Dr. Arpit Dua is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Virginia Tech. Previously, he held positions including a joint Simons-IQIM postdoc at Caltech under Xie Chen and a PhD at Yale University under Meng Cheng and Liang Jiang. His research focuses on theoretical quantum information systems, with emphasis on quantum error correction, topological order, and integrating machine learning principles into physics frameworks. Education: PhD in Physics from Yale University, Postdoctoral research at Caltech. Research Interests: Quantum error correction (developing novel codes using conventional and machine learning methods), thermalization in topological systems, self-correcting models, and applying physics-based insights to AI architecture design. His current projects explore fault-tolerant protocols, fracton orders, and Floquet codes. Publications reflect contributions to topological codes, subsystem symmetries, and fracton physics. His work bridges quantum information theory with condensed matter physics.
Farhan Rana is the Joseph P. Ripley Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD from MIT and leads the Semiconductor Optoelectronics Group at Cornell, focusing on graphene, 2D materials, and semiconductor nanostructures. His research bridges experimental condensed matter physics and optoelectronic device engineering. Current Research Focus Ultrafast Spectroscopy Terahertz Microphotonics Quantum Optics Plasmonics and Nanostructures His group specializes in graphene optoelectronics , terahertz devices , and ultrafast semiconductor lasers . Recent work explores valley-dependent optical phenomena, exciton dynamics, and plasmon-phonon interactions in 2D materials. Key trends in his publications include graphene plasmonics , MoS2 photodetectors , and terahertz spectroscopy . He has contributed to foundational studies on carrier relaxation in graphene and quantum cascade lasers . 3× Michael A. Tien Excellence in Teaching Award (2006, 2010, 2017) NSF Career Award (2004) DARPA Young Faculty Investigator (2008) IEEE 'Most Downloaded Paper' (2008) MRS Best Paper Ribbon (2004) His students have received prestigious fellowships and awards, with alumni like Jared Strait (National Defense Science Fellowship) and Haining Wang (Cornell Best PhD Thesis). The group actively mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers.
Dr. Yogambha Ramaswamy is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Sydney and a member of the Sydney Nano Institute. She holds a Master’s in Biotechnology from the University of Queensland and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Sydney (2009). Her postdoctoral career began as a Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales, followed by a Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship in 2013 before joining the University of Sydney in 2015. Dr. Ramaswamy’s research focuses on biomaterials, tissue engineering, and mechanobiology, with a particular emphasis on developing calcium silicate-based ceramics and biopolymers for orthopedic and regenerative applications. Her recent work explores the role of physical cues in modulating stem and cancer cell behavior. She teaches courses such as AMME1961 (Introduction to Biomedical Engineering B) and AMME5962 (Introduction to Mechanobiology). Her research has been supported by grants including the NHMRC Early Career Fellowship and collaborations with institutions like the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and the University of Otago. Her publications span biomaterials, nanotechnology, and mechanobiology, with recent work addressing atherosclerosis, hydrogel design, and nanomedicine. She currently supervises PhD students Frank (biomaterials) and Alexander (atherosclerosis research).
Carlos Errando Herranz serves as an Assistant Professor in the Quantum and Computer Engineering Division at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) and as a Principal Investigator at QuTech. His research focuses on developing scalable quantum photonic integrated circuits using semiconductor fabrication processes compatible with existing infrastructure for quantum internet applications. He received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Universitat Politècnica de València (2013) and a PhD in Micro and Nanosystems from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (2018), followed by postdoctoral positions at KTH and MIT as a Marie Curie fellow. His lab investigates quantum photonics, integrated photonics, and color centers with emphasis on diamond tin-vacancy systems and silicon-based quantum emitters. Recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in tuning quantum emitters via strain engineering, heterogeneous integration of spin-photon interfaces, and MEMS-enabled reconfigurable photonics. Key advancements include cavity-enhanced quantum memories, superconducting detector integration, and spectral control of solid-state emitters for quantum networks. Dr. Herranz advises seven graduate students including PhD candidates Vicky Dominguez Tubio, Arjan Mejas, Matteo Pirro, Christian Primavera, Jan Riegelmeyer, and Elena Volkova, along with Master student Bram Zijlstra. His team comprises postdocs Lin Jin and Pat Laferriere, and interns Elsa Herranz Valiente and Ernest Staffetti Cruañas. The Errando Herranz Lab operates within QuTech's Quantum Internet Division at Delft University, maintaining specialized facilities for nanofabrication and optical characterization of quantum photonic devices. Current research directions include developing CMOS-compatible quantum memories operating at telecom wavelengths and scalable architectures for quantum repeaters.
John Davis is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Science. He holds a PhD and MSc from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s from Washington University. His research focuses on nanomechanics, superfluidity, and superconductivity, particularly in confined geometries and quantum properties of nanomechanical systems. His lab develops superfluid-based technologies for dark matter detection and precision measurement. He has held academic positions since 2010, including roles at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and postdoctoral training at the University of Alberta with Prof. Mark R. Freeman. Education: PhD in Physics (2008), Northwestern University MSc in Physics (2003), Northwestern University Bachelor’s in Physics with Honors (2001), Washington University Research Interests: Superfluid nanomechanical resonators Ultralow-temperature superfluid 3He Nanofluidic cavity quantum electrodynamics Quantum-limited torque magnetometry Applications in dark matter detection and gravitational wave sensing His recent work emphasizes magnomechanics and optomechanical transduction , integrating superfluid systems with quantum sensors. Articles highlight advancements in cryogenic devices, nonlinear dynamics, and hybrid quantum systems. Ongoing projects include the HElium-based Light Operated Superfluid (HELIOS) dark matter detector. Grants & Labs: His lab operates a cryogen-efficient low-temperature facility, focusing on microfluidic quantum fluid experiments. Collaborations involve advanced photonic crystal cavities and diamond-based optomechanical platforms.
Yan Liu is a full professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California (USC), serving as Director of the USC Machine Learning Center within the Viterbi School of Engineering. He holds courtesy appointments in the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering and the Quantitative and Computational Biology Department. Before joining USC in 2010, he was a research staff member at IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on machine learning for time series, physics-informed AI, and interpretable models, with applications in healthcare, sustainability, and social media. Notable projects include developing AI for surgical training, analyzing misinformation on social platforms, and predicting cancer treatment outcomes. He has held leadership roles in top conferences like ICLR and ACM KDD, and serves as Associate Editor-in-Chief of TPAMI and Board Member of ICLR. Education: Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University Affiliations: USC Machine Learning Center, Viterbi School of Engineering Service: General Chair (ICLR 2023, ACM KDD 2020), Program Chair roles across multiple conferences His lab, the Melady Group, emphasizes foundational ML advancements and interdisciplinary applications. Recent work includes physics-aware neural networks and time-series foundation models.
Professor Jasper van Wezel is a distinguished academic in the field of Condensed Matter Theory at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science, where he serves as Professor in the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITFA) within the Institute of Physics. With a career spanning over two decades, he has progressed from Assistant Professor (2014-2016) to Associate Professor (2016-2024) and currently holds the position of Professor since 2024. His academic journey began with a PhD in theoretical condensed matter physics from Leiden University in 2007, followed by prestigious fellowships at Argonne National Laboratory and Homerton College, Cambridge. PhD in theoretical condensed matter physics (cum laude), Leiden University, 2007 Master's diploma in theoretical condensed matter physics (cum laude), Leiden University, 2003 Dutch VWO Diploma (cum laude), Dalton Scholengemeenschap, Den Haag, 1997 US High School Diploma (cum laude), Sanford High School, Maine, USA, 1998 Professor van Wezel's research focuses on several interconnected areas within Condensed Matter Theory. His work explores competing instabilities in Charge Density Wave materials, including Superconductivity and Charge Order, Combined Charge and Orbital Order, and Transition-metal dichalcogenides. He has made significant contributions to Topology in Condensed Matter, particularly examining the Role of crystal symmetries and Topology in non-Hermitian systems. A major theme in his research involves investigating the Connections between Quantum and Classical behaviour, with special emphasis on Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking both in equilibrium (The role of the Thin Spectrum) and dynamically (Spontaneous loss of Unitarity). Analysis of Professor van Wezel's recent publications reveals a strong focus on quantum phenomena in condensed matter systems, with particular attention to topological aspects, symmetry breaking, and connections to fundamental physics concepts like black hole thermodynamics. His work often bridges theoretical concepts with potential experimental realizations, as evidenced by studies on electron patterns in materials like TaS2 and theoretical frameworks for understanding quantum phase transitions. Bristol Physics Teaching Award (2014) Students' Award for Outstanding Teaching (2014) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014) Aneesur Rahman Fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory (2010-2012) Junior Research Fellowship at Homerton College, Cambridge (2007-2010) Physics 'Discovery of the year' by Leiden University Physics department (2005) 'Onderwijsprijs Natuurkunde' teaching award (2004/2005) Professor van Wezel has secured numerous research grants including an ENW-M grant (2023), an ENW-Groot project with Leiden University (2021), and a prestigious VIDI personal grant from NWO (2014). He has supervised over 50 students at various levels, including PhD candidates, MSc students, and BSc students, fostering the next generation of physicists. His leadership extends to organizing conferences, serving on PhD committees, and holding administrative roles such as chair of the educational committee for the Dutch Research School in Theoretical Physics. His research group at the University of Amsterdam's Institute for Theoretical Physics maintains active collaborations with institutions worldwide, including Leiden University, University of Cambridge, University of Bristol, and research centers in France, Germany, and Poland. The group's work combines analytical theoretical approaches with computational methods to tackle fundamental questions in quantum condensed matter physics.
Moussa Ngom is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), affiliated with the School of Science and research centers including the Center for Ultrafast Optical Sciences (CUOS) and the Center for Materials, Devices, and Integrated Systems (CMDIS). His work focuses on wavefront shaping, quantum optics, and structured light manipulation to address challenges in biological imaging, quantum communication, and nuclear security.
Dr. Adriana Bocchini is a Researcher at the University of Paderborn , affiliated with the Theoretical Materials Physics department and the Quantum Materials Modelling group. Her work focuses on computational modeling of materials, particularly crystal defects, surface adsorption, and electrochemical properties using advanced theoretical methods. Research Interests: Adriana's research spans Theoretical Materials Physics and Quantum Materials Modelling , with a focus on Defect modeling in ferroelectric materials Surface adsorption mechanisms Electronic structure calculations First-principles simulations Recent Publications: She has contributed to studies on radiation-induced defects in KTiOPO 4 , Mg doping effects in lithium niobate, phosphonic acid interactions with bismuth oxide, and electrochemical properties of doped RTP crystals, all leveraging computational approaches like Density Functional Theory (DFT). Labs & Teams: Adriana is actively involved in the Theoretical Materials Physics and Quantum Materials Modelling groups at the University of Paderborn, advancing computational studies in materials science.
Julia R. Greer serves as the Ruben F. and Donna Mettler Professor of Materials Science, Mechanics and Medical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she also holds the position of Executive Officer for Applied Physics and Materials Science since 2025. She earned her B.S. from MIT (1997) and M.S./Ph.D. from Stanford University (2000/2005), joining Caltech as Assistant Professor in 2007, promoted to Professor in 2013, and appointed to her current named professorship in 2019. Her research spans mechanics of hierarchical architectures , nanomaterials , and additive manufacturing , with significant contributions to energy storage systems and biomedical materials . Key focus areas include nano-scale mechanical properties, in-situ deformation analysis, and development of novel fabrication techniques for micro-architected materials. Her group pioneered hydrogel infusion additive manufacturing for metals and multiphoton 3D lithography standards. Analysis of recent publications reveals strong emphasis on solid-state battery interfaces (2025), bioresorbable microrobots (2024), and AI-enabled material design (2024), demonstrating cross-disciplinary impact across energy, healthcare, and quantum technologies. Her work consistently bridges fundamental nanomechanics with practical applications in energy storage and medical devices. 2024 ASME Nadai Medal 2024 SES A.C. Eringen Medal Elected to National Academy of Sciences (2025) Fletcher Jones Foundation Director (2019-2025) Professor Greer has advised over 40 PhD students including Seola Lee (2025) and Wenxin Zhang (2025), with research funded by collaborations spanning MIT, UCSF, Purdue, and ETH Zurich. Her group maintains active projects in lightweight nanoarchitected materials for impact absorption, electroactive polymers for braille devices, and 3D interdigitated solid-state batteries. Current leadership includes Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Physics (2024-) and direction of Caltech's Materials Science department.
Prof. Alexander Holleitner leads the Chair of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials at the Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich , under the Walter Schottky Institute. His research focuses on ultrafast optoelectronics, quantum optoelectronics, and excitonic systems in nanoscale circuits. Research Directions : Ultrafast optoelectronics, quantum optoelectronics, excitonic systems, THz time-domain spectroscopy, and nanofabrication of mixed organic/inorganic systems. Publications : Recent work spans hyperbolic polaritons, interlayer excitons, graphene nano-gap dynamics, and defect engineering in 2D materials. Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects with groups studying semiconductor heterostructures and quantum technologies. His lab welcomes students and researchers interested in experimental physics, quantum electronics, and nanofabrication.
Jean-Claude Besse is a Lecturer in the Department of Physics at ETH Zürich, specializing in superconducting circuits and quantum optics. His research focuses on quantum computing, microwave photonics, and artificial atoms. Research Interests: Besse works on the fabrication of superconducting circuits, modular quantum computing processors, and microwave quantum optics using artificial atoms. His work includes single-photon detection, parity measurements, entanglement stabilization, and quantum networking. He has developed technologies like high-fidelity multiplexed readout and tunable ZZ gates. Key Contributions: Besse led breakthroughs in non-destructive single-photon detection, deterministic remote entanglement, and loophole-free Bell inequality violations. His research enables error-corrected quantum communication protocols and scalable microwave quantum systems. Publications Trends: Recent articles emphasize modular quantum architectures, entanglement stabilization, and microwave photon engineering. Topics include cluster state generation, defect mode mitigation, and reinforcement learning for quantum feedback systems. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the Laboratorium für Festkörperphysik at ETH Zürich, Besse contributes to advancing superconducting quantum technologies and microwave quantum optics.
Meng Cheng is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Yale University, specializing in condensed matter theory. He holds a B.S. from Nanjing University (2008) and a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Theory from the University of Maryland (2013). After a postdoctoral position at Microsoft Research Station Q (2013–2016), he joined Yale in 2017. His research focuses on quantum criticality, fractonic phases, and symmetric topological phases, with a particular emphasis on classification and characterization of exotic quantum matter. He has received prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2019) and the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2019). Key research interests include topological superconductivity, global symmetry interactions, and applications in quantum information. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with experimental implications, exploring topics like Wilson loop operators, disorder operators, and entanglement entropy in gapless systems. He has contributed to advancements in understanding symmetry-enriched topological phases and their surface topological order. Publications span high-impact journals and cover topics such as fractionalization in electronic insulators, quantum Hall effects, and topological stabilizer models. His talks highlight interdisciplinary approaches, including seminars at the Perimeter Institute and Université de Montréal on fractonic topological phases and infinite-component Chern-Simons theories. Awards and grants underscore his contributions to advancing theoretical physics, with a focus on fostering innovation in quantum materials and computational methods. Teaching and mentorship activities further his commitment to education within the Yale Physics Department.
Simone Giombi is a Professor of Physics at Princeton University and currently serves as Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies. He holds a B.Sc. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Bologna, Italy, and a Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy from Stony Brook University (2007). His research focuses on high-energy theoretical physics, quantum field theory, string theory, and their interconnections, particularly exploring higher-spin gravity and holographic dualities. He has held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Giombi's work includes groundbreaking contributions to AdS/CFT correspondence, Wilson loop defects, and quantum M2 branes. He has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the New Horizons in Physics Prize (2017) and the SIGRAV Prize (2014). His recent articles (2022–2025) emphasize non-planar corrections in ABJM theory, boundary reparametrizations in AdS2, and RG interfaces from double-trace deformations. His research also engages with fermionic CFTs, line defects, and quantum fluctuations in Wilson loops. Awards: New Horizons in Physics Prize (2017), SIGRAV Prize (2014) Advising: Students include Yagmur Erhan and Jieru Shan Labs/Teams: Active in Princeton's High Energy Theory Group
Clay Córdova is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, associated with the Enrico Fermi Institute, James Franck Institute, Kadanoff Center, and Kavli Institute. His research focuses on theoretical physics, particularly quantum field theory, non-invertible symmetries, and their applications in particle and condensed matter physics. Córdova’s work explores topological phases, gauge theories, and string theory, with recent contributions to non-invertible symmetry classification and their role in phase transitions. His research interests include categorical symmetries, topological defects, and anomaly matching in quantum field theories. He has pioneered studies on soliton-particle degeneracies, anyon condensation mechanisms, and anomalies in non-invertible symmetry frameworks. Córdova’s work bridges high-energy physics with condensed matter systems, often employing advanced mathematical techniques from category theory and algebraic topology. His 2023 Sloan Research Fellowship highlights recognition of his contributions. Key research trends span non-invertible symmetries across dimensions, topological field theory applications, and interdisciplinary methods combining machine learning with lattice gauge theory. Current projects include exploring duality defects, gapped phase obstructions, and symmetry-enriched phases in (3+1)D systems.
