Alexander Spears – New PhD Student

30.09.2025

We are happy to welcome Alexander Spears as a new PhD student in the CMP group. Alexander completed a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry and a M. Sc. degree in inorganic & computational chemistry at the Technical University of Munich. His Master’s thesis explored the melting behaviour of ABX₃ molecular perovskites and their relevance in chiral glass formation.

At CMP, Alexander’s research focuses on the simulation of light-driven chemistry on metal surfaces using machine learning methods and mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics. 

 

Experiments using ultra-fast laser pulses have shown that energy transfer from light into molecular degrees of freedom on metal surfaces is more selective than under purely thermal conditions, potentially enabling more efficient catalysis. However, the complex interactions between light and matter are challenging to simulate at chemically relevant time scales, where his research attempts to bridge a gap between efficiency and accuracy. 

 

We’re excited to have Alexander on board and look forward to his contributions to the group!