Justin Caram, a UCLA associate professor of chemistry who has made strides in developing advanced quantum sensors, has been selected by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation as a member of the 2025 cohort of Experimental Physics Investigators. The honor comes with an award of $1.3M to fund new and imaginative projects in physics.
Caram’s research focuses on chemistry and physics, investigating how energy moves through materials and biological systems, with a particular emphasis on photons. He and his team have pioneered a method to surpass the physical limits of current quantum sensors — highly technical devices that detect shifts in quantities such as gravity, time, temperature and magnetic fields.
These sensors rely on atomic vapor cells, which are extremely sensitive to heat, pressure and density. Caram has developed an innovative approach to solving this problem by using special molecules in liquids called lanthanide complexes. These molecules can contain delicate quantum information, creating a chemical “cage” that protects embedded atomic transitions.
Caram’s work paves the way for the invention of more advanced quantum sensors, which could lead to earlier disease detection and improved medical imaging systems.
The Harvard alum joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty in July 2017 and serves as vice chair for space allocation. He has received several honors and awards for his research and teaching and has contributed to numerous publications.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation was established by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and his wife, Betty. It supports scientific discovery, environmental conservation, improved patient care and more. Caram joins a distinguished group of 22 midcareer researchers, selected by the foundation, whose pioneering work is shaping the future of physics.
