Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics


We continually search for motivated researchers at the post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate levels interested in pursuing quantum materials synthesis, device fabrication, and low-temperature precision measurements.
Please get in touch with Aravind if you are interested in any of these opportunities.

Aravind Devarakonda
Assistant Professor
Devarakonda is an Assistant Professor of Applied Physics at Columbia University. After completing his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University in 2014, he obtained a Ph.D in Physics from MIT in 2021 under the supervision of Joe Checkelsky. Subsequently, he was a Postdoctoral Research Scientist and a Simons Junior Fellow working with Cory Dean at Columbia University.
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aravind.devarakonda@columbia.edu
Office: NWC 807

Federico Balduini
Postdoc
Federico is a postdoctoral researcher exploring the impact of inhomogeneous strain on microstructured quantum materials. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics (2017) and a Master's in Nanotechnology Engineering (2020) from La Sapienza University of Rome. In 2024, he completed his PhD in Physics at the University of Basel, conducting his research in the laboratories of IBM Research Zurich. Outside the lab, Federico enjoys traveling, racing drones, and visiting museums.

Siddharth Singh
Postdoc
Siddharth is a joint postdoctoral researcher in the Dean and Devarakonda labs. As a PhD student, he studied the fractional quantum Hall effect in GaAs/AlGaAs/AlAs heterostructures using DC transport. For his postdoctoral research, he is interested in studying correlated and topological matter in 2D materials utilizing both DC and high frequency transport measurements. In his free time Siddharth plays sports and video games, exploring, and hiking in national parks.

Thomas Werkmeister
Postdoc, Simons Junior Fellow
Tom is a postdoctoral researcher and Simons Junior Fellow working on the interface between topological order and superconductivity, combining synthesis of novel low-dimensional materials with direct integration into quantum devices. He received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University in 2025, under the mentorship of Professor Philip Kim, and his B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh. Besides research, Tom enjoys reading, traveling, playing chess, and making music, primarily on guitar.

Karl Falb
Graduate Student
Karl is a graduate student working on manipulating quantum materials using strain, with a side interest in computational methods. He received a B.S. in Physics and a B.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Michigan in April 2023. Hailing from Michigan, Karl enjoys cooking, knitting, and living in a city with extensive public transportation.

Shulami Oh
Graduate Student
Shulami is a graduate student focused on studying moire materials, their analogs, and their potential applications in quantum technology. She completed her B.S. in Applied Physics at Kyunghee University, with a focus on semiconductors and nanodevices. Outside the lab, Shulami enjoys swimming, traveling to new countries, and spending time with animals.

Kylie Thompson
Graduate Student
Kylie is a graduate student interested in synthesizing new materials to uncover unusual quantum behaviors with potential device applications. She received a B.A. in Physics from Pomona College in 2022. True to her Colorado roots, Kylie enjoys outdoor activities, especially running, as well as reading and crocheting.
