Explorer Categories: Physics

I am a third-year PhD student working at the Berkeley Physics Department and the Space Sciences Laboratory. I completed my bachelors degrees at Cornell University in physics and math. I work on antenna and lunar environment modelling for the LuSEE-Night experiment. I also research mechanisms that drive post-sunset pre-reversal enhancement in the equatorial zonal electric fields using data from the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) mission.

I am a PhD student at UC Berkeley, where I study non-equilibrium quantum physics with a focus on critical spin systems and their role in quantum technologies. Originally from Ireland, I studied Mathematics and Physics at University College Cork, spent a year in Munich as an Erasmus Scholar, and earned a Master’s in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces at Imperial College London before moving to California.

Alongside my research, I enjoy teaching and mentoring students, as well as helping build inclusive communities in science. Outside of academia, I love gardening, yoga, and hiking and horse-riding in the Oakland Hills.

Over 15 years ago, a glow of gamma rays from the center of our Galaxy was discovered and its origin remains a mystery to this day. I am a graduate student at Berkeley studying particle astrophysics working to explain this signal using convolutional neural networks. The excess is a large number of unexplained gamma rays originating from the Galactic center and measured by the Fermi Gamma Ray Telescope. Models of dark matter predict a signal which looks tantalizingly close to the excess observed, however astrophysical origins have not yet been excluded. Using machine learning, we aim to clarify whether the statistics of the signal match dark matter or other astrophysical sources. Before my PhD, as an undergraduate at MIT, I studied fast radio bursts (short bursts of radio waves with astrophysical origins) using the CHIME radio telescope and the cosmic microwave background with the BICEP experiment. Beyond physics, I enjoy exploring the outdoors; lately, I have been especially into climbing, backpacking and trail running.

I completed my undergrad at the University of Notre Dame double majoring in physics and French. Now, I’m getting my PhD at UC Berkeley working with Professor Saul Perlmutter. I use spectroscopy to study supernovae, specifically type 1a supernovae, which are considered “standard candles.” Their spectra are highly standardized, so based on the placement of emission lines, we can calculate the redshift of the supernova, allowing us to learn about its distance from us. Outside of physics, I love to run, hike, cook, and play board games with friends.

I am a third year physics graduate student at UCB, working with Dr. Daniel Carney at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. I completed my integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Engineering Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). My research interests lie in the application of quantum information science to questions in fundamental physics such as gravity and quantum measurement. I also have a strong interest in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and thermodynamics.
Beyond research, I am passionate about science communication and outreach. I have been involved in programs such as Splash!, which introduces high school students to advanced concepts beyond their curricula, and Expanding Your Horizons, a conference that encourages middle-school girls and gender-diverse youth to explore STEM careers. I am passionate about making physics more accessible to broader audiences. In my leisure time, I love to hike, play racquet sports and explore adventure-sports. I also have a deep interest in the performing arts – I play piano, sing and write poetry, and participate in poetry slams and open mics. I unwind by reading fiction, playing word-games and baking.

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley majoring in physics and astrophysics. I currently do research at the Space Science Laboratory (SSL) working on the impacts of alpha particle distributions on wave dynamics in the solar wind. Previously, I have worked at SSL on lunar regolith sputtering simulations, at UC Santa Cruz on the impact of mixtures of volatiles on exoplanetary radii, and at the University of Osaka on multi-frequency millimeter spectral energy distribution analysis of active galactic nuclei. Although I have been involved in many fields, I’m currently interested in pursuing research in particle cosmology. Outside of work and school, I love staying healthy and fit by meal prepping, lifting weights, and doing yoga and pilates.

I am a second-year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley majoring in Physics. I work with Professor Chiara Salemi, where I use simulations to design low temperature circuits for use in single photon counting detectors with applications in Axion dark matter detection and Neutrino detection. Previously I was part of a condensed matter physics lab at Stanford which studied graphene heterostructures, where I designed a long-term solution to an optical microscopy issue and introduced anodic oxidation etching of monolayer graphenes. I am interested in continuing research in particle and nuclear physics. Outside of physics I have been deeply involved in the Boy Scouts growing up. I also enjoy volleyball, baking, scuba diving, video games, and anything aquatic!

I’m a PhD student at UC Berkeley and a part of the Berkeley Center for Theoretical Physics (BCTP). I broadly study theories for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM), with an emphasis on the particle theory of dark matter (DM) (although much of my work would probably be considered large perturbations around this problem). We know that dark matter is a real observable phenomenon, but what is its fundamental nature? My research involves constructing, predicting, and searching for evidence of signatures of hypothetical dark matter particle candidates, and in particular my specialty is searching for DM through astrophysical methods. This usually means I take some dark matter particle model (such as axions, higgsinos, or sterile neutrinos) and I look for ways that this model could imprint itself through astrophysical phenomena (stars, galaxies, gravitational waves, etc.), combined with a variety of often novel and intensive statistical and data analysis techniques. Outside of physics, I enjoy playing jazz and orchestral bass, scuba diving, and consuming large quantities of science fiction.

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley and am interested in researching condensed matter and device physics. Currently, I am studying geometrically frustrated systems, time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductivity, interface symmetry breaking phenomena and their applications to technology. I am also the current president if the Society of Physics Students (SPS) at Berkeley, participating in, assisting, and promoting physics related events on and off campus. I enjoy trying new foods, going on hikes, football, ultimate frisbee, baseball, video games, mixed martial arts, listening to music, and visiting museums.

I am an undergraduate at UC Berkeley majoring in Physics and Computer Science. Born into an international family, I grew up in both Beijing, China, and Fort Worth, Texas. I work with Prof. Mike Zaletel’s group in the Physics Department, where I use numerical simulations to study topological structure in 2D quantum materials. Previously, I worked at the Space Sciences Laboratory, where I investigated solar wind–magnetosphere interactions at Mercury. Beyond research, I am deeply committed to undergraduate STEM education at Berkeley. I have taught Physics 8B as a tutor, served as a GSI for Physics 7A, and co-facilitated the Physics 98 DeCal. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, playing board games, and reading classical literature.