Leticia González, Professor at University of Vienna, Austria, is one of the plenary speakers at the 3rd National Meeting of the Swedish Chemical Society, SCS2025.

Could you briefly summarize the topic of your research?

– Our research aims at understanding better the fundamental interactions between light and molecules using computational models. When a molecule is hit by a photon, it is electronically excited and can undergo very different chemical reactions than when it is in equilibrium, i.e. in the electronic ground state. Solving numerically the time-dependent Schrödinger equation and constantly developing better approximations, we can predict electronic states and nuclear motion, which can be harnessed to find new reactivities and functionalities. Among our goals is for example to contribute with better light-harvesting antennas and photocatalysts for solar energy conversion.

What are you particularly proud of when it comes to your work?

– Every paper is the culmination of a long search, an idea that becomes translated into simulations, bringing us closer to understanding intricate mechanisms in nature or solving complex problems that have far-reaching implications. We are particularly proud of developing new methods and implement them in our local software package, because then they can be used by many other people. Only together we can solve problems!

Chemistry is everywhere. Visible or invisible, it is in our body, what we eat, what we wear, the materials we use.

How did you decide to work with chemistry?

– I was profoundly intrigued by quantum mechanics and how it governs chemistry. I wanted to get more of it!

How would you describe the importance of chemistry to a young person who has not yet decided what they want to study/work with yet?

– Chemistry is everywhere. Visible or invisible, it is in our body, what we eat, what we wear, the materials we use. Chemical principles govern the natural word and nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Chemistry provides solutions to global challenges, be it healthcare or sustainable energy.

Who should come to listen to your talk?

– Chemists, physicists, or computational scientists who are interested in chemistry in light-molecular processes.

Come and listen to Leticia González’s talk at SCS2025, which will take place at the Steam Hotel in Västerås, just one hour by train from Stockholm, from June 16 to 18, 2025. Representatives from all fields of chemistry are invited, and the program includes inspiring presentations, interactive poster sessions, and ample networking opportunities.

Read more at https://scs2025.se/

Read more about the Leticia González Research Group. https://theochem.univie.ac.at/