Petr Khlyabich was born in Saint-Petersburg, Russia in 1985. After finishing the gymnasium, Petr chose to study physics and subsequently entered the Department of Physics at the St. Petersburg State University in 2002. Beginning the third year he started to work as a research assistant at the Department of Polymer Physics at the Scientific Research Institute of Physics. By the end of the fourth year (2006) at St. Petersburg State University Petr successfully defended a Bachelor’s of science thesis. Continuing his education, in 2006 Petr was admitted to the Master’s program at St. Petersburg State University at the Department of Polymers, Liquid crystals and Condensed Matter Physics, without a requirement to pass the entrance exams due to his previous academic records. During his Master’s studies, Petr focused on the characterization of physical properties of polymers in solutions under the guidance of Prof. Natalia Yevlampieva. In the 2009, Petr graduated from the St. Petersburg State University with the Master’s of science degree in Physics. During his last year at St. Petersburg State University in 2008, Petr was admitted to the Department of Chemistry at the University of Southern California where he joined Prof. Barry C. Thompson group. In the Fall 2010 Petr passed his qualifying exams and became PhD candidate. His major research interests are organic solar energy conversion materials and devices, and computer modeling.

Characterization of physical properties of polymers in solutions