In brief

I obtained a bachelor degree in Chemistryfrom the Technical University of Munich, where I finished the first two semesters in 6 months and hereafter finished a Master's degree in Computational and Theoretical Chemistryat the University of Oxford within 12 months. At the age of 26 I obtained a PhD in Computational Chemistry from the Centre of Theoreitcal and Computational Chemistry (CTCC), a Norwegian Centre of Excellence. This centre is now the Hylleraas Centre in Oslo, Norway.
While earning the PhD degree I simulataneously qualified for the World Championship in Hearthstone, a strategic card game played by millions across the globe. Since 2019 I have been competing in Hearthstone, where I applied the analytical and computational skills from my previous education to become the world's most accomplished competitor (including 1st place at both the Team and Individual World Championship). I am currently looking for a new challenge!

Contact Details

Raphael Peltzer
Peltzer Gaming AS
Tromsø


E-mail: raphaelpeltzer@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @TL_bunnyhoppor
Github: raphaelp92
Research Gate: Raphael-Peltzer-2


Work experience

Esports professional

2019 - Present Norway

  • Data analysis, tournament preparation and simulation
    • 2022 World Champion, Highest winning player worldwide
    • Simulations, data analysis, in-depth research and logic-based strategy optimization to increase win probability
    • Quick decision making and creativity are key to success
  • Team management
    • Team Lead for Global Team Championship winning team
    • Collaborations with people from 20+ countries
  • Contractor for Team Liquid, Samsung and more
    • Competitor representing international brands
    • Streaming/content creation for brand visibility

Voluntary additional work:

  • Gameplay coaching, science communication
    • Successful coach for other players
    • Daily/weekly science outreach bringing complex topics/research to a wide audience
  • Event organization, event management, sponsorship acquisition

Education

PhD in Computational Chemistry

2014 - 2018 Oslo, Norway

Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (CTCC), Oslo, Norway.
Supervisor: Michele Cascella.
Title: Multi-scale computational modeling of bio-chemical systems in the condensed phase.
Summary:
Investigation of organic Chemistry reactions and large biochemical systems using a large scale of methods. From single-point calculations to fully quantum mechanical Molecular Dynamics simulations to coarse-grained systems of a patchy particle model for protein-protein macromolecule self-assembly.
Additionally work was done using Bioinformatics to investigate particular protein motifs and QM/MM (quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics) of ligands inside a protein, surrounded by water or in presence of a lipid bilayer were performed.

Expertise include: Single-point calculations, QM, QM/MM and coarse-grained simulations; Enhanced Sampling methods; system-tailored calculations and translation of (bio-)chemical properties into computational models; Large data anaylsis and visualisation; Public speaking and Science Presentation

MSc Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

2013-2014 UK

University of Oxford Oxford, UK. A full course overview can be found here and include: Quatum Mechanics, Advanced Statistical Mechanics, Reaction Dynamics, Statistics, Chemical Informatics.
Thesis Supervisor: Jonathan Doye.
Thesis Title: Simulating folding of a DNA pyramid.

BSc Chemistry

2011 - 2013Germany

Finished semesters 1 and 2 within 6 months (TUM-twoinone) with outstanding grades. Awarded TUM-Deutschlandstipdium for merit.
Awarded Max-Weber-Stipedium der deutschen Studienstiftung on merit and extracurricular activity. (top3 % academically and further selected by stipend committee) Thesis Supervisor: Gerd Gemmecker.
Thesis Title: Investigation of conformation exchange of dimethylated arginine as a recognition motif.

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Research articles


Peer-reviewed publications:

4. The Grignard Reaction – Unraveling a Chemical Puzzle
Raphael Mathias Peltzer, Jürgen Gauss, Odile Eisenstein*, and Michele Cascella* J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 6, 2984–2994 Publication Date:January 17, 2020
3. Self-Assembly of α-Tocopherol Transfer Protein Nanoparticles: A Patchy Protein Model
Raphael Mathias Peltzer, Hima Bindu Kolli, Achim Stocker*, and Michele Cascella* J. Phys. Chem. B 2018, 122, 28, 7066–7072 Publication Date:June 26, 2018
2. How Solvent Dynamics Controls the Schlenk Equilibrium of Grignard Reagents: A Computational Study of CH3MgCl in Tetrahydrofuran
Raphael M. Peltzer†, Odile Eisenstein†‡Orcid, Ainara Nova*†, and Michele Cascella*† J. Phys. Chem. B 2017, 121, 16, 4226–4237 Publication Date:Match 30, 2017
1. Turbulence properties associated with interplanetary shock waves
Raphael Mathias Peltzer, Hima Bindu Kolli, Achim Stocker*, and Michele Cascella* J. Phys. Chem. B 2018, 122, 28, 7066–7072 Publication Date:March, 2012

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Other Projects and Interests

Interests:
  • Competing in Chess, science and economy podcasts, playing Volleyball and doing logic puzzles.
Current Projects:
    My current projects are improving programming and machine-learning skills. Sub-projects are AI-generated personal website, machine-learning courses. Integration of Twitch chat into gaming challenges.