G.H.L.A. Brocks is an Associate Professor at the MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, specializing in Computational Chemical Physics. His research focuses on material science and theoretical physics, particularly in halide perovskites, 2D materials, and photocatalysis. Research Interests Density Functional Theory Molecular Dynamics Electronic Properties Photocatalytic Water Splitting Scientific Contributions Recent work explores chiral phonons in 2D halide perovskites (2025). Investigates ion migration using machine learning force fields (2025). Develops 2D TiNBr as a photocatalyst (2025). Studies defects in 3D vs. 2D perovskites (2024). Discovers intrinsic direct-gap 2D materials (2024). Collaborations Collaborates with experts like S. Tao, M. Pols, and S. Er. Active in conferences discussing spin-polarized currents, graphene electron-hole puddles, and magnetic susceptibilities.
Nathan Tolman is a Lecturer and Lab Instructor within the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on surface science, nanomaterials, and environmental chemistry, with an emphasis on material characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and atomic layer deposition. He investigates the effects of hydrocarbon adsorption on surface properties of materials like graphite and graphene, as well as the optical properties of metal nanoparticles. His work has applications in environmental monitoring, energy storage, and nanofabrication. Recent articles highlight advancements in analyzing airborne contaminants via surface-enhanced Raman scattering and studying the impact of atmospheric pollutants on material properties. Tolman’s publications span topics from graphene-based materials to DNA nanostructure coatings, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise. No scientific awards or grants are listed, though his contributions to lab instruction and material research are evident. While no formal advisees are noted, his role as a Lab Instructor suggests involvement in student training through experimental work.
Iryna Protsak is a Research Fellow in the Department of Functional Materials and Catalysis at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Chemistry. She holds a PhD in Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces from the Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry (NASU, Kyiv, 2016) and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Glasgow (UK), Chuiko Institute, and Zhejiang University of Technology (China). Her research focuses on developing porous nanomaterials for selective sorbents targeting Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), advancing applications in water treatment and resource recovery. Key contributions align with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. Education: PhD in Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces (Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry, 2016) Master’s Degree in Chemistry (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 2012) Research Interests: Surface modification of silica, carbon substrates, and MOFs Selective sorbent design for CRMs (e.g., indium, gallium, rare earth elements) Advanced water treatment and resource recovery technologies Stimuli-responsive hydrogels and their biomedical/environmental applications Scientific Awards: Austrian Science Fund Individual Fellowship (2022) Grants & Projects: "Extraction of Rare Earth Elements by Carbon-Based Composites" (Austrian Science Fund, 2022–2025) Labs/Teams: Member of the University of Vienna’s Functional Materials and Catalysis research group Collaborations with institutions globally, including the University of Glasgow and Zhejiang University of Technology
Dr. Wei Meng Lim is a Malaysian registered pharmacist and a Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia. He holds a Master of Pharmacy from the University of Strathclyde (2008), a Master of Science in Medical and Health Sciences (2014), and a PhD in Medical and Health Sciences (2019) from Universiti Perubatan Antarabangsa (International Medical University). Prior to joining academia, he worked as a pharmacist at Sarawak General Hospital (2006–2008). His research focuses on cancer biology and drug discovery, particularly targeting pancreatic and endometrial cancers through high-throughput screening, drug repurposing, and immunotherapy approaches. Education: Master of Pharmacy, University of Strathclyde (2008) Master of Science in Medical and Health Sciences, International Medical University (2014) PhD in Medical and Health Sciences, International Medical University (2019) Research Interests: Functional genomics and drug discovery for cancer Mechanisms of cancer cell survival and therapeutic targeting Immuno-oncology and drug combination therapies Projects: Active projects include studies on gut health supplementation, compounded medication stability, and antibacterial coatings. Leading roles in projects like 'Identifying the Role of Soy Protein in Gut Health' and 'Improving Stability of Compounded Medications.' Publications Trends: His recent work emphasizes nanotechnology applications in drug delivery (e.g., mesoporous silica nanoparticles, in situ gels) and molecular mechanisms in pancreatic cancer immune resistance. Themes include biomaterials for wound healing, epigenetic therapies, and natural product integration in drug formulations. Grants and Collaborations: Active in collaborative research across Malaysia, focusing on translational medicine and biomedical innovation. Labs/Teams: Involved in interdisciplinary teams at Monash University Malaysia, focusing on pharmacology and nanomedicine.
Dr. Swaroop Chakraborty is a NERC Independent Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham's School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on nanomaterials, environmental science, and bioengineering, particularly the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for nanomaterials. He holds a PhD in Bioengineering from IIT, India (2021), and is a Chartered Scientist, Chartered Chemist, and Chartered Environmentalist. Research Interests: Biogeochemical transformations of nanomaterials, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for environmental and biomedical applications, and advanced analytical techniques like synchrotron-based XAS/XRF/SAXS and in-situ TEM. He also investigates ecotoxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics using Single-Cell ICP-MS and stable isotope labeling. Awards: NERC Independent Research Fellowship, Chartered Scientist (CSci), Chartered Chemist (CChem), Chartered Environmentalist, and membership in the Royal Society of Chemistry and Royal Society of Biology. Teaching: MSc Sustainable Chemistry seminars, BSc Human Sciences tutoring, and M.Res. Environmental and Biological Nanoscience courses. Key Projects: SSbD nanomaterial design, MOF hydrolytic stability, and microplastic toxicity studies. Active in interdisciplinary PhD supervision and analytical methodology development.
Dr Elena Bichenkova is a Research Professor in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Manchester's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She holds leadership roles including Senior Internal Examiner for undergraduate medicinal chemistry modules and PGR Tutor overseeing 32-34 postgraduate students annually. She manages NMR and optical spectroscopy facilities, supervising 20-25 researchers on advanced instrumentation. Educations: PhD (1993, Novosibirsk State University), M.Sc. (1983), BSc (1981). Her research focuses on biomaterials for RNA diagnostics/therapeutics, including self-assembling hydrogels and catalytic bioconjugates targeting oncogenic miRNAs. Key achievements include first experimental evidence of miR-21 silencing in lymphosarcoma using peptidyl-oligonucleotide hybrids. Her work addresses unmet biomedical challenges through functional biomaterials, combining structural biology with synthetic chemistry. Recent articles emphasize RNA targeting strategies, nanomaterials for diagnostics, and supramolecular catalysis in cancer therapy. Awards: Royal Society/NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship (1996). Supervised over 25 PhD/MPhil students since 2000, including funded projects from BBSRC, EPSRC, and international sponsorships. Collaborates with leading institutions including Oxford University and Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute. Labs/Teams: Leads NMR spectroscopy operations and optical instrumentation teams, co-leads medicinal chemistry research groups focused on RNA therapeutics and diagnostic hydrogels.
David Clarke is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Pharmacy department, contributing to research at the intersection of molecular biology, biochemistry, and nanotechnology. His work focuses on RNA cleavage mechanisms, oncogenic microRNA dynamics, and supramolecular conjugate design. He has published widely on topics including graphene nanosheet chemistry and tumor model applications. Collaborations span international teams, addressing challenges in drug delivery and cancer therapy. His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation. Recent publications (2020–2025) emphasize RNA-based therapies and nanomaterial applications. Key techniques include supramolecular engineering and structure-function analysis of biomolecules. Scientific achievements include developing novel methods for oncogenic miRNA destruction and advancing graphene-based photoluminescent materials.
Quinn Qiao is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Syracuse University, with an affiliate Professor role in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He currently serves as the Interim Associate Dean for Research and Site Director of the NSF IUCRC Center for Solid-State Electric Power Storage (CEPS), while also leading the NSF Engine project on campus. Previously, he held the Harold C. Hohbach Professorship in Electrical Engineering at South Dakota State University and directed the U.S. Economic Development Center there. Education: Ph.D. in Engineering (Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006) M.S. in Optics and Fine Mechanics (Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2003) B.S. in Engineering (Hefei University of Technology, 1999) Dr. Qiao’s research focuses on energy storage and photovoltaic technologies, including lithium-ion, lithium-metal, and solid-state batteries; perovskite and organic solar cells; and biomedical sensors. His work emphasizes improving material stability, charge transport efficiency, and scalability for real-world applications. He has pioneered methods for grain engineering in perovskite materials, developed novel interfacial designs for lithium metal anodes, and advanced sensor networks for precision agriculture. His publications highlight breakthroughs in battery anode optimization, perovskite solar cell fabrication, and sensor technology. The articles collectively address challenges in energy storage systems, such as dendrite suppression in lithium batteries and defect passivation in solar cells. Recent work explores hybrid materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to enhance device performance and longevity. Awards: 2019 SDSU Commercialization Award 2016 Faculty Excellence for Global Engagement in Research 2015 Distinguished Researcher of the Year 2010 NSF CAREER Award 2009 Bergmann Memorial Research Award 2006 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Student Abroad Qiao has advised numerous students and led grants focused on energy storage and photovoltaics. He co-founded the CEPS center and contributed to the NSF Engine project, fostering industry-academia collaborations. His research labs focus on nanomaterials synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and device prototyping. He maintains affiliations with interdisciplinary teams at Syracuse University and previously at South Dakota State University, where he directed the U.S. Economic Development Center and mentored researchers in advanced materials for photonics and energy systems.
Zhao Qin is an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on developing advanced computational methods to study multi-scale material behaviors, particularly in bio-inspired and synthetic materials. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT (2013) and degrees from Tsinghua University (B.Eng. 2006, M.Eng. 2008). Education: Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT (2013) M.Eng., Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University (2008) B.Eng., Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University (2006) Research interests include multiscale modeling of bio-materials, bio-inspired material design, and high-throughput computational methods for material optimization. His work spans biomimetic composites, nanomaterials, and fatigue-resistant hydrogels. Recent studies investigate mussel adhesion mechanics, lobster hydrogel structures, and collagen-based materials. Key achievements include the NSF CAREER Award (2022), ASME Best Paper Award (2013), and Chinese Government Scholarship (2011). He teaches courses CEE 325 (Mechanics of Materials) and CEE 676 (Multiscale Material Modeling). Publications highlight contributions to understanding natural material functions and translating insights into synthetic materials. His work bridges biology and engineering through computational tools and experimental validation.
Qing Li is a Professor of Applied Mechanics in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at The University of Manchester. He holds an adjunct professorship at Beijing Institute of Technology. With a PhD and higher doctorate (DEng) from the University of Liverpool, his expertise spans impact engineering, structural crashworthiness, and high-strain-rate material behavior. His research addresses challenges in protective technology, multi-scale mechanics modeling, and shock environment dynamics. Education: BSc/MSc in Mechanics, Peking University PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Liverpool DEng (Higher Doctorate), University of Liverpool Research Interests: His work focuses on material and structural responses under extreme conditions, including penetration mechanics and protective systems. Key areas include cellular material mechanics, blast-resistant design, and computational modeling of dynamic material behavior. His contributions align with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to infrastructure resilience and safety. Labs/Teams: He leads the Impact & Explosion Research Group , advancing protective technology and structural safety through collaborative projects with industry and government bodies. Awards: Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) Grants & Activities: Editorial roles at International Journal of Impact Engineering and other journals Consultancy for industry/government on blast and impact engineering Supervised 15 postgraduate research projects
Professor Andrew Harris is a leading academic at the University of Sydney's School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, serving as Director of the Centre for Translational Research. His research focuses on sustainable technologies addressing global challenges like clean energy, water, and mineral resources. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge (2001) and has been recognized with the Shedden Uhde Medal and Prize (2006) for early-career contributions. Research interests include multi-scale, multi-disciplinary approaches to environmental solutions, such as carbon nanotube synthesis, CO2 capture, and biologically inspired materials. Key projects include 'growing gold on trees' and mimicking beetle hydrophilic surfaces for water collection. Publications span advanced materials, catalysis, and energy storage, with recent work emphasizing lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and electrocatalytic systems. His lab explores biomimetic engineering and scalable nanotechnology applications.
Imen HNID is an Associate Professor at Polytech Lille and the Institut d’Électronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN) in Lille, France. She teaches physical chemistry of materials and leads research in nanoscience, molecular electronics, and nanotechnologies, including the project Evolving electronic transport in molecules/nanoparticles networks (EVOLMONET) . Her work employs scanning probe microscopy (Conducting-AFM) and focuses on surface functionalization, electronic properties of photoactive molecules, and nanoscale device engineering. Education PhD in Nanosciences, Materials, Surfaces – University of Paris (2017–2021) MSc in Inorganic Chemistry – Molecules, Surfaces, Nano-objects – University of Paris Saclay (2016–2017) Engineering Degree in Analytical Chemistry & Instrumentation – University of Tunis-El Manar (2012–2016) Research Focus Her investigations span: Scanning probe microscopy for electronic characterization Design of light-responsive molecular switches and junctions Self-assembled monolayers for nanodevices Coordination chemistry in molecular wires Terahertz-scale molecular electronics Publication Trends Recent articles emphasize molecular junctions , terahertz devices , and photoactive switches , with innovations in ON/OFF ratio optimization, electronic transport in diarylethene systems, and nanoscale characterization techniques. Her work consistently bridges synthetic chemistry with device physics. Awards 2nd PhD Thesis Award (René Dabard – ENSCR 2022) Best PhD Thesis Prize (SCF-IdF 2022) Research Scholarship (Tunisian Ministry of Education, 2016) Affiliation & Team She collaborates within the NCM research group at IEMN, specializing in nanoscale materials and electronic devices.
Professor Liang-shi Li is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington. His research focuses on developing advanced materials for energy and life sciences, including organic solar cells and electrochemical catalysts for CO2 reduction. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Physics and Theoretical Physics from the University of Science and Technology of China, and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to his current position, he conducted postdoctoral research at Northwestern University under Prof. Samuel Stupp. Education: B.S., Chemical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China M.S., Theoretical Physics, University of Science and Technology of China Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley Postdoctoral Associate, Northwestern University Research Interests: Design of novel materials for energy conversion and storage Development of organic and inorganic nanomaterials for electrocatalysis Functionalization of graphene and related carbon-based nanomaterials Biomedical applications of nanomaterials His work integrates computational methods with experimental synthesis to address challenges in sustainable energy and materials science.
Mohamad Alsaadi serves as a Senior Research Engineer at the PRISM (Polymer, Recycling, Industrial, Sustainability and Manufacturing engineering) Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, where he leads cutting-edge research in sustainable composite materials and advanced manufacturing. With 35 research outputs since 2016 and an h-index of 15, he actively supervises PhD students and contributes significantly to UN Sustainable Development Goals through his work in environmental sustainability and clean energy technologies. His research expertise centers on composite materials science, with deep specialization in basalt fiber composites, 4D printing, delamination mechanics, and life cycle assessment. Current projects focus on marine-grade composites resistant to seawater degradation, sustainable wind turbine blade construction, and weather-resistant 4D-printed structures using functionalized graphene nanoplatelets. His fingerprint analysis reveals dominant contributions to Composite Materials (100%), Material Science (100%), and emerging fields like Four Dimensional Printing (23%). Recent publications (2025) demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory toward sustainable composite solutions, integrating material innovation with environmental impact analysis. Key trends include marine durability enhancement through novel acrylic thermoplastics, lifecycle optimization of renewable energy infrastructure, and shape-memory composites for adaptive structures. This work bridges fundamental material science with practical industrial applications in wind energy and marine engineering. Dr. Alsaadi maintains active international collaborations across six similar research profiles, with recent media coverage highlighting his work on hydrogels and 4D-printed resins. His PRISM research group drives innovation in polymer recycling and sustainable manufacturing, positioning him at the forefront of next-generation composite development for circular economy applications.
Professor Ian Megson is the Head of Health Research and Innovation at the University of the Highlands and Islands. He holds a Professorship in the Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science, with affiliations to the Highland Diabetes Institute and The Centre for Health Science. His research focuses on oxidative stress, inflammation, free radicals, and their roles in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. He has pioneered studies on nitric oxide donor drugs, nanoparticle toxicity, and antioxidant mechanisms. Megson has secured significant grant funding and published widely, with over 167 publications and an h-index of 54. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Society of Biology. Education: BSc in Physiology (University of St Andrews), PhD in Nitric Oxide Research (University of St Andrews). Research Interests: Free radicals, cardiovascular disease mechanisms, diabetes complications, nanoparticle toxicity, and antioxidant therapies. His recent work includes studies on graphene oxide inhalation effects, lipid emulsion drug interactions, and UV-LED activated photocatalytic wastewater treatment. Megson has led collaborations across cardiology, toxicology, and environmental health, emphasizing translational research. Awards: Recognized for contributions to cardiovascular science and academic leadership. Grants/Projects: Multiple grants supporting research on oxidative stress, nanoparticle toxicity, and clinical trials. Megson’s lab focuses on exosomal diagnostics for cardiovascular diseases and developing novel therapies against diabetic complications. He collaborates globally, prioritizing clinical translation of basic science findings.
