Max Planck Research Group Leaders

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Justus Thies

Dr. Justus Thies · CPTS

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems · Tübingen, Germany

Email
justus [dot] thies [at] tum [dot] de
justus [dot] thies [at] gmail [dot] com

Biography

Justus Thies leads the Neural Capture & Synthesis Group at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. He received his PhD from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in 2017 for his research on marker-less motion capturing of facial performances and its applications.

More recently, he focuses on neural image synthesis techniques that allow for video editing and creation. His work combines methods from the Computer Vision, the Machine Learning and the Computer Graphics field. He publishes regularly at top tier conferences with broad impact not only in the research community but also in public media.

He is particularly known for his work on facial reenactment and video manipulation (e.g., Face2Face).

Education and positions held

  • 2017-2021:
    • Visual Computing & Artificial Intelligence (Prof. Nießner), Technical University of Munich (Postdoc)
  • 2014-2017:
    • Computer Graphics (Prof. Greiner), University of Erlangen Nuremberg (PhD student)
  • 2008-2014:
    • Computer Science, University of Erlangen Nuremberg (Bachelor/Master)

Research Summary

The main theme of my work is to capture and to (re-)synthesize the real world using commodity hardware. It includes the modeling of the human body, tracking, as well as the reconstruction and interaction with the environment.

The digitization is needed for various applications in AR/VR as well as in movie (post-)production. Teleconferencing and working in VR is of high interest for many companies ranging from social media platforms to car manufacturer. It enables the remote interaction in VR, e.g., the inspection of 3D content like CAD models or scans from real objects. A realistic reproduction of appearances and motions is key for such applications.

Thus, my work is closely related to photo-realistic video synthesis and editing. The development of algorithms for photo-realistic creation or editing of image content comes with a certain responsibility, since the generation of photo-realistic imagery can be misused. That’s why I’m also working on the detection of synthetic or manipulated images and videos (Digital Multi-media Forensics).

Key publications

  • J. Thies, M. Zollhöfer, M. Stamminger, C. Theobalt, and M. Nießner. Face2face: Real-time Face Capture and Reenactment of RGB Videos. In Proc. Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), IEEE, 2016.
  • A. Rössler, D. Cozzolino, L. Verdoliva, C. Riess, J. Thies, and M. Nießner. FaceForensics++: Learning to Detect Manipulated Facial Images. ICCV, 2019.
  • V. Sitzmann, J. Thies, F. Heide, M. Nießner, G. Wetzstein, and M. Zollhöfer. DeepVoxels: Learning Persistent 3D Feature Embeddings. In Proc. Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), IEEE, 2019.
  • J. Thies, M. Zollhöfer, and M. Nießner. Deferred Neural Rendering: Image Synthesis using Neural Textures. ACM Transactions on Graphics 2019 (TOG), 2019.
  • J. Thies, M. Elgharib, A. Tewari, C. Theobalt, and M. Nießner. Neural Voice Puppetry: Audio-driven Facial Reenactment. In Proc. European Conference on Computer Vision, 2020.

Manuel Spitschan

Dr. Manuel Spitschan · BMS

Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics · Tübingen, Germany

Email

manuel [dot] spitschan [at] psy [dot] ox [dot] ac [dot] uk

Biography

Dr Manuel Spitschan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of St Andrews (M.A. (Hons); 2012) and his doctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania (PhD; 2016). After a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford, he joined the University of Oxford in 2017 funded by a prestigious Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship. In 2020, he was awarded the title University Research Lecturer.

Dr Spitschan serves as member on Technical Committee 1-98 of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE TC 1-98), the OSA Color Technical Group executive committee, and as Daylight Academy member.

Education and positions held

  • 2020-2021:
    • University of Oxford, University Research Lecturer
  • 2017-2020:
    • University of Oxford, Research Fellow
  • 2016-2017:
    • Stanford University, Postdoctoral Fellow
  • 2012-2016:
    • University of Pennsylvania, Doctoral training (PhD)
  • 2009-2012:
    • University of St Andrews, Undergraduate training (M.A. Honours)

Research Summary

Light exerts a profound influence on human physiology and behavior, and at the wrong time can disrupt the circadian system. My research focuses on the impact of light on visual and non-visual physiology, with a specific emphasis on developing our understanding of the retinal mechanisms underlying the non-visual effects of light and translation of these findings into real-world settings.

Key publications

  • Spitschan, M., Mead, J., Roos, C., Lowis, C, Griffiths, B., Mucur, P., Herf, M. (2021) luox: novel open-access and open-source web platform for calculating and sharing physiologically relevant quantities for light and lighting [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. Wellcome Open Research. doi:10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16595.1
  • Spitschan, M. (2019). Melanopsin contributions to non-visual and visual function. Curr Opin Behav Sci, 30, 67-72. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.06.004
  • Spitschan, M., Lazar, R., Yetik, E., & Cajochen, C. (2019). No evidence for an S cone contribution to acute neuroendocrine and alerting responses to light. Curr Biol, 29(24), R1297-R1298. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2019.11.031
  • Spitschan, M., Bock, A. S., Ryan, J., Frazzetta, G., Brainard, D. H., & Aguirre, G. K. (2017). The human visual cortex response to melanopsin-directed stimulation is accompanied by a distinct perceptual experience. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 114(46), 12291-12296. doi:10.1073/pnas.1711522114
  • Spitschan, M., Jain, S., Brainard, D. H., & Aguirre, G. K. (2014). Opponent melanopsin and S-cone signals in the human pupillary light response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 111(43), 15568-15572. doi:10.1073/pnas.1400942111

Kartik Ayyer

Kartik Ayyer · CPTS

Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter · Hamburg, Germany

Email
kartik [dot] ayyer [at] mpsd [dot] mpg [dot] de

Biography

After completing his Bachelor’s degree from IIT Delhi, Kartik worked with Veit Elser in the Physics department of Cornell University on reconstruction algorithms in X-ray imaging. He completed his PhD in 2014 on “”Reconstructing images from sparse data””. He then went to work in the experimental group of Henry Chapman at the Center for Free Electron Laser Science in DESY, Hamburg where he continued his work on X-ray single particle imaging, but also worked on understanding diffuse scattering from protein crystals, fiber diffraction and intensity interferometry from incoherent light sources.

Since November 2018, Kartik has been leading the Computational Nanoscale Imaging independent research group at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg.

Education and positions held

  • 2014 – 2018
    • Postdoctoral Researcher, CFEL, DESY, Hamburg, Germany
  • 2009 – 2014
    • PhD in Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
  • 2005 – 2009
    • BTech in Engineering Physics, IIT Delhi, Delhi, India

Research Summary

We work on creating new methods for imaging of nanoscale objects, primarily using X-rays. Within this area, we work on developing analysis algorithms, often involving the solving of ill-posed inverse problems, and applying them to experimental data.

One of the techniques we are involved in is X-ray single particle imaging, where the extremely bright and short pulses of X-ray free electron lasers are used to collect snapshots of nanoscale particles like biomolecules. We then combine these wea patterns to get 3D structures, or in some cases families of structures of these dynamic objects. Other techniques our group members work on include protein crystal diffuse scattering which gives insight into the equilibrium dynamics of proteins, fluorescence intensity interferometry for sensing applications and correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM).

Key publications

  • Ayyer, K., Yefanov, O. M., Oberthür, D., Roy-Chowdhury, S., Galli, L., Mariani, V., … & Chapman, H. N. (2016). Macromolecular diffractive imaging using imperfect crystals. Nature, 530(7589), 202-206.
  • Ayyer, K., Lan, T. Y., Elser, V., & Loh, N. D. (2016). Dragonfly: an implementation of the expand–maximize–compress algorithm for single-particle imaging. Journal of applied crystallography, 49(4), 1320-1335.
  • Classen, A., Ayyer, K., Chapman, H. N., Röhlsberger, R., & von Zanthier, J. (2017). Incoherent diffractive imaging via intensity correlations of hard x rays. Physical review letters, 119(5), 053401.
  • Seuring, C., Ayyer, K., Filippaki, E., Barthelmess, M., Longchamp, J. N., Ringler, P., … & Chapman, H. N. (2018). Femtosecond X-ray coherent diffraction of aligned amyloid fibrils on low background graphene. Nature communications, 9(1), 1-10.
  • Ayyer, Kartik. “”Reference-enhanced x-ray single-particle imaging.”” Optica 7.6 (2020): 593-601.

Adam Izdebski

Dr. hab. Adam Izdebski · GSH

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History · Jena, Germany

Email
izdebski [at] shh [dot] mpg [dot] de

Biography

Born and educated in Bydgoszcz, Poland, I spent my university years studying broadly across different disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, taking advantage of an experimental liberal arts program at the University of Warsaw. I have been doing interdisciplinary history ever since, focusing on parallel use of natural scientific, archaeological and textual evidence to answer questions about the complex societies of the past and their social-ecological entanglements. I am a member of the Princeton-based Climate Change and History Research Initiative.

Education and positions held

  • 2020
    • Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Faculty of History: Habilitation
  • 2017 – 2018
    • Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton: Member (School of Historical Studies)
  • 2012
    • Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Institute of History: Assistant/Associate Professor
  • 2017
    • University of Warsaw, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Visiting Professor
  • 2016
    • Princeton University: Visiting Professor in the Council of the Humanities
  • 2011 – 2012
    • Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow
  • 2011
    • University of Warsaw, Faculty of History: PhD in History
  • 2008
    • University of Oxford, Faculty of History: MSt in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies
  • 2008
    • University of Warsaw, Faculty of Psychology: MA in Psychology: Psychometrics
  • 2007
    • University of Warsaw, Faculty of History: MA in History: History of Late Antiquity

Research Summary

On the one hand, I am interested in questions of methodology: how to combine the evidence coming from the natural sciences and the humanities when studying highly literate and complex societies that developed in Eurasia over the last 3,000 years. This poses major practical and theoretiacal challenges, and overcoming them requires both refinement of existing methods and critical philosophical explorations. On the other hand, I am interested in concrete historical questions that deal with past social-ecological systems. How did the fragmentation/disintegration of the Roman global system at the end of Antiquity affect ecosystems across the Mediterranean and the well-being of individual, ordinary people? What was the actual role of climatic variability in historical developments and culture? What constitutes resilience to environmental stress in complex socities and how can we learn from the experience of the past to cope with the looming crisis of the Anthropocene? Is the challenge we are facing something new, or in some way it reiterates the tensions and structural tendencies present in past complex social-ecological systems? More broadly, in these contexts, I reflect on the role that narrating history (telling stories) has to play in the post-modern Anthropocene societies, as a source of both hope and critical, realistic thinking.

Key publications

  • Izdebski A., Słoczyński T., Bonnier A., Koloch G., Kouli K., Landscape Change and Trade in Ancient Greece: Evidence from Pollen Data, Economic Journal (2020): 10.1093/ej/ueaa026.
  • Mordechai L., Eisenberg M., Newfield T., Izdebski A., Kay J., Poinar H, The Justinianic Plague: An inconsequential pandemic?, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 116/51 (2019): 25546-25554.
  • Izdebski, A., L. Mordechai, S. White. The Social Burden of Resilience: A Historical Perspective. Human Ecology, 46 (2018) 291-303.
  • Izdebski A., Holmgren K., Weiberg E., Stocker S., Büntgen U., Florenzano A., Gogou A., Leroy S.A.G., Luterbacher J., Martrat B., Masi A., Mercuri A.M., Montagna P., Sadori L., Schneider A., Sicre M.-A., Triantaphyllou M., Xoplaki E., Realising consilience: how better communication between archaeologists, historians and geoscientists can transform the study of past climate change in the Mediterranean, Quaternary Science Reviews 136 (2016) 5-22.
  • Izdebski A., A Rural Economy in Transition. Asia Minor from Late Antiquity into the Early Middle Ages [= Journal of Jouristic Papyrology Supplement Series 18]. Warsaw 2013: Taubenschlag Foundation.
Program 2022

Program 2022

 
Tues 17th May 12:00-13:00 Registration and Lunch    
13:00-13:30 Intro and update by the representatives
13:30-14:30 New MPRGL intro talks: CPT – Yiting Xia (in person) GSH – Mariana Dias-Paes (remote) GSH – Laurel Raffington (remote)
14:30-15:00 Coffee break
15:00-16:00 Future of the MPRGL program: Tenure Track Model – discussion with Prof. Dr. Keimer, head of the scientific council (remote)
16:00-17:00 New MPRGL intro talks: CPT – Thomas Wiegand (in person) BMS – Rosanne Rademaker (in person) BMS – Melanie McDowell (remote)
17:00-18:00 Q&A and open discussion
18:00-18:30 Institute Tour
19:00 -22:00 Dinner
Wed 18th May 9:30-10:30 Public Outreach and Social Media with Dr. Maren Berhoff, head of PR, MPI Age
10:30-11:00 Break-out groups (sections) for elections
11:00-11:30 Break
11:30-12:30 MPRGL alumni – Directors and Profs panel (remote) CPT: Cathryn FitzsimmonsGSH: Sonja Vernes BMS: Jocken Rink
12:30-13:00 Closing remarks, welcome new speakers and farewell outgoing speakers
13:00-13:30 Lunch
 

Denise Kühnert

Dr. Denise Kühnert · GSH

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History · Jena, Germany

Email
kuehnert [at] shh [dot] mpg [dot] de
denise [dot] kuehnert [at] gmail [dot] com

Biography

I am a “free-floating” Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History (MPI-SHH), where I am leading the Transmission, Infection, Diversification & Evolution Group (tide). Prior to this, I was a Marie-Heim Vögtlin Fellow in the infectious disease unit of the University Hospital Zurich, and an ETH Zurich fellow at the ETH Zürich, Switzerland, developing phylodynamic methods for the analysis of infectious disease dynamics. I obtained my PhD in Computer Science from the University of Auckland.

Education and positions held

  • 2017-2018: University Hospital Zurich, Marie-Heim Vögtlin Fellow.
  • 2013-2017: ETH Zürich, Postdoctoral Fellow.
  • 2013: University of Auckland, PhD in Computer Science.

Research Summary

The tide group’s main scientific goal is a broader understanding of infectious disease dynamics of modern and ancient pathogen outbreaks, as well as the dynamics of culture and language throughout history, and the potential demography-driven interactions between pathogen outbreaks and language evolution that shaped human history. tide is at the interface of mathematical epidemiology, evolution, ecology and infectious diseases. We develop phylogenetic tools to address important questions in the fields of epidemiology, pathogen evolution and language evolution.

Key publications

  • S. Sabin, A. Herbig, A. J. Vågene, T. Ahlstr ̈om, G. Bozovic, C. Arcini, D. Kühnert*, and K. I. Bos*, “A seventeenth-century Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome supports a Neolithic emergence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex,” Genome Biol, vol. 21, p. 201, Aug 2020. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-020-02112-1.
  • R. Barquera, T. C. Lamnidis, A. K. Lankapalli, A. Kocher, D. I. Hernández-Zaragoza, E. A. Nelson, A. C. Zamora-Herrera, P. Ramallo, N. Bernal-Felipe, A. Immel, K. Bos, V. Acuña-Alonzo, C. Barbieri, P. Roberts, A. Herbig, D. Kühnert*, L. Márquez-Morfín*, and J. Krause*, “Origin and health status of first-generation africans from early colonial mexico,” Curr Biol, vol. 30, pp. 2078–2091.e11, Jun 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.04.002
  • D.Kühnert,R.Kouyos,G.Shirreff,J.Pečerska,A.U.Scherrer,J.Böni,S.Yerly,T.Klimkait, V. Aubert, H. F. Günthard, T. Stadler, S. Bonhoeffer, and Swiss HIV Cohort Study, “Quan- tifying the fitness cost of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations through phylodynamics,” PLoS Pathog, vol. 14, p. e1006895, 02 2018. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006895
  • D. Kühnert, T. Stadler, T. G. Vaughan, and A. J. Drummond, “Phylodynamics with Migra- tion: A Computational Framework to Quantify Population Structure from Genomic Data,” Mol Biol Evol, vol. 33, pp. 2102–16, Aug 2016. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msw064
  • T. Stadler*, D. Kühnert*, S. Bonhoeffer, and A. J. Drummond, “Birth-death skyline plot reveals temporal changes of epidemic spread in HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV),” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, vol. 110, no. 1, pp. 228–33, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1207965110

Eugene Kim

Dr. Eugene Kim · BMS

Max Planck Institute for Biophysics · Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Email
eugene [dot] kim [at] biophys [dot] mpg [dot] de

Biography

I currently hold a Research Group Leader position at Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysics.

Having graduated from University of Jena, Germany in 2013 with a MSc degree in Physics, I moved to the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, Germany. Under the supervision of Dr. Frank Vollmer, I successfully completed my PhD entitled “Ensemble and single-molecule biosensing with optical microcavities” in 2017.

From 2017 until early 2021 I held a postdoctoral researcher position in the group of Prof. Cees Dekker at TU Delft, Netherlands. My work focused on understanding motor activities of Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) protein complexes using single molecule fluorescence microscopy. During this time I was awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research fellowship.

Education and positions held

  • 2017-2021 Postdoctoral research fellow at the Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
  • 2013-2017 PhD in Physics at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
  • 2010-2013 MSc* in Photonics at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
  • Master* in Photonics Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland (*Erasmus Mundus Double Master program in Optics in Science and Technology)
  • 2006-2010 BSc in Engineering at the Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea

Research Summary

In all organisms, chromosome must be compacted nearly three orders of magnitude to fit within the confines of cells, while simultaneously allowing a myriad of DNA-based processes, including replication, transcription, repair, recombination, and integration. Yet, the basic principles of the formation and regulation of the 3D structures of genome have remained unclear.

Our group aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms governing 3D genome organization: how chromatins are folded and twisted, and how these topologies affect genome functions. To this end, we will employ single-molecule fluorescence imaging, single-molecule force spectroscopy, and correlative light and electron microscopy techniques to probe and interrogate individual molecules in vitro.

By studying individual biochemical processes that constitute genome packaging at high spatiotemporal resolution, we hope to extract the universal principles that underlie chromosome organization across all forms of life.

Key publications

  • E. Kim, J. Kerssemakers, I. A. Shaltiel, C. H. Haering, C. Dekker, DNA-loop extruding condensin complexes can traverse one another. Nature 579, 438–442(2020)
  • A.M.O. Elbatsh, E. Kim, J.M. Eeftens, J.A. Raaijmakers, R.H. van der Weide, S. Bravo, M. Ganji, J. uit de Bos, H. Teunissen, R.H. Medema, E. de Wit, C.H. Haering, C. Dekker, B.D. Rowland, Distinct Roles for Condensin’s Two ATPase Sites in Chromosome Condensation. Molecular Cell, 76 (5), 724-737. e5, (2019)
  • M. Ganji, I.A. Shaltiel*, S. Bisht*, E. Kim, A. Kalichava, C.H. Haering, C. Dekker, Real-time imaging of DNA loop extrusion by condensin. Science 360 102-105 (2018)
  • E. Kim, M.D. Baaske, I. Schuldes, P.S. Wilsch, F. Vollmer, Label-free optical detection of single enzyme-reactant reactions and associated conformational changes. Science Advances, 3 (3), e1603044, (2017)
  • E. Kim, M.D. Baaske, F. Vollmer, In Situ Observation of Single-Molecule Surface Reactions from Low to High Affinities. Advanced Materials, 28 (45), 9941-9948, (2016)
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Alexander Badri-Spröwitz

Dr. Sc. Alexander Badri-Spröwitz · CPTS

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems · Stuttgart, Germany

Email
sprowitz [at] is [dot] mpg [dot] de

Biography

I worked on feedback-driven central pattern generators (BvP model) on a small humanoid hopping robot for my Diploma thesis, with my supervisors Hartmut Witte at Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany and Luc Berthouze in Tsukuba, Japan at AIST.

At Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland) I developed the YaMor II and the Roombots self-reconfiguring modular robot platform, for my PhD thesis at Auke Jan Ijspeert’s Biorobotics laboratory. For my postgraduate studies I co-developed the quadruped robot series Cheetah-cub, Bobcat robot, and Oncilla robot, also at the Biorobotics lab.

I worked with Jonathan Hurst at Oregon State University (USA) on the ATRIAS2.1 robot. I had an exciting research stay with Monica Daley at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC, London, UK) working on locomotion of the helmeted guineafowl, a ground running bird. After, I worked with Metin Sitti at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.

I currently lead the Dynamic Locomotion Group at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, as a MP Research Group Leader. I am also faculty member at the International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems (IMPRS-IS) , and Associate Member of the Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems.

Education and positions held

  • 2016 – present
    • MPRGL Dynamic Locomotion Group, Stuttgart, Germany
  • 2015 – 2016
    • Postdoc Researcher MPI-IS Stuttgart, with Metin Sitti
  • 2013 – 2014
    • Postdoc Researcher Oregon State University (USA) + RVC, London (UK), with Jonathan Hurst and Monica Daley
  • 2011 – 2012
    • Postdoc Researcher EPFL, Biorobotics Laboratory, Switzerland, with Auke Ijspeert
  • 2006 – 2010
    • PhD in Manufacturing Systems and Robotics, EPFL, Switzerland, with Auke Ijspeert
  • 1999 – 2005
    • Diplom Mechantronics, TU Ilmenau

Research Summary

I am researching the mechanisms leading to dynamic legged locomotion in animals. I focus on aspects of animal biomechanics, morphology, and neurocontrol. My team and I are testing biomechanical and control models, and we develop legged robots, their computer models, and biomechanical experiments.

We apply legged robots as research platforms to produce experimental data under realistic conditions. We can cross-check our data with that of running animals. This enables us identifying the relationship between effects, and draw conclusions about causalities.

My interest include: bioinspired and biomimicking locomotion, bioinspired approaches to sensors, learning locomotion, both in animals and robots.

Key publications

  • Spröwitz, Alexander, Alexandre Tuleu, Massimo Vespignani, Mostafa Ajallooeian, Emilie Badri, and Auke Ijspeert. “Towards Dynamic Trot Gait Locomotion: Design, Control and Experiments with Cheetah-Cub, a Compliant Quadruped Robot.” International Journal of Robotics Research 32, no. 8 (2013): 932 – 950. https://doi.org/10.1177/0278364913489205.
  • Spröwitz, Alexander, Rico Moeckel, Jerome Maye, and Auke Jan Ijspeert. “Learning to Move in Modular Robots Using Central Pattern Generators and Online Optimization.” The International Journal of Robotics Research 27, no. 3–4 (March 1, 2008): 423–43. https://doi.org/10.1177/0278364907088401.
  • Hubicki, Christian, Jesse Grimes, Mikhail Jones, Daniel Renjewski, Alexander Spröwitz, Andy Abate, and Jonathan Hurst. “ATRIAS: Design and Validation of a Tether-Free 3D-Capable Spring-Mass Bipedal Robot.” The International Journal of Robotics Research 35, no. 12 (October 1, 2016): 1497–1521. https://doi.org/10.1177/0278364916648388.
  • Renjewski, Daniel, Alexander Spröwitz, Andrew Peekema, Mikhail Jones, and Jonathan Hurst. “Exciting Engineered Passive Dynamics in a Bipedal Robot.” IEEE Transactions on Robotics 31, no. 5 (September 16, 2015): 1244–1251. https://doi.org/10.1109/TRO.2015.2473456.
  • Spröwitz, Alexander T., Alexandre Tuleu, Mostafa Ajallooeian, Massimo Vespignani, Rico Möckel, Peter Eckert, Michiel D’Haene, et al. “Oncilla Robot: A Versatile Open-Source Quadruped Research Robot With Compliant Pantograph Legs.” Frontiers in Robotics and AI 5 (2018). https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2018.00067.

Birgit Stiller

Dr. Birgit Stiller · CPTS

Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light · Erlangen, Germany

Email
birgit [dot] stiller [at] mpl [dot] mpg [dot] de

Biography

Birgit Stiller is an experimental physicist and the leader of an independent Max Planck Research Group on “Quantum Optoacoustics” at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) in Erlangen, Germany. From 2015 to 2019 she held a position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sydney (Prof. Benjamin Eggleton), Australia, working on integrated photonic circuits.

Before that she was a Postdoctoral Researcher in the field of quantum communications, specifically quantum key distribution and quantum hacking at the MPL (Prof. Gerd Leuchs). She received her PhD from the CNRS Institute FEMTO-ST and the University of Franche-Comte in Besancon, France, where she was one of the pioneers on Brillouin scattering in photonic crystal fibers (Dr. Thibaut Sylvestre, Dr. Jean-Charles Beugnot).

Dr. Stiller has authored two book chapters, 30 journal articles, and more than 90 conference and workshop contributions, including five postdeadline papers. She is the recipient of the Prix A’Doc 2011 of the University of Franche-Comté (France) and she received scholarships from the Cusanuswerk and the CNRS.

Education and positions held

  • 2015-2019:
    • Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Sydney
  • 2012-2015:
    • Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
  • 2012-2012:
    • Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the CNRS FEMTO-ST Institute, Besancon, France
  • 2009-2012:
    • PhD thesis at the CNRS FEMTO-ST Institute, Besancon, France

Research Summary

Our research fields of interest span from nonlinear optics to quantum optics with a focus on light-sound interactions and waveguide optomechanics. The physics of optical waves interacting with acoustic or mechanic vibrations is fascinating because it links two very different domains in terms of frequency, velocity, dissipation, and other properties.

Our aim is to explore this interaction experimentally at the classical and quantum level with suitably engineered microstructured fibers and nanowaveguides to manipulate, in this way, light states.

Key publications

  • Coherently refreshed acoustic phonons for extended light storage,
    B. Stiller*, M. Merklein*, C. Wolff, K. Vu, P. Ma, S. J. Madden, and B. J. Eggleton,
    Optica 7 (5), 492-497 (2020).
    arXiv:1904.13167.
  • Crosstalk-free multi-wavelength coherent light storage via Brillouin interaction,
    B. Stiller*, M. Merklein*, C. G. Poulton, K. Vu, P. Ma, S. J. Madden, and B. J. Eggleton,
    APL Photonics Vol. 4, Issue 4, 040802 (2019).
    arXiv:1803.08626.
  • A chip-integrated coherent photonic-phononic memory
    M. Merklein*, B. Stiller*, K. Vu, S. J. Madden, and B. J. Eggleton,
    Nature Communications 8, 574 (2017).
    arXiv:1608.08767.
  • Quantum-limited measurements of optical signals from a geostationary satellite,
    K. Günthner*, I. Khan*, D. Elser, B. Stiller, Ö. Bayraktar, C. R. Müller, K. Saucke, D. Tröndle, F. Heine, S. Seel, P. Greulich, H. Zech, B. Gütlich, I. Richter, M. Lutzer, S. Philipp-May, R. Meyer, C. Marquardt, and G. Leuchs,
    Optica, Vol. 4, Issue 6, 611-616 (2017).
    arXiv:1608.03511.
  • Risk analysis of Trojan-horse attacks on practical quantum key distribution systems,
    N. Jain, B. Stiller, I. Khan, V. Makarov, C. Marquardt, and G. Leuchs,
    IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, Vol. 21, Issue 3 (2014).
    arXiv: 1408.0492.

* Equally contributed.