Michael Gadaloff

PhD thesis: TBC

Hello! I intend to study low-dimensional materials for my PhD, substances that are extremely thin in at least one direction. Imagine a “2D” piece of paper just a few atoms thick or a “1D” wire with a similarly small diameter. “0D” quantum dots, essentially tiny balls, are another category of low-dimensional material.

Confining electrons to lengths of a few atoms alters their behaviour, giving these materials unusual and highly variable properties. Some are exceptional sensors with applications in hormone monitoring. Others can transport drugs through the body, enhance solar cells, or trap carbon dioxide.

I am currently unsure which application I will pursue, but I will be rotating between labs for the next few months. I am most interested in practical nanomaterials fabricated for large-scale use. I will update this page with a more specific description of my PhD project in due course!

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

My undergraduate research in 2D materials revealed how nanoscience is an intersection of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. I thoroughly enjoyed the interdisciplinary problems, motivating me to pursue a nanotechnology PhD.

Michelle Quien, a PhD candidate and my former supervisor, inspired me to continue obsessing over nanoscience while contending with the practicalities of writing a thesis. My mum’s completion of her PhD in molecular biology was similarly motivating.

Additionally, my friend Luc Paoli is a continued source of inspiration. Luc pouring over material purely in service of learning and curiosity during our undergrad is a mindset I will carry through the next few years.