TUD researcher Dr. Leonardo Medrano Sandonas included in the GLOBAL QUANTUM 100 list

Launched as part of UNESCO's International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum mechanics, the global Quantum 100 initiative published a list of 100 outstanding people in quantum research today, December 17. One of the experts included in this prestigious and exclusive group is TUD researcher Dr. Leonardo Medrano Sandonas, who works at the Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology. This award recognizes his contributions to quantum technology and activities to promote its public visibility and strengthen the international research landscape.

"I come from a country where support for science and the development of scientists is very limited. Therefore, it is a great honor for me to have been selected as one of the Quantum 100," said Dr. Medrano. Prof. Gianaurelio Cuniberti, Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, adds: "This recognition acknowledges not only Leonardo's excellent scientific work, but also his successful efforts to empower the next generation of scientists and build bridges between Europe and his Latin American homeland."

In its citation, the IYQ committee highlighted his achievements as an outstanding early-career researcher who has made essential contributions to quantum research through a combination of computational materials research with in a targeted manner mentoring and effective outreach. His scientific work combines quantum physics, chemistry and machine learning and answers both academic and industrial questions. As such, they make a significant contribution to the emerging field of quantum-based materials research and its practical application. In addition, he is making a significant contribution to the next generations of scientists, especially in his role as an active community builder between Europe and Latin America. Among others, the organization of bridge-building scientific events on applications of quantum science in chemistry, nanotechnology and biology in his home country Peru and in Germany are highlighted here.

Dr. Medrano Sandonas was born in Lima (Peru) and obtained his degrees (Bachelor and Master) in Physics at the National University of San Marcos in his home country. He completed his doctorate at TU Dresden in 2018 as a scholarship holder of the International Max Planck Research School and the DAAD.

From 2019 to 2024, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Luxembourg, where he developed quantum-based computational methods to study the dynamics of (bio)molecular systems and explore chemical property spaces. Particularly important are his contributions to the computational study of non-evolutionary biological molecules using machine learning techniques, an area that can have enormous impact on School of Medicine and Pharmacology.

In addition to his theoretical work, he is actively involved in multidisciplinary projects with partners from academia and industry to address current challenges in physics, chemistry and materials design. He was recently recognized by RSC Digital Discovery as an Emerging Investigator in the field of machine learning. He has an outstanding scientific publication record, is a reviewer for numerous journals and has given guest lectures at numerous international institutions.

Further information on the "Quantum 100" initiative:
https://quantum2025.org/quantum-100-hub/

Contact:
Dr. Leonardo Medrano Sandonas
Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering
Institute of Materials Science
Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
Phone: +49 351 46331424

https://lmedranos.github.io/