Fierce Sensors proudly announces its first group of honorees in the Rising Stars 2026 awards program. These awards are timed with Sensors Converge being held May 5-7 in Santa Clara, CA.
The Fierce Sensors Rising Stars are individuals driving advancements in technology, pushing boundaries and shaping the future of electronics with their creativity, expertise, and impact. Additional honorees will be named each week in Fierce Sensors in no particular order.
The entire class will be honored May 6 at Sensors Converge 2026, May 5-7 in Santa Clara, CA.
Annie Heble
Senior Research Scientist
Aquagga, Inc.
USA
Annie Heble emerges as a Rising Star for her groundbreaking work on rapid, on-site detection of PFAS (forever chemicals), which threaten human health and ecosystems. Traditional lab-based methods like LC-MS/MS are slow, expensive, and ill-suited for field use.
She is developing a practical, field-deployable electrochemical sensor using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to enable near real-time results. Her o-phenylenediamine-based MIP sensor has reached Technology Readiness Level 4, selectively detecting key PFAS such as PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxA—with direct limits of detection as low as 12.5 ppt for PFOS, rivaling regulatory standards without complex preparation.
She is now advancing a multi-MIP electrode array targeting prevalent PFAS in AFFF formulations (e.g., PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, 6:2 FTS), incorporating solid-phase extraction to reduce matrix interference and push limits below 10 ppt for real-world samples.
Her sensor enables real-time monitoring of PFAS breakthrough in GAC and ion exchange systems, preventing costly premature media replacement and eliminating reliance on slow RSSCTs. It also speeds optimization of foam fractionation by providing immediate feedback.
Beyond technical innovation, Annie bridges research and commercialization. Since joining Aquagga in 2024, she has led proposal development and customer discovery while collaborating with MITRE, blending deep expertise in biomimetic nanomaterials with entrepreneurial vision.
Annie Heble exemplifies the ideal Rising Star: innovative science delivering practical, high-impact solutions for urgent environmental challenges.
Elliot Strand
CEO and Co-founder
PAGE Technologies
USA
Elliott Strand stands out as an exceptional candidate for the Fierce Sensors Rising Star award due to his unique blend of scientific excellence, innovative engineering, and proven real-world impact in sensor technology.
With a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Elliott earned the 2023 Best PhD Thesis Award from MDPI Sensors for his groundbreaking work on printed organic electrochemical sensors. These sensors reliably operate in challenging environments like agricultural runoff, soil slurries, and wastewater—where traditional options are costly, fragile, or high-maintenance—demonstrating his ability to solve pressing practical problems.
As a thought leader, he co-authored an influential roadmap on printable electronic materials for next-generation sensors in Nano Futures, guiding the field toward scalable deployment.
Elliott’s entrepreneurial drive shines as co-founder and CEO of PAGE Technologies, which develops low-cost, printed sensors for continuous real-time monitoring of nutrients, pH, and other parameters in water and soil. Leveraging scalable manufacturing (screen printing, roll-to-roll), PAGE enables affordable, distributed sensing networks. Under his leadership, the company has advanced to pilot deployments with growers, utilities, and partners, integrating sensors with AI, cloud analytics, and machine learning for actionable insights—a rare full-stack approach.
His talent has been validated by prestigious recognitions: selection as an Activate Fellow (2025 cohort, 47 chosen from 900+ applicants) and PAGE’s inclusion in Cleantech Group’s Top 50 to Watch for 2025 (from 3,300+ companies).
What truly distinguishes Elliott is his systems-level vision: treating sensors as essential infrastructure for agriculture, water management, and environmental protection. By prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and seamless integration, he ensures these technologies reach smallholder farmers and underserved communities, addressing global challenges like nutrient runoff and water scarcity at scale.
Elliott exemplifies the Rising Star qualities—technical brilliance, translational success, and mission-driven leadership—poised to shape the future of sensor innovation.
Alberto Marinoni
Senior Director Product Marketing Automotive
TDK InvenSense
Italy
With over 20 years in the MEMS industry, Alberto has driven TDK InvenSense’s launch of innovative solutions for the past seven years. His expertise and leadership introduced MEMS sensors for cost-sensitive and safety-critical automotive applications. Blending technical and business acumen, he expanded the customer base and scaled the company’s automotive market presence. Under his guidance, TDK has delivered advanced products and solutions beyond traditional sensors, bolstering its competitive edge and global footprint in advanced mobility markets. He previously worked at STMicroelectronics for 17 years, including as product marketing manager/ global business development. He holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from Polimi Graduate School of Management.
Edward Shim
CTO and Co-founder
Brighter Signals BV
Netherlands
Edward Shim stands out as a Rising Star in sensors due to his invention: a patented, fabric-based tactile sensing technology that measures force, position, and proximity in real time—without any need for additional data processing.
This innovative approach surpasses conventional sensors by delivering superior speed, accuracy, durability, and reliability, while remaining remarkably low-cost and low-power. These advantages make it highly practical for demanding, real-world applications.
Major automotive manufacturers are already integrating Shim’s sensors to enhance vehicle safety and comfort features, demonstrating strong industry validation and commercial potential. In robotics, the technology empowers machines with human-like touch and feel capabilities, pushing the boundaries of human-machine interaction.
At a relatively early stage in his career, Shim has not only developed a transformative solution but also secured patents and driven adoption across high-impact sectors. His blend of technical ingenuity, market relevance, and ability to solve longstanding challenges in sensing clearly marks him as a rising talent poised to shape the future of electronics.
He co-founded Brighter Signals a year ago and has served as a professor at Seneca Polytechnic while serving on the Board of Toronto Metropolitan University.