MANASA ANTHIKAD
Manasa Anthikad is currently a PhD student at the ICB-CNRS laboratory in Dijon, France, working on electrically driven nanoscale plasmonic sources, with a focus on electromigrated tunnel junctions and their integration into resonant photonic structures.
She completed the NANO-PHOT Master’s program at the Université de Technologie de Troyes, where she first discovered the theoretical foundations of nanophotonics and light emission at the nanoscale. This exposure inspired her to specialize in the field, and when presented with an ideal opportunity to pursue a master’s internship at ICB allowed her to begin working experimentally on nanoscale photonic sources.
This work now forms the foundation of her PhD project where she is focusing on tunnelling devices, plasmonic resonators, and advanced nanofabrication for integrated optical platforms.
NOUR AMINE
Hello! I am Nour Amine a chemist with interest in nano-optics and nano-photonics. I completed my Master’s degree at UTT in 2025, an experience that shaped both my academic path and my personal growth. My time in Troyes, and especially within the UTT community, was truly special. I had the chance to learn from inspiring professors, collaborate with great colleagues, and enjoy an environment that encouraged curiosity, creativity, and exploration.
Although I was sad to leave such a welcoming place, my journey has now taken me to Lyon, where I am continuing my studies through a PhD. I carry with me everything I gained from UTT- the knowledge, the friendships, and the memories- and I am excited to build on that foundation in this next chapter.
CHAITANYA GHAISAS
Chaitanya Ghaisas is currently a PhD student at the INSP laboratory (Institut des Nanosciences de Paris) at Sorbonne University. His research focuses on the study of acoustic wave propagation in topological metamaterials, drawing on his expertise in Condensed Matter Physics and Wave Physics.
During the NANO-PHOT Master’s program at the Université de Technologie de Troyes, he specialized in the theoretical foundations of nanophotonics and nanoscale light emission, as his main interest was (and continues to be) pure optics. The program’s laboratory projects were especially valuable, providing him with extensive hands-on experience in optical and experimental techniques.
He then completed a six-month Master’s internship at the INSP lab, working on quantum dot fluorescence and acoustic-wave coupling. Exposure to experimental acoustics and picosecond acoustics techniques strengthened his practical skills and guided him toward his current PhD. He now studies complex wave phenomena in acoustic metamaterials with the goal of contributing to future cutting-edge technologies.
MARIO ALEJANDRO LOPEZ ALVARADO
Mario Lopez is currently a PhD student at ETH Zürich in the Quantum Device Lab, where his research focuses on superconducting quantum device fabrication.
At NANO-PHOT, he specialized in the design and fabrication of single-photon sources based on nonlinear processes. Thanks to this training and, the hands-on experience he gained in nanofabrication, light-matter interaction, and quantum optics, he excelled during his end-of-studies internship at Alice & Bob, one of France’s leading quantum computing companies. This experience enabled him to pursue a PhD focused on superconducting quantum devices.
Julien AUBOURG
I graduated in 2021 from the Université de Technologie de Troyes (UTT) with a double degree: an Engineering Degree in Materials Science and a Master’s in Optics and Nanotechnologies (NANO-PHOT program). This multidisciplinary training sparked my fascination with the nano world.
Through NANO-PHOT, I discovered my passion for electron microscopy and confirmed my goal: to explore and characterize nanomaterials with advanced microscopy techniques.
From November 2021 to December 2024, I completed a PhD in collaboration with JEOL Europe SAS and LEM3, developing a new detector for scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) in SEMs. This work bridged fundamental research with instrumentation innovation.
Since January 2025, I have been working as an Application Scientist at Bruker Nano GmbH in Berlin, specializing in energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). In this role, I provide expertise and training to research laboratories and industry, supporting the development and application of advanced electron microscopy and microanalysis techniques.
The NANO-PHOT program was pivotal in opening doors to professional opportunities in areas I am passionate about, allowing me to turn my fascination with the nanoscale into a dynamic and impactful career.
Xuan ZHOU
Xuan Zhou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
She obtained her B.S. in Materials Physics from Xi’an Jiaotong University (China). She joined NANO-PHOT during her graduate research with Prof. Renaud Bachelot in Optics and Nanotechnology at the Université de Technologie de Troyes.
After a postdoctoral experience in photoelectrochemistry with Prof. Joaquin Rodriguez-Lopez at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), she joined the group of Prof. Dana D. Dlott at UIUC for postdoctoral research in explosives and metal-organic framework under shock wave.
She joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy of UTSA in 2022. The focus of her research group is on nano-photonics at high pressures.
Divya NIKAM
My name is Divya Nikam. I hold a Master’s in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from Mumbai University(India). To broaden my expertise, I joined the NANO-PHOT Master’s program at Université de Technologie de Troyes (UTT) as a Master 2 student.This program provided me with international exposure, strong scientific training, and the opportunity to attend a scientific conference.The supportive environment, inspiring professors, and financial mobility grant made my journey even more enriching.
NANO-PHOT helped me gain the confidence and skills to take the next step in my career. After graduation from UTT, I joined ENS Lyon as a CIFRE PhD student in collaboration with ITEN (Lyon). My doctoral research focuses on innovative materials for sustainable energy solutions.
NANO-PHOT was truly a turning point that opened global opportunities for me.
Mathieu JUAN
Mathieu obtained his PhD in nano-optics and nanotechnology in France in 2008 at Université de Technologie de Troyes, then worked as a post-doctoral researcher in Spain (ICFO), Australia (Macquarie University), and Austria (IQOQI) on various topics such as optical trapping, quantum optics, and superconducting circuits. In 2020, he joined the Institut quantique at Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), where he now studies hybrid quantum systems with an emphasis on magneto-mechanical systems that couple mechanical and microwave components via magnetic interactions. Leveraging quantum circuits, his current work focuses on controlling and preparing quantum states in mechanical resonators for sensing and transduction applications. In early 2025, he co-founded a company, SilQ Connect, to develop quantum interconnects.