Dr. Peng Wang
PhD, CMCG Advisor & Associate Professor
Dr. Peng Wang completed his Ph.D. study in 2013 at McMaster University under the supervision of Prof. Yurij Mozharivskyj. Subsequently, he joined Prof. Mercouri Kanatzidis’ group at Northwestern University as a postdoctoral scholar.
Taking advantage of his experience in compound semiconductors and crystal growth, in 2016, Dr. Wang secured a scientist position at Redlen Technologies, Inc.. Dr. Wang joined the Department of Chemistry at Queen’s University in 2018.
With both industrial R&D and academia experience, Dr. Wang’s achievements range from process improvement for crystal growth to the development of a functional materials. He has extensive experience in crystal growth, materials science and solid state chemistry and is now specializing in the inorganics and organometallics sector.
Current Members
Dr. Ramjee Kandel
PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Kandel joined the CMCG in 2018 with Dr. Wang appointed as a postdoctoral research associate on solid state chemistry. Current projects include the development of single crystal materials for radiation detection applications.
With an internationally diversified chemistry degree, Dr. Kandel obtained his master’s degree from Tohoku University, Japan under Prof. Masahiro Yamashita and his PhD from Queen’s University in green chemistry under Prof. Philip Jessop.
Dr. Kandel believes that having a good work life balance is important for productivity and that Dr. Wang’s lab is an enjoyable work setting that suits this.
Viktoriia Nahorna
MSc., Research Associate
Viktoriia is a research associate in the CMCG. She obtained her master’s degree from V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine.
In the lab and working with Dr. Wang, Viktoriia is able to expand her previous experience in the field of organic plastic scintillators with the growth of inorganic scintillators.
Viktoriia explains, “It allows me to expand my professional knowledge and skills in a very promising industry. Why do I like my field? Because crystals are awesome and interesting! As a chemistry, we are like wizards in the real world, we can make a wonderful crystal from a simple powder!”
Matthew Webster
MSc. Candidate
Matthew is a second year physics MSc. candidate in Dr. Wang’s lab. He mainly studies the electrical and physical properties of crystal growth in the lab as well as the performance of radiation detection devices.
Outside of the lab, you can find Matthew enjoying the outdoors, playing music, or working with the Queen’s Rocket Engineering Design Team.
Yu Wu
MSc. Candidate
Yu is a MSc. candidate in Dr. Wang’s lab. She completed her undergraduate studies in Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China.
In Dr. Wang’s lab, Yu is working on single crystal growth from solution synthesis which applies to radiation detection.
Yu enjoys the beautiful and quaint lifestyle of Kingston. During her spare time, she enjoys travelling and shopping.
David Kunar
MSc. Candidate
Raised in Ajax, Ontario, David joined the CMCG in September 2021 after obtaining his BSc in chemistry from the University of Toronto. Now pursing his master’s degree, David is working on the synthesis of CsPbBr3 from solution for use in radiation detectors.
Outside of lab work, David enjoys playing chess, live music, and reading about history.
Kathleen Ross
BSc.H Candidate
Kathleen is a third year undergraduate student at Queen’s University majoring in chemistry and minoring in health studies.
Kathleen joined the CMCG lab as a research assistant in May 2021 and will continue to work with the team throughout the upcoming year.
Outside of chemistry Kathleen prioritizes health & fitness and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Former Members
Aubry Williams
BASc.
Aubry completed his fourth year thesis project in 2021 with the CMCG as an undergraduate engineering chemistry student.
His work involved single crystal tin selenide thermoelectrics.
Ulrich Makand
MSc.
Ulrich completed his master’s degree with the CMCG in 2020.
His work in the CMCG involved the development of halide perovskite purification methods for room temperature semiconductor gamma-ray detection.
Grace Chen
Undergraduate
Grace worked with the CMCG in collaboration with the geology department for her fourth year thesis project in the 2019-20 school year.
Her work revolved around the semiconductor field for developments in purification methods on trace impurities.
Ryan Burley
Undergraduate
Ryan worked with the CMCG in 2019 while in his third year of undergrad in electrical physics engineering.
His work focused on the resistivity and photosensitivity apparatus used to test semiconductor crystals. This included fabricating components, assembling the electric circuits, and and automating the measurements using LabVIEW.
Susanna Zhang
BASc.
Susanna completed her fourth year thesis project in the 2018-19 school year with the CMCG as an undergraduate engineering chemistry student.
She worked on improving industrial research and development problem solving skills in the lab.
Sravan Pingali
BASc.
Sravan worked with the CMCG as an electrical engineering student in 2019-20.
His responsibility was to create and develop motion systems using microprocessors. These systems combined with furnaces ensure that a crystal sample gets the appropriate amount of heat and pressure to grow. They are also used to zone refine and purify crystals.