María José Calderón is a theoretical physicist specialising in quantum materials for quantum technologies. Her research focuses on electronic correlations, magnetism, and transport phenomena in complex materials, with a particular emphasis on two-dimensional moiré systems, such as twisted bilayer graphene, and semiconductor-based quantum devices, including quantum dots, dopants in silicon, and superconductor–semiconductor hybrids. She has also worked on colossal magnetoresistance materials, oxide heterostructures, Fe-based superconductors, and diluted magnetic semiconductors.

After earning her PhD in Physics from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (2001), she conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland and at the University of Cambridge (Cavendish Laboratory), where she was a Junior Research Fellow of Churchill College. She joined CSIC in 2007, gained tenure in 2011, and was promoted to Senior Scientist at the Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid in 2023. She received the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” award (Spanish edition) in 2008.

Dr Calderón has held numerous leadership roles, including Programme Officer for Physical Sciences at the Spanish Funding Agency (AEI), president of the Spanish Condensed Matter Physics Division (GEFES-RSEF), elected board member of the EPS Condensed Matter Division, and member of the Editorial Board of Physical Review B (2018–2024). She directs the Master’s Degree in Quantum Technologies created by CSIC’s Quantum Technologies platform and is currently CSIC’s Deputy Coordinator for the Global Area of Matter. She is also active in science outreach and co-founded the Spanish initiative 11 de febrero to promote women in science.