Dr. Sanjay Behura is an Assistant Professor of Physics at the San Diego State University. Dr. Behura is an Experimental Condensed Matter Physicist specializing in Photophysics of Quantum Materials. The Behura Research Group is focused on studying Design-Growth, Structure-Property Characterization, and Optical-Control of Quantum 2D Materials for Quantum Information Science and Engineering. Since its Establishment in 2020, The Group has been Supported by National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Air Force Research Lab, and the MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry. Dr. Behura is a co-author of 49 peer-reviewed journal articles including papers in Nature Photonics, ACS Nano, Nano Letters, JACS, Applied Physics Letters, and Advanced Functional Materials.  Before joining SDSU Physics Faculty in Fall 2022, Behura started his Tenure-Track faculty position at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Fall 2020. Dr. Behura has worked as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois Chicago and as Commonwealth Graduate Scholar at University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
San Diego State University, Department of Physics, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182. Email: sbehura [AT] sdsu.edu
Behura Office (P-138): 619-594-2627 and Behura Research Group Graduate Students Office (P-145 A): 619-594-XXXX
Quantum Materials Design & Growth Lab (P-245 A/B): 594-6154; Quantum Photonics & Optoelectronics Lab (P-335): 594-XXXX

Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Research Specialists

Dr. Choudhury Abinash Bhuyan
Ph.D., Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research
September 2024 - Present
​Project: Synthesis and Optical Characterization of Quantum 2D Materials
Nicholas Schottle
M.S. in Physics, San Diego State University
January 2025 - Present
Project: Temperature-Dependent Optical Property Studies of Atomically-Thin Semiconductors and Moiré Quantum Matter
Jennifer Brumley
B.S. in Physics, San Diego State University
June 2024 - Present
Project: Understanding the Effect of Plasmonics on Quantum Light Emission in Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Quantum Defects ​
Diego Lundquist
B.S. in Physics, San Diego State University
January 2025 - Present
​Project: Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) Layers

Graduate Students

Antonio Cobarrubia
Ph.D. Candidate
SDSU-UCI Joint Doctoral Program
Sept. 2022 - Dec. 2025
Project: Photophysics of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Quantum Emitter
​Co-Advisor: Payam Heydari
Christopher Patino
M.S. Physics Candidate
SDSU Physics Department
May 2024 - May 2026
Project: Density Functional Theory Studies of Spin Defects and Nonclassical Light Generation in 2D Quantum Materials
Ryan Palmares
M.S. Physics Candidate
SDSU Physics Department
May 2024 - May 2026
Project: Temperature-Dependent Optical Property Studies of Atomically-Thin Semiconductors and Moiré Quantum Matter
New PhD Student (Expt.)
Behura Research Group is looking for a motivated doctoral student interested in research on experimental quantum materials science.
Apply: https://www.engineering.sdsu.edu/admissions/joint-doctoral  

Undergraduate Students

Miche Maral
B.S. Physics Junior
SDSU Physics Department
January 2024 - May 2026
Project: Physics Informed Deep Neural Networks for Layer Identification of 2D Materials
Mary Becker
B.S. Physics Junior
SDSU Physics Department
January 2024 - May 2026
Project: Chemical Vapor Deposition of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Quantum Defects
Jasmine Rodelas
B.S. Computer Science Senior
SDSU Computer Science Department
January 2024 - May 2025
Project: Physics Informed Deep Neural Networks for Layer Identification of 2D Materials
Nate Webb
B.S. Physics and Computer Science Junior
San Diego State University Physics Department
October 2024 - May 2026
Project: Physics Informed Deep Neural Networks for Layer Identification of 2D Materials
Cassidy Reyes
B.S. Physics Junior
SDSU Physics Department
October 2024 - May 2025
Project: Density Functional Theory of Quantum Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Database Building 
Stryder Dominique
B.S. Physics Junior
SDSU Physics Department
October 2024 - May 2026
Project: Density Functional Theory of Quantum Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Database Building

Ph.D. Thesis

Hisham Maddah
​Ph.D., UIC, July 2020
Thesis: Biophotoanodes for Molecular Photovoltaics
Assistant Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Co-Advisor: Vikas Berry
Chen Wang
Ph.D., UIC, August 2019
Thesis: 2D/3D Photovoltaics
​Assistant Professor at Shanghai Institute of Microsystem & Information Technology, China
Co-Advisor: Vikas Berry

M.S. Thesis

Sancia Tauro
M.S., SDSU, May 2024
Project: Creation and Optical Properties of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Quantum Defects
Applications Engineer at Park Systems Corporation
Nicholas Schottle
M.S., SDSU, Dec. 2024
Project: Fabrication and Optical Characterization of MoS2/WS2 Moiré Superlattices
Research Assistant, SDSU Department of Physics
Chisom Okeke
M.S., UAPB, Dec. 2021
UAPB Computer Science
Project: Optothermal Study of WS2 Crystals via Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning
Amazon
Aineta Kassa
M.S., UIC, August 2019
Project: Understanding Coal Chemistry and Synthesis of Carbon Nano-Materials
Specialist, Quality Control at MERCK, USA
​​Co-Advisor: Vikas Berry
Natechanok Yutthasaksunthorn
M.S., UIC, October 2018
Project: Structural Stability in 2D Black Phosphorous
​Co-Advisor: Vikas Berry
PhD Student at Georgia Institute of Technology
Xin Yu
M.S., UIC, December 2016
Project: Transfer-Free Development of Graphene-on-Silicon Solar Cells
Co-Advisor: Vikas Berry
Research Engineer at ZEISS Microscopy, China

M.S. Research Projects

Isaac Juma
M.S., UAPB, May 2022
UAPB Computer Science
Project: Study of Twisted WS2 Crystals via Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Analysis
Axiom
Jerri James, MS
Research Assistant
Dec. 2020 - August 2022
UAPB Computer Science
Project: Development of Mixed-Dimensional Heterostructure-based Biosensors
Bridgett W. Pinkins, MS
Research Assistant
March 2021 - August 2022
UAPB Computer Science
Project: Development of Mixed-Dimensional Heterostructure-based Biosensors
Pavan Emani
M.S., UIC, May 2020
UIC Materials Engineering
Project: Heterointerface of Graphene and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanowire
​Engineer at GL Technologies, USA
Suprith Nandankumar
M.S., UIC, December 2018
Project: Chemical Synthesis and Raman Characterization of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskite Semiconductors
​Research Engineer at Green Quotient Ltd., UK
Arjun Rangoonwala
M.S., UIC, December 2018
Project: Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Semiconducting Nanowires
​Research Engineer at Sanofi Pasteur, USA

Undergraduate Projects

Ossiel Orozco
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
March 2023 - Dec. 2024
Project: Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Quantum Emitters in Moiré  Materials

Diego Lundquist
B.S. Chemical Physics
SDSU Physics Department
January 2024 - Dec. 2024
Project: Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Crystals
Dilon Suliman
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
January 2023 - August 2024
Project: Theory and Simulation of Quantum Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride using Quantum Computer
Jennifer Brumley
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
April 2023 - May 2024
Project: Understanding the Effect of Plasmonics on Quantum Light Emission in Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Quantum Defects 
Mauricio Correa
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
January 2023 - Dec. 2023
Project: Understanding and Controlling Quantum Light Emission in 2-Dimensional Hexagonal Boron Nitride Crystals
Sebastian Gomez
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
January 2023 - May 2024
Project: Design, Simulation, and Modelling of Photonic Quantum Simulator for Quantum Information Science and Technology
Noah Kapchinske
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
January 2023 - May 2024
Project: Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Quantum Emission Effect in Moiré Quantum Condensed Materials
Alberto Pulido
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
January 2023 - May 2024
Project: Understanding and Controlling Quantum Light Emission in 2-Dimensional Hexagonal Boron Nitride Crystals
Chikomborero Musinga
B.A.S. in Accounting, UAPB
January 2022 - July 2022
Project: Development of Quantum Materials for Flexible and Lightweight Organic Photovoltaic Solar Cells
Tendai Musinga
B.S. in Agriculture, UAPB
January 2022 - July 2022
Project: Development of Quantum Materials for Flexible and Lightweight Organic Photovoltaic Solar Cells
Anmole Jhally
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UIC
May 2018 - August 2020
Project: New 2D and Energy Materials
​Publication: Royal Society of Chemistry Book Chapter
Ganesh Shetty
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UIC
January 2019 - August 2020
​Project: Mixed Layered and Non-Layered Molecular Materials and Chemical Exfoliation
Lila Aryadwita
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UIC
GPIP Summer Project
June - August 2019
​Project: Biomolecular Photosensitizers
​Publication: RSER
​Trung Le
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UIC
UG Research Project January - May 2019
Project: Chemical Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanowires
MEng at Univ. of Virginia
​Ajay Kumar
B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, KIIT BBSR, India
GERMI Internship 2014
Project: Investigation of Graphene/p-GaN Interface
​Publication: SM
Hatchinghoi Haokip
B.Tech. in Chemical Engg., IIT Madras, India
GERMI Internship 2014
Project: Graphene/n-Si Heterojunction Solar Cells
Publication: Materials Research Innovations
Charu Goel
B.Tech-M.Tech. in Ceramic Engineering, IIT-BHU Varanasi, India
GERMI Internship 2014
Project: Inorganic/Organic Heterojunction Solar Cells
Publication: MRI
Kamal Batra, Ph.D.
Int. M.Sc. in Chemistry, IIT Kharagpur, India
GERMI Internship 2013
Project: Characteristics of Graphene/Silicon Interface
​Publication: JNN
Researcher at CNRS France​​

High School Student Summer Internships (BRIGHT and SURP Programs)

Huy Trinh
June - October 2024, San Diego State University
​Project: Raman and PL Spectroscopic Characterization of Exfoliated Hexagonal Boron Nitride Layers
Aniya Remley
June - July 2022, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
​Project: Biomolecules-Inorganic Semiconductor Hybrid Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar Energy Harvesting
Innocence Reed-Guy
June - July 2022, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Project: Biomolecules-Inorganic Semiconductor Hybrid Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar Energy Harvesting
Jasmine Stinnett
June - July 2021, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
​Project: Biomolecules-Inorganic Semiconductor Hybrid Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar Energy Harvesting
Ja'Miyah Gary
June - July 2021, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Project: Biomolecules-Inorganic Semiconductor Hybrid Photoanodes for Sustainable Solar Energy Harvesting