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What are you most passionate about in your research?
As a 'material expert' (Degree and PhD in Materials Science), my research has always been multidisciplinary, in a rather cutting-edge framework of topics. Therefore, I have always found it extremely stimulating to be able to carry out scientific work without being confined to my own field of study, and to be able to work with colleagues from very different backgrounds, in a continuous exchange of ideas that has provided me with new and fascinating research ideas, as well as answers to questions until then unanswered.

Have you always known that this was going to be your path?
During my time at university, I had the chance to interact with a variety of organisations operating in both basic scientific research and technological development. Therefore, given the type of academic training I received, I have always wanted to work in a research centre, be it a scientific institution or a company with a strong technological impact. The opportunity to do research at the university more than fulfilled the prospects I had set for myself.

What do teaching and researching mean to you?
Teaching and researching are inseparably linked in academia. I think that teaching lets you develop an inclination to communicate the results of scientific research in a rigorous and timely manner, and that the exchange with students can generate new ideas for the development of your own research. On the other hand, scientific activity often leads to insights that can enrich lectures and perhaps inspire some students to pursue a career in research.