Team
Analytical and Materials Characterization Core
Rainer Straubinger
Research Instrumentation Scientist I
Analytical and Materials Characterization Core, Electron Microscopy Lab
Education
PhD in Physics, Philipps University Marburg
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in Material Characterization, with a focus on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for both materials and life science applications. Life sciences expertise includes cell and tissue research using TEM techniques. In materials science, experienced in in-situ TEM analysis, particularly in studying the impact of gases on the thermal stability of semiconductor materials.
James Weston
Research Instrumentation Scientist I
Analytical and Materials Characterization Core
Education
PhD Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Alabama
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in magnetic and structural characterization, nanomechanical testing, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Leads the Analytical and Materials Characterization and the Micro Fabrication teams.
Yao He
Research Instrumentation Scientist I
Analytical and Materials Characterization Core, XRD and Thermal Lab
Education
PhD in Condensed Physics (X-ray Crystallography), Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist with an interdisciplinary background in physics, crystallography, structural biology, and programming. Supports researchers with X-ray diffraction and crystallographic applications. Research interests include instrumentation and methodological development, particularly for macromolecular structure determination.
Prabu Raja
Research Instrumentation Specialist II
Advanced Manufacturing Core, Geotechnical Centrifuge Test Facility
Education
MTech in Manufacturing Management, BITS
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist with expertise in operating, maintaining, and training users on advanced geotechnical centrifuge and structural testing equipment. Manages instrumentation setup, data acquisition systems, and ensures safe and efficient laboratory operations to support research. Experience spans geotechnical centrifuge testing, concrete 3D printing, universal testing machines, fatigue testers, and impact testing apparatus.
Oraib Al-Ketan
Research Instrumentation Scientist II
Advanced Manufacturing Core
Education
PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering, Khalifa University, UAE
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in additive manufacturing and advanced materials. Expertise includes engineering applications of additively manufactured cellular materials and composites, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), and additive manufacturing processes and materials. Focuses on optimizing the relationship between geometry, material properties, and fabrication to develop lightweight, high-performance structures and functional devices. Leads the advanced Manufacturing, Photonics, and Kinesis teams.
Jinumon Govindan
CNC Machinist
Advanced Manufacturing Core
Education
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Kalamassery Government Polytechnic, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
Specialty and Research Focus
CNC Machinist specialized in designing and manufacturing custom devices to support faculty and research needs, developing innovative solutions for specialized research applications.
Hadi Zaatiti
Research Instrumentation Scientist I
Biomedical Imaging Core, NeuroWaves Lab
Education
PhD in Computer Science, Paris-Saclay University and CEA-Saclay, France
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Electroencephalography (EEG) for investigating neural dynamics with millisecond precision. Focuses on multimodal integration of EEG and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to combine high temporal and spatial resolution measures of brain activity. Develops automated analysis pipelines and processing libraries to enhance the reproducibility, scalability, and efficiency of neurophysiological data analysis.
Haidee Paterson
Research Instrumentation Specialist II
Biomedical Imaging Core, Brain Imaging and NeuroWaves Labs
Education
National Diploma in Radiography Diagnostics, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Diagnostic Radiography, South Africa
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG), focusing on safety management, workflow optimization, and multimodal neuroimaging integration. Develops and refines safety protocols, advances MRI capabilities through sequence optimization, and facilitates integration of modalities such as EEG-fMRI and MEG to enhance spatial and temporal precision in brain imaging. Provides training and methodological support to researchers, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality imaging environments that foster reproducibility in neuroimaging research.
Osama Abdullah
Director, Core Technology Platforms
Biomedical Imaging Core (MRI, MEG/EEG, and Small-Animal Imaging)
Education
PhD in Bioengineering, University of Utah
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist and biomedical imaging physicist specializing in multimodal neuroimaging and translational applications. Expertise includes MRI physics, MEG/EEG integration, and small-animal imaging. Supports research activities in quantitative imaging biomarkers and AI-enabled analysis for neurological diseases, pre-surgical planning, and precision diagnostics. Leads the MRI, MEG/EEG, and Small-Animal Imaging team.
Maylis Boitet
Research Instrumentation I
Biomedical Imaging Core, Small Animal Imaging
Education
PhD in Biomedical Science and Technology – Institut Pasteur Korea / University of Science and Technology, South Korea (2023); Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) – VetAgro Sup, National Veterinary School of Lyon, France (2016)
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist with a dual background in veterinary medicine and biomedical imaging. Advances preclinical research through innovative in vivo imaging strategies, managing state-of-the-art optical, microCT, and multiphoton platforms. Integrates imaging into animal research across neuroscience, cancer, and biomaterials, focusing on enhancing reproducibility, enabling longitudinal studies, and expanding experimental possibilities while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare.
Lawrence Torres
Research Instrumentation Specialist III
High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Core
Education
MSc in Physics, Goa University, India
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist providing technical support across multiple core labs, with a focus on the High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Core. Manages the lifecycle of specialized research equipment, optimizing and maintaining the HTS platform, refining workflow scripts, and streamlining hardware-software integrations. Enhances operational efficiency and ensures seamless continuity, supporting high-impact research through collaboration with scientific and operational teams.
Samuel A. Prieto
Research Instrumentation Scientist
Kinesis Lab
Education
PhD in Industrial Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in robotics, automation, and AI-driven data acquisition and processing for the built environment. Focuses on construction robotics, integrating ground robots with artificial intelligence for autonomous data collection in unstructured scenarios. Research interests include multi-robot coordination, humanoid robots, human-robot interaction, and LLM-enabled decision support deployed on robotic platforms.
Rachid Rezgui
Research Instrumentation Scientist II
Light Microscopy Core
Education
PhD in Biophysics, École Polytechnique, France
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist and microscopist supporting two-photon, super-resolution, confocal, FLIM, and widefield imaging. Provides user training, image post-processing support, manages core operations, and leads the Molecular and Cellular Biology and Sequencing teams.
Mostafa Khair
Research Instrumentation Scientist II
Molecular and Cellular Biology Core
Education
PhD in Life and Health Sciences, Lorraine University, France
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in molecular and cellular biology, with expertise spanning flow cytometry, live-cell imaging, proteomics, macromolecule characterization, and in vivo/in vitro systems. Supports multidisciplinary research across NYUAD and with external collaborators in molecular medicine, cancer biology, drug delivery, metabolic disease, and materials science. Research focuses on cancer cell metabolism and its influence on tumor growth, therapeutic response, and chemotherapy resistance.
Sneha Ann Thomas
Research Instrumentation Specialist I
Molecular and Cell Biology Core
Education
MSc in Biochemistry, Bangalore University, India
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist supporting molecular and cellular biology research through effective lab management and maintenance of advanced instrumentation. Assists researchers with mammalian and primary cell culture, biobanking, and comprehensive sample management for diverse research applications. Expertise includes designing and executing cell biology assays to assess viability, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and gene expression, as well as advanced protein detection and molecular analyses to study cellular mechanisms.
Qiang Zhang
Research Instrumentation Scientist II
Micro Fabrication Core
Education
PhD in Material Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in photolithography in cleanroom environments, physical and chemical vapor deposition (PVD and CVD), dry etching, and metrology techniques for material characterization. Research focuses on 2D materials, magnetic field sensors based on magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs), the anomalous Hall effect, and skyrmion motion.
Alejandro Usobiaga
Research Instrumentation Specialist II
Marine Sciences Core
Education
MPhil in Marine Biology, James Cook University
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist specializing in integrating industry and academic best practices for marine operations. Provides users with a balance of safety and operational guidance and bridges the gap between researchers and marine operators to ensure clear communication of needs. Trains and upskills professionals across both academic and industry sectors, and leads the Marine Sciences team.
Rebekka Pentti
Research Instrumentation Specialist I
Marine Sciences Core
Education
BSc Science, Griffith University, Australia
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist in marine research, monitoring, and fieldwork, with expertise in scientific diving and environmental consultancy. Manages scientific diving operations, ensures safe and effective marine fieldwork, and has led diverse marine monitoring and education initiatives across the Arabian Peninsula and Australia, supporting collaborative oceanographic and marine science projects.
Mohamed Ettabib
Research Instrumentation Scientist I
Photonics Core
Education
PhD in Optoelectronics, University of Southampton, UK
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in integrated photonics and nonlinear optics, focusing on silicon-based waveguide platforms. Designs and demonstrates chip-scale devices for all-optical signal processing, including wavelength conversion, phase-sensitive amplification/regeneration, and broadband supercontinuum generation from telecom to mid-infrared ranges. Develops waveguide-enhanced Raman spectroscopy platforms for environmental and biosensing applications.
Marc Arnoux
Research Instrumentation Specialist II
Sequencing Core
Education
MSc in Genetics, Genomics and Plant Physiology, University Montpellier II
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist specializing in advanced sequencing technologies to gain insights from complex genomes and transcriptomes. Experienced with platforms such as Illumina, PacBio, and Oxford Nanopore, and focuses on developing efficient, scalable sequencing workflows that integrate cutting-edge genomic techniques into routine research.
Liaqat Ali
Research Instrumentation Scientist II
Spectrometry and Spectroscopy Core
Education
PhD in Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Gothenburg University, Sweden
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in advanced multi-omics methodologies integrating proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. Research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of metabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Expertise in mass spectrometry and data integration supports biomarker discovery and precision medicine.
Matthew J. O'Connor
Research Instrumentation Scientist II
Spectrometry and Spectroscopy Core
Education
PhD in Organic Chemistry, University of Oregon, USA
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in advanced NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry for structural characterization of complex organic and biological materials. Expertise includes NMR analysis of polysaccharides and small-molecule compounds, automated synthetic chemistry using robotic synthesis platforms, and spectroscopic studies of organic dyes and functional materials. Leads the Spectroscopy and Spectrometry team.
Muhammad Shiraz
Research Instrumentation Scientist II
Spectrometry and Spectroscopy Core
Education
Master's in Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Sweden
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Specialist dedicated to advancing multi-omics and analytical research. Ensures the optimal performance of mass spectrometry and chromatography systems, supporting proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, environmental science, and chemistry research. Provides training, workflow optimization, and data acquisition strategies to enhance data quality, instrument reliability, and scientific excellence.
Sabu Varghese
Research Instrumentation Scientist I
Spectrometry and Spectroscopy Core
Education
PhD in Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
Specialty and Research Focus
Research Instrumentation Scientist specializing in solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP)-enhanced methodologies. Develops advanced solid-state NMR techniques to study molecular structure, dynamics, and interactions in complex materials and biomolecular systems. Leads the operation of the region's first wide-bore 600 MHz DNP solid-state NMR system, providing transformative insights across materials science, chemistry, and biological research.