Materials Science and Biophysics Research Seminar Series

Stay up-to-date on the latest research and build relationships with academics at the Materials Science & Biophysics Seminar Series, which bring experts from around the world to campus to discuss their recent findings. Everyone is welcome!

Spring 2026 Seminar Series

photo of Thomas Vogel, PhD Scientist, CCS-7

Thomas Vogel, PhD Scientist, CCS-7

  • Computer, Computational and Statistical Sciences (CCS) Division
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory

Confusing Neural Networks in Simulational Physics 

Friday, January 23, 2026

Health Sciences Building EC 1218

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Host: Dr. Trinanjan Datta (tdatta@augusta.edu)

With the increasing pace of AI developments in corporate labs, questions about the future of academic groups in this field become louder. The most striking example in recent years might be AlphaFold, a machine-learning model that predicts the 3D protein structure from its amino-acid sequence and largely outperforms decade-long research in academia. This has led people to ask questions like “Are we (computational physicists) out of a job now?” Although understandable, I think this sentiment is too pessimistic.  In this talk I willpresent two of our recent, student-led research projects where we use  machine-learning tools and methods to analyze and inform conventional, statistical computer  simulations. One of them is based on us purposely confusing neural networks, the other uses a quite confusion.
photo of Theja DeSilva, PhD Associate Professor of Physics

Theja DeSilva, PhD Associate Professor of Physics

  • Department of Physics and Biophysics
  • Augusta University, Augusta, GA

Title to be announced

Friday, March 27, 2026

Health Sciences Building EC 1218

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Host: Dr. Trinanjan Datta (tdatta@augusta.edu)

Abstract to be announced ...

 

 
photo of Jorge Nochebuena, PhD Assistant Professor

Jorge Nochebuena, PhD Assistant Professor

  • Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Augusta University

Title to be announced

Friday, April 17, 2026

Health Sciences Building EC 1218

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Host: Dr. Trinanjan Datta (tdatta@augusta.edu)

Abstract to be announced ...

 

 
photo of Barrett Wells, PhD, Associate Dean for Life and Physical Sciences, Professor of Physics

Barrett Wells, PhD, Associate Dean for Life and Physical Sciences, Professor of Physics

  • Department of Physics
  • University of Connecticut

Title to be announced

Friday, April 24, 2026

Health Sciences Building EC 1218

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Host: Dr. Amani Jayakody (ajayakody@augusta.edu) 

Abstract to be announced ...
   

Seminar Series Organizers

Seminar series sponsored by: Augusta University Research Institute, College of Science and Mathematics, Department of Physics and Biophysics

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