Qiang Zhu, graduated from the Universidad Erlangen- Nurnberg, Germany, majoring in material science and obtained a Dr. Ing. Degree in 1994. He uses to be vice chief engineer and chief scientist in the General Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals (Beijing), vice director of the National Research Center for Non Ferrous Metal Based Composites, the established director of the Beijing Research Center for Advanced Forming Technologies of Metals. Now he is the Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), UK, the Chairman of the 15th International Technical Committee of Semi-Solid Processing of Alloys and Composites, executive director of the Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Additive Manufacturing of High Performance Materials. Dr. Zhu has completed or been ongoing research projects of France-China cooperation project, National Natural Science Foundation of Germany, National Natural Science Foundation key project of UK and the life improvement project of the impeller and turbine for the key components of Cummins global turbocharger, China central government and local government key research programs. Zhu gave a number of invited speeches to internationally well-known academic conferences as well as universities and enterprises, published more than 190 articles and as chief editor published 2 academic books. He is also applied or granted 62 patents.

Max Brinkman is the CEO of Brinktec and a lifelong enthusiast of 3D printing. With a deep passion for transforming the way products are made, Max specializes in streamlining and optimizing production processes through cutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies. Under his leadership, Brinktec has become a leader in advancing efficient, sustainable, and innovative manufacturing solutions. Max is dedicated to helping businesses unlock their full potential by implementing faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally conscious production strategies. Driven by the challenge of shaping the future of manufacturing “one layer at a time,” Max combines technical expertise with a visionary approach to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing. His mission is to enable businesses to gain a competitive edge by leveraging groundbreaking technologies and unlocking the endless possibilities of 3D printing.

Luis Martinez is the founder of the renowned startup Flamingo Biomechanical Lab, dedicated to surgical planning using different additive manufacturing techniques. He also works as an R&D engineer at Cetemet. He specializes in biomechanics and the application of 4.0 technologies. His academic background and experience has endowed him with a very particular vision of how to implement different techniques in a wide variety of sectors, in addition to providing him with a great knowledge of manufacturing processes, the economic market and the impact of engineering evolution. His commitment is to achieve a more efficient global healthcare system, ensuring that biotechnology research leads to real results for society. His startup aims to be a nexus between multiple scientific branches to obtain great health and technological results.

Graduated in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Brasília (1985-1990). PhD in Construction Technology from the University of Brasília with a doctoral internship at the University of Aveiro, Portugal (2006-2009). Post-doctorate in Construction Technology at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Portugal (2015-2016). Post-doctorate in 3D Printing with Earth Mortar at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Portugal (2023). Professor of the Construction Area of the Department of Technology in Architecture and Urbanism at FAU/UnB. Develops research and works with Earthen Architecture; Sustainable Construction Systems; Solid Waste Recycling; and 3D Printing with Earth Mortar.

Nick Di Scipio is a MASc. graduate student at the Lassonde School of Engineering, located in Ontario, Canada, and the founder of Pantheon 3DP, a pioneering startup that is working on promoting the adoption of additive manufacturing by creating niche brands that tap into the technology's full potential. With a robust background in mechanical engineering, additive manufacturing, and design, Nick has seamlessly integrated his technical expertise with a deep entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating how additive manufacturing can be effectively scaled across diverse and specialized markets. His entrepreneurial journey has been marked by significant achievements and accolades. Nick's innovative approach and leadership have earned him recognition in prominent industry publications, solidifying his status as a thought leader in the field. In 2023, his first year as a York alumni, he was honored with the title of Top York University 30 Under 30 Alumni, an acknowledgment of his exceptional contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape. That same year, he was awarded the prestigious Bergeron Medal, underscoring his remarkable success in entrepreneurship and his unwavering commitment to advancing the industry. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Nick is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of innovators. He dedicates his time to mentoring and inspiring high school and university students, encouraging them to explore careers in manufacturing and entrepreneurship. Through his guidance, he aims to empower young minds to harness their potential and actively shape the future, creating the world they aspire to live in. Nick's dedication to education and innovation reflects his belief in the transformative power of technology and entrepreneurship as catalysts for positive change.

Milena Djukanovic is a Montenegrin 3D printing jewelry designer and Associate Professor at the University of Montenegro. Born in Podgorica in 1983, she earned her degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Montenegro in 2006. Her innovative work in 3D printing has been showcased at prestigious events such as Munich Jewellery Week, Expo Dubai, and Milan Design Week. In 2023, Djukanovic received two BIG SEE awards for her groundbreaking designs. Among her numerous accolades, Djukanovic was named the most successful woman in science by Montenegro's Ministry of Science in 2013. She also received the Danubius Young Scientist Award in 2015, a prestigious honor presented by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM). Throughout her career, Djukanovic has collaborated with renowned designers like Neda Jovanovic and Anja Radulovic and represented Montenegro at Expo Dubai in 2020. As the leader of a research group at the University of Montenegro, she spearheaded the university's contributions to the COST project from 2012 to 2016. Djukanovic has authored or co-authored approximately 20 publications in international journals and conference proceedings. She is the lead author of the university textbook Introduction to Mechatronics (2013) and a co-author of a scientific monograph. In addition to her research, Djukanovic serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Engineering & Technical Research and the International Journal of Modern Communication Technologies & Research. She is also a peer reviewer for multiple prominent journals, including ACM Transactions on Design Automation of Electronic Systems, IEEE Transactions on Very Large Scale Integration Systems, Elsevier's Integration—The VLSI Journal, World Scientific Journal of Circuits, Systems, and Computers, and IJENS International Journals of Engineering and Sciences.

Dr. Qilong Jiang is a distinguished researcher at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, China, with expertise in combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with advanced technologies. His groundbreaking work in 3D printing focuses on developing customized herbal formulations, personalized drug delivery systems, and bio-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering, enabling more precise and efficient applications of TCM. Dr. Jiang has successfully led multiple interdisciplinary research projects, exploring how additive manufacturing can revolutionize the preparation of herbal medicines and biomedical devices. A prolific author, Dr. Jiang has published extensively in high-impact international journals, earning recognition for his innovative approaches in blending tradition with modern science. He frequently presents his findings at global academic conferences, fostering collaboration between researchers and practitioners in TCM, 3D printing, and biomedical engineering. Dr. Jiang’s contributions have positioned him as a key figure in the intersection of traditional medicine and cutting-edge technology.

Dr. Lizhe Wang is currently pursuing his PhD in Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, UK. He previously earned his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New South Wales, Australia, between 2013 and 2015. Wang’s research focuses on solid mechanics, encompassing a wide range of engineering structures and components. His key areas of interest include shakedown theory-based direct methods, mechanical characterization of composites, loading capacity, and the fatigue reliability of materials and structures. Throughout his career, Dr. Wang has successfully led and completed five industrial projects involving fatigue life evaluation, thermal analysis and optimization, and fluid field analysis. His contributions to the field are reflected in his publications in respected journals such as Composite Structures, Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, and Materials. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Wang is an active participant in the global engineering community, attending prestigious conferences such as IMECE, sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineering. His work continues to advance the understanding of solid mechanics and its application to real-world challenges

Monnamme Tlotleng is a distinguished researcher specializing in additive manufacturing and laser materials processing. He holds a Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering Science from the University of Johannesburg. He serves as a Principal Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa and as a Senior Associate Researcher at the University of Johannesburg's Department of Mechanical Engineering Science. Tlotleng's research is focused on laser metals 3D printing, functional graded materials, and the development of advanced titanium aluminide alloys for aerospace and other industrial applications. He has published numerous scientific papers and book chapters in these areas. His work is instrumental in advancing additive manufacturing technologies in South Africa, contributing to a knowledge-based economy and promoting skills development aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). He is also recognized as a Fellow of the Africa Science Leadership Programme and has achieved an Established Researcher (C3) rating from the National Research Foundation of South Africa, underscoring his expertise and contributions to the field.

Ntombizodwa R. Mathe is a distinguished researcher and expert in additive manufacturing, holding a PhD in Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand, which she obtained in 2015. Her journey in advanced materials research began in 2007 when she joined the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as an MSc studentship candidate. She completed her MSc in 2010 and subsequently pursued her PhD under a CSIR studentship program. In 2016, Dr. Mathe joined the Laser Enabled Manufacturing group at CSIR as a senior researcher. In this role, she has been instrumental in driving business development and advancing the field of additive manufacturing. Her primary research areas include 3D printing of titanium, aluminum, and high-entropy alloys, with a focus on the pre-industrialization of additive manufacturing technologies for the manufacturing sector. Dr. Mathe is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists. She serves as a co-supervisor to Master's and Doctoral students at several leading South African institutions, including Tshwane University of Technology, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, and the University of Cape Town. Her work continues to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies and innovative applications in additive manufacturing, positioning her as a leader in the field.