Sofia Ferrer Cabrera, PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren (ICIQ), has defended her PhD Thesis entitled “Gold Catalysis: From Fundamentals to the Synthesis of Bullvalenes and Naturally Occurring Sesquiterpenes” (assigned to the Organic and Analytical Chemistry Department Department of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili) publicly on October 18th at the ICIQ Auditorium.

The members of the evaluation committee were: Sonsoles Martin Santamaria (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC), Joan Bosch Cartes (Universitat de Barcelona), Catalina Ferrer Llabrés (Syncom)

Dr. Ferrer received her B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Universidad de Alicante in 2013. She then joined Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren’s group at ICIQ as a Synthesis, Catalysis and Molecular Design master student and remained in the same group to pursue her PhD studies.

Why did you become a scientist?

I have always been a curious person and I love learning new things every day. Moreover, I find very exciting making discoveries and sharing them with other people. Thus, being a scientist is the perfect way to satisfy those requirements. As a scientist I’d like to have a reaction named after me one day… But more seriously, I want to contribute in the development of chemicals to ultimately help solve society’s needs.

From the lessons learnt at ICIQ, which one do you value the most?

During my time at ICIQ I have learnt many things, one of the most valuable was learning about time management. I consider it something really important when you are a researcher.

What ICIQ moment you’ll never forget?

When we won the karaoke contest during the Christmas party (even though it did rain cats and dogs).

Where are you going next? What will you do there?

I will start by celebrating properly that I have become a doctor!