Dr. Iñigo Liberal Olleta, a researcher at the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), was recently honored with an Early Career Award from the journal Nanophotonics. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Liberal’s groundbreaking contributions to the field of metamaterials.
Recognize outstanding researchers in the experimental, theoretical or applied field, who have demonstrated scientific excellence and have made significant contributions to the field of nanophotonics.
In particular, Iñigo Liberal has been selected as the winner of 2022 for his “important contributions in the fields of near-zero index media (NZI) and quantum and thermal metamaterials.”
Dr. Liberal leads a research group at UPNA focused on extreme nanophotonic and quantum optical materials. His team investigates exotic metamaterials that can manipulate light and heat in surprising ways. This includes the study of near-zero index media, which can bend light rays in unusual directions, as well as thermal and quantum metamaterials with advanced functionalities.
In 2020, Dr. Liberal received a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). This highly competitive funding has allowed him to establish a state-of-the-art quantum nanophotonics laboratory at UPNA. Through this lab, his team conducts pioneering theoretical and experimental research on metamaterials and their quantum mechanical properties.The Early Career Award adds to Dr. Liberal’s growing list of honors recognizing his scientific excellence and research leadership.
As a partner in the MIRACLE project, Dr. Liberal’s expertise in metamaterials helps strengthen collaboration across institutions to drive breakthrough innovations.