Team

CERC Leadership Team

Carlos Silva Acuña

Chairholder

Carlos Silva is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics at the Université de Montréal. He is an expert in the field of ultrafast and nonlinear spectroscopy of advanced materials. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and of the American Chemical Society.

Ph.D. in Chemical Physics, University of Minnesota, August 1998, under the supervision of Prof. Paul F. Barbara

B.A. Cum Laude in chemistry and physics, Luther College, June 1992

Carmen Liliana Urrego Ramirez

Principal Coordinator

Carmen Liliana Urrego Ramirez combines expertise in telecommunications engineering with a growing focus on responsible AI and digital transformation. She has extensive experience in telecommunications and information technology companies, particularly in team management. Her areas of expertise include includes the development of frameworks for lifecycle adoption, risk evaluation, and complex solution design, while current work in ethical AI bridges industry practice with research-based approaches to technology governance, user experience, and collaborative innovation

Certificate in AI at Work: Responsible Use, Université de Montréal (in progress)
M.Eng. Project Management, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal
Mobile Telecom Specialist, Distrital University, Bogotá
B.Eng. Electronics and Telecommunications, San Martín University, Bogotá

Mirjam Fines-Neuschild

Principal Coordinator for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Mirjam Fines-Neuschild has a large experience and implication in practice and research fields of EDI. She worked for two years as a facilitator for the American Physical Society Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Alliance and is a member of the Réseau interuniversitaire québécois en équité, diversité et inclusion (RIQEDI) since 2020. Mirjam cofounded the Diversity Committee of UdeM and the Parité sciences project. Emerging researcher, Mirjam published on a research project understandings of EDI in scientific and research fields in the Canadian Journal of Higher Education.

Ph. D. Physics and communication, Université de Montréal, 2021
M.S. Nuclear phyiscs, Université de Montréal, 2014
B. S. Physics, Université de Montréal, 2012

Félix Thouin

Principal research scientist

Felix’s expertise straddles ultrafast optics, solid state physics and photonics. He has taken on multiple research positions in academic institutions, companies both large and small as well as startups. He brings to the CERC team lessons learned on cutting-edge organizational practices for collaborative research and a wealth of technical and scientific skills. His research interest encompass coherent non-linear spectroscopy, exotic phases of matter, nanophotonics and open science. Beware! His burning passion for science is contagious.

Ph.D. Condensed matter phyiscs, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019
B. S. Physics, Université de Montréal, 2013

Hao Li

Principal Research Scientist

Hao’s research has primarily focused on the theories and simulations of diverse photophysical and photochemical processes involved in light-matter interactions. With extensive research experience spanning from quantum dynamics to computational chemistry, and from nonlinear spectroscopy to quantum optics, Hao brings multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches to the forefront of research. His enthusiasm and insatiable curiosity drive innovations and advancement in this dynamic field, making him an essential contributor to the CERC team in light-matter interactions.

Ph.D. Chemistry, Wayne State University
M.S. Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China
B.E. Polymer Materials and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China

Silva Research Team

Postdoctoral Fellows & Research Associate

Simon Daneau

Postdoctoral Fellow

Research interests: highly correlated electronic systems, quantum materials, multidimensional spectroscopy, non-linear optics.

Mareny Guadalupe Fernandez Olaya

Postdoctoral Fellow

Research interests: photothermal spectroscopy, non-linear optics, quantum spin liquids.

Vincent Lemelin

Research associate

Research interests: CVD graphene, 2D materials, low-energy electrons, electron microscopy and spectroscopy

David Tiede

Postdoctoral Fellow

Research interests: Condensed Matter Physics/ Quantum Optics and Photonics/ Ultrafast Spectroscopy

Graduate Students

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Name
Designation
Short Description
Social Links
David Bourbonnais-Sureault
Ph.D. Student
Mathieu Desmarais
Ph.D. Student
Alejandro León Grande
Ph.D. Student
Meghan McNeil
Ph.D. Student
Simon Paiva
Ph.D. Student
Étienne Tremblay
Ph.D. Student
Alexander Cikanek
Ph.D. Student
Javier Chiasson
Ph.D. Student
Paul Vézina
M. Sc. Student
Isabella Moreno
M. Sc. Student
Aerin Anabely Marin Berriel
M. Sc. Student

Research Interns

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Name
Designation
Short Description
Social Links
Félix Brunelle
Research Intern
Sofia Lopez Frias
Research Intern

Alumni

Alejandro Vega-Flick Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 Tecnólogico de Monterrey – Academic Teacher
Sarah Marques Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 The Hewitt School – Science Teacher
David A. Valverde Chávez Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory – Staff Engineer
Andre Zeumault Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 Amorphyx Inc. – Chief Technology Officer
Ilaria Bargigia Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 Physics – Politecnico di Milano – Assistant Professor
Ella Olejnik Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ajay Ram Srimath Kandada Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 Wake Forest University – Assistant Professor Of Physics
Eleonora Vella Université de Montréal, 2016 TandemLaunch Inc. – Chief Of Staff
Maciej Sakowisz Université de Montréal, 2014
Mathieu Perrin Université de Montréal, 2010 INSA Rennes – Maître de conférences (Lecturer)
David Russel Physics, University of Cambridge, 2002
Sophia Hayes Physics, University of Cambridge, 2002
Henry J. Kantrow Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2026 Understanding photophysical processes in polymer semiconductors: from flexible-chain to ribbon-like materials Caltech – Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Victoria Quiróz-Cordero Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 Elucidating exciton-polaritons in organic and two-dimensional metal halide semiconductors Columbia University – Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Ravyn Malatesta Physical Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 Probing nonlinear phenomena with multidimensional and entangled photon spectroscopies Sandia National Laboratories – Jill Hruby Posdoctoral Fellow
Esteban Rojas Gatjens Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 Exciton and Charge Carrier Nonlinear Dynamics in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Metal Halides Columbia University – Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Yulong Zheng Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 Exciton Delocalization and Quantum Dynamics in Push-Pull Semiconductor Polymers Micron Technology – Photolithography Process Development Engineer
Elizabeth Gutiérrez Meza Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 Exciton Quantum Dynamics in pi-Conjugated Polymers Probed by Two-Dimensional Coherent Excitation Spectroscopy Coherent Corporation – Senior Technical Support Engineer
Félix Thouin Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 Spectral signatures of exciton-polarons in two-dimensional hybrid lead-halide perovskites AIRY3D – Scientifique d’imagerie
Pascal Grégoire Physics, Université de Montréal, 2018 Étude de semi-conducteurs par spectroscopie d’excitation cohérente multidimensionnelle AIRY3D – Scientifique d’imagerie
Manuel Ortiz Physics, Université de Montréal and CINVESTAV-Mérida, 2017 Optical and thermal characterization of multifunctional materials : semiconducting polymers and nanostructured carbon-based composites Corning Incorporated – Sr Technology Engineer
Elham Rezasoltani Physics, Université de Montréal, 2016 Excitonic behaviour in polymeric semiconductors : the effect of morphology and composition in heterostructures Imperial College London – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Francis Paquin Physics, Université de Montréal, 2015 Effet de la microstructure sur les propriétés excitoniques des polymères semi-conducteurs semi-cristallins Autolog – Spécialiste en recherche et développement
Françoise Provencher Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 Dynamique de séparation de charges à l’hétérojonction de semi-conducteurs organiques Science-Metrix Inc – Chercheuse post-doctorale
Jane Essex Physics, University of Cambridge, 2004 Photophysical processes in organic semiconductors and amyloid fibrils
Arne Morteani Physics, University of Cambridge, 2004 The electronics and photophysics of polymer heterojunctions Boston Consulting Group – Consultant
Clément Daniel Physics, University of Cambridge, 2003 Exciton transfer dynamics in supramolecular semiconductor nanostructures McKinsey&Company – Engagement Manager
Vlad Alexandru Dragomir Physics, Université de Montréal, 2019 Étude de la dynamique vibrationnelle de pérovskites 2D hybrides organiques-inorganiques par spectroscopie Raman Université de Montréal – Ph.D Condensed Matter and Material Physics
Simon Daneau Physics, Université de Montréal, 2019 Étude de la phase pseudogap de supraconducteurs Haut-Tc Nd-LSCO par analyse optique de l’anisotropie de la génération de seconde harmonique Université de Montréal – Ph.D Condensed Matter and Material Physics
Jimmy Leroux Physics, Université de Montréal, 2019 Étude de semiconducteurs par des techniques de spectroscopie quantique Institut de recherche d’Hydro Québec – Artificial Intelligence Intern
Aurélie Gautier-Houle Physics, Université de Montréal, 2016 Implantation d’une sonde d’absorption photo-induite dans une expérience de spectroscopie bidimensionnelle d’excitation sur le système polymérique modèle PCDBT:PCBM Collège André Grasset – Technicienne de laboratoire de physique
Laura-Isabelle Dion-Bertrand Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 Signature optique d’effet Stark dans une bicouche de CuPc:C60 Dermapiderme Laser Clinic – Formatrice : Théorie e sécurité laser
Carine Berteli Cardoso Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 Étude de dépendance des dynamiques de Polarons avec microstructures des semi-conducteurs polymériques Quebec Government Office in Sao Paulo – Assessora de Assuntos Economicos
Olivier Paré-Labrosse Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 Spectroscopie ultrarapide cohérente et non linéaire dans les semiconducteurs organiques Anyon Systems Inc. – Quantum Engineer
Mathieu Robert Physics, Université de Montréal, 2012 Vers la fabrication d’échantillons permettant la condensation Bose-Einstein de polaritons excitoniques dans des cristaux d’anthracène en microcavités ITF Technologies – Spécialiste de Produit multimodes
Tasadit Armane Engineering Physics, École Polytechnique de Montréal, 2012 Fabrication et caractérisation de cavités organiques à modes de galerie
Maria Dekermenjian Physics, Université de Montréal, 2011 Étude de films de nanotubes de carbone dans le domaine de fréquences térahertz : propriété antiréfléchissante CITAQ, Services Tutorat inc et Centre de soutien scolaire – Enseignante/tutrice en physique, chimie et mathématiques
Benoit Gosselin Physics, Université de Montréal, 2008 Anisotropie de la photoluminescence dans des nanostructures organiques chirales autoassemblées Collège Lionel-Groulx – Enseignant de physique
Simon Gélinas Physics, Université de Montréal, 2008 Étude par spectroscopie résolue en temps des mécanismes de séparation de charges dans des mélanges photovoltaïques Stone Ridge Asset Management – AI
Françoise Provencher Physics, Université de Montréal, 2008 Influence de la structure moléculaire sur la structure cristalline et électronique de molécules organiques conjuguées : une étude spectroscopique Local Logic – Responsable technique et gestionnaire, Pôle Données
Jean-François Glowe Physics, Université de Montréal, 2007 Dynamique des photoexcitations de nanostructures supramoléculaires d’oligothiophènes
Paul-Ludovic Karsenti Physics, Université de Montréal, 2007 Mise en place de l’expérience d’absorption transitoire femtoseconde et son application sur des dérivés du pérylène diimide Université de Sherbrooke – Professionnel de recherche
Benoit Boucher Physics, Université de Montréal, 2007 Recherche sur le rôle des interactions supramoléculaires dans des semi-conducteurs organiques CrossCountry Consulting – Senior Consultant

Accordion Content

Accordion Content

Technical Support

Image
Name
Designation
Short Description
Social Links
Samia Bala
Administration technician
Robert Rinfret
Electronics technician

Core Team

Andrea Bianchi

Associate Professor

Université de Montréal

Delphine Bouilly

Associate Professor
Canada Research Chair

Université de Montréal

Michel Côté

Full Professor

Université de Montréal

Stéphane Kéna-Cohen

Associate Professor
Canada Research Chair

Polytechnique Montréal

Mickaël Dollé

Full Professor
Institut Courtois Research Chair

Université de Montréal

Audrey Laventure

Assistant Professor
Canada Research Chair

Université de Montréal

Richard Martel

Full Professor
Canada Research Chair

Université de Montréal

Philippe St-Jean

Assistant Professor
Research Chair from The Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie

Université de Montréal

David Cooke

Full Professor
Department of Physics

McGill University

Saurabh Maiti

Associate Professor
Department of Physics

Concordia University

Pascale Caïdor

Associate Vice-Dean - EDI-RPP
Academic Lead for the Graduate Microprogram in Black, African and Caribbean Studies

Université de Montréal

External Collaborators

Jason Azoulay

Associate Professor
Georgia Research Alliance Vasser-Woolley Distinguished Investigator in Optoelectronics

Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and School of Materials Science.

Eric Bittner

Full Professor
Hugh Roy & Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor

University of Houston

Natalie Stingelin

Full Professor
Chair of the School of Materials Science and Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena

Associate Professor
Goizueta Early Career Faculty Chair

Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering

Diego Solis Ibarra

Assistant Professor

Institut of Materials Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Opportunities

We are continuously seeking candidates. Come join our exciting environment.

Carlos Silva Acuña and his team support equity, diversity and inclusion values in the research community and encourage any person to submit their resume; in particular racialized individuals, Black individuals, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, women and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

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