Jacob’s research includes fundamental studies of heat transfer, experiments on engineered thermal materials and explorations of non-equilibrium quantum phenomena, as well as work in microelectronics and nanotechnology.

The DARPA Young Faculty Award (YFA) recognizes rising research stars in junior faculty positions and provides funding, mentoring and industry and DoD contacts to awardees so they will develop research ideas relevant to DoD needs. The program focuses on untenured faculty without prior DARPA funding in order to develop the next generation of academic scientists, engineers and mathematicians who will focus a significant portion of their careers on DoD and national security issues.