Tikaram Neupane – Light Matter Interaction – Best Researcher Award 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Tikaram Neupane embarked on his academic path with a strong foundation in physics, culminating in a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter and Optical Physics from Hampton University (2016–2020). His dissertation focused on the third-order optical nonlinearity of tungsten and molybdenum disulfide atomic layers, highlighting his early interest in light-matter interaction phenomena. Prior to this, he earned an MS in Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Wyoming and a Post Graduate Diploma in Earth System Physics from the International Center for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy. His early research projects spanned from quantum materials to geophysical modeling, setting a multidisciplinary foundation for his future work.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Since 2021, Dr. Neupane has served as Assistant Professor of Physics at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he is responsible for teaching, coordinating applied physics programs, and actively recruiting undergraduate students. He also held a postdoctoral research associate position at The University of Southern Mississippi, focusing on ocean optics, ocean color, and remote sensing in collaboration with NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Dr. Neupane’s leadership roles extend beyond academia as he directs regional science fairs, organizes international conferences, and serves on editorial boards and scientific committees.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Neupane’s research centers on light-matter interaction in low-dimensional materials and nanostructures. His Ph.D. work explored nonlinear optical properties, including nonlinear absorption and refraction in atomic layers and quantum dots, UV/Visible absorption, photoluminescence studies, and all-optical switching mechanisms. He has demonstrated advanced phenomena such as polarization-controlled four-wave mixing and second-order hyperpolarizability via self-phase modulation, contributing substantially to the understanding of photon interactions at the nanoscale. His expertise also spans ocean optics and remote sensing, showcasing the breadth of his research in light-matter interaction.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Neupane’s research has had significant impact both in condensed matter physics and applied optics. His work is recognized through awards like the Best Presentation Award at the International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICNST) in 2019 and multiple research grants from NASA and the Department of Defense. His leadership in organizing scientific conferences, serving as guest editor for special journal issues, and evaluating prestigious scholarships reflects his broad influence on the scientific community. His active role in science fairs and community outreach promotes STEM education and inspires the next generation of physicists.

🏆Academic Cites

Dr. Neupane’s publications on light-matter interaction phenomena in nanoscale materials have been cited extensively, underscoring the relevance and innovation of his research. His experimental and theoretical insights into nonlinear optical processes contribute to foundational knowledge utilized by researchers worldwide. These citations reflect the growing recognition of his contributions to the fields of condensed matter physics and applied photonics.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Tikaram Neupane is poised to continue making pioneering contributions to light-matter interaction research, focusing on novel quantum materials and optical phenomena with potential applications in photonics and quantum technologies. His commitment to mentoring students, advancing interdisciplinary research, and fostering scientific collaborations ensures a lasting legacy in both academia and applied physics. As Chair of the 8th ANPA International Physics Conference in 2025, he will further strengthen international scientific dialogue and innovation.

📝Light Matter Interaction

Dr. Neupane’s work significantly advances the understanding of light-matter interaction in atomic layers and quantum dots, driving innovations in nonlinear optics and photonics. His research explores fundamental light-matter interaction mechanisms, such as four-wave mixing and self-phase modulation, providing insights crucial for next-generation optical devices. Through his academic and leadership roles, Dr. Neupane promotes cutting-edge research in light-matter interaction, bridging theoretical physics and practical applications.

✍️ Notable Publication


📝Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in WS2 and MoS2 Atomic Layers

Authors: T. Neupane, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Optical Materials Express, 10(4), 831–842

Year: 2020

Citations: 27


📝Piezoelectricity Enhancement and Bandstructure Modification of Atomic Defect-Mediated MoS2 Monolayer

Authors: S. Yu, Q. Rice, T. Neupane, B. Tabibi, Q. Li, F.J. Seo

Journal: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 19(35), 24271–24275

Year: 2017

Citations: 17


📝Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in Graphene-Oxide Monolayer

Authors: T. Neupane, B. Tabibi, W.J. Kim, F.J. Seo

Journal: Crystals, 13(2), 271

Year: 2023

Citations: 16


📝Second-Order Hyperpolarizability and All-Optical-Switching of Intensity-Modulated Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in CsPbBr1.5I1.5 Perovskite Quantum Dot

Authors: T. Neupane, H. Wang, W.W. Yu, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Optics & Laser Technology, 140, 107090

Year: 2021

Citations: 14


📝Third-Order Optical Nonlinearity of Tungsten Disulfide Atomic Layer with Resonant Excitation

Authors: T. Neupane, S. Yu, Q. Rice, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Optical Materials, 96, 109271

Year: 2019

Citations: 10


📝Cubic Nonlinearity of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoflakes

Authors: T. Neupane, Q. Rice, S. Jung, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 20(7), 4373–4375

Year: 2020

Citations: 5


📝Spin-Resolved Visible Optical Spectra and Electronic Characteristics of Defect-Mediated Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayer

Authors: S. Yu, B. Tabibi, Q. Li, F.J. Seo

Journal: Crystal, 12, 906

Year: 2022

Citations: 3


📝Cubic Nonlinearity of Graphene-Oxide Monolayer

Authors: T. Neupane, U. Poudyal, B. Tabibi, W.J. Kim, F.J. Seo

Journal: Materials, 16(20), 6664

Year: 2023

Citations: 2

Zeinab Ramezani – Semiconductor Devices – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zeinab Ramezani began her academic journey with a strong foundation in mathematics and physics, ranking 1st among 120 students in high school. She pursued her B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering at Shariaty Technical College, Tehran, graduating top of her class in 2010. Her passion for Semiconductor Devices was evident early on, culminating in her M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies at Semnan University, where she ranked 1st among all M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduates in Electronics Engineering. Her academic path laid the groundwork for her specialized focus on Semiconductor Devices, nanoelectronics, and cutting-edge modeling techniques.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Throughout her career, DR. Ramezani has demonstrated excellence in both academia and research. She held several teaching and research positions, including Assistant Professor and Lecturer at Islamic Azad University and Shariaty Technical College, where she instructed courses in Semiconductor Devices and Devices , digital design, and linear integrated circuits. Her international experience includes serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Miami, where she was involved in practical instruction for Digital Design courses and labs. Additionally, she contributed to DARPA’s prestigious N3 project and NSF-funded research, focusing on magnetoelectric nanoparticles for brain-computer interfacing, bridging the gap between nanotechnology and neuroengineering.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Zeinab Ramezani has significantly contributed to the modeling and analysis of Semiconductor Devices across micro and nanoscale technologies. Her research spans a broad spectrum, including SOI technology, Schottky barrier devices, junctionless transistors, FinFETs, and memristors. Her first Ph.D. focused on modeling short channel effects in nanoscale transistors, while her second Ph.D. at the University of Miami explored magnetoelectric nanoparticles for medical stimulation applications. Her interdisciplinary contributions reflect a deep understanding of both traditional Semiconductor Devices and futuristic applications like nanomedicine and neuromodulation.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Ramezani's influence is widely acknowledged in both Iranian and international academic communities. She has supervised over 80 theses, reviewed more than 40 graduate and undergraduate projects, and established laboratories for electronics and FPGA systems. Recognized for her innovative teaching and mentorship, she was awarded Top Female Inventor (2019) and Top Electrical Engineering Professor (2018) by IAU. Her contributions have influenced a generation of engineers in the field of Semiconductor Devices, as well as emerging fields like bioelectronics and neurotechnologies.

🏆Academic Cites

Dr. Ramezani's research output has been well received in scientific communities. Her thesis work, journal publications, and technical modeling in Semiconductor Devices  and medical electronics have attracted citations in both domestic and international research. Her work has been referenced in key areas such as transistor scaling, ion drift models in memristors, and advanced circuit simulation, underlining her position as a trusted authority in nanoelectronics and medical applications.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Zeinab Ramezani’S legacy is built on academic excellence, technological innovation, and a commitment to nurturing future engineers. Her future goals include expanding research on multifunctional nanoparticles, deepening her work in neuro-nanotechnology, and continuing to develop smarter, more efficient Semiconductor Devices  for medical and computational purposes. Her efforts will not only shape next-generation electronics but also push forward the integration of nanotechnology in medicine and cognitive interfaces.

📝Semiconductor Devices

Her distinguished research in Semiconductor Devices  has redefined modeling strategies for modern electronics, particularly in SOI and nanoscale transistor structures. By integrating her deep knowledge of Semiconductor Devices  with applications in neural stimulation and multifunctional nanoparticles, she bridges multiple domains. Her continued innovations in Semiconductor Devices  are expected to influence future trends in electronics, neuromodulation, and medical diagnostics.

Notable Publication


📝Functionalized Terahertz Plasmonic Metasensors: Femtomolar-level Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins

Authors: A. Ahmadivand, B. Gerislioglu, Z. Ramezani, A. Kaushik, P. Manickam, ...

Journal: Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2021

Citations: 307


📝Gated Graphene Island-enabled Tunable Charge Transfer Plasmon Terahertz Metamodulator

Authors: A. Ahmadivand, B. Gerislioglu, Z. Ramezani

Journal: Nanoscale, 2019

Citations: 136


📝Attomolar Detection of Low-molecular Weight Antibiotics Using Midinfrared-resonant Toroidal Plasmonic Metachip Technology

Authors: A. Ahmadivand, B. Gerislioglu, Z. Ramezani, S.A. Ghoreishi

Journal: Physical Review Applied, 2019

Citations: 67


📝Generation of Magnetoelectric Photocurrents Using Toroidal Resonances: A New Class of Infrared Plasmonic Photodetectors

Authors: A. Ahmadivand, B. Gerislioglu, Z. Ramezani

Journal: Nanoscale, 2019

Citations: 62


📝A Nanoscale‐modified Band Energy Junctionless Transistor with Considerable Progress on the Electrical and Frequency Issue

Authors: M.K. Anvarifard, Z. Ramezani, I.S. Amiri, A.M. Nejad

Journal: Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 2020

Citations: 51


📝High Ability of a Reliable Novel TFET-based Device in Detection of Biomolecule Specifies—A Comprehensive Analysis on Sensing Performance

Authors: M.K. Anvarifard, Z. Ramezani, I.S. Amiri

Journal: IEEE Sensors Journal, 2020

Citations: 48


📝Designing Chitosan Nanoparticles Embedded into Graphene Oxide as a Drug Delivery System

Authors: S.M. Hosseini, S. Mazinani, M. Abdouss, H. Kalhor, K. Kalantari, I.S. Amiri, ...

Journal: Polymer Bulletin, 2021

Citations: 39