About
I'm a Research Engineer at ZisK, working on zero-knowledge cryptography and blockchain scalability. Previously I was at Polygon Labs, where I worked on the arithmetization of its zkEVM with the extended Algebraic Intermediate Representation (eAIR), and on the integrity of the proving system, a composition of an inner eSTARK with an outer fflonK.
I trained as a mathematician: a BSc in Mathematics at the University of Alicante, focused on discrete mathematics, and an MSc in Advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). I then spent two years doing doctoral research in UPC's Department of Network Engineering. My research ranges from theoretical and applied cryptography to probabilistic proofs, with a particular interest in using zero-knowledge proofs to make blockchains and authentication systems scale.
In my free time I solve cryptography CTF challenges on CryptoHack, HackTheBox and CryptoPals. Textbook cryptography and real-world cryptography are far apart, and these challenges are how I connect the two.
Experience
Full CV (PDF) ↓Research Engineer, ZisK
Building a high-performance zkVM.
Research Engineer, Polygon Labs
Polygon zkEVM: arithmetization with the extended AIR (eAIR), and the integrity of the proving system, a composition of an inner eSTARK with an outer fflonK.
Doctoral Researcher, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)
Research on zero-knowledge proofs for blockchain scalability, with a focus on zkEVMs, in the Department of Network Engineering. Funded by the FI-SDUR 2021 grant (Generalitat de Catalunya).
Research Staff Member, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)
Research member of the ARPASAT project.
Research Collaborator, Information Security Group (UPC) & Codegram
Analysis, study and implementation of a post-quantum e-voting protocol.
Education
Doctoral Studies, Applied Cryptography
Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)
Department of Network Engineering. Left the program before completing the degree.
Summer Residency
Research residency on applied zero-knowledge cryptography in New York.
MSc, Advanced Mathematics and Mathematical Engineering
Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)
Thesis on linkable attribute-based signatures. Thesis (PDF) ↓
Honorable Mention, Premio Leonardo Torres Quevedo 2020 en Criptología y Seguridad de la Información (cryptology and information security).
BSc, Mathematics
Focus on discrete mathematics. Thesis on the subgraph isomorphism problem. Thesis (PDF) ↓
Teaching
Lecturer, Cryptography
Master's in Blockchain Technologies, UPC School
Face-to-face cryptography module: modular arithmetic, RSA and elliptic-curve cryptography, pairings and signatures (ECDSA, BLS), provable security, advanced signature schemes and zero-knowledge proofs, from Schnorr and Fiat–Shamir to zk-SNARKs.
Interests
- Math
- Probabilistic Proofs
- Formal Methods
- Distributed Systems
Languages
- Spanish
- Catalan
- English