Christopher Emdin is a Professor of Science Education and Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He directs the STEAM, DREAM & IdeaLab initiatives. Emdin holds a B.S. in Physical Anthropology/Biology/Chemistry from Lehman College (2000), an M.S. in Natural Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2003), and a Ph.D. in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center (2007). His research focuses on urban STEM education , culturally responsive pedagogy , and Hip-Hop Education (HipHopEd) . Emdin has received prestigious awards including the Strage Prize (2011) and PDK International Outstanding Dissertation Award (2008) . He pioneered projects like the Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. , using rap battles to engage urban students in science. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing reality pedagogy and cosmopolitan ethics . Key contributions include over 50 publications on urban science education, equity, and hip-hop pedagogy. He is a leader in professional organizations such as NARST and AERA. Emdin’s grants include collaborations with NSF and Fund for Teachers, focusing on science agency and leadership in urban schools. His lab, IdeaLab , advances innovative teaching strategies rooted in youth culture.
Donald R. Davis, Jr. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts. With a PhD from the same institution, he has established himself as a leading scholar in Hindu law and Dharmaśāstra studies. His work bridges religious studies, legal history, and South Asian studies, making significant contributions to our understanding of law and religion in medieval India. Davis earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, where he has built his academic career. His scholarly journey has been deeply rooted in the study of Sanskrit legal traditions and their intersection with religious practice. Professor Davis's primary research concerns the interaction of law and religion in medieval India. He examines both historical evidence for law and legal practice through inscriptions and regional language documents, as well as the Dharmaśāstra tradition as a system of religious law and jurisprudence. His work situates Sanskrit normative texts within historical contexts while exploring their conceptual frameworks. He maintains the Resource Library for Dharmaśāstra Studies and has published extensively on Hindu law, including books such as The Spirit of Hindu Law (2010) and The Dharma of Business (2017). Davis's recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on the intersection of law, religion, and ethics in Hindu tradition. His work explores caste, conservatism, marital ethics, and the historical development of legal thought in India. He frequently draws comparative connections between Hindu legal traditions and other religious legal systems, contributing to broader conversations in legal anthropology and comparative religious law. Professor Davis actively supervises graduate students interested in Dharmaśāstra traditions and their relevance to law, religion, history, politics, and economics in India. He encourages students with broader interests in comparative religious law (Jewish law, Islamic law, Roman law, etc.) and works with those studying various aspects of Hinduism and classical religions in India, particularly in normative and "mainstream" areas such as Vedānta, Pūrva-Mīmāṃsā, Epics, and Purāṇas.
Ayesha Jalal is a distinguished Professor of History at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences and holds a joint appointment at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She currently serves as the Mary Richardson Professor and directs the Center for South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies. With a career spanning over three decades, Professor Jalal has established herself as a leading scholar in South Asian history, particularly focusing on Pakistan studies, the partition of India, and Muslim political thought in the region. Professor Jalal's academic journey began with a double major in History and Political Science from Wellesley College in 1978. She then pursued doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, earning her PhD in History in 1983. Her early career included prestigious fellowships at Trinity College, Cambridge (1980-84), the Centre of South Asian Studies (1984-87), the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars (1985-86), and the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies (1988-90). Professor Jalal's research primarily centers on South Asian history with special emphasis on Pakistan, the partition of India, and Muslim political thought. Her work explores the complex interplay between religious identity, nationalism, and state formation in the region. She has made significant contributions to understanding democratic development in Pakistan, sectarian dynamics in South Asia, and the historical connections between the Indian subcontinent and the wider Indian Ocean world. Her recent scholarship has focused on 'Oceanic Islam,' examining transregional Muslim networks and universalist aspirations that transcended colonial boundaries. Professor Jalal's extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on South Asian political history, with particular attention to Pakistan's formation and development. Her recent works show a progression from studies of partition and state formation toward broader examinations of Muslim intellectual history and transregional connections. The 2020-2024 publications reveal a sophisticated engagement with themes of democratic erosion, sectarianism, and the historical roots of contemporary political challenges in South Asia, while also exploring more cultural and religious dimensions through works on Muslim enlightened thought and oceanic connections. Patrus Bukhari Award for the best English language book, The Pity of Partition , Academy of Letters, Government of Pakistan (2015) Britannica Book of the Year recognition (2015) MacArthur Fellowship (1998-2003) As an educator, Professor Jalal has mentored numerous graduate students through thesis supervision and directed research projects. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on Modern South Asia, Contemporary South Asia, Islam and the West, and specialized seminars on South Asian history. She has taught at several prestigious institutions including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Columbia University, and Harvard University before joining Tufts in 1999. In her role as Director of the Center for South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies, she has fostered interdisciplinary research and provided guidance to emerging scholars in the field. Professor Jalal directs the Center for South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies at Tufts University, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on South Asia and its connections to the wider Indian Ocean world. The center facilitates collaborative projects, hosts visiting scholars, and organizes events that bridge historical, political, and cultural perspectives on the region. Under her leadership, the center has become a prominent institution for South Asian studies, promoting dialogue between academic research and contemporary policy issues.
Prof. Mark Heitmann is a Professor of Marketing & Customer Insight at the University of Hamburg Business School. He holds a visiting appointment at Nova School of Business and Economics. His research focuses on AI-driven marketing strategies, social media analytics, brand equity, and consumer decision-making. He has held academic roles at institutions including the University of St. Gallen and Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel before joining Hamburg in 2011. Academic Career: Holds a PhD (2004) and post-doctoral Habilitation (2007) from the University of St. Gallen. Visiting researcher at Columbia University and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Research Interests: Applications of artificial intelligence in marketing Social media and digital transformation Ethical consumer behavior Brand self-expression and visual design Marketing technology (MarTech) innovations Key Achievements: Over 20 peer-reviewed publications in top journals like Journal of Marketing Research and Harvard Business Review . Award-winning research includes the MSI/H. Paul Root Award and IJRM-EMAC Best Article Award. Active in translating research into scalable commercial solutions through software-as-a-service ventures. Team & Collaborations: Leads a research team including M.Sc. candidates Sammar Rath, Julia Rosada, Maximilian Witte, Tijmen Jansen, Claus Hegmann-Napp, and Magdalena Heynicke. Engages in interdisciplinary projects with industry partners.
Carol Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Soil & Physical Sciences at Lincoln University, New Zealand, where she serves as Head of Department since 2017. She has been an elected academic staff member of the Lincoln University Council from 2018-2022. Dr. Smith holds a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc from the University of Reading, and a BSc(Hons) from the University of Portsmouth, forming the foundation of her expertise in soil science and physical geography. Her research spans both fundamental and applied aspects of pedology. On the fundamental side, she investigates Quaternary pedology and paleoenvironmental reconstruction using loess stratigraphy, geomorphology, and micromorphology, which provides critical data for verifying future climate change predictive models. Applied research focuses on sustainable use of recycled organic matter and rehabilitation of degraded soils. She collaborates internationally on multidisciplinary projects involving paleoclimate reconstruction, paleoliquefaction, Antarctic soils, and viticulture. Dr. Smith is passionate about teaching and science communication, employing experiential learning methods to develop practical field skills in soil science through 'soil judging competitions' in New Zealand and Australia. Her research addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals including Life on Land (15), Climate Action (13), and Quality Education (4). Among her notable recognitions are the Norman H Taylor Memorial award 2020 from the New Zealand Society of Soil Science for outstanding contributions to soil science in New Zealand and Fellowship in the Royal Geographical Society, London. She serves as Associate Editor of Natural Sciences Education and was previously editor of Quaternary Australasia. Dr. Smith has supervised numerous graduate students through research-based supervision, with completed projects covering diverse topics from soil patterns in Southland to Antarctic soil ecology. She teaches advanced courses in field research, soil science, and physical landscapes, and has developed innovative approaches to teaching during the pandemic, including virtual field trips.
Hyun (Michel) Koo is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine , with affiliations in the Department of Orthodontics , Division of Community Oral Health , and Division of Pediatric Dentistry . As Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry (CiPD) , he leads interdisciplinary efforts merging bioengineering, nanotechnology, and oral health research. Education : DDS and PhD Research Focus : Biofilms, bacterial-fungal interactions, and nanotechnology for oral disease prevention Leadership : Co-Director of CiPD; key roles in training programs like NIDCR-sponsored R90 and T90/R90 Dr. Koo’s research explores biofilm mechanisms in oral infectious diseases, particularly childhood caries, through engineering methods and microrobotics . His team developed micron-scale robots for automated biofilm eradication and FDA-approved nanoparticles for caries prevention. Collaborations with Penn Engineering, including Dr. Daeyeon Lee and Dr. Kacy Cullen, emphasize translational approaches. The 15 most recent publications highlight his work in nanorobotics , interkingdom biofilms , and precision diagnostics . Articles span 2025–2024 and address topics like adaptive micromotors , biofilm matrix degradation , and single-cell microbial interactions . These emphasize his focus on targeted therapies and biofilm microenvironment engineering . Key Awards : Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for innovative dental research Dr. Koo trains next-generation researchers through the CiPD NIDCR T90/R90 Postdoctoral Training Program , mentoring fellows like Smruti Nair (ACE2 Chewing Gum development) and Zhi Ren (K99 awardee). His work intersects with Penn Health-Tech, CT3N , and Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics , fostering transdisciplinary innovation.
Gyu Tag Lee is a Professor in the International Studies Department at George Mason University Korea, specializing in Cultural Studies with a focus on K-Pop, media criticism, and the globalization of culture. He holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from George Mason University (2013), an MA in Communication from Seoul National University, and a BA in English Language and Literature from the same institution. Having completed three years of military service in the Republic of Korea Air Force, he has been teaching at George Mason University Korea since 2014. His research interests span Cultural Studies, Media Criticism, Popular Music, K-Pop and Hallyu, Globalization of Culture, and Music Industry studies. Professor Lee is particularly recognized for his expertise on K-Pop's global expansion, cultural appropriation issues within the industry, and the relationship between Korean cultural identity and global pop music markets. His extensive publications reflect a consistent focus on K-Pop's evolution, from its historical roots to contemporary challenges and future directions. His work examines the tension between local Korean identity and global appeal, the role of digital platforms in fan engagement, and the cultural politics surrounding K-Pop's international success. Professor Lee's research demonstrates how K-Pop functions as both a cultural product and economic phenomenon with significant implications for understanding transnational cultural flows. As a respected commentator in the field, he serves on the selection committee for the Korean Music Awards and has been featured in numerous international media outlets including Wall Street Journal, South China Morning Post, Netflix's documentary Explained, and major Korean broadcasters such as KBS, MBC, and SBS. His insights on cultural appropriation in K-Pop have been particularly influential in shaping discussions about cultural sensitivity and global cultural exchange. Professor Lee teaches courses including Media Criticism, Globalization and Culture, K-Pop, Hallyu, and Korean Society, and Korean Popular Culture in a Global World, bringing his scholarly expertise directly into the classroom to educate the next generation of cultural critics and analysts.
Angela D. Kent is a Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she also serves as Director of the Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology within the School of Integrative Biology. She is affiliated with the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Her research focuses on microbial communities in agroecosystems and natural environments, particularly their roles in nitrogen cycling, soil health, and sustainable bioenergy production. Key research interests include microbial interactions in plant-microbe systems, the impact of genetic variation in crops on microbial processes, and the ecological and biogeochemical implications of soil microbiomes. She has authored over 99 publications and supervised datasets on topics such as denitrification dynamics, rhizosphere microbiome assembly, and microbial contributions to nitrogen retention. Dr. Kent has received the NACTA Educator Award (2012) and has contributed to high-impact studies on topics like microbial community responses to environmental stressors and the application of stable isotopes in bioenergy research. Her work bridges microbial ecology, agronomy, and environmental science, emphasizing practical solutions for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management.
Prof. Dr. Ina Christin Meier serves as Head of Department and Head of Research Unit for Functional Forest Ecology at the University of Hamburg, within the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences. She is affiliated with the Institute of Wood Sciences (Institut für Holzwissenschaften) in the Department of Biology, where she leads research on forest ecosystem responses to global environmental changes at Ohnhorststrasse 18, 22609 Hamburg. Dr. Meier's research focuses on the impacts of global change factors —including increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration, summer drought, nitrogen deposition, and intensified management—on the biogeochemistry and biodiversity of temperate, boreal, Mediterranean, and global forest biomes. Her work spans functional ecology of forest trees and grasslands , interactions between roots, mycorrhizal fungi and soil , ecophysiology , and long-term changes in forest ecosystems . She has made significant contributions to understanding root carbon allocation, tropical forest responses to climate change, and the role of mycorrhizal relationships in forest ecosystems. Analysis of Dr. Meier's publication record reveals a strong emphasis on belowground ecology and global change biology , with particular attention to root systems across diverse biomes. Her research bridges plant physiology, ecosystem ecology, and climate science, often synthesizing data from multiple studies to identify broader patterns. She frequently investigates how carbon allocation to root exudates affects soil sequestration and drought response, and has developed important frameworks for understanding root trait responses to multiple global change drivers. Dr. Meier actively collaborates with international research teams across continents. Her work on Nature's Contributions to People has demonstrated that securing essential ecosystem services requires maintaining at least 20-25% semi-natural habitat in human-modified landscapes. She also investigates the chemical complexity of root exudates and their ecological significance, contributing methodological advances to this challenging area of research.
Carolina Alves is an Associate Professor in Economics at University College London's Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP). She holds a distinguished position as a Fellow in Economics at Girton College, University of Cambridge, and serves on the Leadership Team of the UCL Centre for Capitalism Studies. Her academic journey spans prestigious institutions including SOAS, University of London for her PhD, and Unesp and Unicamp in Brazil for her undergraduate and master's degrees. BSc in Economic Science from Unesp (Brazil) MPhil in Sociology of Labour from Unicamp (Brazil) PhD in Economics from SOAS, University of London Joan Robinson Research Fellow in Heterodox Economics at Girton College, University of Cambridge Dr. Alves' research spans critical areas including Critical Macro-Finance, Structuralist Macroeconomics, and the Decolonisation of Economics, with influences rooted in Classical Political Economy, Latin American Structuralism, Dependency Theory, and Marxian economics. Her work critically examines the international monetary system, power relations in economic systems, and Eurocentric limitations in economic theory. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on heterodox economic approaches, with particular attention to government bonds, international financial subordination, and the historical development of economic thought. Her eight most recent publications reveal a consistent research trajectory examining the intersections of political economy, financial systems, and economic theory development, with increasing attention to decolonial perspectives in economics. This work has garnered significant attention across academic and policy circles, with multiple citations and social media engagement. Joan Robinson Research Fellowship in Heterodox Economics at Girton College, University of Cambridge Co-founder of Diversifying and Decolonising Economics initiative Co-editor of The Developing Economics blog Trustee for Cambridge Trust for New Thinking in Economics As an educator, Dr. Alves serves as module leader for 'New Economic Thinking and Public Value' and co-leader for 'Rethinking Capitalism' at UCL. She is deeply engaged in initiatives aimed at transforming economics education, particularly through the Diversifying and Decolonising Economics movement which she co-founded. Her leadership extends to multiple advisory roles including the Rebuilding Macroeconomics Advisory Board, Progressive Economy Forum Council, and Positive Money Advisory Panel.
Professor Beatrice Heuser is a distinguished academic in the Department of Politics within the School of Social & Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow. Her career spans multiple prestigious institutions across Europe, including King's College London, University of Reading, and visiting professorships at Sciences Po Paris, Bundeswehr University Munich, and MGIMO. She maintains significant affiliations with major strategic research institutes including Chatham House, RUSI, IFRI, and IRSEM. Education: BA from Bedford College London, MA from LSE, DPhil from Oxford (St Antony's/St John's), Habilitation from University of Marburg Professional Experience: Former Director of Studies at German Bundeswehr's military history research office, NATO Headquarters consultant, and extensive teaching across European institutions Her research centers on strategic studies with particular focus on the cultural dimensions of warfare, nuclear strategy, and the historical evolution of strategic thought. Key research areas include strategic culture, military exercises as political instruments, laws of war development, and European defense policy. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary security challenges, examining how cultural narratives shape strategic decision-making from antiquity to the nuclear age. Professor Heuser's recent publications demonstrate consistent scholarly output across strategic theory, military history, and contemporary security issues. Her work shows particular emphasis on the conceptual foundations of strategic culture, historical analysis of warfare evolution, and practical applications to modern security challenges including nuclear deterrence and asymmetric warfare. The interdisciplinary nature of her research connects political theory, historical analysis, and security studies. She actively supervises graduate students in strategic theory, nuclear strategy, insurgency studies, and defense policy-making within NATO/EU contexts. Her teaching portfolio includes War and International Relations, Defense Policy, and Strategic Theory courses.
Sushmita Roy is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the Department of Computer Sciences and the College of Letters and Science. Her research focuses on developing computational methods in statistical machine learning to understand gene regulatory networks in living cells, particularly under environmental, developmental, disease, and evolutionary contexts. She explores bulk and single-cell genomic data integration to study processes like cell fate specification, host-microbe interactions, and diseases such as cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work emphasizes three key areas: inference of genome-scale transcriptional networks, evolutionary analysis of regulatory networks, and 3D genome organization dynamics. Roy’s lab collaborates across disciplines, leveraging genomic data from plant and mammalian systems. She has contributed to methodologies for analyzing chromatin accessibility, single-cell profiling, and network-based models of pathogen systems. Her affiliations include Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, and she is a leader in computational biology and systems genomics research.
Junjian Qi serves as the Hohbach Endowed Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at South Dakota State University's College of Engineering, holding this position since 2023. His academic journey includes prior appointments as Assistant Professor at Stevens Institute of Technology (2020-2023) and University of Central Florida (2017-2020), along with research roles at Argonne National Laboratory and University of Tennessee. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (2013) B.E. in electrical engineering from Shandong University, Jinan, China (2008) Dr. Qi's research centers on electric power systems resilience, with particular expertise in cascading failure mechanisms, microgrid control architectures, cyber-physical security vulnerabilities, and synchrophasor applications. His work integrates advanced data analytics and machine learning techniques to enhance grid stability against extreme weather events and cyber threats. Current investigations focus on developing distributed control strategies for inverter-dominated grids and modeling system interdependencies during failure propagation. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) reveals a strong methodological shift toward data-driven approaches for power system challenges. Key trends include machine learning applications for cascading failure prediction, novel distributed control frameworks for AC/DC microgrids, and cybersecurity enhancements for inverter-based resources. His work consistently bridges theoretical models with real-world utility data, particularly evident in multiple Best Paper Award-winning publications analyzing actual outage sequences. Dr. Qi's scientific recognition includes: NSF CAREER Award (2020) Three consecutive Best Paper Awards at IEEE PES General Meetings (2022-2024) World's Top 2% Scientist designation in energy (2020-2023) IEEE PES Outstanding Working Group Award (2023) Multiple journal Best Paper Awards (IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Journal of Modern Power Systems) He currently leads significant research initiatives including an NSF CAREER project ($500k) on cascading failure analysis and an NSF collaborative grant ($219k) for grid stability, alongside previous DOE funding ($1.8M) for cybersecurity of distributed energy resources. His service includes editorial roles for IEEE Transactions on Power Systems and IEEE Power Engineering Letters, plus leadership in IEEE PES technical committees focused on voltage control and smart grid security.
Chang-Jun Liu is a Senior Scientist in the Plant Science Group of the Biology Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where he has conducted research on plant phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and lignin metabolism since joining in 2005. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position in the Biochemistry & Cell Biology Department at Stony Brook University and serves as Associate Editor for Plant Cell & Environment (2024-present) and Frontiers in Plant Sciences (2015-present). Dr. Liu's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology, Chinese Academy of Science (1999) Dr. Liu's research integrates approaches from biochemistry, molecular genetics, biophysics, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology to investigate phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis in plants. His laboratory addresses fundamental questions about how lignin and related compounds are synthesized and incorporated into cell walls, how regulatory networks govern metabolic activity, and how lignification influences cell wall structure and function. A central aim of his research is optimizing plant feedstocks for efficient lignocellulosic biomass utilization. Analysis of Dr. Liu's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory from fundamental biochemical mechanisms to applied bioenergy solutions. His recent work focuses on cytochrome b5 diversity, electron transfer mechanisms in phenolic biosynthesis, and metabolic engineering approaches to modify lignin composition. This research spans from evolutionary studies of lignin biosynthesis across plant lineages to practical applications in bioenergy crop improvement. Dr. Liu has received recognition for his contributions to science, including: Brookhaven National Laboratory Science and Technology Award (2018) Dr. Liu serves as Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Biological Chemistry (2020-present), PNAS Nexus (2024-present), and Plant Physiology Journal (2025-). He is Scientific Lead at the Joint BioEnergy Institute, Feedstocks Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Project Lead at the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through multiple Bioenergy Research Centers. Dr. Liu leads a research group at Brookhaven National Laboratory focused on elucidating the posttranslational regulation and macromolecular organization of lignin biosynthesis, with applications toward developing designer lignins and reducing biomass recalcitrance for sustainable biofuel production. His work addresses the critical challenge of lignin's dual nature: while it impedes enzymatic access to polysaccharides in biofuel production, it also represents the most abundant renewable source of aromatic carbon for high-value bioproducts.
Prof. Karen Alim is a Professor of Biological Physics and Morphogenesis at the Department of Physics, Technische Universität München (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Natural Sciences. She holds a PhD from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2010) and conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University (2010–2015) before leading a Max Planck Research Group in Göttingen. Her research focuses on non-neuronal information processing in living systems, particularly using Physarum polycephalum to study physical principles of network adaptation, fluid dynamics, and morphogenesis. Education: PhD in Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2010) Studies at Universität Karlsruhe, LMU München, and University of Manchester Research Interests: Prof. Alim explores how biological systems process information without neurons, emphasizing adaptive flow networks, mechanical signaling in plants, and collective behavior in active matter. Her work combines theoretical modeling with experimental systems like slime molds and plant tissues. Awards: ERC Starting Grant (2020) Elisabeth-Schiemann-Kolleg Fellowship (2013–2018) DAAD Stipendium (2011–2014) John Birks Award (2004) Advising & Grants: While specific grant details beyond the ERC award are not listed, her research has been supported by major funding bodies. No student advisees are explicitly listed in the provided materials. Labs/Teams: Leads the Biological Physics and Morphogenesis group at TUM, focusing on interdisciplinary studies of living systems' physical principles.