My research is focused on the study of theoretical models for materials, which is the starting point for us to understand material properties. I am interested both in topics that are already promising candidates for a new generation of technology, and in phenomena that are not yet demonstrated and have no clear application in real life. For example, the model for herbertsmithite-like lattices have similar features with twisted bilayer graphenes in terms of their band structures, which govern the behavior of particles in materials. The latter has been of great interest since the demonstration of superconductivity in 2018. By studying the behavior of atoms in our optical lattice, we can get insight on e.g. the critical parameters at which the phase transition to superconducting states occurs. On the other hand, there are predictions of novel phases of matters for our lattice model.
Archives: Explorers
Ziman Wu
I’m working on understanding the early diagenesis processes of marine sediments and figuring out how recrystallization changed major geochemistry records. My work for now is studying shallow carbonate sediments collected from Bahama and processing simulation lab experiments and would follow with modeling building.
Pietro Federico Vannucci
My research interest is aerosols, or particulate matter (PM). Up until now, I have been working to understand what has historically driven high PM events in urban spaces with the goal of working towards achieving meaningful reductions in pollution going forward. Specifically, I have been studying the effect of temperature on PM levels, and how the relationship between the two has been evolving over time.
Emma G. Berger
I am studying the molecular qubits with a scanning tunneling microscope equipped with electron spin resonance capabilities (STM-ESR). This novel experimental method only demonstrated in 2015 and for which only a handful (<10) groups in the world have the capability of performing, will allow for unprecedented measurement and control of single molecular qubits. The goal of my PhD research is then, in short, to use STM-ESR to demonstrate coherent control of bottom-up designed molecular qubits.
Alexandre E. S. Georges
My research aims to identify and/or promote natural infrastructures, particularly mangrove forests, as a barrier that can be used by small island nations (particularly in Haiti and the rest of the Caribbean) to mitigate the onset and impacts of sea-level rise.
Vivek Kamarshi
Originally from near San Jose, CA, I’m a senior undergraduate student studying Bioengineering. In past research projects, I’ve studied the impacts of the gut-brain axis on neurodegeneration in fruit flies, as well as identified cellular pathways involved in the “fusion” mechanism of the varicella zoster virus.
My current work in Iain Clark’s group at UC Berkeley focuses on developing tools to study the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), particularly its ability to evade treatment by integrating itself into a person’s DNA. The novel method I’m developing aims to rapidly find the single HIV site in an entire human genome and sequence it, bettering our understanding of how HIV persists in patients over long periods of time. I also do community service work through the student club I founded, UpInnovate at Berkeley, which builds connections between under-resourced high schools and academic labs and researchers.
After my undergraduate, I plan to pursue a PhD in the bioengineering field.
Luis Valencia
I’m Luis! I’m a PhD student in the Berkeley BioE department. I engineer microbes to produce valuable molecules such as antibiotics or fuels from plant-derived feedstocks in the Keasling lab. I have recently become interested in the possibility of using microbes to mine metals from water sources.
Yiming Zhang
I am a 4th year PhD student at the Earth and Planetary Science department. I integrate original field observations with laboratory data sets to reconstruct the history of Earth’s magnetic field and tectonic plate configuration. In particular, I study Proterozoic intrusive rocks to gain new insights into the long-term evolution of the intensity of Earth’s magnetic field. I also set up a Quantum Diamond Microscope at UC Berkeley Paleomagnetism Laboratory which enables us to characterize rock magnetic properties at micron-scale. Currently I am also working on integrating paleomagnetic data with thermochronology data to study the uplift history of the Adirondack Mountains, NY.
Alicia Tsai
Alicia is a PhD candidate in Computer Science affiliated with the Berkeley AI Research (BAIR) Lab. She focuses on optimization, new computational models, and algorithms for machine learning, with a focus on efficiency and robustness.
Alex Moreno
Why I’m Here I am a Ph.D. EECS student in Professors Kris Pister’s lab. My research area is low power wireless radios. My vision is to make wireless sensors 5 times smaller than a grain of rice while making it reliable and robust enough to use. I believe that our society could benefit greatly from having small affordable sensors to make informed decisions on fires, natural disasters, etc. About Me I am a Ph.D. student in EECS focused on integrated circuit design for low power wireless radios. I enjoy dancing salsa/bachata, biking, running, rock climbing and playing guitar.