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Stuart Yi-Thomas

Ph.D. Candidate in Physics

University of Maryland, College Park

Biography

Hi, I’m Stuart. I am a Ph.D. candidate at UMD, College Park 🐢 working in the Condensed Matter Theory Center 💠. I am also a Graduate Research Fellow at the Joint Quantum Institute ⚛️.

Interests

  • Topological phases of matter
  • Time Crystals
  • Tensor network methods

Education

  • Ph.D. in Physics, ongoing

    University of Maryland, College Park

  • BS in Physics, 2021

    William & Mary

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, 2017

    Winter Park High School

Articles

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Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Graduate Research Assistant

Condensed Matter Theory Center, University of Maryland, College Park

Aug 2021 – Present College Park, MD Jay Deep Sau
  • Emergent phenomena in condensed matter systems.
 
 
 
 
 

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

William & Mary

May 2020 – May 2021 Williamsburg, VA Chris Monahan
  • Used computational and analytical techniques to study the gradient flow in lattice QCD systems.
 
 
 
 
 

Quantum Research Intern

Microsoft Station Q

May 2019 – Aug 2019 Santa Barbara, CA Roman Lutchyn
  • Created simulations of biased Josephson Junctions in order to study the effects of multiple Andreev reflection
  • Studied the effects of disorder on topological phase in a realistic simulated system
 
 
 
 
 

Research Assistant

William & Mary

May 2018 – May 2021 Williamsburg, VA Enrico Rossi
  • Theoretical analysis of Andreev reflection in metal–superconductor heterojunctions in quantum Hall systems
  • Calculation of non-equilibrium transport properties in Josephson junctions

News

Time Crystal Research Enters a New Phase

Bailey Bedford
May 1, 2025

JQI researchers identified a set of promising ingredients for making time crystals. With those ingredients in mind, they developed a new theoretical framework that they hope will put time crystals research on an equal footing with the study of traditional phases of matter.

Sonic & iconic: W&M team wins top honors at international data analytics competition for model on musical influence

Adrienne Berard
April 28, 2021

The American singer, songwriter, producer, visual artist and two-time Grammy winner Frank Ocean can now say that mathematics proves he’s the most influential artist of the 21st century.

Awards

Graduate Fellowship

Joint Quantum Institute Aug 2021

Phi Beta Kappa

William & Mary May 2021

The Don Edward Harrison Jr. Award for Excellence in Physics

William & Mary Physics Department Apr 2021
To be awarded to the senior with the highest demonstrated achievement in physics.

Outstanding Winner in the Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling

Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications Feb 2021 – Feb 2021
Five day international Mathematical Modeling Competition with over 16,000 participants
See certificate

E.G. Clark Memorial Scholarship

William & Mary Physics Department Apr 2020
An annual scholarship to a rising senior, with a concentration in physics, who has demonstrated an outstanding aptitude for the study of physics with two letters of recommnedation.

RISE Scholarship

DAAD Germany Feb 2018
Funding to perform research in Germany for a summer (did not accept)

1693/Stamps Scholarship

William & Mary/Stamps Organization Aug 2017
National merit scholarship providing full in-state tuition, room and board; $5000 research stipend