Si Thu Min Myat

Incoming Materials Engineering PhD Student at University of Illinois Chicago | Illinois Wesleyan University ’26

Bloomington, Illinois, United States

About

Incoming Materials Engineering PhD student at the University of Illinois Chicago, where I'll be working on AI-driven nanoparticle design for antimicrobial applications. I recently completed my Physics degree at Illinois Wesleyan University, where I spent two years researching vanadium dioxide thin films using reactive DC magnetron sputtering and sol-gel methods. My work focused on optimizing synthesis parameters to control the metal-insulator phase transition, building experience in thin film fabrication, materials characterization, and experimental design. I'm interested in bridging experimental materials science with computational and data-driven approaches to solve real-world problems in healthcare and advanced materials. Proficient in Python, C++, and experienced with tools like XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and electromagnetic simulations.

Experience

  • Illinois Wesleyan University (3 yrs 11 mos)
    • Laboratory Teaching Assistant
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    • Research Student
      Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Studying how VO2 thin films change phases using spectroscopy and computer simulations with the Meep python library.

    • Physics Help Clinic
      Sep 2024 - Dec 2025 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Help students with lab notebooks and homework.

  • Food And Beverage Attendant at City of Bloomington, IL
    Jan 2025 - Mar 2026 · 1 yr 3 mos

    Prepare and stock concessions and bars, sell food and alcohol, cook various food items, and assist with tasks assigned by management.

  • Student Intern at RJV Property
    May 2025 - Jan 2026 · 9 mos

    Manage social media and website content, assist with property leasing and client communication, perform general office duties, and support management with assigned tasks.

  • Crew Member at McDonald's
    Mar 2023 - Dec 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos

  • Summer Research Student at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
    Jun 2024 - Jul 2024 · 2 mos

    Analyzed pediatric survey data using SPSS and Python to compute coping factor ratios. Simulated cardiac activity by manually drawing Purkinje fibers using openCARP software.