MEET THE TEAM
At Q:TEMP, we strongly believe in a diverse and interdisciplinary approach. Our team members and collaborators come from different cultures and have wide-ranging backgrounds in physics, chemistry, material science, electrical engineering, AI, and more. This creates an enriching and collaborative environment for problem-solving, peer learning, creativity, and fun!
Principal Investigator
Dr. Aaron Chit Siong Lau, DPhil (Oxford, 2017), is Senior Scientist II at IMRE, A*STAR Singapore, Investigator at the A*STAR Quantum Innovation Centre (Q.InC), and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). He has received awards such as the A*STAR Graduate Scholarship, Oxford Hetherington Prize, Career Development Award, MTC Young Individual Research Grant, and MTC Individual Research Grant.
He is fascinated with the physics of low-dimensional materials and pioneers novel nanofabrication techniques to study quantum transport. Passionate about scientific communication, Aaron serves as an A*STAR ambassador, engaging in initiatives like Scientist-In-Schools to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Email: aaron_lau@imre.a-star.edu.sg
Aaron Chit Siong Lau
Scientist
Dasari is an experimental scientist who works on 2D material based devices. He was awarded his doctorate from the University of Hyderabad, India (2018) in the field of nano-photonics, where he synthesized molecules to generate lasing. Later, he moved to Singapore for his first post-doctoral studies to work on molecular electronics at the Centre for Advanced 2D materials (CA2DM), National University of Singapore, where he worked on liquid metals as a top electrode for smooth contact for molecular junctions. Later, he was awarded by the Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS-2021) and moved to Japan to investigate the self-assembly process of organic molecules for lasing and device applications. In 2022, he joined IMRE, A* STAR, Singapore, where he is working on the fabrication of high-k oxides and their integration into 2D semiconductors for quantum applications.
In his free time, he is into cooking, playing cricket, watching movies, and jogging.
Email: dasari@imre.a-star.edu.sg
Dasari Venkatakrishnarao
Senior Research Engineer I
Prior to joining IMRE, Rainer was a process engineer at SERIS developing and fabricating P-type solar cells after graduation with a Bachelor from NTU’s School of Materials Science & Engineering. Moving forward, he will be contributing to the research in quantum materials through the development of fabrication process recipes for two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, topological insulators and conventional semiconductors among others.
Email: rainer_lee@imre.a-star.edu.sg
Rainer Lee
PhD Student
Tho earned his Master degree in Materials Science from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology in 2003. In 2024, he joined A*STAR and SUTD, Singapore, where he is investigating novel oxide semiconductor materials and 2D semiconductors for field effect transistors and quantum device applications.
He is passionate about experimental work and problem-solving to continually learn more about physics and chemistry. In his free time, he enjoys music and outdoor adventures.
Email: tho_luuvan@mymail.sutd.edu.sg
Tho Van Luu
MSc Student
Huanrui’s research journey began at the College of Chemistry at Jilin University(JLU) in China, where she delved into the study of supercapacitors and the effects of various electrolytes on porous carbon derived from lignocellulose. Her passion for materials science was solidified as she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Materials Chemistry. After graduating, Huanrui successfully applied to the National University of Singapore (NUS), where she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering.
Beyond her research, Huanrui enjoys badminton, music, and traveling, always seeking balance between her academic pursuits and personal passions.
Email: e1350485@u.nus.edu
Huanrui Yang
PhD Student
Teymour is an A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP) Scholar attached at IMRE from Queen Mary’s University of London. His PhD focuses on importance of surfaces and interfaces with respect to two dimensional materials. He worked on surface functionalisation toward biosensing, inert fabrication of field effect transistors, and thermal scanning probe lithography based cleaning of devices. He is passionate about experimental work, problem solving and continually learning more about physics. In his free time he enjoys reading sci-fi, outdoor adventures and playing video games.
Email: teymour96@outlook.com
Teymour Talha-Dean
Research Engineer
Yaoju joined the group in June 2023 after finishing his undergraduate studies in physics at Cornell University, where he worked with thin films of unconventional superconductors and other exotic quantum materials. In our group, he applies new nanofabrication techniques for 2D materials and devices ranging from transistors to quantum dots. He hopes the skills he acquires during his year-long research attachment here will be useful for his upcoming graduate studies.
He is expected to begin his PhD in condensed matter physics in the US in fall 2024.
Email: tarnyaoju@gmail.com
Yaoju Tarn
Visiting Postdoc
Yee Wen’s journey in the world of experimental science began at Monash University, where she received her Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering with first class honours in 2018. She was then awarded the Monash University International Merit Scholarship to pursue her PhD. Her research focused on the synthesis of low-dimensional catalysts for application in artificial photosynthesis, primarily the photoreduction of carbon dioxide into methane. After graduating in 2023, she embarked on a new chapter as a research fellow at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). There, she had the opportunity to work on an attachment at A*STAR IMRE, under the guidance of Aaron’s team. Her current work is centered on the exploration of 2D materials for device fabrication. Outside of her research pursuits, Yee Wen enjoys reading, traveling, watching movies, and gaming
Email: yeewen_teh@sutd.edu.sg
Yee Wen Teh
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are always looking for talented and motivated people to join our team.
Whether you are a high school student, undergraduate, post-graduate, or post-doctoral fellow, don’t hesitate to reach out with your cover letter, academic transcript, and CV to discuss potential short or long-term opportunities.