Giulia Galli

Giulia Galli is a condensed-matter physicist, expert in the development of theoretical and computational methods to predict and engineer material and molecular properties from first principles. Her group’s research focuses on theoretical and computational modeling of materials for renewable energy sources and quantum information technologies. She also directs the Midwest Integrated Center for Computational Materials at Argonne National Laboratory. A native of Italy, Galli received her Ph.D. in Physics from the International School of Advanced Studies in Trieste. Prior to joining UChicago, she was professor of chemistry and physics at the University of California, Davis (2005-2013) and the founding group leader of the Quantum Simulations group at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1998-2005). Among many professional honors, in 2022 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Foundation of Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America (ISSNAF) and the Rahman Prize in Computational Physics from the American Physical Society. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Science, and the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science, and a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Q: Why is international collaboration important in your field?

A: Science has no boundaries and by its very nature calls for collaborations at all levels, including international collaborations. Attacking problems from different perspectives and with different tools and techniques is one essential prerequisite for success in science, hence international collaborations are absolutely critical.

Q: What has interested or surprised you most in building your international collaborations?

A: I have never found barriers between scientists at any level. Whenever barriers were encountered, they were created by sometimes ill-conceived policies and underlying politics. Not sure that is a surprising aspect, but I mention it because it is important to keep in mind the impact of policies set by funding agencies and government in determining the success of science.