Researcher in mathematical physics and professional pianist.

arXiv: franco_n_1

Google Scholar: scholar.google.com

Orcid: 0000-0003-1688-8342

ResearcherID: P-8756-2016

Inspire-hep: N.Franco.1

MathSciNet (Mathematical Reviews): www.ams.org/mathscinet

ResearchGate: Nicolas_Franco4

LinkedIn: nicolas-franco-belgium

• Noncommutative geometry

• Applications of noncommutative geometry in physics

• Lorentzian spectral triples

• Mathematical models of unification theories

• Quantum gravity

• Cosmology

Multiple prize winner at the Belgian Mathematical Olympiad:

- 2nd prize in 1999

- 3rd prize in 2001 and 1996

- 4th prize in 1997

- finalist in 2000 and 1998

Multiple prize winner at the international final of the "Championnat des Jeux Mathématiques et Logiques" in Paris (FFJM):

- 1st prize in 2007 (in the highest category)

- 2nd prize in 2003

- 7th prize in 2002

- 8th prize in 2008 and 2005

International pianist career:

- 1st prize at the Belfius Classics competition, Brussels

- 1st prize at the André Dumortier national piano competition, Leuze-en-Hainaut

- 1st prize at the Andrée Charlier piano competition, Charleroi

- 1st prize at the Excellentia piano competition, Linkebeek

- 1st prize at the EPTA international piano competition, Namur

- 3rd prize at the Jonge Virtuozen piano competition, Antwerpen

- 5th prize and special prize at the Emmanuel Durlet piano competition, Antwerpen

 - Selected for the Queen Elisabeth competition in 2010, Brussels

• Mathematical activities:

• Member of the Belgian team at the 42nd International Mathematical Olympiad (2001, USA)
• Member of the national jury of the Belgian Mathematical Olympiad (2005-...)
• Reviewer for Physical Review Letters, Physical Review D, Journal of Geometry and Physics, Physics Letters B, Journal of Mathematical Physics, SIGMA, Universe and IOP Conference Series
• Several reviews (10) for MathSciNet
• Numerous popular science lectures at secondary school
  
  

• International pianist career:

• Numerous concerts in Belgium: Juillet Musical d’Aulne, Printemps Musical de Silly, Printemps Musical de Waha, Concerts de midi Bruxelles, deSingel Antwerpen, Middagconcerten Antwerpen, Salle des Roches Rochefort, Festival Musical du Condroz, EPTA, Journées du Patrimoine, Musica aeterna, Cavatine,...
• Several concerts as participation to academic events:  FNRS quinquennal prizes (Bozar, Brussels), Mathematischer Salon at Hausdorff Research Institute for Mathematics (Bonn), Mixed event music and public science (Krakow Music Academy), Doctor honoris causa ceremony (Namur), Academic opening (Namur), Télévie (Namur),...
• Interpretation of Sergei Rachmaninov's 2nd concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Flanders (de Filharmonie) under the direction of Georges Octors.
• CD recording
  
  

• Miscellaneous:

• Webmaster of the French literature community website www.oniris.be
• Webmaster of the Belgian Mathematical Olympiad website omb.sbpm.be 

•2006 – 2011: University of Namur - Ph.D. in Sciences¿Title: Lorentzian approach to noncommutative geometry
Supervisors: Prof. Dominique Lambert, Prof. Anne Lemaître
Defended on 31st August 2011

•2004 – 2006: University of Namur - M.Sc in Mathematics (first class honors, LPGD)

•2002 – 2004: University of Namur - B.Sc in Mathematics (first class honors, LPGD)

•2002 – 2003: Royal Conservatory of Mons - Chamber music diploma (first prize, 90%) (simultaneously with B.Sc studies)

•2001 – 2002: Royal Conservatory of Mons - Piano diploma (first prize, 88%) 

•1999 – 2000: Royal Conservatory of Liège - Solfège diploma (first prize, 88%) (simultaneously with secondary school studies)