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Miles Ross Johnson
  • Graduate Student, Applied Physics and Materials Science

Miles Ross Johnson

My name is Miles Ross Johnson, and I am entering my fourth year as a PhD student in the Applied Physics department. My research interests are centered around investigating the fundamental optical and electrical properties of novel materials, with a focus on applications in sustainability. I use both computational and experimental techniques, attempting to predict phenomena from first-principles quantum mechanics (i.e. Density Functional Theory and more advanced techniques), and then fabricating devices centered around the novel material to test my prediction. For the past year or so I’ve been focused on NiPS3, a material which is interesting for a variety of reasons, but most prominently for its unique optical properties which are tied to its magnetic structure. Outside of my research, I spend a lot of time rock climbing, and I also play the Tenor Saxophone in the Caltech Jazz Band and the Caltech Wind Ensemble.

Pau Batlle
  • Graduate Student, Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Pau Batlle

Hey there! I am a G5 in the Computing and Mathematical Sciences Department, working with Houman Owhadi. My PhD research has focused on developing mathematical tools and algorithms for robust uncertainty quantification and certification in inverse problems. I strive to use mathematics as a common language for diverse applications and I have deeply enjoyed collaborating in different domain areas during my PhD, including earthquake prediction modeling, particle physics, and atmospheric remote sensing. In my free time, I enjoy playing team sports and engaging in creative endeavors, mainly photography and game design. I enjoy thinking and engaging in games and sports partly because they are interesting models of more complicated life situations. Understanding player behavior, cooperation, and strategic thinking in situations with clear rule sets and goals can then be used to understand situations where goals and rules are not as well-defined.

Kristi Sevier
  • Undergraduate Student, Mechanical and Civil Engineering

Kristi Sevier

I have always wanted to know how things work and I see programming as the language that brings things to life. Caltech was my dream because I wanted to create advanced robotics for the space program. Entering my junior year at Caltech studying MechE/Robotics and Aerospace, my dream has expanded to include combining robotics with AI, and ultimately AI supported by quantum computing. Quantum mechanics is fascinating, and I have been fortunate to work for CERN both at Caltech and onsite in Switzerland. I enjoy the evolving theories of physics, and my focus is to bridge new discoveries into practical applications. I agree with Einstein’s philosophy that we cannot solve current problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created the problems. Part of my strong motivation to innovate comes from my childhood. When I was four, my sister suddenly went blind. Working through this trauma together helped us grow tremendously. When she learned Braille, I learned Braille; when she learned new strategies for mobility and academics, I did too; when she adapted to intake audio at 475 words per minute, so did I. Most importantly, I learned that with perseverance, creativity, and the right attitude, almost anything can be accomplished.

Manny Rodriguez
  • Undergraduate Student, Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Manny Rodriguez

My name's Manuel (Manny) Rodriguez and I'm a rising senior in Page (Whose House?) majoring in CS! Right now, I'm really interested in music and playing guitar, and coming off a summer away without having mine, I'm excited to get back into it. I love classic rock like the Beatles, Queen, and RHCP. If you are too, let's chat! My research last semester that I hope to continue was in EEG signal decoding using machine learning for imagined movements at ARCL under Professor Soon-Jo Chung and my mentor Yujin An. Recently, I've also been tinkering around with an interest in quantitative finance using ML! Lastly, I gotta mention my housemates in some capacity. Writing this in the summer, I'm excited to come back, see everyone, get better at pool, and goon around again. Page house, best house, no questions. And if you don't believe me, come check us out!

Cui Ye
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering

Cui Ye

I joined Professor Wei Gao’s research group in July 2021 as a postdoctoral scholar. My research interests encompass wearable devices, biosensors, electroanalytical chemistry, microfluidics, nanotechnology, and personalized medicine. Specifically, I focus on nucleic acid-based wearable sensing systems for non-invasive, real-time biofluid analysis. Despite significant progress in wearable biosensors for physiological data collection, many existing systems struggle to accurately detect trace-level biomarkers, such as female hormones. To address this challenge, I fabricated a ring-like wearable devices that achieves picomolar-level sensitivity for non-invasive female hormones monitoring. This technology is currently being commercialized by the startup Persperity Health, where I serve as a scientific advisor with the goal of providing affordable and highly sensitive monitoring solutions for female reproductive hormones. Outside of academia and work, I enjoy hiking and swimming, activities that help me maintain a balanced lifestyle and support both my physical and mental well-being.

Juan Manuel Renteria
  • Undergraduate Student, Mechanical and Civil Engineering

Juan Manuel Renteria

Hi! I’m a first-generation senior undergraduate student studying Mechanical Engineering with the plan of focusing on medical robotics. I’m inspired to work in medical engineering because of the challenges I’ve experienced being born with my disability, Klippel Trenaunay Weber Syndrome, which affects my right leg. It's a condition that has, and will, affect me my whole life, but I’m proud and fortunate to be succeeding at Caltech and life despite the extra care my leg requires of me. If you know of any ways I can speak up about my condition/experience at Caltech or beyond, please reach out to me at [email protected]. I’m currently doing research with the AMBER Lab developing a hand design for their upcoming humanoid robot, ADAM. I also held the position of President of Caltech’s Hispanic and Latino Association (CHLA) last year, where we work to create a strong Latino/Hispanic community and share our diverse culture with each other and the rest of the Caltech community. I also really love music, cooking, and photography. I recently made Mexican Milanesa and Japanese Onigiri while having Tyler, the Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost (2021) and Jack Kerouac’s Poetry for the Beat Generation (1958) on repeat.