Principal Investigator
Dr. Yamuna Phal, PhD
Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Yamuna Phal is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Before pursuing her doctoral studies, she gained industry experience as an analog research engineer at Finisar (now part of II-VI Inc.) and the Swedish Institute of Space Physics. Dr. Phal also holds a B.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT-R) and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she was awarded the prestigious Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Fellowship. Dr. Phal’s groundbreaking work has garnered recognition through various scientific awards and publications, including a patent for VCD imaging. Her research has been prominently featured on the covers of Analytical Chemistry and The Journal of Physical Chemistry C.
In addition to her research achievements, Dr. Phal is passionate about teaching. She has been honored with several teaching awards, including the Harold Olsen Award for undergraduate teaching and the E. A. Reid Fellowship for excellence in engineering education. Her contributions have also earned her prestigious accolades such as the President of India Award, recognition as a MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Rising Star, and the Cadence Women in Technology Scholarship.
Education
Graduate Students
Michael Le
PhD StudentDepartment of Electrical Engineering
Michael Le is a first year PhD student from Illinois with a focus on optical design. He received his B.S. in Engineering Physics from The Colorado School of Mines in 2019. Prior to starting his graduate program, he worked in several Aerospace startups focusing on novel systems design and alternative energy storage. Outside of school, he enjoys fly fishing, hanging out with his dog, and working on projects in his basement.
Anton Utiushev
PhD StudentDepartment of Electrical Engineering
Anton Utiushev is a first-year Ph.D. student at the Colorado School of Mines, specializing in modeling optical nano- and microstructures. He began his academic journey in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Prior to joining Mines, his research focused on investigating collective lattice resonances in periodic structures and analyzing the magnetic response of individual spherical nanoantennas. Currently, his research interests are centered on optical modeling, where he aims to make significant contributions to advancing the field. Outside the lab, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and has a deep passion for astronomy and photography.
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Viviana Arrunategui Norvick
PhD StudentDepartment of Electrical Engineering
Viviana is a PhD student at the Colorado School of Mines. She is a recipient of the Clare Boothe Luce Fellowship and the Gates Millennium Scholarship. She earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Brown University and her M.S. in Electrical Engineering with a focus in photonics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research at UCSB focused on high-speed optical communication systems for data center applications. Outside the lab, Viviana enjoys reading and hiking with her dog.
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Owen Myers
Master's StudentDepartment of Electrical Engineering
Owen Myers is a first-year master's student at the Colorado School of Mines, concurrently completing his undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics. He previously worked in undergraduate research under Dr. Phal, focusing on calculating an imaging system's modulation transfer function. His research interests lie in advancing imaging technologies and applying his skills to innovative physics and electrical engineering projects. Outside the lab, Owen enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time outdoors with friends.
Undergraduate Students
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Roya Akrami
Undergraduate StudentDepartment of Electrical Engineering
Roya Akrami is a sophomore majoring in Electrical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Her research efforts have been recognized and supported by the FIRST and SURF scholar awards, and she achieved 3rd place at the Spring 2024 Mines Undergraduate Research Symposium. This March, Roya will represent Mines as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador for the Council on Undergraduate Research at Capitol Hill. Beyond her studies, she enjoys crocheting and cooking and is always excited to share her latest creations.
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Brynn Aarestad
Undergraduate StudentDepartment of Engineering Physics
Brynn Aarestad is a first-year mines student planning to major in engineering physics. He joined Dr. Phal’s lab at the end of 2024 with a design-focused background with a professional certification in SolidWorks and hopes to gain more experience with the application of physical and electrical theory to experimental analysis. Outside of the lab, Brynn enjoys art, reading, astronomy and late nights playing board games with friends.