Ryan Comes

Dr. Ryan Comes is an Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Delaware since 2024, leading the FINCH Lab. Previously, he held the Thomas and Jean Walter Associate Professorship at Auburn University (2016–2024). He completed his B.S. in Physics and Electrical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon (2008) and a Ph.D. in Engineering Physics from the University of Virginia (2013). His postdoctoral work included a Linus Pauling Fellowship at Pacific Northwest National Lab (2013–2016).

Research interests focus on synthesizing 4d/5d complex oxides (e.g., SrNbO3, SrIrO3) via MBE, exploring emergent phenomena in thin films and heterostructures. Key areas include interfacial charge transfer, quantum materials, and energy applications. His lab uses advanced techniques like ARPES/XPS and machine learning for process optimization. Current work expands into chalcogenide materials.

Publications emphasize MBE-derived materials for quantum electronics, catalysis, and data-driven synthesis. Notable articles investigate SrIrO3 strain effects, 2D electron gases in heterostructures, and ML analysis of RHEED patterns. His work is supported by NSF, DOE, and Air Force grants.

• Awards: NSF CAREER (2021), AFOSR Young Investigator (2020), MRS Early Career Prize (2021)
• Grants: DOE-funded studies on quantum materials, NSF projects for ML-driven MBE control

Labs/Teams: Films, Interfaces, and Nanostructures of Oxides and Chalcogenides (FINCH) Lab at UD, collaborating with national labs (Brookhaven, Argonne) and international researchers. Current projects aim to bridge MBE synthesis precision with functional materials discovery.