Matthew S. Christian is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of South Carolina where he uses first-principle density-functional theory (DFT) and the CALculation Of PHAse Diagram (CALPHAD) method to research nuclear materials. His work involves predicting relative stabilities of nuclear waste forms, assessing phase diagrams of molten salt fuel mixtures, and developing new thermodynamic and first-principle methods to model rare-earth compounds. He obtained his doctorate from Dalhousie University where he studied the accuracy of modeling Van der Waals surface interactions using DFT. His background in theory development and materials science provides him a unique perspective on how errors in DFT can affect material calculation results. Christian worked on the Center for Hierarchical Waste Form Materials (CHWM). ORCID ID #0000-0002-3416-413X.