The Royal Spanish Academy of Sciences (RAC) has announced the election of two new members during its latest plenary session. Elena Vázquez Cendón joins as a full member of the Mathematics Section, while Javier Menéndez Sánchez has been appointed as a corresponding member of the Physics and Chemistry Section.

Javier Menéndez is a nuclear theorist and research professor at the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB), where he is part of the Hadronic, Nuclear and Atomic Physics group. 

Menéndez’s research focuses on nuclear theory at low energies, aiming to understand the structure of atomic nuclei from first principles. His work involves solving complex quantum many-body problems rooted in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental theory of strong interactions. A central theme of his research is the study of exotic nuclei and their role in answering some of the most profound questions in physics.
Recently, Menéndez has expanded his research to explore quantum computing as a tool for solving the quantum many-body problem, opening new avenues for simulating nuclear systems with unprecedented precision.

The RAC’s recognition of Javier Menéndez as a corresponding member highlights his contributions to nuclear physics and his leadership in bridging theoretical models with experimental efforts worldwide. It also reflects the excellence of ICCUB researchers in advancing fundamental science and tackling the big questions about the nature of the universe.

The ICCUB warmly congratulates Javier Menéndez on this prestigious appointment.