Dr. Rand Ismaeel is a Senior Research Fellow holding a Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship. Her interdisciplinary research bridges silicon photonics at the nanoscale (ORC) and maritime technologies (National Oceanography Centre) to develop advanced marine sensors for deep-ocean greenhouse gas monitoring. Research focuses on: Optical fibre sensors for environmental monitoring Terahertz photonics and 3D-printed optical components Methane detection systems for oceanography Polymer optical fiber fabrication techniques Her publications demonstrate expertise in novel fiber manufacturing methods, gas sensing membranes, and photonic device innovation. The Royal Academy fellowship supports her work on deploying sensors in inaccessible ocean depths to measure climate impacts.
Dr. Sijing Liang is a Senior Research Fellow at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton. She obtained her B.Eng. in Optical Engineering from Zhejiang University, China, and her Ph.D. in optoelectronics from the ORC, where she researched high-power pulsed thulium-doped fibre lasers for nonlinear frequency conversion to mid-IR and visible wavelengths. Following her doctorate, she continued at ORC developing advanced telecom amplifiers using various technologies including multicore fibre amplifiers, Raman amplifiers, and parametric amplifiers. Dr. Liang's research encompasses: Multicore fibre amplifier design and optimization High-power pulsed fibre laser development Nonlinear optical phenomena in fibre systems Telecommunications amplifier technologies Novel fibre-optic device integration Her current projects focus on improving energy efficiency in optical amplifiers and developing new fibre coupling techniques. She has presented her work internationally, including talks on "SDM amplifiers and components" (2023) and "Energy-Efficient Multicore Fiber amplifiers" (2024). Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on improving optical amplifier performance (40%), novel fibre coupling techniques (30%), and mid-IR laser applications (30%), with recent emphasis on hollow-core fibre implementations.
Yannan Shen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Kansas. Her research focuses on applied mathematics, particularly models from physics and engineering involving optical systems, metamaterials, plasmas, and Bose-Einstein condensates. She employs methods such as asymptotics, variational approximations, rigorous analysis, numerical analysis, and scientific computing to study existence, stability, and dynamics of solitary wave solutions. Her work has been supported by an NSF grant (DMS-206218, 2022-2025). Recent research emphasizes nonlinear wave equations, including the Camassa-Holm system, Novikov equation, and short-pulse equations. She teaches advanced courses like Applied Partial Differential Equations and Numerical PDE, reflecting her expertise in applied mathematics and computational methods. Key research areas: Dynamical systems, mathematical physics, numerical analysis, and nonlinear PDEs Expertise in models involving metamaterials, plasmas, and optical systems Recipient of NSF funding supporting studies on wave systems and liquid crystals
Chigo Okonkwo is Full Professor and Chair of Secured Ultra High Capacity Transmission at the Department of Electrical Engineering , Eindhoven University of Technology. He leads the high-capacity optical transmission laboratory at the Institute for Photonics Integration and contributes to the Center for Quantum Materials and Technology Eindhoven (QT/e) . Academic Qualifications: MSc in Telecommunications and Information Systems, University of Essex (2002) PhD in Optical Signal Processing, University of Essex (2010) Research Interests: Professor Okonkwo focuses on: Maximizing capacity of single-mode fiber systems through advanced-coded modulation and Probabilistic/Geometrically shaped signals Developing Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) systems for Petabit/s transmission using multi-mode/multi-core fibers Quantum secure communications and cryptographic protocol development Optical vector network analyzer (OVNA) technology for SDM fiber characterization Free-space optical link deployment in urban environments Low-complexity digital signal processing algorithms Recent Publications Trends: His 15 most recent articles (2023-2025) demonstrate active research in: Quantum-classical network integration Extreme capacity fiber transmission (Petabit/s systems) Machine learning for optical diagnostics SDM fiber measurement technologies Hybrid QKD-PQC security frameworks Free-space optical urban communication Scientific Awards: Asia Communications and Photonics Conference (ACP) 2018 Best Paper Award European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) 2018 Student Paper Award Optica Student Paper Awards (2022) Corning Outstanding Student Paper Competition Finalist (2025) Advisory & Collaborations: Advisor to 8+ researchers including Menno van den Hout, Vincent van Vliet, and Thomas Bradley Technical Program Committee Member, European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) since 2014 Sub Committee Chair for Digital Signal Processing track at ECOC 2018 General Chair for OSA Advanced Photonics Congress on Signal Processing for Photonics Collaborates with EU projects (HOMTech, PhotonDelta) and industrial partners Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of CUbIQ Technologies Laboratory & Infrastructure: Maintains the world-class High Capacity Optical Transmission Lab at TU/e, featuring: Advanced SDM fiber testing equipment Quantum communication research infrastructure Free-space optical link experimental setups Multi-core fiber amplification systems Coherent transmission testbeds Machine learning-enabled diagnostic tools
Leonardo Orazi is a Full Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia's Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods. He specializes in advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly laser processing, polymer engineering, and biomedical surface functionalization. His teaching roles include courses on Smart Manufacturing, Injection Molding, and Additive Manufacturing in Digital Automation and Mechatronic Engineering programs. Research focuses on laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS), material characterization, and micro/nanostructuring for biomedical and industrial applications. Develops innovative manufacturing processes for antibacterial surfaces, microfluidic devices, and enhanced material properties. Research Interests: Laser texturing, polymer processing, surface engineering, additive manufacturing, and simulation-driven design. Labs/Teams: Active in laser-matter interaction research and collaborative projects on biomaterial functionalization. His work bridges computational modeling (e.g., Moldflow simulations) with experimental validation. Publications: Over 40 peer-reviewed articles since 2010, emphasizing laser-based manufacturing advancements, polymer molding optimization, and biomedical material surface treatments. Recent work includes antibiofouling polymer functionalization via ultrafast lasers and fiber orientation modeling in composites.
Prof. Heiner Igel is a Professor at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München. His research focuses on seismology, planetary geophysics, and structural health monitoring, leveraging advanced numerical methods and sensor technologies. He leads projects involving multi-component seismic measurements, seismic wave modeling, and planetary exploration instruments. Key research areas include rotational ground motion analysis, nonlinear seismic wave propagation, and subsurface imaging for Earth and planetary bodies. His work integrates cutting-edge numerical techniques like discontinuous Galerkin methods and Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling for earthquake dynamics and material parameter inversion. Prof. Igel’s contributions include the NEPOS project for planetary seismic networks and collaborations with instruments like ROMY (Ring Laser Gyroscope). His studies span bridge monitoring, lunar subsurface exploration, and environmental seismology, emphasizing interdisciplinary applications of geophysical data.
Dr. Florian Merget is a senior researcher ( Oberingenieur ) at the Institut und Lehrstuhl für Integrierte Photonik at RWTH Aachen University since 2011. His research spans silicon photonics , photonic integrated circuits (PICs) , and their applications in biomedical imaging , quantum optics , and optical communication systems . Education : Diplom-Ingenieur and PhD in Electrical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University Research Areas : Photonic device design (grating couplers, modulators, external cavity lasers), optical packaging, quantum interfaces, and biomedical photonics His recent publications focus on silicon nitride components for biomedical and quantum applications, alignment-tolerant optical couplers , and nonlinear optical transmission systems . Collaborations include work with Jeremy Witzens, Alvaro Moscoso Martir, and other photonics experts. Key contributions involve photonic interposer technology , resonant modulator design , and spin qubit-photon interfaces . He has also filed patents related to optical alignment and photonic integration .
Shuo Sean Pang is an Associate Professor at CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Caltech and conducted postdoctoral research at Duke University. His work focuses on computational imaging systems, AI-driven optical design, and optoelectronic systems for sensing, imaging, and computing applications. Education Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology M.S. Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University B.S. Optical Engineering, Tsinghua University Research Interests Dr. Pang’s lab explores computational imaging methods , AI optimization for optical systems , photonic signal processing , and optical design modeling . Current projects include developing photonic integrated circuits for matrix operations, floating-point photonic solvers, and AI-driven photonics design frameworks. Recent Research Trends His 2023–2024 publications emphasize photonic arithmetic hardware (e.g., floating-point multipliers and iterative solvers) and AI-driven photonics (inverse design, variational networks). He has demonstrated fiber-optic computing systems and photonic encoders for high-speed imaging processing. Awards 2019 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (UCF) 2017 SPIE DCS Rising Researcher Award 2016 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award Advising & Grants Current advisees include Ph.D. students Andrew Klein (optical iterative solvers), Xichen Shan (imaging systems), and Steven Silverio. He has mentored alumni Zheyuan Zhu (2020) and Yangyang Sun (2019). Research funding has supported his work on photonics-AI integration and low-power optical systems. Labs & Teams He leads the Optical Imaging System Laboratory , which develops next-generation photonic hardware and imaging algorithms. Collaborations include Duke University and Texas A&M, with cross-disciplinary efforts in biomedical optics and computational photonics.
Wladek Forysiak is a Professor at Aston University, holding the EFFECT Photonics / Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Highly Integrated Coherent optical fiber Communications. He is affiliated with the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AiPT) within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on high-speed optical fiber communication systems, optical devices, and enabling technologies for ultra-wideband networks. He has held roles including Royal Society Industry Fellow, EPSRC Manufacturing Fellow, and served as Programme Director for Applied Physics. Forysiak has developed courses in Electromagnetism, Mathematical Methods II, Digital Transmission, and Digital Communications & Information Theory. His work emphasizes Raman amplification, multi-band transmission systems, and hybrid amplification techniques. Key achievements include record-breaking data rates in ultra-wideband systems and contributions to bismuth-doped fiber amplifiers. Awards include the Royal Academy of Engineering Chair and EPSRC Fellowships. Forysiak’s research spans 122 publications and 18 datasets, with collaborations in photonics, fiber optics, and network engineering.
Dr. Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan is an Adjunct Senior Fellow in the School of Engineering at RMIT University, specializing in flexible/stretchable electronics, wearable biosensors, and photonics. His research focuses on smart medical devices like Smart Mattresses for aged care and Smart Eye Patches for chronic eye disease management. He collaborates extensively with industry and holds roles in research supervision and curriculum development. **Affiliations**: Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group, RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia). **Research Interests**: Wearable sensors, optical communications, photonics, antennas, and sustainable nanomaterials. His work bridges materials science with healthcare technologies, emphasizing practical industry applications. **Awards**: Fondecyt Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018), TEQIP Doctoral Scholarship (2013), and fellowships with the Optical Society of India and Computer Science Teacher Association. **Supervision & Grants**: Active in mentoring postgraduate research projects (e.g., smart sensors, bioelectronic devices). His publications span over 60 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Optical and Quantum Electronics and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews . **Labs/Teams**: Engaged in cross-disciplinary teams developing wearable health monitoring technologies and sustainable materials for electronics.
Ricardo Izquierdo is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), where he holds a prominent position as Director of the LACIME (Communications and Microelectronic Integration Laboratory). He earned his B.Ing., M.Sc.A., and Ph.D. in Physics Engineering from Polytechnique Montréal. His research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields, with a focus on printed electronics, nanomaterials, and sustainable energy systems. Department: Department of Electrical Engineering Research Laboratories: LACIME (Director), ÉDÉ Sustainable Energy Laboratory Office: A-2475 Email: ricardo.izquierdo@etsmtl.ca Professor Izquierdo's research interests center on micro- and nanosystems (MEMS/NEMS), nanotechnology, printed electronics, biosensors, organic solar cells, and embedded systems for sports equipment. His work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and sustainable energy. He has developed innovative approaches to printed flexible sensors, photonic curing techniques for solar cells, and graphene-based materials for gas sensing applications. An analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on printed flexible electronics for sensing applications, advanced photonic curing techniques for perovskite solar cells, and novel materials for energy applications. His work demonstrates a consistent trend toward developing practical, manufacturable solutions that address real-world challenges in healthcare monitoring, environmental sensing, and renewable energy conversion. Professor Izquierdo has received significant recognition through his extensive publication record, with numerous articles in high-impact journals including ACS Omega, Nanomaterials, and IEEE Sensors Journal. His research has practical applications in smart packaging, wearable health monitoring, and sustainable energy systems. He actively supervises a large cohort of graduate students across multiple project types including doctoral theses, master's theses, applied projects, and industry interventions. His students work on cutting-edge topics such as printed temperature and pH sensors, perovskite solar cells, microfluidic biosensors, and graphene-based gas sensors. His research has attracted funding for projects related to printed electronics, sustainable energy systems, and biomedical applications. As Director of LACIME, Professor Izquierdo leads a research group focused on six key areas: functional materials, micro- and nanofabrication processes, integrated circuit design, hybrid components fabrication, photonic and electronic microsystems, and signal processing and communication. The laboratory serves as a hub for innovation in printed electronics and microsystem technologies.
Jean-Marie Tarascon, a Professor at Collège de France 's Chemistry of Materials and Energy chair, specializes in Electrochemistry , Solid State Chemistry , and Energy Storage . He founded the RS2E (French Electrochemical Energy Storage Network) and ALISTORE-ERI (European Network), focusing on next-generation batteries like Na-ion , Zn-MnO2 , and All-Solid-State systems. His work bridges Supramolecular Chemistry with Battery Self-Repair and Intelligent Battery Design via sensor integration. Over his career, Tarascon has delivered annual lectures tracing his research trajectory, including 2025's Na-ion Electrolyte Innovations , 2024's All-Solid-State Pragmatism , and 2021's Diagnostic/Repair Techniques . These lectures emphasize eco-efficient synthesis , 3D electrode materials , and battery traceability . As head of the CSE Lab (Solid-State Chemistry and Energy) at Collège de France, he collaborates with CNRS and Sorbonne Université to advance smart battery systems. His research trends highlight a shift from Li-ion fundamentals (2010-2017) to self-repair mechanisms (2018-2021) and eco-responsible alternatives (2024-2025).
Koray Aydin is an Associate Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Northwestern University 's McCormick School of Engineering. His research focuses on nanophotonics , optical metamaterials , and inverse design of photonic devices. PhD in Physics, Bilkent University MS and BS in Physics, Bilkent University The Metamaterials and Nanophotonic Devices Lab (MNDL) explores light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Key research areas include: Plasmonic materials and devices for absorption engineering Metasurfaces for subwavelength light control Two-dimensional materials in optoelectronics 3D printing of millimeter-wave and optical metadevices Hybrid and tunable nanophotonic systems Dynamic metamaterials via self-assembly His publications highlight inverse design methodologies, DNA-assembled metasurfaces , and active nanophotonic materials . Collaborations with Chad Mirkin, Vinayak Dravid, and Prem Kumar have led to breakthroughs in scalable photonic systems and programmable metamaterials. Current efforts in MNDL aim to integrate machine learning with nanophotonic device design, enabling non-intuitive geometries and ultra-compact optical components with applications in telecommunications, defense, and consumer electronics.
Siegmar Sommer is a Researcher at the Humboldt University of Berlin , affiliated with the Institute of Computer Science under the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences . He has worked at the university since 1986 in various technical and scientific roles. Dipl.-Ing. in Computer Engineering (1982) Dr.-Ing. in Computer Science (1986) Postgraduate studies in Higher Education (1990) His research focuses on networking , distributed systems , and network security , with historical contributions to optical information transmission , LAN protocols , and security-relevant systems . His work bridges hardware-software co-design and educational theory in technical disciplines. The 1980s-1990s articles highlight expertise in LAN architecture, optical communication, and security frameworks. Keywords span Networking , Operating Systems , and Education , with subfields like Fiber Optic Networks , CSMA/CD Protocols , and Higher Education Curriculum . He contributed to the Computer Engineering Group and holds a patent for " Bus Access Method for a Local Computer Network " (1986). His teaching legacy includes courses on programming languages (BASIC, PASCAL, PEARL), computer graphics, and modern topics like Wireless Communication Systems and Reliable Distributed Systems . Contact: Email: sommer@informatik.hu-berlin.de Phone: +49 30 2093-41256 Office: Room IV.303, Rudower Chaussee 25, Berlin-Adlershof
Christian Fager is a Full Professor at the Department of Microwave Electronics, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. He has been affiliated with Chalmers since completing his Ph.D. there in 2003. As Head of the Microwave Electronics Laboratory, his research focuses on nonlinear transistor modeling, energy-efficient power amplifier architectures, and distributed MIMO systems. He has co-invented 8 patents and published over 250 papers, including a seminal book on Nonlinear Transistor Model Parameter Extraction Techniques (Cambridge University Press, 2011). Dr. Fager holds editorial roles as Associate Editor of IEEE Microwave Magazine and member of the MTT-S Technical Coordination Committee on Wireless Communications. He is a Board Member of the European Microwave Association (EuMA) and has chaired multiple IEEE topical conferences. His awards include the Chalmers Supervisor of the Year (2018), inaugural Area of Advance Award (2010), and IEEE IMS Best Student Paper (2002). He leads research initiatives in distributed antenna systems, digital pre-distortion, and GaN/SiGe-based high-efficiency amplifiers, with projects involving testbed development for 5G/6G applications. His work bridges theoretical modeling and practical implementation in RF/microwave systems, emphasizing thermal and multi-physical simulation integration.
