Professor Robert McLaughlin is a faculty member in the School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He leads the Bioengineering Imaging Group and serves as Managing Director of the start-up Miniprobes. His research focuses on developing optical imaging technologies, including non-invasive tools for blood flow assessment and miniaturized imaging probes. He has secured over $14M in research grants and holds an h-index of 45 with 98 journal papers, 7 patents, and 2 book chapters. Prof. McLaughlin’s career includes roles at the University of Oxford and Siemens Medical Solutions, followed by academic leadership since 2007. His innovations span optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescence imaging, and dual-modality systems for clinical applications. Awards include the 2014 WA Innovator of the Year, 2015 Australian Innovation Challenge, and 2016 South Australian Premier’s Research Fellowship. His research emphasizes practical medical solutions, such as imaging needles for deep-tissue diagnostics and optical devices for real-time surgical monitoring. The Bioengineering Imaging Group collaborates with industry and academia to translate technologies into clinical practice.
Jason Ritt is an Associate Professor of Brain Science (Research) and Scientific Director of Quantitative Neuroscience at the Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University. He holds affiliations with the Data Science Institute and collaborates across disciplines on quantitative research methods. Education : B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Boston University (1997–2003). Research : Focuses on neural processing during active sensing and neuroengineering for neurostimulation. Combines electrophysiology, optogenetics, and theoretical approaches in rodent models. Develops closed-loop systems for studying sensory neural prosthetics and brain-machine interfaces. Key areas include synaptic diversity, neurocontrol algorithms, and sensory restoration. Teaching : Instructs NEUR 2100 NeuroPracticum, integrating hands-on neuroscience research training.
Qian Yang is an Assistant Professor in Information Science at Cornell University, with a faculty appointment in Computer Science. Her research focuses on human-AI interaction, designing AI applications for healthcare, autonomous systems, and UX design. She holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University and has industry experience in design consultancy (2007–2014). Yang co-directs the Cornell Digital and AI Literacy Initiative and is a Senior Fellow at the Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute. Her work emphasizes bridging AI technologies with societal needs, supported by awards like the Schmidt Futures AI2050 Fellowship. She leads the DesignAI research group, focusing on AI-driven design methods and tools for practitioners. Education: PhD in HCI (Carnegie Mellon), M.S. in HCI (CMU), M.Des in Design, B.Eng in Industrial Design (Shanghai Jiao Tong University). Research interests include AI ethics, healthcare decision support systems, and context-aware mobile services. Notable contributions include: Developing AI systems for life-critical healthcare decisions (e.g., artificial heart implants) Innovating UX design methods for integrating AI into practice Advancing human-centered AI evaluation frameworks Awards include the SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award and AI2050 Fellowship. She actively collaborates across disciplines, with work published in top HCI venues like CHI and ACM Transactions.
Sophie Sanchez is an Associate Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Organismal Biology, specializing in Evolution and Development. Her research focuses on vertebrate evolution, using advanced imaging techniques like synchrotron microtomography to study fossilized anatomy and developmental processes. She has contributed significantly to understanding sensory organ evolution in jawed vertebrates, early tetrapod development, and the structural adaptations of ancient fish. Key work includes studies on placoderms, osteostracans, and the molecular bases of evolutionary innovations. Her findings bridge paleontology with developmental biology, employing cutting-edge microscopy to reveal hidden biological details in fossils. Publications highlight her expertise in fossil musculature, bone histology, and genomic evolution, with high-impact contributions to journals like Nature and Science . Collaborative projects involve global teams analyzing Devonian and Permian vertebrates, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to evolutionary questions.
Charles Ahn is the John C. Malone Professor of Applied Physics & Materials Science at Yale University. His research focuses on fabricating and studying novel complex oxide materials using advanced techniques like molecular beam epitaxy and synchrotron x-ray scattering. His work addresses multifunctional oxides, nanofabrication, and nonvolatile logic switches for post-CMOS computing. Key research areas include electronic control of complex order parameters in correlated oxides and scanning probe microscopy-based nanofabrication. Education: Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University. Research interests span the physics and technology of complex oxides, with emphasis on electronic and structural control at the nanoscale. His group develops next-generation materials for computing and electronics, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches in materials science and condensed matter physics. Notable awards include Fellow of the American Physical Society, AVS Peter Mark Memorial Award, David and Lucile Packard Fellowship, and Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship. His lab (Ahn Lab) actively explores cutting-edge applications in oxide electronics and quantum phenomena. Grants and patents include innovations in magnetoelectronic devices and ferroelectric-based technologies. He collaborates widely, bridging experimental materials science with theoretical modeling to advance functional oxide systems.
Yongmin Liu is a Professor in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering at Northeastern University, and a member of the Cross-College Magnetics Center. He holds a PhD in Applied Science and Technology from UC Berkeley (2009), with earlier degrees from Nanjing University. His research focuses on nano-optics, metamaterials, plasmonics, and their applications in optical devices and systems. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, physics, and AI, with notable contributions to metasurface design and optical neural networks. Education: PhD, Applied Science and Technology, UC Berkeley (2009) M.S. and B.S., Physics, Nanjing University (2003, 2000) Research Interests: Nano-optics, nanoscale materials engineering, metamaterials, plasmonics, and applied physics. His group develops novel optical materials and devices for applications like super-resolution imaging, efficient light harvesting, and biomedical detection. Recent projects include AI-driven photonic materials design and meta-optical neural networks. Key Achievements: Recipient of the Søren Buus Outstanding Research Award (2024) NSF CAREER Award (2017) and ONR Young Investigator Award (2016) Elected SPIE Fellow (2023) and Optica Fellow (2023) Lab & Collaborations: Head of the Yongmin Liu Research Group, collaborating with institutions like Georgia Tech and Purdue University. Recent grants include a $1.5M NSF DMREF grant for AI-driven photonic materials and a $468K NSF grant for meta-optical neural networks.
Nonappa Nonappa is an Associate Professor (tenure track) in Nanochemistry at Tampere University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences since 2020. With a multidisciplinary background spanning organic chemistry, supramolecular systems, nanoparticle self-assembly, and advanced electron microscopy, he leads research at the intersection of materials science and biomedical applications. PhD in Organic Chemistry (IISc Bangalore, 2008) Docent in Soft Matter Microscopy (Aalto University, 2017) Executive MBA (Quantic School, 2020) Research focuses on bio-based optical materials using nanocellulose for sustainable photonics, breast cancer models via lab-on-a-chip systems, and precision nanomaterials through tailored self-assembly mechanisms. His team develops 3D extracellular matrices for cancer tissue culture and plasmonic nanodevices for photonic applications. Recent publications highlight gold/silver nanocluster assemblies (43+ citations in 2021-2025), electron tomography for structural analysis, and metastasis modeling systems. Key awards include Italy's Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale (2018) and Aalto University's Docent title (2017).
Kevin C. Zhou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on developing high-performance computational optical imaging systems with unprecedented spatiotemporal throughput, integrating advanced optical instrumentation with machine learning-driven algorithms to analyze big data in biology and medicine. His lab specializes in creating imaging systems capable of capturing high-resolution, high-speed, and high-dimensional datasets. Dr. Zhou holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University (NSF GRFP Fellow) and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University (Barry Goldwater Scholar). Prior to joining U-M, he was a Schmidt Science Fellow and postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley. Key research areas include: High-throughput microscopy (gigapixel-scale systems) 3D tomographic imaging Light field and Fourier-based imaging modalities Machine learning for image reconstruction and analysis Biomedical applications in cellular/molecular imaging His recent work has advanced technologies like multi-camera array microscopes (MCAM/MCAS) and Fourier light field mesoscopes, achieving video-rate 3D imaging of freely moving organisms. These innovations enable applications in digital cytopathology, behavioral tracking, and high-content biological studies. Notable awards include the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and Barry Goldwater Scholarship. His research has been featured in top journals and conferences with a focus on advancing optical imaging hardware and computational pipelines.
Long Cai is a Professor at the California Institute of Technology, affiliated with the Biology and Biological Engineering department. He pioneered the field of spatial genomics and co-developed transformative technologies such as seqFISH and MEMOIR. Research Interests: His work focuses on decoding biological systems through spatial genomics, integrating molecular imaging with computational analysis to uncover cellular organization in tissues. Key areas include developmental biology, neuroscience, kidney regeneration, and cancer biology. Publications: Recent studies highlight applications of spatial transcriptomics in kidney disease, brain nuclear architecture, and multi-omics tissue mapping. His research emphasizes creating high-resolution atlases of cellular dynamics. Scientific Awards: NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (2022) Labs & Collaborations: He leads the Cai Lab, which develops cutting-edge imaging tools in collaboration with the Elowitz Lab and other interdisciplinary teams.
Dr. Julie N.L. Albert is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Tulane University, holding the Robert and Gayle Longmire Early Career Professorship. She is affiliated with the School of Science and Engineering and serves as co-director of the SMART REU NSF-funded program. Her research focuses on engineering nano- and micro-structured polymeric materials for energy, health, and environmental applications, emphasizing self-assembly processes in block copolymers and polymer blends. Key areas include nanoporous membranes, biocompatible surfaces, and stimuli-responsive materials. Dr. Albert earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida (2005) and her Ph.D. from the University of Delaware (2012). She conducted postdoctoral research at North Carolina State University. Her work has been supported by prestigious grants, including the NSF CAREER Award and a Gulf Research Program Fellowship. Her research group explores topics like polymer crystallization, polyorganosiloxanes, and block copolymer architectures. Notable achievements include developing methods for controlling polymer morphology via solvent vapor annealing and surface chemistry gradients. She advises numerous graduate and undergraduate students and mentors organizations like the Society of Women Engineers. Education: B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 2005 Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, 2012 Research Interests: Self-assembly of block copolymers, nanoporous membranes, biocompatible materials, and energy applications. Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Gulf Research Program Early-Career Fellowship, AIChE Travel Award. Dr. Albert’s lab houses advanced facilities such as AFM, spectral reflectometry, and GPC, enabling cutting-edge polymer characterization. Her contributions bridge polymer science, materials engineering, and environmental sustainability, addressing challenges in energy recovery and biomedical technologies.
Aviad Levis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science, starting July 2024. He is affiliated with the Dunlap Astronomical Data Science and Technology Group (DADDAA) and collaborates with the Toronto Computational Imaging Group alongside Kyros Kutulakos and David Lindell. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Caltech's Computing + Mathematical Sciences department under Katherine Bouman, working with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration. PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Technion (supervised by Yoav Schechner) Research focuses on computational imaging tools at the intersection of AI and physics Develops algorithms for 3D tomography in both cloud physics and black hole imaging Recipient of ERC Synergy grant for CloudCT space mission His research spans two major domains: Computational Climate Imaging through cloud tomography to improve climate models, and Black Hole Imaging with the EHT collaboration. He pioneered methodologies for 3D cloud structure recovery using scattered sunlight and contributes to dynamic 3D reconstructions of black hole environments. Current interests include non-linear inverse problems, equation discovery from data, and ML-accelerated scientific simulations. Recent publications highlight advancements in atmospheric tomography and black hole emission modeling. His work on CloudCT involves coordinated nano-satellites for 3D cloud imaging, while EHT contributions include first images of Sagittarius A* (2022) and ongoing development of algorithms for 3D structure recovery. The ERC Synergy grant underscores his impact on climate imaging technology. Personal Website Work Email
Matthew Lakin is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Computer Science at the University of New Mexico, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering. He is affiliated with the UNM Center for Biomedical Engineering and the School of Engineering, and collaborates extensively with the UNM Health Sciences Center and external institutions. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science, University of Cambridge, 2010 M.A. (Cantab), University of Cambridge, 2009 B.A. (Hons), Computer Science, University of Cambridge, 2005 Dr. Lakin's research focuses on molecular computing, DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and formal verification of biomolecular circuits. He develops computational models and experimental systems for programmable biological devices, especially using heterochiral DNA to enhance stability in living cells. His work spans software tools for biodesign and experimental validation in mammalian systems, with applications in nanomedicine and biosensing. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in engineering robust, intelligent biomolecular systems. His work integrates machine learning concepts into chemical reaction networks, advances geometric modeling of DNA systems, and pioneers L-DNA-based circuits for intracellular applications. The research spans theoretical foundations, software tools, and wet-lab experimentation, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation. Scientific Awards: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2025 NSF CAREER Award, 2021 UNM School of Engineering Junior Faculty Research Excellence Award, 2021 Multiple student awards under his mentorship, including the Outstanding Graduate Student Award and DNA28 Best Student Presentation recognition Dr. Lakin has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, including Ph.D. graduates in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science. He leads major funded projects such as the NSF CAREER grant on heterochiral molecular computing, an EPSCoR Research Fellowship, and a $3M NSF grant on heavy metal biosensing in collaboration with Native American communities. He is also PI on multiple NSF grants related to synthetic cells and nucleic acid technologies. He directs the Lakin Lab for Programmable Biology, which operates within the Department of Computer Science and collaborates with Chemical & Biological Engineering and the Center for Biomedical Engineering. The lab emphasizes both computational modeling and experimental molecular biology, and runs an NSF-funded biotechnology summer camp in partnership with ¡Explora! science museum to strengthen STEM education in New Mexico.
Carmen Menoni is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Colorado State University, with joint appointments in the Department of Chemistry and School of Biomedical Engineering. She earned her B.S. in Physics from the University of Rosario (1978) and Ph.D. in Physics from Colorado State University (1987). Her research advances laser technologies through dielectric materials for ultra-high intensity optics, impacting fusion energy and astrophysical detection systems. Her core research investigates transparent dielectric materials to develop state-of-the-art interference coatings. Key focus areas include: Extreme ultraviolet/soft x-Ray photonics for precision instrumentation Nano-scale microscopy/spectrometry for material characterization Ion beam sputtering techniques for coating deposition Optical interference coatings for gravitational wave detectors and fusion lasers As Director of the RISE hub (DOE-funded Inertial Fusion Energy initiative), she leads a multi-institutional consortium accelerating fusion energy technologies and workforce development. She co-founded XUV Lasers Inc., commercializing advanced laser systems from CSU research. Honors include: Joseph Fraunhofer Award/Robert M. Burley Prize (2024) Willis Lamb Award for Laser Science (2024) IEEE Women in Photonics Award (2023) Fellowships: Optica, IEEE, APS, AAAS, SPIE She served as IEEE Photonics Society President (2020-2021) and contributes to editorial/governance boards across photonics organizations.
Jiwoong Park is Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, and simultaneously Professor of Molecular Engineering in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. His interdisciplinary research group, the Park Group, is jointly affiliated with the James Franck Institute and the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at UChicago, and operates from the Gordon Center for Integrative Science. Education & Training Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (2003) B.S., Seoul National University (1996) Junior Fellow, Rowland Institute, Harvard University (2003–2006) Assistant → Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University (2006–2016) Research Interests Park’s research centers on the science and technology of precisely engineered nanomaterials, particularly atomically-thin two-dimensional (2D) crystals and van der Waals solids. Spanning chemistry, physics, materials science and electrical engineering, his group develops novel synthetic, imaging and characterization techniques to uncover new physical phenomena and translate them into scalable device technologies. Key thrusts include growth of wafer-scale molecular crystals, optical and transport spectroscopy of 2D semiconductors, mechanical behavior of polycrystalline nanomembranes, and integration of these materials into photonic, electronic and energy-harvesting devices. Scientific Awards Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society (2022) – “for the development of synthetic, imaging, and characterization techniques of atomically thin materials and the discovery of novel properties of van der Waals solids.” Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2023) – recognition for multiple papers ranking in the global top 1% by citations in Materials Science and Chemistry. Group & Collaborations The Park Group is an interdisciplinary team of postdocs, graduate researchers and undergraduates housed in the Gordon Center for Integrative Science. The group actively collaborates with colleagues across the Department of Chemistry, Department of Physics, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, leveraging shared facilities at the James Franck Institute and MRSEC to push the frontiers of 2D material science.
Aditi Das is a Full Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Sciences. She leads the Das Laboratory, which focuses on the biochemistry and chemical biology of lipids, particularly studying cytochrome P450 enzymes and their role in lipid metabolism, endocannabinoid systems, and inflammatory pathways. Her educational background includes: B.Sc. in Chemistry from St. Stephen's College M.Sc. in Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (I.I.T) Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University Postdoctoral research at Northwestern University (NSF-NSEC fellow) and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois UC Professor Das's research interests center around understanding the physiological role of lipids in sustaining homeostasis and their implications in disease states such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Her laboratory specializes in: Enzymology of cytochrome P450s, particularly CYP2J2 epoxygenase Metabolism of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids and their derivatives Minor cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes Discovery of novel anti-inflammatory lipid metabolites and endocannabinoids Mechanistic studies of membrane proteins using nanodisc technology Her work bridges biochemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology to uncover novel therapeutic targets related to lipid signaling pathways. Analysis of Professor Das's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on cannabinoid metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes, with particular emphasis on how these metabolic processes generate bioactive compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system. Her research increasingly explores the therapeutic potential of omega-3 derived endocannabinoid epoxides in inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. The use of nanodisc technology for studying membrane proteins in near-native environments remains a consistent methodological thread throughout her work, enabling detailed mechanistic insights into enzyme function. Professor Das has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her research excellence and teaching: 2024 NIH Outstanding Researcher Award (MIRA R35) for established investigators 2024 Vasser Woolley Faculty Fellowship 2023 Plenary Lecture at the International Society of the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX) 2021 E.L.R. Stokstad Award 2019-2021 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent 2019 Eicosanoid Research Foundation Young Investigator Award 2019 Zoetis Research Excellence Award 2019 Mary Swartz Rose Young Investigator Award 2015 National Scientist Development Award from the American Heart Association 2022 El Sohly Award from the American Chemical Society Professor Das actively mentors a diverse group of students and postdoctoral researchers, with several former lab members now holding faculty positions or working at prestigious institutions. Her laboratory has secured significant funding from NIH, NSF, and other sources to support research on lipid metabolism, cannabinoid pharmacology, and membrane protein biochemistry. Notable grants include an NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator Award (MIRA), an NIH R21 grant from NIDA, and multiple collaborative grants with other research groups. The Das Laboratory operates within the Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB) at Georgia Tech, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for biochemical and biophysical studies. The lab specializes in nanodisc technology to study membrane proteins in near-native environments, with particular expertise in cytochrome P450 enzymes and their interactions with lipid substrates. Recent work has expanded into collaborative projects involving lipidomics, structural biology, and translational applications of lipid signaling research.
