Dr Hadeel Elayan of Northeastern University

Abstract:
The terahertz (THz) frequency band is widely regarded as a key enabler of next generation
wireless systems, bridging the physical and digital worlds. Beyond this, by harnessing the very
short wavelengths and photon energies of THz radiation, which are comparable to characteristic
molecular energy scales, a third domain emerges: the biological world. Terahertz waves provide
a unique opportunity for nanoscale communication, sensing, and actuation within biological
systems. In this talk, I will present a multi-scale perspective on THz-based dynamics, spanning
tissue-level propagation to protein-level interactions. I will discuss how structured
electromagnetic fields can be designed to selectively interact with biological matter to enable
controlled excitation, enhanced specificity across scales, and safe operation within biological
environments. I will also highlight recent advances in modeling and theoretical analysis of THz-
induced molecular interactions and outline their implications for intra-body nanonetworks. By
integrating communication, structured fields, and emerging forms of intelligence, this paradigm
opens new directions in biosensing, health monitoring, and targeted therapeutic control.

Biography:

Hadeel Elayan is an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Ultrabroadband Nanonetworking
Laboratory at Northeastern University. She received her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer
Engineering from the University of Toronto in November 2023. Her research focuses on wireless
nano–bio communication using terahertz (THz) and optical frequency bands. In 2023, Hadeel
was recognized by MIT Technology Review Arabia as a “35 Under 35” innovator for her work
on protein interactions using THz frequencies. She was named an N2Women Rising Star in 2024
and received the Mojgan Daneshmand Award from the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society
in 2025. Hadeel has also contributed to the research community through editorial and conference
service. She has served as a Technical Program Committee (TPC) Chair and TPC member for
several leading international conferences.