Dr. Oana Geman ((IEEE SM ‘18) is Medical Bioengineer and PhD in Electronics and Telecommunication and a post-doctoral researcher in Computer Science. She is currently a Senior Teaching Fellow (Professor) at Division of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, Sweden and an Associate Professor at University of Suceava, Romania. She obtained Habilitation in Electronics and Telecommunication Field in 2018. Within the past five years she published 10 books, has published over 100 articles in ISI Web of Science journals, with FI over 40), and her various works have been cited over 4000 times. She served as Chair of many Internationals Conferences or Organizer, Session Chair and member in Program or Technical Committees and a Senior Member IEEE. She has been a director or a member in 10 national and international grants. She was considered three years in the row by Stanford - Elsevier, in the top 2% of the highest cited scientists. Her current research interests include: non-invasive measurements of biomedical signals, wireless sensors, signal processing, and processing information by way of Artificial Intelligence such as nonlinear dynamics analysis, stochastic networks and neuro-fuzzy methods, classification and prediction, Data-Mining, Deep Learning, Intelligent Systems etc. She is a reviewer and editor of many top journals, including IEEE Transactions, IEEE ACCESS, AIHC Journal, IOT Journal, Sensors, Springer Nature Journals etc.

The title of the presentation: Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Brain Research

Abstract
The integration of neuroscience with artificial intelligence is transforming the way we study and understand the human brain. Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) offer powerful methods for making sense of the vast and complex data generated by modern brain research, from neuroimaging and electrophysiological recordings to behavioral measurements. These technologies enable more accurate diagnoses, earlier detection of neurological disorders, and deeper insights into how the brain functions in health and disease.
This lecture explores how ML and DL are applied in key areas of brain research, including neuroimaging analysis, brain–computer interfaces, and cognitive modeling. It introduces practical approaches for working with EEG, fMRI, MEG, and multimodal datasets, focusing on feature extraction, pattern discovery, and end-to-end deep learning models. Neural network architectures such as convolutional and recurrent networks are discussed in the context of brain state classification, disease prediction (ex. Autistic Spectrum Disorders), and the study of functional connectivity.
Finally, key challenges are addressed, including signal quality, data variability, model interpretability, scalability, and ethical concerns. The design, validation, and clinical deployment of AI models are discussed with a focus on how these methods can provide researchers and clinicians with clear, actionable information about brain performance, disease progression, and personalized interventions, supporting the development of precision neuroscience and improved brain health.

Taishi Yamakawa is a doctoral student in the Department of Electronics, Graduate School of Engineering at Nagoya University. He received his Master of Engineering degree from the same department in 2022. His research focuses on plasma-based modalities for cancer therapy, with particular emphasis on plasma–gas–liquid interactions that drive chemical modification and the synthesis of functional materials.

His current work includes the generation of anti-tumor agents and the analysis of cellular responses—such as cell death and autophagy—triggered by plasma-activated liquids to enhance therapeutic efficacy. He is also engaged in the design and optimization of plasma sources for biomedical applications. He has received research support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) SPRING and was awarded the Early Career Presentation Award at the 12th Japan Society of Applied Physics (JSAP) Nagoya University Student Chapter Academic Meeting. He currently works as a part-time lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Meijo University, Japan.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, demanding innovative therapeutic strategies. Conventional drug discovery relies on multistep and time-consuming organic synthesis, which can hinder translational and fundamental research progress.

Atmospheric-pressure plasma provides a highly non-equilibrium reaction field, characterized by extremely high electron temperatures while maintaining the bulk gas near room temperature. When applied to liquids, plasma rapidly generates bioactive solutions within minutes. These plasma-activated liquids have demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against various cancer cell types, including breast cancer and cervical cancer, with minimal effects on normal cells. However, the molecular mechanisms and formation pathways of the responsible reactive species remain unclear.

This presentation focuses on short-lived radical species as key reaction intermediates to elucidate the generation pathways of anticancer-active components in plasma-treated solutions. Using spectroscopic and chemical trapping analyses, radical dynamics and sequential reaction mechanisms were investigated. Cellular responses and the biological effects depended on the type and concentration of reactive species generated in plasma.

Camelia Miron is currently Associate Professor at Nagoya University, Center for Low-temperature Plasma Sciences. She received her BEng. degree in 2003 from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, Romania. She worked as Assistant Researcher at the Department of Materials, Physics and Energy Engineering, Nagoya University, Japan, from where she also received her Ph.D. degree in engineering in 2011, in the field of plasma discharges for material synthesis. She continued her work as an experienced researcher at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry “Petru Poni” of Iasi, Romania, at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, INP Greifswald, Germany, and as an associate Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.

Her research interests are in structural modification and synthesis of new materials by plasmas formed in liquids (e.g. polymers, nanomaterials), as well as drug delivery systems based on plasma-activated liquids (e.g chitosan, Ringer`s lactate, cyclodextrins, imines) for cancer treatment. She is a member of scientific societies (JSPS, Materials Science and Engineering), and an organizer and co-organizer of various national and international conferences. She acts as a reviewer for international journals, conferences, and grant agencies.

The title of the presentation: Drug delivery systems based on plasma-activated liquids for cancer treatment

Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals and families. Despite ongoing improvements in cancer therapy, the number of people affected by this devastating disease is increasing. New developments in oncology are increasingly focusing on combination therapies (such as surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy) that tackle tumor cells via several mechanisms, either simultaneously or consecutively. Due to the unsatisfactory clinical results, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) holds a promising perspective of becoming a new type of oncological therapy. CAP is used to treat a liquid that is transferred after irradiation to the treatment target, such as cancer cells or tissues. The newly generated chemically active species in plasma induce a selective cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, leaving the normal cells unharmed. Therefore, the plasma-activated liquids (PAL), as well as the development of drug delivery systems using these liquids, provide a foundation for clinical applications, offering patients a more effective and less harmful option. The development of drug delivery systems, such as hydrogels based on plasma-activated liquids (PAL), emerges as a novel indirect plasma-treatment modality that, compared to easily diluted PAL, can ensure precise delivery of chemically active compounds to targets to improve the bioavailability and provide a foundation for clinical applications to enhance selectivity during therapy.