Dr. Adam McArthur is the Director of the Turbidites Research Group and leads the Sedimentary Processes Research Cluster at the University of Leeds' School of Earth and Environment. He specializes in deep-marine sedimentology, particularly turbidite systems, and employs multidisciplinary approaches including outcrop analysis, organic geochemistry, and seismic interpretation. His work spans global locations such as New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, and the North Sea. Education: PhD in Geology (University of Aberdeen, 2012) BSc (Hons) in Geology (University of Aberdeen) Research Interests: Multidisciplinary study of sedimentary environments Interaction of sedimentary processes with active tectonics Deep-water systems evolution, including channel and canyon architecture Palynology and organic matter studies for paleoenvironmental reconstruction Key Projects: East Coast Basin Project (New Zealand) Baja California deep-marine systems Hikurangi Margin sedimentation studies (New Zealand) Advising & Collaboration: Supervises 13+ PhD/MSc students globally Co-leads international field and lab-based research Labs/Teams: Turbidites Research Group (TRG) - focuses on advancing understanding of deep-marine sedimentary systems through integrated field, experimental, and analytical approaches.
Serkan Gugercin is the Class of 1950 Professor of Mathematics and Deputy Director of the Division of Computational Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA) at Virginia Tech's College of Science. He is also affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on model reduction, dynamical systems, numerical analysis, and scientific computing, with applications in engineering and data-driven methods. Gugercin has held prestigious titles such as the A.V. Morris Professorship (2016–2019) and received awards like the NSF Early CAREER Award (2007) and Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2016). He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Rice University (2003) and has secured over $5.5M in research funding. His work bridges numerical methods, control theory, and optimization, emphasizing high-fidelity reduced models for complex systems. Education: B.S., Middle East Technical University (1997); M.S. and Ph.D., Rice University (1999, 2003). Key contributions include co-authoring the textbook *Interpolatory Methods for Model Reduction* (SIAM) and advancing structure-preserving interpolation techniques for nonlinear systems. Research areas include data-driven modeling, parametric systems, and energy-based approximation methods. Labs/Teams: CMDA Program, part of Virginia Tech’s Academy of Integrated Science. Collaborates on interdisciplinary projects involving power networks, fluid dynamics, and mechanical systems. Active in editorial roles for SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing and Systems & Control Letters.
Alexander F Vakakis is the Donald Biggar Willett Professor of Mechanical Science and Engineering and holds a joint appointment in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois' College of Engineering. His research focuses on nonlinear dynamics, vibration control, and energy transfer in mechanical systems. He has pioneered work on nonlinear energy sinks (NES) and targeted energy transfer (TET) mechanisms, with applications in aerospace, structural engineering, and acoustics. His recent studies explore phenomena like vibro-impact systems, nonlinear metamaterials, and data-driven methods for modal interaction analysis in fighter aircraft. Key research interests include nonlinear oscillators, wave localization, acoustic non-reciprocity, and the design of energy-dissipative structures. He has contributed to understanding energy redistribution in complex systems, such as subsea power cables and seismic mitigation frameworks. His work frequently bridges theory, computation, and experimental validation. Dr. Vakakis has authored over 500 publications, with recent articles addressing topics like topological interface modes in metamaterials, interband energy transfer in phononic lattices, and super-slow hysteresis dynamics. His research emphasizes leveraging strong nonlinearities to achieve novel engineering solutions. Awards: ASME Fellow (2012), Humboldt Research Award (2019) Collaborations: Active in aerospace dynamics, structural health monitoring, and metamaterial design Grants & Labs: Leads projects funded by NSF and industry partners; affiliated with Illinois' Nonlinear Systems Lab
James Allison is an Associate Professor in both the Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering and Aerospace Engineering departments at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is also affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on systems engineering, control systems design, thermal management systems, and optimization methodologies. Dr. Allison has contributed to advancements in fluid-based thermal management systems, floating offshore wind turbine control co-design, and AI-driven design optimization. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending mechanical, aerospace, and computational engineering principles. Key research areas include design automation, graph neural networks for system architecture exploration, and reliability-based co-design of complex systems. He has pioneered methodologies for extracting design knowledge from optimization data and advancing multifunctional structures for attitude control in aerospace systems. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2017) Labs/Groups: Involved in the development of tools like LGR-MPC and SS-MPC for Model Predictive Control, and the WEIS toolset for offshore wind turbine analysis. Dr. Allison’s recent publications highlight contributions to thermal management system configurations, control strategies for offshore renewable energy systems, and topology optimization techniques. His research bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in aerospace, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
Arthur R. Schmidt is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois, specializing in Water Resources Engineering and Science. He holds a Ph.D. (2002), M.S. (1984), and B.S. (1983) in Civil Engineering-Water Resources from the University of Illinois. His academic journey includes transitioning from Research Assistant Professor (2003-Present) to his current clinical role. Dr. Schmidt's research focuses on surface-water hydraulics , urban stormwater systems , and hydrologic measurement methods . He develops advanced models for urban drainage systems, sustainable infrastructure, and flow quantification techniques. His work integrates sensor technologies (LiDAR, ADCP) for hydrodynamic modeling and environmental applications. His publications emphasize urban hydrology , flood modeling , and infrastructure resilience , with consistent attention to climate impacts and real-time control systems from 2012-2024. Scientific Awards: Universities Council on Water Resources Ph.D. Dissertation Award (2003) Engineering Council Excellence in Advising Awards (2005, 2009, 2011, 2013) He supervises undergraduate research in sustainable drainage and flow measurement, supported by grants including a USDA SBIR grant for instrument development. Dr. Schmidt leads projects at the Hydrosystems Lab and collaborates with agencies like the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Professor Siegfried Müller is a full professor at the Institute for Geometry and Practical Mathematics within the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences at RWTH Aachen University. His research focuses on developing advanced numerical methods for solving complex fluid dynamics problems, with particular expertise in conservation laws, adaptive multiscale techniques, and multiphase flow modeling. He maintains an active research program with numerous publications in leading computational mathematics journals and collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions. Professor Müller's research interests span a wide range of computational mathematics topics including Conservation Laws, Finite Volume Schemes, Discontinuous Galerkin Methods, Adaptive Multiscale Techniques, and specialized applications in Fluid Dynamics. His work demonstrates particular strength in developing numerical methods for two-phase flow systems, transpiration cooling applications, and surface lubrication phenomena. His research bridges theoretical mathematical analysis with practical engineering applications, particularly in aerospace and mechanical engineering contexts. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on advancing numerical techniques for hyperbolic conservation laws, with increasing emphasis on stochastic methods, multilevel approaches, and coupled system modeling. His work spans both theoretical developments in numerical analysis and practical applications in fluid dynamics, with particular attention to multiphase flow systems and cooling technologies. The publications show a clear progression toward more complex, high-dimensional problems and increasingly sophisticated numerical techniques to address computational challenges. Professor Müller has led and participated in numerous research projects funded by German research organizations including DFG Priority Programmes, BMBF projects, and DFG Research Training Groups. His projects have focused on hyperbolic balance laws, adaptive numerical methods, transpiration cooling, and textured surface lubrication. He has organized multiple workshops on multiresolution methods and active drag reduction, demonstrating leadership in his research community. Professor Müller's research group at RWTH Aachen collaborates closely with engineering departments and industry partners to apply advanced numerical methods to practical engineering challenges. His team has developed specialized computational tools for simulating complex fluid phenomena, particularly in aerospace applications where cooling technologies and fluid-structure interactions are critical. The group maintains strong connections with international research communities in computational mathematics and fluid dynamics.
Svetlana Morozova is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University. Her research focuses on polymer dynamics in solutions and gels, particularly in complex environments, with applications in sustainable materials development. She has received prestigious awards including the 2024 ACS PMSE Early Investigator Award and 2020 ACS Petroleum Research Fund Doctoral New Investigator Award. Key research interests include polymer dynamics near interfaces, structural analysis of gels using scattering methods, and biomaterials design. Her work addresses challenges in material sustainability and advanced material characterization. Upcoming presentations include a talk on polymer dynamics at the MSE Early Investigator Symposium in Denver, August 2024. Awards: ACS PMSE Early Investigator (2024), ACS Doctoral New Investigator (2020), Lubrizol Innovation Prize (2020) Teaching: Courses in macromolecular science and engineering at Case School of Engineering Labs/Teams: Leading research group focused on polymer dynamics and biomaterials
Bahar Haghighat is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Robotics and Automation at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen. She leads the Distributed Autonomous Intelligent Systems (DAISY) Lab as Principal Investigator and contributes to academic governance as a Member of the Faculty Council. Her professional affiliations include the Royal Netherlands Institute of Engineers (KIVI), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and editorial roles with Nature Portfolio Journal Robotics and Springer Nature Journal Autonomous Robots. Her educational background includes: PhD in Robotics, Control, and Intelligent Systems from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland (2018) Master's degree in Electrical Engineering/Digital Electronics from Sharif University of Technology (SUT), Tehran, Iran Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Physics (double major) from Sharif University of Technology (SUT), Tehran, Iran Dr. Haghighat's research focuses on building novel miniaturized robotic swarms and algorithmic frameworks for sensing, surveying, and inspection applications. Her work spans mechatronics, electronics, embedded systems, embedded artificial intelligence and machine learning, and distributed systems. She envisions developing surface, aquatic, and aerial miniaturized robot swarms and small-scale intelligent devices for basic research and commercial applications including inspection of complex structures, environmental monitoring, space exploration, and search-and-rescue operations. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on swarm robotics, particularly using particle swarm optimization techniques for multi-robot coordination, surface inspection tasks, and spacecraft hull inspection. Her research shows an interdisciplinary approach combining mechatronic design with advanced algorithms for self-assembly and collective decision-making in resource-constrained robotic systems. Her notable scientific achievements include: EPFL's PhD research award of Gilbert Hausmann for the best PhD thesis in mechanical engineering, electricity, and physics (2019) EPFL distinction of excellence for a PhD thesis in Robotics, Control, and Intelligent Systems (2018) Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoc Mobility Fellowship (2019) Swiss National Science Foundation Early Postdoc Mobility Fellowship (2017) Third place in EPFL's "My Thesis in 180 Seconds" competition (2017) EECS Rising Star recognition (2021 at MIT and 2019 at UIUC) Dr. Haghighat has served as Program Co-Chair for The International Symposium on Distributed Autonomous Robotic Systems (DARS) and has held visiting scholar positions at MIT and Harvard University. Her research has received media attention for applications in Mars rover technology and drone swarms for defect detection. She leads the DAISY Lab, which focuses on distributed autonomous intelligent systems for various inspection and monitoring applications.
Hamid M. Said, PhD, PharmD is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. He also holds a joint appointment as Distinguished Professor in the Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation within the Department of Medicine, and serves as Vice-Chairman for Basic and Translational Research in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Said's research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in gastrointestinal handling of water-soluble vitamins, particularly biotin (vitamin B7) and thiamin (vitamin B1). His pioneering work has established the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) system as the primary mechanism for biotin uptake in human intestinal epithelial cells. His laboratory investigates how inflammation, bacterial products, and genetic factors affect vitamin transport processes in the gut, with significant implications for understanding inflammatory bowel disease and nutritional deficiencies. Analysis of Dr. Said's extensive publication record reveals a consistent focus on vitamin transport physiology, with recent work expanding into the interactions between gut microbiota and vitamin metabolism. His research spans molecular mechanisms, cell biology, animal models, and potential clinical applications. A key theme across his work is how inflammatory conditions disrupt normal vitamin absorption processes, creating potential vicious cycles in gastrointestinal diseases. Dr. Said has maintained continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health, particularly from the NIDDK (DK 56061 and DK58057), supporting his research for many years. His laboratory employs diverse methodologies including molecular biology, cell culture models, gene expression analysis, and animal studies to investigate the physiological relevance of vitamin transport mechanisms. His work has established important connections between nutrient absorption, gut microbiome function, and inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Marco Baiesi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Padua. His research focuses on nonequilibrium systems, polymers, biopolymers, topology, and machine learning applications in physics and biophysics. He has contributed to understanding the statistical mechanics of complex systems, including polymer dynamics, topological effects, and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. His work spans interdisciplinary areas such as biophysics, soft condensed matter, and machine learning for medical diagnostics. Notable contributions include studies on knotted polymer behavior, entropy production in non-equilibrium systems, and the application of AI to EEG-based dementia classification. Baiesi’s publications frequently explore topics like fluctuation theorems, stochastic processes, and the interplay between topology and material properties. His research has been published in high-impact journals such as Science , Physical Review Letters , and New Journal of Physics .
Shunji Egusa is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics from The University of Tokyo and a Ph.D. in Physics from The University of Chicago. His postdoctoral research was conducted at MIT and the Cleveland Clinic. His research focuses on nanomaterials synthesis, nanomedicine, plasmonics, and their applications in cancer therapy and fluid dynamics at the nanoscale. Current projects include insulator-to-metal transitions in nanomaterials, protein-based biomaterials, and nanotechnology for leukemia treatment. Research Interests: Insulator-to-metal transitions in nanocrystals Luminescent protein-gold complexes Nanomedicine for cancer chemotherapy Nano-cluster physics and chemistry Nanoscale fluid mechanics Funding Sources: His work is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Army Research Office, NASA-NC Space Grant Consortium, Leukemia Research Foundation, and the PhRMA Foundation. Internal university grants have also been pivotal in early-stage research. Lab Activities: The Egusa Lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining physics, chemistry, and biology to develop novel nanomaterials and their societal applications. Key facilities include advanced characterization tools for nanomaterials and biomaterials.
Dr. Lina Baroudi is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Manhattan University. Her research focuses on multiphase flows, computational fluid dynamics, and turbulence, with applications in nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics and mesoscopic simulation techniques. She holds a Ph.D. from The City College of New York and a B.S. from Damascus University. Education: Ph.D., The City College of New York MPhil, The City College of New York M.S., The City College of New York B.S., Damascus University Her research interests include studying surface-tension-driven flows, particle-laden flows, and developing predictive models using advanced computational methods like Lattice Boltzmann (LB), Molecular Dynamics (MD), and parallel high-performance computing. She has contributed to understanding Taylor-Couette flow dynamics, bubble rising mechanics, and droplet coalescence phenomena. Dr. Baroudi has been awarded prestigious fellowships including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Graduate Fellowship (2015-2016), MRSEC PREM Fellowship (2011-2015), and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2009-2010). Her work bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with industrial and nuclear engineering applications. She teaches courses such as Engineering Mathematics, Applied Heat Transfer, and Finite Element Analysis. Her lab focuses on multiphase flow modeling and high-performance computing, collaborating with ASME, APS, and other professional societies.
Pekka Peljo is an Associate Professor at Aalto University's Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, leading the Physical Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Physics (PhysElectrochemPhys) research group since September 2018. His work focuses on charge transfer mechanisms at solid-liquid interfaces and within solid materials, with a strong emphasis on developing advanced batteries for large-scale energy storage. Education: Master's degree in Engineering and Technology from Helsinki University of Technology His research bridges Electrochemistry and Energy Storage , particularly in Redox Flow Batteries and Hydrogen Production via hydrocarbon electrolysis. Current projects include computational modeling of redox potentials, experimental flow battery designs, and scalable synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals for electrochemical applications. Selected trends from his 75+ publications include Electron Transfer at interfaces, Operando Battery Monitoring , and Sustainable Energy solutions. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for climate action and affordable clean energy. Scientific contributions are recognized through grants from the Academy of Finland, EU Horizon Europe, and strategic funding for projects like CompBat (2020-2023) and H2fromHE (2024-2028). He has presented at international conferences (e.g., ELCAT, Spain, 2011) and hosted collaborations with institutions like EPFL. As Principal Investigator, Peljo leads projects such as PREDICTOR (2024-2028) for high-throughput screening of battery materials and Bi3BoostFlowBat (2025-2026). His group also investigates Hydrogen Production from natural gas and Vitamin B6-based Electrolytes for aqueous batteries.
Ricardo Ruiz Baier is a Professor of Computational Mathematics at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he also holds an ARC Future Fellowship. He is affiliated with the Victorian Heart Institute and the Monash Data Futures Institute, highlighting his interdisciplinary research bridging mathematical theory with biomedical applications. His research focuses on the design and analysis of numerical methods for partial differential equations, particularly those that preserve the physical properties of natural phenomena. His expertise includes fundamental topics in numerical analysis and scientific computing such as analysis of finite volume and finite element methods using mixed and augmented formulations, space-time adaptivity and error estimation, perturbed saddle-point problems, multiphase flow and transport in porous media, cardiac electrophysiology and electromechanics, and interface problems. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on virtual element methods, poroelasticity models, and cardiac mechanics applications. His work spans theoretical numerical analysis, computational methods development, and practical biomedical applications, particularly in cardiac modeling. The research demonstrates a consistent focus on multiphysics problems and the development of robust numerical schemes for complex coupled systems. Scientific Awards: ARC Future Fellowship FT22 for 'Next-generation methods for transport in poroelastic media with interfaces' Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP21 for 'Towards predictive 4D computational models for the heart' Ruiz Baier actively supervises a large research group with numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on diverse aspects of computational mathematics. His group has secured funding from multiple sources including Monash Mathematics, the Australian Research Council, IITB-Monash Doctoral Programme, and international government scholarships. He frequently organizes major conferences and workshops, including the Computational Techniques and Applications Conference (CTAC 2024) and MATRIX workshops on numerical analysis. His research group operates at the intersection of mathematics, computational science, and biomedical engineering, with particular focus on developing computational models for cardiac function and mechanics. The group collaborates with international institutions including the University of Oxford and University of Oslo.
Georgia Ioannou is a Researcher at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) within the University of Cambridge. She is affiliated with the Environmental and Industrial Fluid Dynamics research group. Her work focuses on fluid dynamics phenomena, particularly involving yield-stress fluids and their applications in geophysical contexts. Education and Background: While specific educational details are not provided, her affiliation with DAMTP suggests advanced training in applied mathematics or theoretical physics. Research Interests: Georgia’s research explores the dynamics of complex fluids, including impact cratering processes and their implications in environmental and industrial settings. Her work bridges theoretical models with computational methods to analyze fluid behavior under extreme conditions. Publications: Her recent publication (2023) highlights contributions to understanding yield-stress fluid mechanics in geophysical contexts. This reflects a focus on interdisciplinary applications of fluid dynamics. Awards and Grants: No specific awards or grants are mentioned in the provided text. Labs and Teams: She collaborates within the Environmental and Industrial Fluid Dynamics group at DAMTP, contributing to collaborative research initiatives in fluid mechanics and geophysics.
