Associate profesor

I obtained a degree in Geology from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1997. I completed my PhD (1999–2004) in the laboratory of Dr. S. Veintemillas (ICM-CSIC), where I focused on the production of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) by laser pyrolysis for their application as MRI contrast agents. This work resulted in the development of two novel MRI contrast agents—dextran-coated iron oxide NPs and core–shell iron–iron oxide NPs— that showed enhanced MRI contrast compared to commercial agents available at the time (ENDOREM). I received my PhD in Chemistry from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2004. From November 2004 to October 2005, I conducted postdoctoral research in the group of Prof. Dr. A. Navrotsky at the University of California, Davis (USA), investigating polymorphic structural transformations in nanostructures due to their small size and surface defects. During this period, I gained extensive experience in high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. As a result, I determined for the first time the formation enthalpy and surface free energy of anhydrous maghemite NPs smaller than 40nm, and developed a model explaining the nanoscale polymorphic transformations of Fe₂O₃ from rhombohedral to cubic and tetragonal structures. After a period in the private sector, in 2006 I joined ICMM-CSIC as an I3P postdoctoral researcher, where I developed solvothermal synthesis routes to produce acicular magnetic NPs for MRI applications. In 2007, I obtained a postdoctoral position at CIBER-BBN, affiliated with the Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon (University of Zaragoza), where I served as Scientific Coordinator of the MRI and Nanoparticles Platform II. In this role, I developed an innovative laser pyrolysis reactor for producing hybrid NPs through combined control of liquid and gaseous precursors, followed by laser-induced decomposition. From 2011 to 2017, I worked as a Ramón y Cajal postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Applied Physics at UAM, leading research on the synthesis of magnetic and radiopaque NPs via laser ablation of solids in liquids. During this period, I also completed a Marie Curie IF postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Chemical Physics, University of Vienna (02/2015–10/2017), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. W. Kautek, a leading expert in nano- and microtexturization of materials using ultrashort laser pulses. Since December 2017, I have been part of the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Cádiz (UCA), first as a contracted doctor professor and, since July 2023, as Associate Professor. At UCA, I have led a MINECO-funded project (MAT2015-67354-R) on laser-assisted synthesis of ternary nanoparticles for multimodal contrast agents in breast cancer diagnosis. I also secured a MINECO infrastructure project (€501,000) and a Junta de Andalucía infrastructure project (€310,000), which enabled the establishment of a laser processing laboratory, where I serve as the scientific head. To date, I have participated in 31 research projects, 10 of them as Principal Investigator, resulting in 60 publications in international journals in nanoscience, physics, and chemistry (H index: 25) with 1,990 citations (averaging 102 citations/year over the last six years). I have also participated in 48 scientific conferences and delivered 9 invited lectures. My research contributions have been recognized with three six-year research periods (2000–2007, 2007 2013, and 2013–2019). Since 2011, I have been actively engaged in teaching Physics and Nanotechnology at undergraduate and master’s levels, accumulating a total of 931 teaching hours. I have supervised one doctoral thesis, directed seven master’s final projects and three undergraduate final projects, and developed three educational innovation projects. I am also actively involved in scientific dissemination in nanoscience, serving as PI of three UCA-funded outreach projects and regularly participating in additional dissemination activities organized by the university.