Kian Maleki

Education

• PhD, Physics, University of Iowa, GPA 4.03 — Aug 2025. Dissertation area: quantum coherent interaction of molecular and defect spin with phonons and magnons. Advisor: Michael E. Flatté.
• MS, Physics, Creighton University, GPA 4.00 — Aug 2017. Thesis area: MSSM neutralino as a dark matter candidate. Advisor: Gintaras Duda.
• BS, Physics, Fergusson College / University of Pune — Oct 2008.

Research Interests

Transport via molecules and defects, magnon properties in non-collinear antiferromagnetic materials, quantum geometry, high-dimensional modeling, and computational approaches to complex physical systems.

Research Experience

University of Iowa, Physics Department Aug 2018 – Aug 2025

• Analyzed site symmetry and crystal fields of erbium oxide using Stevens operators.
• Developed theoretical tools for noncollinear magnon dispersion and applied them to erbium oxide.
• Modeled transport via molecular defects using Fowler–Nordheim field-electron-emission concepts.
• Studied transport properties of defects in hexagonal boron nitride.
• Worked on dynamical projective connections and gravity.

Creighton University, Physics Department Aug 2015 – Aug 2018

• Calculated dark matter neutralino densities, cross sections, and expected detection rates using DarkSUSY, Fortran, and Python.
• Developed N-body planetary simulations and binary-star inclination simulations in Python.
• Built Python-based molecular dynamics software with a GUI and parallelized it for Open Science Grid HPC resources.

Publications

1. Maleki, K. et al. “A General and Modular Approach to Solid-State Integration of Zero-Dimensional Quantum Systems,” Nano Letters, 2025. DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03125.
2. Maleki, K. and Flatté, M. E. “Crystal fields, exchange and dipolar interactions, and noncollinear magnons of erbium oxide,” Physical Review B, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/v6n3-srt5.
3. Maleki, K. and Flatté, M. E. “Calculations of current in the cotunneling regime using Lindblad equations.” Submitted / under review.

Intellectual Property

• Co-inventor of “methods of modular construction of 0D-state tunnel junction devices and methods of use thereof,” filed Dec. 4, 2023.

Selected Conferences and Presentations

• “Site symmetry analysis and magnonic dispersion of Er2O3 including the dipolar interaction,” APS March Meeting 2024 and APS Global Physics Summit 2025.
• “Site symmetry analysis and magnonic dispersion of Er2O3 including the dipolar interaction,” University of Chicago and Cornell University, 2023.
• “Magnonic dispersion of Er2O3,” APS March Meeting 2023 and MMM 2022.
• “Theoretical limit of MSSM neutralino as a dark matter candidate,” APS April Meeting 2017 and MARAC 2017.

Teaching Experience

Assistant Professor of Physics, Creighton University Aug 2025 – Present

• Teach graduate statistical mechanics and undergraduate physics courses.
• Develop syllabi, lab manuals, assignments, and examinations.
• Use animation, visual techniques, and online engagement tools to support learning objectives.
• Supervise teaching assistants and support lab safety and instructional consistency.

Adjunct Faculty / Lecturer / Teaching Assistant Roles 2015 – 2020

• Taught introductory laboratories, general physics lectures and labs, and supported undergraduate instruction at Creighton University, Bellevue University, and the University of Iowa.
• Prepared lecture materials, assignments, lab activities, quizzes, and examinations.
• Provided academic support in physics, mathematics, and scientific problem solving.

Academic Workshops

• Quantum Matter: Superconductivity, Topology and Correlations, Princeton Summer School on Condensed Matter Physics, 2025.
• Magnon Workshop, Cornell University, 2024.
• Fractionalization, Criticality, and Unconventional Quantum Materials, Princeton Summer School on Condensed Matter Physics, 2024.
• Artificial Intelligence in Fundamental Physics, SLAC Summer Institute, 2023.
• Electron-phonon physics from first principles, University of Texas at Austin, 2022.
• Open Science Grid User School, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 2017.

Awards and Service

• Graduate Student Support Fund, University of Iowa, 2020.
• AAPT Outstanding Physics Teaching Assistant, Creighton University, 2017.
• Senior graduate mentor and Graduate Student Advisory member, University of Iowa.
• Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
• Iranian team leader, International Tournament of Young Mathematicians, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany, 2014.