PI
Qing Tu
qing.tu@tamu.edu
Dr. Qing Tu is an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU) starting from Jan. 2020. Prior to joining TAMU, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science with Outstanding Dissertation Award from Duke University. He also obtained a certificate (minor) in Nanoscience and M.A. in Economics from Duke University. His research has been focused on understanding and engineering the surfaces and interfaces in advanced functional materials (e.g., 2D materials, hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites) from a mechanics perspective to design and optimize their properties for applications.
**Openings of PhD Students and Postdocs are available**
Postdoc
Leepsa Mishra
leepsa@tamu.edu
Dr. Leepsa Mishra is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, joined in Dec 2023. She received her Ph.D. in Physics Department from the Indian Institute of Technology Patna, India, on Optoelectronics of Nanomaterials. Her research focuses on developing novel synthesis of 2D metal halide perovskites and understanding the fundamental optoelectronic process in these materials.
Graduate Students
Shengjia Zhang
Shnegjia@tamu.edu
Shengjia Zhang is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University since fall 2023. He earned his B.S. in Material Molding and Control Engineering from the China University of Petroleum and his M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from UC San Diego, where he focused on research in polymer physics and soft robotics. His current research explores the mechanical properties of semiconductor materials and the mechanically induced physical properties of 2D materials. His work aims to enhance the performance of electronic devices as well as improve the quality of life for individuals. He is an accomplished piano player and enjoys swimming.
Mengru Jin
anna990607@tamu.edu
Mengru (Anna) joined the Tu group in August 2023 as a PhD student. She received her MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University and BS in Polymer Science and Engineering from NIT, Zhejiang University. Her research focuses on understanding the transport and breakdown behavior of emerging semiconductor materials. Outside the lab, she likes traveling, sketching, and learning musical instruments. She has a cute cat at home.
Arushi Chaudhry
arushichaudhry@tamu.edu
Arushi Chaudhry is a Master’s student in Electrical & Computer Engineering at TAMU. She received her B.S. from BML Munjal University in India. She joined the group in Fall 2023. Her research focuses on electrical characterization and fabrication of organic and hybrid semiconductors. Beyond academics, she finds strength and joy in boxing sessions and expresses herself through dance.
Undergraduate Students
Saskia Straub
saskiastraub@tamu.edu
Saskia Straub is a junior in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at TAMU. She grew up in Brentwood, California, and has experience with renewable energy, from biogas processing to hydrogen and solar energy. She joined the group in Fall 2023 to learn more about electronic materials and related nanotechnology applications, which were clearly influenced by her growing up near Silicon Valley. Aside from academics, she is involved in tutoring, singing, and soon robotics! Learning and improving faults is a lifelong process and it is what delights her in her academics and extracurriculars.
Gannon Amendola
gamendola2021@tamu.edu
Gannon Amendola is a sophomore materials science major and chemistry minor undergraduate student at TAMU. He is from Houston, Texas. He is interested in developing advanced functional and sustainable materials to improve the performance of devices and the living conditions of people. Currently, he is helping the lab to set up model AFMs for outreach activities and develop a transfer stage for stacking of 2D flakes for new materials/device engineering. He plans to continue his graduate studies after receiving his undergraduate degree.
Matthew Betz
Matthew Betz is a junior MSEN undergraduate student at Texas A&M University. He is interested in semiconducting materials and is currently working with current-induced heating and thermal transport in LEDs based on metal halide perovskites. He is also associated with the MSEN undergraduate ambassador program as well as the current president of the Texas A&M Materials Advantage organization. His hobbies include watching baseball whenever he can catch a game as well as hanging out with friends playing board games