Faculty Profile
Yeongsu Cho
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
Office: Fleming, 221
Contact: ycho22@central.uh.edu - 713-743-4587
Education: Ph.D., Columbia University, 2021; M.S., University of Chicago, 2017; B.S. Seoul National University, 2015
Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2021-2024
The Cho group specializes in theoretical chemistry, focusing on the quantum phenomena
occurring within materials. By constructing theoretical models and performing simulations,
we study the electronic and optical properties of various materials. These simulations
offer insights that are often beyond the reach of experimental approaches, enabling
us to establish structure-property relationships and design innovative materials with
specific desired properties.
Our research is particularly concerned with the high computational demands associated
with complex materials, which often limit the scope of material exploration. To address
this challenge, our group is dedicated to developing methods that reduce computational
costs and expedite materials discovery. Our primary focus is on applications such
as LEDs that efficiently convert energy to light and solar cells that effectively
transform light into energy.
Our projects encompass: (i) developing cost-effective methods for excited state calculations
utilizing data science, (ii) developing an automated workflow to build an extensive
database of excited states and enhance our methods based on this database, and (iii)
investigating the impact of electron-phonon coupling on the spectroscopy of hybrid
organic-inorganic materials. These objectives aim to produce affordable excited state
methodologies, enabling the investigation of materials on larger length and longer
time scales.
- 2021 Pegram Award, Columbia University
- 2021 Chemical Computing Group Excellence Award for Graduate Students, ACS
- 2020-2021 Kathy Chen Fellowship, Columbia University