"I was born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Since childhood, I have been deeply interested in physics, mechanics, and optics—passions that later shaped my professional path. In 2016, I began my Bachelor’s studies in Applied Physics at SFedU in my hometown. From 2018, I worked on thin ferroelectric niobate films (perovskite and tungsten bronze structures), producing them by RF sputtering and characterizing them using XRD and atomic force microscopy. In 2020, I moved to St. Petersburg to pursue my Master’s degree at ITMO University. There, I synthesized elpasolite-type nanocrystals using colloidal hot-injection, purified them, and characterized their optical properties. I also developed down-conversion LEDs with a conversion layer based on these nanocrystals. After graduation, I continued my research at ITMO, synthesizing carbon nanodots (CNDs) hydrothermally, characterizing them optically, and developing responsive CND-based sensors for solvent polarity and acidity. I also fabricated polymer-functionalized CND-based LEDs with direct charge injection, performing all fabrication steps, including photoresist processing, ITO etching, spin-coating, and thermal evaporation In 2025, I moved to Besançon to continue my research career internationally and joined the MSCA DN HINA project at the FEMTO-ST Institute. My current research focuses on the growth and optimization of epitaxial and textured KTN thin films via DLI-CVD."

"I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Physics in Pakistan, graduating with two gold medals. Later, I pursued a fully funded Master’s degree in Materials Science as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) scholar within the program Master in Materials Science Exploring Large Scale Facilities (MaMaSELF). I studied at the University of Rennes in France and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany. During the program, I completed a summer internship at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, where I explored magnetic ordering in rare earth halides using neutron scattering. For my master’s thesis at TUM, I employed various fabrication and advanced characterization techniques for thin films, focusing on quantum dot-based solar cells."

"I am Diana, a PhD student within Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growth (IKZ) within the University of Humboldt in Berlin—a city with its own famously fragmented past. Ironically, I come from another place that knows a thing or two about being divided between empires—sunny, mountainous Armenia. Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by how we can make computers faster and more secure. This interest led me to do my Bachelor’s thesis in quantum computing at Yerevan State University in Armenia. Later, during my Master’s at Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, I became interested in neuromorphic computing and wrote my thesis on that topic. I continued exploring it at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, where I also gained experience in materials science. Eventually, I joined the HINA project, working on freestanding KNN/KTN films and their potential in advanced electronics under the supervision of Dr. Jens Martin. Outside the lab, I enjoy ballet, improvisation comedy, and astrology."

"I was born in a rectangle between the Atlantic Ocean and Spain called Portugal. At the University of Minho, during my bachelor's and master's degrees in Physics, I focused more and more on the field of Materials. As a research fellow at INL, I had the opportunity to discover more about the nanoworld through the analysis of solar cells using electron microscopy techniques."

"I grew up in Romania, where my fascination with the way materials shape the world around us led me to study Applied Physics for my bachelor’s degree. This curiosity continued into my master’s in Renewable Energy Systems at Ovidius University, where I became particularly interested in how materials influence energy technologies. During my studies, I had the opportunity to work at the National Institute of Materials Physics in Măgurele, gaining hands-on experience with techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, thin-film deposition, and solar-simulator measurements. These experiences sparked my passion for materials science and motivated me to pursue a PhD, where I hope to further explore the properties of functional materials and their potential applications."

"As a Pakistani girl, I come from a physics background, with a strong interest in how light, materials, and energy interact. During my bachelor’s studies, I synthesized a novel vanadate material, Cu₂V₄O₁₁, which I later used to successfully develop a hybrid Zn-ion battery–supercapacitor system. This project introduced me to experimental research and strengthened my curiosity for linking materials to device performance. For my MPhil in Optics and Photonic Engineering, I expanded my focus to computational materials science, carrying out DFT simulations on perovskite hydrides for hydrogen storage. This experience made me a gold medalist from University of the Punjab, and gave me a deeper understanding of how electronic structure governs energy-related properties. Currently, as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral fellow (DC10) at aixACCT Systems GmbH, Germany, my research focuses on the development and validation of an ellipsometer system for characterizing electro-optic and piezoelectric materials. My work combines optical design, simulation, and experimental validation, aiming to bridge academic precision with industrial application. Outside of research, I enjoy reading, painting, and long walks. I’m particularly fascinated by black holes, super-asymmetry, and the broader questions of modern physics."

"I grew up in Valencia, a city in the coast of Spain, where I studied a bachelor's degree in Physics. When I finished my bachelor's I spend two years working in different fields, including Physics in medicine and auditing and consulting of R & D projects for the local government of my region. Then I decided to pursue a Master's degree abroad. After that, I studied Optics and Photonics in Karlsruhe (Germany) where I have been living for the last two years. I consider that this time has been a really good opportunity for both personal and academic growth, since it gave me the chance to work while studying in a research team that derived in startup called Rheoo in the field of thin film deposition and Bragg filter design. During my second year of Master's I also decided to become board member of Oskar, the optics student organization of Karlsruhe, which was a good networking opportunity to meet new people of different parts of the field, both in industry and academia and to help our community grow."

"I was born in 1998 in Bergamo, Italy, but soon moved with my family to Massa-Carrara in Tuscany, where I grew up and lived until starting university. Driven from an early age by a deep curiosity about how things work, I began my Bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of Pisa in 2017. I graduated in 2020 with a thesis on "laser manipulation of atomic vapors", an experience that sparked my interest in experimental condensed-matter physics and quantum devices. I continued my academic path with a Master’s degree in Physics of Matter, also at the University of Pisa. I completed my Master’s thesis, titled "Investigation of parallel double quantum dots in heterostructured polytypic nanowires for the development of novel THz detectors", under the supervision of Prof. S. Roddaro and Prof. A. Tredicucci. After graduating, I worked for one year as a research fellow on "Measurements and simulations of ultrasensitive thermomechanical bolometers for Terahertz radiation" under Prof. A. Pitanti. I have now begun my PhD on "High-frequency SAW resonators for applications in quantum technology", as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network HINA (Hybrid Integration of Alkaline Niobate–Tantalate Films for Advanced Photonic and Piezoelectric Devices). I carry out my research at the Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik (PDI) in Berlin, under the supervision of A. Hernández-Mínguez and M. Yuan. I am excited to explore how cutting-edge piezoelectric and phononic platforms can interface with emerging quantum technologies. My research interests lie at the intersection of fundamental physics and device applications. I especially enjoy working in environments where new physical concepts can be transformed into functional technologies—an area where curiosity, experimentation, and innovation naturally meet."

"I come from Saint Petersburg, Russia. I've completed my bachelor's and master's degrees in the International Center for Physics of Nanostractures of ITMO University in 2025. I've had a greate and fruitful time conducting research in both nanodiamonds and polymer WGM microresonators in ITMO, but decided to take upon this promising opportunity to work in the HINA project with professor Giuseppe Leo in Paris. This chance really means a great deal to me, and I'm prepared for the exciting work in the following years! Apart from my main occupation I really love to travel, study interplay between culture and politics, and cycle!"