Zain Hussein is the most senior member of the Chuvashova Lab, having joined in November 2021. He began his graduate studies in the Department of Physics at Florida International University in Fall 2023. His research focuses on the metastability and thermal conductivity of rare-earth borides under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. He also works on the synthesis and characterization of rare-earth skutterudites and other materials relevant to thermoelectric applications. His work contributes to understanding structure-property relationships in advanced functional materials with applications in energy and nuclear technologies.
Zain is the lead designer and builder of the lab’s custom combined laser system for Raman spectroscopy and laser heating in diamond anvil cells, which he developed from scratch. His technical contributions have been instrumental in expanding the lab’s high-pressure capabilities.
Outside the lab, Zain enjoys exercising, watching sitcoms, and playing video games.

Ernesto Carvajal joined the research group in September 2022 and began his graduate studies in the Department of Chemistry at Florida International University in Fall 2023. His research focuses on the synthesis of rare-earth borate-perrhenate complexes at high pressures and high temperatures, with relevance to nuclear waste immobilization. He plays a key role in the design, assembly, and calibration of the lab’s Paris-Edinburgh press system, including hydraulic integration and temperature calibration. Ernesto also serves as the lab’s safety officer, helping maintain safe and efficient operations.
He is passionate about advancing sustainable technologies such as EV batteries and renewable fuels, while still enjoying his lifelong enthusiasm for motorsports.

Rafael Loriga joined the research group in December 2022 and began his graduate studies in Fall 2023. His research focuses on the synthesis of rare-earth borides at high pressures and high temperatures using the Paris-Edinburgh press. He is developing systems to measure electrical conductivity in situ under extreme conditions.
Rafael also leads the lab’s 3D printing efforts, designing custom components for high-pressure experiments. His lifelong interest in space drives his passion for creating materials with properties relevant to extraterrestrial environments.

Lia Vaquero joined the research group in May 2022 and began her graduate studies at Florida International University in Fall 2024. Her current research focuses on the synthesis and bonding evolution of rare-earth borates containing triangular BO₃ groups, a class of materials known for their non-linear optical properties.
As an undergraduate, Lia worked on materials for solar cell applications, which sparked her interest in functional inorganic compounds. She now applies that foundation to explore pressure-induced structural changes that could lead to novel optical and energy-related materials.

James Vazquez joined the research group in December 2023 as an undergraduate and began his graduate studies in Chemistry at Florida International University in May 2025. He was awarded the Undergraduate to Graduate Program (UtGP) Fellowship, which supports high-achieving students transitioning directly from undergraduate research into graduate studies.
Fascinated by the fundamental principles of chemistry, James is particularly interested in how the combination of elements gives rise to emergent properties distinct from their individual components. His research focuses on investigating the metastability and thermal conductivity of rare-earth borides under high pressures and temperatures, contributing to a deeper understanding of structure-property relationships in extreme conditions.

Daniel Alberto Garcia is pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry at Florida International University. His passion for chemistry began early and was further nurtured through public education, eventually leading him to seek hands-on research experience. He first joined the lab as a high school junior through FIU’s Summer Research Internship Program in 2022, while attending TERRA Environmental Research Institute. After enrolling at FIU in Fall 2023, he returned to continue his research in the group.
Daniel's current projects focus on materials with potential applications in solar energy, particularly those relevant to solar panel technologies. He aspires to pursue graduate studies and a future academic career in chemistry.

Dennis Horrigan is pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry at Florida International University. He joined the research group in December 2023 and is currently studying the behavior of organic molecules under high-pressure conditions, aiming to better understand their stability and transformations in extreme environments.
He plans to continue his education in graduate school and pursue research in sustainable manufacturing and green chemistry.

Melanie Frolich is completing dual B.S. degrees in Physics and Biochemistry at Florida International University, graduating in Spring 2025. She joined the Chuvashova Lab in January 2024 and is currently working on the synthesis of materials in the Nd–Re–B–O system with the potential to exhibit frustrated magnetism arising from Kagome lattice geometries. She also assists with the lab’s optical laser setup.
Fascinated by the limits of material behavior and the physical frameworks that define them, Melanie is passionate about exploring novel quantum materials under extreme conditions. She will begin a Ph.D. program in Physics at the University of Maryland in Fall 2025.
Outside of academics, she enjoys salsa dancing and spending time at the beach.

Jarenthial Weston is pursuing a B.S. in Physics at Florida International University. He joined the Chuvashova Lab in September 2024 and is currently working alongside Melanie Frolich on the synthesis of novel single-crystal neodymium silicates. His project supports the group’s broader efforts to explore materials with unique structural and magnetic properties.
Jay is passionate about advancing knowledge in nuclear physics and is particularly interested in atomic interactions and their applications in energy production and materials science. He plans to continue his studies at the graduate level in nuclear or condensed matter physics.

Daniela Delgado Alfonso completed a B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Mathematics at Florida International University, graduating in Fall 2024. She joined the Chuvashova Lab in December 2023, where she worked with Olga Barkova on the synthesis of lanthanum borates at ambient pressure and high temperature. Her project focused on studying how variables such as starting material ratios, temperature, and synthesis duration affect product composition and crystallinity.
Daniela is currently preparing for medical school with the goal of becoming a radiologist. In her free time, she enjoys photographing nature and people.

Alejandro Campos is pursuing dual B.S. degrees in Physics and Mathematics at Florida International University. He joined the Chuvashova Lab in January 2025 and works with Zain Hussein on the synthesis of rare-earth skutterudites containing boron and silicon, including their solid solutions. His work contributes to the lab’s broader efforts to understand materials with potential thermoelectric and electronic applications.
Alejandro is also involved in education research through Project VOCES, where his project focuses on increasing student engagement in physics. Passionate about the intersection of math, physics, and real-world impact, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics or Materials Science with the goal of developing technologies that promote accessibility and sustainability.

Jose Lopez is a rising senior at Miami Coral Park Senior High School with a long-standing passion for robotics and aspirations to become a mechanical engineer. He joined the Chuvashova Lab in June 2025 to deepen his understanding of chemistry through hands-on research. His project focuses on the synthesis of rare-earth borates, specifically exploring solid solutions between gadolinium and lanthanum at ambient pressure and high temperatures.
Outside the lab, Jose is a dedicated student actively involved in firefighter training and theater as a thespian, reflecting his diverse interests and strong commitment to learning.

Sabrina Hernandez is pursuing a B.S. in Physics with a minor in Astronomy at Florida International University. She joined the Chuvashova Lab in June 2025 and is working alongside Zain Hussein investigating the properties and synthesis of Tranquillityite. Sabrina is exploring her passion for planetary geology through her research in the lab. Her goal is to continue into graduate school and further her career in planetary science through the study of deep space minerals and geological composition.