The AI and Physical Sciences research area unites faculty from diverse fields and programs, including physics, biophysics, chemical physics, chemistry, and applied mathematics, to drive innovation at the intersection of AI, machine learning (ML), and the physical sciences. This research area emphasizes the unique role of physics—particularly statistical physics, quantum mechanics, and nonlinear dynamics—in developing next-generation AI methods. Through this program, students can explore a broad range of application areas. UMD’s strength in these disciplines positions it as a leader in shaping an AI-first approach to the physical sciences, fostering advances that push both fields forward.
Personnel
Research Areas
- AI approaches for next-generation molecular structure and dynamics prediction
- Statistical physics and nonlinear dynamics approaches to AI
- Convergence of Neurophysics and AI (Biocomputing)
AI and Physical Sciences News
Barkeshli Selected for Frontiers of Science Award
Research by Professor Maissam Barkeshli and colleagues has been selected by the International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) as a recipient of the 2026 Frontiers of Science Award in Condensed...
Barkeshli Selected for Prestigious Simons Collaboration to Study Inner Workings of Artificial Intelligence
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms everything from medicine to scientific research to creative fields, a fundamental question remains unanswered: How do AI systems actually work? AI...
