Maria Plamenova Demireva

Research interests

My scientific background is in experimental and computational physical chemistry. I have a deep foundation in thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum chemistry, and experience with chemical and physics-based calculations, modeling, and optimization. Broadly, my interests lie in solving complex optimization problems and creating predictive models for various applications. My current work focuses on applying and developing efficient tools in stochastic optimal control and data fusion to address problems with relevance to national security.

Career path

Prior to joining LLNL as a Research Scientist, I carried out postdoctoral research at Sandia National Laboratories. There, I investigated large and intricate reaction networks in low-temperature combustion, developing experimental and computational workflows for optimizing physics-based mechanisms to create more accurate fuel-oxidation models.