Predoctoral Researcher (FPI)
UNED · Department of Fundamental Physics
Coarse-grained modelling and stochastic dynamics under FPI grant PRE2021-099773, associated with project PID2020-117080RB-C54.
September 2022 – August 2026
Academic curriculum vitae
Carlos Sebastián Monago Díaz
PhD candidate in Physics · Department of Fundamental Physics · UNED
I develop coarse-grained stochastic models that connect microscopic simulation with the dynamics of proteins, colloids, and fluids. My work focuses on identifying the effective interactions, friction, mobility, and dissipation that emerge when microscopic degrees of freedom are eliminated. My FPI predoctoral contract concluded in August 2026. I am now completing the doctoral thesis and two related manuscripts, with an expected defence in 2027.
Research experience
Visiting Scholar
University of Pennsylvania · Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
Research with Nathaniel Trask on deep learning and neural networks for modelling fluids under hydrodynamic flow.
April – July 2025
Research Assistant
Virtual QCM · UNED
Dissipation in quartz crystal microbalance experiments involving biological samples and soft matter (PDC2021-121441-C22).
March – August 2022
Research team member, PRETHEXP (PID2024-158994OB-C43), a 2025–2028 project on dynamic coarse-graining of biological and soft-matter systems.
Education
PhD in Physics
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)
Supervisors: Pep Español and J. A. de la Torre. Thesis in progress; expected defence in 2027.
September 2022 – present
MSc in Theoretical Physics
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Master’s thesis on detailed equilibrium and entropy production in biological systems, supervised by Francisco Monroy and Niccolò Caselli.
2020 – 2021
BSc in Physics
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Final project on transport phenomena in porous media, supervised by Carmen García Payo.
2016 – 2020
Peer-reviewed publications
2026
Self-averaging parameter estimation for coarse-grained particle models
Carlos Monago, J. A. de la Torre, Pep Español
The Journal of Chemical Physics 165, 044103. doi:10.1063/5.0340034
2025
Unraveling internal friction in a coarse-grained protein model
Carlos Monago, J. A. de la Torre, Rafael Delgado-Buscalioni, Pep Español
The Journal of Chemical Physics 162, 114115. doi:10.1063/5.0255498
180 certified hours
Teaching experience
| Course | Period | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Classical Mechanics · BSc Physics | Oct 2024 – Jan 2025 | 30 |
| Physical Foundations of the Environment · BSc Environmental Sciences | Oct 2024 – Jan 2025 | 30 |
| Classical Mechanics · BSc Physics | Oct 2023 – Jan 2024 | 60 |
| Electromagnetism and Optics · BSc Chemistry | Jan – Jun 2023 | 60 |
Member of the UNED Physics Teaching Innovation Group (GIDF, GID2016-25) and the “Blog de Física de la UNED” teaching-innovation project in 2024–2025 and 2025–2026.
Conference presentations
Talk
Parameter Estimation for Coarse-Grained Models via Self-Averaging
FisEs Joven ’24 · online
13–14 November 2024
Poster
A Self-Averaging Method to Fit Parameters in Coarse-Grained Models
2nd Spanish Soft Matter 1 1/2 Day · Benasque, Spain
3–6 November 2024
Poster
Self-averaging method for parameter estimation of coarse-grained models
12th Liquid Matter Conference · Mainz, Germany
22–27 September 2024
Scientific computing
- Programming
- C++, Python, shell scripting
- Simulation
- LAMMPS, GROMACS, stochastic numerical integration
- Analysis
- Mathematica, MATLAB, Matplotlib, Gnuplot, VMD
- Research environment
- Linux, high-performance CPU/GPU computing, LaTeX, Vim
Training and languages
Specialised training
- LAMMPS Workshop and Symposium · Temple University · 2023
- MolSim molecular simulation school · University of Amsterdam · 2023
- ESPResSo Summer School · University of Stuttgart · 2022
Languages
- Spanish · native
- English · C2 Proficiency, Cambridge English (2023)
- Mandarin Chinese · HSK 1