Lu Chen

Lu Chen is an upcoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), starting January 2026. She holds a PhD from the University of Michigan (2020) and a BS from Peking University (2014). Her research focuses on experimental condensed matter physics, particularly quantum materials under extreme conditions (ultra-low temperatures and high magnetic fields). She has conducted postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley and Université de Sherbrooke, specializing in thermal Hall effect measurements and material synthesis techniques like chemical vapor transport. Her lab employs electrical/thermal transport, torque magnetometry, and thermoelectric measurements to study unconventional superconductors, topological materials, and frustrated magnets.

Education:

• PhD in Physics, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, 2020
• Bachelor of Science in Physics, Peking University, 2014

Research interests emphasize quantum materials' collective excitations under extreme conditions. Her work combines material synthesis with advanced measurement techniques to uncover novel phenomena in topological insulators, Kitaev candidates, and magnetic systems. Key contributions include discovering phonon-driven thermal Hall effects in cuprates and Kitaev materials.

Scientific Awards:

• 2023: Martin and Beate Block Winter Award
• 2022: Prize Postdoctoral Fellowship (Institut Quantique)
• 2021: ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award
• 2019: Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship

Advising & Recruitment: Actively recruiting postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates for experimental condensed matter physics research. Lab facilities are affiliated with the Material Research Laboratory at UIUC.

Labs/Teams: Chen Lab at UIUC focuses on quantum materials under extreme conditions, collaborating with institutions worldwide. Current projects include developing novel measurement techniques for thermoelectric and magneto-thermal phenomena.