Faculty

Daniele Viganò

Daniele Viganò

ICE


Research Interests

I have diverse research interests, mostly revolving around magnetic fields. Recently, through my ERC Starting project IMAGINE ( www.ice.csic.es/erc-imagine ), I started investigating the magnetic fields in exoplanets, from both theoretical and observational point of view. Since 2023, I have been appointed as permanent staff member at ICE (Staff Scientist, “Cientifico Titular”).

My astrophysical expertise is devoted mainly to the theoretical, numerical and observational study of neutron stars. I work in particular in the evolutionary models of isolated neutron stars, and I have dealt with observations in X-ray and theoretical modelling of pulsars’ gamma-ray emission. In 2017 I joined the Gravity and Relativity group at the University of Balearic Islands (Majorca), where I led the high-performing-computing line of research about small-scale instabilities yielding MHD turbulence in binary neutron star mergers, providing a novel approach based on Large Eddy simulations. Then, in 2019 I returned to ICE, to lead the new 3D neutron stars magneto-thermal code development within the ERC Consolidator Grant Magnesia (PI Nanda Rea). I have several weeks/months-long visits in, e.g., USA, Netherlands, UK.

I am currently part of CARMENES (Star-Planet Interaction working group). I am also currently in the Night Time Allocation Committee of the Canary Islands optical/infrared Telescopes (2023-2024 calls).

My work and research expertise is not only related to astrophysics. As a matter of fact, in 2015 I took a break to attend the specializing master “RIDEF 2.0” in Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency in Milan, Italy. This allowed me to work in the field of international cooperation. First, I worked for CIRPS (Interuniversity Center of Research for Development) in several projects of renewable energies and drinkable water in small rural communities of Central America and East Africa, as on-site technical assistant for the construction of small power plants. Then, I went on to work in the private sector as project manager for the EU-funded construction of photovoltaic power plants in Uganda and Eritrea.

Within ICE, I am the head of the Teaching Committee, and the internal coordinator of the Master.


Courses