Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Dr. Can Bayram is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He serves as a resident faculty member at the Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory and leads the Innovative Compound Semiconductor Laboratory (ICORLAB). His research focuses on semiconductor technologies, particularly cubic GaN and diamond-based devices for next-generation electronics and photonics. Current research includes cubic GaN quantum wells for green LEDs Diamond semiconductor devices for high-power applications Photonic technologies and nanoscale device fabrication Investigation of efficiency cliff phenomena in micro-LEDs Recent Article Trends : His work spans photonic devices, power electronics, and nanoscale systems, with particular emphasis on diamond photoconductive switches and cubic GaN efficiency improvements. Notable contributions include record-breaking diamond diodes and efficiency droop mitigation in green LEDs. Scientific Awards : IEEE Electron Devices Society Early Career Award NSF CAREER Award AFOSR Young Investigator Award Dean's Award for Early Innovation (2024) SPIE Fellow (2025) Editor's Pick & Front Cover Article, Applied Physics Letters (2024) Dr. Bayram teaches courses in electronics, including ECE 110: Introduction to Electronics, ECE 443: LEDs and Solar Cells, and ECE 500: ECE Colloquium.
Gunnar Kusch is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on defects in semiconductors, porous AlGaN materials, and advanced characterization techniques like cathodoluminescence (CL) and atom probe tomography (APT). He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde and leads projects on UV-B LED optimization, nanoscale defect behavior analysis, and semiconductor device design. His work bridges materials synthesis, characterization, and device performance, with applications in energy-efficient lighting and solar cell technology. Key research areas include: Defect engineering in III-nitride semiconductors Porous AlGaN templates for high-efficiency UV emitters Correlative microscopy techniques (CL, EBSD, APT) Composition-structure-property relationships in photovoltaic materials Notable contributions include developing CL-based methods for nanoscale defect analysis and demonstrating improved Cu(In,Ga)S₂ solar cell efficiencies through compositional engineering. His laboratory focuses on translating microscopic insights into macroscopic device improvements.
Dr. Ayşe Nihan AVCI is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Interior Architecture, Faculty of Architecture at Çankaya University. She holds a PhD in Design (2022), Master's in Interior Architecture (2017), and Bachelor's in Interior Architecture (2010) from the same institution. Her research focuses on lighting design's impact on health and well-being, biophilic design principles, and OLED/LED lighting technologies. She has been a full-time faculty member since 2015, progressing from Research Assistant (2015-2022) to Doctoral Researcher (2022-2024) before her current role. Education: PhD in Design, Çankaya University (2017-2022) MSc in Interior Architecture, Çankaya University (2014-2017) BSc in Interior Architecture, Çankaya University (2005-2010) Research Interests: Her work integrates lighting science with human-centric design principles, emphasizing: Salutogenic lighting strategies for health promotion OLED technology's circadian rhythm effects Biophilic daylighting in historical buildings Visual comfort in workplaces Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles (2016–2025) focus on OLED/LED lighting applications, circadian rhythms, and daylighting in heritage buildings. Recent work explores salutogenic design in coffee shop environments and workplace environmental quality. Awards: No specific awards listed, but active in academic service: Member of Aydınlatma Türk Milli Komitesi since 2017 Member of TMMOB İç Mimarlar Odası since 2010 Reviewer for journals including PLANARCH Grants & Projects: Led a university-supported research project (2020–2021) on lighting design's health impacts. Currently teaches courses on lighting design, materials science, and interior design fundamentals.
Debdeep Jena is the David E. Burr Professor of Engineering at Cornell University, holding appointments in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, and serving as a field member in Applied and Engineering Physics. He joined Cornell in 2015 after twelve years on the faculty at the University of Notre Dame. Professor Jena's research focuses on the quantum physics of semiconductors and electronic/photonic devices based on quantized semiconductor structures. His work spans Nitrides, Oxides, and 2D Materials, with applications in energy-efficient transistors, LEDs, RF and power electronics, and quantum computation. His group explores the fundamental limits of computation, memory, and communications by exploiting new physics in semiconductor devices, particularly investigating ultrahigh-speed GaN and AlN transistors, ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors for power electronics, deep-UV LEDs and lasers, and novel materials for quantum computing. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent trajectory toward integrating semiconductors with superconductors, ferroelectrics, and magnets to create hybrid quantum systems. This research direction aims to overcome classical device limits while dramatically improving energy efficiency across computing, communications, and power management applications from the chip to the grid level. Art Gossard MBE Innovator Award, North American Conference on Molecular Beam Epitaxy (NAMBE) 2024 Intel Outstanding Researcher Award 2020 David Burr Chair Professor of Engineering 2020 Fellow, American Physical Society 2016 MBE Young Scientist Award 2014 IBM Faculty Award 2012 Professor Jena leads a $34 million research center focused on energy-efficient semiconductor materials and technologies. His research group actively engages in materials synthesis using Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) while collaborating with theoretical physicists to develop comprehensive understanding of electron transport, light-matter interactions, and correlated electron physics. In 2022, he published the textbook 'Quantum Physics of Semiconductor Materials and Devices' through Oxford University Press, which has become a top seller in solid-state physics and electromagnetism categories. The Jena research group operates at the intersection of multiple advanced materials systems, maintaining expertise in Nitride Electronics, Oxide Electronics, UV Lasers/Photonics, 2D Materials, Ultrapolar/Ferro Semiconductors, and Super/Semi Electronics. Their work spans fundamental materials science to device engineering, with strong connections to energy systems, advanced materials processing, and quantum information science applications.
Jung Han is the William A. Norton Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Yale University, affiliated with the School of Engineering & Applied Science. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and leads the Optoelectronics Materials and Devices Group, focusing on interdisciplinary research in III-nitride semiconductors, optoelectronics, and power electronics. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in solid-state lighting, energy harvesting, and next-generation electronics. Research interests include wide-bandgap semiconductor materials (e.g., GaN), nanoscale device fabrication, and epitaxial growth techniques. He pioneered nanoporous GaN distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for high-efficiency LEDs and lasers, as well as selective-area growth methods for power electronics. His lab explores green energy technologies, flexible electronics, and hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductors. Publications emphasize advancements in GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), SWIR detectors, and micro-LED displays. Recent work addresses challenges in defect control, scalability of III-nitride devices, and integration with emerging materials. His group collaborates across engineering, applied physics, and chemistry to advance sustainable energy and high-performance optoelectronics. Notable contributions include wafer-level integrated white-LEDs with quantum dots, damage-free in-situ GaN etching via TBCl, and stacking-fault-free GaN growth on foreign substrates. His research has been recognized in high-impact journals like Advanced Materials and Applied Physics Letters .
Jakoah Brgoch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Houston. His research focuses on leveraging machine learning to design inorganic compounds for applications in LED-based lighting and superhard materials. Key areas include phosphor development, sparse data handling, and predicting material formation. He leads the Brgoch Group, which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining computational modeling and experimental synthesis. Research interests span luminescent materials, crystal chemistry, and defect engineering, with a particular emphasis on optimizing phosphors for solid-state lighting and high-performance materials under extreme conditions. His work bridges data science and traditional materials discovery to accelerate innovation in optoelectronics and mechanical materials. Recent publications highlight advancements in cyan-emitting nitridation processes, machine learning-guided phosphor discovery, and understanding oxidation resistance in silicides. His team has developed novel phosphors like Na2CaZr2Ge3O12:Cr³⁺ for NIR bioimaging and explored luminescent properties of Sr-based solid solutions. Active in translational research, Dr. Brgoch collaborates on applications like smartphone-readable diagnostic platforms using nanophosphors and point-of-care testing. His lab emphasizes open science practices and has pioneered methods like Single-crystal automated refinement (SCAR) for structural determination.
James S. Speck is the Seoul Viosys Professor of Solid State Lighting in the Department of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on the materials science of wide bandgap semiconductors such as GaN and β-Ga₂O₃, emphasizing epitaxial growth, defect engineering, and device applications. He holds over 725 publications and has co-founded Soraa, a company commercializing GaN-based lighting technologies. Education: Sc.D. in Materials Science (MIT), S.M. in Metallurgy (MIT), B.Sc.Eng (University of Michigan). Research Interests: GaN-based semiconductors, nitride materials, epitaxial growth mechanisms, nonpolar/semipolar GaN, and β-Ga₂O₃. His work addresses threading dislocations, defect dynamics, and optoelectronic device performance. Awards: IEEE Photonics Society Aron Kressel Award, APS Fellowship, MRS Fellowship, and multiple best paper awards. Key Contributions: Pioneered MBE growth of GaN, developed V-defect engineering for LEDs, and advanced β-Ga₂O₃ research. Collaborates on Soraa’s high-brightness LED technologies. Lab/Teams: The Speck Group studies GaN heterostructures, defect mitigation, and wide bandgap semiconductor applications. Recent work includes V-defect-controlled LEDs and β-Ga₂O₃ etching techniques.
Albert H. Titus is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. He serves as Associate Vice President for Regulatory Support in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. His research focuses on analog VLSI design for neuromorphic visual processing, biosensors, wearable devices, optoelectronic systems, and neural networks. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (1997) MS in Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo (1991) BS in Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo (1989) Research Interests: His work spans wearable and implantable sensors, bioinstrumentation, neural network-based visual processing, analog VLSI implementations, optoelectronics, and electronic packaging. He pioneered CMOS-based neuromorphic systems and developed patented technologies for glare sensing and RF power calorimetry. Publication Trends: His recent articles emphasize CMOS-integrated sensors, machine learning for bioimpedance analysis, implantable medical devices, and xerogel-based optical biosensors. These works bridge biomedical engineering and microelectronics. Scientific Recognition: He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service (2017), NSF CAREER award, and Western New York Inventor of the Year (2010). His inventions include a patented low-power glare sensor (U.S. Patent 7,586,079) featured in Popular Science’s 2011 Top Ten Inventions. Academic Leadership: As a faculty member, he has supervised nearly 20 PhD and over 40 MS students, while teaching courses in circuits, IC design, sensors, and signal processing across electrical and biomedical engineering disciplines.
Michael Kleemann is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering Technology within KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) . His research focuses on Power System Protection , Wireless Power Transfer , and Renewable Energy Integration , with a particular emphasis on inverter-based grid dynamics and fault analysis. Key Research Areas : Power system protection algorithms, capacitive wireless power transfer, fault location methods in medium voltage cables, and grid stability with high renewable penetration. Notable Projects : Lead projects on Protection of Future Distribution Grids (2021-2025), Capacitive Wireless Power Transfer (2020-2024), and Flux 50 ICON (2024-2026) for low-voltage DC grid protection. Publication Trends : Recent work explores capacitive wireless power transfer materials and control systems (2024-2025), fault detection algorithms for inverter-dominated grids (2023-2025), and machine learning applications in voltage regulation for photovoltaic-rich networks (2024). Teaching : Courses include Power System Protection (JPI322), Power Electronics (JPI0L8/JPI318), and Capacitive Wireless Transfer topics in graduate seminars.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Paul is a Full Professor at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, since 1998. He previously held roles such as Dean of Studies (1999–2002), Director of IMTEK (2006–2008), and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2016–2018). His research focuses on Microsystems for biomedical applications, MEMS technology, sensor systems, and advanced fabrication techniques. Key projects include the Excellence Cluster BrainLinks-BrainTools (2012–2017) and the Institute for Brain-Machine Interfacing Technology (IMBIT, 2015–present). Paul’s education includes a Diploma in Physics (1986, ETH Zurich) and a PhD in Solid-State Physics (1990, ETH Zurich). He has supervised numerous PhD students and postdocs, contributing to topics like neural probes, energy harvesting, and sensor calibration. His teaching spans courses in MEMS, semiconductors, and quantum mechanics. He co-founded Sensirion (1998) and Atlas Neuroengineering (2012), and holds editorial roles in journals like Sensors and Actuators A and IOP Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. His research interests include multisensory system calibration, biohybrid microsystems, and MEMS-based tools for neuroscience. Notable contributions include silicon neural probes, advanced microneedles, and telemetric smart orthodontic brackets. He has led large collaborative projects involving academia and industry, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation in microsystems and biomedical engineering.
James Speck serves as Professor in the Materials Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara's College of Engineering. He holds the Seoul Optodevice Distinguished Professorship of Solid State Lighting and maintains an active research laboratory focused on wide bandgap semiconductors. His work spans over 25 years of leadership in GaN-based semiconductor materials science at UCSB. Speck's research interests center on the relationship between epitaxial growth, microstructure, morphology, heterostructures, transport properties, and device performance in wide bandgap semiconductors. His group has made fundamental contributions to understanding growth mechanisms, defect generation, and the impact of threading dislocations in GaN systems. Over the past decade, his research has expanded to include binary oxides and emerging wide bandgap semiconductors like β-Ga 2 O 3 . His early work focused on epitaxial oxide films on semiconductors, ferroelectric thin films, and strain relaxation in highly mismatched epitaxial systems. The publication record demonstrates consistent research activity in III-nitride materials, with recent focus on semipolar and nonpolar orientations for improved device performance. His work spans fundamental materials science to practical device applications, particularly in solid-state lighting and laser technologies. The research shows particular emphasis on addressing efficiency limitations in LEDs and developing novel approaches for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. Member of National Academy of Inventors IEEE Photonics Society Aron Kressel Award Materials Research Society (Inaugural Class) Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Best Paper Award Professor Speck has co-founded Soraa, a company commercializing GaN-based lighting technology. His research group has produced over 725 refereed publications, demonstrating extensive collaboration with colleagues including S. Nakamura and S.P. DenBaars. His work has received significant funding supporting fundamental materials research with applications in energy-efficient lighting and optoelectronic devices. The Speck group maintains active research facilities at UCSB focused on advanced semiconductor characterization and device development.
Jonathan S. Owen is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Columbia University, leading the Owen Research Group focused on inorganic materials and semiconductor nanocrystals. His work explores crystal formation mechanisms, surface coordination chemistry, and applications in renewable energy technologies, including solid-state lighting. The group collaborates with institutions like Brookhaven National Lab and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Key research areas include nanocrystal synthesis, ligand exchange dynamics, and the development of CdSe/CdS heterostructures for energy-efficient lighting. Notable publications span 2001–2025, addressing topics like nanocrystal surface passivation, precursor kinetics, and optoelectronic properties. His work emphasizes foundational understanding of colloidal nanocrystal growth mechanisms and their practical applications.
David Aitken is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Institute of Molecular Chemistry and Materials of Orsay (ICMMO - UMR 8182) , University of Paris-Saclay. His research focuses on synthetic methodology , photochemistry , and the preparation of bioactive molecular scaffolds . He studied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde (BSc 1983, PhD 1986), followed by a CNRS Researcher position at the University of Paris 5 before becoming a Professor at the University of Clermont-Ferrand 2 in 1998. Since 2006, he has led his research group at Orsay and currently serves as Director of ICMMO . Education : BSc and PhD in Chemistry (University of Strathclyde, Scotland) Research Interests : Synthetic methodology, photochemical transformations, hydrogen bonding in peptides, conformational control, and biologically relevant molecules Methodologies : Photochemistry, organocatalysis, tandem reactions, stereoselective synthesis, and computational modeling Structural Analysis : Hydrogen bonding, helical folding, and non-covalent interactions using spectroscopy and molecular modeling Current Role : Director of ICMMO research institute His recent publications highlight innovations in peptide helical folding , cyclobutane and cyclopropane synthesis , and enantioselective catalytic reactions . His work bridges organic synthesis with biological applications, particularly in protein interaction inhibitors and insulin-sensitizing molecules .
Steven DenBaars is a Professor of Materials and Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he holds the Mitsubishi Chemical Chair in Solid State Lighting and Displays. He serves as Director of the Institute for Energy Efficiency and Executive Director of the Solid State Lighting and Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC). PhD, Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California BS, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Arizona MS, Materials Science, University of Southern California His research revolves around the growth and application of wide-bandgap (GaN-based) semiconductors for blue LEDs, laser diodes, high-power electronics, and quantum technologies. Key areas include MOCVD of III-V compound materials, strain engineering, and device fabrication. Recent publications highlight advancements in GaN-based microLEDs for quantum random number generation, UV LED efficiency, laser diode design, and strain relaxation techniques. Subfields span tunnel junctions, V-defect engineering, and metasurface light-emitting structures. 2021 ISCS Quantum Devices Award 2010 IEEE Photonics Society Aron Kressel Award 2008 JSAP Outstanding Paper Award 2005 IEEE Fellow 2014 National Academy of Inventors Fellow 2021 Central Coast Innovation Award Member, U.S. National Academy of Engineering He has co-founded four compound semiconductor companies (Nitres, Soraa, SLD Laser, Akoustis) and holds over 150 U.S. patents. His research group at UCSB includes 11 graduate students and postdocs focusing on III-nitride materials for optoelectronics and quantum applications. DenBaars leads the SSLEEC, a multidisciplinary lab advancing solid-state lighting and energy-efficient electronics through semiconductor innovation.
