Queen Mary alumnus and NVIDIA Vice President Rod Evans returns to share insights on AI for science and innovation

 The event was organised by DERI (Digital Environment Research Institute), highlighting the Institute’s commitment to connecting students and staff with leading experts in AI and computing.

In his talk, AI for Innovation and Science, Rod explored the rise of accelerated computing and its impact on fields from healthcare and biology to materials science and autonomous systems. He traced the evolution of computing from early mainframes to today’s AI infrastructure, showing how NVIDIA technologies are transforming the way scientists model, simulate and discover.

Rod shared powerful examples of this progress - from AI models that optimise patient care in hospitals, to tools like DiffDock that accelerate drug discovery, and Alchemy, a platform advancing AI-driven chemistry and materials design.

He also outlined NVIDIA’s strong collaboration with academia through programmes such as Inception for start-ups, the Deep Learning Institute (DLI), and the AI Technology Centres, which support universities in applying AI to real-world challenges.

A proud Queen Mary alumnus, Rod reflected on his own journey from studying Economics and Geography to leading major AI initiatives at NVIDIA - a path that highlights how students from non-STEM backgrounds can successfully transition into AI. His story aligns closely with Queen Mary’s new MSc Artificial Intelligence (Conversion), designed to open AI careers to graduates from a wide range of disciplines.

“Queen Mary first introduced me to computers and stimulated my decision to seek a career in IT. The learning environment at the University always taught me to seek out new challenges and that guidance continued with me through my career now into AI.”

The seminar inspired students and staff alike, demonstrating how AI is not only revolutionising science and industry but also creating opportunities for the next generation of researchers and innovators at Queen Mary.