RaeesUlHassan
Atmospheric & Aerosol Physics Researcher
I grew up breathing some of the most polluted air on earth. Every winter, Lahore disappears under a thick grey smog — and I wanted to understand it, not just endure it. That question led me into atmospheric and aerosol physics: how the tiny particles in our air seed ice in clouds, shape our weather, and settle into our lungs.
In the lab I study ice nucleation — freezing supercooled droplets to see what makes them crystallise, from Lahore smog particles to engineered DNA origami built with the Clarendon Lab at Oxford. Alongside the science, I build instruments and tools, and I care about making research useful to the people it's about. That's why this site also serves live air-quality data for Pakistani cities — the same air my research is trying to understand.
Education
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
2023 – 2025MS Physics · CGPA 2.57 / 4.0 · Lahore, Pakistan
Relevant coursework: Statistical Mechanics, Photovoltaic Devices, Computational Physics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics
Government College University Faisalabad
2018 – 2022BS Physics · CGPA 3.63 / 4.0 · Faisalabad, Pakistan
Relevant coursework: Heat & Thermodynamics, Electricity & Magnetism, Modern Physics, Solid State Physics, Differential Equations
Research experience
Research Assistant, LUMS, Lahore
2024 – PresentIce Nucleation Induced by Lahore Smog Particles
- Investigated how Lahore smog particles affect ice nucleation in water droplets.
- Ran temperature-ramp and isothermal droplet-freezing experiments using Linkam controllers.
- Showed that smog particles significantly lower the freezing temperature of water droplets.
- Resolved an RS-232 hardware failure by switching to USB after LabVIEW and PyVISA communication attempts failed.
Ice Nucleation on DNA Origami
- Collaboration with the Clarendon Lab, Jonathan Bath group, University of Oxford.
- Studied ice-nucleation efficiency of DNA origami samples via freezing experiments.
- Performed Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis to identify DNA aggregation.
- Optimised DNA folding using PCR reannealing, sonication, and vortex spinning.
- Ran gel electrophoresis to verify DNA quality and structural integrity.
Microfluidic Structure Design
- Designed a photomask with 11 “crystal hotel” structure variations to test smog and DNA origami in droplets.
- Multiple geometries on a single mask enabled parallel examination with built-in fabrication backups.
- Varied channel dimensions across structures for compatibility with multiple sample types.
- Optimised SU-8 spin coating, exposure, and development for uniform 20 µm thickness and precise geometry after repeated fabrication failures.
Air Sampler Development
- Designed and built a custom steel-based air sampler for particulate-matter collection.
- Developed an optimised airflow system using welded baffle plates and vacuum-driven flow.
- Validated PM2.5–PM10 collection efficiency through SEM analysis.
Industrial projects
Central Lab, LUMS · Supervisor: Dr. Nauman Zafar Butt
- Simulated heterojunction solar cells by optimising material layers and doping profiles.
- Generated I–V and J–V curves to evaluate device performance and efficiency.
- Used optical data files and TCAD scripting for realistic material simulations.
Central Lab, LUMS · Supervisor: Dr. Hassan Abbas Khan
- Analysed NEPRA and World Bank data to study electricity-subsidy distribution.
- Developed a targeted subsidy framework for rural solar-energy programs.
- Built a Flutter + Firebase mobile app for subsidy calculation.
BAP Lab, LUMS · Supervisor: Dr. Muhammad Imran Cheema
- Simulated heart-rate extraction using reflected electromagnetic signals and FFT analysis.
- Developed effective-medium-theory models for contactless monitoring.
- Extracted breathing and heart-rate patterns from simulated reflected signals.
Work experience
Quanta Publishers
2020 – 2022Pakistan
- Delivered lectures on quantum mechanics and advanced physics topics.
- Recorded the “WHY” series explaining scientific phenomena.
- Reviewed Quantum Mechanics, Classical Mechanics, and Solid State Physics books.
Machine Learning Intern, KK Solutions
2024- Assisted in data preprocessing, model training, and evaluation.
- Applied basic machine-learning techniques on structured datasets.
Achievements
NASA Space Apps Challenge — First Place (National)
2025Team DEVOID 2.0
- Built an AI/ML model for exoplanet detection using NASA Kepler, K2, and TESS datasets.
- Reached 87.8% accuracy in a 48-hour national competition among 300 students at UMT, Lahore.
TA'AB — Co-founder & PR / Social Media Head
2024 – Present- Co-founded a non-profit platform for technical students.
- Grew the volunteer network to 200+ members and secured sponsorships.
- Organised workshops on freelancing, graphic design, and social-media marketing.
- Uploaded and transcribed Urdu lectures for the organisation website.
Leadership & activities
Member
- Helped organise optics and photonics workshops at LUMS.
- Supported speaker outreach and society engagement.
SHED, GCU Faisalabad
2019 – 2020General Secretary
- Managed two cultural festivals and annual sports events.
- Coordinated outreach and communication with invited speakers.
HOPE, GCU Faisalabad
2020 – 2022Volunteer
- Managed a blood-donor database connecting donors with patients in need.
- Took part in a plantation campaign involving 8,000 plants in South Punjab.
Certifications & training
Experimental Techniques
2024 – PresentDLS, gel electrophoresis, plasma cleaning, negative & positive lithography, profilometry, PCR, air sampling, lathe machine.
Workshop on PVD, XRD, SEM & Profilometry — LUMS
2025Hands-on training in thin-film deposition and material characterisation.
LUMS Learning Institute
2024Teaching Assistant Professional Development Course (LUMSx & LLI).
Laboratory Safety Protocol Course — LUMS
2024Safe handling of research equipment and materials.
Skills
Software & tools
Programming & libraries
Contact & collaborate
I'm actively seeking PhD positions in atmospheric / aerosol physics and related areas. If my work resonates with yours, I'd love to talk.