Archives: Staff

Dr. Irene Aguilera Bonet

Dr. I.G. Aguilera Bonet

Assistent professor

Quantum Matter

I am interested in…

What are you working on?

I lead the Ab Initio Quantum Materials Group (AIQM) at the University of Amsterdam, where our research focuses on understanding emergent phenomena in condensed matter systems. These phenomena arise when many particles interact, leading to behaviors that are different from the behaviour of the sum of the individual particles. Our goal is to predict and reveal new physics of quantum materials that can be exploited in technological applications. We use computational methods based on many-body perturbation theory that are fully ab initio, i.e. without resorting to any adjustable parameters. We specialize in bridging theory and experiment, with our methods providing exceptional accuracy in reproducing experimental results from techniques like angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS). We aim not only at explaining known phenomena but also at predicting the results of experiments that have not been performed yet, with the goal to deepen our understanding about quantum materials and aid the search for new applications.

What does the DRSTP mean for you?

The DRSTP is invaluable for PhD students to network and connect with colleagues who will likely become their future collaborators. For me, the DRSTP provides a platform for collaboration across the Dutch theoretical physics community.

What interests do you have apart from your research?

Outside of my research, I enjoy spending time in nature, gardening, or going for long walks in the forest with my daughter. When the weather does not cooperate, I enjoy fiction novels, boardgames, photography exhibitions, or a good opera.

Dr. Beatrice Bonga

Assistent professor

Gravity

I am interested in…

What are you working on?

While General Relativity is already more than a hundred years old, many questions remain and are unsolved. My current research focuses on what gravitational wave observations can teach us about gravity and black holes. I particular, one of the key aspects of Einstein’s equations is its non-linear nature, which makes it the beautiful and challenging theory it is. I aim to test this using the final phase of the gravitational wave when two black holes have collided and settle down by developing the necessary theory. Second, the defining feature of black holes are their horizons. I work on revealing its properties from gravitational wave observations.

What does the DRSTP mean for you?

The main strength of the DRSTP is the excellent PhD schools and courses it offers that allow master and PhD students to broaden their horizon and dive deeper into hot topics. On top of that, it provides a nice platform to meet other theoretical physicists in the Netherlands and thereby helps strengthen connections across universities and research topics.

What interests do you have apart from your research?

I love to dance, which I currently do in the form of zumba. In addition, I enjoy baking, traveling and being silly with our two young daughters.

Dr. Frank Saueressig

Associate professor, chair of Governing Board

String Theory, Quantum Gravity

I am interested in…

What are you working on?

My research focuses on the unification of gravity with the laws of quantum mechanics – a research area that is commonly called “quantum gravity”. More concretely, I am interested in understanding whether gravity can be formulated consistently as a relativistic quantum field theory. In the last few years there has been substantial progress in this direction, indicating that this could be a phenomenologically viable path towards unifying gravity with the other known forces of nature within the same theoretical framework. Naturally, my group is then also interested in understanding potential observable consequences, e.g., by studying quantum corrections to black holes, cosmology, and implications at the level of the standard model of particle physics.

What does the DRSTP mean for you?

The Netherlands are a country with an exceptionally strong theoretical physics community. For me the DRSTP is an umbrella which brings this community together on a regular basis, motivating new collaborations between researchers at different institutions.

What interests do you have apart from your research?

I have two kids which are still very young. So, I am trying to spend time with them. This also opened the door to new outreach activities, sharing the excitement about science and mathematics with really young children where this is not a “natural path to explore” due to their family situation.