The Office of Research will kick off the 2019–2020 Vice President for Research Distinguished Lecture Series with a talk by Nathan Baker, director for the Advanced Computing, Mathematics, and Data Division at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
The talk, titled “Accelerating Scientific Discovery through Quantum Information Sciences,” will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. in the Engineering Teaching/Research Building (ETRL), room 101 on the WSU Pullman campus. A reception will follow in ETRL, room 119.
Quantum information science (QIS) is an emerging field with immense potential to revolutionize various science and engineering applications involving quantum computing, communication, and quantum simulation. The talk will provide an overview of the QIS area, including key applications, challenges, and opportunities, as well as key quantum related activities happening at PNNL.
Baker’s research focuses on developing new algorithms and mathematical methods in biophysics, nanotechnology, and informatics. His research projects include computational methods for modeling solvation in biomolecular systems, mathematical methods for mesoscale materials modeling, and development of methods for signature discovery. Baker has received funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
He has served as co‑principal investigator and project manager for the DOE Advanced Scientific Computing Research CM4: Collaboratory on Mathematics for Mesoscopic Modeling of Materials and as lead for the Signature Discovery Initiative at PNNL. Baker served on review panels for various agencies, including as a member of the NIH Macromolecular Structure and Function D study section. Baker currently is an editorial board member for Biophysical Journaland serves on the editorial board for NPG Scientific Data. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.
Baker is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also received the Hewlett‑Packard Junior Faculty Excellence Award by the American Chemical Society, the National Cancer Institute caBIG Connecting Collaborators Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship. He earned his doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of California, San Diego.
The Vice President for Research Distinguished Lecture Series invites world-renowned experts to WSU to share ideas and spark conversations about research that addresses society’s biggest challenges. Invited lecturers are leaders in their fields. This Vice President for Research Distinguished Lecture is sponsored by the Office of Research.
Media contact:
- Geeta Dutta, Office of Research Advancements & Partnerships, 509‑335‑5980, dutta@wsu.edu
- Ananth Kalyanaraman, School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, 509‑335‑6760, ananth@wsu.edu
