Nikhil Thota is currently a first year Ph.D. candidate from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and is advised by Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez from the Chemistry department. For his thesis he is developing deep learning models to guide the design of novel perovskite materials for solar cells. Perovskite solar cells are a rapidly progressing research area fueled by the simplicity in the manufacturing process and the low cost of ingredients. His research aims to bridge perovskite material properties across multiple length and time scales using data science. These correlations will guide the design of optimal perovskite fabrication processes and device construction to yield perovskite solar cells that are durable and have high power conversion efficiency. He has previously worked in the same lab as a master’s student where he has elucidated the structure-function relationship of proteins using a molecular dynamics toolkit called Adaptive Steered Molecular Dynamics. He pursued undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India. His interest to pursue graduate studies was kindled after working as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Bhushan Toley’s lab where he built a mathematical model for a popular DNA amplification technique called Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification. As an undergraduate he has also spent countless hours building several prototypes for which he has received several national and regional awards. Notable prototypes include a multi-configurable drone for carrying variable payloads and a home biogas digester that utilizes kitchen waste to produce clean-burning methane.
He has a passion for communicating science that is lucid and inspiring. In his free time, he loves to read, participate in marathons, and go for long hikes.
