{"id":12,"date":"2024-06-07T22:34:27","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T22:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-optics-wp.pantheonsite.io\/panda\/?page_id=12"},"modified":"2026-01-05T00:26:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T00:26:16","slug":"people","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/people\/","title":{"rendered":"People"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Cristian Panda<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

cpanda [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I obtained my B.A. in Physics at Reed College followed by a PhD at Harvard. During my PhD, I looked for Physics Beyond the Standard Model by measuring the electron\u2019s electric dipole moment with a record precision enabled by the amazingly high electric field available in the thorium monoxide molecule. As a post doc at UC Berkeley, I developed the lattice atom interferometer which can now interfere Caesium atoms after 70 seconds of hold in an optical lattice, probing the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravity. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing video games, cycling and traveling.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

GRADUATE STUDENTS<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Paola Luna<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

paolaluna [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I love discovering how our world works, and bridging this knowledge to applications across different disciplinary fields is what motivated me to pursue a PhD in Optical Sciences. When not in the lab, I enjoy being involved in community outreach and science communication. Otherwise, you will often find me biking, reading a book or trying something new.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Andrei Zhukov<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

azhukov [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I recently moved to Tucson for the PhD program in Optical Sciences after completing my BS in Physics with a specialization in Optics at Stony Brook University in Spring 2024. I am excited to build a new lattice atom interferometer and find the limits of what it can sense. Outside of the lab, I love the outdoors and look forward to exploring what Arizona has to offer!<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Benjamin Fausto Kanzer<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

faustokanzer [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I am an OpSci PhD student here at the University of Arizona. I recently completed my BS in Physics at American University where I also completed minors in Mathematics and Philosophy. I am excited by optical physics, in particular I am excited by atom interferometry and look forward to offering what I can to this project. In my personal life, I follow basketball, baseball, and soccer religiously and enjoy backpacking, cooking, and reading.<\/p>\r\n

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Philip Wondrak<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

pwondrak [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As a first-year Ph.D. student at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, I am grateful to participate in this exciting research effort focused on developing a cutting edge lattice atom interferometer. Through my prior industry experience working with laser technology (specifically VECSELs), I developed an interest in the applications of such technology to the study of AMO physics. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona in applied mathematics, and I continue to find great joy in learning and applying new mathematical concepts. Outside of optics, I enjoy playing soccer, climbing, and exploring the vibrant American West.<\/p>\r\n

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POSTBAC RESEARCHERS<\/h2>\r\n

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Kenneth Nakasone<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

kennethnakasone [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n

It has been a lot of fun setting up optics, making electronics, designing PCBs, and doing data analysis. At home, I’m working on a conveyor belt 3D printer and fixing my electric bike.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS<\/h2>\r\n

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Stone Guymon<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

stguymon [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n

I am a Physics and Astronomy major at the University of Arizona, interested in any and all of the physical laws that govern our universe. I’m excited to get involved with and learn more about the optical systems used in the lattice atom interferometer. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and trying out new sports.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Scarlett Bolton<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

scarlettbolton [at) arizona.edu<\/p>\r\n

I am a Physics and Astronomy major here at UA! I am very interested in physics and how it plays into everyday life. I am excited to contribute to the lab and expand my knowledge on atom interferometry. In my free time, I love to craft, decorate, and spend time with my friends and family. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Cristian Panda cpanda [at) arizona.edu I obtained my B.A. in Physics at Reed College followed by a PhD at Harvard. During my PhD, I looked for Physics Beyond the Standard Model by measuring the electron\u2019s electric dipole moment with a record precision enabled by the amazingly high electric field available in the thorium monoxide molecule. As a post<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullwidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12"}],"version-history":[{"count":59,"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":465,"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12\/revisions\/465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.optics.arizona.edu\/panda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}