Maria Clelia Righi

Maria Clelia Righi is Full Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy “Augusto Righi” of the University of Bologna, Italy. She also serves as Visiting Professor at Imperial College London and acts as scientific advisor to TotalEnergies. Her research centres on computational methods for predicting materials behaviour, with a focus on surface and interface phenomena and tribology.

Education

• 2004 – PhD in Physics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
• 1998 – Laurea Degree in Physics (Cum Laude), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Research Interests

Maria Clelia Righi develops and applies ab-initio and multiscale computational techniques to understand how mechanical stress activates chemical reactions at interfaces and to design advanced lubricants and low-friction materials. Her group pioneered first-principles tribochemistry modelling and collaborates with leading experimental laboratories and multinational companies.

Major funded initiatives include the ERC Consolidator Grant “SLIDE” (2020-2025) and the HORIZON-RIA project STORMING, where she coordinates the modelling work-package on CO₂-free methane cracking reactors.

Scientific Awards & Distinctions

• ERC Consolidator Grant 2019 – SLIDE
• PRACE and DEISA supercomputing allocations (multiple)
• Marie Curie Individual Fellowship PATCHES – supervisor

Supervision & Grants

She has supervised 13 PhD students, 19 MSc students, 10 post-doctoral researchers and 2 industry-seconded researchers. Her group has secured funding from the EU (ERC, H2020, Horizon Europe, PRACE), Italian regional authorities and industry contracts with Toyota Central R&D Labs and Total Marketing Services.

Editorial & Professional Service

Member of the editorial boards of Scientific Reports, Lubricants, Lubrication Science and Coatings.