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Natalia Spera, developing self-healing materials to enhance corrosion protection capabilities

Natalia Spera, developing self-healing materials to enhance corrosion protection capabilities

Natalia joined INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory as a Research Engineer in the Nanochemistry Research Group. She is currently working on synthesising, characterising, and applying sustainable coatings with self-healing solutions.  Can you give us an update on what you’re currently working on? I am currently working on the development of self-healing materials to enhance corrosion protection capabilities and extend the longevity of offshore structures within the MAREWIND Project. My responsibilities encompass researching and developing core-shell nanofibers and microcapsules feasible for application in liquid coating formulations. Our solution entails having an autonomous healing response when the coating is damaged. Recently, we achieved a significant milestone by successfully scaling up our innovative self-healing materials for application in a 100-litre batch, marking a crucial step forward in transitioning laboratory technology to industry. Could you briefly describe what a typical day looks like for you, Natalia, and what aspects of your work and the INL organization excite you the most? Certainly! A typical day for me involves a dynamic mix of laboratory experiments, data analysis, and collaboration with colleagues. I usually begin with hands-on lab activities that occupy a significant portion of my day. Subsequent data analysis is also an exhilarating aspect, as […]

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João Braga, working on the valorisation of mining by-products and used batteries

João Braga, working on the valorisation of mining by-products and used batteries

Meet João Braga. He joined the Nanochemistry research group at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory as a Research Engineer in January 2024 and is currently working on the Electrochemical investigation and valorization of lithium hydroxide and carbonate from mining. He holds a B.Sc. degree (2016) in Bioengineering from Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro and an M.Sc. degree (2020) in Biomedical Engineering from the same university. Could you provide some insights into your background and primary focus in your field of work? I have a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering oriented towards biomaterials. My master’s thesis consisted of using electrochemical techniques to implement room-temperature prepared gold nanoparticles as enhancing agents in an aptasensor. These particles showed a very promising behaviour in oxygen a hydrogen peroxide reduction, which could be an added value to optimize mining techniques. I joined the INL Nanochemistry group aiming towards the valorisation of mining by-products and used batteries through the recovery of metals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, which have been gaining market value due to the growing battery industry, to effectively reintroduce these materials in the chain of value and thus minimize the environmental footprint of their […]

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INL hosts the 3-Minute Thesis competition, showcasing Doctoral Research talent

INL hosts the 3-Minute Thesis competition, showcasing Doctoral Research talent

Last week, INL organised its highly anticipated Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, providing an exciting showcase of doctoral research excellence. The 3MT is an initiative that celebrates the exciting research conducted by INL PhD candidates. The 3MT aims to develop early stage researchers’ presentation and research communication skills. It provides support for PhD candidates to effectively explain their research and its significance in just three minutes, using language suitable for a non-specialist audience. Embracing the challenge of condensing months/years of rigorous study into a mere three minutes, 24 PhD candidates from diverse research areas at INL stepped up to the INL auditorium, aiming to captivate the audience of 100+ attendees. The three rounds were held on March 26th, 27th, and 28th. After intense deliberation, the top five candidates were nominated, with their presentations showcasing both academic rigor and compelling storytelling. Alexandra Alves, PhD candidate in the Quantum and Linear-Optical Computation group, highlighted the significance of accessible science communication, stating, “As PhD students we often present our work to expert audiences, but more approachable science communication is lacking. So it was both challenging and fun to try to condense my research topic into 3 minutes and for a diverse crowd.” For […]

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Sadaf Almas, effective audit facilitation and continuous improvement initiatives

Sadaf Almas, effective audit facilitation and continuous improvement initiatives

We aim to shine a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of women at INL spanning different fields and career stages. Join us as we honour their accomplishments, share their stories, and ignite inspiration for the upcoming generation of female scientists. Meet Sadaf Almas. She works as a Quality systems Assistant in the Quality and Coordination unit at INL and she coordinates and inspects the core departments at INL to ensure the quality management systems consistency in terms of quality, validity, and reliability with study bases, facility-based and process-based approaches. Can you give us an update on what you’re currently working on? In my role within the Quality department, I play a crucial role in ensuring adherence to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, particularly in the context of Nanosafety laboratories. My primary responsibility revolves around facilitating GLP audits, employing principles established by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). First and foremost, I work closely with Nanosafety to develop comprehensive audit schedules aligned with OECD guidelines. This involves collaborating with INLers to ensure that all pertinent aspects of GLP are covered, from facility infrastructure to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and data management protocols. Before conducting audits, I review existing documentation […]

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Alexandra Teixeira, developing diagnostic tools tailored for accurate MRD diagnosis

Alexandra Teixeira, developing diagnostic tools tailored for accurate MRD diagnosis

Welcome to a new series of interviews highlighting the indispensable role of women in science. Throughout this series, we aim to showcase the remarkable contributions of women scientists across various disciplines and career stages. From groundbreaking research to innovative discoveries, these interviews will provide insight into the diverse and impactful work of women in the scientific community. Join us as we celebrate their achievements, share their stories, and inspire future generations of female scientists. Meet Alexandra Teixeira, PhD Student at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. Recently defended her PhD thesis entitled: “Development of microfluidic nano biosensors for early diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia and monitoring of minimal residual disease” with the highest grade. Could you provide some insights into your background, your primary field of expertise, and the significance of your work? My educational journey started with a degree in Biology and Geology at the University of Minho. However, driven by a passion for health-related sciences, I did a master’s degree and later a PhD in Health Sciences at the School of Medicine, also at the University of Minho. Throughout my career, particularly during PhD, I gained expertise in microfluidics, surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS), and next-generation sequencing (NGS). […]

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Nano Circus: the amazing experience of arts & science

Nano Circus: the amazing experience of arts & science

Last Friday evening, INL hosted the Nano Circus, an extraordinary event that combined nanotechnology and circus arts, in a dazzling show of creativity and collaboration. Nano Circus showcased the culmination of a transformative artistic residency by the Equilibrium Social Circus team at INL. The Director General of INL Professor Clivia Sotomayor, took the stage to officially inaugurate the celebration, emphasising INL’s commitment to making the wonders of nanotechnology accessible to diverse communities. In July, the Equilibrium Social Circus team was invited to visit INL for an exciting artistic residency, fostering the exchange of knowledge. Sara Leite, project coordinator at Projecto Homem, gave a few words before the show “Equilibrium Social Circus is a social project dedicated to preventing behavioural issues in adolescence through Social Circus, an innovative approach merging circus arts and social intervention to act as a catalyst for psychosocial transformation”. These students weren’t passive observers – they were the architects of the Nano Circus. With guidance from their mentor Rodolfo Correia, they explored INL’s laboratories, delving into the microscopic world of nanotechnology and interacting with scientists. INL researchers Adriana Carneiro, Andrea Gouvêa, José Loché, and Duarte Mota, shared their scientific expertise, and the Equilibrium Social Circus team shared […]

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Wrapping Up 2023: People

Wrapping Up 2023: People

We appreciate and recognize the contributions of the scientific community and our researchers. All INLers play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the world, driving innovation, and solving complex problems. Your dedication and hard work contribute to improvements in Advanced Materials and Computing, Clean Energy, Food for the Future, Precise Personalised Health Tech, Smart Digital Nano-systems, and Sustainable Environment.  Join us on this ride and remember all the interviews carried out throughout the year. Helena Macedo, a woman with a love for science and a scientist with a love for life Meet Helena Macedo, Research Fellow in the Food Processing and Nutrition research group. She works in the field of in vitro intestinal models, and she focused her research on the development of in vitro models that simulate the gastrointestinal tract to evaluate the safety and efficiency of nanostructures for food applications. Read the full interview >> Meet Marta Prado, the first Postdoctoral Researcher to arrive at our facilities when INL was built Marta Prado is the group leader of the Food Quality and Safety Research Group (FQ&S) at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. Her research interests are the development of new, fast and reliable detection methodologies combining molecular biology and nano- and […]

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Nine INL researchers ranked in the top 2% of scientists worldwide

Nine INL researchers ranked in the top 2% of scientists worldwide

Nine INL researchers received recognition by Stanford University, placing them among the top 2% of scientists worldwide. Stanford University recently published its global list of renowned scientists in various fields on October 10, 2022. Stanford University established an accessible database featuring highly cited scientists, offering standardised details on citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions and a composite indicator (c-score). This data is available separately for assessing career-long impact and the impact achieved in the year 2022. Notably, the following members from INL have earned a place on the ‘World Ranking Top 2% Scientists’ list for 2022: Joaquín Fernadéz-Rossier, Laura Salonen, Lifeng Liu, Miguel Cerqueira, Sanna Sillankorva, Victor Souza, Zhongchang Wang, Nuno Peres, and Paulo Ferreira. Congratulations for this remarkable achievement! For the complete list, you can visit the following link.

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Recruitment for the post of INL Deputy Director-General

Recruitment for the post of INL Deputy Director-General

The Council of INL is seeking an experienced and strategy-oriented person to serve as INL’s next Deputy Director-General to succeed Prof. Paulo Freitas. A key element in the organization, the DDG will coordinate and prepare, alongside the Director-General, long-term plans that meet INL’s mission. As an important bridge throughout INL’s community, analysing critically, providing guidance and inspiring others to collectively achieve common goals are some of the core responsibilities of the role. The Deputy Director-General will collaborate closely with the Director-General (DG) to shape strategic direction and offer impactful leadership, enhancing the Laboratory’s reach, excellence, and commitment to cutting-edge nanotechnology research, as set forth in the INL 2030 Strategic Vision. This role involves driving innovation, engaging industry leaders, and nurturing relationships across government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions. The ideal candidate should possess a distinguished track record in research, development, and innovation, complemented by proven leadership in steering high-performance teams. About INL At INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, located in Braga (North of Portugal), scientists and engineers from all over the world work in a highly interdisciplinary environment and strive to make INL become a worldwide hub for the deployment of Nanotechnology, addressing society’s grand challenges. The INL […]

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