Research Faculty


Abasi Abudulimu

Research Assistant Professor
Since April 2021

 Research Interests:
  • Understanding photovoltaic material properties device physics through the study of charge generation, recombination, and extraction processes using time-resolved optical and electrical characterization tool and simulation.
  • Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence and electroluminescence, transient photovoltage and photocurrent.
  • SCLC, Photo-CELIV, photolysis, confocal Raman/PL microsopy, Kelvin probe/atomic force mircoscopy, drift diffusion simulations, and global kinetic and spectral modelling of TA spectra.
    • Past Research Positions:
  • Postdoctoral Researcher at IMDEA Nanoscience Madrid (Spain)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher at Czech Technical University (Prague, Czech Republic)
  • Visiting Research Scholar at Belectric OPV GmbH (Nuremburg, Germany)
  • Visiting Research Scholar at Imperial College (London, United Kingdom)
  • Visiting Research Scholar at Wurzburg University (Germany)
    • Education:
  • Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics and Nanotechnology, Autonomous, Univserity of Madrid (Spain, 2017)
  • M.Sc. in Physics, Umea University (Sweden, 2013)
    • Email: abasi.abudulimu@utoledo.edu


    Ebin Bastola

    Research Assistant Professor

    		 Research Interests:
  • Thin Film Devices
  • Nanomaterials
  • Synthesis and Characterization
    • Education:
  • Ph.D. in Physics (Material Science), University of Toledo (2020)
  • M.S. in Physics, Bowling Green State University (2014)
  • B.S. in Physics, Tribhuvan University (Kathmandu, Nepal)
    • Email: ebin.bastola@utoledo.edu

    LinkedIn: Ebin Bastola


    Post-doctoral Researchers


    Vijay Karade
    Since December 2023

    		 Education:
  • B.S./M.S. in Nanoscience and Technology, Shivaji University (Kolhapur, India, 2017)
    • Email: vkarade@utoledo.edu



    Solar Array Technician


    Philip Ottinger
    Since Spring 2023

    		 Education:
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Toledo (2022)
    • Email: philip.ottinger@utoledo.edu



    Graduate Students


    Namuna Adhikari
    Since January 2023

    		 Education:
  • Current graduate student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
    • Email: namuna.adhikari@rockets.utoledo.edu



    Tyler Brau

    		 Research Interests:
  • Optical characterization of photovoltaic materials.
  • Synthesis of antimony sulfide thin-film devices.
    • Education:
  • Ph.D. student since 2021
  • B.A. in Physics and B.A. in Chemistry, Gustavus Adolphus College (Minnesota, 2019)
    • Email: tyler.brau@rockets.utoledo.edu



    Nadeesha Katajumbura
    Since January 2020

    		 Research Interests:
  • JVTI and Thermal Cycling studies on thin film devices.
  • Device fabrication via thermal evaporting using vacuum deposition systems.
  • Material and device performance characterization.
    • Education:
  • Ph.D. student in Physics (Materials Science) at UT since 2019
  • B.Sc. in Engineering Physics, University of Colombo (Sri Lanka, 2017)
    • Email: nadeesha.katakumbura@rockets.utoledo.edu



    Aesha Patel
    Since Spring 2020

    		 Research Interests:
  • Thin-film PV.
  • Material synthesis via solution-processing, chemical bath deposition.
  • Device fabrication via sputtering/evaporting using vacuum deposition system.
  • Material and device characterization.
    • Education:
  • Ph.D. student in Physics (Materials Science) at UT since Spring 2020
  • M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University (2018)
  • B.E. in Chemical Engineering, L.D. College of Engineering (Gujarat, India, 2016)
    • Email: aesha.patel@rockets.utoledo.edu



    Manoj Rajakaruna

    		 Research Interests:
  • Fabricating perovskite solar cells and mini-modules using slot die coating.
  • Characterization of perovskite materials
  • Nanomaterials
    • Education:
  • Currently a 4th-year graduate student at UT.
  • B.S. in Engineering Physics, University of Colombo (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
    • Email: manoj.rajakaruna@rockets.utoledo.edu



    Scott Wenner
    Since August 2022

    		 Education:
  • M.S. in Physics, Miami (OH) University (2022)
    • Measurement of Dicke narrowing in warm alkali vapor for different buffer gas pressures
  • B.S. in Physics, Miami (OH) University (2020)
    • Email: scott.wenner@rockets.utoledo.edu

    Fun Fact: 2018 Intercollegiate Figure Skating National Champion


    Undergraduate Students



    Steven Carter
    Since October 2022

    		 Major: Data Science (Concentration in Astrophysics)
    Minor: Economics

    Expected Graduation: Spring 2023

    Email: steven.carter4@rockets.utoledo.edu

    LinkedIn: Steven Carter


    Madeline Mooney
    Since January 2023

    		 Major: Physics (Concentration in Astrophysics)

    Expected Graduation: Spring 2024

    Email: madeline.mooney2@rockets.utoledo.edu



    Malhar Wable
    Since Fall 2021

    		 Major: Mechanical Engineering

    Expected Graduation: Spring 2024

    Email: malhar.wable@rockets.utoledo.edu

    LinkedIn: Malhar Wable


    Zachary Zawisza

    		 Major:

    Expected Graduation:

    Email: zachary.zawisza@rockets.utoledo.edu



    Group Alumni



    Khagendra Bhandari
    (2008-2018)

    		 Currently Assistant Professor of Physics at Ohio Northern University (Ada, Ohio)

    Education:
  • Ph.D. in Physics, University of Toledo (2015)
    • Characterization and Application of Colloidal Nanocrystalline Materials for Advanced Photovoltaics
  • M.S. in Physics, The University of Minnesota, Duluth (2008)
  • M.S., Tribhuvan University (Kathmandu, Nepal,1998)
    • LinkedIn: Khagendra Bhandari


    Paul Roland (2009-2016)


    		 Currently employed at Lockheed Martin as a Senior Test Engineer

    Education:
  • Ph.D. in Physics, University of Toledo (2015)
    • Charge Carrier Processes in Photovoltaic Materials and Devices
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Kettering University (2009)
    • LinkedIn: Paul Roland


    Niraj Shrestha (2014-2019)
    Currently employed at Photon Kinetics as an Application Engineer

    Education:
  • Ph.D. in Physics, University of Toledo (2019)
    • Optical Spectroscopy of Perovskite Photovoltaic Materials and Interfaces
  • M.S. in Physics, University of Memphis (Tennessee, 2013)
  • M.Sc. in Physics, Tribhuvan University (Nepal, 2004)
    • LinkedIn: Niraj Shrestha


    Neale Haugen (2009-2016)

    		 Currently a Physics Instructor in Shanghai

    Education:
  • Ph.D. in Condensed Matter and Material Physics, University of Toledo (2015)
    • Spectroscopic Studies of Doping and Charge Transfer in Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots
  • B.S. in Physics (Electro-Optics emphasis), St. Cloud State University (Minnesota, 2009)
    • LinkedIn: Neale Haugen


    Lydia-Ann Ghuneim (2013)


    		 Currently a Senior Analyst at Biohisun

    Education:
  • Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Bangor University (North Wales, 2020)
  • M.S. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan (2012)
  • B.S. in Physics and Biochemistry, University of Michigan (2010)
    • LinkedIn: Lydia-Ann Ghuneim


    Negar Heidarian (2013)


    		 B.S. in Physics (AMO emphasis)
    University of Isfahan, Iran (2010)

    Ph.D. candidate
    Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

    Negar.Heidarianboroujeni@rockets.utoledo.edu


    Tyler Kinner (2011-2014)

    		 B.S. (Chemistry) and B.A. (Physics), 2015

    BOSEF Scholar
    University of Toledo, Ohio

    tyler.kinner@gmail.com



    Adam Wierwille (Summer 2013)

    		 Undergraduate, Department of Chemical Engineering
    University of Toledo, Ohio

    Adam.Wierwille@rockets.utoledo.edu



     Roan Martin-Hayden (Summer 2013)

    		 High School (2015), Toledo School for the Arts, Toledo, Ohio

    Undergraduate, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Toledo

    Roan.MartinHayden@rockets.utoledo.edu


    Dr. Tieneke Dykstra (2009-2011)

    		 Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, 2008, University of Toronto, Canada

    B.Sc. (honors), Chemistry, 2001, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    Tieneke.Dykstra@gmail.com


    Julia Deitz (Summer 2010)

          		Undergraduate, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy

    Summer REU @ PVIC

    Julia.Deitz@rockets.utoledo.edu


    Chad McElvany (Summers 2009, 2011)


    		 Undergraduate, Applied Physics
    University of Toledo, Ohio

    Summer intern at PVIC

    Transfer student from MCCC (Monroe County Community College)

    Chad.McElvany@utoledo.edu



    AJ Mueser (Summer 2009)

    		 Undergraduate, Physics & Mathematics
    University of Toledo, Ohio

    Andrew.Mueser@utoledo.edu


    Dr. Jianbo Gao (2009 - 2012)
    Ph.D., Physics, 2004- 2009, University of Alberta, Canada

    M.Sc., Physics, 2002-2004, University of Alberta, Canada

    M.Sc., Physics, 1997-2000, Jilin University, China

    Jianbo.Gao@nrel.gov
    Jianbo.Gao@utoledo.edu


    Ryan Zeller (2010 - 2012)

    		 B.S. in Physics
    University of Toledo

    Graduate BOSEF Scholar (Fall 2010)

    Professional Science Masters in Photovoltaics, The University of Toledo

    Ryan.Zeller@rockets.utoledo.edu