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Institute of Astronomy

 

Research

My research interests lie in the theoretical study of potentially habitable exoplanets, with a focus on hycean worlds.

In particular, I am now working at the intersection of exoplanetary sciences and theoretical condensed matter physics, studying the thermodynamic and transport properties of Ice X, a high-pressure phase of water ice found in the interior of hycean planets.

I also mantain an interest in fundamental theoretical physics, albeit this is currently outside of my research focus.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Astronomy - Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge (2023 - present)
  • M.A.St. in Applied Mathematics ("Part III Maths") - DAMTP, University of Cambridge (2022-23).
    • Examined on: General Relativity (Prof Warnick); The Standard Model (Prof Quevedo); Quantum Field Theory (Prof Dorey); Cosmology (Prof Sherwin); Extrasolar Planets: Atmospheres and Interiors (Prof Madhusudhan). Part III Essay on The Wavefunction of the Universe (Prof Hartnoll).
  • BSc in Astrophysics - Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCL (2019-22).
    • From the end of my second year until I left UCL, I extensively collaborated - initially within a Brian Duff Studentship - with the local exoplanets group, under the supervision of Prof Tinetti and Dr Changeat.
  • Pre-university education: Liceo Classico Statale Vittorio Emanuele II, Napoli, IT (2014-19)

Awards and prizes

  • 2022: William Bragg Prize (best overall undergraduate, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UCL); Dean's List (top 5% of graduating students, Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, UCL); UCL Observatory Student of the Year Award (highest marks in 2nd and 3rd year practical astronomy modules).
  • 2021: Huggins Prize (best performance in 2nd year astrophysics, UCL Dpeartment of Physics and Astronomy), Faculty Undergraduate Scholarship for Excellence (most outstanding 2nd year undergraduate in the faculty).
Portrait photo of Lorenzo Pica Ciamarra

Contact Details

Hoyle H26
337511

Affiliations

Classifications: