For undergraduate students Guoxing Wang, Tully Jay, and Luc Bourgeade, that journey is happening in the lab of Dr. Xi Wang, thanks to support from the M.R. Metzger Family Foundation. With projects spanning radiation detection, nano-device development, and 2D magnetism, these students are gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge materials research — and growing under the guidance of a mentor deeply committed to their success.

Advancing Radiation Detection with Perovskites

Guoxing Wang, a sophomore physics major from Hunan, China, exploring the use of halide perovskites for high-energy photon and proton detection. “This research explores the potential of perovskite materials as direct conversion semiconductor detectors for high-energy photon and proton counting applications,” he explained.

Perovskite detectors offer advantages like rapid response times and enhanced radiation tolerance, with applications in medical imaging and industrial monitoring. “Compared to conventional silicon-based and scintillator-based detectors, perovskite detectors are expected to provide improved accuracy and sensitivity,” he said.

Guoxing was drawn to this project through his interest in material science and the potential for innovation. “While perovskite-based x-ray detectors have been extensively studied for low-energy applications below 100 keV2–5, their potential for high-energy photon and proton detection remains largely unexplored. This is a new area, which makes me excited,” he shared.

Under the mentorship of Professor Xi Wang and postdoctoral researcher Dr. Kaixuan, Guoxing meets weekly to review progress and gain hands-on training. “Dr. Kaixuan will guide me through experimental procedures and data interpretation,” he noted, “ensuring rigorous training in research methodologies and best practices.”

He sees this experience as a steppingstone toward a future in research, and shape his attitude toward research, remembering that “what’s important is to keep calm and think, there is always a way to solve [difficulties]. Work hard and keep optimistic.”

Exploring 2D Materials for Next-Gen Nano-Devices

Tully Jay, a third-year physics major, has already spent over a year conducting research in Professor Xi Wang’s lab. His current project focuses on studying 2D materials to identify candidates for nano-devices with tunable electro-optical properties. “We will be investigating the properties of 2D materials,” he explained. “The goal is to identify materials that can be used to make nano-devices with highly tunable electro-optical properties.”

Tully’s passion for research is rooted in applying physics to real-world innovation. “This project is an opportunity to investigate the most foundational aspect of new technologies, which is the materials we make them from,” he said.

He credits the department’s welcoming environment and Professor Wang’s mentorship for supporting his growth. “Professor Wang in particular has been an incredible mentor by guiding research, teaching me the things I don't understand, and advising me on how to be a successful scientist.”

Looking ahead, Tully plans to pursue graduate studies in applied physics. “I want to apply my knowledge of physics, and my skills as a researcher to pursue solutions to challenging problems in optics and electronics.”

Uncovering New Physics in 2D Magnetic Materials

Luc Bourgeade, originally from Beauvais, France, grew up immersed in French culture before moving to St. Charles, Missouri. Now a physics student at WashU, he is pursuing research at the intersection of magnetism and optics in 2D materials.

Luc is working with postdoctoral researcher Mingfeng Chen under the mentorship of Professor Xi Wang to explore the interactions between 2D semiconductors and antiferromagnets. “We are interested in their optical properties as well as the behavior of magnetic spins and how they can be modulated by moiré patterns,” he explained.

Drawn to the complexity and potential of magnetic systems, Luc is excited by the relatively unexplored nature of 2D magnets. “I like magnetic materials because they have a lot of variety in the dynamics of their spins,” he said. “I am excited for any type of characterization we can do.”

He describes the lab environment as both rigorous and supportive. “Dr. Wang is not only an incredible mentor in teaching me how research is conducted with excellence but is also extremely aware of her student's mental needs, fostering a healthy working environment,” he said. “I could not be more thankful.”

Looking ahead, Luc plans to attend graduate school to continue his work in quantum systems. “The beauty of the field is in the sheer number of tuning knobs that are possible and the rich physics that can be found,” he said. “I know that I'm currently building the skill set to carve out my own path.”

Foundations for the Future

Whether exploring perovskites, 2D semiconductors, or magnetic materials, Guoxing, Tully, and Luc are each contributing new energy and ideas to their respective fields. Supported by the M.R. Metzger Family Foundation, their stories reflect the power of mentorship, curiosity, and early research opportunities — and the impact of a lab environment that fosters both scientific excellence and personal growth.