Zijian Shao is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering. His work focuses on advanced antenna design, electromagnetic modeling, and machine learning applications in RF/mmWave systems for 5G/6G telecommunications. Advisor: Kaushik Sengupta Email: zs9193@princeton.edu Office: Engineering Quadrangle Atrium Shao's research explores the intersection of machine learning and electromagnetic design , particularly for next-generation wireless communication. He specializes in antenna miniaturization , MIMO decoupling , and metasurface-enabled beamforming , with applications in sub-terahertz circuits and integrated sensing systems. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in deep learning-assisted inverse design of multi-port RF systems and spoof surface plasmon polariton-based antenna optimization . While no formal awards are listed, his work contributes to advancing compact, high-efficiency antenna arrays for 5G/6G networks.
Teng-Fong Wong is a Research Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University, where he has been a faculty member since 1982. His research focuses on the intersection of rock mechanics, earthquake processes, and environmental applications, making significant contributions to understanding deformation mechanisms in geological materials. Education: Sc.B., Brown University, 1973 M.S., Harvard University, 1976 Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1981 Research Interests: Professor Wong's research centers on rock mechanics with emphasis on earthquake mechanics, energy resources, and environmental applications. He investigates both phenomenological and micromechanical aspects of rock deformation and fluid flow using an integrated approach combining high-pressure deformation experiments, quantitative microstructure characterization, and theoretical analysis. His work spans brittle-ductile transitions in porous rocks, permeability evolution, strength properties of fault zone materials from SAFOD and TCDP drilling projects, and submarine groundwater discharge systems. Publication Trends: Wong's recent publications (2006-2008) demonstrate a consistent focus on strain localization mechanisms in porous rocks, particularly examining compaction bands and deformation bands in sandstones. His work integrates advanced imaging techniques (X-ray radiography, CT scanning) with mechanical testing to understand the micromechanics of rock failure. A significant thread connects his research on fault zone properties from major drilling projects (SAFOD, TCDP) with fundamental rock deformation processes. Scientific Recognition: U.S. Patent 6,874,371 for Ultrasonic Seepage Meter (2005) U.S. Patent 7,107,859 for Ultrasonic Seepage Meter (2006) Co-author of "Experimental Rock Deformation - The Brittle Field" (2nd Edition, Springer-Verlag, 2005) Professional Activities: Professor Wong maintains an active international research profile with numerous visiting appointments including at Australian National University, MIT, ETH Zurich, and institutions in China and France. His work involves extensive collaboration with USGS and international research teams on major fault zone drilling projects. He has developed specialized equipment like the ultrasonic seepage meter for measuring submarine groundwater discharge. Research Infrastructure: Wong's laboratory utilizes advanced capabilities including high-pressure deformation equipment, 3D visualization through laser scanning confocal microscopy and synchrotron microCT, and integrates these with analytic modeling and numerical simulation techniques (finite element and discrete element methods) to investigate micromechanics of dilatant and compactant failure in geological materials.
Stefano Grivet-Talocia is a Full Professor at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he also serves as Director of the Doctoral School and President of the Doctoral School Council. He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center SmartData@PoliTO - Big Data and Data Science Laboratory, the University Committee for Research, Technology Transfer and Services to the Territory, and the Commission for the Promotion of Library, Archive and Museum Heritage. His academic career spans over two decades at Politecnico di Torino, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in electromagnetic modeling and signal integrity. Grivet-Talocia earned his Laurea degree (summa cum laude) in Electronic Engineering in 1994 and his Ph.D. in Electronic and Communication Engineering in 1998, both from the Polytechnic University of Turin. Between 1994 and 1996, he conducted research at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. His educational background laid the foundation for his expertise in electromagnetic modeling, wavelet analysis, and signal processing. His research focuses on behavioral modeling, electromagnetic compatibility, macromodeling, model order reduction, numerical modeling, passivity, power integrity, signal integrity, transmission lines, and wavelets . Grivet-Talocia is particularly renowned for his work on passive macromodeling of interconnect structures, development of the TOPLine technique for transmission line simulation, and pioneering contributions to passivity enforcement algorithms. He has co-authored the first book entirely dedicated to Macromodeling (2016) and developed innovative approaches to waveform relaxation and wavelet-based signal processing. His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate continued leadership in model order reduction, with significant contributions to data-driven modeling of linear and nonlinear systems, power integrity analysis, and electromagnetic compatibility. His work spans both theoretical advances in numerical methods and practical applications in circuit design, with strong industry relevance particularly for semiconductor and electronic design automation companies. IEEE Fellow (2018-present) Three Intel SRS Grants (2022-2024) Three IBM SUR Grant Awards (2007-2009) Best Associate Editor Award - IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology (2020) Multiple Best Conference Paper Awards (2006-2020) URSI Young Scientist Awards (1999) Ranked among the "top 2% worldwide researchers" (Stanford) since 2019 Grivet-Talocia actively supervises doctoral students including Michele Cusano, Sara Paknezhad Panahi, Antonio Carlucci, and Kun Zhao. He has secured numerous research grants from competitive national calls (PRIN) and commercial contracts with industry partners including Intel, IBM, Nokia, Hitachi, Infineon, and Cadence. His technology transfer activities include co-founding the spin-off IdemWorks (2007-2016), which was acquired by CST in 2016. He also developed the autoCircuits web service for automated circuit problem generation, widely used in electrical engineering education. He leads the EMC Group (Electromagnetic Compatibility) at DET and has been instrumental in establishing the Compact Dynamical Modeling research area. His work has practical applications in high-speed electronics design, with algorithms embedded in commercial tools like IBM PowerSPICE. Grivet-Talocia maintains strong industry connections through his research projects and serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology.
Kshitij Sabnis is a Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at the School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London. He serves as Admissions Lead and Outreach & Recruitment Lead for Aerospace Engineering, and Deputy Director of Industrial Engagement (Graduate Attributes). He is affiliated with the Centre for Intelligent Transport and conducts experimental research in high-speed aerodynamics. Education: PhD in Experimental Aerodynamics, University of Cambridge Master’s in Physics Dr Sabnis's research focuses on experimental aerodynamics across various speed regimes, particularly shock/boundary-layer interactions, vortex dynamics, and supersonic flows. His work involves wind tunnel experiments on simplified models to understand complex fluid mechanics in applications ranging from racecar wings to supersonic aircraft intakes. He employs advanced diagnostics and develops novel experimental setups to enhance physical insight into flow phenomena. His recent publications (2019–2025) reflect a strong emphasis on high-speed flow behavior, including shock-induced separation, vortex interactions, and nacelle aerodynamics. Key themes include flow control, wind tunnel design, and validation of turbulence models. His work bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with practical aerospace engineering challenges. Scientific Awards: FHEA (Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) Dr Sabnis actively supervises PhD students and leads externally funded research projects. He has secured grants from EPSRC and the Royal Society, supporting work on schlieren imaging enhancement and small-scale wind turbines for rural energy. He teaches advanced aerodynamics modules and contributes to curriculum and industrial engagement. He leads a research group focused on experimental high-speed aerodynamics and is involved in developing new diagnostic techniques and test rigs. His team investigates vortex interactions and aerodynamic performance under extreme flow conditions.
Dr. Patrick Kung serves as Associate Professor and Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama's College of Engineering. His research spans nanotechnology, quantum computing, and terahertz photonics with significant contributions to metamaterials and optical systems. Research Focus: Dr. Kung specializes in terahertz spectroscopy, polarization-sensitive imaging, and nanoscale material engineering. His work integrates machine learning with optical systems for applications in underwater imaging, quantum networking, and biodegradable polymers. Recent projects include $1 million Department of Energy funding for quantum networking research (2024) and development of materials for slowing light propagation. Publication Trends: His recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate a clear trajectory toward multimodal sensing systems combining terahertz technology, polarization control, and AI-driven image processing. Key themes include underwater object recognition using single-photon LiDAR, compact drone-compatible imaging platforms, and cryogenic photonic components for quantum applications. The work consistently bridges fundamental nanophotonics with practical engineering solutions. Department of Energy Funding ($1 Million for Quantum Networking Research, 2024) Dr. Kung actively mentors students in EPA-funded water disinfection projects using UV-LED technology and collaborates with industry partners through the Southeast Executives-on-Roster program. His laboratory work focuses on nanowire-based thin films and metamaterial absorbers, with applications in environmental monitoring and quantum communication hardware.
Chen Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at City University of Hong Kong and the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Machine Learning and Optimization (MLO) group. His research focuses on building reliable machine learning models, particularly studying robustness and privacy properties of deep neural networks from an optimization perspective. University: City University of Hong Kong Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Students: Supervises multiple PhD, MPhil, and postdoctoral researchers. Education: Holds a Ph.D. (2022) and MSc (2017) in Computer Science from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), and a BSc (2015) in Computer Science from Tsinghua University. Research Interests: Adversarial robustness, privacy-preserving machine learning, optimization algorithms, dataset distillation, generative models, and theoretical analysis of loss landscapes. His work addresses challenges like catastrophic overfitting, architecture overfitting in distilled data, and stable adversarial training methods. Article Trends: Recent publications explore adversarial robustness under l0/l1 norms, gradient inversion for data reconstruction, evolutionary factor searching in finance, and meta-tuning for out-of-domain few-shot learning. These works emphasize optimization techniques to enhance model reliability and generalization. Scientific Awards: Microsoft Research Ph.D. Scholarship Programme (2017–2019) Advising and Grants: Supervises a diverse team of current and former students, with collaborations across institutions like George Mason University and Zhejiang University. Research supported by academic and industry grants. Labs and Teams: Leads the MLO group, which investigates fundamental ML theory and algorithms to improve system reliability. The group's work spans adversarial training, dataset distillation, and generative model optimization.
Professor Robert Eason is a leading academic at the University of Southampton, specializing in photonics and laser technology. His research spans interdisciplinary areas combining Machine Learning , Medical Diagnostics , and Microfluidics . Research Interests : Eason focuses on AI-driven laser applications, including deep learning for phototherapy , autonomous laser machining , and low-cost paper-based diagnostic devices . His work bridges photonics with biomedicine and advanced manufacturing. Recent Publications : His 2025 article in Scientific Reports explores AI simulations for psoriasis treatment, while 2024-2022 works address laser-controlled microfluidics, deep learning in microscopy, and reinforcement learning for laser machining. Supervision : He supervises PhD student Georgia Mourkioti in laser-based research projects. External Roles : Eason has served as a speaker at international conferences including the International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication (2018), LAISER (2019), and Deep Learning for Control of Light-Matter Interactions (2022).
Sara Shostak is a Professor of Sociology and Health: Science, Society & Policy at Brandeis University, where she also serves as the inaugural director of the Vic '63 and Bobbi Samuels '63 Center for Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation (COMPACT). Her work bridges sociology, public health, and environmental studies, focusing on health inequalities, urban agriculture, and community partnerships. She holds affiliations across multiple departments including the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Environmental Studies. Shostak earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Francisco, an M.P.H. from UCLA, and a B.A. from Reed College. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding how social structures and environmental factors shape health outcomes, particularly through projects involving marginalized communities and stakeholders like farmers, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Her research interests include medical sociology, science and technology studies, environmental racism, and food justice. She has pioneered studies on urban agriculture’s role in addressing health inequities and explored ethical dimensions of genetic testing in epilepsy families. Her work often integrates community engagement and participatory methods to ensure research impacts policy and practice. Awarded the Eliot Freidson Outstanding Publication Award and the Robert K. Merton Book Award, Shostak has secured grants from the National Science Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Merck Family Fund. Her teaching innovations have been recognized with the Michael L. Walzer '56 Award for Teaching. She leads COMPACT to foster civic engagement and partnerships between Brandeis and local communities, emphasizing transformative change through collective action.
Guo Ping is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University, leading the Advanced Intelligent Manufacturing Laboratory (AIM). His research focuses on precision manufacturing, intelligent metrology via deep learning, and advanced manufacturing applications. He holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Automotive Engineering from Tsinghua University. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL B.S. in Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Research Interests: Dr. Guo’s work emphasizes innovations in precision engineering, including ductile-regime machining, smart metrology systems, and robotics-driven manufacturing. Key areas include structural coloration, additive manufacturing, and human-robot collaboration in industrial settings. His lab explores cutting-edge techniques like ultrasonic vibration machining and machine learning for defect detection and process optimization. Publications Trends: Recent work spans AI-driven quality control (e.g., photometric stereo networks), robotic swarm patterning, and wearable fatigue monitoring systems. His research bridges machine learning, robotics, and traditional manufacturing to address scalability and precision challenges. Awards: F.W. Taylor Medal (CIRP, 2023) ASME Kornel F. Ehman Manufacturing Medal (2021) SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award (2020) Professional Service: Associate Editor of the Journal of Manufacturing Processes (2017–present). Active in organizing conferences and reviewing for top journals. Labs & Teams: Directs the AIM Lab, which integrates robotics, AI, and advanced materials to solve problems in precision fabrication and smart manufacturing. Current projects include structural coloration for anti-counterfeiting and fatigue prediction in industrial workers.
Matthias Bucher is a Professor at the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Crete. He specializes in analog/RF integrated circuits design, MOSFET compact modeling, and device characterization. His research focuses on nanoscale CMOS, wide-band semiconductor devices, and high-voltage MOSFETs. He leads the Electronics Laboratory and teaches courses such as Electronics II and CMOS Analog IC Design. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1999 M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 1993 Research Interests: Prof. Bucher’s work emphasizes charge-based compact models (e.g., EKV3), RF device modeling, and noise analysis in MOSFETs/JFETs. His contributions include open-source tools for Verilog-A modeling and parameter extraction methodologies for advanced CMOS technologies. Labs/Teams: He directs the Electronics Laboratory , focusing on nanoelectronics and high-reliability circuits. His team collaborates on semiconductor device modeling for aerospace and industrial applications. Grants/Awards: While not explicitly listed, his extensive publication record and leadership in open-source projects indicate sustained recognition in semiconductor research communities.
Mary Stuart is a Lecturer in Zero Carbon at the University of Derby, affiliated with the College of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on advancing low-cost hyperspectral imaging technologies for environmental applications, particularly in glaciology, peatland ecology, and extreme environment monitoring. She specializes in leveraging smartphone-based platforms and affordable instrumentation to democratize environmental data collection. Key research areas include developing field-deployable systems for ice sheet analysis, peat health assessment, and environmental monitoring in remote locations. Her work emphasizes practical solutions for climate change research through innovative sensor design and calibration techniques. Mary has contributed to over 8 peer-reviewed articles, with notable outputs in journals like Science of The Total Environment and Remote Sensing . Her research outputs have garnered 91 total views and 39 downloads, highlighting the growing interest in accessible environmental sensing technologies. Her current projects explore spectral calibration methods for mobile sensors and the application of low-cost systems in extreme environments. Mary’s work bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world environmental challenges, prioritizing cost-effective solutions for global sustainability efforts.
Eduardo Alonso Pérez de Agreda is a faculty member at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in the Departament d'Enginyeria del Terreny, Cartogràfica i Geofísica . He leads research in geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics, particularly focusing on landslides, tunneling in expansive rocks, and multiphase soil interactions. Research Highlights Analyzing soil saturation dynamics using digital imaging Modeling tunnel lining in anhydritic claystones Studying mineral precipitation impacts on infrastructure Recent Article Trends Over 15 articles (2021–2025) on landslides, tunneling, soil liquefaction, and multiphase interactions Keywords span geotechnical engineering, computational methods, rock mechanics, and material science Subfields include stress-dilatancy, material heterogeneity, swelling rocks, and landslide triggering mechanisms Awards Baker Medal (2017) Telford Gold Medal (2019) Advising Advised PhD students: G. Di Carluccio (2020), C. Alvarado (2017), M. Alvarado (2021) Co-advised: L. Tapias, Y. Salami, R. Fuentes Labs & Collaborations Active in the MSR - Mecànica del Sòls i de les Roques and GGMM - Grup de Geotècnia i Mecànica de Materials research groups Collaborated with institutions in Spain, Italy, and China
Jason Ostanek is an Assistant Professor at Purdue University's School of Engineering Technology and Environmental and Ecological Engineering. He directs the Applied Thermofluids Laboratory and Powertrain Technology Laboratory, focusing on battery safety and thermal management systems. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech His research explores energy storage systems, thermal runaway phenomena, heat transfer mechanisms in Li-ion batteries, fluid dynamics, and internal combustion engine thermal management. He has developed analytical models for battery degradation, thermal abuse simulations, and innovative cooling strategies for large-scale energy systems. Key publication trends show expertise in: Li-ion battery thermal runaway modeling Heat transfer in confined geometries Thermal management for energy storage systems Renewable energy forecasting Computational fluid dynamics applications Scientific awards include: 2020 Purdue Teaching Academy's Award for Exceptional Teaching and Instructional Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic 2020 SOET Outstanding Faculty in Engagement 2019 SOET Outstanding Faculty in Discovery 2015 NAVSEA Commander’s Award for Innovation 2013 ASME IGTI Young Engineer Travel Award 2007 DOD SMART Fellowship Recipient As director of Purdue's Applied Thermofluids Laboratory, he leads research on battery safety mechanisms, combustion dynamics, and thermal systems optimization. His work spans fundamental and applied research with industrial collaborators.
Robert T. Tranquillo serves as a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on developing biologically-engineered vascular grafts, heart valves, and vein valves using tissue engineering approaches. Notably, his lab has demonstrated that their engineered material, produced by skin cells (fibroblasts), has the capacity to grow, which may transform the treatment of pediatric congenital heart defects. Tranquillo's research interests center on cardiovascular tissue engineering, particularly the development of "off-the-shelf" vascular grafts and heart valves. His lab fabricates tissue-equivalents by entrapping fibroblasts in fibrin gel and constraining cell-mediated gel compaction to create aligned fibrin structures. Using bioreactors, they stimulate cells to replace aligned fibrin with collagenous matrix, creating tubes suitable for surgical implantation. Upon decellularization, these become non-immunogenic replacements that support host recellularization and growth. His current work focuses on transcatheter heart valves and vein valves, combining engineered matrix tubes with stent technology, and conferring hemocompatibility using stem cell and small molecule strategies. A key aspect of his research investigates contact guidance—the ability of cells to sense and align with fibers—which is crucial for creating tissues with prescribed alignment. His publication record shows consistent output in top journals including Nature Communications, Science Translational Medicine, and PNAS, with recent work focusing on contact guidance mechanisms, pediatric valve conduits, and transcatheter valve development. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory from fundamental biomechanics to translational applications in cardiovascular medicine. Distinguished McKnight University Professor (prestigious University of Minnesota honor) Tranquillo has mentored over 40 PhD students and postdocs who have gone on to prominent positions in academia (professors at UCLA, Rutgers, Penn State), industry (Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific), and government (NSF, NRO). His lab has received substantial research funding supporting their work on tissue-engineered cardiovascular replacements. The Tranquillo Research Group maintains an active website detailing their current projects and methodologies. The Tranquillo Research Group operates within the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, with laboratory facilities focused on tissue engineering, biomechanics, and cardiovascular device development. Their work bridges fundamental cell-matrix interactions with translational applications for cardiovascular disease treatment.
Qianxi (Emily) He is a Faculty Lecturer at McGill University, specializing in advanced materials processing and machining technologies. Her research focuses on optimizing cutting tool performance through innovative coating strategies and understanding wear mechanisms in extreme machining conditions. She has contributed to studies involving PVD coatings (e.g., AlCrN, AlTiN), tribology, and the machining of challenging materials like titanium alloys and super duplex stainless steel. Her work frequently addresses practical applications such as improving tool longevity, reducing machining-induced defects, and enhancing surface integrity. Key topics include thermal stability of coatings, stress corrosion cracking mitigation, and the impact of heat treatment on material properties. Dr. He’s publications highlight a strong emphasis on empirical validation through controlled experiments, often comparing different coating compositions or machining parameters. Her research is grounded in both theoretical material science principles and industrial manufacturing challenges. Notable contributions include studies on SiAlON ceramic inserts for high-speed milling, novel edge design approaches to delay tool wear, and the role of austempering in steel microstructure evolution.
