Dr. Rajesh Bera is a Research Fellow at ICFO's Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials group specializing in quantum-confined nanostructures. His research examines ultrafast carrier dynamics, excitonic properties, and optoelectronic applications of nanomaterials including quantum dots, nanoplatelets, and hybrid nanostructures. Current investigations focus on intraband transitions in doped nanocrystals, orientation-dependent excitonic behavior in 2D materials, and charge transfer mechanisms in heterostructure devices. Work bridges fundamental photophysics with applications in photodetection, sensing, and energy conversion. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in time-resolved spectroscopy of quantum materials, nanomaterial synthesis via colloidal chemistry, and rational design of optoelectronic devices. Continually develops novel characterization methods to probe ultrafast processes at nanoscale interfaces.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Nuh Gedik is the Donner Professor of Physics at MIT, leading the Gedik Research Group. His work focuses on quantum materials, employing advanced optical and electron spectroscopies. He joined MIT in 2008 as an Assistant Professor, earned his B.S. from Bogazici University (1998), and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (2004) before postdoctoral work at Caltech. His awards include NSF CAREER, DOE Early Career, Sloan Fellowship, and APS Fellow recognition. Research interests include ultrafast dynamics in topological insulators, charge density waves, and light-induced phenomena. Key techniques include time-resolved ARPES, ultrafast electron diffraction, and terahertz spectroscopy. His group explores hidden orders in quantum materials and develops novel measurement tools. Recent work includes metastable magnetization control in FePS₃ and Floquet-Bloch states in graphene. Affiliated with the MIT Center for Quantum Engineering and Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies.
Gunnar Kusch is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on defects in semiconductors, porous AlGaN materials, and advanced characterization techniques like cathodoluminescence (CL) and atom probe tomography (APT). He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde and leads projects on UV-B LED optimization, nanoscale defect behavior analysis, and semiconductor device design. His work bridges materials synthesis, characterization, and device performance, with applications in energy-efficient lighting and solar cell technology. Key research areas include: Defect engineering in III-nitride semiconductors Porous AlGaN templates for high-efficiency UV emitters Correlative microscopy techniques (CL, EBSD, APT) Composition-structure-property relationships in photovoltaic materials Notable contributions include developing CL-based methods for nanoscale defect analysis and demonstrating improved Cu(In,Ga)S₂ solar cell efficiencies through compositional engineering. His laboratory focuses on translating microscopic insights into macroscopic device improvements.
Humberto Terrones Maldonado holds the Rayleigh Endowed Chair Professor position in the Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). An internationally recognized scholar, he has served as an invited professor at numerous institutions including the University of Louvain (UCL, Belgium), Federal University of Ceará (UFC, Brazil), Shinshu University (Japan), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, USA), Penn State University (USA), and the University of Sussex (UK). He is a member of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the Mexican Academy of Sciences. His educational background includes: PhD, University of London (Birkbeck), UK BSc, Iberoamericana University, Mexico Professor Terrones pioneered the concept of curvature in graphite and graphene in 1991, introducing Schwarzites—graphitic structures with negative Gaussian curvature. His research focuses on electronic, optical, mechanical, and chemical properties of few-layered 2D materials and their application in novel 3D nanostructures. Key areas include: 2-Dimensional Materials Complex 3-D Atomic Structures Solid State and Condensed Matter Physics Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Nonlinear Optics His recent publications (2022-2025) reveal a strong emphasis on transition metal dichalcogenides, defect engineering, machine learning for materials design, and energy applications. Work spans experimental characterization of heterostructures, computational simulations of lattice mechanics, and innovative synthesis techniques like liquid metal exfoliation. His notable scientific awards and honors include: Rayleigh Endowed Chair Member of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences
Nuri Yazdani is a Lecturer at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. Based at the Institute for Electronics (Institut für Elektronik) in Zurich, Dr. Yazdani contributes to both teaching and research in advanced materials and nanotechnology. His work spans multiple interdisciplinary areas connecting physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering, with particular emphasis on nanocrystal-based materials and their applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Dr. Yazdani's research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials, particularly semiconductor nanocrystals and quantum dots. His work explores the fundamental physical properties of these materials, including exciton-phonon interactions, structural ordering in multicomponent systems, and charge transport mechanisms in nanocrystal assemblies. He investigates how nanoscale phenomena affect macroscopic material properties, with applications ranging from catalysis to optoelectronic devices. His approach combines experimental techniques like small-angle X-ray scattering with theoretical modeling to understand structure-property relationships in nanomaterials. Analysis of Dr. Yazdani's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on perovskite and chalcogenide nanocrystals, with particular interest in how structural features like cation distribution, octahedral tilting, and surface chemistry affect optical and electronic properties. His work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications, spanning from quantum optics to energy conversion technologies. A recurring theme is the investigation of size-dependent phenomena and the role of phonons in determining material behavior at the nanoscale. Dr. Yazdani collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions and disciplines, as evidenced by his authorship on numerous multi-investigator publications. His work appears in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Nature Physics, reflecting the significance and interdisciplinary nature of his contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Xi Ling is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science & Engineering at Boston University. They lead the Ling Group, which focuses on the fundamental science and applications of nanomaterials, particularly 2D van der Waals materials. Their research integrates synthesis, characterization via advanced spectroscopy, and device development for energy conversion and chemical sensing. The group utilizes facilities at the Photonics Center for cutting-edge materials analysis. Education: B.A. in Chemistry (Lanzhou University, 2007); Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (Peking University, 2012). Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to synthesize novel 2D crystals, investigate their physical properties through Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy, and engineer flexible, transparent devices. Recent publications highlight innovations in strain engineering, ferroelectricity modulation, and exciton dynamics in materials like NiPS3 and GaSe. Students gain expertise applicable to academia and industry roles in semiconductor manufacturing, materials engineering, and instrumentation. The group’s work bridges foundational science and practical applications, addressing challenges in nanoelectronics and sustainable energy technologies.
Prof. Arindam Chowdhury is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), India. His research focuses on unraveling the optical and electronic properties of advanced materials, particularly organo-metal halide perovskites and 2D materials like MoS₂. He investigates phenomena such as photoluminescence intermittency (blinking) and spatiotemporal optical instabilities in these systems, with implications for solar energy and light-emissive devices. His work combines micro-spectroscopy techniques to study hard and soft systems. Education: Not explicitly stated in texts. Research interests include understanding charge carrier dynamics, metastable traps, and material defect mechanisms in perovskites. His group has published notable studies on MoS₂ monolayers and self-healing perovskite solar cells (ACS Energy Letters, 2024; Applied Physics Letters, 2024). Students supervised include Mansi (MoS₂ photoluminescence), Shruti (poster awards), and Tejmani (self-healing solar cells). A PhD position is currently open under his supervision. Labs/Teams: Leads a research group at IITB focused on advanced materials and micro-spectroscopy.
University of California , Santa Barbara (UCSB)United States
Jon Schuller is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on nanophotonics, metamaterials, plasmonics, and their applications in energy-efficient technologies such as photovoltaics, thermal management systems, and advanced optical devices. He leads the Schuller Lab, which explores engineered metasurfaces and naturally occurring materials to control light-matter interactions at subwavelength scales. His work bridges fundamental science (e.g., quantum phenomena in hybrid perovskites) and engineering (e.g., reconfigurable semiconductor meta-optics). He is affiliated with the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) and actively contributes to interdisciplinary research initiatives. Contact: jonschuller@ece.ucsb.edu, Office 3221C Engineering Science Building. Research interests include directional light emission control via metasurfaces, thermal radiation tuning using phase-change materials, and the development of high-efficiency photonic devices. His lab emphasizes fabrication and characterization of nanophotonic structures, with applications ranging from space technology to exoplanet imaging systems. Recent efforts focus on electrically tunable metasurfaces and multipolar optical phenomena in layered materials. Key technical contributions involve designing reconfigurable optical antennas, optimizing metasurface-based LEDs, and exploring magnetic dipole emission in 2D perovskites. His team collaborates across disciplines to address challenges in energy, aerospace, and quantum technologies. Current opportunities include postdoctoral positions in nonlinear optics and photonics.
Professor Malcolm Kadodwala holds the Gardiner Chair within the School of Chemistry at the University of Glasgow. His research spans chiral nanophotonics, surface science, and spectroscopy with applications in biomolecular detection and nanomaterials. He maintains an active laboratory producing high-impact publications in top journals including Nature Nanotechnology, ACS Nano, and JACS. PhD from University of Nottingham Gardiner Chair in School of Chemistry Active research group with extensive international collaborations His research interests focus on three interconnected themes: (1) spectroscopic investigations of electronic properties in nanostructured materials; (2) development of electron-based chirally sensitive spectroscopic techniques; and (3) creation of novel chiroptical spectroscopic probes. Current work emphasizes superchiral fields for ultrasensitive biomolecular detection, chiral plasmonics, and nanoscale light-matter interactions. His group has pioneered techniques for detecting protein conformations and viral structures at unprecedented sensitivity levels. Publication trends show consistent high-impact output with 15+ recent articles (2021-2025) in nanophotonics and chiral sensing. His work bridges physics, chemistry, and biology, with strong emphasis on practical biosensing applications. Key journals include Nano Letters, ACS Nano, and Nature Nanotechnology. PhD from University of Nottingham Professor Kadodwala advises multiple PhD students including Calum Jack, Affar Karimullah, and Ryan Tullius. His research has attracted significant funding including an MRC discipline-hopping grant (Ref. G0902256). He maintains active collaborations with institutions worldwide including EPFL, University of Jena, and Heriot-Watt University. His laboratory specializes in chiral plasmonic nanostructures and superchiral field generation, with applications in disposable biosensors and viral detection platforms. Current projects involve nanoscale control of electronic properties using structured light and development of chiral metasurfaces for advanced optical applications.
Paul Erhart is a Professor in Condensed Matter and Materials Theory at the Department of Physics, Chalmers University. He received his PhD from Technische Universität Darmstadt in 2006, followed by postdoctoral and staff positions at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 2007, before joining Chalmers in 2011. His research bridges computational physics, materials science, and machine learning to tackle fundamental problems in materials design and characterization. Dr. Erhart's research focuses on computational materials science with particular emphasis on condensed matter physics, nanomaterials, and quantum materials. His work spans from developing computational methods like machine-learned potentials (GPUMD, neuroevolution potentials) to studying fundamental phenomena in perovskites, 2D materials, thermal transport, and plasmonics. He has pioneered approaches connecting simulation with experimental techniques through correlation functions and has made significant contributions to understanding phase transitions, defect physics, and electronic structure in complex materials systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with traditional computational physics methods. His work increasingly focuses on developing and applying neuroevolution potentials to study thermal properties, phase transitions, and optical phenomena in materials. There's also a clear emphasis on connecting computational results with experimental observations, particularly in neutron scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and plasmonic sensing applications. His research spans fundamental materials physics to applied areas like hydrogen sensing and sustainable materials development. Dr. Erhart has contributed to numerous software packages essential to the computational materials science community, including WulffPack for Wulff constructions, Dynasor for extracting dynamical structure factors, calorine for neuroevolution potential models, and ICET for alloy cluster expansions. His collaborative work spans multiple institutions and disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern materials research. His contributions to understanding perovskite materials, thermal transport phenomena, and plasmonic systems have established him as a leading researcher in computational materials science.
Kyle McCall is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, within the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. He holds a PhD in Applied Physics from Northwestern University (2019) and a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame (2014). He served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, from 2019 to 2021. Research Interests: Dr. McCall's research lies at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, and physics, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of complex semiconductors for energy and radiation detection applications. His group employs a materials-by-design approach to develop novel functional optoelectronic materials, particularly halide perovskites and related compounds. Key areas include crystal growth (via Bridgman method), X-ray crystallography, and the development of materials for solar cells, light-emitting devices, X-ray photodetectors, and neutron/gamma-ray scintillators. Publication Trends: His recent publications (all from 2021) highlight a strong focus on halide perovskite materials for radiation detection and optoelectronics. Themes include room-temperature gamma-ray detection, neutron imaging using luminescent materials, structural instabilities in perovskites, and optical behavior tuning via cation engineering. The work combines fundamental structure-property studies with device-relevant performance metrics. Scientific Awards and Memberships: Member, American Chemical Society (ACS) Member, Materials Research Society (MRS) Advising and Grants: As a tenure-track faculty member, Dr. McCall leads the McCall Research Group at UT Dallas, mentoring students in interdisciplinary materials research. He was part of the 2021 cohort of new tenured/tenure-track faculty at UT Dallas. While specific grants are not listed, his research program is clearly supported by institutional funding and infrastructure, including crystal growth and characterization facilities. Laboratories and Teams: He founded the crystal growth component of the ETH+ SynMatLab facility during his postdoc at ETH Zurich. At UT Dallas, he leads his own research group focused on materials chemistry and functional device integration, continuing his work on single crystal growth and optoelectronic characterization.
Maiken H. Mikkelsen is the James N. and Elizabeth H. Barton Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics . Her research focuses on quantum nanophotonics , plasmonics , and light-matter interactions in nanoscale materials, aiming to advance optoelectronics, quantum science, and biomedical diagnostics. Education B.S. in Physics, University of Copenhagen (2004) Ph.D. in Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley Her work explores nanophotonic engineering for quantum optics , spintronics , and ultrafast optoelectronics , with recent studies on nonlinear metasurfaces and plasmonic enhancement of immunoassays for point-of-care diagnostics. Publications highlight 2D semiconductor emission control , ultrafast single-photon sources , and metasurface-based photodetectors . Scientific Awards Maria Goeppert Mayer Award (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2015) Moore Inventor Fellow (2021) ONR/Air Force/Army Young Investigator Awards (2015-2017) Cottrell Scholar (2016) Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2021) She advises graduate students in Duke’s Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics programs and leads the Mikkelsen Lab , which emphasizes ultrafast spectroscopy and quantum material development . The lab has graduated PhD students like Eunso Shin and Hengming Li (2025).
Professor Paul Sellin is a Professor of Physics at the University of Surrey's School of Mathematics and Physics, with visiting roles at UCL and the University of Wollongong. He holds a PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Edinburgh (1992) and a BSc (Hons) in Physics from the University of Birmingham (1988). His research focuses on radiation detector materials, including perovskites, semiconductors, and scintillators, with applications in medical imaging, nuclear security, and high-energy physics. Key interests include perovskite semiconductor development, neutron/gamma detection, and radiation-hard materials. His group collaborates internationally on projects like the DTRA Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter (IIRM) University Research Alliance. Publications highlight advancements in X-ray detection using perovskite nanocomposites, Cu-doped crystals, and organic semiconductors. His work emphasizes material synthesis, charge transport optimization, and device fabrication for low-dose imaging and high-sensitivity detection. Professor Sellin has supervised over 30 postgraduate students, many contributing to seminal studies on perovskite detectors, plastic scintillators, and semiconductor characterization. His contributions span academic networks like the Nuclear Threat Reduction Network (NTR-net) and the STFC NuSec program.
Daniel Vanmaekelbergh is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Utrecht University, where he leads research in the Condensed Matter and Interfaces group within the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science. His academic career spans over two decades with continuous contributions to nanomaterials science and semiconductor physics. Professor Vanmaekelbergh's research focuses on the fundamental properties of semiconductor nanocrystals, quantum dots, and artificial electronic lattices. His work bridges theoretical and experimental approaches to investigate electron transport, quantum confinement effects, and the optical properties of nanoscale materials. He has made significant contributions to understanding the formation mechanisms of nanocrystal superlattices, the electronic structure of artificial honeycomb lattices, and the dynamics of excitons in confined systems. His research group, known as the Vanmaekelbergh Lab, employs advanced techniques including scanning tunneling spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and optical spectroscopy to probe nanoscale phenomena. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on the physics of quantum-confined systems, particularly in lead chalcogenide and cadmium selenide nanocrystals. His work explores the relationship between nanocrystal structure and electronic properties, with applications in optoelectronics and quantum technologies. Recent research has focused on oriented attachment processes, artificial quantum systems with fractal geometries, and the fundamental limits of light-matter interactions in nanoscale materials. Professor Vanmaekelbergh has established a productive research program with numerous collaborations across the Netherlands and internationally. His work has been published consistently in high-impact journals including Nature Physics, Nano Letters, and ACS Nano, demonstrating the significance of his contributions to the field of nanomaterials science.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Anne-Sophie Chauvin is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Basic Sciences, within the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and the Supramolecular Chemistry Laboratory. She actively engages in supramolecular and inorganic chemistry, focusing on f-element (lanthanides and actinides) coordination polymers and luminescent bioprobes for biological and technological applications, including invisible inks and dye-sensitized solar cells. PhD in Bioinorganic Chemistry from University Paris V-René Descartes (thesis on Nitrile Hydratase mimetics) Postdoctoral work at University of Geneva on chiral alcohol configuration analysis Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) from University René Descartes (2006) Her research spans Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry , Luminescence , Coordination Polymers , Metallacages , and Photovoltaic Materials . Recent publications emphasize catalytic spiro stereocenter formation, actinide coordination polymers, and photoredox-enabled biomolecule functionalization. She has supervised PhD students including Andrei Andreichenko , Julien Andrès , Steve Comby , and Aurélien Willauer . Recognitions include Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and membership in the Swiss Chemical Society (SCS). Current roles include teaching General and Analytical Chemistry to first-year Pharmacy and Biology students at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), overseeing practical sessions, and serving on the EPFL School of Basic Sciences Faculty Council.
