The faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Physics teach essential mathematics skills that directly relate to their project work in 3D graphics, computer simulation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. Faculty instructing physics courses not only teach students the fundamental concepts that govern the physical universe, but also the knowledge of how to apply those concepts to the world of computer simulation and beyond.
Mathematics and Physics Faculty Directory
Department Faculty
Naiara Espejo
Department Chair - Mathematics and Physics, Humanities and Social Sciences
Senior Professor
Naiara Espejo Iturbe earned her degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the School of Telecommunications Engineering of Bilbao. She taught at Newton University Academy and interned at IBERDROLA and VICOMTech Technology Centre. She also served as Deputy Chairwoman at the Telecommunications Congress Committee in Spain. After working as E-Business Manager at UNCETA Group S.A., she joined DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, where she teaches mathematics and physics courses. Her hobbies include history, gastronomy, and role-playing games.
Naiara Espejo Iturbe earned her undergraduate degree in telecommunications engineering at the School of Telecommunications Engineering of Bilbao. While finishing her degree, she worked as a university assistant lecturer at Newton University Academy in Bilbao from 2000 to 2001, teaching systems and signals and devices electronics. She then carried out two projects as an intern engineer: a storm detection system for IBERDROLA and a biometric authentication systems based on digital signal treatment for VICOMTech Technology Centre. From 1999-2000, she served as Deputy Chairwoman at the Telecommunications Congress Committee in Spain.
After graduating, she worked as E-Business Manager in UNCETA Group S.A., where she was in charge of business-to-business solutions and e-commerce, before taking her current position at DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe-Bilbao. She currently teaches many of DigiPen’s intro and intermediate-level mathematics and physics courses, such as Linear Algebra and Geometry, Calculus and Analytic Geometry, and Motion Dynamics.
Her hobbies include history, gastronomy, and role-playing games.
Julia Sanchez, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Professor
Dr. Julia Sanchez Sanz earned her bachelor's in mathematics from the Autonomous University of Madrid in 2008 and a Master’s in Climate, Energy, and Environmental Risk from the University of Alcalá de Henares in 2011. After working as an SAP consultant and conducting predoctoral research, she earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of the Basque Country in 2016. She joined DigiPen Europe-Bilbao that same year, teaching subjects from linear algebra to differential equations. Her interests include numerical analysis, modeling, and the societal roles of scientists and teachers, especially regarding gender and peace.
Dr. Julia Sanchez Sanz obtained her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the Autonomous University of Madrid in 2008. From 2008 to 2010 she worked as an SAP consultant at an IBM partner. In 2011 she obtained her Master of Science in Climate, Energy, and Environmental Risk from the University of Alcalá de Henares. She then joined the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM), where she worked as a predoctoral researcher in topics related to numerical analysis and differential equations applied to life sciences. During that period, she joined internships at Utrecht University and at the University of Udine. She also participated in conferences, workshops, and talks during this time. In 2016, she defended her thesis “Pseudospectral methods and numerical continuation for the analysis of structured population models” at the University of the Basque Country and earned her international Ph.D. in Mathematics.
In 2016, Sanz joined the Department of Mathematics and Physics at DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, where she teaches topics ranging from linear algebra to differential equations. As a mathematician, she is interested in differential equations, modelling, and numerical analysis. From a social perspective, she is interested in the role that scientists and teachers play in society, particularly from gender and peace perspectives.
Anabela Turlione, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Anabela Turlione earned her Ph.D. in Physics in 2015 and later pursued her passion for illustration and animation. She freelanced from 2013 to 2020, creating the animated film Alunados and working on the award-winning I Destini documentary. Now, with a master’s in data science, she teaches physics at DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, blending her love for science and art.
Anabela Turlione completed her Ph.D. in Physics in 2015 and has since decided to venture into her other passion of drawing. Turlione began to study illustration while working on her dissertation on the cooling of neutron stars. She began animating in 2013.
From 2013 to 2020, she worked freelance in animation and illustration for a variety of clients from different parts of the world. She obtained two grants to produce and make Alunados, her first animated film that was funded by Argentina’s National Endowment for the Arts. She also participated in the I Destini animated documentary project, a film that won awards at the Indie Grits Film Festival, Aspen Film Festival, and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. It was also nominated for best short documentary at 59th CINE Golden Eagle Awards.
Turolione returned to the world of science and has earned a master’s degree in data science. She currently teaches physics to engineers and artists at Digipen Institute of Technology Europe-Bilbao, where she attempts to find creative ways to combine her two passions of sciences and the arts.
Matteo Pintonello, Ph.D.
Affiliate Professor
Matteo Pintonello earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of the Basque Country, specializing in Abstract Algebra. Before joining DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, he conducted research at institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Lund University, and the University of Brasília. His academic path includes several international publications and awards in mathematical competitions. At DigiPen, he teaches algebra and geometry-related courses, and enjoys making complex mathematical concepts accessible and engaging for students.
Dr. Matteo Pintonello earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Padova (Italy) and then completed the international ALGANT Master’s program, specializing in Algebra and Geometry, jointly offered by the University of Padova and Leiden University (The Netherlands).
He then joined the University of the Basque Country, in Bilbao, for a Ph.D. in Abstract Algebra. During his doctoral studies, he conducted research stays at several institutions, including the University of Cambridge (UK), the University of Brasília (Brazil), the University of Modena (Italy), and Lund University (Sweden). His work has been published in several peer-reviewed international journals.
After completing his Ph.D., he worked as a researcher in cryptographic security protocols at Nethermind and later as a Data Scientist for the Municipality of Bilbao.
Dr. Pintonello has received multiple awards in mathematical competitions, including a Silver Medal in the Italian Mathematical Olympiad and one of the 20 national INDAM scholarships for mathematics students. Passionate about mathematics outreach, he has also led training courses for high school students preparing for math competitions.
Apart from mathematics, he is a passionate climber and never misses a chance to play board games or role-playing games with his friends.
Lorenzo Barquin, Ph.D.
Affiliate Professor
Lorenzo Barquín holds a Ph.D. in Physics with a focus on the spectral analysis and simulation of supermassive black holes. During his academic career, he combined his interest in physics and computer science, gaining teaching experience in both fields. At DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, he teaches computer science courses with an emphasis on computer graphics. He enjoys guiding students in understanding abstraction and modeling while bringing together his passions for astrophysics and video games.
Dr. Lorenzo Barquín graduated in Physics from the University of Cantabria. Driven by his interest in new technologies, he combined his scientific training with several courses from the Computer Engineering program at the same university.
After graduating, he pursued a doctoral thesis focused on the analysis and simulation of spectra from supermassive black holes, allowing him to merge his interests in both physics and informatics. During this time, he also gained valuable teaching experience in undergraduate Physics and Mathematics courses. After successfully defending his thesis, he completed the Master’s in Teacher Training.
Barquín is now part of DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe-Bilbao’s faculty, where he teaches computer science courses, with a special focus on computer graphics. In his classes, he emphasizes the importance of accurate modeling and abstraction, and enjoys blending his two main passions: astrophysics and video games.
His hobbies include tabletop role-playing games, science fiction novels, model building, and—of course—video games.
Hugo Andrade, Ph.D.
Affiliate Professor
Hugo Andrade earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the Federal University of Pernambuco, where he specialized in stochastic processes and anomalous diffusion. He later worked as a university lecturer and completed a postdoctoral fellowship applying quantum mechanics to complex systems. Before joining DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, he was a postdoc at the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM). At DigiPen, he teaches mathematics and physics, sharing his enthusiasm for science through a clear and practical approach.
Dr. Hugo Andrade earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the Federal University of Pernambuco (Brazil), where he focused on stochastic processes, particularly anomalous diffusion. After completing his doctorate, he worked as a temporary lecturer in both the Physics and Mathematics departments of the same university, teaching undergraduate courses.
He then pursued a two-year postdoctoral position at the Mathematics Department of the Federal University of Pernambuco, applying quantum mechanics techniques to analyze various models, including disease propagation and anomalous diffusion.
Later, he joined the Statistical Physics group at the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM) as a postdoctoral researcher. The results of his research were published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented at global conferences.
At DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe-Bilbao, he is part of the Department of Mathematics and Physics, where he combines teaching with ongoing research. His interests include stochastic processes, numerical simulations, and modeling disease spread. In his free time, he practices Kendo and enjoys playing video games.