Veronika Szalai (she/her)

Veronika is a Research Chemist (Project Leader) in the Biophysical & Biomedical Measurement Group in the Microsystems & Nanotechnology Division of the Physical Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards & Technology. Her PhD thesis work, for which she was a co-recipient of the Richard Wolfgang Prize, centered on biophysical chemistry measurements of water oxidation chemistry in natural photosynthesis. After completing post-doctoral work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Veronika advanced to the rank of tenured associate professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.  During that time, she and her group elucidated the biophysical chemistry of copper in Alzheimer’s disease fibrils, investigated the effects of DNA condensation on DNA oxidation processes, and developed methods to create quadruplex-based DNA nanomaterials. Veronika joined NIST in 2010 and leads projects focused on instrumentation and measurement development in advanced electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of nanomaterials and biological systems. She is an accomplished scientific and project leader with 20+ years of experience establishing and running research programs. Her broad technical expertise, enthusiastic and effective communicating & teaching skills, and dedication to professional service contribute to her proven track record of securing funding, publishing, and developing inter-disciplinary programs through scientific rigor and collaboration. She has served on numerous cross-operating unit teams to develop strategic initiatives, improve safety systems, organize symposia, and is passionate about mentoring and advocating for staff.