2025 Program
“The first hundred quantum years. What next?" by Prof. Ana María Cetto
When: Thursday December 11, 2025
16:00 CET (10:00 EST)
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Biography:
Ana María holds a Master degree in Biophysics from Harvard, and Master and Ph.D. degrees in Physics from UNAM. She does research on the foundations of quantum physics at the Institute of Physics and teaches at the Faculty of Sciences, UNAM. She is former Director of the Faculty of Sciences, the Museum of Light and the Mexican Journal of Physics, OWSD vice-president, consultant to UNESCO for the World Conference on Science, member of the UNU Governing Board, ISC Secretary General and President of the Mexican Physical Society (SMF). In 1996 she founded LATINDEX, which she currently presides, in addition to holding the UNESCO Chair on Science Diplomacy and Heritage and chairing the UNESCO Global Open Science Steering Committee. She is Mexico’s Woman of the Year in 2003, and has received i.a. the UNESCO Kalinga Prize in 2023, the Oganesson Prize in 2024 and the AIP Tate medal in 2025. She is also co-recipient of the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize as a member of the Executive Committee of the Pugwash Conferences, and of the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize as IAEA’s Deputy Director General.
Research professor specialized in the foundations of quantum physics. Has published 150 research papers and 25 books. Mexico's Woman of the Year 2003, UNESCO Kalinga Prize 2023, Oganesson Prize 2024 and AIP Tate Medal 2025. Co-recipient of the 1995 Pugwash Nobel Peace Prize and the 1995 IAEA Nobel Peace Prize.
Abstract:
As we approach the end of the calendar year 2025, it is an opportune time to start summing up and reflecting on what the IYQ has meant for quantum science and technology.
The range and number of activities throughout the year have been so broad and diverse that assessing their full impact would be premature. Therefore, I will focus on a specific area close to my heart and within my field of research: the quantum foundations. Undoubtedly, the IYQ has raised awareness of the confusion and lack of consensus that still prevail one century after the birth of quantum formalism and its core elements. In my talk, I will argue that this fuzzy interpretational landscape suggests the need to invest serious efforts in fundamental theoretical and experimental research on the physical underpinnings of quantum phenomena. In concluding, I will suggest promising pathways to advance in this direction.