Libor Šmejkal

Libor Šmejkal is a research team leader in the INSPIRE group at the Institute of Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, and an associate researcher at the Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences. Born in the Czech Republic, he studied theoretical and experimental physics in Brno and Vienna and received his PhD from the Academy of Sciences and Charles University in Prague in 2020. Currently, Šmejkal is researching topological and magnetic quantum matter, developing theoretical physics tools for studying functional quantum matter on supercomputers, discovering unconventional magnetic crystals, developing materials and conceptual devices which may contribute to sustainable nanoelectronics of the future, and collaborating globally on related experiments. His scientific contributions were recognized by several awards including the European Magnetism Association Young Scientist Award 2021, the Czech Head Prize 2021 and the Siemens Award 2020. 

Libor Šmejkal was Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2023 in the Physical Sciences category.