Giulia Galli wins the 2025 Berni J. Alder CECAM Prize

Source: CECAM

The 2025 Berni J. Alder CECAM prize has been awarded to Prof. Giulia Galli, Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and Chemistry at the University of Chicago and Director of the Midwest Center for Computational Materials. Giulia Galli is a the head of NCCR MARVEL's Scientific Advisory Board. 

The Berni J. Alder CECAM Prize recognizes exceptional contributions to the field of microscopic simulation of matter. The prize is meant to honour an individual scientist; exceptionally it can be awarded to at most three scientists having equally contributed to the specific topic for which the prize is granted. The prize, created in 1999, is awarded every three years.

According to the motivation, "Over the past three decades, Prof. Galli has been a leader in the development of novel methods for large-scale electronic structure and molecular dynamics simulations. Her group made critical contributions to linear-scaling algorithms for Density Functional Theory and Green’s Function coupled with Screened Coulomb Interaction (GW), as well as machine learning potentials, enabling predictive modeling of complex systems such as water, defects in solids, and quantum information materials. Giulia Galli has also advanced the integration of simulations with experiments, playing a critical role in establishing modeling as a key interpretative tool in materials science. She led the development of impactful codes, including a large-scale GW implementation with major implications for understanding surfaces and defects. Her research has profoundly shaped both theoretical and applied aspects of condensed matter and chemical physics. With over 450 publications and around 50,000 citations, her influence spans disciplines and generations. She has been an outstanding advocate for computational science and served the international community in a variety of important roles. Her leadership has been widely recognized, and her work and commitment to the development of the field have inspired colleagues, collaborators, and students across the globe".