Dr. Ana Alonso-Serrano

Postdoc in the Exceptional Quantum Gravity Group

What is your current position at our institute?

Currently I am postdoc in the Exceptional Quantum Gravity Group in the Quantum Gravity and Unified Theory Department.

What is your academic education?

• Bachelor in Physics at Complutense University of Madrid
• Master in Fundamental Physics at Complutense University of Madrid
• PhD in Physics at CSIC in Madrid

What were your previous academic positions?

• Postdoc at Victoria University of Wellington
• Postdoc at Charles University of Prague
• Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship at AEI

Can you please describe your research in general terms?

I have worked in several aspects at the interface of quantum mechanics and general relativity. Nowadays, I am focused on the black hole information paradox and on the study the quantum behaviour of spacetime close to the classical singularities.

Do you have a favourite figure from a paper you (co-)authored?

I particularly like this figure because despite of its simplicity, it allowed us to show in the publication “Entropy/information flux in Hawking radiation” a possible solution to a long posed paradox, changing the paradigm of how the information is emitted in black hole evaporation

Please let us know why you chose the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics for your research.

I was very interested in the work conducted by the people in the division. Moreover, this Institute gives you the possibility of interacting with a lot of researches from other fields. Then, it provides a perfect atmosphere to develop your project.

What would you recommend to a young woman wanting to start a career in physics?

I would recommend her to pursue what she really wants and fight for it (there will be times when you want to give up). Also, the possible career paths are not clear when you start studying physics and that should not scare you because they will be clearer when you need to decide.