Applied Physics Profiles
The Applied Physics program would be nothing without our incredible students, alumni, faculty and staff. Get to know some of these talented individuals below and hear about their experience with the Applied Physics program.
songi han
Songi Han is a Physical Chemist and Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University (NU) and is affiliated with the Applied Physics Program. She joined NU in July 2023 after a 20-year career as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC Santa Barbara. She is on the Executive Committee of the International EPR Society since 2020, on the Executive Council of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance (ISMAR) and is the inaugural chair of a new Gordon Research Conference on Magnetic Resonance and Quantum Information Science in 2026. Find her Northwestern University faculty spotlight interview here: Faculty Spotlight Interview
How do you describe your research to someone with little to no scientific knowledge?
My lab is developing novel instruments and concepts to “image” chemistry at the molecular, atomic, and quantum physics level by using electron and nuclear spins as probes, amplifiers, sensors and detectors. To do so we push the frontier of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic techniques to make discoveries in spin physics, interfacial solvation science, molecular biophysics, and soft materials science.
What do you hope students in your research group learn during their time in the Applied Physics program?
For a student coming through the applied physics program, their opportunity is to combine expertise and culture from multiple disciplines and to forge their own path for discovery, while fundamentally rooted in Physics. Learning how to do so is a superpower, and teaching the skills in critical thinking, the rigors of scientific method and the importance of transparency are my priorities and passion. A good scientist is not only defined by skills, but as uncorrupted thinking and courage to observe the world with an unbiased vision to REALLY see what it is and how things work, even if what you see goes against the common view or appears inconvenient, being a good scientist is a mindset and a lifestyle.
What do you think helps differentiate the Applied Physics program?
Applied Physics at NU is maximally flexible, and hence offers a path to develop new research projects that lie at the interface between Physics and other disciplines such as Chemistry and Biology. The Han lab interfaces with a diverse research communities given the interdisciplinary nature of its research enterprise and is driven by the need and willingness to re-invent itself to seek new solutions to solve critical problems. Critical problems are defined by ones that have an impact on advancing the human conditions that include gaining a fundamental understanding of the world and phenomena around us that may see an application soon or only decades later, as well as finding solutions to more immediate challenges in human health and sustainability. The core research communities for the Han lab are the nuclear and electron spin magnetic resonance community, including the spin chemistry and physics community, the water and liquids community, the biophysics community and the community focusing on the study of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly the pathological aggregation property of tau proteins.
What advice would you give to a prospective student considering the Applied Physics program?
The Applied Physics program is able to leverage the power of Northwestern University and interesting disciplinary interactions. The program features a number of faculty from different fields. Students should be open to see the breadth of the program and prepared to take advantage of it by taking courses in different disciplines.
Jens Koch
Professor
Jens Koch is the Deputy Director of SQMS and a Co-Director of CAPST at Northwestern University. He also is a professor of Physics and Astronomy.
Koch's group focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics, quantum optics, and quantum information. He is most widely known for his direct involvement in the development of the "transmon qubit." This simple but robust circuit is the most widely used superconducting qubit in the community today. In more recent years, his group has helped push toward a new generation of superconducting qubit with even better performance and intrinsic protection from common errors that otherwise affect these devices.
Koch took time to talk about his background, the development of a quantum computer, and what he thinks help differentiate Northwestern's Applied Physics program.
What type of physics does your group investigate, and what applications do you hope to impact?
My work is in a subfield of physics called quantum computation, and it follows the powerful idea that quantum mechanics may enable us to perform certain computational tasks dramatically faster than possible on any modern supercomputer today. Building such a quantum computer has turned out to be a grand challenge for the last three decades. It is a difficult task because phenomena in quantum mechanics can be quite fragile and tend to disappear once physical systems become “big”. For example, quantum phenomena in a single atom are well-established, but controlling quantum phenomena in a large set of atoms is an intricate challenge! Despite these difficulties, researchers have made enormous progress and are closer to realizing a quantum computer than ever before.
My own research is theoretical in nature and devoted to helping develop the next generation of hardware for a future quantum computer. I am particularly interested in so-called superconducting quantum bits: an architecture in which small circuits made of superconducting elements serve as the quantum analogs of bits. My group collaborates closely with several experimental groups fabricating and testing these superconducting qubits, and our work helps improve their performance – a crucial step in the pursuit of a fully functional quantum computer.
How is a quantum computer different from the computers we use every day?
It is a common misunderstanding that a quantum computer would just be a faster version of the computers we use today. That is not quite true. Our current understanding is that quantum computers are better at very specific tasks (Factoring integers into prime factors, searches in unsorted databases, and simulating quantum mechanical processes are examples where such a speedup is believed to occur.) Given the special-purpose character of these tasks, it is not clear that everybody will want to replace their computer with a quantum computer! Nonetheless, there is a tremendous amount of excitement about the prospect of quantum computation. For instance, quantum computers could efficiently simulate chemical reactions and interactions between complicated molecules, thus revolutionizing the development of new medications. Generally, I think we have barely begun to scratch the surface of the opportunities that new quantum technologies will be able to afford in the future.
How did you get interested in this field?
I jumped into the field as a postdoc and have been fascinated with it ever since. My PhD work was in a different subfield and did not involve a lot of collaboration with experimentalists. Starting my research on quantum computation, I quickly had to learn how to work together with experimental colleagues, and this is something that truly enriched my research perspective. Being able to contribute to the scientific progress in the ongoing worldwide quest for developing new technology based on quantum mechanics is very exciting and fulfilling to me.
What do you enjoy most about being affiliated with the Applied Physics program?
I very much enjoy interacting with the wonderful and diverse set of students in our program. Witnessing the growth of our students from their first steps in year one to the point where they successfully defend their PhD thesis is a remarkable thing, and I am proud of our alumni who are now out in the world, pursuing exciting careers in academia and industry.
What do you hope Applied Physics students who work with you learn from the experience?
I hope that the students who work with me develop into competent, independent researchers. That entails great care in research, the patience to check and double check one’s own results over and over again, and the skill to think carefully about how to best explain the results to colleagues and broader audiences.
What do you think differentiates Northwestern's Applied Physics program?
Northwestern’s Applied Physics program is a program that brings together faculty from a number of departments hosted by both the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and the McCormick School of Engineering. Incoming students have the opportunity to pair up with advisers from any of the participating departments, and we have successful examples of students who are co-advised by faculty from different departments. This underlines the flexibility and interdisciplinarity of the program, which makes it quite different from many Applied Physics departments elsewhere.
What would you say to a prospective student considering the Applied Physics program?
I would recommend the student carefully consider the breadth of research opportunities. Our program is young but flourishing, and we are seeing successful outcomes with our graduating students and alumni. Acceptance to Northwestern’s Applied Physics program opens the door to working with star faculty from a range of departments, to get an excellent interdisciplinary education, and to build an exciting career.
MONICA OLVERA DE LA CRUZ
Professor
Monica Olvera de la Cruz is the Lawyer Taylor Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry and (by courtesy) Chemical and Biological Engineering, Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University. She serves as the Director of the Center for Computation and Theory of Soft Materials and Co-Director of the Center for Bio-Inspired Energy Science.
Students who work with Olvera de la Cruz research the development of models to describe the self-assembly of heterogeneous molecules, as well as segregation and interface adsorption in multicomponent complex fluids.
In 2017, Olvera de la Cruz won the American Physical Society Polymer Physics Prize for her contributions to the theoretical understanding of polymers and the effects of electrostatic interactions on their structure.
She took time to talk about her experience with students in the program and what advice she would offer to prospective students.
How do you describe your research to someone with little to no scientific knowledge?
I try to understand systems that contain many molecules that have comparative effects that manifest themselves in different physical properties. I also like to be able to apply my knowledge to very down-to-earth problems that could have a significant impact on many people.
What do you hope students in your research group learn during their time in the Applied Physics program?
I want them to learn the basics of the techniques we use. They have to be able to understand the concepts of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and kinetic theory. From there, I want them to be able to get the concepts and apply them to a mathematical equation. My hope is they will be able to solve specific problems where there are many forces — either numerically or by using computer simulations.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I enjoy watching as students learn to make connections. It’s fun to be able to explain a concept that seems to be complex, but then they are able to use that concept to develop solutions and draw connections between different things. To me, it is all about learning by doing. You can’t learn everything just by reading books. A carpenter won’t learn to master their craft without practicing. Particularly with applied physics, you can’t truly understand the physics until you learn to apply them.
What do you think helps differentiate the Applied Physics program?
Students in Applied Physics need to know a lot of physics, but they also have to be interested in using physics concepts that are accessible and relevant to the general public. Many of the concepts in particle physics, for example, are not very applied. The Applied Physics program is for a student who wants to understand methods that are accessible and tangible.
What advice would you give to a prospective student considering the Applied Physics program?
The Applied Physics program is able to leverage the power of Northwestern University and interesting disciplinary interactions. The program features a number of faculty from different fields. Students should be open to see the breadth of the program and prepared to take advantage of it by taking courses in different disciplines.
arya desai
Student
Research Group: Ozbudak Group
What was it about the Applied Physics program that initially appealed to you?
The breadth of research topics and the freedom to work in practically any department at Northwestern. I came in with a broad interest in the physics of living systems. I was unsure of whether I wanted to pursue a more theoretical, soft-matter direction or join a more biologically oriented lab where I could do both theory and experiment. My top choice (and the lab I ended up joining) were in the school of medicine and the AP program allowed me to explore and learn about research that I otherwise would not have known about.
What was your background prior to entering the program?
I majored in astrophysics, but towards the end of my undergrad I had developed an interest in complex systems and biophysics. I took a gap year and worked in a bacteriophysics before applying to graduate school. I knew I wanted to continue in complex systems research. But I was unsure of whether I wanted to continue in theoretical/computational directions or try to work in an experimental lab. I was able to find a lab where I could find a happy medium and do both.
How would you describe your research in simple terms?
My lab studies how living systems develop patterns. Developing embryos have a diverse array of repetitive patterns in different tissues and organs. We use zebrafish embryos as a model system and study how these patterns emerge in living systems. Our lab uses high-resolution confocal microscopy in conjunction with mathematical and computational modeling to study how the vertebral column is patterned in developing embryos.
How hands-on is your work, and how early did you start doing research?
I would say it is very hands-on. I started research as soon as I entered the program. I started in my lab as the theorist in my lab. Since I had some experience with theoretical work, I initially worked on mathematical and computational models for some of the ongoing experimental studies in my lab. Simultaneously, I also started learning some of the experimental techniques used in my lab. I started on my own independent project, where I am conducting both the experiments and the modeling, in the summer.
How do students balance coursework, research, and life outside the lab?
The first year can be tough because you are balancing coursework, finding a lab, and adjusting to a new city and routine. For me, it helps to keep some things outside research non-negotiable, like going to the gym and leaving time to see friends or explore Chicago. I think once classes and lab plans are more settled, it becomes much easier to manage your time and find a balance that works.
What are your professional goals?
I came in wanting to go into industry, but I think I am now leaning more towards continuing in academia. Although I still have a while before I graduate, I am planning to go for a postdoc and eventually find a faculty position.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying to Applied Physics at Northwestern?
I would recommend that they consider the breadth of research opportunities. The unique part about the AP program is just how many different fields of research are a part of the program. If you have different fields you are interested in and unsure which way to go, or if you are interested in using physics-based approaches in a traditionally non-physics field, I think the AP program is a great fit for you. I would not have known that I could be working in a developmental biology lab doing physics had it not been for the AP program.
ALI Ehlen
2024 Graduate
Research Group: Olvera Group
What was it about the Applied Physics program that initially appealed to you?
The interdisciplinary nature of the program, flexibility in adviser selection, and the potential to work with other students who were also interested in the applied side of physics. I was working before this and wanted to be in a program where I could learn physics and apply it to questions that weren't necessarily strictly in the physics department.
What was your background prior to entering the program?
I was a physics major in undergrad (with a women's studies minor) and then worked for four years in renewable energy policy and grid integration modelling. I knew I wanted to continue working with simulation-based research, and so I came back to school to build a more fundamental understanding of how simulation can enhance our ability to probe different interesting systems.
How would you describe your experience in the program?
Getting started in courses again after four years was a little rough, but the applied physics cohort is really close and supportive. It was really nice to come in with a group so eager to help each other. I also appreciated that we took a class in the materials science department early on; this helped me understand the work that my group does in a way that I could not have coming from a pure physics perspective.
What are the two or three most important things you've learned while in the program?
Lots of physics that I had forgotten over the years! Also a lot about the importance of asking for help, even if it doesn't feel great at first.
How do you hope to apply what you learn in the program to your career after graduation?
I hope to continue in computational research in some form. So, I'm hoping to build research and computing skills while here.
What would you say to someone considering the Applied Physics program?
It's young and still establishing itself as a program — and it's fun to watch it grow. Everyone is very nice and so (in my experience) it's easy to build a supportive community around you. The course requirements are more interdisciplinary and reduced compared with those in the physics program, so you can get to know other departments and (in theory) start focusing on research earlier. Come join us!
alex tyner
2023 Graduate
Research Group: Goswami Group
What was it about the Applied Physics program that initially appealed to you?
I attended a small liberal arts college as an undergraduate, and while I had a great education, I had little exposure to the diverse areas of research possible as a graduate student. I knew that I was interested in theoretical work and fascinated by quantum technologies, but many of the programs I looked at encouraged entering having already chosen an advisor. The possibility to begin graduate school and talk to multiple professors, learn about their research, and even spend time working with them was very appealing. Looking back on this opportunity afforded by the applied physics program, I see how it shaped my experience by allowing me to form a network early on and learn about my colleagues’ skills, leading to exciting collaborations across disciplines that would not have happened otherwise.
What was your background prior to entering the program?
Prior to entering the program, I had been an undergraduate student at Davidson college. As an undergraduate I majored in Math and Physics and had been involved in research programs focused on quantum mechanics and graph theory.
When did you graduate and what is your current position/role?
I graduated in summer of 2023. My current role is as co-founder and CTO of Tailwater Informatics, a start-up focused on using AI to accelerate materials science research. I am also a guest researcher at the Nordic Institute of Theoretical Physics (NORDITA).
What aspects of the program helped you stand out when applying for jobs or postdoctoral roles?
Looking back, the diversity of my research background was crucial when securing post-doctoral positions. I was able to demonstrate expertise in my area of condensed matter theory, but importantly, I had experience leading and coordinating collaborations between experimentalists and computational specialists to drive projects from conception to completion. This signaled that I could operate effectively as both an independent researcher and a collaborative team member. Many institutions place emphasis on working toward shared, large-scale research goals, this collaborative track record ultimately helped my applications stand out.
What surprised you most about how your career unfolded after graduation?
After graduation, I accepted an independent position where I was tasked with proposing my own research directions. Initially, I was daunted by the challenge of identifying which paths would be most impactful. However, I quickly realized the challenge wasn't finding a viable research topic—it was choosing among the many that genuinely interested me. Coming from an applied physics background, I had previously collaborated across so many research areas. When I arrived at my new institute, this versatile experience opened doors across almost every group. Before long, I was balancing a wide array of fruitful collaborations and exploring diverse areas of science. This breadth of perspective—and the unique toolkit provided by my applied physics training—prevented me from being pigeonholed. That same preparation continued to multiply when transitioning to broader career opportunities.
What would you say to someone considering the Applied Physics program?
I would encourage them to try and talk to as many of the amazing PIs in the program as possible even if they are in departments outside of their current top choice. While it is great to enter the program knowing what you want to pursue, every research area is so deep and complex; it is important to keep an open mind. You may find that a group you had not considered has a focus and culture that holds a strong appeal. You will also build connections that can lead to strong interdisciplinary collaborations.