Kenneth S. Breuer is a Professor of Engineering at Brown University, serving as Director of the Center for Fluid Mechanics. He holds appointments in the School of Engineering and collaborates across disciplines, including Biology and Physics. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, animal flight mechanics (particularly bats), bacterial motility, renewable energy, and turbulence. Breuer earned his Sc.B. from Brown University and M.Sc./Ph.D. from MIT, returning to Brown in 1999 after faculty service at MIT. Education: Sc.B. (Brown), M.Sc./Ph.D. (MIT). Awards include Fellowships from the American Physical Society and American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Harold and Esther Edgerton Chair at MIT. He has authored over 100 publications and edited books such as *Microscale Diagnostic Techniques*. Research Interests: Fluid mechanics at micro/nanoscales, bio-inspired flight mechanisms, energy harvesting, and vortex dynamics. Collaborations include Professors Sharon Swartz (Biology) and Thomas Powers (Engineering). Current projects explore bat wing aerodynamics, membrane hydrofoils, and aerosol transmission in vehicles. Awards: APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Chair (2012), Midwest Mechanics Lecturer, and multiple fellowships. Teaching includes courses in Fluid Mechanics, Transport Phenomena, and Renewable Energy Systems. His lab develops bio-inspired robotic systems and studies flow interactions in animal and engineered systems.
Yongmin Liu is a Professor in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering at Northeastern University, and a member of the Cross-College Magnetics Center. He holds a PhD in Applied Science and Technology from UC Berkeley (2009), with earlier degrees from Nanjing University. His research focuses on nano-optics, metamaterials, plasmonics, and their applications in optical devices and systems. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, physics, and AI, with notable contributions to metasurface design and optical neural networks. Education: PhD, Applied Science and Technology, UC Berkeley (2009) M.S. and B.S., Physics, Nanjing University (2003, 2000) Research Interests: Nano-optics, nanoscale materials engineering, metamaterials, plasmonics, and applied physics. His group develops novel optical materials and devices for applications like super-resolution imaging, efficient light harvesting, and biomedical detection. Recent projects include AI-driven photonic materials design and meta-optical neural networks. Key Achievements: Recipient of the Søren Buus Outstanding Research Award (2024) NSF CAREER Award (2017) and ONR Young Investigator Award (2016) Elected SPIE Fellow (2023) and Optica Fellow (2023) Lab & Collaborations: Head of the Yongmin Liu Research Group, collaborating with institutions like Georgia Tech and Purdue University. Recent grants include a $1.5M NSF DMREF grant for AI-driven photonic materials and a $468K NSF grant for meta-optical neural networks.
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.
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.
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.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
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.
Dr. Daniel Roxbury is an Associate Professor and Graduate Director at the Department of Chemical, Biomolecular and Materials Engineering within the University of Rhode Island's College of Engineering. With expertise in nanoscience and carbon nanomaterials, his research focuses on nano-bio interactions, developing functionalized nanotubes for biomedical applications and environmental monitoring through his NanoBio Engineering Laboratory. His work spans multiple disciplines including: Biomedical nanosensors Smart wearable biomaterials Targeted drug delivery systems Environmental nanotechnology Single-molecule imaging Nanotoxicology Recent publications emphasize machine learning-enhanced spectral analysis, coral reef conservation nanotechnology, and wearable stress monitoring textiles. His 2024 ACS Nano study introduces AI-driven macrophage phenotyping, while 2023 Nature Nanotechnology work explores coral reef restoration strategies using nanomaterials. Awarded the 2019 NSF CAREER grant for cellular nanometrology, he leads multiple NIH-funded projects including: $820,000 NSF CAREER: Spectral Imaging for Sub-Cellular Nanometrology $140,000 Miriam Hospital COBRE: Cortisol Detection Textiles $700,000 NSF EAGER: Multiplexed Wound Biomarker Detection His laboratory houses state-of-the-art equipment including: Near Infrared Hyperspectral Microscope Custom NIR Fluorescence Spectrometer Jasco UV/VIS/NIR Spectrophotometer Biosafety Cabinet Cell Culture Incubator Cryo-Storage System
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.
Robert O. Ritchie is the H. T. & Jessie Chua Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where he holds dual appointments as Professor of Materials Science & Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He is also a Faculty Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His distinguished career spans over four decades with significant contributions to the field of materials science and engineering. Professor Ritchie received his B.A. in Physics & Metallurgy (1969), M.A. in Materials Science (1973), Ph.D. in Materials Science (1973), and Sc.D. in Materials Science (1990), all from Cambridge University, UK. His research focuses on the mechanical behavior of advanced materials, with particular emphasis on fracture mechanics, fatigue properties, and damage tolerance. Professor Ritchie's work spans multiple domains including metallic glasses, high-entropy alloys, biomaterials, and nature-inspired structural materials. His laboratory employs cutting-edge techniques such as in situ high-temperature computed tomography to study failure mechanisms in ceramic-matrix composites and nuclear graphite. His research has significant implications for aerospace, biomedical, and energy applications. Analysis of Professor Ritchie's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advanced structural materials, particularly metallic glasses and high-entropy alloys. His work combines experimental approaches with computational modeling to understand deformation mechanisms at multiple length scales. There is a clear trend toward bioinspired materials design, with several papers examining natural structures like fish scales, horn sheaths, and bone to develop new engineering materials with exceptional mechanical properties. Member, National Academy of Sciences (2025) Foreign Fellow, Academy of Athens, Greece (2024) Robert Henry Thurston Award (ASME) (2022) ASM Gold Medal (ASM Intl.) (2021) William D. Nix Medal, inaugural winner (TMS) (2020) Fellow (Foreign Member) of the Royal Society (FRS), London, UK (2017) Morris Cohen Award (TMS) (2017) Acta Materialia Gold Medal (2014) David Turnbull Award (MRS) (2013) A. Cemel Eringen Medal (Society of Engineering Science) (2010) Professor Ritchie has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers throughout his career. His research has been supported by various funding agencies including the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and industry partners such as Rolls-Royce. He has served on numerous advisory boards including the Rolls-Royce Materials & Structures Advisory Board (2011-2019) and the Scientific Advisory Board of the Advanced Light Source at LBNL (2013 to date). Professor Ritchie leads the Ritchie Group at UC Berkeley, which maintains strong collaborations with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The laboratory employs state-of-the-art techniques including electron microscopy, x-ray tomography, and mechanical testing across multiple length and time scales. His team has developed innovative in situ characterization methods that have significantly advanced the understanding of material failure mechanisms under extreme conditions.
Thomas R Powers is a Professor of Engineering and Professor of Physics at Brown University. He joined Brown in 2000 as the first holder of the James R. Rice Term Chair in Solid Mechanics and has been an influential figure in soft matter physics, biomechanics, and microorganism locomotion. PhD in Physics, University of Pennsylvania (1995) BS in Physics and Mathematics, MIT (1989) His research focuses on soft matter systems, including colloidal and lipid bilayer membranes, liquid crystals, and active matter, with an emphasis on low-Reynolds-number hydrodynamics and geometric mechanics. His work has been supported by NSF grants, including collaborations with Brandeis University's bioinspired materials center. Recent publications explore microbial flagellar dynamics (e.g., Giardia lamblia ), chiral membrane behavior, and active gel responses to shear. Key keywords include soft matter, active matter, fluid mechanics, and microscale locomotion. Scientific honors include: Fellow, American Physical Society NSF CAREER Award (2001-2006) T. Francis Ogilvie Young Investigator Lectureship, MIT Ocean Engineering He has advised numerous students through courses like ENGN 2912F (Soft Matter) and ENGN 1210 (Biomechanics), while leading funded research on colloidal membranes and viscoelastic fluid interactions.
Daeyeon Lee is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and holds the Russell Pearce and Elizabeth Crimian Heuer Professorship. He leads the Soft Materials Research and Technology (SMART) Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research in soft materials, microfluidics, and biomedical applications. His work spans gas-encapsulating microcapsules, nanozyme-shelled microrobots, and AI-empowered droplet synthesis. Research Interests : Soft materials, polymer-nanoparticle interactions, microfluidics, targeted drug delivery, and AI-driven manufacturing. Grants : NSF Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA BioFoundry (NSF AIRFoundry), Wellcome Leap contract for lipid nanoparticle research. Scientific Awards : Penn CBE Distinguished Teaching Award, 2022 Outstanding Achievement Award in Nanoscience, Nemirovsky Engineering and Medicine Opportunity (NEMO) Prize. The SMART Lab has produced notable publications in ACS Nano , Advanced Healthcare Materials , and Science Advances , with recent work on biofilm treatment, water harvesting, and RNA-lipid nanoparticle manufacturing. The lab relocated to the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) in 2024 and collaborates with institutions like the Technical University of Munich and Carnegie Mellon University.
Henry Liang, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), with adjunct appointments in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Texas Tech University. His lab focuses on bridging biology with synthetic systems through membrane biophysics and bioengineering. Research Interests: Dr. Liang's work spans membrane protein reconstitution, nanodisc technology, antimicrobial nanoparticles, blood-brain barrier targeting, and immunotherapy platforms. Key areas include: Design of synthetic proteomembranes for protein function studies Development of environmentally responsive nanoantibiotics Nanoparticle-based theranostic systems for cancer Light-driven energy transduction in biohybrid materials Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2011-2023) demonstrate consistent focus on nanotechnology solutions for biomedical challenges, with evolving emphasis on antimicrobial nanostructures (35%), membrane protein platforms (30%), cancer nanomedicine (20%), and sustainable nanomaterials (15%). Methodological strengths include polymer synthesis, X-ray scattering, and biomimetic system design. Training: The Liang Lab actively recruits graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for projects in membrane biophysics and bioengineering. Current research infrastructure includes capabilities for synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, molecular dynamics simulations, and nanomaterial characterization.
Dr. Darryl Dickerson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Florida International University (FIU), part of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on mechanical characterization of biological interfaces, design of bioinspired materials, and advancing inclusive engineering education practices. He holds a Ph.D. (details not explicitly provided in text). Research Interests: Dr. Dickerson’s work bridges biomechanics and biomaterials engineering with social equity in education. Key areas include: Mechanical properties of biological interfaces (e.g., bone-cartilage junctions) Development of biomaterials for tissue repair using 3D printing and electrospinning Anti-marginalization strategies in engineering education, particularly for Black and Brown students Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes dual themes: (1) Biomedical innovation through advanced material fabrication and (2) Inclusive pedagogy addressing systemic inequities in STEM education. Notable contributions include scaffold designs for osteochondral repair and frameworks for reducing microaggressions in team-based learning. Grants and Advising: No specific grants or advisees listed in the provided text. His work appears to be grant-funded through NIH/National Science Foundation pathways common in biomaterials and education research. Labs and Teams: While not explicitly stated, his research likely involves collaborations with FIU’s Center for Engineering and Computing’s diversity initiatives and biomaterials labs focusing on tissue engineering applications.
Abdon Pena-Francesch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. He is also affiliated with the Macromolecular Science and Engineering Program, Chemical Engineering, and the Michigan Robotics Institute. His interdisciplinary research integrates biomaterials science, polymer chemistry, soft matter physics, and nanotechnology to develop programmable soft materials for applications in healthcare, robotics, and environmental science. Education: Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, 2017 M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià (Barcelona, Spain), 2013 B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Institut Químic de Sarrià (Barcelona, Spain), 2011 Research Interests: His work focuses on bioinspired materials , soft robotics , self-healing polymers , and biodegradable microrobots . By engineering molecular and nanoscale structures, his lab designs materials with programmable properties for soft robotic systems and biomedical devices. The group emphasizes both fundamental science and translational applications, including tissue repair, actuation, and environmental sensing. Awards and Honors: Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers (2018–2020) Alumni Association Dissertation Award, Penn State University (2017) Rustum and Della Roy Innovation in Materials Research Award (2016) Materials Research Society Graduate Student Award (2016) First Prize, Penn State ESM Graduate Research Symposium (2015) AGAUR MOBINT Fellowship, Government of Catalunya (2012) Labs and Affiliations: He leads the Bioinspired Materials Lab , an interdisciplinary group within the University of Michigan’s Materials Science & Engineering Department. The lab collaborates with the Macromolecular Science & Engineering Program, Chemical Engineering, and the Michigan Robotics Institute.
Robert F. Shepherd is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering. He holds appointments in Aerospace Engineering, Fiber Science, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Educational background: B.S. Material Science & Engineering, University of Illinois (2002) M.B.A. General Management, University of Illinois (2009) Ph.D. Material Science & Engineering, University of Illinois (2010) His research focuses on disruptive manufacturing technologies (3D printing, microfluidics) and functional materials for novel devices. He develops soft actuators mimicking biological functions and enhances fabrication techniques for efficient biomimetic machines. His work bridges materials innovation with robotic applications. Publications primarily explore soft robotics, biomimetic systems, and advanced manufacturing, with consistent emphasis on material behavior and actuator design across diverse applications. Scientific awards: Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors (2022) ONR Young Investigator (2016) Cornell Engineering Teaching Award (2016) Extreme Mechanics Letters Award (2016) NAE FOE Fellow (2016) NAS KAVLI Fellow (2016) Leads the Shepherd Group Research Laboratory and Organic Robotics Lab, focusing on soft material systems and bio-inspired machines.
