María Alonso Prieto

María Alonso Prieto is a Tenured Scientist at the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM) within the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). She leads the Growth and Properties of Heterostructures in the Nanoscale Group, focusing on low-dimensional systems (2D, 1D, 0D) and advanced materials characterization. Her work integrates ultra-high-vacuum techniques, electron spectroscopy, diffraction, and microscopy to study semiconductor interfaces, magnetic heterostructures, and nanostructured materials. She co-designed and oversees the ICMM’s Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) laboratory, advancing research in spintronics and nanotechnology.

Her research spans quantum size effects in metal/semiconductor interfaces, Si/Be intralayer effects in heterojunctions, and the synthesis of nanostructures like GeSi nanowires and Si-based nanopyramids. She has co-supervised two PhD theses on magnetic multilayers and nanostructure formation and supervised Master’s projects. Alonso Prieto has secured competitive grants for MBE studies and synchrotron beamtime, contributing to Spain’s research initiatives.

She actively participates in institutional governance, serving on the ICMM Board since 2010 and the AUSE executive team (2013–2015). Her contributions extend to education and outreach, including teaching and organizing workshops on nanotechnology and materials science.