Summer 2027 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 2027 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
High temperature batteries, materials for electrochemical energy storage and transport properties, defect chemistry, ionic conductivity, thermal science
Placid Ferreira
Mechanical Science & Engineering
Synthesis of variants of superionic glasses, electrochemical characterization, and fabrication of devices
Axel Hoffmann
Materials Science & Engineering
Spin transport, magnetization dynamics, magnetic heterostructure synthesis and characterization
Pinshane Huang
Materials Science & Engineering
Atomic-resolution electron microscopy, electron ptychography, and 4D-STEM; picometer-scale mapping of strain, defects, and atomic motion in 2D materials; imaging point defects, light elements, and ion displacements in functional materials; computational imaging and data analysis
Harley Johnson
Mechanical Science & Engineering
Atomic scale simulation of defects and strain n 2D materials, data science for quantum and electronic materials, electronic structure and multi-scale modeling
Hyunseok Kim
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Thin-film crystal growth; 2D materials; heterogeneous integration; optoelectronic devices including microLED, lasers, and photodetectors
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
First-principles theory, transport modeling, device simulation, and circuit-compatible models for energy-efficient information processing hardware
Pengjie Wang
Physics
2D materials and Moire Superlattice; quantum matter and devices; electrical transport and spectroscopy; optical spectroscopy; quantum measurements under extreme (e.g. , train, high pressure, ultr-low temperature); AI-assisted Device Fabrications
Pengjie Wang
Physics
2D materials and Moire Superlattice; quantum matter and devices; electrical transport and spectroscopy; optical spectroscopy; quantum measurements under extreme (e.g. , train, high pressure, ultr-low temperature); AI-assisted Device Fabrications