Aaron Sternbach

Aaron Sternbach is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, leading the Sternbach Lab. His work focuses on ultrafast near-field spectroscopy of quantum materials, leveraging techniques like nano-optical probes and broadband spectroscopy. He earned a B.A. in physics from Boston University, a Ph.D. from Columbia University (2020), and was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia until 2023. His research examines optically driven quantum systems, including phase transitions in vanadium dioxide and plasmonic effects in graphene.

Education:

• B.A. in Physics, Boston University
• Ph.D. in Physics, Columbia University (2020)

Research Interests: The Sternbach Lab investigates quantum materials using ultrafast, near-field, and broadband optical methods. Key areas include nano-optical probes for spatial resolution at the nanoscale, polariton dynamics in hybrid light-matter systems, and transient states in quantum matter. Techniques involve terahertz spectroscopy and nanoscale imaging.

Awards:

• Townes Fellowship (2019)
• Energy Frontiers Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023)

Advising & Grants: Advises Cort Zaniker (2025 undergraduate award winner). His work is supported by postdoctoral fellowships and lab initiatives at the University of Maryland. Collaborates with the Quantum Materials Center.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Sternbach Lab, part of the University of Maryland’s Quantum Materials Center. Focuses on nanoscale optical instrumentation and quantum material characterization.