Jon Simon is the Joan Reinhart Professor and Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University . He leads the Simon Lab , which explores the convergence of condensed matter physics , quantum optics , and quantum information science , focusing on creating synthetic materials from light and investigating topological and strongly correlated quantum systems. His research spans constructing photonic materials in quantum circuits, studying small quantum systems with strong correlations, and applying Hamiltonian engineering to realize exotic states of matter. The lab has achieved milestones like the first Mott insulator of photons and topologically insulating circuits . Collaborative projects with the Schuster Lab leverage superconducting quantum circuits for synthetic matter studies. Jon's students include Adam Shaw (PhD, now at Stony Brook) Lavanya Taneja (PhD, now at Atom Computing) Ruichao Ma (Postdoc, now faculty at Purdue) among others. The lab's recent publications focus on cavity arrays, hybrid quantum systems, and topological photonics. Research is supported by grants and affiliations with Stanford's Department of Applied Physics and interdisciplinary institutes.
Dr. Ismail Guvenc is a Full Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. He holds an IEEE Fellowship and is a Senior Member of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors. His research focuses on 5G/6G wireless systems, UAV communications, heterogeneous networks, and spectrum management. He leads the NSF AERPAW project and serves as the NC State Site Director for the NSF BWAC I/UCRC center. Dr. Guvenc has authored/co-edited four books and holds over 30 U.S. patents. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, University of South Florida (2006) Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Mexico (2003) Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Bilkent University, Turkey (2001) Research Interests: Dr. Guvenc’s work spans UAV communication systems, 5G/6G networks, spectrum sensing, and machine learning for network optimization. He emphasizes experimental validation through platforms like AERPAW, focusing on drone-based networks, radio dynamic zones, and testbed-driven innovation. His contributions address challenges in UAV localization, interference management, and energy-efficient networks. Grants & Leadership: PI and Director of NSF AERPAW (2019–Present) NC State Site Director for NSF BWAC I/UCRC (2019–Present) Recipient of NSF CAREER Award (2015) and NC State Faculty Scholar Award (2021) Publications & Awards: He has authored over 130 peer-reviewed papers and contributed to standardization efforts. His awards include the R. Ray Bennett Faculty Fellow Award (2019) and the USF Outstanding Dissertation Award (2006). Labs & Teams: Dr. Guvenc directs research in the ECE’s wireless communications group, leveraging AERPAW’s experimental capabilities to advance UAV networks and 6G technologies. His team collaborates with industry and government on spectrum policy and autonomous systems.
Carey Rappaport is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University. He serves as deputy director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ALERT Center (Awareness and Localization of Explosive-Related Threats) and associate director of the Gordon-CenSSIS Center (Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems). His research focuses on microwave and millimeter-wave sensing technologies for homeland security and biomedical applications, including tunnel detection, airport security systems, and breast cancer diagnostics. His work on explosives detection involves standoff and portal-based millimeter-wave radar, X-ray backscatter, IR and Terahertz spectroscopy for trace detection, and electronic sensing of hidden triggers. He has emphasized balancing technological effectiveness with privacy, health, and cost considerations in security systems. His projects include developing airport scanners with improved imaging and analyzing challenges in securing "soft targets" like public events. Rappaport's research has been highlighted in media outlets such as Boston Herald, The Economist, and Northeastern University news. He has discussed technical limitations of ground-penetrating radar in tunnel detection and policy implications for international airport security measures, including the 2011 Moscow airport bombing and 2023 Gaza Metro tunnel network analysis.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erwin Biebl is a Professor in the Chair of High Frequency Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). His research focuses on high-frequency technology, automotive radar systems, and microwave communication. He has held academic positions since 1999 and has extensive industry experience at Rohde & Schwarz. His work includes developing sensors and communication systems for automotive safety and environment detection. Education: Studied electrical engineering at TUM, earned his doctorate (1991) and habilitation (1994) in high-frequency engineering. Professional Memberships: Senior Member of IEEE, Member of URSI Commission B, and liaison officer for the Hanns Seidel Foundation. Research Interests: Automotive radar systems, antenna design, millimeter-wave measurements, and sensor technology. His contributions include advancements in synthetic aperture radar and inductive compensation techniques for automotive radomes. Awards: Recognized for his teaching (2002 Lecturer Award) and research, including the Dr. Georg Spinner High Frequency Prize (1992). Supervised teams in competitions such as the 2009 International Collegiate Student Safety Technology Design Competition. Labs/Teams: Leads the Chair of High Frequency Engineering at TUM, focusing on interdisciplinary research in high-frequency systems and automotive applications.
Zoya Popovic is a Distinguished Professor and holds the Lockheed Martin Endowed Chair in RF Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder's Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering. She earned a Dipl.Ing. from the University of Belgrade (1985) and a PhD from Caltech (1990). She has advised over 50 PhD students and was a visiting professor at Technical University of Munich (2001). Her research focuses on high-efficiency microwave/millimeter-wave circuits, smart antenna arrays, wireless powering systems, and biomedical microwave applications. Notable contributions include quasi-optical imaging techniques and low-noise amplifier designs. Key awards: IEEE Microwave Prizes (1993/2006), Humboldt Research Award (2000), Terman Medal (2001) Lab Group Website: [Link] Recent work emphasizes in-band full-duplex systems, GaN MMICs, and quantum-based waveform modulation. Her group maintains advanced facilities for millimeter-wave and terahertz research.
Prof. Dr. Amelie Hagelauer holds a professorship in Micro- and Nanosystem Technology at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich. Her work focuses on advanced electronics and systems integration across quantum computing hardware, resistive memory technologies, and high-frequency RF systems. She has contributed to innovations in superconducting qubit readout architectures, multi-level RRAM designs, and 3D-integrated CMOS-compatible quantum devices. Research interests span quantum hardware design, nanoelectronic devices, RF front-end systems, and emerging memory technologies. Her work emphasizes practical implementation challenges such as low-power operation, high-voltage handling in RF switches, and wafer-scale fabrication processes. Recent projects include D-band radar systems, energy-efficient 60 GHz transceivers, and antenna tuning solutions for 5G applications. Publications from 2023-2025 showcase advancements in resistive switching device characterization, mitigation of TLS losses in superconducting qubits, and reconfigurable AI accelerators using RRAM-based digital twins. Her work bridges theoretical device physics with practical integrated circuit design, addressing scalability and reliability in next-gen electronics. Awards and grants: None explicitly listed in provided texts. Active collaborations include EU-funded projects on quantum computing platforms and TUM's Electronic Photonic Integration initiatives. Leads research teams in microsystem technology with emphasis on cross-disciplinary approaches combining CMOS processes, MEMS, and quantum engineering.
Mikko Valkama is a Professor at the Department of Communications Engineering , part of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University . His research focuses on advanced wireless communication systems, positioning technologies, and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC). He holds an Orcid ID ( 0000-0003-0361-0800 ) and can be reached at mikko.valkama@tuni.fi . Research interests span 5G/6G networks , RF antenna design , deep learning for signal processing , and millimeter-wave systems . He leads projects on positioning algorithms (e.g., mmWave SLAM, NLOS mitigation), ISAC architectures, and hardware-efficient transmitter linearization. Notable contributions include works on DECT-2020 NR standards, phase-based localization, and RIS-assisted systems. In 2025 alone, his group published over 30 articles on topics such as: Antenna array design for Ka-band and wideband applications Machine learning for power amplifier predistortion Bistatic radio SLAM and mmWave mapping Covert transmission and physical-layer security His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations, often validated through experimental setups (e.g., TUJI1 dataset for indoor localization). No scientific awards were explicitly listed in the provided texts.
Jon M. Peha is a Full Professor in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering. He serves as Founder and Director of the Center for Executive Education in Technology Policy (CEE-TP) and maintains affiliations with the CyLab Security and Privacy Institute and the Information Networking Institute. His career uniquely bridges government service (as FCC Chief Technologist, White House OSTP Assistant Director, and congressional advisor), industry leadership (as CTO for three tech startups), and academic research. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (1991) M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (1986) B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Brown University (1984) Peha's research spans the technical and policy dimensions of information networks, with particular focus on spectrum management, broadband Internet architecture, wireless communications, cybersecurity, and communications for emergency response. His work integrates engineering principles with economic and regulatory analysis to address real-world challenges in telecommunications infrastructure. Current projects examine connected vehicle communications, spectrum sharing models, and consumer-centric broadband labeling systems that emerged from his large-scale user studies. His research publications demonstrate consistent leadership in both technical innovation and policy analysis, with recent work addressing satellite interference mitigation, V2X communications, and pandemic-era internet performance. The breadth of his scholarship reflects his unique position at the intersection of engineering practice and policy formulation. Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow AAAS Fellow FCC Excellence in Engineering Award IEEE Communications Society TCCN Publication Award Brown Engineering Medal AAAS Featured Science and Technology Policy Fellow (40@40) Peha actively engages with policymakers through congressional testimony, FCC consultation, and White House advisory roles. His government service has directly informed his academic work on spectrum policy, network neutrality, and public safety communications. He has supervised numerous graduate students across EPP, ECE, and INI programs, with research spanning vehicular networks, spectrum sharing, and emergency communications systems. As Director of CEE-TP, he leads executive education initiatives that bridge technical expertise and policy decision-making. His work with CyLab focuses on cybersecurity and privacy challenges in broadband systems and connected vehicles. Current projects include developing cost-effective spectrum sharing models for intelligent transportation systems and analyzing the economic implications of multi-network access architectures in 5G networks.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Zwick is a full professor and director of the Institute of High Frequency Engineering and Electronics (IHE) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). He holds a Dipl.-Ing. (M.S.E.E.) and Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D.E.E.) from the University of Karlsruhe. His career includes roles at IBM Research (2001–2004), Siemens AG (2004–2007 managing automotive radar teams), and KIT since 2007. He leads research in high-frequency technologies, antennas, radar systems, and wireless communications. Research interests include radio wave propagation, antenna design, automotive radar architectures, and millimeter-wave systems. He has authored/co-authored over 400 papers, 20 patents, and received IEEE Fellow status (2018), honorary doctorate from Budapest University (2022), and membership in the Heidelberg Academy and acatech. His work emphasizes integrating sensing and communication systems, 3D-printed RF components, and high-frequency measurement techniques. Teaching focuses on high-frequency engineering, electronic circuits, and radar systems. He oversees the IHE’s laboratories, including the Microwave Engineering Lab and Student Innovation Lab. Recent work explores sub-THz communication, RIS-aided ISAC systems, and beamforming for reduced EMF exposure in urban scenarios.
Robert M. Weikle, II is a Professor in the Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Virginia, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Physics. He earned his B.S. from Rice University (1986), M.S. (1987), and Ph.D. (1992) in Electrical Engineering from Caltech, followed by postdoctoral work at Chalmers University of Technology (1992). His research focuses on millimeter-wave and terahertz electronics , applied electromagnetics, integrated antennas, low-noise sensors, and heterogeneous integration of compound semiconductors. His work bridges electronics and photonics for spectrum access, with applications in astronomy, spectroscopy, and metrology. He has published extensively on micromachined silicon substrates, superconducting materials, and emerging technologies. Scientific Awards: IEEE Microwave Prize (1993) David A. Harrison III Award (1999) University of Virginia All-University Outstanding Teaching Award (2000) Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year (2016) Fulbright Scholar (2001) As Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Dominion Microprobes, Inc., he commercializes micromachined wafer probes for high-frequency metrology. His lab, located in E220 Thornton Hall and the Jesse W. Beams Physics Building, has produced 15+ recent publications on submillimeter-wave devices, THz probes, and calibration techniques.
Renjie Zhao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University and a member of the Data Science and AI Institute. His research focuses on wireless networking and mobile computing, with significant contributions to millimeter-wave communications, software-defined radio, and IoT systems. Dr. Zhao received his B.E. in Electric Power Engineering and Automation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2018, followed by an M.S. (2020) and Ph.D. (2023) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California San Diego, where he was advised by Professor Xinyu Zhang. His research centers around three main areas: next-generation wireless network architectures (5G millimeter wave, 6G joint communication and sensing, Internet of Things), novel radio hardware and software design (software-defined radio, wireless brain interfaces, low-power ultra-wide-band), and ubiquitous communication and sensing systems (smart homes, virtual/augmented reality, localization, ultra-reliable RFID for supply chains). His work bridges theoretical innovation with practical implementation, often resulting in open-source hardware and software platforms that advance the field. Dr. Zhao's research has been published in top conferences including ACM SIGCOMM, MobiCom, and NSDI. His work demonstrates a clear progression from foundational wireless communication systems to increasingly sophisticated sensing and localization applications, with consistent focus on practical deployment challenges and solutions. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award at ACM MobiCom 2020 for work on massive MIMO millimeter-wave software radio Best Paper Award at ACM SenSys 2023 for NeuroRadar paper Hopkins AITC funding for AI technologies promoting healthy aging Dr. Zhao actively serves the research community as TPC member for major conferences including MobiCom'25, NSDI'25, and MobiSys'25, and as a reviewer for leading journals. He is involved in multiple NSF-funded projects, including an NSF CIRC project developing the next-stage M-Cube platform. His lab, focused on wireless systems, maintains strong industry connections with companies like Qualcomm and Samsung. Dr. Zhao leads the M-Cube project, an open-source millimeter-wave massive MIMO software radio platform that has been adopted by numerous research institutions worldwide. His team continues to develop innovative wireless technologies with practical applications in supply chain management, healthcare, and smart environments.
Marianna Ivashina is a Professor and Head of the Antenna Systems Research Group at Chalmers University of Technology's Department of Electrical Engineering . Her work focuses on array antennas , antenna integration with electronics , optimal beamforming , and over-the-air measurement methods . The group has achieved international recognition for innovations in ultra-wideband (UWB) feeds , Gap waveguide antennas , and Doherty-power-amplifier-integrated antennas for 5G/6G and radio telescope applications. Key projects include the SSF Sweden-Taiwan collaboration , EU Horizon 2020 MyWave , and VINNOVA ENERGETIC initiatives. Her recent publications emphasize millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) , with applications in 5G/6G networks , satellite communication (SatCom) , and advanced antenna testing chambers . She explores beamforming optimization , self-interference mitigation , and hybrid OTA environments to enhance wireless system performance. The group's work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations, including RFSoC testbeds and high-efficiency antenna arrays . Marianna leads major research programs funded by Ericsson , VINNOVA , and EUREKA EURIPIDES2 , addressing challenges in beamforming , antenna-IC integration , and automated design for 5G/6G . These projects highlight her role in advancing millimeter-wave communication and sensor integration technologies.
Q. Jane Gu is a Professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech since September 2024, holding the Ed and Pat Joy Professorship. Previously, she was at the University of California, Davis (2012–2024) and the University of Florida (2010–2012). She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UCLA in 2007. Her research focuses on high-efficiency, low-power interconnects, millimeter-wave, sub-mm-wave, and terahertz integrated circuits and systems for applications in communication, radar, and imaging. Notable contributions include sub-THz resonator-based sensors, dielectric waveguide interconnect channels, and energy-efficient transmitters. Recipient of NSF CAREER Award (2013) 2015 UC Davis Outstanding Junior Faculty Award 2017 and 2018 Qualcomm Faculty Awards 2019 UC Davis Chancellor’s Fellow 2022–2023 IEEE SSCS Distinguished Lecturer Her group has garnered nine best paper awards, including top honors at the 2016, 2017, and 2020 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposia. Research interests span terahertz interconnects, millimeter-wave radar systems, and integrated circuits for high-speed communication. Publications reflect advancements in sensor design, high-frequency transceivers, and phased-array systems, emphasizing energy efficiency and signal integrity.
Benyamin Davaji serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University, where he joined in January 2022. He holds additional appointments as a Center Member of The Plastics Center and Core Faculty of the Institute for NanoSystems Innovation (NanoSI). His work bridges microsystems engineering, nanofabrication, and data science to develop next-generation sensing technologies. Dr. Davaji's educational background includes: Postdoctoral Associate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University (2016-2021) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University (2016) His research centers on integrated microsystems with emphasis on mechanical wave-based sensing and computation, ultrasound transducers, bio-interfaces, and microcalorimetry. The Autonomous Integrated Microsystems (AIMS) Laboratory combines physics with AI/ML to invent novel sensors and computational devices through advanced nanofabrication. Key thrusts include power-sustaining architectures and analog/digital computational integration. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal strong trends in MEMS/NEMS optimization using digital twins, plasmonically enhanced infrared detection, ferroelectric actuators for high-speed scanning, and ultrasound-enabled metrology. His work increasingly integrates machine learning for design automation and process optimization across semiconductor manufacturing and flexible hybrid electronics. Dr. Davaji advises graduate students including Yilmaz Arin Manav (PhD'28), who won the FLEX 2024 Future Student Poster Award. He has secured over $3 million in competitive funding as PI/Co-PI, including a $550k NSF grant for MEMS actuators, $330k NSF grant for quantum detectors, and $2M DARPA grant for inertial sensors. He directs the interdisciplinary AIMS Laboratory focused on MEMS, ultrasound, and calorimetric technologies. The lab collaborates extensively with NanoSI and The Plastics Center, developing autonomous microsystems for biomedical, environmental, and industrial applications through advanced manufacturing techniques.
Joachim Oberhammer is a Professor in Microwave and THz Microsystems at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. He leads research in radio-frequency/microwave/terahertz micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and has held academic roles since 2005. His work includes pioneering advancements in THz communication, sub-THz radar concepts, and MEMS-based components. Oberhammer has been awarded the 2023 Young Engineer Award by the European Microwave Association and holds multiple grants, including an ERC Consolidator Grant (2013) and SSF framework grants (2014–2025). He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and holds four patents in MEMS and THz technology. Education: M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Graz University of Technology, 2000), Ph.D. in Microwave Engineering (KTH, 2004). Postdoctoral research at Nanyang Technological University (2004) and Kyoto University (2008). Guest professorships at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (2019–2020) and NASA-JPL (2014). Research focuses on MEMS fabrication, THz systems integration, and radar technologies. Key projects include the EU-funded M3TERA and Car2TERA projects, and leadership in SSF framework grants for electronics research. He coordinates the EU RIA projects TeraMeasure and TESLA, advancing terahertz applications. Teaching responsibilities include MSc and PhD courses in MEMS engineering, radar systems, and integrated circuits. His lab develops high-performance THz components, including waveguide switches, antennas, and filters, with applications in communication, sensing, and aerospace.
