People

Paul Simmonds

Quantum Nanomaterials Laboratory
Tufts University
200 Boston Ave, Suite 2600
Medford, MA 02155

Office: 617-627-2291
Fax: 617-627-3220

Faculty Profile Email Dr. Simmonds

Dr. Paul Simmonds completed his PhD in semiconductor physics at the University of Cambridge in 2008, followed by postdoctoral positions at the University of Minnesota, UCSB, and Yale University. While at Yale, Simmonds discovered that by using tensile strain it is possible to create III-V quantum dots on (110) and (111) surfaces, with implications for the fields of quantum computing and spintronics. Starting in 2011, he managed the Integrated NanoMaterials Laboratory at UCLA, and Chaired the IEEE Photonics Society chapter. Dr. Simmonds joined Boise State University as Assistant Professor in 2014, with joint appointments in Physics and Materials Science & Engineering, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. In Fall 2023, he joined the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tufts University. Dr. Simmonds collaborates extensively with groups across the US and around the world. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE, and a National Science Foundation CAREER awardee.

Merve Baksi

Dr. Merve Baksi is a Postdoctoral Scholar with extensive experience in Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) growth of quantum materials and thin film characterization. She earned her PhD from North Carolina State University with a dissertation titled Interface-Engineered Phases of Superconducting Complex Oxide Thin Films. Currently, she is engaged in multiple research projects, focusing on the synthesis of III-V topological and semiconductor materials for various applications.

Jimmy Rushing

Jimmy is currently pursuing a PhD in Materials Science through the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Tufts University. Jimmy holds a BS in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of South Alabama, and an MS in Materials Science & Engineering from Boise State University. Jimmy’s research involves the use of molecular beam epitaxy to grow III-V semiconductor nanostructures. His focus is currently on exploiting the unique symmetry and intrinsic strain characteristics of the crystals grown on the (111) crystallographic surfaces to create novel quantum dot and topologically insulating materials on gallium antimonide substrates.

Xikai Xie

Xikai Xie is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Materials Science and Engineering at Tufts University. His research interests include electronic nanomaterials and semiconductor optoelectronic device fabrication, and he is currently working on InGaAs/GaSb(111) Quantum Dot LED device simulation. In 2022, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University. In early 2023, Xikai was employed by Entegris as a process engineer co-op for electrostatic-chuck research and development.

Ethan Forde

Ethan is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Tufts University, with a strong interest in semiconductor device physics and renewable energy technologies. In the lab, he is involved in the simulation of InGaAs/InGaSb(111) Quantum Dot LED devices, working to analyse their performance characteristics. His broader academic interests include the development of high-efficiency solar cells and advanced battery storage systems. Outside of research, Ethan is a dedicated athlete and serves as a Captain on the Varsity Track and Field team.

Avery Hanna

Avery will be graduating in May 2025 with a BS in engineering physics and minors in computer science and Spanish. Her main work within the group is using atomic force microscopy to analyze III-V semiconductor samples to understand how tensile-strained quantum dots can be grown with molecular beam epitaxy. Her research interests lie at the intersection of physics and engineering especially with the possibilities of new quantum technologies. She plans to continue her studies with a PhD in physics.

Larry Qiu

Larry is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Tufts University. In the laboratory, his primary role is characterizing and modeling samples using spectroscopic ellipsometry. His research interests include materials science and microfabrication, and in the future, he hopes to earn a graduate degree in these fields. Outside of research, he is involved in the Tufts Solar Vehicle Project as treasurer and member of the sponsorship and panel assembly groups.