Research group

Group members   |   Group activities   |   Former group members   |   Opportunities

Dr. rer. nat. Robert Streubel
Emerging Leader (J. Phys: Condensed Matter)  |  Emerging Investigator (Nanoscale)
Assistant Professor in Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
Office: JH 310C  |  Lab: JH 341
streubel@unl.edu  |  +1 402 472 6933

As an experimental condensed matter physicist, I have been fascinated with 3D nano magnetism for years. Before joining Lincoln, I worked in Germany and California at national laboratories, and enjoyed the great outdoors as backcountry hiker and rock climber (CV).



Omar Taha 📧 
Graduate research assistant (since 2023) |  David J. Sellmyer fellowship awardee (2023) |  EQUATE Graduate student fellowship awardee (2024-2025)
I was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. I enjoy swimming and pursuing intellectual pleasure in figuring out how things work.


Jing Guo 📧
Graduate research assistant (since 2024)
I am from Wuhan, China. Besides doing research, I like photography and playing badminton.


Ruthi Zielinski 📧 
Undergraduate research assistant (since 2020) |  FYRE awardee |  UCARE awardee |  NCESR Summer internship awardee (2022)
I am originally from Florida but grew up in Papillion, NE. In my free time, I enjoy doing anything artistic, going on walks, and watching movies.


Angelea Arnett 📧
Undergraduate research assistant (since 2023) |  McNair scholar
I grew up in a small-town, Sidney, NE. Outside of research and my coursework I enjoy to paint, sing, and garden.


Smoking brisket and corn - July 2023
Elaine, Robert, Bryce, Amir, and Nhat (from left) celebrate their summer research projects the Nebraskan way: smoked brisket and corn.


Archery - June 2023
Elaine, Bryce, Nhat, Robert, and Amir (from left) explore first-hand the difference between accuracy and precision.

At times frustrating, the trajectory of a flying arrow with angular momentum nicely demonstrates the complexity of classical mechanics.


Excursion to Cooper nuclear power plant - August 2022
Ruthi, Bryce, Robert, and six other fellows of NCESR's Summer Undergraduate Internship visit the Cooper nuclear power plant to experience first-hand the application of basic sciences in the energy sector.


Recreational trip to the zoo - July 2022
Being one with ourselves and nature requires to decelerate and calm down before taking the next step. Among all the attractions at the Omaha zoo, jellyfish did the best job.


Grilling unter den Linden - June 2022
Amir, Ruthi, Bryce, Robert, and Nhat (from left) enjoy steaks, sausages, and salad to conclude seven days of beamtime. Not to miss: spiking ball, volleyball, and pull-ups.

"Ja, Freund, hier unter den Linden
kannst du dein Herz erbaun" (Heine)



Cooking healthy food - May 2022
Robert, Nhat, Bryce, Archit, Ruthi, and Zaid (from left) celebrate their successful spring semester and the upcoming summer research projects.

Promoting a healthy mind and healthy body, we prepared freshly made sourdough egg noodles with kosher chicken and refreshing beverages.


Former Members



Wenyong Zhang
Postdoctoral research fellow (2021)
Synthesis of magnetic nanostructure with novel physical properties.


Narmada Wickramasinghe 📧
Graduate research assistant (2023-2024) |  David J. Sellmyer fellowship awardee (2023)


Mohammad Zaid Zaz
Graduate research assistant (2022)
Magnetic properties of spin-crossover molecules.


Archit Dhingra  
Graduate research assistant (2022)
Ferromagnetic resonances in low-damping materials.
Postdoc: Institute of Materials Science of the University of Valencia.


Suvechhya Lamichhane
Graduate research assistant (2021)
Numerical modeling of ferromagnetic resonances in exchange-coupled materials.


Bibek Tiwari
Graduate research assistant (2021)
Temperature effects in dipole-coupled materials using Monte Carlo simulations.


Bryce Herrington 
Undergraduate research assistant (2021-2024) |  UCARE awardee |  NCESR Summer internship awardee (2022, 2023) |  Undergraduate Merit Awardee for Academic Performance (2022, 2023)
Correlation between magnetization reversal and electronic transport in perpendicular magnetized films & Electronic transport properties of Fe(qsal)2(TCNQ)2 molecules
Ph.D. student: Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


Nhat Nguyen 
Undergraduate research assistant (2022-2023)
Magnetic order in disordered dipolar nanostructures.
Ph.D. student: Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics at Texas A&M University.


Amir Tarkian
Undergraduate research assistant (2022-2024) |  UCARE awardee | NCMN STEM summer internship awardee (2022)
Disorder effects in dipole-coupled materials using Monte Carlo simulations.


Xavier Sorto
High school intern (2024) |  NCMN STEM summer internship awardee

Elaine Yu
High school intern (2023) |  NCMN STEM summer internship awardee


Ilysa Blake
High school intern (2021) |  NCMN STEM summer internship awardee


Undergraduate and graduate students

As we establish our group, set up our lab, and expand our scientific collaborations at UNL, we seek graduate students and excellent undergraduates to help us achieve these goals. Successful applicants should be interested in non-collinear 3D nano magnetism, specifically in synthesis, nano fabrication, data analysis, numerical modeling, and advanced characterization with electrons and x-rays. Prior knowledge and experience are welcome but not required.

If you are interested in joining our group, please get in touch.

Research and presentation opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students: Ruthi and Nhat take charge of Lorentz microscopy at the National Center for Electron Microscopy (Berkeley, CA) and coherent x-ray scattering at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (Upton, NY); Amir and Bryce present their work at the Nebraska Research and Innovation Conference.

Who you are

You are enthusiastic, curious, and open-minded.

You are excited to work in an inclusive and collaborative environment with colleagues that support you on topics that challenge you.

You strive to become an independent, knowledgable individual in condensed matter physics with a broad interest in synthesis, nano fabrication, computing, and characterization at UNL and national laboratories.

Who we are

We foster an inclusive, diverse, and rewarding culture and value creativity and curiosity. We cherish a safe and challenging environment where mistakes are seen as part of experience. We seek feedback of each member on decision-making processes regarding science, policies, and group expansions.

Our Lab is part of the department of Physics and Astronomy's Condensed Matter & Materials Physics group and works in conjunction with the Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience.

Robert as a mentor

There is no right or wrong reason for pursuing a doctoral degree, nor is the path set in stone once you enroll as a graduate student. I would advise you to see it as a journey to explore their interests, develop strengths and identify weaknesses. Independent of the career path you may eventually choose, a doctoral research project is an amazing endeavor that will help you to become an independent, knowledgeable individual who accomplished their goals through collaborative team efforts, work planning and execution, and perseverance. These personality traits are invaluable to any career in academia, industry or consulting.

I will help you identify your strengths, fulfill your potential, and succeed in your ambitions through technical empowerment, scientific and professional advice, encouragement and guidance.