Education and Early Career
Prof. Albert Rimola graduated in Chemistry from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in 2002 and completed his PhD in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at UAB in 2007. He worked under the supervision of Prof. M. Sodupe and Dr. L. Rodríguez-Santiago, earning the Outstanding PhD Award from the UAB Theoretical and Computational Chemistry program, as well as the European Doctor Mention. After finishing his PhD, Prof. Rimola joined the group of Prof. P. Ugliengo at the University of Turin for postdoctoral research from 2007 to 2009. In 2010, he returned to UAB, where he secured several prestigious contracts, advancing his research and academic career.
Current Position and Research Focus
Today, Prof. Rimola holds the position of permanent Aggregate Professor at UAB. He specializes in modeling chemical processes through quantum chemical simulations, applying both molecular and periodic approaches. His doctoral research examined the interaction of transition metals with biomolecules, particularly in peptide sequencing by mass spectrometry. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of quantum chemical methods for open-shell systems and chemical reactivity simulations. During his postdoctoral research, he shifted his focus to studying processes at biomolecule/biomaterial interfaces, gaining valuable expertise in computational modeling and the electronic structure of complex surfaces.
Astrochemistry and Pioneering Research
When Prof. Albert Rimola returned to UAB, he expanded his research into Astrochemistry, exploring the formation of interstellar species on grain surfaces. His work has since revolutionized the field by offering a new understanding of grain surface chemistry. His simulations provide unprecedented insights into interstellar surface reactions, helping to reinterpret astronomical observations and refine models of the universe’s chemical composition. In 2019, the European Research Council awarded him an ERC Consolidator Grant for his groundbreaking research on interstellar grains (QUANTUMGRAIN), marking the first ERC grant in his department.
Publications and Academic Contributions
Prof. Albert Rimola has coauthored over 140 peer-reviewed publications, including articles, reviews, and book chapters. His work has earned an h-index of 35 and garnered more than 4,000 citations. He has delivered over 55 invited talks and has supervised several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Currently, he mentors a team of students and researchers. His work in computational chemistry within Astrochemistry has gained international recognition, and in 2022, he received the RSEQ Youth Researcher Award for his exceptional contributions.
Public Outreach
In addition to his academic pursuits, Prof. Rimola actively engages in public outreach. He writes popular science articles and gives lectures on Astrochemistry and the Origin of Life. Through these efforts, he aims to inspire curiosity and educate the public about the scientific exploration of the universe.
