Parabéns, Dr. Ferreira!

Pedro Ferreira, PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Pau Ballester (ICIQ), has defended his PhD thesis entitled “Stimuli-Responsive Calix[4]pyrrole and Calix[4]arene Based Receptors: from Unimolecular to Dimeric Structures” (assigned to the Analytical and Organic Chemistry Department of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili) publicly on June 14th.

The members of the evaluation committee were: Prof. Dr. Luis Sánchez Martín (Universidad Complutense), Dr. Laura Rodríguez Raurell (Universitat de Barcelona) and Dr. Larissa von Krbek (University of Bonn).

Dr. Ferreira with his thesis supervisor and the members of the evaluation committee.

Dr. Ferreira is from Portalegre, a town in the centre of Portugal. In 2012, he moved to Lisbon where he did his bachelor’s in Applied Chemistry and a master’s in Bioorganic Chemistry at the Nova university of Lisbon. He then worked at the same university as a researcher for six months before joining the Ballester group at ICIQ to pursue his PhD. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing board games – especially the ones with a bit of strategy like Risk, Catan, Spirit Island etc. He also likes sci-fi movies and books. Marie Curie ITN

What drove you to become a scientist?

Chemistry was my plan B. When I was in high school, I wanted to become an actor, but in Portugal it’s very difficult so, I decided that first I would get a degree in science and then I’d focus on my acting career. But, as soon as I finished my bachelor’s I was extremely passionate about chemistry. So, I decided that chemistry was the career I actually wanted to pursue.

What is your thesis about?

My thesis focuses on the functionalisation of Calix[4]pyrrole and Calix[4]arene receptors for the assembly of hydrogen-bonded capsules. I used stimuli such as light or pH to change the thermodynamics of the system so that the capsules assemble and disassemble on command. In another part of my thesis, I studied responsive receptors as anion-transporters across a lipid membrane.

What did you like the most about your thesis?

That it’s multidisciplinary. In my group, we have a huge background in synthesis because we need to build the receptors and, in my case, I also use photochemistry to manipulate the systems. The assembly and disassembly of the capsules are very preliminary studies for cargo deliveries or controlled drug delivery. I would like to see a direct use of my work – albeit it’s still far from any application.

What ICIQ moment you’ll never forget?

There were several, but during my first year, at 5pm everyone in the lab took a break. We would have a drink, talk to get our minds off work and support each other. For someone who comes from a different country, this made it feel like a family, I really appreciated it!

What’s next?

I’m going to take some time off, and then start a postdoc. I’ll focus on the synthesis of switches for energy storage. Eventually, I’d like to work in industry, but I feel I want to learn more things first and the future isn’t set in stone, so I’ll see how things evolve.

Chemistry is fun because…. once we learn/understand something we keep pushing the limits to see how far we can take it.

If you were a piece of lab equipment, what would you be?

A LED strip because they are bright and gives energy, and without them I could not have performed my research.

Tell us something about you most people don’t know: all my education until university was arts-oriented, I combined the conservatory (music school), where I studied violin, and regular classes until high school. Before doing chemistry I actually wanted to become a theatre actor!