MNTC Administration and Staff

MNTC Director - , Professor of ECE

He earned his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2008. After two years of work as a postdoctoral associate at the Institute for Lasers, Photonics, and Biophotonics (ILPB) at SUNY Buffalo, he began his faculty career as an assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Miami. During his career at the University of Miami, he contributed to building the first cleanroom facility at the University of Miami for micro/nanofabrication processes, and he served as a founding director of the BioNIUM Nanofabrication facility since 2015. In January 2023, he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Louisville as a professor and faculty director of Micro/Nano Technology Center (MNTC). During his independent career, Professor Kim has established a research program focused on nanophotonics devices and materials for energy and sensing applications. He is exploring fundamental physics of light-nanostructure interactions as well as developing various optoelectronic devices and biomedical applications using engineered nanostructures and novel nanomaterials.  He is a member of IEEE, HKN (Etta Kappa Nu) and a senior member of SPIE (International Society for Optics and Photonics).
Portrait of Dr. Julia Aebersold, UofL Micro/Nanotechnology Cleanroom Manager.

MNTC Manager - PhD

Julia Aebersold, Ph.D., earned her doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Louisville in 2005.  Her research developed a micro-electromechanical (MEMS)-based capacitive bending strain sensor with a biocompatible housing for a telemetric strain monitoring system. Julia also holds an ME (1994) and a BS (1992) in Mechanical Engineering.  After earning her Ph.D. she continued to perform federally funded research as a Research Scientist from 2005 until 2012 until she began managing the Micro/Nano Technology Center in 2012.

MNTC Process Engineer - , PhD

Jasmin Beharic received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisville in 2017. He joined the Micro/Nano Technology Center in May 2018. His duties include developing processes, performing processes for clients, training users on process tools, troubleshooting and characterizing process tools, lab maintenance, and writing SOPs.

MNTC Research Engineer Scientist -, MS

Curt McKenna received his Master’s degree from the University of Louisville in December 2009 and began working in the Micro-Nano Technology Center under the EPSCoR grant with Professor Walsh. He is focused on providing microfabrication services for cleanroom clients and maintaining the photolithography bay.  Also, he assists with the other staff on equipment installation and maintenance and daily operation of the cleanroom. Curt is highly experienced with creating photomasks and direct-write photolithography.

MNTC Senior Process Engineer - , Ph.D.

Michael Martin has 25 years experience in various microfabrication techniques ranging from conventional photolithography to micro milling and excimer laser microfabrication. He holds a B.S. in physics from Austin Peay State University, Clarksville TN, and a Ph.D.in Physics from the University of Louisville specializing in computational cell biology.  

MNTC Administrative Specialist -

Mary Watson provides assistance with financial administration, accounts payables and receivables and administrative staff support.

MNTC Administrative Assistant - 

Atherton Aerial alumnus and former Art Director Maggie Lucas comes from a background of illustrative journalism and commissioned art. Harnessing their artistic history, Maggie provides both a creative and accurate approach to financial administration for the Micro Nano Technology Center. Maggie maintains a colorful database of clients, from which they reference in the generation of monthly invoices. They may also provide assistance in the distribution of keys and granting card access for the building.