Plenary Speakers
Sarah Rogers
Director of ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL)
Prof. Sarah Rogers is the Director of the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (STFC-UKRI, UK) since 2025. She earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bristol in 2005 and, after a period as a researcher at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron, joined ISIS in 2008. Throughout her career at the facility, she has held several high-responsibility roles, notably serving as the instrument scientist for SANS2D and subsequently leading the Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) section within the Large Scale Structures group.
Her research specializes in the application of neutron techniques to the study of soft condensed matter, with a particular focus on surfactant self-assembly, polymeric systems, and complex colloidal formulations of industrial interest. As an expert in SANS, her work combines advanced instrumentation development with the analysis of structural dynamics in interfaces and nanostructured systems. Beyond her scientific output, Dr. Rogers currently leads the operational strategy of ISIS, overseeing source upgrade programs and coordinating collaborations with international networks to ensure the scientific community’s access to cutting-edge neutron techniques.
Arantxa Arbe
Research Professor at the Materials Physics Center
Arantxa Arbe is a Research Professor at the Materials Physics Center (CFM), a joint research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in San Sebastián. With a distinguished career in Materials Science, her research focuses on the structural and dynamical properties of complex polymer systems and soft matter, specifically investigating glass-forming systems, polymer blends, and nanocomposites.
A world-renowned expert in neutron scattering, Prof. Arbe combines advanced experimental techniques with molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the behavior of matter at the nanoscale. Beyond her research, she has held significant leadership roles in the international scientific community, serving on the Scientific Council of the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and the Advisory Board of the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ). Throughout her career, she has authored over 200 high-impact publications and was awarded the Young Scientist Award by the European Neutron Scattering Association (ENSA), cementing her status as a leading figure in the physics of polymers.
Gwenaëlle Rousse
Researcher at the Chemistry of Materials and Energy Laboratory
Gwenaëlle Rousse is an Associate Professor at Sorbonne Université and a researcher at the Solid-State Chemistry and Energy Laboratory at the Collège de France. An expert in crystallography, her research focuses on the fundamental relationship between the crystalline structure of materials and their physical properties, with a particular emphasis on the resolution and refinement of complex structures using neutron and X-ray powder diffraction. Since 2011, she has specialized in the study of insertion compounds for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries, investigating how structural evolution impacts electrode performance, while also exploring the magnetic behavior of oxides.
With a background that includes positions at the Institut Laue Langevin and the IMPMC, she joined the Collège de France in 2014 to work alongside Jean-Marie Tarascon. Her academic excellence was recognized in 2016 when she was appointed as a Junior Member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF). Dr. Rousse holds an engineering degree from ESPCI Paris, a PhD from Orsay University, and a Research Habilitation (HDR) from Sorbonne Université.
Keynote Speakers
José Alberto Rodríguez Velamazán
D3 instrument responsible at the Institut Laue-Langevin
Dr. José Alberto Rodríguez Velamazán is a permanent research scientist at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France, where he is a key member of the Diffraction Group. He obtained his PhD in Physics from the University of Zaragoza in 2007, focusing his early research on the calorimetric and magnetic properties of molecular materials. Throughout his career, he has specialized in the structural and magnetic characterization of condensed matter using advanced neutron scattering techniques.
His research interests lie at the intersection of molecular magnetism and solid-state physics, with a particular emphasis on spin-crossover compounds, multifunctional molecular magnets, and the exploration of topological magnetic structures. As an expert in high-pressure and low-temperature neutron diffraction, he has contributed to over 80 peer-reviewed publications. At the ILL, Dr. Rodríguez Velamazán manages cutting-edge instrumentation and collaborates with international research teams to push the boundaries of materials science through neutron-based discovery.
Andreas Michels
Full Professor of Physics and Materials at the University of Luxembourg
Prof. Andreas Michels is a Professor in the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine at the University of Luxembourg, where he leads the Magnetic Materials and Neutron Scattering research group. After completing his PhD at Saarland University (Germany) in 1997, he consolidated his scientific career by specializing in the study of nanomagnetism and the magnetic properties of condensed matter. He is internationally recognized for his fundamental contributions to the development of Magnetic Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (Magnetic SANS), being the author of the reference textbook Magnetic Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, which establishes the theoretical and experimental foundations of this methodology.
His research activity focuses on unraveling the relationship between microstructure and magnetic properties in a wide range of systems, including nanocrystalline alloys, ferrofluids, permanent magnets, and magnetic gradient materials. Prof. Michels’ work combines the development of complex theoretical models with cutting-edge experiments at major international neutron facilities. Beyond his academic output, he plays an active role in the scientific community as a member of various review committees and expert panels, promoting the use of neutron scattering to solve critical challenges in solid-state physics and modern materials science.
Mónica Jiménez Ruiz
IN1-Lagrange instrument responsible at the Institut Laue-Langevin
Dr. Mónica Jiménez-Ruiz is Instrument Scientist at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France, one of the world’s premier centers for neutron science. Within the Spectroscopy Group, she holds the role of instrument co-responsible for the IN1-Lagrange neutron vibration spectrometer, a high-resolution tool essential for probing the complex dynamics of matter. Her research primarily utilizes advanced inelastic neutron scattering techniques to explore the structural and dynamical properties of a wide variety of systems, ranging from the fundamental behavior of water in nanoporous environments to the characterization of alternative cements and clay sediments.
In recent years, her work has been increasingly directed toward addressing global challenges in energy and the environment. This includes studying the formation of gas hydrates and developing materials for energy storage and transition, such as hybrid perovskites and catalysts for carbon capture. Beyond her technical and scientific contributions at the ILL, Dr. Jiménez-Ruiz is a key figure in international scientific networks, fostering collaborations through initiatives like the NEPHEWS twinning program. Her expertise in combining experimental data with computational methods continues to advance our understanding of how molecular motions dictate the macroscopic properties of modern materials.
Viktor Petrenko
Leader of the Neutron Science group at BCMaterials
Dr. Viktor Petrenko is an Ikerbasque Research Fellow at BCMaterials (Basque Centre for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures), where he leads research focused on structural characterization at the nanoscale. He earned his PhD in Molecular Physics in 2008 and his Doctor of Sciences (Habilitation) in Physics and Mathematics in 2017 from the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. With a strong international background, he has developed his research at prestigious institutions such as the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) and has completed research stays at leading centers in Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. He is currently a key figure in the Neutron Science research line at BCMaterials, collaborating closely with the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in mentoring new researchers.
His expertise focuses on the use of Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and neutron reflectometry to study soft condensed matter and complex systems. His research ranges from the analysis of magnetic fluids and micellar solutions to the study of liquid interfaces and nanoparticle adsorption. In recent years, he has gained recognition for his work on the characterization of bio-macromolecules and nanocomposites, applying neutron science to address challenges in biomedicine and energy storage.
Lukas Helfen
NEXT instrument responsible at the Institut Laue-Langevin
Lukas Helfen is Instrument Scientist at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France, within the Large Scale Structures group. With over twenty years of experience, his research focuses on the synergy between neutron and X-ray imaging to solve complex challenges in materials science and engineering.
At the ILL, Dr. Helfen has been instrumental in developing world-class facilities, notably the NeXT-Grenoble instrument for simultaneous dual-beam imaging. He currently leads the development of PorTo, a high-resolution neutron micro-tomograph designed for tracking rapid in-situ dynamics with unprecedented precision.
His work is particularly recognized in energy materials, using operando tomography to visualize internal processes in lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells. Beyond energy, his expertise covers fluid flow in porous media and the non-destructive analysis of cultural heritage. Additionally, he contributes to high-performance data processing through the Tofu toolkit, an open-source library for the rapid reconstruction of massive tomographic datasets.
José Manuel Martín García
Tenured scientist at the Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry (IQF-CSIC)
Dr. José Manuel Martín García is a Tenured Scientist at the Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry (IQF-CSIC, Madrid), where he co-leads the Macromolecular Crystallography and Structural Biology group. He graduated in Chemistry in 2004 and earned his PhD from the University of Granada in 2010. Between 2011 and 2020, he developed his research at Arizona State University (ASU, USA), making key contributions to the advancement of nanocrystallography, the design of microfluidic systems and viscous delivery media to minimize sample consumption, and the development of data-processing optimization algorithms. Strongly committed to the large-scale facilities user community, he is currently a member of the Executive Board of the Spanish Synchrotron Users Association (AUSE).
His research focuses on uncovering protein structures, interactions, and dynamics for structure-based drug discovery using X-ray crystallography at synchrotron radiation and X-ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) facilities, where he is a regular user. He specializes in serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX), leading milestones such as in cellulo crystallography within living cells and the global implementation of serial crystallography techniques using high-viscosity injectors at multiple synchrotron beamlines worldwide. His work bridges methodological development at the frontier of accelerator physics with solving complex biomedical challenges.