Nicolás Martínez, new PhD researcher at ESISNA group

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Nicolás Martínez Sagredo has joined the Interdisciplinary studies based on nanoscopic systems (ESISNA) group on the 1st of October to begin his PhD on Design and in silico characterization of functional molecular materials on surfaces. Something really interesting about this new colleague is that he has long experience as part of a volunteer scout group, and he is a monitor and coordinator in a group.

Where do you come from?

I am from Madrid, and I completed all my studies at the UAM (apart from an Erasmus stay in Bologna).

What have you worked on so far?

I just graduated from my master’s degree, so my research experience is still quite limited. I worked on my Bachelor’s thesis with José Ortega at UAM, performing DFT-based characterization of carbon nanostructures and carbon nanotubes. Later, during my Master’s in Condensed Matter Physics, I began collaborating with the ICMM, working with Jesús Mendieta on a study of the temperature dependence of adatoms on Au surfaces using machine learning potentials.

What will you work on? With whom? 

I will be part of the SYNMOLMAT-CM project (Synthesis of Molecular Materials at Interfaces), collaborating with other institutions such as UAM, UCM, and IMDEA. Specifically, I will contribute to the theoretical part of the project, providing predictive modeling and computational insights, the idea is also to develop AI and machine learning tools to accelerate and enable techniques that were previously computationally unaffordable. I also hope to support my colleagues at ESISNA with any theoretical calculations they might need.

Why ICMM?

As I mentioned, I was first introduced to the ICMM last year, when thanks to José Ortega I started working with Jesús Mendieta from the ESISNA group. Before that, I was uncertain about my future path and debated whether to study theoretical physics at UCM or focus on condensed matter physics. I ultimately chose condensed matter for several reasons: the fascinating nature of the field, how it bridges quantum and classical phenomena, and my enjoyment of theoretical and computational modeling. All these features come together here at the ICMM, where I can truly explore and learn from this great field of materials science. Moreover, I feel that at this institute I can combine theory and experiment side by side, which is truly fulfilling.

And a personal touch? Anny hobbies?

I enjoy typical hobbies such as reading, hiking, spending time with friends, and playing video games. What I would especially highlight, though, is my long experience as part of a volunteer scout group. I’ve been involved since I was six years old and continue to participate (although not as much now) as a monitor and coordinator. I really enjoy teaching younger kids and maintaining a strong connection with nature.