Category Archives: People and Events

Professor Laura Gagliardi has been named the recipient of the 2026 Schrödinger Medal by the World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists (WATOC), one of the highest honors in theoretical chemistry. The award recognizes her pioneering contributions to multireference electronic-structure theory and its transformative applications in catalysis, carbon capture, and water harvesting materials.

Awarded during the centenary year of the Schrödinger equation, the medal highlights Professor Gagliardi’s leadership in advancing quantum chemistry through the development of Multiconfiguration Pair-Density Functional Theory (MC-PDFT) and Local Active Space (LAS) methods. These breakthroughs have enabled researchers to accurately model highly complex molecular systems that were previously beyond computational reach.

The impact of this work extends far beyond theory. Professor Gagliardi’s research has driven innovations in sustainable materials and catalyst discovery, helping address global challenges related to climate and energy.

“This recognition reflects the incredible collaborative environment at the University of Chicago and the outstanding students, postdocs, and colleagues I have had the privilege to work with throughout my career,” said Gagliardi.

Read the full announcement here.

This Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to congratulate Professor Laura Gagliardi for being featured in the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s Women in Energy exhibit. The installation celebrates women driving cleaner, more responsible energy solutions—a fitting recognition of Professor Gagliardi’s groundbreaking work. With women representing just 25% of the energy workforce, honoring leaders like her helps inspire the next generation of scientists. Join us in celebrating her achievements and visit the Griffin Museum this March to explore the exhibit!

Please join us in celebrating Josh for successfully completing his candidacy exam. This significant milestone reflects his dedication, perseverance, and the hard work he has invested in his research journey.

We look forward to seeing Josh’s continued growth and the impactful contributions he will make in the years ahead!

We are delighted to welcome Melanie Burns as our new Research & Strategy Lead. In this role, Melanie will help advance our new and ongoing research initiatives, drive data sharing to enhance high-impact research, and foster growth through outreach and strategic partnerships.

Melanie holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota and brings a strong background in academic research administration and collaborative science. She has worked extensively with multidisciplinary teams on projects in catalyst design, nanoporous materials, and 3D printing of functional materials.

We are excited to welcome Tim Strang to the Gagliardi Group. Tim earned a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics from Dartmouth College in 2022, where he conducted research on machine learning applications to self-consistent field methods with Professor James Whitfield’s quantum information sciences group. He then worked as a data scientist at BlueSky Resources (now part of Waste Management), developing software for methane emissions monitoring in landfills and coal mines. As a graduate student, Tim’s research interests focus on the development of quantum embedding methods, particularly at the intersection of quantum chemistry and machine learning.

Welcome Tim! We look forward to your contributions to the Group’s research!

We are happy to welcome Jeffrey Tejada to the Gagliardi Group as a new graduate student. Jeff joins the group with a strong background in computational chemistry and quantum science, having conducted research at Brown University and through multiple SULI internships. His prior work includes studies of entanglement in the Hubbard model, applications of machine learning to accelerate lattice QCD calculations, and investigations of finite-size effects in Quantum Monte Carlo simulations. He has also been actively involved in undergraduate education in quantum information science and quantum computing.

We are delighted to have Jeff join the group and look forward to his contributions and future research in the Gagliardi Group.

The Gagliardi Group came together in high spirits for a lively and memorable holiday celebration, embracing the excitement and joy that define this festive time of year. This year’s event featured a catered dinner showcasing A Taste of Italy at Your Table menu, along with a spirited Secret Santa gift exchange that kept everyone laughing and engaged.

The night was all about enjoying each other’s company: sharing stories, discovering the surprises behind each gift, and simply having a great time together. With plenty of fun moments and a fantastic meal, the gathering offered a chance for everyone to unwind and connect in a relaxed, upbeat setting.

Looking ahead, the Gagliardi Group is energized by the momentum of 2025 and the strong sense of teamwork that continues to grow within the group. Celebrations like this highlight the importance of coming together, appreciating one another, and carrying that positive spirit into the year to come.

Here’s to a wonderful holiday season and a bright year ahead!

We are excited to welcome Dr. Eun Mi Kim and Dr. Arpan Choudhury as the newest postdoctoral researchers joining the Gagliardi Group.

Eun Mi recently completed her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Penn State University, where her work integrated advanced computational methods with molecular-scale design. She also earned an M.S. in Chemistry (2019) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2017) from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), reflecting her strong interdisciplinary training across chemistry and engineering.

Arpan joins us after completing his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, where he focused on developing and applying electronic structure methods. His academic background includes an M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Hyderabad (2018) and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Calcutta (2016), marking a steady progression toward expertise in theoretical chemistry.

Both Eun Mi and Arpan bring deep computational experience, diverse scientific perspectives, and enthusiasm for tackling challenging problems in chemical research. We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the contributions they will make to our community.