Tiago Nunes
Institution:
PLUX Biosignals
Secondment institution:
Università degli studi di Parma
Tiago holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2018) and a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering (2020) from Sorbonne Université. During his master’s studies, he participated in the EIT Health’s MTiH European program, focusing on healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship, and contributed to the development of a biosignals acquisition device during his internship. From 2021 to 2024, he worked at PLUX as part of the EU-funded ITN Eternity project, where he developed new EMI management guidelines for wireless wearable medical devices in SMEs. As of 2024, Tiago works full time as a Research Fellow while he completes his PhD thesis in Biomedical Engineering. During his secondment from PLUX to the University of Parma (April 1 to June 30, 2023), Tiago focused on advancing the use of 3D printing technologies for biomedical applications. Under the guidance of Dr. Roberta and Prof. Corrado, Tiago deepened his understanding of various 3D printing techniques available at UniPr’s laboratories, where these technologies are used for vitrimers development, allowing the creation of custom-manufactured samples with specific, tailored properties. Observing how Dr. Roberta’s team uses 3D printing to modify polymer properties, inspired Tiago to investigate conductive polylactic acid (PLA). As one of the most popular 3D printing materials, PLA can be modified to increase its electrical conductivity—achieved by incorporating carbon black into its composition. This enhanced conductive PLA opens up a broad range of applications, particularly in biomedical engineering. Using this knowledge, Tiago explored conductive PLA in the context of sensing technologies, specifically developing and experimenting with ECG sensors and electrodes made from this advanced material. This work highlighted the potential for conductive PLA in healthcare-related sensing technologies, demonstrating a promising direction for future biomedical engineering advancements.
Rui Varandas
Institution:
PLUX Biosignals
Secondment institution:
Università degli studi di Parma
Rui earned his Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 2018. He began his career as an Assistant Researcher at Fraunhofer Portugal. Subsequently, he pursued his PhD at PLUX, completing it in 2023. Since 2024, Rui has been employed as a software developer at ITGest Portugal. Rui was on secondment from PLUX to UniPr from June 1st to November 30th, 2023. During his secondment he continued João Rodrigues’s research within the VIT project, focusing on using vitrimers for biosignals monitoring, especially relevant to PLUX’s work. During his secondment, he worked on VOC detection methods for lung cancer, conductive polymers for biosignals, and sensors for unmonitored biosignals (e.g., electrolyte levels in saliva, sweat, and urine). In collaboration with Dr. Roberta’s team at Parma University, Rui gained insights into chemical biosensing while sharing biosignal acquisition knowledge with the team. This exchange aims to leverage vitrimers’ biocompatibility, regeneration, and flexibility for sustainable, single-use biosignal electrodes. Additionally, Rui explored electrochemical and microfluidic sensors integrated with BITalino for continuous chemical monitoring of physiological parameters. This aligned with the VIT project’s sustainability goals, highlights the potential of vitrimers for creating reusable, biocompatible electrodes, offering PLUX insights into expanding BITalino’s chemical sensing capabilities.
João Rodrigues
Institution:
PLUX Biosignals
Secondment institution:
Università degli studi di Parma
João holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Universidade Nova de Lisboa. He holds a strong background in signal processing, machine learning and data visualization. He has held positions as a Signal Processing Researcher at the Biosignals Lab – LIBPHYS – FCT UNL and as a Lab Assistant teaching practical and laboratory classes in physics. Rodrigues has received several awards and distinctions, including a Fulbright Scholarship and a Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg Scholarship. João is currently working as a Research Engineer at the Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (TEG), focusing on machine learning, algorithm development, and high-performance computing. He is also involved in projects related to agriculture waste pyrolysis and textile engineering for fabric analysis. João completed a secondment from PLUX to UniPr from April 1st to July 21st, 2023. During this secondment, he research volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as potential lung cancer biomarkers. This study analyzed VOC samples from lung tissue—34 cancerous and 24 healthy samples—collected at the University Hospital of Parma. The goal was to identify VOC patterns that could distinguish between healthy and tumor cells, potentially aiding in noninvasive cancer diagnostics. Additionally, the student explored conductive polymers as alternatives to traditional gel electrodes for physiological signal recording, relevant to wearable technology. By investigating materials like polyaniline (PANi), polypyrrole (PPy), and PEDOT for their conductivity and biocompatibility, the research focused on developing dry electrodes that enhance comfort and reduce skin irritation, with applications in future biomedical devices.
Nils Pellinger
Institution:
University of Vienna
Secondment institution:
MIT
Nils carried out his master studies at the University of Vienna, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of organic molecules and coordination compounds. During his studies, he completed several internships in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry (e.g. at Thermo-Fisher Scientific and GE Healthcare). Nils is currently pursuing a PhD in the Bonifazi research group at the University of Vienna, focusing on the development of novel BN-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) architectures. From May to November 2023, he completed a research stay with Prof. Timothy M. Swager at the MIT, supported by a MSCA staff exchange grant through the VIT-project. His work at MIT centered on the synthesis of microporous polymers containing BN-doped PAH-chromophores.
Emilia Rita Serrano
Institution:
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA) - Centro de Investigaciones Ópticas (CIOp)
Secondment institution:
University of Vienna
Emilia was born in La Plata, Argentina. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, along with a degree as a chemical technician, at the Faculty of Exact Sciences at the National University of La Plata. During her studies, she conducted a research on electron transfer photonic processes between redox-active proteins and transition metal complexes, mentored by Dr. Pedro M. David Gara, as part of her Bachelor’s Degree Final Project. In April 2022, Emilia started her PhD in Chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Gustavo T. Ruiz and Dr. Pedro M. David Gara, focusing on photochemical studies of coordination compounds. Her research aims to assess their potential applications in the photosensitized decomposition of emerging pollutants in natural waters, contributing to the advancement of sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. In April 2024, she started a secondment at the University of Vienna in the Bonifazi Group, working on electrochromic devices, materials that change color in response to electrical stimulation, which makes them highly useful in applications such as smart windows, displays, and energy-efficient systems. During her time in the Bonifazi Group, Emilia is dedicated to the synthesis, preparation, and testing of electrochromic inks. And her work involves developing formulations that can be used to create flexible and responsive devices.
Pablo Nicolás Muzzio
Institution:
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) – Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE)
Secondment institution:
University of Vienna
Pablo was born in Concepción del Uruguay, Argentina. He completed his training as a Mechanical Electrical Technician at EET Nro 2 Francisco Ramírez and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Safety and Hygiene at the National Technological University of Buenos Aires. In 2005, he began his career at a construction company, gaining hands-on experience in various trades, including plumbing, electricity, gas installation, painting, welding, and building. After a few years, Pablo transitioned to freelance work, showcasing his skills and independence. In March 2021, he joined the IMBICE as a technician, where he undertook a range of responsibilities, from painting to single-handedly constructing a biological lab. From 2019 to 2022, Pablo also participated in an extensive electricity course, where he learned about residential and industrial installations, regulations, alternative energy sources, and air conditioning systems, among other topics. In 2024, he embarked on a secondment at the University of Vienna, collaborating with the Bonifazi Group on electrochromic devices—materials that change color in response to electrical stimulation, and helped with various technical activities.
Terézia Morávková
Institution:
University of Vienna
Secondment institution:
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al- Sultan Abdullah
Terézia Morávková received master’s degree in Organic Chemistry (2020) at Charles University in Prague. Her bachelor’s and master’s thesis projects were focused on the enantioselective formal synthesis of natural compounds with the special focus on enantioselective allylation under the supervision of prof. M. Kotora. Terézia joined Bonifazi group as a Ph.D. student in November 2020 and her work is focused on the light trigered production of albulin by S. pombe. Previously, during her high-school studies, she did one year of a study exchange in the USA, Michigan and during her bachelor studies, she did an Erasmus exchange in Finland (University of Helsinki).
Cristian De Luca
Institution:
University of Vienna
Secondment institution:
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al- Sultan Abdullah
Cristian De Luca did his bachelor thesis entitled “New organocatalyzer with point chirality” in 2018 under the supervision of Prof. Armando Carlone at the Università degli Studi Dell’Aquila. He enrolled in a master degree in the same university and he did 4 months internship in the University of Vienna under supervision of Prof. Davide Bonifazi and Prof. Armando Carlone (Università degli Studi Dell’Aquila) in the framework of his master thesis “Design and synthesis of porous organic frameworks for photocatalysis”. Cristian achieved his master degree in chemistry in October 2020 with a final score of 110/110 cum laude. In February 2021 he moved to Vienna, where he started his Ph.D. in chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Davide Bonifazi, working on the synthesis of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons oligomers doped with O-atoms for applications in photocatalysis and in optoelectronic devices.
Ulises Martin Casado
Institution:
INTEMA – CONICET
Secondment institution:
Chalmers University of Technology
Ulises Casado graduated as a chemical engineer from the University of Mar del Plata in 2008 and undertook postgraduate studies in Materials Science at the same institution. Since 2012 he has worked as a specialist in the Rheology laboratory at INTEMA, where he has acquired extensive experience in the rheological analysis of various polymeric, ceramic and bio systems due to the great diversity of topics covered by INTEMA. Since 2019 he has joined the study of vitrimeric systems led by Dr. Williams and Dr. Hoppe.
Tomas Eduardo Byrne Prudente
Institution:
INTEMA (UNMdP-CONICET)
Secondment institution:
Chalmers University of Technology
Tomas Byrne graduated as Materials Engineer from the National University of La Plata and is currently a PhD student in Materials Science at the National University of Mar del Plata under the direction of PhD Facundo Altuna and PhD Cristina Hoppe. He obtained a doctoral fellowship in strategic topics to work on self-healing materials based on covalent and supramolecular bonds with applications in additive manufacturing technologies at INTEMA (CONICET-UNMdP). In 2024, he completed a stay at Chalmers University in the Müller’s research group to work on rheological and mechanical-dynamic characterization of vitrimers subjected to different moisture environments.
Julieta Puig
Institution:
INTEMA (UNMdP-CONICET)
Secondment institution:
Università di Trieste
Julieta Puig obtained her B.Sc. in Chemistry (2009) and her PhD in Materials Science (2014) from the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP, Argentina). Her doctoral work focused on developing tailor-made polymeric matrices, modifying them with various hydrophobic modifiers to create functional materials with technological properties. She also worked in the generation of novel nanostructures of block copolymers in an epoxy monomer via photo- and thermal polymerization (during her postdoc). She currently works as an Associate Researcher at INTEMA-CONICET. Her main research interest is the development of functional nanostructured materials based on polymeric matrices and inorganic nanostructures (graphene oxide, vanadium dioxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes) with special optical and thermal properties with applications in smart windows, sensors, microfluidic devices, and other smart material, etc.
Jesica Micaela Herrera
Institution:
INTEMA (CONICET-UNMdP)
Secondment institution:
Università degli Studi di Parma
Jesica Micaela Herrera is a Chemical Engineer from the Faculty of Engineering at UNMdP. She was born in Mar del Plata and is currently pursuing her PhD in Materials Science with a CONICET scholarship at INTEMA (CONICET-UNMdP) under the direction of PhD Maria José Galante and PhD Elisabeth Penoff. Her work involves the development of smart coatings based on polymeric networks with chromophores that have multifunctional characteristics such as self-repair and reversible etching. In 2023, she completed a stay in Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy, to study the reversibility mechanisms of urethanes in vitrimeric matrices.
Ileana Alicia Zucchi
Institution:
Materials Science and Technology Research Institute (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP) / National Research Council (CONICET)
Secondment institution:
Universität Wien
I have a degree in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Mar del Plata (Argentina). I currently have a research position in the National Research Council (CONICET, Argentina), carrying out research activities at the Materials Science and Technology Research Institute (INTEMA, Mar del Plata, Argentina). My research focuses on the design and development of functional nanostructured polymers based on block copolymer self-assembly.
Hernán Esteban Romeo
Institution:
Materials Science and Technology Research Institute (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP) / National Research Council (CONICET)
Secondment institution:
Università degli Studi di Trieste
I have a degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Mar del Plata (Argentina). I currently have a research position in the National Research Council (CONICET, Argentina), carrying out research activities at the Materials Science and Technology Research Institute (INTEMA, Mar del Plata, Argentina). My field of interest covers the development of functional porous platforms, with focus on the application of porous structures on bio-electrochemical systems and polymer science.
Facundo Ignacio Altuna
Institution:
INTEMA (UNMdP-CONICET)
Secondment institution:
Università de Parma
Facundo I. Altuna graduated as a Chemical Engineer in 2006 and obtained his PhD in Materials Science in 2012, both at the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP, Argentina). His PhD thesis focused on developing and characterizing epoxy foams, replacing the commercial synthetic epoxy resin by epoxidized soybean oil. His postdoctoral work dealt with self-healable epoxy polymers, specifically epoxy vitrimers, and their nanocomposites. He currently works as an Associate Researcher at INTEMA-CONICET, and as a Teaching Assistant at the Physics Department in the Engineering Faculty of the UNMdP. His main research interest is the development of epoxy vitrimers with applications as composite matrices for lightweight components, protective coatings, adhesives, among others.
Exequiel Rodríguez
Institution:
Materials Science and Technology Research Institute (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP) / National Research Council (CONICET)
Secondment institution:
Università degli Studi di Trieste
I have a degree in Materials Engineering and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Mar del Plata (Argentina). Currently, I am Associate Professor in the Materials Engineering Department (Engineering Faculty, University of Mar del Plata) and have a staff researcher position for CONICET (National Research Council) at the Materials Science and Technology Research Institute (INTEMA, Mar del Plata, Argentina). My field of interest is mainly focused on the development of high-performance polymer composite materials for aerospace and energy applications
Walter Fabian Schroeder
Institution:
Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET)
Secondment institution:
University of Vienna
Walter Schroeder was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in 1972. He graduated in Chemistry (2001) from the University of Mar del Plata, where he also obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Science (2006) working on the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects involved in the formation of vinyl ester thermosets modified with thermoplastics. He was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, studying polymer diffusion by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). Currently, he is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Mar del Plata (Argentina), and a staff researcher for CONICET (National Research Council). He is a member of the Nanostructured Polymers Group at INTEMA (Institute of Materials Science and Technology). His main research interests focus on the formation and applications of functional nanostructured polymers.
Cristina Elena Hoppe
Institution:
Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET)
Secondment institution:
University of Vienna and University of Trieste
Cristina E. Hoppe was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1975. She graduated in Chemistry (2000) from the University of Mar del Plata, where she also received her Ph.D. in Materials Science (2004) working on polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) under the supervision of Prof. Roberto J. J. Williams (Institute of Materials Science and Technology, INTEMA, UNMdP/CONICET). Between 2004 and 2007, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Nanotechnology and Magnetism Group), funded by an Antorchas fellowship (Argentina) and a Marie Curie European Postdoctoral Fellowship (International Incoming Fellowship, 6th Framework Program). Her research topic was the arrangement of nanoparticles in polymer multiphasic systems. She is currently a staff researcher (Investigadora Principal, CONICET) at the Nanostructured Polymers Group at INTEMA (Institute of Materials Science and Technology). She has led several research projects in the field of polymers and nanomaterials and is currently leading the Mar del Plata (Argentina) node of the VIT Project. She has also participated as an Argentina representative in official international cooperation missions to the USA, Portugal, Italy, Mexico, and South Africa in the framework of I+D cooperation agreements in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Her main research interests are related to the design, processing, and application of functional and self-healing polymers and nanocomposites.
Ergang Wang
Institution:
Chalmers University of Technology
Secondment institution:
MIT
Dr. Ergang Wang is a full professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology. He was promoted to full professor in 2023, after having been a professor since 2019. His academic path at Chalmers includes previous roles as an Associate Professor (2016-2019) and Assistant Professor (2012-2016), as well as a postdoctoral fellowship in the same department from 2008 to 2011. He holds a PhD in Materials Science, awarded in 2008, and completed his Docentship in 2015. Professor Wang has been recognized with a Wallenberg Academy Fellowship in 2017, which was prolongated in 2022. His academic journey has also included enriching experiences as a visiting researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2016-2017), and MIT (2024). His primary research interests focus on the development of innovative conjugated polymers, 2D materials, and graphene-like materials, with applications spanning organic solar cells, photodetectors, light-emitting electrochemical cells, electrochromic devices, photocatalytic hydrogen production, supercapacitors, and thermal management. His work is characterized by a strong emphasis on green energy and sustainable development.
Alessandro Torri
Institution:
University of Parma
Secondment institution:
Udelar and MIT
Alessandro Torri graduated in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Parma in July 2021, under the supervision of Prof. Arturo Arduini. His thesis focused on the synthesis of calix[6]arene based molecular containers for the complexation of viologen salts. After the graduation, Alessandro started a PhD position in Prof. Pinalli’s group, where he currently works on the development of self-diagnostic reprocessable covalent adptable networks and on reprocessable photo-activated liquid crystal elastomers.
Francesco Rispoli
Institution:
University of Parma
Secondment institution:
University of Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
Francesco Rispoli was born in Manerbio (Italy) in 1992. After obtaining a Master’s degree from the University of Parma (2018), he joined the group of Prof. Francesco Sansone as a postgraduate fellowship founded by NATO. During this fellowship he worked on functionalization on carbon nanotubes and germanium nanowires for nitro aromatic explosive detection. He obtained his PhD in 2022 under the supervision of Prof. Alessandro Casnati at the University of Parma writing a thesis entitled “Upper rim functionalized calixarenes: from dissipative control to biological application.” In November 2022 he started a research grant under the supervision of Prof Enrico Dalcanale and Roberta Pinalli based on Innovative Thermosetting composites, vitrimeric materials and polymer of intrinsic microporosity.
Martina Torelli
Institution:
Bormioli Pharma
Secondment institution:
UniVie
Martina Torelli graduated in Chemistry at the University of Parma in 2014 under the supervision of Prof. Enrico Dalcanale; her thesis focused on the Self-assembly of Tb Double Decker-based Single Molecule Magnets on Silicon. In 2017, Martina got a PhD in Material Science in the research group of Prof. Enrico Dalcanale at the University of Parma with a thesis on synthesis and characterization of polymers with molecular auxetic properties. During PhD scholarship, Martina spent a 6-months period as visiting student at the Institut de Science et d’Ingegnérie Supramoléculaire in Strasbourg in the research group of Prof. Luisa De Cola. In 2018, Martina got a 1-year post-doctoral research fellowship as part of the collaboration between University of Parma and Bormioli Pharma. From 2019, Martina works in Bormioli Pharma as product validation & testing specialist.
Michele Siena
Institution:
University of Parma
Secondment institution:
CONICET
Michele Siena graduated in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Parma in April 2021, under the supervision of Prof. Roberta Pinalli. His thesis focused on the synthesis of tetraphosphonate cavitands functionalized at the lower rim with groups suitable for surface anchoring. After the graduation, Michele secured a position as an early-career researcher in Prof. Pinalli’s group, where he currently works on the development of epoxy-based self-diagnostic vitrimers.