Patricia Valdés Portas joins the MaMBIO group as a new predoctoral researcher

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Patricia Valdés Portas is starting a position as a Predoctoral Researcher Personnel in Training in the Materials and Biotechnology for Medicine (MaMBIO) research group at the Materials Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC). She comes from a small town called Villa del Prado, Madrid, and completed her Bachelor's in Chemistry at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She has recently finished her Master's in Chemistry at Molecular Sciences at University of Helsinki, where she specialized in radiochemistry and radiopharmaceutical chemistry.

What have you worked on so far?

During my last year of undergraduate studies, I completed an internship in protein NMR spectroscopy. I then developed my Bachelor’s Thesis on the coating and functionalization of magnetic and fluorescent bifunctional samples for biomedical applications, as well as on the design of theoretical approaches using DFT studies. Additionally, my Master's Thesis was based on the radiolabeling of synthetic Cesium-rich microparticles resembling those released on the Fukshima nuclear power plant accident, in order to investigate the long-term radiobiological and health effects associated with their inhalation.

What will you work on? With whom?

My thesis is focused on the development of theranostic nanomedicines based on hydrogels and magnetic nanoparticles with neural regenerative capabilities. I will work under the supervision of Conchi Serrano.

Why did you choose ICMM?

Because of its pluridisciplinarity, international recognition and advanced research projects.

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

I love reading and doing acrobatic sports. I hope that the research I develop in ICMM can help improving society.