We study energy landscapes to unlock the secrets of matter and predict novel materials.

Interested in joining us? Please contact [email protected]

Recent News

• GrantOct 2026: We received a Rutgers–Newark SASN AI Hub seed grant, jointly with Prof. Georgiy Akopov (Chemistry). The project pilots an AI-agent-assisted workflow that records the expert reasoning behind X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and tests which conclusions hold up under equally defensible alternative choices.
• GrantSep 2026: We received a Rutgers–Newark IDRIS Undergraduate Research Grant (2026–2027). Undergraduate scholar Conrad Moenga will build a machine-learning workflow to validate simulations of iron at Earth’s core conditions.
• GrantSep 2026: We received an American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS PRF) New Directions grant. The project will uncover how aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and thiophene polymerize into carbon nanothreads under pressure.
• PeopleJuly 2026: Welcome to our new high school intern, Adrija Adhikary from Union County Magnet High School.
• AwardMay 2026: Rishi Rao received the 2026 Dean's Outstanding Dissertation Award, the only recipient in 2026.
• PhDMarch 2026: Congrats to Rishi Rao for successfully defending his PhD thesis!
• PeopleJuly 2025: Welcome to our new high school interns, Alex Fu from Union County Magnet High School and Collins Esubonteng from Science Park High School. We are excited to have them join our group!
• PhDApril 2025: Congrats to Shuo Tao for successfully defending his PhD thesis!
• AlumniAug 2024: Congratulations to Dr. Ying Sun, who will join the Department of Physics at Jilin University as an Associate Professor.
• PeopleJune 2024: Welcome to Nathaniel Esubonteng and Kira Bhatia, who will join our group as high school interns this summer.
• AwardFeb 2024: Congratulations to Shuo, who won the competitive Dean's Dissertation Fellowship.
• PeopleSep 2023: Welcome to Meiyan, who joins our group as a PhD student.