Over fifteen years of experience conducting AMO precision-metrology research in the areas of optical atomic clocks, Rydberg-atom studies, fundamental constants, and cold-atom-based and vapor-based chip-scale sensors, including vapor-based electrometry and magnetometry, and photonic-integrated atom-based inertial sensing.

Education

Ph.D., Applied Physics (April 2017), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

M.S., Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (April 2017), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

B.S., Physics | B.S., German | Minor, Math (April 2009), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Experience

Sr. Research Physicist, Advanced Technology and Sciences Division, SRI International (June 2019 – Present):  Principal investigator on multiple quantum-based projects, including chip-scale cold-atom systems, atom-based field sensing (magnetic fields and dynamic electric fields), and integrated photonics for atom-based inertial sensing; Lead multiple teams and collaborations in novel demonstrations of physics and engineering models.

National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (May 2017-May 2019): Collaborated on a series of cold-atom experiments to successfully demonstrate control of an atom trap using an in-vacuum, electrochemical solid-state alkali source/sink (a “rubidium battery”); Led a team developing a chip-scale cold-atom trap, including the successful pioneering of an in-vacuum MEMS-cell fabrication method.

Research Assistant/Rackham Predoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan (Oct. 2012-May 2017): Conducted a series of cold-atom experiments to successfully demonstrate a new Rydberg-atom-laser interaction (PRL, Nat. Comm.), using a sub-THz-modulated ponderomotive optical lattice; Designed and constructed two cold-atom ultra-high-vacuum systems for 1) Precision measurement of the Rydberg constant using circular-state atoms; 2) Tailorable Rydberg-atom spectroscopy, including atom core polarizability measurements and THz imaging; Conceived and supervised a project demonstrating three-photon, vapor-cell Rydberg EIT using only NIR/telecom-wavelength lasers.

Lab Assistant/Research Assistant, University of Michigan (Sept. 2009-Sept. 2012): Set up optics, wrote device control programs, and assisted in running experiments towards a portable optical frequency standard (atomic clock)