Monica Olvera de la Cruz

Monica Olvera de la Cruz is the Lawyer Taylor Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, and Chemical & Biological Engineering at Northwestern University, with a courtesy appointment in Physics and Astronomy. She directs the Center for Computation & Theory of Soft Materials and serves as Deputy Director of the Center for Bio-Inspired Energy Science. Her research focuses on designing responsive materials, including polymers, electrolytes, and complex fluids, with applications in biotechnology and energy. She holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge University (1985) and a B.A. from UNAM (Mexico).

Her research interests include self-assembly of heterogeneous molecules, ionic-driven assembly mechanisms, and functional materials design. Recent work highlights include modeling electrostatic effects in biomimetic systems and exploring superionic conductors. Awards include National Academy of Sciences membership (2012), APS Polymer Prize (2017), and American Philosophical Society membership (2020).

• Professional service roles: Gordon Research Conferences Board, DOE Basic Energy Sciences, Max Planck Institute advisory board
• Led over 150 publications since 2020, emphasizing soft matter physics and materials innovation

Her group's innovations bridge theoretical physics and applied materials science, with notable achievements in bio-inspired materials and electrochemical systems.