Currently I am working on my Ph.D. project with Gábor Csányi and Mike Payne:
Mechanical properties of DNA
The DNA heteropolymer is important both in biology as the carrier of genetic information in cells, and as a flexible building block in the construction of new nanostructures and devices. We want to understand the DNA's local mechanical properties in detail, for which we rely on computer simulations. To effectively carry out large-scale simulations we need to reduce the number of degrees of freedom of the model by coarse-graining.
We study a new approach to the coarse-graining of DNA using Gaussian Approximation Potentials, a nonparametric regression of the energy surface. In addition, first-principles calculations allow us to validate our results.
Previous work
Previously I studied superfluidity in ultracold atomic gases in collaboration with Nigel Cooper and Zoran Hadzibabic, written up in my Diplom thesis.
Supervisions/tutoring (small group teaching):
- Michaelmas 2012:
- Mathematical Methods
- Advanced Quantum Physics
- Lent 2012:
- Statistical Physics
- Michaelmas 2011:
- Advanced Quantum Physics
