Hello there!
I’m Borja, an engineering physicist with a taste for computation. I’m currently doing my PhD at ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences, where I develop machine learning algorithms to tackle problems in quantum and statistical physics.
In my projects, I lean towards the computational side. I love coding and I take great pleasure when things work optimally. Although it is even better when they are also understandable! Therefore, I like to provide my projects and publications with structured code libraries to reproduce my results and, hopefully, provide the reader with a better understanding about the matter.
Besides computation, I also like the geeky side of computers. I’ve spent more time than I would like to admit gaming and learning how to build my own computers. I also enjoy life outdoors, though! I love climbing and skiing :D
Education
2024 expected - PhD in Machine learning for physics
ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences
2018 - MSc in Intelligent Interactive Systems
UPF - Pompeu Fabra University
2017 - BSc in Engineering Physics
UPC BarcelonaTech - Polytechnic University of Catalonia
Experience
I’m on a bit of a wild ride going from industry to academia and combining pure machine learning and science.
2019 - Present – PhD Student
ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences
2019 – Research stay
QMUL - Queen Mary University of London & Tooso Inc
Industrial collaboration that lead to this paper and the
posterior acquisition of Tooso by Coveo.
2018 – Research Intern
Telefonica R&D
I developed the infrastructure to start a research line in
brain-computer interface.
2016-2017 – Research fellow (two INIREC grants)
UPC BarcelonaTech & Banco Santander
I studied the electromagnetic properties of sensitive plants
to develop brain imaging techniques.
Teaching
I really enjoy teaching and I try to do it as much as I can.
Since 2020, I’ve been teaching the Machine Learning subjects in the MSc in Quantum Science and Technology and the MSc in Photonics.
In 2021 I taught part of the Statistics and data analysis course in the MSc of Multidisciplinary Research in Experimental Sciences, which inspired this blogpost series. In the previous year I taught the python programming sessions.
In August 2021 I taught the programming sessions in the summer school of machine learning for quantum physics and chemistry in Warsaw.
From 2019 to 2021 I taught physics to first year engineering students at UPC BarcelonaTech.