Jouni Paltakari is a Professor in Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University. His research focuses on paper converting and packaging technology, with particular interest in value-added fiber-based substrates, nanocellulose applications, and intelligent packaging solutions. He leads research activities in material characterization, composite modeling, and sustainable manufacturing processes. Institution: Aalto University Department: Bioproducts and Biosystems Research Areas: Paper converting, Packaging technology, Nanocellulose, Sustainable composites Email: jouni.paltakari@aalto.fi
Dr. Yeshui Zhang is a Lecturer at the School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, UK, since December 2021. Previously, she held a Faraday Institution Research Fellowship at University College London (2018–2021). University of Birmingham (BSc Environmental Management, 2012) University of Sheffield (MSc Energy and Environmental Engineering, 2013) University of Leeds (PhD Chemical and Process Engineering, 2017) Her research spans chemical and environmental engineering, focusing on: Energy storage materials (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) Pyrolysis-catalysis of waste materials High-temperature quartz crystal microbalance applications Carbon nanotubes synthesis Circular economy strategies for plastics Recent publications emphasize catalytic waste valorization for hydrogen-rich syngas, biomass pyrolysis mechanisms, and hybrid-functional catalyst design. She serves as Associate Editor for Carbon Capture Science & Technology and contributes to standards in battery manufacturing. Emerging Investigator Award, IChemE 2022 IAAM Young Scientist Medal 2022 Best Paper Award, 21st CCSSTA 2020 Dr. Zhang supervises PhD students in chemical engineering and leads the Meston Lab 155 at Aberdeen. Her work bridges academic research with industrial applications through memberships in the Royal Society of Chemistry and IChemE.
Professor Sohini Kar-Narayan is a British-Indian materials scientist at the University of Cambridge, specializing in polymer-based materials for energy harvesting and biomedical applications. She serves as editor-in-chief of the journal APL Electronic Devices and leads innovative research on nanogenerators, microfluidic sensors, and bioelectronic interfaces. Education: Presidency University, Kolkata (undergraduate); Indian Institute of Science (PhD) Her research focuses on piezoelectric and triboelectric nanomaterials, with applications in self-powered wearable devices , orthopedic surgery sensors , and 4D-printed responsive systems . She develops scalable fabrication techniques like aerosol jet printing to bridge academic research and industrial innovation. The most recent publications highlight advancements in biopolymer-based energy harvesting , smart textiles , and microfluidic diagnostic tools , emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration between materials science, biomedical engineering, and manufacturing technologies. Scientific Awards: Royal Society of Chemistry Peter Day Prize (2023), European Research Council Consolidator Grant (2023), Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship (2024), Innovator of the Year (2024) Her work includes the development of the ArtioSense sensor for orthopedic surgery and collaborations with medical professionals to create workflow-compatible devices. She has received major funding from the European Research Council and leads a research group exploring sustainable energy solutions and bio-integrated electronics.
Elizabeth A. Edwards is a University Professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry , with cross-appointments to the Department of Cell & Systems Biology . As Director of BioZone and Canada Research Chair in Anaerobic Biotechnology, she leads groundbreaking research in microbial bioremediation of groundwater pollutants and industrial wastewater treatment through anaerobic digestion. Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (Stanford, 1993) M.Eng. and B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering (McGill, 1985/1983) Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) Her research focuses on anaerobic microbial communities that degrade pollutants like chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons. Using advanced molecular biology, genomics, proteomics , and biochemical pathway analysis , her lab investigates functional interactions in microbial consortia and translates discoveries to commercial applications such as the KB-1® bioproduct . Recent studies examine enzyme activity, lignocellulose degradation, and granulation dynamics in anaerobic reactors. Scientific Recognition: 2020 Killam Prize in Engineering 2016 Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) 2014 Royal Society of Canada Fellow 2011 Canadian Academy of Engineering Fellow 2011 AAAS Fellow 2008-2010 Killam Research Fellowship She supervises extensive graduate student projects spanning enzyme discovery, bioremediation optimization, and microbial consortium analysis. Her lab collaborates with GeoSyntec Consultants and SiREM Labs for field implementation of bioremediation strategies.
Dr. W.S. Winston Ho is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at The Ohio State University, holding joint appointments in the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. With over 50 years of combined industrial and academic experience, he leads pioneering research in molecular separation technologies. His industrial tenure includes R&D leadership at Exxon, Xerox, and Commodore Separation Technologies, where he commercialized gas treating processes and membrane systems. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1971) M.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1969) B.S. in Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University (1966) His research focuses on advanced membrane systems for critical environmental and energy challenges, including: CO 2 -selective membranes for hydrogen purification and carbon capture High-flux desalination membranes with fouling resistance Proton-exchange membranes for fuel cells operating under low humidity Supported liquid membranes for pharmaceutical recovery and heavy metal removal Recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on scaling membrane technologies for industrial applications, particularly carbon capture from flue gas and hydrogen purification. Over 75% of his last 15 articles address CO 2 separation, membrane scalability, or material enhancements for energy systems. Major Scientific Awards: Elected to National Academy of Engineering (2002) and Academia Sinica (2014) AIChE Institute Award (2006), Gerhold Award (2007), Evans Award (2012) New Jersey Inventor of the Year (1991) with 60+ U.S. patents Global recognition including Chemcon Distinguished Speaker Awards He directs the Winston Ho Research Group, focusing on membrane process scale-up and holds advisory roles in national research panels. Current projects include field testing spiral-wound membrane modules for carbon capture and developing fluoride-containing membranes to enhance solid oxide fuel cell efficiency. His work has been funded by DOE, NSF, and industrial partners, resulting in commercial implementations of membrane technologies.
Anubhav Pratap-Singh is an Associate Professor in the Food, Nutrition and Health department within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, where he holds the Food and Beverage Innovation Professorship. He leads the UBC Food Process Engineering Laboratory and his research spans environmental and natural resources economics, food chemistry (including fermentation), and natural resource management. His primary research interests focus on agri-food transformation, cold plasma food engineering, food processing, functional foods, heat transfer, high pressure mass transfer, novel non-thermal processing, nutraceuticals, pasteurization, and pulsed light sterilization. Dr. Pratap-Singh's work addresses fundamental questions about the impact of food processing on food quality, how technology can maximize desirable effects while minimizing deleterious ones to feed the growing global population, and how to ensure food safety and nutrition for all socioeconomic groups. His research program is organized around three main pillars: developing novel processing technologies for food preservation, developing technologies for food fortification, and modeling the human GI tract to understand the interaction between food processing and human health. He has made significant contributions to sonic mixing technology for thermal processing and pulsed UV light processing for food surface decontamination, with particular expertise in processing of liquid particulate matter. Dr. Pratap-Singh has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Banting Fellowship (2016) and Green College Leading Scholar award (2017). His work has been recognized with the Young Entrepreneur Award (2009), IFTPS Graduate Scholar designation (2014), and Gold Medal from the Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists (2014), among other fellowships and honors. He is affiliated with the BioProducts Institute and Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute at UBC, and supervises graduate students in Food Science (MSc and PhD programs). His laboratory focuses on interdisciplinary research that addresses critical challenges in food science, with implications for feeding the projected 10 billion people by 2050 while countering negative public perceptions around processed foods.
Yang Fan is an Associate Professor at the Shenzhen University of Technology, currently serving as Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Energy and Environmental Safety and Deputy Director of the Center for Frontier Science and Engineering Applications of Surfaces and Interfaces. He is a recipient of the Shenzhen 'Peacock Plan' Overseas High-Level Talent Program and Pingshan District Second Prize in the 2020 Shenzhen Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Educational Background: Bachelor in Materials Science (2006), Huazhong University of Science and Technology Master in Materials Science (2009), University of Alberta PhD in Chemical Engineering (2015), University of Alberta Research Interests: Focuses on magnetic functional materials, silicon-carbon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, and superhydrophobic coatings. His work on oil-water emulsion stability mechanisms and nanosilver composite applications has been recognized by major energy companies. Prominent Research Trends: Publications highlight advancements in energy storage materials (e.g., potassium-ion battery anodes), functional coatings for water treatment, and innovative carbon encapsulation strategies for silicon nanoparticles in batteries. Scientific Awards: Shenzhen 'Peacock Plan' Overseas High-Level Talent Program Nanshan District Pilot Talent Guangdong Province Yuyue Card 2019 Guangdong Provincial University Achievement Transformation Competition - First Place in Environmental Protection and New Materials 2020 Shenzhen Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition - Third Place in Finals Grants & Projects: Currently leads the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Energy and Environmental Safety (5000k RMB, 2021-2023) and co-leads the Shenzhen University of Technology's Center for Surface and Interface Science (10,000k RMB, 2021-2023). Previously contributed to NSERC-funded projects in Canada and Guangdong's leading talent program. Labs & Teams: Associated with the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Energy and Environmental Safety and the Center for Surface and Interface Science and Applied Engineering at Shenzhen University of Technology.
Professor Guoyin Li is a faculty member at the School of Mathematics & Statistics , University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney). He holds a Ph.D. from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2007) and has been at UNSW since 2011, currently serving as Professor and Research Director. Research Interests His work spans optimization , variational analysis , and multilinear algebra , with applications in robust optimization , structural engineering , and machine learning . He specializes in nonconvex nonsmooth optimization , tensor eigenvalue problems , and exact semi-definite programming relaxations . Recent Publications His articles focus on robust optimization for structural design, nonlinear approximation techniques, and conic programming for uncertain data. Key journals include Foundations of Computational Mathematics , Mathematical Programming , and Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering . Awards and Grants Fellow of the Australian Mathematical Society (2023) 2022 AustMS Medal 2024 Marguerite Frank Award ARC Discovery Grants (2021-2023, 2025-2027) ARC Research Hub Project (2017-2021) Professional Roles He serves on editorial boards of SIAM Journal on Optimization , Optimization Letters , and Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications , and has delivered plenary lectures at international conferences in Austria, Spain, and Canada.
Florian Bociort is an Assistant Professor at the Optics Research Group , Delft University of Technology (Faculty of Applied Sciences). He holds a PhD in Physics from TU Berlin (1994) and has dedicated his career to optical system design, gradient-index optics, and computational methods in lens design. Research Interests Bociort’s research focuses on design landscapes of optical systems , where he pioneered the use of saddle points to escape local minima in optimization. His work spans Gradient-index optics (conversion of homogeneous lenses to GRIN media) Artificial intelligence in lens design Optics education (simulation-driven learning) Academic Contributions He has supervised multiple PhD theses on topics like: A. M. Boyd (2025): Generalized gradient-index lens optimization Z. Hou (2023): Systematic lens design searches Y. Shao (2021): Imaging coherence and optimization M. Strauch (2020): Tunable optics M. Mout (2019): Ray-based diffraction simulation Recent Publications His 2025-2018 publications show a trajectory from classical optical design to modern computational approaches, including simulation-driven education, gradient-index conversions, and high-NA diffraction modeling. The 2024 paraxial reconstruction and 2025 simulation-education articles exemplify this evolution. Patents & Expertise He co-invented two ASML-related patents in lithographic design and served as expert witness in the 2018 ASML-Nikon patent lawsuit. His personal webpage details his networks of local minima and fractal basins in optimization.
Sylvain Lefebvre is a permanent researcher at INRIA (Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique) in France, where he leads the MFX research team since 2018. Previously, he was part of the ALICE group at INRIA Nancy (2009-2018) and the REVES team in Sophia Antipolis (2006-2009). His career includes a postdoctoral position at Microsoft Research Seattle (2005) following his PhD at INRIA Rhones-Alpes under Fabrice Neyret. His educational background includes a PhD in Computer Graphics from Université Joseph Fourier (Grenoble) in 2005, preceded by a Master in Computer Graphics from INP Grenoble in 2001. His habilitation thesis focused on Runtime Texture Synthesis. Lefebvre's research centers on simplifying content creation for highly detailed patterns, structures, and shapes with applications spanning Computer Graphics to additive manufacturing. He develops fast, controllable by-example synthesis approaches that generate content while enforcing user-specified constraints. His work addresses computational challenges through novel data structures and algorithms optimized for GPUs and FPGAs, including his Silice programming language. The ERC-funded ShapeForge project (2012-2017) advanced shape generation for 3D printing, leading to the IceSL software for digital modeling and fabrication. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on additive manufacturing optimization, with recurring themes in structural integrity, material efficiency, and geometric algorithms. His work bridges computer graphics theory with practical fabrication constraints, particularly in microstructure design, slicing techniques, and mechanical metamaterials. The interdisciplinary nature spans computer science, materials engineering, and robotics. EUROGRAPHICS Young Researcher Award (2010) ERC Starting Grant for ShapeForge project (2012) Lefebvre has advised over 25 PhD students and interns including Marco Freire, Thibault Tricard, and Jimmy Etienne. His ShapeForge project received significant ERC funding, supporting research in computational fabrication. He serves on numerous program committees including SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, and SIGGRAPH Asia, reflecting his leadership in the computer graphics community. As leader of the MFX team since 2018, Lefebvre directs research in computational fabrication, focusing on IceSL software development for 3D printing workflows. The team integrates computer graphics techniques with manufacturing constraints, developing tools that simplify complex object design and fabrication while addressing real-world challenges in material usage and structural integrity.
Professor Jana Zaumseil is a distinguished academic at Heidelberg University, holding the position of Professor for Applied Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences since 2014. She also maintains a co-opted position with the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy since 2016. Currently serving as Executive Director of the Institute for Physical Chemistry and Spokesperson for the DFG Research Training Group GRK 2948, she leads the Zaumseil research group (also known as the Nanomaterials for Optoelectronics group) at Heidelberg University's Institute for Physical Chemistry. Her educational background includes a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge (2003-2007) with a Gates Cambridge Trust Scholarship, and a Diplom (equivalent to M.Sc.) in Chemistry from the University of Leipzig (1997-2022). Prior to her position at Heidelberg, she served as Professor for Nanoelectronics at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (2009-2014), and completed postdoctoral work at Argonne National Laboratory (2007-2009) following an internship at Bell Laboratories (2002-2003). Zaumseil's research program focuses on the optical and electronic properties of carbon-based nanomaterials, particularly single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and organic semiconductors. Her group specializes in processing, functionalization, characterization and application of these unconventional semiconductors for optoelectronic devices and sensors. They investigate charge transport and light-matter interaction using a wide range of experimental techniques including synthesis, optical spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, device fabrication, and electrical/optical device characterization. Their work bridges fundamental understanding with potential applications in sensing, imaging, circuits, and energy conversion. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward defect engineering in carbon nanotubes, particularly creating and optimizing luminescent sp 3 defects for near-infrared applications. Her research increasingly integrates fundamental studies of charge transport with practical device applications, especially in neuromorphic computing, biosensors, and thermoelectrics. The interdisciplinary nature of her work is evident in the combination of chemistry, physics, and materials science approaches across her publication record. Dan Maydan Prize for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (2024) Jahrespreis der Universität Heidelberg (2023) ERC Consolidator Grant (2019) ERC Starting Grant (2012) Alfried-Krupp-Award for Young University Professors (2010) Professor Zaumseil has secured substantial research funding including multiple ERC grants and leads several major collaborative projects such as the ERC Advanced Grant SCALE-NT, Collaborative Research Center SFB 1249, Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order, and Research Training Group GRK 2948. She has mentored numerous doctoral and master's students, with her group recently receiving recognition including a Student Poster Presentation Award for Niklas Herrmann. As Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Science (2019-2021) and current Vice Dean (2021-), she has played significant leadership roles within the university structure. The Zaumseil research group operates within Heidelberg University's Institute for Physical Chemistry, utilizing advanced facilities for nanomaterial synthesis, optical spectroscopy, and device characterization. The group participates in several major collaborative initiatives including the Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order and the Collaborative Research Center SFB 1249, reflecting its integration within Heidelberg's broader research ecosystem focused on molecular systems and materials science.
Kathleen J. Stebe is a Professor and the Richer and Elizabeth Goodwin Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science. She leads the Stebe Group, focusing on Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a research agenda centered on complex fluid interfaces and directed assembly in soft matter.
Zukui Li is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he leads a research group focused on mathematical optimization, machine learning, and process systems engineering. His work spans oil sands extraction, steel production, biomedical applications, and advanced optimization methods. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Rutgers University (2010) M.Sc. in Control Theory and Control Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China (2005) B.Sc. in Automatic Control, University of Science and Technology of China (2002) Postdoctoral Training: Princeton University (2010-2012) Research Focus: Dr. Li's research integrates mathematical optimization and machine learning for complex process systems. His primary areas include: Advanced optimization techniques (robust, stochastic, and distributionally robust optimization) Machine learning applications in process monitoring and biomedical systems Industrial applications in energy, manufacturing, and resource extraction Specific innovations include physics-informed ML for anemia treatment, adaptive optimization for steel production, and distributionally robust methods for uncertainty management. Publication Trends (2019-2023): Recent articles demonstrate a strong focus on uncertainty-aware optimization methods, with increasing integration of machine learning techniques. Dominant themes include distributionally robust optimization, adaptive decision-making under uncertainty, neural network approximations for complex constraints, and applications in industrial process control and biomedical systems. Theoretical advancements are consistently coupled with practical implementations in energy and manufacturing sectors. Research Group: Leads an active team developing optimization frameworks and machine learning solutions for process engineering challenges. Group website: Dr. Zukui Li's Research Group
Gerhard (Gerry) F. Swiegers is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Wollongong , with affiliations to the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials and Intelligent Polymer Research Institute . He holds an Australian Research Council Industry Laureate Fellowship (2023 - present) and has been a key figure in commercializing fundamental research, bridging academia and industry. Previously, he was a Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO (1998-2009) and has founded 7 spin-off companies, licensing 3 technologies. PhD in Chemistry (1991) , University of Connecticut BSc with Honours (1982) , Nelson Mandela University His research focuses on electrochemical catalysis , particularly hydrogen generation from water using renewable electricity. He explores electrocatalytic process engineering and synergistic effects in catalysis with interacting supports. His book Bioinspiration and Biomimicry in Chemistry (Wiley) received a Prose Award (2012). Recent publications highlight advancements in capillary-fed electrolysis for cost-competitive green hydrogen, DFT studies on oxygen evolution by manganese complexes, and electrochemical process modeling . His work spans materials engineering , renewable energy , and industrial electrochemistry . American Publishers Award (Prose Award) for Chemistry (2012) DuPont Innovation Awards (2011, 2008) for 'Intelliseed' and 'Datatrace' National Australia Bank Excellence in Agribusiness Award (2010) Copper Theft Campaign Award (2009) for 'Datatrace' Professor Swiegers has participated in $24.5 million of competitive academic grants and is actively supervising PhD students in electrochemical engineering. His inventions are deployed in pharmaceuticals, energy, and agriculture industries through 66 patent families and 436 individual patents .
Roberto Zanino is a Full Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the Department of Energy (DENERG) of the Polytechnic of Turin, Italy. He serves as Advisor to the Rector for relations with European and international university networks and for the UniTe project, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Coordinator, and Project management functions of PoliToArgentina. He is also Scientific Advisor for the Partnership Agreement with NEWCLEO. Dr. Zanino earned his Laurea cum laude in Nuclear Engineering from Politecnico di Torino in 1984 and his Ph.D. in Energetics in 1989. His academic progression includes Assistant Professor (1990-91), Associate Professor (1992-2000), and Professor (2001-present). He previously served as Director of Alta Scuola Politecnica (2007-2010) and Head of the Graduate Program in Energetics (2011-present). His research spans computational fluid dynamics, concentrated solar power, controlled thermonuclear fusion, Generation IV nuclear fission reactors, and plasma physics. His work focuses on thermal-hydraulic analysis of liquid metal systems, superconducting magnet design for fusion applications, and concentrated solar power optimization. His recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in coupling computational tools for nuclear applications, particularly in CFD-system code integration for liquid metal systems and fusion magnet analysis. Dr. Zanino has received recognition as an IEEE Senior Member (2012) and has supervised numerous doctoral students working on topics including thermal-hydraulic analysis of heavy liquid metal systems, superconducting magnet simulation for fusion applications, and concentrated solar power modeling. He has extensive international experience, having worked at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Illinois at Chicago. He is actively involved in major fusion projects including ITER, DTT (Divertor Tokamak Test facility), and EUROfusion. His teaching portfolio includes Computational Heat and Mass Transfer, Nuclear Fusion Reactor Engineering, Solar Thermal Technologies, and Computational Thermal Fluid Dynamics at both master's and doctoral levels.
