We will have openings for 1 PhD position and 2 MS positions in the upcoming months. Please contact Dr. Zhou for more details or submit your applications through Graduate School if you are interested in joining us. We are continuously seeking for highly motivated Master's and undergraduate students to join our experimental research team. Feel free to send your CV to xuan.zhou@utsa.edu if you are interested in doing graduate or undergraduate research here!

Graduate Students

Kade Johnson

Kade Johnson

I finished undergrad at Saint Louis University in 2022, majoring in Engineering Physics and minoring in Engineering Mathematics. I am currently working on plasmonic materials under high pressures and carrying out Raman measurements on the semiconductors after shock compressions. I enjoy swimming, biking, and listening to music.

 

elisabeth-wang

Elisabeth Wang

I am a master's student using spectroscopic techniques to study pressure-induced changes of dye molecules. I received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University in 2024 with majors in physics and music. Outside of research, I play the organ and carillon.

Undergraduate Students

chanukya-polavarapu

Chanukya Polavarapu

I am a first-year undergraduate student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. I recently joined Dr. Zhou’s lab, where we study materials and devices under high pressure. I am focused on learning the fundamentals of optics and laboratory techniques. As I begin my degree in physics, I am excited to support the group’s research and gain a hands-on lab experience. In high school, I led my school's robotics club, where I gained valuable experience in robotics, teamwork, and project leadership. I also tutor math and English, helping students strengthen their academic skills. Outside of my studies, I enjoy building FPV Drones, 3D Modeling, and training large language AI models.

 

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