People

After receiving her B.Sc. Physics (Honors) and M.Sc. Physics from the University of Delhi (India), Jasneet did her Ph.D. in experimental physics from the Eternal University (India) to study the diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics applications. During her Ph.D., she was a visiting research scholar at the National Physics Laboratory and at the University of Delhi in India. After graduation in 2014, she was selected as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Naples (Italy) to work on two-dimensional materials, such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides: synthesis, functionalization, and characterization. In Italy, she worked for 3 years on interdisciplinary projects and collaborated with the teams of physicists, chemists, biotechnologists, and medical doctors to study biological interactions of 2D materials with human cells and bacteria, which led to investigating intriguing antimicrobial action of 2D materials. In 2018, Jasneet moved to Toronto, Canada and worked at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) as a Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Researcher. She explored the potential of 2D hexagonal boron nitrides for energy conversion and storage devices, collaborated with DLR institute (Germany) and various Canadian researchers at the University of Toronto, INRS, Quebec and University of Montreal. In Toronto, she also collaborated with industrial partners to design and synthesize novel antimicrobial materials and applied to food packaging and antimicrobial coatings.

She started her independent research career at the Brock University in July 2021 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and cross-appointed in the Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering. Her current research interests include the synthesis and surface engineering of 2D materials, studying physical and chemical properties of 2D materials, utilizing these materials to create multifunctional composites for clean energy storage and conversion technologies and environmental remediation applications.

Biography

Pritish has completed M.Sc in Physics from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Trivandrum, India in 2022. He joined the Kaur group in September 2023 to pursue PhD in Physics. Pritish is currently working on developing novel electrocatalysts for green hydrogen production by water electrolysis and fabricating energy conversion and storage devices. He is eager to learn and explore new techniques for synthesis of 2D materials and advanced characterization to study chemical functionalization. He enjoys cooking, watching movies, and reading books in his free time.

Biography

Gurmeet completed his M.Sc. in Physics from Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India, in 2023. He joined the Kaur Group in January 2025 to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics. His research focuses on developing self-powered sensors for joint motion monitoring using energy harvesting techniques. He is keen on exploring the synthesis and fabrication of 2D materials and MXenes. In his leisure time, he enjoys simulating airplanes, watching movies, and learning about geopolitics.

Biography

Hansima completed B.Sc. in Physics from University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 2019. She joined the Kaur group to pursue M.Sc. in Physics in January 2023. Her research focuses on synthesis and characterization of titanium carbide MXenes and fabrication of solid-state electrolytes using novel MXenes and polymer composites. Hansima also helps in managing lab inventory and keeping lab instruments in order. In leisure time, she enjoys singing, drawing, and cooking.

Biography

Teresa has completed bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering at McMaster University. Now she is in the MSMP Graduate Program and working on a research project with Dr. Kaur’s group. She is studying 2D materials’ topography and electrical properties by Atomic Force Microscopy.

Biography

My name is Kevin, and I have had a passion for science and energy development since childhood. In 6th grade, I won a Brock Chemistry Prize for a science fair project on how yeast affects the potential of a citrus solution. This passion continued through high school physics (grades 11-12) and led me to Brock University’s physics program with a co-op. During my co-op, I explored entrepreneurship, starting a woodworking business that designed custom crafts, though it is no longer active. Now, I conduct undergraduate research with Dr. Kaur’s Sustainable Nanoengineered Materials Lab, focusing on water splitting reactions and HER electrocatalysts to improve hydrogen production reactions. I also enjoy 3D printing, experimenting with material properties and structuring techniques. Outside of academics, I’m an avid cyclist, play hockey in the fall, and recently joined Brock University’s varsity track and field team for the 2024-2025 season.

Biography

Hiten started pursuing Honours Bachelors of Science in Physics (with co-op) from January 2020. He joined the Kaur group to work on PHYS 4F90/91 Research Project in May 2024. His research focuses on synthesis and characterization of PEMs and fabrication using hBN and polymer composites. In leisure time, he enjoys listening to music, drawing art, and learning new skills.

Biography

Matthew began his Honours Bachelor of Science in Physics in September 2019. In May 2023, he joined the Kaur group to work on a research project focused on the production of two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride for anion exchange membranes.