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Manjunath BalagopalanView profile

Research Fellow

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Ferroelectrics
• +3 more

Manjunath Balagopalan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Nanophononics/Sotomayor research group since February 2025, where he investigates lattice dynamics in advanced materials using Raman spectroscopy. His educational and professional background includes: PhD from CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India, focusing on multiferroic and magnetic materials, particularly the structural and multiferroic characterisation of BiFeO₃-based perovskite compounds. First postdoctoral position at IFIMUP, University of Porto, studying metal-insulator transition and percolation phenomena in NdNiO₃ via Raman spectroscopy. Second postdoctoral role at NAFUMA, University of Oslo, researching structure–property correlations in novel organic ferroelectric materials using temperature-dependent single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and dielectric/ferroelectric measurements. Dr. Balagopalan's research interests lie at the intersection of condensed matter physics and materials science, with a strong emphasis on ferroelectric and multiferroic materials. He utilizes advanced experimental techniques including Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to probe structural properties and phase transitions in complex materials such as perovskites and organic ferroelectrics. His work aims to uncover fundamental structure-property relationships that can guide the design of new functional materials, with particular focus on metal-insulator transitions and thermal transport phenomena. Currently, he is an active member of the Nanophononics/Sotomayor research group, contributing to the group's efforts in understanding lattice dynamics and thermal management in advanced nanomaterials through cutting-edge spectroscopic and diffraction methodologies.

• Banded Iron Formation
• Geochemistry
• Geochronology
• +3 more

Janet Muhling is an Adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Earth Sciences at The University of Western Australia (UWA), affiliated with the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation & Analysis (CMCA). She holds a B.Sc. (Hons) from UWA (1972) and a PhD in geology, focusing on nickel sulfide mineralization and metamorphic rock studies. Her career includes postdoctoral fellowships, industry consulting, and research roles at CMCA. Current affiliations include UWA’s Stirling Highway campuses in Perth. Her research centers on banded iron formation origins, accessory mineral geochemistry, Proterozoic orogenic belts, and manganese mineralization. Key interests include early Earth geochemistry, hydrothermal systems, and the interplay between ocean chemistry and life evolution. She has contributed to projects funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), including studies on banded iron formations and mineral systems. Muhling’s expertise spans microanalysis techniques (SEM/TEM), petrological studies, and geochronology. She has co-authored over 86 publications and datasets on topics like greenalite-bearing iron formations and hydrothermal vent precipitates. Her work supports UN Sustainable Development Goals related to environmental sustainability through insights into ancient ocean chemistry and mineral cycles.

Aflizal ArafiantoView profile

Lecturer

• In-situ Testing
• Numerical Modeling
• Pile Foundations
• +5 more

Aflizal Arafianto is a Lecturer in the Civil Engineering Department at Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR), Bandung, Indonesia, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student in Geotechnical Engineering at The University of Western Australia (UWA), supervised by Prof. Barry Lehane and Prof. Phillip Watson. He holds an MSc in Geotechnical Engineering (2019) and BSc in Civil Engineering (2016), both from UNPAR. His expertise includes in-situ testing, numerical modeling, pile foundations, slope stability, and soil characterization. Affiliations: UNPAR (since 2020), UWA (PhD candidate) Research focuses on geotechnical engineering challenges such as ground movement analysis, bridge abutments, and soft clay behavior. He has over six years of industry experience as a geotechnical engineer and is certified as Ahli Geoteknik Madya by HATTI. Education: BSc (2016), MSc (2019, UNPAR), PhD candidate (UWA) Publications span topics like CPT investigations, p-y curve derivation for pile foundations, and finite element modeling of soil-structure interactions. Notable awards include the LPDP Scholarship (2022) and Best Paper at ICCOEE 2020.

Elke StroeherView profile

Researcher

• Proteomics
• Plant Biology
• Biochemistry
• +4 more

Elke Stroeher is the Operations Manager at the Western Australia Proteomics (WAP) Facility, part of the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation & Analysis at The University of Western Australia. She holds a German University Diploma (2004) and PhD (2008) from the University of Bielefeld, Germany. Her career includes roles as a DFG and ARC fellow, focusing on mitochondrial redox biology and plant energy efficiency. She leads proteomics/metabolomics analysis using advanced mass spectrometry, contributing to projects like the International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP). Her expertise spans proteomics, quantitative mass spectrometry, and redox signaling in plant systems. Research interests include chloroplast function, mitochondrial dynamics, and protein interactions in plant stress responses. She has secured over $340k in fellowships and oversees facility operations, providing cutting-edge proteomics services. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to food security and sustainable agriculture. Teaching includes advanced biochemistry techniques (BIOC5001). Key grants include an ARC Fellowship ($245,500, 2011) and DFG Fellowship ($95,800, 2008). She has authored/co-authored over 27 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work on wheat respiration, chloroplast development, and protein biomarkers. Her lab is equipped with state-of-the-art LC-MS systems for proteome analysis.

David HutchinsView profile

Professor

• Ultrasonic Systems Design
• Fabrication of Sensors and Transducers
• Micromachining Techniques
• +5 more

Professor David Hutchins is a faculty member at the Warwick School of Engineering , University of Warwick, since 1988. His research focuses on ultrasonic systems design, micromachining techniques for sensors/transducers, near infrared systems for NDT and biomedical applications, and fluid flow measurement. He serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control . Research Grants & Projects : Nonlinear air-coupled thermosonics for micro-crack detection in composites (Leverhulme Trust, 2020-2022) High resolution biomedical imaging using ultrasonic metamaterials (EPSRC, 2016-2020) Near infrared techniques for NDE and structural health monitoring (EPSRC, 2014-2020) Acoustic tomography for cargo screening (EPSRC, 2008-2009) Awards : Research Honorarium from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 (2013-2014) Collaborations include partnerships with BAE Systems, Airbus UK, and NASA-related projects like the Mars acoustic anemometer. He has extensive experience with industrial applications in aerospace, biomedical engineering, and food quality assessment.

Xianping LiuView profile

Professor

• Precision Engineering
• Instrumentation
• Surface Measurement and Characterisation
• +5 more

Professor Xianping Liu is a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on precision engineering, functional surface design, nanometrology, and biomedical applications of atomic force microscopy. He leads projects on advanced manufacturing processes such as self-pierce riveting and tribological probe microscopy. Notable grants include EU-funded initiatives like FabSurfWAR (2015-2019) and BioRA (2013-2017). He has been awarded Marie Curie and Royal Society fellowships. Research interests include: Precision Engineering, Instrumentation Design, Surface Characterization, Nanotribology, Biomedical Robotics, and Functional Materials. His work explores mechanical properties of biological cells, advanced sensor development, and robotic systems for large-scale manufacturing. Grants: EU H2020 RISE-FabSurfWAR (2015): Functional Surfaces Design Marie Curie Fellowship (2013): Surface Characterization Royal Society KC Wong Fellowship (2002): Tribological Probe Microscopy Labs/Teams: Active in Micro/Nano Robotics, Biomedical Applications, and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Publications span 20+ years with recent focus on cell mechanics (AFM-based studies), robotic calibration, and material joining processes. His work bridges fundamental mechanics with industrial applications in automotive and biomedical fields.

Kristaps DambergsView profile

Assistant Professor

• Otolaryngology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Molecular Pathology
• +3 more

Kristaps Dambergs serves as Acting Assistant in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Riga Stradins University, focusing on middle ear pathologies and tissue biomarker research. His work bridges clinical practice with molecular investigation of ear disorders. His research centers on cholesteatoma pathogenesis, particularly examining ontogenetic aspects through metalloprotease activity, tissue inhibitors, and inflammatory markers. Key interests include comparative analysis of pediatric versus adult cholesteatoma morphology, thromboplastin expression patterns, and antimicrobial peptide roles in middle ear diseases. His fingerprint reveals strong specialization in Cholesteatoma (100%), Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 4 (37%), and Gelatinase B (32%) research. Recent publications demonstrate consistent output in otolaryngology with emphasis on molecular pathology trends. His 2024 Diagnostics journal article established tissue factor comparisons across age groups, while conference presentations at Kyiv and Riga events highlighted morphological differences in cholesteatoma specimens. The research shows increasing focus on translational applications of molecular markers in ear surgery. Professional activities include 7 presentations (5 oral, 2 poster) between 2019-2024 and 4 media contributions addressing pediatric ENT concerns including adenoid surgery indications, chronic sinusitis management, and COVID-19 ENT protocols. His doctoral project 'Characterisation of non-metastasizing benign middle ear formations in ontogenetic aspect' (2020-2024) formed the foundation of his thesis work.

Zita KrūmiņaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Genetic Disorders
• Medical Genetics
• Genomics
• +3 more

Zita Krūmiņa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Microbiology at Riga Stradins University . Her research focuses on genetic disorders, molecular diagnostics, and reproductive medicine, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). She leads projects like Elucidating comprehensive etiology of cervical insufficiency (Latvian Council of Science) and Characterisation of genetic variance induced fetal structural anomalies (RSU grants). Her research interests include genetic causes of cervical insufficiency, Wilson’s disease, and PTCD3 deficiency. She has supervised students such as Isakova J, Kornete A, and Bārdiņa L. Collaborations span international research teams, with recent work published in European Journal of Human Genetics and PLoS ONE . She actively participates in organizations like the Latvian Association of Human Genetics (Chair 2021–2023).

Ashwath PazhaniView profile

Lecturer

• Additive Manufacturing
• Aerospace Materials
• Graphene Nano-composites
• +5 more

Ashwath Pazhani is a Lecturer in Engineering Design at the CEES School of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced materials for aerospace and biomedical applications, particularly additive manufacturing of sustainable metal-based composites and microwave hybrid manufacturing techniques. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology (2021) and an MSc by Research in Materials and Manufacturing (2017). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing education and innovation in manufacturing. Research Interests: Additive Manufacturing of Aerospace Composites Graphene Nano-composites for Liquid Hydrogen Storage Microwave Processing of Metal Matrix Composites Computational Thermodynamics of Composites Industrial 4.0 Applications in Manufacturing Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator: 'Empowering Young Engineers in Additive Manufacturing' (2023-2025) Co-Investigator: 'Bridging the Gap: Skilled Workforce in Material Characterisation' (2024-2025) Awards: Received Global Wales Post Graduate Scholarship (2021) supporting his PhD research on aerospace brake pad materials. His work has been featured in media for innovations in space exploration materials. Professional Activities: Serves on editorial boards of Journal of Composites Science and MDPI , and reviews for Elsevier. Delivered invited talks on sustainable composites for aerospace applications.

• Exoplanets and Habitability
• Stellar Flares and Cool Stars
• Machine Learning and Bayesian Statistics
• +2 more

Maximilian N. Günther serves as the ESA CHEOPS Project Scientist & Mission Representative at ESTEC in the Netherlands since 2022, and concurrently holds the position of Chair of the ESA Exoplanet Team. With a Ph.D. from Cambridge University working under Nobel laureate Didier Queloz (2014-2018), he previously held a prestigious Torres Fellowship at MIT (2018-2021) and served as a Research Fellow at ESA (2021-2022). Dr. Günther specializes in the search for potentially habitable exoplanets, with particular focus on Earth-sized worlds orbiting small stars. His research integrates exoplanet observations with stellar physics and laboratory astrobiology to understand how stellar outbursts (flares) shape planetary habitability. His multidisciplinary background spans physics, biophysics, and astrophysics, having completed bachelor's studies in Würzburg, Germany (2009-2012) and master's research in Austin, TX, USA (2012-2013). His research interests center on exoplanet detection and characterization, particularly focusing on Exoplanets and Habitability , Stellar Flares and Cool Stars , and Machine Learning and Bayesian Statistics applications in astrophysics. Günther leads major collaborative efforts including the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS), Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), Search for habitable Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars (SPECULOOS), Antarctic Search for Transiting ExoPlanets (ASTEP), and Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS). Analysis of Günther's recent publication record (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on characterizing exoplanet systems, particularly Earth-sized and super-Earth planets in habitable zones, atmospheric properties of hot Jupiters, and developing new observational techniques using space telescopes. His work frequently employs multi-instrument approaches combining data from CHEOPS, TESS, and ground-based spectrographs to refine planetary parameters and understand system architectures. Scientific Recognition: Torres Fellow at MIT (2018-2021) With 147 total publications, an h-index of at least 33, and over 3,900 citations (as of January 14, 2025), Günther maintains an active research program at the forefront of exoplanet science. His work bridges observational astronomy, theoretical modeling, and data analysis techniques to advance our understanding of planetary systems beyond our solar system.

• Material Science
• Cultural Heritage Conservation
• Analytical Chemistry
• +3 more

Rita Wiesinger is a Lecturer at the Department of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Art at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. Her research focuses on material science applications in art conservation, particularly analyzing polymer degradation, metal corrosion (e.g., silver), and pigment behavior under environmental stressors. She employs advanced analytical techniques like LIBS, LA-ICP-MS, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy to study material composition and stability. Her work spans polymer films' response to pollutants, pigment interactions in paints, and corrosion processes in cultural heritage materials. Recent studies highlight the combined use of spectroscopic methods for material characterization, emphasizing their utility in understanding degradation mechanisms and informing conservation strategies. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly noted in the provided texts. She teaches courses such as 'Materialbeständigkeit in der Kunst I,' contributing to education in material durability for art conservation.

• Conductive polymer characterisation
• LIDAR
• Laser applications
• +4 more

John Holdsworth is an Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, specializing in photonics and laser applications. He has held roles including Head of Department at Ateneo de Manila University and served on UNESCO panels. His research focuses on LIDAR systems, conductive polymers, and optical fiber technologies. He has received teaching awards, including the 2006 Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence, and contributed to the development of the B.Sc. (Photonics) program. Education: PhD, Griffith University Bachelor of Science (Honours), Griffith University Bachelor of Science, Griffith University Research Interests: Holdsworth's work spans LIDAR applications in environmental monitoring, laser systems design, and conductive polymer dynamics. He collaborates internationally, including with Swinburne University and CSIRO, on projects like LiDAR dust mapping and organic electronics. His innovations include a finalist entry in the Engineers Australia Engineering Excellence Awards (2005). Grants & Funding: Over $2.6M in grants, including recent projects like the Murujuga LiDAR training ($110,500, 2024) and environmental dust management studies with MACH Energy. Awards: 2017 Honorary Professorship (University of Santo Tomas) 2006 Vice Chancellors Teaching Award

• Organic Electronics
• Solar Cell Technology
• Material Science
• +3 more

James William Ryan is a Researcher at the Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ), focusing on the relationship between morphology and electrical processes in small molecule solar cells and hybrid organic-inorganic light emitting diodes. His work contributes to advancements in renewable energy and molecular medicine. Research interests include understanding the interplay between material structure and electrical performance in next-generation energy technologies. His studies aim to improve efficiency in solar cells and light-emitting devices through insights into material morphology and charge transport mechanisms. No specific grants, awards, or current advising roles are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. He is part of ICIQ’s research teams involved in innovative catalysis and energy-related technologies. Labs and facilities associated with his work include ICIQ’s Scientific Core Facilities, such as the Photophysics Spectroscopy and Material Characterisation lab, contributing to experimental and analytical research.

• Casting and hot-rolling technologies in steel
• Solidification and peritectic phase transition in industrial materials
• High-temperature materials characterisation
• +3 more

Sukchun Moon is a Research Fellow at the School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering , University of Wollongong. He holds a PhD (2015) and Master of Research from the University of Wollongong, and a BSE from Hanyang University . His career includes collaboration with industries like POSCO and NUCOR . Research Focus : Casting and hot-rolling technologies, solidification and peritectic phase transitions, high-temperature materials characterization, and novel experimental technique development (e.g., HT-LSCM, DTA/DSC). Awards : Journal of Alloys and Compounds Best Paper Awards (2024) Best Manuscript Award, Advanced Real Time Imaging Symposium (2020, 2019) Hunt-Kelly Outstanding Paper Award (2017) Richard J. Fruehan Award (2016) Examiners’ Commendation for Outstanding PhD Thesis (2015) Publications : 15 most recent works span topics like peritectic phase transitions , high-temperature characterization , ultrafine-grained materials , semisolid processing of alloys , and thermal energy storage systems , appearing in journals such as Materials and Design , Journal of Alloys and Compounds , and Materials Characterization . Techniques : Expertise in high-temperature laser-scanning confocal microscopy (HT-LSCM) , neutron diffraction , and synchrotron X-ray analysis .

• Critical Minerals Characterization
• Igneous Petrology
• Metamorphic Petrology
• +3 more

Dr. Yamila Cajal is a Research Fellow in Critical Minerals Characterisation at the Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES) within the University of Tasmania's School of Natural Sciences. She holds a PhD from the Australian National University (ANU), where her research focused on magma fertility in porphyry copper deposits in Chile. Prior to her PhD, she worked in Chilean mining and exploration sectors. Her current research involves ore deposit systems under the Regional Research Collaboration Program (RRC) and Amira P1249 project. She specializes in applying petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology to understand metallogenic processes. Education: PhD in Geology (Australian National University, Australia) BSc (Hons) in Geology (University of Concepción, Chile) Research Interests: Yamila investigates magma evolution, ore fertility indicators (e.g., PGE and zircon geochemistry), and critical mineral potential in porphyry and VHMS deposits. She focuses on linking magmatic processes to ore formation using multi-disciplinary approaches, including fieldwork, isotope geochemistry, and geochronology. Grants & Projects: Genesis, Characterisation and Geochronology of the Cargo Deposit ($85,746, 2025–2028) Characterisation and Paragenesis of the Magdalena VHMS Deposit ($60,000, 2023–2027) Building Capacity in Regional Australia for Critical Metals ($3.5M, 2022–2027) Availability: Supervision of MPhil/PhD students and collaboration on industry projects, particularly in porphyry and VHMS systems. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with CODES and the Amira P1249 consortium, focusing on critical minerals research and sustainable mining solutions.