I am a second-year PhD student in the astronomy department. In my first year at Berkeley, I conducted research on the emission from turbulent mixing layers in the interstellar medium. I’m currently studying tidal disruption events, which happen when the gravitational force of a black hole overwhelms the self-gravity of a passing star and shreds it apart. I’m working on a model that explains the diversity of observations we have from TDEs, particularly in the optical, UV and X-ray energy bands. Outside of astronomy, I play a lot of tennis, run and hike.
Archives: Explorers
Pritika Acharya
With a background in molecular and cell biology, particularly in biophysics, I am passionate about advancing our understanding of breast cancer development and the nature of cells in breast tissue. Working in a mechanical engineering lab allows me to leverage interdisciplinary tools to further this exploration, and I am excited about the opportunity to deepen my knowledge this semester. My ultimate goal in this program is to contribute to the collective progress in medical research.
Nthila Poongovan
Hi! I’m Nithila Poongovan, a senior studying Electrical Engineering & Computer Science + Business Administration. My interests lie at the intersection of embedded systems and applied machine learning. I’ve explored embedded systems as a Software Engineering Intern at SpaceX this summer, working on low-level firmware for the Starlink gateways, and as a member of the electrical engineering team on Berkeley Formula Racing. On the machine learning side, I’ve been working in Ana Arias’ lab for the last three years, developing neural networks to account for data interference in the lab’s biodegradable agricultural sensors.
Katie Sharpe
I’m a graduate student currently studying resolved stellar populations in isolated dwarf galaxies (in other words: multiple stars which we can individually resolve, in small galaxies that are far away from massive galaxies). My research probes questions of galaxy formation and evolution, and in particular the effect of environment on the processes that have shaped galaxies in the present day. I’m excited to be working with some of the first JWST NIRSpec MSA spectroscopy of resolved stars to help pave the way for future studies! When I’m not doing research, I enjoy reading, hiking, and playing board games with friends.
Drew Gorin
I’m interested in using the chemistry of the rock record to better understand how our climate has changed through Earth’s history. We’ve only had thermometers and rain gauges with which to study climate variables for a century or two, but the earth is 4.54 billion years old. How do we know anything about the climate system from before this period? My work aims to help address such questions.
Ben Brown
I am a graduate student in mechanical engineering at Berkeley. I grew up in Toronto, Canada and previously lived in Montreal, where I completed my undergraduate degree at McGill University. I am a member of the Multiphase Thermofluidics and Surface Nanoengineering laboratory, where I study interfacial phenomena and how we can engineer these interfaces to optimize heat and mass transfer in the pursuit of more efficient processes. This work is applicable to a wide variety of areas, including energy generation and storage, and thermal management. I am a huge hockey fan and cheer for my hometown Toronto Maple Leafs!
Albert Guo
I am a four year studying EECS and Statistics at UC Berkeley. I am interested in the applications of machine learning related to speech and have been doing undergraduate research with the Berkeley Speech Group for two semesters where I primarily work on mapping articulatory representations of speech captured from different devices to speech. Outside of my research interests, I am involved with CS education at Berkeley, having staffed for classes such as CS 170 and EE 126. I have also helped run the Going Down the EECS Stack Decal, a student-run course designed to better introduce students to various fields within EECS.
Maia Marie Jeanneau
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at Berkeley studying Bioengineering. My research has focused on DNA cell patterning, which involves creating precise DNA arrangements on surfaces to direct the placement and growth of cells, including cancer cells. By using photopatterning and chemical conjugation techniques, I can control cell placement at a microscale. This technique allows for the study of cell behaviors, interactions, and responses in environments that mimic tumor microenvironments. In my research, I use DNA cell patterning to observe how breast cancer cells interact with their surroundings, which is crucial for understanding cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment responses. By analyzing these interactions, I aim to uncover insights into cancer dynamics that could inform future therapies.
Ningxin Chen
I hold a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT and am currently a second-year PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in biomaterials. My research is centered on engineering a hyaluronic acid hydrogel system with potent antioxidant properties, specifically for the field of tissue regeneration. The primary goal of my work is to develop innovative treatments for patients suffering from cardiac disease and volumetric muscle loss, aiming to improve recovery and quality of life. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with my cats and playing tennis.
Perapat Pete Gatenil
I am pursuing my Ph.D. in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at UC Berkeley in the Berkeley Biomechanics Group under Professor O’Connell. Prior to attending Cal, I attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying Materials Science and Engineering with a focus in biomaterial and polymer engineering. In my undergraduate research I looked at self-assembling materials and polymer synthesis. Now at UC Berkeley, I hope to use my soft matter expertise to design materials and implants that restore, support, and enhance biological functions. Through my Ph.D., I will be conducting tissue engineering research to help treat osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. In my free time, I like to rock climb, play tennis, and cook.