Chemistry professor receives AI Research Excellence Award
The University of Florida’s Artificial Intelligence and Informatics Research Institute (AIIRI) has appointed Dr. Adrian Roitberg. Professor of Chemistry, recipient of the AI Research Excellence Award for his pioneering contributions to artificial intelligence and computational chemistry.
Roitberg’s research has transformed the way scientists model molecular systems by developing neural network models that reproduce the accuracy and quantum mechanical calculations while reducing computational time by orders of magnitude.
When scientists study molecules such as water, sugar, and proteins, they need to know the energy of each shape of the molecule and the forces acting on each atom. This energy tells us how stable a molecule is and how it reacts with other molecules. Traditionally, this has been achieved using very accurate but very time-consuming methods such as DFT (density functional theory).
But recently, Roitberg and his research team harnessed the power of HiPerGator, UF’s AI supercomputer, to simulate the chemical environment of early Earth. This cutting-edge research demonstrates how physics-based AI can bridge chemistry, physics, and biology to answer science’s most profound questions. His new model enables researchers and industry leaders to accelerate discoveries in materials science, drug design, and chemical engineering.
“We’ve essentially opened Pandora’s box and now have access to information that researchers have previously only been able to theorize about,” Roitberg said of his work.
The AI Research Excellence Award is one of three inaugural honors bestowed by AIIRI as part of the AI Research Awards, which honor outstanding contributions that advance the frontiers of artificial intelligence research at the University of Florida. Dr. Jeremy Balch, Ph.D., School of Medicine, has been recognized with the AI Research Dissertation Award and Dr. Kiley Graim. Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering students received the AI Research Early Career Award.
“UF has been very deliberate and strategic in its approach to artificial intelligence,” Roitberg said. “Thanks to this long-term commitment, we now have a full community of AI innovators. AI is here. It’s not going anywhere.”
Learn more about the AI Research Award.
