Group picture, Summer 2026. From the left to the right: Dr. Rupak Timalsina, Dhan Lawati, Dr. Jitender Kumar, Prof. Sy-Hwang Liou, Prof. Abdelghani Laraoui, Dr. Suvecchya Lamichhane, Ben Hammons, Sehrish Iqbal, Eugene Kirianov, and Himani Sarawat
Abdelghani Laraoui, PI
Leonard A. Lovell Associate Professor of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Courtesy Faculty at UNL Physics & Astronomy Department
- Ph.D. in Physics, University of Strasbourg (Louis Pasteur); thesis, Curriculum Vitae
- M.S. in Condensed and Soft Matter Physics, University of Upper Alsace
About Abdelghani Laraoui: Dr. Laraoui earned his PhD in Physics from University of Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg (France) where he developed a time resolved magneto-optical microscope to study the magnetization dynamics of magnetic nanomaterials excited with femtosecond laser pulses. Soon after his graduation, Dr. Laraoui received a Marie Curie fellowship from the European Research Training Network to carry a postdoctoral position at the University of Kaiserslautern (Germany). He used Brillouin Light Scattering Microscopy to study the spin current induced spin-wave emission in spin-torque nano-oscillators for applications in spintronics. After that, Dr. Laraoui joined CUNY-City College of New York as a research associate to work on a methodology to use the spin of nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond as a probe for high-resolution magnetic and temperature imaging at the nanoscale. In 2016, Dr. Laraoui joined University of New Mexico’ Center for High Technology Materials as a Research Assistant Professor. He used very sensitive probes based on NV centers in diamond for imaging single iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles (size < 25 nm) and performing two dimensional NMR spectroscopy of microfluidics at the submicron scale. At UNM he was awarded three grants from NSF (DMR, CHE) as PI and CoPI, and from NIH (NIBIB) as a Co-Investigator .
Jitender earned his Ph.D. from UGC-DAE-CSR Indore, India, specializing in the magneto-dielectric study of materials under extreme conditions, including low temperatures and high magnetic and electric fields. Following his Ph.D., he was awarded a National Postdoctoral Fellowship by the Department of Science, India, and joined the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune, India. At IISER Pune, he investigated the magnetic properties of various magnetic materials, including multiferroics, magnetic glass, and spin glass. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Dean's Faculty Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, to pursue advanced postdoctoral research. At the Weizmann Institute, he developed a state-of-the-art ultra-high vacuum NV setup capable of operating at low temperatures and ultra-high vacuum conditions. At UNL his research focused on studying two-dimensional magnetic materials using a single NV center in diamond.
Dr. Rupak Timalsina: Rupak graduated with a PhD in Materials Engineering from our group at UNL in August 2024 with 8 papers and two are under preparation.
Graduate students:
Sehrish Iqbal
Sehrish is currently pursuing her PhD in Quantum Sensing & Defect Discovery and Spectroscopy group, under the supervision of Dr. Laraoui. She holds a BS in Computational Physics from The University of Punjab, Pakistan, and an MS in Physics from LUMS, Pakistan. During her MS, she focused on functional materials and optoelectronic devices, particularly on the development of stable electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells using self-assembled discotic liquid crystalline-based physical gels. Additionally, she contributed to the advancement of stable MAPbI perovskites for moisture-resistant perovskite solar cells.
Dhan Lawati
Dhan is a PhD student in Materials Engineering at University of Nebraska-Lincoln working under the supervision of Prof. Laraoui on diamond quantum sensing microscopy of nanoscale solid state phenomena. He holds an MS degree in condensed matter physics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. During his master's, he acquired some expertise with Density Functional Theory (DFT) using the VASP simulation tool. He used this tool to study the ground-state physical properties of materials at the quantum scale.
Himani Saraswat
Himani is a Graduate Research Assistant in Materials Engineering at the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln working under the supervision of Dr. Laraoui. She will develop and study hybrid photonics nanostructures base on single photon emitters in hBN for scalable quantum communication networks. Her previous research focused on the synthesis and characterization of GeS, SnS nanowires and flakes for heterostructure development, combining advanced techniques such as photolithography, and microelectrode fabrication. She holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Manav Rachna University, India and has research experience in quantum dot integration at the University of Iowa where she worked on nanofabrication in cleanroom facilities.
You Li
You completed an M.S. in Applied Physics at Rice University in August of 2026. His master’s research focused on optically and photoelectrically detected magnetic resonance in sp³-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes. In addition, he has extensive hands-on experience fabricating van der Waals heterostructures based on two-dimensional materials, including mechanical exfoliation, optical identification, deterministic transfer and stacking, device assembly, and related microfabrication procedures. You’s PhD research will be on using diamond quantum sensing microscopy to study van der Waals magnetic and quantum materials.
Anjusai Deyyala
Anjsusai completed his master's degree in physics from Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry. After that, he worked as a Project Associate at UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai, and focused on the synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond using Microwave Plasma CVD (MPCVD). Later, he joined IIT Bombay, where he worked on the synthesis of molybdenum oxides using Thermal CVD, with a particular focus on the mechanical exfoliation of MoO₃ crystals using different types of adhesive tapes to obtain thin flakes.
Undergraduate students:
Ben Hammons
Ben Hammons is an Electrical Engineering freshman at UNL. He joined the Laraoui Lab Team to work on Cryogenic Nitrogen Vacancy Microscopy after two high school summer internships (2022, and 2023) in the lab.
Alumni:
Dr. Suvechhya Lamichhane: PhD in Physics, University of Nebraska- Lincoln (Aug 2019 - Aug 2025). Postdoc (Oct 2025 - June 2026). Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Dr. Adam Erickson, PhD in Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska- Lincoln (Jan 2020 - December 2024). Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher in Dr. Christian Degen’s Lab at ETH Zurich.
Dr. Mohammadjavad Dowran: PhD in Atomic-Molecular & Optical Physic, University of Oklahoma; Norman, OK, August 2021. Postdoctoral Research Associate, Mechanical & Materials Engineering, UNL (September , 2021 - July 2023). Current position: Advanced R&D Scientist at Honeywell.
Joshua Barker, undergraduate student worker 2023 - 2025. Current position: an Electrical Engineer at nLIGHT
Tremaine Anderson: Tremaine (Tre) attended Nebraska Wesleyan University for a physics degree. He started attending Washington University in Saint Louis for a mechanical engineering degree in Fall of 2025. He plans to graduate in May 2027.
Albert Wang: Albert is a rising senior in Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California, with an interest in physics and will graduate in 2026. He intends on majoring in some form of engineering.
Donovan Dyk: Donovan is majoring in physics and mathematics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will work on creating single photon emitters in hBN. He plans to graduate in Fall 2026.
Ayla Davila - McGill, an undergraduate student working towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, focusing on materials science.
Gael Perez Alvarez, a Senior Electrical Engineering Major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and expects to graduate in May 2026.
Diniel Bischoff, a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering at UNL. Daniel is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and working on quantum sensing in microfluidic platforms in Dr. Laraoui's lab. In his spare time he enjoys participating in engineering clubs, reading, going to the gym, and running.
Makens (Mike) Altidor: Mike is a mechanical engineering student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), with a minor in Mathematics.
Swapnil Barman: Now: Graduate Teaching Assistant in Virginia Commonwealth University
Mason Brady
Mason is physics major at Northern Michigan University, born and raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He plans on graduating in May 2025
Dylan Jacks
Dylan is an incoming junior at Iowa State University working towards his bachelor's degree in materials engineering with a specialization in ceramics.
Nathan Reineke
Nate is an Agricultural Engineering Major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and expects to graduate in December 2023. Nate is from Gretna Nebraska and plans on pursuing a Master's Degree at UNL.
Enrique Stolz
Enrique is an undergraduate majoring in Chemistry and Environmental Science at Alfred University in Alfred, NY. He has past experience in engineering and lab research in neuroscience at SUNY Downstate. He grew up in Madrid and attended high school in New York City.
Mauricio Velasco
Mauricio just finished first semester at Central Community College in Columbus, NE and plans on majoring in biochemistry.
Riley Chase
Fall 2020-2023: Bachelor of science - Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics Double major, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Patrick Osborn
Patrick attends the Ohio State University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physics and Astronomy. He is also an active participant in his church and enjoys running in his spare time.
John Kunkee
High School students:
Ben Hammons
Ben is a homeschooled high school student intending on attending UNL and pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. He has done small scale projects and experiments on his own before joining the Laraoui Lab Team.
Mohammed SBAI
Fall 2020-2023: Bachelor of science - Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics Double major, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Fall 2019- Spring 2020: Associate of Science, Southeast Community College
Thomas Baumert
Thomas is an undergraduate mechanical engineering major at University of Nebraska-Lincoln that is projected to graduate in 2023. He is interested in aerospace and automotive engineering, and is fascinated by all forms of science.
Abdul Majeed Al Naabi
AL Naabi is an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Visiting Scholars:
Dr. Kapildeb Ambal, Assistant Professor of Physics at Wichita State University, KS
Dr. Ambal received a B.Sc. with Honors in Physics from the University of Calcutta, India, an M.Sc. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India, and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Utah. His doctoral research focused on Imaging and spectroscopy of individual paramagnetic electronic states on the atomic scale. Before joining Wichita State University, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maryland and guest researcher at the National Institute of Standard Technology (NIST), where he worked on the probing of magnetization dynamics of nanomagnets. He is currently working on the investigation of spin-dependent electronic processes at the nanoscale in condensed matter systems to reveal the mesoscale physics that controls charge and spin motion.
Thitinun (Nick) Gas-osoth, a visting Ph.D. Student from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Nomi, Japan.
Nick is pursuing a PhD in Physics at JAIST and and expects to graduate in October 2024. He has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics (1st class Honors) from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok (2008 - 2011), and a Master of Science in Applied Physics from Naresure University (NU), Phitsanulok (2012 - 2015).
Yifei Wang, a visting Ph.D. Student from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Nomi, Japan.
Yifei got his master degree last year in Prof. Mizutani's Lab from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), and is currently pursuing a PhD in Physics. He is working in the group of Prof. An's Lab at JAIST on the fabrication and application of NV center diamond probes.
Current collaborators:
- Prof. Jingsheng Chen, National University of Singapore. Growth and characterization of quantum materials
- Prof. Christos Argyropoulos, The Pennsylvania State University. Quantum emitters and hybrid photonic structures for nonlinear optics.
- Dr. Ilja Fescenko, University of Latvia. NV magnetometry, COMSOL modeling.
- Prof. Sy-Hwang Liou, Physics Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, spintronics, biosensing, low field NMR and MRI.
- Prof. Christain Binek, Physics Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, spin textures and switching in antiferromagnets
- Prof. Xia Hong, Physics Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, topological spin textures in correlated oxide heterostructures.
- Prof. Xiaoshan Xu, Physics Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, topological spin textures and magnon modes in rare-earth garnet heterostructures.
- Prof. Rebecca Lai, Chemistry Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, biosensing and single molecule spectroscopy using NV centers in diamond.
- Prof. Mathias Schubert, THz-EPR spectroscopy of new color centers in ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors.
- Prof. Alexey Kovalev, Physics Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, topological magnonics
- Prof. Victor Acosta, Center for High Technology Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, Time resolved diamond microscopy of superparamagnetic magnetic nanoparticles for biosensing.
- Prof. Toshu An, School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Nomi, Japan, NV-Scanning probe microscopy.
- Dr. Marcus Doherty, Laser Physics Center and Physics Education Center, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, defects spectroscopy and spin-magnon coupling in low dimensional materials
- Dr. Christoph Adelmann, Dr. Florin Ciubotaru, IMEC Belgium, Magnonic crystals and magnetic metamaterials.
Previous supervisors:
- Dr. Jean-Yves Bigot, PhD supervisor, Research director at CNRS and University of Strasbourg, France
- Prof. Dr. Burkard Hillebrands, postdoc supervisor, Professor and Vice President of the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz and University of Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Prof. Carlos Meriles, Research supervisor, Professor of Physics at City College of New York-CUNY