National Senior Research Award 2021

In a Press Release published today by the Department of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia and the Foundation for Research and Innovation of Catalonia (FCRi), ICREA Professor at ICFO Dr Maciej Lewenstein, leader of the Quantum Optics Theory research group since 2005, was named the laureate of the 2021 National Research Prize (Premi Nacional de Recerca - PNR). The PNR recognizes the researcher who has contributed significantly and internationally during their career to the advancement of a scientific discipline in any field: human and social sciences, life and health sciences, engineering and technology and experimental sciences. It is the highest award for research excellence in Catalonia.  

Prof Lewenstein receives this award for his extensive, profound and extremely diverse research over 40 years in theoretical physics, with applications in areas such as the atomic physics of ultra-cold matter, quantum information science, quantum simulators, statistical physics, mathematical physics, laser-matter interactions, quantum  optics, biophotonics and biophysics, machine learning and theoretical quantum chemistry-many body physics. Through his career to date, he has several times either opened or stimulated new ground breaking directions and even entire areas. The National Research Award also recognizes Lewenstein's work in gaining international visibility for Catalan research, stimulating numerous collaborations between researchers here and groups around the world.

ICFOnians congratulate awardees in all other categories, including ICREA Prof Jelena Radjenović at the Institut Català de Recerca de l’Aigua (ICRA) in Girona, winner of the National Research Award for Young Talent; The Fundació Banc Sabadell (FBS) in the category of Scientific Patronage; the program “Som investigadores” by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BCN- CNS) in the category of Scientific Communication; and the Centre de Visió per Computador (CVC) Intel Intelligent Systems Lab for the CARLA simulator, in the category of Public-Private partnerships.

The Minister for Research and Universities, Gemma Geis, emphasized that the list of laureates of the National Research Award (PNR) through the years recognizes talent from all over the world working in the Catalan research system: “Our research system is welcoming, as is our country, and it attracts people from all over the world who are drawn to its strength, with strong projection, cutting-edge research that offers many opportunities and an ideal environment”. Therefore, "it is logical that these researchers pursue scientific careers in Catalonia and achieve the highest goals," added Minister Geis, referring to Lewenstein and Radjenović.

For his part, the Director General of the FCRI, Jordi Mas, emphasized that the PNR “represents more than three decades of dissemination of the activities of researchers, universities, research centers and the different entities of the Catalan research system and innovation”. In these 32 editions of the PNR awards, a total of 61 researchers and 35 entities have been recognized.