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 at Lila and machine-learned exchange-correlation functionals and neural-network potentials at Harvard's MIR group. I've conducted research efforts on defects and electronic structure at Sandia National Laboratories, as well as fluid dynamics at the Bush Lab at MIT.

My research efforts have been honored with the Coolidge Scholarship, two ISEF first-prize wins across Mathematics and Chemistry, the Seaborg Award and Top 40 at the Regeneron Science Talent Search, and the Samueli Foundation Prize.

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.