Photon sciences and technologies establish the building blocks for myriad scientific and engineering frontiers in life and energy sciences. Because of this overarching functionality, our areas of application include life sciences, biochemistry, quantum optics and information sciences, and environmental and chemical engineering. That is, we seek to help solve major life and energy challenges by examining the cooperative interaction between photons and matter. The Q-LMC’s research is informed by a critically interdisciplinary approach to the science and applications of light by design. Our methods usually entail fundamental research and its transfer to transformational technologies, blurring the lines between physics and engineering. Our research is founded on the following four intersecting areas that seed new concepts, theory, and experiments in the advancement of ultrafast photon sciences and light-matter interactions: 1. Quantum optics, ultrafast and nonlinear optics, and structured photonics 2. Ultrafast sciences & molecular dynamics, (soft) condensed matter physics 3. Particle accelerators and X-ray free electron lasers 4. Critically representative science and technology, and queered science and technology studies For opportunities to join our group, visit us at https://light-matter.seas.ucla.edu/light-matter-interactions/join-us/