Dr. Anita Quigley is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering at RMIT University. Her research focuses on regenerative medicine, biomaterials, and tissue engineering, with applications in neural interfaces, bioinks, and stem cell therapies. She leads a team exploring advanced materials for medical devices and has supervised 12 research-based projects since 2019. Her work spans interdisciplinary collaborations in biomedicine, nanotechnology, and engineering. Key research interests include developing bioengineered scaffolds for tissue repair, optimizing hydrogel properties for cell behavior, and studying neurological disorders using cerebral organoids. She contributes to committees like ACMD TRACE and maintains a strong publication record in biomaterials and biomedical engineering journals. Recent articles highlight innovations in melt-electrospun scaffolds, graphene-enhanced nerve regeneration systems, and optogenetic stimulation techniques. Her research bridges fundamental science and clinical applications, aiming to advance regenerative therapies and biomedical technologies.
Dr. Chong Cheng is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University at Buffalo (SUNY), affiliated with the Cell, Gene, and Tissue Engineering Center. His research focuses on biodegradable polymers, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering materials. He holds a PhD in (Polymer) Chemistry from the City University of New York (2003) and conducted postdoctoral research at Washington University in St. Louis with Prof. Karen L. Wooley. Before joining UB in 2007, he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2013 and later to full Professor. Education: BS in Polymer Materials, Hefei University of Technology (1993) MS in Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology (1996) PhD in (Polymer) Chemistry, City University of New York (2003) Research Interests: Dr. Cheng develops novel polymers for therapeutic delivery (e.g., drug-gene co-delivery systems), template synthesis using crystallized miniemulsions for nanomaterial fabrication, and polymers with unique architectures. His work bridges polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedical applications, including antibacterial dental materials and biodegradable drug carriers. Grants & Advising: While no student names are listed, his research group advises graduate students in polymer science and engineering. His grants focus on NSF-funded projects related to drug delivery and materials engineering. Labs/Teams: Active in the Cell, Gene, and Tissue Engineering Center, collaborating on nanomedicine and biomaterials projects.
Jonathan Massera is a Professor at Tampere University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, leading the Bioceramics, Bioglasses, and Biocomposites group. His research focuses on developing bioactive glasses and composites for tissue regeneration, with recent advancements in biophotonic materials for infection sensing and in-vivo imaging. He directs the International MSc program in Biomaterials Science and Engineering (BMSE) and oversees projects such as AGATE, GLOWTRACK, and UNIBIO, funded by the Academy of Finland and EU's Horizon 2020. Research Interests: Prof. Massera's work spans biomaterials science, with an emphasis on bioactive glasses, bioceramics, and composites for hard/soft tissue regeneration. Key areas include scaffold design, material-cell interactions, and integrating biophotonics for diagnostic/therapeutic applications. His lab explores novel materials in forms like granules, fibers, and gels, addressing clinical challenges in bone, cartilage, and nerve repair. Top Projects: AGATE (2016-2021): Bioactive glass scaffolds for tissue engineering GLOWTRACK (2020-2022): In-vivo imaging via biophotonic implants UNIBIO (2020-2024): Graded bioactive scaffolds for bone regeneration Awards: Academy of Finland Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Academy Research Fellow (Academy of Finland) Advising & Grants: Supervises graduate researchers and manages multi-million-euro grants. Recent funding includes €2.5M from the Academy of Finland (UNIBIO) and €3.6M from H2020-MSCA (PREMUROSA). Labs/Teams: Head of the Bioceramics group at Tampere, collaborating internationally on material design, biophotonics, and clinical translation.
Jeroen Rouwkema is an Associate Professor in Engineering Organ Support Technologies at the University of Twente, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering. He is a leading researcher in tissue engineering, with a focus on vascularization and bioprinting. His work integrates advanced fabrication techniques with biological principles to engineer functional tissues with integrated vascular networks. His research interests center on tissue engineering , vascularization , bioprinting , and regenerative medicine . He investigates methods to create multiscale vascular networks in engineered tissues using programmable bioinks, aptamer-based growth factor delivery, and embedded 3D printing technologies. His lab explores how mechanical and biochemical cues influence cell behavior and tissue self-organization, particularly in cardiac and synovial models. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward 4D bioprinting , spatiotemporal control of growth factors , organ-on-a-chip systems , and magnetic-assisted fabrication . His work bridges engineering innovation with biological functionality, aiming to solve the critical challenge of vascularization in engineered organs. TERMIS EU Robert Brown Early Career Principal Investigator Award (2017) Rouwkema has supervised multiple PhD and research students, including D. Rana, V. R. Rangel, and P. Padmanaban, and has been involved in numerous research projects and patents. His work is supported by active collaborations across Europe and has resulted in over 140 research outputs. He is a member of the Netherlands Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, contributing to the broader academic community through invited talks and conference organization. His research is conducted within a multidisciplinary team focused on biofabrication and organ support technologies, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for 3D printing, microfluidics, and cell culture. The lab emphasizes translational outcomes, aiming to develop clinically relevant solutions for tissue regeneration and organ support.
Ellen Moons is a Professor of Physics at Karlstad University, Sweden, specializing in organic and hybrid photovoltaic materials. Her research focuses on thin film morphology, stability, and energy conversion efficiency in solar cells. She leads a group using advanced techniques like AFM-IR, X-ray spectroscopy, and synchrotron-based methods to study material interfaces and degradation mechanisms. Education: PhD from Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), postdoctoral work at EPFL (Switzerland) and TU Delft (Netherlands). Prior roles include Research Scientist at Cambridge Display Technology (UK) and Research Assistant at University of Cambridge. Research Themes: Self-organization of conjugated polymers in solution-processed thin films Interfacial engineering in perovskite and polymer solar cells Photodegradation mechanisms and material stability under ambient conditions Nanostructure characterization via advanced microscopy/spectroscopy Collaborations: Key partnerships include MAX IV synchrotron (Sweden), Jagiellonian University (Poland), and institutions in China, Spain, and the US. Active in EU projects like OPVStability (MSCA) and PRISMAS (COFUND). Teaching: Functional Materials (CBAD81), Experimental Physics (FYGB06), and data analysis courses (FYGA25).
Dr. Falk Tauber is a postdoctoral researcher and coordinator of the liv MatS Demonstrator Project at the University of Freiburg's Plant Biomechanics Group and the Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT). His work focuses on developing bioinspired materials systems, soft robotics, and biomimetic actuators. He coordinates interdisciplinary projects integrating innovations from multiple research areas, collaborating with industrial partners to demonstrate technological feasibility across applications. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck, Tauber's research explores plant-inspired mechanisms such as snap-trapping systems, peristaltic pumping, and shape-memory materials. His projects aim to bridge biological principles with engineering solutions for soft robotics, medical devices, and sustainable materials. Key collaborations include work on artificial Venus flytrap actuators, biomimetic valves, and pressure-sensing capsules for gastrointestinal monitoring. Tauber actively contributes to academic discourse through editorials, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing future directions in soft robotics and biohybrid systems. His publications span journals like Bioinspiration & Biomimetics , Science Robotics , and MRS Bulletin , reflecting his expertise in biomaterials and interdisciplinary engineering. He leads the development of demonstrators in the liv MatS cluster, focusing on three series of devices that showcase bioinspired technologies. These projects emphasize practical applications, such as adaptive actuators for industrial use and medical tools inspired by biological systems. His work is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under the Excellence Strategy.
Riccardo Sisto is a Full Professor in the Department of Control and Computer Science (DAUIN) at Politecnico di Torino, where he also leads the NetGroup research group and is a member of the SmartData@PoliTO and Cybersecurity National Laboratory. He has held academic positions continuously since 1991, progressing from Assistant to Full Professor by 2004. Education: PhD in Computer and Systems Engineering, Politecnico di Torino (1992) Graduate in Electronic Engineering, Politecnico di Torino (1987) Riccardo Sisto’s research focuses on formal methods applied to cybersecurity, particularly in formal verification of cryptographic protocols, security automation in cloud and virtualized networks, and secure code generation. His work bridges theoretical formal methods with practical network security applications in SDN/NFV and Kubernetes environments. The recent publications highlight a strong trend toward security automation , formal verification of network and cryptographic protocols , and policy management in virtualized infrastructures . His team develops frameworks like VEREFOO and VERIGRAPH to automate firewall and security function configuration, particularly in cloud-native and multi-cluster environments. Scientific Awards and Honors: ICICS Best Demo Award (2022) IEEE HPSR Best Paper Award Finalist (2014) High Honor Paper Award at IEEE AINA (2004) Fellow of the ACM (2010) Senior Member of the ACM Riccardo Sisto has supervised numerous PhD students and leads multiple competitive research projects funded by the EU (e.g., MIRANDA, VeTeSS) and industry. He serves on editorial boards such as ELECTRONICS and has held leadership roles in international conferences. His research includes both fundamental contributions in formal methods and applied work in industrial collaborations through commercial research projects. He is actively involved in advising PhD students and post-doctoral researchers such as Daniele Bringhenti, Simone Bussa, Francesco Pizzato, and Fulvio Valenza. His lab, NetGroup, focuses on building dependable and secure distributed systems using model-driven and formally verified approaches.
Christopher A Warlick is a Professor and Head of the Department of Urology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is a leading expert in prostate and bladder cancer, with a strong focus on cancer screening, prevention, active surveillance, and novel therapeutic strategies including focal and immune-mediated treatments. Research Interests: Prostate Cancer Etiology and Survivorship Bladder Cancer Management Active Surveillance and Risk Stratification Minimally Invasive and Focal Therapies Transurethral Ablation Techniques Immunotherapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer His recent publications reflect a consistent and impactful research trajectory, emphasizing clinical trials, surgical outcomes, and innovative diagnostics. Themes include comparative effectiveness of robotic vs open surgery, microbiome implications in prostate cancer, and AI-driven therapeutic development. His work bridges clinical practice and translational research, with strong industry and multi-institutional collaborations. Scientific Awards and Recognition: No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants: Dr. Warlick serves as Principal Investigator on multiple funded research projects, including a Phase II randomized trial (HEAT study), a multicenter ablation pilot, and an AI-designed mini-protein project funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. He collaborates with institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and industry partners including MacroGenics Inc., Francis Medical, Inc., and Photocure Inc. While formal student advisees are not listed, his role as PI indicates mentorship of junior researchers and clinical fellows. Labs and Research Teams: Dr. Warlick leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on urologic oncology, with active projects spanning from early detection to advanced therapeutics. His work is supported by a robust network of clinical collaborators, bioengineers, and data scientists, particularly in the areas of imaging, immunotherapy, and surgical innovation.
Alexandre G. Maia, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He serves as Senior Associate Consultant II-Research in the Division of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and is the Associate Director of the Epigenomics Program at the Center for Individualized Medicine. Dr. Maia leads the Functional Epigenomics Laboratory, focusing on cutting-edge research in cancer and stem cell biology. Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chromatin Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, University of Coimbra Predoctoral Research Fellow, University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) B.S. in Aquatic Sciences, ICBAS, University of Porto Undergraduate Studies, University of Rome (La Sapienza) Dr. Maia's research is centered on understanding the epigenomic regulation of cancer stem cells, particularly in ovarian cancer. His work integrates single-cell sequencing technologies such as ATAC-seq and RNA-seq to profile enhancer elements and transcriptional dependencies. He employs advanced model systems including 3D organoids, patient-derived xenografts, and liquid biopsies to study tumor heterogeneity. His lab utilizes CRISPR/Cas9 for functional validation and microfluidic devices for drug combination testing. Bioinformatic analysis of multi-omics data is a key component of his research. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in functional genomics, epigenetics, and personalized cancer therapy. His work spans multiple myeloma, clonal hematopoiesis, post-translational modifications, CAR T cell exhaustion, and personalized drug testing in pancreatic cancer. The recurring themes include single-cell multiomics, enhancer biology, and translational applications in oncology. Scientific Awards and Honors: Career Enhancement Program Award, Breast SPORE, Mayo Clinic (2022–2024) Early-Career Investigator, Ovarian Cancer Academy, U.S. Department of Defense (2021–2025) Regenerative Sciences Curriculum Development Award, Mayo Clinic (2020) Career Enhancement Program Award, Ovarian SPORE, Mayo Clinic (2019–2020) Career Development Award, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (2018) NYSCF-Druckenmiller Fellowship (2014–2017) Postdoctoral Recognition Award, Icahn School of Medicine (2014) Ph.D. Fellowship, Science and Technology Foundation, Portugal (2003–2007) Dr. Maia has received substantial grant support from prestigious programs including the Department of Defense Breast and Ovarian Cancer SPOREs, and has been recognized with multiple early-career awards. He mentors research trainees and contributes to curriculum development in regenerative sciences. His laboratory actively collaborates across disciplines to advance epigenomic technologies and their clinical applications. Dr. Maia leads the Functional Epigenomics Laboratory and plays a key role in the Epigenomics Program at the Center for Individualized Medicine. His team integrates wet-lab experimentation with computational biology to develop novel approaches for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Pierre Beaujean is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Namur , Belgium, affiliated with the ECOBAT (EOS) project and the laboratory of Professor Benoît Champagne. His work bridges quantum chemistry and computational chemistry , focusing on nonlinear optical materials and electrochemical interfaces for battery research. His research spans theoretical methods like Density Functional Theory and Coupled Cluster to evaluate hyperpolarizabilities, solvation effects, and molecular switches. Recent projects explore calcium anodes, 3D metal-organic frameworks, and multi-state optical systems, contributing to sustainable energy solutions. Beaujean’s publications analyze two-photon absorption , XPS spectra , and proton-electron conductivity . He is also a science communicator at Zeste de Savoir and manages the university’s chemistry department social media.
Dr. Ioana Andreea Brezestean is a Scientific Researcher III (R2 rank) at the National Institute for Research and Development in Isotopic and Molecular Technologies (Cluj-Napoca, Romania). She holds a PhD in Physics (2022) and Master's degrees in Medical Physics (2013, 2015) from Babeș-Bolyai University . Her work focuses on nanomaterial synthesis , SERS substrate development , and environmental/health monitoring through advanced spectroscopic techniques. Current projects include NanedisSERS (bioinspired 3D nanoplatforms for neurodegenerative disease diagnostics) and AL-DIBI SERS (Alzheimer's biomarker detection using gold nanourchins). Her expertise spans nanoparticle fabrication (silver/gold), microfluidic sensor design , and multi-modal characterization (Raman, FT-Raman, SERS, TERS, microscopy). She contributes to eco-friendly nanocomposite development in projects like ECONANO4AUTO (bio-PA materials with chicken feather derivatives). Key collaborations include SINTEF AS (Norway), University of Medicine and Pharmacy 'Iuliu Hațieganu' , and NANOM MEMS SRL . Her methodology integrates DFT calculations , quantum chemistry modeling , and statistical pattern recognition for pathogen resistance analysis.
Susanta Ghosh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Michigan Technological University, where he is also a faculty member of the Center for Data Sciences at the Institute of Computing and Cybersystems. His research integrates Bayesian Machine Learning , Scientific Machine Learning , and Computational Mechanics to address uncertainty quantification in materials design, fracture modeling, and biomedical imaging. Education : Ph.D. and M.S. from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore; B.S. from Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur. Research Expertise : Bayesian Neural Networks, Uncertainty Quantification, Computational Inverse Problems, Electronic Structure Prediction, and Nonlocal Elasticity. Funding : NSF CAREER Award (2025-2030, $669,490), DOE grants for chiral nanomaterials (2022-2025, $321,941; 2025-2028, $396,528), and NSF EAGER Award (2019-2022, $170,604). Teaching : Undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanics, finite element methods, and applied machine learning. Selected Awards : National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award (2025)
Junaid Shuja is a researcher with significant contributions to Mobile Edge Computing , Cloud Environments , and IoT Systems . Collaborating with scholars like Kashif Bilal , Abdullah Gani , and Ehzaz Mustafa , his work spans computation offloading, resource allocation, and security frameworks. Research Highlights 2017: Analysis of Vector Code Offloading in Heterogeneous Architectures 2021: Survey on Machine Learning for Edge Caching 2023: Reinforcement Learning for Computation Offloading in Vehicular Networks 2024: Blockchain Applications in Land Lease Systems and Employee Transfers 2025: Deep Reinforcement Learning for Resource Optimization His recent work focuses on Deep Learning and Blockchain for latency-sensitive applications in IoT and vehicular networks, published in IEEE Access , Cluster Computing , and Telecommunication Systems . Key co-authors include Faisal Rehman , Abdallah Namoun , and Muhammad Bilal .
Patrice RANNOU is a CNRS Director of Research (DR-CNRS) in Section 11 (Soft Matter) at the University Grenoble Alpes. He leads research in the MIEL Team (Materials, Interfaces, and Electrochemistry) within UMR5279-LEPMI, focusing on multi-scale functional materials for energy and electronics. His work integrates organic/inorganic hybrid materials, self-assembly processes, and advanced characterization techniques to enhance energy storage and conversion systems. Education: M.Sc. in Polymer Chemistry (1993, Institut Textile & Chimique de Lyon), M.Sc. in Polymer Physics (1994, University Montpellier II), Ph.D. in Physics (1998, University Grenoble), and HDR in Chemistry (2013, University Grenoble). Professional roles include Deputy Head of the Observatory for Micro and NanoTechnologies (2013–2018) and co-PI of collaborative projects like Battery2030+ and SOLiD. He has advised 17 postdocs, 13 PhD students, and 10 foreign students. Research Interests: Bio-inspired materials, ion-conducting polymers, liquid crystalline systems, and energy storage technologies. Key areas include thermotropic ionic liquid crystals for batteries, self-assembled protein nanowires, and hierarchical soft materials for photovoltaics. Over 138 publications and 17 patents highlight his contributions to materials science and energy applications. Grants and Collaborations: ANR-funded projects (e.g., BioVolt, MASTERMIND), EU initiatives (Horizon Europe SOLiD), and international partnerships with institutions like Aalto University (Finland) and Sungkyunkwan University (South Korea). Active in organizing conferences like ENGINE Winter School and ICOE. Labs and Teams: MIEL Team at LEPMI, LEPMI/Blue Solutions Joint Lab (Li₂ Lab for energy storage), and collaborations with CEA, CERN, and industry partners.
Gareth Kitchen is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Manchester and an Honorary Consultant Anaesthetist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. He serves as Chief Investigator for the Protect Airways clinical trial and co-leads the BRC Innovations and Partnerships initiative. His academic roles include leading the Timing of Ventilation research project and contributing to the Centre for Biological Timing. Education: MBChB (University of Manchester, 2007), FRCA (2012), PhD in Circadian Biology (University of Manchester, 2018). His research focuses on pneumonia risk factors, circadian rhythm impacts on immunity, ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention, and wearable health monitoring technologies. Key projects include the Protect Airways trial evaluating advanced endotracheal tubes and the ClinCirc study analyzing circadian rhythms in critical care patients. Research Interests: Pneumonia pathophysiology, perioperative care, circadian immune regulation, translational medicine, and wearable technology applications in healthcare. He has pioneered studies linking circadian gene expression to immune responses using murine models and human blood samples. Key Achievements: Awarded the MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship (2015) and the Mapleson Medal (2018). His work has contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being (SDG 3). Recent publications address wearable health monitors in cancer care, vital signs accuracy in ICU, and circadian rhythm disruptions in critical illness.
