Group

Sam Aronow, BA 2026

• Majors: Physics, Math, Computer Science

Sam Aronow is a rising junior from West Hartford, Connecticut. He went to Hall High School before attending Wesleyan. At Wesleyan, he is pursuing majors in Math, Physics, and Computer Science. Outside of schoolwork, he runs cross country and track and field, and enjoys hiking and exploring outdoors. After Wesleyan he plans to go to graduate school to continue his education.

Owen Dunton, BA 2025

• Majors: Physics, Math

Owen studies the phase-change material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST), a material with emerging applications in non-volatile memory and photonics due to its highly controllable electrical/optical properties, resulting from the rapid and reversible crystalline-amorphous phase transition. His first project was the development of an efficient and accurate machine-learned interatomic potential for GST, which he now uses to provide atomistic insight into areas such as GST’s phase diagram, dielectric properties, and crystal nucleation. Owen is from Westwood MA, where he attended Westwood High School and became an Eagle Scout. He enjoys camping and card games.

Casey Gao, BA 2027

• Majors: Math

Casey studies the properties of the phase-change material GST using the machine-learned potential developed in the lab. He is currently investigating the thermodynamic properties to plot the phase diagram of GST. Casey is from Toronto ON and likes to hike near campus.

Evelyn Grandfield, BA 2025

• Majors: Physics, Science and Technology Studies

Evelyn Grandfield is a rising senior with a double major in Physics and Science and Technology Studies. She is conducting molecular simulations research with Professor Starr in the Physics Department. She is from Nevada City, California and loves to be in the water as much as possible. She also enjoys card games, looking at stars, and playing with her cat.

Max Hanrahan, Ph.D. student

• BA Hamilton College 2022

Max studies the effect of dynamic bonds on polymer mixtures, seeking to address challenges in the recycling of mixed plastics. Originally from Erie PA, he graduated from Hamilton College in 2022. He enjoys spending his free time going on long-distance runs, playing music with friends, or playing video games.

Md. Rakib Hassan, Ph.D. student

• M.Sc Jahangirnagar University 2021
• B.Sc Jahangirnagar University 2019

Rakib investigates the collective rearrangement of dust particles in dusty plasma crystals and its connection to melting. He employs the inherent structure technique, minimizing potential energy to separate crystal hopping motion from transient vibrations. Recently, he has extended his research to study the collective motion of atoms in graphene and silicon crystals using the same methods. Originally from Narayanganj, Bangladesh, Rakib aims to return home after graduation to inspire his community to pursue higher studies in STEM.