RSC Applied Polymers Blog

RSC Applied Polymers Prize

Marco Caliari (University of the Basque Country)

Marco Caliari completed his Bachelor studies at the University of Bologna in 2019 with a thesis on the development of biobased, super amphiphilic vitrimers carried out in an Erasmus framework at the University of Groningen. Interested in knowing more about sustainability and polymers, he enrolled at KU Leuven. After completing an Internship at the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Fribourg (CH) in the field of supramolecular polymers, he graduated in 2021 with a thesis exploring the synthesis of novel hyperbranched polymers with applications in catalysis. He is now MSCA Fellow in the NIPU-EJD framework working towards the development on new CO₂-derived 3D printable resins.

Chemical Science Prize

Marcin A. Majewski (University of Wroclaw)

I have a Masters and a PhD degree in organic chemistry, done in the group of Prof Marcin Stępień at the University of Wroclaw (Poland), where I am now pursuing my own research project as an Assistant Professor. In 2020-2022 I joined Prof Harry Anderson in Oxford as a Marie Currie Fellow to create novel, three-dimensional nanoarchitectures based on porphyrin subunits, which could be studied as models for energy and electron transfer, inspired by natural light-harvesting systems. Currently, I’m trying to merge the worlds of dendrimers and macrocycles to build large, aromatic systems by means of covalent templating.

Follow me on X (formerly know as Twitter) @MajewskiMarcinA for more, including collaboration opportunities.

Chemical Communications Prize

Marina González (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

My name is Marina González Sánchez, and I am currently in the final year of my PhD at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain, within the research group of Prof David González Rodríguez (MSMn). My research focuses on the development of new π-functional supramolecular materials. Specifically, I study how non-covalent interactions between nucleobases contribute to the formation of ordered supramolecular structures at the nanometric level. The main objective is the creation and improvement of properties in materials and organic systems through rational molecular ordering at the nanometric scale using supramolecular self-assembly tools.

Outside of my research, I enjoy sharing scientific insights on my X account @Marina_chem, where I occasionally discuss various scientific topics.

RSC Applied Polymers Poster Prize

James Wilford Caruana (University of Nottingham)

James Wilford Caruana, holding a Bachelors in Chemistry and Material Science from the University of Malta and a Masters in Bioengineering from the University of Nottingham. At Baxter Global, my focus was on renal and critical pediatric care, where I served as a Senior Medical Affairs Specialist from 2021 to 2022. Currently, a doctoral candidate at the University of Nottingham with the Centre for Additive Manufacturing and Irvine Group. My project focuses on the multi-material additive manufacturing of imageable pediatric medical devices.

Polymer Chemistry Poster Prize

Valena (Eleni) Axioti (University of Nottingham)

My name is Eleni Axioti, but I go by Valena. A chemist with a master’s degree in Cosmetic Science (Liverpool John Moores University), I’m currently in the second year of my PhD at the University of Nottingham. My research focuses on developing sustainable polymers for biomedical applications, particularly in the drug delivery area, under the supervision of Dr. Vincenzo Taresco. I’ve always been fascinated by the chemistry behind cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. After years working as a beauty advisor, pharmaceutical assistant, completing a related internship at the University of Bologna (Italy), two placements in leading cosmetic industries, and a job as a pharmaceutical analyst, I’m ready to explore new opportunities in the academic world! In my free time, I enjoy traveling and sharing skincare advice on my Instagram page.