SupervisoryTeam

Supervisor Photo

Carlos Rey-Castro

Supervisor Details

Email: carlos.rey@udl.cat

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: University of Lleida

Short Biography: Full Professor in Physical Chemistry at University of Lleida since 2006. PhD in Chemistry from the University of A Coruña in 2004. 1st National Prize in the Degree of Chemistry in 1999. My research focuses on the bioavailability and geochemical cycling of trace elements or nutrients and their interaction with natural organic matter, with applications to water and soil remediation. I have authored about 50 articles in scientific journals and 3 book chapters, with more than 1650 citations (Scopus). I have presented more than 60 communications at scientific conferences. I have been PI of 2 research projects from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain) and 2 from the EU (INTERREG V, FP7). The total funding of the projects I have participated in is > 2 M€. I have acted as external evaluator for national and international research agencies on 15 occasions. I have supervised 3 PhD theses, and I am currently supervising another 3 PhD students.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9286-4206
https://carlosreycastro.github.io/

Co-Supervisor Photo

Marta López-García

Co-Supervisor Details

Email: marta.lopez@amphos21.com

Organization Type: Non-academic institution

Organization Name: Amphos 21 Consulting S.L.

Short Biography: Group manager at Amphos 21. Since 2016, she has worked on several RDI projects funded by private companies, waste management agencies (ANDRA, SKB) and the European Commission. She has more than 10 years of experience in developing and interpreting analytical methods in the laboratory. She has specialised in the modelling of the interaction of radionuclides with geological media under different hydrogeological environments. In particular, she has studied the role of natural soils, clays and cements as engineered and natural barriers in geological repositories for the retardation of radionuclide migration. Dr. López-García holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Universidade da Coruña, where she focused on the study of the reduction/adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI) in polluted waters using biomass adsorbents. She also has postdoctoral experience in the characterisation and development of synthetic and natural biopolymers for high added value applications.
https://www.amphos21.com/

Added Value: The co-supervision will have a significant impact on the PhD student's career development by promoting a balanced set of skills. Her role as a group manager in an environmental consulting company and her experience in RDI projects will provide invaluable exposure to the professional world in this sector. Her expertise in analytical methods and computer modelling of trace metal interactions in different hydrogeological conditions will support the transition from academic research to applied research and the exploration of business or product development opportunities. Her expertise in the application of biopolymers for contaminant remediation will help the student to gain multidisciplinary knowledge. In addition, training under her supervision will enhance practical and interpersonal skills such as project management, communication and problem solving, which are essential for a successful research career.

Other Co-Supervisor Photo

Encarna Companys Ferran

Other Co-Supervisor

Email: Encarna.companys@udl.cat

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: University of Lleida

Short Biography: Agricultural engineer (1996) and PhD from the University of Lleida (2003). Predoctoral experience of 4 months at the Jülich Research Centre (Germany). She has been an Associate Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Lleida since 2009. Supervisor of 17 degree or master's theses and 6 doctoral thesis (4 completed + 2 in progress). Academic Secretary of the Chemistry Department between 2010-2013 and 2019-2023. Principal investigator of the national project CTM2013-48967-C2-1-P. She also participated in 6 other nationally funded projects and several European projects (BIOSPEC, PYRMET, ENNSATOX and NANoREG). Since joining the "Environmental Physical Chemistry" research group, currently headed by Prof. J. Galceran, in 1998 to start her PhD, she has been working on the experimental application of electroanalytical techniques to study the speciation and bioavailability of metals in environmental systems.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5868-890X

Added Value: As a university professor with 25 years of academic research experience, she will play a key role in the PhD student's training. She will provide a valuable expertise in the practical application of electroanalytical techniques to the study of metal speciation and bioavailability in environmental systems. With a background of mentoring numerous diploma and doctoral theses, she is well qualified to supervise the student. Under her guidance, the candidate will acquire essential skills in experimental techniques and analytical methods. This training will not only provide a solid scientific foundation, but will also enhance the candidate's research skills, ultimately preparing him/her for a successful research career.

ResearchGroup

Description: The research group Environmental Physical Chemistry at UdL & AGROTECNIO (https://agrotecnio.org/research-groups/chemistry) involves 3 full professors, 4 associate professors, 4 postdocs, 6 PhD students and 1 lab technician. It focuses on the environmental impact of trace elements and nutrients in natural water and soil solutions, development of chemical speciation techniques and theoretical models of bioavailability. Our network of scientific/non-academic collaborators include, e.g.:

  • Dr. M. López-García (Amphos21): co-author in publications
  • Dr. J. M. López Vilariño (Hijos de Rivera SAU): supervisor of a R&D contract with UdL
  • Prof. H. Zhang, U. of Lancaster, UK: co-founder of DGT Research Ltd, co-author in articles, host for the stay of PhD students
  • Prof. J. P. Pinheiro, U. Lorraine, France: co-author
  • Prof. Y. Gao, Vrije U. Brussel, Belgium: co-author & host of PhD students
  • Prof. J. Santner, U. of Gießen, Germany: member of the AGROTECNIO Scientific Advisory Board, host of PhD candidates

ResearchLine

Description: Effect of natural organic matter on the chemodynamics of nutrients and trace elements in soils, sediments and hydroponic media. The availability of (micro)nutrients and inorganic pollutants to plants and microorganisms in water, soil and sediments does not only depend on their distribution among the different chemical forms (speciation). The kinetics of association/dissociation of these elements with both solid phases and dissolved/colloidal species present in the porewater, as well as the diffusion properties of the mobile complexes, also determine the flux that can be taken up by an organism and thus its ecotoxicological impact or fertilisation efficiency. We will study the role of natural organic matter (e.g. humic substances) on the dynamics of P, N, (post)transition metals, etc. We will use Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) and advanced voltammetric techniques (AGNES). The results will be interpreted using reaction-diffusion models in saturated media (DIFS, SOCO, etc).

Others

Description: The University of Lleida has received the HRS4R “Human Resources Excellence in Research” Award from European Commission in 2017 (https://www.udl.cat/hrs4r) The objective of UdL is to apply the principles of this Code of Conduct within its human resource policy and to promote transparency, accessibility, equity and pursuit of excellence in the recruitment of researchers. The PhD supervisor of this proposal will adhere to the MSCA Green Charter Code of Good Practice on a 'best effort' basis and will encourage the selected candidate to commit to as many of its provisions as possible during the implementation of his/her project.

CareerDevelopment

Objectives

  • Future postdoc employment at the University
  • Increased employability in the non-academic sector
  • International mobility
  • Building collaborative networks
  • Trainings to enhance career opportunities
  • Application of postdoctoral grants (MSCA, Juan de la Cierva, etc.)
  • Application for projects and funding (Horizon Europe, national plans, etc.)
  • Involvement in teaching, supervision, or mentoring

Expected Outputs

  • PhD defense
  • Application of grants (MSCA, Juan de la Cierva, etc.)
  • Publication of articles
  • Developing new products, solutions, or services
  • Attendance to international conferences

Training Skills

  • Grant Writing
  • Open Science
  • Ethics and Research Integrity
  • Teaching
  • Intellectual Property
  • Research Valorization
  • Training for job interviews, CV writing
  • Advanced Digital Skills
  • Spanish
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