Chester Simocko is an Assistant Professor in Chemistry at San José State University, specializing in precision polymer synthesis and nanostructured materials. His laboratory focuses on metathesis polymerization techniques for creating functional block copolymers and surface-grafted polymer brushes. He teaches courses including Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry of Polymers, and laboratory modules, with an emphasis on practical synthetic methodologies. Research explores structure-property relationships in complex polymeric systems, with applications in nanotechnology and materials engineering. Key research themes: Design of stimuli-responsive polymer architectures Self-assembly mechanisms in multicomponent brush systems Sustainable polymerization processes using ionic media Publications demonstrate consistent focus on metathesis chemistry innovations and nanoscale characterization, with recent work advancing thermoresponsive micelle systems and e-waste upcycling methods.
Dr. Cristina Castejón Sisamon is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), affiliated with the MAQLAB (Machines Laboratory) and the Pedro Juan de Lastanosa Institute of Technology Development and Innovation. She also serves as the Assistant Vice-Rector for Entrepreneurship and In-House Research Program. Her research focuses on mechanical systems, condition monitoring of railway components, vibration analysis, robotics, and educational technology. Key areas include railway axle fatigue detection, wavelet transform applications, and predictive maintenance strategies. Her work spans advanced methodologies for fault diagnosis in rotating machinery, railway systems, and agricultural equipment. She has contributed to projects funded by entities like the EU, John Deere, and Alstom, addressing challenges in mechanical engineering and maintenance optimization. She leads or co-leads over 20 research projects, emphasizing innovation in mechanical systems and digital twins. Dr. Castejón is also active in educational initiatives, developing interactive tools for engineering education and robotics design. Her research outputs include 15+ recent articles (2022–2024), with a focus on vibration-based diagnostics, topology optimization, and historical mechanical treatises analysis. She holds patents related to skin biopsy devices and railway axle monitoring. MAQLAB serves as her primary research lab, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in mechanical engineering and technology development.
Burcak Ebin is a Senior Researcher at the Energy and Material department of Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. His research focuses on sustainable recycling technologies for critical materials from batteries, solar cells, and industrial waste streams, integrating metallurgy, thermodynamics, and environmental engineering.
Associate Professor LOH Wai Lam is affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), part of the College of Design and Engineering. He coordinates the Offshore Oil & Gas Technology Specialisation and manages the Subsea Systems and Transportation Programme at the Centre of Offshore Research & Engineering (CORE). His qualifications include a PhD, MSc, and BEng from the University of Manchester, UK, with professional certifications as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and memberships in the Royal Aeronautical Society (MRAeS) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). His research focuses on subsea processing, multiphase flow systems, and oil/gas production optimization. Notable contributions include patented innovations in multiphase pumps, flow metering, and separation technologies. He has received prestigious awards such as the Royal Society Esso Energy Award (1998) and Hart’s Petroleum International Special Meritorious Award (1999) for engineering innovation. Before joining NUS in 2006, he spent 16 years in the UK working in R&D roles for Oil & Gas companies, leading multidisciplinary projects on production, processing, and transportation. His work emphasizes practical engineering solutions for industry challenges, blending academic research with industrial applications.
Dr. HJ (Hans) Cappon is a Professor of Water Technology at HZ University of Applied Sciences (since 2020) and a Researcher in Urban Systems Engineering at Wageningen University & Research (since 2016). He holds a PhD in ultrasonic water treatment and has extensive experience in water quality, simulation models, and product development. Previously, he served as a Lecturer/Researcher at HZ (2007–2020) and held roles at TNO Industry, Wetsus, and KU Leuven. Educations MSc Biomechanical Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology (1992–1997) PhD in ultrasonic water treatment from Wetsus/Wageningen University (2009–2014) Research Interests Cappon specializes in water reuse systems, mathematical modeling for environmental processes, and acoustic separation technologies. His work bridges engineering principles with sustainable water solutions, focusing on numerical simulations and industrial applications. Projects & Teaching Leading projects on industrial water reuse and system modeling Teaching Basic Technologies for Urban Environmental Management (ETE25306) Labs/Teams Part of the Environmental Technology subdivision at Wageningen University, collaborating on urban systems engineering initiatives.
Prof. Demi Libertarian is an Associate Professor at the University of Trento’s Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science, and an Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology. Active since 2018, she leads the ULTRa Lab focusing on lung ultrasound, nonlinear acoustics, and biomedical imaging. She holds a PhD in Applied Physics from Delft University of Technology (2013) and has held visiting roles at Stanford, KAIST, and others. Her research emphasizes lung ultrasound diagnostics, quantitative imaging techniques, and AI-driven medical data analysis. Notable contributions include the ICLUS project for pandemic-related lung monitoring and the development of lung ultrasound spectroscopy. She has authored over 190 peer-reviewed publications and holds editorial roles at journals like Ultrasound Journal and Journal of the Acoustical Society of America . Prof. Libertarian’s work spans signal processing innovations, beamforming algorithms, and collaborations with global clinical partners. Her lab’s equipment includes advanced ultrasound platforms, clinical probes, and lung phantoms. She supervises PhD/PostDoc teams on topics like neonatal lung disease and AI-driven image analysis. Education: BSc/MSc Telecommunication Engineering, University of Pisa (2006/2008) PhD Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology (2013) Research Highlights: Lung ultrasound standardization and AI scoring systems Ultrasound localization microscopy and super-resolution techniques Quantitative assessment of lung diseases via spectroscopy Grants & Leadership: EU ERC Starting Grants evaluator Editorial roles at Springer Nature, Elsevier, and IEEE International Lung Ultrasound Symposium organizer
Nawar Kadi is a Professor of Textile Technology at the University of Borås, Sweden, affiliated with the Department of Textile Technology within the Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business. He leads research in sustainable textile recycling, fiber science, and composite materials. Previously, he worked at the University of Aleppo (2002–2016) and earned his PhD in 2001 from the University of Metz (France). His teaching focuses on yarn, non-woven fabrics, and weaving technologies. Research interests include textile recycling innovations, hemp fiber processing using deep eutectic solvents, and sustainable materials development. He supervises doctoral students in these areas and collaborates on projects funded by Vinnova and the Knowledge Foundation. Recent work emphasizes eco-friendly degumming techniques for hemp fibers, machine learning applications in fiber analysis, and advanced composites from biopolymers. His contributions span over 50 peer-reviewed publications, addressing topics from fiber structure optimization to circular economy strategies in textiles. Key grants include Vinnova Project 2021-03719 and Knowledge Foundation Grant 20210067. He advises on projects at the intersection of material science and textile engineering, advocating for sustainable industrial practices.
Siim Salmar is an Associate Professor in Organic Chemistry at the University of Tartu's Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology. His career spans over two decades with roles including Lecturer, Research Fellow, and leadership in lab establishment. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Tartu (2006) and has conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Exeter (Marie Curie Fellowship) and the University of Turin. Education: B.Sc. Chemistry (1995-1999) M.Sc. Chemistry (1999-2001) Ph.D. Chemistry (2001-2006) Research focuses on wood chemistry, sonochemistry, and lignin valorization, emphasizing ultrasound applications in biomass processing. He leads projects like 'Molecular Valorization of Wood Biomass' (€1.1M) and co-founded Leatherwoods for sustainable materials. Administrative roles include managing the Wood Chemistry and Lignin Lab since 2019. Publications span sonochemistry, lignin solubility, and biorefinery technologies. His work bridges chemical engineering and environmental sustainability, with 59+ peer-reviewed papers and active collaborations in Estonia and internationally.
Ramdas Kumaresan is a Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, College of Engineering. His office is located in the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. (1982) and M.S. (1979) from the University of Rhode Island, and a B.E. (1972) from the University of Madras. His research focuses on advanced signal processing techniques, with primary interests in: Digital Signal Processing Residue Number Systems Speech and Auditory System Analysis Biomedical signal applications Algorithm design for frequency tracking Kumaresan's publications demonstrate consistent work in signal processing methodologies spanning four decades. His recent research (2018-2020) focuses on biomedical applications including auditory-inspired algorithms and heart rate estimation, while his foundational work (1980s-1990s) established core contributions to spectral analysis, filter design, and speech processing techniques. He maintains research profiles on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and LinkedIn, and his publications are archived in DigitalCommons@URI.
Honorary Professor Dr. Liisa Rihko-Struckmann holds a dual role as Senior Scientist and Laboratory Manager at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, and serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg’s Process Systems Engineering department. She earned her Master’s (1989) and PhD (1997) in Chemical Engineering from Helsinki University of Technology, Finland. Her career spans industrial catalysis research at Neste Oil, postdoctoral positions at Helsinki University and the Max Planck Institute, and leadership in process systems engineering. Her research focuses on catalysis, CO₂ utilization (e.g., CO2RRECT project), biomass-to-fuel conversion (Probio project), and sustainable polymer recycling. Her work integrates computational methods, solvent design, and lifecycle assessment to advance renewable energy systems and biorefineries. Recent publications emphasize polyamide recycling, algal biomass fractionation, and machine learning-driven process optimization. Research interests include: catalysis and reaction engineering, CO₂ conversion technologies, biomass valorization, and sustainable chemical processes. She has pioneered solvent selection frameworks (e.g., PSEvolve) and applied computational tools to design zero-waste biorefineries. Key projects involve depolymerization of plastics, lignin upgrading, and exergy efficiency analysis in energy storage systems. Publications highlight advancements in polymer recycling strategies, algal lipid extraction, and process intensification via microwave/ultrasound techniques. Her articles underscore interdisciplinary approaches combining chemical engineering with AI and systems biology to address global sustainability challenges. Advising and grants: No formal student advising list is provided, but her research groups likely involve graduate students in Max Planck and university collaborations. Projects are funded through German research initiatives focusing on circular economy and renewable energy technologies. Labs/Teams: Leads the Process Systems Engineering group at Max Planck, collaborating with international teams on biorefinery design and CO₂ utilization.
Dr. Ka Yu Cheng is a Senior Research Scientist at CSIRO Environment (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Murdoch University's School of Engineering & Information Technology. He leads the Waste Beneficitation & Storage Team, focusing on innovative processes for PFAS degradation, mining waste treatment, and resource recovery aligned with circular economy principles. His collaborations span major industry partners like Water Corporation of Western Australia, NSW Environmental Trust, and South32. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering (Murdoch University, 2010) MPhil in Environmental Science (Hong Kong Baptist University, 2005) BSc (Honors) in Applied Biology (Hong Kong Baptist University, 2003) Research Interests: Dr. Cheng specializes in (bio)treatment of industrial/municipal waste streams, biodegradation of contaminants (e.g., PFAS), microbial electrochemical technologies (e.g., fuel/electrolysis cells), mining biotechnology, and resource recovery. His work integrates bioremediation, bioelectrochemistry, and process engineering to address environmental sustainability challenges. Publication Trends: His recent articles emphasize bioelectrochemical systems, waste valorization, metal recovery from e-waste, and bioreactor optimization for contaminant removal. Key themes include circular economy applications, microbial community dynamics, and techno-economic analysis of hybrid treatment processes. Awards & Honors: Australia’s Leading Researcher in Biotechnology (The Australian, 2018) Top 1% in Environment & Ecology (Publons Peer Reviewer Award, 2018) CSIRO Land & Water Young Scientist of the Year (2012) Best Poster Award (IWA Leading Edge Conference, 2013) Huber Technology Prize (2008) Professional Roles: He serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology and Editorial Board Member for Processes and Environmental Technology . His team at CSIRO pioneers solutions for industrial waste challenges, supported by grants from environmental agencies and mining sectors.
Dr. Irfan Madani is a Senior Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University since January 2019. He holds a PhD in Flight Navigation and Guidance Systems from the University of Sheffield and an MSc in Flight Dynamics from Cranfield College of Aeronautics. Prior to academia, he spent four years in the aircraft industry working on flight testing for flight control, hydraulic, and landing gear systems. His research focuses on avionic system design, flight navigation, CNS/ATM systems, radar systems, and trajectory optimization. He has contributed to major EU-funded projects including the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative and SESAR Exploratory Research Projects (AGENT and PARTAKE). He previously served as Course Director for Cranfield University's Aircraft Engineering MSc program (2014–2018) and led technical teams in trajectory management and mission planning. His professional affiliations include the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and he is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). His publications emphasize air traffic management optimization, trajectory-based operations, and aircraft system efficiency. Research trends include enhancing flight safety through advanced navigation systems, reducing environmental impact via trajectory optimization, and integrating emerging technologies like sensor-based obstacle detection systems.
Nico F. Declercq is a Full Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology's George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, with primary duties at Georgia Tech Lorraine in Metz, France. He holds courtesy appointments at the Université de Lorraine and the University of Allahabad (India as Honoris Causa). His research focuses on acoustics, nondestructive evaluation (NDE), and materials science, with notable contributions to ultrasonic techniques for composite materials, biomedical applications, and geometric relativity theories like Trembling Spacetime Relativity Theory (TSRT). Declercq has supervised eight faculty members, authored over 150 publications, and pioneered studies on phenomena such as the acoustic properties of Chichen Itza and Epidaurus. Education: PhD (Engineering Physics, Ghent University, 2005), M.Sc. (Physics, KU Leuven, 2000), B.Sc. (Physics, KU Leuven, 1996). Research Interests: TSRT (geometric quantum foundations), NDE of composites and biological tissues, phononic crystals, and ultrasonic robotics. Awards include the 2022 Honoris Causa Professorship, ICA Early Career Award (2007), and World Technology finalist (2009). His work bridges acoustics, materials science, and fundamental physics, with applications in aerospace, energy systems, and medical diagnostics.
Dr. Andrei Galatanu is a Scientific Researcher I at the National Institute of Materials Physics (NIMP) in Romania, where he serves as coordinator of the Applications compartment since 2014. His career spans over three decades at NIMP, progressing from Research Assistant (1994-2001) to Senior Researcher 2nd grade (2004) and Senior Researcher 1st grade (2005-present), with an additional research period at Japan's Advanced Science Research Center (2001-2004). His educational background includes: PhD in Physics, Solid State Physics, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics (2000) Diplom Engineer (MSc in Physics), Solid State Physics, Technological University of Viena, Faculty of Physics (1994) Dr. Galatanu's research focuses on condensed matter physics and materials science, with expertise in transport phenomena, structural & morphology analysis, magnetic properties, calorimetry, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and thermo-mechanical characterization. His work emphasizes developing advanced characterization techniques and experimental setup automation for materials research. His recent publications reveal a strong concentration on nuclear fusion applications, particularly tungsten-based composites, high entropy alloys, and thermal barrier materials that must withstand extreme reactor conditions including high heat fluxes, neutron irradiation, and thermal cycling. As project director, he has secured approximately 4 million euros in research funding for projects related to innovative structural materials for fission and fusion applications, including the 'INNOVATIVE STRUCTURAL MATERIALS FOR FISSION AND FUSION' project. His laboratory work involves collaboration with international fusion research programs, particularly within the EUROfusion Consortium framework, where he contributes to developing materials for DEMO reactor components. Dr. Galatanu coordinates the Applications compartment of NIMP, which focuses on translating fundamental materials research into practical engineering solutions for nuclear energy applications. His team develops and characterizes advanced materials using techniques including mechanical alloying, spark plasma sintering, and field-assisted sintering technology (FAST), with particular emphasis on improving tungsten properties for plasma-facing components in fusion reactors.
Dr. Eng. Joanna Łechtańska is a researcher at the Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering , Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznań University of Technology. She holds a PhD in Chemical Technology (2016) and has been actively involved in research and teaching since her doctoral studies (2010-2016). Educational Background : Master's & PhD in Chemical Technology, specialization in Chemical Process Engineering (Poznań University of Technology) Her research focuses on metal recovery from waste , polymer inclusion membranes , and aqueous solution separation processes . She has pioneered work on microwave/ultrasound-assisted convective drying for biological materials, with notable publications in Drying Technology and Ultrasonics Sonochemistry . Her 2023 article on ultrasound-enhanced heat transfer highlights innovations in drying efficiency. Key trends in her publications (2013-2023) include: Advancements in hybrid drying technologies Membrane-based metal ion separation Process optimization for food preservation Energy efficiency in drying systems She collaborates with international researchers, including Prof. Evangelos Tsotsas' group at Otto von Guericke University (Magdeburg). Her teaching portfolio includes Chemometrics and Extraction Methods laboratory classes.
