PI
Prof. Marissa L. Weichman
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 2020 –
weichman@princeton.edu
Office: Frick 229
(609) 258-0926
B.S. Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, 2012
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2017
Julia Wlodarczyk-Mingozzi
Faculty Assistant
jw7773@princeton.edu
Office: Frick 389
(609) 258-3674
Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Ashley Fidler
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2021 –
af1246@princeton.edu
Office: Frick B21
B.S. Chemistry and Biology, The College of William & Mary, 2014
MPhil Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, 2015
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2020
ORCiD, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Linkedin
Ashley is interested in applying tailored spectroscopic techniques to answer fundamental scientific questions with far-reaching implications. In the Weichman Lab, she utilizes her previous experience developing novel spectroscopic techniques for the study of ultrafast electronic dynamics in the Leone and Neumark Groups at UC Berkeley/LBNL to design and execute experiments controlling benchmark, condensed-phase chemical reactions via strong light-matter coupling in optical microcavities. Outside of the lab, Ashley enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking.
Dr. Cole Sagan
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2023 –
cs8888@princeton.edu
Office: Frick 226
B.S. Chemistry and Biology, St. John’s University, 2017
Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023
Cole is interested in describing naturally occurring phenomena from a physical chemist’s perspective. Previously in the Garand Group, he investigated the anion resonances of astrochemically-relevant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using photoelectron spectroscopy. In the Weichman group, he will use cavity enhanced spectroscopy to measure the optical properties of aerosols of varying compositions and sizes. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, video games and chasing the perfect cup of coffee.
Dr. Dominik Charczun
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2023 –
dc1351@princeton.edu
Office: Frick 226
B.S.E. Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 2013
M.S. Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 2015
Ph.D. Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 2023
Dominik’s research interests focus on developing innovative, broadband spectroscopic methods which maintain extreme frequency precision thanks to the unique properties of the optical frequency comb. Currently he is building a cutting-edge spectroscopic setup which will use an optical frequency comb coupled to a high-finesse optical cavity to resolve the quantum states of large molecules, such as fullerenes. In his previous research, carried out in the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland, Dominik applied three cavity-enhanced methods: cavity mode-width spectroscopy, cavity mode-dispersion spectroscopy and cavity ring-down spectroscopy – to broadband measurements perfomed with frequency combs, maintaining the resolution limit of a comb tooth or cavity mode. After work Dominik enjoys board games, RPGs and video games, painting miniatures, brewing specialty coffee, karaoke and dancing bachata.
Dr. Trevor Wright
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2024 –
trevor.wright@princeton.edu
Office: Frick 226
B.A. Physics and Philosophy, Amherst College, 2018
M.S. Physics, Yale University, 2020
Ph.D. Physics, University of Colorado Boulder, 2024
Trevor is interested in exploring fundamental science with molecules. Currently he is working on understanding how strong light-matter coupling effects chemical reaction rates in gas-phase molecules. Previously, in the Cornell Group at JILA/CU Boulder, Trevor measured the electron’s electric dipole moment with trapped HfF+ molecular ions. Outside of the lab, Trevor enjoys playing soccer, chess and reading.
Graduate students
Liying Chen
Graduate student, 2021 –
lc7423@princeton.edu
Office: Frick B21
B.S. Biochemistry, Applied Math, UC San Diego, 2019
M.S. Physical Chemistry, UC San Diego, 2021
Liying’s research interests lie in using spectroscopic techniques to study the control of chemical reactivity through modified vibrational dynamics. Currently he is working on an experimental technique to prepare polaritons and study their chemistry. His previous research in the Xiong Group studied quantum states of molecular vibrational polaritons (hybrid half-light, half-matter quasiparticles) using ultrafast coherent two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. Outside of the lab, Liying likes playing basketball, dancing and cooking.
![](https://weichman.princeton.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Negar-scaled.jpg")
Negar Baradaran
Graduate student, 2022 –
nb6082@princeton.edu
Office: Frick B22
A.S. Chemistry, Fullerton College, 2020
B.S. Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2022
Negar’s research interest is anything that deals with light matter interaction, more specifically developing spectroscopic methods that enable the study of complex molecules with higher spectral resolution. During undergrad she worked in the Neumark Lab at UC Berkeley where she studied the dynamics of solutes in high vapor pressure solvents using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. As a result of her undergrad research she now enjoys work that involves building electronics and 3D CAD modeling. In her free time she likes to do photography, play video games, watch movies, and play the piano.
Alexander McKillop
Graduate student, 2022 –
am1984@princeton.edu
Office: Frick B21
B.S. Chemistry, Boston College, 2022
In his undergraduate studies with the Zhang Group, Alexander utilized his skills in organic chemistry to develop radical cascade reactions that employ Co(II)-porphyrin catalysts. However, in the latter years of his undergraduate experience he realized that his true calling was spectroscopy. Alexander’s current research interests combine both his organic chemistry experience with his newfound love of spectroscopy in that he seeks to exploit the properties of polaritons to find new reactivity in well-studied organic systems. In his free time, Alexander enjoys building computers, watching soccer, and going to nice restaurants.
Jane Nelson
Graduate student, 2022 –
janenelson@princeton.edu
Office: Frick 226
B.A. Chemistry, Middlebury College, 2022
ORCiD, Google Scholar, LinkedIn
In the Vasiliou Lab at Middlebury, Jane modeled unimolecular thermal decomposition mechanisms of vanillin and other small organic molecules using quantum chemical calculations. She also gained experience with a high-vacuum matrix-isolation FTIR apparatus used to study said decomposition pathways and products. Jane’s exposure to gas-phase spectroscopy ties in well with her current investigations focused on extending the study of polaritons into the gas phase. Jane enjoys reading, taking long walks, and meeting new dogs when she’s not in the lab.
Valentino Cesiliano
Graduate student, 2024 –
vc7393@princeton.edu
Office: Frick B21
B.S. Chemistry, University of Miami, Florida, 2024
Valentino is interested in understanding light-matter interactions to study and control molecular processes. During his undergraduate studies, he worked on optimizing the optoelectronic properties of organic supramolecular assemblies in the Olivier group. In his free time, Valentino enjoys playing chess, soccer, and going to the beach.
Arden Floyd
Graduate student, 2024 –
amfloyd@princeton.edu
Office: Frick B22
B.S. Chemistry, University of Central Florida, 2024
Arden discovered her passion for physical chemistry research as a member of the Popolan-Vaida lab at UCF, where she interrogated how gaseous and heterogeneous reactions with ozone drive the formation and growth of organic aerosol particles using high resolution mass spectrometry and bulk aerosol flow tube studies. At Princeton, she is scaling her aerosol research to the single particle level in developing an apparatus for precision spectroscopy of electrodynamically levitated aerosol particles. Along with science, Arden loves animals, reading, and playing the viola.
Undergraduates
Tanay Nambiar
Undergraduate Research Fellow, 2023 –
tn6352@princeton.edu
Office: Frick B22
Chemistry Major, Class of 2026
Tanay Nambiar ’26 is an undergraduate concentrating in chemistry. His interests primarily revolve around molecular spectroscopy with previous experience working with cavity-enhanced Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy with the McCarthy group. In his free time, Tanay enjoys playing the piano and guitar, reading, and biking.
Kierra Forthman
Summer Research Fellow, 2024
Kierra.forthman@gmail.com
Office: Frick B21
Chemistry Major, University of Utah, Class of 2025
Kierra Forthman ’25 is an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry with minors in mathematics and physics. Her main interests lie in applying quantum mechanics and thermodynamics to gain insights into chemical processes. She has previous experience working in the Bischak Lab, where she conducted research in spectroelectrochemistry and cyclic voltammetry to study the kinetics of sulfonate dopants in organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors. In the Weichman Lab, Kierra is focused on utilizing FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy to observe polariton-altered chemical processes. She enjoys playing the piano and long runs in her free time.