Invited Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Amor M. Abdelkader, 

Bournemouth University, UK

Amor M. Abdelkader received his PhD degree (2011) in Materials Science and Metallurgy from the University of Cambridge supervised by Professor Derek J Fray, FRS. He then moved to study self-healing materials with Professor Sybrand van der Zwaag at the Delft University of Technology. In 2012, he Joined the school of materials at the University of Manchester to work in the graphene technologies. He then moved to the National Graphene Institute to work with Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov (a Nobel laureate in physics). Amor returned to Cambridge in 2016 where he was working with Professor Andrea C. Ferrari at the Cambridge Graphene Centre. In 2017, Amor was appointed as a professor of advanced materials at Bournemouth University. Amor is also a research fellow and visiting academic at the University of Cambridge, TUDelft, Northeastern University, and City University of Hong Kong. He has published over 70 papers, 20 patents, and 1 book chapter. His research activities cover a broad spectrum of materials topics ranging from newly discovered nanomaterials to traditional engineering materials such as alloys and ceramics. He also has a keen interest in carbon dioxide sequestration.

Invited Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Duygu Ege, 

Boğaziçi University, Turkey

Duygu Ege is currently Associate Prof. at Boğaziçi University, Turkey. She was Humboldt fellow at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Biomaterials between 2022-2023. She has a PhD in Medical Materials from University of Cambridge and a MEng (Bachelar studies + Master studies) Degree in Materials Science and Engineering (First Class Honours) from Imperial College, London. Her research on production and characterisation of bone screws at ETH Zurich, lead her to receive the Centenary Prize from Imperial College, London (2009). Her other awards include Dorothy Hodgkins Scholarship leading to PhD at University of Cambridge, Best Podium Presentation Award by International Society for Ceramics in Medicine and IDEA League Grant for her research work at ETH Zurich. Our research so far has concentrated on the production and processing of novel biomaterials including bioactive and bioinert ceramics, carbonaceous materials, and natural polymer composites for bone replacement, implant coatings, nerve regeneration, muscle and cardiac tissue engineering.

Invited Speaker: Prof. Zhao Wang

South China University of Technology, China

Zhao Wang is a professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, and the Executive Director of the Institute of Green Advanced Materials Technology. Since 2009, he has been focusing on the field of bio-based synthetic rubber, mainly engaged in the molecular structure design, engineering, and application development of bio-based copolyester rubber, as well as the development of green and environmentally friendly additives for rubber. He has published over 50 SCI papers in high-impact journals such as Progress in Polymer Science and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, with more than 1,800 citations. As the first inventor, he has filed 35 invention patents, including 10 international patents, and holds 13 authorized patents. Professor Wang is an outstanding young editorial board member of the journal SusMat (Impact Factor 28.6), which is hosted in China. He is also a member of the Expert Committee of the China Synthetic Rubber Industry Association and a committee member of the journals Rubber Industry, Tire Industry, and Rubber Technology. In 2018, he was awarded the "China Rubber Science and Technology Innovation Award." He has led two projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (one Youth Fund and one General Program), and over 20 major national and industrial collaborative projects.

Invited Speaker: Prof. Beti Andonovik

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Macedonia

Prof. Beti Andonovic is a full professor at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy at the "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" University in Skopje, Macedonia. She holds a PhD in Mathematical Sciences, with a focus on algebraic topology, from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje. Her academic and research work bridges mathematics, mathematical modeling and its applications - particularly in materials science, as well as management and communication skills. She is the author of numerous scientific publications and several university textbooks, some of which are recognized as bestsellers. Prof. Andonovic has presented her work as an invited and awarded speaker at international conferences and renowned academic institutions around the world. She has participated in numerous international and national research projects, serving as a contributor, member of management committees, and Scientific Communication Officer. Prof. Andonovic previously served as Head of the Institute of Chemical and Control Engineering and currently holds the positions of Head of the Second-Cycle Study Program in Quality Management and Vice Dean for Science and International Collaboration at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy.

Invited Speaker: Dr Giorgio Divitini

Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)

Giorgio Divitini received his PhD in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge (UK), following a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Physics from the Università degli Studi di Milano (Italy). He spent four years as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy before becoming the Advanced TEM Officer at Cambridge’s largest electron microscopy facility. In 2021, Giorgio became a group leader at IIT, where he focuses on advancing electron microscopy and its applications. He is passionate about pushing the boundaries of nanoscale characterisation through the development of new detectors, acquisition protocols, and data analysis methods for electron microscopy and related techniques. His research spans a wide range of analytical methods, including electron tomography, EDX and EEL spectroscopy, cryo-EM, and in situ characterisation. His work primarily targets materials and devices for green energy applications, such as solar cells, LEDs, and battery materials.

Invited Speaker: Dr Niranjala Fernando

Vianode, Norway

Dr. Niranjala Fernando is a Product Manager at Vianode, Norway, where she specializes in developing sustainable graphite solutions for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs). With over eight years of experience in materials science and battery development, Dr. Fernando has played a key role in advancing battery technologies for commercial applications. Prior to joining Vianode, she worked as an Anode Scientist at InoBat, a European battery company, where she focused on the development of graphite and silicon-composite anodes for EV batteries. She holds a PhD in anode material development for lithium-ion batteries from Bournemouth University, UK.