Professor Jacqui Cole

Jacqui is Professor of Materials Physics at the University of Cambridge, where she leads research in molecular engineering. With a background spanning physics, chemistry and mathematics, her work brings together artificial intelligence, data science and experimental methods to understand and design materials at the molecular level.
Her research focuses on using data-driven approaches to discover and develop new materials, particularly for energy and advanced technologies. Combining computational modelling with experimental techniques, she builds tools and pipelines that connect scientific insight through to real-world applications.

At the Franklin, Jacqui is part-time seconded to help develop the VirtuAI Cell project. She contributes expertise in artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling, helping to link experimental data with computational approaches.
This work draws on her long-standing experience in studying molecular structure and behaviour, from early work in crystallography through to current AI-driven research. By bringing these approaches together, she is helping to develop new ways to model complex biological systems and support discovery across the life sciences.