Dr. Rajesh Bera is a Research Fellow at ICFO's Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials group specializing in quantum-confined nanostructures. His research examines ultrafast carrier dynamics, excitonic properties, and optoelectronic applications of nanomaterials including quantum dots, nanoplatelets, and hybrid nanostructures. Current investigations focus on intraband transitions in doped nanocrystals, orientation-dependent excitonic behavior in 2D materials, and charge transfer mechanisms in heterostructure devices. Work bridges fundamental photophysics with applications in photodetection, sensing, and energy conversion. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in time-resolved spectroscopy of quantum materials, nanomaterial synthesis via colloidal chemistry, and rational design of optoelectronic devices. Continually develops novel characterization methods to probe ultrafast processes at nanoscale interfaces.
Prof. Maciej Lewenstein is a Group Leader and ICREA Professor at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Spain. He leads the Quantum Optics Theory group, focusing on theoretical and computational studies of quantum many-body systems, topological phases, and nonlinear optics. He holds a Dr.rer.nat. in Physics from the University of Essen, Germany. His research interests include quantum simulations, high-harmonic generation, Bose-Einstein condensation, and quantum information processing. He has pioneered work on topological quantum thermometry and ultrafast phase transitions in materials like vanadium dioxide. His group actively explores the intersection of quantum optics with condensed matter physics and quantum computing. Recent articles highlight advancements in tensor network approaches for topological phases, quantum algorithms for many-body systems, and the application of sonification to quantum entanglement dynamics. He has received a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant and the ICREA Professorship, recognizing his contributions to quantum science. Prof. Lewenstein advises over a dozen PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering a dynamic research environment at ICFO. His grants include ERC and ICREA funding, supporting projects on quantum simulations and nonlinear optical phenomena. The Quantum Optics Theory group collaborates internationally, with expertise in light-matter interactions, quantum resource theory, and quantum many-body localization. Their lab develops novel methods for probing quantum systems using high-harmonic spectroscopy and quantum trajectory simulations.
Dr. Guillem Müller Rigat is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), working in the Quantum Optics Theory research group. He holds a PhD in Photonics from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain). His research focuses on quantum information theory and quantum optics, with a particular emphasis on entanglement, Bell inequalities, and many-body quantum systems. He explores topics such as quantum resource certification, symmetry in quantum states, and applications of machine learning in quantum tomography. Müller Rigat’s work bridges fundamental quantum theory and experimental feasibility, addressing challenges in quantum metrology, nonlocality, and chaos. His recent studies include developing methods to infer quantum correlations from observable data and enhancing protocols for entanglement detection in complex systems. He contributes to advancing theoretical frameworks for certifying quantum systems with minimal experimental resources. He is affiliated with ICFO’s Quantum Optics Theory group, where he collaborates on projects involving Bell inequalities, spin-nematic squeezing, and quantum Fisher information. Despite his postdoctoral focus, he actively publishes in high-impact journals, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches combining quantum foundations and applied quantum technologies.
Elsa Prada Nuñez is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM) under the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) . She leads the Quantum Dynamics of Materials (QUDYMA) group and currently serves as Head of the Theory Department. Her academic career spans multiple institutions, including the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Karlsruhe University, and Lancaster University, with a focus on condensed matter theory and quantum materials. PhD in Physics from UAM (2006) Tenured Scientist at ICMM-CSIC (2020-2025) Senior Researcher at ICMM-CSIC (2025-present) Her research explores quantum phenomena in low-dimensional materials and nanostructures, particularly topological insulators, Majorana zero modes in hybrid nanowires, graphene and 2D crystals, disorder effects, magnetotransport, spintronics, quantum pumping, straintronics, and exciton dynamics. She has directed over 20 students across PhD, Master's, and undergraduate levels, including notable projects on full-shell hybrid nanowires and twisted bilayer graphene. Recent publications highlight advancements in Josephson junctions, Majorana detection, and topological superconductivity in full-shell nanowires. Awards include the Young Female Scientist 2021 from the Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain and Mastercard, and the 2022 Certamen Universitario 'Arquímedes' First Award as a tutor. She has secured significant grants from the Spanish government and European collaborations for projects on quantum materials and topological superconductivity. Principal Investigator for €139,150 Spanish government grant (PID2021-125343NB-I00) Lead on €5,000 ICMM-CSIC grant (2020-2021) Participant in €3.48M EU AndQC project (2019-2023)
Juan Manuel Pérez Pardo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, where he has been a faculty member since 2019, progressing from Assistant Professor to his current position as Associate Professor since December 2022. His academic journey includes postdoctoral research at prestigious institutions including the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare in Naples, Italy, and the Instituto de Ciencias Matemáticas in Madrid. Dr. Pérez Pardo earned his PhD in Mathematics from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in 2013, following a Master's degree in Mathematical Engineering from the same institution and a Master's degree in Theoretical Physics from Universidad Complutense de Madrid. His undergraduate studies were in Physics at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. His research focuses on the intersection of functional analysis and quantum physics, particularly in three main areas: Functional Analysis : Applying functional analytical tools to quantum systems, with emphasis on quadratic forms associated with differential operators and evolution equations in Hilbert spaces. Quantum Systems with Boundary : Studying quantum dynamics when boundaries are present, combining operator theory, spectral theory, and differential geometry. Quantum Control on Infinite Dimensional Systems : Developing mathematical theory for controlling quantum systems that are infinite dimensional in nature, relevant to quantum computation technologies. His publication record shows a strong focus on quantum control theory, self-adjoint extensions of differential operators, and the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics. Recent work (2022-2025) has concentrated on stability of non-autonomous Schrödinger equations, quantum controllability, and relativistic quantum systems. Dr. Pérez Pardo has received several prestigious awards including the Juan de la Cierva Fellowship and the QUITEMAD+ Postdoctoral Fellowship. His work on boundary dynamics driven entanglement was highlighted in Europhysics News and tagged as IOPselect by the Institute of Physics. He actively mentors students at all levels, currently supervising PhD candidate Ángel Aitor Balmaseda Martín on "Quantum Control at the Boundary." He has also supervised numerous Master's and Bachelor's students on topics ranging from numerical solutions of quantum control problems to modeling Josephson junctions. Dr. Pérez Pardo is a key member of the Q-Math Research Group at UC3M and has organized multiple international workshops on Information Geometry, Quantum Mechanics, and Applications. He also serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics.
Gonzalo Manzano Paule is a Ramón y Cajal tenure-track researcher at IFISC (Instituto de Física Interdisciplinar y Sistemas Complejos), a joint research institute of CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) and UIB (University of the Balearic Islands), where he has been working since January 2023. He previously held a Juan de la Cierva Incorporation fellowship (2021-2023), was an ESQ Postdoc at IQOQI Vienna (2020-2021), and a Postdoc at ICTP Trieste (2018-2020) funded by Scuola Normale Superiore. He obtained his PhD in Physics from Universidad Complutense de Madrid in July 2017, followed by a short Postdoc at IFISC (2017-2018). His research interests focus on quantum and stochastic thermodynamics, open quantum systems, information theory, and the foundations of nonequilibrium statistical physics and quantum mechanics. He is particularly interested in applying concepts from nonequilibrium thermodynamics to understand classical and quantum complex systems. While his work is primarily theoretical, he actively seeks collaborations with experimentalists. His research has been featured in popular science journals including Physics, Quanta Magazine, and Diario de Mallorca. He has also collaborated with artist Evarist Torres to merge art and science and has written a popular science article for Investigación y Ciencia (Scientific American). Manzano Paule's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on quantum thermodynamics, fluctuation theorems, and quantum information processing. His work spans theoretical foundations of quantum thermodynamics to applications in quantum heat engines and molecular motors. A notable pattern in his research is the exploration of how quantum effects can enhance thermodynamic processes and the relationship between information theory and thermodynamics. His scientific achievements have been recognized through prestigious fellowships including the Ramón y Cajal program, Juan de la Cierva Incorporation fellowship, and ESQ Postdoc fellowship. His work has also garnered attention in popular science media, indicating its broader impact beyond academic circles. As an educator, Manzano Paule supervises Master's students and teaches advanced courses including Open Quantum Systems for the Master's Degree in Advanced Physics and Applied Mathematics and the Master's Degree in Physics of Complex Systems. His teaching portfolio also includes Quantum Collective Phenomena, Quantum and Nonlinear Optics, Thermodynamics, and Atomic and Molecular Physics. He currently leads the research project 'QTD-InFlexity Quantum thermodynamics: information, fluctuations and complexity' and participates in the 'CoQuSy Complex Quantum Systems' project. He is also part of the María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence at IFISC, which has received continuous funding since 2008.
David de Sancho Sánchez is a Ramón y Cajal Research Fellow at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) in Spain. His research employs computational methods to study protein dynamics, folding mechanisms, and biomolecular interactions, with a focus on quantitative comparisons between theory, simulation, and experimental data. Education & Training: Biophysical Chemistry training at San Pablo CEU and Complutense Universities PhD under Antonio Rey at Complutense University Postdoctoral work with Victor Muñoz (Spanish Research Council) and Robert Best (University of Cambridge) Research Focus: David's work spans protein folding landscapes, metal-binding proteins, mechanical unfolding, and phase separation. Recent investigations include amyloid-beta aggregation, titin mechanics in cardiac disease, and computational drug design for cancer and neurodegeneration. His methodologies integrate molecular dynamics, Markov state models, and force spectroscopy simulations. Scientific Awards: Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (UPV/EHU) Ikerbasque Research Fellowship (CIC nanoGUNE) Affiliations: He leads computational research at UPV/EHU's Theoretical Chemistry Unit and collaborates extensively with experimental groups at DIPC, focusing on protein engineering and disease mechanisms.
Dr. Elisabet Romero is a Group Leader at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) , where she leads research in bio-inspired solar energy conversion . Her work focuses on designing chromophore-protein assemblies capable of efficiently converting sunlight into electrochemical energy, mimicking natural photosynthesis. She is supported by prestigious grants, including an ERC Starting Grant and a Marie Curie Fellowship . Education: PhD in Biophysics, VU Amsterdam (2011) Master’s in Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia BSc in Chemistry (Physical Chemistry specialization), University of Barcelona (2003) Research Interests: Dr. Romero’s research lies at the intersection of physical chemistry, photophysics, and sustainable energy . She investigates the quantum mechanical principles underlying energy and electron transfer in photosynthetic systems, applying this knowledge to engineer artificial systems for solar fuel production. Her group uses ultrafast spectroscopy techniques like transient absorption and 2D electronic spectroscopy to probe femtosecond-scale dynamics. Publications & Research Trends: Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in de novo protein design for artificial light harvesting , excitonic coupling in chromophore systems , and quantum effects in biological energy transfer . Collaborative work with leading institutions highlights her role in advancing synthetic biology and quantum bio-inspired materials. Scientific Awards: European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant Marie Curie Fellowship Advising and Grants: Dr. Romero mentors a dynamic team of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and master’s students . Her group has secured competitive funding from the ERC, Severo Ochoa Programme, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions , supporting innovative research in renewable energy technologies. Labs and Teams: Her laboratory at ICIQ is equipped with state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy facilities. The team fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, combining rigorous scientific inquiry with social engagement and cultural exchange.
Javier Sánchez Cañizares is a Spanish physicist, theologian, Catholic priest, and full professor at the University of Navarra since 2022. He works in the Mind-Brain (MB) Group at the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) and leads the Science, Reason and Faith (CRYF) Group . He holds two Ph.D.s: one in Physics from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (1999) and another in Theology from Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (2006). Education Ph.D. Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (1999) Ph.D. Theology, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (2006) Research Interests : His work bridges science and religion, focusing on the philosophy of nature , quantum mechanics , and interdisciplinary studies between physics, theology, and ethics. He explores emergence in complex systems , integrated information theory , and causation in natural processes. Awards : Expanded Reason Award (2018) for Universo singular Projects : He directed the Science and Religion in Spanish Schools project (2018-2021) funded by the John Templeton Foundation. He is co-editor of the journal Scientia et Fides and author of Naturaleza creativa (2018).
Sergi Abadal Cavalle is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Architecture at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria de Telecomunicació de Barcelona (ETSETB). He leads a dynamic research group focused on revolutionary computing architectures through wireless chip-scale networks and quantum interconnects. His work is supported by prestigious grants including an ERC Starting Grant and an ERC Proof of Concept Grant. Education: PhD in Computer Architecture, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2016) MSc in Telecommunication Engineering, UPC (2011) BSc in Telecommunication Engineering, UPC (2010) Sergi's research focuses on overcoming the limitations of traditional wired interconnects in computing systems by pioneering wireless communication at the chip and package level. His work spans terahertz communications, graphene-based antennas, reconfigurable metasurfaces, and quantum-coherent networks. He has led major EU projects such as WINC, EWiC, QUADRATURE, and WiPLASH, aiming to revolutionize classical and quantum computing architectures. His research integrates electromagnetics, materials science, and computer architecture to enable ultra-fast, scalable, and energy-efficient systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating wireless technologies within computing systems, particularly using novel materials like graphene and software-defined metasurfaces. The articles highlight advancements in on-chip wireless communication, channel modeling, and the application of these technologies in 6G and quantum computing. His work bridges theoretical modeling with experimental validation and practical emulation. Scientific Awards: ERC Starting Grant (2022) ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2024) ACM NanoCom Outstanding Milestone Award (2022) NanoComNet Young Investigator Award (2019) UPC Outstanding Thesis Award (2016) IN-NOVA Award to Best Master Thesis (2021) IBM Award to Best Academic Record (2021) Medal from Real Academia de la Ingeniería (2024) IEEE Senior Member (2025) Sergi actively mentors a large group of PhD and Master's students, many of whom have received awards for their thesis work. He leads the N3Cat research group and collaborates with institutions such as IBM Research, NEC Labs Europe, RWTH Aachen, EPFL, University of Nottingham, and Intel Labs. His lab is at the forefront of experimental validation of wireless interconnects and quantum architectures, with ongoing projects focusing on emulation and commercialization of chiplet communication technologies.
Prof. Fabienne Barroso Bujans is an Ikerbasque Research Professor at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) and the Materials Physics Center (CFM) in San Sebastián, Spain. Her research group focuses on topological polymers, cyclic polymer synthesis, and their applications in nanodevices and graphene-based hybrid materials. She leads a multidisciplinary team exploring polymer confinement, functionalization, and biomedical applications. Her work emphasizes the synthesis of cyclic polymers using novel methodologies like zwitterionic ring-opening polymerization (ZROP) with B(C6F5)3 catalysts. Key areas include understanding polymer dynamics under confinement, developing luminescent polymer-ruthenium complexes, and creating nanomaterials for energy and biomedical uses. She has supervised numerous students, including PhD candidates and visiting researchers supported by grants like 'Woman for Africa.' Recent research highlights include the 2024 study on glycidol polymerization kinetics and the 2022 work on macrocyclic polymer applications. Her group has pioneered methods to isolate and characterize cyclic polymers using UPLC-MS/MS and dielectric spectroscopy. She actively recruits interns and postdocs, emphasizing organic chemistry and polymer science expertise. Founded research group in 2016 Collaborations with international institutions (e.g., Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Beni-Suef University) Key facilities: DIPC labs in Donostia
Prof. Juan Carlos Cuevas is a Professor of Theoretical Nanophysics at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). He holds a PhD in Physics from UAM (1999) and has led research groups in molecular electronics and nanoscience. His work focuses on superconductivity, quantum transport, and radiative heat transfer at the nanoscale. Key areas of research include: theoretical analysis of molecular junctions, superconducting nanostructures, and near-field thermal phenomena. Cuevas has co-authored influential books such as *Molecular Electronics* (World Scientific, 2017) and pioneered studies on single-molecule conductance and quantum interference effects. Recent contributions include discoveries on phonon interference in molecular junctions (2025), thermodynamic uncertainty relations in superconductors (2025), and advanced machine learning approaches for radiative heat optimization (2024). His work bridges theoretical models with experimental insights from scanning tunneling microscopy and nanofabrication techniques.
Juan Ramon Pacha Andujar is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineering of Barcelona (ETSEIB). He is a core member of the UPCDS (Dynamical Systems Group) and has been involved in multiple research projects funded by national and regional agencies, including the Spanish Ministry of Science and the Catalan Government. His research focuses on dynamical systems, nonlinear dynamics, and Hamiltonian systems, with significant contributions to bifurcation theory, control systems, and mathematical physics. Key research areas include the analysis of Hopf bifurcations in atomic systems under microwave fields, controllability of bimodal linear systems, and transversality of homoclinic orbits in Hamiltonian contexts. He has co-authored numerous indexed articles and book chapters, with recent work addressing robotic trajectory safety and invariant subspaces in finite fields. Dr. Pacha has participated in interdisciplinary projects like 'Mecánica Celeste: métodos analíticos y numéricos y aplicaciones,' blending celestial mechanics with numerical methods. His work often intersects with applications in robotics and engineering, as evidenced by collaborations in projects such as 'Safe trajectory of a piece moved by a robot.' He leads or co-leads several competitive research projects, including the UPCDS group's ongoing initiatives. His contributions span theoretical developments and applied research, with a focus on systems' stability, control, and bifurcation phenomena.
Israel Andrés Callejas Vidoy is a Research Fellow at IMDEA Nanoscience Institute, where he specializes in advanced spectroscopic techniques within the Pump-Probe and Photoinduced Absorption Spectroscopies research group. He joined the institute in September 2024 and focuses on experimental investigations of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. His core research domains include: Ultrafast Spectroscopy Nanomaterials Characterization Photoinduced Dynamics Optical Spectroscopy Nanophotonics Time-resolved Spectroscopy Through pump-probe methodologies, Callejas Vidoy examines carrier dynamics and energy transfer mechanisms in novel nanomaterials, with direct relevance to photovoltaic systems and next-generation optoelectronic devices. His experimental work bridges fundamental quantum phenomena with practical applications in renewable energy technologies.
Antonio Pich Zardoya is a Professor in the Department of Theoretical Physics at the Faculty of Physics, University of Valencia. He is affiliated with the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC), a joint center of the CSIC and the University of Valencia, where he leads research in advanced phenomenology of elementary particles and fundamental interactions. His research focuses on theoretical high-energy physics, particularly in areas such as chiral perturbation theory, electroweak symmetry breaking, Higgs physics, and flavor phenomenology in multi-Higgs-doublet models. He has made significant contributions to understanding low-energy QCD dynamics and the phenomenology of beyond-Standard-Model scalar sectors. The recent publications indicate a sustained focus on precision theoretical predictions for collider physics and flavor observables, especially in the context of the LHC and future flavor factories. His work often bridges effective field theories with experimental constraints. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. He has supervised at least one PhD student (as inferred from his thesis supervision role), though a full list is not available. He is actively involved in theoretical research and has no indication of retirement or part-time status. His primary institutional email is antonio.pich@uv.es.
