work spans distributed computer systems , cloud computing , scalable data stores and stream-processing engines , Internet of Things , and the emerging area of quantum-enhanced control . Representative projects include the H.F.R.I.-funded QUADS (2025-2028) on quantum-enhanced adaptive systems, STREAMSTORE (2020-2023) on elastic stream processing, SmartCityBus on IoT-driven public transport, and the EU FP7 PaaSage project on model-based cloud lifecycle management. Awards and Honors: Best Paper Awards: USENIX ATC 2002, USENIX BSDCon 2002, IEEE SRDS 2014 (Best Student Paper), IoT 2024 (Runner-up) Grand Challenge Audience Award, ACM DEBS 2022 Best Poster Award, ACM EuroSys 2022 EU Marie Curie IEF Fellow (2009-2011) Alexander S. Onassis Fellow (1994-1995) and J. William Fulbright Scholar (1993-1994) Students and Mentoring: He has supervised or co-supervised more than 30 Ph.D., M.Sc. and undergraduate students, including Antonis Papaioannou (Ph.D. 2021), Efthimios Papageorgiou (current Ph.D.), and numerous M.Sc. graduates now in industry and academia. Labs and Teams: At FORTH-ICS he leads activities within the Distributed Systems and Storage Laboratory, coordinating research on scalable storage, stream processing, and IoT data management. The lab collaborates closely with European and national initiatives, hosting visiting researchers and industry partners.
Péter Szalay is a Full Professor at the Department of Physical Chemistry, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University (since 2004). He served as Director of the Institute of Chemistry (2005–2008) and Vice Rector for Research at ELTE (2015–2019). Currently, he is President of the Hungarian Chemical Society (since 2023). His research focuses on quantum chemical methods, electronic structure theory, and molecular spectroscopy, with notable contributions to coupled-cluster methods and excited-state calculations. He holds leadership roles in international scientific organizations, including membership in the Academia Europaea and European Academy of Sciences and Arts. Educations: Ph.D. in Chemistry (1989), University of Vienna C.Sc. (Candidate of Sciences, 1991) and D.Sc. (Doctor of Sciences, 1999) from Hungarian Academy of Sciences Habilitated Doctor (2001), Eötvös University Research Interests: Development of quantum chemical methods, excited-state dynamics, electron correlation effects, and computational thermochemistry. His work bridges theoretical and applied aspects, with applications in molecular spectroscopy and biomolecular systems. His awards include the prestigious Széchenyi Prize (2017) and Polányi Prize (2015). He has held visiting positions at the University of Florida (2010–2011, 1991–1993) and University of Texas at Austin (2003–2004). His publications span high-impact areas like the CFOUR program package and HEAT thermochemistry framework. Labs/Teams: Leads the Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry at ELTE, focusing on cutting-edge computational methods and their applications in chemistry and materials science.
Gordon Jones is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Hamilton College, serving as the Stone Professor of Natural History and Chair of Physics. His academic leadership extends to directing interdisciplinary research in Chemical Physics. Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, Princeton University M.A., Princeton University B.A., Williams College Specializing in neutron-based research, Jones explores both fundamental and applied physics. His work investigates time reversal symmetry and weak interactions in nuclei, while also developing neutron polarization techniques for materials science applications like magnetic computer hard drive components. Recent publications focus on neutron beta decay studies (2011-2021), emphasizing precision measurements of angular correlations and time reversal violation. Collaborative efforts span institutions such as NIST and Indiana University. American Physical Society award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution (2021) Samuel and Helen Lang Prize for Excellence in Teaching (2017) John R. Hatch Excellence in Teaching Award (2002) Recipient of five National Science Foundation grants and five Department of Energy grants, Jones bridges experimental physics with technological innovation. His laboratory develops advanced neutron optics tools, including polarized 3He cell systems, for probing magnetic materials.
