September Features:
Trainee Spotlight: David Friday
David Friday is a graduate student in Thrust 4 working in the Jackson Lab using computer simulations (DFT or MD) to predict properties of light-absorbing materials (for solar cells) and employing machine learning methods (regression or Bayesian Optimization) to optimize materials toward experimental target properties. [Click above to read more!]
Faculty Spotlight: Nick Jackson
Dr. Nick Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry department at UIUC and is working in Thrust 4 on the closed-loop design of organic electronics with Marty Burke, Charles Schroeder, and Ying Diao (and all of their excellent students!). [Click above to read more!]
MMLI Trainee Spotlight: Let’s meet David Friday!
David Friday is a graduate student in Thrust 4 working in the Jackson Lab using computer simulations (DFT or MD) to predict properties of light-absorbing materials (for solar cells) and employing machine learning methods (regression or Bayesian Optimization) to optimize materials toward experimental target properties.
What was your background before MMLI?
I was chemist in the Air Force prior to UIUC. My work covered everything from fuel testing, to modeling environmental transport of materials, to nuclear-treaty work, to teaching undergrad Analytical Chemistry.
What drew you to MMLI?
I love how computational science confirms that our universe is built upon profoundly simple fundamental laws that intricately produce the complex phenomena we see every day. I chose to work in the Jackson Lab & MMLI to discover and unravel those intricate interactions in neuromedical devices and solar cells so that we can better care for others.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I really enjoy hiking, music & dancing, good conversations with friends/family, time with God, and home improvements.
Fun fact (or extremely average fact) about yourself you would like to share:
My siblings and I all work in very different worlds: My brother is an Imagineering creative director at Disney, CA. One sister is an MSW equine therapist, and barn-manager at Hooves of Hope, KY. My other sister is a Child-life Specialist at American Family Children’s Hospital, WI.
MMLI Faculty Spotlight: Let’s meet Nick Jackson!
Dr. Nick Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry department at UIUC and is working in Thrust 4 on the closed-loop design of organic electronics with Marty Burke, Charles Schroeder, and Ying Diao (and all of their excellent students!).
What was your background before MMLI?
I started my career as a physicist, transitioned to theoretical materials chemistry in grad school, and then trained as a postdoc in a chemical engineering group where I began my journey into the interface of AI and chemistry.
What drew you to MMLI?
Close collaboration with experimentalists has been a central part of my training – the MMLI seemed like an amazing opportunity to continue a career of tightly knit collaboration, but at the exciting new interface of AI and chemistry.
How do you like to spend your free time?
The majority of my free time is spent with my wife and 2-year old son!
Fun fact (or extremely average fact) about yourself you would like to share:
There was a brief period of my life where I seriously considered a career as a bluegrass musician.