Yu He is an Assistant Professor of Applied Physics and Physics at Yale University, affiliated with the Department of Physics. His research focuses on condensed matter physics and experimental techniques such as angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and x-ray scattering to study correlated electronic systems and quantum materials. Prior to Yale, he completed a Miller Research Fellowship at UC Berkeley (2019) after earning his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University. Key research areas include metal-to-insulator transitions, superconductivity, 2D magnetism, and solid-state quantum simulation. He has contributed to advancements in material characterization techniques, including high-resolution ARPES using tabletop lasers. His work integrates crystal synthesis, electric transport measurements, and surface decoration to explore material properties. Education: B.S. in Physics from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC); M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University. Research Interests: Experimental condensed matter physics, quantum materials, superconductivity, and light-matter interaction studies. His current projects aim to dissect microscopic degrees of freedom (electronic, lattice, spin) in novel materials using cutting-edge spectroscopic methods. The lab employs complementary techniques like electric transport measurements and crystal growth to characterize material properties comprehensively. Awards: Miller Research Fellow, UC Berkeley (2019) Advising & Grants: No student advisees listed. Research supported by Yale University and prior fellowships. Labs & Teams: Leads a research group at Yale focused on experimental condensed matter physics, collaborating on projects involving advanced material characterization and quantum material discovery.
Rafael Brüschweiler is a Professor and Ohio Research Scholar at The Ohio State University, holding joint appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology. He serves as the NMR Executive Director for the Ohio State Campus Chemical Instrument Center and the NSF-funded National Gateway Ultrahigh Field NMR Center. His research focuses on biophysical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and computational modeling, emphasizing protein dynamics, metabolomics, and NMR method development. He received his Ph.D. from ETH Zurich and completed a postdoc at the Scripps Research Institute. His research integrates experimental NMR, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning to study protein structure-function relationships, metabolic pathways, and biomolecular interactions. Key areas include the dynamics of oncogenic K-Ras, glucokinase glucose sensing, and nanoparticle-assisted NMR techniques. His work is funded by the NIH and NSF, with applications in biomedical diagnostics and drug discovery. Dr. Brüschweiler leads a multidisciplinary lab training students and postdocs in NMR spectroscopy, computational methods, and metabolomics. His lab developed tools like DEEP picker and COLMAR for automated NMR data analysis, contributing to the SECIM metabolomics center. He actively recruits students interested in protein dynamics, computational modeling, or metabolomics.
Professor Christopher Roland is a faculty member in the Department of Physics at North Carolina State University, part of the College of Sciences. He holds the rank of Professor since 2002, joining the university in 1993 after completing his PhD in Physics at McGill University, Canada, and postdoctoral work at the University of Toronto and AT&T Bell Laboratories. His research focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics and biophysics, particularly investigating nucleic acid structures (DNA and RNA) associated with neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders like Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion Diseases (TREDs). Key areas include DNA/RNA hairpin dynamics, free energy calculations, and molecular mechanisms underlying genetic mutations. Recent publications emphasize structural and computational studies of nucleic acid conformations, such as Z-DNA motifs, triplex formations, and disease-linked repeat sequences. His work bridges quantum transport simulations, biomolecular modeling, and disease prediction. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided materials. His research is supported by grants from NC State University and collaborations within the Department of Physics. Laboratory and team details are not specified, though his work aligns with computational biophysics and condensed matter research groups at NC State.
Ralph Jimenez is an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry and Institute Fellow at JILA, University of Colorado Boulder. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1996) and completed postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Diego (1997-1998), followed by research at The Scripps Research Institute (1998-2003). His research focuses on quantum spectroscopy and photophysics of fluorescent proteins, leveraging quantum optics to enhance spectroscopic sensitivity and developing genetically encoded biomarkers with improved photophysical properties. Key achievements include fluorescence-lifetime-based methods to engineer brighter fluorescent proteins and machine-learning approaches to improve photostability. His awards include the Arthur S. Flemming Award (2017) and U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal (2017). His group's work integrates quantum engineering with biophysical studies, targeting real-world applications in molecular imaging and materials science. The Jimenez Group operates labs at JILA (B117, B119, B121) and collaborates on projects involving entangled photons, two-photon absorption, and ultrafast spectroscopy. Research themes include quantum-enhanced spectroscopy for complex systems and overcoming limitations in fluorescent protein imaging through physical chemistry strategies. His lab develops novel instrumentation, including microfluidic sorting systems and tabletop X-ray spectroscopy platforms, to advance biomarker engineering and environmental monitoring.
James M. Piret is a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the School of Biomedical Engineering and the Michael Smith Laboratories. He holds a Sc.D. from MIT (1989), an S.M. from MIT (1986), and an A.B. from Harvard College (1981). His research focuses on bioprocessing, biomedical engineering, and cell therapy biotechnology, with emphasis on optimizing therapeutic cell production and biomanufacturing processes. Education : Sc.D. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1989) S.M. in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1986) A.B. in Chemistry, Harvard College (1981) Professor Piret’s research integrates bioreactor engineering, Raman spectroscopy, and data analytics to advance cell-based therapies for diseases like cancer and diabetes. Collaborations with stem cell biologists (e.g., Drs. Kieffer and Levings) and engineers (Drs. Turner and Gopaluni) drive innovations in bioprocess optimization and device development. His lab emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to accelerate biotechnology production processes and cell therapy manufacturing. Awards : William F. Meggers Award (2022) R.S. Jane Memorial Award (2015) Cell Culture Engineering Award (2012) Fellow, Chemical Institute of Canada (2004) His work includes developing novel methodologies for CHO cell glycosylation engineering, optimizing fed-batch bioreactor systems, and advancing Raman spectroscopy techniques for real-time cell analysis. The lab actively recruits motivated graduate and postdoctoral researchers to tackle high-impact challenges in biomedical and chemical engineering.
Tobias Hermann serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford's Department of Engineering Science, where he leads research within the Oxford Thermofluids Institute and holds a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. Affiliated with St. Hilda's College as an Associate Research Fellow, his work centers on experimental hypersonics and advanced diagnostic development for extreme aerospace environments. Hermann earned his Dipl.-Ing. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Stuttgart (2012) followed by a Dr.-Ing. degree (2017), with doctoral research focused on spacecraft re-entry phenomena and aerothermochemistry during atmospheric entry. His thesis involved developing optical diagnostics including Vacuum Ultraviolet spectroscopy and tomographic emission systems. His research program emphasizes experimental hypersonics and plasma flows , with core expertise in spacecraft re-entry physics , high-temperature material-flow interactions , and optical diagnostic innovation . Hermann pioneered analytical methods for transpiration cooling in porous media and developed system engineering tools for thermal protection systems. His current work bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with practical aerospace applications, particularly in hypersonic vehicle design and re-entry simulation through facilities like the T6 expansion tube. Analysis of Hermann's publication record reveals consistent focus on high-enthalpy flow diagnostics and thermal protection systems , with recent work advancing expansion tube capabilities for boost-glide re-entry simulation, integrated arc-jet facilities for ablating models, and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy for plasma flow characterization. His research demonstrates strong integration of experimental validation with analytical modeling across hypersonic testing regimes. Hermann's scientific recognition includes: UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2021-present) As an educator, Hermann supervises 4th-year undergraduate projects and DPhil (PhD) students in hypersonics while teaching Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics. His current research portfolio—primarily funded through his UKRI Fellowship—comprises three major thrusts: development of high-enthalpy wind tunnels (including the multi-mode T6 facility), pre-heating of hypersonic models using plasma flows, and advancement of measurement techniques like spatially resolved UV-nIR spectroscopy. These projects address critical gaps in hypersonic testing infrastructure and instrumentation. Hermann directs experimental efforts at Oxford's Southwell Laboratory within the Oxford Hypersonics group, operating facilities including the T6 Stalker tunnel, OPG1 plasma wind tunnel, and specialized arc-jet systems. His team develops cutting-edge instrumentation such as vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy systems, high-speed focused Schlieren, and pressure-sensitive paint diagnostics to investigate complex phenomena in hypersonic boundary layers and re-entry flows.
Sharon Rozovsky is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware's College of Arts & Sciences, where she leads research on oxidative stress response mechanisms and protein quality control pathways. Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and structural biology with direct implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and viral pathogenesis. Her academic foundation includes a B.S. from Tel Aviv University (1994) and a Ph.D. from Columbia University (2000), establishing her expertise in protein dynamics and redox biochemistry. These credentials underpin her innovative approaches to studying cellular stress responses. Rozovsky's research program centers on selenoproteins—proteins containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine—and their critical roles in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resolution. She investigates how membrane-bound selenoproteins like Selenoprotein S and K regulate the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, with recent work revealing their surprising autoproteolytic activity and involvement in SARS-CoV-2 replication. Her lab pioneers chemical tools including expressed protein ligation and advanced 77Se NMR spectroscopy to characterize these systems at molecular resolution. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications shows dominant themes in selenoprotein structure-function relationships, ER stress mechanisms, and viral interactions, alongside methodological innovations in cryo-EM grid technology and NMR. This body of work demonstrates consistent focus on redox biochemistry with expanding applications in virology and structural biology. No major scientific awards or fellowships were explicitly documented in the available materials, though her research impact is evident through high-impact publications and methodological contributions. She directs the active Rozovsky Research Group, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in biochemical and biophysical techniques. Her laboratory operations are supported by competitive funding including an NSF CAREER award (2011) focused on selenoprotein reactivity, reflecting sustained recognition of her innovative research program.
Cheuk Wai Tai is a Senior Staff Researcher at Stockholm University's Department of Environmental and Materials Chemistry since 2009. He manages the transmission electron microscopes and sample preparation equipment at the Electron Microscopy Center and serves as Section Editor for the Journal of Electronic Materials. His work focuses on quantitative structure characterization in functional materials research, particularly within nanoscience and nanotechnology contexts. Education: Ph.D. in Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2004 M.Phil. in Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2001 M.Sc. in Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998 B.Sc. (Hons) in Engineering Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 1997 Dip. in Mechanical Engineering (Computer Aided Engineering), Institute of Vocational Education (formerly Haking Wong Technical Institute), Hong Kong, 1992 His research centers on structure-property relationships in functional materials through advanced electron microscopy techniques. Current specializations include Pair Distribution Function (ePDF) & Diffuse Scattering, Energy Materials characterization, and EM sample preparation methodology development. The group maintains strong focus on translating structural data into functional performance metrics for nanomaterials. Recent publications (2013-2019) demonstrate consistent emphasis on electron microscopy applications for energy storage materials (batteries, photocatalysts) and functional ceramics. Key trends include structural disorder analysis in piezoelectrics, development of quantitative TEM methods like SUePDF, and nanoscale characterization of electrocatalyst surface phases. His work bridges materials chemistry with advanced imaging techniques. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow of The Royal Microscopical Society (U.K.) Senior Member of IEEE Marie Curie Fellowship (2007-2009) from European Commission Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship (2003/2004) from Hong Kong S.A.R. Government He teaches Solid State Chemistry (KZ7003) and leads Introduction to Analytical Electron Microscopy (KZ8009), having previously taught Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy (KZ8010) before 2011. Major grants supporting his work include: "Quantitative structural characterisation using 3D electron-based pair distribution function" (Swedish Research Council) "A Multidimensional Toolkit for Modern Electron Microscopy" (Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research) "Mitigating Ni-rich Li-ion cathode side-reactions" (Swedish Energy Agency, Co-applicant) He leads the Cheuk-Wai Tai group within Stockholm University's chemistry department and oversees operations at the Electron Microscopy Center, where his team develops and applies advanced characterization techniques for functional materials research.
Virginia Davis is the Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Auburn University's College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Rice University, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University. Research Focus: Self-assembly of nanomaterials, rheology, lyotropic liquid crystals, additive manufacturing, polymers, nanocomposites, and biosensors Key Projects: USDA-funded agricultural outreach, NSF grant for MXene dispersion studies, Alabama STEM Council member Her recent publications explore cellulose nanocrystals, MXene 3D printing, and sustainable polymer recycling. Davis has received multiple honors including the Breeden Professorship, AIChE Fellowship, and Auburn University Faculty Awards for research and mentorship. Research Trends: Dominated by bio-based nanomaterials (cellulose nanocrystals, MXenes), with applications in additive manufacturing, environmental remediation (PFAS adsorption), biosensors (carbofuran detection, cancer biomarkers), and agricultural delivery systems. Scientific Awards Auburn University Faculty Awards (2023, 2025) AIChE Fellow (2023) Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professorship Davis leads outreach initiatives like the Tomorrow’s Community Innovators camp and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on plastic recycling innovations. Her work emphasizes both fundamental material science and practical applications addressing environmental and agricultural challenges.
Professor Sylvia Urban is a distinguished academic at RMIT University, serving as a Professor of Chemistry in the School of Science. She leads the Marine and Terrestrial Natural Product (MATNAP) research group and is the Program Manager for the Bachelor of Science degree, the largest and flagship program in the School of Science. Professor Urban also holds significant leadership roles including Reconciliation and Responsible Practice Facilitator in the School of Science (STEM College) and member of the Nugulu Committee at RMIT University. Her expertise spans natural products chemistry and separation science, with particular focus on chromatography for purification and instrumental analysis for structural characterisation and elucidation. Professor Urban's research interests encompass natural product chemistry isolation and structural elucidation, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry for characterisation of natural products, High Performance/Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and other chromatographic techniques for natural product purification, hyphenated spectroscopic techniques such as HPLC-NMR and HPLC-MS for natural product profiling, and biological evaluation of natural products for drug discovery applications. Her work primarily focuses on exploring the biodiversity of Australian marine and terrestrial organisms including plants, fungi, sponges, and algae to discover new compounds with therapeutic potential. She has developed various dereplication and chemical profiling strategies to expedite the discovery process. Professor Urban's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on natural products derived from Australian flora and marine organisms, with particular emphasis on their chemical characterisation and biological evaluation. Her research spans ethnobotanical studies of Indigenous Australian medicinal plants, phytochemical profiling of Australian species, anthelmintic and antimicrobial assessments of natural compounds, and development of analytical methodologies for natural product research. The interdisciplinary nature of her work connects chemistry with pharmacology, ethnobotany, and sustainable development goals related to health, education, and gender equality. STEM College Learning & Teaching Award (Award for Values in Action) 2024 STEM College Athena Swan Award 2023 Top STEM College Media Star 2022 School of Science Reconciliation Champion Award for 2021 School of Science Associate Dean's Impact Award (Applied Chemistry) for 2021 STEM Female Educator of the Year Award in the STEM College in 2021 Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) in 2020 2019 Australian Award for University Teaching (AAUT) Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Professor Urban actively supervises Masters and PhD students, with recent projects focusing on nanoparticle synthesis, natural product evaluation from Australian plants and marine organisms, food science applications, and biomedical imaging agents. She has received numerous teaching grants including the SteLR Grant 2017 for Pen-enabled, Real-time Student Engagement for Teaching in STEM Subjects, SteLR Plus Learning and Teaching Grant 2016 for Contextualizing Learning Chemistry, and Global Learning by Design (GLbD) Learning and Teaching Grant 2014. As the leader of the MATNAP research group, Professor Urban oversees a team focused on exploring Australian biodiversity for drug discovery. She has been instrumental in establishing the VICS Molecular Resolution Facility (chromatography node at RMIT University) as part of "The Pipeline – An Integrated Approach to Drug Design and Development." Her research involves collaborations both within and external to RMIT University, including Australian and international university and industry partners.
Distinguished Professor Dayong Jin is a leading academic in nanotechnology and biomedical engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He holds roles including Director of the Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD), ARC Laureate Fellow, and Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology (China). His research focuses on photonics, luminescent materials, and their applications in healthcare, including cancer detection, rapid diagnostics, and super-resolution microscopy. Key innovations include 'Nano Torch' technology for disease detection and 'Super Dots' nanocrystals for imaging and anti-counterfeiting. Education: PhD from Macquarie University (2007). Leadership: Established UTS's IBMD and multiple research hubs, including the ARC IDEAL Research Hub and Australia-China Joint Research Centre. Research Interests: Transforming nanophotonics into diagnostic tools, rapid antigen tests (e.g., for COVID-19), and biomedical devices. His work bridges physics, engineering, and biology to address global health challenges. Awards: Australian Museum Eureka Prize (2015), Prime Minister's Prize for Science (2017), ARC Laureate Fellowship (2021), and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. Grants: Overseeing funded projects on quantum biotechnology, deep-tissue imaging, and nanoscale thermometry. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, including with Chinese institutions. Labs/Teams: Leads IBMD, the ARC IDEAL Hub, and the UTS-SUSTech Joint Research Centre, fostering innovation in wearable biomaterials and point-of-care technologies.
Matthew R. Jones is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Rice University and holds the Gene and Norman Hackerman Junior Chair and Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator titles. He joined Rice in 2017 after postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley under Paul Alivisatos and a PhD at Northwestern University under Chad Mirkin. His research focuses on systems-level nanoparticle assembly, plasmonics, and metamaterials, with applications in energy storage and biomedicine. Jones has pioneered techniques like 4D-STEM for catalytic nanoparticles and developed adaptive materials via strain-controlled synthesis. Education: B.S. in Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering (Carnegie Mellon University), Ph.D. in Chemistry (Northwestern University as an NSF Fellow). Key awards include the Packard Fellowship (2018) and NSF CAREER Award (2022). His lab hosts over 20 graduate students and postdocs, with notable advisees including Bukky, Zhihua Cheng, and Saxton. Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches: combining in-situ microscopy, ligand engineering, and computational modeling to control nanoparticle behavior. Recent studies include strain-preserved nanocatalysts (2024) and chiral superlattices (2024). Collaborations span Rice’s Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences and the Electrochemical Society. Lab: Jones Research Group Grants: NSF CAREER, Packard Fellowship, Rice Seed Award Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including Science Advances (2024) and Nature Communications (2023)
YEO Boon Siang, Jason is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head (Education) in the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on developing advanced materials for sustainable energy conversion, particularly in CO 2 reduction and water splitting, using cutting-edge analytical techniques like operando spectroscopy. He holds a Dr. Sc. from ETH Zürich and a postdoc fellowship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Education: Dr. Sc., ETH Zürich (2005-2009) M.Sc., National University of Singapore (2004) B.Sc. (Hons) First Class, National University of Singapore (2001) Research interests emphasize designing robust catalysts for energy-efficient CO 2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, with a focus on understanding reaction mechanisms at the atomic level. Recent work includes breakthroughs in acetylene-to-1,3-butadiene electroreduction and carbonate-to-formate conversions. Teaching contributions in AY2024/2025 include CM5244 Advanced Environmental Chemistry. He has received multiple teaching awards, including the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (2013-2020) and the Annual Excellence Teaching Award (2014/2015). Key achievements include over 10 high-impact publications in Nature Catalysis , J. Am. Chem. Soc. , and Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. , focusing on electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction and material design.
Claus Hélix-Nielsen is a Professor and Head of Department at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, DTU Sustain, Technical University of Denmark. His research focuses on lipid-protein interactions, biomimetic membranes, membrane transport, and membrane channel proteins, utilizing electrophysiology, fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational modeling. Current Position: Professor and Head of Department Institution: Technical University of Denmark Research Unit: DTU Sustain Department: Environmental and Resource Engineering Research Interests: Dr. Hélix-Nielsen investigates how the hydrophobic coupling between transmembrane proteins and lipid bilayers regulates protein function through bilayer mechanical properties. His work also explores how these properties influence membrane dynamics, including vesiculation. He develops biomimetic membranes for biosensor and separation technologies, employing advanced techniques like Raman spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. Recent Publications Trends: His 15 most recent articles emphasize biomimetic membrane engineering, membrane biophysics, and applications in environmental and biomedical fields. Topics range from artificial ion channels and drug delivery systems to computational modeling of lipid-protein interactions and environmental monitoring sensors. Techniques: Key methodologies include electrophysiology, fluorescence spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations.
Vinayak Agarwal is an Assistant Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology with joint appointments in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Biological Sciences within the College of Sciences. His research investigates natural products—small organic molecules produced by living organisms that form the basis of most clinical antibiotics and drugs, while also addressing environmental toxins and pollutants. Dr. Agarwal's work integrates (meta)genomics, biochemistry, structural and mechanistic enzymology, mass spectrometry, and analytical chemistry to answer fundamental questions about natural product biosynthesis. His lab specializes in marine systems, particularly marine sponges and associated microbiomes, with a focus on enzyme discovery, pathway elucidation, and biosynthetic engineering. Key research themes include halogenation enzymes, polyketide synthases, and peptide natural products, driven by the dual goals of drug discovery and environmental protection. Analysis of recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on marine natural product discovery, enzyme characterization, and biosynthetic pathway engineering. His team frequently combines genomic mining with chemical and biochemical validation, with growing attention to environmental implications of natural product chemistry and applications in antibiotic development. Dr. Agarwal has received significant recognition for his research and teaching: ASP Matt Suffness Young Investigator Award (2024) Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar award (2023) NSF CAREER award (2023) Cottrell Scholar Award (2021) Blanchard Assistant Professorship (2020) Harold Nation young faculty award (2019) He has mentored multiple PhD students to completion (Ipsita, Dongqi, Luna) and currently advises Vidya and Grace. His lab secures major funding from the NSF (CAREER), NIH (NIGMS MIRA), and Research Corporation for Science Advancement (Cottrell Scholar), alongside the Camille Dreyfus award and Petit Institute seed grants for collaborative marine research. The Agarwal Lab operates from the Petit Biotechnology Building at Georgia Tech and maintains a dynamic team structure with postdocs (Weimao Zhong, Nirmal Saha), graduate students (Sophia, Vidya, Beeta, Grace), and undergraduates. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with marine biology groups at Georgia Tech and external institutions for sample collection and structural analysis.