People Spotlights

Undergraduate Student, Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Abraham Belayneh

Hey! I am a rising third-year undergraduate student majoring in computer science. I have a strong interest in cloud infrastructure and server-side development. For the past two summers, I have been working with NVIDIA on their GPU technology, leading the development of cloud software to improve resource utilization for engineers within a wide span of engineering teams. As for areas of interest outside of academia, I take great pleasure in photography, creating illusive one-shots for my business and bringing visions to fruition. Additionally, I am a part of an undergraduate band known as ÆTHER where I play the bass guitar.

Teaching Professor, Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Michael Vanier (PhD '01)

Before joining Caltech as an instructor in 2001, I was a graduate student in Computation and Neural Systems (CNS). I'm a self-taught programmer, which has been an advantage for me because programming still feels more like a hobby than a job. My interests include functional programming languages (like OCaml and Haskell), proof assistants, and the implementation of programming languages. I love teaching Caltech students because they are so quick and interested in everything. I enjoy skydiving, music, board/video games, and learning Japanese. My wife, Denise, used to be a standup comedian, and now teaches political science at Pierce College. We bonded over our shared love of comedy. My advice to students is this: find what you love and do that. Students are rightfully worried about getting a good job after graduation, but it’s more important to leave Caltech having a clear idea of what your passion is.

Visiting Associate, Applied Physics and Materials Science

Doug Hofmann

I am a Senior Research Scientist and Technologist at NASA JPL, where I have worked since finishing my PhD in materials science and engineering at Caltech. I started at Caltech in 2004 as a graduate student after completing my BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering at UC San Diego. My research passion has always been metallurgy, with a focus on manufacturing. After my PhD, I briefly worked in industry before founding JPL’s Metallurgy Facility in 2010, a lab designed to study new materials and manufacturing technologies for extreme environment spacecraft. In 2012, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President Obama for my work in this area. I have been teaching continuously at Caltech since 2010, including graduate level Structure and Bonding in Solids and undergraduate level Mechanical Behavior of Materials Laboratory Course. My wife, Carrie, and I met as graduate students at Caltech and now we have four kids together.

Senior Research Scientist, Applied Physics and Materials Science

Taeyoon Jeon

Hi, I'm a Senior Research Scientist in the Applied Physics department. I have been with Caltech for 7 years, and I initially joined as a postdoctoral scholar. During my time here, I have focused on making a portable mid-infrared spectrometer and spectral imaging device. This research has led me to start a company. Additionally, I'm interested in nanofabrication and building a vacuum system from scratch. Currently, I'm working on building a next generational deposition system in Linde Hall. When I'm not pursuing these works, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Edwin H. & Florence G. Skinner Professor of Electrical & Systems Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis

Lan Yang

From fearlessly entering new fields of science to her passion for science fiction, Lan Yang (MS '00, PhD '05) loves exploring the unknown. Growing up in China, Yang was inspired by the life of Marie Curie, who's groundbreaking work altered medicine and our understanding of radioactivity. Along with her role at Washington University in St. Louis, Yang is also the chief technology officer (CTO) for a company she helped to found and the editor-in-chief of a science journal. Through these positions, Yang continues to pursue the unknown and grow the science community.

Stefan Maier

Stefan Maier (PhD '03) has established a strong track record in community building, from Imperial College London to his current role as the Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. His mentorship has had a global academic impact, with over 21 members of his various research groups now holding academic positions. As a researcher, Maier has also made significant contributions to the field of nanophotonics, most notably the use of light together with nanostructures to control and enhance light matter interactions in biosensing and optoelectronics.

All Spotlights