Pedro Miguel Etxenike facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pedro Miguel Etxenike
Born	Pedro Miguel Etxenike Landiribar
Alma mater	University of Navarre, University of Cambridge, Autonomous University of Barcelona
Scientific career
Fields	Semiconductor physics, surface physics, optical spectroscopy, plasmonics, topological insulators
Institutions	Donostia International Physics Center, University of the Basque Country, Cavendish Laboratory, Basque Government, University of Barcelona, Niels Bohr Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Thesis	Interaction of electronic particles with surfaces (1976)
Doctoral advisor	John Pendry
Doctoral students	Maia Vergniory

Pedro Miguel Etxenike Landiribar, also known as Pedro Miguel Echenique, was born on June 8, 1950, in Isaba, Navarre. He is a famous Basque scientist who studies physics. He is a Professor of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). He also used to be a minister for the Basque Autonomous Community government.

Early Life and Education

Pedro Etxenike grew up in a small village in Navarre. His father was a doctor, and his mother was a teacher. He went to a special boarding school run by Capuchin monks.

He studied Physics at the University of Navarre. He finished his degree in 1972 and received top awards. In 1973, he went to the University of Cambridge in England to continue his studies. He earned his Ph.D. there in 1976. His research was guided by a famous scientist named John Pendry. The next year, he also got a Doctorate in Physics from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Career and Scientific Discoveries

After finishing his studies, Pedro Etxenike worked in different places. He did research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, USA. He also worked at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1978, he became a professor at the University of Barcelona.

In 1980, he took a break from teaching to work for the government. He returned to science in 1984, teaching at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. In 1986, he moved back to the Basque Country. He became a Professor of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of the Basque Country. Since 1999, he has also been the president of the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC).

What He Researches

Pedro Etxenike has written over 400 scientific papers. His main research is about how solid materials behave. He also studies how these materials interact with tiny charged particles. His work has opened up many new areas of study in physics.

One important idea he helped develop is "image-potential states." This is where tiny particles called electrons can get trapped near the surface of metals. They are held there by their own "image charge." He and his team have studied these states for many different materials. They also looked at how these states interact with other surface movements, like surface plasmons.

He also helped understand how a tool called the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) works. This microscope helps scientists see very tiny details on surfaces. His work helped explain how to read the images from STM. It also showed how to use STM to study the properties of surfaces.

Pedro Etxenike has guided 27 students through their Ph.D. studies. He often gives talks to encourage young people to get involved in science. He also helps organize events like the "Passion for Knowledge" festival. This festival helps share scientific ideas with everyone.

Awards and Recognitions

Pedro Etxenike has received many important awards for his work:

• In 1998, he won the Prince of Asturias Award. This is one of Spain's most important awards.
• He also received the Max-Planck Research Award in 1998.
• In 2002, he was given the Gold Medal of the Spanish Royal Society of Physics.
• He won the National Research Award Blas Cabrera in 2005.
• In 2014, he became a member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences.
• He was made an honorary member of the European Physical Society in 2018.
• He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
• He has received many honors in the Basque Country and Navarre. These include the "Premio Vasco Universal" and gold medals from various cities and regions. His hometown, Isaba, named him its "favored son."
• He has received honorary doctorates from several universities. These include the University of Cambridge and the Complutense University of Madrid.

Public Service and Science Policy

In 1980, Pedro Etxenike decided to join the first government of the Basque Autonomous Community. This was after a long period of dictatorship in Spain. He first served as the Minister of Education. Later, he became the Minister of Education and Culture and the government's spokesperson.

During his time in government, he helped create important laws. One major achievement was a law to help bring back the use of the Basque language. He also helped set up the education system in the Basque Country. He supported freedom of education and helped create research centers. He also promoted scholarships for students to study abroad.

After leaving government, Pedro Etxenike continued to play a big role in science in the Basque Country. He helped start and lead many important research centers.

• He founded the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) in 1999. He was its first president.
• He helped create the Centre for Materials Physics (CFM). He was its first director.
• He also played a similar role for the Cooperative Research Centre CIC nanoGUNE.

In 2007, he helped found the Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of the Basque Country, called Jakiunde. He was its first president. He has also held other important positions. These include being on the board of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). Since 2012, he has chaired the judging panel for the Princess of Asturias Prize for Scientific and Technical Research.