Nicolae Viorel Buchete

Dr. Nicolae Viorel Buchete is an Associate Professor at the University College Dublin (UCD) School of Physics. He serves as Vice Principal for Graduate Studies in the College of Science and leads UCD's Computational Physics postgraduate program. Buchete holds academic degrees from Boston University (PhD), Al. I. Cuza University, and University of Patras.

• Current appointments: 2022-Present (Vice Principal), 2014-Present (MSc Program Director)
• Previous roles: NIH Research Fellow (2003-2008), Visiting Assistant Professor at Boston University (2009-2010)

His research focuses on theoretical and computational biological physics with applications in nanoscience, molecular dynamics of biomolecular systems, and multiscale modeling of complex fluids. Recent work includes conformational kinetics of oncogenic proteins, physics-based modeling of nanocarriers, and amyloid peptide dynamics in Alzheimer's disease.

Scientific Contributions:

• Developed advanced Markov State Models and Milestoning frameworks for long-time MD simulations
• Identified novel salt bridge mechanisms in kinase activation and drug resistance
• Explored piezoelectric properties of diphenylalanine nanostructures

Teaching Innovation: Advocates for research-oriented teaching at both undergraduate and MSc levels. Coordinates modules including Computational Biophysics and Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics at UCD.