Prof. Emilio M. Pérez is the Director of IMDEA Nanociencia.
His scientific trajectory is defined by the development of unconventional chemical tools to modify and understand low-dimensional materials. After obtaining his PhD from the University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Prof. David Leigh, and a postdoctoral stay at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid with Prof. Nazario Martín, he joined IMDEA Nanociencia in 2008 as a Ramón y Cajal Researcher, eventually climbing through the ranks to lead the Institute.
Sitting at the vibrant intersection of supramolecular chemistry and materials science, his research program is built on three fundamental pillars:
- Mechanically Interlocked Nanostructures: He pioneered the use of the mechanical bond on carbon nanotubes, creating a new class of materials known as MINTs.
- 2D Materials and Heterostructures: Developing improved methods for the liquid-phase exfoliation of ultrathin materials and their chemical functionalization, for their integration into functioning optoelectronic devices.
- Fundamental Supramolecular Chemistry: Utilizing optical tweezers single-molecule force spectroscopy to measure and understand the non-covalent forces that govern molecular recognition.
Dr. Pérez’s work has been supported by the European Research Council (Starting and Proof of Concept grants) and recognized with numerous distinctions, including the IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists, the Miguel Catalán Award, and the 2024 RSEQ Prize for Excellence in Research. He is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University.
Awards & Distinctions
- Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures, (Tailor & Francis, May 2015).
- Early Excellence in Physical Organic Chemistry Profile in J. Phys. Org. Chem., 2015, 28, 445-446.
- Miguel Catalán Award, 20 January 2014. Award for best scientist in the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid under the age of 40.
- UCM Foundation Prize for Science and Technology, 25 November 2010. A prestigious nation-wide award for early career achievements of scientists of all fields below the age of 35.
- I SUSCHEM Prize for Young Researchers 22 July 2009. Awarded to the best publication in the year 2008 for members of the Young Researchers Group of the RSEQ.
- RSEQ Prize for Novel Researchers May 2009. One of four winners of the prize, awarded to the best chemists in Spain under the age of 35.
- Selected as Young Researcher to attend the 59th Meeting of Nobel Prize Winners in Chemistry, Lindau, Germany, 28 June-3 July 2009.
- IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists 2006, 28 April 2006. One of five winners of the prize, awarded to the most outstanding PhD theses in the world of Chemical Sciences.
- 1st Prize Leanne Green Memorial, Universtity of Edinburgh, 5 May 2004. The prize is given to the best presentation amongst final year PhD students in the School of Chemistry.
- 1st Prize SCI (Society of Chemical Industry) Symposium on Novel Organic Chemistry, 1 April 2004. The prize distinguishes the best PhD students from Scottish and Northern English Universities.
- 1st Prize Universtity of Edinburgh, Organic Section Meeting, 29-31 March 2004. The prize is awarded to the best presentation amongst final year PhD students in the Organic Section.
- Member of the Young Academy of Europe. (http://www.yacadeuro.org)
- Member of the American Chemical Society.
- Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
- Member of the Real Sociedad Española de Química.
- Member of the Grupo Especializado de Jóvenes Químicos (RSEQ).
