Meet the researchers working at the forefront of the physical chemistry of interfaces.
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, James Franck Institute
Dr. King received her Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley in 2015. Her research focuses on the structure and dynamics of interfaces. Among her many awards she was named a Sloan Research Fellow in 2025 and recieved an NSF CAREER award in 2025. When not in the lab, Sarah enjoys getting active and various creative fiber arts.
A.O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellow
Ashley completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Florida State University in 2023. Her research focuses on probing the electron and spin dynamics of chiral interfaces. Ashley is from Maryland and in her free time she enjoys embroidery, cooking, and Pilates.
Kadanoff-Rice Postdoctoral Fellow
Atreyie earned her Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Pittsburgh in 2023. Her research focuses on the imaging of surface plasmons and heterogenous materials with photoemission electron microscopy. From Kolkata, India Atreyie enjoys aerobics, walking, and cooking in her free time.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Nicki completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley in 2025. Her research explores the ultrafast dynamics of chiral solvated electrons generated at the magnetic/aqueous interface to investigate the origins of biological homochirality. Nicki is from Florida and loves music, art, tea, patisserie, and cats.
Biophysics Ph.D. Candidate, (2024- )
Allison graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2023. Her research focuses on developing multicolor labeling for bioPEEM. Allison is from Texas and outside the lab she enjoys video games, knitting, and dungeons and dragons.
Chemistry Ph.D. Student, (2024- )
Jwwad graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Physics in 2024. His research focuses on the dynamics of magnetic and chiral interfaces. Jwwad is from California. Outside of the lab Jwwad enjoys reading, listening to music, and drawing.
Chemistry Ph.D. Candidate, (2022- )
Cooper graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics in 2022. His research focuses on the excited state dynamics of in situ electrochemical and photoelectrochemical interfaces. Outside of the lab Cooper enjoys cooking and grappeling.
Physics Ph.D. Student, (2025- )
Muneeza graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with Bachelors of Arts in Physics and Astronomy-Physics in 2024. Her research focuses on the structure and dynamics of multiferroic interfaces. Muneeza is from Wisconsin and in her free time she enjoys poetry, swimming, and traveling.
Chemistry Ph.D. Candidate, (2022- )
Calvin graduated from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2022. In his research he investigates surface plasmon polaritions at interfaces. Calvin is from Pennsylvania and enjoys fishing, diving, swimming in Lake Michigan year round, and reading.
Chemistry Ph.D. Student, (2020- )
Joey graduated from Washington University in St. Lewis with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 2020. His research probes interfaces of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric materials and the formation of domain boundaries in materials. Joey is from Illnois.
Undergraduate Researcher, Class of 2026
Anoushka is majoring in Chemistry and is from Singapore.
Undergraduate Researcher, Class of 2027
Gareth is majoring in Chemistry and is from Beijing, China. Outside of the lab he is a photographer, rock band guitarist, and sports fan.
Undergraduate Researcher, Class of 2028
We are trying to convince Arnav to major in Chemistry and he is from the Maldives.
Undergraduate Researcher, Class of 2027
Aishani is majoring in Chemistry and is from India.
Undergraduate Researcher, Class of 2028
Lavanya is majoring in Chemistry and is from India.
Undergraduate Researcher, Class of 2027
Isabel is majoring in Chemistry or Physics and is from California.
We are always looking for talented and motivated individuals to join our research group. Current openings include:
If you're passionate about chemistry, physics, and interfaces and want to work with us, we'd love to hear from you.
