Living and Biomaterials based Sustainable Flexible Electronics

Xiaosheng Zhang, PhD, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
Xiaosheng Zhang is currently a Professor at University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). He received the Ph.D. degree in Microelectronics and Solid-State Electronics from Peking University in 2014. Then he joined École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland as a Research Scientist, he also served as a Research Associate at The University of Tokyo, Japan. In 2017, he was appointed as a hundred-talent professor at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. He was selected as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology, and a Young Editorial Board Member of Nano Research. He is a member of the Technical Committee of TRANSDUCERS in 2019 and IEEE NEMS during 2017-2020. His research covers the micro/nano electronic science and technology, and especially the micro/nano integrated fabrication and its application for self-powered micro/nano electronics.  Prof. Zhang has published 3 scientific books (Wiley and Springer), more than 70 peer-reviewed papers and contributed over 30 conference talks, and authorized 32 invention patents. He also leads over 10 research projects as PI, including National Key Research and Development Program, National Natural Science Foundation of China, etc.

Shoji Takeuchi, PhD, University of Tokyo, Japan
Professor Shoji Takeuchi is a leading figure in biohybrid systems and micro/nano engineering, currently serving as Professor in the Department of Mechano-Informatics at the University of Tokyo. His pioneering research bridges biology and engineering, focusing on the integration of living cells and biomaterials with microfabricated devices to create innovative systems such as artificial cell membranes, tissue-engineered constructs, and biohybrid robots. With over 250 peer-reviewed publications and numerous patents, his work has significantly advanced fields ranging from regenerative medicine and drug testing to soft robotics and biosensing. He has held key leadership roles in national and international research initiatives, including the JST-ERATO Biohybrid Innovation Project and the Center for International Research on Integrative Biomedical Systems. Professor Takeuchi has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the JSPS Prize, the ACS Analytical Chemistry Young Innovator Award, and the UNESCO Netexplo Award, underscoring his global impact on science and technology.

Yu Jun Tan, PhD, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
Dr. Tan Yu Jun is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Materials & Manufacturing, Department of Mechanical Engineering, at the College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS). She received her Ph.D. at Nanyang Technological University where she worked on additive manufacturing and biomaterials. Following her doctoral work, she embarked on a postdoctoral research stint, during which she delved into the captivating realm of stretchable and self-healing electronics. She has been a lead author in prestigious journals such as Nature Materials, Nature Electronics, Nature Communications, Science Robotics, and Advanced Materials. Yu Jun’s articles have being featured on journal covers and spotlighted in news articles and documentaries. She has been actively involved in organizing symposia at international conferences. She also contributes as a reviewer for international grant funding agencies and renowned journals. She is serving as a committee member of Materials Research Society Singapore (MRSS). Her current research interests encompass self-healing materials, nature-derived materials, electronic materials, biomaterials, soft robotics, and 3D printing. At NUS, Dr. Tan leads interdisciplinary projects that bridge materials science, mechanical design, and sustainability. Her work contributes to the development of next-generation manufacturing technologies and aligns with global efforts to create innovative, eco-friendly solutions for real-world challenges.

Avinash Manjula-Basavanna, PhD, Northeastern University, United States
Dr. Avinash Manjula-Basavanna is a Senior Research Scientist at the Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, and he is also a Visiting Scientist at the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, USA. He has made pioneering contributions to the emerging field of Engineered Living Materials, and his research interests are at the interface of Synthetic Biology, Materials Engineering, Biomanufacturing, Nanotechnology, Protein Engineering, Additive Manufacturing, Sustainability and Nature-Inspired Engineering. He earned his PhD in Bioinspired Molecular and Materials Engineering from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru, India. Later he conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, and he was also a visiting researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2020, he was featured as one of the World’s Top 35 Innovators Under 35 by Technology Review, MIT. He was the Grand Prize Winner of American National Science Foundation (NSF) Idea Machine (Big Idea) competition. He was recognized as the Deep Tech Pioneer and the recipient of Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award and STAT Wunderkind Award. He was also selected for the Innovation Scholars In-Residence Program by the President of India, Harvard Innovation Lab’s Venture Incubation Program and MIT Engine’s Blueprint program for the Tough Tech Founders. He has served as a peer reviewer for 20+ high-impact journals and a grant reviewer (>$30M) for various funding agencies from USA, Belgium and Germany. His research work has been highlighted by 50+ global media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Smithsonian Magazine, New Scientist, etc.