Dr. Feifan Wang

Ph.D. from Peking University

I try to complete the solar-chemical energy conversion puzzle from the aspects of photophysics and surface/interface chemistry. During my PhD program, I studied the solid-state semiconductor nanomaterials for photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical cells, with focusing on material synthesis and performance characterization, more about the chemistry and molecular engineering. Here, I am establishing some fundamental understanding of photophysics in the novel optoelectronic materials through synthesizing andprobing the carrier screening in these model systems. After work, I like to jog, read, and learn cooking food.

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.

Dr. Mark Ziffer

Ph.D. from University of Washington

My research focuses on using EUV time resolved two photon photoemission spectroscopy to study electronic structure and charge carrier dynamics in 2D semiconductor monolayers and heterostructures based on superatomic solids and transition metal dichalcogenides. I received my PhD from the University of Washington working with David Ginger, where I used electric field modulation spectroscopy and luminescence spectroscopy techniques to study exciton electronic structure and charge recombination in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite and organic semiconductors. In my spare time I like exploring new places and trying new foods, which luckily NYC has no shortage of.

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.

Dr. Qiuyang Li

Ph.D. from Emory University

I received my Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry focusing on the charge separation/recombination and exciton transport/dissociation in semiconductor nanocrystals for solar-to-hydrogen conversion and lasing applications. In the XYZ group, my research is mainly on ultrafast laser spectroscopic studies on exciton, electron, and phonon dynamics in new and emerging semiconductors. In my spare time, I enjoy movies, foods, badminton, and swimming.

Dr. Kihong Lee

Ph.D. from Columbia University

I was born and raised in South Korea. At U.C. Berkeley, I researched heterogeneous catalysis of metal nanoparticles under the guidance on Prof. Gabor Somorjai. I am studying superatom solids and their optical properties as a joint postdoc with Prof. Xiaoyang Zhu and Prof. Xavier Roy.

Dr. Yongping Fu

Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

My research interests are focused on the chemistry, physics, and optoelectronic applications of nanoscale and solid-state materials. I received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018) and my B.S. degree in chemistry from Peking University (2012). During my Ph.D. study with Prof. Song Jin, I worked on the rational synthesis and optoelectronic applications of halide perovskite nanostructures (e.g. 1D nanowires and 2D quantum wells), phase stabilization of metastable perovskites, and discovery of new perovskite materials. After graduation, I held a postdoc with Prof. Elad Harel at Northwestern University, where I studied carrier dynamics in 2D perovskites and nanostructures using transient absorption microscopy. In the XYZ group, I am studying exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities using various spectroscopic techniques. I also enjoy swimming, cooking, traveling and gardening.

Dr. Lucas Huber

Ph.D. from ETH Zurich

I am interested in the formation of polarons in para-and ferroelectric semiconductors and how carrier transport properties may benefit from the specific environment found in these systems. My Ph.D. work focused on the development of time-resolved nonlinear spectroscopy techniques such as second-harmonic generation and 2D THz spectroscopy. In the XYZ group, I am now applying optical Kerr effect, transient absorption as well as THz spectroscopy to investigate electron-phonon coupling. And if there is time left, I enjoy the outdoors and like to climb.

Dr. Jue Wang

B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University

I use time-resolved optical spectroscopy and microscopy to study interlayer excitons in two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures. Before this dimension reduction, I worked on hot carriers and polaron physics in lead halide perovskites. When getting my B.S. at Peking University, I researched single-molecule biophysics of DNA repair and met Rachael with whom I spend my spare time and travel around the world.

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.

Michael Scott Spencer

B.S. in Chemistry & Physics from West Virginia University

I work on polariton lasing and the application of novel spectroscopic techniques. In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, especially hiking.

Email: mss2257@columbia.edu

Felisa Conrad-Burton

B.S. in Chemistry from George Mason University

I use time-resolved optical techniques to explore and understand the fundamental processes of new singlet fission materials. I also enjoy taking full advantage of the variety of food and Broadway shows available in NYC, as well as fattening up my fellow group members with copious amounts of homemade pie.

Email: fsc2118@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

Wenjing Wu

B.S. in Materials Science Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology

I am currently a Master’s student in the Materials Science and Engineering Department. During my undergrad at ECUST my study was mainly focused on inorganic materials. Here, I am working on two dimensional materials with rationale designed nanophotonic structures with Dr. Lin Zhou. Rock music and chocolate light up my life.

Shirell Klein

B.S. in Chemistry with minor in Studio Art from California State University, Los Angeles

In my undergrad I focused on synthesis of hybrid metal-organic framework polymer gels. Switching to the realm of optical spectroscopy, I’m planning to spend my graduate degree obsessing over magnetic materials and spin perturbations. Fluff fantasy novels are my favorite pastime. I’m also having lots of fun discovering seasons and enjoying the snow.

Email: sek2221@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 sensor. 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