Benjamin Machta is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Yale University, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the QBio Institute. He holds a BS from Brown University and a PhD from Cornell University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University. His research focuses on applying theoretical physics to understand biological systems, particularly leveraging statistical physics and information theory to study biological membranes near critical points and the energetic constraints of biological signaling. Education: BS in Physics (Brown University), PhD in Physics (Cornell University), Postdoc at Princeton University (Lewis-Sigler Theory Fellow). Research Interests include: membrane criticality, phase transitions in biological systems, information-theoretic limits in organism function, and energy dissipation in biological processes. His work often bridges theoretical models with experimental data, such as collaborations with Sarah Veatch’s lab on membrane phase behavior. Publications highlight themes like membrane criticality, protein phase separation, and energy constraints in signaling. His group’s current projects explore cochlear mechanics, thermodynamic control in biological systems, and the role of criticality in sensory systems. Awards: 2019 Simons Investigator Award. Lab Affiliations: QBio Institute and Department of Physics at Yale, located in YSB-C164. Group members include postdocs Isabella Graf and Michael Abbott, and graduate students Asheesh Momi, Mason Rouches, and others.
Jean-François Le Gall is a full Professor at Université Paris-Saclay and a member of the Orsay Mathematics Laboratory (LMO) since 2006. He has held prominent positions at Pierre and Marie Curie University (1988-2006) and École Normale Supérieure (1997-2007). A Senior Member of the University Institute of France (2007-2017) and an elected member of the Academy of Sciences since 2013, he served as Vice-President of Research for the Mathematics Department at Orsay (2020–present) and led the ERC Advanced Grant GeoBrown (2017–2023). Education: Ecole Normale Supérieure (1978–1982), PhD in stochastic differential equations (1982), State Doctorate on Brownian motion (1987) Research Interests focus on probability theory , particularly Brownian motion , superprocesses , random trees , planar maps , and their connections to PDEs and geometric models. His work bridges stochastic analysis , branching processes , and coalescence phenomena . Selected Publications include foundational studies on the Brownian map , random geometry , and spatial branching processes . His 2025 paper on The area of spheres in the Brownian plane explores fractal properties of random metric spaces, while the 2020 Growth-fragmentation processes work links Brownian trees to fragmentation models. Scientific Distinctions : 1986 Rollo Davidson Prize 1997 Loève Prize in Probability 2005 Sophie Germain and Fermat Prizes 2019 Wolf Prize in Mathematics 2022 BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award Academic Leadership includes directing the Probability and Statistics Team (2013–2019) and the Master 2 in Probability and Statistics (2007–2015). He chairs editorial roles in Grundlehren der mathematischen Wissenschaften (since 2020) and Probability Theory and Related Fields (2005–2010).
Daria Frank is a Senior Teaching Associate in Computational Mathematics at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), University of Cambridge, a position held since 2023. Previously, she served as Sultan Qaboos Early-Career Research Fellow and College Lecturer in Mathematics at Corpus Christi College (2020-2023), Director of Studies in Mathematics at Selwyn College (2019-2020), and Research Associate in Fluid Mechanics at DAMTP (2015-2019). Her academic foundation includes a PhD from DAMTP, University of Cambridge (2012-2015), Part III Mathematical Tripos at Cambridge (2009-2010), Diploma in Mathematics from Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (2010-2011), and undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Physics at the same institution (2006-2009). Dr. Frank's research centers on complex fluid phenomena with emphasis on buoyancy-driven environmental flows , rotating plume dynamics , and practical engineering applications . Her work investigates pollution dispersal mechanisms, tornado formation processes, and energy-efficient building systems through rigorous theoretical and experimental frameworks. Key contributions address multiphase interactions in stratified environments and vortex behavior under rotational forces, bridging fundamental fluid dynamics with real-world environmental challenges. Publication trends reveal consistent focus on geophysical and environmental fluid mechanics, with recurring themes of density stratification effects, multiphase plume behavior, and rotational influences across atmospheric, oceanic, and built environments. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between theoretical modeling and practical engineering solutions. Dr. Frank held the prestigious Sultan Qaboos Early-Career Research Fellowship, supporting her investigations into fluid mechanics phenomena. Her academic service includes significant teaching responsibilities as Director of Studies in Mathematics at Corpus Christi College. As Director of Studies, she oversees undergraduate mathematics education while conducting research within DAMTP's fluid dynamics community. Her Sultan Qaboos Fellowship provided dedicated research time for fluid mechanics investigations, complementing her teaching role through integration of cutting-edge research into pedagogy. Current work continues to explore environmental fluid dynamics with potential applications in climate modeling and sustainable engineering.
Michael R. Dove is the Margaret K. Musser Professor of Social Ecology and Professor of Anthropology at Yale University, where he also serves as Curator of Anthropology at the Peabody Museum and Co-Coordinator of the Combined YSE/Anthropology Doctoral Program. With over forty years of research experience, his work focuses on environmental anthropology, particularly the environmental relations of local communities in South and Southeast Asia. Dove earned his B.A. from Northwestern University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University. His academic journey has spanned decades of field research in Asia, including more than a dozen years conducting long-term studies on human ecology in Borneo and Java, developing government research capacity in Indonesia, and advising the Pakistan Forest Service on social forestry policies. Professor Dove's research interests encompass the anthropology of climate change, cultural and political aspects of natural hazards and disasters, indigenous environmental knowledge and practice, environmental institutions and movements, history of environment-related sciences, and multispecies ethnography. His work often examines how local environmental systems interact with national and global markets, politics, and ideologies, with a focus on problematizing orthodox approaches to conservation and development. He has made significant contributions to understanding human-environment relations through both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Dove's recent scholarly output demonstrates a progression toward more integrated approaches to environmental challenges, blending historical perspectives with contemporary issues. His publications increasingly focus on the intersections of climate change, social justice, and indigenous knowledge systems, while maintaining his longstanding interest in Southeast Asian environmental relations. The work shows a growing emphasis on post-humanist approaches and multispecies ethnography, reflecting broader trends in environmental anthropology while maintaining his distinctive focus on political ecology and institutional analysis. As an educator, Professor Dove has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, many of whom have gone on to win research awards and secure prestigious positions. He organizes separate research labs for doctoral students from Yale School of the Environment and other departments, as well as for joint YSE/Anthropology doctoral students. His advisees typically conduct international research and have excellent records of obtaining research support both within and beyond Yale. The Dove Lab at Yale School of the Environment serves as a hub for environmental anthropology research, focusing on topics including natural resource management, property rights, power struggles, household energy transitions, and human-wildlife interactions. The lab fosters a collaborative environment with 30-50 students working on related issues each year, characterized by supportive peer dynamics rather than competition. It also contributes to policy and social change through its research and the work of its alumni.
Yiping Lu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering. His research focuses on developing interdisciplinary approaches combining domain knowledge (differential equations, stochastic processes), machine learning, and experiments. Key interests include scientific machine learning (AI4Science), stochastic simulation, and robust machine learning. Education: Ph.D. in Applied and Computational Mathematics, Stanford University (2023) B.S. in Computational Mathematics, Peking University (2019) Research Highlights: Hybrid research integrating ML with scientific domains like PDEs and inverse problems Development of Physics-Informed Learning frameworks Contributions to deep learning theory (ResNets, neural collapse) Advances in kernel operator learning and adversarial robustness Awards: CPAL Rising Star Award (2024) University of Chicago Data Science Rising Star (2022) Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship (2021) Labs/Teams: SCALE Lab (Scientific Computation and Learning at Northwestern) Collaborations with NYU's Courant Institute and Stanford
Freddy Bouchet is a Directeur de Recherche at CNRS and a Professeur attaché at École Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENS-PSL). His work bridges mathematical physics, climate science, data science, and statistical mechanics , focusing on turbulent flows, climate extremes, and large deviation theory . He will lead the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD) starting 2025. Research Themes : Statistical mechanics of geophysical flows (Jupiter's jets, ocean currents). Large deviation theory for rare events in turbulence and climate. Non-equilibrium phase transitions in atmospheric/oceanic systems. Ensemble inequivalence in systems with long-range interactions. Scientific Awards : Three Physicists Prize Collaborations : Tapio Schneider, Antoine Venaille, J. Laurie, O. Zaboronski, B. Dubrulle, A. Venaille. Labs & Teams : Climate and Statistical Mechanics group at ENS de Lyon Future director of Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD/IPSL) Publications span climate dynamics, turbulence, statistical mechanics, and large deviation theory , with applications to Jupiter's atmosphere, ocean vortices, and non-equilibrium systems . His work often challenges paradigms like Tsallis non-extensive statistics.
Mohamed Beshir is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. His research focuses on fire safety engineering, urban fire spread in informal settlements, and enhancing resilience in low- and middle-income communities. He teaches courses such as Fundamentals of Fire Safety Engineering and Fire Dynamics I , contributing to advanced engineering education. Education : PhD in Fire Safety Engineering, University of Edinburgh (2022). Professional Experience : Previously worked as a fire engineer at a leading UK consultancy, addressing fire safety in residential, retail, and historical buildings. Prof. Beshir’s research interests include fire and smoke dynamics, combustion modeling, compartment fires, and fire safety resilience. His work addresses environmental and economic sustainability in construction, alongside human behavior in fire scenarios. His scientific contributions span fire dynamics in informal settlements, wind effects on flashover, and energy harvesting technologies. He has received awards like the Sheldon Tieszen Student Award (2020) and the Best MSc Thesis Poster award (IMFSE, 2017). Teaching : CIVE 5609/IPIS 5504 (Fire Safety Engineering), CIVE 5610 (Fire Dynamics I). Collaborations : Worked with researchers like R. Walls, Y. Wang, and D. Rush on large-scale fire experiments and CFD modeling.
Yongmin Liu is a Professor in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering at Northeastern University, and a member of the Cross-College Magnetics Center. He holds a PhD in Applied Science and Technology from UC Berkeley (2009), with earlier degrees from Nanjing University. His research focuses on nano-optics, metamaterials, plasmonics, and their applications in optical devices and systems. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, physics, and AI, with notable contributions to metasurface design and optical neural networks. Education: PhD, Applied Science and Technology, UC Berkeley (2009) M.S. and B.S., Physics, Nanjing University (2003, 2000) Research Interests: Nano-optics, nanoscale materials engineering, metamaterials, plasmonics, and applied physics. His group develops novel optical materials and devices for applications like super-resolution imaging, efficient light harvesting, and biomedical detection. Recent projects include AI-driven photonic materials design and meta-optical neural networks. Key Achievements: Recipient of the Søren Buus Outstanding Research Award (2024) NSF CAREER Award (2017) and ONR Young Investigator Award (2016) Elected SPIE Fellow (2023) and Optica Fellow (2023) Lab & Collaborations: Head of the Yongmin Liu Research Group, collaborating with institutions like Georgia Tech and Purdue University. Recent grants include a $1.5M NSF DMREF grant for AI-driven photonic materials and a $468K NSF grant for meta-optical neural networks.
Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (NTU), specializing in numerical modeling and simulation. With a background as Research Manager at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, his work spans materials science, nanotechnology, and aerospace engineering. Current focus on graphene-based desalination membranes Expertise in molecular dynamics simulations Investigates nanoscale fluid mechanics and structural dynamics Recent publications highlight advancements in energy-efficient electrodialysis, smart robotics, and nonlinear vibration analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates computational methods with experimental validation in additive manufacturing and soft material mechanics.
Dr. Deborah J. Johnson is a researcher in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University, affiliated with the College of Social Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, an M.A. from Cornell University, and a B.A. from the University of Chicago. Her work focuses on racial-ethnic socialization, cultural adjustment of immigrant/refugee groups, and resilience among marginalized populations, with particular attention to South Sudanese refugees, Indigenous Australians, and Roma youth. She explores how cultural identity intersects with global contexts, gender, and education to shape developmental outcomes. Key research areas include: Racial-identity development in African American and Latina college women Cultural adaptation of Sudanese refugees and its tridimensional aspects of identity alignment Positive youth development in Indigenous Australian communities through virtual reality initiatives Policy impacts on oppressed ethnic groups' identity reformation Her work has been published in over 50 peer-reviewed articles and books, including Identity Re/Formation among Immigrant Youth and Families (upcoming) and Children and Prejudice (2018). She leads interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of education, mental health, and public policy, emphasizing equity and culturally responsive practices. Dr. Johnson collaborates with institutions like the Child Development Laboratory and Couple & Family Therapy Clinic to translate research into community-focused interventions. Her global projects span North America, Australia, and Eastern Europe, addressing systemic barriers faced by vulnerable populations.
Prof. Dr. Philipp Habegger is a faculty member at the University of Basel's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science . His research focuses on Number Theory , specifically Diophantine Geometry, heights on abelian varieties, unlikely intersections, and algebraic number theory. He leads the Research Group in Number Theory and participates in collaborative seminars like the Number Theory Web Seminar with Mike Bennett and Alina Ostafe. Contact : philipp.habegger@unibas.ch | +41 61 207 26 98 Office : Spiegelgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland Academic Role : Research and teaching in number theory and Diophantine problems Research Overview Habegger's work addresses fundamental questions about the distribution of special points on algebraic varieties and the arithmetic properties of polynomial dynamics. His recent publications analyze degeneracy loci in abelian families, canonical heights, and the geometric Bogomolov conjecture. The 15 most recent articles reflect a focus on number theory, algebraic geometry, and effective bounds in Diophantine problems. Scientific Collaborations Collaborated with Ziyang Gao, Harry Schmidt, Umberto Zannier, and others Contributed to journals: Annals of Mathematics , Forum of Mathematics, Sigma , Compositio Mathematica Key themes: Abelian varieties , Heights , Unlikely intersections , CM jacobians
Prof. Raffaele Mezzenga is a Full Professor at ETH Zürich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology and Head of the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health. He earned his master's from Perugia University (Italy) and a PhD in Polymer Physics from EPFL, followed by postdoctoral work at UC Santa Barbara. His career includes roles at the Nestlé Research Center and the University of Fribourg before joining ETH in 2009. His research focuses on self-assembly processes in polymers, biopolymers, and colloidal systems, with applications in environmental remediation, bioplastics, and biomedical materials. Key contributions include pioneering protein-based materials and advancing understanding of amyloid fibrils. Education: Master's, Materials Science & Engineering, Perugia University PhD, Polymer Physics, EPFL Research Interests: Self-assembly, biopolymers, amyloid materials, sustainable technologies, food colloids, and soft condensed matter. Awards: 2011 AOCS Award, 2017 APS Fellowship, and 2013 Biomacromolecules Young Investigator Award. Visiting Roles: Held visiting professorships at Aalto University, RMIT, Monash University, Nanyang Technological University, and others. Labs/Teams: Leads the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health at ETH, focusing on interdisciplinary research in food science and biomaterials. His work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation, addressing global challenges in sustainability and health through materials science. Recent projects include creating bioplastics from food waste, developing amyloid-based water purification systems, and advancing targeted drug delivery via lipidic mesophases.
Mark Wallace is a Professor of Chemistry at King's College London, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. He holds a Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2005–2016) and has been a lecturer at Oxford University before joining King's in 2016. His research focuses on membrane protein function and artificial membrane mimics, combining optical microscopy and nanotechnology. He earned a PhD from the University of Cambridge (2002) and postdoctoral training at Stanford University and the National Institute for Medical Research. Key research interests include membrane protein dynamics, lipid bilayer engineering, and single-molecule imaging. He has pioneered techniques like droplet interface bilayers and interferometric scattering microscopy. His work has led to patents and applications in molecular sensing and medical research. Awards include the 2002 Gregorio Weber Prize and the 2015 RSC Norman Heatley Award. He is actively involved in public outreach, including video podcasts and educational competitions. Recent publications emphasize artificial ion channels, nanoparticle formation monitoring, and mitochondrial protein dynamics. His lab collaborates with institutions like the London Centre for Nanotechnology and the Rosalind Franklin Institute. Over 30 students and researchers have been mentored, with active grants from EPSRC, Wellcome Trust, and BBSRC.
Dr. Julie N.L. Albert is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Tulane University, holding the Robert and Gayle Longmire Early Career Professorship. She is affiliated with the School of Science and Engineering and serves as co-director of the SMART REU NSF-funded program. Her research focuses on engineering nano- and micro-structured polymeric materials for energy, health, and environmental applications, emphasizing self-assembly processes in block copolymers and polymer blends. Key areas include nanoporous membranes, biocompatible surfaces, and stimuli-responsive materials. Dr. Albert earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida (2005) and her Ph.D. from the University of Delaware (2012). She conducted postdoctoral research at North Carolina State University. Her work has been supported by prestigious grants, including the NSF CAREER Award and a Gulf Research Program Fellowship. Her research group explores topics like polymer crystallization, polyorganosiloxanes, and block copolymer architectures. Notable achievements include developing methods for controlling polymer morphology via solvent vapor annealing and surface chemistry gradients. She advises numerous graduate and undergraduate students and mentors organizations like the Society of Women Engineers. Education: B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 2005 Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, 2012 Research Interests: Self-assembly of block copolymers, nanoporous membranes, biocompatible materials, and energy applications. Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Gulf Research Program Early-Career Fellowship, AIChE Travel Award. Dr. Albert’s lab houses advanced facilities such as AFM, spectral reflectometry, and GPC, enabling cutting-edge polymer characterization. Her contributions bridge polymer science, materials engineering, and environmental sustainability, addressing challenges in energy recovery and biomedical technologies.
Daniel Grier is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Computer Science and Engineering and Mathematics departments at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His research focuses on quantum complexity theory , particularly exploring near-term quantum computing paradigms and proving quantum advantage over classical systems. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT and was previously a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, MIT B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics, University of South Carolina Research Interests: Grier’s work bridges theoretical computer science and quantum computing, emphasizing algorithm design, complexity class separations, and foundational questions about quantum supremacy. He studies how low-depth quantum circuits, boson sampling, and other near-term technologies can achieve computational tasks classically deemed intractable. Recent Article Trends: His publications explore efficient quantum state learning (e.g., classical shadows), hardness results for quantum sampling problems (e.g., bipartite Gaussian boson sampling), and circuit lower bounds (e.g., depth-2 QAC circuits). These contributions highlight his focus on rigorously defining quantum computational advantages. Awards: None explicitly listed in the text. Advising & Grants: Advises at least one student, Jackson Morris. His research is supported by grants exploring quantum complexity and algorithm design. Teaches advanced courses on quantum complexity theory, computability, discrete mathematics, and quantum computing fundamentals. Labs/Teams: Maintains an active lab focused on quantum complexity theory, collaborating with colleagues on topics like interactive protocols and shallow quantum circuits.
