Research Conference
The Research Conference features faculty presentations in the fall semester and graduate student presentations in the spring semester
Fall 2024
The seminar meets on Fridays, a 9:15-10:15 AM, in room 214 Mudd. First year doctoral and doctoral-track students are required to attend.
Friday, September 13, 2024
Michele Simoncelli, University of Cambridge/Columbia University
"Unified theories of transport in solids: from crystals to glasses, and from diffusion to viscous hydrodynamics"
Friday, September 20, 2024
Elizabeth Paul, Plasma Physics, Columbia University
"Advancing magnetic confinement fusion through shape optimization"
Friday, September 27, 2024
Simon Billinge, Materials Science & Engineering, Columbia University
"Real materials in action: everything, everywhere, all at once"
Friday, October 4, 2024
Aravind Devarakonda, Solid State Physics, Columbia University
Friday, October 11, 2024
Nanfang Yu, Solid State Physics, Columbia University
"Flat Optics"
Friday, October 18, 2024
Renata Wentzcovitch, Materials Science & Engineering and Earth and Environmental Engineering
Friday, October 25, 2024
Yuan Yang, Materials Science & Engineering, Columbia University
Materials Design for Energy Storage and Isotope Separation
Friday, November 1, 2024
Oleg Gang, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science & Engineering, Columbia University
"Programmble Nanomaterials"
Friday, November 8, 2024
No seminar
Friday, November 15, 2024
Adam Sobel, Applied Mathematics, Columbia University
"Climate Risk"
&
Carlos Paz-Soldan, Plasma Physics, Columbia University
"Plasmas"
Friday, November 22, 2024
Alex Gaeta, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Columbia University
Optical Frequency Combs
&
Chris Wiggins, Applied Mathematics, Columbia University
"Asymptotic Design of Smooth Bandits"
Spring 2024
The Spring 2024 APAM Graduate Student Research Symposium has been postponed.
Fall 2023
Coordinators: Prof. Elizabeth Paul and Prof. Shanyin Tong
9/22/2023
Carlos Paz-Soldan, Applied Physics
"Plasma physics and fusion energy"
9/29/2023
Xuenan Li, Applied Mathematics
"The Kagome lattice as a mechanical metamaterial"
&
Michael Mauel, Applied Physics
"Are we ready for a fusion pilot plant? (and other comments)"
10/6/2023
Katayun Barmk, Materials Science & Engineering
"Materials: Synthesis, Structure, Properties"
10/13/2023
Steven Sabbagh, Applied Physics
"Status of DECAF Toward Reaching Tokamak Disruption Forecasting, Prediction, and Characterization Goals”
10/20/2023
Adam Sobel, Applied Mathematics
"Climate risk and adaptation"
&
Simon Billinge, Materials Science & Engineering
"Watching Real Materials in action: Overcoming challenges with the help of AI"
10/27/2023
Yuan Yang, Materials Science & Engineering
"Materials designs in energy storage and isotope separation"
11/3/2023
Nanfang Yu, Applied Physics
"Flat optics"
&
Oleg Gang, Applied Physics
"Programmable Nanomaterials"
11/10/2023
Aravind Devarakonda, Applied Physics
"Lattice and Superlattice Design of Quantum Materials"
&
Chris Hansen, Applied Physics
"Bridging the gap from research to engineering tools for the emerging fusion industry"
11/17/2023
Siu-Wai Chan, Materials Science & Engineering
"Nano-oxides: what uses do they have?"
&
Marc Spiegelman, Applied Mathematics
"Integration of Computational Thermodynamics and Geodynamics"
11/24/2023
No seminar - Thanksgiving Break
12/1/2023
Elizabeth Paul, Applied Physics
"Advancing magnetic confinement fusion through shape optimization"
Spring 2023
APAM is happy to announce the inaugural 2023 Spring APAM Graduate Student Research Symposium, which will take place on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM. This research symposium replaces and condenses the former spring semester Friday student research seminars into one big event.
Event structure:
There will be 3 sessions with talks from students from each APAM PhD program accompanied by a coffee break, lunch break, and a dinner reception / APAM Friday at the end with awards including cash prizes of $200 for the best presentation from each session. All APAM students (grad & undergrad), postdocs, and faculty are invited (and expected) to attend the event!
Please mark the date in your calendars and plan accordingly so you can attend most if not all of the event! We are hoping the whole department will attend! View a tentative schedule as well as register for the event HERE
Call for abstracts:
PhD students: please fill out this form to sign up to give a talk (see form for details). 4th year students are strongly encouraged to sign up but we will accept sign ups from APAM PhD students in their 3rd year and above. The deadline to sign up for talks is Friday, March 31, 2023. If you have any questions or concerns you can email the grad student organizers at [email protected].
Fall 2022
Fall 2022 Coordinator: Prof. Lu Zhang
9/16/22
Shanyin Tong, Applied Mathematics
"Extreme event probability estimation and control"
&
Siu-Wai Chan, Materials Science & Engineering
"What are nano-crystals teaching us?"
9/23/22
Simon Billinge, Materials Science & Engineering
"Unsupervised and supervised machine learning for total scattering and pdf analyses"
&
Kyle Mandli, Applied Mathematics
"Computational Methods for Shallow Mass Flow"
9/30/22
Vladimir Kobzar, Applied Mathematics
"A PDE-Based Analysis of Bandit Problems: the Symmetric Two-Armed Bernoulli Bandit Example"
&
Marc Spiegelman, Applied Mathematics
"Integration of Computational Thermodynamics and Geodynamics"
10/7/22
Yuan Yang, Materials Science & Engineering
"Materials Designs and Characterizations for Energy Storage and Management"
&
Carlos Paz-Soldan, Applied Physics
"Fusion Plasma: Science and Control"
10/14/22
Julian Chen, Applied Physics
"What the Universe Consists of: Material Points or Continuous Fields?"
10/21/22
Oleg Gang, Applied Physics/Chem Eng
"Programmalbe Nanoscale Assembly "
10/28/22
Nanfang Yu, Applied Physics
"Flat optics"
&
Michael Weinstein, Applied Mathematics
"Edge states in continuum and discrete models of 2D materials"
11/4/22
Adam Sobel, Applied Mathematics
"The science of climate risk"
&
Elizabeth Paul, Applied Physics
"Numerical optimization for advancing fusion energy "
11/11/22
Lu Zhang, Applied Mathematics
"An energy-based discontinuous Galerkin method for a nonlinear variational wave equation"
&
Alexander Gaeta, Applied Physics
"Using photonics to generate ultralow-noise microwaves"
11/18/22
Michael Tippett, Applied Mathematics
"ENSO: Some history and questions"
&
Robert Pincus, Applied Mathematics
“Radiant energy flows in the climate system”
11/25/22
No seminar
12/2/22
Chris Wiggins, Applied Mathematics
"The Differential Geometry of Smooth Bandits"
&
Gregory Elsaesser, NASA/GISS
"Top-down and bottom-up uses of satellite data in climate model development"
Spring 2022
Spring 2022 Coordinator: Prof. Amir Sagiv
1/28/22
Julian Chen, Applied Physics
"The fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics"
&
Dr. Oak Nelson, Plasma Physics (Paz-Soldan group)
"Gradient-limiting mechanisms in the edge of fusion machines"
2/4/22
No seminar
2/11/22
Huaiyu Li, Applied Mathematics (Weinstein group)
"Existence and Numerical Approximation of Discrete Breathers on 1-D Nonlinear Lattices"
&
Xiang Hua, Applied Physics (Herman group)
"Improving the Optical Quality of MoSe2 and WS2 Monolayers with Complete h-BN Encapsulation by High-Temperature Annealing"
2/18/22
Isabelle Bunge, Applied Mathematics (Sobel group)
"Convection and the Lindzen-Nigam Effect in the Tropical East Pacific"
&
Matthew Patrick, Materials Science & Engineering (Barmak Group)
"Grain Growth in Metallic Thin Films: Current Experimental Work"
2/25/22
Xiaoyan Huang, Applied Physics (Yu group)
"Meta-Holograms for OpticalTrapping of Cold Atoms"
&
Paulina Czarnecki, Applied Mathematics (Polvani and Pincus groups)
"Physically-Transparent Approaches to Integrating Radiative Fluxes"
3/4/22
Michael Carter, Materials Science & Engineering (Yu group)
"Flat-knit Fabric Metasurfaces"
&
Boyuan Zhang, Applied Physics (Venkataraman group)
"Short Molecular Insulator Based on Quantum Interference"
3/11/22
Kathy Li, Applied Mathematics (Wiggins group)
"Predictive models for menstrual cycle data"
&
Stephanie Malek, Materials Science & Engineering (Yu group)
"Resonant Wavefront-Shaping Meta-Optics"
4/1/22 (virtual)
Heqing Huang, Applied Physics (Yu group)
"Leakywave Metasurfaces for Integrated Photonics"
4/8/22
Edith Zhang, Applied Mathematics (Du/Blumberg groups)
“VI flow: an analytical view of variational inference”
&
Patrick Orenstein, Applied Mathematics (Sobel, Camargo, Elsaesser groups)
"Evaluating Model Parameterizations of Moist Convection"
4/15/22
No seminar
4/22/22
Prof. Julian Chen, Applied Physics
"Physics of Human Voice Production, Experiments and Theory"
&
Luke Holtzman, Materials Science & Engineering (Barmak group)
"Synthesis, Characterization and Defect Computations of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides"
Fall 2021
Fall 2021 Coordinator: Prof. Lu Zhang
9/17/21
Latha Venkataraman, Applied Physics and Chemistry
Machine learning applied to single-molecule ciruits
&
Kyle Mandli, Applied Mathematics-Atmospheric Science
Accelerating Prediction of Coastal Flooding in a Changing Climate
9/24/21
Carlos Paz-Soldan, Applied Physics-Plasma Physics
"Fusion Plasma: Science and Control"
&
James Scott, Applied Mathematics
“Nonlocal Analysis in Continuum Mechanics and Beyond”
10/1/21
Adam Sobel, Applied Mathematics-Atmospheric Science
"Tropical intraseasonal oscillations"
&
Katayun Barmak, Materials Science & Engineering
"Towards a Theory of Grain Growth in Polycrystalline Materials"
10/8/21
Nanfang Yu, Applied Physics-Solid State Physics
"Flat Optics"
&
Yang Sun, Applied Physics
"Two-step nucleation of the Earth's inner core"
10/15/21
Yuan Yang, Materials Science & Engineering
"Materials Design and Characterization for Energy Storage"
&
Simon Billinge, Materials Science & Engineering
"Mapping nanostructure at the micro and nanoscale with the help of x-rays and applied math"
10/22/21
Alex Gaeta, Applied Physics-Solid State Physics
"Optical Frequency Combs on a Chip"
&
Oleg Gang, Chemical Engineering & Applied Physics
"Programming Assembly and Reconfiguration of Nanomaterial Systems"
10/29/21
Michael Tippet, Applied Mathematics-Atmospheric Science
"Predictability of a North American tornado environment index from tropical Pacific SST and the Arctic Oscillation"
&
Marc Spiegelman, Applied Mathematics-Atmospheric Science
"Integrating Computational Thermodynamics and Geodynamics"
11/5/21
Daniel Bienstock, IEOR and Applied Mathematics
"The complexity of solving algebraic optimization problems"
&
Michal Lipson, Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics
"Next Generation of Silicon Photonics"
11/12/21
Amir Sagiv, Applied Mathematics
"Uncertainties and Noise in Dynamical Systems"
&
Kui Ren, Applied Mathematics
"Coupling Machine Learning with Model-Based Inversion"
11/19/21
9:15-9:45 AM
Siu-Wai Chan, Materials Science & Engineering
11/26/21 - No seminar
12/3/21
Irving Herman, Applied Physics
"Herman’s Third Book and Isaac Asimov"
&
William Bailey, Materials Science & Engineering
"Magnetization dynamics at fast timescales and small dimensions"
Spring 2021
Note: All Spring 2021 Seminars will take place via Zoom
The Zoom link will be shared with APAM Department community the week before the seminar. If you are not a member of the APAM Department, please send an email to [email protected] if you would like to attend the seminar.
Spring 2021 Coordinator: Prof. Amir Sagiv
1/22/2021
Huaiyu Li, Applied Mathematics (Weinstein Group)
"Coherent Structures in 1-D Dimer Chains"
&
Chris Dupuis, Applied Mathematics-Atmospheric Science (Abernathey Group)
"Optimal Iteration Patterns for Multidimensional Data and Functions"
1/29/2021
Aaron Michelson, Materials Science & Engineering (Gang Group)
"DNA Origami Templated Material Synthesis"
&
Wenxuan Wang, Materials Science & Engineering (Chan Group)
"Size-dependent Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Nano Oxides"
2/5/2021
Jessie Oehrlein, Applied Mathematics-Atmospheric Science (Polvani Group)
"Teaching Disciplinary Practices in Atmospheric Science and Discrete Mathematics"
&
Yevgeny Rakita, Materials Science & Engineering (Billinge Group)
"SNEM: Scaning Nano-structure Electron Microscopy
2/12/2021
Ziyu Liu, Applied Physics/Physics (Pinczuk Group)
"Observation of flat bands in gated semiconductor artificial graphene"
&
Yang Sun, Applied Physics (Wentzcovitch Group)
"Ab initio calculation and crystal structure predictions of Fe-O phases under high pressures"
2/19/2021
Songsheng Tao, Applied Physics (Billinge Group)
"The Pair Distribution Function Analysis of the Ni, Fe, Co Nanoparticles from High-throughput Synthesis"
&
Stephanie Malek, Materials Science & Engineering (Yu Group)
"Resonant Wavefront-Shaping Flat Optics."
2/26/2021 - No seminar
3/5/2021 - No seminar
3/12/2021
Bok Young Kim, Applied Physics (Gaeta Group)
"Kerr Frequency Combs in Normal Group-Velocity Dispersion"
&
Cheng-Chia Tsai, Applied Physics (Yu Group)
"An Efficient Method for Obtaining the 3-dimensional Structure of Insect Wings Using Thermal Photography"
3/19/2021
Philip Dinenis, Applied Mathematics (Bienstock/Mandli Groups)
"Optimization of Protective Measures against Coastal Flooding
&
Edith Zhang, Applied Mathematics (Du Group)
"Unveiling mode connectivity of an optimization landscape"
3/26/2021 - No seminar
4/2/2021
Judah Ryoo, Applied Mathematics (Mandli Group)
"2D h-box methods/SRD"
&
Jared Ginsberg, Applied Physics (Gaeta Group)
Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics of 2D Materials
4/9/2021
Tianwei Jin, Materials Science & Engineering (Yang Group)
"Bio-inspired Interfacial Designs for Structural Batteries with Enhanced Mechanical Properties"
&
Zeyu Hui, Materials Science & Engineering (West/Yang Groups)
"Understanding and Optimizing Transport of LIBs electrodes with Physics-based models"
Fall 2020
Fall 2020 Coordinator: Prof. Lu Zhang
9/18/2020
Latha Venkataraman, Applied Physics
"Using Quantum Interference to Create Highly Non-Linear Devices"
&
Kyle Mandli, Applied Mathematics
"Numerical Methods for Predicting Coastal Flooding With Uncertainty"
9/25/2020
I.C. Noyan, Materials Science and Engineering & Earth and Environmental Engineering
"Accuracy and Precision Limits for Diffraction Strain Measurements"
&
Allen Boozer, Applied Physics
“My Research: Magnetic Fusion and Magnetic Reconnection”
10/2/2020
Siu-Wai Chan, Materials Science and Engineering & Earth and Environmental Engineering
Study on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Crystallites
&
Michal Lipson, Electrical Engineering & Applied Physics
"Photonics - challenges and opportunities"
10/9/2020
Yuan Yang, Materials Science and Engineering
"Material Design for Energy Storage and Thermal Management"
&
Marc Spiegelman, Applied Mathematics
"Integrating Computational Thermodynamics and Geodynamics"
10/16/2020
Oleg Gang, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, and Material Science
"Nanoscale Lego"
&
John Wright, Electrical Engineering
"Nonconvex Optimization for Low-Dimensional Structure: Dictionaries, Deconvolution and Deep Networks"
10/23/2020
Nanfang Yu, Applied Physics
"Flat Optics"
&
Alexander Gaeta, Applied Physics
"Optical Frequency Combs on a Chip"
10/30/2020
Kui Ren, Applied Mathematics
"Computational optimal transport for inversion and learning"
&
Michael Tippett, Applied Mathematics
"Comparing El Niño-Southern Oscillation in forecasts and observations"
11/6/2020
Cancelled
11/13/2020
Amir Sagiv, Applied Mathematics
"Measurements with an Unknown Observation Function - a Kernel Approach"
&
Qiang Du, Applied Mathematics
"Informative and Intelligent Scientific Computing"
11/20/2020
Michael Weinstein, Applied Mathematics
"Waves in 2D Materials; from PDEs to Topology"
&
Daniel Bienstock, Applied Mathematics
"What is polynomial optimization?"
12/4/2020
Nongnuch Artrith, Chemical Engineering
"Modeling the Dynamics of Complex Energy Materials with Machine Learning"
&
Aron Pinczuk, Applied Physics & Physics
"Electron Fluids in Semiconductor Quantum Structures"
12/11/2020
Michael Mauel, Applied Physics
"Instabilities of Magnetically Confined Plasma"
&
Simon Billinge, Materials Science & Engineering
"Nanostructure, and it's mapping