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Computational Intelligence for Materials Science (CIMS)

Hello, I am Avanish Mishra

Staff Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory — integrating first-principles methods and molecular dynamics with machine learning and quantum computing to accelerate materials discovery

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Materials Modeling

Atomistic to continuum

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Materials Informatics

AI/ML-driven discovery

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Quantum Computing

For chemistry & materials

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Virtual Characterization

Simulation ↔ experiment

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Where Artificial Intelligence Meets Materials Science

I am a staff scientist in the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory, specializing in the design of structural materials for extreme environments and functional materials for energy-to-electronics applications.

My work integrates first-principles methods (DFT, VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO) and molecular dynamics (LAMMPS) with emerging paradigms such as machine learning — including graph neural networks, generative AI, active learning, and large language models — and quantum computing (Qiskit, pySCF) to accelerate materials discovery.

I have contributed to open data infrastructure (aNANt database, JARVIS-Leaderboard, URSA) and authored 37+ peer-reviewed publications with 2,330+ citations and an h-index of 17.

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Education

Ph.D. Materials Science
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (2014–2019)

M.Sc. Physics · B.Sc. Physics, Math & Chemistry — DDU Gorakhpur University

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Recognition

Director's Postdoc Fellow — LANL, 2022

Science in 3 (Top 30 postdocs) · Kawazoe Prize · GATE AIR 36 · CSIR-NET AIR 58

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Tools & Methods

DFT · MD · VASP · LAMMPS · Quantum ESPRESSO

pySCF · Qiskit · ASE · GenAI · LLMs · Agentic AI

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Professional Affiliations

TMS · APS · MRS · ICME

Symposium co-organizer: TMS 2025 & 2026 AI-ICME

Research Frontiers

Leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing to solve the hardest problems in materials science

Materials Informatics & AI

Data-driven discovery fusing physics-based descriptors with ML models. Active learning, graph neural networks, and explainable AI for accelerated materials design.

ML/AIActive LearningGNNsXAITransformers
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Quantum Computing for Materials

Hybrid quantum–classical strategies for correlated materials. Variational algorithms, error mitigation, and domain-specific workflows for catalysis and energy storage.

VQEError MitigationQuantum Chemistry
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Structural Materials

Predictive models for extreme environments — fusion reactors, shock deformation, and radiation damage. Multiscale simulations from atoms to continuum.

FusionShock PhysicsRadiation
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Functional Materials

Engineering materials from bulk to 2D — complex oxides, heterostructures, and hybrids for energy, electronics, and photonics.

2D MaterialsMXenesEnergy
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Virtual Characterization

Computational tools for texture analysis, diffraction simulation, and orientation relationships from atomistic data.

VirTexDiffractionMicrostructure
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Publications & Impact

A selection of recent contributions to AI-driven materials science

2,330+ Total Citations
37+ Publications
17 h-index
16 Journals Reviewed
View Google Scholar →
2023–Present

Staff Scientist 2, Theoretical Division, LANL

Leading research in materials informatics, quantum computing for chemistry, generative AI for process–structure mapping, and virtual characterization tools.

2022–2023

Director's Postdoc Fellow, LANL

Developed physics-informed ML for grain boundary property prediction using strain functional descriptors. Selected as one of 30 postdocs for "Science in 3" at LANL.

2019–2022

Postdoc Fellow & Research Scientist, UConn

Pioneered virtual characterization tools for shock-induced deformations, phase transformation mechanisms, and diffraction fingerprinting in dynamic loading.

2019

Ph.D. Materials Science, IISc Bangalore

Dissertation: "Exploration of exfoliation, functionalization and properties of MXenes via first-principles and machine learning."

Open-Source Tools

Codes, databases, and AI-powered tools I've developed and contributed to

Computational Intelligence for Materials Science

Our interdisciplinary team at Los Alamos National Laboratory

AM

Avanish Mishra

Principal Investigator

Staff Scientist, Theoretical Division, LANL

AD

Arindam Debanath

Postdoctoral Researcher
JW

Jacob Z. Williams

Postdoctoral Researcher

Co-advised with Dr. Yu Zhang, LANL

Shape the Future of Materials Science

We are actively recruiting motivated researchers at all levels who are passionate about AI, quantum computing, and materials science

Postdoctoral

Postdoc Fellowships

  • Director's Postdoc Fellow & Distinguished Fellowships
  • CNLS (Center for Nonlinear Studies) fellowships for exceptional candidates
  • Oppenheimer postdoctoral fellowships for outstanding applicants

Send your CV and a brief statement of research interests.

Graduate

Graduate Positions

Undergraduate

Undergraduate Internships

Why Join CIMS at Los Alamos?

Work at the forefront of AI + materials science at one of the world's premier research laboratories. Our group offers a unique combination of cutting-edge science, world-class computing resources, and a collaborative, mentorship-driven environment.

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World-Class HPC

Access to LANL supercomputers & quantum hardware

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Interdisciplinary

AI, quantum computing, physics & chemistry

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Career Growth

Mentorship & pathways to staff positions

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Quality of Life

Located in beautiful Northern New Mexico

Get in Touch →

Open to Non-sensitive Foreign Nationals, Permanent Residents, and US Citizens.

Let's Connect

Interested in collaboration, open positions, or quantum materials research?