
N’Gom Research Group @ RPI
Principal Investigator

Professor Moussa N’Gom was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal. He came to the US after high school:
- -BS Physics/EECS University of Wisconsin — Milwaukee (1999).
- Optical Engineer, Corning Incorporated
- Ph.D. Applied Physics – University of Michigan — Ann Arbor (2009)
- Research Scientist: Institute for Defense Analyses in DC
- Senior Research Scientist Corning Incorporated
- Visiting associate research Scientist, Center for Ultrafast Optical Science — University of Michigan
- Assistant Professor of Physics, RPI (2018)
- Teaching Experience:
- Professor of Physics: Electrodynamics (Graduate Course), RPI, Spring 2020, 2022, 2023
- Professor of Physics: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, RPI, Fall 2020, 2021, 2022
- Professor of Physics: Fundamental of Optics (Undergraduate Course), RPI, Spring 2018, 2019
- Teaching Assistant: Ultrafast Optics (Graduate Course), University of MI, Winter 2008
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Pascal Bassène
- I was born and raised in Casamance, Senegal. I came to Dakar for High school.
- License/Master 1 University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (2010).
- Master 1&2 University Pierre and Marie Curie (UPMC/Paris/France)
- (Fundamental Physics & Materials Science and Nano-objects (SMNO)) (2013)
- Ph.D. Applied Physics – University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (2019)
- Visiting associate research Scientist, Institut des NanoSciences de Paris (INSP/UPMC) (2016-2019).
- Postdoc Associate Researcher, RPI (2020)

Graduate Students

Finn Buldt
I am a German-American Physics graduate student here at RPI. Born in Germany but completed high school as well as my bachelors in the US, which included a year studying in Japan. My research interests are in the domain of optics, more specifically nonlinear and quantum optics. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, hiking, and rock climbing.
Saad Bin Ali Reza
I am a graduate student at the department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering here at RPI. Born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh. I have completed my undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I am interested in researching in the fields of Optics and Photonics. Besides my academic interests, I also love music and astronomy.


Nazifa Rumman
I grew up in Bangladesh and came to the US after completing my undergraduate studies in Electrical Engineering. Before joining RPI as a PhD student, I got my Master’s degree in ECE from Baylor University, Texas. My research interests are primarily in the area of optoelectronics, light-matter interaction and their biomedical applications. Besides school, study, and research I like learning about different culture and language. I also love food and like to try new recipes which at times makes me loose hope for my inner chef.
Tianhong Wang
I am an international student from China. I speak Chinese and a little bit Japanese besides English. I enjoy watching anime and reading light novels in my leisure time


Joseph Daafour
I am a graduate student studying physics at RPI. I was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. I completed my undergraduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering. My research interest lies in the field of optics, more specifically light-matter interactions. I love music (playing the piano) and also soccer.
Viet Tran
I am a graduate student in the Physics Department from Hanoi, Vietnam. I first came to the United States as an undergraduate of Howard University. I am interested in optics, especially computational optics. As for hobbies, I like history and mythology. I also currently have more points than chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen in Fantasy Premier League.


Russell Berger
I am a Physics graduate student here at RPI. I completed my BS in Physics at Binghamton University and have continued to explore my passion for experimental optics. I am deeply interested in researching nonlinear and quantum light-matter interactions , and witnessing these interactions through optical setups I construct. My interests outside of research involve chess, exercise, cooking, video games, and getting involved in community service!
Undergraduate Student(s)

Kaitlin Jennings
I am an undergraduate student at RPI studying Physics and Mathematics. I am from upstate New York, and I have lived in a few parts of the state. My research interests include optics, particularly light-matter interactions, and hopefully using physics to help people. Outside of the lab I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and painting.
Alex Mavian
I am an undergraduate student studying Physics and Math at RPI. I am originally from downstate New York but moved to the Capital Region when I was in middle school. My research interests are primarily in the fields of optics/photonics, including nonlinear and quantum optics. As for hobbies, I enjoy playing chess, piano, and traveling.

Former Members
- Phillip Heitert (MS Physics, 2021)
- Sam Goodwin (B.S. Physics, 2019)
- Spencer Dimitroff (B.S. Physics, 2019)