Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
About
Dr. Hernandez de la Pena is interested in the development of theoretical and computational approaches for
understanding the equilibrium and dynamical properties of complex molecular systems. He employs the
methods of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics in classical and non-classical regimes, and works on
advancing the necessary theoretical framework to use them efficiently. He is currently developing
approximated quantum dynamical techniques for the study of systems in condensed phase and optimizing
non-equilibrium strategies for the calculation of free energy differences in quantum systems.
Dr. Hernandez de la Pena’s conception of teaching and learning has mainly to do with motivation and
therefore motivating the student is a top priority within his teaching style. Different topics are motivated
differently but a well-organized and knowledgeable professor is a good starting point. Some classes can be
motivated by the applicability to every day phenomena of the material that is being taught, as it happens with
thermodynamics. Other classes can be motivated as the foundation for understanding exotic or unexpected
physical behavior, as it happen with quantum mechanics. In his classes, Dr. Hernandez de la Pena places a
great deal of emphasis on solving examples and discussing with the students the physical meaning of the
problem at hand. He also highlights, as much as possible, the importance of mathematical skills and
quantitative reasoning.
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Dalhousie University
… → 2004
M.S. in Radiochemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technology
… → 1997
B.S. in Radiochemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technology
… → 1995
Research Interests
- Theoretical physical chemistry and statistical mechanics
Disciplines
- Biochemistry
- Physical Chemistry
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Quantum Free Energy Differences from Non-Equilibrium Path Integral Methods
Hernandez de la Pena, L., Mar 2019.Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation
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A Simplified Pöschl–Teller Potential: An Instructive Exercise for Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Hernandez de la Pena, L., Aug 29 2018, In: Journal of Chemical Education.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Formulation of state projected centroid molecular dynamics: Microcanonical ensemble and connection to the Wigner distribution
Hernandez de la Pena, L., Jun 7 2017, In: Journal of Chemical Physics.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Solving Simple Kinetics without Integrals
Hernandez de la Pena, L., Feb 3 2016, In: Journal of Chemical Education.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Sum Rule Constraints and the Quality of Approximate Kubo-Transformed Correlation Functions
Hernandez de la Pena, L., Jan 19 2016, In: Journal of Physical Chemistry B.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review