Welcome L. Patricia !
Lourdes Patricia Sanmiguel Vázquez will be joining the University of Groningen in October 2025 as a Doctoral Candidate.
In the framework of the MonaLisa project, Lourdes Patricia will spend 3 years working on “The Cooperative Effects on the Molecular Motors”, while participating in many trainings and network events.
Read the following introduction to get to know her:
Tell us more about your background!
I am 23 years old and I am from Santiago de Compostela (Galicia). I completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and then a master’s degree in chemistry at the interface with biology and materials science, both of them at the University of Santiago de Compostela. During this time, I worked on the synthesis and characterization of peptides and peptide helicates as DNA binders under the supervision of Prof. Eugenio Vázquez. Moreover, in July 2025, I have also completed another master’s in teaching experimental sciences.
Why do you want to be part of MonaLisa?
I have always been fascinated by supramolecular chemistry, and I think the field of molecular machines specifically has a lot of potential. Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of MonaLisa was what attracted me the most about the program. It offers me the unique opportunity to sharpen my research skills in an unbeatable environment, and to learn a lot of new techniques, which will help to diversify my portfolio skills and will help me open up new horizons in the future.
What are your expectations of living and working in Groningen?
Living abroad seems like a unique experience that everyone should have. Moreover, I think that Groningen is a charming and very welcoming city. In some ways, it resembles my birthplace Santiago. Both are small cities with a lot of history, as well as a lively university and international atmosphere.
What do you think will be your main challenge for you in the next three years?
I would say that becoming a more independent scientist. And learning to cope when things don’t go according to plan and knowing how to look beyond the mistakes and continuing to learn from them.
