Silvia Werd
Alba Castro
Noemí de Elena
Rafael Cela
Roberto Lozano
Iria Pérez
Javier López
Patricia Alvarenga
Juan Suárez
Beni Sieira
Diego Suárez
Álvaro Taboada
Paula Mora
Vera Martos
Julián Lomba
Mazen Hassani
Leticia Pérez
Karen Vilela
Óscar Crego
Silvia Werd
My name is Silvia, and I’m based in Madrid, Spain. I have a passion for animals, sports, technologies and marketing. So I`m one the lucky ones who can really say that I found my passion and made it my profession!
Self-motivated and proactive, with strong analytical skills, I pride myself on being a creative problem-solver able to pick up new skills quickly and effectively. I am driven to learn as much as possible and to deliver high-quality work, through a structured and methodical approach, strong customer orientation, and solid project management and business development competencies. And I am a team player with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
Project success and customer satisfaction are the pillars on which I build trusting relationships and drive business growth.
I really enjoy fast-moving and diverse environments, where everywhere you turn there are opportunities to expand knowledge. I see myself as someone who is eager to learn, committed, honest and open-minded. I am now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Alba Castro
Alba Castro is a professional born in Pontevedra in 1990 and holds a degree in Business Administration. For over six years, she has been dedicated to accounting in a large industrial company, gaining extensive experience.
In addition to her education in business administration, Alba has a great interest in computer science and office automation. She has completed several courses in these areas and is always updating her knowledge in tools and new technologies.
In her free time, Alba enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking. She is also an avid reader and enjoys spending time with friends and family. Alba is a curious, creative, and hardworking person, always willing to learn new things and take on new challenges. Alba is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Dr. Noemí de Elena
Noemí studied at the University of Valladolid, where she obtained her BSc and later her PhD in Organic Synthesis.
She gained experience in project management working for several private and public companies and joined Mestrelab in September 2022. Noemí is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Prof. Rafael Cela
Rafael has developed all his scientific trajectory in the University as a professor of analytical chemistry, studying and starting as assistant in the University of Madrid, then as an associate professor in the university of Cadiz and finally as a full professor in the university of Santiago de Compostela. Retired since August 2022.
In the 70’s was among the pioneers of chemometrics in Spain and most of his research has been focused on chemometrics and chromatography, particularly experimental design and optimization of chromatography separations. He has published more than 300 papers in referenced journals having currently an h-index of 62. He has also written two textbooks and several chapters in the Wiley’s Analytical Chemistry Encyclopedia and Elsevier’s Comprehensive Chemometrics. Founded and coordinated up to his retirement the ChromChem research group leading and developing more than 25 pluri-annual research projects thanks to government and private enterprise’s funding. Rafael is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Roberto Lozano
Roberto obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Experimental Sciences, specializing in Physics, from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Móstoles in 2015. Following that, he pursued a Master’s Degree in Mathematical Engineering, specializing in Non-Linear Systems and Numerical Methods, at Universidad Carlos III in Leganés in 2017. Then he embarked on his PhD at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, focusing on the simulation of neuronal networks as nonlinear systems, while also teaching Physics at the undergraduate level. In 2022, he achieved another Master’s Degree in Computer Graphics from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, specializing in Simulations and GPGPU. Roberto is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Iria Perez
Iria was born in Rois and moved to Santiago de Compostela during her teenage years. She studied Biomedical Engineering at Universidade de Vigo from 2018 to 2022, specializing in Biotech and being highly interested in the programming and signal processing fields. Her first formal experience consisted of a half-year internship with Gradiant, developing and testing a radar device for remote diagnostic of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea). Later, she spent another half a year working in research and development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in CTAG. Finally, she is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Javier López
Born in Ourense (Galicia), Javier obtained his Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering, specializing in Energy Technologies, from the University of Vigo (2014). There he received his first Master’s Degree in Mining Engineering (2016). He also obtained the inter-university MSc in Industrial Mathematics, specializing in Numeric Simulation, from the University of Santiago de Compostela (2018).
In late 2017 he started working at the Energy Technology research Group (GTE), back at the University of Vigo. There he embarked in a PhD in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Engineering and Architecture (2021), focused on numerical weather prediction models applied to energy simulations in buildings and renewable energy systems. After obtaining his PhD, he kept working as a post-doctoral researcher in the same group until early 2023. Javier is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Patricia Alvarenga
was born in El Salvador and arrived in Spain, specifically in Cantabria, at the age of 18 to study Computer Engineering (2016-2020) with a collaboration scholarship. Thanks to this scholarship, I was able to do internships during the first two years at CITICAN and the last two years at Diatomea Tech, where I was also hired and had the opportunity to work on web development projects, Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging technologies for two more years. I live in Santiago de Compostela and I am now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Juan Suárez
Juan obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Chemical and Industrial Chemistry Research at the same university, specializing in NMR Spectroscopy under the supervision of Prof. Javier Sardina.
Following that, Juan spent 6 years working within the research team overseen by Prof. Javier Sardina. During this time, he engaged in R&D projects in the field of NMR, with a particular emphasis on creating applications for compact NMR devices.
In 2023, Juan joined Mestrelab and he is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM). In his leisure time, he enjoys cycling in nature and holds a deep passion for all things related to cinema and music.
Beni Sieira
Born in Ribeira (1992), Beni moved to Santiago de Compostela in 2010 to study Chemistry at the University of Santiago de Compostela from 2010 to 2014, getting a Master in Advanced Analytical Techniques one year later. It was at this moment when he decided to start his PhD, mainly related to the use of HPLC/GC–(HR)MS in the IAQBUS (previous IIAA). In 2020, he worked in Applus Norcontrol as Quality Control member in the Chromatography area. Beni is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Diego Suárez
Originally from Santiago de Compostela, Diego studied Computer Science in A Coruña, where he lived during that time.
He graduated in early 2020, achieving an honorable mention in his final degree project Tool For Assessing Damage To Spider Crab Sperm DNA Through Comet Cell Analysis.
He returned to his hometown right before the COVID pandemic began, and started teleworking as a software developer in logistics projects of the public health system of Galicia.
In September 2023, Diego joined Mestrelab, and he is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM)
Álvaro Taboada
Born in Ourense in 1991. After completing a degree in Physics in Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, he moved to Germany in 2016, where he earned a Ph.D. in Astrophysics at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. He continued as a postdoctoral researcher in Argentina, specializing in software development for simulations and data analysis. Alvaro is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM) since September 2023.
Paula Mora
Paula Mora obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 2013 at the Complutense University of Madrid, with a specialization in Fundamental Chemistry. In 2016, she completed a Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Birmingham (UK). In 2018, she was granted the opportunity to start her predoctoral studies in the Total Synthesis of Natural Products in the group led by Prof. Ángel Rodríguez de Lera and Prof. Rosana Álvarez at the University of Vigo. Currently, she is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Dr. Vera Martos
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, followed by a PhD at the Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ), specializing in chemical biology. My research involved designing and synthesizing cellular vectors and protein ligands with a focus on the guanidine functional group. Subsequently, I relocated to Berlin, Germany, where I undertook a postdoctoral role at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology, working on medicinal chemistry projects and using Mnova on a daily basis.
After my research career, I transitioned into the role of an innovation and technology transfer manager at the Max-Delbrück Centrum for Molecular Medicine while concurrently pursuing a master’s degree in scientific management. In my most recent position before joining Mestrelab in October 2023, I was responsible for guiding and supporting innovative biomedical projects from the University Hospital Charité in Berlin, with the aim to take these projects from lab-bench to bedside. In my free time I enjoy my hobbies of ornithology, sports and playing the recorder.
Julián Lomba
Mazen Hassani
From competing in robotics to leading tech teams, my journey has been a blend of technology and innovation. As a global finalist in robotics, I’ve combined my love for tech and teamwork. Previously, I had the honour of serving as the head of development at Harbour.Space, where I played a crucial role in steering innovative projects. Now, as a backend developer at MestreLab, I continue to contribute my skills to shape the future of technology. Additionally, I serve as CTO at an early-stage startup, leveraging my social skills to build strong connections. My passion lies in system architecture, backend work, and robotics, with a solid foundation in Electronics Engineering. Let’s work together to shape the future of innovation! I am now part of the team at the new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM) since November 2023.
LETI PÉREZ MAYÁN
Leticia was born in Meaño (Spain) and moved to Santiago de Compostela to obtain her
Bachelor´s Degree in Chemistry (2015). In 2017, she completed a Master of Innovation in Food
Safety and Technology and joined the Chom-Chem group (IAQBUS) to start her PhD under the
supervision of Prof. Isaac Rodríguez, with a FPU contract from the Spanish Ministry of
Education and Culture. She obtained her PhD, related to the determination of pesticides in
environmental samples using HPLC/SFC/GC-(HR)MS, in 2022. One year later, she completed a
Master in Secondary and Bachelor Education Teaching, with the science specialisation. Leticia
is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM).
Karen Vilela Goñez
Karen, born in 1991, graduated in Chemistry at the University of Santiago de Compostela,
achieving an honorable mention in her final degree project. After completing a master’s
degree in organic chemistry, she obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the same university,
specializing in organic synthesis and NMR spectroscopy under the supervision of Prof. Javier
Sardina.
After completing her Ph.D. degree, Karen worked as a technical project manager in Prof.
Sardina´s research group, where she developed R&D projects aimed at the application of high-
field and benchtop NMR to consumer products in the food, cosmetic, and fashion industries.
Karen joined Mestrelab in 2024 and she is now part of the team at our new Mestrelab
Research Center (CIM)
In her leisure time, she enjoys classical cinema and cooking desserts. Furthermore, she loves
fashion and ballet.
Óscar Crego
Dr. Óscar, born in A Coruña in 1992, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s in Industrial Mathematics, specializing in Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation, both from the University of Santiago de Compostela. His journey as a research and development scientist began at ITMATI in 2015, concurrently with the completion of his Master’s. Since January 2024, he is part of the team at the new Mestrelab Research Center (CIM). In 2022, he successfully earned his Ph.D. through research on fluid-structure interaction problems applied to floating bodies. His work delved into the study of waves generated by moving floating bodies, drawing inspiration from the serene beauty of ducks swimming in a pond.