Edik Rafailov is head of the Optoelectronics and Biomedical Photonics Research Group in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Aston University and a member of Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT), one of the world’s leading photonics research centres. Edik joined Aston University in 2014 and since then his research has contributed to the Institute’s world-leading position in the fields of fiber and semiconductor lasers and bio-medical photonics, impacting industry, scientific communities and society.

Edik's group authored the first scientific study to suggest DLT may have potential for cancer treatment applications. In the GlioLighT project, Edik leads the Aston team responsible for developing novel PDT- and DLT-specific laser sources for experimental validation and future clinical applications.

Viktor Dremin joined Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies as a Marie Curie Research Fellow in 2020. He is an exceptional young researcher with significant industrial experience who has already made ground-breaking contributions in the fields of biomedical sensors, biomedical optics, electronics, machine learning, Monte Carlo simulation, and more. Viktor has several international personal grants, e.g., EDUFI Fellowship (Finland), Individual postdoctoral grant by Russian Science Foundation (Russia), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (EU), and Optica Foundation Challenge Prize (USA). He has various significant national and international awards, including the Award of Nobel Prize Winner Zhores Alferov for young scientists.

Dr. Khalid completed her PhD in Biophotonics at Aston University, Birmingham, UK. Her research expertise spans advanced optical imaging, cancer diagnostics, phototherapy, and 3D bioprinting, with a strong focus on developing innovative technologies for cancer research and precision medicine. Her research centres on non-invasive optical imaging techniques, including fluorescence imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), for early cancer detection, image-guided therapy, and improved treatment monitoring. She also develops biomimetic 3D bioprinted tissue models that replicate the tumour microenvironment to support drug screening and personalized therapeutic strategies. In addition, her work investigates photosensitizer-free (PS-free) near-infrared (NIR) laser-assisted therapies as a novel, minimally invasive approach to cancer treatment.

Currently, Arooj is a researcher in the GlioLight project within the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AiPT) at Aston University, UK. As part of the GlioLight project, she contributes to the development of advanced optical imaging and photonic technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma, working within a multidisciplinary team to translate cutting-edge research into clinically relevant solutions.

Diana Galiakhmetova is a post-doctoral researcher in the Optoelectronics and Biomedical Photonics Research Group at Aston University. Her work focuses on developing semiconductor, solid-state, and fiber lasers for biomedical applications, including disease detection and treatment. She has over ten years of experience in laser optics, photonics, optogenetics, and spectroscopy.

Dr. Sokolovski is an experienced biophotonics researcher with more than 28 years of expertise spanning photonics, laser–tissue interactions, biomedical imaging, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. As a Senior Research Fellow at the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, Aston University, he develops advanced photonic technologies for medical diagnostics, therapeutic applications, and the engineering of human 3D tissue models. His research combines optical sciences, cell biology, artificial intelligence, and translational medicine to address challenges in healthcare and biomedical research.

Within the GlioLight project, Dr. Sokolovski contributes expertise in photobiomodulation, light–tissue interactions, and advanced optical technologies for glioma treatment. His work supports the development of innovative direct light therapy approaches, drawing on extensive experience in laser-based cancer research, near-infrared phototherapy, and optical monitoring of biological responses. He has also contributed to pioneering studies exploring photonic approaches for glioblastoma treatment and brain-targeted light delivery.

Throughout his career, Dr. Sokolovski has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, secured funding through numerous national and international projects, and played leading roles in major European research initiatives. His recent work includes the development of human stem cell-derived 3D tissue models, laser bioprinting technologies, and multimodal optical systems for monitoring tissue function and disease progression. Driven by a passion for interdisciplinary innovation, he is committed to translating emerging photonic technologies into transformative healthcare solutions.