My research focuses on the broad study, development, and application of biological materials and engineering systems. In 2014 I was awarded the world’s most outstanding young researcher in materials science by the Bayer Foundation, in 2015 one of the ten Asia Innovators Under 35 by MIT, and in 2016 one of the top innovators in sustainability by the Launch Organization (NASA, U.S. Agency for International Development, and U.S. Department of State). I have also been awarded with the Zwick Science Award for my studies on Mechanical Testing, and best PhD thesis at the University of Barcelona for studies in the use of biopolymers in Microelectronics and Biomedicine.
After my Ph.D, I moved to MIT, where I developed the “Micro-Masonry”, a technology to assemble artificial organs and recognized as “breakthrough in tissue engineering” (CNET). Later, I moved to the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, where I designed and made “Shrilk“, a compostable and biocompatible material inspired by the insect cuticle. Shrilk is referred, for example, to as “one of the materials that will change the future of manufacturing” (Scientific American), a “Supermaterial” (National Geographic), and has been chosen (with graphene and metamaterials) one of the “five material that could change the word” (The Guardian).
My opinions and views on scientific issues and environmental policies have been covered in personal interviews, documentaries, and articles of National Geographic, BBC, PBS, FOX, Euronews, Discovery Channel, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Scientific American…
