Nitin Samarth

Nitin Samarth is the Verne M. Willaman Professor of Physics and Professor of Materials Science/Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University, part of the Eberly College of Science. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University (1986) and an M.S. from IIT Bombay (1980). His research focuses on condensed matter physics, quantum information, and spintronics, with expertise in synthesizing quantum materials like topological insulators and exploring their electronic and magnetic properties.

His honors include the David Adler Lectureship Award (APS, 2024), Fellowships from the AAAS and APS, and awards for teaching excellence. He leads NSF-funded projects on quantum materials, including the Center for Nanoscale Science and the 2D Crystal Consortium. His group studies phenomena such as quantum spin dynamics, superconductivity at interfaces, and topological spintronics.

Dr. Samarth has advised over 40 graduate students and postdocs, many of whom hold academic and industry positions globally. His research group emphasizes inclusivity and cutting-edge synthesis techniques like molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Current projects explore van der Waals heterostructures, quantum anomalous Hall insulators, and spin-charge interconversion in Dirac semimetals.