People — CREATE Materials

Members

Dr. Hang Chi

Dr. Chi is the Canada Research Chair in Quantum Electronic Devices and Circuits at the University of Ottawa.

He obtained his B.Sc. in Physics from Peking University, Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, carried out postdoc research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and MIT, before joining uOttawa in 2023 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, cross-appointed to the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Chi Lab studies (i) magnetic topological interfaces for novel memory & logic with superior performance, and (ii) proximity superconducting devices & circuits towards practical quantum computation.

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Dr. Vikas Saini

Postdoctoral Fellow

Vikas joined Chi Lab in 2025 as a Postdoctoral Fellow, after holding a postdoctoral associate position at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory (2023–2025), focusing on transport and proximity detector oscillations under extreme fields. He earned his PhD in 2023 from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India, specializing in synthesizing and characterizing topological single crystals. He has developed extensive expertise in crystal growth, materials characterization, transport measurements, and density functional theory simulation. He currently focuses on studying topological phases. Outside of research, Vikas enjoys Python programming and digital drawing.

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Dr. Nan Lin

Postdoctoral Fellow

Nan joined Chi Lab in 2026 as a Postdoctoral Fellow. She received her Dr. rer. nat. with honors (Magna Cum Laude) from RWTH Aachen University of Germany, where her doctoral work was carried out jointly at RWTH Aachen and Forschungszentrum Jülich. She has background in condensed matter physics and solid-state chemistry, with hands-on experience in materials synthesis (including Bridgman crystal growth), characterization (FIB, APT, TKD, EBSD) and 10+ years experience in operating electron microscopes. At Chi Lab, Nan works on fabricating FIB microdevices to study coupled transport phenomena. She uses the lab’s synthesis/transport capabilities, and neutron/synchrotron facilities at national laboratories.

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Dinura Hettiarachchi

PhD Student

Dinura joined Chi Lab in 2024. In his doctoral studies, he is returning to materials physics, which has been his passion since the beginning of his academic journey.

He obtained his BSc in Physics from the University of Peradeniya, where his "Magnetic MgO Nanoabsorbent for Effective Removal of Pb(II)" project was recognized as the Best Undergraduate Research Project in 2021 by IPSL.

He obtained his MSc in Physics from the University of Mississippi, where he shifted his focus to particle physics and joined the Belle II group. His research there focused on making the first direct CP asymmetry measurement in the charm baryon sector.

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Jean-Félix Milette

PhD Student (OGS)

Jean-Félix joined Chi Lab in 2024 after completing his undergraduate studies in physics at the University of Ottawa, where he investigated two-dimensional semiconductors using both in situ and ex situ reflectance techniques to monitor their growth and optical properties. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in physics, with his research focusing on the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel quantum materials and engineered heterostructures. He is particularly interested in emergent physical phenomena such as topological effects, interfacial interactions, and unconventional superconductivity for next-generation electronic and quantum devices. Outside of academia, Jean-Félix has a strong interest in programming, emerging technologies, culture, and politics.

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Aidan Karmali

MSc Student (CGRS M)

Aidan joined Chi Lab in 2024 as an undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa. Now equipped with a BSc in Physics and an additional minor in Biology, Aidan is pursuing a Master's in Physics under the supervision of Dr. Chi from 2025. Aidan aspires to work at the interface of physics and biology so that he can combine his strong appreciation for biological systems with his training in physics, believing that such interdisciplinary research will power the scientific discoveries of tomorrow. He spent over a year in uOttawa’s state-of-the-art 2D crystal growth and characterization facilities, where he studied large-area WS2 thin films for optoelectronic applications. During his time in Chi Lab, Aidan expects to expand his knowledge in nanofabrication and design. Beyond his studies, Aidan leads an active lifestyle and enjoys camping.

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Maxime Laniel

Undergraduate Student (URS, USRO, USRA)

Maxime joined Chi Lab in 2024 as a recipient of the 2024 uOttawa Faculty of Science Undergraduate Research Scholarship (URS). In Winter 2026, he continued his work on Kagome quantum matter through the USRO program. In Summer 2026, Maxime is continuing his research on topological quantum materials as a recipient of the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA). He is particularly interested in studying highly correlated phases of matter and their applications in next-generation quantum technologies.

Maxime is a student in the Honours BSc. Physics-Mathematics program. He has received several academic distinctions, including the uOttawa Faculty of Science Perfect 10 Award, the Armen Manoogian Memorial Scholarship, the Victor Linis Mathematics Scholarship, and the Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal. After completing his undergraduate studies, he plans to pursue graduate studies in physics, with a research focus on topological condensed matter physics.

Beyond his academic and research pursuits, Maxime is deeply committed to science outreach and education. He has been actively involved in several student organizations at uOttawa. Most notably, he currently serves as President of Connecting Young Minds (CYM), a student-led initiative that promotes undergraduate research in STEM and organizes the largest annual undergraduate research conference at uOttawa.

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Elyes Ben Lassoued

Undergraduate Student (USRO, Honours)

Elyes joined Chi Lab in 2025. He is pursuing a BMUS in Music and an Honours BSc in Physics. Passionate about education and outreach, he aims to make advanced physics concepts accessible to broad audiences, informed by his experience as an active high school physics tutor, a former tutor with the Learning for Charity Club at uOttawa, and a music teacher.

Elyes is currently studying moiré physics of transition metal dichalcogenides for his Honours project, after undertaking a USRO project studying material properties of chromium tellurides. Aside from Physics, Elyes is an active pianist in the uOttawa School of Music often participating in uOttawa piano projects and recitals.

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Hasan Karsidag

Undergraduate Student (Honours)

Hasan joined Chi Lab in 2026. He is a fourth-year Physics student at the University of Ottawa. Hasan completed his UROP in 2023 as a part of the Computational Nanophotonics Lab with Lora Ramunno. Later that year, he completed his NSERC USRA at the uOttawa Geophysics Lab with Pascal Audet. After focusing on his studies and Co-op work, Hasan is now eager to begin research in quantum materials for his Honours project. He is especially interested in experimental physics, particularly where fundamental research connects with emerging technologies. Hasan hopes to contribute to research that advances the discovery and understanding of new quantum materials. Outside the lab, he enjoys aviation, staying active, and exploring new technology.

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Sarasi Wanninayaka

Undergraduate Student (Honours)

Sarasi Joined Chi Lab in 2026. She is an undergraduate student in the University of Ottawa studying physics. She wants to pursue research on quantum materials and their commercial applications in the tech sector in the future. Outside of her studies, she pursues hobbies in aquatic invertebrate husbandry, hiking, and gardening.