Prof. Dr.María Cecilia Gimenez | Physics | Best Researcher Award

Independent researcher at CONICET at FAMAF, U.N.C., IFEG, Conicet, Argentina.

Dr. María Cecilia Gimenez 🎓 is an accomplished Argentinian scientist specializing in theoretical and computational chemistry 🔬. Currently an Independent Researcher at CONICET and an Associate Professor at FAMAF, UNC 🇦🇷, she has contributed significantly to surface science, energy storage 🔋, and complex systems 🤖. With over 40 peer-reviewed publications 📚, her work spans Monte Carlo simulations, DFT studies, and sociophysics modeling. She has held prestigious research fellowships in Germany 🇩🇪 and Argentina, including an Alexander von Humboldt fellowship 🌍. Her collaborative projects advance sustainable technologies and deepen understanding in nanoscience, materials chemistry, and opinion dynamics.

Professional Profile

scopus

Suitability for Best Research Awards – Prof. Dr.María Cecilia Gimenez

Dr. María Cecilia Gimenez stands out as an exceptional researcher whose work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation. With a solid background in theoretical and computational chemistry, she has made significant, peer-recognized contributions to surface science, energy storage, and complex systems modeling. Her dual expertise in chemistry and sociophysics allows her to tackle interdisciplinary challenges with both scientific rigor and societal relevance.

She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, contributed to prestigious book chapters, and collaborates internationally—highlighting her active role in the global scientific community. Her Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship further reflects the international recognition of her scientific merit. In addition, her co-authorship with Serge Galam, a pioneer in sociophysics, underlines her standing in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.

🔹 Education & Experience 

• 🎓 1998 – Degree in Chemistry, FCQ, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Argentina

• 🎓 2004 – Ph.D. in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry under Prof. E.P.M. Leiva

• 🧪 Postdoctoral Research – With Prof. Antonio J. Ramirez-Pastor in San Luis

• 🇩🇪 Alexander von Humboldt Fellow – Ulm University, Germany

• 👩‍🏫 2010–Present – Associate Professor at FAMAF, UNC

• 🔬 Current – Independent Researcher, CONICET at the Sustainable Energies Lab

🔹 Professional Development

Dr. Gimenez has cultivated a prolific academic career across Argentina and Europe 🌐. Her professional development includes postdoctoral fellowships in advanced surface simulations 🧪, international research collaborations with physicists and chemists 🌍, and over 40 SCI-indexed publications 📖. She regularly explores new frontiers in DFT and Monte Carlo methodologies, bridging theory and real-world applications in batteries 🔋, fuel cells ⚡, and social modeling 📊. Her mentoring of young scientists and integration into cross-disciplinary projects underscores her ongoing commitment to scientific excellence 💡, sustainability 🌱, and innovation in complex systems research 🧠.

🔹 Research Focus 

Dr. Gimenez’s research is centered on surface science, energy materials, and complex systems 🧪⚡. She applies Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo simulations to study adsorption and diffusion of atoms on metallic surfaces, particularly in the context of fuel cells 🔋 and lithium-ion batteries 🔬. Her work on percolation theory, epidemic modeling, and opinion dynamics reflects a strong engagement with complex systems and sociophysics 🤯📈. From nanoscale structures to societal behaviors, she links chemistry and physics to real-world technological and theoretical challenges 🌐. Her interdisciplinary approach supports innovation and sustainable solutions 🌿.

🔹 Awards and Honors

• 🏅 Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship – Prestigious German postdoctoral award

• 📚 Book Chapter Contributor – Springer’s Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry

• 📈 Scopus h-index of 11 – Recognition of sustained scientific impact

• 🧑‍🔬 Nominee – International Phenomenological Research Awards: Best Researcher Award

• 🌍 Multiple International Collaborations – With researchers in Europe and Latin America

• 🧠 Co-author with Serge Galam – A leading figure in sociophysics

Publication Top Notes

1. Percolation Threshold and Critical Exponent Analysis in Equilibrium Systems on Simple Cubic and BCC Lattices

• Authors: M.C. Gimenez, L. Reinaudi, P.M. Centres

• Journal: Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and Its Applications

• Year: 2025

• Summary:

  • This study likely focuses on the percolation threshold—the point at which a system undergoes a phase transition to global connectivity—on simple cubic (SC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice structures.

  • It also involves the determination of critical exponents, which are important for characterizing phase transitions and universal behaviors in statistical physics.

  • Application areas may include materials science, network theory, and critical phenomena.

2. DFT-Based Kinetic Monte Carlo Study of Metal Surface Growth: Comparison of a Restricted and an Unrestricted Diffusion Model

• Authors: S. García-García, A. Santiago Ortiz-González, S. Amaya-Roncancio, D.A. Augusto Torres-Ceron, E. Restrepo-Parra

• Journal: Computational Materials Science

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 3

• Summary:

  • Combines Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations to study the growth dynamics of metal surfaces.

  • Compares two models: restricted diffusion (e.g., limited atomic mobility) vs unrestricted diffusion (free movement).

  • Relevant for surface science, thin-film deposition, and nanostructure fabrication.

3. Diffusion Model for the Spread of Infectious Diseases: SIR Model with Mobile Agents

• Authors: P.M. Centres, D.J. Pérez-Morelo, R.M. Guzmán-Arellano, L. Reinaudi, M.C. Gimenez

• Journal: Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and Its Applications

• Year: 2024

• Citations: 8

• Summary:

  • A modified SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Recovered) model incorporating agent mobility, likely in a lattice or spatial domain.

  • Focuses on the spatial diffusion of diseases, improving realism over static compartmental models.

  • Useful for epidemiology, policy simulations, and modeling pandemics with mobile populations.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. María Cecilia Gimenez exemplifies the qualities of a Best Researcher Award recipient—a prolific publication record, interdisciplinary impact, international recognition, and ongoing contributions to both fundamental research and sustainable technologies. Her work not only advances scientific knowledge but also addresses critical societal and environmental challenges. She is a deserving and outstanding candidate for this honor.