Dr. Mikael Backlund

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Mikael Backlund received his B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010. He pursued graduate studies at Stanford University as a Robert Marvel Kirby Stanford Graduate Fellow, conducting research in the lab of W. E. Moerner and earning his Ph.D. in Chemistry with a concentration in Chemical Physics in 2016. He then joined the lab of Ron Walsworth as a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the Department of Physics at Harvard University. Backlund joined the faculty at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2020. His research focuses on developing and applying advanced optical microscopy techniques to resolve nanoscale heterogeneity in systems relevant to chemistry, materials, and biology. His group develops nanoscale magnetic resonance microscopy using quantum defects such as diamond Nitrogen vacancy centers and engages in projects that include single-molecule microscopy and quantum metrology, aiming to push the boundaries of optical microscopy measurements.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2020-08-01 — Present

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign • Urbana, IL

Joined the faculty to conduct research and teach in the Department of Chemistry.

Awards

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Scialog Fellow

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CAREER Award

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Kavli Fellow

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Beckman Young Investigator Award

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Starter Grant Award

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.