About
Yumi Ijiri is the Francis D. Federighi Professor of Natural Sciences and Professor of Physics at Oberlin College, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. She holds a BA from Princeton University (1991), and MS (1994) and PhD (1996) from Cornell University. Her research focuses on synthesizing and understanding novel magnetic materials, including nanoparticles, nanocrystalline alloys, and exchange-biased systems. Techniques include polarized small-angle neutron scattering and collaborations with institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Key research areas include nanomagnetism, magnetostrictive materials, and biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles. She has led NSF-funded projects on nanoparticle magnetic interactions and has been a principal investigator on grants totaling over two decades. Notable collaborations include work with Sara Majetich (nanoparticle properties), Scott McCall (Fe-Ga alloys), and Maciej Zborowski (biomedical applications).
- Current Projects: Magnetostrictive materials for sensors, ferrite nanoparticle assemblies
- Grants: NSF RUI (2016–present), NASA (2004–2005), ACS-PRF (multiple periods)
Teaching includes courses like Materials Physics (PHYS 340), Mechanics and Relativity (PHYS 110), and co-developed curricula such as the FYSP 143 seminar. She advises graduate and undergraduate researchers, including notable advisees Alex Yu ’23, Emily Everhart ’22, and Aidan Khelil ’22.
Awards include NRC/NIST Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (1996–1998) and ACS-PRF summer fellowships. Her work bridges fundamental physics with applied technologies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.
