@NEU = @northeastern.edu
Principal Investigator
Dr. Peter Schindler
p.schindler@NEU
Assistant Professor at Northeastern University, MIE
Ph.D. in Physics, 2015 (University of Vienna)
M.Sc. in Physics, 2011 (University of Vienna)
Dr. Peter Schindler is leading the Data-Driven Renewables Research (D2R2) group that seeks to discover novel materials for renewable energy applications using high-throughput, quantum chemistry calculations, and data-driven materials property predictions. He is a scientific advisory board member (and former senior scientist) at Aionics Inc., a startup that has become a recognized leader in the field of battery informatics, by co-innovating with battery manufacturers through AI and high-performance computing. During his postdoctoral research at the University of Vienna and Stanford University, his research established renewable energy materials both computationally and experimentally, for which he was awarded the Erwin-Schrödinger fellowship by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). He received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Vienna working on thin-film semiconductor synthesis and characterization. His expertise in both experimental synthesis and computational materials simulations enables him to carry out cutting-edge research at the intersection of the two fields.
Materials Informatics, AI, Ab-initio Modeling, Materials Discovery, Renewable Energy Materials, Surfaces, Heterogeneous Catalysis
Despite being originally from Austria, he neither is a good skier nor plays a classical instrument. He does however dance Bachata and Kizomba and knows how to play the drums. He is also into street photography.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Currently hiring: See here.
Ph.D. Students
Ardavan Mehdizadeh
mehdizadeh.a@NEU
Ph.D. Student in Mechanical Engineering
B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, 2015 (Sharif University of Technology)
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, I began a journey of scientific exploration; with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Sharif University of Technology as part of my qualifications, I entered the world of molecular dynamics and the intricacies of protein interactions.
My research journey took me to various research institutes within and beyond Sharif University. I deeply engaged in Molecular Dynamics simulations, uncovering the complications of protein-protein and protein-nanoparticle interactions. I also had the interest to investigate the complexities of protein folding and the prediction of protein structure and function.
Now, I’m eagerly diving into the exciting world of computational material science, focusing primarily on quantum chemistry calculations and data-driven approaches, including machine learning methods, for my PhD. This integration of sciences promises groundbreaking discoveries in machine learning models driven by statistical insights, and I can’t wait to explore it further.
Computational Materials Science, Computational Quantum Chemistry, Multiscale Modeling, Molecular Dynamics, Density Functional Theory (DFT), Data-Driven Methods, Machine Learning
- Musical Marathoner: I can listen to a single song on repeat for an entire day while working. It’s my secret productivity hack!
- Potato Prodigy: My friends can’t get enough of my baked potatoes. They say they’re the best!
- Football Frenzy: I’m a football (soccer) fan.
- Italian Sojourn: I had the incredible opportunity to live in Italy for a year. It was an unforgettable experience filled with culture, delicious food, and beautiful sights.
Co-advised Ph.D. Students
Peiyun Feng
feng.peiy@NEU
Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering
B.Sc. in Material Science and Engineering, 2021 (Sichuan University)
B.Sc. in Material Science and Engineering, 2021 (University of Pittsburgh)
I was born and raised in Sichuan, China, and began my academic journey in Material Science at Sichuan University. Through a collaborative program between Sichuan University and the University of Pittsburgh, I transferred to the latter during my third year of undergraduate study, earning a B.Sc. from both universities. Upon graduation, I joined Northeastern University to pursue my Ph.D. degree.
Silicon/Carbon nanomaterials synthesis, surface characterization, simulations and applications.
Peiyun has two ragdoll cats named Cinnamon and Azam!
Luca Reichert
Ph.D. Student at Technical University of Munich (TUM)
M. Eng. in Material Science, 2021 (University of Koblenz, Germany)
B. Eng. in Material Science, 2021 (University of Applied Science, Koblenz, Germany)
Never meaning to start a scientific career, my journey started with an apprenticeship as a materials tester at ThyssenKrupp, one of the biggest steel producers in Germany. In my second year, I got used to the work of our engineers and realized that this is the work I wanted to do in my future career, both research and project management.
To reach this goal, I studied Material Science with main focus on ceramics and high-temperature materials. During this time, I worked as a research assistant at an institute near my university and in parallel as a teaching assistant. Discovering that the combination of research and teaching is my passion, I made the decision to begin the path to becoming a professor.
After a quick step back in the industry at MTU Aero Engines in Munich for 1 ½ years, I recently started my doctorate at the Technical University of Munich. Here, I am currently investigating catalytic materials for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in PEM-Fuel Cells.
Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, Density Functional Theory (DFT), Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Theoretical and Physical Chemistry, (Computational) Material Science
In secondary school, I wanted to be a banker and start a career in the financial sector.
I am a hobby photographer but never share my work.
I will let my hair grow over my PhD. Prior to the Defense, I will cut them off to donate them.
Masters Students
Jawad Ahmed
ahmed.ja@NEU
M.Sc. Student in Energy Systems
B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering, 2021 (NUST)
Jawad is a Fulbright scholar from Pakistan, currently pursuing a Master of Science in Energy Systems at Northeastern University. His area of interest is the application of Machine Learning in the energy sector.
Prior to his master’s degree, Jawad earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). Upon graduation, he joined Reon Energy Limited as a Graduate Engineer, where his responsibilities included solar power forecasting, designing decentralized energy systems for telecom towers, and deployment of the energy storage systems.
Energy Informatics, Data-Driven Methods, Machine Learning, Renewable Energy, Artificial Intelligence
Jawad used to dream of becoming a historian, but he ended up going the engineering route because he was academically good in science subjects, and well, peer pressure played its part too.
Karan Mudaliar
mudaliar.k@NEU
M.Sc. Student in Data Science
B.Tech. in Computer Science, 2021 (Vellore Institute of Technology)
I grew up in Mumbai but I’ve also lived in 4 different cities in India. I did my bachelors in computer science from VIT university India, and I am now pursuing a masters degree in Data Science at Northeastern university.
I’m mainly studying applications of ML models in different disciplines, interpretability of machine learning models, machine unlearning and multimodal AI systems. I’m still trying to find my niche but I love working on all of the above fields.
I speak 4 languages (English, Tamil, Hindi, Marathi) and am learning at 5th language (Spanish)
Nita Chaudhari
chaudhari.nit@NEU
M.Sc. Student in Data Analytics Engineering
B.Eng. in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, 2018 (Mumbai University)
She is holding a Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Mumbai University and is a proficient data specialist. During her tenure as a Data Science Intern at Tesla, she excelled in creating and deploying impactful data science solutions for service applications. Additionally, she demonstrated her expertise as a software developer at Accenture, where she made significant contributions to client Insurance applications.
Data-driven approaches, renewable energy applications, demand forecasting
She once saw a shooting star and made a wish, and it actually came true!
Bharath Raj Pragada
pragada.b@NEU
M.Sc. Student in Data Analytics Engineering
B.Tech. in Information Technology, 2022 (SASTRA)
I am Bharath from Bhimavaram traveled all the way to Boston to pursue my Master’s in Data Analytics Engineering. I have completed my Bachelor’s in Information technology from SASTRA, Thanjavur. I have one year of work experience as a Product Engineer at Alfahive Pvt Ltd - a cybersecurity company based in Bangalore - where I have contributed in several ways such as managing data, developing core risk quantification APIs, and UI automation using the AI tool Testsigma.
Data Engineering, Data Analytics, Data Science, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence
During my time as a software developer I sometimes laughed so loud in my workplace that people where wondering whether I am “Bharath” or “Bafoon”…
Undergraduate Students
Please, reach out to me to discuss opportunities to work together. Open positions are listed here and what to expect when joining the group is discussed here.
Noah Crane
crane.no@NEU
B.Sc. Student in Mechanical Engineering
Born and raised in the California Silicon Valley, I have been surrounded with tech and engineering my whole life. I decided to pursue mechanical engineering, and after an amazing semester studying materials science, I reached out to seek a research opportunity in the field. I am very excited to join my first research position and work with such an inspiring group!
Using AI/ML to model materials degradation, data-driven materials selection
I love to be active in my free time, whether lifting weights at the gym or rock climbing with my friends.
Visiting Students/Scholars and Research Interns
Please, reach out to me to discuss opportunities to work together. Open positions are listed here and what to expect when joining the group is discussed here.
Roye Wu
ro.wu@NEU
Research Intern at D2R2 Group
B.Sc. in Computational Data Science, expected 2024 (Penn State University)
I am Roye and I was raised in Silicon Valley, California for most of my life until I went to the East Coast to study for university. I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Applied Data Science and am excited to delve into research in the fascinating realm of material science!
Data Analytics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
I have two pet turtles called Groudon and Kyogre (named after the legendary Pokemon)
Alumni
Dr. S. Emad Rezaei (Postdoctoral Research Associate during 2023) - Now a research scientist at Onsemi
