Incoming Ph.D. Student · UIUC Physics · Fall 2026

Research Ongoing projects in condensed-matter theory, magnonics, and quantum information.

Magnonics & spin-wave dynamics

Question
How do nonlinear interactions and cavity coupling reshape spin-wave transport and mode conversion in driven magnonic structures?
Why
Controllable nonlinear magnon dynamics sits on the critical path for low-power information processing and coherent microwave-to-magnon transduction. Closing that gap enables hybrid quantum architectures that are otherwise limited by thermal noise.
Approach
MATLAB simulations of spin-wave propagation; cavity-magnon hybridization models; parametric down-conversion analysis across dispersion, stability, and mode profiles.
Output
Manuscript on nonlinear magnon-polariton dynamics (arXiv:2602.00287); reusable simulation workflow for comparing theory with experimental parameter windows.
Context
SUPREME REU at MIT, Summer 2025 (Luqiao Liu).

Topological condensed matter

Question
Which transport signatures robustly distinguish Stiefel-Whitney phases in nodal-line semimetals from the symmetry-adjacent trivial phases?
Why
Linking topological invariants to measurable conductivity is what makes topology an experimental claim rather than a classification exercise; without it the framework is elegant but inert.
Approach
Continuum and lattice models with Stiefel-Whitney characterization; Kubo-framework conductivity; numerical cross-validation in Python and Julia.
Output
Symmetry-resolved transport pipeline and draft research notes mapping invariants to testable trends.
Context
Research with Junyeong Ahn at UT Austin.

Quantum computing & complexity

Question
How can bosonic-interference models be formalized to clarify the boundary between classically tractable simulation and genuine quantum advantage?
Why
Complexity-theoretic benchmarks are the only principled defense against improved classical algorithms reproducing supposedly quantum effects.
Approach
Analysis of boson-sampling-style constructions through reductions, hardness assumptions, and structured arguments relating physics intuition to complexity classes.
Output
Technical project writeup synthesizing complexity background and implications for experimental claims.
Context
Quantum Complexity project, 2025 (Scott Aaronson course).

What's next

I will be starting a Ph.D. in condensed matter theory at UIUC in fall 2026, continuing work on magnonics, topological phases, and quantum information. Always open to collaborations and conversations about shared research interests — see the contact section.