Behura Research Group @ SDSU
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Principal Investigator
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San Diego State University, Department of Physics, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182
Email: sbehura [AT] sdsu.edu
Office: 619-594-2627
Dr. Sanjay Behura is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at San Diego State University, where he leads pioneering research in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics, with a focus on the Photophysics of Quantum Materials. His research investigates the light-matter interactions in two-dimensional (2D) materials, aiming to unlock their potential for transformative applications in quantum information science and engineering.
Dr. Behura directs the Behura Research Group, established in 2020, which adopts a multidisciplinary approach to studying quantum 2D materials. The group integrates materials design and growth with quantum photonic and optoelectronic characterization to advance next-generation quantum technologies—including single-photon emitters, photonic qubits, and quantum sensors. Their research is supported by several prestigious agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry.
A prolific researcher, Dr. Behura has co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Nature Photonics, ACS Nano, Nano Letters, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Applied Physics Letters, and Advanced Functional Materials.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to research and education, Dr. Behura received the 2025 Thomas B. Day Outstanding Faculty Award for Excellence in Physics at SDSU and was named a 2025 Scialog Fellow in Quantum Matter and Information by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

Current Members

Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Research Specialists

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Dr. Choudhury Abinash Bhuyan
Ph.D., Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research
September 2024 - Present
​Project: Synthesis and Optical Characterization of Quantum 2D Materials
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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
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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 ​
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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

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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
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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
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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
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Hugo Mixco
M.S. Physics Candidate
SDSU Physics Department
May 2025 - May 2026

Project: Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth and Optical Characterization of Moiré Semiconductor Heterostructures
OPEN POSITIONS:
Behura Research Group at SDSU Department of Physics is looking for motivated doctoral students interested in research on experimental and computational quantum materials for quantum information science and engineering.
Apply for SDSU Engineering JDP with UCSD: https://www.engineering.sdsu.edu/admissions/joint-doctoral (Experimental)
Apply for SDSU Computational Science JDP with UC Irvine: https://www.csrc.sdsu.edu/ph-d-program/ (Computational)

Undergraduate Students

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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
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Mary Becker
B.S. Physics Junior
SDSU Physics Department
January 2024 - May 2026
Project:
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Quantum Defects
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Jasmine Rodelas
B.S. Computer Science Senior
SDSU Computer Science Department
January 2024 - May 2026

Project: Physics Informed Deep Neural Networks for Layer Identification of 2D Materials
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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

Alumni

Ph.D. Thesis

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Hisham Maddah
​Ph.D., UIC, July 2020
Thesis: Biophotoanodes for Molecular Photovoltaics
Assistant Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Co-Advisor: Vikas Berry
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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

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Sancia Tauro
M.S., 
SDSU, May 2024
Project: Creation and Optical Properties of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Quantum Defects
Applications Engineer at Park Systems Corporation
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Nicholas Schottle
M.S., 
SDSU, Dec. 2024
Project: Fabrication and Optical Characterization of MoS2/WS2 Moiré Superlattices
Research Assistant, SDSU Department of Physics
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Chisom Okeke
M.S., UAPB, Dec. 2021

UAPB Computer Science
Project: Optothermal Study of WS2 Crystals via Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning
Amazon
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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
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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
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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

Undergraduate Projects

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Ossiel Orozco
B.S. Physics
SDSU Physics Department
March 2023 - Dec. 2024

Project: Design, Fabrication and Characterization of Quantum Emitters in Moiré
  Materials
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Diego Lundquist
B.S. Chemical Physics
SDSU Physics Department
January 2024 - Dec. 2024
Project: Low-Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Crystals

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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
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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 
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Tendai Musinga
B.S. in Agriculture, UAPB
January 2022 - July 2022
Project: Development of Quantum Materials for Flexible and Lightweight Organic Photovoltaic Solar Cells
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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
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Ganesh Shetty
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UIC
January 2019 - August 2020
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Project: Mixed Layered and Non-Layered Molecular Materials and Chemical Exfoliation
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Lila Aryadwita
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, UIC
GPIP Summer Project
June - August 2019
​Project: Biomolecular Photosensitizers
​Publication: RSER
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​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
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​Ajay Kumar
B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, KIIT BBSR, India
GERMI Internship 2014
Project: Investigation of Graphene/p-GaN Interface
​Publication: SM
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Hatchinghoi Haokip
B.Tech. in Chemical Engg., IIT Madras, India
GERMI Internship 2014

Project: Graphene/n-Si Heterojunction Solar Cells
Publication: Materials Research Innovations
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Charu Goel
B.Tech-M.Tech. in Ceramic Engineering, IIT-BHU Varanasi, India
GERMI Internship 2014
Project: Inorganic/Organic Heterojunction Solar Cells
Publication: MRI
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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
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