Team
CERC Leadership Team
Carlos Silva Acuña
ChairholderCarlos 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
Laura-Isabelle Dion-Bertrand
Principal coordinatorLaura-Isabelle brings a wealth of expertise to the table, with a foundation in condensed matter physics and over a decade of experience in optics and photonics. With a diverse background encompassing roles as an application scientist and Sales and Marketing Director, she has honed her skills in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets, and spearheading strategic initiatives. Laura-Isabelle’s profound grasp of materials science has led to numerous publications in collaboration with international researchers. Her rigor, dynamism, and knowledge of optics and spectroscopy are invaluable assets in supporting the excellence of Prof. Carlos Silva Acuña’s CERC.
M.S. Condensed matter phyiscs, Université de Montréal, 2014
B. S. Physics, Université de Montréal, 2012
Sabrina Benmakhlouf
Principal coordinator - maternity leave replacement (Sept. 2024 - Oct. 2025)With specialized training in public administration from the École nationale d’administration publique de Montréal, Sabrina Benmakhlouf stands out for her assertive operational leadership and collaborative management style. Recognized for her innovative strategic approach, she excels at overseeing large budgets and mobilizing interdisciplinary teams towards common goals. Her ability to harmonize collective efforts and steer strategic initiatives significantly strengthens the CERC’s missions. Passionate about developing synergies within teams, she is a pillar of excellence, contributing to the innovative research dynamic led by Professor Carlos Silva Acuña.
M.A.P. in Health and Social Services Management, École nationale d’administration publique, Montreal, 2024
B.A. in public administration, École nationale d’administration, Algeria, 2006
Mirjam Fines-Neuschild
Principal Coordinator for Equity, Diversity and InclusionMirjam 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 scientistFelix’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 ScientistHao’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 FellowResearch interests: highly correlated electronic systems, quantum materials, multidimensional spectroscopy, non-linear optics.
Mareny Guadalupe Fernandez Olaya
Postdoctoral FellowResearch interests: photothermal spectroscopy, non-linear optics, quantum spin liquids.
Vincent Lemelin
Research associateResearch interests: CVD graphene, 2D materials, low-energy electrons, electron microscopy and spectroscopy
Graduate Students
Undergraduates
Alumni
| Alejandro Vega-Flick | Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 |
| Sarah Marques | Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 |
| David A. Valverde Chávez | Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 |
| Andre Zeumault | Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 |
| Ilaria Bargigia | Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 |
| Ella Olejnik | Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 |
| Ajay Ram Srimath Kandada | Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 |
| Eleonora Vella | Université de Montréal, 2016 |
| Maciej Sakowisz | Université de Montréal, 2014 |
| Mathieu Perrin | Université de Montréal, 2010 |
| David Russel | Physics, University of Cambridge, 2002 |
| Sophia Hayes | Physics, University of Cambridge, 2002 |
| Victoria Quiróz-Cordero | Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 |
| Ravyn Malatesta | Physical Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 |
| Esteban Rojas Gatjens | Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 |
| Yulong Zheng | Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 |
| Elizabeth Gutiérrez Meza | Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2021 |
| Félix Thouin | Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019 |
| Pascal Grégoire | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2018 |
| Manuel Ortiz | Physics, Université de Montréal and CINVESTAV-Mérida, 2017 |
| Elsam Rezasoltani | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2016 |
| Francis Paquin | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2015 |
| Françoise Provencher | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 |
| Jane Essex | Physics, University of Cambridge, 2004 |
| Arne Morteani | Physics, University of Cambridge, 2004 |
| Clément Daniel | Physics, University of Cambridge, 2003 |
| Vlad Alexandra Drogamir | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2019 |
| Simon Daneau | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2019 |
| Jimmy Leroux | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2019 |
| Aurélie Gautier-Houle | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2016 |
| Laura-Isabelle Dion-Bertrand | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 |
| Carine Berteli Cardoso | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 |
| Olivier Paré-Labrosse | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2014 |
| Mathieu Robert | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2012 |
| Tasadit Armane | Engineering Physics, École Polytechnique de Montréal, 2012 |
| Maria Dekermenjian | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2011 |
| Benoit Gosselin | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2008 |
| Simon Gélinas | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2008 |
| Françoise Provencher | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2008 |
| Jean-François Glowe | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2007 |
| Paul-Ludovic Karsenti | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2007 |
| Benoit Boucher | Physics, Université de Montréal, 2007 |
Technical Support
Core Team
Andrea Bianchi
Associate ProfessorUniversité de Montréal
Delphine Bouilly
Associate ProfessorCanada Research Chair
Université de Montréal
Michel Côté
Full ProfessorUniversité de Montréal
Stéphane Kéna-Cohen
Associate ProfessorCanada Research Chair
Polytechnique Montréal
Mickaël Dollé
Full ProfessorInstitut Courtois Research Chair
Université de Montréal
Audrey Laventure
Assistant ProfessorCanada Research Chair
Université de Montréal
Richard Leonelli
Full ProfessorUniversité de Montréal
Richard Martel
Full ProfessorCanada Research Chair
Université de Montréal
Philippe St-Jean
Assistant ProfessorResearch Chair from The Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie
Université de Montréal
William Witczak-Krempa
Associate ProfessorCanada Research Chair
Institut Courtois Research Chair
Université de Montréal
External Collaborators
Jason Azoulay
Associate ProfessorGeorgia 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 ProfessorHugh Roy & Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor
University of Houston
Natalie Stingelin
Full ProfessorChair of the School of Materials Science and EngineeringGeorgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena
Associate ProfessorGoizueta Early Career Faculty Chair
Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering
Diego Solis Ibarra
Assistant ProfessorInstitut 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.
