Kerstin Hummer

Kerstin Hummer is an Associate Professor in Computational Materials Physics at the University of Vienna's Faculty of Physics. She leads research on ab-initio modeling of materials using density functional theory (DFT) and advanced computational methods, with applications in photocatalysis, exciton dynamics, and bandgap engineering.

Her group investigates low-dimensional materials like transition metal dichalcogenides and semiconductor alloys, focusing on electronic, optical, and vibrational properties. Recent work includes neural network potentials for simulating ion diffusion in telluride materials and spectroscopic analysis of copper-zeolite catalysts.

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on improving DFT methods through hybrid functionals, with applications spanning ZnO semiconductors, III-V compounds, and organic molecular crystals. Her teaching includes courses on scientific computing and light-matter interaction.

Awards include the L'ORÉAL 'For Women in Science' fellowship and AT&S Research Grant for innovations in materials modeling.