Research Team

***Postdoctoral Associate positions are available (U.S. citizenship required). Interested candidates should contact Prof. Chandrahalim (hengky(at)microsystems.group) to apply.***

Visiting Scientists

• Lars Meier, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2025 – 2026)
  Research topic: 3D MEMS acoustic and inertial sensors on optical fiber tips

Postdoctoral Associates

• Dr. Franck Assogba-Onanga, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2020 – 2023)
  Research topic: MEMS-enabled non-Hermitian quantum systems

Ph.D. Dissertations Advised

• Lt Col Edward J. Hurd, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2018 – Present)
  Dissertation title: Colloidal quantum dot single photon sources on silicon photonic integrated circuits

• Lt Col David D. Lynes, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2019 – 2023)
  Dissertation title: Modeling the effects of radiation on microelectromechanical resonators

• Maj Jonathon M. Campbell, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2019 – 2021) [Retired from the U.S. Air Force]
  Research topic: Whispering-gallery lasers with low-dimensional gain media

Served as a Ph.D. Dissertation Committee Member:

• Capt Matthew J. Vincie, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2016 – 2019)
  Dissertation title: The challenges of low-energy secondary electron emission measurement

M.S. Theses Advised

• Gage M. Sutton, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2025 – 2027)
  Thesis topic: Nonlinear optomechanical accelerometers

• Jackson D. Sherwood, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2025 – 2027)
  Thesis topic: Impact of radiation-induced perturbations on on mode localization in microelectromechanical resonators

• Capt David V. Smith IV, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2024 – 2026)
  Thesis topic: Radiation effects on nonlinear microelectromechanical oscillators

• Ethan C. Doerstling, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2023 – 2025) Co-advised with Dr. Juan Manfredi and Dr. Michael Febbraro (AFIT/ENP)
  Thesis title: Fused-silica microelectromechanical systems for relative gravimetry

• Capt Ori Kenig, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2023 – 2025)
  Thesis title: Two-photon nanomachined optomechanical cavities for microfluidic flow sensing

• 1st Lt Samuel J. Campbell, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2022 – 2024)
  Thesis title: Novel shadow mask fabrication using two-photon polymerization to create micro-optical Fabry-Perot sensors
  Distinguished Graduate Award Winner

• Capt Samuel B. DeWhitt, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2020 – 2022)
  Thesis title: Influence of materials and design parameters on Zinc Oxide surface acoustic devices

• Capt Karanvir Singh, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2019 – 2021)
  Thesis title: Feasibility study of radio frequency microelectromechanical filters for space applications

• Capt Kyle T. Bodily, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2019 – 2021)
  Thesis title: Design and fabrication of zinc oxide optofluidic laser elements

• 1st Lt Israel Dunk, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2019 – 2021) Co-advised with Capt Matthew J. Vincie (AFIT/ENG)
  Thesis title: Robust scandium aluminum nitride MEMS filters for L-Band operation in orbital environments

• 2nd Lt Jeremiah C. Williams, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2018 – 2020)
  Thesis title: Dynamic micromechanical Fabry–Pérot cavity sensors fabricated by multiphoton absorptiononto optical fiber tips

• Capt Jonathan W. Smith, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2017 – 2019)
  Thesis title: 3-D Multifunctional sensors fabricated on fiber tips using a two photon polymerization process

• Capt Michael T. Dela Cruz, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2017 – 2019)
  Thesis title: Designing liquid crystal for optoacoustic detection

Served as a M.S. Thesis Committee Member:

• 1st Lt Victoria I. Crowder, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2024 – 2026)
  Thesis title: Surface electrodes for biohybrid volatile organic compound sensing

• Capt Jason A. Burdette, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2022 – 2024)
  Thesis title: The effects of a non-uniform magnetic field on solar cell efficiency

• Capt Jason J. Buranich, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2020 – 2022)
  Thesis title: Effects of a non-uniform magnetic field on the current flow of silicon photodiodes and solar cells

• 1st Lt Jacob E. Song, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2020 – 2022)
  Thesis title: Simultaneous actuation and sensing electrostatic MEMS

• 2nd Lt Dylan T. Martin-Abood, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2018 – 2020)
  Thesis title: Characterization of reactive ion etching chemistries using direct write lithography

• 2nd Lt Michael D. Sherburne, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2018 – 2020)
  Thesis title: X-Ray detection and strain sensing applications of colloidal quantum dots

• Capt Tory E. Robinson, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2017 – 2019)
  Thesis title: Characterization of metal contacts on hydrothermally synthesized uranium dioxide for novel
  semiconductor applications

• 2nd Lt Enoc Flores, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2017 – 2019)
  Thesis title: Improved fabrication for micromirror arrays

• 2nd Lt Paul L. J. Michaud, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2017 – 2019)
  Thesis title: Micro-contacts with 3-D surfaces made with grayscale lithography

• 2nd Lt George C. Underwood, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2017 – 2019)
  Thesis title: A MEMS dual vertical electrometer and electric field-mill

• 2nd Lt Blaine Z. Underwood, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, (2017 – 2019)
  Thesis title: Plasma treatment method for ohmic contacts on zinc oxide thin film transistors

Undergraduate Research Associates

• Cody Thomas Brown, AFIT/ORISE, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2021 – 2023)
  Research topic: Two-photon nanomachining

• Justin Mack Brown, AFIT/ORISE, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2020 – 2021)
  Research topic: Static and dynamic alignments of liquid crystals

• Christina Scott, AFIT/SOCHE, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2019)
  Research topic: Liquid crystalline optoacoustic sensors

• Sangha Cho, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2016 – 2017)
  Research topic: Non-contact photoacoustic imaging using optical ring resonators

• Jorge Alfaro, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2016 – 2017)
  Research topic: Computer-aided design and modeling of optical and biophotonic devices

• Conor Eldred Manley, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2013 – 2014)
  Research topic: 3-D Nanomachining optical devices using femtosecond lasers