Principal Investigator

Fazel Tafti

Associate professor

fazel dot tafti at bc dot edu

Fazel Tafti was born in Yazd, a city that dates back to 4000 BC in central Iran, and is famous for its rich history, unique architecture, and delicious sweets. Fazel completed his undergraduate studies at Tehran University and then immigrated to Canada. His Ph.D. thesis at the University of Toronto was supervised by Prof. Stephen Julian and focused on developing transport measurements under ultrahigh pressures in diamond anvil cells. He completed two postdoctoral positions, one in physics at the University of Sherbrooke with Prof. Louis Taillefer, and another in chemistry at Princeton University with Prof. Bob Cava. He joined Boston College in 2016 to build a cross-disciplinary research lab at the junction of physics, chemistry, and materials science. Research in the Tafti Lab is focused on the design of new quantum materials with specific functions such as magnetocaloric effect, topological superconductivity, and quantum entanglement. Such materials have applications in atomically thin devices, quantum computers, sustainable energy, and ultra-fast electronics. Fazel is a hands-on adviser who enjoys discussing physics and spending time with his students. His interests outside physics are reading novels, playing Flamenco guitar, hiking, and rock climbing.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Bhawana Mali

Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore

I received my Bachelor’s degree from the Physics Department at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in 2013. As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to understand various physics concepts through experiments. There I gained interest in physics and continued my Masters in Physics, which I completed in 2015. My master’s thesis was mainly based on multiphase analysis of Titanium di-Oxide through X-ray diffraction. Then I started my Ph.D. in the Physics Department at the Indian Institute of Science, where I have grown single crystals of rare-earth orthoferrites by the optical float zone method and studied their structural and magnetic properties. I joined Tafti lab as a Postdoc to further pursue my interest in Quantum materials. My current research is focused on synthesizing quantum materials and analyzing their physical and chemical properties. In my free time, I enjoy playing badminton and cooking.

Graduate Students

Xiaohan Yao

Fifth-year PhD student

yaoxj at bc dot edu

I received my BSc degree from the physics department at Peking University in 2014. My undergraduate research involved activities on nanoscale semiconductors in the junior year at Prof. Ye’s Lab, where I synthesized and characterized a series of two-dimensional semiconductors, especially heterostructures. I joined Boston College as a Ph.D. candidate at the Tafti Lab in 2019. My research is focused on understanding the hydrodynamic limit of electron transport via a combination of DFT calculations and transport experiments.

Alenna Streeter

Fourth-year PhD student

streetea at bc dot edu

I received my bachelor’s degree in Physics from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2020. There, I gained a passion for teaching through assisting with lab courses from astronomy to digital electronics. I was introduced to experimental condensed matter physics during an REU at the University of Rochester in 2019. My research there focused on correcting defects in the crystal substrate of spin qubit quantum nanostructures. I joined Tafti Lab in 2020 to further pursue my interest in quantum materials as a Ph.D. candidate. My current research is focused on X-ray and neutron diffraction, with plans to investigate proposed Kitaev spin liquid materials, which are candidates for the realization of topological quantum computers. In my free time, I enjoy being involved in physics community outreach programs, riding horses, and eating good food.

Kyle Fruhling

Fourth-year PhD student

fruhling at bc dot edu

I am from Madison, Wisconsin where I received my B.Sc. from the University of Wisconsin in 2020. My undergraduate research was focused on visualizing modeled asteroseismic oscillations. After coming to Boston College, I made a big pivot from astronomy to experimental solid-state physics and joined the Tafti Lab. My current research is focused on synthesizing and investigating the magnetic properties of intermetallic compounds with a Kagome lattice structure. Such materials are potential candidates for a quantized anomalous Hall effect in a special phase known as a Chern insulator. When I am not in the lab, I spend my free time playing ultimate frisbee and cooking.

Sudhaman Balguri

Third-year PhD student

balguri at bc dot edu

I received my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in 2019. During my undergrad I developed deep fascination towards foundations of quantum mechanics especially from the Bohr-Einstein debates and double slit experiment. My undergrad thesis was on Entanglement and Bell’s inequality. I formally shifted to physics and received my masters in 2021. I got intrigued by the quote “More is Different” by Philip Anderson and idea of emergence where seemingly innocent electrons can create phenomena like Magnetism. I joined the Tafti Lab to pursue research in this direction. In my free time, I post physics memes and videos.

Enrique Gonzalez

Second-year PhD student

gonzaahi at bc dot edu

I received a bachelor’s degree in Physics applied to Electronics from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao in 2021. As an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to explore different areas of condensed matter Physics through research. Because of these experiences, I became interested in quantum phenomena that emerge in materials. My research is focused on x-ray and neutron diffraction, with the aim to study topological Dirac magnons in oxide materials for spintronic applications. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and watching movies.

Xinyi Zhao

First-year PhD student

zhaoakb at bc dot edu

I earned my Bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Mathematics from Denison University. Following that, I embarked on a journey to obtain my Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Washington University, focusing my research on microwave superconducting resonators. In 2023, I became a part of the Tafti lab. Drawing from my experience in utilizing resonators for crystal property detection, my current research delves into the captivating realm of honeycomb magnets. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy exploring diverse culinary experiences with friends at various restaurants in my free time.

Siddharth Nandanwar

First-year PhD student

nandanwa at bc dot edu

I received my bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Iowa in 2023. I had my first exposure to the vast world of Condensed Matter Physics in 2020 when I started my research on van der Waal materials at Prof. Folland’s Lab, specifically on the fabrication and optical characterization of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides. My passion for exploring different systems and not being confined to the 2D limit led me to join Tafti Lab. My research here is on trying to understand the Hydrodynamic behavior of electrons through DFT predictions as well as transport experiments.

Undergraduate Students

Nathan Tolva

Senior student, Physics Major

tolvan at bc dot edu

I joined the Tafti Lab in the fall of 2021. I am studying physics and math and am currently working on the synthesis of oxyhalide crystals. I joined the lab as an opportunity to experience a real lab setting and to explore the technical aspects of a subject I have only read about in books. Research has always greatly interested me, and I am grateful to be surrounded by a team of researchers who are equally passionate and supportive about the work done. Outside of the lab, I enjoy listening to music, weightlifting, and playing tennis.

Mira Mahendru

Junior student, Physics Major

mahendru at bc dot edu

I am studying Physics, chemistry and mathematics and started training in Tafti lab in the fall of 2021. I am currently working on the synthesis of materials with topological magnetic excitations. I joined the lab due to my interest in the overlap between physics and chemistry and their applications in solid state physics. I am passionate about research and am grateful for the hands-on learning opportunity, and ability to work with such a brilliant group of individuals. Aside from research, I enjoy playing squash, reading classic science fiction, aquarium-keeping, and astrophotography.

Olivia Remcho

Junior student, Engineering Major

remchoo at bc dot edu

I am studying human-centered engineering and joined the Tafti lab in the autumn of 2022. My current research is on the recycling of waste heat via the thermal Hall effect. I feel so fortunate to be a part of an interdisciplinary group where I can explore physics and further my education as a scientist. I have already learned so much and grown as a student in the lab. In addition to pursuing engineering, I am also studying English here at BC. Outside of the lab, I compete on BC’s equestrian team, teach English as second language classes, and also enjoy cooking and spending time with friends.

Kadan Lam

Senior student, Physics Major

lamyf at bc dot edu

I am a Physics major with minors in Chemistry, Computer Science, and hopefully Mathematics. During the summer of 2022, my work in the Tafti Lab officially started with the hope of synthesizing thin films via chemical vapor deposition methods and the fabrication of devices using said films. My interactions with everyone in the lab, along with the diverse projects they lead besides my own, continue to influence my perception of what I can or want to do by pursuing this path. Meanwhile, in my free time, I pivot indecisively among various hobbies, such as philosophy, competitive gaming, papercraft, fingerstyle guitar, and sketching.

Grace Naugle

Senior student, Chemistry Major

naugleg at bc dot edu

I joined the Tafti lab in the fall of 2022. I am studying chemistry and economics, and I am currently working on the synthesis of iridium oxide materials with honeycomb structures. I joined the lab to explore the interface of chemistry and physics and to gain hands-on lab experience. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running and baking.