2025
The 39th Symposium on Chemical PhysicsNovember 7-9, 2025
The Robert J. Le Roy Lecturer
[画像:Robert J. Le Roy Photo]
Robert J. Le Roy (1943-2018)
Robert J. LeRoy, one of Canada’s foremost theoretical chemists, followed his father into academia and
became a learned giant within a highly specialized field. His work focused on the behaviour of molecules
and atoms, particularly the forces occurring among them. When asked to explain the complexities of his
profession to laypeople he was known to say: "I study the sex life of molecules."
Mischievously good humoured, the University of Waterloo professor inspired and mentored thousands of
young scientists. His work on predictive computer modelling resulted in many honours and awards including
the Rutherford Memorial Medal in Chemistry by the Royal Society of Canada (1984) and the J. Heyrovsky
Honorary Medal for Merit in the Chemical Sciences by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (1995).
He always said, "Don’t choose something because it’s easy – choose it because it’s challenging and worthwhile."
In his 40s, Mr. LeRoy was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a relatively rare cancer in someone so young.
When chemotherapy caused his hair to fall out, he decided to adopt a new look – shaving his head and piercing his ear.
University of Waterloo colleagues and students got together to present him with an earring made out of a bolt.
He wore it with pride.
Bob was a truly inspiring person and scientist. To celebrate his life and accomplishments,
and to honour his memory, we established the "Robert J. Le Roy Lectureship"
for the Symposium on Chemical Physics.
Françoise Remacle
Université Liège, Belgium
The Roger E. Miller Lecturer
[画像:Roger E. Miller Photo]
Roger E. Miller (1952-2005)
The Roger E. Miller Lectureship in Chemical Physics has being
established by the friends and admirers of the late Roger E. Miller
to honour him and perpetuate his memory. Roger grew up in Kitchener,
Ontario, was a B.Sc., M.Sc. and PhD. graduate of the University of Waterloo,
and his professional appointments culminated in the John B. Carrol Professorship
at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and his election
as a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. His remarkable scientific talent was complemented
by his exemplary personal character, and he was greatly admired and respected by all who knew him.
The Lectureship is intended to attract an individual who is internationally recognized
for excellence in experimental or theoretical chemical physics, who will be the Plenary Lecturer
at the annual Symposium on Chemical Physics held at the University of Waterloo. In addition
to his Waterloo roots, Roger was a frequent participant who spoke several times at the Symposium
over the 22 year history preceeding his untimely death, so this seems a particularly appropriate
way to remember him.
Takamasa Momose
University of British Columbia, Canada
In memory of Giacinto Scoles
[画像:Giacinto Scoles Photo]
Giacinto Scoles (1935-2024)
This presentation will be dedicated to the memory of Prof. Giacinto Scoles, who passed away on September 24, 2024.
Giacinto, joined the University of Waterloo in the early 1970s to introduce advanced molecular beam
techniques, helping to redefine how chemists probe the structure and dynamics
of matter at the most fundamental level. Alongside his colleagues, Giacinto helped shape the early days of the
Symposium on Chemical Physics, envisioning it as a unique forum where theorists and experimentalists could meet
on equal footing to discuss the core questions of the field that continue to define the symposium today.
Renowned for his insight, wit, and uncompromising scientific standards, Giacinto inspired generations of researchers
to think boldly and deeply. He often reminded his students, Giacinto often advised, "Never choose a scientific problem just
because it’s easy or popular—choose it because it truly matters." His legacy endures in the many lives he influenced
and in the thriving community of molecular science he helped build at Waterloo, Princeton, and beyond.
This year’s Symposium is held in honour of Prof. Giacinto Scoles, whose early leadership and enduring inspiration continue
to guide our shared pursuit of discovery.
Kevin Lehmann
University of Virginia, USA
Michael Van Stipdonk
Duquesne University, USA
Ryan MacDonell
Dalhousie University, Canada
As usual, contributed papers will be a key component of the program. A limited number of them can be presented orally, although most will be part of a poster session, to be held in a relaxed atmosphere with appropriate refreshments available. We very much hope to have a substantial degree of participation by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Please circulate this notice and the conference URL to any colleagues or students who you think might be interested in attending.
All regular conference sessions (including the poster session) will be held in or adjacent to Room 1015 of the EIT building (EIT on the UWaterloo campus map, just south of the Davis Center where sessions had been held in earlier years), while the dinner again will be at Federation Hall (look for FED building on UWaterloo campus map). For the sessions, on-campus parking is available in lots HV and H (which are near SCH), B, N and M (which are closer to EIT); to reveal parking locations on UWaterloo interactive campus map: click on the search field, select Points of Interest tab, expand Parking section and click on the Visitor Parking. All of these lots are coin operated or pay-and-display. See the following link for details regarding parking costs: parking details.
Physical / Theoretical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo
