Panelists
The following individuals will be featured on our panels. Learn about them here.
Xin Lu (she/her)
Valeriia Bilokon (she/her)
Elvira Bilokon (she/her)
Grad School 101
Grad School 101
Grad School 101
Dr. Xin Lu earned her bachelor’s degree in materials physics from Wuhan University in 2012, and her PhD in applied physics from Nanyang Technological University in 2017. Her research interest lies at the interface of quantum optics and material science in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals structure. Prior to joining Tulane in 2021, Xin was a postdoc fellow at the department of physics in Emory University, where she focused on single photon emitters in 2D layered materials.
Valeriia is a graduate student and a part of the research group of Prof. Shaokai Jian at Tulane. She is a Master of Science in Physics and a junior research associate at The National Science Center Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, Ukraine. She received the degree in 2023 at Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine) and Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland).
Elvira is a graduate student at Tulane earning her degree in Physics under the supervision of Prof. Denys Bondar. She got her Master’s degree simultaneously at Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine, and Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland. Currently, she is a junior research associate at The National Science Center Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, Ukraine.
Kim Wheeler (she/her)
Kay P Maye (he/him)
Courtney Kearney (she/her)
How to find Internships and Research Positions
Coding 101
Twists and Turns of a Career Path
As a Scholarly Engagement Librarian, Kim provides academic support to the faculty and students of Tulane with a primary focus on the following programs within the School of Science and Engineering: Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics & Engineering Physics, and River-Coastal Science and Engineering. She supports these departments by offering classroom instruction, workshops, and research consultations. She also creates subject-specific library guides and helps build and manage the library’s collections of scholarly resources in these subject areas.
Kim holds an M.S. in Information Sciences and an M.A. in English from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She has travelled the world and has spent many years living abroad, primarily in Mongolia and England. She has taught research and writing skills to college and high school students, administered innovative educational programs, and served as an academic editor. Kim loves supporting students in their scientific inquiries and helping them hone their skills in scholarly communication, as well as encouraging curiosity about the natural world.
Outside of the library, you might find Kim planning her next backpacking adventure or booking tickets to visit one of her three sons who are spread around the globe pursuing their own research.
Kay P Maye is a graduate of the University of Mississippi (BA English Education) and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (MS Information Sciences). Before becoming an academic librarian, Maye served as a high school English teacher and teacher recruiter.
As Director of Scholarly Engagement, Courtney (she/her) oversees a team of library workers who provide expertise and support in the discovery, use, and evaluation of information resources for Tulane’s uptown campus and the School of Social Work. Courtney also works with campus partners to support students and faculty with research data management.
Prior to joining Tulane in 2017, she received a MLIS, MS (Geology) and PhD (Geology) and worked as a Research Oceanographer at the NASA Stennis Space Center Naval Research Laboratory.
In her spare time she’s either gardening, trying to make something interesting with clay, or day dreaming about the desert.
Raquel Horlick (she/her)
Sawyer Liner (they/he)
Miranda Gallagher (she/her)
How to Fund Your Research
LGBTQ People in Physics
Where Can I Go From a Physics Degree?
Raquel is a coordinator for scholarly resources for the school of Sciences & Engineering at Tulane University.
Sawyer Liner is a senior undergraduate student at Tulane University majoring in Physics.
Dr. Gallagher is a Program Manager at American Physical Society (APS) and has experience working as a researcher at Rice University, Johns Hopkins University, and Hartwick College.
Suraya Shepherd (she/her)
Valencia Witherspoon (she/her)
DéJeune Antoine (she/her)
Striking a Work/Life Balance for Yourself
Where Can I Go From a Physics Degree?
Twists and Turns of a Career Path
Suraya was born and raised in London, England and moved with her family to Los Angeles, California in 2007. In 2013, she moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University and earned degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Education and Art History. While at Tulane, Suraya worked to create enrichment programs for youth empowerment organizations and planned career and wellness events for her peers. Suraya followed her passion for working with young students and taught Pre-Kindergarten in multiple New Orleans schools, helping students to achieve academic and personal goals, while discovering more about themselves and their peers. This is where she discovered her passion for student advocacy and creative problem solving.
As a Success Coach, Suraya works collaboratively with students to develop personalized plans to help them excel throughout their time at Tulane. As a Tulane graduate herself, Suraya understands the unique challenges Tulane students may face as they pursue their degrees and is eager to support them along that journey. Suraya strives to support students by determining where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there, all while living a balanced life and finding joy in the little things.
TBD
Elham Loni (she/hers)
Matt Barrios (he/him)
Nick Sparks (he/him)
Grad School 101
Resume and LinkedIn Workshop
Grad School 101
Elham is a research assistant and teaching assistant in the Physics and Engineering Physics department of Tulane University.
Her research activities include work on 2D-nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion like batteries, hydrogen generating by water splitting, and supercapacitors.
Dr Barrios is a Professor of Practice at Tulane University. Dr. Barrios’ research interests include Cryogenic Engineering.
Dr. Sparks is a Professor at Tulane University. Dr. Sparks’ research interests include EM theory. He regularly teaches electrodynamics, general physics, and Great Ideas in Science and Technology.