Tom is a Ph.D. student in theoretical chemistry at the University of Bonn in Germany (advised by Prof. Barbara Kirchner). In early 2024, he spent 3.5 months as a visiting student with Prof. Blankschtein at MIT.
After returning home to Germany, Tom is still collaborating actively with the DB group, researching polarization effects at ionic liquid (IL)/graphene interfaces. These interfaces are particularly intriguing due to the pronounced impact of polarization on their physico-chemical properties, influenced by the strong electric fields exerted by the ions. Tom employs a combination of quantum chemical calculations and all-atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to develop a polarizable force field. The goal is to accurately quantify the role of polarization at IL-graphene interfaces and model their structural and dynamical features.
Beyond his academic endeavors, Tom is a passionate Ballroom dancer and enjoys cooking with his friends.