SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestryUnited States
Jun Hyung Lee is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Biology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). His research focuses on advancing forest tree improvement and conservation through molecular and synthetic biology approaches, with a particular emphasis on enhancing plant resilience to environmental stresses via beneficial microbial interactions. He teaches courses in plant biotechnology and tissue culture methods. Education includes a Ph.D. in Forest Genetics from Purdue University (USA), and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Plant Science from Seoul National University (South Korea). His work integrates cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques with ecological studies to address challenges in plant stress tolerance, symbiosis, and epigenetic regulation. Recent projects include identifying novel symbiosis pathways for thermotolerance and analyzing flooding tolerance in hybrid poplars. Publications highlight contributions to plant-microbe interaction research, synthetic biology applications, and genome editing epigenetic impacts. Collaborations span institutions like Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Georgia, reflecting his transdisciplinary approach to plant science. Lee’s teaching emphasizes practical skills in biotechnology, bridging laboratory innovation with field applications.
Hang Lu is a Professor and holds the Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Lu also holds a Love Family Professorship and leads the Lµ Fluidics Group, which focuses on engineering microfluidic systems and machine learning tools to address complex questions in neuroscience, developmental biology, and cell biology that are difficult to address with conventional techniques. Dr. Lu's research lies at the intersection of engineering and biology, with primary interests including: Microfluidic systems for high-throughput screens and image-based genetics and genomics Systems biology: large-scale experimentation and data mining Microtechnologies for optical stimulation and optical recording Big data, machine vision, and automation Developmental neurobiology, behavioral neurobiology, and systems neuroscience Cancer biology, immunology, embryonic development, and stem cells Her laboratory engineers microfluidic devices and BioMEMS to study neuroscience, genetics, cancer biology, and biotechnology. These miniaturized Lab-on-a-chip tools operate at scales comparable to biological systems, leveraging unique micro and nano-scale phenomena to gather large-scale quantitative data about complex biological systems. Current projects include Microfluidics for Life Sciences, Optical Neuron Recordings and Manipulations, Machine Learning Tools for Neuroscience, Measuring and Modeling Behavior, and High-throughput, High-content Cell-based Assays. Analysis of Dr. Lu's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong trend toward integrating microfluidics with advanced computational methods: Development of deep learning frameworks for biological image analysis Advanced neuron tracking and functional imaging techniques Non-invasive characterization of 3D organoid cultures Sophisticated neuromechanical modeling of locomotion Microfluidic temperature control systems for in vivo studies Label-free imaging pipelines for neural development Dr. Lu's significant professional honors include: Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Love Family Professorship The Lµ Fluidics Group actively mentors students and postdocs, currently accepting new postdoctoral researchers. The lab receives substantial funding for interdisciplinary projects at the engineering-biology interface, with research implications spanning fundamental biological understanding to therapeutic development. The group operates within Georgia Tech's School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, with specialized facilities for microfluidic device fabrication, biological experimentation, and advanced imaging, maintaining strong collaborative ties across engineering, neuroscience, and biological disciplines.
Seth Aubin is a Professor of Physics at the College of William & Mary, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on experimental atomic, molecular, and optical physics, with emphases on precision measurements and quantum phenomena. Key projects include developing atom chip technologies for trapping ultracold atoms, Rydberg atom-based sensors for charged particle diagnostics, and francium spectroscopy for weak interaction studies. Education: License de Physique (ENS Paris/MIP), 1994 B.Sc. in Physics, Yale University, 1995 Ph.D. in Physics, SUNY Stony Brook, 2003 Research Themes: Quantum Trapping Techniques: Innovations in AC Zeeman atom chip traps and RF microtraps to suppress potential roughness Rydberg Atom Sensors: Pioneering applications in electron beam profiling and electromagnetic field imaging Franium Spectroscopy: Collaborative work on parity-violation measurements and isotope shift analyses Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes practical implementations of quantum sensors (e.g., charged particle beam diagnostics) and foundational trapping technology advancements. Over 30 peer-reviewed publications since 2018 reflect sustained contributions to atom chip systems and precision measurements. Awards: American Physical Society Fellow (APS Fellow) Grants & Collaborations: Lead PI on atom chip-based interferometry projects Contributing member to the FrPNC collaboration at TRIUMF (atomic parity violation studies) Developed hybrid optical dipole traps for magnetometry applications Labs & Infrastructure: Manages state-of-the-art atomic physics labs at W&M, including ultrahigh-vacuum systems for francium trapping and laser stabilization setups. Active in developing microwave/radio-frequency atom chip platforms for next-generation quantum sensors.
State University of New York at BuffaloUnited States
Youngjae You is a Professor of Empire Innovation in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy. His research focuses on Antibody-Drug Conjugates, Cancer Chemotherapy, Medicinal Chemistry, and Targeted Drug Delivery. He holds adjunct roles at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and has led numerous grants totaling over $10 million in funding. Key awards include the 2019 Professor of Empire Innovation title and multiple DoD/CDMRP grants. His work emphasizes prodrug design, photodynamic therapy, and combination therapies. Education : PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Chungnam National University (2001) MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Chungnam National University (2000) BPharm, Chungnam National University (1994) Research Interests : Dr. You specializes in developing light-activatable prodrugs for targeted cancer therapies, including far-red/NIR light-activated delivery systems. His work integrates quantitative pharmacokinetic modeling, singlet oxygen dynamics, and receptor-targeted drug conjugation to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Key applications include bladder, breast, and ovarian cancers. Funding Highlights : NIH/NIGMS: $1.37M (2023-2027) for light-responsive drug delivery National Cancer Institute: $2.1M (2022-2027) for bladder cancer treatments DoD/CDMRP/PRCRP: $392K (2017-2020) for photodynamic-chemotherapy combinations Awards : PHF Presidential Professorship (2018) American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant (2013) Multiple DoD/CDMRP Idea Awards Service & Grants : Serves as Principal Investigator on 8 major grants. Active reviewer for Wellcome Trust, NIH, and international funding agencies. Holds patents on BODIPY derivatives and singlet oxygen-labile linkers. Lab & Collaborations : Leads the You Lab at UB, collaborating with bioengineers and clinicians to advance photomedicine and targeted drug delivery systems. Engaged in multidisciplinary teams addressing spatiotemporal control in cancer treatments.
Michael J. Aziz is the Gene and Tracy Sykes Professor of Materials and Energy Technologies at Harvard University's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). He serves as Area Chair for Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering and is a Faculty Associate at the Harvard University Center for the Environment. His research focuses on electrochemical engineering for energy and environmental applications, including redox flow batteries, carbon capture, and sustainable energy technologies. Aziz leads the Aziz Group, which develops grid-scale energy storage solutions and innovative methods for CO₂ removal. He holds equity in Quino Energy, a startup commercializing his battery research, and serves as Chief Scientist and Board Member. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical engineering, emphasizing ClimateTech solutions. Key contributions include aqueous organic redox flow batteries, quinone-based carbon capture systems, and wearable energy storage devices. Education & Affiliations: Affiliated with SEAS since joining Harvard, his academic roles include coordinating the Graduate Consortium for Energy and Environment (2009–2018). His lab (Materials Science Group) is located at McKay 504, with administrative support from Sabrina Azinheira. Research Interests: Aziz's group investigates electrochemical energy storage, CO₂ capture via electrochemical systems, and novel materials for sustainable technologies. They employ advanced techniques like operando electrochemical fluorescence microscopy to study porous electrode dynamics and battery degradation mechanisms. Their work emphasizes scalability and real-world applicability, such as grid-scale battery infrastructure and decarbonization strategies. Recent Trends in Publications: Aziz's recent work emphasizes carbon capture innovations (e.g., acid-base concentration swing methods), hydrogen storage under ambient conditions, and electrochemical synthesis of industrial chemicals like hydrogen peroxide. His group also develops open-source tools like RFBzero for battery modeling and explores bioinspired materials (e.g., self-gelling hydrogel batteries). Awards & Recognition: While no personal awards are explicitly listed in the text, his team members (e.g., Dawei Xi) have received accolades such as the 2025 Carbon Future Young Investigator Award. Aziz's contributions have been recognized through industry partnerships and startup ventures. Advising & Industry Impact: Aziz advises PhD students focusing on electrochemical systems (e.g., Jordan Sosa, Tommy George). His industry engagement includes licensing intellectual property to Quino Energy, which achieved a manufacturing milestone in 2024 for grid-scale battery systems. His research bridges academia and industry, addressing climate challenges through technological innovation. Labs & Teams: The Aziz Group includes interdisciplinary researchers from electrochemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science. Collaborators include institutions like MIT and industry partners. Current projects target next-gen batteries, CO₂ removal systems, and scalable energy storage solutions.
David Erickson is the SC Thomas Sze Director and Sibley College Professor at Cornell University's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He also holds a joint professorship in the Division of Nutritional Sciences. His research focuses on global health technologies, medical diagnostics, microfluidics, photonics, nanotechnology, and energy systems. He previously served as Associate Dean of Engineering for Research and Graduate Programs. Erickson leads the NIH-funded PORTENT Center for Point-of-Care Technologies in Global Health and has co-founded companies like Dimensional Energy and VitaScan to commercialize diagnostic and energy technologies. Education: B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta (1999) M.A.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto (2001) Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto (2004) Postdoctoral Scholar, Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (2005) Research Interests: Erickson’s work spans global health diagnostics , nanobio applications , and clean energy innovation . He develops portable medical devices for low-resource settings, including smartphone-integrated diagnostic tools for malaria, iron deficiency, and cancer. His lab also pioneers photothermal reactors for CO2 conversion into sustainable fuels. Key areas include: Point-of-care testing for infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies Nanofluidic and optofluidic technologies for biomolecular analysis Solar-driven energy systems for carbon-neutral fuels Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2011) Fellowships from the Optical Society, ASME, and Canadian Academy of Engineering Carbon X-Prize Finalist (2019) for Dimensional Energy’s CO2-to-fuel technology Grants & Industry Collaboration: Erickson’s research is funded by NIH, NSF, ARPA-E, DOE, and USAID. His lab’s innovations have spun off start-ups addressing global health and energy challenges. Notable projects include: - Portable cancer diagnostics in sub-Saharan Africa using mobile phone-based systems - Solar-powered CO2 conversion reactors tested in Wyoming and Arizona Labs & Teams: The Erickson Lab collaborates with the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the McGovern Center for Entrepreneurship. Key initiatives include the PORTENT Center and the Dimensional Energy CO2-to-fuel project.
Stefanie Mueller is the TIBCO Career Development Associate Professor at MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, with joint affiliation in Mechanical Engineering. She leads the HCI Engineering Group at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), focusing on advancing fabrication techniques through hardware/software innovations that enable novel object interactions. Develops computational fabrication methods combining photochromic dyes, lenticular lenses, birefringent materials, and optical illusions Co-chaired ACM CHI 2023 and ACM UIST 2020 program committees Recipients of 9 MIT EECS Best Undergraduate Researcher Awards among mentees Her research spans four key directions: Appearance-changing Objects: Photo-Chromeleon (ACM UIST 2019), Lenticular Objects (ACM UIST 2021), and Polagons (ACM CHI 2023) demonstrate reprogrammable surfaces through advanced materials and optical engineering. Tracking Systems: InfraredTags (ACM CHI 2022) and G-ID (ACM CHI 2020) enable passive object tracking via infrared markers and slicing artifacts. Embedded Sensing: MechSense (ACM CHI 2023) and Sprayable User Interfaces (ACM CHI 2020) integrate sensing capabilities into complex geometries. Curved Surface Prototyping: FlexBoard (ACM CHI 2023) and CurveBoard (ACM CHI 2020) develop specialized tools for non-planar electronics. Her recent publications focus on functionality segmentation (UIST 2023), fluorescent markers (UIST 2023), and machine-knitted haptics (UIST 2023). These works combine machine learning, material science, and interactive design principles to push fabrication boundaries. Scientific recognition includes: 2022 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 2020 Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship 2020 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship 2019 ACM UIST Best Paper Award 2019 NSF CAREER Award 2018 MIT EECS Outstanding Educator Award 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science Mentoring 9 PhD students and over 20 master's students, her lab has produced 20+ publications at top HCI conferences. She redesigned MIT's 6.810 Engineering Interactive Technologies course during the pandemic, maintaining hands-on learning through home electronics kits and Slack-based collaboration.
Vadim Cherezov, the Ester Dornsife Chair in Biological Sciences and Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), leads groundbreaking research in membrane protein structure and function. Affiliated with the Bridge Institute, Department of Chemistry, and Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, his work focuses on GPCRs, ion channels, and transporters—critical targets for drug discovery. His team leverages advanced techniques like Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SFX) at XFEL facilities to solve high-resolution structures under physiological conditions. Institutional Affiliations: Bridge Institute, USC Michelson Center, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Key Collaborations: Katritch Lab, Kuhn Lab, NIH, European XFEL. His research explores the role of lipids in modulating GPCR function, addressing diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer. By solving the structure of the A 2A adenosine receptor via sulfur SAD phasing at XFEL, Cherezov’s lab demonstrated de novo phasing without heavy atoms. This breakthrough enables structural studies of previously intractable membrane proteins. Scientific Awards & Grants: NIH R01 GM108635, U54 GM094618, U54 GM094599, R01 GM095583 Science Signaling Breakthroughs of the Year (2014) Cherezov mentors a dynamic team, including postdocs (e.g., Dong-Gyun Kim), graduate students (e.g., Behnaz Davoudinasab), and alumni (e.g., Benjamin Stauch at Eli Lilly, Nairie Michaelian at Genentech). His lab’s publications span Nature , Science , and Cell , with recent work on Science Advances (2025) addressing ABEL-FRET for GPCR dynamics.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Edoardo Charbon is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Engineering, where he leads the Advanced Quantum Architecture Lab (AQUA). He also serves on the School Council STI and is Co-Director of STI-SSIQ Administration. Previously, he was a full professor and chair at Delft University of Technology from 2008 to 2016. Charbon received his Elektrotechnik Diploma from ETH Zurich, M.S. from UC San Diego, and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, all in electrical engineering. His career spans industry experience at Cadence Design Systems and Canesta Inc. before joining EPFL in 2002. His research focuses on ultra high-speed and 3D optical sensors, with applications in LiDAR, FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy), PET (Positron Emission Tomography), FCS (Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy), and NIROT (Near-Infrared Optical Tomography). He has pioneered deep-submicron CMOS SPAD technology, which is now mass-produced and used in smartphones, telemeters, and medical diagnostics. His recent work bridges cryo-CMOS circuits for quantum computing with advanced optical sensing techniques. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating quantum technologies with practical imaging applications. His work spans from fundamental device development (SPAD sensors, cryo-CMOS circuits) to applied systems (LiDAR engines, medical imaging devices), with increasing integration of machine learning techniques for real-time processing. 2023 IISS Pioneering Achievement Award Fellow of the IEEE Distinguished visiting scholar, W. M. Keck Institute for Space at Caltech Fellow, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft Distinguished lecturer, IEEE Photonics Society Professor Charbon has authored or co-authored over 500 papers and two books, and holds 27 patents. His research has been supported by collaborations with organizations including Bosch, X-Fab, Texas Instruments, Maxim, Sony, Agilent, and the Carlyle Group. He has driven significant innovation in CMOS SPAD technology, which is now commercially deployed in various applications. He leads the Advanced Quantum Architecture Lab (AQUA) at EPFL, which focuses on the development of advanced sensor systems combining quantum technologies with conventional electronics. The lab has been instrumental in creating SPAD-based imaging systems that push the boundaries of time-resolved optical detection.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)United States
Changhuei Yang is the Thomas G. Myers Professor of Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Medical Engineering at California Institute of Technology, serving as Executive Officer for Electrical Engineering and Investigator at Heritage Medical Research Institute. He holds a Ph.D. and three master's degrees from MIT, with appointments at Caltech since 2003. Research focuses on: Advanced microscopy techniques including Fourier Ptychography Wavefront shaping for biological tissue imaging Optical phase conjugation for deep-tissue applications Compact medical devices for cerebral monitoring Publications demonstrate leadership in computational imaging, with recent advances in stain-free embryo analysis, portable cerebral blood flow monitors, and high-resolution volumetric imaging techniques using neural representations. Honored as National Academy of Inventors member. Research applications span deep-tissue biochemical imaging, incisionless surgery, and optogenetic activation systems.
Prof. Vasilis Ntziachristos is a Professor and Chair of Biological Imaging at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging at the Helmholtz Centre Munich. His research focuses on developing novel optical and optoacoustic imaging techniques for early disease detection, diagnostics, and theranostics. He holds a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and previously served as an Assistant Professor at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital. Affiliations: TUM School of Medicine and Health, Helmholtz Munich, Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging. Key Research Themes: Non-invasive imaging methods, molecular imaging, optoacoustic technology, and clinical translation. His work bridges theoretical developments with clinical applications, including advancements in glucose monitoring, cancer imaging, and drug delivery systems. Notable awards include the Leibniz Prize (2013) and the World Molecular Imaging Society Gold Medal (2015). Labs/Teams: Imaging to Sensing I2S, Optoacoustic Mesoscopy, Fluorescence Imaging, and AI in Optoacoustics. Grants/Projects: Involvement in Horizon Europe initiatives and collaborations with TranslaTUM and Helmholtz Munich. Prof. Ntziachristos actively contributes to education via courses like 'Biological Imaging' and 'Introduction to Bioengineering', fostering the next generation of imaging scientists.
David Vocadlo is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry at Simon Fraser University (SFU), holding the Canada Research Chair in Chemical Biology. His research focuses on Chemical Glycobiology, investigating carbohydrate-processing enzymes and developing chemical tools to study glycan roles in health and disease. His lab explores O-GlcNAc signaling, neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), and enzyme inhibitors for therapeutic applications. Education: PhD from University of British Columbia (UBC), followed by a CIHR postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley. Key roles include E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellow and Royal Society Fellow. Research highlights include O-GlcNAcase inhibitors for neuroprotection, glycan structure-function relationships, and enzyme activity imaging tools. Collaborates globally with experts in glycobiology and employs cutting-edge techniques like chemical synthesis, mass spectrometry, and live-cell imaging. Awards: Distinguished Professor title, Canada Research Chair, Royal Society Fellowship. Active in training researchers through SFU’s graduate programs, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Lab members work on topics ranging from enzyme mechanisms to disease modeling.
Professor Yiming Ying is a faculty member in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney, where he joined in December 2023. Previously, he held tenured positions at SUNY Albany (Departments of Mathematics & Statistics and Computer Science) and was a Lecturer at the University of Exeter. He completed his PhD in Mathematics at Zhejiang University (2002) and postdoctoral training at CityU Hong Kong, UCL, and University of Bristol. Research Focus His research spans statistical learning theory, optimization algorithms, trustworthy AI, and data science mathematics. Key applications include cancer informatics for early detection. His work aligns with Faculty research strengths in Data and Decisions and Decision-Making for a Sustainable Future. Recent Research Trends Analysis of recent publications shows strong focus on theoretical foundations of machine learning: differential privacy, fairness algorithms, optimization methods for AUC maximization, generalization guarantees, and robust learning techniques for adversarial settings and biological data. Awards and Honors SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence (2023) University at Albany Presidential Research Award (2022) University of Exeter Merit Award (2012) Grants and Advising Significant funding includes current ARC DP250101359 (2025-2028) and multiple past NSF grants. He founded the UALBANY Machine Learning Group and currently advises PhD student Peilin LIU on operator learning.
Jason Ritt is an Associate Professor of Brain Science (Research) and Scientific Director of Quantitative Neuroscience at the Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University. He holds affiliations with the Data Science Institute and collaborates across disciplines on quantitative research methods. Education : B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Boston University (1997–2003). Research : Focuses on neural processing during active sensing and neuroengineering for neurostimulation. Combines electrophysiology, optogenetics, and theoretical approaches in rodent models. Develops closed-loop systems for studying sensory neural prosthetics and brain-machine interfaces. Key areas include synaptic diversity, neurocontrol algorithms, and sensory restoration. Teaching : Instructs NEUR 2100 NeuroPracticum, integrating hands-on neuroscience research training.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Alexis Berne is an Associate Professor at the Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory (LTE) within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). He co-directs the SSIE-GE program and serves as a member of the CDS (Commission for Doctoral Studies) . His research spans radar meteorology, precipitation microphysics, polar precipitation, and geostatistics, with a focus on mountainous and polar regions. Current Positions Associate Professor, LTE, EPFL (2013–present) Co-Director, SSIE-GE, EPFL PhD Program Committee Member, EDCE-GE, EPFL Research Interests include the remote sensing of precipitation, particularly snowfall and ice production mechanisms, using radar and geostatistical methods. His work addresses atmospheric processes in extreme environments like Antarctica and the Swiss Alps, leveraging machine learning and numerical modeling for climate analysis. Teaching encompasses courses on remote sensing, atmospheric processes, and climate change, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and spatiotemporal variability. He advises current PhD students such as Heather Anne Corden and Gionata Ghiggi, alongside mentoring past students like Jacopo Grazioli and Timothy Hugh Raupach.
