Andrea Rivoli, PhD student under Prof. Pau Ballester’s supervision, has successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Aryl-Extended Calix[4]Pyrrole Receptors with Metal Centers: Organometallic Receptors and Metallo-Macrocycles Based on Coordination Bonds” publicly on October 25th.
The members of the evaluation committee were Prof. Antonio Frontera Beccaria (Universitat de les Illes Balears), Prof. Dr. Laura Rodriguez Raurell (Universitat de Barcelona), and Dr. Kaisa Helttunen (University of Jyväskylä).
Dr. Rivoli is from Sicily (Italy). He studied chemistry at University of Catania (2009-2014), where he pursued a Master’s degree studies on biomolecular chemistry (2014-2018). After that and before moving to Tarragona, Andrea worked at Pfizer during 5 months.
Why did you become a scientist?
Because from when I was child I was curious about this wonderful word.
What do you want to achieve as a scientist?
I am not ambitious. I just wanted to know a bit more than before
What is your thesis about?
Supramolecular chemistry. The title of the thesis is explicative “Aryl-extended calix[4]pyrrole receptors with metal centers: organometallic receptors and metallo-macrocycles based on coordination bonds”.
What triggered your interest for the subject of your thesis?
The possibility to study a bit non-covalent interaction.
What applications can your thesis have in the future?
More than application I see knowledge that can help in the future people other scientist.
From the lessons learnt (or skills developed) at ICIQ, which one do you value the most?
The resilience. This is the most valuble skill that the PhD provide.
What ICIQ moment you will never forget?
I would like to remember each day at ICIQ.
What will you miss the most from ICIQ?
All my colleagues and friends.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your PhD?
The importance of good time management, which is fundamental for a PhD student.
What advice do you have for someone who’s starting their PhD now?
I would suggest to start learning how do time management, to have a good work-free time balance.
Have you ever been emotional over an experiment/simulation? Why?
Yes, when you for weeks are not able to properly purify or synthetize something is normal being emotional.
Who has been your biggest motivation?
My group members everyone influenced my during this journey.
Chemistry/Science is fun because…
You can learn always new things.
What is your favourite molecule?
Obviously two wall aril-extended Calix[4]pyrroles.
