Sergio Barranco, a PhD student who is under Prof. Mónica H. Pérez-Temprano and Prof. JR Galán-Mascarós supervision has successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Harnessing the Mechanistic Potential of Reaction Intermediates in Cp*CoIII-Catalyzed C–H Functionalization Reactions” publicly on Friday, November 7.
The members of the evaluation committee were Prof. Arjan W. Kleij (ICIQ), Dr. Sara Cembellín Santos (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) and Prof. Mark Crimmin (Imperial College London).
Sergio Barranco was born and raised in Madrid, where he studied Chemistry at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM). After his third year, he joined the Summer Fellowship program at ICIQ under the supervision of Prof. Mónica H. Pérez-Temprano, an experience that sparked his passion for research. After graduating during the pandemic, he moved to Tarragona to pursue a Master’s in Synthesis, Catalysis, and Molecular Design within the same research group. In 2021, he began his PhD studies.
Beyond science, he is passionate about design, storytelling, and yoga — disciplines that, in their own ways, reflect his appreciation for creativity, structure, and balance.
He was awarded an FPU fellowship (FPU20/00610) from the Spanish Ministry of Universities, which supports his doctoral research.
Why did you become a scientist?
I have always been curious about how the world works, but the real catalyst was my high-school chemistry teacher. Some people have that special spark that makes you fall in love with a subject, and for me, that spark turned curiosity into a journey.
What is your thesis about?
My thesis explores the fundamental mechanisms behind how chemical reactions work. Specifically, I studied the elementary steps that define transition-metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization, from C–H activation and transmetallation to reductive elimination, using cobalt(III) complexes as model systems.
The thing that I like most about my thesis is….
That it connects the dots between fundamental understanding and real-world applications. I love that something so deeply mechanistic can ultimately have an impact on how we design drugs or understand catalytic processes in the future.
From the lessons learnt (or skills developed) at ICIQ, which one do you value the most?
Storytelling. Every scientific discovery is, in essence, a story that needs to be told clearly and effectively. Data alone isn’t enough. The way we communicate our findings defines their impact. Learning to shape a narrative that does justice to the science while connecting with people has been one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned.
What will you miss the most from ICIQ?
The people, their kindness, their humor, and the way everyone genuinely helps each other grow, both scientifically and personally.
What advice do you have for someone who’s starting their PhD now?
Ask questions, as many as possible! It’s the most powerful way to learn, both about your project and about yourself. Curiosity drives science, and questions are the language of curiosity.
Who/What has been your biggest influence/motivation?
Myself. I believe intrinsic motivation is essential in research. As the lyrics of my favorite song (Mía by Belén Aguilera) say: “Y que si no fuera por mí, ¿por quién sería?”(If it wasn’t for me, who would it be for?)
Where are you going next? What will you do there?
During my PhD, I discovered my passion for communicating science: transforming complex concepts into engaging stories. I’ll soon be joining the Institute of Neurosciences at the University of Barcelona as Communication Manager, where I’ll continue bridging science and storytelling.
What is your favourite molecule?
Water (H2O). It’s simple but essential.
Tell us something about you that people might not know…
Fries are my favorite food. I know they’re supposed to be a side dish, but honestly, I think they deserve the spotlight.
La entrada Muchas felicidades, Dr. Barranco! se publicó primero en ICIQ.