Principal Investigator:
Dr. Justin Caram
Email: jcaram@chem.ucla.edu | YH-3077A
Postdoctoral Scholar:
Dr. Tasnim Ahmed
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, India, 2021
Email: tasnimahmed92@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
I am interested in understanding photophysics of infrared emissive materials. Specifically my research focuses on studying the photophysical properties of 2D SWIR emitting semiconductor nanocrystals. Focused on that, I also enjoy developing new microscopy and spectroscopy tools. In my free time, I love exploring new areas, watching movies, and listening to music.
Graduate Students:
Austin Bailey
B.S. Chemistry, University of Rochester, 2018
Email: austin.bailey@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
I currently investigate the aggregation properties and photophysics of amphiphilic cyanine dyes. I am originally from West Hartford, CT and enjoy arranging music for piano as well as finding new music.
Belle Coffey
B.A. Chemistry, Bard University, 2021
Email: bcoffey@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
I am interested in the photophysical properties of inorganic materials and coordination complexes. Specifically, I am interested in studying the synthesis and characterization of various metal quantum dots and nanoparticles in order to understated their unique photophysical properties. Such materials have general application potential in optoelectronics, imaging, and solar energy. My hobbies include painting, listening to music and volunteering with local animal rescues.
Yongjia He
B.S. Physics, Wuhan University, 2020
Email: yjhe2020@g.ucla.edu | YH 3086
I really enjoy investigating molecular qubits for quantum computation and employing these quantum properties for future applications. My life-long goal is to tackle climate change with the help of quantum technologies. In my free time, observing trees that are bathed in the bright afternoon sunlight can make me happy all day! Feel free to email me for discussion and potential collaboration!
Ash Sueh Hua
B.S. Chemistry, California Polytechnic State University, 2020
Email: ashleyhua@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
I am working on using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study the excitonic properties of quantum dots. I like cute things and enjoy creative hobbies such as fashion, cooking, crafting, and video games.
Barry (Yangtao) Li
B.S. Chemistry/Materials Science, University of California, Los Angeles (Bruin continued!), 2020
Email: barryyangtao@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
My research interest is to apply theoretical tools (electronic structure theory and photon statistics) to understand specific spectroscopic features and develop new spectroscopic methods from theoretical perspective. I am recently working on the theoretical study of complexes with large spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and nonnegligible ligand field (LF) effects. I am using quantum mechanical models to explain the spectroscopic features of these complexes. I am also working on theoretical modeling of higher order correlation spectroscopy to assist the new experimental designs. As the group IT, I am also trying to build suitable computational methods to speed up several data analysis codes for the group. During my free time, I love cooking (Szechuan cuisine), and reading European novels from the 19th century.
Richard Liu
B.S. Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 2020
Email: rrliu@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
I am interested in better understanding the aggregation dynamics and exciton behavior of supramolecular dye molecules through a variety of spectroscopic methods. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing saxophone, and playing Dance Dance Revolution!
Ashley Shin
B.A. Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, 2017
Email: ajshin@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
Website: www.ajshin.org
My research aims to synthesize, handle, and characterize qubit molecular moieties that can bind to surfaces while maintaining their ideal qubit properties.
Anthony Sica
B.S. Chemistry, Hofstra University, 2018
Email: asica@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
I enjoy developing new spectroscopic techniques to study and develop a better understanding of materials. I use decay associated Fourier Spectroscopy (DAFS), that utilizes interferometric methods, paired with superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) to observe otherwise difficult spectral features in the materials. Alongside DAFS I will build and develop a highly stable microscope that will assist in connecting the spectral properties with localized areas of our materials. I will use this to study materials such as lead-halide perovskites which have potential applications in optoelectronics. In my free time, I enjoy goofing off around Westwood with friends, playing guitar and video games, admiring sloths, impersonating Justin, and chilling with my sweet cats Nutella and ZZ.
Xuanheng (TD) Tan
B.S. Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 2019
Email: txh1028@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
My research interest is to synthesize, characterize and develop semiconducting nanomaterials. I am currently working on metal chalcogenide nanoplatelets, a kind of 2D nanomaterials which possess the potential to be applied in electronic devices. In my free time, I enjoy playing videos games and watching movies.
Stephanie Tenney
B.A. Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, 2018
Email: stenney@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
My research studies synthesis, characterization, and optical properties of 2D semiconductor nanocrystals. Specifically, I study metal chalcogenides with absorption and emission in the SWIR. In my free time I enjoy painting, gardening, reading, and hiking.
Jillian Williams
M.S. Chemical Engineering, Wayne State University, 2020
B.S. Biochemistry, Indiana University, 2015
Email: jillianwilliams@chem.ucla.edu | YH 3086
My research investigates the properties that drive the self-assembly of organic cyanine dyes to form aggregates. I use spectroscopic methods to better understand the photophysics of these aggregates and cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to determine their structures. In my spare time I enjoy reading, going to the beach, and singing karaoke.
Postbaccalaureate Student:
Ben Nguyen
Undergraduate Students:
Lianne Alson
Anais Bolor
John Cao
Hannah Liu
Linus Murphy
Ricky Ronquillo
Elise Skytte
Laurie Tan
Group Alumni:
Postdoctoral Alumni
Dr. Timothy Atallah, Assistant Professor, Denison University, atallaht@denison.edu
Graduate Alumni
Dr. Hannah Friedman, Postdoctoral Scholar, Naval Research Laboratory, hannah.friedman.ctr@nrl.navy.mil
Dr. Anu Deshmukh, Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University, adeshm@stanford.edu
Undergraduate Alumni
Shireen Talieh
Ray Huang
Mikayla Sonnleitner, Medical Student, University of Hawaii
Azmain Hossain, PhD Student, California Institute of Technology
Jonathan Hui, University of California, Los Angeles
Danielle Koppel, HRL Labs, Malibu
Danielle Cadena, University of Texas at Austin
Zack Ferrin, North Carolina State University
Visiting Students
Janine Lorenz, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Niklas Geue, University of Manchester
Victoria Vilchez, Imperial College London
Xingyu Shen, Peking University
Chengye Huang, Imperial College London
Lab Mascot
Caram Group 