Tikaram Neupane – Light Matter Interaction – Best Researcher Award 

Published on by AMO Physics

Assist. Prof. Dr. Tikaram Neupane embarked on his academic path with a strong foundation in physics, culminating in a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter and Optical Physics from Hampton University (2016–2020). His dissertation focused on the third-order optical nonlinearity of tungsten and molybdenum disulfide atomic layers, highlighting his early interest in light-matter interaction phenomena. Prior to this, he earned an MS in Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Wyoming and a Post Graduate Diploma in Earth System Physics from the International Center for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy. His early research projects spanned from quantum materials to geophysical modeling, setting a multidisciplinary foundation for his future work.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Since 2021, Dr. Neupane has served as Assistant Professor of Physics at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he is responsible for teaching, coordinating applied physics programs, and actively recruiting undergraduate students. He also held a postdoctoral research associate position at The University of Southern Mississippi, focusing on ocean optics, ocean color, and remote sensing in collaboration with NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Dr. Neupane’s leadership roles extend beyond academia as he directs regional science fairs, organizes international conferences, and serves on editorial boards and scientific committees.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Neupane’s research centers on light-matter interaction in low-dimensional materials and nanostructures. His Ph.D. work explored nonlinear optical properties, including nonlinear absorption and refraction in atomic layers and quantum dots, UV/Visible absorption, photoluminescence studies, and all-optical switching mechanisms. He has demonstrated advanced phenomena such as polarization-controlled four-wave mixing and second-order hyperpolarizability via self-phase modulation, contributing substantially to the understanding of photon interactions at the nanoscale. His expertise also spans ocean optics and remote sensing, showcasing the breadth of his research in light-matter interaction.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Neupane’s research has had significant impact both in condensed matter physics and applied optics. His work is recognized through awards like the Best Presentation Award at the International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICNST) in 2019 and multiple research grants from NASA and the Department of Defense. His leadership in organizing scientific conferences, serving as guest editor for special journal issues, and evaluating prestigious scholarships reflects his broad influence on the scientific community. His active role in science fairs and community outreach promotes STEM education and inspires the next generation of physicists.

🏆Academic Cites

Dr. Neupane’s publications on light-matter interaction phenomena in nanoscale materials have been cited extensively, underscoring the relevance and innovation of his research. His experimental and theoretical insights into nonlinear optical processes contribute to foundational knowledge utilized by researchers worldwide. These citations reflect the growing recognition of his contributions to the fields of condensed matter physics and applied photonics.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Tikaram Neupane is poised to continue making pioneering contributions to light-matter interaction research, focusing on novel quantum materials and optical phenomena with potential applications in photonics and quantum technologies. His commitment to mentoring students, advancing interdisciplinary research, and fostering scientific collaborations ensures a lasting legacy in both academia and applied physics. As Chair of the 8th ANPA International Physics Conference in 2025, he will further strengthen international scientific dialogue and innovation.

📝Light Matter Interaction

Dr. Neupane’s work significantly advances the understanding of light-matter interaction in atomic layers and quantum dots, driving innovations in nonlinear optics and photonics. His research explores fundamental light-matter interaction mechanisms, such as four-wave mixing and self-phase modulation, providing insights crucial for next-generation optical devices. Through his academic and leadership roles, Dr. Neupane promotes cutting-edge research in light-matter interaction, bridging theoretical physics and practical applications.

✍️ Notable Publication

📝Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in WS2 and MoS2 Atomic Layers

Authors: T. Neupane, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Optical Materials Express, 10(4), 831–842

Year: 2020

Citations: 27

📝Piezoelectricity Enhancement and Bandstructure Modification of Atomic Defect-Mediated MoS2 Monolayer

Authors: S. Yu, Q. Rice, T. Neupane, B. Tabibi, Q. Li, F.J. Seo

Journal: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 19(35), 24271–24275

Year: 2017

Citations: 17

📝Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in Graphene-Oxide Monolayer

Authors: T. Neupane, B. Tabibi, W.J. Kim, F.J. Seo

Journal: Crystals, 13(2), 271

Year: 2023

Citations: 16

📝Second-Order Hyperpolarizability and All-Optical-Switching of Intensity-Modulated Spatial Self-Phase Modulation in CsPbBr1.5I1.5 Perovskite Quantum Dot

Authors: T. Neupane, H. Wang, W.W. Yu, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Optics & Laser Technology, 140, 107090

Year: 2021

Citations: 14

📝Third-Order Optical Nonlinearity of Tungsten Disulfide Atomic Layer with Resonant Excitation

Authors: T. Neupane, S. Yu, Q. Rice, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Optical Materials, 96, 109271

Year: 2019

Citations: 10

📝Cubic Nonlinearity of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoflakes

Authors: T. Neupane, Q. Rice, S. Jung, B. Tabibi, F.J. Seo

Journal: Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 20(7), 4373–4375

Year: 2020

Citations: 5

📝Spin-Resolved Visible Optical Spectra and Electronic Characteristics of Defect-Mediated Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayer

Authors: S. Yu, B. Tabibi, Q. Li, F.J. Seo

Journal: Crystal, 12, 906

Year: 2022

Citations: 3

📝Cubic Nonlinearity of Graphene-Oxide Monolayer

Authors: T. Neupane, U. Poudyal, B. Tabibi, W.J. Kim, F.J. Seo

Journal: Materials, 16(20), 6664

Year: 2023

Citations: 2

Lewis Antill – Quantum Biology – Best Researcher Award

Published on by AMO Physics

Prof. Lewis Antill’s academic journey began with an exceptional performance in chemistry, leading him to pursue an MChem in Chemistry at the University of Leicester, UK, where he graduated with First-Class Honors. His passion for research took him to the University of Stuttgart, Germany, for a year abroad, where he contributed to innovative projects on liquid crystalline aryl guanidinium ions and atmospheric hydroxyl radical reactivity. Building upon this strong foundation, he pursued a PhD in Environmental Sciences at The University of Tokyo, where he specialized in spatially resolved microspectroscopy of flavin-based magnetosensitive photochemistry under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan R. Woodward. Graduating as valedictorian, he was also awarded The First National High School Memorial Award for his outstanding academic performance.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Antill’s career has spanned some of the most prestigious research institutions worldwide. His research career includes roles as a Research Associate in Laser Photochemistry and Spectroscopy at the University of Oxford, where he contributed to the Spin Chemistry collaboration under the ERC Synergy Grant QuantumBirds. His work there focused on developing sensitive optical spectroscopic techniques to investigate the kinetics of photochemical processes and their interaction with magnetic fields. Before his Oxford tenure, he was a Special Project Researcher at Saitama University/Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) PRESTO, where he led independent research on spatiotemporal measurement of cryptochromes for animal magnetoreception, securing 480 million KRW in grant funding. His current position as a Research Professor at Sungkyunkwan University and Visiting Academic at the University of Oxford highlights his ongoing influence in quantum biology.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Antill’s research has been at the forefront of quantum biology, particularly in understanding the role of flavins, flavoproteins, and cryptochromes in biological magnetoreception. His expertise spans high-sensitivity fluorescence and transient-absorption-based microspectroscopies, which he designed and developed to probe fundamental biological photochemical reactions. His work has significant implications for understanding how biological systems interact with magnetic fields at the quantum level, a topic that has intrigued the scientific community for decades. His pioneering research on quantum biology has contributed to a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of magnetoreception in animals, potentially paving the way for breakthroughs in bio-inspired quantum technologies.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Prof. Antill’s impact on the scientific community is evident through his numerous awards, including the Best Presentation Award at the Quantum Life Science Society Conference (2021), the Best Poster Prize at the Spin Chemistry Meeting (2017), and his recognition as valedictorian of his PhD cohort at The University of Tokyo. His work has been recognized not only through citations in top-tier journals but also through substantial funding and scholarships, such as the MEXT Scholarship for PhD, the EFEPR Scholarship from the International EPR Society, and the ERASMUS Scholarship for MChem. His involvement in multiple international collaborations and his role in developing cutting-edge spectroscopic methodologies further reinforce his standing as a thought leader in quantum biology.

🏆Academic Cites

Prof. Antill’s research has been extensively cited in leading journals, demonstrating the broad influence of his work in quantum biology and spin chemistry. His findings on magnetosensitive photochemistry and cryptochrome-based biological magnetoreception have been referenced by researchers across diverse fields, from biophysics to environmental sciences. His ability to bridge fundamental chemistry, physics, and biology has made his work invaluable to the scientific community.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Antill’s legacy lies in his contributions to quantum biology, where his pioneering research on cryptochromes and flavoproteins has reshaped our understanding of biological magnetoreception. His future contributions are expected to further expand the applications of quantum effects in biological systems, potentially leading to advancements in bio-inspired quantum computing, environmental sensing, and biomedical imaging. His ongoing research at Sungkyunkwan University and the University of Oxford ensures that he will continue to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary science, inspiring the next generation of researchers to explore the quantum mechanisms underlying life itself.

📝Notable Publication

📝Optical absorption and magnetic field effect based imaging of transient radicals

Authors: J. P. Beardmore, L. M. Antill, J. R. Woodward

Journal: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Year: 2015

Citations: 36

📝Ionic liquid crystals derived from guanidinium salts: induction of columnar mesophases by bending of the cationic core

Authors: L. M. Antill, M. M. Neidhardt, J. Kirres, S. Beardsworth, M. Mansueto, A. Baro, ...

Journal: Liquid Crystals

Year: 2014

Citations: 26

📝Flavin adenine dinucleotide photochemistry is magnetic field sensitive at physiological pH

Authors: L. M. Antill, J. R. Woodward

Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

Year: 2018

Citations: 25

📝Time-resolved optical absorption microspectroscopy of magnetic field sensitive flavin photochemistry

Authors: L. M. Antill, J. P. Beardmore, J. R. Woodward

Journal: Review of Scientific Instruments

Year: 2018

Citations: 13

📝Dimerization of European robin cryptochrome 4a

Authors: M. Hanić, L. M. Antill, A. S. Gehrckens, J. Schmidt, K. Görtemaker, ...

Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry B

Year: 2023

Citations: 9

📝Photoinduced flavin-tryptophan electron transfer across vesicle membranes generates magnetic field sensitive radical pairs

Authors: L. M. Antill, S. Takizawa, S. Murata, J. R. Woodward

Journal: Molecular Physics

Year: 2019

Citations: 6

📝RadicalPy: A Tool for Spin Dynamics Simulation

Authors: L. M. Antill, E. Vatai

Journal: Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation

Year: 2024

Citations: 2