People

B.S. Physics, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Chris was born in Rome, New York and was raised in Downingtown, Pennsylvania since 2009. While there, he earned his bachelors degree in Physics from West Chester University while simultaneously pursuing nanomaterials research at Villanova University. His current work revolves around growing and characterizing transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and subsequently making nanodevices from them. On the side, he is an avid swing dancer, woodworker, auto-mechanic, hiker, and strategy-game enthusiast.

M.S. Chemistry and Applied Materials Science, University of Minnesota-Duluth
B.S. Chemistry, Luther College

Hamza is from Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. He did his undergraduate at Luther College where he worked on growth of Pd nanoparticles for H2 storage and synthesis of diglycolomide ligands for heavy metal extractions. He went on to do a master’s in Chemistry and Applied Materials Science at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he conducted research on the synthesis of main group porphyrins along with the design and characterization of dye sensitized solar cells incorporating the porphyrins. His current research involves the design of solar cells that utilize singlet fission to enhance efficiency. Hamza also enjoys kayaking, biking, travelling, road trips, cooking and playing video games in his free time.

M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, Kookmin University
B.S. Materials Science and Engineering, Kookmin University

You Jin Koo was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She pursued both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Materials Science and Engineering, focusing on organic semiconductors and two-dimensional materials during her Master’s program. In September 2023, she began her Ph.D. journey in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research project involves the growth and characterization of diamane. In her leisure time, she enjoys group workouts (CrossFit, running) and shopping with friends.

B.S. Optoelectronic Information Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications

Ruixuan started pursuing a doctoral degree at UW-Madison in September 2023. She obtained a B.S. in Optoelectronic Information Science and Engineering from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. Her research is centered on 2D material growth, including fabricating wafer-scale arrays of structurally precise graphene nanoribbons to enhance the charge transport characteristics in field-effect transistors. Outside of science, Ruixuan enjoys travelling and reading.

B.S. Physics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Ed is from Hanoi, Vietnam. He obtained his B.S. in Physics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, focusing on charge transport mechanisms in amorphous semiconductors and semiconductor alloys. He went on to work at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology’s Institute of Material Science, mainly focusing on incorporating graphene into various materials for commercial and industrial purposes. His current research involves growing 2D materials via PECVD. In his free time, Ed enjoys tinkering with computers, modding games, and playing video games.

B.S. Electrical Engineering, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation May 2027)

Joshua Chiang is a junior at UW-Madison. In the Jacobberger Group, he investigates the passivation of semiconductor surfaces with 2D materials for applications in photovoltaics and nanoelectronics. He also serves as a member of Wisconsin Autonomous, designing hardware and optimizing test systems for a level 4 autonomous vehicle. He has industry experience as an intern at TuringSense and Holo Equipment, where he developed sensor-integrated exosuit prototypes and designed PCBs for lighting systems, respectively. Proficient in multiple engineering tools and programming languages, Joshua is passionate about studying energy materials and autonomous systems. Outside of academics, Joshua enjoys playing tennis and cooking.

B.S. Electrical Engineering, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation May 2027)
B.S. Mathematics, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation May 2027)

Asma is an undergraduate student at UW-Madison. She is from Milwaukee, WI, and is studying Electrical Engineering and Mathematics. Her work with the Jacobberger Group involves engineering single-photon emitters and spin qubits in 2D materials, such as hexagonal boron nitride, for use in quantum technologies. Outside of school, Asma enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring Madison.

B.S. Electrical Engineering, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation December 2026)

Nicole Wang is an undergraduate student at UW-Madison who joined the Jacobberger Group in Fall 2024. She was born and raised in China. She is currently working on simulations of electronic devices based on transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). In her spare time, she enjoys oil painting, knitting, crocheting, and rock climbing.

B.S. Computer Engineering, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation 2027)

Tim is a freshman at UW-Madison, studying Computer Engineering. He is working on developing and observing 2D nanomaterials in the lab. In his daily life, he enjoys scenery photography, cycling and travelling.

Sun Prairie West High School (Expected Graduation June 2025)

Rohan is a high schooler from Sun Prairie, WI, who joined the Jacobberger Group in Fall 2024. He recently finished modeling a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system in CAD and is now beginning a device simulation project using TCAD. This involves simulating various transistor architectures to evaluate their potential for future electronics applications. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking, biking, lifting, and going to concerts.