Keynote speakers
Anne L’Huillier
Lund Attosecond Science Center/Division of Atomic Physics, Department of Physics, Lund University, Sweden
Jointly winning the Wolf Prize in Physics 2022 correctly predicted a well-deserved Nobel Prize win in 2023 for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter. Anne L’Huilier and her group have been at the forefront of creating laser sources with shorter and shorter pulses – now down to tens/hundred of attoseconds – with an ultimate goal of studying fundamental quantum phenomena in matter.
Her research spans both the theoretical aspects of ultra-short light beams, pulse shaping and higher harmonic generation, as well as diving into the practical aspects of combining attosecond laser pulses with high output power and subsequently using them for (pump-probe) photelectron spectroscopy and imaging techniques. In fact, one of the current projects is exploring the creation of a ‘high-intensity XUV beamline’ allowing the study of non-linear phenomena in atoms. A development that is reminiscent of how femtosecond FEL sources created new, complementary time-resolved tools with respect to ‘continuous’ synchrotrons beams.
Sushil Sharma
Senior Advisor, Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA
Sushil Sharma is a leading expert in mechanical engineering for synchrotron light sources, with a career spanning over four decades. He played a foundational role in the creation of MEDSI, establishing it as an international platform for mechanical engineers working on accelerator and beamline technologies.
His extensive experience includes leadership roles at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), where he was responsible for designing and developing critical mechanical subsystems for major synchrotron facilities, including NSLS, NSLS-II, APS, and LCLS. His contributions range from pioneering mechanical stability solutions to the development of high-heat-load absorbers, magnet assemblies, and precision alignment techniques. He is also a co-inventor of multiple U.S. patents related to vacuum components for accelerator applications.
Now serving as Senior Advisor at BNL, Sharma continues to contribute to mechanical R&D and strategic initiatives in the field of synchrotron radiation instrumentation.
Saša Zelenika
Vice Rector for Strategic Projects, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Prof. Saša Zelenika is a Full Professor with Tenure at the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Engineering, and Vice-Rector for Strategic Projects. He leads innovation and knowledge valorization activities and heads the EDIH Adria European Digital Innovation Hub and the Innovation Council of the HE INNO2MARE Excellence Hub. He has also contributed to the University’s open science and AI policies.
Prof. Zelenika has had a distinguished career, having previously served as Assistant Minister for Science and Deputy Minister at the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports. He has authored over 220 publications, including two textbooks, a patent, and numerous outreach articles and talks, and has been involved in 11 EU FP projects.
His professional journey began at Sincrotrone Trieste (Elettra SR facility) in Italy (1991-1996), followed by a tenure at the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland (1998-2005), where he led the Mechanical Engineering Group for the Swiss Light Source project. In 2000, he co-initiated the MEDSI conference series.