2025 International Solvay Chair in Biology
Benjamin Simons
University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Biography
Benjamin D. Simons is Director of the Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge. After graduating in Cambridge with a PhD in theoretical physics, he undertook postdoctoral training at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1995, he returned to Cambridge as a lecturer in the Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, becoming appointed to a personal chair in 2002. Currently, he holds the Herchel Smith Chair in Physics and a Royal Society EP Abraham Professorship in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. His research integrates experimental, mathematical and computational approaches to study mechanisms of cell fate in epithelial tissues, using mouse genetics and 3D organ cultures. His research spans a wide range of topics, from the mechanisms that regulate the development, maintenance, and regeneration of epithelial tissues to how these programmes become dysregulated in the transition to diseased and cancerous states. He is a Fellow of the UK’s Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Inaugural Lecture
Theory, Computation and Machine Intelligence for Reticular Chemistry
Solvay Room on January 28th at 4:00 PM
I will describe the synergies of theory, computation, and machine intelligence to expedite the discovery of innovative reticular materials, with a particular focus on their application in catalysis and water harvesting.
I will first discuss our current endeavors in understanding and optimizing the water-harvesting potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) by the elucidation of the water-filling mechanism. [1], [2]
I will then present a comprehensive computational and data-driven investigation, complemented by experimental work, focusing on sulfur-based MOFs for electrocatalytic transformations relevant to hydrogenation and CO2 reduction.[3] The computational insights have played a pivotal role in guiding the synthesis of novel MOFs. Initiating our study with previously reported Fe4S4 chain coordination polymers, we systematically explore the influence of alternative linkers and counter-cations on the material’s structure. This investigation aims to tailor these materials into porous 2D or 3D frameworks. Notably, our efforts have resulted in the development of a computational workflow for MOF and COF structure prediction.[4]
[1] N. Hanikel, D. Kurandina, S. Chheda, Z. Zheng, Z. Rong, S. E. Neumann, J. Sauer, J. I. Siepmann, L. Gagliardi, and O. M. Yaghi, MOF Linker Extension Strategy for Enhanced Atmospheric Water Harvesting, ACS Central Science., 2023, 9, 551–557, DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00018.
[2] D. Kurandina, B. Huang, W. Xu, N. Hanikel, A. Darù, G.D. Stroscio, K. Wang, L. Gagliardi, F.D. Toste, O.M. Yaghi, A Porous Crystalline Nitrone-Linked Covalent Organic Framework A. C. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202307674 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307674
[3] N. Jiang, A. Darù, Š. Kunstelj, J. G. Vitillo, M.E. Czaikowski, A. Wuttig, L. Gagliardi, J.S. Anderson. Catalytic, Spectroscopic, and Theoretical Studies of Fe4S4-Based Coordination Polymers as Heterogenous CPET Mediators for Electrocatalysis J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2024, 146, 12243–12252. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03726
[4] A. Darù, J. Anderson, D. Proserpio, and L. Gagliardi, Symmetry is the Key to the Design of Reticular Frameworks, ChemRxiv, 2024. DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2024-37wks
COFFEE AND TEA WILL BE SERVED AT 3:45 P.M AND DRINKS AT 5:00 P.M. IN FRONT OF THE SOLVAY ROOM
Other Lectures and visits
January 29th
VUB
February 19th
UMONS
February 20th
Syensqo
February 21st
UGent
September 3rd
Eindhoven
October 22nd
UNamur
October 23rd
ULiège
October 24th
KULeuven