Karla Rosalia Sanchez Lievanos

About Me

I am a synthetic chemist, enthusiast of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, with extensive experience in analytical techniques for inorganic physical chemistry and solid-state characterization. My curiosity about the incredible opportunities and discoveries Nanoscience can bring to our ever-growing technologic era, guided me to start my scientific career as a Molecular Designer and Nanochemist in 2014. I have continued on that path ever since. I enjoy facing the challenges involved in designing novel multicomponent and advanced materials with potential applications in environmental remediation and energy conversion. At Professor Kathryn E. Knowles’ research group, I create and optimize synthetic approaches for complex metal oxide semiconductor nanocrystals and study their fundamental properties via various Analytical and Spectroscopic (XPS, UV-Vis-NIR, EDXS, TEM, SEM, p-XRD, SC-XRD) techniques. Currently, I explore spinel ferrite nanocrystals’ performance as photocatalysts for oxidative degradation of pollutants and chemical reduction into added-value compounds. I hope my PhD outcomes have an impact on future water remediation technologies.

My personal and professional experiences have helped me to quickly build a cross-cultural multi-disciplinary network as well as to broaden my perspective of the world. I enjoy seeing myself as a proactive leader and being able to contribute on both the individual and team levels. I am passionate about volunteering time for the advancement of science. I hope to continue to develop and educate myself as a civil person and professional by gaining both the depth and breadth of a multi-talented scientist.

Outside Chemistry I enjoy hiking, dancing and discovering foreign-language music.