Assistant Professor of Physics Named Visiting Scholar at UC Santa Barbara

Assistant Professor of Physics Yichen Hu, Ph.D., has been named as a visiting scholar at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP), at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Hu is looking forward to starting his two-year appointment which begins in 2025, at one of the world's leading institutes for fundamental research in physics.  

“I feel both honored and excited for this opportunity,” said Hu. “As a KITP scholar, it gives scientists several opportunities to attend conferences, join workshops held at KITP, as well as freely communicate scientific ideas with physicists around the globe.”    

Through its scholar program, the Institute supports visiting researchers in physics who are faculty at teaching-intensive U.S. colleges. Each year, KITP selects several scholars from faculty at primarily undergraduate institutions who maintain active research in some area of theoretical physics.  These fellowships provide funding to visit KITP for a few weeks each year over a two-year period.  

“I am looking forward to learning about frontier developments in quantum science, discussing ideas with KITP members, and participating with physicists at various conferences,” shared Hu. “From there, I hope to gather more modern research ideas and topics for both my own research and potential research experiences for undergraduates [REUs] at Florida Atlantic.”  

Hu is currently researching theoretical condensed matter. He studies how material behaves under the rule of quantum science, and how they could potentially be used in quantum information processing.   

“On a larger scale, quantum science could potentially enable transformative technologies like quantum computing and allow scientists to manipulate and design extraordinary substances with unique properties, such as advanced semiconductors and superconductors, that could dramatically improve technological performance,” stated Hu.