In this episode, I converse with Dr. Teodoro Laino, a Distinguished Research Scientist and Manager at IBM Research. Teodoro received his degree in Theoretical Chemistry in 2001 at the University of Pisa and Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, and further completed his doctorate in 2006 in computational chemistry at the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Italy on "Multi-Grid QM/ MM Approaches in ab initio Molecular Dynamics", supervised by the legendary Prof. Michele Parrinello. From 2006 to 2008, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the research group of Prof. Jürg Hutter at the University of Zurich, where he developed algorithms for ab initio and classical molecular dynamics simulations. Since 2008, he has been working in the department of Cognitive Computing and Industry Solutions at the IBM Research - Zurich Laboratory.

Teodoro's research focuses on complex material simulations for industrial-related problems (energy storage, life sciences and nano-electronics) and more recently, he has been interested in the application of machine learning/artificial intelligence technologies to chemistry and materials science problems with the purpose of developing customized solutions. We indulge in a very fascinating conversation on his terrific journey through science; fantastic mentors who inspired him; heading into theoretical chemistry at the cusp of revolution; confronting the ubiquitous imposter syndrome; the extraordinary impact of AI and ML in the natural sciences; the IBM RXN for chemistry platform; becoming an aviation pilot, and many more things!!