Liz Decolvenaere
@tallakahath.bsky.social
Computational chemist with a focus on QM, Force Fields, and how ML can aid in both. Also: Cosplayer, LARP writer, birder, occasional science communicator, and several other things. She/they.
Pinned
Liz Decolvenaere
@tallakahath.bsky.social
· Nov 17
A brief intro, for new followers:
I'm Liz, a "quantum chemical engineer": I take hand-crafted, small-batch, local, made-with-love QM methods and figure out how they can be useful at industrial scale for applications like force fields (ML and conventional), structure-property prediction, etc. (1/5)
I'm Liz, a "quantum chemical engineer": I take hand-crafted, small-batch, local, made-with-love QM methods and figure out how they can be useful at industrial scale for applications like force fields (ML and conventional), structure-property prediction, etc. (1/5)
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
lmao 🤌🏾
'An “alienated view of the world”! Not by, like, trying to pay rent or having an insurance claim denied—no, no, it was probably the Foucault you read in 2003.'
'An “alienated view of the world”! Not by, like, trying to pay rent or having an insurance claim denied—no, no, it was probably the Foucault you read in 2003.'
November 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
lmao 🤌🏾
'An “alienated view of the world”! Not by, like, trying to pay rent or having an insurance claim denied—no, no, it was probably the Foucault you read in 2003.'
'An “alienated view of the world”! Not by, like, trying to pay rent or having an insurance claim denied—no, no, it was probably the Foucault you read in 2003.'
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
I havent read such a banger of an essay in a very long time. This is so well-written!
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I havent read such a banger of an essay in a very long time. This is so well-written!
Come build software and ML models with us!
Achira is growing! We’re looking for talented software engineers, ML research engineers, and AI/ML scientists to join our team in building foundation simulation models to power the future of drug discovery.
Apply at achira.ai
Apply at achira.ai
Achira
Building foundation simulation models for drug discovery
achira.ai
October 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Come build software and ML models with us!
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
A new research paper by Ed Glaeser, Sam Silverberg, et al. identifies several fundamental problems with the US bus market:
- It’s a duopoly, dominated by Gillig and New Flyer
- Foreign (and cheaper) competitors are blocked by federal Buy America rules
- Transit agencies customize *everything*
- It’s a duopoly, dominated by Gillig and New Flyer
- Foreign (and cheaper) competitors are blocked by federal Buy America rules
- Transit agencies customize *everything*
Paying less for public transit buses | Brookings
This paper proposes three sets of recommendations to reduce the cost of procuring transit buses in America.
www.brookings.edu
September 26, 2025 at 12:25 PM
A new research paper by Ed Glaeser, Sam Silverberg, et al. identifies several fundamental problems with the US bus market:
- It’s a duopoly, dominated by Gillig and New Flyer
- Foreign (and cheaper) competitors are blocked by federal Buy America rules
- Transit agencies customize *everything*
- It’s a duopoly, dominated by Gillig and New Flyer
- Foreign (and cheaper) competitors are blocked by federal Buy America rules
- Transit agencies customize *everything*
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
rarely have I more acutely felt the dynamic by which Dems are held responsible for the rhetoric of every random left-leaning person on the internet and Republicans are not even asked to answer for their own personal words
September 11, 2025 at 1:25 AM
rarely have I more acutely felt the dynamic by which Dems are held responsible for the rhetoric of every random left-leaning person on the internet and Republicans are not even asked to answer for their own personal words
I am begging everyone: if you are going to make a product involving cardinals, please talk to literally anyone who looks at birds to know,
1. Those are two *male* cardinals
2. Most seasons of the year is the males are *very* territorial
This depiction is highly ornithologically suspect!!!
1. Those are two *male* cardinals
2. Most seasons of the year is the males are *very* territorial
This depiction is highly ornithologically suspect!!!
September 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I am begging everyone: if you are going to make a product involving cardinals, please talk to literally anyone who looks at birds to know,
1. Those are two *male* cardinals
2. Most seasons of the year is the males are *very* territorial
This depiction is highly ornithologically suspect!!!
1. Those are two *male* cardinals
2. Most seasons of the year is the males are *very* territorial
This depiction is highly ornithologically suspect!!!
The panel I was on about "Where Physics Gets Weird" was featured in the Daily Dragon!
I love doing science speaking at Dragon Con each year, and this one was a doozy. I definitely felt like the odd person out as the quantum chemist among a bunch of (astro)physicists, but it was great!
I love doing science speaking at Dragon Con each year, and this one was a doozy. I definitely felt like the odd person out as the quantum chemist among a bunch of (astro)physicists, but it was great!
[NEWS] Are Lightsabers Possible? dailydragon.dragoncon.org?p=19141 #DragonCon2025
dailydragon.dragoncon.org
September 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The panel I was on about "Where Physics Gets Weird" was featured in the Daily Dragon!
I love doing science speaking at Dragon Con each year, and this one was a doozy. I definitely felt like the odd person out as the quantum chemist among a bunch of (astro)physicists, but it was great!
I love doing science speaking at Dragon Con each year, and this one was a doozy. I definitely felt like the odd person out as the quantum chemist among a bunch of (astro)physicists, but it was great!
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
GUYS. The comment period for the upcoming ACIP meeting ends on the 13TH. If you have even a little bit of time, submit a comment here:
www.regulations.gov/docket/CDC-2...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. You CAN submit anonymously!
www.regulations.gov/docket/CDC-2...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. You CAN submit anonymously!
September 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
GUYS. The comment period for the upcoming ACIP meeting ends on the 13TH. If you have even a little bit of time, submit a comment here:
www.regulations.gov/docket/CDC-2...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. You CAN submit anonymously!
www.regulations.gov/docket/CDC-2...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. You CAN submit anonymously!
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
And, of course, we can’t forget about coca!ne
September 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
And, of course, we can’t forget about coca!ne
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
3rd dragon con in the books, now I’ve finally been convinced to download this app so I can keep in touch with awesome Science track folks. As my first act on this app, please see attached some motivational posters made from some quotes I gathered over the Con.
September 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
3rd dragon con in the books, now I’ve finally been convinced to download this app so I can keep in touch with awesome Science track folks. As my first act on this app, please see attached some motivational posters made from some quotes I gathered over the Con.
Do this!!!
And if you want more ballroom content with more seats, mention in the app that Sci Track NEEDS BIGGER ROOMS! It really does help!
And if you want more ballroom content with more seats, mention in the app that Sci Track NEEDS BIGGER ROOMS! It really does help!
Hello new followers and THANK YOU for coming to my panels at DragonCon, telling me you liked my panels, and in general being amazing.
If you can please do tate and review us in the app, and make sure Science Track gets all the bigger rooms it deserves!
If you can please do tate and review us in the app, and make sure Science Track gets all the bigger rooms it deserves!
Did you think Monstererotica Biology was a fake panel? It is actually a completely real panel that is starting right now! #dragoncon
September 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Do this!!!
And if you want more ballroom content with more seats, mention in the app that Sci Track NEEDS BIGGER ROOMS! It really does help!
And if you want more ballroom content with more seats, mention in the app that Sci Track NEEDS BIGGER ROOMS! It really does help!
More Dragon Con notes: everyone needs to appreciate this slide from @tkingfisher.com from her talk on the four sexes of white-throated sparrows at the Solve for X variety show in the Science track ( @dconscitrack.bsky.social )
September 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM
More Dragon Con notes: everyone needs to appreciate this slide from @tkingfisher.com from her talk on the four sexes of white-throated sparrows at the Solve for X variety show in the Science track ( @dconscitrack.bsky.social )
It is the time where I travel home from Dragon Con, and emotionally, as well as physically, I am here:
September 2, 2025 at 2:43 PM
It is the time where I travel home from Dragon Con, and emotionally, as well as physically, I am here:
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
Oh, and did you get turned away from a panel you wanted to go to because the room filled up too quickly? Please add a comment in the ratings in the app to let DragonCon know. This could help us get a bigger room in the future so that we don’t have to turn anyone away.
September 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Oh, and did you get turned away from a panel you wanted to go to because the room filled up too quickly? Please add a comment in the ratings in the app to let DragonCon know. This could help us get a bigger room in the future so that we don’t have to turn anyone away.
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
Did you attend a Science Track panel this weekend that you loved? Go in the DragonCon app and rate those panels! Your ratings and comments help us to know what types of panels you love and we should do more of in the future!
September 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Did you attend a Science Track panel this weekend that you loved? Go in the DragonCon app and rate those panels! Your ratings and comments help us to know what types of panels you love and we should do more of in the future!
Definitely doing less for #dragoncon this year on costumes. Its been A Year and I never get to spend enough time with my friends as I want to while at con.
But! I'm still doing plenty with the Science track! Moderating four panels and speaking on a fifth.
Who will I see this year? Sound off!
But! I'm still doing plenty with the Science track! Moderating four panels and speaking on a fifth.
Who will I see this year? Sound off!
August 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Definitely doing less for #dragoncon this year on costumes. Its been A Year and I never get to spend enough time with my friends as I want to while at con.
But! I'm still doing plenty with the Science track! Moderating four panels and speaking on a fifth.
Who will I see this year? Sound off!
But! I'm still doing plenty with the Science track! Moderating four panels and speaking on a fifth.
Who will I see this year? Sound off!
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
Financial support from people like you has long been a pillar of public media. Now, your support is essential.
If you’ve already given — thank you! Here are a few comments from supporters like you.
If you haven't given yet, click here to keep free, independent journalism strong: n.pr/458sOhq
If you’ve already given — thank you! Here are a few comments from supporters like you.
If you haven't given yet, click here to keep free, independent journalism strong: n.pr/458sOhq
August 6, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Financial support from people like you has long been a pillar of public media. Now, your support is essential.
If you’ve already given — thank you! Here are a few comments from supporters like you.
If you haven't given yet, click here to keep free, independent journalism strong: n.pr/458sOhq
If you’ve already given — thank you! Here are a few comments from supporters like you.
If you haven't given yet, click here to keep free, independent journalism strong: n.pr/458sOhq
ANOTHER earthquake!
August 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
ANOTHER earthquake!
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
Got my tentative schedule for DragonCon, and FOLKS...
August 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Got my tentative schedule for DragonCon, and FOLKS...
My god. 1.6%. I knew at some level a lot of it was as scammy as it felt but hearing that number is numbing.
Completely emblematic of the ineffectiveness of the Democratic party.
Completely emblematic of the ineffectiveness of the Democratic party.
The annoying spam texts destroying the Democratic brand:
$678M raised through those spam tactics
$282M to one consulting firm: Mothership Strategies.
$11M to actual campaigns (1.6%)
The party isn’t just treating donors like marks—it’s being fleeced itself yet continues to back Mothership.
$678M raised through those spam tactics
$282M to one consulting firm: Mothership Strategies.
$11M to actual campaigns (1.6%)
The party isn’t just treating donors like marks—it’s being fleeced itself yet continues to back Mothership.
The Mothership Vortex: An Investigation Into the Firm at the Heart of the Democratic Spam Machine
How a single consulting firm extracted $282 million from a network of spam PACs while delivering just $11 million to actual campaigns.
open.substack.com
August 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
My god. 1.6%. I knew at some level a lot of it was as scammy as it felt but hearing that number is numbing.
Completely emblematic of the ineffectiveness of the Democratic party.
Completely emblematic of the ineffectiveness of the Democratic party.
Earthquake! (in Westchester NY! My second since moving here!)
August 3, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Earthquake! (in Westchester NY! My second since moving here!)
In non-work, non-politics news: Almost ready to debut a new secrets-and-powers LARP my co-authors and I have been working on. I'm pretty sure I've cranked out >30k words over the weekend, and there's still a ton to go, but it's getting there!
July 7, 2025 at 8:08 PM
In non-work, non-politics news: Almost ready to debut a new secrets-and-powers LARP my co-authors and I have been working on. I'm pretty sure I've cranked out >30k words over the weekend, and there's still a ton to go, but it's getting there!
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
A 4th of July like no other in our lifetimes, unfortunately. But despair is not an option:
The Fourth Of July, 2025
www.science.org
July 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A 4th of July like no other in our lifetimes, unfortunately. But despair is not an option:
Reposted by Liz Decolvenaere
We're excited to reveal this major advance in computational chemistry, an AI model called Skala @MSFTResearch for the exchange-correlation functional, accurate enough, and super fast, for precise in silico predictions of chemical experiments. An early access program is now open.
Microsoft researchers achieved a breakthrough in the accuracy of DFT, a method for predicting the properties of molecules and materials, by using deep learning. This work can lead to better batteries, green fertilizers, precision drug discovery, and more. www.microsoft.com/en-us/resear...
June 18, 2025 at 12:43 PM
We're excited to reveal this major advance in computational chemistry, an AI model called Skala @MSFTResearch for the exchange-correlation functional, accurate enough, and super fast, for precise in silico predictions of chemical experiments. An early access program is now open.