María Herranz, new PhD researcher at MamBIO group

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A chemical engineer with a chameleon-like career. That's how María Herranz Herrera defines her career. She's from Madrid and she joined last June the Materials for Medicine and Biotechnology (MaMBIO) group as a PhD researcher. 
 
What have you worked on so far?

I am a chemical engineer from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and my career has been, so to speak, chameleon-like. I started out in the field of energy efficiency, conducting audits focused on identifying leaks... both heat and money. Later, I entered the world of consulting, where I discovered that, with the right tools—including PowerPoint—almost any problem can be transformed into a well-structured strategy. Last year, I decided to return to the bright side of science, rejoining the research team at the ICP-CSIC, while also pursuing a master's degree in Renewable Energy. There, I worked on a catalysis project aimed at giving CO₂ a new role: converting it into a reagent through the reverse water-gas shift reaction, with the goal of reducing its environmental impact and demonstrating that even CO₂ deserves a second chance.

What will you work on? With whom? 

I am now joining the ICMM in the field of nanomaterials, structural, colloidal and magnetic characterisation, in the Materials for Medicine and Biotechnology (MaMBIO) group. Specifically, I am working on the development of magnetic nanocatalysts for hydrogen production through water electrolysis, a key technology in the field of clean energy.

Why ICMM? 

The ICMM represents an environment of scientific excellence where cutting-edge research groups are combined with a comprehensive infrastructure. In addition to the quality of the work carried out here, I particularly value the collaborative atmosphere and the opportunity to continue growing in an interdisciplinary environment, where I can contribute my knowledge while continuing to learn and broaden my scientific horizons.

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

Outside the laboratory, I like to go out and get lost in the mountains, exercise and read. I would like to bring to the institute a mixture of scientific curiosity, commitment to teamwork and a smile that always comes in handy, especially when the laboratory gets more complicated than a traffic jam on the M-30.