Dr. Christina Schenk

Staff Scientist, Ramón y Cajal Fellow and ML4Materials Lab Head at IMDEA Materials, Research & Development, Mathematical Modeling, Simulation and Optimization, Energy, Sustainability and Healthcare Applications

Greater Madrid Metropolitan Area

About

• Applied Mathematician • Scientist • currently working in data science at the intersection of Applied Mathematics and Materials Science ✔️ helping combat some key issues related to climate change ✔️ making an impact with key topics related to health, energy, sustainability, and other material challenges ✔️ I love research (R&D), learning, making an impact, employing my Maths and Data Science skills in exciting applications, diving into new fields of science, innovation, and networking. ✔️ I cannot live without (multicultural) communication, science, learning about other cultures, and creating comfortable and constructive environments. ✔️ My mission is to inspire other young people to join us in addressing some of the key challenges concerning our planet, to continue to impact crucial topics, and to make the world a better place. My website: https://christinaschenk.de/, https://materials.imdea.org/christina-schenk/ In detail my main interests lie in the following topics: • mathematical modeling • optimization • nonlinear differential equations • numerical analysis and methods • control • data science and machine learning • data analytics • experimental design • Bayesian and statistical inference • uncertainty quantification • applied analysis • scientific computing • software development • energy and healthcare (pharma, biochemistry, synthetic biology, chemistry, mechanics, materials)

Experience

  • IMDEA Materials Institute (4 yrs 7 mos)
    • Ramón y Cajal Fellow
      Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

    • Staff Scientist and Head of ML4Materials Lab
      Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

      Leading the ML4Materials (Machine Learning for Materials Discovery) Lab. In this role, she collaborates with and supports several research groups at IMDEA Materials in key areas like: - Calibration and prediction of materials behavior for enhanced characterisation and design - Hybrid methods combining physics-based, data-driven, and probabilistic approaches - Advanced surrogate modeling techniques - Optimal experimental design through Bayesian optimization and advanced design of experiments methodologies - Other process control and optimization methods

    • Senior Research Associate
      Jan 2025 - Dec 2025 · 1 yr

      Modeling and machine learning for materials discovery, property prediction, and process optimization in close collaboration with several groups across IMDEA Materials.

  • BCAM - Basque Center for Applied Mathematics ()
    • Visiting Researcher/Fellow
      Jan 2022 - Jun 2023 · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Postdoctoral Fellow
      Jan 2020 - Jan 2022 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Research especially with respect to Predictive Modeling of Metabolism Through Monte Carlo Sampling and Bayesian Inference, Machine Learning for Metabolic Modeling and Design, and Analysis and Numerical Mathematics for Systems of Partial/Ordinary Integro-differential Equations. Group of Prof. Elena Akhmatskaya on Modeling and Simulation in Life and Material Sciences

  • Affiliate Postdoctoral Researcher at Berkeley Lab
    Apr 2020 - Jun 2023 · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Research especially with respect to Predictive Modeling of Metabolism Through Monte Carlo Sampling and Bayesian Inference and Machine Learning for Metabolic Modeling and Design. Group of Dr. Héctor García Martín on Quantitative Metabolic Modeling

  • Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University
    Mar 2018 - Jan 2020 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Research especially with regard to the development of algorithms and software for parameter estimation of pharmaceutical processes at the Chemical Engineering Department in the Research Group of Prof. Lorenz T. Biegler

  • Research Assistant at Universität Trier
    Aug 2013 - Mar 2018 · 4 yrs 8 mos

    Research especially in the context of the BMBF project on Robust Energy-Optimization of Fermentation Processes for the Production of Biogas and Wine at the Mathematics Department in the Research Group of Prof. Volker H. Schulz