Carla Estévez, new postdoctoral researcher at the SUPREMA group

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Since October 16th, there has been a new member in the SUPREMA group. She is Carla Estévez Varela, a young researcher who has joined the ICMM as a postdoctoral researcher. On the personal side, a fascinating fact: she can play several musical instruments and she has played classical music as well as traditional music from Galicia, her homeland.

Where do you come from?
I come from a small town in the south of Pontevedra, called O Porriño. I studied Chemistry and recently completed a PhD in Colloidal Chemistry at Universidade de Vigo.

What have you worked on so far?
My background is centered on Colloidal Chemistry. During my PhD, I worked on supramolecular J-aggregate structures, taking advantage of their optical properties and integrating them into different types of nanostructures, such as core–shell nanoparticles, colloidal flakes, and plexcitonic nanoparticles, to create new hybrid materials with enhanced optical behavior.

What will you work on? With whom?
I will be working with Sara Núñez Sánchez (SUPREMA group) on the European project "Adaptable Bio-Inspired Polariton-Polariton Energy Management" (ADAPTATION). This innovative project aims for the developing of energy-harvesting devices with efficient light trapping in combination with powerless self-regulatory cooling capacities.

Why ICMM?
ICMM is a well-known institute with excellent research in materials science, and I am excited about contributing to the projects developed here while continuing to learn new skills in such a collaborative environment.

And a personal touch: any hobbies? What would you like to contribute to the institute?
I have a long history with music, having played various instruments since childhood with different music styles like classical or traditional Galician music.