Last week, we gathered to celebrate Dr. Matthew Hermes and his well-deserved appointment as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry.
It was a wonderful occasion to recognize Matthew’s achievements and contributions to the group. We are grateful for his dedication and expertise and look forward to his continued impact on our research.
On February 20, 2025, the Syensqo research center warmly welcomed Professor Laura Gagliardi as the 2025 Syensqo Chair in Chemistry by the International Solvay Institutes. A special display honored her arrival, celebrating her outstanding contributions to chemistry.
Congratulations, Professor Gagliardi!
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Matthew Hermes has been appointed as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry. Matthew will continue to work closely with the Gagliardi Group students under the supervision of Professor Gagliardi, contributing his expertise and dedication to advancing research in the field.
Please join us in congratulating Matthew on this well-earned appointment. We look forward to his continued success and contributions to the group!
We are excited to announce that Professor Laura Gagliardi has been awarded the prestigious Solvay Chair in Chemistry for 2025. This honor, presented by the International Solvay Institutes, recognizes her pioneering work in theoretical and computational chemistry, particularly her advancements in electronic structure methods for complex chemical systems.
Professor Gagliardi joins an esteemed group of past awardees, including Nobel Laureates, and will deliver a series of lectures throughout the year.
To read the full article, click here.
Congratulations to Professor Gagliardi on this incredible achievement!
The Gagliardi Group hoodies are here, and they’re everything we hoped for—cozy, sleek, and perfect for showing off our team spirit!
We are thrilled to celebrate Andrea Darù for being recognized as an honorable mention in the 2024 Maria Lastra Award for exceptional mentorship at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Andrea’s dedication to guiding and inspiring peers embodies the essence of mentorship, paving the way for future leaders in science and engineering.
Thank you, Andrea, for your contributions in fostering a collaborative and supportive research community. Your impact is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship!
For more information, read here.
The Gagliardi Group congratulates Dr. Soumi Haldar as she begins an exciting new chapter in her career. Soumi has joined Prof. Brett Savoie’s group as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Notre Dame. In her new role, she will work on methods and software development, data analysis, and simulations for chemical machine learning and reaction prediction projects.
We wish Soumi all the best in this next phase of her journey!
The Gagliardi Group gathered in high spirits for a memorable holiday dinner, embracing the warmth and camaraderie that define this special time of year. The celebration was filled with laughter, delicious food, and heartfelt conversations, as colleagues came together to reflect on the year’s accomplishments and look ahead to the exciting opportunities of the future. It was a night to strengthen bonds, share gratitude, and revel in the joy of the season.
As the Gagliardi Group continues to grow and thrive, traditions like this holiday dinner serve as a reminder of the core values that drive their success: connection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Here’s to a wonderful holiday season and a bright year ahead!
We are excited to welcome Joshua Zhou as the newest member of our group.
Joshua earned his B.S. and M.S.E. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, where he worked with Professor Brandon Bukowski. His research there focused on classical simulations of amphiphilic organic molecules and developing machine-learning potentials for lithium-sulfur systems.
As a Ph.D. student, Joshua will explore machine learning applications in electronic structure theories, with a focus on catalytic reactions involving transition metals and actinides.
Welcome, Joshua—we’re thrilled to have you on the team!
University of Chicago Professor Laura Gagliardi is earning recognition for her transformative work on covalent organic frameworks (COFs), materials poised to revolutionize carbon capture. Collaborating with UC Berkeley’s Omar Yaghi, her team developed COF-999, a porous structure enhanced with amines to efficiently and durably capture CO2 from the atmosphere.
“This material could act as a giant air purifier, helping us achieve carbon neutrality,” Gagliardi says.
Her work, published in Nature, underscores the potential of COFs in climate mitigation and aligns with the University’s Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth. Beyond research, Gagliardi is committed to mentoring future scientists, fostering innovation for a sustainable planet.
You can read the full story on her visionary work and its impact on the fight against climate change here: