Professor Ashley Cadby is a faculty member in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Sheffield, holding the position of Professor of Soft Matter Physics within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Her research focuses on cutting-edge imaging techniques applied to biological systems. Her research interests center on Soft Matter Physics , High-resolution Imaging , and Nano-science , with particular emphasis on super-resolution microscopy techniques applied to biological systems. Her work bridges physics, biology, and nanotechnology to investigate cellular structures and processes at unprecedented resolution. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on developing and applying advanced imaging methodologies, particularly super-resolution and correlative microscopy techniques. Her research spans bacterial cell wall architecture, sperm biology, protein dynamics, and nanoscale biological structures, demonstrating interdisciplinary applications across microbiology, reproductive biology, and cellular biophysics. Professor Cadby contributes to teaching through undergraduate courses including PHY 101 Tutorials, PHY 113/114 Computing Laboratory, PHY 245 Materials, and specialized courses in Bio-Physics (PHY 411/412) and Mechanistic Biology (PHY 6120). As Biological Safety Officer and member of the IOP Nano-science group and PARC consortium, she maintains active professional engagement. She leads the Biological Physics Group research team, focusing on innovative imaging approaches to solve complex biological problems through physical methodologies.
Megan Madonna is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, where she earned her Ph.D. in 2020. She teaches multiple Bass Connections research teams (ISS 796T/795T/396T/395T) focused on Information, Society & Culture, alongside engineering project courses including BME 493/494, BME 462L, BME 791, and EGR 393. Her research centers on optical metabolic imaging to investigate cancer metabolism, particularly in breast cancer subtypes. She develops advanced multi-probe and multi-scale imaging platforms capable of simultaneously quantifying metabolic and vascular endpoints such as fatty acid uptake, mitochondrial activity, and oxygen saturation in vivo. Her work specifically targets chemoresistance mechanisms in triple-negative and Her2+ breast cancer, identifying metabolic vulnerabilities during residual disease and recurrence. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on translating optical imaging techniques into clinical applications for cancer therapy guidance. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with Dr. Nimmi Ramanujam's lab, and spans from fundamental metabolic imaging development to clinical implications for chemotherapy monitoring. Dr. Madonna actively mentors students through graduate independent study (BME 791) and capstone projects (BME 493/494), while leading interdisciplinary Bass Connections teams that integrate engineering with societal considerations. She contributes to Duke's Global Women's Health Technologies ecosystem through her editorial work on gender-specific biomedical research.
Natasa Džunuzović is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Materials Science, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Technology from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade (2015), and an MSc in Industrial Minerals from the Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade. Research Focus: Development of alkali-activated binders using industrial by-products (fly ash, blast furnace slag) Characterization of materials via XRD, SEM-EDS, and mechanical testing Environmental applications: Immobilization of toxic/hazardous elements (cesium, lead, chromium) Sustainable construction materials and geopolymer technology Scientific Contributions: Her recent publications (2017-2020) examine: (1) cesium immobilization using alkali-activated slag; (2) heavy metal resistance in fly ash-based geopolymers; (3) sulfate attack on composite binders; and (4) chromium stabilization mechanisms. These works emphasize environmental safety, structural analysis, and industrial waste valorization. Awards: Best Presentation Award (2007), 3rd Serbian Congress for Microscopy Professional Activities: Reviewer for international journals: Construction and Building Materials , Science and Engineering of Composite Materials Member of professional societies: Serbian Microscopy Society, Serbian Ceramic Society, Zeolite Society of Serbia
Maria Peressi is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Trieste, holding significant leadership roles including Delegato per la Didattica in the Head's Office, and serving as a member of the Department's Board, Departmental team for Quality Assurance, Boards of Studies, and Doctoral Studies Boards for Physics cycles XXIX through XXXIII. Her primary research focus lies in Theoretical and Computational Condensed-Matter Physics, specifically leading the "Electronic Structure of Materials: Theory and Simulation" research group. Her work involves theoretical modeling and computational approaches to understand and predict properties of low-dimensional systems, liquids, colloids, semiconductors, and semi-metals. Professor Peressi's research demonstrates a strong integration of computational methods with experimental validation through collaborations with the TASC Laboratory of the Istituto Officina dei Materiali (CNR) and the ELETTRA Laboratory. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a dual research trajectory: fundamental materials science focused on graphene and 2D materials, single-atom catalysts, and metal-organic frameworks; and physics education research examining teaching methodologies and teacher development. Her materials science work shows particular expertise in electronic structure calculations, surface science, and the physics of metal-organic interfaces, while her educational research contributes significantly to understanding physics pedagogy and teacher improvement metrics. National Centre for HPC, Big Data and Quantum Computing (Active) finanziamento assegno di ricerca annuale Fondazione Carigo (Active) Simultaneous electrical control of spin and valley polarization in van der Waals magnetic materials (SECSY) (Active) QUBOP - QUest for BOron Phosphide (Active) Assegnazione 2021 a progetto MAECI SERBIA (Completed, where she served as Principal Investigator) Professor Peressi actively contributes to doctoral education and curriculum development within the Physics Department. Her research group employs advanced computational resources for materials modeling, working at the intersection of theoretical physics, materials science, and computational science. She maintains strong collaborative relationships with experimental groups, enabling the practical application of theoretical predictions and the explanation of complex experimental results through computational modeling. Her laboratory work focuses on theoretical modeling of materials properties at the atomic and electronic levels, with particular emphasis on surface phenomena, 2D materials, and single-atom systems. This research has implications for catalysis, nanotechnology, and advanced materials design, bridging fundamental science with potential technological applications.
Leonid Brown is a full Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Guelph, Canada, specializing in biophysics with a focus on membrane proteins. His research integrates molecular biology with advanced biophysical techniques to study the structure and function of light-sensitive proteins. Dr. Brown's primary research interests include biophysics of membrane proteins , particularly microbial rhodopsins and aquaporins. His work combines molecular biology with modern biophysical methods including time-resolved spectroscopy in the visible range, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Raman spectroscopy. His research specifically focuses on exploring novel microbial rhodopsins for optogenetic applications and studying protein-lipid interactions in membrane proteins. His recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on understanding the structural foundations of ion selectivity in channelrhodopsins, proton transfer mechanisms in light-driven pumps, and the role of hydrogen-bonding networks in membrane protein function. These studies employ advanced techniques including cryo-electron microscopy, solid-state NMR, and computational modeling to elucidate atomic-level details of protein structure and function. Member of Editorial Board of the Biophysical Journal (2009-2015 and 2024) Premier's Research Excellence Award (2003) Research Innovation Award (2003) Member of the Canadian Biophysical Society Executive (2019-2022) DAAD and Ontario-Baden-Württemberg scholarships (2016) Dr. Brown has established collaborative research partnerships with institutions worldwide, including Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan and Sogang University in Korea. His laboratory develops and utilizes high-end instrumentation including time-resolved vacuum infrared spectrometers, Raman/FTIR combination spectrometers, and time-resolved visible range laser spectrometers. His research has significant implications for optogenetics and potential medical applications, with media coverage in outlets like The Scientist and Health Canal for discoveries related to heart disease treatment.
Simon Scheuring, Ph.D., is a Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, with a primary appointment in Anesthesiology. His research focuses on membrane and membrane protein biophysics, structural biology, and single-molecule imaging techniques. Techniques: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), Single-Molecule Spectroscopy Member of: Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology (PBSB) Lab Website: bio-afm-lab.com Dr. Scheuring studies plasma membrane structure and dynamics, emphasizing membrane protein organization and function in eukaryotic cells. His work addresses technical challenges in high-resolution imaging of membrane systems using advanced AFM methodologies, including high-speed AFM for physiological environment imaging. His lab aims to overcome bottlenecks in understanding conformational changes, protein interactions, and supramolecular complexes within native biomembranes. Recent publications highlight his team's innovations in AFM-based structural biology, membrane protein kinetics, and membrane remodeling mechanisms. The lab develops tools like standardized AFM file formats and investigates medically relevant proteins, including TRPV channels and ESCRT-III homologs. His lab at 1300 York Avenue (Room E-023) maintains a dedicated website ( bio-afm-lab.com ) documenting their technical and biological breakthroughs in atomic force microscopy applications.
Carole Perry is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). She oversees research within the Biomolecular Materials Interface Research Group, supervises undergraduate and postgraduate projects, and holds affiliations as a research associate at Harvard University. Education: BA, MA, and DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry from Somerville College, Oxford (1985), supervised by Professor R.J.P. Williams FRS. Academic Positions: Senior Lecturer (1993-2000), Reader (2000-2003), Professor (2003-2017), and Distinguished Professor (2017-) at NTU; Lecturer at Brunel University (1987-1993); Research Fellow at Oxford (1985-1987). Her research focuses on biomolecular-materials interfaces, including fungal networks for engineered living materials, silica-protein composites for biomedical applications, and ZnO-based systems for Bose-Einstein Condensation. She employs experimental and computational tools (MD, DFT) to study peptide-mineral interactions, aiming to establish predictive rules for materials synthesis. Recent publications highlight advancements in Raman microscopy for melanin analysis, ZnO microsphere polariton condensation, and peptide-functionalized MOFs. Her work spans interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions like MIT, Harvard, and the Weizmann Institute. Scientific Awards: Wolfson Research Merit Award (2013-2017); Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, CCHEM); Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society (FRMS). Grants: Funded by AFOSR, EPSRC, NIH, and DFG for projects on fungal materials, antimicrobial nanocomposites, and optical sensing. Key collaborators include Tufts University, the Weizmann Institute, and Unilever. Labs: Leads the Biomolecular Materials Interface Research Group at NTU; partners with institutions like the University of Bremen, Stuttgart University, and SUNY Buffalo.
Kajsa M Paulsson serves as Principal Investigator and Researcher at Lund University's Department of Experimental Medical Science within the Faculty of Medicine. She leads the Antigen Presentation research group at LUCC (Lund University Cancer Centre) and directs the Microscopy Community Lund University. Her strategic leadership extends to critical roles including project manager of Hanseatic League of Science (HALOS), board member of Lund Institute of Advanced X-ray and Neutron Sciences (LINXS), and regional coordinator for EATRIS-ERIC. Her research spans antigen presentation mechanisms across multiple disease contexts, with core projects investigating: tapasin as a prognostic tool in glioblastoma, immune responses to avian flu across species, and MHC-I molecules in ankylosing spondylitis. Methodologically, her work integrates molecular biology, cellular assays, tissue analysis, recombinant proteins, biochemistry, spectroscopy and scattering techniques. The research directly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through life science infrastructure development. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent focus on MHC class I antigen presentation , particularly tapasin-mediated quality control mechanisms across cancer (glioblastoma), infectious diseases (avian influenza), and autoimmune disorders (ankylosing spondylitis). Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration with 39 research outputs including 23 articles, 5 book chapters, and conference materials. Project manager Hanseatic League of Science (HALOS) (2019) Regional coordinator of EATRIS-ERIC (2018) Chair of Faculty of Medicine 'Active cooperation' action group (2020) Lund University EUGLOH-infra application coordinator (2020) Member of expert council for MAX IV/ESS strategy (2019) As an active supervisor, she has guided PhD students, master's students, and postdocs while managing 12 concurrent projects including HALRIC (2023-2026) and CIPA (2020-2027). Her infrastructure leadership includes InfraVis (national data visualization), Molecular Recognition in Life, and Microscopy Community Lund University, with work referenced in 5 Wikipedia pages and 1 patent.
Dr. Hongchu Du is a Researcher at the Materials Science and Technology group (ER-C-2) within the Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons (ER-C) at Forschungszentrum Jülich. His work focuses on atomic-resolution characterization of materials using advanced electron microscopy techniques. His research specializes in: Quantitative atomic and electronic structure determination Surface and interface analysis at atomic scale Defect dynamics in functional materials TEM imaging methodology development Spectroscopy for nanomaterials In-situ microscopy of device structures As part of ER-C-2, Dr. Du contributes to cutting-edge materials characterization infrastructure at one of Europe's premier microscopy centers, advancing fundamental understanding of structure-property relationships in advanced materials systems.
Dr. Paul Paciok is a scientific staff member at the Ernst Ruska Center for Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy (ER-C) within the Research Center Jülich GmbH , one of Germany’s largest Helmholtz research centers. He is affiliated with the Physics of Nanoscale Systems division (ER-C-1), where he leverages state-of-the-art scanning transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) techniques to investigate materials at the nanoscale. His current research focuses on three main pillars: High-resolution (S)TEM imaging of nanoscale systems Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of advanced catalysts for energy conversion processes such as CO₂ and water electrolysis as well as fuel-cell applications In-situ and identical-location (S)TEM studies to analyze degradation phenomena in functional materials under realistic operating conditions Dr. Paciok is an active member of the Catalysis, Electrochemistry, and Identical-Location TEM research group. His ongoing project involves the development of platinum-based alloys supported on hollow graphitic spheres , aiming to enhance catalytic performance and durability for next-generation energy devices. No specific doctoral or master’s students, scientific awards, or recent publications are listed in the provided documents.
Stefan Witte is a Professor at the Department of Imaging Physics within the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Delft University of Technology. He concurrently holds the position of Associate Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam since 2019. Previously, from 2014, he worked at the Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL), leading the EUV Generation and Imaging group and serving as Head of the Metrology Department. His academic journey began with a PhD (cum laude) in 2007 from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, focusing on intense ultrafast laser development and precision spectroscopy with frequency combs. He then pursued postdoctoral research at the same university in nonlinear microscopy and biomedical imaging, followed by work at JILA, University of Colorado on ultrafast electron dynamics and lensless imaging using high-harmonic sources. Professor Witte's primary research interest lies in Optics for nanoscale metrology . His work encompasses ultrafast laser systems, frequency comb spectroscopy, nonlinear optical microscopy, biomedical imaging applications, and cutting-edge lensless imaging techniques with high-harmonic and soft-X-ray radiation. These research areas are critical for advancing nanoscale measurement science, particularly in semiconductor metrology and biomedical diagnostics. His exceptional contributions have been honored with multiple prestigious grants: an ERC Starting Grant (2014), an ERC Consolidator Grant (2019), and an NWO VICI grant (2022). He also leads as a Principal Investigator in the NWO-TTW Perspectief consortium LINX, dedicated to Lensless Imaging with soft-X-rays. At ARCNL, Professor Witte directed the EUV Generation and Imaging group, playing a pivotal role in the development of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technologies. His current research at TU Delft continues to innovate in optical metrology, pushing the limits of resolution and precision for nanoscale applications.
Justin R. Caram is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was promoted from Assistant Professor in 2023. He serves as Vice Chair of Space Allocation and leads the Caram Group, which develops and studies novel photophysical materials using photon-resolved spectroscopic methods. Dr. Caram received his A.B. in Chemistry from Harvard University and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Chicago, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT through the MIT-Harvard Center for Excitonics. Dr. Caram's research leverages the detection, sorting, and timing of individual photons to unravel heterogeneity, complex chemical processes, and energy flow in nanomaterial and biological systems. His work combines time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) and path length interferometry to develop new spectroscopies that probe chemical systems across the visible and shortwave infrared. His research spans the influence of energetic disorder on optoelectronic materials, the complex chemistry of oxidative stress, and quantum functional groups with applications from efficient light harvesting materials to understanding disease mechanisms. His experimental approach integrates advanced spectroscopic techniques with theoretical modeling to address fundamental questions in photophysics and materials science. Analysis of Dr. Caram's recent publications reveals a strong focus on shortwave infrared materials, quantum sensing platforms, and molecular design principles that push the boundaries of optical properties. His work bridges fundamental quantum phenomena with practical applications in imaging, sensing, and energy conversion. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in manipulating light-matter interactions at the molecular level, with particular emphasis on ytterbium complexes for quantum applications, HgTe quantum dots with exceptional photoluminescent properties, and novel molecular designs for enhanced emission in the shortwave infrared region. Dr. Caram's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the Richard P. Van Duyne Early Career Award for Experimental Physical Chemistry (2024), Sloan Research Fellowship (2023), Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2022), Cottrell Scholar (2021), and the NSF Career Award (2020). His contributions to diversity in science were acknowledged through the Center for Diversity Leadership in Science Inaugural Faculty Fellowship (2018-2019). As a principal investigator, Dr. Caram has secured substantial funding from the Sloan Foundation, National Science Foundation (including multiple grants as PI and co-PI), Department of Energy, and the Dreyfus Foundation. His research program encompasses fundamental investigations of excitonic phenomena, development of novel spectroscopic techniques, and applications in quantum information science and biomedical imaging. Dr. Caram is actively involved in mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers in his laboratory, fostering a collaborative research environment that bridges chemistry, physics, and materials science. The Caram Group maintains a strong collaborative network with researchers across multiple institutions, particularly in the areas of quantum information science, molecular spectroscopy, and nanomaterials. The group's work has evolved from fundamental studies of quantum coherence in photosynthetic systems to the design and characterization of novel materials with tailored photophysical properties for advanced technological applications.
Prof. Dr. Kristian Müller is a faculty member at the Faculty of Engineering , Bielefeld University , where he leads research in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology . His work focuses on viral vector engineering, particularly adeno-associated virus (AAV) systems, with expertise in proteomics, synthetic biology, and bioengineering approaches. Email: Kristian.Mueller@uni-bielefeld.de Phone: +49 521 106-6323 Office: UHG E2-143 His research interests include: Adeno-Associated Virus Engineering for gene therapy applications. Proteomic Analysis of viral production systems in HEK-293 cells. Synthetic Biology approaches to capsid protein assembly. Biotechnological Methods for linear DNA fragment generation. Nanopore Sequencing applied to viral genomes. Recent publications emphasize optimizing ITR stability in E. coli, non-viral gene delivery using lipid nanoparticles, and proteomic profiling of nuclear fractions during rAAV production. He serves in multiple academic committees including the Habilitation Committee , Faculty Conference , and Examination Boards for Molecular Biotechnology programs.
Dr. Caroline Smith is a researcher affiliated with the University of Manchester , working within the School of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering . Her work focuses on biophysics, biomedical engineering, and spectroscopy, particularly in cancer research applications. Collaborated with Professor N S Scrutton, Dr R L Williams, and others Received research grants from BBSRC and EPSRC Professional memberships: European Society for Biomaterials, Society of Chemical Industry, Royal Society of Chemistry Her research involves advanced optical and infrared imaging techniques, machine learning for cancer diagnostics, and biophysical studies of tissue properties in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Recent publications (2022-2024) demonstrate expertise in FTIR spectroscopy, photothermal imaging, and image fusion technologies applied to cancer diagnostics and prognosis prediction. She has contributed to interdisciplinary collaborations spanning chemical engineering, medicine, and data science, with a focus on developing novel tools for biological redox chemistry and biomedical implant studies.
Dr. Didier Wermeille is a Research Fellow specializing in Surface Science and Materials Science. His work focuses on the structural and reactive properties of thin films, nanoparticles, and surfaces under varying environmental conditions, particularly using synchrotron-based techniques. Key Topics: Thin film disordering, catalytic phase transitions, molecular self-assembly, and surface reactivity. Techniques: X-ray diffraction, resonant magnetic scattering, ambient pressure analysis, and synchrotron radiation. Recent Research Trends include CO oxidation mechanisms on Pd/Pt surfaces, disordering in magnetic films, and the formation of organic monolayers on inorganic substrates.
