People

Principal Investigator

Prof. Stephan Hofmann
Extn: 48346, Email: sh315 {at} cam.ac.uk


Short CV

Dr Ye Fan
Extn: 48291, Email: yf281 {at} cam.ac.uk

Ye is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Hofmann group. He received his B.Eng. degree from Tsinghua University, China, where in his thesis he studied Monte-Carlo simulations of nucleation and crystal growth. He then joined the University of Oxford, UK, as a Clarendon scholar and received his DPhil degree with his thesis focussed on electronic and optoelectronic applications of CVD 2D materials. His research now focuses on integrated 2D materials CVD for device application.

Dr Vitaly Babenko
Extn: 65240, Email: vb373 {at} cam.ac.uk

Vitaly is a Senior Research Associate in the Hofmann group who has detailed expertise in thin films, crystal growth and a broad range of applications. He received his PhD from Oxford University where he studied the growth of 2D materials produced by chemical vapour deposition. His additional research projects include materials for quantum, NEMS/MEMS, nanomaterial utilisation in Li-ion batteries, microscopy methods for biophysics applications. [Publications]

Dr Oliver Burton
Extn: 48376, Email: ob303 {at} cam.ac.uk

Oliver joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2016 and is now a NanoDTC Translational Prize Fellow, researching integrated routes to 2D material synthesis and subsequent application. He obtained a bachelors degree in 2015 from the University of Nottingham in Physics with Theoretical Physics; then completing a masters degree in Physics at Cambridge. Oliver is now a Bye-fellow at Fitzwilliam college. [Publications]

Alice Dearle
Extn: 48376, Email: aed45 {at} cam.ac.uk

Alice joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2019. She is a member of the NanoDTC, and is jointly supervised by Dr. Sam Stranks in the Optoelectronics group. Alice completed her MChem with industrial experience at the University of Edinburgh and NTT, Japan. She obtained her Masters in Research with distinction at the University of Cambridge. Her research now focuses on the growth and characterisation of hybrid perovskite single crystals. She is a member of Lucy Cavendish College. [Publications]

Irina Chirca
Extn: 48376, Email: ic374 {at} cam.ac.uk

Irina joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2019. Her research interests include studying memristive effects in 2D nanomaterials for device applications. She holds an MSci degree in Chemistry from University College London. During her masters project, she worked on predicting the materials properties of graphene-polymer systems via molecular dynamics simulations. She is a member of Girton College.

AbdulAziz AlMutairi
Extn: 48376, Email: aa2119 {at} cam.ac.uk

AbdulAziz joined the Hofmann group in 2020, being co-supervised by Dr. Antonio Lombardo. His research focuses on the electrical properties of mixed dimensional heterostructures. He mainly explores heterostructures between 2D materials (such as graphene, TMDs, hBN, etc.) and conventional semiconductors (like Si, Ge and GaAs); and their uses in the design of novel nanoelectronics devices. He holds a BASc degree in Nanotechnology Engineering, honours, and MASc degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Nano) focused on nanoelectronics devices based on layered materials from the University of Waterloo. He is a member of Wolfson College. [Publications]

Wadood Tadbier
Extn: 48376, Email: awt34 {at} cam.ac.uk

Wadood joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2020. He is a member of the EPSRC Sensor CDT. His research focuses on developing electronic platform technology for in-vitro digital protein sensing based on electrolyte-gated graphene-FETs. Wadood recently obtained his MRes at the University of Cambridge in sensors technologies and applications. He holds an MSc degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with distinction from the University of Glasgow. During his master’s project, he developed an in-vitro biosensor for vancomycin detection based on magnetic sensing. He is a member of Robinson College.

Jinfeng Yang
Extn: 48376, Email: jy441 {at} cam.ac.uk

Jinfeng joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2021. His research focuses on in-operando studies of 2D materials and nano-metrology using environmental SEM. He is a member of the NanoDTC (cohort 2020). He received his B.Eng degrees in Materials Science at the University of Birmingham and Beijing University of Chemical Technology (2+2 programme), and MRes degree at the University of Cambridge (within the NanoDTC). Jinfeng is a member of Magdalene College.

Linyuan (Charles) Xin
Extn: 48376, Email: lx243 {at} cam.ac.uk

Linyuan is a PhD student in the Hofmann group, as well as a member of the EPSRC Graphene CDT. His research focuses on the in-operando studies of novel 2D and layered materials, and their opto-electronic device applications. He holds an MA degree in Chemistry from Rice University, an MRes degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Cambridge, and he was a researcher in Electrical Engineering/Physics at MIT. Linyuan is a member of Pembroke College. 

Hao Yu
Extn: 48376, Email: hy377 {at} cam.ac.uk

Hao Yu joined the group as a PhD student in 2022. His research focuses on the in-operando exploration of growth and conversion reactions at the atomic mono-layer limit. He holds an MEng degree in Materials Science from the University of Oxford. Hao is a member of Wolfson College.

Anastasia Krief
Extn: 48376, Email: apk45 {at} cam.ac.uk

Anastasia joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2022. Her research focuses on developing and implementing algorithms and data-driven machine learning/AI-based computing techniques to significantly ease and refine the characterisation and interpretation of real-time signals from highly dynamic processes and to explore high-throughput experimentation by operando Scanning Electron Microscopy. She holds a BEng in Material Science and Engineering from Loughborough University. Anastasia is a member of Downing College.

Jad Jaafar
Extn: 48376, Email: jj569 {at} cam.ac.uk

Jad joined the group as a PhD student in 2023 jointly supervised by Prof. Gábor Csányi. His research focuses on the application of machine learning interatomic potentials to model and simulate monolayer TMDs defects and oxidation. Jad is part of the NanoDTC and is a member of Girton College.

Stephanie Fraser
Extn: 48376, Email: saf69 {at} cam.ac.uk

Stephanie joined the group as a PhD student in 2023, jointly supervised by Prof. Mete Atatüre (Cavendish Laboratory) and Dr Hannah Stern (University of Manchester). Her research focuses on improving the quantum coherence of single photon emitters in hexagonal boron nitride via electrostatic gating. Stephanie is a member of the NanoDTC (c.2022) and is a member of Trinity College.

Kaylie (Kyungseo) Park
Extn: 48376, Email: kp576 {at} cam.ac.uk

Kaylie joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2023. Her research focuses on the characterisation of 2D and layered materials, particularly ferro materials. Her work revolves around optimising the oxidation process of these materials for 2D device applications. She obtained her MPhil degree in Materials Science & Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. During her master’s project, she collaborated with the Hofmann group on the oxidation of Metal Phosphorus Trichalcogenides (MPX3) materials. Kaylie is a member of St. Catharine College

Alumni 

Former PhD student, Postdocs and Research Associates

Dr Jack Alexander-Webber
Extn: 48340, Email: jaa59 {at} cam.ac.uk

Jack is a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow and his research explores the properties of new nano-structured material systems, such as 2D materials and semiconductor nanowires, and translates this understanding into (opto)electronic devices with enhanced or novel functionality. He has held a research fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, as well as a Junior Research Fellowship at Churchill College Cambridge. In 2015 he was awarded the Scopus Young Researcher UK Award in Physical Sciences. He received his DPhil in Physics from the University of Oxford with his thesis entitled ‘High magnetic field effects in low-dimensional carbon nanostructures’. Jack has PI status and is independent PhD student supervisor. [Publications]

Dr Sumit Kumar
Extn: 65240, Email: sk750 {at} cam.ac.uk

Sumit was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Hofmann group with several years of experience in Surface science, Surface Spectroscopy and Device fabrication. He received his PhD from the University of Groningen where he studied the self-assembly of smart organic molecules, including molecular machines on different surfaces and proof-of concept non-volatile memory device work. He graduated with a masters degree in Materials Science from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India. His research focused on in-operando electron spectroscopy and microscopy to explore 2D crystal growth.

Ryo Mizuta
Extn: 48376, Email: rm832 {at} cam.ac.uk

Ryo joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2017. His work focused on the development of new CVD reactor designs for 2D material crystal growth and device integration. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Bath in Natural Sciences majoring in Physics, and began his postgraduate studies at Cambridge in 2016 as a student of the Doctoral Training Centre for Nanotechnology (NanoDTC). He is also a member of Christ’s College.

Dr Lucas Mogg
Extn: 65240, Email: lem71 {at} cam.ac.uk

Lucas was a Research Associate in Advanced Crystal Growth of Monolayer Oxides in the Hofmann group. He undertook his PhD at Manchester University working within the group of Prof Andre Geim at the National Graphene Institute and Physics Department. He has studied ion transport properties of 2D materials, with a particular focus on ion exchange and proton transport of monolayer and few-layer oxides.  [Publications]

Lukas James Vasadi
Extn: 48376, Email: ljv26 {at} cam.ac.uk

Lukas worked with the Hofmann group on nanomaterial biosensors designed to measure protein interactions. Prior to this appointment, Lukas completed an MPhil in engineering at the University of Cambridge, where he helped develop organ-on-chip technologies.

Vlad P. Veigang-Radulescu
Extn: 48376, Email: vpv22 {at} cam.ac.uk

Vlad joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2017. His work focused on the growth and characterisation of 2D heterostructure materials. He obtained a MEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College London in 2017. He is a member of Wolfson College.

Tomasz Cebo
Extn: 48376, Email: tc377 {at} cam.ac.uk

Tomasz joined the Hofmann group as a PhD student in 2013. His research project focused on interactions between graphene and liquid crystals. He was a member of Nanotechnology Doctoral Training Centre (NanoDTC) and St. Edmund’s College.

Dr Ruizhi Wang
Extn: 48376, Email: rw520 {at} cam.ac.uk

Ruizhi joined the Hofmann Group in 2014 as a PhD student and now focuses on 2D material based biosensing. He is co-founder of HexagonFab that designs and commercialises biosensors for rapid clinical diagnostics, life science research, & industrial monitoring. [Publications]

Callum Stewart
Extn: 48376, Email: jcs210 {at} cam.ac.uk

Callum was a PhD student in the Hofmann Group; joining in 2018. He worked on the development of single photon emitting devices utilising 2D materials for quantum technologies.  [Publications]

Dr Robert Weatherup, moved to Manchester/Diamond synchrotron (UK), now Associate Professor of Materials at University of Oxford (UK)
Dr Long Xiao, moved to MIT (US)
Dr Marie-Blandine Martin, moved to Thales (France)
Dr Stefan Tappertzhofen, moved to NMWP.NRW (Germany), now incoming Prof.(Chair) for Intelligent Microsystems at TU Dortmund (Germany)
Dr Federico Panciera, moved to NUS (Singapore), now CNRS (France)
Dr Andrea Cabrero-Vilatela, moved to Imperial College London (UK)
Dr Sabina Caneva, moved to University of Delft (Netherlands), now Assistant Professor in the Dynamics of Micro and Nanosystems at Delft.
Dr Benjamin Michaelis, moved to OSRAM (Germany)
Dr H. Aruni Fonseka, moved to University of Warwick (UK)
Dr Andrew Gamalski, moved to Intel Corporation (US)
Dr Ken Ogata, moved to Samsung (Korea), now CEO of TeraWatt Technology.
Dr Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer, moved to University of Birmingham (UK), now Reader in Micro-Engineering and Bio-Nanotechnology at Birmingham.
Dr Adrianus Indrat Aria, moved to Cranfield University (UK), now Lecturer in Manufacturing, Surface Engineering Precision Institute at Cranfield University (UK).
Dr Piran R. Kidambi, moved to MIT (US), now Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University (US)
Dr Thanuja L. Galhena, moved to Graphene Ctr. Cambridge (UK)
Dr Abhay A. Sagade, moved to SRM University, Kattankulathur (India)
Dr Priyanka Periwal, moved to UT Austin (US)
Dr Philipp Braeuninger, moved to Intellectual Ventures, Seattle (US)
Dr Bernhard C. Bayer, moved to Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) (AT)
Dr Zenas Van-Veldhoven, now consultant (Be).
Dr Kenichi Nakanishi., moved to WooliesX (Aus) as Data Scientist.
Dr Tae-Yun Kim, moved to Samsung (Korea).

Project, summer and visiting (PhD) students

Sean Bourelle, Graphene CDT project student
Kate Sanders, NanoDTC project student
Edward Chalklen, 4^th year project student
Patrick R. Whelan, PhD exchange student from DTU Denmark
Daniel McMitchell, Graphene CDT project student
Michael Walker, NanoDTC project student
Omid Siddiqui, Sensor CDT project student
M Hadi Modarres, NanoDTC project student
Jamie Williams,Visiting PhD student from University of Leicester
Charles Creissen, NanoDTC project student
Eugen Hildebrandt, Master student from KIT Germany
Mustafa Caglar, Graphene CDT project student
Carmen Palacios Berraquero, NanoDTC project student
Cyan Williams, Graphene CDT project student
Tahmida Huq, Graphene CDT project student
Luis Pazos, NanoDTC project student
Zenas Van Veldhoven, Graphene CDT project student
Jasmine Rivett, NanoDTC project student
Andrew Salmon, NanoDTC project student
Adam E. Fraser, NanoDTC PhD student
Amalya Konstanyan, Nano- and Nanotechnology MPhil project student
Chris J. Kerr, NanoDTC PhD student
Sebastian John, NanoDTC project student
Kathrin Holtzmann, NanoDTC project student
Jien Tan, NanoDTC project student
Sebastian Gorgon, NanoDTC project student and nanointegration project
Tarig Mustafa, NanoDTC nanointegration project
Giorgio Mallia, Graphene CDT student
Alice Dearle, NanoDTC project student
Nathaniel Tye, Graphene CDT student
Joe Lacey, Graphene CDT student
Arvind Pujari, NanoDTC project student.
Marion Short, NanoDTC project student.

Affiliates and visitors

Dr Mohamed Al-Hada, Graphene Ctr, Cambridge (UK)
Prof. Shigeya Naritsuka, Mejo University (Japan)
Hiromu Gamo, Tohoku University (Japan)
Xin Chen, Technical University of Denmark