Material Science and Technology

Shenglai Yao is a researcher affiliated with Technische Universität Berlin, Germany, specializing in inorganic and materials chemistry. His research focuses on the design and synthesis of zero-valent group 14 ligands, particularly silylones and germylones, and their role in stabilizing electron-rich transition metal complexes. These compounds exhibit unique electronic structures with strong σ-donor properties, making them highly promising for applications in coordination chemistry and advanced materials development. Dr. Yao’s work contributes to a deeper understanding of bonding, reactivity, and the materials potential of silicon- and germanium-based ligand systems.

Hande Gunduz is a researcher at Koç University, Turkey, with expertise in photodynamic therapy, chemical biology, and biomedical applications of photosensitizers. Her research focuses on the development of organelle-targeting, activity-based hemicyanine derivatives for selective type-I photodynamic therapy (PDT). This work aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy by precisely controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation within specific cellular organelles.

Her studies contribute to advancing PDT as a clinically relevant, non-invasive cancer treatment, addressing challenges such as drug resistance and limited oxygen availability while supporting antitumor immune responses. Through interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine, Dr. Gunduz is helping to shape next-generation light-activated cancer therapies.

Dr. Adiguzel is a retired Professor of Physics with over 45 years of academic and research experience. He earned his PhD from Dicle University, Turkey, and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Surrey, UK, focusing on shape memory alloys. He served at Dicle University and Firat University, becoming Professor in 1996 and retiring in 2019.

Dr. Adiguzel has authored 80+ research publications, supervised 5 PhD and 3 MSc theses, and delivered numerous keynote and invited talks at international conferences. He has held leadership roles as conference chair/co-chair and served as Director of the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences at Firat University. His contributions to materials research were recognized by the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) for significant input to the Powder Diffraction File.

Agne Kairyte has completed her PhD at the age of 29 years from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University in the field of Materials Engineering. She has published more than 60 papers in reputed journals and participated in international and national conferences.