Amir Mirzanejad is a Research Fellow at the Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University. His work focuses on computational chemistry and quantum mechanical analysis of chemical reactions. Current affiliation: Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemistry Research interests include: Spin-forbidden reaction mechanisms in organometallic systems Topological analysis of electrocyclization and cycloaddition reactions Quantum modeling of interstellar chemistry Morse potential derivation for chemical bonding Surface catalysis and solid-state reaction dynamics His recent publications (2025-2019) explore computational modeling of reaction pathways in organic and astrochemical contexts, with a focus on spin-state transitions and topological classification. He utilizes quantum mechanics to analyze forbidden reactions and design photoswitch molecules. Scientific awards and formal students are not listed in available resources.
William Gerard Hubert Vandenberghe is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) since 2021. He holds affiliations in the Materials Science & Engineering Department, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Department of Physics within the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on explaining and designing nanoscale electronic devices using quantum mechanics-based computational methods. Key research areas include theoretical and computational nanoelectronics, quantum transport, semiconductor device simulations, and two-dimensional materials. Education: He earned a Ph.D. in Engineering from KU Leuven in 2012. Research Interests: Vandenberghe’s group investigates novel materials (e.g., conventional semiconductors, 2D materials, topological insulators, layered magnets) and devices (e.g., transistors, solar cells). They develop open-source software and use commercial codes for simulations. Current projects address power electronics, photovoltaics, and nanoelectronics. Recent work includes studies on SiC MOSFETs, diamond phonon spectra, and van der Waals dielectrics for 2D electronics. Publications: His recent articles span Bayesian optimization for semiconductor devices, quantum transport in 2D materials, and defect analysis in catalytic surfaces. These contributions highlight advancements in device design, material characterization, and computational methods. Awards: He has received the Young Investigator Award from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (2017) and the Research Council Award from KU Leuven (2014). Advising & Collaboration: He has advised students like Kolade Oyekan and Aaron Kramer. Collaborations with industrial partners drive applied research in nanoelectronics and power systems. Labs/Teams: His research group emphasizes interdisciplinary work, combining theory, computation, and experimental insights through partnerships with industry and academic institutions.
Zlate Dimkovski is a Lecturer at the Academy of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability at Halmstad University. His research focuses on tribology, surface engineering, and manufacturing processes, particularly in automotive applications. Key areas include cylinder liner surfaces, honing textures, additive manufacturing, and friction reduction in mechanical systems. He has contributed extensively to the optimization of manufacturing processes and the characterization of surface topographies, with a focus on predictive modeling and quality control. His work integrates experimental analysis and computational methods to improve surface functionality and durability in industrial components. Dimkovski has authored over 30 publications since 2009, including peer-reviewed articles and conference papers on topics such as tribological testing, surface wear analysis, and the application of additive manufacturing in functional surface design. His research emphasizes practical solutions for reducing energy consumption and improving mechanical efficiency in automotive and industrial systems.
Dr. Zeila Zanolli is a Full Professor of 'Theory and Simulation of Quantum Materials' at Utrecht University's Chemistry Department and the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science. Her research focuses on first-principles modelling of quantum materials, topological matter, superconductivity, and spintronics. She specializes in Density Functional Theory (DFT), many-body techniques, and quantum transport simulations. Key affiliations include the Condensed Matter and Interfaces group (Ornstein Laboratory), European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility (Deputy Chair), and advisory boards for Science4Sustainability and the Dutch Chemistry Council. She is a Fellow of the Young Academy of Europe (2018–24). Research interests span topological insulators, 2D materials (e.g., graphene, TMDs), nanomaterials, and quantum transport phenomena. Her work integrates computational methods like GW/Bethe-Salpeter Equation for excitonic physics and Non-Equilibrium Green’s Function techniques for time-dependent simulations. Notable contributions include studies on heterostructures, twisted moiré materials, and gas sensing with carbon nanotubes. She leads interdisciplinary projects at the interface of theoretical physics, chemistry, and materials science.
Prof. Krzysztof Parlinski is a distinguished physicist at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences , renowned for pioneering ab initio studies of crystal lattice dynamics , phase transitions , and phonon dispersion . His work spans materials like ZrO2 , GaN , LiNbO3 , and NiTi , with applications in optoelectronics , solar cells , and magnetite . He developed the PHONON software, a critical tool for calculating phonon density of states and vibrational properties . His research explores topological defects in incommensurate phases , domain structures in ferroelastics , and neutron scattering in crystalline materials . He has published extensively on quasicrystals , molecular crystals , and high-Tc superconductors , often using group theory to analyze structural phase transitions . His 15 most recent articles focus on nanostructured materials , spin-phonon coupling , and anharmonic lattice dynamics , with applications in electronics and energy systems . Scientific Awards : Maria Sklodowska-Curie Award (2005) for contributions to ab initio phonon calculations and solid-state physics . His PHONON software, described in publications and conference proceedings, enables phonon dispersion analysis for systems from bulk crystals to supercells , validated against neutron scattering and Raman data . Collaborations include work on Fe monolayers , quasi-1D systems , and high-pressure materials .
Jan Łażewski is a Researcher at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences. His work focuses on ab initio calculations for structural, electronic, dynamic, and elastic properties of crystals , with particular emphasis on phase transitions and magnetic materials . He has been involved in projects related to Nanoalloys Semiconductor materials High-pressure mineral physics Surface and interface dynamics Thermoelectric properties His scientific awards include the Henryk Niewodniczański Scientific Award (2004) and multiple Awards of the Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (2005, 2006, 2007) . He has contributed to research highlights such as Phonons at iron surfaces and Magnetostructural phase transition in MnAs . His collaborative projects span EU Framework Programme initiatives like Crust to core – fate of the subducted material and Dynamics in Nano-scale Materials Studied with Synchrotron Radiation , as well as national projects on semiconductor technology and catalytic materials . His work frequently appears in journals like Physical Review B , Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter , and Acta Physica Polonica .
Amit Arora is an Associate Professor of Materials Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar , leading the Advanced Materials Processing Research Group . His expertise spans numerical modeling of welding and joining processes, additive manufacturing, and friction stir welding/processing. PhD from The Pennsylvania State University (2011) M.Tech & B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur Research interests focus on: Numerical modeling of friction stir welding (FSW) and processing (FSWP) Tool wear analysis during FSW Dissimilar material joining Mechanical/electrochemical characterization of surface composites Additive manufacturing of titanium alloys Recent publications explore laser fusion additive manufacturing, friction stir channeling, and biocompatible composite development from biowaste. His work combines computational modeling with experimental validation across multiple domains. Scientific awards include: Young Scientist Research Award (Department of Atomic Energy, 2014–2017) Metallography Contest Winner (Indian Institute of Metals, 2019) Best Poster Awards at international workshops As an academic mentor, he has guided numerous PhD and M.Tech students, including: Mahesh V.P. (now Assistant Professor at VIT) Amit Kumar Singh (Post-doctoral Fellow at UNT Denton) Nishkarsh Srivastava (PhD Scholar at IIT Gandhinagar) The Advanced Materials Processing Research Group actively investigates: Friction stir welding of metals and polymers Surface composite fabrication Heat treatment of alloys CFD-DEM modeling for material behavior
Associate Professor Bernd Gludovatz is affiliated with the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of New South Wales , where he leads research on the mechanical behavior of structural materials. His work bridges advanced metallic alloys, bulk metallic glasses, and biological materials. PhD, Materials Science and Engineering (University of Leoben, Austria) Postdoctoral Fellowship under Prof. Robert O. Ritchie at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Research Focus: Mechanisms of deformation, fracture, and fatigue in additively manufactured materials, high-entropy alloys, and bio-inspired composites. Key applications include aerospace components, bio-implants, and nuclear reactor materials. Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes additive manufacturing for tailored microstructures, high-entropy alloys with extreme fracture toughness, radiation effects on nuclear materials, and biomechanical correlations in bone fracture resistance. Contact: Level 3, Room 311G, Ainsworth Building (J17), Kensington Campus, UNSW Sydney Phone: +61 (2) 9385 4006
Niels Walet is a Professor of Theoretical Physics and Associate Dean for Online and Flexible Learning at the University of Manchester's Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds a doctorate from the University of Utrecht and has held research positions in Amsterdam, Philadelphia, and Erlangen before joining UMIST (now part of the University of Manchester) as a lecturer. His academic roles include leadership in e-learning initiatives and contributions to Open Educational Resources, particularly leveraging simulations in Java and Mathematica. Research interests span theoretical nuclear physics (many-body problem, effective field theory in light nuclei) and condensed matter physics (graphene, topological materials, superconductivity). He explores topics like renormalization group techniques, skyrmions, and computational approaches to quantum field theory. His work also addresses gender equity in physics education and modern computer-based learning tools. Walet supervises 4 PhD students and collaborates internationally, with recent studies on twisted graphene bilayers, topological superconductivity, and nuclear halo structures. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through advancements in material science and education technology.
Dr Ruizhi Zhang is a Research Associate at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London. She specializes in structural engineering with a focus on metallic 3D printed structural members and resilience of steel framed structures. Her work is supported by the EPSRC-funded RESIST project. She holds a PhD from Imperial College London (2018-2022) under Prof. Leroy Gardner. Education: PhD in Structural Engineering (Imperial College London, 2018–2022) Her research interests span additive manufacturing processes (e.g., WAAM, laser deposition), material characterization of metals, and structural optimization. She has contributed to understanding the mechanical behavior of 3D-printed stainless steel components and the resilience of infrastructure systems. Recent studies include analyzing non-structural elements in concrete girders and optimizing corrugated cylindrical shells for AM. Zhang has peer-reviewed submissions for journals like Thin-Walled Structures and delivered guest lectures at Tongji and Chongqing Universities. She has co-supervised multiple student projects but no named advisees are listed here.
Troy Van Voorhis is the Haslam and Dewey Professor of Chemistry and Department Head at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), part of the School of Science. His research focuses on developing novel electronic structure methods, particularly bootstrap embedding, to study excited electron dynamics in molecular and periodic systems. Key areas include solar energy conversion, molecular electronics, and quantum computing applications. He leads the Van Voorhis Group, which investigates nanocrystal electronic properties, defect states in quantum dots, and super-resolution spectroscopic techniques. The group’s work bridges theory and experiment, collaborating with institutions globally. Current projects involve GPU-accelerated quantum chemistry simulations and multiscale embedding strategies for near-term quantum devices. His team includes postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates engaged in method development and applied materials research. Research Interests: Electron dynamics, quantum embedding methods, nanocrystal defect analysis, and optoelectronic materials design. The group has pioneered Bootstrap Embedding (QuEmb software) to handle large-scale systems, enabling studies of 2D materials, photovoltaic systems, and quantum computing workflows. Recent work highlights include optimizing semiconductor surfaces via thermal atomic layer etching and simulating electronic spectra at reduced computational cost.
Jonathan Malen is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering. His research spans nanoscale thermal transport, energy materials, and additive manufacturing, with significant contributions to thermal management in electronics and thermoelectric energy conversion. Malen earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley (2009), an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from MIT (2003), and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan (2000). He joined CMU in 2009 and has since led groundbreaking experimental work in thermal science. His research interests include thermal transport in advanced materials such as ultrawide bandgap semiconductors (GaN, Ga₂O₃), organic-inorganic hybrids (superatomic crystals, perovskites), and high-thermal-conductivity polymers. The Malen Laboratory uses ultrafast laser spectroscopy, microfabrication, and thermal imaging to study heat transfer in electronics, additive manufacturing, and cryopreservation. Key applications include thermoelectric waste heat recovery, thermal management in microprocessors, and process monitoring in metal 3D printing. Malen’s recent publications reveal a strong focus on thermal conductivity in polymers and composites, melt pool dynamics in additive manufacturing, and phonon transport in nanostructured materials. His work increasingly integrates machine learning for process modeling and defect prediction in metal printing. There is a clear interdisciplinary trend combining materials science, mechanical engineering, and data-driven modeling. Benjamin Richard Teare Teaching Award (2019) David P. Casasent Outstanding Research Award (2016) ASME Bergles-Rohsenhow Young Investigator Award in Heat Transfer Army Research Office Young Investigator Award (2014) National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2012) Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award (2010) Malen has advised numerous PhD students, many of whom now work in industry (e.g., Intel, Northrop Grumman, Apple) or academia. His research is supported by the NSF, DoD, ARO, AFOSR, and NIH. He collaborates with Alan McGaughey (CMU), Dmitri Talapin (University of Chicago), and X. Roy (Columbia), among others. He is also involved with CMU’s Data Storage Systems Center, NextManufacturing Center, and Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. The Malen Laboratory operates at the intersection of experimental thermal science and advanced manufacturing, focusing on both fundamental understanding and technological applications. The team includes postdocs and PhD students working on topics such as in-situ thermal imaging, deep learning for defect prediction, and thermoelectric cooling. The lab is known for developing innovative measurement techniques like two-color thermal imaging and frequency-domain thermoreflectance.
Shuqiao Xie is a Visiting Researcher in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London's Faculty of Engineering. His work focuses on computational biomechanics, medical device prototyping, and statistical shape models. He leads a translation project developing a smartphone-based navigation system for orthopaedic implant positioning, collaborating with surgeons, investors, and entrepreneurs. This project has secured funding from the Wellcome Trust, EPSRC IAA, SET Squared ICURe, MedTech SuperConnector, and Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst. Shuqiao earned his PhD from the University of Edinburgh under Professors Pankaj Pankaj, Hamish Simpson, and Dr. Robert Wallace, researching novel constitutive models for trabecular bone viscoelasticity and finite element algorithms. His expertise bridges computational techniques and clinical applications, emphasizing patient outcome improvements through medical technology innovation. His research interests span biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, clinical sciences, human movement sciences, materials engineering, and nursing applications. Key projects include trabecular bone mechanics, medical device validation, and 3D bone reconstruction using statistical models. Funding sources include EPSRC, Innovate UK, and the Wellcome Trust. He actively collaborates with industry and academic partners to translate research into clinical tools. No specific awards are explicitly listed, but his work reflects significant industry and governmental support.
S. Lance Cooper is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he also serves as Associate Head for Graduate Programs. He earned his B.S. from the University of Virginia (1982) and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois (1988), followed by a postdoctoral appointment at AT&T Bell Labs. His research focuses on optical spectroscopy of novel quantum materials under extreme conditions (low temperature, high pressure, and magnetic fields), with a particular emphasis on understanding emergent phenomena in strongly correlated systems. His group has pioneered studies of pressure-tuned quantum phase transitions in layered ruthenates, spinels, and topological insulators, revealing insights into orbital ordering, superconductivity, and magnetodielectric effects. Cooper has been active in academic service, including roles as Secretary-Treasurer for the Division of Condensed Matter Physics (APS, 2015-2019) and Associate Editor for Physical Review Letters (2006-2011). He has also been a leader in STEM education innovation, co-developing graduate-level courses on scientific communication and mentoring programs to integrate evidence-based writing pedagogies into STEM curricula. His educational initiatives have received recognition through awards such as the 2018 Campus Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring. Key research themes include: (1) field- and pressure-tuned spectroscopy of frustrated magnetism, (2) quantum phase transitions in layered chalcogenides, and (3) growth of high-quality single crystals for extreme condition studies. His work has produced over 60 peer-reviewed publications, with recent breakthroughs in understanding vibronic excitations in Ce₂O₃ and magnetodielectric behavior in spinel oxides. Collaborations span experimental physics, materials science, and education research.
Dallas R. Trinkle is an Ivan Racheff Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Ohio State University (2003) and joined UIUC's faculty in 2006 after postdoctoral research at the Air Force Research Laboratory. His research focuses on computational methods to study defects in materials at the atomic scale, including density-functional theory and machine learning applications in diffusion and mechanical behavior. Education : Ph.D. in Physics, Ohio State University, 2003 Postdoctoral Researcher, National Research Council (Air Force Research Laboratory), 2003–2006 Research Interests : Trinkle’s work centers on defects in materials, including dislocations, point defects, and interfaces, with applications to structural metals like magnesium, titanium, and palladium. Key areas include: Computational materials science using atomistic methods (DFT, tight-binding) Mechanical behavior of alloys and phase transformations Mass transport mechanisms, including diffusion of interstitials and solutes Machine learning for materials discovery and predictive modeling Awards : TMS Young Leader International Scholar (2008) NSF CAREER Award (2009) Xerox Award for Faculty Research (2011) TMS Brimacombe Medal (2019) Advising & Grants : Trinkle mentors graduate and postdoctoral researchers in computational materials science. His research is supported by NSF, Boeing, and the Department of Energy. He has developed educational modules integrating computation into undergraduate curricula, emphasizing digital materials and atomic-scale simulations. Labs & Groups : His research group maintains a Trinkle Group page with resources on computational tools (e.g., Mg solute database on GitHub) and ongoing projects.
