Giancarlo Ruocco: from inelastic X-ray scattering to neuroscience

Abstract

This Special issue of the "Condensed Matter Physics" journal is dedicated to Professor Giancarlo Ruocco on the occasion of his 60 birthday. Giancarlo Ruocco is widely known as one of the pioneers in the development of the meV resolution Inelastic X-ray Scattering (IXS), a novel and yet state-ofthe-art technique for studying atomistic dynamics in condensed and soft matter. The IXS opened new possibilities in understanding the microscopic nature of relaxation processes in liquids, glasses, complex biomolecular systems and polymers. His strong background in theory allowed Giancarlo Ruocco to combine experimental findings with theoretical analysis of IXS data, that led to fundamental results for dynamic processes in various condensed and soft matter systems. Born in Rome, Giancarlo graduated in 1981 with Laurea degree in Physics from the Sapienza University of Rome. His first studies were performed under the guidance of Prof. G. Signorelli and Prof. V. Mazzacurati and were focused on Raman scattering in water. In 1984 Giancarlo took a position of