People

(Andrew) Tasman Powis (apowis@pppl.gov)

Andrew Tasman Powis is a Computational Research Associate specializing in the design of software and algorithms for the modeling of low-temperature plasma devices. This software is applied to the modeling of spacecraft propulsion systems and plasma devices essential to the manufacturing of advanced microchips. A critical component of Tasman’s research is mapping these algorithms to modern heterogeneous computing systems.  He also investigates how machine learning combined with high-performance computing can accelerate traditional simulation techniques to enable whole-device modeling of low-temperature plasma devices. He earned his PhD in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University in 2021.

Willca Villafana (wvillafa@pppl.gov)

Willca Villafana is a Computational Research Associate specializing in modeling low-temperature plasma systems through Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations in high-performance computing environments. Willca’s research interests currently encompass whole-device modeling, microelectronics, and space propulsion applications. Since joining PPPL in 2022, Willca has contributed to the development and maintenance of EDIPIC-2D, a comprehensive and state-of-the-art PIC code. Through collaborative efforts within the Princeton Collaborative Low Temperature Plasma Research Facility (PCRF) framework, Willca’s work supports advancements in plasma research across various research institutions. He earned his PhD in Energy and Transfer from Toulouse National Polytechnic Institute in 2021.

Shoaib Khalid (skhalid@pppl.gov)

Shoaib Khalid is an associate research physicist, and his area of interest includes designing and investigating novel materials for a wide range of applications. The objective is to enhance our comprehension of material behavior at the microscopic level and how it manifests in macroscopic properties that can be experimentally investigated and tailored for specific applications. Shoaib earned a doctoral degree from the University of Delaware in Physics/Material Science. 

Mikhail Mokrov (mmokrov@pppl.gov)

Mikhail Mokrov is an Associate Research Physicist specializing in applied physics. Mikhail’s research interests include plasma physics, condensed - matter physics, laser - matter interaction, computer simulation, and quantum sensing. Since joining PPPL in 2023, Mikhail has been developing a new, comprehensive fluid model of non-equilibrium plasma and gas-dynamic flow in microwave reactors for the diamond growth. He received a master’s degree in applied mathematics and physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Department of Molecular and Biological Physics, in 2005 and a Ph.D. degree in mechanics of liquid, gas, and plasma from Institute for Problems in Mechanics, Russian Academy of Sciences in 2009. 

John Isaac G. Enriquez (jenrique@pppl.gov)

John Isaac G. Enriquez is a Computational Research Associate specializing in quantum simulation, molecular dynamics, and artificial intelligence for surface and interface science. His current research focuses on elucidating and optimizing diamond growth and doping processes for applications in microelectronics and quantum information science. John Isaac earned his Ph.D. in Engineering (Applied and Engineering Physics) from The University of Osaka and was awarded the prestigious JSPS Research Fellowship.