Staff Profile

Biography

Dr. Dani Samer Assi is a Lecturer in the School of Science and Technology at Hong Kong Metropolitan University and a Learning and Teaching Evangelist (2025–2027). He received his PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Glasgow, UK

His research is positioned at the forefront of advanced materials, neuromorphic electronics, and quantum technologies, focusing on the development of ultra-low-power, high-performance electronic systems for next-generation intelligent and biomedical applications. His work integrates materials engineering with device innovation, particularly in neuroelectronic synaptic systems, brain–computer interfaces, and plasmonic sensing platforms.

Dr. Assi has authored numerous SCI-indexed publications in leading journals, including Advanced Materials, Advanced Science, ACS Nano, and Materials Horizons. His work has received recognition, including Editor’s Choice in Advanced Materials, and has been featured by Advanced Science News for its potential impact on cognitive health and brain–computer interface technologies

He has demonstrated strong research leadership as a Principal Investigator on multiple competitive grants, including funding from the Research Grants Council (RGC) and the University Grants Committee (UGC). His research portfolio spans neuromorphic computing, quantum sensing, and advanced plasmonic systems, with a growing emphasis on translational impact supported by international patent applications and industry collaboration.

In teaching, Dr. Assi is recognised for excellence and innovation, receiving the President’s Award for Excellence in Inspirational Teaching (2024). His student-centred and research-informed teaching approach has consistently achieved top student evaluation scores within the department.

Beyond academia, he actively builds international collaborations across universities and industry, contributing to interdisciplinary research, technology transfer, and the development of next-generation intelligent systems.

 

Please visit following sites:

Please visit my -> Google Scholar 

Please visit my -> ORCID

Please visit my -> LinkedIn

Please visit my -> ReserachGate

Please visit my -> Web of Science

Please visit my -> IEEE Collabratec

 

I am looking for highly motivated PhD students, Postdoctoral Researchers, and Research Assistants to join my research group. Please feel free to contact me via email.

Current research areas include:

• Advanced Materials Engineering
• Neuromorphic Computing and Electronics
• Quantum Technologies and Plasmonic Sensing

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact me via email with their CV and research interests.

 

Teaching Areas & Research Interests

• Advanced Materials Engineering
• Neuromorphic Computing and Electronics
• Quantum Technologies and Plasmonic Sensing

Academic & Professional Experience

Selected Research Grants

• PI, "Development of a Brain-Inspired Neuromorphic System for Detection and Analysis of Alzheimee'r Disease", Universitty Grants Committee (UGC), Research Matching Grant Scheme (RMGS),  HK$ 738,360 + Donation to HKMU HK$ 2,109,600.
• PI, "Topological Insulators-Based Surfaces as a Novel Platform for Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensing", Research Grants Council (RGC), HK$ 593,040.
• PI, "Detection and analysis of DNA methylation in urine samples", Universitty Grants Committee (UGC), Research Matching Grant Scheme (RMGS), HK$ 447,500 + Donation to HKMU HK$ 1,790,000.
• PI, "High-Efficiency Neuromorphic Devices for Brain-Computer Interfaces", Seed Funding for Research Projects Conducted at Shenzhen Research Institute (SZSF), RMB 1,000,000.
• PI, "Next-Generation Quantum Education with Student-Centered Quantum Learning Platform (Q-Platform)", Quality Enhancement Measures (QEM), HK$ 1,948,385.2.
• PI, "Study tour to Poland 2025: Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovation and Technology in the Heart of Europe", Global Learning Activities (GLA), HK$ 749,700.
• PI, "Development of High-Efficiency Artificial Synaptic Devices for Wearable Neuromorphic Sensing", Research and Development Fund (R&D), HK$ 200,000.
• Co-I, "Functional Graphene-loaded intelligent energy-saving device",Seed Funding for Research Projects Conducted at Shenzhen Research Institute (SZSF), RMB 1,000,000.
• Co-I, "Service Learning X Design Thinking: Harnessing Empathy Through Technology", Quality Enhancement Measures (QEM), HK$ 582,052.80.
• Co-I, "Advanced Integration of Millimeter Wave Radar with Passive RFID Using AI-Enhanced Detection", Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), HKSAR, HK$ 3,071,058.24.

Honours and Awards

• Learning and Teaching Evangelist, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) (2025–2027)
Appointed to promote innovative teaching practices, enhance student engagement, and support pedagogical development across the University.
• President's Award for Excellence in Inspirational Teaching, HKMU
Awarded in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and exceptional contribution to student learning and academic excellence.
• Award of Excellence – Girls STEM Programme, The Zubin Foundation
In recognition of dedication, leadership, and significant contributions to the development and delivery of STEM education initiatives for young female students.
• Featured Research – Advanced Science News (Wiley)
Research on Neuroelectronic Synaptic Modulators featured under the headline:
“A Brain-Computer Interface Could Slow Cognitive Decline”
This recognition highlights the impact and real-world potential of the work in advancing gerontechnology and neuroelectronics.
• Editors Choice Recognition – Advanced Materials (IF: 27.4)
The publication “Topological Quantum Switching Enabled Neuroelectronic Synaptic Modulators for Brain-Computer Interface” (Advanced Materials, 2024, 2306254; first author) was selected as an Editors’ Choice, a prestigious distinction awarded to research demonstrating exceptional innovation, scientific quality, and impact.
• Featured Research - Technical & Information News, Association of Polish Electrical Engineers (SEP), Recognized for innovative research contributions in Medical Electronic Systems, highlighting advancements in interdisciplinary engineering and healthcare technologies.
• Winner – 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, University of Glasgow, Awarded for delivering an outstanding research presentation titled “Fountain of Youth”, focusing on synaptic plasticity and its implications for next-generation neuroelectronic systems.

Member of technical communities

Active member of 12 technical communities (including IEEE Brain Community, Quantum Technical Community, Neuro-Robotics Community, BioRobotics Community, Neuroengineering Community, Wearable Biomedical Sensors and Systems Community, Smart Cities Community, Biomedical & Health Informatics Community, VLSI Community, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Division Community, and ACS Polymer Chemistry Division Community)

Member of research societies

Active member of 9 research societies (including IET, ACS, IOP, IEEE, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, IEEE Photonics Society, IEEE Electron Devices Society, IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society, and IEEE Computational Intelligence Society)

Professional volunteer service

Active volunteer for the IEEE ED/SSC Hong Kong Chapter.

Selected Publications

Journal Articles

• Jianfang Qian, Jiapeng Mao, Ziyang Zheng, Chengle Wang, Dandan Xiang, Dani S. Assi, Yanting Tang, Quanhui Guo. (2026). “Fabrication of self-doped TiO2-coated zeolite nanostructure with high surface area for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminant”. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 326, 119169. (Impact Factor: 4.6), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119169
• Dani S. Assi, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Padmanaban Radhakrishnan, Venkatramanan Kannan, Rashmi Mannu, Chongkol Sungoum, Vaskuri C.S. Theja, Gopalan Anantha Iyengar, Dong-Eun Lee, Vellaisamy A.L. Roy. (2025). “Harnessing the synergistic advantages of functional modified (defect generated, Ni and S co-doped) TiO2/NiS S-scheme photocatalyst and halloysite nanotube support for efficient photodegradation of several volatile organics”. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 13, 120338. (Impact Factor: 7.2), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.120338.
• Hongli Huang, Vellaisamy AL Roy, Dani S Assi, Liang Tao, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Ning Xi, Wen J Li, Aleksandra Vuckovic. (2025). "A Novel Framework of Hierarchical EMG-FMG Fusion to Enhance Long-term and Multi-position Robustness for Real-Time Motion Intent Recognition". IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics. (Impact Factor: 6.8), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JBHI.2025.3622491
• Senlin Hou, Xiaotong Chen, Dani S Assi, Yu Feng, Chun-Ka Wong, Jingting Tian, Jian Li, Xiaodong Yu, Binghe Guan, Xiaohu Zhu, Xinge Yu, Xinyue Li, Vellaisamy AL Roy, Jiangang Shen, Wen Jung Li. (2025). “Tactile-Transparent Wearable Sensor for Clinician-Friendly Pulse Wave Velocity Monitoring and Cardiovascular Risk Profiling”. ACS nano, 19, 32822. (Impact Factor: 16.1), 1-shared first authorship, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c11375
• Padmanaban Radhakrishnan, Gayathri Ahobilam, Seema Kapoor, Gopalan Anantha Iyengar, Dong-Eun Lee, Venkatramanan Kannan, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Dani S. Assi, and Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2025). “Comparative Evaluation of Thermophysical and Acoustical Properties of Binary Mixtures of Cumene + Methyl Acetate and Cumene + Ethyl Acetate over the Range of Molar Compositions and Temperatures from 298.15 to 318.15 K: Experimental Measurements and Application of Deviation Modeling”. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data, 70, 3491. (Impact Factor: 2.1), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jced.5c00053
• T. Serghiou, J. D. Fernandes, V. Karthikeyan, Dani S. Assi, D. H. Vieira, N. Alves, J. Kettle. (2025). “Sustainable and Tunable Synaptic Electrolyte-Gated Organic Field-Effect Transistors (EGOFETs) for Light Adaptive Visual Perceptive Systems”. Advanced Functional Materials, 35, 2417355. (Impact Factor: 19), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202417355
• Dimitra Das, Dani S. Assi, Samrana Kazim, Vellaisamy AL Roy, Shahzada Ahmad. (2025). "Decoding halide perovskites for neuromorphic and memristive devices". Materials Horizons, 12, 8430. (Impact Factor: 10), 1-shared first authorship, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH00534E
• V. C. S. Theja, V. Karthikeyan, Dani S. Assi, H. Huang, V. Kannan, Y. Chen, C.-H. Shek, V. A. L. Roy. (2024). “2D MXene Interface Engineered Bismuth Telluride Thermoelectric Module with Improved Efficiency for Waste Heat Recovery”. Advanced Materials Technologies, 9, 2301722. (Impact Factor: 6.2), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202301722
• Dani S. Assi, H. Huang, V. Karthikeyan, V. C. S. Theja, M. M. de Souza, V. A. L. Roy. (2024). “Topological Quantum Switching Enabled Neuroelectronic Synaptic Modulators for Brain Computer Interface”. Advanced Materials, 36, 2306254. (Impact Factor: 27.4), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202306254
• Parisa Dehghani, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Ataollah Tajabadi, Dani S. Assi, Anthony Catchpole, John Wadsworth, Hing Y. Leung, and Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2024). “Rapid Near-Patient Impedimetric Sensing Platform for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis”. ACS Omega, 12, 14580. (Impact Factor: 4.3), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c00843
• V. C. S. Theja, Dani S. Assi, H. Huang, R. S. Alsulami, B. J. Chen, C. H. Chan, C.-H. Shek, V. Karthikeyan, Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2023). “3D Architectural MXene-based Composite Films for Stealth Terahertz Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Performance”. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 10, 2300440. (Impact Factor: 4.4), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202300440
• Theja, V.C.S., Karthikeyan, V., Dani S. Assi, Huang, H., Shek, C., Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2023), “Dispersion of InSb Nanoinclusions in Cu3SbS4 for Improved Stability and Thermoelectric Efficiency”. Advanced Energy Sustainability Research, 4, 2300125. (Impact Factor: 5.7), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aesr.202300125
• Dani S. Assi, Huang, H., Kandira, K.U., Alsulaiman, N.S., Theja, V.C.S., Abbas, H., Karthikeyan, V., Vellaisamy A. L. Roy (2023), “Charge-Mediated Copper-Iodide-Based Artificial Synaptic Device with Ultrahigh Neuromorphic Efficacy”. Physica Status Solidi Rapid Research Letters, 17, 2300191. (Impact Factor: 2), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pssr.202300191
• Dani S. Assi, M. P. Haris, V. Karthikeyan, S. Kazim, S. Ahmad, Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2023). “Low Switching Power Neuromorphic Perovskite Devices with Quick Relearning Functionality”. Advanced Electronic Materials, 9, 2300285. (Impact Factor: 5.3), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202300285
• Dani S. Assi, H. Huang, V. Karthikeyan, V. C. S. Theja, M. M. de Souza, N. Xi, W. J. Li, Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2023). “Quantum Topological Neuristors for Advanced Neuromorphic Intelligent System”. Advanced Science, 10, 2300791. (Impact Factor: 14.1), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202300791
• Ataollah MAAS Tajabadi, Parisa Dehghani, Dani S. Assi, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Chen-Bin Huang, Hasan T Abbas, Vellaisamy AL Roy. (2023). "Compact Magnetic Field Amplification by Tuned Lenz Lens". IEEE Sensors Journal, 23, 27154. (Impact Factor: 4.5), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2023.3297254
• Vaskuri C.S. Theja, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Sanjib Nayak, Kadir Ufuk Kandira, Dani S. Assi, Venkataramanan Kannan, Vellaisamy AL Roy (2023). “Facile composite engineering to boost thermoelectric power conversion in ZnSb device”. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 178, 111329. (Impact Factor: 4.9), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2023.111329
• Vaskuri C. S. Theja, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Dani S. Assi, Saianand Gopalan, and Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2022). “Probing the Effect of MWCNT Nanoinclusions on the Thermoelectric Performance of Cu3SbS4 Composites”. ACS Omega, 7, 51. (Impact Factor: 4.3), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c06823
• Vaskuri C. S. Theja, Vaithinathan Karthikeyan, Dani S. Assi, Vellaisamy A. L. Roy. (2022). “Insights into the Classification of Nanoinclusions of Composites for Thermoelectric Applications”. ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 4, 10, 4781. (Impact Factor: 4.7), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaelm.2c00617

Further Information

Link to Google Scholar page

Modified Date: 18 Mar, 2026
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