Biography

Kaiwan Bilal is a professionally equipped student studying the physical sciences and music. His studies particularly revolve around Engineering Physics and Materials Sciences, bringing a strong background of diversity development through various extracurricular organizations. He is particularly versed in community building, incorporating his interdisciplinary education into equitable sustainability projects. During his time at Sharing the Power Foundation, he helped administer their Clean Energy and Environmental Justice Fellowship each summer. Moreover, Kaiwan is experienced in digital communications and marketing, developing numerous publications for Volt Energy Utility and Sharing the Power Foundation.

Academic Status

Undergraduate Student - 1st

Research Area/Department

Chemistry; Computer Science; Engineering; Materials Science; Physics

Major/Specialty

Engineering Physics

Degrees Earned or in Progress

B.S.E/Engineering Physics /2028

Academic Preparation

College: Honors Physics 3 (Waves, Heat, and Light) Intro to Differential Equations Undergrad Research Discrete Math Elementary Programming Concepts High school: Quantum & Optics Lab Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics Multivariable Calculus Linear Algebra Intro to Organic Chemistry Design & Tech

Research/Publications

During the summer before my senior year of high school, I participated in Florida A&M University’s/Florida State University’s Young Scholars Program as a chemical researcher working to develop a novel method of UV-sensitive polyimide vitrimer ink synthesis via microfluidic chambers. I spearheaded all CAD operations and was actively involved in synthesizing the vitrimer ink through traditional chemical procedures and comparing those results to samples synthesized in the microfluidic chambers, increasing the vitrimer ink’s yield efficiency for applications as a self-healing additive to medical and aeronautical materials. Reference: Dr. Tariq Dickens During my senior year of high school at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, I conducted research in TJHSST’s Quantum and Optics Lab focused on synthesizing and characterizing superconducting Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide as a low-cost and high-critical temperature superconducting material for applications in quantum computer engineering and energy conversion systems. I led all chemical operations, involving citrate synthesis, ammonification, pyrolysis, and calcination. Contact: Mark Hannum During this year (my freshman year) in college, I am working on developing and interfacing hybridized classical/quantum multiscale lambda-dynamics simulations, working in an active GitHub/Gollum repository to optimize current methods of metallorganic synthesis. Reference: Paige Bowling and Claire Thomas

Research/Academic Interests

I am relatively flexible in my research areas with heightened experience/interest in Materials Science, Chemistry, and Physics. I am especially interested in research involving quantum computing, particle/plasma physics, nuclear physics, sustainable energy research, and materials engineering.

Computational and Data Science Areas

Applied Computer Science; Applied Mathematics; Chemical Engineering; Computer Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Fluid and Plasma Physics; Materials Engineering; Particle and High-Energy Physics

Motivation

The fields of physics and chemistry have always resonated with me, causing my life to naturally assume a gearing for Engineering Physics, Chemistry, and Nanomaterials. Through my studies, I hope to help address systemic divides centered around sustainable accessibility. Fundamentally, SHI equips students with first-hand exposure to various working systems. The ability to see modern labs and professional institutions frames a student’s vision of how engineers tackle civil issues. This applicatory facet supplements guided in-house laboratory experience, streamlining students’ ideas into practical civil designs. Students like me would become uniquely aware of the inner workings of community development; we would be able to develop and communicate critical solutions to prolonged issues in modern America. Moreover, SRP's consolidated student size produces a particularly intimate learning atmosphere, enabling deeper conversations with experienced researchers. Ambitious students could further assist in developing novel solutions to presently arising concerns, pioneering steps toward the advancement of an accessible future for all. Through such mentorships, SRP's faculty can afford an in-depth interest in each student’s endeavors, providing students with a seasoned perspective on the prevalence of potentially overlooked nuances in modern research. Sustainable Horizons Institute also sustains a culture of innovation, offering various opportunities for students to actively engage themselves in the dynamic worlds around them. This SRP program generates a uniquely dual-sided drive between faculty and students, keeping themselves aware of systemic issues within their communities while leading scientific developments on the national level. SHI's tangible focus on advancement and progress pushes me to pursue an education that not only involves my engagement with SHI's labs, research opportunities, and faculty, but one that concurrently engages me in surrounding civil dynamics.

Lightning Talk Title

Modern Physics: Real-world Applications and Computational Models

Keywords (Maximum 20 words)

Quantum mechanics; Plasmas; Nuclear; Particle physics; Electromagnetism; Energy; Materials; Superconductor; Semiconductors; Photovoltaic cells; Optoelectronic nanostructures; Quantum modeling; Variational Quantum Eigensolvers