Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (NTU), specializing in numerical modeling and simulation. With a background as Research Manager at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, his work spans materials science, nanotechnology, and aerospace engineering. Current focus on graphene-based desalination membranes Expertise in molecular dynamics simulations Investigates nanoscale fluid mechanics and structural dynamics Recent publications highlight advancements in energy-efficient electrodialysis, smart robotics, and nonlinear vibration analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates computational methods with experimental validation in additive manufacturing and soft material mechanics.
Yayue Pan is a Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) , and serves as the Director of NASA MIRO Center for In-Space Manufacturing: Recycling and Regolith Processing (CISM-R2) . Her research focuses on advancing Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies for applications in biomedical engineering , energy storage , and smart structures . Ph.D., Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Southern California (2014) M.S., Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, Zhejiang University, China (2010) B.S., Industrial Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, China (2007) Her work addresses technical challenges in AM such as multi-material printing , multi-scale fabrication , and field-assisted processes . Notable projects include: Development of electrostatically-assisted direct ink writing (eDIW) for high-speed, high-resolution printing Continuous projection stereolithography for rapid solid object manufacturing Acoustic field-assisted particle patterning for smart composites Light-curable hydrogels for corneal repair applications Her 15 most recent publications (2022–2025) span topics in: Multi-material AM (conductive polymers, hierarchical composites) Biomedical applications (soft robotics, corneal repair) Energy components (battery electrolytes, supercapacitors) Field-assisted processes (acoustic, electrostatic, magnetic) Scientific Awards : 2024 ASME Chao and Trigger Young Manufacturing Engineer Award 2022 UIC Researcher of the Year Rising Star Award 2020 ASME CIE TC Leadership Award 2019 UIC Outstanding Teaching Award 2017 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award NSF REU Supplements (2023–2024) Advising : Mentored 24+ graduate/undergraduate researchers, including 17 NASA/GPIP interns. Former advisees hold academic positions at University at Buffalo and University of North Carolina at Charlotte , and industry roles at Apple , GE Healthcare , and ANSYS . Grants : Recipient of a $4.65M NASA grant and multiple NSF awards. Collaborations include Northwestern University, University of Michigan, and NASA centers.
Dr. Wenwu Xu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University (SDSU), affiliated with the College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced materials science, nanotechnology, and computational modeling of material behavior. He specializes in investigating dislocation dynamics, electric field effects on materials, and the development of novel processing techniques for metallic and ceramic composites. His work spans topics such as hydrogen embrittlement, nanocrystalline material properties, and 3D printing of bioinspired structures. He employs molecular dynamics simulations, atomistic modeling, and experimental validation to study material deformation, sintering mechanisms, and phase stability. Xu’s contributions include pioneering quasi-instantaneous materials processing via high-intensity electrical nano-pulsing and designing recyclable piezoelectric composites for wearable sensors. His research has been published in over 40 peer-reviewed articles since 2007, reflecting a sustained focus on nanoscale material behavior, thermodynamic stability, and industrial applications. While no awards are explicitly listed, his extensive publication record underscores his expertise in materials engineering and computational methods. Dr. Xu’s lab (via mmm.sdsu.edu ) likely explores cutting-edge materials processing and characterization techniques, though specific grants or advising roles are not detailed in the provided text.
Professor Fay Couceiro is a Professor of Environmental Pollution in the School of Civil Engineering and Surveying at the University of Portsmouth. She leads the Microplastics Research Group and the 'Evaluating change across the plastics lifecycle' theme for the Revolution Plastics Institute, focusing on pollution sources, interventions, and collaborations with industry. She holds editorial roles at Cambridge Prisms: Plastics and peer reviews for multiple journals and funding bodies. Education: BSc in Marine Biology (Queen's University Belfast), PhD in Biogeochemistry (funded project on Strangford Lough), postdoctoral research at the University of Plymouth. Research Interests: Contaminants' fate, microplastics' environmental and health impacts, nutrient dynamics, heavy metals, and organic pollutants like PAHs. Her work integrates pure science with civil engineering solutions. Publications span 2007–2025, emphasizing microplastic toxicity, soil-oil interactions, and pollution mitigation strategies. Over 27 peer-reviewed articles highlight her contributions to environmental science. Advising & Grants: Supervises MSc/PhD students and collaborates with companies like Southern Water. Active in STEM outreach and UK research policy, including the EU's HR Excellence in Research accreditation process. Labs/Teams: Microplastics Research Group, Revolution Plastics Institute, and interdisciplinary teams in environmental technology and resilience.
Associate Professor Anna Waterhouse is a Robinson Fellow and Head of the Cardiovascular Medical Devices Group at the Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney. Her research focuses on developing antithrombogenic materials and bioinspired medical devices to address cardiovascular diseases. She holds affiliations with the University of Sydney Nano Institute and the Australiasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering as Treasurer and Secretary. Education includes a BSc (1st class hons) in Cell Biology from the University of Manchester and a PhD in bioengineering from the University of Sydney. She completed postdoctoral training at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute. Research interests span biomaterials, thrombosis prevention, and medical device engineering. Key projects include liquid-infused surfaces for anti-thrombotic coatings and biomimetic in vitro models. Her work integrates bioengineering, nanotechnology, and surface modification to improve medical device compatibility. Scientific awards include the Robinson Fellowship and CPC Mid-Career Researcher Support Award. Grants funded by ARC, Heart Foundation, and NSW Health support projects like slippery nano-coatings for medical devices. She advises PhD students in biomolecular nanotechnology, endothelial cell studies, and DNA nanostructures. Labs and collaborations involve Sydney Nano Institute and Charles Perkins Centre, focusing on translational research in cardiovascular and biomedical engineering.
Professor Hala Zreiqat AM is a leading biomedical engineer at The University of Sydney , serving as the Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering . A Fellow of all major Australian academies (AAS, ATSE, FAHMS, FRSN), she develops 3D printed bioceramics for bone regeneration while championing diversity through initiatives like the IDEAL Society and BIOTech Futures mentorship program. Her work bridges academia, clinical practice, and industry in musculoskeletal research . Research Focus: Her lab creates synthetic bone scaffolds that mimic natural bone architecture, strength, and porosity, enabling non-rejected bone regeneration via patient-matched implants. Key applications include orthopaedic, dental, and maxillofacial repair , with over $18M in competitive funding and multiple patents. Current projects explore AI-driven scaffold performance prediction and anti-senescence strategies for aging-related bone loss. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight 3D printed nanovoxelated ceramics , antisenescence biomaterials , and multifunctional theranostic platforms . Her team integrates machine learning for scaffold design, atom probe tomography for interface analysis, and two-photon imaging for cellular monitoring in 3D environments. 2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar 2018 NSW Premier's Woman of the Year 2019 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology Fellow of Australian Academy of Science (2021) Over $18M in research funding Teaching & Leadership: She designed core courses like Tissue Engineering and Nanomaterials in Medicine , mentoring 158 students in 2020 alone. As Chair of CAAR (2020-2023), she strengthens Australia-Arab collaborations. Her lab trains early-career researchers , with alumni now in academia and industry.
Tobi Delbruck is a titular professor of physics and electrical engineering at ETH Zurich, where he leads the Sensors Group at the Institute for Neuroinformatics (INI) in Zurich, Switzerland. He collaborates closely with Shih-Chii Liu and Giacomo Indiveri as part of the 'hardware groups' at INI. Delbruck has also served as visiting faculty at Caltech and is a Fellow of the IEEE. His work focuses on bio-inspired and neuromorphic event-based sensory processing systems. Professor Delbruck's research spans multiple areas of neuromorphic engineering, with particular emphasis on event-based vision systems and low-power analog VLSI circuits. His work has significantly advanced the field of Dynamic Vision Sensors (DVS), which mimic the human retina's response to changes in brightness rather than capturing full frames. This approach enables extremely low-latency vision processing with minimal power consumption, making it ideal for high-speed applications and robotics. His research has applications in robotics, autonomous systems, and low-power embedded vision. Delbruck is an active contributor to the neuromorphic engineering community, co-organizing the annual Telluride Workshop on Neuromorphic Engineering and serving in leadership roles with IEEE. He has authored numerous influential publications and co-authored books including "Event-Based Neuromorphic Systems" and "Analog VLSI: Circuits and Principles." His jAER (Java Address-Event Representation) project provides open-source tools for real-time event-based sensory processing. Analysis of his recent publications shows a clear trend toward integrating event-based vision with deep learning techniques and applying these systems to practical robotics problems. His scientific achievements have been recognized with multiple awards including: IEEE Fellow Winner of Best Live Demonstration award at ISCAS 2012 Honorable Mention Award from Sensory Systems Technical Committee at ISCAS 2012 Overall Best Student Paper Award and Best Paper Award from Sensory Systems Technical Committee at ISCAS 2010 Winner of the 2006 ISSCC Jan Van Vessem Outstanding European Paper Award Professor Delbruck actively mentors students and has supervised numerous PhD and Master's theses in the areas of neuromorphic engineering and event-based vision systems. His group has secured significant research funding from various sources to support their innovative work in bio-inspired sensory processing. He teaches courses on "Electronics for Physicists II (Digital)" and "Neuromorphic Engineering," helping to train the next generation of researchers in this field. The Sensors Group at INI, which Delbruck leads, operates state-of-the-art facilities for designing and testing neuromorphic vision systems. The group maintains close collaborations with researchers worldwide and has developed several important open-source resources including the jAER project and bias generator design kits. Their work continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with event-based sensory processing, with applications ranging from high-speed robotics to low-power embedded vision systems.
Angela Pitenis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Engineering. Her research focuses on interfacial phenomena in soft materials, particularly friction, adhesion, wear, and deformation of complex surfaces ranging from living cells to polymer nanocomposites. She employs advanced experimental techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and interferometry to study these interfaces under extreme conditions and within buried environments. Her work has direct applications in healthcare, energy sustainability, and engineering design. Prof. Pitenis holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. Her research group investigates biomaterials, hydrogel lubrication, and bioinspired materials, with recent studies addressing implant-associated inflammation, tumor cell dynamics in 3D microgels, and pH-responsive hydrogel friction. She is affiliated with the Materials Research Lab at UCSB and contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of materials science and biology. Notable research trends in her work include the development of biocompatible lubricious surfaces, understanding friction-induced biological responses, and designing smart materials with tunable mechanical properties. Her studies on photoresponsive hydrogels and superlubricious materials highlight innovations in responsive and adaptive material systems. Pitenis emphasizes in situ experimental methods and has pioneered techniques for analyzing dynamically evolving material interfaces. Her research also extends to marine biomaterials, such as the mechanical resilience of sessile tunicates, and explores applications in medical implants, bioreactors, and energy systems. While specific awards are not listed here, her contributions reflect a commitment to advancing soft matter tribology and biomaterials science.
Dr. Benjamin C.K. Tee is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), affiliated with the College of Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He leads the Sensors.AI Labs, focusing on transforming materials science, mechanics, and biology into cutting-edge technologies for robotics and healthcare in the AI era. His research explores novel materials and fabrication techniques to develop flexible, stretchable electronic sensors. These innovations enable applications in human-machine interfaces, biomedical devices, and AI-driven robotic systems. Key areas include self-healing materials, large-scale tactile sensing, and wireless health monitoring. His work has garnered international acclaim, including the James Dyson Foundation Prize (International Winner, 2021), MIT TR35 Innovator (2015), and recognition as a World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2019). His inventions have been commercialized through co-founded startups Privi Medical (acquired in 2021) and Hannah Life Technologies. Scientific Awards: National Research Foundation Fellowship (2017) MIT TR35 Innovator (Global) (2015) World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2019) James Dyson Foundation Prize - International Winner (2021) IES Prestigious Engineering Award (2020) Stanford University Top 2% Scientists (2021)
Professor George Britovsek (FRSC) is a leading figure in catalysis and sustainable carbon management at Imperial College London . As Director of the MRes in Catalysis & Engineering and Head of Teaching in Inorganic Chemistry, he bridges academic leadership with cutting-edge research. His work focuses on transition metal complexes for converting ethylene , alkanes , biomass , and CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels through industrial collaborations. Education : M.Sc. (Technical University of Aachen, 1990), Ph.D. (Aachen, 1993) under Prof. W. Keim Postdoctoral Training : University of Tasmania (1994-1996), Imperial College London (1996-2000) His research interests span: Selective oxidation of alkanes using bio-inspired iron complexes Alkene conversions to functional polymers via novel catalysts CO₂ valorization into polymers and cyclic carbonates Biomass-derived feedstocks for chemical synthesis Recent catalysis trends highlight his work on: Designing Fe-N/C catalysts for epoxidation Developing PN3P pincer ligands for H₂ activation Creating degradable polyethylene via iron-catalyzed chain growth Modeling alternating α-olefin distributions in chromium systems Awards : Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) Students & Collaborators actively engage in: Photocatalytic polymer degradation Electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion Functionalized polymeric materials 3D-printed catalytic scaffolds His Britovsek Research Group operates at the Molecular Sciences Research Hub, White City Campus, advancing both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis through experimental and computational approaches.
Andres F. Arrieta is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering in West Lafayette, Indiana. He leads the Programmable Structures Lab and holds affiliations with multiple research areas including dynamics, advanced materials, and robotics. His research focuses on adaptive structures, mechanical metamaterials, and programmable systems. Education: Mechanical Engineer, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 2006 Ph.D., University of Bristol, United Kingdom, 2010 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, ETH Zurich, 2012 Research Interests: His work emphasizes multistable structures, structural nonlinearity, and elastic instabilities. He explores applications in energy harvesting, morphing wings, and mechanical metamaterials. Recent trends include bio-inspired designs and smart materials for adaptive systems. Awards: 2019 ASME Best Paper Award (Bioinspired Materials) 2018 Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award 2017 Journal Cover Feature (Chiral Metastructure) 2012 ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship Labs/Teams: Leads the Programmable Structures Lab, focusing on innovative metastructures and adaptive robotics systems.
Ahmed Elbanna is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), affiliated with the Grainger College of Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Caltech (2011) and has been on UIUC faculty since 2013. His research focuses on mechanics of complex systems, including earthquake dynamics, metamaterials, and biomaterials. He has received prestigious awards such as the NSF CAREER Award (2018) and the Donald Biggar Willett Faculty Fellowship (2020). Education: Ph.D. Civil Engineering, California Institute of Technology (2011) M.S. Applied Mechanics, California Institute of Technology (2006) M.S. Structural Engineering, Cairo University (2005) B.S. Civil Engineering, Cairo University (2003) Research Interests: Elbanna’s work spans theoretical and applied mechanics, with emphasis on fracture, wave propagation, and critical phenomena in geophysical and biological systems. Key areas include: Earthquake mechanics and granular matter dynamics Mechanical metamaterials for wave control Networked biological materials (e.g., bone, hydrogels) Modeling epidemic dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic Awards & Recognition: National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2018) Donald Biggar Willett Faculty Fellow (2020) Journal of Applied Mechanics Award (2019) UIUC Teaching Excellence Awards (2018–2024) Service & Leadership: Member of the UIUC Faculty Senate (2020–present) Co-Chair, Computational Mechanics Committee (ASCE EMI, 2024–present) Leader, Computational Science Group at Southern California Earthquake Center (2019–present) Labs & Groups: Leads the Mechanics of Complex Systems Lab at UIUC, focusing on interdisciplinary research in geophysics, materials science, and computational modeling.
Andres Arrieta is an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. His research focuses on adaptive structures, mechanical metamaterials, and programmable systems. He holds a PhD from the University of Bristol and conducted postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich. Education: Mechanical Engineer, Universidad de los Andes, 2006 PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, 2010 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, ETH Zurich, 2012 Research Interests: Adaptive Structures Multistable Systems Structural Nonlinearity Robotics & Mechanosensing Origami Engineering Awards: 2019 ASME Best Paper Award 2018 Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award 2012 ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship Labs: Directs the Programmable Structures Lab , exploring smart materials and morphing systems.
Matthew Green is a tenured Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Arizona State University , where he has been since 2014. He serves as Director of the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions and Associate Director of the Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing . Director, Center for Negative Carbon Emissions Associate Director, Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing Research Focus : Design of ion-containing polymers for water purification , CO2 capture , and nanocomposites , with emphasis on electrostatic interactions, microstructure control, and stimuli-responsive materials. Key thrusts include membrane technology , epoxy thermosets , nanoparticle templating , and electrospun fibers . Publication Trends : Recent work spans zwitterionic polymers for anti-scaling membranes, phosphonium-based DAC systems , silica nanocomposites , and biomaterials for immunotherapy , reflecting interdisciplinary expertise in polymer chemistry , environmental engineering , and materials science . Awards & Grants : 2019 NSF CAREER Award 2018 NASA Early Career Faculty Award 2022 Sloan Foundation Grant DOE DAC Pre-Commercial Technology Prize (2023) Multiple DURIP grants Email : mdgreen8@asu.edu
Isabella Guido is a Senior Lecturer in Experimental Soft Matter Physics at the University of Surrey's School of Mathematics and Physics. She holds a PhD from TU Berlin (2010) and has conducted postdoctoral research at Peking University and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization. Her research focuses on synthetic biology, active bioinspired systems, and microtubule-motor protein dynamics. Guido's work bridges active matter physics and synthetic biology, aiming to develop minimal systems mimicking natural cellular structures. Key projects include synthetic beating structures resembling cilia, 3D active nematics, and investigations into cellular symmetry breaking via biomimetic systems. Her education includes a PhD on dielectrophoretic effects in mammalian cells, followed by postdoctoral studies on cell mechanics, microfluidics, and electroporation. Guido's interdisciplinary approach combines experimental biophysics with synthetic biology to uncover principles governing living matter. She leads the Synthetic Active Systems group and collaborates internationally on projects such as light-powered artificial cells and motor-driven microtubule networks. Her work addresses sustainable development goals through bio-inspired material design and active matter applications. Publications highlight contributions to electrotaxis mechanisms, live-cell imaging techniques (e.g., MIET), and microtubule network dynamics under depletion forces. Guido's research has advanced understanding of ciliary beating patterns, synthetic axoneme models, and biopolymer self-organization under mechanical stress.
