Dr. Yusong Bai

Ph.D. from Duke University

During my Ph.D., my research emphasis was on interrogating and managing photo-induced electronically excited-state dynamics of various supermolecular to nanoscale structures, including ethyne-bridged highly-conjugated (porphinato)metal(II) architectures, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes, etc. Currently, I investigate charge transfer dynamics at donor/acceptor interfaces.

Email: yb2453@columbia.edu

Dr. Yanan Dai

Ph.D. from University of Pittsburgh

My PhD research was focused on imaging of femtosecond dynamics of space-time structured surface evanescent waves using interferometric time-resolved coherent multi-photon photoemission microscopy, and studying their physical properties such as spin angular momentum, field chirality and topological spin textures. Now I am trying to explore the rich electronic and excitonic properties of bilayer heterostructures composed of transition metal dichalcogenides, using time-resolved and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with a femtosecond laser-based excitation source.

Email: yd2524@columbia.edu

Dr. Youn Jue (Eunice) Bae

Ph.D. from Northwestern University

During my Ph.D. my research focused on investigating the down-conversion process in organic chromophores, also know as singlet fission. I used optical- and magnetic- spectroscopy to study how excitons and spins evolve over time and space in various acene and rylene derivatives in the Wasielewski group at Northwestern Unviersity. Here in the XYZ group, I am planning to study spin waves in 2D magnetic materials and many-body interactions in 2D TMDCs. Outside of the lab, I like traveling, eating goood foods, climbing and snowboarding.

Email: yb2505@columbia.edu

Dr. Taketo Handa

Ph.D. from Kyoto University

I am interested in charge-carrier dynamics in optoelectronic materials and try to explore new optical functionalities of materials. I received my Ph.D. from Kyoto University, where I studied unusual thermal and phonon properties and photovoltaic conversion processes in metal halide perovskites and solar cells. After graduation, I worked at Kyoto University for one year and focused on nonlinear optical responses of halide perovskites. In XYZ group, I will work on the ultrafast spectroscopy of energetic carrier dynamics in emerging materials. In my free time, I like walking around the NYC.

Email: th2922@columbia.edu

Dr. Bo Xiang

Ph.D. from UC San Diego

My research focus is to use ultrafast spectroscopy to study the strong light-matter coupling. In my PhD career in Prof. Wei Xiong’s group (UC San Diego), I was focusing on the study of molecular vibrational polaritons using two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy. In XYZ group, my research focus is blue-shifted to the visible/UV regime and study the strong coupling between microcavities and perovskites using polarization resolved Fourier space photoluminescence (FS-PL) imaging and other spectroscopy tools. Beyond lab times, I enjoy travel, basketball, and board games.

Email: bx2202@columbia.edu

Dr. David Needell

Ph.D. from California Institute of Technology

David Needell received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Applied Physics at Caltech in the fall of 2021, developing computational techniques and exploring novel application areas for luminescent solar concentrator photovoltaic devices. Becoming infatuated by the thermodynamic limits of light-matter interactions within such devices, David transitioned to more fundamental research questions in photonics — joining the XYZ and Roy groups at Columbia University as a Postdoctoral Fellow.  David is currently investigating photon to magnon (spin-wave) transduction in emerging two-dimensional antiferromagnetic materials. Outside of the lab, David loves backpacking various thru-hikes, banging away at the drums in several rock groups, and doting on his very orange cat.

Email: drn2123@columbia.edu

Dr. Eric Arsenault

Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley

During my PhD at Berkeley, I studied natural photosynthetic and bioinspired model systems in order to understand how electron-nuclear interactions influence the ultrafast dynamics of energy transfer and charge separation. Currently, my research is aimed at investigating the emergence of correlated quantum states in two-dimensional semiconductor systems via ultrafast spectroscopy and microscopy. The unifying theme of my work is to understand how interactions between electrons and nuclei govern the potential energy landscape of a system and ultimately dictate the dynamics of energy and charge flow. Otherwise, I’m running, hanging with my dog Jeffrey, or watching Steve Buscemi movies.

Email: eaa2181@columbia.edu

Yufeng Liu

B.S. in Chemistry from Fudan University

I worked on infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of cluster ions during my undergraduate. Here, bidding farewell to the gas phase and entering the regime of solid state, I resume my connection with optical experiments and clusters by exploring the electron-phonon coupling in superatomic materials. You can constantly find my practicing the piano in the lounge after work

Email: yl3983@columbia.edu

Nicholas Olsen

B.S. in Chemistry with minor in Physics from University of Utah

I crawled out of the Utah desert with a degree in chemistry and a minor in physics from the University of Utah, where I studied the crystallization of simple chiral molecules using molecular dynamics. However, I’m excited to make my return to experiment. Playing with lasers makes light work. Catch me wandering aimlessly around different neighborhoods exploring as much of the city’s culture as I can.

Email: no2331@columbia.edu

Morgan Thinel

B.S. in Honours Chemistry – Measurement from McGill University

I am from Montréal, Canada, where I obtained my B.Sc. at McGill University. At McGill, I studied a negative refractive index plasmonic metamaterial under professor Amy Blum, and acceptor-donor-acceptor molecular semiconductors under professor Dima Perepichka. I travelled south of the border to be co-sponsored in the Zhu and Pasupathy groups in order to combine optical spectroscopies with scanning tunneling microscopy to study a variety of interesting materials. Particularly, I am interested in imaging the structure and dynamics of spin and electronic states in magnetic semiconductors. When I have free time, I practice judo, go on long bike rides and indulge in video games or a science-fiction movie to relax.

Email: mt3458@columbia.edu

Yiliu Li

B.S. in Chemistry from Zhejiang University

During my undergrad at Zhejiang University, I focused on optimizing the measurement of absolute fluorescence quantum yield. In 2019, I attended the “Summer School for Silicon Nanotechnology” at UC San Diego and worked on fabricating porous silicon photonic crystal sensors. Then I find optical spectroscopy really excites me. I am planning to investigate light-matter interaction with various spectroscopic techniques. My leisure activities include hiking, painting and cooking.

Email: yl4495@columbia.edu

Chun-Ying Huang

M.S. in Chemistry from National Taiwan University

I studied the photophysical properties of organic lighting molecules during my time at National Taiwan University, where I received my undergraduate and master’s degree in chemistry. Moving to New York, I’m co-sponsored in the Zhu and Roy groups to explore the fantastic magnetic properties of inorganic materials. I’m super excited to make my samples and use spectroscopy to probe their physical properties. After work, going to a music show and playing table tennis are my favorites.

Email: ch3624@columbia.edu