Member bios

Emma Hunt

she/her

Hi, I’m Emma! I started my PhD in the fall of 2019. I am part of Dr. Florin’s biophysics lab in the Center for Nonlinear Dynamics. I am studying the dynamics of single collagen fibrils in reconstituted networks to measure their mechanical properties. In my free time I'm usually riding my bike, two-stepping, or planning my next backpacking trip!

✉️ emmahunt@utexas.edu

Alex Stram

she/her

My name is Alex and I am a third year physics PhD student. I work in experimental condensed matter for Dr. Keji Lai, focusing on studying the optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional semiconductors using Microwave Impedance Microscopy (MIM). If I ever have time, my hobbies include hiking, painting, and playing guitar.

✉️ alexander.stram@austin.utexas.edu

Lisa Frammolino

she/her

I am a graduate student working in Dr. Shih’s experimental condensed matter physics research group. I investigate the atomic structure and electronic properties of 2D Van der Waals materials using Low-Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy (LT-STM/S) technique

✉️ lrf635@utexas.edu

Snehal Tibrewal

she/her

Hey! I am Snehal, a PhD student since Fall’22 working on Gravitational Physics with Prof. Deirdre Shoemaker. I work on analyzing gravitational wave signals from black holes as well as running numerical relativity simulations. I am also a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. Apart from work, I enjoy painting (watercolor mostly) and spending my time around food – cooking or sampling fun Austin restaurants!

✉️ snehaltibrewal@utexas.edu

Katie Rink

she/her

Hi, I’m Katie! I’m a third year physics PhD student working on tests of General Relativity using gravitational waves with Dr. Deirdre Shoemaker. Before I sold my soul to physics, my hobbies included hiking, swimming, yoga, and dancing. Nowadays I just binge watch sci-fi dramas and cooking competition shows to drown out the ever-present guilt of procrastination!

✉️ krink@utexas.edu

Vaishnavi Patil

she/her

I am a second year grad student in the high energy theory department. GeM has made me excited about the community here. I enjoy going on hikes or playing board games/various sports. I am always down for a conversation on pretty much any topic you could think of.

✉️ vaishnavi.patil@utexas.edu

Prof. Elaine Li

Experimental condensed matter physics

Recent Graduates

Sarah Racz

she/her

Sarah studied high energy theory, specifically holography and the intersection of gravity and quantum information. She graduated in the summer of 2024 and is now a professor at Sarah Lawrence College.

✉️ racz.sarah@gmail.com

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