Katalin Vertes is an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering Sciences, University of Agder. She holds an MSc in Structural Engineering & Geotechnics (2000) and a PhD in Civil Engineering (2006) focused on steel semi-rigid connections and chain bridge eye-bars. Research Focus: Steel structures, Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), Finite Element Method (FEM), lifecycle analysis, and bridge engineering. Key Publications (2017-2020): Explored fiber-reinforced UHPC optimization, environmental impact of UHPC, and lifecycle assessment of timber/concrete bridges. Teaching: Courses in steel/timber structures, FEM, aluminum/timber materials, and structural lifecycle analysis. Collaborations: Worked on multidisciplinary projects with researchers like Ingrid Lande Larsen, Reyn Joseph O'Born, and Miklós Iványi.
Jakub Bańczerowski is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Mechanics and Printing, affiliated with the Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology. His research focuses on biomedical engineering, finite element method (FEM), materials strength analysis, and microstructural properties like grain size and boundaries. He serves as a member of the Machine Design and Biomedical Engineering Team at Warsaw University of Technology. With 11 publications documented in the university repository, his work has achieved an h-index of 4 (Scopus and WoS), total SNIP of 2.731, and cumulative ministry score of 596. His research integrates biomechanics with computational modeling and materials science.
Philippe Micheau is a Professor and Director of the Centre for Research in Acoustics-Signal-Human (CRASH-UdeS) at Université de Sherbrooke since 2020. His academic career spans multiple institutions including Université de Poitiers and Université de Bordeaux I, with development leaves in France. He holds expertise in mechanical engineering with a focus on mechatronics, noise and vibration control, and respiratory device development. Dr. Micheau earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Université de Poitiers (1995), followed by postdoctoral studies at Université de Sherbrooke (1997). His educational background includes a DEA (1991) and Maîtrise in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Automation (1990), all from Université de Poitiers. His research interests center on mechatronics, noise and vibration control, respiratory devices, and modeling and simulation. Dr. Micheau leads significant projects including Inolivent on total liquid ventilation in collaboration with CHUS clinicians, active noise control for airplane engines with Safran Nacelles, and advanced propulsion research with Bombardier Recreational Products. His work bridges engineering principles with medical applications, particularly in developing innovative respiratory support technologies. The research trends in his recent publications demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary approach combining acoustics, biomedical engineering, and respiratory medicine. His work spans from fundamental acoustic source development to clinical applications of liquid ventilation, showing consistent focus on solving complex engineering problems with medical relevance. Bourses de chercheur invité de l'Université de Bordeaux (2018, 2011) 3rd prize of Poster-video presentation at CRIAQ Forum (2014) Certificate of Excellence to the CRIAQ Pioneers (2007) First Place Award at ASME IMECE (2014) First rank at Young Entrepreneur Initiative competition (2007) Meilleure présentation at ACC2001 (2001) Premier prix for CRIAQ 6.1 project (2011) Dr. Micheau has successfully secured substantial research funding as principal investigator from NSERC, FRQNT, MITACS, and industry partners including Safran Nacelles and Bombardier. His collaborative approach is evident in numerous international partnerships, including cotutelle arrangements with French universities and research institutes. Current projects include active control of aircraft engine noise and liquid ventilation for extreme prematurity support. As Director of CRASH-UdeS, he leads a multidisciplinary research team focusing on acoustics, signal processing, and human physiology applications. His laboratory work integrates mechanical engineering principles with medical device development, particularly in respiratory support systems and noise control technologies.
Mohammad Malekan is an Associate Professor at the SDU Mechatronics (CIM) within the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark. His research spans computational solid mechanics, fatigue and fracture mechanics, tribology, additive manufacturing, and structural integrity of metallic/composite materials. Research Focus: Additive manufacturing (L-PBF, FDM), finite element modeling (FEM/XFEM), material characterization, surface roughness optimization, and defect propagation in metallic structures. Scientific Contributions: Over 61 publications with expertise in fatigue analysis of titanium components, thermal load modeling in machining, and fracture mechanics of 3D-printed alloys. Awards: Recipient of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Postdoc Fellowship, Distinguished PhD Thesis award (2018), and multiple postdoctoral scholarships. Collaborations: Active in European Mechanics Society, Ingeniørforeningen (IDA), and international projects on additive manufacturing and structural repair. Recent Research Trends: Focus on laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of 316L stainless steel and Inconel 625, investigating microstructure-mechanical property correlations, post-heat treatment effects, and porosity analysis using X-ray nanotomography. His work also addresses tool wear optimization, friction effects in machining, and multi-scale modeling of defects in additive-manufactured components. Scientific Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoc Fellowship (2019) Distinguished PhD Thesis (2018) Postdoctoral Fellowships (2017) Four-year PhD Scholarship (2013) Teaching & Supervision: Supervised Master’s theses on topology optimization of additively manufactured parts and teaches courses in finite element methods, experimental solid mechanics, and advanced mechanical engineering topics. Labs & Teams: Leads research projects on fatigue analysis of additively manufactured titanium components and mechanical properties of metallic parts. Collaborates with international institutions on structural health monitoring and computational modeling.
Jean-Baptiste Colliat is a Full Professor at Polytech Lille , Lille University, specialized in Numerical Simulation of Materials and Structures within Civil Engineering. His work bridges computational mechanics with practical applications in concrete durability, geothermal systems, and biomedical simulations. Develops Enriched Finite Element Methods for heterogeneous materials Focuses on Uncertainty Quantification in multi-scale systems Key applications: Nuclear Waste Containment , Rockfill Stability , and Obstetric Biomechanics Recent research trends include 3D fracture network modeling, stress-permeability coupling in porous media, and stochastic analysis of material heterogeneity. His work integrates X-ray Micro-CT , DEM , and Multiscale Homogenization techniques. Professor Colliat leads computational frameworks for Embedded Finite Element Methods and Excursion Set Theory applications. He actively collaborates with LaMcube (Laboratoire de Mécanique Multi-physique Multiéchelle) on problems ranging from microstructural evolution to large-scale infrastructure failure.
Hosam ElRakayby is a Researcher at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, affiliated with the University of Strathclyde. He specializes in advanced manufacturing techniques including superplastic forming, powder metallurgy, and finite element analysis. His work focuses on optimizing forming processes for metal alloys like Ti-6Al-4V, with significant contributions to thermal process modeling and computational simulations. Current active projects: DIGF-CRAD-06736 (Researcher, ongoing), MSA-DIRF-07174 (Co-investigator, 2025) His research output includes 77 publications, with recent work examining electrically actuated SPF machine feasibility and FEA validation of SPF processes. Key collaborations span multiple countries and institutions. Scientific Awards: University of Strathclyde Medal (2022)
Qingda Yang is a Professor and Department Chair in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering department at the University of Miami College of Engineering . His research focuses on advanced computational methods for fracture mechanics in composite materials and geotechnical structures. Develops augmented finite element methods (AFEM) for modeling crack propagation Specializes in nonlinear fracture analysis of composite shells and plates Studies fatigue damage mechanisms under complex loading conditions Investigates progressive failure in laminated composites His recent work includes nonlinear shell AFEM formulations (2021-2024) and local-to-global solution strategies for robust fracture simulations. Publications demonstrate expertise in cohesive zone modeling, geometric nonlinearity handling, and experimental validation through DIC systems. Currently active in developing methodologies for arbitrary evolving cracks in both aerospace and geotechnical applications.
Mohammad Sadeghi is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Mechatronics in Mechanical Engineering, Hamburg University of Technology, specializing in robotics, haptic systems, and sensor design. He holds a Dr.-Ing. degree and maintains active roles in research supervision and collaborative industry projects. His academic foundation includes: M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Birjand University, Birjand, Iran Dr. Sadeghi's research integrates robotics with medical applications, focusing on wearable exoskeletons for telerehabilitation, bio-inspired whisker sensors, and magnetoelectric actuator systems. His methodological approach combines finite element simulation, inverse optimization, and machine learning to solve challenges in human-robot interaction and precision sensing. Recent work demonstrates growing emphasis on mixed reality integration for industrial haptic feedback and minimally invasive surgical applications. Publication analysis reveals dual research thrusts: medical robotics (40% of recent output) featuring rehabilitation devices and surgical sensors, and magnetoelectric systems (35%) for bioimaging and precision actuation, complemented by biomaterials and manufacturing optimization studies. Recognition includes: Hamburg Innovation Call for Transfer award (2024) for surgical precision enhancement via whisker sensors He supervises six active theses on topics including magnet-based whisker sensors and mixed reality haptic feedback, with Kyrillos Adeeb's 2024 singularity-avoidance project completed. Industry collaborations with Schaeffler (robotic manufacturing), MBJ GmbH (solar robotics), and bAhead (liquid handling systems) demonstrate translational impact. His experimental work utilizes the institute's Haptics Lab and PHiLsLab for hardware-in-the-loop validation of autonomous systems.
Angel Luis Martin Lopez is a Part-Time Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), affiliated with the University Institute of Automotive Research (INSIA). His career spans over 15 years of teaching and professional experience in vehicle and transport engineering, with active involvement in research groups like GIVET since 2005. His research focuses on simulation techniques and tools for vehicle design, including finite element method (FEM) for passive safety, multibody simulation (CARSIM, TRUCKSIM, ADAMS-CAR), dynamic system modeling in MATLAB/SIMULINK, and CFD analysis validated through OpenFOAM and experimental tests. He specializes in defining test procedures, instrumentation, and certification processes for vehicles. While he has published five articles and presented at 25 conferences, most of his work emphasizes technology transfer through contracts with over 40 companies and vehicle certification for the Ministry of Industry. His roles at INSIA include Secretary of the Institute (since 2023) and leadership in the Industrial and Special Vehicle Engineering Unit.
Arti Agrawal is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Electrical and Data Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She has been associated with UTS since 2018, initially joining with time split between her academic role and as Director of the Women in Engineering and IT programme. She is also the CEO of Vividhata Pty Ltd, a startup focused on diversity and inclusion. Dr. Agrawal earned her PhD in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in 2005, following an MSc (1999) and BSc Physics (Hons) (1997) from the same institution. Prior to UTS, she worked at City, University of London from 2005-2017, progressing from Research Fellow to Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering. Her primary research focuses on optics and photonics, specifically modeling photonic components such as solar cells, optical fibers, sensors, and lasers using numerical methods like the Finite Element Method (FEM). She is an expert in computational photonics, having authored a book on FEM and edited a book on trends in computational photonics. She serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Photonics Journal. Dr. Agrawal's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on nanophotonics, particularly involving graphene and silicon carbide materials for mid-infrared applications, as well as research on diversity and inclusion in engineering education. Her work spans both fundamental photonics research and practical applications in sensor technology and optical devices. Chartered Engineer (Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2013-present) Chartered Physicist (Institute of Physics) Senior Member IEEE Senior Member Optical Society of America Board of Directors, Optical Society of America (2018) Dr. Agrawal has received research funding including a scholarship from the Defence Science and Technology Group of the Department of Defence for 'Graphene based Nanophotonics for Polarization and Photodetection Filter Design' (2019-2022). She is passionate about mentoring students and has supervised PhD and Master's students in photonics research. Her teaching interests include electromagnetics, optics, and numerical methods, and she has taught first-year undergraduate Physics, Signal Processing, and Biomedical Optics. She leads significant initiatives in diversity and inclusion in STEM, using virtual reality for training and developing evidence-based approaches for managing diverse teams. She has organized workshops including the first Pride in Photonics workshop at CLEO for LGBTQI+ scientists and allies.
Professor Ali Nadjai is a distinguished academic at Ulster University , holding the title of Professor of Fire Structural Engineering in the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment . He serves as the Director of the Fire Safety Engineering Research Technology Centre (FireSERT), leading strategic research and managing state-of-the-art fire laboratories across the UK and Ireland. His career spans over three decades, including roles as Lecturer, Reader, and Professor at Ulster since 1995. BEng, Annaba University (1985) MSc, Heriot-Watt University (1988) PhD, University of Sheffield (1992) Professor Nadjai's research focuses on fire safety engineering , structural performance in fire , and computational modeling of fire dynamics. He has pioneered studies on travelling fires , steel and concrete behavior under extreme heat , and CFD-based fire propagation models , contributing to global design standards. His publications (over 120) and projects (19) emphasize fire-structure interactions , material degradation , and CFD/FEM simulations . Recent work explores toxic chemical transfer in firefighter gear and fire spread in large compartments , aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals for safety and sustainability. Outstanding Paper Award (2022) for collaborative work on fire dynamics He has supervised 20 PhD projects and currently mentors 8 research students , with grants exceeding £10 million from EPSRC, EU, USA, South Korea, and industry partners. His leadership in projects like TRAFIR and Numerical Modelling of Thermo-mechanical Behavior underscores his influence in fire engineering.
Miguel Martín Stickle serves as a University Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Applied to Civil and Naval Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He holds active memberships in the Computational Mechanics Group, Center for Research in Computational Simulation (CCS), and R&D+i Center for Smart and Sustainable Civil Infrastructure (CIVILis), while also preparing to assume the role of Deputy Director for the International Doctoral School (EID) starting June 2025. His academic foundation includes a Mathematics degree from Complutense University of Madrid and a PhD from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Dr. Martín Stickle's research centers on Computational Geomechanics , specializing in hydro-mechanical modeling of granular porous media under large deformations. He pioneers numerical techniques including Finite Element Method (FEM), Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), Material-Point Method (MPM), and Optimal Transportation Meshfree (OTM) to simulate flow-type landslides for disaster mitigation. His work bridges Civil Engineering and Applied Mathematics with direct societal impact in infrastructure safety. As Principal Investigator for the Ministry of Science-funded project "Coupled particle-based simulation models: application to rapid landslides and waves generated in reservoirs, lakes and bays" (PID2019-105630GB-I00), he has secured competitive grants under H2020, FP7, and Spain-Italy integrated actions, complemented by 20+ international conference presentations. His institutional engagement spans the Computational Mechanics Group and CCS, driving collaborative advancements in computational simulation for civil engineering challenges.
Prof. Dr. Mario Ohlberger is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Münster, Germany. As a leading researcher in numerical analysis and scientific computing, he contributes to the Cluster of Excellence 2044 'Mathematics Münster: Dynamics – Geometry – Structure' and the Mathematical Research Data Initiative (MaRDI). His work integrates machine learning with classical numerical methods. University: University of Münster Research Focus: Numerical analysis for PDEs, model reduction, machine learning, multiscale methods Key Projects: EXC 2044 (subprojects C2 and C4), MaRDI His recent publications emphasize adaptive reduced basis methods, multi-fidelity learning, and surrogate modeling for parameterized PDEs, with applications in oil recovery and reactive transport. He has supervised numerous theses and taught courses on numerical analysis, scientific computing, and model reduction. Scientific awards include the Eliteförderprogramm für Postdoktoranden (2002), Ferdinand-von-Lindemann-Preis (2001), and a 1994 teaching award. Current teaching includes lectures on differential equations and seminars on advanced numerical methods.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stephan Schönfelder serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig) since 2021, previously holding roles as Vice Dean of Studies and Teaching (until 2021) and Spokesperson for the EMB Institute for Development-Oriented Mechanical Engineering (until 2021). His research focuses on advanced simulation methodologies and their applications in mechanical and environmental engineering. Academic Leadership: Dean of Faculty of Engineering (2021–present) Key Research Areas: Digital Twins, FEM/FVM simulations, UVC air purification, implant-bone composite modeling Research Highlights: He leads the BMBF-funded BeCoLe project on UVC air disinfection, developing particle-resolved CFD models to assess pathogen inactivation efficacy. His work spans structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, and biomedical applications, including lifetime models for orthopedic implants. Collaborations: Partnerships with Dinies Technologies GmbH and institutions like Université Paris Cité. The BeCoLe team’s research was recognized with the Best Presentation Award at ICEEA 2025 in Paris. Academic Context: Affiliated with HTWK Leipzig’s Faculty of Engineering, which offers programs in mechanical engineering, energy technology, and related fields. He supervises a research team including Dr.-Ing. Florian Wallburg and collaborates with industry and international universities.
Marian Bulla serves as a Lecturer at RWTH Aachen University within the Department of Aerospace and Automotive Engineering under the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. His expertise centers on computational engineering methodologies with emphasis on practical applications. Key research and teaching domains include: Finite Element Method (FEM) implementation Structural analysis for vehicle systems Aerospace component design Automotive crash simulation Multiphysics modeling He delivers specialized instruction through the course FEM and Application (V), training engineering students in advanced simulation techniques for real-world aerospace and automotive challenges.
