Varinia Bernales — Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Chemistry, University of Toronto

I am an Assistant Professor in Computer Science and Chemistry at the University of Toronto and the Principal Investigator and Co-Director of Matter Lab, where we develop AI-driven platforms that accelerate scientific discovery. We are building the El Agente platform, including El Agente Q, an autonomous agent for quantum chemistry, along with a growing suite of tools that enable self-driving laboratories for molecular and materials design. My work brings together computational chemistry, machine learning, robotics, and scientific automation, with a strong focus on AI safety, alignment, and governance in scientific settings.

My research lies at the intersection of quantum chemistry, machine learning, and autonomous experimentation, where we develop frameworks and tools focused on enabling trustworthy AI-driven decision-making across catalysis, sustainable materials, chemical safety, and advanced materials design.

My career spans both academia and seven years in industry, including leadership roles at Underwriters Laboratories Research Institutes and in the Core R&D group at The Dow Chemical Company, where I co-invented several patented technologies in industrial catalysis and materials innovation. My work has consistently bridged fundamental science and industrial application, advancing computational and AI-driven approaches for safer and more sustainable materials design.

Across all my roles, I mentor interdisciplinary teams of computer scientists, chemists, engineers, and physicists who are exploring new frontiers in AI for science and autonomous experimentation.