Chao Wang is an Associate Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU), with additional affiliation as Associate Faculty in the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics. He joined ASU in 2015 as a Research Assistant Professor, became Assistant Professor in 2016, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022. His research bridges nanoscience and biotechnology, focusing on scalable nanomanufacturing, quantum optics, and liquid biopsy for biomedical, communication, and energy applications. Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, Princeton University (2012) M.S. Institute of Microelectronics, Tsinghua University (2006) B.E. Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua University (2003) His research emphasizes multidisciplinary integration of nanofabrication, photonics, fluidics, and biochemistry to develop compact sensing systems. Key areas include plasmonics, nanofluidics, and biosensor design for early disease detection. Recent publications highlight advancements in metasurface optics, nanopore DNA sensing, and structural color printing. He holds 32 U.S. patents for innovations in nanobiotechnology and nanofabrication. Notable awards include the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (2022) and NSF CAREER award (2019). He serves on ASU committees such as the Nanofab Governance Board and reviews for 34 scientific journals. His lab at ASU (https://nanobio.engineering.asu.edu/) trains graduate students and researchers in nanotechnology applications.
Dr. P.R. Roelfsema is a research-focused academic at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen. His work centers on advancing infrared space astronomy through the SPICA (Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics) mission, a proposed large cryogenic space observatory. His research spans multiple critical areas of modern astrophysics: Galaxy evolution through baryon cycle analysis Formation mechanisms of planetary systems Development of far-infrared instrumentation (e.g., SAFARI spectrometer) Probing obscured cosmic phenomena via mid/far-IR spectroscopy Interdisciplinary cognitive science applications Recent publications (2017-2021) demonstrate leadership in SPICA mission design and scientific exploitation, with emphasis on spectroscopic capabilities for studying molecular outflows, star formation, and active galactic nuclei. His work bridges theoretical astrophysics and cutting-edge space instrumentation, often involving large international collaborations across Europe and the United States. Dr. Roelfsema's research profile shows significant interdisciplinary reach, including a notable publication in neural computation that applies astronomical data analysis techniques to cognitive modeling. This cross-pollination highlights innovative methodology transfer between astrophysics and neuroscience. No specific scientific awards or student advisement records are documented in available materials, though his role in major international projects implies substantial grant acquisition and collaborative leadership. His technical contributions to space telescope instrumentation position him at the forefront of next-generation observational capabilities.
Eric Mulder is a researcher at the Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, focusing on freediving physiology and safety. His work explores hypoxic blackouts, diving reflexes, and technological solutions like underwater pulse oximeters to enhance understanding of human performance in extreme environments. Institution: Mid Sweden University Department: Health Sciences Research interests include: Physiological responses to breath-hold diving Cardiovascular and neurological risks in freediving Development of wearable sensors for underwater monitoring High-altitude and low-altitude comparative physiology Wilderness-based health interventions (WAYA project) Recent publications analyze hyperventilation detection systems (2025), oxygen desaturation patterns in freedivers (2023), and spleen contraction dynamics (2020). Collaborative studies examine cerebral responses in elite divers (2021) and wilderness programs for cancer survivors (2022). His work bridges biomedical engineering and sports medicine to improve safety in aquatic activities.
Simon Gross is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, and a key member of the MQ Photonics Research Centre and Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre. His research focuses on ultrafast laser inscription for photonic devices, with applications in telecommunications, astrophotonics, sensing, and information processing. He has led projects such as the Asgard/NOTT beam combiner and Shaping light - new frontiers in big fast data . Education: BSc/MSc in Electrical Engineering/Microelectronics from Vienna University of Technology Email: simon.gross@mq.edu.au Projects: 16 active/finished projects (2014–2025), including 3D Elastomeric Printer and Brillouin Spectrometer His 230+ research outputs span ultrafast lasers, waveguide fabrication, and astrophotonic applications. Recent work includes 3D waveguide optical interconnects (2025) and Asgard/NOTT nulling interferometry systems (2024). He has received the ARC DECRA fellowship for his contributions to photonics and laser technology.
Dr. Vytautas Jukna is a Professor and Senior Researcher at the Laser Research Center (LRC) , Vilnius University. His work focuses on nonlinear optics , laser-matter interaction , and ultrashort pulse propagation . Active in supercontinuum generation , filamentation , and conical wave physics Led 6 projects funded by the Research Council of Lithuania (2010–2022) and the European Regional Development Fund Supervised 12+ students (BSc/MSc/PhD) at Vilnius University and Ecole Polytechnique Research Interests: His work bridges fundamental nonlinear optical phenomena and applied laser processing. Key areas include terahertz structured light , high-precision micromachining , and numerical modeling of filamentation . Publication Trends: Recent articles emphasize nonparaxial beam shaping , supercontinuum in solid-state media , and surface roughness control via femtosecond lasers. Collaborations span materials science, quantum optics, and biomedical applications. Awards: Best PhD Thesis in Physics, Lithuania (2012) Teaching & Leadership: Teaches Laser-matter interaction and Optical information processing . Chairs the Laser Physics and Optical Technology Master's Program Committee and serves on thesis defense panels.
Dr. Sandra Pralgauskaitė is an Associate Professor and Senior Scientific Researcher at the Institute of Applied Electrodynamics and Telecommunications (Vilnius University, Faculty of Physics). Her work focuses on semiconductor device reliability and low-frequency noise characterization in optoelectronic systems.
George Rieke is Regents’ Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona, serving concurrently as Astronomer at Steward Observatory and Professor at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. He has been on the faculty since 1970 and currently leads the science team for the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. Education Ph.D. 1969, Harvard University Research Interests Rieke’s work centers on infrared astronomy across scales from planetary systems to distant galaxies. He pioneered studies of ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and starburst galaxies, quantified star-formation rates using mid-infrared diagnostics, and revealed the evolution of planetary debris disks around nearby stars. His instrumentation efforts include development of the MIPS instrument for Spitzer and leadership of MIRI on JWST, enabling revolutionary imaging of debris-disk architectures and the interplay between AGN and host-galaxy star formation. Scientific Awards & Honors Member, National Academy of Sciences Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Henry Koffler Prize (2005) NASA Public Service Medal (2005) Vikram Sarabhai Professorship (1986) Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (1976–1980) Smithsonian & NSF Predoctoral Fellowships Students & Mentoring Rieke has advised more than 25 Ph.D. and M.S. students in astronomy and planetary sciences since 1978, including Huan Meng (2015), Wiphu Rujopakarn (2012), and Kevin Luhman (1998). His mentoring extends to numerous postdocs and research scientists who continue to shape infrared astronomy worldwide. Laboratories & Teams He leads the MIRI science team for JWST and previously served as Principal Investigator for the Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS) on the Spitzer Space Telescope. Both instruments have produced flagship surveys of debris disks, star-forming galaxies, and AGN populations.
Dr. Maxime Deckers serves as a Research Software Engineer at the Faculty of Technology , University of Portsmouth , affiliated with the Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation . His research focuses on supernovae, particularly Type Ia Supernovae , with expertise in White Dwarf systems and nebular spectroscopy . He utilizes advanced instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and ground-based observatories to investigate circumstellar interactions , ejecta compositions , and explosion mechanisms . Key Research Themes: Supernova physics, multi-wavelength observations, computational astrophysics. Methodologies: Photometric analysis, nebular spectroscopy, JWST data modeling. Dr. Deckers collaborates extensively with international teams on transient astrophysics projects. His work addresses fundamental questions about supernova progenitors and their role in cosmic evolution.
Arti Agrawal is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Electrical and Data Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She has been associated with UTS since 2018, initially joining with time split between her academic role and as Director of the Women in Engineering and IT programme. She is also the CEO of Vividhata Pty Ltd, a startup focused on diversity and inclusion. Dr. Agrawal earned her PhD in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in 2005, following an MSc (1999) and BSc Physics (Hons) (1997) from the same institution. Prior to UTS, she worked at City, University of London from 2005-2017, progressing from Research Fellow to Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering. Her primary research focuses on optics and photonics, specifically modeling photonic components such as solar cells, optical fibers, sensors, and lasers using numerical methods like the Finite Element Method (FEM). She is an expert in computational photonics, having authored a book on FEM and edited a book on trends in computational photonics. She serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Photonics Journal. Dr. Agrawal's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on nanophotonics, particularly involving graphene and silicon carbide materials for mid-infrared applications, as well as research on diversity and inclusion in engineering education. Her work spans both fundamental photonics research and practical applications in sensor technology and optical devices. Chartered Engineer (Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2013-present) Chartered Physicist (Institute of Physics) Senior Member IEEE Senior Member Optical Society of America Board of Directors, Optical Society of America (2018) Dr. Agrawal has received research funding including a scholarship from the Defence Science and Technology Group of the Department of Defence for 'Graphene based Nanophotonics for Polarization and Photodetection Filter Design' (2019-2022). She is passionate about mentoring students and has supervised PhD and Master's students in photonics research. Her teaching interests include electromagnetics, optics, and numerical methods, and she has taught first-year undergraduate Physics, Signal Processing, and Biomedical Optics. She leads significant initiatives in diversity and inclusion in STEM, using virtual reality for training and developing evidence-based approaches for managing diverse teams. She has organized workshops including the first Pride in Photonics workshop at CLEO for LGBTQI+ scientists and allies.
Fred Terry is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan, specializing in semiconductor physics and advanced optical systems. His research leverages high-power supercontinuum lasers for applications in standoff detection, material characterization, and spectroscopy. His research focuses on infrared spectroscopy, supercontinuum laser development, semiconductor material analysis, and non-destructive testing methodologies. Key areas include trace particle detection, thin-film optical properties, and food safety monitoring using photonic technologies. Terry's publications demonstrate consistent innovation in supercontinuum laser applications, with recent work extending into long-wave infrared spectroscopy and standoff chemical detection. His research bridges photonics, materials science, and analytical chemistry. No awards, students, or lab affiliations were mentioned in available sources.
Mathieu Jeannin is a CNRS Research Fellow affiliated with the Centre Nanosciences et Nanotechnologies (C2N) at Université Paris-Saclay. He holds an MSc in Optics and Photonics from Imperial College London and an Engineering degree from Supélec, followed by a PhD in 2016 from Grenoble Alpes University. Research Focus: Mir-THz devices (Mid-Infrared to Terahertz Optoelectronics) Key Themes: Light-matter interaction, metamaterials, polaritons, quantum wells, plasmonics His research explores novel mid-infrared and THz optoelectronic devices operating in strong and ultra-strong light-matter coupling regimes. Recent work includes developing 3D metallic metamaterials for THz applications, studying nonlinearities in polaritonic systems, and advancing quantum cascade detectors. Dr. Jeannin has published extensively on intersubband polaritons, ultra-strong coupling, and nanophotonic architectures. His innovations include room-temperature THz detectors and mid-infrared saturable absorbers. He has been recognized with the Nanoscience Foundation Thesis Prize (2017) . His publications reveal trends in quantum plasmonics , polaritonic device engineering , and terahertz nanophotonics , emphasizing applications in high-speed modulation and nonlinear optical systems . Scientific Awards : Nanoscience Foundation Thesis Prize (2017)
Yeran Bai is an Assistant Professor at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, where he directs the Biomedical Applied Imaging Lab. His appointment began in 2025. Prior to this, he held postdoctoral positions at the University of Santa Barbara (2021–2024) and Boston University (2019–2021). Research Focus: Dr. Bai specializes in developing cutting-edge optical imaging technologies for biomedical applications. His group innovates in mid-infrared photothermal microscopy, spectroscopic molecular analysis, and metabolic imaging at single-cell resolution. Key research areas include: Advanced instrumentation for infrared photothermal imaging Molecular and metabolic process mapping in cellular systems Applications addressing infectious diseases and neurodegeneration Publication Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2020–2024) demonstrate consistent focus on high-resolution, label-free imaging techniques. Dominant themes include photothermal microscopy advancements, single-cell metabolic analysis, bond-selective chemical imaging, and high-throughput biomedical diagnostics. Methodological innovations in noise suppression, speed enhancement, and multimodal integration are prominent across his work. Laboratory: Leads the Biomedical Applied Imaging Lab at the University of Arizona, developing novel optical tools for fundamental biological research and clinical applications.
Koray Aydin is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering. He leads the Metamaterials and Nanophotonic Devices Lab (MNDL) and holds a joint appointment in the PhD Program in Applied Physics, with research spanning multiple departments and interdisciplinary collaborations. Dr. Aydin earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Bilkent University in 2008 and his B.S. in Physics from the same institution in 2002. His academic trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from foundational physics training to leadership in applied photonics research, culminating in his promotion to tenured Associate Professor. His research program centers on nanophotonics , strategically positioned at the intersection of electrical engineering, applied physics, materials science, and nanoscience. The MNDL investigates optical metamaterials, plasmonics, and solid-state nanophotonics to understand and manipulate light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Current research thrusts include metamaterials for subwavelength light control, plasmonic absorption engineering, 2D materials for optoelectronics, inverse-designed millimeter-wave and optical metadevices, and tunable nanophotonic systems using phase transition materials like vanadium dioxide. His group employs advanced electromagnetic simulation, nanofabrication techniques, and nanoscale optical characterization to develop devices with novel functionalities. Analysis of his publication record reveals a strategic evolution toward machine learning-enabled inverse design methodologies and DNA-assembled dynamic metamaterials. Recent work demonstrates increasing focus on practical applications in telecommunications (including 5G networks), defense technologies, and healthcare diagnostics, with particular emphasis on creating tunable, reconfigurable optical systems that overcome traditional limitations of bulkiness and narrow bandwidth. Dr. Aydin's research has been recognized through invitations to present at prestigious conferences including SPIE Optics and Photonics and the Gordon Research Conference on Plasmonics and Nanophotonics. His work has received significant media attention, highlighted by Northwestern News, Newsweek, photonics.com, phys.org, and Science Daily, particularly for breakthroughs in DNA-assembled metamaterials and 3D-printed optical devices. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Aydin has successfully guided multiple graduate students through thesis completion, with alumni like Dr. Liu and Francois Callewaert transitioning to impactful careers in industry (Microsoft) and academia. His research program is supported by substantial external funding that sustains a vibrant team of postdocs, graduate students, and visiting researchers from institutions worldwide, including collaborations with Chad Mirkin's group on DNA-mediated nanoparticle assembly. The Metamaterials and Nanophotonic Devices Lab maintains state-of-the-art facilities for nanofabrication and optical characterization, while fostering international collaborations with researchers from Tel Aviv University and other institutions. Current projects focus on developing next-generation photonic devices with applications ranging from ultra-compact eyeglasses to invisible smartphone cameras and adaptive sensor systems for aerospace applications.
Seth Marder is a Professor and Director of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder, with joint appointments in Chemical and Biological Engineering within the College of Engineering and Applied Science and in Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is also a RASEI fellow with a joint appointment at NREL. Dr. Marder's research focuses on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of polymeric, organic, and organometallic materials for electronic and photonic applications. His work spans nonlinear optical materials, organic photovoltaics, perovskite materials, surface modification, and covalent organic frameworks. He has made significant contributions to understanding electron transfer processes, two-photon absorption phenomena, and developing advanced materials for optoelectronic devices. Analysis of his recent publications shows a strong focus on perovskite materials for solar cells and light-emitting diodes, with significant work on improving stability, efficiency, and charge transport properties. His research increasingly incorporates hybrid organic-inorganic materials and explores quantum confinement effects in low-dimensional structures. Major Scientific Awards and Honors: Humboldt Research Award (2018) Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award, Georgia Tech (2018) Elected Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2016) Materials Research Society Mid-Career Award (2015) Regents Professorship, Georgia Institute of Technology (2011-2021) Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award (2010) Dr. Marder has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and his group collaborates extensively through initiatives including CHOISE, IMOD, IRES Perovskites, POSE, SPECS, TEAM PV, and TEAM UP. His research has been supported by significant grants focusing on renewable energy materials and advanced electronic materials development. The Marder Group operates state-of-the-art laboratories for materials synthesis, characterization, and device fabrication, with particular expertise in thin-film technologies, spectroscopic analysis, and optoelectronic device testing.
Inna Ivashchenko is a researcher at the Department of Biotechnology and Physical Chemistry within the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology at Tadeusz Kościuszko Cracow University of Technology. Her work focuses on advanced materials science, particularly in the development and analysis of chalcogenide glasses, perovskite crystals, and quaternary semiconductor systems. Research areas: Photoluminescence, crystal growth, phase equilibria, and radiation detection materials. Current project: New composite perovskite materials with a double structure, lead-free, with promising luminescent properties (2023–2025). Contact: inna.ivashchenko@pk.edu.pl
