Jun Xiao is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since August 2021. He holds additional affiliations with the Physics and Electrical & Computer Engineering departments. His research focuses on quantum materials, light-matter interactions, and terahertz optoelectronics. Ph.D. in Applied Science and Technology from UC Berkeley (2018) Postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Bachelor's degree in Physics from Nanjing University Research interests include structure-property relationships in quantum materials, ultrafast optical engineering, and THz device development. His lab explores non-equilibrium phase transitions, quantum collective excitations, and photocarrier dynamics for energy and computing applications. Recent publications emphasize topological semimetals for THz sensing, stacking order engineering in 2D materials, and spin-mechanical coupling in antiferromagnets. His group integrates ultrafast lasers, quantum transport measurements, and in-situ strain control to study ferroelectricity, magnetism, and electron correlations. Scientific awards include Nature Communications Editor's Suggestion (2018) Nature Nanotechnology publication (2015) Jun Xiao's lab operates 2D material preparation and multimodal characterization facilities, including ultrafast laser systems, CW light sources, and cryogenic strain cells. He teaches courses on quantum materials and device physics, including MS&E 803 and MS&E 456.
Sophie Nowicki is an Empire Innovation Professor at the University at Buffalo's RENEW Institute, Department of Earth Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences. She serves as Director of the Center for Geological and Climate Hazards. Her research focuses on ice sheet and sea level dynamics, using a combination of applied mathematics, remote sensing observations, and numerical modeling to understand how ice sheets interact with the global climate system. Empire Innovation Professor, University at Buffalo Director, Center for Geological and Climate Hazards Member of UB RENEW Institute Department of Earth Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Nowicki's research interests center on glaciology, ice-sheet modeling, climate modeling, and sea level change. She studies how ice sheets interact with the global climate system and affect sea level change using a spectrum of models from idealized to large-scale continental ice sheet models. Her work is integral to climate models that provide forcing for ice sheet models, particularly through the Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project for CMIP6 (ISMIP6). She teaches courses including Introduction to Computational Earth Science, Environmental Remote Sensing, and various graduate research courses. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on Antarctic and Greenland ice sheet modeling, sea level rise projections, and the development of advanced modeling frameworks. The research spans from fundamental glaciological processes to large-scale climate impacts, with a particular emphasis on quantifying uncertainties in ice sheet contributions to sea level rise. Her work frequently appears in top journals including Nature, The Cryosphere, and Geophysical Research Letters, and she has made significant contributions to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. Empire Innovation Professor recognition Lead contributor to IPCC AR6 Working Group I Principal Investigator for ISMIP6 (Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project) Dr. Nowicki actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with current advisees working on various aspects of ice sheet dynamics and sea level change. Her research is supported by multiple grants from NASA, NSF, and other agencies focused on improving our understanding and projections of ice sheet behavior in a warming climate. She leads the development of critical tools like the Cryosphere Model Comparison Tool (CmCt) and has been instrumental in establishing community standards for ice sheet modeling. She is involved with several research groups and initiatives including the Ice Sheet & Sea Level Lab at UB, which focuses on understanding how ice sheets will evolve in a warming world and what this means for future sea levels. Her team combines observational data with sophisticated modeling approaches to address key questions about ice-ocean and ice-atmosphere interactions that drive ice sheet changes.
Prof. Muhittin Eren Uçkan is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Rafet Kayış Faculty of Engineering. His work focuses on earthquake engineering, structural dynamics, and seismic performance of infrastructure systems. Education: MS in Civil Engineering (1987) from Middle East Technical University, PhD in Earthquake Engineering (1994) from Boğaziçi University Key Research Areas: Seismic response of pipelines, soil-structure interaction, base isolation systems, and infrastructure resilience His recent publications analyze post-earthquake performance of transmission pipelines (2024 Kahramanmaras), liquid storage tanks (2023), and buried steel pipes (2016–2019). Studies emphasize fault crossing effects , sloshing damping , and seismic risk frameworks . Administrative roles include Vice Dean at Gebze Institute of High Technology (1998), Head of Department (1995–1998), and Commission Presidency at Alanya Aladdin Keykubat University (2020).
Dr. Li Hailong is a Chair Professor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen. He holds a PhD in Hydrogeology from the University of Hong Kong (2003), an MSc (1991) and BSc (1988) in Applied Mathematics from Fudan University. His academic journey includes professorships at China University of Geosciences-Beijing (2009-2020) and Anshan Normal University (1999-2009). Recipient of 2010 NSFC Outstanding Young Scientist Grant 2022 Dayu Water Conservancy Science and Technology Award 2008 Chutian Professorship (Hubei Province's highest academic honor) Dr. Li's research focuses on multi-component, multi-phase subsurface flows in coastal zones and their ecological/environmental effects. His work spans aquifer parameter estimation, ecohydrology, marine groundwater discharge, and computational fluid dynamics. Recent projects involve submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) quantification in Bohai Sea and Jiaozhou Bay using radium/radon isotopes. His publications in top journals like Nature Geoscience , Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta , and Water Resources Research have been cited 7,072 times (H-index 49). He has led 19 research projects, including 6 NSFC grants and 973 Program subprojects. Dr. Li serves on editorial boards of Advances in Water Resources and Water Science and Engineering , and was Associate Editor for Hydrogeology Journal (2012-2015).
Georges Gielen is Full Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) at KU Leuven, Belgium, and part-time Research Director at imec. He has held multiple leadership roles including Chair of ESAT Department (2012-2013, 2020-2024) and Vice-Rector for Science, Engineering & Technology (2013-2017). His academic career spans over 30 years at KU Leuven, progressing from Assistant to Full Professor. His research focuses on analog and mixed-signal integrated circuit design automation , with expertise in CAD tools, design optimization, sensor interfaces, and neuromorphic systems. His work bridges hardware design with machine learning, particularly in hardware-efficient AI implementations and biomedical applications. He has pioneered techniques for automated analog circuit sizing, topology synthesis, and reliability-aware design in nanometer CMOS. Gielen has received numerous accolades including the IEEE CAS Mac Van Valkenburg Award (2015), IEEE CAS Charles Desoer Award (2020), and EDAA Achievement Award (2021). He holds an ERC Advanced Grant AnalogCreate and is an IEEE Fellow since 2002. As a prolific scholar, he has chaired major conferences including DATE (2006), ICCAD (2007), and ESSCIRC (2017). He has graduated over 55 PhD students through the MICAS research group at KU Leuven, currently supervising 13 doctoral candidates. His research team collaborates extensively with imec and industry partners on cutting-edge projects in carbon-aware AI accelerators, uncertainty-aware design, and neuromorphic sensor interfaces.
Kirsten Moselund is a Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and Head of the Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Technologies (LNQ) at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) since 2022. She leads LNQ’s six research groups focused on nanotechnology and advanced nanomanufacturing quantum computing technologies with co-location of the ETHZ-PSI Quantum Computing Hub and affiliation to EPFL's Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSE) . Her research spans semiconductor device physics and technology development, including III-V electronics nanophotonics topological devices cryogenic electronics with applications in quantum computing, optical communication, and integrated photonics. She received an ERC Starting Grant for hybrid photonic-plasmonic nanolasers. Recent publications focus on III-V photodetectors on silicon hybrid laser integration thermal management in nanocavities topological mode emission across Nature Communications , ACS Photonics , and Nature Electronics . Scientific awards include ERC Starting Grant and institutional roles such as Member of IHP Microelectronics Scientific Advisory Board Executive Board of Swiss Photonics Technical Program Committee member for IEDM conference At PSI, she oversees construction of the Park InnovAare cleanroom opening in 2024 and collaborates with international groups on theoretical foundations and simulations.
Lorenzo Melito is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) in Ancona, Italy. His research focuses on coastal engineering, fluid dynamics, and environmental modeling with particular emphasis on wave dynamics, tsunami inundation, and coastal adaptation to climate change in Mediterranean environments. Dr. Melito's research interests span several critical areas in coastal engineering and environmental fluid mechanics. His work on wave-current interactions, steady streaming, and infragravity dynamics provides fundamental insights into coastal processes. He has developed semi-empirical approaches for tsunami inundation mapping that have been applied to Italian coastlines. His research on munitions mobility in estuaries addresses important environmental contamination issues, while his work on coastal inundation modeling contributes to climate change adaptation strategies for the Marche Region and beyond. His publications demonstrate expertise in both theoretical modeling and experimental approaches to understanding complex coastal phenomena. Analysis of Dr. Melito's recent publications reveals a strong focus on coastal processes in the Adriatic Sea region, particularly in microtidal environments. His work combines theoretical modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental approaches to understand complex wave-bottom interactions, sediment transport, and coastal flooding mechanisms. A recurring theme is the application of fundamental fluid dynamics principles to solve practical coastal engineering problems, with emphasis on Italian coastal regions including the Marche Region and the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts. His research bridges theoretical fluid dynamics with practical coastal management applications, particularly for hazard assessment and climate change adaptation.
Associate Professor Fangbao Tian is a distinguished researcher and academic at UNSW Canberra's School of Engineering and Technology, where he also serves as Deputy Head of School for Research since July 2023. Previously, he held positions as Senior Lecturer (2017-2021) and Lecturer (2014-2017) at the same institution after completing postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt University. His academic journey began with a BSc (2006) and PhD (2011) in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and Engineering Mechanics from the University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Tian's research focuses on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools for complex flows and fluid-structure interaction, with particular emphasis on bio-inspired applications. His work spans modeling laryngeal aerodynamics and vocal-fold vibration, fluid-structure interaction of plates in viscous fluid, fish swimming and insect flight, blood flow dynamics, and non-Newtonian flow phenomena. Recent work has expanded into Martian atmosphere aerodynamics, showing his research's growing interdisciplinary nature. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions across fluid dynamics, with recent trends showing increasing focus on compressible flows, bio-inspired flight systems, heat transfer applications, and computational methods like Lattice Boltzmann approaches. The research shows strong connections between fundamental fluid mechanics and practical applications in aerospace, biomedical engineering, and environmental systems. UNSW Canberra Goldstar Award 2022 IEEE Outstanding SMCS Chapter Award 2021 Outstanding Volunteer Award 2021 UNSW Canberra Silverstar Award 2018 UNSW Canberra Silverstar Award 2017 Journal of Fluids and Structures Highly Cited Research 2017 ARC DECRA 2016 Dr. Tian actively supervises PhD students across diverse topics including bushfire-enhanced wind loads, bio-inspired flight on Mars, flow control optimization, and fluid-structure interactions in compressible flows. He has secured over $5 million in external funding as Chief Investigator, including significant Australian Research Council projects examining Martian atmosphere aerodynamics, bio-inspired flapping wings, and cardiovascular flow modeling. His editorial roles include Associate Editor for Journal of Fluids and Structures and Scientific Reports, reflecting his standing in the fluid dynamics research community.
Dr. Mauro Werder is a Lecturer at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich. His work focuses on glaciology, subglacial hydrology, and numerical modeling, combining computational methods with field measurements. He has developed widely used models such as GlaDS (Glacier Drainage System) and BITE (Bayesian Ice Thickness Estimation), and contributed to projects like SHMIP and 4D-Antarctica. Current Projects: Gladder (2025-2028), DIWING (2023-2026), LEAD (2020-2026), 4D-Antarctica (2019-2022), CORDS (2023-2024) Education: PhD in Glaciology (2009, Swiss National Science Foundation funded) His research spans subglacial drainage systems, sediment transport (SUGSET model), Bayesian inversion techniques, and field experiments involving artificial lakes and R-channels. He actively teaches courses on GPU-based PDE solving, applied glaciology, and reproducible scientific computing. Scientific Awards: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) Fellowship for Prospective Researchers (2010-2011) European Union (FP7) Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship (2011-2014) He collaborates with institutions like the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and contributes to software development through packages like BITEmodel.jl and Parameters.jl. His fieldwork includes experiments on Greenland's Jakobshavn Isbræ and Switzerland's Plaine Morte glacier.
William Harbert is a Professor in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science at the University of Pittsburgh, where he leads research in geophysics and subsurface characterization. His work bridges fundamental geophysical principles with practical applications in energy and environmental systems. Education: MS in Exploration Geophysics from Stanford University PhD in Geophysics from Stanford University Research focuses on seismic analysis across multiple scales, from micro-CT to surface seismic. His group specializes in advanced processing of microseismic, reflection seismic, and VSP data to image subsurface structures and understand pore-scale dynamics. Current work integrates deep learning for geophysical object detection and classification, with emphasis on organic shale systems and CO 2 storage monitoring. Key areas include rock physics, microseismicity analysis, and environmental geophysics for water quality assessment. Publication trends show strong emphasis on energy-related geophysics, particularly hydraulic fracturing monitoring, CO 2 sequestration verification, and unconventional reservoir characterization. Recent work increasingly incorporates machine learning techniques and addresses environmental monitoring challenges in subsurface operations. Scientific recognition: DOE ORISE Research Associate Resident Institute Fellow of the NETL-Institute for Advanced Energy Solution Professional engagements include membership on the Altarock Review Board for DOE-funded geothermal projects and prior service on the Scientific Advisory Board for the In Salah CO 2 Injection Project. His research involves extensive collaboration with national laboratories and industry partners on subsurface monitoring technologies. His laboratory group develops advanced geophysical processing techniques for subsurface imaging across multiple scales, with current projects focusing on microseismic monitoring of shale reservoirs and CO 2 storage sites.
Ethan N. Epperly is a Miller Research Fellow in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he conducts cutting-edge research in applied mathematics with a focus on computational techniques for large-scale problems. Dr. Epperly received his PhD in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Caltech, where his research was supported by a Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship. His educational background established a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied mathematics. His primary research interests include randomized and quantum algorithms, scientific computing, and large-scale machine learning. Dr. Epperly specializes in designing computational techniques for solving large-scale problems in machine learning, quantum information, and scientific computing, with particular expertise in kernel matrix approximation, low-rank approximation, and numerical linear algebra problems. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical computational efficiency. Epperly's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on developing efficient randomized algorithms for matrix computations. His research shows how randomized approaches can achieve accuracy and stability comparable to classical methods while offering significant computational advantages, particularly in settings where computational resources are limited. His work on Krylov subspace methods, Cholesky decomposition variants, and trace estimation has advanced the field of numerical linear algebra. Hertz foundation fellowship finalist Thomas A. Tisch Prize for Graduate Teaching in CMS W. P. Carey & Co. Prize in Applied Mathematics SIAM Student Paper Prize Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship As a Miller Research Fellow, Dr. Epperly collaborates with leading researchers including Joel A. Tropp, Robert J. Webber, and Yifan Chen. His work has significant implications for machine learning applications requiring efficient handling of large-scale matrix computations, with potential applications across scientific computing and quantum information processing.
Guillaume Chiavassa is a Professor in Applied Mathematics at Ecole Centrale de Marseille, affiliated with the Laboratoire M2P2 (Mechanics, Modeling and Physical Processes Laboratory). He leads research in the Thermodynamics, Waves, Digital, Interfaces and Combustion team, focusing on advanced computational methods for complex physical phenomena. His research spans wave propagation in porous media, numerical modeling of plasma flows in Tokamak configurations, multilevel schemes for conservation laws, penalization methods for compressible flows, and wavelets in numerical analysis. Chiavassa's work demonstrates exceptional mathematical rigor applied to challenging physical systems, particularly in nonlinear wave dynamics and computational fluid mechanics. His methodologies bridge theoretical mathematics with practical engineering applications. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on wave propagation phenomena across diverse media, with significant contributions to numerical methods for nonlinear systems. His work consistently addresses the mathematical challenges of modeling complex physical behaviors including material softening, fractional attenuation in porous media, and plasma dynamics in fusion devices. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects applied mathematics with mechanical engineering, geophysics, and nuclear fusion technology. Chiavassa leads the PROSPERO Software project and participates in the ANR Espoir research initiative and the Consortium SEISCOPE. His teaching activities include courses on hyperbolic equations, finite elements, and heat transfer, with practical computational components developed for student instruction. He maintains an active research program through Laboratory M2P2, where his team develops advanced numerical methods for simulating complex physical phenomena with applications ranging from environmental engineering to nuclear fusion research.
Stuart Long is an associate dean of undergraduate research and faculty member at the Honors College of the University of Houston, where he serves as the academic adviser for all honors students majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He teaches courses on electromagnetic waves and conducts research in antenna design and applied electromagnetics. Education: Received his doctorate from Harvard University. Stuart Long's research focuses on biomedical applications of electromagnetics, particularly MRI safety testing for implantable medical devices. His work addresses RF-induced heating, electromagnetic compatibility, and safety protocols for devices such as orthopaedic implants and active implantable systems. Recent publications emphasize computational modeling, machine learning, and historical advancements in antenna design. His scholarly contributions include the 2024 Distinguished Achievement Award, the 2018 Chen-To Tai Distinguished Educator Award, and the 2014 John Kraus Antenna Award. These honors reflect his leadership in electromagnetic safety research and engineering education. Stuart Long has actively contributed to improving pedagogy in engineering education, particularly through collaborative learning and retention workshops for diverse student populations. His academic advising role supports the integration of rigorous technical training and interdisciplinary research opportunities for honors students.
Chuanfei Dong is an Assistant Professor of Astronomy at Boston University's College of Arts & Sciences and of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering. His research focuses on understanding plasma physics and its applications to space science, planetary atmospheres, and fusion energy. Dong joined BU in January 2023 after working as a staff scientist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Education: B.S. in Space Science from University of Science and Technology of China M.S. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from Georgia Institute of Technology M.S.E. in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences from University of Michigan M.S. in Planetary and Space Sciences from University of Michigan Ph.D. in Scientific Computing from University of Michigan Research Interests: Dr. Dong's research spans multiple disciplines within space physics and plasma science. His primary interests include Star-Terrestrial Planet Interactions in our Solar System and beyond, magnetic reconnection and turbulence phenomena, wave-particle interactions in space plasmas, and applications of physics-informed machine learning to plasma problems. He also investigates high-intensity laser-plasma interactions with applications to fusion energy research. His work bridges the gap between theoretical plasma physics and observational space science, with particular focus on planetary atmospheres, solar wind interactions, and exoplanet habitability. Dong's interdisciplinary approach combines computational modeling, observational data analysis, and theoretical frameworks to address fundamental questions in space physics. Research Trends: Dong's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying advanced computational techniques to space plasma physics problems. His work spans solar system bodies including Earth, Mars, Mercury, and the Moon, with increasing attention to exoplanet systems. A notable trend is the integration of machine learning approaches with traditional plasma physics modeling, particularly for complex phenomena like Landau damping and magnetic reconnection. His research has significant implications for understanding atmospheric evolution, space weather, and potential habitability of planetary bodies. Scientific Awards: DOE Early Career Research Award (2023) - $875,000 grant for plasma turbulence research Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2024) Metcalf Travel Award Advising and Grants: Dr. Dong mentors undergraduate research assistants and plans to expand his research group with the support of his DOE Early Career Award, which will fund a graduate student and postdoctoral researcher. His research is supported by the Department of Energy and has connections to NASA missions including MAVEN (Mars) and BepiColombo (Mercury). Dong is also involved with the Mauve telescope project as BU institutional PI. His work has been featured in numerous media outlets including Phys.org, Science Daily, and German TV program zdf/3sat. Labs and Teams: Dr. Dong leads a research group focused on computational plasma physics at Boston University. He collaborates with researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and is involved with multiple NASA missions. His team develops advanced computational models to simulate space plasma phenomena, with particular expertise in magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), particle-in-cell methods, and physics-informed machine learning approaches. Dong is also affiliated with BU's Hariri Institute for Computing.
Professor Kiyotaka Iwasaki at Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering is a leading figure in biomedical engineering with a focus on cardiovascular device development , tissue engineering , and regulatory science . His career spans over two decades at Waseda University, including roles as Associate Professor (2006-2014) and positions at Harvard Medical School's Laboratory for Tissue Engineering. Holding a Doctor of Engineering from Waseda, he serves on numerous international regulatory committees and has contributed to ISO/TC194 standards for medical devices. 1993-2002: Waseda University Education in Mechanical Engineering 2001-2004: Research Associate at Waseda University 2004: Research Scientist at Harvard Medical School 2018-Present: Professor at Waseda University His research interests include Non-clinical testing methodologies for medical devices Regulatory science frameworks Tissue engineering for ligament and cardiac applications Cardiovascular biomedical engineering His scientific contributions reveal through Development of decellularized tissue grafts for orthopaedic surgery Innovations in 3D cardiac tissue engineering using fibrin-based cell sheet stacking Pioneering bioresorbable stent technology with magnesium alloys Creation of biomechanical simulators for valvular disease modeling His awards span from the 2021 Japanese Ministerial Science Commendation 2020 JSME Standards Award 2018 ARIA Innovation Award 2001 ASAIO Fellowship While his publications demonstrate expertise in Vascular and cardiac device testing Bioresorbable stent evaluation Machine learning in medical device regulation Decellularized tissue applications
