Guest Lecture: Samara W.M.C.

Reaction Network Discovery for Astrochemical and Prebiotic Processes

Dr. W. M. C. Sameera is senior lecturer at the University of Colombo. He is currently Fellow-in-Residence at CYAS, invited by the LIRA Research center.

I employ ab initio quantum chemical methods to explore complex potential energy surfaces and reaction networks. While the mechanisms of simple two-component reactions can often be predicted using chemically biased approaches guided by intuition and prior knowledge, reactions involving three or more components require an unbiased exploration of competing reaction pathways. To address this challenge, I use the Multi-Component Artificial Force Induced Reaction (MC-AFIR) method to determine complex reaction mechanisms in an unbiased manner. In this talk, I will present applications in astrochemistry, where complex organic molecules have been widely detected in the interstellar medium and protoplanetary environments, yet their origins and evolution towards prebiotic species remain unresolved. Particular emphasis will be placed on radical-driven and emerging ion-driven (cationic and anionic) chemistry occurring on (or in) icy dust-grain surfaces under interstellar conditions. By comparing computationally predicted reaction mechanisms with available experimental observations, I demonstrate how quantum-chemical approaches can provide molecular-level insights into the formation and evolution of complex and potentially prebiotic molecules in space.

Date: 15 June 2026 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm 

The hybrid guest lecture is organised in person at the H008 meeting room of MIR in Neuville-sur-Oise and remotely on Teams.

To attend the remote guest lecture, please connect to Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/322688718910462?p=5S9sg59LuzNF9FVUky 

The video will be online on the CYAS YouTube channel