Maija Kukla

Maija M. Kukla

Dr. Maija M. Kukla was educated in Riga, Latvia and Moscow, Russia; she obtained her Doctor of Science in Physics and Mathematics degree in 1996 from the University of Latvia. Currently, Dr. Kukla is working as a program director in the Office of International Science and Engineering, Office of the Director at the National Science Foundation. Before joining OISE, she has been directing the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers Program and the Partnerships in Research and Education in Materials Program in the Division of Materials Research, Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (2002-2008) and managing Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in the Office of Integrative Activities (2008-2011).

Dr. Kukla is often asked to serve on international review panels in fields of chemical physics, nanotechnology, and materials science, and is a member of numerous advisory boards (nationally within USA and internationally). Dr. Kukla is also holding a Professor (adjunct) position at the Materials Science and Engineering Department of the University of Maryland, College Park, were she performs research on modeling of materials and complex phenomena. Dr. Kukla's scientific contributions include modeling of the structure and properties of materials, defects, non-equilibrium and ultra-fast processes, extreme conditions, catalysis, surface science, development of theoretical and computational methods, ab initio and multi-scale simulations. Dr. Kukla published over 170 peer-reviewed articles, delivered over 395 presentations, including 147 invited talks.