Michael Ruggiero

Michael Ruggiero is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester, with an affiliation in the Materials Science PhD Program. He is based in Hutchinson Hall, 120 Trustee Road, Rochester, New York 14627. His academic journey includes a B.Sc. in Chemistry from SUNY Geneseo (2012), a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Syracuse University (2016), and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge (2016–2018). Prior to joining Rochester, he held roles as Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Vermont (2018–2023).

His research focuses on interdisciplinary materials science, spanning chemistry, physics, and computer science. Key interests include quantum mechanical properties of solid materials, particularly pharmaceutical solids, organic semiconductors, and porous materials. He employs terahertz spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT), and machine learning to study intermolecular forces, lattice dynamics, and phase transitions.

Recent publications emphasize advancements in THz spectroscopy applications, anharmonic vibrational states, and collaborative projects on clathrates and MOFs. His work highlights the interplay between structural dynamics and material performance, aiming to engineer low-disorder, high-efficiency semiconductors.

• Exceptional Service Award, IRMMW-THz organization (2023)
• NSF CAREER awardee (2021)
• Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition (2019)
• IRMMW-THz Young Scientist of the Year award (2019)
• Best User of the UK ARCHER Supercomputer (2017)

In advising, he mentors students in the 2025 cohort and oversees grants like the NSF CAREER award and collaborative studies on clathrates. His research teams include the RugGroup (seen on Twitter) and the IRES CRYSTAL Dynamics program, fostering interdisciplinary innovation in solid-state materials and spectroscopic techniques.