Dr. Abhijit Biswas joined Ajayan’s group in January 2021, as a research scientist in the Rice University National Security Research Accelerator (RUNSRA) that is supported by Department of Defense: Army Research Laboratory (Diamond Lab). Before joining, he was a research associate at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, in India. His research goal is to design and synthesize highest quality epitaxial heterostructures and superlattices, to play with their internal degrees of freedom to exploit the structure–property relationships, in order to find the next-generation multi-functional materials in view of technological applications and of fundamental materials science interest. His current research interest ranges from growth of novel oxide to non-oxide two- dimensional epitaxial films, down to its ultra-thin limit, to observe unforeseeable quantum correlated phenomena. His work includes metal-insulator transitions and magneto-transport phenomena in strong spin-orbit coupled epitaxial perovskite oxide thin films by reducing dimensionality, strain engineering and quantum confinement effect. He is also extremely interested in exploring environment friendly energy related applications of engineered two- dimensional thin films. In his early research carrier, he had extensively worked on tailoring the metal oxide surfaces to obtain the atomic flatness with single terminating layer. Dr. Biswas received his B.Sc. in Physics from Kalyani University, followed by his M.Sc (in experimental condensed matter physics) from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay in 2007. His Ph.D., also in experimental condensed matter physics, was awarded by POSTECH, South Korea in 2014, for his work on the transport phenomena in perovskite oxide thin films. Before moving back to India as a national post-doctoral fellow (SERB-N- PDF, IISER Pune), he did a couple of year post-doc at POSTECH, working in the field of growth and characterizations of strong spin-orbit coupled metal oxide thin films. Currently, he is also serving as a reviewer of several reputed peer-review journals.

Dr. Guanhui Gao (Gigi) was born in Inner Mongolia (Mongolian Minority) and joined Ajayan’s group in April 2019. She received a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Ocean University of China, 2012. She was a joint Ph.D. student in Prof. Ajayan’s group from 2009 to 2012. She then worked in the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology at the Chinese Academy of Science as an associate professor from 2012 to 2015. From 2015 to 2019, she worked at the Paul-Drude Institute für Festkörperelektronik, Leibniz-Institut im Forschungsverbund Berlin, Germany, as a junior scientist. In April 2019, she re-joined Rice University as a research scientist in the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngieering. At Rice, she is in charge of the Titan themis3 STEM in the Electron Microscopy Center, while also focusing on her own research in the interdisciplinary field of materials science and electrochemistry. She is particularly interested in the characterization of and the correlation between structures and properties for nanomaterials and heterostructures via TEM technologies to better understand and enable optimization of the synthesis and performance of nanomaterials.

Dr. Ben Jawdat received his PhD in physics from the University of Houston, where he studied novel Pt-based superconducting materials. After receiving his PhD, he joined the Air Force Research Laboratory as an NRC Postdoctoral Fellow, where he worked on the development of long-distance power-beaming using millimeter-wave technology with focus on new and robust materials with high millimeter-wave absorption for effective power transmission. Dr. Jawdat joined Prof. Ajayan’s research group as a Research Scientist in June 2018, where he is focusing on the development of nano-composite millimeter-wave absorbers for this research project.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Meiyazhagan joined Ajayan’s group in February 2015. He received his PhD degree in Chemistry from the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India. His doctoral work focused on a simple, efficient method for the development of carbon nanomaterials from bio-wastes for a wide range of application in the fields related to energy storage, catalysts and organic reactions. His current area of research focuses on the synthesis of lithium metal-doped organic molecules for energy storage applications and the synthesis of high performance 3D nanocomposite materials for multifunctional applications.

Dr. Anand B. Puthirath studied Physics at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), India. After research experiences at VSSC Trivandrum and RRI, Bengaluru, he obtained Ph.D. in Materials Science from CUSAT and pursued his academic career as a postdoctoral fellow at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad. In 2018, he was awarded the esteemed Indo-US Postdoctoral fellowship instituted by the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum to Join Prof. Ajayan’s research group at RICE University. Recently, he is also awarded the prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship, founded by the European Union. As a Research Scientist, he is continuing the academic research program, and his research focuses on Diamond Electronics and Metrology and Magnetism, Piezoelectricity, and Dielectrics in bulk and low-dimensional materials, Micromechanical Properties of Materials, and Materials for Energy and the Environment. He is also passionate about performing Focused ion beam milling and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS).

Dr. M.M. Rahman received his Ph.D. from Cornell University where he studied the structure-property relationship in green nanocomposites. His primary academic interest lies in interdisciplinary materials science research, using an engineering and biology perspective to fabricate nature-inspired hierarchical composites. He is designing next-generation composites via advanced manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, with an emphasis on sustainability for load-bearing structures, textiles, energy, and environmental applications. Additionally, he is interested in exploring how hierarchical architectures and geometries affect the design of new composite metamaterials with unprecedented multifunctional properties. The desired outcomes from his research include discovering the structure, composition, and property relationship behavior of novel composite materials along with the exploration of the relationship between the multi-scale geometric design of hierarchical architectures and their multifunctionality.

Dr. Soumyabrata Roy joined the Ajayan group at Rice in June 2019. He received his Ph.D. degree in Chemical Science from JNCASR, India, where he studied structure-activity relationships in engineered transition metal based inorganic interfaces for clean energy technologies. He pursued his Master’s studies from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Presidency College, Calcutta, India. Roy’s broader research perspective lies in finding integrative scientific and technological solutions to the pressing global challenges at the intersection of energy, environment, and mobility. The scope of his research involves a conglomeration of materials design at the molecular level, structure-property-activity rationalization, chemical catalysis, and advanced device engineering. His current research projects are focused on direct air capture of CO2 and its subsequent electroreduction, integration of photovoltaic and electrochemical energy conversion platforms, and sea water splitting.

Dr. Xiang Zhang joined Ajayan’s group as a Ph.D. student in the Applied Physics Program at Rice University and then as a postdoc and a research scientist in Materials Science and NanoEngineering. He received his B.S. degree in Applied Physics from University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), where he started to grow graphene by using CVD method. His research interests include synthesis, characterization, and applications of various 2D materials such as graphene, h-BN, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and their heterostructures. Currently He is also working on diamond growth.

Dr. Sohini Bhattacharyya obtained her bachelors’ degree in Chemistry from Presidency College, Kolkata in 2012. She completed MS in Materials Sciences from Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore in 2015. She completed her PhD under the guidance of Prof. Tapas K. Maji at JNCASR, Bangalore, on the post- synthetic modification of MOFs and their application in energy and environment, in 2019. She has been an INSPIRE scholar, endowed by Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India from 2012-19. She is a Rice Academy Postdoctoral Fellow and her project deals with the valorization of biogas by separation and subsequent conversion of carbon dioxide and methane to value-added products. She is also interested in the design and synthesis of inorganic-organic hybrid materials for carbon dioxide capture and water purification.

Dr. Atin is from Kolkata, India and obtained his BSc (2010) from Jadavpur University (India) and MSc (2012) from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (India) in Chemistry. During his doctoral studies with Dr Sourindra Mahanty, he studied the development of hierarchical nanostructured materials for lithium-ion battery and supercapacitor applications at CSIR-Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, India. He joined the Prof. Lightfoot and Armstrong groups at the University of St Andrews (Scotland, United Kingdom) as a research fellow (September 2018 to March 2022), working on polyanionic cathode materials for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery applications. He joined Prof. Ajayan’s group at Rice University as a postdoctoral associate in April 2022, working on energy storage materials.

Aparna Adumbumkulath graduated from Model Engineering College(CUSAT), India in 2018, with a Bachelors degree in Biomedical engineering. She joined Dr Ajayans Group in fall 2019 as a PhD candidate. She is currently working on the synthesis of new biomaterials for surgical applications in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine.

Sathvik joined the Ajayan Research Group as a Ph.D. student in Fall 2020. He has an undergraduate background in materials science engineering and nanotechnology. His research interests are in the field of 2D-materials— exploring the physics and chemistry of their atom-thick arrangements and applying them in devices, sensors, and catalysis is what excites him most. He spent his undergrad studying and researching a mix of applied nanomaterials in sensors at the Pradeep Research Group at IIT Madras, India. During 2018-19, he did a part of his undergraduate study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and worked on 2D-materials for nanofiltration membranes in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Sathvik spends his free time playing Carnatic Indian music on the violin, learning Japanese, and obsessing over cats!

Alec is from Bernardsville, New Jersey. He graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Where he worked on both the development of transparent composite organic-inorganic films for energy storage applications. Currently, Alec is interested in the use of polymeric materials for energy storage devices. Specially using 2-D and 3-D Covalent Organic frameworks as metal-free cathodes for li-ion batteries.

Salma Alhashim joined Prof. Ajayan’s Group in spring 2019 as a PhD candidate. Salma received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Princess Nora University in Saudi Arabia and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Houston, Clear Lake in 2018. She received a fellowship from the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia. Her master’s research focused on finding efficient routes for heterocycles through activation of amides and amines. She worked in 2011-2012 in King Abdullah University of Science and Technology at Prof. M. Eddaoudi’s lab on the synthesis and characterization of metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Salma’s current research focus is on the recycling of spent Lithium Ion Batteries (LIBs).

Maria Astrid Campos Mata is originally from Monterrey, Mexico. She received her bachelor's degree in Industrial Chemistry from Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) in 2020. Astrid joined Dr. Ajayan's group for pursuing her Ph.D. in fall 2020 in the Materials Science and Nanoengineering department. Her previous research was focused on the synthesis of nanomaterials for energy conversion devices and its engineering. Her research interests are in energy storage and conversion devices for a sustainable future.

Xi Chen joined Prof. Ajayan's group in Spring of 2022. She received her B.S. in Physics in Nanjing University in China. Xi has experience with electrochemical deposition and lithography. Before joining the group, Xi also worked as a research assistant in Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Nanjing University. Her current research interests include growing graphene on the surface of Cu by CVD and the applications of 2D thin films in sensors.

Jeremy Daum received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati with minors in Chemistry and German. Before joining Ajayan Research Group, he interned at Formica, Clopay Plastics, and B. Braun researching and developing embedded systems in table laminates, elastic films, and emulsion therapies at each respective company. Additionally, his previous research at the University of Cincinnati involved the applications of CVD grown nanomaterials in energy storage devices, such as Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Sulfur batteries. He plans to continue in that field of research in the Ajayan Research Group.

Jacob is from Corsicana, Texas. He received both a B. S. in Physics and a M. S. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. During this time his research focused on the development of nanostructured magnetic materials. He joined the Ajayan group in the Fall of 2021 and has since then expanded his research into the development of nanostructured electronic materials and devices.

Tia Gray first joined the Ajayan Research Group as an undergraduate student in Fall 2019 and continued as a PhD student in Fall 2021. She graduated from Rice University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (2021). She is interested in materials growth, processing, and characterization for diamond-based electronics applications.

Vijay Vedhan Jayanthi Harikrishnan (VJ) graduated with a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut in 2019. He joined Ajayan’s Group in Spring 2020 as a Ph.D. candidate. He focuses on design and development of novel next-generation nanocomposites and meta-materials through advanced fabrication technologies like Direct Ink Writing, Fused Deposition Modelling and Stereo-lithography.

Harikishan received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from SASTRA University, India, followed by his master’s degree in Material Science and Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He joined Ajayan’s group in the Fall of 2019 and his current research focuses on low dimensional materials synthesis and processing for catalysis.

Ali Khater is a graduate student in the Ajayan 3D Printing group developing novel materials for 3D printing while also enhancing their mechanical properties. Ali received his B.S. in Physics from the University of Central Florida in 2018, where he worked on polymer-derived ceramics on graphene oxide for battery electrodes. The focus of Ali’s current work is the development of novel materials for 3D printing, such as polymers, metals, and ceramics, and the enhancement of their mechanical properties through nano materials, continuous fibers, or architecture. If you are interested in printing your material, please contact me at azk4@rice.edu. We can print anything!

Jiawei received her bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Hangzhou Dianzi University, Zhejiang China (2014), and her professional master’s degree in Materials Science and NanoEngineering from Rice University (2017). She became a Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Ajayan’s group in fall of 2017, with research focused on the fabrication of field-effect transistors (FETs). She is currently investigating the development of bio-sensors and bio-mimetic sensors from 2D materials.

Chenxi Li received his bachelor degree in applied chemistry at Central China Normal University (CCNU) in 2019. Then, in the same year, he joined Dr. Ajayan's group first as a professional master student, and transferred to PhD student in 2020. His current research interests focus on the surface functionalization of diamond material, and its relative application in device fabrication. Besides, he is also dedicated to the lithium ion battery recycling for cathode and anode material regenerations. The characterization techniques he is familiar with are XPS, SEM, EDAX, TEM, AFM, Raman Spectroscopy, and FTIR.

Alianna Maguire joined the Ajayan Research group in the Fall of 2020. She received her Bachelor’s in Material Science and Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During her undergraduate studies, Alianna researched the effect of nanofiber diameter on the growth and proliferation of neurons and astrocytes and worked to improve the thermal capacity of Nafion-based proton exchange membrane fuel cell materials by incorporating inorganic nanoparticles. She went on to work in research and development at Norsk Titanium, a titanium 3D printing company for aerospace applications. Her current research interests are in additive manufacturing of novel nanocomposites and biocompatible materials.

Nitisha Mehrotra received her Master's degree in Nanoscience and Technology, with a specialization in material synthesis, from Mount Carmel College in India. After completing her studies, she worked as a project scientist at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, where she was involved in the development of biomaterials for water remediation and edible food coating materials. In the fall of 2022, she joined Dr. Ajayan’s Group as a PhD candidate. Her current research is focused on developing multifunctional biomaterials for surgical applications, in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine.

Tymofii Pieshkov got his B.S in Applied Physics and Nanotechnology from Lviv Polytechnic National University in Ukraine in 2020 after which, he became a graduate student in Applied Physics Program in Rice University. For the first two years in Rice, he was working towards his Master’s degree with Dr. Han as a scientific advisor. His research was focused on 2D nanomaterials, their interfacial structures, and data processing techniques to improve the STEM-EDX signal. After the defense, he joined Dr. Ajayan research lab to continue his work towards PhD and is currently working on projects related to growth and doping of diamond changing it from insulator to semiconductor.

Neethu joined Dr. Ajayan's Research Group as a PhD student in Fall 2020. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, Class of 2020. Her past research involved the development of food coatings and the valorization of food waste as biosorbents. She is interested to further explore the intersection between materials science and food science/technology. Currently, her research focuses on biomaterials for sustainable food coatings as well as 3D printing of food.

M.A.S.R. Saadi completed his BS in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), during which he studied the effect of multi-scale reinforcement particle size on mechanical and thermal properties of polymer composites. During his MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the George Washington University (GWU), his work focused on nanomechanics and electronic structure of organic photovoltaics and semiconducting conjugated polymer blends using multiple Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) modalities and theories. He also investigated strain engineered modulation of charge transport properties in 2D materials for optoelectronic applications. After joining Ajayan’s group as an academic visitor, he is currently working on the development of high-performance carbon fiber and nanomaterials from waste sources. Also, he is working on fabrication of advanced multifunctional materials via additive manufacturing technologies.

Xinting Shuai received his B.S. degree in Material Science and Engineering from the Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (JUST) of China in 2015. He joined the Materials Science and NanoEngineering (MSNE) department at Rice University in the summer of 2016 as a professional master’s student and joined Dr. Ajayan’s group as a Ph.D. student in Spring 2019. He has previous research experience in the CVD growth of graphene and 2D materials. Currently, his interests focus on CVD growing optical organic and inorganic materials. His motto is: “Build better materials and change the world”.

Sreehari received his BS-MS for the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, India. He joined the Materials Science and NanoEngineering (MSNE) department at Rice University in the Fall of 2018. His current research interests are Na metal batteries and thermochromic polymers.

Shajedul started his Ph.D. in Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice University in Fall 2021. He is working in the Ajayan 3D Printing group. Shajedul received his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh in 2021, where he worked on deep learning, molecular dynamics, functionally graded nanomaterials, and nanoscale thermal transport. His current research interests are topology optimization, bio-inspired design, machine learning, data science in mechanics, and molecular dynamics.

Jianan Xu received his B.E. degree in Material Science and Engineering from Sichuan University in 2017. He joined the Materials Science and NanoEngineering (MSNE) department at Rice University in the fall of 2017 as a professional master’s student and joined Dr. Ajayan’s group as a Ph.D. student in Fall 2019. His research focuses on cobalt-free cation disordered oxide (oxyfluoride) and cation ordered layered oxide as Li-ion battery cathodes, as well as developing metal halides for sodium-ion battery cathode materials.

Mingrui Xu joined Prof. Ajayan's research group in the spring of 2022. He received his undergraduate degree in Polymer Materials and Engineering from Qingdao University of Science and Technology in the fall of 2020. Before joining the group, his main research direction was polymer materials and rubber blending. His current research interests are 3D printing, mechanical properties of material and molecular dynamics.

Pearl Fernandes is an undergraduate student in the class of 2022 at Wiess College. She plans to graduate with a B.S. in Chemistry with a double specialization in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry and Organic Chemistry while double minoring in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and Politics, Law, and Social Thought. Her research background includes clinical research on GI cancers and organic synthesis. She joined Dr. Ajayan's group in Summer 2021 to explore inorganic synthesis and materials chemistry, particularly on the use of nanoparticles in medically relevant technologies.

Chloe Kong is an undergraduate student in the class of 2023 at Brown College. She plans to graduate with a B.S. in materials science and nanoengineering, and then pursue graduate studies. Chloe joined the Ajayan research group in the summer of 2020, and she worked on projects including the synthesis of sustainable, heat-dissipative films and fibers and the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide for catalytic applications.

Pierre Loch-Temzelides joined Professor Ajayan’s group in July of 2018. He is a member of The Kinkaid School’s Class of 2020. Pierre has been involved in work with carbon-based supercapacitors, pseudocapacitors, and, most recently, lithium-sulfur batteries. His current research focuses on the improvement of cycle life of lithium-sulfur cells, as well as the 3D printing of lithium-ion battery cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials.

Jacob Lowenstein is an undergraduate student in the class of 2025 at Jones College as well as being a Midshipman in Rice NROTC. He plans to graduate with a B.S. in Materials Science and NanoEngineering and commission to become a US Naval Officer. Jacob joined Dr. Ajayan’s group in Spring 2022 studying a family of two-dimensional materials called MXenes. Jacob hopes to gain valuable skills and knowledge that he might be able to apply to future projects or jobs.

Riaz Mowzoon-Mogharrabi is an undergraduate student in the class of 2024 at Duncan College. He plans on graduating with a B.S. in Bioengineering, while focusing his research specifically on nanotechnology and aims to bridge the two fields throughout his education. Such work, he plans, will continue into graduate studies and even beyond. He joined Ajayan Group in the Fall of 2020, participating in a number of projects with potential applications in the medical field.

Valentina Osorio is an undergraduate student at Hanszen College who plans to graduate in 2024 with a B.S. in both Chemistry and Earth, Environment, and Planetary Sciences. In Spring of 2021, she joined Ajayan Group, synthesizing direct air capture materials from carbon waste. She hopes to continue to use chemistry on earth, environment, and planetary applications as a graduate student.

Aasha Zinke is an undergraduate student in the class of 2024 at Jones College. She plans to graduate with a B.S. in Materials Science and NanoEngineering and pursue graduate studies in Material Science. Aasha joined Dr. Ajayan’s group in Fall 2020 studying the applications of biomaterials for combating food insecurity and promoting sustainability.

Dr. Nithya Chakingal obtained her Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. S. Prathapan from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India, in 2017, where her research was mainly focused on the synthesis of thiophene based organic polymers and oligomers for application in non-linear optics and Organic Light-emitting diodes. She received the prestigious INSPIRE fellowship from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to pursue her Ph.D. Dr. Nithya completed her undergraduate and Master’s with the first rank from Calicut University (N.S.S. College, Ottappalam) and Mahatma Gandhi University (St. Berchman’s College, Changanassery)), Kerala, India in respectively. She joined Prof. Ajayan’s research group as an academic visitor in 2020. Her research interests are focused on the synthesis of thiophene based thermochromic polymers and organic small molecules for optoelectronic applications.

Dr. Robles has a Bachelor, a Master and a PhD of Science degree in Metallurgy and Materials Science and Engineering. He has more than 20 years of research and industrial experience in Materials Science, Engineering and Manufacturing. During his career Dr. Robles worked for the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) as a Manager and a Principal Investigator. In August 2008 he moved to the University of Houston as an Assistant Professor. Today he is an Associated Professor with Tenure and has appointments in the Electrical Computer Engineering and Materials Science departments. He has been working on nanostructured materials such as catalysts, water splitting, ceramics, polymers, composites and carbon nanostructures. He also has expertise in Structural Materials such as steels and aluminum alloys and their applications for the automotive and railway industries. His current activities at Rice University are mainly related to transmission electron microscopy.

Farhan graduated from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology with a bachelor's degree in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. He was an Assistant Research Staff at Institute of Advanced Energy (IAE), Kyoto University, Japan. During his time at IAE, he researched and developed bottom-up synthesis pathways for black phosphorus, phosphorene nanoribbons, and phosphorus allotropes. He joined the Ajayan Research Group in spring of 2022 and is currently working on engineering functional energy materials.