Sophie Suh

Clare Boothe Luce Scholar, Physics and Math of Computation BS

Goleta, California, United States

About

Hi there! I'm a physics and mathematics of computation double major undergraduate researcher with an engineer-oriented mindset and problem-solving skills. I'm currently applying to electrical engineering master's schools, and am really excited to explore my journey in the industry to use my skills and create tangible products.

Experience

  • Toyon Research Corporation (1 yr 1 mo)
    • Part-Time Engineer
      Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

      Designing and testing motors via MotorCAD and OptiSlang. Testing thermal properties and torque of differing configurations.

    • Summer Internship
      Jun 2025 - Sep 2025 · 4 mos

      Refining GPS-denied navigation software via C++ and Python by integrating simulations and real IMU data. Extensively used factor graphs, Kalman filters, and manifold theories for accurate estimation and optimization. Hands-on experience in manufacturing linear motor, soldering antennas, and data taking using a terminal multiplexer.

  • Research Assistant at Kogar Group
    Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

    Devising an embedded system Python script to automate UV laser power calibration by communicating to a half wave plate and power monitor to simultaneously change the half wave plate with the information recieved. Formulating samples via microtome and utilizing AFM imaging systems to evaluate the samples. This is to use ultra-fast electron diffraction to image and study the phase transitions in different materials and see how the structure of the material changes as it goes through phase transitions.

  • Undergraduate Researcher at Korea University
    Jun 2024 - Sep 2024 · 4 mos

    Researching sub-millicharged particles at the KU HepEx group, I am working with scintillators and PMTs to understand the disturbance in signal after a muon detection. Gathering data using function generators, I am analyzing the data using python to better understand the data at J-PARC (Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex).

  • Undergraduate Researcher at the Kim Research Lab at UCLA
    Jun 2023 - Aug 2024 · 1 yr 3 mos

    Researching a quantum microscope with optically addressable spin arrays in van der waals materials. Working with hexagonal boron nitride flakes (hBN) with boron vacancy defect centers and the nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds as a quantum sensor. Performing optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) on hBN materials to probe the spectra of the devices and characterize the quantum emitters. My second project is on the ODMR spectra of gold colloidal particle adhesion to diamond substrate. This requires a multi-step process working with a fumehood, pirranha cleaning solution, DI water, centrifuge, and acetone. In between steps, the substrate must be SEM imaged in order to understand how well the nanoparticles adhere to the substrate.

  • Upsilon Lab (UCLA)
    • Co-President
      May 2023 - May 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Upsilon lab is a student-run research program where students can choose which projects they would like to research. We are currently researching convolution neural networks (CNN) and deep learning neural nets to apply them to the classification of galaxies captured by the hubble space telescope via Python.

    • Student Researcher
      Feb 2023 - May 2023 · 4 mos

      We are exploring the depths of convolution neural networks (CNN) and deep learning neural nets to apply artificial intellegence to help classify galaxy clusters photographed by the hubble telescope.