The PhD candidate from the Institute of Molecular Science won first prize with a presentation on materials capable of capturing and transforming carbon dioxide

María Lucía Tamayo Fraile, an early-stage researcher in the Functional Inorganic Materials Group (FUNIMAT) at the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol), has won the third edition of the Universitat de València’s Doctoral Thesis Communication Competition.

The event, held on Wednesday, 15 July and organised by the Universitat de València’s Doctoral School and Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit, aims to recognise the work of predoctoral researchers and promote scientific communication that is accessible to society as a whole.

Tamayo, a student in the PhD programme in Molecular Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, received first prize for her presentation, Catch Me If You CO₂, in which she explained her research into the development of materials capable of capturing carbon dioxide and transforming it into useful products for society.

Her doctoral thesis, supervised by ICMol researchers Víctor Rubio Giménez and Sergio Tatay Aguilar, focuses on materials known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs. These laboratory-prepared compounds have a high capacity to retain CO₂ and offer the possibility of reusing it as a raw material, thereby contributing to the development of more sustainable solutions to address the rise in greenhouse gas emissions.

“When day-to-day work in the laboratory becomes difficult, science communication always restores my enthusiasm for what I do. For me, taking part in these activities is a gift, but also a major personal challenge: being able to translate technical language into something more accessible, so that anyone, whether or not they have a scientific background, can connect with what we do,” María Tamayo said.

The researcher is a member of FUNIMAT, a group at the Institute of Molecular Science devoted to the design, synthesis and study of functional inorganic materials with potential applications in fields such as energy, sustainability, molecular electronics and gas capture.

During the event, the Rector of the Universitat de València, Juan Luis Gandía, emphasised the importance of raising the visibility of the research conducted at the institution and creating spaces in which early-stage researchers can share their work with non-specialist audiences.

“This event helps make the research carried out at the UV more visible and provides a valuable opportunity for participants to share their work, hear other perspectives and continue progressing in their research careers,” the Rector said.

Gandía also highlighted the work of the Doctoral School, which offers 60 PhD programmes, as well as the participation of the FORTHEM European University Alliance, which strengthens the international dimension of research at the Universitat de València.

Science Explained in Four Minutes

Participants were required to present their research in clear, accessible language and within a maximum of four minutes. The jury assessed both the clarity of the presentations and the participants’ ability to communicate the relevance and social impact of their doctoral theses.

First prize was awarded to María Lucía Tamayo. Marta Arnal Forné received second prize for her presentation Deciphering the Language of Our Cells, while Maragda Puigcerver Pérez was awarded third prize for How Long Can You Hold Your Breath?

One of the three prize-winners will be selected to represent the Universitat de València in the final of the 2026 FORTHEM Researchers Grand Prix, which will take place on 21 October at the University of Opole in Poland. The selected candidate will be required to present and defend their thesis in English within a maximum of four minutes.

Through its Office of the Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, Cooperation and Multilingualism, the Universitat de València will provide specific training to prepare the presentation and will cover the travel expenses associated with attending the final.

Recognition of Predoctoral Research

The Director of the Universitat de València’s Doctoral School, María Amparo Tórtola Baixauli, highlighted the contribution of early-stage researchers to the institution’s scientific output.

“We believe it is extremely important to recognise and raise the visibility of the research carried out at the UV, much of which takes the form of doctoral theses. Events such as this are a way of acknowledging the work of our researchers,” she said.

The jury for the third edition consisted of María Amparo Tórtola Baixauli, from the Department of Theoretical Physics; Gianni Gallello, from the Department of Prehistory, Archaeology and Ancient History; Carolina Moreno Castro, from the Department of Language Theory and Communication Sciences; Carlos Romá Mateo, from the Department of Physiology; and Julia Suso López, from the Department of Financial Economics and Accounting.

A preliminary jury had previously selected the 16 participants who took part in the in-person stage of the competition. The presentations were divided into two sessions and covered research from a wide range of academic disciplines.

The event also included the lecture Amber: A Window into the Past, delivered by Alba Sánchez García, a researcher in the Department of Botany and Geology at the Universitat de València.

María Lucía Tamayo’s achievement highlights both the quality of the research conducted by the FUNIMAT group and the importance of bringing scientific advances related to the capture, transformation and use of carbon dioxide closer to society.