Dr. Ivan Palaia

Instructor

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Biography

Ivan Palaia is a Lecturer in Biological Physics at King's College London, specializing in the study of soft matter physics and complex structures that self-assemble in equilibrium. His primary research focuses on computational techniques utilizing coarse-grained models to investigate various systems including cell membranes, cytoskeletons, biomolecular condensates, and active colloids. Palaia earned his Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics from the Polytechnic University of Turin in 2014 and a Master's degree in Physics of Complex Systems from institutions in Turin, Trieste, and Paris in 2016. He completed his PhD at Paris-Saclay University in 2019, where his thesis explored statistical mechanics of charged systems, particularly electrolytic solutions and electrostatic interactions. Before joining King’s College, he was a postdoctoral researcher at UCL IST-BRIDGE as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, working on computational soft matter biophysics and various topics related to chiral active baths and cell division. His research interests lie in self-assembly, cytoskeletal dynamics, membrane mechanics, and the underlying mechanisms driving cellular processes on the microscale, particularly how gradients of concentrations and rates influence these processes.

Research Interests

Requirements for King's College London

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:23
Reading
Required:23
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:23
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject Quantitative competency (for some Economics/Finance programs)
Application Checklist
  • Official Transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Two Academic References
  • CV/Resume
  • English Language Proficiency Proof
Specialization Notes

Requirements are consistent across King's Business School and Social Science & Public Policy departments for standard Master's entries.