Joan Alcaide-Núñez

Physics Student • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich

I am an undergraduate physics student at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich. My early research focused on observational astrophysics and observational cosmology—including Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) cosmography, Type Ia supernovae distance calibration, and student space payloads.

Following my first-year university courses, my interest has shifted toward theoretical physics—particularly theoretical mechanics, symmetry principles, and relativistic foundations.

joan.alcaide@campus.lmu.deGitHubLast updated April 2026

Research

GRB Cosmography & Relativistic Foundations

Jun–Jul 2025 • Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera (OAB-INAF), Italy • Supervisors: Dr. Giancarlo Ghirlanda, Dr. Om Sharan Salafia (Mentorship: Dr. Gabriele Ghisellini)

Constrained cosmological parameters (Ωm, ΩΛ) via χ2 minimization of empirical Epeak–Eiso relations in Gamma-Ray Bursts. Analyzed potential synergies with simulated binary neutron star merger populations for future detectors like the Einstein Telescope.

PI GAMMA Project

2024–2026 • CAPIBARA Collaboration • Founder & Student Lead

Leading team GAMMA in defining the scientific requirements and payload concepts for a student-led γ-ray transient observing CubeSat mission.

Type Ia Supernovae & Cosmic Expansion

Jun–Jul 2024 • Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC-IEEC), Spain • Supervisor: Dr. Lluís Galbany

Derived luminosity distances using ESO (SOFI) infrared imaging alongside ZTF and ATLAS photometry using sncosmo. Modeled non-linear cosmic expansion using the Friedmann Equations.

Cepheid Variable Stars & The Distance Scale

Aug–Dec 2023 • Youth & Science Program • Supervisors: Dr. Ignasi Pérez-Ràfols, Dr. Laia Casamiquela

Replicated modern Cepheid distance ladder methods using Konkoly Observatory photometry and NASA-IPAC NED redshift data to compute the Hubble constant (H0 = 70.26 ± 7.1 km s-1 Mpc-1).

Hyperspectral & Thermal Analysis

Oct 2024 • German Aerospace Center (DLR-IMF), Germany

Internship in photogrammetry, analyzing hyperspectral imagery and Landsat thermal datasets.

Talks & Outreach

SSEA Symposium: The CRD Instrument and the COSMOS program. • Apr 2026

CosmoXarxa: High-energy astrophysics presentation at Barcelona Science Museum. • Mar 2025

Invited Seminar: Introduction to Astrophysics for high school students at German School Barcelona. • 2024

CosmoCaixa Museum: Science Explainer volunteer. • 2022–2023

Other Pages

Outside of physics coursework, I write occasional notes on mechanics and maintain personal sub-sites: