Aimé Peláiz Barranco is a distinguished Cuban physicist born on June 25, 1972, in La Habana, Cuba. She currently serves as the Dean and Full Professor at the Faculty of Physics, University of Havana, where she also leads the Ferroic Materials Group. With a prolific academic and research career, she is widely recognized for her contributions to ferroelectric, piezoelectric, antiferroelectric, and multiferroic materials. Dr. Peláiz Barranco has played crucial roles in academic leadership, including serving as Deputy Dean and Secretary of the Scientific Council. Internationally active, she has coordinated the Latin-American Network of Ferroelectric Materials and held invited professorships in prestigious institutions across Mexico, Brazil, Spain, France, Portugal, and China. A full member of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba, she has made significant contributions to teaching, research supervision, and academic development. With over 140 international publications, multiple book chapters, and extensive participation in scientific conferences, she has profoundly impacted the field of materials science. Her outstanding research has earned her several international and national awards, including the TWAS-ROLAC Award, the Sofia Kovalieskaya Award, and the Best Researcher recognition from the University of Havana. Her multilingual proficiency further amplifies her global academic collaborations.
Professional Profile
Education
Aimé Peláiz Barranco pursued all her higher education degrees at the University of Havana, Cuba. She earned her B.Sc. in Physics in 1995, followed by a Master’s degree in Physics Sciences in 1996. She later obtained her Doctorate in Physics Sciences in 2001, cementing her academic foundation in the field of material sciences. Her education has been deeply rooted in the Cuban academic system, particularly at the Faculty of Physics, University of Havana, where she has remained an integral part of the academic community both as a student and later as a faculty leader. Her advanced training provided the essential theoretical and practical framework for her subsequent pioneering research in ferroelectric, piezoelectric, antiferroelectric, and multiferroic materials. Throughout her educational journey, she demonstrated a strong commitment to physics education and material sciences, which laid the groundwork for her international collaborations and leadership roles. Her comprehensive education has not only equipped her with deep expertise in material characterization but also fostered her ability to lead research groups, mentor students, and contribute to scientific advancements globally.
Professional Experience
Aimé Peláiz Barranco has accumulated an extensive professional history at the University of Havana since 1995. She began as a teaching trainee and steadily advanced to become an instructor, assistant professor, auxiliary professor, and eventually a full professor in 2014. Since 2019, she has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Physics, where she also leads the Ferroic Materials Group. Her teaching portfolio includes more than 70 undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with significant involvement in thesis evaluations at the licentiate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Dr. Peláiz Barranco has also held various academic positions such as Deputy Dean, Secretary of the Scientific Council, and Member of the National Physics Commission. She actively participates in scientific organization, having served on committees for over 20 national and international conferences. Internationally, she has been invited as a professor to universities in Mexico, Brazil, Spain, France, Portugal, and China, enhancing global academic exchanges. Her coordination of the Latin-American Network of Ferroelectric Materials between 2000 and 2019 exemplifies her leadership in fostering regional research collaboration. Her broad professional journey showcases her dedication to education, research, and scientific advancement.
Research Interests
Dr. Peláiz Barranco’s research primarily focuses on the preparation and characterization of ferroelectric, piezoelectric, antiferroelectric, and multiferroic materials in the form of ceramics, thin films, and composites. She specializes in the study of phase transitions, relaxors, dielectric relaxation, electrical conductivity, and impedance spectroscopy. Her research extends to bioimpedance, pyroelectricity, piezoelectricity, multiferroics, energy storage, and the electrocaloric effect. These areas contribute significantly to the advancement of modern material science, with applications in sensors, actuators, energy systems, and smart materials. She has led numerous national and international research projects, including three grants awarded by the Third World Academy of Science. Her deep exploration into ferroic materials has resulted in over 140 publications in international journals, four book chapters, and more than 200 presentations at scientific meetings. Dr. Peláiz Barranco’s research activities are globally recognized, positioning her as a leading expert in the field. Through her leadership in the Ferroic Materials Group and the Latin-American Network of Ferroelectric Materials, she has created substantial regional and international research synergies.
Research Skills
Aimé Peláiz Barranco possesses exceptional research skills in experimental design, material synthesis, and advanced characterization techniques. Her expertise spans ceramics, thin films, and composite materials, particularly in the domains of ferroelectric, piezoelectric, antiferroelectric, and multiferroic substances. She is adept at using impedance spectroscopy, dielectric relaxation analysis, and pyroelectric and piezoelectric measurements to explore the functional properties of advanced materials. Additionally, she is skilled in bioimpedance analysis and electrocaloric effect evaluation, essential for emerging applications in biophysics and energy storage. Dr. Peláiz Barranco’s ability to lead large, multi-institutional research projects, both nationally and internationally, underscores her project management and scientific coordination capabilities. Her involvement as an editor and contributor to scientific books further highlights her ability to synthesize complex information and contribute to scientific literature. Furthermore, her supervisory experience, mentoring over 30 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral theses, demonstrates her leadership and instructional strengths in guiding research teams and developing new scientific talent. Her fluency in Spanish, English, and Portuguese enhances her global research communication and collaboration skills.
Awards and Honors
Aimé Peláiz Barranco has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions at both national and international levels. Among her international accolades, she won the First Prize at the First Iberoamerican Concourse of Laboratory Classes in Materials Science (1999) and the TWAS-ROLAC Award for Young Scientists in Physics (2011). She has been honored with the Young Scientist Award by CAS-TWAS (2012) and the TWOWS Award for Young Women Scientists (2010), signifying her influence across the Latin America and Caribbean region. Nationally, she has been repeatedly awarded by the Cuban Academy of Sciences, with multiple recognitions spanning from 1999 to 2023. The University of Havana has acknowledged her as Best Researcher in several years, alongside departmental and faculty awards for scientific excellence and educational innovation. She also received the distinguished Carlos J. Finlay Medal for her significant scientific contributions. These honors highlight her sustained commitment to research, education, and academic leadership. Her continuous recognition within Cuba and abroad underscores her remarkable impact on materials science and the broader scientific community.
Conclusion
Aimé Peláiz Barranco is an accomplished physicist whose career exemplifies excellence in teaching, research, and academic leadership. Her extensive expertise in ferroic materials has contributed significantly to the advancement of materials science in Cuba and internationally. Through her roles as Dean, research group leader, and international project coordinator, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills. Her research is widely published, and she has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for her scientific achievements and educational contributions. Dr. Peláiz Barranco’s commitment to fostering regional and international collaborations, along with her dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists, highlights her as a key figure in the scientific community. Fluent in multiple languages and having held various visiting professorships, she continues to build global partnerships that enrich both her work and the institutions she serves. Her professional journey reflects a harmonious balance of research excellence, impactful teaching, and significant service to the academic and scientific ecosystem, positioning her as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Publications Top Notes
1. Phase transitions in ferrimagnetic and ferroelectric ceramics by ac measurements
2. Ionized oxygen vacancy-related electrical conductivity in (Pb₁₋ₓLaₓ)(Zr₀.₉₀Ti₀.₁₀)₁₋ₓ/₄O₃ ceramics
3. Ferroelectric ceramic materials of the Aurivillius family
4. Dielectric relaxation related to single-ionized oxygen vacancies in (Pb₁₋ₓLaₓ)(Zr₀.₉₀Ti₀.₁₀)₁₋ₓ/₄O₃ ceramics
5. Atomic‐scale imaging and quantification of electrical polarisation in incommensurate antiferroelectric lanthanum‐doped lead zirconate titanate
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Authors: I. MacLaren, R. Villaurrutia, B. Schaffer, L. Houben, A. Peláiz‐Barranco
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Year: 2012
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Citations: 63
6. Raman spectroscopy study of the La‐modified (Bi₀.₅Na₀.₅)₀.₉₂Ba₀.₀₈TiO₃ lead‐free ceramic system
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Authors: Y. Mendez‐González, A. Peláiz‐Barranco, A.L. Curcio, A.D. Rodrigues, et al.
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Year: 2019
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Citations: 57
7. AC behaviour and conductive mechanisms of 2.5 mol% La₂O₃ doped PbZr₀.₅₃Ti₀.₄₇O₃ ferroelectric ceramics
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Authors: A.P. Barranco, F.C. Pinar, O.P. Martinez, J.D.L.S. Guerra, I.G. Carmenate
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Year: 1999
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Citations: 57
8. Effects of MnO₂ additive on the properties of PbZrO₃–PbTiO₃–PbCu₁/₄Nb₃/₄O₃ ferroelectric ceramic system
9. Thermal and structural characterization of the ZrO₂₋ₓ(OH)₂ₓ to ZrO₂ transition
10. Piezo-, pyro-, ferro-, and dielectric properties of ceramic/polymer composites obtained from two modifications of lead titanate