Graduate Student Research in Progress

Wonder what UC Berkeley Graduate Students are working on right now?

Each year graduate students compete in the UC Grad Slam competition. Watch five of the UC Berkeley semi finalists break down their complex research in three minutes or less!

Research in Progress

Jaquesta Adams speaking with a play icon, her name and program of study displayed over the photo

How Nanosensors ‘Listen In’ On the Brain’s Chemical Conversations

Jaquesta Adams is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry working on the development of near-infrared fluorescent nanosensors. Her research aims to improve understanding of and therapeutic outcomes for neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Watch Jaquesta Adams, PhD, Chemistry

Zhe Fu speaking with a play icon, her name and program of study displayed over the photo

Stop-and-go No More: How a Few Smart Cars Can Fix Traffic Jams

Zhe Fu is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in Engineering developing sustainable solutions for mixed-autonomy traffic. Her work blends physics models, control theory, and machine learning to reduce congestion, cut emissions, and improve traffic energy1 efficiency.

Watch Zhe Fu, PhD, Engineering

Sekou Jabateh speaking with a play icon, his name and program of study displayed over the photo

Building Cooperation Across Ethnic Groups with Interpersonal Monetary Transfers

Sekou Jabateh is a Ph.D. student specializing in Comparative Politics. His research investigates intergroup cooperation in post-conflict settings and the role of political connections in entrepreneurship in developing countries.

Watch Sekou Jabateh, PhD, Comparative Politics

Hoyun Kim speaking with a play icon, her name and program of study displayed over the photo

Policy in Action: The case of access to Dual Enrollment Math through CCAP

Hoyun Kim is a Ph.D. candidate in Education with research interests in public higher education policy and systems, and their implications for equity, access, and agency for all students.

Watch Hoyun Kim, PhD, Education

Wayne Zhao speaking with a play icon, his name and program of study displayed over the photo

Seeing the unseen: Next-Gen Infrared Detection

Wayne Zhao is a third-year Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering. His research focuses on developing novel infrared light detecting materials using high throughput computation to enhance aviation and firefighter safety.

Watch Wayne Zhao, PhD, Materials Science and Engineering