Hello, I’m Nils Estuardo Strand (I usually just go by Nils Strand) and I am a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago working jointly with Professor Aaron Dinner in the Department of Chemistry and Professor Yuehaw Khoo in the Department of Statistics. On September 8, 2023, I defended my PhD thesis in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, advised by Professor Todd Gingrich.

My thesis dealt with the development and use of discrete numerical methodologies to understand nonequilibrium steady-state and reactive properties in many-body classical stochastic systems. In my current research at UChicago, I hope to extend such methodologies to biomolecular and other complex systems with many more degrees of freedom and understand how these methodologies interact with AI-based tools such as neural networks (CV here).

Graduate research:

While working with Prof. Gingrich since 2018, I specialized in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. I was interested in studying how minute random fluctuations shape various macroscopic nonequilibrium phenomena, such as the ratchet effect (research details here). To better understand these phenomena, my research largely involved the efficient modeling of stochastic systems, the construction of efficient numerical methods, and the development of analytical theories.

I have also done research on electronic structure theory during my first year as a PhD student under the supervision of Professor Toru Shiozaki. This research consisted in deriving and computationally implementing analytical nuclear gradients incorporating relativistic effects.

Undergraduate research:

B.S. in Chemistry (with Honors); B.S. in Computer Science; and a Minor in Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. My thesis dealt with the elucidation of catalytic cycles for the ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol using quantum mechanics (title: Computational Study of Ruthenium-Catalyzed Dimethylcarbamate Hydrogenation to Methanol: C-O and C-N Breaking Pathways). This research was performed under the supervision of Professor Paul Zimmerman.

Academic Experience:

• Fall 2017-Present. Graduate assistant (advanced to candidacy on June 4, 2019) at the Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University. PhD expected summer 2023. Between Fall 2017 and Spring 2018, I was a member of Professor Toru Shiozaki’s group. I began working in Professor Todd Gingrich’s group from July 2018. See research details here.
• Fall 2013-Winter 2017. I worked in several labs at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, including Professor Bart Bartlett’s lab in the summer of 2015 (a poster based on this research was presented at the annual University of Michigan Energy Institute Symposium). I wrote my B.S. Honors thesis in Chemistry while working with Professor Paul Zimmerman. This work combined density functional theory (DFT) with transition state finding tools to elucidate mechanisms for the ruthenium-catalyzed conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol. The research results were presented in a Symposium held at the University of Notre Dame, August 2016.

Extracurricular activities: In addition to my research, I enjoy playing the violin and running. I am the Assistant Concert Master in Northwestern’s Philharmonia orchestra. More details about my musical endeavors can be found here. I am also a chess and poker enthusiast.