Full Professor of Condensed Matter Physics at the Universitat de Barcelona since 2020, where I also graduated in Physics in 1991, and received a PhD in Statistical and Condensed Matter Physics in 1995. Postdoctoral researcher at the Massachusets Institute of Technology in Cambridge, USA, and at the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy. Appointed visiting or invited professor at the Università La Sapienza in Rome (Italy), the Université d´Orsay in Paris (France), the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics in Santa Barbara (USA), the Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University, Finland), the ISI Foundation in Turin (Italy), Indiana University, Bloomington (USA), and Northeastern University, Boston (USA). Previous positions: Associate Professor (2006-2020), Ramón y Cajal research associate (2001-2006) and Lecturer (2000-2001) at the University of Barcelona. Awarded the Distinció of the Generalitat de Catalunya for “young scientist” in 2004, and the I3 Program of the Spanish MICINN in 2008.
EDUCATION
October 1995
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Barcelona, Spain. Thesis: Dynamic properties of magnetic colloidal particles and holes. Supervisor: Prof. J.M. Rubí Capaceti
1992
1995
Graduate studies, Statistical and Condensed Matter Physics, Dept. de Física Fonamental , University of Barcelona, Spain
1988
1991
M. S., Theoretical Physics, University of Barcelona, Spain
1986
1988
B.S., Physics, University of Zaragoza, Spain
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES
Feb 20
Now
Full Professor, Dept. de Física de la Matèria Condensada, University of Barcelona, Spain
Nov 2006
Feb 2020
Associate Professor, Dept. de Física Fonamental, University of Barcelona, Spain
July 2018
Aug 2018
Visiting Scholar, Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
July 2010
Guest Scientist, Complex Systems Lagrange LAB, Fondazione ISI, Turin, Italy
Feb 2010
March 2010
Visiting Scholar, Center for Complex Networks and Systems Research, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
July 2009
Guest Scientist, Complex Systems Lagrange LAB, Fondazione ISI, Turin, Italy
July 2008
Guest Scientist, Complex Systems Lagrange LAB, Fondazione ISI, Turin, Italy
August 2007
Guest Scientist, School of Science, Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland
Nov 2001
Nov 2006
Ramón y Cajal Research Scientist, Dept. de Física Fonamental , University of Barcelona, Spain
Oct 2005
Dec 2005
Guest Scientist, KITP, University of California Santa Barbara, USA
July 2003
Visiting Scientist, Physics Department, Rome University “La Sapienza” , Italy
October 2002
Visiting Scientist, Physics Department, Rome University “La Sapienza” , Italy
March 2002
Visiting Scientist, Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Modèles Statistiques, University of Paris-Sud, France
Oct 2001
Visiting Scientist, Physics Department, Rome University “La Sapienza” , Italy
Feb 2000
Nov 2001
Assistant Professor, Dept. de Física Fonamental, University of Barcelona, Spain
Jul 2000
Sept 2000
Guest Scientist, Condensed Matter Research Group , ICTP , Trieste, Italy
Oct 1998
Feb 2000
Postdoctoral Fellow, Condensed Matter Research Group , ICTP , Trieste, Italy
Jan 1998
Sept 1998
Postdoctoral Associate, Condensed Matter Theory, MIT , Cambridge, USA.
Host: Prof. Mehran Kardar
1996
1997
Postdoctoral Fellow, Condensed Matter Theory, MIT , Cambridge, USA
Host: Prof. Mehran Kardar
1992
1995
Predoctoral Fellow, Dept. de Física Fonamental ,University of Barcelona , Spain
Spring 1995
Visiting Scientist, Hill Center, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA.Host: Prof. Joel Lebowitz
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2018
Present
Collective motion and collective decision-making in social animal groups.
Exploring social influence and social interactions.
Phase transitions in flocking systems.
Consensus formation in quality-sensitive interdependent agent systems.
Decision-making in mini-robot ensembles.
Turning avalanches in schooling fish.
Stochastic burst-and-coast dynamics in fish schools.
1996
2018
Topological defects, and defect-mediated phenomena
Jamming/yielding transition of dislocation assemblies.
Multiscale modeling of dislocation dynamics and plastic deformation in crystalline materials.
Flux lines in high-Tc superconductors: Equilibrium and dynamic properties, phase transitions.
Soft condensed matter.
Percolation transition in jammed granular packings.
Vibration spectra of biopolymeric networks.
Nonequilibrium fluctuations in sedimenting colloids.
Aggregation kinetics of magnetorheological fluids
1992
1995
Ferrofluids: Rheology, rotational relaxation and aggregation processes.
Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of liquids : Applications to ferrofluid hydrodynamics.
Fluctuation induced phenomena.
Quantum relaxation of uniaxial magnetic nanoparticles: Theoretical study of the decay of metastable states for arbitrarily oriented fields
AWARDS
2008
Program I3 Award, Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia & Generalitat de Catalunya
2004
“Distinció per a la Promoció de la Recerca Universitària”, DURSI, Generalitat de Catalunya
FELLOWSHIPS
July 2003
“Short scientific stay abroad” grant, University of Barcelona
June 2000
“Short scientific stay abroad” grant, University of Barcelona
Oct 1998
Sept 2000
Postdoctoral Fellowship, ICTP, Trieste, Italy
1996
1997
Postdoctoral Fellowship, CIRIT, Generalitat de Catalunya
1996
European Commission TMR Grant, Pr. No. ERB4001GT953562
1992
1995
FPU Fellowship, CIRIT, Generalitat de Catalunya
May 1995
“Short scientific stay abroad” grant, CIRIT, Generalitat de Catalunya