Current PACE Fellows!

Mica Bacani

I am a second year grad student conducting Experimental Condensed Matter research with Dr. Javier Sanchez-Yamagishi. I work with 2D materials on a nanoscopic scale (thinner than your hair), and create playgrounds in super cold temperatures and in the presence of magnetic fields for electrons to behave in crazy ways! In my free time, I like to play videogames (have yet to complete Tears of the Kingdom and have not started Starfield), watch anime (you can find me wearing subtle anime clothes, iykyk) and k-drama, and vibe to chill music. I joined PACE because mentorship has always been important to me, as I would not be where I am without the kind and supportive mentors I have had throughout my journey. Everyone's first year of graduate school is different, and that is totally okay! We are here to help. Feel free to reach out to me or any of the other PACE mentors with any questions you may have, as we are all happy to help!

Qualification Exam Preparation, Time Management, General TA advice

Izzie Catanzaro

I am a ChAMP student studying experimental condensed matter. I am an active UNITY and RQFT member.

Work-life Balance, Advisor Selection / Relationship, Fellowship Writing

Anthony Cho

Hi! I'm a 3rd year grad student with a focus on condensed matter/physical chemistry. I'm a member of Zuzanna Siwy's lab, researching the effect of salt precipitation in a variety of nanopores. In my personal time, I like to dance, watch TV/movies, go camping and travel to unique places. I am always mindful on how to prioritize my own wellbeing in all facets of my life. I strongly believe that mentorship can help students reflect on their situation, having personally had many great people mentor me.

Work-life Balance, Advisor Selection / Relationship, Stress Strategies, General TA advice

Victoria Knapp Perez

I'm a fifth-year PhD physics student interested in neutrino physics and dark matter. My research focuses on the use of modular symmetries to propose new models in high-energy physics. I like playing the guitar, reading, and hanging out with friends. I joined PACE because mentorship is an important skill to develop and because I enjoy helping people.

Work-life Balance, Time Management, General TA advice

Jay Krishnan

I do particle cosmology research with Kev. Love physics, teaching, playing pool, working out, video games with my brother, and chill evenings with my partner/family.

Work-life Balance, Time Management, General TA advice

Danny Levinstein

I love astronomy, tech, building things, and everything in between. You can usually find me on the pickleball courts after work, or join me for a quick run! Ask me about Shabbat dinner on Friday nights! I joined PACE this year because Jay asked me to :)

Jackson Monahan

Hello! I am 2nd year PhD student studying experimental plasma physics and fusion in the Bardoczi group. I'm from New Jersey and in my free time I like to play & watch soccer, snowboard, go to concerts, play guitar, and hang out with my friends. Settling into life as a grad student can be quite difficult and is different for everyone. I would not be where I am today without the support from my previous mentors, so I look forward to helping first year students adjust to grad life.

Pranav Premnath

I started my PhD in 2022 in the astrophysics concentration, working on mitigating the effects of stellar activity in detecting planet signatures. I love playing and watching tennis, soccer and cricket. I also enjoy rock climbing and playing softball with my fellow physicists. I joined PACE because its a great program that helps 1st year grad students adjust to grad life and gives them the tools to be succesful grad students, and I wanted to help keep it going.

Work-life Balance, Stress Strategies, Time Management, General TA advice

Claire Rogers

Claire started her PhD in 2023 with a concentration in astrophysics. Her research focuses on the effects of stellar properties on our ability to identify planets around other stars using radial velocities. Outside of classes and research, she can usually be found reading, painting, crocheting, or being distracted from any of those pursuits by her cat, Hero.

Jake Rudolph

Jake Rudolph

Hello! I started at UCI in 2023 and study applications of machine learning to theoretical particle physics. I joined PACE to pay forward the positive mentorship experiences that helped me through my first year and throughout my time in Irvine. Outside of physics I love to play sports, cook, and more importantly, eat.

Tyler B. Smith

Tyler is a 5th year PhD student in particle and astro theory. His research focuses on the significance of anomalies in physics beyond the standard model, which can serve as leading constraints on various theoretical models. In addition, he models the formation and merger rates of binary black holes, tracing their origins from galaxy formation and using the gravitational wave constraints inferred from LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA. In his free time he enjoys weightlifting and is a dedicated father who loves creating memories with his daughters whether at the beach, playing games, diving into anime, etc!

Work-life Balance, Advisor Selection / Relationship, Stress Strategies, Time Management, Fellowship Writing

Hana Schiff Toman

Hana is a condensed matter theorist working with Judit Romhányi at the intersection of magnetism, symmetries and topology. She grew up in Portland, OR but was born in Belgrade, Serbia where she received a bachelor’s degrees and her master’s in physics, though her first undergraduate degree is from Harvey Mudd College in physical biochemistry. Hana loves music and art — she plays piano, loves to doodle, and dabbles in photography. The PACE program helped her tremendously when she was a first year student, and loves getting to meet and work with new students each year as a mentor.

Advisor Selection / Relationship, Stress Strategies

Alex David Zarta

I am a second year graduate student working on plasma physics for fusion applications.