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Day 1 : Oct 06,2025
Day 1
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Keynote Speakers
Biography:
Hari Shanker Sharma, FRSM (UK), is Director of Research (Int. Expt. ECNSIR) and Professor of Neurobiology at Uppsala University, Sweden, affiliated with the Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. Born in Dalmianagar, India (1955), he earned his B.Sc. (Hons) from L.S. College Muzaffarpur in 1973. Dr. Sharma’s pioneering research on the blood-brain barrier and brain edema led to his title of Docent in Neuroanatomy at Uppsala University (2004). His main interests are neuroprotection and neuroregeneration in stress, trauma, and drug abuse. He has received prestigious awards including the Laerdal Foundation Award (2005), NIDA Distinguished Scientist Award (2006–08), Best Investigator Award (2008), and the Dr. Anthony Marmarou Award (2011). With over 30 years of research, he has authored books, edited volumes, and serves on editorial boards of numerous international journals. Dr. Sharma is also a member of renowned academies, including the New York Academy of Sciences.

Abstract:
Concussive head injury (CHI) is one of the major risk factors in developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in military personnel at later stages of life. Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in CHI leads to extravasation of plasma amyloid beta protein (AbP) into the brain fluid compartments precipitating AD brain pathology. Oxidative stress in CHI or AD is likely to enhance production of nitric oxide indicating a role of its synthesizing enzyme neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in brain pathology. Thus, exploration of the novel roles of nanomedicine in AD or CHI reducing NOS upregulation for neuroprotection are emerging. Recent research shows that stem cells and neurotrophic factors play key roles in CHI induced aggravation of AD brain pathologies. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that CHI exacerbates AD brain pathology in model experiments. Accordingly, it is quite likely that nanodelivery of NOS antibodies together with cerebrolysin and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) will induce superior neuroprotection in AD associated with CHI. In this presentation, co-administration of TiO2 nanowired cerebrolysin- a balanced composition of several neurotrophic factors and active peptide fragments, together with MSCs and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to neuronal NOS is presented for superior neuroprotection following exacerbation of brain pathology in AD by CHI based on our own investigations. Our observations show that nanowired delivery of cerebrolysin, MSCs and neuronal NOS in combination induce superior neuroprotection in brain pathology in AD exacerbated by CHI, not reported earlier.
Biography:
Aruna Sharma (nee Bajpai) W/O Hari Shanker Sharma is currently working as Medical Administrator in Uppsala University Hospital, After graduating in Indian Medicine After went to Free University Berlin, University Hospital, Kilinikum Steglitz, West Berlin (at that time) in Germany (1989-1991) She joined Department of surgical Sciences, University Hospital in April 2004. She is actively working on Nanoneurotoxicity of engineered metal nanoparticles and silica dust in animal models of stress and brain injury sponsored by European Aerospace of Research & Development (EOARD), London, UK  This research works was acclaimed at Society for Neuroscience Meeting in Washington DC Nov 12-16, 2011. Based on her research in Nanoneurosciences she is nominated as member of Swedish Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Stockholm in 2011. and enrolled her in prestigious top 10 Women administrators who set the standards by International Women review Board, USA in 2010. She is also the acquisition editor of key neuroscience journals namely American Journal of Neuroprotection and Neuroregeneration (AJNN) and Journal of Nanaoneuroscience (JNS) published by American Scientific Publishers, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 7th Global College of Neuroprotection and Neuroregenartion (GCNN) Marc 3-7, Stockholm, Sweden, 8th GCNN Congress, Amman, Jordan, April 22-25, 2011, 9th GCNN Congress in Xi’an, China, May 3-7, 2012. She is the guest editor of Journal of Nanoneuroscience April 2012; Central Nervous System Neurological Disorders drug Target Feb 2012 

Abstract:
Sleep deprivation induces amyloid beta peptide and phosphorylated tau deposits in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid together with altered serotonin metabolism. Thus, it is likely that sleep deprivation is one of the pre-disposing factors in precipitating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain pathology. Our previous studies indicate significant brain pathology following sleep deprivation or AD. Keeping these views in consideration in this presentation ananodelivery of monoclonal antibodies to amyloid beta peptide (AbP), phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) in sleep deprivation induced AD is discussed based on our own investigations. Our results suggest that nanowired delivery of monoclonal antibodies to AbP with p-tau and TNF-a induces superior neuroprotection in AD caused by sleep deprivation, not reported earlier.
Biography:
Dr. Kuntal Roy's research interest is on nanoelectronic device physics and applications with focus on spintronics and nanomagnetics. His research works have been highlighted in Nature, SPIN, AIP News, Physics World, Nanotech Web, and also selected by Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science and Technology. Prof. Kuntal Roy is a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, India in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department. He received his Master of Science from Advanced Learning and Research Institute, Switzerland, and his PhD from Purdue University, USA followed by Virginia Commonwealth University, USA. He held post-doctoral positions at Cornell University, USA and Purdue University, USA. Dr. Roy is a senior member of IEEE, members of IEEE Magnetics and Electron Devices Societies and American Physical Society (APS) and was featured in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Who’s Who in the World.

Abstract:
Spin-devices are operated by flipping spins without moving charges in space, which can lead to ultra-low-energy switching and can replace the traditional energy-consuming transistors in our future information processing systems. Particularly, the electric field-induced magnetization switching has emerged as an energy-efficient paradigm. Here we review the recent developments on ultra-low-energy, fast, and area-efficient spin-devices using strain-mediated magnetoelectric multiferroic composites. The feasibilities are shown for both the digital logic design and the analog computing with transistor-like high-gain region in the input-output characteristics. We further show that the exchange-coupled nanomagnets can increase thermal stability tremendously at low dimensions and thus would pave the pathway towards ultra-high-density non-volatile information storage and logic systems. We also review the equivalent spin-circuit representation of spin-devices by considering spin potential and spin current, which is crucial for explaining and proposing experiments. We construct the spin-circuit representation of spin pumping, which occurs when there is a material adjacent to a precessing magnetization and therefore it is particularly necessary to be incorporated in the device characteristics measurements. We further develop a general strategy to determine the interfacial complex spin mixing conductance from the experimental results of ferromagnetic resonance and spin pumping for magnetic insulators, which are very promising for energy-efficient spintronic devices. We also construct the spin-circuit representation of spin-torque ferromagnetic resonance particularly using magnetic insulators and heavy metals and spin pumping into topological insulators, considering both the bulk and surface states with parallel channels, which allows for the explanation of high spin Hall angle close to the maximum magnitude of one from the experimental results. We further review the recent progress on experimental results e.g., fabrication of ultrathin samples and thickness measurements, ferromagnetic resonance for the characterization of magnetization damping parameter and ultrasensitive measurements of strains for the development of energy-efficient spin-electronics.
Biography:
 Dr. Mònica Mir received the Degree in Chemistry from University Rovira i Virgili, Spain in 1998. In 2006 she received her PhD in biotechnology in the same University. She realized different predoctoral stages at the Institute of Microelectronic in Demokritos, University of Bath and National Hellenic Research Foundation. From 2007, she held a postdoctoral position in Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Germany. Since 2008, she joins the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Spain as Senior CIBER researcher, combined with her teaching as associate professor at the University of Barcelona. Along her carrier she was managing European, National and industrial research projects, supervising PhD ad Master students and collaborating in congresses organization as coordinator and scientific committee. Her main scientific interests are focused on electrochemical biosensor, integrated in lab-on-a-chip and point of care technologies, implantable sensors, and organ-on-a-chip for biomedical applications.

Abstract:
Nanotechnology and nanomedicine is a cutting-edge field that is growing, providing new solutions in different areas. These new technologies in the medical area cover many possibilities for the study, treatment and diagnosis of different diseases in a more efficient and personalized way. A key tool recently developed in biomedical engineering research thanks to this technology are implantable sensors. The development of miniaturized implantable biosensors in the human body has revolutionized the field of medicine in terms of diagnosis, and monitoring of numerous conditions and diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and metabolic problems. One of the great advances that these sensors have introduced is their ability to monitor clinical data practically in real time, obtaining records of the body's biophysical and biochemical parameters in a continuous way and for extended periods. This talk will present new technologies in implantable sensors specificaally in blood vessels, which allow for continuous monitoring and early detection of diseases. We will show the developments achieved in this area by our research group for different applications, such as monitoring ischemia in fetuses for detection of fetal growth restriction and the detection of biomarkers of heart disease for early diagnosis. Future trends and the advantages and limitations of this technology will be discussed.
Biography:
Professor Paulo César De Morais (H60), PhD, was full Professor of Physics at the University of Brasilia (UnB) – Brazil up to 2013. Appointed as UnB’s (Brazil) Emeritus Professor (2014); Visiting Professor at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) – China (2012-2015); Distinguished Professor at the Anhui University (AHU) – China (2016-2019); Full Professor at the Catholic University of Brasília (CUB) – Brazil (2018); CNPq-1A Research Fellow since 2010; 2007 Master Research Prize from UnB. He held two-years (1987- 1988) post-doc position with Bell Communications Research, New Jersey – USA and received his Doctoral degree in Solid State Physics (1986) from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) – Brazil. With more than 13,000 citations, He has published more than 500 papers (Web of Science), presented more than 200 international invited talks, and filed more than 15 patents.

Abstract:
This plenary talk presents a prospective immersion on the Hill’s model, introduced more than a century ago, aiming to explain the binding of oxygen molecules to hemoglobin and subsequently used to explain a huge variety of biological data. Evaluation of cell viability challenged by a particular bioactive compound, including bioactive nanomaterials, is among the experiments Hill’s model has been applied. Nevertheless, even after half of a century has passed since the “NANO” term was coined and introduced into the scientific literature, only recently emerged a proposal on how to incorporate the morphological characteristics (mean size and size dispersity) of a nanomaterial in the description of in vitro bioassays, as for instance cell viability assays. Moreover, in recent years, the standard Hill’s model has been used to describe cell viability assays performed with nanomaterials. In view of this long-standing gap in the literature, the present talk aims to present a recently-developed Hill-inspired model that successfully accounts for the description of MTT assays performed with nanomaterials, emphasizing the impact of the mean size and size dispersity in the biological response. The concept of “biological polydispersity” of a nanomaterial is then introduced, meaning the size characteristics of a nanomaterial while recognized by a particular biological assay. Last, but not least, for a nanomaterial, the “biological polydispersity” is compared with the morphological polydispersity, the latter assessed from high-resolution microscopy micrographs.
Biography:
Dr. Malathy Batumalay earned her master’s degree in engineering from the University Malaya, Malaysia, and subsequently pursued her PhD in Photonics Engineering at the same institution. Her research focuses on lasers, fiber optics, and fiber sensors. Previously, she innovated fiber optics into sensors capable of detecting changes in relative humidity and chemical solutions. She collaborates with both local and international researchers to delve deeper into the behavior and characteristics of fiber optics sensors and plasmonic sensors, resulting in numerous high-quality publications in relevant journals. Additionally, she actively serves as a reviewer for several journals and holds a committee position in the Optical Society of Malaysia (OSM), where she contributes to activities involving young researchers. Furthermore, she is also registered as a professional engineer with the Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM) and as a Chartered Engineer with The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).  Presently associated with a prestigious private university in Malaysia, renowned for its expertise in Communication, Networking, and Cloud Computing, she holds pivotal leadership positions. As the Director of the Center for Data Science and Sustainable Technologies, the Deputy Chair of the University Research Committee, and the Chief Internal Auditor for Malaysia Research Assessment, Dr. Batumalay epitomizes academic excellence. Her fervent aspiration is to engage with emerging talents and prospective research candidates, thereby enhancing the academic landscape. 

Abstract: 
Water quality monitoring plays a major role in safety and public health management. Bacteria detection in water solutions can prevent contamination and diseases. This paper presents a Kretschmann surface plasmon resonance sensor for bacteria detection in water solutions. The sensor had a 633 nm He-Ne laser source and a BK7 prism with angle interrogation to assess its feasibility. The sensor was coated with Ag/ZnO/Graphene. The coated sensor showed a 70% sensitivity improvement over the Silver-coated sensor. This improvement in sensitivity is crucial for early detection of bacteria in water solutions, ultimately leading to more effective contamination prevention measures. The results demonstrate the potential of the Kretschmann surface plasmon resonance sensor for enhancing water quality monitoring and public health safety.
Speaker Sessions
Biography:
Camilo Cadena is a Philosopher and an undergraduate Physics student at the Industrial University of Santander. He is a part of the Optics and Signal Processing Research Group, where I focus on polarization and birefringence, working with geometric algebras and quaternions, as well as Python-based computational tools. He is particularly interested in advancing technology in these research areas

Abstract:
In the characterization of a birefringent medium, two fundamental groups of parameters can be distinguished. On one hand, the intrinsic parameters describe the medium’s inherent birefringence —encompassing the elliptical retardation, the azimuth, and the ellipticity of the principal modes. On the other hand, the equivalent parameters, derived from Jones’ Theorem I, decompose the elliptical birefringence into a combination of equivalent linear birefringence (with its corresponding retardation and azimuth) and equivalent circular birefringence (optical activity). To date, most experimental methods tend to measure one or the other group of parameters separately, which can lead to ambiguous results due to the non-injective relationships between them. In this work, we present a methodology that simultaneously and independently determines both sets of parameters without ambiguity, by means of a polarimetric and geometric analysis on the Poincaré sphere. Furthermore, we introduce a clear physical interpretation of the equivalent parameters based on the Law of Elliptical Birefringents, which enables the determination of all possible emerging polarization states of the birefringent medium without requiring its rotation.The effectiveness of this proposal was validated in devices with different birefringence configurations, showing agreement among measurements, theoretical results, and other experiments. Thus, we demonstrate that jointly determining the intrinsic and equivalent parameters provides a comprehensive description of birefringence, avoiding common ambiguities and enhancing potential applications in metrology, polarization control, and optical device design.
Biography:
Dr. Bo Qu is currently an associate professor and doctoral supervisor at Peking University. He specializes in the field of organic optoelectronics (e.g., perovskite solar cells). To date, he has published over 100 SCI-indexed papers in international academic journals. Among them, more than 40 papers have been published in internationally authoritative journals such as Science, Chemical Society Reviews, Adv. Science, Small and Adv. Func. Mater., etc.

Abstract:
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted broad attention. The certified efficiency has exceeded 26%, which is comparable to silicon-based counterparts. However, the environmental problems caused by the lead in perovskite restrict their large-scale applications. If a monovalent metal ion and a trivalent metal ion are used instead of two lead ions, a double perovskite A2M+M3+X6 is realized. In order to resolve toxicity of lead-based perovskites, Bo Qu group prepared PSCs based on lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 in 2017 (Adv. Sci. 2018, 5, 1700759), and then fabricated semi-transparent solar cells with an average visible light transmittance of  73% ( Sol. RRL 2020, 4, 2000056). However, the relatively large bandgap (~2.0 eV) of  Cs2AgBiBr6 hinders its optoelectronic applications in longer wavelength bands of visible and near-infrared regions. We replaced some of Bi elements in Cs2AgBiBr6 with trace doping (~1%) of iron (Adv. Function. Mater. 2021, 322109891) and ruthenium (Mater. Adv. 2022, 3, 4932) to broaden its absorption range to near-infrared region (1200-1350 nm). The above single crystal materials exhibit excellent near-infrared light detection. And we were invited to write a review article (J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2023, 14, 5310). At present, the photovoltaic performance of lead-free perovskite still does not meet theoretical expectations. We have summarized the problems that exist in different lead-free perovskites (Mater. Today Energy 2018, 8, 157; Adv. Energy Mater. 2019, 1902496) and these limitations were mainly ascribed to low carrier transport and self trapping effects caused by low structural or electronic dimension of lead-free perovskites, as well as the non-radiative recombination. The bottleneck in the application of lead-free perovskite photovoltaics can be overcome by regulating the structural or electronic dimensions, and we were invited to publish a cover article in Chemical Society Reviews (2024, 531769-1788) entitled "Breaking the Bottleneck of Lead Free Perovskite Solar Cells through Dimensional Modulation". On the other hand, ?black-phase formamidinium lead iodide (a-FAPbI3) perovskites are the desired phase for photovoltaic applications, but water can trigger formation of photoinactive impurity phases. The conventional coordinative solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) promoted photoinactive impurity phases formation under high relative humidity (RH) conditions because of its hygroscopic nature. Recently, we introduced chlorine-containing organic molecules to form a capping layer that blocked moisture penetration while preserving DMSO-based complexes to regulate crystal growth. We report PCE of >24.5% for perovskite solar cells fabricated across an RH range of 20 to 60%, and 23.4% at 80% RH. The unencapsulated device retained 96% of its initial performance in air (with 40 to 60% RH) after 500-hour maximum power point operation.(Science, 2024, 385, 161-167).
Biography:
Dr. Nikolai Haslebner is currently Head of Product Management at TriLite Technologies in Austria, a company producing the world’s smallest projection display. He holds academic credentials from the Technical University of Graz (TU Graz), where he also received his PhD in technical physics and has worked across product leadership, strategy, and technology domains. His career includes overseeing product development, cross-functional coordination, and market growth initiatives while working for companies like AT&S AG, NXP and ams Osram. He contributed to several patents such as circuit board technology.

Abstract:
TriLite designs and builds the world’s smallest projection display (~1 cubic cm) based on laser beam technology (LBS) for various applications spanning from augmented reality to the automotive. TriLite’s technology is based on compact optical solutions, proprietary, multi-parameter algorithms, which deploy advanced machine learning algorithms to offer the LBS modules of unprecedented size, weight and image quality. Our award-winning, compact and lightweight Trixel® 3 LBS display engine combines a single two-dimensional MEMS mirror, unified RGB laser module approach, micro-optics, and a unique Trajectory Control Module that shifts the calibration complexity from hardware to software. Our projection display works in all environments, ranging from the direct sunlight to the dark rooms.  It offers low power consumption, adequate contrast and brightness, full color  (? 214 % over sRGB), and low latency to ensure that the projected augmented reality images naturally integrate with the real-object surroundings and are prone to spatial motion (a key characteristic to avoid the motion sickness). Trixel 3 has been designed from the ground-up concept to mass-manufacturing and is fully compatible with the state-of-the-art waveguides without requiring the projection or relay optics, making an entire compact and appealing wearable system. The presentation will also focus on advantages of the LBS technology in comparison with other existing displays such as for example, micro-LED (µLED), LCOS and OLED displays. 
Biography:
Denise Cekaunaskas Kalil Lauand is a physiotherapist with expertise in orthopedic physical therapy, prevention, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from Universidade Paulista (UNIP) in 2004 and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) in 2025. She is currently a doctoral student in Rehabilitation Sciences at UNINOVE, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Raquel Agnelli Mesquita-Ferrari.

Abstract:
Neck pain, defined as painful conditions associated with the cervical spine, is a common syndrome that often causes pain and restricted movement. Among the available therapeutic approaches, manual therapies are widely used and have shown positive outcomes in many cases. The pompage technique, a form of manual therapy, aims to reduce pain and improve cervical range of motion (ROM), motor control, and overall function. Photobiomodulation (PBM) using LEDs represents another non-invasive and easily applied modality with potential therapeutic benefits. This randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial investigated the effects of pompage, with or without LED-based PBM therapy, on cervical ROM in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Participants of both sexes, aged 18–62 years, were screened, and eight individuals completed the study protocol. They were randomized into two groups: (1) Pompage group (n=5), receiving only manual therapy with pompage; and (2) Pompage + LED group (n=3), receiving pompage followed by PBM therapy with an LED plate (264 diodes: 132 red at 660 nm and 132 infrared at 850 nm; 8 mW each; 9.6 J/cm²; 16 mW/cm²; 10 minutes per session). All participants attended 10 sessions, twice weekly. Cervical ROM was assessed with a goniometer before and after the intervention. Results: The pompage group showed a significant improvement in cervical extension and left lateral rotation ROM at the end of the treatment compared to baseline (P=0.02). The Pompage + LED group did not show statistically significant differences, although mean improvements were observed. Conclusion: Pompage alone promoted significant gains in cervical ROM in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain, whereas the addition of LED PBM did not yield further statistically significant benefits.
Biography: 
Kimberlly Gomes is a biomedical professional with academic training in Clinical Analysis and Advanced Aesthetics. She has built solid expertise in molecular biology, including biological sample processing, nucleic acid extraction, and the use of both manual and automated methodologies. Her professional experience in high-demand clinical laboratories further strengthened her skills in biochemical and hematological analyses, urgent and emergency routines, and rigorous validation and quality control procedures—bridging everyday practice with scientific inquiry. Currently a Master’s student in Rehabilitation Sciences at Universidade Nove de Julho (São Paulo, Brazil), Kimberlly conducts in vitro research using C2C12 cells exposed to hyperglycemic conditions and treated with photobiomodulation. Her work explores cellular mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of light in metabolic disorders related to diabetes. Passionate about innovation and driven by scientific challenges, she aims to contribute to advancing health and rehabilitation through evidence-based discoveries.

Abstract:
Introduction: Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with metabolic changes that contribute to complications of diabetes mellitus, including insulin resistance and reduced glucose uptake. In vitro models using the C2C12 myoblasts lineage are widely used to investigate cellular mechanisms triggered by excess glucose, especially in muscle differentiation processes. Photobiomodulation (PBM), applied by means of low-level laser irradiation, has been shown to be able to modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics, reduce pro-inflammatory markers, and favor cell viability and differentiation. However, there is still a paucity of studies investigating the effects of PBM in conditions of metabolic stress, such as hyperglycemia. The present study aims to evaluate whether PBM can attenuate changes induced by the hyperglycemic condition in C2C12 cells cultured in vitro. C2C12 cells will be exposed to glucose concentrations of 5.5 mM (control), 25 mM, 45 mM, and 60 mM, with or without PBM treatment. Irradiation will be performed using an AlGaAs diode laser (780 nm, 70 mW, 26.25 J/cm², 15 s exposure time), followed by incubation for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h in 96-well plates (10? cells/well). Cell viability will be assessed using the MTT assay, ATP synthesis will be measured with a luminescence-based kit, and cellular morphology will also be evaluated. Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of PBM on mitochondrial function and gene expression in C2C12 cells, supporting the chosen model and experimental parameters. It is hypothesized that PBM will attenuate the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia, preserving functional characteristics and promoting cellular metabolism in C2C12. Statistical analysis: Data will be analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.
Biography:
Mohammad Hossein Shaker, born in Tehran in 1998, moved to Brazil in 2019 and earned his Dentistry degree from Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) in 2023. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Biophotonics Medicine at UNINOVE under Prof. Dr. Cinthya Cosme Gutierrez Duran, focusing on lasers and photobiomodulation in health sciences. His research includes laser therapy for post-operative pain, dental crowding treatments (CPAQV Journal, 2024), and the effects of photobiomodulation on oxidative stress in macrophages. He has also trained in human cadaver dissection and anatomical studies at the University of São Paulo (USP) under the supervision of Dr. Edson Aparecido Liberti. He has also designed clinical protocols for rhinoplasty recovery and platelet viability. Professionally, he has experience in São Paulo dental clinics with post-surgical laser therapy and PRP applications, and training in anatomical dissection at USP. His current focus is macrophage modulation and innovative therapeutic strategies for inflammation and oxidative stress control.

Abstract:
Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, leading to cellular dysfunction and increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Macrophages play a central role in the immune response, and their activation under oxidative stress contributes significantly to the inflammatory process. The J774A.1 murine macrophage lineage is a well-established in vitro model for studying inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Photobiomodulation (PBM), using low-level laser therapy, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in various cellular models by modulating mitochondrial function and reducing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production. However, its effects specifically on macrophages under controlled oxidative stress conditions remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate whether PBM can attenuate the inflammatory and oxidative damage induced by Hydrogen Peroxide (H?O?) in J774A.1 macrophages. Cells will be exposed to different concentrations of H?O? (50 ?M, 100 ?M, and 200 ?M) to induce oxidative stress and will be treated or not with PBM using a red laser (660 nm, 50 mW, 3 J/cm², 60 s/well). Cell viability (MTT assay), morphological changes, and the production of inflammatory markers (TNF-?, IL-6, iNOS) and Nitric Oxide (NO) will be analyzed. Previous studies support the use of PBM parameters for biostimulation and its potential to modulate immune responses. We expect that PBM will reduce cell death and suppress the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO in H?O?-stressed macrophages, demonstrating its protective and anti-inflammatory potential. This ongoing study may contribute to understanding the mechanisms of PBM as a non-pharmacological strategy for managing oxidative stress-related inflammatory conditions.
Biography:
Blessing Esiri Oghenekaro is a Process Engineer specializing in Thin Film (CVD/PVD) at Wolfspeed. She holds a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Benin. At Cornell, she worked as a Research Assistant, designing and fabricating microwave devices in the cleanroom, and served as a Teaching Assistant for microelectronics and Digital VLSI courses. Prior to this, she was a Graduate Engineer at Waltersmith Refinery in Nigeria, where she focused on process optimization, maintenance, and quality assurance. Blessing brings a strong foundation in semiconductor processing and device fabrication.

Abstract:
Silicon Carbide (SiC) has emerged as a leading material in power electronics due to its superior physical and electrical properties compared to conventional Silicon (Si). With a wide bandgap (~3.26 eV for 4H-SiC), high thermal conductivity, and a high critical electric field strength, SiC enables devices that operate at higher temperatures (>200?°C), switch at faster speeds, and withstand higher voltages. These characteristics lead to reduced conduction and switching losses, improved energy efficiency, and smaller, lighter system designs. As a result, SiC devices are increasingly adopted in demanding applications such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy systems, aerospace, and industrial power conversion. The synthesis of high-quality SiC involves both traditional and advanced techniques. While the Acheson process remains foundational for producing bulk material, methods like Physical Vapor Transport (PVT), Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), and sublimation are employed to grow high-purity single-crystal SiC. PVT is the standard technique for producing large-diameter 4H-SiC boules, whereas CVD is the method of choice for epitaxial layer growth due to its precise control over doping and thickness—essential for device performance. Fabricating SiC-based Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) requires a sequence of high-precision steps. These include epitaxial layer deposition, ion implantation to form source and drain regions, high-temperature annealing for dopant activation, thermal oxidation for gate oxide formation, and gate electrode deposition. A significant challenge lies in the high interface trap density at the SiC/SiO? interface, which can degrade channel mobility. To mitigate this, post-oxidation annealing in nitric oxide (NO) or alternative nitridation treatments is applied. Advanced lithography, etching, and metallization processes complete the device fabrication. In conclusion, SiC is redefining the landscape of power electronics. While challenges in crystal growth, defect control, and interface engineering remain, ongoing research continues to unlock the full potential of SiC, paving the way for the next generation of efficient, reliable, and compact power devices.
Biography:
Dr. Poliakov served in many avenues of science and technology, including optics of fractals and nanomaterials, fiber optics, displays, AR-VR. He received his Ph.D. in Physics and MSEE in Electro-Optics from NMSU and served as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at University of Rochester, UT Southwestern Medical School, and USARMDEC (as a recipient of US National Research Council grant). He co-authored over 30 papers in peer-review journals and conference proceeding, including a pioneering article on Self-enhanced Raman scattering in fractal nanostructures. He currently holds 14 patents.
Poster Session
Biography: 
Alireza Keshavarz is a full professor specializing in Physics and Photonics, possessing extensive experience in both teaching and research. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics (Optics and Laser) from Shiraz University and has made significant contributions to the fields of academia and scientific research. His expertise spans various areas, including Photonics, Biophotonics, Nanophotonics, Nonlinear Optics, Optical Sensors, Photonic Crystals, as well as Plasmonics and Metamaterials. Currently, he is actively engaged in research in these areas and is mentoring graduate students, all while advancing knowledge and innovation in his fields of expertise. 

Abstract:
Despite their significant potential to enhance device performance, superconductors are still underutilized in Terahertz (THz) photonics. Our research aims to address this gap by employing nano-superconductor layers to create photonic bandgaps (PBGs), which are essential for improving the efficiency and precision of optical and photonic devices. The unique properties of THz PBGs facilitate advancements in high tech components such as sensors, filters, and communication systems. As a result, there is increasing interest in tuning and manipulating these PBGs for specific applications. This study explores the interaction of transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes of THz waves with photonic layered media using the Transfer Matrix Method under various controlled conditions. We designed a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) comprising two types of high temperature superconductors, HgBa2CaCu2O(6+x) (Hg-1212) and Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O(10+x) (Bi-2223), along with two suitable dielectrics. The periodic arrangement of these layers results in a transmittance spectrum featuring several omnidirectional PBGs and tunable peaks sensitive to factors such as periodicity, lattice constants, and the angle of incidence. To optimize the spectrum for selective filtering of specific wavelengths, we utilized Mixed-Quasi-Periodic (MQP) sequences that combine the 1st-order Cantor and 2nd-order Thue-Morse sequences. This approach resulted in the formation of Dirac-delta-function-like peaks within the frequency range of 9.9 to 10.8 THz. By carefully tailoring the photonic band gaps (PBGs) and transmittance properties, the proposed structure is well-suited for advanced THz applications, including precision spectral filtering in communication systems, high-resolution imaging for medical diagnostics, and enhanced material characterization in industrial sensing. Our findings demonstrate that MQP sequences can create new opportunities in THz photonics by allowing for precise control of PBGs within superconducting photonic media.  
Biography:
Alireza Keshavarz is a full professor specializing in Physics and Photonics, possessing extensive experience in both teaching and research. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics (Optics and Laser) from Shiraz University and has made significant contributions to the fields of academia and scientific research. His expertise spans various areas, including Photonics, Biophotonics, Nanophotonics, Nonlinear Optics, Optical Sensors, Photonic Crystals, as well as Plasmonics and Metamaterials. Currently, he is actively engaged in research in these areas and is mentoring graduate students, all while advancing knowledge and innovation in his fields of expertise.
 
Hanieh Moradi is a graduate student under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Alireza Keshavarz in the Department of Physics at Shiraz University of Technology. Her master's thesis focused on the Generation of Entangled Photons by Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion. She is currently engaged in designing and enhancing the performance of surface plasmon resonance biosensors.

Abstract:
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)-based biosensors are renowned for their high sensitivity, real-time monitoring, and label-free detection, making them vital tools in medicine, industry, and agriculture. SPR occurs at the metal–dielectric interface when free electron oscillations create confined surface excitations. The most common configuration, the Kretschmann setup, involves a prism, a thin metal film, and a sensitive medium. This study presents a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensor design that includes an SF10 prism, a 70 nm silver layer, and a periodic structure of graphene and a 7 nm MoS? layer, all optimized for malaria diagnostics. In this arrangement, a thin metal film is deposited on a prism to exploit SPR phenomena for sensing. Additionally, layers with unique optical properties, such as graphene and two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (MX?), are often incorporated to enhance the sensor's performance and operate in the near-infrared (NIR) range. NIR wavelengths yield sharper resonance curves and permit imaging of thicker films with higher contrast. Using an incoherent light source in NIR helps eliminate laser fringe issues. Reflectivity is a parameter calculated using the ABCD matrix method in the Kretschmann framework to detect changes in the refractive index of the sample. The sensor detects refractive index changes in Red Blood Cells (RBCs) to distinguish healthy cells from malaria-infected ones in three stages: ring, trophozoite, and schizont. The refractive index of healthy RBCs was 1.399±0.006 RIU, while infected RBCs showed values of 1.395±0.005 RIU (ring), 1.383±0.005 RIU (trophozoite), and 1.373±0.006 RIU (schizont). Sensitivity measurements reached 198.08 and 201.52 deg/RIU for refractive index changes of 0.005 and 0.007, respectively. Optimized reflectivity values were 0.9530±0.006 a.u. (healthy), and 0.9439, 0.8946, and 0.8193 a.u. for the three infection stages. These results enable reliable differentiation between healthy and infected RBCs, demonstrating SPR's potential in malaria diagnosis through precise reflectivity analysis.
Young Research Forum
Biography:
Dr. Harpreet Kaur, a distinguished recipient of the IOP-India Top Cited Author in Materials Award (2022), Young Women Researcher (Materials Science) Award (VIWA 2024), is a researcher having specialized in the green and chemical synthesis, characterizations and application of nanomaterials. Dr Kaur’s work primarily focuses on photocatalysis, textile-dye degradation, and antimicrobial technologies, contributing significantly to advancements in sustainable materials and environmental remediation. Holding a Ph.D. in Materials Science and an M.Sc. in Physics (Gold Medalist), she has published over 50 research papers in 40 reputed international journals having high impact such as Environmental research (I.F. 7.7), Energy Storage (I.F. 9.8), Journal of Cleaner production (I.F. 9.8), Materials Advances (I.F. 5.2), Molecular Liquids (I.F. 5.3), RSC Advances (I.F. 4.5) etc. Dr Kaur is serving as a reviewer for many prestigious journals, including Environmental Management, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Environmental Research etc.

Abstract: 
This work reports a novel eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using plant extract. These nanoparticles demonstrated strong potential for applications in both environmental remediation and antimicrobial activity. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the monoclinic crystal structure of the CuO NPs, with a calculated crystallite size of 11 nm. Morphological characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed a diverse range of shapes, including elongated, hexagonal, and pentagonal forms, features that enhance surface reactivity. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the elemental presence of copper and oxygen in the synthesized material. UV-visible spectroscopy showed a distinct absorption peak at 363 nm, indicating the successful formation of a visible-light-responsive CuO photocatalyst. The optical band gap was estimated to be 2.36 eV based on the absorption spectrum. For adsorption studies, key operational parameters such as pH, initial dye concentration, catalyst dosage, and contact time, were systematically optimized. Under visible light irradiation, the CuO NPs achieved 98.9% degradation of Methyl Orange dye within 90 minutes. Kinetic analysis followed a pseudo-first-order model, with a rate constant of 0.073?min?¹. Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles exhibited notable antibacterial activity, forming clear inhibition zones against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Overall, this green synthesis route offers a sustainable and low-toxicity strategy for producing multifunctional CuO NPs, highlighting their potential in wastewater treatment and antimicrobial defense.