Dr. Naveed Ashraf is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in automotive and mechanical engineering. With over 20 years of research experience, his work focuses on vehicle braking systems, noise-vibration-harshness (NVH), and braking instabilities. He has contributed to numerous international conferences and peer-reviewed journals, addressing issues like brake squeal, disc-pad interface dynamics, and friction-induced vibrations. His professional memberships include the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and he holds Fellow status with the Higher Education Academy (UK). Dr. Ashraf teaches courses such as Engineering Mathematics, Experimental Mechanics, and Solid Mechanics and Dynamics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Research Highlights: His research emphasizes the interplay between disc-pad interface dynamics and noise generation, with notable projects on stick-slip vibrations, pressure distribution measurement, and rotor asymmetry for noise reduction. He has pioneered methods to analyze dynamic center of pressure and its impact on brake performance. Awards and Professional Affiliations: Recognized as Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he has also served as an external examiner and course assessor for multiple UK universities. Teaching Responsibilities: He contributes to the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering program, delivering core modules that bridge theoretical principles with practical engineering challenges.
Anastasios Vassilopoulos serves as Head of the Composite Mechanics Group (GR-MeC) and Adjunct Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering. He directs the Doctoral Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering while maintaining active roles in the Structural Engineering Group and School Council. His research focuses on composite materials for renewable energy infrastructure , particularly wind turbine rotor blades. Key areas include fatigue analysis of adhesively bonded joints, experimental methods for FRP composites under complex loading, and design methodologies for composite structures. His work bridges fundamental mechanics with industrial applications through extensive collaboration with wind energy stakeholders. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in thick adhesive joint mechanics (73% of articles), fatigue/fracture characterization (67%), and machine learning applications (40%). The research consistently targets wind turbine blade challenges, with 87% of articles addressing specific aspects of renewable energy infrastructure. Methodological trends show increasing integration of computational-experimental approaches and AI-driven predictive modeling. Dr. Vassilopoulos has secured 18 major research projects since 2000, primarily funded by Swiss National Science Foundation and international collaborations. Current projects include NSF-funded work on wind turbine blade adhesive joints (2020-2024) and fire-resistant composite bridge decks. His teaching portfolio includes advanced courses on composites design, structural mechanics, and floating offshore renewables. As Doctoral Program Director, he oversees PhD training while personally supervising 17 doctoral students to completion.
Martin Marie Hubert Choux is an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering Sciences , University of Agder, Norway. He holds dual M.Sc. degrees in Mechatronic Engineering from École Nationale Supérieure d'Art et Métiers (France) and University of Queensland (Australia), and a Ph.D. in Automatic Control from Technical University of Denmark (2011). Education: M.Sc. in Mechatronic Engineering, École Nationale Supérieure d'Art et Métiers, Paris, 2006 M.Sc. in Mechatronic Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 2006 Ph.D. in Automatic Control, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, 2011 His research focuses on mechatronics , robotics , and battery recycling , with over 15 recent publications (2024–2019) on: Automated Disassembly of lithium-ion batteries Fault Diagnosis in motor drives using structural analysis and neural networks Efficiency Optimization of electric drivetrains in offshore applications Comparative Studies of hydraulic vs. electric actuation systems AI and Robotics for EV battery recycling Control Algorithms for mechanical systems His work spans robotics , automatic control , and sustainable engineering , contributing to electric vehicle and offshore technology advancements.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Grätsch is a faculty member at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences within the Faculty of Technology and Computer Science, specifically in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Production. His office is located in Room 226e at Berliner Tor 21, 20099 Hamburg, with contact number +49 40 428 75-8705. Prof. Grätsch specializes in computational mechanics with a focus on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and its applications in vibroacoustics. His research particularly addresses noise emission from wind turbines, structural vibration analysis, and mechanical system simulations. He has developed sophisticated models for predicting and reducing tonal noise in wind energy systems, with emphasis on gearbox vibrations and acoustic radiation from large structures. His publication record shows a consistent research trajectory focused on wind turbine noise simulation, with recent work (2018-2022) concentrating on hybrid multistep procedures, large-scale finite element modeling, and practical applications for noise reduction in wind energy systems. His work bridges theoretical computational methods with practical engineering applications in renewable energy technology. Prof. Grätsch holds several administrative roles including Program Coordinator for the Master's program 'Calculation and Simulation in Mechanical Engineering', Spokesperson for the Mechanics Group, Member of the Department Council for Mechanical Engineering and Production, and Deputy Member of the Confidence Committee of the Faculty of Technology and Computer Science. He is also a Member of the Editorial Board of Computers & Structures. His research projects focus on vibroacoustics, particularly addressing noise emission from wind turbines through computational simulation and structural analysis. His work has practical implications for the wind energy industry seeking to reduce environmental noise pollution while maintaining energy production efficiency.
Payam Khazaeinejad is Associate Professor of Solid Mechanics at Kingston University London, where he also serves as School Director of Learning & Teaching and leads the IMechE-accredited Monitored Professional Development Scheme. A Chartered Engineer & Scientist, he is Senior Fellow of Advance HE, Fellow of IMechE, Senior Member of AIAA and sits on multiple national boards including IMechE Council and EPSRC Peer Review College. Education & Continuous Development PhD Engineering, University of Edinburgh (2016) MSc Mechanical Engineering – Applied Mechanics (2006) BEng Mechanical Engineering – Solid Mechanics (2004) MIT Professional Education – Machine Learning for Materials Informatics (2024) Chartered Manager Bootcamp, CMI Level 5 Diploma (2023) Certificate in Innovation in Teaching, Laspau/Harvard (2021) Chartered Engineer & Chartered Scientist status (2021, 2024) Research Interests His research integrates computational solid mechanics with bio-inspired design to create architected materials and structures that are lightweight, adaptive and resilient. Using high-fidelity finite-element and discrete-element modelling he investigates failure mechanisms under extreme thermomechanical environments, with applications spanning pharmaceutical tablet compaction, biomedical scaffolds for bone regeneration, floating solar-panel arrays, fire-exposed steel plates and subsea riser systems. Across 50+ peer-reviewed works he has advanced analytical solutions for functionally graded shells, nonlinear thermo-elastic plates, vibration of micro-composite skew plates and efficient riser elements, while recent outputs concentrate on additive-manufactured aerospace mounts, 3-D printed biodegradable scaffolds and data-driven engineering curricula. Honours & Recognition Provost's Award for Learning & Teaching Excellence 2025 Enterprising Value Award, Kingston People Awards 2024 Senior Fellow, Advance HE Fellow, Institution of Mechanical Engineers Senior Member, AIAA Chartered Engineer & Chartered Scientist (UK Engineering & Science Councils) Leadership & External Examining He is Chief External Examiner at UWE Bristol (2024-present) and External Examiner at Manchester Met and University of East London, having served on programme-revalidation panels nationwide. At Kingston he directs learning & teaching for the School of Engineering, chairs the IMechE Structural Technology & Materials Group, and founded the Engineering Simulation Group.
Orran Krieger is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Boston University. He serves as the Founding Director of the Cloud Computing Initiative (CCI) and Resident Fellow of the Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering. His work focuses on cloud computing infrastructure, operating systems, and virtualization technologies. Prior roles include leading the Advanced Operating System Research Department at IBM T.J. Watson and contributing to VMware's vCloud initiatives. Education: PhD and MASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto. Research interests include cloud resource management, unikernel-based systems, security in distributed environments, and performance optimization. His leadership in the Massachusetts Open Cloud project and Open Cloud Testbed (OCT) demonstrates expertise in scalable cloud platforms. Key contributions span innovations in OS design (e.g., EbbRT framework), cloud marketplace architectures, and hardware-as-a-service models. His research bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in modern data centers.
Stacey A. Combes is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior at the University of California, Davis, and leads the Combes Lab focused on biomechanics and behavioral ecology of flying insects. Her work bridges lab-based biomechanics with field ecology to study insect flight performance in natural environments. She is affiliated with the Center for Neuroscience and graduate groups in Animal Behavior, Entomology, and Neuroscience. Ph.D. in Zoology, University of Washington (2002) B.A. in Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley (1994) Research interests include: Biomechanics of flexible insect wings Flight in complex environments (turbulence, cluttered spaces) Behavioral ecology of pollinators and predators Impact of wing damage on flight performance Recent publications analyze trends in insect flight adaptation to turbulence , energetic efficiency under loads , and 3D trajectory tracking . Articles explore sub-fields like pollination mechanics, collision mitigation, and environmental interaction. Scientific Recognition: 2019 Chancellor's Fellow NSF CAREER grant recipient Combes advises graduate students and postdocs, with notable alumni including James Crall (now Assistant Professor at UW Madison) and Nicholas Burnett (2017-2023 postdoc). Her lab develops innovative tools like BEEtags for tracking and DeepLabCut for flight analysis.
Kevin Hughes is a Senior Lecturer in the Energy Engineering Group at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield. He holds a PhD and first degree in Chemistry from the University of Leicester (1987) and focuses on fuel combustion, fuel cells, and process modelling in carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems. His research combines experimental and theoretical approaches, including planar laser diagnostics, quantum chemistry, and CFD simulations. Education: PhD and BSc in Chemistry from University of Leicester. Research Interests: Fuel combustion, pollutant chemistry, PEM fuel cells, CCS process modelling, catalyst development, and combustion in supercritical CO2. Grant Projects: FP7-ENERGY-2010-2 (RELCOM), Gas-FACTS (EPSRC), EP/J020788/1, EP/M001482/1 (Selective EGR), TEABPP (Energy Technology Institute). Scientific Contributions Publications: Over 50 papers on fuel combustion mechanisms, fuel cell optimization, CCS systems, and alternative fuels. Collaborations: Regular work with M. Pourkashanian, D.B. Ingham, S. Michailos, and M.S. Ismail. Technical Expertise Chemical Kinetics Validation Quantum Chemistry Applications Gas Diffusion Layer Analysis Surrogate Fuel Development Supercritical Combustion
Jorge Macedo is an Assistant Professor and Frederick L. Olmsted Early-Career Professor at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology. He received his B.S. and M.S. in civil engineering and soil mechanics from the Peruvian National University of Engineering (2007-2011), followed by M.S. (2014) and Ph.D. (2017) in Geoengineering from UC Berkeley. Education: B.S. Civil Engineering (2007), Peruvian National University of Engineering M.S. Soil Mechanics (2011), Peruvian National University of Engineering M.S. Geoengineering (2014), UC Berkeley Ph.D. Geoengineering (2017), UC Berkeley His research focuses on geotechnical earthquake engineering , advanced numerical modeling (FEM, FDM, MPM), performance-based design , and mining geotechnics . He applies machine learning and reliability tools to assess seismic risks, particularly in liquefaction and residual drift modeling. Recent work examines nonergodic ground motion models, slope stability under subduction earthquakes, and mine tailings behavior. The 2025-2024 publications highlight trends in machine learning for hazard assessment , nonergodic ground motion modeling , and mine tailings analysis . Articles address slope systems, liquefaction effects, and physics-informed neural networks in seismic analysis. Scientific Awards: Young Researcher Award (2023), ISSMGE Technical Committee NSF CAREER Award (2022) Dr. Macedo's work bridges academic research with industry applications , including collaborations with Golder Associates and contributions to geotechnical asset management in Georgia. He actively participates in curriculum development, emphasizing data analytics and computational skills.
Abbas Aminmansour is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, University of Illinois. His expertise spans structural steel engineering, tall building sustainability, and innovative educational technologies. He has contributed significantly to the design optimization of steel structures and the integration of multimedia tools in engineering education. His research emphasizes sustainable tall building practices, including environmental impact assessments and material efficiency. Key research areas include structural steel design, sustainability metrics for high-rise structures, and pedagogical innovations using IT. Notable works include studies on Integrated Design and Construction of Tall Buildings and Sustainability Impact of Tall Buildings . Recipient of the AISC Special Achievement Award (2015) for contributions to structural steel education. Active in media engagement, including a 2023 analysis on global tall building trends. Developed SteelDEM, an AI-driven multimedia tool for structural steel learning (1994). His work bridges technical innovation and real-world application, with a focus on advancing both construction practices and engineering education.
Valerio De Biagi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering (DISEG) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy. He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center SISCON (Safety of Infrastructures and Constructions) and serves as Vice Coordinator of the PhD program in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He also acts as the Partnership Agreement Coordinator with STRADA DEI PARCHI, reflecting his strong engagement with industry and infrastructure safety. Research Interests: Structural robustness and progressive collapse Natural hazards (rockfalls, avalanches, debris flows) Structural health monitoring and damage modeling Reliability and risk assessment of civil infrastructure Mechanics of granular materials (snow) His recent research output shows a strong trend toward probabilistic risk assessment, experimental and numerical modeling of impact events, and the development of resilient structural systems. He frequently applies advanced computational methods, including finite element analysis and generative AI, to simulate extreme loading scenarios and infrastructure response. Scientific Roles: Effective Member, SISCO - Italian Society of Building Science (2019–present) Guest Editor, Applied Sciences (2020–present) Evaluator for Swiss National Science Foundation (MINT 2023, COST 2022) Advising and Grants: He actively supervises multiple PhD students across several cycles and leads numerous funded research projects, including competitive national grants (PRIN), PNRR initiatives, and commercial research contracts with public infrastructure agencies. His projects focus on structural safety assessment, development of monitoring protocols, and risk mitigation strategies for bridges, tunnels, and rockfall-prone areas. Labs and Teams: He leads research teams focused on structural complexity, natural hazard interaction, and granular material mechanics. His work involves experimental campaigns, field surveys, and back-analyses of real-world structural failures.
Adrián García Gutiérrez is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of León's College of Engineering. His research focuses on aerospace systems, uncertainty quantification in CFD, atmospheric boundary layer modeling, and airship technology. Recent publications highlight his work in parallel orbital propagation algorithms, stochastic optimization of high-altitude platforms, and neural network applications for wind profiling. Key trends include aerodynamic modeling under uncertainty and interdisciplinary approaches combining turbulence analysis with LiDAR measurements. He contributes to educational innovation in aerospace engineering through simulation-based learning tools and leads the GITA Tecnología Aeroespacial research group.
Professor David Eager is a leading academic at the University of Technology Sydney in the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering . With a dual appointment as Professor of Risk Management and Injury Prevention, his work bridges mechanical engineering, biomechanics, and public health policy. PhD in Engineering (UNSW) 1st Class Honours Degree (NSWIT) Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution (UTS) His research focuses on risk engineering for injury prevention in recreational environments, with specific expertise in trampoline safety , playground surfacing , and greyhound racing biomechanics . Current projects examine impact attenuating materials and characterize trampoline dynamics through acceleration analysis. Recent publications include studies on: Dynamic behavior of sports sands (2025) Greyhound galloping mechanics (2024) ISO 4980:2023 benefit-risk assessment standard (2024) Scientific recognition includes: Life Member of Play Australia (2021) Standards Australia Centenary Hero (2022) AGM Michell Medal (2024) Kidsafe Research of the Year Award (2024) He maintains active roles in international standards development as: Australian representative on ISO/TC 83 Sports Equipment Australian representative on ISO/TC 254 Amusement Rides Chair of multiple Australian Standards committees
Erkan Günpınar is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), specializing in Additive Manufacturing and Computer-Aided Design. His research focuses on optimizing printing paths, material properties, and geometric precision in additive manufacturing processes. He has pioneered work on lattice structures, patient-specific medical systems, and structural optimization for marine applications. Key research interests include generative design methodologies, support structure optimization, and machine learning applications in manufacturing. His work bridges engineering disciplines, integrating mechanical principles with computational techniques to solve complex design challenges. Awards: Best Presentation Award (2016, 2018), Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing (2016), Session Best Paper (2017) Projects: Includes initiatives on yacht hull optimization, cross-derivative surface modeling, and liquid flow-inspired printing paths Advising: Supervises 8 ongoing theses in additive manufacturing and geometric modeling Dr. Günpınar’s recent projects emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in biomedical and marine engineering contexts. He actively contributes to journals like Journal of Manufacturing Processes and Computer-Aided Design .
DAI Jiansheng is a Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and Director of the Robotics Research Institute. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), Fellow of the Academia Europaea, and holds multiple fellowships including IEEE, ASME, RSA, and IMechE. As Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Robotica, he has established himself as a leading authority in mechanisms and robotics research. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Salford (1989-1993), a Master's degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (1982-1984), and a Bachelor's degree from the same institution (1978-1982). His academic journey has taken him from postdoctoral work at Salford University to research positions at Unilever Liverpool Research Centre before becoming a faculty member at the University of Sunderland and ultimately King's College London, where he served as Reader and then Chair Professor from 2007 until his current position at SUSTech. Professor Dai's research spans theoretical kinematics, screw theory, Lie algebra, and their applications to metamorphic and reconfigurable mechanisms. His pioneering work bridges the gap between versatile but expensive robots and efficient but non-flexible machines. His research interests include origami-inspired robotics, rehabilitation robotics for ankle treatment, soft robotics, and industrial applications in packaging and manufacturing. His theoretical framework has enabled significant advances in reconfigurable parallel mechanisms and metamorphic robotics. His extensive publication record shows a clear progression from fundamental theoretical work on screw algebra and Lie groups to practical applications in rehabilitation, manufacturing, and soft robotics. Recent publications demonstrate increasing focus on soft robotics, variable stiffness actuators, and continuum robots with Shape Memory Alloy applications, while maintaining strong theoretical foundations in screw theory and kinematic analysis of metamorphic mechanisms. ASME Mechanisms and Robotics Award (2015) ASME Machine Design Award (2020) IFToMM Excellence Award (2023) Tianjin Municipal Natural Science First Prize (2021) Crossley Award (2018) AT Yang Award in Theoretical Kinematics (2019) Professor Dai has supervised over 50 PhD students who now hold faculty positions at world-leading universities including University College London, Queen Mary University London, Purdue University, and Wollongong University. His research has been supported by numerous grants enabling the establishment of advanced robotics laboratories and international collaborations. He founded the IEEE Triennial International Conference on Reconfigurable Mechanisms and Robots (ReMAR), creating a major platform for international scholarly exchange in this specialized field. His research group maintains strong industry partnerships with companies including Cambridge Consultants, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon. The Robotics Research Institute he directs at SUSTech serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together experts in mechanical engineering, computer science, biomedical engineering, and materials science. The institute focuses on both fundamental theoretical advances in mechanism design and practical applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and service robotics, with particular emphasis on metamorphic and reconfigurable systems that can adapt to multiple tasks.
