David M. Ceperley

David M. Ceperley is a Founder Professor in Physics and Research Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he has been a faculty member since 1987. He maintains his office in the Engineering Sciences Building and is affiliated with the Department of Physics within the College of Engineering. His distinguished career has established him as a leading authority in computational quantum physics.

Professor Ceperley received his BS in physics from the University of Michigan in 1971 and his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Cornell University in 1976. Following postdoctoral appointments at the University of Paris and Rutgers University, he worked as a staff scientist at both Lawrence Berkeley and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories before joining the UIUC faculty. From 1987 until 2012, he also served as a staff scientist at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

Ceperley's research focuses on developing and applying quantum Monte Carlo methods to study quantum many-body systems. His most significant contribution is his calculation of the energy of the electron gas, which provides fundamental input for electronic structure calculations. He pioneered path integral Monte Carlo methods for quantum systems at finite temperature, particularly for superfluid helium and hydrogen under extreme conditions. His current research encompasses electron fluids, metalization of hydrogen at high pressure, temperature-dependent simulations of solids and liquids, and cold atom systems.

Analysis of Ceperley's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory from foundational method development to increasingly complex applications in condensed matter physics. His recent work demonstrates a strong emphasis on high-pressure physics, particularly the behavior of hydrogen and related systems under extreme conditions. The integration of quantum Monte Carlo with other computational approaches represents a significant evolution in his research methodology.

• B. J. Alder CECAM Prize (2016)
• Member International Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences (2013)
• Blue Waters Professor (2014)
• Center for Advanced Studies Professor (2009)
• Founder Professor of Engineering (2006)
• National Academy of Sciences (2005)
• Fellow, American Academy of Arts & Sciences (1999)
• Rahman Prize in Computational Physics (1998)
• Feenberg Medal (1994)

Professor Ceperley has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers throughout his career, contributing significantly to the training of computational physicists. His research has been consistently supported by major funding agencies including the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy. He has taught courses including MSE 485 (Atomic Scale Simulations) and PHYS 460 (Condensed Matter Physics), demonstrating his commitment to education alongside research.

His work has positioned him as a leader in computational quantum physics, developing methods that can find exact properties of many-body systems and apply them to diverse materials. His research group continues to advance computational techniques for studying materials under extreme conditions, with particular emphasis on high-pressure hydrogen physics and quantum phase transitions.