Leeor Kronik

Leeor Kronik is a Chaired Full Professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, where he serves as Director of the Tom and Mary Beck Center for Advanced and Intelligent Materials (since 2019). He has been a faculty member at the Weizmann Institute since 2012 and previously served as Chair of the Department of Materials and Interfaces from 2012 to 2021.

Professor Kronik received his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, from Tel Aviv University in 1991 and his Ph.D. in Physical Electronics, with distinction, from the same institution in 1996. Following mandatory military service, he completed postdoctoral research as a Rothschild and Fulbright Fellow at the University of Minnesota (1999-2002).

Dr. Kronik's research focuses on understanding the unique properties and behavior of materials and interfaces through first-principles quantum mechanical calculations. His work spans several key areas including halide perovskites, molecular crystals, 2D materials, and electronic structure theory. A significant portion of his research involves developing and applying density functional theory and many-body perturbation theory to predict and interpret novel experimental findings. His group has made notable contributions to optimally-tuned functionals, ensemble methods, and real-space calculations, with applications ranging from spintronic materials to biogenic structures.

Analysis of Professor Kronik's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advanced materials with applications in electronics and energy. His work spans theoretical developments in computational methods, particularly in density functional theory, and their application to cutting-edge materials like halide perovskites and 2D systems. A notable trend is the integration of computational predictions with experimental validation across diverse material systems, from inorganic crystals to biological structures. His research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary reach, connecting physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology.

Professor Kronik has received numerous prestigious awards for his scientific contributions:

• 2021: Outstanding Scientist Award of the Israel Chemical Society
• 2021: Helen and Martin Kimmel award for innovative investigation
• 2018: Israel Vacuum Society Excellence Award for Research
• 2015: Inaugural UK-Israel Science Lectureship
• 2013: Fellow of the American Physical Society
• 2012: Member of the Young Israel Academy
• 2011: ERC Consolidator Grant
• 2010: Outstanding Young Scientist Award of the Israel Chemical Society
• 2006: Krill Prize of the Wolf Foundation

Professor Kronik currently advises a research group of approximately 10 graduate students and post-doctoral researchers at the Weizmann Institute. His research has been supported by significant funding including an ERC Consolidator Grant. With over 250 peer-reviewed publications cited more than 28,000 times and an h-index of 86, his work has had substantial impact across multiple disciplines. He has presented more than 290 invited lectures worldwide, demonstrating the international recognition of his research.

As Director of the Tom and Mary Beck Center for Advanced and Intelligent Materials, Professor Kronik leads a multidisciplinary team focused on developing and understanding novel materials with advanced functionalities. His research group works at the intersection of theoretical physics, materials science, and chemistry, employing computational approaches to address fundamental questions about material properties while maintaining strong connections to experimental work.