These distinctions highlight the quality of ICN2’s doctoral research and the growing impact of its young scientific community.

Muhammad Saad Naeem, a PhD student who is under Prof. Núria López and Prof. Ricard Garcia-Valls (URV) supervision has successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Theoretical Descriptors for Electrochemical Devices: Interfaces-Transport” publicly on Monday, November 10.

The members of the evaluation committee were Prof. Damien Laage (École Normale Supérieure, Paris), Prof. José Ramón Galán-Mascarós (ICIQ) and Dr. Carine Michel (École Normale Supérieure, Paris)

Muhammad Saad Naeem is from Pakistan, and his academic path has taken him across Europe, where he trained in computational chemistry and AI-driven materials discovery. Outside the lab, he enjoys reading philosophy, listening to music, and walking outdoors to clear his mind and think more clearly.

He received a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, which significantly shaped his research trajectory and opened international scientific opportunities.

Why did you become a scientist?

Curiosity has always guided me. I became a scientist because I wanted to understand how the world works at the most fundamental level and contribute to meaningful technological progress.

What do you want to achieve as a scientist?

I want to accelerate the discovery of sustainable energy materials. My goal is to bridge chemistry and AI to move innovations from concept to real-world impact faster.

What is your thesis about?

My thesis focuses on combining quantum chemistry and machine learning to design and understand catalytic and membrane materials more efficiently. The aim is to build computational frameworks that guide development for energy-relevant devices.

What triggered your interest for the subject of your thesis?

The global need for clean energy solutions was a major motivation. I was also drawn to the intellectual challenge of understanding chemical reactivity through both physical laws and data-driven models.

What applications can your thesis have in the future?

The methods developed can support the discovery of efficient catalysts for hydrogen production and other sustainable chemical processes. They have potential to help accelerate green technology deployment in industry.

From the lessons learnt (or skills developed) at ICIQ, which one do you value the most?

The ability to think critically and systematically about complex problems. I also cultivated strong interdisciplinary communication skills, especially between experiemental and data science teams.

What ICIQ moment you´ll never forget?

The day I enthusiastically shook my smoothie and it responded by detonating over my computer, clothes, and part of my neighbour’s desk. The whole lab witnessed it, and I was kindly encouraged to go home and reconsider my life choices.

What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your PhD?

That science exists mainly to remind you you’re not as clever as you thought.

Have you ever been emotional over an experiment/simulation? Why?

I once simulated a polymer that decided to violently explode instead of behaving, and it taught me that even virtual matter sometimes wakes up and chooses drama.

Chemistry/Science is fun because…

It transforms questions into knowledge and ideas into real-world progress. There is a profound satisfaction in uncovering how nature works.

If you were a piece of lab equipment, what would you be?

A chair. In computational chemistry, that’s where 99% of the reactions actually happen.

Tell us something about you that people might not know…

I reflect a lot often through philosophy and poetry. It helps me think more deeply about both science and life.

La entrada مبارک ہو, Dr. Naeem! se publicó primero en ICIQ.

Dr. Karen de la Vega Hernández, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), has won first place at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale 2025, held in Berlin. This victory has earned her the title of Science Breakthrough of the Year – Emerging Talents, one of the most prestigious recognitions for young innovators worldwide. Dr. de la Vega Hernández has been distinguished as the leading young talent among more than 100 finalists worldwide.

Her pitch, titled “Breaking the Wall of Molecular Monotony,” uses the analogy of pizza-making to explain a key challenge in drug design: the difficulty of generating diverse versions of existing medicines to improve their properties.

“We build the tools that allow scientists to create as many versions of a medicine as needed — faster, cheaper, and more sustainably,” explains Karen. “Just as you might change pizza toppings to suit different tastes, our approach lets us fine-tune molecules to meet current needs.”

Through her postdoctoral work in the group of ICIQ Group Leader Prof. Marcos García Suero, Karen and her colleagues have developed two innovative molecular editing tools that allow researchers to modify drug molecules efficiently, enabling the rapid exploration of new analogues with improved efficacy or safety. Their discoveries, published in two articles in the Journal of Amercian Chemical Society (JACS) in 2025, open new pathways for next-generation drug design.

“Karen’s success shows how scientific excellence, and creativity can go hand in hand,” said Prof. Marcos García Suero. “This work exemplifies how chemistry can truly transform the way we design medicines.”

This achievement reflects ICIQ’s commitment to supporting early-career researchers and contributing to meaningful scientific progress.

Karen, a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at ICIQ, has built an impressive international research profile in organometallic, radical, and supramolecular chemistry. She represented the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) community after winning the Falling Walls Lab MSCA event in Denmark, where 17 finalists competed during the MSCA Presidency Conference 2025. From over a hundred applications, she was selected among the top three winners to advance to the global stage — and has now achieved the top global prize, standing out among a hundred finalists from 82 international labs across 60 countries.  For the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, this recognition is especially significant, as it marks the first time a Marie Curie fellow has won the global Falling Walls Lab competition, highlighting the excellence and international impact of the MSCA community.

The Falling Walls Lab competition brings together emerging scientists and entrepreneurs from around the world to present their breakthrough ideas in just three minutes under the motto “Which are the next walls to fall?” The three top global winners are awarded the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2025 title in the Emerging Talents category, recognizing ideas with exceptional creativity, scientific rigor, and global impact. Falling Walls Lab is part of the prestigious Falling Walls Science Summit, which gathers leading scientists, innovators, and Nobel laureates every year in Berlin. Winning the global finale is an outstanding recognition of emerging scientific talent and creative science communication.

La entrada ICIQ researcher wins first place at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale in Berlin se publicó primero en ICIQ.

Dr. Edgar Gomes is a cell biologist whose work explores how the internal architecture of cells shapes their function, focusing on the organization and positioning of organelles, especially nuclei, in muscle cells. Currently based in Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine in Lisbon (Portugal) Dr. Gomes leads a research group studying how the spatial arrangement inside cells affects muscle development, performance, and disease. His discoveries have helped reveal that the position of the nucleus is not just a structural feature, but a key determinant of muscle function.

• Why is understanding the architecture of cells, how organelles are positioned or connected—so important for biology and medicine?

It’s very important because all these organelles within cells are responsible for different functions and activities. To understand how a cell works, you need to know how its organelles communicate and interact. Many diseases arise from miscommunication even within a single cell. Not all diseases, of course, but many dysfunctions have roots in this. So, understanding this communication has a big impact on our knowledge of disorders and diseases—and that really fascinates me.

• What makes skeletal muscle a fascinating model for studying cell organization?

What first drew me to skeletal muscle was my interest in where the nucleus is located inside a cell. Most cells have a single nucleus, and I started by studying this in fibroblasts. But muscle cells can have up to 600 or even 800 nuclei—so for someone studying nuclear positioning, it’s a paradise.

It’s also known that the position of nuclei in muscle cells is associated with muscle disorders. In fact, as early as the 1960s, when the first muscle biopsies were done for diagnostics, one of the key parameters was where the nuclei were located. That was part of how muscle disorders were defined, even though at the time it wasn’t clear whether it was a cause or a consequence. So skeletal muscle turns out to be the perfect system to study where nuclei are and what they do.

• How can studying cell architecture help us understand or treat muscle diseases?

I define cell architecture as how different organelles communicate and interact within the cell. Of course, the nucleus—the biggest organelle—is the one I’ve been most interested in, but all the internal scaffolding is crucial. Skeletal and cardiac muscles are particularly fascinating because they have this contractile machinery that constantly changes the cell’s shape and size to create force. That makes them perfect for studying how internal organization supports function. During my postdoc, I studied how fibroblasts polarize during migration—how they know where to go. We discovered that the nucleus moves to the back of the cell when it starts migrating. That observation led me to study nuclear positioning more deeply, and skeletal muscle became the ideal system for it.

The most important thing is choosing the right people. That’s not easy, and sometimes I think it’s a lot of serendipity

• What do you see as the biggest challenge in this field today?

I’d say one major breakthrough—rather than a challenge—was when our group, together with another team working in Drosophila, provided the strongest evidence that nuclear position is important for muscle function. That was a key finding. The challenge had been to prove that the position really matters, and we managed to do that.

• Technology has advanced rapidly in recent years. How has this changed the way you do research?

It changes everything. Sydney Brenner said,  “Progress in science depends on new techniques, new discoveries and new ideas, probably in that order.” He was a Nobel laureate who discovered the genetic code, and he understood that technology drives research. If you look back, that’s always true. Progress comes not only from scientists creating new tools, but also from researchers adopting technologies from other fields and applying them in new ways. There are countless examples of that.

• Your work involves many international collaborators. How do these partnerships shape your research?

A lot. One of the most beautiful things in science is interacting with people. Those interactions fuel discoveries and ideas. Talking to other scientists—sometimes even a short conversation after a seminar—can completely change your perspective. Many of my ideas were shaped by such exchanges.

• People might wonder why you chose to continue your research in Portugal instead of moving elsewhere, like the United States.

Actually, nobody has ever asked me that! I started my lab in Paris, but I’m Portuguese, and now that I’m back in Portugal, things are going very well. I’m happy here. Of course, it’s also nice to be close to home and to have a local impact through the training and mentoring I do. Culturally, I love Portugal, and I’m glad my kids are growing up here. I’ve lived five years in New York, five in Paris, and now ten in Portugal. Everywhere I’ve lived, I’ve met people from all over the world. There’s definitely a difference between northern and southern Europe, but also a shared European culture.

Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, we have a lot in common. Sometimes it’s even funny how similar things are; walking around a Spanish city, I often feel like I’m back home. Of course, not everything is perfect, like cars parked on sidewalks, but the atmosphere feels familiar. One thing I appreciate about southern Europe is the balance between rules and empathy. We like to solve problems pragmatically. That practicality, I think, is a strength.

• Do you think this southern European culture influences the way you do science?

Absolutely. For example, southern Europeans are often very creative and resourceful; we find ways to solve problems. Americans, in contrast, tend to be extremely hardworking and persistent, sometimes achieving results by brute force. Northern Europeans, on the other hand, tend to be more rigorous and structured. In southern Europe, sometimes we lack that same level of rigor, which isn’t ideal. I often remind my students that precision and discipline in writing and experimenting are essential. These are stereotypes, of course, but there’s some truth to them.

•  You mentioned your students. Do they work differently from how you did in the past?

Yes, very differently. Today, the output per hour is much higher thanks to new technologies. But the expectations are also much higher. Papers now require far more data than they did 30 years ago. We also tend to compare today’s students with how we remember ourselves, but that’s not always fair. Some of my students are more hardworking or more talented than I was at their age. Work–life balance is another difference. We often say it’s a new issue, but I think it’s part of a natural evolution. My parents used to work on Saturdays, it was normal then. Now it isn’t. Society has evolved, and that’s a good thing. People today can live decently without working extremely long hours, so why shouldn’t they? Every generation thinks the next one has it easier. That’s just part of getting older.

• How difficult is it to learn to be the leader of a team?

The most important thing is choosing the right people. That’s not easy, and sometimes I think it’s a lot of serendipity. The right match between person and project makes all the difference.

•  If you had unlimited time and resources, what kind of research would you do?

Honestly, I’d do exactly what I’m doing now. I’m very happy with my work. One thing I love is that my research depends on the people in my lab. I might have many ideas, but if I don’t have the right person for a particular project, it won’t happen. I don’t assign projects just to fill slots; I match them to people’s interests and strengths. So, my research evolves with the people around me. Some ideas take five, ten years to become reality. Others never happen. But that’s fine. It’s part of the process. I’m doing what I love, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

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.

The Energy Commission of the Association of Chemical Companies of Tarragona (AEQT) has visited the facilities of the ICIQ with the aim of getting to know first-hand the decarbonisation project coordinated by the centre, as well as the technological and research facilities it makes available to the industry.

During the conference, ICIQ representatives presented the centre’s main lines of work in the field of energy transition and sustainability, highlighting the European industrial decarbonisation project for energy-intensive industries that are difficult to reduce CO₂. A strategic initiative, together with Eurecat and the URV, which consists of 4 mobile test units to test new technologies for capturing and using CO2 and which has the potential to transform not only the industry of the territory, but of the whole country.

The members of the commission, energy managers of the companies of the Association of Chemical Companies of Tarragona, have been able to learn about the design of the plants and how their operation is planned, thanks to the explanations of the head of the Industrial Decarbonization Unit of the ICIQ, Dra. Júlia Viladoms, the director of Eurecat’s Singular Projects Unit, Agustí Chico, and the director of Cirauqui engineering, Ernesto Cirauqui.

The visit also allowed the members of the Energy Commission to learn about the scientific and technological capacities of the ICIQ, including the advanced research laboratories and the infrastructures to support collaborative projects with industry.

The visit is part of the ICIQ’s desire to promote projects with a real impact on society and the competitiveness of the territory, reinforcing its role as a European reference center in green chemistry.

La entrada The AEQT’s Energy Commission visits the ICIQ to learn about its decarbonisation project and research facilities se publicó primero en ICIQ.