Stephen Cox
Durham University
Biography
Steve's current research aims to use theory and molecular simulation to understand the structure of complex interfacial systems. Examples include polar crystal surfaces in solution, water-graphene interfaces, and electrode-electrolyte interfaces. His work is increasingly focused on using (and developing) classical density functional methods to understand how physical chemistry at the microscopic scale impacts mesoscopic phenomena.
Steve obtained his PhD in Computational Chemistry from UCL in 2014, studying how solid surfaces impact ice nucleation. He then moved to Berkeley to undertake postdoctoral research, where he developed theories to understand ion solvation in water. In 2017, Steve obtained an 1851 Research Fellowship to continue his research into ion solvation independently in Cambridge, with a greater emphasis on liquid-solid interfaces. Since 2021, Steve has held a Royal Society University Research Fellowship, which has allowed him to build his own research group. In 2024 he moved his URF from Cambridge to Durham, where he also holds the proleptic post of Associate Professor in Computational Chemistry / Data Science.
RSC journal affiliations
Faraday standing committee member, Faraday Discussions