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, 2024
- Professor of Physics: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, RPI, Fall 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Professor of Physics: Fundamental of Optics (Undergraduate Course), RPI, Spring 2018, 2019
- Teaching Assistant: Ultrafast Optics (Graduate Course), University of MI, Winter 2008
Awards:
- Rensselaer Board of Trustees Faculty Achievement Award (2023)
- Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA) and Board of Trustees Teaching Award (2023)
- School of Science Outstanding Teaching Award (2023)
- School of Science Outstanding Research Award (2024)
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)
- bassep@rpi.edu
Graduate Students
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.
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.
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!
Punom Roy
I am a physics graduate student at RPI, originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh where I also earned my Bachelor’s degree in physics. Before starting my PhD at RPI, I completed my Master’s degree in physics from Eastern Michigan University. My research focuses on understanding how nanoparticles respond to light, unraveling their optical properties. In my free time, I enjoy listening to calm music, experimenting with cooking and nurturing indoor plants.
Kwakye Kendja
I am a graduate student in the Physics Department here at RPI. Before starting my Ph.D, I did my undergraduate studies in Physics from Colgate University. My research interests lie at the interface of theory and experiment in the physics of light, matter, and information. My passions outside of research are sports, language/linguistics, aviation and general outdoor activities (hiking, canoeing, etc.)
Antara Rani Chakraborty
I am a Physics graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I am pursuing my research interests in experimental optics and light-matter interactions. Originally from Bangladesh, I completed my undergraduate studies in physics before joining RPI. My current research focuses on 2D materials, where I investigate nonlinear optical properties, particularly second-harmonic generation (SHG), to better understand light-matter interactions in low-dimensional systems.
Maliha Tabassum
I am an international student at RPI pursuing a PhD in physics. I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I completed my BS and MS from University of Dhaka. Broadly, I am interested in condensed matter physics. My MS thesis project was based on a topological superconductor. Now, I am interested in diving deep into the interaction between metals/semiconductors and light. Moreover, novel approaches to material characterization are of interest to me. In my spare time, I love to watch movies, sleep and travel.
Undergraduate Students
Arthur Kardos
I am an undergraduate Physics and Electrical Engineering student at RPI, from Westchester, NY. My research in this group focuses primarily on the second harmonic generation of light in 2D materials. Outside of work, I like to play hockey and listen to music (my favorite band is Rush)!
Asterix Lombardo
I am an undergraduate physics and aerospace engineering student, born and raised in Connecticut. I am currently doing research with visual light and it’s potential uses for biological imaging. In my free time I enjoy crafting, puzzles, and dance.”
Former Members
- Tianhong Wang (PhD Physics, 2026)
- Viet Tran (PhD Physics, 2025)
- Nazifa Rumman (PhD Electrical Engineering, 2024)
- Finn Buldt (PhD Physics, 2023)
- Phillip Heitert (MS Physics, 2021)
- Yujie Sang (MS Physics, 2025)
- Cheng Peng (B.S. Physics, 2026)
- Claudio Giavalisco (B.S. Physics, 2026)
- Nate Laposky (B.S Physics, B.S Electrical Engineering, 2026)
- Jacob Merida (B.S. Physics, 2026)
- William Krause (B.S. Physics, 2026)
- Yue Zhu (B.S. Physics, 2025)
- Angelina Dobal (B.S. Physics, 2025)
- Alex Mavian (B.S. Physics, 2025)
- Chris Bleck (B.S. Physics, 2025)
- Sam Goodwin (B.S. Physics, 2019)
- Spencer Dimitroff (B.S. Physics, 2019)
- Ian Berry (B.S. Physics, 2023)
- Kaitlin Jennings (B.S. Physics, 2023)
N'Gomène 