Ignacio Cirac wins the Medal for Scientific Excellence 2025

The MPQ Director receives the award in recognition of the international impact and pioneering nature of his work in quantum science and technology

The Spanish National Research Council – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) – presented the Medal for Scientific Excellence during the opening day of its management meeting in Madrid. Ignacio Cirac, a leading figure in theoretical quantum optics, quantum information and degenerate quantum gases, receives the honour in recognition of the “exceptional significance and international impact of his contributions”.

"I feel very honoured and happy about this recognition, and I look forward to continuing my close collaborations with scientists at CSIC", comments Ignacio Cirac upon receiving the award.

The Medal for Scientific Excellence is awarded through a competitive selection process, honouring researchers whose contributions have had a lasting impact on their fields. It sits alongside other CSIC distinctions that celebrate outstanding achievements in scientific progress.

During the award ceremony, the Spanish National Research Council highlighted Ignacio Cirac’s ground-breaking contributions to trapped-ion systems, quantum entanglement, quantum teleportation and projected entangled states. His work shaped the development of modern quantum physics and positioned him as one of the field’s key innovators. In particular, the President of CSIC, Eloísa del Pino, praised his career as one that has “challenged the limits of knowledge and helped to redefine them”.

In his acceptance speech, Ignacio stressed the importance of building a strong European ecosystem for quantum technologies, calling for coordinated efforts to develop new components, train emerging talent and secure Europe’s place at the forefront of future breakthroughs.

The theoretical physicist is Director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and head of its Theory Division since 2001, in addition to holding an honorary chair at the Technical University of Munich. Ignacio Cirac has received multiple awards for his research, including – most recently – the Prix de l’Académie (2025), an honorary doctorate from the University of Nebrija (2024), and the first ever La Vanguardia Prize (2023).