10 July 2024

Alfons Hoekstra scientific director of the Molecular and Materials Design hub

Alfons Hoekstra, a professor of Computational Science & Engineering, has been appointed the scientific director of the new Molecular and Materials Design (MMD) Technology hub as of July 1. This initiative aims to revolutionize research in molecules and materials using advanced AI and simulations, with a focus on health and environmental sustainability.

Previously the director of the Informatics Institute, Hoekstra played a key role in establishing the MMD hub. The hub's mission is to leverage the university's cutting-edge equipment and expertise to innovate in molecule and material creation, thereby impacting the university's core research themes.

The MMD hub will accelerate scientific discoveries by integrating experimental data with predictive modeling. This cyclical process enables the continuous refinement and creation of materials with optimized properties, fostering new collaborations across various institutes.

Hoekstra is enthusiastic about building a dynamic MMD community and advancing collaborative efforts. Despite potential financial challenges, he sees opportunities in public-private partnerships to fund innovative research. In the next two years, he aims to establish a self-sustaining, vibrant community recognized for its groundbreaking scientific contributions.

The MMD hub aspires to unite scientists and partners in conducting high-tech research, driving forward the frontiers of molecular and material science.

Read more about the MMD-hub here.

Published by UvA.

Vergelijkbaar >

Similar news items

>View all news items >

October 28

Opinion: “A call for consensus: AI's place in education” >

Roemer Wage, a graduate of the University of Amsterdam with a degree in Information Science and currently pursuing a Master's in Information Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit, wrote his Bachelor's thesis titled "Regulating Generative AI: An Analysis of the EU Approach," which was graded an 8.5. Drawing on this research and his insights gained throughout his studies, he shares the following opinion on the role of AI in education.

Accelerating digitalization in SMEs: a conversation with André Gerver >

AI is everywhere. SMEs face the challenge of keeping up with rapid digital developments. In an interview with the Centre of Expertise Applied AI at HvA, program leader André Gerver discusses the European Digital Innovation Hub Northwest (EDIH) and the role of the 'Test before Invest' work package, which helps SMEs in their digital transition.

HAVA-lab officially opened: interdisciplinary research into human-aligned video AI >

Last week, Peter-Paul Verbeek officially opened the HAVA-Lab. This is the first lab of its kind at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) that studies video-AI from an interdisciplinary perspective. The central research question revolves around what defines human-aligned video-AI, how it can be made computable, and what determines its societal acceptance. The lab unites all seven UvA faculties in a groundbreaking effort, showcasing the power of collaboration in addressing complex societal challenges.