Dr Julia Sanchez-Bodon

Julia grew up in Derio, Spain, where she developed her love for chemistry from being inspired by passionate science teachers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 2017 from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), completing a final thesis in the Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry titled “The Effect of Ultrasound and Microwaves on the Copper-Catalyzed Heck Reaction.” She then pursued a Master’s degree in Synthetic and Industrial Chemistry at UPV/EHU, where she focused on the application of Click reactions for drug bioconjugation. She later completed a PhD in material Chemistry at UPV/EHU entitled “Click Reactions: An Efficient Tool Towards Biofunctional Materials,” where she focused on the application of Click reactions for drug bioconjugation and was awarded distinction cum laude for her efforts. During her PhD she also undertook a 4-month research stay at Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo, Italy) under the supervision of Prof. Valeria Chiono, where she focused her research on plasma treatments of polymeric surfaces. During her time at UPV/EHU, she worked as a professor in the Departments of Physical Chemistry and Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. Her current position in the group will focus on sustainable biobased polymers.

She is a native Spanish speaker, fluent in Basque and English, and is learning Italian. Outside of work, she loves hiking and exploring the lush green landscapes of the Basque Country. Julia enjoys traveling and discovering new places and cultures, and recently, she has developed an interest in football.