Emily Carter

Emily Carter. An American theoretical chemist and computational materials scientist renowned for her pioneering work in developing and applying first-principles quantum mechanics to solve complex problems in chemistry, materials science, and engineering. Her research has profoundly impacted the understanding of catalysis, combustion, and sustainable energy technologies. Carter has held prestigious academic leadership positions at major institutions and is a prominent advocate for STEM education and diversity in science.

Early life and education

Born in the United States, she developed an early interest in mathematics and the physical sciences. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Demonstrating exceptional aptitude, she continued her graduate education at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Under the mentorship of William A. Goddard III, a leader in computational chemistry, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy in 1987. Her doctoral research involved pioneering simulations of chemical reactions on semiconductor surfaces, laying the groundwork for her future career.

Academic career

Following her postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado Boulder, she began her independent academic career as a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She later moved to Princeton University, where she held the Arthur W. Marks '19 Professorship and served as the founding director of the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. In a significant leadership role, she was appointed as the executive vice chancellor and provost of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 2019. Throughout her career, she has also held visiting positions at institutions like the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Germany.

Research and scientific contributions

Her research program is centered on the development and application of advanced computational methods in quantum mechanics, particularly density functional theory and embedded correlated wavefunction theory. A major focus has been creating accurate, efficient simulations to study heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis for sustainable energy applications, such as converting carbon dioxide into fuels and designing better materials for solar energy conversion. Her group has made seminal contributions to understanding the mechanisms of combustion and pollutant formation, providing critical insights for cleaner engine design. She has also applied these principles to the study of plasma-surface interactions and the degradation of materials in extreme environments, such as those found in nuclear fusion reactors.

Awards and honors

Her groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. These include the Irving Langmuir Award in Chemical Physics from the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Institute of Physics, the ACS Award in Theoretical Chemistry, and the Fellowship of the American Physical Society. She is an elected member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She has also received the F. A. Gilfillan Memorial Award from the Sigma Xi scientific research society and has been honored with named lectureships at institutions worldwide, including the Bakerian Lecture at the Royal Society.

Personal life

Outside of her scientific endeavors, she is an accomplished pianist and has a strong interest in the arts. She is a dedicated mentor and has been actively involved in initiatives to increase the participation of women in science and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. She has served on advisory boards for several national laboratories, including the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and has contributed to scientific policy through service on committees for the United States Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. Category:American theoretical chemists Category:Computational chemists Category:University of California, Santa Barbara faculty