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K-State Today

August 21, 2024

K-State alumna-funded Zeng scholarship supports international graduate student in physics

Submitted by Marcia Locke

Muhammad Sakhi, graduate research assistant in physics

Muhammad Sakhi, graduate research assistant in physics at Kansas State University, has been awarded the first Dr. Shuo Zeng Scholarship. He will receive $27,300 per year to support his work in the J. R. Macdonald Laboratory.

The Zeng scholarship is made possible by Michelle Munson, a 1996 K-State graduate in physics and electrical engineering, and her husband, Serban Simu. Its purpose is to support high-caliber international graduate students in physics or data sciences who not only have high academic achievement but also show humanity through service to others, like its namesake did.

Sakhi, a native of Pakistan, is pursuing a doctorate in theoretical atomic, molecular and optical physics. He works with Loren Greenman, associate professor of physics, studying the attosecond dynamics of electrons in molecules. An attosecond is one billionth of a billionth of a second.

More specifically, they study chiral molecules. The property of chirality means that the molecules cannot be superimposed on their mirror images. This breaking of mirror reflection symmetry leads to surprising macroscopic properties such as different odors or pharmaceutical activity. Human proteins and sugars also have this property. Understanding chiral molecules' basic interactions on short timescales could advance science in a variety of fields including biochemistry, evolutionary biology and pharmaceuticals.

"I am thrilled to receive the Dr. Shuo Zeng Scholarship," said Sakhi. "It means a great deal to me both financially and as a source of motivation. Learning about Dr. Zeng was truly inspiring as his legacy of kindness, intelligence and dedication to helping others still resonates in the physics department. I aspire to follow in his footsteps."

"Sakhi is very deserving of this award as he is an extraordinary researcher, teacher, colleague and human," said Greenman. "He presents his research at physics conferences and is writing multiple papers, one based entirely on his own work. His enthusiasm for learning about science and computation is tremendous, and he is always ready with questions in any scientific discussion. He is also an excellent teaching assistant whose contributions to one of the most difficult courses in physics, Quantum Mechanics, were appreciated by many students," said Greenman.

Sakhi is also active in the Pakistani and Muslim community in Manhattan, frequently hosting dinners and otherwise supporting visitors, according to Greenman.

"Coming from a foreign country, I am incredibly encouraged by this recognition and inspired to work harder and be more helpful," said Sakhi. "It motivates me to excel in my research and contribute positively to the academic community, and it empowers me to be a role model for future generations and demonstrate that with determination and support, remarkable achievements are possible."

After completing his Ph.D., Sakhi plans to pursue a research career in academia, contributing to the development of new knowledge and inspiring the next generation through teaching.

Zeng was a doctoral student in physics at K-State. He received his Ph.D. in 2015 under the mentorship of University Distinguished Professor Brett Esry. Zeng lost his life to violent crime in 2019 in the San Francisco Bay area. Munson and Simu worked with his parents, Xingmin Zeng and Yali Hu, to establish the scholarship in his memory.

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