Summer 2026 Faculty Mentors
The Illinois MRSEC is excited to offer an NSF-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Our ten week summer research program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to work closely with MRSEC faculty mentors on solving a challenging, meaningful scientific question through taking part in the interdisciplinary Illinois MRSEC research. Our faculty mentors are dedicated to guiding students and researchers through academic and professional development. This list highlights experts across diverse fields who are committed to fostering growth, collaboration, and innovation. Please explore their profiles to learn more about their areas of expertise and connect for summer REU opportunities.
Summer 2026 Faculty Mentors
Peter Abbamonte
Physics
Quantum materials, superconductors, topological phases, quasi-2D change density wave materials, nematic phases, strange metals
Paul Braun
Materials Science & Engineering
Photonics, materials for electrochemical energy storage, high temperature batteries, thermal science
Elif Ertekin
Mechanical Science & Engineering
Computational materials design and discovery, atomistic modeling of materials, density functional theory and molecular dynamics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, materials physics
Harley Johnson
Mechanical Science & Engineering
Atomic scale simulation of defects and strain in 2D materials, data science for quantum and electronic materials, electronic structure and multi-scale modeling
Axel Hoffmann
Materials Science & Engineering
Spin transport, magnetization dynamics, magnetic heterostructure synthesis and characterization
Nicola Perry
Materials Science & Engineering
Functional ceramics: Oxides, halides; solid state ionics for energy conversion and storage; point defect-mediated properties: ionic/electronic transport, chemical expansion, catalytic activity; thin film growth by pulsed laser deposition; electro-chemo-mechanical coupling
Shaloo Rakheja
Electrical Computer & Engineering
Modeling of nanoelectronic and magnetic devices for energy-efficient computing and communication; semiconductor electronic devices; spintronics
Mohan Sankaran
Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
Plasma-enhanced deposition and conversion of thin films; plasma/ion irradiation for material modification and defect generation; hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and diamond growth for extreme environment devices and quantum information applications
Andre Schleife
Materials Science & Engineering
Parameter-free computer simulations of excited electronic states and optical properties; interaction of light with magnetic ordering in materials
Daniel Shoemaker
Materials Science & Engineering
Materials discovery and synthesis; crystal growth; magnetic and semiconducting properties; low-temperature transport; in-situ diffraction
Pengjie Wang
Physics
2D materials and Moiré Superlattice; quantum matter and devices; electrical transport and spectroscopy; optical spectroscopy; quantum measurements under extreme (e.g., strain, high pressure, ultra-low temperature)
Arend van der Zande
Mechanical Science & Engineering
2D Materials, electronic, photonic, and mechanical devices
Paul Kenis
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Automated and autonomous platforms for synthesis, characterization, and purification of nano-crystals / nano-colloids including quantum dots; Screening of nano-colloid synthesis parameter space; modelling of nucleation / growth of nanocollloid. This project is sponsored by NSF CSENND.