Mathieu Odijk is a Full Professor at the University of Twente's Faculty of Science and Technology, leading the Integrated Devices and Systems department. His research focuses on microfluidic systems, catalysis, and organ-on-chip platforms, with contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals through advanced material characterization and biomedical engineering. He has authored over 120 publications and holds an h-index of 27 with 1,820 citations. Expertise: Microfluidics, catalyst particle diagnostics, SERS substrates, organ-on-chip systems, and spectroscopic techniques. Collaborations include Weckhuysen (catalysis), van den Berg (microfluidics), and Meirer (materials science). Key projects: Modular organ-on-chip platforms (STARTER), droplet-based catalyst screening, and real-time reaction monitoring via ATR-IR systems. His research combines nanotechnology and chemical engineering to develop tools for sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and biomedical applications. Recent work includes microreactors for catalyst particle analysis, light-driven urea oxidation for wearable kidney devices, and standardized platforms for organ-on-chip research.
Olle Eriksson is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Uppsala University, specifically affiliated with the Materials Theory division. His research focuses on theoretical and computational approaches to understanding magnetic materials and their properties. His primary research interests include first principles calculations of bulk materials and surfaces, with particular emphasis on magnetism and chemical bonding. His methodological expertise spans full-potential implementations of density functional theory, dynamical mean-field theory, and self-interaction correction. He also conducts calculations of finite temperature magnetism using Monte Carlo simulations and atomistic spin-dynamics simulations, as well as investigations into lattice dynamics and finite temperature effects on phase stability. Professor Eriksson's recent work demonstrates a strong focus on magnetocaloric materials for magnetic refrigeration applications, two-dimensional magnetic materials including van der Waals magnets, topological magnetic textures such as skyrmions, and computational methods for improving density functional theory. His research has significant implications for energy-efficient cooling technologies, next-generation spintronic devices, and fundamental understanding of quantum magnetic phenomena. Materials Science : Magnetocaloric materials, battery materials, 2D materials Computational Physics : Density functional theory, Monte Carlo simulations, spin dynamics Magnetism : Topological textures, chiral magnets, ultrafast dynamics His extensive publication record shows consistent contributions to high-impact journals across physics and materials science, with a notable increase in interdisciplinary work connecting computational physics with materials design for energy applications.
Professor Sylvia Urban is a distinguished academic at RMIT University, serving as a Professor of Chemistry in the School of Science. She leads the Marine and Terrestrial Natural Product (MATNAP) research group and is the Program Manager for the Bachelor of Science degree, the largest and flagship program in the School of Science. Professor Urban also holds significant leadership roles including Reconciliation and Responsible Practice Facilitator in the School of Science (STEM College) and member of the Nugulu Committee at RMIT University. Her expertise spans natural products chemistry and separation science, with particular focus on chromatography for purification and instrumental analysis for structural characterisation and elucidation. Professor Urban's research interests encompass natural product chemistry isolation and structural elucidation, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry for characterisation of natural products, High Performance/Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and other chromatographic techniques for natural product purification, hyphenated spectroscopic techniques such as HPLC-NMR and HPLC-MS for natural product profiling, and biological evaluation of natural products for drug discovery applications. Her work primarily focuses on exploring the biodiversity of Australian marine and terrestrial organisms including plants, fungi, sponges, and algae to discover new compounds with therapeutic potential. She has developed various dereplication and chemical profiling strategies to expedite the discovery process. Professor Urban's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on natural products derived from Australian flora and marine organisms, with particular emphasis on their chemical characterisation and biological evaluation. Her research spans ethnobotanical studies of Indigenous Australian medicinal plants, phytochemical profiling of Australian species, anthelmintic and antimicrobial assessments of natural compounds, and development of analytical methodologies for natural product research. The interdisciplinary nature of her work connects chemistry with pharmacology, ethnobotany, and sustainable development goals related to health, education, and gender equality. STEM College Learning & Teaching Award (Award for Values in Action) 2024 STEM College Athena Swan Award 2023 Top STEM College Media Star 2022 School of Science Reconciliation Champion Award for 2021 School of Science Associate Dean's Impact Award (Applied Chemistry) for 2021 STEM Female Educator of the Year Award in the STEM College in 2021 Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) in 2020 2019 Australian Award for University Teaching (AAUT) Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Professor Urban actively supervises Masters and PhD students, with recent projects focusing on nanoparticle synthesis, natural product evaluation from Australian plants and marine organisms, food science applications, and biomedical imaging agents. She has received numerous teaching grants including the SteLR Grant 2017 for Pen-enabled, Real-time Student Engagement for Teaching in STEM Subjects, SteLR Plus Learning and Teaching Grant 2016 for Contextualizing Learning Chemistry, and Global Learning by Design (GLbD) Learning and Teaching Grant 2014. As the leader of the MATNAP research group, Professor Urban oversees a team focused on exploring Australian biodiversity for drug discovery. She has been instrumental in establishing the VICS Molecular Resolution Facility (chromatography node at RMIT University) as part of "The Pipeline – An Integrated Approach to Drug Design and Development." Her research involves collaborations both within and external to RMIT University, including Australian and international university and industry partners.
Dr. William Unsworth is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of York. He holds a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship and the inaugural Eleanor Dodson Fellowship. His research focuses on developing new methods for synthesizing functionalized macrocycles, spirocycles, heterocycles, and natural products, with key interests in ring expansion strategies (e.g., SuRE methodology), photochemistry, catalysis, and spirocyclization reactions. Education: Bachelor's and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Oxford (PhD under Prof. Jeremy Robertson, 2010) Postdoctoral Research Associate with Prof. Richard J.K. Taylor at the University of York (2010–2013) Research Interests: Macrocycle synthesis, medium-sized rings, cascade reactions, photochemical radical processes, and catalyst-driven scaffold diversity. His group’s work emphasizes practical applications in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Awards: Thieme Chemistry Journals Award (2020) RSC Hickinbottom Award (2018) European Lead Factory Chemical Library Creativity Award (2017) RSC/BMOS Young Investigator Award (2015) Grants and Projects: Leads initiatives like the ‘Macrocycles for Drug Discovery (MC4DD)’ project funded by the European Commission, and collaborates on projects involving biocatalysis and natural product synthesis. Labs/Teams: The Unsworth Research Group at the University of York includes collaborators like Prof. Richard Taylor and Prof. Gideon Grogan, focusing on interdisciplinary synthetic chemistry and sustainable methods.
Natalie Banerji is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Bern, Switzerland. She previously held positions as Associate Professor (2015–2017) and Assistant Professor (2014–2015) at the University of Fribourg, and was an Ambizione Fellow at EPF Lausanne (2011–2014). Her research focuses on organic electronics, photovoltaic materials, and charge transport dynamics in conjugated polymers and perovskites. She has pioneered studies on electrochemical doping mechanisms, materials engineering for organic electrochemical transistors, and the interplay between material structure and optoelectronic properties. Education: PhD in Physical Chemistry (2009, University of Geneva), Diploma in Chemistry (2003, University of Geneva). Her work integrates advanced spectroscopic techniques like terahertz conductivity, transient absorption, and sum frequency generation to explore ultrafast charge dynamics. Key areas include optimizing polymer side-chain engineering for enhanced device stability and performance, and understanding charge separation in organic solar cells. Her recent articles emphasize advances in flexible electronics, biocompatible materials for bioelectronic devices, and perovskite-based optoelectronics. She has been funded by SNSF grants and collaborations with institutions like UCSB and EPFL.
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.
Olof Mikael Lindgren is a Professor of Physics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences. Since 2003, he has led research at the Applied Optics group and Biophysics group , focusing on advanced optical spectroscopy and imaging for biomedical applications. His research spans laser-based spectroscopy, time-resolved optical techniques, and nonlinear optics. He applies these methods to study biomolecular systems, particularly in the context of amyloid diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and to develop photo-dynamic therapy approaches. He also investigates hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials and triplet state dynamics. Recent publications highlight his work on oligothiophenes for amyloid fibril detection, BODIPY-based photosensitizers for cancer therapy, and multimodal fluorescence microscopy of protein aggregates. These studies collectively advance optical diagnostics and therapeutic strategies in life sciences. He teaches the course TFY4195 - Optics and is actively involved in outreach and academic service. His contact email is mikael.lindgren@ntnu.no , and his office is located at Realfagbygget, D4-190, Gløshaugen .
Claus Hélix-Nielsen is a Professor and Head of Department at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, DTU Sustain, Technical University of Denmark. His research focuses on lipid-protein interactions, biomimetic membranes, membrane transport, and membrane channel proteins, utilizing electrophysiology, fluorescence spectroscopy, and computational modeling. Current Position: Professor and Head of Department Institution: Technical University of Denmark Research Unit: DTU Sustain Department: Environmental and Resource Engineering Research Interests: Dr. Hélix-Nielsen investigates how the hydrophobic coupling between transmembrane proteins and lipid bilayers regulates protein function through bilayer mechanical properties. His work also explores how these properties influence membrane dynamics, including vesiculation. He develops biomimetic membranes for biosensor and separation technologies, employing advanced techniques like Raman spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. Recent Publications Trends: His 15 most recent articles emphasize biomimetic membrane engineering, membrane biophysics, and applications in environmental and biomedical fields. Topics range from artificial ion channels and drug delivery systems to computational modeling of lipid-protein interactions and environmental monitoring sensors. Techniques: Key methodologies include electrophysiology, fluorescence spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations.
Dr. Sonja Pullen is a Visiting Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science, affiliated with the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences. Her research focuses on photocatalysis, coordination chemistry, and supramolecular systems, with particular emphasis on developing sustainable energy conversion technologies. Key areas include molecular catalyst design, confined-space catalysis, and light-driven chemical transformations. Her work integrates advanced spectroscopic techniques (e.g., ultrafast spectroscopy) to study catalytic mechanisms, particularly in systems like diiron complexes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Recent projects explore oxygen-tolerant catalysts, substrate-binding effects in photocatalytic dehalogenation, and the role of hydrogen bonding in catalytic activity. She also investigates functional materials such as coordination cages for artificial photosynthesis. Dr. Pullen’s publications highlight breakthroughs in catalyst stability, reaction selectivity, and energy-efficient processes. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges organic/inorganic chemistry, materials science, and renewable energy applications. Current trends in her work emphasize environmental sustainability and scalable photocatalytic systems for hydrogen production and CO2 conversion. Her lab at the Van 't Hoff Institute collaborates widely on topics like molecular encapsulation, MOF functionalization, and bioinspired catalysts. Ongoing projects aim to enhance photocatalytic efficiency through structural design and confinement strategies.
Marjo Yliperttula is a Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki. She serves as a supervisor in the Doctoral Programmes in Biomedicine, Drug Research, and Materials Research and Nanosciences, with expertise in biomaterials and pharmaceutical technology. Her research focuses on nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) hydrogels for wound healing and drug delivery, extracellular vesicle (EV) engineering for therapeutic applications, and freeze-drying technologies for biomaterial preservation. Key contributions include NFC-based wound dressings that enhance platelet-rich plasma release (2024), Raman spectroscopy methods for monitoring freeze-drying-induced mutarotation (2024), and tandem chromatography techniques for high-purity EV isolation (2023). Her work bridges pharmaceutical sciences with regenerative medicine, emphasizing translational applications in chronic wound treatment and targeted drug delivery. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Optimization of NFC hydrogels for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration, (2) Advanced characterization of EV phenotypes under hypoxic conditions for improved therapeutic efficacy, and (3) Development of analytical methods (Raman spectroscopy, chromatography) to address manufacturing challenges in biopharmaceuticals. These themes reflect her group's commitment to solving critical problems in biomaterial stability, EV-based delivery, and precision wound care. Professor Yliperttula has supervised 10 doctoral theses, including recent work on NFC for skin substitutes (Elle Koivunotko), freeze-drying of hydrogels (Arto Merivaara), and mesenchymal stromal cells for wound healing (Jasmi Snirvi). She currently leads the Academy of Finland-funded GeneCellNa project (2024-2026) on gene/cell/nanotherapy for chronic diseases and a Finnish Red Cross project (2023-2024) on NFC for blood products, with cumulative project funding spanning 18 initiatives since 2005. She heads the Biopharmaceuticals Group within the Drug Research Program, fostering collaborations across pharmaceutical biosciences, materials science, and clinical medicine to advance next-generation therapeutic platforms.
Tyler Johnson, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Dominican University of California's School of Health and Natural Sciences. His expertise lies in Natural Products Chemistry , Bioorganic Chemistry , and Medicinal Chemistry , with a focus on biomedical applications. Johnson's research emphasizes discovering therapeutic lead compounds and molecular probes from marine and terrestrial natural products. His research team investigates chemotypes like mycothiazole , zampanolide , fijianolide , and latrunculin from Indo-Pacific marine sponges. These compounds exhibit potent cytotoxicity (IC50 1~5 nM) against cancer cell lines through mechanisms including microfilament disruption , mitochondrial complex I inhibition , and microtubule stabilization . Current work explores mycothiazole as a molecular probe for mitochondrial aging. Key publications span 2024-2002, covering topics from sponge-derived anticancer agents to inflammation modulation and environmental toxicology. Johnson's laboratory engages in large-scale natural product isolation, spectroscopic validation, and semi-synthetic medicinal chemistry to optimize therapeutic leads. His work integrates undergraduate and graduate students into interdisciplinary biomedical research.
Jonathan Abbatt is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, specializing in environmental chemistry with a focus on atmospheric processes. His research examines multiphase chemistry in indoor and outdoor environments, particularly aerosol particle interactions and their impacts on climate and air quality. He leads the Abbatt Group, which investigates topics such as Arctic chemistry, indoor chemical transformations, and brown carbon aging. Research interests span indoor/outdoor chemical reactions, aerosol physics, and environmental modeling. Notable projects include studies on ozone deposition on indoor surfaces, biomass burning emissions, and reactive chlorine sources in urban areas. His work integrates lab experiments, field measurements, and computational models. Recent studies highlight indoor surface reactivity, wildfire impacts on ozone, and multiphase oxidation mechanisms. Collaborations with institutions like Environment and Climate Change Canada ensure practical applications of his findings. Students and postdocs in his lab contribute to advancing knowledge in air quality and climate change mitigation.
Thomas Justus Schmidt is a Professor and Chair for Electrochemistry at ETH Zürich and Head of the PSI Center for Energy & Environmental Sciences at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland. He also directs the Swiss Center of Excellence for NetZero Emissions. His research focuses on electrochemical energy conversion and storage, including fuel cells, electrolyzers, and catalyst development. Schmidt received his University Diploma (1996) and PhD (2000) in Chemistry from the University of Ulm, followed by postdoctoral work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has held leadership roles in industry (BASF Fuel Cell GmbH) and academia, including directing the Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research. His awards include the Charles W. Tobias Young Investigator Award and the CW Schönbein Gold Medal. He advises PhD students and leads interdisciplinary teams at ETH and PSI, with a focus on advancing sustainable energy technologies. Education: University of Ulm (Diploma 1996, PhD 2000) Industry Experience: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH (2002–2010) Key Roles: Director of Swiss NetZero Center, Head of PSI Energy & Environmental Sciences His research bridges fundamental electrochemistry with practical applications, emphasizing catalyst design, operando spectroscopy, and sustainable energy systems. Notable projects include high-temperature membrane electrode assemblies and CO₂ electroreduction technologies. Collaborations leverage PSI’s large-scale facilities for advanced material characterization. Scientific contributions include over 200 publications in journals like Nature Chemistry and Advanced Energy Materials . His team explores electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution/reduction reactions and novel materials for energy storage. Current work addresses scalability of electrochemical processes and low-carbon technologies.
Jacob Mackenzie is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton's Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences , affiliated with the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) and Zepler Institute. His work spans advanced laser physics and photonics, focusing on efficient solid-state systems via planar waveguide geometries and cryogenic cooling for power scaling. Research interests: Waveguide amplifiers, cryogenically cooled lasers, ultra-fast compact lasers Key applications: Materials processing, space-borne LIDAR, silicon photonics Research Themes include innovative gain media engineering, thermal management, and spectroscopic optimization. His group explores non-standard laser transitions to expand accessible wavelengths and power regimes in continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed configurations. Publications highlight advancements in resonant waveguide gratings, thermal performance metrics, high-repetition rate systems, and optical coating durability. These align with his leadership in high-power laser design and novel manufacturing techniques. Scientific Awards Royal Academy of Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow (2004) Senior Member of the Optical Society (OSA) PhD Supervision includes Isaac Brock, Georgia Mourkioti, and Sahar Alidousti. He also mentors postgraduate students through technical workshops and co-teaches Photonics II (ELEC3217) for undergraduates. External Roles encompass invited speaking (2020), journal reviewing (2021-2022), and chairing conferences like the 10TH EPS-QEOD EUROPHOTON CONFERENCE (2022).
Hatice Altug is a Full Professor at EPFL's Institute of Bioengineering within the School of Engineering, where she leads the Bionanophotonic Systems Laboratory. Her research integrates nanophotonics, plasmonics, and microfluidics to develop advanced biosensors for real-time molecular diagnostics. She holds dual roles in EPFL's doctoral programs and academic committees. Education: PhD in Applied Physics, Stanford University (2000-2007) B.S. in Physics, Bilkent University (1996-2000) Her research centers on creating label-free, high-sensitivity optical biosensors using nanophotonic technologies. Key innovations include dielectric metasurfaces for mid-infrared spectroscopy, AI-enhanced detection platforms, and portable nanoplasmonic imagers for point-of-care diagnostics. Her work bridges fundamental light-matter interactions with clinical applications like sepsis monitoring and cancer biomarker detection. Her publications emphasize nanophotonic biosensor design, metasurface applications, and single-cell analysis. Recent trends show increased focus on AI integration, vibrational spectroscopy, and wafer-scale manufacturing for clinical translation. Awards & Honors: Optical Society Fellow (2020) Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE, 2011) ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) IEEE Photonics Society Young Investigator Award (2011) She mentors numerous PhD students and leads interdisciplinary teams developing optofluidic platforms. Her laboratory pioneers nanoplasmonic microarrays and collaborates globally on projects like neurodegenerative disease biomarker detection. She co-directs EPFL's doctoral program in photonics and champions women in STEM through executive roles in diversity initiatives.
