Rafael C. Bernardi

Rafael C. Bernardi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Auburn University, focusing on computational biophysics and mechanobiology. His work bridges atomic-level simulations with experimental collaborations to unravel how proteins sense and generate mechanical forces.

Education

• Ph.D. in Biophysics from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• M.Sc. in Physics from Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, Brazil
• B.S. in Physics from Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil

Research Interests
Dr. Bernardi’s research centers on mechanoactive proteins, particularly their role in bacterial adhesion and molecular motors. His team develops advanced computational tools like hybrid QM/MM methods and machine learning frameworks for molecular dynamics, contributing to software such as NAMD and VMD. Recent work includes studying force propagation in biomolecular complexes and engineering protein therapeutics for enhanced stability.

Scientific Awards

• NSF Career Award (2022)
• Casimiro Montenegro Filho National Thesis Award (2010)

Professional Engagement
Dr. Bernardi serves as a peer reviewer for over 20 journals, including ACS Catalysis and Nature Communications, and is a member of the Biophysical Society and American Chemical Society. His group co-organized the 2024 Mid-South Biophysics Symposium and hosts annual Computational Biophysics Workshops.