William Chueh is a Professor in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University. He serves as Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy and Faculty Director of the Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program. His research focuses on redox-active materials for energy storage, conversion, and carbon-neutral energy cycles. Education: PhD, Materials Science, Caltech (2010) BS, Applied Physics, Caltech (2005) Research Interests: Energy storage and conversion systems (batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers) Multi-scale electrochemical and chemical reaction dynamics Materials design rules for redox-active solids Thermodynamic frameworks for sustainable energy Publication Trends: His work spans fundamental materials synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and modeling of redox reactions. Key themes include solar thermochemical cycles, ceria-based systems for CO2/H2O conversion, and advanced battery technologies. Scientific Honors: Outstanding Young Investigator Award (MRS, 2018) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2016) Sloan Research Fellowship (2016) CAREER Award (NSF, 2015) Advising: He advises students in energy technologies, materials science, and electrochemistry, including doctoral and master’s candidates. Contact: wchueh@stanford.edu
Professor George Britovsek (FRSC) is a leading figure in catalysis and sustainable carbon management at Imperial College London . As Director of the MRes in Catalysis & Engineering and Head of Teaching in Inorganic Chemistry, he bridges academic leadership with cutting-edge research. His work focuses on transition metal complexes for converting ethylene , alkanes , biomass , and CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels through industrial collaborations. Education : M.Sc. (Technical University of Aachen, 1990), Ph.D. (Aachen, 1993) under Prof. W. Keim Postdoctoral Training : University of Tasmania (1994-1996), Imperial College London (1996-2000) His research interests span: Selective oxidation of alkanes using bio-inspired iron complexes Alkene conversions to functional polymers via novel catalysts CO₂ valorization into polymers and cyclic carbonates Biomass-derived feedstocks for chemical synthesis Recent catalysis trends highlight his work on: Designing Fe-N/C catalysts for epoxidation Developing PN3P pincer ligands for H₂ activation Creating degradable polyethylene via iron-catalyzed chain growth Modeling alternating α-olefin distributions in chromium systems Awards : Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) Students & Collaborators actively engage in: Photocatalytic polymer degradation Electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion Functionalized polymeric materials 3D-printed catalytic scaffolds His Britovsek Research Group operates at the Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, advancing both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis through experimental and computational approaches.
Graham Dobereiner is an Associate Professor and Robert L. Smith Early Career Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Temple University's College of Science and Technology. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University (2011) and completed postdoctoral research at MIT (2012-2014) after earning his B.S. from Brandeis University (2007). His research group develops novel homogeneous transition metal catalysts for synthetic chemistry applications spanning fine chemicals manufacturing, petrochemical processing, and drug discovery. The work integrates organometallic chemistry principles, combining organic molecular diversity with inorganic compound reactivity. Research areas include catalytic isomerization, oxidative synthesis, ligand design, and mechanistic studies of transition metal complexes. Analysis of his recent publications demonstrates strong emphasis on reaction mechanism elucidation, catalyst design for stereoselective transformations (particularly Z-selective isomerizations), and development of novel catalytic systems for sustainable synthesis. His group employs computational and experimental approaches to advance synthetic methodology.
Dieter Braun is a Professor in the Faculty of Physics at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), leading the Functional NanoSystems research group. He serves as speaker of the CRC 235 Emergence of Life and coordinates the Molecular Origins component of the Origins Cluster. Dr. Braun holds an ERC Synergy Grant (starting April 2025), leads the CRC 392 Molecular Evolution (starting April 2024), and is a Fellow in the Max Planck School Matter to Life (since October 2023). His research focuses on understanding the physical mechanisms that could have led to the emergence of Darwinian evolution from prebiotic molecules on early Earth. Braun's laboratory investigates non-equilibrium settings, particularly asymmetrically heated open cracks in rocks, which create intricate wet-dry cycles, temperature gradients, and fluidic effects that could drive molecular evolution. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology to explore how dead molecules might combine through physical forces into autonomous mechanisms of evolution. Analysis of Braun's recent publications reveals a strong focus on thermal gradients and non-equilibrium physics in prebiotic environments. His research demonstrates how heat flows can concentrate molecules, drive polymerization, create pH gradients, and enable non-enzymatic replication of nucleic acids. The publications span high-impact journals including Nature, Nature Physics, and Nature Chemistry, showing interdisciplinary work connecting physics, chemistry, geology, and biology in the context of life's origins. Klung-Wilhelmy Weberbank Price (2011) Technology Transfer Price of the DPG (with LMU and NanoTemper) Deutscher Innovationspreis (2012) Step Award (2012) Dr. Braun has successfully mentored numerous PhD students, including Stefan Duhr and Philipp Baaske who founded the award-winning startup NanoTemper Technologies. His research is supported by multiple prestigious grants including ERC Starting, Advanced, and Synergy Grants, as well as funding from the Simons Collaboration on the Origins of Life. His laboratory collaborates extensively with other researchers across disciplines and institutions, particularly with Hannes Mutschler in the new ERC Synergy project. The Braun laboratory operates within the CRC 235 Emergence of Life and the Origins Cluster at LMU Munich, with strong connections to the Max Planck Society through the Max Planck School Matter to Life. The research group maintains active collaborations with geochemists, biophysicists, and molecular biologists to create comprehensive experimental models of prebiotic environments.
Dr. Michael J. Katz is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He leads an active research group focused on porous materials, particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with applications in gas storage, chemical separation, and catalysis. His work is well-recognized in the field of materials chemistry, with numerous publications in high-impact journals spanning from 2005 to 2025. Dr. Katz's primary research interests lie in the synthesis, properties, and applications of porous materials. His work specifically focuses on: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) design and synthesis Gas storage technologies, particularly low-pressure methane storage Chemical separation processes including removal of harmful molecules from air Catalysis using porous materials Adsorption properties of various porous frameworks Environmental applications of porous materials Analysis of Dr. Katz's publication record from 2017-2025 reveals a strong emphasis on zirconium-based MOFs, particularly the UiO-66 family. His research spans fundamental characterization techniques like NMR spectroscopy to practical applications in carbon capture, gas separation, and environmental remediation. A notable trend is the increasing focus on real-world implementation of MOFs, including biochar-based materials for CO 2 capture and frameworks for air pollutant removal such as nitrous acid. His work demonstrates a progression from fundamental materials science toward practical environmental applications. Dr. Katz actively supervises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in his research group. His laboratory at Memorial University is equipped for the synthesis and characterization of novel porous materials, with particular expertise in metal-organic framework development. His research is supported by various grants that enable the exploration of structure-property relationships in porous materials and their practical applications.
Brice Kuhl is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Oregon , where he leads the Kuhl Lab. His research focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of memory formation, retrieval, and forgetting , utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques like fMRI and EEG combined with machine learning algorithms to analyze distributed neural activity patterns. His work explores mechanisms of memory interference resolution , forgetting , and neural representation transformation . Recent publications emphasize spaced learning , temporal memory dynamics , and memory-cognitive control interactions . The lab has received attention for decoding perceptual content from neural activity and reconstructing face images based on brain states. Current lab members include graduate students Anisha Babu , Tongle Cai , and America Romero , alongside postdocs like Soroush Mirjalili and Yoonjung Lee . The lab frequently presents at conferences like CNS and SFN , and maintains active collaborations in memory research and neuroimaging methodology . Notable projects include investigations into hippocampal pattern differentiation and parietal cortex roles in memory . The lab also contributes to open science initiatives with publicly available experimental codes and data .
Dist. Professor Leslie Yeo is a distinguished faculty member at RMIT University's School of Engineering, where he leads the Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL). With a PhD from Imperial College London (2002), he has held positions at Monash University and the University of Notre Dame before joining RMIT. His research focuses on the interactions between high-frequency sound waves and matter at micro and nanoscales. Leslie Yeo's educational background includes a PhD from Imperial College London (2002), where he received the Dudley Newitt prize for outstanding computational/theoretical work. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a Mathematical Modeller at Det Norske Veritas UK. He held prestigious Australian Research Fellowships (2009-2017) that supported his groundbreaking work in micro and nanophysics. Professor Yeo's research interests center around high-frequency (MHz order) sound waves interacting with various materials including fluids, two-dimensional and bulk crystals, biomolecules, cells and microorganisms. His work explores both fundamental physicochemical phenomena and practical applications in microfluidics, drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, and materials synthesis. His research has significant implications for health technologies, environmental applications, and sustainable energy solutions, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Analysis of Professor Yeo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on acoustofluidics and its diverse applications. His work demonstrates expertise in using surface acoustic waves for bacterial inactivation, synthesis of metal-organic frameworks, cell membrane manipulation, and energy conversion technologies. The research spans multiple disciplines including biomedical engineering, materials science, and environmental technology, with particular emphasis on practical applications that address real-world challenges. 2023: Fellowship of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (FIET) 2021: RMIT University Science, Technology, Engineering & Medicine College Research Impact Award 2019: RMIT University Distinguished Professorship 2018: RMIT University Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence 2016: Johnson & Johnson World Without Disease Quickfire Challenge Award 2007: Young Tall Poppy Science Award Professor Yeo has supervised numerous research students across engineering and science disciplines, with current projects focusing on acoustomicrofluidic synthesis of nanomaterials, high-frequency mechanobiology applications, and diagnostic technologies. His editorial roles include Editor-in-Chief of the American Institute of Physics journal Biomicrofluidics and Associate Editor of Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology. His work has been widely featured in media outlets including ABC's Catalyst, The Economist, and Nature. The Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory under Professor Yeo's leadership is at the forefront of fundamental and applied research on nonlinear high-frequency electroacoustic interactions. The laboratory has discovered novel physicochemical phenomena and actively develops theories to explain the fundamental mechanisms behind these discoveries, with applications ranging from medical diagnostics to sustainable energy solutions.
David Chester Upham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering within the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He leads the Upham Lab, which focuses on developing catalysts and processes for sustainable energy production, greenhouse gas mitigation, and CO 2 -free chemical conversion. Dr. Upham received his education from prestigious institutions: Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University (2019) Ph.D., University of California Santa Barbara (2017) B.Eng., McGill University (2010) Dr. Upham's research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis for sustainable energy applications. His work centers on developing catalysts and processes that enable CO 2 -free production of chemicals, power, and materials. He specializes in liquid heterogeneous catalysts , particularly molten metal alloys, for methane conversion, CO 2 utilization, and hydrogen production. His lab employs advanced techniques including operando IR spectroscopy, pulsed and transient analysis of reaction mechanisms, isotopic labeling studies, and in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. A key aspect of his research is understanding how liquid heterogeneous catalysts behave under reaction conditions, with applications in methane pyrolysis, dry reforming, and carbon fiber synthesis. Analysis of Dr. Upham's recent publications reveals a strong focus on CO 2 mitigation and clean energy production . His work spans multiple domains including methane conversion technologies, CO 2 -to-fuels processes, and carbon-negative fuel production. A significant portion of his research investigates molten metal catalysts for methane pyrolysis and dry reforming, with applications in hydrogen production and carbon capture. His publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach combining chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental engineering to address climate change challenges through innovative catalytic processes. Dr. Upham actively mentors a diverse group of graduate students and researchers. His lab currently includes multiple PhD and MASc students working on various aspects of catalysis and clean energy: PhD Students: Mark Tabbara, Genpei Cai, Natascha Miederhoff MASc Students: Michael Byun, Sawyer d'Entremont, Rami Jubeili, Wyatt Schnare Postdoctoral researcher: Sonit Balyan Multiple undergraduate and visiting students from institutions worldwide The Upham Lab operates within UBC's Catalysis Labs, utilizing advanced experimental techniques to study reaction mechanisms and develop new catalysts. The lab's research has significant implications for decarbonizing the energy and chemical sectors, with potential applications in hydrogen production, carbon fiber manufacturing, and CO 2 -to-fuels technologies.
Prof. Roland A. Fischer is a Full Professor at the Chair of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry at Technical University of Munich (TUM). Previously, he held a Full Professorship at Ruhr University Bochum (1997–2015). His research focuses on multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), clusters, and composites for energy conversion, catalysis, gas storage, and environmental applications. He leads the Catalysis Research Center and has pioneered advancements in MOF-based catalytic systems and stimuli-responsive materials. Education: 1981–1986: Diplom in Chemistry (TUM) 1989: PhD, Dr. rer. nat. (TUM) 1995: Habilitation (TUM) Research Interests: His work integrates molecular and extended catalytic systems, including: - Design of MOFs for photocatalytic fuel production - Nanoparticle encapsulation in robust frameworks - Redox-switchable materials and photochromic systems - Cluster chemistry and superatom complexes - Applications in energy storage, environmental remediation, and biomedical technologies. Major Achievements: Over 680+ publications, h-index 101 (Scopus 2025) Coordinator of EU projects (SURMOF, ENHANCE, DEFNET) Recipient of Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Award (1993) and Alfried Krupp Award (1996) Editorial roles: Angewandte Chemie , Chemical Vapour Deposition Grants & Teams: He has secured major grants including DFG Priority Programs (CVD-Materials, COORNETs) and led interdisciplinary teams in EU initiatives. His lab collaborates globally, including visiting professorships at Kyoto University and IIT Bombay. Labs & Facilities: His research uses advanced facilities like the Catalysis Research Center and contributes to platforms such as the Munich Catalysis Alliance. Key tools include atomic layer deposition, in situ characterization, and MOF-based device fabrication.
Menachem Elimelech is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and holds a secondary appointment at the School of the Environment at Yale University. He is a leading researcher in membrane-based water purification technologies, with a strong focus on desalination, wastewater recycling, and colloidal processes in aquatic systems. Department: Chemical and Environmental Engineering School: School of the Environment University: Yale University Email: menachem.elimelech@yale.edu His research spans fundamental and applied aspects of environmental engineering, particularly in developing advanced membranes for water treatment. Key areas include reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, solar-thermal desalination, and molecular-level understanding of transport phenomena in polyamide membranes. The recent publications (2025) demonstrate a strong trend toward molecular simulations, nanostructured membranes, and innovative materials like ceramic-carbon Janus membranes. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches to unravel ion and solute transport mechanisms, aiming to enhance efficiency and selectivity in water purification systems. Colloidal Processes in Aquatic Environments (2008–Present) Environmental Technology and Education (2008–Present) Recycling of Wastewater (2008–Present) Dr. Elimelech is actively involved in interdisciplinary research and collaborates with experts such as John Fortner and Matthew Eckelman. He contributes to the Yale Superfund Research Center and continues to publish in high-impact journals including Science Advances , Nature Communications , and Environmental Science & Technology .
Tom Schrijvers is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Engineering Science at KU Leuven, Belgium. He leads the Programming Languages Group within the Declarative Languages and Artificial Intelligence (DTAI) research group. His research focuses on programming languages, particularly functional and logic programming, with special emphasis on Haskell, type systems, and algebraic effects. His research interests include: Functional Programming, especially Haskell Type Systems and Type Theory Algebraic Effects and Handlers Logic Programming, particularly Prolog Constraint Programming Domain-Specific Languages Programming Language Theory Prof. Schrijvers' recent research has focused on effect systems, staged programming, and language composition. His work on algebraic effect handlers has been particularly influential, providing new insights into how effects can be modularly composed and handled in functional languages. He has also made significant contributions to the understanding of type classes and their implementation in Haskell. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on practical applications of programming language theory, with work spanning from foundational type theory to applied domain-specific languages for areas like fluorescence microscopy. His research often bridges the gap between theoretical programming language concepts and practical implementation concerns. Prof. Schrijvers has supervised numerous PhD students to completion, including Pieter Wuille, Benoit Desouter, George Karachalias, Steven Keuchel, Amr Saleh, Alexander Vandenbroucke, and Ruben Pieters. He currently supervises PhD students Klara Mardirosian, César Santos, Gert-Jan Bottu, Koen Pauwels, Birthe van den Berg, and Roger Bosman. His research group has received funding from various sources including EU projects like GRACeFUL. The Programming Languages Group at KU Leuven, which he leads, focuses on functional (Haskell) and logic (Prolog, Datalog, CLP) programming languages, as well as general programming language theory. The group has been active in numerous research projects and collaborations across Europe.
Jinsuo Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech, leading the Nuclear Materials and Fuel Cycle Center (NMFC). His research focuses on nuclear materials compatibility, fuel cycle technologies, and advanced reactor coolants. He joined Virginia Tech in 2017 to establish the NMFC, bringing expertise from Los Alamos National Laboratory in material degradation studies and pyroprocessing. His work addresses corrosion in molten salts, fuel-cladding interactions, and safeguards for nuclear systems. Education includes a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from Zhejiang University (2001) and a B.S. in Engineering Mechanics (1997). He directs the NMFC, exploring nuclear fuel materials, coolant advancements, and fuel cycle innovations. Research highlights include molten salt reactor technologies, electrochemical separation methods, and corrosion mitigation strategies for extreme reactor environments.
Dr. Yanchao Liu is an Associate Professor at Wayne State University's College of Engineering, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. He has received research funding from the National Science Foundation and the State of Michigan, including the NSF Career Award. His academic career spans prior industry roles as a Data Scientist and Manager of Advanced Analytics at Sears Holdings Corporation (2016-2017) and Director of Brand Marketing Analytics at Catalina Marketing Corporation (2017). He teaches courses in data science, IoT, and stochastic processes. B.S. Industrial Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2006) M.S. Industrial Engineering, University of Arkansas (2008) Ph.D. Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2014) Dr. Liu's research focuses on mathematical modeling for transportation systems, industrial AI, and data analytics. His work addresses drone traffic management, battery-constrained delivery routing, and optimization algorithms for urban mobility. He has developed novel methods for UAV safety diagnostics, random forest implementations, and fairness-aware path planning in urban air mobility. His publications span journals like Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics , Transportation Research Part C , and IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems , with conference contributions at IISE and FAIM. His research combines theoretical advancements with practical applications in smart cities and logistics. NSF Career Award (2020) Faculty Research Excellence Award (2021) IEEE PES Best Conference Paper (2015) IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid Best Reviewer (2015) Hubei Province Distinguished Bachelor’s Thesis Award (2006) Dr. Liu advises PhD students like Zhenyu Zhou and J. Chen. He has contributed to energy market modeling (with M.C. Ferris) and published extensively on drone operations, machine learning algorithms, and stochastic processes. His work includes U.S. patent pending applications for UAV safety systems.
T. Alan Hatton is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering within the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His career spans over four decades with significant contributions to electrochemical separation processes and sustainable engineering solutions. Current research focuses on developing next-generation electrochemical systems for critical environmental challenges. Education: Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1981 M.Sc. Eng, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa, 1976 B.Sc. Eng, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa, 1972 Professor Hatton's research centers on electrochemically-mediated separation processes , specifically targeting carbon capture from diverse sources (post-combustion flue gas, ambient air, and ocean water) and advanced water purification systems. His work integrates fundamental transport phenomena with innovative electrochemical engineering to create energy-efficient solutions. Key methodologies include redox-active materials, electro-swing adsorption, and molten salt electrochemistry, with strong emphasis on scalability and real-world implementation. Recent breakthroughs involve oxygen-stable quinone systems for direct air capture and marine carbon dioxide removal technologies. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a concentrated focus on electrochemical CO 2 capture and conversion , with 87% of works directly addressing carbon management. Dominant themes include redox-active material design (particularly quinones and iron complexes), process thermodynamics optimization, and novel reactor architectures like fiber sorbents and photoelectrochemical systems. The research demonstrates consistent progression toward practical implementation, with increasing attention to marine carbon removal and integration with renewable energy sources. Scientific Awards: Founding Fellow, AIMBE, 1992 Merck Faculty Development Award, 1989 Class of '22 Career Development Chair, 1988 Presidential Young Investigator Award, NSF, 1985 Everett Moore Baker Award for Excellence in UG Teaching, MIT, 1983 Professor Hatton leads an active research group developing electrochemical separation technologies with significant industry and environmental impact. His laboratory operates at the intersection of fundamental electrochemistry and applied environmental engineering, securing sustained funding for projects targeting carbon capture scalability and water purification innovation. Current efforts focus on translating electro-swing adsorption technology to commercial applications through startup ventures, while maintaining strong educational contributions through MIT's chemical engineering curriculum. The research team maintains collaborations with national laboratories and industry partners to accelerate technology deployment.
Professor Paul C. Bressloff holds the Chair in Applied Mathematics and Stochastic Processes at Imperial College London's Department of Mathematics within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. His research focuses on stochastic and non-equilibrium processes, particularly in molecular and cell biology, utilizing tools from probability theory, statistical physics, and dynamical systems. He authored a seminal textbook Stochastic Processes in Cell Biology (Springer), with a 2nd edition published in 2022. Previously, he led the graduate program in mathematical biology at the University of Utah from 2001 to 2023. Research interests include stochastic multi-particle systems, active particles, phase separation, and diffusion across semi-permeable interfaces. His work spans applications in neural field theory, cytoneme-mediated morphogenesis, and protein trafficking. He is affiliated with the Biomathematics Group and Mathematical Physics Group at Imperial. Recent articles explore stochastic resetting in search processes, narrow-capture problems, and hybrid models of switching diffusions. His advising includes over 20 graduate students, many now faculty in mathematical biology. His contributions bridge applied mathematics and biological systems, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to complex stochastic phenomena.
