People

Chiara Salemi is an Assistant Professor of Physics at UC Berkeley and a Faculty Scientist in the Physics Division at LBNL. Her research centers on the search for axion dark matter and developing associated technologies such as quantum sensors. She grew up in North Carolina and earned a B.S. in physics and mathematics at UNC-Chapel Hill. She completed her Ph.D. at MIT where she built the first lumped-element search for axions, ABRACADABRA, which set world-leading limits on low-mass axion dark matter. She then went to Stanford and SLAC National Lab as a Porat Postdoctoral Fellow, where she continued working on lumped-element axion searches as well as on reflector-based axion detection and the development of superconducting qubit-based sensors. Outside of physics, she likes climbing mountains, cooking for large numbers of people, and spending time with her husband and dog.

CV

Hi, I’m Emily! I’m a Chamberlain Fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, having completed my PhD at UCL in 2024 on background mitigation for the LUX ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter experiment and future rare event searches. My current research focuses on leading low-energy nuclear analysis for LZ and developing THz calibration systems for ultra-sensitive detectors (e.g. SQUATs) to be used in experiments (such as BREAD) in the axion dark matter group. I'm passionate about public outreach, and when I'm not at the lab, you can usually find me outdoors, hiking, and staying active.

Ryan received his PhD from UC Berkeley working on dark matter searches with xenon time projection chambers. Before then, he did undergrad at the University of New Mexico, working on R&D for neutrinoless double beta decay experiments. He is now a Chamberlain Postdoctoral Fellow at LBNL, working on qubit sensors as part of the Salemi Group.

Erin is a postdoc at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. She completed her PhD at UNC Chapel Hill where she developed novel analysis techniques for rejecting background events in the neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment LEGEND. Currently, she is leading the design and construction of CAL-Pathfinder, an experiment that will search for axion dark matter at masses below 1 μeV. She also works on developing machine learning-based denoising techniques for axion searches. When not in the lab, she enjoys reading, playing her bass guitar, and writing music.

Shreya Puranam is a PhD student in the physics department at UC Berkeley. Shreya works on low mass axion detection searches within the DMRadio program, specifically for CAL-Pathfinder and 50L. Shreya got their BA in Physics from UC Berkeley in 2024. In their free time, Shreya enjoys hiking and going on long walks around Berkeley!

Alain Fauquex is a PhD student in Physics at UC Berkeley working on Superconducting Quasiparticle-Amplifying Transmons (SQUATs). His research focuses on designing, simulating, and fabricating superconducting quantum devices, particularly on scaling the number of devices per chip using new types of quantum circuits, simulations, machine learning, and improved fabrication methods. He also develops hafnium-based Josephson junctions for SQUAT devices. Before moving to the US in 2025, he completed an apprenticeship in the R&D department of Pilatus Aircraft, where he worked on the PC-24 business jet. While earning his BSc in Physics at ETH Zürich, he worked as a cryogenic engineer in the Quantum Device Lab and as a research assistant in the University of Zurich’s dark matter group as well as the Paul Scherrer Institute's radioactive materials group. In his free time he likes to mountaineer, forage, and cook.

Penelope is a mechanical engineer specializing in superconducting magnet design, currently pursuing a PhD as part of the AS&T Program at the University of California, Berkeley. Her doctoral research focuses on the design of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets for axion dark matter search experiments. Prior to her PhD, she worked as an Electromechanical Engineer Fellow at CERN, where she led mechanical analysis during the production and testing of MQXF quadrupole magnets for the High-Luminosity LHC upgrade. She holds a Master's degree in Automotive Engineering from the Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia and a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino.

Abel is a graduate student in physics at UC Berkeley. His current research uses machine learning to optimize the design of SQUAT detectors. Outside of physics, he enjoys playing soccer and basketball.

Hi! My name is Holden Kowitt, I am currently working towards my bachelors in Physics at UC Berkeley. Starting in 2024 I began work in the Salemi Group developing a cryogenic frequency multiplexing system, with the goal of biasing dense arrays of superconducting qubits. My current work includes charge characterization and measurements of SQUATs (including in radioactive backgrounds), as well as Fabrication efforts of SQUATs at LBNL. My hope is to continue in a PhD program studying device qubits in Fall 2028. Outside of the lab, I spent my time coaching volleyball and going on scuba diving adventures across the world! I also enjoy anything outdoors including camping and backpacking, as well sailing and skiing.

Hi! My name is Brennan Coffey and I am a proud Californian who has found a home in the beautiful, diverse, and perfectly temperate East Bay throughout the completion of my bachelors degree in physics at UC Berkeley. Currently, I am continuing the work I began as an undergrad, developing a THz calibration system for ultra-sensitive qubit detectors as a post-bacc. I intend to pursue a PhD in the field of superconducting qubits in Fall 2027! Outside of the lab, I love listening to tastefully-volumed Aphex Twin records on my sound system, solving 3x3 Rubiks cubes, thought-free dancing, and going to The Roxie in San Francisco while pestering my friends to more fervidly appreciate the color rendering achieved by their carbon-arc projectors and 35mm prints.

I’m an undergraduate in my 4th year in Physics at UC Berkeley, preparing to study quantum information science, high energy theory, or particle physics in graduate school. I work on qubit and transmon simulations with a focus on using machine learning to optimize and automate simulation experiments. In my free time I play Pokemon GO professionally and tidepool.

Alex is a second year Physics major from Pacific Palisades, California. He joined the group in February 2026 to assist with SQUAT development and testing. Outside of class, he enjoys playing clarinet and saxophone, performing with the UC Berkeley Wind Ensemble, hiking, and cooking.

I am an undergraduate entering my 4th year studying applied math and physics at UC Berkeley. I am preparing to go to graduate school to study experimental particle physics and/or quantum information science. At the Salemi group, I work on the tunable capacitors for CAL-Pathfinder and DMRadio-50L. In my free time, I hike, play the piano and various games within the Civilization series.

Hello! My name is Dianoosh (pronounced “Dee-Ya-Noosh”; IPA: /diː.jɑːˈnuːʃ/), and I’m double-majoring in physics and applied mathematics. My research focuses primarily on SQUAT design, particularly the use of machine learning and automated methods. Outside of research, I enjoy exploring new cafés around campus, and I’m a huge fan of the Resident Evil series.

I am an undergraduate Physics Major and UC Berkeley, pursuing a minor in Mechanical Engineering. I am currently performing experimental and numerical analysis of High-Temperature Superconductors for use in the DM-Radio GUT Magnet. Beyond my work with the group I also enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and traveling.

Hey! My name is Eric and I’m a postbac student working on designing superconducting rectifiers for SQUAT multiplexing. I graduated with BAs in both physics and computer science from UC Berkeley, and have been working at the Molecular Foundry at LBNL, where the bulk of my work takes place. I’m broadly interested in the design and fabrication of superconducting qubit-based devices, something I hope to continue working on in a PhD program next year. Outside of the lab, I love teaching and working on personal projects, one of which is to compile the physics notes I took in my undergraduate studies into a single website.

Hello, my name is Gabriella, and I’m a post-bac student working on SQUID design and testing for DMRadio and Cal-Pathfinder. I graduated in physics from Cornell University, with research experience in wet-lab and instrumentation in biophysics. I am excited to explore this new area of physics, and contribute to the axion search! Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, climbing, swimming, and eating good food!