Scott Cushing

Scott Cushing is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), leading the Cushing Lab. His research focuses on developing ultrafast spectroscopic techniques to study materials and physical chemistry questions, particularly involving ultrafast X-rays, entangled photons, and femto-nano resolved electron wavepackets. The lab's instruments investigate how external perturbations like light, heat, and pressure transform molecular and material systems for applications in energy conversion, storage, and quantum technologies.

Education:

• B.S., West Virginia University, 2011
• Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2015
• Visiting Associate, Caltech, 2018

Research Interests: The Cushing Lab explores cutting-edge spectroscopic methods to probe material dynamics at ultrafast timescales. Key areas include:

• Ultrafast X-ray and electron spectroscopy
• Entangled photon-based sensing
• Energy transduction mechanisms in photocatalysts
• Nano-scale electronic and vibrational dynamics
• Quantum optics and correlated photon systems

Recent Work Trends: Publications emphasize ion-conduction mechanisms in solid electrolytes, polaron dynamics in transition metal oxides, and novel applications of entangled photons in spectroscopy. Collaborative efforts span energy storage, quantum technologies, and materials for photonic devices.

Grants & Advising: While specific grants are not listed, the lab's infrastructure suggests significant funding for ultrafast spectroscopy research. No advisees are explicitly named in the provided texts.

Labs/Teams: The Cushing Lab at Caltech's Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is central to his work, with collaborations involving institutions like West Virginia University and Caltech's own facilities.