Team

Principle Investigator

Fazel Tafti was born in Yazd, a city that dates back to 4000 涩里番下载 in central Iran, and is famous for its rich history, unique architecture, and delicious sweets. Fazel completed his undergraduate studies at Tehran University and then immigrated to Canada. His Ph.D. thesis at the University of Toronto was supervised by Prof. Stephen Julian and focused on developing transport measurements under ultrahigh pressures in diamond anvil cells. He completed two postdoctoral positions, one in physics at the University of Sherbrooke with Prof. Louis Taillefer, and another in chemistry at Princeton University with Prof. Bob Cava. He joined 涩里番下载 in 2016 to build a cross-disciplinary research lab at the junction of physics, chemistry, and materials science. Research in the Tafti Lab is focused on the design of new quantum materials with specific functions such as magnetocaloric effect, topological superconductivity, and quantum entanglement. Such materials have applications in atomically thin devices, quantum computers, sustainable energy, and ultra-fast electronics. Fazel is a hands-on adviser who enjoys discussing physics and spending time with his students. His interests outside physics are reading novels, playing Flamenco guitar, hiking, and rock climbing.

Current Members

Dr. Bhawana Mali

Dr. Bhawana Mali

Postdoctoral Researcher

I received my Bachelor鈥檚 degree from the Physics Department at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in 2013. As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to understand various physics concepts through experiments. There I gained interest in physics and continued my Masters in Physics, which I completed in 2015. My master鈥檚 thesis was mainly based on multiphase analysis of Titanium di-Oxide through X-ray diffraction. Then I started my Ph.D. in the Physics Department at the Indian Institute of Science, where I have grown single crystals of rare-earth orthoferrites by the optical float zone method and studied their structural and magnetic properties. I joined Tafti lab as a Postdoc to further pursue my interest in Quantum materials. My current research is focused on synthesizing quantum materials and analyzing their physical and chemical properties. In my free time, I enjoy playing badminton and cooking.


Xiaohan Yao

Xiaohan Yao

Fifth-year Ph.D. student

I received my BSc degree from the physics department at Peking University in 2014. My undergraduate research involved activities on nanoscale semiconductors in the junior year at Prof. Ye鈥檚 Lab, where I synthesized and characterized a series of two-dimensional semiconductors, especially heterostructures. I joined 涩里番下载 as a Ph.D. candidate at the Tafti Lab in 2019. My research is focused on understanding the hydrodynamic limit of electron transport via a combination of DFT calculations and transport experiments.


Alenna Streeter

Alenna Streeter

Research Technician

I received my bachelor鈥檚 degree in Physics from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2020. There, I gained a passion for teaching through assisting with lab courses from astronomy to digital electronics. I was introduced to experimental condensed matter physics during an REU at the University of Rochester in 2019. My research there focused on correcting defects in the crystal substrate of spin qubit quantum nanostructures. I joined Tafti Lab in 2020 to further pursue my interest in quantum materials as a Ph.D. candidate. My current research is focused on X-ray and neutron diffraction, with plans to investigate proposed Kitaev spin liquid materials, which are candidates for the realization of topological quantum computers. In my free time, I enjoy being involved in physics community outreach programs, riding horses, and eating good food.


Kyle Fruhling

Kyle Fruhling

Fourth-year Ph.D. student

I am from Madison, Wisconsin where I received my B.Sc. from the University of Wisconsin in 2020. My undergraduate research was focused on visualizing modeled asteroseismic oscillations. After coming to 涩里番下载, I made a big pivot from astronomy to experimental solid-state physics and joined the Tafti Lab. My current research is focused on synthesizing and investigating the magnetic properties of intermetallic compounds with a Kagome lattice structure. Such materials are potential candidates for a quantized anomalous Hall effect in a special phase known as a Chern insulator. When I am not in the lab, I spend my free time playing ultimate frisbee and cooking.


Sudhaman Balguri

Sudhaman Balguri

Third-year Ph.D. student

I received my bachelor鈥檚 degree in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in 2019. During my undergrad I developed deep fascination towards foundations of quantum mechanics especially from the Bohr-Einstein debates and double slit experiment. My undergrad thesis was on Entanglement and Bell鈥檚 inequality. I formally shifted to physics and received my masters in 2021. I got intrigued by the quote 鈥淢ore is Different鈥 by Philip Anderson and idea of emergence where seemingly innocent electrons can create phenomena like Magnetism. I joined the Tafti Lab to pursue research in this direction. In my free time, I post physics memes and videos.


Enrique Gonzalez

Enrique Gonzalez

Second-year Ph.D. student

I received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Physics applied to Electronics from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao in 2021. As an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to explore different areas of condensed matter Physics through research. Because of these experiences, I became interested in quantum phenomena that emerge in materials. My research is focused on x-ray and neutron diffraction, with the aim to study topological Dirac magnons in oxide materials for spintronic applications. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and watching movies.


Xinyi Zhao

Xinyi Zhao

First-year Ph.D. student

I earned my Bachelor鈥檚 degrees in Physics and Mathematics from Denison University. Following that, I embarked on a journey to obtain my Master鈥檚 degree in Electrical Engineering at Washington University, focusing my research on microwave superconducting resonators. In 2023, I became a part of the Tafti lab. Drawing from my experience in utilizing resonators for crystal property detection, my current research delves into the captivating realm of honeycomb magnets. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy exploring diverse culinary experiences with friends at various restaurants in my free time.


Siddharth Nandanwar

Siddharth Nandanwar

First-year Ph.D. student

I received my bachelor鈥檚 degree in Physics from the University of Iowa in 2023. I had my first exposure to the vast world of Condensed Matter Physics in 2020 when I started my research on van der Waal materials at Prof. Folland鈥檚 Lab, specifically on the fabrication and optical characterization of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides. My passion for exploring different systems and not being confined to the 2D limit led me to join Tafti Lab. My research here is on trying to understand the Hydrodynamic behavior of electrons through DFT predictions as well as transport experiments.


Undergraduate Students

Nathan Tolva

Nathan Tolva

Junior student, Physics Major



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Nathan Tolva

Nathan Tolva

Junior student, Physics Major

I joined the Tafti Lab in the fall of 2021. I am studying physics and math and am currently working on the synthesis of oxyhalide crystals. I joined the lab as an opportunity to experience a real lab setting and to explore the technical aspects of a subject I have only read about in books. Research has always greatly interested me, and I am grateful to be surrounded by a team of researchers who are equally passionate and supportive about the work done. Outside of the lab, I enjoy listening to music, weightlifting, and playing tennis.

Mira Mahendru

Mira Mahendru

Sophomore student, Physics Major



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Mira Mahendru

Mira Mahendru

Sophomore student, Physics Major

I am studying Physics, chemistry and mathematics and started training in Tafti lab in the fall of 2021. I am currently working on the synthesis of materials with topological magnetic excitations. I joined the lab due to my interest in the overlap between physics and chemistry and their applications in solid state physics. I am passionate about research and am grateful for the hands-on learning opportunity, and ability to work with such a brilliant group of individuals. Aside from research, I enjoy playing squash, reading classic science fiction, aquarium-keeping, and astrophotography.

Olivia Remcho

Olivia Remcho

Sophomore student, Engineering Major



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Olivia Remcho

Olivia Remcho

Sophomore student, Engineering Major

I am studying human-centered engineering and joined the Tafti lab in the autumn of 2022. My current research is on the recycling of waste heat via the thermal Hall effect. I feel so fortunate to be a part of an interdisciplinary group where I can explore physics and further my education as a scientist. I have already learned so much and grown as a student in the lab. In addition to pursuing engineering, I am also studying English here at 涩里番下载. Outside of the lab, I compete on 涩里番下载鈥檚 equestrian team, teach English as second language classes, and also enjoy cooking and spending time with friends.

Kadan Lam

Kadan Lam

Junior student, Physics Major



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Kadan Lam

Kadan Lam

Junior student, Physics Major

I am a Physics major with minors in Chemistry, Computer Science, and hopefully Mathematics. During the summer of 2022, my work in the Tafti Lab officially started with the hope of synthesizing thin films via chemical vapor deposition methods and the fabrication of devices using said films. My interactions with everyone in the lab, along with the diverse projects they lead besides my own, continue to influence my perception of what I can or want to do by pursuing this path. Meanwhile, in my free time, I pivot indecisively among various hobbies, such as philosophy, competitive gaming, papercraft, fingerstyle guitar, and sketching.

Grace Naugle

Grace Naugle

Junior student, Chemistry Major



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Grace Naugle

Grace Naugle

Junior student, Chemistry Major

I joined the Tafti lab in the fall of 2022. I am studying chemistry and economics, and I am currently working on the synthesis of iridium oxide materials with honeycomb structures. I joined the lab to explore the interface of chemistry and physics and to gain hands-on lab experience. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running and baking.

Lab Alumni

Dr. Faranak Bahrami

Dr. Faranak Bahrami

Former Ph.D. student in Tafti Lab
Currently a postdoc at Princeton University.



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Dr. Faranak Bahrami

Dr. Faranak Bahrami

Former Ph.D. student in Tafti Lab

Currently a postdoc at Princeton University.

Andrew Cole

Andrew Cole

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab
Physics major



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Andrew Cole

Andrew Cole

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab

Physics major

Emilie Dufault

Emilie Dufault

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab
Chemistry major



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Emilie Dufault

Emilie Dufault

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab

Chemistry major

Kemal Atay

Kemal Atay

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab



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Kemal Atay

Kemal Atay

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab

Prof. Zhi-Cheng Wang

Prof. Zhi-Cheng Wang

Former postdoc in Tafti Lab
Currently a faculty member at Southeast University.



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Prof. Zhi-Cheng Wang

Prof. Zhi-Cheng Wang

Former postdoc in Tafti Lab

Currently a faculty member at Southeast University.

Dr. Hung-Yu Yang

Dr. Hung-Yu Yang

Former Ph.D. student in Tafti Lab
Currently a postdoc at UCLA



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Dr. Hung-Yu Yang

Dr. Hung-Yu Yang

Former Ph.D. student in Tafti Lab

Currently a postdoc at UCLA

Thomas Tartaglia

Thomas Tartaglia

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Physics major)
Currently a graduate student at Cornell University



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Thomas Tartaglia

Thomas Tartaglia

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Physics major)

Currently a graduate student at Cornell University

Renee Nichols

Renee Nichols

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Physics major).
Currently a Ph.D. student at UCSC



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Renee Nichols

Renee Nichols

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Physics major).

Currently a Ph.D. student at UCSC

Summer Mills

Summer Mills

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)
Currently a medical intern



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Summer Mills

Summer Mills

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)

Currently a medical intern

Nikhil Chellam

Nikhil Chellam

Former REU student in Tafti Lab (Physics major)
Currently a Ph.D. student at Northwestern University



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Nikhil Chellam

Nikhil Chellam

Former REU student in Tafti Lab (Physics major)

Currently a Ph.D. student at Northwestern University

Dr. Mykola Abramchuk

Dr. Mykola Abramchuk

Former postdoc in Tafti Lab
Currently a scientist at the Intel Corporation



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Dr. Mykola Abramchuk

Dr. Mykola Abramchuk

Former postdoc in Tafti Lab

Currently a scientist at the Intel Corporation

Thomas Mier

Thomas Mier

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)



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Thomas Mier

Thomas Mier

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)

Troy Xu

Troy Xu

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)



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Troy Xu

Troy Xu

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)

Samantha Jaszewski

Samantha Jaszewski

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)
Currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia



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Samantha Jaszewski

Samantha Jaszewski

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)

Currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia

Evan McDonnell

Evan McDonnell

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)



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Evan McDonnell

Evan McDonnell

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major)

Isabella Reilly

Isabella Reilly

Former visiting undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Physics major)



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Isabella Reilly

Isabella Reilly

Former visiting undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Physics major)

Ilektra Andoni

Ilektra Andoni

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major).
Currently a Ph.D. student at UC Irvine



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Ilektra Andoni

Ilektra Andoni

Former undergraduate researcher in Tafti Lab (Chemistry major).

Currently a Ph.D. student at UC Irvine