Group

Shloka is an undergraduate student and Egleston Scholar at Columbia University (SEAS ‘29). She intends to major in applied mathematics. Her background is in computational condensed matter physics, focused on modeling the behavior of quantum materials for emerging computing technologies. 

Shloka joined the Simoncelli group in October 2025. Her work centers on modeling heat transport in highly conductive solids.

Outside the lab, Shloka enjoys thrifting, trying as many coffee shops as she can, and watching Formula 1.

Sanjar is an undergraduate student at Columbia College (CC '28). He intends to do a double major in physics and philosophy, and his primary interest at this moment is to use computational methods and machine learning in physics to understand the properties of various materials, such as quantum objects. He joined Simoncelli's group in October 2025, working on understanding the thermal conductivity of amorphous solids.

In his free time, Sanjar likes writing, hiking, and playing soccer.

Karem Alsaman is an undergraduate in Chemical Engineering (SEAS ’26) at Columbia University, with a focus on Data Science. Since June 2025, he joined the Simoncelli research group, where he uses machine learning potentials to model the thermomechanical properties of solids. His work aims to bridge computational tools and materials design for real-world engineering applications.

Computational Condensed Matter Physicist with background in physics, data science and computational simulations of materials.

My research includes:
1) Quantification of atomic disorder and how it influences macroscopic physical properties,
2) Design of organic thermoelectrics with antithetical mix of efficient electrical and weak heat transport,
3) Development of theoretical frameworks and computational methodology for disordered materials generation and property prediction.

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher in computational and theoretical physics. I obtained my Master’s degree in Physics at La Sapienza University of Rome, where I completed a joint thesis between La Sapienza and EPFL in Lausanne. I then continued my PhD within Professor Nicola Marzari’s group at EPFL, focusing on research topics such as quantum transport, ab initio simulations, magnetism, theoretical modeling, and, more broadly, condensed-matter theory and computational physics.

I am deeply passionate about my work and about advancing our understanding of materials through high-level theory and computation. Outside of research, I enjoy cooking, traveling, watching films, playing football, and spending time with friends.

Catherine is an undergraduate student at Columbia University (SEAS ‘27) majoring in Applied Physics and minoring in Computer Science.

She joined the Simoncelli lab in December 2025. Her work involves use of computational methods to study materials relevant to advanced energy technologies, e.g., nuclear fission and fusion reactors.

Outside the lab, Catherine enjoys reading, playing rugby, strategy games, and spending time with her little siblings. 

Andrew Smith is joining the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics at Columbia University in June 2025 to commence his PhD studies. He graduated with 1st class Honors from Cambridge University (UK) in June 2024 with a Master of Science. His thesis was titled “Engineering the thermal properties of solids through structural disorder”.

At Columbia, Andrew plans to apply his theoretical and computational skills to research how disorder in the atomic composition and structure of materials affects their macroscopic physical properties.

Andrew is an avid Chess and Go player. He enjoys hiking, skiing, tennis and badminton. He also speaks four modern languages and is proficient in Latin and Ancient Greek.

Alex Moorhouse is currently a PhD student at the University of Cambridge and will transfer to Columbia University in August 2025 to continue his PhD in theoretical condensed matter physics. Supervised by Prof. Michele Simoncelli, he develops computational tools to model bandstructures of quasiparticle excitations in complex materials.

At Cambridge, he studies at Jesus College under a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship. Previously, he received a Master's degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Durham and graduated with the D.A. Wright award. 

Outside of his studies, he enjoys walking and cycling in the countryside, reading classic literature, and visiting archaelogical sites.