Dr Itxaso Calafel Martinez

M. Itxaso obtained her degree in Chemical Sciences and her PhD at the University of the Basque Country. She worked in the Thermal Analysis Group belonging to the Polymer Science and Technology Department of the Faculty of Chemistry in San Sebastian, from 1994 to 2006, in various lines of research related to biodegradable semi-crystalline polymers and thermosetting resins. During this period, he worked on the modification of thermosetting epoxy resins with semi-crystalline thermoplastic materials. From 2007 until today, she belongs to the Rheology Group of the same Faculty. In the same year, 2007, she joined POLYMAT Institute. Since 2021, she is part of the teaching staff of the Faculty of Chemistry of San Sebastian, as assistant professor, teaching part of the subjects of Macromolecular Materials I, and Materials Science. She also teaches part of the subject "Physics of Polymers: structure/properties relationship" of the Master's Degree in Chemistry and Polymers. She has published more than 20 scientific articles in international journals and has contributed with posters and oral communications in more than 11 scientific congresses. He has supervised several Final Degree and Master's Degree projects. She has participated in several research projects aimed at both academia and industry, the latter in the context of the university-industry collaboration plan. In this context, the main research line was focused on the development of new formulations based on PVC homopolymers and vinyl chloride copolymers with different comonomers, that is, "tailor-made" materials that meet the new health and environmental requirements. Moreover, she has focused its efforts on the introduction of these new PVC-based materials in new additive manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, from a rheological point of view. Since 2019, it has been immersed in a new research line focused on the development of high added value, biodegradable and biocompostable biomaterials. During this period, she has also gained extensive experience in the development and rheological characterisation of hydrogels with ophthalmological applications.

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