ABOUT ME

Group Leader

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).
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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.
Research Associate

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

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.

Postdoctoral Researcher
Rajeev Pasupuleti
I am originally from India and I recently graduated with a PhD in molecular biosciences and biotechnology from Austria. My work focused on lectins in targeted cancer drug delivery and genetic code expansion. I am interested in engineering biomolecules for enzymatic ligations and biorthogonal chemistry. At IQS, I am working on brain tumour-targeting antibodies funded by ERC.
In my leisure, I like to cook, read non-fiction books, watch movies and travel.
PhD Candidates

PhD Candidate
Roberta (Beba) Lucchi
I come from Rome with a Biotechnology background. At IQS, I will be working on the development of biotherapeutics for systemic delivery to brain cancer supported by an FPU fellowship. In the future, I would like to use all my knowledge to increase our understanding of cancer and to contribute to the development of innovative and more efficient therapies.
In my free time, I enjoy visiting historical places and art museums, as well as relaxing in nature, reading and cooking.

PhD Candidate
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.
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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.

PhD candidate
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.
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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.

PhD candidate
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.

PhD candidate
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!

PhD candidate
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 am working on engineering new proteins to enhance drug transport into the brain.
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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.

PhD candidate
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.
Research Assistant
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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.
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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.
MSc Candidates

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.
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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.
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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.
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In my free time, so I make the most of it by discovering the city, learning Catalan, cooking, and trying new food!
BSc Candidate

BSc candidate
Laura Cano Casas
I am a Biotechnology student at IQS, and ever since I completed a short internship in a research lab at the age of 15, I have been determined to pursue a career in research. Currently, I am working on my Final Bachelor’s Project in the ChemSynBio group, where I am developing site-specifically modified antibody-drug conjugates using genetic code expansion for cancer treatment.
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My interests include exploring different music genres and working on artistic projects, which involve drawing, crafting and sculpting, among others.
Former team members
Master students
Inés Peciña Vaquero
Noelia Hernández Lobato
Alejandro García Torrado
Marc Relats Camps
Maria C Lucana Menses
Sandra Prat Castro
Yolanda Arruga Torres
Antonio Rodríguez del Moral
Undergraduate students
Albert Roig Martínez
Jordi Bentanachs Raset
Mei Gascón Burillo
Marc Sabartés Mirabete
Maria Garcia Segarra
Anna Querol Mercadé
Martí Puig Freixa
Maria Bericat
Setephane García
Outings and activities










