The TREX School on QMC with TurboRVB took place from 3-7 July 2023 at the Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) in Trieste, Italy. The school, organised by the TREX project, focused on ab initio quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods, known for their high accuracy and versatility in materials and electronic structure calculations. The event aimed at providing young students and senior researchers with the opportunity to learn TurboRVB, TurboGenius, and TurboWorkflows codes for QMC applications through tutorials and hands-on sessions. A significant highlight of this edition was the official release of the TurboRVB code as an open-source package.

The theoretical lectures were a cornerstone of the event's success. The instructors' ability to cover topics from basic to advanced levels while maintaining clarity and depth in their explanations left a lasting impression on the participants. The speakers provided a comprehensive introduction to the subject, making the material accessible to attendees.

The theoretical lectures were very clear, despite the complexity of the topics. The instructors did an excellent job of making intricate concepts understandable.

The lectures covered topics from basic to advanced levels and included in-depth explanations and derivations. This approach not only laid the groundwork for more complex topics but also sparked curiosity among the attendees, encouraging them to delve deeper into the QMC methods.

The hands-on sessions were a valuable aspect of the school, allowing participants to gain practical experience with the TurboRVB code. The tutors, who actively use the code in their research, were approachable and provided helpful guidance.

I found the hands-on sessions very instructive. Being able to interact with tutors and learn TurboRVB through practical application was immensely beneficial.

The school also provided a platform for networking and interaction with experts and researchers in the QMC field. Participants appreciated the opportunity to meet their peers and colleagues, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The chance to interact with experts in the QMC field and perform QMC calculations was the highlight of the event. Meeting researchers from different parts of the world and learning about their projects was truly enriching.​​​​​​

Another shining moment was the poster session, which served as a platform for participants to showcase their research endeavours and insights.

The coveted Best Poster Prize, a one-week stay at Sorbonne University, Paris, in the Quantum Theory of Materials group (IMPMC), was secured by Liam Bernheimer from Tel Aviv University. The second and third places were earned by Abdul Ghaffar from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) and Davide Piccioni from SISSA, respectively.

Click here to learn more about the poster winners at the featured testimonial news.