Maiken Mikkelsen is the James N. and Elizabeth H. Barton Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, promoted to Professor in 2025. She holds a secondary appointment as Associate Professor of Physics (2023–present) within Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Her research bridges Nanophotonics , Quantum Materials , and Ultrafast Spectroscopy , focusing on plasmonic nanostructures and nonlinear metasurfaces for quantum optics and optoelectronic applications. Education: Ph.D. in Physics (University of California, Santa Barbara, 2009), B.S. in Physics (University of Copenhagen, 2004), postdoctoral work at University of California, Berkeley. Her work explores Plasmonics and Quantum Optics to engineer nanoscale light-matter interactions, enabling transformative technologies in Single-Photon Sources , Ultrafast Photodetectors , and Active Metasurfaces . Recent projects include real-time tunable lasing and polarization-controlled nanocavity systems. Her 2016–2025 publications highlight breakthroughs in plasmonic fluorescence enhancement, hot electron dynamics, and room-temperature quantum devices. Grants include Nano Solutions On-Chip (Triad National Security, LLC, 2025–2029) and Meta-Imaging (Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 2021–2026). Her lab, jointly based in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics, has graduated PhD students Eunso Shin and Hengming Li, and actively engages in STEM outreach initiatives.
Romain Fleury is an Associate Professor at the Laboratory of Wave Engineering (LWE) , part of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) School of Engineering and Institute of Electrical and Micro Engineering (IEL) . He earned a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015 under Andrea Alù, followed by a Marie-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship at ESPCI Paris-Tech and CNRS Langevin Institute (2016). His research explores wave physics and engineering , focusing on topological insulators , nonreciprocal wave propagation , and time-modulated metamaterials . He has co-authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Science , Nature , and Physical Review series, with recent work on topological acoustics , active metamaterials , and wave-based analog computing . Dr. Fleury received the Eccellenza Grant (2021) from the Swiss National Science Foundation and an ERC Starting Grant (2022) . He co-founded Minwave , a startup selling miniaturized microwave devices patented by his lab, which has garnered awards such as ESA-BIC CH , FIT , and Venture Kick . He has served as Technical Program Committee Chair for Eucap 2019 and on the Editorial Board of the New Journal of Physics . Recognized for teaching excellence with the STI Polysphere Award (2019) and IEL Best Teacher Award , he teaches courses including Electromagnetics , Antennas , and Advanced Photonics . His work bridges fundamental wave physics with applied technologies , emphasizing topological effects , nonlinear systems , and metamaterials . Collaborations span institutions such as ESPCI Paris , University of Texas at Austin , and University of Vienna , with applications in acoustic imaging , 5G antennas , and optical signal processing . His recent publications highlight ultrafast anti-lasing , reconfigurable metasurfaces , and disorder-assisted photonic crystals , reflecting a career dedicated to advancing wave engineering through topological and nonreciprocal designs .
Nuri Yazdani is a Lecturer at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. Based at the Institute for Electronics (Institut für Elektronik) in Zurich, Dr. Yazdani contributes to both teaching and research in advanced materials and nanotechnology. His work spans multiple interdisciplinary areas connecting physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering, with particular emphasis on nanocrystal-based materials and their applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Dr. Yazdani's research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials, particularly semiconductor nanocrystals and quantum dots. His work explores the fundamental physical properties of these materials, including exciton-phonon interactions, structural ordering in multicomponent systems, and charge transport mechanisms in nanocrystal assemblies. He investigates how nanoscale phenomena affect macroscopic material properties, with applications ranging from catalysis to optoelectronic devices. His approach combines experimental techniques like small-angle X-ray scattering with theoretical modeling to understand structure-property relationships in nanomaterials. Analysis of Dr. Yazdani's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on perovskite and chalcogenide nanocrystals, with particular interest in how structural features like cation distribution, octahedral tilting, and surface chemistry affect optical and electronic properties. His work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications, spanning from quantum optics to energy conversion technologies. A recurring theme is the investigation of size-dependent phenomena and the role of phonons in determining material behavior at the nanoscale. Dr. Yazdani collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions and disciplines, as evidenced by his authorship on numerous multi-investigator publications. His work appears in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Nature Physics, reflecting the significance and interdisciplinary nature of his contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Sean Lubner is Core Faculty at the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) and Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering within the College of Engineering. He holds a PhD from UC Berkeley and BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics from Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on energy transport and storage systems, including thermal energy storage, battery diagnostics, and CO₂ capture technologies. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, UC Berkeley (NSF Fellow) BS in Mechanical Engineering & Applied Physics, Carnegie Mellon University Research Interests: Lubner specializes in grid-scale thermal energy storage, non-invasive sensors for harsh environments, and decarbonization strategies. His work integrates machine learning with materials science to develop advanced energy systems. He collaborates with industry on patents involving battery safety, photonic surfaces, and phase change materials. Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize high-temperature materials, battery failure prediction via thermal signatures, and femtosecond laser processing for photonic surfaces. His work bridges nanoscale phenomena with macro-scale energy systems, leveraging interdisciplinary methods. Awards: Lubner was an NSF Graduate Research Fellow during his PhD. Advising & Grants: While no advisees are listed, his research is supported by industry partnerships and grants focusing on energy storage innovation. He leads the Lubner Group, which develops novel sensing and storage technologies. Labs/Teams: The Lubner Group at BU focuses on sustainable energy solutions, combining experimental and computational approaches to address climate challenges.
Christoph Bostedt holds dual appointments as a Professor of Physical Chemistry at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and as Head of the Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Femtochemistry (LSF) at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI). He leads strategic operations for the LSF, managing five research groups and overseeing four beamlines at the Swiss Light Source and the Alvra Endstation at SwissFEL. His research focuses on ultrafast x-ray science, including single-shot imaging, non-linear x-ray spectroscopy, and femtosecond pump-probe techniques. He collaborates globally on initiatives like the Athos project, aiming to advance ultrafast x-ray technologies. Bostedt has over 150 publications and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, recipient of the Röntgen Prize. Education: Ph.D. from the University of Hamburg with research at Lawrence Livermore and Berkeley National Laboratories. Prior roles include leadership at Argonne National Laboratory and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Research Interests: Single-particle imaging and coherent diffraction X-ray free-electron laser applications Ultrafast dynamics in nanoparticles and molecular systems Non-linear x-ray spectroscopy Time-resolved x-ray pump-probe methods Awards: Fellow of the American Physical Society Röntgen Prize (University of Giessen) Labs & Projects: Spearheads the Athos beamline project at SwissFEL, developing the Maloja endstation for ultrafast x-ray studies. Oversees the Laboratory for Femtochemistry and collaborates on advanced imaging techniques for nanoscale science.
Govind P. Agrawal is a Professor of Optics and Physics at the University of Rochester. He holds concurrent positions as a Fellow of the IEEE and the Optical Society of America (OSA). His research focuses on theoretical optics, nonlinear optics, laser physics, and semiconductor lasers, with notable contributions to fiber optics and optical communications. Education: Agrawal earned his MS (1971) and PhD (1974) from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. He has held prior positions at École Polytechnique (Paris), City University of New York, and AT&T Bell Laboratories before joining the University of Rochester in 1989. Research Interests: Agrawal's work explores quantum electronics, soliton dynamics, Raman scattering, and temporal reflection phenomena. He has authored seminal books such as Nonlinear Fiber Optics and Semiconductor Lasers , and published over 300 journal articles. His recent studies emphasize spatiotemporal dispersion, multimode fiber optics, and integrated photonics systems. Editorial Roles: He served as Topical Editor for Journal of the Optical Society of America B (1993–1998) and currently contributes to editorial boards for optics journals and book series. Awards: Honored as a Fellow of the IEEE and OSA for his transformative contributions to optics and photonics. Key Contributions: Pioneered theories on graded-index fiber amplifiers, temporal reflection in nonlinear media, and soliton-based technologies. His research bridges fundamental optics with practical applications in telecommunications and photonics systems.
Prof. Maciej Lewenstein is a Group Leader and ICREA Professor at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Spain. He leads the Quantum Optics Theory group, focusing on theoretical and computational studies of quantum many-body systems, topological phases, and nonlinear optics. He holds a Dr.rer.nat. in Physics from the University of Essen, Germany. His research interests include quantum simulations, high-harmonic generation, Bose-Einstein condensation, and quantum information processing. He has pioneered work on topological quantum thermometry and ultrafast phase transitions in materials like vanadium dioxide. His group actively explores the intersection of quantum optics with condensed matter physics and quantum computing. Recent articles highlight advancements in tensor network approaches for topological phases, quantum algorithms for many-body systems, and the application of sonification to quantum entanglement dynamics. He has received a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant and the ICREA Professorship, recognizing his contributions to quantum science. Prof. Lewenstein advises over a dozen PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering a dynamic research environment at ICFO. His grants include ERC and ICREA funding, supporting projects on quantum simulations and nonlinear optical phenomena. The Quantum Optics Theory group collaborates internationally, with expertise in light-matter interactions, quantum resource theory, and quantum many-body localization. Their lab develops novel methods for probing quantum systems using high-harmonic spectroscopy and quantum trajectory simulations.
Babak Hassibi is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computing and Mathematical Sciences at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He obtained his B.S. from the University of Tehran (1989), M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford University (1993, 1996), and has held positions at Caltech since 2001, including roles as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, and Executive Officer. Education : University of Tehran, B.S. (1989) Stanford University, M.S. and Ph.D. (1993, 1996) Academic Roles : Assistant Professor, Caltech (2001–03) Associate Professor (2003–08) Professor (2008–13) Binder/Amgen Professor (2013–16) Bohn Professor (2016–) Executive Officer for Electrical Engineering (2008–15) Associate Director for Information Science and Technology (2010–12) Research Interests : Babak Hassibi’s work spans Communications , Signal Processing , Control Theory , and Machine Learning . He has contributed to wireless networks, genomic signal processing, multi-antenna systems, robust control, and high-dimensional statistics. His mathematical interests include Random Matrices and Group Representation Theory . Recent Publications highlight his focus on Adaptive Control , Stochastic Optimization , and Quantum Detection . Notable trends include Regret-Optimal Control , Stochastic Mirror Descent , and DNA Microarray Applications . Scientific Awards : Highly Cited Researcher Advising and Grants : He has advised numerous graduate students and postdocs, many of whom now hold prominent positions at institutions like MIT, USC, and Stanford. His research includes collaborations on patents and projects related to Wireless Communications and Genomic Technologies . Labs and Teams : Leads the Hassibi Group at Caltech, which explores nonlinear photonic systems, ultrafast optics, and quantum information processing.
Michel Versluis is a Full Professor at the University of Twente, Netherlands, specializing in Physical and Medical Acoustics within the Physics of Fluids group. His work focuses on microbubbles and microdroplets for medical imaging and therapy, as well as microfluidic applications in medicine and nanotechnology. University of Twente, Physics of Fluids group His research bridges physics and biomedical engineering, with publications in high-impact journals like PNAS and IEEE Transactions. Recent work emphasizes ultrasound-driven microbubble dynamics, additive manufacturing of flow phantoms, and deep learning for super-resolution imaging. 2025 publications: vascular phantoms, PROTEUS simulator, acoustic microbubble control 2024 innovations: 3D-printed medical devices, immunogenic cell death optimization Contact: m.versluis@utwente.nl
Dr. Craig S. Levin is a Professor of Radiology at Stanford University's Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (Nuclear Medicine), with courtesy appointments in Physics, Electrical Engineering, and Bioengineering. He also holds memberships in Bio-X, the Cardiovascular Institute, the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, and the Stanford Cancer Institute. Dr. Levin received his B.S. Summa Cum Laude in Physics and Mathematics from UCLA in 1985, followed by M.S., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in Physics from Yale University in 1987 and 1993. His educational achievements were recognized with multiple honors including Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Pi Sigma, and various departmental awards at UCLA. Dr. Levin's research focuses on the development of novel instrumentation and software algorithms for molecular imaging. His work spans medical physics, biomedical engineering, and instrumentation development with specific emphasis on positron emission tomography (PET), gamma camera technology, and multimodal imaging systems. His laboratory explores new concepts in radiation detection, image reconstruction algorithms, and the application of these technologies to cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. A notable aspect of his research involves pushing the physical limits of sensitivity and spatial, spectral, and/or temporal resolutions in imaging systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on enhancing PET technology, particularly time-of-flight capabilities, with significant work on improving coincidence timing resolution, developing MR-compatible PET systems, and applying deep learning techniques to image reconstruction and normalization. His research shows a clear trajectory toward higher resolution imaging with improved quantitative accuracy for both clinical and preclinical applications. Dr. Levin's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards: American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering's College of Fellows Academy of Radiology Research Distinguished Investigator Recognition Award National Research Service Award from NIH (1993-5) Pilot Research Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine (1996) Multiple honors from UCLA including Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Pi Sigma Full Tuition and Research Fellowship and Bates Graduate Fellowship from Yale University As an educator and mentor, Dr. Levin directs the NIH-NCI funded T32 Stanford Molecular Imaging Scholars postdoctoral training program and serves as a Doctoral Dissertation Advisor for students in Bioengineering and Biophysics. He currently advises five postdoctoral scholars and three doctoral candidates. His laboratory, the Molecular Imaging Instrumentation Laboratory, comprises approximately 20 members who work on developing new imaging technologies and translating them into clinical applications. Dr. Levin has secured substantial NIH funding as Principal Investigator along with grants from other government agencies, industry partners, and private institutions to support his research program. Dr. Levin's Molecular Imaging Instrumentation Laboratory is at the forefront of developing new imaging technologies that bridge physics, engineering, and medicine. The lab focuses on creating instrumentation for in vivo imaging of cellular and molecular signatures of disease, with particular emphasis on pushing the physical limits of imaging performance. Their work spans computer modeling, sensor development, electronics design, data acquisition systems, and advanced image processing algorithms. The lab maintains strong industry partnerships to translate their innovations into products used for patient care worldwide.
Professor Tom Allison leads an active research group at Stony Brook University focusing on ultrafast laser spectroscopy and nonlinear optics. His laboratory specializes in time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (tr-ARPES) and frequency comb laser development for studying ultrafast dynamics in novel materials. His research interests center on understanding electron dynamics in two-dimensional materials, particularly graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides. Using sophisticated tr-ARPES instrumentation, his group investigates pseudospin dynamics, valley polarization, and exciton coupling with unprecedented momentum and energy resolution. The research bridges condensed matter physics, quantum materials, and ultrafast optical science. Professor Allison's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on 2D materials physics, with particular attention to momentum-resolved phenomena in graphene and TMD heterostructures. His group combines cutting-edge experimental techniques with theoretical modeling to unravel complex ultrafast processes at the quantum level. Scientific Recognition: DOE Office of Science Highlight for work on valley polarization dynamics in monolayer WS2 NSF Major Research Instrumentation grant for developing high-power frequency combs Marie Skłodowskiej-Curie fellowship awarded to group member Grzegorz Professor Allison has successfully mentored multiple graduate students to completion of their degrees, including PhD candidates Jin Bakalis and Myles Silfies, and MS student Michael Wahl. His former postdoc Alice Kunin has secured an assistant professor position at Princeton University. Current research is supported by NSF funding for developing advanced frequency comb technology spanning from THz to soft x-ray regions.
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.
Na Young Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo with affiliations at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. She holds cross-appointments in the Departments of Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry. Her research focuses on developing large-scale quantum processors using novel materials and advanced technologies, including semiconductor quantum processors and multi-functional nanoscale devices. Dr. Kim leads the Quantum Innovation (QuIN) laboratory, pioneering projects in planar architecture design for quantum devices integrating electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical functionalities. Prior to academia, she worked at Apple Inc. on small display technologies. She earned a BS in Physics from Seoul National University and a PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University, where she specialized in mesoscopic transport in nanostructures. Her postdoctoral work expanded into quantum optics and nanophotonics through collaborations with international researchers. Current teaching includes courses on quantum mechanics, quantum computing algorithms, quantum information processing devices, and photonic systems. She actively supervises graduate students in quantum technology development and is accepting new applications. Research activities span quantum artificial intelligence, quantum security protocols, and nanotechnology applications. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with experimental implementations in solid-state quantum systems.
Dr. Yuri Rostovtsev is a Professor at the University of North Texas, specializing in quantum optics and atomic physics. He holds a Ph.D. from the Russian Academy of Sciences (1991). His office is located in GAB 525I and he can be contacted at (940) 565-3281. Research Interests: Dr. Rostovtsev's research focuses on quantum coherence phenomena, electromagnetically induced transparency, and matter-field interactions. His work spans theoretical and experimental investigations in quantum optics, including studies of quantum refraction, biophotons, and ultrafast processes in atomic and molecular systems. Recent Publications: His recent articles explore advanced quantum phenomena including single-photon interactions with atoms, quantum state engineering, plasmonic structures, and ultrafast dynamics in molecular systems. These publications demonstrate a consistent focus on quantum coherence effects and light-matter interactions at the quantum level. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Labs: No information available about students or research laboratories.
Kevin P. O'Brien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affiliated with the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE). He leads the Quantum Coherent Electronics (QCE) group, focusing on advancing superconducting quantum computing, microwave quantum optics, and quantum metamaterials. His research explores nonlinear and quantum-mechanical light-matter interactions using superconducting circuits, aiming to improve quantum technologies like qubits and amplifiers. Education: B.S. in Physics from Purdue University, Ph.D. in Physics from UC Berkeley, and postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley developing superconducting quantum processors. His group collaborates with MIT Lincoln Laboratory and institutions nationwide. Research Interests: Quantum computing hardware, superconducting circuits, parametric amplifiers, qubit measurement systems, and metamaterials for quantum applications. His work emphasizes scalable architecture design, noise reduction, and novel device concepts. Key projects include directional qubit readout resonators, Floquet-mode amplifiers, and quarton couplers for ultrafast readout. The group actively engages in training graduate students and postdocs, emphasizing open collaboration and problem-solving in quantum technologies. Advising & Grants: Supervises a dynamic team of graduate students and postdocs. Students like Bright Ye and Kaidong Peng have contributed to award-winning projects. The group receives support through fellowships (e.g., Jin Au Kong, NSF GRFP) and industry partnerships. Labs/Teams: Quantum Coherent Electronics Group at MIT, collaborating on quantum device fabrication, theoretical modeling, and experimental validation of quantum systems.
