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Theoretical Physics
Quantum Field Theory, Quantum Gravity, Gauge Theories and Particle Physics.
ACADEMIC PROFILE
Ricardo Avila
Theoretical Physicist / Mathematician /
Biologist / Philosopher
Research, university teaching and independent studies in the pursuit of a deeper understanding of nature, mathematics and the human condition.
Explore academic profile →
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Mathematics
Differential Geometry, Algebraic Topology, Differential Topology and Complex Geometry.
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Biology
Independent studies in evolution, biodiversity and the diversity of organisms.
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Classical Philosophy
Independent studies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and the Stoic tradition.
MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS & THEORETICAL STRUCTURES
Welcome
This website presents my academic background, research interests, university teaching experience, publications, distinctions and other activities.
A multidisciplinary perspective
Physics and mathematics form the core of my academic training. Biology and classical philosophy are pursued as independent fields of study, rather than as formal academic degrees.
01 / PROFILE
Biography
Ricardo Avila is a theoretical physicist whose academic work focuses on quantum field theory, quantum gravity, gauge theories and mathematical structures relevant to modern physics. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in Physics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where he obtained the Licentiate in Physics, a Magíster in Physics and a PhD in Physics.
Alongside research, he has developed an extensive university teaching career in physics and mathematics. His broader intellectual interests include advanced mathematics, biology and classical philosophy. Biology and philosophy are independent areas of study and are not presented as formal degrees.
02 / ACADEMIC TRAINING
Education
PhD in Physics
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ↗
Doctoral dissertation: A Finite Quantum Gravity Field Theory Model. Final grade: 6.7/7.0, Distinción Máxima. The doctoral process included private and public oral examinations.
Magíster in Physics
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ↗
The Magíster was obtained after passing the PhD qualifying examination.
Licentiate in Physics (Licenciatura en Física)
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ↗
Final grade: 6.0/7.0, Distinción Máxima; ranked first in the graduating class. Undergraduate thesis: Variational Methods in the Large N Limit, supervised by Professor Jorge Alfaro.
Biology and classical philosophy are pursued as independent studies. They are not represented as university degrees.
03 / SCHOLARLY INTERESTS
Research & Areas of Study
Theoretical Physics
- Quantum Field Theory
- Quantum Gravity
- Gauge Theories
- Particle Physics
Mathematical Physics
- Differential Geometry
- Algebraic Topology
- Differential Topology
- Complex Geometry
Advanced Mathematics
- Algebraic Geometry
- Homotopy Theory
- Cobordism Theory
- Representation Theory
Independent Studies
- Biology: evolution and diversity of organisms
- Classical Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Stoicism
04 / SCIENTIFIC OUTPUT
Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Higher-Order Chern-Simons Extensions to QED in 2+1 Dimensions
Physical Review D, 114, 055050 (2026). Authors: Ricardo Avila, Albert Yu. Petrov, Carlos M. Reyes, César Riquelme and Angel Sanchez.
DOI / publication link ↗Optical Theorem and Indefinite Metric in Lambda Phi(4) Delta Theory
International Journal of Modern Physics A, 35, 2050214 (2020).
DOI / publication link ↗Causality, Unitarity and Indefinite Metric in Maxwell Chern-Simons Extensions
Physical Review D, 101, 055011 (2020).
DOI / publication link ↗Electroweak Standard Model with Very Special Relativity
Physical Review D, 91, 105007 (2015).
DOI / publication link ↗A Finite Quantum Gravity Field Theory Model
Classical and Quantum Gravity, 28(21), 215020 (2011). Authors: Jorge Alfaro, Pablo González and Ricardo Avila.
DOI / publication link ↗
Academic theses (listed separately)
Doctoral dissertation (2012): A Finite Quantum Gravity Field Theory Model. UC Library catalogue ↗
Undergraduate thesis (2002): Variational Methods in the Large N Limit. UC Library catalogue ↗
The links lead to the university library portal; direct item records can be added when their catalogue identifiers are available.
Academic profiles & institutional links
Research profilesLinkedIn · Ricardo Avila ↗Google Scholar · author search ↗ORCID: identifier to be confirmed
05 / UNIVERSITY TEACHING
Teaching Experience
University-level teaching in Physics and Mathematics since 2002.
Physics
- Electromagnetism (main teaching specialization)
- Classical Mechanics I and II
- Optics and Waves
- Modern Physics
- Biophysics
- Oscillations, Vibrations and Acoustics
- Fluid Mechanics and Basic Physics
Mathematics
- Algebra
- Precalculus
- Calculus II
- Calculus III
Selected university appointments
2026–present — Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Department of Mathematics (Adjunct Professor; Precalculus).
2025–present — Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez (Physics and Mathematics).
2024 — Universidad Mayor; Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez; Universidad San Sebastián (Physics and Mathematics).
2023 — Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins (Physics).
2021 — Universidad Arturo Prat (Calculus III).
2014–2022 — Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH (Adjunct Professor; Physics).
2008 — Universidad Mayor (Physics, Algebra and Calculus II).
2002 — Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Physics teaching assistantships).
06 / DISTINCTIONS
Awards & Scholarships
- PhD Scholarship (2009–2012)Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- CONICYT National Scholarship (2004–2007)Chilean National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research.
- First Place in Physics Graduation Ranking (2002)Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; final grade 6.0/7.0.
- Undergraduate Thesis Scholarship (2002)Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Award of Honor – Physics (2001)Highest academic score in the cohort that year.
- Award of Honor – Physics (2000)Highest academic score in the cohort that year.
- Applied Mathematics Award (1997)The London Oratory School, for the best student of the generation in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics.
- Doctoral Academic Distinction (2012)Distinción Máxima; final grade 6.7/7.0.
07 / ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT
Academic Activities
July 2015
Speaker — Universidad del Bío-Bío
Academic speaking engagement.
January 2011
Speaker — Universidad Andrés Bello
Presented “Quantization of Delta Gravity” at the Third South Pacific Coast Gravity Meeting, Viña del Mar, Chile.
08 / PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD
Gallery
A selection of academic, personal and musical moments.
09 / COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteering
Selected community and service activities.
- Homeless outreach (2001)Weekend-night outreach in downtown Santiago, providing food and support.
- Catholic Charismatic Missionary (2001–2002)Missionary service in southern Chile, including Puerto Montt, Chiloé and Chaitén.
- Homeless outreach (2007)Volunteer service through a university community outreach initiative in San Joaquín, Santiago.
- Catholic Charismatic Community Service (2014–2018)Community and parish service in Providencia, Santiago.
- Hogar de Cristo (2016)Volunteer support for older adults in Estación Central, Santiago.
- Fraternidade O Caminho (2018)Short-term service supporting a healing Mass in San Ramón, Santiago.
Only selected activities are included. Personal religious narratives and events attended as a participant are intentionally excluded.
10 / GET IN TOUCH
Contact
For academic correspondence, research collaboration and teaching enquiries, please contact me by email.
raavilavi@gmail.com