Natanael de Carvalho Costa explores the unusual and little-known behaviors of electrons trapped within optical cavities — phenomena that can lead to the emergence of new phases of matter, including exotic states such as superconductivity. He develops advanced methods to investigate how light can mediate interactions between electrons.

Born in Parnaíba, Piauí, Costa began his academic career at the Federal University of Piauí, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics. He then completed a doctorate at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, followed by a research visit to the University of California, Davis. He then undertook postdoctoral research at the International School for Advanced Studies in Italy.

Costa is a fellow of the Siebold-Collegium Institute for Advanced Studies and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany and a visiting professor at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg. Having returned to UFRJ as a professor and researcher, he now balances his scientific work with his interests in literature, music, and running.