Annual Caress Lecture: Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez, Gompf Family Professor, Johns Hopkins University

The GW Department of Chemistry is pleased to present our annual Caress Lecture featuring Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez, Gompf Family Professor, Johns Hopkins

Dr. Hernandez will share how he sees the world through the lens of computational, theoretical and data-enabled chemistry, and the solutions it offers to this century's challenges. Molecular dynamics, enhanced sampling, nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, coarse-graining, and machine learning are being used to characterize and predict nanomaterials. Dr Hernandez will share his process in developing design rules for sustainable nanomaterials. Doing so has led to the reduction of cytotoxity (mitigating negative consequences), and helped to increase crop yields (providing positive consequences.) Finally, Dr. Hernandez will share how he has used polymer-networked nanoparticles as a platform for neuromorphic computing.

The talk will be followed by a reception. Please RSVP to gwchemgwu [dot] edu (gwchem[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you plan on attending from outside of the university. The building is secure, and we would like to make certain that you can gain access.

About the Speaker

Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez serves as the Gompf Family Professor of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University and directs the Open Chemistry Collaborative in Diversity Equity (OXIDE). Born in Güines, Cuba, he completed his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics at Princeton (1989) and Ph.D. in Chemistry at UC Berkeley (1993). His research encompasses theoretical and computational chemistry alongside work in diversity and equity within the sciences. He has authored over 195 publications in these areas. His contributions have been recognized through awards including the NSF CAREER Award, Sloan Fellowship, ACS Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students, RCSA STAR Award, Herty Medal, and Humboldt Research Prize. He is a Fellow of AAAS, ACS, APS, and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Location: SEH B1220. Please note that this is an in-person and online special presentation. Reception will follow.

The Caress Lecture Series

The Caress lecture series was established by Drs. Edward and Virginia Caress and is designed to feature leaders in their fields who have made substantive contributions to any area of chemistry as determined by a committee of the faculty.

Please join us either virtually or in-person.  If you are outside of GW and would like to join, just drop us an email at gwchemgwu [dot] edu (gwchem[at]gwu[dot]edu) and let us know that you are coming.

All are welcome. If you plan on attending please email gwchemgwu [dot] edu. Thank you.