Carmen Gaina is a Professor at the Centre for Planetary Habitability, University of Oslo , specializing in tectonics, geophysics, and Arctic studies. Her research spans mantle dynamics, oceanic basin evolution, paleoclimate reconstruction, and lithospheric modeling. Recent publications focus on Arctic ocean bathymetry, lithosphere-asthenosphere interactions, and plume-induced subduction processes. She leads projects like DYPOLE (dynamics of polar basins), HOTMUD (hydrothermal systems), and SUBITOP (Arctic tectonics), often using multi-disciplinary approaches including seismic tomography and satellite gravity inversion. Scientific awards : No explicit awards listed in the provided text.
Derk H. Bos is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of the Built Environment at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), specialising in 3D concrete printing and quality control engineering. He completed his MSc cum laude in 2019 and defended his PhD dissertation in October 2024, both at TU/e. Education MSc in Structural Engineering and Design, Eindhoven University of Technology (cum laude, 2019) PhD in Concrete Structures, Eindhoven University of Technology (2024) Research Interests Derk’s research integrates additive manufacturing, materials science, and process engineering to advance 3D concrete printing. He develops parametric mortar design methodologies, rheological models for mixing and pumping, and novel in-line quality-control tests. His work addresses the challenges of ensuring structural integrity and process reliability in large-scale digital construction. Key focus areas include: – Rheology and yield stress optimisation of printable cementitious composites – Real-time monitoring techniques such as dye-tracer and gravity-induced compression tests – Multi-scale quality assessment from material to structural level Scientific Awards Digital Concrete Conference – Best Paper Award (2022) Service & Collaboration Since 2019, Bos chairs the PhD Network Civil Engineering, fostering early-career researcher engagement. He co-organised the Second RILEM International Conference on Concrete and Digital Fabrication in 2020, strengthening international collaboration in digital construction. Labs & Teams He is embedded within the Concrete Structures chair of the Unit Structural Engineering and Design, working closely with the TU/e 3D Concrete Printing research group led by Prof. Theo Salet and Dr. Rob Wolfs.
Dr. Abhijit Kushari is Professor and Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. He holds a PhD from Georgia Institute of Technology and has been a faculty member since 2001, with prior experience as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Georgia Tech. His administrative roles include serving as Associate Dean of International Relations (2015-2017). Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (2000) MS in Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (1995) B.Tech. (Honours) in Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kharagpur (1994) Research Interests: Dr. Kushari's research spans propulsion (rockets, gas turbines), combustion dynamics, liquid atomization, turbo-machinery flows, aeroacoustics, and fire suppression. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches to solve challenges in fluid-structure interaction and flow control, with applications in aerospace and energy systems. Publication Trends: His recent articles focus on jet acoustics, combustion efficiency, fluidic thrust vectoring, and compressor aerodynamics. Common themes include experimental validation of novel nozzle designs, biofuel combustion, and unsteady flow control, reflecting a strong emphasis on sustainable propulsion and aerodynamic optimization. Awards and Honours: Consulting Fellow, World Innovation Foundation Batch of 1970 Research Fellow, IIT Kanpur (2009-2012) Editorial Board roles: Scientific Reports (Nature), Journal of Rotating Machinery , Frontiers in Interdisciplinary Physics Propulsion Panel Member, Aeronautical R&D Board, DRDO Advising and Grants: He has supervised 8 PhD and 60 M.Tech. students in aerospace/mechanical engineering. Secured over ₹20 Crore in funding from DRDO, ISRO, DST, Pratt & Whitney, and others. Key projects include gas turbine combustor design, thrust vectoring systems, fire dynamics, and detonation modeling for defense applications. Laboratories and Teams: Leads advanced propulsion and combustion labs at IIT Kanpur, featuring facilities for spray characterization, thrust measurement, cascade testing, and fire suppression studies. Collaborates with international research teams and industry partners like GE Aviation.
Katheryn Russ is Professor of Economics at the University of California, Davis, with expertise in open-economy macroeconomics and international trade policy. She serves as a faculty research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research International Trade and Investment Group, a member of the Econofact network, and Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Her work bridges economic theory, policy analysis, and global health governance. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Economics, Johns Hopkins University (2005) M.A. in Economics, Johns Hopkins University (2001) M.S. in Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1996) B.A. in Economics with East Asian Studies minor, College of William and Mary (1994) Professor Russ's research examines international trade and investment dynamics, with recent focus on their macroeconomic consequences and intersections with global public health—particularly infant nutrition policy and corporate influence on health governance. Her scholarship analyzes how trade agreements and corporate practices impact health outcomes through mechanisms like breast-milk substitute marketing and Codex Alimentarius standard-setting processes. She integrates economic modeling with policy-relevant analysis to address real-world challenges in trade-finance-health linkages. Her publication record reveals a distinct evolution from traditional trade/finance topics (trade elasticities, financial intermediation) toward critical health-policy intersections. Recent work demonstrates systematic investigation of transnational baby food industry practices, trade policy impacts on nutrition governance, and corporate lobbying effects on global health institutions—establishing her as a leading voice in trade-health nexus research. Her scientific recognition includes: UC Systemwide Mid-Career Leadership Award (2023) UC Davis Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award (2020) Presidential Recognition by Barack Obama (2016) Thomas Mayer Teaching Excellence Award (2010, 2022) Professor Russ actively supervises undergraduate and graduate student research while securing major external funding including National Science Foundation grants for systemic risk analysis and Gates Foundation-supported work on trade policy health hazards. Her policy engagement extends through White House Council of Economic Advisors service (2015-16) and frequent media commentary in outlets like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. She maintains active affiliations with international research networks including the International Economics and Finance Society (past President) and the Peterson Institute for International Economics (Senior Non-Resident Fellow), driving collaborative work on trade-finance-health governance challenges.
State University of New York at New PaltzUnited States
Tarun Biswas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at State University of New York at New Paltz. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics and an M.S. in Computer Science from Syracuse University, along with an M.S. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology at New Delhi. Since completing his doctorate in 1984, he has maintained continuous faculty service at SUNY New Paltz. His research spans theoretical physics with unconventional approaches to established paradigms. Primary interests include alternative gravity theories challenging dark matter and black hole orthodoxy, quantum mechanics applications in gaming, and composite particle quantum electrodynamics. His work on spiral galaxy rotation curves without dark matter or MOND represents a significant challenge to mainstream astrophysical models. He has also developed NIH-funded research on eyeglass design for double vision correction. Biswas has published extensively on controversial topics including 'Black Holes -- An Astronomical Myth' and 'Taking The Bang Out of the Big Bang Theory,' demonstrating his willingness to question fundamental cosmological assumptions. His publication history shows consistent output from 1991 through 2018, with recent focus on galaxy rotation curves and black hole physics. He has authored physics textbooks including 'General Physics (Volume 1 & 2)' and 'The One Commandment: ... and then there is logic.' His teaching portfolio includes standard courses like Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity alongside unconventional offerings such as 'In Physics We Trust' and 'Mathematical Logic in Everyday Life.' A black belt in Tae Kwon Do, he maintains active research and teaching responsibilities as evidenced by Fall 2025 office hours listed in his directory information.
Caslav Brukner is a Professor at the University of Vienna, affiliated with the Department of Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information. His research spans foundational aspects of quantum mechanics, quantum gravity, and the interplay between spacetime physics and quantum theory. He has taught courses such as Theoretical Physics III for teacher students and seminars on quantum foundations. His recent work explores quantum superpositions of spacetime geometries, indefinite causal orders, thermodynamic observables in quantum gravity, and the role of observers in quantum measurements. Key themes include reconciling quantum mechanics with general relativity, analyzing temporal and causal structures, and studying quantum thermodynamics. While no explicit scientific awards are listed, his research has produced numerous publications across quantum reference frames, entanglement, and relativistic quantum mechanics. His teaching emphasizes advanced topics in quantum theory, including foundational debates and practical applications.
Dr. David A. Burton is a Senior Lecturer in Physics at Lancaster University , with a career spanning theoretical physics, applied mathematics, and engineering. His research focuses on interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of these fields, particularly in relativistic continuum mechanics , gravitational wave detection , laser-plasma physics , and dark matter exploration . Research Interests : Applied differential geometry, high-energy physics, vortex-induced vibrations, nonlinear electrodynamics, and quantum vacuum phenomena. Teaching : Fluid dynamics, General Relativity, theoretical condensed matter physics, analytical mechanics, and vector calculus for physicists. Recent Publications highlight his work on: Geometrical approaches to physics and laser wakefield accelerators Quantum effects in plasma physics and dark matter detection Nonlinear electrodynamics and radiation reaction phenomena Differential geometry in classical and relativistic systems Collaborations include partnerships with Orcina Ltd and contributions to the Cockcroft Institute Wakefields Interest Group .
Marco Ghirardi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP) at Politecnico di Torino. His academic work focuses on Operations Research within the broader field of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. His research interests include: Combinatorial optimization Heuristic algorithms Scheduling Professor Ghirardi's work spans multiple domains including industrial automation, traffic systems, and robotics. His research applies mathematical optimization techniques to solve complex real-world problems in manufacturing, transportation, and rehabilitation engineering. His expertise in combinatorial optimization and heuristic algorithms has led to significant contributions in scheduling problems, network optimization, and control systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying operations research to diverse fields: Developing algorithms for fuel treatment scheduling Solving graph theory problems like the maximum happy vertices problem Creating robust traffic assignment models under uncertainty Designing control systems for rehabilitation robotics Professor Ghirardi actively participates in multiple research projects including: NOUS - A catalyst for EuropeaN ClOUd Services (2024-2026) as Research Group Member ESOPO - Exoskeleton for rehabilitation of lower limbs (since 2009) as Scientific Director Design of planning algorithms for production scheduling for SMEs (2022-2023) as Scientific Manager He teaches various courses across different degree programs including: Software architecture for automation Optimization for problem solving Operations Research Industrial Automation Laboratory Heuristics and Metaheuristics for Problem Solving at PhD level
Dr. Alexander Herbst is a researcher at the Institute of Quantum Optics within the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Leibniz University Hannover. His work focuses on advanced quantum sensing techniques, particularly in guided matter-wave interferometry and atomic manipulation. Research Interests : Quantum optics and atomic physics Matter-wave interferometry for precision measurements Development of all-optical systems for Bose-Einstein condensates Quantum inertial sensing applications Time-averaged optical potential engineering Collimation techniques for ultracold atoms Recent Article Trends : His publications emphasize quantum sensing advancements, including terrestrial very-long-baseline atom interferometry (2025) and multi-axis inertial sensing with 2D matter-wave arrays (2025). Earlier works focus on matter-wave dynamics in tunable potentials, collimation techniques, and Bose-Einstein condensate manipulation. Contact Information : Email: autumn@iqo.uni-hannover.de Phone: +49 511 762 19192 Fax: +49 511 762 2211 Address: Welfengarten 1, Building 1101, Room D306, 30167 Hanover, Germany
Daniela Doneva, Ph.D., is a Lecturer at the Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAAT) , University of Tübingen. Her work spans theoretical and computational astrophysics, focusing on nonlinear gravitational phenomena in modified theories of gravity. Key affiliations: Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAAT), University of Tübingen Degree: Ph.D. in Physics Research interests include: Black Hole Scalarization : Spin-induced and curvature-induced scalarization mechanisms in black holes and neutron stars. Modified Gravity Theories : Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet, scalar-tensor theories, and teleparallel gravity extensions. Gravitational Wave Physics : Modeling waveforms, stability analysis, and LISA mission applications. Numerical Relativity : Simulations of compact object mergers and nonlinear evolutions. Her publications emphasize computational methods (e.g., neural network surrogates), stability analysis, and observational constraints from gravitational wave detectors like LISA. No scientific awards or student advisement details were found in the provided texts.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Mikhail Shaposhnikov is an Honorary Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Basic Sciences (SB). His research focuses on particle physics, cosmology, and quantum field theory, with significant contributions to experiments like the SND@LHC and SHiP. He has supervised eight PhD theses at EPFL, including works on neutrino physics, collider experiments, and theoretical models. Shaposhnikov’s research interests span Einstein-Cartan gravity, dark matter, sterile neutrinos, and the interplay between gravitational and particle physics phenomena. He has led efforts in detector design for high-energy colliders and contributed to European particle physics strategy documents. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with experimental validation, particularly in exploring new physics beyond the Standard Model. His experimental involvements include the SHiP experiment at CERN’s SPS beam dump facility, targeting hidden particles and dark matter candidates, and the SND@LHC detector for neutrino studies. He has also contributed to conceptual designs for future circular colliders and high-luminosity upgrades. Shaposhnikov’s theoretical work addresses scale invariance, conformal symmetry breaking, and quantum gravity challenges such as the hierarchy and strong CP problems. Notable collaborations include the Advanced SND Letter of Intent and studies on heavy neutral leptons. His publications reflect a blend of cutting-edge theory and experimental particle physics, emphasizing both foundational questions and applied technologies for next-generation accelerators.
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational PhysicsGermany
Elisa Maggio is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) in Potsdam, Germany. She holds a PhD from Sapienza University of Rome, where her thesis, Probing new physics on the horizon of black holes with gravitational waves , earned multiple awards including the Amaldi Research Center Prize, Giulio Rampa Prize, and Fubini Prize. Her work focuses on testing general relativity in extreme environments using gravitational waves, particularly investigating the nature of black hole horizons and alternative theories of gravity. As a Marie Curie Fellow, she contributes to the ThorGW project, exploring horizon properties with future detectors like LISA and the Einstein Telescope. Her research involves modeling gravitational wave signals from compact object mergers, analyzing ringdown phases, and developing parametrized waveform models for precision tests. Notable contributions include studies on horizonless compact objects and their gravitational wave signatures. Maggio’s position is supported by grants from the Leibniz Prize (DFG) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Elisa has been recognized with prestigious honors such as the Laura Bassi Prize for early-career women in physics (2024) and the Sapienza University of Rome’s thesis prize (2025). Her work bridges theoretical physics with observational challenges, advancing our understanding of gravity’s limits in strong-field regimes.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Brian W. Romans is a Professor of Sedimentary Geoscience in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech . With a focus on sedimentary systems, he integrates field, subsurface, and Earth-surface data to study tectonic evolution, climate change, and sedimentary processes across timescales from centennial to multi-million-year periods. His work bridges erosional landscapes and depositional systems to understand Earth surface response to environmental change. Research interests include: Clastic sedimentology and stratigraphy Tectonics of sedimentary basins Paleoceanography and paleoclimatology Source-to-sink sediment routing Deep-sea sedimentary processes Geochronology and reservoir characterization His recent publications examine Arctic and Antarctic glacial history, deep-water channel dynamics, and sediment transfer in tectonically active regions. Awards include the James Lee Wilson Award (SEPM, 2014) for early-career excellence. He teaches sedimentology-stratigraphy and sedimentary basin analysis courses, mentoring graduate students like Neal Auchter, Kristin Chilton, Sarah Jancuska, and Cody Mason.
Dr. Lu Heng Sunny Yu is a Teaching Fellow and Outreach and Schools Liaison for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Southampton. He holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of California, Irvine, and has extensive experience in teaching and research across institutions, including roles as a Lecturer, Teaching Associate, and Teaching Assistant at UC Irvine. His research focuses on quantum gravity, quantum field theory, and cosmology, alongside pedagogical innovations in mathematics and physics education. He actively contributes to educational outreach and explores technology-enhanced learning strategies. Education: PhD in Theoretical Physics, University of California, Irvine MS in Physics, University of California, Irvine Master of Mathematics (Part III) in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge BSc in Mathematics and Physics, University College London (UCL) Research Interests: Sunny’s theoretical physics research emphasizes nonperturbative quantum gravity methods and their cosmological implications. In education, he focuses on making mathematics and physics accessible through innovative teaching methods and technology integration. Recent work includes developing tools for grading efficiency and active learning practices. Teaching: Current Courses: Mathematical Methods for Physical Scientists, Mathematics for Electronics & Electrical Engineering, and Mathematics Projects Previous Courses: General Relativity, Quantum Field Theory, and Multivariable Calculus Labs/Teams: He is part of the Mathematics Outreach Team and contributes to the Southampton Theory Astrophysics and Gravity (STAG) Research Centre.
Per Kristian Rekdal is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Logistics, Høgskolen i Molde. His research spans Theoretical Physics (Quantum Optics, Quantum Gravity) and Logistics (Dynamic Pricing, Inventory Management). He earned his M.Sc. (1998) and Ph.D. (2001) from NTNU, followed by postdocs at Imperial College (2002-2004) and Universität Graz (2005-2006). Rekdal leads projects like SKIFT, CC-moon.net, and SimReal, focusing on educational technology and quantum physics. He co-authored books on Quantum Optics and Logistics, and developed the open course platform himoldeX.no. His work bridges physics and logistics, emphasizing digital innovation in education and research. Education: NTNU, Master of Science, 1992-1998 NTNU, Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, 1998-2001 Imperial College, London, Post Doc, 2002-2004 Universität Graz, Austria, Post Doc, 2005-2006 Research Interests: Rekdal explores quantum phenomena (angular momentum, Casimir effects, atom chips) and logistics optimization (pricing models, inventory systems). His work integrates theoretical physics with applied logistics, leveraging digital tools to enhance education and operational efficiency. Recent projects include quantum state analysis and open online learning platforms. Publications & Media: His top articles address quantum field theory and logistics systems. Media contributions highlight his role in Norway’s educational digitalization. He collaborates with institutions like Imperial College and has authored over 30 books and papers. Awards & Recognition: No explicit awards listed, but his work on himoldeX earned media attention and a nomination for ‘Teacher of the Year’ (2016). Labs & Teams: Leads the Virtual Technologies and Learning research group, advancing digital education and quantum studies at HiMolde.
