Hi, I’m Samantha!
I’m a computational materials chemist. I squeeze atoms (on a computer!) to watch chemical bonds rewrite their own rules, from iron at Earth’s core to core electrons that start bonding, and I train machine learning to speed up the hunt for new superhydrides.
Currently: M.S. research with Prof. Maosheng Miao at CSUN, and a Research Student Internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with Eva Zarkadoula and Jingsong Huang.
Squeeze iron to Earth’s-core pressures and it flips from electron donor to electron acceptor, pulling electrons away from elements like silicon and sulfur!
Squeeze the atoms!
Drag the slider from 0 GPa (everyday pressure) up to the millions of atmospheres where even hydrogen changes character. Each stop is one of my projects.
Etching 2D materials, one atomic layer at a time
At everyday pressure, I study how fluorine chews through MoS₂ and WS₂ monolayers during gas-assisted etching. I map reaction pathways with AIMD and MLFF-AIMD, then fine-tune a machine-learned interatomic potential on them, so we can simulate etching over nanoseconds and nanometers instead of picoseconds.
Publications
Psst: earlier work may be listed under Samantha Scott.
Presentations
PosterPDF
TalkPDF
PosterPDFYour path can be nonlinear and still lead somewhere meaningful.
As a first-generation college student, I know how much a good mentor matters. I try to be that for others: I challenge students to grow, help them work through uncertainty, and remind them they don’t need everything figured out.
I taught six laboratory sections across general and organic chemistry, combining pre-lab instruction with hands-on guidance in quantitative analysis, spectroscopy, scientific documentation, and lab safety.
I led workshops and individual advising for students joining research groups, preparing conference materials, applying to graduate programs, and developing CVs and personal statements. I also supported campus outreach events connecting prospective and high-school students with research opportunities.
A monthly, student-led forum for reading current chemical literature: a low-pressure place to practice presenting papers, ask technical questions, and trade feedback.
“Explains concepts in an efficient but also easy to understand way.”
General Chemistry II Lab student
“Sammie was very kind and patient and really easy to talk to throughout the semester.”
General Chemistry II Lab student
“She does want us to figure out things before we go to her, which I appreciate.”
Organic Chemistry I Lab student
In the news
NEW!MAY 2026 · CSUN NEWSROOMGraduate researchers receive National Science Foundation fellowships
NOV 2025 · CSUN NEWSROOMStudy by CSUN Prof Upends Understanding of What Happens to Iron at Earth’s Core
OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH NEWSLETTERGraduate peer mentoring and undergraduate research outreach