Dr. Álvaro Pámpano
About Me
I am an Associate Professor (2026 - Present) at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics of Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock.
My main mathematical research interests are in the areas of Differential Geometry and Geometric Analysis. More specifically, I am interested in theoretical problems related to the Geometric Calculus of Variations for curves and surfaces, including, but not limited to classical elastic curves, constant mean curvature surfaces, Willmore surfaces, biharmonic surfaces, and their multiple generalizations, immersed in several ambient spaces: Riemannian and Lorentzian space forms, Bianchi-Cartan-Vranceanu spaces, and Killing submersions. Although the spirit of my research is primarily theoretical, I continually seek out potential applications of it to other fields, such as, Physics, Engineering, Biology, and Image Reconstruction, to mention a few.
I received my PhD from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in Bilbao, Spain, in October 2018. My thesis, "Invariant Surfaces with Generalized Elastic Profile Curves", was written under the supervision of Professors Óscar J. Garay and Josu Arroyo and was declared "Sobresaliente Cum Laude", which represents the foremost qualification. My dissertation was also honored with "Extraordinary Prize of PhD". Additionally, as an undergraduate student, I completed the End of Degree Project "Geodésicas en Variedades de Riemann" (May 2014) and, as a master's student, the End of Master Project "Teorema Fundamental de Superficies y Aplicaciones" (September 2015). Both projects were also awarded the foremost qualification "Matrícula de Honor".
During my time as a PhD student (2015 - 2018), I spent one week at the University of Granada (Spain) collaborating with Professor Rafael López. I also spent three months for a predoctoral stay at the University of Cagliari (Italy) under the supervision of Professor Stefano Montaldo.
Subsequently, I spent two years as a Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher (2019 - 2020) at Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello working with Professor Bennnett Palmer. Then at TTU, as a Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar (2020 - 2022), I collaborated with Professor Magdalena Toda and, as an Assistant Professor (2022 - 2026), I supervised the PhD student Miraj Samarakkody.
My research collaborators are: Professors Josu Arroyo, Manuel Barros, Óscar J. Garay, Anthony Gruber, Rafael López, Stefano Montaldo, Emilio Musso, Cezar Oniciuc, Bennnett Palmer, Miraj Samarakkody, Magdalena Toda, Hung Tran, Aaron J. Tyrrell, and Changhwa Woo.
My main mathematical research interests are in the areas of Differential Geometry and Geometric Analysis. More specifically, I am interested in theoretical problems related to the Geometric Calculus of Variations for curves and surfaces, including, but not limited to classical elastic curves, constant mean curvature surfaces, Willmore surfaces, biharmonic surfaces, and their multiple generalizations, immersed in several ambient spaces: Riemannian and Lorentzian space forms, Bianchi-Cartan-Vranceanu spaces, and Killing submersions. Although the spirit of my research is primarily theoretical, I continually seek out potential applications of it to other fields, such as, Physics, Engineering, Biology, and Image Reconstruction, to mention a few.
I received my PhD from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in Bilbao, Spain, in October 2018. My thesis, "Invariant Surfaces with Generalized Elastic Profile Curves", was written under the supervision of Professors Óscar J. Garay and Josu Arroyo and was declared "Sobresaliente Cum Laude", which represents the foremost qualification. My dissertation was also honored with "Extraordinary Prize of PhD". Additionally, as an undergraduate student, I completed the End of Degree Project "Geodésicas en Variedades de Riemann" (May 2014) and, as a master's student, the End of Master Project "Teorema Fundamental de Superficies y Aplicaciones" (September 2015). Both projects were also awarded the foremost qualification "Matrícula de Honor".
During my time as a PhD student (2015 - 2018), I spent one week at the University of Granada (Spain) collaborating with Professor Rafael López. I also spent three months for a predoctoral stay at the University of Cagliari (Italy) under the supervision of Professor Stefano Montaldo.
Subsequently, I spent two years as a Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher (2019 - 2020) at Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello working with Professor Bennnett Palmer. Then at TTU, as a Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar (2020 - 2022), I collaborated with Professor Magdalena Toda and, as an Assistant Professor (2022 - 2026), I supervised the PhD student Miraj Samarakkody.
My research collaborators are: Professors Josu Arroyo, Manuel Barros, Óscar J. Garay, Anthony Gruber, Rafael López, Stefano Montaldo, Emilio Musso, Cezar Oniciuc, Bennnett Palmer, Miraj Samarakkody, Magdalena Toda, Hung Tran, Aaron J. Tyrrell, and Changhwa Woo.
Recognitions
- President's Excellence in Teaching Award at Texas Tech University (2026)
- Hemphill Wells New Professor Award at Texas Tech University (2026)
- Professing Excellence Teaching Award at Texas Tech University (2025)
- Excellence in Research Faculty Award at Texas Tech University (2024)
- Extraordinary Prize of PhD at the University of the Basque Country (2022)