Jungsang Kim is the Schiciano Family Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor of Physics at Duke University. He serves as Associate Director of the Duke Quantum Center and leads the Multifunctional Integrated Systems Technology group. Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions Quantum Information Science Photonic Device Development Quantum Communication Networks His research focuses on scalable quantum information processors using trapped atomic ions and advanced photonic technologies. Key innovations include microfabricated ion traps, optical MEMS, and cryogenic systems for quantum integration. Recent publications highlight trapped ion quantum simulation, high-fidelity gate design, and photonic error mitigation. His group develops practical quantum hardware and co-founded IonQ, the first publicly traded pure-play quantum computing company. Fellow, American Physics Society (2021) Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2016) Fellow, National Academy of Inventors Fellow, Optica (formerly OSA) Kim's work bridges quantum physics and engineering, with over 80 patents and leadership in Duke's quantum computing initiatives. He recently stepped down as IonQ's CTO while maintaining active research and strategic roles at Duke.
Christoph Keplinger serves as Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart, Germany, leading the Robotic Materials Department since 2020 and assuming overall institute leadership in 2023. He holds dual academic appointments as Honorary Professor at the University of Stuttgart and Eminent Visiting Professor of Soft Robotics at the University of Colorado Boulder, establishing him as a pivotal figure in bridging fundamental materials science with advanced robotics. His interdisciplinary approach integrates physics, chemistry, and engineering to pioneer breakthroughs in soft robotic systems. Keplinger's academic foundation includes a PhD in Soft Matter Physics from Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard University focusing on mechanics and chemistry of soft materials. This unique background enabled his transition into robotics innovation, particularly in electrohydraulic actuation systems. His research program centers on three synergistic pillars: (I) soft robotics development through novel actuator technologies like HASEL artificial muscles; (II) energy capture mechanisms using soft materials; and (III) functional polymers engineered for robotic applications. This work produces transformative hardware that mimics biological functionality, with significant implications for human-robot interaction, medical devices, and sustainable robotics systems. His group employs cutting-edge materials synthesis and characterization techniques to create lifelike robotic components. Analysis of recent publications reveals dominant trends in wearable haptic interfaces, electrohydraulic actuation systems, and tremor-suppression technologies. The research consistently leverages HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic) technology to achieve muscle-like performance in soft actuators, with applications spanning from fingertip haptic feedback to underwater manipulation systems. This trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental material properties toward practical implementations in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation. His exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognition: 2017 Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, awarded for high-impact interdisciplinary research 2021 Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (declined to remain at MPI-IS), Germany's most valuable international research award 2013 EAPromising European Researcher Award from the European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles As principal investigator, Keplinger leads a dynamic interdisciplinary research group while securing competitive funding for frontier projects. His entrepreneurial vision materialized in 2018 through co-founding Artimus Robotics, where he serves as Chief Science Officer to commercialize HASEL technology. This dual commitment to academic research and industry translation exemplifies his dedication to real-world impact, particularly in creating biodegradable and sustainable soft robotic solutions. The Robotic Materials Department operates state-of-the-art facilities for materials fabrication, robotic integration, and haptic interface development. The team maintains strong collaborations across MPI-IS departments and external institutions including the University of Colorado Boulder, fostering innovation in sustainable robotics through initiatives like biodegradable electrohydraulic actuators. Current projects focus on wearable tremor suppression systems, electrohydraulic locomotion platforms, and energy-autonomous soft robots that address critical challenges in medical rehabilitation and human augmentation.
Andrew Spakowitz is a Professor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and by courtesy, Applied Physics and Chemistry at Stanford University. He currently serves as the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs and holds the Tang Family Foundation Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. His academic career at Stanford spans from Assistant Professor (2006-2014) to Associate Professor (2014-2020) and now Professor since 2020. Dr. Spakowitz earned his PhD in 2004, MS in 2001 from the California Institute of Technology, and his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1999. He completed postdoctoral training in Molecular and Cell Biology and Biophysics at UC Berkeley from 2004-2006. His research focuses on theoretical and computational approaches to understanding biological processes and complex materials. The Spakowitz lab addresses fundamental chemical and physical phenomena through four main research themes: chromosomal organization and dynamics, protein self-assembly, polymer membranes, and charge transport in conducting polymers. His group employs diverse theoretical and computational methods including analytical theory of semiflexible polymers, polymer field theory, continuum elastic mechanics, Brownian dynamics simulation, equilibrium and dynamic Monte Carlo simulations, and reaction-diffusion modeling. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on epigenetics and chromatin dynamics, with significant work on DNA methylation patterns, nucleosome clustering, and chromosome organization. His research also extends to polymer physics applications in biological systems, particularly in respiratory diseases, water purification membranes, and bacterial phage interactions with human mucus. Tang Family Foundation Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering Professor Spakowitz mentors several graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science departments. His lab members work on diverse projects spanning from chromatin dynamics to polymer membranes for water purification. He teaches multiple courses including CHEMENG 120B (Energy and Mass Transport), CHEMENG 340 (Molecular Thermodynamics), CHEMENG 466 (Polymer Physics), and CHEMENG 467 (Physics of Biomacromolecules). The Spakowitz lab operates from Clark S295 at Stanford University, conducting theoretical and computational research that bridges chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering disciplines to address complex problems across multiple length and time scales.
Alenda Y. Chang serves as an Assistant Professor in Film and Media Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. With a multidisciplinary background spanning biology, literature, and film, she integrates ecocritical theory with contemporary media analysis. Her scholarly work appears in journals including Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment , Qui Parle , and electronic book review , focusing on sustainable media practices and ecological frameworks for digital engagement. Her educational background includes: M.A. and Ph.D. in Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley M.A. in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland Chang specializes in environmental media and game studies, developing theoretical frameworks for ecological game design. Her research examines how digital games model environmental systems and foster player engagement with climate change through concepts like "slow violence" and "rambunctious play." She advocates for sustainable design patterns that address gaming's carbon footprint while creating immersive ecological narratives. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory from foundational ecological game theory (2013-2018) to current work on thermal contexts of play and sustainable infrastructure (2022-2024). Her scholarship increasingly bridges data-driven activism with critical game design, emphasizing multispecies entanglements and infrastructural play as tools for environmental awareness. As co-founder of Wireframe—a collaborative media studio at UCSB—Chang cultivates critical game design practices through initiatives like growinggames.net . The studio supports data-driven global media art, environmental activism, and experimental pedagogy, serving as a hub for translating ecological theory into tangible digital interventions that challenge anthropocentric perspectives in gaming.
Kaveh Razavi is an Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, supervising the Computer Security Group. He is also affiliated with the Department of Computer Science. Research focuses on commodity hardware and operating systems security Teaching: Computer Engineering (BSc 2022–2025), Hardware Security (MSc 2016–2025), Advanced Operating Systems (MSc 2016–2019) Research Interests: Razavi's work bridges computer systems and security, emphasizing microarchitectural vulnerabilities, hardware exploitation, and security verification. His group develops tools for analyzing hardware-software interactions and mitigating memory attacks like Rowhammer. Scientific Awards: Distinguished/Best Paper Awards at IEEE S&P, USENIX Security, MICRO Five Pwnies Awards for innovative research Dutch Veni Grant, ERC Starting Grant Jochen Liedtke Young Researcher Award Golden Owl Teaching Award (2022) ETH Medal, Intel Bounty Reward, BlackHat USA Recognition
Dr. Akhilesh Jaiswal serves as Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his research pioneers device-circuit co-design for next-generation computing systems. His work focuses on enabling extreme-edge intelligence through processing-in-pixel technology, in-memory computing architectures, and bio-inspired neuromorphic systems. His academic credentials include: PhD in Nano-electronics from Purdue University (2019) MS from the University of Minnesota (2014) Bachelor of Technology from Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Institute of Engineering and Technology (2011) Dr. Jaiswal's research program centers on revolutionizing edge computing through hardware innovations that integrate sensing and processing. His device-circuit co-design approach leverages alternate state variables to create energy-efficient systems for real-time applications, with particular emphasis on retina-inspired sensors and photonic memory architectures. This work bridges semiconductor physics with AI acceleration needs, targeting applications from autonomous systems to biomedical devices. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in photonic SRAM-based in-memory computing (40% of output), retina-inspired motion processing (30%), and secure hardware architectures (20%). His team consistently develops novel bitcell designs that enable XOR logic execution within memory arrays while maintaining compatibility with CMOS fabrication processes. Recent work shows increasing focus on biomedical applications of processing-in-pixel technology. His distinguished recognition includes: Three consecutive ISI Exploratory Research Awards (2020-2023) IEEE Brain Community Best Paper Award (2022) 27 issued US patents with multiple pending applications Nomination for USC Moore Inventor Fellowship (2022) Dr. Jaiswal actively mentors graduate researchers through ECE 790/890/990 courses while securing exploratory funding through ISI and Keston Foundation awards. His patent portfolio demonstrates exceptional translational impact, with industry game-changer classifications from USPTO. The 2022 VLSI-SoC nomination and multiple research highlights in major outlets validate his contributions to hardware security and neuromorphic vision sensors. His laboratory develops integrated hardware platforms combining magnetic tunnel junctions, photonic memory, and CMOS image sensors to create unified processing-in-sensor systems. Current projects include retina-inspired motion segmentation for event cameras and electro-optic frequency transducers for quantum computing interfaces, with strong industry collaboration through patent licensing.
Connor Coley is the Henri Slezynger (1957) Career Development Assistant Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering. His research bridges chemistry and machine learning, focusing on autonomous molecular discovery, predictive chemistry, and laboratory automation. Education: Ph.D., MIT (2019) M.S.CEP., MIT (2016) B.S., Caltech (2014) Research Interests: Dr. Coley’s work centers on domain-informed machine learning for chemistry, computer-aided molecular design, and autonomous laboratories. Key themes include predictive modeling of chemical reactivity, optimization of synthesis pathways, and integration of AI with experimental data for drug discovery and materials science. Publications: His recent articles highlight advancements in AI-driven reaction prediction, molecular representation learning, and laboratory automation. Trends include applications of Bayesian optimization, contrastive learning, and diffusion models to chemical discovery. Scientific Awards: Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2025) James W. Swan Outstanding Faculty (2025) Schmidt Futures AI2050 Early Career Fellow (2022) NSF CAREER Award (2021) Forbes 30 Under 30: Healthcare (2019) Software & Tools: He leads the open-source ASKCOS software suite for synthesis planning, adopted by 35,000+ chemists and deployed at 15+ pharmaceutical companies. His team also develops tools for metabolomics and molecular representation learning.
David John Procter is a Professor of Organic Chemistry and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manchester. His career includes academic roles at the University of Glasgow (Lecturer, Senior Lecturer) and a Readership at the University of Manchester, where he became a Professor in 2008. His research focuses on developing new synthetic methods, catalysis, and materials chemistry, with applications in drug discovery, biocatalysis, and organic electronics. Education: BSc Chemistry (University of Leeds, 1992), PhD (1995, supervised by Prof. Christopher Rayner). Postdoctoral work: Florida State University (Prof. Robert Holton, Taxol analog synthesis). Research interests include samarium diiodide-mediated reactions, metal-free coupling processes, and sustainable synthesis methods. He leads projects funded by EPSRC, Industry (30 grants), and international collaborations. Awards include the EPSRC Established Career Fellowship (2015–2020), Bader Prize (2014), and Young Heterocyclic Chemist Award (2015). Key contributions: Total synthesis of natural products (e.g., pleuromutilin), development of copper-catalyzed multicomponent couplings, and innovative methods for organic materials. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy and responsible consumption. Collaborations span academic and industrial partnerships in chemistry, physics, and biology. He supervises 60+ students and contributes to the Organic Materials Innovation Centre (OMIC). His group’s research is detailed at proctergroupresearch.com .
Danick Briand is a Senior Scientist at the Soft Transducers Laboratory within the Microsystems for Space Applications Group (LMTS) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). His work focuses on MEMS and Microsystems for environmentally friendly technology , integrating flexible and printed electronics with applications in energy harvesting , smart sensing systems , and advanced gas sensing . Research Themes : Environmental sensors using microsystem technology Green microtechnologies and micromanufacturing Ultra-low energy MEMS Energy-saving and harvesting systems Recent Publications : Developed transient biodegradable sensors and microwave sensing technologies using printed and degradable materials Explored flexible piezoelectric systems and wearable sweat analyzers for biomedical applications Advanced inkjet-printed biosensors and eco-friendly fabrication methods Labs & Collaborations : Soft Transducers Laboratory (EPFL) Laboratory for Microsystems (LMTS)
Jonathan Klamkin is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He also serves as the Director of the Nanofabrication Facility, overseeing advanced photonics fabrication resources. His research focuses on integrated photonics, silicon photonics, optical communications, and compound semiconductor integration. Klamkin holds a PhD in Materials from UCSB, an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UCSB, and a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University. His research interests span cutting-edge areas such as electronic-photonic integration, nanophotonics, and microwave photonics. He has pioneered techniques for heterogeneous integration of compound semiconductors on silicon, enabling scalable photonic systems for applications in LiDAR, high-speed communications, and quantum technologies. Notable awards include the DARPA Young Investigator Award, NASA Early Career Faculty Award, and the PIERS Young Scientist Award. His recent work emphasizes beam steering systems, high-power quantum dot lasers, and photonic integrated circuits for remote sensing and lidar. Klamkin’s lab develops both fundamental materials science and applied photonic devices, with a focus on bridging the gap between semiconductor growth and integrated system design. Key contributions include innovations in grating coupler design, antiphase boundary-free epitaxy for GaAs on silicon, and analog coherent detection for energy-efficient data centers. His research bridges photonics, electronics, and materials science to address challenges in high-performance integrated systems.
Nicole Koschate-Fischer is Professor and holds the GfK Chair for Marketing Intelligence at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), where she currently serves as Dean of Research at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences. She is spokesperson for the interdisciplinary research focus "Customer Insights" and founding director of the Experimental Lab for Business Insights Nuremberg (ELAN). Previously, until September 30, 2024, she served as spokesperson for the Institute of Marketing and head of the Master's in Marketing program. Professor Koschate-Fischer earned her doctorate and habilitation from the University of Mannheim after completing a degree in business administration and psychology. Her academic journey includes membership in the interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Center "Concepts of Rationality, Decision Behavior, and Economic Modeling" at Mannheim, along with research stays as visiting scholar at University of Florida and University of Texas at Austin. She has held professorships at Technical University of Kaiserslautern and HEC Paris, and served as visiting professor at University of Vienna and Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing. Research Interests Professor Koschate-Fischer's research spans customer insights , digital marketing , pricing and product management , and marketing analytics . Her work investigates consumer behavior in digital contexts, brand partnerships, life event impacts on purchasing decisions, and the psychological aspects of pricing. She employs experimental research methods and mediation analysis to understand causal relationships in consumer decision-making processes. Her publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact research in leading journals including Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. Recent work focuses on digital communication phenomena like emoji usage in electronic word-of-mouth, conversational agent interactions, and the application of behavioral pricing principles in charitable contexts. Professional Recognition Full member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities Member of the Board of Academic Trustees of the Center for Advanced International Marketing Knowledge (AiMark) Editorial board member of Journal of International Marketing Professor Koschate-Fischer regularly serves as reviewer for leading international academic journals and presents her research at both academic and practitioner-oriented conferences. Her work receives funding from organizations including the German Research Foundation (DFG), and she maintains active collaborations with renowned companies across various industries. She has directed the Experimental Lab for Business Insights Nuremberg (ELAN) since its founding, creating a hub for interdisciplinary customer insights research that bridges academic rigor with practical business applications.
Lina Bertling Tjernberg is a Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Deputy Head of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) with responsibility for research conditions and impact. She served as Director of KTH's Energy Platform during 2018-2024 and holds memberships in IVA (Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences) and the IEEE Power & Energy Society. Research Focus: Applying mathematics (statistics, optimization, life cycle assessment) to enhance reliability and predictive maintenance in electric power systems, with emphasis on future electricity grids integrating microgrids, battery storage, HVDC, nuclear/pumped/hydro/wind/solar power, hydrogen, and electrified transport. Collaborations: Engaged with Comillas Pontifical University (Madrid), Addis Ababa University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and IEA Wind. Key Research Trends: Recent articles highlight advancements in microgrid control (2025), SMR nuclear energy integration (2025), AI-driven asset management (2024), hydrogen sector coupling (2024), and renewable forecasting techniques (2024). Awards: 2021 Power Woman of the Year 2022 Energy Power List (Sweden’s top 20 energy influencers) Leadership Roles: Swedish Electromobility Center (SEC) board Chair of Swedish Electrical Standards (SEK Svensk Elstandard) Member, IEEE PES ISGT Europe steering committee
Teruki Kamon is a Professor at Texas A&M University affiliated with the Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics & Astronomy. As an active member of the CDF and CMS collaborations, he conducts experimental particle physics research at hadron colliders with focus on dark matter phenomenology. His research centers on testing particle physics models for cold dark matter, with Supersymmetry (SUSY) as a leading candidate. He pioneered SUSY searches in final states involving electrons, muons, and third-generation particles like tau leptons, specializing in: Compressed mass spectrum signatures Vector boson fusion topologies Soft tau lepton analyses Missing transverse momentum techniques Recent publications (2017-2020) demonstrate consistent leadership in LHC-based searches for supersymmetry and new physics, including unique contributions to CMS detector upgrades. His group dominates research on compressed-mass SUSY in vector boson fusion processes. No information regarding awards, student advising, or grant funding was provided in available sources.
Matthew L Becker is the Hugo L Blomquist Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Duke University, with additional appointments in Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, and Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on polymer chemistry, bioconjugate chemistry, molecular imaging, additive manufacturing, and degradable materials for bone, soft tissue, neural, and vascular tissue engineering. Education: B.S. from Northwest Missouri State University (1998), M.A. (2000) and Ph.D. (2003) from Washington University in St. Louis Research interests include developing tunable degradable polymers for flexible electronics, tissue engineering (bone, neural, vascular), and additive manufacturing. His group is pioneering 3D printing of bioresorbable medical devices and custom inks for biomaterials. Recent work explores stereochemistry-dependent polymer properties, mechanochromism, and machine learning-driven biomaterials design. Key applications: Drug delivery systems Biodegradable adhesives Tissue regeneration scaffolds Scientific honors include: Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2022) Fellow, American Chemical Society (2020) Carl S. Marvel Award in Creative Polymer Chemistry (2019) Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biomedical Engineering (2018) Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (2017) Biomacromolecules/Macromolecules Young Investigator Award (2015) He teaches advanced courses in mechanical engineering and polymer chemistry, with a focus on 3D printing and biomaterials. His group has developed novel medical devices including resorbable suture anchors, hernia mesh coatings, and neuroprosthetic scaffolds.
Catherine Pinel is a Research Director (DR2) at the Institute for Research on Catalysis and Environment of Lyon (IRCELYON, UMR 5256), a joint research unit of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Claude Bernard University Lyon 1. She has held this senior research position since October 2008, following progression from CR1 (1998-2008) and CR2 (1994-1998) roles at the same institution. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral research at Cambridge University (1992-1993) under Professor S.V. Ley and with Professor M. Lemaire (1993-1994). Her educational foundation includes: Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie in Chemistry from Paris XI University (1986) Engineering Degree from École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris (1989) Advanced Studies Diploma in Organic Chemistry from Paris VI University (1989) PhD in Organic Chemistry from Paris VI University (1992) on chiral ruthenium complexes and enantioselective reductions Habilitation à diriger des recherches from Lyon I University (1999) on catalysis and fine chemistry Dr. Pinel's research pioneers sustainable catalytic processes with emphasis on biomass valorization, green chemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis. Her work bridges fundamental catalyst design with industrial applications, particularly in hydrogenation, oxidation, and biorefinery processes. Current focus areas include catalytic conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules (glucose, succinic acid, polyols), development of bimetallic catalysts, and valorization of hemicellulose streams. Her approach integrates advanced catalyst characterization with reaction engineering to create environmentally benign chemical transformations. Analysis of her recent publication trajectory (2019-2025) reveals evolving expertise from fundamental organometallic chemistry toward applied sustainable catalysis. Key trends include increasing focus on biomass-derived feedstocks (glucose, succinic acid, polyols), development of metal-carbide/nitride catalysts, and optimization of aqueous-phase reactions for industrial biorefineries. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across catalysis, materials science, and green chemistry, with growing emphasis on circular economy principles and renewable chemical production. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the source materials. Dr. Pinel actively contributes to academic training through graduate instruction at University of Lyon (Master 2 'Catalysis and Physical Chemistry' since 2007) and University of Savoie (M2 courses in New Catalysts in Organic Chemistry since 1999 and Coordination Chemistry since 2012). While specific grant details aren't provided, her extensive publication record across high-impact journals indicates sustained research funding. She maintains collaborative networks within IRCELYON and internationally, particularly in biomass conversion and catalyst characterization. As a core researcher at IRCELYON (celebrating 60 years of catalysis research in 2021), she operates within a world-class facility housing specialized equipment for catalyst synthesis, characterization (including in situ techniques), and testing. Her work aligns with the institute's focus on sustainable catalysis for energy transition, air/water depollution, and biomass valorization, contributing to France's strategic research priorities in green chemistry.
