22/06 1pm-2pm: WCPM, Ludovic Berthier, ESPCI

James Kermode — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:03:45 GMT

When: 1pm - 2pm, Mon, 22 Jun '26

Networking Lunch: Outside L5, from 12:30pm - 1pm.

Title: Fast equilibration of glassy systems: Where do we stand?

Abstract: Monte Carlo simulations are widely employed to measure the physical properties of glass-forming liquids in thermal equilibrium, thus offering an efficient alternative to molecular dynamics studies of the glass transition. In both approaches however, ensuring ergodicity and proper equilibrium sampling is a difficult challenge. I will provide a brief overview of Monte Carlo studies of glass-formers to illustrate the difficulty of the sampling task. I will then define and implement a series of enhanced Monte Carlo algorithms which display a much faster approach to the desired ergodic sampling of the configuration space for this family of complex systems. I will also discuss how generative models relying on machine learning models are starting to be developed to solve the same problem.

Bio: Ludovic Berthier is a Directeur de Recherche at the CNRS, based at the Laboratoire Gulliver at ESPCI Paris. He is an internationally recognised leader in statistical physics, specialising in the theory and simulation of complex, disordered systems.

His research spans a wide range of topics at the intersection of physics and materials science, including non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, soft matter and complex fluids, and the physics of supercooled liquids and glasses. He has made particularly influential contributions to understanding the glass transition, amorphous solids, and jamming phenomena, as well as emerging areas such as active and biological matter.

Ludovic’s work combines theoretical insight with advanced computational methods to uncover universal behaviours in high-dimensional and disordered systems. He has authored numerous high-impact publications in leading journals such as Nature Materials, Physical Review Letters, Physical Review X, and PNAS, and has contributed to major review articles shaping the field, including on yielding in amorphous solids and machine learning approaches to glassy systems.

Through his research, he continues to push the boundaries of how we understand and design complex materials, both in and out of equilibrium. Find out more here: https://ludovicberthier.github.io/

29/06 1pm-2pm: WCPM, Loïc Lannelongue, Cambridge

James Kermode — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:54:17 GMT

When: 1pm - 2pm, Mon, 29 Jun '26

Networking Lunch: Outside L5, from 12:30pm - 1pm.

Title: The (environmental) sustainability challenge of modern computing & AI

Abstract: From genetic studies and astrophysics simulations to AI, scientific computing has enabled amazing discoveries—and there's no doubt it will continue to do so. At the same time, the resource usage (energy, water) and environmental impacts of digital (research) infrastructures are becoming impossible to ignore given the urgency of the climate crisis. So what can we all do about it? And as scientists, should we even be thinking about this? We'll break down how computing activities impact the environment, debate our collective responsibility to tackle it, and discuss the latest efforts of the Cambridge Sustainable Computing Lab to empower researchers to understand and mitigate their environmental impacts. Through the lens of the GREENER principles for environmentally sustainable science, we'll explore the challenges the research community needs to overcome to create real change in this space. It will also be a chance to highlight how the Green DiSC certification framework can support scientists and institutions in making their research more sustainable.

Bio: Dr Loïc Lannelongue is an Assistant Research Professor in Computer Science at the University of Cambridge, where he also serves as Bye-Fellow and Director of Studies in Computer Science (Part II) at Jesus College Cambridge. His work sits at the intersection of computing, sustainability, and responsible innovation.

Dr Lannelongue specialises in environmentally sustainable computing, with a particular focus on understanding and reducing the environmental impact of modern computational practices, including artificial intelligence. His research takes a multi-faceted approach, combining technical development, behavioural insights, and policy engagement to drive more sustainable scientific workflows.

His academic interests include developing tools to monitor and reduce the carbon footprint of scientific computing, contributing to sustainability frameworks and policy, and exploring the ethical implications of modern science and AI. In parallel, he works in radiogenomics, applying machine learning to integrate genomics and medical imaging data to improve understanding of cardiovascular disease.

Through his research and teaching, Dr Lannelongue is committed to advancing a more sustainable and responsible future for computational science.

Webpage: https://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/people/loic-lannelongueLink opens in a new window

Predictive Modelling » Seminars

22/06 1pm-2pm: WCPM, Ludovic Berthier, ESPCI

29/06 1pm-2pm: WCPM, Loïc Lannelongue, Cambridge