Meet the team | ChemSynBio Lab

ABOUT ME

Publications

Group Leader

Benjamí Oller-Salvia

I am a devoted educator and researcher. My scientific interests lie in merging chemistry and synthetic biology to develop biomolecular tools for targeted therapies and biomedical applications. I am Associate Professor and ERC Researcher at IQS-URL, where I lead the research group on Chemical & Synthetic Biology for Biotherapies (ChemSynBio).

I am driven by the wish to achieve a better and more sustainable world by means of technological and social transformation. I love nature and enjoy it mostly through hiking and gardening.

Abbreviated CV

Senior Researcher

Cristina Díaz Perlas

I obtained my PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Barcelona, conducting the research at IRB Barcelona. Then, I moved to Switzerland for a 3-year postdoc at EPFL focussed on generating novel peptide-based therapeutics using phage display. At IQS, I am developing antibody-based therapies to selectively treat brain cancers supported by an MSCA-PF.

In my free time, I enjoy cycling, dancing and playing sports, as well as reading, painting and watching TV series.

Senior Researcher

Shambhavi Pandey

I earned my PhD in Biosystems Engineering from Seoul National University, focusing on nanopolymer synthesis and their gene-modulating applications within cancer and cancer stem cells, particularly addressing the blood-brain/tumor barrier. Currently, at IQS, I am involved in the ERC project OBGate.

During my free time, I relish listening to audiobooks, playing Sudoku and puzzles, as well as watching movies with my children and engaging in heartfelt conversations with close friends.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Nathanaël Rakotoarinoro

Originally from Occitania, I worked on disruptive ADC technologies based on non-canonical amino acids at Fraunhofer and obtained my doctorate in Pharmacy from the Freie Universität Berlin. At IQS, I aim to develop concepts based on conditionally active antibodies and antibody delivery across the BBB.

Besides work, I enjoy long night walks in Barcelona and discovering what the capital of Catalonia has to offer.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Eduardo Ruiz López

I am an enthusiastic researcher originally from Calatayud. I am passionate about the blood-brain barrier and neurooncology. I obtained my PhD degree by the University of Zaragoza pursuing research at the Aragón Health Research Institute. I am currently working on the ERC OBGate project to create an orthogonal gate to the brain.

I am fascinated to learn about different cultures and traditions elsewhere. Therefore, in my spare time, I enjoy traveling and visiting new places.

Predoctoral Researcher

Maria C. (Mace) Lucana Meneses

I am originally from Peru and I have pursued all my studies in Barcelona. I am a chemist and I am working on the development of peptides for biomedical applications. More precisely, I focus on the generation of cyclic peptides for the targeting of nanotherapeutics.

In my spare time, I enjoy embroidery, knitting, and drawing. I also like music; I play the clarinet and I am learning to play the guitar.

Predoctoral Researcher

Montserrat (Montse) Escobar Rosales

I am a biotechnologist from Mexico City. I am passionate about everything related to Medical Biotechnology, especially intended for cancer treatment. My work focuses on the development of activatable antibodies to direct therapies against brain tumors supported by "la Caixa" INPhINIT fellowship.

In my leisure time, I enjoy reading, drawing, learning new languages and knowing about other cultures. My favorite sport is swimming, but I also enjoy running and long walks surrounded by nature.

Predoctoral Researcher

Pedro Correia Canhao

I come from Portugal. I have a background in Biotechnology and in the past 10 years I have been working in several companies in Antibody Discovery. My career mission is to contribute to the discovery of new biological therapies. I’m pursuing an industrial PhD working on enhancing intein degradation and intracellular ligation of therapeutic proteins as part of a collaboration with the biotech company SpliceBio.

In my spare time, I play football and tennis, run and practice snowboard. I’m addicted to traveling; always planning my next destination.

Predoctoral Researcher

Pol Martín Chulio

I am a chemist and molecular biotechnologist with an interest in generating new pharmaceutics. I pursued my master's project at the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of Barcelona as JAE Intro ICU fellow. In my PhD project, I am working on the development of masked antibodies targeting metastatic cancer in collaboration with the biotech company ONA Therapeutics.

I enjoy sport-related activities such as running, hiking, cycling and riding horses. If you ever need someone to go on an adventure with, just let me know!

Predoctoral Researcher Aspirant

Adrià Puigdemont Gifra

I am a biologist and biotechnologist specializing in cellular and molecular biology. In my master's project, I worked on CRISPR optimization and protein degradation at UPF and IRB Barcelona. In my PhD, I will work on engineering new proteins to enhance drug transport into the brain.

When I'm not in the lab, you will most likely find me reading books or listening to alternative music... unless I have taken a flight to travel around the world.

Predoctoral Researcher Aspirant

Burcu Yaldiz

I received my bachelor's degree from the Department of Bioengineering at Ege University, Turkey. Then, I obtained a master’s degree working on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in the Biomimetic Microsystems Lab. In my PhD, I am working on the development of 3D in vitro models for the evaluation of drug delivery systems.

I'm a cinephile, so in my spare time I love discovering good movies and writing reviews about them. I also enjoy hiking and embroidery.

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Research Assistant

Daniel Cózar Mota

I come from Algeciras (Cádiz) and I am a biochemist and molecular biologist passionate about drug discovery and development. I have recently graduated with an MSc in Drug Discovery pursuing research at the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry (IQM-CSIC). I am currently involved in the development of peptides and antibodies combining my chemistry and biological backgrounds. I also assist in lab and project management tasks.

I enjoy doing all kinds of activities related to sports, such as lifting weights, hiking and volleyball. I also enjoy watching series and playing the piano.

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MSc candidate

Cristina Montaner

I have a background in Chemistry and I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at IQS. In ChemSynBio group, I am working on the design of activatable antibodies for targeted therapies.

In my spare time, I like reading good literature, and swimming. I have been playing the violin since I was 5 years old, and I have a special bond with classical music.

MSc candidate

Maria García Sagarra

I am a biotechnologist who enjoys combining bioinformatics with the wet lab to design and generate new biotherapies. I studied Biotechnology at IQS and, after a period at KU Leuven learning programming, I enrolled in the MSc in Bioengineering. I am delighted to participate in the design of conditionally-active antibodies in collaboration with Dr. Xevi Biarnés.

I enjoy reading, playing video games and volleyball, skating, photography and spending time teaching my pet. I believe smiling is an international language :)

MSc candidate

Benjamin Konecny

I come from the US and I graduated from the University of Amsterdam where I worked on photoswitchable ligands targeting GPCRs. I am currently enrolled in the master's degree in pharmaceutical chemisty at IQS. I am excited to explore the design of biotherapies with the ChemSynBio group through the ERC OBGate project.

I love any kind of sports, especially hiking in nature and lifting weights and also really enjoy trying different foods.

MSc candidate

Oscar Yael Perez Soria

I graduated from Biotechnology at Tec de Monterrey in Mexico City. I pursued research at Harvard Medical School working on microfluidics, tissue engineering, and 3D cellular spheroid models to better characterize brain cancer therapies. Additionally, I developed a passion for learning chemistry while working on the synthesis polymeric and lipid nanoparticles. At the ChemSynBio group I aim to apply these technologies to advance our targeted delivery projects.

In my free time, so I make the most of it by discovering the city, learning Catalan, eating, and cooking.

Former team members

PhD students

Roberta (Beba) Lucchi

Master students

Inés Peciña Vaquero

Noelia Hernández Lobato

Alejandro García Torrado

Marc Relats Camps

Maria C Lucana Menses

Sandra Prat Castro

Yolanda Arruga Torres