Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Introducing 2025 Astronaut Scholars David Balut and Jason Li from the University of Illinois.
David is pursuing a degree in Physics and is interested in the physics of many interacting quantum particles. This fundamental problem spans fields including high-temperature superconductivity and black holes. For more than two years he has been a part of the Abbamonte research group working to combine experimental and theoretical approaches to further our knowledge of this longstanding physics problem.
Jason is also earning a degree in Physics and is currently researching Gallium Nitride semiconductor photonics under the guidance of Professor Bayram at UIUC, where he recently published a journal paper on decoupling efficiency loss mechanisms in green LEDs. Over the past two years, he has researched Zinc Phosphide thin films and Molybdenum Disulfide 2D semiconductors under the guidance of Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral at EPFL and Professor Tomás Palacios at MIT, respectively.
The University of Illinois Astronaut Scholar Awards are sponsored by Amentum and Founders for the Future, an ASF program made possible by a grant from Club for the Future.
Introducing 2025 Astronaut Scholars David Balut and Jason Li from the University of Illinois.
David is pursuing a degree in Physics and is interested in the physics of many interacting quantum particles. This fundamental problem spans fields including high-temperature superconductivity and black holes. For more than two years he has been a part of the Abbamonte research group working to combine experimental and theoretical approaches to further our knowledge of this longstanding physics problem.
Jason is also earning a degree in Physics and is currently researching Gallium Nitride semiconductor photonics under the guidance of Professor Bayram at UIUC, where he recently published a journal paper on decoupling efficiency loss mechanisms in green LEDs. Over the past two years, he has researched Zinc Phosphide thin films and Molybdenum Disulfide 2D semiconductors under the guidance of Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral at EPFL and Professor Tomás Palacios at MIT, respectively.
The University of Illinois Astronaut Scholar Awards are sponsored by Amentum and Founders for the Future, an ASF program made possible by a grant from Club for the Future.
