David Coker

David Coker is a Professor of Chemistry and Physics at Boston University, conducting theoretical and computational research in quantum dynamics of chemical reactions, excitation energy transfer, and photochemical processes. His work bridges quantum mechanics with environmental and materials science applications.

Education:

• B.Sc. Hons. I, Theoretical Chemistry, University of Sydney (1981)
• Ph.D., Statistical Physics, Australian National University (1986)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry, Columbia University (1985)

Research Interests: Focus on trajectory-based quantum dynamics methods, photosynthetic energy transfer, organic photochemistry, and plasmonic catalysis. His group develops the Partial Linearized Density Matrix (PLDM) approach for quantum subsystems in complex environments.

Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize vibronic dynamics in perovskites, plasmonic nanorod-enhanced energy transfer, and quantum coherence in biological systems (2024-2023). Earlier works cover FRET sensor modeling, ionic liquid electrolytes (2018), and fundamental quantum-classical dynamics (2019-2020).

Labs & Collaborations: The Coker Group operates from the Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering, Room 530, with active projects in quantum biology and environmental chemistry applications.