People

Demitry (Dima) Farfurnik, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Demitry (Dima) Farfurnik has joined NC State as an Assistant Professor in October 2023. Prior to joining NC State, he was a Postdoctoral Associate at the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics and the Joint Quantum Institute at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dima completed his B.Sc. in mathematics and physics (2008) and M.Sc. in physics (2013) at Tel-Aviv University. He completed his Ph.D. in physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2019).

Apart from research, Dima enjoys backpacking, camping, and swimming.

Abhishek Das
Graduate Student, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Abhishek Das is pursuing his Ph.D. studies in the Farfurnik Spin-Photon Lab at NC State from Summer’ 24. He completed his B.Sc. from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in May, 2023 and then joined as a lecturer in the EEE department of Premier University, Chittagong. Abhishek is interested in exploring the novel quantum systems, that have potential to revolutionize various fields, with groundbreaking applications in networking, sensing, and computation. These advancements promise to open new possibilities in electronics.

In his free time, Abhishek loves playing guitar, singing, and exploring new cities and their unique cultures.

Mehdi Ashrafganjoie
Graduate Student, Department of Physics

Mehdi Ashrafganjoie joined NCSU in Spring 2021 and started his PhD. research project under Dr. Farfurnik’s supervision since Spring 2024. He completed his B.Sc. in Physics from University of Kerman in 2012, and his M.Sc. in Optical Physics from University of Tehran in 2015. Mehdi’s research focus is on optical characterization of novel quantum materials with promising capability of hosting spin qubits.

Other than his research focus, Mehdi enjoys hiking, playing Tar, playing soccer.

Max H
Graduate Student, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

He joined Prof. Farfurnik’s Spin-Photon Lab from Fall 2024. He is holding MSc in Electrical Engineering. His background is on studying dynamic strains on Transition Metal Dichalcogenides using Nano/Microelectromechanical systems. His field of research focuses on studying optically-active spins in the solid-state.

Michael Ruhmel
Undergraduate Student, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Currently studying Computer Engineering at NC State and minoring in physics. Has an interest in learning about quantum physics and is looking to combine this with his knowledge in classical computers to work with quantum computing hardware.

Outside of academics Michael likes listening to music, playing guitar, skateboarding and going to the mountains.