Aawaz Pokhrel and Raymond Copeland co-first-authored a paper on how friction influences the development of bacterial biofilm (bioRxiv). Raymond Copeland also first-authored a paper on how an active fluid framework explains biofilm vertical growth dynamics (Physical Biology) and co-first-authored a paper on how snowflake yeast overcome biophysical limits to large size (Science Advances).
Research Experience
Aawaz Pokhrel joined the Yunker Lab in the Spring of 2020 and currently works as a Senior Application Scientist at DigiM Solutions LLC in Boston. Raymond Copeland joined the Yunker Lab in early 2020 and now works as a postdoc at Georgia Tech.
Education
Aawaz Pokhrel received his PhD in Physics on June 17, 2024, with a thesis titled 'Biophysical Basis of Bacterial Colony Growth.' His advisor is unknown. Raymond Copeland received his PhD in Quantitative Biosciences on April 25, 2025, with a thesis titled 'Physical Simulations of Microbial Communities Under Stress,' under the supervision of Dr. Yunker.
Background
Aawaz Pokhrel's research interests include the growth mechanisms of bacterial biofilms. Raymond Copeland's research interests lie in the physical simulations of microbial communities.
Miscellany
Aawaz Pokhrel enjoys deep philosophical conversations, playing music, and watching stand-up comedy. Raymond Copeland enjoys classical music, chess, video games, and is married to Zoe.