Amalia Patanè

Amalia Patanè (born 1970) is an Italian physicist who is Professor of Physics at the University of Nottingham and UK Director of the European Magnetic Field Laboratory.

Early life and education
Patanè was born in Nettuno (Italy), where she grew up studying physics and piano. She became interested in science during high school. She was an undergraduate Physics student and doctoral researcher at the Sapienza University of Rome. During her doctorate she investigated quantum phenomena in nanomaterials.

Research and career
Since her PhD (1998) at the University of Rome La Sapienza and fellowships in the UK (EPSRC Advanced Research Felloship (2004–09) and Leverhulme Trust Fellowship (2017–19)) and abroad (Chinese Academy of Sciences (2018–19)), her research focussed on the science and technologies of quantum systems. Her quantum transport studies of nanomaterials at high-magnetic fields have probed directly charge carriers in quantum confined structures. The magneto-tunnelling spectroscopy technique that she developed enabled new understanding and opened opportunities for imaging and manipulating single charge carriers. While imaging single electrons is now well advanced, research on the collective behaviour of electrons is still its infancy. This is of major importance across disciplines as it underpins new phenomena, such as charge-ordering, quantum chaos, and superconductivity. Her research on the quantum properties of electrons in disordered systems and in the periodic potential of artificial superlattices has shed new light on how a conductor responds to external electric and magnetic fields. Patanè promoted magnetic field research at Nottingham and at the European Magnetic Field Laboratory (EMFL). She initiated and led the process and funding by which the EMFL is now available as an EPSRC National Research Facility to UK-based scientists working across disciplines in several fields (magnetism, correlated systems, topological insulators, fluid dynamics, drugs, etc.).

More recently, Patanè championed research on 2-dimensional (2D) semiconductors. The science of these 2D systems is now a rapidly developing and vibrant field with breakthroughs emerging from experimental and theoretical research. She initiated and led an EPSRC proposal for the development of EPI2SEM, a bespoke facility for the EPitaxial growth and In-situ analysis of 2-dimensional SEMiconductors. EPI2SEM combines the epitaxial growth of 2D semiconductors with in situ chemical analysis and imaging/spectroscopy of the grown materials by scanning probe microscopy and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis.

Patanè has worked with leading international groups on collaborative projects (e.g. EU Graphene Flagship, RS International projects with Japan, Russia, and the EU, etc.) and training networks (e.g. Initial Training Networks funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Centres for Doctoral Trainings). She continues to promote cooperation in education, science and technology as a member of national and international committees, including the Commission 8 (C8: Semiconductors) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) as a Member (2015–18) and Vice Chair (2018-21). As a member of the EMFL Council and UK Director of the EMFL, she contributes to the strategic development of high magnetic fields and their access by a diverse community.

Awards and honours

 * 2007 Institute of Physics Boys medal and prize
 * 2004 EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship
 * 2017 Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship
 * 2018 President’s International Fellowship Award
 * 2018 Vice Chair of Commission 8 (C8: Semiconductors), International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP)
 * 2019 Honorary Professorship at the Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing