People

Prof. Jennifer Heath, PhD.
Professor of Physics, Reed College
Solid State Physics

My research focuses on electronic transport in materials such as photovoltaics, two-dimensional materials, and polymer-nanoparticle composites, using Scanning Probe Microscopy and other methods. I enjoy teaching a wide range of courses, including Oscillations and Waves, Junior Laboratory, and Energy and Sustainability. I also garden, hike, and occasionally foster cats and kittens.

Current Group Members

Zander Scholl '26

I love all things physics, but I'm especially interested in solid state and 2D materials. When I'm not in class or the lab, you can find me reading, playing the tenor sax, practicing calligraphy, or fencing.

Zeke Rein '27

In the lab, I'm currently helping exfoliate 2D materials. A few of my interests outside of physics are photography, film, and hiking.

Leland Russell ’27

Rubayat Jalal ’26
When I'm not solving physics problems, I like to stargaze, draw cute cartoons, and play video games.

Pratik Oli ‘26
Other than imaging samples in the lab for an eternity, I enjoy running, reading philosophy and using up Hagoromo chalks.

Natalie Rogers ’24
Outside of the lab, I enjoy climbing, reading, and cooking.

Leo Yang '26
I enjoy jogging and skiing in my free time. Besides doing research in physics, I love making and fixing things by hand.

Group Alumni

Daniel Collier ’26
In the lab, I am working in the 2D materials section, focusing on separating and stacking graphene layers. Outside of the lab, I love playing Ultimate Frisbee and piano, as well as reading and hiking!

Amelia Schaeffer ‘23
Amelia (she/her) was a Chemistry-Physics major who graduated from Reed in 2023. Her senior thesis involved using atomic force microscopy to study interfaces between gold nanoparticles and PEDOT:PSS in nanocomposites. Outside of the lab she enjoys baking, hiking, and rock climbing. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied & Engineering Physics at Cornell University.

Bhavana Panchumarthi ‘23
Bhavana earned her BA in physics from Reed in 2023, completing her thesis in the Heath lab. She received a Sperling studentship to pursue a 1-year master’s degree at King’s College, University of Cambridge.

Katha Rajan ‘23
Katha graduated with a Physics major in 2023. "I'm starting work as the physics/geology Lab Coordinator at the University of Washington Tacoma. Outside the lab, I love to read, sketch, gym, make jewelry, and hang out with my cat!"

Skye Mandigo-Stoba ‘26
Skye is a current Chemistry major who played a key role in helping set up the laboratory during 2022-2023, our first year. Outside of the lab, Skye enjoys quilting, spending time with chickens, and playing with her dog, Freyja

Collaborators

Current collaborators

At Reed College, we collaborate with Gonzalo Campillo -Alvarado and his students to understand microscopic properties of crystalline ‘sponges’. We also are helping Danielle Cass and her students characterize metallic nanoparticles.

Our work on composite thermoelectric materials is in collaboration with University of Portland faculty Paige Hall and Nelson Coates, and their students.

The 2D materials research is in collaboration with David Cobden and Paul Nguyen at University of Washington.

Former collaborators (partial list)

Photovoltaics: M. Al-Jassim and C.S. Jiang, National Renewable Energy Lab.; W. Shafarman, U. Delaware

2D materials and AFM: Tauno Palomaki, David Ginger, U. Washington

Prior to Reed College, I was at Linfield University, where I collaborated with many wonderful colleagues and students!