Brian S.Y. Kim

Brian S.Y. Kim serves as Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Physics at the University of Arizona, holding a joint appointment since January 2024. Previously, he conducted postdoctoral research at Columbia University (2018-2023) in Mechanical Engineering and Physics. His laboratory focuses on atomic-scale engineering of quantum materials for next-generation electronic and photonic technologies.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (2018)
• MS in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (2013)
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Northwestern University (2011)

Professor Kim's research spans 2D quantum materials and heterostructures, experimental condensed matter physics, and advanced nanofabrication. His group employs robotic nano-manufacturing systems, reconfigurable device architectures, and nano-optical imaging to investigate emergent phenomena in van der Waals materials. Key methodologies include plasmonic cavity engineering, moiré superlattice fabrication, and atomic-scale device characterization.

His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to quantum materials science, with recent emphasis on plasmon-exciton interactions in layered antiferromagnets, novel FET architectures using 2D transition metal dichalcogenides, and thermal transport phenomena in nanostructured materials. The work bridges fundamental condensed matter physics with practical device applications.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2024) from AKPA/KPS
• APL Photonics Early Career Editorial Advisory Board membership (2025-26)

Research funding includes the Vertically Integrated Projects Catalyst Seed Fund Award (2024) for "twisting two-dimensional atomic sheets." The Kim Lab actively mentors undergraduate researchers like David Tashchyan and collaborates with institutions including Kyung Hee University and Sungkyunkwan University. Current projects focus on developing programmable hyperbolic polaritons and Fermi-level engineered 2D electrodes.

The Brian SY Kim Lab operates within UArizona's Materials Science and Engineering department, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for nanofabrication and quantum device characterization. Ongoing initiatives explore cavity-altered superconductivity and magnetically confined excitons, with potential applications in quantum computing and ultra-sensitive photodetection.