Ralf Borndörfer is a Professor and Head of the Network Optimization Department at the Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) , a leading research institution in mathematical algorithmic intelligence. His work focuses on optimizing complex transportation systems, particularly in railway operations, public transit, and air cargo logistics. He leads projects like Timetabling with Duality and Zonotopes, Symmetric Line Planning, and WILSON-LEARN, which address challenges in train scheduling, electric vehicle integration, and predictive maintenance. Key Research Areas : Mathematical optimization, railway timetabling, public transport planning, game theory for toll enforcement, and electric vehicle scheduling. Notable Collaborations : Projects with Deutsche Bahn, BIFOLD, and MATH+ Cluster of Excellence. His recent publications (2023-2025) explore: Non-linear battery modeling in electric bus scheduling Predictive maintenance integration in rolling stock rotations Logic-constrained shortest paths for flight planning Price-sensitive routing in public transport He has contributed to algorithmic frameworks like the Restricted Modulo Network Simplex Method and Bayesian rolling horizon approaches, emphasizing computational efficiency and real-world applicability.
Ghislain Michaux is a Teacher-Researcher at the University of La Rochelle , specializing in building energy systems. His work focuses on heat transfers, air handling systems, and multi-function envelopes for energy-efficient buildings. Key research areas: energy storage systems, solar micro-cogeneration, airflow windows Collaborates with international researchers on thermal performance and indoor air quality His publications span topics from phase-change material walls to parieto-dynamic windows , emphasizing energy-saving solutions. Recent work explores thermal habituation effects in human comfort studies. Notable collaborations include: Patrick Salagnac (University of La Rochelle) Jean-Louis Bouvier (University of La Rochelle) Simon Martinez (University of La Rochelle) Richard de Dear (University of Sydney) Olivier Vauquelin (University of La Rochelle) Michaux's research has been presented at major conferences like IBPSA and Building Simulation , with experimental validations in real-world conditions.
Ido Levin is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Department of Mathematics within the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia. His research integrates geometrical modeling, responsive materials, and innovative fabrication techniques to design programmable and active materials inspired by natural systems. He combines experimental approaches with analytical and numerical tools to study shape morphing in soft systems, chemo-mechanical active solids, and lipid membrane patterning. Education: B.Sc. in Physics and Mathematics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2012) M.Sc. in Physics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2014) Ph.D. in Physics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2021) His work spans soft matter, material chemistry, and theoretical modeling, focusing on distributed actuation, multi-responsive materials, and geometric frustration. Articles from 2015 to 2024 highlight his contributions to programmable materials, fluid dynamics in bio-inspired structures, and mechanical instabilities in amorphous systems. Scientific Awards: WRF Postdoctoral Fellow (2022-2025) Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar (2021-2022)
Dr. Kibaek Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology . He leads the Modeling Advanced Energetic Materials Laboratory , where his team develops high-fidelity computational frameworks to predict the thermo-mechanical-chemical behavior of energetic materials used in propellants and explosives. Educational Background: No explicit degrees are listed in the provided text. Research Focus: Dr. Lee's work integrates computational fluid dynamics , machine learning , and reduced-order modeling to advance our understanding of energetic-material ignition, detonation, and thermal-runaway phenomena. Key application areas include: Physics-informed machine-learning models for shock initiation criteria Data-driven reduced chemical kinetics for propellants and explosives Reduced-order modeling of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway under extreme conditions Multi-component modeling of solid–fluid interfacial interactions under shock or frictional heating Scientific Awards: No awards are mentioned in the supplied material. Advising & Team: Dr. Lee currently mentors: Ph.D. Students: Jeff McShane, Kalindu Salith Tennakoon M.S. Students: Ratish Patil Research is supported by the laboratory’s high-performance computing resources: two servers with 192 cores, 1 TB RAM, Nvidia RTX A4000 GPU, and 12 TB storage. Laboratory & Facilities: The Modeling Advanced Energetic Materials Laboratory provides a flexible modeling environment aimed at fundamental tool development for advanced propellant and explosive systems, leveraging state-of-the-art computational facilities.
Jocelyn Doucet is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal since 2011. He is a co-founder and CEO of Pyrowave, a company developing advanced high-power microwave technology for resource-efficient industrial processes. Education: Ph.D., Polytechnique Montréal, 2008 B.Eng., Polytechnique Montréal, 2004 His research focuses on microwave-based chemical recycling , process electrification , and granular mixing dynamics . He has pioneered technologies for microwave pyrolysis and radioactive particle tracking in industrial reactors, with applications in circular economy and sustainable manufacturing . Recent publications demonstrate expertise in AI-enhanced particle tracking (2025), microwave heating sustainability (2020), and biomimetic waste recycling (2019). His work bridges chemical engineering , environmental technology , and industrial innovation . He has supervised two doctoral theses, including Model-Free RPT for Hydrodynamic Characterization (Mirakhori, 2024) and Microwave Polystyrene Depolymerization (Leclerc, 2018). Pyrowave, the company he co-founded in 2014, has developed the world's most advanced high-power microwave platform for industrial resource efficiency.
Ahmad Shakibaeinia is a Full Professor at the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering in Polytechnique Montréal , holding the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Digital Hydrosystems . He serves as a researcher in the Experimental and Digital Water Flow Engineering Group (GENIE EAU) and is affiliated with the Interuniversity Study Center for Structures under Extreme Loads (CEISCE) . Research Domains : Computational fluid mechanics, multiphase flows, granular flow dynamics, cold-region hydraulics, fluvial mechanics Methodologies : Specializing in mesh-free particle methods (SPH, MPS) for simulating complex hydro-environmental flows His work focuses on multi-physics hydro-environmental flows involving water-air-sediment-ice interactions, with applications in flood risk assessment , tailings dam breach modeling , and cold-region river dynamics . Recent publications demonstrate expertise in floating breakwater systems , microbial risk assessment , and ice-structure interaction simulations . Key scientific contributions include: Developing enhanced weakly-compressible MPS/SPH methods for free-surface and granular flows Pioneering fully Lagrangian DEM-MPS models for ice-wave dynamics Creating integrated numerical frameworks for cold-region water quality assessment He has supervised 12 graduate students (3 PhD, 9 Master's) and secured multiple NSERC Alliance Grants for projects on climate change impacts and critical infrastructure vulnerability . His 74 publications span topics from sediment transport to particle method development , with significant contributions to oil sands tailings dam failure and transboundary river pollution understanding.
Hanneke Gelderblom is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Physics and Science Education at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where she leads the Interfacial Flows research group and is affiliated with the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). Her office is located in Cascade 2.11. Her research focuses on: Fluid dynamics and capillary flow phenomena Droplet dynamics and biofluids Evaporation-driven self-assembly Liquid fragmentation and laser-liquid interaction Micropattern formation in evaporating droplets Deformation and fragmentation of liquid droplets by laser-pulse impact Dr. Gelderblom combines theoretical approaches with experimental and numerical methods, bridging fundamental fluid dynamics with practical applications in industry, biology, and health. Her current work explores how biological or living material affects interfacial hydrodynamics and how these flows can control biological matter at microscopic scales where direct manipulation is impossible. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on plasma-liquid interactions, particularly how electrical properties of solutions determine flow direction. Her research demonstrates that flow direction can be controlled through salt ion concentration and that time-resolved switching occurs in grounded salt solutions due to electrolytic and plasma-induced reactions altering the dominant flow mechanism. Her notable achievements include: Charles Hoogendoorn Award (2014) FOM Physics Thesis award (2014) NWO Veni grant (2016) for studying evaporation of living liquid droplets Minerva Prize (2025) Dr. Gelderblom teaches courses including 'Variables, dimensions and dynamics: Order and Chaos in Physics,' 'Soft matter physics,' 'Introduction to Applied Physics,' and 'Physics of Transport Phenomena.' Her research has significant implications for medical applications, particularly in controlling fluid behavior at microscopic scales relevant to biology and public health. She leads the Interfacial Flows research group within the Fluids and Flows section, investigating the rich physics at the intersection of interfacial flows and biological systems, with applications spanning from industrial processes to medical technologies.
Suresh Menon serves as the Hightower Professor of Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he has been a faculty member since 1992 after rising from associate professor to full professor in 1997. His expertise centers on computational fluid dynamics and combustion science within aerospace engineering, with significant contributions to propulsion systems and fluid mechanics research. His academic credentials include: B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (1976) M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (1978) Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland (1984) Professor Menon is globally recognized for pioneering large-eddy simulation (LES) techniques in turbulent reacting flows , with research spanning combustion instability , shock-to-detonation transition , and multi-phase blast modeling . His work develops advanced simulation capabilities for analyzing pollutant formation, high-altitude jet plume effects, and propulsion systems, integrating experimental fluid mechanics with computational approaches to advance sustainable energy solutions. Analysis of his 2002-2015 publications reveals consistent focus on large-eddy simulation applications across complex flow regimes, with growing emphasis on machine learning integration for chemical kinetics and uncertainty quantification in shock-driven phenomena like aerosol neutralization and energetic material behavior. His distinguished honors include: Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Menon has secured major research funding as principal investigator from NASA, Department of Energy, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Office of Naval Research, and Defense Threat Reduction Agency, alongside industry support from General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, and international partners. He actively reviews for leading journals and federal research proposals while mentoring graduate students through his Computational Combustion Laboratory. The Computational Combustion Laboratory (CCL) and Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory form his primary research hubs, focusing on high-fidelity simulations of turbulent combustion, propulsion systems, and fluid dynamics using advanced computational methods.
Dr. Edward Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Fluid Dynamics at Brunel University London , affiliated with the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences . His research bridges molecular dynamics (MD) and continuum methods to study complex fluid systems. PhD from Imperial College London Developed CPL library for particle-continuum coupling Created FlowMol , an open-source molecular dynamics code Smith's research focuses on Molecular Fluid Dynamics and Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics (NEMD) . His work includes the first molecular simulation of near-wall turbulence, moving contact line modeling, and liquid-vapor interface control volume frameworks. Recent articles examine thin film rupture , nucleate boiling , and non-equilibrium shear rate simulations . These publications span fields like Fluid Dynamics , Thermal Sciences , and Computational Physics . Awarded the Post-doctoral Excellence Fellowship , Smith has published in high-impact journals like Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics and Journal of Chemical Physics . He actively develops open-source software and trains researchers through the Materials and Molecular Modelling Hub . Teaches Programming at Brunel University Collaborates with Professors William and Carol Hoover Advocates for open research practices
Associate Professor Sridhar Ravi is Deputy Head of the School of Engineering and Technology at UNSW Canberra and leads the Bio-Engineering Research Group . He holds a Bachelors of Engineering (Aerospace) and PhD from RMIT University (2007 & 2011), where his doctoral research focused on wind turbulence effects on wing aerodynamics. Postdoctoral stints at Harvard University (2012-2014), Chiba University (JSPS Fellowship), and University of Bielefeld (Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship) expanded his expertise in insect/bird flight and bio-inspired design. Research Interests span Bioinspired Robotics Biomechanics of Flight Fluid-Structure Interactions Neuroethology of Navigation Unsteady Aerodynamics Autonomous Systems His work integrates biological principles into engineering solutions, particularly for miniature aerial/underwater vehicles. Recent Publications emphasize fluid dynamics in bio-inspired propulsion, obstacle avoidance, and swarm robotics. Key trends include passive wing rotation mechanisms, ground effect optimization, and sensory integration for autonomous control. Scientific Honors include JSPS Fellowship (Chiba University) Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (University of Bielefeld) His teaching at UNSW Canberra includes Rotorcraft Engineering and Fundamentals of Flight , reflecting his technical depth.
Dr. Upanshu Sharma is a Lecturer at the School of Mathematics & Statistics , UNSW Sydney since 2023. His research spans partial differential equations , probability theory , and computational statistical mechanics , focusing on coarse-graining of stochastic dynamics, large deviations, and molecular dynamics sampling algorithms. 2023–Present: Lecturer, School of Mathematics & Statistics, UNSW Sydney 2021–2022: Humboldt Research Fellow, Computational Statistical and Biological Physics Group (FU Berlin) & Stochastics and Applications Group (BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg) 2019–2020: PostDoc, Institute of Mathematics (FU Berlin) 2017–2019: PostDoc, CERMICS (École des Ponts ParisTech) Education: PhD in Mathematics (2017), CASA (TU Eindhoven) Research Themes: Dr. Sharma's work bridges mathematical modeling and physical applications through rigorous analysis of stochastic systems. Key areas include variational structures for non-equilibrium systems, quantitative coarse-graining in multi-scale dynamics, and sampling algorithms for molecular simulations. Publication Trends: Recent articles (2024–2022) emphasize Markov chain analysis , non-equilibrium thermodynamics , and Hamiltonian stochastic systems , with sub-field coverage in error quantification, parallel computing, and hyperbolic PDEs. Scientific Recognition: Humboldt Research Fellowship (2021–2022)
Gael Pallares is a Teacher-researcher at CESI based at the Montpellier Med Airport Zone campus, specializing in urban mobility, building energy performance, and physics of complex systems through the Engineering and Digital Tools research team. His interdisciplinary work bridges transportation engineering and materials science with practical applications in smart city infrastructure. Education: Doctorate in Physics, CEA Saclay and University of Montpellier (2010). Thesis: 'Multi-scale analysis of crack propagation mechanisms in oxide glasses'. Master's Degree (M2R) in Materials Science, University of Montpellier (2007). Research Focus: Dr. Pallares investigates multimodal transport system optimization (e.g., TIGA project for Rouen's smart mobility) and energy-efficient student mobility (MobE project), while advancing fundamental understanding of fracture mechanics in oxide glasses, elastomer contact physics, and thermodynamic anomalies in supercooled water. His methodology integrates experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches across multiple scales. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2023-2024) emphasize urban mobility solutions using agent-based transport simulations and mathematical optimization, reflecting a strategic pivot toward applied transportation engineering while maintaining foundational contributions in material physics. His work consistently addresses sustainability challenges in urban infrastructure and complex material behaviors. Academic Supervision: Currently guiding two doctoral candidates (B. Sahbani on multimodal transport supervision and J. Burgalat on smart city transport optimization), with defenses scheduled for 2024-2025. Previously supervised R. Sahli's thesis on elastomeric contact mechanics (2017) and multiple internships (2008-2016). Research programs include TIGA and MobE, focusing on real-world mobility challenges. Scientific Engagement: Active member of the Neocampus Scientific Interest Group (University of Toulouse) and Midoc key challenge on smart/sustainable mobility in Occitanie, contributing to regional research networks for sustainable urban development.
Lucas Goehring is a Professor in the Physics and Maths department at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), where he leads an experimental research group studying pattern formation and complex fluids. His work spans fundamental physics of mechanical instabilities to interdisciplinary applications in geophysics and biophysics. He teaches condensed matter physics, forensic image processing, and first-year physics labs, with prior teaching experience in environmental physics, non-linear dynamics, and soft matter physics. Goehring's educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto on columnar joints (e.g., Giant's Causeway), followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge studying colloidal drying and cracking. He later habilitated while teaching at the University of Göttingen during his tenure as a research group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation. His research centers on complex fluids and solids – multi-phase materials where microscopic structure determines macroscopic properties. Key themes include: Mechanical instabilities (fractures, wrinkling, buckling) Geophysical pattern formation (salt polygons, columnar joints, mud cracks) Colloidal dispersion dynamics (drying paint, biogenic systems) Cross-scale physics connecting nano/micro to macro behavior This work addresses fundamental questions about structural emergence in nature, applying solid mechanics and complex systems theory to diverse phenomena from reptile scales to Martian permafrost. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in porous media convection (salt lakes, dry soils), biophysical pattern formation (cyanobacteria mats), and colloidal drying mechanics . These span interdisciplinary fields including geophysics, soft matter physics, and active matter, with consistent focus on experimental validation through microfluidics and advanced imaging techniques. Goehring actively supervises PhD students including P.S. Atkinson (2024) and M. Emerse (2023), with research opportunities available in MPhil/PhD programs at NTU. His major international collaborations include Bernard Cabane (ESPCI ParisTech), Ran Holtzman (Hebrew University), Eleni Katifori (University of Pennsylvania), and Max Planck Institute researchers in biophysics. He maintains an affiliated position at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation and serves on the editorial board of Proceedings of the Royal Society A , while leading an experimental lab focused on pattern formation in complex materials.
Martin van Sint Annaland is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), The Netherlands. He chairs the Chemical Process Intensification research group, focusing on advanced (multi-phase) reactor models and experimental demonstration of novel reactor concepts. His work integrates reaction and separation processes, heat exchange, and chemical looping for sustainable energy systems. Department: Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Research group: Chemical Process Intensification Ranks: Full Professor His research interests revolve around process intensification , with key themes including: Integration of reaction and separation via membrane reactors and sorption-enhanced processes; Coupling endothermic and exothermic reactions (e.g., propane dehydrogenation and methane combustion); Dynamically operated packed beds for cryogenic CO2 capture and chemical looping combustion. The articles extracted from his work span topics in chemical reactor engineering and multi-phase flow modeling , with a focus on hydrogen production, CO2 capture, and drag force dynamics in bubble swarms. He teaches courses such as Advanced Separation Technology and Multiphase Reactor Modeling , and has engaged in consultancy for CO2Zero and grant reviews in chemical engineering.
Leonidas Mindrinos has been an Assistant Professor at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) since February 2023, specializing in Partial Differential Equations. His academic career includes postdoctoral research at NTUA's School of Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences (2022), the University of Vienna's Mathematics Department (2019-2022), and the Johann Radon Institute (RICAM) (2018-2019). He served as an assistant professor at the University of Vienna (2013-2018). Education: PhD in Mathematics (University of Vienna, 2018) Doctorate in Applied Mathematics (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2011) MSc in Applied Mathematics (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2007) BSc in Mathematics (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2006) His research focuses on inverse problems, scattering theory, and mathematical modeling of physical systems. Key areas include soil physics , optical coherence tomography , and elastodynamics , with applications in environmental engineering, biomedical imaging, and computational physics. He has developed numerical methods for infiltration parameter estimation, inverse scattering in OCT, and coupled parabolic-hyperbolic transmission problems. Recent publications highlight his work on soil infiltration modeling , electromagnetic wave scattering , and quantitative imaging techniques . These span mathematical formulations, numerical simulations, and experimental validation in agricultural engineering and biomedical contexts.
