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. 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.

Email: mz2733@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. 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.

Email: ql2381@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

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

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

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 in new york.

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