The ‘Defect Engineering of Responsive Advanced Materials‘ research group was started in 2024 thanks to the Junior Leader ‘La Caixa’ Fellowship.
We are a small and welcoming research group based at the Institute of Molecular Science of the University of Valencia. Come and DREAM with us!!
Our research focuses on the development and modulation of advanced reticular materials with potential applications in healthcare and the environment. We specialize in Multivariate Modulation (MTVM), an innovative synthetic approach that combines heterogeneity and defect engineering to introduce specific functionalities into these materials. Through this technique, we create structures with larger and more complex pores, enhancing properties such as reactivity and porosity while maintaining structural stability. Additionally, we study the mechanisms of nucleation and crystallization in situ to control the self-assembly process of materials and tailor their properties for specific applications. Our research encompasses applications in water contaminant filtration, energy generation through photocatalysis, and controlled drug release, addressing global challenges such as access to clean energy, potable water, and more effective medical treatments.
Research Team
If you are interested in joining our Research Team, please get in touch at isabel.abanades@uv.es
We do not have any position currently available but we are happy to support applications to national and international programs.
We will have a Laboratory Assistant position open for 2026 (1 Year)
Team members
Carmen Rosales Martinez
PhD candidate 2023-2027
Carmen Rosales Martínez is currently a PhD candidate under Dr Isabel Abánades Lázaro supervision at the Institute of Molecular Science of the University of Valencia. She is studying the growth of multivariate modulated Metal-Organic Frameworks.
Carmen graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Granada in July 2023. During her degree, Carmen did a research internship with Prof. Juan Niclós-Gutiérrez laboratory, where she later developed her bachelor’s thesis entitled “Molecular recognition between the chelate copper(II)-thiodiacetate and a synthetic nucleoside adenine derivative” which resulted on a published paper on Molecules as a first author (doi.org/10.3390/molecules28155830). She also undertook a research stay at the Laboratory of Crystallographic Studies (LEC) IACT-CSIC to develop new skills such as solving crystalline structures under the supervision of Duane Choquesillo-Lazarte (3 months in 2023) and she participated in three different conferences, including two oral communications at an international congress (ISMEC 2022 and ISMEC 2023) and a poster communication at a national congress (BioGranada 2023). She also joined the MOF summer school.
Carmen is working on the defect-engineering of multivariate modulated MOFs.
We are so happy to have you in the group!!
Nadia Medina Díez
Bachelor’s final year researcher 2024-2025
Nadia is in the final year of the double Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Physics at the University of Valencia (2020-2025). She is working on the ‘Stimuli-responsive multivariate modulated MOFs: towards smart applications’. Welcome to the group!
Paula Martín Calero
Bachelor’s final year researcher 2024-2025
Paula is in the final year of the Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Valencia (2021-2025). She is working on the ‘Multivariate modulated MOFs for real water detoxification’. Welcome to the group!
Alumni
Raúl Toledo
Internship for the degree of laboratory technician 2024
Raúl was working with us for his internship (400h) to get the degree accreditation of laboratory technitian. He worked on the application of multivariate modulated MOFs for water decontamination and shortly after he secured a Research technician job at ANIA. Well done Raúl!