Calin Belta is the Brendan Iribe Endowed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is affiliated with the Institute of Systems Research (ISR) and the Maryland Robotics Center (MRC), and holds a Research Professor position at Boston University's College of Engineering. His work bridges control theory, formal methods, and machine learning to ensure safety in cyber-physical and data-driven systems, with applications in robotics, autonomous driving, and systems biology. Research Interests: Focus on dynamics and control theory, formal methods for verification and control synthesis, robotics, autonomous systems, and synthetic biology. Recent projects include PROGENIC (collaborating with MIT, UChicago, and UDelaware) and safety-critical control for heterogeneous robotic teams. Key Achievements: General Chair of the 2025 MRC Symposium, recipient of AFOSR Young Investigator Award (2008), NSF CAREER Award (2005), and IEEE Fellow. His work on formal methods for autonomous systems has led to impactful tools for safety assurance in robotics and AI. Grants: NSF EFRI PROGENIC grant (2024), multiple industry partnerships. Advising: Mentored students like Wenliang Liu (PhD 2024, now at Amazon), and collaborator Marius Kloetzer (shared HSCC Test of Time Award 2025). Labs/Teams: Maryland Robotics Center, Institute for Systems Research, and Boston University collaborations.
Pere Roca-Cusachs Soulere is a Full Professor at the University of Barcelona and Group Leader at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC). His research focuses on understanding how cells detect and respond to mechanical signals through physical and molecular mechanisms. He holds significant roles in both academic and research institutions, including leadership in IBEC's Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology group. Education: PhD in cellular biophysics (2007) from the University of Barcelona Medical School; postdoctoral research at Columbia University (2007–2011). Established his group at IBEC in 2012. Awards include the EMBO Young Investigator Award, City of Barcelona Award, and EBSA Young Investigator Award. Research Interests: Mechanobiology, cellular mechanotransduction, force transmission, nuclear mechanics, and integrin-mediated adhesion. His work bridges biophysics, cell biology, and engineering to study how mechanical forces influence cellular behavior and disease processes. Awards: Recognized for contributions to mechanobiology, including EMBO membership and multiple prestigious awards. His lab develops innovative tools like the MIRO chip to model tumor-immune interactions. Advising & Grants: Leads a multidisciplinary team, collaborating on projects funded by grants focusing on cell mechanics, cancer biology, and tissue engineering. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches to advance understanding of cellular force dynamics. Labs/Teams: Directs the Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology group at IBEC, a hub for cutting-edge research on mechanosensing and mechanotransduction.
Dr. Phil G. Campbell is a Research Professor at Carnegie Mellon University with joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Materials Science & Engineering. His research explores growth factor bioavailability and biomimetic tissue engineering. Campbell's laboratory investigates cellular microenvironments, focusing on how growth factors interact with extracellular matrices and influence tissue regeneration. His work spans basic science of protein-material interactions and applied research in cardiac, skeletal, and corneal tissue engineering. He has co-authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications and holds 10 US patents. Campbell received the Benjamin Richard Teare Teaching Award in 2018 and contributes to the Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center at CMU.
Dist. Professor Leslie Yeo is a distinguished faculty member at RMIT University's School of Engineering, where he leads the Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory (MNRL). With a PhD from Imperial College London (2002), he has held positions at Monash University and the University of Notre Dame before joining RMIT. His research focuses on the interactions between high-frequency sound waves and matter at micro and nanoscales. Leslie Yeo's educational background includes a PhD from Imperial College London (2002), where he received the Dudley Newitt prize for outstanding computational/theoretical work. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a Mathematical Modeller at Det Norske Veritas UK. He held prestigious Australian Research Fellowships (2009-2017) that supported his groundbreaking work in micro and nanophysics. Professor Yeo's research interests center around high-frequency (MHz order) sound waves interacting with various materials including fluids, two-dimensional and bulk crystals, biomolecules, cells and microorganisms. His work explores both fundamental physicochemical phenomena and practical applications in microfluidics, drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, and materials synthesis. His research has significant implications for health technologies, environmental applications, and sustainable energy solutions, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Analysis of Professor Yeo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on acoustofluidics and its diverse applications. His work demonstrates expertise in using surface acoustic waves for bacterial inactivation, synthesis of metal-organic frameworks, cell membrane manipulation, and energy conversion technologies. The research spans multiple disciplines including biomedical engineering, materials science, and environmental technology, with particular emphasis on practical applications that address real-world challenges. 2023: Fellowship of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (FIET) 2021: RMIT University Science, Technology, Engineering & Medicine College Research Impact Award 2019: RMIT University Distinguished Professorship 2018: RMIT University Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence 2016: Johnson & Johnson World Without Disease Quickfire Challenge Award 2007: Young Tall Poppy Science Award Professor Yeo has supervised numerous research students across engineering and science disciplines, with current projects focusing on acoustomicrofluidic synthesis of nanomaterials, high-frequency mechanobiology applications, and diagnostic technologies. His editorial roles include Editor-in-Chief of the American Institute of Physics journal Biomicrofluidics and Associate Editor of Frontiers in Bioengineering & Biotechnology. His work has been widely featured in media outlets including ABC's Catalyst, The Economist, and Nature. The Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory under Professor Yeo's leadership is at the forefront of fundamental and applied research on nonlinear high-frequency electroacoustic interactions. The laboratory has discovered novel physicochemical phenomena and actively develops theories to explain the fundamental mechanisms behind these discoveries, with applications ranging from medical diagnostics to sustainable energy solutions.
Istvan Mody is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with appointments in the Department of Neurology and Department of Physiology . His research focuses on synaptic signaling in health and disease, including mechanisms of GABAergic transmission, calcium homeostasis, and their roles in neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, stress, alcoholism, and postpartum depression. He utilizes advanced techniques like patch-clamp electrophysiology, neuroanatomical and immunohistochemical methods, and molecular biology in animal models and human brain tissue . Research Interests: Dr. Mody investigates the physiology, pharmacology, and pathology of synaptic transmission and extrasynaptic receptor activation , with a particular emphasis on GABA(A) receptors and their subunit-specific modulation. His work explores how disruptions in excitation-inhibition balance contribute to neurological diseases, including mechanisms of tonic inhibition , calcium signaling , and neurosteroid interactions . He also studies the effects of chronic stress and hormonal fluctuations on neural excitability and behavior. Publications Trends: Recent studies highlight his work on gamma oscillations in Alzheimer's models, microglial dynamics , and rehabilitation strategies for stroke. His lab develops optical tools like dqGEVI for neuronal activity monitoring and investigates human brain organoids to model network dysfunction in epilepsy and intellectual disability. Laboratory Location: 635 Charles Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
Professor Nikola Biller-Andorno is a leading academic in biomedical ethics and digital health innovation at the University of Zurich , where she directs the Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine and serves as Vice Dean for Innovation and Digitalization at the Faculty of Medicine . Her work bridges cutting-edge technology with ethical frameworks for patient-centered healthcare. Director, Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine (WHO Collaborating Centre) Vice Dean for Innovation and Digitalization, Medical Faculty Founding Director, UZH Center for Medical Humanities Chair, PhD program 'Biomedical Ethics and Law' Research Interests focus on digital transformation in healthcare, including ethical implications of AI, patient experience integration via big data, and crisis management frameworks during pandemics. Her scholarship addresses: Digitalization of health systems Algorithmic decision-making ethics Equity in digital health access Scientific Awards include: Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellowship (2012-2014) Fellowship at Collegium Helveticum (2016-2020) Master of Health Business Administration (2018) Leadership roles in International Association of Bioethics and European Association of Centres of Medical Ethics
Dr. Darryl Dickerson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Florida International University (FIU), part of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on mechanical characterization of biological interfaces, design of bioinspired materials, and advancing inclusive engineering education practices. He holds a Ph.D. (details not explicitly provided in text). Research Interests: Dr. Dickerson’s work bridges biomechanics and biomaterials engineering with social equity in education. Key areas include: Mechanical properties of biological interfaces (e.g., bone-cartilage junctions) Development of biomaterials for tissue repair using 3D printing and electrospinning Anti-marginalization strategies in engineering education, particularly for Black and Brown students Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes dual themes: (1) Biomedical innovation through advanced material fabrication and (2) Inclusive pedagogy addressing systemic inequities in STEM education. Notable contributions include scaffold designs for osteochondral repair and frameworks for reducing microaggressions in team-based learning. Grants and Advising: No specific grants or advisees listed in the provided text. His work appears to be grant-funded through NIH/National Science Foundation pathways common in biomaterials and education research. Labs and Teams: While not explicitly stated, his research likely involves collaborations with FIU’s Center for Engineering and Computing’s diversity initiatives and biomaterials labs focusing on tissue engineering applications.
Theresa Raimondo is the Manning Assistant Professor of Engineering at Brown University, with a secondary appointment in the Division of Biology and Medicine. She joined the Brown Engineering faculty in January 2024 after completing her postdoctoral training at MIT's Koch Institute. Dr. Raimondo leads the Raimondo Research Lab, which focuses on chemically modifying RNA and designing nanoparticles for therapeutic delivery to the body, an immunotherapy concept that holds immense promise in the field of immunoengineering. Her educational background includes: PhD in Engineering Sciences – Bioengineering from Harvard University (2019) MEng from Harvard University (2019) Sc.B. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Brown University (2011) Dr. Raimondo's research is broadly focused on the design of targeted drug-delivery vectors and novel RNA-based therapeutics for applications in cancer, immunotherapy, and tissue regeneration. Her work primarily centers on developing novel lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for RNA-based therapies, contributing to adjuvanted mRNA-based vaccines and siRNA-based cancer immunotherapies. By optimizing LNP formulation and modulating RNA constructs, she seeks to understand how RNA-LNPs modulate immunity and develop new therapeutic approaches. Her expertise spans biomaterials, drug delivery, biomolecular engineering, nanomedicine, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Analysis of Dr. Raimondo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on RNA delivery systems and lipid nanoparticle technology. Her work spans from fundamental studies on nanoparticle design to applications in cancer immunotherapy, vaccine development, and tissue regeneration. A significant portion of her research involves optimizing lipid formulations for improved mRNA delivery and exploring how these systems interact with the immune system. Her publications demonstrate a trajectory from basic biomaterials research to increasingly translational work with therapeutic applications. Dr. Raimondo has received numerous prestigious awards: 2025 NAE Symposium selection (Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering) 2025 appointment to the inaugural Early Career Board of ACS Applied Bio Materials 2024 selection as MIT Faculty Founder Initiative finalist 2022 Convergence Scholar fellowship from MIT's Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship Harvard's Smith family graduate fellowship Dr. Raimondo is actively involved in mentoring students through courses including ENGN 0931L - Biomedical Engineering Design and Innovation II, ENGN 1490 - Biomaterials, and ENGN 1931L - Biomedical Engineering Design and Innovation II. Her research program is supported by various grants, though specific funding sources aren't detailed in the provided text. The Raimondo Research Lab represents a dynamic environment where engineering principles are applied to solve complex biological challenges in drug delivery and regenerative medicine. The Raimondo Research Lab at Brown University serves as a hub for innovation in RNA delivery and biomaterials design. The lab brings together expertise in chemical engineering, molecular biology, and immunology to develop next-generation therapeutic platforms. Current research directions include optimizing lipid nanoparticle formulations, exploring novel RNA modifications, and investigating immune responses to RNA therapeutics across various disease contexts.
Ben Cosgrove is an Associate Professor in the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University, serving as Director of Graduate Studies. His research focuses on systems bioengineering approaches to understand muscle stem cell dysfunction in aging and disease. He leads the Cosgrove Lab, a multidisciplinary group integrating biomedical engineering, stem cell biology, and systems biology to study microenvironmental signaling in muscle regeneration. His work includes developing biomimetic microenvironments for stem cell manufacturing and improving regenerative medicine therapies. Dr. Cosgrove holds a B.Eng. from the University of Minnesota (2003) and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from MIT (2009). Postdoctoral training at Stanford University (with Dr. Helen Blau) followed. His research is supported by NIH grants (including R01, R21), the Glenn Medical Research Foundation, and others. He has been recognized with awards such as the BMES Graduate Research Award (2008), Rising Star Award (2015), and Swanson Teaching Excellence Award (2019). Research interests span bioengineering, biomechanics, computational science, and systems biology. His lab's innovations include spatial transcriptomic mapping and high-yield stem cell expansion platforms. Current projects aim to decode stem cell-niche interactions to treat muscle degeneration and aging. Grants: NIH K99/R00, R01, R21; Glenn Medical Research Foundation Labs/Teams: Cosgrove Lab (Cornell University) Future Work: Expanding applications of spatial transcriptomics and engineering regenerative therapies for muscle diseases
Jennifer L. West is the Dean of the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science and holds the Saunders Family Professorship in Engineering. She is a dual professor in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Dean West has a 30-year record as a researcher, educator, inventor, and entrepreneur, focusing on biomaterials, nanotechnology, and tissue engineering to address unmet medical needs, particularly in cancer therapy. Her education includes a B.S. from MIT (1992) and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin (1996). Before UVA, she was at Duke University as the Fitzpatrick Family Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Associate Dean for Ph.D. Education. Research Interests: Biomaterials and biosynthesis Nanotechnology and tissue engineering Cancer therapy through engineered materials Scientific Awards: Member of the National Academy of Medicine (2023) Member of the National Academy of Engineering (2016) Over 20 patents, including foundational work for Nanospectra Biosciences’ clinical trials in cancer therapy Grants & Initiatives: Leading UVA Engineering’s focus on research, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship Recipient of a $900,000 grant for character-building education initiatives Labs & Teams: Developed hydrogel platforms for tissue integration, vascularization, and drug delivery Pioneered gold nanoshell-based photothermal cancer therapy
Dr. Vadim Backman is the Sachs Family Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Medicine at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Feinberg School of Medicine. He holds additional roles as Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology) and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Associate Director of Research Technology and Infrastructure at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Director of the Center for Physical Genomics and Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in Medical Engineering from Harvard-MIT and M.S./B.S. in Physics from St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute. His research focuses on physical and biological science intersections, developing nanoscale imaging and computational technologies to study chromatin dynamics and their role in disease. Key areas include cancer diagnostics/therapeutics, chromatin engineering, and genome nanoimaging. Dr. Backman has published over 230 papers, holds 20+ patents, and leads large-scale projects like NCI Bioengineering Research Partnerships. Education: Ph.D. (Harvard-MIT), M.S. (MIT), M.S./B.S. (St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute) Affiliations: PhD Programs in Applied Physics and Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Research emphasizes chromatin's role in disease, with clinical translation for diagnostics and therapy. His lab develops technologies like nano-CHIA and ChromSTEM, advancing understanding of genomic organization and epigenetic regulation. Awards include the Cozzarelli Prize and MIT Technology Review's Top 100 Innovators. Awards: Cozzarelli Prize (2017), AIMBE Fellowship (2009), NSF CAREER Award (2003) Grants and collaborations include managing multi-investigator projects and co-founding biotech companies. Courses taught: BME 302 (Quantitative Systems Physiology), BME 429 (Advanced Physical and Applied Optics).
Jessica Rosenholm is a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Pharmacy at Åbo Akademi University. Her research focuses on drug delivery systems, nanomedicine, and biomaterials engineering. She holds a D.Sc.(Tech.) and has authored over 200 publications. Key research areas include mesoporous silica nanoparticles, 3D bioprinting, and antimicrobial resistance solutions. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in advancing health technologies. Notable achievements include the Akzo Nobel Nordic Research Prize 2009 and the Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2022). She leads projects like the MADNESS Centre of Excellence, exploring materials-driven solutions against antimicrobial resistance. Education: Doctor of Science (Technology) Research Interests: Nanoformulations, biomedical imaging, microfluidics, and tissue engineering. Recent articles highlight innovations in programmable nanocomposites for hearing loss treatment, microfluidic assembly of nanostructures, and 3D printing of drug delivery systems. Awards: ÅAU Chancellor’s Prize (2013), Forskarpriset ur Harry Elvings legat (2009) Grants: Projects funded by EU, Finnish Research Council, and Sigrid Jusélius Foundation. Labs/Teams: BioNanoMaterials group explores cutting-edge technologies like nanomedical agents and microfluidics. Current projects include the NAP4DIVE initiative for blood-brain barrier drug delivery.
Hong Han is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences within McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences and a member of the Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research (CDCR). She holds a Canada Research Chair and leads the Han Lab, which focuses on cancer biology, RNA regulation, and innovative high-throughput technologies for therapeutic discovery. Dr. Han earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (2010-2016) and has established herself as a leading researcher in glioblastoma and alternative splicing regulation. Her interdisciplinary research integrates cancer biology, RNA science, and multilayer gene regulation to uncover mechanisms underlying cancer progression and treatment resistance. Her laboratory pioneers integrated technological platforms for large-scale genetic/drug screening and ultra-high-throughput single-cell profiling. The research focuses on three main areas: alternative splicing regulation in cancer (particularly glioblastoma and prostate cancer), multilayer mechanisms of glioblastoma heterogeneity and microenvironment evolution, and multiplexed screening approaches for therapeutic discovery in treatment-resistant cancers. Analysis of Dr. Han's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on single-cell technologies to characterize glioblastoma heterogeneity, minimal residual disease states, and tumor-immune interactions. Her work increasingly bridges basic RNA biology with translational applications, particularly in developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting splicing networks and immune evasion mechanisms. Canada Research Chair Dr. Han teaches Advanced Techniques in the Biomedical Sciences (BIOCHEM 734). Her research program is supported by multiple funding sources, as evidenced by her extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Nature, Cell, Molecular Cell, and Nature Communications. She employs a comprehensive approach combining in vitro, in vivo, and patient cohort studies with cutting-edge genomic technologies. The Han Lab has developed innovative multiplexed screening platforms that enable simultaneous interrogation of thousands of conditions, ranging from CAR-T cells to small molecule therapeutics. This approach accelerates the discovery of novel cancer targets and therapeutic strategies for treatment-resistant cancers.
Caterina Ducati is a Professor of Nanomaterials at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on nanomaterials, their structure-property relationships, and applications in energy technologies, particularly photovoltaics, photocatalysis, and optoelectronics. Research Interests: In situ electron microscopy of nanomaterials under external stimuli (electrical, thermal, photonic), growth mechanisms of nanostructures (carbon nanotubes, semiconductor nanowires), and degradation processes in energy devices. Methodologies: Advanced characterization via HAADF STEM, TEM, and development of tools for real-time nanoscale observation. Recent publications highlight her work on perovskite solar cells, battery materials (Li, Zn, Na-ion), and ferroelectric thin films. She actively investigates degradation mechanisms in energy devices and develops novel fabrication techniques for nanocomposites. Scientific Recognition: A&B Post-doctoral Fellowship winners (institutional award) She supervises research groups utilizing the Wolfson Electron Microscopy Suite and contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations in materials for sustainability and healthcare applications.
Ying Ge is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, jointly appointed in the Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Department of Chemistry. Her research integrates chemistry, biology, and medicine, focusing on advanced mass spectrometry-based proteomic and metabolomic technologies to address cardiovascular diseases. Education: B.S., Peking University (1997) Ph.D., Cornell University (2002) Ying Ge's work centers on developing ultra high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms for top-down proteomics and metabolomics, applied to systems biology studies of heart failure and regenerative medicine. Key projects include myofilament protein modification mapping, stem cell therapy evaluation, and biomarker discovery for cardiac conditions. The 15 most recent articles highlight her lab's methodological innovations (e.g., photocleavable surfactants, native mass spectrometry) and biological discoveries in AMPK structural heterogeneity, RBM20-mediated cardiotoxicity, and sarcomere-metabolism cross-talk during regeneration. These publications span proteomics, metabolomics, structural biology, and clinical applications.
