Alumni

Staff Scientist OIST

During my PhD in the group of Roderich Moessner at MPI for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden/Germany. I studied lattice systems with competing interactions. In particular, I learned to apply tensor network techniques to two-dimensional spin systems like Kitaev's Honeycomb model. More generally, my research interests include novel phases of matter exhibiting fractionalization, topological states, anyons, emergent gauge fields, etc.., but also computational techniques like tensor networks. I'm looking forward to spend my free time on exploring Okinawa and Japan.

Postdoc OIST (2012), Group Leader OIST (2013-2016)

Before discovering Okinawa in 2012, I spent most of my life in Europe (and a bit in Brazil), studied at the Ecole Normale Supérieure of Lyon, and worked at the Max Planck Institute of Dresden and the University of Oxford. I spent more than 4 years in Okinawa, where, outside of work, I enjoyed discovering Japan and Asia and ... did not quite manage to learn Japanese :) In 2017, I moved to Bordeaux in France, where I am pursuing my research at CNRS.

Postdoc (2016), Staff Scientist (2017-2019)

After finishing my PhD in Budapest in the group of Karlo Penc, I moved to Germany. I was a post-doc first at the Leibniz Institute in the group of Jeroen van den Brink in Dresden, then in the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart with Hidenori Takagi. My research includes novel quantum phases, exotic excitations and topological properties of magnetic insulators, orbital physics and multiferroic materials. When time permits, I enjoy the wonderful environment and excellent food in Okinawa and try to get familiar with Japanese culture and language.

Judit is now an Assistant Professor at UC-Irvine.

Postdoc OIST (2014-2015)

After completing my PhD with Prof. Yukitoshi Motome in the University of Tokyo, I joined the TQM Unit at OIST in April 2014, and had enjoyed working with Nic for one year and seven months. I am now working at the University of Tokyo in Katsura group as an assistant professor. I used to have many other hobbies, such as swimming, skiing, snowboarding, playing football, basketball, and the drums, etc. But now, my last surviving hobbies are drinking with my friends, reading comics, and watching animations.

Yutaka is now an Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo.

Postdoc OIST (2013-2017)

I completed my PhD with Dominique Mouhanna at the University Pierre and Marie Curie in 2012. In November 2013, I joined the TQM Unit at OIST. I am interested in phase transitions and critical phenomena. During my PhD, I specialised in the study of critical phenomena using the nonperturbative renormalization group (NPRG). I am now a postdoc at Sorbonne university in Paris, France. Outside of work, I enjoy playing football, climbing, diving and surfing.

Karim is now working for Qunasys, following a postdoc at PSI.

Postdoc OIST (2023-2025)

I have spent most of my PhD and Postdoc years simulating models relevant for quantum magnetism which are too complex to solve analytically. My tool of choice is Monte Carlo simulation, as it is designed to be unbiased, and also teaches one important aspects of the physics of the problem at hand along the way. I have also used exact diagonalization methods for a few problems and hope to enhance my numerical skills by understanding and implementing tensor network methods, which have recently been used to push the boundary of our understanding. Recently, I have become interested in the dynamics of quantum systems, as there are fascinating connections to statistical physics which I would like to explore. Outside the office, I hope to be able to spend some time in the clear waters and dense forests of Okinawa.

Postdoc OIST (2019-2025)

During the course of my PhD with Prof. Kedar Damle at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, I studied 2-dimensional lattice models of frustrated magnets using Monte-Carlo techniques. I recently got interested in water and at OIST, I am looking at deploying the numerical skills that I developed during my PhD to study the hydrogen bond network of water.  Apart from work, I have a strong interest in mastering various Unix tools like bash and vim. On the physical side of things, I like to keep it light by playing amateur table tennis once a month on average. In Okinawa, I hope to explore the culture and cuisine of this stunning island and learn a little Japanese while I am at it.

Researcher OIST (2011-2012), Research Associate Bristol (2009-2011)

Olga joined TQM group while it was still located in Bristol, following a postdoc at MPI-PKS Dresden.  She then moved on to Taiwan National University, where she worked with Ying-Jer Kao and the Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics at the Jagiellonian University, Krakow in Poland.

Olga is now working at the Henryk Niewodniczani Institute.

Postdoc OIST (2023-2025)

I obtained my PhD from IISER Mohali, India, where I attempted to understand the experimental observations of low dimensional magnets using cluster mean field theory. During my postdoc at IFW Dresden, Germany I worked on disorder effects in the ground state of Kitaev Heisenberg model and single ion anisotropy implications for S=1 Kitaev models. I am interested in Frustrated magnetism and learning about it using numerical techniques like exact diagonalization and tensor network algorithms. Now, my academic journey has brought me to Okinawa, I am looking forward to enjoying the lovely weather in this beautiful landscape and experience the ocean.

Postdoc OIST (2014-2017)

After completing my PhD in the Louis Neel institute in Grenoble with Claudine Lacroix and the Max Planck Institute in Halle with Patrick Bruno, I moved to Norway where I first integrated the group of Arne Brataas working on cold atoms physics and spintronic then to Oslo in the group of Susanne Viefers. After that I moved to Frankfurt am main in the group of Peter Kopietz before joining the Shannon group at OIST.  My passions include, meeting friends, practicing sport (cycling, hiking, etc), learning about mathematics, informatics and science in general, dancing, billiard and many others activities I have too little time to do....

Mathieu is now working at the Swiss National Supercomputing Center.

Postdoc OIST (2013-2015)

After 10 years studying at Kyoto University, I spent 3 years working as a postdoc in the Kanto region before moving to OIST in April 2013.  I spent two years working in the TQM Unit enjoying working on quantum magnets and mathematical physics.  I could not only concentrate on the research, but also improve mathematical skills and English thanks to the ardent (passionate?) group members. Since April 1st 2015, I have been a Lecturer at Toyama Prefectural University, where it snows a lot more than in Okinawa! In addition to maths and physics, I like Esperanto and console games.

(Apr 2017-Jul 2018)

I got my master degree at Waseda University, and will defend my PhD there. I am now working as a JSPS Fellow in OIST. My current research interests are in thermal and spin transport in frustrated magnets. In my free time, I like handicraft such as knitting, and tennis.

PhD Student Bristol / OIST (2010-2014), Postdoctoral Scholar OIST (2014-2016)

I began my PhD with Nic Shannon in Bristol in 2010 and completed it on the sunny shores of Okinawa. After a couple more years working in OIST, I have now taken up a postdoc position in the Condensed Matter Theory Laboratory of Akira Furusaki at RIKEN.  Outside work I enjoy playing football, watching cricket, and exploring Tokyo with my wife Missy.

Owen is now a Lecturer in Computational Physics at Queen Mary, University of London.

PhD Student / OIST (2019-2024)

I obtained my Master’s degree through the PSI programme at Perimeter Institute where I was exposed to a fascinating array of topics in Theoretical Physics, and I became primarily interested in condensed matter physics and quantum information. Afterwards, I came to study at OIST as a PhD student where I continue to be fascinated by unusual states of matter and how exotic phenomena can arise from the collective behaviour of many parts following simpler laws. Beyond physics, I love outdoor adventures on land and at sea, training martial arts and sharing what I know, especially outdoors.

Leilee is now a Postdoctoral Researcher at KIT Alpin.

Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit, co-supervised by Prof. Shannon (2014-2020)

Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, I made my way to OIST after completing my Bachelor's in Physics at the University of California Berkeley by way of England, where I completed my MPhil degree at the University of Cambridge. I have been a PhD student in the Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit at OIST since 2015, but I have been working closely with the TQM unit to study the experimental signatures of monopoles in spin ice. Learning from both units has been an enormously enriching experience I would not likely find anywhere else. In addition to this work, I enjoy playing video games, building Gundam models, and appreciating the beautiful environments of Okinawa through the lens of my favorite cameras.

Ankur is now an Associate Scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. 

PhD student (Oct 2014-2018)

Though my interests started in astrophysics, I have transitioned to condensed matter theory rotating with and then finally joining the TQM group in May 2015.  As an undergrad in physics, I performed research in extrasolar planets with Dr. John Johnson (now Harvard), and in testing General Relativity for LIGO with Dr. Alan Weinstein.  An early interest in Japan and the Japanese language led me to OIST, in addition to their fascinating program and great research.  My outside interests include origami, knitting, and piano.

PhD Student / OIST (2019-2024)

After finishing my MS thesis on cuprate superconductors in the supervision of Catherine Kallin at McMaster/KITP, I came back to Japan, after 5 years in freezing cold North America, to start my PhD program here on this beautiful tropical island. I am interested in physics of strongly correlated systems in general. In my spare time, I participate in various OIST sports clubs including soccer, basketball, badminton etc to let my steam off, and I also enjoy playing piano and sanshin to unwind.

Junior Research Fellow (Dec 2017-May 2018), PhD student (2013-2018)

I received my diploma in experimental physics from Dresden University of Technology (Germany) in 2012. During my diploma I studied surface properties of the unconventional pnictide superconductor LiFeAs with an Scanning Tunneling Microscope. After joining the PhD program of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) as one of its first students, I switched to theoretical physics and try to enlarge my understanding of thermodynamical and dynamical properties in spin liquids. Next to my studies I am very interested in martial arts, dancing and the exploration of the culture, history and spirit of the islands of Okinawa and Japan.

Rico is now a Project Assistant Professor at Tohoku University.

As past of my Master’s degree, which I did at EPFL in Switzerland, I had the opportunity to accomplish my Master’s project here at OIST. After what I decided to join the OIST PhD program and the TQM unit.
Beside physics and science, I like dancing, cycling along the hilly, winding roads of Okinawa and enjoying the pleasant weather as well as the tasty food of the Islands. I am also interested in Martial Arts and in discovering more about the history and culture of Okinawa.

Kim is now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Center for Theoretical Sciences.

PhD Student Bristol (2006-2010)

I did my PhD with Nic in Bristol on highly frustrated magnets under magnetic field. My academic career continued with a brief stop in Budapest with Karlo Penc, and then two consecutive postdocs with Frank Pollmann in MPI-PKS, Dresden and Netanel Lindner in in Technion, Israel, where I numerically studied low-dimensional phases of matter. Details of my academic career can be found in https://sites.google.com/site/luismavseabra/home. I am now working in the field of data analysis and science with Closer Consulting in Lisbon.

Researcher OIST(2012-2013), PhD Student Bristol (2008-2012)

Having studied in both Oxford and Bristol in the UK, I moved to Okinawa in September 2012 after completing my PhD. I stayed there for approximately one year as a postdoc, continuing with the research that Nic and I started in Bristol. I am now working at the EPFL in Switzerland, in Prof. Mila's group.  Outside of physics, I like being active, and play a variety of sports. My other favourite hobby is teasing my Texan friend, Missy Benton, who is an honorary member of the TQM group.

Andy is now a Postdoctoral Researcher at KIT Alpin.

PhD Student 2016-2021 (co-supervised by Prof. Judit Romhanyi)

I graduated from Aarhus University with a master's degree in optics and electronics. I've since then done various short research projects in quantum state engineering and cold atom physics. Eventually I have found myself at OIST, where I am now doing my PhD in the Theory of Quantum Matter unit. I enjoy learning about strange states of matter that exist at very low temperatures and the methods that are used to describe them. I find the intuitions that one can obtain here very satisfying and elegant. I also like rowing, cycling and playing esoteric board games with my friends.

Andreas is now working for Qunasys.

Junior Research Fellow (2019-Dec 2020), PhD student (2013-2019)

After obtaining a Master's degree in Applied Math from Univ. of Cambridge and another in Physics from Northwestern Univ., I came to OIST to do my PhD study (2013-2019), after which I also stayed for a bit time as a Junior Research Fellow (2019-2020). At OIST, I have worked on various fascinating problems in both condensed matter and high energy physics. I enjoyed doing research on the boundary of these two disciplines, with a focus on understanding frustrated spin systems in terms of emergent gauge/gravity/string theory. Implications of these highly entangled, the topological many-body system also shed light on high energy theories. 

I received Research Fellowship for Young Scientists from JSPS, the Award for Student Excellence in Graduate Research, and the Peter Gruss Doctoral Dissertation Excellence Award for my research at OIST.

Han is now an Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo.

Research Intern Bristol (Summer 2008)

After my first experience in Theoretical Condensed Matter physics with Nic in Bristol in the summer 2008, I have focused on theoretical mesoscopic physics with a PhD I have done and defended in 2013 in the ENS de Lyon about Electronic transport properties of topological insulators under the supervision of Dr. David Carpentier and Dr. Pascal Degiovanni. From September 2013 to September 2015, I have worked in the mesoscopic physics unit in the Universität Würburg (Germany).
I am now a physics teacher in France, and you can find some of my works on the website : http://pierre.adroguer.free.fr

Research Intern OIST (Apr-Aug 2015)

I am currently studying physics at the Ecole Normale Superieure de Cachan and Université Pierre & Marie Curie in Paris, France, and I joined the TQM unit for a 4-months internship here in Okinawa. Besides the great physics done here at OIST, my deepest interests go to playing the bass, listening to music, meeting new people and studying the social sciences. I really want to enjoy Okinawan landscapes, food and culture as much as possible !

Research Intern OIST (Feb-Mar 2020)

I am a student in the department of physics at Hokkaido University presently, and I came to OIST as a research internship student to start my research. I am interested in condensed matter theory, especially in frustrated magnetism.　In addition to enjoying work αt OIST, I would like to explore a lot of beautiful places while I am in Okinawa.

Research Intern OIST (Summer 2013)

I joined the TQM unit in 2013 for a 3-month internship. I then went back to France to complete my Master degree at the ENS Lyon. I am now doing a PhD on frustrated magnetism, between Lyon and Montpellier, with P. Holdsworth and L. Berthier. Outside work I enjoy cycling and hiking in the countryside near Montpellier.

(Jan-Apr 2020)

I obtained my Master's degree in physics from the University of San Carlos (Philippines) and a diploma in theoretical physics (1 year master program) from International Center for Theoretical Physics (Italy). My previous studies are primarily in the field of theoretical condensed matter physics while my current interests are still in condensed matter physics with the addition of quantum information, and quantum thermodynamics. In my free time I usually play computer games and read manga.

(Jan-April 2025)

I hold a Master's in Photonics and Optical Informatics, where I researched chiral optical properties of Möbius graphene nanoribbons, which sparked my passion for understanding quantum properties in condensed matter physics. At OIST, I've expanded into quantum magnetism first through experimental work with spinel crystals. Joining the TQM Unit for my second rotation, I'm excited to study frustrated magnetism in various lattices using theoretical methods like Monte Carlo and Self-Consistent Gaussian Approximation. Beyond research, I enjoy family time, cooking, physics podcasts, running, and drawing.

(Jan-May 2021)

I got my master's degree from Tokyo Tech in Japan. My major is molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology.  I participated in TQM unit as an out-of-field rotation student. I'm happy to learn machine learning here because I have been shocked by Deep learning technology, especially in Go. I like playing Go so it was really shocking for me to know that AI, called Alphago, that is much stronger than professional Go players were invented using deep learning technology.  I want to learn as much as possible here during lab rotation!