Martha Constantinou is an Associate Professor of Physics at Temple University, specializing in Theoretical/Computational Nuclear Physics with a focus on Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Her research addresses fundamental questions in hadron structure, including nucleon spin content and proton radius puzzles, leveraging supercomputing resources. She leads a group conducting advanced numerical simulations at major computational facilities. Constantinou holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical Computational Physics (University of Cyprus, 2008) and a BS in Physics (University of Cyprus, 2003). Her work aligns with the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) at Brookhaven National Lab, aiming to explore nucleon structure and dark matter connections. Key research areas include generalized parton distributions (GPDs), axial form factors, and high-performance computing applications. Notable awards include the US Department of Energy Early Career Award (2019) and the Selma Lee Bloch Brown Professorship (2020). Her publications (15 most recent listed) emphasize Lattice QCD advancements, with contributions to GPDs, quark-gluon momentum partitioning, and EIC theory. She actively promotes STEM outreach and public engagement through collaborative initiatives.
Christian Wald is a Post-doctoral researcher at Technical University Berlin working under Professor Gabriele Steidl, focusing on generative modeling, flow matching, and stochastic processes in machine learning. His research bridges theoretical probability with practical medical imaging applications, particularly in MRI reconstruction and analysis. He completed his PhD at Humboldt University of Berlin in 2017 with a thesis on p-adic quantum groups. His academic journey transitioned from pure mathematics to interdisciplinary machine learning research, reflecting his versatile expertise. Wald's primary research explores generative models through the lens of optimal transport and flow matching, with significant contributions to Wasserstein geometry and conditional distance metrics. His work frequently integrates stochastic processes to enhance medical image reconstruction, demonstrating strong cross-disciplinary impact in both theoretical machine learning and clinical applications. Recent publications highlight innovations in sliced MMD flows, Bayesian OT methods, and uncertainty-aware medical image analysis. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a consistent trajectory toward unifying geometric probability with deep learning. Key themes include flow-based generative modeling for medical time-series data, optimal transport applications in image reconstruction, and novel kernel methods for distribution matching. His work spans both foundational theory (e.g., Fisher-Rao curves) and high-impact medical applications (e.g., coronary calcium scoring). No specific scientific awards are documented in the provided text, though his publications appear in prestigious venues including ICLR, IEEE TMI, and Physics in Medicine & Biology. Wald maintains extensive collaborations with the medical imaging group at Technical University Berlin, particularly with Andreas Kofler and Gabriele Steidl. His co-authored works demonstrate consistent contributions to MRI reconstruction pipelines and segmentation frameworks, though no formal advising roles or grant leadership are indicated. Current projects focus on uncertainty quantification in active learning for medical image segmentation. He operates within Gabriele Steidl's research group at Technical University Berlin, which specializes in mathematical imaging and machine learning. The team combines expertise in optimization, probability theory, and deep learning to solve medical imaging challenges, with Wald contributing core algorithmic innovations in generative modeling and stochastic reconstruction.
Ziming Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) , with additional affiliations in Data Science and Robotics Engineering. He previously held research roles at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) and Boston University. PhD in Computing (2013) from Oxford Brookes University , UK MS in Computing Science (2010) from Simon Fraser University , CA BS in Computer Science and Technology (2005) from Northeastern University , China Research interests span computer vision , machine learning , and their applications in point cloud processing , medical imaging , autonomous driving , and IoT . He leads the Vision, Intelligence, and System Laboratory (VISLab) at WPI. Recent publications focus on 3D reconstruction , hyperbolic learning , and robust classifiers . Awards include the R&D100 Award 2018 and NSF funding for data-efficient deep learning. PhD Students: Yecheng Lyu (co-supervised), Guojun Wu (co-supervised), Hangrui Zhang, Xuechu Yu Master's Students: Yun Yue, Yuping Shao Visiting Scholars: Fangzhou Lin His lab partners with industry and academic institutions, focusing on autonomous systems , robotics , and scientific imaging projects.
Christopher Rycroft is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He leads the Rycroft Group, which focuses on mathematical modeling and scientific computation for interdisciplinary applications in science and engineering. Prior to joining UW-Madison in summer 2022, he was a professor at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences from 2014-2022, and before that a Morrey Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley from 2010-2013. Professor Rycroft's research spans three main areas: numerical methods for material mechanics, data-driven discovery, and computational geometry. His group develops new computational methods while working directly with domain scientists. Key achievements include the development of the reference map technique for fluid-structure interaction, Voro++ software library for Voronoi tessellation, and novel approaches to understanding crumpling physics. His work combines traditional analysis and modeling with machine learning methods to extract scientific insights from complex data. The Rycroft Group's publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory of interdisciplinary research bridging mathematics, physics, materials science, and biology. Recent work has focused on fluid-structure interaction, computational geometry applications, mechanical metamaterials, and biological fluid dynamics. The group develops both theoretical frameworks and practical software tools that have found applications across diverse scientific domains from materials science to virology. Everett Mendelsohn Award for Excellence in Mentorship (2021) Professor Rycroft has advised numerous PhD and master's students who have gone on to postdoctoral positions at institutions including MIT, EPFL, and Cornell. His teaching includes advanced scientific computing courses that have quadrupled in enrollment during his tenure. He has secured research funding supporting his group's work on computational methods and interdisciplinary applications. The Rycroft Group consists of graduate students, postdocs, and collaborators with diverse backgrounds in applied mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science. The group maintains active collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions and participates in centers such as the Harvard Quantitative Biology Initiative.
Johannes Brandstetter is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Machine Learning at Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) where he leads the "AI for data-driven simulations" research group. He is also Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Emmi AI, bridging academic research with industrial applications in AI-driven physics simulation. Brandstetter earned his PhD after working at CERN's CMS experiment on Higgs boson physics. In 2018, he transitioned to machine learning, joining Sepp Hochreiter's research group in Linz. From 2021-2023, he worked at the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab under Max Welling and Microsoft Research, developing expertise in Geometric Deep Learning and neural surrogates for partial differential equations. He returned to JKU in October 2023 to establish his own research group. His research spans Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Physics-Informed Machine Learning with focus areas including Neural PDE solvers, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Climate Modeling. Brandstetter believes AI is poised to revolutionize industrial-scale simulations, potentially saving thousands of compute hours across engineering domains. His work integrates computer vision, numerical simulation, and engineering components to advance data-driven approaches. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward foundation models for scientific applications, particularly in atmospheric modeling (Aurora), geometric deep learning, and neural surrogates for complex physical systems. His interdisciplinary work spans computer vision, climate science, computational physics, and engineering, demonstrating the versatility of his research approach. Principal Investigator for "AlKa-DL: Alpine karst spring discharge prediction" (FWF-funded, 2024-2027) Principal Investigator for Cluster of Excellence "Bilateral Artificial Intelligence" (FWF-funded, 2024-2029) Co-PI for "Fast, efficient and flexible CFD simulation through generative AI" (FFG-funded, 2025-2026) As an educator and researcher, Brandstetter actively engages with the scientific community through invited talks at major conferences including presentations on "Closing the Gap Between Scientific Foundation Models and Real-World Applications" (March 2025) and "Scientific Machine Learning for Science and Engineering" (February 2025).
Jayson Paulose is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute for Fundamental Science. His research spans theoretical soft matter physics, biophysics, evolutionary dynamics, and metamaterials design, focusing on the intersection of topology, geometry, and statistical mechanics in artificial and biological systems. Academic Roles: Faculty member in the Department of Physics, Director of the MSTC Program. Research Themes: Designer matter (topological and active metamaterials), biological systems (elasticity of thin shells, evolutionary genetics), and mechanical principles in soft structures. Collaborations: Partners with experimentalists and theorists in physics, materials science, and biology at UO and institutions like Leiden University. Lab: Paulose Group, which includes graduate and undergraduate researchers, explores problems such as topological protection in metamaterials and genetic propagation in populations. Research Interests include: Topological soft matter: Using symmetry and geometry to design materials with robust mechanical properties. Evolutionary dynamics: Modeling the impact of long-range dispersal on genetic diversity and population structure. Elastic mechanics: Analyzing thin shells and membranes relevant to biological systems. Active matter: Studying non-equilibrium systems like rotating dimer particles and synthetic metamaterials. Publications reflect his interdisciplinary focus, with recent work (2023–2024) on mechanical metamaterials, elastic shells, and stochastic population genetics, and earlier contributions to active spinner materials and topological protection in biological systems. Education & Training of students in his lab emphasizes theoretical rigor and computational techniques, with alumni transitioning to postdoctoral positions and industry roles in mechanical engineering, data science, and software development. Contact: jpaulose@uoregon.edu | Office: 375 Willamette Hall, University of Oregon.
Panayiotis Papadopoulos is a Professor and the Byron and Elvira Nishkian Chair in Structural Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He serves as Director of the CoE Aerospace Engineering Programs and contributes to the Computational Solid Mechanics Lab. Education: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1991) M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1987) Dipl. in Civil Engineering, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece (1986) Research Interests: Professor Papadopoulos specializes in computational mechanics, solid mechanics, biomechanics, and applied mathematics. His work bridges theoretical modeling with advanced numerical methods, focusing on multiscale analysis, thermomechanical coupling, and material failure mechanisms. Publication Trends: His recent research emphasizes multiscale finite element methods, thermomechanical analysis of deformable solids, and biomechanical modeling. Key themes include contact mechanics, phase transformations in shape-memory alloys, and computational approaches for microstructural analysis. Scientific Awards: Byron and Elvira Nishkian Chair in Structural Engineering Labs and Teams: He leads the Computational Solid Mechanics Lab, which develops advanced numerical frameworks for material behavior under complex thermomechanical conditions.
Anna-Karin Tornberg is a Professor in Numerical Analysis at the Department of Mathematics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. She holds positions as Vice Chair of the Department of Mathematics and previously served as Head of the Numerical Analysis division (2011–2023). Her research focuses on numerical methods for PDEs, particularly boundary integral methods for fluid flows involving particles and drops. She is active in the Linne FLOW Centre and Swedish e-Science Research Center (SeRC). Key roles include membership in the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), Royal Academy of Sciences, and receipt of awards like the Göran Gustafsson Prize (Mathematics, 2014). She has advised numerous PhD students and postdocs, including current supervisees Anna Broms, David Krantz, and Emanuel Ström. Her work spans theoretical, computational, and applied fluid dynamics with emphasis on microfluidics and high-accuracy numerical techniques. Education includes a PhD in Numerical Analysis from KTH (2000) followed by postdoctoral positions at NYU’s Courant Institute. Promoted to Full Professor at KTH in 2012. Service roles include membership in KTH’s University Board, Faculty Council, and editorial roles at Advances in Computational Mathematics and BIT Numerical Mathematics . Active in international conferences, delivering plenary/invited lectures at ICIAM, ECM, and ICM. Research group projects include development of fast numerical methods for microfluidics and molecular dynamics simulations. Current openings for PhD candidates in numerical methods for non-elliptic PDEs in time-dependent domains. Her lab collaborates on high-performance computing and fluid-structure interaction problems.
Dr. Liang Cui is an Associate Professor at the University of Surrey , affiliated with the School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Institute for Sustainability . With a PhD from University College Dublin (2006) and BE (1st honor) from Tsinghua University (2002) , his career spans geotechnical research and education since joining Surrey in 2009. Key roles: Undergraduate Programme Leader (2020-2022, 2023-on), MSc Programme Leader for Advanced Geotechnical/Civil/Structural Engineering (2022-2023) Professional memberships: Chartered Engineer (CEng), Member of Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE), Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA) His primary research focuses on numerical modeling (DEM/FEM) for geotechnical applications including offshore wind foundations , geothermal energy systems , methane hydrate exploitation , and extra-terrestrial soil mechanics . Secondary interests involve material characterization of polymeric foams , porous media , and biological tissues . Recent 15 publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in soil-structure interaction for renewable energy infrastructure, thermal feedback in groundwater heat pumps, and hypothesis-driven DEM simulations for lunar/martian environments. Collaborative projects span institutions including Tsinghua University , University of Bristol , and Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar . Scientific Awards: Sustainability Fellow (University of Surrey, 2023) Chartered Engineer (CEng) and MICE FHEA for educational contributions Dr. Cui supervises 7 postgraduate researchers and contributes to teaching modules in soil mechanics and energy geotechnics. His work addresses challenges in hybrid marine energy systems , needleless drug delivery , and seismic resilience of critical infrastructure.
Charles M. Bachmann is a Professor at the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science , part of the College of Science at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) . He also holds the Frederick and Anna B. Wiedman Chair and serves as the CIS Graduate Program Coordinator since 2016. His research focuses on hyperspectral remote sensing of coastal and desert environments, with expertise in BRDF and radiative transfer modeling, goniometer development, and manifold/graph algorithms for multi-sensor imagery analysis. Recent work emphasizes UAS-based soil moisture and carbon mapping for climate studies. Education : AB in Physics (Princeton, 1984), Sc.M. (1986) and Ph.D. (1990) in Physics (Brown University). Scientific Awards : U.S. Patents for hyperspectral remote sensing methods. Teaching : Radiometry, Radiative Transfer, Mathematical Methods of Imaging Science, and graduate thesis/research courses. Students : Mentored research on soil moisture, coastal biomass, and UAS applications.
Dr. Axel Lubk is a Group Leader at the Institute for Solid State Research (IFW Dresden) , specializing in advanced electron microscopy techniques for materials science. His research spans four key areas: (1) TEM method development (high-resolution imaging, tomography, holography, and in-situ techniques), (2) charge particle optics and scattering theory , (3) magnetic nanotextures (domain walls, skyrmions), and (4) plasmonics (mode hybridization in heterogeneous structures and semiconductor heterostructures). Dr. Lubk’s work focuses on three-dimensional magnetic texture analysis using electron holography and tomography, particularly in systems like skyrmion tubes , FeGe , and Cr2O3 thin films . He has pioneered techniques for vector-field electron tomography and phase retrieval under varying boundary conditions, advancing nanoscale magnetic imaging. His recent studies include plasmonic properties in AgAu nanosphere chains , thermoelectric multilayer systems , and topological insulators like NiRh2Sb and TaTMTe4 . Dr. Lubk has published extensively in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications and Advanced Materials , with a focus on TEM instrumentation and quantitative analysis . He frequently presents at international conferences like the International Microscopy Congress and European School of Magnetism , emphasizing applications in spintronics , quantum materials , and nanostructured systems . His contributions to holographic vector-field electron tomography and machine learning for spectrum-image data have set new standards in electron microscopy.
Tony Jun Huang is the William Bevan Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University, with additional professorships in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on acoustofluidics, optofluidics, and micro/nano systems for biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics. Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (UCLA, 2005) Huang's research has revolutionized biomedical microsystems through acoustofluidic technologies, enabling contactless particle manipulation, exosome isolation, and advanced diagnostic platforms. His work has been cited over 36,000 times (h-index: 102) with 30 issued/pending patents. Recent publications highlight his innovations in acoustic tweezers, extracellular vesicle analysis, topological acoustofluidics, and AI-assisted biomimetic imaging. His lab develops technologies for single-cell analysis, non-invasive diagnostics, and programmable material systems. 2023 Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science) 2020 Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2019 Van C. Mow Medal (ASME) 2017 Analytical Chemistry Young Innovator Award (ACS) 2010 NIH Director's New Innovator Award Huang has taught courses including ME 535: Biomedical Microsystems and mentored numerous graduate students through his Duke Acoustofluidics Lab. His lab's technologies are applied in cancer biomarker detection, Alzheimer's diagnostics, and wound healing hydrogels.
Professor Luke Connal is a full professor at the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University (ANU), where he leads the Connal Group. He joined ANU in 2017 after serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Currently, he holds an ARC mid-career industry fellowship and serves as the chair of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) polymer division. Professor Connal is also an associate editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry journal "Molecular Systems Design and Engineering" and co-founder of two spin-out companies focused on polymer technologies. Professor Connal received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and PhD in polymer chemistry from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Following his doctoral studies, he completed a post-doctoral position with Professor Frank Caruso at the University of Melbourne, developing new techniques for the self-assembly of polymers. He then held a joint Sir Keith Murdoch postdoctoral Fellowship and Australian Linkage International Fellowship at the University of California, Santa Barbara, working with Professor Craig Hawker. Professor Connal's research focuses on the development of molecular design concepts to create new materials for diverse applications, including artificial skin and tissues, sustainable polymers and surfactants, additive manufacturing electronics, and water harvesting. His core competencies center around advanced polymer design, self-assembly, and catalysis . His group explores four main research themes: Catalysis, Functional Materials and Interfaces, Soft Matter, and Supramolecular Chemistry . They develop innovative materials such as enzyme-inspired polymer catalysts, smart polymers for 3D printing, and polymer electrolytes for energy storage applications. Analysis of Professor Connal's recent publications reveals a strong focus on developing biomimetic materials and responsive polymers. His work bridges fundamental polymer chemistry with practical applications in environmental remediation, healthcare, and sustainable technologies. A notable trend is the increasing emphasis on CO2 capture technologies through enzyme-inspired catalysts and hydrogel systems. His group has also made significant contributions to 3D printing of functional materials , particularly self-healing gels and pH-responsive polymers. The research demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward creating smart, responsive materials with applications addressing global challenges in sustainability and healthcare. David Syme Research Prize (2020) Grimwade Prize in Industrial Chemistry (2019) Professor Connal actively supervises multiple PhD students including Lilian Boton, Jason Buchanan, Sandra Jestin, Saif Rahaman, Peidong Shen, Ming Li Tan, Moki Thanusing, and Jekaterina Viktorova. His current research is supported by several significant grants including projects on sustainable and compostable plastic alternatives, multimaterial 3D printed antenna arrays, developing vitrimers as next-generation reusable plastics, multi-material 3D printing, and smart materials for atmospheric water management. These projects demonstrate his commitment to translating fundamental polymer research into practical solutions for environmental and technological challenges. The Connal Group at ANU operates at the intersection of polymer chemistry and materials science, developing innovative solutions across multiple domains. Their laboratory work focuses on creating new polymers with applications spanning artificial skin development, sustainable packaging alternatives, atmospheric water harvesting, and advanced electronics. The group's unique approach combines biomimicry principles with cutting-edge polymer synthesis techniques to create materials with precisely controlled properties. Current projects include developing strong and self-healing polymer materials for biological applications, expanding 3D printing capabilities for functional materials, creating fully recyclable or compostable plastics, and designing thermoresponsive polymer desiccants for sustainable water harvesting.
Michael Bronstein is a Professor at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI Lugano) in Switzerland and Imperial College London in the UK, where he holds the Chair in Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition. He serves as Head of Graph Learning Research at Twitter following the acquisition of his startup Fabula AI, and maintains a principal engineer position at Intel Perceptual Computing. His research focuses on the interplay between geometry, machine learning, and computer vision, with particular emphasis on non-Euclidean structured data. Professor Bronstein received his Ph.D. with distinction in Computer Science from the Technion in 2007. He has held visiting appointments at Stanford University, MIT, Harvard University (as a Radcliffe Fellow), and Tel Aviv University, and has been affiliated with multiple Institutes for Advanced Study including TUM-IAS where he was a Rudolf Diesel Industry Fellow (2017). He is a Fellow of IAPR, Senior Member of the IEEE, and a member of the Young Academy of Europe. His research program centers on theoretical and computational methods in spectral and metric geometry applied to computer vision, pattern recognition, and machine learning. He pioneered the field of geometric deep learning, developing novel neural network architectures that process non-Euclidean data structures like graphs and manifolds. His work spans from theoretical foundations to practical applications, with over 100 publications in top scientific journals and conferences, and has been featured in international media including CNN. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in geometric deep learning with applications spanning computer vision, 3D shape analysis, social network analysis, and bioinformatics. His research consistently bridges theoretical innovation with real-world applications, developing novel neural architectures for processing complex data structures. The work demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary reach, connecting machine learning with fields from particle physics to molecular biology. Dalle Molle Prize (2018) Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2018) ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2018) Amazon AWS Machine Learning Research Award (2018) Fellow, International Association for Pattern Recognition (IAPR) Google Faculty Research Award (2017) Radcliffe fellowship, Harvard University (2017) Rudolf Diesel industrial fellowship, TU Munich (2017) ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2014) Professor Bronstein has secured multiple ERC grants (Starting Grant 2012, Proof of Concept Grants 2016 and 2018, Consolidator Grant 2016) and has mentored numerous students who have contributed to over 30 granted patents. He has chaired more than a dozen conferences and workshops in his field and served as area chair at major computer vision conferences including ECCV 2016 and ICCV 2017. His research group at USI Lugano collaborates extensively with industry partners including Intel and Twitter. As a serial entrepreneur, Professor Bronstein co-founded Novafora (2005-2009) developing large-scale video analysis, Invision (2009-2012) which created low-cost 3D sensors and was acquired by Intel, and Fabula AI (2018-2019) focused on fake news detection which was acquired by Twitter. His work bridges theoretical research with commercial applications, with his technology contributing to Intel RealSense and Twitter's graph learning infrastructure.
Associate Professor Chris Wensrich is a faculty member in the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle, specializing in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a PhD, Bachelor of Mathematics, and Bachelor of Engineering from the same university. His research focuses on granular mechanics, neutron diffraction, and strain tomography, with pioneering work in Bragg-edge transmission strain tomography and granular dynamics modeling. Wensrich has held visiting appointments at Clare Hall College, Cambridge University, and the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in the UK. He currently serves as President of the Australian Neutron Beam User Group (ANBUG) and is a member of the ACNS Program Advisory Team at ANSTO. His expertise spans applied mechanics, computational modeling (DEM), and experimental techniques involving neutron diffraction. His research interests include granular material behavior, stress distribution measurement, and validation of computational models using neutron imaging. Notable contributions include studies on silo quaking dynamics, force chain analysis in granular assemblies, and residual stress characterization in additive manufacturing. Wensrich has supervised 11 PhD students and secured over $5.4M in grants, including ARC Discovery Projects and industry-linked initiatives. Publications span granular mechanics, strain tomography, and material characterization, with over 60 journal articles and 38 conference papers. His work bridges theoretical, computational, and experimental methods to advance understanding of particulate systems and engineering materials.
