ABOUT ME
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).
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.
Senior Researcher and Lab Supervisor
Cristina Díaz Perlas
I obtained my PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Barcelona, conducting the research at IRB Barcelona. Then, I pursued a 3-year postdoc in at EPFL, Switzerland, focussed on generating novel peptide-based therapeutics using phage display. In 2022, I moved back to Barcelona with an MSCA-PF. At IQS, I am developing antibody-based therapies to selectively treat brain cancers.
In my free time, I enjoy cycling, dancing and playing sports, as well as reading, painting and watching TV series.
Senior Researcher
Shambhavi Pandey
I earned my PhD in Biosystems Engineering from Seoul National University, focusing on nanopolymer synthesis and their gene-modulating applications within cancer and cancer stem cells, particularly addressing the blood-brain/tumor barrier. Currently, at IQS, I develop lipid nanoparticles for the treatment of brain tumors with the support of a Beatriu de Pinós fellowship and ERC project OBGate.
During my free time, I relish listening to audiobooks, playing Sudoku and puzzles, as well as watching movies with my children and engaging in heartfelt conversations with close friends.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Nathanaël Rakotoarinoro
Originally from Occitania, I worked on disruptive ADC technologies based on non-canonical amino acids at Fraunhofer and obtained my doctorate in Pharmacy from the Freie Universität Berlin. At IQS, I aim to develop concepts based on conditionally active antibodies and antibody delivery across the BBB.
Besides work, I enjoy long night walks in Barcelona and discovering what the capital of Catalonia has to offer.
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.
Predoctoral Researcher
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.
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.
Predoctoral Researcher
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.
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.
Predoctoral Researcher
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.
Predoctoral Researcher
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 industrial 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!
Predoctoral Researcher
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 a working on understanding receptor-mediated transcytosis and engineering new proteins to enhance drug transport into the brain.
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.
Predoctoral Researcher
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.
Predoctoral Researcher
Cristina Montaner Rey
I obtained my BSc in Chemistry and MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from IQS-URL. In ChemSynBio group, I am working on the design of activatable antibodies for targeted therapies.
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
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.
In my free time, so I make the most of it by discovering the city, learning Catalan, eating, and cooking.
MSc candidate
Ona Bretones Torres
I graduated in Chemistry at UAB and am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at IQS. My research project in ChemSynBio focuses on developing more efficient antibody-brain shuttle conjugates.
I can't stand being idle! Whether enjoying nature, playing tennis, or diving into various sports-related activities, I thrive on staying active. I'm also an avid reader and cherish the time spent with friends and family.
MSc candidate
Blanca Isart i Massó
I graduated in Chemistry at IQS-URL and am currently enrolled in the Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the same university. I will pursue most of my research work at Universidad de Chile, within a collaborative project with Prof. Marcelo's Kogan on brain-targeted nanorods for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
I really enjoy attending live music performances, where I can feel the energy and creativity firsthand. I also love traveling and connecting with different cultures, as it gives me a chance to broaden my perspective and appreciate the diversity of the world.
Former team members
Predoctoral researchers
Dr. Roberta Lucchi
Research assitants
Daniel Cózar
Master students
Inés Peciña Vaquero
Noelia Hernández Lobato
Alejandro García Torrado
Marc Relats Camps
Maria C Lucana Menses
Sandra Prat Castro
Yolanda Arruga Torres
Caroline Canihac
Antonio Rodríguez del Moral
Benjamin Konecny
Cristina Montaner Rey
Maria García Sagarra
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 Tobella
Setephane García
Laura Cano Casas
Jordi Codinach González-Simó
Alba Fernández Bessa