Isabel Abánades Lázaro, Ramón y Cajal researcher and leader of the Defect Engineering of Responsive Advanced Materials (DRERAM) group at the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol), Universitat de València, has been selected as one of ten recipients in the Physics and Chemistry category of the extraordinary call for the Leonardo Grants for Researchers, awarded by the BBVA Foundation.

Her project, titled “Multivariate Modulated MOFs for Nitrate Water Remediation”, focuses on the development of advanced reticular materials (MOFs) specifically designed for the efficient removal of nitrates from contaminated water—an environmental issue of increasing global relevance.

The Leonardo Grants aim to directly support the work of researchers at intermediate stages of their careers who are distinguished by their innovative and high-impact scientific output. In this edition, a total of 493 applications were submitted, of which only ten were selected in the field of Physics and Chemistry.

Each grant is endowed with a maximum gross amount of €50,000, offering great flexibility to meet the specific needs of each project. The research period may range from 12 to 18 months.

At the head of the DRERAM group, Isabel Abánades leads a research line focused on the design and modulation of advanced reticular materials for applications in healthcare and environmental sustainability. The group is a pioneer in the use of Multivariate Modulation (MTVM)—an innovative synthetic approach that combines defect engineering and heterogeneity to introduce specific functionalities into these materials. This strategy enables the creation of structures with larger and more complex pores, enhancing key properties such as reactivity and porosity while maintaining structural stability.

In addition, the group investigates in situ nucleation and crystallization processes to better control the self-assembly of materials and tailor their properties for specific applications, including water contaminant filtration, energy generation through photocatalysis, and controlled drug release.

The ICMol congratulates Isabel on this well-deserved recognition, which reinforces the institute’s commitment to scientific excellence and to research that serves society.