Full name: Ortega Liebana, Maria del Carmen

Year of Birth: 1988

Nationality: Spanish

E-mail: ortegaliebana@unistra.fr

Experienced Researcher

In the last year of my undergrad studies (BSc in Chemistry) at the University of Jaen (UJA), motivated by my curious mind and my willingness to progress “from the library to the lab”, I worked on a research project on the synthesis and characterization of ascorbyl phenolic esters under the supervision of Prof Sofia Salido at the Department of Organic Chemistry. During my degree I also gained a highly competitive "Collaboration Grant" scholarship that allowed me to acquire additional lab skills in organic and inorganic synthesis under the direction of Prof Maria Dolores Gutierrez and Dr Celeste Gallatin. In Sep 2010 I moved to the University of Cordoba (UCO) to study a MSc in Advanced Chemistry. My MSc dissertation work, supervised by Prof Alberto Marinas and completed in July 2011, focused on the study of the photo-catalytic degradation of 3-chloropyridine in water by the photo-Fenton process and enhanced my knowledge on both environmental catalysis and wastewater treatment. In Feb 2012, I settled in the group of Nanostructures of Films and Particles (http://www.unizar.es/nfp), part of the Institute of Nanosciences of Aragon (INA) at the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR), I started as a research assistant funded by an EU research project (HECTOR, ERC-2010-AdG-20100224) under the direct supervision of Prof J. Santamaria and Dr J. Hueso. My work focused on the design of anisotropic plasmonic nanomaterials, presenting photothermal properties: materials that under laser irradiation absorb light and release this energy as heat, acting as authentic nano-heaters. Although this research takes place in the interface of the fields of photonics, electronics and sensing, such nanostructures are attracting great interest in biomedicine due to their potential medical applications. In the INA I also had the opportunity of collaborating with Dr Raul Arenal, one of the pioneering researchers on the use of electron microscopy for studying carbon-based and heteroatomic nanomaterials. I formally started my PhD studies in March 2012 as a predoctoral student funded by the EU research project NANOLIGHT (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG). Which was focused on the synthesis and characterization of luminescent nanoparticles, an emerging area in the Nanotechnology field. Since then I have been carrying out the preparation and study of new nanostructured materials based on carbon, silicon or a combination of both, which exhibit a plethora of different photophysical properties. Along with my work on the development of novel nanomaterials, I have also explored their potential applications as bioimaging agents, therapy photodynamic, nanosensors, drug release, biocatalysis and photo-catalysis. Importantly, thanks to the realization of two international research experiences during my PhD, I acquired new skills on environmental catalysis in the University of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) under the supervisor of Prof King Yeung, and towards biomedical research with the use of methods of electroporation for the transfection of cells, in the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft, Netherlands), under supervision of Prof Pouyan E. Boukany and Dr Lea Rems. In addition, I have acquired a solid skillset on nanomaterials design and synthesis and a comprehensive knowledge of relevant cutting-edge analytical techniques, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Photoluminescence (PL), Inductive Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer (ICP), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, Electroporation (EP), Optical and Confocal Microscopy, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). After successfully completing my Ph.D. studies (06/09/18), I moved to the Prof Luisa De Cola research group, part of the Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS) at the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA) with a one-year postdoc contract.

Academic and Research Record

1.- Academic Qualifications

2.- Academic Research Positions

3.- Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings and/or monographs [P] of their respective research fields, indicating also the number of citations (excluding self-citations) they have attracted.

Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed in JCR (citation 93; H-index: 6)

[P1]    M.C. Ortega-Liebana*, J.L. Hueso*, C. Bueno, J. Santamaria. “Synthesis and catalytic applications of light-emitting carbon nanostructures”. Accoints of Chemical Research.- under review.

[P2]    M.C. Ortega-Liebana, M.M. Encabo-Berzosa, A. Casanova, M.D. Pereboom, J.O. Alda, J.L. Hueso*, J. Santamaria*. “Upconcerting carbon nanodots as near-infrared activated phototheranostic agents: Dual function in bioimaging and photodynamic therapy”. Nanoscale.- under review.

[P3]    N. Mas, J.L. Hueso*, G. Martinez, M.C. Ortega-Liebana, C. Bueno, R. Mallada, J. Santamaria*. “Towards the development of pyrolysis laser-driven carbon nanodots for photocatalytic applications”. Nanoscale.- under review.

[P4]    M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L. Hueso*, R. Fernandez-Pacheco, S. Irusta, J. Santamaria*. “Luminescent mesoporous nanorods as photocatalytic enzyme-like peroxidase surrogates”. Chemical Science.- 2018, 9: 7766-7778. IF: 9.063 (18/171 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary). Citations: 0. Selected as Inside Cover.

[P5]    N. Sancho, G. Martinez*, V. Sebastian, A. Malumbres, I. Florea, R. Arenal, M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L. Hueso, J. Santamaria. “Pumping metallic nanoparticles with spatial precision within magnetic mesoporous platforms: 3D Characterization and Catalytic Application”. ACS Applied Material & Interfaces, 2017, 9: 41529-41536. IF: 7.504 (12/87 Nanoscience & Nanotechnology). Citations: 0.

[P6]    M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L. Hueso*, S. Ferdousi, R. Arenal, S. Irusta, K.L. Yeung, J. Santamaria*. “Extraordinary sensitizing effect of co-doped carbon nanodots derived from mate herb: Application to enhanced photocatalytic degradation of chlorinated wastewater compounds under visible light”. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2017, 218: 68-79. IF: 9.446 (1/49 Engineering Environmental). Citations: 0.

[P7]    M.C. Ortega-Liebana, N.X. Chung, R. Limpens, L. Gomez*, J.L. Hueso, J. Santamaria*, T. Gregorkiewicz. “Uniform luminescent carbon nanodots prepared by rapid pyrolysis of organic precursors confined within nanoporous templanting structures”. Carbon, 2017, 117: 437-446. IF: 6.337 (32/275 Materials Science, Multidisciplinary). Citations: 1.

[P8]    M.C. Ortega-Liebana, M.M. Encabo-Berzosa, M.J. Ruedas-Rama, J.L. Hueso*. “Nitrogen-induced transformation of vitamin C into multifunctional up-converting carbon nanodots in the Visible-NIR range”. Chemistry A European Journal, 2017, 23: 3067-3073. Hot Paper. IF: 5.317 (29/166 Chemistry Multidisciplinary). Citations: 1. Selected as Cover and highlighted by ChemistryViews webpage.

[P9]    M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L. Hueso*, R. Arenal, J. Santamaria*. "Titania-coated gold nanorods with expanded photocatalytic response. Enzyme-like glucose oxidation under near-infrared illumination". Nanoscale, 2017, 9: 1787-1792.IF: 7.367 (13/87 Nanoscience & Nanotechnology). Citations: 2. Selected as Inside Cover.

[P10] M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L. Hueso*, S. Ferdousi, K.L. Yeung, J. Santamaria*. ”Nitrogen-doped luminescent carbon nanodots for optimal photo-generation of hydroxil radicals and visible-light expanded photo-catalysis”. Diamond and Related Materials, 2016, 65: 176-182. IF: 2.561 (91/275 Materials Science, Multidisciplinary). Citations: 7.

[P11] M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L. Hueso*, A. Larrea, V. Sebastian, J. Santamaria*. “Feroxyhyte nanoflakes coupled to up-converting carbon nanodots: a highly active, magnetically recoverable, Fenton-like photocatalyst in the visible-NIR range”. Chemical Communications, 2015, 51: 16625-16628. IF: 6.567 (21/163 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary). Citations: 10.

[P12] M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L. Hueso*, R. Arenal, R. Lahoz, G.F. de la Fuente*, J. Santamaria. “Cost-effective synthesis of luminescent silicon carbide nanocrystals by laser ablation in liquid solution”. Journal of Physical and Chemistry C, 2015, 119: 2158-2165. IF: 4.536 (43/275 Materials Science, Multidisciplinary). Citations: 5.

[P13] E. Lopez, M.C. Ortega-Liebana, S. Salido, G. M. Salido, J. Altarejo, J.A. Rosado, P.C. Redondo*. “Evaluation of the antiagregant activity of ascorbyl phenolic esters with antioxidant properties”. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2015, 71: 415-434. IF: 2.054 (37/84 Physiology). Citations: 0.

[P14] L. Gomez, J.L. Hueso*, M.C. Ortega-Liebana, M. Arruebo, J.Santamaria, S.B. Cronin*. “Evaluation of gold-decorated halloysite nanotube as plasmonic photocatalysts”. Catalysis Communications, 2014, 56: 115-118. IF: 3.699 (38/139 Chemistry, Physical). Citations: 7.

[P15] M.C. Ortega-Liebana, E. Sanchez-Lopez, J. Hidalgo-Carrillo, A. Marinas*, J.M. Marinas, F.J. Urbano. “A comparative study of photocatalytic degradation of 3-chloropyridine unde UV and solar light by homogeneous (Photo-Fenton) and heterogeneous (TiO₂) photocatalysis. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2012, 127: 316-322.IF: 5.825 (1/42 Engineering Environmental). Citations: 34.

4.- Invited oral presentations to peer-reviewed, internationally established conferences / plenary lectures [L].

[L1]     M.C. Ortega-Liebana*, J.L. Hueso, R. Fernandez-Pacheco, J. Santamaria. Thermal Treatment using a fluidized bed for the generation of luminescent centers in mesoporous silica nanostructures with light-triggered peroxidase activity. XXXV National Conference on Chemical Engineering. Salamanca, Spain, July 4-6, 2018. Flash presentation.

[L2]     M.C. Ortega-Liebana*, J.L. Hueso, R. Arenal, J. Santamaria. Mimicking Glucose-oxidase enzyme by titania-coated gold nanorods under resonant plasmon excitation. Bioorthogonal & Bioresponsive a RSC Symposium, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, June 7-8, 2017. Invited flash presentation.

[L3]     M.C. Ortega-Liebana*, J.L. Hueso, K.L. Yeung, J. Santamaria. Light-emitting carbon nanomaterials with tunable optical response and their application in environmental photocatalysis. 1^st International Symposium on Hydrothermal Carbonisation, London, United Kingdom, April 3-4, 2017. Invited oral presentation.

[L4]     M.C. Ortega-Liebana*, J.L Hueso, S. Ferdousi, K.L. Yeung, J. Santamaria. Upconverting carbon nanodots as NIR-biomarkers and nanosensitizers in visible-light driven photocatalysis. International conference on Diamond and Carbon Materials (DIAM2015), Bad Homburg, Germany, September 6-10, 2015. Invited oral presentation and Young Scholar Award.

[L5]     M.C. Ortega-Liebana, J.L Hueso*, A. Malumbres, M.Mar Encabo-Berzosa, G. Martinez, J. Santamaria. Luminescent nanolights based on low-cost biocompatible materials. Advanced Complex Inorganic Nanomaterials (ACIN2015), Namur, Belgium, July 13-17, 2015. Invited oral presentation.

[L6]     M.C. Ortega-Liebana, S. Ferdousi, J.L Hueso*, K.L. Yeung, J. Santamaria. Enhanced photo-catalytic degradation of chlorinated organic compounds under visible light induced by up-converting carbon nanodots coupled to TiO₂ supports. 7th European Meeting on Chemical Industry and Environment (EMChIE 2015), Tarragona, Spain, June 10-12, 2015. Invited oral presentation.

5.- Major Collaborations [C]

[C1] Collaborator: Prof Ernesto Reverchon, Faculty of Engineering, University of Salerno, Italy. Started in 2017.

[C2] Collaborator: Prof Pouyan E. Boukaby and Dr Lea Rems, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. Started in 2016.

[C3] Collaborator: Dr Leyre Gomez,  Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Started in 2016.

[C4] Collaborator: Prof King Lun Yeung, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), China. Started in 2014.

[C5] Collaborator: Prof Octavio Alda, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Spain. Started in 2014.

[C6] Collaborator: Prof Maria J. Rueda, Faculty of Pharmacy, Unversity of Granada, Spain. Started in 2013.

[C7] Collaborator: Prof German F. de la Fuente and Dr Ruth Lahoz, CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Spain. Started in 2012.

[C8] Collaborator: Dr Raul Arenal, University of Zaragoza, Spain. Started in 2012.

6.- Funding received so far

FUNDED INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS as fellow [GF]:

[GF1] NANOLIGHT (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG), “Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Materials with Luminescent Properties for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications”, (No. 294094). 2011-2014, Marie-Curie Action-“Career Integration Grants” of the European Union (Total budget: 75.000 €).

[GF2] HECTOR (ERC-2010-AdG-20100224), “Microwave-Assisted Microreactors: Development of a Highly Efficient Gas Phase Contactor with Direct Catalyst Heating”, (No. 267626). 2011-2016, The European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant) of the European Union (Total budget: 1.851.178,8 €).

FUNDED NATIONAL PROJECTS as fellow [GN]:

[GN1] ARCADIA (CTQ2016-77147-R), “Nuevas estrategias para la conversion de CO₂ utilizando catalizadores bajo radiacion electromagnetica”. 2017-2022, State Plan for Science and Technical Research and Innovation of the Government of Spain (Total budget: 312.180 €).

FUNDED REGIONAL PROJECTS as fellow [GR]:

[GR1-5] T75 PELICULAS Y PARTICULAS NANOPOROSAS (NFP) (No. 165140/3), 2016; (No. 165140/2), 2015; (No. 165140/1), 2014; (No. 16595/3), 2013; (No. 16595), 2011-2013. Diputacion General de Aragon (DGA) (Total Budget: 65.889,841€).

PERSONAL FELLOWSHIPS [F]: 

[F1]     Postgraduate Internship Student in the program for Training of Teaching and Researching Personnel (brief stay FPU grant, EST15/00306) for the Science Education Ministry from Spain, at the Product and Process Engineering (PPE) group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), 15^th September to 14^th December 2016.

[F2]     Postgraduate Internship Student in the program for Training of Teaching and Researching Personnel (brief stay FPU grant, FPU13/01732) for the Science Education Ministry from Spain, at the Nanostructured Films and Particles (NFP) group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Environment in the Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon, University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR), granted in October 2014 and with validity until 2018.

[F3]     Postgraduate Internship Student (Collaborative program between Institute of Nanoscience of Aragon and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), at the Product and Process Engineering (PPE) group, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), 10^th July to 10^th October 2014.

[F4]     Collaboration Grant convened by the Spanish Ministry of Education to start research in the Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University of Jaen (UJA), in Jaen (Spain), September 2019 - July 2010.

7.- Secondments / research stays [S]

[S1]    Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Netherlands, 15^th September to 14^th December 2016.

[S2]     Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), China, 10^th July to 10^th October 2014.

8.- Supervising, mentoring, teaching activities [T]

[T1-3]    Teaching in the department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology in the subject of Environmental Engineering in the academic courses: 2015-2016 (60 hours in total); 2016-2017 (60 hours in total) and 2017-2018 (60 hours in total).

 [T4]    Supervising and teaching international PhD student: Federica Ferrara during her secondments at University of Zaragoza, 2017.

9.- Scholar Award [AW]

[AW1]   Elseveir Young Scholar Silver Award in the International Conference on Diamond and Carbon Materials organized in Band Honburg (Germany). Will be held from 6^th-10^th September 2015.

[AW2]   Honorary Collaborator in the Department of Organic Chemistry of the University of Cordoba (2010-2011), approved by Decree 280/2003 of the 7^th October the Ministry of Education and Science. Resolution of the Rector of the University of Cordoba.

10.- Member of Scientific Societies and Consortia [MSS]

[MSS1] Subscribed personnel to Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red (CIBER) in the subject area of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BNN).

[MSS2] Young member of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry and Young Researchers Chemicals (No 5912).