Sergio O. Valenzuela

Sergio O. Valenzuela is a Research Professor at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) since 2008, leading the Physics and Engineering of Nanodevices group. His research focuses on quantum transport, spintronics, and thermoelectricity in 2D materials and topological insulators. He is a renowned expert in spintronics, pioneering nonlocal devices for charge-to-spin interconversion, spin-ratchets, and novel qubit control methods. He earned a PhD in Physics from the University of Buenos Aires in 2001 and held postdoctoral/research positions at Harvard University and MIT.

• Education:
• PhD in Physics (2001), University of Buenos Aires

Research Interests: His work spans superconductivity, nanotechnology, quantum transport, quantum computing, spintronics and magnetism, low-dimensional systems, and topological insulators. The group explores charge-spin interconversion, thermoelectricity, and topological properties in 2D materials for applications in quantum computing and low-loss information transmission.

• Scientific Awards:
• ERC Consolidator Grant (2012)
• IUPAP Young Scientist Prize (2009)
• ICREA Research Professorship (2007)
• J. J. Giambiagi Prize (2002)

Leadership & Grants: He has led European projects, including the Graphene Flagship and the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence (2013–present). As Coordinator of the FET-PROACTIVE Project "TOCHA" (2019–2024), he advances topological quantum metrology. He received an ERC Proof-of-Concept Grant in 2020 and has served on Commissions of Trust in Europe and the US.

Labs & Collaborations: The Physics and Engineering of Nanodevices group, under his leadership, investigates quantum phenomena in nanoscale systems. He collaborates with European research institutions and contributes to major initiatives like the Graphene Flagship.