Md Shakil Bin Kasham, a PhD candidate in physics at Washington University in St. Louis, has been selected as a Student Ambassador for the American Physical Society, one of the world’s leading organizations for physicists.
The APS Student Ambassador Program recognizes graduate student leaders who help promote APS resources, support student engagement in physics, and strengthen connections between local physics communities and the boarder international physics community. As an ambassador, Shakil will help connect students with APS opportunities such as conferences, professional development programs, travel awards, mentorship resources, and scientific networking initiatives.
At WashU, Shakil’s research sits at the intersection of quantum physics, biology, and medicine. His work focuses on developing quantum biosensing technologies using nano-diamond-based quantum sensors to study living cells at the subcellular level.
“Our team recently demonstrated that quantum sensors can be implanted inside living cells to simultaneously measure both temperature and magnetic fluctuations originating from mitochondria—the energy-producing organelles of the cell,” said Shakil. “This work opens new possibilities for studying cellular metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction in diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.”
Shakil’s research was recently featured by WashU Arts & Sciences and WashU Newsroom. He also presented the project at the APS Global Physics Summit 2026, where he shared his latest findings with the broader physics community.
As an international student and researcher working across physics and biology, Shakil says the recognition is especially meaningful.
“I’m especially excited about this opportunity because it allows me to help connect students from diverse backgrounds to scientific opportunities, mentorship, and professional development within APS,” he said. “I hope to contribute to building a more connected and inclusive physics community while representing WashU on a national platform.”
As an APS Student Ambassador, Shakil will serve as a link between WashU and the broader physics community, helping connect students with valuable resources and opportunities through the American Physical Society. His selection reflects both his leadership and his commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research and supporting the next generation of physicists.
