Mariana Rossi receives Nernst-Haber-Bodenstein Prize 2024
Dr. Mariana Rossi, a Brazilian physicist who specializes in computational physical chemistry and leads a Lise Meitner research group at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) in Hamburg, has been awarded the prestigious Nernst-Haber-Bodenstein Prize 2024 by the German Bunsen Society. In its citation, the Society highlighted “her outstanding scientific achievements in the modelling of complex nanostructures and materials at a quantum-mechanical level.”
Mariana Rossi established the group Simulations from Ab Initio Approaches: Structure and Dynamics from Quantum Mechanics (SabIA) at the MPSD four years ago. Her team investigates how temperature and quantum nuclear motion affect the structural and electronic properties of complex weakly bonded systems.
Dr. Mariana Rossi with Prof. Dr. Robert Franke (l.) and Prof. Dr. Ralf Ludwig (r.), vice chairman and chairman of the German Bunsen Society.
A particular focus lies on the chemistry and physics that govern the properties of interfaces between different materials. The SabIA group is also involved in developing the FHI-aims and i-PI atomistic software.
Receiving the Nernst-Haber-Bodenstein Prize feels like an immense privilege, Rossi says: “This award makes me extremely happy for the recognition of my work. I am very grateful for all the opportunities that the German research landscape has provided for me throughout my career, and in particular for the current recognition by the German Bunsen Society. I hope that younger scientists who belong to underrepresented groups in physical chemistry can also be motivated to see that this area is welcoming!”
Every year since 1953, the German Bunsen Society has awarded the Nernst-Haber-Bodenstein Prize to one younger researcher for their achievements in the area of physical chemistry. It commemorates the three German scientists Max Bodenstein, Fritz Haber and Walther Nernst.
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