Alejandro Álvarez Chico, new PhD researcher in magnetic surfaces and interfaces

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Alejandro Álvarez Chico is starting his PhD at the Material Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). After studying in the Complutense University of Madrid, he is now joining both Silvia Gallego's (Simulation and Modeling of Materials Group) and Unai Atxitia's (Nanomagnetism and Magnetization Processes Group) groups, as well as being in the surfaces and nanostructures group in UCM.

What have you worked on so far?

I have worked on femtosecond laser engraving in an internship many years ago and in quantum transport simulations more recently. Currently i'm working on fabrication and characterization of magnetic surfaces.

What will you work on? With whom?

I'll do the theoretical part of my Phd about magnetic surfaces and interfaces. The objective is to support with simulations the results that I have and propose new experiments vía theoretical findings. I'll be doing Density Functional Theory (DFT) with Silvia Gallego and micromagnetic and atomistic simulations with Unai Atxitia.

Why did you choose ICMM?

ICMM gives me the tools necessary for top-tier research, and the people directing my Phd are the best at what they do, offering me the best enviroment possible for doing my research.

And a personal touch: any hobbies? What would you like to contribute to the institute?

I really enjoy music and traveling. Also, I love reading about other fields of science beyond my research. As for my contributions to the institute, I would love to try and help bridge the gap between theoretical and experimental physics.