Dr Hasan Abbas he/him

My research lies at the intersection of electromagnetics, terahertz technologies, and plasmonics, with a strong focus on advancing the frontiers of sensing and imaging. I am particularly fascinated by the interactions between electromagnetic waves and matter, especially biological systems, and how these interactions can reveal dynamic processes that are otherwise hidden. I am increasingly interested in understanding how living systems evolve and respond to electromagnetic exposure across different scales.

At the James Watt School of Engineering, I lead interdisciplinary research in electromagnetic sensing, terahertz and mid-infrared imaging, and wireless systems that operate from the nanoscale to the macroscale. Our group explores plasmonics for subwavelength imaging and develops RF and THz-based sensing platforms for biomedical, environmental, and agricultural applications.

To better understand the behaviour of biological systems, I actively seek collaborations with researchers in biology, chemistry, and medical sciences. In previous work, we developed non-invasive terahertz methods to estimate water content in plant leaves and explored RF sensing techniques for lip-reading through face masks. Looking ahead, I envision CDT projects that investigate the interactions between electromagnetic waves and matter that help us understand life at the nanoscale better.

I am especially interested in projects that take a holistic view of how living cells change over time. My contribution would focus on imaging and sensing these changes, as well as studying the effects of electromagnetic exposure on cellular behaviour. As a supervisor, I emphasise deep understanding of the research problem and promote collaboration across disciplines. I am proud that all of my graduated students have gone on to succeed in academia.

I believe that diversity is essential to driving positive change and fostering innovation. Having worked in five countries, I recognise that every individual brings a unique combination of thought processes, skills, and talents. My approach to supervision is personalised to support each student’s development. I am driven by curiosity, particularly a desire to understand how things work, and I strive to reflect this mindset in both my academic and research practice.