Akilan Sankaran

Harvard

I think about the intersection of computational and mathematical formalism with the applied physical sciences, spanning materials, chemistry, physics, and biology. I'm working on applied AI research in the physical sciences under Ben Kompa at Lila and machine-learned exchange-correlation functionals and neural-network potentials at Harvard's MIR group. I've previously contributed towards research efforts on semiconductor physics and electronic structure at Sandia National Laboratories, as well as fluid dynamics within the Bush Lab at MIT.

Outside of technical scientific work, I enjoy exploring economics and political philosophy, most recently through Charles River Economics Labs and Harvard's Institute of Politics. I am also an avid Classical pianist and distance runner.