In this talk Dr. Arthi Jayaraman will share how her formal training in Chemical Engineering and life-lessons from her parents and mentors have shaped her independent career focused on research and education in computational materials science. Specifically, in her role as Director of the NSF-funded NRT-MIDAS program, she has passionately designed and implemented a comprehensive graduate training model that integrates high-performance computing, data science, and soft (polymer) materials innovation. This program not only equips students with technical expertise but also emphasizes professional development through teamwork, empathetic leadership, effective communication, industry engagement, and public outreach. By creating cross-departmental courses like the ‘NRT Hackathon’ and fostering collaborations with industry and national labs, Jayaraman ensures that students gain real-world problem-solving experience. Her efforts to include students from historically Black institutions and international backgrounds in this program further underscore the program’s inclusive and forward-thinking approach. The long-term sustainability of this NRT-MIDAS program’s training activities has been ensured through the establishment of a formal graduate certificate in computing and data science for soft materials at the University of Delaware. Through this and other initiatives, Jayaraman is working to empower students to become innovative, creative, empathetic, and is helping shape the next-generation of leaders in science and engineering.
