Professor Bill O'Neill is a Fellow in Engineering at Downing College and holds the Professor of Laser Engineering position at the University of Cambridge. He leads the Centre of Industrial Photonics and focuses on cutting-edge laser-based manufacturing technologies. BSc (Essex) MSc (Essex) MA PhD (Imperial) His research spans high-power laser applications in materials processing, including aerospace alloys, medical alloys, ceramics, and polymers. He investigates ultra-short laser-matter interactions (femtosecond pulses) for thermal-free machining and nanofabrication techniques aimed at developing personal factory systems. Key projects include electron backscattered diffraction analysis (EBSD) validation of material responses and £10M UK research council-funded innovations. Publications highlight advancements in laser microstructuring, x-ray collimation, and cold gas dynamic spray technologies. His work trends toward precision manufacturing, materials science, and photonics applications. As head of the Centre of Industrial Photonics, O'Neill's team explores nanoparticle manipulation for on-demand fabrication of complex products, envisioning a future where desktop printers create micro/nano devices.
Kilian Q. Weinberger is a Professor of Computer Science at Cornell University's College of Engineering, focusing on Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and AI applications. He has held previous roles as Associate Professor at Washington University in St. Louis and Research Scientist at Yahoo! Research. His research spans metric learning, resource-constrained learning, Gaussian Processes, and advancements in 3D perception for autonomous systems. Education : Ph.D. in Machine Learning (University of Pennsylvania), BA in Mathematics and Computing (University of Oxford) Key Research Areas : AI in Science, Computer Vision, Autonomous Vehicles, and Neural Network Efficiency His recent work emphasizes interpretable machine learning, large language models, and multimodal applications. Awards include NSF CAREER (2012) Daniel M Lazar '29 Teaching Award (2016) Ann S. Bowers Excellence Award (2024) ACM and AAAI Fellow (2024) He teaches advanced courses like CS6784 (Cornell) and has mentored numerous PhD students across institutions. Current affiliations include the Sloan Research Fellowships Selection Committee since 2024.
Professor Rodrigo Freitas holds the TDK Professorship in Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. His research focuses on computational materials design, bridging atomistic simulations with mesoscale microstructural analysis. He leads the Freitas Research Group, specializing in machine learning-driven modeling of materials kinetics and solidification processes. Education: B.S. and M.S. in Physics, University of Campinas, Brazil M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering, UC Berkeley Research Interests: Professor Freitas investigates microstructural evolution in metals and alloys using advanced computational methods. Key areas include solidification mechanisms, interstitial atom behavior in superalloys, and machine learning applications for materials discovery. His work emphasizes bridging atomistic and mesoscale phenomena to guide industrial applications like semiconductor manufacturing and battery design. Publications Trend: Recent work emphasizes machine learning potentials for alloy modeling, short-range order analysis in high-entropy alloys, and kinetic modeling of complex chemical systems. Themes include alloy phase stability, defect dynamics, and data-driven materials discovery. Labs/Teams: Leads the Freitas Research Group at MIT, which develops novel computational tools for materials engineering.
Professor Masashi Okubo at Waseda University's School of Advanced Science and Engineering specializes in electrochemistry and energy materials development. With cross-appointments at Kyoto University and the Advanced Collaborative Research Organization for SmartSociety, his work focuses on sustainable battery systems including aqueous proton batteries, MXene-based electrodes, and oxygen-redox chemistry. His research bridges fundamental materials science with practical energy storage applications through combined experimental-theoretical approaches. Education : Ph.D. in Basic Science (2005) and M.Sc./B.Sc. in Basic Science from The University of Tokyo Research Strengths : Solid-state ionics and intercalation chemistry MXene electrode engineering Oxygen-redox reaction mechanisms High-rate energy storage systems Hydrate-melt electrolyte optimization Scientific Contributions include: Discovering near-zero-volume-phase battery materials Developing distortion-relieving voids in host structures Elucidating multiorbital bond formation in oxygen-redox reactions Advancing aqueous redox-flow battery catholyte design Prominent Awards : Waseda Research Award (2021) ACS Reviewer Excellence Award (2018) Ministry of Education Young Scientist Award (2017) Multiple Young Investigator Awards (2016)
Ditte Hededam Welner is a Senior Researcher & Group Leader at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark. Her research focuses on Enzyme Engineering and Structural Biology, particularly the development of enzyme biocatalysts for sustainable industrial production of natural products like aromas, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. She leads efforts to replace petroleum-based chemical synthesis with eco-friendly bio-based processes, emphasizing glycosyltransferase (GT) engineering to enhance substrate specificity, efficiency, and stability. Education: Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen (2000–2011). Research Interests: Glycosylation mechanisms, high-throughput enzyme discovery/evolution, structural biology techniques (X-ray crystallography, NMR), and biocatalysis applications in sustainable chemistry. Her work contributes to UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Recent publications highlight advancements in alginate degradation mechanisms, sucrose synthase engineering, and glycosyltransferase applications in biocatalytic routes for indigo/indican production. She supervises multiple PhD projects on enzyme optimization, machine learning for enzyme engineering, and sustainable bioprocessing. Professional Activities: Peer review for journals like Nature Catalysis and Metabolic Engineering , conference organization, and editorial contributions. Active in promoting open-access science and sustainable biotechnology. Labs/Teams: Leads the Enzyme Engineering and Structural Biology group at DTU, collaborating with industry and academic partners globally to advance biocatalytic solutions for environmental challenges.
Grethe Winther is a Professor and Head of Section in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), specializing in Materials and Surface Engineering. Her research is centered on the analysis and modeling of microstructure and mechanical properties of metals, with a strong emphasis on dislocation structures, deformation textures, and recrystallization processes. Her research interests include: Dislocation structures and boundary analysis in deformed metals Crystal plasticity modeling using synchrotron data (3DXRD) Orientation relationships in recrystallization Prediction of mechanical properties in industrial metal forming Multiscale modeling of plastic deformation and surface roughening The recent articles (2025) highlight a consistent focus on advanced characterization techniques like dark-field X-ray microscopy and discrete dislocation dynamics simulations. These works explore the formation of geometrically necessary boundaries, dislocation cell evolution, and multiscale surface deformation, reflecting a strong integration of experimental and computational methods in materials science. Key themes include plastic deformation mechanisms, microstructure evolution, and predictive modeling in metallic systems. Grethe Winther actively supervises multiple PhD projects, including those on dislocation dynamics, X-ray microscopy, and ductile failure simulations. She collaborates extensively with researchers such as H.F. Poulsen and C.V. Nielsen. Her work is supported by ongoing research projects at DTU, focusing on fundamental and applied aspects of metal deformation and microstructure. She is affiliated with the Materials and Surface Engineering section at DTU, where she leads research efforts combining advanced experimental techniques with theoretical modeling to understand and predict metal behavior under deformation.
Pascal Alexander Schouwink serves as Platform Leader of the X-Ray Diffraction and Surface Analytics Platform at EPFL Valais Wallis, affiliated with the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC) under the School of Basic Sciences (SB). He also holds lecturer positions in the Department of Academic Education (EDCH) and the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (EDMX) through EPFL's Vice Presidency for Academic Education (VPA-AVP-DLE). His research focuses on materials characterization and surface analysis, particularly through advanced solid-state techniques. He leads a specialized platform providing X-ray diffraction services and teaches related methodologies. Contact: pascal.schouwink@epfl.ch
S. Mallick is a Professor in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), a position he has held since May 2021. His research is centered on advanced functional materials with applications in energy and electronics. Research Interests: Electroceramics and piezoelectric materials Dye-sensitized solar cells Structural transformations in perovskite-based oxides Hydrothermal synthesis of ceramic powders His recent publications indicate a strong focus on bismuth titanate systems, phase transformations, and high-temperature piezoelectric ceramics, reflecting a deep engagement with materials design and characterization. These works span disciplines such as materials chemistry, solid-state physics, and ceramic engineering, with implications for sensors, actuators, and renewable energy technologies. Scientific Contributions: Author of book: High Temperature Piezoelectric Ceramics (2009) Multiple peer-reviewed publications in applied physics and ceramic transactions S. Mallick advises research students in materials engineering and leads a research laboratory at IIT Bombay. His lab website (https://sites.google.com/site/pmlabiitb01/) and personal page (https://sites.google.com/site/sudhanshumallick/) reflect ongoing academic activity. He received his B.Tech. from IIT Bombay (2000), followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Engineering, respectively.
Joel Rosenthal is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences. His group integrates inorganic synthesis, electrochemistry, and photochemistry to create functional materials and catalysts for energy, environmental, and biomedical challenges. Education & Training B.S. with Honors, New York University (2001) Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2007) NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT (2007-2010) Research Directions The Rosenthal Research Lab pursues four intertwined themes: Environmental & energy sustainability via CO₂ reduction and solar-to-fuel conversion. Design of catalytic platforms for small-molecule up-conversion. Light-activated therapeutics targeting cancer and other diseases. Electrosynthetic routes to advanced inorganic materials and coordination complexes. To tackle these goals, the group synthesizes non-traditional tetrapyrroles, porous inorganic frameworks, and metal alloys, then interrogates them with electrochemical, spectroscopic, and ultrafast methods in collaboration with colleagues across UD, other universities, and National Laboratories. Recent Publication Trends Between 2021-2025 the group has published extensively on (i) selective electrochemical CO₂ reduction using bismuth, tin, and alloy catalysts, (ii) structure–function relationships in palladium and ruthenium tetrapyrrole complexes for singlet-oxygen generation, and (iii) new metal–organic framework (MOF) electrosyntheses. The work bridges fundamental mechanistic insights with practical device demonstrations, including 3-D-printed flow cells and solar-powered reactors. Scientific Awards & Honors While specific awards are not enumerated in the provided text, Prof. Rosenthal has garnered recognition through sustained federal funding, invited colloquia, and extensive peer-reviewed publication records. Students, Collaborators & Infrastructure The group actively recruits graduate students, post-docs, and undergraduates interested in interdisciplinary research. Trainees gain expertise spanning chemical synthesis, electrochemical cell design, ultrafast spectroscopy, computational modeling, and biological assays through partnerships both on campus and at national user facilities. The lab maintains state-of-the-art instrumentation for electrochemistry, photochemistry, and materials characterization, and communicates its latest findings via Twitter @rosenthal_lab .
Margiolakis Irini is a Professor at the Department of Cell & Developmental Genetics Biology, University of Patras. Her research focuses on structural biology, protein crystallography, and pharmaceutical applications using synchrotron radiation and X-ray diffraction. She actively collaborates with institutions like the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and contributes to international crystallography networks. University: University of Patras Department: Cell & Developmental Genetics Biology Email: imargiola@upatras.gr | margiolaki@esrf.fr Research Interests: Structural analysis of proteins and peptides, drug design, insulin polymorphism studies, virus-derived macromolecules, and development of advanced diffraction methods. Her work bridges biophysics, pharmaceutical sciences, and materials science, with a focus on vaccine and diabetes drug development. Recent Article Trends: Publications emphasize synergistic NMR-X-ray powder diffraction approaches for polymorph screening, humidity effects on crystal structures, and pharmaceutical peptide design (e.g., Octreotide, insulin variants). Collaborative efforts span virology (Dengue, Arenaviridae) and methodological innovations in macromolecular crystallography. Scientific Awards: Unesco L'Oreal Fellow (2010) for Young Women in Life Sciences Leadership & Networks: Co-organizer of international crystallography workshops, member of European Powder Diffraction Committee, and co-editor of Acta Crystallographica . Leads initiatives for Greece's integration into synchrotron radiation research via the Greek Synchrotron User Network (GrSUN).
Prof. Sofía Calero is a Full Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Vice Dean of the Department of Applied Physics & Eindhoven School of Education. She leads the Materials Simulation & Modelling group, focusing on computational methods for renewable energy and nanostructured materials. MSc (1995) and PhD (2000), University Complutense of Madrid Marie Curie Fellow (2001–2003), University of Amsterdam Ramón y Cajal Fellow (2004) and Full Professor (2017) at University Pablo de Olavide (Spain) Her research bridges computational physics-chemistry and industrial applications, developing force fields, algorithms, and simulation methods to reverse-engineer material properties. She specializes in adsorption , metal-organic frameworks , zeolites , and molecular simulation , contributing to SDGs like climate action and clean energy. Recent publications focus on halide perovskites , carbon dioxide capture , and nanostructured materials , with software tools like RASPA and iRASPA as key outputs. Articles span Nano Letters , Chem , and Journal of Physical Chemistry C . ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2018) Marie Curie Excellence Award (2005) Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2024) She has supervised 36 research works and taught courses like Advanced Materials Modelling and Mechanics . Her work involves collaborations with industries and institutions across Europe.
Professor Matthew Jonathan Rosseinsky holds the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, a position he has occupied since October 1999. His career includes significant appointments at the University of Oxford (1992-1999) and Bell Laboratories in New Jersey (1990-1992), following his DPhil at Merton College, Oxford. As a Fellow of the Royal Society and recipient of numerous prestigious awards, Professor Rosseinsky maintains an active research program and leadership roles in the international chemistry community. Professor Rosseinsky's educational background includes a First Class Honours degree in Chemistry with Quantum Chemistry from the University of Oxford (1987) and a DPhil in "Physical Properties of Superconducting Oxides and Radical Cation Salts" completed in 1990 under Professor P. Day FRS. His research focuses on the synthesis of new materials with applications in energy storage and generation, communications, separation, and catalysis. The Rosseinsky Group employs a broad range of synthesis and characterization techniques, including neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction, combined with computational methods in collaboration with Dr. George Darling. Current research areas include Dynapore, CO2 fuels, SOLBAT, and CATMAT projects that target specific material challenges. Professor Rosseinsky's publication record is exceptional, with 304 papers including 11 in Nature, 6 in Science, and 3 in Nature Materials, accumulating over 15,000 citations and an h-index of 56 as of 2012. His work demonstrates consistent excellence across materials chemistry, with particular emphasis on porous frameworks, electronic materials, and solid-state chemistry. Among his numerous accolades are the Harrison Memorial Prize (1991), Corday-Morgan Medal (2000), Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2002), De Gennes Prize (2009), and the prestigious Hughes Medal from the Royal Society (2011). He also holds an ERC Advanced Investigator Grant and has delivered distinguished lectures worldwide. Professor Rosseinsky has served in numerous editorial and advisory capacities, including as Associate Editor for Chemical Sciences, membership on the Royal Society Conference and Travel Grant Committee since 2007, and as a member of the International Advisory Board for the Max Planck Institut for Solid State Research since 2011. His professional activities extend to international review committees for research institutions in France, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. The Rosseinsky Group operates within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, collaborating extensively with researchers including Dr. John Claridge, Professor Andrew Cooper, and Professor Paul Chalker. The group maintains strong international partnerships and utilizes advanced facilities for materials synthesis and characterization to drive innovation in functional materials development.
Prof. Holger Braunschweig is the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Würzburg . His research focuses on organometallic and main-group element chemistry , emphasizing the synthesis and reactivity of novel molecular species with applications in catalysis , organic synthesis , and materials science . Education : PhD and Habilitation at RWTH Aachen (advisor: Prof. P. Paetzold); postdoctoral work at Sussex (Prof. M.F. Lappert); Reader at Imperial College London Key research themes include low-valent main-group compounds (e.g., borylenes, diborenes, beryllium species), small-molecule activation (N 2 , CO 2 , CO), and photophysically active boron heterocycles (boroles, alumoles, azaborinines). His work combines sophisticated synthetic protocols with analytical and computational methods . Recent publications (2025) highlight advances in boron-containing polymers , metal-ligand reactivity , and high-pressure molecular studies . Awards include the 2024 ENI Award , 2024 Frederick Hawthorne Award , and ERC Advanced Grants ('multiBB', 'BORYLENEFUN'). Scientific Awards : Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2009), RSC Main Group Chemistry Award (2014), Reinhart Koselleck Grant (2018), etc. He leads the Institute for Sustainable Chemistry & Catalysis with Boron (ICB) and is affiliated with the Department of Inorganic Chemistry . His group includes senior researchers , postdocs , PhD students , and technicians .
Thorsten Stumpf is a Professor and Director of the Institute of Resource Ecology at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), with a joint professorship in Radiochemistry/Radioecology at Technische Universität Dresden. His work bridges fundamental chemistry and environmental safety in nuclear waste management. Research Interests: His research focuses on the molecular-level understanding of actinide and radionuclide behavior in the environment, including speciation, migration, and interaction with minerals, organic matter, and microorganisms. Key areas include radiochemistry, geochemistry, environmental chemistry, and nuclear waste disposal science. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in using advanced spectroscopic and synchrotron techniques (e.g., TRLFS, EXAFS, XRD) to study actinide speciation and redox behavior. Themes include bioassociation of radionuclides with plants and fungi, formation of actinide nanoparticles, and molecular interactions at mineral-water interfaces—critical for deep geological repository safety assessments. Scientific Awards: Fritz-Straßmann-Preis of the GDCh 'Fachgruppe Nuklearchemie' (2013) Advising and Grants: He has led significant research initiatives, including the Helmholtz-University Young Investigator Group and the Virtual Institute 'Advanced Solid – Aqueous Radiogeochemistry'. While specific students are not listed, his extensive publication record with multiple co-authors suggests active mentoring. His work is supported by Helmholtz Association funding and strategic collaborations. Labs and Teams: He leads the Institute of Resource Ecology at HZDR, which houses advanced laboratories for radiochemistry, spectroscopy, and environmental simulation. The institute is part of a larger network including CASUS and the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory, enabling interdisciplinary research.
Assoc. Prof. Gunter Heymann is an Associate Professor at the Department of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria. He leads the Heymann Lab and specializes in high-pressure synthesis, crystallography, and the design of novel inorganic materials. His research focuses on borates, chalcogenides, and luminescent materials, with contributions to understanding structural properties under extreme conditions. Heymann holds a PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2007) and a Habilitation in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Innsbruck (2018). He has received notable awards, including the Lupe Award (2009) and Römer Award (2007). His work integrates experimental and theoretical methods to explore materials for optical and electronic applications. Education: PhD in Chemistry (2007), Habilitation in Inorganic Chemistry (2018) Affiliations: Heymann Lab, Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry Key Research Areas: High-pressure synthesis, crystal engineering, borate chemistry, luminescent materials Recent studies include investigations into new borate polymorphs, red-emitting phosphors, and UV-transparent materials. His publications emphasize structural characterization and functional material design, often leveraging advanced techniques like single-crystal X-ray diffraction and computational modeling.
