MICHAEL FITZSIMMONS

Distinguish Research and Development Staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA • Professor of Physics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA • 2019 President, Materials Research Society

What are you (and your research group) doing differently to continue research during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We are not doing experimental research anymore. We are not permitted to do the work. In its place, we are analyzing the data we have taken, and have nearly completed this activity.

What is one research topic/area that the materials community can focus on over the next 3–5 years to prevent future pandemics?

Future contagions acquired through commonly touched surfaces might be thwarted by materials that are toxic to viruses. Perhaps new materials or technologies to coat such surfaces is needed.

How are you coping with not being able to attend scientific conferences in person?

Not well. I am communicating with my graduate students using the phone or email, but face-to-face meetings are far more productive. The same is true of networking at conferences.