On October 17, 2025 we hosted our annual IFIMAC Day, bringing together researchers, faculty, and students for a day of scientific exchange and celebration in the Faculty of Science.
The event began with warm welcomes from María Ángeles Martín Cabrejas, Vice-Rector for Scientific Policy, and José Luis Pau Vizcaíno, Vice-Dean of Research, Innovation and Transfer, setting the scene for a day focused on ‘Shaping the Future of IFIMAC’. Director Rubén Pérez then delivered the State of IFIMAC address, outlining the institute’s achievements over the past year and setting out its strategic vision for advancing research in condensed matter physics.
IFIMAC’s Day 2025 – Session 1 – 09:30-11:00AM
The morning session, chaired by Cristina Gómez-Navarro (Head of the Experimental Section), showcased the Institute’s commitment to nurturing young scientific talent. Two researchers who had recently joined the institute presented their cutting-edge work:
- Miguel Bello, recognized as an IFIMAC Young Leader, presented his research on “Quantum optics in the many-body regime: challenges and opportunities,” emphasising the intricate relationship between quantum optical systems and many-body physics, which offers new prospects for quantum technologies.
- Iolanda di Bernardo, a Ramón y Cajal Fellow, followed with insights into “Unconventional Electronic Responses in Layered Quantum Materials,” showcasing her expertise in investigating novel quantum phenomena in advanced materials.
IFIMAC’s Day 2025 – Session 2 – 11:30-13:00
After a coffee break, the afternoon session began with a special recognition ceremony, chaired by IFIMAC member and Royal Spanish Physics Society (RSEF) President Luis Viña and UAM Rector Amaya Mendikoetxea. The ceremony celebrated two IFIMAC researchers who had received the prestigious 2025 RSEF-Fundación BBVA Physics Award.
- Francisco José García Vidal received the Gold Medal. His presentation, “The first thirty years of Nanophotonics: a personal journey,” offered a retrospective look at the field he helped pioneer, covering everything from its theoretical foundations to its current applications in controlling light at the nanoscale.
- Julio Gómez Herrero received the Physics, Innovation and Technology Award for his groundbreaking work in scanning probe microscopy. In his talk, “A Journey into the Nanoworld with Scanning Probe Microscopy,” he illustrated how advanced microscopy techniques have transformed our understanding of materials at an atomic level.
IFIMAC’s Day 2025 – Session 3 – 15:30-16:00
After a networking lunch at Plaza Mayor, the afternoon continued with a Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship session led by Jorge Álvarez Cercadillo from UAM Emprende and chaired by Félix Zamora, Vice-Rector for Innovation and Transfer. The session emphasised the importance of translating fundamental research into practical applications, as well as cultivating innovation ecosystems.
The day concluded with a poster session and coffee reception held in the Sala Polivalente and the Hall of the Science Faculty. Young researchers presented their latest findings, sparking interdisciplinary discussions and potential collaborations. The informal setting encouraged dialogue between senior faculty members and early-career researchers, embodying the collaborative spirit that defines IFIMAC.
The diverse program, which spanned quantum optics, layered materials, nanophotonics and scanning probe microscopy, reflected our broad research portfolio and our ability to address fundamental questions while remaining relevant to technological innovation.
IFIMAC’s Day 2025 – Agenda
