Karen Kavanagh

Dr. Karen Kavanagh is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University (SFU), specializing in Electronic Materials Science, Semiconductor Interfaces, and Nanotechnology. Her research focuses on nanowire heterostructures, 2D materials, and advanced microscopy techniques such as helium ion microscopy and electron holography. She leads the Kavanagh Lab, located at TASC II Rm 7040, South Campus, Burnaby. Dr. Kavanagh holds a BSc from Queens University and MSc/PhD from Cornell University.

Her work bridges materials science and device engineering, with applications in sensors, photovoltaics, and biomedical technologies. Notable achievements include developing ultrasensitive cytokine sensors and pioneering wafer bonding techniques at low temperatures. Dr. Kavanagh is a Fellow of the Materials Research Society and actively mentors a diverse group of graduate students and postdocs.