The PhD thesis was supervised by Francesc Teixidor i Bombardó, Institut de Ciència dels Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) and M. Isabel Romero García, Universitat de Girona (UdG).

The PhD Committee that evaluated the Thesis was formed by Rosario Núñez Aguilera, Institut de Ciència dels Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Barcelona (President), Jordi Poater Teixidor, ICREA, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona (Secretary) and Oscar Pamies Ollé, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona (Vocal).

Isabel Guerrero Troyano’s PhD thesis was part of the PhD Programme in Chemistry from the Universitat de Girona (UG).

Isabel Guerrero with the PhD Committee. | ICMAB

Why did you choose the ICMAB for your PhD?

I started a little period of practices joining the chemistry experience in LMI group when I finished my Chemistry degree.

How would you explain your research to a non-scientific audience?

My thesis is based on the use of catalysts based on compounds based on Boron, metals, carbon and hydrogen. These compounds, named metallabis(dicarbollides) accelerate the transformation of a substance to obtain precursor products of other high value-added products in the industry and that allow the activation of the circular economy.

What are the main applications of your research? Could you give us an example?

Green oxidation catalysis.

From the lessons learnt here, which one do you value the most?

Constancy and persistence in daily work.

What will you miss the most from ICMAB?

The daily meeting with the people of the LMI group.

How do you think this experience will contribute to your training and to your future?

This experience will allow me to advance in research based on inorganic chemistry.

What are your plans once you finish your PhD?

I hope to continue starting a postdoc at ICMAB.

What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your PhD, that you can recommend to the ones who are starting?

The doctorate is a stage that requires awareness of dedication and the need to assume one's own autonomy in chemical research.

Why did you become a scientist? Who have been your role models?

16 years ago I met chemistry by chance, talking to people who worked related to chemistry and I decided to undertake this adventure.

Who is your favourite female scientist? And why?

Marie Curie, because she was all about strength and overcoming and she fought a time when it was difficult for women to be taken into account, and that did not prevent her from sacrificing her life for science, because she was faithful to what she believed.

Isabel Guerrero with the PhD Committee and supervisors ICMAB

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