Current PACE Leadership Team!
Jake Rudolph
Leader Bio: 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.
Mica Bacani
Leader Bio: Hello! My name is Mica. I started my PhD in 2022 and I am conducting research in experimental condensed matter physics. In particular, I study electronic transport in 2D materials. I mostly work with graphene, which is the material at the tip of your favorite number 2 pencil, but one atomic layer thick. I am interested in condensed matter since it studies the fundamental building blocks of everything around us. Mentorship has always been important to me, as I lacked mentors throughout a majority of my physics career. Having a PACE mentor during my first year of graduate school really helped me adjust and enjoy my first year. I really like the PACE program as it helps first years hear different perspectives from other graduate students in the department. In my free time, I like to watch/play basketball, play video games, listen to music, and watch anime and k-drama!
Jay Krishnan
Leader Bio: Hello! I started my PhD at UCI in 2023 and am working with Kev Abazajian on cosmology and particle theory. I'm part of the PACE Leadership Team and also involve myself with teaching programs for physics undergrads. I love working out, blind solving jigsaw puzzles, audio books, and video games!