Brent Doiron is a Professor at the University of Chicago, holding appointments in the Departments of Neurobiology and Statistics, and serving on the Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics (CCAM). His research integrates nonlinear dynamics and statistical mechanics to study neural circuit variability, focusing on mechanisms underlying neural coding and network learning through collaborations with experimentalists in sensory systems. Education: PhD in Physics (University of Ottawa, 2004) Postdoc: Center for Neural Science at New York University (2017) Previous Roles: Mathematics Professor at University of Pittsburgh (2007-2020), Co-Director of Neural Computation Program at Carnegie Mellon Neuroscience Institute Research interests center on neuronal population dynamics, recurrent circuit mechanisms, and computational neuroscience. Current work investigates correlated variability in cortical networks, inter-areal communication, and stochastic spiking models. Recent publications emphasize cortical stability/gain modulation, asynchronous/synchronous activity balance, and Bayesian inference frameworks. Key themes include sensory processing, network plasticity, and dimensionality reduction in neural coding. Scientific Awards Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship in Neuroscience Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award (University of Pittsburgh) Active grants include NIH R01 and R90/T90 awards for neuronal dynamics research and computational neuroscience training programs.
Hang Lu is a Professor and holds the Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Lu also holds a Love Family Professorship and leads the Lµ Fluidics Group, which focuses on engineering microfluidic systems and machine learning tools to address complex questions in neuroscience, developmental biology, and cell biology that are difficult to address with conventional techniques. Dr. Lu's research lies at the intersection of engineering and biology, with primary interests including: Microfluidic systems for high-throughput screens and image-based genetics and genomics Systems biology: large-scale experimentation and data mining Microtechnologies for optical stimulation and optical recording Big data, machine vision, and automation Developmental neurobiology, behavioral neurobiology, and systems neuroscience Cancer biology, immunology, embryonic development, and stem cells Her laboratory engineers microfluidic devices and BioMEMS to study neuroscience, genetics, cancer biology, and biotechnology. These miniaturized Lab-on-a-chip tools operate at scales comparable to biological systems, leveraging unique micro and nano-scale phenomena to gather large-scale quantitative data about complex biological systems. Current projects include Microfluidics for Life Sciences, Optical Neuron Recordings and Manipulations, Machine Learning Tools for Neuroscience, Measuring and Modeling Behavior, and High-throughput, High-content Cell-based Assays. Analysis of Dr. Lu's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong trend toward integrating microfluidics with advanced computational methods: Development of deep learning frameworks for biological image analysis Advanced neuron tracking and functional imaging techniques Non-invasive characterization of 3D organoid cultures Sophisticated neuromechanical modeling of locomotion Microfluidic temperature control systems for in vivo studies Label-free imaging pipelines for neural development Dr. Lu's significant professional honors include: Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Love Family Professorship The Lµ Fluidics Group actively mentors students and postdocs, currently accepting new postdoctoral researchers. The lab receives substantial funding for interdisciplinary projects at the engineering-biology interface, with research implications spanning fundamental biological understanding to therapeutic development. The group operates within Georgia Tech's School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, with specialized facilities for microfluidic device fabrication, biological experimentation, and advanced imaging, maintaining strong collaborative ties across engineering, neuroscience, and biological disciplines.
Giovanni De Micheli is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), holding appointments in both the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC) and the School of Engineering (STI). He is affiliated with the Integrated Systems Laboratory (LSI) and serves as Scientific Director of EcoCloud. His primary office is located in INF 341 building at EPFL's Lausanne campus where he conducts research and teaching activities. Professor De Micheli's research spans multiple domains in electronic design automation and integrated circuit design. His primary interests include: Integrated Circuit Design and Hardware Synthesis Logic Optimization and Boolean Methods Nanoelectronics and 2D Electronics Quantum Computing and Emerging Technologies Low-Power Electronics and Energy-Efficient Systems Electronic Design Automation for Novel Computing Paradigms His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on advancing logic synthesis techniques for both conventional and emerging technologies. Professor De Micheli's work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly in adapting traditional EDA methods to novel computing paradigms like quantum computing and superconducting electronics. His research group has made significant contributions to the development of efficient algorithms for circuit optimization across multiple technology domains, with particular emphasis on area, power, and delay optimization while maintaining functional correctness. Professor De Micheli has supervised numerous doctoral students throughout his career at EPFL, mentoring over 40 PhD candidates whose research spans various aspects of electronic design automation, circuit design, and emerging technologies. His students have gone on to make significant contributions in both academia and industry. As Scientific Director of EcoCloud, Professor De Micheli leads research initiatives focused on energy-efficient computing systems and sustainable cloud infrastructure. His laboratory, the Integrated Systems Laboratory, serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting computer science, electrical engineering, and materials science, with particular focus on next-generation computing technologies.
Vikramaditya G. Yadav is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science. He directs the Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) Program in Sustainable Process Engineering and leads the BioFoundry research group. Education: B.A.Sc., University of Waterloo (2007) Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2013) Postdoctoral Associate, Harvard University (2014) His research spans sustainable chemical manufacturing, metabolic engineering, and biotechnology. Key areas include: Designing biosynthetic enzymes for biomass valorization Developing bioremediation strategies for industrial water quality Creating innovative drug delivery systems and tissue engineering solutions Advancing synthetic biology for pharmaceutical and bioenergy applications His recent work focuses on ocular drug delivery, cannabinoid biosynthesis in E. coli, lignin-based nanoparticles for cancer therapy, and computational analysis of plant secondary metabolites. Collaborations with start-ups, industry, and medical labs drive innovation in Canada's bioeconomy. Professional Leadership: Chair, Biotechnology Division of the Chemical Institute of Canada Associate Editor, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering He is affiliated with UBC's BioProducts Institute and contributes to project-based learning pedagogy.
Mayank R. Mehta is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding joint appointments in the Departments of Physics & Astronomy, Neurology, and Neurobiology. He is a member of the Brain Research Institute and the W. M. Keck Center for Neurophysics at UCLA. His research bridges experimental and theoretical neuroscience, focusing on how neuronal networks encode space-time, the role of brain rhythms in learning and memory, and the impact of sleep and virtual reality on neural dynamics. His recent publications highlight breakthroughs in understanding hippocampal spatiotemporal selectivity, dendritic activity during behavior, and the causal influence of visual cues on memory neurons. Notable findings include the discovery that dendrites generate ten times more spikes than neuronal cell bodies and the modulation of hippocampal theta rhythms in virtual reality. Research Themes: Neurophysics of spatial-temporal coding Dendritic contributions to learning Virtual reality and brain plasticity Neural oscillations in memory consolidation Key Collaborators: Bert Sakmann (Max Planck Florida Institute) Thomas Hahn (Bernstein Center Heidelberg/Mannheim) Maryam Ghorbani (UCLA) Mehta's lab at UCLA trains graduate and postdoctoral researchers in cutting-edge techniques combining hardware development, electrophysiological recordings, and biophysical modeling. His work has significant implications for treating learning and memory disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Michael McAlpine is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota . He also holds affiliations with the Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on 3D printing functional materials & devices , Nanoscale inks , Biomedical devices , Bioelectronics , and Flexible Microsystems . Research Interests : 3D Printing, Biomedical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Flexible Electronics, Microfluidics Labs : ME 361/363 Contact : mcalpine@umn.edu , (612) 626-3303, ME 117 Recent Research Trends include 3D Printed Biomedical Devices , Flexible Electronics , and Bioprinting Applications . His work spans from Spinal Organoid Formation to Programmable Drug Release Capsules . Scientific Award : Circulation Research 2020 Best Manuscript Award
Mark Foster is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, with a primary appointment in the Whiting School of Engineering. He is also a Fellow of the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute. His research focuses on developing ultrahigh-speed optical systems at the intersection of photonics and electronics, emphasizing photonic devices and information theory to advance imaging, sensing, and communications technologies. Applications include quantum-optical systems, ultrawide-bandwidth microwave photonics, and terahertz-rate imaging systems. Dr. Foster received his BS (2003), MS (2007), and PhD (2008) in Applied and Engineering Physics from Cornell University. Before joining Johns Hopkins in 2010, he served as a postdoctoral associate there. His work has been funded by the NSF, IARPA, DTRA, and NIH, resulting in over 200 publications and eight patents. He has held leadership roles, including chairing the IEEE Photonics Society’s Baltimore chapter (2011–2014). Research Highlights: World-leading imaging systems achieving terahertz frame rates Quantum-optical platforms and nonlinear photonic materials (e.g., NbTiOx) Secure authentication via physically unclonable functions (PUFs) Applications in fusion energy diagnostics and medical imaging His awards include the NSF CAREER Award (201?), DARPA Young Faculty Award, and ONR Young Investigator Award. Current projects explore machine learning-resistant PUFs, multi-modal imaging systems, and photonics for extreme environments.
Muhannad S. Bakir is the Dan Fielder Professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and serves as the Director of the 3D Systems Packaging Research Center. His research focuses on heterogeneous integration of microsystems, including 2.5D and 3D ICs and packaging technologies, with significant contributions to advanced cooling systems, electrical and photonic interconnects, and biosensor integration with CMOS. Dr. Bakir's research interests span heterogeneous microsystem design and integration, advanced cooling and power delivery for emerging architectures, electrical and photonic interconnect technologies, biosensor technologies, and nanofabrication. His work addresses critical challenges in next-generation electronics, enabling polylithic integration that concatenates heterogeneous ICs of various functionalities while mimicking monolithic-like densities. His research particularly focuses on co-design of thermal technologies, power delivery networks, and signaling networks for silicon nanoelectronic systems. His recent publications demonstrate strong trends in fused-silica stitch-chip technology for heterogeneous integration, with particular emphasis on RF and mm-wave applications, power delivery for AI accelerators, and thermal management solutions. His work bridges electrical engineering, materials science, and thermal management to solve critical bottlenecks in computing performance and efficiency. 2013 Intel Early Career Faculty Honor Award 2012 DARPA Young Faculty Award 2011 IEEE CPMT Society Outstanding Young Engineer Award 2012 National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium Invited Participant 2015 IEEE CPMT Society Distinguished Lecturer 2014 Best Paper of the IEEE Transactions on Components Packaging and Manufacturing Technology More than 25 conference and student paper awards Twelve issued US Patents Dr. Bakir leads the Integrated 3D Systems Lab (I3DS) at Georgia Tech, which is actively researching advanced packaging, interconnects, electrical and thermal design, and system integration. His team has received significant recognition for their work, including multiple best paper awards from major conferences like ECTC, IITC, and CICC. The lab is currently seeking postdoctoral researchers and research faculty to advance next-generation electronics through collaborative research. His lab focuses on enabling the next phase of Moore's Law through polylithic integration, which concatenates heterogeneous ICs of various functionalities (digital, analog, photonic, and mm-wave) using advanced off-chip '2.5D' and '3D' heterogeneous interconnects and packaging. This work impacts applications in high-performance computing, machine learning, edge intelligence, autonomous vehicles, augmented/virtual reality, and healthcare.
Florian Kerschbaum is a Professor and NSERC/RBC Industrial Research Chair in Data Security at the Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo. His research focuses on data security and privacy, applied cryptography, and confidentiality in data science. Research interests span data collection/preparation management, secure multi-party computation, homomorphic encryption, differential privacy, and machine learning robustness/privacy. His work develops cryptographic solutions for practical data management challenges in distributed systems.
Anirban Paul is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. His research focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms of GABAergic inhibitory circuits, with particular emphasis on interneuron biology and its implications in neurological disorders. Dr. Paul's research spans multiple neuroscience domains, with primary focus on GABAergic inhibitory circuits and interneuron biology. His work investigates how specific neuron subtypes, particularly Chandelier cells and cortical interneurons, contribute to brain function and dysfunction. He has made significant contributions to understanding the role of these cells in schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological conditions. His research integrates molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to uncover fundamental mechanisms of neural circuit assembly, plasticity, and function. Key areas include RNA regulation in neuronal development, transcriptomic subtypes of inhibitory neurons, and cell-type specific vulnerabilities in neurodegenerative diseases. His research portfolio demonstrates consistent productivity with publications spanning from 2003 to 2025, showing an evolving focus from basic molecular neuroscience to translational research in neurological disorders. Recent work emphasizes single-cell analysis techniques and the role of specific interneuron populations in disease mechanisms, particularly in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. His publications appear in high-impact neuroscience journals including Neuron, BMC Biology, and Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. Dr. Paul has received the NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2018), recognizing his promising research in neuroscience. His scientific contributions have been supported by multiple competitive grants from prestigious organizations including the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. He serves as Principal Investigator on multiple active research projects, including two major grants from the National Institute on Aging focused on cell-type specific risk and resilience in Alzheimer's disease and aging (2021-2024 and 2024-2026), as well as previous projects from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation investigating Chandelier cells in schizophrenia. His research program demonstrates sustained funding and scientific leadership in the field of interneuron biology and its clinical implications.
Prof. Hayden Kwok Hay SO is an Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), affiliated with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He currently serves as Acting Director of the School of Innovation and previously co-directed the Computer Engineering Program. His research focuses on reconfigurable computing systems, FPGA-based architectures, and their applications in AIoT, medical imaging, and high-performance computing. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley (1998–2007). Prof. So has been recognized with awards such as the IEEE-HKN Teaching Award (2021), Croucher Innovation Award (2013), and multiple teaching excellence awards. He leads the Computer Architecture & System Research Lab (CASR) and co-founded the Joint Lab on Future Cities (JLFC). His work spans FPGA overlay architectures, graph processing systems, and hardware-software co-design for efficient computing. Key research contributions include advancements in FPGA-based reconfigurable systems, sparse dataflow architectures, and medical imaging accelerators. He has secured grants for projects like 'Advanced machine vision guided aquatic surface vehicles' and 'Efficient and Productive Parallel Data Processing in Hybrid FPGA-CPU Clusters.' Prof. So has advised numerous students and researchers, contributing to over 150 peer-reviewed publications. His current projects explore AI hardware acceleration, neuromorphic computing, and FPGA-driven solutions for big data challenges.
Jeffrey Schall is a Full Professor of Biology and Program Director of the Visual Neurophysiology Centre at York University. He holds the Canada Research Chair in Translating Neuroscience. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying behavior, integrating neurophysiological and computational approaches across multiple scales. Schall is a core member of the Centre for Vision Research and the Canada First Research Excellence Fund Connected Minds initiative. Education: PhD in Anatomy (University of Utah School of Medicine, 1986), postdoctoral training at MIT. Awards include the Troland Research Award, Sloan Foundation Fellowship, and AAAS Fellowship. He served as Vision Science Society President in 2019. Research interests include visual attention, executive control, error monitoring, and translational neuroscience applications in law. His work bridges basic science with applied studies in clinical populations like schizophrenia patients. Collaborative projects involve EEG/MEG analysis, cortical microcircuitry modeling, and neuromodulation techniques. Teaching: YU_NRSC 2100 Systems, Behavioral, and Cognitive Neuroscience. Active in interdisciplinary initiatives linking neuroscience with legal systems through scholarship and policy engagement.
Dmitri Strukov is a Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His work spans material science, electrical engineering, and computer science, focusing on novel computing paradigms using emerging memory devices. Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from SUNY Stony Brook, MS in Applied Physics and Mathematics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. Research Interests include neuromorphic computing , non-volatile memory applications , and mixed-signal circuits for machine learning and hardware security. His group develops memristive crossbar arrays and 3D NAND flash for energy-efficient systems. Scientific Leadership features Fellow of IEEE and Distinguished Lecturer roles. His work has been recognized with best paper awards at ASPLOS’19 and Computing Frontiers’13. Students: Mentored PhD graduates in neurocomputing, security, and memristor design including Z. Fahimi, S. Larimian, M.R. Mahmoodi, and X. Guo. Grants: Funded by AFOSR, ARO, DARPA, NSF, and industry leaders like Google and Samsung. Labs: Utilizes UCSB’s nanofabrication center and advanced tools for memristor characterization.
Marc V Fuccillo is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he leads a research laboratory focused on understanding the neural circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral control. His work bridges molecular, synaptic, and behavioral approaches to investigate how striatal circuits regulate mouse behavior from simple motor patterns to complex goal-directed actions. Fuccillo holds dual appointments in the Neuroscience and Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Groups at Penn and maintains an active laboratory investigating the synaptic and circuit basis of neuropsychiatric disorders. Education: B.A. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Music Performance (Violin) from Brown University (1998) Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics from New York University School of Medicine (2007) M.D. from New York University School of Medicine (2008) Fuccillo's research centers on the synaptic and circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, with particular emphasis on striatal circuits. His laboratory employs a range of technologies including mouse genetics, in vitro electrophysiology, in vivo imaging, and quantitative behavioral analysis to explore how neural circuits of the striatum regulate behavior and how disruptions in these circuits contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders. His work has particularly focused on autism-associated abnormalities in behavioral control, examining how synaptic adhesion molecules like neuroligins and neurexins shape circuit function and behavior, with significant findings regarding D1 dopamine receptor positive medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens. Analysis of Fuccillo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on striatal circuit function across multiple dimensions. His work spans molecular neuroscience (examining synaptic adhesion molecules), cellular physiology (studying specific neuron types in striatal circuits), systems neuroscience (mapping circuit connectivity), and behavioral neuroscience (quantifying motor learning and decision-making). A unifying theme is how disruptions in specific molecular pathways lead to circuit-level abnormalities that manifest as behavioral phenotypes relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders, with particular attention to autism, OCD, and schizophrenia models. Scientific Recognition: Publications in high-impact journals including Nature Neuroscience, Current Biology, Cell Reports, and Neuron Research supported by multiple NIH grants including NIMH F32, NIMH K01, and HHMI Gilliam Fellowship awards for lab members Fuccillo actively mentors a diverse group of trainees including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates. His laboratory has produced numerous successful alumni who have gone on to faculty positions, medical residencies, and graduate programs at prestigious institutions. His mentoring approach emphasizes technical skill development across multiple neuroscience disciplines while fostering independent scientific thinking. Current research in his lab is supported by NIH funding focused on understanding the molecular architecture of striatal circuits and their role in behavioral control, with three major research directions exploring molecular logic of striatal circuits, circuit mechanisms of behavioral control, and striatal dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disease models. The Fuccillo Laboratory operates within the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, with access to state-of-the-art facilities for molecular, electrophysiological, imaging, and behavioral neuroscience research. The lab maintains active collaborations with other neuroscience research groups at Penn and beyond, creating a rich intellectual environment for studying the neural basis of behavior. Current research directions include investigating whether there is a molecular logic to striatal circuit composition, how striatal circuits shape behavioral control, and what mouse models of autism, schizophrenia, and OCD can reveal about striatal circuit dysfunction in disease pathophysiology.
Anantha Chandrakasan is the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, serving as Dean of the MIT School of Engineering and Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer. His research focuses on energy-efficient integrated circuits, medical devices, and AI hardware security. He leads the MIT Energy-Efficient Circuits and Systems Group, developing systems for biomedical applications, wireless communication, and quantum computing. He holds appointments at MIT's Microsystems Technology Laboratories and has contributed to collaborations like the MIT-Takeda Program in AI-driven healthcare and a partnership with GlobalFoundries for energy-efficient AI chips. His work spans implantable drug delivery systems, conformable ultrasound patches, and secure edge computing architectures. Chandrakasan's innovations include ultra-low-power circuits for IoT devices, cryptographic processors for post-quantum security, and AI accelerators for edge applications. He emphasizes interdisciplinary research bridging electrical engineering with biomedical and quantum fields, supported by leadership roles in MIT's strategic initiatives. His contributions to energy-efficient computing have led to advancements in wearable health monitors, batteryless sensors, and secure communication protocols for medical devices. Ongoing projects include THz integrated systems and AI-enhanced analog circuit design optimization.
