Martin Gmitra

Martin Gmitra is a Researcher at the Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice. His work focuses on Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of electronic properties in solids, spin-orbit coupling, magnetism, optics, and transport. He explores novel two-dimensional materials and van der Waals hybrids to develop functional materials leveraging proximity effects. Since 2018, he has led DFT implementation projects under a reintegration grant from the Slovak Ministry of Education.

Education includes a PhD in Physics (2004) and Master's degree (2001) from his home university. He held postdoctoral and research roles in institutions across Europe, including the University of Regensburg (Germany), Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland), and the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Notably, he collaborated with Nobel laureate Albert Fert and pioneered DFT computational methods in twisted atomic layer systems.

Award highlights include being a 2021 ESET Science Award finalist. He advises students like Martin Lukáč (2025 ČSSVK winner) and Jozef Haniš (best publication award recipient). His research bridges theoretical predictions with experimental studies in low-dimensional systems, contributing to the second quantum revolution through quantum material discoveries.