Jason Peña
Statistical Physics, Biological Physics, and Physical Virology
Bio
I received a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Physics from the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) in Mexico City, where I also served as an assistant professor in the Physics Department. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics of Biological Systems at UAM.
Outside of research, I enjoy studying biology, playing guitar, and running.
Contact
Metropolitan Autonomous University.
Physics Department, Complex Systems.
Building T, Room 323
Email: [email protected]
Research Overview
My research encompasses a wide range of topics, including diffusion processes, particle trapping and absorption, biologically motivated physics, and physical virology. Currently, I focus on the self-assembly, growth, and formation of viral capsids, aiming to uncover the fundamental principles of viral polymorphism, assembly pathways, and mechanical properties through theoretical modeling and simulations.
Recent congresses and workshops
BioPhys 2025
May, 7-9, 2025. Mexico City.ICTP-SAIFR-School and Workshop on the Physics of Life
Poster: Bending Energy Drives Viral capsid compression and Increases Nucleation Rate.
March, 24-30,2025. São Paulo, Brazil.LIII Winter Meeting in Statistical Physics
Poster: Bending Energy Drives Viral capsid compression and Increases Nucleation Rate.
January, 7-10, 2025. Mexico City, MexicoWorkshop Statistical Physics Group
Talk: Theory of Viral capsids self-assembly.
May, 27-28, 2025. Barcelona, Spain.
New Book!
Dagdug, L., Peña, J., and Pompa-García, I. (2024). Diffusion Under Confinement: A Journey Through Counterintuition. Springer Nature Switzerland.
Recent Publications
Peña, J., Dagdug, L., and Reguera, D. (2025). Kinetic description of viral capsid self-assembly using mesoscopic non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Entropy, 27(3), 281.Peña, J., et al. (2024). Autoensamblaje de cápsides virales: Teoría y simulación. Contactos Rev Educ Cienc E Ing, 139, 6-19.Peña, J., and Dagdug, L. (2023). Elliptical chemoreceptors: The key to an effective absorption. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2731(1), 050008.