Alfredo Pasquarello is a Full Professor at the Chair of Atomic Scale Simulation within the Condensed Matter Theory Laboratory (CSEA) at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) . He teaches courses such as Computer Simulation of Physical Systems I and General Physics: Quanta . Education: Physics at Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa (1986), University of Pisa (1986), PhD at EPFL (1991). Research: Focuses on atomic-scale simulations using density functional theory (DFT) and many-body perturbation to study defects in oxides , oxide-semiconductor interfaces , and energy materials like perovskites and photocatalysts. Recent Publications: 15 most recent articles (2022–2024) address band gaps, polarons, water splitting, and defect engineering in materials for photovoltaics and electrochemistry. Awards: Recipient of the EPFL Latsis Prize (1998) . Students: Supervised PhD/Master's students including Stefano Falletta, Thomas Bischoff, Patrick Gono, and Zhendong Guo. Labs: Leads the Chair of Atomic Scale Simulation at EPFL SB IPHYS CSEA.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Thiede is a faculty member at the University of Paderborn , affiliated with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics and the Institute of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology . He serves as director of the High-frequency electronics (HFE) research group. Research Interests: High-frequency electronics and optoelectronics Quantum dots and exciton qubits Nonlinear photonics and ultrafast control Semiconductor device engineering Key Projects: Participates in TRR 142: Tailor-Made Nonlinear Photonics , focusing on functional structures for quantum and ultrafast systems. Teaching Roles: Analog CMOS circuits (does not apply) Analog CMOS ICs (cancelled) Contact Details: Email: andreas.thiede@uni-paderborn.de Phone: +49 5251 60-3040 Office: Pohlweg 47-49, 33098 Paderborn Space: P1.402.1
Prof. Dr. Robert Blick is a faculty member at the University of Hamburg , leading the Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics under the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences. He serves as Director of the Center for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHyN) and Head of the Board of Examiners of Nano-Science. Research Focus: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), quantum dots, superconducting thin films, biomaterials, and nanomechanical devices. Key Collaborations: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), molecular-beam epitaxy groups, Forschungslabor Mikroelektronik Deutschland. His academic contributions span nanoscience, materials growth, and biomedical applications. Current funding includes support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Exzellenzcluster CUI, and the Joachim Herz Foundation. The CHyN research group operates a state-of-the-art clean room facility for electron-beam and focused-ion-beam lithography, enabling 8nm feature definition on 6-inch wafers. Applications of his work include memristor technology, quantum devices, and advanced biosensors. His PhD students include Ahmed Alshaikh, Kristian Deneke, Daniel Hensel, Marianna Brede, Daniel Schmidt, Malte Siegmund, and Jan Stelzner. Senior researchers Dr. Stefanie Haugg and Dr. Robert Zierold contribute to materials growth and atomic layer deposition.
Jung Han is the William A. Norton Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Yale University, affiliated with the School of Engineering & Applied Science. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and leads the Optoelectronics Materials and Devices Group, focusing on interdisciplinary research in III-nitride semiconductors, optoelectronics, and power electronics. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in solid-state lighting, energy harvesting, and next-generation electronics. Research interests include wide-bandgap semiconductor materials (e.g., GaN), nanoscale device fabrication, and epitaxial growth techniques. He pioneered nanoporous GaN distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for high-efficiency LEDs and lasers, as well as selective-area growth methods for power electronics. His lab explores green energy technologies, flexible electronics, and hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductors. Publications emphasize advancements in GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), SWIR detectors, and micro-LED displays. Recent work addresses challenges in defect control, scalability of III-nitride devices, and integration with emerging materials. His group collaborates across engineering, applied physics, and chemistry to advance sustainable energy and high-performance optoelectronics. Notable contributions include wafer-level integrated white-LEDs with quantum dots, damage-free in-situ GaN etching via TBCl, and stacking-fault-free GaN growth on foreign substrates. His research has been recognized in high-impact journals like Advanced Materials and Applied Physics Letters .
Na Young Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo with affiliations at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. She holds cross-appointments in the Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry. Her research focuses on developing large-scale quantum processors using novel materials and advanced technologies, including semiconductor quantum processors and multi-functional nanoscale devices. Dr. Kim leads the Quantum Innovation (QuIN) laboratory, pioneering projects in planar architecture design for quantum devices integrating electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical functionalities. Prior to academia, she worked at Apple Inc. on small display technologies. She earned a BS in Physics from Seoul National University and a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University, where she specialized in mesoscopic transport in nanostructures. Her postdoctoral work expanded into quantum optics and nanophotonics through collaborations with international researchers. Current teaching includes courses on quantum mechanics, quantum computing algorithms, quantum information processing devices, and photonic systems. She actively supervises graduate students in quantum technology development and is accepting new applications. Research activities span quantum artificial intelligence, quantum security protocols, and nanotechnology applications. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with experimental implementations in solid-state quantum systems.
John M. Dallesasse is the Gregory E. Stillman Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Facilities and Capital Planning. He holds dual roles in academia and industry leadership, with prior experience as CTO, Vice President, and co-founder of Skorpios Technologies. His expertise spans optoelectronics, semiconductor materials, and photonic integration. Dallesasse earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from UIUC ECE in 1985, 1987, and 1991, respectively. His research focuses on III-V semiconductors, heterogeneous integration, quantum cascade lasers, and silicon photonics. He has pioneered innovations like III-V oxidation and the transistor-injected quantum cascade laser. Education: Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, UIUC, 1991 M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, UIUC, 1987 B.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, UIUC, 1985 Research Interests: Compound semiconductor materials and devices Heterogeneous integration and wafer bonding Quantum cascade lasers and transistor lasers Photonic integration and silicon photonics III-Nitride devices and optoelectronics Awards: IEEE Fellow (2015) Optica Fellow (2013) Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (2016) Advising and Labs: Leads the Advanced Semiconductor Device and Integration Laboratory Mentors undergraduate researchers in semiconductor innovation and photonics
Scott Geyer is an Associate Teaching Professor of Chemistry at Wake Forest University, located in Winston-Salem, NC. He holds a B.S. (2005) from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. (2010) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Research Focus : Dr. Geyer’s research bridges chemical education and materials science. In pedagogy, he emphasizes laboratory course design to enhance student decision-making and scientific communication skills, particularly for graduate program applications. His materials research explores nanocrystal-based catalytic systems for energy applications, including water splitting, CO2 reduction, and photocatalytic processes. Key Contributions : His work includes developing trifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting, lead-free perovskite alternatives for CO2 reduction, and scalable H2O2 electrosynthesis. His studies often combine computational modeling (e.g., DFT simulations) with experimental synthesis of nanomaterials. Awards & Recognition : No specific awards listed, though his publications reflect sustained contributions to catalysis and nanomaterial research. Advising & Grants : While no advisees are listed, his teaching role likely involves mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in laboratory practices and research methodologies. His work is supported by grants focused on sustainable energy materials. Labs & Teams : Engaged with Wake Forest’s chemistry department labs, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts in nanomaterials and sustainable chemistry.
Dr. Scott Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at McMaster University, where he focuses on teaching and research in embedded systems, RF technologies, and biomedical sensors. He previously held roles as a lecturer at the University of Waterloo and program coordinator at Conestoga College, alongside industry experience in embedded systems engineering and sensor development. Education: B.A.Sc. (Simon Fraser University, 2007) and Ph.D. (University of Waterloo, 2015), followed by a MITAC postdoctoral fellowship. His industry experience includes roles at Thalmic Labs/North, Sober Steering Sensors, and Equustek Solutions. Research interests span embedded systems for IoT, RF biomedical sensors, cleanroom micro/nano-fabrication, and game design in Unity. Notable achievements include a 2018 US patent for ethanol sensing technologies and a 2021 teaching award nomination. Current courses taught include Principles of Programming (COMPENG 2SH4), Data Structures and Algorithms (COMPENG 2SI3), and Introduction to Electrical Engineering (ELECENG 2CI4). Awards: US Patent 9,958,444B2 (2018), nominated for Aubrey Hagar Distinguished Teaching Award (2021). His work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing practical applications in wearable sensors, quantum computing components, and interdisciplinary engineering solutions.
Robert M. Weikle, II is a Professor in the Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Virginia, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Physics. He earned his B.S. from Rice University (1986), M.S. (1987), and Ph.D. (1992) in Electrical Engineering from Caltech, followed by postdoctoral work at Chalmers University of Technology (1992). His research focuses on millimeter-wave and terahertz electronics , applied electromagnetics, integrated antennas, low-noise sensors, and heterogeneous integration of compound semiconductors. His work bridges electronics and photonics for spectrum access, with applications in astronomy, spectroscopy, and metrology. He has published extensively on micromachined silicon substrates, superconducting materials, and emerging technologies. Scientific Awards: IEEE Microwave Prize (1993) David A. Harrison III Award (1999) University of Virginia All-University Outstanding Teaching Award (2000) Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year (2016) Fulbright Scholar (2001) As Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Dominion Microprobes, Inc., he commercializes micromachined wafer probes for high-frequency metrology. His lab, located in E220 Thornton Hall and the Jesse W. Beams Physics Building, has produced 15+ recent publications on submillimeter-wave devices, THz probes, and calibration techniques.
John M. Nichol is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester, where he has conducted experimental quantum research since 2016 following postdoctoral work at Harvard University. His work bridges fundamental quantum mechanics and applied quantum computing development. Education: B.A. in Physics, St. Olaf College (2006) Ph.D. in Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2013) Postdoctoral Associate, Harvard University Nichol's research centers on experimental quantum information processing using semiconductor nanostructures, with primary focus on electron spin qubits in quantum dots. His lab investigates quantum coherence mechanisms, develops noise-resilient control protocols for spin qubits, and explores quantum information transfer across spin chains. Key initiatives include engineering novel materials for extended qubit lifetimes, implementing dynamical decoupling techniques to combat decoherence, and studying many-body quantum phenomena in engineered spin systems. This work directly addresses scalability challenges in solid-state quantum computing. Analysis of Nichol's 2021-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in semiconductor spin qubit optimization, with 80% of papers addressing coherence preservation through charge noise mitigation and advanced control methods. His research increasingly integrates hybrid quantum systems, combining spin qubits with acoustic wave devices and superconducting resonators. Recurring subfields include Si/SiGe heterostructure engineering, quantum fluctuator characterization, and quantum simulation using spin chains - reflecting a strategic focus on overcoming material limitations in quantum hardware. Scientific Awards: National Science Foundation CAREER award Google Research Scholar Award Leonard Mandel Faculty Fellow Award Nichol's research program is supported by competitive grants including the NSF CAREER award (funding coherence enhancement research) and Google Research Scholar Award (supporting quantum control innovations). His laboratory trains graduate students in nanofabrication, cryogenic measurement techniques, and quantum device characterization, with emphasis on translating fundamental discoveries into practical quantum computing components. Current projects focus on long-distance quantum state transfer and error-corrected multi-qubit operations. The Nichol Lab operates specialized facilities for quantum dot device fabrication and millikelvin transport measurements at the University of Rochester. His team collaborates with materials scientists on heterostructure growth and theorists on quantum simulation protocols, maintaining strong ties with semiconductor industry partners for advanced material development. Recent expansions include acoustic wave integration platforms for hybrid quantum systems.
Maiken H. Mikkelsen is the James N. and Elizabeth H. Barton Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics . Her research focuses on quantum nanophotonics , plasmonics , and light-matter interactions in nanoscale materials, aiming to advance optoelectronics, quantum science, and biomedical diagnostics. Education B.S. in Physics, University of Copenhagen (2004) Ph.D. in Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley Her work explores nanophotonic engineering for quantum optics , spintronics , and ultrafast optoelectronics , with recent studies on nonlinear metasurfaces and plasmonic enhancement of immunoassays for point-of-care diagnostics. Publications highlight 2D semiconductor emission control , ultrafast single-photon sources , and metasurface-based photodetectors . Scientific Awards Maria Goeppert Mayer Award (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2015) Moore Inventor Fellow (2021) ONR/Air Force/Army Young Investigator Awards (2015-2017) Cottrell Scholar (2016) Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2021) She advises graduate students in Duke’s Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics programs and leads the Mikkelsen Lab , which emphasizes ultrafast spectroscopy and quantum material development . The lab has graduated PhD students like Eunso Shin and Hengming Li (2025).
François Peeters is a Full Professor of Physics at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, holding the position since 2000 (with Dutch title 'gewoon hoogleraar' since 2003). He previously served as Research Director (FWO-VI) at the University of Antwerp (1996-1999), Research Leader (NFWO) (1992-1996), and Senior Research Assistant (NFWO) (1988-1992), establishing a distinguished academic career spanning over three decades. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Antwerp (1982), followed by a Habilitation (Hoger aggregaat) from the same institution (1987), and a postdoctoral fellowship at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey (1982-1983). His academic journey also featured research periods at prestigious institutions including the High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Grenoble, University of California Berkeley, Oxford University, and several Brazilian and Australian universities. Peeters' research focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics , specializing in the electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of nanostructured systems. His work encompasses semiconductors , superconductors , graphene , and hybrid quantum systems , with particular emphasis on strong correlations in both classical (colloids, dusty plasma) and quantum (quantum dots) environments. His theoretical frameworks bridge fundamental quantum mechanics with practical nanotechnology applications, driving innovations in spintronics and quantum device design. Analysis of his publication record reveals a clear evolution from foundational work on polaron physics and quantum Hall systems in the 1980s-1990s toward contemporary research on graphene, topological materials, and programmable quantum nanodevices. His most cited works demonstrate consistent leadership in mesoscopic physics, with recent publications showing increased focus on spin-dependent transport phenomena and two-dimensional material systems. His scientific recognition includes: Fellowship in the American Physical Society (2005) APS Outstanding Referee award (2008) Doctor Honoris Causa from University of Szeged, Hungary (2009) Peeters has supervised 26 completed PhD theses and currently leads the Condensed Matter Theory research group comprising 3 ZAP researchers, 16 PhD students, and 8 postdocs. His grant portfolio includes coordination of an EU Marie Curie Training site on 'Electrons on helium', participation in multiple EU projects, COST actions, and ESF networks, demonstrating sustained success in securing competitive international funding. The Condensed Matter Theory group maintains extensive international collaborations, evidenced by Peeters' research visits to over 10 institutions worldwide and regular hosting of 3-4 international visitors at postdoc or professorial levels. The group's output of over 770 refereed publications with 12,000+ citations reflects its position at the forefront of theoretical condensed matter physics research.
Mette Gaarde is the Les and Dot Broussard Alumni Professor of Physics at Louisiana State University (LSU), Department of Physics & Astronomy. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Copenhagen (1997). Her research focuses on ultrafast atomic, molecular, and optical physics theory, particularly probing laser-matter interactions using attosecond and femtosecond pulses. She leads the LSU ultrafast AMO theory group, addressing dynamics in transparent solids, attosecond transient absorption, charge migration, and mid-infrared filamentation. Education: Ph.D., University of Copenhagen, Denmark (1997) Research Interests: Dr. Gaarde’s work bridges ultrafast AMO science and nonlinear optics. Key areas include high-harmonic generation (HHG) in solids, attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (ATA), and charge migration in organic molecules. Her group employs time-dependent Schrödinger equation, density functional theory, and semiconductor Bloch equations to model quantum-classical interactions. Recent studies explore HHG in monolayer MoS₂, particle-like charge migration, and resonant XUV propagation. Selected Research Trends: Publications highlight advancements in HHG theory, charge migration control via strong-field ionization, and filamentation of mid-infrared laser pulses. Collaborations with experimental groups at SLAC, Ohio State University, and European institutions have advanced applications in solid-state spectroscopy and molecular dynamics. Awards: Les and Dot Broussard Alumni Professor of Physics (LSU) Advising & Collaborations: Her research involves postdocs and graduate students in interdisciplinary projects. Ongoing collaborations focus on high-harmonic spectroscopy, attosecond solitons, and nonlinear fiber optics. Labs/Teams: Leads the LSU ultrafast AMO theory group, affiliated with the Hearne Institute for Theoretical Physics.
Dr. Emanuele Pelucchi is a Research Professor and Head of the Epitaxy and Physics of Nanostructures (EPN) group at Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork. His research focuses on quantum technologies, epitaxial growth (MBE/MOVPE), quantum dot physics, and photonic integration. He leads a world-class MOVPE facility, pioneering developments in site-controlled quantum dots and entangled photon emitters. Pelucchi's work has resulted in over 129 international publications with an h-index of 28 (Scholar), including contributions to Nature Photonics and NanoLetters. He has held a Science Foundation Ireland Principal Investigator grant since 2006, establishing his group at Tyndall in 2007. His expertise spans semiconductor nanostructures, including III-V materials and quantum optics. Pelucchi actively reviews for top journals and chairs international conferences, contributing to the field's academic discourse. His MOVPE laboratory is recognized as a key resource for III-V materials, serving as a secondary supplier to the UK National Centre for III-V Materials. Pelucchi's research bridges fundamental physics and applied photonics, driving advancements in quantum information processing and optoelectronic devices.
Vladimir Bulović is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, holding the Fariborz Maseeh Chair in Emerging Technology. He serves as Founding Director of MIT.nano, a 20,000 m² nanofabrication and prototyping facility. His research focuses on nanoscale materials, renewable energy, and optoelectronics, with emphasis on scalable solar technologies and printed electronics. Education: B.S.E. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University. Research Interests: Development of thin-film photovoltaics (perovskites, organic PVs), energy-efficient optoelectronics, and advanced manufacturing techniques. His work bridges nanotechnology with real-world applications, such as transparent solar cells and flexible electronics. Key innovations include vapor transport deposition (VTD) for perovskite solar cells and scalable printed electronics. Publications: Over 250 articles (45,000+ citations) focus on perovskite materials, semiconductor fabrication, and optoelectronic device optimization. Recent trends emphasize machine learning-driven materials design and stability enhancement strategies for photovoltaics. Awards: MacVicar Fellowship (2018), Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher (2018) Advising & Grants: Co-founded Ubiquitous Energy, Kateeva, and QD Vision. Led projects on grid-edge solar solutions and MIT-Eni Solar Frontiers Center. Served as Associate Dean for Innovation and Director of MIT’s Innovation Initiative (2013–2018). Labs/Teams: Directs the Organic and Nanostructured Electronics Lab and oversees MIT.nano’s interdisciplinary research programs.
