The Avalos Lab
(Front row L to R) Vasant Balamraju, Claire McGuire, Sarah Zhang, James Kim (Back row L to R) Trent McHenry, Matt Ross, Claudia Avalos, Devin Thrush, Thiago Rubio (Lab Hike: Breakneck Ridge, Cold Spring)
Post-doc opportunities are available. If interested, submit your application via the NYU Interfolio site here.
Principal Investigator – Claudia E. Avalos
Prof. Avalos’ research interests include solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center magnetometry development and application. After obtaining her B.S in Chemistry at the California State University Chico, she obtained her PhD at the University of California Berkeley. While at UC Berkeley, she investigated spin coupling interactions between defect NV centers in diamond and explored the use of these systems for sensitive magnetic field sensing and NMR signal enhancement applications. During her postdoctoral work at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne she developed dynamic nuclear polarization methods for improving the NMR detection sensitivity for 19F nuclei and investigated structural phase transitions in perovskite ferroelectric materials using solid-state magic angle spinning NMR. While in Lausanne, she also investigated optically induced spin polarization transfer in a number of novel pentacene-radical compounds using transient EPR. Now at NYU, Prof. Avalos is interested in pursuing research focused on using optical and magnetic resonance spectroscopies to better understand the spin physics, structure and function of photoactive materials such as ferroelectrics, perovskites and organic chromophores.
Link to CV, Link to Google Scholar Page
Graduate Students
Trent McHenry, 3rd Year PhD Student, grew up in Lenexa, Kansas then decided to move to the east coast where he double majored in Chemistry and Biochemistry in the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences program at the University of Pennsylvania. Here he specialized in physical chemistry and studied the energetics of the Criegee intermediate, a class of atmospheric molecules, in the Lester lab. After Philadelphia he decided he wanted to stay in cities on the east coast, and moved to New York City to pursue a PhD in Chemistry at New York University. His main interest in the Avalos Lab currently is studying through EPR the dynamics of radicals in organic semiconductor molecules. Outside of work, he loves playing indie games and watching horror films, and playing board games with friends. Link to CV
Thiago Rubio, 3rd Year PhD Student, After getting a B.S. degree in Chemistry from University of São Paulo in Brazil, I obtained my Master of Science degree at the same institution, where I performed research in glass science, working with phosphate glasses containing silver nanoparticles for applications in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and photocatalysis. My major interests as a PhD student at NYU are in inorganic materials and spectroscopy, specifically using magnetic resonance techniques to investigate inorganic materials for solar cells. Outside of the lab I enjoy exploring New York City, trying to discover at least a new place every month. I also like to listen to indie rock, and I have an interest in urban planning and public transportation. Link to CV.
Devin Thrush, 2nd Year PhD Student, completed his Bachelors of Arts in Chemistry and Mathematics at the University of San Diego. While there, in the Gillette lab, he did his undergraduate research in electrochemistry and Infrared Spectroscopy while studying direct glucose reactions with metal substrates under applied voltage as a mechanism for quantifying glucose concentrations in mixed solutions for application to biological testing. After graduating in spring of 2021, Devin was accepted to New York University to start in fall of 2022, joining the Avalos Lab winter of the same year. His current focus in the lab is working in solid state NMR methods to study and characterize perovskites. Outside the lab Devin enjoys cooking new recipes, painting miniatures, and learning history. Link to CV.
Philip Weiss, 3rd Year PhD Student After growing up in Boston, I moved to Easton, PA for undergrad at Lafayette College, where I majored in Chemistry with a Physics minor. In my time at Lafayette, I pursued research projects in MD simulations of Ni/Cu and Ni/Pt surface annealing, the organic synthesis of novel aza-polycycles, and DFT studies of the charge transfer properties of organic linker molecules for the attachment of CdSe quantum dots to TiO2 bulk. Following this, I moved to NYU for graduate school and joined the fantastic Avalos Lab! I have a deep passion for quantum chemistry, and (currently) hope to work in quantum information devices. Outside of the lab, I enjoy music, theater, and reading Physics textbooks! Link to CV.
Samiha Alam, 1st Year Master’s Student I was born in Bangladesh but raised in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where I completed my undergraduate studies at Khalifa University. During my undergrad, my research focused on synthesizing stable metal-organic frameworks to enhance their applicability. After graduating, I was accepted to New York University for my Masters, starting in Fall 2023, and then joined the Avalos Lab. My work revolves around studying and characterizing MOFs using solid-state NMR, particularly investigating the effects of breaking down metal-organic frameworks into smaller sizes through ball milling. Outside of work, my hobbies include reading, painting, and exploring. Link to CV.
Matthew Ross, 1st Year Master’s Student
completed his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at California State University Channel Islands. It was at Channel Islands that he got his first exposure to research with the Veldman Lab, synthesizing mesoporous silica sol-gels and designing chemical education experiments. After completing his Bachelors, Matthew accepted a job offer with Parker Hannifin where he supported the research and development of new to world sensing and filtration products. In the Fall of 2023 Matthew enrolled at NYU where he joined the Avalos lab, characterizing polycrystalline organic semiconductor films using EPR. In his free time he enjoys staying active by rock climbing, swimming or hiking. Link to CV.
Undergraduate Students
James Kim, Junior I am currently an undergraduate in New York University pursuing a BS in Chemistry with a minor in mathematics and a second minor in physics. In the lab, my main focus will be to compute ground state and excited state energy calculations of various types of pentacene radicals. Outside of the lab, I like to find new restaurants to eat at, work out in the gym, and snowboard.
Sarah Zhang, Junior I was born and raised on the Jersey Shore. There I attended the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) where I developed an interest in chemistry and research. I’m currently an undergraduate student at New York University as an intended chemistry major and possible computer science minor. In the Avalos lab, my main focuses are synthesizing ferroelectric nanoparticles and characterization through surface-enhanced NMR techniques. Outside of the lab, I enjoy drawing, listening to music, and watching horror movies with friends. Link to CV.
Claire McGuire, Junior I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana before moving to New York, where I’m pursuing a B.A. in Chemistry with a minor in Psychology from New York University. I joined the Avalos lab as a junior, where I study radical dynamics in organic semiconductors through EPR and other spectroscopic and conductivity testing techniques. When I’m not working on classwork, lab work, or medical school applications, I lead a student acapella group at NYU and can often be found in music venues and coffee shops around the city. Link to CV.
Vasant Balamraju, Sophmore I’m from Dallas, Texas, and I’m currently an undergraduate student at NYU majoring in Biochemistry and possibly minoring in Math. I joined the Avalos Lab as a freshman and am currently focusing on relaxation times like T1ρ and their relations to ferroelectric materials. In my free time, I like to go to the gym, play and watch basketball (I’m a huge Mavs fan), and play games on my PC. Link to CV.