Harvey B. Meyer is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 2014. Previously, he held positions including Junior Professor at Mainz (2010), Fellow at CERN's Theoretical Physics Division (2009), Research Scientist at MIT (2008), and postdoctoral roles at MIT (2006-2008) and DESY (2004-2006). He earned his D.Phil. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Oxford (2001-2004) and a Diplome de Physique from the University of Lausanne (1996-2001). His research focuses on lattice field theory, QCD phase diagrams, thermal field theory, and hadron structure. He leads the NEPhEuQCD collaboration and has received the ERC Consolidator Grant (2018) for the SIMDAMA project. Meyer teaches courses in theoretical physics and mathematical methods at Mainz, including 'Theoretische Physik 4' and 'Mathematische Rechenmethoden'. His work integrates advanced computational techniques to address fundamental questions in particle and nuclear physics. Key achievements include pioneering studies on the muon's anomalous magnetic moment, hadronic light-by-light scattering, and quark-gluon plasma dynamics. Collaborations include MIT, CERN, and institutions globally through lattice QCD projects. His lab and team contributions are central to the PRISMA+ Cluster of Excellence at Mainz.
PD Dr. Christian Zillinger is a researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), specifically within the Department of Mathematics. He leads the Junior Research Group "Stability and Instability in Fluids and Materials" (AP6) as part of the CRC 1173. His office is located at Kollegiengebäude Mathematik (20.30), room 2.024 in Karlsruhe, Germany. Dr. Zillinger obtained his PhD under the supervision of Herbert Koch at the University of Bonn. Following his doctorate, he served as an assistant professor (NTT) at the University of Southern California and was a postdoctoral fellow at BCAM (Basque Center for Applied Mathematics). He recently completed his habilitation thesis titled "On Mixing and Resonances in Fluid Systems" at KIT in 2023. Dr. Zillinger's research focuses on partial differential equations motivated by physical problems, particularly in fluid dynamics and material sciences. His work encompasses several key areas: Mixing as a (de)stabilizing mechanism in fluids and inviscid damping Cascades of resonances and instabilities in fluids and plasmas Convex integration and microstructures in materials, including rigidity and flexibility phenomena Magnetic fluids and magnetohydrodynamics Partial dissipation in the Boussinesq equations His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on stability and instability phenomena in fluid systems, with particular attention to mathematical analysis of PDEs governing fluid behavior. He has made significant contributions to understanding echo chains, resonance phenomena, and damping mechanisms in various fluid models. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with applications in physics and materials science, often employing advanced analytical techniques to address challenging problems in nonlinear PDEs. Dr. Zillinger actively teaches courses at KIT, including "Klassische Methoden für partielle Differentialgleichungen" (Classical Methods for Partial Differential Equations), "Introduction to convex integration," "Introduction to Kinetic Equations," and seminars on microstructure in materials and fluid dynamics. He leads the Junior Research Group "Stability and Instability in Fluids and Materials" which is part of the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1173 at KIT, focusing on wave phenomena. This research group investigates mathematical aspects of stability and instability in physical systems, with applications to fluid dynamics and material science.
Prof. Dr. Michael Klasen is a leading theoretical physicist at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Münster, where he heads his eponymous research group. His work bridges nuclear and particle physics, with significant contributions to quantum chromodynamics and physics beyond the Standard Model. His research focuses on Particle Physics , Quantum Chromodynamics , and Physics beyond the Standard Model , with particular emphasis on understanding the quark-gluon structure of atomic nuclei and dark matter phenomena. His innovative approach connects microscopic quark-gluon dynamics with nuclear binding phenomena, creating a crucial bridge between nuclear and particle physics. Prof. Klasen's recent work analyzing nucleon binding at the quark-gluon level was recognized as a "Breakthrough of the Year 2024" by Physics World. His research group's publication in Physical Review Letters demonstrated how quarks and gluons behave differently in nucleon pairs than in free nucleons, fundamentally advancing our understanding of nuclear binding. Breakthrough of the Year 2024 from Physics World Leadership of Research Training Group 2149 "Strong and weak interactions - from hadrons to dark matter" Supervision of award-winning doctoral research including the Infineon Dissertation Prize 2025 Prof. Klasen has successfully mentored numerous PhD students, with 20 of his group's graduates continuing their academic careers at prestigious institutions including CERN and Stanford University. His research has been supported by major funding bodies including the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Helmholtz Alliance for Astroparticle Physics, and BMBF collaborative research programs. The Klasen working group maintains active collaborations with international research networks including CTEQ, DM@NLO, and RESUMMINO.
Prof. Michel Clement is a Professor of Marketing & Media at the University of Hamburg Business School, holding the Chair for Marketing & Media since 2006. He previously held academic positions at the University of Passau (2005/2006) and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (2002–2005). His research focuses on entertainment media product management, new technologies, and donor/customer management. He has held significant administrative roles including Academic Senate Member (2013–present), Faculty Council Member (2014–present), and Director of the Research Center Media and Communication (2008–present). Education: PhD in Marketing from Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (mentor: Prof. Sönke Albers), with a Master's in Business Administration focusing on Marketing, Innovation Management, and Psychology. Pre-academic career included management roles at Bertelsmann mediaSystems and Bertelsmann eCommerce Group, where he founded Snoopstar.com GmbH as Vice President. Research interests span digital media economics, prosocial behavior in healthcare donations, platform business models, and consumer decision-making in entertainment industries. He has contributed to understanding blood/plasma donation retention strategies, smart speaker impacts on media consumption, and pandemic-related behavioral changes. Leadership roles include supervisory board memberships at MADSACK Mediengruppe (2018–present), Studierendenwerk Hamburg (2017–present), and Universität Hamburg Marketing GmbH (2015–present). He has directed major initiatives like the Hamburg Graduate School for Media and Communication (2009–2016) and co-developed international MBA programs with Fudan University (2006–2008). Grants and collaborations include state-funded excellence initiatives and industry partnerships. His work integrates academic research with practical applications in media technology scouting, venture consulting, and digital platform governance.
Antonio Vairo is a full Professor at the Department of Physics, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, where he holds the Chair of Theoretical Physics - Applied Quantum Field Theory (T39) at the James-Franck-Str. 1/I campus in Garching bei München. His research focuses on the theoretical foundations of quantum chromodynamics with emphasis on heavy quark systems and non-perturbative phenomena. Professor Vairo's primary research interests include Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), Heavy Quark Physics, Lattice Gauge Theory, Effective Field Theories, and Exotic Hadron Spectroscopy. His work bridges computational approaches with analytical frameworks to investigate quarkonium dynamics in extreme environments like the quark-gluon plasma, while developing novel applications of Born-Oppenheimer effective theory to multi-quark systems. Recent investigations extend into dark matter bound state formation in the early universe, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach across particle physics and cosmology. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) quarkonium suppression mechanisms in heavy-ion collisions using open quantum systems approaches, (2) high-precision lattice QCD computations of static forces and chromoelectric correlators, and (3) systematic development of effective field theories for exotic hadrons and dark matter pairs. His work on pNRQCD (potential non-relativistic QCD) provides critical connections between lattice results and experimental observables in heavy-ion physics. Professor Vairo maintains active research leadership through collaborations with international groups including the Belle II experiment, as evidenced by his contributions to 'The Belle II Physics Book'. His methodological innovations in applying quantum trajectory methods to quarkonium evolution and developing FeynOnium computational tools for effective field theories demonstrate significant technical contributions to the field. Current research directions emphasize next-to-leading order corrections in heavy quark dynamics and Debye mass effects in dark matter bound state formation.
F. Ömer Ilday is a distinguished physicist and Alexander von Humboldt Professor at Ruhr University Bochum since July 2023, holding a joint appointment in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and Faculty of Physics and Astronomy. His pioneering work in ultrafast laser technology has transformed non-linear laser-matter interactions, with applications spanning precision manufacturing, medical surgery, and nanofabrication. Education: PhD in Physics, Cornell University (2003) Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2003-2005) Ilday's research centers on ultrafast laser development and materials science, focusing on GHz-repetition-rate burst-mode systems, nonlinear laser lithography, and self-organization phenomena. His interdisciplinary approach bridges photonics, plasma physics, and materials engineering to enable breakthroughs in nanostructuring, silicon processing, and laser-based manufacturing. Current work emphasizes developing high-power laser sources and exploring fundamental laser-matter interaction mechanisms for next-generation applications. His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal dominant trends in high-repetition-rate burst-mode lasers (up to 50 GHz), ablation efficiency optimization, and nonlinear laser lithography for 3D silicon structuring. These works demonstrate strong convergence between fundamental physics and industrial applications, particularly in medical surgery, nanofabrication, and materials synthesis, with increasing emphasis on self-organization principles in laser systems. Scientific awards: Turkish Academy of Sciences Outstanding Young Scientist Award (2006) Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant (2006) ERC Consolidator Grant (2014) - Turkey's first ERC Advanced Grant (2022) Election to Academia Europaea Election to Turkish Academy of Sciences Membership in Turkish and American Physical Societies Ilday has secured major competitive grants including two ERC awards and a Marie Curie fellowship, directing research teams at Bilkent University's Ultrafast Optics & Lasers Laboratory (UFOLAB) which developed technologies adopted globally. At RUB, he is establishing the Center for Complex Laser-Matter Interactions as an interdisciplinary hub fostering collaborations between photonics, plasma research, and materials science, with explicit goals for spin-off company formation and transdisciplinary innovation in manufacturing technologies. As founding director of UFOLAB at Bilkent University, Ilday developed laser systems deployed by research institutions worldwide and established Turkey's first laser company. His RUB center integrates electrical engineering and physics expertise to advance complex laser-matter interaction research, focusing on self-organizing laser systems, nanostructuring techniques, and applications in semiconductor manufacturing and medical technology through close industry partnerships.
Olaf Kaczmarek is a researcher at the Faculty of Physics , Bielefeld University , specializing in Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and Strongly Interacting Matter . He leads projects related to QCD thermodynamics , quark-gluon plasma , and heavy quark transport . Principal Investigator in TRR 211/2 Subproject A06: Hadronic Excitations and Spectral Functions in the Medium (2025) Co-PI in TRR 211/2 Subproject Z02: Software Development Center (2025) Contributor to GPUHEP2014 and LATTICE2024 symposia Research Focus: Thermal QCD phase transitions, heavy quark diffusion , transport coefficients , lattice simulations , and quarkonium spectroscopy . His work bridges theoretical physics and high-performance computing , particularly in Multigpu Systems for QCD calculations. Recent Publications explore topics like the chiral crossover , spatial string tension , and thermal photon production , with keywords spanning Quantum Chromodynamics , Lattice Gauge Theory , and High Temperature Physics . Teaching: Offers courses in Lattice Field Theory , GPU Computing , and Gradient Flow for graduate students. Contributes to collaborative seminars in the CRC-TR211: Strong-interaction matter under extreme conditions .
Associate Professor Hu Yunfei is affiliated with the School of New Materials and New Energy at Shenzhen University of Technology , where she leads the New Energy Systems and Smart Microgrids Laboratory . She is a member of the China Renewable Energy Society and Guangdong Solar Energy Association . PhD in Materials Processing Engineering (2005), South China University of Technology Bachelor of Engineering (2000), South China University of Technology Her research focuses on new energy systems , solar-storage direct-flexible systems , and high-efficiency photovoltaic devices , including perovskite solar cells , tandem solar cells , and transparent conductive oxides . Her work spans fundamental materials science and applied energy systems. The 15 most recent publications highlight her expertise in polycrystalline silicon thin films , transparent conductive oxides , perovskite solar cells , and optoelectronic materials . These works reflect trends in improving solar cell efficiency, stability, and manufacturing scalability. She has led projects such as the development of consumer solar power optimizers , optical performance testing for bifacial solar panels , and industrial collaborations on silicon ribbon substrates . Her projects are funded by institutions like the Norwegian Science Foundation and National Natural Science Foundation of China . At Shenzhen University of Technology, she oversees the New Energy Systems and Smart Microgrids Laboratory , integrating advanced materials and system design for renewable energy applications.
Prof. Dr. Felix Warmer is an Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven) and leads the Stellarator Reactor Studies (SRS) research group at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Greifswald. He holds a dual role, teaching at TU Eindhoven while conducting advanced fusion energy research at IPP. Current Affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Greifswald (Head of SRS Group) Academic Position: Assistant Professor, Eindhoven University of Technology Teaching: Courses include 'Fusion on the Back of an Envelope' and 'Design of a Fusion Power Plant' His educational journey began with a master's thesis at IPP Greifswald, followed by doctoral research culminating in a PhD from the Technical University of Berlin in 2016. He was awarded a prestigious Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship, enabling research at Japan's National Institute for Fusion Science. Felix Warmer's research is centered on the scientific and engineering design of stellarator-based fusion power plants. He develops innovative physical and engineering models to simulate fusion reactor components and validates these using experimental data from the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator. His work bridges theoretical modeling with real-world experimental verification, contributing to the advancement of magnetic confinement fusion technology. Although no specific recent publications are listed in the provided text, his leadership of a dedicated research group and active teaching role indicate a strong and ongoing research trajectory in fusion energy systems. Scientific Awards and Honors: Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Advising and Grants: Felix Warmer heads the SRS research group, indicating active supervision of researchers and students. While specific grant details are not mentioned, leadership of a research group at the Max Planck Institute implies involvement in major national and international funding initiatives in fusion energy. His past fellowship also reflects competitive grant support. Labs and Research Teams: He leads the Stellarator Reactor Studies (SRS) research group at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Greifswald. This team focuses on reactor design and modeling, closely tied to the Wendelstein 7-X experiment, one of the world's most advanced stellarator devices.
Harald Krüger is a Research Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (Göttingen), specializing in planetary science and space dust analysis. He leads and contributes to multiple space missions, including the DESTINY+ Dust Analyzer (DDA), the Rosetta COSIMA instrument, and the PHILAE Dust Impact Monitor (SESAME-DIM). His research focuses on cometary dynamics, interstellar dust interactions, and solar system formation processes. Krüger holds a PhD from the University of Göttingen and has held research roles at prestigious institutions like the Max Planck Institutes for Nuclear Physics and Astronomy (Heidelberg). He chairs ESA’s working group on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and participates in international astronomical societies. His work integrates advanced instrumentation design with observational data from spacecraft missions, contributing to our understanding of cosmic dust properties and their role in planetary systems. Key projects include analyzing interstellar dust via the DESTINY+ mission and studying Martian moons through the MMX mission. His publications emphasize instrument constraints, cometary dust trail detection, and spacecraft outgassing effects on measurements.
Prof. Thomas Mussenbrock is a Full Professor (W3) of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology at Ruhr University Bochum, leading the Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology department within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. He holds a PhD from Ruhr University Bochum (2004) and habilitation (2009), previously serving as a professor at Brandenburg University of Technology (2016-2020). His research focuses on low-temperature plasmas, nanoelectronics, and plasma modeling, with applications in material processing and energy systems. Education: Bachelor's (1995) Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences Master's (1999) Ruhr University Bochum PhD (2004) Ruhr University Bochum Habilitation (2009) Ruhr University Bochum His research interests include plasma dynamics in atmospheric pressure jets, memristive devices for neuromorphic computing, and energy-efficient plasma processes. Recent work emphasizes CO₂ conversion via plasma jets, electron dynamics in capacitive discharges, and scalable plasma modeling techniques. He collaborates on projects like the TopING doctoral program and plasma catalysis initiatives. Publications span journals and conferences, with a focus on experimental and computational plasma physics. He advises on graduate studies and chairs faculty committees at Ruhr University Bochum.
Insa Feinkohl is a Professor at the Chair of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology within the Faculty of Health at the University of Witten/Herdecke . Her research focuses on risk factors for cognitive dysfunction and mental health in older adults, particularly post-surgery, with emphasis on metabolic and cognitive risk factors. Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Psychology (1 st class honors) – University of Dundee (2006-2009) Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology of Individual Differences (with distinction) – University of Edinburgh (2009-2010) PhD in Community Health Sciences – University of Edinburgh (2010-2014) Post Doc in Knowledge Construction Group – Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media, Tübingen (2014-2015) Postdoc in Molecular Epidemiology Group – Max Delbrück Center, Berlin (2015-2022) Habilitation in Molecular Epidemiology – Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin (2021) Her research integrates medical biometry and epidemiology to study postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), delirium, and aging-related cognitive decline. Key areas include biomarker validation (e.g., leptin, interleukins), brain connectivity (dopaminergic networks, thalamus), and metabolic risk factors (diabetes, obesity). She contributed to the BioCog project , an EU-funded initiative for personalized risk prediction of postoperative cognitive impairment. Her recent publications highlight trends in perioperative neuroscience, including brain mineralization, cytokine associations with neurocognitive disorders, and structural/functional imaging in delirium. Articles also explore metabolic syndrome, cognitive reserve, and delirium prediction models using machine learning. Insa Feinkohl is affiliated with major academic societies, including the German Society for Epidemiology , German Society for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology , and the German University Association .
Dr.-Ing Alexander Vahl is a Researcher at the Technical Faculty of Kiel University, leading the subgroup Nanoparticles for Nanocomposites . He specializes in advanced materials science, focusing on nanoparticle synthesis, functional thin films, and neuromorphic engineering. His research bridges nanotechnology with applications in memristive systems and plasmonics, emphasizing strain-invariant conductors and photocatalytic growth mechanisms. Key projects include developing self-assembled nano-object networks for brain-inspired computing and optimizing gas aggregation cluster sources for novel material fabrication. His work spans disciplines such as memristive switching, plasmonic metasurfaces, and bio-inspired electronics. Notable contributions include studies on silver/polymer nanofluids, ITO-TiO₂ heterojunctions, and multicomponent nanoparticle synthesis. Vahl collaborates with the Chair for Functional Nanotechnology, leveraging interdisciplinary expertise to advance materials innovation. His articles highlight advancements in neuromorphic systems, photocatalytic deposition, and thin-film technologies. The research emphasizes scalability and real-world applications, such as energy-efficient sensors and hybrid zinc batteries. Vahl’s subgroup webpage and extensive publications reflect a commitment to pushing boundaries in nanomaterials engineering.
Prof. Philipp Reiss is a Professor of Lunar and Planetary Exploration Technologies at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), part of the TUM School of Engineering and Design. His academic journey includes a doctorate in lunar exploration (2018) and postdoctoral leadership of a research group, followed by ESA work on lunar mission instruments. He was appointed to his current role in 2022. Education: Bachelor's/Master's in Aerospace Engineering from Bremen University of Applied Sciences and TUM Doctorate in Lunar Exploration (TUM, 2018) Research Focus: Development of instruments for in-situ resource characterization (e.g., water detection on the Moon) Simulation of heat/mass transport in extraterrestrial environments Technologies for extreme environment exploration Legal and ethical frameworks for space resource utilization Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes lunar water cycle analysis, space resource extraction technologies, and ESA mission instrument development. Key projects include PROSPECT payload design and thermal extraction of volatiles from regolith. Awards and Roles: ERC Grant Awardee (2024), Honorary Fellow at TUM Institute for Advanced Study Principal Investigator at ORIGINS Excellence Cluster (2022–present) Member of ESA’s PROSPECT science team (2019–present) Contributions to UN space resource legal discussions Advising & Grants: Supervises research projects on lunar rover systems and resource utilization. Secured funding through ERC grants and ESA collaborations. Advises on international space policy initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leads the Lunar and Planetary Exploration Professorship group at TUM, collaborating with ESA, JAXA, and the European Lunar Symposium. Active in developing planetary exploration tools like the PROSPECT permittivity sensor and MULE instrumentation.
Antonino Di Piazza is a Professor of Physics at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, and a Distinguished Scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). He is also a Guest at the Theory Division of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik (MPI-K), where he previously served as a Group Leader from 2009 to 2023. His academic journey includes a PhD from the University of Trieste and habilitations in both Germany and Italy, establishing his expertise in theoretical physics. His research interests lie at the forefront of quantum electrodynamics, particularly in strong and ultra-intense laser fields. He investigates fundamental phenomena such as radiation reaction, vacuum polarization, nonlinear Compton scattering, and Breit-Wheeler pair production. His work often bridges classical and quantum electrodynamics, exploring the limits of theoretical models like the local constant field approximation and developing new frameworks for tightly focused and flying-focus laser pulses. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on strong-field QED processes. Key themes include the behavior of particles in flying focus pulses, quantum vacuum effects like birefringence, and the analytical and numerical modeling of radiation processes. His work combines deep theoretical insight with relevance to cutting-edge experimental facilities, aiming to test QED in previously inaccessible regimes. He has not received any scientific awards listed in the provided text. Dr. Di Piazza is an active educator, currently teaching Quantum Mechanics II at the University of Rochester. He has a history of lecturing and tutoring at Heidelberg University and leading numerous doctoral schools and workshops on strong-field physics. He has secured research support through collaborations with major institutions like LLE, ELI-NP, and MPI-K, enabling his theoretical work to inform and be informed by high-power laser experiments. His extensive list of invited seminars and conference talks underscores his leadership in the field. He leads the 'High-Energy Quantum Electrodynamics' research group, which is affiliated with the University of Rochester and the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik. This group focuses on theoretical investigations of quantum vacuum and particle dynamics in extreme electromagnetic fields, contributing significantly to the global effort in high-field science.
