Principal Investigator

Monica Olvera de la Cruz


Meet our PI: Selected Significant Services

  • 2023 Co-Organizer, Faraday Discussion: Iontonics, Edinburgh, UK, June 21-23, 2023
  • 2023 Co-Organizer, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics: Nanoparticle Assemblies Conference, Santa Barbara, CA, March 27-May 19, 2023
  • 2022-24 Committee on Publications, National Academy of Sciences
  • 2021-23 Editorial Board, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
  • 2020 Subcommittee, Basic Energy Sciences, Strategies in research, facilities, and funding mechanisms, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy
  • 2020-26 International Scientific Committee, Ecole SupĂ©rieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielle de la ville de Paris (ESPCI Paris)
  • 2019-27 Gordon Research Conferences Board of Trustees
  • 2017-Present CIC biomaGUNE Scientific Advisory Board, San Sebastian, Spain
  • 2017-18 Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Basic Energy Sciences, Department of Energy, Subcommittee of the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC)
  • 2016 Committee on Vision of the Future of Center-Based, Multidisciplinary Engineering Research, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine
  • 2015-Present International Scientific Advisory Board, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Physics, Mainz, Germany
  • 2015 ARO Workshop on Potential Future Directions, NC, Sept 24-25
  • 2015 ARO Biennial Review of Life Sciences, May 6-8
  • 2015-22 Senior Editor, ACS Journal of Central Science
  • 2014 National Science Foundation (NSF) Advisory Committee for International Science and Engineering
  • 2013- Advisory Committee, Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS), Northwestern
  • 2013 Co-Chair, NSF Workshop on Opportunities in Theoretical and Computational Polymeric Materials and Soft Matter, Santa Barbara, CA, October 20-22
  • 2013 Co-Organizer, Evolution of Colloidal Matter, New York City, NY, June 27-29, 2013-14
  • 2013 Committee on Key Challenge Areas for Convergence and Health, National Research Council (NRC), National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
  • 2012-22 Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC), Department of Energy (DOE)
  • 2012 Committee on Societal Benefits from Condensed Matter and Materials Research, NRC
  • 2012-13 Science and Technology for Defense Warning, NRC, NAS
  • 2009 Launched NSF funded Univ. Texas San Antonio PREM in association with NU-MRSEC
  • 2009-15 Board of Physics and Astronomy, NRC, NAS
  • 2010-12 Chair, Condensed Matter and Materials Research Committee, NRC, NAS
  • 2009-10 Vice-Chair, Condensed Matter and Materials Research Committee, NRC, NAS
  • 2008-09 Vice-Chair, Solid State Science Committee, NRC, NAS
  • 2008-09 Chair, NSF-MRSEC Directors Executive Committee
  • 2007-09 Research at the Intersection of Physical and Life Sciences, Committee on Forefronts of Science at the Interface of Physical and Life Sciences, NRC, NAS
  • 2007-09 Chair, NSF Division of Materials Research Advisory Committee
  • 2007-09 NSF Advisory Panel on Light Source Facilities
  • 2006-08 Leadership Council, NSF National Center for Learning and Teaching in Nano-Science and Engineering (NCLT)
  • 2005-08 Solid State Science Committee, NRC, NAS
  • 2005-09 NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate Advisory Committee
  • 2004 NSF Role of Theory in Biological Physics and Materials (co-organizer; plenary speaker)
  • 1999-06 Director, Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Minority Research Initiative (MRI), Northwestern University
  • 1997-04 Director & Co-Founder, Integrated Graduate Program to Prepare Educators of Materials Technologists, Northwestern University (created the degree)


  • Main Affiliations

    Other Affiliations

    Contact info

    Department of Materials Science and Engineering
    2220 Campus Drive, Silverman Hall Rm 4621
    Evanston, IL 60208 | Phone: (847) 491-7801
    m-olvera@northwestern.edu