Daniele Macuglia

Daniele Macuglia
Macuglia at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Tokyo in 2019
Born22 February 1984 (1984-02-22) (age 42)
Tolmezzo, Udine, Italy
Other name马大年
Known forHistory of computational physics; epistemology of molecular dynamics
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Pavia
University of Chicago
Academic work
InstitutionsPeking University
University of Chicago
Websitewww.danielemacuglia.com

Daniele Macuglia (born 22 February 1984) is an Italian physicist and historian of science whose research bridges computational statistical mechanics and the epistemology of modern physics. He is an assistant professor at Peking University.[1] Before moving to Beijing, he was a research fellow at the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society at the University of Chicago.[2]

Biography

Born in Tolmezzo, Italy, Macuglia studied physics at the University of Pavia, where he graduated summa cum laude while enrolled at the Institute for Advanced Studies of Pavia (IUSS).[3] He later moved to the University of Chicago, where he earned a PhD in the history and philosophy of science under the joint supervision of Wolf Prize laureate Leo P. Kadanoff and Sarton Medalist Robert J. Richards.[4]

His research investigates the epistemological foundations of computational statistical mechanics, specifically analyzing how Monte Carlo methods and molecular dynamics have historically redefined evidentiary standards in condensed-matter physics.[5][6][7] His historical studies of computational biophysics include collaborations with Nobel laureate Martin Karplus.[8][9] He has also co-authored research on contemporary methodological developments with scientists including Giovanni Ciccotti and Benoît Roux.[10]

Parallel to his research in physics, Macuglia investigates the intellectual history of early modern Europe through the lens of material and culinary culture. In collaboration with chef and author Francesco Bellissimo, he examines how period texts and gastronomic traditions reflect broader patterns of cultural and scientific knowledge exchange. This research draws on archival materials and is presented through cultural programs supported by Italian embassies and consular institutes, in collaboration with universities in Asia, Europe, and North America.[11][12][13][14][15]

Awards

Macuglia received First Prize at the Italian national contest "I Giovani e le Scienze" and a Special Prize at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists.[16] In 2020, he was awarded the prize for best communication in the history of science by the Italian Physical Society.[17] At Peking University, he received the "Excellence Award" (Chinese: 优秀奖) for University Teaching in 2023 and the "Xuri Award" (Chinese: 旭日奖, lit. "Rising Sun") in 2024, a faculty distinction for contributions to education.

References

  1. ↑ "北京大学科学技术与医学史系" (in Chinese).
  2. ↑ "Molecular Dynamics". University of Chicago.
  3. ↑ "Daniele Macuglia - Un Fisico Friulano a Chicago". Giovanifvg.it (in Italian).
  4. ↑ "CHSS Alumni University of Chicago".
  5. ↑ "The Emergence of Protein Dynamics Simulations". Springer Link.
  6. ↑ "SHAKE and the Exact Constraint Satisfaction of the Dynamics of Semi-Rigid Molecules". Springer Link.
  7. ↑ "Free-Energy Calculations in Condensed Matter". Springer Link.
  8. ↑ "The Emergence of Protein Dynamics Simulations". Springer Link.
  9. ↑ "Historical perspectives on statistical mechanics". Springer Link.
  10. ↑ "Article in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B". ACS Publications.
  11. ↑ "世界イタリア料理週間：講演会「ルネッサンスの料理 天才たちの食べ物」". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy (in Japanese).
  12. ↑ "Italian Food Culture at the Time of Raphael". University of Illinois at Chicago.
  13. ↑ "Italian Food Culture in the Time of Raphael, a Zoom Webinar by Daniele Macuglia & Francesco Bellissimo". Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago.
  14. ↑ "Konference a lekce vaření: KAŽDODENNOST A SOUŽITÍ VE FLORENCII V DANTOVĚ DOBĚ". Istituto Italiano di Cultura Praga (in Czech).
  15. ↑ "料理研究家ベリッシモ・フランチェスコの公式サイト:ベリッシモ・フランチェスコの活動". Francesco Bellissimo Official Website (in Japanese).
  16. ↑ "European Union Contest for Young Scientists Country factsheet 2015 Italy" (PDF). European Commission.
  17. ↑ "Migliori Comunicazioni 2020". Società Italiana di Fisica (in Italian).
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