Dario Bercioux | Quantum Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dario Bercioux | Quantum Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Donostia International Physics Center, Spain

Dr. Dario Bercioux is an Ikerbasque Associate Professor and group leader at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) in Spain. With a specialization in mesoscopic systems, quantum materials, and light-matter interaction, his work spans theoretical and applied condensed matter physics. He has published extensively, contributed to major international collaborations, and held numerous postdoctoral positions across Europe. A fluent speaker of four languages, Dr. Bercioux is also a recognized science communicator, conference organizer, and mentor to young researchers, influencing the next generation of quantum scientists.

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Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Bercioux’s academic journey began in Naples, Italy, where he earned his Laurea in Physics (summa cum laude) and Ph.D. from the Federico II University of Naples. His doctoral research, focused on spin-dependent transport in nanostructures, laid the groundwork for his later interest in quantum transport phenomena. Under the guidance of Professors V. Cataudella and V. M. Ramaglia, he developed strong foundations in low-dimensional physics and quantum electronics. His early education reflects exceptional academic performance, including a perfect score in his high school technical diploma.

Professional Endeavors

Over two decades, Dr. Bercioux has held progressively prestigious roles, beginning as a postdoctoral researcher in Germany (Regensburg, Freiburg, Berlin) and culminating in a tenured professorship at DIPC. He joined Ikerbasque in 2014, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2019, and now leads the Mesoscopic Electrons and Photons Systems (MEPS) group. His international collaborations include affiliations with the Université d’Aix-Marseille, Stanford University, and the University of Bordeaux. He’s also an editorial board member of Communication Physics and serves as advisor to the Phenikaa Institute in Vietnam.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Bercioux’s research centers on graphene, spintronics, topological matter, non-Hermitian physics, and quantum simulation. He has contributed to the understanding of chiral edge states, photonic lattices, and pseudo-spin systems, and co-authored high-impact reviews in Review of Modern Physics and Reports on Progress in Physics. His group explores quantum effects in low-dimensional systems, bridging theory and experiment. With over 70 publications, including 18 letters in top-tier journals such as PRL, Nat. Mater., and Commun. Phys., he remains at the forefront of quantum condensed matter research.

Impact and Influence

With over 2,190 citations and an h-index of 23, Dr. Bercioux has significantly influenced the field of condensed matter physics. His work is regularly cited in top-tier journals, and he has delivered 70 invited talks across global institutions. He has organized more than 20 international schools and workshops, such as the renowned Capri Spring School series. He actively shapes scientific discourse as an editor, reviewer, and conference chair, with roles in high-profile review panels and editorial boards. His multidisciplinary collaborations enhance the global understanding of quantum transport and materials.

Academic Cites and Metrics

According to Web of Science (July 2025), Dr. Bercioux’s publication metrics include 70 peer-reviewed papers, over 2,190 citations, and an average of 31 citations per article. He has published in PRL, Nature Nanotech, Nat. Mater., and Advanced Quantum Technology, highlighting the quality and relevance of his work. He’s authored three reviews, three News & Views, and a lecture book for Springer, solidifying his standing as both a scholar and educator. His Research-ID and ORCID maintain up-to-date records of his contributions, evidencing his scientific integrity and productivity.

Research Skills

Dr. Bercioux excels in quantum transport theory, non-Hermitian physics, light-matter coupling, and spin-orbit photonics. His analytical prowess spans tight-binding models, topological classification, and synthetic lattices. He possesses deep expertise in multi-terminal quantum devices, photonic simulations, and Dirac systems. His interdisciplinary skills enable work on quantum materials for computation, superconductivity, and spin textures, contributing to quantum technology development. Skilled in project coordination, he has secured over €900,000 in competitive funding and mentored doctoral candidates, showcasing his ability to translate theoretical insight into impactful research outputs.

Teaching Experience

Dr. Bercioux has mentored 7 Ph.D. students and 11 undergraduates, guiding theses in mesoscopic physics, quantum transport, and topological systems. His teaching philosophy emphasizes foundational understanding and research readiness, often combining coursework with hands-on research. He’s organized and lectured at 18+ international physics schools, including the Capri Spring School, and hosted workshops on quantum materials. As a Privatdozent at Freiburg and later ASN-certified associate professor in Italy, his academic credentials enable him to teach across European institutions, enriching the physics curriculum with cutting-edge topics.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Bercioux has received several prestigious awards, including the Ikerbasque Research Fellowship, the ASN Italian National Qualification, and the Aix-Marseille Excellence Fellowship. He has earned multiple PhD grants, DFG and MINECO project funds, and international workshop sponsorships, reflecting trust from academic funding bodies across Europe and Asia. Recognized for scientific leadership, he serves on expert review panels for NWO, ESF, Romanian Research Council, and others. His work has also attracted support from the Basque Government, positioning him as a key figure in European quantum research.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Bercioux’s enduring legacy lies in his ability to bridge fundamental theory and real-world applications in quantum technologies. As a mentor, organizer, and collaborator, he is shaping the future of quantum simulations, non-Hermitian systems, and low-dimensional materials. Through his continued involvement in strategic projects like IKUR—Quantum and photonic simulators, he fosters innovation at the intersection of light and matter. His ongoing efforts in science diplomacy, editorial duties, and workshop leadership ensure that his influence will extend across generations, advancing both knowledge and mentorship in quantum physics.

Publications Top Notes


Colloquium: Synthetic quantum matter in nonstandard geometries

  • Authors: T. Grass, D. Bercioux, U. Bhattacharya, M. Lewenstein, H.-S. Nguyen, …
    Journal: Reviews of Modern Physics 97 (1), 011001
    Year: 2025

Wannier center spectroscopy to identify boundary-obstructed topological insulators

  • Authors: R.A.M. Ligthart, M.A.J. Herrera, A.C.H. Visser, A. Vlasblom, D. Bercioux, I. Swart
    Journal: Physical Review Research 7 (1), 012076
    Year: 2025

Correction to Topological Properties of a Non-Hermitian Quasi-1D Chain with a Flat Band

  • Authors: C. Martínez-Strasser, M.A.J. Herrera, A. García-Etxarri, G. Palumbo, F.K. Kunst, D. Bercioux
    Journal: Advanced Quantum Technologies 8 (3)
    Year: 2025

Chiral spin channels in curved graphene pn junctions

  • Authors: D. Bercioux, D. Frustaglia, A. De Martino
    Journal: Physical Review B 108 (11), 115140
    Year: 2023

Implementation and characterization of the dice lattice in the electron quantum simulator

  • Authors: C. Tassi, D. Bercioux
    Journal: Advanced Physics Research 3 (9), 2400038
    Year: 2024

 

 

Aftab Alam | Quantum Technologies | Excellence in Research Award

Prof. Aftab Alam | Quantum Technologies | Excellence in Research Award

Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay  | India

Professor Aftab Alam is a distinguished physicist specializing in computational materials science, currently serving at the Department of Physics, IIT Bombay. With an expansive career rooted in quantum materials, electronic structure, and vibrational dynamics, Prof. Alam has significantly contributed to both theoretical advancements and applied computational frameworks. His academic journey and professional trajectory reflect a commitment to scientific excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship.

👨‍🎓Profile

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Professor Alam’s academic foundation was built at the University of Calcutta, where he earned his B.Sc. in Physics (Honors) with Mathematics and Chemistry, followed by an M.Sc. in Physics, specializing in Nuclear Physics. He later completed a rigorous Post-M.Sc. course at the S. N. Bose Centre for Basic Sciences, which included intensive examinations and seminar presentations. He pursued his doctoral studies (Ph.D.) at the same institute under the guidance of Prof. Abhijit Mookerjee, focusing on vibrational properties of disordered systems.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Alam has held progressive academic roles at IIT Bombay since 2013—from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, and now Professor since April 2022. Before returning to India, he served as a Research Associate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later as Research Staff at the Ames Laboratory (USA). His international exposure greatly enriched his perspective on materials design, thermodynamic modeling, and quantum phase transitions.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Professor Aftab Alam’s research focuses on electronic structure theory, thermoelectric materials, disordered alloys, and vibrational dynamics. He has developed advanced algorithms and efficient computational codes, integrating them with tools like Quantum-Espresso to explore phonon behavior in complex systems. His work covers structural, magnetic, and quantum phase transitions in intermetallics, exotic phases in topological insulators and superconductors, ab-initio transport theory beyond the Boltzmann formalism, and optoelectronic properties of emerging energy materials.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 136 peer-reviewed publications, 10 papers under review, and multiple book chapters, Prof. Alam is a globally cited expert in his domain. His pioneering techniques in phonon dispersion and disorder modeling have been cited across research on thermal transport, neutron scattering, and novel quantum materials. His work supports energy innovation, material design, and next-gen computing applications.

📚 Academic Citations and Publications

Professor Aftab Alam’s research portfolio reflects his prolific academic contributions. He has authored books and book chapters, including Lattice Dynamics of Disordered Systems (2016) and key Springer publications on halide perovskites and spin gapless semiconductors. His work includes 4 conference papers, 10 articles under review, and an impressive 136 international journal publications. His complete list of publications is accessible via Google Scholar, highlighting his high-impact research in condensed matter physics and computational material science.

🛠️ Research Skills and Technical Expertise

Prof. Aftab Alam possesses exceptional expertise in first-principles calculations and density functional theory (DFT), with deep specialization in phonon calculations, vibrational entropy, and inelastic neutron scattering. He is proficient in tools like TB-LMTO, KKR-CPA, VASP, Recursion Method, and Tight-Binding, alongside strong FORTRAN programming skills. Notably, he has developed generalized lattice dynamical models for disordered alloys, interfacing efficiently with Quantum-Espresso, which marks a significant advancement in material simulations and computational modeling.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience and Mentorship

Over his academic journey, Prof. Aftab Alam has mentored 10 Ph.D. scholars (completed) and is currently guiding 6 ongoing Ph.D. students. He has also supervised 7 postdoctoral fellows, with 2 more ongoing, showcasing his strong role in academic leadership. He actively fosters scholarly engagement, having played a pivotal role in student-led symposia like SYMPHY at IIT Bombay. Additionally, he extended his influence internationally as General Secretary of the ISU Postdoctoral Association, USA, promoting academic collaboration and outreach.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Professor Alam has been consistently recognized for his academic leadership:

  • 🏆 IAAM Scientist Medal, 2016

  • 🎖 DST Young Scientist Award, 2014

  • 🏅 Early Research Achiever Award, IIT Bombay, 2017

  • 🏵 Young Faculty Award, 2013

  • ✍️ Editorial roles in journals such as Chinese Journal of Physics, Frontiers in Physics, and Advanced Materials Letters

  • 📜 Featured in Marquis Who’s Who in the World, 2008

  • 🧪 Multiple national-level exam qualifications: NET-CSIR, JEST

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Alam is currently involved in organizing international events, including a conference on Photophysics and Photochemistry (2024), and continues to lead multi-crore research projects funded by DST-SERB, MNRE, and IIT Bombay. His focus remains on advancing fundamental understanding while promoting scientific computing tools for widespread academic use. His legacy lies in nurturing next-generation physicists, building research infrastructure, and pushing the boundaries of quantum materials science.

Top Noted Publications

Giant Topological Hall Effect in Magnetic Weyl Metal Mn₂Pd₀.₅Ir₀.₅Sn

  • Authors: Arnab Bhattacharya, P. C. Sreeparvathy, Afsar Ahmed, Aftab Alam, Indranil Das
    Journal: Advanced Functional Materials
    Year: 2025

Photoemission spectroscopy and ab-initio simulation of CrFeVGa and CoFeVSb: a comparative study

  • Authors: Jadupati Nag, Kritika Vijay, Barnabha Bandyopadhyay, Aftab Alam, Krishna Gopinatha Suresh
    Journal: Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
    Year: 2025

Facilitating White Light Emission through Heterovalent Sr²⁺-Doped Nanocrystals for Visible Light Transparent Electronics

  • Authors: Monika Salesh, Sumit Kumar Sharma, Sanika S. Padelkar, Aftab Alam, Aswani Yella
    Journal: ACS Materials Letters
    Year: 2025

Enhanced piezoresponse in van der Waals 2D CuCrInP₂S₆ through nanoscale phase segregation

  • Authors: Sharidya Rahman, Sanika S. Padelkar, Lan Nguyen, Aftab Alam, Jacek Jaroslaw Jasieniak
    Journal: Nanoscale Horizons
    Year: 2025

Robust Nernst magnetothermoelectricity in the topological spin semimetal FeCrRhX (X=Si, Ge)

  • Authors: Amit Chanda, Jadupati Nag, Noah Schulz, Manhhuong Phan, Hariharan V. Srikanth
    Journal: Physical Review B
    Year: 2025