Robert F. Shepherd is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering. He holds appointments in Aerospace Engineering, Fiber Science, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Educational background: B.S. Material Science & Engineering, University of Illinois (2002) M.B.A. General Management, University of Illinois (2009) Ph.D. Material Science & Engineering, University of Illinois (2010) His research focuses on disruptive manufacturing technologies (3D printing, microfluidics) and functional materials for novel devices. He develops soft actuators mimicking biological functions and enhances fabrication techniques for efficient biomimetic machines. His work bridges materials innovation with robotic applications. Publications primarily explore soft robotics, biomimetic systems, and advanced manufacturing, with consistent emphasis on material behavior and actuator design across diverse applications. Scientific awards: Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors (2022) ONR Young Investigator (2016) Cornell Engineering Teaching Award (2016) Extreme Mechanics Letters Award (2016) NAE FOE Fellow (2016) NAS KAVLI Fellow (2016) Leads the Shepherd Group Research Laboratory and Organic Robotics Lab, focusing on soft material systems and bio-inspired machines.
Iris D. Tommelein serves as the Roy W. Carlson Distinguished Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of California, Berkeley's College of Engineering, where she directs the Project Production Systems Laboratory (P2SL). A globally recognized pioneer in Lean Construction, she has revolutionized architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) practices through research, industry workshops, and leadership since co-founding the Lean Construction Institute in 1997. Her educational foundation spans multiple disciplines: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management), Stanford University, 1989 M.S. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), Stanford University, 1989 M.S. in Civil Engineering (Construction Engineering and Management), Stanford University, 1985 B.S. (5-year degree) in Civil Engineer-Architect, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, 1984 Professor Tommelein's research centers on transforming construction processes through Lean principles and digital innovation . Her work pioneers takt planning for workflow reliability, industrialized construction for labor and sustainability challenges, and mistakeproofing to eliminate errors. She integrates digital twins , AI , and optimization to develop practical decision-support systems for supply chains, logistics, and production management. Recent focus includes modular offsite construction and Industry 4.0 applications. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals intensifying research on takt planning maturity models and industrialized construction feasibility , with growing emphasis on mass timber automation and visual management systems. Her work consistently bridges lean theory with practical implementation across megaprojects, subcontracting networks, and heavy civil engineering. Her exceptional contributions have earned: Lean Pioneer Award (Lean Construction Institute, 2015) National Academy of Construction induction (2019) PPI Technical Achievement Award (2022) Robert B. Harris Award (University of Michigan, 2024) ASCE Construction Management Award (2024) - first woman recipient in 51 years Through the P2SL, she leads industry-collaborative research on production system design, mistakeproofing frameworks, and digital transformation. Her grant-funded projects develop assessment tools for industrialized construction adoption and takt planning methods adaptable to diverse project types. She actively mentors graduate students and drives knowledge transfer via workshops and the annual Construction Innovation Day. The Project Production Systems Laboratory (P2SL) operates as a global hub for construction innovation, partnering with owners, contractors, and suppliers to implement lean production systems. Current initiatives include developing serious games for mistakeproofing training, optimizing work density methods for heavy civil projects, and creating digital twins for real-time construction management.
Maartje Bastings is an Associate Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , leading the Programmable Biomaterials Laboratory (PBL) within the School of Engineering (STI) . She holds additional affiliations with the Institute of Materials (IMX) , IBI-STI (Bioengineering), and supervises doctoral programs in Biotechnology and Biological Engineering ( EDBB-GE ) and Materials Science and Engineering ( EDMX-GE ). Her research focuses on DNA-based supramolecular materials engineered to achieve dynamic reciprocity —a two-way interaction between synthetic materials and biological systems. By leveraging DNA as a programmable scaffold, she investigates structural mechanics, valency control, and geometric constraints governing self-assembly and cell communication at bio-interfaces. Key applications include immune system modulation, diagnostics , and vaccine development . Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a focus on multivalent interactions for T-cell activation, spatial patterning in immune signaling, and engineered coatings for DNA origami stability. Subfields span T cell receptor engineering , nanoscale protein dynamics , stimuli-responsive biomaterials , and bio-inspired therapeutic design . PhD Students: Chen Yuduo Hendrickx Pauline Bart M. Kononenko Artem Li Shujie Lou Yameng Meyer Pitt Narita Minako Rousseau Benjamin Bila Hale Caroprese Vincenzo Comberlato Alice Kurisinkal Eva Eugene Paloja Kaltrina Rodríguez Franco Hugo José Tekin Cem Wong Siu Ho Contact: maartje.bastings@epfl.ch
Kyojin Choo is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Engineering , affiliated with the Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits Lab (MSIC-LAB). He also holds teaching roles in Microengineering and Electrical and Electronics Engineering at EPFL. B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University (2007, 2009) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan (2018) His research focuses on charge-domain analog/mixed-signal circuits , low-power sensor interfaces , and compact ADCs for IoT, wearables, and millimeter-scale systems. He has pioneered charge-injection cell techniques for energy-efficient circuits in energy management, sensor front-ends, and communication. His work emphasizes reducing power consumption to nanowatt levels while enabling ultra-compact designs. His recent publications highlight advancements in compact SAR ADCs , low-power MEMS accelerometers , millimeter-scale imaging systems , and ultra-low-power timing generators . His research integrates charge-domain circuit design with sensor interface optimization , energy harvesting , and high-speed link architectures . He holds over 20 US patents and has taught courses in Microengineering and Electrical Engineering at EPFL. His group (MSIC-LAB) addresses challenges in battery-free sensor design, power-constrained system scaling, and commercialization of wearables with unconventional form factors.
Amy C. Foster is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, affiliated with the Whiting School of Engineering. She leads the Integrated Photonics Laboratory, focusing on nanoscale design of silicon-based photonic devices for optical communication systems and security applications. Her work emphasizes CMOS-compatible fabrication techniques for integrated photonic devices with applications in sensing, imaging, and high-speed processing. Education: BS (Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo, 2003); MS & PhD (Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, 2007 & 2009) Postdoctoral Research: Cornell University (2009–2010) Professional Roles: Associate Editor of Optics Express (OSA), Chair of OSA Frontiers in Optics Committee, IEEE Photonics Conference Committee Member Her research interests center on silicon photonics, nonlinear optics, and photonic physical unclonable functions (PUFs). Key areas include developing secure authentication systems using chaotic microcavities, optimizing high-index materials like NbTiOx for visible light photonics, and advancing integrated photonic interconnects for multi-layer systems. Recent work explores machine learning-resistant PUFs and parametric nonlinear effects in sputtered metal oxides. Foster's publications highlight advancements in optical frequency combs, autofluorescence analysis of waveguides, and GHz-rate optical parametric amplifiers. Her lab’s innovations address challenges in quantum photonics, secure communications, and ultra-low-power signal processing. Awards: 2016 Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award, 2012 DARPA Young Faculty Award Grants: IARPA, NSF, APL, DARPA Her lab develops cutting-edge photonic devices for applications in space communications, neural stimulation, and security. Current projects aim to enhance multi-layer photonic integration and leverage nonlinear effects for novel signal processing architectures.
A.T. Charlie Johnson serves as the Rebecca W. Bushnell Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences, where he has been a standing faculty member since 1994. His research program focuses on nanoscale systems and has established him as a leading figure in condensed matter physics, earning recognition from major scientific societies. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University (1990) B.S. in Physics from Stanford University (1984) Professor Johnson's research centers on the development and application of atomic-layer nanomaterials, particularly graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides , for fundamental studies of transport phenomena and practical biosensor applications. His group employs advanced nanofabrication techniques at Penn's Singh Center for Nanotechnology to create devices that leverage biological molecules for chemical recognition in disease diagnosis, security screening, and environmental monitoring. This work bridges condensed matter physics with biomedical engineering , yielding innovative solutions for real-world detection challenges. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) scalable graphene-based biosensor development for medical diagnostics, (2) exploration of quantum phenomena like Klein tunneling in novel nanoelectromechanical systems, and (3) interdisciplinary applications spanning oncology, planetary science, and fetal medicine. His work consistently emphasizes materials synthesis , device integration , and practical translation of nanoscale phenomena. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors: Defense Science Study Group Fellow (2018-2019) Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2017) Fellow of the American Physical Society (2011) Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching (2003) David and Lucille Packard Foundation Fellowship (1994-1999) As an educator, Professor Johnson has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with notable alumni like Michael Biercuk (founder of Q-CTRL). His research has been supported through significant leadership roles including Director of the Nano/Bio Interface Center (2014-2017) and Packard Fellowship funding, enabling sustained innovation in nanotechnology. His group actively collaborates across disciplines to advance both fundamental understanding and practical applications of nanomaterials. Based at the Singh Center for Nanotechnology, Johnson leads a dynamic research team utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for nanofabrication and characterization. His laboratory maintains strong campus collaborations through secondary appointments in Electrical and Systems Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, fostering an interdisciplinary environment for developing next-generation nanoscale devices.
Christopher Bates is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with a joint appointment in the Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry (DCB). He leads the Bates Research Group, focusing on the design, synthesis, and application of soft materials. His lab develops advanced polymers and copolymers with tailored properties for applications in electronics, energy storage, and sustainable materials. Contact information includes cbates@ucsb.edu and an office in Engineering II Building. Research interests emphasize polymer architecture design, including block copolymers, bottlebrush networks, and degradable materials. Key areas include molecular cross-linking for photovoltaic stability, slide-ring gels for mechanical performance, and physics-informed machine learning for phase identification. The group also explores recyclable materials and sustainable synthesis methods. Recent work highlights advancements in α-lipoic acid-based materials, dynamic covalent networks, and electrochemical degradation strategies. The Bates Lab collaborates on projects such as tunable polyborosiloxane networks and self-healing elastomers. Advising includes Dr. Elizabeth Murphy (PhD 2025). No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided texts. The lab’s work is supported by grants such as the NSF CAREER award (2019) for block copolymer research. Labs and teams: The Bates Group operates within the UCSB Materials Department, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to materials science challenges.
Dr. Prabhakar Pagilla is the Associate Department Head and a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He holds the James J. Cain Professor II title and leads the Robotics and Control Engineering Group. His research focuses on advanced control systems for robotics and roll-to-roll manufacturing, with emphasis on nonlinear dynamics, autonomous systems, and mechatronics. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1996) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (1994) B.E., Mechanical Engineering, Osmania University (1990) Research Interests: Modeling and control of roll-to-roll manufacturing systems Autonomous vehicles and cooperative adaptive cruise control Robotics/mechatronics, including workpiece localization and human-robot collaboration Control of large-scale nonlinear dynamic systems Recent Trends in Publications: Dr. Pagilla’s recent work emphasizes safety and efficiency in autonomous systems, including platooning strategies, V2V communication impacts, and exoskeleton ergonomics. His robotics research explores real-time path planning, shared control mechanisms, and anomaly detection in manufacturing processes. Awards: Fellow of ASME (2011) John J. Shelton Best Paper Award (2017, 2019) Regents Distinguished Research Award (2012) Lab/Teams: The Robotics and Control Engineering Group at Texas A&M focuses on interdisciplinary projects combining advanced control theory with practical applications in robotics and manufacturing. Current initiatives include surface finishing of curved geometries and predictive intent modeling for human-robot collaboration.
Michele DiBenedetto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, associated with the High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI). Her research focuses on environmental fluid mechanics, ocean waves, and turbulent flows, with applications in contaminant transport, biomonitoring, and ocean sensing. She holds a PhD from Stanford University (2019) and moved to Princeton in 2025 after serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington (UW). Her work integrates laboratory experiments, mathematical modeling, and field observations to study interdisciplinary challenges like plastic pollution, renewable energy, and air-sea interactions. Key achievements include an NSF CAREER Award (2023) and NOAA Sea Grant funding (2024). She advises a team of graduate and undergraduate students, including Carlos, Julio, Andrew, and Ethan, whose research contributes to understanding particle dynamics in turbulent systems. Notable projects include investigating buoyant particles in wind-driven ocean boundary layers and developing methods to track particle orientation using collimated light. Her lab’s move to Princeton in 2025 marks a strategic shift to enhance collaborations in environmental fluid mechanics. Publications span experimental fluid mechanics and environmental applications, emphasizing ocean transport and marine biology.
Professor Itai Einav is a renowned academic in civil engineering and geomechanics at The University of Sydney. He serves as Director of SciGEM (Science of Granular and Multiphase Energy Materials) and holds an honorary professorship at University College London. His research focuses on granular materials, particulate systems, and geomechanics, with particular emphasis on breakage mechanics and applications in mining, heat transfer, and fault dynamics. He advises PhD students on topics like robotic navigation inspired by earthworms and soil mechanics. Einav's work bridges fundamental physics and engineering applications, leveraging advanced imaging techniques (e.g., X-ray tomography) and computational models. He is affiliated with The Net Zero Institute and collaborates globally on projects like granular flow dynamics and porous media behavior. Notable contributions include the 2007 development of breakage mechanics theory and innovations in granular rheology and fault modeling.
Wenjing Zhang is a Professor and Head of the Section for Water Technology and Processes at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). She is also affiliated with the DTU Microbes Initiative, contributing to interdisciplinary research in sustainable water technologies and environmental nanomaterials. Professor, DTU Head of Section, Water Technology & Processes Member, DTU Microbes Initiative Her research spans nanofiber technology, electrospinning, membrane processes, and catalytic materials for environmental applications. She focuses on innovative solutions for water purification, plastic waste recycling, CO2 photoreduction, and green hydrogen production, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in advanced materials for environmental sustainability, particularly electrospun nanofibers, heterojunction photocatalysts, and ceramic membranes. These works emphasize applications in microplastic degradation, solid oxide cells, and chemical recycling of plastics, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach combining materials science, electrochemistry, and environmental engineering. Researcher at DTU Energy becomes honorary professor in China Wenjing Zhang actively supervises PhD students and leads multiple research projects, including EU and nationally funded initiatives on decentralized wastewater treatment and biocatalytic membrane systems. She collaborates with leading researchers and institutions, securing funding for high-impact environmental technologies. Her lab focuses on nanostructured membrane design and advanced fabrication of porous ceramics for industrial and municipal applications.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Crönertz serves as Dean and Professor of Business Administration and IT-Supported Business Processes at the Faculty of Digital Transformation , HTWK Leipzig. His work bridges digital transformation with business management, focusing on interdisciplinary project management, digital business models, and sustainability. Current roles: Dean, supervising professor for HTWK Robots/nao Team Research areas: Digital Transformation, Business Analytics, Industry 4.0, Stoffstrommanagement Research Trends : Recent publications emphasize digital solutions for environmental management, business process optimization, and smart urban logistics. His work connects Industry 4.0 with financial sustainability and societal impacts of digitalization. Projects : Leads Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Leipzig-Halle, involved in EXIST-Potentiale, Future Parking, and FAssMII (Feedback-based E-Assessment in STEM).
Fabian Pfrengle is a full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Institute of Organic Chemistry , Department of Natural Sciences and Sustainable Resources , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). He previously led research groups at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (2013-2020) and worked at The Scripps Research Institute (2010-2013). Research Focus: His work bridges carbohydrate chemistry and plant biology , specializing in plant cell wall glycans and glycosyltransferases . He develops synthetic glycan arrays for enzyme characterization and investigates immune response triggering mechanisms in plants through oligosaccharide fragments . His projects include automated polysaccharide synthesis and liposome-based immune tolerance applications. Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles emphasize chemical synthesis of sugar nucleotides , plant glycan arrays , and enzyme specificity analysis , reflecting his focus on carbohydrate engineering and plant immunity . Key subfields include UDP-sugar derivatization , Xylan structure-function relationships , and Glycosyltransferase profiling . Grants & Projects: Currently leads 5 major projects including Automated Algal Polysaccharide Synthesis (EU-funded, 2023-2028) and Synthetic Glycan Ligands for Plant Immune Receptors (FWF-funded, 2022-2026). His research also explores thrombocyte biology and Rhamnogalacturonan-II fragments with support from FWF and City of Vienna . Community Service: Serves on editorial boards ( Monatshefte für Chemie , 2021-present) and as reviewer for 12 journals including JACS Au , Nature Communications , and Angewandte Chemie . Member of professional societies: Gesellschaft Österreichischer Chemiker (2020), Deutscher Hochschulverband (2019), and Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (2008).
Maiken H. Mikkelsen is the James N. and Elizabeth H. Barton Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics . Her research focuses on quantum nanophotonics , plasmonics , and light-matter interactions in nanoscale materials, aiming to advance optoelectronics, quantum science, and biomedical diagnostics. Education B.S. in Physics, University of Copenhagen (2004) Ph.D. in Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley Her work explores nanophotonic engineering for quantum optics , spintronics , and ultrafast optoelectronics , with recent studies on nonlinear metasurfaces and plasmonic enhancement of immunoassays for point-of-care diagnostics. Publications highlight 2D semiconductor emission control , ultrafast single-photon sources , and metasurface-based photodetectors . Scientific Awards Maria Goeppert Mayer Award (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2015) Moore Inventor Fellow (2021) ONR/Air Force/Army Young Investigator Awards (2015-2017) Cottrell Scholar (2016) Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2021) She advises graduate students in Duke’s Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics programs and leads the Mikkelsen Lab , which emphasizes ultrafast spectroscopy and quantum material development . The lab has graduated PhD students like Eunso Shin and Hengming Li (2025).
Nathalie P. de Leon is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton University and an Associated Professor of Physics. She is affiliated with the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and co-leads the Co-Design Center for Quantum Advantage (C 2 QA). Her lab focuses on quantum hardware development using color centers in wide bandgap materials and superconducting qubits, with applications in quantum networks and nanoscale sensors. Ph.D., Chemical Physics, Harvard University, 2011 B.S., Chemistry, Stanford University, 2004 Her research spans optical materials , light-matter interactions , and quantum information processing , integrating nanophotonics , surface science , and quantum metrology . Recent publications highlight advances in diamond-based quantum sensors , superconducting circuit engineering , and noise/loss mitigation in quantum systems. Scientific Awards: APS Rolf Landauer and Charles H. Bennett Award in Quantum Computing (2023) DOE Early Career Award (2018) DARPA Young Faculty Award (2018) NSF CAREER Award (2018) Her lab has advised 22 graduate students and collaborates extensively with institutions like Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, University of Chicago, UZH, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Current projects emphasize hybrid quantum devices , telecom band photonics , and many-body quantum physics .
