Nanoscale Horizons 10th Anniversary ‘Community Spotlight’ – Meeting our Advisory board.
Introducing the Nanoscale Horizons Advisory board!
This year we are pleased to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Nanoscale Horizons. We are so grateful to our fantastic community of authors, reviewers, Board members and readers and wanted to showcase just some of them in a series of ‘Community Spotlight’ blog articles.
In our first ‘Community Spotlight’, we feature some of the Advisory Board members who have supported Nanoscale Horizons over the years. We have asked them what they like most about being on the journal’s Advisory Boards, about their recent publications and about their own insights into the future of nanoscale chemistry. Check out their interview responses and related articles below.
Amina Benchohra, Advisory Board MemberUniversity of Western Brittany, France |
 Amina Benchohra started her studies at Sorbonne Université where she successively obtained a Bachelor in Biology-Chemistry and a Master Degree in Molecular Chemistry. She completed her Ph.D, in 2019, on the design of switchable hybrid materials based on magnetic molecular complexes, at the Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (IPCM, Paris) under the supervision of Prof David Kreher and Prof Rodrigue Lescouëzec. She then joined Moltech-Anjou (Angers, France), to work with Dr Sébastien Goeb on self-assembled materials for solar cells applications. After moving to the design of Cr(III)-Ln assemblies for energy-transfer upconversion -as post-doctoral researcher and then as a junior lecturer- in the group of Prof Piguet (Geneva), she took up an assistant professor position at the Université de Bretagne Occidentale (Brest, France) in 2023. Her current research focuses on functional molecular materials. |
| 1) What do you like most about being on the Advisory Board for Nanoscale Horizons?
I admit that it was a complete discovery for me but I particularly enjoy stepping out of my daily world to engage with people from different (scientific) backgrounds. Also, one of the most important interest to me as a member of the Advisory Board is the possibility to echo the perspectives and expectations of the younger scientific audience, and to help the journal initiatives benefit them as much as possible. In that sense, it constantly prompts me to identify the challenges early-career researchers could face and to remain aware of them. 2) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research? With regard to its high-ethical commitments, I consider Nanoscale Horizons as a reliable publication platform. In my opinion, the journal resonance stems from (i) the large disciplinary range covered, and (ii) its specific focus on breakthrough conceptual research rather than incremental innovations. Above all Nanoscale Horizons is receptive to feedbacks from its entire community (through surveys for instance) to tailor its engagement plan relevantly with the needs of its audience. 3) Where do you see the nanoscience field in the next 10 years? It is very interesting as this question will surely raise multiple points of view. Nanosciences have undoubtedly been source of tremendous progress, catalysing technology revolutions with far -reaching societal impacts (e.g., in medicine, electronics). I think that this versatile field can be an interesting auxiliary of change and may again contribute to the next societal transitions by tackling some of today’s major environmental and socio-economic challenges. 4) In your opinion, how could members of the community be more involved with the journal? We could consider to create a group on a discussion platform to promote exchanges between members. In that sense, members involved on past and ongoing initiatives may inspire others to get started. More precisely, this sharing of experience could help members in appreciating the time and efforts required for the different actions, which may be overestimated at first. In the same spirit, quarterly ‘round-tables’ sessions (videoconferences) could be interesting for the members to share their point of views and stimulate new ideas. |
Fangfang Cao, Advisory Board MemberNational University of Singapore |
 Fangfang Cao received her Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2019, under the co-supervision of Prof. Jinsong Ren and Prof. Xiaogang Qu. She then pursued postdoctoral research at the National University of Singapore under the guidance of Prof. Xiaoyuan Chen. Her research focuses on nanocatalytic medicine, encompassing artificial enzymes, bioorthogonal catalysts, plasma catalysts, and piezoelectric materials for the treatment of cancer, infections, and inflammation. More recently, her work has expanded to microbial therapy, leveraging probiotics and viruses for translational medicine. |
| 1) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research?
A: Nanoscale Horizons is a leading platform for high-impact nanoscience and nanotechnology research. I appreciate its strong focus on originality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and fundamental advances with broad implications. The journal showcases cutting-edge work in areas like nanocatalysis, biomedical applications, and smart materials, ensuring wide visibility for pioneering studies. With its rigorous yet efficient peer-review process and excellent editorial support, it is an ideal venue for impactful publications. Expanding outreach through social media, academic forums, and platforms like WeChat could further enhance its influence, attracting a broader readership and fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations.
2) In your opinion, how could members of the community be more involved with the journal? The academic community can engage with Nanoscale Horizons in several meaningful ways. First, submitting high-quality, original research helps push the field forward. Second, serving as a reviewer ensures the journal maintains its rigorous scientific standards. Researchers can also promote the journal by presenting it at academic conferences and sharing it on social media, thereby increasing its visibility. Additionally, suggesting and organizing themed collections on emerging research topics can keep Nanoscale Horizons at the forefront of nanoscience. Furthermore, it would be valuable for the journal to participate in or host nanoscience-related conferences, providing a platform for in-depth discussions and showcasing the latest breakthroughs, which would strengthen its influence within the global scientific community. |
Jaime Andrés Pérez Taborda, Advisory Board MemberNational University of Colombia |
 Dr. Jaime Andrés Pérez Taborda received the Engineering Physics degree (Hons.) from the Technological University of Pereira, Colombia, in 2011, and the master\’s degree in synchrotron radiation and particle accelerators from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2013, as well as his Ph.D (Cum laude) from the Institute of Microelectronics of Madrid, Complutense University of Madrid, and Higher Council of Scientific Research CSIC, Spain. He has published research articles and book chapters on various subjects including piezoelectric nanostructures for acoustic wave sensors, nanoengineering new thermoelectric materials with high efficiencies obtained by physical methods, such as sputtering and pulsed laser deposition. In addition, he is also a co-founder and President of the Colombian Society of Physics Engineering. |
| 1) What is my current research focus?
My research focuses on citizen science and how nanotechnology can and should address real-world challenges to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations. My team and I are working on three strategic lines: Water, Energy, and Plasmonics. Water: We have developed low-cost, portable devices co-designed and co-built by rural communities in Colombia. These allow communities—predominantly indigenous and rural populations in the Amazon, La Guajira, Boyacá, and Cesar, as well as urban areas like Bogotá—to assess water quality and ensure safe consumption. More importantly, this initiative integrates STEAM education into schools, training citizen scientists to make data-driven decisions and empowering them through science. Energy: We are developing energy harvesting technologies, such as thermoelectric devices (using materials like Ag₂Se, Cu₂Se, and SiGe) and piezoelectric nanogenerators based on ZnO/PDMS and ZnO/PVDF nanocomposites. We aim to enable IoT devices to power themselves, reducing reliance on batteries—an essential aspect in remote and ecologically sensitive regions like the Amazon Rainforest. 2) What advice would you give emerging scholars, and how could community members be more involved with the journal? I believe that doing science in the Global South presents significant challenges and immense opportunities. Despite tackling problems of global importance, Latin American researchers often face limited access to major scientific research facilities and constrained funding. Furthermore, scientific research in many countries remains primarily confined to academia, and private industry has yet to grasp the full potential of R&D-driven innovation. During my master’s at the Synchrotron Alba particle accelerator in Barcelona and my PhD at the CSIC’sCSIC’stute of Micro and Nanotechnology in Madrid, I witnessed firsthand what I consider the true miracle of our times—the creative force of honest, altruistic scientific work aimed at improving life for all. It may sound idealistic, but we must revive that passion and enthusiasm—believing that science and technology can change the world. And here we are, scientists from all over the world, working to make that happen. Science is undoubtedly facing significant challenges today. However, our students are the driving force behind scientific progress. We can bridge gaps and push cutting-edge research by fostering international collaborations—with Europe, China, the United States, and other regions. At Nanostructures and Applied Physics Research Group (NanoUpar), we use nanotechnology to tackle critical challenges such as water security, sustainable energy, and food safety. These challenges demand local solutions while considering their global impact. Of course, we do not have the sophisticated facilities available in the Global North. Still, we have passionate students eager to stand on the shoulders of giants and continue this journey. I am a professor at the National University of Colombia, La Paz campus, a recently established institution in the Caribbean region, near the Sierra Nevada and the Venezuelan border. This area has long been shaped by coal mining and has historically been neglected by the central government. However, alongside my colleagues and students, I firmly believe in the power of productive diversification, quality education, interdisciplinary research, and strategic alliances—between industry, academia, civil society, and government. We envision transforming this region into a technology hub for the northern Colombian Caribbean. My invitation is simple: let’s collaborate: Science must be interdisciplinary, innovative, and deeply connected to societal needs. Only by working together can nanotechnology make a tangible difference in the lives of the most vulnerable populations. |
Jiandong Yao, Advisory Board MemberSun Yat-sen University |
 Jiandong Yao obtained his B.S. degree in Materials Physics from School of Physics Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University (2013) and his Ph.D. degree in Condensed Matter Physics from School of Physics, Sun Yat-sen University (2018). Then, he served as a research fellow in Nanyang Technological University. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of School of Materials Science & Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University (One Hundred Talents Program). The focus of his research lies in the synthesis of novel nanomaterials and their application in electronic/optoelectronic devices |
| 1) What do you like most about being on the Advisory Board for Nanoscale Horizons?
The appeal of serving as a member for Nanoscale Horizons lies in the valuable opportunity to engage in promoting cutting-edge research in the field of nanoscience. It’s always exciting to collaborate and exchange ideas with scientists worldwide, jointly deepening scientific understanding and fostering innovations in the nanoscience field. 2) What do you think of Nanoscale Horizons as a place to publish impactful nanoscience and nanotechnology research? Nanoscale Horizons serves as a pivotal platform for publishing world-class research in the realm of nanoscience and nanotechnology. It is renowned for rigorous and timely review process as well as broad readership, establishing it as an ideal forum for researchers to showcase their groundbreaking innovations within the sphere of nanotechnology research.
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Jianfang Wang, Advisory Board MemberThe Chinese University of Hong Kong |
 Jianfang Wang obtained his BS degree in inorganic chemistry and software design in 1993 from the University of Science and Technology of China, his MS degree in inorganic chemistry in 1996 from Peking University, and his PhD degree in physical chemistry in 2002 from Harvard University. He did postdoctoral study in the University of California Santa Barbara from 2002 to 2005. He joined the Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2005 as an assistant professor. He became an associate professor in 2011 and a full professor in 2015. He was the Assistant Dean (Education) of the Faculty of Science of CUHK from August 2015 to July 2021 and has been the Chairperson of the Department of Physics of CUHK since August 2021. His current research interests are nanoplasmonics, nanophotonics, and photocatalysis. He has published more than 310 papers with a total citation of more than 48,200 and an h-index of 103.
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| 1) Where do you see the nanoscience field in the next 10 years?
The nanoscience field will penetrate into more research fields and find many more practical applications. It will gradually become a mature discipline. 2) In your opinion, how could members of the community be more involved with the journal? The Nanoscale Horizons journal can offer more engaging activities to the community members, such as inviting to review manuscripts, inviting to contribute manuscripts (previews, perspectives, research articles, reviews), organizing small workshops/symposia, etc. |
We sincerely hope you enjoy reading about some of our superb Advisory board members and their latest research.
Keep an eye out for our second edition of the Advisory board Community spotlight!
