Director: Prakash Gautam
A Note to My Students/Group Members: THERE ARE NO RULES FOR SUCCESS! Think independently, stay curious, and don’t afraid to take bold and unconventional paths. If the right opportunity doesn’t exist, create it. Sometimes the best path forward is the one you build yourself.
1.Dr. Pubuduni Ekanayaka joined Gautam's laboratory as a Postdoctoral Research Associate on January 08, 2026. She earned her Ph.D. in Applied (Plasma) Physics from Mississippi State University, where her research focused on advanced laser-based diagnostics, optical trapping, and single-particle measurements in plasma environments. Her doctoral work pioneered the use of optically trapped single particles as non-invasive probes for measuring electric fields and particle charge in RF plasmas, including weakly magnetized conditions. In our group, her research focuses on extending single-particle optical trapping and light-scattering techniques to atmospheric and environmental aerosols and colloidal particle systems, with applications to aerosol optics, interstellar and cosmic dust particles, bioaerosols and pollen, and dust in plasma environments.
2. The position is expected to be filled shortly; updates will follow.
1. Andrew Ramirez (PhD Student, Physics): After joining Dr. Gautam’s lab and working as a research assistant for six months, he will begin his graduate studies in the Department of Physics at the University of Nevada, Reno, in Fall 2025. Dr. Gautam will serve as his major advisor. Andrew's research will focus on understanding the optical properties of various aerosol particles, developing holography techniques to study colloidal systems, monitoring ambient particles, and designing and developing instruments for aerosol characterization and measurement. His primary research focuses on developing optical particle trapping systems and quantifying the optical properties of trapped particles.
5. Junyoung Jeon (Research Assistant): Jeon is an undergrad majoring in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Korea University of Technology and Education. He joined DRI as part of a student exchange program. His work focuses on developing low-cost sensors for ambient particulate matter measurements, as well as contributing to algorithm development and data acquisition.
4. Saharat Buntha (Research Assistant): Saharat is an undergraduate student majoring in Physics with a minor in Mathematics. With a strong background in Python and C++ from his earlier Computer Science studies, he is eager to contribute to aerosol optical sensor development research and bring technical skills to the team.
3. Russell N Christensen (Research Assistant): Russell joined Gautam's lab as a Research Assistant. He is an undergraduate student in physics at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is experienced in working with code, data structures, and computing technologies. He will engage in a yearlong NSF research projects exploring aerosol particle light scattering.
2. Madeline Veric (Research Assistant): Madeline Veric joined Gautam's lab as a Research Assistant in the fall of 2024. She is currently studying Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. In Gautam's lab, she is working on the NSF-funded project to develop a backscattering-based particulate matter monitoring system (i.e., aerosol lidar). She is working on data acquisition and applying machine learning to interpret the data.
1. Niko Mastick (Research Assistant): Niko joined Dr. Gautam’s laboratory in Summer 2024. He is majoring in Atmospheric Science and Mathematics, with a minor in Social Justice, at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research focuses on the development of a forward-scattering–based optical particle sizer. Niko successfully defended his senior undergraduate thesis in December 2025 and has since continued working in the lab as a research assistant.
1. Bishal Lamichhane (PhD Student, Mathematics and Statistics) Homepage
Experience in statistical modeling and network dynamics, with a focus on information and opinion flow in complex networks. Skilled in agent-based modeling, graph machine learning, and statistical analysis of network properties. At Gautam's lab, he will be involved in applying machine learning to develop a model that provides a coherent explanation of the optical properties of irregularly shaped, complex particles ranging in size from submicron to supermicron.
