Andrea Cavalleri is a renowned physicist affiliated with both the University of Hamburg and the University of Oxford as a Professor of Physics. He serves as Founding Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter since 2013, having previously held leadership roles at the same institute and its predecessor departments. Laurea and PhD in Physics, University of Pavia (1994–1998) Postdoc, University of California, San Diego (1998–2001) Scientific staff, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2001–2005) His research focuses on ultrafast science, superconductivity, and nonlinear phononics. He pioneered femtosecond x-ray experiments to study atomic-structural dynamics in solids and demonstrated light-induced superconductivity in cuprates and fullerites. Current work involves X-ray Free Electron Lasers for photo-induced phase transitions. Selected publications highlight trends in ultrafast control of condensed matter phases, including superconducting plasma waves, Josephson solitons, and Dirac carrier dynamics in graphene. His work bridges experimental techniques with fundamental insights into quantum materials. Fellow of the American Physical Society (2011), Institute of Physics (2015), and AAAS (2016) Max Born Medal (2015), Dannie Heinemann Prize (2015), ERC Synergy Grant (2013) David Shirley Award (2004) and European Young Investigator Award (2004) Cavalleri's research has driven the development of tools for studying non-equilibrium phenomena in complex solids, enabling new directions in materials science and quantum physics. He has held named lectureships at institutions like Collège de France and Uppsala University.
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria
Ivan Sumerskii is a Researcher at the Department of Chemistry of Renewable Resources within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. He serves as the director of the Core Facility Analysis of Lignocellulosics , focusing on advanced analytical techniques for sustainable materials. His research spans renewable resource chemistry, with emphasis on lignocellulosic analysis and sustainable polymer development. The Core Facility under his leadership provides critical infrastructure for studying biomass conversion and green technology applications.
Michael Kinski serves as Professor of Japanese History of Thought and Japanology at Goethe University Frankfurt within the Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies, concurrently leading the Institute for East Asian Philologies as Acting Director since 2013. His academic trajectory spans prestigious German institutions including Humboldt University Berlin (1998-2009) and Tuebingen University (1991-1998), with prior research engagement at Japanese universities including Tokyo University and Ritsumeikan. He completed his doctoral studies at Tuebingen University in 1991 following an M.A. at Bochum University (1987), with formative research periods in Japan at Nagoya University, Tokyo University, and Ritsumeikan University. His scholarly foundation centers on Japanese intellectual history, particularly the Edo period. Kinski's research program systematically examines Japanese societal structures through interconnected domains: Historical conceptions of childhood and developmental frameworks Formalized etiquette systems as cultural expression Material culture studies focusing on food practices and consumption Scientific knowledge transmission via Rangaku (Dutch Studies) Social value systems reflected in travel literature Intellectual history of Early Modern Japan No scientific awards were documented in source materials. Information regarding student supervision, research grants, laboratory facilities, or collaborative teams was not provided in the available texts.
Andrea C. Ferrari is a Professor of Nanotechnology in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, UK. He currently holds multiple leadership roles, including Science and Technology Officer and Chair of the Management Panel for the EU Graphene Flagship, as well as Director of both the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Graphene Technology and the Cambridge Graphene Centre. PhD, University of Cambridge (24 March 2001) Laurea in Nuclear Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (24 July 1997) His research focuses on nanoscience, graphene and related materials, Raman spectroscopy, and optoelectronic applications of nanotechnology. He has authored over 390 papers, amassed >116,000 citations, and delivered >450 invited/keynote talks globally. He has received numerous accolades including: IMR-Lee Hsun Lecture Award (2018) Nanosmat Award (2017) ERC Synergy grant (2013) Philip Leverhulme Prize (2005) As a leading figure in graphene research, he has secured >£60M in research funding, led major EU Flagship projects, and commercialized innovations through patents licensed to companies like Nokia, IBM, and Huawei. He chairs the Executive Board of the EU Graphene Flagship and serves as Academic lead for the Royce Institute's e-beam lithography initiatives.
Tobias Bolch is a full Professor at the Institute of Geodesy, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Austria, specializing in cryospheric research with a focus on High Mountain Asia and the Tibetan Plateau. His work integrates advanced geodetic and remote sensing methodologies to address critical climate change impacts on glaciers and related systems. His research spans: Glacier dynamics and mass balance monitoring using InSAR and optical satellite data Rock glacier kinematics and permafrost interactions Glacial lake evolution and outburst flood hazards Climate-glacier-hydrology linkages in Central Asian river basins Long-term cryosphere reconstruction using historical satellite archives Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in quantifying ice loss acceleration, particularly from lake-terminating glaciers, and the application of multi-sensor approaches (Sentinel, ASTER, UAV) for decadal-scale change detection. His work consistently emphasizes the hydrological consequences of glacier retreat for downstream water security across High Mountain Asia. No scientific awards or specific grant programs were documented in the provided materials. While student supervision details are absent, his position at TU Graz's Institute of Geodesy indicates active mentorship within geospatial and cryospheric research programs. His homepage (https://ifg.tugraz.at) serves as the primary hub for research dissemination through the university's PURE portal.
David Leigh is a Professor in Organic Chemistry at the University of Manchester , UK. He has held prestigious positions including the Sir Samuel Hall Chair (2014–present), Forbes Chair at the University of Edinburgh (2001–2012), and Chair of Synthetic Chemistry at the University of Warwick (1998–2001). His research focuses on synthetic molecular machines, supramolecular chemistry, and molecular knots. Fields of Scholarship : Synthetic molecular machines, Synthetic molecular knots and links, Supramolecular chemistry His work includes creating hydrogen-bonded molecular rotors , reversible rotary molecular motors , and artificial ribosome mimics . Article trends highlight nanotechnology , molecular engineering , and self-assembly advancements. Scientific Awards : Royal Society of Chemistry Pedler Award (2014), ERC Advanced Grant (2014), Bakerian Prize (2013), Tilden Prize (2010), Fellow of the Royal Society (2009), etc. Leigh has led groundbreaking projects funded by the European Research Council (2008, 2014) and held an EPSRC Senior Research Fellowship (2005–2010). His lab at the University of Manchester explores bottom-up molecular design and stimuli-responsive systems.
Peter Strasser is a Full Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the Technical University Berlin, Germany. He holds a Diplom (MSc) in Physical Chemistry from Tübingen University (1995) and a PhD from the Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck-Society (1999), supervised by Prof. Gerhard Ertl. His research focuses on electrocatalysis, CO₂ electroreduction, and materials science for energy storage/conversion. He has held roles at the University of Houston (2004–2007) and Symyx Technologies (2000–2004). Education : Tübingen University (1988–1995), Stanford University (1991), Università di Pisa (1992) Affiliations : German Chemical Society (GDCH) leadership roles, Electrochemical Society (ECS) committee memberships Research interests include structure-function relations in electrocatalysts, electrochemical oxygen evolution/reduction reactions, and in-situ spectroscopic techniques. He has organized major conferences such as the “Electrochemistry 2022” meeting and co-chairs symposia on fuel cells and electrolyzers. His entrepreneurial activities include mentoring startups like DexLeChem GmbH and LiquidLoop GmbH. Awards : Carl Wagner Memorial Award (2023), Faraday Medal (2021), Otto-Hahn Medal (2000) Grants/Advising : Extensive funding and mentorship in energy materials research He leads the Technische Chemie division at TU Berlin and collaborates internationally, including guest professorships in China. His work bridges fundamental electrochemistry with industrial applications in renewable energy systems.
Andrea C. Ferrari is a Professor of Nanotechnology at the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK. He holds multiple leadership roles, including Director of the Cambridge Graphene Centre and EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Graphene Technology, and serves as Science and Technology Officer for the EU Graphene Flagship. Education: PhD, University of Cambridge (2001) Laurea in Nuclear Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (1997) Ferrari’s research focuses on graphene, 2D materials, and their applications in nanotechnology, photonics, optoelectronics, and Raman spectroscopy. His work bridges fundamental studies and industrial translation, emphasizing scalable synthesis and characterization techniques. His publications span over 390 peer-reviewed articles, including groundbreaking studies on graphene photonics, quantum emitters, and advanced optoelectronic devices. These works are highly cited, with an H-index of 115 and over 116,000 total citations. Scientific Awards: IMR-Lee Hsun Lecture Award (2018) Nanosmat Award (2017) Knight Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy (2017) ERC Synergy Grant (2013) EU-40 Materials Prize (2011) Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2010) ERC Starting Grant (2008) Philip Leverhulme Prize (2005) Ferrari has secured over £60M in research funding, including leadership roles in the EU Graphene Flagship and the EU Quantum Technology Flagship. He is a Fellow of the Optical Society, Materials Research Society, Institute of Physics, and American Physical Society.
Gil Kalai is a Professor of Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem since 1992, where he holds the Henry and Manya Noskwith Chair. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Yale University since 2004 in a long-term part-time visiting position. His academic career includes visiting positions at prestigious institutions including MIT, Cornell, IAS Princeton, Berkeley, Bell-labs, IBM, and Microsoft. Professor Kalai's research spans multiple areas within mathematics and theoretical computer science. His work in combinatorics encompasses geometric, probabilistic, and topological approaches. He has made significant contributions to the study of convex sets and polytopes, linear programming, and theoretical computer science. His influential 1988 paper with Kahn and Linial on Boolean functions pioneered applications of Fourier analysis in theoretical computer science. Kalai's research has evolved to include the application of Fourier analysis to thresholds, influences, symmetries, noise, percolation, and social choice. He has developed theories in algebraic shifting and studied face-numbers and other combinatorial invariants of polytopes. His work on the diameter of polytopes and randomized simplex algorithms has been influential in optimization theory. In 1993, his collaboration with Kahn produced a groundbreaking counterexample to Borsuk's Conjecture in 1325 dimensions. Professor Kalai's publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of combinatorics, geometry, and theoretical computer science. His work shows a progression from foundational combinatorial geometry to increasingly sophisticated applications of harmonic analysis in discrete mathematics. The recurring themes across his 30+ year career include Boolean functions, polytope theory, and probabilistic methods in combinatorics, demonstrating remarkable coherence in his research trajectory. 2016 European congress of Mathematics, plenary speaker 2013 ERC advanced grant 2012 Rothschild Prize 1994 International Congress of Mathematicians invited section talk, Zurich 1994 Fulkerson Prize 1993 Erdos Prize 1992 Polya Prize Though specific details of his advising are not provided in the source material, Kalai has written over 70 scientific papers and maintains an active research blog entitled "Combinatorics and More." His 2013 ERC advanced grant indicates significant research funding for his work. His extensive collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions suggest a robust research program with numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, though specific names are not mentioned in the provided texts. Professor Kalai maintains active research connections across multiple institutions including Hebrew University, Yale, and various research centers worldwide. His work bridges pure mathematics and theoretical computer science, creating a unique interdisciplinary research environment that influences both fields.
Christian Friedrich Wilhelm Becker is a full Professor at the University of Vienna, holding a position within the Faculty of Chemistry and the Department of Biological Chemistry. His research profile shows extensive activity in protein chemistry and biochemistry, with particular focus on post-translational modifications and their implications in disease mechanisms. His work bridges chemical biology, biochemistry, and biomedical applications, contributing significantly to the academic and research landscape at one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities. Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna Department of Biological Chemistry Active research leader with numerous ongoing projects Significant publication record spanning multiple disciplines Professor Becker's research primarily focuses on protein chemistry, particularly post-translational modifications and their role in protein function and dysfunction. His work spans multiple interconnected areas including ubiquitination, protein aggregation, prion protein behavior, and biomimetic approaches to protein analysis. His research has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and developing novel therapeutic approaches. The fingerprint analysis of his work shows strong connections to biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemistry, with particular emphasis on cysteine chemistry, glycosylation, and amino acid modifications. Analysis of Professor Becker's recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on protein modification techniques and their biological implications. His work shows increasing sophistication in chemical biology approaches to study protein function, with particular emphasis on ubiquitination pathways and protein aggregation mechanisms. The integration of chemical synthesis methods with biological analysis represents a hallmark of his research approach. His publications span high-impact journals in biochemistry, chemical biology, and peptide science, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of his contributions. Professor Becker has received notable recognition for his research contributions, most prominently the Cathay Award in 2020. This award acknowledges his significant contributions to the field of protein chemistry and chemical biology. His work appears to have practical applications in therapeutic development, particularly in the areas of targeted protein degradation and immunotherapy, which likely contributed to this recognition. Cathay Award (2020) Professor Becker leads multiple significant research projects, including 'Targeted protein degradation - from small molecules to complex organelles' (2020-2024), 'Taktira: Development of an improved, low-side-effect and sustainable immunotherapy' (2019-2023), and 'Structure Zoom: Zooming in on protein functional sites with atomic resolution' (2018-2021). These projects demonstrate substantial grant funding and collaborative research efforts across multiple institutions. His active participation in 290 recorded activities through 2025 indicates a highly engaged research program with numerous collaborators and trainees. Targeted protein degradation project (2020-2024) Taktira immunotherapy project (2019-2023) Structure Zoom project (2018-2021) Professor Becker's research environment includes a robust team of collaborators and junior researchers, as evidenced by the numerous co-authored publications and activities. His work intersects with multiple research groups studying protein function, modification, and therapeutic applications. The international collaboration network shown in his profile indicates significant engagement with researchers across multiple countries, creating a dynamic research ecosystem focused on advancing protein science and its biomedical applications.
Ares J. Rosakis is the Theodore von Kármán Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he served as Chair of the Division of Engineering and Applied Science from 2009-2015 and previously as Director of the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT). He has held numerous prestigious visiting professorships including at Nanyang Technological University, Northwestern University, Columbia University, Oxford University, and École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Rosakis earned his B.A. and M.A. in Engineering Science from Oxford University in 1978, followed by his Sc.M. (1980) and Ph.D. (1982) in Engineering (Solid Mechanics) from Brown University. He joined Caltech as an Assistant Professor in 1982, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1988, and to full Professor in 1993. In 2004, he was named the Theodore von Kármán Professor, one of Caltech's most distinguished named chairs. Rosakis is globally recognized as the foremost expert in dynamic failure mechanics of solid materials. His pioneering contributions span the dynamic failure of metals, composites, and interfaces. He invented Coherent Gradient Sensing (CGS) interferometry, a novel optical method sensitive to gradients of optical path differences that has been widely adopted in fracture mechanics and thin film stress measurements. His research encompasses dynamic shear-dominated rupture of heterogeneous materials, rupture mechanics of crustal earthquakes (where he experimentally discovered 'intersonic' or 'supershear' ruptures), and reliability of thin films and in-situ wafer level metrology. His work bridges engineering science, materials mechanics, and geophysics with remarkable interdisciplinary impact. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on earthquake mechanics and laboratory simulations of seismic events, particularly supershear earthquake ruptures. The research connects fundamental fracture mechanics with real-world geophysical phenomena, revealing how laboratory-scale experiments can illuminate the physics of large-scale earthquakes. His work has established critical links between theoretical models, experimental observations, and geological field evidence. Rosakis has received numerous prestigious awards including: 2024 Foreign Member of the Royal Society, UK 2023 Honorary PhD from National Technical University of Athens 2023 Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering from University of Illinois 2021 Zdeněk P. Bažant Medal for Failure and Damage Prevention 2018 Timoshenko Medal from ASME 2016 Elected to the National Academy of Sciences 2011 Elected to the National Academy of Engineering Throughout his distinguished career at Caltech, Rosakis has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have become leaders in their fields. His research has been continuously supported by major grants from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and other federal agencies, focusing on dynamic fracture, earthquake mechanics, and advanced optical measurement techniques. He has served on numerous editorial boards and advisory committees for major scientific organizations. At Caltech, Rosakis leads research in the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT), where he has established world-class experimental facilities for studying dynamic fracture and earthquake mechanics. His laboratory features high-speed imaging systems capable of millions of frames per second, infrared diagnostics for temperature field measurements, and specialized equipment for simulating earthquake ruptures at laboratory scale. His research group combines experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to address fundamental questions in solid mechanics and their applications to geophysics and materials engineering.
Prof. Yu Jihong is a full Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Jilin University, and serves as Director of the International Center of Future Science and Vice President of the Chinese Chemical Society. She leads the State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry. Her research focuses on designing nanoporous materials for energy and environmental applications, with over 320 publications in top journals like Science and Nature Communications. Education: BS (1989), MS (1992), PhD (1995) from Jilin University Postdoctoral: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (1996–1997), Tohoku University (1997–1998) Research interests include inorganic synthesis, porous materials, catalytic materials, and environmental applications. Her work bridges computational methods with experimental synthesis, yielding innovations in zeolite structures and catalytic systems. Awards: IUPAC Distinguished Women in Chemistry Award (2017), TWAS Fellow (2016), Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician (2015), and multiple national science prizes. She is an Associate Editor of Chemical Science and leads editorial boards for Materials Horizons and others. Her articles emphasize novel synthetic methods, catalytic systems, and sustainable materials. Key themes include accelerating zeolite crystallization, designing nanocatalysts, and developing porous membranes for environmental applications.
Dr. Li Baowen is Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) with joint appointments in the Department of Physics and Department of Materials Science and Engineering. A pioneer in phononics and thermal metamaterials, he previously held endowed professorships at University of Colorado Boulder and UC Berkeley. His research focuses on controlling heat transfer at nano scales, developing thermal metamaterials like thermal cloaks, and applying complex networks to physical systems. Dr. Li has published over 400 papers including 3 in Reviews of Modern Physics and 30 in Physical Review Letters, with more than 34,800 citations (H-index 98). He is recognized with the Brillouin Medal from the International Phononics Society and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He founded research centers including the China-EU Joint Lab for Nanophononics at Tongji University. His current research explores quantum phononics, machine learning applications in thermal materials, phonon lasers, and quantum sensing technologies.
Martin Kaltenbrunner is a Professor in the Department of Soft Matter Physics at the Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU). He leads the LIT Soft Materials Lab and is affiliated with the Linz Institute of Technology (LIT), focusing on sustainable material innovations for next-generation electronics. His research spans biodegradable flexible electronics, energy-autonomous systems, and eco-friendly substrates. Key interests include perovskite solar cells for healthcare robotics, mycelium-based electronic skins, and algal polysaccharide conductive nanocomposites. He pioneers sustainable alternatives using organic materials to replace conventional electronics in soft robotics and wearable devices. Recent publications (2024-2025) emphasize circular economy principles, featuring mycelium substrates for PCBs, algae-derived transistors, and passivation techniques for high-efficiency solar cells. The work integrates materials science with environmental sustainability, targeting applications in medical sensors and autonomous robotics. Professor Kaltenbrunner has supervised 18 research works and leads multiple major grants: Personalized Sustainable Smart Patch Omnificence (Persimmon) - EU project (2024-2028) Mycelium-based substrate for sustainable flexible PCBs (MycoSub) - EU project (2024-2025) Intelligent cellulose-based sensors - FFG project (2022-2025) Metasurface Fabrication (META-FAB) - FFG project (2024-2027) Nadelholzreststoffe for mycelium packaging (MycoSoft) - FFG project (2023-2026) He directs the LIT Soft Materials Lab, which develops biodegradable gels, fungal biomaterials, and sawmill byproduct-based insulation. The lab collaborates across JKU's engineering and natural sciences divisions to advance sustainable electronics through interdisciplinary projects like Persimmon and MycoSub, emphasizing real-world deployment of eco-friendly technologies.
Dr. Gabrielle Kremer is a Senior Research Associate and Guest Researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), focusing on provincial Roman archaeology with emphasis on the Danube provinces and Gallia Belgica. She has taught at the University of Vienna since 2001 and coordinates interdisciplinary projects on Roman stone monuments, including the Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani Carnuntum series. Her work bridges epigraphy, sculpture analysis, and funerary architecture studies. Research focuses include: Religious practices in Roman provinces Stone monument provenance and reuse Cultural identity in Noricum and Pannonia Interdisciplinary analysis of Roman material culture Monumental grave architecture in the Treveri region Current projects involve the PolychroMon initiative (2023–2025) analyzing polychromy in Roman monuments and the Accommodation/Living in a Sacred Context study. She co-edited multiple international colloquium proceedings and led the "Religion and Society" working group (2017–2020) at OeAW's Institute for Cultural History of Antiquity.
