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. Computer Engineering, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation 2026)
B.S. Physics, UW-La Crosse (Expected Graduation 2026)

Vivek is a fourth-year dual degree student studying Physics and Computer Engineering at UW-Madison. Throughout his undergraduate career, Vivek has contributed to research projects focused on the development and characterization of wide-bandgap semiconductors and colloidal nanoparticles, the application of machine learning algorithms for classification and clustering tasks, including medical conditions such as microscopic colitis and biomechanical features such as footstrike patterns, as well as the production and chemical separation of radioisotopes for use in cancer therapy and imaging. Vivek enjoys spending his free time lifting weights, playing basketball, and watching fantasy or Sci-Fi tv shows.

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. Electrical Engineering, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation May 2028)
B.S. Computer Science, UW-Madison (Expected Graduation May 2028)

Joshua is a first-year undergraduate student from Torrance, CA. In the past, he conducted research on the efficacy of CT scans in plaque detection in the heart. His current role in the Jacobberger Group is simulating electronic devices based on graphene nanoribbons and diamane. He is currently involved in the Wisconsin Formula SAE team, helping design circuits in the electrical team. In his free time, he enjoys improving his programming skills by working on various personal projects and learning new languages.

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.