Student Profiles
Welcome the Class of 2022!
Logan Bayer
Logan received his BS degree in Physics from Gonzaga University. Over his four-year stint, Logan conducted computational research in two fields – biophysics and cosmology. In biophysics, he became the lead developer in the translation of a thalamocortical network replicating sleep. As for cosmology, Logan explored novel techniques to search for blue compact dwarf galaxies using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in an effort to better measure the Primordial Helium abundance. Logan is looking forward to exploring all facets of condensed matter research. While trying to avoid physics, Logan is usually playing some type of sport, hanging out with friends, or doing exactly what he attempts to avoid.
Timothy Corbett
Corbett graduated with a double BS in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. During his final year, he studied General Relativity, then Harmonic Maps, as joint directed studies. His studies were culminated in an Honors thesis research paper titled “Einstein’s equations, Lagrangians for General Relativity, and ADM Formalism.” Though his background is heavy in Relativity, his interest in Physics stemmed from the thought of working with nanotechnology, and he’s eager to learn from some of the best. Outside of the lab, he reads and plays solitaire.
Karma Dema
Karma Dema is originally from Bhutan. She has spent her last 6 years in El Paso pursuing her Bachelor’s and Master of Science in Physics. During her undergraduate years, she had the opportunity to work as a physics teaching assistant. She also worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Harikrishnan Nair’s Strongly Correlated Nanomagnetic Materials Laboratory. Her role in the lab consisted of preparing magnetic oxide samples via advanced solid-state synthesis techniques. During her masters, she joined Dr. Mark Pederson’s Quantum Theory and Magnetic Materials Lab where she performed Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on small and large clusters of molecules and determine their electronic and magnetic properties. Using these skills, she published her work “Electronic and Magnetic signatures of Low-Lying spin-flip excitonic states of Mn12O12– acetate” and presented her thesis titled “Low-lying spin-flip excitonic states of Mn12O12(COOR)16[H2O]4 molecule (Mn12-Ac).” At Georgetown, she wants to develop her academic and research skills to become a versatile researcher and eventually contribute to establishing scientific research centers in Bhutan. Outside of science, she enjoys listening to music, concerts, reading books, and exploring cafes and restaurants.
Colin Langton
Colin received his B.S. in physics and mathematics from Union College with a minor in computer science. As an undergraduate, his research focused on using a 1.1 MV tandem particle accelerator to search for hazardous materials within environmental samples. His main goal was to develop computational tools to aid with quantifying the concentration of various elements in the samples. From these concentrations the overall risk to the environment and general public could be determined. From this project, Colin was able to present his work twice at the APS Division of Nuclear Physics Fall meeting in 2019 and 2021. Although his research will shift from his focus on Nuclear Physics, he looks forward to continuing to use his computational skills on future projects. Outside of research, Colin served as the vice president of the Society of Physics Students and a member of the Baccalaureate and Commencement Committee. He is also an active member of the ultimate frisbee team and a 3-time intramural sports champion.
Shehan de Silva
Shehan de Silva obtained his B.S. Honors degree in Physics from the University of Colombo (UoC) – Sri Lanka in 2020. His undergrad research project was ‘a Study of Principles of Quantum Enhanced Sensing Devices’ that explored schemes of noise reduction and increasing of precision in the measurements in Quantum Metrology, together with a pedagogical study of the Second Quantization. Soon after completing his degree, he was absorbed into the UoC as a Teaching Assistant at the Department of Physics and concurrently, he worked part-time as a research student at the Raman Spectroscopy Lab of UoC in a project exploring mapping strain due to Tensile/Compressive Stresses in AgNP traces on Flexible Substrates. Subsequently, he worked on an MCR (Multivariate Curve Resolution) model for the detection of Adulterants in Coconut Oil using Raman Spectroscopy with the Chemometrics group of the ALOeKA collaboration at UoC. Outside of physics, Shehan has a passion for classical singing, piano playing, contemporary politics, and civil aviation.
Alexandra Stuer
Alexandra, half Greek, half Belgian, received her MSci degree in Physics and Physical Chemistry from University College London (UCL). During her time at the university, she worked on Quantum bits, and the proton structure as observed at CERN. Her MSci thesis examined the dynamics of short peptide chains with large scale DFT Molecular Dynamics. Her study investigated whether more complex tests are computationally feasible and compared their accuracy to the existing Force Field method. Alexandra is transferring from the Chemistry department at Georgetown University where she simulates and analyses proteins under extreme conditions. Besides her research, Alexandra loves to travel and enjoys hikes and yoga.
Zihui Zeng
Zihui received her BS degree in Physics with minors in Nanotechnology and Economics from Union College (NY). During her undergraduate study, she participated in research aimed at measuring the mass of a supercluster with the Arecibo Pisces-Perseus Supercluster Survey (APPSS). She reduced raw radio astronomy spectra using IDL-based programs and also wrote a python program to apply and test several internal and external extinction corrections to more than twenty thousand galaxies. Zihui also had research experience on the physical properties of phase transitions of bulk 1-decanol for her undergraduate thesis. Zihui’s current interests include condensed matter and nanoscience. Outside of physics, Zihui enjoys traveling, reading, and outdoor activities.
Students at various stages of the program
Daniel O’Brien, Class of 2017
The GU Physics department was a perfect fit for me; its interdisciplinary nature affords access to specialists in a range of fields. This expertise, when paired with state-of-the-art experimental facilities like GNuLab and ISM, means I have the ability to conduct advanced technological research. Lastly, our geographical placement in DC both brings in speakers and collaborators from government labs and offers access to plenty of “nature” just a few miles outside of town.
Luogen (Logan) Xu, Class of 2018
The physics graduate students here at Georgetown are a close-knit community. I get to discuss research ideas with fellow graduate students with great passion and hang out with them outside of work. During stressful times, they were great companies to have intellectually engaging and calming conversations with. The faculty here is welcoming and caring. They do fascinating research and they really love physics. As it turns out, coming here has been one of the best choices I made in my life!
Davonne Henry, Class of 2018
During my undergraduate work, I was not able to explore specialized Physics topics and engage in research as freely as I have been able to do at Georgetown. I have gotten to engage with experimental and theoretical collaborators and I have the opportunity to take advantage of diverse areas of expertise among the faculty and students. Outside of research, I have enjoyed the opportunity to have serious conversations within the department about our responsibility to build a diverse and inclusive STEM community.