Dr. Carla Casadevall, ICIQ Associated Researcher, receives Leonardo Grant in Physics and Chemistry

1st April 2025 – Dr. Carla Casadevall, Associated Researcher at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Ramón y Cajal Assistant Professor at the University Rovira i Virgili (URV) and PI of the Casadevall Lab, has been awarded a Leonardo Grant in Physics and Chemistry, a prestigious recognition that supports outstanding researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, and engineering. She is among 20 researchers selected in this category from a highly competitive pool of 493 applicants.

The Leonardo Grants, awarded by the BBVA Foundation, provide up to €50,000 to support pioneering research projects over a period of 12 to 18 months. These grants are aimed at mid-career researchers with a strong track record of innovative scientific contributions.

“This grant is a fantastic opportunity to push the boundaries of our research in the development of compartmentalized systems for artificial photosynthesis and explore new scientific challenges with greater flexibility and impact,” said Dr. Casadevall. “It is an honor to be recognized alongside such outstanding researchers.”

Dr. Casadevall’s work focuses on artificial photosynthesis and sustainable catalysis, areas that are essential for the development of greener and more efficient chemical processes.

In addition to Dr. Casadevall, Dr. Fabio Juliá, a former ICIQ Junior Leader, has also been awarded a Leonardo Grant. Dr. Juliá, now leading an independent research group at Universidad de Murcia continues to make significant contributions in the field of organic and photocatalysis.

ICIQ congratulates both researchers on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates their contributions to advancing knowledge in chemistry and beyond.

About Dr. Carla Casadevall

Dr. Casadevall was born in Palafrugell-Girona (Spain) in 1991 and is currently a Ramón y Cajal fellow and a Junior Group Leader at the URV and ICIQ (Tarrgona, Spain). Her group works on the development of catalyst-functionalized polymeric microreactors to produce solar fuels and chemicals within the fields of artificial photosynthesis and photoredox catalysis. She obtained a BSc in chemistry (2013) and a MSc (2014) in Advanced Catalysis and Molecular Modelling at the University of Girona (Spain). Then she moved to ICIQ to do a PhD (2015-2019) working on homogeneous systems for artificial photosynthesis and photoredox catalysis, performing internships at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), Arizona State University (USA), University of Groningen (Netherlands) and MPI-CEC (Germany). In September 2019 she moved to the University of Cambridge (UK) where she was awarded a Marie Marie Skłodowska–Curie Individual Fellow (2020-2022) working on biohybrid systems for artificial photosynthesis. In October 2022 she came back to Spain and started her independent career with a “La Caixa Junior Leader Incoming Fellowship” and recently with a Ramón y Cajal at ICIQ and URV.

Over her 11years of research career (since the beginning of the master’s) she has worked in 8 internationally recognized institutions (University of Girona, ICIQ, URV, ASU, MPI-CEC, KTH, University of Groningen, University of Cambridge) in 6 different countries (Spain, Sweden, US, Netherlands, Germany, UK). She has authored 39 scientific papers in top tier international journals (Nature Chemistry, Chem, J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.), including 2 book chapters, and has 2 granted patents, from which one is licensed and transferred to a spin off company that is industrializing it. Carla has given over 25 invited talks in national and international conferences. She has obtained competitive funding to pursue her research, to remark the AGAUR Producte Project,Ramón y Cajal or the Spanish National Grant. And she has recently been awarded with the “Thieme Chemistry Journals Award 2024”, the “Young Investigator Prize 2023” from the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) and the “Emerging Scientific Talent Prize 2023” from the Catalan Chemical Society (SCQ) for her academic career and her emerging leadership. Currently Carla is the President of the Young Chemists Section of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (JIQ-REQ), Spanish Delegate of the “European Young Chemists Network” (EYCN), and has recently been appointed as board member of the EYCN of EuChems, being the new Network Team Leader.

About BBVA Foundation Leonardo Grants

The BBVA Foundation Leonardo Grants support mid-career researchers, innovators, and cultural creators who demonstrate exceptional talent and a strong track record of scientific or artistic contributions. These grants, awarded across multiple disciplines—including basic sciences, biomedicine, environmental sciences, engineering, and the humanities—provide up to €50,000 to fund innovative projects over 12 to 18 months. With a focus on fostering cutting-edge research and creativity, the programme aims to empower individuals who are shaping the future of knowledge and culture. For more information visit: https://www.fbbva.es/