Michalis Vlachos, new PhD researcher in the SUPREMA Group

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Michalis (Mike) Vlachos (Heraklio, Greece) has joined the Supramolecular, Polymeric and Reticular Materials group (SUPREMA) as a predoctoral researcher last May. Still, it was not his first time: he had already studied a master degree at our institute in 2023, and he confess that the event ICMM Days (a scientific, technical, and social two-day meeting celebrated that year) definitely convinced him to come back.

Where do you come from?

I come from Heraklion, Greece, where I grew up and completed all my studies so far, my bachelor degree in Physics and master degree in Materials Science and Engineering in the University of Crete.

What have you worked on so far?
 
For my previous studies, I have worked on developing multiscale computational techniques to study the properties and functionalization of porous materials like MOFs and ZIFs and use them as chemotherapeutic drug delivery agents or for environmental gas adsorption and storage.

What will you work on? With whom?

I am working with my supervisor, Andreas Mavrantonakis on the project "In silico design of porous materials for capturing water contaminants" for my doctoral thesis "Computational insights into MOF-based separation and remediation strategies" in the Doctoral Programme in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling in UAM that I started in 14/2/2025.

Why ICMM?

I came for the first time in ICMM during autumn 2023 as a master's student with an Erasmus+ grant from the University of Crete and worked with my current supervisor on "Investigating the binding of biologically important molecules in porous materials with computational techniques". That experience convinced me that this institute could provide me with the perfect chance to continue my studies for a PhD and evolve as a researcher. Also, events like the ICMM Days (2023) in Buitrago de Lozoya definitely convinced me to take this decision and come back here after finishing my studies in Greece. :)

And a personal touch: any hobbies? What would you like to contribute to the institute?

My main hobbies are watching sports like football and basketball, going out with friends to try new beers and tapas, and traveling around as much as I can!

I would like to contribute to this institute in the field of Computational Chemistry. There are only a few people in this research field inside ICMM and there is a great opportunity for co-operation with many researchers and groups that could use a computational scientific insight and support or prediction of experimental results in the field of materials science.