Maya Chattoraj smiles next to a bush blooming with pale pink flowers.

Maya Chattoraj

Image courtesy of the subject.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Maya Chattoraj

by Danielle Doughty | Department of Chemistry |
Categories: Research, Students

Chemistry Graduate Student Maya Chattoraj describes her research and answers 20 random questions as part of the Graduate Student Spotlight series.

Maya Chattoraj is a PhD candidate who comes to MIT from the Chicago suburbs. A member of Professor William Tisdale‘s lab in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Maya studies interfacial energy transport in lead halide perovskite nanomaterial quantum dots and 2D layered single crystals.

“I chose to pursue a PhD in chemistry to develop the knowledge base and research skills necessary to develop novel materials that will address environmental concerns, particularly in the realm of energy usage,” said Maya. “My current work studying the fundamental photophysics of lead halide perovskites will hopefully inform the design of optoelectronic devices, including solar cells, in the future.”

As the subject of this Graduate Student Spotlight, Maya shares her top three favorite movies, the menu of her ideal feast, the inconsequential super power she’d love to have, and more.

  1. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
    Developing a well-rounded weight lifting program.
  2. What are your top three favorite movies?
    The Dark Knight, Dune 2, Inception
  3. An epic feast is held in your honor, what’s on the table?
    Sushi. Lots of it. Especially eel.
  4. Who would be in the lineup for your ideal music festival?
    Tame Impala, Kendrick Lamar, BTS, The Neighbourhood, Nothing But Thieves, Stray Kids, Tyler The Creator
  5. What piece of entertainment do you wish you could erase from your mind so that you could experience for the first time again?
    Avatar: The Last Airbender.
  6. What food do you crave most often?
    Chocolate
  7. What is something that a ton of people are obsessed with but you just don’t get the point of?
    Taylor Swift.
  8. What one thing do you really want but can’t afford?
    Get front-row tickets to a BTS concert.
  9. Where was the most amazing sunset you have ever seen?
    Charles Esplanade, before the hurricane in fall 2023.
  10. What’s worth spending more on to get the best?
    Jeans that fit properly.
  11. If money and practicality weren’t a problem, what would be the most interesting way to get around town?
    On the back of a pegasus.
  12. What inconsequential super power would you like to have?
    Never stubbing my toe ever again.
  13. If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?
    Mindy Kaling.
  14. If you owned a boat, what would you name it and why?
    The Black Pearl because Jack Sparrow is my icon.
  15. What problem or situation did TV / movies make you think would be common, but when you grew up you found out it wasn’t?
    Having breakfast with your friends before work and hanging out with friends every weeknight. We’re all just too tired!
  16. As a child, what did you think would be awesome about being an adult, but isn’t as awesome as you thought it would be?
    Having money. I can’t actually spend it all because I don’t have that much, and I need to save what I do have!
  17. If you could have a never-ending candle that smelled like anything you wanted, what fragrance would you want it to be?
    Roses and vanilla, but in a subtle way.
  18. If animals could talk, which animal do you think would be the most annoying, and why?
    Crows. Their cawing is loud and obnoxious, so I can only imagine how annoying their words would be!
  19. If you suddenly became a master at woodworking, what would you make?
    A really nice sitting/standing desk with shelves and drawers.
  20. What’s the funniest TV show you’ve ever seen?
    The New Girl.