Ikerbasque researcher: Zoraida Freixa
The Basque Country today has the material and human capacity to carry out extremely high-level research.
How has your situation as a researcher changed since joining UPV-EHU (University of the Basque Country) as an Ikerbasque researcher?
For me, my recent incorporation as an Ikerbasque researcher is a great professional achievement. Belonging to the group of Ikerbasque researchers is synonymous with stability, independence and freedom, values which are extremely difficult to achieve in research in the current academic context. At the same time, the support that I've received since the moment I arrived both from the Fundación Ikerbasque and the Applied Chemistry Department at the UPV-EHU to which I now belong, have minimised the personal cost that always comes with relocation.
Together, Ikerbasque and UPV-EHU have given me a unique opportunity to carry out my research, to maximise creativity to overcome new challenges and to take greater scientific risks from the tranquil perspective of a stable professional future.
Your line of research focuses on homogenic catalysis, supra-molecular chemistry and photochromic materials - can you explain what it comprises?
My area of specialisation is homogenic catalysis, the development of new organic-metallic compounds that act as selective catalysts in organic reactions. They're used in synthesising pharmaceuticals, fragrances, base ingredients for the chemicals industry, etc. Initially, strategies for obtaining new catalysts were based on the use of conventional synthetic techniques, and the process was slow and costly in terms of manpower. In recent years we have integrated advances made at the heart of supra-molecular chemistry into this field. The construction of systems through the auto-assembly of modules, together with the use of combined chemistry has tremendously accelerated the discovery process. My current challenge is to add molecular interrupters to these compounds, to give us external control over their properties (for example using light). Some of these compounds, which combine electro-luminescent properties and photosensitivity, may also be interesting materials in themselves, given their potential applications for technology.
What's your opinion of the research scene in the Basque Country?
Although I was aware that the Basque Country was investing heavily in research, as a new arrival I'm astounded by the scale of this investment. The number of recently created technological centres with cutting-edge technology is simply astonishing and, in my opinion, the Basque Country today has the material and human capacity to carry out extremely high-level research.
In spite of the fact that, at present, the Basque Country is not yet able to consider itself as a region of major international impact, scientifically speaking, the significant efforts being made to achieve this are obvious. Undoubtedly, as an Ikerbasque researcher, you feel this as part of your own responsibility - we're part of this important investment for the future.